Two Letter Girl Names

Io may be one of the slightest names in the book, but there aren't many two-letter names with as much substance as this Greek mythological example. Io, a name used for the largest moon of Jupiter, was in classic myth raped by Zeus and escaped from him by changing herself into a cow.

This tiny but punchy name has multiple origins. It stands strong alone, but could be short for numerous names including Bonnie and Bodhi. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".

The name Jo still evokes the spunky image of the character in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Its literary status makes Jo one of the OG boyish nicknames for girls, ala Frankie, Billie, and Stevie. If you like that form, you can lengthen it to Joey.

This punchy little name, reminiscent of Latin Io, has a whimsical and beautiful fable behind it. According to legend, the Cornish saint Ia was an Irish princess who sailed across the sea to Cornwall on a leaf. She was martyred and buried at the spot where the church of St Ives (called Porth Ia - "St Ia’s cove" - in Cornish) now stands. EE-ah is the Cornish pronunciation, but EYE-ah is also accepted.

Vy is a beautiful feminine name of Vietnamese origin, meaning 'grand' or 'excellent.' This short but meaningful name embodies elegance and simplicity while carrying significant cultural depth. In Vietnam, Vy is often given to girls with hopes they will live up to its meaning of greatness and distinction. Though relatively uncommon in Western countries, the name has gained some international recognition for its brevity and melodic quality. Vy is easy to pronounce across different languages and cultures, making it a practical yet distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with Asian roots and universal appeal. Its simplicity belies its strong meaning, representing aspiration and excellence.

Although the sound is pretty, "my" is too common of an English word for My to be usable as a baby name in Anglophone countries.

It may only be two letters long, but Su has substance and meaning. It can be a fresh spelling for the classic Sue, a Turkish name meaning "water", and a unisex Chinese name meaning "simple" or "respectable".

The good news: the Po is Italy's longest river, flowing across the north. The bad news: Po is a manic, scooter-riding red Teletubby.

Ro is a casual short form that doesn't usually appear on the birth certificate on its own. But it makes a friendly nickname for any girls' name starting with Ro-.

Ki was introduced internationally by Korean archer and gold medalist Ki Bo-Bae. Among girl names, Ki is simple yet truly unique: There were baby girls named Kia, Aki, and Kiki born in the US last year, but none named Ki. Ki is also the name of the Sumerian earth goddess.

A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates. This is especially popular for girls, thanks to Spiderman's sweetheart Mary Jane "MJ" Watson.

Lo is a Top 100 name in Sweden, but the Lou spelling is more user-friendly for an English-speaking child.

Mo is a punchy, unisex nickname with endless versatility, from Maureen to Morgan to the British favorite Imogen. Its simplicity and charm make it a modern pick for parents embracing minimalist names - and part of a rising trend of boyish nicknames for girls.

There are a lot of little girls called Em today, but not that many named Em, just Em. As a first name, it's a bit reductive, especially with all the children named Emma, Emily, Emilia, Emeline, and onward. But we can see it working as a creative middle name, perhaps a clever way to honor Grandpa Mike?

Relatively popular in Spain until the middle of the 20th century, this sweet and lively Spanish virtue name is also a Marian name, short for María de Fe. In Galician, it is sometimes also short for Fernanda, meaning "brave voyager".

A two-initial nickname occasionally used on birth certificates — and a minimalist spelling of Kaci/Casey.

Lu is an adorable mini-name that could be short for Luna, Lucinda, Luisa, or any other name beginning with the letters Lu. Or it can just stand on its own in first or middle place.

Do is a minimal feminine name found in several cultural contexts with different origins and meanings. In Vietnamese culture, it can be a given name meaning 'red' or symbolizing good fortune and happiness. In Korean naming traditions, it might appear as part of a compound name with meanings related to 'path' or 'way.' The name's simplicity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal across cultures. Despite its brevity, Do carries cultural depth in its respective origins. While uncommon as a standalone name in Western countries, it has seen some usage in multicultural communities. Its concise nature makes it distinctive and easily pronounced across languages, though its simplicity sometimes leads to it being mistaken for a nickname.

Fa is a concise feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Chinese, Fa (发/發) can mean 'to send out' or 'to develop,' symbolizing prosperity and growth. In Vietnamese, it may relate to musical notes or have other cultural significance. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal despite its traditional roots in several Asian cultures. As a standalone name, Fa remains uncommon in Western countries but may be increasing in multicultural communities. Some parents choose it for its simplicity, international pronunciation ease, or meaningful cultural connections. In some contexts, it might also serve as a shortened form of longer names beginning with these sounds.

The onetime star of "Northern Exposure" named his daughter Tu Morrow. Think about it.