Quirky Cemetery Names
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Interesting and unusual names found while wondering around old cemeteries throughout central Maine.
- Aurelia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"the golden one"Description:
Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.
- Emerson
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of Emery"Description:
Emerson is a dignified, somewhat serious name associated with transcendental thinker Ralph Waldo Emerson. Much more popular now for girls since Desperate Housewife Teri Hatcher used it for her daughter, it is definitely still a viable boys name.
- Salome
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"peace"Description:
A soft and interesting Hebrew name long popular in France, where it has ranked in the Top 400 since 1986 (as Salomé). Ex-ER star Alex Kingston named her daughter Salome Violetta.
- Lenora
Origin:
English, contracted form of LeonoraMeaning:
"light"Description:
A lovely (and uncommon) longer form for Nora, one of the most fashionable international nickname names around. Lenora fell off the US charts in the 70s, but just re-entered in 2022 as parents' love for short forms Leni and Nora is growing.
- Elden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"Ella's hill; old friend"Description:
A name with old-fashioned charm, akin to Elton, Elwin, and Elwood, Elden is a variation of two Old English names, Eldon or Alden. Meaning "Ella's hill" or "old friend", it combines strength and cosiness, but the connection to the fantasy roleplay game, Elden Ring adds an element of adventure and mystique.
- Connell
Description:
Connell is an Irish masculine name derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Conaill, meaning "descendant of Conall." The original name Conall combines the elements "con" (wolf or hound) and "all" (mighty), translating to "strong wolf" or "strong as a wolf." Connell carries a sense of strength and resilience with its powerful animal association. The name gained moderate popularity in Ireland and Scottish Highlands historically but remained relatively uncommon globally. In recent decades, it has seen some increased usage in English-speaking countries, appealing to parents seeking a distinctive name with Celtic roots and masculine qualities. Its connection to Irish heritage makes it particularly appealing to those with Irish ancestry.
- Ripley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"strip of clearing in the woods"Description:
The "Believe It or Not" jokes will get old fast, but this surname feels fun and on-trend for both girls and boys, reminiscent of Riley, Tripp, Bridger, and Oakley.
- Sophronia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sensible, prudent"Description:
Stately and elegant, but with the familiar sounds of Sophia and Sophie, Sophronia was a familiar choice back in the 19th century but has since fallen into obscurity. Derived from the Greek sophron, it means "sensible, self-restrained".
- Mills
Description:
Feels akin to Brooks and Rivers, two other boys' names that double as plural nouns. It's been used as a first name for centuries, including by a two time governor of Virginia.
- Letitia
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"joy, gladness"Description:
Letitia is a delicate, once prim and proper sounding name whose staid image has been unbuttoned by numerous phonetic spellings. The original, often used in Spanish-speaking families, would still make an attractive, delicate choice. After a solid century on the Top 1000 list, Letitia fell off in the early 1980s and has not yet returned.
- Avis
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"bird"Description:
Avis is a bird name that's been in hibernation for awhile, possibly due to the car rental association, but it could make a return on the wings of Ava. Baldwin brother Daniel chose it for his daughter.
- Caro
Origin:
Diminuitve of Carol or Caroline, English, French ,"free man"Meaning:
"free man"Description:
Upper-crusty nickname occasionally used in Britain, particularly in 1930s novels featuring significant garden party scenes, but eclipsed here by Carrie et al.
- Winfield
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow, field"Description:
An English surname derived from multiple place names, which ranked in the Top 500 for boys in the US until the turn of the 20th century.
- Lucina
Origin:
RomanMeaning:
"grove or light"Description:
Lucina, deriving from Latin lucus "grove" and also associated with lux "light", is an epithet given in Roman mythology to the goddess Juno (and sometimes also Diana) in her role as goddess of childbirth. A stately and unusual route to Lucy, more delicate than Lucinda.
- Wellington
Origin:
English surname from place nameMeaning:
"people living in the hamlet in the cleared area near the temple"Description:
Wellington is a tony-sounding English surname turned baby name by pregnancy guru Rosie Pope, who calls her son Wells for short. It's also the middle name of one of the Sweet Home sextuplets, Blu Wellington.
- Meta
Origin:
German, Slovene, and Scandinavian diminutive of Margaret, GreekMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A unique international short form of Margaret, now associated with Facebook and Instagram and with "meta" fiction, books, TV shows, and similar that are self-referential.
- Annis
Origin:
Variation of AgnesMeaning:
"pure, virginal"Description:
Annis and Anice are both antique variations of Agnes that have fallen out of use, perhaps because of pronunciation problems (ANN-is, or an-EES?)
- Eliphalet
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"God has judged"Description:
A bit too elephantine for a modern child.
- Park
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
A grassy place with trees is a nice image to attach to a name.
- Temple
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dweller near the temple"Description:
Rather formal word name that has been used occasionally over the years, most notably for the autism activist and animal expert Temple Grandin.
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