Exotic Names.

  1. Axel
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Absalom
    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"
    • Description:

      A classic in its native Scandinavia, Axel has a cool rock 'n' roll flavor in the US, thanks to Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose (born William). Axel is a popular Scandinavian form of the Biblical Absalom, who was a son of King David, and is the name of the title character of William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom.
  2. Azrael
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, variation of Azriel
    • Meaning:

      "help of God"
    • Description:

      This is the name of Angel of Death in Jewish and Muslim tradition, not a great start for an innocent child -- or a great role model for a teenager.
  3. Devi
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "divine"
    • Description:

      This Hindu goddess name has a powerful heritage plus lively sound with a devilish edge. If you're enchanted by goddess names but want to set your little girl apart from all the Lunas and Athenas in the playground, consider Devi.
  4. Kaede
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "maple tree"
    • Description:

      No - not a creative spelling of Cade. This name, which can be used for boys or girls, means maple tree. Kaede is unusual in Japan although it has been gaining more popularity after it has been used for several anime and manga characters.
  5. Nani
    • Noelle
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "Christmas"
      • Description:

        Noelle is the feminine variation of Noël, a masculine given name derived from the French word for "Christmas." As a word, Noël originated as a variant of nael, which evolved from the Latin natalis, meaning "birth." Noelle and Noel have traditionally been given to children born around Christmastime, particularly in the Middle ages.
    • Nilah
      • Sawyer
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "woodcutter"
        • Description:

          Sawyer is a surname with a more relaxed and friendly feel than many others, and is one of the hottest occupational names right now, with the Nameberry seal of approval. Sawyer is becoming one of the top unisex names. Both Sara Gilbert and Diane Farr used Sawyer for their daughters, while it was given a boost as a boys' name by the character Sawyer on Lost, an alias for the character really named James Ford.
      • Shiloh
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "tranquil"
        • Description:

          Haunting biblical and Civil War place-name; now unisex—especially after the mega-high-profile Brangelina couple picked it for their daughter. It debuted in the Top 1000 for boys in 2015.
      • Simone
        • Origin:

          French, feminine variation of Hebrew Simon
        • Meaning:

          "hearkening"
        • Description:

          Simone, the elegant French feminization of Simon, strikes that all-important balance between unusual and familiar, and it's oozing with Gallic sophistication. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has a daughter named Simone; Chris Rock used it in the middle place for his daughter, as did Kevin Kline and Phoebe Cates
      • Xavi
        • Origin:

          Catalan diminutive of Xavier, Basque or Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "new house or bright"
        • Description:

          This nickname was given often enough as a standalone to land it in the Top 1000 from 2010—2013.
      • Zelia
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "zealous, ardent"
        • Description:

          An appealing name almost unknown in our culture but with roots in several others; worldlier than cousins Celia and Delia.