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Names Ending in U for Girls

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
  1. Lou

    • Origin:

      Short form of Louise

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Lou is usually a short form of Louise, Louisa, or Lucy in English-speaking countries, when Lou is used for girls at all. But in France and Germany, it's a fashionable choice all on its own, sure to gain even more widespread style credibility since Heidi Klum and Seal chose it for their daughter.
  2. Lulu

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Louise or Lucy, or Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Lula has a firecracker personality, a singing and dancing extrovert. Interesting that Lulu was a Top 100 name when the Social Security list was born in 1880, but it's been sliding ever since and has not been in the Top 1000 for decades. Modern parents in love with Lulu might well reverse that trend.
  3. Beau

    • Description:

      Beau, when used as a feminine name, represents an interesting gender crossover from its traditional masculine usage. Derived from the French word meaning 'handsome' or 'beautiful,' Beau originated as a masculine name but has gained some popularity as a female name in recent decades. This trend reflects the broader movement toward gender-neutral naming. As a feminine name, Beau maintains its elegant French associations while offering a concise, modern feel. The simplicity of its spelling and pronunciation (BOH) appeals to parents seeking minimalist names. While still predominantly used for boys overall, feminine Beau usage has increased particularly in English-speaking countries as parents embrace its stylish brevity and sophisticated sound.
  4. Isabeau

    • Origin:

      French variation of Isabel

    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"

    • Description:

      With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist.
  5. Milou

    • Origin:

      Combination of Marie and Lou or Louise

    • Description:

      Milou and her near-identical twin Malou are adorable names popular throughout Europe; they're contractions of Marie or Mary and Lou or Louise. The Malou spelling will probably be easier for English speakers to pronounce; Milou may be conflated with Milo.
  6. Lilou

    • Origin:

      Occitan pet form of French Liliane

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Lilou is a charming, rarely heard import. Occitan is a language spoken in Provence, in the south of France, in which the suffix "ou" denotes a pet form — thus, Lilou as a short form of Liliane or its Occitan form Liliana or Liliano. Its popularity in France--where it's currently Number 12--can be traced to the 1997 film The Fifth Element.
  7. Bleu

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "blue"

    • Description:

      The middle name of the Travoltas' Ella, this French color alternative hasn't caught on with many other parents.
  8. Zuzu

    • Origin:

      Czech diminutive of Susan

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      This sizzling nickname Zuzu is heard every Christmas as the name of Jimmy Stewart's little girl in "It's a Wonderful Life," but we love it all year round as a lively alternative to double names like Gigi and Bibi.

  9. Emmylou

    • Origin:

      English compound name, Emmy + Lou

    • Meaning:

      "work, universal + renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      This name is closely identified with Emmylou Harris, the singer who gives dignity to an old-style combo name. There were over 60 baby girls named Emmylou in the US last year, due the the popularity of all names Em-related and the stylish middle name Lou.
  10. Nilou

    • Origin:

      Variation of Niloufar, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "water lily, lotus"

    • Description:

      This delightful, lovable Persian name is typically reserved as a nickname for Niloufar. It rhymes with Lilou, the utterly charming French nickname.
  11. Malou

    • Origin:

      Combination of Mary and Lou

    • Meaning:

      "bitter; renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      This charming name, popular in France and the Netherlands, has not traveled to the U.S. yet but would make a modern way to honor grandma Mary or Louise, or as a perfect short form of Mary Louise. Or, with the growing fashion for nickname names, it can stand perfect well on its own. One of several similar variations — Lou, Lilou, Louane — in vogue in Europe.
  12. Bijou

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "jewel"

    • Description:

      Bijou is a name that lives up to its definition -- a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles' dog collars. Actress Bijou Phillips is its best known bearer. It can also be spelled Bijoux.
  13. Juju

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of names beginning with Ju-

    • Description:

      An informal nickname for names such as Julia, Juliette, and June.
  14. Malu

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "peace"

    • Description:

      Malu is a charming Hawaiian name chosen by ex-Talking Head David Byrne for his daughter. Malu might also be an abbreviated form of Malou, which is an abbreviated form of Mary Louise. Malu or Malou might be a retro-chic nickname for a child given the family names of Mary and/or Louise.
  15. Ysabeau

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Isabeau

    • Description:

      Ysabeau is a rare variation of Isabeau, itself a French variant of Isabel. Despite its relation to the uber-popular Isabella, the several degrees of removal make Ysabeau a long shot for the twenty-first century.
  16. Arzu

    • Origin:

      Turkish, Azerbaijani and Uyghur form of Arezou, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "desire"

    • Description:

      Arzu was once a popular baby name in Turkey, ranking as high as Number 14 in 1980. Now, it's more of a Turkish mom name, although it remains a common choice for babies in Azerbaijan, where Arzu has been in the Top 100 since records began in 2015.
  17. Philou

    • Origin:

      Dutch

    • Meaning:

      "love"

    • Description:

      This Dutch name stems from the Greek root word "philos" meaning "love". It is relatively common in the Netherlands.
  18. Koharu

    • Origin:

      Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "late summer; early autumn"

    • Description:

      Perfect for September babies, this charming Japanese name is a popular choice in its native country.
  19. Anyu

    • Description:

      Anyu is a feminine name with multicultural origins and meanings. In Hungarian folklore, it means 'mother' and carries warm, nurturing associations. In Chinese, depending on the characters used, it can mean 'peaceful jade' or convey other positive qualities. The name also appears in Inuit culture, where it can refer to a snow angel. Anyu's brevity and melodic quality make it appealing across cultural boundaries. The name has remained relatively uncommon in Western countries, giving it an exotic appeal while still being straightforward to pronounce. Its simplicity—just two syllables with a pleasing rhythm—contributes to its gentle charm. For parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and meaningful across different cultural traditions, Anyu offers a thoughtful choice with nurturing undertones.

  20. Angelou

    • Origin:

      Literary name, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "angel"

    • Description:

      If you want to move beyond Maya, you might consider this distinctive last name of poet Maya Angelou. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Angelou was given the nickname Maya by her brother and adopted Angelou from her first husband, whose last name was Angelos.