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International model names

Genevieve Apple
By Genevieve Apple
Updated Fri May 12 2023
Names of international models that I think exemplify that high-fashion quality of being fresh and spunky, striking and beautiful, eclectic and well-traveled.
  1. Daphne

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "laurel tree, bay tree"

    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Daphne was the nymph daughter of Peneus, a river god. Peneus saved Daphne from Apollo’s romantic obsessions by transforming her into a laurel tree. It is from this myth that the plant genus daphne, which contains the laurel species, gets its name.
  2. Aira

    • Origin:

      Variation of Air, Ayra, or Ara, English, Sanskrit, Finnish, Lithuanian

    • Meaning:

      "air; noble; messenger; river place name"

    • Description:

      Playful but concise, Aira has become a rising star in England and Wales in recent years. Light and well, airy, it has also been trending upwards in the US. while in the US.
  3. Willow

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Meaning:

      "willow tree"

    • Description:

      An ancient tree that figures in literature from Shakespeare to Harry Potter and is believed to possess magical powers, Willow is a lovely name, as graceful as its inspiration.
  4. Odette

    • Origin:

      French, from German

    • Meaning:

      "wealthy"

    • Description:

      Odette is the good swan in Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake, a role for which Natalie Portman won an Oscar ---and it would make a particularly soigne, sophisticated yet upbeat choice, unlike some of the more dated other 'ette'-ending names.
  5. Sabine

    • Origin:

      French, German, and Dutch form of Sabina, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "Sabine"

    • Description:

      A concise choice with a hint of chic, Sabine is the French, Dutch, and German form of the Latin Sabina. While it has never charted in the US, Sabine saw a slight increase in use in recent data, with 107 babies given the name (compared to 70 called Sabina).
  6. Gemma

    • Origin:

      Italian, Catalonian, Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "precious stone"

    • Description:

      Gemma is a jewel of a name, an Italian classic that was very popular in 1980s England, but has only recently been started to be used here; it entered the list in 2008.
  7. Greta

    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Margarethe

    • Meaning:

      "pearl"

    • Description:

      Greta is an Old World name long tied to the iconic Garbo, but now synonymous with environmental activism.
  8. Coco

    • Origin:

      Spanish and French pet name

    • Description:

      Coco came to prominence as the nickname of the legendary French designer Chanel (born Gabrielle) and has lately become a starbaby favorite, initially chosen by Courteney Cox for her daughter Coco Riley in 2004. At first it was the kind of name that the press loves to ridicule, but we predict Coco's heading for more broad acceptance and even popularity.
  9. Zora

    • Origin:

      Serbo-Croatian

    • Meaning:

      "dawn"

    • Description:

      Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.
  10. Fia

    • Origin:

      Irish, Portuguese, Italian

    • Meaning:

      "wild, weaver"

    • Description:

      Fia may be most notable at this moment as the Anglicized version of the Irish Fiadh, one of the fastest-rising names in the Republic of Ireland. The meaning of Fia or Fiadh is sometimes given as "deer" but that's in the sense of a wild deer, as the name relates to the ancient word for wild.
  11. Aya

    • Origin:

      Japanese, Hebrew, Danish, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "colorful, design; honey buzzard, bird; rock, lull, happiness; sign, verse"

    • Description:

      Aya, barely more than a breath, is an international favorite, with origins in several languages and cultures. Popular throughout Europe, it ranks in the US Top 1000 and was chosen for nearly 470 babies in a recent year.
  12. Renata

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "reborn"

    • Description:

      Widely used across Europe as a common baptismal name symbolizing spiritual rebirth, Renata, in this country it has an operatic image via Italian-born divas Renata Tebadi and Renata Scotti.
  13. Lula

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of any Lu name

    • Description:

      Lula is one of the livelier nickname-names with the fashionable double-L sound: It joins Lulu, Lila, Lily, and Lou among the trendiest names today. Lula might be short for Talula and sisters or for Lucy or Louise, or may stand on its own two adorable feet. Lula was actually a Top 50 name in the late 1880's and continued in the Top 100 for a couple of decades more.
  14. Zinnia

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from German surname

    • Meaning:

      "Zinn's flower"

    • Description:

      Zinnia is an unusual floral choice with a bit more edge and energy than most and beginning to find its way onto namers' wish lists of botanical possibilities. Named after an eighteenth German botanist called Johann Gottfried Zinn, it appears in Roald Dahl's Matilda as the young protagonist's mother.
  15. Olympia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "from Mount Olympus"

    • Description:

      With its relation to Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods, and to the Olympic games, this name has an athletic, goddess-like aura, making it the perfect Olivia substitute.
  16. Zella

    • Origin:

      African, Bobangi, Libyan place name, diminutive of Rosella, Marcella, Gizella, or Isabella

    • Meaning:

      "lacking nothing, one who knows the way"

    • Description:

      Sunny, sassy, and stylish, Zella is a multicultural and versatile choice which works across multiple languages. Popular back in the early 19th century, Zella is now catching the attention of cotemporary parent as a rival to Ella, Stella, and Della.
  17. Esti

    • Origin:

      Hebrew diminutive of Esther, Persian, or Basque

    • Meaning:

      "star; sweet honey"

    • Description:

      Esti is most commonly a short form of Esther and Estelle, both making the big move from old lady name to cool young name. It's also a popular short form of the Basque names Estitxu and Estibalitz, or a name in its own right, meaning "sweet honey". In French Canada, it's an untranslatable swear word.
  18. Inka

    • Origin:

      Norse, diminutive of Ingrid or Inga

    • Meaning:

      "guarded by Ing or Ing is beautiful"

    • Description:

      Inka is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. Most prominently, it references the Inca civilization of South America, lending the name historical and cultural significance. In Finnish and other Baltic languages, Inka serves as a diminutive form of names containing 'Ing' such as Ingrid or Inge.

  19. Nella

    • Description:

      Nella is a feminine name with Italian and Germanic origins. It can be a standalone name or a diminutive of names like Petronella, Antonella, or Cornelia. In Italian, it literally means 'at the' or 'in the,' while as a short form, it often inherits meanings from its longer versions. Nella has historical usage dating back centuries but has experienced periods of renewed popularity in recent decades. The name has a vintage charm that appeals to parents seeking something classic yet not overused. With its brief two syllables and melodic sound, Nella strikes a balance between simplicity and distinctiveness. The name carries connotations of sweetness and strength, making it versatile for different personalities.

  20. Damaris

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "dominant woman"

    • Description:

      In the New Testament, Damaris was an Athenian woman converted to Christianity by St. Paul. Known for her charitable work, her name was a favorite among the Puritans. Having slid off the bottom of the Top 1000 in 2012, Damaris might be deserving of more attention by parents in search of a New Testament name that is unusual but accessible, especially since girls' names ending in 's' are coming back into fashion.