Name Spellings, Initials and Sounds
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Maltese
Maltese form of Andrew.
Irini is a feminine name of Greek origin that directly translates to "peace." It is the modern Greek form of Eirene, who in Greek mythology was the goddess of peace and springtime, one of the Horai…
Jussi is a Finnish male name that functions as a familiar form of Johannes, the Finnish variant of John. With roots in Hebrew, the original name Yochanan means 'God is gracious.' Jussi has been…
Estonian
"strength of a spear + pledged to God or woman from Lydia"
A cute and lively Estonian girl name, Kerli is a combination of Kertu — the Estonian form of Gertrude — and either Eliisabet or Liidia — the Estonian forms of Elizabeth and Lydia. A notable bearer of…
Sanskrit
A lovely name with a lovely meaning ("amusing, charming, graceful" in Sanskrit), Lilavati is a rare Indian name with a handful of historical namesakes. Notable bearers include the daughter of great…
Welsh, from Latin
"laurel"
This unusual and appealing form of Laura is popular in sections of Wales.
Welsh
"loveable"
Mabli is the sweet Welsh variant of Mabel, first used at the beginning of the 20th-century making it a relatively modern choice. Cute but energetic with the appeal of other Welsh names like Cadi and…
Nordic
"great"
Magni is a powerful name from Norse mythology: he’s the son of Thor and the giant Járnsaxa. A more modern variant is Magne, which is currently climbing fast in Denmark.
Pashto
"sad, grieved"
A beautiful girl name with a melodic sound, Malalai is best known for Malalai of Maiwand, a woman who is considered a national folk hero in Afghanistan. She was a 19th-century freedom fighter,…
Swahili from Arabic, Hindi, Sanskrit
"coral; cleansing, purification"
A name with the kind of pan-cultural feel that's in vogue now... and forever, it is both a Swahili name meaning "coral", ultimately from the Arabic marjan , and a Hindi name, meaning "purification".…
Scottish form of Marcella
"warlike"
Although it is sometimes cited as the Gaelic equivalent of English Margery or Marjorie ("pearl"), Marsaili in fact derives from the name of the Roman god of war, Mars, via the related name Marcella.…
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…
"ocean"
The Hindu princess and poetess Meera, was also known as Mira Bai. Mira Bai was a Rajput princess, the only child of Ratan Singh, younger brother of the ruler of Merta. Her royal education included…
Native American
"silent friend"
Brought into the spotlight by actor Mykelti Williamson, who was given it by his half-Blackfoot Indian grandfather
Norse Mythology
A variant spelling of Narfi. The Narvi spelling also belongs to a moon of Saturn and a dwarf in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium.
African, Nigerian-Igbo
"blessing"
Dynamic and creative; common in Africa, challenging here. Pronunciation isn't as difficult as you'd guess, but everyone will have to ask. Many favor n-GO-zee, but a native speaker tells us that it is…
Hindi
"budding leaf, shoot"
An Indian girl name with a meaning reminiscent of spring, Pallavi has an attractive, sunny sound and fashionable -i ending, and it could work well outside of India. One example is the…
Greenlandic variation of Benedict, Latin
"blessed"
This cute form of Benedict is used in Greenland, inspired by the Scandinavian variants Bend, Bent and Bente.
A short-and-sweet name from Greenland, Piinti is a unisex variant of Benedict, inspired by the masculine Scandinavian variants Bend and Bendt, or the feminine Bente.
Finnish
A sweet Finnish nature name, meaning "cloud".
