Mercedes Book Names

Names from the Mercedes tetralogy - Last names: Caiman, Grinkgo, Whaler, Marian, Hancock, Quinn, Hunt, Banks, Silent, True, Star - Stories take place mostly in the fictional country of Kauiaka - a coastal nation filled with merchants and pirates and explorers - as well as the thought-to-be-mythical-but-just-really-hard-to-find Evan's Cove, a place of mermaids, selkies, sirens, and nymphs.
  1. Aleric
    • Alexander
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        Alexander has been in a Top 25 boys' name in the US for 30 years now. But namers are still attracted to its imposing historic pedigree.
    • Alicia
      • Origin:

        Spanish variation of Alice
      • Meaning:

        "noble"
      • Description:

        Alicia is a Latinized variation of Alice, a name ultimately derived from the German Adalhaidis. It emerged in the 19th century, but the 20th saw many spelling evolutions for Alicia, including Alecia, Alisha, Aleesha, and Alysha. Alyssa originated as a form of Alicia.
    • Alistair
      • Origin:

        English spelling of Alasdair, Scottish version of Alexander
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        With many British names invading the Yankee name pool, the sophisticated Alistair could and should be part of the next wave. It debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2016. You have a triple choice with this name--the British spell it Alistair or Alastair, while the Scots prefer Alasdair--but they're all suave Gaelic versions of Alexander. Adopted by the lowland Scots by the seventeenth century, the name didn't become popular outside Scotland and Ireland until the twentieth century.
    • Arthur
      • Origin:

        Celtic
      • Meaning:

        " bear"
      • Description:

        Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by stylish parents, inspired perhaps by the new generation of royals. Arthur has led the list of possible names for the young British princes, chosen as a middle name for Prince Louis, son of William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales.
    • Baylor
      • Origin:

        English occupational surname
      • Meaning:

        "one who delivers goods"
      • Description:

        Baylor's 2014 ascension to the US Top 1000 for boys is probably thanks to its fashionable two-syllable, r-ending, occupational surname feel. Think of it as Taylor with a twist.
    • Caspian
      • Origin:

        Place name
      • Meaning:

        "white"
      • Description:

        One of the most romantic of appellations, Caspian is a geographical name referring to the large salty sea between Asia and Europe. It's also the name of the hero of C.S. Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian.
    • Cassidy
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "curly-haired"
      • Description:

        Has fallen off its Kathie Lee Gifford inspired peak in the 1990s, but since that notably celebrity baby is now a grownup and out of the limelight, Cassidy may once again reclaim its own Irish charm.
    • Colby
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "coal town"
      • Description:

        Combining the sounds of Colton and Toby, Colby has been in the US Top 1000 since the 70s. It peaked in 2021, entering the Top 100 thanks to Colby Davidson's appearance on reality TV show, Survivor that same year. Currently on the rise in the UK, in the US, its popularity has been shaky, dipping one year, rising the next. Given to around 470 boys in 2023, it is also chosen for around 50 girls each year.
    • Cordula
      • Cosima
        • Origin:

          Italian feminine variation of Cosmo, Greek
        • Meaning:

          "order, beauty, universe"
        • Description:

          Cosima, the kind of elegant and unusual name the British upper classes love to use for their daughters, is given to a handful of baby girls in the US after being chosen by two high-profile celebs in the same month; cool couple Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars as well as supermodel Claudia Schiffer. It was used earlier by celebrity chef Nigella Lawson, while the male form, Cosimo, was given to the son of Marissa Ribisi and Beck.
      • Evan
        • Origin:

          Welsh variation of John
        • Meaning:

          "God is gracious"
        • Description:

          Evan has a mellow nice-guy image that has kept it popular, while it has been widely used in Wales since the nineteenth century. And interestingly—and surprisingly—enough, Evan charts highly for boys in France.
      • Farrah
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "happiness"
        • Description:

          For a few seconds there in the late '70s, Farrah Fawcett's name was as frequently copied as her hairstyle; the name was Number 177 in 1977. Now, after many years off the charts and out of style, it's back, mostly thanks to a TV Teen Mom who bears the name.
      • Grant
        • Origin:

          Scottish from French
        • Meaning:

          "large"
        • Description:

          One-time beach-boy compadre of Glenn, Greg, and Gary that originated as a nickname for a tall person, Grant has become a no-nonsense, career-oriented grown-up and one that is seeing new appreciation. It was chosen for his son by actor Morris Chestnut. It has cultural cred via artist Grant Wood, whose best known painting is 'American Gothic.'
      • Halloran
        • Origin:

          Gaelic
        • Meaning:

          "male descendant of a pirate or stranger from overseas"
        • Description:

          Halloran could be your solution if you love the nickname Hal, but not Harold or Henry.
      • Hancock
        • Origin:

          English
        • Meaning:

          "shellfish-gatherer"
        • Description:

          Surname of Declaration signer sure to present playground complications.
      • Hezekiah
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "God gives strength"
        • Description:

          This name of an influential Old Testament king of Judah is one that would challenge even the most adventurous biblical name-seeker, but it does have the modernizing short forms Zeke or Kiah.
      • Joel
        • Origin:

          Hebrew
        • Meaning:

          "Jehovah is his God"
        • Description:

          In the Old Testament, Joel was one of King David's 'mighty men' and the name was taken up by the Puritans of the sixteenth century. In the mid 1960s, Joel entered the Top 100, and stayed there for about twenty years, as parents tried to jazz up and formalize old standby Joe by reviving this biblical name.
      • Jonothan
        • Kastas