Delightful Girl Names That Start With D

These are some of the most popular girl names that start with D to help parents pick the perfect name.

Baby names are almost as diverse as the babies who carry them. Girl names that start with D tend to be edgier than most, and many count as gender neutral.

Finding a name that feels just right is one of the best parts about preparing for a new addition, so have fun with it.

Dani

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Origin: Hebrew

Dani, while often used as a nickname for Daniel or Danielle, has become a popular first name for both boys and girls. This baby name starting with D originally meant “God is my judge,” but today it has more of a short, sporty feel to it than a biblical one.

Daisy

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Origin: Old English

The vintage name Daisy is the pinnacle of cheerfulness. Derived from Old English words, daeges eage, daisy means “day’s eye.”

If this sunny name sounds too old-fashioned, try the more upscale Marguerite. It has a totally different sound, but it means the exact same thing in French.

Dakota

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Origin: Native American

Dakota, a unisex name drawn from the name of an indigenous Native American Sioux tribe, means “ally” or “friend.”

But since it’s also a place name (think North and South Dakota), selecting this meaningful name is not considered culturally insensitive, even if your baby doesn’t have any Native American heritage.

Demi

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Origin: Greek

Demi has been around for centuries, and it’s recently seen a resurgence.

It started out as a nickname for Demetria, a feminine name with Greek and Latin roots. It was originally a nickname of Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture, and as the feminine form of the masculine name Demetrius.

It became popular thanks to the influence of actress Demi Moore and singer Demi Lovato.

Darcy

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Origin: French

The gender-neutral Darcy means “dark one,” and it’s really lived up to its meaning.

It was formerly used as a surname, and Jane Austen selected it for the name of her stormy and dashingly handsome character Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice.”

Damaris

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Origin: Greek

Damaris is about as Greek as a baby name can get. It comes from an Old Greek word “damalis,” meaning gentle calf.

Evoking images of fresh, spring meadows and new life, Damaris is a fantastic name for a spring or summer baby girl.

Devin

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Origin: Irish

Devin is a gender-neutral name hailing from Ireland. It means “bard” or “poet,” and was used in France as a royal name for the most beloved kings.

Whichever coast you travel to, Devin is definitely going places.

Dallas

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Origin: Scottish

The name Dallas isn’t just from Texas. Before the American city got its name, Dallas was a Scottish and English surname, plus the name of a town near Forres, Scotland.

It translates to “meadow dwelling,” which is amusing since Dallas, Texas, isn’t even remotely similar to a meadow. That just means the name can be whatever you’d like it to be — warm and fiery, or earthy and cool.

Take your pick.

Denver

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Origin: French

When most Americans think of the name Denver, they probably imagine the thriving capital city of Colorado. Denver actually means “green valley,” however.

Paired with ties to the folk singer John Denver, the name has a down-to-earth, wholesome feel to it.

Dasha

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Origin: Greek and Russian

Dasha has Greek roots, but it’s primarily a Russian name. It’s a Russian diminutive of the name Daria, meaning “gift of God” in Greek. Daria was also a saint who was martyred by the Roman emperor Numerian.

The name Dasha has lost most of its darker implications, fortunately, and now just comes across as a sweet, affectionate sounding name, much like the similar names Sasha and Asha.

Deja

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Origin: French

Deja is a girl’s name with French and Spanish roots. Think of the phrase “deja vu,” and you’ll get a hint at the classy name’s meaning: remembrance.

Deja is also a shortened version of Dejanira, drawn from the name of Hercules’s wife in Greek mythology, Deineira.

Diana

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Origin: Latin

Diana means “divine” in more cultures than one. In Rome, Diana was a full-fledged goddess. She was named as the goddess of fertility, governing the forests, moon and annual hunt.

Diana was also known for her striking beauty. If you’re a fan of literature, Diana is also the name of the best friend of Anne in Anne of Green Gables.

Delilah

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Origin: Hebrew

Delilah has both Hebrew and Arabic roots, but in both languages, it means “delicate.” In the Bible, Delilah was Samson’s wife who cut his hair to bring him down. Not so delicate after all.

Fortunately, Delilah’s can be tough without the backstabbing bit.

Dylan

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Origin: Welsh

Traditionally, Dylan was a Welsh name meaning “son of the sea.” Now that it’s become a popular name for girls, however, daughter of the sea works just as well.

Break the name down to its roots, and it means “great flow.” Poetic, no?

It was also the name of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, so baby Dylan might grow up to be a wordsmith.

Dahlia

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Origin: Swedish

Dahlia, a floral-themed baby name, has a Scandinavian background. It comes from the Swedish word “dal,” meaning valley. In English, it also means “Dahl’s flower,” referring to a brightly colored plant known for its dinner-plate-sized blooms.

Babies named Dahlia are guaranteed to be the most colorful flower in any garden.