By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Ewe, Ghanian
"child that keeps coming back"
Traditional Ewe name used predominantly in Ghana.
French
"resistance"
Could be a modern virtue... or perhaps not for the parents!
English
"songbird"
The chickadee gets its distinctive name from its distinctive call: chick-a-dee-dee-dee !
Portuguese from Yoruba
"mother of fish children"
In Brazil, Iemanjá is the Portuguese variation of the Yoruba (Nigerian) water goddess Yemọja. She is the mother of humanity and is depicted as a mermaid. There is also a species of fish named Iemanja…
Italian
"melodious"
Japanese
"a moment, an instant"
Setsuna was derived from a Buddhist term meaning "split second," originally the Sanskrit word ksana . It is more popular among fictional characters than real babies.
"pinkish gold"
Rosegold, or rose gold, is actually an alloy of gold and copper, used in jewellery for its warm, pinkish hue. It would make for a pretty and quirky girl name, with sweet short forms Rosie and Goldie.
"hissing or hushing sound"
Iroquois
"Earth's daughter"
In the Iroquois Native American culture, Onatha is the Mother Earth deity and the goddess of life. Her name is alternatively spelled Onatah.
Yoruba, Nigerian
"the crown is shattered"
Inuit, meaning unknown
Akycha is a solar goddess in Inuit culture.
Variation of Onyx
"fingernail; claw"
Onyxia is a dragon in the video game franchise World of Warcraft . Her name fittingly references her species of Black Dragon. The gem name "onyx" is derived from the Greek onux , which referred to…
"crown achieves happiness"
Akan, Ghanaian
"born on Tuesday"
A West African day name traditionally used for Akan girls born on Tuesday. Kwabena is the male equivalent.
Latin
"a wish not strong enough to lead to action"
"partial shade"
Ewe, Ghanaian
"first child of second husband"
West African names often convey circumstances of birth. In this case, Afafa marks the first child born to a mother's second husband.
"born during good times"
Unknown origin
A rare name with a beautiful sound — given to only 5 baby girls in 2022.
