Selecting a baby name is one of the most impactful and meaningful decisions you’ll ever make as a parent. Your child’s name will be on your mind (and on your lips) a million times over throughout your life. The choice you make now will help define her as an individual; the first small step in establishing her identity before her personality has even begun to take shape. So you know … no pressure or anything! (We kid, we kid.)
Choosing a baby name is pretty dang important, but the process should also be a lot of fun. And if you’re having a daughter, baby girl names ending in the letter “Y” are always a popular choice. From simple and classic to quirky and spunky, there’s an endless array of options.
Here are some of our favorite girl baby names that end in the letter Y.
AUDREY
Audrey is a classic English name that means “noble strength.” While the late actress Audrey Hepburn (best known for her roles in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Sabrina) is one of the most famous women to come to mind when you hear this name, it actually dates back to the Middle Ages. Later, Shakespeare helped popularize the name by using it for one of his characters in As You Like It.
DOROTHY
This English variation of the Greek name Dorothea means “gift of God” and is best known from The Wizard of Oz. But fans of The Golden Girls will also be reminded of Dorothy, the sassy roommate to Rose, Blanche, and her mother, Sophia. Sitting at the #563 spot of the top 1,000 baby girl names of 2020 list, according to the Social Security Administration, it’s clear that Dorothy is coming back into style without being too overly used. Plus, if Dorothy feels too formal for your little one, the name does lend itself to many adorable nicknames like Dot and Dottie.
EMERY
Emery is an lovely gender neutral name that has become increasingly popular in recent years. A fun spin on the more common Emma and Emily, we love how much personality this name has. Originally a German boy’s name, it means “industrious.” And if it sounds familiar, actress Angie Harmon and former NFL star Jason Sehorn named their baby girl Emery in 2008.
EMILY
If Emery feels too out-of-the-box for you and you are looking for something more traditional, Emily is a great option for any little girl. Originally a Latin name, it’s a feminine take on the male name Emil. While it may mean “rival,” it is known as a sweet, innocent name. Fun fact: Actress Emma Stone’s real name is Emily.
EVERLY
This English name has quickly exploded in popularity in the last 20 years. Feminine, uncommon, and (as an added bonus) easy to spell, it’s one of our favorites. While in 2002 it only ranked at No. 902 on the SSA’s list of most popular baby names, by 2019 it had risen to the No. 43 spot! And while it may mean “wild boar in woodland clearing” (no, we didn’t make that up) it still has a lovely ring to it.
FELICITY
If you’re looking for a baby name that may bring your family luck, look no further! This beautiful name is originally Latin and translates to “good fortune” or “happy.” For millennials, this name feels quite nostalgic. Whether you remember playing with your American Girl doll Felicity Merriman or spent your teen years wishing you were traipsing through New York City like Felicity Porter (before she cut her hair), this name conjures up lots of happy memories for many.
HALEY
We love this English name not only because it flows with lots of different middle names, but it’s also a gender neutral option. (Haley Joel Osment, anyone?) While it can also be spelled Hailie, this version ending with “y” is often considered easier to remember (especially for little ones).
IVY
This botanical-inspired name originated from the ivy plant in Ancient Greece. While many Batman fans may first think of Poison Ivy when they hear this name, the ivy flower actually signifies faithfulness. Simple, yet a little bit mysterious, this name is a very pretty option for a little girl.
JANUARY
The month of January signifies a new beginning, when we start anew with a fresh slate and good intentions for the year to come. So what better name for a new life just starting out? This gender neutral name is so lovely for winter babies.
KENNEDY
This surname-turned-first-name is most closely associated with the Kennedys, America’s most famous dynastic family. From President John F. Kennedy to first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, the name has a certain prestige to it, even all these years later. While it wasn't common as a first name during the “Camelot” years, it's now a fairly popular pick for girls. Unfortunately, it’s meaning of “misshapen head” is a bit of a (excuse the pun) head-scratcher.
LILY
If you’re looking for a name that has a slightly prettier meaning than “misshapen head,” Lily is an excellent choice. This English name is, of course, inspired by the beautiful flower and has come to describe anything white or pure. While it can be a name on its own, it’s also a popular shortening of the more formal Lillian.
LUCY
From the beloved TV show I Love Lucy to the song “Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds” (by a little band called The Beatles), this name is utterly iconic. An English name that means “light,” it was originally given to little girls who were born around dawn. But no matter what time of day your little one arrives, Lucy remains a classic choice.
ZOEY
By adding the “y” at the end, Zoey is used as a variation of the more common Zoe. The name is originally Greek and translates to “life,” which would be a lovely nod to the new life you’re bringing into the world with the addition of your little one.
POPPY
This English name originating from Latin means “red flower.” The poppy flower symbolizes peace and sleep and is often used as a way to commemorate and honor those who have passed. But the name itself is thought to be a fun and fierce name for a little girl.
PAISLEY
Mention the word “Paisley” around any Boomer, and they'll probably think of the vintage fabric design, which was popular during the 1960s. But as time goes by, this Scottish name meaning “church” is becoming increasingly popular in its own right.
Believe it or not, Paisley only entered the top 1,000 baby names list for the first time in 2006, but by 2015, she had cracked the top 50. Country music fans will love the subtle nod to the popular singer Brad Paisley, or even his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, of Father of the Bride fame.
RILEY
We love a strong name that inspires greatness, and Riley is just that. This English/Irish name means “courageous” and started out as a surname before it began being used as a first name. Now, it works as a gender neutral option that stands the test of time. In the last 20 years, Riley has steadily climbed the charts, peaking at the No. 22 spot in 2016, according to the SSA.
RORY
This Irish, gender-neutral name may mean “red king,” but when we hear the name Rory, we just can’t help but think of the most intelligent girl in all of Stars Hollow: Miss Lorelai “Rory” Gilmore. This well-read lady, known for her sweetness and witty banter, would make for a wonderful inspiration for your future daughter.
QUINLEY
This spunky yet feminine name is a great play on the more traditional “Quinn” (though that would still be a great nickname). Meaning “clearing” or “meadow,” we love how quirky this name is. After all, there’s not a single famous person by the name of Quinley — your little girl could be the first!
TENLEY
Disregarding the fact that it has the misfortune of having such a lackluster meaning as “burnt clearing,” we think this is a lovely and original name. Feminine and unusual, your little one is sure to be the only one in the class with this moniker!
TINSLEY
Somewhat similar to Tenley, Tinsley is another uncommon take on a girl’s name ending in Y — and one we just can’t get enough of. Originally an English surname, it’s now gaining in popularity as a first name for girls. Former New York socialite and star of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City, Tinsley Mortimer is perhaps the most famous person to carry this name.
