International Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 30 pages
of 30
German
"grey battle"
Griselda is a famous folklore figure, noted for her patience and obedience. Her story has been told by Petrarch, Chaucer, Boccaccio and set to music by Scarlatti, Vivaldi and Massenet. In the most…
Spanish
"pillar"
The fact that this Spanish classic, which honors the Virgin Mary, does not end in the conventional letter 'a' gives it a special sense of strength, elegance, and style, making it a worthy choice. The…
"dewdrops"
This name, which refers to Mary as the Virgin of the Dew, is all but unknown in the Anglo community, but popular enough in Hispanic families that it made the US Top 1000 until least until 2006. Also…
Italian and Spanish variation of Celeste
"heavenly"
We are hearing more of such heavenly names as Celeste and Celia, which opens the door to the range of lovely variations rarely heard before. Celestina is one of them, though given the more accessible…
Spanish, from Latin
"flourishing, prosperous"
A pretty elaboration on Florence used in Hispanic countries.
Spanish form of Pascal, French or English
"Passover or Easter"
The name Pascual is traditionally given to babies born in the Spring around Passover or Easter, the literal meaning of the name. A few dozen baby boys are given the name in the US each year, making…
Feminine variation of Amado, Spanish
"loved"
Amada is an unusual Spanish name that's becoming more famous thanks to Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, who named their second daughter Amada Lee and their first Esmeralda Amada. Amada was also the name…
Greek
"the life of Zeus; dedicated to Zeus"
A powerful name with an intriguing air of antiquity, Zenaida has the freshness of Zephyr and Azalea too. Meaning "life of Zeus" or "dedicated to Zeus", it was notably borne by the first-century…
"angels"
A spiritually significant name used in honor of the Virgin Mary. In Spanish, her title is Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles , meaning "Our Lady the Queen of the Angels."
Spanish, diminutive of Rosa
"rose"
This spirited Spanish variation of Rosa was familiar in the mid-20th century, but is used more quietly now. Given to around 35 babies in the US each year, it could work as a fresh alternative to…
Spanish from Arabic
"Madonna lily, white lily"
Azucena is the Spanish name for the Madonna lily, or white lily, derived from the Arabic words ‘abyad , "white", and zanbaq , "lily". White lilies are symbols of the Virgin Mary, which gives the…
Feminine form of Alf or anglicized form of Ailbhe, Danish, Icelandic, Irish
"elf; bright, light, white"
Elva is a multicultural choice, being both an anglicization of the Irish Ailbhe and an feminine form of the name Alf, meaning "elf". Popular in the US at the beginning of the 20th century, it…
Italian, Spanish
"lame; enclosure"
Claudio, a most appealing Italian name, is featured in not one, but two Shakespearean plays, , Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing . While "lame" is the most widely acknowledged meaning,…
Hilario is a masculine name of Latin and Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "hilaris" meaning "cheerful" or "joyful." This name has deep historical roots, dating back to ancient Rome and…
Portuguese
"youthful, downy-bearded, or sky father"
A dashing form of Julian, which derives from Julius, a Roman family name. Its origin is shrouded in history, but possible roots include Latin iuvenis , meaning "youthfu"; Greek ioulos , meaning…
Arnulfo is a masculine name with Germanic roots, derived from the elements 'arn' meaning eagle and 'wulf' meaning wolf. It was borne by several medieval saints and nobles, including Saint Arnulf of…
Italian; Spanish; Portuguese, from Latin
"belonging to heaven"
Classic Italian name with celestial vibes.
Basque, Spanish
"strong"
The name of an ancient saint, a legendary holy man and martyr who is the patron saint of the city of Pamplona in Navarre, Spain. The popular week-long festival Sanfermines, which takes place in…
"worthy"
Yadira is a popular choice in Mexico, Venezuela, and Colombia, and has also been a favorite among Latin American families in the US. Popularized by actress Yadira Jiménez in the mid-20th century, its…
Monserrath is a feminine name derived from Montserrat, which refers to the serrated mountain range near Barcelona, Spain, and the famous Benedictine monastery there dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This…
