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.

Fayne

Meaning: (Glad, Shining, Recorded in many forms including Fain, Fane, Fayne, Faynes, Vain, Vaines, Vanes, and Vayne, this is a famous and noble English surname. However its origins are at best very confused, and from several sources including possibly France and Wales. The first and most likely source is that it was originally a nickname for a "well disposed person". As such this was a derivative of the Old English pre 7th century word "foegen", the Middle English 12th century "fein or fayn", and according to the New English Dictionary of 1883 quoting from an Elizabethan source "Fayne promys makyth folys Fayne", which roughly translates as a person permanently opposed to fools! The word as Fayn was also used as a given name in the Middle Ages and there is also a slight chance that for some nameholders it derives from the Welsh word "fain", meaning slender. However to add to the confusion there is also a place in La Manche, Normandy called "Vains", and it is probable that some namebearers are from this locational source, and may well have come over with the Normans in the invasion of 1066. It is said that Sir John Vane who was knighted at the battle of Poitiers, wrote his name as Fane on his will dated April 16th 1488. He was the ancestor of the Vane family, Earls of Darlington, and the Fane family, Earls of Westmorland! The first recorded spelling of the family name is possibly that of William le Vain. This was dated 1242, in the tax rolls of the county of Worcestershire, during the reign of King Henry 111rd of England, 1216 - 1272. 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/Fayne
Nickname from Middle English fein, fayn, fane ‘glad’, ‘well disposed’ (Old English fægen). The word seems also to have been occasionally used as a personal name in the Middle Ages, from which the surname may derive in some instances. http://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=fayne
Fayne is a variation of Faina (Russian).)

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

Pronunciation: (Fey-N)

Gender: Female

Variation of Faina *See on list of posts*. I was reading a book Drangonwell Dead by Laura Childs

8^th in the Tea Shop Mystery series a few weeks ago. Fayne was a character in the book that was set up for murdering a man though she didn't. I really liked it and I like the many meanings. It's pretty and interesting. I had never seen this name before I read the book.

Keira / Kyra / Kira

Meaning: (Dark, Lady, Black Haired, It is an Anglicized version of Ciara, the name of a 7th century saint, Kyra it is a form of the name Kiran, pronounced /ˈkɪərən/KEER-ən. Kiran is of Hindi and Sanskrit origin, meaning "beam of light". From Sanskrit, it evolved to the Persian and Egyptian word Ki-Ra for "like Ra, the sun" and later to ancient Greek where its meaning became "lady" (male name Kyros (see Kyrie), meaning "lord"). A short form of kyria, κυρία, the Greek title of respect for a woman.

The word Sire for addressing royalty in western European languages is a modern variant of it. Therefore it can also be used as a female form of Cyril. In Slavonic, it means "strong woman".

Kira (Ки́ра): Feminine form of Russian Kir, meaning "mistress, ruler." This also can translate to "Leader of the people" or "One the people look to". Though the popularity and direct translation for the Russian forms of the name Kira are debated, there are several other Russian translations including Кира meaning "beloved". Kira is another Russian derivative for the name Kyra, descended from Kyros, the Greek form of the Persian name Kûrush, which may mean "far sighted" or may be related to the Persian word khur "sun". The name is sometimes associated with Greek kyrios "lord". This was the name of several kings of Persia, including Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon. He is famous in the Old Testament for freeing the captive Jews and allowing them to return to Israel. The etymologically unrelated Japanese name, romanized as "Kira", is common in Japan, as both given name and family name. "Kira kira" also means glittery, or shiny, in Japanese. Irish derived from Ciar (Black): hence, “Black-Haired One.” In the U.S., Ciara is pronounced phonetically, rather than with its Gaelic pronunciation of keer-ah.)

Origin: (Irish, Gaelic, Celtic, Greek, Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, Egyptian, Russian)

Pronunciation: (KEER-ə, KEE-ruh, KEE-ra)

Gender: Female

I have used this name as a main characters daughter's name. I used Keira but I like Kyra and see that spelling a lot. I love the beautiful meanings and the simple shortness of this name. There are many different genres and characters this could fit. I also like the pronunciation of this name.

Marnie / Marny / Marni

Meaning: (Rejoice, feminine form of Marino, a name derived from the Latin Marinus (A Mariner, A Man of the Sea), Of the Sea, Sea Maiden, Sparkling, Shining, Variant of Marina and Marmara.)

Origin: (Hebrew, Scottish, Scandinavian, Greek, Latin)

Pronunciation: (MAHR-nee)

Gender: Female

I saw a movie advertised on T.V the other day and the title was the name of the main character Marnie. I never much cared for this name the first few times I heard this name over the years. It has slowly grown on me. It has good meanings and is short and cute.

Lovella

Meaning: (Wolf, Love, Affection)

Origin: (English)

Pronunciation: (LahV-EHL-aa, luv-ELL-ah)

Gender: Female

This was one of the names I found in a baby name book when I was at the Wal-Mart. I really like this name. The meanings are decent and it's super cure. I could see where some might not like it or think it fits there character but I still would love to see this name in a book.

McKenna

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

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

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

Gender: Female

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

Tippi / Tippie/ Tippy

Meaning: (Yellow Horse, Yellow, Golden, Fair, Corrugated Roof, From the Swedish nickname "Tupsa" meaning "sweetheart". Also possibly from the German "tippe", an occupational name for a tub maker. Made famous by actress Tippi Hedren, whose birth name was Nathalie Hedren.)

Origin: (Old Greek, Hebrew, Swedish, German, Japanese)

Pronunciation: (TIHP-iy, TIP-ee)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching the movie Birds with Tippi Hedren in it. I at first thought it was funny but it has grown on me. It's not a name that would fit too many characters but it has great meanings and seems kind of cute.

Lordyn / Lordin

Meaning: (An Enchanting Woman)

Origin: (English, American)

Pronunciation: (LAORDIHN, LAORDAYN)

Gender: Female

I was at Wal-Mart the other day and in the books and magazine section I saw a book of 8,000 baby names. I was flipping through to see if they had my sisters name which is Lorinda *See on my list of posts*. The book didn't have her name but I found a few names I think are super cute. Lordyn was one of the ones I really like. It has a beautiful meaning and an interesting look and sound to it. It has a futuristic look to it which I like.

Morton

Meaning: (Transferred use of the surname arising from a place name derived from the Old English elements more (A Moor, A Wasteland) and tun (Town, Settlement, Village, Enclosure): hence, “from the settlement by the moor.” From the Farm near the Moor, Recorded in several forms including Morten, Morton, Moorton, Mourton, Moreton, Mairtoun, and Mirton, this interesting surname can be either English, Scottish or Irish. In all cases it is a locational surname, and if Scottish it originates from the village of Morton in Dumfriesshire, of from Mryrton (now Morton) in Fife. If English, it is from any of over twenty such places called either Moreton or Morton in the various English counties such as Berkshire, Cheshire, Devonshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Shropshire and Staffordshire, and all variously recorded in the famous Domesday Book of 1086. If Irish, its antecedents are English, the name holders being descendants of early settlers. However spelt all share the same basic meaning and derivation which is "The settlement by the moor", from the Olde English pre 7th Century word "mor", with "tun", a settlement or farm. Amongst the many recordings in the early surviving registers and charters are those of Hugh de Mortun, given as being the prior of May, in Scotland in the year 1204, Robert de Morton of Nottingham in the Hundred Rolls of 1273, and Master Thomas Mirton, who was chaplain to the king of Scotland in 1422. The first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere in the world is probably that of Robert de Mortone, which was dated 1130, in the "Pipe Rolls" of Wiltshire, during the reign of King Henry 1st of England, known as "The Lion of Justice", 1100 - 1135.  First used as a first name since the 19^th Century.)

Origin: (Old English, Scottish, Irish)

Pronunciation: (MAORTahN, MOR-tun)

Gender: Male

I was watching The Secret Window movie the other day with Johnny Depp in it and he plays an author named Morton. He goes crazy in the film but I really like the name Morton nicknamed Mort. It has an old fashioned vibe.

Branlin / Branlyn / Branlon / Branlen

Meaning: (Bran: Raven, Bramble, A Thicket of Wild Gorse, In Irish Legend Bran was a mariner who was involved in several adventure. Lin / Lyn / Len / Lon: Fine Jade, Forest, Beautiful, Pretty, Lime Tree, Linden Tree, Mountain of Linden Trees, Dwells by the Torrent, Family name in Chinese. In English, short form for names like Linden and Linette. By a Lake, Pond, Small Waterfall, Fierce.)

Origin: (Chinese, Spanish, Scandinavian, Old English, German, Welsh, Irish, Irish Mythology, Celtic, Gaelic, Scottish)

Pronunciation: (BRAN- lin)

Gender: Male

I was at a religious District Convention a few weeks ago and when I was walking around at lunch I heard this lady call her son his name was Branlin and I thought what a cute cool name that is. It has good meanings when I got around to researching it and it sounds super cute.