100 Amazing Short Baby Girl Names With Meanings

Although long names sound regal and sophisticated, they are often shortened for daily use. Thus, it’s no wonder that short names have become more popular these days. If you fancy short girl names with meanings, our list of beautiful and unique names can help you out. Names like Emma, Kim, Kate, etc., are short but sound cute, impactful, and smart. They are also easy to remember and pronounce. Their simplicity and style make them popular choices among parents. So, take your pick from the options below.

In This Article

Top 100 Short Girl Names

These short unique girl names are not only cute but also have a beautiful meaning.

1. Adele

This pretty name has a long history. Adele was the name of William, the Conqueror’s daughter. Then we had Saint Adele. Its current popularity can be attributed to the British-American singer Adele.

2. Agnes

It is a holy name for the Catholics. In Spanish and Portuguese, Agnes is spelled as Ines, which is another cool possibility.

3. Aine

Aine is a sweet and simple Irish name, derived from the noun aine, which means ‘radiance and splendor’. In Irish mythology, Aine was one of the wives of Fionn Mac Cool and the queen of Munster fairies.

4. Aliz

Rather than going for the typical classic Alice, you can opt for its Hungarian version to spice things up. It’s unique but sounds classic.

5. Althea

Althea is one of the few least-used Greek names in the US and so is one of the beautiful rare girl names you can give to your baby. It has a girly and relaxed feel, making it suitable for a surfer chick. Althea means ‘healing’.

6. Amber

This romantic English name originates from the prized gemstone that is formed from the fossilized tree resin. It came into focus in the US through actress Amber Heard.

7. Amede

Amede is a beautiful, heart-centered name with the roots same as Amedee and Amadeus. This name means ‘to love’. Pronounce this name as ‘Ah-me-DEH’ for the Creole effect.

8. Amy

Amy is a “Little Woman” classic. It skyrocketed in popularity in the 19th century, along with other Little Women names. Amy means ‘beloved’.

9. Anais

Let’s face it! Anais is a super pretty name. In mythology, Anahita was the symbol of knowledge and healing. Italy and Greece transformed it into Anaitis. French further cut it to make Anais. It makes an elegant alternative to Anna.

10. Analia

This short and sweet baby girl name appeared in the top 1000 name list in 2009, with #331 spot.

11. Anya

We can’t decide which one we like more, Anna or its Russian form Anya. Anya is sweet and simple, but has spunk. No wonder, it was picked for the strong-willed and sharp-tongued character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

12. Arya

Game of Thrones fans would instantly recognize this name thanks to the spunky daughter of Ned Stark. This Indian origin name shot up the charts following the premiere of this series. It means ‘noble goddess’.

13. Ava

This three-letter name has a sizable appeal. It has links with birds, desire of the heart and even beginning, considering it’s related to Eve. Ava Gardner was once its sole owner, but it has now been claimed by several girls.

14. Ayn

This small and tart name shares its association with Atlas Shrugged writer Ayn Rand. It’s a Finnish form of Ann and means ‘grace’.

15. Bay

If you want a winsome one-syllable name for a mouthful surname, you can pick Bay. It’s short, smooth and timeless. Bay means ‘reddish brown’.

16. Belle

Belle and its cousin Bella have seen a recent rise, thanks to the super popular Isabella and the Twilight franchise. Also, the name of the Disney princess, Bella was a top 100 name in the 80s and is still going strong.

17. Bijou

Bijou, the French word for ‘jewel’, is as pretty as a precious stone. It’s eccentric and luscious and sounds magnificently vintage when you pronounce it with a French accent.

18. Blair

This name is suitable for both the genders, but currently, it’s on the rise for girls. It’s derived from a Scottish place name and means ‘plain’ or ‘field’.

19. Briar

Briar is a spunky, cute and cool sounding name meaning ‘thorny’. The meaning may not be very pleasant but the name definitely is.

20. Brooke

If you’re looking for a retro moniker that sounds cool as well, Brooke could be your pick. Brooke was once one of the hottest names, thanks to Brooke Shields.

The name Brooke stands out from the crowd and comes with many advantages with regard to pronunciation. An English professor and mother from St. Louis with the same name also feels the same. She did not like her name growing up, but her opinion has changed now. Brooke says, “Now I appreciate my name because it’s easily recognizable but not overly common. And although it sometimes gets spelled wrong when people drop the “e” (even my students), it’s never mispronounced (i).”

21. Buffy

This will sound great on your little one as a nickname. It’s cute, frilly and full of life, just like the character Buffy from the series Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.

22. Chloe

We bet most of you didn’t know that this simple and sweet name was Greek in origin. Meaning ‘green shoot’, Chloe refers to the blooming plants.

23. Cia

Cia, short name for girls
share button

It’s a unique but pretty short girl name. This moniker is a favorite with parents who like names with deeper meaning. Cia means ‘of the moon’.

24. Claire

This classic moniker, with analogs in English, French and Italian, has seen a recent revival. Its straightforward meaning, ‘clear, bright’, will go down well with traditional parents.

25. Clor

This American invented name is extremely rare, which is a good thing. At least, there won’t be five Clors in your daughter’s school.

26. Coco

Any name that begins with Co has to be coy and cute. But this one’s stylish as well since its namesake is the founder of Chanel. Courtney (Monica) Cox and David Arquette picked this name for their little girl.

27. Cora

Thanks to author James Fenimore Cooper for bringing this beautiful name to notice. Cora is originally associated with the daughter of Greek God Zeus, but in today’s time, it gained popularity through the British television series Downton Abbey.

28. Dawn

Dawn is the time when the day breaks and the sun rises. So we feel it will make a simple, yet beautiful name for your daughter.

29. Dove

Dove, the symbol of peace, would make a lovely namesake for your little girl. It has a calm and serene sound, primarily because of its similarity to the word ‘love’. Dovey would make a cute nickname.

30. Edie

Keira Knightley was probably inspired by the 60s fashionista Edie Sedgwick while choosing this name for her daughter. Edie means ‘riches’.

31. Ella

Ella, the Old German name, meaning ‘other’, originated as a short form for Elena and Eleanor, but now stands on its own at the 18th spot in the US.

32. Elsa

Most of you must be familiar with this name via Elsa from Frozen. But did you know that’s originally a short form of Elizabeth? This name means ‘oath of God’. Elsa is elegant and beautiful, perfect for your little princess.

33. Emma

Emma is the moniker of several great literary characters, including the famous Emma from Jane Austen’s novel. This name has been on the top 10 list for decades. It isn’t uncommon, but is definitely classic and charming.

protip_icon Trivia
American actresses Emma Watson and Emma Stone and English actress and writer Emma Thompson are popular bearers of this name.

34. Erin

Erin is an easy, breezy name native to Ireland. It means ‘peace’. It’s moderately popular in Ireland and US.

35. Esme

If you’ve picked Esmeralda as the given name for your daughter, you can choose Esme as the nickname. This French name means ‘beloved’.

36. Etta

Etta is one of the rising stars, err names, of the recent years, all thanks to the “At Last” singer Etta James. In the 19th century, this name was much more popular than most of the classic names in the list.

37. Eva

Eva is the Spanish variation of Eve and means ‘life’. Despite being just a letter away from its super popular cousin Ava, Eva could not attain the same stardom. We’re not saying it isn’t popular. In fact, it’s one of the top 100 names in the US, all thanks to actress Eva Longoria.

38. Eve

This tiny name is well used throughout the world. In the Bible, Eve was the first woman on earth.

39. Faith

This Biblical name has a millennial cred, thanks to the dark slayer from the television show Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.

40. Fleur

One of the most gorgeous baby girl names in our opinion. Fleur is the French word for ‘flower’.

41. Grace

This moniker stands for generosity and goodness. In Latin, this name is related to the grace of God. Grace has seen resurgence on the baby name charts, partly due to celebs picking it for their daughters.

42. Gretl

This Greek name comes from the name Margaret and means ‘pearl’. It has several spelling variations, including the popular Gretel and Gretal.

43. Gwen

Gwen is a lovely name, meaning ‘fair’ or ‘blessed’. You get the option of using it as a nickname for Gwyneth or Gwendolyn. Or use it as a given name.

44. Haven

This uplifting name is chosen by parents who see their daughter as a long-awaited gift. In English, this name means ‘place of safety’ and ‘shelter’.

45. Hazel

Hazel is a fashionable and trendy short baby girl name, originating from the hazel tree.

46. Helen

We think mountains are excellent inspiration for baby names. Strong and mighty Helen is inspired by Mt. Helens. It means ‘bright’, ‘shining light’.

47. Hope

There’s no better sentiment to bestow on your baby girl than Hope. Hope has always been low-key in terms of popularity but it never entirely left the public eye.

48. Ida

Ida is considered a successor to Ava and Ada by the baby names experts and even we agree with them. It means ‘industrious one’.

49. Isla

Isla, pronounced as ‘Eye-la’, is the name of a river flowing through Scotland. Its prominent bearer is Hollywood actressIsla Fisher.

50. Ivy

This one would fit well in the middle spot. Ivy means ‘faithfulness’.

51. Jill

Jill is sleek and clear as a crystal. This moniker is associated with innocence and sweetness ever since Jill from the nursery rhyme took a fateful trip to get a pail of water.

52. Joss

Joss originated as a nickname for Jocelyn, but is now a charismatic name for both girls and boys. Its namesake would be the British soul singer Joss Stone.

53. Juno

This name will stand apart among several names in the crowd. In Roman mythology, Juno was the protector of marriage.

54. Kady

Kady is an evocative and distinctive Irish name, meaning ‘first’. But some people use it as a short form for Kadence or a variation of Katy.

55. Kai

This gentle, soft and well-traveled name has meanings rooted in Welsh, Japanese, and Hawaiian.In Japanese, it means ‘from the sea’ and in Hawaii, it stands for ‘ocean’. But its origin is in Wales, where it means ‘keeper of the keys’.

56. Kate

Kate, sitting pretty on the #222nd spot, is by far the most attractive and stylish short forms of Katherine, Kathryn and even Catherine. Did you know that the real name of Duchess of Cambridge is Catherine, not Kate? She’s mostly known by her nickname.

57. Kira

When we heard Kira for the first time, we were surprised to know to it’s a Russian name, since most of the Russian names have a hard sound. This delicate name means ‘farsighted’.

58. Klara

Klara has been moving up the charts lately, but is still unique enough to be a special name. This name conjures images of a bright and idealistic girl.

59. Lace

Lace is a feminine and tantalizing variation of the super popular English name Lacy. It’s derived from the French nobleman’s surname brought to the British Isles during the Norman conquest.

60. Lacy

It is a beautiful but rare name for your daughter. It means ‘from Latius’s estate’.

61. Lana

Parents would know this name through talented actress Lana del Ray. Don’t you think it sounds magical?

62. Lark

Short girl name, Lark
share button

Lark is a sweet songbird, found in the meadow. Hence the name suggests a cheerful approach to life. The name is originally derived from Middle English word ‘larke’.

63. Leda

Literature buffs would know Leda as the mother of Helen of Troy. But did you know that this name means ‘happy’? It would be perfect for girls with a sunny disposition.

64. Leigh

Leigh is basically the feminine spelling of the name Lee. It borrows its glamor quotient from Vivian Leigh, Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Winds. Leigh means ‘meadow’.

65. Liesl

Sound of Music fans would recognize Liesl as the name of the eldest Trapp daughter in the movie. It’s derived from Elizabeth and means ‘God is my oath’.

66. Lily

Probably one of the sweetest sounding baby names ever. And no matter how many botanical names come and go, this name will never go out of fashion.

67. Lisa

Lisa is the short form of the Hebrew name Elizabeth, which means ‘God is my oath’.

68. Litzy

This short form of Elizabeth came into forefront via Mexican singer and actress Litzy. This Spanish short form of Elizabeth is well used in the US. It isn’t in the top 1000 spot, but is expected to make a comeback soon.

69. Liv

Liv, which is the Norse word for life, was brought into the mainstream by American actress Liv Tyler. You can either use it as a nickname for Olivia, or keep it as it is for a catchy moniker.

70. Lois

Lois has various meanings in different cultures. It’s said to be a Teutonic name meaning ‘holy’. But in German, it means ‘female warrior’. And in France, it’s considered a form of Louise.

71. Lula

In 2014, just 87 girls were named Lula in the US. So it would make a unique moniker for your daughter. In its heyday, Lula was the 43rd most popular name. It means ‘famous in war’.

72. Mabel

If you find vintage names like Violet and Sadie too common, you can use Mabel instead. It is sweet but not sugary. And it has a cute meaning as well ‘lovable’.

73. Mae

If you want a month-inspired baby name for your daughter, you can pick Mae. It’s short, sweet and not too much into-the-face. This name currently sits in the 589th position. So it’s still not that common.

74. Malia

Malia, the Polynesian and Hawaiian form of Mary, is a historical name in some cultures. This name sounds as peaceful and flowing as its meaning ‘calm’. Malia Obama would be its famous namesake.

75. Mia

This multicultural name is the sixth most popular name in the Social Security List in 2016, which explains how much people love it. Among the celebs who have picked this name for their daughters are Perez Hilton and Kate Winslet.

76. Millie

This adorable name is the diminutive of upstanding name Millicent. It means ‘gentle strength’.

77. Myra

An extraordinary name for your extraordinary daughter, Myra means ‘poetic invention’ in English.

78. Nell

Nell is one of those cute, vintage names that have taken off in the last few years. It’s stylish yet distinguished, and works well, both on its own and as a short form of Helen or Eleanor.

79.Niamh

A brilliant moniker, it’s short, stunning, distinctive and rolls off the tongue. And it means ‘radiant and bright’, a fitting name for your girl.

80. Opal

Opal, a short girl name inspired by the gem
share button

Opal is a regal name, with shimmering beauty. This lustrous gem gleams like a star in the darkness. Since it’s an October birthstone, you can use it for your October baby.

81. Paige

This moniker often pops up regularly in movies and television shows. Paige, meaning ‘attendant’, exudes sophistication and elegance, no matter what century it is.

82. Paris

Paris, the cosmopolitan city of France, played and still plays, a crucial role in films, cuisine, art, literature and of course, fashion. This name got a boost via the socialite Paris Hilton.

protip_icon Did you know?
Paris is a unisex name in many countries. In Greek mythology, Paris was the prince of Troy.

83. Quana

Quana is a refreshing Native American name meaning ‘fragrant’. To make it more distinctive, you can either snip the ‘n’ or add an ‘h’ at the end.

84. Quinn

Quinn is derived from a Gaelic surname and means ‘counsel’. A girl with the name Quinn might have a career as a famous lawyer.

85. Rain

It cannot get more classic and cleaner than this. Rain originates from the Old English word ‘regn’ and signifies good future. It is a sign of abundance and blessing in Native American and Asian beliefs.

86. Reeve

This name immediately brings to mind Christopher Reeve, one of the first actors to play Superman on screen. Could there be any better way to bring power and strength to your young lady?

87. Rose

Rose has been one of the most popular floral monikers for centuries. It does sound a bit old-timey, but it is still sweet and gives a classic feeling for a newborn.

88. Ruby

Ruby is one of the most familiar gemstone inspired baby names, and one of the sultriest as well. Ruby Dee and Ruby Keeler are two of the most notable bearers of this glittering, red stone name.

89. Sia

This strong name, meaning ‘victory’, came into prominence via the Australian singer Sia Furler. And now since Cheap Thrills is a super hit at global level, the popularity of this name will increase further.

90. Suzy

Suzy or Suzie, this name sounds cute no matter how you spell it. It means ‘graceful lily’.

91. Taya

Who would know that the fifth fastest rising name in the US is a made-up name? Last year, it jumped 1107 placed to land at #982 spot. It means ‘perfectly formed’, ‘princess’.

92. Tess

Tess is one of the most fashionable forms of Theresa. It’s sassy and soft at the same time.

93. Teva

The Scottish name Teva, meaning ‘twin’, would be a perfect name if you have twin baby girls. How would Steva sound for the other baby?

94. Thea

Thea is originally a mythological name but can also be used as a short form for Anthea, Theodora, Galathea and Timothea. It was one of the top names in Norway in the years 2006 and 2007. Currently, it’s one of the top 50 names in Sweden. It means ‘goddess’.

95. Una

In an epic poem, Una is the personification of beauty, truth, and unity. This name means ‘one’, ‘also’.

96. Velma

This edgy and cool name was given to less than 13 girls in the year 2014. So the time is perfect to grab this cute short name for girls. Velma means ‘desire to protect’.

97. Vera

Vera stems from the Latin word for ‘true’. So your girl will be bound to tell you the truth.

98. Zelda

The legend is definitely resurfacing in the form of a baby girl name. Last year, Zelda jumped 512 spots, to secure the 647th place.

99. Zoe

Zoe has been one of the top 1000 names in the US Social Security Administration list since 1880. It means ‘life’.

100. Zuri

Zuri is one of the fastest rising names in the US. It’s originally a Swahili name, meaning ‘good, kind’. It’s a gender-neutral name, but sounds feminine to our ears.

Discover More Names

When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.


short girl names_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes a short name appealing to a girl?

Short names are easy to pronounce, spell, and remember. The names are also often trendy, popular, and unique, making them appealing for naming a baby girl.

2. How do short names reflect cultural trends and traditions?

Short names may reflect the changing cultural trends and traditions as many cultures give their babies long names showing deep cultural and historical roots. Therefore, shorter names nowadays can be seen as proof of the changes.

3. Can short girl names have multiple syllables?

Yes, short girl names can have multiple syllables. The length of a name refers to the number of characters or letters it contains, whereas the number of syllables refers to the number of distinct vowel sounds in the name. So, a short girl’s name can have one, two, or even three syllables. Some adorable short girl names with multiple syllables include Emily, Olivia, Isabella, Amelia, and Sophia.

Choosing a name for your baby girl is an exciting experience as it will be a part of their personality and identity. When choosing a short name for your little one, it is important to consider certain factors such as the meaningfulness of the name, ease of pronunciation, and the personality you want your child to have. Therefore, we have made this list so you can pick the best short name for your little princess. Give your daughter a unique, beautiful short name that everyone can remember.

Infographic: Short Baby Girl Names With Meanings

Giving your baby a long and regal name might be a sign of sophistication, but it might, at times, be shortened unacceptably for ease of the conversation. So why not choose a short yet beautiful name for your baby girl? To help you with that, we have prepared the following infographic for you to explore.

short and attractive names for your baby girl (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • Short names for girls gained worldwide recognition as more long names were condensed.
  • Often, short names originated as nicknames before transitioning into standalone names.
  • Short names like Emma, Kim, Belle, and Mae are extensively used and much-loved by new parents.

Personal Experience: Source

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.