Unusual International Baby Girl Names
- Monserrat
Origin:
Spelling variant of Montserrat, Catalan place-name meaning "serrated mountain"Meaning:
"serrated mountain"Description:
Monserrat is a variant spelling of the Catalan name Montserrat. It is likely the better spelling in English-speaking countries given the correct pronunciation of the name.
- Nefeli
Origin:
GreekDescription:
Modern Greek variant of Nephele.
- Raffaella
Origin:
Italian variation of Hebrew RaphaelaMeaning:
"God heals"Description:
Raffaella is the Italian form of the lovely name Raphaela, the female version of the angel's name Raphael, gorgeous in any spelling or international variation. Raffaella is one of the most appealing Italian baby names for girls.
- Kalindi
Origin:
Hindi, variation of KalindaMeaning:
"sun"Description:
Kalindi is a lovely, rhythmic name refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.
- Venla
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"to travel, to proceed"Description:
This elegant Finnish feminization of Wendell is one of those rare names that has never appeared on the US official charts, but is straightforward to spell and say. It has been among the most popular girl names in Finland for at least 15 years, and would be a lovely, unique way to honor Finnish culture.
- Kerttu
Origin:
Finnish variation of GertrudeMeaning:
"strength of a spear"Description:
Variation of Gertrude.
- Jahnavi
Origin:
IndianMeaning:
"daughter of Jahnu; River Ganges"Description:
The river Ganges in India is also called Jahnavi (literally "daughter of Jahnu") due to a legend involving the sage Jahnu. The Ganges river destroyed his fields, so Jahnu drank up all of the river's water to punish her. The Gods prayed to the sage to release the Ganges, and Jahnu relented and released the Ganges from his ear.
- Genoveva
Origin:
Variation of Genevieve or Geneva, FrenchMeaning:
"tribe woman or juniper"Description:
The rare name Genoveva might be thought of as a variation of the French names Genevieve or Geneva, which have different roots and meanings. An unusual, pretty choice.
- Irati
Origin:
BasqueMeaning:
"fern field"Description:
For the parent who genuinely wants something different, this nature choice is popular in Spain. Downside: connection to words irate and irritation.
- Pola
Origin:
Short form of Amapola, ArabicMeaning:
"poppy"Description:
Pola is an international name that still bears the femme fatalish air of Polish-born silent screen vamp Pola Negri, whole birth name was Apolonia. Rarely used, she could join sisters Lola and Nola.
- Gal
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"wave"Description:
This unisex Israeli name, which rhymes with ball, is sure to receive more serious international attention now that actress Gal Gadot is the new Wonder Woman.
- Vesna
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"spring"Description:
The literal word for "spring" in many Slavic languages and the name of an ancient Slavic springtime deity.
- Romola
Origin:
Latin, Italian variation of Romulus, one of he founders of RomeDescription:
Romola is a literary name most notably used by George Eliot for her eponymous 1862 novel set in fifteenth-century Florence. It just may appeal to the parent looking for a name that embodies the ideal blend of the feminine, unusual, and strong. A current bearer is British actress Romola Garai.
- Zinaida
Origin:
Russian, from Greek, related to ZeusDescription:
This unusual name belonged to a character played by Kirsten Dunst in an early film.
- Idonea
- Vasiliki
Origin:
Feminine form of Vasily, Slavic and Russian form of Basil, GreekMeaning:
"royal"Description:
Many old school girl names are feminine forms of male names. This one gets an exotic twist from being the female version not of Basil but the form used in Eastern Europe and Russia Vasily. This uncommon name would make an interesting and rare V-starting choice.
- Faizah
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"victorious"Description:
Captivating Arabic choice, sometimes transcribed as Fa'izah.
- Daru
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"pine or cedar"Description:
Accessible, aromatic Indian name.
- Hibo
Origin:
SomaliMeaning:
"gift"Description:
Somali and East African form of Hiba.
- Kinneret
Origin:
HebrewDescription:
The name of a lake in Israel, known as the Sea of Galilee in English. The lake's name is derived from Hebrew kinnor "harp", due to its shape.