5 Letter Girl Names

Marla might have dropped out of style in the US back in the 90s, but it has seen a resurgence in the UK in recent years. With a little dated charm about it, this variation of Marlene, itself a variant of Magdalene and Mary, blends in with the likes of Marley, Marlowe, Mila, Myla, Martha, and Maya. It was a fast rising choice in 2023 in both England and Wales, and Croatia. 

Marla

Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.

Marta

Vaani is a feminine name of Indian origin, primarily found in Hindu families. It derives from Sanskrit and carries the beautiful meaning of 'speech,' 'voice,' or 'music.' The name is associated with Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, and wisdom, who is also called 'Vani.' With its melodious sound and spiritual significance, Vaani represents eloquence and expression. Though not among the most common Indian names internationally, it has gained appreciation for its brevity, elegant pronunciation, and meaningful heritage. The name balances cultural depth with a contemporary feel, making it increasingly appealing to modern parents seeking names with both cultural roots and global accessibility.

Vaani

Caeli is a delicate feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'caelum' meaning 'heaven' or 'sky.' This ethereal name carries celestial connotations and evokes images of the heavens above. In Roman mythology, Caelus was the god of the sky, giving the name additional historical depth. Caeli remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, making it an uncommon choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet melodic. The name's brevity and flowing sound contribute to its appeal, along with its meaningful connection to the natural world. Some may also appreciate Caeli as a variation of Caelie or Kaylee, though with a more direct link to its Latin celestial roots.

Caeli

Eleia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Greek roots, possibly connected to Elea, an ancient Greek colony, or as a variant of Elaia, meaning 'olive tree' - a symbol of peace and prosperity in Greek culture. Alternatively, it could be a modern elaboration of names like Ella or Elena. The name has a melodic quality with its flowing vowels creating a gentle, lyrical sound. While relatively uncommon in most countries, Eleia appeals to parents seeking a name that sounds feminine and elegant without being overly common. Its Greek connections give it a timeless, classical feel while its modern sound makes it accessible for contemporary use.

Eleia

Iylah is a modern feminine name that appears to be a stylized variant of Isla, which has Scottish origins meaning 'island.' The unique spelling with the 'y' gives the name a contemporary flair while maintaining the melodic pronunciation (EYE-lah). This creative spelling trend has gained popularity in the 21st century as parents seek distinctive ways to represent traditional sounds. Isla itself has surged in popularity in English-speaking countries since the early 2000s, partly influenced by celebrities like actress Isla Fisher. Iylah offers a way to honor this trend while creating some distinction. The name evokes images of serene islands and natural beauty, carrying a gentle yet vibrant quality that feels both modern and timeless.

Iylah

Anari is a feminine name with multicultural roots and various possible origins. In some African cultures, particularly Swahili, it may relate to meanings of brightness or light. The name also appears in variations across different languages, with possible connections to Hebrew origins meaning "my light" or Indian origins relating to "without enemies." Anari has gained modest popularity in recent decades for its melodic quality and international appeal. The name's four letters and three-syllable pronunciation (ah-NAH-ree) create a rhythmic, flowing sound that feels both contemporary and timeless. Parents often choose Anari for its exotic feel combined with relative ease of pronunciation and spelling across multiple languages and cultures.

Anari

Banks as a girls' name was brought into the lexicon by actress Hilary Duff and musician Matthew Koma, who chose it for their daughter, Banks Violet. As both a surname and a word name, Banks refers to financial establishments as well as river banks.

Banks

A rare but rising unisex name — used more often on baby girls.

Bayan

Elaya combines the elements of several popular choices including Maya, Elara, Elora, Alaia, Elijah, Eliana, and Aliyah. Pronounced as either eh-LAY-uh or eh-LYE-uh, it may be considered a variation of the Biblical Elijah or Leah, or a form of the Basque bird name, Elaia. Eulalia ("sweetly speaking") and Elia ("sun") may be other sources. 

Elaya

Simple-yet-unusual name with a creative meaning. Actress Sanaa Lathan promoted it, and it was on the U.S. popularity list from 2003 to 2011. Shaquille O'Neal used it as the middle name of his daughter Amirah. And spelled Sana'a, it's the capital of Yemen.
 Sanne, a popular name in the Netherlands, has a similar feel, as does Sana. Sana'a is also a place name, being the capital of Yemen.

Sanaa

Aoife, pronounced EE-fa, is derived from the Irish word aoibh, meaning "beauty." Aoife was borne by several different heroines of ancient Irish legend. In one tale, she was the fiercest woman warrior in the world and enemy of her twin sister, Scathach.
 
Aoife is very popular in Ireland, and is catching on across the UK as well. Aoife is sometimes Anglicized as Eva, but the names are from independent origins. Eva shares roots with Eabha and Aoibhe, both also currently popular in Ireland.

Aoife

Chany is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Chana or Hannah, Hebrew names meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' Alternatively, it could relate to Cheyenne, a Native American tribal name. The name has a contemporary, streamlined quality with its brevity and clear pronunciation. Chany remains quite uncommon, making it appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet straightforward. The name's simple structure belies its uniqueness in usage. With just two syllables, it offers an elegant simplicity while standing out from more common names. Chany's cross-cultural influences give it versatility and a modern feel that works well in diverse communities.

Chany

An energetic — dare we say dashing — Russian diminutive of Darya that hasn't caught on in the same way as Sasha has in the English speaking world. 
 
Singer Dasha (born Anna Dasha Novotny) , actress, podcaster, and filmmaker Dasha Nekrasova, and model and influencer Dasha Taran are all notable bearers.

Dasha

Jules is one of the adorable boyish nicknames newly fashionable for girls. It's rarer than Billie, with a cool and casual feel. It's use in the popular TV series Euphoria - where the character of Jules Vaughn was portrayed by Hunter Schafer - brought this name into the spotlight. 
 
TV personality Jules Asner made this middle-aged male name suddenly seem young and fresh and female, after having been an off-the radar-nickname for Julia and Julie. Author and wife of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver spells her name Jools, and we've also seen Joolz.

Jules

This internationally appealing choice is related to far more popular cousin Kayla, which currently ranks at Number 115.

Kaila

Hayes is a stylish surname name, reminiscent of vintage Hazel, contemporary Collins, nature-inspired Forest and Rivers, and older unisex favorites like Hayden, Reese, and Casey. While it has seen increased use for girls in recent years, it is predominantly used for boys.
 
Derived from an English surname meaning "hedged area", or possibly from the Irish Ó hAodha ("descendent of Aodh, descendent of the fiery one"), it was chosen for 70 girls in a recent year. By comparison, more than 2240 boys also received the name, meaning just three percent of all babies called Hayes were girls.

Hayes

Navya is a feminine name with Sanskrit origins, popular in Indian culture where it means 'new,' 'fresh,' or 'praiseworthy.' The name carries connotations of novelty, youth, and innovation. In Hindu traditions, it can also relate to something young and tender. Navya has gained increasing recognition globally in recent decades as Indian names have become more widely embraced internationally. The name is appreciated for its melodic sound, meaningful etymology, and relative ease of pronunciation across different languages. In India, Navya ranks among the more popular contemporary choices for girls, particularly in southern regions. Its combination of cultural significance and accessible pronunciation has helped it transition successfully into multicultural settings.

Navya

Ahana is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it means "dawn" or "first rays of the sun," giving it beautiful symbolism related to new beginnings and light. The name also appears in some African cultures with varied meanings. Ahana has gained increased recognition in India and among the Indian diaspora, particularly in recent decades. Its melodious sound with soft vowels makes it appealing across different languages. While still relatively uncommon in Western countries, the name has seen growing international interest due to its beautiful meaning and multicultural appeal. Ahana strikes a balance between uniqueness and accessibility, with a contemporary feel despite its ancient roots. The name carries positive associations with brightness, hope, and the promise of a new day.

Ahana

Ailen is a name of several possible origins, one of them being a variation of the Gaelic Eibhlín, or the English variation Eileen, notably used among Spanish speakers. The name had a significant rise in 2022, and was given to 104 babies. This is following in the footsteps of similar-sounding names like Ayla and Aylin.
 
It could additionally be a Hispanicized form of the Mapuche name Ayelen, meaning "clear", "ember", or "laughter", and may also be spelled as Ailén.

Ailen

Five letter girl names are led by the longtime top name Emily. Sofia, the Latinate spelling of Sophia popular in the US and throughout the Spanish-speaking world, is another top girl name with five letters.

girl names with five letters ranking in the US Top 200 

include Avery, Grace, Chloe, Layla, Riley, Ellie, Alexa, Hazel, and Sarah.


Classics Alice, Lydia, Clara, Julia, Edith, and Maria are all five letter girl names, as are the trendier Sadie, Piper, Kylie, and Quinn.

 on our recommended list include Anouk, Aziza, Celia, Darcy, Elsie, Mercy, Olive, Petra, and Tansy.


Browse our entire menu of five letter names for girls here, ranked according to their current popularity on Nameberry. 

Five letter names for baby girls, with top name Emily and both popular and unique girl names with 5 letters, including meanings, origins, and popularity (Page 26)

Five Letter Girl Names