Far-flung Blossoms

Lovely Japanese name that would certainly be appreciated in Europe and the U.S. It was rarely used in Japan until the 1990s, and draws its current popularity from the fact that it is deeply connected to Japanese traditional culture without sounding frumpy and old-fashioned.

Unfamiliar Asian choice that can work for a parent in search of something really different.

A sweet and feminine Italian name almost unheard of here.

This name gets given to a handful of Persian girls each year in both the USA and the UK.

This name was given a lithe and graceful image by ballerina Gelsey Kirkland, but was later far surpassed by Kelsey and Chelsea.

Hasmik is the Armenian form of Jasmine and is frequently used in that country.

One Japanese name that feels Western, though not quite American.

This Dutch girls' name meaning little flower is one of the more common Dutch-origin names used in the Netherlands today.

If it's possible for a name to be too musical, this one is.

Kantuta is the Quechua name for the national flower of both Bolivia and Peru, which is known for flowering around Christmas time. With its vivid green foliage and extremely bright red bell-shaped flowers, the plant encapsulates many traditional Christmas symbols, making Kantuta one of the great unique names for Christmas babies.

In English, this Persian name looks harsher than its sound or meaning. But we think it has a lot of dignity; and if Dagmar can get a look it, why not Golnar?

Both rhythmic and serene, Serenella is one of the Italian names for girls virtually unknown in the US but definitely usable. An unusual route to Ella as a short form?

Has a pleasantly fizzy, effervescent feeling.

A highly unusual flower name that could give you Clio for short.

Lillias is a spin on Lilias, two international members of the popular Lily family. Whatever the spelling, the name is so rare that it was given to no baby girls in the US in 2015.

Too close to violent.

This Thai name can get shortened to Niki or Nika.

This fragrant name is unfortunately just too close to the English word malady to be a good omen for English-speakers.