By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Sanskrit
"quiet"
This name, used in both India and Nepal, is one of those lovely boys names that opts for quiet strength over hypermasculine energy. Bollywood cinematographer Nirav Shah is a notable bearer of this…
Turkish, Japanese and Thai
"women; night, dream"
A multicultural choice with an appealing sound. In Arabic, it means "women" and is the name of the fourth chapter of the Quran (surah an-Nisa). In Thai, it means "night" or "dream". In Japanese, it…
English, Greek, Hawaiian, Japanese
"grace; God is gracious; spring, beauty; vegetable, greens"
To most English speakers, Nana is the dog in Peter Pan , the daughter played by Emma Stone in Crazy Stupid Love , and another name for Grandma, however, it is also a diminutive of Nancy and Anna…
Hebrew
"light of Jehovah"
Neriah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah as the father of Baruch and Seraiah ben Neriah. According to the Talmud, Neriah and his sons are all prophets. The name is traditionally…
English
"a small salamander"
Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
Greek, diminutive of various names beginning with the element Niko-
Attractive, approachable, and more striking Nick alternative.
"light"
Old-fashioned nickname for Nora, Honora, Eleanor, Noreen... or any name with that "nor" sound.
Greek, Latin, and Georgian variation of Noah, Hebrew
"rest, repose"
Spelled Noë, this name is common among baby girls in the Netherlands. The umlaut clarifies the two-syllable pronunciation, at least to Europeans, and the spelling variation may help sidestep gender…
Hindi
"new, novel"
Sleek, and fresh, Navin is a Hindi name that could fit in with the currently popular in/an/en/on-ending boys' names.
Nayvie is a feminine name that appears to be a modern variant spelling of Navy. The name evokes the deep blue color of the sea and references the naval military branch. This contemporary spelling…
Greek, diminutive of Nicole
Streamlined version of outdated Nicki.
"night"
Simple but sophisticated, Nisha is a pretty Sanskrit choice that hit the popularity charts in England in the late 1990s. The meaning "night" adds a slightly mystical element to name and it is a…
Variation of Noel, French
"Christmas"
If Joely (as in actress Richardson) is a name, why not Noely? As nickname-names become both more acceptable and more fashionable, Noely may be a fresh spin on one traditional name for Christmas…
"comforter"
This name of a minor Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament is rarely heard outside the Jewish culture.
Arabic
"friend"
Friendly option: has also been defined as "drinking companion".
Greek
"New"
Bright and energetic, Neon seems like it would be a modern coinage, borrowed from neon lights. Instead, Neon is found way back in Ancient Greece. The lights are named for neon gas, discovered in 1898…
Latin
"ninth"
Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue. In Roman mythology, Nona was also a goddess of…
Basque
"mine"
A variation of the name Nere, both choices are distinctive and accessible. In the Top 20 in Spain.
"breeze, fresh air"
A traditional Arabic choice, used on girls and boys, with a bright, fresh, and nature connected meaning. Naseem is an alternative Arabic and Urdu form, while Nesim is used in Turkey. Though unisex,…
English, diminutive of Edward
"wealthy guardian"
Ned is a gently old-fashioned Nancy Drew-Bobbsey Twins-era short form for Edward that sounds cooler than Ed and is enjoying a small style renaissance. Usage of Ned in literature goes back to a Ben…
