By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 119 pages
of 119
English, diminutive of Jo-beginning names
Sprightly and engaging nickname for human, full name for pet. Author Jojo Moyes and dancer/singer Jojo Sliwa have propelled the name into the public eye.
Keli is a short, feminine name with multiple possible origins. It could be a variant spelling of Kelly (an Irish surname meaning "warrior" or "bright-headed"), a shortened form of names like Kelila…
Kera is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it relates to the word for 'horn' and could symbolize strength. In Slavic languages, it may be a variant of Kira, meaning 'throne' or…
Kima is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In African languages, particularly Swahili, it relates to 'that which is on the hill' suggesting elevation and prominence. In Japanese contexts,…
Japanese, Native American
"stork; night"
A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.
English diminutive of Kristen or Kristina, Scandinavian from Greek
"a Christian"
Kris was once the ultimate cool cheerleader name, but now she's more likely to be a matriarch ala Kris Jenner. Only five baby girls were named Kris in the US last year, though there are still several…
Meya is a feminine name with multiple potential origins. It could be a variation of Maya, which has roots in several cultures including Greek mythology (where it refers to the mother of Hermes) and…
Miia is a feminine name primarily found in Finnish and Estonian cultures, though it has spread beyond these regions. It likely originated as a variation of Mia or possibly as a shortened form of…
Hebrew or Greek
"my candle; ocean spirit"
A simple but unusual name with roots in disparate cultures, Neri appears in the Bible as a male name and is still sometimes used for boys as well as girls. The appeal of Neri are its deep roots…
Short form of Veronica, Latin
"true image"
More often spelled Nika, this is a well-used diminutive for the Eastern European Veronika, and there's no reason that the same principle can't apply in the West. It makes a venerated saint's name…
River name and color name
"dark blue, indigo"
Cool, serene name of the Egyptian river can make a fresh choice for a girl. The origin of river name Nile relates to the Arabic and ancient Hebrew word for dark blue or indigo; in ancient Egyptian,…
Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi
"thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"
Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema and Nimah.
Hebrew
"pleasantness, charm, tenderness"
A popular name for both sexes in Israel, in the Top 10 for boys and Top 100 for girls. In the US, Noam is most closely association with (male) intellectual figure Noam Chomsky and so is used (at this…
Sanskrit
"lofty"
This name of a revered Hindu deity is heard in several cultures.
Roxi is a playful, modern feminine name that serves as a diminutive form of Roxanne or Roxana. These parent names derive from the Persian name 'Roshanak,' meaning 'dawn' or 'little star.' Roxi…
"furrow"
Sita's off-beat meaning becomes more powerful once you remember that Sita is the Hindu goddess of the harvest - therefore somewhat of a life-force. Sita can also be spelled Seetha.
Thia is a short, feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a diminutive of names like Cynthia, Anthea, or Dorothea. Alternatively, it could derive from the Greek 'theia,' meaning…
Scandinavian
"will, determination"
Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its…
Word name
Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West.…
Arabic
"beauty, grace"
Zain is a name usually given to boys -- nearly 500 with this spelling alone in the US in one recent year, vs. only 20 girls. But CNN newswoman Zain Asher, sister of actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, is a noted…
