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Family Names and Potential Middle Names

10BenJammin
By 10BenJammin
Updated Thu May 05 2022
Names from my heritage that intrigue me. I may not use them for my children necessarily, but they're interesting.
  1. Alan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "handsome, cheerful"

    • Description:

      In its three most popular spellings -- Alan along with Allen and Allan -- this midcentury favorite has tended to skew older. It was a Top 100 name from 1938 to 1971, peaking at Number 40 in 1951. Alan has had leading roles on recent TV, in shows like Two and a Half Men, 24 and Boston Legal.
  2. Frances

    • Origin:

      English from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "from France; free man"

    • Description:

      Frances, a soft and gentle classic last popular a hundred years ago, is trending again. The cool nickname Frankie is one reason for the revival of Frances, adding lightness and sass to a serious name. Frances is the feminine form of Francis, the English variation of the Latin name Franciscus. Franciscus, meaning "Frenchman," was taken from the Germanic tribe the Franks, which got its name from the francisca, the axe they used in battle. Until the seventeenth century, the spellings Frances and Francis were used interchangeably for both sexes.
  3. Fullwell
    • Heide

      • Description:

        Heide is a feminine name with Germanic origins, meaning 'of the heathland' or 'from the uncultivated land.' It is related to the German word 'Heide' referring to a heath or uncultivated plain. The name evokes images of natural beauty and open landscapes. Heide has been more common in German-speaking countries and Scandinavian regions than in English-speaking nations. It peaked in popularity during the mid-20th century but has since become less common. The name carries connotations of natural simplicity, independence, and a connection to the earth. Its short, distinctive sound gives it a crisp, modern feel despite its traditional roots.
    • Helene

      • Origin:

        French variation of Helen

      • Meaning:

        "bright, shining one"

      • Description:

        Whether it's pronounced with an "een" or an "aine" or an "enn" sound at the end, Helene doesn't feel as current the more forthright Helen or the airier Helena. Helene reached a high of Number 228 in the US in 1916, when ene, ine and een names were all the fashion, and stayed in the Top 500 until 1962, making a final exit in 1970. It still ranks well in its native France, and even more in Norway (#70). Model Heidi Klum's daughter 'Leni' has Helene on her birth certificate.
    • Inger

      • Description:

        Inger is a Scandinavian feminine name with ancient Norse origins, derived from the name Ingrid or from the Norse god Ing (also known as Freyr), the god of fertility and peace. The name means 'daughter of Ing' or 'Ing's warrior.' Popular in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, Inger has a rich cultural heritage dating back centuries. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, it has a clean, strong sound that appeals to those seeking Nordic names or names with historical depth. Inger is typically pronounced with a soft 'g' sound in Scandinavian languages. The name's simplicity, combined with its cultural significance, gives it an understated elegance and strength that transcends trends.
    • Magdalena

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "from Magdala"

      • Description:

        Magdalena is a pretty name forever associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen; often heard in the Hispanic community. But forward thinking parents are reviving Magdalena along with Magdalene and the unrelated but similar-sounding Marguerite.
    • Petrea

      • Description:

        Petrea is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from 'petra' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' It represents a feminine form of Peter (Petros). The name carries connotations of strength, stability, and endurance. Petrea has seen moderate usage in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark and Norway, as well as in parts of Eastern Europe. It remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive quality. The name sometimes appears as a variation of Petrina or Patricia. Petrea has a classical, elegant sound while maintaining a connection to nature through its stone-related etymology. Though never extremely popular, it has maintained consistent if limited usage through the centuries, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical roots and feminine strength.

    • Suzanne

      • Origin:

        French variation of Susan

      • Meaning:

        "lily"

      • Description:

        Suzanne became popular along with Susan but has just dropped out of the Top 1,000. Wait a generation (or two) in the US, though in France Suzanne is once again tres chic.
    • Sybilla

      • Origin:

        Greek

      • Meaning:

        "seer, oracle"

      • Description:

        Sybilla and its near-identical twin Sibylla are dainty and demure names with a powerful namesake that also happen to be extremely rare -- no baby girls were given either name in the US last year.