Here’s an idea: Just when it seems like everyone else is into naming their babies the most unique, oddest names they can think up, why not consider a name that is perfectly common — in another country? Ethnic baby names from faraway places like Argentina, Japan, Kenya, and Ireland can be perfectly beautiful and provide just enough razzle dazzle without being over the top. Whether you have roots in one of these countries or just like the idea of paying homage to a different culture, you may flip when you discover some of these incredibly pretty girls’ names.
Ireland
Irish baby names are still pretty popular, but can be tricky because so many are spelled in ways that are unfamiliar to most of us.
Ashling — means a “vision” or “dream.”
Brianna — means “noble” or “virtuous.”
Cara — means “a friend.”
Cassidy — taken from the word “curly-haired.”
Daireann (pronounced dar-rawn) — means “fruitful.”
Kalin (pronounced kay-linn) — means “white, fair, pure.”
Maeve — means “someone who causes great joy.”
Meara (pronounced meer-a) — means the “sea.”
Neave — means “radiant” and “bright.”
Regan — means “sovereign” and “king.”
Germany
Adette — means “sweet” and “noble.”
Katja — form of “Katherine.”
Alwine — means “noble friend.”
Ilva — this name is derived from that of an island in Italy.
Claudia — Saint Claudia was the mother of the second pope, Linus.
Eva — means “life.”
Sylvia — means “wooded” and “forest.”
Monika — means “uncertain.”
France
Adrienne — means “from Hadria.”
Bijou — means “jewel.”
Colette — means “victory of the people.”
Genevieve — means “uncertain” and “perhaps.”
Marguerite — means “daisy.”
Odette — means “wealth.”
Penelope — means “weaver.”
Simone — means “listening.”
Virginie — means “maiden.”
Argentina
Valentina — means “healthy” and “strong.”
Alma — means “maiden.”
Lola — means “sorrows.”
Graciela — means “grace.”
Martina — means “from the god Mars.”
Camila — means “altar server.”
Catalina — means “pure.”
Antonella — means “worthy of praise.”
Iceland
Asa — means “healer.”
Aurora — means “dawn.”
Dagmaer — means “great.”
Elina — means “torch” and “bright.”
Freyja — means “woman.”
Junia — means “adolescent.”
Liv — means “my God is a vow.”
Kenya
Aaliya— means “of the highest.”
Dafina — means “high worth.”
Dalila — means “gentleness.”
Fahari — means “magnificent.”
Hakika — means “truth.”
Niara — means “one with high purpose.”
Saida — means “happy.”
Japan
Akemi — means “bright and beautiful.”
Ami — means “my people.”
Fumi — means “history.”
Hana — means “flower.”
Haruka — means “faraway.”
Isae — means “blessed with merit.”
Isae — means “blessed with merit.”
Kanae — means “beautiful one.”
India
Anika — named after the goddess Durga.
Avani — means “Earth.”
Nisha — means “night.”
Chadna — means “love.”
Riti — means “well-being.”
Rukma — means “golden.”
Satya — means “truth.”
Australia
Harper — means “harp.”
Imogen — named after Shakespeare’s heroine in Cymbeline.
Charli — means “small beauty.”
Teagan — means “little poet.”
Matilda — means “battle strength.”
Willow — named after a tree or shrub from the Salix family.
Gemma — means “precious stone.”
Nigeria
Chinwe – means “God’s own”
Mkpouto – means “Precious One”
Esohe – means “God’s gift”
Titilayo – means “Joy forever”
Munachimso – means “Walking with God”
Inemesit – means “Happiness”
Edima – means “Most loved”
Arinola – means “In the midst of wealth”
Uyai – means “Beauty”
Enor – means “Additional blessing”
Would you consider giving your baby a name from a country or culture other than your own?
(Hattip to The Stir for the first 70 names)
