Heroes and Heroine names
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Amazing names that I wish my mother had named me.
- Amarantha
Origin:
Flower name; GreekMeaning:
"unfading"Description:
Amarantha is a rare botanical name whose mythical equivalent was believed to be immortal. The Italian and Spanish form is the somewhat-more-acccessible Amaranta.
- Bronwyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white breast"Description:
One of the loveliest of the Welsh names, striking the perfect balance between being familiar and unusual. In Wales, the female spelling is always Bronwen, but Americans usually see a "y" as adding femininity.
- Cerys
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"love"Description:
Common name in Wales that's all but unknown in the U.S. Certainly an attractive choice ripe for export. In the UK it sits at Number 330.
- Elspeth
Origin:
Scottish variation of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Elspeth is one of those names that never quite made it out of the British Isles--particularly Scotland, but possesses a winningly childlike charm. Elspeth was used by Sir Walter Scott for several of his female characters.
- Hannelore
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"grace + god is my light"Description:
A pretty and substantial German smoosh name, a combination of Hanne and Eleonore. Most popular in Germany from the 1930s to the 1950s. Former German Chancellors Helmut Kohl and Helmut Schmidt both had wives named Hannelore.
- Milena
Origin:
Czech; Slovak; Serbian; Croatian; Polish; ItalianMeaning:
"love, warmth, grace"Description:
This popular name in various Slavic countries and in Italy holds considerable continental appeal. It is the full name of Ukranian-born actress Mila Kunis, most noted for her award-winning role in the film Black Swan. Another actress bearing the name is Milena Govitch, of Law & Order.
- Reinette
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"little queen"Description:
Reinette was the childhood nickname of Madame La Pompadour, perhaps a cute short form for Regina or Reina but hardly worthy of the full name on the birth certificate today.
- Serenella
Origin:
Italian, elaboration of SerenaMeaning:
"serene"Description:
Both rhythmic and serene, Serenella is one of the Italian names for girls virtually unknown in the US but definitely usable. An unusual route to Ella as a short form?
- Verena
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"integrity"Description:
Verena is pleasant but old-fashioned. Whether that's the outdated kind of old-fashioned or the so-out-it's-in-again kind is your call.
- Zephyrine
Origin:
Feminine variation of Zephyr, GreekMeaning:
"west wind"Description:
Zephyr may not be a name often heard in the U.S., but its variations are used throughout Europe. Zephyrine, a cousin in sound and feel if not in fact to such lovely names as Severine and Seraphina, has distinctive possibilities.