Names from the Arts and Pop Culture
Romantasy Names
Across 8 pages
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Miryam
Miryam is the original Hebrew form of the name Mary, meaning 'wished-for child,' 'rebellion,' or 'sea of bitterness.' This ancient name carries profound historical and biblical significance as the…
Nadir
Arabic
"precious, scarce"
A relatively popular Arabic name that featured in the French Top 500 for much of the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st. It is also used as a given name in Turkey, Iran and Israel, as…
Navarre
Navarre is a masculine name derived from a historical region that spans parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. With Basque origins, some scholars suggest it may derive from 'nabar' meaning…
Nesta
Welsh variation of Agnes
This is the most popular Welsh form of Agnes. Variants include Annest and Nest. There was an eleventh century Nest who was known as 'Helen of Wales' for her beauty and the problems it caused.
Nicasia
Latin, female variation of Nicasio
"victorious"
An interesting and unusual member of the "Nic" family--far more distinctive than NICOLE or NICOLA.
Nuala
Irish, short form of Fionnuala
"white shoulders"
Officially a shortening of the traditional and tricky Gaelic Fionnghuala/Fionnuala, Nuala makes a lovely choice all on its own. Nuala is well-used in Ireland.
Calista
Greek
"most beautiful"
Spelled with either one 'l' or two, Calista came to the fore in 1997 when Calista Flockhart hit it big as Ally McBeal. Flockhart, who bears her mother's middle name, didn't just introduce a name, she…
Oraya
Literature
"golden; noble"
Oraya has gained attention in recent years after it was used for a character in the romantasy book series, The Crowns of Nyaxia by Carissa Broadbent. While the exact meaning is unknown, it is…
Caelia
Latin
"heavens"
The feminine form of Caelius, from caelum "skies, heavens".
Puck
Literary name
Puck was Shakespeare's mischievous pixie who'a had a few television incarnations in more recent years. A popular name in The Netherlands but nowhere else, from what we can tell. We love Puck for its…
Rafe
Variation of Ralph, English
"wolf-counsel"
A top ranking choice in England and Wales, making frequent appearances on the Telegraph Announcments, Rafe feels equal parts rugged, amiable, and posh. Traditionally seen used a variant of Ralph…
Renesmee
Literary invention
Invented by author Stephenie Meyer for the Twilight series for the half-human, half-vampire daughter of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, it's an amalgamtion of the names of Bella's mother Renee and…
Rhaenyra
Literature
A character name in George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, a dragonrider played by Emma D'Arcy in the GOT prequel House of the Dragon .
Rhiya
Variation of Rhea, Riya, or Rhiannon, Greek, Sanskrit, Welsh
"flowing stream; singer, melody; divine queen"
Familiar but underused, Rhiya has been given to a handful of girls each year in the US since 2007. Likely a variation of the water-inspired Greek name Rhea, the musical Sanskrit name Riya, or the…
Bryce
Scottish surname
"speckled, freckled"
Bryce is the preferred spelling over Brice for both genders, with nearly 70 girls named Bryce in one recent year vs. only five called Brice. But note that there were over 3000 boys named Bryce and…
Rhysand
Literary name
Created by Sarah J. Maas for the handsome High Lord of her Court of Thorns and Roses series of fantasy romance novels. Rhysand is based on the Welsh name Rhys, meaning "ardor".
Brennan
Irish
"descendent of the sad one"
Brennan is a winning Irish surname name, more modern than Brian or Brendan, more unusual than Conor and Aidan. The only possible problem with Brennan: people might think you're saying Brendan.…
Roshan
Persian
"light, bright"
The name of the sweet human baby in the film Ice Age , Roshan is a handsome Persian name that is the origin of the female name Roxanne, via its feminine form Roshanak.
Rune
English word name
"secret"
Runes are symbols in ancient Germanic alphabets. They are often viewed as mysterious and therefore as a name, Rune imparts a feeling of folkloric mystery. As intriguing as that might be, the homonym…
Runo
Finnish
"poem"
An appealing Finnish name, with a touch of literary magic and whimsy, Runo means "poem" in its native language. Traditionally said with a slightly rolled R and a softer 'oh' sound at the end (more…