Girl Names Starting with G: Classic Grace and More

Girl names starting with G come with all sorts of appealing qualities. They’re glam and graceful, glowing, and good-hearted.

Or it that too much G?

The fifteenth most popular letter for girls’ names in the US for the year 2024, G names for girls fall smack in the middle. It’s not the chart-topping A or the obscure U.

What’s more, we’ve always loved at least some G girl names. In an earlier age, Gertrude, Gladys, and Geraldine were everybody’s go-tos. Times have changed, though, and another group of G baby girl names top the charts today.

Some have history to spare. Others are modern innovations. After all, G offers two pronunciations: the hard G and the soft J.

That means this initial is surprisingly versatile and plenty of options await, from chart-toppers to rare gems.

Read on for some of the best baby names beginning with G for a daughter.

GIRL NAMES STARTING WITH G IN THE US TOP 1000

GIANNA (#23)

In English, rock solid classic John becomes equally spare feminine forms Joan and Jane. In Italian, it transforms into the flowing and romantic Giovanna, or just Gianna. Gianna, in turn, shortens to Gia and Gigi, making this a wildly versatile name. The tragic loss of Gianna Bryant, daughter of basketball legend Kobe, put this name on the fast track, but sound and style keep it at the top.

GRACE (#40)

An old-school virtue name, Grace manages to feel specifically religious and generically good, all at once. Maybe it’s because of the phrase “grace under pressure.” Grace can be prim and proper, or athletic and fearless – but is probably best described as a little bit of both. It’s a straight-up word name we’ve been using as a first for so long it feels traditional, more a sister for Alice than an alternative to Sky.

GENESIS (#55)

Genesis likely appeals to some parents who consider Grace, too. After all, it’s also a word name with significant spiritual overtones, but a meaning that extends beyond religion. Genesis ultimately comes from a Greek word meaning origin. It signals a beginning – an auspicious meaning for a child’s name, whether or not its status as the first book of the Bible appeals to you. With the easy nickname Gen, it reminds us of Genevieve and Jennifer. Except no one was using Genesis as a given name until the 1970s, coinciding with the rise of the rock band.

GABRIELLA (#106)

The angel Gabriel – “God is my strength” – served as a messenger in the Bible. While it’s always seen some use in the US, Gabriel started to rise in the 1970s. French feminine form Gabrielle became a Top 100 favorite in the 1990s. And in the 2000s, the Italian Gabriella took over as the most popular version for girls. It arrived just as we embraced Isabella and all of the -ella names. Today it’s falling slightly, along with Spanish spelling Gabriela, but all remain familiar favorites.

GEORGIA (#110)

Georgia is a place name, just like Savannah or Brooklyn. But long before Georgia took up residence on the map, it was simply the feminine form of the venerable George, a regal and saintly favorite. If George feels buttoned-up, Georgia is a little more down-home. Georgia can be elegant, artistic, creative – think Georgia O’Keefe – but songs like “Georgia On My Mind” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” lend this name a different kind of style.

GENEVIEVE (#165)

A French classic, Genevieve is the patron saint of Paris. With Josephine flying high, Genevieve sounds like an obvious name to watch, too. Not only does it share Josephine’s long, slightly tailored sound, but Genevieve also benefits from the ‘v’ shared with chart-toppers like Evelyn, Ava, and Violet.

GEMMA (#203)

The Italian word for gem, Gemma owes a little something to Emma and Jenna, and something more to the rise of G names like Gianna. While it’s not as classically Italian as, say, Francesca or Maria, Gemma has plenty of history. Dante Aligheri’s wife was Gemma, all the way back in thirteenth century Florence. It’s a sparkly name, but also a straightforward one.

GRACIE (#248)

Take elegant, enduring Grace and transport her to a playground. Gracie carries all the history of just Grace, but sounds more like a sparky sister for Sadie than an early twentieth century debutante.

GIA (#267)

The name of an early supermodel, Gia fits right in with popular mini names like Mia, but remains nicely underused.

GABRIELA (#298)

The single-L spelling, lagging a bit behind Top 100 Gabriella but still popular.

GISELLE (#356)

The name sounds something like gazelle. Graceful Giselle also brings to mind a ballet by the name. Wildly popular since it debuted in Paris in 1841, the ballet and the name attracted more attention in the 1980s in the US. That’s when Mikhail Baryshnikov starred in Dancers, a movie about making a movie out of the ballet. Then came Disney’s Enchanted, complete with a princess named Giselle, and supermodel Gisele Bundchen. The long-awaited Enchanted sequel debuted on Disney+ in 2022. It remains familiar, but still uncommon.

GWENDOLYN (#393)

A 1950s favorite, borrowed from a mythical Welsh queen. It’s originally Gwendolen, but the -lyn ending has long been more popular in the US. Gwendoline is seen occasionally, too, as in British actress Gwendoline Christie, of Game of Thrones and Star Wars fame.

GRACELYNN (#427)

A combination of classic Grace and contemporary ending -lynn, with a hint of Elvis’ Graceland, too.

GRACELYN (#467)

Combine Gracelynn and Gracelyn, and it’s far more popular than either name alone suggests.

GABRIELLE (#577)

The French feminine form of the name peaked earlier, following names like Danielle and Nicole into more widespread popularity. While it’s Gabriella that’s most popular today, Gabrielle remains in use.

GALILEA (#637)

The feminine form of Galileo, relating to the ancient place name Galilee. It’s both Biblical and star-gazing at once.

GOLDIE (#645)

A color name, Goldie shares something with Violet, but brings to mind Sadie and Maisie, too. Goldie has gained in use dramatically over the last few years, a retro revival that regularly appeared in the US Top 1000 from 1880 into the 1950s. Actor Goldie Hawn was born in 1945 – yes, it’s her birth name.

GLORIA (#654)

Like Grace, Gloria bridges a deep spiritual meaning and a more generally virtuous one. It shares the -ia ending of current favorites like Olivia and Emilia. And it’s the name of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s younger daughter, a sister for Ramona.

GEORGINA (#655)

An appealing Georgia elaboration, Georgina is gaining in use. The spelling Georgiana is sometimes seen, too, and occasionally pronounced the same as Georgina, just to make things as confusing as possible. (The famous eighteenth century Duchess of Devonshire is the most famous example, played by Keira Knightley in 2008 movie The Duchess.) 

GWEN (#698)

This name combines has all the cool of comic book hero Gwen Stacy and musician Gwen Stefani, too. But it’s spare and simple – less classic than Jane, but not nearly as modern as Sloane.

GRETA (#855)

Originally a pet form of Margaret, Greta stands on its own. It manages to sound fresh-faced, while also dripping all the Hollywood glam of Greta Garbo. Plus, everyone can immediately spell and pronounce it … even though your daughter will seldom share it. Young activist Greta Thunberg also comes to mind.

GIANA (#864)

Another possible spelling of Gianna.

GIULIANA (#889)

Another Italian import, this time the equivalent of Juliana. Long-time E! personality Giuliana Rancic made this spelling more familiar over the last two decades.

GIOVANNA (#929)

Gianna claims the spotlight, but elaborate Giovanna might be a slightly less common – and frillier – alternative. Italian offers many girl names starting with G, but Giovanna might be one of the most widely recognized. Giavanna, a phonetic twist on the original, is also seen sometimes.

GUINEVERE (#947)

Guinevere’s cousin, Jennifer, formerly held the #1 spot in the US, while Guinevere has remained rare. Still, we all recognize the name, thanks to the legend of King Arthur and Camelot. If we can embrace names likes Juliet and Genevieve, then is Guinevere such a stretch? Easy nickname Gwen is a bonus. Some parents respell it Gwenevere to make the nickname more obvious.

RARE GIRL NAMES STARTING WITH G

GAIA

Gaia rhymes with Maia, and it’s a goddess name, too. And not just any mythological figure, either. Gaia is Mother Earth, the primordial goddess of all things green and growing for the first generation of gods. But once Zeus and his siblings overthrew the Titans, she took a back seat. While it’s rare, this name combines several trends – it’s mythological, tied to the nature world, and something of a mini name along the lines of Emma and Ava.

GAIL, GALE, and GAYLE

These could be Abigail spin-offs, weather terms, or borrowed from a surname with English roots meaning “jovial” and related to gala.

GAL

Unisex Hebrew name meaning wave, made famous by Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot. Galit and Galia are seen, too.

GALA

A gala is a party, possibly from the Old French word for merriment. As a given name, it’s either short for the Russian Galina (meaning calm), or a Spanish name (possibly referring to a rooster or a pheasant). As for Gal Gadot, her given name means “wave” in Hebrew. So there’s more to Gala than you might guess. It’s an exuberant choice with an international vibe.

GALADRIEL

Gorgeous Tolkein name, invented for a character in The Lord of the Rings. In Sindarin, it means “maiden crowned with a radiant garland.”

GALATEA

A name from Greek myth, Galatea is most famous as the statue that came to life. She’s the inspiration for many a modern update to the character, including My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle.

GALAXY

Even in our age of Luna and Stella, Galaxy is out of this world.

GALINA

Back to that Russian name: Galina means calm, and it comes from the Greek name Galen, which belonged to a noted physician in the ancient world. While it’s never caught on in the English-speaking world, it’s heard throughout Slavic countries, though a few swap the G for an H and use Halina instead.

GAMORA

Fictional character from Guardians of the Galaxy.

GARANCE

A French nature name, Garance refers to the plant Rubia tinctorum – or rose madder. It’s a traditional source of red dye.

GARNET

A red gemstone name, Garnet shares something with Ruby and Scarlett. It’s sometimes heard as a surname, and could easily work for a son, too.

GARNETA, GARNETTA

Elaboration of Garnet with an old school, midcentury vibe.

GAY, GAYE

From an English word meaning happy, though it’s faded from use.

GELSEY

Made famous by celebrated ballerina Gelsey Kirkland, this surname name has never been common, but still fits with Hadley and Paisley.

GENA, GINA

Short for many a longer name, like Regina and Georgina, Gina also stands on its own. It peaked in the late 1960s, also Tina’s heyday. Spellings Gena and Geena are also seen. Actress Geena Davis was born Virginia.

GENEVA

We sometimes imagine that place names are a novelty invented by this generation. Not so. Geneva ranked in the US Top 1000 every year from 1880 through 1995. It was the middle name of former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower – a popular song inspired her geographic middle. That might make us think of Switzerland, but plenty of American cities – and more than one lake – were named for the Swiss original.

GENEVIE

Short form of Genevieve.

GENTRY

A surname name with a stylish sound, Gentry originally referred to a social class – below the nobility, but not by much.

GEORGETTE

Georgette feels like a not-too-different, not-too-common compromise, a spin on Georgia and Juliet that’s easily recognized, but far more rare.

GEORGIE

A nickname for Georgia (or any George name), Georgie fits right in with Charlie and Frankie. 1966 British rom com Georgy Girl – and the hit title track – still brings to mind a time capsule of London, lending this name a mix of retro style and twenty-first century currency.

GERALDINE

Invented by a sixteenth century poet, Geraldine is a feminine form of Gerald, meaning “rule of the spear.” It was a Top 100 favorite from the 1910s through the 1940s. Today, Geraldine feels a little bit like Bernadette – so far out it’s nearly back in again.

GERDA, GERTRA

Feminine form of Gerard, or short form of Gertrude. Since they’re heard mostly in northern Europe, they’re typically pronounced with a hard G.

GERI

Once a sparky short form of names like Geraldine, as well as creative combinations like Gerilynn. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is one famous figure.

GERMAINE

The name of a sixteenth century saint, as well as feminist author Germaine Greer

GERTRUDE

A Top 100 staple through the 1920s, Gertrude will almost certainly be back – eventually. Nickname Trudy/Trudie might serve as a retro mini name in the key of Hattie and Sadie. Despite the enduring appeal of classic 1982 movie E.T., featuring a very young Drew Barrymore as Gertie – the name remains stuck in style limbo for now.

GHISLAINE

On paper, this is a delightfully medieval French name, all battle armor and tapestries. The shadow of Ghislaine Maxwell makes it unwearable.

GIACINTA

The Italian form of Jacinta, meaning hyacinth. It might be especially appealing as a formal name for Gia.

GIACOMA, GIACOMINA

Feminine forms of Giacomo, the Italian equivalent of Jacob.

GIANELLA, GIANELLE

Elaborations of Gianna.

GIDGET

During the 1960s, a young Sally Field played the title character in Gidget, a California girl who spent her teenage years surfing in Malibu. Gidget, rhymes with Bridget, was based on the phrase “girl midget,” referring to the character’s petite stature. It started out as a series of novels by Frederick Kohner, was adapted as a movie, and then made its way to the small screen, pushing Gidget briefly into the US Top 1000.

GIGI

Sparky nickname name for many a longer G name. A novella-turned-1958-musical titled Gigi won an Oscar for Best Picture. (Set at the turn of the twentieth century in Paris, the story is problematic today.) In this case, Gigi is short for Gilberte.

GILBERTE

French feminine form of Gilbert.

GILDA

From a Verdi opera to a Rita Hayworth film to comedian Gilda Radner, an original cast member of Saturday Night Live, Gilda has a story to tell. It ultimately comes from the Germanic element gild, meaning tribute or money. It once appeared in plenty of compound names, but today is quite rare.

GILLIAN

As with Jillian-with-a-J, either spelling feels instantly familiar, tough to pin to a specific decade, and yet slightly unexpected, too.

GINGER

With the exception of Jinger-with-a-J Duggar Vuolo, the most recent Ginger to make headlines was Spice Girl Geri Halilwell, aka Ginger Spice. Way back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, Ginger Rogers made headlines, too. But today, Ginger occupies an interesting space. It’s as edible as Olive and Sage, as colorful as Scarlett, and a nature name, too. But it remains seldom heard.

GINEVRA

If you know your Harry Potter names, you’ll recognize Ginevra as the given name of the youngest Weasley sibling, Ginny. It’s also Italian, though there’s more than one possible meaning attached. It could derive from the Italian word for juniper. Or it might serve as the equivalent of Guinevere or Geneva. Regardless of origin, it’s an intriguing, distinctive sound.

GIOIA

With Italian names like Gianna trending, might others follow? Gioia is simply the Italian equivalent of Joy. It’s popular in Italy today, and despite some potential spelling and pronunciation confusion, it feels like a promising, just-different-enough choice in the US, too.

GIORGIA

Italian spelling of Georgia.

GIRASOL

Spanish name meaning sunflower, literally meaning “turn to the sun.”

GIROLAMA

Jerome comes from the Greek Hieronymos, meaning sacred name. Fifth century scholar Saint Jerome translated the Bible into Latin and made his name famous across Europe. In Italian, it became Giorlamo. This is the feminine form.

GISELA

Like Giselle, Gisela has a German origin, from the Germanic gisil – pledge. But while Giselle is pronounced with a soft G, Gisela sounds like an entirely different name. With a hard G, it sounds more like GEES ah lah, or, in Spanish, khee SAH lah. The Italian spelling Gisella sounds more like the French version.

GITA

Sanskrit name meaning song.

GLACIER

Icy cool nature name.

GLADIOLA

From the flower name gladiolus, which shares roots with the word gladiator.

GLADYS

It sounds happy and glad, but the Welsh Gladys likely comes from a word meaning country.

GLENDA

A midcentury favorite that rose in use around the same time that Linda topped the popularity charts.

GLENNA

Glenda is hibernating with Geraldine, but Glenna might have some promise. It brings to mind current chart-toppers like Stella, as well as former favorites like Jenna. From 1880 through the 1960s, Glenna regularly appeared in the US Top 1000. It’s the feminine form of Scottish name Glenn, meaning valley.

GLINDA

Straight out of The Wizard of Oz – and the re-telling Wicked – Good Witch Glinda’s name was created by L. Frank Baum, and briefly launched into the US Top 1000 following the 1939 film’s success. The success of Wicked, featuring Ariana Grande as the character, makes it familiar to a new generation.

GLORIANA

An even grander take on Gloria. Edmund Spenser used this name to refer to his version of Queen Elizabeth I in his epic 1590 poem The Faerie Queene. 

GLORY

Parents are forever seeking words that would make a unique girl name. Glory qualifies. It share all of Gloria’s meaning, but shares the style of Journey or Haven.

GLYNIS

Also spelled Glenys, this Welsh name comes from either a word meaning valley – glyn – or pure – glan. While it’s obscure in the US, Smashing Pumpkins fans will think of the song that begins “Here’s a name you cannot forget. Her name was Glynis …”

GODIVA

We know it as a golden-boxed brand of chocolates, but the original name meant “gift of God” in Old English. Lady Godiva was a legendary English noblewoman who protested the heavy taxes her husband levied on villagers.

GOLDA

A Yiddish name meaning gold, Golda was made familiar thanks to Fiddler on the Roof and Israeli politician Golda Meir. Today it brings to mind Bridgerton star Golda Rosheuvel, known as the regal, demanding Queen Charlotte.

GORETTI

Given in honor of Saint Maria Goretti.

GOSIA

A Polish nickname for Margaret.

GRACEN, GRACYN, GRACYNN, GRAYCEN

With multiple possible spellings, Gracen is an elaboration of Grace, a feminine form of Grayson, or a little bit of both.

GRACIA, GRACIANA

Elaborations of Grace.

GRACIELA, GRACIELLA

A lovely Spanish elaboration of Gracia – Grace. The double-L Graciella is another option.

GRAINNE, GRANIA

An Irish name, Gráinne appears in legend and myth. There’s also the sixteenth century Grace O’Malley – born Gráinne – who managed her family’s significant landholdings and, in folklore, is often known as “The Pirate Queen.” While her name was translated into English many ways, Grania is the Latinized form that most closely approximates the correct pronunciation.

GRAVITY

Word name Gravity makes this list only because model Lucky Blue Smith and his first partner, Stormi Henley, gave the name to a daughter.

GRAY, GREY

Also spelled Grey, this brief surname and color name is heard for boys and girls alike.

GRATIA, GRAZIA

Gratia is the Latin form of Grace; Grazia, the Italian.

GRAZYNA

From a Lithuanian name meaning “beautiful,” Grazyna was invented by a Polish poet in 1823.

GREENLEE

Surname name that means “green meadow,” Greenlee is a lit bit Henley, a little bit Olive.

GREER, GRIER

A Scottish surname, Greer developed as a contracted form of Gregory. That might make it a better fit for the boys’ list. But British actor Greer Garson – born Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson – changed that. As her career took off in the late 1930s, Greer became associated with girls. While it’s risen in use for both genders in recent years, it remains more common for our daughters. In many ways, that makes Greer the forerunner of so many borrowed-from-the-boys favorites, from Taylor to Madison to Harper to Sloane.

GRETCHEN

Like Greta, this pet form of Margaret now stands on its own. It shares Margaret’s lovely meaning: pearl.

GRETEL

Storybook Gretel is yet another cousin to Greta and Gretchen, all sharing roots with enduring Margaret.

GUADALUPE

Serious and saintly Guadalupe comes from the Spanish Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, a title for Mary.

GWENAELLE

A Breton name, Gwenaëlle offers a powerful meaning: blessed and generous. The pronunciation is three syllables – the diacritical marks matter here! – gwen ah yel. It peaked in France in the 1970s, and is still used today in small numbers.

GWYNETH

A Welsh name meaning fair and blessed, Gwyneth is broadly familiar thanks to Oscar-winning actor Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s peeked into the US Top 1000 just a handful of times over the last two decades, just enough to make it seem like the name isn’t restricted to the celebrity. The spelling Gwenyth is sometimes seen, too.

GYPSY

This name has been in steady use for years, and yet it’s important to note that it’s considered an ethnic slur by many of the Romany people. Parents choosing it for their daughters probably mean to convey something unconventional and bohemian, but there are better options in that category.

What are your favorite girl names starting with G? What would you add to this list?

Originally published on August 24, 2021, this post was revised substantially and re-posted on August 30, 2021; December 5, 2022; August 20, 2023; June 22, 2024; and July 3, 2025.