Girl Names Lists · International Baby Names
Girl Names Uncommon in the US
Across 14 pages
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Marlene
German variation of Madeline; combination of Mary and Magdalen
Marlene Dietrich made it famous when she condensed her first two names, Maria and Magdalena. Now more often pronounced with two syllables rather than three.
Marta
Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic
"lady"
Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
Martina
Latin
"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…
Maud
English and French diminutive of Matilda, German
"battle-mighty"
Maud, lacy and mauve-tinted, was wildly popular a hundred years ago but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose Maud again, especially as a middle. Maude…
Meabh
Irish
"she who intoxicates"
Meabh, the native Irish spelling of Maeve, is in the Top 100 in Ireland and becoming more popular here in its Anglicized form. Outside of Ireland, life will be easier with the Maeve spelling of this…
Meja
German, Swedish diminutive of names beginning with Mein- or Magn-
"strong"
The names from which Meja derived, including Meinhild and Magnhild, are long gone, but a Swedish singer called Meja (born Anna Pernilla Torndahl) has piqued interest in this modern derivative. Meja…
Meline
Meline is a feminine name with Armenian origins, derived from the Greek name 'Melina,' meaning 'honey' or 'yellow.' In Armenian culture, it carries connotations of sweetness and warmth. The name has…
Merel
Dutch
"blackbird"
Merel is a soundalike of Meryl and may be thought of as a variation of that name, but it's also the Dutch word for blackbird and so you can make it more stylish as one of the flock of cool new bird…
Merle
French
"blackbird"
A sleek, smooth, understated name off the grid in the US but among the Top 100 girl names in Germany. In the US, it is a unisex name, while in Germany and the Netherlands, it is predominantly…
Mille
Mille is a feminine name with Scandinavian origins, particularly popular in Denmark where it functions as a diminutive of Emilie or Camilla. The name has also been used as a nickname for Millicent or…
Mirren
Scottish
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Mirren is a lively and attractive Scottish name, popular in its native country but best known outside Scotland as the surname of the English actor Dame Helen Mirren. It is thought to be a Scottish…
Moa
Swedish
"mother"
Moa was among the Top 100 Swedish baby names throughout the 2000s and 2010s, though it has since declined in use. Pronounced as MOO-ah in Sweden, it is virtually unknown in the US. Could Moa make an…
Mynte
Danish
"mint"
Minta would be easier to wear as an English-speaker.
Nahia
Basque
"wish"
A very popular girls' name in the Basque country and Puerto Rico. It is among the Top 100 Spanish baby names , so it's a girls' name that's widely used in Spain.
Naia
Hawaiian, Greek, Basque
"dolphin; to flow; wave, sea foam"
A multicultural option that's equally intriguing but more unusual than Maia. Connected to water and the ocean, it is a Top 100 choice in Spain and Puerto Rico and has been rising up the charts in…
Nayara
Spelling variation of Naiara, Basque place-name
Nayara or Naiara is a Basque name for a Spanish city where the Virgin Mary appeared in medieval times, now a popular girls' name throughout Spain.
Nele
German diminutive of Cornelia
"horn"
Nele originated as a German nickname for Cornelia, but it superseded its mother name and has been a Top 50 name in Germany since 2000. Nell, or even the phonetic spelling, Nela, would be more…
Nerea
Basque
"mine"
A variation of the name Nere, both choices are distinctive and accessible. In the Top 20 in Spain.
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…
Noemie
Noemie is the French variation of Naomi, a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'pleasantness' or 'delightfulness.' In the Bible, Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth and a figure of loyalty and…