Vincent

Meaning: (derived from the Latin name Vincentius meaning "Conquering" (from Latin "Vincere" - "to Conquer"). The French brought the name to the English and the Irish. The Gaelic forms of Vincent are “Uinseann” and “Uinsionn.” This name was popular among early Christians, and it was borne by many saints. As an English name, Vincent has been in use since the Middle Ages, though it did not become common until the 19th century. Famous bearers include the French priest Saint Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) and the post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890).)

Origin: (Latin, English, French, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Slovak)

Pronunciation: (VIN-sənt (English), ven-SAWN (French))

Gender: Male

My boyfriend is named Anthony *that shocking yet extremly exciting new development will be discussed shortly on my Book Worm blog so tune in to that blog for more details not too far off. Oh and Anthony’s first name will be on next months list of posts so come back to check it out then* whose middle name is Vincent so I decided to add it as I’ve yet to add it to this blog. The meanings are very strong and definitely have a masculine flare. It has a long history of use and a varied one which makes it diverse. I love the paintings of post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh so I like this name just because of him. The name would do well I believe if used in a fairy-tale retelling as it does seem a very noble title bearing name and one of someone who champions for the less fortunate because he’s in a place to do so.

Hazen

Meaning: (Sandy Meadow, From the Hedge Enclosure, Smooth, Beautiful, from Hasin, a pet form of a Germanic personal name, Haso, derived from haswa 'Gray', 'Black'; or from the plural of Haas.)

Origin: (Dutch, Germanic, Old English, Sanskrit)

Pronunciation: (HHEYZAHN, HAY-zən)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I forget where I saw this name but when I saw it I thought it was unique and pretty cool looking. It has really lovely meanings and has a look like Hazel in a way so maybe twins or siblings Hazel and Hazen would be cool. All in all I like this name and would love to see it used more often in novels.

Brandewijn

Meaning: (From Branden ‎(“to Burn, Distill”) +‎ Wijn ‎(“Wine”), A brandy, type of strong liquor distilled from wine or another alcoholic beverage.)

Origin: (Dutch, English)

Pronunciation: (Brand-Wyne, Brandy-Wyne)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

I think I was looking up something to do with the name Balor *see on list of posts* and stumbled upon this one somehow. That is so cool that in Dutch this is basically in reference to Brandy. Its interesting this basically means burned wine but I’ve used other words that basically mean a type of liquor before like Sangria *see on list of posts*.

I really like the over all look of this name though as it has a very old look like it could have come from the Irish or Welsh origin rather than Dutch though really Dutch names can be old as well. I can see this as the name of a mountain in a fantasy novel or maybe the name of a brave and strong heroine who is very much as strong as any liquor, lol!

I had to look up Wijn to see the pronunciation which I found to be Wyne so I paired that with the suggested pronunciation for the first part Brande which is Brand or Brandy to create the pronunciation above under pronunciation. I prefer Brand-Wyne.

Melanie

Meaning: (Derived from the Greek μελανία (melania), "Blackness" and that from μέλας (melas), meaning "Dark". Borne in its Latin form by two 5^th Century saints: Melania the Elder (-410) and her granddaughter Melania the Younger (383-439), the name was introduced to England by the Normans in its French form Melanie. The name was used by English speakers in the Middle Ages, introduced via French settlers, but its use did not persist. It saw a revival in the mid 17th century, and received another boost in the 20th century from a character of the same name in the highly popular Margaret Mitchell novel Gone with the Wind (1936) and subsequent film. It was originally given to children with dark complexion, hair, or eyes.)

Origin: (Latin, Old Greek, English, German, Dutch, French)

Pronunciation: (MEL-ə-nee (English), ME-lah-nee (German), MEH-lə-nee, MEHL-ah-Niy (English) or MEH-Laa-Niy (German))

Gender: Female

I came to like this name more when seeing it as the name of Melanie Martinez the singer whose song ‘Pity Party’ I really love right now. I of course have heard of this name my whole life. I had a friend in middle school whose name was Melanie. The meanings are very lovely and exotic in my opinion. It variant forms and this form have been used for so many years and have such a long history of use and such a prominent use as well that it would make using this anywhere in any era acceptable. And of course the nickname options are nearly endless: Mel, Mellie, Melly, Mels, Lanie, Anie (pronounced like Annie), Elan, Lane, Melan, the list can go on.

Olaf / Olav / Olof

Meaning: (Relic; Ancestral Heritage. From the Old Norse name Áleifr meaning "Ancestor's Descendant", derived from the elements Anu "Ancestor" and Leifr "Descendant". St. Olaf is the patron saint of Norway, and there were many kings in Scandinavia named Olaf. The name has long been used in Scandinavian countries. It was introduced into England by the Vikings before the Norman Conquest, and later saw a revival in the 19th century from Scandinavian immigrants in the USA.)

Origin: (Norwegian, Old Norse, Scandinavian, Danish, German, Dutch, Polish)

Pronunciation: (O-lahf (German, Dutch), OW-LaeF (English), OW-LaaF (Dutch, German))

Gender: Male

When I was looking at the blog Blog of Characters run by Apolla 13 she had added this name to her blog as part of adding names from Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events novels. If you care to look at her blog it is https://apolla13.wordpress.com/ .When I see and hear this name I think of the fun loving snow man from the movie Frozen. The meanings I like a lot and it’s a nice older foreign looking name. It seems like the name Otto *see on list of posts* to me, short, easily pronounced and has a sexy appeal to it. Like I can see a handsome buff guy with a hot accent and rock hard abs when I see this name, lol, way too specific there but I am a writer so I think all out, lol! ;~) I prefer the spelling Olaf or Olav whereas Olof seems off putting to me.

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.

Ravenor

Meaning: (Rave: Raven, Applied as a nickname for a thievish or dark haired person. Nor: Light, The Light, Honored, Honorable, God is My Light, Mercy, and Pity.)

Origin: (Arabic, Latin, Old Greek, English, German, Dutch)

Pronunciation: (REYV-NAOR, REYV-NAWR)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw this as the name of a Trilogy of books and I liked the look instantly as I love names with Raven in them. I looked it up and saw it is a last name but I could find no definite meaning or origin so just like Gwen-Gana *see on list of posts* I looked up the separate parts of the name Rave and Nor.

So the meanings together in this name are interesting. The first part is dark and mischievous where as the latter half is light and pleasant and good, so a funny name in that regard. I can see a very mixed character with this name, I mean mixed in regard to personality and the way they handle themselves. I can see a mischievous thievish character that truly has a good heart but has a hidden reason for their fiendish pursuits.  

Skyla

Meaning: (Sheltering, Well Read, Protector, Shield, Fugitive)

Origin: (Dutch, Irish, English, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (SKIY-lə, SKAYLaa)

Gender: Female

Sad but I saw a commercial for the birth control that is named Skyla. I like the name but not how it is being used as a contraception name. Apparently parents on naming boards feel the same horror at their already named Skyla’s having their name associated with contraception.

The meanings are lovely, except the weird Fugitive meaning. All the other meanings are strong and beautiful but Fugitive is a weird one when combined with the others but that often happens with some names and there meanings. The name seems light and free. A cute nickname could be Sky. This would be a great alternative to the much more popular Skylar / Skyler. It’s beautiful and I would love to use this name and see this more often.

Leven

Meaning: (Life, Hearts Child, United, Joined Attached, Dearest Friend, English Surname and Place Name. It is etymologically related to the name Lennox. This name is derived from the Middle English given name "Lefwine", (Old English "Leofwine"), composed of the elements "laof" meaning "dear" or "beloved", plus, "wine" a friend. One Wilfricus filius (son of) Leofwini is recorded in the Old English Bynames Register in 1010. The surname may also be derived from an Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic Mac Giolla Giullin, "son of (mac) the servant of (giolla) William". The modern idiom of the spelling includes Lewins, Lewen, Livens, Levens. In 1660 Elonor Lewen was born at Kirk Michael, Isle of Man. George, son of Thomas and Mary Lewens, was christened in London in March 1700. Jemima Scot Lewen was born in East Lothian, Haddington, Scotland on the 29th July 1869. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Lewyn, which was dated 1230, in the "Northamptonshire Register", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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.

Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Leven#ixzz3ftq7rn00 )

Origin: (Dutch, Hebrew, Old English)

Pronunciation: (L-EH-v-uh-n, l-EE-v-uh-n)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I love the meanings of this unique name and the history and usage is interesting as well. I think in a way this reminds me of leaven bread, lol! I think the name looks like leavin’ and one of the pronunciations is like that.

Since the one meaning is “Hearts Child” it kind of makes me see this name being used in a re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland, lol! Like the Queen of Hearts son is Leven Heart so meaning “Hearts Child Heart”, weird in a way but works, though in truth Jack Heart would work more but in a re-imagining Leven might work. I’ve been toying with the idea for a re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland for awhile so this may be first on my list. But that doesn’t mean others can’t get their hands on this name for their novel.

Also “Hearts Child” could have to do with one feeling in their heart as if they are young and child like. Or it could be about one having a desire in their heart to have a child and then having one and naming it this. There are many ways that meaning could go.

Braum

Meaning: (Americanized Form of German Brahm. Jewish (Ashkenazic): Perhaps a variant of Braun. Father of a Mighty Nation. Short form of Abraham.)

Origin: (Hebrew, German, English, Dutch)

Pronunciation: (BRaeM)

Gender: Male

Similar in many ways to Bram *see on list of posts* but come to think of it, it does have very few differences. The meanings are strong and it has a decent look to it. I like the name but it is however a name I don’t think I will be very memorable with me.

Odile

Meaning: (Wealth, Fortune, Of the Fatherland, Fortunate or Prosperous in Battle, Variant of Odila.)

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

 Pronunciation: (OwDIY-L, oh-DEEL)

Gender: Uni-Sex

This is the name of the antagonist Black Swan in Swan Lake Ballet. I was looking for a few new names a few months ago and stumbled upon this one. I think the meanings are great and the look is definitely rare and I am on a rare name hunt as of late. I think the pronunciation is pretty simple and the name at least isn’t long or too complicated. It has a long history of use though so that is amazing as I am always looking for names that have lasted a long time so that authors can use them in any time period.

Cecilia

Meaning: (Latinate feminine form of the Roman family name Caecilius, which was derived from Latin caecus "blind". Saint Cecilia was a semi-legendary 2nd- or 3rd-century martyr who was sentenced to die because she refused to worship the Roman gods. After attempts to suffocate her failed, she was beheaded. She was later regarded as the patron saint of music and musicians.

Due to the popularity of the saint, the name became common in the Christian world during the Middle Ages. The Normans brought it to England, where it was commonly spelled Cecily - the Latinate form Cecilia came into use in the 18th century.)

Origin: (English, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Finnish, Dutch, German, Latin)

Pronunciation: (sə-SEE-lee-ə (English), sə-SEEL-yə (English), che-CHEE-lyah (Italian), the-THEE-lyah (Spanish), se-SEE-lyah (Latin American Spanish), SE-see-lee-ah (Finnish), sess-seel’yah (English))

Gender: Female

I have never been a huge fan of this name because I didn’t care for the pronunciation but since looking up Shyla *see on list of posts* and it being a variant of it I like it a bit. Though I don’t like the meaning which is a bit off putting and not at all pretty. It has an interesting look and it has an old history which would make this name an ideal name in a Historical Fiction novel. I have heard this name a few times on TV but perhaps that is why I don’t care for it either as the people named this weren’t so great, one was a killer. Though the variant spellings of this name are endless so that is kind of cool.

 

All in all it's not a name I will at present be using in any of my novels but I could see this becoming a name that winds up changing my view of it when the right character, whether book I read or one I write, comes along.

Elwendia

Meaning: (El: From a Semitic word meaning "god", perhaps originally derived from a root meaning "power". This was the name of the chief Semitic god, the father of the gods and mankind. In some cases it was used as a title and applied to other gods of the pantheon. It was used by the Hebrews to refer to Yahweh. Wendia: Variant of Wendy, Family, and Wanderer.)

Origin: (Dutch, English, German, Eastern Mythology)

Pronunciation: (EL-win-dee-uh, EL: ELLE Wendia: WEHNDIYAH)

Gender: Female

I decided to use this name as the name of one of my characters in a future novel; the character will be the daughter of one of my main characters named Toriel. The characters are Elves and I think it works wonderfully as an Elf name. The meanings are decent and seems a pretty name.

 

 

Bram

Meaning: (Bramble; a Thicket of Wild Gorse, Raven, High Father, Father of Many, Father of Multitude, Abbreviation of Abraham and Abram and Bramwell.)

Origin: (Scottish, Gaelic, Irish, Hebrew, Dutch)

Pronunciation: (bram, BR-AH-M, BraeM)  

Gender: Male

I was looking for a certain name for one of my characters that had the meaning Raven and I came across this one. The main meaning isn’t Raven but one of the meanings is Raven. I decided not to use this as a characters name but I still decided to add it to this blog. Also a cool association can be made to the famous bearer Bram Stoker, Writer of Dracula. It is short and easily pronounced. The meanings are decent and the look good. Also this could be a nickname for Abraham or Abram or Bramwell, so if an author doesn’t want to use the longer version all the time they can nickname the character Bram.  

Anki

Meaning: (God is Gracious, God Has Shown Favor, Learning by Heart, Memory Work, Variant of Ann.)

Origin: (Swedish, Dutch, Nordic, Finnish, Hebrew, Japanese)

Pronunciation: (AENGKIY, AHN-key)

Gender: Female

I think this was one of the names of the mother of one of my favorite music artists. It’s been a while so I can’t really remember if this is it. So this I believe was one of the names and the other was Alla *see on list of posts*. I think this is a pretty name that has good meanings. I like the foreign to English speakers look.  

Anika / Anneka

Meaning: (Grace, Favour, Sweet Faced, Gracious, Merciful, Diminutive form of Anne. Popular among African Americans at the end of the 20^th Century.)

Origin: (African Hausa, Scandinavian, Hebrew, English, German, Dutch)

Pronunciation: (AH-ne-kah, aa-NAY-Kaa, AEN-iy-Kaa, AHN-nee-kah, Ahn-ihk-uh)

Gender: Female

I have used this name before, the spelling Anneka, and I really like it. I first saw this as the name of an African American actress. I love the pronunciation and the look of this name. It has a unique and rare look. The meanings are lovely and beautiful.

Dorothea

Meaning: (Gift of God, Variant of Dorothy, Feminine form of the Late Greek name (Dorotheos), which meant “Gift of God” from Greek (Doron) “Gift” and (Theos) “God”. Dorothea was the name of two early saints, notably the 4^th Century martyr Dorothea of Caesarea. It was also borne by the 14^th Century Saint Dorothea of Montau, who was the patron saint of Prussia. )

Origin: (Greek, Latin, German, Dutch, English)

Pronunciation:  (do-ro-TE-ah (German), dawr-ə-THEE-ə (English), dor-oh-THEE-ah, DowRah-THIYah (English), DowRowTEHaa (German))

Gender: Female

I have debated adding this name for some time. It is although a good alternative for Dorothy which has an old fashioned feel. However Dorothea looks a little weird to me. I think it’s the Doro followed by Thea which when together to me it seems it shouldn’t fit together but it does. I like the meanings however and it has an interesting history.

Bettie / Betty

Meaning: (God’s Promise, God is my Oath, My God is a Vow, Pet form of Elizabeth, In the 17^th Century it was also used occasionally as a pet form of Beatrice. First became popular in the 18^th Century, and now appears most often in combination with other names: Betty Lou, Betty Ann, ect. Liza and Beth are now more likely choices as modern-day short forms. Actresses Betty Grable, Bette Davis, Singer Bette Midler, First Lady Betty Ford. )

Origin:  (Dutch, English, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (BET-ee)

Gender: Female

I saw a little bit of this movie once that was about 1950’s Pin-up Girl Bettie Page. I have also heard this name a lot lately. It is a short name that can be a stand alone name or a nickname for Elizabeth or Beatrice. It has a good meaning and is a name that’s easily pronounced. It’s a cute name with a very early American sound to it (I don’t know why I feel that way).

Otto

Meaning: (Wealth, Fortune, Prosperity, From the Old High German Otho and Odo, which are derived from Auda (Rich). The name was borne by Otto I (912-73, 10^th Century), a King of Germany and the first Emperor of Holy Roman Empire he was known as Otto the Great. The older form Odo is also bestowed, but it is much less common. This was the name of four kings of Germany. This name was also borne by a 19th-century king of Greece who was originally from Bavaria. Another notable bearer was the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898). Common in English-speaking countries until Otto von Bismarck's German armies became threateningly powerful in the early 20th century. Ottone is the Italian form. The Ottoman Empire was one of the most successful, creative and prosperous civilizations in the last 1000 years. At their height during the 16th Century, their Muslim influence can still be seen in architecture, religion and culture. Otto is the name of a volatile and highly fragrant essential oil obtained from the petals of roses. As short a name as Otto is, it is actually based on even shorter compound personal names containing the Germanic elements "od" and "ot" -- derivatives of prosperity, wealth, fortune and riches. (A similar example is how the English "ead" is used in names such as Edward and Edwin). Otto has a rich religious and royal history, and the name has maintained its popularity through the ages by having christened those important and wealthy surviving families during what were for many turbulent times.)

Origin: (German, Nordic, Scandinavian, Dutch, English, Finnish, Ancient Germanic)

Pronunciation: (AH-toh, AW-to (German), AH-to (English), AW-toh, OT-toe) 

Gender: Male

I was watching a furniture commercial the other day. It was a commercial where the furniture introduced there selves and the ottoman said his name was Otto. I have heard this name before and I thought to add this now. The meanings are lovely. It’s got a very long interesting history. I love that it is short and the pronunciation is fun (say Otto over and over and see).

Ryder

Meaning: (One Who Rides, Horseman, Rider, Knight, Mounted Warrior, Mounted Messenger, This interesting and unusual name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and has two possible meanings. The first of these is from the late Olde English pre 7th Century term "ridere", a derivative of "ridan", to ride, and is an occupational surname given originally to a mounted warrior or a messenger. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, however, and the introduction of their feudal system, the term "Rider" or "Ryder" was soon displaced by "Knight" in its growing sense of a tenant bound to serve his lord as a mounted soldier. Job-descriptive surnames originally denoted the actual occupation of the namebearer, and later became hereditary. The second possible origin of the modern surname is from the Olde English "ried, ryd", clearing in a wood, used with the suffix "-er" as a topographical name denoting residence in or by such a clearing. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages. The modern surname can be found recorded as Rider, Ryder and Ridder. The marriage of John Ryder and Mary Wales was recorded at St. Nicholas', Cole Abbey, London, in January 1593. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas le Rider, which was dated 1204, witness in the "Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire", during the reign of King John, known as "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. 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.
Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Ryder#ixzz1rxVlGS76 )

Origin: (English, Irish, Dutch)

Pronunciation: (RYE-der, RIY-der)

Gender: Male, possibly Uni-Sex

I was watching a movie the other day and saw actress Winona Ryder in it and thought I had never actually added the name Ryder. I think it is a strong name and goes great with the name Ripley *on the list of posts*. It's got a great history but works great in modern times as well.