Many people gloss over girl names that start with U and believe them too obscure. Some may not even know how to differentiate between short U names for girls and their older, more formal counterparts.
Browse through our well-organized list of female names that start with U and discover all that these beautiful names have to offer. You’ll find a concise history of each name, variations, pronunciations, and famous namesakes. The only challenge you’ll have afterward is choosing your favorite one!
100 Cool Female Names That Start with U
These girl names that start with U are the best for your favorite baby girl.
Uainin
Uainin is one of the rarest Irish girl names that start with U. It may seem hard to pronounce, but Uainin is a very special way to call your baby girl a “little lamb.”
- Origin: Irish, Celtic
- Meaning: Little lamb
- Pronunciation: YUW-aey-Neyn
Uathach
Uathach comes from the Irish “úathach,” meaning “terrible” or “dreadful.” According to Irish mythology, Uathach was the daughter of Scáthach and ran a school for warriors. It’s also a character’s name in the White Wolf Wiki.
- Origin: Irish, Celtic
- Meaning: Terrible
- Pronunciation: Yoo-aey-Thaekh
Ubelia
Ubelia is an offbeat version of the Greek Ophelia, originating as “ōphéleia.” It also means “benefit” or “to avail” in Greek.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Help
- Pronunciation: Yoo-BEEL-iy-Ah
- Variations: Ophelia
- Popularity: Ubelia is very rare worldwide and mostly used in Mexico.
Uberta
Uberta is a vintage variation of the male German Hugiberht, meaning “bright heart” and “bright spirit.” Saint Hubertus was the first Bishop of Liège and the patron saint of hunters.
- Origin: Italian, German
- Meaning: Bright and shining intellect
- Pronunciation: Uw-BEHRT-aa
- Variations: Ubertah, Ubertha
- Popularity: Uberta is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Peru.
Ubertina
Ubertina is a variation of the German Hubertina, meaning “brilliant mind.” It’s also linked to Huberta, the female form of Hubert in honor of St. Hubert.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Brilliant mind
- Pronunciation: Uw-berh-TIYN-aa
- Variations: Hubertina
- Popularity: Ubertina is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Colombia.
Ubirajara
Ubirajara is made up of the Tupi “ybyra,” meaning “wood” and “stick,” plus “îara,” meaning “lord” and “master.” Ubirajara is an 1874 novel by José de Alencar, related to the Brazilian dinosaur name Ubirajara jubatus. Ubirajara is also a place name in São Paulo, Brazil.
- Origin: Brazilian, Tupi
- Meaning: Lord of the spear
- Pronunciation: Yuw-BIY-raa-JAH-raa
- Popularity: Ubirajara is rare worldwide and primarily used in Brazil, where it ranked 1,113rd in 2014.
Ubol
Ubol is an incredibly rare female name from Thailand, meaning “lotus flower.” It’s not used outside Thai culture and is even uncommon in Thailand.
- Origin: Thai
- Meaning: Lotus flower
- Pronunciation: YUW-bohl
- Namesakes: Ubol Ratana, a member of the Thai royal family and daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
- Popularity: Ubol is very rare worldwide and mostly used in Thailand.
Ubon
Like Ubol, Ubon also means “lotus flower” in Thai, but is somewhat more popular. It also has African origins, meaning “family” and “tribe.” Ubon Ratchathanione is one of the four major cities of Isan on the Mun River in southeast Thailand.
- Origin: Thai
- Meaning: Lotus
- Pronunciation: YUW-bohn
- Popularity: Ubon is rare worldwide and mainly used in Thailand, ranking 123rd in 2014.
Uchenna
Uchenna means “God’s wish,” “the will of God,” and “the wisdom of God” in the Nigerian-Igbo language. Though unisex, Uchenna is more common for boys.
- Origin: Nigerian, Igbo
- Meaning: God’s wish
- Pronunciation: Uw-CHEHN-ah
- Popularity: Uchenna is rare worldwide and primarily used in Nigeria, where it ranked 142nd in 2014.
Uchimakali
There is very little information about Uchimakali other than it’s the name of a Hindu god (or goddess). It’s a cool first or middle name for your baby girl that can be shortened to Uchi for fun.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: One of the Hindu gods
- Pronunciation: UW-Chee-maa-KAA-lee
- Popularity: Uchimakali is extremely rare worldwide, with just three known occurrences in 2014 in India.
Uda
Uda is a nickname for Udele and means “wealthy.” It’s also a Japanese “U” surname and a place name in Romania and Japan. The Uda River is in Russia, while the Uda language is in Nigeria.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Wealthy
- Pronunciation: UW-daa
- Variations: Udele
- Popularity: Uda is rare worldwide, mostly used in India, and ranked 1,684th in Jamaica in 2014.
Udatinka
Udatinka is one of several Indian female names that start with U. It means “satiety” and “satisfaction,” but is too rare for popularity stats, so claim it as your own!
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Satisfaction
- Pronunciation: Uw-dah-TIHNK-aa
Udaysah
Udaysah is among the rare Arabic U names for girls in Urdu. There are no popularity statistics for Udaysah, but the male name Uday means “runner” or “rising.” Udaysah is Ahban al-Ghifariyah’s daughter in Islamic texts.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: She was a narrator of Hadith
- Pronunciation: Uw-DAEY-saa
Udbala
Udbala means “ascending” and “prosperous” in Hindi. It’s also unisex and another name for Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Strong
- Pronunciation: Ued-BAAL-ah
- Popularity: Udbala is extremely rare worldwide, with just 12 known occurrences in 2014, mainly in India.
Udea
Udea is the main character in the North African folktale, “Udea and her Seven Brothers.” Her name relates to “wada’a,” meaning “sends away.” Udea is also an East Frisian feminine form of Udde and a member of the Crambidae moth family.
- Origin: Indian, African
- Meaning: Sends away
- Pronunciation: UW-diy-Ah
- Popularity: Udea is extremely rare worldwide, with 27 known occurrences in 2014, primarily in India.
Udelia
Udelia means “praise God” and “fortunate or prosperous in battle” in Hebrew. It’s spelled similarly to Delia, meaning “of Delos” in Greek.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Song
- Pronunciation: Uw-DIYL-iy-Ah
- Popularity: Udelia is very rare worldwide and primarily used in Mexico.
Udita
In Sanskrit, Udita means “grown,” “ascended,” or “sunrise.” Udit is an unusual derivative of Udita that’s sometimes used.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: One who has risen
- Pronunciation: Uw-DIY-taa
- Variations: Uditi
- Namesakes: Udita Goswami, an Indian actress known for Diary of a Butterfly (2012). Udita Duhan, an Indian field hockey player for the Indian national team.
- Popularity: Udita is very rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 1,352nd in Uganda in 2014.
Uduak
Uduak also means “desire” in the Nigerian-Ibibio language of southern Nigeria. It’s quite popular there but barely used in other parts of the world.
- Origin: Nigerian, Ibibio
- Meaning: Will
- Pronunciation: UW-duw-Ahk
- Namesakes: Uduak Amimo, a Kenyan journalist who hosts Cheche on Citizen TV (2012 to 2017). Joan Uduak Ekah, a Nigerian sprinter and bronze medalist at the 1998 World Junior Championships.
- Popularity: Uduak is rare worldwide and primarily used in Nigeria, running 377th in 2014.
Udyati
In addition to “elevated,” Udyati is among multiple Indian girl names with U meaning “ascended” and “rising.” It can specifically refer to “one who is highly exalted” when your little girl is the best at everything.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Elevated
- Pronunciation: Uwd-YAA-tee
- Popularity: Udyati is extremely rare worldwide, with just six known occurrences in 2014 in India.
Ufuoma
Ufuoma means “peace of mind” in the Nigerian Urhobo language. It’s pretty common in Nigeria but almost unheard of elsewhere.
- Origin: Nigerian, Urhobo
- Meaning: Peace of mind
- Pronunciation: Uw-FOA-maa
- Namesakes: Ufuoma McDermott, a Nigerian model and winner of the Miss Earth Nigeria beauty pageant in 2004.
- Popularity: Ufuoma is rare worldwide and mostly used in Nigeria, where it ranked 875th in 2014.
Ugnė
Ugnė comes from the Lithuanian “ugnis,” meaning “fire,” ranked 3rd in Lithuania in 2010. Ugnė is also sometimes used in Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Danish cultures.
- Origin: Lithuanian
- Meaning: Fire
- Pronunciation: OOG-Nee
- Namesakes: Ugnė Karvelis, a Lithuanian writer and member of the UNESCO Executive Board from 1997 to 2002. Ugnė Mažutaitytė, a Lithuanian swimmer who competed at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships.
- Popularity: Ugnė is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Lithuania, ranking 637th in 2014.
Ugoulo
Like many Nigerian names, Ugoulo has a specific meaning in the Igbo language. It means the “pride of a home” and is so rarely found that it has no known popularity facts.
- Origin: Nigerian, Igbo
- Meaning: Pride of a home
- Pronunciation: UW-guw-Loh
Uiara
Uiara is based in the native Brazilian Tupi language from “yîara,” meaning “water” and “îara,” meaning “lord” and “lady.” In ancient Tupi and Guaraní mythology, Uiara is known as the “lady of the lake.” She’s also called Mãe das Águas, meaning “mother of the waters.”
- Origin: Brazilian, Portuguese
- Meaning: The water lady
- Pronunciation: YAAR-aa
- Variations: Yara, Iara
- Popularity: Uiara is very rare worldwide and primarily used in Brazil.
Ujala
Ujala’s meanings include everything from “daylight” and “sunshine” to “daybreak” and “dawn.” When spelled Ujalaa, meaning “luminosity,” it’s also the title of a 1959 Bollywood romantic crime film.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: UW-jaa-Lah
- Variations: Ujaalaa
- Popularity: Ujala is rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Ujila
Ujila is another obscure form of the Indian Ujvala. It also means “sunrise” for baby girls as bright as the dawn.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: UW-jhiy-Laa
- Popularity: Ujila is very rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Ujwala
Like other Hindi women’s names that start with U, Ujwala means “bright” and “lustrous.” It also means “splendorous” and has similar meanings in Arabic.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Bright
- Pronunciation: OOJH-waa-Lah
- Variations: Ujjwala
- Namesakes: Ujwala Nikam, an Indian cricketer for the Maharashtra women’s cricket team.
- Popularity: Ujwala is rare worldwide and primarily used in India, ranking 1,088th in 2014.
Ukaleq
Ukaleq is the only example of a name for girls that start with U from Greenland. It means the “hare from the Arctic” in Eskimo-Aleut and Greenlandic. It also means “polar hare” for the world’s coldest bunny and is too rare for any popularity statistics.
- Origin: Greenlandic
- Meaning: Hare from the Arctic
- Pronunciation: Uw-KAH-lehk
- Variations: Uqalik
- Namesakes: Ukaleq Slettemark, a Greenlandic biathlete and gold medalist at the 2019 Biathlon Junior World Championships.
Uki
Uki has more than one meaning in Japanese, including “air,” “space,” “hope,” and “pray.” It’s a Japanese nickname for Ukina, meaning “snow” and “endure.” Uki is also a boy’s name, meaning “sadness” in Swahili. Uki is also a Japanese city in Kumamoto.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Air, space
- Pronunciation: UW-Kiy
- Variations: Ukie
- Popularity: Uki is rare worldwide and mostly used in Indonesia.
Ukiyo
Ukiyo means “rabbit” in Japanese, as well as “period,” “substitute,” and “generation.” In Buddhism, “ukiyo” is associated with the “transient, unreliable world.”
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Season, time
- Pronunciation: Yuw-KIY-yow
- Variations: Yukiyo
- Popularity: Ukiyo is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Japan.
Ulalume
Ulalume derives from the Latin “lumen,” meaning “light,” or the Latin “ululare,” meaning “to shriek” or “to wail.” It’s famous because of Edgar Allen Poe’s 1847 poem, Ulalume.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: UW-laa-Luhm
- Popularity: Ulalume is extremely rare worldwide, with just 15 known occurrences in 2014, primarily in Mexico.
Ulani
Ulani is a variation of U’i lani, meaning “heavenly beauty” in Hawaiian. It wasn’t used in the mainland U.S. until the 20th-century. “Ułani, ułani, chłopcy malowani” is also the name of a 1932 Polish film directed by Mieczysław Krawicz.
- Origin: Hawaiian
- Meaning: Cheerful
- Pronunciation: Uw-LAA-Niy
- Variations: Ulane, Ulanee, Ulaney, Ulanie, Ulany
- Popularity: Ulani is very rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Uli
Ulli is a Scandinavian diminutive meaning “young,” based on the Latin name Julia. It’s unisex, so it’s also related to Ulrich. Ulla also means “wealthy” and “gem of the sea” and is another version of Ula.
- Origin: Scandinavian, Latin
- Meaning: Youthful
- Pronunciation: UW-lee
- Variations: Ulli
- Namesakes: Uli Derickson, a German-American flight attendant known for her bravery during the hijacking of TWA Flight 847. Uli Herzner, a German-American fashion designer appearing on the third season of the Bravo series Project Runway.
- Popularity: Ulli is rare worldwide and primarily used in Germany, where it ranked 679th in 2014.
Uliana
Like Julia, Uliana means “youthful” or “downy,” as one of a few Russian forms of Juliana. When based on the Roman Julian, it originally meant “downy-bearded” or “soft-haired.”
- Origin: Slavic, Russian
- Meaning: Youthful
- Pronunciation: Uw-liy-AEN-Ah
- Variations: Ulyana, Ulana
- Namesakes: Uliana Olshanska, the Grand Duchess of Lithuania from 1418 to 1430. Uliana Donskova, a Russian rhythmic gymnast and the 2012 European Group All-around gold medalist.
- Popularity: Uliana is rare worldwide and mainly used in Ukraine, where it ranked 87th in 2014.
Ulima
Ulima means “astute” or “wise,” like many Arabic names, but it’s far less common than most. Outside of India or American Samoa, Ulima can hardly be found.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Wise
- Pronunciation: Uw-LIY-maa
- Popularity: Ulima is very rare worldwide, primarily used in India, and ranked 1,982nd in American Samoa in 2014.
Uliuli
Uliuli is one of the most unusual Hawaiian girl names that start with U. It means “blue” but also refers to “green,” “black,” or any “dark color.”
- Origin: Hawaiian
- Meaning: Blue
- Pronunciation: Uw-Lee-UW-liy
- Popularity: Uliuli is extremely rare worldwide, with just four known occurrences in 2014, mostly in Papua New Guinea.
Ulka
Ulka is a nickname for the German Ulrica, meaning “power of the wolf.” It’s made up of the Old German “uodal,” meaning “heritage” and “rihhi,” meaning “powerful” and “ruler.” Ulka also means “fiery phenomenon in the sky” or “shooting star” in Sanskrit.
- Origin: German, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Power of the wolf
- Pronunciation: UWL-Kaa
- Namesakes: Ulka Gupta, an Indian actress known for the soap opera Jhansi Ki Rani.
- Popularity: Ulka is rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 636th in Belarus in 2014.
Ulla
Ulla means “determination” in Germany and Scandinavia, as a short form of Ursula. It’s also linked to Ulrika in Norse and, when spelled Ullah, means “of Allah” or “of The God” in Arabic.
- Origin: Scandinavian, German
- Meaning: Will
- Pronunciation: UW-laa
- Variations: Ullah
- Namesakes: Ulla Essendrop, a Danish TV presenter who hosted the sports show Essendrop & Eliten in 2013. Ulla Lindström, the first woman in Sweden to be acting Prime Minister in 1958.
- Popularity: Ulla is rare worldwide and primarily used in Sweden, ranking 27th in 2014.
Uloaku
Uloaku is one of several rare Nigerian female names that start with U. It refers to a “bank” or a “house of wealth” and doesn’t appear outside Nigeria often.
- Origin: Nigerian, Igbo
- Meaning: Bank
- Pronunciation: Uw-luw-AH-Kuw
- Popularity: Uloaku is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Nigeria.
Ulrika
Ulrika means “prosperity and power” as a feminine form of Ulric. It’s inspired by Ulric, a 9th-century saint, and also means “noble ruler.” The Germanic diminutive for Ulrika is Ullie, which appears in Sweden as Ulla.
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: Wealthy ruler
- Pronunciation: Uwl-REE-kah
- Variations: Ulrica
- Namesakes: Ulrika Björn, a Swedish footballer for Djurgården IF. Ulrika Jonsson, a Swedish-British TV presenter appearing on the BBC Two show Shooting Stars.
- Popularity: Ulrika is rare worldwide and primarily used in Sweden, where it ranked 115th in 2014.
Ululani
Ululani’s Hawaiian meanings include “inspired by heaven” and “heavenly grove.” It can mean “raised to prominence” or “a royal assemblage or collection.” Ululani is made up of “ulu,” meaning “be inspired” and “lani,” meaning “sky.”
- Origin: Hawaiian
- Meaning: Divine inspiration
- Pronunciation: UW-luw-LAA-Niy
- Variations: Ululanee, Ululaney, Ululanie, Ululany
- Namesakes: Ululani, a Hawaiian chiefess known as Ululani Nui (“Ululani the Great”). Ululani Lewai Baker, the last Governess of the island of Hawaii from 1886 to 1888.
- Popularity: Ululani is very rare worldwide and mostly used in the U.S.
Uluwehi
Uluwehi also refers to “flourishing plants” or “growing in beauty.” It’s one of the prettiest (and rarest) Hawaiian U names for girls who love getting earthy.
- Origin: Hawaiian
- Meaning: Lush garden
- Pronunciation: Uw-luw-WEH-HHiy
- Popularity: Uluwehi is extremely rare worldwide, with 20 known occurrences in 2014, in the U.S.
Ulva
Ulva is based on the Old Norse “úlfr,” meaning “wolf.” It means “wolf island” or “Ulfr’s island” in Old Norse since there’s an island called Ulva in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland.
- Origin: German, Scandinavian
- Meaning: Wolf
- Pronunciation: UWL-Vah
- Variations: Ulvah, Ulvya
- Namesakes: Ulva Belsham, a New Zealand radio operator, made a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order at the 1977 Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
- Popularity: Ulva is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Indonesia.
Ulyana
Like Uliana, Ulyana ultimately derives from the Roman name Juliana. It’s based in Russian and is one of several girls’ names translated to a version of Julia in English.
- Origin: Russian
- Meaning: Youthful, downy
- Pronunciation: Uwl-YAA-nah
- Variations: Uliana
- Namesakes: Ulyana Voitsik, a Belarusian ice hockey player for HK Pantera Minsk. Ulyana Sergeenko, a Kazakh-Russian fashion designer known for the Ulyana Sergeenko brand.
- Popularity: Ulyana is rare worldwide, is primarily used in Russia, and ranked 116th in Belarus in 2014.
Ulyssa
Ulyssa is the feminine form of the vintage male name Ulysses, meaning “walker.” It originated from the ancient Greek “odýssomai,” meaning “full of anger” or “wrathful.” Ulyssa is also linked to the Latin version, Ulysses, the hero in Homer’s “Odyssey.”
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Walker
- Pronunciation: Yuw-LIH-saa
- Variations: Ulyssia
- Popularity: Ulyssa is very rare worldwide and mostly used in the U.S.
Uma
In Sanskrit, Uma means “peace,” “nation,” “splendor,” and “tranquility.” It’s also one of several Indian girl names used for the Hindu goddess Parvati.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Light
- Pronunciation: UW-Maa
- Variations: Umah, Umma
- Namesakes: Uma Thurman, an American actress known for Pulp Fiction (1994). Uma Krishnaswami, an Indian children’s book author who won the 1997 Scientific American Young Readers Award for The Broken Tusk: Stories.
- Popularity: Uma ranked 702nd worldwide and is mainly used in India, ranking 89th in 2014.
Umay
Umay comes from the Turkish “umāy,” meaning “placenta” or “afterbirth.” It came to mean “hope” from the Turkish mythological figure of Umay. She is the mother goddess of women, children, childbirth, and fertility.
- Origin: Turkish
- Meaning: Hope
- Pronunciation: Uw-MEY
- Variations: Umae, Umai
- Popularity: Umay is very rare worldwide and primarily used in Indonesia.
Umayma
Umayma comes from the Arabic “umama,” from “umm,” meaning “mother,” “origin,” or “source.” Umayma becomes a nickname meaning “little mother” when your baby girl wants to be everyone’s mommy.
- Origin: Egyptian
- Meaning: Little mother
- Pronunciation: UW-may-Mah
- Variations: Umaima
- Popularity: Umayma is very rare worldwide and mostly used in Somalia, where it ranked 1,811th in 2014.
Umberta
Umberta is the classy female form of the Italian Umberto, from the French and German Humbert. It also means “powerful” and “illustrious,” inspired by Umberto I, the king of Italy from 1878 to 1900.
- Origin: Italian, German
- Meaning: Famous warrior
- Pronunciation: Uwm-BEHR-taa
- Popularity: Umberta is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Italy, ranking 1,659th in 2014.
Umbria
Umbria is part of the Italian phrase “terra d’ombra,” meaning “earth of Umbria.” It’s also associated with the Latin “umbra,” meaning “shadow.” The Umbri were a tribe based in ancient Italy that influenced the modern-day region of Umbria.
Umbril
Associated with Umbria, Umbril means “one in the shadow.” English writer Alexander Pope used the name for a sprite in the 1712 poem The Rape of the Lock.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: One in the shadow
- Pronunciation: Uwm-BREEHL
- Variations: Umbrille
- Popularity: Umbrill is extremely rare worldwide, with just four known occurrences in 2014, mostly in Indonesia.
Umiaktorvik
Umiaktorvik is one of a few girl names with U that’s been around for eons without being seen. It’s of Inuit origins and means “river.” The Inuit people can be found near Arctic areas, including Greenland, Quebec, and Alaska.
- Origin: Native American
- Meaning: River
- Pronunciation: UW-mee-Ahk-TOHR-vihk
Umihana
Like other Bosnian names, Umihana has Arabic origins and means “mother of Hani.” Hani itself derives from the Arabic “hānī,” meaning “carefree” and “happy.”
- Origin: Bosnian, Arabic
- Meaning: Mother of Hani
- Pronunciation: Uw-miy-HAA-nah
- Namesakes: Umihana Čuvidina, a Bosnian poet and the earliest Bosnian female author.
- Popularity: Umihana is very rare worldwide, mainly used in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ranked 656th in Montenegro in 2014.
Ümit
Ümit means “hope” as a first name and surname, originating from the Persian Omid. Ümit is also a village in the Kastamonu region of Turkey.
- Origin: Turkish
- Meaning: Hope
- Pronunciation: AHMIHT
- Namesakes: Ümit Boyner, a Turkish businesswoman and one of the co-founders of the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey.
- Popularity: Ümit is rare worldwide, primarily used in Kazakhstan, and ranked 480th in Turkmenistan in 2014.
Umnia
Umnia is one of the lesser-known Arabic women’s names that start with U. It’s a 5-letter first name meaning “longing.” When spelled Umniah, it’s the name of a Jordanian mobile network operator.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Desire
- Pronunciation: UHM-niy-Ah
- Variations: Umniya, Umniah
- Popularity: Umnia is very rare worldwide, primarily used in Egypt, and ranked 1,551st in Somaliland in 2014.
Umoja
Umoja also means “harmony” in Portuguese and is quite typical in Brazil, where it’s common for boys. Umoja is also known as the first of The Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba), celebrated during Kwanzaa.
- Origin: Portuguese
- Meaning: Unity
- Pronunciation: UW-moh-Jaa
- Popularity: Umoja is very rare worldwide and mainly used in DR Congo.
Umuto
Umuto has other meanings, including “book,” “main,” “true,” and “real.” It’s sometimes associated with Oomoto-kyo, a Japanese religion founded in 1892 linked with Shintoism.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Rabbit, hare
- Pronunciation: Uw-MOUW-toh
- Popularity: Umuto is extremely rare worldwide, with just five known occurrences in 2014, primarily in Turkey.
Una
Una means “one” and “only” in Latin, but comes from the Irish “uan,” meaning “lamb.” Una is the name for the Queen of the Fairies in Irish mythology.
- Origin: Irish, Latin
- Meaning: Lamb
- Pronunciation: UW-Naa
- Variations: Oona, Unagh, Unah, Unna, Unnah
- Namesakes: Una Stubbs, a British actress known for the series Sherlock (2010 to 2017). Una Mullally, an Irish columnist with The Irish Times.
- Popularity: Una is rare worldwide and mostly used in Ireland, ranking 137th in 2014.
Unathi
Unathi means “he or she is with us” in the South African Xhosa language. It’s made up of “u,” meaning “he/she” “and “nathi,” meaning “with us.”
- Origin: African, Xhosa
- Meaning: God is with us
- Pronunciation: Uw-NAA-thee
- Variations: Unathee, Unathey, Unathie
- Namesakes: Unathi Mali, a South African rugby sevens player who competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
- Popularity: Unathi is rare worldwide and mainly used in South Africa, where it ranked 573rd in 2014.
Undine
Undine means “little wave” from the Latin “unda.” In the 1566 book, Paracelsus’ A Book on Nymphs, Undine is the spirit of the waters.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Of the waves
- Pronunciation: UHN-deen
- Variations: Ondine, Undina
- Popularity: Undine is very rare worldwide, primarily used in Germany, and ranked 536th in Barbados in 2014.
Undómiel
Undómiel is the only fully created literary name among names for girls that start with U. It’s another name for the elf Arwen in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and means “evening star.”
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Evening star
- Pronunciation: Uhn-DUW-mee-Ehl
Unice
Unice is an offshoot of the Greek spelling of Eunice, meaning “good victory.” In the New Testament of the Bible, Eunice is the mother of Timothy.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Good victory
- Pronunciation: EWE-nihs
- Variations: Eunice
- Popularity: Unice is rare worldwide, mostly used in Nigeria, and ranked 715th in Zambia in 2014.
Union
Union is associated with the Welsh “uniawn,” meaning “upright” or “just.” It’s inspired by Einion, an 11th-century Welsh warrior prince and the son of Collwyn.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Upright
- Pronunciation: EWE-Nyohn
- Popularity: Union is very rare worldwide, mainly used in Ethiopia, and ranked 1,836th in New Zealand in 2014.
Unique
Unique’s meaning reflects the fact that it’s more of a word than a name. It means “the only one of its kind” and was used in the 17th-century from the French “unicus,” meaning “one.”
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Only one
- Pronunciation: Uw-NEEK
- Popularity: Unique is very rare worldwide, primarily used in DR Congo, and ranked 1,818th in Malawi in 2014.
Unita
Unita represents the original Middle English spelling of “unity,” meaning “oneness.” Like other virtue names, the Puritans sometimes used Unita, but not as much as Hope or Charity.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Oneness
- Pronunciation: YUW-niy-Tah
- Variations: Unitea
- Namesakes: Unita Blackwell, an American civil rights activist and the first African-American woman mayor in Mississippi from 1976 to 2001.
- Popularity: Unita is rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Unity
Unity derives from the Middle English Unita, meaning “oneness.” The Puritans used it after the Reformation, but it’s still quite unconventional for a first or last name.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Oneness
- Pronunciation: YUW-nih-Tiy
- Variations: Uniti, Unitee
- Namesakes: Unity Phelan, an American principal ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet since 2021. Unity Dow, the Motswana Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from 2019 to 2020.
- Popularity: Unity is rare worldwide, mainly used in Nigeria, and ranked 241st in the Solomon Islands in 2014.
Unku
Unku is the name for an Incan men’s garment, also called a Runasimi. It dates back to the Quechua language of those from the Peruvian Andes. Royals would wear the unka and a mantle cloth called a “yacolla.”
- Origin: Incan
- Meaning: Garment of clothing
- Pronunciation: UHN-kuw
- Variations: Uncu
- Popularity: Unku is extremely rare worldwide, with 50 known occurrences in 2014, primarily in India.
Unnati
Unnati is one of many Indian girl names that start with U with multiple meanings. It also means “high point,” “wealth,” “success,” and “ascending.”
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Progress
- Pronunciation: Uw-NAA-tiy
- Namesakes: Unnati Davara, an Indian beauty pageant contestant crowned Femina Miss India East in 2010.
- Popularity: Unnati is rare worldwide and mostly used in India, but is still rare there.
Unni
Unni comes from the Norse “uhn,” meaning “she who is loved.” While it also means “new,” Unni is also an Indian name meaning “poor” and “afflicted,” short for Unnikrishnan.
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: Love
- Pronunciation: AHN-iy
- Variations: Unnee, Unney, Unnie, Unny
- Namesakes: Unni Bernhoft, a Norwegian actress appearing in “Fjols til fjells” (1957). Unni Nyhamar Hinkel, a Norwegian handball player and silver medalist at the 2001 World Women’s Handball Championships.
- Popularity: Unni is rare worldwide, mainly used in India, and ranked 107th in Norway in 2014.
Upala
Upala means “sandy bank” and “sandy shore” in Sanskrit. It’s best known as the Hindi word for Opal. The Opal gemstone was considered a Roman symbol of love called the Cupid Stone.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Jewel
- Pronunciation: UW-paa-Lah
- Popularity: Upala is very rare worldwide and primarily used in India.
Upasana
Upasana means “veneration,” “worship,” and “devotion” in Sanskrit. It specifically refers to the act of “sitting close to someone” or “waiting on someone with reverence.”
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Veneration
- Pronunciation: Uw-pah-SAA-Naa
- Namesakes: Upasana Singh, an Indian actress known for Judaai (1997). Upasana Gurjer, an Indian actress known for Look Back (2023).
- Popularity: Upasana is rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Urania
Urania is based on the Greek Ουρανία, one of the Greek Muses. It was also another name for Aphrodite and offers many mythical associations for your little girl.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Heavenly
- Pronunciation: Uw-RAH-niy-Ah
- Variations: Uranya
- Namesakes: Urania Papatheu, an Italian representative for Sicily in the Senate of Italy from 2018 to 2022.
- Popularity: Urania is rare worldwide and mainly used in Nicaragua, running 335th in 2014.
Uranja
Uranja means “heavenly” and is composed of the Greek “ouranós,” meaning “heaven” or “ouránios,” meaning “celestial.” It’s the rarest form of Urania, the goddess of astronomy and astrology, from Uranos, the personification of the sky.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Of heaven
- Pronunciation: UW-raan-Yah
- Variations: Uranya
Urbana
Urbana is the female form of the Latin Urban, meaning “town bred.” Urban was the name of eight popes, and we still use the word urban today when referring to a city.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Of the city
- Pronunciation: Uwr-BAA-Naa
- Variations: Urbanah, Urbanna
- Popularity: Urbana is rare worldwide, primarily used in Mexico, and ranked 1,263rd in Argentina in 2014.
Urd
Urd is a plainer spelling for Urðr, one of the three Norse goddesses of fate. They also ruled destiny, while Urd ruled over the past. Urd is also the name of a character in the manga and anime series Oh My Goddess! Urd (Dungeons & Dragons).
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: Fate
- Pronunciation: UHRD
- Popularity: Urd is very rare worldwide, mostly used in Afghanistan, and ranked 1,060th in the Faroe Islands in 2014.
Ureka
Ureka is a less common form of Eureka, originating with the Greek “heúrēka,” meaning “I have found (it).” It’s hardly used today, but it’s a fun way to insert something new into an old classic.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: I have found
- Pronunciation: Yuw-RIH-kaa
- Variations: Urika
- Popularity: Ureka is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Sri Lanka.
Urena
Urena means “brightness” in Hebrew as a variation of Urit. It’s related to the Spanish surname Ureña, based on a location in Salamanca, and also appears as the Basque Uranga.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Brightness
- Pronunciation: Yuw-REYN-ah
- Variations: Urenna
- Popularity: Urena is very rare worldwide and primarily used in the Dominican Republic.
Uriella
In Hebrew, Uriella also means “flame of God” and “light of the lord.” Uri is a commonly used unisex nickname for Uriella.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God’s light
- Pronunciation: Yuw-riy-EHL-Laa
- Variations: Uriyella, Oriella
- Namesakes: Uriella (born Erika Hedwig), the German founder and head of the Fiat Lux religious movement.
- Popularity: Uriella is extremely rare worldwide, with just 16 known occurrences in 2014, mostly in Brazil.
Urith
Urith means “of the earth” or “earthly” from the Welsh “wrth,” meaning “by” or “near.” It’s also linked to the Hebrew Urit, meaning “brightness” and means “worthy” in German.
- Origin: Welsh, Hebrew
- Meaning: Brightness
- Pronunciation: YUR-ith
- Variations: Urit
- Namesakes: Urith, an 8th-century Christian martyr and Welsh saint.
- Popularity: Urith is very rare worldwide and mainly used in the U.S.
Urmi
Urmi means “ocean” in Sanskrit and is also a Vyuha formation in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It could also be a nickname for Urmila, meaning “waves of passion,” and is the name of a river in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Wave
- Pronunciation: OWR-mee
- Variations: Oormi
- Namesakes: Urmi Juvekar, an Indian screenwriter known for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008).
- Popularity: Urmi is rare worldwide and primarily used in Bangladesh, where it ranked 404th in 2014.
Urmila
Urmila means “humble” and “enchantress” in Hindi. It’s also inspired by a princess appearing in the Ramayana, an ancient Sanskrit epic.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Enchantress
- Pronunciation: Owr-MIHL-aa
- Variations: Urmilla
- Namesakes: Urmila Matondkar, an Indian actress known for Masoom (1983). Urmilla Kanetkar Kothare, an Indian actress known for the series Mera Sasural in 2008.
- Popularity: Urmila ranked 453rd worldwide and is mostly used in India, ranking 40th in 2014.
Urpi
Urpi means “pigeon” or “dove” in the Quechua language of the Incas from Peru. The phrase “Urpi Marka” means “dove village,” while Urpimarca is the name of a mountain in the Andes of Peru.
- Origin: Incan
- Meaning: Dove
- Pronunciation: EHR-piey
- Popularity: Urpi is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Indonesia.
Ursinia
Ursinia is the female equivalent of the Latin Ursinus, from “urso,” meaning “bear.” It’s also the name of a plant genus known for its yellow, orange, or white flowers.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Female bear
- Pronunciation: Ehr-SIHN-iy-Ah
- Variations: Ursina
- Popularity: Ursinia is extremely rare worldwide with 37 known occurrences in 2014, primarily in the U.S.
Ursula
Ursula is the Latin diminutive for “ursa,” meaning “she-bear,” which is pretty common in Switzerland today. A famous namesake, Saint Ursula, was very popular in the Middle Ages.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: She-bear
- Pronunciation: EHR-saa-Lah
- Variations: Ursulla
- Namesakes: Ursula Andress, a Swiss-German actress known for Dr. No (1962). Ursula Gauthier, a French journalist for L’Obs in China.
- Popularity: Ursula ranked 729th worldwide and is mostly used in Germany, where it ranked 8th in 2014.
Urvashi
Urvashi is made up of the Hindi “ur,” meaning “heart,” and “vash,” meaning “to capture” or “to have control over.” In Hindu mythology, Urvashi is the name of a beautiful nymph that brings magic to this special name.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: One who captivates the heart
- Pronunciation: Ehr-VAASH-iy
- Variations: Urvasi
- Namesakes: Urvashi (born Kavitha Ranjini), an Indian actress who won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Achuvinte Amma (2005). Urvashi Rautela, an Indian model crowned Miss Diva Universe 2015.
- Popularity: Urvashi is rare worldwide and mainly used in India.
Urvija
Urvija is another title for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, meaning “earth.” Lakshmi is associated with Shri, the Hindu goddess of wealth and good fortune.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Goddess Lakshmi
- Pronunciation: Ehr-VEE-jah
- Variations: Urvia
- Popularity: Urvija is very rare worldwide and primarily used in India.
Urvisha
In addition to meaning “lord of the earth,” Urvisha also means “rainy cloud” and “queen.” It’s sometimes related to Urvashi, a beautiful nymph in Hindu mythology.
- Origin: Indian, Hindi
- Meaning: Lord of the earth
- Pronunciation: Ehr-VEE-shaa
- Popularity: Urvisha is very rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Urwen
Urwen is the grandest example of a creative female name that starts with U. It means “fire maiden” in the Sindarin language of J.R.R. Tolkien novels. Urwen is the daughter of Hurin in The Children of Hurin and is similar to Arwen in The Lord of the Rings.
- Origin: Literary
- Meaning: Fire maiden
- Pronunciation: YEWR-wehn
- Popularity: Urwen is extremely rare worldwide, with just a single known occurrence in 2014 in the Philippines.
Usagi
Usagi means “rabbit” or “hare” in Japanese since rabbits are a part of traditional mythology in Japan. It’s said they can become pregnant by looking at the moon, which is why rabbits represent fertility. Usagi is also a character in the 1990s Japanese TV series Sailor Moon.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Rabbit
- Pronunciation: Yew-SAA-giy
- Variations: Usagee, Usagey, Usagie
- Popularity: Usagi is very rare worldwide and mainly used in Japan.
Uschi
Uschi derives from the Latin “ursus,” meaning “bear,” and is a German diminutive of Ursula. It can mean “strong as a little bear” and is the patron saint of archers, students, and orphans.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Little she-bear
- Pronunciation: OOH-shee
- Namesakes: Uschi Obermaier, a German fashion model known for taking part in the protests of 1968. Uschi Glas, a German actress known for Go for It, Baby (1968).
- Popularity: Uschi is rare worldwide and primarily used in Germany, ranking 520th in 2014.
Usha
Usha is among many Indian U names for girls from Hindu mythology. It’s the name for a deity known as the sister of night and daughter of heaven. Usha means “dawn” in Sanskrit, representing the renewal of each day for your baby girl.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Dawn
- Pronunciation: UW-Shaa
- Variations: Ushah, Ushas
- Namesakes: Usha Mehta, an Indian freedom fighter known for the Secret Congress Radio, underground station. Usha Mangeshkar, an Indian playback singer known for Jai Santoshi Maa (1975).
- Popularity: Usha ranked 335th worldwide and is mostly used in India, where it ranked 29th in 2014.
Ustina
Ustina is a Russian and Slavic variation of Justine/Justina. It’s the female form of Ustin and the Latin-spelled Iustina, from Iustus, meaning “fair” or “just.”
- Origin: Russian, Latin
- Meaning: Justified
- Pronunciation: UW-stiy-Naa
- Variations: Iustina
- Namesakes: Ustina Dubitsky, a German conductor and the current assistant conductor with the Gürzenich Orchestra.
- Popularity: Ustina is very rare worldwide, mainly used in Uganda, and ranked 1,906th in Belarus in 2014.
Uta
Uta is one of many German girl names with U, which are short forms of Ursula. It also means “riches” and comes from the medieval Old German Otthild, meaning “prospers in battle.”
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Prosperity
- Pronunciation: UW-Taa
- Variations: Ute
- Namesakes: Uta Hagen, a German-American actress known for the book Respect for Acting. Uta Frommater, a German swimmer and bronze medalist at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Uta is rare worldwide and primarily used in Germany, ranking 288th in 2014.
Utah
Utah is best known as the name for the mountainous U.S. state. It comes from a Native American-Ute word meaning “people of the mountain.” It may also be a Navajo word meaning “upper” or “higher up,” that appears in Spanish as Yutta.
- Origin: Native American
- Meaning: People of the mountain
- Pronunciation: YUW-Tao
- Variations: Uta
- Popularity: Utah is very rare worldwide and mostly used in the U.S.
Ute
Like the German Uta, Ute means “prosperous” or “wealthy.” It’s based on the Old German “ot,” meaning “fortune,” and is linked with Odelia, from Odo, meaning “riches.”
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Rich
- Pronunciation: UW-teh
- Variations: Uta
- Namesakes: Ute Vogt, a German member of the Bundestag from 2009 to 2021. Ute Enzenauer, a German road racing cyclist who won the 1980 West German National Championship.
- Popularity: Ute is uncommon worldwide and mainly used in Germany, where it ranked 61st in 2014.
Utopia
Utopia can be found among the most bohemian of women’s names that start with U. It refers to an “imagined place of perfection” and is composed of the Greek “ou,” meaning “not,” and “topos,” meaning “place.” Utopia was first used in a 1516 book of the same name by Sir Thomas Moore.
- Origin: English, Greek
- Meaning: Ideal place
- Pronunciation: Yuw-TOW-piy-Ah
- Variations: Utopea, Utopeah, Utopiah
- Popularity: Utopia is very rare worldwide and primarily used in Egypt.
Uttara
Uttara means “royal daughter,” the direction of “north,” and “better.” It’s symbolized by the daughter of King Virata, a princess in Hindu mythology. Uttara is also the name of a section of the Nakshatra constellation in Hindu astrology.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Star
- Pronunciation: Uw-TAA-Raa
- Variations: Utara
- Namesakes: Uttara Mhatre Kher, an Indian model crowned Femina Miss India World in 1982.
- Popularity: Uttara is rare worldwide and mostly used in India.
Uxía
Uxía is the local Galician variant of the Greek Eugenia, meaning “well born.” It ranked in the top 20 names in Galicia and the top 200 names in Spain in 2023.
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: Wellborn
- Pronunciation: UW-shiy-Ah
- Namesakes: Uxía Martínez Botana, a Spanish double bass player with the Brussels Philharmonic. Uxía, a Spanish musician and artistic director of the International Lusophone Festival.
- Popularity: Uxía is rare worldwide and mainly used in Spain, ranking 793rd in 2014.
Uxue
Uxue originated as the Basque name of a Spanish place called Ujué. It’s taken from the Basque “usoa,” meaning “dove,” and ranked in the top 10 Basque names for girls in 2011.
- Origin: Spanish, Basque
- Meaning: Dove
- Pronunciation: Uw-SHUW-ey
- Namesakes: Uxue Barkos, the President of Navarre, Spain from 2015 to 2019. Uxue Garmendia, a Spanish footballer for Real Sociedad.
- Popularity: Uxue is rare worldwide and primarily used in Spain, where it ranked 722nd in 2014.
Uyên
Uyên also means “knowledgeable” and “intelligent” in Vietnamese. It comes from the term “uyen bac,” which represents the wisest name for girls that start with U.
- Origin: Vietnamese
- Meaning: Wisdom
- Pronunciation: UW-yuhn
- Namesakes: Uyên Linh, a Vietnamese pop singer who won the third season of Vietnam Idol in 2010.
- Popularity: Uyên is extremely rare worldwide, with just 10 known occurrences in 2014, mostly in the Netherlands.
Uzma
In addition to meaning “supreme,” Uzma points to the “greatest” and “superior” parts of an incredible girl. It even means “more magnificent” and “more glorious” as the Arabic feminine form of Azam. Uzma is most common for girls in Pakistan, India, and Iran.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Supreme
- Pronunciation: UWZ-Maa
- Variations: Usma, Usmah, Uzmah
- Namesakes: Uzma Gillani, a Pakistani actress given the Pride of Performance Award by Pakistan’s president in 1982. Uzma Khan, a Pakistani member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly since 2013.
- Popularity: Uzma is rare worldwide and mainly used in Pakistan, ranking 138th in 2014.
U Names for Girls FAQs
What Is a Rare Name for a Girl That Starts with U?
One of the rarest girl names that start with U is Ultreia, from the Latin “ultra,” meaning “beyond” or “farther.” It was used by pilgrims traveling to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Another is Ujjwala, a name with Indian and Hindi origins. It means “bright” and “lighted” and is super rare outside of India.
What Is the Most Common Girl Name That Starts with U?
Una may be the most popular among U names for girls. It derives from the Irish “uan,” meaning “lamb,” and means “one” and “only” in Latin. While Una isn’t super popular worldwide, it’s very common in Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, and Jamaica. It’s somewhat uncommon in the U.S., probably since many people prefer the look of Oona, which appears more in Scotland.
What Is the Prettiest Name for a Girl That Starts with U?
Many believe Ursula to be the most beautiful among female names that start with U. It’s based on a diminutive of the Latin “ursa,” meaning “bear.” It’s one of the cutest, too, since it means “little she-bear.” Ursula ranked 8th in Germany and Switzerland in 2014, but isn’t as well known in the U.S., last seen in the top 1000 in the 1980s.
