Cute Short Names For Girls

There's something universally attractive about short cute girls names. And names with just two little syllables have a special magic that makes them both adorable and usable every day.

The only problem is that short cute girls names are always super popular. Mia, Ava, Lily, Nora, Ellie and Isla are all top 50 in the USA to name but a few.

So what you can do if you want a short cute name for your baby girl - or a character - that's rare or even unique?

Well, almost every country in the world has gorgeously cute short girls names so you can find something sweet but unusual by rooting through your family heritage or countries you love or cultures you are drawn to.

To help you do just that, I have a huge list here of short cute girls names from over 50 languages around the world.

You can use the index to jump into specific continents or countries or just browse through for inspiration.

European

Albanian

The origins of Albanian go back thousands of years in Europe but it isn't like any other European language so is a great source of rare and unique names ...

Dua : (DOO-ah), Love / prayer
Eni : (EH-nee), Sweet diminutive
Era : (EH-rah), Wind / breeze
Jeta : (YEH-tah), Life
Nita : (NEE-tah), Sweet diminutive
Rina : (REE-nah), Pure
Roza : (ROH-zah), Little rose
Vesa : (VEH-sah), Dewdrop
Yllka : (EEL-kah), Little star
Zana : (ZAH-nah), Fairy / mountain muse

Baltic

Latvian and Lithuanian form their own little branch of European languages so are another good source of charming but uncommon names ...

Aija : (EYE-yah), Lullaby, Latvian
Astra : (AH-strah), Star, Latvian
Ilze : (EEL-zeh), Sweet diminutive, Latvian
Liepa : (LYEH-pah), Linden tree, Lithuanian
Milda : (MEEL-dah), Goddess of love, Lithuanian
Rasa : (RAH-sah), Dewdrop, Lithuanian / Latvian
Rūta : (ROO-tah), Rue flower, Lithuanian
Saule : (SOW-leh), Sun, Lithuanian / Latvian
Ūla : (OO-lah), Gentle river, Lithuanian
Vaida : (VY-dah), Promise, Lithuanian

Basque

Basque - spoken in northern Spain and southern France - is a completely unique language with NO relatives anywhere in the world! It is actually the only survivor of the languages spoken in Europe over 5,000 year ago and has adorable girls names ...

Ane : (AH-neh), Grace
Eider : (EYE-der), Beautiful
Eki : (EH-kee), Sun
June : (YOO-neh), Youthful
Laia : (LYE-ah), Sweet diminutive
Lore : (LOH-reh), Flower
Maite : (MY-teh), Beloved
Miren : (MEE-ren), Beloved
Nahia : (NAH-yah), Wish / desire
Sua : (SOO-ah), Fire

British & Irish

Most cute British and Irish girls names are very well-known and very popular but if you go rooting through old English, Celtic and vintage Scottish names you can find some delightful rare gems ...

Ailie : (AY-lee), Bird in flight, Scottish
Awel : (AH-wel), Gentle breeze, Welsh
Cadi : (KAH-dee), Idyllic place, Welsh
Cari : (KAR-ee), Beloved, Welsh
Éala : (AY-lah), Swan, Irish
Eda : (EE-dah), Goddess of time, Old English
Eirys : (AY-riss), Iris, Welsh
Fflur : (FLEER), Flower, Welsh
Seren : (SEH-ren), Star, Welsh
Tansy : (TAN-zee), Herb, English

Finno-Ugric

The Finno-Ugric languages - Finnish, Hungarian, Estonian and Saami - are another unusual group of names which are a good place to go looking for something different ...

Ailu : (EYE-loo), Sweet diminutive, Saami
Eszti : (ESS-tee), Star / sweet diminutive, Hungarian
Helmi : (HEL-mee), Pearl, Finnish
Lumi : (LOO-mee), Snow, Finnish
Mici : (MEE-tsee), Sweet diminutive, Hungarian
Panna : (PAHN-nah), Grace / sweet diminutive, Hungarian
Satu : (SAH-too), Fairytale, Finnish
Säde : (SAH-deh), Spark, Estonian
Triin : (TREHN), Pure, Estonian
Tuule : (TOO-leh), Wind, Estonian

French

France was home to Coco, one of the most classic cute short names of all time but has plenty of other sweet diminutives ...

Bijou : (BEE-zhoo), Jewel
Coucou : (KOO-koo), Cowslip
Fleur : (FLUHR), Flower
Lilou : (LEE-loo), Sweet diminutive
Lucie : (loo-SEE), Light
Lys : (LEES), Lily
Manon : (mah-NOHN), Beloved
Ninon : (nee-NOHN), Grace
Pavot : (pah-VOH), Poppy
Souci : (soo-SEE), Marigold

For more inspiration check out this guide to vintage French girls names including Clelie, Mimie, Titine and more.

German & Dutch

German and Dutch influenced many old English names but both languages have some lovely simple short names with their own feel ...

Aylin : (AY-lin), Moon, Dutch
Ida : (EE-dah), Hardworking, German
Jette : (YET-tuh), Little home-ruler, German
Leni : (LEH-nee), Light, German
Lieke : (LEE-kah), Little angel, Dutch
Lotta : (LOT-tah), Free woman, German
Miep : (MEEP), Sweet diminutive, Dutch
Mina : (MEE-nah), Love, German
Resi : (RAY-zee), Harvest, German
Ute : (OO-tuh), Heritage, German

Greek

Historically Greek has given the world lots of beautiful girls names but still has some sweet options that are close to popular names but just a little bit different ...

Calla : (KAL-ah), Beautiful, Greek
Clio : (KLEE-oh), Glory, Greek
Dora : (DOR-ah), Gift, Greek
Kora : (KOR-ah), Maiden, Greek
Leda : (LEE-dah), Happy, Greek
Lia : (LEE-ah), Bringer of good news, Greek
Lyra : (LYE-rah), Lyre, Greek
Ora : (OR-ah), Gentle breeze, Greek
Rhea : (RAY-ah), Flowing stream, Greek
Xeni : (KSEH-nee), Hospitable, Greek

Italian

Short sweet Italian names always have such a musical feel about them with their double vowel endings ...

Aria : (AH-ryah), Air
Bia : (BEE-ah), Sweet diminutive
Fia : (FEE-ah), Flickering fire
Gioia : (JOY-ah), Joy
Isa : (EE-zah), Beloved diminutive
Lia : (LEE-ah), Bearer of good news
Luna : (LOO-nah), Moon
Mia : (MEE-ah), Mine
Pia : (PEE-ah), Devout
Tina : (TEE-nah), Little one

Portuguese

The Portuguese name Rita was a super popular vintage girls name back in the 1930s but the language has other little gems that are less well known ...

Bia : (BEE-ah), Sweet diminutive
Cata : (KAH-tah), Pure / sweet diminutive
Flor : (FLOR), Flower
Inês : (ee-NESH), Pure / gentle
Luz : (LOOZH), Light
Mel : (MEHL), Honey
Nisa : (NEE-zah), Gentle
Rita : (REE-tah), Pearl
Teca : (TEH-kah), Sweet diminutive
Vica : (VEE-kah), Victory / life

Russian

Beautiful Russian names such as Anya, Kira and Nina have long been popular outside Russia but there are plenty of other pretty but rare options ...

Anya : (AHN-yah), Grace
Inna : (EEN-nah), Pure
Kira : (KEE-rah), Beloved
Lera : (LEH-rah), Strong
Masha : (MAH-shah), Beloved
Nina : (NEE-nah), Crown
Olya : (OHL-yah), Holy
Sonya : (SOHN-yah), Wisdom
Taya : (TAY-ah), Ray of light
Yana : (YAH-nah), God is gracious

Scandinavian

Scandinavian names have a very distinctive feel so are a good place to look for something rare or unique ...

Aina : (EYE-nah), Always, Norse
Alma : (AHL-mah), Loving, Scandinavian
Ebba : (EBB-ah), Strong, Scandinavian
Liv : (LEEV), Life, Scandinavian
Lykke : (LUR-keh), Happiness, Scandinavian
Moa : (MOH-ah), Little mother / sweet, Swedish
Sif : (SIFF), Bride, Old Norse
Signe : (SEEG-neh), New victory, Old Norse
Siri : (SEE-ree), Beautiful victory, Scandinavian
Tuva : (TOO-vah), Tuft of grass, Scandinavian
Ylva : (EEL-vah), She-wolf, Scandinavian

Slavic

The Slavic languages - including Polish, Serbian, Croatian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Czech and Slovakian - are very close to Russian but have lots of lesser known cute short names ...

Basia : (BAH-shah), Sweet diminutive, Polish
Bisa : (BEE-sah), Pearl, Serbian
Dunja : (DOO-nyah), Quince fruit, Serbian / Croatian
Iskra : (EES-krah), Little spark, South Slavic
Lesya : (LEH-syah), Sweet defender, Ukrainian
Luba : (LOO-bah), Love, Czech / Ukrainian
Nela : (NEH-lah), Sweet diminutive, Czech / Polish
Ola : (OH-lah), Sweet diminutive, Polish
Olya : (OH-lyah), Sweet light, Ukrainian
Rada : (RAH-dah), Joyful / happy, Serbian / Bulgarian

Spanish

All the closely related Spanish languages - Castilian, Galician, Catalan and Asturian - have lots of sweet short names with lovely meanings ...

Alba : (AHL-bah), Dawn, Spanish
Brisa : (BREE-sah), Breeze, Spanish
Iria : (EE-ryah), Peace, Galician
Laia : (LYE-ah), Sweet-spoken, Catalan
Neva : (NEH-vah), Snow, Spanish
Paz : (PAHZ), Peace, Spanish
Pili : (PEE-lee), Sweet diminutive, Spanish
Rita : (REE-tah), Pearl, Spanish
Vega : (VEH-gah), Meadow, Spanish
Xana : (SHAH-nah), Water nymph, Asturian

Basque which has different origins was covered separately above.

African

Akan

Akan is spoken in Ghana and well known for traditional day-of-the-week names that are meant to capture the character of a child born on that day ...

Adom : (ah-DOHM), Grace
Akos : (ah-KOHS), Born on Sunday
Ama : (AH-mah), Born on Saturday
Badu : (BAH-doo), Tenth-born
Esi : (EH-see), Born on Sunday
Mansa : (MAHN-sah), Third-born
Nyame : (NYAH-meh), Blessing
Serwaa : (SEHR-wah), Noble
Sika : (SEE-kah), Gold / wealth
Tena : (TEH-nah), Resilient

It's the same idea I guess as the old rhyme Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace etc ...

Amharic

Amharic is a Semitic language spoken in Ethiopia with elegant, rhythmic naming roots ...

Beti : (BEH-tee), Sweet diminutive
Fifi : (FEE-fee), Blooming
Hana : (HAH-nah), Grace / blossom
Liyu : (LEE-yoo), Unique
Luam : (LOO-ahm), Peaceful
Mena : (MEH-nah), Gentle
Saba : (SAH-bah), Morning
Selam : (seh-LAHM), Peace
Zala : (ZAH-lah), Shining
Zene : (ZEH-neh), Beautiful

East African

Languages spoken in East Africa include Swahili (see separately below), Somali spoken in Somalia, Oromo spoken in Kenya and Kinyarwanda spoken in Rwanda ...

Ayan : (EYE-ahn), Lucky, Somali
Fidda : (FEED-dah), Silver, Oromo
Idil : (ee-DEEL), Perfect, Somali
Iman : (ee-MAHN), Faith, Somali
Nimo : (NEE-moh), Blessing, Somali
Sifa : (SEE-fah), Praise / virtue, Kinyarwanda
Ubax : (OO-bah), Flower, Somali
Waris : (WAH-rees), Desert flower, Somali
Xorri : (HOH-ree), Free, Somali
Zahra : (ZAH-rah), Flower, Somali

North African - Amazigh

Amazigh - also known as Berber - is spoken across North Africa from Morocco and Algeria where it is the official language through Egypt ...

Damya : (DAM-yah), Sweet / brave
Daya : (DAH-yah), Bright pond
Dihya : (DEEH-yah), Wise
Izza : (EEZ-zah), Precious
Kenza : (KEN-zah), Treasure
Lalla : (LAHL-lah), Gentle lady
Mena : (MEH-nah), Gentle mother
Silya : (SEEL-yah), Melody
Tala : (TAH-lah), Freshwater spring
Tifa : (TEE-fah), Morning light

Southern African

Languages spoken in southern include Zulu (see separately below), Sotho, Tswana, Shona and Xhosa ...

Bokang : (boh-KAHNG), Praise, Sotho
Kamo : (KAH-moh), Welcome, Sotho / Tswana
Kimi : (KEE-mee), Joyful, Shona
Pula : (POO-lah), Rain, Tswana
Rudo : (ROO-doh), Love, Shona
Tari : (TAH-ree), Hope, Shona
Tino : (TEE-noh), Precious, Shona
Tsitsi : (SEET-see), Mercy / grace, Shona
Vuyo : (VOO-yoh), Joy, Xhosa
Zine : (ZEE-neh), Calm, Xhosa

Swahili

Swahili is spoken by over 200 million people in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo ...

Ada : (AH-dah), Ornament
Kiki : (KEE-kee), Sweet diminutive
Lulu : (LOO-loo), Pearl
Nia : (NEE-ah), Purpose
Pili : (PEE-lee), Second-born
Raha : (RAH-hah), Joy
Siti : (SEE-tee), Lady
Zara : (ZAH-rah), Blossom
Zari : (ZAH-ree), Golden
Zuri : (ZOO-ree), Beautiful

West African

A wide range of languages are spoken in west Africa including smaller languages such as Mende, Mandinka and Wolof through to wide spoken languages such as Igbo, Fulani, Hausa and Yoruba (see separately below) ...

Ada : (AH-dah), Firstborn daughter, Igbo
Awa : (AH-wah), First woman, Wolof
Binta : (BEEN-tah), Daughter, Mandinka
Fatou : (FAH-too), Dedicated, Wolof
Kadi : (KAH-dee), Firstborn, Mandinka
Mari : (MAH-ree), Beloved, Fulani
Sia : (SEE-ah), Firstborn, Mende
Sona : (SOH-nah), Gold, Wolof
Uzo : (OO-zoh), Path / road, Igbo
Zainab : (ZYEN-ab), Fragrant flower, Hausa

Yoruba

Yoruba - spoken in south west Nigeria, Benin and Togo - is famous for vibrant, vowel-rich names ...

Ayo : (AH-yoh), Joy
Bisi : (BEE-see), Increased joy
Dara : (DAH-rah), Beautiful
Fola : (FOH-lah), Honor / wealth
Kemi : (KEH-mee), Loved / cherished
Ola : (OH-lah), Wealth / high status
Sade : (shah-DAY), Honor confers a crown
Tayo : (TAH-yoh), Full of joy
Titi : (TEE-tee), Forever
Yemi : (YEH-mee), Befitting me

Zulu

Zulu is spoken mainly in South Africa and is the most widely spoken first language in the country ...

Buhle : (BOO-hleh), Beauty
Gugu : (GOO-goo), Precious
Lindi : (LEEN-dee), Patient
Nandi : (NAHN-dee), Sweet
Nomsa : (NOHM-sah), Caring
Sindi : (SEEN-dee), Independent
Thandi : (TAHN-dee), Loving
Zama : (ZAH-mah), Strive
Zine : (ZEE-neh), Calm
Zola : (ZOH-lah), Peaceful

Asian

Bengali

Bengali is spoken in Bangladesh and West Bengal (an Indian province) and is the second most spoken language in India ...

Breeti : (BREE-tee), Joy / affection
Hiya : (HEE-yah), Heart
Jhumur : (ZHOO-moor), Sound of anklet bells
Kuhu : (KOO-hoo), Cuckoo's song
Misti : (MEE-stee), Sweet
Piu : (PEE-oo), Sweet bird chirp
Rimi : (REE-mee), Sound of rain
Tiya : (TEE-yah), Little parrot
Tuki : (TOO-kee), Peek-a-boo / little one
Tuli : (TOO-lee), Painter's brush

Caucasian

The Caucasus is the region that divides the Black Sea from the Caspian Sea and includes the countries of Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan plus provinces such as Chechnya in the Russian Federation ...

Ani : (AH-nee), Graceful, Armenian
Anoush : (ah-NOOSH), Sweet, Armenian
Ayla : (EYE-lah), Moonlit / halo, Azeri
Ia : (EE-ah), Violet flower, Georgian
Kheda : (KHAY-dah), Pure, Chechen
Lala : (LAH-lah), Tulip / sweet flower, Azeri
Lizi : (LEE-zee), Gentle diminutive, Georgian
Narin : (nah-REEN), Delicate / slender, Azeri
Raya : (RAH-yah) – Ray of light / sweet hope, Avar
Sida : (SEE-dah), Sweet light, Circassian

Central Asian

The Central Asian region includes the languages of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The first four languages are close to Turkish whilst Tajik is related to Persian ...

Aray : (AH-rye), Ray of dawn, Kazakh
Aru : (AH-roo), Beautiful, Kazakh
Asal : (AH-sal), Honey, Uzbek
Ayna : (EYE-nah), Clear / mirror, Turkmen
Bota : (BOH-tah), Sweetheart / little camel, Kazakh
Inzhu : (EEN-zhoo), Pearl, Kazakh
Nuray : (NOO-rye), Moonbeam, Kazakh / Kyrgyz
Shirin : (SHEE-reen), Sweet, Uzbek / Tajik
Simin : (SEE-meen), Silver, Tajik
Zere : (ZEH-reh), Golden / precious, Kazakh

Chinese

Mandarin and Cantonese have a lovely tradition of repeating syllables to create cute names for girls ...

Doudou : (DOW-dow), Little bean
Lele : (LUH-luh), Joy / happiness
Meimei : (MAY-may), Little sister / beautiful
Mengmeng : (MUNG-mung), Little sprout / adorable
Niannian : (NYEN-nyen), Sweet memory
Nuonuo : (NWO-nwo), Soft & sweet-tempered
Qiqi : (CHEE-chee), Little miracle / fine jade
Tangtang : (TAHN-tahn), Little candy
Tiantian : (TYEN-tyen), Sweetness
Xiaoxiao : (SYOW-syow), Gentle rain

Hindi-Urdu

Hindu and Urdu are fundamentally the same spoken language - though written differently - and share similar adorably short names for girls ...

Aira : (EYE-rah), Gentle breeze, Urdu
Diya : (DEE-yah), Little lamp, Hindi
Jiya : (JEE-yah), Sweetheart, Hindi
Kavya : (KAHV-yah), Poetry, Hindi
Meera : (MEE-rah), Prosperous / devotee, Hindi
Pihu : (PEE-hoo), Sweet bird song, Hindi
Riya : (REE-yah), Graceful singer, Hindi
Ruhi : (ROO-hee), Soulful, Urdu
Soni : (SOH-nee), Pretty, Hindi
Zoya : (ZOH-yah), Caring / life, Urdu

Korean

Korean is a unique language that doesn't share vocabulary with any others, so is a great source of original and unusual short girls names ...

Bomi : (BOH-mee), Springtime
Bora : (BOH-rah), Purple
Danbi : (DAN-bee), Sweet rain
Dasom : (DAH-som), Love
Duri : (DOO-ree), Together / two
Iseul : (EE-seul), Dewdrop
Nabi : (NAH-bee), Butterfly
Nari : (NAH-ree), Lily
Suni : (SOO-nee), Pure kindness
Yeori : (YEO-ree), Delicate / tender

Japanese

Japanese has a lovely collection of very short girls names that almost all end very cutely in a, i or o ...

Airi : (EYE-ree), Jasmine / love
Aoi : (AH-oy), Hollyhock
Hana : (HAH-nah), Flower
Kimi : (KEE-mee), Righteous
Mai : (MY), Dance
Niko : (NEE-ko), Two lakes
Ren : (REN), Lotus
Rio : (REE-oh), White jasmine
Sora : (SOH-rah), Sky
Yumi : (YOO-mee), Beautiful

Pacific

The Pacific island languages including Hawaiian, Maori and Samoan have some lovely very short names inspired by nature ...

Kala : (KAH-lah), Sun, Hawaiian
Kiri : (KEE-ree), Tree bark, Māori
Kuru : (KOO-roo), Fern, Māori
Lani : (LAH-nee), Sky / heavenly, Hawaiian
Lupe : (LOO-peh), Dove, Samoan
Mele : (MEH-leh), Song, Hawaiian
Nani : (NAH-nee), Beautiful, Hawaiian
Pipi : (PEE-pee), Shell, Māori
Pua : (POO-ah), Flower, Hawaiian
Sina : (SEE-nah), Moon / silver, Samoan

South Asian

Other languages spoken in South Asia on the Indian sub-continent include Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, Telegu and Marathi which have sweet short names that are often less familiar in the West than those from Hindi and Urdu ...

Anvi : (AHN-vee), Nature, Sanskrit / South Indian
Charvi : (CHAR-vee), Beautiful, South Indian
Kani : (KAH-nee), Sweet fruit, Tamil
Laya : (LAH-yah), Rhythm, South Indian
Mahi : (MAH-hee), Earth / river, Gujarati
Navi : (NAH-vee), New / fresh, Punjabi
Nimmi : (NEEM-mee), Affectionate diminutive, Punjabi
Nivi : (NEE-vee), Gentle foundation, Telugu
Ovi : (OH-vee), Sweet sacred poem, Marathi
Tanvi : (TAN-vee), Delicate, Gujarati

Southeast Asian

The different languages of south east Asia - including Cambodian, Thai, Burmese, Malay, Vietnamese and Lao - offer a great variety of pretty unusual girls names ...

Bopha : (BOH-fah), Flower, Cambodian
Bua : (BOO-ah), Lotus, Thai
Chaw : (CHAW), Sweet / cute, Burmese
Cinta : (CHEEN-tah), Love, Malay
Mali : (MAH-lee), Jasmine, Thai
Murni : (MOOR-nee), Pure, Malay
Mya : (MYAH), Emerald, Burmese
Neary : (NEE-ree), Little maiden, Cambodian
Nhi : (NYEE), Little one, Vietnamese
Noy : (NOY), Little one, Lao

Middle Eastern

Arabic

Arabic is spoken as a first or second language in many countries across the Middle East and North Africa ...

Aya : (EYE-ah), Miracle
Dina : (DEE-nah), Love
Farah : (FAH-rah), Joy
Hana : (HAH-nah), Happiness
Leila : (LAY-lah), Night
Lina : (LEE-nah), Delicate
Noor : (NOOR), Light
Reem : (REEM), White gazelle
Safa : (SAH-fah), Purity
Zara : (ZAH-rah), Blooming flower

Hebrew

Hebrew was for over 1500 years a religious and academic language like Latin but today over 9 million people speak it as a first or second language ...

Ada : (AH-dah), Adornment
Alma : (AHL-mah), Young maiden
Dara : (DAH-rah), Wisdom
Gila : (GEE-lah), Joy
Liri : (LEER-ee), Musical
Noa : (NOH-ah), Motion
Orli : (OR-lee), My light
Shira : (SHEE-rah), Song
Suri : (SOO-ree), Princess
Tali : (TAH-lee), Dewdrop

Other Middle Eastern

Other very old languages were spoken in the Middle East before the Arabian conquest and are still spoken by smaller communities today. Aramaic was the language Jesus spoke and Coptic is the last trace of the language of the pharaohs ...

Avin : (AH-veen), Love, Kurdish
Berfin : (BEHR-feen), Snowdrop, Kurdish
Delal : (deh-LAHL), Beloved, Kurdish
Helin : (heh-LEEN), Nest, Kurdish
Marta : (MAR-tah), Lady, Aramaic
Mirna : (MEER-nah), Gentle, Coptic
Naya : (NAH-yah), Fresh, Lebanese
Nisan : (NEE-sahn), Spring, Aramaic
Rojin : (roh-JEEN), Sunrise, Kurdish
Talya : (TAHL-yah), Dew, Aramaic

Persian

Persian is the ancient language that has been spoken in Iran for over 3,000 years right back to before king Cyrus the Great and has some lovely simple short girls names ...

Ava : (AH-vah), Voice / melody, Persian
Banu : (BAH-noo), Little lady, Persian
Bita : (BEE-tah), Unique / peerless, Persian
Goli : (GOH-lee), Rose-like / sweet flower, Persian
Nila : (NEE-lah), Sapphire / blue, Persian
Pari : (PAH-ree), Fairy, Persian
Roya : (ROH-yah), Sweet dream, Persian
Simi : (SEE-mee), Silvery, Persian
Zari : (ZAH-ree), Golden, Persian
Zhaleh : (ZHAH-leh), Dewdrop, Persian

Turkish

Turkish actually originates in Central Asia and has only been spoken in what is now Turkey since the 12th Century so the girls names have quite an unusual feel compared with their neighbours ...

Ayla : (EYE-lah), Moon halo
Buse : (BOO-seh), Kiss
Defne : (DEF-neh), Laurel tree
Duru : (DOO-roo), Pure / clear
Ece : (EH-jeh), Queen
Ela : (EH-lah), Hazel
Gece : (GEH-jeh), Night
Ipek : (EE-pek), Silk
Mavi : (MAH-vee), Blue
Nehir : (NEH-heer), River

Americas

Brazilian Portuguese

Portuguese has been spoken in Brazil for over 500 years and has developed its own sweet diminutives ...

Bruna : (BROO-nah), Warm
Celi : (SEH-lee), Heavenly
Gigi : (ZHEE-zhee), Earth worker
Luma : (LOO-mah), Brilliant light
Malu : (mah-LOO), Sweet
Nati : (NAH-tee), Born at Christmas
Nina : (NEE-nah), Little girl
Tati : (TAH-tee), Fairy queen
Yara : (YAH-rah), Water mother
Zuzu : (ZOO-zoo), Joyful diminutive

Caribbean

The Caribbean has an incredibly rich and diverse history of beautiful girls names that have intermingled original indigenous languages, e.g. Papiamento, Garifuna, with the African languages of the slave communities and the multiple European languages of the slave owners ...

Aba : (AH-bah), Thursday-born girl, Afro-Caribbean / Akan
Biba : (BEE-bah), Live / drink, Papiamento
Breya : (BRAY-ah), Beloved / strong, Haitian Creole
Cuba : (KOO-bah), Wednesday-born girl, Afro-Caribbean / Jamaican Maroon
Dounia : (DOO-nyah), Earth / life, Antillean French Creole
Dushi : (DOO-shee), Sweet / sweetheart, Papiamento
Ese : (EH-seh), Star, Garífuna
Iere : (ee-EHR), Land of the hummingbird, Arawak / Kalinago
Juba : (JOO-bah), Monday-born girl, Afro-Caribbean / Jamaican Maroon
Kairi : (KY-ree), Island, Arawak / Kalinago
Phara : (FAH-rah), Joy / light, Haitian Creole
Sola : (SOH-lah), Sun / lone star, Papiamento
Sula : (SOO-lah), Water, Garífuna / Miskito
Zemi : (ZEH-mee), Sacred spirit, Taíno

Indigenous North American

Indigenous North American languages are very rich in beautiful nature inspired names for girls ...

Citla : (SEET-lah), Star, Nahuatl
Itzel : (EET-zel), Rainbow goddess, Maya
Kimi : (KEE-mee), Secret, Algonquin
Nova : (NOH-vah), Butterfly, Hopi
Tala : (TAH-lah), Wolf, Lakota
Tate : (TAH-tay), Wind, Lakota
Tiva : (TEE-vah), Dance, Hopi
Xochi : (SOH-chee), Flower, Nahuatl
Yoki : (YOH-kee), Rain, Hopi
Zia : (ZEE-ah), Sun symbol, Zia Pueblo

Indigenous South American

South American girls names have been dominated for centuries by Spanish and Portuguese but there are wonderful indigenous alternatives ...

Aylen : (EYE-len), Clear / joy, Mapuche
Killa : (KEEL-yah), Moon, Quechua
Mailen : (MY-len), Princess / clear, Mapuche
Nayra : (NYE-rah), Firstborn / big-eyed, Aymara
Rayen : (rah-YEN), Flower, Mapuche
Sisa : (SEE-sah), Flower, Quechua
Suma : (SOO-mah), Beautiful, Quechua
Tainá : (tye-NAH), Star, Tupi-Guarani
Yara : (YAH-rah), Water mother, Tupi-Guarani
Yerí : (yeh-REE), Graceful, Guaraní

American Spanish

Spanish has been spoken in many countries in the Americas for over 500 years and American Spanish now has its own lovely short sweet girls names ...

Cami : (KAH-mee), Gentle / sweet diminutive, Argentina
Caro : (KAH-roh), Beloved / joy, Uruguay
Dani : (DAH-nee), God is my judge, Venezuela
Fefi : (FEH-fee), Sweet diminutive, Ecuador
Gabi : (GAH-bee), Hero of God, Chile
Lupe : (LOO-peh), River of the wolf / sweet diminutive, Mexico
Majo : (MAH-hoh), Joyful combination diminutive, Colombia
Mimi : (MEE-mee), Affectionate diminutive, Peru
Vale : (VAH-leh), Strong & brave, Costa Rica
Xime : (SEE-meh), Attentive listener, Mexico

So there you go, over 300 incredibly cute short girls names from around the world that make a lovely rare or even unique choice for your daughter or characters.