If you’re looking for a lovely-sounding girl’s name that’s unknown to most American ears, consider heading to Thailand (on the Internet, at least!). While Thai naming customs typically give children two names (a formal one and a casual one), you’ll likely only need to opt for one of the beautiful choices here–and might we just say that you’ll have plenty to choose from!
There’s the lovely Kulap, a floral-inspired name that means ‘rose flower.’ This name is a true rarity here in the U.S., as there’s no popularity data on it from the Social Security Administration.
Chantara is a deeply poetic name that means ‘moon water,’ and is actually quite popular with baby girls across many Southeast Asian cultures. Like Kulap, it’s a far way away from breaking into the top 1,000 most popular baby names list, but that in itself could be a reason to give it to your baby girl.
In contrast to the other two, Malee (pr. MAY-lee) has more potential to become a popular name in the U.S., joining the ranks of other ‘-aylee’ names like Kaylee, Taylee, and Baylee. However, its popularity remains to be seen, despite its lovely meaning of ‘jasmine flower.’
We’ve got plenty more lovely and rare Thai girl names on our list below, so don’t head anywhere just yet.
Achara
Meaning: Goddess or angel
Origin: Thai
Anong
Meaning: Gorgeous woman
Origin: Thai
Aom
Meaning: To embrace
Origin: Thai
Aranya
Meaning: Bountiful forest
Origin: Thai
Arpa
Meaning: Unbounded
Origin: Thai
Beam
Meaning: Ray of light
Origin: Thai
Buppha
Meaning: Flower
Origin: Thai
Busaba
Meaning: Floral
Origin: Thai
Busarakham
Meaning: Yellow sapphire
Origin: Thai
Chaem Choi
Meaning: Gracefulness
Origin: Thai
Chailai
Meaning: Pretty
Origin: Thai
Chalermwan
Meaning: Celebrated beauty
Origin: Thai
Chantana
Meaning: Affection
Origin: Thai
Dok Mai
Meaning: Flower of a plant
Origin: Thai
Dok Rak
Meaning: Flower of love
Origin: Thai
Duangkamol
Meaning: From the heart
Origin: Thai
Gamon
Meaning: From the heart
Origin: Thai
Gun
Meaning: Grape
Origin: Thai
Hansa
Meaning: Swan
Origin: Thai
Hathai
Meaning: Heart
Origin: Thai
Hom
Meaning: Sweet smell
Origin: Thai
Ireshi
Meaning: Queen
Origin: Thai
Junta
Meaning: Star
Origin: Thai
Kaeo
Meaning: Victorious
Origin: Thai
Kamlai
Meaning: A jewelry bracelet
Origin: Thai
Kanda
Meaning: Darling
Origin: Thai
Kannika
Meaning: Flower
Origin: Thai
Karawek
Meaning: Bird
Origin: Thai
Karnchana
Meaning: A beautiful and lovely girl
Origin: Thai
Komen
Meaning: Precious stone
Origin: Thai
Kulap
Meaning: Rose
Origin: Thai
Lamai
Meaning: Gentle and caring
Origin: Thai
Lawana
Meaning: Lawana
Origin: Thai
Malee
Meaning: Jasmine flower
Origin: Thai
Nan
Meaning: Grace and poise
Origin: Thai
Phaibun
Meaning: To prosper
Origin: Thai
Phawta
Meaning: Someone pleasing to the eyes
Origin: Thai
Phueng
Meaning: Bee
Origin: Thai
Preeda
Meaning: Full of joy
Origin: Thai
Samorn
Meaning: A darling and gorgeous woman
Origin: Thai
Sarai
Meaning: My princess
Origin: Thai
Som
Meaning: Orange
Origin: Thai
Sukhorn
Meaning: Pleasing fragrance
Origin: Thai
Taeng
Meaning: Melon
Origin: Thai
Thanomwang
Meaning: Hopeful
Origin: Thai
Thong
Meaning: Gold
Origin: Thai
Ubon
Meaning: The lotus flower
Origin: Thai
Waan
Meaning: Sweet
Origin: Thai
Ya Chai
Meaning: Sweetheart
Origin: Thai
Ying
Meaning: Intelligent, feminine, clever, jade or eagle
Origin: Thai
