International Baby Girl Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

Lilou

Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and Louise

"lily; lily + renowned warrior"

Sweet, enchanting Lilou is considered both a pet name from the Occitan language (spoken in Provence in the south of France), and a compound name, blending floral Lili with classic Louise. It peaked…

Lucienne

French feminine variation of Lucian

"light"

Lucienne is a soft and ultra-sophisticated French-accented option in the Lucy family, one that could provide a fresh alternative to such fatigued Gallic choices as Danielle and Michelle. So if you're…

Luiza

Russian and Portuguese variations of Louisa

"renowned warrior"

Luiza livens up Louisa. The insertion of the letter "Z" adds a lot more pizzazz. Luiza Perote is a Brazilian model.

Manon

French, diminutive of Marie

"bitter"

Manon is an endearing French pet name for Marie or Marianne; it has the international yet straightforward feel that makes it a viable import. Manon of the Spring was a gorgeous French film, Manon…

Marama

Maori and Tahitian

"moon; bright"

The name of a male lunar deity in Maori mythology, Marama is nevertheless now used as a female name in New Zealand – no doubt because its warm sound lends itself to contemporary feminine trends. In…

Marine

Latin

"from the sea"

Marine was trending for a long time in France, but the far right politician Marine (born Marion) LePen has dampened the mood.

Marit

Aramaic

"pearl"

An unusual and straightforward name with an attractive Scandinavian accent; a royal name in Norway.

Megumi

Japanese

"blessing"

An Asian name not widely known in the West.

Melantha

Greek

"dark flower"

The th sound both softens and complicates this Melanie relative.

Melati

Malay and Indonesian

"jasmine flower"

From the Sanskrit malati , a subtle botanical option.

Melis

Melis is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Turkish, it means 'honey-sweet' or 'honeybee,' while it can also function as a Greek diminutive of Melissa (also meaning 'honeybee'). In…

Mercedes

Spanish

"gracious gifts, benefits"

Mercedes is one of the few names attached to luxury living that we can wholeheartedly recommend, it being a legitimate Spanish appellation stemming from one of the epithets given to the Virgin…

Midori

Japanese

"green; beautiful bird"

In Japan, color names are used to symbolize human qualities, and the green hues of Midori name are said to represent fame. While it is a unisex choice in its native Japan, Midori is predominantly…

Mignon

French

"delicate, dainty"

Charming French endearment, first used as a name by Goethe, that now makes an appealing choice -- though the proper feminine form is Mignonne. Note, though, that this is not actually used as a name…

Mirai

Japanese or Shona

"future or wait"

A modern Japanese name meaning "future", borne by figure skater Mirai Nagasu. The name is technically unisex, but more often given to girls. Mirai is also a Shona female given name, meaning "wait".

Nadya

Slavic and Russian

"hope"

Nadya and Nadia are Eastern European short forms -- for the more difficult Nadezhda -- now fully accepted on their own.

Natalya

Russian from Latin

"natal day, Christmas"

Perfect name for a little girl born at Christmas . Its many variations and pet forms include Natalia, Nataliya, Natalie, Nataly, Natascha, Talya, Talia, Tasha and Tasya.

Nazanin

Persian

"sweetheart"

This sweet-sounding and sweet meaning name is popular across the Middle East and Central Asia. Notable bearers include actress Nazanin Boniadi and British-Iranian citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe,…

Ngaio

Maori

"reflections on the water"

New Zealand writer Ngaio (born Edith Ngaio) Marsh is the best-known bearer of this Maori nature name, properly pronounced ng (like the end of sing) -EYE-oh. It is the name of a tree indigenous to New…

Niamh

Irish Gaelic

"bright"

Niamh, derived from the Old Irish Niam, is an ancient Irish name that was originally a term for a goddess. In Irish myth, one who bore it was Niamh of the Golden Hair, daughter of the sea god, who…