13th Century Chic

Maddock

Maddock is a masculine name of Welsh origin derived from the Welsh name 'Madoc,' meaning 'fortunate' or 'beneficent.' Historically, it was more common as a surname but has recently gained some…

Madoc

Welsh

"fortunate, benefactor's son"

Also spelled Madog, which was the name of an early Welshman, Madog ap Owain Gwynedd, reputed to have been the first European to discover North America in 1155. Maddox, the name of Angelina Jolie and…

Madog

Madog is a masculine name of Welsh origin with deep historical roots. It derives from the Welsh elements 'mad' meaning 'fortunate' or 'good' and a diminutive suffix, essentially meaning 'fortunate…

Nethan

Nethan represents a distinctive variation of the biblical name Nathan, which means "he gave" or "gift from God" in Hebrew. This spelling may have emerged from phonetic transcription or as a…

Niall

Irish

"cloud"

Niall is pronounced nye-al--something like Neil, but this Irish spelling of the name makes it much more current and cool. This is an ancient name borne by several of the high kings of Tara, the most…

Osric

English

"divine ruler"

Clad in armor. But while this name may have been forbiddingly antiquated not that long ago, the connection to the trendy nickname Os or Oz makes it a real possibility.

Ossian

Old Irish

"little deer"

Ossian, or Osian, from the Old Irish name Oisin, was the son of Finn in Irish legend that was transformed into a Scottish hero in the Ossianic poems of James Macpherson in the eighteenth…

Oswin

Old English

"God's friend"

Ancient name, near obsolete now, but could make a good alternative to Owen for the adventurous baby namer. Doctor Who fans will recognize this as part of his companion's name, Clara Oswin Oswald.

Owain

Welsh variation of Eugene or Celtic "well-born; born of sheep"

"well-born; born of sheep"

Owain is much more unusual than its brother name Owen, and feels a little more rugged, a little more adventurous and ancient. Possibly an Old Welsh form of the Latin Eugenius, or, deriving from other…

Peregrine

Latin

"traveler, pilgrim"

Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the U.S., where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's…