Exotic/ unusual name for a baby girl

[summermumtobe]

We are looking for an 'exotic' sounding/ unusual name (although not made up!) for our baby girl, expected in a few months. Baby is mixed race and likely to be dark skinned with dark eyes, etc.
Names that we are considering are:

Ariadne/ Arianna
Ianthe/ Xanthe
Dahlia
Paloma
Isadora
Elena
Dulcie
Maya/ Maia

Would appreciate your feedback on these or any other suggestions too!

I love Paloma the most from your list.

Paloma and Isadora are my faves from your list. Both lovely classic names and very pretty too.

Thx a lot for all your super fast replies!

Little MissB- I will have a look at your thread tomorrow!
Umlellala- Aphra is really pretty!

i like dulcie. i do like paloma, so long as you could be sure that everyone you know isn't of an age to sing una paloma blanca.

Fortunately, I've never heard of that song ATO!!

From your list, I like Ariadne/ Arianna and Maia best. Also like Elodie and Thalia from other suggestions.

Oh, I love Ariadne!! Xanthe and Ianthe also gorgeous.
Good luck choosing.

Had a look at your thread Little MissB- v similar and some good suggestions on there. Thx for the link!

I like Arianna. I have loved the name Thalia for years though. I had a spanish friend called Thalia.

Did you know Paloma means Peace.
I also love Maya.

As far as I know, Paloma means 'dove' the symbol of peace- nice meaning.

Paloma means dove in spanish so makes me think of white and fair colouration, not dark.

oops Paloma! Of couse I'm now going to put everyone off that name by singing 'Una Paloma blanca'

Yes, I see what you mean about fair coloured doves!!
I've personally always associated it with dark hair/ eyes as the only person I knew of this name had this type of colouring and also because it is Spanish and they tend to be of darker colouring.

Xanthe, Paloma or Maia

Merle - means black very pretty and unusual

I thought that was a boy's name sweet kitty although I have to admit it does sound quite feminine!

Congratulations! From your list I love Paloma, Isadora and Dulcie.

By the way, my mixed-race, likely to be dark skinned with dark hair and eyes baby boy, came out white with blonde hair and blue eyes! Aren't genetics a strange thing

Only Merle I knew was a girl

Merle is definitely a girl's name.
Think of the gorgeous Merle Oberon.

Thx for that. SK- I googled it and I think it can be used for both sexes. Definitely wouldn't use it for a boy myself as it does sound more feminine- v pretty actually.

My DD is Lilah (but many spelling variations) which is a name in many cultures, from east to west. In arabic it means darkness of the night! V romantic and pretty name I think.

Not biased at all...

Dahlia, Arianna and Maya/Maia are my favourite from your list, although variations of Maia/Maya/Mya etc aren't unusual at all in my opinion (pretty, but very popular).

Ayana (pronounced eye-arna) - heard this the other day, pretty, not sure of origins though.

Aviva
Zia/Xia
Mariella
Thea (Taya)
Naima (Nay-eema)

???

My mixed race DD's name is Yasmin which we love as exotic but not silly unusual. Came across a 'Samara' once which is a Arabic word for someone with dark skin and thought this was lovely. Also love Ayesha, Zahara and shariffa.