Girls names ending with O range often feel feminine, but not too frilly. They range from the ancient to the oh-so modern, with plenty of choices falling somewhere in between.
Whether your favorites girls names are as brief as Jo or as elaborate as Callisto, there’s something for everyone on this list.
International options abound, especially factoring in Japanese given names.
And surname choices are on the upswing, from Harlow and Marlowe to Monroe and Kahlo.
Read on for a long list of possible baby girl names ending in O.
GIRL NAMES ENDING WITH O
AKIKO
This is one of many Japanese girls names ending in o, thanks to the element ko – child.
AMPARO
In Spanish, Amparo means shelter or refuge. It became a possible given name thanks to the Marian title Nuestra Señora del Amparo, or “Our Lady of Refuge.”
AREZOO
A rare Persian name meaning desire.
ARLO
A very popular boy’s name, used in steady numbers for girls, too.
AYO
Ayo comes from a Yoruba word meaning joy. Among many other roles, actress Florence Kasumba played Ayo in the Black Panther movies.
BARBRO
A Swedish take on Barbara.
BARDOT
French screen legend Brigitte Bardot makes this a glamorous possibility. It’s worth noting, however, that Bardot has been convicted for inciting racial hatred multiple times in her native France. She’s a style icon, but her name carries some baggage.
BEAU, BO
Yes, Beau is the French word for handsome. The feminine equivalent is Belle. However, women have been named Beau and Bo. Actress Bo Derek – born Mary Cathleen Collins – became a sensation in the late 1970s and early 80s. More recently, there’s model and actress Beau Garrett – her real name. Plus, girl names like Isabeau and Christabeau end with the sound.
BRIO
This musical term meaning “with spirit” could make a great, unexpected unisex choice.
CADEAU
The French word for gift, and a different take on Kate and company.
CAIRO
Ontario doesn’t sound like a name, and Orlando feels more masculine. But Cairo somehow Cairo is a unisex option.
CALICO
A few fabric names, like Velvet and Lace, are used in small numbers. Calico could fit.
CALLISTO
Calista Flockhart put her name on the map, but the ends-with-o version is equally valid for girls, too. It means “most beautiful.” Kallisto was a Greek nymph who caught the eye of Zeus and ended up as a constellation.
CALYPSO
An island nymph, Calypso kept Odysseus captive in the famous tale. It’s also a type of music.
CAMEO
A type of portrait, typically carved in relief, cameos have been used in jewelry and ornamental items for centuries. That puts Cameo in the same category as Ruby or Pearl.
CARO
A short form for Caroline, Caro is a sparky spin on Cara.
CHICAGO
It’s not the only place name on this list, but it’s the only inspired by a Kardashian grandchild.
CIELO
It’s the Spanish and Italian word for the sky and heaven, and a newcomer to the US Top 1000.
CLEO
Sometimes short for Cleopatra, the name of more than one queen of Egypt. Cleopatra VII was the famous one, she of the kohl eyes and Hollywood biopic.
CLIO
A cousin to Cleo, Clio was the Greek mythological muse of history. It’s said that she introduced the alphabet to Greece. Like Cleo, the name comes from the word kleos – glory.
COCO
Gabrielle Chanel’s nickname is long associated with high fashion.
CONSUELO
Consuelo Vanderbilt was an American railroad heiress who married into the upper echelons of the English aristocracy. Her Spanish name came from her Cuban godmother. The name peaked in the 1920s. Today it is part-import, part-virtue name – Consuelo means consolation and refers to a title of the Virgin Mary.
DIDO
The Queen of Carthage, her story is retold by Virgil in the Aeneid.
DOE
Doe might be short for Dorothy, or any name starting with Do. A doe is a female deer, too, which puts Doe in the company of Bear, Wolf, Fox, Lion, Hawk, and all of those bird names for girls.
DOMINO
A cousin to all of the Dominic names, Domino might be short for Dominique or Dominetta.
ECHO
She met a tragic end thanks to a jealous Hera, but Echo’s sound is quite current. Musician Nick Hexum is the parent of three daughters: Harlow, Maxine, and Echo.
ELENIKO
A sometimes heard Helen/Ellen nickname, most common in Georgian.
ERATO
Like Clio, Erato is one of the nine muses. Her domain is poetry.
FLO
A Florence nickname, Flo has been made famous by women across the ages. The current most notable Flo? Progressive Insurance’s spokesperson, played to perfection by actress Stephanie Courtney.
GARBO
Swedish-American actress Greta Garbo might put her surname on this list, and lend it plenty of Hollywood glam, too.
HALO
It’s one-part spiritual, one-part video game, and a stylish, appealing sound, too.
HARLOW
Starbaby-turned-starlet Nicole Richie gave this name to her daughter in 2008, inspired by yet another Hollywood star, Jean Harlow. It quickly became a mainstream favorite.
HERO
Maybe Hero is a lot to live up to. But the name appears in both Greek myth – she’s Leander’s beloved – and Shakespeare, where she’s one of the central figures in Much Ado About Nothing. English popstar-turned-television-presenter Myleene Klass gave the name to her younger daughter in 2011.
INDIGO
We sometimes think of blue as a color for boys, but Indigo feels like an interesting possibility for either gender.
INDIO
As in the California town that hosts Coachella every year.
IO
Two letters and still two syllables? For a tiny name, Io packs a mighty punch. She’s another nymph changed into a creature after Zeus fell for her, and also the name of a moon of Jupiter.
ISABEAU
Can you import a name from medieval France? Let’s say yes, because Isabeau really deserves more attention. An all-but-lost form of Isabelle, it may not end with the letter O, but it’s the right sound.
JERICHO
An Old Testament place name of uncertain meaning, Jericho is more popular for boys, but sounds like a unisex possibility.
JO
A tiny name, Jo brings to mind Little Women’s Jo March – as well as dozens of other women, most of whom were born Josephine, Joanna, Joelle, or some other Jo- name.
JOJO
Another obvious nickname for Jo- names, this one is in the spotlight lately thanks to reality star-turned-YouTuber/actress/singer Joelle Joanie “JoJo” Siwa.
JUNEAU
The capital of Alaksa, named for prospector Joe Juneau after the 72 miners living in the settlement took a vote.
JUNO
Among the most wearable of the bunch, thanks to similarity to June and Juniper, Juno is the Roman name for the queen of the gods, Jupiter’s consort. Coldplay’s Will Champion is father to Ava, Rex, and Juno.
KAHLO
Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is a fascinating figure, and her last name could make a great artistic first name for a daughter.
KAMIKO, KIMIKO
More Japanese names. Kimiko shortens to Kim, making this an obvious English crossover option.
KEIKO
Another Japanese option, one possible meaning for Keiko is “lucky one.”
LETO
Another name from Greek myth, Leto remains obscure. But her twins are famous: Apollo and Artemis. The similar Leta or Leda is another mythical figure. Respell it to the more phonetic Lido, and it’s a deck on a cruise ship.
LILO
She’s the BFF of adorable alien Stitch in the Disney flicks-turned-series. It’s Hawaiian; Lilo can mean lost or generous. Both are appropriate for the character.
LORETO
An Italian place name strongly associated with the Virgin Mary.
LUCERO
It’s associated with the Spanish word luz – light – and is used primarily in Spanish-speaking countries.
MARGO, MARGOT
The French Margot is a traditional short form of Margaret, making this the grandmama of girls names ending with o. This is a vintage pick with a lot of style, also spelled Margo and Margaux. Today Margot is most often used as an independent given name. It shares the same meaning as classic Margaret, too: pearl.
MARIKO
Another Japanese name with a strong meaning: genuine.
MARLO
Actress Marlo Thomas was born Margaret; Marlo was a childhood nickname that stuck. This spelling feels retro and sparky, but the surname versions are more popular.
MARLOW, MARLOWE
Take two parts Harlow and one part Mackenzie, and you’ll have Marlowe, among the fastest-rising surname name possibilities of the moment.
MARIGOT
A popular place name throughout the Caribbean, Marigot turns Margot up to eleven.
MEADOW
This gentle nature name was worn by television mobster Tony Soprano’s daughter in the early 2000s. Combined with the stylish O ending, Meadow is an on-trend name that’s just different enough.
MINNOW
If we love bird names, maybe fish work, too? Or maybe Minnow just feels like a promising Minnie/Margot mash-up.
MINOO
Also spelled Minu, this name means paradise in Persian. While it ends with an O, it’s more of a U sound.
MONROE
Few legends shine as brightly as the late Marilyn Monroe. Singer Mariah Carey named her daughter for the Hollywood icon.
MORROW
Legendary journalist Edward R. Morrow is one famous bearer. But an even better reason to consider Morrow? It’s a poetic term for the morning.
NICO
Short for Nicholas or Nicole or any of the related Nic- names, unisex Nico is a promising possibility, bridging the traditional and the new.
ORORO
Possibly best for X-Men fans, though the world knows this comic book hero better as Storm. Actresses Halley Berry and Alexandra Shipp have both played the part.
PICABO
Olympic gold medal-winning skiier Picabo Street too her name from Picabo, Idaho, near her hometown.
RIO
The Spanish word for river, and the nickname for the Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro, plenty of associations attach to this three-letter name. In the 1980s, British pop stars Duran Duran scored a huge hit with a song about a girl: “her name is Rio and she dances on the sand.” Just like River, this is a unisex possibility.
ROSARIO
Actress Rosario Dawson made her unusual name famous, but it’s a traditional choice in Spanish. Rosario refers to the rosary, as in the Marian title Our Lady of the Rosary.
SADAKO
It’s among the most famous of Japanese names, thanks to Sadako Sasaki, and her story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Published in 1977, it’s the semi-autobiographical story of a Japanese girl living with leukemia following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Sadako folds paper cranes because legend says that anyone who folds 1,000 will be granted their wish.
SHILOH
A Neil Diamond song, a fictional dog, and a Civil War battlefield = a stylish name for either gender. Shiloh Jolie-Pitt raised the name’s profile dramatically.
SOCORRO
A cousin to Consuelo, Socorro means help in Spanish. It saw some use in the 1920s, but today Socorro is nearly unknown in the US. It’s an unconventional way to get to the nickname Coco.
SPARROW
Bird names are a big category today, and Sparrow has seen some use for girls as well as boys.
SNOW
Winter is a current favorite, so why not Snow? It’s also a Disney Princess name, as well as a color name and, sometimes, a surname, too.
VALO
The Finnish word for light, Valo brings to mind the words valor and valiant. It’s a cheerful possibility for either gender.
VERO
A beach in Florida and a fresh spin on Vera.
WILLOW
Willow went from television witch – she’s the BFF of Buffy the Vampire Slayer – to Will and Jada’s talented daughter. Now it’s a Top 100 pick.
WINSLOW
Another surname name in the key of Harlow.
YOKO
Forever famous thanks to John Lennon’s second wife, the artist, activist, and musician Yoko Ono.
Would you use one of these girls names ending with O?
This post was originally published on January 11, 2013. It was substantially revised and re-posted on October 15, 2015; August 15, 2019; and July 27, 2023.
The entry for Ayo seems incomplete. “Ayo comes from a Yoruba word meaning…” What DOES it mean?? Super curious!
Fascinating list, Abby. Really like Peridot and Meadow and wouldn’t have thought of either one. So thanks!
Joy! It means joy!
Oh my goodness, thanks for seeing that. 🙂
I also really love Gwenno
Calypso! I also just saw Darlow as a surname, which could work. Darcy and Harlow have caught on, why not Darlow.
I *love* Rocío. I have a colleague with that name, nickname Ro, and I’ve always thought it’s so beautiful!
There is also the popular Finnish Aino, pronounced I-no. It means the only one and is the name of a tragic woman from a Finnish saga. I also knew a girl named Ildiko in college. It is a Hungarian form of Hilda. Everyone called her Ildi.
Yes, I have an Ildikó in my family! I think it’s a beautiful name.
I realize this is an old post, but new to me. I would caution that Lilo is the word little kids in Italy use for penis. It may not be an issue where you are. With so many Lil** names trending, I thought this may be useful to someone!
I’m a Cameo… and I’ve always liked my name. Never knew anyone else with it, but got lots of nice comments over the years. It feels less unusual to me than a lot of these names but I’m happy it hasn’t gotten popular.
Another great namesake for Morrow could be Anne Morrow Lindbergh, early female aviator, writer, and wife of Charles Lindbergh.
And I would add Dido. It’s a great ends-in-o name, from the Carthaginian queen in Greek mythology to the 18th century African-British heiress, Dido Belle Lindsay.
I love Juno. Love it love it love it. Hate the movie. Haaaaaaaaate it. But I’m 23 weeks with a baby girl, and it’s the name I just can’t quit …
I have a four-month-old daughter called Juno and you’d be surprised at how many people have never even heard of the movie! Admittedly, not many people seem to have heard of the goddess either, but I wouldn’t let the film connection put you off. Even if you did get a few comments at first, I doubt people will still be talking about it in 10-20 years.
Girls’ names in -o are a HUGE weakness of mine! I don’t want to start a theme so any others I use will most likely be middle names only, but I love Aiko, Callisto, Caro, Cato, Cleo/Clio, Dido, Io, Keiko, Hero, Margot, Rocío, Sappho, Sparrow, Theo, Vero, Willow… I’m sure there are more!
Peridot is probably my favourite! Also love Clio, Chieko(which I only found thanks to this amazing blog), Indigo, Isabeau, Meadow, Nico,Rio, Rosario and Willow. I’d add Calypso but the meaning sort of puts me off. Lolo is a sweet nickname for Elodie, Eloise, Elowen or Lorelei.
I love Marlo but only as a nickname; if I were to use it for a daughter, I’d go with something like Mary Louisa and call her Marlo.
Oh, how I love the thought of Mary Louisa called Marlo – gorgeous!
I know a little girl named Nicho, which is short for Nicholette. I think it would stand on its own just as well. I also liked the character Nico Reilly on the now dead series Lipstick Jungle.
I also love Juno and Morrow and Hallow. I don’t think my partner would go for any of those, though.
Cato, this is an old fashioned dutch name. It is also used in the form Cato-Margo. I love the name Peridot by the way.
I really like Halo too – even though it has the video game connotation, I think it could be sweet on a girl.
I like Lucero. Definitely in the same camp with Socorro and Consuelo, but I think it’s less old-lady.
Great addition to the list!
Met my first Meadow today!
I like Silo for a name. I’m not kidding. Hallow too.
I had forgotten about Hallow – she’s been spotted at least once or twice, and I can completely see her appeal. Silo is a great sound. But does it work as a name? I’m not sure … Still, Silas is quite stylish these days.
I love a lot of ends-in-“o” names. My favorite is probably Bo, which I’d love to use as a nickname for something like Bonnie.
Juno, Cleo/Clio, Jo, Echo, Io, Leto, Isabeau, Cadeau, Coco, Lilo, Meadow, Shiloh, Willow, Margo are all very attractive. And I like Dido, Rosario, and Sparrow. Winslow is also intriguing.
One of my favorite boy names is Milo, which I’ve also considered for a girl. Then there’s also Halo, Calypso, and Sappho. Sappho has crossed my mind a few times as a potential middle slot contender. Ancient smart girl names are a bit of a not-really-that-guilty pleasure of mine (Hypatia, Enheduanna, etc).
oh yes, Sappho is a great name that has crossed my mind too and also I agree that Milo is a great boy choice.
Love Margot! If we end up giving Trudy a sister, it’s at the top of the list.
Carmo
Mio
Momo
Kinborough / Kimbrough – one of my favourite English medieval names
Gwenno
Mallow
Snow
and as nicknames: Lo, Bo, Nono (for Leonor), Ro, Theo.
Julio
I love these! The ‘o’ ending is my favorite, for either gender.
I would caution parents who are keen on Bardot that Brigitte Bardot has made a number of horribly racist, homophobic, anti-Muslim statements, for which she has been brought to court more than once (France has laws against hate speech). It’s a cute name, but your daughter might get the side-eye from those who know about her namesake’s controversial politics.
Yes, also if you need proof of peoples reaction to the name Bardot, the actor from Bones changed his daughter’s name from Bardot to Bella after the outrage that sprung up after her originally named her.
Indigo is masculine in my mind, because it’s the name of one of the characters in The Casson Family books by Hilary McKay. The parents are artists, and all their children are named for paint colors. It’s a treasure trove of names.
How about Saro? Like in the song Pretty Saro?
Ooh, there’s also Sparrow in the nature names vein, and my favourite of all the Spanish -o names: Rocío.
Wow, that’s quite a roundup! We strongly considered Clio for our daughter, but ended up nixing it because it’s the name of a popular car sold by Renault in Europe and we have a lot of family there. I do love it, though, and think Juno is great too but feel it’s a shame it’s so strongly tied to the movie character.
I know Rosalies who go almost exclusively by Ro, and it works as a nickname for Rowan as well. I know a little girl called Nico, and another who goes by Bo, short for Bonita. Very cute!
It’s fairly common for nicknames in French to be formed with an O ending, as in your example of Caro. Madeleine becomes Mado, Veronique becomes Vero, and so on. I agree with you that this is a heyday for feminine names ending in O in the English-speaking world.
Love the O names!
I think your description of Marlo is missing a mention of Ms. Thomas.
p.s. someone I know named their daughter Winslow… I wish I would have thought of it, I think it is beautiful for a girl.
I love Rio for a girl! We used it for our (female) dog and then when found out we were expecting a daughter my husband mentioned he wished we’d saved the name for her 🙂 Willow was my top contender/choice for years too. I also love Margo and Cleo and I had Marlo on our short list for #2 (who ended up being a boy). Great list here.
and I like Juno too!
I love all of the Spanish names for girls that end in -o. Two others are Lucero and Amparo.
I’d throw in a vote for Rosario. I love it a lot, but am not sure our family could pull it off without sounding contrived – the rosary connection is a bit random for us. I wish it were more just a rose-name like Rosalie…?
I find myself both liking Rio and being afraid that if she were at all chunky, Rio Grande would stick.
Calico is a huge guilty pleasure of mine.
Calico is a good addition. It reminds me of Cameo. I think Cameo should be added as well.
Rosario nn Rio could be fun, though. Rosario is such a nice name.
Rio was on our short list for girls although many people feel it should be left a boys name.
Another one inspired by classical myth could be Dido. I would steer very clear of Garbo, though. In Australia at least (not sure if anywhere else), Garbo is the colloquial term for a garbage collector.
I grew up with a cousin Marlo who’s in her mid 40s now. To me, it’s a traditional name. 😉
I like most of the names on this list. Very on- trend.
I think Peridot should be on the list.
Peridot – great addition! Thanks.