International Baby Names · Girl Names Lists
Unusual International Baby Girl Names
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About this list
Unusual international girl names are a great place to start if you're looking for a beautiful and unique baby girl name with a solid history. With uncommon baby names getting more and more fashionable, it can be hard to find one that still feels fresh and undiscovered. But there's a whole world of beautiful options out there!
Uncommoninternational baby girl names that are popular here on Nameberry (but not in the US, shhhh!) include Anjali, Cressida, Eira, Saoirse and Ziva. And if you're looking for a truly unique international name for a girl, there are plenty of beautiful rare options, including Araluen, Demelza, Ismene, Mahalia and Zuleika.
Along with Eira and Zora, other short and funky international girl names outside the US Top 1000 include Bijou, Daru, Ezri and Rio. Or if you prefer long, statement-making names, try Antonina, Cleophee, Endellion or Zipporah.
When considering rare names for your baby girl, it's always important to bear each name's cultural context in mind. If the name is not from a culture familiar to you, do some research (asking on our friendly international Forums is a great place to start!) to make sure that you understand the background to the name, and any cultural significance it may have.
Browse a selection of the best unusual international girl names.
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The names
Itzel
Mayan
"rainbow lady"
This name, stemming from the Mayan mythological figure of the Rainbow Lady, is a surprising pop hit, primarily among Hispanic parents. Variation Alitzel was the second fastest-rising name in the US…
Rivka
Hebrew
"to tie, bind"
A traditional name still used in Orthodox families. Rivka is the original form of Rebekah or Rebecca, today used far more widely than the original. Rifka is a variation.
Persephone
Greek
"bringer of destruction"
Magical and earthy, sophisticated but off-beat, Persephone appears as the daughter of Zeus by Demeter in Greek mythology. After she was kidnapped by Hades to be Queen of the Underworld, it was…
Araceli
Spanish
"altar of the sky"
Once-obscure Spanish name inching back up into the US Top 1000 girl names after a short break. Araceli Segarra is a noted mountain climber.
Freyja
Old Norse variation of Freya
"a noble woman"
The original form of the name of the Norse goddess Freya, whose name is now a worldwide sensation. Freya is the most common variant, although Freja is preferred in Denmark and Sweden. Iceland still…
Inaya
Arabic, Bengali and Urdu
"care, concern"
Inaya is a soft and expressive name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat . A…
Belen
Spanish place name and form of Bethlehem, Hebrew, Turkish
"house of bread; mountainside"
A fast rising choice in the US, Belen is a name with two possible origins. On one hand, it could be a variation — or an anglicization — of Belén, the Spanish form of Bethlehem. This would make it a…
Paloma
Spanish
"dove"
Paloma is vibrant and ruby-lipped a la jewelry designer Paloma Picasso, but it also suggests peace, as symbolized by the dove. Paloma is a highly recommended striking but soft name, one of the best…
Anais
Catalan and Provencal pet form of Hebrew Anna
"grace"
Anais is an unusual, alluring name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin (born Angela, with Anais as one of her middle names), who became the inspiration…
Saanvi
Sanskrit
"follower of Lakshmi"
This beautiful girl name is a popular choice in India. It is connected to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of luck and prosperity. Lakshmi is composed of the elements sā , referring to Lakshmi, and anvi ,…
Zora
Serbo-Croatian
"dawn"
Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Spelled Zorah, it is a biblical place name, and is also the…
Bijou
French
"jewel"
Bijou is a name that lives up to its definition -- a real jewel. Warning: not unheard of on poodles' dog collars. Actress Bijou Phillips is its best known bearer. It can also be spelled Bijoux.
Anoushka
Russian, diminutive of Ann
"grace"
A lively, affectionate Russian pet name that is never given as a full name in its homeland, but has found some popularity in upper-crusty British society. It's also a surprising cultural crossover…
Caroun
Armenian
"springtime"
A lovely international version of the dated Karen, also spelled Karoun.
Bidelia
Irish
"strength or exalted one"
Bridget variation that's the root of the unattractive nickname Biddy. Bedelia is another spelling.
Araluen
Aboriginal Australian
"water lilies; place of the water lilies"
Araluen is a beautiful Aboriginal Australian place name, used in several sites, always connected to the dainty water lily. In terms of sound Araluen offers it all - the "Ara" beginning made popular…
Antonina
Slavic, Italian and Nordic from Latin
"priceless"
Despite the popularity of Anthony and its masculine variants, female derivatives of its source – the Roman family name Antonius , of unknown meaning – have never caught on in the same way. Sister…
Bibiana
Latin
"life"
Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes.
Cleophee
French
"glory of the father"
A fancy French feminine form of the Biblical name Cleopas or Cleophas, which may derive from Greek Kleopatros ("glory of the father").
Behati
Afrikaans version of Beate or Beata
"blessed"
Namibian supermodel Behati Prinsloo, who has walked the runway for every designer from Prada to Versace to Vera Wang, has introduced us to this Afrikaans version of Beata and relative of Beatrice.…