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.