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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

international names

41 replies

annielemongrass · 25/02/2022 19:42

What are your favourite international baby names for boys and girls. Love love love Maria but it's the most used name globally and that's put me off a bit.

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KirstenBlest · 26/02/2022 00:21

Actually, Isabel doesn't sound exactly the same in English and Spanish and would be Isabelle in France so maybe not

KirstenBlest · 26/02/2022 00:19

The pronunciations usually vary. Paul, Robert and Thomas work in French and English but sound different. Peter and Richard sound different in English and German.

Isabel would probably be a good one for a girl

Comedycook · 26/02/2022 00:09

Joseph
Adam
Leo
Alex

Maria
Eva
Nadia

demoness · 25/02/2022 23:58

Depends on how international you're aiming for... I mean, there's significant overlap between European, North American and Latin American names, but not as much overlap between European and Chinese or Indian names, for example.

Some names I can think that seem reasonably international to me are Hannah/Hana, May (or Mei in Chinese and Japanese), Maya, Layla, Mina, Dalia, Nora, Yara, Lina, Nadia, Sabrina, Talia, Mira and Nina. Not so sure about boy's names though, since they tend to be more specific to one culture.

fallfallfall · 25/02/2022 23:19

@YupNameChangeAgain i just double checked to not offend anyone but also variations of patrick in russian chech and polish plus more options.

paul has even more international variations

Zillamop · 25/02/2022 22:53

Anna
Alexander

I kind of get the appeal of a 'takes you anywhere' name, but wonder if everyone picked an 'international name' would there be vast numbers of Annas and Alexes?

fallfallfall · 25/02/2022 22:31

@YupNameChangeAgain
Patrick also has Spanish and Italian variations plus others

MostIneptThatEverStepped · 25/02/2022 22:19

Marina is lovely

DifficultBloodyWoman · 25/02/2022 22:02

If you want European international names, there are lots, most but not all have biblical roots (think of angel’s names).

There are fewer crossovers with Arabic but now I’m thinking of it, they tend to be biblical too - Mary/Maria/Mariam derivatives, for example.

Rainbowqueeen · 25/02/2022 21:59

Anna
Michael

KirstenBlest · 25/02/2022 21:57

Names that are pretty much the same in Arabic and English or Spanish and English work well.

Often names are pronounced slightly differently even if they look the same, so it depends whether or not you are bothered if there is a slight difference

KirstenBlest · 25/02/2022 21:53

@YupNameChangeAgain, Patrick is used as a french name and it works in French and English speaking countries.

YupNameChangeAgain · 25/02/2022 20:01

I would suggest names that work in Arabic and Latin countries

Sofia
Yasmin
Etc

YupNameChangeAgain · 25/02/2022 20:00

@fallfallfall

patrick and variations of
Patrick is international how ?
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 25/02/2022 19:56

Anna
Adam

fallfallfall · 25/02/2022 19:45

patrick and variations of

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