European Girl Names

Charming French endearment, first used as a name by Goethe, that now makes an appealing choice -- though the proper feminine form is Mignonne. Note, though, that this is not actually used as a name in France, where Manon would be the closest choice.

The retro Dana meets the classic Nora in this Lithuanian name. Grand and whimsical but with down-to-earth nicknames, Dainora fits equally well in a fantasy novel and in the classroom, and its sweet musical meaning makes it ideal for music lovers.

This international color name, close enough to the English to be easily understood in the US or other English-speaking countries, ranks among the top names for girls in Italy.

Xanthipe, also spelled Xanthippe, is the name of the wife of Socrates. Challenging for English speakers, it's also dramatic and alluring.

The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.

Frostine, best known in the U.S. as the name of the Candyland queen, is newly fashionable in France and is certainly a choice that any little girl the world over would love. Fanciful, if over-the-top, but a perfect name for a winter baby girl.

The Spanish and Portuguese word for "sea" is a Top 100 name in Spain. In America, it's sometimes used as a nickname for names like Martina and Marina, but it could also plausibly stand on its own.

The exact origins of Tiril remain a mystery, but it is generally considered to be a name from Norwegian poetry. The heroine of Johan Sebastian Cammermeyer’s fantastical poem "Lokkende Toner" is Tirilil Tove.

A fast rising choice in the US, Belen is a name with two possible origins. On one hand, it could be a variation — or an anglicization — of Belén, the Spanish form of Bethlehem. This would make it a spiritual choice, connected to the birth place of Jesus.

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 feminine.

This feminization of Arnold (based on the Dutch variant Arend) feels fresh and sweet, and comes with the cute nicknames Ari, Aria & Dina. An airy, feminine choice that can be used outside of the Netherlands.

Benthe is a popular Dutch abbreviation of the feminine for Benedict.

Sophisticated French choice. Or toxic petrochemical.

This unisex name ranks among the most popular girl names in Norway, though it has a number of different roots.

Siv, or sometimes Sif, was the name of Thor's wife and is popular in modern Scandinavia. In Norse mythology, Siv was the goddess of fertility and agriculture.

Thale entered the Top 100 in Norway back in 2020, though it remains rare elsewhere. It is typically considered a short form of Adelheid, however, it could also be a variation of Tóli or Tole, diminutives for names with the Old Norse element "Thor".

Fien is a popular enough girls' name to make the Top 100 in The Netherlands. Dutch parents love nickname-names taken from the last vs. the first syllable of a name, like Sanne for Susanne or Lotte for Charlotte.

A cute Slavic name that feels familiar because of its similarity to the more well-known Anja. Janja is the regional variant of Agnes in Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, and it's also connected to the word janje, meaning "lamb".

Zsanka is a lively diminutive of either Zsanett, the Hungarian form of Jeanette, or Zsuzsanna, the Hungarian form of Susanna. Initially a nickname, it's also used on its own nowadays. The Zs beginning may take a second to get used to, but the name has a fun and bouncy sound that could work outside of Hungary.

A serene name with a lively sound, Raminta comes from the Lithuanian word ramus, meaning "calm". With nicknames like the cool Rami and retro Mindy, this is an especially sweet and versatile choice that works well internationally. Namesakes include influential composer and pianist Raminta Šerkšnytė and swimmer Raminta Dvariškytė.