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Names Ending in -ly for Girls

  1. Milly
    • Origin:

      Variation of Millie, English diminutive of Mildred or Millicent
    • Meaning:

      "gentle strength; strong in work"
    • Description:

      Milly and her more popular sister Millie are adorable Old Lady nickname-names springing back to life. Nearly 100 baby girls were named Milly, just Milly, last year, and Millie is in the US Top 500. Milly is the Molly of the new generation.
  2. Cicely
    • Origin:

      English variation of Cecilia
    • Meaning:

      "blind"
    • Description:

      This frilly Victorian name is a variant of Cecilia and Cecily, with which it might well be confused. Cicely was a surprise choice for comedienne Sandra Bernhard.
  3. Nelly
    • Origin:

      Variation of Nellie and Nell
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Nelly or Nellie is an adorable nickname name that can be short for a wide range of more formal appellations or that can stand on its own, and is typical of the vintage nickname genre that is growing in popularity. While Nelly can be used for several different names, from Helen to Eleanor to Cornelia, it has stood on its own for more than a century. It was one of the most popular names – spelled as Nellie – in the U.S. at the end of the 1800s.
  4. Tully
    • Origin:

      Irish, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "flood; quiet; hill"
    • Description:

      Tully is an Irish surname just waiting to be adapted as a first. Cute and lively, and reminiscent of Tilly or Tali, it's got a long history and a range of possible meanings, depending on which root you use.
  5. Elly
    • Description:

      Elly is a charming feminine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a diminutive for several longer names including Eleanor, Elizabeth, Ellen, Eloise, and Eliana. With English and Greek origins, its root meaning connects to 'light' or 'shining one' through its connection to these longer forms. Elly has a friendly, approachable quality with its cheerful sound and simple spelling. While not typically ranking among the most popular names, it has maintained steady usage throughout the decades. The name strikes a perfect balance between feeling familiar and yet not overly common. Its brevity makes it practical and unpretentious, while still carrying the elegant heritage of its longer counterparts.

  6. Shelly
    • Description:

      Shelly is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Michelle or as a reference to seashells, giving it both personal and nature-inspired origins. Popular during the 1960s and 1970s in English-speaking countries, Shelly has a cheerful, friendly quality that made it a favorite during this period. The name evokes coastal imagery and has a naturally pleasant sound. While it can stand alone as a given name, Shelly continues to serve as a nickname for Michelle, Rochelle, or Shelby. Though its peak popularity has passed, Shelly maintains an unpretentious charm and familiarity. The name's association with seashells gives it a subtle nature connection that appeals to parents drawn to ocean themes.
  7. Blakely
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "dark wood or clearing"
    • Description:

      Blakely, along with Blakeley, Blakelee and Blakeleigh, is one of the post-Ashley surname names that end with the lee sound so stylish today. Reality stars Trista and Ryan Sutter named their daughter Blakesley. These surname-names are among the most stylish English names for girls.
  8. Tally
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Talia
    • Meaning:

      "gentle dew from heaven"
    • Description:

      Nickname sometimes heard on its own, sort of an updated Sally and playmate of Hallie.
  9. Ally
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Allie
    • Description:

      This spelling variation of the popular girls' nickname ranks behind the more traditional form—Allie (Number 255). This spelling could be hurt by the word name ally, which bears a different pronunciation.
  10. Kirrily
    • Origin:

      Aboriginal, Australian
    • Meaning:

      "tree bark or leaf"
    • Description:

      Kirrily, which rhymes with cheerily, is a name that's uniquely popular in Australia. It originated in recent decades as an elaboration of several similar names – the European Kyra or Keira, the Maori Kiri which means tree bark, or the Aboriginal word kira which means leaf – plus the lee sound.
  11. Arely
    • Origin:

      Spanish feminization of Areli, Hebrew, or contraction of Araceli
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God; sky altar"
    • Description:

      Appearing in the US Top 1000 and popular among Spanish speaking families, Arely may be one of two things: a twist on the Hebrew masculine name, Areli, or a shortened form of the Spanish Araceli.
  12. Callalily
    • Origin:

      English from Greek flower name
    • Description:

      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".
  13. Lolly
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Laura, Charlotte, Dolores, Ololade, or similar
    • Description:

      Lolly is a sweet and playful nickname, usually used for Laura or Charlotte, though other full names could be Dolores, Ololade, Lauren, Lorelei, Lorena, Elodie, Ottilie, Louella, Elora, Elowen, Olive and beyond. Also spelled as Lollie (which featured in the US Top 1000 in the late 19th century, Lolly is still occasionally given as a stand-alone name, with more than 50 girls receiving the name since the 2000s.
  14. Olly
    • Origin:

      Short form of Olive or Olivia, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"
    • Description:

      Olly is used less often as a nickname for the mega-popular Olivia or the stylish Olive than Ellie is for Eleanor or Allie for Allison. That may be because Olly has a much longer use as a nickname for boys.
  15. Verily
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "truly"
    • Description:

      A quaint and poetic English word meaning "truly", which could easily make the switch to baby name usage, given its similarity to sophisticated vintage names like Verity and Cecily.
  16. Dilly
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Delia, Greek, or Dilys, Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "born on the island of Delos; genuine, steadfast, true; "
    • Description:

      Somewhat light and silly on its own.
  17. Yarely
    • Description:

      Yarely is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be derived from the Hebrew name Yarel meaning 'taught by God,' or it could be a modern variation inspired by words like 'yearly' or 'dearly.' Some sources suggest it may have emerged as a creative contemporary name particularly within Hispanic-American communities. Yarely has gained modest popularity since the early 2000s, especially in the United States. With its melodic sound and distinctive 'ly' ending (similar to popular names like Kimberly, Beverly, and Emily), it has a contemporary feel while remaining unique. The name has a bright, cheerful quality that appeals to parents looking for something uncommon yet intuitive to pronounce and spell.

  18. Chantilly
    • Origin:

      French place name
    • Meaning:

      "white"
    • Description:

      The name of a French city famous for its fine lace. Another association: Chantilly cream – a sweetened whipped cream apparently invented there in the 17th century by a chef at the Château de Chantilly. The town probably takes is name from the Gallo-Roman personal name Cantilius, derived from a word for "white".
  19. Lively
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "full of life, energy"
    • Description:

      Spirited and sassy, Lively could be a feminine leaning counterpart to the trending boy name Wilder. A modern virtue of sorts, it has more energy that Patience, Prudence, and Temperance, and is far less popular than Hope or Grace.
  20. Emberly
    • Origin:

      English elaboration of Ember
    • Meaning:

      "ember"
    • Description:

      The Kimberly of the current age, but currently less popular than either Ember or Everly.

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