Names Ending in U for Girls

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  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. 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.

  5. Lilou
    • Origin:

      Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and Louise
    • Meaning:

      "lily; lily + renowned warrior"
    • Description:

      Sweet, enchanting Lilou is considered both a pet name from the Occitan language (spoken in Provence in the south of France), and a compound name, blending floral Lili with classic Louise. It peaked in France back in 2009 when it reached #12, and while it has now fallen in popularity, it remains in the Top 200.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Suzu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "little bell"
    • Description:

      Well-used in Japan, this name refers to the suzu, a tiny metal bell often placed in a silk charm bag and attached to a girl's undergarment so that a lovely tinkling sound is heard as she moves, and originally thought to frighten demons.
  10. Fatou
    • Origin:

      West African variation of Fatima, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "captivating, a woman who abstains"
    • Description:

      Fatou and its long form Fatoumata are variations of the popular Muslim name Fatima, who was one of four perfect women cited by the Quran.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Su
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Susan, Turkish, Chinese
    • Meaning:

      "lily; water; plain, simple, respectable"
    • Description:

      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".
  14. Miyu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "beautfiul evening"
    • Description:

      Short and sweet alternative to Mia, Mila, Maya, et al.
  15. Liu
    • Origin:

      Chinese
    • Meaning:

      "willow tree"
    • Description:

      Commonly associated with Chinese supermodel Liu Wen.
  16. Anu
    • Origin:

      Finnish and Estonian diminutive of Anna, Sanskrit diminutive of Anuradha, Yoruba, Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "grace; causing success; mercy"
    • Description:

      A multicultural mini name with roots in three continents.
  17. Bayou
    • Origin:

      Native American nature name
    • Description:

      A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender. While the word feels French and has its roots in 18th century French Louisiana, it derives from the Choctaw word bayuk, which means "small stream."
  18. 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.

  19. Anzu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "apricot"
    • Description:

      A representative Japanese name with a meaning symbolizing ripeness.
  20. Juneau
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Juneau, the name of the city in Alaska, has rightfully taken a back seat as a name to the classic Juno. Most famous reference: When the pregnant teenager is introduced in the movie "Juno," the prospective adoptive father says, "Oh, like the city in Alaska." Juno takes a deep breath and then says simply, "No."