Names Ending in U for Girls

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The grandiose name of a French revolutionary – in full: Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau. Mirabeau likely derives from Latin mirabilis, making it a masculine cousin of Mirabelle.

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.

It may only be two letters long, but Su has substance and meaning. It can be a fresh spelling for the classic Sue, a Turkish name meaning "water", and a unisex Chinese name meaning "simple" or "respectable".

Cute and nicknamey girl name with a great meaning to boot.

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.

This modern Finnish word name is a fashionable choice in its home country, having entered into wide usage only since the turn of the 21st century.

Balou is a feminine name that likely draws inspiration from various sources, including the beloved bear character Baloo from Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book.' The alternative spelling with 'ou' may be influenced by French orthography, giving it a softer, more feminine appearance. While uncommon as a formal given name, Balou has a playful, gentle quality that might appeal to parents seeking something distinctive with positive associations. The name's brevity and simple pronunciation make it accessible across languages. Balou carries a cheerful, warm character that evokes a sense of friendliness and approachability, making it a unique but engaging choice for a daughter.

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

Nanou is a delicate feminine name with French origins, often used as a nickname for names like Anne, Nanette, or Éleanor in French-speaking regions. This charming diminutive has taken on life as a given name in its own right, offering a sweet, modern sound with an international feel. The name has a melodic, sing-song quality that gives it a playful yet sophisticated character. Nanou remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its brevity and easy pronunciation make it appealing to parents seeking something short yet complete. The name carries a certain joie de vivre and elegance associated with French culture.

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.

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

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.

Commonly associated with Chinese supermodel Liu Wen.