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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

    • Meaning:

      "admirable; peace; female ruler; ocean"

    • Description:

      This name owes its present life to actress Sorvino. Mira and Mirra have an arty aura.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Maeva

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "welcome"

    • Description:

      Though it sounds like a variation of the Irish Maeve, Maeva actually hails from Tahiti, and is currently enjoying a wave of popularity in France, where it ranks in the Top 100, possibly via popular French folk singer and actress Maeva Meline.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Lottie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Charlotte

    • Meaning:

      "free man"

    • Description:

      Lottie is a nostalgic great-grandma name that conjures up lockets and lace, and — like Nellie, Josie, Hattie, Tillie, and Milly — has considerable vintage charm.
  10. 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.
  11. Alma

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "nurturing, soul"

    • Description:

      Alma is a somewhat solemn, soulful name that had a burst of popularity a century ago, then faded into the flowered wallpaper, and is now finding its footing once more.
  12. Mina

    • Origin:

      Hindu equivalent of Pisces or diminutive of Wilhelmina, German

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protection"

    • Description:

      Most famous as a Dracula victim (where Mina is short for Wilhelmina), Mina is a name that can stand on its own or be a diminutive of any name ending in -mina, most usually Wilhelmina.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Kian

    • Origin:

      Irish; Persian

    • Meaning:

      "ancient; king"

    • Description:

      A friendly Irish and Persian name chosen by Geena Davis for one of her twin boys, whose father is Iranian.
  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. 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.
  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. 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.
  20. 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.