Akila

Meaning: (Wise, Intelligent, Logical, The Earth)

Origin: (Egyptian, Arabic, Swahili)

Pronunciation: (aa-K-L-aa, ah-KEEL-ah)

Gender: Female

When looking up the name Akilia *see on list of posts* I came across Akila and many of the meanings are similar for each name. Akila is an interesting name and I do like the meanings. However this is a name that will fall to the back of my mind unlike Akilia. I think the spelling or over all look don’t really appeal that greatly to me. However it is very old looking and would I think go great as the name of character or place on another planet.

Asha

Meaning: (Hope, Life, Wish, Desire, Alive and Well, She Who Lives, Protection of Fire, Variant of Aisha.)

Origin: (Arabic, Indian, Persian, Swahili)

Pronunciation: (ahh-sha, Ash-uh, AH-shuh, AA-SHaa, AH-sha, AE-SH-aa)

Gender: Female

I was watching BBC America channel and there was this lady named Asha who was talking about hosting some show about Top British celebs or something like that. I really wasn't paying much attention to the commercial about the upcoming show because I was thinking about the name Asha. It is pretty and simple and easy to pronounce. I love the meaning and really love the look of it. I like certain names that start with Ash which I think is a pretty cool nickname. So I think Asha is a great name and great alternative to more popular Ashley (not that there is anything wrong with Ashley as I've used the name on a character before.)

Sanaa

Meaning: (Brilliance, Radiance, Splendor, Beauty, Work of Art, Praise to God, Praiseworthy)

Origin: (African, Swahili, Sanskrit, Arabic, Hindi)

Pronunciation: (sa-NAH, sa-NAAa)

Gender: Female

I was watching the movie AVP: Alien vs Predator the other day and the actress in the movie her name is Sanaa. It looks foreign but pretty and the meanings are wonderful. It is a name that is rare so that might actually be interesting if I saw it in a book. I can see a character of unmatched beauty and grace named this.

Nala or Nahla

Meaning: (Nala: Stem, Hollow Reed, Successful, Olive, Queen, Gift. Nahla: A Draught, A Drink Of, Drink of Water.)

Origin: (African, Swahili, Sanskrit, Latin, Arabic)

Pronunciation: (Nah-lah, NAH-lə)

Gender: Female

Now Nala is said to be a variant of Nahla but as you see there meanings are very different and Nahla is said to be mainly from Arabic origin and Nala of African origin. Either way they seem to have the same pronunciation and look. Oh what a difference one little letter can make, lol. I was watching The Lion King the other day as it was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid. The lioness that was friends with Simba and later his mate was named Nala. I love the way it is pronounced and how it looks and the meaning. As for using this as a character name I think this name can work for an exotically pretty character.

Zara or Zarah

Meaning: (Radiance, Shining, Flower, Blossoming Flower, Splendor, Dawn, Yahweh has Remembered, Princess, Lady, Literary name often used for exotic characters. It was first introduced to English speakers via literature, used by William Congreve for the name of an African queen in his tragedy The Mourning Bride (1697). It appeared again shortly after, as the title of the play Zara (1735), Aaron Hill's translation of Volaire's tragedy Zaïre (1733). The first name was however rarely used till the mid-20th century. It was later chosen by Princess Anne and Mark Philips of Britain for their daughter Zara Philips (1981-); the departure from royalty naming convention generated much discussion then. Their choice of the name did not boost its popularity until Zara Philips became famous in her own right in recent times. The trendy Spanish clothing retailer Zara (1975-) could have also increased the adoption of the name.)

Origin: (Arabic, Hebrew, African, Swahili)

Pronunciation: (ZR-ah, ZAERah, ZAH-rə)

Gender: Female

This is a name that can be substituted for Sara or Sarah. As you see under meanings it has been used often in literature and more for an exotic character. It is a beautiful name with a lovely meaning.

Layla

Meaning: (Dark Beauty, Born at Night, Night Beauty, Night, Intoxication, Wine, This was the name of the object of romantic poems written by the 7th-century poet known as Qays. The story of Qays and Layla became a popular romance in medieval Arabia and Persia. The name became used in the English-speaking world after the 1970 release of the song 'Layla' by Derek and the Dominos, the title of which was inspired by the medieval story.)

Origin: (Arabic, African, Swahili, English)

Pronunciation: (Lay lah)

Gender: Female

I like Layla I first heard it on T.V on WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Raw. One of the Divas was named Layla. After that I saw and heard it a few other places. I like the meaning a lot. For a character I think if works for someone of an exotic look or having a Bohemian appearance... very free and flighty, go with the flow sort of Gypsy like.