By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 607 pages
of 607
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…
Japanese
"beautiful peace"
Kazumi can be used both as a masculine and feminine name. It is related to names like Kazuko, Kazuo and Kazuki.
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.
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.
Slavic
"peace, world"
This Croatian name is the diminutive of Mira and Mirela.
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…
American variation of Abena, Akan, Ghanaian
"born on Tuesday"
Beneba was used by enslaved people as a form of Abena, the Akan day name for girls born on Tuesday. A notable current bearer is Australian writer Maxine Beneba Clarke, who is of Afro-Caribbean…
Verlinda was a name used in some of early English settler families in Virginia.
Native American
Purportedly the name of Pocahontas' mother.
Flower name, from Greek
"larkspur; dolphin"
Delphinium is the proper name for larkspur. It's also related to names like Delphine, which are connected to dolphins (the flowers were thought to resemble a dolphin's back).
Cherokee
"rain"
Traditional Cherokee choice that could work for a daughter born on a rainy day.
Hindi, Sindhi, and Bengali
"mint, peppermint"
A rare minty baby name occasionally used in India. The Pudina spelling is slightly more popular.
Greek from Persian
"bestowing very richly, well trickling, well granting"
The historical Atossa was the daughter of Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire. Atossa first married her brother Cambyses II, but was later married to Darius I. She gave birth to their son Xerxes I,…
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.)
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.
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"
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…
Basque
"snow"
This Basque name is used in a similar way to the Spanish name "Nieves" - that is as a reference to the Virgin Mary. This would make a striking choice for a winter-born baby.
Portuguese and Spanish diminutive of Evangelina
"bringer of good news"
Vanina is a name that is, at first glance, miles apart from its origin. But once you say it aloud and look for it, you can see the direct line from Evangelina to Vanina. Vanina could also be a good…
Wylodene is an unusual feminine name with possible American origins, likely emerging during the early to mid-20th century when creative spellings and unique names became fashionable. The name appears…
