International Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Finnish variation of Aaron, Hebrew
"high mountain; exalted, enlightened"
Classic Finnish name also found in neighboring Estonia.
Icelandic, Faroese, and Finnish variation of Lily; "lily"
"lily"
Cute and quirky Lily alternative.
Finnish diminutive of Hanna and Johanna
"grace; God is gracious"
A cute and easily accessible Finnish nickname, although not one that is likely to become popular in America now that Hannah and co are on the decline.
Jaana is a feminine name primarily used in Finland, where it's a variation of Jana or Johanna, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' In Finland, Jaana gained…
Maori or Finnish
"tree or deer"
A Maori name derived from a type of tree native to New Zealand's North Island. It's also an ancient Finnish name, likely derived from kauris , the Finnish word for "deer".
Finnish and Latvian variation of Maria
A lovely and typical name on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Bothnia that no one in the English-speaking world will know how to pronounce. Maia sounds (virtually) the same and is far more familiar…
Swedish, Finnish, Inuktitut
If you're ready to move beyond Anna and Hannah, consider this traditional Scandinavian short form of Susanna, historically very popular in its native lands. Sanna is also a modern Inuktitut form of…
Scandinavian
"will, determination"
Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its…
Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Dutch variation of Timothy
"honoring God"
Popular in its own right in Germany and definitely makes a more intriguing and grownup short form of the classic Timothy than Timmy or even Tim.
Nordic variation of Keziah, Hebrew
"cassia tree"
A soft form of Keziah used in Nordic countries, predominantly Norway.
Finnish
"wind"
A sweet and intuitive Finnish word name. The double U's up the quirkiness, for English speakers at least. Also used in Estonia, notable bearers include actress Tuuli Narkle, cartoonist Tuuli Hypén,…
Finnish form of Ida
"industrious one"
For an American girl, the double "I" might be a problem as a child, but an attention-getting talking point as an adult.
German
"protective helmet"
Hilma is heard in Germany and the Scandinavian countries, and sometimes used as a shortening of Wilhelmina--though there are more appealing German names for girls . to be found. Hilma Wolitzer is an…
"pearl"
A punchy alternative to Pearl as it gains popularity, it may also be used as a short form of Vilhelmina or Wilhelmina.
Variation of Hedda. Scandinavian from German
"war"
Heddi ultimately derives from Hedvig, which may not appeal to many American parents as a full form.
Finnish diminutive of Harald, Scandinavian
"army ruler"
A cool and wearable option for honoring an ancestral Harold.
"value, worth"
Arvo is a simple name virtually unknown in the US and UK that might get discovered thanks to the surprise popularity of Arlo.
Finnish variation of Gabriel, Hebrew
"God is my strength"
As a masculine name, Gauri is Finnish in origin and derives from Gabriel.
A Finnish tribe and language
If you've heard this name, it's probably from the hero of the acclaimed Julia Glass novel, Three Junes , or else the political scientist Richard Fenno. As well as a Finnish name, it's alos a Frisian…
Finnish, from Celtic
"bear"
This cute form of Arthur has something distinctly cool about it — from the unique "ooh" ending sound, to the harsher double T in the middle. In Finland, Arttu was a Top 10 name in the 2000s and…
