Anna or Ana

Meaning: (Grace, Favor, Merciful, Apricot from Nara, Grain, He (God) has favored me, In the English-speaking world, this form came into general use in the 18th century, joining Ann and Anne. The name was borne by several Russian royals, including an 18th-century empress of Russia. It was also the name of the main character in Leo Tolstoy's novel 'Anna Karenina' (1877), a woman forced to choose between her son and her lover.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Latin, Japanese, Sanskrit)

Pronunciation: (Anna: AN-ah, AN-a, Ann-uh, Ana: AHN-ah, AH-nah (Spanish)

Gender: Female

I have used Anna before as part of a combo name. I love the meaning and it could be used in many different genres and in many different eras. I also love Ana the Spanish version.

Elizabeth

Meaning: (God's Promise, My Glod is Plenty, God of Plenty, God is my Oath, Biblical: the mother of John the Baptist. Popular name since the 16th-century reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Among Christians, this name was originally more common in Eastern Europe. It was borne in the 12th century by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, a daughter of King Andrew II who used her wealth to help the poor. In medieval England it was occasionally used in honour of the saint, though the form Isabel (from Provençal and Spanish) was more common. Famous modern bearers include the British queen Elizabeth II (1926-) and actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-).

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciatio: (ee-LIZ-a-beth)

Gender: Female

I have used this as the middle name of several of my characters. It has been said this is a filler name. It is my middle name and I love it. It is also number one middle name on my favorite female names list.

Sage

Meaning: (Herb, Aromic Herb, Wise, Prophet, Healthy, The name has associations with sagebrush, cowboys, and the Wild West.)

Origin: (English, Latin)

Pronunciation: (sayj)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have used Sage as the name of a Fairy Princess in one of my novels. I like the name. It is a nature related name and does remind me also of the old wild west.

Casper

Meaning: (Treasurer, Royal, Dutch and Scandinavian form of Jasper.)

Origin: (Persian, Arabic, German, Dutch, Scandinavian)

Pronunciation: (KAS-per, KAHS-pər (Dutch)

Gender: Male

Most think of Casper the friendly ghost when they see and hear this name. That could be a down fall thus you might want to use Jasper or Gasper. I personally like Casper and Jasper and Gasper. I have used Jasper before in a novel but haven't used Casper.

Jasmine

Meaning: (Refers to the climbing plant with delicate, fragrant flowers, which derives from Yasmin. Gift from God. The name was made popular by character Princess Jasmine in the film "Aladdin" (1990). The name is popular among Hispanic and African American families.)

Origin: (Old French, Persian)

Pronunciation: (JAZ-min, jaz-MEEN, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Jasmine to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=jasmine&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I always think of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin or the perfume Jasmine. There are a few actresses with this name. It is a pretty nature related name. It has a pretty meaning and the look of it is very nice. I have used this for a secondary characters child's name. The character I used it on is a Fairy and a sister of Lavender.

Lavender

Meaning: (Purple Flowering Herb, A Purple Flowering Plant, From the English word for the aromatic flower or the pale purple colour.)

Origin: (English, English (Rare)

Pronunciation: (LA ven dur, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Lavender and hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=lavender&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

Lavender as in the plant and color is a nature name that is rarely used in novels though I have seen it a few times. I like the name and the Lavender plant. It would be a good name for an Elf or Fairy as well as for a normal character. I have used it as the name of a secondary characters child. The character I used it for is a Fairy.

Surnames

Bonham

Patterson

Sullivan

Cummings

Zimmerman

Monroe

Zamora

Quinn

Blake

Salazar

Watkinson

Savage

Whitley

Goddard

Adam

Meaning: (Earth, Man, To Be Red, Ground,Steadily used from the middle ages until the 1700s, and again beginning in the 1970s. An appropriate name for the first boy in a family that has produced many girls. Adan (a-DAHM) is the Spanish form. As an English Christian name, Adam has been common since the Middle Ages, and it received a boost after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was Scottish economist Adam Smith (1723-1790).

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (AD-um, A-dəm (English)

Gender: Male

I added Eve his wife and Eden where they lived so I thought I better add Adam. Adam is a nice name it really isn't used that often in novels or not at least on the main character. I liked the name though I haven't used it in any novels yet.

Eden

Meaning: (Delight, Place of Pleasure, Paradise)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (EED'n, EE-dən (English)

Gender: Female

Eden as in the Garden of Eden the paradise like garden where Adam and Eve first lived. I have used this name as a name of one of my characters. I think it is pretty and not common in literature.

Eve

Meaning: (To Breathe, To Live, Life, In the Book of Genesis, Eve and Adam were the first humans. She gave the forbidden fruit to Adam, causing their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Despite this potentially negative association, the name was occasionally used during the Middle Ages. In the English-speaking world both Eve and the Latin form Eva were revived in the 19th century.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Latin, French, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (EEV (English), EV (French)

Gender: Female

As it says under the meaning this was the name of the first woman and Adams wife. It is a beautiful short name. It could fit in almost any genre. It is lovely.

Aria

Meaning: (Lioness, In music, an aria is a solo performed by the leading character in an opera. Means "song" or "melody" in Italian. An aria is an elaborate vocal solo, the type usually performed in operas. As an English name, it has only been in use since the 20th century.)

Origin: (Italian, Hebrew, English)

Pronunciation: (AHR-ee-ə, Are-ee-uh, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Aria to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=aria&submit=Submit )

Gender: Female

So I am adding yet another music related name -Already Added Harmony and Melody-. So if you want a more exotic sounding music related name choose Aria. I haven't used it. Literature wise one of the characters in the Pretty Little Liars books and T.V show is named this. It is a pretty name.

Juliet, Juliette (French), Giulietta, Giuliette (Italian)

Meaning: (Youthful, One Who is Youthful, Literary: Shakespeare used the name twice, in "Romeo and Juliet" and in "Measure for Measure".)

Origin: (Italian, Latin, French)

Pronunciation: (Juliet: joo-lee-ET, JOO-lee-et, JOOL-yət, Juliette: zhoo-lee-ET, Giulietta: jyoo lee et tah)

Gender: Female

Juliet, I love this name because I love William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I love also the Italian Spellings Giulietta & Giuliette. I am using the French Spelling Juliette in my current novel. My character goes by Julie or Jules, common nicknames for Juliet. The name is just so timeless and beautiful.

Timothy, Timothee, Timothe, Timothie

Meaning: (God's Honor, One Who Honors God)

Origin: (Greek, Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (TIM-ə-thee (English), TIM-oh-thee)

Gender: Male

This is my number one favorite male name on my list. I love the spelling Timothie. I get negative reactions to it and I don't know why. It is a unique spelling and everyone says what's wrong with spelling it the original way. There is nothing wrong with it, Timothy is a great name. Biblically Timothy was a young man who was a traveling companion of Paul's.

Gigi

Meaning: (Brilliant, Trustworthy, Literary: the name of a young girl in a French novel by Colette, later made into an award-winning stage play and movie musical.)

Origin: (French)

Pronunciation: (zhee-ZHEE, JEE-jee, Most say it like GG)

Gender: Female

I first came across this name when I watched the movie Gigi which was made from the novel by Colette. In the movie Gigi was played by Leslie Caron. I like the movie a lot and I have mixed feelings about the name though. I heard the name again on the T.V Show Gilmore Girls. I would like to see it used more currently in a novel.

Hawthorn or Hawthorne

Meaning: (Where Hawthorn Trees Grow)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (HA-thorn Hah-thorn, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Hawthorn and see how it is said. Unfortunately it is a bit hard to understand the person saying the name sorry: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=hawthorn&submit=Submit )

Gender: Male

Most who see this name think of Novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne or Hawthorne Trees. It is a rare first name. I don't believe I have seen it used as a first name in a novel. I would like to see it used as such. I am naming one of my main characters children this name.

Salome

Meaning: (Peace)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical, English)

Pronunciation: (Sa·lo′me, sə-LO-mee (English)

Gender: Female

There were two woman in the Bible named this.

The first Salome was the fleshly sister of Mary, Jesus mother. Salome was married to Zebedee and there sons James and John were apostles of Jesus Christ. At the break of dawn on the third day after Jesus’ death, Salome was among the women who went to Jesus’ tomb to rub his body with spices, only to find the stone rolled away and, inside the tomb, an angel who announced to them: “He was raised up, he is not here. See! The place where they laid him.”—Mr 16:1-8.

The second person to bear the name Salome in the Bible is the step daughter of Herod who was promised anything she requested- up to half his kingdom and on her wicked mothers advice she asked for the head of John the Baptizer. John the Baptizer's head was brought to her on a platter.

I like the name Salome. It is the middle name of my second favorite female name on my list. When I think of this name I think of Salome -Mary's sister-. I like the meaning and the look of the name.

Jude

Meaning: (Praise of the Lord, Praise, Thanks, In the English-speaking world, Jude has occasionally been used as a given name since the time of the Protestant Reformation.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (JOOD (English)

Gender: Male

I haven't used Jude as a name in a novel but I like it a lot. I especially like the meaning. And most people will think of the actor Jude Law when they hear and see this name. Or some with think of the Book or Letter of Jude in the Bible.

Davina

Meaning: (Beloved, Feminine form of David)

Origin: (Scottish, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (dah-VEE-nah)

Gender: Female

I first saw this in a historical fiction novel by my favorite author. The main female character was named Davina. It took a while for the name to grow on me. Now I sort of like it and it is the feminine form of David. So it could be given to a character in tribute to the father if the father is named David. That is how it was done in the novel I read. The girls father was Scottish and named David so they named the girl Davina.

Hezekiah

Meaning: (God Gives Strength, Yahweh Strengthens)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (hez-ə-KIE-ə (English), (Hez·e·ki′ah)

Gender: Male


This is my number two favorite male name on my list. I have not used it in a novel but I just love the name Hezekiah. I love biblical name and this is one of my favorites. I haven't seen it much in books other than the Bible.

Maddox

Meaning: (Good, Generous, Benefactor's Son)

Origin: (Welsh)

Pronunciation: (MAH dox)

Gender: Male

I have not used this name in any novels. I am not sure if I particularly like it or not. It is an alright welsh name. I can see the friend of a main character being named this.

Drew

Meaning: (Wise, Manly, Short form of Andrew. Used as an independent name since the 1960s. Dru is a French form.)

Origin: (Welsh, English)

Pronunciation: (droo)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have used this name as a really minor characters name. I didn't want to use this name as it is the name of a few people I know but the character just seemed to be a Drew to me. It has a strong meaning and I can see a strong take charage male character named this. The down fall is this name is used quite often and seems to be a filler name sometimes. I like it though.

Surnames

Stone

Kenkade

Rutherford

Farland

Saunders

Knight

Spelling

Price

Hughes

Dixon

Wolfe

Keller

Reese

Serenity

Meaning: (Peaceful Disposition, Serene, Calm, A Virtue Name)

Origin: (English, French)

Pronunciation: (ser-REN-a-tee, sə-REN-i-tee)

Gender: Female

Serenity I have used in one of my novels. I first came to like the name as it was the ship name on the short lived T.V Series Firefly and the movie after the series Serenity. I like the meaning and it makes me think of a soft moving stream in a peaceful valley. It just imparts calmness when you think of this name.

Desiree

Meaning: (So Long Hoped For, Crave, Desire, Much Desired, The Puritans used Desire as a given name. Literary: a popular novel published in the 1960s traced the biography of the French Désirée Clary from poverty in Marseilles to the throne of Sweden. Often spelled phonetically to ensure the French pronunciation.)

Origin: (French)

Pronunciation: (DEZ-a-ray)

Gender: Female

I kind of like this name. I read a novel where the character was named Desiree and I think she was an actress and every man was in love with her and so she was named quite appropriately. I have no place in any current novel for this name but perhaps someone out there does. The meaning is nice and the look is good as well

Aurora

Meaning: (Goddess of the Dawn, Aurora was the Roman goddess of the morning. It has occasionally been used as a given name since the Renaissance. Used by 19th-century poets such as Byron and Browning. Also used today as a learned equivalent of Dawn.)

Origin: (Latin, English)

Pronunciation: (ow-RO-rah (Spanish), ə-RAWR-ə (English), aw-ROHR-ah)

Gender: Female

A lot of people think of Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. Or Aurora Borealis A.K.A Northern Lights. I think of a light, flighty character who is bright and friendly.

Corona

Meaning: (Crown, The name of a second-century saint and martyr. It was popular around the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 as a sentimental homage to royalty. Also the name of a popular Mexican beer)

Origin: (Latin)

Pronunciation: (ko RO nah, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Corona to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=corona&submit=Submit )

Gender: Female

I used this as the name of two characters in two different novels I wrote. I just love every thing about this name. From the meaning to the look to the sound of the name I have no problems with it. I always think of someone regal and strong and opinionated when I see this name.

Novel Title Tips

I see a lot of people on Yahoo Answer who ask for help with choosing a title for there story. I admit I have asked on there once or twice myself. In the end I went with my own choice for a name I didn't use one from Y!A. As an author the title may seem to be the most important thing. If you are to get published you shouldn't get too attached to the title as the Publisher may change it. I haven't been published but I read about that. The title of a manuscript is just a working title until published.

So with that said you want to choose a title that goes with the story. Not a title where when the reader is done they have no clue how the title and story fit together. You don't want it too long and your don't want a tongue twister title either. Write the story first and then usually the title is easier to think of. If you still have issues with it look through your story. Is there a line or a word or a name that could work as the title. Ex. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol. It has the main characters name and more than hints at an adventure for the main character and where is the adventure in Wonderland.

Perhaps the characters emotions or involvement can be hinted at Ex. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. This tells you a little about the story and you find out when you read that the main characters one is prideful and takes offense easily and the one is easily prejudice and the story is about first impression which funny enough was the original first title but it went to print as Pride & Prejudice.

Perhaps a song title can be used if the song reminds you of your story. Or a if a quote or poem is similar or reminds you of your story you can use a word from that poem or quote for you title.

Titles for Novels are not easy but it should be the authors job to come up with the title. As the author is the best person as you know the story best. And remember the title isn't set in stone you can change it and if you go to get published the publisher may change it.

I hope this helps anyone who reads this.

Ardra

Meaning: (Noble, Ardent, High One, Eager, Industrious)

Origin: (Celtic, Latin, Sanskrit, Irish)

Pronunciation: (ar-dra)

Gender: Female


I first saw this name on Star Trek: The Next Generation. I liked the meaning once I looked it up. Then I read the book Daughter of the Stars by Phyllis A. Whitney and one of the characters was named Ardra. I like the name but right now I have no place for it any of my novels but perhaps someone out there has a place for it in there novel.

Brennalyn

Meaning: (Maiden with Dark Hair)

Origin: (Irish)

Pronunciation: (BREN-a-lin)

Gender: Female


I am going to use this as a character name in my series. I like the look and sound of Brennalyn. It's a nice Irish name. I think it could work in many different genre of books.

Isolde

Meaning: (Beautiful, Fair Lady, She Who is Gazed Upon, The origins of this name are uncertain, though some Celtic roots have been suggested. It is possible that the name is ultimately Germanic, perhaps from a hypothetical name like Ishild, composed of the elements is "ice" and hild "battle".
In Arthurian legend she was an Irish princess betrothed to King Mark of Cornwall. She became the lover of his knight Tristan, which led to their tragic deaths. The story was popular during the Middle Ages and the name became relatively common in England at that time. It was rare by the 19th century, though some interest was generated by Richard Wagner's opera 'Tristan and Isolde' (1865).)

Origin: (German, English (Rare), Celtic)

Pronunciation: (-ZOL-də (English), i-SOL-də (English), ee-ZAWL-du (German)

Gender: Female


I have put Tristan so I thought I should put the love interest to Tristan in the story which is Isolde. It is a beautiful name with a pretty meaning and I have used this as the name of one of my secondary characters daughters.

Tristan

Meaning: (Noisy One, Laborer, Sad, Bold, In Arthurian legend, Tristan (sometimes called Tristram) was a Knight of the Round Table and the tragic hero of the medieval tale "Tristan and Isolde". The tale has been retold in many poems and operas. In Celtic legend Tristan was sent to Ireland in order to fetch Isolde, who was to be the bride of King Mark of Cornwall. Instead, Tristan and Isolde end up falling in love. Their tragic story was very popular in the Middle Ages, and the name has occasionally been used since that time. This ancient name may derive from a Pictish original, Drostan, but the form was probably influenced by the French term "triste", meaning "sad". The name is popular in Spain. )

Origin: (Welsh, Celtic, English, French)

Pronunciation: (TRISS-tan, TRIS-tən (English), trees-TAWN (French)

Gender: Male

When I see or hear the name Tristan I think of the story of Tristan and Isolde. I think the name could work in modern times as well. It is a nice name but the meaning isn't all that good. But the reader doesn't always know what a name means so you can use this character name if you wish.

EDIT 11/27/11: I found out today that my aunts step-daughter who I do think of as a cousin even if we aren't really related. I found out her and her husband had a baby boy. They named him Trystan Dwayne. He was 8 lbs 4 oz. Trystan is a variant of Tristan.

Keziah

Meaning: (Cinnamon Spice, One Job's Daughters, Cassia Tree)

Origin: (Hebrew, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (kə-ZIE-ə (English), Ke·zi′ah)

Gender: Female

Keziah is number one on my favorite female names list. I love the look and sound of the name. Job had three daughters after his trials and they were said to be the most beautiful woman of the time and got an inheritance like there brothers which was rare back then. The other two daughters were Jemimah and Karen-Happuch.

Harmony

Meaning: (In Concord, Harmony, Unity, and Mythology: Harmonia was the Greek goddess of order and daughter of Aphrodite. A Beautiful Blending, Musical Combination Of Chords, Joining)

Origin: (English, Latin)

Pronunciation: (HAHR-mə-nee, HAR-mon-ee)

Gender: Female


I love this name. I have used it in my historical fiction novel. It was the name of my main female character who was Lady Harmony. My story was based in the 1850's and 1860's. It is a beautiful name and has a good sound and flow to it.

Melody

Meaning: (Music, Song, First used in the 13th century, though uncommon. From the English word melody, which is derived (via Old French and Late Latin) from Greek μελος (melos) "song" combined with αειδω (aeido) "to sing".)

Origin: (Greek, Latin, English, French)

Pronunciation: (MEL-a-dee)

Gender: Female


I had a friend a few years back named Melody. I moved away and lost contact. I recently heard this name on Doctor Who the T.V Show. Melody Pond (Also Known as River Song) was the daughter of Rory and Amy's the Doctors recent travelling companions. I don't know if I would ever name a character this though. It is a lovely name with a very pretty meaning.

Theodosia & Theodora

Meaning: (Theodosia: God's Gift, Giver of God, God Given, Literary: Anya Seton wrote a historical novel "My Theodosia" (1941) about Aaron Burr's daughter. Theodora: God's Gift, Feminine form of THEODORE. This name was common in the Byzantine Empire, being borne by several empresses including the influential wife of Justinian in the 6th century.)

Origin: (Greek, Latin, English)

Pronunciation: (Theodosia: thee o DOZE ee ah, thee o DOE zhah, Thee-uh-doe-shuh, Thee-uh-doe-see-uh, Thee-uh-doh-shee-uh Theodora: thee-a-DOR-ah, thee-ə-DAWR-ə)

Gender: Female


I first read this name in the Tea Shop Mysteries Series by Laura Childs. The main character is Theodosia Browning sometimes called Theo. I really like the meaning and it reminds me of the male version Theodore as in Theodore Roosevelt. My mom and I pronounce this name like Thee-uh-doe-shuh but there are a few other possible ways to pronounce it which are above.

Saffron

Meaning: (Flower Name: Saffron is used as a spice as well as a bright orange-yellow color dye. Monks of some Eastern religions wear saffron robes. Yellow Flower.)

Origin: (English, English (Rare))

Pronunciation: (SAF-rən, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Saffron to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=saffron&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female possibly Uni-Sex

Some will think of the actress Saffron Burrows. I like the name. I have used it as a middle name of one of my characters. I would like to see a character with this as it's first name. It is nature related and a very nice name.

Evelina or Evalina

Meaning: (Light, Gives Life, Life, Desired, Literary: name of Fanny Burney's popular 18th-century novel "Evelina". It was revived by the author Fanny Burney for the heroine of her first novel 'Evelina' (1778). It is often regarded as a variant of the related name Evelyn.)

Origin: (Latin, English, Italian, Swedish, Celtic, Hebrew, German)

Pronunciation: (ev-eh-LEE-na, ev-uh-LEE-na)

Gender: Female


Evelina is the name of one of my friends daughter. It is a pretty name with a pretty meaning. I try to not use names of friends or people I know for characters *Try is the word, sometimes I just like the name and I do use it*. So I won't be using this name but someone else out there can use it for there character.

Fallon

Meaning: (Superiority, Descended from a Ruler, Leader, Of a Ruling Family, From an Irish surname which was derived from Ó Fallamhain meaning "descendent of Fallamhan". The given name Fallamhan meant "leader". It was popularized in the 1980s by a character on the soap opera 'Dynasty'.)

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, English (Modern))

Pronunciation: (FAL-lin, FAL-en)

Gender: Female

I saw this name again on the Syfy T.V Series Sanctuary. I like the name and I have a place for it in a future novel. This name is a very regal name and could be used on a royal character. I just love the look and sound of the name. I hope someone uses it for there character.

Surnames

Brett

Woodland

Canterbury

Kissinger

O' Hara

Dundee

Primrose

Adams

Faraday

Lupine

Hammond

Gardner

Cosmo

Meaning: (Order, Harmony, Beauty, Universe, Italian form of Greek Kosmas. Saint Cosmos, a martyr, was patron saint of the Italian city of Milan, and the name was further spread there by the fame of Cosimo de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and one of the chief patrons of the Italian Renaissance. His friend the Duke of Gordon took the name to Britain in the 17th century. Now also the name of an American soccer team. From the Greek name Κοσμας (Kosmas), which was derived from κοσμος (kosmos) meaning "order, decency". Saint Cosmas was martyred with his twin brother Damian in the 4th century. They are the patron saints of physicians.)

Origin: (Italian, Greek)

Pronunciation: (KAWZ-mo, KOZ-mo)

Gender: Male

So I only just thought of adding this name after I added Damien. Cosmo was Damian's twin brother. I kind of like it now. It would work wonders for a character whose parents were into the stars and space and the universe or could work for a character in the future set on a space station. Or it could be in a historical fiction novel if used properly. It's up to the author.

Damien

Meaning: (To Tame, Subdue, Saint Damian was martyred with his twin brother Cosmo in Syria early in the 4th century. They are the patron saints of physicians. Due his renown, the name came into general use in Christian Europe. Another saint by this name was Peter Damian, an 11th-century cardinal and theologian from Italy.)

Origin: (Greek, English, Polish)

Pronunciation: (DAY-mee-ən (English), DAHM-yahn (Polish))

Gender: Male

Damien I have used as a character name. The only down side is this name has been used a lot recently in both books and on T.V. Nice name for any era.

Magnus

Meaning: (Great, A royal name in Norway and Denmark; also a saint's name. The name was introduced from Scandinavia to Scotland. It was borne by 7th-century saint who was a missionary in Germany. It became popular in Scandinavia after the time of the 11th-century Norwegian king Magnus I, who was said to have been named after Charlemagne, or Carolus Magnus in Latin. The name was borne by six subsequent kings of Norway as well as three kings of Sweden. It was imported to Scotland and Ireland during the Middle Ages.)

Origin: (Latin, Scandinavian)

Pronunciation: (MAG-nəs, MAG-ness, MAG-nus, Go to this site and run your cursor over Magnus to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=magnus&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I saw this name on T.V twice once as a last name for Dr. Helen Magnus on the T.V Series Sanctuary *Check out the name Helen on the list*. I also saw it on a commercial. The meaning is good and I can see a strong male character in maybe a historical fiction novel being named this. Might be interesting to put it as the first name of a character in the modern age.

Nikola or Nicola

Meaning: (Victory of the People)

Origin: (Greek, Croatian, Serbian)

Pronunciation: (NIK-oe-lah)

Gender: Uni-Sex

Again this is a name I like when I heard it on the T.V Series Sanctuary. The character was supposed to be Nikola Tesla the scientist. I really like the name. Pronunciation is a bit tricky and I always want to say it the wrong way.

Allegra

Meaning: (Cheerful, Joy, Lively, It is not a traditional Italian name. It was borne by a short-lived illegitimate daughter of Lord Byron. The musical term "allegro" means "quickly, with a happy air".)

Origin: (Latin, English (Rare), Italian (Rare))

Pronunciation: (ə-LEG-rə (English), ah-LAY-grah (English), ahl-LE-grah (Italian))

Gender: Female

Most people think of the allergy medicine but I promise this is a real name and there are people named this. I like it and I have a place in a novel for it as a main characters daughter. It's different and as far as I know not used in literature much.

Smyrna

Meaning: (Myrrh)

Origin: (Arabic, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (Smyr'na, Visit this site and run your cursor over Smyrna to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=smyrna&submit=Submit )

Gender: Female

Smyrna is one of my main characters names. I love the look and sound of this name. It is unique and fun to look at and say. It could fit in a historical fiction novel or a futuristic sci-fi/fantasy novel. Where ever you feel it should go. It is a fun name.

Lilith

Meaning: (Of the Night, Belonging to the Night)

Origin: (Assyrian)

Pronunciation:(LIL-ith)

Gender: Female

The legend behind the name I won't put here. It is quite stupid and isn't true obviously. I will stick with the name and meaning. The meaning is nice and I like the way the name sounds. Legend aside it is a lovely name. I have used this name in one of my novels and I thought it was very feminine and beautiful. The legend is unflattering to the name but you can ignore that as I intend to if you use this name for one of your characters.

Florence

Meaning: (Flowering, In Bloom, Charming, Blossoming, Modern use is almost entirely inspired by the fame of Florence Nightingale, who was actually named for the Italian city where she was born. The name was popular in the Victorian era. From the Latin name Florentius or the feminine form Florentia, which were derived from florens "prosperous, flourishing". Florentius was borne by many early Christian saints, and it was occasionally used in their honour through the Middle Ages. In modern times it is mostly feminine.
The name can also be given in reference to the city in Italy, as in the case of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). She was a nurse in British hospitals during the Crimean War and is usually considered the founder of modern nursing. )

Origin: (Latin, English, French, Italian)

Pronunciation: (FLOR-ens (English), FLAWR-ənts (English), flo-RAWNS (French))

Gender: Female possibly Uni-Sex as well.

I liked Italy and Florence is said to be a beautiful lively city. It's orange roofs Terra Cotta I think are the most icon when you think of the city. As a name Florence Nightingale is the most notable bearer of the name. So I think using the name Florence as a name is a good idea. I can see a strong independent character with this name.

Surnames

Marshall

Vega

Emerson

Kearney

Ramsey

Dawson

Kenyon

Granger

Fairchild

McKenna

Moss

Helen

Meaning: (Sun Ray, Shining Light, English form of the Greek ‘Ελενη (Helene), probably from Greek ‘ελενη (helene) "torch" or "corposant", or possibly related to σεληνη (selene) "moon". In Greek mythology Helen was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, whose kidnapping by Paris was the cause of the Trojan War. Hers was "the face that launched a thousand ships". The name was also borne by the 4th-century Saint Helena, mother of the Roman emperor Constantine, who supposedly found the True Cross during a trip to Jerusalem.
The name was originally used among early Christians in honour of the saint, as opposed to the classical character. In England it was commonly spelled Ellen during the Middle Ages, and the spelling Helen was not regularly used until after the Renaissance. A famous bearer was Helen Keller (1880-1968), an American author and lecturer who was both blind and deaf.Helene (hel-LANE) is a French form; Halina is Polish; Eilidh is Scottish Gaelic.)

Origin: (Greek, English)

Pronunciation: (HEL-en)

Gender: Female

I was never very interested in this name. But I quite like the meaning. I didn't much like it until I stared watching the T.V Series Sanctuary. Dr. Helen Magnus is a 160+ year old Doctor who helps abnormals and humans. I now sort of like the name. Plus in Greek Mythology Helen of Troy was the woman who caused the Trojan War. It is as you see an older name but still a nice name.

Dorabella

Meaning: (Beautiful Gift)

Origin: (Greek, Italian, Latin)

Gender: Female

I saw this name in a historical fiction novel by my favorite author. The historical fiction novel was supposed to take place right before WW2. I then heard it on a T.V show and I really like the meaning and the look of the name. I don't have a place in any of my novels right now for it. But perhaps an author out there will like this name and use it. It is a combo name Dora+Bella so you can nickname the character Dora or Bella.

Rosetta

Meaning: (Little Rose, Rose, Beautiful Rose)

Origin: (Italian, Latin)

Pronunciation: (Roze-EH-duh)

Gender: Female

Most of us think of the Rosetta Stone when we see this name. I didn't know it was used as a name until I read a historical fiction novel by one of my favorite authors. She used it as the main character and the story was based in the mid 1800's. The girls parents were archaeologists and they studied the Rosetta Stone so they named her after it. It was a creative background to why she was named that. I intend to name my main characters daughter this. I wanted a nature related name but one that was not far fetched and silly. This fit perfect for my character. It is feminine and has that feel to it so it would go good in a romance novel or historical fiction or inspirational literature as well. It would work in many different genres.

Devlin or Devlyn

Meaning: (Fierce, Fierce Courage)

Origin: (Gaelic, Irish)

Pronunciation: (DEV-lin, DEV-lyn)

Gender: Male

I used this as a character name before as well. It's a reoccurring thing with me. I am putting more names on here I have used than intend to use. This name made me think of a strong exotic looking man...tall dark and handsome :) So that is how I created my character but the sky's the limit with this name. Very good name in my opinion. It isn't used much in literature but I think that is a good thing.

Alexander (Greek), Alessandro (Italian), Alejandro (Spanish)

Meaning: (Man's Defender, Defending Men, Defender of Men, Latinized form of the Greek name Αλεξανδρος (Alexandros), which meant "defending men" from Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, help" and ανηρ (aner) "man" (genitive ανδρος). In Greek mythology this was another name of the hero Paris, and it also belongs to several characters in the New Testament. However, the most famous bearer was Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia. In the 4th century BC he built a huge empire out of Greece, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. Due to his fame, and later medieval tales involving him, use of his name spread throughout Europe.
The name has been used by kings of Scotland, Poland and Yugoslavia, emperors of Russia, and eight popes. Other notable bearers include English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744), American statesman Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), Scottish-Canadian explorer Sir Alexander MacKenzie (1764-1820), Russian poet Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837), and Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), the Scottish-Canadian-American inventor of the telephone.)

Origin: Greek, English, German, Dutch, Scandinavian, Hungarian, Biblical

Pronunciation: al-əg-ZAN-dər (English), ah-lek-SAHN-der (German), ah-lək-SAHN-dər (Dutch)

Gender: Male

This is a very common and sometimes overused name. It does have a strong meaning and from the persons bearing this name it is usually given to larger than life characters. Alessandro the Italian version I have been using on an on going novel and Alexander I used as the child of one of my Main Character in another novel. And everyone now knows of the Spanish version Alejandro from both the Lady Gaga song where she says it quite a lot and also from the Planters commercial and the Almond named Alejandro.

Gabriel

Meaning: (Able-Bodied One of God, This name has been used occasionally in England since the 12th century. It was not common in the English-speaking world until the end of the 20th century.)

Origin: Hebrew, Biblical, English, French, German, Polish

Pronunciation: ga-bree-EL (French), GAHP-ree-el (German), GAY-bree-əl (English), GAHP-ryel (Polish)

Gender: Male

A really nice biblical name and a strong meaning. It could be used on a strong but peaceable character.

Roibon

Meaning: (Red + Good, Robin)

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, French)

Pronunciation: (ROY ben or ROY bon)

Gender: Male


I first heard this name on a movie I was watching that was from the 1960's or 1970's. It was about a girl in England falling in love with a Gypsy boy. The boys name was Roibon. It took me a while to find what meaning I could on it. It is extremely rare and I believe it was also made up so it isn't seen much. I liked it the way it sounds and looks. It may seem to be an odd name but given the right writer and story it could shine.

River or Ryver or Ryvre

Meaning: (River, From the English word that denotes a flowing body of water. The word is ultimately derived (via Old French) from Latin ripa "riverbank".)

Origin: (English (Modern), English Nature Name)

Pronunciation: RIV-ər

Gender: Uni-Sex (Male & Female)

I actually quite like River. I like it more as a female name but it has been used as I said above as a Uni-Sex name. There are men with this name. When I see the name River I think of two well known T.V Characters with this name River Song (A.K.A Melody Pond) from Doctor Who and River Tam from Firefly T.V Series and the Serenity Movie. Both are kick butt characters so it gives rise to the belief that the name though gentle and a nature name it can be used on an out going take charge character. Though it could also be used on a nature fairy or on a simple normal modern person. It's like a real River it goes with the flow, it's really all about how you make the character appear to the reader.

Layla

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

Origin: (Arabic, African, Swahili, English)

Pronunciation: (Lay lah)

Gender: Female

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

Scotlyn

Meaning: (Proper)

Origin: (Scottish)

Pronunciation: Pronounce sort of like Scotland, the country.

Gender: Female


Scotlyn is the first name of my pen name. I saw this name and instantly liked it. I like the look and sound of it. I also got good feed back from family and friends so I decided to use it as my pen name. It is unique and lovely and could work well for a character should someone want to use it as such. It was created as a combo between Scott or Scot and Lynn or Lyn. Thus in a story it could be brought about that maybe the parents of the character combine there names for there child or loved both Scott and Lynn and combined them. Or maybe they had Scott picked for a boy and Lynn for a girl and they compromised and combined for there daughter. Or it can be a family name. Either way someone went with this it would be interesting to see a character named this.

Charlotte

Meaning: (Little and Womanly, French feminine diminutive of CHARLES. It was introduced to Britain in the 17th century. A notable bearer was Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855), the eldest of the three Bronte sisters and the author of 'Jane Eyre' and 'Villette'.*My Favorite Nickname for Charlotte is Lottie which can be it's own stand alone name. Charlie is a more well known nickname for Charlotte though.* Lottie: Pretty, Strong, Free, Freeholder, Variant of Charlotte)

Origin: (French, English, German, Scandinavian, Dutch)

Pronunciation: shar-LOT (French), SHAHR-lət (English), shahr-LAW-tə (German), shahr-LAWT-tə (Dutch)

Gender: Female

Here is another old fashioned name that would do well in a historical fiction novel or romance novel or in a myriad of other genres. It ages well on a character as well. I have used this name in a novel before as well. I like this name also because my great aunt who died young was named Charlotte. I used it in a novel in honor of her.

Surnames

Davenport

Cohen

Vaughn

Tesla

Huntington

Maelum

Ballard

Mercier

Costa

Menfreya

Sebastian

Meaning: (Revered, From the Latin name Sebastianus which meant "from Sebaste". Sebaste was the name a town in Asia Minor, its name deriving from Greek σεβαστος (sebastos) "venerable" (a translation of Latin Augustus, the title of the Roman emperors). Saint Sebastian was a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyred by arrows after it was discovered he was a Christian. Due to the saint's popularity, the name came into general use in medieval Europe, especially in Spain and France. It was also borne by a 16th-century king of Portugal who died in a crusade against Morocco.)

Origin: (Greek, German, Polish, English)

Pronunciation: (ze-BAHS-tee-ahn (German), sə-BAS-chən (English), se-BAHS-tyahn (Polish)

Gender: Male

I have used this name in a novel before as well. As you can see from the meaning it is an old fashioned name but it is still used to this day. I think of The Never Ending Story Movies when I hear and see the name Sebastian. I can see an author/writer using this name for a Prince or as someone of importance.

Silas

Meaning: (Forest, Woods)

Origin: (Latin)

Pronunciation: (s(i)-las, SYE-las)

Gender: Male


This was a name of one of Pauls travel companions in the bible. It is an old fashioned name but it still sounds good in present day. I have actually used this name in one of my novels and I love the name a lot.

Draven

Meaning: (A Faithful Man, Child of Beautiful Shadows, Hunter, Poet, Fawn, Little Dark One, It is from the word draefend with the meaning 'hunter'. The first name is derived from the surname, which is of obscure and possibly Old English origin. It is the name of the fictional hero Eric Draven in the comic book series The Crow (1989-) by James O'Barr, which was adapted into a 1994 film starring Brandon Lee as the hero. Variant forms of Draven include the names Dravin and Drayven.)

Origin: (English, Old English, Celtic)

Pronunciation: (dray-ven)

Gender: Male

There have been negative and positive views on this name. Most say it is Gothic. I on the other hand really like it. I love the meaning and the sound of the name. I have this name down to be used in one of my novels I haven't written yet.

Rana or Ranna

Meaning: (True Image, Beautiful, Eye-Catching, Attractive, Elegant, Means "an eye-catching object" from Arabic رنا (rana) "to gaze". Bearer of Victory)

Origin: (English, Latin, and Arabic)

Pronunciation: (Rana: RAH-nah)

Gender: Female

I saw Ranna on the T.V Series Sanctuary. I think Ranna and Rana have different Pronunciation though but don't quote me on it. I think these names are pretty. I like the meaning and the spelling of these names. Also it flows well when said. This name could fit in many different genres. When I hear the name I think of someone that is exotic looking...dark hair and dark eyes and olive skin complexion.

Alice or Alys

Meaning: (Noble, Exalted)

Origin: (Old-German, English, French, Italian)

Pronunciation: AL-is, AL-iss (English), a-LEES (French), ah-LEE-che (Italian)

Gender: Female

Popular in France and England in the 12th Century I read on one site. When you see and hear this name you think of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' (1865) and 'Through the Looking Glass' (1871). This is an old fashioned name but still is beautiful and strong, fitting well in the modern age. It would be a good character name in a historical fiction novel but equally good for someone on a space ship in the future or as a character right now in the present. So what I am saying is this name ages well for both a character and fits in many genres and eras.

Eliana

Meaning: (God has Answered, May also be related to the Greek "elios" meaning "god of the sun", and the name may thus mean "daughter of the sun". My God has Answered Me, The Lord has Responded, Sun, My God is Yahweh)

Origin: (Hebrew, Latin)

Pronunciation: (El-ee-AH-nah, eh lee AN ah)

Gender: Female

I read this name in one of the best Novels I have read in a long while. I looked up the meaning and I instantly liked it even more. This name could fit in many different novels no matter the genre. It would be nice in a Romance novel and in a Science Fiction setting in my opinion. It all depends upon where the writer takes this name and this character.

Surnames

Lancaster

Valencia

Bennett

Anderson

Williams

Moreau

Clark

Lee

Gates