Unusual International Baby Girl Names
- Olena
Origin:
UkrainianMeaning:
"torch; shining light"Description:
This chic Ukrainian form of Helen is relatively unknown outside of its native country, but it definitely has international appeal. Olia or Olenka are the usual Ukrainian diminutives, but tomboyish Oli or Leni could work too.
- Aili
Origin:
Finnish and Sami variation of Helga, diminutive of Aileen, Anglicization of EilidhMeaning:
"holy, blessed; bright and shining light"Description:
An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.
- Mafalda
Origin:
Italian and Portuguese variation of MatildaDescription:
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 Matilde, or abbreviation Maud.
- Iman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"faith"Description:
One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
- Quitterie
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"the red one"Description:
Quitterie is a quirky saint’s name which is considered très chic in France at the moment. St Quiteria was a 5th century virgin martyr who was killed after refusing to renounce her Christian faith in order to marry.
- Diya
Origin:
Mbama, Sanskrit, Hindi and LatinMeaning:
"love; lamp; heavenly"Description:
A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins.
- Fabiola
Origin:
French, Italian, and German variation of FabiaDescription:
Fabiola was the romantically elaborate name of a saint who organized the first hospice.
- Mirembe
Origin:
UgandaMeaning:
"woman of peace"Description:
Mirembe is a feminine Ugandan name stemming from the Luganda word "emirembe" meaning peace, quiet. In Luganda, Rs are pronounced similar to Ls, so mill-EM-beh is an approximate pronunciation.
- Ysella
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"modest"Description:
A subtle virtue name, a name that can be shortened to two popular nicknames (Izzy and Ella) and a rare Cornish name - what isn't to love about this modest appellation? It has been used as a name in Cornwall since the 1970s.
- Monserrat
Origin:
Spelling variant of Montserrat, Catalan place-name meaning "serrated mountain"Meaning:
"serrated mountain"Description:
Monserrat is a variant spelling of the Catalan name Montserrat. It is likely the better spelling in English-speaking countries given the correct pronunciation of the name.
- Bibiana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes.
- Helmi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A punchy alternative to Pearl as it gains popularity.
- Ylva
Origin:
Feminine variation of Ulf, ScandinavianMeaning:
"wolf"Description:
Ylva may look like it belongs with the Eva family of names, but it actually derives from Ulf, a name meaning "wolf." It's not a very intuitive name to English-speakers, and likely won't get picked up in the US anytime soon. At last count, it was only given to five American baby girls.
- Doutzen
Origin:
Dutch, meaning unknownDescription:
Dutch supermodel Doutzen (pronounced doubt-son) Kroes has introduced us to a name from the Netherlands that might have a hard time in an American classroom and is nowhere near as glamorous as its bearer.
- Femke
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Femke is a diminutive version of the Dutch or Frisian name Fem, which in turn is a feminine form of the masculine name Femme (still with us?), which is a diminutive of several Old German names names containing the syllable "frid" which means peace.
- Venla
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"to travel, to proceed"Description:
Finnish feminization of Wendell.
- Zennor
Origin:
Cornish, place nameDescription:
This Cornish place name is possibly names after a female saint, Senara. It makes a very interesting choice for those of Cornish descent or who love Cornwall.
- Haruko
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"born in spring"Description:
A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May.
- Romola
Origin:
Latin, Italian variation of Romulus, one of he founders of RomeDescription:
Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal blend of the feminine, unusual, and strong. A current bearer is British actress Romola Garai.
- Kalindi
Origin:
Hindi, variation of KalindaMeaning:
"sun"Description:
Kalindi is a lovely, rhythmic name refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.