Nameberry Favorites
Names That Feel Exotic Yet Simple
Across 23 pages
of 23
Milana
Italian
"from Milan"
This makes Milan sound like less of a place, more of a name.
Rohan
Irish; Scottish; Hindi
"rowan tree; redhead; ascension"
Simultaneously a name of Hindi and Sanskrit origin, a spelling variation of the popular Rowan and an anglicized form of Irish Ruadhán, Rohan is a cross-cultural choice. As a Hindu name, it is…
Naya
Spelling variation of Nia
Related to Nia and Naia, Naya was new to the US Top 1000 in 2014 and benefits from the short and simple pronunciation that many parents are seeking in fresh names. It also has obvious similarities to…
Jrue
Modern invented, variation of Drew
This phonetic spelling of Drew feels particularly distanced from the original classic Andrew. Jrue, along with other phonetic "Jr" names such as Jream, is on the rise in the US — even cracking the…
Aura
Greek
"soft breeze"
Aura is a New Age-y word turned name turned contemporary slang for being cool, confident, and suave. Also associated with ancient mythology, the spiritual "essence" surrounding someone, with the…
Livia
Diminutive of Olivia or Latin
"blue, envious"
Though it sounds like a chopped-off variation of Olivia, which means olive, the distinctively attractive Livia has been an independent name since the days of the ancient Romans, when it belonged to…
Keyla
Spelling variation of Kayla
While Kayla has been a mainstay in the US Top 1000 list since the 1960s, alternate version Keyla is relatively new, first entering the charts in 2002. While this spelling also has the possibility of…
Dane
English
"from Denmark"
Dane is a more masculine Dana alternative, with added style edge. Dane has been on the US Top 1000 for more than seventy years, having entered the list in 1945. Dane makes a great middle name, as…
Jettson
Spelling variation of surname Jetson, English
Jettson is spelling variation of the surname Jetson , which may have originated as a spin on Judson, which means "son of Jordan". In the US, it might be associated with the cartoon family "The…
Nyomi
Variation of Naomi, Hebrew
"pleasantness"
This spelling of Naomi increases the chances you'll get the nye-O-mee pronunciation and feels reminiscent of Japanese Kiyomi. The name entered the Top 1000 in 2020 and has lingered around the latter…
Promise
English word name
"a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified"
Promise is one of those word names with an uplifting meaning that is making inroads as a girls' name , like sisters Dream and Serenity. How promising is Promise as a first name? Our try at cleverness…
Aila
Finnish variation of Helga or Scottish Gaelic
"from the strong place"
Now that Isla Fisher has pushed her once-obscure name into the Top 150, some parents are looking for similar-sounding Scottish names for girls that are further off the beaten path. This one is…
Avi
Hebrew
"father"
Avi, the short form of many Hebrew names, is often used on its own in Israel. It entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
Rayden
Modern invented name
Rayden is yet another example of the dozens of new boys' names with the 'aden' sound.
Ezra
Hebrew
"help"
Ezra is a biblical favorite for boys that's been making inroads into the girls' Top 1000 since 2018 and it's easy to see why. With its soft sounds and -a ending, it holds the same appeal as Noa,…
Zaniyah
Spelling variation of Zaniah
This variant of Zaniah debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2007.
Dakari
African
"rejoice"
This name from the Shona language is a new entrant to the Top 1000 in the US.
Amayah
Variation of Amaya or Amaia, Spanish, Basque, Japanese
"mother city; the end; night rain; heavenly valley"
A multicultural choice, Amayah and its variations have been rising up the charts in recent years. This particular form entered the US Top 1000 back in 2016 and a recent year saw in rank just within…
Elani
Modern variation of Alani, Eleni, Ilana, or Eliana, Hawaiian, Greek, Hebrew
"orange tree; shining light, torch; tree; my God has answered"
Melodic and stylish, Elani blends the lani ending of Hawaiian names like Alani, Kalani and Leilani, with the sounds and beginning of choices like the Hebrew Eliana, the Greek Eleni, and the classic…
Anaiah
Variation of Anaia, Basque, or Hebrew
"brother; God has answered"
Despite being associated with male characters in the Bible, Anaiah is much more common for girls in the US. In Puerto Rico, Anaiah ranks in the Top 100.