25 Underappreciated Baby Names for Girls That Start with U

Are you looking for a baby name that’s found off the beaten path? Consider the letter that gets the least amount of play as a first initial from new parents, U. For baby boys, U names account for only three of the US top 1000 most popular baby names. For girls, the number is zero! This means that if you want an exceptional name for your daughter that stands out and makes an impression, choosing a name beginning with U is going to be a very safe bet.

We decided to take a deep dive into the shallow pool of U names for girls out there to discover which baby names could make for the best appellations for new parents today. On this list of names, you will find monikers that run from established classics to more contemporary potentialities. You will find refreshing options that are only found on the most adventurous baby names lists. Here are 25 baby names for girls that start with U that are undeniably unique and most underappreciated.

25. Udella

Udella is an ancient Teutonic name that comes from a German tribe that battled the Romans. This effortless baby name means “wealthy.” This baby name is scarcely found today which would make for a distinct option.

24. Uda

Uda shares its origins with Udella as they are both based on the same Teutonic root. In fact, many of the names on this list come from it. So, if you want a baby name that means “wealthy,” you have come to the right place! An unrelated but identical Japanese surname belonged to the 59th Japanese emperor.

23. Ulla

Ulla is the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson Bloom) and it if you’ve got this name, you better flaunt it. You will find Ulla in German, Scandinavian, and Norse tradition as a baby name that means “determination” or “will.”

22. Ultima

While Ultima might sound like a brand of cosmetics, we see potential in this lovely Latin baby name. It does, indeed, mean “farthest point” or “end.” As with many names on this list, this name has never appeared in the US top 1000. Bless Me, Ultima, written by Rudolfo Anaya, features a character with this name.

21. Uma

An actor who has played Ulla in The Producers, Uma Thurman has an attractive name. Uma is a name with Sanskrit origins and it means “goddess” as it is one of the many names of the Hindu goddess Sakti. Uma can also be found in the Hebrew tradition as a name meaning “the nation.” In Israel, girls born on Israeli Independence Day will commonly receive this name.

20. Umber

Umber has never received as much love as a similar name that is but a letter apart, Amber. Umber refers to a color, a rich, brown hue. For lovers of the arts, this could make a wonderful and most unusual color name for a baby girl.

19. Umayma

Umayma is a variation of Umama and both are great options for new parents to consider. Umayma has Arabic origins and it means “little mother.” Umayma bint Abd al-Muttalib is considered a paternal aunt of Muhammad.

18. Umbria

Umbria is a virtually unheard name in the US. However, Italians know this one well as it refers to the Umbri, one of the chief tribe that settled the Italian nation. While its meaning is associated with Umbri, in Latin, umbra means “shade.”

17. Umeko

Umeko is the cutest Japanese name for baby girls that you do not encounter too often outside of Japan. All Japanese names have meanings derived from the kanji characters used to compose them, so a name’s meaning can vary dramatically. Umeko can mean “plum-blossom child” or “patient.”

16. Umina

Umina is a name found in both Japanese and Quechuan languages. As a Japanese name, Umina derives from umi, meaning “sea,” combined with a range of other kanji characters. As a Quechuan name, it is properly spelt Umiña, and means “emerald.”

15. Una

Una is a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning “one” or “lamb.” Una was once a popular name for girls in the US making US top 1000 until 1941. Fans of Irish epic poetry know the name Oona as one belonging to the legendary daughter of the king of Lochlainn.

14. Undine

Undine is a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning “little wave.” This baby name is associated with a mythological water spirit. You will more commonly find the spelling Ondine. Undine Spragg is a character in Edith Wharton’s The Custom of the Country. Although ruthless, she did have a great name!

13. Unika

Unique had a moment in the US top 1000 before new parents had a falling out with the word-name in 2009. A variant of Unique and even more… unique is Unika.

12. Unity

Like Verity and Amity, Unity is a tender virtue name that has not been favored as much as her peers: Faith, Grace, and Justice. The name was cherished by the Puritans in the seventeenth century but was not as common as others. This English name means “oneness.”

RELATED: 25 Undiscovered British Baby Names for Girls That Are Sure to Come Our Way

11. Urbana

The name Urbana is a girl’s name of Latin origin meaning “of the city.” The Italians love the name as it belonged to an active member of the Christian church in Rome (Urbano), according to the New Testament. Urbana sounds exotic but it is a storied name that has just never crossed the pond.

10. Urmi

The next trio of names are all related in some way to the Greek or Latin name Ursula which means “little female bear” as in Ursa Major and Minor. Urmi is one such example and it is also one of the cutest-sounding baby names on this list.

9. Ursa

More popular than Urmi but less so than Ursula, Ursa could be the perfect happy medium. Ursula is a name that carries a lot of baggage thanks to the sea witch in The Little Mermaid. Ursa sounds both fresh and antique at the same time, a quality many of us embrace.

8. Ursula

Ursula ranked in the top 1000 through 1983. Do you think it is time for this one to make a comeback? The name was most popular in the US in sixties and we think enough time has passed to bring her back. The name was good enough for Shakespeare as he used it for two characters in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Much Ado About Nothing.

7. Uta

Uta is a German name that you barely ever hear in the US. This name means “prosperity” so it could be a most fortunate option. Uta was a Medieval name that most Americans are only aware of thanks to Uta Thyra Hagen a popular acting teacher.

6. Ulissa

Ulissa or Ulyssa are two names based on the Latin, masculine name Ulysses. This one works thanks to the popularity of Alyssa which has been popular in the US since the sixties. Ulysses is the Latin form of the Greek Odysseus. Thus, the name means “wrathful.”

5. Uzoamaka

A very famous Nigerian-American actor was born with this as a given name. The name is of Igbo origin and has a beautiful meaning, “the road is good.” As you might expect, you do not come across this one too often. Which actor was born with this name? Read on.

4. Uzo

Uzoamaka Nwanneka “Uzo” Aduba prefers to go by Uzo professionally. It’s simply a shortened form of her given name. The actor is a recipient of many awards including a couple of Emmy’s from her work on Orange Is the New Black. This would be a great name to give your baby that will honor Nigerian heritage.

3. Urvi

Urvi is one of the many names attributed to the Hindu goddess of love, fertility, marriage, children, and harmony, Pavarti. Urvi is a name with Sanskrit origins and it means “wide.”

2. Udaya

Udaya is yet another wonderful Sanskrit name. This one means “first light” or “rising sun.” Unfortunately, this name was only given to five girls in the US last year.

RELATED: 25 Unique and Unusual Baby Names for Boys That Start With U

1. Ulani

You might recognize this name from Parks and Recreation as a minor character was given this name. If you are encountering the name for the first time, you have Hawaiin and Polynesian tradition to thank for this gorgeous name. Ulani not only sounds beautiful it means it too. Ulani translates to “cheerful.”

There you go! We hope you enjoyed these unusual U names for baby girls. Finding baby names for girls starting with U is difficult but not impossible. We hope you felt inspired by these options and that you have found the right choice for your daughter.