Exotic Baby Names - Girls and Boys

Farah is a soft and lovely Arabic name, best known here in this original spelling via the last Empress of Iran, Farah Palavi. It's currently a Top 250 name in both France and the Netherlands, which both have a large Arabic-speaking population, and appears in at least two video games.

Fiadh is the fastest-rising girls name in Ireland, derived from the ancient root word for "wild". Sassy but gentle at the same time, it also entered the England and Wales Top 1000 in 2020 and has been steadily rising ever since.

Fien is a popular enough girls' name to make the Top 100 in The Netherlands. Dutch parents love nickname-names taken from the last vs. the first syllable of a name, like Sanne for Susanne or Lotte for Charlotte.

Fina is a feminine name with multiple origins, functioning both as a standalone name and as a diminutive form of names ending in '-fina' such as Serafina or Josefina. In Italian and Spanish contexts, it's often short for Josefina (Joseph's feminine form) or Serafina (meaning 'burning one'). In Catalan culture, it honors Santa Fina (Serafina), a 13th-century Italian saint. The name carries a delicate simplicity with its brief two-syllable structure while still connecting to deeper historical and cultural traditions. Its concise nature makes it appealing in modern naming trends that favor shorter names. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Fina has an international appeal with its easy pronunciation across languages and its sweet, feminine quality.

Gideon is a no-longer neglected Old Testament name, but still makes an excellent choice for parents looking to move beyond such overused biblicals as Benjamin and Jacob. In the Old Testament, Gideon was a judge called on by God to rescue the Jews from the Midianites, and the name was popular among the Puritans.

Gypsy, long associated with the intellectual stripper Gypsy Rose Lee and the musical that was made about her life, was used by Drea de Matteo and Shooter Jennings as the middle name of their daughter Alabama. Be aware, however, that the word gypsy is now considered an ethnic slur when used for the Romani, or Roma, people.

Resonant and unusual.

Hilary may feel too connected to a single personality, but this version offers a fresh and interesting alternative.

Pronounced with two syllables, as if spelled Ilsa, Ilse is popular in The Netherlands and may rise here with cousin Elsa.

Imalda is a rare feminine name that appears to be a variant of Imelda, which has Germanic origins meaning 'universal battle' or 'powerful fighter.' This alternative spelling gives the traditional name a slightly different visual and phonetic quality. Imelda has historical significance in several cultures, notably as the name of a Catholic saint from the 13th century. Imalda maintains the melodic quality of Imelda with its flowing vowels and soft consonants. The name carries subtle connotations of strength and resilience through its warrior-related etymology. While uncommon in the United States, the name may be more familiar in Hispanic communities, partly due to its association with historical and political figures. Imalda offers parents seeking distinctiveness a rare name with historical roots.