International Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
West African
"dove, peaceful; one who has the strength"
A distinctive yet gentle looking name, Coumba is predominantly used in Senegal. While the exact origins of the name are uncertain, one possible theory is that it borrows from the Latin Columba (or…
African, Mashona
"spirit guide, protector"
Spirit that protects babies from illness...and surname of designer Naomi.
Latin
"sun"
Related to the more common Solana, Salana has a pleasantly rhythmic pan-cultural feel.
African, Shona, Japanese
"be humorous; world"
For parents searching for an African name that is wearable in the US, Sekai is a wonderful option for a daughter with its cheerful meaning. A multicultural choice, it is also the Japanese word for…
African
"second born"
Achol is an African name that usually means more specifically, "second born after the first child dies," making it a name often used for rainbow babies. Achol Ayor is a South Sudanese model.
Igbo
"father's mother"
Traditionally given to girls who were thought to be reincarnations of their paternal grandmother.
Yoruba
"wealth and riches have come; nobility has arrived"
A melodic and regal name, Ololade is of Yoruba origin, interpreted as "wealth has come", "nobility has arrived", or "the one with honor has come". Predominantly used for girls (though not…
African, Akan
"fifth born child"
Even if you're not planning on having five kids, Enu makes a cute name for a son or daughter.
Uganda
"woman of peace"
Mirembe is a feminine Ugandan name stemming from the Luganda word "emirembe" meaning peace, quiet. In Luganda, Rs are pronounced similar to Ls, so mill-EM-beh is an approximate pronunciation.
Akan
"born on Friday"
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. Most Ghanaians have a name using this…
Tumbuka
"tears"
A sonorous, if mournful, name from the Tumbuka language of Malawi and Zambia.
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".…
Urhobo
"here is my wealth"
A unisex name used among the Urhobo people of Southern Nigeria.
"mercy, kindness"
Igbo name made more familiar by its relationship to the popular Belle and Bella.
Amharic
"aroma or essence"
Pronounced mah-zah, Maaza means a pleasant scent, usually from a yellow daisy popular in Ethiopia. Hot young Ethiopian-American novelist Maaza Mengiste introduced the name to our shores.
"pearl"
A sweet Lu- name with a gemstone meaning, Lulit is predominately used in Ethiopia and by those with Ethiopian heritage.
Zulu, Xhosa
"awaited"
Traditionally reserved for daughters who were long wished for.
Chewa
"test from God"
"joy"
An Ethiopian name that means "joy."
Tswana
"light"
A sparkling and rare option among the names that mean light.
