Names Ending in -ly for Girls

Brily is a contemporary feminine name that exemplifies modern creative naming trends. Likely a variation of names like Briley or a combination of elements from popular names such as Briana and Lily, it has a bright, melodic quality. The name has no established historical roots but instead represents the current preference for invented names with appealing sounds. Brily conveys a sense of brightness and cheerfulness, possibly evoking associations with 'brilliant' or 'bright.' Extremely rare as a given name, Brily offers parents seeking uniqueness a distinctive option that still sounds familiar enough to be easily pronounced and spelled. Its contemporary feel makes it emblematic of 21st-century naming innovations.

Brily

Pretty and unconventional floral option so called because their beautiful blooms generally last only a day.

Daylily

Cymberly is a feminine name that emerged as a creative variation of Kimberly, which itself originated as an English surname derived from the place name in Nottinghamshire, combining 'Cyneburg,' a royal fortress, and 'leah,' meaning woodland or clearing. The distinctive spelling with 'C' and 'y' represents a modern trend toward unique spellings of familiar names. The alteration may also evoke associations with the musical instrument cymbal, adding a subtle artistic dimension. Cymberly gained limited usage in the late 20th century when parents began seeking more individualized versions of popular names. While maintaining the melodic three-syllable flow and general recognition of Kimberly, Cymberly offers a more uncommon option that stands out on paper while still being intuitively pronounceable.

Cymberly

Kymbrely is a creative spelling variation of Kimberly, a name with Anglo-Saxon origins meaning 'from the royal fortress meadow.' This distinctive spelling emerged during the 1970s-1980s trend of adapting traditional names with unique letter combinations. The substitution of 'y' for 'i' and the addition of an extra 'e' give Kymbrely a more elaborate and personalized feel compared to its traditional counterpart. While less common than Kimberly or Kimberley, this variation appeals to parents seeking familiar sounds with individualized presentation. Kymbrely maintains the same melodic quality and cultural associations as Kimberly but stands apart in written form. The name peaked in popularity during the 1980s but continues to be chosen by parents who appreciate its distinctive spelling while honoring the classic name's heritage.

Kymbrely

Connally is a rare feminine name with origins as an Irish surname. It derives from the Gaelic 'Ó Conghalaigh' meaning 'descendant of Conghalach,' which comes from 'conghal,' meaning 'valiant' or 'brave.' The name crossed over to first-name usage as part of the trend of adopting surnames as given names. Connally gained some recognition in American political history through John Connally, a former Texas governor. As a feminine first name, it remains uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with Celtic roots. The name has a sophisticated sound and carries connotations of strength and dignity, while its '-ally' ending gives it a naturally feminine touch despite its surname origins.

Connally

A small number of girls are given this Irish surname as a first name each year.

Daly

Kymberly is a feminine name that emerged as a creative spelling variant of Kimberly in the mid-20th century. The original name Kimberly comes from an English place name meaning 'meadow of Cyneburg's royal fortress,' combining Anglo-Saxon elements. The distinctive 'y' spelling gives Kymberly a more unconventional look while maintaining the familiar pronunciation. This variation gained modest popularity in the 1970s and 1980s when parents began exploring alternative spellings of traditional names. Like Kimberly, Kymberly often uses the nicknames Kim, Kym, or Kymmie. The name carries associations of strength and nobility from its royal origins while offering parents a way to personalize a familiar name. Though less common than the standard spelling, Kymberly maintains the approachable, friendly quality of its traditional counterpart.

Kymberly

The Calla lily is a beautiful trumpet-shaped lily flower, usually white in color, which symbolizes purity and innocence. Its name derives from the Greek kallos, meaning "beauty".

 Calla lilies have long been associated with the goddess Hera. According to Greek legend, Zeus brought his son Hercules to nurse from Hera while she slept, so that he could have the strength of the gods. Hera awoke and pushed the baby away from her. Drops of milk flew across the sky, creating the milky way, and fell to earth, causing calla lilies to grow.

Callalily

Energetic Connelly variation that works better for girls than for boys.

Connolly

Bryly is a modern feminine name that appears to be a creative variation or neologism likely derived from names like Brielle, Brylee, or possibly the surname Bryl. With its distinctive spelling and bright sound, Bryly has an inherently contemporary feel. The name follows the trend of short, snappy names with the popular 'ly' ending seen in names like Kimberly, Beverly, and Emily, yet stands apart with its unique construction. While lacking deep historical roots, Bryly appeals to parents seeking something fresh and uncommon that still feels familiar in structure. The name has a lighthearted, energetic quality with its crisp consonants and flowing ending. Extremely rare in usage statistics, Bryly offers the appeal of uniqueness while remaining relatively intuitive in pronunciation. Its brevity and modern character make it well-suited to contemporary naming sensibilities focused on distinctiveness and phonetic appeal.

Bryly

A bright and bubbly word name would be fun on a girl or a boy — a more spritely alternative to Brighton.

Brightly

A striking word name that packs a punch — but the "-ly" ending may a bit more name-like than just Brave.

Bravely

The surname of enterprising journalist Nellie Bly and poet Robert Bly makes a simple, modern, and upbeat sounding choice for either a boy or a girl.

Kaly is a short, sweet feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Callie or Kaylee, or a shortened form of Kalina or Kaleen. Some parents might choose it as a unique spelling of Kali, the Hindu goddess representing time, change, and power. The name has Greek connections too, possibly relating to 'kallos' meaning beauty. With its modern feel and cross-cultural appeal, Kaly offers simplicity while remaining distinctive. The name has never been among the most popular choices but maintains steady usage among parents seeking short, melodic names with multiple cultural connections. Kaly projects a bright, friendly personality and works well across various cultures and languages.

Kaly

Colly is a diminutive feminine name that likely originated as a nickname for names like Colleen, Nicole, or Nicolette. With Scottish and Irish connections, it may relate to the word 'colleen' meaning 'girl' in Irish. Colly also appears in British folklore in the Christmas carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as 'colly birds' (meaning black as coal, referring to blackbirds). As a standalone name, Colly is quite uncommon, maintaining a sweet, informal quality. Its brevity gives it a friendly, approachable feel while its unusual status as a given name makes it distinctive. The name has a cheerful, light-hearted character that balances familiarity with uniqueness. Colly's simplicity and charm make it appealing for parents seeking a name that's unpretentious yet memorable.

Colly

Bradly is an unusual choice as a feminine name, as it's traditionally a masculine name, a variant spelling of Bradley. The name originated as an English surname derived from Old English words 'brad' meaning 'broad' and 'leah' meaning 'clearing in the woods' or 'meadow'. As a given name, Bradly gained some recognition in the mid-20th century for boys, but remains quite uncommon for girls. This gender-crossing usage reflects the modern trend of adopting traditionally male names for females. For a girl, Bradly offers a strong, distinctive option that stands out from typical feminine names. The alternative spelling without the 'e' gives it a slightly different visual appeal from the more common Bradley.

Bradly

Annsly is a modern feminine name that appears to be a creative variation of the more traditional Ansley or Ainsley. Originally a surname of English origin meaning 'one's own meadow' or 'hermitage clearing,' it evolved into a given name in recent decades. The distinctive double 'n' spelling gives this version a unique touch while maintaining the pleasant sound of the original. Annsly has a delicate, graceful quality while still feeling contemporary. It remains relatively uncommon, making it appealing to parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet stands out. The name blends traditional elements with modern spelling preferences, creating a balance between classic and contemporary styles.

Annsly

Delly is a feminine name that typically functions as a diminutive form of names like Adele, Cordelia, or Delilah. With English origins as a nickname, it has occasionally emerged as a given name in its own right. The name has a cheerful, friendly quality with its bouncy sound and '-ly' ending. Delly gained some recognition following the popularity of Australian basketball player Matthew Dellavedova, nicknamed "Delly." As a standalone name, it remains uncommon, making it distinctive without being unrecognizable. The name evokes a sense of warmth and approachability with its informal, endearing quality. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across different languages and cultures.

Delly

Cilly is a diminutive feminine name that can serve as a nickname for several longer names, including Priscilla, Cecilia, or Lucille. As a standalone name, it has a playful, endearing quality with its soft sounds and cheerful ending. The name has Germanic roots when used as a short form of Cecilia (derived from the Roman family name Caecilius). Cilly is uncommon as a formal given name, particularly in English-speaking countries, which gives it a distinctive charm. The name's brevity and friendly sound make it appealing for parents seeking something sweet and uncomplicated. Despite its nickname origins, Cilly has a complete feel that works well on its own, offering simplicity while maintaining a feminine quality.

Cilly

Amelia Lily is a melodious double name combining two popular feminine choices. Amelia, derived from the Germanic 'amal' meaning 'work,' has been beloved for centuries and carried by notable figures including Amelia Earhart. It conveys strength with a feminine quality. Lily, from the flower name, symbolizes purity, innocence, and beauty in many cultures. Together, they create a name with both substance and delicacy, balancing traditional strength with natural grace. The combination gained recognition in the UK when singer Amelia Lily Oliver rose to fame on The X Factor in 2011. As a double name, Amelia Lily offers versatility—it can be used in full or shortened to either component depending on personal preference, giving the bearer multiple options throughout life.

Amelia-lily

Girl names ending in -ly include many popular choices.

In the US, the top girl name with an ly ending is Emily, a former Number 1 name. Along with Emily, girl names with ly endings in the US Top 200 include Lily (and Lilly), Everly, Molly, and Kimberly.

Along with Emily and Lily, popular ly-ending girl names in the UK include Holly, Tilly, and Polly, all in the Top 200.

Names that end in ly closely resemble those ending in ley, lee, and so on, so the sound is far more ubiquitous than this one spelling would suggest.

The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.

Here are all Nameberry's names for girls ending in ly.

Girl names ending in -ly include many popular choices. In the US, the top girl name with an ly ending is Emily, a former Number 1 name. Along with Emily, girl names with ly endings in the US Top 200 include Lily (and Lilly), Everly, Molly, and Kimberly. Along with Emily and Lily, popular ly-ending girl names in the UK include Holly, Tilly, and Polly, all in the Top 200. Names that end in ly closely resemble those ending in ley, lee, and so on, so the sound is far more ubiquitous than this one spelling would suggest. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically. Here are all Nameberry's names for girls ending in ly. (Page 14)