mirte's list "Names of characters from books I have read" of 3 great name ideas: Tamar - Zoya!

Names of characters from books I have read

Here is a list of names of characters from books I've read and liked :).

Tamar is a rich, strong Old Testament name sometimes given to girls born on the holiday of Sukkoth, as palm branches were used to make the roof of the sukkah. In the Bible, there are several Tamars, including a daughter of King David and also Absalom's daughter, who is praised for her "fair countenance".
 
From its Biblical roots, it has a distinctive sound, being an iambic name, with the emphasis on the second syllable (tah-MAHR), however, it may also be heard as TA-MAR in Georgia and as TAHM-ahr in the UK and US. 
 The Russian form of the name, Tamara, has long outshone Tamar, but Tamar could feel fresher, given to around 80 American girls in a recent year. In Israel, however, it is one of the top ranking choices for girls. href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' names</a> there.
 Tamar is also the name of a river in England, forming the border between the British counties of Devon and Cornwall. In this case, it would be pronounced TAY-mahr and likely gets its name from the River Thames, a name of uncertain origin, by likely linked to an ancient Celtic word for "dark" or "river".

Tamar

Tolya is a masculine name of Russian origin, primarily used as a diminutive or affectionate form of Anatoly (Анатолий). Anatoly itself derives from Greek roots meaning 'sunrise' or 'from the east.' As a diminutive, Tolya conveys warmth and familiarity in Russian culture, where such nickname forms play an important role in personal relationships. While very common in Russia and other Slavic countries, Tolya remains relatively rare in Western countries except among diaspora communities. The name has a gentle, approachable quality despite its foreign origin, making it accessible to non-Russian speakers. Tolya carries the cultural richness of Russian naming traditions while offering a shorter, more casual alternative to the formal Anatoly. The name suggests qualities of warmth, approachability, and connection to Eastern European heritage.

Tolya

Now that Zoe is getting wildly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. -- one poll puts it at number one in Wales -- parents may start hunting down fresh twists like this. 