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Quirky Cemetery Names

ErinRose
By ErinRose
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Interesting and unusual names found while wondering around old cemeteries throughout central Maine.
  1. Aurelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  2. Emerson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Lenora

    • Origin:

      English, contracted form of Leonora

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Salome

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  5. Elden

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  6. Ripley

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. 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.
  8. Sophronia

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "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".
  9. 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.

  10. Thirza

    • Origin:

      Hebrew; diminutive of Theresa, English

    • Meaning:

      "delightful; harvest"

    • Description:

      This rarely used Old Testament name will inevitably set off a connection to thirst. Thirza was historically used as both an independent name and as a nickname for Theresa.
  11. Avis

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  12. Melvina

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      "chieftain"

    • Description:

      Melvina ranked in the Top 1000 for over 65 years in the US, coinciding to a large extent with the years its much more popular masculine counterpart Melvin ranked in the Top 100. Today, Melvin is still hanging on in the Top 1000 for boys, but Melvina hasn't been given to more than 20 babies in a year since 1991.
  13. Albion

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "white, bright"

    • Description:

      Albion is an ancient, poetic, and literary name for Great Britain. As a name, Albion is a variation of Albus -- and Dumbledore fans might find it a congenial update. Attractive short forms include Al and Albie.
  14. Letitia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  15. Clarinda

    • Origin:

      Literary elaboration of Clara

    • Meaning:

      "bright, clear"

    • Description:

      A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns. "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.
  16. Winfield

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  17. Park

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      A grassy place with trees is a nice image to attach to a name.
  18. Fidelia

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "faithful"

    • Description:

      Fidelia stems from the Latin word Fides, meaning faith. It has the some root as the English word fidelity. Fidelia gained popularity in the mid-19th Century after Beethoven's opera "Fidelio" gave this name cultural and virtuous significance.
  19. Elder

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Anyone who's seen "The Book of Mormon" or visited Utah knows this as the title taken by male Mormon missionaries during their term of service. We'd advise anyone who lives somewhere with any significant Mormon population to avoid it for that reason.
  20. Sylvina

    • Description:

      Sylvina is a delicate feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'silva' meaning 'forest' or 'woodland.' It's an elaboration of the more common Sylvia, with the added suffix creating a more ornate and distinctive quality. This elegant name evokes images of natural beauty and sylvan landscapes. Though relatively uncommon in modern usage, Sylvina carries a timeless, romantic appeal that connects to nature themes. The name reached modest popularity in the late 19th century but has since become quite rare, making it an unusual choice that combines classical roots with an uncommon flair. Sylvina might appeal to parents seeking a feminine name with nature associations and a vintage sensibility.

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