AerieEerie's Character Name Bank

Abel, the name of Adam and Eve's unfortunate younger son, compensates with positive connotations: capable, competent, ready and willing.

This neglected Biblical name--it was the name of the commander of Saul's army and appears twice in the New Testament--is ready to flee Dogpatch. It was regularly used in the nineteenth century, but was pretty much demolished by the long-running hillbilly comic strip L'il Abner, which began in 1934 and ran through 1977. A more respectable namesake is Abner Doubleday, who has been credited with inventing baseball.

Mauve-tinted nickname with vintage charm that could just follow in the footsteps of ABBIE. More prominent now as the nickname for the Texas A&M sports teams.

A neglected surname name that could substitute for the more common Gordon, which has in the past associated with the milk company and Elsie the Cow.

Waspy-sounding choice, well known in literature for Boswell's Life of Johnson.

Cassia is related to the cassia tree, which has yellow flowers and produces a spice that can be a substitute for cinnamon. Keziah, the name of Job’s daughter in the Old Testament, derives from the name of the plant as well. Cassia also has ties to the Ancient Roman name Cassius, an Ancient Roman family name meaning "hollow."

Cerelia is a melodic and unusual choice, perfect for a child born in April or May. Another version is Cerella.

Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed names.

Dean may sound to some like a retro surfer boy name, but it is once again climbing up the popularity chart in the USA. For decades it was associated with Dean (born Dino) Martin; more recent representatives include Dean Cain, Dean McDermott and Dean Koontz -- not to mention Jared Padalecki's dreamy Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls.

Dessie is a charming feminine name with multiple origins. Primarily considered a diminutive of Desdemona (from Greek, meaning 'ill-fated'), it's also used as a nickname for names like Desirée (French for 'desired') or Odessa (derived from a Ukrainian city name). Additionally, Dessie is the name of a city in Ethiopia, giving it geographical significance. The name peaked in popularity in the early 1900s in the United States, particularly in southern regions, and carries a sweet, vintage quality. With its soft sounds and approachable nature, Dessie evokes a friendly, warm personality. Though relatively uncommon today, it maintains appeal for parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with historical roots and a gentle, feminine quality.

A medieval Italian name that could work in modern times.

Edie is part of the Evie-Ellie et al family of cute and friendly short forms that sometimes stand on its own. Briefly popular in the 1960s, it could well be due for rediscovery. It's already a fashionable choice in the UK, where it has ranked just outside the Top 100 for several years.

Much more manageable than the full form of the name. Possible international alternative to Ella.

Elvy is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Germanic roots, possibly originating as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'elf' or 'alv,' referring to supernatural beings in Norse mythology. It could also be a variant of Elvira or a shortened form of names beginning with 'El-' such as Eleanor or Elisabeth. The name has a vintage charm while maintaining a light, modern feel with its 'y' ending. Elvy has never been widespread in English-speaking countries but maintains modest usage particularly in Sweden and Norway. Its brevity and distinctive sound appeal to parents seeking something uncommon yet easy to pronounce. The name carries connotations of mystical beauty and ethereal qualities, influenced by its potential connection to elf mythology.

Ephraim is an Old Testament name we would place high on the list of neglected Biblical possibilities, solid but not solemn.

Thanks to the surprise hit revival of Etta James' song At Last and because of recent interest in vintage style nicknames, Etta has established herself as a possible successor to Emma and Ella. Back in the US Top 1000 as of 2023 and rising rapidly up the UK charts, where it sits in the Top 200, Etta is a snappy, smart and sparky choice.

Fish is an unusual masculine name derived directly from the common noun for aquatic creatures. As a given name, it belongs to the category of nature-inspired or word names that have occasionally been used throughout history. While extremely rare as a first name, Fish has a longer history as a surname, originally denoting someone who was a fisherman or fish seller. As a given name, it projects qualities of simplicity, distinctiveness, and connection to nature. Fish might be chosen by parents seeking an extremely unconventional name with straightforward pronunciation or those with a meaningful connection to fishing, marine life, or water. Its brevity and familiar word status make it memorable despite its rarity as a personal name.

Forget the furry blue Muppet, forget corpulent President Cleveland (not too difficult), and consider this name anew. We think it's spunky, a little funky, and well worth a second look.