International Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 13 pages
of 13
Spanish
"hope, expectation"
Esperanza is a Spanish classic that's found its way onto the national popularity list in recent years. It came into the spotlight not long ago when jazz singer Esperanza Spalding "stole" the Best New…
Spanish, Slovene, Lithuanian, Persian, Swedish, Serbian,"life, visible, willow, to see"
"life, visible, willow, to see"
Vida is a multicultural gem, familiar in a number of languages by not overly popular. It featured in the US Top 1000 in the first half of the 20th century, and in recent years, it has seen renewed…
Spanish, feminine variation of Juan
"God is gracious"
Juana has not achieved the popularity in the U.S. of the male version Juan. Whereas Juan has made it almost to the Top 50 on the U. S. hit parade, sister Juana has barely entered the thousand most…
Latin
"from the woods"
This original form of the name -- the more familiar Sylvia spelling came later -- seems more modern now.
Spanish from Arabic
"hidden river, valley of the wolves"
Popular Spanish name that relates to the patron saint of Mexico. It could conceivably, like Soledad and Consuelo, cross the border into multicultural territory, but the name's decline since the…
Spanish variation of Octavius
"eighth"
The most popular of the number names used by Hispanic parents, open to all. Octavia and Octavio are two Spanish baby names that are moving out into the wider world.
"from Antium"
Antonia is stronger than most feminized boys’ names , reflecting the pioneer spirit of Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia . Antonia is hovering near the bottom of the US popularity list, which…
Italian, Spanish, and Israeli variation of Michaela
"who is like God"
The original versions of Micaela have morphed into all manner of "inventive" spellings -- Makayla, McKalla et al -- but we prefer the genuine international versions, like this one.
Italian and Portuguese variation of Christian
Variation of the popular religious name, boosted by megastar Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
English and Spanish diminutive of Elizabeth
"pledged to God"
A condensed version of Elizabeth made more familiar by The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 's Lisbeth Salander.
"warlike"
A feminine form of Martin, this strong and zestful sounding name is popular in Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Italy, where it ranks in the Top 30. Also familiar in Czechia, the UK, Slovakia, and…
Catalan
"serrated mountain"
Montserrat is a Catalan name meaning ‘serrated mountain’. That may not be the most appealing meaning, but the exceptional beauty of the Montserrat mountain range near Barcelona, Spain might change…
Nahuatl
"star"
A celestial choice that's used both in Mexico and by Latinx Americans. The Hispanized form spelling Xitlali may be more familiar.
Spelling variant of Montserrat, Catalan place-name meaning "serrated mountain"
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. Monserrat/Montserrat is a…
"miracles"
Even in the Hispanic community, very religious and old-fashioned.
Feminine form of Marcel, Latin
A feminine form of Marcel, ultimately from Marcellus and Marcus, Latin names celebrating the Roman God of war, Mars. This spelling is used in Poland, Czechia, Spain, Brazil, Uruguay, and Brazil in…
Spanish variation of Pearl
Consistently popular Latina gem name; good choice for those who can't shake Pearl's grandmotherly vibe.
Modern invented name based on Jules, Latin
"sky father; youthful"
A modern spin on classic Jules, this name appeared in the US Top 1000 multiple times between 2009 and 2021. Notably borne by rapper and actor Juelz Santana, it was still given to more than 100 boys…
English combination of Mary and Bel, or Spanish short form of María Isabel, "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"
This modern name gathers some steam from the wildly popular Isabel. The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter"…
French, feminine variation of Denis
"god of Nysa"
Denise was a French favorite of the fifties and sixties but is less chic now. In 2020 it broke back into the Top 1000 after a five-year hiatus, catapulted into style by reality TV star Denisse Novoa…
