Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
Cool Baby Names That Start with U
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About this list
Are there any cool baby names that start with U? It’s the most underused first initial of the baby naming alphabet! Only three U names rank in the US Top 1000, and all for boys — Uriel, Uriah, and Ulises. Ironically, the most common girl name beginning with U is Unique. There are many cool international names that begin with U, such as the Teutonic Udella, Chinese Ushi, and Xhosa Unathi. A number of interesting place names start with U, such as Utah, Umbria, and Urbana. So yes, there are some cool baby names that start with U. Namely:
The names
Uriel
Hebrew
"God is my light, God is my flame"
The name of the archangel in Rabbinic and Russian Orthodox tradition, Uriel is associated with truth, wisdom, and light. Also appearing in medieval literature, the name shares a similar meaning to…
Uriah
Hebrew
"God is my light"
A perfectly respectable Old Testament name ruined forever through its association with the odious Uriah Heep in David Copperfield . Some people also find this name just too close to the word urine.…
Urban
Latin
"of the city"
Urban was not an uncommon name through the 1930s (rising as high as Number 435), having been attached to several saints and early popes, but it has completely disappeared from the landscape--both…
Una
Latin, Irish, or Old Norse
"one; lamb; happy"
In an epic poem, the personification of truth, beauty, and unity; this ancient name is popular in several European countries but less common in the US. The Oona spelling is slightly more popular but…
Urijah
Spelling variation of Uriah
A creative spelling of Uriah, possibly without the negative connotation. Biblically, Urijah was a prophet mentioned in the book of Jeremiah.
Ulysses
Latin variation of Odysseus, Greek
"wrathful"
Ulysses is one of the few U boys' names anyone knows -- with heavy links to the Homeric hero of The Odyssey , the eighteenth US president Ulysses Grant, and the James Joyce novel -- all of which…
Ursula
Latin
"little female bear"
A saint's name with a noteworthy literary background, including uses by Shakespeare in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Much Ado About Nothing , by Ben Johnson, Walter Scott, Longfellow, D. H. Lawrence…
Uilleam
Scottish variation of William
Most Americans would take the easy way out and spell it Willem, as in artist de Kooning and actor Dafoe.
Ugo
Italian variation of Hugh, Igbo
"mind, intellect; eagle"
Ugo is a familiar choice in Italy and France, where it is used as variation of Hugh or Hugo, but also in Nigeria, where it means "eagle" in Igbo.
Uda
Teutonic
"wealthy"
One of several three-letter U-a names -- Uda, Ula, Uma, Una -- take your pick.
Ulric
English variation of Ulrich and Wulfric, German
"rich and noble heritage; wolf power"
Also related to the word for wolf, this name has a first syllable that's not appealing to the American ear. Better ic-ending choices: Dominic, Frederic, Eric.
Ultima
Latin, Italian
"last"
An uncommon Latin and Italian name which would make a fitting choice for a final baby – but be aware that many would associate it with the cosmetics brand or the Ultimo brand of lingerie.
Ulla
Scandinavian
"will, determination"
Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its…
Uma
Sanskrit, Hebrew
"light, peace, nation"
Uma is a sweet, strong name for a Hindu goddess... and a Hollywood one. But as popular as Uma Thurman is, other parents have not yet picked up on her name, making it a rarity. Uma is one of the more…
Ulesi
Ulesi is a masculine name with African origins, primarily found in certain East African cultures. Though relatively uncommon in global usage, the name carries distinctive cultural significance in its…
Uduak
Ibibio
"will, desire"
Uduak is a name from the Ibibio language, native to Southern Nigeria.
Umbria
Italian place name, from the Umbri, one of the chief tribes settling the Italian nation
Umbria is a lovely, virtually unused Italian name for girls , reflecting the beautiful rolling hills of the area's countryside. And since it's right next door to Tuscany, in which Siena resides,…
Umberto
Italian variation of Humbert
"renowned warrior"
A definite improvement over the English Humbert, Umberto has nevertheless been rarely heard outside the Italian community. The writer-semiotician Umberto Eco is a noteworthy namesake.
Umbrielle
Latin
"one in the shadow"
Pretty French sound, but there might be a lot of "umbrella" cracks.
Ulema
Ulema is an uncommon feminine name with Arabic roots. In its original context, 'ulema' refers to scholars, particularly Islamic religious scholars, being the plural form of 'alim' (learned one).…