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International Names That Work in the U.S.

Miss Randriana
By Miss Randriana
Updated Wed Sep 27 2023
The names on this list are among the top 100 most popular names from different countries around the world. (Includes top 100 names for newborns and top 100 for general population.) I've excluded names that overlap with the U.S. top 100. As a first-generation American with mixed Slavic and East-African islander roots, I'm attracted to names that would fit in easily abroad and also appeal to my American sensibilities. (Please be thoughtful and use discretion regarding cultural appropriation.)
  1. Esme

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      Esmé comes from the past participle of the Old French verb esmer, meaing "to esteem" or "to love." It can also be considered a derivative of the Spanish name Esmeralda, which means "emerald".
  2. Mira

    • Origin:

      Latin, Slavic, Arabic, Sanskrit, Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "admirable; peace; female ruler; ocean; mirror"

    • Description:

      A truly international choice, the sweet and simple Mira has its origins in Sanskrit, Latin, Slavic, and Arabic, just to name a view. With its arty aura and succinct look, it makes a versatile option, much like the similar Nina and Mina.
  3. Archer

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "bowman"

    • Description:

      Archer is an Anglo-Saxon surname that feels more modern than most because of its on-target occupational and Hunger Games associations. And it's a nice way to bypass the clunky Archibald to get to the cool nickname Archie.
  4. Louise

    • Origin:

      French and English, feminine variation of Louis

    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"

    • Description:

      Louise has for several decades now been seen as competent, studious, and efficient—desirable if not dramatic qualities. But now along with a raft of other L names, as well as cousin Eloise, Louise is up for reappreciation—sleek and chic, stylish in Paris, and starting to become so in the US as well. Louisa is perhaps more in tune with the times, but Louise has more edge. Louise has been on the rise lately, and reentered the US Top 1000 for the first time in a quarter century in 2016.
  5. Romy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Rosemary, Roma, Romana, Romilly etc.

    • Description:

      Austrian actress Romy Schneider seemed to be the singular bearer of this international nickname name until it found new style currency in the past decade, entering the US Top 1000 for the first time ever in 2024.
  6. Alma

    • Origin:

      Latin, Hebrew, Kazakh

    • Meaning:

      "nurturing, soul; young woman; apple"

    • Description:

      Alma is a solemn, soulful, yet gentle sounding name that became fashionable in England following the Battle of Alma during the 19th century Crimean War. A name with multiple origins, Alma has subtle, international flair and plenty of vintage charm.
  7. Declan

    • Origin:

      Irish, meaning unknown, possible "man of prayer"

    • Meaning:

      "man of prayer"

    • Description:

      Declan is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Deaglán. St. Declan was one of the first missionaries to bring Christianity to Ireland, preceding St. Patrick. Originally from Wales, he founded the monastery of Ardmore in Ireland.
  8. Talia

    • Origin:

      Hebrew; Australian Aboriginal

    • Meaning:

      "gentle dew from heaven; by the water"

    • Description:

      Talia is derived from the Hebrew elements tal, meaning "dew," and yah, in reference to God. In the mythology of one ancient sect, Talia was one of ten angels who attended the sun on its daily course. The occasionally homophonous name Thalia has unrelated Greek origins.
  9. Dante

    • Origin:

      Latin diminutive of Durant

    • Meaning:

      "enduring"

    • Description:

      Though closely associated with the great medieval Florentine poet Dante Alighieri -- who's so famous most people skip the last name -- it's not as much of a one-man name as you might think. Heck, it's not even a one-poet name, thanks to British pre-Rapahaelite Dante Gabriel Rosetti. Though especially well used in the Italian-American community, it would make a striking name for any little boy.
  10. Rafael

    • Origin:

      Spanish; German; Croatian; Portuguese, variation of Raphael, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God has healed"

    • Description:

      Energetic, sunny, and slightly romantic, Rafael is a popular choice in Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Croatia. Used internationally, Rafael is a Spanish variation of Raphael, that lends itself easily to the nicknames Rafi, Rafa and Rafe.
  11. Hamish

    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of James

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Just as Seamus/Seumus is Irish for James, Hamish is the Scottish form — one that's not often used here, but still redolent of Olde Scotland. If you're ready to go further than Duncan and Malcolm, out to Laird and Ewan territory, this may be worth consideration. It also sounds just like the Yiddish word for homey.
  12. Orla

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "golden princess"

    • Description:

      Orla is an Irish name closely associated with the high king Brian Boru, as it was the name of his sister, daughter and niece. It was very popular in the Middle Ages – the fourth most popular name in twelfth century Ireland – and has become popular again in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales today. In Irish, the name is commonly spelled Orlaith or Orlagh.
  13. Alba

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "white"

    • Description:

      Alba is quietly making a behind-the-scenes comeback, perhaps thanks to actress turned baby-product mogul Jessica Alba. Last on the Top 1000 a century ago, the name was given to nearly 200 baby girls in the US last year. Alba might be tomorrow's successor to Ava and Ella. In Spain, Alba ranks among the Top 20 girls' names. Alba is the name of a character in The Time Traveler's Wife.
  14. Alina

    • Origin:

      Slavic, Germanic, Arabic, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "bright, beautiful; noble; delicate, soft; defending men"

    • Description:

      Alina has been drifting up the US popularity charts since the early 1980s, and now sits in in the Top 200. But Alina's real strength is in its international flexibility: The name ranks highly in a wide range of European, English speaking, and Latin American countries.
  15. Callan

    • Origin:

      Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "descendent of Cathalan; descendent of the battle ruler"

    • Description:

      This anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Cathaláin links back to the Irish given name, Cathal. Similar to Callum, Caleb, and Calvin, it might feel more usable outside of Ireland and Scotland than its origin name.
  16. Mara

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "bitter"

    • Description:

      Mara is the evocative ancient root of Mary, appearing in the Book of Ruth, in which Naomi, devastated after the death of her two sons, says "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara." It's one of the girl names starting with M that both fits in and stands out.
  17. Pippa

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Philippa

    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"

    • Description:

      Pippa, a peppy condensation of Philippa that turns it from serious to sprightly, has come into the public eye in a big way via the former Kate Middleton's sister.
  18. Alfie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alfred, English

    • Meaning:

      "wise counselor"

    • Description:

      Alfie is a Top 20 name throughout the British Isles, where retro nickname names are mega-popular, but it hasn't really been picked up in the US yet. Both Alfie and rising star Archie are spunky nickname possibilities with a bit of an English accent.
  19. Ivan

    • Origin:

      Russian variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Though some might find it a bit heavy-booted, Ivan is one of the few Russian boys' names to become fully accepted into the American naming pool.
  20. Leonie

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "lion"

    • Description:

      Leonie is a chic French and German form of a name that exists in a range of variations from Leona to Leonia to Leon to Leo to Lionel, all newly fashionable after a couple of generations in style limbo.