Azumi

Meaning: (Safe Residence)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (ah-ZOO-me)

Gender: Female

A few weeks ago I was looking for Sanctuary or equivalent to Sanctuary meaning names and I came across this one. I really absolutely love it. The meaning is great and the pronunciation is easy and I have said it before and I'll say it again I love Japanese names they have the best and prettiest name meanings.

Orlando

Meaning: (Famous Country, Renowned Land, Fame of the Land. City in Florida. Variant of Roland. Mostly literary and late 19th-century use. Literary: Virginia Woolf wrote a gender-bending fantasy novel "Orlando". Shakespeare's play 'As You Like It' (1599) has an Orlando (the lead).)

Origin: (Spanish, Italian)

Pronunciation: (or-LAHN-doh, ohr-LAN-doh)

Gender: Male

I was watching a movie the other day, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and there was a guy on there named Orlando who was played by actor Shamar Moore (Criminal Minds). He is a very handsome black man. Any way I got to thinking about real life Orlando's (notably Orlando Bloom) and fictional ones. It seems that a lot of them are hot. I'm not saying that the name made them that way. I am more saying the men made the name Orlando to be associated with handsome men. Though today many will think of Orlando, Florida. Either way I like the meaning and look of this name.

Rosebrae or Rosebray

Meaning: (Rose = A Flower, A Rose + Brae / Bray = A Hill, Hillside, Slope, Cry Out, Borderland)

Origin: (Scottish, Gaelic, Middle English, Old French, Old English, Latin)

Pronunciation: (Rose: ROHZ Brae/Bray: brAI, so ROHZbrAI)

Gender: Female

I was up visiting my sister, brother-in-law and nephew this last weekend and we went by the old neighborhood where me and my sister grew up. There was a street name a few blocks away called Rosebrae. I had forgotten about that street. I really liked the look of Rosebrae. It has two names I love (Rose & Brae) and they are combined. I thought about it and Rosebray I think I even like more. I have loved the name Bray since I watched this T.V show years ago. Of course Bray was a male characters name and Bray does seem masculine but when put with Rose it is instantly feminized. Rosebrae and Rosebray give off a different feeling with the different spellings and I love that about these names.

I might actually add a post for Bray the masculine form later.

Royalynne or Royalyn

Meaning: (Regal, Variant of Royale.)

Origin: (Old French)

Pronunciation: (roya-lynne, royal(yn)-ne)

Gender: Female

I was looking up a Rose name the other day and one person on one of the baby name sites said there sister goes by her middle name Rose but her first name is Royalynne. She was named after her grandfather Roy and there mothers maiden name Alynne. It took a second look by me to really love this name. I know it could be a mouthful but I love the look, meaning and pronunciation of this name.

Nydia

Meaning: (A Safe Place, A Refuge or Nest, From the word "nidus". Also (Spanish, Greek) "Graceful". Literary: in Edward Bulwer-Lytton's novel "The Last Days of Pompeii", Nydia was a blind flower-seller who saved her beloved at the cost of her own life.)

Origin: (Latin, Spanish, Greek)

Pronunciation: (NIH-dee-ah, NI-dee-a)

Gender: Female

I was looking up Sanctuary like meaning names a few weeks ago. I found this name and then was also told this name on Yahoo Answers as well. The look is different but still somewhat normal. I love the meaning and it has an easy pronunciation.

Emera

Meaning: (Industrious Leader, Rival, Laborious, Eager, Imitating, Work, Female form of Emery.)

Origin: (German, Latin, Gothic)

Pronunciation: (ehMEHRah)

Gender: Female

I saw this name the other day when I got an email from a friend. One of the people she had on her email list had this name which I thought was a pretty name. It has an exotic look and pronunciation but it is still not all that crazy of a name.

Harlow

Meaning: (Hill with Heap of Rocks, Host Army, Meadow of the Hares, From the Mound of the People, Place Name.)

Origin: (English, Old English)

Pronunciation: (har-low)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was thinking about a name the other day and then I thought about this name. It was used by Nichole Richie for her child with Joel Madden. I didn't like it at the time but it has grown on me a bit. I am still not in love with it but I think it is interesting. The meanings are interesting too.

Journey

Meaning: (A Journey, A Trip or Experience from One Place to Another.)

Origin: (English, American)

Pronunciation: (JUWR-nee)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I think this is a super cute name. I know it is out of some people's comfort zone but there are actual people named this so it is not so crazy to name a book character this. It has a great meaning and is a very adventurous name.

Montgomery

Meaning: (Gomeric’s Hill, Hill of the Power Man, Gumarich’s Mountain, Gomeric was a German personal name meaning "power of man, powerful man". A surname of English and Scottish earls. The name began as a place name meaning “hill on top of which Gomeric lives.” The hill was in an area of France called Calvados in Normandy. Calvados takes its name from a cluster of rocks off the coast. Gomeric, a 9th century Viking, traveled south into France, eventually building the house on top of the hill. Vikings, members of the Norse or Scandinavian people, raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the late 900s to the early 1200s. Gomeric’s ancestors then took it as their surname and is still very popular as one. It is less popular as a male first name and even less so as a female name. Spelling variations included "Mont Gommeri" and "Mundegumerie.” Gomer, the son of Japhet, the hereditary name of the Gauls.)

Origin: (Old French, Norman French, English)

Pronunciation: (mon-GOH-mer-ree, mont-GOM-er-ree, mont-GUM-ree, mahnt-GUHM-ree)

Gender: Male

When I was on Yahoo Answers once there was a Baby Name Game I did. One of the things was name a boy after one of your favorite singers. I didn't know what to put as I like a lot of different singers and so I just put Montgomery after the due Montgomery Gentry (Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry). I thought about it after that, that the name may make a good first name. I read as I have it above that this name is rare as a given name but I don't care I really like it. A good nickname can be Monti or Monty.

Holmes

Meaning: (Safe Haven, Holly, Islands in the River, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective is named Sherlock Holmes. Holmes is a geographical surname of English origin. The name is first recorded in Lancashire in North West England. The name is derived from "holm", a Scandinavian word meaning "a small island". The word was introduced to Great Britain and Ireland by Old Norse-speaking Vikings. People bearing the name might either have Scandinavian ancestry, or have ancestors who lived on the islands surrounding Great Britain and Ireland.)

Origin: (Middle English, Scandinavian)

Pronunciation: (holms, holmz)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I love Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes mysteries. The other day I was on Yahoo Answers and had asked a question about names that mean Sanctuary or Haven. Someone said Holmes meant Safe Haven and I looked it up and one meaning was Safe Haven. I like the name because I love to read a lot and Sherlock Holmes is my favorite detective and so I think Holmes could be a cool given name. The other meanings may also be good reasons to use the name.

Adair

Meaning: (Wealthy Spear, Owner of Many Spears, Happy Spear, Noble Spear, Oak Grove, Oak Tree, From the Oak Tree Ford, Fortunate, Powerful, the first name is derived from the Scottish surname, which is itself from the the Old English personal name Eadgar (Edgar). "My Sweet Adair", 1915 song by James F Harrison.)

Origin: (Celtic, Old English, Old German, Scottish, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (a-DARE)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I forget where I saw this a few weeks ago but I really liked the look of it. I think it might be good as a surname or a middle name. As a first name I am still on the fence a bit. I think the meanings are good.

EDIT July 19, 2016:

So I had forgotten I had already added this name until I looked it up again, lol! So here are my thoughts on the name now and I added above a few more meanings I found. I came to like this as Odair when I saw Finnick *see on list of posts* Odair in the Hunger Games movie but when Googling Odair I was shown Adair so I stuck with that as I could find nothing for the spelling Odair. The meanings are all very interesting and strong and brave sounding as the whole name seems strong and brave to me. I was interested to see that this was from the first name Edgar as it doesn’t really look alike but if you say them together you can get a sense of how they come from each other and of course I hadn’t remembered I had already had this name listed so I had forgotten the association. I think I really still prefer this more as a surname but it would be nice to see it used as a first name of a character though.

Rory

Meaning: (Red, Rust Colored, Red King, Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ruaidhrí, Ruarí (Irish) or Ruairidh, Ruaraidh (Scottish). Also used as a nickname for Roderick. Literary: tales of Rory O'More, 16th-century rebel chief, are celebrated in Irish poetry. The name was born by Rory O'Conor, the last high king of Ireland, who reigned from 1166 - 1170. Rorik is a Scandinavian and Slavic form. For a girl name it is a variant of Aurora (Dawn))

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, Latin, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (ROR-ee, ROH-ree, ROAR-ee)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I can't believe I haven't added Rory before. I have used Rory as a nickname for one of my female characters whose name is Aurora. I first liked this name when I watched the T.V. Show Gilmore Girls years ago. Lorelai "Rory" Gilmore is one of the main characters. Then recently I have been watching Doctor Who on T.V. and one of the Doctors current companions is a guy named Rory who is married to Amelia "Amy" the Doctors other companion. *Amelia is a name on my list of posts.* I like the meaning of Rory and I like how it is said.

Templa

Meaning: (Sanctuary, Temple, House of Worship)

Origin: (Latin)

Pronunciation: (templuh, temp-luh)

Gender: Female


I saw this name a few days ago and instantly loved it but it was mainly because of the meaning. I love names that mean Sanctuary or Haven *Haven is a name on my list of posts*. I think Templa is cuter than just Temple or Templar so I decided to add it.

Dextra

Meaning: (Skillful, Adroit, One who Dyes Cloth, Right-Handed, Fortunate, Favorable, Proper, Fitting. A feminine form of Dexter.)

Origin: (Latin, Old English)

Pronunciation: (DEK-stra)

Gender: Female

I read this name the other day and thought I would add it to the blog. I used to like the male version Dexter but didn't want to add that because the HBO show with a killer named Dexter kind of ruined the name for me. So I thought Dextra was pretty and different enough to maybe not be associated with Dexter. The meanings are decent and the look of the name is unique as well.

Lycoris

Meaning: (Twilight, is a genus of 13–20 species of flowering plants in the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. They are native to eastern and southern Asia in Japan, southern Korea, eastern and southern China, northern Vietnam, northern Laos, northern Thailand, northern Burma, Nepal, northern Pakistan, Afghanistan, and eastern Iran. They were imported into North Carolina and now grow wild. In English they are also called hurricane lilies or cluster amaryllis. The genus shares the English name spider lily with two other related genera. You should visit this Wiki page and read the legend behind these flower plants it is very interesting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycoris_(plant))

Origin: (Greek)

Pronunciation: (lye-KORE-iss)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I found this name too in the book The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook second edition By Sherrilyn Kenyon. I think this is a interesting unique name with a pretty cool meaning. The legend behind the flower is pretty interesting as well.

Tempus

Meaning: (Time)

Origin: (Latin)

Pronunciation: (TEMP-us, temp-OO-s)

Gender: Uni-Sex


I like this word as a name and apparently I am not the only one. I saw that quite a few characters in comics have had this name. Many villains and heroes have had this word as there name. I first became interested just a while ago probably in October 2011 when I saw the season 4 premiere of Syfy's Sanctuary which I love and have seen every episode since the beginning. Anyway the episode title was Tempus. I think this word could be a persons name, a place, an event anything, it is so diverse. I also just love the look of it and it is simple to say.

Smith

Meaning: (Black Smith, occupational name for a worker in metal, from Middle English smith (Old English smið, probably a derivative of smitan ‘to strike, hammer’). Metal-working was one of the earliest occupations for which specialist skills were required, and its importance ensured that this term and its equivalents were perhaps the most widespread of all occupational surnames in Europe. Medieval smiths were important not only in making horseshoes, plowshares, and other domestic articles, but above all for their skill in forging swords, other weapons, and armor. This is the most frequent of all American surnames; it has also been absorbed, by assimilation and translation, cognates and equivalents from many other languages.)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (s-m-IH-th)

Gender: Male

I know this is a surname but I always thought it would be a cool first name. So I have used this twice in two different novels as the first name of the character. I actually think the name was fitting even though neither character was a blacksmith. I think it can carry an air of mystery for the character and someway to differentiate the character from the other characters. That's just my few on the name I leave the use of the names up to the individual author.

Shylah or Shyla

Meaning: (Loyal to God, Daughter of the Mountain, Strong, Shy, Creative, One Who Loves God, Variant of Shyla.)

Origin: (Celtic, Hindi)

Pronunciation: (shy-luh, SHY-lah, SHIY-la)

Gender: Female


I saw this in the book The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook second edition By Sherrilyn Kenyon. I absolutely love the meaning and the look of the name is pretty cool. I think it is just such a beautiful name.

Humphrey

Meaning: (Peaceful Warrior, Peaceful, Giant Germanic elements hun "warrior, bear cub" and frid "peace". The Normans introduced this name to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate Hunfrið, and it was regularly used through the Middle Ages. Humphrey has always been somewhat popular in England as most names tied to the aristocracy and monarchy are. Famous Humphreys include the Duke of Gloucester (1391–1447). He was the youngest son of King Henry IV -- known as “Duke Humphrey.” He Founded what is now part of the Bodleian Library at Oxfor. A famous bearer was the American actor Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957), who starred in 'The Maltese Falcon' and 'Casablanca'. Also a saint's name.)

Origin: (Old German, English, Norman French)

Pronunciation: (HUM-free, HUMP-frey, HUHM-free)

Gender: Male

I chose to add this name not because of Kris Humphries (Kim Kardashian's ex-husband) I chose to add this because the other day I was watching a show about this guy who was named after Humphrey Bogart the actor. Humphrey is an old fashioned name and may not appeal to a lot of people but it is a great name with a great meaning. I never much cared for this name but it has definitely grown on me lately.

Concordia or Concordea

Meaning: (Harmony, Concord, Peace, Unity, The Harmonious One, Classical Mythology: Concordia was the Goddess of Harmony & Peace succeeding a battle. The concept is memorialized in several place names like Concord, Massachusetts and Paris's Place de la Concorde.)

Origin: (Latin, Classical Mythology)

Pronunciation: ( kon-KAWR-dee-a, Go to this site and run your cursor over Concordia to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=concordia&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I saw this in the same book I mentioned earlier in my previous post the book is called The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook second edition By Sherrilyn Kenyon. This name is similar to Harmony *see on list of posts*. I think this name would fit well with Melody, Aria, Piper, or Lyra/ Lyre *see on list of posts*. Concordia is such a pretty name and I adore the meaning it's so lovely.

Knightley

Meaning: (Knights Meadow, Place Name, Habitational name from Knightley in Staffordshire, named in Old English as ‘the wood or clearing of the retainers’, from cnihta, genitive plural of cnihta ‘servant’, ‘retainer’ + leah ‘wood’, ‘clearing’.)

Origin: (English, Irish, Old English)

Pronunciation: (NIGHT-lee)

Gender: Uni-Sex


The other day I was on another blog and the blogger said Knightley was more of a last name so they messed around with it and came up with a unique spelling for it. I have used Knightley as the first name in one of my novels. I have also read about people naming their kids this. I have loved this name since I first heard it in Emma by Jane Austen. Mr. George Knightley is one of the main characters and the title character Emma's love interest. I always thought Knightley would make a cool first name. I just love saying that name. Of course it is a name that should be used sparingly so as not to be overused, thus becoming too popular.

Adorabelle or Adorabella

Meaning: (Adored Beauty, A Gift, Beloved, Beautiful Woman who is Adored, Variant of Adora.)

Origin: (Latin, Greek, Old German)

Pronunciation: (Adorabelle: a-DOR-a-BEHL Adorabella: a-DOR-a-BEHL-a)

Gender: Female



I was looking through The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook second edition By Sherrilyn Kenyon the other day. It is a great book for writer's by the way. I came across this name and a few others I will be adding. I think Adorabelle and Adorabella are adorable name, lol. I love any name with Dora and Belle in it. I have not seen these names before so that could be a good factor in choosing these names for your novels they are still relatively rare and unique and beautiful of course.

Heath

Meaning: (Person living on a Heath or near Heather, A Moor, Heathland, Heath is a word for untended land where certain flowering shrubs grow. Originally a short form of Heathcliff. Place Name.)

Origin: (Middle English)

Pronunciation: (Heeth)

Gender: Male

I saw a wrestler on WWE named Heath Slater and I liked the name Heath if not the wrestler all that much. The name Heath reminded me of Heathcliff which I found out later that Heath was originally short for Heathcliff. As some will know Heathcliff was a main character in the novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I think Heath is a very handsome sounding name and has a regal sound to it if not a regal meaning. It's also short and easy to say which is a plus.

Weston

Meaning: (Western Town, West Enclosure, West Settlement, From the West Town, Place Name and a Surname.)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (WES-ten, WEHS-ten)

Gender: Male

I have had this on my list for some time. I think this would make a great given name. It could be a preppy character's name or could be maybe a old west character name or even a modern character name, the skies the limit. I like the look of it and that it is short and easy to pronounce. Good nicknames: Wes, West.

Fitzwilliam

Meaning: (Son of William (From the Old Norman French Willaume, which is derived from the Old High German Willehelm, a compound name composed from the elements willeo (will, determination) and helm (protection, helmet): hence, "resolute protector." William is the most popular name introduced to England by the Normans. It was borne by William the Conqueror (1027? - 87), who invaded England and defeated Harald at the Battle of Hastings, and by three other kings of England.) Literary: Fitzwilliam Darcy, character in the novel Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.)

Origin: (Norman French, German, English)

Pronunciation: (fits-WIL-yuhm)

Gender: Male

I have liked this name since I first read Pride & Prejudice and found out it was Mr. Darcy's first name. It has a regal look to it which I like and it spices up William. It would be great to give this to a male character whose father is named William as Fitzwilliam means "Son of William." It's a great strong name.