20 Girl Names for 2027: Inspiration for Your Name Search

Short Names and Diverse Name Histories

This selection focuses on short first names with two or three syllables. Many end in a vowel. If you like such names, you can pay specific attention to the endings and the rhythm when paired with your last name.

Alongside international forms, you will find names with a longer history as well as short variants. Whether a name suits you does not depend on a future ranking. What matters most is whether you enjoy saying it and feel comfortable with it.

20 Name Ideas for 2027

Alba
Alba traces back to the Latin word "albus," which is documented to mean "white" or "bright." In the Spanish- and Italian-speaking worlds, the word also stands for dawn. The name is short and has two syllables.

Alma
Alma has multiple name histories: Latin almus means "nourishing," Spanish and Portuguese alma means "soul," and Modern Hebrew alma means "young woman." In addition, a short form of names with Amal- is possible. These derivations are to be distinguished from one another.

Ava
Ava can be an English variant of Eve; in Persian, āvā means "voice" or "sound." For the independent Germanic name form, the meaning of the element awi remains unexplained.

Cleo
Cleo is documented as a short form of Cleopatra. The Greek root "kleos" means "glory" or "honor." In sound, the short form differs distinctly from Cleopatra.

Elina Elina belongs to the Helene/Helena name family. The frequently cited meaning "the shining one" is an interpretation; the original word meaning has not been conclusively clarified.

Enna
Enna is a Frisian given name. Its exact origin is unclear; it is a short form that may be connected to various longer names (such as those beginning with Egin-).

Flora
Flora derives from the Latin word "flos," which means "flower" or "blossom." In Roman mythology, Flora is the goddess of flowers and spring. The name is classic and benefits from current interest in nature-inspired first names.

Juna
The origin and original meaning of Juna are not clearly established. A connection to Junia or Juno is possible. There is no reliable evidence here for the claim that Juna means "the desired one" in Celtic.

Leni
Leni is a short form of Helene or Magdalena. No single distinct word meaning arises from this; in particular, the original meaning of Helene remains unexplained.

Livia
Livia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Livius. Its older meaning is not securely established. In addition, Livia is used as a short form of Olivia. This second name history is to be distinguished from the Roman family name.

Malia
Malia is the Hawaiian form of Maria. The original meaning of the Maria name family is not securely established. Malia therefore cannot be definitively translated as "the beloved" or by any other single meaning.

Mina
Mina can be a short form of names ending in -mina, such as Wilhelmina. In addition, independent name histories exist: Persian "enamel," Sanskrit "fish," and Pashto "love." None of these translations applies across the board to all bearers of the name.

Nika
Nika traces back to the Ancient Greek word "nike," which is documented to mean "victory." The name is closely linked to the Greek goddess of victory. Nika provides a slightly crisper contrast to the prevailing softer girl names.

Nova
Nova derives directly from the Latin word "novus," which means "new." In astronomy, a nova describes a sudden burst of brightness from a star. The name is modern, very short, and has a clear, easily understood origin.

Romy
Romy is documented as a short form of Rosemarie, a combination of Rosa and Maria. The name has a long tradition in the German-speaking area and features an ending in -y that is pronounced like an i.

Ruby
Ruby is an English given name that traces directly back to the gemstone ruby. The Latin root "ruber" means "red."

Selma
Both a Celtic and an Arabic name history are documented for Selma. In Celtic, the name is widely interpreted as "fair view," while in Arabic it derives from "salima" (safe, peaceful). Both derivations should be explained separately. Selma is a classic name that is currently being rediscovered.

Smilla
Smilla is a literary given name coined in 1992 by the author Peter Høeg. He derived the name from the Danish word "smil," which means "smile." Since then, Smilla has established itself as an independent given name in the Scandinavian and German-speaking regions.

Tilda
Tilda is documented as a short form of Mathilda. Its Old High German roots are "maht" (might, strength) and "hiltja" (battle). Tilda is a prime example of how parents today modernize traditional names by shortening them.

Ylvi
Ylvi traces back to the Old Norse word "ulfr," which means "wolf." Ylvi is a diminutive form and is documented to mean "little she-wolf." The name ends in -i and has two syllables.

The Interplay Between Trend Names and Last Names

If you are interested in a name from this list, you should check how it harmonizes with your family name. Because many suggestions on this list are short (often just two syllables, like Alba, Juna, or Leni), they rhythmically pair especially well with longer last names of three or more syllables.

Pay attention to transitions: if the first name ends with the same letter that begins the last name (for example, "Mina Ahlers" or "Leni Iversen"), the words often blur together when spoken aloud. You should also avoid rhyming first and last names. It is best to say your favorite combinations out loud several times to get a feel for how they sound in everyday life.

How to Narrow Down Your Favorites Together

A list of up-and-coming names is a great starting point. The next step is finding out which names both of you like. Go through the list systematically and note which first names could work for you.

With the HeyName app, you can rate first names independently of each other as "Favorite," "Maybe," or "Not a match." Simply connect your devices via an invite. All names that both of you mark as a favorite will then appear as mutual matches. That way, you immediately see where your tastes overlap. Afterward, you can discuss your shortlist together in the app, compare up to three favorites side by side, and test the first name directly with your last name.

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