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.

Galia

Meaning: (God Shall Redeem, Calm, Single, My Father Rejoices, Joy of My Father, Variant of Gal which means Wave.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Old Greek, Old Norse)

Pronunciation: (GAHL-yah, GAH-lee-ah, gah-lyah, Gaa-LIY-aa, GAA-LYaa)

Gender: Female

I totally forget where I saw this name but I really liked it when I saw it. The meanings are really great and it’s a beautiful name that seems very ancient but also a bit of out of this world. The look is simple and is seemingly easily pronounceable. It’s just lovely and elegant and seems a very ancient Lady or Princesses name. I think it would look awesome if paired with an ancient name like Aristides *see on list of posts*! Like Galia Aristides!

Adara

Meaning: (One who is Beautiful, a Virgin, Fire, and Noble)

Origin: (Old Greek, Arabic, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (ah-dah-rah, a-DAH-rah)

Gender: Female

I forget where I saw this one but I love the meanings a lot! The name is short and beautiful and not at all common. I can see a beautiful adventurous woman in ancient times on a balcony overlooking the sea with a hint of mischievousness in her eyes and who is ahead of her time in all she does. However though I like it I can’t see using it anytime soon and I’m afraid this may be a name I soon forget about and it falls to the back of my mind.

Andren

Meaning: (Male, Manly, Brave, Virility, Defender of Men, Latinized patronymic from the personal name Andreas. This ancient surname recorded world-wide in over two hundred and fifty spellings, and including as examples Andre, Aindrias, Andrew, Anders, Jendrusch, Vondrak, Dandy, Andriol, Andretti, Ondracek, Vondraeck, Andress, Jedrzejewicz, and Andriuis, is of pre Christian Greek origins. It derives from the personal name "Andreas", meaning manly, and was held by the first of Christ's disciples. Prior to the 10th century a.d., the name as a first name only, there were no surnames before the medieval period, was almost exclusively held by members of the church, one of the first of such recordings being that of a monk "Andreas", in the English Domesday Book of the year 1086. The name gained in popularity throughout Europe after the 12th century Crusades to free the Holy Land. These expeditions were largely unsuccessful, nethertheless it became the normal practice for returning soldiers to name their children after biblical and particularly Christian, saints or martyrs. St Andrew is the patron saint of both Scotland and Russia, and legend has it that his remains were brought to what is now the city of St. Andrew's in Scotland, in the year 900 a.d.. Certainly the name is very popular in that country. The surname was also one of the earliest settler names in America. Anthony Andrew being recorded in the first listings for the state of Virginia in 1623. The very first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere, is probably that of William Andreu, which was dated 1237, in the ancient charters of the county of Buckinghamshire, England, in the year 1237. 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/Andren )

Origin: (Swedish, Latin, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (AENDerAHN, AN-dren)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I first saw and came to like this name when looking up longer names with Ren in them as I have a character named Ren I thought to give a longer name to and have him be nicknamed Ren but I decided against it and kept Ren as his full name. But I added Andren to my list for my blog. The meanings are strong and brave. It has a long history of use or rather all its variants have long history of uses.

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.

Jano

Meaning: (Yahweh is Gracious; Yahweh is Merciful, Well Born, Noble, a form of the name John.)

Origin: (Hungarian, Czech, Hebrew, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (YAANow, YAH-no, jay-no)

Gender: Uni-Sex

My list is backed up for a while so I am finally getting to these names. Back during NaNoWriMo 2015 I had posted about it and a fellow blogger Apolla 13 commented about her experience with it and then told me a bit about the story she chose to write about. So for all of my posts for March I will be doing some of the names of her characters for the story she wrote for NaNoWriMo 2015 as I really like many of these names and have yet to add them so I am adding them now.

The meanings are lovely and beautiful. When I see this name I do want to pronounced it more jay-no but that is because I see it through an English speakers eyes. It is a decent name but I am not in love with it because the spelling for some reason doesn’t appeal to me as it seems like someone was trying to spell another name and just stopped short of the end. However the meanings do appeal to me and I wouldn’t be put off if I saw this name in a novel.

Drusa

Meaning:  (Feminine form of Drusus: Roman family name, also sometimes used as a praenomen, or given name, by the Claudius family. Apparently the name was first assumed by a Roman warrior who killed a Gallic chieftain named Drausus in single combat. Drausus possibly derives from a Celtic element meaning "Strong".)

Origin: (Ancient Roman, Celtic, Gaelic, Latin, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (droos-uh, DRUW-Sah)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

My list is backed up for a while so I am finally getting to these names. Back during NaNoWriMo 2015 I had posted about it and a fellow blogger Apolla 13 commented about her experience with it and then told me a bit about the story she chose to write about. So for all of my posts for March I will be doing some of the names of her characters for the story she wrote for NaNoWriMo 2015 as I really like many of these names and have yet to add them so I am adding them now.

Drusa is a very interesting name but makes me think Druid a bit when I see it so I think magic and so not thrilled by that but Drusa has nothing to do with Druid I just see that when I see Drusa. The meaning and long history of use and the reason for the name is very interesting and the name does seem as the meaning says Strong.

I can see an Empress or a baddy character being named this. It has a superior air to it which is interesting and likable in a very hoard power over you kind of way. Of course that is my thoughts on the look of the name. It could be used in many different genres and for different types of characters but the air I get from the name is very dangerous and lethal, lol! But I love that as I am always looking for bad like female character names!

Evadne

Meaning: (Good Fortune, Well, Good, Pleasing One, From Greek Ευαδνη (Euadne), which is of unknown meaning, though the first element is derived from Greek ευ (eu) "good". In Greek legend Evadne was the wife of Capaneus. After Capaneus was killed by a lightning bolt sent from Zeus she committed suicide by throwing herself onto his burning body. The name has been used among English speakers since the 17th century.)

Origin: (Ancient Greek, Greek Mythology, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (eh-VAA-Dneh, iy-VAEDNiy, ee-VAD-nee, ee-VOD-neh)

Gender: Female

I was watching one of those real life crime shows and one of the ladies daughters was named a name similar to this but spelled just a little differently. When I heard it and looked it up this spelling seemed most popular and I instantly liked it. I keep thinking though that I’ve seen or heard this name before or even used it on a character but for the life of me I can’t remember and can’t find any proof to back it up. It’s a beautiful name with a lovely pronunciation. The meanings are divine and the Greek Legend is very interesting if not a bit morbid and sad. It has a nice history of use.

Jacek

Meaning: (Alas, Modern form of Jacenty (yah-TSEN-ti) Polish form of Hyacinthus. Saint Jacenty was a 13^th Century Dominican monk from Krakow who was said to have taken missionary journeys throughout Europe and Asia. Hyacinthus is Latinized form of the Greek name ‘Υακινθος (Hyakinthos), which was derived from the name of the hyacinth flower. In Greek legend Hyakinthos was accidentally killed by Apollo, who caused a lily to arise from his blood. The name was also borne by several early saints, notably a 3rd-century martyr who was killed with his brother Protus.)

Origin: (Polish, Old Greek, Latin, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (YAH-tsek, YAA-SeyK, JAY-sek)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

This was the name of a Lockup Raw World Tour inmate. I like watching Lockup Raw sometimes and there was a World Edition showing prisons in different countries and I was watching it. The guy was obviously not such a great citizen but his name was cool. A good alternative to Jacek or vice versa could be Jace *see on list of posts*.

It has a great history of use and the look and meaning is decent. It has an interesting mythology to the meaning of its forms as well. I think I see a strong determined character being named this.

Alondra

Meaning: (Defender of Mankind, Defender, Helper of Mankind, Lark Bird, Short form of Alejandra which is Spanish version of the Greek Alexandra.)

Origin: (Spanish, Latin, English, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (ah-LAHN-drə, ah-LOHN- drə, ah-LON-drah, aa-LAO-NDRah)

Gender: Female

This name has great meanings. It is a short form of Alejandra which is the Spanish version of the Greek Alexandra and Alexandra is the feminine form of Alexander *see on list of posts*. Alondra is a great alternative with the same meaning to Alexandra and Alejandra.

It does look like Calandra *see on list of posts* in a way and the meanings are similar to that name as well. Alondra is a beautiful name and I would love to see this used more often.

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.

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.

Aila

Meaning: (Oak Tree, From the Strong Place, Hazelnut, Bird, Bringer of Light, Bright One, Shining One, Variant of Ayla, Aila/Ayla is also a Turkish/Farsi name that means halo around the moon, and more generally it means moonlight.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Scottish, Old French, Old Greek, Finnish, Turkish)

Pronunciation:  (EYE-la, AY-Lah)

Gender: Female

I was looking on the internet at costumes or something and I think this was the name of one off the costumes. It has nice strong meanings and they are beautiful as well, especially the moonlight and halo around the moon meanings. I like this name a lot and it is short which is nice but the pronunciation would put most readers off as it has two pronunciations that don’t always looks like it is spelled.

I would however go with AY-Lah versus EYE-la if I were to see this name in a novel. Or I might even wind up saying it as AY-EYE-lah which looks more like it is spelled to me.

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.

Grethel

Meaning: (Pearl, She Who Reigns Over the Earth, Variant of Greta, Pet form of Margaret.)

Origin: (Norwegian, Old Greek, German)

Pronunciation: (GREHTHAHL)

Gender: Female

I was reading a yearbook published by Jehovah’s Witnesses and it had an example about a person named Grethel. I love the name a lot really. It looks a bit unique to me but it’s really just similar to Gretel just with an H in it. As usual this is a name that is a pet form of another name and the two names to me look nothing alike, lol.

The meanings are lovely, though She Who Reigns Over the Earth I am not sure is an actual meaning. I went to a website for baby names that I usually don’t go to and this I assumed was the meaning. Though when I searched my own name it said my name meant The Queen of Beauty and my name doesn’t at all mean that. So I am not sure the meaning She Who Reigns Over the Earth is the actual meaning of Grethel, though I thought it was so beautiful I added it. If you want the really authentic meaning than Pearl is it, which is lovely and beautiful on its own.

Illiana / Illyana / Ileana

Meaning: (The Lord has Responded, Bright, Trojan, The poetic name for the ancient City of Troy was “llion.” A cognate of the Greek Helene, a name derived from Ele (Light). Ileanna has been used by the Greek Royal Family.)

Origin: (English, German, Spanish, Latin, Old Greek, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (ee-lee-AHN-ah, ee-lee-AH-nə, Iy-Liy-AE-N-aa, ILL-ee-AHN-ah)

Gender: Female

I was watching a TV show and a characters name was Illiana. I’ve heard this name a few other places as well before and after watching the show. The meanings are pretty as is the name itself. It’s interesting that it’s a poetic name for the City of Troy as well. All the variant spellings are interesting though with English speakers I would try and stick with the closest variant to the actual pronunciation so it will be pronounced properly when a reader reads your novel.

Andra

Meaning: (Man, Male, Manly, Warrior, Strong, Courageous, Brave, Virility, Virile, Feminine form of Andrew.)

Origin: (Old Greek, English, American, French, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (AHN-druh, AHn-dra, AENDRah)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

One of my old friends has a good friend named Andra. She talks about her a lot and so the name has begun to grow on me so much so that I decided to add it to my blog. It is a unique looking and sounding name but not too different. The meanings are decent and strong. For some reason I could see a defiant princess or noble lady in a fantasy novel being named this.

Coralie

Meaning: (Little Maiden, Virgin, Apparently an elaboration of Cora or Coral, similar to names such as Rosalie. However, it may also be derived from the Italian Coralina, the traditional name of the cunning young woman in the Commedia dell’Arte. Coralie is the name of the French girl in Thackeray’s 1850 novel “Pendennis”. A popular 19^th Century jewel name.)

Origin: (English, French, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (KOR-uh-lee, KOR-uh-lye, KAOR-aa-Liy)

Gender: Female

I was looking up a name not long ago and it had sibling names on the site. Coralie was one of the sibling names. I think Coralie is absolutely adorable. The meanings are lovely and the name has connections as an elaboration to Cora and Coral so if you want a more unique looking name that incorporates Cora or Coral then Coralie is the name for you and your character. I do like the Italian version Coralina as well. I think it is so beautiful too. It has a history to as far back as 1850 but maybe even further than that, I am unsure. I think like Rosalie, Coralie has a prettier look to it than just simply Rose / Rosa and Cora / Coral, respectively.

Alla

Meaning: (Deity, God, The Other, Of a Noble Kind, Defender of Men, Noble, Honorable, Ornament, Brightness, Variant of Ella and Alexandra.)

Origin: (Swedish, Icelandic, Finnish, Russian, Old Greek, Germanic, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (AALLaa, ahl-lah)

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.  I think though short it has a good look. I don’t think I would particularly like it as a characters first name but maybe if it was part of double barrel name I would like. The meanings are lovely and strong. I like the name but am not like in love with it.