Gareth

Meaning: Gentle

Origin: Welsh, Arthurian

Pronunciation: GAR-əth

Gender: Male

I saw this a few weeks ago in an article and I really came to like it. It looks cool and the meaning is nice. It’s a bit different than the more common Garret but not completely out there and crazy or anything.

Achilles

Meaning: (Pain, Greek legend character from Homer's 'Iliad,' killed by an arrow to the heel. ) 

Origin:(Greek) 

Pronunciation: (a-KILL-eez) 

Gender: Male 

I am quite surprised I haven't added this name before. Its definitely an oldy but a goody. Its not a name you probably would hear often anymore but would be a good ones used in wide variety of settings and genres. It would be fun to see it cause you wouldn't really think much of this being used apart from the Iliad but I oddly like the look and sound of this name. 

Bianco

Meaning- (White, Bright, Shining, Beautiful)

Origin- (Italian, Old High German)

Pronunciation- (bee-ANG-ko, bee-AHNK-oh)

Gender- (Male, Uni-Sex)

Here is a seemingly male version of the name Bianca *see on list of names* which is an alternative to Blanche *see on list of names* so all would do well male and female on a character. I really think Bianco is kind of a rugged name with nice meanings and a nice older history. All in all I really do like this name and would love to see it used.

Cato

Meaning- (Intelligent, Shrewd, All Knowing, Wise, Good Judgement, 2^nd Century Roman Statesman)

Origin- (Latin, Ancient Roman)

Pronunciation- (cah-toe, kAI-toh)

Gender-(Male, Uni-Sex)

So I was looking for more unique names and came across this rather old but still very unused and unique name of Cato. Then I remembered I had heard this in the Hunger Games movies and was like well might as well add it. I do like the meanings and the age of the name but it’s a little too short and harsh sounding for me to want to use it in a novel or to even see it much in a novel. It would maybe do well as a secondary characters name or even a surname. I do think it would be cool paired with a surname ending in O I have one in mind but keeping to myself incase I decide to use it, lol!  

Cassian

Meaning: (Empty, Hollow, From the Roman family name Cassianus, which was derived from CASSIUS. This was the name of several saints, including a 3rd-century martyr from Tangier who is the patron saint of stenographers and a 5th-century mystic who founded a monastery in Marseille.)

Origin: (Latin, English, Ancient Roman)

Pronunciation: (KASH-ən (English), KAE-SH-ahN )

Gender: (Male)

I saw this name the other day and I think it is a very attractive rare name that has great possibilities and I’d love to see it used a bit more often. The meanings are interesting and its history is very old and so this could be used in virtually any era which I love as well. It would make a great alternative to the female Cassia which I have seen of late and like as well.

Reginald

Meaning: (Powerful Ruler, Advice, Counsel, Decision, Ruler)

Origin: (German, Latin)

Pronunciation: (R-JH-ih-NahLD, REJ-i-neld) 

Gender: (Male)

To me Reginald is very regal and dignified even before I knew the meanings. Its an older name but still a good one. Last year I tried to save a bird up in the lawn and garden department of our super center Walmart where I work, it was a sparrow that got clipped by a fan and I took care of him over the weekend while looking for someone to take him and I named him Reginald A.K.A Reggie but sadly he passed away early the next week. So to me this name seems fit for a King or General someone in a seat of power.

Leon

Meaning: (Lion, The Lion is a figure in art and religious symbolism of many cultures; symbolizing Kingliness and Grandeur and Courage. Fierce or Brave Warrior.)

Origin: (French, Latin, Spanish, German, Polish, Slovene)

Pronunciation: (LEE-awn (English), LE-awn (German, Polish, Slovene)) 

Gender: (Male) 

So Anthony and I were driving to visit a friend and we saw a location with the first part being Leon and so were joking about naming a future son this. We do however really like this name. It has strong meanings and the cool thing is the first part is like my dad’s name Leonard. It seems a name fit for a courageous prince or king on a noble quest. Paired with another strong name and a title it will be a name that will make the character one fit to be reckoned with.

Anthony

Meaning: (Highly Praiseworthy, Priceless, of Inestimable Worth, from a Roman clan name. In the 17^th Century, the spelling Anthony was associated with the Greek anthos meaning flower. English form of the roman family name Antonius, which is of unknown Etruscan origin. The most notable member of the Roman family was the general Marcus Antonius (called Mark Antony in English), who for a period in the 1^st Century BC ruled the Roman Empire jointly with Augustus. When their relationship turned sour, he and his mistress Cleopatra were attacked and forced to commit suicide, as related in Shakespeare’s tragedy ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ (1606).

The name became regularly used in the Christian world due to the fame of Saint Anthony the Great, a 4th-century Egyptian hermit who founded Christian monasticism. Its popularity was reinforced in the Middle Ages by the 13th-century Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of Portugal. It has been commonly (but incorrectly) associated with Greek ανθος (anthos) "flower", which resulted in the addition of the h to this spelling in the 17th century.)

Origin: (English, Latin, Etruscan)

Pronunciation: (AN-thə-nee, AN-tə-nee)

Gender: Male

My boyfriend is named Anthony. The meanings are very strong and masculine and very noble! It has a great history of use and is a common enough name to be recognizable but not so common it’s over used or anything in literature! I really do love this name and not just because it’s my boyfriends name! My boyfriend has had a few women say his name is sexy in the last few months, lol! This is a name that could fit in many different genres and backgrounds!

Okazaki

Meaning: (Hill Cape, found mostly in northeastern Japan and the island of Shikoku. Some bearers have samurai connections.)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (oh-kuh-sah-kee)

Gender: Male

This is a name of one of the main characters on the ‘Clannad’ Anime that my boyfriend Anthony *see on list of posts* had been showing me. The meaning is nice and the name itself is a decent recognizable Japanese name. I can see a Japanese monster being named this for some reason, lol!

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.

Tomoya

Meaning: (Wise One)

Origin: (Japanese)

Pronunciation: (TOW-Mow-Yaa)

Gender: Male

My boyfriend Anthony likes an Anime show called “Clannad” and one of the male characters has this as one of his names. I think the meaning is very lovely and it does seem when looked at that Tomoya would be used on one that is wise. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again I absolutely love Japanese names as the meanings are so nice!

Mordecai

Meaning: (Warrior, Little Man, from "Mara Dachya" meaning "Pure Myrrh", the aromatic resin which was used in incense.)

Origin: (Biblical, Hebrew, Persian, Aramaic)

Pronunciation: (MOHR-də-kiy, mor-də-KIE, MAWR-də-kie (English), mor'-de-ki, mor-de-ka'-I, mordekhay)

Gender: Male

I am so surprised I haven’t added this very nice strong Biblical name before. A relatively new friend Cameron *see on list of posts* told me that if he ever has a son in the future he would want to name him Mordecai. Mordecai in the Bible was the cousin of Esther *see on list of posts* and many years ago we had a Biblical drama about Esther and Mordecai at one of our religious conventions. I like the strong meanings of this name and the whole general look of the name is very nice.

I think Mordecai would do well in a historical fiction novel as it has a strong biblical history.  If used in a historical fiction novel and dealing with sensitive topics of the past it would do well on a character thats perhaps down and out, but comes back strong. Though also it seems like it would do well in a science fiction / fantasy novel set in space as it would be interesting to have that very old name be set in the future on a character. A cute nickname could be Mordy. 

Theobald

Meaning: (People, Race, Bold, Brave, God, Derived from the Germanic elements Theud "People" and Bald "Bold". The Normans brought the name to England, where it joined an existing Old English cognate. The medieval forms Tibald and Tebald were commonly Latinized as Theobaldus. It was rare by the 20th century.

The Latinized form was recorded in the 11th century Domesday Book. The name was borne by Theobald of Bec (-1161), an archbishop of Canterbury; he was of Norman origin. Medieval forms of the name include Tebald, Tedbald, Tibert, and Tybalt. The form Tybalt or Tibert was known as the name of the cat in the French folklore Reynard the Fox, thus giving rise to the nicknames Tibs and Tibby being used for cats. The form Tybalt was later used by Shakespeare for the name of Juliet's cousin in Romeo and Juliet (1595).

Recorded in over one hundred forms ranging from Theobald, Tudball and Dyball in England, to Thibald, Thibaud and Thibout in France, Thibou in Belgian, Theobald, Thibaut, and Diebald in Germany, Tibold in Hungary, and many more, this interesting surname is of pre 7th century Germanic origins. It derives from the the elements "theudo", meaning people, and "bald"- bold or brave, and as such was a very popular name in the period of history known as 'The dark ages'. The personal name and the subsequent surname of the 12th century is believed to have been introduced into England by followers of William, The Conqueror, after the Norman Invasion of 1066, and it was in that country where the earliest examples of the surname recording are to be found. Examples of the recordings illustrating the hereditary surname development include: Hugo Tebaud, in the Pipe Rolls of the county of Lincolnshire in the year 1202; William Theobald, in the court rolls known as the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1250, and Simon Tebalde in the register of Ramsey Abbey, in 1255. In Germany Stammfolge Theopolt was recorded in Hildburghausen in 1420, Thiebaud von Worms in 1435, and Christoph Theobald of Rudolstadt in 1529. Examples taken from early surviving English church registers include: the marriage of Francis Theobald and Judith Conquest on February 20th 1622, at St. Dunstan's in the East, Stepney, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere in the world is believed to be that of: Tomas Teobald. This was dated 1199, in the Pipe Rolls of the county of Gloucestershire, England. This was during the reign of the famous King Richard 1st of England, known as "Coeur de Leon", 1189 - 1199. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Theobald )

Origin: (English (Rare), Ancient Germanic, French)

Pronunciation: (THEE-ə-bawld (English), DHIY-owBaoLD)

Gender: Male

I was watching a movie the other day and I’m not sure if the character had this spelling but when they said his name I saw it in my head as this spelling so I added it to my list. The meanings are strong and the look of the name is old fashioned but is handsome and brave looking as well. I really like this name a little more each day.

Tudor

Meaning: (God’s Gift, Gracious Gift, Welsh form of the Old Celtic name Teutorigos, meaning “Ruler of the People” (cognate with Theodoric). As a surname it was borne by five monarchs of England beginning with Henry VII in the 15^th Century.)

Origin: (Welsh, Celtic, Greek)

Pronunciation: (ˈtü-dər, tyü-dər, go to this link and run your cursor over the name to hear how it is pronounced: http://howjsay.com/pronunciation-of-tudor )

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

Again this is not a name I would have thought of as a given name but the other day I was looking around and some professor on C-Span had the given name Tudor and I was like what I’ve never seen that before. The meanings are very beautiful and strong. Most people know of the monarchs in England with this surname so they should be familiar with the pronunciation though I still can’t see this as a given name for some reason. I did a report in my last year of high school many years ago on Tudor architecture which I found to be interesting, just thought I’d say that, lol.

Brandt

Meaning: (Sword, Torch, Fiery Torch, Beacon, Dweller on a Burned Clearing, topographic name for someone who lived in an area that had been cleared by fire, Middle High German Brant (from Brennen 'to Burn').)

Origin: (Middle High German, Old Norse, Scandinavian, Old English)

Pronunciation: (BRahNT)

Gender: Male

I saw this on TV but I forget where but I thought it was pretty nice when I saw its spelling on the screen so I decided to add this to my list. The meanings are all nice and strong as is the name in general. It seems a name that would do well in a fairy tale retelling or perhaps in a story with a strong German mythology in it.

Nicodemus

Meaning: (People's Victory, In the Bible, Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea with the burial of Jesus Christ. The name was widely adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century.)

Origin: (Old Greek, Biblical, Biblical Latin)

Pronunciation: (nik-ə-DEE-məs (English), ni-kə-DEE-məs, nik-o-de'-mus, NihK-ah-DIY-MahS (English), nih-cuh-dee'-muhss)

Gender: Male

I think I saw this in my bible first but added it after I saw it another time. I like the meaning and the historical and biblical aspects side by side with the heavy use by Puritans in the 17^th Century makes this a name that could be used in a wide variety of eras though it might be interesting to see how an author might use it in the 21^st Century or even in the future. However if Nicodemus were used in the current era or even the future a few good nickname options to make it more modern can be Nico (nik-uh or nee-ko) or Nick or Nicky.

Charlton

Meaning: (Peasants' Settlement. Derived from a surname and place name based on the Old English Free Men's Town. Famous bearers: American actor Charlton Heston.)

Origin: (Old English, Germanic)

Pronunciation: (CHAHRL-tən, KAHRL-tən, CH-AARLTahN, to hear how this name is pronounced go to this site and run your cursor over this name to hear how it is pronounced: http://howjsay.com/pronunciation-of-charlton )

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

A friend of a friend of mines name is Maureen *see on list of posts* and the funny thing is she is married to a man named Charlton. Both their names are also names of famous older actor and actress from classic movies, Maureen O’Hara and Charlton Heston! I’ve added Charleston *see on list of posts* before but never Charlton. I like the meanings as they have significance to another era of fighting for what you believe in kind of thing. Though an older classic name like Maureen Charlton doesn’t to me sound like a name that would fit as well in a historical fiction novel, though it could fit in a historical fiction novel I don’t like it as much in one.

Trevor

Meaning: (Prudent, Industrious, Tight, Large Village, Goodly Town, also a habitational name from any of the numerous places in Wales, in particular the one near Llangollen, from the Welsh tre(f), meaning "Homestead", or "Settlement" and a form of mawr, meaning "Large, Big". Transferred use of the English surname meaning "belonging to Trevear." Trevear is a place-name in Cornwall meaning "the Big Farm, the Big Estate." It is derived from the Cornish and Welsh tre (a Homestead, an Estate) and mear, mawr (Great, Large). Alternatively, Trevor was used as an Anglicized form of the Irish Treabhar (discreet).)

Origin: (Welsh, Irish, English, Cornish)

Pronunciation: (TREH-ver, TRE-vər (English))

Gender: Male

I saw a movie advertised the other day and the male lead actors first name is Trevor and this is a name I associate with both a handsome slightly sexy guy and a very preppy guy as well and that can be handsome and sexy in a way too. I love all the meanings a lot and it has a good interesting history. It’s a name though that is too common for my actual character naming tastes but I don’t mind seeing it in other author’s novels and at least it’s easily pronounceable.

Troian

Meaning: (Father of Triplet Sons, Woman of Troy)

Origin: (Slavic)

Pronunciation: (Troy-ann, Troy-in, troy-en, trow-en)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I saw this as the name of one of the actresses on the TV series Pretty Little Liars. Though I’ve never seen the show nor do I know anything about the actress I do like her name. The primary meaning seems very masculine obviously but I read that the second meaning can be used as well and that is feminine now so I put this as a possible uni-sex name. I like the over all look of this name and it has a look of several names in one giving it a unique yet attractive look.

Aladar

Meaning: (With Germanic roots, including Aldemar and Adalmar, from elements meaning Old and Famous, or Noble and Famous. If it's the latter, that connects Aladar to a huge family of names. Servant of Allah, Paragon of Faith, and Aladár is a variant form of the Arabic and English name Aladdin. It is also a common Roma (gypsy) name.)

Origin: (Germanic, Hungarian, Arabic)

Pronunciation: (aa-L-ahDAAR, AL-uh-dar)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

There was a movie I liked some years back about these talking dinosaurs and one of the dinosaurs was named Aladar and just the other day my parents were watching the movie and I heard the name again and decided to add it to my list. I like the meanings a lot on this name as well as they are very regal and strong and the whole look of the name does give it a dignified look. I didn’t know it was a common Roma (gypsy) name but I can see that now as there are a few names I’ve like and used over the years that are common gypsy names but I didn’t know for a while.

With this name I can see a very handsome dark haired dark eyed character with a shady past but that has risen to a dignified position but is threatened by his past mistakes. For some reason I see this fitting into the 19^th or early 20^th Centuries better than the present era.