Appealing International Word Names
- Lila
Origin:
Arabic, SanskritMeaning:
"night; play"Description:
Lila is one of the girl names with a double l sound — Lila, Lola, Layla, Leila, Lily et al — that have caught on in a major way., Delicate yet dynamic, Lila has a slightly international flair.
- Ari
Origin:
Diminutive of Ariel, HebrewMeaning:
"lion of God"Description:
Ari, the short form of Ariel (or any other Ari- beginning name, such as Aristotle) stands up better as a boys’ name than its progenitor does. It is also short for Aristotle, as in Onassis, and is a prominent character on TV's Entourage -- the uberagent Ari Gold.
- Hana
Origin:
Hebrew, Hawaiian, Maori, JapaneseMeaning:
"grace, work, glow, flower"Description:
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.
- Maro
Origin:
Latin, Hebrew, or JapaneseMeaning:
"from Mars; bitter; or, myself"Description:
Maro is an ancient saints' name -- he was an Italian follower of St. Flavia and was martyred -- rarely used in modern life. The name Maro may stem from the Roman Marcellus, related to Mars, the god of war, or it may be a feminine form of Maria, connected with Mario. Maro is also a Japanese name meaning "myself."
- Nila
Origin:
Indian, Tamil, HindiMeaning:
"dark blue; moon"Description:
A sweet, simple Sanskrit name which would work in many languages and has an sparkling, colorful meaning.
- Moana
Origin:
Maori, SamoanMeaning:
"deep ocean, sea"Description:
This Maori name, often heard in New Zealand, is an attractive, evocative choice for lovers of the ocean made famous – perhaps too famous – by the Disney heroine. Moana was also an alternate name for the heroine Ofelia in Pan's Labyrinth. Moana may also be a color name for a deep ocean blue ("lanu moana"). Moana and other Disney Princess Names are the subject of a featured blog.
- Peri
Origin:
Greek; Hebrew; PersianMeaning:
"mountain dweller; fruit; fairy"Description:
This name used for both sexes in several cultures is quite well used in Israel.
- Violeta
Origin:
Spanish; Bulgarian; Romanian; Serbian; Lithuanian; AlbanianMeaning:
"purple; violet (flower)"Description:
Violeta is the variation of Violet found throughout various countries in Eastern Europe -- the name is styled this way in Bulgarian and Romanian as well as other languages -- and Spain, while Violetta is the Italian form. Violeta re-entered the Top 1000 in 2018. The Violetta spelling is given to about half as many baby girls. A lovely choice for parents who love Violet but want something more unusual.
- Kiri
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"tree bark"Description:
The name Kiri was made famous by New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa, whose original name was Claire. Cute but slight, Kiri is close to several other names from Kiriah to Keira to Kyra and its diminutive Kyrie.
- Meri
Origin:
Finnish; MaoriMeaning:
"sea; Mary"Description:
Upbeat name that cheers you as soon as you hear it. One famous bearer is Maori feminist Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia.
- Lilas
Description:
Lilas is a delicate feminine name derived from the French word for 'lilac,' the fragrant purple flowering shrub. This nature-inspired name carries the gentle, sweet associations of the lilac flower, which symbolizes spring, renewal, and first love in many cultures. While not extremely common internationally, Lilas has maintained steady usage in France and Lebanon, and among Arabic speakers (where it's pronounced LEE-las). The name has a soft, melodic quality with its repeated 'l' sounds and final 's' that is pronounced in French. Lilas offers a subtle alternative to more common floral names like Lily or Rose, while still evoking natural beauty and feminine grace.
- Zila
Description:
Zila is a concise feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew tradition, it's related to 'tzila' meaning 'shadow' or 'shade,' while in Swahili, it can mean 'beautiful.' The name also appears in Hungarian usage. Zila's brevity and strong 'z' sound give it a modern, distinctive quality despite its ancient roots. Though relatively uncommon in most Western countries, Zila has seen modest usage across various cultures. The name's cross-cultural presence makes it appealing to parents seeking something simple yet distinctive with international resonance. The name balances uniqueness with straightforward pronunciation, requiring no nicknames due to its already compact form.
- Deniz
Origin:
TurkishMeaning:
"sea"Description:
A super popular nature name in its native Turkey, currently Top 50 for both boys and girls there.
- Juillet
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"July"
- Vida
Description:
Vida is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Slavic languages, it derives from 'vid' meaning 'sight' or 'vision,' while in Spanish it simply means 'life.' The name carries positive connotations of vitality and perception across different cultures. In Eastern European countries, particularly Croatia and Slovenia, Vida appears as a male name, though in Western countries it's often used for females. Throughout history, Vida has maintained a consistent but modest usage, with slight variations in popularity according to regional naming trends. The name has a timeless quality, balancing simplicity with distinctive character. It's worth noting that Vida is considered gender-neutral in some cultures, adding to its versatility as a name choice.
- Vann
Description:
Vann is a concise masculine name with multiple origin possibilities. It can function as a surname-turned-first-name derived from Old English roots meaning "from the marsh" or as a shortened form of names like Donovan or Ivan. In Welsh contexts, it relates to names containing "fan" meaning "peak" or "summit." Vann has gained modest popularity as a given name in the United States since the late 20th century, appreciated for its brevity, strength, and contemporary feel. The name's simplicity makes it versatile across various cultural contexts while its single-syllable structure follows the trend toward shorter, impactful names for boys. Vann projects a modern, somewhat rugged image while maintaining simplicity in spelling and pronunciation.
- Fiore
Origin:
Italian from LatinMeaning:
"flower"Description:
Fiore is a feminine name of Italian origin meaning "flower." It embodies natural beauty, blossoming, and delicate strength. In Italian culture, the name carries artistic and romantic associations, reflecting the aesthetic appreciation central to Italian heritage.
- Brun
Description:
Brun is a masculine name with Germanic and Old Norse origins, literally meaning 'brown' or 'the brown one,' traditionally referring to brown hair or complexion. This short, strong name appears in various European naming traditions, particularly in Scandinavian countries and France. Historically, Brun functioned as both a given name and surname across Germanic regions. The name can be found in medieval texts and historical records throughout Northern Europe. While never extremely common, Brun has persisted through centuries as a concise, powerful name option. In modern usage, it remains relatively rare, offering a distinctive alternative to more popular short masculine names. Its brevity gives it a contemporary feel despite its ancient roots.
- Fee
Origin:
Diminutive of FionaDescription:
Too fiscal.
- Tierra
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"earth"Description:
Earthy but ethereal Spanish word name that sounds a lot fresher than its sister Sierra.