By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 119 pages
of 119
Chey is a concise, modern feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may function as a nickname for longer names like Cheyenne, Chelsea, or Cheryl, or stand independently as a given name. In…
Hindi, “shining, honor”
A soft, sweet, distinctive name with a noble meaning.
Japanese
"apricot"
A representative Japanese name with a meaning symbolizing ripeness.
Irish form of Bridget
"strength or exalted one"
Pronounced 'breed', this is among the common Irish names for girls in the Emerald Isle, but would have major pronunciation problems in the US. Better to stick with Bridget.
Sher is a concise feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Persian, it means "lion," symbolizing courage and strength, while in Hindi, it carries similar connotations of bravery. As a Western…
Greek
"youth"
The name of the Greek goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus and Hera, is rarely used today but may be ripe for revival considering the popularity of rhyming Phoebe. Sweet as Bebe but with the…
French
"beloved"
For years there was only one Cher, and then along came the charming heroine of the movie "Clueless." The world now officially has enough Chers in it.
Char is a concise feminine name that can function as both a standalone name and a diminutive for longer names like Charlotte, Charmaine, or Charlene. Of French origin, it relates to the root…
Cambodian
"sweet-smelling tree"
Common Asian surname also works as a first, as with the singer Chan Marshall, also known as Cat Power (and born Charlyn).
Finnish; Malagasy
"light; eight"
Valo, an unusual entry in the o-ending category, can work for girls in the US. On Nameberry, it's especially popular among visitors from Bangladesh.
Literary name
Puck, the mischievous sprite of Shakespeare, is a unisex name given more often to girls in The Netherlands and is also the name of one of the moons of Uranus, discovered in 1985 and named Puck for…
Welsh
"to love"
In Welsh, Ceri is traditionally a male name but can also be used for girls. It's a short form of Ceridwen too, the name of the Welsh goddess of poetry.
Cele is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a diminutive of names containing 'cel' like Celeste (meaning 'heavenly') or Cecilia (derived from the Roman family name Caecilius).…
English, diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
Yes, it's a word name, but Busy is also a rare pet form of Elizabeth. And yes, actress Busy Philipps was christened Elizabeth--she was given the nickname because she was such an active child. She…
Short form of ZULMA, Arabic
"healthy, vigorous"
Zuly is the spunky short form of Zulma, and is commonly used on its own, often in the Latino community.
Literary name and Old Norse
"gravel bank river"
This lovely name is best-known as the surname of eponymous Bronte heroine, Jane Eyre, and would make an appealing and distinctive middle name for the child of fans of that book. While the surname…
Spelling variation of Sela
"rock"
This spelling variation of the Biblical place-name Sela is found on early American census roles, but Sela is more usual today. Cella is another early variation.
Short form of Cecilia or Celia
"blind or heavenly"
With the growing popularity of Celia and Cecilia, this vintage canasta-playing nickname name could be due for a comeback. Ceil had a few years of recorded popularity in the first decade of the…
Dutch variation of Sarah, Hebrew
"princess"
Saar is a very popular girls' name in The Netherlands, where it's an abbreviated form of Sarah. The Dutch feminine Saar, pronounced sahr, is distinct from the Hebrew place-name Saar used for boys in…
Kait is a feminine name that functions as a short form of Katherine, Kaitlyn, or similar names derived from the Greek 'Aikaterine.' This concise, modern variant represents the contemporary trend…
