525+ European Names for Girls and Boys
- Tibor
Origin:
Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, SloveneMeaning:
"of Tibur (Tivoli)"Description:
Commonly heard in Hungary and some Slavic countries, Tibor has a large measure of continental dash. The name derives from the Roman town of Tibur, now called Tivoli. It is a Top 100 pick for baby boys in its native Hungary.
- Iva
Origin:
Bulgarian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Slovak, Czech, EnglishMeaning:
"willow tree; God is gracious; yew tree; bow warrior"Description:
Short, sweet, and sharp, this multicultural choice is currently popular in Croatia, Czechia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. While not in the charts elsewhere, it is familiar in English speaking countries, and in the Netherlands.
- Iestyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"just, fair"Description:
The Welsh form of Justin, borne by a 6th century saint.
- Nino
Origin:
Italian, diminutive of Giannino and of AntoninoDescription:
Old-school Italian names that shortens a wide range of longer names, making it feel much more popular than it is on its own.
- Dmitri
Origin:
Russian from Greek DemetriusDescription:
Worldly, artistic and attractive Slavic version of the name of the Greek god of fertility and farming.
- Basile
Origin:
French variation of BasilMeaning:
"regal"Description:
Herby and aristocratic Basil remains a tough sell, but we’d like to introduce you to Basile, the delightful French version. It retains all of Basil’s charm, but sheds some of the pesto linkage.
- Romane
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"a Roman"Description:
The feminine version of the newly-stylish Roman -- and the longer form of the also-newly-stylish Romy -- would make a girls' choice that achieves that near-impossible balance of being both original and fashionable. This variation is far superior to Romaine, which is too lettuce-y.
- Eleonore
- Jagoda
Origin:
Polish and CroatianMeaning:
"berry; strawberry"Description:
Jagoda is a Top 50 choice in Poland and Croatia, where it is also the word for "berry" (in Croatian and other South Slavic languages, "strawberry"). Jagoda is also seen as a surname around the world.
- Zalan
Origin:
Hungarian, meaning unknownDescription:
Zalán is a very trendy name for boys in Hungary, although its origins are unclear. Zalán's use as a name may be inspired by the Zala River or Zala region, both in Hungary.
- Ainhoa
Origin:
Basque place nameDescription:
Name of the French town where a vision of the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared, this name, virtually unknown elsewhere, is in the Spanish Top 100.
- Llio
Origin:
Diminutive of Gwenllian, WelshMeaning:
"white, flaxen"Description:
This extremely unusual homonym of Leo might prove both confusing and intriguing. The Welsh double L fascinates English speakers.
- Bleuenn
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"white flower"Description:
Bleuenn is a name virtually unknown in the English-speaking world but trendy in its native France. Bleuenn's origins are in Brittany, in the north of France, and it's related to the Welsh Blodwen. Other spellings include Bleuen and Bleunwenn. This might give the perfect twist to a color name that feels too slight.
- Duarte
Origin:
Portuguese variation of Edward, EnglishMeaning:
"wealthy guardian"Description:
Incredibly handsome and super smooth, Duarte sounds like it came straight out of a romance novel. You almost wouldn’t believe it’s derived from Edward.
- Ruadh
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red"Description:
Also spelt Rua, Ruadh is a strong and simple Irish name with a fiery meaning. Ruadhan is a popular related name.
- Dalila
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"guide"Description:
Names that sound and/or are spelled like Dalila exist in several languages, from the Swahili Dalili to the Arabic Dalil to the Hebrew Delilah. A beautiful cross-cultural choice.
- Hippolyte
Origin:
French from GreekMeaning:
"releaser of horses"Description:
Hippolyte is the name of an Amazonian princess AND her son, both unfortunate mythical figures. The name Hippolyte, later borne by several saints, is a not an uncommon boys' name in France, but has barely set foot on American soil and is unlikely to do so. It was the middle name of famed French playwright Jean Giraudoux.
- Gennaro
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"January"Description:
This name of the patron saint of Naples would make an apt choice for a New Year's baby, or one with Neapolitan roots.
- Ambre
Origin:
French variation of Amber, English word nameDescription:
In the US Amber is stuck in the '80s, while Ambre is a fresh choice in France.
- Pau
Origin:
Catalan variant of PaulMeaning:
"small; peace"Description:
A very common name in Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain, in no small part because it translates as "peace" in the Catalan tongue. Alec and HIlaria Baldwin used it as one of the middle names for their son Eduardo.