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525+ European Names for Girls and Boys

  1. Raul

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Ralph

    • Meaning:

      "wolf counsel"

    • Description:

      Raul and French brother Raoul are much more appealing than flat-footed daddy Ralph. Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia, who starred in the Addams Family movies, brought fame to the name before his death in 1994.
  2. Iva

    • Origin:

      Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Slovak, Czech, English

    • Meaning:

      "willow tree; God is gracious; yew tree; bow warrior"

    • Description:

      Short, sweet, and sharp, this multicultural choice is currently popular in Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While not in the charts elsewhere, it is familiar in English speaking countries, and in the Netherlands.
  3. Puck

    • Origin:

      Literary name

    • Description:

      Puck, the mischievous sprite of Shakespeare, is a unisex name given more often to girls in The Netherlands and is also the name of one of the moons of Uranus, discovered in 1985 and named Puck for the Shakespearean figure.
  4. Moritz

    • Origin:

      German form of Maurice

    • Meaning:

      "dark-skinned"

    • Description:

      The unusual-to-the-English-ear Moritz is a Top 25 name in Austria and a form of Maurice or Morris, which are modern variations of the ancient Roman Maurus. There were several early saints named Maurus and a famous 3rd century Saint Maurice, who was a Roman infantryman who was martyred when he refused to worship Roman gods. The Moritz form also references the posh Swiss ski resort St. Moritz and Justine Moritz is a character from Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein.
  5. Artem

    • Origin:

      Ukrainian variation of Artemis

    • Description:

      Ukrainian Artem (ar-TEM) and Russian Artyom/Artiom (which can also be transcribed as Artem, though still pronounced ar-TYOM in Russian) are ultimately derived from the name of the Greek goddess Artemis: goddess of the moon and hunting. The meaning of her name is unknown, though it may be related to the Greek for "safe" or for "butcher".
  6. Santi

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Santiago, Santino, or Santana, Spanish or Portuguese, Thai

    • Meaning:

      "saint; peace"

    • Description:

      Santi is a cute short form of these names popular in Central and South America, but it can also be considered a Thai name, meaning "peace".
  7. Antonina

    • Origin:

      Slavic, Italian and Nordic from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "priceless"

    • Description:

      Despite the popularity of Anthony and its masculine variants, female derivatives of its source – the Roman family name Antonius, of unknown meaning – have never caught on in the same way. Sister name Antonia peaked at #336 in the US way back in 1882, while Antonina itself has never ranked higher than #865 (in 1915). It has been outside of the Top 1000 ever since.
  8. Giada

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "jade"

    • Description:

      Popular in its native Italy, Giada has been quietly and stylishly used in English-speaking countries for several years now. Television cook Giada De Laurentiis made this a possibility — then semi-subtly self-referenced when she named her daughter Jade.
  9. Storm

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Windswept and dramatic, but perhaps asking for trouble. Quite popular in Denmark and Sweden, where it derives from Stromr, which is a fairly common surname. Storm Thorgerson is a famous bearer of the name - he designed iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Cranberries, Anthrax, and Pink Floyd.
  10. Sadhbh

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "sweet, goodness"

    • Description:

      Sadhbh was the name of several real and legendary Irish princesses, including the daughters of Conn of the Hundred Battles, of Queen Medb of Connacht, and of King Brian Boru. It's also written Sabha. One of the most authentic Irish names for girls, it is also unfortunately one of the most difficult to export.
  11. Rene

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "reborn"

    • Description:

      Though it's used for boys, most non-French people would hear it as a girls’ name. Most would be surprised to learn that Rene has always charted in the US Top 1000 for boys.
  12. Beatriz

    • Origin:

      Spanish and Portuguese variation of Beatrice

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"

    • Description:

      Attractive translation of Beatrice, popular with Hispanic parents. Beatriz is currently a Top 10 girl name in Portugal.
  13. Mathis

    • Origin:

      French and German form of Matthias or Matthew

    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"

    • Description:

      Very popular in France and Belgium, this name -- pronounced mat-tees, like the surname of the painter Matisse -- might make an appealing new way to say Matthew here.
  14. Taliesin

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "shining brow"

    • Description:

      This unusual Welsh mythological name just might appeal to architect parents wishing to honor Frank Lloyd Wright, who called his two famous residences Taliesin and Taliesin West.
  15. Corentin

    • Origin:

      French, Breton

    • Meaning:

      "tempest, hurricane"

    • Description:

      Corentin is an intriguing saint's name fashionable in France but virtually unknown here-- which you may consider a big plus. St. Corentin possessed a magical fish that regenerated itself each night, feeding himself and his lucky visitors in perpetuity.
  16. Pablo

    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Paul

    • Meaning:

      "small"

    • Description:

      Pablo, the commonly used Spanish version of Paul, has the added bonus of some fantastic artistic bearers: painter Picasso, cellist Casals, and poet Neruda. Pablo has been consistently in the US charts since records began, and has been within the Top 500 since the mid 60s. However, Pablo has never cracked the Top 200, making it familiar but not overused or tired.
  17. Zeno

    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Greek Zenon, related to Zeus, king of the gods

    • Description:

      Zeno, the name of two ancient philosophers, has a muscular dynamism that's lightened by its cheerful final vowel, resulting in a kind of offbeat sci-fi feel. Zeno of Citium was the founder of the Stoic school of thought, Zeno of Elea was another early, original Greek thinker, famed for his Paradoxes.
  18. Alix

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "noble type"

    • Description:

      A chic and sassy French choice, popular in France but likely to be confused with the more prosaic Alex in English-speaking countries. Although sometimes used in the US as a variant spelling of Alex, the French name Alix actually derives from a medieval French form of the name Alice or Adelaide.
  19. Silvan

    • Description:

      Silvan is a masculine name derived from Latin 'silva' meaning 'forest' or 'woodland.' It relates to the Roman deity Silvanus, who was the god of woods and wild fields. The name carries nature-based connotations of forests, trees, and woodland settings, making it appealing to parents drawn to names with environmental themes. Silvan has variations across European languages, including Silvanus (Latin), Silvano (Italian/Spanish), and Sylvan (French-influenced spelling). While never extremely common, the name has maintained steady usage particularly in German-speaking regions, parts of Eastern Europe, and among families with Romanian heritage. Silvan has a gentle yet masculine quality, offering a subtle nature connection without being overtly trendy.

  20. Olivier

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "olive tree"

    • Description:

      More and more frequently heard as the Gallic version of Oliver, Olivier could be seen as a tribute to the great British actor, Sir Laurence O.