25 Multicultural Baby Names to Consider in 2025

A popular name in Arabic meaning “alive” or “living,” Aisha was also the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s wife. It's widely used in Muslim communities and embraced in African and Western cultures alike. It also has many spellings. For example, Ayesha, Iesha, and Ayisha.

In Igbo (Nigerian), Amara means “grace,” while in Latin, it can mean “bitter” or “eternal.” The name also appears in Sanskrit, where it means “immortal.”

In Hebrew, Anaya means “God answered,” while in Sanskrit, it can mean “care” or “protection.” The name’s phonetic appeal makes it a favorite in many cultures.

Of Italian origin, Aria means “air” or “melody,” and in Hebrew, it can mean “lioness.” Its musical and nature-inspired meanings give it international appeal.

In Khmer, the Cambodian language, Dara means “star,” while in Hebrew it can mean “nugget of wisdom.” It’s also used in Irish as a variation of Darragh, meaning “oak tree.”

Elias is a Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah, meaning “The Lord is my God.” It’s a common name in Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities.

Derived from Latin Aemilius, meaning “rival,” Emil is widely used across Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. It has variations like Emilio and Emile.

In Japanese, Hana means “flower,” while in Arabic and Hebrew it means “happiness” and “grace” respectively. It’s a short, elegant name with timeless charm.

Idris appears in both Welsh and Islamic traditions. In Islam, it can mean “studious” and “smart”, while in Welsh, it can mean “fiery lord” or “ardent leader.”

A Swahili name meaning “faith,” Imani has deep cultural resonance in African and African American communities. It also aligns with spiritual and virtue-based naming traditions.

Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael, meaning “God will hear.” It’s a significant name in both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions.

Kai has many meanings depending on the origin: in Hawaiian it means “sea,” in Japanese it can mean “ocean” or “forgiveness,” and in Scandinavian languages, it’s often a variation of Kaj.

In Arabic, Leila means “night” or “dark beauty,” and it also appears in Persian poetry. It’s been widely adopted in Western cultures as a romantic, lyrical name.

Lina has roots in Arabic (“tender” or “soft”), Chinese (“beautiful jade”), and Greek (“sunlight”). Its multicultural use makes it a versatile and graceful name.

Meaning “light” in Latin, Lucia is popular in Spanish, Italian, and Scandinavian cultures. It’s often associated with Saint Lucia, celebrated in Nordic countries.

In Arabic, Malik means “king” or “sovereign.” It’s used in many Muslim-majority countries and has gained popularity in the U.S. and beyond.

In Sanskrit, Mira means “ocean” or “sea,” while in Slavic languages it means “peace.” It’s also the name of a devoted Hindu mystic-poet.

In Swahili, Nia means “purpose,” and it's also one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The name appears in Welsh as well, meaning “bright” or “radiant.”

Of Arabic origin, Omar means “flourishing” or “life.” It’s also found in Hebrew and has historical significance across Islamic and Jewish cultures.

This name means “God has healed” in Hebrew. Rafael is common in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian-speaking countries and has biblical roots.