By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 21 pages
of 21
Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi
"thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"
Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema and Nimah.
Hebrew, feminine variation of Raphael
"God has healed"
A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
Hebrew
"prickly pear"
Term for a native-born Israeli, first brought to notice in Edna Ferber's 1929 novel Cimarron. Prickly pear has been interpreted to mean tough on the outside, soft and sweet within.
"peace"
Shulamit--which has a variety of different spellings--is a serious-sounding Old Testament name that appears in the Song of Songs. Its common nickname is Shula, which is sometimes used on its own.…
Feya is a charming feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the word 'fey' meaning fairy-like or otherworldly, connecting to the enchanting world of fairies and magical…
"autumn rain"
Unique possibility for a girl born between September and November.
"drawn from the water"
Feminine spin on Moses and European river name that's also the name of a wine.
"God's miracle"
Too close to nausea.
"treasure, wealth"
Striking and glamorous, though perhaps just plain Zara is intriguing enough.
Indian mythological name; Hebrew, Swahili
"scarlet, marvelous"
It would be easy to dismiss this girlish name as invented fluff, but it has roots in several cultures with evocative meanings and references. Shani refers to the "scarlet thread" or theme of a story.…
"sweetness, grace, beauty"
Interesting Old Testament name that embraces many traditional female attributes; also name of a place in the Jordan Valley. In the Bible, a daughter of King Ammon and wife of Solomon.
"friend of God"
Spelling a bit elaborate and confusing.
"God's joyful song"
Hebrew name related to Ronit and Roni, also used in different cultures as Ronya, Ronja, and Roniya. Virtually unknown in the English-speaking world though certainly an easily-translatable choice.
"God is my father"
Abijah, which you might think of as Abigail with rhythm, is the name of both female and male personages in the Bible. A biblical Queen Abijah was the daughter, wife, and mother of kings. The name is…
Israeli place name or Hebrew
"fruit or glory"
Also a city near Tel Aviv, Hadar is a name found primarily in Israel. There is also a citrus fruit associated with the holiday of Sukkat the Torah calls the "hadar fruit".
"flight, forsaken"
Hagar is an Old Testament name with an unfortunate association with comic strip character "Hagar the Horrible."
"God is willing"
Could be used to honor a Joel.
"laurel, crown"
Kelila, which can also be spelled Kelilah, is a more distinctive and attractive Kayla relative.
"to test"
Feels truncated, as though a first syllable was snapped off.
"tranquil"
Selima might be confused with Selina, but it's an appealing spin on that classic with a lovely meaning.
