User-created list
By Myn · Updated May 2023
Across 10 pages
of 10
Finnish and Latvian variation of Maria
A lovely and typical name on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Bothnia that no one in the English-speaking world will know how to pronounce. Maia sounds (virtually) the same and is far more familiar…
Hebrew
"wrestling, struggling"
Rarely used biblical choice -- he's a son of Jacob -- with a bit of a white-bearded image.
Arabic
"pure"
Technically a boy's name, but certainly one that would work in the Western culture for a girl, especially after the release of Black Panther , in which it was the name of Lupita Nyong'o's fiery…
Akan, Ghanaian
"born on Monday"
Adwoa is a given name used for women born on Monday in Western Africa, particularly Ghana and some parts of Togo and Ivory Coast. The male equivalent is Kwadwo. The most famous people with this name…
English, French, Latin
"waxing or waning moon; increasing, growing, springing forth"
Crescent is an intriguing word name with a pretty sound and links to the moon. Used to describe a curved shape more generally, it is heavily associated with the lunar calendar, with the moon forming…
Greek or Welsh
"violet; beautiful lady"
Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that…
Latin
"eagle"
An evocative ancient word that's used as a first name in the New Testament, among other places. It's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation. That said, contemporary interest in the name…
Basque
"thornbush"
Basque names, indeed the entire Basque language, are unrelated to any other. Arantxa is a diminutive of Arantzazu. This obscure choice was made known by tennis player Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.
Romanian, Italian, Galician and Spanish variation of Coralie, French from Latin
"coral"
Coralia was the name of a dancing mermaid in a 19th century ballet. As Cora — which has another root and means maiden — rises, so may elaborations and related names such as Coralie, Coraline, and…
Hungarian, Polish
"brave"
Though the name Kinga has penetrated the international consciousness via the Slovakian model Kinga Rajzak, it's a rare choice for American baby girls: Only six were named Kinga last year. Is that…
Noellia is a feminine name derived from the French word "Noël," meaning "Christmas." This elegant variation adds a lyrical quality to the more familiar Noel or Noelle. The name suggests a connection…
Spelling variation of Zahira
Whether you spell it with or without the final h, this is a name with international possibilities.
Spanish, Brazillian, Greek
"excellent, best"
Likely a variation of the Spanish Aristea, combined with the popular -ella suffix, Aristella has its origins in Greek, drawn from the element aristos meaning "excellent" or "best". Predominantly used…
Word name
"fate"
The next Destiny? Kismet seems like it might be fated for increased use.
French/Armenian
"born at Christmas"
More unusual than Natalia or Natalie.
Spanish
"good fortune"
Ventura started life as a shortening of Bonaventura, Spanish for good luck or good fortune, but now stands on its own. It has a pleasant sound and the stylish 'V' ending, but Angelenos would…
Welsh
"maid"
Eigra is a name with a great mythological and literary past - it is the Welsh version of Igraine/Ygraine, who was the mother of King Arthur.
Greek, diminutive of Athanasios
"immortal"
Thanos originated as a short form of Athanasios, a Greek name meaning "immortal." It is composed of the elements a , a negative Greek prefix, and thanatos , meaning "death." St. Athanasius, who used…
Persian, courier
Angaros is a rarely used unisex name related to Angel.
"foxglove"
This unusual (to non-Welsh speakers) is near the top of the charts in Wales, carried by the recent taste for native Welsh names. Those in Wales say it's already on the way down, but for outsiders…
