Short, sweet, and clear, Lia is used throughout Europe, across America, and in some areas of Asia and Africa, making it a truly international and versatile choice.

Lilia is pretty double L name that makes for sparkly, floral choice with plenty of international flair. More distinctive that Lily, less popular than Liliana, Lia, and Lilian, Lilia was a new entry to the US Top 1000 in 2023.

This concise one-syllable name, has two possible derivations and two positive meanings associated with it. In Hebrew, it means "heart", while in Russian it means "lion". So strong and simple Lev has both a soft and a fierce side.

This is an alternative to Laura or Lauren made romantic by Dr Zhivago, and badass by video-game heroine Lara Croft.

Daintily pretty without being frilly, Larissa is familiar but more quietly used than its sound-alikes Melissa and Alyssa. Though this is the more common variation in the Western World, the original is actually Larisa.

The first name of Ethiopian supermodel Liya (pronounced like Leah) Kebede is also a Russian variation of Lia and Lily. Rather than using Liya, English speakers will do better to call a child Leah or Lia.

Lutza is largely unknown in the English-speaking world and might remain that way, due to its resemblance to klutz.

A spelling variant of Lydia used in parts of Southern & Eastern Europe.

Multicultural mini name with an intuitive pronunciation — it's a recipe for success, yet Lida remains under the radar.

Pronounced like Lillia, Liliya is the cognate of Lily in various Slavic languages.

This form got noticed as the first name of long-reigning Russian president Brezhnev; other bearers include playwright and short-story writer Andreyev, Leonid the Magnificent,a Russian performance artist on America's Got Talent, and Leonid McGill, the protagonist of a Walter Mosley private eye series. All in all, though, Leonid is not the most likely to join the pride of lion-related names here.

Lyonya is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly connected to Russian naming traditions. It may function as a diminutive form of names like Leonid or Yelena, or as an independent given name. The distinctive 'y' letters give the name an exotic, international flair, while its flowing sound creates a melodic quality. Relatively uncommon in Western countries, Lyonya carries cultural significance in Eastern European communities. The name has a soft, lyrical pronunciation that contributes to its feminine appeal. While unfamiliar to many English speakers, its intuitive spelling makes it accessible despite its exotic origins. Lyonya might appeal to parents seeking a name with international flair and distinctive character without being difficult to pronounce. The name conveys a sense of cultural richness and uniqueness.

Lyudmila is a feminine Slavic name with deep historical roots, particularly in Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian cultures. The name derives from two Slavic elements: 'lyud' meaning 'people' and 'mila' meaning 'dear' or 'gracious,' thus conveying the beautiful meaning of 'dear to the people' or 'beloved by the people.' Lyudmila gained significant prominence through Russian literature, notably as the heroine in Alexander Pushkin's poem 'Ruslan and Lyudmila.' The name saw peak popularity in the Soviet era but has declined somewhat in recent decades. Notable bearers include Soviet gymnast Lyudmila Turischeva and the first woman in space, Lyudmila Savelyeva. The name carries an air of classic elegance and strength while maintaining feminine qualities, representing a woman who is both respected and loved by her community.

Lydie is a feminine name with French origins, representing the French form of Lydia. The name traces back to ancient times, derived from the historic region of Lydia in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The name means 'from Lydia' and has connections to the ancient Greek culture. In France and French-speaking regions, Lydie has maintained steady usage, appreciated for its elegant simplicity and classical roots. The name has a delicate, refined quality while remaining straightforward to pronounce. While less common in English-speaking countries than the form Lydia, Lydie offers a subtle French twist that appeals to parents seeking names with European flair. The name carries associations with culture and refinement, reflecting its ancient heritage and continued use in sophisticated naming traditions.

Its association with the word liebe gives this name an endearing, adored aura.

Lesya is a feminine name with Slavic origins, particularly popular in Ukraine where it serves as a diminutive form of Oleksandra (Ukrainian variant of Alexandra). The name gained prominence through Ukrainian writer and poet Lesya Ukrainka (pen name of Larysa Kosach), one of Ukraine's most celebrated literary figures. Lesya has a lyrical quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowel sounds. While maintaining its strong cultural ties to Eastern European heritage, particularly Ukrainian identity, the name travels well across language boundaries due to its relatively straightforward pronunciation. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Lesya offers an accessible yet distinctive option for parents seeking a name with Slavic roots and literary connections.

Lelya is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variant of Leila or Layla, names with Arabic origins meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Russian diminutive of Elena (Lelya) or have connections to similar-sounding names in various cultures. The name has a delicate, flowing quality with its soft consonants and open vowel sounds. While never achieving widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, Lelya has a cross-cultural appeal with its simple, melodic structure. The name's brevity and ease of pronunciation make it accessible across language barriers, while its relative rarity offers a sense of uniqueness without seeming invented or difficult to recognize.

Lyuda is a feminine name of Slavic origin, primarily used in Russian, Ukrainian, and other Eastern European cultures. It functions as a diminutive form of Lyudmila, which combines the Slavic elements 'lyud' meaning 'people' and 'mila' meaning 'dear' or 'gracious.' The shorter form Lyuda (sometimes spelled Liuda) maintains the warmth and approachability of the full name in a more casual format. In Slavic naming traditions, these diminutive forms are commonly used among family and friends as terms of endearment. While uncommon in Western countries, Lyuda remains a familiar name in Eastern Europe. The name carries cultural richness and heritage for those with Slavic backgrounds, offering a connection to Eastern European traditions while being relatively easy for English speakers to pronounce.

Lerka is a feminine name with Eastern European origins, particularly found in Russian, Ukrainian, and other Slavic cultures. It often functions as a diminutive form of Valeria or Valerie, though it can sometimes stand as an independent given name. The name carries a gentle yet lively quality through its soft consonants and rhythmic structure. While uncommon in Western countries, Lerka has traditional usage within Slavic communities and may appeal to parents seeking a name with distinctive cultural roots. The name's concise two-syllable pattern gives it a contemporary feel despite its traditional background. As with many Slavic diminutives, Lerka conveys affection and warmth while maintaining a certain spirited quality through its bright vowel sounds and distinctive cadence.