Two syllables.

Lorna

English literary name

One of those names like Pamela, Vanessa and Wendy, Lorna was invented for a particular literary character--the protagonist of the 1869 novel Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore--and then perpetuated as…

Marlene

German variation of Madeline; combination of Mary and Magdalen

Marlene Dietrich made it famous when she condensed her first two names, Maria and Magdalena. Now more often pronounced with two syllables rather than three.

Myrthe

Dutch variation of Myrtle

This botanical name is one of the few Dutch names that could work outside the Netherlands, especially in Germany or Scandinavia.

Nara

Japanese place name or Celtic

"happy"

Soft, simple, and far more unusual than Tara or Farrah. As a Japanese place name, it's been used occasionally as a surname and is beginning to be used as a first. Nara is also the name of a Hindu…

Nedda

Slavic

"born on Sunday"

Midcentury macramé-maker.

Neeva

Neeva is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it means 'foundation' or 'base,' while in Hebrew, it relates to expressions of beauty and pleasantness. Some sources also connect…

Nelda

English

"one who lives by the alder tree"

Occasionally heard in Ireland, small chance of success here.

Nella

Nella is a feminine name with Italian and Germanic origins. It can be a standalone name or a diminutive of names like Petronella, Antonella, or Cornelia. In Italian, it literally means 'at the' or…

Nemy

Mende

"sweet"

Friendly and energetic name from the Mende language of West Africa.

Nessa

Scandinavian

"headlands, promontory"

Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.

Nilla

African

"glorious"

Something slightly negative about that Nil beginning; more positive similar names would be Lilla or Willa, Lucilla or Priscilla. Nilla may also be a short form of the Scandinavian Gunilla.

Rena

Hebrew, Greek, Estonian, Scandinavian, German, Punjabi

"joyous melody; peace; reborn; to remain"

Rena is a Hebrew name all on its own and is also a European short form of Irene, Irini, Renata, and Renate. In Punjabi, Rena means "to remain".

Rilla

German

"small brook"

Rilla dropped out of the US Top 1000 in 1915, but it's starting to feel like an intriguing possibility again in this age of short, sweet, a-ending names for girls. It is traditionally a short form…

Tilda

Estonian and Spanish diminutive of Matilda, German

"battle mighty"

Actress Tilda Swinton injected this dated nickname name with some modern charm.

Trudy

German

"spear of strength"

Innocent, sincere, and bright-eyed, and as outdated as its mother name, Gertrude.

Verda

Variation of Verde, Spanish

"green"

Verda was a fairly popular girls' name in the US from the 1880s through the 1920s, when it started to slip, finally dropping from sight after World War II. Today, Verde and Verda are both extinct.

Theda

Short form of Theodora or Theodosia, Greek

"gift of God"

Theda is most famous as the name of silent film vamp Theda Bara. Today most fashionable little Theodoras and Theodosias are called Thea, but Theda makes an intriguing change.

Agnes

Greek

"pure, virginal"

Agnes is the Latin variation of the name Hagne, which itself derived from the Greek word hagnos , meaning "chaste." In medieval times, St. Agnes was a very popular saint, leading to its popularity as…

Orla

Irish

"golden princess"

Orla is an Irish name closely associated with the high king Brian Boru, as it was the name of his sister, daughter and niece. It was very popular in the Middle Ages – the fourth most popular name in…