Smash-Names

You might have noticed that there is new generator button!
I've been fascinated for a while about what makes a good "smash-name". Although many people think they hate them, there are quite a few that predate the current -ley & -lyn craze (Marlene, Marilyn, Rosanna, etc), and that aren't even thought of as "smash-names" anymore.
I set out to try and come up with more classic-sounding, potentially usable smash-ups, and decided eventually to just make a new generator out of it.

It's definitely still a work in progress (for instance, I've yet to come up with an elegant way to avoid names like 'Annanna' or 'Lauranora'), but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

http://rosesandcellardoors.blogspot.com/p/smash-name-generator.html

My favorite "new" names include Margalise, Gretaflor, Kathelore, Evalou, and Tildalise. :)

Potential -ianas and -inas

We get lots of our modern names from Latin--no denying that! And many of them are obviously closely related--Lucia & Luciana, Paula & Paulina, Julia & Juliana, etc. While -ina is usually considered a diminutive nowadays, back then, it was a suffix of possession or origin, as was -iana. So, Luciana = "like/of Lucia/Lucius/light"; and Paulina = "like/of Paula/Paulus/a small thing".
We already have a lot of these pairs, but since -ana is a rather trendy ending right now, I though it'd be fun to see if there's any we've forgotten, or possibly have never been used.
(there doesn't seem to be a hard rule for when words/names get -iana and when they get -ina. Usually -ia names become -iana and anything else is -ina, but not always. There's also a third suffix, -ana, but that one's pretty uncommon.)

• Aetiana, Aetina; from Aetius
• Amabiliana, Amabilina; from Amabilia 
• Amandina; from Amanda 
• Amantina, Amantiana; from Amantis 
• Amatina; from Amata 
• Appiana; from Appius
• Atiliana, Atilina; from Atilius
• Aulina, Auliana; from Aulus
• Aureana, Aurina; from Aurea 
• Aurorina, Auroriana; from Aurora 
• Aviliana, Avilina; from Avilia
• Avitina; from Avitus
• Beatina; from Beata
• Caeciliana/Ceciliana; from Caecilia/Cecilia
• Caeliana/Celiana; from Caelia/Celia
• Camilliana, Camillina; from Camilla
• Cardeana, Cardina; from Cardea 
• Cassiana; from Cassius
• Celsina; from Celsus
• Clarina, Clariana; from Clara
• Claudiana, Claudina; from Claudia
• Cloelina, Cloeliana; from Cloelia
• Concordina; from Concordia 
• Corneliana; from Cornelia
• Drusina; from Drusa
• Drusilliana, Drusillina; from Drusilla
• Duiliana, Duilina; from Duilius
• Egeriana; from Egeria
• Eliciana; from Elicius
• Eligiana, Eligina; from Eligius
• Emerentina; from Emerentius
• Fulviana; from Fulvia
• Gallina, Galliana; from Gallus
• Hilariana; from Hilaria
• Janina/Ianina; from Janus/Ianus
• Jovina/Iovina, Joviana/Ioviana; from Jove/Iovis
• Juniana/Iuniana; from Junia/Iunia
• Laeliana; from Laelia
• Laurina, Lauriana; from Laura
• Luciliana; from Lucilius
• Marciana, Marcina; from Marcia
• Maurina; from Maurus
• Naeviana/Neviana, Naevina/Nevina; from Naevius/Nevio
• Octaviana; from Octavia
• Olivina; from Oliva
• Patriciana; from Patricia
• Priscina; from Prisca
• Priscilliana, Priscillina; from Priscilla
• Remigiana; from Remigius
• Remina; from Remus
• Sabelliana, Sabellina; from Sabellius
• Silviana/Sylviana, Silvina/Sylvina; from Silvia/Sylvia
• Tulliana; from Tullius
• Ursina; from Ursa
• Variana; from Varius
• Victoriana; from Victoria
• Vitina, Vitiana; from Vitus

If you want an -iana that's a bit less "out-there" but still uncommon, I did an earlier post here. :)

Franken-Names II--The Mutations

Yeah, no points for originality for me this year. But, although they're not generally my own style, I do find combination-names interesting. As a result, this year's Halloween post is a simply a sequel to last year's.

Franken-Names II--The Mutations
*suspenseful music*
In a bizarre development, names have not only evolved that are hybrids of two established names, but are the monstrous amalgamations of word and suffix...of name and random sounds.

Just joking...mostly. Taking words and slightly tweaking them to sound more "name-like" has been going on for about as long as language has existed, no matter how much it's usually looked down upon now. And elaborating/combining established names is definitely nothing new.
Some of these names are quite established, and it'd be interesting to see which of the newer ones survive & become "traditional" in a couple generations. But, I do freely admit there're many I hope are never given to any child ever again!
These were all given to at least 5 girls last year.

• Abrianna
• Adiana
• Alexiana
• Aliana
• Aliciana
• Alyla
• Amberly
• Amberlyn
• Analia
• Analicia
• Anasofia
• Andelyn
• Andriana
• Andrielle
• Angelette
• Angelise
• Annabeth
• Annalee
• Annalisa
• Annalise
• Annalynn
• Annamarie
• Asialynn
• Asianna
• Aubria
• Aubrianna
• Aubrielle
• Aubrina
• Aubryn
• Audria
• Audriana
• Audrielle
• Avalee
• Avalyn
• Aviana
• Avrianna
• Bailyn
• Blakelyn
• Brandalyn
• Brantley
• Brecklyn
• Breelyn
• Breeza
• Brianda
• Briasia
• Bricelyn
• Britley
• Britlyn
• Brynlynn
• Caliana
• Cambrielle
• Caralee
• Carlianna
• Charlianne
• Chaselynn
• Chazlynn
• Christasia
• Coralyn
• Corianna
• Cortasia
• Dakayla
• Daneen
• Danilynn
• Darielle
• Darlene
• Davianna
• Dayleen
• Daylin
• Doreen
• Dreama
• Emberly
• Emberlyn
• Emlyn
• Emmalise
• Evalee
• Evalette
• Evalyse
• Everlyn
• Eviana
• Faithlynn
• Faylinn
• Gabrianna
• Gracelyn
• Graelyn
• Hazelyn
• Icelynn
• Ivyonna
• Jacelyn
• Jadalee
• Jadelyn
• Jakayla
• Jakaylee
• Janasia
• Janelyn
• Janessa
• Jayana
• Jaydence
• Jayliana
• Jazlyn
• Jennalee
• Jennalise
• Jennalyn
• Jennavecia
• Jerilyn
• Jerriona
• Jessalyn
• Jilliana
• Joelliane
• Jolene
• Jolette
• Jolisa
• Jolynn
• Josanna
• Joshlyn
• Joycelyn
• Joyden
• Joyelle
• Joylynn
• Kadelyn
• Kaisley
• Kalinda
• Kambryn
• Karianna
• Karielle
• Kaselyn
• Kashley
• Kashlynn
• Katiana
• Katilyn
• Kayana
• Kaybree
• Kaydree
• Kaylee
• Kayleen
• Kayleena
• Kayliana
• Kendalyn
• Kenlyn
• Kenyanna
• Kimberlyn
• Kimbree
• Krislyn
• Kristalyn
• Lakely
• Lakelyn
• Laken
• Lauralynn
• Layliana
• Loriana
• Loveleen
• Lovelynn
• Lovette
• Lydianna
• Lynelle
• Lynlee
• Macilynn
• Madilee
• Makaylee
• Makaylin
• Makendra
• Makyla
• Marilyn
• Markayla
• Marvela
• Mayla
• Maylee
• Maylin
• Miabella
• Mianna
• Milliana
• Myalynn
• Nakayla
• Nashly
• Natalina
• Natalynn
• Nevaehlynn
• Novalee
• Novalynn
• Oliviana
• Paitlyn
• Queena
• Rayanna
• Reginae
• Rocklyn
• Royelle
• Shaelyn
• Shayden
• Shaylee
• Shaylene
• Sherilyn
• Shylee
• Shylynn
• Skyla
• Skylee
• Skyleen
• Skylynn
• Skyra
• Soliana
• Sophianna
• Sophina
• Starla
• Starlene
• Starlynn
• Summerlyn
• Takayla
• Tamryn
• Taralynn
• Terriana
• Tesslyn
• Timberly
• Timberlyn
• Torianna
• Travionna
• Weslyn
• Zakayla
• Zaliyah

I Am Going to Hell....

You may have noticed a new page up there a day or so ago.^^
I was inspired by a couple recently-spotted modern names, brushed up on my Java, and came up with this:

The Modern Name Generator


Thanks to Niels over at Name-Generators.com for his tutorial & starting script!

Breaking the Patterns, Part 1

Earlier this week I added to my SSA analysis, discovering trends and sounds that describe American names. Knowing what most people are drawn to means one has a better shot of avoiding a "boring" or trendy-sounding name.

The average American boys' name:

• Is 4-7 letters long
• Ends in N, R, S, or a vowel-sound
• Will likely start with  J, A, D, C, M, K, R, B, T, or L.
• Contains the vowels A and/or E.

The average American girls' name:

• Is 5-7 letters long
• Ends in a vowel sound, usually "ah" or "ee", or in N.
• Will likely start with A, M, K, J, or L.
• Contains A, and E or I.

While I doubt that a future parent will narrow their name list to ones don't fit the above criteria, it's a good starting point to find a truly stand-out name. Onto the inevitable lists:

Boys:

• Basil (BAH-sil, Arabic; or BAZ-il, English)
• Briscoe (BRIS-ko, English)
• Burke (BURK, English)
• Caius (KYE-us, Latin)
• Christoph/Kristof (KRIS-tof, German/Hungarian)
• Ciro (SEE-roh, Spanish; or CHEE-roh, Italian)--form of Cyrus
• Clement (KLEM-ent, English)
• Colm (COL-um, Irish)--"dove"
• Conleth (CON-leth, Irish)
• Elek (EL-ek, Hungarian)--form of Alexis
• Ezio (ETZ-ee-oh, Italian)--"eagle"
• Ford (FOHRD, English)
• Frey (FRAY, Norse)
• Gero (GEH-roh, German)--"spear"
• Giles (JILES, English)
• Griffith (GRIF-fith, Welsh)--anglicized from Gruffudd
• Gwillym/Gwillim (GWIL-lem, Welsh)--form of William
• Hemming (HEM-ming, Scandinavian)--"shape-changer" 
• Hugh (HEW, English)
• Ivor (EE-vohr or EYE-vor, Irish & Scottish)
• Menno (MEN-noh, German)
• Merrick (MEHR-rik, English)
• Murdoch (MUR-dok, Scottish)
• Nye (NYE, Welsh)
• Omri (OHM-ree, Hebrew)
• Orfeo (or-FAY-oh, Italian & Spanish)
• Otto (OT-toh, Germanic)
• Priam (PREE-am, Greek)
• Roald (ROO-all or ROE-ald, Norwegian)
• Rurik (RUR-ik, Russian)--form of Roderick
• Savio (SAH-vee-oh, Italian)--"clever"
• Sem (SEM, Dutch)--form of Biblical Shem
• Somerled (SOM-er-led, Scottish)--"summer traveller". Sometimes anglicized to Sorley.
• Tygo (TYE-goh, Dutch)--form of Greek Tycho. Swedish form is Tyko.

Girls:

• Beryl (BEHR-il, English)--a type of gemstone
• Bertille (behr-TEE, French)
• Celeste (sehl-EST, French)--"heavenly"
• Chryseis (krih-SAY-is, Greek)--"golden"
• Dilys (DIL-is, Welsh)--"genuine"
• Dione (dee-OH-nay, Greek)
• Echo (EH-koh, Greek)
• Emer (EE-mur, Irish)--"swift"
• Eris (EHR-is, Greek)--goddess of chaos
• Eseld (ES-ehld, Cornish)--form of Isolde
• Esen (ES-en, Turkish)--"the wind"
• Eydis (AY-dees, Icelandic)
• Fen (FEN, Chinese)--"fragrance"
• Ffion (FEE-on, Welsh)--"rose"
• Idril (ID-ril, Sindarin)--"sparkle-briliance". From J.R.R. Tolkien's invented elvish language.
• Ines (ee-NES, French, Spanish, Italian, & Slovene)--form of Agnes
• Jonquil (JON-kwil, English)--a type of flower
• Josette (zho-ZET, French)--feminine form of Joseph
• Lilou (lee-loo, French)
• Lykki (LEWK-kee, Danish)--"good luck, happiness"
• Neith (NEETH or NAYTH, Greek)--form of Nit, Egyptian goddess of war & hunting.
• Nurit (NOO-reet, Hebrew)--"buttercup" [flower]
• Olwen (OHL-wen, Welsh)
• Pernille (pehr-NEEL-eh, Danish & Norwegian)--modern form of Petronilla
• Peronel (PEHR-o-nel, English)--another form of Petronilla
• Sive (SIVE, Irish)--"sweet, good". Anglicized from Sadb.
• Tempest (TEM-pest, English)--"storm"
• Tinuviel (tin-OO-vee-el, Sindarin)--"nightingale". Another from J.R.R. Tolkien.

Writers Have the Most Fun

As much as I prefer established or historical names for my own kids, I do have to feel bad for parents brave enough to invent names for their children. It takes a bit of guts and confidence, especially if the name doesn't fit into any current trends or patterns, and they're likely to take a lot of crap for it.
When a writer does it, though, it somehow adds credibility to a name. A created name is okay, as long as someone else created it?

Boys:

• Cedric (SED-rik)--Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott
• Figaro (FIH-gar-oh)--"The Barber of Seville", Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais
• Orville (OHR-vil)--"Evelina", Fanny Burney
• Percival (PUR-si-val)--"Perceval, the Story of the Grail", Chrétien de Troyes

Girls:

• Amanda (ah-MAN-dah)--"Love's Last Shift", Colley Cibber
• Arline (ahr-LEEN)--"The Bohemian Girl", Michael William Balfe
• Ayla (AY-lah)--Clan of the Cave Bear, Jean M. Auel
• Cora (COHR-ah)--The Last of the Mohicans, James Fenimore Cooper
• Haidee (HAY-dee)--"Don Juan"; Byron, Lord Tennyson
• Imogen (IM-o-jen)--"Cymbeline", Shakespeare. A two-fer! Shakespeare originally wrote Innogen (Gaelic, "maiden"), but it was misprinted.
• Janice (JAN-is)--Janice Meredith, Paul Leicester Ford
• Jessica (JESS-ih-kah)--"The Merchant of Venice", Shakespeare
• Loredana (loh-reh-DAH-nah)--Mattea, George Sand
• Lorna (LOHR-nah)--Lorna Doone, R. D. Blackmoor
• Lucinda (loo-SIN-dah)--Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes
• Melinda (mel-IN-dah)--"The Recruiting Officer", George Farquhar
• Miranda (meer-AN-dah)--"The Tempest", Shakespeare
• Myra (MYE-rah)--"Myra"; Fulke Greville, Lord Brooke
• Nerissa (nehr-ISS-ah)--"The Merchant of Venice", Shakespeare
• Norma (NOHR-mah)--"Norma", Felice Romani
• Nydia (NID-ee-ah)--The Last Days of Pompeii, Edward Bulwer-Lytton
• Olivia (oh-LIV-ee-ah)--"The Twelfth Night", Shakespeare
• Ophelia (oh-FEE-lee-ah)--"Arcadia", Jacopo Sannazaro
• Pamela (PAM-el-ah)--"Arcadia", Sir Philip Sidney
• Perdita (pur-DEE-tah)--"The Winter's Tale", Shakespeare
• Stella (STEL-lah)--Astrophel and Stella, Sir Philip Sidney
• Vanessa (van-ES-sah)--"Cadenus and Vanessa", Jonathan Swift
• Wendy (WEN-dee)--"Peter Pan", J. M. Barrie

Made-Up Names to the Ekstrema!

Back in the 1880s, L.L. Zamenhof believed that different languages led to division & misunderstanding amongst peoples. He sought to fix that by creating an easy-to-learn, culturally-neutral language to be used in the international community. Nearly 120 years later, Esperanto has over 2 million speakers in 115 countries. It is easily the most common constructed language (sorry, Klingon!), and is used in some schools to prepare students for other foreign language acquisition.
Esperanto baby names are formed by either re-forming a name from another language, or by simply using an Esperanto word. All nouns end in 'o' adjectives in 'a', and verbs in 'i'. Since Esperanto is a created language with no gendered words, any of these words could theoretically be used for either gender.

• Aglo (AH-gloh)--"eagle"
• Alaŭdo (ah-LOUD-oh)--"lark"
• Amika (ah-MEE-kah)--"friendly"
• Ĉiela (chee-EL-ah)--"heavenly"
• Fiera (fee-EHR-ah)--"proud"
• Koralo (koh-RAH-loh)--"coral"
• Katida (kah-TEE-dah)--"kittenish"
• Merita (mer-EE-tah)--"worthy"
• Miela (mee-EL-ah)--"honey-like"
• Pipra (PEEP-rah)--"spicy"
• Rava (RAH-vah)--"ravishing"
• Valora (vahl-OR-ah)--"valuable"

Many names already have established Esperanto equivalents, but if yours doesn't, here's how it goes:

• Esperanto has one sound for every letter and vice-versa.
• There are 5 vowels: A ("father"), E ("get"), I ("ski"), O ("cope"), and U ("glue"). There's a good deal of flexibility.
• C is always soft ("cite"), never hard ("cut").
• Soft 'ch' ("church") will become Ĉ.
• Hard 'ch' ("Zachary") and 'c' ("cut") will become K. 
• G is always hard ("get"), never soft ("giant").
• J or soft G ("giant") will become Ĝ.
• Qu will become Kv.
• S is always soft ("soft"), never hard ("laser").
• Sh will become Ŝ.
• W will either become V, or Ŭ if part of a diphthong (e.g. aw, ow, ew).
• X will become KS.
• Y will become J.
• It may be easier to transcribe the original Latin form or a Romance language form (French, Italian, Spanish, etc).

Here are the top 10 boys' and girls' names from 2010 in Esperanto.

Boys'

• Ajdeno
• Ĝajdeno
• Ĝajkobo
• Kajdeno
• Itano
• Ĝaksono
• Mikelo
• Aleksandro
• Viliemo or Viljemo
• Noa

Girls:

• Sofia
• Izabela or Ezabela
• Olevia or Alevia
• Kloi
• Ema
• Emeli
• Abegajlo (or -a)
• Madesano (or -a)
• Ajva
• Adesano (or -a)

If you're interested in learning more about Esperanto (or just learning it), visit lernu!