By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 119 pages
of 119
Invented name
Possibly created by blending a love for K initials and an interest in designer baby names (Dior), Kior is a modern invention, first appearing in the US charts in 2017. Used for girls and boys, it…
German, Slovene, and Scandinavian form of Maya; also, Arabic
"splendid"
Whether you pronounce it my-a, ma-zha or ma-ha, Maja is an intriguing choice. Sometimes associated with Goya's famous painting "The Naked Maja." As a cognate of Maya, it's a Top 10 name in Slovenia…
Rosy is a charming feminine name that originated as a diminutive of Rose or Rosa. Rose derives from the Latin 'rosa,' referring to the beloved flower symbolizing love and beauty. Rosy also relates to…
Hindi
"gold"
Derived from suvarna , a Sanskrit word meaning "good color".
Choctaw, English, Spanish, Hindi, or Kiswahili
"leaping waters; town; spear strength; mountain peak"
Tula is a multicultural name, linked to the names Tallulah, Gertrude, and Tullia, a mountain range in Antarctica, and to the Greek Toula, used for the heroine of the hit film My Big Fat Greek Wedding…
Zyah is a modern feminine name with an exotic flair, possibly derived from the Arabic name Ziya, meaning 'light' or 'splendor.' The distinctive 'Z' beginning and 'ah' ending create a melodious sound…
Irish
"brightness, splendor"
More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer…
Kobe as a feminine name represents an interesting gender crossover, as it's more commonly associated with boys. The name gained significant recognition through basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose…
Hebrew
"talk, expression"
Also an Israeli place-name, this is an unusual, feminine choice.
Arabic or Semitic
"goddess of the sun"
Nuha is an Arabic name meaning wise, and also a name from Semitic mythology of unknown origin, belonging to an ancient sun goddess.
Welsh
"ardor"
Less than ten percent of the babies named Rhys are girls, whereas Reese is given five times more often to girls than to boys, thanks to Ms. Witherspoon. It's a sleek and attractive name, but one that…
Word name
One of the new literalist religious names, like Blessing, Heavenly and Neveah. More male than female, but essentially unisex.
Dutch variation of Ilsa
"pledged to God"
Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.
Welsh form of Molly or Thai
"jasmine flower"
Seems unfamiliar, till you realize everyone will just hear it as Molly. In Wales, Mali is a Top 100 name.
Sila is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. In Inuit tradition, Sila refers to the spirit of the air and weather, representing a profound connection to nature. In Scandinavian countries,…
Diminutive of Simone or Simcha
A nickname in the Siri and Suri vein, Simi seems a bit simulated but also has some charm, ala Remi and Emmy. And Simi definitely cutens up the serious sophisticated long forms Simone or Simcha.
English
"soul, spirit"
A charming addition to the ever-growing crop of virtue names, Soul is a warm yet mystical choice with links to spirituality, feelings, and music. While it is a bold word name, its similarity to Sol…
Japanese, Finnish
"lover of jasmine; lover of pears; messenger, herald"
A multicultural choice with an airy feel, Airi is a Japanese name celebrating pears or jasmine and a Finnish name meaning "messenger", from the word airut . In Japanese, it is pronounced with three…
"fire"
This phonetic Anglicization of the Irish name Eithne was made familiar by the single-named Irish singer and composer. St. Eithne was the daughter of a king and an early Irish convert to Christianity.
Hebrew diminutive of Esther, Persian, or Basque
"star; sweet honey"
Esti is most commonly a short form of Esther and Estelle, both making the big move from old lady name to cool young name. It's also a popular short form of the Basque names Estitxu and Estibalitz, or…
