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Character Ideas

talibird25
By talibird25
Updated Wed Feb 09 2022
  1. Abner

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "father of light."

    • Description:

      This neglected Biblical name--it was the name of the commander of Saul's army and appears twice in the New Testament--is ready to flee Dogpatch. It was regularly used in the nineteenth century, but was pretty much demolished by the long-running hillbilly comic strip L'il Abner, which began in 1934 and ran through 1977. A more respectable namesake is Abner Doubleday, who has been credited with inventing baseball.
  2. Adlai

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "God is just"

    • Description:

      Adlai is an Old Testament name long associated with 1950's liberal presidential candidate Stevenson, who was named after his grandfather, who was Grover Cleveland's vice president in the nineteenth century. Now it's an unusual Biblical choice ripe for rediscovery.
  3. Alfred

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wise counselor; elf counsel"

    • Description:

      Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in several European countries, especially England and Wales, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
  4. Anaise

    • Origin:

      Variation of Anais

    • Description:

      Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.
  5. Artemis

    • Origin:

      Greek, diminutive of Artemios

    • Meaning:

      "safe; butcher"

    • Description:

      Best known as the the Greek Goddess of the hunt and the moon, Artemis could now be considered one of the few traditionally feminine names that are currently being used for boys. Alternatively though, when pronounced ahr-TEH-mis, it is a valid Greek masculine name – a diminutive of Artemios.
  6. Arwen

    • Origin:

      Literature, Sindarin, Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "noble maiden; fair, blessed"

    • Description:

      Best known as the princess of the Elves in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Arwen is a fantasy-inspired choice that feels perfectly down to earth. In 2022, it entered the UK Top 400, making it one of the fastest rising names, more than doubling in use from the previous year.
  7. Astrid

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "divinely beautiful"

    • Description:

      Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century, and many people associated it with the Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking stories, Astrid Lindgren. Astrid is derived from the name Ástríðr, which is made up of the Old Norse elements that mean "god" and "beautiful."
  8. Atlas

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "bearer of the heavens"

    • Description:

      Atlas is one of those names that was previously thought too powerful for a baby boy, who would have to be strong enough to carry the world on his shoulders. Now Atlas has joined the pantheon of Greek and Roman god and goddess names in the realm of possibility, along with Mars, Zeus and Apollo.
  9. Atticus

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from Attica"

    • Description:

      Atticus, with its trendy Roman feel combined with the upstanding, noble image of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, is a real winner among boy names. Atticus entered the US Top 1000 in 2004 and is a firm Nameberry favorite.
  10. Beau

    • Origin:

      French

    • Meaning:

      "handsome"

    • Description:

      Beau suggests someone devilishly handsome, with a large measure of southern charm—a nice image to bestow on your boy. Often solely a nickname in the past, it's now standing firmly on its own. Beau has been on the Social Security list non-stop since 1969.
  11. Blitzen
    • Casimir

      • Origin:

        English; French, from Polish

      • Meaning:

        "destroyer of peace"

      • Description:

        Casimir, a traditional name of Polish kings, could do quite well these days as we see the rise of Caspian, Cassius, Castiel, et. al. Like Leopold and Laszlo, Casimir is strong and worth considering if you've got an adventurous streak — and bet your son will too.
    • Castiel

      • Origin:

        Hebrew

      • Meaning:

        "my cover is God"

      • Description:

        Castiel, which vaulted into the Top 1000 on the wings of the angel hero of the television show Supernatural, is the name of the Angel of the day Thursday. It may also derive some appeal from the newly-fashionable "Cas" syllable, as in Cassian and Cassius.
    • Coltrane

      • Origin:

        Irish surname

      • Meaning:

        "descendant of Coltarán"

      • Description:

        The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan.
    • Connelly

      • Origin:

        Irish

      • Meaning:

        "love, friendship"

      • Description:

        Connelly is an open, inviting, and rarely used Irish surname that can make a perfect alternative to the overused Connor or Colin for a boy.
    • Constance

      • Origin:

        English version of Latin Constantia

      • Meaning:

        "steadfastness"

      • Description:

        Constance is one of the more subtle of the virtue baby names, but still has quite a prim and proper image. One impediment to its revival has been the decidedly dated nickname Connie, though modern parents might well opt for using the strong and dignified name in full.
    • Constantine

      • Description:

        Constantine as a feminine name represents an unusual gender crossover from the traditionally masculine Constantine, derived from Latin 'constantem' meaning 'steadfast' or 'constant.' While primarily recognized as a male name with significant historical connections to Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, its use for girls is exceptionally rare. This feminine application might appeal to parents seeking truly distinctive options or those drawn to its powerful meaning and imperial associations. The name maintains its air of strength, persistence and classical heritage regardless of gender. For girls, it offers a bold statement with potential nicknames like Connie, Tina, or Tina providing softer alternatives to its formal grandeur.

    • Cornelius

      • Origin:

        Latin

      • Meaning:

        "horn"

      • Description:

        Cornelius, the New Testament name of a third century Pope and saint, is one of those venerable Latin names on the edge of consideration, despite the corny nickname alert.
    • Cosmo

      • Origin:

        Italian, English, Greek

      • Meaning:

        "order, beauty, universe"

      • Description:

        With a touch of celestial power, a hint of clunky charm, and the totally cool -o ending, Cosmo may well be finally shaking itself free of both the Seinfeld association (which made it a punchline of a joke) and the cartoon fairy association from The Fairly OddParents. In fact, it is in the Top 1000 in the UK and a favorite on Nameberry.
    • Eleanor

      • Origin:

        English variation of French Provencal Alienor, meaning unknown

      • Description:

        Eleanor's straightforward feminine image combined with its royal medieval history is striking just the right note for parents in search of a girls' name that combines substance and style.