International Baby Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 29 pages
of 29
Scottish
"foreign Isle"
This unique Scottish name for girls is taken from the name of a small, inhabited Shetland island off the coast of Scotland, and fits into the tradition of Scottish parents choosing Scottish place…
Feminization of Vasili, Russian from Greek
"royal, kingly"
Vasilisa is the feminine form of Vasili, the Russian translation of Basil.
Hungarian
"little father"
English speaking countries may only associate this with the fifth-century Hun, but the name is still well-used in contemporary Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Usually said to derive from the Gothic…
Greek, Portuguese, Romanian
"force; blessed; white"
A bright and bouncy micro name, far rarer than Mia or Gia. In Greek mythology, Bia is the personification of force and raw energy. In Portuguese, it's a nickname for Beatriz, and in Romanian it's…
French
"white"
Blanche, which originated as a nickname for a pale blonde and then became associated with the notion of purity, was in style a century ago, ranking in the double digits until 1920. She then had to…
Icelandic nature name, variation of Sólja, Faroese
"buttercup"
Sóley is the Icelandic word for the buttercup flower, derived from the words meaning "sun" and "island." It is also used on the Faroe Islands as a short form of Sólja.
Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus
"beloved, desired"
A form of ancient name newly popular in Eastern Europe, Rasmus is rugged and distinctive - and on trend in Estonia and Finland. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but with its philosophical roots and…
Italian or Persian; Greek
"little girl; seeker"
A thirteenth-century Tuscan saint, patron of homemakers, Zita is the kind of name that sounded really creative in an earlier era.
Croatian
"battle"
Popular in its native country, also used in Serbia and Macedonia as Borko.
Greek
"violet flower"
This unusual Greek flower and color name has gained considerable recent attention via actress Ione Skye, who is the daughter of sixties folksinger Donovan. Ione was one of the fifty sea nymphs —…
Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and Louise
"lily; lily + renowned warrior"
Sweet, enchanting Lilou is considered both a pet name from the Occitan language (spoken in Provence in the south of France), and a compound name, blending floral Lili with classic Louise. It peaked…
Germanic, Slavic
"yew wood, archer; God is gracious"
Succinct, stylish, and catchy, Ivo has the energetic impact of other names ending in -o . It is a multicultural choice with two distinct origins, and, as such, is familiar across a variety of…
Russian from Hebrew
"praise to God"
Ukrainian figure-skating champion Oksana Baiul made it known here.
Breton
"shining hostage"
Malo, the name of an important sixth century Breton saint who founded St. Malo, the charming port town in Brittany -- is considered quite au courant in France right now, ranking firmly in the Top…
Welsh
"shining brow"
Poetic and handsome with a hint of mystique and magic around it, this rugged Welsh name may appeal as an alternative to Tristan or Taran. Meaning "shining, radiant brow", the name is associated with…
Modern Greek variant of Nephele.
Finnish variation of Eric
"eternal ruler"
Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
French, Catalan and Spanish from the Latin Eligius
"the chosen"
From the saintly name Eligius, Eloi is popular in Catalonia but rarely used by English speakers. There's potential for confusion with Eli - and with the Aramaic word eloi, said to mean "my God",…
Turkish, Bosnian, Albanian, from Arabic
"brighter, clearer"
Derived from the Arabic Anwar, Enver has a soft, handsome sound that feels on-trend and very usable in an international context. Its only drawback: the association with the controversial Albanian…
Russian, diminutive of Vilhelmina; a Polish place-name
Not much to recommend this relative of Wilma; consider Willa or Willow instead.
