Girl Names That Start With Bu: Sweet Starter Names

I’ve gathered 12 girl names that start with Bu, from formal given names to playful nicknames. My starting tip: say each one with your last name, then check its meaning and pronunciation in its source language. The letters Bu don’t sound the same in every name.

Here’s the list at a glance:

• Buse and Bushra: names linked to a kiss and good news.
• Bunny and Bunnie: affectionate, nickname-style choices.
• Bunmi and Bunme: Yoruba options, with Bunmi the more established spelling.
• Busara and Busayo: names linked to wisdom and joy.
• Buena and Bulbul: word-based choices meaning “good” and “nightingale.”
• Buhjah and Buthayna: Arabic feminine names.

I’ll cover meanings, origins, pronunciation, and formal versus nickname use, plus how you can use baby name tools to compare favorites. My main advice: <u>use a baby name decision checklist to check the name beyond its spelling</u> - including regional use, initials, and how it sounds in everyday conversation.

Understanding Bu Names Across Languages

Bu is a shared spelling, not a shared pronunciation. Names that begin with Bu come from many languages and naming traditions. The same opening letters may sound different from one name to the next.

As you build your shortlist, check each name’s original language and region of use. This matters especially when a name connects to your family’s heritage or religious tradition - or comes from a different language or script. Use reliable sources on the language or community to verify its meaning, and check whether a short form is an established given name or just a nickname.

In U.S. English, simpler spellings are usually easier to say and write, while uncommon spellings may need repeated corrections. These checks can help you compare the names below by origin, pronunciation, formality, and style.

sbb-itb-f13f980

1. Buse

Buse means “kiss.” Used in Turkey and Turkish-speaking communities, this feminine given name comes from the Persian būsa (بوسه). It is a lovely choice for parents finding your perfect baby name with cultural roots.

Say it boo-SEH in two syllables, with “oo” as in moon and “e” as in red.

2. Bushra

Bushra means “good news” or “glad tidings.” This formal Arabic given name starts with Bu and carries a bright, hopeful meaning. It’s a given name, not a nickname.

Pronounced BOOSH-rah, it’s a good choice if you want a name with a celebratory feel.

3. Bunny

Bunny is a nickname-style Bu name that sometimes stands on its own. Its link to rabbits gives it a soft, playful feel.

Bunny has also served as a nickname for Barbara, Bernice, or Elizabeth.

4. Bunnie

Bunnie is a spelling variant of Bunny, keeping the same soft sound but using the gentler -ie ending. It’s used as a standalone given name, and the spelling feels a little closer to a formal name than Bunny.

5. Bunmi

Bunmi has Yoruba roots and is used in southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo.

It means “God gave me” or “Gift of God” and is a short form of Olubunmi.

Pronounced approximately BOON-mee, the name has a warm, gentle sound.

6. Bunme

Bunme is a less common spelling of the Yoruba name Bunmi. If you’re making a shortlist of baby names, Bunme is the rarer option, while Bunmi is the established form.

7. Busara

Busara means “wisdom” or “good sense” in Swahili. Pronounced boo-SAH-rah, this feminine virtue name is used in East Africa, especially in Kenya and Tanzania. It comes from the Arabic word basira (بصيرة), meaning “insight” or “discernment.”

8. Busayo

Busayo means “adds to joy” or “increase in joy” in Yoruba. Another Yoruba option, this unisex given name is common in Nigeria and among the Yoruba diaspora.

It can stand alone or shorten longer names such as Oluwabusayo (“God adds to joy”) and Temibusayo (“Mine has added to joy”).

9. Buena

Buena means “good” in Spanish and is the feminine form of bueno. As a given name, it serves as a virtue name.

It’s pronounced BWEH-nah, with two syllables.

Buena shows that Bu names can also come directly from everyday words, rather than being tied to a single naming traditions.

10. Bulbul

Bulbul means “nightingale” in Persian and Arabic. The name is used in the Middle East and South Asia.

It’s one of many gender-neutral choices, though it’s often given to girls. Bulbul works as either a formal given name or a nickname, making it easy to group by naming style.

11. Buhjah

Buhjah is an Arabic feminine name meaning “joy” or “delight.” It’s a spelling variant of Bahja (بهجة), which is also spelled Bahjah.

Say it BUH-jah, with the stress on the first syllable and the “u” sound in “button.” Some speakers pronounce it BAH-jah.

12. Buthayna

Buthayna is a formal Arabic feminine name with a soft, lyrical sound. Pronounced boo-THAY-nah, it means “beautiful woman” or “soft, fertile land.” Its use in classical Arabic poetry adds a graceful, literary touch.

For parents seeking a formal given name, Buthayna pairs a gentle Bu opening with a flowing, multi-syllable ending.

Rare Bu Names by Naming Style

Group Bu names by tone to narrow your shortlist.

Soft, affectionate Bu names: Buse, Bunny, Bunnie. Buse is a Turkish name meaning “kiss,” which gives it a sweet, tender feel. Bunny and Bunnie are English pet-name forms with a playful, vintage feel.

Formal Given Names vs. Nickname Choices

Narrow your shortlist by looking at how each name works in everyday life. Formal given names and nickname-style options can have a different feel, from official to casual.

Build a Shortlist With NameHatch

Have a few favorites? NameHatch can help you narrow the list. This ad-free, browser-based baby-name tool offers 62,000+ curated names and works on mobile or desktop - no download needed.

Filter by Soft, Modern, Classic, Strong, and Most Popular to trim your shortlist. Premium adds Global, Nature-Inspired, Mythical, and Unique, along with filters for origin, meaning, and popularity.

For Bu names, start with Soft, then try Nature-Inspired and Unique for rarer picks. Both parents can compare options before deciding. Partners can also swipe privately, save favorites, and see which names they both like.

The free plan includes 30 swipes, limited favorites, and basic filtering. Premium Monthly costs $3/month, while Premium 6 Months costs $12 for six months. Both paid plans include unlimited swipes, unlimited favorites, and advanced filtering.

Final Thoughts on Choosing a Bu Name

A sweet sound is only part of choosing a name. Weigh its sound, meaning, fit with your family’s heritage, and ease of everyday use. Think about how it will look on school records and official documents - not just how it sounds during babyhood.

If you’re unsure about a meaning or pronunciation, check with a fluent speaker or use a baby name meaning finder. Ask about regional usage and meanings, too. English spelling may not fully reflect the original sound.

Say each finalist with the middle name and surname, first at a normal pace, then fast. Listen for repeated syllables, awkward rhymes, or sounds that blend together. Check the initials, too.

Each parent can pick three to five favorites and compare the key details. Then narrow the list to two or three names and try using them for a few days, paying attention to how each fits your family’s language, rhythm, and daily life.

FAQs

How can I verify a Bu name’s pronunciation?

Say the name aloud in everyday settings: announcing it at an event, calling it across a playground, or introducing yourself in a noisy place. Ask friends or family to read it aloud and spell it back to catch any confusion.

If the name reflects your heritage, check its pronunciation with family elders or native speakers. Say the full name, too, to hear how it flows with the middle and last name.

Can I choose a Bu name outside my heritage?

Yes. You can choose a “Bu” girl name outside your heritage if it feels right to you. Weigh its meaning and your personal connection alongside everyday use: how easy it is to pronounce and spell, and how people across languages and backgrounds in your community might perceive it. If you’re drawn to the sound alone, avoid names with sacred or ceremonial meanings that don’t fit your life.

Will a nickname-style name suit my child as an adult?

A nickname-style name can suit an adult, too. A more formal name on the birth certificate gives your child options: they can use the nickname socially and the formal name in professional settings. To gauge its lasting appeal, picture the name in workplace or academic settings as your child grows.

Related Blog Posts

• Girl Names that Start with Tr – 8 Trendy & Unique Ideas
• Girl Names that Start with Bo – Bold & Beautiful Names
• Girl Names that Start with B – 10 Sweet & Stylish Picks
• Girl Names that Start with U – 4 Unique Name Ideas