From a New Orleans cemetery

[esrever88]

I just returned from a vacation in New Orleans, and while there I visited a few of that city's fascinating cemeteries - which, as all good name nerds know, are awesome for finding unusual old names!

Most of the gems I found appear to be of French origin, which is no surprise - sprinkled among the many Maries, here are a few of the most intriguing:

GIRLS
Athalie
Bazilique
Galatée
Modeste
Oneida
Sophronie
Uranie
Zulime

BOYS
Buxton
Casimir
Cesaire

I particularly love Athalie - in French, it would be pronounced to rhyme with Natalie, but here in the States it'd probably be butchered. What do you all think?

[agirlinred]

Cemeteries are the best places to discover names. Athalie, Sophronie, and Casimir are my favorites from this list.

[alzora]

LOVE cemetery names. Unfortunately, I don't like any of the girls' names. The only one that I don't HATE is Oneida. Bazilique is interesting to look at and say, but I would never use or recommend it. The boys' names, though, are pretty awesome, especially Buxton.

[stripedsocks]

Sophronie and Bazilique are interesting.

Is it an embarrassment to admit I'm a huge fan of Marie? As a FN only - as a middle it gets lost and filler-ish.

Casimir is interesting but my true love is Cassius.

[flick]

Galatee is amazing! Galatea is on my list. Galatee feels like a French variation? Very cute. Athalie is really sweet, too.

[flick]

Sophronie and Bazilique are interesting.

Is it an embarrassment to admit I'm a huge fan of Marie? As a FN only - as a middle it gets lost and filler-ish.

Casimir is interesting but my true love is Cassius.

I think Marie as a first name is stunning and refreshing.

[auroradawn]

I think Athalie is very pretty, and Casimir is dashing. The others are very intriguing, but too far out there for my taste.
I know a little Elizabeth Marie who is always called Marie, and I do find it refreshing.
Thanks for sharing!

[esrever88]

Flick, I liked Galatée a lot too! And I agree with you all - Marie as a first name is very distinctive and refreshing nowadays.

Bazilique was extremely interesting to me, since it appears to be a respelling of the French word for "basilica". Not something I'd ever consider using (nor are most of the others for that matter), but I loved the sort of ancient sound it has. Zulime has a beautiful sound in French, too, but it'd NEVER work over here.

[oliviasarah]

Galatée is very pretty, I agree (Gal-uh-TAY, right?).

Casimir has been a favourite of mine for years now. It's just too lovely. I'm liking Buxton a lot too.

[flick]

I'm not positive how Galatee would be pronounced. I'm going to ask one of my frenchie friends and I'll let you know.