Guide to the Valkyries

I know, it's been a while, but I suddenly find myself with a lot more free time right now....


Anyway, my husband asked in passing earlier if the Valkyries of Norse mythology had individual names [before you go thinking we're cultured intellectuals or something, the context was.....watching the MCU :p ], and I realized that I had no idea!
Turns out: yes they did, and while some are familiar Nordic names, most are not.

Enjoy this Scandi-themed jump back into my name blog. ;)

• Brynhildr (BRUN ['u' like in German "über"] -hildr)--"armor-battle". Most common modern form is Brynhild (BREEN-hil, BREEN-hild).
• Eir (AYR)--"help, mercy". Modern form is Eira (AY-rah). [some sources have Eir as a Valkyrie; others as a separate goddess of healing]
• Geirahǫð (GAY-rah-hoth ['th' like in "the"])--"spear-battle"
• Geiravǫr (GAY-rah-vahr)--"spear-defender" or "spear-woman"
• Geirdriful (GAYR-dree-vool)--"spear-flinger"
• Geirskǫgul (GAYR-skog-ool)--"spear-battle" or "spear-shaker"
• Geirǫlul (GAY-rah-lool)--poss. "spear-luck"
• Geirǫnul (GAY-rah-nool)--unknown, "spear" + ?
• Guðr (GOOTHr ['th' like in "the"])--"battle". Also called Gunnr (GOONr). Modern form is Gun/Gunn (GOON, 'oo' like in "foot"). 
• Gǫll (GAHL)--"noise, tumult"
• Gǫndul (GAHN-dool)--"magic" or "magical creature"
• Herfjǫtur (HEHRV-yah-toor)--"army-fetter"
• Herja (HEHR-yah)--"devastate"
• Hervǫr (HEHR-vahr)--"army defender" or "army-woman". Modern forms are Hervor (HEHR-vohr, Swedish) and Hervör (HEHR-vur, Icelandic). 
• Hildr (HEEL-dr)--"battle". Most common modern form is Hilda/Hilde. 
• Hjalmþrimul (HYAHLM-threem ['th' like in "the"] -ool)--"helmet-battle"
• Hjǫrþrimul (HYAHR-threem ['th' like in "the"] -ool)--"sword-battle"
• Hlaðgunnr (HLATH ['th' like in "the"] -goonr)--"weaving battle". Also called Hlaðguðr (HLATH-goothr [both 'th' like in "the"]). 
• Hlǫkk (HLAHK)--"noise". Moden Icelandic form is Hlökk (HLUK). 
• Hrist (HREEST)--"shake"
• Hrund (HROOND)--poss. "push". Modern Icelandic form is Hrund (HROONT ['oo' like in "foot"]). 
• Kára (KAH-rah)--"curly" or poss. "obstinate". Most common modern form is Kara (KAH-rah). 
• Mist (MEEST)--"mist, cloud". Modern form is still Mist. :) [don't you love the easy ones?]
• Ráðgríðr (RAHTH-greethr [both 'th' like in "the"])--"counsel-eagerness" [fig. "bossy"] or "counsel-peace"
• Randgríðr (RAHND-greethr ['th' like in "the"])--"shield-eagerness" or "shield-peace"
• Reginleif (REG-een-layf)--"might-heir"
• Róta (ROH-tah)--poss. "storm" or "make messy"
• Sangríðr (SAHN-greethr ['th' like in "the"])--"true eagerness" or "true peace". Modern Swedish form is Sangrid (SAHN-grid). 
• Sigrdríf (SEEGr-dreef)--"victory-drive". Modern Icelandic form is Sigurdrif (SIG-ur-dreef). 
• Sigrún (SEEG-roon)--"victory-secret". Most common modern forms are Sigrún (SIG-roon, Icelandic) and Sigrun (SEEG-roon ['oo' like in "foot"], Norwegian, Swedish, Danish). 
• Skaga (SKAH-gah)--"promontory, cape". Modern [masculine] Norwegian form is Skage (SKAH-geh).
• Skalmǫld (SKAHL-mahld)--"sword-time"
• Skeggjǫld (SKEG-gyahld)--"battleaxe-time"
• Skuld (SKOOLD)--"blame" or "future". Modern Icelandic form is Skuld (SKOOLT ['oo' like in "foot"]). [also a name of one of the Norns (Fates)]
• Skǫgul (SKAHG-ool)--"battle" or "shaker"
• Svafa (SVAH-vah)--"Swabian". Modern forms are Svava (SVAH-vah, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, Danish) and Svafa (SVAH-vah, Icelandic). 
• Svanhvít (SVAHN-hveet)--"white swan". Modern Icelandic form is Svanhvít (SVAHN-kveet). 
• Sveið (SVAYTH ['th' like in "the"])--poss. "noise, vibration"
• Svipul (SVEE-pool)--"changeable"
• Tanngniðr (TAHNG-neethr ['th' like in "the"])--"tooth-grinder"
• Ǫlrún (AHL-roon)--"luck-secret". Modern forms are Åro (AWR [not quite like the English 'aw', but partway between English 'aw' and 'oh' sounds] -oh, Norwegian) and Ölrún (UL-roon, Icelandic).
• Þrima (THREE ['th' like in "three"] -mah)--"fight"
• Þrúðr (THROO-thr [first 'th' like in "three", second like in "the"])--"strength". Most common modern form is Trude (TROO-deh). [also, same root as English Trudy :) ]
• Þǫgn (THAHGn ['th' like in "three")--"silence"

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"

-Lines from A to Z

Latin has had a lot of impact on our naming. There are certain constructions that we can instantly say "that's a girls' name": -etta, -ella, -ia, etc. The latter two are definitely trending right now, and I think the -lines are next, led by Madeline, Adeline, Caroline, and Emmeline. So of course I have to find more. :)
The vast majority are French in origin, traditionally pronounced "leen" and Anglicized to "lyn", but modern "line" pronunciations are arguably the most popular for today's trending -lines (although for a few, like Caroline, "line" has already predominant for centuries in English).
I set myself the goal of finding new fun -line names, but rather than a massive list, I'm limiting myself to one for each letter, and it has to be a name I've never mentioned on my blog before.
*cracks knuckles*
Here we go.

• Azéline (ah-zay-LEEN, French)--from Germanic Adel-, "noble"
• Berteline (behr-teh-LEEN-eh, Danish)--from Germanic -bert-, "bright"
• Céline (say-LEEN, French)--form of Latin Caelina, "heaven", or of Marcelline, prob. "of Mars"
• Deline (deh-LEEN, Swedish)--short form of Adeline
• Esseline (es-seh-LEEN-eh, Dutch)--poss. from Germanic Ans-, "god" or Heida-, "health"
• Filine (fee-LEE-neh, Danish)--from Greek "love"
• Gemeline (zheh-meh-LEEN, French)--prob. from Latin "twin" [also a surname]
• Héline (ay-LEEN, French) / Heline (heh-LEEN, heh-LEE-neh, Scandinavian)--form of Helen
• Iseline (ee-seh-LEEN, ee-seh-LEE-neh, Scandinavian; ee-zeh-LEEN, French)--from Germanic Isen-, "iron". 
• Joceline (zhahs-LEEN, zhah-seh-LEEN, French)--feminine of Jocelyn [Jocelyn is masculine in French]
• Kateline (KAT-eh-lin, [archaic] English; kah-teh-LEEN, French)--form of Katherine
• Laureline (loh-reh-LEEN, French)--form of Laura [invented for a comic book heroine in the 60s, but caught on in real life]
• Marcelline (mar-sel-LEEN, French)--feminine of Marcel [really, I haven't mentioned Marcelline on here yet? How is that possible?!]
• Noéline (noh-ay-LEEN, French)--form of Noëlle
• Ombeline (ohm-beh-LEEN, French)--prob. from Germanic Humbert, "bright warrior"
• Péroline (pay-roh-LEEN, French) / Peroline (peh-roh-LEEN-eh, peh-roh-LEEN, Scandinavian)--prob. from Latin Petronilla, poss. "rock" or "rustic person"
• Q. I should have known Q would sink me. Gah!
• Roeline (roo-LEEN-eh, Dutch)--feminine of Roeland (Germanic, "famous land") or Roelof (Germanic, "famous wolf"). 
• Sanceline (san-seh-LEEN, [archaic] French)--from Latin "saint"
• Theoline (teh-oh-LEEN, French; teh-oh-LEEN-eh, Norwegian)--from Greek Theo-, "god", or Germanic Theud-, "people"
• Ursuline (oor-soo-LEEN, French)--from Latin "little bear"
• Veline (veh-LEEN-eh, Norwegian)--nickname for Vel-names, like Velaug (Old Norse, "promised sanctuary"), Velgjerd (Old Norse, "protector of the slain"), or Vellumine (archaic Norwegian, form of Wilhelmina)
• Wendeline (ven-deh-LEEN-eh, Dutch, Swedish)--feminine of Wendel, "a Wend" ['Wend' was a term applied to various Slavic tribes over the centuries, origin uncertain]
• X, Yeah, no X either. :(
• Yveline (eev-eh-LEEN, eev-LEEN, French)--from Germanic Ivo-, "yew"
• Zerline (tzehr-LEEN-eh, German; zur-LEEN, English; sehr-LEEN-eh, Scandinavian; zehr-LEEN, French)--form of Zerlina, a name invented by Mozart, poss. based on an old Yiddish form of Sarah

"Girlish" Boy Names

I did "boyish" girl names, so now I have to do the reverse, of course! Boys have much more diversity when it comes to name endings, but girls do have a higher proportion of names ending in -a, ah, ne, le, th, i, and y. Boys also have the minority of names starting with A, E, P, S, & V, so I'll be looking especially for those. :)
(I do not have room to list all the Biblical -iah names for boys, so just look here if those strike your fancy)

• Achille (ah-SHEEL, French; ah-KEEL-leh, Italian)--form of Achilles
• Adlai (AD-lay, AD-lye, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Alexei (ah-leks-AY, al-leks-EE, Russian, Ukrainian)--form of Alexis. Other forms include Aleksi (AH-lek-see, Finnish) and Aleksy (AH-lek-see, Polish).
• Alvah (AL-vah, [Biblical] Hebrew)--poss. "ascending". Also spelled Alva.
• Alwi (AL-wee, Old English)--prob. "elf battle". Also spelled Alwy. 
• Amaury (ah-moh-REE, French)--form of Emmerich/Emery
• Arkady (ar-KAH-dee, Russian)--also spelled Arkadi or Arkadiy
• Arne (AHR-neh, Scandinavian, German)--from Germanic, "eagle"
• Artemiy (ar-TEM-ee, Russian)--from ancient Greek, "of Artemis"
• Asa (AY-sah, English; ah-sah, Hebrew)--from Biblical Hebrew, prob. "healer"
• Aulay (AW-lee, Scottish)--form of Olaf
• Augustine (AW-gus-teen, aw-GUS-tin, English)--from Latin, "great"
• Braith (BRAYTH, English)--prob. from Old Norse, "broad"
• Columba (koh-LUM-bah, Latin)--"dove"
• Conleth (KAHN-leth, Irish)
• Dara (DAH-rah, Irish)--"oak tree" or "fruitful". Also spelled Darragh. [feminine in other languages]
• Davi (DAH-vee, Portuguese)--form of David. Another form is Daveth (DAV-eth, Cornish).
• Éanna (AY-nah, Irish)--also spelled Énna. Anglicized form is Enda. 
• Elisha (ee-LYE-shah, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"God is my salvation"
• Emrys (EM-ris, Welsh)--form of Ambrose
• Fiachra (FEE-ahk-rah, Irish)--"raven". French form is Fiacre (fee-AH-creh). 
• Harith (HAH-rith, Arabic)--prob. "cultivator"
• Heath (HEETH, English)
• Hirah (HYE-rah, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"splendor"
• Iorwerth (YOR-werth, Welsh)--"handsome lord". Anglicized as Yorath.
• Kuisma (KOO-ees-mah, Finnish)--form of Cosmo. Other forms include Cosme (KAHZ-mee, Portuguese; COHM, French) and Kuzma (kooz-MAH, Russian).
• Lorne (LORN, English)--from Scottish place name
• Malachy (MAL-ah-kee, Irish)
• Perry (PEHR-ree, English)--from English "pear tree" or Welsh "son of Harry". Also spelled Parry. 
• Pryderi (prid-EHR-ee, Welsh)--prob. "cared for"
• Rishi (rish-EE, Hindi)--"poet"
• Savely (sah-VEL-ee, Russian)--form of Sabine. Also spelled Saveliy or Saveli. 
• Selby (SEL-bee, English)--from Old Norse, "willow farm"
• Sindre (SIN-dreh, Scandinavian)--another form is Sindri (SIN-dree)
• Visti (VEES-tee, Danish)--from Old Norse, "west". Other forms include Vesti (VES-tee, Danish) and Vestri (VES-tree, Old Norse).

-Ric Rollin'

Haha, now that song's in your head!

I love a good -ric name. And unlike many constructions, this one is pretty much exclusively male (well, I did turn up modern unisex word-name Lyric, Irish girls' name Aifric, and Thai girls' name Bundarik, but that's it!).
Eric was a 70s/80s staple, Frederick's been on the downswing for the last century, Patrick is my age (or my parents'), and Maverick is quickly scaling the US charts.
While relatively uncommon today, -rich/ric names used to be fairly widespread in Europe, thanks to good ol' Proto-Germanic, where '-rich' meant "ruler" or "power".

• Adalrich (AHD-al-rik, Germanic)--"noble ruler"
• Alaric (AL-ah-rik, English)--from Germanic "ruler of all"
• Alberich (AHL-beh-rikh, German)--original form of Aubrey
• Aldric (ahl-DREEK, French)--from Germanic "old power". Other forms include Aldéric (ahl-day-REEK) and Audric (oh-DREEK).
• Amalric (AHM-al-rik, ah-MAHL-rik, Germanic, ah-mahl-REEK, French)--from Germanic "work power". One of the possible sources for Emmerich/Emery.
• Ardaric (AR-dah-rik, Germanic)--poss. "brave power"
• Athanaric (ah-THAN-ar-ik, Germanic)
• Baderich (BAH-der-ik. Germanic)--"battle ruler"
• Baldric (BAHL-drik, English)--from Germanic "bold power"
• Berich (BEHR-ik, Germanic)--"bear ruler"
• Brunric (BROON-rik, Germanic)--"armor ruler" or poss. "brown ruler"
• Bystrík (BIS-treek, Slovak)--poss. "quick-witted"
• Cedric (SED-rik, English)
• Cenric (KEN-rik, Old English)--"bold power". One of the sources of surname Kendrick. 
• Cyneric (KIN-eh-rik, Old English)--"royal power". Another possible source for Kendrick.
• Eboric (EB-or-ik, Germanic)--"boar power"
• Edric (ED-rik, Old English)--"wealth ruler"
• Elric (EL-rik, English)--either from Old English Alfric (AL-frik) "elf power" or Athelric (ATH-el-rik) "noble power"
• Embrik (EM-brik, Norwegian)
• Erchamrich (EHR-kam-rik, Germanic)--"chief ruler"
• Ermenrich (EHR-men-rik, Germanic)--"great ruler" Another possible source for Emmerich/Emery.
• Emmerich (EM-er-ikh, German)--other forms include Émeric (ay-meh-REEK, French) and Aymeric (eh-muh-REEK, French).
• Garrick (GEHR-ik, English)--from Occitan "oak tree", or possibly Germanic "spear power"
• Genseric (GEN-ser-ik, Germanic)--poss. "spear power". Variants include Gaiseric (GYE-ser-ik), and Geiserich (GYE-ser-ikh, German)
• Godric (GAHD-rik, English)
• Guerric (gehr-REEK, French)
• Gumerich (GOO-mehr-ik, Germanic)--"ruler of man"
• Gunderic (GOON-deh-rik, Germanic)--"war ruler"
• Heinrich (HINE-rikh, German)--original form of Henry "home ruler". Other forms include Henrik (HEN-rik, German, Scandinavian) and Hendrik (HEN-drik, Dutch). Another possible source for Kendrick, as well as a possible source of Emmerich/Emery.
• Hilderich (HIL-der-ik, Germanic)--"battle ruler"
• Imrich (IM-rik, Czech, Slovak)--form of Emmerich/Emery
• Isanric (EE-san-rik, Germanic)--poss. "iron ruler". Also written as Isenric.
• Jarich (YAH-rikh, Frisian)--poss. from Germanic "spear"
• Landrich (LAHN-drik, Germanic)--"land ruler"
• Leofric (lee-OF-rik. Old English)--"beloved ruler"
• Lorik (LOHR-ik, Albanian)--poss. "quail"
• Merrick (MEHR-rik, English)--from Welsh Meurig (a form of Maurice) or Germanic "famous ruler".
• Odrich (AHD-rik, Germanic)--"ruler of riches". Variants include Audéric (oh-day-REEK, French).
• Osric (OZ-rik, Old English)--"god power"
• Pierrick (PYEHR-eek, French)--form of Pierre/Peter
• Roderick (RAHD-er-ik, English)--from Germanic, "famous ruler". Other forms include Rörik (ROH-rik, Swedish), Rorik (ROH-rik, Old Danish), and Rurik (ROO-rik, Russian).
• Romaric (RAHM-ah-rik, Germanic; roh-mah-REEK, French)--poss. "famous power"
• Serik (SEHR-ik, Kazakh)--"support"
• Shurik (SHOOR-ik, Russian)--diminutive of Alexander
• Sigerich (SEE-geh-rik, Germanic)--"victory ruler"
• Siserich (SEE-ser-ik, Germanic)--"song ruler"
• Tarık (TAHR-ik, Turkish)
• Theodoric (thee-AHD-oh-rik, Germanic)--"ruler of the people". Variants include Dietrich (DEET-rikh, German), Diederich (DEE-der-ikh, German), Dederick (DED-er-ik, English), and Dedrick (DED-rik, English).
• Ulrich (OOL-rik, German, ool-REESH, French)--variants include Olric (OHL-rik) and Odalric (OH-dahl-rik). 
• Volkrich (VOHL-krik, Germanic)--"people's ruler"
• Waldrich (VAHL-drik, Germanic)--"ruler of power". Other forms include Waldric (WAHL-drik, English) and Gaudéric (goh-day-REEK, French), and Galdric (gahl-DREEK, French).
• Wilrich (VEEL-rik, Germanic)--"willful ruler"
• Winrich (VEEN-rikh, German)--from Germanic, "friend ruler"
• Wirich (VEER-ikh, German)--from Germanic, "war ruler"
• Witteric (VEET-er-ik, Germanic)--poss. "forest ruler"
• Wulfric (WOOL-frik, Old English)--"wolf power". Another form is Ulfric (OOL-frik).
• Yorick (YOHR-ik, English, Dutch)--form of George. Other spellings include Jorick (YOH-rik, Dutch) and Jorik (YOH-rik, Dutch)

And don't let the -richs scare you off! ;) There's plenty of precedent to Anglicize those German/Germanic names by changing the '-rich' to '-ric/rick' or '-ry'.
So for instance, Winrich would logically be Winric/Winrick (WIN-rik), or Winry (WIN-ree) in Modern English.
(Full Metal Alchemist fans rejoice! :p )

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Rory

Yes, yes, I know: Rory isn't a nickname; it's a full boys' name. But, thanks at least partially to Gilmore Girls, Rory is increasingly common on girls, both as a full name and as a nickname for Lorelei.

Boys:

• Aurelio (ow-RAY-lee-oh, Italian, Spanish)--from Latin, "golden". Other forms include Aurélien (oh-ray-lee-AWN, French), Aurélio (ow-RAY-lee-oh, Portuguese) & Aurelius (aw-RAY-lee-us, or-EE-lee-us, Latin).
• Florian (FLOH-ree-ahn, Danish, French, German, Polish, Swedish)--Italian form is Floriano (floh-ree-AH-noh).
• Gregory (GREG-oh-ree, English)--from ancient Greek, "watchful". Other forms include Gregorius (Latin), Gregorio (greh-GOH-ree-oh, Italian, Spanish), Grigore (gree-GOR-eh, Romanian), and Grigoriy (gree-GOR-ee, Russian).
• Horatio (hoh-RAY-shee-oh, English)--other forms include Horacio (oh-RAH-see-oh, Spanish), Horatius (hoh-RAH-tee-us, hor-AY-shus, Latin), and Orazio (oh-RAHTZ-yoh, Italian).
• Laurence (LAW-rens, LOR-ens, English)--also spelled Lawrence. Other forms include Laurynas (lor-EE-nas, Lithuanian) and Laurentius (law-REN-tee-us, lor-EN-shus, Latin).
• Maurice (moh-REES, French; mor-REES, MOR-is, English)--other forms include Mauricio (mow-REE-see-oh, Spanish), Mauritius (maw-REE-tee-us, mor-ISH-us, Latin), Maurizio (mow-REE-zee-oh, Italian), and Maurycy (mow-RITS-ih, Polish).
• Rörik (ROH-rik, Swedish)--form of Roderick, from Germanic "famous power". Other forms include Rodrigue (rohd-REEG, French), Rodrigo (rohd-REE-goh, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), Rorik (ROH-rik [Old] Danish), and Rurik (ROO-reek, Russian).
• Roland (ROH-land, English; roh-LAWND, French)--other forms include Orlando (ohr-LAHN-doh, Italian), Loránd (LOH-rahnd, Hungarian), Lóránt (LOH-rahnt, Hungarian), Rolando (roh-LAHN-doh, Italian, Portuguese), Roldán (rohl-DAHN, Spanish), and Roldão (ROHL-dow, Portuguese).

Girls:

• Aurelia (ow-RAY-lee-ah, Spanish, Italian; or-REE-lee-ah, English)--feminine of Aurelio. Other forms include Aurélia (ow-RAY-lee-ah, Portuguese), Aureliana (ow-ray-lee-AH-nah, Italian), Aurélie (oh-ray-LEE, French), and Aurélienne (oh-ray-lee-EN, French).
• Aurora (ah-ROR-ah, English; ow-ROH-rah, Danish, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Spanish; OW-roh-rah, Finnish)--from Latin "dawn". French form is Aurore (oh-ROHR).
• Dolores (doh-LOHR-es, English, Spanish)
• Florence (FLOR-ens, English; floh-RAWNS, French)--from Latin, "flourishing". Other forms include Florencia (floh-REN-see-ah, Spanish), Florentia (floh-REN-tee-ah, flor-EN-shah, Latin), Florentina (floh-ren-TEE-nah, German, Romanian, Spanish), and Fiorenza (fee-oh-REN-tsah, Italian).
• Floriane (floh-ree-AN, French)--from Latin, "flower". Feminine of Florian. Other forms include Floriana (floh-ree-AH-nah, Italian), Florina (floh-REE-nah, Romanian), and Florinda (floh-REEN-dah, Portuguese, Spanish).
• Gloria (GLOH-ree-ah, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish)--other forms include Glória (GLOH-ree-ah, Portuguese), Gloriana (glor-ee-AN-ah, English; gloh-ree-AH-nah, Spanish), and Gloriela (gloh-ree-EL-ah, Spanish).
• Laurencia (law-REN-see-ah, lor-EN-shah, English)--feminine of Laurence. Other forms include Laurence (loh-RAWNS, French), Laurentia (law-REN-tee-ah, lor-EN-shah, Latin), Laurentina (law-ren-TEE-nah, Latin), Laurentine (loh-rawn-TEEN, French), Lorena (loh-REE-nah, English), and Lorenza (loh-REN-tsah, Italian; loh-REN-sah, Spanish).
• Liora (lee-oh-rah, Hebrew)--"my light". Another form is Liorit (lee-oh-reet). 
• Mallory (MAL-oh-ree, English)
• Marjorie (MAR-jor-ree, English)--form of Margaret
• Oriana (oh-ree-AH-nah, Italian)--from Latin "gold". French form is Oriane (oh-ree-AN).
• Regnora (reng-NOR-ah, Norwegian, Swedish)
• Roberta (rah-BERT-ah, English; roh-BEHT-tah, Danish, Italian, Spanish, Swedish)
• Rolanda (roh-LAHN-dah, Italian, Spanish)--feminine of Roland. Another form is Orlanda (or-LAHN-dah, Italian). 
• Rosaria (roh-SAH-ree-ah, Italian)--from Latin, "rosary". Other forms include Rosario (roh-SAH-ree-oh, Spanish), Rosário (roh-SAH-ree-oh, Portuguese), and Rosaire (roh-ZEHR, French).
• Rosemary (ROHZ-mehr-ee, English)--other forms include Rosemarie (ROH-zeh-mah-ree, German; rohz-meh-REE, English, ROHZ-mah-ree, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish).

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Ben

Ben! How have I forgotten good, dependable Ben for so long? Benjamin is the usual choice, of course, and just as in style as ever. Bentley & Bennett are modern up-and-comers, and while I wouldn't be surprised to see Benedict get a bit more usage, it's still likely to be a bit too Arnold, Cumberbatch, and/or breakfast-y for many.
So what else.....?

• Balendin (bah-len-deen, Basque)--form of Valentine
• Bastian (BAST-yen, English)
• Benaiah (ben-EYE-ah, ben-AY-ah, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"God has built"
• Benedetto (beh-neh-DET-toh, Italian)--form of Benedict. Other forms include Benas (Lithuanian), Benedek (Hungarian), Benedito (Portuguese), Benito (Spanish, Italian), & Benoit (French)
• Bengeir (BEN-gire, Old Norse)
• Benhail (ben-HAY-il, ben-HYE-il, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"son of might"
• Benigno (beh-NEEG-no, Spanish, Portuguese; beh-NEEN-yoh, Italian)--from Latin, "kind"
• Beñat (ben-yaht, Basque)--form of Bernard
• Benno (BEN-noh, German)--from Germanic, "bear"
• Bentein (BEN-tine, Norwegian)
• Ebenezer (eh-ben-EE-zer, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Esben (ES-ben, Danish, Norwegian)--from Old Norse, "god-bear"
• Iben (EE-ben, Norwegian)--short form of Ibenhard/Ebenhard
• Kolben (KOL-ben, [archaic] Swedish)--another form is Kulben (archaic Danish) [coincides with the German word for 'piston']
• Preben (PRAY-ben, Danish)--from Slavic, "first battle"
• Reuben (ROO-ben, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Torben (TOR-ben, Danish)

Vowel-Names for Boys

It occurred to me the other day that I do a lot of 'names by construction' posts for girls, but not really many for boys. So then I had to think of what I could do--besides the overplayed -aidens, and surname-y -sons & -tons, boys' names don't really have a lot of distinct patterns.
However, while vowel-y names for girls are in abundance, there aren't a lot for boys....

• Abijah (ah-BYE-jah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Adamo (ah-DAH-moh, Italian)--form of Adam. Other forms include Adão (ah-DOW, Portuguese) and Akamu (ah-kah-moo, Hawaiian)
• Adino (ah-dee-noh, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Adlai (AD-lay, AD-lye, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Aimo (EYE-moh, Finnish)--"good, real"
• Aldo (AHL-doh, English, Italian, Swedish)
• Alejo (ah-LEH-hoh, Spanish)--form of Alexis. Other forms include Aleksey (Russian), Aleksi (Finnish), & Alessio (Italian)
• Arlo (AR-loh, English)
• Asa (AY-sah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Elio (EL-yoh, Italian)--from Greek, "sun"
• Eliseo (eh-lee-ZEH-oh, Italian; eh-lee-SEH-oh, Spanish)
• Eloy (eh-LOY, Spanish)--from Latin, "chosen". French form is Éloi (AYL-wah). 
• Ezio (ETS-yoh, Italian)--from Latin, "eagle"
• Iago (ee-AH-goh, English, Portuguese; YAH-goh, Welsh)--form of Jacob. Spanish form is Yago. 
• Ibai (ee-bye, Basque)--"river"
• Ingo (EEN-goh, German)
• Ithai (ith-EYE, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"with me". Also transliterated as Ittai or Itai.
• Ivailo (ee-VYE-loh, Bulgarian)--prob. "wolf". Also transliterated as Ivaylo.
• Obadiah (oh-bah-DYE-ah, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Obi (OH-bee, Igbo)--"heart"
• Omri (AHM-ree, [Biblical] Hebrew)
• Orsino (or-SEE-noh, Italian)--from Latin "bear". Another form is Orso.  
• Otto (AH-toh, English, Danish, German, OH-toh, Swedish)--from Germanic, "wealth". Other forms include Ottone (Italian) & Udo (German). 
• Yermolai (YEHR-moh-lye, Russian)--also transliterated as Ermolai.

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Nikki

How on earth did I do a Nicky-names post for boys, and not include some for girls? Shame, shame.
Nicole, of course, was a staple of 80s naming, and surprisingly, isn't too far out of the Top 100 today. Nicolette & Nicola are pretty recognizable variants, but what else can lead to Nicki?

(I also have to say, how amazed I am--whenever I do one of these posts, I discover some great names that really could work for previous UNUNs!)

• Adonika (ah-DOH-nee-kah, Swedish)--feminine of Adonis
• Ainikki (EYE-neek-kee, Finnish)
• Andronika (ahn-DRON-ee-kah, Greek)
• Annika (AHN-nee-kah, Scandinavian)--form of Anna/Hannah. Other forms include Anniken (AHN-nee-ken, Norwegian), and Annikki (AHN-neek-kee, Finnish).
• Arnika (AHR-nee-kah, Scandinavian--from Germanic, "eagle" [coincides with German & Polish arnika, cognate of the plant arnica]
• Aunikki (OW-neek-kee, Finnish)--form of Agnes
• Dominika (doh-MEE-nee-kah, Czech, Russian, Slovak; doh-mee-NEE-kah, Polish)--feminine of Dominic. Another form is Domnika (DOM-nee-kah, Macedonian).
• Enikő (EN-ee-koo, Hungarian)
• Hennika (HEN-nee-kah, Scandinavian)--feminine of Henry
• Jannike (YAH-nee-kah, Scandinavian)--form of Jane. Other forms include Janneke (Dutch) and Jannicke (Norwegian).
• Mainikki (MYE-neek-kee, Finnish)--"wonderful"
• Nicaia (NEE-kah-yah, [Ancient] Greek)
• Nicolaia (NEE-koh-lah-yah, Danish)--Another form of Nicole. Also spelled Nikolaia.
• Nicolina (nee-koh-LEE-nah, Italian)--And another form of Nicole. Also spelled Nikolina.
• Nikhila (NIK-hil-ah, Hindi)
• Nikita (nee-KEE-tah, English, Scandinavian)--from Greek via Russian, "unconquerable"
• Veronika (veh-RON-ih-kah, veh-roh-NEE-kah, vehr-OH-nee-kah)--also spelled Veronica.

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Ari

A Top 500 boy name on the rise, Ari has begun to gain momentum as a girls' nickname--nothing new in the naming world, of course--thanks to the doubly-Top 100 Ariana/Arianna, and wow-it's-rising-fast!-Aria. Ari on its own also had a respectable rise on the girls' charts, now sitting a bit below the Top 1000 at 1326. Although it is a full name in its own right, wanting a full name for Ari is understandable: while it's masculine in most cultures, it's easily mistaken for a girl's name in English.

Boys:

• Aram (AH-rahm, Armenian)--"excellence"
• Aravind (AHR-ah-vind, Hindi)--"lotus"
• Archibald (AHR-chih-bahld, English, Scottish)
• Ardal (AHR-dahl, Irish)--"high valor". Anglicized from Ardghal. 
• Arduino (ahrd-WEE-noh, Italian)
• Argus (AHR-goos, [ancient] Greek)--"shining"
• Arkadiy (ahr-KAH-dee, Russian)--Also spelled Arkady or Arkadi. 
• Arnor (AHR-nohr, Scandinavian)
• Arrigo (ahr-REE-goh, Italiah)--from of Harry
• Arthur (AHR-thur, English)--other forms include Artair (Scottish), Arturo (Spanish, Portuguese), Artturi (Finnish), & Artūrus (Lithuanian)

Girls:

• Araceli (ah-rah-SEH-lee, Spanish)
• Araminta (ah-rah-MIN-tah, English)
• Aranka (AW-rahn-kah, Hungarian)--"gold"
• Arantxa (ah-rahnt-shah, Basque)
• Arendse (ah-REND-seh, Danish)--feminine of Arendt/Arnold
• Arezoo (ah-reh-ZOO, Persian)--also spelled Arezu or Arezou.
• Argiñe (ahr-gee-nyeh, Basque)--"light"
• Ariadne (ah-ree-AHD-nee, [ancient] Greek)--"most holy". Other forms include Ariadna (Spanish), Ariane (French), & Arianna (Italian)
• Arilda (ah-RIL-dah, Scandinavian)--feminine of Arild/Harold. 
• Arlette (ahr-LET, French)
• Armida (ahr-MEE-dah, Italian, Spanish)
• Arneke (AHR-neh-keh, Dutch, German)--from Germanic, "eagle". Also spelled Arnika or Arnike. 
• Arundhati (ah-ROOND-hah-tee, Hindi)
• Aruzhan (ah-roo-ZHAHN, Kazakh)--"beautiful soul"

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--Cam

Cam is one of the few nicknames I can easily see on either gender. Whether sort for Cameron and Camden for boys, or Cameron and Camilla (or more recently, Cambria) for girls, it's quite versatile.

(there is a surprisingly high number of coincident names in this post--names of different origins that are spelled/pronounced alike. Apparently 'kam' is a common construction in many languages!)

Boys:

• Camillo (kah-MEEL-loh, Italian)
• Kamal (kah-MAHL, Arabic, Hindi)--"perfection" [Arabic]; "lotus" [Hindi]
• Kambiz (kahm-BEEZ, Persian)
• Kamen (KAH-men, Bulgarian)--"stone"
• Kamik (kah-meek, Greenlandic, Bengali)
• Kamil (KAH-meel, Arabic, Polish)--"perfect" [Arabic] or form of Camillo [Polish]

Girls:

• Camellia (kah-MEL-yah, kah-MEE-lee-ah, English)
• Kamala (KAM-ah-lah, Hindi)--feminine of Kamal, "lotus"
• Kamaria (kah-mah-REE-ah, Swahili)--from Arabic, "moon"
• Kamarina (kah-mah-REE-nah, [Ancient] Greek)--nymph of the Sicilian city Kamarina. Also spelled Camarina.
• Kamini (kah-MEE-nee, Hindi)
• Kamma (KAHM-mah, Danish)

Unisex:

• Camlin (KAM-lin, English)--from English, "camel-cloth seller", or Irish, "crooked line"
• Kamea (kah-meh-ah, Hawaiian)
• Kamon (kah-MOHN, Thai)--"heart" or "lily"

The Long of It

Quite a ways back, I did a post on mini-names (which could probably use an update, or maybe a sequel). In general, American names are getting simpler, especially boys. Although Alexander is still pretty popular, parents are much more likely to skip the full name and just go with Alex or Xander than they used to be. For girls, the frilly, princess-y name trend (especially the newest influx of -annas & -ellas) ensures that there's still lots of long names in use, but a lot of the older appellations are now too "stuffy".

Boys:

• Algernon (AL-jer-non, English)
• Aloysius (al-oh-IH-shus, English)--form of Louis
• Antonius (an-TOH-nee-us, Latin)--original form of Anthony
• Apolinar (ah-poh-lee-NAHR, Spanish)
• Aurélian (oh-rayl-YAWN, French)--from Latin, "golden"
• Archibald (AHR-chih-bahld, English)
• Barnabas (BAHR-nah-bus, English)
• Bartholomew (bar-THOL-ah-myew, English)
• Benedict (BEN-eh-dikt, English)--from Latin, "blessed"
• Cornelius (kohr-NEEL-yus, English)
• Demetrius (deh-MEE-tree-us, Latin)
• Ebenezer (eb-en-EE-zer, English)
• Ferdinand (FER-dih-nand, English)
• Frederick (FRED-er-ik, English)
• Gioachino (joh-ah-KEE-noh, Italian)--form of Joachim/Joaquín
• Jedidiah (jed-ih-DYE-ah, English)
• Korbinian (kohr-BEE-nee-ahn, German)
• Leberecht (LEH-beh-rekht, German)--"lives rightly"
• Lysander (lye-SAN-der, Greek)
• Matthias (mah-THYE-as, English; mah-TEE-ahs, German)--form of Matthew
• Montgomery (mont-GOM-er-ee, English)
• Mortimer (MOHR-tih-mer, English)
• Nicostrato (nee-koh-STRAH-toh, Italian)
• Peregrine (PEHR-eh-grin, English)--from Latin, "traveller"
• Reginald (REJ-in-ahld, English)--form of Ronald
• Roderick (ROD-er-ik, English)
• Silvanus (sil-VAH-nus, Latin)--original form of Silas
• Sylvester (sil-VES-ter, English)
• Taliesin (tal-ee-ES-in, Welsh)
• Teodosio (teh-oh-DOHS-yoh, Spanish)
• Thaddeus (THAD-ee-us, English)
• Zacchaeus (zak-KEE-us, English)--from Hebrew, "pure"

Girls:

• Adelinde (ah-deh-LEEN-deh, Germanic)--"noble and mild"
• Alastríona (al-as-TREE-on-ah, Irish)--feminine of Alastar/Alexander
• Amaryllis (ah-mah-RIL-lis, English)--from Greek, "sparkling"
• Augustine (oh-goos-TEEN, French)
• Bernadette (ber-nah-DET, English)
• Calanthe (kah-LAN-thee, English)--from Greek, "beautiful flower"
• Celandine (SEL-an-deen, English)
• Chrysanta (krih-SAN-tah, English)--from Greek, "golden flower"
• Clementina (klem-en-TEE-nah, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish)
• Coriander (KOH-ree-an-der, English)
• Demetria (deh-MEE-tree-ah, Greek)
• Dezirinda (deh-zee-REEN-dah, Esperanto)
• Dominique (doh-mee-NEEK, French)--feminine of Dominic
• Emerentia (eh-meh-REN-tsee-ah, German)--from Latin, "praiseworthy"
• Federica (feh-deh-REE-kah, Italian)
• Felicitas (feh-LEE-tzee-tahs, German)--from Latin, "good luck"
• Gennadiya (gee-NAH-dee-ah, Russian)--from Greek, "noble"
• Karesinda (kah-reh-SEEN-dah, Esperanto)
• Katarzyna (kah-tahr-ZHEE-nah, Polish)--form of Katherine
• Katelijne (kah-teh-LYE-neh, Dutch)--another form of Katherine
• Kazimiera (kah-zee-MYE-rah, Polish)
• Liselotte (LEE-zeh-lot-teh, Danish, German)
• Marjolaine (mahr-zhoh-LEHN, French)--"marjoram"
• Millicent (MIL-lih-sent, English)
• Octavia (ok-TAY-vee-ah, English; ok-TAH-vee-ah, Latin)
• Seraphina (sehr-ah-FEE-nah, English)--from Hebrew, "fiery one"
• Temperance (TEM-per-ants, English)--"self-restraint"
• Willemina (wil-leh-MEE-nah, Dutch)--feminine of William/Willem

Same Name?!--Margaret

I actually had to go and double-check previous posts to make sure I haven't done this one yet. How on earth have I missed Margaret? A classic girls' name that's been slowly declining for decades, it's actually still in the SSA's top 200. And being the name of several saints, the permutations of Margaret have spread throughout the western world.

Original Greek form: Margarites [Μαργαριτης] (mahr-gah-REE-tes)

Latin form: Margarita (mahr-gah-REE-tah)

English form: Margaret (MAHR-gah-ret)

Other forms:

• Maarit (MAH-rit)--Finnish
• Mairéad (mah-RAID)--Irish
• Mairead (MYE-ret)--Scottish
• Małgorzata (mow-gohr-ZHAH-tah)--Polish
• Maret (MAH-ret)--Estonian
• Margalit (mahr-gah-LEET)--Hebrew
• Margaretha (mahr-gah-RET-tah)--Dutch, German
• Marged (MAHR-ged)--Welsh
• Margery (MAHR-jer-ee)--Medieval English
• Margit (MAHR-git)--Hungarian
• Margita (mahr-GEE-tah)--Slovak
• Margriet (mahr-KHREET)--Dutch
• Marguerite (mahr-gah-REET)--French
• Marit (MAH-rit)--Scandinavian
• Marketta (MAHR-ket-tah)--Finnish
• Mererid (MEH-reh-reed)--Welsh
• Merete (meh-REH-teh)--Danish

Same Name?!--Christian

Christian is an interesting case. Originally used for both males and females, in the last 100 years or so, it's become almost completely masculine--probably due in part to several Danish King Christians. Consequently, there are several more female variants than male.

Original Latin form: Christianus (kris-tee-ahn-oos)
English form: Christian (KRIST-yen, KRIS-chen)

Modern masculine forms:

• Carsten (KAHR-sten)--German. Also spelled Karsten. 
• Christer (KRIS-tehr)--Danish, Swedish. Also spelled Krister.
• Cristian (kris-TYAHN)--Romanian, Spanish
• Kristen (KRIS-ten)--Danish, Norwegian. Also spelled Christen.

Modern feminine forms:

• Cairistìona (kah-ris-TEEN-ah)--Scottish
• Christiane (kris-tee-AHN)--French
• Christine (kris-TEEN)--French
• Cristiana (krees-TYAHN-ah)--Italian, Portuguese
• Kerstin (KER-sten)--German
• Kilikina (kee-lee-kee-nah)--Hawaiian
• Kirsten (KEER-sten)--Scandinavian
• Kistiñe (kees-tee-nyeh)--Basque
• Kristin (KRIS-ten)--German, Scandinavian
• Krysia (KRISH-yah)--Polish

For the Birds

I admit it--I have a soft spot for bird-names: Wren, Lark, Robin, even the "weird" ones like Kestrel, Peregrine, & Heron. Unfortunately, when your last name is an English word, pretty much any other word-name is off-limits. Thankfully, bird-names are pretty common in just about every language! And since it's my birthday, and what I want to write about fits in nicely with an Easter/Spring-type-post, here're a bunch of names with avian meanings.

Boys:

• Ákos (AK-osh, Hungarian)--from Turkish, "white falcon"
• Aras (AH-rahs [r is trilled/rolled], Lithuanian)--"eagle"
• Ari (ah-ree, Icelandic, Finnish)--from Old Norse, "eagle" [also means "lion" in Hebrew, and "brave" in Armenian]
• Arne (AR-neh, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "eagle"
• Astor (AS-tor, English)--from Provençal, "hawk"
• Bertram (BER-tram, English, German)--from Germanic, "bright raven"
• Bran (BRAN, Irish or BRAHN, Welsh)--"raven"
• Callum (KAL-lum, Scottish)--from Latin, "dove". Other versions include Colum (Irish) and Koloman (German).
• Corbin (KOR-bin, English)--from French, "raven"
• Einín (EH-neen, Irish)--"little bird"
• Ezio (ETS-yoh, Italian)--from Greek, "eagle"
• Gawain (gah-WAYN or GAH-wine, English)--from Welsh, "white hawk". Variant is Gavin.
• Haytham (HYE-thahm, Arabic)--"young eagle"
• Jonah (JOH-nah, Hebrew)--"dove". Variants include Jonas.
• Lonan (LOH-nan, Irish)--"blackbird"

Girls:

• Aderyn (ah-DEHR-un, Welsh)--"bird"
• Alcyone (al-SYE-on-ee, Greek)--"kingfisher"
• Alondra (ah-LOHN-drah, Spanish)--"lark"
• Branwen (BRAHN-wen,Welsh)--"blessed raven"
• Celandine (SEL-an-deen, English)--from Greek, "swallow"
• Circe (SEER-see, Greek)--"falcon"
• Geiléis (gel-AYSH, Irish)--"bright swan". Variant is Gelace (gel-AYS).
• Gwennol (GWEN-nol, Welsh)--"swallow"
• Gwylan (GWEE-lan, Welsh)--"seagull"
• Idriya (ee-dree-yah, Hebrew)--"duck"
• Jemima (jeh-MYE-mah, English)--from Hebrew, "dove"
• Lærke (LAHR-keh, Danish)--"lark"
• Llinos (HLEE-nos, Welsh)--"finch" or "linnet"
• Paloma (pah-LOH-mah, Spanish)--"dove"
• Parastu (pahr-ahs-too, Persian)--"swallow"
• Philomel (FIL-oh-mel, English)--"nightingale"
• Sarika (sah-rih-kah, Indian [Hindi])--"talking bird" [parrot, cuckoo, myna, etc]
• Sazume (sah-zoo-meh, Japanese)--"sparrow"
• Séanait (SHAY-nat, Irish)--"hawk"
• Svana (SVAH-nah, Icelandic)--from Germanic, "swan"
• Tsubame (tsoo-bah-meh, Japanese)--"swallow"
• Usoa (oo-soh-ah, Basque)--"dove". Variant is Uxue (oo-shoo-eh).
• Zipporah (zip-POR-ah, English)--from Hebrew, "bird". Other versions include Tzipporah (Hebrew), Sepphora (Greek), and Seffora (Latin).

Unisex: 

• Aquila (ah-KWEE-lah, Latin)--"eagle"
• Columba (col-UM-bah, Latin)--"dove"
• Merle (MURL, English)--from French, "blackbird"
• Shahin (sha-heen, Persian)--"falcon". Also spelled Shaheen.

Usual Name, Unexpected Nickname--Katherine

There are about as many different ways to form nicknames as there are cultures. While many nicknames for our most enduring classics seem out of date or boring, an imported diminutive can be fresh & fun.
The first name I'm tackling in this new series is Katherine. Kate & Katie are just as popular as ever, Kathy is so 30 years ago, Kitty is somewhere between cobwebs and vintage-cute, while Kat is indie-cool.
That's about it for the usual English nicknames, I think, so how about....

• Cadi (KAH-dee)--Welsh
• Caja/Kaia/Kaia (KYE-ah)--Scandinavian
• Cato (kah-TOH)--Dutch
• Kadri (KAH-dree)--Estonian
• Kai (KYE)--Scandinavian
• Kaisa (KYE-sah)--Finnish, Estonian
• Kari (KAHR-ee)--Norwegian
• Kasia (KAH-shah)--Polish
• Kata (KAH-tah)--Croatian, Finnish, Hungarian
• Katenka (kah-TEN-kah)--Russian
• Käthe (KET-eh)--German
• Katia/Katja/Katya (KAHT-yah)--Dutch, German, Russian, Scandinavian
• Kay (KAY)--English
• Nienke (NEEN-keh)--Frisian
• Nine (NEE-nah)--Frisian
• Rina (REE-nah)--Dutch, Italian
• Trine (TREE-neh)--Danish

Perennially Unpopular (Boys)

Popularity is a funny thing. Sometimes a name is bolstered by its history, sometimes by resemblance to another name, sometimes by some indescribable "coolness" factor. But for some reason, other names just never catch on in large numbers. Maybe they lack notable namesakes, have an unfashionable vibe, or are ahead of their time. No matter what reason they've stayed uncommon, here are names that have been around for decades, or even centuries, but perpetually sit just outside, or barely make a blip in, the Top 1000 charts.

• Alaric (AL-ah-rik, English)
  
• Ansel (AN-sel, English)
• Arlo (AR-loh, English)
• Baxter (BAKS-ter, English)
• Clive (CLIVE, English)
• Conley (CON-lee, Irish)--anglicization of Conleth
• Edric (ED-rik, English)
• Ephraim (EE-free-im or EF-ram, Hebrew)
• Evander (ee-VAN-der, Latin)
• Ignatius (ig-NAY-shus, Latin)
• Jamin (JAY-min, Hebrew)
• Jethro (JETH-roh, Hebrew)
• Jory (JOHR-ee, Cornish--form of George
• Leander (lee-AN-der, Greek)
• Leopold (LEE-oh-pold, German)
• Magnus (MAG-nus, Latin)--"great"
• Merrick (MEHR-rik, English)
• Merritt (MEHR-rik, English)
• Montgomery (mont-GUM-er-ee, English)--simply Monty has fared much better
• Mordecai (mor-de-KYE, Hebrew)
• Nevin (NEH-vin, English)--probably an anglicization of the Gaelic Naomhan ("little saint")
• Niles (NILES, English)
• Phinehas/Phineas (FIN-ee-as, Hebrew)
• Raynard (RAY-nard, English)
• Shea (SHAY, Irish)
• Simeon (SIM-ee-on, Hebrew)--form of Simon
• Talmadge/Talmage (TAL-madj, English)
• Tobin (TOH-bin, English)--form of Tobias
• Urban (UR-ban, Danish & English)

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.