By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 119 pages
of 119
Yiddish, Hebrew, Persian, Sanskrit
Suri, a once obscure name, hit the headlines when it was chosen by Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise for their daughter in 2006. A truly multi-cultural choice, Suri is a unique name with a variety of…
Ziya is a cross-cultural feminine name with multiple origins. In Turkish, it means "light, splendor, or radiance" and is traditionally used for both genders. In Arabic contexts, it relates to…
Arwa is a feminine name of Arabic origin with deep historical roots. The name means 'mountain goats' or 'ibexes,' symbolizing grace, agility, and sure-footedness. Arwa was notably borne by Queen Arwa…
Latin, Hebrew
"bird; God is my father"
Avia is one of those multi-cultural, vowel-heavy girls' names so popular today, along with such choices as Ayla and Aya.
Hebrew
"belonging to God"
This Old Testament name is traditionally masculine, but with its lyrical Ls, sounds just as nice on a baby girl.
Finnish
"snow"
Lumi may be a rare girls' name in the USA and England, but it comes in the Top 50 in Finland, where it means snow. Given the popularity of Winter, Holly, Ivy and many other wintery-christmassy names,…
Japanese or Korean
"sky; conch shell"
A simple and pretty multicultural name: as a Japanese name, it's unisex and means "sky"; as a Korean name, it's feminine and means "conch shell".
Hindi river name; Hebrew
"rain"
Refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.
Spanish
"gem"
The Italian Gemma is rising, and Spanish Gema is following suit. More fresh and exciting than Emma or Ruby, Gema is a lovely alternative.
Jamaican
"positive and powerful"
A name used in the Caribbean, taken from the Rastafarian term that translates best to "positive and powerful." Rastas often greet each other by saying, "Are you feeling Irie today?"
Welsh
"hill"
Bryn is an up-and-coming gentle, yet substantial, Welsh name that would also be effective in the middle spot. In Wales it's a traditional boys' name, but it's far more popular for girls now in the…
"highest point"
A Biblical place name and a unisex choice that has been on the rise in the US in recent years. With its bright sound and cool, zippy Z beginning, it blends religious significance and trendiness.…
Latin diminutive of Judith or variation of Judah, Hebrew, Arabic
"praised; to be generous and good to others"
Jude may be a popular boys' name, thanks to Jude Law, but boyish nicknames for girls - like Frankie and Teddy - are on trend and Jude is also a new way to spin Judy or Judith. It's long been used…
Variation of Amy or Amaya
As a place name, Amya is a small village in Syria. As a girls’ name , it has ranked in the US Top 1000 since 2000, though it may be close to dropping off the charts altogether. As a variation of…
Ryah is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a modern variation of Raya (Hebrew for 'friend' or Arabic for 'banner'), a feminine form of Ryan (Irish for 'little king'), or a…
Finnish, Nigerian and Yoruba, diminutive of Folashade
"rain; honor bestows a crown"
The one-named singer clarified the confusing pronunciation on this one (in her case, it's shah-DAY), but a number of parents have looked for more phonetic spellings. The Finnish version means "rain."
Variation of Shay, Irish
"the stately, dauntless one"
The third-most-popular spelling of this name, after Shea and Shay, is notable mostly for its connection to Game of Thrones . Shae is a "camp follower" -- AKA prostitute -- who becomes the loyal…
Word name
Most parents today would prefer the softer-sell Stella. But Star has symbolic power related to Christmas, so this could make one of the perfect names for December babies .
English, diminutive of Edith
"prosperous in war"
Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a…
Arabic
"faith"
One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
