loverenae's list "The Long List - Girls" of 3 great name ideas: Rhiannon - Winslow!

The Long List - Girls

The long list, as opposed to the short list! These are names that I just can't let go of, would love to use as a middle if it fits with the right first name, names that I love the meaning of, or how they sound! Girl names

Strong and outdoorsy, yet pretty and queenly, Rhiannon was a once obscure Welsh name, brought into the mainstream in 1976, following Fleetwood Mac's flash hit song of the same title. It stormed into the US charts, climbing straight to #593 — and to give a better sense of just how influential the song was on the name, Rhiannon had only started appearing in the US stats in 1974, when it was given to 5 girls. By 1976, it was used 50 times more often: chosen for 272 babies.
 
Possibly derived from the Celtic name Rīgantonā, Rhiannon could mean "great queen" or "divine queen". In Welsh mythology, she is a strong, forthright leader, possessed of magic, intelligence, beauty, political strategy, and generosity. She faces trials and challenges after choosing her own consort, including an uncatchable horse, being accused of infanticide, and vengeance from a friend of her spurned lover. 
 
The Welsh Rhiannon may be related to earlier Celtic goddesses, potentially Epona, a goddess of horses. Additionally, in she is considered a moon goddess in Celtic mythology, associated with rebirth, poetry, and beauty, and the owner of singing birds, who supposed wake spirits or grant sleep. 
 
Popular in the UK and Australia in the 90s and 2000s, Rhiannon is currently more quietly used, making it a distinctive but familiar choice, similar in feel or style to Rhys, Arwen, and Ffion. Director Robert Rodriguez bestowed this sweet name on his first daughter while Jenna Dewan also hose it for her baby girl.
 
The Arabic Rihanna looks similar but is unrelated, deriving from Rayhana to mean "basil".

Rhiannon

An imaginative choice with an uptempo Cory/Rory/Tori sound, perfect for the child of a writer &mdash; or anyone with a good story to tell. Story has been finding some appreciation among celebs like Minnie Driver and others as a middle name. This is just one of the literary word names that have recently entered the realm of possibility, such as Fable, Sonnet and Poem.


Story

Cool and contemporary, yet gentle and easy-going, Winslow blends the elements of other stylish choices, including Willow, Marlow, Winnie, Winter, Sloane, and Elowyn. Its most famous namesake is landscape painter Winslow Homer, which lends it a touch of creativity and fair.
 
Used as a masculine name since at least the 19th century, Winslow derives from Old English and means "friend's hill", or, more literally, "hill belonging to Wine", Wine being a given name meaning "friend". Until 2009, it had never been used for girls, but with the appeal of gender neutral names and nickname Winnie, it is no wonder it has since been on the rise.
 
Given to around 150 girls in a recent year, it is now three times more popular for girls than boys.