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.
Flavia
Latin
"golden, blond"
An ancient Roman clan name, Flavia is one choice that's unusual but historic. Now a Top 60 name in Italy, Flavia has been a rarity in the US, but with the upswing in F names for girls, this could…
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…
Daria
Feminine variation of Darius, Persian or Latin from Greek
"kingly or possess well"
An early Christian martyr, a bespectacled MTV cartoon heroine, and Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy: Daria is a name that manages to feel contemporary and usable without being exactly stylish. Which…
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…
Calista
Greek
"most beautiful"
Spelled with either one 'l' or two, Calista came to the fore in 1997 when Calista Flockhart hit it big as Ally McBeal. Flockhart, who bears her mother's middle name, didn't just introduce a name, she…
Genoveva
Variation of Genevieve or Geneva, French
"tribe woman or juniper"
The rare name Genoveva might be thought of as a variation of the French names Genevieve or Geneva, which have different roots and meanings. An unusual, pretty choice.
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…
Diya
Mbama, Sanskrit, Hindi and Latin
"love; lamp; heavenly"
A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins. Widely used in Africa, it's a variant spelling of Dia, which means "love" in Lembaama. It's a Hindi name…
Mahalia
Hebrew, variation of Mahala
"tenderness, affection"
An underused Biblical name, probably because it's so tightly identified with the Queen of gospel singers, Mahalia Jackson. Other variations include Mahalah, Mahayla, Mahila, Mahilia, Mehalia, Mahali,…
Delphine
French from Greek
"of Delphi; womb"
Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed…
Haruko
Japanese
"born in spring"
A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May.
Mafalda
Italian and Portuguese variation of Matilda
Mafalda is nearly unknown in the English-speaking world, despite an appearance in Harry Potter. Indeed, it does have a witchy feel. Matilda itself is preferable, or her French form Mathilde, Spanish…
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 ,…
