Amish Names
- Malinda
Origin:
Variation of Melinda, EnglishMeaning:
"beautiful honey"Description:
This spelling of Melinda is used primarily in Amish communities.
- Justina
Origin:
Latin, feminine variation of JustinDescription:
Justina was the pre-Justine feminization of Justin, now a possible alternative to Christina. Oddly, while Justine feels like a name unto itself, Justina feels like a pinned-together feminization in the mold of Richarda or Benjamina. Still, it may appeal as one of the unusual-yet-familiar girl names starting with J.
- Levina
Description:
Levina is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Lavinia, an ancient Roman name associated with Latin roots meaning 'woman of Rome' and featured in Virgil's 'Aeneid.' Alternatively, it could derive from Lovina, a name with Germanic origins meaning 'beloved friend.' In some contexts, Levina may also connect to names like Levin or Levi, which have Hebrew origins meaning 'joined' or 'attached.' Throughout history, Levina has remained relatively uncommon, appearing sporadically in English-speaking countries and parts of Europe. The name carries a vintage charm with its soft sounds and elegant ending, making it appealing to parents seeking a traditional yet distinctive name with historical resonance.
- Abram
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"father of multitudes"Description:
Abram was Abraham's original name in the Bible; it's more user-friendly but with a bit less gravitas. And it does offer that cool nickname Bram, as well as the friendly Abe. After some early American usage, in 1936 Abram completely disappeared for nearly forty years, until its return in the 1970s.
- Aquilla
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"eagle"Description:
Aquilla appears in the New Testament. The name carries powerful symbolism through its association with eagles, conveying qualities of strength, vision, and nobility. Despite its classical origins, Aquilla remains quite rare as a given name, offering distinction while still having historical precedent. The name has a commanding presence with its unusual letter combination and strong sound. For parents seeking a name with both gravitas and uncommon status, Aquilla provides a meaningful option with rich symbolic connections to one of the most majestic birds in cultural traditions.
- Johann
Origin:
German variation of Johan or John, HebrewMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
The traditional German spelling of this name, used by Goethe, Bach and many other luminaries. Familiar in the US, but retains an Olde World feel, for better and worse.
- Lovina
Description:
Lovina is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be derived from Latin 'lovina' relating to love, or could be a variant of Lavinia, an ancient Roman name associated with Latin settlers. Some suggest it may be a combination of 'love' with the feminine suffix '-ina.' The name has historical usage among the Amish communities in the United States, particularly notable in the Lovina settlement in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. There is also a beach called Lovina in Bali, Indonesia. The name has a gentle, melodious quality with its soft consonants and flowing rhythm. Though never extremely common, Lovina offers vintage charm while remaining recognizable. It provides an uncommon alternative to more familiar names like Lavinia or Loveday.
- Elam
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"distant"Description:
Elam is the name of no fewer than eight Old Testament figures. The most notable was a grandson of Noah whose followers were dubbed the Elamites. Elam is commonly used in Amish communities today.
- Jakob
Origin:
German, Norwegian, and Slovenian variation of Jacob, Hebrew variation of JamesMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
After cracking the US Top 200 in the early 2000s, fueled by Jacob's rise, this name has been losing steam in recent years. But Jakob is the top form of the name in many other countries, cultures, and languages, ranking highly in Germany, Norway, Austria, Iceland, and Slovenia. Jakub is the Polish variation.
- Rudolf
Origin:
Spelling variation of Rudolph, GermanMeaning:
"famous wolf"Description:
You've got the red-nosed reindeer to transcend, but there are other distinguished personages named Rudolph, Rudolf, and Rudy.
- Alvina
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"elf-friend"Description:
This variation of the more well known Alvin adds an unusual and feminine touch to the original. It sounds a bit more like what it means--"elf friend."
- Laverna
Origin:
LatinDescription:
Laverna was the Roman goddess of thievery, cheating, and the underworld. The original meaning of her name in unknown, however, there are several theories. One such theory states that Laverna is related to the Latin word for theif, laterniō, while another connects the name to levare, meaning "to lift," as in shoplifting. In the case of the latter, Laverna would mean "goddess of gain".
- Vernice
Origin:
Variation of Verna, LatinMeaning:
"springtime"Description:
Part Verna, part Bernice, Vernice saw use as a girls' name during the heyday of both those names. Both entered the Top 200 in the 1880s, where Verna lasted until 1940 and Bernice a decade longer.
- Lavina
Origin:
English variation of Lavinia, LatinDescription:
This vintage name is still used today among the Amish.
- Erna
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"to know"Description:
That er sound -- as in Myrna, Myrtle, and Bernice -- sounds terminally dated.
- Mahlon
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"sickly"Description:
Obscure Old Testament name -- he was the son of Naomi and the husband of Ruth -- that's become even more obscure over the past century, perhaps due to its unappealing meaning.
- Ura
Description:
Ura is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Japanese, it can mean 'shore' or 'coast,' evoking natural imagery. In Albanian, the name means 'bridge,' symbolizing connection. Ura also appears in various Slavic languages with different meanings. The name's brevity gives it a stark simplicity that works across language boundaries. Extremely rare in English-speaking countries, Ura enjoys modest usage in parts of Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Japan. The name's short form makes it easy to pronounce in most languages, though in English it might face confusion with the phrase 'you are.' Ura carries an understated, minimalist quality with international versatility, appealing to parents seeking a simple yet distinctive name with cross-cultural significance.
- Gerhard
Origin:
German variation of GerardDescription:
In its native Germany, Gerhard was very popular a hundred years ago and is now rather old-fashioned. It isn't much used by English speakers either, but has a certain clunky charm about it.
- Katharina
Origin:
German variation of Katherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Katharina is an attractive form of Katherine and a great way to update a classic. Popular in Austria and a classic in Germany, it is typically pronounced as ka-ta-REE-na, though kath-uh-REE-nuh or ka-THREE-nuh are sometimes heard among English speakers. Worn by royalty and saints, it makes a strong and elegant choice.
- Mervin
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"sea hill"Description:
A blend of Mervyn and Marvin that is every bit as dated as either of the originals. That -erv sound is difficult no matter what. Mervin is still used today among Amish families.
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