Names That Mean Beautiful

Serviceable spelling of a cute but pandemic name that appears as everything from Cali to Callie to Kaylee and Kayleigh. Are these all the same names? Though there may be subtle differences in pronunciation and theoretical derivation, they certainly feel similar.

Kauno was derived from the Finnish word kaunis, meaning "beautiful."

Like Benita, had some popularity in the fifties.

The variation on Venus might soften the name and avoid tennis connotations, given its markedly different pronunciation.

Surname of a character in Henry James' What Maisie Knew.

You can just hear some sassy dame in a 1930s movie using this name. We prefer the original -- or even its original, Amabel.

Marabel was a form sometimes seen in the seventeenth century, and might appeal to someone looking for an uncommon 'bel' name.

Has a sound as lovely as its meaning.

A modern Hebrew translation of Shayna, the Yiddish word for "beautiful," and commonly heard in Israel.

Soft and appealing, with a whiff of vanilla.

Susmita, also spelled Sushmita which more accurately reflects its pronunciation, is an Indian or Bengali name widely unknown in the Western World but with definite potential.

Lovely Hebrew name with distinctive double a's, but beware of possible "banana" teasing.

Hermosa, the name of a California beach town, means "beautiful".

There will probably be lots of little namesakes after the fastest man in the world, Jamaican Olympic runner Usain Bolt--middle name St. Leo.

A name seen in the Punjab regions of India, and well used in the Indian diaspora, with a fabulous sound and meaning. Canadian author Rupinder Gill and Indian singer Rupinder Handa are notable bearers of this name.

Gorgeous Kazakh name with a poetic meaning. Aruzkhan ranked as high as Number 3 in Kazakhstan in 2011.

If you're looking for an Irish last name that moves beyond Casey and Cassidy, this one is pleasant sounding and worth considering. Kavanaugh, which can also be spelled Cavanagh, Cavenagh, Kavanagh, and Cavanaugh, is one of the few traditional Irish surnames not to start with Mc or O'. Kavanagh relates to the name first Kevin or Caomhan. Early kings of Leinster bore the name Kavanaugh.

One spelling of a well-used Arabic name. Hussein ibn Ali was a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. It gained in popularity in the USA during the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama.

A pleasant and adaptable place name for a part of Tel Aviv.

This feminine version of the masculine name Eder is far better than the alternative, Eider.