The modern Greek form of Nausicaa — the name of a character in Homer's Odyssey — avoids any unfortunate associations with nausea and offers a sleek, stylish sound.

Also spelled Leyre and taken from the name of a monastery fortress, the popular and lilting choice in Spain will pose pronunciation problems elsewhere. Among the Top 100 girls' names in Spain, Leire was given to only a handful of baby girls in the US last year.

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.

Calm, composed, and chic. Often seen with an accent in France, as Clémence.

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

Putting the emphasis on the "elle" softens a name that seems at once futuristic and medieval.

A variation of the name Nere, both choices are distinctive and accessible. In the Top 20 in Spain.

Not-so-attractive short form of a lovely name.

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.

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

Leyre is an important name in Navarre, Spain, as it is both the name of a mountain and an ancient monastery. It is derived from the Basque Leire, of uncertain origins. Both spellings currently rank among the Top 100 baby names in Spain.

The modern Greek form of Arete, a minor Greek goddess of excellence, virtue and righteous morals. With its fun I ending and the trendy nickname Ari (or Art, for something more unisex), Areti could easily leave the Greek mythology books and be used as a rare but stylish baby girl name.

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.

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.

Femke is a diminutive version of the Dutch or Frisian name Fem, which in turn is a feminine form of the masculine name Femme (still with us?), which is a diminutive of several Old German names names containing the syllable "frid" which means peace.

Brisa is commonly used in Latino families, all but unheard of in others.

Finja Is a Josephine nickname that ranks among the Top 100 girl names in Germany.

Hedda is a card-carrying member of the league of older, slightly bohemian urban names like Nedda, Andra, and Petra; also linked to Ibsen heroine Hedda Gabler, as well as being the basis of cruel joke names like Hedda Hare.

Russian form of Stephanie livens up that flagging classic.

This Dutch name derives from the old Germanic name, Farahild. It is quite common in the Netherlands.