McKenna

Meaning: (Gaelic surname Mac Cionaodha, which means "son of CIONAODH" (CIONAODH: Modern Irish form of CINÁED: “born of fire" in Gaelic. This was the name of the first king of the Scots and Picts (9th century). It is often Anglicized as Kenneth.). Child of the Handsome One, Child of the Leader, Respect, Affection, Ascend, From the Gaelic word "eirghe". Popular use of this surname as a given name is influenced by the similar use of Mckenzie.)

Origin: (Irish, Scottish, Gaelic, Celtic, English (Modern))

Pronunciation: (mə-KEN-ə, mə-KEHN-ə, ma-KEN-ah, EHMSIYKEHNNaa)

Gender: Female

I have had this name on my surname list on this blog and had this as the last name of one of my characters. Recently I think McKenna would make a good first name. The meaning is strong and the name is beautiful.

Kingsley

Meaning: (From a surname which was originally derived from a place name meaning "King's Wood" in Old English. From the King’s Wood/ Meadow, From the King’s Field, King’s Forest Clearing. This interesting name is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational surname deriving from any one of the places called 'Kingsley' in Cheshire, Hampshire and Staffordshire. The places in Cheshire and Staffordshire are recorded as 'Chingeslie' in the Domesday Book of 1086 and that in Hampshire as 'Kyngesly' in 1210. The place names all share the same meaning and derivation, which is 'the glade, clearing, of the king', or 'chieftain', derived from the Old English pre 7th Century 'cyning', king, originally chieftain, tribal leader, with 'leah', thin wood, glade, clearing. Locational surnames were usually acquired by those former inhabitants of a place who moved to another area, and were thereafter best identified by the name of their birthplace. Charles Kingsley (1819-1875), the English clergyman and author of 'Westward Hol', and 'The Water Babies' is probably the best known bearer of the name. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Kingesle (witness), which was dated 1246, The Lancashire Assize Rolls, during the reign of King Henry 111, '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/Kingsley#ixzz1rIfwZJc6)

Origin: (English (Modern), Old English)

Pronunciation: (KING-zlee, KINGZ-lee)

Gender: Male

Kingsley is a surname which is on one of my surname posts but recently I have been posting surnames I had as first names, Ex. Ramsey, Maelum. I think Kingsley is a cool name but it might be better as a middle name or surname. The meaning is nice and the name seems strong.

Fallon

Meaning: (Superiority, Descended from a Ruler, Leader, Of a Ruling Family, From an Irish surname which was derived from Ó Fallamhain meaning "descendent of Fallamhan". The given name Fallamhan meant "leader". It was popularized in the 1980s by a character on the soap opera 'Dynasty'.)

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, English (Modern))

Pronunciation: (FAL-lin, FAL-en)

Gender: Female

I saw this name again on the Syfy T.V Series Sanctuary. I like the name and I have a place for it in a future novel. This name is a very regal name and could be used on a royal character. I just love the look and sound of the name. I hope someone uses it for there character.

River or Ryver or Ryvre

Meaning: (River, From the English word that denotes a flowing body of water. The word is ultimately derived (via Old French) from Latin ripa "riverbank".)

Origin: (English (Modern), English Nature Name)

Pronunciation: RIV-ər

Gender: Uni-Sex (Male & Female)

I actually quite like River. I like it more as a female name but it has been used as I said above as a Uni-Sex name. There are men with this name. When I see the name River I think of two well known T.V Characters with this name River Song (A.K.A Melody Pond) from Doctor Who and River Tam from Firefly T.V Series and the Serenity Movie. Both are kick butt characters so it gives rise to the belief that the name though gentle and a nature name it can be used on an out going take charge character. Though it could also be used on a nature fairy or on a simple normal modern person. It's like a real River it goes with the flow, it's really all about how you make the character appear to the reader.