Global crossover names
These names seem to belong everywhere at once, Sofia, Noah, and Mia top charts from Buenos Aires to Stockholm to Seoul. Their easy pronunciation and short, clean sound let them travel across languages without translation or alteration, a great pick for families who want a name that feels at home anywhere.
Liam the short form Ireland made of Uilliam, or William, "will" and "helmet"; the top boys' name in the US and Ireland in recent years, and widely popular across Northern Europe
Noah rest, comfort (biblical patriarch); a US #1 for several recent years and a top-ranked name in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland
Kevin handsome, beloved birth (from Caoimhin); had an outsized 1990s popularity boom in France and Germany, jokingly nicknamed 'Kevinism'
Jack medieval pet form of John, 'God is gracious'; the UK and Ireland's most popular boys' name for over a decade, and a longtime US favorite
Oliver olive tree, a symbol of peace (from Old French Olivier); a UK #1 for years, huge across Scandinavia, and, as Óliver, a top name in Spain
William "will" and "helmet," two old words fused into one name; a top-10 name in the US, UK and much of the English-speaking and Germanic-speaking world for generations
Alexander defender of the people; a steady top-15 favorite in the US, Russia, Germany and Greece alike
Lucas from Lucania, a region of southern Italy; France's most popular boys' name through much of the 2000s and now a top-10 US and Brazilian favorite
Sebastian venerable, revered (from Sebastianus); a chart-topping name in Sweden and Germany and a fast climber in the US
Theo gift of God (short for Theodore); France's top boys' name for years and one of the fastest-rising names in both the UK and US
Enzo short form of Vincenzo or Lorenzo; a fast-rising favorite in both France and Italy, and one of the quickest climbers in the US
Santiago Saint James; the top boys' name across Chile and much of Latin America, and one of the fastest names ever to enter the US top 100
Leon lion; a top-10 boys' name in Germany for years and a steady climber in the US
Mateo gift of God (Spanish form of Matthew); a top-5 name in Spain and one of the fastest-rising names in the US
Luca the Italian form of Lucas, from Lucania in southern Italy; Italy's most popular boys' name for years and a fast riser in the US
Emil rival, eager (from Aemilius); number 4 in Norway (2025) and number 7 in Denmark (2024), used more quietly in the US
Elias the Lord is my God (form of Elijah); one of Sweden's most popular boys' names in recent years and a fast US climber
Hugo mind, intellect; a longtime top name in France and a top-10 favorite in the Netherlands and Sweden
Ryan little king (surname from Ó Riain); a US top-10 fixture for two decades and a longtime favorite in Ireland, the UK and Australia
Dylan son of the sea, great tide; a US top-25 name for years and, boosted by music and film, also popular in France and the UK
Kai sea (also a Japanese, Frisian and Scandinavian name); popular in Germany and the Netherlands and one of the fastest-rising names in the US
Oscar divine spear (Irish legendary hero; later carried by Swedish royalty after the Ossian poems); one of Sweden's top boys' names and a UK top-20 staple
Gabriel God is my strength (archangel); a former #1 in France, hugely popular in Brazil, and a top-30 US name
Daniel God is my judge; a top-10 name in the UK and Ireland for years and a steady favorite across the US and much of the world
Felix happy, fortunate; a top-20 name in Germany and Austria and a fast-rising vintage revival in the US
Axel father of peace (Scandinavian form of Absalom); popular in France and across Scandinavia and a fast climber in the US
Milo mild, peaceful; a top-50 name in the UK and a fast riser in the US
Diego supplanter (Spanish form of James); one of the most popular names across Spain and Latin America and a steadily used US name
August "exalted, venerable" (from Augustus); one of Sweden's most popular boys' names in recent years and a rising vintage revival in the US
Emma whole, universal; a US #1 for over a decade and simultaneously a top name in Germany, France, Sweden and Italy
Mia mine (or short form of Maria); a top-10 US name and for years nearly Germany's most popular girls' name
Luna moon; hugely popular across Italy and Spain and a fast-rising US top-10 name
Ella fairy maiden, beautiful woman (or short form of Eleanor); a top-10 name in the UK, Ireland and Finland and a longtime US favorite
Nora honor, light (short form of Honora/Eleanor); a top girls' name in Norway and the Netherlands and a fast riser in the US
Freya lady (Norse goddess of love and fertility); a fast-rising name in the UK and Ireland and one of the quickest climbers in the US
Isla island (from the Scottish river Isla); a top-10 name in Scotland and Australia and one of the fastest-rising names in the US
Camila young ceremonial attendant; wildly popular across Brazil and Latin America and a top-20 US favorite
Valentina strong, healthy (feminine of Valentine); a chart-topping name across Italy and Latin America and a fast-rising US name
Mila dear, gracious (short form of Ludmila/Camila/Emilia); increasingly popular in Russia and the Netherlands and one of the fastest US risers
Aria air, melody (Italian musical term); one of the fastest-rising names in the US and also climbing in Australia and the UK
Stella star; popular across Italy, France and Australia and a steady climber in the US
Clara bright, clear; a top name in Germany, Sweden and France for generations and a growing US vintage revival
Emilia rival, eager (feminine of Aemilius); a top-10 name in Poland and the UK and a fast-rising US name
Matilda mighty in battle; a top-10 name in Australia and a rising favorite in both the UK and US
Zoe life; popular across the US, France and the Netherlands, and simply Zoí in Greece itself
Chloe blooming, verdant; a top-10 name in the UK, Ireland and France for years and a longtime US favorite
Victoria victory; a top name in Russia and Mexico and a steady US favorite with deep British royal ties
Julia youthful (feminine of Julius); Poland's most popular girls' name for years, also huge in Russia and Germany, and a steady US classic
Sarah princess; simultaneously a top-10 name in the US, UK, Netherlands and Sweden through the 1980s-90s
Elena shining light (form of Helen); hugely common across Italy, Spain and Russia and a steady US name
Isabella God is my oath (Italianate form of Elizabeth); a US top-5 name for years and, as Isabela/Isabel, hugely popular across Italy, Spain and Latin America
Charlotte French feminine diminutive of Charles (Germanic karl, 'man'); a US top-10 royal-linked name and historically one of France's most popular names
Amelia work (from Amalia); the UK's #1 girls' name for years and a fast-climbing top-20 favorite in the US
Olivia recorded in medieval England before Shakespeare, then given a lasting literary afterlife by the countess in Twelfth Night
Sophia wisdom; a US #1 for several years and, as Sofia, a top name across Spain, Italy and Greece
Noa movement (biblical daughter of Zelophehad); a top girls' name in the Netherlands and Israel and a rising US name
Ida industrious, hardworking; a top-10 US name in the 1890s that remains a favorite in Norway and Denmark today
Astrid divinely beautiful; a royal name in Norway, Belgium and Sweden and one of the fastest-recent climbers in the US
Vera faith, truth; a classic across Russia and Eastern Europe and a steady presence in both the US and UK
Rowan little red one (also the rowan tree); a popular name in Ireland and one of the fastest-rising unisex names in the US
Which of these fits YOUR family? →