Book Character Names - JQ

Ephraim

Hebrew

"fruitful, fertile, productive"

Ephraim is an Old Testament name we would place high on the list of neglected Biblical possibilities, solid but not solemn. In Genesis, Ephraim is the second son of Joseph, and founder of one of the…

Aurelius

Latin

"the golden one"

Since Aurelius was given the supermodel seal of approval by Elle Macpherson, it has joined Augustus as an ancient Roman name that feels usable today. Slightly mystical and magical with a golden hue,…

Aureliano

Italian

"gold"

Italian variation of Aurelius.

Luciliano

Luciliano is an elaborate and melodious masculine name with Latin roots, likely derived from the Roman name Lucilius or Lucillus, diminutives of Lucius meaning "light" or "illumination." This ornate…

Zavian

Zavian is a modern masculine name that likely developed as a variant of Xavier or Zavier, or possibly as a unique creation combining popular name elements. The name has a contemporary feel with its…

Zaylen

Modern invention of unknown meaning

Newly coined options, the letter Z, and strong A sounds all remain on trend for boys in the US and Zaylen ticks all the boxes. Like a mash up of Zaiden, Zayn and Waylon, Zaylen has been rising up the…

Siddharth

Sanskrit

"one who has accomplished a goal"

Siddhartha Gautama was one of the real names of Buddha, making this an impressive and weighty name among the Buddhist community. Among Hindis, Siddharth is strongly associated with the Brahmin caste.…

Roscoe

English, Norse

"deer forest"

Fairly popular a hundred years ago but out of the US charts since 1978, the quirky yet edgy Roscoe feels very much in step with the trending o-ending boy names popular now, such as Milo, Hugo, and…

Inigo

Basque, medieval Spanish variation of Ignatius

"fiery"

Inigo, almost unknown in the U.S., is an intriguing choice, with its strong beat, creative and evocative sound, and associations with the great early British architect and stage designer Inigo Jones.…

Llewellyn

Welsh, variation of Llywelyn

"leader's image"

Llewellyn/Llywelyn is a common patriotic first name in Wales, with its distinctive Welsh double LL's; in the U.S. Llewellyn would make a daring choice, though with the chance that some might find the…

Isidore

Greek

"gift of Isis"

Isabel, Theodore, and Isadora are back: could it now be time for a more widespread revival of Isidore? Yet to see any big moves up the charts, Isidore was given to more than 30 boys in a recent year:…

Cyril

Greek

"lordly"

A British-accented Greek name with an intellectual image that has been off the U.S. charts since 1966, but was a Top 300 name at the turn of the last century. We have the feeling Cyril's ready for a…

Delbert

English

"day-bright"

Problematic, even if not for Dilbert.

Cedar

English and French from Latin tree name

"cedar tree"

Cedar is, like Ash, Oak, Pine and Ebony, one of the new tree/wood names that parents are starting to consider; this one is particularly aromatic with a similar feel to more classic options like…