Two Syllable Names for Girls

Diann is a feminine name that represents a variation of Diana or Diane. It derives from the Roman goddess Diana, who was associated with the moon, hunting, and nature. This particular spelling offers a streamlined version of Diana, maintaining the same pronunciation while giving it a more contemporary look. Diann saw its greatest popularity in the United States during the 1940s through 1960s, reflecting the mid-century preference for names with simplified spellings. While less common than Diana or Diane, Diann offers the same classical roots with a slightly distinctive edge. The name carries connotations of independence and strength due to its mythological origins. Today, Diann has a vintage quality that might appeal to parents looking for names with retro charm and classical inspiration.

Diann

Shelva is a feminine name with American origins, possibly emerging as a variation of Shelby or a feminine form of Sheldon. The name has a gentle, melodic quality that gained modest usage in the United States during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s. Shelva likely relates to Old English roots meaning 'shelf' or 'ledge by the shore.' Though never reaching widespread popularity, it represents a distinctive choice that balances uniqueness with familiar phonetics. The name carries associations with tranquility and natural beauty. Women named Shelva are often perceived as having gentle yet resilient personalities, reminiscent of the name's soft sound but solid etymology.

Shelva

Katti or Kattie is a short form of Katherine, more old fashioned than Kate and more unusual than Kathy.

Katti

Serviceable spelling of a cute but pandemic name that appears as everything from Cali to Callie to Kaylee and Kayleigh.  Are these all the same names?  Though there may be subtle differences in pronunciation and theoretical derivation, they certainly feel similar.

Caily

Shelba is a feminine name with variations like Shelby and Shelva. It likely originated as a variant of Shelby, which came from an English place name meaning 'estate on a ledge' or 'willow grove.' Shelba has Anglo-Saxon roots but remains relatively uncommon in modern usage. It gained some recognition during the mid-20th century but never achieved widespread popularity. The name has a soft, vintage quality that appeals to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive. Shelba might be chosen to honor a family member named Shelby while giving a slightly more feminine twist to the traditional spelling.

Shelba

Quaint, quirky, and slightly clunky, Shirleyann is a smoosh name with a 30s feel about it. An unexpected vintage choice, a potential honor name, or perhaps for diehard fans of Anne of Green Gables (though maybe Shirleyanne would be better).

Shirleyann

Pearlene

Mosley, former best known as the surname of author Walter, has been put in play as a first <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">name for girls</a> by football great Peyton Manning, who used the name for his twin daughter, sister of Marshall. Alternate spellings are Moseley and Mosely and the first syllable rhymes with Rose.

Mosley

Dorthey is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Dorothy, which derives from the Greek name Dorothea meaning 'gift of God.' This alternate spelling emerged in English-speaking countries, though it's significantly less common than the traditional Dorothy. The name gained some recognition in the early to mid-20th century but has since declined in popularity. Like its traditional counterpart, Dorthey carries associations with the beloved character from 'The Wizard of Oz,' imbuing it with qualities of adventure and determination. The unique spelling gives the classic name a slightly distinctive quality while maintaining its vintage charm and dignified history. Today, Dorthey might be chosen by parents seeking a traditional name with a slightly unconventional spelling.

Dorthey

Ardyce is a feminine name of Greek derivation, likely a variation of Ardis, ultimately stemming from elements meaning 'arrow' or 'point.' The name gained modest popularity in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the Art Deco era's appreciation for names with crisp, modern sounds. The 'yce' ending gives it a distinctive quality while maintaining its connection to more traditional names like Ardith or Ardis. Though never extremely common, Ardyce carries a certain vintage charm that appeals to those drawn to names from this period. It has a refined, somewhat sophisticated sound while remaining straightforward to pronounce. For parents seeking a name with early 20th-century American character but relative uniqueness in contemporary times, Ardyce offers an appealing option.

Ardyce

Verlene is a feminine name with French and Germanic influences, possibly derived from the French 'Verlaine' or functioning as a variation of names like Verleen or Verlena. The name has a melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing sound. Emerging primarily in mid-20th century America, Verlene peaked in popularity during the 1940s and 1950s but remains relatively uncommon. It carries a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking distinctive names with a mid-century aesthetic. The name suggests qualities of gentleness and uniqueness. While not widely used internationally, Verlene maintains a small but steady presence, particularly in Southern regions of the United States where compound and creative feminine names have traditional appeal.

Verlene

Verdell is a feminine name with Germanic roots, derived from elements meaning "green valley" or "verdant dell." This nature-inspired name evokes imagery of lush, fertile landscapes and peaceful countryside scenes. While relatively uncommon in modern usage, Verdell enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. The name possesses a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. Verdell can also be used as a masculine name, though it's more frequently given to girls. Its connection to nature aligns with the trend of botanical and environmental names that have seen renewed interest in recent decades.

Verdell

Charlsie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive or nickname form of Charlotte or Charles. With its '-ie' ending, it has a distinctively affectionate, familiar quality typical of American nicknaming patterns from the early-to-mid 20th century. Charlsie saw modest popularity in the Southern United States during the 1920s through 1950s, reflecting regional naming preferences of that era. The name carries a sweet, vintage charm with its friendly sound and informal nature. While related to the more formal Charlotte (meaning 'free man' or 'petite'), Charlsie stands as its own name with a softer, more approachable quality. Today, Charlsie is relatively uncommon, but its Southern charm and connection to the classic Charlotte give it both familiarity and distinctiveness.

Charlsie

A form of Ardath (and Ardith), a Biblical place name that appears in some versions of the Old Testament. It sounds similar to the stylish Arden and vintage Edith, and has an appearing floral meaning.

Ardeth

Palin has suddenly become a hot new surname-name given usually to girls. The inspiration can only be former Alaska governor Sarah, though the name Palin is her husband's -- her original surname is Heath. Palin herself is no stranger to the adventurous baby name, as the mother of daughters Bristol, Piper, and Willow, and sons Track and Trig.

If you're a Sarah Palin fan and don't mind shouting it from the rooftops with a name your child will carry forever, then by all means choose Palin, which has a pretty sound. We are not, but then again we wouldn't name our child Obama, Reagan, or Kennedy either, as the association feels too weighty.

If you like the sound of Palin but not the association, why not consider the ancient, attractive, and underused Pallas?

Palin

A surname-y feeling diminutive name that had its (quiet) moment back in the 1920s and 30s, Sydell even made the Top 1000 in 1929 when 55 girls were given the name. It is likely derived from Sarah (via Sadie), Siegfriede (meaning "victorious peace"), or Sydney ("St Denis"). 
 
Alternative theories are it was inspired by the surnames Sidell ("wide recess; wide valley") and Seidel (either from Siegfried or a German word meaning "tankard"). Also spelled as Sydelle and Sydel, it last appeared in the US charts back in the 1980s.

Sydell

Scarla is one of a raft of modern names that have been spun from established names -- in this case, it's part Scarlett, part Carla -- to make something new and "different."  Uniqueness is the value that drives parents to invent names like Scarla, Skyla, and Saylah, but we think you'd do better to seek out a genuine name that's more unusual and has less connection to current trends.

Scarla

Merlene is a feminine name that likely evolved as a variation of Marlene or a combination of Mary and Lene/Lena. Marlene itself gained popularity through actress Marlene Dietrich in the early 20th century and is a contracted form of Maria Magdalena. Merlene has a melodic, flowing quality with its soft consonants and gentle ending. The name experienced modest popularity in the United States during the 1920s-1940s but has since become quite uncommon. With its vintage charm and musical sound, Merlene evokes a sense of old-fashioned elegance. Despite its rarity today, it represents a style of feminine names that combined traditional elements with a distinctive flair, characteristic of early-to-mid 20th century naming patterns.

Merlene

Margene is a feminine name that emerged as a modern variant of Margaret, which ultimately derives from the Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl.' This distinctive blend combines elements of Margaret with the popular -ene suffix that became fashionable in the mid-20th century. Margene saw modest popularity in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s, fitting with naming trends of the era that favored creative variations of traditional names. While never reaching widespread usage, it maintains an appealing vintage charm. The name carries the dignified heritage of Margaret while offering a softer, more distinctive sound. Today, Margene remains uncommon, giving it a unique quality for modern bearers.

Margene

Dorla is a feminine name with potential Germanic or Slavic origins. It may have developed as a variation of Dora (derived from Greek meaning 'gift') or as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'dor-'. The name has an old-world charm with its gentle sound and compact two-syllable structure. Dorla enjoyed modest popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in parts of Europe and among certain American communities, but has since become quite rare. This gives the name a vintage quality that might appeal to parents looking for uncommon traditional options. Dorla's straightforward pronunciation and spelling make it accessible despite its unfamiliarity to most modern audiences.

Dorla

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 1122)

15,000+ Two-Syllable Girl Names