My Guilty Pleasure Names
- Albus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"white, bright."Description:
The ancient name Albus has modern currency as the first name of the headmaster of Harry Potter's Hogwarts, more formally known as Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Can Albus work if you're missing the long white beard and the magic wand? Maybe, though it might be a heavy mantle for a Muggle child to wear.
- Alcide
Origin:
French version of HeraclesMeaning:
"glory of Hera"Description:
This is the French version of Alcides, birth name of the Greek mythological Heracles (Hercules). You're more likely to recognize it as the name of the hot True Blood werewolf, Alcide Herveaux.
- Alois
Origin:
Variation of Aloysius, LatinMeaning:
"renowned warrior"Description:
Alois and Aloysius are variation of Louis. Alois ranked in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, and still ranks in the Top 1000 in Germany. Last year in the US, only seven baby boys were named Alois.
- Anissa
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"friendly"Description:
A pretty and delicate cousin of Anna is often heard in Scotland and is also currently popular in France. In the US it was brought to public attention by child actress Anissa Jones, who played Buffy on the popular TV show Family Affair, which debuted in 1966, bringing her name onto the charts the following year. Born Mary Anissa, her middle/stage name reflected her Lebanese heritage.
- Melchior
Origin:
Dutch from HebrewMeaning:
"city of the king; king of light"Description:
The least used of the Three Wise Men's names, but a strong option for bold namers to consider.
- Ashlynn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dream"Description:
This Anglicized spelling of Irish Aislinn or Aisling has enjoyed some popularity in the US as an updated Ashley.
- Boston
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Unseen in the USA since 1901, Boston rocketed back into the Top 1000 in 2004 and, like other place-names such as Brooklyn, London and Paris, is now a reliable presence on the list.
- Pola
Origin:
Short form of Amapola, ArabicMeaning:
"poppy"Description:
Pola is an international name that still bears the femme fatalish air of Polish-born silent screen vamp Pola Negri, whole birth name was Apolonia. Rarely used, she could join sisters Lola and Nola.
- Nuria
Origin:
Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan, ArabicMeaning:
"place between the valleys; light"Description:
Deriving from the Catalan title for the Virgin Mary, Nostra Senyora de Núria , meaning "Our Lady of Nuria", this distinctive name is a popular choice in Spain and Portugal.
- Jacek
Origin:
Polish, from GreekMeaning:
"hyacinth"Description:
This Polish name comes from the Greek Hyacinthos, through the older Polish form, Jacenty. Jacek's pronunciation may be unintuitive to those unfamiliar with Slavic languages, but no one can deny the appeal of its unique snappy sound and sweet floral meaning.
- Oneida
Origin:
Native AmericanMeaning:
"long awaited"Description:
One of the few familiar Native_American choices, but now associated with several trade names.
- Snowdrop
Description:
Snowdrop is a delicate nature-inspired feminine name derived from the early-blooming white flower that often emerges while snow still covers the ground. This botanical name symbolizes hope, purity, and resilience as snowdrops are among the first flowers to bloom at winter's end. Though uncommon as a given name, Snowdrop belongs to the category of modern flower and nature names that have gained popularity in recent decades. The name carries a whimsical, ethereal quality that appeals to parents drawn to nature-themed names. Snowdrop combines the purity associations of snow with the gentle beauty of a small flower, creating a name that's both distinctive and meaningful.
- Ireland
Origin:
Place nameDescription:
Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin put Ireland on the map when they chose it as a first for their daughter, saying that geographic names were a family tradition. And it seems they were a bit ahead of the curve (or trendsetting)—Ireland has been among the fastest-rising names of recent years. Other Irish place names include Shannon, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin.
- Lech
Origin:
PolishMeaning:
"a Pole"Description:
Lech (brother of Czech and Rus) was the mythical father of the Poles, and also the name of the Polish worker-president Lech Walesa, but it still isn't a name that travels well.
- Ignacy
Description:
Ignacy is the Polish form of the Latin name Ignatius, deriving from the Roman family name Egnatius, possibly meaning 'fiery' or 'ardent.' The name gained popularity among Christians through St. Ignatius of Loyola, the 16th-century founder of the Jesuit order. In Poland, Ignacy has remained consistently popular throughout the centuries, experiencing a revival in recent decades as parents return to traditional names. The diminutive forms include Ignaś and Ignuś. While primarily used in Poland and other Slavic countries, it has international variants such as Ignatius (English), Ignazio (Italian), and Ignace (French).
- Jamy
Description:
Jamy is a masculine name that serves as a variation of Jamie, which itself originated as a diminutive of James. With Hebrew roots, James means "supplanter" and has been one of the most enduring masculine names throughout Western history. This particular spelling gives the classic name a more distinctive appearance while maintaining its familiar pronunciation. While less common than Jamie or James, Jamy offers a slightly unique twist that sets it apart without seeming too unusual. The name carries the warm, friendly associations of Jamie but with an individualistic touch. It has seen modest usage in English-speaking countries but never reached high levels of popularity, making it an uncommon but recognizable choice for boys.
- Peniel
Origin:
Biblical place name, HebrewMeaning:
"face of God"Description:
This rare Biblical place name refers to a river bank in Jordan where Jacob wrestled with an angel and changed his name to Israel.
- Pelagia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"the sea"Description:
The name of several early saints, including one, Pelagia the Penitent, a beautiful and licentious dancing girl who repented, then, disguised as a man, spent the rest of her life living alone in a cave on the Mount of Olives. Because of her early vocation, she is the patron saint of actresses.
- Yael
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"ibex"Description:
Yael is an Old Testament name often heard in Israel that could work well here: just remember that it's pronounced with two syllables...it is also spelled Ya'el. In the Bible she was a Kenite woman in the time of Deborah who killed the enemy general, Sisera.
- Rafaella
Origin:
Italian variation of Raphaela, HebrewMeaning:
"God has healed"Description:
Oh, the many spellings of Rafaella. Those with Fs and double-Ls denote Italian origins, while an F and a single L is Spanish and Portuguese. The original Hebrew form is Raphaela.
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