This page brings together 46 female names that start with the letter L, running alphabetically from “Laura” all the way to “Lyra.” These names span many languages and traditions, from soft classics to bold, modern picks. You can use this list to find the perfect name for a baby, a character in a story, or simply to explore the meanings and roots behind names you already love.
Female names are the given names traditionally used to identify girls and women. Many carry rich histories, like “Luna,” which means “moon” in Latin and was the name of an ancient Roman goddess of the night sky.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the name itself, listed in alphabetical order so you can quickly scan and find the exact spelling you are looking for.
Origin: This tells you the language or culture a name comes from, helping you understand its background and choose one that fits your heritage or taste.
Meaning: This explains what the name actually means, giving you the deeper sense or symbol behind it so your choice feels truly meaningful.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people who share the name, giving you real examples and a feel for the personality and image it carries.
Description: This offers a short, friendly summary of each name’s sound, style, and charm, helping you decide if it suits the feeling you want.
Female names
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Famous Namesakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura | Latin | The laurel tree or sweet bay, a symbol of victory and honor | Laura Dern, Laura Bush, Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| Lauren | Latin/French | Laurel; symbol of honor and triumph | Lauren Bacall, Ralph Lauren (surname), Lauren Conrad |
| Laila | Arabic/Hebrew | Night or dark beauty | Laila Ali, Layla (Clapton song inspiration) |
| Layla | Arabic | Night | Layla (Eric Clapton song) |
| Leah | Hebrew | Weary or delicate; also “wild cow” as a symbol of strength | Leah (biblical matriarch), Leah Remini |
| Leila | Persian/Arabic | Night or dark-haired beauty | Leila Hatami, Leila Josefowicz |
| Lena | Greek/Latin | Light, or shining; also a short form of Helena | Lena Horne, Lena Dunham, Lena Headey |
| Leona | Latin | Lioness | Leona Lewis, Leona Helmsley |
| Leonor | Spanish/Portuguese | Light; compassion | Leonor of Aviz, Princess Leonor of Spain |
| Lesley | Scottish | From the gray fortress or holly garden | Lesley Gore, Lesley Manville |
| Leslie | Scottish | Holly garden; gray fortress | Leslie Caron, Leslie Mann |
| Leticia | Latin | Joy or gladness | Leticia Calderon, Letizia of Spain |
| Lila | Arabic/Sanskrit | Night; or divine play | Lila Kedrova, Lila (literary figures) |
| Lilian | Latin | Lily flower; purity and innocence | Lillian Gish, Lilian Velez |
| Lillian | Latin/English | Lily; symbol of purity | Lillian Gish, Lillian Hellman |
| Lily | English/Latin | The lily flower, a symbol of purity and beauty | Lily Collins, Lily Allen, Lily Tomlin |
| Lina | Arabic/German | Tender or palm tree; also short for names ending in -lina | Lina Khan, Lina Wertmuller |
| Linda | Spanish/Germanic | Pretty or beautiful; also “soft, tender” | Linda Ronstadt, Linda Hamilton, Linda Evangelista |
| Lindsay | Scottish/English | From the island of linden trees; wetland of Lincoln | Lindsay Lohan, Lindsay Wagner |
| Lindsey | English/Scottish | Lincoln’s marsh or island of linden trees | Lindsey Vonn, Lindsey Stirling |
| Lisa | Hebrew/English | God is my oath; short form of Elizabeth | Lisa Kudrow, Mona Lisa, Lisa Marie Presley |
| Liv | Norse | Life or protection | Liv Tyler, Liv Ullmann |
| Livia | Latin | Bluish or envious; also “olive” | Livia Drusilla, Livia Firth |
| Liz | Hebrew | God is my oath; short form of Elizabeth | Liz Taylor, Liz Hurley |
| Liza | Hebrew | God is my oath; pledged to God | Liza Minnelli |
| Lola | Spanish | Sorrows; pet form of Dolores | Lola Montez, Lola (Kinks song) |
| Lorena | Spanish/Italian | From Lorraine; or laurel | Lorena Ochoa, Lorena Rojas |
| Loretta | Italian/Latin | Laurel; pretty little one | Loretta Lynn, Loretta Young |
| Lori | Latin/English | Laurel; pet form of Laura or Lorraine | Lori Loughlin, Lori Greiner |
| Lorraine | French | From the region of Lorraine in France | Lorraine Bracco, Sweet Lorraine (song) |
| Lottie | English/German | Free woman; pet form of Charlotte | Lottie Moss, Lottie Dod |
| Louisa | Germanic | Renowned warrior | Louisa May Alcott |
| Louise | French/Germanic | Renowned warrior; famous in battle | Louise Bourgeois, Louise Brooks, Thelma and Louise |
| Lucia | Latin | Light | Saint Lucia, Lucia di Lammermoor |
| Lucie | French/Latin | Light | Lucie Arnaz, Lucie Safarova |
| Lucille | French/Latin | Light | Lucille Ball |
| Lucinda | Latin | Light | Lucinda Williams, Lucinda (literary character) |
| Lucy | Latin | Light; born at dawn | Lucy Liu, Lucille “Lucy” Ball, Lucy in the Sky |
| Ludmila | Slavic | Loved by the people; gracious | Saint Ludmila of Bohemia |
| Luisa | Spanish/Italian | Renowned warrior | Luisa Casati, Luisa Fernanda |
| Luna | Latin | The moon | Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter), Luna (Italian goddess) |
| Lupita | Spanish | Pet form of Guadalupe | Lupita Nyong’o |
| Lydia | Greek | Woman from Lydia; noble or beautiful | Lydia Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Lydia Ko |
| Lyla | Arabic/English | Night; dark beauty | Lyla (Oasis song) |
| Lynn | English/Welsh | Lake or waterfall; pool | Lynn Redgrave, Loretta Lynn (surname) |
| Lyra | Greek | Lyre; the harp constellation | Lyra (His Dark Materials) |
Descriptions
Laura
A timeless classic rooted in the laurel wreath worn by ancient victors. It has stayed popular across centuries and cultures for its soft, graceful sound.
Lauren
A polished, modern feminine form of Laurence that surged in popularity in the late 20th century. It carries an air of effortless elegance.
Laila
A lyrical name meaning “night,” celebrated across Arabic and Persian poetry. It evokes mystery, romance, and quiet beauty.
Layla
Made famous worldwide by the rock anthem, this name has ancient roots in Middle Eastern love stories. It is sultry, romantic, and instantly recognizable.
Leah
A gentle biblical name belonging to one of the matriarchs of Israel. Its soft sound and deep history keep it perennially beloved.
Leila
An enchanting spelling variant evoking starry nights and poetic romance. It is cherished across Persian, Arabic, and Western cultures alike.
Lena
A breezy, internationally loved name that works as both a nickname and a standalone. It feels warm, simple, and effortlessly chic.
Leona
A bold, regal name carrying the fierce spirit of a lioness. It blends vintage charm with quiet power.
Leonor
An elegant Iberian classic borne by queens and princesses. It conveys nobility, grace, and enduring tradition.
Lesley
A soft, gender-flexible name of Scottish origin tied to a noble clan. It has a gentle, literary quality.
Leslie
Originally a Scottish surname and place name, it became a graceful given name on both sides of the Atlantic. It feels classic yet approachable.
Leticia
A radiant name literally meaning happiness, popular throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It carries a bright, celebratory spirit.
Lila
A delicate, multicultural name meaning “night” in Arabic and “play” in Sanskrit. It is petite, pretty, and quietly spiritual.
Lilian
A vintage floral name evoking the pure white lily. It has a soft, old-fashioned sweetness that feels newly fresh.
Lillian
A graceful Victorian-era favorite derived from the lily flower. It blends elegance, innocence, and timeless femininity.
Lily
A fresh, floral classic named for the elegant white bloom. It is sweet, clean, and endlessly fashionable.
Lina
A soft, gentle name with roots in many languages, meaning “tender” in Arabic. It feels delicate and globally at home.
Linda
A mid-century darling literally meaning “beautiful” in Spanish. It is warm, friendly, and full of vintage charm.
Lindsay
A breezy unisex name turned popular feminine choice. It has a sporty, approachable, all-American feel.
Lindsey
A fresh, friendly variant with Scottish roots and a modern sensibility. It is associated with energy and athleticism.
Lisa
A short, sweet classic that defined a generation. Simple yet enduring, it carries effortless warmth.
Liv
A crisp, minimalist Scandinavian name meaning “life.” It is modern, strong, and quietly poetic.
Livia
An ancient Roman name borne by an empress, now feeling fresh and sophisticated. It is elegant with classical gravitas.
Liz
A snappy, confident nickname-turned-name with regal roots. It is friendly, spirited, and unfussy.
Liza
A vivacious short form of Elizabeth with theatrical flair. It feels lively, glamorous, and full of personality.
Lola
A playful, flirtatious name with Spanish roots and cabaret charm. It is bold, fun, and unmistakably stylish.
Lorena
A romantic, melodic name popular across Latin cultures. It carries softness and a lyrical, flowing quality.
Loretta
A vintage charmer with a warm, down-home feel thanks to country legends. It blends sweetness with quiet strength.
Lori
A breezy, cheerful mid-century name with a friendly ring. It feels casual, sunny, and approachable.
Lorraine
An elegant French place name carrying a touch of old-world romance. It is graceful, classic, and softly regal.
Lottie
A charming vintage nickname enjoying a stylish revival. It is sweet, spunky, and full of retro appeal.
Louisa
A refined, literary name meaning “famous warrior.” It pairs delicate elegance with underlying strength.
Louise
A graceful French classic conveying both softness and bravery. It is sophisticated, timeless, and quietly powerful.
Lucia
A luminous name meaning “light,” beloved across Italy, Spain, and beyond. It radiates warmth, hope, and beauty.
Lucie
The elegant French form of Lucy, evoking brightness and clarity. It feels chic, soft, and luminous.
Lucille
A vintage charmer meaning “light,” forever tied to a comedy legend. It is warm, spirited, and full of character.
Lucinda
An ornate, romantic elaboration of Lucia meaning “light.” It feels poetic, vintage, and delicately grand.
Lucy
A bright, cheerful classic meaning “light.” It is sweet, timeless, and universally adored.
Ludmila
A noble Slavic name meaning “beloved by the people.” It carries deep history, grace, and regal dignity.
Luisa
The melodic Latin form of Louise, blending elegance and strength. It is warm, romantic, and timeless.
Luna
A dreamy celestial name meaning “moon,” wildly popular today. It is magical, soft, and quietly enchanting.
Lupita
A warm, affectionate Spanish name honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. It feels joyful, endearing, and culturally rich.
Lydia
An ancient Greek name with biblical and literary roots. It is graceful, refined, and gently old-world.
Lyla
A pretty modern variant evoking the beauty of night. It is soft, lyrical, and contemporary.
Lynn
A slim, gentle name meaning “lake,” popular as both a first and middle name. It is understated, smooth, and serene.
Lyra
A melodic, celestial name tied to music and the night sky. It is poetic, fresh, and quietly enchanting.