International name inspiration?

I’m looking for some inspiration when it comes to South American, Asian, and African names.
I really want to explore them more but I’m not sure where to start, and whenever I do find names I like, they are moreso names that have been spread and popularized.
I’d like to explore unique names, ones that you would probably only hear if you traveled, I feel like my international tastes are very “vanilla” and I’m looking to expand that :earth_africa::earth_americas::earth_asia:
I’m also very interested in unique names from North and Eastern Europe, and Gaelic names.
If you have any good resources for these kinds of names (I love NB but sometimes it’s very hard to find what I’m looking for) or if you have any names that you love that are unique culturally/geographically
I’d love to hear! :grin:

Some useful resources:

[name_f][/name_f]

For [name_f]Asian[/name_f] names, if it’s Arabic names you’re considering, Muslim Baby Names | Newest Islamic Boy and Girl Names | Expert Answers[name_f][/name_f] and Muslim Names with Islamic Meanings[name_f][/name_f] often have good info.

[name_f][/name_f]

Forebears: Names & Genealogy Resources[name_f][/name_f] generally has name listings that aren’t available on many other sites [name_f][/name_f]- like names used in African countries and across [name_f]Asia[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

Also: हिंदी नाम | A to Z Indian boys and girls name >> Hindu names >> Hindi names[name_f][/name_f] and 10000+ Beautiful unique Indian baby names and Hindu baby Names[name_f][/name_f] can be helpful

[name_f][/name_f]

Nordic Names[name_f][/name_f] can be interesting for Northern European names

[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]

Some names I’ve encountered that I’ve only heard once:

[name_f][/name_f]

Shankari
[name_f][/name_f]Thisalini
[name_f][/name_f]Marivic
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Lir[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Darshini[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]Fainche
[name_f][/name_f]Esbeidy
[name_f][/name_f]Enulie
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Sosan[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Yekta[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]Paramal
[name_f][/name_f]Mais
[name_f][/name_f]Amandia
[name_f][/name_f]Ingrida
[name_f][/name_f]Kumudu
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Aniko[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Talal[/name_m]

2 Likes

A resource for Ethiopian names I’ve found helpful in the past:

[name_f][/name_f]

https://amharicteacher.com/namefind/A

[name_f][/name_f]

You can search by letter and many of the names also have pronunciation guides which is helpful! Not 100% accurate in all cases, but a good start!

3 Likes

I find that Behind the Name can be somewhat helpful for certain languages, specifically the user submitted names category, but I always fact check meanings/usage just to make sure :wink:

[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f][name_f][/name_f]some specific lists I like to look through[name_f][/name_f]

Sanskrit Names - Behind the Name
[name_f][/name_f]Arabic Names - Behind the Name
[name_f][/name_f]Western African Names - Behind the Name

[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]

I always love seeing your multilingual choices on the name of the day thread!! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

[name_f][/name_f]
1 Like

Lists of Olympic athletes or sportspeople etc on Wikipedia can be a good place to start. Searching something like “Brazilian Olympic athletes” should give you a lot of options.

I second Behind the Name - it’s a fantastic resource.

1 Like

I second the suggestion of Behind the Name!

[name_f][/name_f]

Some that I like…
[name_f][/name_f]African & [name_f]Asian[/name_f]: Aïchatou, [name_f]Ziazan[/name_f], [name_f]Aruzhan[/name_f], Aizan, Nurzhan, Ayazhan, [name_f]Niloufar[/name_f], [name_f]Katayoun[/name_f] / [name_f]Katayun[/name_f], [name_f]Mzia[/name_f], [name_f]Lulit[/name_f], [name_f]Ketevan[/name_f], [name_m]Eliso[/name_m], [name_f]Anoush[/name_f], Siranush, [name_m]Levan[/name_m], Irakli, Inzhu, [name_f]Michiru[/name_f], [name_m]Alisher[/name_m], [name_f]Arezou[/name_f], [name_f]Thulile[/name_f], [name_m]Sevan[/name_m], [name_m]Iskandar[/name_m], [name_f]Mariam[/name_f], [name_f]Asya[/name_f], [name_f]Eylül[/name_f], Shamiram, [name_f]Eda[/name_f], [name_m]Ilyas[/name_m], Hediye, [name_m]Evren[/name_m], [name_f]Azize[/name_f], [name_m]Aziz[/name_m], [name_f]Aysel[/name_f], [name_m]Ilkin[/name_m], [name_f]Ilknur[/name_f], Samra, Vahagn, [name_f]Arevik[/name_f], Artak, [name_m]Tigran[/name_m], [name_m]Taniel[/name_m], Taguhi / Takouhi

[name_f][/name_f]

I also have a lot of Eastern European names on my list, but they’re so many you’d have to get more specific with what you’re looking for, otherwise I’d be spamming you with hundreds of names :sweat_smile:[name_f][/name_f] And it depends on what you personally define as Eastern Europe.

1 Like