There are plenty of options if you’re looking for two syllable girl names. Take your pick from top 25 favorite girl names like Emma and Ava, to more offbeat options that let your girl stand out in the crowd. Check out a few of our favorite two syllable girl names here — and let us know if we missed your fave in the comments section.
Astrid
A long-time Scandinavian favorite, Astrid means “divinely beautiful.”
Audra
Audra peaked in popularity back in the 1960s and 1970s, and it means “noble strength.”
Ava
It’s no surprise that Ava has been a top 5 baby name favorite for years. It’s easy to pronounce and spell, and has a lovely meaning—”life.”
Bella
Bella is among the most beautiful two syllable girl names out there—literally. (It means beautiful.) Its recent popularity rise can be traced back to the rabid popularity of vampire romance Twilight.
Cora
This simple name soared in popularity at the turn of the 20th century, and is making a comeback again today (it’s currently in the top 100 and climbing fast). Cora means maiden.
Emma
Topping the U.S. charts for the third year running, Emma is universally popular—which makes sense for a name that means “universal.”
Freya
The name for the Nordic goddess of love may be all over British TV shows and baby name charts, but it’s still relatively unused here in the U.S.
Hazel
The Fault in Our Stars heroine has helped this nature name rise on the charts.
Judith
Zombie series The Walking Dead may have brought more attention to this Biblical name, which is back on an uptick in popularity.
Laurel
Laurel is a graceful way to pay homage to a Laura in your family tree—it’s a nature name that still hasn’t seen a big boost in usage.
Lily
A classic floral name, Lily has been especially popular for the past 30 years. It’s now in the top 25 baby names for girls.
Luna
One of the breakout names from the Harry Potter series, Luna’s baby name popularity soared after her character was introduced in the books. The name means “moon,” and is currently in the top 100 names in the U.S.
Margot
Skip the more formal Margaret and go with this French variant, which means “pearl.”
Mercy
A sweet, not-so-common virtue makes one of the most lovely two-syllable girl names.
Mila
A short and sweet nickname name popularized by Mila Kunis, this name just hit the top 50 in the U.S.
Paisley
The funky psychedelic print inspired this fast-rising name—it first broke into the top 1000 back in 2006, and it just entered the top 50.
Poppy
This colorful bloom name has been popular in the UK for years, but just started gaining traction in the U.S. in the past few years.
Reagan/Regan
This Irish surname name means “little king,” and is connected with the former President, along with the possessed girl in horror classic The Exorcist and one of King Lear’s daughters in Shakespeare’s masterpiece.
Ruby
Currently in the top 75, this gem of a name is a popular pick for celebrity babies.
Sadie
One of the sassiest two syllable girl names is sweet Sadie, a nickname for Sarah that’s hit the top 75 in its own right.
Scarlett
Thanks to star Scarlett Johansson and Gone With the Wind heroine Scarlett O’Hara, this colorful name has been red-hot in the 20th century.
Stella
Despite the Streetcar Named Desire references, Stella has made a comeback in recent years, perhaps due to the stylishness of designer Stella McCartney, and the slew of cool celebs who’ve used it for their daughters. It’s currently in the top 50 baby names in the U.S.
Thora
The feminization of the god of thunder, Thor, has actress Thora Birch as its claim to fame.
Willow
A graceful nature name, Willow can thank Buffy the Vampire Slayer for its current wave of popularity—Buffy’s geeky-cool BFF Willow inspired a generation of parents to choose the name for their daughters.
Zara
A more unique take on the classic Sarah, Zara means “princess.”
Zoe/Zoey/Zooey
Whether you opt for the traditional spelling or the Zooey/Zoey options, as favored by actress Zooey Deschanel, you get the same meaning—“life.” Zoe and Zoey are both popular and in the top 50 names for girls, so the popularity of the name overall is likely much higher than you’d expect.
Photo: Getty
Take a look at our suggestions for one syllable girl names here.
