International Baby Names · Girl Names Lists
Unusual International Baby Girl Names
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Sakura
Japanese
"cherry blossom"
Lovely Japanese name that would certainly be appreciated in Europe and the U.S. It was rarely used in Japan until the 1990s, and draws its current popularity from the fact that it is deeply connected…
Saskia
Dutch
"Saxon"
From the first time we saw the name Saskia attached to a portrait of Rembrandt's wife (her full name was Saakje van Uylenburgh, but she was always called Saskia), we have found it utterly charming…
Savita
Hindi
"sun, rouser, stimulator"
Lively and bright, Savita is among the most popular Hindi names for girls , and one that could easily immigrate. Derived from the name of the Hindu god Savitr, Savita is a sunny choice, that more…
Sunniva
Scandinavian
"sun gift"
Sunniva was an Irish-born saint who fled to Norway, where she hid in an island cave with her followers and eventually died. After miracles were reported on the island, the cave was excavated and…
Sigrid
Norse
"fair victory"
Sigrid is a distinctly Scandinavian name that is starting to edge out into the wider world, a la cousin Ingrid. Unfortunately, short form Siri is now off the table, but Sigrid is still a possibility.
Solveig
Norse
"the strong house; the way of the sun"
Currently popular in Norway where it ranks in the Top 50, Solveig is a sunny but strong choice, also familiar across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Finland. It notably appears as the name of the…
Sorcha
Irish
"bright, shining"
A popular Irish name virtually unknown here, but one that feels like it could follow in the footsteps of Siobhan and Saoirse. It's pronounced SOR-ka, but with a little hiccup between the ' r ' and…
Saoirse
Irish
"liberty"
Before the young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in the films Ladybird and The Lovely Bones , few of us had heard this name, let alone known how to pronounce it. But now it is slowly way…
Vigga
Scandinavian
"war/battle"
While Americans may be more familiar with the male form of this name, thanks to actor Viggo Mortensen, Vigga is a popular name in contemporary Denmark and prime for wider export. It's a name with a a…
Vivika
Vivika is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Eastern European roots. It likely developed as a diminutive or variant of names like Vivian or Vivica, ultimately derived from Latin 'vivus' meaning…
Venla
Finnish
"to travel, to proceed"
This elegant Finnish feminization of Wendell is one of those rare names that has never appeared on the US official charts, but is straightforward to spell and say. It has been among the most popular…
Vesna
Slavic
"spring"
The literal word for "spring" in many Slavic languages and the name of an ancient Slavic springtime deity.
Vasiliki
Greek, feminine form of Basil
"royal"
Many old-school girl names are feminine forms of male names. This one gets an exotic twist from being the female version not of Basil but the form used very commonly in Greece, Vasilios. This…
Xanthe
Greek
"golden, yellow"
X marks the spot in names these days, usually at the middles or ends of names, but here is one that puts it squarely up front. This extravagant name, which, like many Greek names beginning with X, is…
Xia
Chinese dynastic name
This name of the first recorded dynasty of ancient China is short and simple enough to make a possible Asian-American alternative to Mia and Tia. British-Filipino child star Xia Vigor has invigorated…
Xochitl
Nahuatl, Aztec
"flower"
Xochitl is a Nahuatl or Aztec floral name used in southern Mexico and pronounced SO-chee-tl or SHO-chee-tl, although sometimes the "tl" at the end is not pronounced, making it SO-Chee. A Nameberry…
Ysee
ee-ZAY
This short and sweet French name is rising rapidly in its native country. Ysée is the most popular spelling, but variants include Isée, Isé and Ysé — the latter two are technically unisex, but only…
Ysella
Cornish
"modest"
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…
Yasmina
Yasmina is a feminine name of Arabic and Persian origin. It is a derivative of the name Yasmin, which refers to the jasmine flower, known for its sweet fragrance and delicate white blossoms. The…
Ylva
Feminine variation of Ulf, Scandinavian
"wolf"
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…