Choosing a baby name can become frustrating when one list gives Dalia one meaning, another mixes it up with Dahlia, and neither explains the difference. You may love Delilah but worry that it feels too popular, admire Dymphna but hesitate over the pronunciation, or want a rare D name that remains easy to spell and use every day.

This guide uses established name-history sources and the latest U.S. baby-name data to explain meanings, origins, pronunciations, spellings, nicknames, and 2025 U.S. ranks. Names with uncertain or disputed histories are clearly identified. If you are still comparing initials, you can browse names across the full alphabet before making your shortlist.

D girl names by style

Most popular girl names that start with D in the U.S.

The Social Security Administration released its 2025 baby-name data on May 8, 2026. The agency compiles the list from Social Security card applications for children born in the United States. The table includes every D name in the girls’ top 1,000 for 2025.

The top 1,000 girl names cover 67.25% of female births in the SSA data for 2025. A name missing from that list may still be used in the United States.

Unique girl names that start with D

You can also compare distinctive names from other starting letters by pronunciation, meaning, nickname, and current U.S. rank.

• Daleyza (Hispanic American): A modern name with an uncertain meaning, perhaps based on Dalia.
• Dalia (Spanish, Arabic, Lithuanian, or Hebrew): It may refer to the dahlia flower, “portion” or “share,” or a “hanging branch.”
• Damaris (Greek): Probably “calf,” “heifer,” or “young woman.” Damaris also appears in the Book of Acts.
• Danaë (Greek): A mythological name carried by the mother of Perseus. Its meaning is uncertain.
• Danica (Slavic): “Morning star,” a name for the planet Venus.
• Daria (Persian through Greek and Latin): Feminine form of Darius.
• Darina (Slavic): Often linked with the Slavic word for “gift.”
• Darya (Persian): “Sea” or “ocean.”
• Davina (Scottish): Feminine form of David, “beloved.”
• Deirdre (Irish): A name from Irish legend with an uncertain meaning.
• Deja (modern African American): From the French word déjà, meaning “already.”
• Delara (Persian): “Adorning the heart.”
• Delia (Greek): “Of Delos.” It was a title used for the goddess Artemis.
• Delight (English): A word name meaning “joy” or “happiness.”
• Delfina (Italian, Spanish, or Portuguese): A form of Delphina, a name tied to Delphi in Greece.
• Delphine (French): The French form of Delphina, also tied to Delphi.
• Delyth (Welsh): Created from a Welsh word meaning “pretty.”
• Demelza (Cornish): From a place name meaning “fort of Maeldaf.”
• Demetria (Greek): Feminine form of Demetrius, a name linked with the goddess Demeter.
• Derya (Turkish): “Sea” or “ocean.”
• Diantha (Dutch or English): From the flower name dianthus, based on Greek words for “heavenly flower.”
• Dione (Greek): “Of Zeus” or “goddess.” Dione is a figure in Greek myth.
• Dulcie (English): From a Latin word meaning “sweet.”
• Dulcinea (literary Spanish): From the Spanish word dulce, meaning “sweet.”
• Dido (Phoenician through Greek and Roman literature): The name of the queen of Carthage in the Aeneid. Its meaning is uncertain.
• Drusilla (Roman and biblical): A Roman family name found in the Book of Acts.

Rare D names for girls

These names are uncommon in the United States. Some have uncertain meanings, so check the language and usual pronunciation before making your choice. For more options beyond D, explore low-use names organized by style.

• Dalisay (Tagalog): “Pure.”
• Dalitso (Chewa): “Blessing.”
• Dalva (Portuguese): “Morning star,” a name for Venus.
• Damla (Turkish): “Water drop.”
• Dawa (Tibetan): “Moon” or “month.”
• Dayo (Yoruba): “Joy arrives.”
• Dechen (Tibetan): “Great happiness.”
• Defne (Turkish): “Laurel.”
• Desta (Amharic, used across genders): “Joy.”
• Digna (Spanish or Galician): “Worthy” or “dignified.”
• Diletta (Italian): “Beloved.”
• Dilys (Welsh): “Genuine.”
• Divna (Serbian or Macedonian): “Wonderful.”
• Diwata (Tagalog): “Goddess,” “nymph,” or “fairy.”
• Doina (Romanian): “Folk song.”
• Drita (Albanian): “Light.”
• Durdona (Uzbek): “Pearl.”
• Duru (Turkish): “Clear” or “lucid.”
• Dunja (South Slavic): “Quince,” the yellow fruit.
• Dwynwen (Welsh): A Welsh saint’s name with an uncertain meaning.
• Dymphna (Irish): A form of Damhnait, which is linked with “calf” or “fawn.”

Classic and vintage girl names that start with D

• Darla (English): A short form of Darlene.
• Darlene (English): Formed from the word “darling” and the ending -lene.
• Dawn (English): The first light of day.
• Deborah (Hebrew): “Bee.” Deborah was a prophet and judge in the Hebrew Bible.
• Deanna (English): A form of Diana or a feminine form of Dean.
• Denise (French): Feminine form of Denis, a name linked with the Greek god Dionysus.
• Désirée (French): “Desired” or “wished for.” Desiree is the common spelling without the accent in English.
• Diane (French): French form of Diana.
• Dinah (Hebrew): “Judged.” Dinah was a daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Hebrew Bible.
• Dolly (English): A pet form of Dorothy and, at times, Dolores.
• Dolores (Spanish): “Sorrows,” from a Spanish title for the Virgin Mary.
• Donata (Italian, Polish, or Lithuanian): Feminine form of Donatus, “given.”
• Donatella (Italian): A pet form of Donata.
• Donna (English from Italian): “Lady.”
• Dora (several European languages): Short form of Dorothy, Theodora, or Isidora.
• Doreen (English): Formed from Dora and the name ending -een.
• Doris (Greek): “Dorian woman.” Doris was also a sea nymph in Greek myth.
• Dorothea (Greek): “Gift of God.”
• Dot (English): Short form of Dorothy.
• Dottie (English): Pet form of Dorothy.

Short, cute, and modern D names for girls

• Dani: A short form of Daniela, Daniella, or Danielle.
• Dana: A name with several roots. It can be a feminine form of Daniel, a short form, or a surname name.
• Dara: In Khmer, Dara means “star.” The name has other roots in Irish, Hebrew, and Persian use.
• Darcy: A surname name from Norman French d’Arcy, meaning “from Arcy.”
• Dasha: Russian pet form of Darya.
• Dayana: A Latin American Spanish form of Diana.
• Dee: A short form of names that begin with D.
• Delta: The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and a word for land at a river mouth.
• Dima: An Arabic girl name meaning “downpour.” Dima is also used in other languages.
• Dina: A form of Dinah in several languages. In Arabic, it may come from a word for “religion.”
• Dior: A modern name from a French surname, possibly linked with the French word for “golden.”
• Dita: A short form used for names such as Judita.
• Dory: A pet form of Dorothy or Doris.
• Drea: A short form of Andrea.
• Dua: Arabic for “prayer.”
• Diya: Hindi for “lamp” or “light.”

Long and elegant girl names that start with D

• Dayanara: An elaboration of Dayana, possibly influenced by the Greek name Deianira.
• Desdemona (Greek and literary): “Ill-fated.” Shakespeare used the name in Othello.
• Dimitra (Greek): Modern Greek form of Demeter.
• Dimitrina (Bulgarian): Feminine form of Dimitar.
• Dionysia (Greek): Feminine form of Dionysius.
• Dieudonnée (French): Feminine form of Dieudonné, “given by God.”
• Domenica (Italian): Feminine form of Dominic, “of the Lord.”
• Dominica (Late Roman or English): Feminine form of Dominic.
• Dominika (Central and Eastern European): A regional feminine form of Dominic.
• Dominique (French): French feminine and masculine form of Dominic.
• Draupadi (Sanskrit): “Daughter of Drupada.” Draupadi is a main figure in the Mahabharata.
• Damayanti (Sanskrit): “Subduing.” Damayanti is a princess in the Mahabharata.
• Dulcibella (archaic English): From Latin words for “sweet” and “beautiful.”
• Dorinda (English): A literary name formed from Dora and the ending -inda.
• Dearbháil (Irish): “Daughter of Fál.” Dervla and Dearbhla are related forms.

Place-inspired girl names that start with D

• Dallas: A Texas city and an English or Scottish surname name.
• Dakota: North Dakota and South Dakota take their names from the Dakota people. The name has a living Indigenous cultural connection.
• Denver: The capital of Colorado and an English surname name meaning “Dane ford.”
• Devon: An English county name now used across genders.
• Delphi: The ancient Greek city known for the Oracle of Delphi.
• Dublin: The capital of Ireland. Its name comes from Irish words meaning “black pool.”

Girl names that start with D from different cultures

Arabic, Persian, and Turkish names

• Dalal: Arabic, “coquettishness.”
• Daniya: Arabic, “close” or “near.”
• Dounia: North African spelling of Dunya.
• Dunya: Arabic, “world” or “earth.”
• Dilara: Turkish form of the Persian name Delara.
• Dilay: Turkish and Persian elements meaning “heart” and “moon.”
• Dilan: Turkish, “love.”
• Dilek: Turkish, “wish” or “desire.”
• Derin: Turkish, “deep” or “profound.”

Indian and Sanskrit names

• Deepa: “Light” or “lamp.” Dipa is another spelling.
• Deepali: “Row of lamps.” Dipali is another spelling.
• Deepika: Feminine form of a Sanskrit name connected with a lamp or light.
• Deepti: “Brightness” or “light.” Dipti is another spelling.
• Devaki: A name linked with “divine” or “heavenly.” Devaki is the mother of Krishna in Hindu tradition.
• Devi: “Goddess.”
• Devika: “Little goddess.”
• Diksha: “Preparation for a religious ceremony.”
• Disha: “Direction” or “region.”
• Divya: “Divine” or “heavenly.”
• Drishti: “Sight.”
• Durga: “Unattainable” or “unassailable.” Durga is a Hindu goddess.

Irish and Welsh names

• Dearbhla: An Irish form related to Dearbháil.
• Dervla: An English spelling of Dearbhla.
• Deirbhile: Irish, “daughter of a poet.”
• Doireann: An Irish name with several possible roots and meanings.
• Deryn: Usually linked with the Welsh word for “bird.”

Hebrew names

• Devorah: Hebrew form of Deborah, “bee.”
• Devora: Another English spelling of Devorah.
• Dvora: A shorter transcription of the same Hebrew name.
• Dikla: Hebrew form of Diklah, a biblical personal name that may mean “palm grove.”
• Dor: “Generation.”
• Dorit: A feminine form of Dor.

African names

• Dalitso: Chewa, “blessing.”
• Dayo: Yoruba, “joy arrives.”
• Desta: Amharic, “joy”; used across genders.
• Dikeledi: Tswana, “tears.”
• Dubaku: Akan, “eleventh-born child”; used across genders.

Filipino, Vietnamese, and Mongolian names

• Dalisay: Tagalog, “pure.”
• Diwata: Tagalog, “goddess,” “nymph,” or “fairy.”
• Diệp: Vietnamese, “leaf.”
• Diệu: Vietnamese, “mysterious,” “subtle,” or “exquisite.”
• Dung: Vietnamese, “beauty” or “appearance.” Its Vietnamese pronunciation differs from the English word.
• Duyên: Vietnamese, “fate” or “spiritual connection.”
• Dölgöön: Mongolian, “quiet” or “calm”; used across genders.

Biblical girl names that start with D

Six D names in this guide belong to women named in the Bible. Several later names come from biblical male names.

Gender-neutral names that start with D

U.S. naming habits change over time, and use can differ by country. These names appear across genders in modern English or in their source language.

Girl names that start with D by meaning

Pronunciation guide for D girl names

These are common English or source-language pronunciations. Accents and family use can change the sound.

Similar spellings to compare

Small spelling changes can point to a different language, pronunciation, or history.

Nicknames for D girl names

How to choose a D name for your baby girl

• Say the full name aloud: Read the first, middle, and last name at a normal speaking pace. Listen for repeated sounds, hard pauses, and initials that spell an unwanted word.
• Decide how much spelling help feels reasonable: Daisy and Diana are easy for many English speakers to spell. Names such as Dearbháil and Dymphna may need more explanation in the United States. That may be a fair trade if the name has strong family or cultural meaning.
• Check the usual pronunciation: Ask native speakers about a name from another language. Short videos or audio clips from reliable language sources can confirm the sounds.
• Look at national and state popularity: The SSA lets you check U.S. rankings by year and by state. State data can give a better sense of how often your child may meet someone with the same name nearby.
• Confirm the name’s cultural history: Learn where the name comes from and how people use it now. Dakota, for example, is the name of a living Indigenous people and language as well as a given name.
• Test the nicknames: Write down the short forms that family, friends, and classmates may use. Choose a full name only if you can live with its most likely nicknames.
• Make a small final list: Keep 3 to 5 names for a few days. Use each one in ordinary sentences, write it beside the last name, and compare it with any sibling names.

Final thoughts

Delilah and Daisy are familiar choices, while Dalisay, Delara, Delyth, Diya, and Duru provide less common options. Keep 3 to 5 finalists and use each name for several days. Say it with the middle and last name, check its pronunciation and cultural background, consider the likely nicknames, and choose the one that continues to feel right for your family.