100 Girl Names That Start With E: Meanings, Origins, and 2025 US Popularity
Girl names that start with E range from short everyday choices to rare options with Welsh, Greek, Irish, Hebrew, and other roots. This list contains 100 distinct choices. Each profile gives the origin, meaning, 2025 US popularity, pronunciation when useful, and a short note on history or use.
The rankings come from Social Security Administration records for US births in 2025, the latest complete national dataset. A choice outside the Top 1,000 may still be used in the United States. It had too few recorded births to enter that year’s national ranking.
Meanings can differ when a choice developed in more than one language. Entries with uncertain or debated histories are marked clearly.
Popular girl names that start with E in the US
These are the 15 highest-ranking choices beginning with this letter in the 2025 SSA data.
- Emma
- Origin: Germanic
- Meaning: Whole or universal
- US popularity: #3 for girls in 2025
- Evelyn
- Origin: English with Norman roots
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: #8 for girls in 2025
- Eliana
- Origin: Hebrew; also Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese through a separate history
- Meaning: My God has answered in Hebrew; meaning varies by origin
- US popularity: #10 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-lee-AH-nuh
- Eleanor
- Origin: Medieval French and English
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: #12 for girls in 2025
- Elizabeth
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- US popularity: #17 for girls in 2025
- Ellie
- Origin: English short form
- Meaning: Depends on the longer form behind it
- US popularity: #24 for girls in 2025
- Ella
- Origin: Several European languages
- Meaning: Varies by origin
- US popularity: #29 for girls in 2025
- Emily
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Rival
- US popularity: #34 for girls in 2025
- Elena
- Origin: Greek roots with use across Europe
- Meaning: Uncertain, often associated with light
- US popularity: #42 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LAY-nuh or EH-leh-nuh
- Emilia
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Rival
- US popularity: #45 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-MEEL-ee-uh
Shakespeare used this form for a central character in Othello. Its 4 syllables also leave room for several everyday short forms.
- Eloise
- Origin: French with Germanic roots
- Meaning: Probably healthy and wide
- US popularity: #49 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EL-oh-eez
Kay Thompson’s children’s books linked this choice with a spirited girl living at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Its older history reaches back to a 12th-century French scholar and philosopher.
- Eden
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Pleasure or delight
- US popularity: #70 for girls in 2025
In Genesis, the garden is the home of the first humans. The same word is now used as a given name for girls and boys.
- Emery
- Origin: English, from Norman French and Germanic roots
- Meaning: Exact meaning debated; the second Germanic element means ruler or king
- US popularity: #74 for girls in 2025
The modern given name came through an English surname. Several older Germanic forms may have merged, so a single exact meaning cannot be confirmed.
- Everly
- Origin: English place and surname
- Meaning: Wild boar clearing
- US popularity: #91 for girls in 2025
Several spellings share this pronunciation, so parents may need to spell their chosen form during introductions.
- Eliza
- Origin: English with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- US popularity: #115 for girls in 2025
The flower seller in Pygmalion and My Fair Lady made this short form familiar in English-language theater and film.
You can compare these choices with the 500 most-used choices for girls across the full 2025 US ranking.
Uncommon and distinctive girl names that start with E
These choices sit outside the most-used group. Some ranked lower in the 2025 SSA list, while others remained outside the Top 1,000.
- Eirlys
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Snowdrop
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: AYR-liss; EYE-r-liss in some Welsh regions
A snowdrop is a small white flower that blooms near the end of winter. Outside Wales, families may need to explain the opening vowel.
- Elodie
- Origin: French, from the Gothic form Alodia
- Meaning: Uncertain, possibly connected with wealth
- US popularity: #310 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EL-oh-dee
The French spelling uses an acute accent over the first letter. English-language records usually omit that accent. The older roots may contain a Germanic element connected with wealth.
- Eulalia
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Sweetly speaking or well-spoken
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: yoo-LAY-lee-uh
A 4th-century saint from Mérida gives this ancient choice a documented history in Spain. English speakers may need help placing the stress on the second syllable.
- Eudora
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Good gift
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: yoo-DOR-uh
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Welty gives it a clear Southern literary link. The 3-syllable pronunciation is direct once heard.
- Elspeth
- Origin: Scottish with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: EL-speth
This Scottish form developed from a much longer biblical choice. It carries the same history in a compact 2-syllable form.
- Eleri
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LEH-ree
This shares its spelling with a river in western Wales. Its 3-syllable pronunciation may need explanation in the US.
- Enid
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Uncertain, sometimes connected with soul or life
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: EE-nid
Tennyson used this Welsh form for a character in Idylls of the King. The 2-syllable spelling is brief and easy to read.
- Eowyn
- Origin: Literary choice formed from Old English words
- Meaning: Horse joy
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: AY-oh-win
J. R. R. Tolkien created this form from Old English elements for a major character in his Middle-earth stories, giving it a strong literary association.
- Eirwen
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: White snow or blessed snow
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: AYR-wen; EYE-r-wen in some Welsh regions
The Welsh elements refer to snow and the feminine form of white or blessed. Regional accents can change the opening vowel.
- Eluned
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Debated, often given as image or idol
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LIN-ed or eh-LEEN-ed, depending on the region
A Welsh saint from the 5th century gives this choice an early religious history. Modern pronunciation can differ by region.
- Elora
- Origin: Modern English, probably created for fiction
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: #354 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LOR-uh
The 1988 fantasy film Willow introduced this form to a wide audience. It has appeared in the US Top 1,000 each year since 2015.
- Eudoxia
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Good reputation or good judgment
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: yoo-DOK-see-uh
Several Byzantine empresses carried this ancient form. It remains very rare in modern US records.
- Emerald
- Origin: English word name
- Meaning: Green gemstone
- US popularity: #741 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EM-uh-ruld
The gemstone is the traditional birthstone for May. Its English word history ultimately reaches back through French and Latin to Greek.
- Elowen
- Origin: Cornish
- Meaning: Elm tree
- US popularity: #798 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LOH-en
This modern Cornish nature name comes from the word for an elm tree. A version ending in -yn is more common in recent US records.
- Estrella
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: Star
- US popularity: #612 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: es-TREH-yah
This is the everyday Spanish word for a star. The double l usually takes a y sound in Latin American Spanish.
The unique-name guide has more lower-ranked options from other initials. The rare-name collection focuses on choices with very limited current US use.
Short and cute E names for girls
These choices contain 3 to 5 letters. Some began as short forms, while others have long histories as complete first names.
- Elsie
- Origin: Scottish and English with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- US popularity: #123 for girls in 2025
This Scottish short form peaked in the US during the early 1900s. Its current ranking shows that it now works as a standalone given name.
- Eva
- Origin: Latin and Hebrew
- Meaning: Life
- US popularity: #134 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EE-vuh or EH-vah, depending on the language
The pronunciation changes across languages. Multilingual families can choose the version used most naturally at home.
- Evie
- Origin: English short form
- Meaning: Commonly linked with life
- US popularity: #270 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EE-vee
The spelling makes the long opening vowel clear. Its current US rank shows that many families use it as a standalone given name.
- Esme
- Origin: Old French
- Meaning: Esteemed or loved
- US popularity: #298 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EZ-may or EZ-mee
Both common pronunciations are established. Parents can reduce corrections by sharing their preferred version from the start.
- Emmy
- Origin: English short form
- Meaning: Varies according to the longer form
- US popularity: #445 for girls in 2025
The television awards create a strong media association, although the given name has a separate history as a short form. It may need occasional spelling clarification.
- Elle
- Origin: Modern English with a French association
- Meaning: Short form of names beginning with El; also the French word for she
- US popularity: #461 for girls in 2025
English use grew from a short form, while the identical French word gives it another familiar association. Its single syllable may pair well with a longer family name.
- Eve
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Life or living
- US popularity: #519 for girls in 2025
Three letters make this one of the shortest choices in the list. Its biblical history and direct meaning are widely recognized.
- Edie
- Origin: English with Old English roots
- Meaning: Wealth in battle
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: EE-dee
This began as a short form of a longer Old English choice and is now used independently. The written form may not immediately suggest the opening EE sound.
- Etta
- Origin: English short form
- Meaning: Varies according to the longer form
- US popularity: #930 for girls in 2025
The singer who recorded “At Last” gives this compact form a blues and soul connection. It began as a short form but has decades of independent use.
- Emmie
- Origin: English short form
- Meaning: Depends on the longer form behind it
- US popularity: #695 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EM-ee
This spelling can come from longer forms in the same family or stand on its own. The doubled middle consonant separates it from several similar options.
- Enya
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Kernel or grain
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: EN-yuh
A well-known Irish singer made the 2-syllable pronunciation familiar to many English speakers. The form comes from an older Irish spelling.
- Elina
- Origin: Finnish, Estonian, and Swedish, from a Greek-rooted form
- Meaning: Uncertain, often associated with light
- US popularity: #764 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LEE-nah or EH-lee-nah, depending on the language
This Northern European form has different stress patterns across languages. Families can use the pronunciation tied to their own language or community.
Classic and vintage E girl names
The choices in this section have documented use across several generations. Some remain nationally ranked, while others are now uncommon.
- Esther
- Origin: Persian-rooted biblical choice
- Meaning: Debated, often connected with star
- US popularity: #119 for girls in 2025
Its biblical queen gives this choice a long religious history. The standard spelling has remained stable across many generations.
- Edith
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Wealth in battle
- US popularity: #499 for girls in 2025
The Old English elements refer to wealth and battle. US use peaked in the late 1800s and early 1900s, then fell for several decades.
- Elaine
- Origin: Old French
- Meaning: Uncertain, often associated with light
- US popularity: #305 for girls in 2025
- Recent trend: 849 births in 2024 and 1,007 in 2025
Arthurian stories use this form for several female characters. US births rose by 158 from 2024 to 2025.
- Eileen
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Debated because it has more than one possible origin
- US popularity: #654 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eye-LEEN
An Irish form and a Norman French form may both sit behind this spelling. That mixed history is why its exact meaning remains debated.
- Estelle
- Origin: French and Latin
- Meaning: Star
- US popularity: #573 for girls in 2025
- Recent trend: 462 births in 2024 and 523 in 2025
This Old French form comes from the Latin word for star. It returned to wider English use during the 19th century. US births rose by 61 from 2024 to 2025.
- Estella
- Origin: English Latinate form with French and Latin roots
- Meaning: Star
- US popularity: #509 for girls in 2025
Dickens used this form for a central character in Great Expectations. The final vowel creates a 3-syllable pronunciation.
- Edna
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Pleasure or delight
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
US use peaked around the turn of the 20th century. That history may make it useful when honoring an older relative.
- Eunice
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Good victory
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: YOO-niss
The Bible identifies a woman with this name as the mother of Timothy. The Greek roots mean good victory.
- Ethel
- Origin: Old English
- Meaning: Noble
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
Its peak US use came in the early 1900s, so it appears often in family records from that period.
- Eugenia
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Well-born
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: yoo-JEE-nee-uh
The feminine form of an ancient Greek family name appears in several European languages. Pronunciation changes by country.
- Elise
- Origin: French, German, Dutch, and English with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- US popularity: #223 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: ih-LEES
This developed as a short form of a longer biblical choice. A famous Beethoven piano piece bears this spelling in its familiar title. It was composed in 1810, though the original dedication is uncertain.
- Elvira
- Origin: Spanish and Germanic traditions
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: el-VEER-uh
A long-running television horror-host character gives this old form a strong pop-culture association in the US. Spanish and English speakers may pronounce the middle consonant and final vowel differently.
- Elisa
- Origin: Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Finnish, and English with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- US popularity: #458 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: uh-LEE-suh or eh-LEE-sah, depending on the language
This is an established short form across several European languages. The final consonant may sound like s or z, depending on the language used at home.
- Evelina
- Origin: English and several European languages, through a Latinate form
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: #778 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: ev-uh-LEE-nuh in English
Fanny Burney used this form for the title character of her 1778 novel. Pronunciation and stress can change across languages.
Long and elegant girl names beginning with E
These choices have a longer formal form, several syllables, or both.
- Evangeline
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Good news
- US popularity: #147 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: ee-VAN-juh-leen
Longfellow used this for the title character of his 1847 narrative poem about Acadian exile. The 4-syllable form also leaves room for shorter everyday forms.
- Esmeralda
- Origin: Spanish and Portuguese
- Meaning: Green gemstone
- US popularity: #373 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: ez-meh-RAHL-duh
Victor Hugo used this Spanish gemstone choice for a central character in The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. It has 4 syllables in Spanish and English.
- Emiliana
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Rival
- US popularity: #789 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-mil-ee-AH-nuh
- Recent trend: 301 births in 2024 and 344 in 2025
Five syllables give this a formal sound. US births rose by 43 from 2024 to 2025.
- Emmeline
- Origin: English and French with Germanic roots
- Meaning: Unceasing, vigorous, or brave
- US popularity: #922 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EM-uh-line or EM-uh-leen
British suffrage leader Pankhurst gives this medieval form a strong link to women’s political history. English speakers use both line and leen endings.
- Eleonora
- Origin: European form passed through medieval French
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-leh-oh-NOR-uh
This version appears in Italian, German, Polish, and several other European languages. The stress can shift with the language.
- Elisabetta
- Origin: Italian with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: My God is an oath
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-lee-zah-BET-tah
The doubled consonants follow Italian spelling patterns. Its 5 syllables give families a formal option tied clearly to Italian heritage.
- Esperanza
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: Hope
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: es-peh-RAHN-zah
As a Spanish virtue choice, its meaning is immediately understood by many bilingual families and carries a positive message.
- Ekaterina
- Origin: Slavic with Greek roots
- Meaning: Debated, often associated with pure
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: A common English approximation is yeh-kah-teh-REE-nah
Transliteration from Cyrillic can produce several spellings in English. Families may want to choose the form used in their own records and community.
- Emelia
- Origin: Modern English variant with Germanic roots
- Meaning: Unceasing, vigorous, or brave
- US popularity: #601 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: uh-MEE-lee-uh
This spelling belongs to a Germanic-rooted family. A similar Latin-rooted choice has a different history.
- Euphemia
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Good speech or words of good omen
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: yoo-FEE-mee-uh
An early Christian martyr and several Byzantine women carried this form. It later entered Scottish use through devotion to the saint.
- Eleftheria
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Freedom
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-lef-theh-REE-ah
The direct freedom meaning remains clear in Greek. Outside Greek-speaking communities, the 5-syllable pronunciation will often need guidance.
- Estefania
- Origin: Spanish with Greek roots
- Meaning: Crown
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: es-teh-fah-NEE-ah
Traditional Spanish writing places an accent over the i. US forms and databases may omit that mark, so families should decide which spelling to use consistently.
Modern E names for girls
This group includes current surname choices, newer spellings, and forms that have become more common among recent US births.
- Emerson
- Origin: English surname
- Meaning: Son of a man with an Emmerich-derived name
- US popularity: #122 for girls in 2025
This began as a patronymic surname. It is used across genders in the US, though its ranking differs for boys and girls.
- Emersyn
- Origin: Modern English feminine variant of an English surname
- Meaning: Modern spelling of a surname meaning son of a man with an Emmerich-derived name
- US popularity: #138 for girls in 2025
The final letters mark this as a recent feminine spelling. Several forms share the same pronunciation, so parents should expect to spell it aloud.
- Elliana
- Origin: Modern English spelling variant with Hebrew or Romance-language roots
- Meaning: Depends on the form behind it
- US popularity: #139 for girls in 2025
This spelling may be tied to either a Hebrew tradition or a separate Romance-language history. The doubled middle consonant distinguishes it in writing.
- Ember
- Origin: English word choice
- Meaning: A small glowing piece of coal or wood
- US popularity: #154 for girls in 2025
The word refers to a small piece of material that continues to glow after a fire. Its standard English spelling makes the pronunciation clear.
- Everleigh
- Origin: English place and surname roots
- Meaning: Wild boar clearing
- US popularity: #194 for girls in 2025
The 9-letter spelling keeps a simple 3-syllable pronunciation. Several variants sound identical, so written clarification may be common.
- Elianna
- Origin: Modern English spelling variant with Hebrew or Romance-language roots
- Meaning: Depends on the form behind it
- US popularity: #218 for girls in 2025
This newer spelling appears in US records as a standalone form. Its roots may follow either Hebrew or Romance-language traditions.
- Elaina
- Origin: English form with Greek roots
- Meaning: Uncertain, often associated with light
- US popularity: #267 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LAY-nuh
This is an English variant of a medieval French form. Similar spellings may be pronounced differently, so families may still need to state their preferred version.
- Elowyn
- Origin: Current spelling with Cornish roots
- Meaning: Elm tree
- US popularity: #299 for girls in 2025
- Recent trend: 699 births in 2024 and 1,029 in 2025
This recent variant rose by 330 US births from 2024 to 2025. The ending differs from the original Cornish spelling.
- Evelynn
- Origin: English with Norman roots
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: #301 for girls in 2025
The added final consonant makes the spelling distinct on paper. Spoken introductions will sound the same as the more common form.
- Emely
- Origin: Modern English variant with Latin roots
- Meaning: Rival
- US popularity: #503 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EM-uh-lee
This spelling keeps the familiar 3-syllable sound while changing the middle vowel. It will often need to be spelled aloud in the US.
- Emerie
- Origin: Modern English
- Meaning: Modern variant of an Emmerich-derived form; the exact older meaning is debated
- US popularity: #553 for girls in 2025
- Pronunciation: EM-uh-ree
This modern spelling comes from an older English surname form. Its final letters separate it from other choices with the same sound.
- Elara
- Origin: Ancient Greek mythology
- Meaning: Uncertain
- US popularity: #942 for girls in 2025
- Recent trend: 209 births in 2024 and 275 in 2025
Greek mythology records this form, and one of Jupiter’s moons carries it. US births rose by 66 from 2024 to 2025.
International E girl names
These choices have established use in languages and cultures outside the United States. All were outside the US Top 1,000 for girls in 2025, though several are familiar in their home cultures.
- Elif
- Origin: Turkish
- Meaning: Comes from the name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LEEF
The 4-letter form is common in Turkey and quick to pronounce once the final stress is known.
- Eira
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Snow
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: AY-ra or EYE-ra, depending on the Welsh region
Welsh speakers use regional pronunciations for the opening sound. Families with ties to Wales may prefer the version heard in their own community.
- Eimear
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Uncertain, sometimes connected with swift
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: EE-mer
The Irish spelling may be unfamiliar to US readers. The 2-syllable pronunciation is simple after one introduction.
- Eithne
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Kernel or grain
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: A common English approximation is EN-yuh
The gap between Irish spelling and English pronunciation means families in the US should expect to explain this choice regularly.
- Ewa
- Origin: Polish with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: Life
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: EH-vah
In Polish, the opening letter uses an EH sound. English readers may guess a different pronunciation at first.
- Ece
- Origin: Turkish
- Meaning: Queen or beautiful woman
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-JEH
In Turkish, the letter c carries an English j sound. Knowing that rule makes the short pronunciation much easier to remember.
- Efua
- Origin: Akan
- Meaning: Traditionally given to a girl born on Friday
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-FOO-ah
Akan day-name traditions pair a child’s given name with the day of birth and often have related male and female forms.
- Eszter
- Origin: Hungarian with Persian roots
- Meaning: Debated, often connected with star
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: ES-tehr
In Hungarian, the letter pair sz makes an English s sound. That spelling rule explains the pronunciation.
- Elin
- Origin: Scandinavian and Welsh traditions with Greek roots
- Meaning: Uncertain, often associated with light
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: EH-lin or EE-lin, depending on the language
The 2-syllable form appears in more than one language tradition, so meaning and pronunciation can depend on family background.
- Eirini
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Peace
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: ee-REE-nee
This is the modern Greek form of an older peace-related choice. The middle syllable carries the stress.
- Eun-ji
- Origin: Korean
- Meaning: Changes according to the hanja characters selected by the family
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: A common English approximation is uhn-JEE
Korean meanings depend on the hanja chosen by the family. Romanization may include a hyphen, a space, or joined spelling.
- Eleni
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Uncertain, often associated with light
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 in 2025
- Pronunciation: eh-LEH-nee
The 3-syllable pronunciation follows Greek stress on the middle syllable. The simple spelling is manageable in English-language settings.
Gender-neutral E names used for girls
The SSA recorded every choice below for girls in 2025. Their use across genders varies, and some remain much more common for boys.
- Emory
- Origin: English surname variant with Germanic roots
- Meaning: Exact meaning debated; the second Germanic element means ruler or king
- US popularity: #339 for girls in 2025
The surname form has a familiar 3-syllable pronunciation in the US. Current records show established use for girls and boys.
- Elliott
- Origin: English surname with Hebrew roots
- Meaning: The Lord is my God
- US popularity: #599 for girls in 2025
Spellings with 1 final t or 2 are both used. This version may need clarification because it remains more common for boys.
- Ellis
- Origin: English and Welsh surname
- Meaning: Varies because it has several possible roots
- US popularity: #682 for girls in 2025
The 2-syllable surname form is compact and used across genders. Its simple spelling reduces pronunciation problems.
- Erin
- Origin: Irish poetic choice
- Meaning: Ireland
- US popularity: #833 for girls in 2025
This reached much higher US use in earlier decades. Today it remains familiar at a lower rank.
- Ezra
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Help
- US popularity: #834 for girls in 2025
US use remains much stronger for boys, so choosing it for a girl creates an uncommon gender pattern.
- Everest
- Origin: English surname and mountain place choice
- Meaning: The family-name meaning is uncertain
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 for girls in 2025
The world’s highest mountain is the dominant association, giving this rare choice an immediate place and outdoor connection.
- Ever
- Origin: English word choice
- Meaning: Always
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 for girls in 2025
The familiar English word makes the meaning clear, and the 2-syllable pronunciation is easy to read from the spelling.
- Echo
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Reflected sound
- US popularity: Outside the Top 1,000 for girls in 2025
Greek mythology connects this choice with a nymph associated with repeated sound. The everyday word meaning will be most people’s first association.
How to choose an E name for your baby girl
Say the complete name aloud
Read the first, middle, and family name at a normal speaking pace. Listen for repeated sounds, hard pauses, or syllables that run together.
Check the initials
Write the initials in their usual order and in monogram order. Check that they do not form an unwanted word or abbreviation.
Test the spelling and pronunciation
Ask 2 or 3 people to read your final choices without help. Their first attempts can show how often your child may need to correct the spelling or pronunciation.
Consider short forms
Think about the shortened forms that relatives, friends, and classmates may use. Choose a full form only when you are comfortable with its likely everyday forms.
Compare family and sibling names
Say the choices beside the names already used in your family. Listen for forms that are so similar that they may cause confusion when spoken aloud.
Create a shortlist
Reduce your list to 3 choices. Use each one in everyday sentences for several days, then compare meaning, sound, initials, spelling, and family importance.
Related girl-name guides
If you are still comparing first letters, browse the complete girl-name directory from A to Z.
- 241 girl names beginning with A
- 280 girl names beginning with B
- 175+ girl names beginning with C
- Girl names beginning with D, with meanings and popularity