If I Ever Write A Book

I am Incredibly fond of these names, they just wouldn't be right for a kid of mine for various assorted reasons (too popular, clashes, too hard to pronounce, would sound weird with a Southern accent, vetoed by the man, etc), so of course i'll save them for when I write that epic book series chock full of incredible places and charmingly named characters ;-)
  1. Aisling
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dream, vision"
    • Description:

      Aisling is currently a very popular Irish name for girls. Pronounced variously as ASH-ling, ASH-lin or ash-LEEN, it was part of the revival of authentic Irish names in the twentieth century, and is now being sparingly used by U.S. parents in place of the dated Ashley--though often spelled phonetically as Ashlyn or Ashlynn.
  2. Ariadne
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "most holy"
    • Description:

      This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest in the name falls in line with the revival of other mythological names like Apollo and Athena. The trendy nickname Ari doesn't hurt either.
  3. Evadne
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pleasing one"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Evadne was the daughter of Poseidon. Evadne also appears in literature (Mary Shelley's "The Last Man") and has a pop culture reference as the cousin of Wonder Woman. A more unusual alternative to other Greek "-ee" names like Ariadne, Daphne and Penelope. The trendy "Ev" sound makes this a lovely choice in a world of Evelyns, Evangelines and Everlys.
  4. Hermione
    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine version of Hermes, "messenger, earthly"
    • Meaning:

      "messenger, earthly"
    • Description:

      Hermione's costarring role in Harry Potter has made this previously ignored, once stodgy name suddenly viable. Hermione could really take off once today's children start having kids of their own.
  5. Jack
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Jack may have fallen from its Number 1 place in England, but in the US it's as popular as it was at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. A durable, cheery, everyman form of John, Jack ranks as one of the most popular boy names starting with J.
  6. Meadow
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Meadow's upward popularity trajectory certainly suggests that the name has transcended its connection to The Sopranos.. In the US, more than 750 baby girls were named Meadow last year, a number we expect to keep rising.
  7. Peridot
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "a green gemstone"
    • Description:

      Peridot is the gem of the month of August, a vibrant green mineral, said to be good for helping people put the past behind them, and an interesting, undiscovered jewel name. It was regarded in ancient times as the symbol of the sun.
  8. Prairie
    • Origin:

      English nature name
    • Meaning:

      "prairie"
    • Description:

      Unspecific place name with a wonderfully wide-open, spacious, western feel; used for a character in Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland.
  9. September
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "month name"
    • Description:

      Parents are beginning to turn away from springtime months like April and June and are moving toward the cooler and crisper three-syllable September, October, November, and December.
  10. Theseus
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Description:

      The name of the Greek mythological hero famous for slaying the Minotaur is also heard in Chaucer and Shakespeare. While Theseus might have sounded pretentious for an American baby a decade ago, today with so many babies getting ancient mythogical names, it just might work.