vanillaminaduki's list of names

Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.

A pretty Kazakh name derived from Turkish ayla, meaning "moonlight". The Hawaiian name 'Ailana (with the 'okina mark) means "loving".

Despite being etymologically unrelated, Aimi has a similar meaning to the name Amy, "beloved."

A popular Japanese name for both sexes that's migrated to the West because of its appearance in manga and video games.

Amari is a name that's rising in popularity for both boys and girls in the US, used last year for about 2000 baby boys and 1000 baby girls. It's among the Top 20 gender neutral names.

Amé is a delicate feminine name with French origins, featuring an accent that indicates the specific pronunciation (ah-MAY). Without the accent, Ame derives from Latin 'amare' meaning 'to love,' suggesting 'beloved' as its meaning. In Japanese, though spelled differently, 'ame' can mean 'rain,' creating a poetic cross-cultural connection. This short, elegant name remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it an exotic appeal. In French usage, it has connections to the term 'âme' meaning 'soul,' adding spiritual depth. Amé's brevity makes it distinctive yet simple, appealing to parents seeking minimalist names with international flair. Its pronunciation may vary slightly based on regional accents, but its musical quality remains consistent.

Arya was derived from an Indo-Iranian word meaning "Aryan" or "noble." It is a masculine given name in Iran, Indonesia, Bali, and Sanskrit-speaking regions of India. In Hindu- and English-speaking parts of the world, Arya is more often a feminine name, the latter influenced by the similar Italian name Aria, meaning "air" or "song."

Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.

Azami has a prickly image and feel — reinforced by the thistle's image in Eastern mythology as one of defiance. A name that spans two widely divergent cultures, Azami might make the perfect international choice, at once unusual and easy to comprehend.

The Elin variation makes an old favorite sleeker and more modern. Elin came to prominence via the ex-Mrs.Tiger Woods and is now perhaps best known via novelist Elin Hildebrand.. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2010, though it's now dropped off again.

Lost in limbo for decades and decades, Elsa now stands a good chance of following along in the progression from Emma to Ella to Etta, thanks to the ice queen heroine who "Let It Go" in the wildly popular Disney movie Frozen. The name shot all the up to Number 286 (its highest ranking since the 1890s) in the year after the release of the movie, though it's now dropped back down the list in the US.

As an English nickname, Emi can be short for anything beginning with (or containing) the popular "em" sound, such as Emily, Emilia, or maybe even Clementine.

Evi is a charming feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Greek, it's a diminutive of names like Evangeline or Genevieve, meaning 'life' or 'living one.' In Hebrew tradition, it connects to Eve (meaning 'life-giver'), while in Norse contexts, it relates to names meaning 'island.' This short, sweet name has gained popularity in recent decades for its simplicity and international appeal. Evi works well across language boundaries and fits the modern preference for brief, vowel-rich names. Its cross-cultural versatility and positive connotations of vitality make Evi increasingly popular among parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and accessible.

Soft and simple, but no less magical, Faye is enjoying a quiet spell of popularity in the US. It broke the Top 1000 in 2014, and by 2023, was one of the fastest rising names on the charts. Faye is a perfect example of a name that fits in and stands out, recognizable and yet unexpected. It also makes a beautiful middle name option, if Mae and Rae are feeling too overdone.

Many things to many peoples: a flower name, also spelled Hanae, to the Japanese; a Czech and Polish short form of Johana; and an alternate form of the biblical name Hannah in the US. It also means "craft, work" in Hawaiian and "glow" in Maori.

Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms, who sometimes answers if you call her name.

This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.

A Japanese name that would work well on a boy or girl — it is reminiscent of popular unisex names Kai or Kyrie. Kairi is the name of the main female character in the popular role-playing video game series, Kingdom Hearts.