Marian Names (Redux)

Waaaaaay back in 2012 I did a post on Marian names, and have since been adding to it one at a time as I came across others. Recently, though, I found even more, which made me wonder just how many I managed to miss the first time. 😅

(I found a lot. In my defense, many are localized and/or rare)

So, instead of updating that older list, I've decided just to publish a new expanded and more detailed version. Enjoy!

If you're unfamiliar with the concept, Marian names are simply names given in honor of the Virgin Mary. As such, they're most common in Catholicism, but are occasionally used in other branches of Christianity as well.

[all are feminine unless otherwise stated]

• Abene (ah-beh-neh, Basque)--"pillar". Basque translation of Pilar. 
• Achiropita (ah-kee-ROH-pee-tah, Italian)--from Greek, "not created by human hands".
     Refers to the Madonna Santissima Achiropita in the Rossano Cathedral, Italy. 
• África (AH-free-kah, Spanish)--"Africa"
     Refers to shrine Our Lady of Africa of Ceuta, Spain.
• Ainhoa (eye-noh-ah, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque, "little place". Spanish variant is Ainoa.
     Refers to town of Ainhoa, France, along the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). 
• Aintzane (ine-tsah-neh, Basque)--"glory". Another form is Aintza (ine-tsah). Basque translation of Gloria. 
• Aitziber (eye-tsee-behr, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, meaning unknown
     Refers to the Hermitage of Aitziber, Navarra, Spain.
• Aizpea (eye-speh-ah, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "under the rock"
     Refers to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Aizpea, Euskadi, Spain.
• Alazne (ah-lahs-neh, Basque)--"miracle". Basque translation of Milagros. 
• Alegría (ah-leh-GREE-ah, Spanish)--"joy" [much more common as a surname]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Joy. 
• Almudena (ahl-moo-DEH-nah, Spanish)--from Arabic, "citadel"
     Refers to the Virgen de la Almudena in the Almudena Cathedral, Spain.
• Altagracia (ahl-tah-GRAH-see-ah, Spanish; ahl-tah-grah-SEE-ah, Portuguese)--"high grace"
     Refers to Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, patroness of the Dominican Republic. 
• Amatza (ah-maht-sah, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque ama, "mother".
     Refers to the Hermitage of San Martín de Amatza, Euskadi, Spain.
• Ametza (ah-met-sah, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, origin unknown [also a type of oak]
     Refers to the dedication Nuestra Señora de Ametza in Euskari, Spain. 
• Amparo (ahm-PAH-roh, Spanish, Portuguese)--"refuge"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Refuge. 
• Ángeles (AHN-jel-es, Spanish)--"angels"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Angels. 
• Angustias (ahn-GOOST-ee-ahs, Spanish)--"anguish"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Anguish. 
• Annunziata (ahn-noon-TSYAH-tah, Italian)--"announced". Masculine form is Annunziato. Respective diminutives, Nunzia (NOON-tsee-ah) and Nunzio (NOON-tsee-oh), are often used independently as well. Spanish form is Anunciación (ah-noon-see-ah-see-OHN).
     Refers to the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
• Aparecida (ah-pah-reh-SEE-dah, Portuguese)--"appeared"
     Refers to Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida, Patroness of Brazil. 
• Araceli (ah-rah-SEH-lee, Spanish)--from Latin, "altar of the sky"
     Refers to the Nuestra Señora de Araceli in Andalusia, Spain. 
• Arantzazu (ah-rahnt-sah-soo, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "thornbush". Variants are Arantxa (ah-rahn-chah, Basque), Arantza (ah-rahnt-sah, Basque, Spanish), and Arancha (ah-RAHN-chah, Spanish).
     Refers to the apparition Virgen de Arantzazu. 
• Asunción (ah-soon-see-OHN, Spanish)--"assumption". Other forms are Assunta (ah-SOON-tah, Italian), Assumpció (ah-soomp-see-OH, Catalan), and Asun (ah-SOON, Spanish).
     Refer to the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. 
• Auxiliadora (owk-seel-ee-ah-DOR-ah, Spanish)--from Latin, "gift of assistance"
     Refers to the title Mary, Help of Christians.
• Azahar (ah-sah-AR, Spanish)--"orange blossom", from Arabic zahrah, "blossom". Another form is Azahara (ah-sah-AR-ah).
     Refers to the dedication Virgen del Azahar in Región de Murcia, Spain. 
• Begoña (beh-GOHN-yah, Spanish)--from Basque, poss. "at the foot [of a mountain]".
     Refers to apparition Nuestra Señora de Begoña. 
• Bonaria (boh-NAH-ree-ah, Sardinian, Italian)--"good-natured" or "fair winds"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Fair Winds. 
• Callyvorry (kah-luh-vorr [rolled 'rr']-uh, [medieval, Anglicized] Manx)--"servant of Mary". Also appears in records as Calyvorra and Calyvorr.
• Candelaria (kan-deh-LAH-ree-ah, Spanish)--"Candlemas". Variants include Cande (KAHN-deh), Candelas (kahn-DEH-las), & Candela (kahn-DEH-lah). Masculine is Candelario.
     Refers to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Candlemas. 
• Canòlic (cah-NAH-leek, Catalan)--origin unknown
     Refers to the Mare de Déu de Canòlic in Canòlic, Andorra. 
• Caridad (kah-ree-DAHD, Spanish)--"charity"
     Refers to Nuestra Señora de Caridad del Cobre, patroness of Cuba.
• Carmel (KAHR-mel, English; kahr-MEHL, Spanish)--from Hebrew, "garden". Other forms include Carmela (kar-MEH-lah, Spanish, Italian), Carme (KAHR-meh, Catalan, Galician), and Carmella (kar-MEL-lah, English). Masculine is Carmelo (kar-MEH-loh, Spanish, Italian).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Carmel.
• Catena (kah-TEH-nah, Sicilian, Italian)--"chain"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Chain.
• Civita (CHEE-vee-tah, Italian)--"city"
     Refers to the Madonna della Civita, in the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita, Italy. 
• Concepción (kon-sep-see-OHN, Spanish)--"conception". Other forms include Conchita (cohn-CHEE-tah, Spanish), Concepta (con-SEP-tah, English, Irish), Concetta (cohn-CHET-tah, Italian), and Conceição (cohn-say-SOW, Portuguese).
     Refers to the Immaculate Conception. 
• Consuelo (kohn-SWEH-loh, Spanish)--"consolation". Variants include Consuela (kohn-SWEH-lah), Consolación (kohn-soh-lah-see-OHN), and Chelo (CHE-loh). Italian form is Consolata (con-soh-LAH-tah).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Consolation. 
• Corazón (koh-rah-SOHN, Spanish)--"heart"
     Refers to the title Immaculate Heart of Mary. 
• Coromoto (koh-roh-MOH-toh, Spanish)--prob. of Native American origin, meaning unknown
     Refers to the apparition Nuestra Señora de Coromoto. 
• Covadonga (koh-vah-DOHN-gah, Spanish)--from Latin, "cave of the lady"
     Refers to the shrine Virgen de Covadonga of Asturias, Spain. 
• Deñe (den-yeh, Basque)--"annunciation". Basque translation of Annunciación. 
• Desanges (dez-AWNZH, French)--"of angels". Also spelled Desange. [more common as a surname]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Angels. 
• Desneiges (deh-NEZH, French)--"of the snows"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Snows. 
• Dolores (doh-LOH-rehs, English, Spanish)--from Spanish, "sorrows". Other forms include Lola (LOH-lah, English, Spanish), Dolors (doh-LORZ, Catalan), Dores (DOR-ez, Portuguese), and Addolorata (ah-doh-loh-RAH-tah, Italian).
     Refers to the title Mary of Sorrows. 
• Edurne (eh-door-neh, Basque)--"snow". Masculine is Edur. Basque translation of Nieves. 
• Encarnación (en-kahr-nah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"incarnation"
     Refers to the incarnation of Jesus in Mary's womb.
• Esperanza (es-peh-RAHN-sah, Spanish)--"hope". Frence form is Espérance (es-pay-RAWNs).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Hope. 
• Eunate (eh-oo-nah-teh, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque, "good door".
     Refers to the Church of Saint Mary of Eunate in Navarra, Spain; along the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). 
• Farners (far-NEHS, Catalan)--prob. from Latin "flour"
     Refers to the Church of Our Lady of Farners, Catalonia, Spain.
• Fátima (FAH-tee-mah, Portuguese, Spanish)--from Arabic, "abstaining"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Fátima and the apparitions at Fátima, Portugal. [the town name itself comes from the Arabic name Fatimah]
• Fuencisla (fwen-SEES-lah, Spanish)--prob. "flowing spring"
     Refers to the Virgen de la Fuencisla in Castilla y León, Spain
• Fuensanta (fwen-SAHN-tah, Spanish)--"blessed spring"
     Refers to the Virgen de la Fuensanta, patroness of Murcia, Spain.
• Gloria (GLOH-ree-ah, Spanish)--"glory". Portuguese spelling is Glória. [obvs. used in many different languages, but not necessarily considered a Marian name]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Glory. 
• Guadalupe (gwah-dah-LOO-peh, Spanish)--prob. from Latin "wolf" + Arabic "river, valley", or Arabic "hidden river" [unisex]. Variants (originally diminutives) are Lupe (LOO-peh) and Lupita (loo-PEE-tah).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Guadalupe and the apparitions at Guadalupe [now part of Mexico City], Mexico; or
     to the shrine Virgen de Guadalupe of Extremadura, Spain. 
• Henar (eh-NAHR, Spanish)--"hayfield"
     Refers to the Virgen del Henar in Castilla y León, Spain.
• Idoia (ee-doy-ah, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque, "pond, swamp". Spanish variant is Idoya (ee-DOY-ah).
     Refers to the shrine Virgen de Idoya of Navarra, Spain.
• Ihintza (ee-heen-tsah, Basque)--"dew". Basque translation of Rocío. 
• Iker (ee-kehr, Basque)--"visitation" [masculine]. Basque translation of Visitación.
• Incoronata (een-koh-roh-NAH-tah, Italian)--"crowned"
     Refers to the title Holy Mary Crowned.
• Inmaculada (een-mah-koo-LAH-dah, Spanish)--"immaculate". Other forms include Immaculada (ee-mah-koo-LAH-dah, Catalan), Immacolata (ee-mah-koh-LAH-tah, Italian), and Imaculada (ee-mah-koo-LAH-dah, Portuguese).
     Refers to the Immaculate Conception. 
• Itatí (ee-tah-TEE, Spanish)--poss. from Guarani, "white stone"
     Refers to the title / shrine Our Lady of Itatí of Itatí, Argentina. 
• Itziar (eet-see-ahr, Basque, Spanish)--poss. "old stone" or "sea". Spanish variant is Icíar (ee-SEE-ahr).
     Refers to the Nuestra Señora de Itziar in Euskari, Spain. 
• Izarbe (ee-sahr-beh, Basque, Aragonese, Spanish)--prob. from Basque, "under stars"
    Refers to the Hermitage of the Virgin of Izarbe, Aragon, Spain.
• Letteria (let-TEHR-ee-ah, Italian)--"letter"
     Refers to Madonna della Lettera, patroness of Messina
• Liernia (lee-ehr-nee-ah, Basque, Spanish)--origin unknown. Another form is Lierni (lee-ehr-nee).
     Refers to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Liernia, Euskadi, Spain. 
• Lledó (yeh-DOH, Valencian, Catalan)--"hackberry"
     Refers to the Mare de Déu del Lledó in Comunitat Valenciana, Spain
• Loreto (loh-REH-toh, Italian, Spanish)--from Latin, "laurel" [unisex]. Variant is Loreta (loh-REH-tah).
     Refers to Loreto, Italy, home of the shrine and pilgrimage site Basilica della Santa Casa.  
• Lourdes (LOOR-dehs, Spanish; LORDZ, LUR-des, English; LORD, French)--origin unknown, poss. from Arabic, "the rose", or Latin, "sallow"
     Refers to the title and apparition Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes, France.
• Lujan (loo-HAHN, Spanish)--origin unknown, poss. from Latin lux, "light"
     Refers to Nuestra Señora de Luján, patroness of Argentina, Paraguay, & Uruguay.
• Luz (LOOS, Spanish)--"light"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Light. 
• Macarena (mah-kah-REH-nah, Spanish)--poss. from Latin, "blessed"
     Refers to the title Virgin of Hope of Macarena. 
• Madonna (mah-DON-nah, English)--from Italian, "my lady"
• Maolmoire (mool-MOY-reh, [archaic] Scottish)--"servant of Mary" [masculine]. Medieval Irish form was Maol Mhuire (mwel WID-eh) [unisex].
• Mar (MAHR, Spanish, Catalan)--"sea"
     Refers to the title Saint Mary of the Sea. 
• Maravillas (mah-rah-VEE-yahs, Spanish)--"wonders"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Wonders.
• Maris (MEHR-is, MAH-ris, English)--from Latin, "of the sea"
     Refers to the title Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
• Maristela (mah-ree-STEH-lah, Spanish, Portuguese)--from Latin Stella Maris "star of the sea".
     Refers to the title Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
• Mercedes (mehr-SEH-dehs, Spanish)--"mercies". Catalan form is Mercè (mur-SAY).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Mercy.
• Meritxell (mur-eet-CHEL, Catalan)--from Latin, "midday"
     Refers to Mare de Déu de Meritxell, patroness of Andorra.
• Milagros (mee-LAH-grohs, Spanish)--"miracles"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Miracles.
• Montserrat (mohn-seh-RAHT, Catalan, Spanish)--from Catalan "saw-mountain". Spanish variant is Monserrate (mohn-seh-RAH-teh).
     Refers to Mare de Déu de Montserrat, patroness of Catalonia. 
• Nagore (nah-goh-reh, Basque)--prob. Basque, meaning unknown
     Refers to the Hermitage of Nagore, Navarra, Spain
• Naiara (nah-yah-rah, Basque, Spanish)--from Arabic, "between rocks". Spanish variant is Nayara.
     Refers to Santa María la Real de Nájera monastery in La Rioja, Spain. 
• Nekane (neh-kah-neh, Basque)--"sorrows". Basque translation of Dolores. 
• Nieves (nee-EHV-ehs, Spanish)--"snows". Other forms include Neus (NEH-oos, Catalan), Neves (NEH-ves, Portuguese) and Nives (NEE-ves, Italian).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Snows.
• Núria (NOOR-ee-ah, Catalan)--poss. from Arabic, "light". Spanish form is Nuria (NOOR-ee-ah).
     Refers to the shrine Mare de Déu de Núria of Catalonia, Spain.
• Olatz (oh-lahts, Basque, Spanish)--prob. from Basque "cabin" or "forge"
     Refers to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Olatz in Euskadi, Spain. 
• Olvido (ohl-VEE-doh, Spanish)--"forgetfulness, oblivion"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Forgetfulness, Triumph, and Mercies.
• Osane (oh-sah-neh, Basque)--"remedy". Basque translation of Remedios. 
• Panagiota (pah-nah-YOT-ah, Greek)--"all holy". Masculine is Panagiotis.
     Refers to the epithet Mary, All-Holy. 
• Paz (PAHS, Spanish)--"peace"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Peace. 
• Pigi (pee-yee, Greek)--"spring, fountain". Also transliterated as Piyi.
    Refers to the title Life-Giving Spring. 
• Pilar (pee-LAHR, Spanish)--"pillar".
     Refers to title / apparition Our Lady of the Pillar. 
• Purificación (poor-ee-fee-cah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"purification" [unisex, but usually feminine].  Variants (originally diminutives) include Purita (poo-REE-tah) and Pura (POOR-ah).
     Refers to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Candlemas. 
• Queralt (keh-RAHL, Catalan)--poss. "high rock"
     Refers to the Virgen de Queralt in the Sanctuary of Queralt, Spain. 
• Regina (reh-JEEN-ah, English, Italian, Spanish; reh-HEE-nah, Spanish; reh-ZHEE-nah, Portuguese)--from Latin, "queen". [again, used in many different languages, but not necessarily considered a Marian name]
     Refers to the title Mary, Queen of Heaven and All the Earth. 
• Regla (REG-lah, Spanish)--"rule"
     Refers to the dedication Virgen de Regla in several places, including Spain, Cuba, and the Phillipines. 
• Remedios (reh-MEH-dee-ohs, Spanish)--"remedies". Catalan form is Remei (reh-MAY).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Remedies. 
• Reyes (REH-yes, Spanish)--"kings" [unisex]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Kings. 
• Rocío (roh-SEE-oh, Spanish)--"dew"
     Refers to the Virgen del Rocío in the Hermitage of El Rocío, Spain. 
• Rosario (roh-ZAHR-yoh, Italian; roh-SAH-ree-oh, Spanish)--"rosary" [masculine in Italian].  Variants include Charo (CHAH-roh, Spanish), Rosaria (roh-ZAHR-yah, Italian) and Roser (roh-ZAY, Catalan).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Rosary. 
• Saleta (sah-LEH-tah, Galician, Spanish)--poss. from Germanic "room, house"
     Refers to the apparition Notre-Dame de La Salette.
• Socorro (soh-KOH-roh, Spanish)--"help"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Perpetual Help. 
• Soledad (soh-leh-DAHD, Spanish)--"solitude"
     Refers to the title Mary of Solitude. 
• Sonsoles (sohn-SOH-les, Spanish)--"Saint Zoilo"
     Refers to the dedication Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles in Castilla y León, Spain. 
• Sorne (sohr-neh, Basque)--"conception". Basque translation of Concepción. 
• Sterpeta (stehr-PEH-tah, Italian)--"brushland"
     Refers to the Madonna dello Sterpeto in Barletta, Italy. 
• Tindara (TEEN-dah-rah, Italian)--from ancient Greek Tyndareos. Masculine form is Tindaro (TEEN-dah-roh).
     Refers to the Madonna di Tindari in Messina, Italy. 
• Txori (choh-ree, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "bird"
     Refers to the Leyenda del Txori in Navarra, Spain. 
• Uxue (oo-shoo-eh, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "dove"
     Refers to the Virgen de Ujué in the Church of Santa María de Ujué, Spain.
• Visitación (vee-see-tah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"visitation"
     Refers to Mary's visit to Elizabeth.

Medieval World Tour--Spain & Catalonia

Up today on the Medieval World Tour is Spain & Catalonia! As always, I'm looking particularly for names/forms that didn't survive to the modern age (although some are still around in surname-form).
Also, I especially had a lot of fun saying this list out loud. :p
[For this post (and possibly from now on), consider 'RR' to indicate a rolled/trilled R. This list is full of them!
Also, while there was a lot of overlap between Spanish and Catalan, some forms I found only in Catalan, those are marked as such ]

Boys:

• Auderico (ow-deh-RREE-koh ['ow' like in "cow"])--prob. from Germanic "wealth-ruler" or poss. "old-ruler"
• Berenguer (beh-ren-GEHR)--from Germanic, "bear-spear" [Catalan]. Spanish form was Berenguel (beh-ren-GEL). 
• Bonanat (boh-nah-NAHT)--prob. from Latin, "good birth"
• Ferro (FEHRR-oh)--prob. short form of Fernando and other Germanic Fer/Far- names, "journey" [also means "iron" in modern Catalan]
• Gauceran (gow-tseh-RAHN ['ow' like in "cow"])--from Germanic, "Goth-raven". Another form was Golceran (gohl-tseh-RAHN). [both Catalan]
• Guerau (geh-ROW ['ow' like in "cow"])--form of Gerald [Catalan]
• Guillen (gee-LYEN ['ly' like the 'lli' in "million"])--form of Guillermo/William. Also spelled Guillén. 
• Gutierre (goot-YEHRR-ay)--form of Walter
• Merino (meh-RREE-noh)--prob. from Latin Marinus, making it a masculine form of Marina. [coincides with a medieval title Merino, that prob. from Latin maiorino "of a large area"]
• Monnio (MOHN-nee-oh)--origin uncertain, poss. a Spanish form of medieval Basque Munio (origin unknown), or a form of Monica
• Ordonio (orr-DOHN-yoh)--origin uncertain, poss. from Latin Fortunatus. Also spelled Ordoño. 
• Savarico (sah-vah-RREE-koh)--origin uncertain, poss. from Germanic Suebi ("Swabian"), Latin Sabini ("Sabine"), or Latin Sabius ("wise") + Germanic ric, "ruler"
• Teodemiro (teh-oh-deh-MEE-rroh)--prob. from Germanic, "people-famous" [making it a form of modern German Dietmar]
• Vastian (vahst-YAHN)--prob. a short form of Sebastián
• Vermudo (vehrr-MOO-doh)--prob. from Germanic, "vigilant protection". 

Girls:

• Adalez (ah-dah-LEDZ)--form of Adelaide
• Aiculina (eye-koo-LEE-nah)--poss. a diminutive of a Germanic Aic-name, "to possess", or a form of Latin Aquilina, "little eagle" [Catalan]
• Aldonça (ahl-DOHN-tsah, ahl-DOHN-sah)--poss. from Germanic, "noble-ready" or "battle-ready" [making it a feminine form of Alonso/Alphonse].
  Other forms included Aldonza (ahl-DOHN-dzah) and Eldonza (el-DOHN-dzah). 
• Amaltruda (ah-mahl-TROO-dah)--from Germanic, "bravery-strength" or "bravery-maiden"
• Berengaria (beh-ren-GAH-rree-ah)--from Germanic "bear-spear". A Catalan form was Berenguera (beh-ren-GEH-rah).
• Bonanata (boh-nah-NAH-tah)--prob. from Latin, "good birth"
• Brunissenda (broon-ee-SEN-dah)--from Germanic, "brown-strength", or poss. "breastplate-strength". A Catalan form was Brunissen (broon-EE-sen). 
• Castellana (kahs-teh-LYAH-nah ['ly' like the 'lli' in "million"])--"castellan"
• Ermesenda (ehrr-meh-SEN-dah)--from Germanic, "great strength". A Catalan form was Ermessen (ehr-MES-sen). 
• Geralla (zheh-RAH-lyah ['ly' like the 'lli' in "million")--prob. feminine of Gerald [Catalan]
• Guialma (gee-AHL-mah)--feminine of Guillermo/William
• Jaumeta (zhow-MEH-tah ['ow' like in "cow"])--feminine of Jaume/James [Catalan]
• Marquesia (mar-KEH-see-ah)--"marquise/marchioness". Another form was Marquesa (mar-KEH-sah)
• Mayor (mah-YOHR, mye-OR)--prob. from Latin maior "greater, older". Also spelled Maior. [still means "greater, older" in modern Spanish]
• Monnia (MOHN-nee-ah)--origin uncertain, poss. a Spanish form of medieval Basque Munia (origin unknown), or a form of Monica
• Nofra (NO-frah)--feminine of Onophrius, from Hellenized Egyptian, "he who is happy"
• Rica (RREE-kah)--short form of Germanic Ric-names, "ruler". [also means "rich" in modern Spanish and Catalan]
• Rogera (roh-ZHEHR-ah)--feminine of Roger, "fame-spear" [Catalan]
• Sesilda (seh-SEEL-dah)--poss. from Germanic, "lament-battle", or a form of Cecilia
• Sonifreda (soh-nee-FREH-dah)--from Germanic, "truth-peace", or poss. "sun-peace"
• Urraca (oo-RRAH-kah)--"magpie". Another form was Oreka (oh-RREK-ah). 

Iamb What I Am (boys)

I've been wondering--why do we have so many iambic names for girls, but not for boys? (if you need a reminder, an "iamb" is a word/name with a 'weak' syllable followed by a stressed syllable. e.g. Denise, Renee, Marie)
Iambic names are often the go-to names for girls' middles, but boys don't seem to have that many options. I think we should try to remedy that. :)
(before we even start, yes, this list leans heavily French)

• Achille (ah-SHEEL, French)--form of Achilles
• Adair (ah-DEHR, English [surname])--form of Edgar
• Adán (ah-DAHN, Spanish)--form of Adam
• Aimé (eh-MAY, French)--masculine of Amy/Aimée
• Alain (ah-LEN, French)--form of Alan
• Aleix (ah-LEHSH, Catalan)--form of Alexis
• Amir (ah-MEER, Arabic, Hebrew) [separate derivations]
• Armand (ar-MAWN, French)--from Germanic, "army man"
• Armel (ar-MEL, French)--from Old Breton, "bear-prince"
• Arnaud (ar-NOH, French)--form of Arnold
• Aviv (ah-VEEV, Hebrew)--"spring" [the season]
• Benoit (ben-WAH, French)--form of Benedict/Bennett
• Bohdan (boh-DAHN, Czech, Ukrainian)--from Slavic, "given by God"
• Canute (kah-NOOT, English)--from Old Norse, "knot"
• Charlot (shar-LOH, French)--masculine of Charlotte
• Cornell (kor-NEL, English [surname])--form of Cornelius
• Darnell (dar-NEL, English [surname])
• Denzel (den-ZEL, English [surname])--also spelled Denzell
• Eloy (eh-LOY, Spanish)--from Latin, "chosen". Also spelled Eloi (Catalan) and Elói (Portuguese). 
• Emil (eh-MEEL, English)--masculine of Emily. French form is Émile (ay-MEEL).
• Eugene (yoo-JEEN, English)--from Greek, "born good". French form is Eugene (oo-ZHEN). 
• Fernand (fehr-NAWN, French)--from Germanic, "brave journey". Other forms include Ferran (fehr-RAHN [rolled Rs], Catalan) and Hernan (ehr-NAHN, Spanish). 
• Gaspar (gahs-PAHR, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan)--form of Jasper/Casper
• Gawain (gah-WAYN, English)--older form of Gavin
• Gerard (jer-ARD, English)--from Germanic, "brave spear". French form is Gérard (zhay-RAHR). 
• Ivan (ee-VAHN, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Czech, Polish, Slovak, Portuguese)--form of John. Spanish spelling is Iván.  
• Javier (hahv-YEHR, Spanish)--form of Xavier
• Jermaine (jur-MAYN, English)--from Latin, "brother". French form is Germain (zhehr-MAHN). 
• Jerome (jeh-ROHM, English)
• Jourdain (zhor-DAHN, French)--form of Jordan. Other forms include Jordán (hor-DAHN, Spanish), Jordão (zhor-DOW, Portuguese), and Yarden (yar-DEN, Hebrew).
• Lamar (lah-MAHR, English [surname])--from French, "the pond"
• Lazare (lah-ZAHR, French)--form of Lazarus, "God has helped"
• Louis (loo-EE, French)--from Germanic, "famous battle". Other forms include Luis (loo-EES, Spanish), Luís (loo-EESH, Portuguese) and Loïc (loh-EEK, Breton).
• Manuel (man-WEL, English; mahn-WEL, Spanish, Catalan, Italian)--form of Emmanuel
• Marcel (mar-SEL, English, French, Catalan)--from Latin, poss. "of Mars"
• Martell (mar-TEL, English [surname])--form of Martin, or from French "hammer"
• Maurice (mor-EES, French, English)
• Pascal (pas-KAL, French, pahs-KAHL, Dutch, German)--from Latin "Easter". Other forms include Pascual (pahs-KWAHL, Spanish), Pasqual (pahs-KWAHL, Catalan), and Paskal (pas-KAHL, Bulgarian).
• Ramón (rah-MOHN, Spanish)--form of Raymond. 
• Renard (reh-NAHR, French)--from Germanic, "brave advisor" [also means "fox" in modern French]
• Rennell (ren-NEL, English [surname])--form of Reynold/Reginald
• Ruslan (roos-LAHN, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian)--poss. from Turkish, "lion". 
• Salim (sah-LEEM, Arabic)--"safe"
• Sinclair (sin-CLEHR, English [surname])--"Saint Clair"
• Stephane (stay-FAHN, French)--form of Stephen. Other forms include Stepan (stee-PAHN, Russian). 
• Tyrone (tye-ROHN, English)--from Irish place-name, "Owen's land"
• Yefim (yeh-FEEM, Russian)--masculine of Euphemia

X-cellent.

(I know, my puns are getting worse. Sorry.)

Continuing my posts of rare-letter names, it is now time for X. X is the third-least-common starting letter in American names for both boys and girls, after U and Q. Chances are you can name Xavier and Xander for boys, but girls are more difficult--perhaps rare name-nerd favorite Xanthe springs to mind, or Spanish imports Xiomara and Ximena.
X-names may be hard to come by in English, but I bet we can find plenty abroad....
(if you're feeling a bit of deja vu, I did indeed do an X-themed post a few years ago, but this time I'm focusing solely on names starting with X ;) )

Boys:

• Xabier (shah-bee-ehr, Basque, Galician)--form of Xavier. Other forms include Xaver (KSAH-vehr, German).
• Xacobe (shah-KAW-bay, Galician)--form of Jacob
• Xanthus (KSAHN-toos, ZAN-thus, [ancient] Greek)--"yellow, blond". Other forms include Xanthias (ksahn-TEE-ahs, ZAN-thee-as).
• Xanti (shahn-tee, Basque)--form of Santiago
• Xenios (KSEN-ee-os, ZEN-ee-os, [ancient] Greek)--"hospitality".
• Xenophon (ZEN-ah-fon, ksen-ah-FOHN, [ancient] Greek)--"foreign voice"
• Xesús (shay-SOOS, Galician)--form of Jesus/Joshua. Other forms include Xosué (shaw-soo-AY).
• Xherdan (JEHR-dahn, Albanian)--poss. "necklace"
• Xhevahir (jev-ah-HEER, Albanian)--from Turkish, "jewel"
• Xhevdet (JEV-det, Albanian)--poss. from Arabic [via Turkish], "excellence"
• Xian (SHEE-ahn, Galician)--form of Julian
• Xicu (SHEE-koo, Asturian)--poss. a form of Francis/Francisco
• Ximeno (hee-MAY-noh, Spanish)--poss. a form of Simon
• Ximo (SHEE-moh, Catalan)--short form of Joaquín/Joaquim
• Ximun (shee-moon, Basque)--form of Simon
• Xoán (shoh-AHN, Galician)--form of John. Other forms include Xuan (SHOO-ahn, Asturian).
• Xulio (SHOO-lee-oh, Galician)--form of Julio/Julius
• Xunio (SHOO-nee-oh, Galician)--form of Junius
• Xurxo (SHOOR-shoh, Galician)--form of George
• Xustino (shoos-TEE-noh, Galician)--form of Justin

Girls:

• Xabierra (shah-bee-ehr-rah, Basque)--feminine of Xabier/Xavier. Other forms include Xaveria (ksah-VEHR-ee-ah, German), Xaverine (ksah-ver-REE-neh, German; zah-veh-REEN, French), Xaviera (zay-vee-EHR-ah, English; ksah-vee-EHR-ah, Dutch), and Xavière (zahv-YEHR, French), 
• Xana (SHAH-nah, Portuguese)--short form of Alexandra
• Xandra (KSAHN-drah, Dutch; SHAHN-drah, Galician; ZAN-drah, English)--short form of Alexandra
• Xanthe (KSAHN-tay, ZAN-thee, [ancient] Greek)--"yellow, blond". Other forms include Xanthis (KSAHN-tis, ZAN-this) and Xantho (KSAHN-toh, ZAN-thoh).
• Xanthippe (ksahn-TEE-pay, zan-THIP-ee, [ancient] Greek)--"yellow horse". Other forms include Xanthippi (ksahn-TIP-pee, Greek), and Xantippa (zan-TIP-pah, Latin).
• Xelha (SHEL-hah, Mayan)--"spring of water". Also spelled Xel-Ha.
• Xenia (ksen-EE-ah, Greek)--"hospitality". Other forms include Xene (KSEN-ee, Greek) and Xenie (ksen-EE-eh, Czech). 
• Xènia (SHEN-yah, Catalan)--short form of Eugenia. Portuguese form is Xenia (shen-EE-ah).
• Xenoveva (shen-aw-VEH-vah, Asturian, Galician)--form of Genevieve
• Xesca (SHES-kah, Catalan)--form of Francesca
• Xheneta (jen-EH-tah, Albanian)--poss. "paradise"
• Xhevahire (jev-ah-HEER-eh, Albanian)--from Turkish, "jewel"
• Xia (shee-AH, Mandarin)--"daybreak" or "summer" [also a surname]
• Xiana (shee-AH-nah, Galician)--feminine of Xian/Julian
• Ximena (hee-MAY-nah, Spanish)--feminine of Ximeno
• Xiomara (see-oh-MAHR-ah, Spanish)--poss. from Germanic, "famous battle"
• Xoana (shoh-AH-nah, Galician)--form of Joan/Jane
• Xochitl (SHOH-chee-tl, Nahuatl)--"flower"
• Xulia (SHOO-lee-ah, Asturian, Galician)--form of Julia
• Xunia (SHOO-nee-ah, Galician)--form of Junia

Unisex:

• Xiu (shee-oo, Mandarin)--"beautiful" [usually fem.], or "rest" or "build" [both masc.]
• Xuan (soo-un, Vietnamese)--"spring"
• Xue (shoo-eh, Mandarin)--"snow" or "learning"
• Xun (shoon, Mandarin)--"fast, sudden"

Mind Your Qs

I've already done name lists of the least common vowels (U, O, & I), so now it's time for the least common consonants. No surprise--it's Q (second only to U overall).
Quinn is the sole Q-name in the girls' Top 1000, and it also ranks for boys, along with Quentin, Quinten, Quintin, & Quincy.

Q is also the least common ending letter, so let's do those, too. :)

Boys:

• Faruq (fah-ROOK, Arabic)--"one who can tell right from wrong". Also transliterated as Farooq.
• Khaliq (KHAH-leek, Arabic)--"creator". One of the names of Allah.
• Qadir (KAH-deer, Arabic)--"able". Another of the names of Allah.
• Qais (kah-ees, Arabic)
• Qasim (KAH-sim, Arabic)--"one who shares"
• Quanah (KWAH-nah, Comanche)--"fragrant"
• Quidel (kee-DEL, Spanish)--from Mapuche "torch"
• Quillan (KWIL-lan, English)--from Irish patronymic, "holly"
• Quim (KEEM, Catalan, Portuguese)--short form of Joaquim
• Quintillus (KWIN-til-lus, Latin)--"little Quintus"
• Quintus (KWIN-tus, Latin)--"fifth"
• Qusay (koo-SYE, Arabic)--also transliterated as Qusai.
• Rafiq (rah-FEEK, Arabic)--"friend"
• Shafiq (shah-FEEK, Arabic)--"compassionate"
• Tariq (TAH-rik, Arabic)--"one who knocks"
• Tawfiq (taw-FEEK, Arabic)--"good luck"

Girls:

• Qadira (kah-DEER-ah, Arabic)--feminine of Qadir
• Qiana (kee-AH-nah, [American] English)--from the synthetic fabric
• Quena (KWAY-nah, [archaic] English)--from Old English, "woman, queen"
• Quenilda (kwen-IL-dah, [archaic] English)--from Old English, "queen-battle". Other forms include Quenell & Quenilla.
• Queniva (KWAY-niv-ah, kwen-EE-vah, [archaic] English)--from Old English, "queen-gift"
• Queralt (keh-RAHL, Catalan)--Marian name, from a Spanish mountain sanctuary
• Quetzali (ket-SAH-lee, Spanish)--from Nahuatl, "feather". Also spelled Quetzalli.
• Quezia (keh-ZEE-ah, Portuguese)--form of Keziah
• Quintina (kwin-TEE-nah, Latin)--feminine of Quintin.
• Quinturay (keen-too-RYE, Spanish)--from Mapuche, "seeking flowers"
• Rahiq (rah-HEEK, Arabic)--"nectar"

Unisex:

• Qamar (kah-MAHR, Arabic)--"moon"
• Quinlan (KWIN-lan, English)--from Irish patronymic, "beautiful shape"

A great number of Inuit language names (Greenlandic, Inuktitut, etc) also seem to begin/end/contain Q, but verifying the accuracy of such names online, as well as pronunciation, has proven difficult. :(

A Few Gems

Woo! Time for another theoretical names post (I have a lot of fun with these).
Lots of gemstone- & other mineralogical-type names are/have been used in English. Ruby, Jasper, Jade, Opal, Pearl, Amber, Emery, & Coral are all pretty recognizable, and several more have been in rarer use as well--Amethyst, Garnet, Celestine, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, Hyacinth, Beryl.
And so, here are a few more gems & minerals that could be used as names, IMO.

• Agate (AG-at, English; ah-GAHT, French)
• Ametrine (AM-eh-treen)
• Barytes (bah-RYE-teez) [archaic]
• Cadmia (KAD-mee-ah) [archaic]
• Chalcedony (kal-SED-oh-nee)
• Citrine (SIT-reen, SIT-rin)
• Covelline (KOH-vel-leen)
• Euclase (YOO-clays)
• Galena (gah-LEE-nah, gah-LEH-nah)
• Jacinth (JAY-sinth, jah-SINTH)
• Olivine (OL-ih-veen)
• Peridot (PEHR-ih-doh, PEHR-ih-dot)
• Tourmaline (TOHR-mah-leen, TOOR-mah-leen)

Gemstones in other languages (asterisks indicate established names):

• Ágata (AH-gah-tah, Spanish, Portuguese, Galician)--"agate". Italian is Agata (ah-GAH-tah) [also a form of Agatha].
• Ametista (ah-meh-TEES-tah, Italian)--"amethyst". Spanish is Amatista.
• Azurita (ah-soo-REE-tah, Spanish)--"azurite"
• Berillo (beh-REEL-loh, Italian)--"beryl"
• Biyu (bee-yoo, Mandarin [碧玉])--"jasper" [lit. "blue jade"]
• Lazurit (lah-ZOO-reet, Russian [лазурит])--"lapis lazuli". Japanese is Ruri (roo-ree) [ 琉璃--lit. "sulfur(?) glass"]
• Maragda (mah-RAHG-dah, Catalan)--"emerald". Spanish & Portuguese is Esmeralda* (fem).
• Mercan* (mehr-JAHN, Turkish, feminine)--"coral"
• Meripihka (MEHR-ih-pihh-kah, [the H is not silent] Finnish)--"amber"
• Nilam* (NEE-lam, Hindi, unisex)--"sapphire". Portuguese is Safira.
• Olivina (oh-lee-VEE-nah, Italian)--"olivine, peridot"
• Rubin (roo-BEEN, Czech, Danish, Dutch, German....)--"ruby". Italian is Rubino* (masculine).
• Yeşim* (yeh-SHEEM, Turkish, feminine)--"jade". Italian is Giada* (JAH-dah, feminine); Russian is Nefrit (NEH-freet) [нефрит].

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Carrie/Kari

The usual nickname for the classic Caroline, Carrie also has a timeless feel, although its use as a given name  has tanked over the last three decades. Her cousin Kari ("kah-ree", not "kehr-ee"), originally a nickname for Katarina, had a brief spike in the 70/80s, and I'm honestly surprised she's so rare now.
There're surprisingly few names that lead to Carrie, at least in my accent, and I imagine that can vary greatly by region. So, I'm combining Carrie & Kari into a list for both:

• Caridad (kah-ree-DAHD, Spanish)--"charity"
• Carita (kah-REE-tah, Scandinavian)
• Carlota (kahr-LOH-tah, Portuguese, Spanish)--form of Charlotte. Italian form is Carlotta.
• Carme (KAHR-meh, Catalan)--form of Carmen
• Carola (kah-ROH-lah, Italian, German, Scandinavian). Also spelled Karola.
• Hikari (hee-kah-ree, Japanese)--"light". Unisex form is Hikaru.
• Inkeri (EEN-keh-ree, Finnish)--form of Ingrid.
• Karella (kah-REL-lah, Scandinavian)--feminine of Karel/Karl/Charles
• Karesinda (kah-reh-SEEN-dah, Esperanto)--"worthy of caress"
• Karima (kah-REE-mah, Arabic)--"noble"
• Karishma (kah-RISH-mah, Hindi)--"miracle"
• Karstine (kar-STEE-neh, German)--form of Christine
• Kerensa (keh-REN-zah, Cornish)--"love"
• Kerttuli (KEHR-too-lee, Finnish)--form of Gertrude
• Macaria (mah-KAH-ree-ah, Portuguese, Spanish)--from Latin, "blessed"

Same Name?!--Henry

Oh, Henry; handsome Henry. His usage may have waned for a few decades, but he's never fallen out of the top 150. With dozens of namesakes, including several royals from a few different nations, it's no surprise that he's spread throughout the Western world, and is always in style.

Original Germanic form: Heimirich (HYE-mih-rikh)
Latinized form: Henricus (HEN-rih-kus)
English form: Henry (HEN-ree)

Other forms:

• Anraí (AHN-ree)--Irish
• Arrigo (ahr-REE-goh)--Italian
• Eanrig (EN-rik)--Scottish
• Endika (en-dee-kah)--Basque
• Enric (en-REEK)--Catalan
• Enrico (en-REE-koh)--Italian
• Enrique (en-REE-kay)--Spanish
• Harris (HEHR-ris)--English (via Harry)
• Harry (HEHR-ree)--Medieval English
• Heikki (HAYK-kee)--Finnish
• Heinrich (HINE-rikh)--German
• Hendrik (HEN-drik)--Dutch
• Henri (awn-REE)--French

Now to make things a bit tricker, there's the Germanic name Emmerich. It could be derived from Heimirich/Henry, but it could also come from Ermenrich or Amalrich. Most likely, the three similar names all got muddled into one, much like Guy/Vitus in ancient times, or Amelia/Emilia in modern English.

So, because the derivation is less clear, I've listed Emmerich's variants separately. Some linguists hold them equivalent to Henry; some don't.  

• Amaury (ah-moh-REE)--French
• Américo (ah-MEH-ree-koh)--Spanish, Portuguese
• Amerigo (ah-MEHR-ih-goh)--Italian
• Émeric (aym-REEK)--French
• Emery (EM-er-ee)--English
• Imre (EEM-reh)--Hungarian
• Imrich (IM-rikh)--Slovak

Marian Names

A new, expanded version of this post can now be found here!
Thanks for visiting my blog! :D





I did a quick Google search, and was surprised to not find much by the way of Marian name lists. Marian names are used to honor the Virgin Mary, in cultures where actual saint names are too holy to use. They are thus most common in Roman Catholic areas, particularly Spanish, but exist in other regions, too. Some are concepts; many are place-names; others are seemingly random nouns; but all have some connection to the Virgin Mary.
And, like many lists, they're nearly all feminine.

• Abene (ah-beh-neh, Basque)--"pillar"
• África (AH-free-kah, Spanish)--"Africa"
• Ainhoa (eye-noh-ah, Basque)--poss. "little place"
• Alazne (ah-lahs-neh, Basque)--"miracle"
• Almudena (ahl-moo-DEH-nah, Spanish)--from Arabic, "citadel"
• Angustias (ahn-GOOST-ee-ahs, Spanish)--"anguish"
• Annunziata (ahn-noon-TSYAH-tah, Italian)--"annunciation"
• Araceli (ah-rah-SEH-lee, Spanish)--from Latin, "altar of the sky"
• Arantzazu (ah-rahnt-sah-soo, Basque)--"thornbush". Variant is Arantxa (ah-rahnt-shah).
• Asunción (ah-soon-see-OHN, Spanish)--"assumption". Other forms are Assunta (ah-SOON-tah, Italian), Assumpció (ah-soomp-see-OH, Catalan), Assumpta (ah-SUMP-tah, Latin), and Asun (ah-SOON, Spanish).
• Candelaria (kan-deh-LAH-ree-ah, Spanish)--"Candlemas". Variants include Cande (KAHN-deh), Candelas (kahn-DEH-las), & Candela (kahn-DEH-lah). Masculine is Candelario. 
• Carmel (KAHR-mel, English; kahr-MEHL, Spanish)--from Hebrew, "garden". Catalan form is Carme (KAHR-meh). 
• Conceptión (kon-sep-see-OHN, Spanish)--"conception"
• Consolata (kohn-soh-LAH-tah, Italian)--"consolation"
• Consuelo (kohn-SWEH-loh, Spanish)--"consolation". Variants are Consuela and Chelo (CHE-loh). 
• Dolores (doh-LOH-rehs, English, Spanish)--"sorrows". Variants include Lola (LOH-lah, English, Spanish), Dolors (doh-LORZ, Catalan), and Dores (DOR-ez, Portuguese). 
• Edurne (eh-door-neh, Basque)--"snow". Masculine is Edur.
• Encarnación (en-kahr-nah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"incarnation"
• Fátima (FAH-tee-mah, Portuguese, Spanish)--from Arabic, "abstaining"
• Guadalupe (gwah-dah-LOO-peh, Spanish)--from Arabic, "wolf river" [unisex]. Variants are Lupe and Lupita. 
• Idoya (ee-DOY-ah, Spanish)--from Basque, "pond"
• Ihinzta (ee-heen-sah, Basque)--"dew"
• Iker (ee-kehr, Basque)--"visitation" [masculine]
• Inmaculada (een-mah-koo-LAH-dah, Spanish)--"immaculate"
• Itziar (eet-see-ahr, Basque, Spanish)--poss. "old stone". Variant is Icíar (ee-SEE-ahr).
• Loreto (loh-REH-toh, Italian)--from Latin, "laurel" [unisex]. Variant is Loreta (loh-REH-tah). 
• Lourdes (LOOR-dehs, Spanish)--Town in France, origin unknown.
• Luz (LOOS, Spanish)--"light"
• Macarena (mah-kah-REH-nah, Spanish)--poss. from Latin, "blessed"
• Madonna (mah-DON-nah, English)--from Italian, "my lady"
• Maolmoire (mool-MOY-reh, Scottish)--"servant of Mary" [masculine]
• Maris (MEHR-is, MAH-ris, English)--from Latin, "of the sea"
• Maristela (mah-ree-STEH-lah, Spanish, Portuguese)--from Latin Stella Maris "star of the sea".
• Mercedes (mehr-SEH-dehs, Spanish)--"mercies". Catalan form is Mercè (mehr-SAY). 
• Meritxell (mur-eet-CHEL, Catalan)--from Latin, "midday"
• Milagros (mee-LAH-grohs, Spanish)--"miracles"
• Nagore (nah-goh-reh, Basque)--Town in Spain, origin unknown.
• Naiara (nah-yah-rah, Basque)--from Arabic, "between rocks". Also spelled Nayara.
• Nekane (neh-kah-neh, Basque)--"sorrows"
• Nieves (nee-EHV-ehs, Spanish)--"snows". Other forms include Neus (NEH-oos, Catalan), Neves (NEH-ves, Portuguese) and Nives (NEE-ves, Italian)
• Núria (NOOR-ee-ah, Catalan)--poss. from Arabic, "light"
• Osane (oh-sah-neh, Basque)--"remedy"
• Panagiota (pah-nah-YOT-ah, Greek)--"all holy". Masculine is Panagiotis.
• Paz (PAHS, Spanish)--"peace"
• Pilar (pee-LAHR, Spanish)--"pillar"
• Queralt (keh-RAHL, Catalan)--poss. "high rock"
• Remedios (reh-MEH-dee-ohs, Spanish)--"remedies"
• Remei (reh-MAY, Catalan)--"remedy"
• Reyes (REH-yes, Spanish)--"kings" [unisex]
• Rocío (roh-SEE-oh, Spanish)--"dew"
• Rosaria (roh-ZAHR-yah, Italian)
• Rosario (roh-ZAHR-yoh, Italian; roh-SAH-ree-oh, Spanish)--"rosary" [masculine in Italian]. Variants include Charo (CHAH-roh, Spanish), Rosaria (roh-ZAHR-yah, Italian) and Roser (roh-ZAY, Catalan). 
• Socorro (soh-KOH-roh, Spanish)--"help"
• Soledad (soh-leh-DAHD, Spanish)--"solitude"
• Sorne (sohr-neh, Basque)--"conception"
• Uxue (oo-shoo-eh, Basque)--"dove"
• Visitación (vee-see-tah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"visitation"

Same Name?!?--Charles/Charlotte

It's funny how feminine forms come about. Different languages of course have different masculine & feminine indicators, but quite often a masculine name gets new feminine forms in a different languages despite having an established feminine form in its language of origin. This is one reason the feminine forms of classic names can look quite dissimilar, even though the masculine forms are quite similar, or even the same (the other reason is that, historically, daughters were named after fathers fairly often, but boys almost never after their mothers).
Joseph has Josepha, Josefina, Jozika, Josée, Josephine, Giuseppa; Henry has Henrietta, Heinrike, Hendrika, Henna, Enrica. Charles is no exception.

In this case, however, the translation gets rather interesting. Charles is the French form of the Germanic Karl which means "free man" (that is, neither a noble or a serf), so the technical translation of Charlotte and other feminine forms is the same. The more placating baby-name books & websites often change it to "womanly", but that simply isn't accurate. There was no Germanic feminine equivalent of Karl. "Free" was a purely masculine quality at that point--women were either wives or daughters, not independent individuals.
A more faithful modern translation, therefore, isn't "womanly", it's "free person" or "citizen".

Original Germanic form: Karl (KAHRL)
Latinized form: Carolus (kah-ROH-lus)
French form: Charles (SHAHRL)

Other forms:

• Carles (KAHR-les)--Catalan
• Carlo (KAHR-loh)--Italian
• Kaarlo (KAAHR-loh)--Finnish
• Kale (KAH-leh)--Hawaiian
• Karel (KAH-rel)--Czech, Dutch
• Károly (KAH-roy)--Hungarian
• Séarlas (SHAHR-las)--Irish
• Siarl (SHAHRL)--Welsh

• Carla (KAHR-lah)--Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish...
• Carlota (kahr-LOH-tah)--Spanish, Portuguese
• Carlotta (kahr-LOHT-tah)--Italian
• Carol (KEHR-ol)--English [formerly masculine]
• Carola (kah-ROH-lah)--Dutch, German, Italian
• Carole (kahr-OHL)--French
• Carolien (kah-roh-LEEN)--Dutch
• Carolina (kehr-oh-LYE-nah)--English
• Carolina (kah-roh-LEE-nah)--Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
• Caroline (KEHR-oh-line)--English
• Caroline (kah-loh-LEEN)--French
• Carolyn (KEHR-oh-lin)--English
• Charline (shahr-LEEN)--English, French
• Charlotte (SHAHR-lot)--English
• Charlotte (shahr-LOHT)--French
• Charlotte (shahr-LAW-teh)--Dutch, German
• Séarlait (SHAHR-lat)--Irish

Same Name?!--George

George. It's one of those names where the consensus is split pretty evenly--some think it's purely boring, stodgy old-man, and some think it's stately & timeless. George caught on pretty early because of a dragon-slaying saint, first primarily in Eastern Christianity, and then spreading to the western world during the crusades. It even became moderately used for women for a while in the 1930s & 40s. 

Original Greek form: Georgios [Γεωργιος] (gee-OR-gee-ohs)

Modern forms:

• Deorsa (JOR-sa)--Scottish
• Đurađ (JOOR-ahj)--Croatian, Serbian. Also spelled Djuradj or Juraj.
• Gevorg (gev-org or kev-ork)--Armenian. Also transliterated to Kevork.
• Giorgio (JOR-joh)--Italian
• Gorka (GOR-kah)--Basque
• György (DYOOR-dyeh)--Hungarian
• Jerzy (YEHR-zheh)--Polish
• Jordi (JOR-dee)--Catalan
• Jorgen (YOR-gen)--Scandinavian
• Jorge (ZHOR-zheh)--Portuguese
• Jorge (HOR-heh)--Spanish
• Joris (YOR-is)--Dutch
• Jory (JOH-ree)--Cornish
• Seoirse (SHOR-sheh)--Irish
• Seoras (SHOR-as)--Scottish
• Siôr (SHOR)--Welsh
• Xurxo (SHOOR-shah)--Galician
• Yorick (YOR-ik)--English (via Jorgen)
• Yuriy (YOO-ree)--Russian. Also spelled Yuri.

Feminine Forms:

• Đurđica (joor-JEE-tsah)--Croatian
• Georgeta (jor-JET-ah)--Romanian
• Georgette (zhor-ZHET)--French
• Georgia (JOR-jah)--English
• Gergana (gehr-GAHN-ah)--Bulgarian
• Jirina (YEE-ree-nah)--Czech

X Marks the Spot

Like J & K, Xs are relatively rare in English words, and so they're memorable & eye-catching. Unlike J & K, however, it's hard to find (or adapt) acceptable names containing X. One small problem is that X's pronunciation varies greatly from language to language. But, if you don't mind correcting people, there are quite a few fun X names out there.

Boys:

• Ajax (AY-jaks, Greek)
• Anxo (AN-shah, Galician)--form of Angel
• Axel (AKS-el, German, Scandinavian)--form of Absolom
• Dax (DAKS, English)--from Old English Dæcca, "day"
• Dexter (DEKS-ster, English)
• Felix (FEE-liks or FEHL-iks, Latin)--"lucky"
• Ganix (JAHN-eesh, Basque)--form of John
• Lennox (LEN-oks, Scottish)
• Mannix (MAN-niks, Irish)--Anglicized from either Mainchin or Mag Aonghuis
• Ximun (SHEE-mun, Basque)--form of Simon

Girls:

• Arantxa (ah-RANT-shah, Basque)
• Axelle (aks-EL-leh, French)--feminine of Axel
• Beatrix (BEE-ah-triks, or BEH-ah-triks, Latin)--"traveller"
• Eudoxia (yu-DOKS-ee-ah, Greek)--"good fame" 
• Itxaro (eet-SHAH-roh, Basque)--"hope"
• Ixchel (ee-SHEL, Mayan)--Mayan goddess of the earth, medicine, and the moon
• Meritxell (mur-eet-CHEL, Catalan)--"midday"
• Polyxena (pol-ih-KSEE-ah, Greek)--"much hospitality"
• Roxelana (roks-el-AH-nah, Turkish)
• Ruxandra (rewks-AN-drah, Romanian)--form of Roxana, "dawn"
• Uxia (oo-SHEE-ah, Basque)--form of Eugenia
• Xanthe (ZAN-theh or ZAN-thee, Greek)
• Xenia (KSEN-ya or ZEN-ee-ah, Greek)
• Xiomara (see-oh-MAHR-ah, Spanish)
• Xoana (shoh-AW-nah, Galician)--form of John

Either!:

• Alexis (ah-LEKS-ish, Greek)--"defender"
• Calix (CAHL-iks, Latin)
• Lux (LEWKS, Latin)--"light"
• Pax (PAKS, Latin)--"peace"
• Phoenix (FEE-niks, Greek)
• Xuan (sooun, Vietnamese)--"spring"
• Xue (shooeh, Chinese)--"snow" or "learning"
• Xun (shooen, Chinese)--"fast, sudden"

Same Name?!--Anna

Poor Anne is often held as the epitome of 'boring' names. And yet, she's also one of the most common contributors to compound names (e.g. Leanne, Marianne, Roseanna, Anneliese). Easy to say, with a sweet meaning, and a Biblical namesake, it's no wonder that Anna has been popular throughout the ages and all over the world.

Original Hebrew form: Channah [חַנָּ] (khah-nah)
Greek transliteration: Anna (AHN-nah)
English transliteration: Hannah (HAN-nah)


Modern versions:

• Anaïs (ah-nah-EES)--French, Catalan
• Aneta (ah-NET-ah)--Czech, Polish
• Anika, Annika (AH-nee-kah)--German, Dutch, Scandinavian
• Aniko (AW-nee-ko)--Hungarian
• Anina (ah-NEE-nah)--German
• Anita (ah-NEE-tah)--Spanish, Portuguese
• Annag (AHN-nak)--Scottish
• Annette (an-NET)--French
• Annick (AHN-eek)--Breton
• Anouk (ah-NOOK)--Dutch, French
• Anu (AH-noo)--Estonian, Finnish
• Anya (AHN-ya)--Russian
• Hana (HAH-nah)--Croatian, Czech
• Hania (HAHN-yah)--Polish
• Nancy (NAN-see)--English
• Ninon (nee-NOHN)--French
• Ona (OH-nah)--Lithuanian

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Mia

Mia. At just three letters, it's easily the shortest female name in common usage today. That's probably why, despite it's overwhelming world-wide popularity, it still feels incomplete to many an expectant parent. Originally, Mia was a nickname for Maria, but in modern English (when not used by itself) it's more likely a nickname for the fast-on-the-comeback Amelia.

• Damiana (dah-mee-AH-nah, Italian)--feminine form of Damian
• Demetria (de-MEE-tree-ah, Greek)
• Efimia (eh-FEE-mee-ah, Greek)--"speaks well". Modern form of Euphemia.
• Miela (mee-EL-ah, Esperanto)
• Milena (mee-LEH-nah, Czech, Italian, Polish, Russian)
• Millaray (mee-ah-RYE, Spanish)--from Mapuche, "golden flower"
• Miranda (meer-AN-dah, English)--"wonderful"
• Mireia (mee-RAY-ah, Catalan)
• Miriam (MEE-ree-am, Hebrew)--original form of Mary
• Miruna (mee-ROO-nah, Romanian)
• Miyako (mee-yah-koh, Japanese)--"beautiful night child"
• Noemia (no-EHM-ee-ah, Portuguese)--form of Naomi
• Salomea (sah-lom-EE-ah, Polish)--"peace"

Same Name?!--Jacob

Jacob--a seeming contradiction; both traditional and trendy. It was a top name back when the SSA started keeping track over 120 years ago, but was steadily on the decline. For some reason, it shot back to the top in the 1970s, and has been there ever since. Jacob wasn't exactly the most honorable of Biblical characters to be sure, but he has that eye-catching J up front, that fun-to-say 'ay', that crisp 'c', and that rare 'ob' ending. The mixture of familiar and unusual is probably what's kept him so appealing for so long. Jacob is also the original form of another perennial boys' name--James.

Original Hebrew form: Ya'aqov [יַעֲקֹב] (ya-ah-kov)
Greek form: Iacobus [ Ιακωβος] (ya-COH-boos)
Later Latin form: Iacomus (YA-coh-moos)

Modern versions:

• Cobus (KOH-bus)--Dutch
• Diego (dee-AY-go)--Spanish (via Santiago, an elision of Santo [Saint] Yago)
• Giacomo (JAH-koh-moh)--Italian
• Hamish (HAY-mish)--Scottish (from James)
• Iago (ee-AH-goh)--Galician & Welsh
• Jacques (ZHAHK)--French
• Jago (JAY-goh)--Cornish
• Jaime (HYE-may)--Spanish (from James)
• Jaime (ZHIME)--Portuguese (from James)
• James (JAYMZ)--English (via the late Latin Iacomus)
• Japik (YAH-pik)--Frisian
  
• Jaume (ZHOW-meh)--Catalan (from James)
• Jem (JEM)--medieval English (from James)
• Kimo (kee-moh)--Hawaiian (from James)
• Seamus (SHAY-mus)--Irish (from James)
• Tiago (tee-AH-go)--Portuguese (via Santiago)
• Xanti (SHAHN-tee)--Basque (via Santiago)
• Yago (YAH-goh)--Spanish
• Yacov (YAH-kof)--Bulgarian & Russian
  

Feminine forms:

• Giachetta (jah-KET-tah)--Italian
• Jacomina (ZHAK-oh-mee-nah)--Dutch
• Jacqueline (zhak-a-LEEN)--French
• Jamesina (JAY-meh-SEE-nah)--Scottish (from James)
• Jayma (JAY-mah)--English (from James)
• Zaklina (zhak-LEE-nah)--Croatian & Polish