Unusual Baby Names from Around the World
Popular and Unique, Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names with Meanings
Aug 27, 2009
It's easy to find out what the top baby names in the US are, thanks to the Social Security Administration's name popularity search tool. But finding a name that stands out from the crowd is somewhat more difficult. You want something that sounds original, that there won't be five or ten other kids with the same name in your child's school class; but you don't want something that sounds too weird or silly or unpronounceable, either.
Baby Name Popularity is Subjective
What may be wildly popular in the US might sound exotic if chosen in India. Likewise, what sounds like an every-day name in Africa would sound unusual when given in Canada. Sometimes lists of popular names in a different country from your own can produce wonderfully exotic-sounding name possibilities for your baby. Of course, when it comes down to it, the best guide is to go with what sounds best to you.
It is interesting to note that among popular baby names world wide, girl names fluctuate far more, and far more rapidly, than boys' names. Bible names are still overwhelmingly popular among boys, whereas among girls, Sarah and Elizabeth are about the only girls names from the bible that cling to popularity.
Names of European Origin
Most of these names will sound the least exotic to those in the US, as they are the most similar culturally. Some of them even have some amount of popularity in the US and Canada.
Girl baby names:
- Mia - Bitter
- Sienna - Reddish orange-brown color
- Beatriz - Voyager
- Yasmin - Delicate; Jasmine flower
- Manon - Bitter
- Ines - Chaste
- Chiara - Clear; bright
- Irene - Peace
- Marta - Lady
- Linnea - Flower
- Angelica - Of the angels
- Mariel - Bitter
- Morgandy - Little one from the seaside
Boy baby names:
- Cooper - Barrel maker
- Lachlan - Warrior from the land of lochs (lakes)
- Leonardo - Strong as the lion
- Dragan - Precious
- Enzo - Ruler of the home
- Hugo - Heart, mind or spirit
- Paolo - Small; humble
- Lorenzo - Coming from Laurentum
- Diego - Supplanter
- Elias - My God is the Lord
- Emil - Rival; emulating
- Alexander - Defender of men
- Adrian - Coming from Hadria
- Angelo - Messenger
- Liam - Will; desire; protection
Eurasian/Asian Baby Names
Names with an Eurasian and Asian origin tend to rely much more heavily on meaning and the dialect that they come from than do many European names. Often, they are direct words, rather than being loosely based on a meaning.
Girl baby names:
- Elina - Torch; bright light
- Marina - From the god Mars
- Naima - Tranquil
- Renata - Reborn
Boy baby names:
- Dragan - Precious
- Ivan - God is gracious
- Mikhail - Who resembles God?
- Einar - Lone warrior
- Sivan - Shepherd
Middle Eastern and African Baby Names
Many of these are a combination of local dialects or even European influence, as one might expect from a region known for combining various cultures.
Baby girl names:
- Eden - Delight
- Shira - Song; melody
- Adisa - Clear spoken
- Dafina - High worth
- Fatima - Abstinence
- Nadia - Hope
- Ava - Bird
- Sophia - Wisdom
Baby boy names:
- Uri - My flame
- Yosef - He will enlarge
- Adwin - Creative
- Ahmed - Worthy of great praise
- Hassan - Beautiful
- Tahir - Virtuous; pure
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