Two Syllable Names for Girls

Þórdís is an ancient name that's currently seeing a resurgence in Iceland. It was derived from Þórr, the original form of the mythological Thor, and the Old Norse element dis, meaning "goddess." The first letter is called a thorn and is pronounced like a TH. The proper Anglicization is Thordis or Tordis.

Þórdís

Shonda is a feminine name with American origins, likely derived as a variation of Shawn or Sean, which come from the Irish name Seán, meaning 'God is gracious.' Popular primarily in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, Shonda reached its peak popularity in the early 1970s. The name gained additional recognition through American television producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes, creator of hit series like 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Scandal.' As a modern creation, Shonda exemplifies the trend of adapting traditionally masculine names into feminine forms with distinctive endings.

Shonda

Shonie is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Shona, which is connected to Scottish Gaelic traditions, possibly meaning 'God is gracious.' Alternatively, it could be a diminutive form of names containing the element 'shon' or 'shan.' With its cheerful sound and accessible two-syllable structure, Shonie has a friendly, informal quality. While relatively uncommon, it offers the appeal of being recognizable yet distinctive. The name has a bright, contemporary feel that makes it appealing to parents looking for something slightly unconventional without being difficult to pronounce or spell.

Shonie

Shonnah is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Shona or Shauna. The name Shona derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Seonag, a feminine form of John, ultimately meaning 'God is gracious.' The alternative spelling with the double 'n' and ending 'h' gives it a distinctive appearance while maintaining the melodic pronunciation. Shonnah is quite rare, appealing to parents who want a name with Celtic roots but with a unique spelling variation. The name carries associations with Scottish and Irish heritage while its unusual spelling helps distinguish it from more common variants. The soft consonants and open vowel sounds give Shonnah a gentle, flowing quality.

Shonnah

Shuna is a feminine name with Scottish Gaelic origins, particularly associated with Scotland's western islands. The name is thought to derive from an island in the Inner Hebrides called Shuna, giving it strong geographical ties. In some contexts, it may also be related to the Hebrew name Shoshana, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' Shuna has a gentle yet distinctive sound, remaining fairly uncommon internationally, which appeals to parents seeking a name with Scottish heritage that isn't widely used. The name carries a natural, earthy quality, evoking the rugged beauty of Scotland's island landscapes. Its brevity and straightforward pronunciation make it accessible despite its uncommon status.

Shuna

In India, Shiva is an unambiguously male name; but in the middle east, Shiva derives from the Persian words for charm and eloquence, and is usually used as a female name.

Shiva

In the same unisex placename/surname style as Oakley and Hadlee, this name makes total sense but has never been on the American charts. Rushlee Buchanan is a New Zealand Olympic cyclist.

Rushlee

Shirleigh is a feminine name that represents a creative variation of the more common Shirley. While Shirley originated as an English surname derived from Old English words meaning "bright clearing" or "bright meadow," Shirleigh offers a more decorative spelling. This variant emerged as part of the trend toward unique spellings of traditional names, likely gaining some limited use in the mid-to-late 20th century. The -leigh ending adds a touch of perceived elegance or distinctiveness to the original name. Though considerably less common than Shirley, which peaked in popularity in the 1930s, Shirleigh appeals to parents seeking a familiar name with a more uncommon presentation.

Shirleigh

Shirlee is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Shirley, which originated as an Old English place name derived from the elements 'scir' (bright) and 'leah' (clearing or meadow). This variation with the double 'e' ending gives the name a more informal, playful quality. Shirley gained tremendous popularity in the 1930s after the success of child star Shirley Temple, but Shirlee remained a less common alternative. The name experienced its peak usage in the mid-20th century and has since declined. Shirlee carries a vintage charm that evokes the friendly, optimistic spirit of mid-century America.

Shirlee

Shurlee is a distinctive feminine name with uncertain origins. It may be a creative variant of Shirley, which means 'bright meadow' from Old English. The unique spelling with 'u' instead of 'i' and the double 'e' ending gives it a modern twist while maintaining the melodic quality of the original. Though rare, Shurlee occasionally appeared in the United States during the mid-20th century when Shirley was at peak popularity. The name carries a bright, cheerful connotation and offers the friendly nickname option 'Shur' or 'Lee.' Today, Shurlee remains uncommon, appealing to parents seeking a familiar-sounding yet distinctive choice for their daughters.

Shurlee

Used as both the Old Norse and the Icelandic form of the name, Iðunn appears in Norse mythology as the goddess of apples, fertility, and youth. Often depicted as carrying a box of apples, she was responsible for guarding the fruit from which the gods ate to renew their youth. 
 
Derived from the element Ið meaning "again, repeated", the exact meaning of the name is sometimes debated. Interpretations include " ever young", "the rejuvenating one", and "love again".
 
This particular form is familiar in Iceland, while Idunn is preferred in Norway and Idun in Sweden.

Iðunn

Shurley is an uncommon feminine name that likely originated as a transferred surname, following the pattern of surnames becoming given names. It may be a variant spelling of Shirley, which began as an Old English place name meaning 'bright clearing' or 'bright meadow.' This alternative spelling with 'u' gives the name a distinctive visual quality while maintaining the familiar pronunciation. As a first name, Shurley reached modest usage in the United States during the mid-20th century when surname-style names for girls gained some popularity, though it never became widespread. The name has since become quite rare, offering a unique quality for contemporary namers. Shurley carries a vintage Americana feel while the unusual spelling adds a touch of individuality to this English-derived name.

Shurley

Best known in the US as the name of Chris Brown's son (they pronounce it like "echo"), but Aeko is a traditional Japanese name for baby girls.

Aeko

Homophonous with Masha, the Russian nickname for Maria.

Maša

A zingy nickname-style name that was used occasionally in the early twentieth century, and returned to the charts in 2020. There are no obvious names it could be short for, which is all the more reason to use it on its own. In Kate Manning's historical novel My Notorious Life, the character Annie Muldoon gets the nickname Axie because she "axes" so many questions.

Axie

Usually a male name, but given to a small handful of girls throughout the 20th century. The similarity to Leanne gives it extra traction for girl, though we'd recommend Leandra instead. 

Leander

Sherrlie is a feminine name that appears to be a variation of Shirley or Sheryl. The traditional name Shirley originated as an English surname derived from Old English words meaning 'bright clearing' or 'bright meadow.' This particular spelling with the double 'r' and 'ie' ending gives the name a distinctive, personalized quality. Sherrlie remains quite rare, never having reached widespread popularity. It carries a slightly vintage charm reminiscent of mid-20th century naming trends but with a unique spelling that sets it apart. The name maintains the friendly, approachable quality of more common variants while offering something more distinctive.

Sherrlie

Jaisa is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Jessa or Jaisa could be derived from Sanskrit origins meaning 'glory' or 'success.' Alternatively, it might be a modern creative variation combining popular elements like the 'Jai' prefix (meaning 'victory' in Sanskrit) with a feminine ending. The name has a contemporary feel with its two-syllable structure and melodic sound. Jaisa remains quite rare in the United States and globally, making it an uncommon choice that stands out. The name's international flavor and positive potential meanings make it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. Its straightforward pronunciation helps balance its uniqueness.

Jaisa

Shirlie is a variant spelling of Shirley, a name that originated as an Old English place name meaning "bright clearing" or "bright meadow." This alternative spelling emerged in the early 20th century, adding a softer, more overtly feminine touch to the original. Shirley (and by extension Shirlie) gained significant popularity in the 1930s, partly due to the fame of child actress Shirley Temple. The name peaked mid-century before gradually declining in use. While Shirley ranked among top names for girls in mid-20th century America, the Shirlie spelling has always been less common, offering a distinctive twist. Today, both spellings carry a vintage charm that connects to mid-century Americana while maintaining their pleasant meaning tied to brightness and clarity.

Shirlie

Shirlene is a feminine name that emerged as a variant of Shirley, which originally began as an English surname meaning 'bright clearing' or 'bright meadow.' Popular primarily in the mid-20th century, Shirlene combines the classic Shirley with the feminine '-lene' suffix, creating a name with a distinctly vintage charm. Its popularity peaked during the 1930s-1950s, coinciding with famous Shirley Temple's career. While less common today, Shirlene maintains appeal among those appreciating vintage names or honoring family members. The name carries a sweet, gentle quality with its soft ending, while still preserving the bright, cheerful associations of its root name. Shirlene offers a feminine yet strong character that conveys both warmth and clarity.

Shirlene

Two-syllable girl names dominate the English lexicon, with over 15,000 two-syllable names for girls on Nameberry.

 such as the Sanskrit Malti and the Welsh Arwen, the elegant French Celine and the multi-cultural gender neutral name Peri.

 complete list of two-syllable female names

 is too daunting, you can consult our hand-picked list of the 150+ 

Note that this list is automatically generated from the full list of names on Nameberry, and the machine sometimes 

 in English names. Eloise obviously has three syllables rather than two, while Hayes has only one.

Wade through our entire collection of two-syllable female names here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Two-syllable girl names including top two-syllable names for girls such as Emma and Ava and unique two-syllable girl names such as the Sanskrit Malti and the Welsh Glynis. (Page 1027)

15,000+ Two-Syllable Girl Names