3 Letter Girl Names

An early and still quintessentially gender-neutral name, now supplanted by thousands of fresher options. Hasn't been recorded as a given name since 1991.
 
Pat was the name of a gardener in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Jake's daughter-in-law in Adventure Time, and a recurring androgynous character on Saturday Night Live.

This mild-mannered short form was Queen of the Prom in the fifties and sixties, but today is mostly heard on TV's The Office (and of course as one of the founders of Nameberry).

While about 100 baby girls are still named Pamela in the US every year, the name Pam is now officially extinct.

Efa is a feminine name of Welsh origin, serving as the Welsh equivalent of Eve. The name derives from the Hebrew 'Chavah,' meaning 'life' or 'living one.' Simple yet distinctive, Efa carries the same biblical connections as Eve, referring to the first woman in the Judeo-Christian tradition. In Wales and Welsh-speaking communities, the name has maintained consistent usage, appreciated for its cultural authenticity and brevity. Outside Wales, Efa offers parents a refreshing alternative to the more common Eve or Eva, while still connecting to their shared heritage. The name's short, two-syllable structure makes it accessible across language barriers while retaining its Celtic charm.

Ewa is a feminine name primarily used in Polish culture as a variant of Eve or Eva. Its origins trace back to the Hebrew name Chavah, meaning 'life' or 'living one.' In Biblical tradition, Eve was the first woman created by God. This short, two-syllable name has a simple elegance with its clear vowel sounds. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Ewa is well-established in Poland and some other Eastern European nations. The name combines ancient religious heritage with a clean, modern sound. Its brevity makes it practical across language barriers, though English speakers might mispronounce it as 'EE-wah' rather than the correct 'EH-vah.' Ewa offers a subtle international flair while maintaining connections to one of the most recognizable female names in Western tradition.

Bev is primarily a feminine name that originated as a short form of Beverly, which was initially an English surname derived from a place name meaning 'beaver stream.' This concise, single-syllable name carries a friendly, approachable quality that became particularly popular in the mid-20th century. Bev gained independent usage during the 1950s and 1960s when nickname forms were often given as formal names. While its popularity has declined since its peak, Bev retains a vintage charm and unpretentious warmth. It exemplifies the mid-century trend of short, efficient names and continues to be appreciated for its simplicity and nostalgic appeal.

This nature name hasn't escaped the hippie dippy air of others like River or Sky. 

Closely tied to the widow of John Lennon. 

Oly is an uncommon feminine name that may have originated as a nickname for names like Olivia or Olympic. Its brevity gives it a modern, streamlined quality that fits contemporary naming trends. The name has a bright, cheerful sound that conveys friendliness and approachability. Oly may also connect to Greek origins, potentially relating to Mount Olympus, giving it subtle mythological undertones. As a rare name choice, it offers distinctiveness while remaining simple to spell and pronounce. The name's compact nature makes it versatile across cultures and languages, allowing it to travel well internationally.

Eba is a succinct feminine name with various cultural origins. In African traditions, particularly Nigerian contexts, Eba can mean 'gift' or 'wealthy' depending on the specific language. The name also appears in Hebrew circles with connections to meanings like 'stone' or 'fruit.' With just two syllables, Eba offers simplicity and ease of pronunciation across cultures. Though not commonly found in popularity rankings, its brevity aligns with modern naming trends favoring short, vowel-ending names. Eba's multicultural presence makes it versatile while maintaining a distinctive character. Parents might choose this name seeking something meaningful yet uncomplicated, with an international appeal and positive connotations.

Ada, yes.  Ida, maybe.  But Oda, a Scandinavian version of Odelia, not really. To English speakers, it sounds too much like "odor".

Intriguing name of the ancient goddess of rivers. 

Ten times as many boys are named Oak as girls: about 50 boys last year to five girls. Of course, nature names don't have any traditional gender identification the way names like John and Mary do, so Oak works well for all babies. Oakley is the most popular Oak name for babies of all genders.

Bae is a succinct, modern feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Korean, it means 'inspiration' or can relate to the surname meaning 'pear.' However, its recent popularity stems largely from its use as an acronym for 'before anyone else' in English-language social media and youth culture, where it became a term of endearment for a romantic partner. This contemporary usage has influenced its adoption as a given name in Western contexts. In Danish and Norwegian, Bae relates to the word for 'dwelling' or 'home.' The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal, while its cross-cultural connections offer depth of meaning. Despite its trendy associations, Bae remains relatively uncommon as a formal given name, appealing to parents seeking distinctive, contemporary options with international flair.

Nor is a concise feminine name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Arabic contexts, it means 'light' or 'divine light,' symbolizing guidance and illumination. In Scandinavian traditions, particularly Norwegian, it can reference the north or serve as a shortened form of Eleanor or Nora. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal while its cross-cultural presence offers versatility. Nor has gained modest popularity in recent years as parents increasingly favor short, meaningful names with international resonance. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across languages while still feeling distinctive. For many parents, Nor represents an elegant balance between tradition and contemporary naming trends.

A short form of the modern coinage Icelyn that feels cool as a short form, but too frosty for a full name.

The legendary St. Non was the mother of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. David was raised in a convent by his mother and went on to become a great teacher and bishop.  Non is also known as Nonna and Nonita, and is associated with Cornwall and Brittany along with Wales. While the name Non is well-used in Wales, it is largely unknown in the US and maybe be heard as the negative word "none" or prefix "non".

Variant spelling of Nyx, the name of the Greek goddess of the night. It also coincides with the English word "nix, a corruption of German nichts "nothing".

Nic is a feminine name that typically functions as a shortened form of Nicole or Nicola, though it has gained recognition as an independent name. With its brief, punchy single syllable, Nic embodies a modern minimalist approach to naming. The name carries a contemporary feel with gender-flexible qualities, as it also appears as a masculine diminutive for Nicholas or Dominic. Originally derived from Greek 'nike' meaning 'victory,' Nic inherits these positive connotations while establishing its own distinct identity. The name's simplicity makes it easily pronounceable across different languages and cultures. While statistics specific to Nic as a standalone name are limited, its usage has been steadily growing since the late 20th century as parents increasingly embrace concise, straightforward names with unisex appeal.

Modern, boyish, if self-consciously groovy nickname for Nicole or any of its variations. 

Neo, indeed--though it was a male character in "The Matrix."

 In the Southern African language of Tswana, it is a unisex name meaning "gift".

Three letter girl names boast two examples on the US Top 10, Ava and Mia.

girls' names with three letters popular in the US

 include Zoe, Eva, Ivy, Mya, Amy, Ana, and Lia.



The classics Ann and Eve are two of the most enduring

 on our recommended list include Bay, Bee, Fia, Kit, Liv, Lou, Paz, Poe, Sky, Taj, Una, and Zen.



Our full collection of three letter names for girls follows, organized by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Three Letter Girl Names with meanings, origin, and popularity, including top three letter names for girls like Ava and Mia and unique 3 letter baby girl names. (Page 15)