4 Letter Girl Names Starting with I
Model Coco Rocha has set a narrow rubric for her children’s names — four-letter names starting with I. She is mother to Ioni and Iver and expecting her third child, a daughter, later in 2020. With such strict limitations, are there any good girl name options left?
You bet there are! It helps that I is such a versatile first initial. It can imitate the Y sound, as in Iana and Iara; long E, as in Inoa and Izar; or sound like "eye," as in Iola and Ioni. The variety of sounds makes an I-starting sibset well-matched, but not overly so.
The only four-letter girl names beginning with I in the US Top 1000 are trendy choices Isla and Iris — but you won’t find those on this list. Here we’ve curated our favorite unique four-letter girl names starting with I. Perfect for Coco Rocha’s baby — or maybe yours.
You bet there are! It helps that I is such a versatile first initial. It can imitate the Y sound, as in Iana and Iara; long E, as in Inoa and Izar; or sound like "eye," as in Iola and Ioni. The variety of sounds makes an I-starting sibset well-matched, but not overly so.
The only four-letter girl names beginning with I in the US Top 1000 are trendy choices Isla and Iris — but you won’t find those on this list. Here we’ve curated our favorite unique four-letter girl names starting with I. Perfect for Coco Rocha’s baby — or maybe yours.
Ines
Origin:
Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of AgnesMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
This form of Agnes, Ines has always been popular since the true story of the thwarted lovers Queen Ines of Castro and King Peter of Portugal. This has to be one of the most heartbreaking and bloody true romances in history!
Ione
Origin:
Greek, a violet-colored stoneDescription:
This unusual Greek flower and color name has gained considerable recent attention via actress Ione Skye, who is the daughter of sixties folksinger Donovan.
Inez
Origin:
Spanish variation of AgnesMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
Also spelled Ines, this name of the prudish mother of Don Juan in the Byron poem has a touch of mystery, but has also been fully integrated into the American name pool.
Iona
Origin:
Scottish place-nameDescription:
This name of a small island off the coast of Scotland is trending upwards along with other I names.
Irie
Origin:
JamaicanMeaning:
"positive and powerful"Description:
A name used in the Caribbean, taken from the Rastafarian term that translates best to "positive and powerful." Rastas often greet each other by saying, "Are you feeling Irie today?"
Indi
Origin:
Variation of Indie, EnglishMeaning:
"independent"Description:
A true maverick of a girls' name — even more so with this spelling, the least common between Indie, Indy, and Indi.
Indy
Origin:
Short form of IndianaDescription:
The heroic movie figure Indiana Jones was often called Indy, as in the equally testosterone-laden Indy 500 car race. Indie, as in indie films, is the more girlish version of the name, sometimes short for India or Indigo.
Izzy
Origin:
Diminutive of Isabel and IsabellaDescription:
The longer Isabella stays in the Top 10—and it's been there for more than a decade—the more we hear the nickname Izzy (especially if we watch Grey's Anatomy). it's just a matter of time before it stands on its own, as it has as a first name for the daughter of Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher.
Ilse
Origin:
Dutch variation of IlsaMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.
Ilia
Origin:
Variation of Iliana, GreekMeaning:
"from Illium or Troy"Description:
Three syllables in only four letters is quite a feat, but that's exactly what you get with Ilia, a more delicate version of Iliana.
Ilsa
Origin:
German variation of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Ilsa is remembered as the radiant but tragic heroine of "Casablanca," and it's having something of a European resurgence.
Iola
Origin:
Greek or WelshMeaning:
"violet; beautiful lady"Description:
Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that should be ripe for rediscovery.
Issa
Origin:
Variation of Isa, GermanMeaning:
"strong-willed"Description:
Issa might make more sense if you're using it as a nickname for any one of the various names ending in -issa, but this spelling is also an Arabic and Hebrew boy name. The Isa spelling is almost exclusively feminine.
Iman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"faith"Description:
One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
Iana
Origin:
Latin, Slavic variation of JaneMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
In Roman mythology, Iana was an epithet of Diana, goddess of the moon.
Iria
Origin:
Portuguese variation of EireneMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Iria is a diminutive version of Eirene / Irene and is therefore associated with the Greek goddess of peace.
Ivey
Origin:
Surname name, variation of IvyMeaning:
"son of Ive; person from Ivoy; ivy plant"Description:
Ivey can be considered an alternate spelling of the botanical name Ivy, but it also has separate origins as a surname. For the Anglo-Saxon Ivey line, Ivey means "son of Ive," while for the English-Norman Iveys, it means "person from Ivoy," a commune in the Cher department of France.
Immy
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"maiden"Description:
Diminutive of Imogen, rarely given as a standalone even in the UK, where Imogen is a Top 50 pick.
Indu
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"moon"Description:
Indu is truly unusual, but shares sounds with more popular choices like India and Indigo. Other moon names to consider: Luna, Serena, Io.