Country And Capital Names
- Abu
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"father"Description:
Most names with the Ab beginning, including the more familiar Abigail and Abner, mean father, as does this streamlined Arabic choice. American children might recognize Abu as the name of Aladdin's pet monkey in the Disney film.
- Addis
Origin:
Ethiopian, AmharicMeaning:
"new"Description:
This Ethiopian boy name looks like a shortening of popular Addison, but has separate roots. Nonetheless, with Addison's popularity, Addis would fit in while standing out as a boy's name in English-speaking countries. Addis means "new", as seen in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, meaning "new flower".
- Addis
Description:
Addis is a feminine name with diverse origins. It may derive from the Hebrew 'Hadassah,' meaning 'myrtle tree,' or it could be connected to the Ethiopian city Addis Ababa, whose name means 'new flower' in Amharic. As a personal name, Addis has remained relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries but carries a distinctive, international quality. The name's brevity and soft consonants give it a gentle yet modern feel. With the popularity of short names beginning with 'A' (like Ava, Ada, and Aria), Addis offers a more unique option while following familiar phonetic patterns. The name's multicultural roots make it appealing to parents seeking a name with global connections and understated elegance.
- Africa
Origin:
Place name, various meaningsDescription:
Most Africas today would be named for the continent, but the name actually existed in Scotland in medieval times, where there was a Celtic queen named Affrica. Africa has also been a Spanish name for girls since 1421. The church of the Virgin "Nuestra Senora de Africa" is in Ceuta, the Spanish city she is Patron of, in North Africa.
- America
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.
- Amman
Description:
Amman is a masculine name with rich historical and geographical connections. Most notably, it shares its name with the capital city of Jordan, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The name has Semitic roots and in Arabic can relate to concepts of security, safety, and trustworthiness. In some cultures, it may be a variant of Aman, meaning 'peace' or 'security.' The name also has connections to ancient Ammonites, a Semitic people mentioned in biblical texts. As a personal name, Amman remains relatively uncommon in Western countries but has seen some usage among families with Middle Eastern heritage or those seeking names with international significance. It carries connotations of strength, history, and cultural depth, with a straightforward, strong pronunciation that works well across different languages.
- Amsterdam
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
City name less mellifluous than Paris, London, or even Trenton. It was the name of the character portrayed by Leonardo di Caprio in "Gangs of New York."
- Andorra
Origin:
European place-nameDescription:
Andorra is the pretty name of a pocket-sized princedom in the Pyrenees, noted for its skiing.
- Arabia
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
A phonetically attractive place-name that can be used for babies but rarely is.
- Argentina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"silver"Description:
South America provides a continent of interesting, undiscovered names -- Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, and the tango-rhythmed Argentina.
- Asmara
Description:
Asmara is a feminine name with beautiful cultural significance. It shares its name with the capital city of Eritrea in East Africa, giving it geographical importance. The name has origins in Arabic and Ethiopian languages, where it can mean 'love' or 'she who is loved.' In Sanskrit traditions, Asmara can relate to romantic love or desire. The name flows melodically with its three syllables and gentle ending, giving it a soft yet distinctive quality. Asmara remains relatively uncommon in Western countries, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with cultural depth and uniqueness while carrying warm, affectionate meanings.
- Athens
Origin:
Greek place nameDescription:
Athens is one of the newer place names, used for both baby boys and girls. The Greek city got its name from Athena, goddess of wisdom and courage.
- Athens
Origin:
Greek place nameDescription:
Athens the city takes its name from Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and courage. If you prefer place names to mythological names and like gender neutral names better than those that are gender distinct, Athens may be a good alternative to Athena.
- Austria
Origin:
Place-name, Latinization of German, OsterreichDescription:
Austria is an nteresting, appealing, unexplored geographic destination, much fresher than American cousin Austin.
- Ababa
- Ababa
- Abu
- Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi
- Abuja
- Accra
- Addis Ababa
- Addis Ababa
- Aires
- Aires
- Albania
- Algeria
- Algiers
- Algiers
- Amsterdam
- Angola
- Ankara
- Antananarivo
- Antigua
- Apia
- Armenia
- Ashgabat
- Ashgabat
- Astana
- Asunción
- Asunción
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan
- Baku
Origin:
Place-name, capital of AzerbaijanDescription:
Why settle for Brooklyn or Boston when you can name your child for someplace so much more interesting.
- Bandar
Description:
Bandar as a feminine name is quite unusual, as it is more commonly known as a masculine name in Arabic and Persian cultures, where it means 'port' or 'harbor.' In Arabic contexts, Bandar is traditionally associated with boys and carries connotations of being a gateway or connection point. The usage as a feminine name may represent a cross-cultural adaptation or a modern reinterpretation. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with equal emphasis on both syllables. Outside of Arabic-speaking regions, Bandar remains relatively unknown, giving it an exotic quality that might appeal to parents seeking something truly distinctive. The name's connection to harbors and ports can symbolize shelter, commerce, and the meeting of different worlds. This geographical association gives Bandar a distinctive semantic quality among feminine names.
- Bangkok
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
This is one place-name we'd put off-limits, for obvious reasons.
- Belize
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"muddy waters"Description:
This Central American place-name would make a unique alternative to Bella or Belle. The name Belize comes from the Mayan word Balix, meaning "muddy waters" — a reference to the Belize River.
- Berlin
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"borderline"Description:
Edgy German capital with definite possibilities as a baby name.
- Berlin
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"borderline"Description:
Edgy German capital with definite possibilities as a baby name.
- Bern
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"bear"Description:
Hip short form of Bernard, also Swiss place-name.
- Bolivia
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
If you're tired of Olivia, you could be the first on your block to introduce this unique sound-related place-name with Latin flair.
- Brazil
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
A geographical name that does the samba...and was also borne by a Celtic saint: a winning combination. Well used in the Creole community.
- Brazil
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Place-name with character.
- Baghdad
- Bahamas
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Baku
- Bamako
- Bandar
- Bandar Seri Begawan
- Bangladesh
- Bangladesh
- Bangui
- Bangui
- Banjul
- Banjul
- Barbados
- Barbuda
- Basseterre
- Basseterre
- Begawan
- Begawan
- Beijing
- Beijing
- Beirut
- Beirut
- Belarus
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belgium
- Belgrade
- Belgrade
- Belize
- Belmopan
- Belmopan
- Benin
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bhutan
- Bishkek
- Bishkek
- Bissau
- Bissau
- Bloemfontein
- Bloemfontein
- Bogotá
- Bosnia
- Botswana
- Brasília
- Bratislava
- Brazzaville
- Bridgetown
- Bridgetown
- Brunei
- Brunei
- Brussels
- Bucharest
- Bucharest
- Budapest
- Budapest
- Buenos
- Buenos Aires
- Buenos Aires
- Bulgaria
- Burkina
- Burundi
- Burundi
- Cairo
Origin:
Egyptian place-name, ArabicMeaning:
"the conqueror, the victorious"Description:
Cairo is an exciting place name possibility with upbeat o ending and an on-trend first syllable. Debuting in the US Top 1000 in 2015, it has been climbing ever since, and, as of 2023, it is given to more than 1000 babies each year.
- Cairo
Origin:
Place name, ArabicMeaning:
"the strong; the conqueror"Description:
On trend for boys but with plenty of unisex appeal too, the place name Cairo was put on the map for girls when model Beverly Peele chose it for her daughter. Given to around 50 girls each year, it hasn't caught on just yet but with its similar sounds to Kaia and Skyler, it might do in the future.
- Canada
Origin:
Iroquois place-nameMeaning:
"village"Description:
Canada is an undiscovered but attractive place-name possibility, up till now a masculine territory.
- Chad
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"battle warrior"Description:
Despite all the "hanging," "dangling," and "pregnant" chad jokes of the 2000 election, this saint's name and remnant of the Brad-Tad era didn't get a boost in popularity. But Chad still holds some surfer-boy appeal for a number of modern parents.
- China
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Long before the current place-name craze, a pair of the more daring pop singers of the Age of Aquarius picked this name for their daughters. Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick used the conventional spelling, the Mamas and the Papas's Michelle Phillips went further afield with Chynna (of the group Wilson Phillips).
- Coast
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"land near the sea"Description:
A brisk and beachy word name. For those of us saddened that Cove now has negative connotations, Coast could be an appealing alternative.
- Coast
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"land near the sea"Description:
One of the coolest new word names we've discovered lately — Coast conjures up images of big waves, beach days, and expansive shorelines.
- Colombia
Origin:
Place-name and LatinMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Colombia is a South American country name, with a rhythmic sound and peaceful connotations. The Irish Colm, Scottish Callum, and Columba are all attractive relatives of Colombia (or Columbia, if you're thinking of the college).
- Congo
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"gather"Description:
Not long ago, the name of this central African republic was firmly in place-name territory and not seen as baby appropriate. But those boundaries are moving so quickly that all kinds of place-names that were once not considered as baby names, from Alaska to Morocco to Chicago to, yes, Congo are on the list. The place-name Congo is taken from the people and language of the Kingdom of Kongo. In that language, the word kongo means "gather".
- Cuba
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"where fertile land is abundant; great place"Description:
The most prominent person with this unusual geographical choice might be actor Cuba Gooding Jr., however, Cuba has a far longer history as a feminine name. Deriving from the island in the Caribbean Sea, it had a brief spell of popularity in the US at the end of the 1890s, when Spain lost possession of the island during the Spanish-American War. Used predominantly (though rarely) on girls throughout the last century, it has occasionally been given to a handful of boys too
- Cyprus
Origin:
Latin from GreekMeaning:
"cypress tree; copper"Description:
This Mediterranean island name would be a plausible choice for parents with a Greek or Turkish heritage.
- Cyprus
Origin:
Latin from GreekMeaning:
"cypress tree; copper"Description:
This Mediterranean island name would be a plausible choice for parents with Cypriot heritage, or with a special connection to the place.
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cameroon
- Canberra
- Cape
- Cape
- Caracas
- Caracas
- Castries
- Chile
- Chile
- Chișinău
- Comoros
- Comoros
- Conakry
- Conakry
- Copenhagen
- Copenhagen
- Costa
- Costa Rica
- Cotonou
- Cotonou
- Croatia
- Czech
- Damascus
- Denmark
Origin:
English, country nameDescription:
The smallest Scandinavian country, Denmark has a reputation today as one of the happiest countries in the world — would you expect anything less from the land of hygge (and Lego)? With parents using country names from Ireland and Scotland to Kenya and Malaysia, Denmark could be a potential addition. It even sounds namelike: Denis meets Mark.
- Domingo
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"born on a Sunday"Description:
Commonly heard in Hispanic cultures, a rhythmic possibility here.
- Dominica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this version.
- Dublin
Origin:
Irish place-nameDescription:
With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.
- Dublin
Origin:
Irish place nameMeaning:
"dark pool"Description:
The city name Dublin ultimately derived from Irish elements dubh, meaning "dark," and lind, "pool." The dark pool in question was a tidal pool behind Dublin Castle.
- Dakar
- Dakar
- Delhi
- Delhi
- Dhabi
- Dhabi
- Dhaka
- Dili
- Dili
- Djibouti
- Djibouti
- Dodoma
- Doha
- Domingo
- Dominican
- Dushanbe
- Egypt
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"the house of the soul of Ptah"Description:
We had Egypt listed as a girls-only place-name until singer Alicia Keys and rap producer husband Swizz Beatz used it for their son...and why not? Egypt certainly works as well for a boy as for a girl, similar in sound as it is to Elijah.
- Egypt
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"the house of the soul of Ptah"Description:
Place names like Memphis, Harlem, Cairo, Vienna, Milan, and Astoria are right on trend at the moment, and Egypt could fit in, thanks to its similarity in sound to the likes of Edith and Eden. Alicia Keys used the name for her son back in 2010, but before that, it was used as a stage name for three famous belly dancers.
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
Origin:
English from GreekMeaning:
"Burnt-face, red-brown"Description:
The place name Ethiopia was derived from the Greek word for an Ethiopian, Aithiops, from the components aithō, "I burn" and ōps "face." As a noun, it takes on the meaning of "Burnt-face," which the Greeks used to distinguish between those in Africa and those from the Middle East, who had lighter skin. In adjective form, Aithiops means "red-brown."
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Equatorial
- Equatorial
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Fiji
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"place name"Description:
One of several fascinating names used in Charlaine Harris's Midnight, Texas books and the NBC adaptation thereof, Fiji is a pleasingly quirky place name that's been little used for babies. Though it has been used quite a lot for fancy bottled water, we don't think it quite qualifies as a water name.
- France
- Faso
- Finland
- Freetown
- Freetown
- Funafuti
- George
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"farmer"Description:
Iconoclasts though we may be, we like Fred, we like Frank, and we like George, which was among the Top 10 from 1830 to 1950, when the number of little Georges started to decline. Solid, strong, royal and saintly, yet friendly and unpretentious, we think that George is in prime position for a comeback, especially since it was chosen by Britain's royal couple.
- Georgia
Origin:
English, feminine variation of GeorgeMeaning:
"farmer"Description:
Georgia is so rich, lush and luscious, it's almost irresistible. Georgia's now a rising star among the feminizations of George, helped by associations with the southern state (named for British King George II) and painter Georgia O'Keeffe, with the Ray Charles song "Georgia On My Mind" or maybe "Sweet Georgia Brown" playing in the background.
- Germany
Origin:
Country nameMeaning:
"genuine"Description:
Germany doesn't seem to have the same possibilities as a first name as other countries and continents do. It's unlikely to become another Asia or Africa, India or Ireland. But there was an early football player, credited with inventing the position of linebacker, who was known by the name Germany – Germany Schulz. In his case, Germany was a nickname for Adolph.
- Germany
Origin:
Country nameMeaning:
"genuine"Description:
Germany doesn't seem to have the same possibilities as a first name as other countries and continents do. It's unlikely to become another Asia or Africa, India or Ireland. But it is used for small numbers of boys and girls each year in the US.
- Grenada
Description:
Grenada functions as a feminine name borrowed from geography, referring to the Caribbean island nation. While primarily recognized as a place name, it occasionally appears as a given name, particularly in the United States. The island itself was named by Spanish explorers after the city of Granada in Spain. As a personal name, Grenada carries exotic appeal with its evocation of tropical landscapes and Caribbean culture. The name has a melodious quality with its three syllables and flowing sound pattern. Though rare as a given name, it follows the pattern of geographical names like Georgia, Florence, or Adelaide that have successfully transitioned to personal use. Grenada offers a distinctive option with built-in cultural associations and natural beauty.
- Gabon
- Gaborone
- Gambia
- Georgetown
- Ghana
- Gitega
- Greece
- Greece
- Grenadines
- Grenadines
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Havana
Origin:
Taíno place-nameDescription:
Politics aside, the Cuban capital is one of the most rhythmic of place-names. The question is: can politics be put aside?
- Haiti
- Hanoi
- Hanoi
- Harare
- Harare
- Helsinki
- Herzegovina
- Honduras
- Honiara
- Hungary
- India
Origin:
Place name, from the River IndusDescription:
Euphonious and long stylish in England, India was one of the fastest-rising names on the 2013 list, after jumping 240 spots back into the Top 1000.
- Ireland
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
This country name has come into steady use for girls in recent decades, and it's occasionally given to boys too. With interest in other -land names like Leland and Roland, we can see this patriotic heritage choice becoming more gender-balanced.
- Ireland
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin put Ireland on the map when they chose it as a first for their daughter, saying that geographic names were a family tradition. And it seems they were a bit ahead of the curve (or trendsetting)—Ireland has been among the fastest-rising names of recent years. Other Irish place names include Shannon, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin.
- Israel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he who struggles with God"Description:
Though it was used by the Puritans in the sixteenth century, the founding of the modern Jewish state in 1948 transformed Israel from a traditional favorite into an icon of Judaism.
- Israel
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"he who struggles with God"Description:
Israel joins the club of traditionally male names that celebrity parents have adopted for their daughters. Singer Andy Grammer welcomed daughter Israel "Izzy" Blue in 2020.
- Italy
Origin:
English variation of Italia, Italian place nameDescription:
Why has it taken so long for us to discover Italy? The name, that is.
- Ivory
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Extremely attractive color name chosen by some African-American families for its reference to the West African Ivory Coast; more commonly used for girls.
- Ivory
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"hard, white material from the tusks and teeth of animals; pale, white"Description:
Ivory was last popular a hundred years ago. In 2013, it finally began to regain some momentum in the female rankings, reentering the Top 1000.
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Islamabad
- Jakarta
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
Jakarta, the name of the capital and largest city of Indonesia, is located on the island of Java. Both Jakarta and Java could make interesting and unusual choices for a girl.
- Jamaica
Origin:
Native American place nameMeaning:
"rich in springs"Description:
Among the least gimmicky, most appealing and colorful of all the names found in the atlas, Jamaica almost sings out the rhythms of the West Indies.
- Jerusalem
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"city of the ancient god Shalem"Description:
Transferred from the geographical name, Jerusalem is a sacred city in many religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is given to around a dozen babies of each sex per year in the US.
- Jerusalem
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"city of the ancient god Shalem"Description:
Transferred from the geographical name, Jerusalem is a sacred city in many religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is given to around a dozen babies of each sex per year in the US.
- John
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
John reigned as the most popular of all boys' Christian names for 400 years, from the time the first Crusaders carried it back to Britain until the 1950s. Then American baby namers finally seemed to tire of this straight-arrow, almost anonymous John Doe of names, replacing it with fancier forms like Jonathan and the imported Sean and Ian.
- Jordan
Origin:
English from HebrewMeaning:
"flowing down"Description:
Jordan became one of the top unisex baby names in the heyday of basketball's Michael Jordan, and is still among the most popular unisex names starting with J. The name was originally given to those baptized in holy water brought back by Crusaders from the River Jordan, the only river in Palestine, and the one in which Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.
- Jordan
Origin:
English from HebrewMeaning:
"flowing down"Description:
Originally used for children baptized in holy water from the river Jordan, it became one of the leading androgynous names of the nineties. As the balance tips toward the boys' side, it's slipping on the girls' popularity chart. Alternate spelling Jordyn is now more popular for girls.
- Jose
Origin:
Spanish and Portuguese version of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
Jose is as widespread in the Hispanic community as Joseph and Joe are elsewhere in the U.S., though its numbers here are starting to decrease somewhat. Jose is one of those Spanish baby names that has never crossed over into the Anglo naming culture.
- Juba
Origin:
AfricanMeaning:
"born on Monday"Description:
Juba, a strong and resonant unisex name, belonged to an ancient African king, is a city and river name, and is traditionally given to Ashanti (of Ghana) girls born on Monday.
- Japan
- Japan
- Jayawardenepura
- Kenya
Origin:
Place name, KikuyuMeaning:
"mountain of white"Description:
Kenya, a name borrowed from the East African nation and theoretically unisex, is now used mostly for girls. While it's had its ups and downs since entering the US Top 1000 in 1968, it currently ranks lower than spelling variant Kenia.
- Kingston
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"king's town"Description:
Chosen for their first son by musical couple Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, this Jamaican place and elegant British surname also boasts the more regal yet user-friendly short form, King.
- Kitts
Origin:
Diminutive of ChristopherMeaning:
"bearer of Christ"Description:
Derived from Kitt as a diminutive of Christopher, Kitts is known as the larger of the two islands making up the nation St. Kitts and Nevis.
- Kabul
- Kampala
- Kathmandu
- Kathmandu
- Kazakhstan
- Khartoum
- Kigali
- Kingstown
- Kinshasa
- Kiribati
- Kitts
- Korea
- Kosovo
- Kotte
- Kotte
- Kuala
- Kuala Lumpur
- Kuwait
- Kuwait
- Kyiv
- Kyiv
- Kyrgyzstan
- Leone
Origin:
Italian variation of Leo or LeonMeaning:
"lion"Description:
An Italian spin on the current European darling Leon, though the final e makes it a tad feminine to the American sensibility.
- Leone
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lioness"Description:
With male version Leon taking off all over Europe, the female variations, from Leona to Leonie to Leone, are coming back into style too.
- Lima
Origin:
Spanish place name from QuechuaMeaning:
"speaker"Description:
The capital of Peru makes a rare but attractive girl name.
- London
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"Capital city of England"Description:
In the US, London is popular for both sexes, though as the name has risen for girls, it's levelled off for boys. Currently given to around 200 boys each year, it is nearly five times more popular for girls, however, it been on decline across the board since its peak in 2013. Conjuring up images of Big Ben, red phone boxes, and the London Eye for some, but perhaps the rush hour commute and grey skies for others, London is far less popular in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
- London
Origin:
English place-nameMeaning:
"Capital city of England"Description:
The capital of England makes a solid and attractive twenty-first-century choice in the US where it is currently in the Top 1000. Given to nearly 1000 girls and 200 boys each year, it is a unisex option that has been in slow decline since its peak in 2013. Conjuring up images of Big Ben, red phone boxes, and the London Eye for some, but perhaps the rush hour commute and grey skies for others, London is far less popular in the UK and other English-speaking countries.
- Louis
Origin:
German and FrenchMeaning:
"renowned warrior"Description:
Kate and William shocked the world when they announced that they'd named their third child Louis -- Prince Louis Arthur Charles, to be more precise. But we've been predicting a comeback for this classic name for a long time.
- Luanda
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
This name of Angola's capital city has occasionally been used for baby girls.
- Lucia
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of Lucius, LatinMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucia is a lush, rich Latinate equivalent of Lucy, popular in Spain and throughout Latin America and also a cross-cultural favorite. You might be surprised to know that Lucia has ALWAYS ranked among the Top 1000 girl names in the US, though she's really taken off only since the turn of this century.
- La Paz
- La Paz
- Lanka
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libreville
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lilongwe
- Lilongwe
- Lisbon
- Lithuania
- Lome
- Lome
- Lumpur
- Lumpur
- Lusaka
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
This evocative place-name is rising in popularity -- despite (or perhaps because of) the unfortunate association with an airplane that went missing in March 2014.
- Mali
Origin:
Welsh form of Molly or ThaiMeaning:
"jasmine flower"Description:
Seems unfamiliar, till you realize everyone will just hear it as Molly. In Wales, Mali is a Top 100 name.
- Malta
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
An archipelago near the center of the Mediterranean, the name derives from the Greek word for honey. Malta has been heard as a girl’s name in the past and was used as a character name by both Dickens and Murakami.
- Manila
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
The name of the capital city of the Philippines is just conceivable as a baby name, giving off the faint scent of vanilla.
- Marino
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"of the sea"Description:
Marino is an Italian first and surname with distinct crossover possibilities, having pleasant seaside undertones, and is far more unusual in the U.S. than sister Marina.
- Marshall
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"one who looks after horses"Description:
Marshall is an occupational surname, not having to do with anything military or martial, but stemming from the Norman French for someone caring for horses. It's been used as a first name since the nineteenth century and has been on the Social Security list since it started to publish its data in 1880.
- Monaco
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
With its trendy -o ending and connotations of luxury, we think the name of one of the smallest and wealthiest countries in the world has rich baby name potential.
- Morocco
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
Morocco is an attractive and rhythmic name, evocative of such fabled cities as Casablanca, Tangier and Marrakesh, in a country whose unique landscape and rich culture attracted such twentieth century writers as Tennessee Williams, Paul Bowles and William Burroughs.
- Moroni
Origin:
Italian surname or MormonMeaning:
"son of Mauro; our lord"Description:
Moroni isn't heard very often these days, probably because the first five letters have strong teasing potential. It's a common Italian surname meaning "son of Mauro," but its use as a first name is limited to the Mormon community.
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Madagascar
- Madrid
- Madrid
- Majuro
- Majuro
- Malabo
- Malabo
- Malawi
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Maldives
- Malé
- Managua
- Manama
- Maputo
- Maputo
- Maseru
- Maseru
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mbabane
- Mbabane
- Mexico
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Minsk
- Minsk
- Mogadishu
- Mogadishu
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Monrovia
- Montenegro
- Montevideo
- Moresby
- Moresby
- Moroni
- Moscow
- Moscow
- Mozambique
- Mozambique
- Muscat
- Muscat
- Myanmar
- Myanmar
- N'Djamena
- Nairobi
Origin:
African place-name, MaasiMeaning:
"cold water"Description:
Kenya is fairly commonly heard as a girl's name, but its capital city makes a much more exceptional choice. The name comes from the Maasai phrase "Enkare Nairobi," which translates to "cold water." Nairobi is popularly known as the Green City.
- Nevis
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"our lady of the snows"Description:
Nevis — as in the island in the West Indies making up the nation St. Kitts and Nevis — was derived from the Spanish name Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, meaning "Our lady of the snows"
- Nevis
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Highly unusual name of a small, tranquil island in the Caribbean; chosen for her daughter by singer Nelly Furtado.
- Nigeria
Origin:
Modern coinageMeaning:
"country on the Niger river"Description:
A patriotic choice for parents with a connection to the West African nation. The name Nigeria was coined by colonialists in 1897, after the Niger River which flows through the country. The river name is of uncertain origin, perhaps from a Saharan language. As a girl name in the USA, it had a low-key wave of popularity in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Namibia
- Nassau
- Nauru
- Nauru
- Naypyidaw
- Naypyidaw
- Nepal
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- Ngerulmud
- Niamey
- Nicaragua
- Nicosia
- Niger
- Niger
- Norway
- Nouakchott
- Nouakchott
- Novo
- Nuku'alofa
- Oslo
Origin:
Norwegian place name, Old NorseMeaning:
"meadow at the foot of a hill"Description:
Oslo, the capital city of Norway, makes for an intriguing new place name, especially with its bookended O's, as in Otto and leads to cool nickname Ozzie. One Berry has already used it and we predict others will follow; in fact, stats suggest it is used eight times more often than it was a decade ago.
- Oman
- Ottawa
- Ouagadougou
- Ouagadougou
- Panama
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Sharing her name with a country, a city, an isthmus, a gulf, a canal, and a hat might be a bit much for a child to handle.
- Paris
Origin:
French place-nameDescription:
The first famous Paris was a mythological prince of incredible beauty. The most recent was media darling Paris Hilton, inspirer of a generation of baby-girl namesakes. But since Pierce Brosnan and other celebs have continued to use it for their sons, the name retains some masculine identity. For girls, it jumped from #464 to #412 in the past year alone.
- Paris
Origin:
French place-nameDescription:
Paris, a one-time mythical and Shakespearean boys' name, peaked in 2004 at Number 157 at least in part due to the highly publicized Paris Hilton. Michael Jackson used it for his daughter.
- Peru
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
An unexplored choice, evocative of the snowcapped Andes, with a pleasant, catchy sound.
- Peru
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
An unexplored choice, evocative of the snowcapped Andes, with a pleasant, catchy sound.
- Pretoria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"official"Description:
Pretoria is a city in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa, named after its founder Marthinus Pretorius. The surname derives from from Latin praetor meaning "leader, official".
- Pakistan
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palau
- Palikir
- Palikir
- Papau
- Papau
- Paraguay
- Paraguay
- Paramaribo
- Paramaribo
- Penh
- Penh
- Philippines
- Philippines
- Phnom
- Phnom Penh
- Podgorica
- Poland
- Port-au-Prince
- Port-of-Spain
- Porto
- Porto-Novo
- Portugal
- Prague
- Prague
- Praia
- Pristina
- Príncipe
- Pyongyang
- Pyongyang
- Quito
Origin:
Spanish, Place-nameDescription:
Quito is a place-name (it's the capital of Ecuador) with lots of lively energy--as long as it's pronounced correctly.
- Qatar
- Qatar
- Quito
- Rica
Origin:
Scandinavian, diminutive of Federica or EricaDescription:
Pretty but slight.
- Riyadh
Description:
Riyadh is a masculine name of Arabic origin, sharing its name with the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The name derives from the Arabic word 'riyad,' meaning 'gardens' or 'meadows,' conveying images of fertility and natural beauty. Riyadh carries significant cultural importance in Arab communities and has gained international recognition through the prominence of the city. While primarily used in Muslim and Arabic-speaking regions, the name has spread globally with increasing cultural exchange. Riyadh offers a distinctive choice with a clear cultural identity, appealing to parents seeking a name with Middle Eastern roots and a connection to a significant cultural center.
- Rome
Origin:
Place name, Latin, GreekMeaning:
"to hurry or flow; strength"Description:
Given that Rome is arguably the most important city in European history, it has been used as a first name remarkably little. However, with Roman in the Top 100 and one-syllable choices in vogue, it was only a matter of time before parents started looking toward the city's name as a potential baby name.
- Rome
Origin:
Place name, Latin, GreekMeaning:
"to flow or hurry; strength"Description:
The name of this historic European city is more distinct than Paris and London but sounds similar enough to the rising Romy and well-established Ramona and Rosemary that it doesn't feel totally out there. Currently in the US Top 1000 for boys, Rome has been quietly used as a girl name since the 2000s and in 2023, it was given to around 60 girls. While it is therefore nine times more popular as a masculine name, it has plenty of unisex potential.
- Russia
Origin:
Russian place nameDescription:
Consider ODESSA instead.
- Rabat
- Reykjavík
- Reykjavík
- Riga
- Riyadh
- Romania
- Roseau
- Roseau
- Rwanda
- Salvador
Origin:
Spanish from Latin SalvatorMeaning:
"savior"Description:
A common epithet of Christ, frequently heard in the Hispanic community, Salvador could also be a great choice for artistic parents, given the continuing popularity of Dada and Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. (If Monet and Raphael get a look in, why not Salvador?)
- Samoa
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Evocative of the beautiful South Pacific islands; we've also heard Samoan used as a name.
- Santiago
Origin:
Place-name or LatinMeaning:
"Saint James"Description:
Santiago is a spirited Spanish name with great crossover potential. It's a place-name (a city in Chile), a surname, and the name of the patron saint of Spain.
- Santo
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"saint, holy"Description:
Religious name long common in Italy, as is the diminutive Santino. In the Cornwall region of England, it's a traditional diminutive for Alexander.
- Saudi
- Senegal
Origin:
Country nameDescription:
Popular etymology derives this West African country's name from the Wolof words sunu gal, "our canoe". It's an appealing image, of a nation of people all in the same boat. Some country names have taken off as baby names, but this one, not yet.
- Senegal
Origin:
African place-nameDescription:
Unlikely to take over Kenya's spot as the dominant African place-name.
- Seoul
Origin:
KoreanMeaning:
"capital"Description:
This place-name is more unique and offbeat than London or Milan. The name Seoul just debuted on the US charts in 2022.
- Sierra
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"saw"Description:
Sierra is a name borrowed from the western mountain range, with Latin rhythm and cowboy charm, that has led to many offshoots: Cierra, Cyara, and so on. It is now probably past its peak but retains its pretty-yet-strong sound. The meaning refers to the sharp, irregular peaks of some of the Western mountains such as the Sierra Nevada.
- Sofia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"wisdom"Description:
Sofia is a variation of the Greek name Sophia, which was derived directly from sophia, the Greek word for wisdom. It was the name of a Roman saint—the mother of Faith, Hope, and Charity—and queens of Russia and Spain.
- Solomon
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Solomon, a name that evokes wisdom and peace, is an Old Testament name that, along with other patriarchal classics, is finally beginning to shed its long white beard and step from the pages of the Old Testament into modern nurseries.
- Sweden
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
A pleasing place-name that hasn't yet appeared in the baby name atlas.
- Sweden
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"Swede, one's own tribe"Description:
You may be surprised to learn 73 girls have been named Sweden since the 2000s. Appearing sporadically in the US name stats over the last twenty years, the name derives from the Old Norse Svíar which may come from an even older word meaning "one's own tribe".
- San
- San
- San Jose
- Sana'a
- Sarajevo
- Sarajevo
- Saudi
- Seoul
- Serbia
- Seri
- Seri
- Seychelles
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Singapore
- Skopje
- Skopje
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- Spain
- Sri
- Stockholm
- Stockholm
- Sucre
- Sucre
- Sudan
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Suriname
- Suva
- Switzerland
- Syria
- São Tomé
- São Tomé
- Thailand
- Tokyo
Origin:
Japanese place nameMeaning:
"Eastern capital"Description:
Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, was given as a first name to two dozen girls and a handful of boys in 2022, popularized by a character in the popular Spanish Netflix crime drama La casa de papel / Money Heist.
- Trinidad
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"trinity"Description:
Trinidad, an island off Venezuela in the southern Caribbean, is Spanish for ‘trinity’ and is a common unisex name in Latin America. Notable namesakes include performers Trini Lopez (male) and Trini Alvarado (female), both born Trinidad.
- Taipei
- Taipei
- Taiwan
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tallinn
- Tallinn
- Tanzania
- Tarawa
- Tashkent
- Tashkent
- Tbilisi
- Tegucigalpa
- Tehran
- Tehran
- Thailand
- Thimphu
- Thimphu
- Timor
- Tirana
- Tobago
- Togo
- Togo
- Tokyo
- Tonga
- Tripoli
- Tripoli
- Tunis
- Tunis
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Ukraine
- Ulaanbaatar
- Ulaanbaatar
- Uruguay
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Valletta
Origin:
Maltese place nameDescription:
Valletta is the capital city of Malta. It takes on an air of attractiveness via model Amber Valletta and could make an appealing alternative to the somewhat dated Valerie.
- Vella
Description:
Vella is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It has roots in Latin, meaning "beautiful" or "lovely," and also exists as a surname derived from locations in Italy and Spain. In some contexts, it relates to the Latin word "vellum" (animal skin prepared for writing). Vella appears in Greek mythology as well, connected to a nymph. While never extremely common, the name has maintained a quiet presence throughout history, experiencing modest usage in English-speaking countries. Vella appeals to parents seeking a short, melodic name with vintage charm. Its cross-cultural associations with beauty and its soft, flowing sound make it an elegant yet distinctive choice that balances uniqueness with accessibility.
- Verde
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"green"Description:
Verde is an uncommon color name with a Latinate accent, perfect for a spring baby.
- Victoria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"victory"Description:
Victoria is the Latin word for "victory" and a feminine form of Victor. It is the name of the ancient Roman goddess of victory, the equivalent of the Greek Nike, and also a popular third century saint.
- Vienna
Origin:
Place-name: the capital of AustriaMeaning:
"forest stream; white foundation"Description:
Vienna is one of the more popular of the European place-names, with a particularly pleasant sound, evoking elegant images of the Blue Danube, of castles and cafes, sweets and sausages and Strauss waltzes—and Sigmund Freud. It could be a possible substitute for the popular Sienna, although Vienna has been climbing the charts herself. Vienna was one of the fastest rising girl names in 2023.
- Vila
- Vincent
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"conquering"Description:
Vincent is a name with a complex image. After being quietly used for centuries, it is suddenly seeming stylish, along wih other V names. Even the nickname Vince has been given a reprieve via actor Vince Vaughn and country singer Vince Gill. Vin Diesel was born with the more prosaic name Mark Vincent.
- Vaduz
- Vaduz
- Vanuatu
- Vanuatu
- Vatican
- Vatican
- Venezuela
- Verde
- Vientiane
- Vietnam
- Vietnam
- Vilnius
- Washington
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"home of the Wassa people"Description:
Lincoln, Tyler, Taylor, Jackson, Jefferson, Harrison, McKinley, Grant, Kennedy, Carter -- yes. Washington -- probably not.
- Wellington
Origin:
English surname from place nameMeaning:
"people living in the hamlet in the cleared area near the temple"Description:
Wellington is a tony-sounding English surname turned baby name by pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who calls her son Wells for short. It's also the middle name of one of the Sweet Home sextuplets, Blu Wellington.
- Warsaw
- Warsaw
- Wellington
- Windhoek
- Windhoek
- Yaren
Description:
Yaren is a modern unisex name with Turkish origins, though it appears here as feminine. In Turkish, it carries meanings of "friend," "companion," or "loved one." The name has risen in popularity in Turkey in recent decades and has begun to gain recognition internationally. Yaren has a contemporary sound with its two balanced syllables, while its meaning gives it significant emotional resonance. The name's simplicity makes it accessible across language barriers, while its Turkish roots provide distinctive cultural significance. For those seeking a name with positive meaning that remains relatively uncommon in Western countries while having established usage elsewhere, Yaren offers an appealing option.
- Yamoussoukro
- Yaoundé
- Yaoundé
- Yaren
- Yemen
- Yemen
- Yerevan
- Yerevan
- Zealand
Origin:
English place name from DutchMeaning:
"sea land"Description:
Sparingly used since the 2000s, Zealand shot of the charts in 2021 after YouTube family The Labrants gave it to their son the previous year. By 2022, it had quadrupled in popularity since 2020, and while a recent count has shown a slight decline in use, around 100 boys and 10 girls were given the name.
- Zealand
Origin:
English place name from DutchMeaning:
"sea land"Description:
Familiar-but-new and ultra-rare (for girls anyway), Zealand has a lot going for it with its spunky Z initial and globe-trotting vibes. Sparingly used for boys since the 2000s and even more occasionally used for girls since 2010, YouTube family The Labrants brought this name into the spotlight when they called their son Zealand in 2019.
- Zagreb
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe