AHEAD: The ultimate list of girls’ names with only 3 letters.
If you’re looking for super short girls’ names, you’re in the right place!
Below, I’ve rounded up every single 3-letter name that’s even the slightest bit modern and cool.
I’ve also included each name’s meaning and current popularity—which will hopefully help you narrow down your list of favorites.
Related: 4-Letter Girl Names | 3-Letter Boy Names
Popular 3-letter girl names for 2025
These short girls’ names are ranked in the top 200.
Ada
- Name meaning: Noble.
- Popularity: #177
Ava
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: #8
Eva
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: #112
Ivy
- Name meaning: An evergreen climbing plant.
- Popularity: #38
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Mia
- Name meaning: Mine.
- Popularity: #6
Related: Middle Names for Mia
Zoe
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: Zoe ranks #37 and Zoey is #51.
If you like these 3-letter girl names you’ll also like this list of modern names.
Nature-inspired 3-letter girl names
These three-letter names for girls are inspired by the earth, sea, and sky.
Ara
- Name meaning: A constellation meaning ‘altar’, where in ancient Greek mythology, the gods made offerings.
- Popularity: This space name isn’t ranking.
Aya
- Name meaning: Color. Bird.
- Popularity: #697
Elm
- Name meaning: A tall, fast-growing deciduous tree.
- Popularity: This unique E name isn’t ranking in the top 1000.
Ila
- Name meaning: Island.
- Popularity: Isla ranks #33, Ila is #620, and Iyla is #601.
Jem or Gem
- Name meaning: Precious stone.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this badass name is ranking.
Lea
- Name meaning: Meadow, pasture, weary, or delicate.
- Popularity: Lea ranks #801 and Leah is #53.
May or Mae
- Name meaning: Bitter or pearl. The 5th month.
- Popularity: May is not ranking but Mae ranks #506.
Mya
- Name meaning: Water.
- Popularity: Maya ranks #50, Mya is #340, and Maia is #459.
Oak
- Name meaning: Large trees with long lifespans.
- Popularity: This tree name would make a great middle name and is not currently ranking.
Ren
- Name meaning: Water lily.
- Popularity: Ren isn’t ranking. Wren ranks #196.
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Rey or Rae
- Name meaning: Female sheep.
- Popularity: Neither spelling of this one-syllable girls’ name is ranking in the top 1000.
Ria
- Name meaning: Small river.
- Popularity: This short girls’ name ending in A isn’t ranking.
Sky
- Name meaning: The atmosphere above.
- Popularity: Sky ranks #783 and Skye isn’t ranking.
Sol
- Name meaning: Sun. Asked for or prayed for.
- Popularity: #892
If you like these 3-letter girl names you’ll also like this huge list of nature names.
3-letter gender-neutral names
These three-letter names would work for a boy or a girl.
Kai
- Name meaning: Hawaiian for “sea”.
- Popularity: This cool K name ranks #940 for girls and #61 for boys.
Koa
- Name meaning: Hawaiian for “warrior”.
- Popularity: This two-syllable name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #298 for boys.
Noa 🔥
- Name meaning: Motion. Or rest.
- Popularity: Noa ranks #298. Noah ranks #640 for girls and #2 for boys.
Jump ahead to my 2025 prediction.
Noe
- Name meaning: Peaceful.
- Popularity: This N name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #814 for boys.
Tru
- Name meaning: Accurate or authentic.
- Popularity: This T name ranks #966 for girls and #673 for boys.
If you like these gender-neutral 3-letter names you’ll also like this list of nonbinary names.
Uncommon 3-letter girl names
These 3-letter girl names are relatively rare.
Bex
- Name meaning: To tie or bind.
- Popularity: This unique B name isn’t ranking.
Ida
- Name meaning: Work. Rejuvenation. Knowledge.
- Popularity: This short name isn’t ranking.
Isa
- Name meaning: God is abundance. The Muslim name for Jesus.
- Popularity: This short I name isn’t in the top 1000.
Pia
- Name meaning: Devout.
- Popularity: This 3-letter name isn’t ranking.
Rue
- Name meaning: Reddish brown.
- Popularity: This unusual R name isn’t ranking.
Sia
- Name meaning: Unknown meaning. Possibly means victory, six, light, glow, bringer of joy.
- Popularity: This rare S name is not ranking.
Tia
- Name meaning: Goddess or aunt.
- Popularity: This short girls’ name hasn’t been ranked since 2012.
Una
- Name meaning: Lamb
- Popularity: This 3-letter Scottish name isn’t ranking.
Zia
- Name meaning: Light or aunt.
- Popularity: This Z name isn’t ranking.
If you like these unique 3-letter girl names you’ll like this list of names that mean graceful.
Happy 3-letter girl names
These girl names with 3 letters have cheerful meanings.
Amy
- Name meaning: Beloved.
- Popularity: #200
Ana
- Name meaning: Grace.
- Popularity: #224
Eve
- Name meaning: Life.
- Popularity: Eve ranks #600 and Evie ranks #265.
Gia
- Name meaning: God’s gift.
- Popularity: #269
Joy
- Name meaning: Happiness.
- Popularity: #455
Kya 🔥
- Name meaning: Diamond in the sky, body, or home.
- Popularity: #820
Jump ahead to my 2025 prediction.
Lia
- Name meaning: Bringer of good news.
- Popularity: #209
Luz
- Name meaning: Light.
- Popularity: #843
Nia
- Name meaning: Bright. Purpose.
- Popularity: #642
If you like these three-letter names for girls you might also like this list of edgy names.
3-letter nicknames for girls
The following 3-letter girl names are short versions of longer names.
Ali
- Short for: Aliana, Alianna, Alice, Alicia, Alina, Aleena, Alivia, Allison, Alison, Allyson, Alisson, Alma, Alondra, Alora, Althea, Alyssa
- Popularity: Ali hasn’t ranked for girls since 2013.
Ani
- Short for: Anika, Annika, Aniyah, Aniya, Halani, Imania, Leilani, Nalani, Nilani, Nolani, Noelani, Nylani, Shivani, Tahani, Talani, Yalani, Yalanni, Yolani, Yamani
- Popularity: This 3-letter A name isn’t ranking.
Ann
- Short for: Annabella, Annabelle, Annette, Antonella, Deanna, Lyanna
- Popularity: Ann hasn’t ranked since 2019.
Ari
- Short for: Aria, Ariana, Arianna, Ariel, Arielle, Ariella, Arizona, Amari, Amaris, Azariah, Imaria, Izaria
- Popularity: Ari isn’t ranking for girls and ranks #344 for boys.
Ash
- Short for: Ashby, Ashley, Ashlyn, Ashlynn, Ashton, Ashtyn, Natasha
- Popularity: Ash isn’t ranking.
Avi
- Short for: Avian, Avianna, Aviana, Davina, Havilah, Mavis, Octavia
- Popularity: Avi isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #748 for boys.
Bea
- Short for: Beatrice, Beatrix
- Popularity: Bea isn’t ranking.
Cam
- Short for: Camila, Camilla, Camille, Camryn, Cameron
- Popularity: This 3-letter C name isn’t ranking.
Cat or Kat
- Short for: Catherine, Cataleya, Catalina, Caterina, Katalina, Katherine
- Popularity: Cat and Kat aren’t ranking.
Des
- Short for: Desiree, Desi, Destiny, Mercedes, Odessa
- Popularity: This 3-letter D name isn’t ranking.
Flo
- Short for: Flora, Florence, Florentine, Florette
- Popularity: This 3-letter F name isn’t ranking.
Gen
- Short for: Genesis, Geneva, Genevieve, Gennifer, Imogen, Imogene
- Popularity: This 3-letter G name isn’t ranking.
Jay
- Short for: Jada, Jayda, Jayce, Jaycee, Jayden, Jaden, Jayla, Jaylah, Jayleen, Jaylin
- Popularity: Jay isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #382 for boys.
Jen
- Short for: Jenna, Jennifer
- Popularity: This 3-letter J name isn’t ranking.
Kim
- Short for: Kimber, Kimberly
- Popularity: Kim isn’t ranking.
Lex
- Short for: Alex, Alexa, Alexandra, Alexandria, Alexia, Alexis, Lexi
- Popularity: Lex isn’t ranking.
Liv
- Short for: Olive, Olivia
- Popularity: #702
Liz
- Short for: Elizabeth, Eliza
- Popularity: This 3-letter L name isn’t ranking.
Meg
- Short for: Megan, Meghan
- Popularity: This 3-letter M name isn’t ranking.
Mel
- Short for: Melanie, Melany, Melani, Melina, Melinda, Melissa, Melody, Melania, Amelia, Amelie, Carmel, Emelia, Emilia, Emmeline
- Popularity: Mel isn’t ranking.
Pru
- Short for: Prudence
- Popularity: This 3-letter P name isn’t ranking.
Sam
- Short for: Samantha, Samara, Samira
- Popularity: Sam isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #672 for boys.
Val
- Short for: Valerie, Valery, Valeria, Valentina, Avalynn, Novalee
- Popularity: This V name isn’t ranking.
If you like these 3-letter nicknames for girls you might also like this list of elegant girl names.
Middle names for 3-letter first names
Short first names tend to work really well with longer middle names.
Here are some beautiful first + middle name combinations for a first name with just 3 letters.
- Ada Everleigh
- Amy Lennon
- Ana Embry
- Ara Noelle
- Ava Scarlett
- Aya Violet
- Bex Mackenzie
- Elm Isabella
- Eva Harlow
- Eve Hailey
- Gem Sophie
- Gia Magnolia
- Ila Penelope
- Isa Juliette
- Ivy Lennox
- Joy Hadley
- Kai Alexandra
- Koa Jade
- Lia Hartley
- Mae Victoria
- May Lavender
- Mia Sage
- Mya Blakely
- Nia Everly
- Noa Madelyn
- Noe Brooke
- Oak Fiorella
Will any of these 3-letter girl names go viral in 2025?
Three-letter girl names are surprisingly rare in American naming.
Only four currently rank in the top 100: Mia (#6), Ava (#8), Zoe (#37), and Ivy (#38). This elite group demonstrates both the challenge and potential of ultra-short names.
Looking at historical patterns, three-letter names tend to follow distinct trajectories. Ava’s rise from #950 in 1990 to #3 by 2016 shows the spectacular ceiling these names can reach.
Meanwhile, Ivy’s steady climb from #86 in 2018 to #38 in 2023 demonstrates how nature-themed short names can capture modern parents’ interest.
But it’s newer names that show the most potential for 2025. There are two names likely to make significant moves:
Kya’s trajectory is particularly compelling. After appearing in rankings from 2001-2007, it disappeared for 15 years before making a dramatic comeback with a 479-spot jump in 2023 (from #1299 to #820). This kind of explosive growth often signals a name gaining serious momentum.
Noa offers a different but equally promising pattern. Since entering the top 1000 in 2014 at #936, it has shown consistent upward movement, reaching #298 in 2023 – a remarkable 68% improvement in ranking. Its steady growth suggests staying power rather than a short-term trend.
Historical data tells us that three-letter names without previous ranking peaks tend to have the most growth potential. Both Kya and Noa fit this pattern, unlike names like Mae (which peaked at #185 in 1940) or Luz (which ranked in the 400s in the 1970s).
Prediction for 2025:
– Kya will likely reach the top 400, following its dramatic upward trajectory
– Noa should break into the top 250, continuing its steady climb
– The current top 100 three-letter names will largely maintain their positions, with Ivy possibly pushing toward the top 25
Whether you’re drawn to established favorites like Ava and Mia, nature-inspired Ivy, or rising stars like Kya and Noa, these names prove that sometimes the biggest statements come in the smallest packages.
The source for popularity data is SSN.
This article was originally published on Jan 13, 2022 and was updated on Dec 4, 2024.
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