The Good Girls: Names Starting with EU

Looking for a good name for a girl?

Flip to the letter E in a baby name book, and there’s a long list of girl names that literally mean good. Good speech, good cheer, good fame, good birth. Why do all the good girls’ names start with EU?

For years, this sorority has been neglected. Blame it on the initial sound. Eu was more “ew” than cool. But with Lucy and Ruby, Luna and Juliette, and even Tru in favor, the sound is more current than ever.

There are good boys, too! Think of:

• Oh-so-smart Euclid, as challenging to wear as Ptolemy or Aristotle.
• Eugene, still stuck in style limbo.
• Handsome Evander, a rising favorite that was originally Euandros in Greek.

Evander is a good example of how some Eu- names became Ev- names over the years. And Ev- names are having a moment.

Of course, in the 21st century, EU also suggests Europe, as in the European Union. But this use of Eu- dates back to the ancient world.

Read on for all of the names that start with EU girl!

EUADNE, EVADNE

Some EU names became EV names, while others? Not so much. Evadne is a cousin to the appealing Eve names, as well as Zoe and Chloe. There were at least four Evadnes in Greek myth, and plenty of bearers of the name since then. It’s a great fits-in/stands-out kind of name.

EUBOEA, EUBOIA

This is a quirky one! Euobia means “good ox” or “good cow.” There’s a minor character in Greek myth by the name; the Greek island of Euboea preserves her name all these centuries later.

EUDOCIA

This name combines good with dokeo – to think or imagine: “good imagination.” It has a long history of use, from the ancient world onwards.

EUDORA

Eudora means “good gift.” It’s one of the more widely-recognized names on this list. Credit Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Eudora Welty, as well as Tiana’s mother in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, voiced by Oprah Winfrey. Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Eudora frequently ranked in the US Top 1000.

EUDOXIA

Sometimes considered another form of Eudocia, but with a very different sound. Alternately, the second element of this name could mean glory or fame – essentially, “good reputation.” While it’s never been given to even five girls in a single year in the US, but Slavic forms of the name, like Evdokia, are sometimes heard.

EUGENIA

Eugenia means well born, from the words meaning good and genes. A legendary 3rd century saint answered to the name. It’s said she was the daughter of governor of Egypt, beautiful and intelligent. Intrigued by Christian writings, she disguised herself as a man to be baptized and join a monastery. A fantastic story follows, ending with high drama. The name has remained in use over the centuries, an elaborate, antique choice.

EUGENIE

Among the better-known EU names for girls, Eugénie is the French form of Eugenia. Drop the accent, and it’s Eugenie, as in one of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s grandchildren. Born Eugenie Victoria Helena, younger sister to Princess Beatrice, she is not a working member of the royal family, but remains in the public eye. It’s said she was named for a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Victoria Eugenie, who later became the Queen of Spain. 

EULALIA

Eulalia is well-spoken, from the words for good and speech. It’s a lovely name, reminiscent of Lila, Lily, and Layla with those repeating Ls. Marcia Gay Harden has a daughter named Eulala, an even rarer form of the name. Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are the parents of Elula Lottie Miriam, but Elula is an unrelated Hebrew name. Still, this is one of the more common girl names starting with EU. 64 girls were named Eulalia in 2024.

EULALIE

The French form of Eulalia was part of a mini-trend early in the 21st century.

EULAMPIA

This doesn’t quite sound like a given name, but it did belong to a saint. The meaning has appeal, too: good shining.

EULOGIA

From word meaning good and writing, Eulogia is typically translated as reasonable. Like a few other names that start with EU, Eulogia is rarely heard in the 21st century. 

EUNICE

A New Testament name, Eunice comes from the words for good and victory. Once quite stylish, Eunice peaked just outside of the US Top 100 in the 1910s. Singer Nina Simone was born Eunice. JFK’s younger sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver became an activist for children’s health and disability issues, and the founder of Special Olympics. For years, the image that dominated was Carol Burnett’s sketch character Eunice Harper Higgins, famous during the 1970s. So it’s all fading into the past. The name was given to 100 girls in 2024. 

EUNOMIA

Eunomia means good order. Fittingly enough, the Greek goddess by the name was the goddess of law. Together with her sisters, she was one of the Hours, ensuring that life went according to plan.

EUPHEMIA, EUFEMIA, EUPHEMIE

Euphemia means well spoken. Saint Euphemia was martyred around the year 300 after refusing to make sacrifices to the pagan gods. A handful of queens and nobles have worn the name, and there are places named Santa Eufemia in Spain and Argentina. Euphemieis another possibility, a turn-of-the-20th-century favorite in France.

EUPHRASIA

A happy name, indeed, Euphrasia means good cheer. There’s a flowering plant called the euphrasia, also known as eyebright. There are two Catholic saints Euphrasia, one from the 5th century, and another from the very early 20th century. If you’re a fan of the Lego-inspired animated series Ninjago, you might think of a character named Euphrasia from the Cloud Kingdom.

EUPHRAISIE

The French form of Euphrasia, this was the given name of the Les Misérables character Cosette. Euphraisie is mentioned only briefly in the 1862 novel; it’s ignored entirely in most adaptations. When we first meet Fantine’s daughter, she’s the Cinderella-like child living and toiling in the Thénardiers inn. Jean Valjean rescues Cosette and raises her as his beloved daughter.

EUPRAXIA

Either another form of Euphrasia, or a separate name meaning “good conduct.”

EUSEBIA

The meaning of Eusebia is typically listed as “pious,” from the word good and sebo, meaning to worship in Greek. Again, a handful of early saints keep Eusebia from compelte obscurity.

EUSTACIA, EUSTASIA, EUSTAZIA

Anastasia is having a moment. But Eustacia is unrelated. Instead, it’s a feminine form of Eustance, meaning either steadfast or fruitful. The different meanings reflect two separate ancient Greek names that became one. 

EUTERPE

The nine Muses of mythology were responsible for all manner of creative pursuits. Euterpe served as the muse of music and joy. Appropriately, her name means delight, from good and cheer.

EUTHALIA

Another saint keeps Euthalia on the right side of remembered. In this case, thalia refers to flowers, so Euthalia means “blossom.”

EVANGELINE

Evangeline means “good news,” and to evangelize is to spread the good news of the gospel. A 19th century Longfellow poem makes this name both tragic and literary; so does Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Disney movie The Princess and the Frog made it familiar to a whole new generation. It’s the most popular of the EU names for girls, except it isn’t an EU name at all anymore. 

Would you consider any of these names that start with EU for a girl?

First published on February 27, 2015, this post was revised on May 7, 2026.