Juniper

Meaning: (Juniper Bush, Taken from the name of a small evergreen shrub bearing berries used in flavoring gin. Either in reference to the English common name for the juniper tree or berry, or in reference to a derivation of the Welsh name Guinevere. Juniper has historically been used as both a boys' name and a girls' name. The Juniper tree's name is derived from the Latin word juniperus. In Latin, juniperus is combination of the word junio, which means young, and parere, to produce, hence youth producing, or evergreen. Ginepro (Italian for Juniper), Ginevra (Italian variant form of Juniper), and Ginny are other names that also refer to the Juniper tree. During the Renaissance era, Junipers were  used symbolically in art to represent chastity.)

Origin:  (Latin, Welsh, English (Rare), English Nature Name)

Pronunciation: (JOO-ni-per, JOON-ə-pər, JHUW-Nay-P-er)   

Gender: Female

I was thinking about adding this the other day. I have added Geneva which has a root in Juniper. I think Juniper is a super cute name. It’s a nature name that I really like that isn’t used too often.

Franklin / Frankeleyn

Meaning: (Freeman, Free Landowner, Transferred use of the surname, which is from the Middle English Frankeleyn (a freeman, a landowner of free but not noble birth). The word is derived from the French, franc (free). A famous bearer of the surname was Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), an American statesman, inventor, scientist and philosopher. The name has commonly been given in his honour in the United States. It also received a boost during the term of American president Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945). This interesting old status name has its origins in the feudal system of medieval England. It derives from the Middle English "frankelin", from the Anglo-Norman French "franc" meaning free, in the sense of liberal and generous, plus the Germanic suffix "ling". The status of the Franklin varied somewhat according to time and place in medieval England; in general, he was a free man and a holder of fairly extensive areas of land, a gentleman ranked above the main body of minor freeholders, but below a knight or a member of the nobility. The surname dates back to the late 12th Century, (see below). One, Luke le Franckeleyn is registered in the Cambridgeshire Feet of Fines (1234). In the modern idiom the name has six spelling variations, Frankling, Francklyn, Francklin, Franklen, Franklyn and Franklin. On February 11th 1560, George Franklin married Agnes Hills, at St. Dionis Backchurch, London. The American statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), was of British descent. His father, a maker of soap and candles, had emigrated in about 1682, from Ecton, Northamptonshire, to Boston, where his son was born. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph Frankelein, which was dated 1195, in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, during the reign of King Richard 1, known as "The Lionheart", 1189 - 1199. 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.)

Origin: (English, Middle English, French)

Pronunciation: (FRANGK-lin, FRANK-lin, FRANK-luhn)  

Gender: Male

I use to love that kids show Franklin when I was a little kid. The other day I heard of someone named Franklin. It’s an old name and I really don’t hear this often. I mean I hear of Frank’s but not Franklin too much. It has nice meanings and is easily pronounced. It has a nice long history and would do nice in a Historical Fiction Novel. 

Madden

Meaning: (Descendent of the Hound, Small Dog Milos, Little Dog, Recorded as Madain, Madden, Maddin, Madigan and MacAvaddy, this is a famous Irish surname. It derives from the pre 10th century Olde Gaelic name O'Madain, translating as the descendant of the son of the hound. The hound is famous in Gaelic heraldry having the virtues of speed, endurance, and loyalty. Most Irish surnames originate from a chief's nickname. O'Kennedy, for instance means the male descendant of the ugly headed one! The O'Madain's originated from lands on the River Shannon in County Galway, at one time holding over 25,000 acres. Even today nameholders are still numerous in that part of Ireland. The Madigan branch of the clan are regarded as almost exclusively a Clare-Limerick family, although a branch are to be found in Counties Antrim and Derry in Ulster. Richard Madden, (1798 - 1886) was the author of the book 'The United Irishman', whilst many name holders emigrated to either America or England during the infamous 'Potato Famine' of 1846. Walter Madden, his wife Mary and their children Richard aged five and Alice, a baby sailed from Galway, bound for New York on the ship 'Junius ' on May 1st 1846. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Dermot O'Madadhain. This was dated circa 1100 a.d. He was chief of the Ui Maine, Connacht, during the reign of King Henry Ist of England, known as 'The Just", 1100 - 1135. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.1135.)

Origin: (Irish)

Pronunciation: (MA-duhn)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw a commercial the other day advertising Madden Boots. I like the spelling and pronunciation of this name. The meanings are decent. It sounds like a really cute name. I love the history of this name as well.

Richter

Meaning: (Optimistic, Judge, Recorded in several spellings including Richter, Richters, and Richteering (German), Rickers (English), de Rechter (Flemish), Rigter (Danish), Rychter (Polish), Rychtar (Czech), and others, this is a surname of pre 7th century origins. It derives from the ancient German word 'rihtoere' meaning 'to make right', and hence this was an occupational or status name for a part time judge or chief. It is said that in the Middle Ages the term was used to mean an amateur settler of disputes, perhaps a village wiseman or somebody so considered, and certainly one held in high esteem by the local community. In some areas there was later a role reversal in that the word and hence the surname, came to mean a full time headman or chief. With this type of name it is always difficult to say after the passage or seven centuries or more, what the actual meaning was at the moment when the name was 'bestowed'. It is always possible that it was a nickname, and might even mean the literally reverse meaning of what it seems to mean. The first known recording in any spelling anywhere is believed to be that of Hugo Richters of Eblingen, Germany in the charters of that town in 1279. Occupational name or status name for an arbiter or judge, Middle High German rihtaere (from rihten ‘to make right’). The term was used in the Middle Ages mostly to denote a part-time legal official. Such communal conciliators held a position of considerable esteem in rural communities; in eastern Germany the term came to denote a village headman, which was often a hereditary office. It is in this region that the surname is most frequent.)

Origin: (Germanic)

Pronunciation:  (RIHKTer, rikh-ter, RIK-tur)

Gender: Male

I can’t remember where I heard this but I kind of like it as a first name. It has good meanings and seems a strong name. It has a good long history. It would work well as a last name for a historical fiction character or as a first name of a character in a sci-fi / fantasy novel. It seems to be a name that would fit in different and varied genres.

Kestrel

Meaning: (Type of small Falcon, From the name of the bird of prey, Ultimately derived from Old French Crecelle “Rattle”, which refers to it’s cry)

Origin: (Old French, English (Rare))

Pronunciation: (KES-truhl, KES-trəl, KES-trel, KEHSTRahL)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

When looking up the name Kestra I saw it was a variant of Kestrel. So I decided to add Kestrel. It has a good strong meaning and is unique and rare. This name has been used quite a few times in books and movies but still remains a not over used name. It has been used more in sci-fi / fantasy novels.

Daelyn / Daylin

Meaning: (Valley, Small Valley, Variant of Dale, Transferred use of the surname, which is from the Old English dael (dale, hollow, valley). The name originated as en la Dale or de la Dale and was indicative of a person who lived “in the dale.”)

Origin: (Old English, English)

Pronunciation: (DEYEHLahN, DAY-lin)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was looking up the name Kestra *see on list of posts* and this person was asking about middle names to go with Kestra. They asked about Daelyn. I really came to like the name Daelyn. I have added names to the blog that have similar meanings. This is a nice name with decent meanings.

Kestra

Meaning: (Kes: Falcon, Variant of Kestrel, Name of a character on Star Trek: The Next Generation)

Origin: (English)

Pronunciation: (Kes-truh)

Gender: Female

I was watching Star Trek: The Next Generation the other day. Counselor Deanna Troi had a sister that she never knew she had. When her mother Lwaxana’s psyche was collapsing in on itself Deanna went in with the help of another telepath. She found out her sister died when Deanna was just a baby by an accident. Her sister was named Kestra. I think Kestra is the cutest, unique name I have seen and heard in a while. The only meaning I have found is for the first part Kes. I think the meaning I found is strong. A commenter once said on one of the names I put on the blog that it sounded like a Star Trek name well this one really is. But this name can be used I think for other characters because it is not a name made just for the Star Trek universe. I think this can be used because it is a name that comes from another name.

Ashok

Meaning: (Not Causing Sorrow, Sorrow Less, One Without Sorrow, Without Sadness, A form of Ashoka, Ashoka the Great, a 3^rd Century BC Emperor of India, Ashoka Diamond, a 41.37 carat D flawless named after the Buddhist Warrior-Emperor Ashoka Maurya.)

Origin: (Hindu, Indian, Sanskrit)

Pronunciation: (aa-SHaaK, ah-shock)

Gender: Male, Possibly Uni-Sex

I was watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit one day and this guy was some sort of investigator. His name was Ashok Ramsey. I love names that have Ash in them. It’s a very foreign sounding yet handsome name. I love the lovely meanings. It has a nice long history of use. I don’t see this often but I would love to see it in novels. It might be used just not much among English speakers.

Irisa / Iris

Meaning: (Rainbow, A name of two distinct derivations in use throughout Europe and the British Isles. In England, Iris is one of the flower names and is derived from the genus Iris. Elsewhere in Europe, it is generally taken from Iris, the mythical Greek Goddess of the Rainbow.)

Origin: (Russian, Old Greek, English Nature Name)

Pronunciation: (Irisa: iy-RIY-Saa-, -ay-RIHS-ah- or -ay-RIY-Saa Iris: EYE-riss, I-ris, EE-ris, IE-ris, I-riss)

Gender: Female

I can’t quite remember where I first saw Irisa but when I heard and saw it I really came to like it a lot. I have used Iris before in one of my novels. I used it because it was an older fashioned name and was a nature name because nature names particularly flower names were popular around the year my character was born. Both Iris and Irisa have beautiful meanings and are quite sophisticated names. They are short yet carry a dignified air to them. I’ve seen Iris in novels before but I would love to see Irisa.

Medley / Medlee

Meaning: (Recorded in a number of spellings including Madeley, Medley, Medlay, Meadley and Midley, this is a surname of English origins. It has several possible originations. Firstly and most probably it is locational and originates from Medley, a place in Oxfordshire on the River Thames. This name is composed of the old English elements "middel-eg", meaning the island in the middle of the river, or it may be from the village of "Madeley", with two villages in the counties of Shropshire and Staffordshire, or Madley in Gloucestershire. These are all named after the old personal name of the pre 7th century "Mada" meaning good, and "leah", a wood or clearing in a wood. Finally it is possible that the name may derive from the old French word "medlee", meaning combat or conflict, and one which became a nickname and hence a surname for an aggressive person! Early examples of the surname recording include: Thomas Medlay in the Post Mortem lists of the year 1419, whilst the rax records known as the "Feet of Fines" of Warwickshire mention Benedict Medley in 1496, and Christopher Medelay was listed in the Coroners Rolls of Nottinghamshire in 1504. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Simon atte Middele. This was dated 1273, in the historical record known as Kirby's Quest for the county of Somerset, during the reign of King Edward 1st of England, 1272 - 1307. 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/Medley )

Origin: (Middle English, French)

Pronunciation: (med-lee, Med-uh-lee, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Medley to hear how it is said:  http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=medley)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

This is another name I saw in my old year book I was flipping through. I knew a girl named Medlee. When I was in school I thought it was a weird name. Of course back then I wasn’t into names especially unique ones as much as I am now. When I saw this in my old year book I thought to add this on my blog. It has decent meanings and has a unique look and pronunciation.

I’ve been having Posting Problems

Sorry about not having posted in a while. I have been unable to get my posting page to come up. As best I figure is it’s probably my outdated browser. I use my parents computer (my lab top no longer allows me to use the internet unless I use Wifi) and internet. They have dial up and are unable to get any faster internet right now. So updating the browser is impossible right now. So I will have to try and go and take my lab top to a place that has free Wifi and use it there. Well that’s what I am doing right now. That said I will probably not be able to put new names on my blog as often. I want to try and keep adding at least once a month, if I can. I have missed blogging more than you know and I have missed adding new names.

 I want to thank those that continue to check out my blog and comment. Below this post I have added all new names so check them out and sorry it’s taken so long. I will try and collect and add new names in December but if I am unable to get to a free Wifi spot then I will just have to start posting and see you all in the New Year.

Ambrus

Meaning: (Undying, Immortal, Hungarian form of Ambrosius (AMBROSE: From the Late Latin name Ambrosius, which was derived from the Greek name Αμβροσιος (Ambrosios) meaning "immortal". Saint Ambrose was a 4th-century theologian and bishop of Milan, who is considered a Doctor of the Church. Due to the saint, the name came into general use in Christian Europe, though it was never particularly common in England.) This name recorded as Ambrose and Ambrus, derives from the ancient Greek personal name Ambrosios meaning "divine" or "immortal". Its popularity as a medieval christian name was largely due to the fame of Saint Ambrose (circa 340-394), Bishop of Milan and one of the great fathers of the Latin Church. His pupil was St. Augustine, the name is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and again in the 1168 "Pipe Rolls of Norfolk". The surname first appears in the latter half of the 13th Century, (see below). In 1567, Johane Ambrose, daughter of William Ambrose was christened in St. James's Church, Clerkenwell. Isac Ambrose (1604-1663) educated at Oxford in 1624 was appointed one of the King's four preachers in Lancashire in 1631 and worked for the establishment of Presbyterianism. In 1729 Joseph Mottram and Ambrosia Ambrose were married in St. George's Hanover Square, London. John Ambrose (died 1771) was a captain in the navy who served in the Channel and Mediterranean between, 1734 - 1744 and rose to the rank of rear admiral. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Ambroys, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Bedfordshire", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1302. 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.  http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Ambrus )

Origin: (Hungarian, Latin, Greek)

Pronunciation: (AA-MBRahS)

Gender: Female

I was looking through some of my old year books the other day and I remember this girl I knew that was a year older than me. We had a class together and I remembered she had an interesting name. I looked it up in the year book, it was Ambrus. The meanings are beautiful and it has a wonderful history. Ambrus is a nice alternative for the similar spelled Amber (Amber and Ambrus have different meanings and are not alike except that they look similar). Of course as well you can use this as a feminine version of Ambrose which is the basis for Ambrus. I have used Ambrose before in a novel but I have not as of yet used Ambrus. It’s a rare name but I think I like that.

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).

Camalina

Meaning: (English as camelina, gold-of-pleasure, or false flax, also occasionally wild flax, linseed dodder, German sesame, and Siberian oilseed, is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae which includes mustard, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts. It is native to Northern Europe and to Central Asian areas, but has been introduced to North America, possibly as a weed in flax. Camelina needs little water or nitrogen to flourish, it can be grown on marginal agricultural lands. It may be used as a rotation crop for wheat, to increase the health of the soil. It has been traditionally cultivated as an oilseed crop to produce vegetable oil and animal feed. Ample archeological evidence shows it has been grown in Europe for at least 3,000 years. The earliest find sites include the Neolithic levels at Auvernier, Switzerland (dated to the second millennium BC), the Chalcolithic level at Pefkakia in Greece (dated to the third millennium BC), and Sucidava-Celei, Romania (circa 2200 BC). During the Bronze age and Iron age, it was an important agricultural crop in northern Greece beyond the current range of the olive.  It apparently continued to be grown at the time of the Roman Empire, although it’s Greek and Latin names are not known. According to Zohary and Hopf, until the 1940s, C. sativa was an important oil crop in eastern and central Europe, and currently has continued to be cultivated in a few parts of Europe for its seed oil, which was used, for example, in oil lamps (until the modern harnessing of natural gas and propane and electricity) and as an edible false flax oil.)

Origin:  (English, English Nature Name, Latin)

Pronunciation: (cam-uh-lee-nuh)

Gender: Female

I was watching something of T.V and I heard this. I think it was during a commercial. I came to think what an adorable name this would make. Again here is a nature name with very nice meanings. The plant has an interesting history as well. The spelling and pronunciation is unique and would be great in many different genres. It would be super cute in a science fiction / fantasy novel. But I could see this being kind of cute in the modern day as well.

Topanga

Meaning: (A Place Above, Where the Mountain meets the Sea, A variant form of Topanga is the name Topangah. Another variant of Topanga is the pet form Topi.)

Origin: (Native American)

Pronunciation: (toh-PAN-gə, TAH-pang-uh, Tow-PeyN-Gah, toe-pane-guh)    

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

I saw that the old TV series Boy Meets World is going to have a sequel called Girl Meets World that will follow the daughter of Cory and Topanga from Boy Meets World. I used to watch that show many, many years ago. I think the name Topanga is a bit weird but I like the meanings. Also I don’t add Native American names too much so I decided to add this one.

Joss

Meaning: (He will Enlarge, One of the Goths, Little Goth, A member of the Germanic tribe, the Gauts, Lord, Originally a diminutive of Jocelyn, which used to be a masculine name or Joshua. Joss Whedon, television writer and Joss Stone, singer.)

Origin: (English, Hebrew, Old French, Breton, Old German)

Pronunciation: (JAHS, JHAOS)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching a movie the other day. It was like a thriller / mystery. The main persons name was Joss. I was like that’s short but kind of cute. I looked up the name but I saw it was just a nickname for Jocelyn. I have heard the name used in movies and books but I just don’t really like the look of it. (I know a Jocelyn in real life so I don’t want her or any other Jocelyn’s to think I am downing there name.) Jocelyn is a fine name I just can’t see using it on any of my characters in my novels. Joss on the other hand is a good stand alone name and is super cute like I have said. The meanings are all right as well.

Azalea

Meaning: (Dry, Dry Earth, From the name of the flower, ultimately derived from Greek αζαλεος (azaleos) "dry". Flower name of a shrub that flourishes in dry soil and blooms in spring. First coined in the 18th century.)

Origin: (English (Rare), English Nature Name, Greek)

Pronunciation: (ah-ZAY-lee-ə, ə-ZAY-lee-ə, ə-ZAYL-yə, a-ZAYL-yah)

Gender: Female

I was on Yahoo Answers a few weeks ago and this person was asking about naming one of there princesses in there story Azalea. They were also asking about Amaryllis *see on list of posts.* So I have seen this plant name used as a name before but never really gave it much thought. Now I have started to think about it and I like the name so I have decided to use it as one of my characters middle names. It is a name you don’t really hear too often and the meaning is decent. It’s a nice nature name and really quite pretty. I would love to see this name used in more stories but not so many that it becomes over used and boring.

Miles

Meaning: (Peaceful, Soldier, Favor, Grace, Merciful, Mild, Calm, Eager to Please, Who is Like God, The name is of disputed origin. Its medieval form was the Roman name Milo (Latin), itself from the element miles ('soldier'), possibly influenced from the association with the name Michael. Another derivation suggests the source as the Slavic mil ('favor, grace'). The name has been used by English speakers since its introduction from the Norman Conquest, and it saw a moderate revival in the 18th century. In Ireland, it is taken as the Anglicized form of other names such as Maoileas, Maelmore, and Maolmuire, and the form Myles as the equivalent of the Gaelic Maolra. In Scotland, Myles is taken as the Anglicized form of Maoilios. The medieval knight was called miles in Medieval Latin, while in Classical Latin, miles meant simply soldier of any sort, including infantry. Miles Gloriosus, whose name means "boastful soldier", was a comic stock character in classical Roman drama. Miles has several variant forms, some of which offer their own derivations: Milan, Milo, Milos, Myles and Mylo. Historical: the Pilgrim leader, Miles Standish. In modern times, the character Miles O'Brien in the TV series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". Musician Miles Davis.)

Origin: (Old German, Latin, Hebrew, English, Slavic, Norman)

Pronunciation: (MAYah-S, MIELZ, MIE-əlz, MIYLZ, myls)

Gender: Male, possibly Uni-Sex

I've been watching the new Science Fiction Dystopian  / Post-Apocalyptic show Revolution. The main characters uncle who helps her is named Miles. I have heard this used as a name before but hearing it more and more I have decided to add it to my blog. The name has great meanings and does seem strong. Most people will think of this as more a way to measure distance rather than a name but it seems to have been used as a name for a long time. I like the look and sound of the name as well.

The name Miles is a form of Milo or vice versa. Anyway a friend of mine Mallory is about to have her second child, a son, sometime this month. Her first child was a son as well and his name is Roman (Born December 2010). Her and her husband are naming there newest addition Milo. I think Milo is a somewhat cute name. Congrats to them on their newest little one!

Acadia

Meaning: (Place of Plenty, Idyllic Place, Place name: Acadia was the name given to the area of the French colonial empire of New France, in Northeastern U.S. & Canada. The 17^th Century settlers of Nova Scotia named it Acadia after the name of a river there. The Acadians are descendent of 17^th Century French settlers who moved to Acadia in the Canadian maritime provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Islands, and the American state of Maine. In the mid-18^th century, the British deported many Acadians from the Maritime Provinces. Many of them settled in Louisiana and came to be known as Cajuns, while others left for France. When the British conquered New France, the French colony Acadia was renamed Nova Scotia.

It originated from the Latin name Arcadia. The origin of the designation Acadia is credited to the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who on his 16th century map applied the ancient Greek name "Arcadia" to the entire Atlantic coast north of Virginia (note the inclusion of the 'r' of the original Greek name). "Arcadia" derives from the Arcadia district in Greece which since Classical antiquity had the extended meanings of "Refuge" or "Idyllic Place". The Dictionary of Canadian Biography says: "Arcadia, the name Verrazzano gave to Maryland or Virginia 'on account of the beauty of the trees,' made its first cartographical appearance in the 1548 Gastaldo map and is the only name on that map to survive in Canadian usage. . . . In the 17th century Champlain fixed its present orthography, with the 'r' omitted, and Ganong has shown its gradual progress northeastwards, in a succession of maps, to its resting place in the Atlantic Provinces."

Also the name of an automobile model by GMC. Acadia National Park, Maine, U.S.)

Origin: (Algonquian-Wakashan, French)

Pronunciation: (ah-KEY-Diy-ah, ah-KAY-dee-ə, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Acadia to hear how it is said:  http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=acadia )

Gender: Female

I have been seeing things on TV recently talking about Acadia National Park in Maine. I have heard this before but until recently I didn't think of it as a persons name. Now I think its unique and pretty. I like the meanings as well. It has an interesting history too.

Isha

Meaning: (The Ruling Goddess, The Lord, Woman, Protector, Alive, She who Lives)

Origin: (Hebrew, Sanskrit)

Pronunciation: (ee-SHAH, eye-shah, iy-SHaa- or iy-SHuw)

Gender: Famale

I saw this name the other day and I thought it was really pretty. The meanings are beautiful and I love the look and sound of this name. It's short and I love the exotic quality of this name as well.

Colette / Collette

Meaning: (Victory of the People, Victorious, Necklace, Short form of NICOLETTE which is a diminutive form of Nicole, a feminine form of Nicholas. Saint Colette was a 15th-century French nun who gave her money to the poor. This was also the pen name of the French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954).)

Origin: (French, Greek)

Pronunciation: (ko-LET, koh-LEHT)

Gender: Female

I was watching a lifetime movie a few weeks ago that was from the Love Comes Softly movie series based off the books. One of the characters was named Colette. I have heard and read this name before but have just thought to add it here now. It has good meanings and is old fashioned but fits well in the modern era and in the future I believe.

Han

Meaning: (A Rooster, Gift from God, God is Gracious)

Origin: (German, Scandinavian, Danish, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (hahn)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching Star Wars the other day and started thinking about adding Han, after Han Solo. It's a good name with decent meanings. It's short and can be a nickname for a longer name like Johannes *See on list of posts*.

Katya

Meaning: (Pure, Blessed, Holy, Variant of Yekaterina (Russian form of Katherine *see Catherine/ Kathryn/ Katherine on my list of post*))

Origin: (Russian, Ukrainian, Greek)

Pronunciation: (KAH-tyah)

Gender: Female

I was watching a Syfy movie the other day and there was a woman named Katya on there. I know it is a form of Katherine but I thought it deserved its own posting because it can be its own stand alone name. It's pretty and I love the look and sound of it.

Gwendolyn

Meaning: (Fair, Blessed, White Browed, Fair Brow, White Circle, White Ring, Blessed Ring, White Bow, English variant of the Welsh Gwendolen (Fair-Browed), a compound name composed of the elements Gwen, Gwyn (Fair, White, Blessed) and Dolen (Brows, Eyebrows), In some legends, Merlin the magician has a wife named Gwendolyn. The variant Wendy is much more common. The name Gwendolyn is a modification of the name Guendoloena, a fictional queen in the Historia Regum Britanniae written by Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1135. Geoffrey also used the name in his Vita Merlini to refer to a different character, Merlin's wife; the metre shows that he pronounced the name as a pentasyllable, Guĕndŏlŏēnă, with the "gu" pronounced "gw". Spelled Gwendoloena, the name appears as that of Arthur's queen Guinevere in the Latin romance De Ortu Waluuanii. Arthur Hutson has suggested that Geoffrey misread the masculine Old Welsh name Guendoleu as Guendolen, and then chose to Latinize it. The first records of a real person being named Gwendolen appear in the 19th century. Gwendoline was in use in England in the 1860s, and Gwendolen appeared in Daniel Deronda, written by George Eliot and published in serialized form 1874-6.)

Origin: (Welsh, Irish)

Pronunciation: (GWEHN-də-lin, GWYN-doh-lin, GWEN-duh-luhn)

Gender: Female

I was reading or watching something the other day and it had this name. I have seen it before. I have names similar on my blog. The name is pretty and has good beautiful meanings. A short nickname for such a long name can be Gwen, Dolyn, Dol, and Gwenny. The name is old fashioned but a good alternative to the more popular Guinevere.

Amaryllis

Meaning: (Fresh, Sparkling, Sparkling Eyes, Derived from the word amaryssein meaning 'to sparkle'. The name was popular in literature; it was used by Virgil, Ovid, and English pastoral poets from the 16th and 17th centuries, such as Spenser and Milton. This was the name of a heroine in Virgil's epic poem 'Eclogues'. The name was often used poetically to refer to a simple shepherdess or country girl. Amaryllis is also associated with the flower or plant, itself named after the 19th-century Arcadian heroine. Amaryllis is a small genus of flowering bulbs, with two species. The better known of the two, Amaryllis belladonna, is a native of South Africa, particularly the rocky southwest region near the Cape. For many years there was confusion amongst botanists over the generic names Amaryllis and Hippeastrum, one result of which is that the common name "amaryllis" is mainly used for cultivars of the genus Hippeastrum, widely sold in the winter months for their ability to bloom indoors. Plants of the genus Amaryllis belladonna are known as belladonna lily, Jersey lily, naked lady, amarillo or, in South Africa, March lily. This is one of numerous genera with the common name "lily" due to their flower shape and growth habit. However, they are only distantly related to the true lily, Lilium. A. belladonna has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. )

Origin: (Greek, Old Greek, English, Literature)

Pronunciation: (aeM-aa-RIHL-ahS, am-ə-RIL-is (English), am-ah-RILL-iss, Uh-mar-ih-lis, A-mar-i-llis)

Gender: Female

I answered a question on Yahoo Answers a few weeks ago and this person was asking about naming a Princess Amaryliss which is a different spelling of Amaryllis. After I saw that question I fell in love with the name and then I saw the meanings of Amaryllis and I love them too. It seemed very sci-fi futuristic to me but I could also see this in pretty much any genre.

Dresden

Meaning: (Is a city in Germany, famous for its beautiful Porcelain. It was the Capitol of the Kingdom of Saxony. While the city has a long and storied history, many who hear the name “Dresden” think immediately of the massive WWII Firebombing that destroyed the city and killed thousands of Civilians, its name etymologically derives from Old Sorbian Drezdany, meaning “People of the Forest.”)

Origin: (German)

Pronunciation: (Drez-den)

Gender: Male

This name I heard on someone once. Many do think of the WWII Bomb attack on the city. I happen to like the meaning and the look of the name. It's strong and you don't hear this name too often.

Monet

Meaning: (Solitary, Single, Only, Hermit, Descendent of the Protector, To be Heard, To Advise, To Warn, Monk, From a French surname which was derived from either HAMON or EDMOND or Simon. This was the surname of the French impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840-1926).)

Origin: (French, Old Greek)

Pronunciation: (MowNEH, moe-nay, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Monet to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=Claude+Monet)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching Dr. Phil the other day and they had this lady on that was named Monet. The name Monet I really like plus it's the last name of one of my favorite artist- Claude Monet. It has good meanings and it has an exotic and interesting look.

Simone

Meaning: (Listening, To be Heard, She who Hears, God has Heard, French feminine form of SIMON. A famous bearer was Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986), a French feminist and philosopher. Used outside of France from the Middle of the 20^th Century.)

Origin: (French, English, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (see-MON (French), Siy-MOWN, si-MOHN, see-mohn, sih-MOHN)

Gender: Female

I was watching The King of Queens show the other day and the main lady Carrie learned her real name was Simone but her father lost the rights to the name over a card game with her uncle. Then her uncle gave the name to his daughter and she got her neices name. It was a funny episode but anyway I really like the name Simone. I have heard this before and it has taken a while but it has grown on me. The meanings are good and the look is very nice. I like it looks moderately foreign.

Silvana

Meaning: (Of the Forest, Queen of the Forest, Woman of the Woods, Italian feminine form of SILVANUS: Roman name derived from Latin silva "wood, forest". Silvanus was the Roman god of forests. This name appears in the New Testament belonging to one of Paul's companions, also called Silas.)

Origin: (Italian, Greek, Latin, Spanish, English, German)

Pronunciation: (seel-VAH-nah, sil-VAH-nə, Siy-LVAA-Naa, sil-VAHN-ah)

Gender: Female

I forget where I saw this name but I really love it. I already have Silas on my list of posts which is a similar meaning name. I think Silvana is a beautiful name with lovely meanings. It has an interesting look as well.

Linus

Meaning: (From the Greek name Λινος (Linos) meaning "flax". In Greek legend he was the son of the god Apollo, who accidentally killed him in a contest. Another son of Apollo by this name was the music teacher of Herakles. Biblical: A Christian in Rome named by the apostle Paul as sending greetings to Timothy. (2Ti 4:21) Irenaeus (born about 130 C.E.) and others after him have identified this Linus with an early overseer of Rome who bore the same name, but this identification rests merely on tradition. In modern times it was the name of a character in Charles Schulz's comic strip 'Peanuts'. Blond, Flaxen Haired, Net, Flaxen Colored.)

Origin: (Greek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized), German, Scandinavian)

Pronunciation: (LIE-nəs (English), LEE-nuws (German), LYE-nuss, LAYNahS in English or LIYNuhS in German, LIY-nəs)

Gender: Male

I was watching an old episode of Law & Order Special Victims Unit there was a guy on there named Linus. I have heard this name a few times before. I think it's an old fashioned preppy name but I like it. It has good meanings and it has an easy pronunciation.

Elena / Eleena

Meaning: (Sun Ray, Shining Light, Bright One, Light Bearer, Wicker, Reed, Shoot, Torch, Basket, Cognate of HELEN, and a variant Russian transcription of YELENA. Elena variation of Helen dates back to the 12th century.)

Origin: (Greek, Italian, Spanish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Macedonian, Croatian, Slovene, Lithuanian, Russian, German, Medieval Slavic)

Pronunciation: (E-le-nah (Italian), e-LE-nah (Spanish), ye-LYE-nah (Russian), ee-LYE-nah (Russian), eh-LAY-nah, ah-lay-nah, eh-LAYN-ah, el-AY-na)

Gender: Female

I was watching the movie The Mask of Zorro a few weeks ago and there was a lady Elena played by Catherine Zeta-Zones in the film. So I thought to add this to my blog because a few years ago I used the name Eleena as a minor characters name in my trilogy. So hearing Elena in The Mask of Zorro it reminded me of Eleena and also reminded me I have yet to add this name to my blog. The meanings are pretty and the name it's self is very beautiful. It's got a great look and it easily pronounced.

Lindon / Lyndon

Meaning: (Lime Tree Hill, Linden Tree Hill, Mound, Dune, The first name is from the surname, which is derived from a place name Lyndon in the county of Rutland next to Leicestershire. The popularity of the name in the USA was boosted in the 20th century by the President Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908-1973).)

Origin: (Old English)

Pronunciation: (LIHNDahN, LIN-dan, LIN-duhn)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching something the other day and heard this name. I really kind of like it. The meaning is decent and the look is nice. It's easily pronounced and it's not a way out there name but it's still not something you see too often.

Nola

Meaning: (Fair Shoulder, White Shoulder, Famous, Glorious, Magnolia, Olive, Descendant of Nuallain, Spanish pet form of Leonor, a variant of Eleanor, a cognate of the Greek Helene (Light, Torch, Bright). Alternatively, some believe Leonor to be a feminine form of Leonard, which is derived from the Old High German Lewenhart (Brave as a Lion), Derived from the word nuall with the meaning 'famous, champion, chariot-fighter'. The first name was possibly invented as a feminine variant of Nolan. Among English speakers, the name is most regularly used in Australia. Variant short form of Fionnula.)

Origin: (Gaelic, Irish, Celtic, English, Latin, African-Mende)

Pronunciation: (NOH-lə, NOW-Laa, NO-lah)

Gender: Female

I forget where I first heard this name but I really like it. It's short and unique and has really nice pretty meanings. I can see a very spirited character being named this for some reason, LOL. It's also easily pronounced.

Liberty

Meaning: (Freedom, Free, Independence, This meaning name surfaces at historical moments when Americans contemplate their Freedoms. Lots of little Liberties were born at the end of WWI; during the 1976 bicentennial celebration; and again in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The name’s message speaks with equal power to people at both ends of the political spectrum. In Roman Mythology, Libertas was a Goddess who personified the concept of Liberty.)

Origin: (English, Middle English, Latin)

Pronunciation: (LI-ber-tee, LIH-ber-tee)

Gender: Female

I was watching a movie the other day and the main woman in the movie was named Liberty but she went by Libby. I have heard in other movies and T.V series where there was people named Liberty. I kind of like it, it definitely has grown on me.

Periwinkle

Meaning: (Resembling the Flower, Periwinkle is a color in the blue family. Its name is derived from the lesser periwinkle or myrtle herb (Vinca minor) which bears flowers of the same color. The color Periwinkle is also called lavender blue. The color periwinkle may be considered a pale tint of blue or indigo – a pastel blue or indigo. The first recorded use of periwinkle as a color name in English was in 1922.)

Origin: (English, English Nature Name)

Pronunciation: (PEHRahWIHNGKahL, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Periwinkle to hear how it is said:  http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=periwinkle)

Gender: Female

I saw the new Tinker Bell movie advertised on T.V it's where she finds out she has a sister meaning they were born of the same laugh. Her sister's name is Periwinkle. I saw another movie once where there was a woman named Periwinkle. I kind of like the name. It's a flower name not used often.

Ainsley

Meaning: (Hermitage in or at the Clearing or Wood, Meadow, One, Only, Solitary, The first name is derived from the surname; the latter was borne by an ancient and powerful family in the Scottish borders. The family name is from the name of an English village, either Annesley in Nottinghamshire or Ansley in Warwickshire. The former is derived from the elements an ('one, only') and leah ('wood, clearing, meadow'), and the latter from ansetl ('hermitage, solitary') and leah ('wood, clearing, meadow'). Ainsley is the feminine equivalent of the English Ansley. The place names themselves mean either "Anne's field" or "hermitage field" from Old English ansetl "hermitage" and leah "field".)

Origin: (Celtic, Old English, Gaelic, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (EY-NZLiy, AYNZ-lee, ain-zlee ain - rhymes with main zlee- rhymes with see.)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching an episode of CSI: New York the other day and one of the minor characters a lady was named Ainsley. I really kind of love this name. It's actually a name I am going to be using in my next novel. It's pretty and interesting. Its decent meanings and a name you don't hear often. It's unique and could fit many different genres and in different eras.