Aristocratic Names

  1. Vivien
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "life"
    • Description:

      Vivien (Scarlett O'Hara) Leigh was born Vivian. Some sources give Vivien as a relative of the Irish goddess name Bebinn and a literary name invented by Tennyson. Others say it's related to the Latin-based Viviana, meaning life. This spelling of the name is as legitimate as many others.
  2. Georgiana
    • Origin:

      English, feminine variation of George
    • Meaning:

      "farmer"
    • Description:

      Long a popular upper-crust form in England, where it's pronounced George-ee-AH-na, Georgiana has been been neglected here. But with Georgia growing more popular and the general fashion for elaborate feminine names, Georgiana might have room to grow.
  3. Randolph
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "shield-wolf"
    • Description:

      Randolph is a timeworn classic that had its last hurrah in the 1940s, when Randolph (born George) Scott was starring in westerns, but then was probably done in by its tricky nickname Randy (which, strangely enough, was itself a Top 50 name in the fifties and sixties).
  4. Bertrand
    • Origin:

      French from German
    • Meaning:

      "magnificent crow"
    • Description:

      This name of famed philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell becomes slightly more plausible with the French pronunciation, bare-TRAHN. Another noted bearer is French director and screenwriter Bertrand Tavernier.
  5. Geoffrey
    • Origin:

      Anglo-Saxon from French
    • Meaning:

      "pledge of peace"
    • Description:

      In the US, this spelling is less common than mid-century favorite Jeffrey, and it has faded from popularity faster. This more British spelling is the usual form for historical figures like Geoffrey Chaucer and the Welsh historian Geoffrey of Monmouth, and as such it may feel more rooted and enduring.
  6. Maurice
    • Origin:

      English and French from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "dark-skinned"
    • Description:

      In the USA, Maurice was in the Top 200 for most of the 20th century; since 1990, however, it has been on a slow and steady decline. This name has the potential for some old-school cute nicknames such as Mo as well as the more trendy Reece.
  7. Fenella
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "white-shouldered one"
    • Description:

      More unusual than Fiona and more user-friendly than Fionnuala, the engaging Scottish Fenella, has been scarcely heard in this country.
  8. Stuart
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "steward"
    • Description:

      This ancient royal Scottish name had a brief vogue in midcentury America, but it would be far from a fresh choice for a baby boy now.
  9. Tristram
    • Origin:

      Medieval English variation of Tristan, “noise or sorrowful"
    • Description:

      This version of Tristan, known to English Lit students from the novel Tristram Shandy, is rarely used in this country, but, though its similarity to the popular Tristan could prove confusing, still makes an interesting literary choice.
  10. Valkyrie
    • Origin:

      Old Norse
    • Meaning:

      "chooser of the slain"
    • Description:

      In Norse mythology, the valkyries decided the fate of men in battle and conveyed the spirits of the fallen to Valhalla, to dwell with the god Odin. Often associated with ravens, swans, and horses, over time the valkyries have been portrayed as strong, female figures, callous and monstrous creatures, and sometimes both at the same time.
  11. Gawain
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "May hawk"
    • Description:

      With a noble air and a distinctive yet familiar sound, Gawain is drawn from Arthurian legend, in which he is one of King Arthur's loyal knights and his nephew. Also appearing as the hero of the 14th century poem, Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, his name is possibly borrowed from the Welsh Gwalchmai, meaning "May hawk".
  12. Gwendolen
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white ring, circle"
    • Description:

      Gwendolen, an ancient Welsh favorite, retired decades ago in favor of the short form Gwen, but now, as in the case all across the naming board, the nickname has faded and the more distinguished original is up for reappraisal.
  13. Denis
    • Origin:

      French from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"
    • Description:

      While Dennis may be more familiar to English speakers, Denis, or sometimes Denys, were the original medieval French forms of the name. Ultimately derived from Dionysius, the Greek god of wine and debauchery, it is a saint's name, popular in France during the Middle Ages, and during the 60s.
  14. Lilian
    • Origin:

      Alternate spelling of Lillian, English
    • Meaning:

      "lily; pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Lilian is the far less popular than the 'Lillian' spelling. To avoid a lifetime of mistakes and misspellings, we suggest you go with the Lillian spelling, which also looks more polished on paper. Whichever spelling you prefer, these names are benefitting from the fashion for girls' names starting with L.
  15. Roderick
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "famous ruler"
    • Description:

      The aristocratic--if not haughty--Roderick was nevertheless consistently in the Top 1000, reaching as high as Number 221 in 1967, when it was not uncommon to run into a Rod or a Roddy. It's at a low point right now, but we can envision it being revived as a neglected, dignified grandpa name, perhaps when Rod is no longer a potentially embarrassing nickname..
  16. Rhidian
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "unknown"
    • Description:

      A Welsh saint’s name, possibly deriving from the Old Welsh word for "red".
  17. Alton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the old town"
    • Description:

      The sort of formal surname name more popular in another era; Dalton's a more modern relation.
  18. Iseult
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "ice battle"
    • Description:

      Strong and sharp but with a pretty, poetic feel about it, Iseult appears in the world of Arthurian legend. Also written as Yseult, Ysolt, and Isolde, the name might have Germanic roots, blending is and hilt to give it the cool, wintery meaning of "ice battle".
  19. Vere
    • Origin:

      English from French
    • Meaning:

      "alder"
    • Description:

      Upper-class surname in England that might be prime for adoption here.
  20. Ninian
    • Origin:

      Scottish and Irish, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Ancient Irish saint's name that's unlikely, because of its similarity to "ninny," to join cousin Finian in popularity.

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