12 Great European Baby Names

Girl: Lilou
Meaning: If you already love the names Lily and Louise, you’ll adore Lilou, a cute combination of the two. We also love that this name can’t be shortened into anything else. So classic and pretty, just like the French.

Boy: Baptiste
Meaning: The name translates to “baptist” in French (the P should be silent when pronouncing it), but it originally derived from the Greek name Bapto, meaning “to dip.” We think this name will be soon popular here thanks to French male model (and Karl Lagerfeld muse) Baptiste Giabiconi. The handsome face of Chanel, Fendi, and Karl Lagerfeld, Giabiconi is among the most sought-after male models.

Girl: Chiara
Meaning: We are big fans of popular Italian blogger Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad, but aside from her great fashion sense, she also has a powerful name. Chiara means “light”" in Italian. This is a perfect representation of the shining light your baby girl will be in your lives and for many others throughout her own.

Boy: Giotto
Meaning: This gorgeous boy’s name has a creative legacy in Italian history. The name was borne by Giotto di Bondone, an Italian painter and architect from Florence between 1267 and 1337 who was ““the most sovereign master of painting in his time.” And the name continues its artistic legacy today on the streets of Milan with Giotto Calendoli. He and his fellow well-clothed girlfriend, Patricia Manfield, are carving a name for themselves as global street style stars.

Girl: Èlena
Meaning: According to SheKnows, Èlena translates to “shining light” or “the bright one,” which is exactly what your child will be in your life.

Boy: Alexandros
Meaning: With its powerful meaning (“defender or helper of mankind”), this name will be a strong and bold choice. According to SheKnows, people with this name “are excited by change, adventure, and excitement.”

Girl: Esmeralda
Meaning: The English translation of this beautiful name is “emerald” in Spanish and Portuguese. We have a hunch this name will blow up in the U.S. since Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling named their little girl Esmeralda. Turns out the doting parents are big fans of The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, in which Esmeralda is the Gypsy girl loved by Quasimodo.

Boy: Luis
Meaning: According to Baby Names, Luis means “famous warrior,” making it a solid name for your newborn. The spelling is a nice variation of the more commonly known Louis. It was also the name of famous Spanish-Mexican filmmaker Luis Buñuel, who is known as “the father of cinematic surrealism” and “one of the most original directors in the history of the film medium.”

Girl: Mareike
Meaning: The name translates to “bitter,” according to Name Berry, but the sound is anything but. Virtually unknown in English-speaking lands, this sweet German name is a variation of Mary or Mariah. Its pronunciation is varied, but we think the U.S. version will be read “mah-reek,” which sounds super sweet, just like your little angel will be.

Boy: Ferdinand
Meaning: This ancient Germanic name means “bold voyager” (fardi meaning “journey” and nanthi meaning “venture”). It has a profound legacy, too, with three Roman emperors and several Spanish and Italian kings bearing this name. Now that’s a great, proud name for your child to bear.

Girl: Michalina
Meaning: The Polish variation of Michaela is pronounced “Me-HA-LEE-na” and translates to “no one compares to the Lord.” But nothing will compare to your little girl.

Boy: Marek
Meaning: In Polish, Marek means “warlike,” so this is a strong choice for any son. According to SheKnows, people with this name tend to be “creative and excellent at expressing themselves. They are drawn to the arts, and often enjoy life immensely.”