International Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 4 pages
of 4
Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of Eleanor
Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
Short form of Elaine, French and Scottish
"bright, shining light"
Laina owes is popularity not to mother name Elaine but to the much-more-popular Lainey, a fixture in the US Top 100 and still rising. Laina was used for about 100 baby girls last year. Laina, Lainey,…
Swedish variation of Ellen
The Elin variation makes an old favorite sleeker and more modern. Elin came to prominence via the ex-Mrs.Tiger Woods and is now perhaps best known via novelist Elin Hildebrand.. It entered the US Top…
Romanian, from Greek
"torch; shining light"
A trendy and fashionable-sounding Romanian name with rich history. There was a mythical Romanian princess with the name, and it was also a name used by real-life Romanian royalty.
Diminutive of several names
Baby names that started off as diminutives -- Ena, Ita, Etta -- seem too insubstantial for a modern female.
French variation of Helen
"bright, shining one"
Whether it's pronounced with an "een" or an "aine" or an "enn" sound at the end, Helene doesn't feel as current the more forthright Helen or the airier Helena. Helene reached a high of Number 228 in…
Hungarian variation of Helen, Finnish
"shining torch; light; joy"
This variant of Helen is used across Europe, in France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and it's native Hungary. Reminiscent of Elena, Leona, Ilaria, Fiona and Lola, it nevertheless remains a rarity in…
Finnish and Sami variation of Helga, diminutive of Aileen, Anglicization of Eilidh
"holy, blessed; bright and shining light"
An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.
Polish; Belarusian, from Greek
"calm, healer"
This sweet Polish & Belarusian form of Galina has a serene meaning and comes with the cute nickname Hallie. Very usable internationally even outside of the Slavic countries.
Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Estonian
"light"
A pretty international form of Helena used in many Slavic languages, also sometimes spelled Yelena.
Nelli is a charming feminine name with multiple cultural roots. It can be found as a diminutive form of names like Cornelia, Eleanor, Helen, or Petronella in various European traditions, particularly…
Ukrainian, Hawaiian
"torch, shining light; turmeric, yellow, ginger"
This chic Ukrainian form of Helen is relatively unknown outside of its native country, but it definitely has international appeal. Olia or Olenka are the usual Ukrainian diminutives, but tomboyish…
English variation of Eileen, Irish
"desired, water, island; light, shining torch"
Eileen is technically already an Anglicization of Eibhlin, the Gaelic form of Aveline, that may additionally be considered a variation of Helen. This form streamlines the spelling further, drawing…
Gaelic form of Eleanor
Long popular in Scotland, this attractive name is strictly-speaking the Gaelic version of Eleanor, but is also often considered part of the Helen family of names. After the Normans introduced it into…
Slavic form of Helen
A Slavic variation of Helen that might make an unusual update of that classic name.
Scandinavian diminutive of Helena or Elena, Greek
"shining light; torch"
A short, succinct short form of the classic Helen and Helena along with the international variant, Elena, Elna was a popular choice in the 19th and early 20th century in the US, but has since fallen…
Greek and Russian variation of Helen
Slavic twist on a classic.
Diminutive of Yelena, Russian
"bright and shining light"
New name in the pool of international names, added by lovely supermodel Alyona Osmanova.
Elen is a feminine name with ancient Celtic and Welsh origins, representing a traditional Welsh form of Helen. The name has historical significance in Welsh folklore, notably associated with Elen…
