Looking for a girls’ name with an unconventional sound? Want something feminine, but frills-free? Here’s a possibility: choose one of the many girls names ending with O.
From mini names like Jo to nature names like Willow to vintage choices like the fast-rising Margot, there are girls names ending in O to suit any style. International options abound, especially if we include Japan. Surname name possibilities are rising fast, too, with Harlow, Marlowe, and Monroe all catching on in recent years.
It’s the golden age for parents considering girls names ending with o. They’re more accepted, and more plentiful, than ever before.
Read on for a long list of possibilities.
Borrowed from Myth
Greek and Roman myth is are among the richest sources for girls names ending with O. Some of the stories are better than others, but they all share one common trait – plenty of history.
Callisto – Calista Flockhart put her name on the map, but the ends-with-o version is 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.
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 muse of history. It’s said that she introduced the alphabet to Greece. Like Cleo, the name comes from the word kleos – glory.
Echo – She met a tragic end thanks to a jealous Hera, but Echo’s sound is quite current. A short-lived Joss Whedon series gave this name to its heroine.
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.
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.
Hero – Yes, this name can be a lot to live up to. But Hero 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.
Leto – You might not recognize this name, but Leto’s twins are famous: Apollo and Artemis. The similar Leta or Leda is another mythical figure. I’m tempted to respell it Lido, but then that’s a deck on a cruise ship.
Imports
There are some great imported girls names ending with O.
Akiko – One of many Japanese girls names ending in o, thanks to the element ko – child. Other possibilities: Keiko, Kimiko, Mariko, and Tomiko.
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.
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.
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.
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 Coco.
Innovative Choices
Looking for something truly daring? This is the list for you.
Brio – I tend to think of Brio as masculine, but there’s no reason this musical term meaning “with spirit” couldn’t work for a daughter, too.
Cadeau – The French word for gift, and a different take on Kate and company.
Cielo – It’s the Spanish and Italian word for the sky and heaven. In Spanish, it takes an s sound; in Italian, it is a ch. Just like Sky, this name is gender neutral.
Coco – It’s not entirely clear where Gabrielle Chanel picked up her nickname, but it stuck – and is increasingly seen as a wearable choice for girls.
Lilo – She’s the BFF of adorable alien Stitch in the Disney flick-turned-series. She’s also Hawaiian, and in her native language, Lilo means lost. The similar Lilou has been stylish in France in recent years, but that’s a lu sound.
Marlo – Blogger Heather Armstrong has a daughter named Marlo. So does comedian Rob Corddry. The original Marlo, Marlo Thomas, was born Margaret. Marlo was a childhood nickname that stuck. This name is catching on, but the surname spellings are far more popular.
Rio – Duran Duran sang “her name is Rio and she dances on the sand” back in 1982. It’s the Spanish word for river. Just like River makes for a nicely gender neutral nature name, Rio works for a son or a daughter.
Valo – This one is almost certainly on the map thanks to name blogs. The Finnish word for light, Valo brings to mind the words valor and valiant. It’s a cheerful possibility for either gender.
Nouns & Place Names
Nature names and place names headline this category. Borrowing from the dictionary and the atlas surfaces some intriguing options.
Doe – Doe can 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.
Indigo – We think of blue as a color for boys, but Indigo feels like an interesting possibility for either gender, especially in the age of Blue Ivy.
Meadow – This gentle nature name was worn by television mobster Tony Soprano’s daughter a few years back. It continues to be a possibility for for parents seeking a feminine but frills-free choice.
Shiloh – A Neil Diamond song, a fictional dog, and a Civil War battlefield = a stylish name for either gender. Thanks to the Jolie-Pitt crew, it is certainly wearable.
Sparrow – Bird names are a big category today, and Sparrow has seen some use for girls as well as boys.
Snow – Winter is white hot, so why not Snow? It’s also a Disney Princess name, as well as a color name and, sometimes, a surname, too.
Willow – The second of the girls names ending with O boosted by Joss Whedon, Willow went from fictional teenage witch sidekick to Will and Jada’s daughter. Now it’s a Top 100 pick.
Vero – A beach in Florida and a fresh spin on Vera.
Surnames
Surname names are a big category these days, and many attractive options end with O.
Bardot – French screen legend Brigitte Bardot makes this a glamorous possibility.
Beau – Yes, I know. Beau if the French word for handsome, the masculine counterpart to Belle. It makes it tough to imagine a girl named Beau. And yet, there certainly are some, along with a few girls called Bo. It could be short for surnames from Beauchamp to Beauregard. It can also be found as a feminine name ending in a handful of nearly extinct names, like Christabeau and Isabeau.
Garbo – I think Bardot could work, but Garbo? Maybe in the middle spot. Legendary Swedish actress Greta Garbo gives her surname plenty of old Hollywood glam.
Harlow – Starbaby-turned-starlet Nicole Richie gave this name to her daughter in 2008, inspired by yet another Hollywood star, Jean Harlow.
Kahlo – Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is a fascinating figure, and her last name could make a great artistic first name for a daughter.
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.
Monroe – Few legends shine as brightly as the late Marilyn Monroe. Singer Mariah Carey named her daughter for the Hollywood icon. While this one has history as a masculine given name, in recent years, it trends feminine.
Morrow – My first thought is legendary Edward R. Morrow, but it’s also an archaic, poetic term for the morning. That makes it part-surname name, part-nature name, and while it’s quite rare, it definitely belongs on this list of girls names ending with O.
Traditional Picks
It’s a tiny category, but there are at least two valid traditional possibilities, both girls names ending with o – though they’re both diminutives.
Caro – A short form for Caroline, Caro is a sparky spin on Cara. But this one doesn’t quite stand on it’s own … yet.
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. Unlike Caro, it’s easy to imagine Margot as an independent given name.
Would you use one of these girls names ending with O for a daughter? Are there any that should be on this list?
This post was originally published on January 11, 2013. It was substantially revised and re-posted on October 15, 2015, and again on August 15, 2019.
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.
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.