By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 776 pages
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Portuguese variation of Eirene
"peace"
Iria is a diminutive version of Eirene / Irene and is therefore associated with the Greek goddess of peace.
German, Swedish diminutive of names beginning with Mein- or Magn-
"strong"
The names from which Meja derived, including Meinhild and Magnhild, are long gone, but a Swedish singer called Meja (born Anna Pernilla Torndahl) has piqued interest in this modern derivative. Meja…
Diminutive of Lovisa, Swedish
"renowned warrior"
Lova, a Louise relative virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top girl names in Sweden .
Vilda is a feminine name with Nordic and Slavic roots. In Swedish and other Scandinavian languages, it relates to the word for 'wild' or 'untamed,' suggesting a free-spirited, natural quality. The…
Slavic
Lada is the Slavic goddess of youth, merriment, beauty and fertility, usually associated with spring. Her name is referenced in wedding and folk songs in Eastern Europe, but largely unknown in the…
English surname derived from Tobias
"God is good"
While Tobin is technically a variation of the Biblical Tobias and so a male name, it's a newfangled version that's been drafted for the girls' team by Olympic soccer star Tobin Heath, who plays for…
Manx, Norse
"fair, beautiful"
Gentle yet tough, rare and intriguing, Fritha is an Anglicized variation as well as a Manx form of the Old Norse Fríða. Ultimately derived from the element fríðr meaning "fair, beautiful", it is…
Word name
"firearm"
While Pistol might be more positively spun as a word name for an enterprising and spirited person, it's the small, handheld firearm that most people will think of first. As such, it joins the ranks…
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
The archetypal diminutive, in every sense of the word. Bitsy enjoyed some use as a nickname in the era when children were named after family members and then called by a cute pet name: Chip, Skip,…
Finnish diminutive of Sarah
"princess"
This pretty Finnish name is a diminutive of a diminutive, going from Sarah to Sari to Saija.
Persian
"wild rose"
Nasrin has a strong sound and lovely floral meaning. International variants include the Turkish Nesrin and Egyptian Nesreen.
Hebrew
"plowed field"
Niria is the female equivalent of Nir and may also be found as Nira. This simple, pleasant name has an earthy meaning.
Hindi
"silk"
This Hindi girls' name is virtually unknown in the Western World but could translate easily, and the smooth meaning is a plus.
Turkish
"evolution"
The Turkish girls' name Evrim is virtually unknown in the English-speaking world, but can translate easily....and be shortened to the familiar Evie (with a short initial e as in eh-vee) if you want…
Form of Latin Amabel
"lovable"
In the Middle Ages, Margaret became Margery, Cecilia became Cecily, and Amabel became Mabel ... and Mabely. Chaucer mentions the name briefly in The Canterbury Tales . It's rare - and maybe a shade…
German
"strength of a spear"
Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina. Gesine comes from the same roots - Geretrudis - and shares the name's…
Dutch diminutive of Catharina
Cato may have risen to new prominence in the English speaking world as an ancient Roman boys' name, popularized by The Hunger Games. But in the Netherlands, it's most widely used as a short form for…
Yoruba
"second-born of twins or one who falls behind"
Although the best-known Kehinde is the male painter Kehinde Wiley, this name is used for both genders in its native Nigeria and can be just as attractive for a girl.
Nahuatl
"unique"
Iselle was a hurricane during the 2014 season, Iselle is thought to be drawn from the Nahuatl word icel , meaning unique or only. Iselle could fit right in with recent favorites like Isabelle and…
"Daughter of Jehovah"
Also spelled Bethia and Bithiah, this Old Testament name could wear well today. Bethea might make an original way to honor an ancestral Elizabeth or get to the nickname Beth.
