Girl Names Uncommon in the US

Manuela is one feminine form that's more energetic than the male original, and is worth considering if you're seeking an easily assimilated Spanish name.

The saintly Italian form of the saintly Latin Benedicta.

Meabh, the native Irish spelling of Maeve, is in the Top 100 in Ireland and becoming more popular here in its Anglicized form. Outside of Ireland, life will be easier with the Maeve spelling of this lovely queen's name.

This Dutch name stems from the Greek root word "philos" meaning "love". It is relatively common in the Netherlands.

Part of a group of lovely A-starting names popular in Spain, along with Ainhoa and Aitana. Spanish actress Aroa Gimeno introduced this one.

The modern French take on Luna.

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

Katharina is an attractive form of Katherine and a great way to update a classic. But English speakers may want to choose the Katerina or Katarina spelling to avoid pronunciation confusion.

The Portuguese word for sapphire was formerly a Top 100 name in Portugal.

One of the top Icelandic girl names. It's very pretty — if you know how to pronounce it.

The popular Dutch name Lieke is one of those diminutives, like Lena, that can be short for a range of names ending in its sound -- which, by the way, is the two-syllable LEE-ka. Despite its versatility, we don't see Lieke's popularity translating to English-speaking cultures.

This Spanish month name has been quietly used for several years now in the US.

Finja Is a Josephine nickname that ranks among the Top 100 girl names in Germany.

Majken, which is related to Maiken and Maike, is a popular name in Sweden whose variations are used throughout Scandinavia as cooler forms of Mary. Majken is virtually unknown in the U.S. and probably not bound for emigration.

Lærke is the Danish equivalent of English name Lark. For those that find the monosyllabic English name too short for such a harmonious bird, Lærke might be a a good option - if you can get passed the confusion of that "æ" spelling.