Virginiana

Meaning: (Virginia: Maiden, The name was originally spelled Verginia, and was the feminine form of an ancient Roman clan name, Verginius. With time, its spelling changed due to its association with the Latin tem “Virgo”, meaning “Maiden”. This meaning has been used for the name ever since. Popular in America since the mid 19^th Century; the first child born in America was Virginia Dare, in 1597. The state of Virginia was named as homage to the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I. Author Virginia Woolf. Ana: Favor, Grace, Spanish variant of Anne. Ana is often blended with names like Analee and Anarosa.)

Origin: (Latin, Hebrew, Greek)

Pronunciation: (Virginia: vir-JIN-yah Ana: AHN-ah Virginiana: vir-JIN-ee-AHN-ah)

Gender: Female

One of the Latin names for Witch Hazel plant. I was looking through my Using Wayside Plants book which I am using for research on a novel I am writing. I have decided to use this as a character name and this is the second time I have used the Latin name of a plant for a character name. It may look a bit strange and sound odd when said but it is so pretty to me. It seems light and very feminine.

Rydell

Meaning: (Horseman, Rider, Variant of Ryder.)

Origin: (English, Scandinavian, African)

Pronunciation: (RYE-dell, RIHDahl)

Gender: Uni-Sex

Reminds me of Rydell High in movie Grease. I was watching something about a new band of all siblings and the only girl was named Rydell. It’s a lovely name in my opinion. It is a variant of Ryder *see on list of posts.* It doesn’t seem to look alike but it is and if you don’t like one you can always use the other one for a characters name. It seems a punk like name, like it could fit on a bad boy or bad girl character that is very punkish.

Cosima

Meaning: (Order, Harmony, Universe, Decency, Beauty, Feminine form of Cosmo. The composer Richard Wagner married Cosima Liszt, daughter of the composer Frank Liszt.)

Origin: (Old Greek, English, German, Italian)

Pronunciation: (KO-zi-ma, KAW-zih-mah, KowSIY-Maa, KOZ-im-uh)

Gender: Female

I read the information for an episode of the TV series Orphan Black on BBC America. It is a pretty and exotic name. The meanings are beautiful and it could be a nice female alterative to the male Cosmo *see on list of posts*.

Cordell

Meaning: (Maker of Cord, Rope Maker, Cord Seller)

Origin: (English, Old French)

Pronunciation: (kor-DEL, KaoRDEHL)

Gender: Male

Cordell Walker (played by Chuck Norris) from TV show Walker Texas Ranger. I saw an episode of Walker Texas Ranger the other day and I decided to add this name. It’s not something you see a lot. The meanings are decent.

Matilda

Meaning: (Mighty in Battle, Powerful Battler, Strength in Battle, From the Germanic name Mahthildis meaning “Strength in Battle”, from the elements maht “Might, Strength” and hild “Battle”. Saint Matilda was the wife of the 10^th Century German King Henry I the Fowler. The name was brought to England by the Normans, being borne by William the Conqueror’s Queen Matilda (11^th Century). When it was brought to Britain it was pronounced “Maud”. It was popular until the 15^th Century in England, usually in the vernacular form Maud. Both forms were revived by the 18^th Century for awhile.). This name appears in the popular Australian folk song ‘Waltzing Matilda’, written in 1895.)

Origin: (Old German, Gothic, English)

Pronunciation: (muh-TIL-dah, MahTIHLDah, muh-tIHl-duh)

Gender: Female

I was watching the family movie Matilda not long ago. I have never been a fan of the name because it always sounded harsh to me or like an old ladies name for some reason. I do however love the meanings which are strong and nickname possibilities (ex. Mattie, Maddie, Tilda, Tillie, Maud, Tiller). I also love the very long history of this name. It’s a name most everyone has heard of at least in English speaking countries.

Nolan

Meaning: (Chariot-Fighter, Champion, Noble, Famous, Little Proud One, Little Noble One, From Nuallan. Also possibly Uallach (Gaelic) “Proud One”. Surname used as given name. )

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (NOH-lan, NOE-lan, NO-lan, NO-lun)

Gender: Male

I watched the premier of the Syfy TV series Defiance. One of the main characters is named Nolan. It is a really good name with great strong meanings. It has a good pronunciation and I could see using this name for a potential character name of mine.

Summer

Meaning: (Summer, A Nature Name; the season used as a girl’s name, like Spring and Season. Taken from the name of the warmest season of the year. The name has been used in recent times, often in reference to the liveliness of the season.)

 

Origin: (Old English, English Nature Name, Sanskrit)

 

Pronunciation: (SUH-mer, SAHMMehR)

 

Gender: Female
 

I have never been a fan of season names but I did add Winter / Wynter *See on list of posts* to my blog some time ago. Summer is not my favorite season nor favorite name but it is a decent nature name. I see this name a lot so it would do well as a character name because it is easily recognized and pronounceable.

Catha

Meaning: (Pure, Variant of Catherine.)

Origin: (Greek)

Pronunciation: (KAETHah)

Gender: Female

I think I saw this when reading information on an episode of the TV series Merlin. It is a good on its own name and a good nickname for Catherine *see on list of posts*. It has good meaning and it has an interesting look.

Finna

Meaning:  (The Lord Judges, Fair, Variant of the name Fiona.)

Origin: (Irish, Celtic)

Pronunciation: (fi-na, Fin-nuh)

Gender: Female

I was reading the information on an episode of Merlin TV series and there was a character named Finna on there. It’s a variant of the name Fiona *see on list of posts*. It is a decent name with decent meanings. It has a medieval look to it.

Melisande

Meaning: (Strong Work, Animal Strength, Labor Strength, Also French form of Melissa (Greek) “Bee, Honey”. Medieval form of Millicent.)

Origin: (Old French, Old German)

Pronunciation:  (MEL-a-sahnd, MEH-lee-sahnd, MEH-LiySae-N)

Gender: Female

I read an episode of Game of Thrones and there was a name similar to Melisande that was used. Upon looking it up I found Melisande spelling. I think it is a beautiful name. It has a Lord of the Rings or Star Trek like look about it to me. I really like the meanings and pronunciation as well.

Angus

Meaning:  (One Choice, Exceptionally Strong, Scottish: Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Aonghus or Aonghas. Celtic Mythology: Angus Og is a God of attractive traits such as humor and wisdom. Also the name of an Eighth Century Pictish King known as Onnust or Hungus. In America, the name tends to be associated with breeds of cattle such as the Aberdeen Angus. Pet form Angie is pronounced ‘AN-ghee’ in Scottish, representing Gaelic Angaidh. The name has been used in Scotland since the 3^rd Century BC, and later in the 15^th Century, it was often linked to the clan McDonnell. The name Angusina is the female version of Angus.)

Origin: (Celtic, English, Irish, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (ANG-guss, AE-NGGahS)

Gender: Male

I was watching an episode of Law and Order SVU and one of the characters was a rich guy named Angus. I have never been a fan of this name because I think of cows when I hear it. Of course it does seem a wealthy persons name so it could work on a wealthy character, or maybe as a long family history name.

Olesia

Meaning: (Man’s Defender, Defending Men, Holy, Diminutive form of Olga. Variation of Alexandra and Aleksander.)

Origin: (Greek, Russian, Polish)

Pronunciation:  (ow-LAH-SHuw, o-LEH-see-ah, O-lee-see-ah)

Gender: Female

I saw this name on the TV series Stargate Atlantis; it was the name of one of the alien cities the Stargate team went to. It does look very alien and exotic and I love it. It is beautiful and the meanings are nice.

Rhine

Meaning: (To Move, Flow, Run. European River, The Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe. It’s the twelfth longest river in Europe.)

Origin: (German, Old English)

Pronunciation: (rAYn, rine – rhymes with wine)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

I was answering a question on Yahoo Answerers and someone suggested a book. I can’t remember the book name but it was part of a trilogy. The main character of the trilogy was a girl named Rhine. I think it is an interesting name and a good destination name not a lot of people will know of. I think it’s actually quite pretty.  

 

Surnames

Stackhouse

Waterhouse

Garibaldi

Pryce