By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Scottish
"true sovereignty"
Ferelith is an unusual yet deeply-rooted Scottish girl's name, also found in ancient Ireland and drawn from the Gaelic Forbhlaith or Forbflaith. While it went through a period of dormancy after the…
Japanese
"child of joy"
Sachiko was one of the first Japanese names familiar to Americans when it was used in the 1950s by actress Shirley Maclaine for her daughter, called the adorable short form Sachi. While Sachiko does…
Serbian; Macedonian
"gracious, dear"
Albert Einstein's first wife was Mileva Marić, a Serbian student and his classmate at the Zurich Polytechnic (her childhood nickname was Mitza.) With the newfound popularity of Mila, this obscure Old…
Place-name
This Southeast Asia place name seemed to come out of nowhere and zoom up in popularity in 2013. The probable influence: Maylasia Pargo, wife of Jannero Pargo, on the TV show Basketball Wives…
Greek
"star"
Astraia -- or Astraea or Asteria -- is the Greek goddess of justice and innocence who became the constellation Virgo. While largely unknown today, this is one of the Greek goddess names that may be…
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.
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…
French
"Light of the World"
Clarimond is related to the Occitan name Esclarmonde, and is probably the more wearable of the two variations. Seventeenth century French novelist Nicolas des Escuteaux used the name for the…
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…
Aboriginal Australian
"water lilies; place of the water lilies"
Araluen is a beautiful Aboriginal Australian place name, used in several sites, always connected to the dainty water lily. In terms of sound Araluen offers it all - the "Ara" beginning made popular…
Basque, diminutive or local variant of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
A rare name even among Basque speakers (fewer than 20 women in Spain are called Elixane), this beautiful name has drawn some attention via Elixane Lechemia, the French pro-tennis player. With its…
Dutch
"daisy"
Madelief is an uncommon name but not unheard of in the Netherlands, where 123 girls were called Madelief in one recent year. With its soft sounds and similarities to all those "Madeleine" type names…
Sinhalese
"full moon in August"
Nikini means full moon in the language of Sri Lanka. In a world of Lunas and Selenas, Nikini is a spunkier Eastern choice with a beautiful lunar meaning.
Variation of Raphaela
French after the Greek name for the Queen of Atlantis
In Pierre Benoit's novel, Antinea is a beautiful and charming queen with a hideous secret: She has a cave wall with 120 niches carved into it, one for each of her lovers. Only 53 have been filled;…
French feminine version of Leopold
"brave people"
A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.
Arabic
"beautiful dawn"
Zerlina is a variation of Zerlin, meaning "beautiful dawn". Zerlina is most famous as the wily, clever servant girl in Mozart's opera Don Giovanni , where she is the only character to seemingly get…
Modern invented name from combining "Qulyndreia" and "Venjie"
"Venjie"
Made famous by Quvenzhané Wallis, the actress.
Polish version of Agnes
In the Top 100 in Poland, this is probably the most flowery and feminine version of Agnes making the rounds.
