International exotic and curious

  1. Cerys
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "love"
    • Description:

      Common name in Wales that's all but unknown in the U.S. Certainly an attractive choice ripe for export. In the UK it sits at Number 330.
  2. Cillian
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "war strife or church"
    • Description:

      Cillian is one of the native Irish names that, along with Aiden and Declan, is becoming an unlikely favorite in contemporary America. The Killian spelling has been more popular in the US, but Cillian's star is rising, perhaps thanks to Irish actor Cillian Murphy, star of Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders.
  3. Clementine
    • Origin:

      French feminine version of Clement, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "mild, merciful"
    • Description:

      Clementine is a Nameberry favorite that broke back into the US Top 1000 in 2014 after more than half a century off the list.
  4. Eavan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful sheen"
    • Description:

      Anglicized spelling of the difficult-to-decipher Gaelic Aoibheann, the name of several Irish princesses, this name rhymes with Steven. Eavan Boland is a distinguished Irish poet who teaches at Stanford University.
  5. Echo
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "echo or sound"
    • Description:

      Echo, the pretty, resonant name of a legendary nymph, was the heroine of Joss Whedon's sci-fi series Dollhouse. Nick Hexum, of the band 311, named his daughter Echo Love.
  6. Eero
    • Origin:

      Finnish variation of Eric
    • Meaning:

      "eternal ruler"
    • Description:

      Creative gem perfect for an architect's son, in tribute to modern Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
  7. Elian
    • Origin:

      Dutch variation of Elijah
    • Description:

      This variation has the popular Eli (or for femalies Elli) prefix and nickname. Elian ranks in the Top 20 in Puerto Rico.
  8. Elodie
    • Origin:

      French, variation of Alodia, German
    • Meaning:

      "foreign riches"
    • Description:

      The lyrical and melodious Elodie, a Nameberry favorite, is starting to rise through the US popularity charts for the first time since the 1880s. It's a uncommon member of the trending El- family of names, which includes Ella, Eloise, and Eleanor.
  9. Elora
    • Origin:

      Variation of Eliora
    • Description:

      While the etymology of the name is unclear, it's most likely a contraction of Eliora or Elnora. Despite the uncertain heritage, it's a winning construction, based on its El- prefix, the feminine three-syllable flow, and the a ending. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015.
  10. Elowen
    • Origin:

      Cornish
    • Meaning:

      "elm"
    • Description:

      A beautiful modern Cornish nature name that is rapidly picking up steam in the States: even spawning variant spellings like Elowyn and Elowynn. In its native region, it wasn't widely used as a name before the twentieth century, when the Cornish language was revived. A (currently) unique member of the fashionble El- family of names, it has a pleasant, evocative sound.
  11. Emer
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "swift"
    • Description:

      Popular name in Ireland -- it's pronounced ee-mer -- from the legendary wife of Cuchulainn who was supposed to possess the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, wisdom, chastity, and of course, needlework. Is found in the poetry of Yeats.
  12. Estel
    • Origin:

      Catalan from Old French
    • Meaning:

      "star"
    • Description:

      Sounds just like its cognate Estelle, but with a more streamlined spelling.
  13. Fernanda
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Fernando, Spanish and Portuguese version of German Ferdinand
    • Meaning:

      "bold voyager"
    • Description:

      Fernanda is very popular in the Latino community, with a lot more charm than its male counterpart. The standard nickname is Nanda, and variations include Ferdinanda and Fernandina.
  14. Fleur
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "flower"
    • Description:

      Fleur is a generic, delicate flower name that emigrated into the English-speaking world when John Galsworthy bestowed it on one of the Forsytes in his celebrated saga. More recently, there was Fleur Delacour, a French witch and the Beauxbatons champion for the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter.
  15. Flora
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "flower"
    • Description:

      Flora, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, who enjoyed eternal youth, is one of the gently old-fashioned girls' flower names we think is due for a comeback— alongside cousins Cora and Dora. Florence, Fiorella, Fleur, and Flower are translations, but we like Flora best of all.
  16. Florian
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "flowering"
    • Description:

      If Flora and Florence have returned full force, Florian, with its trendy Latinate ending, could also have a chance. Popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, and France, St Florian was the venerated patron saint of those in danger from water and the patron saint of firefighters.
  17. Gaia
    • Origin:

      Greek and Latin
    • Meaning:

      "earth mother; rejoicing"
    • Description:

      The name of the Greek mythological earth goddess and universal mother; actress Emma Thompson stated that she was attracted by its ecological element, so other "green" parents may want to follow her lead.

  18. Helio
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "the sun"
    • Description:

      More familiar to English speakers in the Italian Elio form.
  19. Iluka
    • Origin:

      Australian Aboriginal
    • Meaning:

      "by the sea"
    • Description:

      This Yaygir Aboriginal name is the name of two towns in Australia and is also occasionally spotted as a name. Meaning "by the sea" the name is perfect for beach-going families.
  20. Inara
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "shining light"
    • Description:

      Inara is of those words that seems to mean something different in each of a dozen different languages, and was the name of an important goddess to the Ancient Hittites. But it owes much of its (admittedly scant) popularity as a baby name to Joss Whedon's cult hit sci-fi series Firefly, in which one of the main characters is named Inara Serra. Bottom line: One of the most intriguing and easily-translated Arabic names for girls.