Girls names that end in U

If you want to move beyond Maya, you might consider this distinctive last name of poet Maya Angelou. Born Marguerite Annie Johnson, Angelou was given the nickname Maya by her brother and adopted Angelou from her first husband, whose last name was Angelos.

Balou is a feminine name that likely draws inspiration from various sources, including the beloved bear character Baloo from Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book.' The alternative spelling with 'ou' may be influenced by French orthography, giving it a softer, more feminine appearance. While uncommon as a formal given name, Balou has a playful, gentle quality that might appeal to parents seeking something distinctive with positive associations. The name's brevity and simple pronunciation make it accessible across languages. Balou carries a cheerful, warm character that evokes a sense of friendliness and approachability, making it a unique but engaging choice for a daughter.

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."

Uncommon choice too reminiscent of "bidet". Try Bridie instead.

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.

Accessible, aromatic Indian name.

Hayu is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Indonesian, particularly Sundanese culture, it means 'beauty' or 'beautiful.' It also appears in Native American languages, particularly among Pacific Northwest tribes where it can refer to 'laughter' or 'smiling.' The name has connections to Japanese culture as well, where similar syllables appear in various compound names. Hayu remains relatively uncommon in Western countries but may appeal to parents seeking a short, melodic name with cross-cultural significance. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce in many languages, while its positive meanings and gentle sound give it a universal appeal despite its rarity.

Indu is truly unusual, but shares sounds with more popular choices like Indie and Indigo. Other moon names to consider: Luna, Serena, Io.

With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist.

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."

Lilou is a charming, rarely heard import. Occitan is a language spoken in Provence, in the south of France, in which the suffix "ou" denotes a pet form — thus, Lilou as a short form of Liliane or its Occitan form Liliana or Liliano. Its popularity in France--where it's currently Number 12--can be traced to the 1997 film The Fifth Element.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a modern Welsh name, stemming from the welsh word paidrín, meaning rosary.

Sonyuru is an extremely rare feminine name with unclear etymological origins. It may be a modern invented name or possibly derived from combining elements of other names or words from various languages. The name has a melodic quality with its alternating consonants and vowels, creating a rhythmic sound when pronounced. Given its rarity, Sonyuru lacks substantial historical usage or cultural significance in mainstream naming traditions. This uniqueness might appeal to parents seeking a truly distinctive name unlikely to be shared with others. The name has a somewhat international feel that doesn't immediately associate with any single cultural tradition, potentially making it versatile across different backgrounds. As with many rare names, personal meaning assigned by parents often becomes its primary significance.

Tegau is a feminine name of Welsh origin with deep roots in medieval Welsh literature and mythology. The name appears in Arthurian legends as Tegau Eurfron (Tegau of the Golden Breast), wife of Caradoc and known for her virtue and beauty. In Welsh tradition, she was a symbol of fidelity and honor. This rare name carries significant cultural heritage while remaining distinctive. Tegau has never been widely used outside Wales, making it an uncommon choice that connects to Welsh identity and literary tradition. The name's uniqueness appeals to parents seeking names with authentic Celtic roots and meaningful historical associations while avoiding more common choices.