5 Letter Girl Names

Keyli is a feminine name with modern origins, likely developed as a creative spelling of Kaylee, Kayleigh, or Kelly. The name has a contemporary, melodic quality that appeals to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive. The 'Key' beginning evokes positive associations with unlocking potential or opportunity, while the 'li' ending gives it a gentle, feminine touch. Popular primarily since the late 20th century, Keyli represents the trend toward personalized spellings of established names. While not among the most common names, it has gained modest usage in the United States and other English-speaking countries, particularly among parents drawn to names with a youthful, upbeat quality and intuitive pronunciation.

Keyli

Mulan comes from a Chinese mythological ballad, in which Mulan disguises herself as a man to take the place of her father in war. The 1998 Disney movie of the same name was based on this legend. Read more about Mulan and other <a href="https://nameberry.com/blog/disney-princess-names">Disney Princess Names</a> in our featured blog.

Mulan

Samia is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. In Arabic, it means 'elevated' or 'sublime,' while in Swahili traditions, it carries the meaning of 'one who is friendly.' The name also appears in Indian and Eastern European cultures. Samia features a pleasing rhythm with its three syllables and melodic flow. The name has gained modest popularity in diverse communities worldwide, appreciated for its international appeal and positive connotations. Its connection to qualities of friendship and elevation makes it meaningful while remaining accessible in pronunciation across different languages. Samia offers a beautiful option for parents seeking a name with cross-cultural resonance.

Samia

A mostly-feminine Arabic name used in the Muslim community.

Aseel

Ilana is a name with seemingly endless variations, well used in Israel, sometimes chosen for little girls born on the holiday of TuB'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees. 

While some sources say Ilana is a variation of the Greek Helen, meaning torch or shining light, or the multicultural Alana, this is not accurate. The similar Elena is related to Helen, while Alana can be a spelling variation of Ilana, not vice versa.

Ilana

Kenya, a name borrowed from the East African nation and theoretically unisex, is now used mostly for girls. While it's had its ups and downs since entering the US Top 1000 in 1968, it currently ranks lower than spelling variant Kenia. 

 The country of Kenya gets its name from Mount Kenya, referred to it as "Kirinyaga" or "Kerenyaga" by the local Kikuyu people, meaning "mountain of whiteness" due to its snow-capped peak.

Kenya

Riyah is a feminine name with Arabic origins, derived from words meaning 'fragrance,' 'scent,' or 'breeze.' This melodic name has gained some popularity in recent years among parents seeking names with meaningful connections to nature and pleasant sensory experiences. The name has a light, airy quality that evokes freshness and gentleness. In some cultures, variations of Riyah may also connect to spiritual concepts, as the Arabic word 'rih' can refer to wind or spirit. The name's simple yet distinctive sound pattern makes it accessible while remaining relatively uncommon in Western countries.

Riyah

Sometimes considered a rare feminine form of Simon or Simeon, in turn giving it the meaning "to hear, to listen", Simea also appears in the 2024 Disney movie, Moana 2. In this case, the name is a twist on Samea (the director David Derrick Jr's daughter's name) which could come from the Arabic Samiya ("high") or from the Hebrew Samuel ("name of God").
 
Simea made its entrance to the US stats in 2025 when it was one of the fastest rising debuts of the year.

Simea

This is a rich, melodic shortening of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">popular girls' name</a> Amelia that can stand on its own. There are several figures in Greek myth named Melia, most notably a daughter of Oceanus. The Meliae are nymphs associated with trees.

Melia

Syeda

Hinda is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it means "doe" or "female deer," symbolizing grace and gentleness. The name also appears in Yiddish traditions and has variants in several African languages. Historically, Hinda was common among Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and later immigrant populations. The name carries a timeless quality, neither trendy nor outdated. While not among the most popular names globally, Hinda maintains a steady presence in communities that value traditional naming practices. Its brevity and straightforward pronunciation make it accessible across language barriers, while its rich cultural associations give it depth and meaning beyond its simple structure.

Hinda

Keiry is a feminine name with multiple possible origins, functioning as either a modern variation of Keira (the feminine form of Irish Kieran, meaning "dark-haired" or "little dark one") or as a creative spelling of Kerry (derived from Irish Ciarraí, originally referring to the people of Ciar). The distinctive spelling with the 'y' ending gives this short name a contemporary feel while maintaining its melodic sound. Though not among the most common names, Keiry has gained modest usage in English-speaking countries since the early 2000s. The name's appeal lies in its brevity, modern feel, and subtle Irish heritage connections. Keiry strikes a balance between uniqueness and accessibility, making it attractive to parents seeking something distinctive yet straightforward.

Keiry

Once a common boy name in Ireland, the dynamic Darby now has a definite unisex feel. A bit like a mash up between Darcy and Ruby, it appeared in the US Top 1000 in the 90s, peaking in 1995 when it reached #499. It's likely this sudden interest in Darby was owing to the 90s book and film, The Pelican Brief, starring Julia Roberts as a law student called Darby.
 
A name with two separate origins, Darby may be considered English surname, meaning "from the deer estate", ultimately derived from Old Norse elements djúr "animal, deer" and býr" settlement". It would have been traditionally used as a last name for those from the English town of Derby. 
 
Alternatively, the name has Irish roots, and was used as a diminutive for the surname Ó Diarmada, meaning "descendent of Diarmaid", or, if you borrow Diamaid's meaning, "free from envy".
 
Actor Paul Rudd has a daughter named Darby and it has also featured in a Winnie-the-Pooh spin-off called My Friends Tigger & Pooh and in the TV series Love Life in which Anna Kendrick played a Darby. 
 
While Darby feels like it could fit in with modern trends, it has actually been on the decline in the US, with just 50 girls and 10 boys called Darby in a recent year. At its 90s peak, nearly 500 girls were given the name.

Darby

Somewhat surprisingly, this old-school David nickname is now used for baby girls in the US more than 80% of the time. In fact, Davie is really heating up for baby girls, in the same style as Frankie and Scottie and Stevie.
 
Influencer Quincy Jordan and actor Dylan Jordan chose the name Davie Bear for their daughter in 2025.

Davie

Inspired by the Mexican singer who uses it as her single name. 

Litzy

Yides is an uncommon feminine name with Yiddish origins, used primarily within traditional Jewish communities. It derives from the Yiddish form of Judith (Yehudit), a Hebrew name meaning 'woman from Judea' or 'praised.' In Jewish history, Judith was a heroic biblical figure who saved her people from the Assyrian army. Yides emerged as a distinctive cultural variant used among Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe, often given to honor deceased relatives following naming traditions. The name carries deep cultural and religious significance, though it has remained relatively unknown outside Orthodox Jewish communities. While rarely appearing in mainstream usage, Yides represents an important connection to Yiddish language heritage and Jewish cultural traditions, offering a unique option for families seeking to honor these roots.

Yides

A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.

Auden

An unusual and appealing name that is the origin of Evelyn, via the Norman French name Aveline. It derives from an obscure Germanic root, the meaning of which is not clear. Theories include "desired, wished for" and "water, island". 

 The name Avila and may also be connected to the Spanish town Avila, birthplace of St. Teresa. It is used within Catholic communities as an honor name for the saint.

Avila

Joana

Talya

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 31)

Five Letter Girl Names