AerieEerie's Character Name Bank

Rufus is a rumpled, redheaded (it was the nickname for red-haired King William) ancient Roman name popular with saints and singers (e.g. Rufus Wainwright); now, Rufus is on the cutting edge of cool.

Sabrinia is a feminine name that appears to be a variation of Sabrina, which has roots in Celtic mythology. The original Sabrina was a legendary princess who became the goddess of the River Severn in Wales. This elaborated form adds an additional syllable, giving it a more flowing, romantic quality. While significantly less common than Sabrina, Sabrinia maintains the same appealing meaning and mythological connections. The name has a graceful, feminine sound with its soft consonants and melodic rhythm. Sabrinia might appeal to parents who appreciate the classic Sabrina but desire something more distinctive and elaborate for their daughter.

Salem is a biblical place-name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem. Americans may be more familiar with Salem as the name of the Massachusetts town famous for its witch trials in the late 1600s. It's also a popular Arabic name widely-used for both genders.

Serenia is a feminine name evoking tranquility and peace, derived from the Latin word "serenus" meaning "clear, calm, or serene." The name has a flowing, ethereal quality that suggests serenity and gentle beauty. Though not commonly used historically, it fits well with modern naming trends favoring meaningful names with positive associations. Serenia shares roots with the more common Serena but offers a slightly more elaborate and distinctive option. The name's melodic four-syllable pattern gives it a graceful, almost musical quality. While remaining relatively rare in usage statistics, Serenia appeals to parents seeking a name with obvious meaning and a peaceful, harmonious sound profile.

Peaceful, calm, and untroubled: these are qualities parents may be hoping for, either on their parenting journey or in their child’s life. The name Serenity encapsulates these hopes, conjuring up a sense of balance, composure, and ease.

This is a rare and lovely form of Susannah commonly heard in Israel. Shoshana Shapiro — nicknamed Shosh — is the character played by Zosia Mamet on the hit HBO series Girls — a fact that could give the name an upward thrust.

Though never as popular as the name of her Bewitched mother, Samantha, Tabitha has its own quirky, magical charm. The name of a charitable woman who was restored to life by Saint Peter in the Bible, it was a popular Puritan choice. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose it for one of their twin daughters, which gave it a slight boost. Nonetheless, Tabitha remains in decline.

Deriving from the Roman cognomen Vivianus, Vivian was originally a masculine name, with Vivien being a feminine soundalike coined by Alfred Lord Tennyson for the Lady of the Lake in his famous poetic adaptation of the legend of King Arthur. It has since become a much more popular choice for girls in the US, but retains a refined British charm which sees it cropping up occasionally for boys in the Telegraph birth announcements.

Zibby is the adorable, zippy nickname for Elizabeth used for the lead female character in the film "Liberal Arts." Zibby can make a Libby for the 21st century.