Updated November 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Literature, Greek
"child of Atreus; child of fearlessness"
An epic sci-fi name, drawn from Frank Herbert's Dune novels, Atreides appeared in the US stats for the first time in 2024, with parents likely drawing inspiration from the recent film adaptions,…
Japanese
"bright child"
This popular Japanese name has many various meanings (bright, clear, autumn), depending on the combination of kanji used to spell it. The final element is the character ko, meaning "child", which…
Hawaiian
"flowers or child"
Either means "the flowers" or "the child" – lei can mean both. Either way, a strong and pretty Hawaiian name.
"hope child"
As a feminine name, Kiko is Japanese in origin. One possible meaning is "hope child," but different kanji combinations will yield alternate meanings.
English
"female child"
Although it has no doubt been used as a name by someone somewhere, Girl likely appears on the US extended baby names list most years as a kind of holding term, where parents have not yet decided on…
Yoruba
"celebrated child"
Eminently usable Nigerian name that works for both sexes.
"flower child"
Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms, who…
"fragrant ocean child"
Popular choice for female anime characters.
"real, true; village, child"
A beautiful Japanese girl name that leads to the sweet nickname Mari.
Hebrew, Akan
"cloud; fourth-born child"
Little-known name from the Old Testament.
"clear, pure child; holy child; rejoice child"
A bright sounding Japanese name, Kiyoko is notably borne by singer and actress Hayley Kiyoko (Alcroft). It ranked briefly in the US Top 1000 during the 1920s, perhaps influenced by the birth of…
Swedish diminutive of Maria
"bitter; wished-for child"
Although the sound is pretty, "my" is too common of an English word for My to be usable as a baby name in Anglophone countries.
Maori, Hawaiian
"rock; beloved child"
Popular in Hawaii in the first decades of the 20th century, this name also means "rock" in Māori.
"next child"
Distinctive and intriguing relative of Rae.
Kazakh
"moon child"
Youthful Kazakh name derived from the Turkic word for moon, ay .
African, Akan
"fifth born child"
Traditionally the name for the fifth-born child, however, we like it no matter where the child is in the birth order.
"fair-haired child"
Only if it's a family name, and even then, better in the middle.
Even if you're not planning on having five kids, Enu makes a cute name for a son or daughter.
"beautiful night child"
Most common in Japan in the mid-20th century, but to Western ears it doesn't sound dated.
Scottish
For towheads with ties to Scotland -- in theory, anyway.