International Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Diminutive of Mary or Margaret, Hebrew, Egyptian, Greek
"drop of the sea or bitter or pearl"
Mamie is back. Having finally shorn her Mamie Eisenhower bangs, this insouciant and adorable nickname name is perfect if you want a zestier way to honor a beloved aunt Mary. Meryl Streep's actress…
English, combination of Mary and Beth
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + oath"
Variant of Marybeth
German and Spanish diminutive of Maria
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Derived from Maria, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from…
Finnish and Old Swedish form of Maria, Portuguese, Japanese, Georgian, Arabic
"beloved; drop of the sea, bitter; beloved and famous in battle; dance + sand; born in May; walking with a proud gait"
A truly international name with a multitude of origins. From Finnish and Old Swedish, it is one of many international variations of Mary and Maria, and can also be spelled Majsa (pronounced MIE-suh).…
Arabic
"purity, bright whiteness"
The final a adds a lot of style.
Russian variation of Maria, Hebrew or Egyptian
Looking to honor Grandma Mary (or Maria) with something original? This Russian short form bears an unfortunate resemblance to the English word "mash", but if you can look past that, Masha has…
Latin
"shining sea"
Marilla is a names that's familiar via its resemblance to Mary and variations, but also distinctive: It hasn't been on the Top 1000 since the 1800s and was given to only 27 baby girls last year.…
Dutch, Persian, Kazakh, Arabic, Sanskrit
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + grace; coral; purification"
A succinct and multicultural choice, Marjan's meaning and pronunciation differs depending on which root you follow. As a Dutch name, it is a variation of Marianne, a name that blends the classic…
English, variant of Maria
Variant of Maria
Hawaiian, Tongan, and Samoan
"song"
Some sources say Mele is a South Sea Islander form of Mary, but it's also a name in its own right meaning song.
Variation of Muriel via Meriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique…
Manya is a feminine name with diverse cultural roots. It originated as a diminutive form of Maria in Russian and Eastern European usage, but also appears as a variant of the Hebrew name Manya meaning…
French, diminutive of Marie
"bitter"
Manon is an endearing French pet name for Marie or Marianne; it has the international yet straightforward feel that makes it a viable import. Manon of the Spring was a gorgeous French film, Manon…
Italian variation of Marilla, Latin
"bright shining sea"
Marella is an Italian name that feels at once unique and familiar, which may either be the best or worst of both worlds, depending on your preference. Only a few dozen baby girls were named Marella…
Hungarian and Dutch diminutive of Maria
Robust and energetic with an even blend of spikiness and elegance, Mariska is a diminutive of Maria, notably used in Hungary and The Netherlands. Internationally, it was brought into the spotlight by…
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 diminutive of Maria
"bitter; wished-for child"
Although the sound is pretty, "my" is too common of an English word for My to be usable as a baby name in Anglophone countries.
Scottish variation of Mary
Why does Mairi (rhymes with Harry) seem so much cooler than Mary? This Irish form of Mary was not used before the seventeenth century, as it was considered too sacred. The vocative case of the name,…
Finnish, Dutch
"berry"
A Dutch, Finnish and Sorbian form of Mary, which also happens to mean "berry" in Finnish, giving it a sweet naturey charm.
Greek diminutive of Maria, Hebrew
"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea"
An appealing diminutive of Maria, sometime transcribed as Maroulla too.
