Search icon

Baby names

13th Jun 2020

10 cross-cultural baby names for your little citizen of the world

Trine Jensen-Burke

cross-cultural baby names

We have just lived through a few months where, more than ever before we have realised, I think, just how small the world is and just how connected we all are.

We really are all in this together, and we are all connected, and I think maybe,  now that we have started taking those first few nervous few steps into a post-Covid world,  we are all going to think about things a little differently.

We really are all just citizens of one world, one planet, and we are so much more connected than we think.

And in that regard, for all those new future babies, here are 10 beautiful baby names that cross countries and cultures, and that are totally perfect, we think, for little global citizens.

1. Arya

This gorgeous moniker is already trending thanks to Game of Thrones, but did you know the name is already a popular unisex name in India, meaning  ‘noble’?

2. Deon

You might have seen this before spelled ‘Dion’ but we love this slightly more different version with an ‘e.’ The name has both French and Greek roots and is said to mean something along the lines of  ‘child of heaven and earth’.

3. Aisha

An Arabic name that has become more popular in recent years. Translated, the name means ‘living.’

4. Mia

A popular girls’ name in Scandinavia, Mia actually originated in Spain and Italy and is literally the word ‘mine.’

5. Pax

Angelina Jolie opted for this moniker for her adopted son, and the beautiful name actually means ‘peace’ in Latin.

6. Idris

Another celebrity-inspired name. We all love Idris Elba, and did you know the moniker actually has both Welsh and Arabic origins?

7. Zara

Love the classic Sarah, but want something more unique? Zara is a common name in both European, Muslim and Middle Eastern cultures, and means ‘blooming flower’ or ‘God remembers’ in Hebrew.

8. Archie

The lovely name Prince Harry and Meghan Markle picked for their little tot is actually of German origin and said to mean ‘brave.’

9. Nia

We love this name, so short and sweet. The name has roots in both Wales (where it is a version of the Irish name Niamh and means ‘bright’) and Africa. In Swahili, Nia means ‘resolve’ or ‘purpose’.

10. Rio

This moniker has risen in popularity over the past few years, especially for little boys, although technically this is a unisex name often used for girls as well. In Spanish, the world Rio means ‘river.’