Merric / Merrick

Meaning: (Ruler of the Sea, Strong Ruler, Fame Rule, Armored Ruler, Mill Worker, Chieftain, Handmaiden, Slender, Delicate)

Origin: (Irish, Celtic, Gaelic, Welsh, Old English)

Pronunciation: (MEH-RihK, MEHR-ik)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching one of those shows on Investigate Discovery channel and one of the ladies talking was talking about her serial killer father. One of her sister’s names was Merric. Though I didn’t watch that whole show I did like the name of her sister, though what their father did was appalling.  

Merric or Merrick is great names with really great strong meanings. It does seem very Irish to me and I love that but is easily pronounced which I love as well. Merric O’ Conor seems a good name and so pairing this first name with an Irish last name you can see more of it being Irish as well. This also seems a name that could have fit in Arthurian Legend or in a High Fantasy sword wielding novel. Merric seems feminine to me and Merrick seems masculine to me. All in all I really love this name and I would love to see it used more often.

Finnick

Meaning: (Recorded in a number of spellings including Fenwich, Fenwick, Fennick, Finnick, Vinnick, and the extraordinary dialectals Phoenix and Phonix, this very early surname is Anglo -Scottish from the region known as "The Border Country". This was for centuries an area of total anarchy, and where it has to be said, the "clan" Fenwick played a prominent part! The surname is locational and when English derives either from the villages of Fenwick in Northumberland, near Kylow and Stamfordham, or if Scottish from the village of Fenwick in the county of Ayrshire. There is also a village called Fenwick in the West Riding of Yorkshire, but it is unclear whether this produced any surname holders. What is certain is that with all the villages names and hence the surname, the translation is the same. The name derives from the Olde English pre 7th Century "wic" meaning a dwelling place, or a dairy farm, or sometimes a landing place. To this prefix is added "fen" meaning a marshland, or water meadow. The surname is first recorded on the Scottish side of the "Border Country", (see below), and almost all early surname recordings are from this region. These early recordings include Thomas de Fenwyk, a witness at the 1279 Assize Court of Northumberland, and Nicholas Fynwik, who was the provost of Ayr, Scotland, in 1313. Sir John Fenwick, born in 1579, was High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1658, in the 'reign' of Oliver Cromwell. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Ffenwic, which was dated c.1220. He was a charter witness, and is so recorded in the rolls of the Abbey of Kelso. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.)

Origin: (Anglo-Saxon, Old English, Scottish, Literature, Pop Culture)

Pronunciation: (FI-nik, FIN-ik)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

Finnick Odair, one of the wining tributes and rebels in The Hunger Games Series. Now people have been saying the author made it up from the word Finicky, now that author may have wanted it because of the word Finicky but from my research the author did not make this name up.

This is another Hermione *see on list of posts* incident, many years ago many young authors were asking on naming forums if they could use the name Hermione as they assumed J.K Rowling had made it up but myself and others told them that William Shakespeare beat J.K Rowling by a couple hundred years in using this name and it even predates Shakespeare era as well so its fine to use it as J.K Rowling didn’t create it.

So now people are assuming Finnick was made up by the Hunger Games author. From what I found it comes from Fenwick and has a long history of use. So I see no reason other authors can’t use it. As far as I’ve seen most of the names in the Hunger Games universe are real just really rare, of course I haven’t researched them all or anything.  

As for Finnick I really like this name and the character in the Hunger Games Series. This name gives off an Irish vibe to me and so I think it could fit that. I like the meanings and the over all look of this name.

Nickname Options: Finn, Nick, Finni, Nicki / Nicky, and Ick.

Camillus

Meaning: (Priest’s Assistant, Temple Servant, Altar Server, the Honorable Born, and Young Ceremonial Attendant.)

Origin: (Latin, Ancient Roman, Etruscan)

Pronunciation: (kə-MIL-əs (English), ca-mi-llus)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I’ve been looking for a knife for when I go camping and hiking off the beaten track and I saw a cheap knife that had this as its name. I didn’t buy it as it was as cheaply made as the price entails so I’m still looking but I did really like the name. Well rather I really quite loved it. It reminds me of names like Carnelian / Cornelian *see on list of posts* as it has this cool unique ancient look about it that is rare now a days.

The meanings are all really great and do fit into the ancient world really well but would also do well I think in the modern era or even the future. I think this names meanings could fit well to describe the job of the character as this is one of those names that is occupational and if described in the story it could fit well. It kind of reminds me of YA Novels where the characters jobs were preordained in their society so this could fit and with the unique YA Novel character names now a days it could fit really well also.

Nickname Options: Cam, Mill, Millus, Millie (Female), Milly (Uni-Sex but may look more Feminine), Cami (Female), and Miles.

Sullivan

Meaning: (Little Dark Eye, Dark Eyes)

Origin: (Irish, English)

Pronunciation: (SUL-i-vən, SULL-uh-ven, Sul-ee-van)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I think Sullivan would be amazing if paired, perhaps as sibling names, with Donovan*see on list of posts*, Garrison*see on list of posts*, and Flannigan*see on list of posts*. The meaning and look is really great and very sexy if you think of it that way, lol! This is another great Irish name that is seemingly easily pronounced and recognizable.

I think an attractive nickname for this name would be Sully, but it reminds me of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman as Dr. Michaela’s *see on list of posts* (Dr. Mike) love interest and then husband, he went by his last name of Sully.

Flannigan

Meaning: (The Gaelic name was derived from the word "flann," which means red or ruddy. The chief septs (clans) were found in the counties of Roscommon, Fermanagh, Monaghan and Offaly. In Connacht, they were a part of the royal O Connors and were located near Elphin, in Co. Roscommon. They were hereditary stewards to the Kings of Connacht.

The clan's motto is commonly reported to be the Latin phrase Certavi et Vici, meaning "I have fought and conquered"; this motto is also shared by the Byrne clan.

There is another motto, Latin, that is attributed to Ó Flannagáin Clan, Sept of Kelly being Fortuna audaces iuvat (juvat) or Fortune Favours the Bold.

This surname with variant spellings Flannagan, Flanaghan, Falnagan, etc., is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O' Flannagain, the prefix "O" meaning "descendant of" plus the personal name "Flannagan", a diminutive of the Gaelic element "flann" meaning "red(dish), ruddy". The main sept of the surname is found in Connacht, and Flannigan is numbered among the hundred most widespread surnames in Ireland, taking sixty-ninth place on that list. They sprang from one Flanagan who was of the same stock as the Royal O' Connors, and his line held the hereditary post of steward to the Kings of Connacht. The surname dates back to the early 14th Century (see below). Church Records include Robert, son of Richard and Margaret Flannigan who was christened on December 3rd 1797 at Dromore Parish, Co. Down, and Margaret Flannigan who married William Allen on October 23rd 1798 in St. Giles Cripplegate, London. Notable Irishmen of the name include Roderick Flanagan (1828-1861), founder of the "Sydney Chronicle", and Thomas Flanagan (1814-1865), author of the "History of the Church in England". David Flannigan, together with his wife Jane and daughter Elizabeth, were famine emigrants, who sailed from Liverpool aboard the Stephen-Whitney bound for New York on April 6th 1846. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Donough O' Flanagan, Bishop of Elphin, which was dated 1308, Medieval Records of Ireland, during the reign of King Edward 11, known as "Edward of Caernafon", 1307-1327. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.)

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, Irish Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (FLAN-uh-gen)

Gender: Male

As promised here is the name Flannigan! I had put under the Garrison *see on list of posts* and Donovan *see on list of posts* posts that someone had pointed out that these would be great as sibling names and I am now getting to adding Flannigan. I do love this clan’s family’s mottos as I am a fan of old Latin family mottos. I particularly like the motto, Fortuna Audaces Iuvat (Juvat) or Fortune Favours the Bold. This being such a popular surname particularly in Ireland and it having such a long history of use it would be really cool if used by an author as the first name of a character in honor of that characters past heritage and ancestors. It also could be used on a character if they have red hair or a red or ruddy complexion upon birth. I really love this name and would love to use it in the future if the right character comes along.

I’m going to throw another similar name in the mix for possible sibling names to go with Donovan, Garrison, and Flannigan and that name is Sullivan *see on list of posts*. I think with most all being primarily last names or a surname that if used as sibling first names in honor of their heritage that would be way cool. And mix it with a common Irish last name that would be even cooler, I may do something similar in the future.

Amore

Meaning: (Love, Amore is an alternate form of Amor (French) with the suffix -e. From a short form of a compound name formed with this element, as for example Bonamore, Finamore, nickname for a philanderer, from Amore ‘Love’.)

Origin: (French, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (Ah-more-ay, A-MORE-RAY)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I love to watch WWE wrestling and one of the new tag teams is Enzo Amore and Big Cass. After hearing the name Enzo *see on list of posts* I came to like it and the last name Amore, of course it’s a ring name not his real name but each part was interesting to me. Using Amore as a first name would be interesting but I would hope an author would stick to it as a middle or last name instead. The meaning is great of course, except the nickname for philander part, and the pronunciation is easy enough. This would be good if used in some way for a character who thinks he’s a Casanova with the ladies.

Enzo

Meaning: (Winner, Winning, Giant, Rules the Home, House Owner, Lord of the Manor, in some cases it seems to be an Old Italian form of Heinz (diminutive of Henry), though in other cases it could be a variant of the Germanic name Anzo. In modern times it is also used as a short form of names ending in Enzo, such as Vincenzo or Lorenzo.)

Origin: (Italian, Latin, French, Germanic)

Pronunciation: (EHNZow, EHN-zoh)

Gender: Male

I love to watch WWE wrestling and one of the new tag teams is Enzo Amore and Big Cass. After hearing the name Enzo I came to like it and the last name Amore *see on list of posts* of course it’s a ring name not his real name but each part was interesting to me. The meanings of Enzo are pretty strong and great, I particularly like the Lord of the Manor one. I do think it is a great nickname option for names with Enzo in it like, Vincenzo and Lorenzo. However I think it can also stand on its own as its own name.

Pfeifer

Meaning: (Recorded in several ways including Pfiffer, Phifer, Pfeuffer, Pfeiffer, Pfeifer, Pieper, Feifer, and Peifer, this famous German surname is occupational. It can describe either a piper, possibly in the military sense of pipes and drums, although more probably in the general sense of a musician who played the pipes at the various festivals and travelling theatres of the period. Dependent on the spelling, and there are many overlaps, the name can refer to a merchant of spices particularly pepper. The "piper" origination is probably associated with the Roman Invasion of Gaul as far back as the 1st century b.c. The derivation here is from the word "pfeife" meaning to whistle, itself from the Latin "pipa", a pipe. As a pepper merchant, the origin is equally ancient, and certainly back to the 4th century a.d. Not surprisingly this is one of the most ancient surnames recorded, either in Germany or anywhere else. Early examples taken from the authentic registers and charters of Germany include Haintz der Pheiffer of Eblingen in the year 1378, and Claus Pfeffer, a burger of Ravensburg in 1421. The surname is also recorded in forms such as Pfefferer, and Pfefferhart, a "romantic" surname of a type popular in Germany in the post medieval period. The first known recording is believed to be that of Johannes Pipere, in the charters of the city of Bremen, Germany, in the year 1296.)

Origin: (German)

Pronunciation: (FYE-fur, go to this site and run your cursor of the name Pfeifer to hear how it is said: http://howjsay.com/pronunciation-of-pfeifer )

Gender: Uni-Sex

I decided to watch the movie ‘The Gallows’ a while back, which I regret as it was so darn stupid, but I didn’t see the end coming, go figure I suck at figuring out what should be a predictable end, lol! So anyway one of the characters name is Pfeifer and I thought that’s a cool name.

The movie also had Cassidy Gifford in it, Kathy Gifford’s daughter. Her character was named Cassidy and I thought oh isn’t that weird to have the same name in real life as the character you play. Well come to find out when the credits rolled all the main characters names are the same as the first name of the actors playing the part which I thought was dumb. What did they run out of creativity and say just go by your name? Or did they think the actors were so stupid they couldn’t remember the other person’s character name, I highly doubt that one.

Anyway so the girl playing Pfeifer well her real name in real life is Pfeifer which I think is really interesting as you don’t hear of it being a first name. I’ve seen it plenty of times as a last name but never as a first name. I think it’s cool that it’s one of the most ancient recorded surnames and the meanings are very interesting as well. It’s a great alternative to the much more popular name Piper *see on list of posts*. The whole look is really great and I think it looks great as a first name or a last name and most everyone has heard of this name so pronunciation would be a breeze for most everyone.

Birdina

Meaning: (Little Bird, Bright Maiden, Full of Praise and Glory, name of a character in the 1955, MGM released 'The Glass Slipper,' their musical take on the famous Cinderella story.)

Origin: (Greek, English, Germanic, Pop Culture)

Pronunciation: (B-ERDIYNAH)

Gender: Female

I was watching the movie ‘The Glass Slipper’ a few months back, I’ve seen it a few times and love it each and every time as I love movies with actress Leslie Caron in them. She plays the Cinderella character, BTW. This I think I remember was the name of one of the evil step-sisters. I do really love the name. I love the nickname options of Birdie or even Bridie *see on list of posts*. So if Birdie is chosen as the nickname I think it would be great when used with the full name Birdina rather than the name it’s usually a nickname for which is Bernice. The meanings are great and the whole name itself is fresh and rare to me which I love as well.

Satine

Meaning: (Shiny Material, Satine is a variant of the name Satin.)

Origin: (English, French)

Pronunciation: (SA-teen, SAT-in, SAETIYN)

Gender: Female

This was the name of the character in the Moulin Rouge movie, played by actress Nicole Kidman. I think it’s an interesting name. The look and meanings do impart a seductive vibe. I can’t say much about the name as I am a bit on the fence between love and hate with this name. It interesting as I said but I am not sure it would be a name I would ever use for any of my characters. When I see this name I think Satin sheets and Moulin Rouge so I would be stuck thinking that every time I see this name so it’s good and bad in that way. It really depends on how the author intends to take their character if they use this name.