Why do bad names happen to good people?
By theirishsaint
Updated Sat May 06 2023
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This is purely my opinion and a bit of a joke.
- Agnes
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
Agnes is the Latin variation of the name Hagne, which itself derived from the Greek word hagnos, meaning "chaste." In medieval times, St. Agnes was a very popular saint, leading to its popularity as a girl's name. Agnes Grey is the title of one of the two novels written by Anne Brontë.
- Agatha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"good woman"Description:
Agatha until recently summoned up visions of martyred saints, mauve silk dresses, and high lace collars, but now that some dauntless excavators have begun to resurrect it, we're sure more will follow their lead. Actor Thomas Gibson used it for his daughter in 2004.
- Chester
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"fortress, walled town,"Description:
Chester is a comfortable, little-used teddy-bear of a name that suddenly sounds both quirky and cuddly.
- Allegra
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"joyous"Description:
In music, the term allegro means "quickly, lively tempo," which makes this quintessential Bohemian ballet dancer's name all the more appealing. Allegra is one of the most distinctive yet accessible girl names starting with A.
- Yolanda
Origin:
Spanish from GreekMeaning:
"violet flower"Description:
Bold and distinctive, Yolanda is a floral name that doesn't sound frilly or delicate. Ultimately deriving from the Greek words ioles meaning "violet" and anthos meaning "flower", it appears in a variety of forms internationally, including Jolanda, Jolanta, Iolanthe, Iolanta, Iolanda, and Jolana.
- Nero
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"stern"Description:
The association with the infamous Nero, the fiddling Roman emperor, would be unavoidable. But there was also the detective Nero Wolfe, hero of many mystery stories.
- Aristotle
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"superior; the best purpose"Description:
The great philosopher's name is commonly used in Greek families, and is one that could work for daring, philosophical American ones. With user friendly nicknames such as Ari, Aris, Artie, and Ris, Aristotle is a ambitious choice, associated with morality, ethics, literature, and psychology.
- Peaches
Origin:
English fruit nameDescription:
Unlike the other fruit names that are just coming onto the baby name menu, Peaches is an old-timey nickname previously reserved for spangled showgirls, and now would be considered an outrageous -- verging on hip -- choice. Or perhaps it was, until 2023, when it entered the UK Top 1000, not sounding too out of place beside other 2023 favorites, Honey, Blossom, Sage, Halo, and Dolly.
- Fyodor
Origin:
Russian variation of TheodoreMeaning:
"God's gift"Description:
This variation of Theodore is familiar here mostly via the great Russian novelist Dostoyevsky. It was also the name of three early tsars of Russia.
- Gwenore
Origin:
Variation of GuinevereMeaning:
"white shadow, white wave"Description:
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
- Jimbo
Description:
Jimbo is a masculine name that originated as a familiar, affectionate nickname for James. With English-American origins, it combines the shortened form 'Jim' with the suffix 'bo,' which was a popular addition to nicknames in the southern United States. This playful diminutive has occasionally been used as a given name in its own right, particularly in the late 20th century when informal names gained acceptance. Jimbo conveys a friendly, approachable quality with a distinctly casual American flair. While not commonly found on birth certificates, it maintains popularity as a nickname and carries associations with down-to-earth warmth and unpretentious charm. The name has folksy appeal and projects an easygoing personality.
- Londyn
Origin:
Spelling variation of London, place nameDescription:
Londyn is now a more popular name than the original London for girls. Some parents feel that varying the spelling nudges the name away from over-identification with the British capitol. Substituting a y for another vowel is also seen by some as more feminine. For boys, London is five times as popular as Londyn -- though both variations are far more popular for girls.
- Domhnall
Origin:
Gaelic form of DonaldDescription:
Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Domhnall Gleeson put this Irish and Scottish name on the international map. Sometimes Anglicized as Donal, its pronunciation is close to Donald without the final d.
- Lettice
Origin:
English variation of LetitiaMeaning:
"joy, gladness"Description:
Lettice is still occasionally heard in upper-class British families, but we fear it would cause too much salad-green teasing to be considered in the U.S. Calling your little Lettice Lettie could help make the name more user-friendly, or go all the way to the original Letitia.
- Horatia
Origin:
Latin feminine variation of HoratioDescription:
Has the fusty charm of recently excavated ancient Roman male names like Augustus and Magnus, which might just appeal to the fearless baby namer.
- Quintessence
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Sounds pretty. But pretentious.
- Alfreda
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"elf power,"Description:
With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.
- Archangella
Description:
Archangella is a rare feminine name derived from the word 'archangel,' referring to the highest-ranking angels in several religious traditions. The name combines the Greek elements 'arch' (chief) and 'angelos' (messenger). This elaborate and dramatic name carries powerful religious connotations, suggesting divine protection and spiritual significance. While uncommon in most countries, Archangella occasionally appears in deeply religious Catholic families, particularly those with Italian heritage. The name's elaborate nature and strong religious associations have kept it relatively rare through history. Bearers of this distinctive name might use nicknames like Archy, Angela, or Ella for everyday use.
- Nathaniella
Description:
Nathaniella is a feminine elaboration of Nathaniel, which itself comes from the Hebrew name Netan'el meaning 'gift of God.' This feminine variant emerged as part of the trend of creating feminine counterparts to masculine biblical names by adding feminine suffixes. Nathaniella is quite rare, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet traditional-sounding name with clear biblical connections. The name maintains the spiritual significance of its root while offering a graceful, elaborate feminine form. Potential nicknames include Nella, Ella, Thani, or Nate. While uncommon in official records, Nathaniella represents the continuing tradition of adapting ancient names for contemporary use, particularly for parents wanting a name with religious significance and feminine elegance.
- Favorite
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Maybe if you're planning to have only one child -- and iffy even then.
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