Difficult to Spell but Oh So Beautiful!
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This list of names includes international names that may not be "obvious" in pronunciation to some English people but they are deserving of appreciation.
- Joaquin
Origin:
Spanish variation of JoachimMeaning:
"God will judge"Description:
Actor Joaquin Phoenix (brother of River, Rain, Liberty and Summer) highlighted this one, then Kelly Ripa began talking about younger son Joaquin on her daily TV show, and presto—it's now one of the hottest and most appealing multicultural baby boy names.
- Rhys
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"ardor"Description:
Rugged but gentle, Rhys is the traditional Welsh spelling of this name, which can also be anglicized as Reese or Reece. Up until 2010, Reese was the preferred spelling in the US, perhaps because parents were concerned about mispronunciation. However, Rhys has since taken over for boys and is now used twice as often as Reese.
- Xiomara
Origin:
Feminine variation of Guiomar, Spanish, PortugueseMeaning:
"famous in battle"Description:
The gorgeous and romantic name Xiomara popped into the Top 1000 from 2004-2011 after a contestant on America's Next Top Model increased interest in her rare name.
- Anais
Origin:
Catalan and Provencal pet form of Hebrew AnnaMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Anais is an unusual, alluring name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin (born Angela, with Anais as one of her middle names), who became the inspiration for the naming of the daughter of musician Noel Gallagher. Anais is also the name of a popular perfume.
- Yamileth
Origin:
Spanish variation of Jamila, ArabicMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Popular in Mexico and familiar in the US, Yamileth is an elaborate and fresh form of Yamila, ultimately derived from the Arabic Jamil. Meaning "beautiful", it shares sounds with other familiar and international choices, including Yara, Camila, and Arleth.
- Siobhan
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"god is gracious"Description:
Siobhan is the Irish variation of Joan, which is derived from the ancient Anglo-Norman name Jehanne. In this way Siobhan is indirectly related to the name Sinead—the Irish form of Jeannette, which also derived from Jehanne—although Sinead is not a nickname for Siobhan. Siobhan was the name of several early Irish queens and was introduced to the American public by the actress Siobhan McKenna.
- Saoirse
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"liberty"Description:
Before the young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in the films Ladybird and The Lovely Bones, few of us had heard this name, let alone known how to pronounce it. But now it is slowly way edging its way into the mainstream, particularly, of course, with parents who have Irish roots. It made its first appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2016, when it was the third-fastest-rising girls' name.
- Adagio
Origin:
Italian, musical termDescription:
The literal meaning of Adagio is 'at ease.' Adagio's use for a slow musical passage or ballet is contradicted by its lively sound and feel.
- Batsaikhan
- Cian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ancient"Description:
A handsome Irish name for boys, very popular in that country, but in the US this traditional spelling might cause pronunciation problems. Still, whether Cian or Kian, it's simple and straightforward enough for the initiated. Cian is rising in the British popularity charts.
- Czeslaw
- Dashiell
Origin:
Anglicization of French surname de Chiel, meaning unknownDescription:
Dashiell, though missing from many other name sources, is among the hottest new names, chosen by such celebs as Cate Blanchett and author Helen (Bridget Jones) Fielding. With its great dash and panache, Dashiell is associated with detective writer Dashiell Hammett (born Samuel, as in Sam Spade, Dashiell being his mother's maiden name). Alice Cooper was ahead of the game: He named his son Dashiell in 1985.
- Laniakea
- Ndamukong
- Nuniq
- Oisin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little deer"Description:
Oisin is one of the most popular Irish baby names in its native land, though largely unknown in the US. The original Oisin was the mythological son of Finn McCool and Sadb, the goddess who was changed into a deer. A legendary war hero and poet, Oisin had a name that is also reminiscent in sound of the ocean. Pronounced correctly, this name has an attractive sheen.
- Ruaridh
Description:
Ruaridh is a masculine Scottish Gaelic name pronounced roughly as "ROO-a-ree." It derives from the Old Irish name Ruaidrí, combining the elements "ruadh" meaning "red" and "rí" meaning "king," thus translating to "red king" or "red-haired king." This name has deep historical roots in Celtic culture and was borne by several significant figures in Scottish and Irish history, including Roderick, the last High King of Ireland. While primarily used in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Western Isles, Ruaridh remains relatively uncommon outside Celtic regions. The name preserves authentic Gaelic heritage and pronunciation, offering a distinctive alternative to the anglicized Rory or Roderick.
- Bekele
Origin:
AmharicMeaning:
"growing"Description:
Bekele is an attractive Ethiopian name prime for use in the English-speaking world, especially given the short form Bek. Pronunciation is three syllables with the emphasis on the second -- beh-KEH-lee.
- Aisling
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dream, vision"Description:
Aisling is currently a very popular Irish name for girls. Pronounced variously as ASH-ling, ASH-lin or ash-LEEN, it was part of the revival of authentic Irish names in the twentieth century, and is now being sparingly used by U.S. parents in place of the dated Ashley--though often spelled phonetically as Ashlyn or Ashlynn.
- Aoife
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"beautiful, radiant"Description:
Aoife, pronounced EE-fa, is derived from the Irish word aoibh, meaning "beauty." Aoife was borne by several different heroines of ancient Irish legend. In one tale, she was the fiercest woman warrior in the world and enemy of her twin sister, Scathach.
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