Mara is the evocative ancient root of Mary, appearing in the Book of Ruth, in which Naomi, devastated after the death of her two sons, says "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara." It's one of the girl names starting with M that both fits in and stands out.

Andrea — a feminine form of Andrew (and a male name in several European cultures) — comes with a good selection of pronunciations — ANN-dree-a, AHN-dree-a, or ahn-DRAY-a — each with a slightly different image: girl next door/slightly affected/downright mysterious

Originally popularized in eighteenth century Europe due to the fame of Anna Amalia, a Duchess who was a great patron of the arts, Amalia is now a widely cross-cultural name, heard from Italy to Romania, Germany to Scandinavia. Popular in the Netherlands, Chile, France, and Puerto Rico, it can be pronounced as ah-MAH-lee-ah or ah-MAIL-ya or ah-mah-LEE-ah, to name a few options.

This popular name in various Slavic countries and in Italy holds considerable continental appeal. It is the full name of Ukranian-born actress Mila Kunis, noted for her award-winning role in the film Black Swan. Another actress bearing the name is Milena Govitch, of Law & Order.

Magdalena is a pretty name forever associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen; often heard in the Hispanic community. But forward thinking parents are reviving Magdalena along with Magdalene and the unrelated but similar-sounding Marguerite.

Romantic name used throughout Europe, though sure to lead to pronunciation problems here. Though it's never been too widely used in the US, it's quite popular in Switzerland, France, Austria, and Romania.

A sweet name with many cross-cultural ties: it's an equivalent of Jane in languages including Czech, Slovak, Dutch, German, Slovene, Catalan, Estonian, and Latvian.

A strong Slavic classic, borne by many kings and princes through the ages.

Alois and Aloysius are variation of Louis. Alois ranked in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, and still ranks in the Top 1000 in Germany. Last year in the US, only seven baby boys were named Alois.

The Russian version of Katherine is usually Ekaterina, but this form is used throughout Eastern Europe and may be more friendly to the American ear.

Verona is a scenic place-name with the added attraction of a Shakespearean connection, as in Two Gentlemen of....

Karol is traditionally a masculine name in many Slavic countries, though it can be used for both genders in different cultures. It's the Eastern European equivalent of Charles, derived from Germanic origins meaning 'free man' or 'manly.' In Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, Karol is a common male name, while English speakers might perceive it as a feminine variant of Carol. The name gained international recognition when Karol Józef Wojtyła became Pope John Paul II. Karol has a strong, straightforward quality with its two distinct syllables and firm ending. Its cross-cultural versatility makes it appealing to parents with Slavic heritage or those seeking a name that works in multiple languages.

Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.

You’re most likely to find this Theodore cognate in Eastern Europe, where it ranks among the top names for boys in the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, and Romania. The nickname Teo is a real winner.

A wearable update to the New Testament classic.

Daniella, Daniela, and Danielle were among the hottest names for twenty years, but now, though still popular, they can no longer be considered stylish options, lagging behind the newer Ella, Stella, Bella, Gabriella, and Isabella.

This name has two origins: the English word Dusk, meaning evening twilight and the Czech name for girls Duška meaning "soul or spirit". Either way, this is an interesting name with some potential.

Adamek is a masculine name of Eastern European origin, primarily found in Czech, Slovak, and Polish communities. It functions as a diminutive form of Adam, adding the affectionate suffix '-ek' to the biblical name. Adam itself derives from Hebrew, meaning 'earth' or 'man.' Adamek carries the warmth of a nickname while functioning as a full given name, suggesting someone who is approachable and good-natured. While uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has steady usage in Slavic regions. The name maintains the biblical connections of Adam while adding a distinctive cultural flavor. Adamek strikes a balance between familiarity and uniqueness, offering a name with established roots but uncommon presence.

A feminine form of Marcel, ultimately from Marcellus and Marcus, Latin names celebrating the Roman God of war, Mars. This spelling is used in Poland, Czechia, Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, and Brazil in particular.