Girl Names That Don’t End in A: Trending Colette, Rare Avalon

Let’s talk about girl names that don’t end in A.

Around one-third of girls names end with the letter A. That includes eight out of the current Top Ten names: Olivia, Emma, Amelia, Sophia, Mia, Isabella, Ava, and Luna.

That’s a big number, and yet, it means that the majority of girl names end with a sound other than A.

Baby names are always changing. The rise of the gender-neutral name – like River, Rowan, or Quinn – sparks plenty of controversy. But for every parent considering naming a daughter Logan or Ryan, many more are choosing flowing, even frilly baby girl names.

Has it always been this way?

• In 1925, only one of the Top Ten names ended in A: Virginia. The three most popular names were Mary, Dorothy, and Betty. That’s another vowel ending, but Helen, Margaret, Ruth, Doris, Mildred, and Elizabeth rounded out the Top Ten, giving us a mix of more tailored choices.
• By 1955, more A-endings were popular, with Deborah and Debra both ranking in the Top Ten, along with Linda, Patricia, Barbara, and Donna. Mary, Susan, Karen, and Nancy rounded out the list.
• Was that a trend or a blip? Fast-forward to 1985, and Jessica holds the #1 spot, with Amanda and Sarah also in the Top Ten. But Ashley, Jennifer, Stephanie, Nicole, Heather, Elizabeth, and Megan complete the list.
• Even in 2005, the Top Ten was a 60/40 split: number one name Emily, along with Madison, Abigail, and Ashley represented girl names that don’t end in A, while Emma, Olivia, Isabella, Hannah, Samantha, and Ava were all A-enders.
• As of 2015, that 60/40 split held, with Emma, Olivia, Sophia, Ava, Isabella, and Mia in spots #1 through #6, followed by Abigail, Emily, Charlotte, and Harper.

In general, girls’ names ending in A feel more slightly popular now that they did in the past. But it’s not just girls’ names. Noah and Elijah are Top Ten boys’ names as of 2023. Along with former favorite Joshua, that’s a sound that was once rare for our sons.

Let’s look at some of the most popular girls names that don’t end in A, along with some surprising alternatives that take the sound even further.

MOST POPULAR GIRL NAMES THAT END WITH T, N, EE, or ANOTHER SOUND

Looking at the current US Top 100, 57 girl names don’t end in A. They are:

3 Charlotte
9 Evelyn
11 Harper
14 Eleanor
15 Elizabeth
16 Violet
17 Scarlett
18 Emily
19 Hazel
20 Lily
23 Penelope
26 Chloe
27 Ellie
29 Avery
31 Abigail
36 Madison
37 Zoe
38 Ivy
39 Grace
40 Lucy
41  Willow
43 Riley
44 Naomi
51 Zoey
54 Lainey
55 Lillian
56 Paisley
57 Genesis
58 Madelyn
59 Sadie
60 Sophie
61 Leilani
62 Addison
63 Natalie
64 Josephine
65 Alice
66 Ruby
67 Claire
68 Kinsley
69 Everly
70 Emery
71 Adeline
72 Kennedy
73 Maeve
74 Audrey
75 Autumn
77 Eden
78 Iris
80 Eloise
81 Jade
83 Caroline
84 Brooklyn
85 Quinn
87 Vivian
90 Hailey
94 Madeline
100 Allison

In many ways, even a popular name like Maeve or Willow stands out, if only because the ending sound is so distinctive.

If you love girls names that don’t end in A, let’s find even more choice beyond the current US Top 100.

EVEN MORE GIRL NAMES THAT END IN A SOUND OTHER THAN A

There are dozens – and dozens! – more names that could be added to this list, of course. But here are some great girl names that don’t end in A.

ADELE

As in the celebrated singer. Adele is a spare alternative to favorites like Adeline and Addison.

ARTEMIS

The Greek goddess of the hunt and a distinctive choice for a daughter’s name.

ASPEN

Colorado ski town and wintry nature name, borrowed from the tree.

AVALON

Inspired by paradise in Arthurian legend, as well as the popularity of similar-sounding Evelyn.

BILLIE

One of many boyish nicknames poised to follow Charlie into wider use.

BLAIR

A surname name that echoes classic Claire as well as more recent arrivals like Blake and Bryce.

BONNIE

Bonnie literally means pretty, and that’s this name’s gentle vibe.

BRIDGET

A traditional choice, rich with significance in Europe, Bridget reads a little bit like an Irish heritage choice in the US. That makes it the perfect name for a generation of women named Erin and Kelly.

CALLIOPE

A name from Greek mythology, in the key of Penelope.

CELESTE

Heavenly Celeste points to the sky, but also feels nicely traditional.

CIEL, CIELLE, CIELO

Cielo is the Spanish word for sky or heaven. Ciel is French. And Cielle makes it look a little more like -elle ending names so popular in English.

CLEO

Vintage name that blends ancient Egypt’s Cleopatra with the O-ending names we love now.

CLOVER

Nature name that brings to mind green fields and good luck.

COLETTE

Strictly speaking, Colette is a French diminutive of Nicole. (Extend Nicole to Nicolette, then drop the Ni for Colette.) But it’s been viewed as an independent name for generations, and it’s a perfect successor to Charlotte and Scarlett.

DAPHNE

Boosted by characters on Bridgerton and The White Lotus, Daphne has shed all those Scooby Doo associations and feels like a first name we’re ready to embrace.

DREW

One of several borrowed-from-the-boys picks first made famous by a celebrity.

EDITH

A rare Anglo-Saxon name that’s continue to cycle in and out use more than a millenium after the Norman Conquest. Like Top 100 favorite Eden, Edith shortens nicely to sparky, uncommon, and not-A-ending Edie.

ELISE

One of many short forms of Elizabeth that now stands on its own. Mozart’s “Für Elise” for piano makes this memorably musical.

ESTHER

Old Testament name with plenty of strength, and the night sky meaning star.

EVANGELINE

Elaborate and literary, Evangline is a slightly lacier option than Evelyn.

FLORENCE

Italian place name with a lovely meaning: flourishing.

FRANCES

There’s a strength and simplicity to this classic name. Nickname options like Frankie and Frannie imbue it with a different kind of spirited energy.

GENEVIEVE

The patron saint of Paris, Genevieve’s name is effortlessly French but accessible in English. Rich with nicknames and yet easy to wear in full, Genevieve is one of those names that feels traditional and familiar, but still slightly unexpected.

GWEN, GWENDOLYN

A Welsh name with ties to tales of King Arthur and Spider-Man, too.

HALLIE

Lindsay Lohan played identical twins Hallie and Annie in 1998’s Parent Trap reboot. Back then, Hailey was the name of the moment. Now Hallie and Halle – as in actresses Halle Bailey and Halle Berry – are the favorites.

HARRIET

Traditional, feminine form of Henry not heard in the current US Top 1000, but immediately familiar.

HAVEN

Modern word name that owes something to Ava and Harper, but also to the idea of Haven as a safe shelter.

IMOGEN

Shakespeare gave this name to a character. The British have been using it ever since. It most likely comes from an older name meaning “maiden.”

JOVIE

A relative newcomer to names, Jovie was launched by early 2000s Christmas season hit Elf. Likely from our word jovial, it’s a festive choice that blends the best of Josie and Maeve.

JULIET, JULIETTE

An elaboration of Julie and Julia, Juliet is fresher than Julianne, no matter how many Ts you like.

KATE, KATHERINE

Classic Katherine and Catherine are long-time staples. Along with go-to nickname Kate, they’re feminine and strong choices.

LAUREL

A tree name that rose in use during Laura’s heyday, Laurel feels very much at home with Willow and Aspen.

LIV

It might be a nickname for powerfully popular Olivia, but Liv is also an old school Scandi name that coincides with their modern word for life. A brief, complete alternative to Maeve.

MABEL

Sweetly vintage with a kick, a May name that shares the -belle of Isabel and Annabelle, but with a slightly different sound.

MARGOT

The most stylish of the Margaret names at the moment, a choice that feels smart and just a tiny bit edgy, too.

MARIGOLD

A flower power name to substitute for Violet, both with a heavy dose of Downton Abbey glam.

MARIE

Always in the middle, too seldom a first. Marie shines when promoted to given name status.

MARIEL, MARIELLE

An extension of Marie, with hints of Ariel, Noelle, and Gabrielle, too.

MAVIS

Antique choice initially boosted by a teenaged vampire in the animated universe of Hotel Transylvania. 

MAXINE

If we love Charlotte-called-Charlie, how about Maxine-called-Max?

MEADOW

The Sopranos gave this understated nature name a boost. Now it’s the obvious alternative to Top 100 Willow.

MEREDITH

Sometimes a last name, this Welsh import has a long, steady history of use in the US.

NEVE

Often considered the Anglicized version of Irish name Niamh, Neve is also associated with the Spanish word for snow and actress Neve Campbell.

OLIVE

A straight-up nature name with some of Olivia’s appeal but the sharpness of that ending V sound, too.

OPAL

Gemstone associated with the month of October, a sister for Hazel or Poppy.

PEARL

Elegant gemstone name that can also read as sweetly Southern.

PROMISE

Virtuous word name that mixes ideas about encouragement and fidelity. It’s a meaningful choice that still feels quite versatile.

RORY

Irish import associated with the color red and the enduring television character from Gilmore Girls.

SIMONE

Sleek Simone combines the appeal of legendary singer Nina Simone with the athleticism and bravery of gymnast Simone Biles.

SLOAN, SLOANE

A surname name that updates Joan, Sloane has a long history in pop culture (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; Entourage) but has been most popular for our daughters in recent decades.

SUMMER

One of several season names in the current US Top 1000, Summer offers all the warmth and energy of the season.

TAMAR

From the Hebrew word for a date palm tree, this Old Testament name is far more intriguing that midcentury mainstay Tammy.

TATUM

Celebrity child turned celebrated actress Tatum O’Neal put her unusual name on parents’ radar, but it took decades before the name Tatum became an overnight success.

WINIFRED

Delightfully old school name with two powerhouse short forms: Winnie and Freddie.

WREN

First came Robin, then Raven. But Wren was the name that signaled bird names for girls had really arrived. Now it’s an entire category, from rarities like Lark to fast-risers like Birdie.

WRENLEY

The leading Nature-Plus name of our moment, also spelled Wrenlee, Wrenlie, and Wrenleigh.

VIVIENNE

French Vivienne turns up the volume on Top 100 Vivian.

What are your favorite girl names that don’t end in A? 

First published on December 28, 2012, this post was revised on April 7, 2025.