By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Sahana is a feminine name of Sanskrit origin primarily used in Indian culture, particularly in southern India. The name carries beautiful meanings including "patience," "endurance," and "strength" in…
Old Norse
"chooser of the slain"
In Norse mythology, the valkyries decided the fate of men in battle and conveyed the spirits of the fallen to Valhalla, to dwell with the god Odin. Often associated with ravens, swans, and horses,…
Hebrew
"beloved"
This modern Hebrew name has a great meaning and is trending upwards.
Arianny is a feminine name with likely Latin and Greek influences. It appears to be a modern elaboration combining elements of names like Ariana (derived from the ancient Greek 'Ariadne') and the…
Nahuatl
"unique"
Isela is a name used mostly by Mexican and Spanish-speaking parents, perhaps in honor of actress Isela Vega. It's believed to come from the Nahuatl word icel , meaning unique or only.
English variation of Italia, Italian place name
Why has it taken so long for us to discover Italy? The name, that is. For decades, we have been using Italian place names (and those adjacent) like Rome, Roman, Milan, Milana, Capri, Florence, and…
Variation of Alyssa or Alice
"noble"
The entire congregation of Alissa-related names—from the classic Alice and Elise to newer forms like Alicia, Alyssa, and Elissa—have faded somewhat from their heyday in the late 20th century but…
Urdu, Arabic
"prophetess, to return, repentant"
An Arabic and Urdu name, believed to be of recent coinage, it is suggested that the name comes from anaba meaning "to return, repentant", from nabbaha meaning "clever, bright" or "to alert. inform" ,…
Aziyah is a feminine name with multiple potential origins, including Hebrew and Arabic influences. It may be a modern variation of Aziza (Arabic for 'beloved' or 'precious') or relate to the Hebrew…
American invention
"dark and pretty; dark lake; delicate and dark"
A modern creation, blending unisex Blake with that popular suffix, -lynn, Blakelyn was given to more than 100 girls in a recent year. Sister spelling Blakelynn however, was slightly preferred, given…
Iyanna is a contemporary feminine name that gained popularity in the United States starting in the 1990s. It appears to be a creative variation of names like Ayanna (of African origin meaning…
Kamiya is a feminine name with Japanese origins, though it's used cross-culturally. In Japanese, its meaning varies depending on the kanji characters used to write it, but it commonly translates to…
Japanese, variation of Naomi
"straight and beautiful"
While many are familiar with the Hebrew name Naomi through the Biblical character, the name also has separate roots as a unisex Japanese name meaning "straight and beautiful." Variation Nahomi is…
Alanni is a contemporary feminine name with a melodic quality that has gained modest popularity in recent decades. It may be considered a variation of Alana or Alanna, which derive from the Gaelic…
Arabic, alternative transcription of Asiya
"pensive, wistful, melancholic"
In Islamic tradition, Asiya was the wife of Pharaoh and the adoptive mother of Moses. She is celebrated as an exemplar woman for accepting monotheism and going against her husband's beliefs in order…
American invented name; or Hebrew
"from Jana"
This name can be seen as a newly invented name, a sort of elaboration on Jane. It is also a rare Hebrew name—also spelled Jania—that means "from Jana." It has been declining steadily in the US since…
Lucianna is a feminine name with Latin origins, serving as an elaborated form of Lucia, ultimately derived from the Latin word "lux" meaning "light." This melodious name combines the traditional…
Variation of Milena; Czech
"love, warmth, grace"
Related to Milena, a popular name in Italy and Eastern Europe. This spelling variation is tied to a character from the video game Mortal Kombat II .
Word name
"pleasant, dreamlike state"
With strong sounds but a whimsical feel, Reverie is a word name associated with being in a dreamy, ethereal state, of being lost in a daydream, or coming up with a pleasant fantasy for the future.…
Arabic
"deserts"
A beautiful and evocative place-name that deserves wider use, Sahara brings to mind deserts and heat. Derived from Arabic, it is the name of the world's largest hot desert, located across the North…
