Xavier

Meaning: (New House, Bright New House, Bright, Splendid, Transferred use of the Spanish surname derived from the place-name Xavier in Navarre. The name, which is believed to be derived from the Basque Etcheberria (the new house), was originally borne in honor of St. Francis Xavier (1506 - 52), a famous Spanish missionary to Japan and the East Indies and the patron saint of missionaries in foreign lands. Professor Charles Xavier is the leader of the X-Men (the good guys) in the comic book series.)

Origin: (English, Latin, Basque, Arabic, Spanish, French)

Pronunciation: (Zay-vyer, ehk-SAY-vyer, ecks-ZAY-vee-er, ZAY-vee-er or SHAV-ier, Go to this site and run your cursor over Xavier to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=xavier&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I have loved this name since I first saw the X-Men movies years ago. I think Xavier makes a good given name and is an extremely sexy male name. I love the spelling and the meaning. I pretty much love everything about this name. I haven't used it in a novel yet but it is on my list of possibilities.

Scout

Meaning: (Observer, To Listen, First Explorer, Occupational name: someone who gathers information quietly. Scout Finch (Jean Louise Finch), the main character in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird.)

Origin: (Old French, American, English)

Pronunciation: (SKOWT, Go to this site and run your cursor over Scout to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=scout&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I thought this was a weird name when I read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in High School. Then a few years ago I watched a show called Scout's Safari. It was about a girl named Scout though that wasn't her real name either just like the Scout in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In recent years I have heard this often. I think Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter together is named Scout. I kind of really like the name now. Though if I used it I might give my character a real name and have them be nicknamed Scout. This is a cool name with a cool meaning and I think if this isn't used too much it could still seem unique in novels.

Fabian

Meaning: (A Bean, A Bean Grower, From the Latin Fabianua (of Fabius), which is derived from the Old Roman family name Fabius, a derivative of the Latin faba (a bean). Fabian, character in William Shakespeare's play, "Twelfth Night." Fabian has historically been unusual in English-speaking countries. When it does encounter a resurgence, it is usually a relatively strong one and one that stems from someone with a specific, pivotal popularity. During the end of the last century the Fabian Society, a group including George Bernard Shaw, E. Nesbit, and Sidney Webb was founded, and that may have helped. In the United States during the 1950s, a very popular singer entertainer who when solely by that name (although christened Fabiano Anthony Forte), contributed to the resurgence.)

Origin: (Latin, Italian)

Pronunciation: (fay-bee-en, FAY-bee- ən, Go to this site and run your cursor over Fabian to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=fabian&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I have always liked Fabian although I never much cared for the meaning. I think this name has a very exotic sometimes sexy look and sound to it. I could see this in a Romance novel or perhaps even a Fantasy novel or Inspirational novels. It can fit in a wide range of different genres.

Lavinia

Meaning: (Purity, Woman of Rome, Mother of the Romans, The name of the legendary mother of the Roman people. Her name may possibly be derived from Lavinium, the name of an Etruscan city more ancient than Rome. Daughter of King Latinus in Roman Mythology she was the last wife of Aeneas and was considered to be the mother of the Roman people, Lavinia is a feminine form of Latinus, (from Latium, the area surrounding and including ancient Rome). Classical name revived in the Renaissance, and again used in the 18th century. Lavinia's in Stories: Lavinia, an antagonist in the book and film "A Little Princess". Lavinia, character in "Theories of Rain," short story by Andrea Barrett. Lavinia, title-character of the book by Ursula Le Guin. Lavinia, the unfortunate daughter of Titus Andronicus in the Shakespeare play, "Titus Andronicus." Real Life Famous Lavinia's: Lavinia Fontana, 15th century Italian painter. Lavinia Dickinson - sister of poet Emily, who credited her for giving her encouragement and opportunity for her writing.)

Origin: (Latin, Etruscan, Roman Mythology)

Pronunciation: (la-vee-NEE-ah, lah-VIN-ee-ə)

Gender: Female

I heard and saw this name the other day when watching My Big Gypsy Wedding on T.V. One of the young brides was named Lavinia. I really liked the name and so when I looked up the meaning I liked the name even more. It has such a cool history behind it.

Elethia / Elethea / Alethea

Meaning: (Healer, Verity, Truth)

Origin: (English, Greek)

Pronunciation: (Elethia & Elethea: EHLah-THiyah, eh-lee-thee-ah, e-LEE-thee-a, Elle-lee-thee-ah, Go to this site and run your cursor over Alethea to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=alethea&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female


I have used Elethia as the name of one of my characters. I love the meaning and the look of it. Alethea is a variant and so if you go listen to it at the site address above you will hear how it is said and you can then figure out the pronunciation if you spell it Elethia or Elethea. The pronunciation doesn't roll off the tongue smoothly but to some that doesn't matter.

Godiva

Meaning: (God’s Gift, Gift of God, Lady Godiva (1002 – 1066, 11th century), was an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to legend, rode naked, covered only by her long hair, through the streets of Coventry, England in order to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband on his tenants. The name "Peeping Tom" for a voyeur originates from later versions of this legend in which a man named Tom had watched her ride and was struck blind or dead. Also the name of a Brand of Premium chocolates.)

Origin: (Old English, Latin)

Pronunciation: (guh-DY-vuh, g-uh-d-ay-v-uh, Go to this site and run your cursor over Godiva to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=godiva&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I have loved the name Godiva for a long while now. I love the ancientness to the name and the meaning but I think the story about Lady Godiva is pretty cool. I think this is a beautiful name. I could see this fitting alongside Maerwynn *See on list of posts* and they could fit in a fantasy novel. They both resemble names in novels like Lord of the Rings or so I think they do.

Meridian

Meaning: (Imaginary circle around the Earth, Middle, Center, Literal definition of the name: The highest point, especially in one's lives; culmination. An imaginary line on the Earth’s surface from the North Pole to the South Pole, The term "meridian" comes from the Latin meridies, meaning "midday"; the sun crosses a given meridian midway between the times of sunrise and sunset on that meridian. The same Latin stem gives rise to the terms a.m. (ante meridiem) and p.m. (post meridiem) used to disambiguate hours of the day when using the 12-hour clock.)

Origin: (English, American, Latin)

Pronunciation: (mə-RI-dee-ən, Go to this site and run your cursor over Meridian to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=meridian&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female, perhaps Uni-Sex

The other day I misheard a characters name on one of those old Batman movies. I thought the ladies first name was Meridian but it was her last name. But after first thinking it was a first name I fell in love with it as a given name. I did some research and saw that it has been given as a real first name to people before. I think it is a pretty name and has a great meaning. I think that this name could be given to a character and there could be many reasons why, it's up to the author to share those reasons or hold back the reasons. I think it would just make a cool given name.

Reagan / Regan

Meaning: (Descendant of Riagan, Little King, Royalty, Regal, Variant of Regan, First used as a girl's name in the English-speaking world by Shakespeare as the name for one of the two disloyal princesses in his 1606 tragedy "King Lear". Also possibly a surname used as a girl's name. Derived from the Old Norse regn, ragn (judgment, decision). In Norse legend, Regin, a very wise man, was appointed tutor and foster father of Sigurd. Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of U.S.A)

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, Norse)

Pronunciation: (REE-gan, REE-guhn, RAY-gun, RAY-gen, Go to this site and run your cursor over Reagan to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=reagan)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw a post the other day on another persons blog and the post was for the name Kennedy and I started thinking about other presidents names. Ronald Reagan was the president when I was born. I think Reagan and Regan make cute given names for both genders. The two different pronunciations work well too.

Lydia

Meaning: (Noble Kind, Of the Noble Sort, Woman from Lydia, Dark Haired Maiden, Biblical: This woman and her household were among the first persons in Europe to accept Christianity as a result of the apostle Paul’s activity at Philippi in about 50 C.E. Originally she lived at Thyatira, a city in Asia Minor known for its dyeing industry. Later, at Philippi in Macedonia, Lydia sold purple, either the dye or garments and fabrics colored therewith. It appears that she was the head of her household (this could include slaves and servants), and therefore, she was possibly widowed or single. In Old English Lydia also signifies 'beauty and beloved' and sometimes 'light'.)

Origin: (Greek, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (LED-ee-ah, LI-dee-ə, LIH-dee-uh, Go to this site and run your cursor over Lydia to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=lydia&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I saw this name in my bible the other day and wondered why I haven't added this to my blog yet. It is a classical name and is still pretty if used a bit but still a nice name. It has that regal meaning I like as well.

Valerian

Meaning: (To be Healthy, Strong, Potent, An Herb, Valerian is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers which bloom in the summer months. Valerian flower extracts were used as a perfume in the sixteenth century. Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its properties, and Galen later prescribed it as a remedy for insomnia. In medieval Sweden, it was sometimes placed in the wedding clothes of the groom to ward off the "envy" of the elves. In the sixteenth century the Anabaptist reformer Pilgram Marpeck prescribed Valerian tea for a sick woman.)

Origin: (Latin, Greek, English, Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French valeriane, from Medieval Latin valeriana, probably from feminine of valerianus of Valeria, from Valeria, Roman province formerly part of Pannonia.)

Pronunciation: (vah-LEH-ree-un, Go to this site and run your cursor over Valerian to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=valerian&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male, but possibly Uni-Sex


I was on Yahoo Answers the other day and someones user name was Valerian. It sort of reminded me of a Sci-fi/ fantasy race or something. When I looked it up and learned it was a plant and was used medicinally I found it even more interesting. The meaning is great. I saw that it was mainly a male name with the female variant being Valerie (which I don't like; no offence to Valerie's out there). But to me this name seems to be more feminine but it is mainly male.

Maryflor or Mariflor

Meaning: (Mary/Mari: Star of the Sea, Bitter, Beloved, Loved, Beloved Lady, Japanese name meaning (depending on the kanji characters): truth, long distance, jasmine or ball. Flor: Flower, Blossoming, Charming, Derived from the Old French fleur (flower). Its use as a name in England began in the Middle Ages. It is rarely used as a given name in France, which prefers the names of saints and martyrs )

Origin: (English, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, Welsh, French)

Pronunciation: (Mari: MAH-ree, MAHR-ee, Mary: MAIR-ree, Flor: FLOHR Combined: MAH-ree-FLOHR or MAIR-ree-FLOHR)

Gender: Female

I heard and saw this name on Beverly Hills Wedding Dresses show. At first it showed on the screen her name was spelled Maryflor then a while later it showed it spelled Mariflor. Mary and Mari can have different pronunciations but the lady on T.V was pronouncing hers MAIR-ree-FLOHR (Maryflor). I know the name might look different and at first when I saw it and heard it I was like What the heck then it quickly grew on me and I really like it now. So don't be quick to judge this name.

Cyrus

Meaning: (Sun, Lord, Throne Of the Sun, Derived via the Greek form Kyros of the name of several kings of Persia. In earlier times, it was linked with Greek "kyrios" meaning "lord". It may also derive from the Persian word for "throne". Historical: Cyrus the Great (fifth century BC) conquered Babylon at the height of its powers and founded the Persian Empire. Biblical: Cyrus is prophetically named in the book of Isaiah as the one who would overthrow Babylon and liberate the captive Israelites. Also the name of a fourth-century saint, a doctor in Alexandria. Inventor Cyrus McCormick; former Secretary of State Cyrus Vance.)

Origin: (Greek, Persian, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (SY-russ)

Gender: Male

I think this would make a cool given name in both ancient or modern times. Of course the down fall is -Billy Ray Cyrus/Miley Cyrus- people might think the character is named after there last name. I think this name has a great meaning and an interesting history so I ignore the Billy Ray Cyrus/Miley Cyrus association.

Maelum

Meaning: (Mae= The fifth month, Derived from Maius (the month of Maia, the Greek Mythological goddess of increase or spring growth), Beautiful, Goddess, Lum= Dove)

Origin: (Latin, Gaelic, Celtic, Chinese, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (Mae: MAY Lum: luhm, L-Um, Combined: MAY-luhm, MAHLUM)

Gender: Female

This is a surname I have on one of the lists of surnames on the list of posts on this blog. Recently I started to think this would make a cool, pretty given name. The meanings are pretty and combined this name just seems so lovely. I am sure most wouldn't venture to using this name but I hope someone does use it as a character name.

Sundeep and Sandeep

Meaning: (Filled with Light, Enlightened, Goodness, Obedient, Lighted Lamp, Lighting the Way, Eternal Light)

Origin: (Hindi, Punjabi, Sanskrit)

Pronunciation: (SAHNDIY-P, san-DEEP, sun-DEEP)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I heard and saw the name Sundeep the other day when watching Beverly Hills Wedding Dresses show. This Indian (from India not Native American) lady brought her brother along to help her pick her wedding gown and his name was Sundeep. When looking up the name I came across Sandeep they are used interchangeably I believe. I still like Sundeep better but when I saw the name I was like that can't be a real name but it is and it has a great meaning. Some will see it and think like I did at first that, that must be made up or is a hippie name. It isn't just look at the origin it's an Indian name. For a character I would advice to put this name on the right nationality...someone whose culture would use this as a name.

Cayenne

Meaning: (Spicy, Hot Spice)

Origin: (French)

Pronunciation: (ki-anne ki - pronounced as kit without 't' anne - rhymes with 'pan', ki-enne - enne rhymes with 'in', Go to this site and run your cursor over Cayenne to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=cayenne)

Gender: Female

Yes Cayenne as in the Cayenne Pepper. This name I think could work for a character with a hot head or is a free spirit who is quick witted and hot tempered. It would be interesting to see a character named this. It would definitely catch my attention and make me wonder why she was named this. I think it is actually kind of pretty too.

Europa

Meaning: (Wide Eyes, Wide Faced, Intelligent, Open Minded, In Greek Mythology, Europa is a Phoenician princess who was kidnapped by Zeus disguised as a bull. The continent of Europe is named after her, as is a moon of Jupiter.)

Origin: (Greek, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (Yur-oh’-puh)

Gender: Female

I am on a bit of a Greek Mythology trip right now. Many of the names on the list below this are all names with a Greek Myth history. I was think of Europa the other day when I was thinking about Europe. I think this would make a cool name in a novel. It has a strong sound and would be interesting to make a history up for a character named this.

Penelope

Meaning: (Weaver, Duck, With a Web Over her Face, Worker of the Loom, Mythology: Penelope, wife of Odysseus, fended off suitors by weaving during the day and unraveling at night a tapestry she said had to be completed before she would wed another husband. The name has come to signify a loyal, capable, and clever woman. The name is also possibly derived from the Greek name "penelops" for a kind of duck that was said to have rescued and nurtured Penelope when she was exposed to die as an infant. It has occasionally been used as an English given name since the 16th century.)

Origin: (Greek)

Pronunciation: (pen-NELL-a-pee, peh-NEHL-ə-pee)

Gender: Female

I didn't remember it was Odysseus wife until I started researching the name. I was thinking of this name the other day when watching Criminal Minds on T.V. The technical analyst to the team is named Penelope Garcia. Penelope Cruz is a real life bearer of this name that many will think of. I think the name is pretty and the meaning is nice. It has a long history so the name can be used in Historical Fiction novels quite well.

Persephone

Meaning: (Bringer of Destruction, Greek Mythology: daughter of Damion (sometimes Zeus) and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld; she was abducted by Hades, the god-king of the underworld. The myth of her abduction represents her function as the personification of vegetation which shoots forth in spring and withdraws into the earth after harvest; hence she is also associated with spring and with the seeds of the fruits of the fields. In Roman mythology, she is called Proserpina.)

Origin: (Greek, Greek Mythology, Roman Mythology)

Pronunciation: (per-SEHF-ə-nee, per-SEF-uh-nee)

Gender: Female

The first half of the meaning could waver some but the myth behind the name explains the reason for the meaning. She was forced to go to the underworld for 3-4 months every year. Her mother mourned and withdrew her vegetation from the fields. This was a way the ancients explained the winter season, sometimes a harsh destructive season. Also she was the queen of the underworld a destructive place many believed. I almost wanted to use this name as the first name of my pen name but I chose another instead. This is a long name but can have many nicknames. It has a unique history.

Rosalie / Rosalia

Meaning: (Rose, Rose Garden, Pretty Rose, Rose Festival, Variant of the Italian Rosalia. Rosalia is a saint's name. Mostly 19th-century use. The name was borne by Saint Rosalia, a 12th-century Sicilian virgin and patron of Palermo. The Rosalia was also the name of a religious ceremony in which roses were placed on tombs in remembrance of the dead. The form Rosalie was introduced to English speakers in the late 19th century, and it gained popularity due to the vogue for flower names then. This form was also used by Oscar Wilde in his comedy Lady Windermere's Fan (1892). The name was later popularized by the Broadway play Rosalie (1928), which was also adapted as a musical film (1937).)

Origin: (French, Latin, German, Italian)

Pronunciation: (Rosalie: ROH-za-lee Rosalia: RowZahLIYah, roh-za-LEE-ah, roh-ZAYL-yah)

Gender: Female

I have used both Rosalie and Rosalia in two different stories I wrote. I think they are both lovely names. I think that there is some reluctance to use the name Rosalie as well because of its popularity in the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Myers. I don't think that another author popularizing a name should make or break another writers decision to use a certain name.

Klaus

Meaning: (Victory of the People, short for Nikolaus or Nicholas.)

Origin: (German, Danish)

Pronunciation: (KLOWS, Klaus rhymes with House. Note: When spelled with a K Klaus is never pronounced like pause. It is pronounced like house.)

Gender: Male

I first heard this name years ago when watching the movie based on the book, Lemony Snickets: A Series of Unfortunate Events. The boy in the story was named Klaus. I know people will think it is like Claus. They both come from forms of Nicholas or Nickolaus but I just like Klaus pronounced the way it is better than Claus. It is a name not heard often and I can see where writers might be hesitant to use the name in their novels but I hope that not too many are swayed away from using this nice, unique, rare name. It could be used quite nicely in a Historical Fiction novel.

Victoria / Viktoria / Vittoria / Victoire

Meaning: (Victory, Victorious, Conquer, Victress, Female Winner, Feminine form of Victor,
Victoria was a goddess who smiled on the ancient Roman people for many centuries. Early Christians adopted the name, probably due to Saint Paul's praise of "God, which giveth us the victory". It was borne by a 4th-century saint and martyr from North Africa. Royal associations from 19th-century England's Queen Victoria and the four-syllable pronunciation give Victoria an air of dignity, formality and distinction. Though in use elsewhere in Europe, the name was very rare in the English-speaking world until the 19th century, when Queen Victoria began her long rule of Britain. She was named after her mother, who was of German royalty. Victoria's short forms and nicknames are very informal by contrast. Vittoria is an Italian form; Viktoria is Czech; Victoire is French. Many geographic areas are named after the queen, including an Australian state and a Canadian city.)

Origin: (English, Latin, Italian, Czech, French)

Pronunciation: (Victoria: Vik-TOH-ree-ə, vic-TOR-ee-ah, vik-TAWR-ee-ə (English), Vittoria: vee-TOR-ee-ah, vih-TOR-ee-ah, Victoire: veek-twAr, veek-TWAWR)

Gender: Female

I have used Victoria and Viktoria in several of my stories. I have always liked the name and when I was younger I had wished to have been named Victoria nicknamed: Vicki. As I got older I came to love my name but I still like Victoria though. It has a strong meaning and is a regal name and I love regal names.

Carlisle

Meaning: (From the Isle of Carl, Fort at Luguvalium, City of Lugovalos, From the Protected Tower, From the Walled City, From a surname which was derived from the name of a very old city in North-West England. The city was originally Luguvalium by the ancient Romans meaning "stronghold of Lugus.” Sometimes used as originated as an elaborated form of Carl (an old Germanic form of 'Charles' meaning "a Man") Also used as a name/title of those from the isle of Carl (Carl-Isle). Alternate spellings - Carlyle/Carlile. NB: "Lugus/Leuk/Lugh/ Lleu" are early Celtic names meaning "light, brightness", the names of Celtic Gods, equated by the Greeks with Hermes. (Roman Mercury). )

Origin: (Old English, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (KAHR-liel, CAHR-liyl, KAR-lyl)

Gender: Male

I like this name though I think people will be hesitant to use it in their novels because Stephenie Myers used it in her Twilight Series. I think it is a unique name with an interesting history and meaning. I don't think people should shy away from a name because another author made the name famous. If I could find a place for it in a novel someday I might use it.

Aspen / Aspyn

Meaning: (Aspen Tree, Tree name: a type of poplar familiar in the West, with delicate, heart-shaped leaves that quiver in the lightest breeze, hence its nickname, the "quaking" or "trembling" aspen. Also a chic ski resort and town in Colorado.)

Origin: (English, English Nature Name )

Pronunciation: (AS pen)

Gender: Uni-Sex, though primarily Female.

I added this name to my possible character names list a few years ago when looking for nature related names. I saw the other spelling Aspyn when watching T.V and I thought it was a pretty spelling for this name. I could see a prep school lady named this or a real ritzy house wife named this. Of course it could fit in a post apocalyptic novel too. This name has many possibilities.

Marella

Meaning: (Shining Sea, Star of the Sea, Sea of Bitterness, Rebelliousness, Wished For Child, To Sparkle)

Origin: (Celtic, Irish, Hebrew, Spanish, Egyptian, Italian, Latin, Danish)

Pronunciation: (MerEHLah)

Gender: Female


This is a surname of a guy I saw on T.V on WWE Wrestling his name is Santino Marella. I thought this has a nice look to it and the meaning is quite pretty. So I thought it would make a pretty first name.

Zile

Meaning: (A city and a district of Tokat Province, Turkey. Zile lies to the south of Amasya and the west of Tokat in north-central Turkey. The city has a long history, including being the site of the Battle of Zela, which prompted the phrase "Veni, vidi, vici. Today the city is a center for agricultural marketing and tourism, Historically, Zile has been known as Zela, Zelitis, Zelid, Anzila, Gırgırıye (Karkariye), Zīleh, Zilleli, Zeyli, and Silas. Zela castle, the only solid castle in Anatolia, was built by Roman commander Lucius Cornelius Sulla. The castle contains the Amanos temple, and it is called silla, meaning "respected". In Semra Meral's Her Yönüyle Zile, she claims that the name "Zile" came from "Zela", stemming from "Silla".)

Origin: (Turkish, Late Roman)

Pronunciation: (Zie-ul, Rhymes with Nile, File, Tile.)

Gender: Male

I had a pen pal from Australia that has this name. I think it is a cool name. It has a sci-fi/ fantasy aspect to it. It is easy to say and is a short name. I would definitely like to see this name used in novels.

Colona

Meaning: (Farmer, Farm Laborer, feminine form or Colono.)

Origin: (Italian)

Pronunciation: (Colon-uh)

Gender: Female

This is normally a surname but I thought it would make an awesome first name. I first heard this as the last name of a person on Chelsea Lately on T.V. It is super easy to pronounce and the meaning is decent. The look is interesting and seems pretty to me.

Hollis

Meaning: (Lives Near Holly Bushes, Dweller at the Holly Trees, The Holly Tree, Of the Great Hall, Island Man)

Origin: (Old English, Icelandic, English)

Pronunciation: (HOLL iss, HAH-lis, HAHL-is)

Gender: Female

I read a novel the end of last year called Rainsong by Phyllis A. Whitney where the main character was named Hollis. It was a really good book and I instantly liked the name Hollis. It spices up plain Holly (not that I don't like the name Holly) which is heard a lot but a nickname for Hollis can be Holly so they go hand in hand. I love the look and sound of this name. It is so pretty and rarely heard.

Chanterelle

Meaning: (Bird Song, an edible mushroom found in temperate woodlands that has a yellow-to-orange trumpet-shaped cap.)

Origin: (Italian)

Pronunciation: (CH-AENTIHREHL, Chan-ter-elle, Shawn-ter-elle, Go to this site and run your cursor over Chanterelle to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=chanterelle&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I heard this on T.V last night and I actually liked it. It is pretty and even though it is the name of a mushroom I think it is really quite unique sounding. It reminds me of one of those foreign designers names (Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton) & Chanterelle, lol. I also loved the other meaning of this name - Bird Song- that is so pretty and cute. There are many nickname options with this name as well.

Shenandoah

Meaning: (Daughter of the Stars, A Chief, Derived from the Algonquian schind-han-do-wi, the literal translation of which has been thought to be "spruce stream," "great plains," or "beautiful daughter of the stars." The name of a river and valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Virginia, Shenandoah was popularized as a given name by the folk song "Shenandoah.")

Origin: (Native American, English)

Pronunciation: (sheh-nan-DOH-ə, Go to this site and run your cursor over Shenandoah to her how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=shenandoah&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have thought this was a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning since I read the novel Daughter of the Stars by Phyllis A. Whitney. The pronunciation is a bit tricky but there are plenty of nicknames. I would love to see a character named this.

Guy

Meaning: (Sensible, Wood, Lively, Warrior, Guide, Leader, Valley, Life)

Origin: (Old German, French, Welsh, Celtic, Hebrew, Latin, Teutonic)

Pronunciation: (gye)

Gender: Male

I have used this name as the name of a character. I knew a guy named guy in school and I thought it was odd to be named that but now I like the name. It's not a name that can be used everywhere but I think it has potential to become semi-popular. It has many meanings and it too is simple to pronounce no matter what language you speak.

Griffin

Meaning: (Hooked Nose, Strong in Faith, Reddish, Mythological Beast, In Greek mythology and medieval legend, the Gryphon was a fierce creature with the foreparts of an eagle (hence the hooked nose) and the hindquarters of a lion. Use as a name may be linked to the heraldic use of the animal.)

Origin: (Latin, Welsh, English, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (GRIF-en, GRIH fun)

Gender: Male

I have used this name as a character name, he went by Griff though. I think it is a strong masculine name. I like meaning and easiness of pronouncing this name.

Ravenna

Meaning: (Raven, Place Name: A City in Italy famous for its Byzantine Mosaics. Currently the capital of the Province of Ravenna in Italy. It was the capital city of the Western Roman Empire from 402 till 476 AD.)

Origin: (English, Italian, Etruscan)

Pronunciation: (r uh v EH n uh, ruh-ven-uh, ruh-vin-uh, ruh-VENN-uh, rah-ven-uh, Ruh-vehn-uh, Go to this site and run your cursor over Ravenna to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=ravenna&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I read this on the web the other day when I was looking up about the two Snow White films coming out in 2012. One of the characters was named this. Upon researching the name I found plenty of real and fictional characters named this and places named this. There was a lot of info on this name. When I saw it I thought it was a gorgeous name with an exotic look to it. It's like Raven but spiced up. I really like it.

Adria

Meaning: (From Hadria (Northern Italy), Dark One, Variant of Adrienne, Feminine form of Adrien)

Origin: (Greek, Latin, English)

Pronunciation: (AADRiyah, AHD-ree-ə, AYD-ree- ə)

Gender: Female

Just like Vala which is right below this name I heard this name on the syfy T.V series Stargate: SG1. Adria was the daughter of Vala on the show. I was watching it the other day and so I decided to add this to my blog. It's a really pretty name. I like the look of it.

I can't remember the way they said it on the show but I think it's like odd-ree-uh rather than the common add-ree-uh. Then again I could have that switched. Both are correct pronunciations of this name. Again it really just depends on each persons way of pronouncing a name.

Vala

Meaning: (Singled Out, Chosen, Oath)

Origin: (Old German, English)

Pronunciation: (VAALah, vah-luh)

Gender: Female

I heard this name years ago when watching the syfy T.V series Stargate: SG1. The other night I was watching an episode and saw the character named this. I thought again what a cool name it is and that I ought to add it to my blog. I really like the unique look to it and the shortness of it as well. I think this name is actually pretty and exotic sounding.

The pronunciation is a bit tricky. I keep wanting to say Val like in Valarie and then a as in uh. But the val is like the vol in volleyball or volume then uh at the end. I hope that helps. Of course I assume you can pronounce the val like Valarie it's just how any individual pronounces a particular name. But I found most pronunciations to be Val as in Vol in Volleyball or Volume and a as uh.

Shamblin and Shamberlyn/Shamberlin and Chamberlyn/Chamberlin

Meaning: (One in Charge of a Chamber. He who had charge of his lord’s receipt’s and issues, a treasurer. The Minister of a Small congregation.)

Origin: (French, Irish, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (Shamblin: sham-buh-lyn Shamberlin/Shamberlyn: sham-bur-lyn, shame-bur-lyn Chamberlyn/Chamberlin: chamber-lyn, cham-bur-lyn)

Gender: Female

The other day I saw Shamblin. It's a street name near my house. I thought it was cool sounding. That night I thought of Shamberlyn & Shamberlin and thought those would be cute. Then I thought about Chamberlyn and Chamberlin. I looked these names up and they are all similar and surnames. I think my favorites are Chamberlyn & Shamberlyn. If anyone knows if my pronunciations are way off or there are other better pronunciations please let me know.

Alistair and Alasdair

Meaning: (Man’s Defender, Defender of the People, Form of Alexander)

Origin: (Greek, Scottish, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (Alistair: AL-is-tayr, AL-is-ter, a-LUST-ur a - pronounced as 'A' in AT ur - rhymes with FUR The emphasis is on 'a', A-lih-stur, Go to this site and run your cursor over Alistair to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=alistair&submit=Submit Alasdair: AL-as-dare)

Gender: Male

I have liked this name a long time. I have even used Alasdair in a novel of mine before. I like the name Alexander and this is a form of it and thus has the same meaning. I think it has a different rarer look than Alexander though. The pronunciation is a bit tricky sometimes even I slip up and say it wrong often. Other than that this name is awesome, and I love it.

Lofton

Meaning: (Glorious, Recorded in the spellings of Loftin, Lofton and Lofting, this is a surname of English origins. It is locational and originates from a now "lost" medieval village probably called "Loftun" or similar, the name translating as the house with an upper floor, at a time when few had them. The derivation is from the Olde English and Norse pre 7th century word "lopthuis". What is certain is that no such place or anything quite like it in spelling, is recorded in any known gazetter of the past two hundred years. This in itself is unusual, but not unique. It is known that at least three thousand, and possibly as many as seven thousand British Isles surnames originate from now "lost" places, of which the only public reminder of their existence in the 20th century, is the surviving surname. Early examples of the surname taken from surviving church registers of the diocese of Greater London include: Thomas Lofton at St. Paul's cathedral in the city of London in 1629, and Mary Lofting, at St Brides church, Fleet Street, in 1719. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Edmund Loffton. This was dated February 25th 1619, when he was a witness at St. Margaret's church, Westminster, during the reign of King James I of England and VI of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Loftin#ixzz1eIXgjpMy)

Origin: (English, Old English)

Pronunciation: (LAWF-tən)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw this name of the blog www.babynameaddict.blogspot.com and they saw it on a persons Guilty Pleasures Name List on Yahoo Answers. I thought this name was adorable. I think it could be Uni-Sex name though some think it is a strictly male name. Since it is originally a surname I think it could work on both genders as a first / given name. The meaning was really nice and info I found on the name was interesting. I love researching names it is so interesting how certain names came about and developed.

Orion

Meaning: (Dawn, East, Son of Fire, The Hunter, Dweller on the Mountain, Greek mythology: Orion was a mighty hunter, the son of Poseidon, who was turned into a constellation. The Orion constellation contains three of the most conspicuous stars in the nighttime sky. He loved the goddess Diana but was accidentally killed by her and thenceforth placed in the heavens as the constellation Orion.)

Origin: (Greek, Latin, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (oh-RYE-on, oh-RIY- ən, Go to this site and run your cursor over Orion to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=orion&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I have always loved the name Orion since I was in my early teens. I thought I was one of the only ones who really liked it but when researching more on this name I found people that like it too and have even named there child this name. I think it one of the view good mythology names. The Orion constellations is like one of the only ones I can ever find in the nights sky too. It's on my favorite male names list as well.

Hugo

Meaning: (Mind, Heart, or Spirit, A Thinker, Bright Spirit, Inspiration)

Origin: (German, Latin, Dutch, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (HEW-goh, HYOO-go, OO-go, HUY-kho, HUE-go, YUE-go, HYOO-goh, HHUYK-ow in Dutch, HHYUWGow in English, or UWGow)

Gender: Male

I saw the advertisement for the movie Hugo the other day. I have always thought the name was just so-so. When I saw the meaning of the name it has grown on me a bit and even the look of Hugo has too. It is short and has an old fashioned feel but it is cute and sort of modern too.

Astoria

Meaning: (Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, After someone with the surname Astor, Star, Star Maiden.)

Origin: (French, Greek)

Pronunciation: (a-STOH-ree-ə, As-STORE-ee-a, Go to this site and run your cursor over Astoria to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=astoria)

Gender: Female

I saw this name on a blog the other day www.babynameaddict.blogspot.com. I thought it was such a cute name and I am adding it here. I think it has a very sophisticated look and sound to it.

Hermione

Meaning: (Eloquence, Messenger, Earthly, Travel, Well Born, feminine form of Hermes.

Hermione is both a mythological name and the name of a character in the play 'Andromaque', a five-piece tragedy by French playwright Jean Racine. Hermione, daughter of Menelaus and Helen, who is betrothed to Pyrrhus, is a character in this play who asks Orestes to kill Pyrrhus and when he does, rejects him, driving him insane. Such actions have earned her a reputation as a furious lover.
In mythology, Hermione is the daughter of Menelaus and Helen, who blames the concubine Andromache for her inability to fall pregnant and attempts to engineer her murder. She later flees with her cousin Orestes, and with him had two children, a son, Tisamenus, and a daughter, Hensibal, who died in infancy.

Hermione is a popular character in plays, and stars in two more well-known plays. First is Jean-Baptiste Lully's musical tragedy, Cadmus et Hermione, where she is a daughter of Venus and Mars. In the second play, Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale', Queen Hermione of Sicily is the mother of Perdita who is ultimately reunited with her daughter.

Hermione is also the name of several historical figures. Hermione of Ephesus was an early Christian Martyr in both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, who is cited as a prophetess. Hermione Hammond was a painter, born in 1910, who died in 2005.

The most obvious famous bearer of the name is Hermione Granger, a character in the hugely popular and successful Harry Potter books and films, written by J.K. Rowling. Although the name was scarcely known before the astronomical success of the books, which made the now almost household name, one must also remember that there are several other famous people who have been called Hermione over the years.
Other famous fictional Hermiones include Hermione Bostock in P. G. Wodehouse's books, and Hermione Lodge in the Archie comics.
Hermione Baddeley, Hermione Gingold, Hermione Hannen and Hermione Hammond were all early British actresses, whilst Hermione Norris and Hermione Gulliford are more modern actresses and Hermione Cockburn is a British radio and television personality. Hermione Lee, critic. Hermione Cobbold, British matriarch.)

Origin: (Greek, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (her-MY-oh-nee, hər-MIE-ə-nee, her-MIY- ə -nee, Go to this site and run your cursor over Hermione to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=hermione&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

Well this has turned out to be a very long post but all the information which I got off Wiki name was all too fascinating to leave out. When I see the name Hermione I always think of Shakespeare's play A Winter's Tale but I never knew about the other uses of the name except the Harry Potter one. Trying to pronounce it the proper way is a bit annoyingly difficult. Other than that I think is a decent name but if anyone uses it in there novels people may think you are naming your character after J. K Rowlings Harry Potter series character Hermione Granger. But I say use the name Hermione anyway if it fits your character.

Beltran

Meaning: (Bright Raven, Famous Raven, Bright Shield, Variant of Bertrand (Old French, Old German), Beltrano is the Italian and Spanish form.)

Origin: (Spanish, German)

Pronunciation: (BELL-trahn)

Gender: Male

I found this name a few years ago and I really liked it. It has a nice interesting look. The meaning is nice as well.

Audra

Meaning: (Storm, Noble Strength, Derived from the Old English Æđelþpryđ or Æthelthryth, a compound name composed of the elements æđel, æthel (noble) and þryđ, thryth (might, strength): hence, "noble strength.")

Origin: (Old English, Lithuanian, German)

Pronunciation: (AW-drə, ah-d-r-uh, aw-d-rah, AH-druh, Aw-dra, AO-DRah)

Gender: Female

I have liked this name since I watched the 60's old west T.V show The Big Valley. The Barkley's are the family in the show and Audra Barkley is the only daughter. I have always liked the name Ardra *which is a name I have posted on this blog* so when I saw Audra I thought it had a similar look and meaning and is a pretty name as well. The meaning is lovely and strong yet feminine.

I love names that have a meaning that means "Noble". Thus my love of names like Ardra, Adelaide, Adele, Fallon & Audra. They are just such pretty names & I write about nobility a lot in my novels so names that have either a noble look or meaning are great finds for me.

Dael or Daele

Meaning: (Valley, Knowledge of God, Dweller in the valley, Variant of Dale.)

Origin: (Old English, Hebrew, Australian)

Pronunciation: (DEY-L, dayl)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw a name the other day that had the last part of it as Daele in it and I loved it. Of course I don't think Daele is a real name. But I found the meaning for Dael to be like Dale so any of the spellings (Daele, Dael, or Dale) could work in my opinion. I love the look of both Daele & Dael. Those spellings spice up Dale and make it look rarer and more unique. Also Daele & Dael are pronounced like Dale. I would love to see these spelling of the name Dale used in a novel.

Casuarina

Meaning: (A tall, feathery tree with drooping, jointed, green branches and scale-like leaves.)

Origin: (Latin, English Nature Name, Australian)

Pronunciation: (cas-you-a-ry-na, kass-you-reena, caz-you-reena, kaz-yoo-REE-nuh, kaz-yoo-ryna, Go to this site and run your cursor over Casuarina to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=casuarina&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I heard this name today on T.V and I just loved the look and sound of it. I have never seen this name before. I love the rareness and unique look of it. The tree species that bears this name is pretty cool looking too.

Ryland

Meaning: (Land Where Rye is Grown)

Origin: (Old English, Irish)

Pronunciation: (RIY-lənd, RIHLahND)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have recently used this name. I first saw this a few days ago when I was watching one of the 24/7 music channels on my T.V. At the bottom of the page there is info on the singers or bands. One of the singers in the band Cobra Starship is named Ryland. I instantly loved the name. I would love to see this name more often. Possible other spelling: Ryeland.

Carlotta

Meaning: (Free Man, Strong, Manly, A feminine form of Carl and Charles, both of which are derived from the Old English ceorl (man, freeman, peasant).)

Origin: (Italian, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (kar-LAH-tah, kahr-LAH-tə)

Gender: Female

I have used this name in the novel I am currently writing. I have really liked this name since I first saw it in this character naming book that I bought. It has a look to it that is rare in most English speaking countries. It's pretty and the meaning is decent.

Fidelia

Meaning: (Loyalty, Faithful, Variant of Fidelity, Female form of Fidel.)

Origin: (Latin, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (fee-DAYL-yah, fi-DEL-e-uh, The English Pronunciation is fə-DEE-lee-ə or fə-DEEL-yə (rhymes with Amelia), or possibly fi-DEL-yə (like the word "fidelity"). Spanish pronunciation would be fee-DHE-lee-ah.)

Gender: Female

I heard this name on last nights Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I actually really like this name. I love names with Delia in it. This name spices up just Delia and it is super pretty.

Barnabas

Meaning: (Son of Comfort, Biblical: A traveling companion of Paul's. The close association that Barnabas had with Paul, and that extended over the years, had its beginning about three years after Paul’s conversion when he wanted to get in touch with the Jerusalem congregation. How Barnabas first got to meet Paul is not revealed. But it was Barnabas who had the privilege of introducing Paul to Peter and to the disciple James. Barnaby is used more often now in Britain. One of Charles Dickens' lesser-known novels is named "Barnaby Rudge". The name is used from time to time among literary parents. Bernabe is a Spanish form.)

Origin: (Greek, Aramaic, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (BAR-nuh-bus, BAR-na-bus, Go to this site and run your cursor over Barnabas to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=barnabas&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

Again I saw this is in the bible again and I thought I might as well add it here on my blog. It is a name you really don't hear often but I love it. The meaning is really nice and I think it is such a cute name. I am sure a lot of people might be down on this biblical name but I absolutely love it.

Cornelius

Meaning: (Horn, From "cornu". A famous Latin clan name, often used under the Roman Empire. Biblical: Cornelius was a Roman centurion who was baptized by Peter. Another famous bearer of the name was Railroad millionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt. In England it came into use in the 16th century, partly due to Dutch influence.)

Origin: (Latin, Dutch, German, Biblical, Ancient Roman)

Pronunciation: (kor-NEEL-yus, korn-NEEL-ee-us, kohr-NEE-lee-əs, kər-NEE-lee-əs (English), kawr-NAY-lee-us (Dutch), kawr-NE-lee-uws (German), Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Cornelius to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=cornelius&submit=Submit )

Gender: Male

I was reading my bible the other day and I read this name and remembered how much I liked this name. So I decided to add it here. It is a name I don't hear too often right now. It might seem to be a really old name but I think it is really cute. It has a freshness to it.

Mariska

Meaning: (Bitter, Sea of Bitterness, Star of the Sea, Diminutive of the name Mary, very rare female name.)

Origin: (Hungarian)

Pronunciation: (mah-RISK-ə, MAW-reesh-kaw, muh-RISH-kuh)

Gender: Female

I have liked this name since I first heard it as the name of the actress Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I think it is pretty rare name and is a better take on just plain Mary (not that Mary isn't a nice name). I think this is such a beautiful name and I do hope to see and hear it more.

Surnames

Vassilieva

Luttrel

Hewlett

Satie

Alaric

Meaning: (Noble Ruler, Noble Power, Regal Ruler, Elf Ruler, From Adalrich. Historical: Alaric I was the Gothic king of the Visigoths who plundered Rome in AD 410 (5th Century). Saint Alaricus (10th century) was the son of a duke who turned to the religious life. From the Gothic name Alareiks which meant "ruler of all", derived from the Germanic element ala "all" combined with ric "ruler, power".)

Origin: (Old German)

Pronunciation: (AL-a-ric, AL-ə-rik, Go to this site and run your cursor over Alaric to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=alaric&submit=Submit )

Gender: Male

I have been think of using this name for a character. I like the history on this name as well. The history behind the king who bore this name. I love the look and sound of this name as well. I first heard this, this afternoon when I was watching the History Channel. I liked the name even more when I looked up the meaning. It's a great masculine name with a old fashioned look but also seems kind of modern.

Athelstan

Meaning: (Noble Stone, Used by Anglo-Saxon royalty and revived somewhat by Sir Walter Scott's use of it in "Ivanhoe". Now rare. It was the name of King Athelstan the Glorious of England who reigned from 924 - 940 AD (10th Century). He was the first king of a united England and obtained the submission of the Welsh and Scots.)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (AE-THEHLSTahN, ah-THUHL-stan, Go to this site and run your cursor over Athelstan to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=athelstan&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I have been thinking of using this name for one of my characters. I found this a few years ago when searching for medieval names that meant noble. The history behind the King named Athelstan in the 10th century was kind of cool. It was all very interesting. I really like the name though some obviously don't. I really like names from the early history of man. Because there names seem odd to us but there meanings were really cool. I wish some of those name were still around today. But people are scared to use names they think are too unique and in this time these names are too unique but I personally love these kinds of names.

Minerva

Meaning: (Intellect, Roman Goddess of Wisdom and War. Equivalent of Greek Athena. Believed to be derived from the Latin root mens (the mind, thought, intellect). Minerva is the name borne in Roman mythology by the goddess of wisdom, skill and invention. She is equated with the Greek goddess Pallas Athene. It has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since after the Renaissance.)

Origin: (Latin, Etruscan, Roman Mythology, English)

Pronunciation: (mi-NER-və, mi-NER-vah)

Gender: Female

I have used this name before and though it doesn't suit all tastes in names I think it is a lasting name. It has an old fashioned look to it but I think it is still a wonderful name.

Surnames

Roxburgh

Stamp

Solo

Marvis

Manila

Tower

Snowe

Tatiana

Meaning: (Feminine form of the Latin Tatiānus, a derivative of the old Roman family name Tatius. A king by this name was said to have reigned over the Sabines and the Romans with the legendary Romulus. Also the name of a third-century saint.)

Origin: (Russian, Latin)

Pronunciation: (tah-TYAH-nə, ta-TYA-nah, tat-YAH-nah, taht ee AHN ah)

Gender: Female

This is the name of several real life Princesses. I heard this name the other day on a show I was watching and I sort of like it. It isn't a name I would personally use on a character but I think it is a lovely name.

Kellan

Meaning: (Warrior Princess, Slender, Fair, Descendant of the Bright Headed One, Powerful)

Origin: (Celtic, Irish, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (KEH-lin, KELL-in)

Gender: Uni-Sex

It is a uni-sex name but I have always thought of it as a female name since I used it for one of my female characters. Plus the one meaning "Warrior Princess" is obviously a female name meaning. The other meanings are for both genders. I like this name and the meanings are cool.

Santiago

Meaning: (St. James, A blended form of Saint Diego; Diego is a Spanish form of James. James the Greater (of the two apostles by that name) is the patron saint of Spain.)

Origin: (Spanish)

Pronunciation: (sahn-tee-AH-go)

Gender: Male

I was looking at my world map last night and saw Santiago, Chile. I have always thought this was a cool name and fun to say. I was surprised by the meaning. I had never before known the meaning. Anyway it is a nice name and I love the look and sound of it.

Graziella

Meaning: (Lovely and with Grace, Grace, Charm, Favor, Blessing)

Origin: (Latin, Italian)

Pronunciation: (grraht-TSYEHL-lah, Gra-zi-el-la, GREYZIYEHL-ah)

Gender: Female


I was looking through the book Letters to Juliet: Celebrating Shakespeare's Greatest Heroine, The Magical City of Verona, And The Power of Love by Lise Friedman & Ceil Friedman. I was reading one of the letters that was sent to the secretaries of Juliet. Anyway the lady that sent her letter had the name Graziella. It just stuck and I couldn't help but love the name. It is beautiful and has a lovely meaning. A name that is a variant is Graciela which I think is beautiful too.

Avonlea

Meaning: ("A return to childlike faith, simple beauty, noble purity, and compassion for the least" Anne of Green Gables. It was her home town on Prince Edward Island, Canada. "Avon" is an old Celtic word meaning "river" (not just the River Avon), and "lea" means "a clearing, pasture or meadow". Ergo, Avonlea would mean "clearing, meadow, etc. situated by a river".)

Origin: (Celtic, English, Canadian)

Pronunciation: (A-vən-lee, av-un-lee, a-ven-lee, aa-vun-lee (the "A" is pronounced like the "A" in apple. It is not said like "AVON" the cosmetic product. And the "LEA" is pronounced like "LEE"), ah-von-LEE)

Gender: Female

I was watching Insp channel the last view days and they are advertising Road to Avonlea this Saturday. I really think this is a pretty name and it would be very cool on a character.

Auberon

Meaning: (Noble or Royal Bear, Elf Ruler, Supernaturally Powerful, Rules with Elf Wisdom, From an Old French name of German (Frankish) origin. The name may possibly be a form of Aubrey or Adalbero. Better-known, though no more common for it, as Oberon, King of the Fairies in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".)

Origin: (Old German)

Pronunciation: (AO-BEHRahN, AWB-ur-awn, Go to this site and run your cursor over Oberon to hear how it is said. Oberon is one spelling of Auberon. Then take the OH sound of Oberon and substitute for AW in Auberon: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=auberon&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I found this on the Internet and I came to really like it after I saw the meaning. It took a while to get the right pronunciation but I think I have it now. There seems to be two close pronunciations. This is a masculine rare name and I like it.

Fairamay

Meaning: (Fair Maiden)

Origin: (Middle English)

Pronunciation: (fair-rah-may)

Gender: Female

I have this down on my favorite female name list. I really like this name and I love the rareness of this name as well. I could see this name as a medieval princess name or something like that.

Liliana

Meaning: (Lilies, Innocence, Purity, Beauty, Variant of Lillian and Lily)

Origin: (English, Latin, Italian)

Pronunciation: (lee-LYAH-nah (Italian), lil-ee-AN-ə (English), li-lee-AH-nə, li-lee-A-nə)

Gender: Female

One of my friends was going to name her daughter this last year but decided on Evelina instead. I heard this the other day when I was watching a version of Snow White. I think it is a pretty name with a lovely meaning.

Vidia and Vidya

Meaning: (Vidia is a form of Vidya, which is the name of a Hindu goddess, and means "wisdom, knowledge, learning" in Sanskrit. Vidia could also be derived from invidia meaning Envy in Latin.)

Origin: (Sanskrit, Latin)

Pronunciation: (Vidia: vid-ee-ah Vidya: VId- yaa)

Gender: Female

This is the name of one of the fairy's in the Disney Pixie Hollow Tinker Bell movies. I kind of like the name. You definitely don't hear it often and it has a nice sound to it and a good meaning.

Asher

Meaning: (Fortunate, Blessed, Happy, Based on research, most people would imagine a person with the name Asher to be: A tall and fun-loving young chap. In one word, you might describe Asher as a "fun-loving" person.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (A-shər, ASH-er)

Gender: Male

This is one of my favorite male names on my list. It has a fresh sound but still has a old feel to it at times. The meaning is lovely and it has a good sound to it. I really like this name a lot.

Ronan

Meaning: (Little Seal, The name was borne by twelve saints as well as by an ancient king of Leinster who was deceived into killing his first-born son.)

Origin: (Irish)

Pronunciation: (ROH-nin)

Gender: Male

I have used this name in a novel before. I really like the name even if I am on the fence about the meaning. I first came to hear this name on Sci-fi series Stargate Atlantis there was a character named Ronan Dex who was played by Jason Momoa you might know him from the recent film Conan the Barbarian. I thought it was a cool name and I still do. It is also the last name of actress Saoirse Ronan who was in the films Lovely Bones, Ember, Atonement and many other films.

Edelweiss

Meaning: (White Mountain Flower, The common name comes from German edel, meaning "noble", and weiß (also spelled weiss) "white", thus signifying "noble whiteness".
The scientific name Leontopodium is a Latin adaptation of Greek leontopódion (λεοντοπόδιον) "lion's paw", from léōn "lion" and pódion "foot" (diminutive of poús, podós "foot").
The Romanian name, floarea reginei, means "Queen's flower". Also, another common name is floare de colţ which means "the corner's flower".
The Persian name is gol-e-yax, which translates as "ice flower")

Origin: (German)

Pronunciation: (Ay-dell-vice, Go to this site and run your cursor over Edelweiss to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=edelweiss)

Gender: Female


This is a flower that could make a pretty name or if used wrong could sound funny on a character. It is all about the story and character whether it makes or breaks this as a character name. I think Edelweiss the flower are so pretty. I have liked them since I watched Sound of Music (one of my favorite movies). There is the song in the film where Captain Von Trapp sings to his children. Here are the lyrics from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Sound of Music (1965): (I think these lyrics are correct):

Edelweiss, edelweiss, every morning you greet me
small and white,
clean and bright,
you look happy to meet me
blossom of snow
may you bloom and grow,
bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, edelweiss, bless my home-land forever

Cordelia

Meaning: (Cor=Heart Delia=from Delos, Of the Sea, Warm-Hearted, Sea Jewel, In Shakespeare's King Lear a woman of rare honesty, According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Cordeilla was the youngest of the three daughters of King Lear and the only one to remain loyal to her father. When adapting the character for his play 'King Lear' (1606), Shakespeare altered the spelling to Cordelia.)

Origin: (Latin, Greek, Celtic, English, Welsh)

Pronunciation: (kawr-DEL-ee-ə, kawr-DEL-yə, kohr-DEEL-yə, kohr-DEE-lee-ə, kor-DEEL-yah)

Gender: Female

I named a ship in one of my novels Cordelia. I think it is a beautiful name with a lovely meaning. It is uncommon which I love and I think it should be used more often.

Mirabella and Mirabelle

Meaning: (Wonderful, Lovely, Wondrous, Of Incredible Beauty)

Origin: (Latin, Italian, French)

Pronunciations: (Mirabella: meer-uh-bell-uh Mirabelle: meer-uh-bell)

Gender: Female

I have used Mirabella before in a novel I wrote. I love the meaning and the look of the name. I have only heard Mirabelle used once on a T.V show and I have not heard Mirabella anywhere before. I think both are beautiful names.

Dama

Meaning: (Little Noble Woman, Lady, Gentleness, Wife, Dama is a variant transcription of the name Damaris (English and German).)

Origin: (English, French, Spanish, Italian, Latin)

Pronunciation: (DAAMah)

Gender: Female

I was looking at this doll I had bought when I was younger. It had come with a card with her name on it. The name was Dama. I always thought it was an interesting name and the meaning I found years after I bought the doll. I think the meaning is lovely and the name is beautiful.

Byron

Meaning: (At the Cattle Sheds, From a surname which was originally from a place name meaning "place of the cow sheds". This was the surname of the romantic poet Lord Byron (1788-1824), the writer of 'Don Juan' and many other works. Also possibly (through French origins), from De Biron, the town of Biron in the province of Guienne, France and meaning "From the cottage". The English definitions seem most consistent and include the habitational name from Byram in West Yorkshire or Byrom in Lancashire, both named with Old English for “at the cattle sheds”. The name Byron is also said to be from the Hebrew, meaning "bold", or a variation of the name [Brian], meaning "strong one". Literary: the variant form Biron was the name of a character in Shakespeare's "Love's Labours Lost".)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (BIE-rən, BIY-rən, BYE-run, BYE-ron)

Gender: Male

Recently while watching Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman I heard that Sully Dr. Quinns fiance his first name was Byron. This is a great name and sounds strong and handsome.

Rhoda

Meaning: (Rose, Woman from Rhodes In the New Testament this name was borne by a maid in the house of Mary the mother of John Mark. As an English given name, Rhoda came into use in the 17th century. Rhodes the Greek island originally named for its roses. The name was mostly used in the 18th and 19th centuries but goes back at least to the first century as it is recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. In literature, it has appeared in George Meredith's novel Rhoda Fleming (1865), William Makepeace Thackeray's novel Vanity Fair (1847-1848), and George Bernard Shaw's play Man and Superman (1903).)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical, Greek, Latin)

Pronunciation: (RO-də, ROH-da, ROWDah)

Gender: Female

I heard and saw this name in the bible this last Thursday and I thought it was an interesting name. It means Rose which makes it a great alternative to the common name Rose. Plus it has a unique beautiful sound to it. It is rare and that makes it even better in my opinion. It is in the most important book the Bible but I would love to see it more.

Surnames

Kingsley

Fitzroy

Hatter

Bedelia

Meaning: (Power, Strength, The High One, Exalted One, Variant of Bridget. Literary: a very literal-minded maid named Amelia Bedelia features in a popular series of children's books.)

Origin: (Irish, Celtic)

Pronunciation: (beh- DEE-lee-a)

Gender: Female

This name is growing on me a lot. I think it would be great as a first name as I have seen it used as a last name. I think it has a great look and good meaning. It is super cute as well. You don't hear or see this name often. It is unique and I love that.

Michaela

Meaning: (Who is like God, Who resembles God, Feminine form of Michael.)

Origin: (English, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (mi-KAY-lə, mi-khah-E-lah, mih-KAY-lah)

Gender: Female


I saw this the other day when watching Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. I kind of like the name. It has a great meaning and I like the look of it.

Georgiana

Meaning: (Farmer, Earth Worker, Feminine form of George. This form of the name has been in use since the 18th century. It has a more formal, antique feel than its sister form, Georgia.)

Origin: (Greek, Latin, English)

Pronunciation: (Jor-gee-ah-na, jawr-jee-an-uh, jor-JEENA, jor-jay-na)

Gender: Female

I like the Pride & Prejudice novel and movies and Mr. Darcy's sister was named Georgiana. I really like this name. It has a classic sound to it.

Vladimir

Meaning: (Renowned Prince, To Rule with Greatness, Great Ruler, To Rule with Peace, Ruling Peace, The Owner of Peace, Has Peace)

Origin: (Slavic, Russian)

Pronunciation: (vlah-DEE-meer)

Gender: Male

I have always liked this name and I am not sure why. I think I like the name because of the nickname Vlad. The whole name is just fun to say. I think this name has a fantastic meaning and a strong masculine look and sound to it.

Leopold

Meaning: (Brave People, People Bold, Brave Ruler of People, The name of three kings of Belgium and several Holy Roman Emperors. A saint's name. A royal or aristocratic name in Belgium, Austria, and Britain. The name Leopold falls in the traditional name category. Based on research, most people would imagine a person with the name Leopold to be a scholar and book lover. In one word, you might describe Leopold as a "scholar" person. Leopold was the name of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's father. Since the 19th century this name has been occasionally used in England, originally in honour of Queen Victoria's uncle, a king of Belgium, after whom she named one of her sons. It was later used by James Joyce for the main character, Leopold Bloom, in his novel 'Ulysses' (1920).)

Origin: (Old German, English)

Pronunciation: (LEE-ə-pohld, LE-oh-pold, LEE-ə-pold, LEE-oh-pold)

Gender: Male


I think Leopold is a classic name that has a handsome sound to it. I really like this name and have since I saw the movie Kate & Leopold. I don't see it often which makes me like it even more.

Charleston

Meaning: (Free Peasant's Settlement, Town of King Charles, Charles Town, Charles Son, Variant of Charlton. City in South Carolina.)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (Charles-ton, Go to this site and run your cursor over Charleston to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=charleston&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex *Surprisingly*

I plan to use Charleston for a male Character of mine. I was surprised to find that Charleston is a Uni-Sex name. It has indeed been used for females before but for me I think it is better for a male. I like this name a lot. It is a good alternative for Charlton which is a variant of Charleston.

Delphia

Meaning: (Dolphin, Possibly from the name of the Greek city of Delphi, the site of an oracle of Apollo, which is possibly related to Greek δελφις (delphis) "dolphin". It was used in the play 'The Prophetess' (1647), in which it belongs to the title prophetess.)

Origin: (Latin, English)

Pronunciation: (DEL-fee-ə)

Gender: Female

I have used this name in a combination name for one of my characters. I think it is cute and the meaning is one of my favorite animals (Dolphins). It is also a very strong sounding but still feminine sounding name. I haven't really seen this name anywhere so I would love to see it in novels.

Soleil

Meaning: (Sun, It is not commonly used as a name in France itself.)

Origin: (French)

Pronunciation: (so LAY)

Gender: Female


I have used Soleil as the second middle name of one of my characters. I think it is pretty and interesting to say. I would like to see more of this name in literature.

Lucia

Meaning: (Light, The Light One, The Bringer of Light, Born at Dawn or Daylight, Shiny, Of Light Complexion, Variant of Lucy. Feminine form of Lucius, which is derived from the Latin lux (light). The name was borne by St. Lucia of Syracuse, a 4th-century martyr whose popularity during the Middle Ages led to widespread use of the name. )

Origin: (Italian, Latin, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (loo-SEE-ə , LOO-shə, loo-CHEE-ə, Go to this site and run your cursor over Lucia to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=lucia&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I heard this name on T.V the other day and I really like it. I think it is really pretty and a great alternative to Lucy which is a variant of Lucia. It has a great meaning but a down fall with the pronunciation. There are like three ways people say this name they are listed above. But that aside it is a great name.

Melosa

Meaning: (Sweet, Gentle, Tender, Honey Like, Bee, Honey)

Origin: (Spanish, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (Mel-oh-saw, MEHLOWSah)

Gender: Female

I saw this name on Yahoo Answers and I thought how pretty it was. It is closely associated with Melissa but it is rare among English speakers I believe. It is pretty and has a pretty cute meaning.

Skye

Meaning: (Cloud, From the Isle of Skye. Short form of Skylar and alternate version of Sky.)

Origin: (Scottish, English)

Pronunciation: (Sk-eye, Sky, Skie)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I think this is a cute name and it has a lot of potential. I like it is a bit better than Skylar and I like it spelled with an e at the end versus just Sky.

Petronilla

Meaning: (Rock, Stone, Variant of Petra.)

Origin: (Greek, Late Roman)

Pronunciation: (pe-troh-NIL-lə, PEHTRahNIHLah)

Gender: Female


I saw this name when researching Countess Petronilla in the 1100's. This seemed to be a somewhat common name as I found several different Petronilla's in the 1100's. I think it is a pretty cool name. It's actually beautiful in it's unique rareness. We sure don't have names like this now a days, I wish we did.

Amice

Meaning: (Friend, Loved Friend, Beloved, Dearly Loved, Variant of Amica and Amy. Derived from the word amicitia with the meaning 'friendship'. An original form of the name is Amicia (Latin). The name Amice was popular among medieval English speakers. The forms Amity and Amita are recent coinages. This was a popular name in the Middle Ages, though it has since become uncommon.)

Origin: (Latin, Old French, Medieval English)

Pronunciation: (AEMahS, AM-is, Amiss)

Gender: Female

I saw this name as the name of one of the daughters of this Countess in the 1100's that I was researching about. I loved the meaning when I saw it even though it took a bit to find and listen to the pronunciation. I think it a very rare name now a days but that leads to it's unique qualities. I love this name a lot.

Aurelia

Meaning: (Golden, Golden Haired, Feminine form of Aurelio. Name of several minor early saints. Revived as a given name in the 17th century. A name derived from aurum (gold)

Origin: (Latin, Ancient Roman, Italian, Polish, Romanian)

Pronunciation: (aw-REEL-yah, oh-REE-lee-ə, ow-REL-yah)

Gender: Female


I think this name is absolutely beautiful. The only downfall is I have seen so many people pronounce it several different ways. But other than the pronunciation issues this is a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning and it is so classic but seems still fresh and modern.

Edward and Edmund

Meaning: (Edward: Wealthy Guardian, Rich Protector, Happy, Prosperous, Used in the royal family by kings of England since before the Norman Conquest. King Edward the Confessor (11th century) was also a saint and came to be venerated in Europe as a model of a Christian king. He was known as a just ruler, and because of his popularity this name remained in use after the conquest when most other Old English names were replaced by Norman ones. The 13th-century king Henry III named his son and successor after the saint, and seven subsequent kings of England were also named Edward. This is one of the few Old English names to be used throughout Europe (in various spellings). As a nickname for Edward, Eddie has been replaced by Ted, Teddy, or Ned. Eduard is a French form; Eduardo is Spanish and Portuguese. Edmund: Wealthy Guardian, Rich Protector, Prosperous. Edmond is the French form. This was the name of two Anglo-Saxon kings of England. It was also borne by two saints, including a 9th-century king of East Anglia who, according to tradition, was shot to death with arrows after refusing to divide his Christian kingdom with an invading pagan Danish leader. This Old English name remained in use after the Norman conquest (even being used by king Henry III for one of his sons), though it became less common after the 15th century.
Famous bearers of the name include the English poet Edmund Spenser (1552-1599), the German-Czech philosopher Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) and New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008), the first person to climb Mount Everest.)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (Edward: ED-werd, EHD-werd Edmund: ED-mund, ED-mənd)

Gender: Male


I have use Edward before in one of my novels and I love the name and character. I think this is a wonderful classic name. When I hear and see this name I think of all the past kings who were named this. I even learned that Winnie-the-Pooh was named Edward Bear at one time. How cool is that. I have liked Edmund since I first heard the name in The Chronicles of Narnia. I think that Edmund is a nice name and is a bit on the classical side along with Edward.

Fawn

Meaning: (Young Deer)

Origin: (English Nature Name, Old French)

Pronunciation: (FAWN)

Gender: Female


I think this name is very sweet and cute. It wouldn't fit every characters personality though. A book I am about to start reading has a character with the name Fawn. The look of it is very sweet and innocent and I think it is just adorable.

Samantha

Meaning: (Listener, Feminine form of Samuel (Hebrew) "God heard". Also contains the Greek -antha which means "flower". Occasionally used in the 17th-19th centuries. Samantha became popular in the 1960s due to the TV show "Bewitched".)

Origin: (English, American)

Pronunciation: (sa-MAN-thah, sah-MAN-thə)

Gender: Female


This was another name I didn't much like until I came across one of my unnamed characters and funny as it may sound her personality seemed to scream she was a Samantha. So Samantha she became and it suits her well. It is a lovely name and I like it now.

Rudolph

Meaning: (Famous Wolf, It was borne by three kings of Burgundy, as well as several Habsburg rulers of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria. This name was used by Anthony Hope for the hero in his popular novel 'The Prisoner of Zenda' (1894).)

Origin: (Old German)

Pronunciation: (ROO-dolf, ROO-dawlf)

Gender: Male

I really do like this name but most people will think of the red nosed reindeer when they see and hear this name. I like it because some cool nicknames could be Rudy or Dolph. I think the meaning is decent and masculine. All in all I like it.

Gaia

Meaning: (Earth, Land, In Greek mythology Gaia was the mother goddess who presided over the earth. She was the mate of Uranus and the mother of the Titans and the Cyclopes.)

Origin: (Latin, English, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (GUY-uh, GIY-ə, G-EYE-uh, GAY-uh, Go to this site and run your cursor over Gaia to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=gaia&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I think this name sounds majestic. I have used this name before for one of my characters. There are two pronunciations for this name and I say it like GUY-uh but the other pronunciation is GAY-uh. Someone was asking about this name on Yahoo Answers. The answers from the others was people would call someone with this name gay. I think the look and one of the pronunciations was the reason they said someone might call them that. But there are people in the world with this name and characters as well with this name. Real people with this name: Gaia Romilly Wise: child of actor Greg Wise and actress Emma Thompson. Gaia: one of the stage names of Dutch Trance DJ Armin van Buuren. Character with this name: Gaia Moore: The lead character in the young adult book series, "Fearless". So I think this is a great name and I really like it.

Olivia

Meaning: (Bringer of Peace, Elf Army, An elaboration of Olive (olive tree). The name was used by Shakespeare as the name of the heiress in the play Twelfth Night.)

Origin: (English)

Pronunciation: (oh-LI-vee-ə, ə-LIV-ee-ə)

Gender: Female

I have liked this name since I first started watching Law and Order: SVU. Detective Olivia Benson she is a strong determined character played by actress Mariska Hargitay. I have since come to really like the name. I have used this name on one of my main characters horses in one of my novels.

Sabrina

Meaning: (Light, Bright Eyed, Boundary Line Royal Child, Thorny Cactus Fruit. Mythology: the name of a Celtic maiden in a Welsh tale. In Celtic legend, Sabrina was the illegitimate daughter of the Welsh king Locrine. The child was ordered drowned by the king's wife, Gwendolen, thus giving her name to the river in which the foul deed took place. Latin writings of the 1st century list the river's name as Sabrina, but it is now known as the Severn (in England). Known in modern times through the play and movie "Sabrina Fair". The name was used in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The origin of the name Sabrina is a bit complicated. Some sources describe it as being of Celtic origin, in association with an Arthurian-era myth. It is the Latin version of the name of an English river, Severn, originally Habren in the Welsh language. In the myth, Sabrina/Habren is the illegitimate daughter of Locrian, King of England, and she is ordered by the Queen to be drowned in the river. In tribute to this tragedy, the river was to bear the child’s name. The name Sabrina is used in this myth as early as the first century CE. The meaning “boundary line” derives from the strategic importance of the River Severn in Roman and Saxon colonization. The English meaning “royal child” may refer to the mythological Sabrina’s status as the daughter of an English king.

But there is another story of the name’s origin: it may be said to be a pet form of the name Sabra, which refers to the fruit of a prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica). This type of cactus is common in Israel, and the term Sabra is a nickname for native Israelis. The cactus fruit has a tough and thorny outer layer and a soft sweet inner layer; the nickname alludes to characteristics of the Israeli people.)

Origin: (Celtic)

Pronunciation: (sa-BREE-nah, sah-BREE-nah)

Gender: Female

This name definitely was interesting when I researched it. There are many meanings but the Celtic myth was very interesting and tragic. This is a lovely name and I really like it.

Antoinette

Meaning: (Priceless, Inestimable, Worthy of Praise, Beyond Praise or Highly Praise-Worthy. Feminine diminutive of Antoine, from Anthony. Also a diminutive of Ann. Indelibly linked with French Queen Marie Antoinette who was the queen during the French Revolution. She was executed by guillotine.)

Origin: (French, Latin)

Pronunciation: (ann-twa-NET, awn-twaw-NET )

Gender: Female

I really quite like this name. It is beautiful and has a great meaning. It is tragic that the most famous bearer was killed. This name will be instantly recognized because of Queen Marie Antoinette. But I still think this name should be used.

Molly

Meaning:(Bitter, Star of the Sea, Of the Sea, Pet form of Mary. In use since the late Middle Ages.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Irish, Latin)

Pronunciation: (MAH-lee)

Gender: Female


I was never a fan of this name. I knew of a Molly when growing up and I guess that led to my not caring for this name along with names like Laura, Samantha, and Abby. But I grew up and each of these names I have used in novels and I have a few friends with these names. I actually really like the name Samantha, Abby (Abigail) and Molly. I don't really care for the name Laura but that is because it is so common and the meaning is so common as well but I have used it before in a novel of mine. Most people think Molly is a dogs name and so that turns them off to the name for a human. Sure there are dogs named Molly but the name is lovely and old fashioned. I say use this name for a character in your novel.

Poppy

Meaning: (Flower, From the Flower, Poppy Flower)

Origin: (Latin, English)

Pronunciation: (POP ee)

Gender: Female


I have used Poppy in one of my novels before. I think it is a cute name and it's fun to say it. I have only heard of a few Poppy's so this name is still rarer than other flower names.

Hadley

Meaning: (Heather Meadow, Field of Heather)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (HAD-lee)

Gender: Female


I think that this is a cute name and I haven't heard it much before. It has a good sound to it and a decent meaning.

Maverick

Meaning: ("An independent man who avoids conformity", Wildly Independent, Seafarer, Valiant Hero. A 19th-century American named Maverick refused to brand his calves as other ranchers did; his name has since then been used in common language.)

Origin: (American, English, Welsh, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (MAV-rick, MAV-ə-rik, MA-və-rik)

Gender: Male


I actually really like this name. I saw it when I was researching the name Chance *See the list of posts for the name Chance*. I love the meanings of this name. It's a very rarely used name and I love that.

Chance

Meaning: (Good Fortune, Luck, Like Maverick, Chance is a lone gunman, following the wind and seeking adventure on his own terms. Unlike Maverick, Chance also has a softer side, a reflection of prep-school names like Chauncey and Trey. That unlikely combination is a winner, making Chance the top "meaning" name for boys.)

Origin: (Middle English)

Pronunciation: (chans)

Gender: Male

I think Chance is a somewhat cute name. Its very preppy sounding but it has a decent meaning.

Ella

Meaning: (Other, Foreign, Entire, Goddess, Torch, Bright Light, Fairy, Young Girl, Elfin, Beautiful Fairy Woman)

Origin: (Old German, Hebrew, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (EL-ah, EH-lə)

Gender: Female

I like how Ella is the real name of Cinderella. Everyone knows the story so I think this name is beautiful. I also love the meanings, there are quite a few different ones but they are all great. All in all a beautiful lovely name.

Fortune

Meaning: (Lucky, Fate, Fortino (for-TEEN-oh) is the Latin form. Simply from the English word fortune, ultimately from Late Latin personal name Fortunatus meaning "prosperous, happy.")

Origin: (Old French, English, Latin)

Pronunciation: (FAWR-chən, Go to this site and run your cursor over Fortune to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=fortune&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have added quite a few names that are really just words that someone used as a name. I think this one is an interesting name I have only heard a few times. I think it could be used sometimes but not a lot and probably wouldn't fit a lot of peoples novel characters.

Serendipity

Meaning: (Fateful Meeting, Fortunate Discovery, Happy Accident, Pleasant Surprise)

Origin: (American, English)

Pronunciation: (SAIR-uhn-dip-uty, Go to this site and run your cursor over Serendipity to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=serendipity&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female


I think this would make an amazing name. I think is a beautiful wonderful word. I would think this could be for a character that was a pleasant surprise to her family. Or a character whose appearance within the story is very significant to the main characters. I would love to see where an Author could go when using this as a name in a novel.

Calandra

Meaning: (Beauty, Lark, Singing Bird, Lovely One, Beautiful Youth, Handsome)

Origin: (Greek)

Pronunciation: (kah-LAHN-drə, kah-LAHN-druh, ka-LAHN-drah )

Gender: Female


I think this is a beautiful exotic name. I have never heard of anyone with this name let alone seen it in any novels. Which makes this name great as it is unique and rarely seen.

Scarlett or Scarlet

Meaning: (Red, Brought into use as a given name due to Margaret Mitchell's heroine Scarlett O'Hara in the novel "Gone With the Wind". The middle name of one of Mick Jagger's children with Jerry Hall. Scarlett is a sassy spitfire, thanks to prototypes like Scarlett O'Hara, Scarlett Johansson and Miss Scarlett from the board game Clue. This name packs a wallop, and for a girl with a red-hot personality it can be a smashing success. It's rising fast throughout the English-speaking world. Originated from an English and Irish surname, as explained in "Gone With the Wind" ("There were the Scarletts who had fought with the Irish Volunteers for a free Ireland and been hanged for their pains.") It was an occupation name given those who dealt in scarlet, a type of fine and expensive woolen cloth, in medieval times. Scarlet actually was made in many colors, but the most popular was carmine red; this popularity also gave the cloth's name to a word for bright red, "scarlet", still used today. Scarlet was comparatively elastic due to the technique of twisting the yarn in weaving it, and was often used for stockings and tights. The character Will Scarlett in "Robin Hood" also got his surname from this occupation.)

Origin: (Old-French, Irish, English)

Pronunciation: (SCAR-let, SCAHR-leht, SKAHR-lət)

Gender: Female

I like Scarlett is has an exotic feisty beautiful sound to the name. I think this name would fit only characters who give the other characters a run for there money.

Wyatt

Meaning: (Brave, Strong, Hardy War, Son of Guy, Little Warrior, War Strength, Transferred use of the English surname derived from the Anglo-French personal name Wyot and the French personal name Guyot, which is derived from the name Guy (a guide, a leader) and the diminutive suffix -ot: hence, "little Guy.")

Origin: (English, Old-English)

Pronunciation: (WIY-eht, WIE-ət, WY-ut, WY-at, WIE-at)

Gender: Male

I never much cared for this name and I am still not sure I really like it. It has a nice meaning and look but I can't really pin point my feelings for this name. But I don't intend to use all the names on this blog. I made it for other authors and I am sure someone will love and use this name.

Carolina

Meaning: (Free Man, Freeholder, Song of Happiness, Latinate feminine form of CAROLUS (Latin form of Charles). This is the name of two American states: North and South Carolina. They were named for Charles I, king of England.)

Origin: (Old German, Italian, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (kah-ro-LEE-nah (Italian, Spanish), ker-ə-LIEN-ə (English), kar-ə-LIEN-ə (English), care-oh-LINE-ah, ka-rə-LIYN-ə, ka-roh-LEE-nah)

Gender: Female

I love this name. I prefer the pronunciation kah-ro-LEE-nah but I think this name is beautiful. It is also the name of two of my favorite states North and South Carolina.

Braelyn

Meaning: (Beautiful Hill, A Combination of Braeden + Lynn, Braeden means Descendant of Bradan (Broad, Wide) and Lynn means Lake or Waterfall.)

Origin: (Welsh, American, Irish, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (BRAY-lən)

Gender: Female

A user on Yahoo Answers had this name and I came to really like it. It has an interesting look to it.

Caspian

Meaning: (Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water in the world, lying between Russia and Asia, and its southern coast is in Iran. Of the Caspy People. " Used by author C. S. Lewis for a character in his 'Chronicles of Narnia' series, first appearing in 1950. Prince Caspian first appears in the fourth book, where he is the rightful king of Narnia driven into exile by his evil uncle Miraz. Lewis probably based the name on the Caspian Sea, which was named for the city of Qazvin, which was itself named for the ancient Cas tribe.)

Origin: (English)

Pronunciation: (KAS-pee-ən)

Gender: Male

I personally like the name Caspian. I like the sound of it and it is a strong sounding name. It is very exotic sounding as well.

Carrington

Meaning: (Charles's Town, Town of the Marsh, Place name. Made famous by the Carrington family of the popular 1980s TV series "Dynasty".)

Origin: (Old-English)

Pronunciation: (KEHRihNGTahN, Care-ring-ton, Go to this site and run your cursor over Carrington to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=carrington&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I first saw this on the blog WWW.babynameaddict.blogspot.com. When I saw this name I instantly thought of Carentan in Normandy France. They are spelled differently but are similar I believe. Anyway I really like this name but it appears in most fashions as a surname rather than a given name. All in all though I really do like this name.

Cassidy

Meaning: (Curly Headed, Clever, From the surname Ó Caiside meaning "descendant of Caiside", where the name Caiside means "curly-headed", from Gaelic "cas". Can also be taken as an elaborated form of Cass. One historian believes it is derived from the Gaelic elements cas (a twisted lock of hair; ingenious, clever, sly) and the personal suffix -idhe: hence, "clever one, one with the twisted locks." Or from the Gaelic elements cais (love, esteem) and the plenary suffix -de: hence, "full of love and esteem.")

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (KASS-ih-dee, KA-si-dee)

Gender: Uni-Sex

So yes this is my name. Cassidy is used often as I have seen it in novels. It is a Uni-Sex name but I think it is better on females (and yes I am a woman.) When I was little I would have much preferred another name. I always wanted to be named Victoria or Elizabeth but as I have grown I love my name. There was never another Cassidy in any of my classes in school. As nicknames go I prefer to be called Cass not Cassie. So if any one out there would like to use this name in there novel feel free to do so.

Amelia

Meaning: (Industrious, Striving, Work, To Strive or Excel or Rival, Blend of two medieval names: the Latin Emilia (see Emily) and the Latin German Amalia, meaning "work". An 18th-century Princess Amelia brought the name to Britain. Henry Fielding may possibly have first coined it for the heroine of his novel "Amelia" (1751), though forms such as Meelia, Amaly, and Aemelia existed since the 17th century. Famous bearer of the name was aviatrix Amelia Earhart.)

Origin: (Latin, Old German)

Pronunciation: (a-MEEL-yah, ah-MEE-lee-ə, ə-MEE-lee-ə, ə-MEEL-yə)

Gender: Female

It was the name of Princess Amelia "Mia" in Princess Diaries and it is the name of one of my favorite characters right now on Doctor Who the T.V Series. There are many songs, movies, and books centered around the name Amelia. I have even had an Amelia in one of my novels. I never much liked it before but it has grown on me.

Truly

Meaning: (Honestly, True, Sincerely, Uncommon Puritan virtue name.)

Origin: (English)

Pronunciation: (true-ly, TRU-lee)

Gender: Female

I was thinking about this the other day and I thought what a cute name Truly would make. People have a strong reaction to truth. This name is short but has a big meaning. I would love to see this name in novels.

Daisy

Meaning: (Day's Eye, in reference to its round yellow center resembling the sun. A flower name. Often used as a nickname for Margaret, where in France, the flower is called a "Marguerite". Literary: Henry James named the typical American girl in Europe as Daisy Miller in his story. The variant Deyse is common in Brazil.)

Origin: (Old-English)

Pronunciation: (DAY-zee)

Gender: Female


In the Language of Flowers (Flowers used to have a meaning and significance when they were given) Daisy's mean: Innocence; loyal love; purity; faith; cheer; simplicity. I never much liked the name Daisy. But recently I have seen movies and read books with characters named Daisy. The Daisy flower seems versatile enough to grow any where and you see them all the time. As a name it could be given to a character who is both strong willed and resilient but also given to a character who is simple and innocent. My sister has a Jack Russel Terrier dog named Daisy Mae but we just call her Daisy. I think the name is a bit cute.

Sophia and Sophie or Sofia and Sofie

Meaning: (Wisdom, Skill, This was the name of an early, probably mythical, saint who died of grief after her three daughters were martyred. Legends about her probably arose as a result of a medieval misunderstanding of the phrase Hagia Sophia "Holy Wisdom", which was the name of a large basilica in Constantinople. This name was common among continental European royalty during the Middle Ages, and it was popularized in Britain by the German House of Hanover when they inherited the British throne in the 18th century. It was the name of characters in the novels 'Tom Jones' (1749) by Henry Fielding and 'The Vicar of Wakefield' (1766) by Oliver Goldsmith.)

Origin: (Greek, English, French, Spanish, Latin)

Pronunciation: (Sophia & Sofia: so-FEE-ə, so-FIE-ə, so-FEE-ah, soh-FEE-ə. Sophie & Sofie: SO-fee, SOH-fee.)

Gender: Female

I have used Sofia as the middle name of one of my characters. I like the sound of the names. They are lovely names. I think Sophie and Sophia might be used a bit in Literature but to me they seem a soft name and I don't see why anyone should not use them.


EDIT September 25, 2015:

September 24, 2015 my Brother-in-laws oldest daughter Shea from a previous marriage had her second baby, it is a Girl named Sophia Rose! So my congratulations go to Shea and Jake, who proposed marriage to Shea one day after giving birth to their beautiful baby girl.

As for the name it is beautiful and as you see I have used the variant spelling Sofia for one of my characters middle names. This once happened with one of my aunts, she named one of her twin daughters a name I had used for a character before, lol! That is really cool! They don't know my characters have the name but I find it funny when I find it out after their kids are named.