Names Ending in U for Girls
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
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- Lulu
Origin:
Diminutive of Louise or Lucy, or ArabicMeaning:
"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.
- Lou
Origin:
Short form of LouiseMeaning:
"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.
- Isabeau
Origin:
French variation of IsabelMeaning:
"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.
- Lilou
Origin:
Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and LouiseMeaning:
"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.
- Milou
Origin:
Combination of Marie and Lou or LouiseDescription:
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.
- Malou
Origin:
Combination of Mary and LouMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- Yuyu
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"gentle friend; dream friend"Description:
Cute and nicknamey girl name with a great meaning to boot.
- Zuzu
Origin:
Czech diminutive of SusanMeaning:
"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.
- Fatou
Origin:
West African variation of Fatima, ArabicMeaning:
"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.
- 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.
- Emmylou
Origin:
English combination of Emmy + LouMeaning:
"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.
- Liu
Origin:
ChineseMeaning:
"willow tree"Description:
Commonly associated with Chinese supermodel Liu Wen.
- Su
Origin:
English diminutive of Susan, Turkish, ChineseMeaning:
"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".
- Nilou
Origin:
Variation of Niloufar, PersianMeaning:
"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.
- Arzu
Origin:
Turkish, Azerbaijani and Uyghur form of Arezou, PersianMeaning:
"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.
- Blu
Origin:
Variation of Blue, English color nameDescription:
Blu is a new (nu?) spin on an increasingly popular color name, also spelled Blue and Bleu by celebrity parents. Blu is the spelling used for one of the (male) Waldrop quintuplets, but the name is gender neutral.
- Juju
Origin:
Diminutive of names beginning with Ju-Description:
An informal nickname for names such as Julia, Juliette, and June.
- Bijou
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"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.
- Ysabeau
Origin:
Spelling variation of Isabeau, FrenchMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Ysabeau is a rare Creole or Medieval French variation of Isabeau, itself a French a charming variant of Isabel. It appeared in the TV series A Discovery of Witches and subsequently made its debut in the US stats in 2024 when it was given to 6 girls.
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