By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Spanish
"rival"
A rare spin on the Emily group of names occasionally used in Spanish-speaking communities. It may be based on the medieval French name Emelisse.
French
A medieval French name little used today, which certainly appeals to modern tastes.
French and Louisiana Creole
An elaboration on Emilie, using the popular -lise suffix. A pretty alternative to Emma or Elise.
Amharic, Ethiopian
"royal lady"
Formerly an honorific title, Emebet is now used as a given name in Ethiopia. It is also used to refer to the Virgin Mary.
Place name from Kansa
"place of potatoes"
The name of the capital city of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County, which is thought to come from a Kansa word meaning "good place to grow potatoes".
Feminine variation of Theodotus, Latin from Greek
"given to god"
With Theodora showing signs of revival, this rare saints' name could be an appealing alternative.
Greek
"respected"
A cool Greek name which is related to Sebastian.
French feminine form of Cyril
"lordly"
Cyril has several attractive femaie forms, including the French Cyrielle as well as Cyrilla. The one downside of this unique name is that many English speakers will pronounce it like cereal, so…
Maori
"of the ocean"
An elaboration on Moana, newly familiar thanks to the heroine of the eponymous 2016 Disney movie.
Hindi and Sanskrit
"jasmine flower"
A subtle botanical option.
Malay and Indonesian
From the Sanskrit malati , a subtle botanical option.
"delivered or freed by the gods"
The was the name of a minor character in Greek mythology, or another name for Semele, the mother of Dionysus by Zeus. A moon of Jupiter bears this name, as does a character in the video game Fire…
Thai
"one who is praised"
A pretty Thai name famously borne by Thai musical artist Lisa (full name: Lalisa Manoban), whose name was changed in childhood from Pranpriya to Lalisa after she had her fortune told.
Raqiya is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'sky,' 'heaven,' or 'firmament.' In Islamic cosmology, the term appears in the Quran, referring to the layers of heaven. The name carries beautiful…
Danish
"peaceful ruler"
Danish form of Frederika
Dutch
Variant of Frederika
Swahili
"fame, honor, splendor"
A lovely soft-yet-strong unisex Swahili name, with a great meaning to boot, similar in sound to Farah, and Ferrari.
Variation of Ziola or Zoila, Greek
"life"
A modern invented name, possibly a variation on Ziola, which comes from Greek Zoilos meaning "lively". It appears in several songs by the band Jane's Addiction, inspired by the adopted name of a…
Breton
"Christmas"
Feminine form of Nouel, a variant of Noel
German
"noble enclosure or noble house"
A formidable name borne by Edelgard von Hresvelg, heiress to the Adrestian Empire in the video game Fire Emblem: Three Houses .
