Parenting

37 Truly Beautiful Baby Girl Names From Around the World

ParentingPublished Dec 15, 2017
By Genny Glassman
featured-img-of-post-209367iStock.com/MelbStudio

There are thousands of babies names out there, but sometimes parents just want one that's going to make people stop and think, "Wow, that's a beautiful name." That's where these baby names come in. While many of the common names in the US are perfectly sweet, sometimes looking to popular names in other countries can provide the inspiration and uncommon qualities moms and dads are looking for. A really popular name in another country may not have made a ripple in the US. yet. Which means it's prime pickings for a baby name.

More from CafeMom: 15 Gorgeous Spanish Baby Names for Girls That Shouldn't Be Overlooked

Many of the most popular names of today got their start around the globe. Imogen, for example, was a hit in the UK and Australia long before it started charting in the US. And Isabella, which has ruled the most popular baby name charts in the past decade, originally came from Spain. There is magic to be found in thinking outside the box and being open to new suggestions. And that's what these stunningly gorgeous baby names from all over the world are all about.

More from CafeMom: 21 Magical Baby Girl Names Inspired by the Sea -- Perfect for a Little Mermaid

We've found 25 unusual and sophisticated baby names that are popular across the globe. Some of them may sound familiar, but others are totally fresh. And each of them has that "it" factor that makes it a truly fantastic and noteworthy choice. Read on to see which baby names made the list.

pyrozhenka/Shutterstock
1/37
BIANKA-placeholder
BIANKA
iStock/RuslanDashinsky

BIANKA

While most of us are more familiar with the Americanized Bianca, this name comes from Hungary. Originally from Italy, Bianka means "fair" or "white" and similar names are Blanca and Byanka.

2/37
SEO-YEON-placeholder
SEO-YEON
iStock/Linda Raymond

SEO-YEON

A Korean name, Seo-yeon, is already popular overseas. Behind the Name states that Seo-yeon comes from two other names; Sino-Korean, which means "felicitous omen, auspicious," and yeon, meaning "beautiful, graceful."

3/37
XIMENA-placeholder
XIMENA
iStock/PeopleImages

XIMENA

One of the top names in Mexico, Ximena is definitely going to cross over to the US. According to Name Berry, Ximena was originally a Spanish name and is the female version of Ximeno.

4/37
JUANA-placeholder
JUANA
iStock/MmeEmil

JUANA

One of the most popular names of Bolivia, Juana is the Spanish form of Johanna. It's also the female form of Juan. Behind the Names states that the name was created when Queen of Castile, Juana the Mad who was born in the 16th century.

5/37
RUBY-placeholder
RUBY
iStock/Marco_Piunti

RUBY

Although the name Ruby certainly is popular here in the US, it really has taken off in Tasmania. Taken from the deep, red, gem with the same name, we think Ruby really sparkles.

6/37
CHIARA-placeholder
CHIARA
iStock/onebluelight

CHIARA

Hailing from Italy, Chiara is spunky and cute. A form of Clare or Clara, the name is derived from the Latin clārus, which means "bright, clear, or famous." The name also sparks tons of adorable nicknames including Chi, Chia, and Chichi.

7/37
AYLA-placeholder
AYLA
iStock/susaro

AYLA

Ayla comes from Australia and is most popular in New South Wales. Originally derived from Hebrew, Ayla is a variant of Eilah and means "oak tree." Other fun variations are Eilah, Eila, Ela, Elah, and Eyla.

8/37
CORALIE-placeholder
CORALIE
iStock/ozgurcankaya

CORALIE

Oui oui! Coralie is a huge hit in Canada and we love that it has a real French flair. Name Berry states that the name originated from Latin and and means "coral" in French.

9/37
MIYU-placeholder
MIYU
iStock/miodrag ignjatovic

MIYU

A Japanese name, Miyu, has a few different meanings. Behind the Name states that one of the characters in the name means "beautiful" while others mean "fruit, good result, truth" and "excellence, superiority, gentleness."

10/37
ZUZANNA-placeholder
ZUZANNA
iStock/seanoriordan

ZUZANNA

Name Berry explains that this Polish name means "lily" and is a Slavic variation of Susannah. We think this is the next generation's coolest baby name and no lie, we love the nickname ZuZu.

11/37
CONSTANÇA-placeholder
CONSTANÇA
iStock/kohei_hara

CONSTANÇA

Constança is a Portuguese name but it actually originates from the Latin word constans which means "standing together" or "constancy." A more English variation is the spelling we are more used to seeing in the US is Constance.

12/37
RENATA-placeholder
RENATA
iStock/EyenEye

RENATA

In Chile, Renata is the cool baby name to have -- and there is good reason why. Coming from Latin roots, the name means "reborn" or "born again" and Renata has recently had a major boost in popularity due to the TV show Big Little Lies.

13/37
ASHLING-placeholder
ASHLING
Pavel Kosek/Shutterstock

ASHLING

This Irish name is a real charmer. Meaning "vision" or "dream," Ashling is the Anglicized version of the classic name Esther. The name is popular in Ireland now, but has never ranked in the top 1,000 baby names in the US. Similar variations include Ashlyn, Aisling, Aislnn, and Aislin. Pretty cute!

14/37
ADETTE-placeholder
ADETTE
Olga Shlyakhtina/Shutterstock

ADETTE

We all are familiar with Adele and Addison. But the German name Adette might just be different enough for any parent who is looking for a new variation of the aforementioned American names. Adette, meaning "sweet" or "noble," is an interesting twist that's sure to be a hit.

More from CafeMom: 18 Gorgeous Celtic Baby Names That Are Totally Overlooked

15/37
MEARA-placeholder
MEARA
iStock.com/evgenyatamanenko

MEARA

Pronounced "Meer-a," this Irish name is perfect for a water sign. Meara means "sea" in Gaelic, and we can think of nothing more majestic or splendid than that! Similar to Myra or Mira, Meara is not as popular in the US as it is abroad. But that doesn't have to be the case!

16/37
BIJOU-placeholder
BIJOU
iStock.com/ Mcimage

BIJOU

Bonjour, ma petite Bijou! Bijou, which is French for "jewel," is both pretty and full of spunky vibes. Pronounced "Bee-Zhoo" the name might be most familiar to Americans through the actress Bijou Phillips, daughter of John Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas. This little jewel is sure to shine so bright!

17/37
ALWINE-placeholder
ALWINE
iStock.com/DenKuvaiev

ALWINE

Alwine, pronounced "al-WEE-nah," is similar to Adele or Adette. The German name means "noble elf friend," which is pretty charming. If a new mama is looking for a similar name, Elwine or Alwina are also great variations. This little elf friend is too cute to pass up!

18/37
MARGUERITE-placeholder
MARGUERITE
iStock.com/onebluelight

MARGUERITE

Marguerite, pronounced "mar-ge-REET," is simply the French form of Margaret. Derived from the Greek word maragon, meaning "pearl," this name hit its stride in the US from 1880-1900, where it dominated the most popular baby name charts. And though it has fallen out of favor in recent decades, Marguerite has always remained popular in la belle France!

19/37
ALMA-placeholder
ALMA
iStock.com/JoyTasa

ALMA

Sweet little Alma! One could define Alma either by its Argentinian origins, where the name is derived from almus (meaning "nourishing, or fostering"), or by its Spanish origins, where it means "soul." Either way, Alma is popular the world over! The name makes top baby name lists in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and yup, even here in the US.

20/37
JUNIA-placeholder
JUNIA
beeboys/Shutterstock

JUNIA

Maybe our readers will be more familiar with the Roman variation of this name, Juno. But make no mistake: The two names are deeply related. They both are derived from the Roman mythological queen of the gods, though only the Icelandic Junia can also be interpreted to mean adolescent. It's a truly unusual name few others in the US will have.

21/37
GENEVIEVE-placeholder
GENEVIEVE
iStock.com/FluxFactory

GENEVIEVE

A French classic, Genevieve will never go out of style! The name actually has Celtic origins, where it means "white wave." Genevieve is an incredibly popular name here in the US too, though it hit its peak in the early 1900s. In 2015 that name was the 182nd most popular girls' name in the US. Not bad for an old charmer! 

More from CafeMom: The 21 Baby Girl Names That Are Trending Right Now

22/37
GRACIELA-placeholder
GRACIELA
iStock.com/SolisImages

GRACIELA

A pleasant name for a happy little one! Graciela is an Argentinian name full of positivity. Derived from the Latin gratia, meaning "agreeableness" or "pleasantness," this name is a reference to the "grace of God." Pronounced "grah-cee-EHL-a," it is sure to win over a few fans!

More from CafeMom: 19 Unique Celebrity Middle Names to Steal for Baby

23/37
DAFINA-placeholder
DAFINA
Asada Nami/Shutterstock

DAFINA

Dafina is a beautiful Kenyan name that means "high worth." We can't think of another name that deserves such praise! It's similar to the name Daphne, which is more popular in the US, but Dafina is an uncommon variation with natural charm.

24/37
ANTONELLA-placeholder
ANTONELLA
iStock.com/Anchiy

ANTONELLA

A name for a future high achiever! Antonella is a Chilean name that means "worthy of praise." And while that might seem like a lot of pressure to put on a person who doesn't have teeth yet, Antonella is sure to grow into her legacy. Think of the name Antonia, but just a smidgen more uncommon!

25/37
NIARA-placeholder
NIARA
iStock.com/PeopleImages

NIARA

Pronounced "Nee-AR-ah," this is a Swahili girls' name that we think is perfect for a little princess. The name has never ranked in the top 1,000 US baby names. But with a meaning like "one with high purpose," we just know that Niara is destined for bright things!

26/37
LIV-placeholder
LIV
iStock.com/stock_colors

LIV

People might believe that Liv can only be a nickname for Olivia, but they would be incredibly wrong. Liv, meaning "My God is a vow," is a traditional Scandinavian name in its own right. Pronounced "LEEV," the name has only recently become trendy in the US. In 2013, the name hit the baby name charts for the first time, and only seems to be going up! In 2015 the name made it all the way to #720. Way to go, Liv! 

More from CafeMom: 30 Nicknames That Make Better First Names

27/37
FAHARI-placeholder
FAHARI
Shuttterstock/MIA Studio

FAHARI

Simpy splendid, woefully wonderful, and absolutely astounding -- this name is meant for one who is going to marvel. Fahari means "magnificent" in Swahili, and we think that fits its regal sound perfectly. Though it has yet to make a splash here in the US, we think it's time for that to change!

More from CafeMom: 30 Old Time 'Grandma' Names That Are Making a Comeback

28/37
ELINA-placeholder
ELINA
iStock.com/FluxFactory

ELINA

Perhaps Helen is on some folks' baby name list, but they want something a little more unusual. Elina might be the perfect fit! Derived from the the Greek Helene, Elina is the Spanish form of the same name. The name means "torch" or "bright," so this little one is destined for the spotlight! And cute nicknames include Ellie or Lina. Excellent!

29/37
AMI-placeholder
AMI
Shutterstock/africa924

AMI

It might seem similar to the English name Amy, but Ami has a certain something special all its own. It comes from the Japanese combination of the a, meaning "second, Asia," and mi, meaning "beautiful." We certainly think this name is pretty. Plus, Ami was one of our favorite characters from Sailor Moon!

30/37
HARUKA-placeholder
HARUKA
iStock.com/romrodinka

HARUKA

There are a couple of different meanings for the name Haruka, including "faraway," "spring," or "clear weather." So think a sprightly name perfect for babies born in April, May, or June! The name is popular in China and has global appeal.

31/37
MATILDA-placeholder
MATILDA
iStock.com/Yagi-Studio

MATILDA

A name like our favorite children's novel protagonist, Matilda is always a winner! Meaning "battle strength," Matilda is a tough little cookie. And not only is this name a winner down under, but Matilda makes top baby name lists in Finland, Australia, Sweden, England, Germany, and Scotland. Talk about a global superstar! Stay cool, Matlida!

32/37
RUKMA-placeholder
RUKMA
iStock.com/morrowlight

RUKMA

Rukma is a name with two special meanings. The first is "ornament of gold." Rukma is also the Sanskrit word for "the sun." Truly a special, golden name for a golden girl! A common nickname is Ruku, which we also think is so cute!

33/37
GEMMA-placeholder
GEMMA
Discha-AS/Shutterstock

GEMMA

Gemma is a name many US parents have heard before, but it's still not entirely on the radar for many people. It's only since 2012 that the name started appearing on the top 1,000 US baby names. The names comes from Latin and means "precious stone" or "jewel." It's one of those rare names that has both beauty and sophistication.

More from CafeMom: 16 Badass Baby Girl Names Inspired by Superheroines

34/37
KANAE-placeholder
KANAE
Shutterstock/Peerawit

KANAE

This Japanese name also holds different meanings; the most common are "love or affection" and "beautiful or good." Though the name is not quite popular yet here in the States, in Japan famous Kanaes can be found in sports, music, and film. Go, Kanae, go! 

More from CafeMom:  21 Beautiful but Forgotten Baby Girl Names From the Roaring '20s

35/37
ANIKA-placeholder
ANIKA
Asada Nami/Shutterstock

ANIKA

A Hindu name from Sanskrit origin, Anika is actually the name of the goddess Durga. Anika also means "face, appearance, and troop." Americans will know it best by Princess and the Frog actress Anika Noni Rose, though it is slowly rising into favor. In 2015, Anika nabbed the 580th most popular US baby name spot.

36/37
CHARLI-placeholder
CHARLI
iStock.com/damircudic

CHARLI

A sweet tomboy name, Charli can be a cute variation on the traditional name Charlie. Meaning "small beauty," this is a great name for a rough-and-tumble little one. In 2015, the name reached No. 533 on the baby name charts. And if parents need another option, Charley is also a cute variation!

37/37
NISHA-placeholder
NISHA
iStock.com/bst2012

NISHA

Nisha is a Hindu name with a beautiful sound. The name means "night," though a baby doesn't need to be born after the sun goes down to receive this moniker. Similar spellings are Neesha, Nisha, Nishaa, or Neeshaa. So sweet!

baby names
Cafemom Logo
This is motherhood #nofilter

AboutTermsContactPrivacyPRIVACY SETTINGSSUBMIT A STORY
© 2024 WILD SKY MEDIA.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA
| FAMILY & PARENTING
CAFEMOMMAMÁSLATINAS
LITTLETHINGSMOM.COM
This site is owned and operated by Bright Mountain Media, Inc., a publicly owned company trading with the symbol: BMTM.