'Arl's All Around

Even though it doesn't really lend itself to many nicknames, the "-arl-" sound seems to be on the rise, especially for girls (Charlotte, Charlie, Scarlett, Marley, Harley, Marlowe, Harlow). And there are so many more fun possibilities!
[yes, multiple forms of Charles/Carlos/Carla/Charlotte belong on this list, but there are just so many that I'm only including the really rare ones]

Boys:

• Arlen (AR-len, English)--origin unknown, poss. from Erlend (Norse, "foreigner"), Harlan (Old English, "hare-land" or "hard land"), or Erlwin (Old English, "earl-friend"). Also spelled Arlan.
• Arlind (ar-LIND, Albanian)--"gold-born".
• Arlindo (ar-LIN-doo [short 'oo', like "foot"], Portuguese)--masculine form of Arlinda, prob. from Erlinde "army-shield", or similar Germanic name
• Arlo (AR-loh, English)--from Irish place name Aherlow, prob. "between two high lands", or poss. a form of Harlow (Old English, "army hill" or "rocky hill")
• Carlin (CAR-lin, English)--from Irish surname O'Caireallán, prob. "little warrior". Also Anglicized as Carlan or Carlon.
• Charlot (shar-loh, [archaic] French)--diminutive of Charles. Another form was Charlon (shar-lohn).
• Carlton (KARL-ton, English)--from Old English "freeman-town". Another form is Charlton (CHARL-ton). 
• Garland (GAR-land, English)--from Old English, "triangle land" or "crown, wreath"
• Harlan (HAR-lan, English)--from Old English, prob. "hare land" or "hard land". Also spelled Harland.
• Jarl (YARL, Scandinavian)--"chief". Another form is Jarle (YAHR-leh, Norwegian).
• Karlis (KAR-lis, Scandinavian)--form of Charles. Another form is Kārlis (KAR-lis [rolled R], Latvian).
• Karlmann (KARL-mahn, German)--"freeman"
• Marlon (MAR-lon, English, German, Scandinavian)--origin unknown, poss. a form of Merlin (English, "falcon"), Marcelin (French, diminutive of Marcel/Marcus), or Marland (Old English, "moorland")
• Varlam (VAR-lam, Russian)--form of Barlaam. Also transliterated as Varlaam.

Girls:

• Arla (AR-lah, Scandinavian)--short form of Arnlaug "eagle-promised" [also means "early" in Swedish]
• Arlette (ar-LET, French)--form of Germanic Herleva, poss. "army battle" or "noble battle"; or similar Her/Earl-name.
  Other forms include Arlete (ar-LEH-teh, ar-LEH-chee, Portuguese), Arletta (ar-LET-tah, English) and Arleta (ar-LEH-tah, Polish, Scandinavian).
• Arlinda (ar-LIND-ah, Albanian)--feminine of Arlind, "gold-born"
• Arlinda (ar-LIND-ah, English, Portuguese)--prob. from Germanic Erlinde "army-shield" or similar
• Arline (ar-LEEN, English)--origin uncertain, poss. from the English surname Arline (prob. from Erlwin, "earl-friend", or similar Erl-name) or an invention based on names like Charline and Arlette. Also spelled Arlene or Arleen.
  Other forms include Arlene (ar-LAYN, Swedish; ar-LEH-neh, Norwegian, Finnish), Arlène (ar-LEN, French), and Arlina (ar-LEEN-ah, English, Spanish)
• Carlijn (KAR-line, Dutch)--form of Caroline. Another form is Carlina/Karlina (kar-LEE-nah, German, Scandinavian)
• Darlene (dar-LEEN, English)--from English word 'darling'. Also spelled Darline or Darleen. Another form is Darla.
• Jarla (YAR-lah, Icelandic, Swedish)--feminine of Jarl, "chief"
• Marla (MAR-lah, English)--short form of Marlene/Marlena
• Marloes (mar-LOOS, Dutch)--contraction of Maria Louise
• Marlis (MAR-lees, German; mar-LEES, Dutch)--contraction of Maria Elisabeth. Also spelled Marlies.
• Sarla (SAR-lah, Hindi)--from Sanskrit, "honest, straight"

Unisex:

• Arlie (AR-lee, English)--from Old English "eagle-meadow". Also spelled Arley or Arleigh.

There are also tons of surname and place-names (mostly Old English), that fit the bill (like the modernly-trending Marlowe, Harley, Harlow, Marley, Charleston, etc), for almost every letter of the alphabet. :p

• Arliss / Arlosh
• Barlow
• Carlyon / Carleon
• Carlow
• Darley
• Darlow
• Darlton
• Farlam
• Farley / Varley
• Farlow / Varlow
• Garley / Jarley
• Parley
• Sharland

Un Otro Reto Alfabético

Names ending in "oh" are trending pretty nicely right now, mostly for boys, but definitely a bit for girls as well. The boys' names mostly tend to actually end with -o, but for girls they're more mixed--some -o, some -ot, some -ow/owe.
For some crazy reason, I felt like setting myself another alphabet challenge--for both genders.
The rules are simple: one name for each letter, and it can't be a name I've mentioned before on this blog.

Boys:

• Aro (AH-roh, Swedish, Finnish [trilled R in Finnish])--form of Aaron
• Breno (BREH-noo [short 'oo', like "foot"], Portuguese)--from Latinized Gaelic, prob. "prince" or "raven" [making it a form of either Brendan or Bran]
• Cisco (SIS-koh, Spanish)--short form of Francisco
• Darrow (DEHR-oh, DA-row, Scottish [surname])--prob. from darach "oak"
• Ensio (EN-see-oh, Finnish)--"first"
• Franco (FRAHN-koh, Italian)--form of Frank or short form of Francesco, both from the Germanic tribe name 'Franks'. 
• Gaio (GYE-oh, Italian)--from Latin Gaius/Caius, origin uncertain
• Hanno (HAHN-no, German)--short form of Johannes
• Ícaro (EE-kah-roo [short 'oo', like "foot"], Portuguese; EE-kah-oh, Spanish)--form of Icarus
• Jesco / Jesko (YES-koh, German; JES-koh, English)--nickname for Slavic jar/yar- names, "spring [the season]" or "power"
• Kenno (KEN-noh, Danish, Finnish)--nickname for Germanic kun/cun-names, "kin"
• Laszlo (LAZ-loh, English)--from Hungarian László, itself from Slavic Vladislav, "rule-glory"
• Miro (MEE-roh, Croatian, Italian, Finnish, Slovene, Swedish)--short form of Slavic mir- names, "peace"
• Nilo (NEE-loh, Italian, Spanish; NEE-loo [short 'oo', like "foot"], Portuguese)--form of 'Nile' [the river], or short form of Danilo
• Odino (oh-DEE-noh, Italian)--form of Odin
• Pelayo (pel-EYE-oh, Spanish)--from Ancient Greek Pelagius, "sea"
• Quincio (KEEN-see-oh, Spanish) / Quíncio (KEEN-see-oo [short 'oo', like "foot"], Portuguese)--form of Quintius/Quincy
• Renzo (REN-tsoh, Italian; REN-soh, Spanish; REN-zoo [short 'oo', like "foot"], Portuguese)--short form of Lorenzo
• Sidlow (SID-loh, English [surname])--origin uncertain, poss. "south hill" or "wide hill"
• Távio (TAHV-yoo [short 'oo', like "foot"], Portuguese)--short form of Otávio/Octávio
• Usebio (oo-SEH-bee-oh, Aragonese, Spanish)--from Ancient Greek, "good worship" or "well-respected"
• Vico (VEE-koh, Italian)--nickname for Ludovico/Louis
• Wilko / Wilco (VIL-koh, Dutch, German)--diminutive of William and other Wil-names.
• Xanto (KSAHN-toh, Italian)--from Ancient Greek, "yellow" [a masculine form of name-nerd favorite Xanthe]
• Y--gah, I've got nothing I haven't mentioned before (although I really thought it'd be Q or X that got me, so yay!)
• Zaccheo (zak-KEH-oh, Italian)--from Biblical Hebrew Zacchaeus, "pure"

Girls:

• Argyro (ahr-gee-ROH, Greek)--"silver"
• Bio (bee-OH, [ancient] Greek; BEE-oh, Anglicized)--prob. "life" or "force"
• Caro (KEHR-oh, KA-roh, KAH-roh, English; KAH-roh, Dutch, German, Spanish)--nickname for Caroline/Carolina and other Car-names
• Damaro (dah-mah-ROH, [ancient] Greek; dah-MAH-roh, Anglicized)--prob. "taming" or "wife"
• Emmelot (em-meh-LOH, [medieval] French)--diminutive of Emma-names
• Fairlow / Fairlowe (FEHR-loh, FAYR-loh, English [surname])--poss. "pleasant hill" or "fern hill". 
• Gwenno (GWEN-noh, Welsh)--diminutive of Gwen-names
• Haido (HYE-doh, Greek)--prob. "caress" [likely source of the literary name Haidee/Haydée]
• Ivalo (EE-vah-loh, Danish, Greenlandic)--from Greenlandic, "sinew, thread"
• Jurietto (joo-ree-et-toh, Japanese [pop culture])--gairaigo ["Japanization"] of Juliet
• Kallo (kah-LOH, [ancient] Greek; KAL-loh, Anglicized)--prob. "beautiful"
• Laino (lahn-yoh, Basque)--"cloud, mist"
• Margalo (MAR-gah-loh, English)--contraction of Margaret Lorraine
• Nikeso (nik-ay-SOH, [ancient] Greek; nik-EE-soh, Anglicized)--prob. "victory" or "victor"
• Orvo (OR-voh, Finnish)--short form of Orvokki "violet flower" [unisex]
• Phaio (fye-OH, Greek [mythology]) / Phaeo (FEE-oh, Anglicized)--"shining"
• Q--nada. Lost twice over. :/
• Runo (ROO-noh, Finnish)--"poem" [unisex]
• Siro (SEE-roh, Finnish)--"graceful"
• Tayloe / Taylo (TAY-loh, English [surname])--poss. form of Taylor, or from 'teal' [a type of duck]
• Ushio (oo-shee-oh, Japanese)--"tide" [unisex]
• Vireo (VEER-ee-oh, English [word, quite rare as a name])--a type of bird, from Latin "green"
• Wealthow / Wealtheow (WEL-thoh / WEL-theh-oh, [literary] English)--origin uncertain, poss. "foreign servant"
• Xenno (ksen-NOH, [ancient] Greek; ZEN-noh, Anglicized)--prob. "guest, hospitality"
• Ysabeau (ee-zah-BOH, [medieval] French)--form of Isabel/Elizabeth
• Zafiro (sah-FEE-roh, Spanish)--"sapphire"

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Kelly

Kelly is, of course, a surname-turned-given-name, but since it's been surpassed by Kellan & Kellen for nearly two decades now (and by Kelvin for even longer, although it's been on the decline since the 60s), it's more likely that any male Kellys you meet today are using it as a nickname.

I personally think that Kelly for boys is perfect for a comeback (it's stayed steady for boys for the last several years while dropping for girls, and as of last year was 'only' more popular on new baby girls by a 5:1 ratio--about the same as Taylor, Skyler/Skylar, or Emery), but I bet there are even more options for parents who want a boy Kelly, but want to play it a bit safe.

• Kelados (KEL-ah-dos, [ancient] Greek)--"roar, shout"
• Kelaiah (kel-AY-ah, kel-EYE-ah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Kelemen (KEL-eh-men, Hungarian)--form of Clement
• Keld (KELD, Danish)
• Kelian (kel-YAWN, French)--from Irish Cillian, poss. "church"
• Kellen (KEL-len, English)--prob. a shortening of the Scottish surname McKellen ("son of Alan"), or an unusual Anglicization of Irish Caolán, "slender". Also spelled Kellan. 
• Keller (KEL-ler, English [surname])--from German, "cellar", or poss. a shortening of Scottish surname MacKeller ("son of Hilary")
• Kellett (KEL-let, English [surname]--prob. from Old Norse kelda, "spring, well". Also spelled Kellitt. 
• Kellner (KEL-ner, English [surname])--prob. occupational surname for a potter (or anyone else who used a kiln). Also spelled Kelner. 
• Kelson (KEL-son, English [surname])--prob. Anglicized from Nordic surname Kjellson/Kjeldsen, "son of Kjell/Keld"
• Kelston (KEL-ston, English [surname])--prob. "calf-farm" or Cealf's farm"
• Kelvin (KEL-vin, English)--from Scottish river-name, poss. "narrow river"

Never Say 'Ever' Again...

Well, probably not. Since Everett (boys) and Everly (girls) are amongst the quickest rising names in the US (admittedly, that might change in a couple weeks, but I really doubt it, especially for Everly), I thought it'd be fun to see what other Ever- names we can find.
(And as amusing as they are to say, I'll be skipping some of the OE options that don't translate well into Modern English, like Evergrim and Everbald ;) )

Boys:

• Everald (EV-er-ald, English)--from OE/Germanic, "boar power". Another form is Everaldo (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese).
• Everard (EV-er-ard, English)--from OE/Germanic, "strong boar". Another form is Everardo (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese).  [the original form of Everett]
• Everelm (EV-er-elm, [medieval] English)--from OE/Germanic, "boar helmet"
• Everin (EH-veh-reen, [archaic] Swedish)--diminutive of Evert and other Ever-names, pretty much all of which are from OE/Germanic eofor/ebur, "boar"
• Evermund (EV-er-mund, Old English)--"boar protection"
• Everold (EH-ver-ohlt, Germanic)--"friendly boar"
• Evert (AY-vert, EH-vert, Dutch, German, Swedish)--form of Everard/Everett
• Everulf (EV-er-ulf, Old English)--"boar-wolf"
• Everwin (EV-er-win, [medieval] English)--from OE/Germanic, "boar friend"

Girls:

• Everalda (ev-eh-RAHLD-dah, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese)--feminine of Everaldo
• Everarda (ev-eh-RAHR-dah, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese)--feminine of Everardo/Everard
• Everild (EV-er-ild, Old English)--"boar battle". Latinized form is Everilda (also the modern Spanish & Italian form). 
• Everina (ev-eh-REE-nah, English, Scandinavian)--feminine of Evert/Everett or other Ever-names. Another form is Everine (Scandinavian).
• Everta (eh-VEHR-tah, Swedish)--feminine of Evert/Everett. Another form is Everdina (Dutch).

Surname possibilities?

• Everdon (EV-er-don)--"boar hill". Another form is Eversden.
• Everest/Everist (EV-er-est)--from the area Évreux in France, prob. from Gaulish eburo, "yew". Another form is Everiss. [the mountain was named after a geographer with the surname Everest]
• Everick (EV-er-ik)--prob. "boar ruler" [presumably a patronymic from something like Everic/Eoforic/Eberich, but with the exception of one early medieval King Eboric, I can't find any records of those or similar actually being used]
• Everill/Everall/Everell (EV-er-ell)--prob. matronymic from Everild
• Evers (EV-ers)--patronymic from Everard or another Ever-name
• Eversley (EV-ers-lee)--"boar field" or "Ever/Eofor's field"
• Everson (EV-er-son)--patronymic from Everard or another Ever-name
• Everton (EV-er-ton)--"boar town"

All Aboutt -tt.

Whaaaat? Two boys' lists in a row? How did that happen?

While perusing my name data, I noticed something interesting regarding final-t sounding names. Boys of course have more than girls (like with pretty much every consonant), but in the girls' case, they're split pretty evenly between __tte and ___t (with the former often being an alternate form of the latter). Boys have almost no ___tte names (as you probably could have guessed); rather, most of their names are ___tt, unrelated to any of the ___t names (although Elliott/Eliott/Eliot is a big exception!).
The difference comes in that the vast majority of ____tt names are English surnames, while ____t names are more mixed.

Because most are surnames, ____tt names for boys are a pretty modern-sounding group. The only ones fitting this pattern that really enjoyed popularity before now were Scott (peaked in the 60s), Brett (peaked in the 70s), and Garrett (peaked in the 90s).
Now of course, we have Wyatt, Everett, Emmett, Bennett, Elliott, Beckett, Garrett, Rhett, Barrett, Jett, and still Scott, just in the Top 500.

Any other worthy surnames we can find? ;)

• Alcott--prob. from Old English "old cottage". Another form is Elcott. 
• Arnott--prob. patronymic from Arnold, "eagle power". Also spelled Arnett or Arnatt. 
• Avett--poss. patronymic from Alf-names "elf", or matronymic from Avis. Also spelled Avitt. 
• Aylett--matronymic from Ailith, "noble battle". Also spelled Aylott. 
• Bellett--matronymic from Isabel. Also spelled Bellott. 
• Brevitt--prob. from "brevet". Another form is Breffitt. 
• Bryett--poss. from French bruyant, "noisy". Also spelled Bryatt. 
• Burchett--prob. patronymic from Burchard, "strong fortress", or poss. from "birch". Also spelled Birchett. Another form is Burkett. 
• Burrett--poss. patronymic from Bertred, "bright counsel", Berred, "bear-counsel", Burgred, "fortress-counsel"; or similar Bert/Ber/Burg names. 
• Carlett--prob. patronymic from Charles/Carl, "freeman"
• Connett--prob. patro/matronymic from Constant/Constance
• Corbett--from French "little raven". Also spelled Corbitt. 
• Corlett--from Irish patronymic MacCorlett, from Norse Thorljotr, prob. "bright Thor"
• Corrett--poss. from one of English places named Curry (those poss. from OE "mill" or Celtic "boundary"), or a form of Corey. 
• Dennett--patro/matronymic from Dennis/Denise
• Derrett--prob. patronymic from Derek/Theodoric, "people's ruler". Also spelled Derritt. 
• Devitt--prob. from Irish patronymic of David. Another form is Davitt. 
• Drewett--patro/matronymic from Drogo/Drueta, prob. "phantom". Also spelled Drewitt or Druett. 
• Dyett--matronymic from Denise. Also spelled Dyott.
• Edmett--prob. patronymic from Edmund, "wealthy protector", or Edmer, "wealthy-famous"
• Ellett--matronymic from Ellen/Helen
• Evenett--poss. from Welsh Ednyfed, etymology unknown; or matronymic from Eva. Also spelled Evennett. 
• Evett--matronymic from Eva. Also spelled Evitt or Evatt. 
• Garnett--patronymic from Guarin/Warin, "guard", or occupational name for a hinge-maker
• Gillett--patronymic from Giles or matronymic from Gillian. Also spelled Jillett, Gillitt, or Gillatt. Another form is Gilliatt/Gilliett/Gilliott. 
• Gwinnett--prob. from the area Gwynedd in Wales, or a matronymic from a Gwen/Gwyn- name.
• Hallett--prob. from Old English "hall", or patronymic from Alard/Adelard, "noble strength". Also spelled Hallatt. Another form is Allett/Allatt. 
• Hawkett--prob. occupational name for a falconer
• Hewett--prob. patronymic from Hugh. Also spelled Hewitt, Huitt, or Huett. 
• Hyatt--prob. from Old English "high gate" or "high road". Also spelled Hiett, Hiatt, Hyett, or Highett.
• Ivatt--patro/matronymic from Ivo/Iva, "yew". Also spelled Ivett. 
• Jarrett--patronymic from Gar/Ger-names, "spear". Also spelled Jerrett, Jarrott, or Jarratt. 
• Jemmett--patronymic from James 
• Jennett--matronymic from Jane
• Jessett--prob. patronymic from Joseph
• Jewett--patro/matronymic from Julian [unisex, but more common for girls, in medieval England]. Also spelled Jewitt or Juett. Another form is Jowett/Jowitt. 
• Kellett--prob. from Old Norse kelda, "spring, well". Also spelled Kellitt. 
• Kennett--from one of the rivers Kennet or Kennett in England, origin unknown. Another form is Kinnett/Kynett. 
• Kimmitt--patro/matronymic from Cyn-names, "royal". Also spelled Kimmett. Another form is Kemmett. 
• Kinzett--poss. from Old English "royal residence". Another form is Kensett. 
• Larrett--patronymic from Laurence. Also spelled Larratt or Larritt. 
• Levett--prob. from French "wolf cub" or "yew grove"; or patro/matronymic from Lef-names, "beloved". Also spelled Levitt, Leavitt, or Leavett. 
• Mabbott--matronymic from Mabel/Amabel. Also spelled Mabbett, Mabbatt, Mabbutt, or Mabbitt. 
• Marriott--prob. from Old English "boundary gate", or matronymic from Mary. Also spelled Merriott. Another form is Merrett/Merritt/Marratt/Marrett/Marritt/Marrott. 
• Millott--prob. patronymic from Miles, or occupational name for millet farmer. Also spelled Millett or Millatt. 
• Morritt--patronymic from Maurice/Morris. Also spelled Morrett. 
• Myatt--patronymic from Michael. Also spelled Miatt or Myott. 
• Ollett--prob. matronymic from Olive or patronymic from Oliver. 
• Orrett--poss. patronymic from Wulfred, "wolf counsel", or Wulfric, "wolf ruler", or similar. Also spelled Orritt. 
• Pagett--occupational name for, or patronymic from, a page. Also spelled Padgett. 
• Phillott--patronymic from Philip
• Pollett--prob. patronymic from Paul, or from an English place called Pawlett ("pole stream"). Also spelled Pollitt or Pawlett. 
• Prescott--from Old English "priest cottage". Other forms include Preskett and Priscott. 
• Prevett--from Old English "copse". Other forms include Privett and Previtt. 
• Prewett --prob. from French preu, "brave". Also spelled Prewitt, Pruitt, or Pruett. 
• Quinett--prob. from French patronymic of Jacques/Jacob, or poss. matronymic from an English Quin/Quen-name, "queen". 
• Revett--prob. from "rivet". Also spelled Revitt. Another form is Rivett/Rivitt. 
• Rylett--poss. from one of many Ry- place names, "rye", or a patronymic from Roland or Rolf. Also spelled Rylatt, Rilett, or Rilatt. 
• Sharrott--from one of many Sher/Shir- place-names, "bright". Also spelled Sherrett, Sherritt, Sharrett, Sharratt, or Sherratt. 
• Sinnett--poss. patronymic from Sigenod, "victory-desire", or another similar Sigi-name. Also spelled Sinnott, Sinnatt, Synnott, or Synnett. Another form is Sennott/Sennett. 
• Stennett--patronymic from Old English/Norse Stan/Sten-names, "stone". Another form is Stannett/Stanett. 
• Tamsett--prob. patronymic from Thomas. Also spelled Tamsitt. 
• Trevett--prob. from Cornish Tre- place-names, "farm". Also spelled Trevitt. 
• Tillett--matronymic from Matilda. Also spelled Tillott or Tillitt. 
• Tollett--prob. patronymic from Thorleifr, "Thor-heir", or Thorleikr, "Thor-battle"; or poss. matronymic from Matilda. Also spelled Tollitt. 
• Trewitt--prob. from Old English Tre- or Tru- place-names, "tree", "brush". Also spelled Truett, Truitt, Trewhitt, or Trewett. 
• Tullett--prob. occupational name for a tile-maker or armorer. Also spelled Tulett. 
• Werrett--prob. patronymic from Guarin/Warin, "guard". Also spelled Wherritt. 
• Wescott--from Old English "west cottage". 
• Wilcott--prob. Old English "streamside cottage"
• Willett--patronymic from Will-names, "will". Also spelled Willatt or Willott. 
• Wilmott--patronymic from William. Also spelled Willmott. Other forms include Willimott and Wilmett/Willmett. 
• Winnett--patronymic from Welsh Wyn, "white, blessed", or Old English Wine, "friend". 
• Winscott--from Old English "Wine's cottage". Another form is Wincott. 
• Winslett--from Old English "Wine's spring"
• Witt--patronymic from Witta, "white". Also spelled Whitt. 

More Matronymics

Some time ago (5 years, apparently!), I did a post on matronymic surnames. Since then, I've found more! Although there are nowhere near as many matronymics as patronymics, there are still quite a few more than I'd realized. :)

Prime surname-formation time was the Middle Ages, and many of the listed women's names only survived in surname form.

*unless otherwise stated, the name etymologies are Old English or Germanic
**in source names with two forms stated, the first was a common medieval form, the second the more familiar modern form

• Aldis, Edis--from Aldus ("old")
• Ames--from Amice (Latin, "friend") [can also be from the masculine form, Amis]
• Annett, Anning--from Anne (Hebrew, "grace") or Annis/Agnes (Greek, "chaste")
• Ansteys, Anstice, Anstis--from Anstice/Anastasia (Greek, "resurrection")
• Aylett--from Ailith ("noble war")
• Ayliff--from Aileva ("noble gift")
• Baseley, Bazeley, Bazell--from Basilia (Greek, "king")
• Bedloe, Bedlow--from Bedelove (poss. "battle-love")
• Belson--from Isabel (Hebrew, "my God is an oath") or Belsant (poss. "sword strength")
• Drewett--from Drueta (feminine of Drogo, poss. "ghost")
• Edney--from Idony (Old Norse, poss. "love again")
• Ellett, Ellet--from Ellen (Greek, "torch")
• Elvey--from Alviva ("elf gift")
• Elvis, Elwes--from Helewys/Eloise ("famous war")
• Ennever, Enever, Jenever--from Guinevere/Jennifer (from Celtic, "white phantom")
• Evatt, Evett, Evetts--from Eva/Eve (Hebrew, "life")
• Gillet, Gillette--from Gilia (feminine of Giles, Latin, "goat") or Gillian (Latin, "fuzzy-bearded" or "of Jove")
• Goldburg--from Goldburga ("gold fortress")
• Goodison--from Godith ("god-war")
• Hawes--from Hawisia/Hawys ("battle-wide" or "battle-wood")
• Hildyard, Hilliard--from Hildegard ("battle-protection")
• Ingrey--from Ingrid (Old Norse, "beautiful Ing")
• Issard, Izatt, Izett, Izzard--from Isolda/Isolde (poss. "ice-battle" or "iron-battle")
• Jeeves--from Geva/Genevieve ("kinswoman")
• Jennett--from Jane (Hebrew, "God is gracious")
• Jewett, Jowett--from Julian/Gillian (Latin, "fuzzy-bearded" or "of Jove") [Julian was unisex, and more common for girls in medieval England]
• Kimbro, Kimbrough--from Kinborough ("royal fortress")
• Letson, Lett, Letts--from Lettice/Letitia (Latin, "joy")
• Linney--from Linniva (poss. "linden-gift" or "shield-gift")
• Loveday--from Loveday (you guessed it--"love-day")
• Malkin, Marriott--from Mary (Hebrew, origin uncertain)
• Mott, Tillett--from Matilda ("battle-might")
• Parnall--from Petronilla (Latin, prob, "rock" or "rustic")
• Quennell, Quinell--from Quenilda ("queen-battle")
• Rain--from Regina (Latin, "queen") [may also be from masculine Germanic Ragin-names, like Reginald or Reinhard]
• Ravenell, Ravenhall, Ravenhill--from Ravenild ("raven-battle")
• Sealy, Seeley, Seely--from Sely ("blessed") [unisex, but more often feminine]
• Seavers--from Sefare ("sea-journey") [may also be from Severus]
• Sibley--from Sibyl/Sybil (Greek, "prophetess, oracle")
• Sisley, Sisterson--from Cecily/Cecilia (Latin, "blind")
• Stanbery, Stanberry--from Stanburg ("stone fortress")
• Summerhill, Summerill--from Somerhild ("summer battle")
• Swannell--from Swanhilda ("swan-battle")
• Tiffany--from Teffan/Theophania (Greek, "appearance of God")
• Wantling--from Wentliana/Gwenllian (Welsh, "pure-flaxen")
• Winney--from Wenyeva ("joy-gift" or "friend-gift")
• Whybray, Wyber, Wybrew--from Wigburg ("war fortress")
• Wymark--from Wimarc (poss. "war-famous" or Breton " ??? -horse") [unisex]

As you can probably guess, this is still nowhere near comprehensive! It was a great excuse to find more fun medieval girls' names, and unexpected forms of some modern girls' names, though. ;)

Non-er Occupationals

So a few days ago I compiled a list of -er names that weren't occupational surnames. But that got me to wondering about the reverse: English occupational surnames that don't end in -er/or. We've got Mason, Bailey, Clark, and um......surely there's tons of others, right?
This is mostly for fun, but I'm sure there are some that would make decent first names (or already are :) ).
(nowhere near an exhaustive list, of course!)

• Abbey--abbey servant
• Abbott--abbot, abbot's servant
• Ackerman--tenant farmer
• Bailey--bailiff
• Beck--baker, miner [other derivations as well]
• Bird/Byrd--falconer, dove-keeper
• Bond--tenant farmer
• Bowman--archer 
• Chase--hunter
• Clark/Clarke--clerk, scribe
• Clay--clay-worker
• Coleman--charcoal maker [other derivations as well]
• Dean--dean, dean's employee
• Denman--gravedigger
• Gage--assayer, moneylender
• Garnet/Garnett--pomegranate seller, hinge-maker
• Hall/Hallman--manor servant
• Haward/Hayward--land warden
• Howard--shepherd [other derivations as well]
• Jardine--gardener
• Kay/Key--quay-worker [other derivations as well]
• Kellogg--hog-butcher
• Marchand--merchant
• Marshall--officer, lawman
• Martel--smith [other derivations as well]
• Mason--stone-worker
• Millard/Millward--mill guard
• Norris--wet nurse [other derivations as well]
• Paige/Page/Paget--page, servant
• Palfrey--horse breeder or keeper
• Provost--military or religious official
• Reeve/Reeves/Revie--sheriff
• Scarlett--dealer of escarlate cloth
• Seward--swineherd [other derivations as well]
• Shepherd/Shepard--shepherd
• Sherman--shearer, barber
• Smith/Smythe--smith
• Spence--spencer, steward
• Stewart/Steward/Stuart--steward
• Stoddard--horse-keeper
• Summers--court summoner
• Ward--watchman, guard
• Wayne--wagon maker, driver
• Wright--craftsman
• Yeoman--landowner

Saint Who? Part II--Surnames, Titles

While doing my post on unexpected saints' names a while back, I noticed some fun name possibilities with their surnames/titles. There are many Marian names that came about this way, but it's much rarer with other saints. However, at least one has made it into everyday American usage: Xavier, from Saint Francis Xavier.

• Agira (ah-JEE-rah)--from St. Philip of Agira, patron saint of U.S. Army Special Forces.
• Amasea (ah-MAH-see-ah)--home of a few saints, notably Theodore of Amasea, patron of soldiers and for the recovery of lost items.
• Aosta (ah-OH-stah)--home of two saints: Gratus of Aosta & Ursus of Aosta.
• Avila (AH-vee-lah, AV-il-ah)--home of several saints, most notably Teresa of Ávila.
• Bosco (BOHS-koh)--from St. John Bosco, patron of apprentices, laborers, students, and youths.
• Cabrini (kah-BREE-nee)--from St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patroness of immigrants & hospital administrators.
• Cascia (KAH-shah)--from St. Rita de Cascia, patroness of desperate & impossible causes, against sickness & wounds.
• Cyrene (sye-REE-nee)--home of two saints: Simon of Cyrene & Lucius of Cyrene.
• Ely (EE-lee)--home of three saints: Ermenilda of Ely, Etheldreda of Ely, & Seaxburh of Ely.
• Evreux (AYV-reoo)--from St. Maximus of Évreux, patron against drought
• Genoa (JEN-oh-ah)--home of many saints, most notably Catherine of Genoa, patroness of brides, difficult marriages, & victims of unfaithfulness.
• Imola (EE-moh-lah)--from St. Cassian of Imola, patron of schoolteachers & clerks.
• Kildare (kil-DAYR, kil-DAH-rah)--from St. Brigit Kildare, patron of Ireland, and many, many other things.
• Lellis (LEL-lis)--from St. Camillus de Lellis, patron of physicians, hospitals, and the sick.
• Lunel (loo-NEL)--from St. Gerard de Lunel, patron of epileptics, against headaches.
• Marillac (mah-ree-AK)--from St. Louise de Marillac, patroness of social workers & widows.
• Merici (meh-REE-chee)--from St. Angela Merici, patroness of the sick, handicapped, and orphaned.
• Merida (MEHR-ee-dah)--from St. Eulalia of Mérida, patroness of widows & runaways.
• Milan (mee-LAHN)--home of many saints, notably Ambrose of Milan, patron of students, beekeepers, and chandlers.
• Mineo (min-EH-oh)--from St. Agrippina of Mineo, patroness againts infections, diseases, and storms.
• Myra (MYE-rah, MEE-rah, MEU-rah)--home of St. Nicholas (yep. Ol' Saint Nick).
• Nicomedia (nee-koh-MED-yah)--home of a few saints, most notably Juliana of Nicomedia, patroness against sickness
• Ravenna (rah-VEH-nah)--from St. Apollinaris of Ravenna, patron against epilepsy & gout.
• Savio (SAHV-yoh)--from St. Dominic Savio, patron of young boys, choirs, and juvenile delinquents.
• Trier (TREE-ehr)--home to many saints, most notably Eucharius of Trier, patron against plague.
• Verona (veh-ROH-nah)--from St. Zeno of Verona, patron of newborns and fishermen
• Vianney (vee-AHN-nay, vee-AN-nay)--from St. John Mary Vianney, patron of priests and many Midwestern dioceses.

Surname First

Hanging out in the baby-names world has changed my outlook quite a bit. If you'd asked me a few years ago what sort of names I liked, my answer would probably have been something along the lines of "unique Irish names, like Aidan & Aisling/Ashlin". My, how my eyes have been opened. (still love both those names, though) :p
Among my most hated names would probably have been surnames as first-names. While most still aren't my style (especially patronymics), I freely admit to being much too judgmental in the past. The realization that many established first names were originally surnames contributed greatly (as well as knowing great guys named Mason, Travis, Carter, etc). The world of names is much more adaptive (and subjective) than I ever could have thought!

So, in the interest of admitting my ignorance, here are all the surnames that have ever appeared in the US top 500 (well, minus the really well-known ones, like Kennedy & Franklin; and obvious ones, like the Mac/-son patronymics, -ton locationals, & -er occupationals):

• Ainsley
• Alden
• Ashley
• Avery
• Bailey
• Barrett
• Bentley
• Beverly
• Blair
• Blake
• Boyd
• Braden
• Bradley
• Brady
• Brandon
• Brock
• Brody
• Brooke
• Bruce
• Bryant
• Cameron
• Carey
• Casey
• Cassidy
• Chadwick
• Chase
• Clark
• Clay
• Clayton
• Clifford
• Cody
• Cohen
• Cole
• Corey
• Cornell
• Courtney
• Craig
• Dane
• Darrell
• Darwin
• Davis
• Dean
• Delaney
• Desmond
• Devin
• Donovan
• Douglas
• Duane
• Dudley
• Dustin
• Dwight
• Elliot
• Ellis
• Elmer
• Emmett
• Evelyn
• Forrest
• Gary
• Glenn
• Gordon
• Graham
• Grant
• Harlan
• Harley
• Hayden
• Hayley
• Heath
• Howard
• Irving
• Jarrett
• Jarvis
• Jewell
• Keegan
• Keith
• Kelly
• Kelsey
• Kendall
• Kendrick
• Kermit
• Kyle
• Lacey
• Landon
• Lane
• Lee/Leigh
• Leslie
• Lindsay
• Logan
• Macy
• Maddox
• Marshall
• Marvin
• Mason
• Maxwell
• Mitchell
• Nolan
• Otis
• Paige
• Peyton
• Pierce
• Quincy
• Randall
• Riley
• Rowan
• Russell
• Ryan
• Scarlett
• Scott
• Seymour
• Shannon
• Shelby
• Sidney/Sydney
• Stacy
• Stewart/Stuart
• Tate
• Teagan
• Todd
• Tracy
• Travis
• Trent
• Trevor
• Vance
• Vaughn
• Vernon
• Warren
• Wesley
• Wyatt
• Xavier

Surnames for Girls

I admit, surname-names aren't usually my style. I can see the appeal, though--modern but not made up, has history, familiar to most people. In the past, surnames were often given as first or middle names to pass down a name that might otherwise be lost, or to pay tribute to the mother's side. Consequently, boys have been the main recipients of surnames as first names. So what are girls to do? Even if the surname in question has never caught on for boys, her parents will still likely get accused of using a boys' name (Reagan and Tatum come to mind).
So, here's a list of names that were originally surnames, but first caught on for feminine use in the U.S.; as well as a few surnames that are currently underused for either.
In many cases, the rise of these names can be directly attributed to a prominent female figure.

• Adair (ah-DAYR)
• Ansley (ANZ-lee)--variant is Ainsley
• Arden (AHR-den)
• Averill (AV-er-il)
• Baxter (BAKS-ter) [technically, this has only ever gotten use as a male name, but since it's the extremely rare example of a feminine occupational name--"female baker"--I had to include it!]
• Bellamy (BEL-ah-mee)
• Blythe (BLITHE)
• Cassidy (KAS-ih-dee)
• Chanel (shan-EL)--Coco Chanel
• Chantal (shahn-TAHL)
• Charisse (shah-REES)--Cyd Charisse
• Darcy (DAR-see) [masc. in Australia, however]
• Delaney (deh-LAY-nee)
• Ellery (EL-er-ee)
• Fallon (FAL-lon)
• Flannery (FLAN-er-ee)--Flannery O'Connor
• Greer (GREER)--Greer Garson
• Halle (HAL-lee, HAHL-leh)--Halle Berry
• Harlow (HAR-loh)
• Harper (HAR-per)--Harper Lee
• Hayley (HAY-lee)--Hayley Mills
• Joyce (JOYS)
• Kimberly (KIM-ber-lee)
• Laverne (lah-VERN)
• Macy (MAY-see)
• Mallory (MAL-oh-ree)
• Marley (MAR-lee) [masculine in France, however]
• Paige (PAYJ)
• Piper (PYE-per)--"Piper Halliwell", Charmed
• Presley (PREZ-lee)
• Reagan (RAY-gan)
• Romilly (ROH-mil-ee)
• Scarlett (SKAR-let)--"Scarlett O'Hara", Gone With the Wind
• Sheridan (SHEHR-ih-dan)
• Sloane (SLOHN)
• Tatum (TAY-tum)--Tatum O'Neal
• Tiffany (TIF-an-ee)
• Zola (ZOH-lah)

Matronymics

Surnames as first names is quite the trend right now, and patronymics are a big part of that--Addison, McKenzie, Jackson, etc. Although I'll never quite get over "son" names becoming so widely popular for daughters, I have to think that part of that owes to the lack of mother/daughter names, which are unheard of in most cultures. I was greatly surprised to find out that at least one fairly common boys' name is actually derived from a feminine name--Emmett! Which, of course, sent me on a quest to find other matronymic surnames.
Hey, it may not be "daughter of ____", but it's a start!

• Anson (AN-son)--from Agnes
• Averill (AV-er-il)--from Anglo-Saxon Eoforhild/Everhild
• Babcock (BAB-kok)--from Barbara
• Bell (BEL)--from Isabel (can also be an occupational name, "bellringer")
• Dwight (DWITE)--from medieval Diot, a form of Greek Dionysia [the original form of Denise]
• Dyson (DYE-son)--another from Dionysia 
• Eads (EEDZ)--from Edith
• Eason (EE-son)--another from Edith (can also be from Adam)
• Edison (ED-ih-son)--yet another from Edith (can also be from Adam)
• Emmett (EM-met)--from Emma
• Evelyn (EV-el-in)--from Aveline 
• Ibbott (IB-bot)--from Isabel
• Madison (MAD-ih-son)--from Maude (can also be from Matthew)
• Marion (MEHR-ee-on)--from Mary
• Merrill (MEHR-ril)--from Muriel
• Royce (ROIS)--from Rose
• Ruskin (RUS-kin)--another from Rose 
• Sinason (SEE-nah-son)--from Scandinavian Sina