By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
Invented name
Quvenzhane Wallis, star of Beasts of the Southern Wild and Annie , is the youngest actress ever nominated for an Academy Award. Her name -- which actually takes an accent over the final e -- is a…
Spelling variation of Ariana
Arriana is a more-unusual spelling variation of the names that are most popularly found as Ariana or Arianna. All are forms of the Greek Ariadne. Given its many spellings, that extra r only…
Sinhalese
"bird"
Lihini is a word name from Sri Lanka. When used as a name, it is often interpreted as meaning "free as a bird"
Sinhalese, Hindi
"swan"
Swans are beautiful creatures, with rather unusable English names. To evoke the grace and serenity of the swan, we recommend you take a look at this Sri Lankan name.
Powhatan
Matoaka was one of the names of Pocahontas, and has been used by some of her descendants as a first name (for example Matoaka Whittle Sims.)
Native American
Purportedly the name of Pocahontas' mother.
Verlinda was a name used in some of early English settler families in Virginia.
Australian Aboriginal
"welcome"
Orana is an word from the Wiradjuri language meaning "welcome". It has become more widely known for its use in the traditional Australian Christmas carol "Carol of the Birds", meaning it now carries…
Slavic
"peace, world"
This Croatian name is the diminutive of Mira and Mirela.
Maori variation of Eirene "peace"
"peace"
Airini is the Maori transliteration of the name Eirene, whcih comes from the Greek goddess of peace. A notable bearer of this name is nineteenth century Maori rights activist Airini Donnelly.
Yoruba
Alafia is a Yoruba name for peace and is used as a name for both men and women in Nigeria.
Igbo
"peaceful wealth"
Akudo is an Igbo-Nigerian name stemming from the Igbo word 'udo' meaning peace. Unlike other names containing the name "Udo", Akudo is a feminine name.
Japanese
"beautiful peace"
Kazumi can be used both as a masculine and feminine name. It is related to names like Kazuko, Kazuo and Kazuki.
Armenian
"rainbow"
This intriguing name from Armenia has a lovely meaning "rainbow" and was used for the adorable protagonist of the film by the same name who hides in a suitcase and ends up going on an adventure to…
"fire, flame"
This Noongar girls’ name has a dainty sound that belies its fierce fire meaning and could easily cross over into the American or European context.
English feminine of Jacques
This name has risen to prominence since the publication of Philippa Gregory's White Queen novel. Jacquetta of Luxembourg, was the mother of Elizabeth Woodville who became Queen of England. Jacquetta…
Maori
"Christmas orchid"
With the rise of all those other popular feminine W names, like Winnie, Willa and Winona, why not consider the lovely Winika? Win and Winnie are likely nicknames and it is associated with a dainty…
Quechua
"flower"
Kantuta is the Quechua name for the national flower of both Bolivia and Peru, which is known for flowering around Christmas time. With its vivid green foliage and extremely bright red bell-shaped…
Latin
"fleur de lys"
This name was occasionally used in the Middle Ages by members of the House of Sicily. A revival of this floral name would make an interesting addition to the increasingly broad selection of botanical…
Diminutive of Irmentrude
"universal strength"
This name was used by the royal House of Luxembourg in the Middle Ages, as a diminutive of Irmentrude. We definitely think this spunky shortening improves upon the heavy German original.
