Old Prince Edward Island Names

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.

Marcella is a name of Latin origin, which has been neglected for decades now. Depicted as the world's most beautiful woman in Don Quixote (where it's spelled Marcela), it has plenty of flair and elegance to revive it again.

Eulalie hasn't ranked in the US Top 1000 since 1899, but its French roots might make it more appealing to modern ears than its sister Eulalia.

Different origin from the Welsh Dylan, but increasingly used as a variant spelling to honor Bob Dylan or Dylan Thomas. Still, the Dylan spelling is found 20 times as often as Dillon.

Aubin might be seen as a fresher and more decidedly masculine twist on Aubrey, though the two are not related. This stylish French choice derives from the Roman Albinus or Albus, meaning "white, bright" or sometimes "blonde". Pronounced with a strong O sound and with a barely there 'n', the name ranked just outside the Top 200 in its native France in a recent year.

This is the French version of Alcides, birth name of the Greek mythological Heracles (Hercules). You're more likely to recognize it as the name of the hot True Blood werewolf, Alcide Herveaux.

Herbie is a diminutive form of Herbert, a Germanic name combining 'hari' (army) and 'berht' (bright), meaning 'bright warrior' or 'illustrious soldier.' Popularized in the mid-20th century, Herbie gained notable recognition through jazz musician Herbie Hancock and the fictional Volkswagen Beetle in Disney's 'The Love Bug' films. The name has a friendly, approachable quality with a vintage charm that evokes mid-century Americana. Though its popularity has declined since its peak in the 1950s and 60s, Herbie retains nostalgic appeal as a nickname. It exemplifies the trend of shortened, affectionate forms that became independently used given names in their own right.

In Greek and Roman mythology, Aeneas was the legendary son of Venus (or Aphrodite) who was the hero of Troy and Rome. Appearing in the Aeneid by the poet Virgil, he goes on to found the Roman state and break the heart of Queen Dido of Carthage.

What a difference one letter makes - the somewhat tired, though still heavenly Angela, gets a makeover as sweet and subtle Aniela. Definitely worth considering.

A thirteenth-century Tuscan saint, patron of homemakers, Zita is the kind of name that sounded really creative in an earlier era.

The fashion for elaborate girly-girl names, especially those that end with -ella or -ana, has put this distinctive Latin favorite into play.

With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.

Sometimes used as the masculine form of Irene / Eirene, Irenaeus is a name seen in the Early Christian church (for example, Saint Irenaeus who is considered to be one of the Church fathers). Other forms of this name are Irenaus and Eireneus.

Bertilla is a feminine name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements 'berht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous' and possibly 'hild' meaning 'battle.' The name has historical significance through Saint Bertilla, an abbess who lived in the 7th century France. This traditional name carries an old-world charm that feels both dignified and gentle. While never widely common in modern times, Bertilla has maintained a consistent if minimal presence in European countries, particularly Italy. The name offers a distinctive alternative to more popular names like Bertha or Bella, appealing to parents interested in historical names with strong feminine roots and religious connections.

Hilaire, a name that has rarely been exported out of its native France, was originally bestowed in honor of the fourth century bishop and theologian St. Hilaire of Poitiers.

Occasionally heard in Ireland, small chance of success here.

Aloysia is a feminine name with Latin roots, serving as the female form of Aloysius, which derived from the Old German name Chlodovech (modern Ludwig or Louis), meaning 'famous warrior' or 'renowned fighter.' With a rich European heritage, Aloysia has been used particularly in Catholic communities, owing to the veneration of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. The name carries an elegant, classical quality with its flowing vowels and distinctive sound. While never among the most common names in English-speaking countries, it has maintained consistent usage, especially in families with German, Italian, or Spanish heritage. Aloysia offers the appealing nickname options of Loy, Loysi, or Isa.

Coletta is a Latin relative of the better-known French Colette, which is derived from Nicole and is ultimately a feminization of Nicholas. Only a handful of baby girls are named Coletta or Nicoletta in the US each year, making this one of the rarest of the many forms of the name.

This spin on the "Alex" prefix was the 88th most popular girl name in Scotland in 1900.

Iphigenie is a feminine name derived from Greek mythology. It's the French form of Iphigenia, who was the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra in Greek legend. In the famous myth, Iphigenia was to be sacrificed to appease the goddess Artemis, though in some versions she was saved at the last moment. The name carries connotations of nobility, sacrifice, and classical beauty. While rare in modern usage, Iphigenie appeals to parents with an appreciation for classical literature, mythology, and French linguistic influences. Its distinctive sound and rich historical associations make it a name of considerable sophistication and cultural depth.