Desert Mystic
- Tzipporah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"bird"Description:
Spelling variation of Tziporah.
- Selket
Origin:
EgyptianMeaning:
"(she who) tightens the throat, (she who) causes the throat to breathe"Description:
Also spelled Selqet, Serket and Serqet, Selket was the Ancient Egyptian goddess of the scorpions and of magic. She was a helpful goddess and protected souls on their journey to the afterlife. She is also associated with childbirth (potentially making her a great choice for the daughter of a midwife or obstetrician). Her connection to scorpions is a symbol of her power and makes her a good namesake for a child born under the zodiac sign of Scorpio.
- Yasmeen
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"jasmine flower"Description:
One of the less frequently seen spellings of this popular name.
- Nefeli
Origin:
GreekDescription:
Modern Greek variant of Nephele.
- Astarte
Origin:
PhonecianMeaning:
"mother goddess"Description:
Astarte is the ancient goddess of sexuality, fertility, and war, associated with Ishtar as well as Venus.
- Emebet
Origin:
Amharic, EthiopianMeaning:
"royal lady"Description:
Formerly an honorific title, Emebet is now used as a given name in Ethiopia. It is also used to refer to the Virgin Mary.
- Nafisa
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"precious, valuable"Description:
A dignified name of Arabic origin, with a meaning that feels just right for a beloved baby, Nafisa translates literally to "something so good and valuable that people compete for it", though "precious, valuable" is the more succinct meaning. Well-used among Muslim communities across the world, it ranked in the England and Wales Top 1000 back in the 2000s.
- Olympias
Origin:
Feminization of Olympos, GreekMeaning:
"from Mount Olympus"Description:
Famously the mother of Alexander the Great. These days, her name is more commonly seen in the form of Olympia.
- Tamarisk
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"tree name"Description:
Also know as the salt cedar, a plant known for enduring harsh conditions. This makes Tamarisk an intriguing nature name, suggesting resilience and strength, similar to the name Oak for boys.
- Tamarind
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"tree and spice name"Description:
A hardwood tree native to Africa, India and other tropical regions, which bears sweet pod-shaped fruits which are used as a flavoring in many world cuisines, including Indian and Filipino. A rare and intriguing nature name which could honor an ancestral Tammy or Tamar.
- Tasnim
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"fountain in paradise"Description:
A unisex Arabic name that literally means "water that falls from a great height", referring to a fountain or spring in paradise.
- Nadra
Description:
Nadra is a feminine name with Arabic origins, meaning 'rare,' 'precious,' or 'unique.' In some interpretations, it can also mean 'glance' or 'look' from the Arabic root related to sight and vision. The name appears in various Middle Eastern and North African cultures, including Arabic, Persian, and occasionally in South Asian Muslim communities. Nadra carries connotations of something special and uncommon, suggesting a child who stands out or is particularly valued. While not among the most frequently used Arabic names globally, it maintains steady usage in Arabic-speaking regions and Muslim communities worldwide. The name's elegant simplicity, meaningful etymology, and cross-cultural adaptability make it appealing to parents seeking a name with both cultural roots and universal appeal.
- Nineveh
Origin:
Biblical place name from Akkadian or BabylonianMeaning:
"house of fish"Description:
An ancient city in Assyria, where Jonah was sent to spread the word of God.
- Aravah
Description:
Aravah is a feminine name of Hebrew origin with significant biblical and geographical connections. The word 'aravah' (עֲרָבָה) in Hebrew refers to a desert plain or wilderness, specifically the geographical region of the Jordan Valley extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. In biblical contexts, the aravah represents both physical geography and spiritual symbolism - a place of challenge but also of divine revelation and transformation. As a personal name, Aravah carries connotations of natural beauty, openness, and the quiet strength associated with desert landscapes. The name has gained modest attention among families seeking names with Hebrew roots and meaningful biblical connections. While uncommon in mainstream usage, Aravah appeals to parents drawn to names with spiritual significance and natural imagery.
- Gal
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"wave"Description:
This unisex Israeli name, which rhymes with ball, is sure to receive more serious international attention now that actress Gal Gadot is the new Wonder Woman.
- Aranka
Origin:
Hungarian, from LatinMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
A sleek Hungarian variant of Aurelia.
- Danit
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is my judge"Description:
Israeli spin on Danielle is rarely heard here.
- Hiba
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"gift"Description:
A simple and pretty Arabic option that has been on the rise in the UK in recent years, possibly thanks to several famous Hibas, including telenovela actress Hiba Abouk from the hit show El Principe>, Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji and Hindi TV actress Hiba Nawab. Derived from the Arabic wahaba, Hiba means "gift", and is a significant choice in Islamic tradition, as al-Wahhab is one of the 99 names for Allah. Hiba is therefore associated with a God-given gift or blessing, or more broadly, one given unconditionally.
- Gefen
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"grapevine"
- Ahava
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"love"Description:
A soft and lovely Hebrew name with an equally lovely meaning. Variations include Ahavah, Ahaba, Ahabah, Ahuva and Ahuvah.