Updated October 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Literary invention
An intriguing, plausible name--kind of a Nell-Hillary combo--created by L. Frank Baum for a character in his book The Lost Princess of Oz .
Turkish
"bright moon"
Nuray is one of the most popular girls' names in the Middle East though it's largely unknown and unused in the Western World. The meaning, related to the more familiar Noor, adds appeal.
Persian
"wild rose"
Nasrin has a strong sound and lovely floral meaning. International variants include the Turkish Nesrin and Egyptian Nesreen.
Hindi
"blue sapphire"
It is said that if one wears a flawless blue sapphire, it can remove poverty and provide health, wealth, long life, happiness and prosperity.
Modern invented name
Charming comedic actress Niecy Nash -- who's drawn widespread acclaim in the last few years as the star of Getting On and Claws -- was originally born Carol Denise. Her stage name likely originated…
Novalyne Price Ellis was a 20th century writer best known for One Who Walked Alone , a memoir about her relationship with pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard, the inventor of Conan the Barbarian,…
Irish
Although it is now a unisex name in Ireland, Naoise is originally a masculine name. It belonged to a handsome young warrior in Irish legend, lover of the tragic Deirdre, who killed herself after…
Hawaiian
"sunflower"
The Hawaiian word for sunflower is also used figuratively for people who gaze toward the sun, and has a nice resonance with Lion King name Nala.
Hebrew
"brightness"
A masculine name in the Old Testament, but used contemporarily as a feminine name, Nogah was borne by a son of King David. Predominantly given in Israel, the name can also be spelled as Noga.
Invented name
Nilin Cartier-Wells is a character from the video game Remember Me . Nilin rhymes with Dylan.
Bird name from German
"night singer"
Charming nature name made even more appealing by the connection to iconic nurse and statistician Florence Nightingale.
Greek
"a poetic drug said to banish sorrow from a person's mind"
English
"musk nut"
Aromatic spice used in cooking, and a cute route to Meg, Nutmeg is predominantly used on pets rather than humans.
"lotus, water lily"
Niloufar is a gorgeous Persian name used in Iran, Turkey (as Nilüfer), and Azerbaijan. It has many alternate spellings including Nilofar, which is used by Urdu speakers.
Invented name, Celtic
"she who is near the sea"
Queen Nehelenia is a villain in the Sailor Moon anime franchise. Her name is likely a reference to both the mineral nepheline — as many Sailor Moon characters are named after minerals — and…
"burner of ships"
In Homer's Odyssey Nausicaa (or Nausicaä) is a daughter of Alcinous who helps Odysseus on his journey home. In pop culture, it is the name of the eponymous heroine in the 1984 Japanese anime movie…
Catalan and Italian form of Nausicaa, Greek
The Catalan and Italian form of Nausicaa, a daughter of Alcinous in Greek mythology who helps Odysseus on his journey home. In pop culture, it is the name of the eponymous heroine in the 1984…
"joy"
A lively and joyous Indian girl name meaning happy, pleasing, delighted, and joyful.
Botanical name and feminine variation of Nicander, Greek
"man of victory"
Nicandra is the name of a plant known as apple-of-peru and also shoo-fly plant. It's also the feminine form of Nicander, an ancient Greek poet, physician, and grammarian. Nicandra is the name of the…
"nymph"
Nympha sounds like it might be a modern invented name in the trendy mythological group, but it is actually an Ancient Greek name mentioned in the Bible. And there is an obscure St. Nympha, one of the…