Non-English Virtue Names

A lot of websites will say this is a feminine name, but this is not correct. Xolani is a masculine Zulu name stemming from the word "uxolo", which means peace and goodwill. Beware – the X is pronounced as a one of the famous Zulu clicking sounds

Feminine name consistently popular in the Latino community.

This unusual name from the Nahuatl or Aztec language has one of the best meanings around. It sprang onto the US popularity list in 2006 and made a brief appearance in the Top 300 before sliding down a bit. It's popular in Mexico and with US Americans of Latino or Hispanic heritage, hitting on two big girl name trends in those communities: Ya- beginnings and -i endings.

An appealing, usable Japanese choice, since there are so many familiar ori/ory-ending Western names.

A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.

A popular name in the Middle East and one of the most evocative choices of its genre. One of the 99 names of Allah. The feminine form is Zahira.

Zahira is the feminine form of Zahir. Some may relate it to the more familiar Zahara.

Strong cross-cultural name that could be a feminine spin on the Zachary family.

A Czech surname derived from the word for "green", which has a certain spark.

A super quirky and upbeat choice, if it can ever shake off its ubiquitous-guy Woody Allen identity.

Zinedine Zidane is France's biggest soccer star, spawning a legion of little Zinedines in that country.

No, this name is not an homage to Grease! Zuko is a Xhosa (Zulu) boys' name meaning glory. In a world of Zekes, Zaks and Zanes, Zuko could make a refreshing choice for parents looking for something short and snappy.

Singular, strong, and rare outside East Africa.

The Basque name has enough Zs in it to make it look spaceaged and trendy, but it is in fact a traditional Basque name. Despite its wonderful meaning, it may be too close to the feminine English name Susan for usage in the Anglosphere.