You're a Star, pt. 3

I've already done a post on named stars, as well as one on names that mean 'star'. However, that overlooks one very narrow category of stellar names: those referring to one specific star--in this case, the morning and evening star (both are actually Venus, but let's not get too semantic). ;)

Danica and Lucifer are probably the only ones familiar in the US, but there are a quite a few others....
(surprisingly, most of the names I found are commonly used on people; the few that are mainly mythological/literary are marked with an *. Also, almost all the names refer to the morning star--or Venus in general--the ones referring to only the evening star are noted as such)

Feminine:

• Arusiak (ah-ROOS-yak, Armenian)--also transliterated as Arusyak. 
• Aušrinė (oh-SHREEN-ay [trilled/rolled R], Lithuanian)
• Ayelet (ah-YEH-let, Hebrew)--lit. "gazelle". 'Ayelet hashachar ("gazelle of dawn") is the Hebrew name for the morning star.
• Berlewen (behr-LEOO-en ['EOO' roughly sounds like the short 'e' of English "let" and the short 'oo' of "took" smashed together], Cornish)--a modern revival Cornish name. Another form is Borlowen* (bor-LOO-en). 
• Danica (DAN-ik-ah, English; DAH-neets-ah, Croatian, Macedonian, Serbian, Slovenian)
• Jitřenka (yih-TRZHENK-ah [no close English equivalent for the ř, sort of a buzzy rolled R], Czech)
• Lucero (loo-SEH-roh, Spanish)--lit. "light-giver, brilliance". Lucero del alba ("light-giver of dawn") is the Spanish name for the morning star. 
• Quetzalli (ket-SAHL-lee, Nahuatl)--lit. "feather". Quetzalcoatl is the god of the morning star in Aztec mythology. Modern Spanish spelling is Quetzali.
• Sagal (sah-GAL, Somali)
• Vakarinė* (vah-kah-REE-nay [trilled/rolled R], Lithuanian) [evening]
• Zornitsa (zor-NEET-sah, Bulgarian)
• Zorya* (ZOHR-yah, Russian, Ukrainian)--lit. "dawn". Zorya Vechernyaya and Zorya Utrennyaya are the goddesses of the evening star and morning star, respectively, in Slavic mythology.
  [related names Zora/Zoran/Zorana are common in the Slavic languages]

Masculine:

• Ēarendel* (AYR-en-del, Old English)--Old Norse form is Aurvandil* (AWR-vahn-dil). Orentil*, Orendel*, and Erentil* are related names found in medieval German literature.
  [Tolkien fans might notice the similarity between Ēarendel and Eärendil--well, Tolkien was an Old English scholar. ;) ]
• Lucifer* (LOO-sif-er, [anglicized] Latin)--lit. "bringer of light"
• Tariq (TAH-rik, Arabic)--lit. "knocker, striker"
• Tāwera (TAH-weh-rah, Maori)
• Vesper* (VES-per, [anglicized] Latin)--Original Greek form is Hesperos*. [evening]

Unisex:

• Khwezi (KWEH-zee, Zulu)
• Tsolmon (TSAHL-mun, Mongolian)

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--Molly

Poor Molly. Is she a nickname, or a full given name? I guess the answer is 'both': Molly was originally a regional pronunciation of Mary (that pesky R-to-L shift), but became widespread as a nickname during medieval times.
So, nowadays, she's rather in limbo--too "nickname-y" for a full name, but Mary to Molly isn't really intuitive in Modern English.

• Amalia (ah-MAH-lee-ah, Dutch, German, Italian, Spanish)--form of Amelia
• Amalthea (ah-mahl-THEE-ah, ah-mahl-THEH-ah, [ancient] Greek)--"soothing"
• Magali (mah-gah-LEE, Provençal)--form of Magdalene. Also spelled Magalie. 
• Mahalah (mah-hah-lah, mah-khah-lah [Biblical] Hebrew)--also written as Mahlah (mah-lah, mah-khlah) or Maala (mah-ah-lah).
• Mahalath (mah-hah-lahth, mah-khah-laht, [Biblical] Hebrew)--"lyre"
• Mahalia (mah-HAY-lee-ah, English)--form of Mahalah or Mahalath. 
• Mahulena (mah-hoo-LEH-nah, Czech). Slovak form is Mahuliena (mah-hoo-LYEH-nah).
• Malaika (mah-LYE-kah, Arabic, Swahili)--from Arabic "angels"
• Malati (MAHL-uh-tee, Hindi)--"jasmine"
• Malena (mah-LEH-nah, Czech, Scandinavian, Spanish)--form of Magdalena or Mahulena.
• Malie (mah-lee-eh, Hawaiian)--"calm"
• Malika (mah-LEE-kah, Arabic)--"queen"
• Malina (MAH-lin-ah, mah-LEE-nah, Bulgarian, Czech, Croatian, Polish, Serbian, Slovak)--"raspberry"
• Malini (MAH-lin-ee, Hindi)--"sweet-smelling"
• Marilena (mah-ree-LEH-nah, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian)--contraction of Maria Elena
• Marsaili (MAR-sah-lee, Scottish)--also spelled Marsali
• Maryla (mah-RIL-ah, Polish)--form of Maria

D-Dun-Dun-Dun-Duuuuunn

Did you know there're no D-names for girls in the Top 100? Destiny is the highest-ranked, at #113, followed by Delilah, Daniela, Daisy, & Delaney also in the Top 250.
In the past, a few different D-names have been common for girls (several currently are for boys!), but I guess most must be 'unstylish' right now.

• Daciana (dah-chee-AH-nah, Romanian)
• Dagny (DAHG-nee, Norwegian; DAHNG-nee, Swedish; DAG-nee, English)--from Old Norse, "new day". Latvian form is Dagnija (DAHG-nee-yah).
• Dahlia (DAH-lee-ah or DAY-lee-ah, English)--Spanish form is Dalia (DAHL-yah)
• Daina (DAY-nah, Lithuanian; DYE-nah, Latvian)--"song"
• Dáiríne (DAH-rin-yeh, Irish)--Anglicized as Darina. 
• Damaris (DAM-ah-ris, English; DAH-mah-ris, German; dah-MAH-rees, Spanish)
• Damhnait (DAV-nat, DOW-nat, Irish)--"fawn". Anglicized as Devnet or Dymphna (DIMF-nah)
• Damiana (dah-mee-AH-nah, Italian)--feminine of Damian. 
• Danaë (dah-NAH-ee, Greek)
• Danica (DAN-ik-ah, English; DAH-nee-kah, Slavic)--"morning star"
• Daniyah (DAN-ee-ah, Arabic)
• Daphne (DAF-nee, English; DAHF-neh, Dutch & German)--from Greek, "laurel". Other forms include Dafna (Hebrew), Dafne (Italian), & Dafina (Albanian & Macedonian)
• Dara (DAH-rah, Slavic)--"gift". Other forms include Darinka, Darina & Daryna.  [masculine in other languages/origins]
• Darcy (DAR-see, English)
• Daria (DAH-ree-ah, Italian, Polish)--feminine of Darius. Other forms include Dareia (Greek), Darija (Croatian, Serbian), Darja (Czech), and Darya (Russian)
• Darya (dahr-YAH, Persian)--"sea"
• Davina (dah-VEE-nah, English)--feminine of David
• Deirdre (DEER-dreh, English; DEHR-dreh, Irish)
• Delphine (del-FEEN, French)--other forms include Delphina (Latin), Delfina (Italian, Spanish), & Delphia (English)
• Delwen (DEL-wen, Welsh)--"pretty & blessed"
• Delyth (DEL-ith, Welsh)--"pretty"
• Demeter (deh-MEE-ter, English; deh-MEH-tehr, Greek)--"earth mother"
• Demetria (deh-MEE-tree-ah, English; deh-MEH-tree-ah, Greek, Italian)
• Denica (deh-NEETZ-ah, Macedonian, Bulgarian)--"day, morning"
• Despina (DES-pee-nah, Greek, Russian, Macedonian)
• Desta (DEH-stah, Amharic)--"joy"
• Devi (DEV-ee, Hindi)--"goddess"
• Devika (DEV-ee-kah, Hindi)--"little goddess"
• Diantha (dee-AHN-thah, Dutch, English)--from Greek, "heavenly flower"
• Dilan (dee-LAHN, Turkish)--"love"
• Dinah (DYE-nah, English; dee-NAH, Hebrew)
• Dionisia (dee-oh-NEE-see-ah, English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian)--form of Denise. 
• Doina (DOH-ee-nah, Romanian)--"folk song"
• Domenica (doh-MEH-nee-kah, Italian)--feminine of Dominic. Other forms include Dominga (Spanish), Dominica (Latin), Dominika (Czech, Russian, Polish, Slovak), and Domnika (Macedonian)
• Donata (doh-NAH-tah, Italian)
• Dorothea (doh-roh-THEE-ah, English; doh-roh-TE-ah, German)--other forms include Dorete (doh-REH-teh, Danish, Swedish), Dorotea (doh-roh-TEH-ah, Italian, Spanish, Croatian) & Dorit (DOHR-it, Scandinavian). 
• Drusa (DROO-sah, Latin)--another (Latin) form is Druscilla.
• Dua (DOO-ah, Arabic)--"prayer"
• Dulcinea (dool-sin-EH-ah, Spanish, English)
• Dunja (DOON-yah, Slavic)
• Dušana (doo-SHAH-nah, Slavic)--"soul"

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Millie/Mila

I haven't done this one yet? Really?? *hangs head in shame*
Originally short for Millicent, Mildred, and other musty Germanic names, Millie is more likely today to be a nickname for the comeback favorites Amelia & Camilla.
And speaking of rising favorites, Mila has quite a bit of potential overlap with Millie. Although it's pretty established as a given name overseas, it was originally a nickname for many Slavic -mil- names.

• Amelina (ah-meh-LEE-nah, Germanic)--original form of Emmeline
• Bohumila (baw-hoo-MEE-lah, Czech)--from Slavic, "dear to God"
• Camellia (kah-MEE-lee-ah, kah-MEL-ee-ah, English)
• Jamila (jah-MEE-lah, Arabic)--"beautiful". Spanish form is Yamila.
• Magnhild (MANG-nhild, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "mighty in battle"
• Marsaili (MAR-sah-lee, Scottish)--form of Marcella
• Matilda (mah-TIL-dah, English)
• Maximiliane (maks-ee-mil-YAH-neh, German)--other forms include Maximilienne (French) & Maximiliana (Latin)
• Mélisande (may-lee-SAHND, French)--form of Millicent
• Melitta (meh-LIT-tah, German, Scandinavian)--form of Melissa
• Micheline (mee-sheh-LEEN, French)--form of Michele/Michaela
• Mielikki (MEE-eh-lik-kee, Finnish)
• Mihaela (mee-HYE-lah, Croatian, Romanian)--another form of Michaela/Michele
• Milada (mee-LAH-dah, Croatian)
• Milagros (mee-LAH-grohs, Spanish)--"miracles"
• Milda (MEEL-dah, Lithuanian)--Lithuanian goddess of love
• Milena (mee-LEH-nah, Slavic)--another form is Milana.
• Milica (MEE-lee-tsah, Slavic)--also spelled Militsa
• Milou (mee-LOO, Swedish, French)--from French, form of Émilie/Emilia
• Milva (MEEL-vah, Italian)
• Romilda (roh-MEEL-dah, Italian)--from Germanic, "famous battle'
• Sharmila (shar-MEE-lah, Hindi)
• Theomilla (theh-oh-MEE-lah, German)

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Grab Bag I (boys)

There are quite a few popular nicknames that are seriously lacking a variety of sources! Of course, I have to try anyway. This will definitely be the first of several of these 'grab bag' posts.
Thanks to Ashlie for several nickname suggestions. :)

"Dom" without Dominic:

• Adomas (ah-DOM-as, Lithuanian)--form of Adam
• Damasus (dah-MAH-soos, Latin)
• Damir (DAHM-eer, Slavic)--"giving peace"
• Dómald (DOH-mald, Icelandic)
• Domar (doh-MAHR, Swedish)
• Domen (DOM-en, Slovene)--form of Dominic
• Domitian (dom-EE-tee-an, dom-ISH-an, English)
• Edom (EE-dom, English)

"Huck/Hux" without Huxley (had to go really surname-y for this one!):

• Habakkuk (huh-BAK-uk, HAB-ah-kuk, English)--from Hebrew, "embrace"
• Huckett (HUK-ett, English)--surname form of Hugh
• Huckin/Hukin, Huckins/Hukins (HUK-in, HUK-ins)--another surname form of Hugh
• Hucknall  (HUK-nal, English)--surname, "Hucca [tribe] valley"
• Huxham (HUKS-am, English)--surname, "Hoc's home"

"Sam" without Samuel:

• Bassam (bah-SAM, Arabic)--"smiling"
• Samad (sam-AHD, Arabic)--"eternal"
• Samang (sahm-ANG, Khmer)--"lucky"
• Samay (sam-EYE, Khmer)--"daydream"
• Samir (sam-EER, Arabic)
• Sampo (SAHM-poh, Finnish)
• Samson (SAM-son, English)--from Hebrew, "sun"
• Samuli (SAH-moo-lee, Finnish)--form of Samuel

Elementary

I've done quite a few nature-name posts, but I realized I'd left out a lot of names! Captain Planet would be ashamed.

Earth:

• Avani (ah-vah-NEE)--Hindi, feminine
• Bhumi (bhoo-mee)--Hindi, feminine
• Daichi (dah-ee-chee)--Japanese, masculine; "great earth/land" [other meanings possible dep. on characters]
• Demeter (deh-MEE-ter, deh-MEH-tehr)--Ancient Greek, feminine; "earth mother" 
• Gaia (GAH-yah)--Greek, feminine
• Ila (EE-lah)--Hindi, feminine
• Kun (KOON)--Chinese, usually masculine
• Terra (TEHR-rah)--English [from Latin], feminine

Wind:

• Anemone (ah-NEM-ah-nee)--English [from Greek], feminine
• Anil (an-NEEL), masculine; Anila (ah-NEE-lah), feminine--Hindi
• Era (EH-rah)--Albanian, feminine
• Ghobad (ghoh-BAHD)--Persian, masculine
• Haizea (eye-seh-ah)--Basque, feminine
• Ilma (EEL-mah)--Finnish, feminine; "air"
• Meltem (mel-TEM)--Turkish, feminine; "breeze"
• Nasim (nah-SEEM)--Arabic, feminine; "breeze"
• Tuula (TOO-lah)--Finnish, feminine. Other forms include Tuuli, Tuulia, & Tuulikki (TOO-lik-kee).
• Vayu (VAH-yoo)--Hindi, masculine
• Zephyr (ZEF-er)--Greek, masculine; "west wind". French feminine form is Zéphyrine.

Fire:

• Agni (AHG-nee)--Hindi, masculine
• Aodhán (AY-ahn, AY-dahn), masculine; Aodnait (AY-nat), feminine--Irish, "little fire". Anglicized as Aidan & Enat, respectively.
• Azar (ah-ZAR)--Persian, feminine
• Cináed (KIN-ee, KIN-ay, KIN-ahd)--Scottish, masculine; "born of fire". Anglicized as Kenneth.
• Fiammetta (fee-ah-MEH-tah)--Italian, feminine; "little fire"
• Jehoash (jeh-HOH-ash)--English [from Hebrew], masculine; "fire of God". Another form is Joash (JOH-ash).
• Nina (NEE-nah)--Quechua, feminine
• Plamen (PLAH-men)--Slavic, masculine
• Shula (SHOO-lah)--Arabic, feminine
• Şule (shoo-LEH)--Turkish, feminine
• Ugnė (OOG-nee)--Lithuanian, feminine

Water:

• Aysu (eye-SOO)--Turkish, feminine; "moon & water"
• Damla (dahm-LAH)--Turkish, feminine; "water droplet"
• Douglas (DUG-las)--Scottish, masculine; "dark water"
• Kelda (KEL-dah)--English [from Old Norse], feminine, "spring, fountain"
• Maayan (mah-ah-yahn)--Hebrew, feminine; "spring, fountain"
• Mayim (mah-yeem)--Hebrew, feminine. Another form is Maya.
• Mortimer (MOR-tim-er)--English [from Old French], masculine; "still water"
• Neith (NEETH, NAYTH)--English [from ancient Egyptian], feminine
• Nerio (NEHR-yoh)--Italian [from Greek], masculine
• Shui (shoo-ee)--Chinese, usually masculine
• Su (SOO)--Turkish, feminine
• Tirto (TEER-toh)--Javanese, masculine; "holy water"

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Theo/Thea

Theo is one of those nicknames we're likely to be seeing a lot more of. It just reappeared on the SSA charts for the first time in nearly 70 years--right on cue for a revival. Its traditional full form, though, Theodore, is either old-man chic, or permanently stuck in Chipmunk-territory, depending on who you ask.
As for poor Thea, she's not been seen in many a year, nor have her usual full forms, the twin sisters Dorothea & Theodora.

• Philotheos (fil-oth-EH-os, Greek)--"friend of God"
• Theobald (THEE-oh-bahld, THEH-oh-bahld, Germanic)--"of bold people"
• Theocritus (thee-OK-rit-us, Latin)--from Greek, "judged by God"
• Theodard (THEH-oh-dard, Latin)--from Germanic, "of strong people"
• Theodolf (THEH-oh-dolf, Germanic)-- "of the wolf people"
• Theodoric (thee-OD-ohr-ik, Germanic)--"people's ruler"
• Theodosius (thee-oh-DOH-see-us, Latin)--from Greek, "giving to God"
• Theodotus (thee-oh-DOH-tus, Latin)--from Greek, "given to God"
• Theodulus (thee-oh-DOO-lus, Latin)--from Greek, "servant of God". Modern French form is Théodule.
• Theofried (THEH-ah-freed, Latin)--from Germanic, "of peaceful people"
• Theophilus (thee-OF-il-us, Latin)--from Greek, "friend of God".  Modern forms include Théophile (French), Theofilus (Dutch), & Theophil (German).
• Theopont (THEH-ah-pont, Greek)--"sea of God"

• Alethea (ah-LAY-thee-ah, ah-lah-THEE-ah, English)--from Greek, "truth"
• Althea (ahl-THEH-ah, ahl-THEE-ah, Greek)--"healing"
• Amalthea (ah-mahl-THEE-ah, ah-mahl-THEH-ah, Greek)--"soothing"
• Anthea (an-THEE-ah, an-THEH-ah, Greek)--"flower"
• Eidothea (ay-doth-EH-ah, Greek)--"knowledge goddess"
• Pasithea (pas-ih-THEH-ah, Greek)--"acquired goddess"
• Praxithea (praks-ih-THEH-ah, Greek)--"commerce goddess"
• Theodosia (thee-oh-DOHS-yah, Greek)--"giving to God"
• Theokleia (thee-oh-KLAY-ah, Greek)--"glory of God"
• Theolinde (theh-oh-LEEN-deh, Latin)--from Germanic, "of tender people"
• Theomilla (theh-oh-MEEL-lah, German)--Greek [theo] + Slavic [milla], "God's grace"
• Theonoe (theh-on-OH-ee, Greek)--"intelligent goddess"
• Theophania (thee-of-AN-yah, Greek)--"appearance of God"
• Theophila (thee-OF-il-ah, Greek)--"friend of God"
• Theophora (theh-OF-or-ah, thee-OF-or-ah, Greek)--"bearing God"
• Timothea (tim-oh-THEH-ah, tim-oh-THEE-ah, English)--from Greek, "honoring God"

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Izzy

Combined, Isabella & Isabelle are easily the most popular girls' name. Chances are many were named to get that to that cool Bella, but just as many likely go by Izzy (to preemptively avoid Bella).

• Aliza (ah-lee-ZAH, Hebrew)--"joyful"
• Isabeau (ee-sah-BOH, French)--Archaic variant of Isabel/Elizabeth.
• Isadora (iz-ah-DOH-rah, English)--from Greek, "gift of Isis". Also spelled Isidora.
• Isaura (ee-SOW-rah, Spanish)
• Iscah (IS-kah, Hebrew)--original form of Jessica
• Iseul (ee-sul, Korean)--"dew"
• Isis (EYE-sis, Greek)--from Egyptian. Egyptian goddess of nature and the sky. Also written as Iset.
• Iskra (EES-krah, Slavic)--"spark"
• Ismene (is-MAY-nee, Greek)--"knowledge"
• Isolde (ee-ZOL-deh, English)--from Celtic, meaning uncertain. Variants include Isotta & Iseult.
• Isra (IS-rah, Arabic)
• Izar (ee-sar [r is trilled/rolled], Basque)--"star"
• Izdihar (is-dee-HAR, Arabic)--"blossoming"
• Izumi (ee-zoo-mee, Japanese)--"fountain"
• Mizuki (mee-zoo-kee, Japanese)

Usual Name, Unexpected Nickname--Alexander

For such a long time, Alex was the favored nickname for Alexander, but in recent years, you're just as likely to hear Xander. Thanks to Alexander the Great, his name spread throughout Europe and the Middle East, and while the variants of Alexander all bear strong resemblance to the original (Eskandar, Alistair, Oleksander, to name a few), the nicknames have surprising variety.

• Ace (AYS)--English
• Ace/Atse (ATS-eh)--Macedonian
• Aleš (AH-lesh)--Czech & Slovak
• Lekso (LEK-so)--Serbian
• Sandy (SAN-dee)--English
• Santeri (SAHN-teh-ree)--Finnish
• Sasha (SAH-shah)--Russian
• Sawney (SAW-nee)--Scottish
• Shurik (SHOOR-eek)--Russian
• Skender (SKEN-der)--Albanian

Although it's technically a full name in its own right, the related Alexis and variant forms are sometimes used as a nickname for Alexander and company. While Alexander means "defender of man", Alexis is simply "defender". 

• Aleix (ah-LAYSH)--Catalan
• Alejo (ah-LEH-hoh)--Spanish
• Aleksei (ah-lyek-SAY)--Russian
• Alessio (ah-LES-syoh)--Italian

If you saw this post when it first went up, I apologize! I'm not sure how I managed to only publish part of it, but I've added in the missing Alexis segment. :)

You're a God, part the final.

Grab-bag time!

Boys:

• Amon (AH-mon, Egyptian)--god of creation. Later merged with the sun-god, Ra. Also transliterated as Ammon, Amun, or Yamanu.
• Jarilo (yah-REE-loh, Slavic)--god of spring and fertility. Also spelled Yarilo.
• Perun (PEHR-un, Slavic)--god of thunder
• Tane (TAH-neh, Maori)--god of forests and animals
• Tapio (TAH-pee-oh, Finnish)--god of forests and hunting

Girls:

• Aušrinė (ow-SHREE-neh, Lithuanian)--goddess of the morning star [the planet Venus] and dawn. 
• Bastet (bahs-TET, Egyptian)--lioness/cat-goddess of the sun and fertility. Also transliterated to Bast or Baset.
• Dalia (DAHL-yah, Lithuanian)--goddess of fate and property
• Gabija (gah-bee-YAH, Lithuanian)--goddess of hearth and home.
• Isis (EYE-sis, Egyptian)--goddess of motherhood & magic. Also transliterated as Iset.
• Kolyada (kohl-YAH-dah, Slavic)--goddess of sun, particularly the winter solstice.
• Marama (MAH-rah-mah, Maori)--goddess of the moon
• Mielikki (mee-eh-lik-KEE, Finnish)--goddess of forests and hunting
• Morana (MOR-an-ah, Slavic)--goddess of winter
• Neith (NEETH or NAYTH, Egyptian)--goddess of war and hunting. Also transliterated as Neit.
• Pele (PAY-leh, Hawaiian)--goddess of volcanoes, fire, and lightning.
• Saule (SOW-lay, Lithuanian)--goddess of the sun, mother to the planets.
• Tanith (TAN-ith, Phoenician)--goddess of the moon, fertility, and war. Other forms are Tanis and Tanit.
• Vellamo (VEL-lah-moh, Finnish)--goddess of the sea
• Zaria (ZAHR-yah, Slavic)--goddess of beauty
• Živa (ZHEE-vah, Slavic)--goddess of love, fertility, and spring

Part 1 (Roman)--Part Deux (Greek)--Part III (Celtic)--Part D (Germanic)

<*insert semi-cheesy holiday title here*>

I swore I wasn't going to do a holiday-themed post, because they are everywhere, but I just couldn't resist.
So, for the season of giving, here's a compilation of names that mean "gift".
Whatever your holiday is, I hope it's a happy one!

Boys:

• Abishai (ah-bi-SHY, Hebrew)--"my Father's gift"
• Ata (ah-tah, Arabic)
• Csaba (CHAH-bah, Hungarian)
• Devdan (dev-dahn, Indian [Hindi])--"gift of the gods". Variants include Debdan & Deodan.
• Doron (doh-ROHN, Hebrew")
• Ekrem (ek-REM, Turkish)--"most generous"
• Gebbert (GEB-bert, German)--"brave gift"
• Gennady (gen-AH-dee, Russian)--from Greek, "generous"
• Isidore (IZ-a-dor or ees-ah-DOHR, Greek)--"gift from Isis"
• Jesse (JES-see, Hebrew)
• Mattan (mah-tahn, Hebrew)
• Matthew (MATH-yoo, English)--from Hebrew, "gift of Yahweh". Variants include Matthias (Greek), Matteo (Italian), & Makaio (Hawaiian).
• Shai (SHY, Hebrew)
• Theodore (THEE-oh-dohr, Greek)--"gift of god"

Girls:

• Atiya (AH-tee-yah, Arabic)
• Dara (DAH-rah, Slavic)
• Dîyar (DEE-yar, Kurdish)
• Dorothea (doh-roh-THEH-ah, Greek)--"gift of god"
• Eudora (yoo-DOHR-ah, Greek)--"good gift"
• Gennadiya (gen-AH-dee-yah, Russian)--from Greek, "generous"
• Godiva (god-EYE-vah or goh-DEE-van, Anglo-Saxon)--"gift of god"
• Heba (HEB-ah, Arabic)
• Isidora (is-ih-DOHR-ah, ee-see-DOHR-ah, Greek)--"gift from Isis"
• Karima (kah-ree-mah, Arabic)--"generous"
• Lahja (LAH-hya, Finnish)
• Pandora (pan-DOH-rah, Greek)--"all gifts"
• Sunniva (soon-NEE-vah, Norwegian)--from Old English, "gift of the sun". Another form is Synnove (sin-NOH-veh).
• Theodora (theh-oh-DOHR-ah, Greek)--"gift of God"

Same Name?!--Alice

This is one of my favorite name families! Like Elizabeth, Alice has some pretty surprising variants--or should I say, is, a surprising variant. The original form was the Germanic Adelheidis, and over time various syllables were cropped out in a plethora of ways.

Original Germanic form: Adelheidis (ah-del-hye-dis)
Modern English form: Alice (AL-is)

• Adelaide (AD-el-ayd)--English
• Adélaïde (ad-el-ah-EED)--French
• Adelaide (ad-el-IDE-eh)--Italian
• Adelais (AH-del-ay-ees)--Germanic
• Aileas (AH-les or EH-les)--Scottish 
• Ailís (AY-leesh)--Irish 
• Aleida (AH-lye-dah)--Dutch, German
• Alica (ah-LEE-tsah)--Slavic
• Alicia (ah-LEE-sha or ah-LEE-syah)--English, Spanish 
• Alida (ah-LEE-dah)--German
• Alisa (ah-LEE-sah)--Russian 
• Alison (AL-ih-son)--English, French
• Alix (ah-LEEKS)--Medieval French
• Aliz (AH-leez)--Hungarian
• Alys (AL-is)--Welsh
• Elke (EL-keh)--Frisian
• Heidi (HYE-dee)--German, Scandinavian

Same Name?!--John

What can you say about John? Thanks to a pair of admirable Bible characters, it's one of the most popular boys' names of all time, extremely common in all three major branches of Christianity (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, & Protestant). It didn't lose its hold in America until the 80s, and even then, it's still in the top 25. It's also one of the few traditional names with a comparable range of both male and female versions.
For some, John is a solid classic, for others, it's bland and tired.
And despite the similarity in English, it's actually unrelated to Jonathan.

Original Hebrew form: Yochanan [יוֹחָנָן] (yoh-kha-nahn)
Greek transliteration: Yoannes (yoh-AHN-nehs)
Latin form: Iohannes (yoh-AN-nes)

Modern versions:

• Evan (EV-an)--Welsh. Anglicized from Iefan. Other forms include Ifan (EE-van), Ieuan (YAY-an), Ioan (YOH-an), Iwan (EE-wan), and Sion (SHON [via Jehan]).
• Ganix (JAHN-eesh)--Basque
• Giovanni (joh-VAHN-nee)--Italian
• Hank (HANK)--Medieval English (via Hann)
• Hann (HAHN)--Medieval English (via Johannes). Diminutive is Hankin.
• Hans (HAHNS)--Dutch, German, Scandinavian (via Johannes)
• Honza (HON-zah)--Czech (via Hans)
• Ian (EE-an)--Scottish. Older form is Iain.
• Ion (YON)--Romanian
• Ivan (ee-VAHN or EYE-van)--Slavic
• Jack (JAK)--English (via Jankin) 
• Jan (YAHN, JAN)--Czech, Dutch, German, Medieval English. English diminutive is Jankin.
• Janez (YAHN-ez)--Slovene
• Jehan (zheh-han)--Medieval French
• Jens (YENS)--Dutch
• João (ZHOO-ow)--Portuguese
• Johan (YOH-han)--German, Scandinavian
• Johannes (yo-HAN-nes)--Late Latin
• Jovan (YOH-van)--Macedonian, Serbian
• Juan (HWAHN)--Spanish
• Keoni (keh-oh-nee)--Hawaiian
• Sean (SHAHN)--Irish. Sometimes anglicized to Shane.
• Xoan (SHOH-awn)--Galician
• Yann (YAHN)--Breton. Diminutive is Yannick.

Feminine forms:

• Gianna (JAHN-nah)--Italian
• Ioanna (yoh-AHN-nah)--Greek
• Ionela (yoh-NEL-lah)--Romanian
• Ivana (ee-VAH-nah)--Slavic
• Jana (YAH-nah)--Dutch, German
• Jane (JAYN)--English (via Jehanne). Diminutives are Janet, Janice, and Jenny.
• Janneke (YAH-neh-keh)--Dutch
• Jean (JEEN)--English, Scottish (via Jehanne). Scottish diminutive is Jessie.
• Jeanne (ZHAHN)--French (via Jehanne). Diminutives are Jeannine and Jeannette.
• Jehanne (zheh-hahn)--Medieval French
• Joan (JONE)--English (via Johanne)
• Joana (zhoo-AH-nah)--Portuguese
• Joanna (joh-AN-nah)--English
• Johanne (zhoh-ahn)--Medieval French
• Jovana (yoh-VAH-nah)--Macedonion, Serbian
• Seona (SHOH-nah)--Scottish (via Joan)
• Sheena (SHEE-nah)--Scottish (via Jeanne)
• Sian (SHAHN)--Welsh
• Siobhan (shi-VAWN)--Irish (via Jehanne). Anglicized to Shevon or Chevonne.
• Zana (ZHAH-nah)--Slovene

Calendar Names

It appears that the holiday shopping season is upon us again (and getting earlier every year, it seems), which got me thinking about Christmas-type names, which of course, got me thinking of all sorts of name things. Names like Noelle and Natalie are fairly well known for their Christmas connections, but what about other holidays? So, here are some names with holiday or other calendar meanings.

Boys:

• Dominic (DOM-in-ik, English)--traditionally given to boys born on a Sunday
• Ekain (eh-kine, Basque)--"June"
• Lenz (LENTS, German)--"springtime"
• Noel (NOLE, NO-el, English)--from French, "Christmas". French form is Noël.
• Palmiro (pahl-MEER-oh, Italian)--traditionally given to boys born on Palm Sunday
• Pascal (pas-KAHL, Dutch, French, & German)--"Easter" or "Passover". Other forms include Pascual (Spanish) and Pasco (Cornish).

Girls:

• Abena (a-BEHN-ah, Akan)--"born on Tuesday"
• Afia (AH-fee-ah, Akan)--"born on Friday"
• Akiko (ah-kee-ko, Japanese)--"summer child"
• Calan (CAL-an, Welsh)--"New Year's Day"
• Candela (cahn-DEHL-ah, Spanish)--"Candlemas" (Feb. 2)
• Hazan (hah-ZAHN, Turkish)--"autumn"
• Iona (ee-OH-nah, Welsh)--from Ionor, "January"
• Medeni (med-AY-nee, Welsh)--"born in September"
• Natalie (NAT-ah-lee, French & German)--"Christmas". Other forms include Natalia (Italian) and Natalya/Natasha (Russian).
• Nedelya (ned-EHL-yah, Bulgarian)--"Sunday" 
• Noelle (no-EL, English, French)--feminine of Noel
• Suvi (SOO-vee, Finnish)--"summer"
• Tiffany (TIF-fan-ee, English)--traditionally given to girls born on Epiphany (Jan. 6). Original form is Theophania.
• Tola (toh-LAH, Khmer)--"October"
• Vera (VEHR-ah, Albanian)--"summer"
• Vesna (VEHS-nah, Slavic)--"spring"

Unisex:

• Sivan (see-VAHN, Hebrew)--9th month of the Hebrew calendar, usually May-June.
• Tammuz (tahm-MOOZ, Hebrew)--10 month of the Hebrew calendar, usually June-July.

Hurricane Baby Names

A recent post on another board got me wondering just how many little surprises are going to be due about 40 weeks after Hurricane Irene. So, in honor of those future little ones, names inspired by one big storm:

Boy:

• Anan (AY-nan, Hebrew)--"cloud"
• Corentin (koh-REN-tin, Breton)--"hurricane"
• Esmond (ES-mond, English)--"grace and protection". Older form is Eastmund.
• Guntur (GOON-toor, Indonesian)--"thunder"
• Ireneus (eye-REN-eh-us, Greek)--The male form of Irene,  ironically, meaning "peaceful".
• Mazin (MAZ-in, Arabic)--"rain clouds"
• Meriwether (MEHR-ee-we-ther, English)--"happy weather"
• Noah (NOH-ah, Hebrew)
• Perun (PEHR-uhn, Slavic)--"thunder"
• Raijin (rye-jin, Japanese)--the Japanese thunder god. Also transliterated as Raiden.
• Salman (SAL-man, Arabic)--"safe"
• Shemer (SHEH-mer,  Hebrew)--"preserved"
• Tollak (TOL-lak, Norwegian)--"Thor's play" [Thor was the Norse god of, among other things, thunder.]
• Zephyr (ZEF-er, Greek)--the Greek god of the west wind

Girls:

• Arina (ah-REE-nah, Russian)--form of Irene
• Arke (AR-kay, Greek)--Greek rainbow and messenger goddess; twin sister to Iris.
• Anila (ah-nee-lah, Indian [Hindi])--"wind"
• Audra (AW-drah, Lithuanian)--"storm"
• Enfys (EN-vis, Welsh)--"rainbow"
• Era (EHR-ah, Albanian)--"wind"
• Esen (EH-sen, Turkish)--"the wind"
• Gabija (gah-bee-YAH, Lithuanian)--"to cover". The Lithuanian goddess of the home.
• Gale (GAYL, English)--"strong wind". Also a short form of the unrelated Abigail.
• Haven (HAY-ven, English)--"safe place"
• Iria (EE-ree-ah, Portuguese)--form of Irene.
• Iris (EYE-ris, Greek)--Greek rainbow and messenger goddess.
• Keshet (KESH-et, Hebrew)--"rainbow"
• Maya (mah-yah, Hebrew)--"water"
• Mealla (mee-AHL-la, Irish)--"lightning"
• Nephele (NEF-el-ee, Greek)--"cloudy"
• Nerissa (nehr-IS-sah, English)--from Greek, "sea sprite"
• Salma (SAL-mah, Arabic)--"safe"
• Tempest (TEM-pest, English)--"storm"
• Thora (THOHR-ah, Scandinavian)--feminine of Thor.

More Subtle than Blaze, Jagger, or Hawke

The girls sure do have the advantage when it come to word-names, don't they? Name your little girl 'Rose' or 'Honor' and it's "Awww!", but name your son 'Briar' or 'Valor' and it's "Are you a hippy?" Here're some more 'covert' ideas for giving your son a well-meaning moniker.

• Adalwin (ad-AHL-win, Germanic)--"noble friend"
• Alaric (AL-ah-rik, Germanic)--"ruler of all"
• Alvar (al-VAHR, Swedish & Finnish)--"elf warrior"
• Ansel (AN-sel, English)--"helmet of God"
• Andor (AHN-dor, Norwegian)--"Thor's eagle"
• Aurelio (aur-EY-lee-o, Italian & Spanish)--"golden"
• Basil (BAH-sil, Arabic)--"brave"
• Basil (BAZ-il, English)--"king"
• Brennus (BREN-nus, Celtic)--"prince"
• Cato (CAY-to, Latin)--"wise"
• Conall (CON-all, Irish)--"strong wolf"
• Conrí (CON-ree, Irish)--"wolf king"
• Duncan (DUN-kan, Scottish)--"brown warrior"
• Edric (ED-rik, English)--"blessed ruler"
• Egon (EY-gon, German)--"edge of a sword"
• Eilert (EYE-lert, Frisian)--"brave sword"
• Elric (EL-rik, English)--"noble rule" 
• Evander (ev-AN-der, Latin)--"good man"
• Ezio (ETS-ee-o, Italian)--"eagle"
• Frey (FRAY, Norse)--"lord"
• Gerard (jer-AHRD, English)--"brave spear"
• Haytham (HYE-tham, Arabic)--"young eagle"
• Ivar (EYE-var or EE-var, Irish & Scottish)--"bow warrior"
• Kavi (kah-vee, Indian [Hindi])--"wise man"
• Kekoa (keh-koh-ah, Hawaiian)--"the brave one"
• Leander (lee-AN-der, English)--"lion man"
• Levent (lev-ent, Turkish)--"handsome"
• Lyall (lye-ALL, English)--"wolf"
• Perun (PERH-uhn, Slavic)--"thunder"
• Roald (ROO-al, Norwegian; ROE-ald, English)--"famous ruler"
• Savio (SAH-vee-o, Italian)--"clever"
• Shea/Shay (SHAY, Irish)--"admirable"
• Yorath (YOR-ath, Welsh)--"handsome lord"