Halflings and Hobbitses
By peaseblossom
Updated Thu May 25 2023
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"I have treated Hobbit first-names, as far as possible, in the same way. To their maid-children Hobbits commonly gave the names of flowers or jewels. To their man-children, they usually gave names that had no meaning at all in their daily language, and some of their women's names were similar." JRR Tolkien, The Peoples of Middle-earth
- Adelard
Description:
Adelard is a masculine name with Germanic origins, composed of the elements 'adal' meaning 'noble' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong.' This powerful combination yields a meaning of 'noble strength' or 'brave nobleman.' The name was brought to England by the Normans following the Norman Conquest and was moderately popular during the medieval period. Adelard of Bath, a 12th-century English scholar and philosopher, represents one notable historical bearer. Despite its distinguished heritage and pleasant sound, Adelard has become extremely rare in modern times. The name carries an aristocratic, intellectual quality with its connection to medieval scholarship. Its traditional Germanic structure gives it a solid, timeless feel, while its rarity makes it distinctive for contemporary use. Adelard offers the appeal of ancient nobility with a sophisticated sound.
- Adelbert
Description:
Adelbert is a masculine name of Germanic origin combining the elements 'adal' meaning noble or aristocratic and 'beraht' meaning bright or famous. This powerful combination creates a meaning along the lines of 'noble-bright' or 'illustriously famous.' Popular among medieval European nobility, Adelbert was carried by several saints and rulers throughout history. The name traveled across Europe with variations including Albert, Adalbert, and Ethelbert. While its usage declined in the 20th century, Adelbert maintains an aristocratic, refined quality that appeals to parents drawn to vintage names with strong historical roots. It offers distinctive formal options with friendly nicknames like Adel, Del, or Bert.
- Alaric
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"all-powerful ruler"Description:
Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
- Amaranth
Origin:
botanical nameDescription:
Amaranth is a beautiful herb with bright fuchsia flowers and a tasty seed that flavors many Eastern dishes. The name is filled with potential for the more adventurous namer, with nickname potential (Ammy, Mara) and a fresh sound that still fits in with all the Amelias and Ambers in the playground.
- Amaryllis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"to sparkle"Description:
If you love both unique baby names and flower names for girls, Amaryllis might be a perfect choice for you.
- Amethyst
Origin:
Gem and Color nameDescription:
As flower names become more unique, so can gem names move beyond Ruby and Pearl to names like Topaz, Sapphire, and Peridot. Amethyst, the purple birthstone for February, has never been in the Top 1000, but could have some appeal, joining similarly-hued Violet and Lilac, all of which make great names for Aquarius babies or names for February babies.
- Amias
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"loved"Description:
Amias or Amyas is a unique name with an attractive sound and feel and a lovely meaning. Though it might sound like a Biblical name, it is not, but is a surname that may be related to Amadeus or even be a male version of Amy--which would make it one of the few boys' names to be derived from a girls'.
- Anemone
Origin:
Flower name; GreekMeaning:
"daughter of the wind"Description:
Anemone is a floral name that relates to the ancient Greek myth of the famous love story of Aphrodite and Adonis, in which Aphrodite transforms her wounded lover's blood into a flower, the crimson anemone, whose blossoms are opened by the wind — accounting for its other name, windflower.
- Angelica
Origin:
Italian, Polish, Russian diminutive of AngelaMeaning:
"angel or angelic"Description:
Angelica is by far the choicest form of the angelic names -- more delicate than Angelina, more feminine than Angel, more modern than Angela. But though Angelica is so lacy and poetic, it lags behind the bolder Angelina (probably for obvious reasons).
- Anise
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Name of the licorice plant, this spice comes in the shape of a star, giving this name an extra level of sweetness.
- Araminta
Origin:
Literature, compound of Arabella and Aminta, GreekMeaning:
"loveable; unyielding + defender; unfading"Description:
Araminta is a poetic and enchanting eighteenth-century invention with plenty of elegance and a touch of old-fashioned clunkiness. It first appeared in William Congreve's 17th century comedy The Old Bachelor and then again in 1705 when it was used by architect and playwright Sir John Vanbrugh in his play The Confederacy.
- Aster
Origin:
English; AmharicMeaning:
"star"Description:
This is a fresh new addition to the botanical list; comedian Gilbert Gottfried made it a real bouquet when he named his daughter Lily Aster. And the name of the little girl on television's Dexter sounds like Aster, but is actually spelled Astor, which brings it more high society name. Aster relates to the Greek word for star. In Ethiopia, Aster is pronounced "ah-STAIR", and is the Amharic variation of Biblical Esther.
- Aurelia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.
- 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.
- Barnabas
Origin:
AramaicMeaning:
"son of consolation"Description:
Barnabas, whose birth name was Joseph, was one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, who undertook missionary journeys with Paul the Apostle, His name is a bit Old World compared to the update Barnaby, but could gain some attention as boys' names ending in 's' are enjoying a comeback.
- Barthelemy
Origin:
French form of BartholomewDescription:
While Barthelemy does not garner much attention these days, it has a storied history in French-speaking countries. Notable bearers include geologist and explorer Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, philosopher Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, and historian and writer Jean-Barthélemy Hauréau, to name a few.
- Basil
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"royal"Description:
Although Greek in origin--in the fourth century, a bishop by that name established the principles of the Greek Orthodox Church--Basil for years took on the aura of aquiline-nosed upper-class Britishness of Sherlock Holmes portrayer Basil Rathbone, then spiced with the fragrant aroma of the herb that entered with the Pesto generation.
- Bayard
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"russet-haired"Description:
An old English redhead name -- one of the few that doesn't begin with the letter r -- with references both to a famous French knight and a magical horse.
- Beauregard
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"beautiful gaze"Description:
In the past this was seen as a jokey Southern colonel name, but we have heard of some parents considering it as a path to the likeable Beau.
- Begonia
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"Begon's flower"Description:
Begonia is a pretty flower named for French administrator and amateur horticulturalist Michel Bégon, who was an avid naturalist but also a proponent of slavery. A rare floral choice which has never really caught on as a baby name, Begonia would certainly stand out from the Lilys and Roses.