Otherworldly Names
- Sedna
Origin:
Native American, InuitMeaning:
"goddess of the sea"Description:
The name of the Inuit goddess of the sea, marine animals, and the underworld. There is also a dwarf planet in the outer solar system called 90377 Sedna, discovered in 2003 and named after the goddess because: "Our newly discovered object is the coldest, most distant place known in the Solar System, so we feel it is appropriate to name it in honor of Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the sea, who is thought to live at the bottom of the frigid Arctic Ocean."
- Patroclus
Origin:
GreekDescription:
In Greek legend Patroclus was one of the heroes who fought against the Trojans. His death at the hands of Hector drew his friend Achilles back into the war.
- Dorado
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"golden"Description:
A gilded name that calls to mind the legendary lost city of El Dorado, the promise of which drew conquistadors into the rainforests and mountains of South America. But the mythical city has never been found.
- Proteus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"first"Description:
The name of an early Greek god of the sea, after whom a moon of Neptune is named.
- Stephano
Origin:
Literature, Greek, ItalianMeaning:
"crown"Description:
While the spelling Stefano is more common, Stephano makes a great choice for parents looking to give Stephen/Steven a more romantic feel. Although only given to 8 boys in the US in 2014, Stephano could be a great choice for parents looking for a name with the same flavor as Rafael, Matteo or Emilio. It appears as a character name in Shakespeare's The Tempest.
- Orcus
Origin:
Latin from GreekMeaning:
"oath"Description:
Orcus is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hades, god of the underworld. His name is ultimately derived from the Greek word hórkos, meaning "oath,"
- Kari
Origin:
Norwegian diminutive of Katarina or variation of Carrie, EnglishMeaning:
"pure; free man"Description:
Kari and all her many sisters, from Carrie to Carey to Kerry and onward, originated for the most part as short forms of either Catherine Katherine or one of the Charles feminizations such as Carol or Caroline.
- Salacia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"salt"Description:
Salacia was the goddess of the sea in ancient Roman mythology — the divine personification of the calm, sunlit saltwater. She was also a wife of Neptune. Her name derives from sal, Latin for "salt."
- Dione
Description:
Dione is a masculine name with ancient Greek origins, though it's sometimes used for females as well. In Greek mythology, Dione was a Titaness who, in some accounts, was the mother of Aphrodite with Zeus. The name derives from 'Dios,' relating to Zeus or the divine. Despite its mythological weight, Dione has never been widely popular for boys but occasionally appears in classical or literary-minded families. It has a melodic quality with its flowing sounds and simple pronunciation. The name carries an air of classical sophistication and mythological significance. For male bearers, it offers a rare and distinctive option with historical depth. Its connection to ancient deities gives it a sense of strength and timelessness that appeals to parents drawn to names with mythological backgrounds.
- Irena
Origin:
Czech; Latvian; Polish; Bulgarian; Lithuanian, from GreekMeaning:
"peace"Description:
This form of Irene feels fresher and gives the classic name a chic, international flair. It's most commonly used in Eastern Europe.
- Lysithea
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"delivered or freed by the gods"Description:
The was the name of a minor character in Greek mythology, or another name for Semele, the mother of Dionysus by Zeus. A moon of Jupiter bears this name, as does a character in the video game Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
- Anthe
Description:
Anthe is a feminine name with Greek origins, derived from the word 'anthos' meaning 'flower' or 'blossom.' In Greek mythology, Anthe was one of the Alkyonides, daughters of the giant Alkyoneus. This delicate and poetic name carries connotations of natural beauty and grace. Despite its classical heritage, Anthe remains quite rare in modern usage, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking an uncommon yet historically rich name. Its botanical connection also places it within the category of nature-inspired names, though it's less obvious than names like Rose or Lily. Anthe offers an elegant simplicity with its concise two-syllable structure.
- Prometheus
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"foresight"Description:
Prometheus of Greek Mythology was a Titan known for creating humankind out of clay. He stole fire from the gods and gifted it to humanity, which triggered the rise of civilizations.Prometheus might be better known as Ridley Scott's 2012 film of the same name.
- Alef
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"chief, number one"Description:
Alef was brought into the spotlight when Natalie Portman chose the alternate spelling Aleph for her son. This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, similar to calling your child Alpha or Primo.
- Hadar
Origin:
Israeli place name and HebrewMeaning:
"fruit or glory"Description:
A Hebrew name also used for girls, with many variations to choose from. Hadara is another version. The name is associated with the holiday of Sukkot.
- Scorpius
Origin:
Astrological name; LatinMeaning:
"scorpion"Description:
Scorpius is the constellation that the Scorpio zodiac sign originates from. It was given its venomous name due to the constellation's resemblance to a scorpion's tail.
- Nix
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"night"Description:
Variant spelling of Nyx, the name of the Greek goddess of the night. It also coincides with the English word "nix, a corruption of German nichts "nothing". Nix would fit right in with names like Knox, Rex, Pax and Max.
- Cygnus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"swan"Description:
Cygnus is a northern constellation of the Milky Way, derived from the Latin word for "swan".
- Indus
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
From the name of the river which flows through Pakistan, India, and Tibet.
- Berna
Description:
Berna is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Turkish, it means 'young, youthful,' while it also exists as a shortened form of Bernarda or Bernadette in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking regions. These longer forms derive from Germanic elements meaning 'brave as a bear.' Berna has a simple, accessible two-syllable structure that travels well across language boundaries. The name carries warmth and strength in its brevity, and its connection to the concept of youth gives it a vibrant energy. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, Berna enjoys modest usage in parts of Europe, Turkey, and Latin America, making it recognizable internationally while remaining distinctive.