Character Names
- Perdita
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"lost"Description:
A Shakespearean invention for an abandoned baby in The Winter's Tale, Perdita's sense of loss has always been off-putting to parents. But her image was somewhat resuscitated by its association with the appealing canine character in Disney's One Hundred and One Dalmations.
- Auden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"old friend"Description:
A softly poetic surname name, associated with poet W.H., Auden is enjoying quiet but marked fashion status. It was chosen for his daughter by Noah Wyle and is definitely one to watch.
- Victoire
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"victory"Description:
Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.
- Parthenia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"chaste maiden"Description:
Parthenia may be a bit unwieldy, but does conjure up majestic images of the Parthenon. It was briefly in the US charts in the late 19th century.
- Ashlynn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dream"Description:
This Anglicized spelling of Irish Aislinn or Aisling has enjoyed some popularity in the US as an updated Ashley.
- Laure
Origin:
French form of Laura, English from LatinMeaning:
"from Laurentum or bay laurel"Description:
Laure is a feminine French name derived from the Latin 'laurus,' meaning 'laurel tree' - a symbol of victory and honor in ancient times. It functions as both a standalone name and the French form of Laura. Elegant and understated, Laure has maintained consistent usage in France and French-speaking regions while remaining relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries.
- Langley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"long meadow"Description:
This somewhat snobby-sounding surname popped onto the name map when Mariel Hemingway used it for one of her daughters.
- Noely
Origin:
Variation of Noel, FrenchMeaning:
"Christmas"Description:
If Joely (as in actress Richardson) is a name, why not Noely? As nickname-names become both more acceptable and more fashionable, Noely may be a fresh spin on one traditional name for Christmas babies.
- Blithe
Description:
Blithe is a delicate feminine name derived from the Old English word 'bliþe,' meaning 'happy,' 'carefree,' or 'joyful.' As a word-name that directly evokes a positive emotional state, it belongs to the category of virtue names that became popular during the Puritan era but has never been widely used. The name has a light, airy quality that suggests cheerfulness and optimism. Literary connections include Noël Coward's play 'Blithe Spirit,' which adds a sophisticated cultural reference. Though rare, Blithe has seen small increases in usage among parents seeking uncommon names with positive meanings. Its short, one-syllable pronunciation combined with the elegant spelling gives it a distinctive character that balances simplicity with refinement.