Multicultural Names

Rowan meets Joey in this nickname-y style choice, and it may well be a modern creation, blending the classic nickname for Joseph with the contemporary favorite Ro- sound. However, Roey may have more history than that, even if it did only begin appearing in the US charts in the late 90s.

A succinct and sharp form of Hosanna, Ozana is the Romanian and Croatian form of the exclamation given by those around Jesus when he first entered Jerusalem in the New Testament. Notable bearers include singer and TV personality Ozana Barabancea, actress Ozana Oancea, and writer and presenter Ozana Ramljak.

This variation of the international name Lena is currently a rising star in France where it has nearly doubled in use over the last decade. In this case, it could be used as a short form of Aleyna, an Arabic name meaning "delicate, soft" or "to us" which is also popular in France.

The name was used by musician Billy Joel in his 1980 song, "All for Leyna".

Familiar yet distinctive, Anula is a pretty, multicultural name. From its Hindi and Sanskrit origins, it means "gentle, agreeable, not wild", whereas from its Polish roots, it is a diminutive of the classic Anna, meaning "grace".

A name that looks simple on the surface but has a variety of complex roots, Senia is often used as an alternative form of Xenia, a Greek name meaning "hospitable, welcoming" or "guest". This spelling likely emerged via the Scandinavian variation, Senja, or from the Slavic Ksenia.

Sweet multicultural name.

A name with a variety of possibly origins, Roselaine can be considered a variation Roseline, Rosalind, Roselène, or Rosaline or a compound name blending Rose and Helène, Rose and Elaine, or Rose and Madelaine. It was moderately well-known in Brazil from the mid-'50s through until the '90s.

Related to Amir and Amira, an antiquated name that holds some modern appeal.

A multicultural choice with a mystical feel, Elvan is both a Turkish name meaning "colors" (or sometimes "colorful hands"), and a Cornish name, likely derived from Elwen and Elouan to mean "light". From its Turkish roots, it is used as a unisex choice and may appeal to those who also enjoy Evren. From its Cornish origins, it is associated with a Cornish and Breton saint, or, alternatively, with a Cornish word meaning "spark".

A rarely heard flower name, Amapola comes from the Spanish word for "poppy", in turn associating with name with remembrance and the months of August and November. Pronounced as a-ma-POH-la, with the emphasis on the third syllable, it may feel similar enough to Amalia, Amaia, and Paula to work.

Similar in style to Teddy, Frankie, Leni, and Murphy, Waldi is both a German and Dutch short form of names including the walt element. such as Waltraud or Walda, or an English diminutive of surname-style name, Walden. Predominantly used as a masculine name, it is a unisex name in Germany.

Aire is a poetic spelling of the word "air", once widely used in Middle English. Today, it's a brand new baby name, introduced to wider audiences when Kylie Jenner revealed it as the new name of her son (the baby previously known as Wolf). Aire is an exciting new choice in nature names and unisex names — one that is decidedly less materialistic than the homophone name Heir.

This multicultural name is a sweet but solid sounding pet form of Hebrew and Yiddish origin, used as a nickname for Rhoda, Rosa, or Rada. It can also be considered an English surname, derived from either the given names Rudolf or Ridel meaning "fame wolf" and "ride" or from the place name Ryedale meaning "rye valley".

Strong cross-cultural name that could be a feminine spin on the Zachary family.

Similar in style to Walt and Wally, with a bit of Eli about it too, Waldi is both a German and Dutch short form of names including the walt element. such as Waldemar, Ewald, or Waldabert, and an English diminutive of surname-style name, Walden. Predominantly used as a masculine name, it is a unisex name in Germany.

Gentle in sound, multicultural in origin, and cool and succinct in style, the name Maru is fresh feeling choice. Borne by a Scottish Straight cat from Japan (once dubbed the most famous cat on the internet), the name was also chosen by actress Madison Reyes for her son in 2025.

Made up of the Slavic elements,borna meaning "protection" and slava meaning "glory", Bronislav is a variation of the Polish Bronisław, used in a number of Slavic countries.

Reminiscent of mid-century Pamela and contemporary Palmer, Palmina is a diminutive of Palma, an Italian, Spanish, and Croatian name meaning "palm", used more specifically to refer to Palm Sunday. Occasionally given to girls born the Sunday before Easter, Palmina is currently a rare choice, perhaps because it may be confused with Palomino, a word used to describe horses with golden coats and white manes.

SantiGold was a newly minted name in 2024, chosen by author and journalist Elaine Welteroth for her second son. She explained that she and her husband chose it for its multicultural roots, in that Santi means "peace" in Thai and "saint" in Spanish and Italian. The addition of 'Gold' makes it compound name, symbolic of success, prosperity, and prestige.

Gentle and intriguing, Tamuna is a rare, multicultural choice with approachable sounds. As a Georgian name, it can be used as a pet form of the Biblical Tamar, or as a variation of the Persian Tahmina, with its strong, powerful meaning. Alternatively, it may come from the Arabic ta'min, an element meaning "secure, insurance" and the source of names such as Daamin and Emin.