An ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war and justice, with a name that fits modern tastes. In recent years it has become a rare but steady fixture near the bottom of the charts, and feels full of potential for parents looking for an offbeat name from mythology.

Patience is a passive virtue turned engaging name, fresher than Hope, Faith, or even Charity. Its resemblance to the trendy Payton may be one reason that it returned to the US charts back in the 90's and 2000s, having been absent for a century.

Lilit in the Top 20 girls names is Armenia. Outside of Armenia, Lilit might be confused with Lilith, but is worth considering as a name in its own right.

A short form of Magdalena in Dutch and a variation of Melaina, Melina, Melinda, Melanie, Milena and similar, Melena is also used for a character in the novel Wicked and the subsequent Broadway musical.

Interesting multi-cultural option.

Siana is a beautiful feminine name with cross-cultural connections. It may be a variation of Siana (pronounced see-AH-na), which has Welsh origins meaning 'God is gracious.' Alternatively, it could be related to the Italian name Siena, after the Tuscan city, or could be a form of Shana, which has Hebrew roots meaning 'beautiful.' In some Polynesian languages, particularly Hawaiian, similar names can mean 'light' or 'divine.' The name features a pleasing combination of soft sounds that flow naturally together. While not among the most common names, Siana has maintained a steady presence in various cultures and has seen modest usage in English-speaking countries. Its international appeal, gentle sound, and positive meanings make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a name that is distinctive without being difficult to pronounce or spell.

The association with the Cuban leader Castro is still strong, but he's by no means the only Fidel. This name was in the Top 1000 for over 80 years, from 1919 to 2005. From the late Latin name Fidelis, meaning "faithful", at its heart it has an uplifting meaning.

Nanou is a delicate feminine name with French origins, often used as a nickname for names like Anne, Nanette, or Éleanor in French-speaking regions. This charming diminutive has taken on life as a given name in its own right, offering a sweet, modern sound with an international feel. The name has a melodic, sing-song quality that gives it a playful yet sophisticated character. Nanou remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, making it a distinctive choice. Its brevity and easy pronunciation make it appealing to parents seeking something short yet complete. The name carries a certain joie de vivre and elegance associated with French culture.

An actual Hawaiian first name would convey the aura of the islands more originally and effectively.

More than Lily yet less than Lillian, Lillia is a fresh and undeniably pretty member of the stylish genus of double (or in this case triple) l names. You can also spell it Lilia.

There is a whole new species of bird names open to the baby namer, from the light and feminine Lark to the sleek and powerful Falcon.

Zo is a concise masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it relates to "life" (from zoe), while in some African cultures, particularly Madagascar, it can mean "ancestor" or carry spiritual significance. The name has been used in East Asian contexts as well, where short names are often valued. Its brevity gives it contemporary appeal in Western naming trends that favor short, punchy names with impact. Zo functions well internationally due to its easy pronunciation across languages. While uncommon in mainstream Western usage, it has gained some traction among parents seeking minimalist names with cross-cultural resonance and meaningful depth beyond its simple two-letter structure.

The Finnish writer Mika Waltari invented the name Minea from the Greek Minos for a character in his 1945 novel The Egyptian. It's become a popular Finnish name in the 21st century.

The soft and pretty name of one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad.

Australian opera singer Nellie Melba—self-named for her hometown of Melbourne—inspired this now-dated name more associated today with a peach dessert and dietetic toast.

Lilium is the genus of the lily family and may make an interesting spin on Lillian, for those looking for something distinctive but familiar, wearable but with a touch of unexpected flair. Since the 2000s, a small handful of girls have been given this name in the US.

With the rise of all those other popular feminine W names, like Winnie, Willa and Winona, why not consider the lovely Winika? Win and Winnie are likely nicknames and it is associated with a dainty Pacific orchid that blossoms at Christmas time. If you're looking for international names for Christmas babies, this is one for the short list.

Unusual choice that was the original name of children's illustrator Tasha Tudor, but is an interesting elaboration of Star, taking it into avian territory.

Tinka is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. In Dutch and Nordic countries, it functions as a diminutive of names like Christina or Martina. It also appears in Slavic languages with various meanings—in some contexts related to 'tiny' or as a nickname for Valentina. The name has a bright, sprightly quality with its crisp consonants and clear vowels. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, Tinka has a playful, distinctive sound that makes it appealing as a given name. Its international usage gives it cross-cultural versatility despite its relative rarity. The name's short form eliminates the need for nicknames while its unusual nature makes it memorable.

Delle is a delicate feminine name that likely evolved as a diminutive form of names containing 'del' such as Adele, Adelaide, or Cordelia. It may also have origins as a surname or place name. With its brief yet melodic quality, Delle combines simplicity with a touch of uniqueness. The name has remained relatively uncommon in most English-speaking countries, never reaching mainstream popularity. This rarity gives Delle a distinctive quality while still being straightforward to pronounce and spell. Its gentle sound evokes a sense of sweetness and refinement. The name's understated elegance makes it appealing to parents seeking something uncommon yet accessible.