Amphelisia

Meaning: (On Both Sides, Around, Noble, Nobility, Kind, Friendly, From the Blessed Isles, and Devoted to God. Amphelisia is found as a woman's name from the 12th to the 18th century, but the etymology is unknown. This form was used by Wolfram von Eschenbach for two characters in his Middle High German romance 'Parzival', one of which was the Queen of France during the time of Uther. Amphélise belonged to the mother of Pope Urban V.)

Origin: (Medieval English, Literature)

Pronunciation: (am-fuh-el-ee-see-uh, am-phuh-elye-see-uh, Elisia: EHLIYSiyAH)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I really think this is a unique name with a great old history. It kind of makes me think amphibian when I see it though. I could not find a pronunciation so I am going to put my guess above but if anyone knows it please let me know in the comment section of this post as I would be grateful. I think this looks a little bit like an Elfish name. I really like this name but the pronunciation or lack there of is throwing me off.


Edit December 29, 2015:

So I felt bad that I had not done enough research for this name or also that I really couldn't find very much. So I looked up each part of the name again. The latter part of the name which is Elisia means the following, Noble, Nobility, Kind, Friendly, From the Blessed Isles, and Devoted to God. So since I think those are great meanings for a part of the name I am going to add it above. I also found the pronunciation for Elisia so I added that above under Pronunciation.

So the first part Amph however was harder. I did read it was similar and came from Amphi like in Amphitheatre, if that is true then the first part means, On Both Sides, Around. I can't be for sure if that is right. Even if I am not 100% sure I am going to add those meanings above as I did for the latter part Elisia.

If the meanings are right then the meaning combinations could be, On Both Sides Noble, On Both Sides of Nobility, On Both Sides Friendly, On Both Sides From the Blessed Isles, ect.

So again I am not 100% sure these meanings are correctly applied to this name but from my research they are close and are meanings for each part of the name separated but not necessary correct when the parts are combined but they seem good to me. This is just one of those old tricky names whose meanings and History has all but disappeared with time and not being used.

Galiena

Meaning: (High One, The Land of the Gaul, Calm, Haughty)

Origin: (Old German, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (GaaLIYNAH)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I forget where I saw this but I really kind of like it. The first couple of meanings are really nice, except the last meaning Haughty. I do however see the word Alien when I see this name and so that throws me off sometimes. A good other spelling could be Galena but I still like Galiena a bit better even if I think Alien. It has an outer space opera look and also a royal look which I like.

Carnelian / Cornelian

Meaning: (A Red Gem, Flesh, Fleshy, Made of Flesh, although now the more common term, "carnelian" is a 16th-century corruption of the 14th-century word "cornelian" (and its associated orthographies corneline and cornalyn). Cornelian, cognate with similar words in several Romance languages, comes from the Mediaeval Latin corneolus, itself derived from the Latin word cornum, the cornel cherry, whose translucent red fruits resemble the stone. The Oxford English Dictionary calls "carnelian" a perversion of "cornelian", by subsequent analogy with the Latin word caro, carnis, flesh. According to Pliny the Elder, sard derives its name from the city of Sardis in Lydia, but it more likely comes from the Persian word سرد sered, meaning yellowish-red.)

Origin: (Latin)

Pronunciation: (Carnelian: kahr-NEEL-yan, Cornelian: kore-NEEL-yan)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

I was looking at medieval clothing and I saw a dress with a necklace that had a carnelian stone. I really love the name no matter which above spelling is used, though Cornelian is an earlier version. Cornelian makes me think female version or even alternative of Cornelius *see on list of posts*. If you want to see more information about the stone and name meaning go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnelian

I found a site I haven’t used before that had great information on the name Carnelian so if you would like to go to: http://www.onceuponatimebabynames.com/2012/10/carnelian.html

I like the medieval nature of this name and the name makes me think Gypsy for some reason but I also think it would be amazing on an outer space beautiful strong character. This would be a great alternative as well to much more common gem jewel names such as Emerald or Esmeralda *see on list of posts*, Opal *see on list of posts*, Beryl *see on list of posts*, Sapphire *see on list of posts*, Pearl, Ruby, Jade *see on list of posts*, and Amber or Ambra *see on list of posts* among others.

Cheyenne

Meaning: (Derived from the Dakota Indian Shaiyena which is from Shaia “To Speak Unintelligibly”. The name is that of a tribe of Algonquian Indians, as well as a river and city name.)

Origin: (Native American)

Pronunciation: (shiy-AN, shiy-EHN, shy-ENN)

Gender: Female

Okay so I’ve added other Native American tribe names like Cherokee *see on list of posts* but I never got around to adding Cheyenne as I thought it was too over used and I wasn’t a fan. I don’t like the meaning but the name is decent and a good nickname could be Chey (Shy).

Hubert

Meaning: (Mind, Bright, Spirit, Shining Intellect, Intelligent, Famous, Bright Heart, derived from the Germanic elements hug "Heart, Mind" and beraht "Bright". Saint Hubert was an 8th-century bishop of Maastricht who is considered the patron saint of hunters. The Normans brought the name to England, where it replaced an Old English cognate Hygebeorht. It died out during the Middle Ages but was revived in the 19th century.)

Origin: (Germanic, English, Dutch, French, Polish)

Pronunciation: (HYOO-bərt (English), HOO-bert (German), HUY-bərt (Dutch), uy-BER (French), HUW-bert (Polish), HEW-bert, HYOO-bert)

Gender: Male

This was one of the triplet little brothers of Princess Merida *see on list of posts* from Pixars Brave. The other two are Hamish *see on list of posts* and Harris. It’s a great Scottish name and the meanings are really quite nice and I love it. The meanings remind me of Hugo *see on list of posts*. It would be cool to have character brothers be named Hubert, Hamish, Harris, and Hugo. It has a great history of use and a really good look to the name in general.

Hamish

Meaning: (Supplanter, Yahweh May Protect, Holder of Heel, Anglicized form of a Sheumias, the vocative case of Seumas, a Scottish form of James. The name was adopted by English speakers in the Mid-19th Century.)

Origin: (Scottish, English, Gaelic, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (HAY-mish, HHEY-Mih-SH)

Gender: Male

This was one of the triplet little brothers of Princess Merida *see on list of posts* from Pixars Brave. The other two are Hubert *see on list of posts* and Harris. This is another really great Scottish name. It has nice meanings and would make a great alternative to its form James. 

Ewen

Meaning: (It is a derivative of Eoghan "Born of the Yew (Tree)"), Youth, God is Good.)

Origin: (Scottish, Gaelic, Welsh)

Pronunciation: (YOO-an, YOO-in)

Gender: Male

Here is a nice Scottish name that does look Scottish to me. This name makes me think of actor Ewan McGregor. It has nice meanings and is short and simple and pronounced just as it looks. I really love this name a lot.

Priscilla

Meaning: (Ancient, Old, Little Old Woman, It has been used as an English given name since the Protestant Reformation, being popular with the Puritans. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow used it in his poem “The Courtship of Miles Standish” (1858). Short form is Prisca.

**below copied from Insight Book Vol. 2 Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses** The shorter form of the name is found in Paul’s writings, the longer form in Luke’s. Such a variation was common in Roman names. Priscilla was the wife of Aquila, with whom she is always mentioned. The two showed fine Christian works and hospitality not only to individuals but also to the congregation by having congregation meetings in their home in both Rome and Ephesus.

Because of Emperor Claudius’ decree, Aquila and his wife left Rome and went to Corinth in about 50 C.E. Not long after their arrival Paul joined them in tent making. (Ac 18:2, 3) They traveled on with Paul to Ephesus, remained there for a time, and were instrumental in ‘expounding the way of God more correctly’ to the eloquent Apollos. (Ac 18:18, 19, 24-28; 1Co 16:19) Returning to Rome for a time (Ro 16:3-5), they later traveled back to Ephesus. (2Ti 4:19; 1Ti 1:3) Their personal contact with Paul extended from about 50 C.E. to Paul’s death, some 15 years later, during which association they “risked their own necks” for the apostle’s soul.)

Origin: (English, Ancient Roman, Biblical, Italian, French)

Pronunciation: (pri-SIL-ə (English), pree-SHEEL-lah (Italian), PRih-SIHL-ah (English))

Gender: Female

This name always had an old world feel to me but also it reminds me of Elvis Presley’s wife Priscilla. The meanings do coincide with the old feel I get but I could see this being on a younger character. Also with the long history of use it would do well in a historical fiction novel. A good nickname could be Cilla, Pris, Prissy, and Prisca. It also has a great biblical background so that is nice.

Eloisa

Meaning: (Healthy, Famous Warrior, Hale, Wide, Hearty, Sound, Safe, Whole, Wood, Forest, Fame, Loud, Italian form of Eloise.)

Origin: (French, Old German, Italian, Spanish, Latin, Scandinavian)

Pronunciation: (e-lo-EE-zah, eh-loh-EE-sah, eh-Low-IY-Saa)

Gender: Female

I think this is pretty and has several different meanings which make it a diverse meaning name which many authors would love. It is also a nice change from Eloise, which is much more common. It seems a name I could see on a character living in a beautiful mountain location, like Swiss Mountains or something.

Eleanora

Meaning: (Light, Torch, Bright One, Shining One, Other, Foreign, Latinate form of Eleanor. Derived from Alienor, a Provencal form of the Greek Helene, which is derived from the element ele (Light, Torch, Bright).)

Origin: (Greek, English, Old French, Old Greek, Italian, Old Provençal)

Pronunciation: (el-ə-NAWR-ə, ehLLeh-NAOR-aa, eh-lə -NOH-rə)

Gender: Female

This name has really lovely meanings that are very bright, airy and light as well, pun intended. It has an interesting look compared to the much more common Eleanor, even if an A is just added at the end. I know it sounds weird but I think it does look different. It seems to be a name I could see on a royal character. Yet this name seems also to be a name I would think would be on a character from The Wizard of Oz or something.

Desiderius

Meaning: (Longing Desire, Beloved, Derived from Latin desiderium, It was the name of several early saints. It was also borne in the 8th century by the last king of the Lombard Kingdom.)

Origin: (Late Roman, Latin, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (DehZ-ihD-ERiy-ahS, des-i-deer-ee-uh-s)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I forget where I first saw this but I think I was looking up another name and saw this one. I love the meanings and the long history of use. It seems like a name I could see on a character setting off on a great epic journey, kind of Odyssey like. I could see this being used in a mythology story, maybe a made up tale in another novel can incorporate its own myths and use this as a name in the made up myth. That would be cool. If it seems long it could be given the nickname Desi (DEZ-ee) which would be kind of cute.

Eldar

Meaning: (Dweller Near the Elder Trees, God Resides, Possessor, Warrior who Fights with Fire"(Eld+ar (ar=Harjar)) Eld=fire, It is also a name meaning “Ruler” in the Turkic language. "El" means state or country in Turkic language, dar is a suffix from Persian language. It is also the word for “Fire” in the Icelandic, Swedish (eld) and Norwegian (ild) language. It is also a common first name among the Tatars, the Crimean Tatars, the Azerbaijanis, the Georgians and the Bashkirs.)

Origin: (Hebrew, English, Norse, Turkish, Persian, Icelandic, Swedish, Azerbaijani)

Pronunciation: (EHLD-R, EHL-dar)

Gender: Male

I used this name as the name of an Island in one of my short stories I intend to enter into a writing contest. I think I first heard this in The Hobbit movie; it was used by the Elves I think. The meanings are beautiful and strong and nature related. It has an interesting use as to its origins and I really like it. It seems to me to be similar to Elder and so it makes me think this would be cool on a wise character but it also has a youthful appearance as well.