Avatar The Last Airbender

Cross-cultural winner.

Though this simple, appealing name works for both genders in Japan, it's best known as the name of the princess who chose to leave the Royal Family in order to marry a commoner. As a boys' name, it can be a short form of Makato. Mako also means "shark" in Maori, and is the name of two shark species.

Malina is a synthetic-feeling name that may be a feminization of the Scottish Malcolm or a spelling twist on the Greek Melina and that also has a fruit meaning in several Eastern European languages. For all that it's a little bit of lots of things, Malina doesn't feel very much like itself.

The q-ending of this common name adds a quirky element.

Malu is a charming Hawaiian name chosen by ex-Talking Head David Byrne for his daughter. Malu might also be an abbreviated form of Malou, which is an abbreviated form of Mary Louise. Malu or Malou might be a retro-chic nickname for a child given the family names of Mary and/or Louise.

Michi can be a playful yet charming Japanese name or a friendly German diminutive of Michaela (or Michael), pronounced similarly to Mickey. Either way, it is a unisex option with broad appeal.

Mura is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'village' or derive from elements meaning 'gathering' and 'affection.' In Irish Gaelic, Mura relates to the name of a 7th-century saint, while in Hungarian, it refers to a river. The name also appears in Slavic regions with various meanings. This cross-cultural presence gives Mura a global appeal while maintaining a simple, melodic quality that transcends linguistic boundaries. The name is characterized by its brevity and musical flow, with just two syllables that are easy to pronounce in multiple languages. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Mura offers a distinctive choice for parents seeking a short, meaningful name with international connections and a gentle, feminine sound.