Shenandoah

Meaning: (Daughter of the Stars, A Chief, Derived from the Algonquian schind-han-do-wi, the literal translation of which has been thought to be "spruce stream," "great plains," or "beautiful daughter of the stars." The name of a river and valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Virginia, Shenandoah was popularized as a given name by the folk song "Shenandoah.")

Origin: (Native American, English)

Pronunciation: (sheh-nan-DOH-ə, Go to this site and run your cursor over Shenandoah to her how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=shenandoah&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have thought this was a beautiful name with a beautiful meaning since I read the novel Daughter of the Stars by Phyllis A. Whitney. The pronunciation is a bit tricky but there are plenty of nicknames. I would love to see a character named this.

Guy

Meaning: (Sensible, Wood, Lively, Warrior, Guide, Leader, Valley, Life)

Origin: (Old German, French, Welsh, Celtic, Hebrew, Latin, Teutonic)

Pronunciation: (gye)

Gender: Male

I have used this name as the name of a character. I knew a guy named guy in school and I thought it was odd to be named that but now I like the name. It's not a name that can be used everywhere but I think it has potential to become semi-popular. It has many meanings and it too is simple to pronounce no matter what language you speak.

Griffin

Meaning: (Hooked Nose, Strong in Faith, Reddish, Mythological Beast, In Greek mythology and medieval legend, the Gryphon was a fierce creature with the foreparts of an eagle (hence the hooked nose) and the hindquarters of a lion. Use as a name may be linked to the heraldic use of the animal.)

Origin: (Latin, Welsh, English, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (GRIF-en, GRIH fun)

Gender: Male

I have used this name as a character name, he went by Griff though. I think it is a strong masculine name. I like meaning and easiness of pronouncing this name.

Ravenna

Meaning: (Raven, Place Name: A City in Italy famous for its Byzantine Mosaics. Currently the capital of the Province of Ravenna in Italy. It was the capital city of the Western Roman Empire from 402 till 476 AD.)

Origin: (English, Italian, Etruscan)

Pronunciation: (r uh v EH n uh, ruh-ven-uh, ruh-vin-uh, ruh-VENN-uh, rah-ven-uh, Ruh-vehn-uh, Go to this site and run your cursor over Ravenna to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=ravenna&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

I read this on the web the other day when I was looking up about the two Snow White films coming out in 2012. One of the characters was named this. Upon researching the name I found plenty of real and fictional characters named this and places named this. There was a lot of info on this name. When I saw it I thought it was a gorgeous name with an exotic look to it. It's like Raven but spiced up. I really like it.

Adria

Meaning: (From Hadria (Northern Italy), Dark One, Variant of Adrienne, Feminine form of Adrien)

Origin: (Greek, Latin, English)

Pronunciation: (AADRiyah, AHD-ree-ə, AYD-ree- ə)

Gender: Female

Just like Vala which is right below this name I heard this name on the syfy T.V series Stargate: SG1. Adria was the daughter of Vala on the show. I was watching it the other day and so I decided to add this to my blog. It's a really pretty name. I like the look of it.

I can't remember the way they said it on the show but I think it's like odd-ree-uh rather than the common add-ree-uh. Then again I could have that switched. Both are correct pronunciations of this name. Again it really just depends on each persons way of pronouncing a name.

Vala

Meaning: (Singled Out, Chosen, Oath)

Origin: (Old German, English)

Pronunciation: (VAALah, vah-luh)

Gender: Female

I heard this name years ago when watching the syfy T.V series Stargate: SG1. The other night I was watching an episode and saw the character named this. I thought again what a cool name it is and that I ought to add it to my blog. I really like the unique look to it and the shortness of it as well. I think this name is actually pretty and exotic sounding.

The pronunciation is a bit tricky. I keep wanting to say Val like in Valarie and then a as in uh. But the val is like the vol in volleyball or volume then uh at the end. I hope that helps. Of course I assume you can pronounce the val like Valarie it's just how any individual pronounces a particular name. But I found most pronunciations to be Val as in Vol in Volleyball or Volume and a as uh.

Shamblin and Shamberlyn/Shamberlin and Chamberlyn/Chamberlin

Meaning: (One in Charge of a Chamber. He who had charge of his lord’s receipt’s and issues, a treasurer. The Minister of a Small congregation.)

Origin: (French, Irish, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (Shamblin: sham-buh-lyn Shamberlin/Shamberlyn: sham-bur-lyn, shame-bur-lyn Chamberlyn/Chamberlin: chamber-lyn, cham-bur-lyn)

Gender: Female

The other day I saw Shamblin. It's a street name near my house. I thought it was cool sounding. That night I thought of Shamberlyn & Shamberlin and thought those would be cute. Then I thought about Chamberlyn and Chamberlin. I looked these names up and they are all similar and surnames. I think my favorites are Chamberlyn & Shamberlyn. If anyone knows if my pronunciations are way off or there are other better pronunciations please let me know.

Alistair and Alasdair

Meaning: (Man’s Defender, Defender of the People, Form of Alexander)

Origin: (Greek, Scottish, Gaelic)

Pronunciation: (Alistair: AL-is-tayr, AL-is-ter, a-LUST-ur a - pronounced as 'A' in AT ur - rhymes with FUR The emphasis is on 'a', A-lih-stur, Go to this site and run your cursor over Alistair to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=alistair&submit=Submit Alasdair: AL-as-dare)

Gender: Male

I have liked this name a long time. I have even used Alasdair in a novel of mine before. I like the name Alexander and this is a form of it and thus has the same meaning. I think it has a different rarer look than Alexander though. The pronunciation is a bit tricky sometimes even I slip up and say it wrong often. Other than that this name is awesome, and I love it.

Lofton

Meaning: (Glorious, Recorded in the spellings of Loftin, Lofton and Lofting, this is a surname of English origins. It is locational and originates from a now "lost" medieval village probably called "Loftun" or similar, the name translating as the house with an upper floor, at a time when few had them. The derivation is from the Olde English and Norse pre 7th century word "lopthuis". What is certain is that no such place or anything quite like it in spelling, is recorded in any known gazetter of the past two hundred years. This in itself is unusual, but not unique. It is known that at least three thousand, and possibly as many as seven thousand British Isles surnames originate from now "lost" places, of which the only public reminder of their existence in the 20th century, is the surviving surname. Early examples of the surname taken from surviving church registers of the diocese of Greater London include: Thomas Lofton at St. Paul's cathedral in the city of London in 1629, and Mary Lofting, at St Brides church, Fleet Street, in 1719. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Edmund Loffton. This was dated February 25th 1619, when he was a witness at St. Margaret's church, Westminster, during the reign of King James I of England and VI of Scotland, 1603 - 1625. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the 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/Loftin#ixzz1eIXgjpMy)

Origin: (English, Old English)

Pronunciation: (LAWF-tən)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw this name of the blog www.babynameaddict.blogspot.com and they saw it on a persons Guilty Pleasures Name List on Yahoo Answers. I thought this name was adorable. I think it could be Uni-Sex name though some think it is a strictly male name. Since it is originally a surname I think it could work on both genders as a first / given name. The meaning was really nice and info I found on the name was interesting. I love researching names it is so interesting how certain names came about and developed.

Orion

Meaning: (Dawn, East, Son of Fire, The Hunter, Dweller on the Mountain, Greek mythology: Orion was a mighty hunter, the son of Poseidon, who was turned into a constellation. The Orion constellation contains three of the most conspicuous stars in the nighttime sky. He loved the goddess Diana but was accidentally killed by her and thenceforth placed in the heavens as the constellation Orion.)

Origin: (Greek, Latin, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (oh-RYE-on, oh-RIY- ən, Go to this site and run your cursor over Orion to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=orion&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I have always loved the name Orion since I was in my early teens. I thought I was one of the only ones who really liked it but when researching more on this name I found people that like it too and have even named there child this name. I think it one of the view good mythology names. The Orion constellations is like one of the only ones I can ever find in the nights sky too. It's on my favorite male names list as well.

Hugo

Meaning: (Mind, Heart, or Spirit, A Thinker, Bright Spirit, Inspiration)

Origin: (German, Latin, Dutch, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (HEW-goh, HYOO-go, OO-go, HUY-kho, HUE-go, YUE-go, HYOO-goh, HHUYK-ow in Dutch, HHYUWGow in English, or UWGow)

Gender: Male

I saw the advertisement for the movie Hugo the other day. I have always thought the name was just so-so. When I saw the meaning of the name it has grown on me a bit and even the look of Hugo has too. It is short and has an old fashioned feel but it is cute and sort of modern too.

Astoria

Meaning: (Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, After someone with the surname Astor, Star, Star Maiden.)

Origin: (French, Greek)

Pronunciation: (a-STOH-ree-ə, As-STORE-ee-a, Go to this site and run your cursor over Astoria to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=astoria)

Gender: Female

I saw this name on a blog the other day www.babynameaddict.blogspot.com. I thought it was such a cute name and I am adding it here. I think it has a very sophisticated look and sound to it.

Hermione

Meaning: (Eloquence, Messenger, Earthly, Travel, Well Born, feminine form of Hermes.

Hermione is both a mythological name and the name of a character in the play 'Andromaque', a five-piece tragedy by French playwright Jean Racine. Hermione, daughter of Menelaus and Helen, who is betrothed to Pyrrhus, is a character in this play who asks Orestes to kill Pyrrhus and when he does, rejects him, driving him insane. Such actions have earned her a reputation as a furious lover.
In mythology, Hermione is the daughter of Menelaus and Helen, who blames the concubine Andromache for her inability to fall pregnant and attempts to engineer her murder. She later flees with her cousin Orestes, and with him had two children, a son, Tisamenus, and a daughter, Hensibal, who died in infancy.

Hermione is a popular character in plays, and stars in two more well-known plays. First is Jean-Baptiste Lully's musical tragedy, Cadmus et Hermione, where she is a daughter of Venus and Mars. In the second play, Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale', Queen Hermione of Sicily is the mother of Perdita who is ultimately reunited with her daughter.

Hermione is also the name of several historical figures. Hermione of Ephesus was an early Christian Martyr in both Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, who is cited as a prophetess. Hermione Hammond was a painter, born in 1910, who died in 2005.

The most obvious famous bearer of the name is Hermione Granger, a character in the hugely popular and successful Harry Potter books and films, written by J.K. Rowling. Although the name was scarcely known before the astronomical success of the books, which made the now almost household name, one must also remember that there are several other famous people who have been called Hermione over the years.
Other famous fictional Hermiones include Hermione Bostock in P. G. Wodehouse's books, and Hermione Lodge in the Archie comics.
Hermione Baddeley, Hermione Gingold, Hermione Hannen and Hermione Hammond were all early British actresses, whilst Hermione Norris and Hermione Gulliford are more modern actresses and Hermione Cockburn is a British radio and television personality. Hermione Lee, critic. Hermione Cobbold, British matriarch.)

Origin: (Greek, Greek Mythology)

Pronunciation: (her-MY-oh-nee, hər-MIE-ə-nee, her-MIY- ə -nee, Go to this site and run your cursor over Hermione to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=hermione&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

Well this has turned out to be a very long post but all the information which I got off Wiki name was all too fascinating to leave out. When I see the name Hermione I always think of Shakespeare's play A Winter's Tale but I never knew about the other uses of the name except the Harry Potter one. Trying to pronounce it the proper way is a bit annoyingly difficult. Other than that I think is a decent name but if anyone uses it in there novels people may think you are naming your character after J. K Rowlings Harry Potter series character Hermione Granger. But I say use the name Hermione anyway if it fits your character.

Beltran

Meaning: (Bright Raven, Famous Raven, Bright Shield, Variant of Bertrand (Old French, Old German), Beltrano is the Italian and Spanish form.)

Origin: (Spanish, German)

Pronunciation: (BELL-trahn)

Gender: Male

I found this name a few years ago and I really liked it. It has a nice interesting look. The meaning is nice as well.

Audra

Meaning: (Storm, Noble Strength, Derived from the Old English Æđelþpryđ or Æthelthryth, a compound name composed of the elements æđel, æthel (noble) and þryđ, thryth (might, strength): hence, "noble strength.")

Origin: (Old English, Lithuanian, German)

Pronunciation: (AW-drə, ah-d-r-uh, aw-d-rah, AH-druh, Aw-dra, AO-DRah)

Gender: Female

I have liked this name since I watched the 60's old west T.V show The Big Valley. The Barkley's are the family in the show and Audra Barkley is the only daughter. I have always liked the name Ardra *which is a name I have posted on this blog* so when I saw Audra I thought it had a similar look and meaning and is a pretty name as well. The meaning is lovely and strong yet feminine.

I love names that have a meaning that means "Noble". Thus my love of names like Ardra, Adelaide, Adele, Fallon & Audra. They are just such pretty names & I write about nobility a lot in my novels so names that have either a noble look or meaning are great finds for me.

Dael or Daele

Meaning: (Valley, Knowledge of God, Dweller in the valley, Variant of Dale.)

Origin: (Old English, Hebrew, Australian)

Pronunciation: (DEY-L, dayl)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw a name the other day that had the last part of it as Daele in it and I loved it. Of course I don't think Daele is a real name. But I found the meaning for Dael to be like Dale so any of the spellings (Daele, Dael, or Dale) could work in my opinion. I love the look of both Daele & Dael. Those spellings spice up Dale and make it look rarer and more unique. Also Daele & Dael are pronounced like Dale. I would love to see these spelling of the name Dale used in a novel.

Casuarina

Meaning: (A tall, feathery tree with drooping, jointed, green branches and scale-like leaves.)

Origin: (Latin, English Nature Name, Australian)

Pronunciation: (cas-you-a-ry-na, kass-you-reena, caz-you-reena, kaz-yoo-REE-nuh, kaz-yoo-ryna, Go to this site and run your cursor over Casuarina to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=casuarina&submit=Submit)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I heard this name today on T.V and I just loved the look and sound of it. I have never seen this name before. I love the rareness and unique look of it. The tree species that bears this name is pretty cool looking too.

Ryland

Meaning: (Land Where Rye is Grown)

Origin: (Old English, Irish)

Pronunciation: (RIY-lənd, RIHLahND)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I have recently used this name. I first saw this a few days ago when I was watching one of the 24/7 music channels on my T.V. At the bottom of the page there is info on the singers or bands. One of the singers in the band Cobra Starship is named Ryland. I instantly loved the name. I would love to see this name more often. Possible other spelling: Ryeland.

Carlotta

Meaning: (Free Man, Strong, Manly, A feminine form of Carl and Charles, both of which are derived from the Old English ceorl (man, freeman, peasant).)

Origin: (Italian, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (kar-LAH-tah, kahr-LAH-tə)

Gender: Female

I have used this name in the novel I am currently writing. I have really liked this name since I first saw it in this character naming book that I bought. It has a look to it that is rare in most English speaking countries. It's pretty and the meaning is decent.

Fidelia

Meaning: (Loyalty, Faithful, Variant of Fidelity, Female form of Fidel.)

Origin: (Latin, Spanish)

Pronunciation: (fee-DAYL-yah, fi-DEL-e-uh, The English Pronunciation is fə-DEE-lee-ə or fə-DEEL-yə (rhymes with Amelia), or possibly fi-DEL-yə (like the word "fidelity"). Spanish pronunciation would be fee-DHE-lee-ah.)

Gender: Female

I heard this name on last nights Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I actually really like this name. I love names with Delia in it. This name spices up just Delia and it is super pretty.

Barnabas

Meaning: (Son of Comfort, Biblical: A traveling companion of Paul's. The close association that Barnabas had with Paul, and that extended over the years, had its beginning about three years after Paul’s conversion when he wanted to get in touch with the Jerusalem congregation. How Barnabas first got to meet Paul is not revealed. But it was Barnabas who had the privilege of introducing Paul to Peter and to the disciple James. Barnaby is used more often now in Britain. One of Charles Dickens' lesser-known novels is named "Barnaby Rudge". The name is used from time to time among literary parents. Bernabe is a Spanish form.)

Origin: (Greek, Aramaic, Biblical)

Pronunciation: (BAR-nuh-bus, BAR-na-bus, Go to this site and run your cursor over Barnabas to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=barnabas&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

Again I saw this is in the bible again and I thought I might as well add it here on my blog. It is a name you really don't hear often but I love it. The meaning is really nice and I think it is such a cute name. I am sure a lot of people might be down on this biblical name but I absolutely love it.

Cornelius

Meaning: (Horn, From "cornu". A famous Latin clan name, often used under the Roman Empire. Biblical: Cornelius was a Roman centurion who was baptized by Peter. Another famous bearer of the name was Railroad millionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt. In England it came into use in the 16th century, partly due to Dutch influence.)

Origin: (Latin, Dutch, German, Biblical, Ancient Roman)

Pronunciation: (kor-NEEL-yus, korn-NEEL-ee-us, kohr-NEE-lee-əs, kər-NEE-lee-əs (English), kawr-NAY-lee-us (Dutch), kawr-NE-lee-uws (German), Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Cornelius to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=cornelius&submit=Submit )

Gender: Male

I was reading my bible the other day and I read this name and remembered how much I liked this name. So I decided to add it here. It is a name I don't hear too often right now. It might seem to be a really old name but I think it is really cute. It has a freshness to it.

Mariska

Meaning: (Bitter, Sea of Bitterness, Star of the Sea, Diminutive of the name Mary, very rare female name.)

Origin: (Hungarian)

Pronunciation: (mah-RISK-ə, MAW-reesh-kaw, muh-RISH-kuh)

Gender: Female

I have liked this name since I first heard it as the name of the actress Mariska Hargitay from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I think it is pretty rare name and is a better take on just plain Mary (not that Mary isn't a nice name). I think this is such a beautiful name and I do hope to see and hear it more.

Surnames

Vassilieva

Luttrel

Hewlett

Satie

Alaric

Meaning: (Noble Ruler, Noble Power, Regal Ruler, Elf Ruler, From Adalrich. Historical: Alaric I was the Gothic king of the Visigoths who plundered Rome in AD 410 (5th Century). Saint Alaricus (10th century) was the son of a duke who turned to the religious life. From the Gothic name Alareiks which meant "ruler of all", derived from the Germanic element ala "all" combined with ric "ruler, power".)

Origin: (Old German)

Pronunciation: (AL-a-ric, AL-ə-rik, Go to this site and run your cursor over Alaric to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=alaric&submit=Submit )

Gender: Male

I have been think of using this name for a character. I like the history on this name as well. The history behind the king who bore this name. I love the look and sound of this name as well. I first heard this, this afternoon when I was watching the History Channel. I liked the name even more when I looked up the meaning. It's a great masculine name with a old fashioned look but also seems kind of modern.

Athelstan

Meaning: (Noble Stone, Used by Anglo-Saxon royalty and revived somewhat by Sir Walter Scott's use of it in "Ivanhoe". Now rare. It was the name of King Athelstan the Glorious of England who reigned from 924 - 940 AD (10th Century). He was the first king of a united England and obtained the submission of the Welsh and Scots.)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (AE-THEHLSTahN, ah-THUHL-stan, Go to this site and run your cursor over Athelstan to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=athelstan&submit=Submit)

Gender: Male

I have been thinking of using this name for one of my characters. I found this a few years ago when searching for medieval names that meant noble. The history behind the King named Athelstan in the 10th century was kind of cool. It was all very interesting. I really like the name though some obviously don't. I really like names from the early history of man. Because there names seem odd to us but there meanings were really cool. I wish some of those name were still around today. But people are scared to use names they think are too unique and in this time these names are too unique but I personally love these kinds of names.