Saint Names
- Bardo
Origin:
Short form of Bardolph or AboriginalMeaning:
"water"Description:
Bardo has a poetic beginning and upbeat ending, with roots in several diverse cultures. It may be most familiar today via George Saunders' novel Lincoln in the Bardo, which refers to the Tibetan Buddhist state of suspension between one life and the next, resembling the Christian idea of Limbo. Bardo is also an ancient saint's name: Saint Bardo was the eleventh century bishop of Mainz, in Germany. Actress Sandra Bullock chose Bardo as her son's middle.
- Albertus
Origin:
Latin form of Albert, GermanMeaning:
"noble, bright"Description:
Albertus is the Latin form of Albert, a masculine name derived from the Germanic elements 'adal' (noble) and 'beraht' (bright), thus meaning 'noble and bright' or 'nobly famous.' This classical form was widely used throughout medieval Europe, particularly among scholars, clergy, and nobility.
- Jacobus
Origin:
Latin and DutchMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Latin form of Jacob, also used in Dutch and Afrikaans.
- Tekakwitha
Origin:
MohawkMeaning:
"she who puts things in place; she who bumps into things"Description:
Tekakwitha was a 17th-century Mohawk woman, who survived the smallpox epidemic that killed her family. She is known for rejecting pressures from those around her to give up her Catholic beliefs and to marry someone who they approved of instead. She later fled her village and converted to Catholicism.
- Ladislas
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"glorious rule"Description:
Ladislas is a masculine name of Slavic origin, derived from the elements 'vlad' meaning 'to rule' and 'slava' meaning 'glory' or 'fame.' This regal name has been borne by several kings and nobles throughout Central European history, particularly in Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia.
- Eusebio
Origin:
Spanish and Italian form of Eusebio, LatinMeaning:
"pious"Description:
A pious and saintly name with a zippy sound, Eusebio is the Spanish and Italian form of the old Eusebios. Translating literally to "good worship", Eubsebio has been borne by Renaissance painter, Eusebio da San Giorgi, and by footballer Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, who was known as either Eusébio, The Black Panther, The Black Pearl, or O Rei.
- Adelbert
Origin:
Variation of Albert, GermanMeaning:
"noble, bright"Description:
Adelbert is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements 'adal' meaning noble or aristocratic and 'beraht' meaning bright or famous. It's an antiquated form of Albert.
- Maxeline
Origin:
Variation of Maxellende, FrenchMeaning:
"greatest"Description:
A sleek, more elaborate alternative to Maxine, Maxeline is a rare name of French origin, derived from the saintly name Maxellende. St. Maxellende is the patron saint of the visually impaired and invoked to cure eye diseases.
- Joaquina
Origin:
Feminine variation of Joaquin, SpanishMeaning:
"God will judge"Description:
As Joaquin enters the American mainstream, his sister might just follow.
- Faustus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"fortunate one"Description:
Faustus is a masculine name with ancient Roman origins, derived from the Latin word 'faustus' meaning 'lucky' or 'favorable.' It shares roots with the word 'auspicious' and was used during the Classical period to denote good fortune.
- Crispina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"curly-haired"Description:
Unfortunately, everyone will hear Crispina, the feminine form of Crispin, as Christina.
- Osmund
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"divine protection"Description:
Osmund is a masculine name with ancient Germanic origins, composed of elements meaning 'god' (os) and 'protection' (mund). With roots stretching back to Anglo-Saxon and Norse cultures, it was brought to England during the Viking age and was fairly common during medieval times.
- Vincenza
Origin:
Italian feminine form of VincentMeaning:
"conquering"Description:
Vincenza makes romance of Vincent. Vincenza Gerosa was one of the founders of the Sisters of Charity of Lovere and was later made a saint.
- Jadwiga
Origin:
Polish variation of Hedvig, GermanMeaning:
"war"
- Bibiana
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"life"Description:
Melodic and unusual, and she will outgrow any bib jokes.
- Julitta
Origin:
Dutch variation of Julia, LatinMeaning:
"youthful or sky father"Description:
This fairly obscure saint's name was chosen by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden for one of her twins.
- Eusebios
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"pious"Description:
A pious and saintly name of Late Greek origin, Eusebios translates more literally to "good worship". It may be more familiar (though still rare) in its international forms, Euseby, Eusebio, and Eusèbe.
- Wilfrid
Origin:
Spelling variation of Wilfred, EnglishMeaning:
"desires peace"Description:
Wilfrid is a distinguished masculine name of Anglo-Saxon origin, combining the elements "will" (determination or desire) and "frid" (peace), creating the meaningful combination "desires peace" or "peaceful resolution." This traditional name was borne by several saints and bishops in medieval England, contributing to its historical significance.
- Helier
Origin:
JerraisMeaning:
"cheerful"Description:
Helier is the patron saint of the Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, and it is for him that St. Helier, Jersey's capital, is named. The name is related to Hilary, Ilario etc, and therefor shares their wonderful meanings.
- Fursey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"virtue"Description:
Fursey is an ancient Irish saint's name little-used in modern times. St. Fursey was born in the seventh century a noble in Ireland but traveled to England and France to found monasteries and spread Christianity. He is buried in France.