By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 326 pages
of 326
Feminine form of Felinus, Latin
"cat-like"
This Top 100 girls' name in The Netherlands is unlikely to translate to the U.S., where it would undoubtedly pronounced fee-line and mistaken for the adjective that means cat-like. While the name…
Variation of Fenna, Dutch and Frisian
"peace"
Fenne and its phonetic version Fenna are vintage names enjoying a resurgence in The Netherlands, where both make the girls' Top 100.
Dutch
"travel to battle"
This Dutch name derives from the old Germanic name, Farahild. It is quite common in the Netherlands.
Danish feminine form of Benedict
"blessed"
Bente, pronounced ben-tah, is a popular girls' name in both The Netherlands and Denmark though largely unknown in the English-speaking world. It suffers by being a near-homonym of the English word…
Finnish and Dutch diminutive of Katherine
"pure"
A distinctive diminutive of Katherine, once in the Top 100 in the Netherlands during the 2000s. It remains a familiar choice there.
Dutch variation of Linda, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian
"pretty"
A popular and stylish choice in The Netherlands where it ranked in the Top 100 in a recent year, Linde has a sleek look and a pretty meaning. Pronounced just like Linda, it may feel dated in the US…
"star"
Stella gets a cool European makeover.
Dutch short form of Benedicta, Latin
Benthe is a popular Dutch abbreviation of the feminine for Benedict.
Dutch, shortened form of Josephine
Whereas in English, Josephine gets shortened to Jo, in Dutch it gets shortened to 'Fiene" (sounds like Feen). Fiene is now a name in its own right.
Mirthe is a feminine name of Dutch origin that means 'mirth' or 'joy,' reflecting its connection to happiness and cheerfulness. Popular in the Netherlands and Flanders, the name embodies a sense of…
Irish
"light"
Pronounced lee-sha, Laoise is the feminine form of the Irish mythological names Lugh and Lugus, which means light. Lugus was the Celtic god of commerce and craftsmanship, the equivalent of the Roman…
Basque place name
Leyre is an important name in Navarre, Spain, as it is both the name of a mountain and an ancient monastery. It is derived from the Basque Leire, of uncertain origins. Both spellings currently rank…
Swedish and Danish
"happiness, good fortune"
Sweet Lykke, virtually unknown in English-speaking countries, is one of the top girl names in Sweden.
German
"strength of a spear"
Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina. Gesine comes from the same roots - Geretrudis - and shares the name's…
Yoruba
"second-born of twins or one who falls behind"
Although the best-known Kehinde is the male painter Kehinde Wiley, this name is used for both genders in its native Nigeria and can be just as attractive for a girl.
Nahuatl
"unique"
Iselle was a hurricane during the 2014 season, Iselle is thought to be drawn from the Nahuatl word icel , meaning unique or only. Iselle could fit right in with recent favorites like Isabelle and…
Basque, diminutive or local variant of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
A rare name even among Basque speakers (fewer than 20 women in Spain are called Elixane), this beautiful name has drawn some attention via Elixane Lechemia, the French pro-tennis player. With its…
Variation of Raphaela
French feminine version of Leopold
"brave people"
A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.
French variant of Zerlin and Zerlina
"beautiful dawn"
Although a variant of the operatic Zerlina, Zerline has her own theatrical tale. She is the star character of the opera Fra Diavolo by Daniel Auber. Zerline, daughter of the innkeeper of Terracina,…
