By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 776 pages
of 776
Jewish surname, meaning unknown
Miara is a Jewish surname that has sparingly been used as a first name since the 1990s. It is likely of Mizrahi Jewish origin — from North Africa and the Middle East — and evidence of the surname…
Miia is a feminine name primarily found in Finnish and Estonian cultures, though it has spread beyond these regions. It likely originated as a variation of Mia or possibly as a shortened form of…
Diminutive of Emilia, Latin, or Greek
"rival; apple tree"
While only 8 baby girls were named Milia in the US in 2021, its rise seems inevitable along with the rise of Emilia and Mila and other similar names. Like Livia, Milia has the advantage of being…
Mirae is a feminine name with Korean origins, meaning 'future' or 'the future to come.' In Korean, '미래' (mirae) directly translates to 'future,' making this name particularly meaningful for parents…
Hindi, Persian, Greek
"friend; earth mother"
Deriving from the Sanskrit Mithra , Mitra is the Hindu god of the sun and of friendship. This transcription is unisex in Hindi, while in Persian, it is the feminine form. Notable bearers of Mitra…
Scottish
"from the land by the sea"
An old-man name that sounds cute when used for a little girl, and is starting to seem cool again for boys too. For girls, it might be associated with Mina Murray (later, Mina Harker) from Bram…
Urdu
"smile, laughter"
An attractive Urdu name with a joyful meaning.
Greek botanical name
Long in our category of so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out category, once seen as a gum-cracking 1940's telephone operator, we think it's time to reassess Myrtle, and look at is as a nature name, a…
Nadeen is a feminine name with Arabic and Irish origins, representing a beautiful cross-cultural connection. In Arabic, it derives from "Nadine" meaning "hope" or "delicate," while the Irish…
Naija is a feminine name with Nigerian origins, possibly derived from a short form of 'Nigeria.' It embodies cultural pride and national identity for those with Nigerian heritage. While not widely…
Arabic
"pure"
Technically a boy's name, but certainly one that would work in the Western culture for a girl, especially after the release of Black Panther , in which it was the name of Lupita Nyong'o's fiery…
Nareh is a feminine name with Armenian origins, carrying significant cultural heritage. In Armenian, the name is associated with concepts of purity and clarity, sometimes connected to water imagery.…
Persian
"wild rose"
An international rose name with strength and femininity. Nasreen is slightly more common in the US than the Nasrin variation.
Modern invention
"attainer + soft; hope + pure, light"
This modern invention is possibly a compound name, created by blending either Arabic Naila and Leen, for the meanings "attainer of softness" or "delicate attainer", or, a mix of Nadine and Kathleen…
Feminine variation of Neal
"champion, or cloud"
Female form of Neal, now more popular in Ireland than its male counterpart.
Hebrew or Greek
"my candle; ocean spirit"
A simple but unusual name with roots in disparate cultures, Neri appears in the Bible as a male name and is still sometimes used for boys as well as girls. The appeal of Neri are its deep roots…
Short form of Veronica, Latin
"true image"
More often spelled Nika, this is a well-used diminutive for the Eastern European Veronika, and there's no reason that the same principle can't apply in the West. It makes a venerated saint's name…
River name and color name
"dark blue, indigo"
Cool, serene name of the Egyptian river can make a fresh choice for a girl. The origin of river name Nile relates to the Arabic and ancient Hebrew word for dark blue or indigo; in ancient Egyptian,…
Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi
"thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"
Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema and Nimah.
Nolia is a delicate feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may derive from Magnolia, the beautiful flowering tree named after French botanist Pierre Magnol, thus carrying natural, floral…
