Traveling Lite Baby Names

Shula is a short form often used on its own in Israel. Sula is another, related, option. As an Arabic name, it has a bright, fiery meaning.

Myron still has ways to go before sounding stylish again, but this Eastern European variation has a more contemporary look.

Also seen as a surname.

A multicultural mini name with roots in three continents.

Mavi is used for both boys and girls in its native Turkey, but is a new gender-neutral name in the US.

Jakub is an authentic Polish variation of the megapopular Jacob, but in the US it will feel like a kree8tiv spelling. Kuba is the cute Polish short form.

Roni may sound like the Doowop-era Ronnie or Ronni, often named for her dad Ron, but it's actually a freestanding Hebrew name with an uplifting meaning.

The name of several minor Biblical characters seems streamlined and modern.

One of the most modern-sounding Old Testament names, Imri is short and sweet enough to travel easily around the world. It is the name of two minor biblical figures, and also used by modern Hebrew speakers.

Intriguing twist on several familiar names, though many people will mistake this for Elsa, Eliza, and so on.

Adds some zest to Rosa.

Sprightly name popular in Israel with beachy meaning and international flex.

Lova, a Louise relative virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top girl names in Sweden.

Esha is a lovely Indian name that would work well outside the Indian sub-continent, perhaps as a substitute to the more unisex Asher.

Botanical Hebrew choice that leads to the sweet vintage nickname Nettie.

A Top 10 name in Turkey, seen again in the Top 100 in the double-barreled combination Kerem Ali.

Seen across Europe as both an independent name and a short form of names such as Antoni and Anton. In the US, however, this is considered to be the feminine spelling.

Occasionally used as an independent name, but why.