Updated November 2026
Across 11 pages
of 11
Hindi, Hebrew
"queen; she is singing"
Rani, alternatively spelled Ranee, is the female equivalent of Raja in Hindi. In many Indo-Aryan languages it can mean "queen" or "lady". The Hebrew version is used for both genders in modern Israel.…
Sanskrit
"lord"
A multi-cultural choice overflowing with charm.
"awakening; enlightenment"
Bodhi relates to the Buddhist concept of enlightenment and has been a hot baby name in recent years, most notably for boys. Sunny yet calm, Bodhi conveys a state of being free from hatred and greed…
Japanese, Sanskrit, or variation of Amy
"second beauty; second ocean; second truth; nectar; beloved"
A multicultural unisex choice that peaked for girls at the same time as Amy. Ami is also the French word for "friend."
Hindi
"religious service"
Unlike Pamela and Melanie, Mela feels fresh and unusual.
Punjabi, Hindi, Sanskrit
"remembrance"
Notably used in India, but familiar in the UK (where it has ranked in the Top 1000), Simran is a spiritual name within Sikhism, associated with the continuous remembrance of your best self and of…
"ether"
This Hindi name for the fifth element, related to the male Akash which means "open sky," was used by Anne Rice in her Vampire Chronicles .
Hindi, Telegu, Marathi, Sanskrit
"beautiful, lovely, favorable"
A melodic and pretty name used prominently in India, Kalyani has an equally attractive meaning: "lovely, beautiful, favorable, auspicious". Notably borne by actress Kalyani Priyadarshan, it also…
Burmese, Sanskrit
"victory"
Ultimately from Sanskrit, this name has a concise yet lively sound and a strong meaning.
Tamil, Malayalam, Sanskrit
"wet, damp"
The name of one of the 27 nakshatras in Hindu and Buddhist astrology, a nakshatra being a lunar mansion, or segment, through which the moon passes. Aadhira, or Ardra, is the sixth of these and is…
"divine, heavenly"
A Sanskrit name, used in among Hindi, Tamil, Telegu, and Marathi speakers, Divya is a bright and sparkly choice, derived from the word divyā́ meaning "celestial, divine, heavenly" or sometimes…
Diminutive of Jennifer, variation of Gina, English, Arabic, "white wave; paradise"
"white wave; paradise"
Jena is a succinct name with a number of different roots, making it a versatile choice. On one hand, it might be used as a diminutive for the 70s favorite Jennifer, a name of Cornish origin that was…
Hindi, Sanskrit
"treasure"
This jewel of a name is relatively common among Gen X and Millennial Indian women. Model Nidhi Sunil is a notable bearer.
Arabic
"crown"
Taj is a cool new name with ancient Eastern roots. While Taj can work for either sex, Taja might be a feminine alternative.
"pearl"
Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza is popularizing this one.
"power"
Shakti is the female equivalent of the god Shiva in Hinduism. A sacred name sometimes used in a secular way.
Variation of Aveline, English, German, or Punjabi
"desired, island, water; blessed by God, at one with God"
A multicultural option, Avleen feels both unusual yet totally familiar. As a Punjabi name, it is derived from the elements av meaning "god" and leen meaning "merged, absorbed" and is interpreted to…
"little goddess"
Nine little goddesses got this lovely name in the US in 2021, making it a usable yet unusual entry in the popular mythological category. Devika is a diminutive of Devi, the head goddess of Hindu…
"praise, charm"
Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin is a master namer, and this unusual choice from India is beginning to be heard in nurseries as well as on television. Sansa was perhaps slower to catch on…
"life and death"
Shivani sounds fresh and powerful.