Aloysia

Meaning: (Famous Warrior, Healthy, Safe, Whole, Wood, Forest, Wide, Aloysia is a variant form, with the suffix -ysia, of Aloisia (Old German): feminine of Aloysius. Aloysia is also a variation of Eloise (Old German). Aloysia is also used as a variation of Heloise (French, Old German) and Louise (Old German).)

Origin: (French, Old German)

Pronunciation: (aa-LowWiy-Siy-aa, ah-LOI-zee-ah (German), al-ə-WISH-ə (English), al-oh-WEES-ee-ah, al-o-WISH-a, ah-loh-ee-zyah)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

I forget where I saw this but I think it was on a TV series. It has a Middle Ages look to it which I like a lot. The meanings are strong and it has a unique look. The pronunciation options seem endless and so that may or may not be great for a characters name but in this name I can see a few nicknames which may help. Nickname options, Al, Aloy (I would pronounce it like Aloe, as in Aloe Vera), Sia, and Alo.

Edit December 29, 2015:

So I finally remember where I saw this name, it was a name of plants in the Verbena Family, example Lemon Verbena. I was looking through some of my plant books once and saw this and really liked it but forgot until the other day where I had first saw it. I love plant names and I love Lemon Verbena's smell so that must have been why I added this name.   

Belinda

Meaning: (Beautiful, Bright Serpent, Beautiful Snake, Bright Linden Tree, Serpentine, This name first arose in the 17th century, and was subsequently used by Alexander Pope in his poem 'The Rape of the Lock' (1712).

It has often been taken to mean 'Beautiful Snake', in reference to the snake as a sacred symbol of wisdom and immortality in medieval times.)

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

Pronunciation:  (bə-LIN-də, Beh-LIHND-ah, buh-lIHn-duh)

Gender: Female

Though I don’t use names associated with witches in my novels as I’ve mentioned before this name is most famous for a witch, Belinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of OZ. the meanings are beautiful and the name most everyone’s heard of but it isn’t used too much. I first saw this name in a novel I was reading and at first I was on the fence with it but I do like it a little bit more now.

Of course I was thrown off at first by the meanings with Snake. I was like why would you name someone after a snake as I always associate them with poison and danger. I never knew the snake was a sacred symbol of wisdom and immortality in medieval times. Now that I know that I feel better about the meanings.

The last thing was the poem by Alexander Pope 'The Rape of the Lock' (1712). I was disappointed that the name was associated with the poem but after looking the poem up the poem is not what I thought and I am less upset about it now.

EDIT December 11, 2015:

Okay so I am a dork, lol! I was watching The Wizard of Oz a few weeks back and low and behold the good witch is not named Belinda but Glinda. I so thought it was Belinda. So it may not be a witches name in that movie but I keep thinking I saw it in that capacity some place, whether novel or movie, but maybe I am completely wrong there.

So instead of changing the details above I decided to own up to my stupid dorky mistake here in the edit and leave my stupidness above but do know as far as I know Belinda was not used in The Wizard of Oz.

Waleran

Meaning: (This is a surname of ancient pre 7th century origins. Recorded in the spellings of Waldram, Waldren, Waldron, Waleran, and Walrond, it is an excellent example of a style of individual name from the "Dark ages". It derives from the Olde German personal compound name "Wala-hram", and whilst it may have been introduced into Britain by the 8th century Anglo-Saxons, the first certain recordings are Norman-French, or at least after the 1066 Norman Invasion. These are found in the 1086 Domesday Book for Essex in the Latinized spellings of "Waleranni" and "Galeranni". The name translates literally as "Wall-raven", but it is probable that the original meaning was more on the lines of "strong bird", walls being associated with great strength, whilst the raven is heraldically known for its wisdom and cunning. Early examples of the name recording include Walerannus de Crikelade in the Pipe Rolls of Oxford for the year 1182, whilst Robert Waldrond is recorded for Worcester and Matilda Waldron in Warwick, both in the Hundred Rolls for their particular county in the year 1275. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Waleram. Which was dated 1196, in the charters of the district of Clerkenwell, London. During the reign of King Richard I, known as "The Lion Heart", 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.

Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Waleran#ixzz3bqf6MXdj)

Origin: (Old German, English)

Pronunciation: (Wall-er-en)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I forget where I saw this name but somehow I added it to my list. I like the meanings and the history that is interesting but the pronunciation I couldn’t find so I went with what I thought it looked like but I may be off on it. This is an interesting name and I would think it would be best as surname but I wouldn’t mind seeing how else it may be used.

Bernadetta

Meaning: (Strong, Brave as a Bear, Variant of Bernadette, Feminine of Bernard.)

Origin: (French, Old German)

Pronunciation: (B-ERNAHDEHT-AH, Ber-na-DET-uh)

Gender: Female

I saw a movie where one of the characters was named Birdie and it was a nickname for Bernadette or Bernadetta. The meanings are interesting and I think though this has a feel of an old world name and perhaps dated it still has a slight freshness nowadays. In a novel I would say this would make a good hand me down family name for a character.

Adelyn

Meaning: (Noble Kind, Of a Noble Kind, Noble, Honorable, Ornament, Brightness, Kind Hearted, Beautiful, Woman of Magdala, Variant of Adelaide, A diminutive of Adele, form of the name Madelyn, Adeline is also commonly bestowed as an independent name.)

Origin: (Old German, French, Hebrew)

Pronunciation: (A-də-lin, AED-LIHN)

Gender: Female

This name looks a bit like Aderyn *see on list of post* I like the noble meanings and the unique prettiness of this name. I would like to see this name more often. It has a fairy tale(esque) look to it.

Lana

Meaning: (Rock, Precious, Little Rock, Light, Afloat, Calm as Still Waters, Variant of Alana or Helen. Short form of Svetlana. The name also resembles the romantic term for wool: “Laine” or “Lana”.)

Origin: (Old German, Irish, Gaelic, Greek, Hawaiian, Slavic)

Pronunciation: (LAN-ah, LAHN-ah)

Gender: Female

I was watching one of those ER stories shows and there was a lady they were talking about who was named Lana. It reminded me of the name of the character from the TV Series Smallville (About the early years of Superman / Clark Kent). I think the name is short but still really pretty and exotic in a way. I love the many meanings particularly Calm as Still Waters.

Matilda

Meaning: (Mighty in Battle, Powerful Battler, Strength in Battle, From the Germanic name Mahthildis meaning “Strength in Battle”, from the elements maht “Might, Strength” and hild “Battle”. Saint Matilda was the wife of the 10^th Century German King Henry I the Fowler. The name was brought to England by the Normans, being borne by William the Conqueror’s Queen Matilda (11^th Century). When it was brought to Britain it was pronounced “Maud”. It was popular until the 15^th Century in England, usually in the vernacular form Maud. Both forms were revived by the 18^th Century for awhile.). This name appears in the popular Australian folk song ‘Waltzing Matilda’, written in 1895.)

Origin: (Old German, Gothic, English)

Pronunciation: (muh-TIL-dah, MahTIHLDah, muh-tIHl-duh)

Gender: Female

I was watching the family movie Matilda not long ago. I have never been a fan of the name because it always sounded harsh to me or like an old ladies name for some reason. I do however love the meanings which are strong and nickname possibilities (ex. Mattie, Maddie, Tilda, Tillie, Maud, Tiller). I also love the very long history of this name. It’s a name most everyone has heard of at least in English speaking countries.

Melisande

Meaning: (Strong Work, Animal Strength, Labor Strength, Also French form of Melissa (Greek) “Bee, Honey”. Medieval form of Millicent.)

Origin: (Old French, Old German)

Pronunciation:  (MEL-a-sahnd, MEH-lee-sahnd, MEH-LiySae-N)

Gender: Female

I read an episode of Game of Thrones and there was a name similar to Melisande that was used. Upon looking it up I found Melisande spelling. I think it is a beautiful name. It has a Lord of the Rings or Star Trek like look about it to me. I really like the meanings and pronunciation as well.

Blanche

Meaning: (White, Pure, Fair, Originally a nickname for a blonde, “blanc”. It became associated with whiteness as in purity, and beauty. From a medieval French nickname meaning “White, Fair”. This name and its cognates in other languages are ultimately derived from the Germanic word Blanc. An early bearer was the 12^th Century Blanca of Navarre, the wife of Sancho III of Castile. Her granddaughter of the same name married Louis VIII of France, with the result that the name became more common in France. It was introduced into England as a given name by the Normans. Blanche DuBois is a character in Tennessee William’s “A Streetcar Named Desire”.)

Origin: (Old French, Old German, English)

Pronunciation: (Blawnsh (French), Blanch (English))

Gender: Female

They brought the show Golden Girls back on TV and I have started watching it again because I remember loving that show years ago. One of the ladies is named Blanche. I never really cared for the name but after hearing it again and again it has grown on me and I love the meanings.

Alleyne

Meaning: (Precious, Harmony, Peace, the Cheerful Handsome One, Little Rock, Variant of Allan, This interesting name is of Celtic origin, and derives from a personal name of great antiquity. The name Alan, is thought to derive from the Gaelic "ailin", little rock, a diminutive of "ail", rock, and was introduced into England and later to Ireland by the Breton followers of William the Conqueror after 1066, among whom it was a very popular given name. One man in particular is credited with being the first of the name into England; Alan Fergeant, Count of Brittany and a companion of the Conqueror, and later first Earl of Richmond in Yorkshire. The personal name is recorded in its Latinized form of "Alanus" in the Domesday Book of 1086, although the surname is not recorded until the first half of the 13th Century (see below). The modern surname can be found in a variety of forms, including: Allen, Alen, Alleyn, Alleyne, Allain, Alan, Allan, Allin, Allon, Allans and FitzAlan. Recordings from London Church Registers include the christening of William Alleyne at St. Mary's, Whitechapel, on December 30th 1606. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Geoffrey Alein, which was dated 1234, in the "Feet of Fines of Cambridgeshire", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. 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/Alleyne) 

Origin: (Old German, Old English, Irish, Celtic)

Pronunciation: (AELEYN)

Gender: Female

There was a book my sister was recommending and one of the books in the series the author wrote was named Alleyne. Apparently it is an old name. The meanings are pretty but the pronunciations are tricky for me.

Rainer

Meaning: (Deciding Warrior, Army Counsel, Wise Army, Variant of Raynor. German form of Rayner. Related surname are occasionally used as given names. Poet Rainer Maria Rilke.)

Origin: (Old German, English)

Pronunciation: (RAY-ner, RIE-ner)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was adding new quotes to my list of inspirational quotes and I came across some new writing quotes on the internet.  Just like both Havelock and Jessamyn *see on list of posts* this name was the name of the poet –Rainer Maria Rilke- whose quote I read. I think it is a cute name though I envision a very hippie kind of character named this or a nature based character. The meanings are strong. It’s an easily pronounced name and quite pleasant and crisp.

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.

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!

Emmeline

Meaning: (Hardworking, Whole, Universal, Immense, Imitating, From an Old French form of the Germanic name Amelina, originally a diminutive of Germanic names beginning with the element Amal meaning “Work”. Variant form of Emilie (Rival) formed by adding the diminutive suffix –ine: hence “Little Rival”. The Normans introduced the name to England.)

Origin: (English (Archaic), German, Latin, Gothic, Old French, Old German)

Pronunciation: (EM-e-Leen, EM-a-leen, EH-me-liyn, EHM-ah-LiyiyN)

Gender: Female

I once read The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and one of the characters was named Emmeline. It is a pretty, feminine, old fashioned name. It is unique and rare today as far as I know. I have seem Emma but very few Emmeline's in novels or really for that matter I have never met anyone named Emmeline. The meanings are good and it is an all around nice name.

As for the book The Thirteenth Tale it was really good and I recommend that people read it. It was so well written and descriptive it was hard to put down.

Alfie

Meaning: (Elf or Magical Counsel, Ready for Battle, Variant of Alfred and Alphonse, Derived from Aelfred, a compounding of the elements aelf (Elf) and raed (Counsel). Elves were considered to be supernatural beings having special powers of seeing into the future; thus the name took on the meaning “Wise Counsel”.)

Origin: (Old English, Old German)

Pronunciation: (Al-fee)

Gender: Male

I never much cared for the name Alfie but the other day I have forgotten now what made me start to like it but I do sort of like it now. It's a short name and has a simple pronunciation and the meanings great. It's such a cute name.

Ismay / Ismae

Meaning: (Ice or Iron Maiden, Feminine form of Esme: An Old French variant of the Latin aestimatus meaning Esteemed or amatus meaning loved. This very rare and interesting name is of early medieval English origin, from a female personal name found recorded in England from the 13th Century on, spelt variously Ysemay, Isemay, Ysmay and Isamaya. The given name is thought to derive from an Old German compound name, 'Ismagi(n)', translating as 'iron-strength', and also forming the origin of another female personal name, Ismena or Ismenia. 'Ismay' is the only surname to derive from the given name Ismay, although Ismenia has been the origin for many variant surnames, such as Emeney, Emmence, Emans and Immink. The marriage of one Alyce Esmay and Henry Hamon was recorded on October 29th 1568 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, in London, and John Ismay married Elizabeth Martin at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on October 14th 1656. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph Isemay or Hyssmaye, which was dated circa 1200, Charters of Sheffield, Yorkshire, during the reign of King John, known as 'Lackland', 1199-1216. 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. Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Ismay#ixzz1rIQeSFIh)

Origin: (Old German, Old French, Latin)

Pronunciation: (IHSMEY, iss-may, Go to this site and run your cursor over the name Ismay to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=ismay&submit=Submit)

Gender: Female

The other day I was checking emails and I get books of the month emails from Amazon.com and I saw a book on there which I looked up. I didn't care for the plot but I loved the name of the heroine which was Ismae. Upon looking it up I saw the original spelling Ismay and so I decided to add both Ismae and Ismay. The meaning is great and the name is unique. Ismay / Ismae which is a feminine form of Esme I think is more rare and unused compared to Esme which has become super popular after the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Myers. Plus I never really cared for the name Esme, I like Esmeralda *This name is on my list of posts* which is the original lengthened version of Esme before Esme became a stand alone name.

Dustin

Meaning: (Valiant Fighter, Brave Warrior, A Fighter, Thor’s Stone, Dusty Area, The fame of actor Dustin Hoffman has been a major influence on contemporary usage. Popularity is also influenced by the rhyming similarity to another favored name, Justin.)

Origin: (Old German, Old English)

Pronunciation: (DUS-tin, DUHS-tin)

Gender: Male


I was watching a show the other day and this name popped up on the screen for the person. I have liked it for a while because of WWE Wrestler Dustin "Dusty" Rhodes so I said why not add it here. I have a character in one of my novels named Dusty Rose. I think Dustin is a very nice name. It has a great strong meaning and a good look. It's easy to pronounce which is a plus as well. Good Nicknames: Dusty, Dus. Also it has a good aging quality, it's a name that can work with a character at any age. It isn't crazy unique but not overly common either which I like and I am sure others will too.

Roscoe

Meaning: (From the Deer Forest, Roe Deer Wood, From an English surname, originally derived from a place name, which meant "doe wood", Transferred use of the surname derived from a place-name in Lancashire, on the northwestern coast of England. The name is derived from the Old Norse elements rá (a roe deer) and skógr (a wood).)

Origin: (English, Old Norse, Old German)

Pronunciation: (RAHS-ko, RAHS-koh)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I saw this in a movie the other day. It was a woman's name in the movie so I suppose this can be a uni-sex name. I don't know which gender I like it on more though. It has a good meaning and a decent look and sound to it.

Ellesse

Meaning: (Other, Foreign, Variant of Ella, Eleanor, Ellen.)

Origin: (Old German, Italian, English)

Pronunciation: (eh-less, Elle-es, sounds like LS, Elle-es-say, Sounds like LSA, Go to this site and run your cursor over Ellesse to hear how it is said: http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=ellesse)

Gender: Female

I was looking up something about actress Alexa Vega the other day and saw that her middle name is Ellesse. I instantly liked the look of it and the two main pronunciations are nice and easy. This is a really nice, pretty name.

Hattie / Hatty

Meaning: (Home Ruler, Variant of Harriet, Henrietta.)

Origin: (Old German, American)

Pronunciation: (HAT-ee)

Gender: Female

I have used Hattie as the name of one of my characters crazy mother. This is also the name of Tori Spellings new baby. I like this name, it is old fashioned yet still modern in a way. It is sweet and it is short and easy to pronounce so there are few if any draw backs to this name.