Re: Multicultural names
in reply to a message by vigdis
Maria and Mary are both recognizable in most cultures even in predominantly non-Christian areas. In Japan Mari is not uncommon and, although it is not derived from Mary, it is pronounced similarly and means 真理 "truth," 万里 "long distance," 茉莉 "jasmine," 麻里 "hemp or village."
Also for girls:
Ann/ Anne/ Anna
Sarah/ Sara
Isabel/ Isobel/ Isabella
Lisa
Sophia
Lucia/ Lucy
Katherine- in some areas it may be pronounced more like 'Katrin."
Amy
Cara- although in Italian it is more of a word of endearment than a name.
Esther- recognizable in most European and Jewish cultures
For boys:
Lee
Michael- the pronunciation varies
John
Ishmael- used occasionally in both Middle Eastern and Western cultures
Peter/ Pedro
Abraham/ Abram - Ibrahim in Arabic and Turkish
Nicholas- there are numerous forms of this name across Europe
Kai- Frisian, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Dutch and Hawaiian
Also for girls:
Ann/ Anne/ Anna
Sarah/ Sara
Isabel/ Isobel/ Isabella
Lisa
Sophia
Lucia/ Lucy
Katherine- in some areas it may be pronounced more like 'Katrin."
Amy
Cara- although in Italian it is more of a word of endearment than a name.
Esther- recognizable in most European and Jewish cultures
For boys:
Lee
Michael- the pronunciation varies
John
Ishmael- used occasionally in both Middle Eastern and Western cultures
Peter/ Pedro
Abraham/ Abram - Ibrahim in Arabic and Turkish
Nicholas- there are numerous forms of this name across Europe
Kai- Frisian, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Dutch and Hawaiian