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. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  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. Bleu
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "blue"
    • Description:

      The middle name of the Travoltas' Ella is used twice as often -- 36 to 18 babies in the US last year -- for boys as for girls, leaning even more to the male side than the traditional Blue.
  9. 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."
  10. 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.
  11. Yuyu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "gentle friend; dream friend"
    • Description:

      Cute and nicknamey girl name with a great meaning to boot.
  12. Emmylou
    • Origin:

      English combination of 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.
  13. Nanou
    • Description:

      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.
  14. 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.

  15. 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".
  16. Miyu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "beautfiul evening"
    • Description:

      Short and sweet alternative to Mia, Mila, Maya, et al.
  17. 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.
  18. Gugulethu
    • Origin:

      Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele
    • Meaning:

      "our treasure"
    • Description:

      This South African name is often shortened to the spunky nickname Gugu.
  19. Mirabeau
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "wonderful, miraculous"
    • Description:

      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.
  20. 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.