Love In Other Languages

So, Valentine's Day. I'm 'meh' to it, but it is an excuse for fun name opportunities. ;)

Here's how you say "love" in different languages; many are already used as names (marked with an asterisk; feminine unless stated otherwise).

• Agapi (ah-GAH-pee)--Greek*
• Ahava (ah-hah-VAH)--Hebrew*
• Ai (eye, ah-ee)--Chinese*, Japanese* [also a common name element in Japanese]
• Aloha (ah-loh-hah)--Hawaiian*
• Amor (AH-mor)--Latin [for a more in-depth list of names based on Latin 'amor', look here]
• Amor (ah-MOHR)--Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish
• Amore (ah-MOHR-eh)--Italian
• Amour (ah-MOOR)--French
• Cariad (CA-ree-ad)--Welsh [related names are fairly common: Carys/Cerys (f), Ceri (f/m), etc]
• Cinta (CHIN-tah)--Indonesian*
• Elska (EL-skah)--Icelandic
• Karantez (kah-RAHN-tez)--Breton
• Kerenja (keh-REN-jah)--Cornish
• Kerensa (keh-REN-sah)--Cornish*
• Láska (LAHS-kah)--Czech
• Liba (LEE-bah)--Yiddish*
• Liebe (LEE-beh)--German
• Mahabba (mah-HAB-bah)--Arabic
• Meilė (MAY-leh [long 'eh', no English equivalent])--Lithuanian*
• Mīla (MEE-lah)--Latvian*
• Minne (MIN-neh)--[archaic] Dutch, [archaic] German 
• Prem (prem)--Bengali*, Hindi* [masculine; feminine is Prema]

Happy Fireworks Day (again)!

Well, apparently I missed last 4th. Not sure how that happened....
2 years ago, I did a Declaration of Independence-themed list; this year I'll do something a bit more generic. I'm sure you'll be able to find tons of lists of Independence Day names, but now, there'll be one more. ;)

Boys:

• Eleuterio (el-yoo-TEHR-ee-oh, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish)--from Greek, "free". Feminine is Eleuteria. French form is Eleuthère (eh-loo-TEHR). 
• Erkin (EHR-kin, Turkish)--"free"
• Flamur (flam-OOR, Albanian)--"flag"
• Krešimir (KRESH-ih-meer, Croatian)--"to spark peace"
• Nicholas (NIK-oh-las, English)--from Greek, "victory of the people". Other forms include Miklós (Hungarian), Niccolo (Italian), Nichol (Scottish), Nikolai (Russian), & Nioclás (Irish)
• Sindri (SIN-dree, Old Norse, Icelandic)--"spark". Modern Norwegian form is Sindre (SIN-dreh).

Girls:

• Aditi (ah-DIT-ee, Hindi)--"freedom"
• Aki (ah-kee, Japanese)--"sparkle" or "bright" [other meanings possible depending on Kanji]
• Amaryllis (am-ah-RIL-lis, English)--from Greek, "sparkle". Spanish & Portuguese form is Amarilis (ah-mah-REE-lees).
• Fiammetta (fee-ah-MET-tah, Italian)--"little fire"
• Iskra (EES-krah, Slavic)--"spark"
• Nicole (nih-KOHL, English, French)--feminine of Nicholas. Other forms include Nicola (German, English), Nicolasa (Spanish), Nicolette (French), & Nicolina (Italian).
• Saoirse (SEER-shah, SAYR-shah, Irish)--"freedom"
• Seirian (SAY-ree-an, Welsh)--"sparkling"
• Svava (SVAH-vah, Scandinavian)--from Germanic, prob. "independent" or "our people" [from the term Swabian]

Unisex:

• Noa (no-ah, Hawaiian)--"free, freedom"

Spring! 'Bout Time!

Well, it's finally here! In celebration of warmer weather, of Easter/Ostara, here are names that can be associated with the season.

Boys:

• Anastasiy (ah-nah-STAHS-ee, Bulgarian, Russian)--from Greek, "resurrection"
• Aviv (ah-VEEV, Hebrew)--"spring"
• Beathan (BEH-an, Scottish)--"life"
• Bion (bee-ohn, [ancient] Greek)--"life"
• Can (JAHN, Turkish)--"life, soul"
• Chayim (khah-YEEM, Hebrew)--"life". Also spelled Chayyim or Chaim.
• Eguzki (eh-goos-kee, Basque)--"sun"
• Elio (EL-yoh, Italian)--from Latin, "sun"
• Haruki (hah-roo-kee, Japanese)--"spring" + "hope", "rare", "precious", "star", "life", or "shine" [other meanings possible depending on kanji]
• Khurshid (khoor-SHEED, Persian)--"shining sun"
• Kusuma (koo-SOO-mah, Indonesian)--"flower"
• Oran (OH-rahn, Irish)--"little green one"
• Pascal (pahs-KAHL, French, Dutch)--from Latin, "Easter". Over forms include Pasquale (Italian), Pascual (Spanish), Pasco (Cornish), & Paskal (Bulgarian, Macedonian) 
• Rabi (RAH-bee, Arabic)--"spring"
• Ravi (RAH-vee, Hindi)--"sun"
• Renatus (reh-NAH-tus, Latin)--"reborn". Other forms include René & Renato.
• Sorin (soh-REEN, Romanian)--"sun"
• Tsvetan (tsveh-TAHN, Bulgarian)--"flower"
• Vitale (vih-TAHL-eh, Italian)--from Latin, "of life". Other forms are Vitalis (Latin), Vitaliy (Russian) & Vidal (Spanish)
• Vito (VEE-toh, Italian, Spanish)--from Latin, "life"
• Walid (wah-LEED, Arabic)--"born"
• Ziyad (zee-YAHD, Arabic)--"growth"
• Zotikos (zoh-tee-KOS, Greek)--"full of life"

Girls:

• Anastasia (an-ah-STAY-zhah, English, ah-nah-STAHS-yah, Russian)--feminine of Anastasiy
• Anfisa (ahn-FEE-sah, Russian)--from Greek, "flower"
• Anthea (an-THEE-ah, an-THEH-ah, English)--from Greek, "flower"
• Arevik (ah-ray-VEEK, Albanian)--"sun"
• Aviva (ah-vee-vah, Hebrew)--feminine of Aviv.
• Ayaka (ah-yah-kah, Japanese)--"color" + "flower" or "petal" [other meanings possible depending on kanji]
• Bahar (bah-HAHR, Persian)--"spring"
• Beathag (BEH-ak, Scottish)--feminine of Beathan
• Bláthnat (BLAH-nat, Irish)--"little flower"
• Bluma (BLOO-mah, Yiddish)--"flower"
• Bopha (boh-PAH, Khmer)--"flower"
• Calanthe (kah-LAN-thee, English)--from Greek, "beautiful flower". Another form is Calanthia.
• Ceres (KEH-rehs, Latin; SEH-rez, English)--from Latin, "to grow"
• Chaya (khah-YAH, Hebrew)--feminine of Chayim
• Chloe (KLOH-ee, English)--from Greek, "green shoot"
• Chrysanta (krih-SAN-tah, English)--from Greek, "golden flower"
• Cvetka (TSVET-kah, Slovene)--"blossom"
• Diantha (dee-AHN-than, English; dee-AHN-tah, Dutch)--from Greek, "heavenly flower"
• Eliana (eh-lee-AH-nah, Italian)--from Latin, "of the sun". French form is Éliane.
• Enid (EE-nid, English; EH-need, Welsh)--from Welsh, "life, soul"
• Evanthe (eh-VAHN-thee, [ancient] Greek)--"good flower"
• Fiorella (fee-oh-REL-lah, Italian)--"little flower"
• Flora (FLOHR-ah, Latin)--"flower". Goddess of spring.
• Gonca (gohn-JAH, Turkish)--from Persian, "flower bud"
• Hana (hah-nah, Japanese)--"flower"
• Haruka (hah-roo-kah, Japanese)--"spring" + "flower"
• Honoka (hoh-noh-kah, Japanese--"harmony" + "flower"
• Hua (hoo-ah, Chinese)--"flower"
• Ianthe (ee-AHN-thee, eye-AN-thee, [ancient] Greek)--"violet flower"
• Leilani (lay-LAH-nee, Hawaiian)--"heavenly flower"
• Liv (LEEV, Scandinavian)--"life" [also means "protection"]
• Lore (loh-reh, Basque)--"flower"
• Lule (LOO-leh, Albanian)--"flower"
• Luljeta (lool-YEH-tah, Albanian)--"flower of life"
• Malai (mah-LYE, Thai)--"garland of flowers"
• Mali (mah-LEE, Thai)--"flower"
• Mei (may, Japanese)--"bud" + "life" or "reliant"
• Midori (mee-doh-ree, Japanese)--"green"
• Moe (moh-eh, Japanese)--"sprout"
• Orna (OR-nah, Irish)--feminine of Oran. Another form is Ornat.
• Pascale (pahs-KAL, French)--feminine of Pascal.
• Pranvera (prahn-VEHR-ah, Albanian)--"spring"
• Rayen (rah-YEN, Spanish)--from Mapuche, "flower"
• Renata (reh-NAH-tah, Latin)--feminine of Renatus. Others forms include Renée & Renita.
• Saulė (SOW-lay, Lithuanian)--"sun". Goddess of the sun.
• Sethunya (set-HOON-yah, Tswana)--"flower"
• Sol (SOHL, Portuguese, Spanish)--"sun"
• Soleil (soh-LAY, English)--from French, "sun"
• Rabi'a (rah-BEE-ah, Arabic)--feminine of Rabi
• Solveig (SOOL-vye, SOOL-vay, Scandinavian)--from Old Norse, "strength of the sun"
• Sorina (soh-REE-nah, Romanian)--feminine of Sorin
• Sunčana (SOON-chah-nah, Croatian)--"sunny"
• Sunniva (SOO-nee-vah, Norwegian)--from Old English, "gift of the sun"
• Tesni (TES-nee, Welsh)--"warm sunshine"
• Verna (VER-nah, English)--from Latin, "spring"
• Vesna (VES-nah, Slavic)--"spring" [poetic]
• Vita (VEE-tah, Italian)--feminine of Vito
• Vitalia (vee-TAHL-yah, Italian)--feminine of Vitale
• Zahrah (ZAH-hrah, Arabic)--"bloom" 
• Zoe (ZOH-ee, English; ZOH-eh, Italian)--from Greek, "life"

Unisex:

• Chun (choon, Chinese)--"spring"
• Haru (hah-roo, Japanese)--"spring"
• Nitzan (neet-ZAHN, Hebrew)--"flower bud"
• Xuân (swahn, Vietnamese)--"spring"

"New" Names

I'm quite intrigued by the up-and-coming girls' name Nova. I can definitely see the appeal--short & sweet, easy to spell & pronounce, astronomical connections. And, of course, the meaning is quite appropriate for a newborn--"new". Makes me wonder what other 'new' possibilities are out there--surprisingly, only a few established names have 'new' somewhere in their meaning. But, since Nova is simply 'new' in Latin, perhaps we can just use 'new' in other languages? A bit cheesy perhaps, but fun for the new year.

Established names:
Boys:

• Arata (ah-rah-tah, Japanese)--"new"
• Athol (ATH-ol, Scottish)--"new Ireland"
• Navin (nah-VEEN, Hindi)--"new". Also spelled Naveen.
• Neville (NEV-il, English)--from French, "new town"
• Xavier (eks-AYV-yer, ZAYV-yer, English)--from Basque, "new house"

Girls:

• Dagny (DAHG-nee, Scandinavian)--"new day"
• Signy (SIG-nee, Scandinavian)--"new victory"

Unisex:

• İlkay (eel-KYE, Turkish)--"new moon"

"new" in other languages:

• Baru (bah-roo)--Indonesian, Malay
• Berri (behr-ree)--Basque
• Jauns (YOWNS)--Latvian
• Kipya (KEEP-yah)--Swahili
• Nayā (nuh-YAH)--Hindi [नया], Urdu [نیا]
• Newydd (NEH-with [th like in 'the'])--Welsh
• Nový (noh-VEE)--Czech, Slovak
• Nua (NOO-ah)--Irish
• Xin (SHEEN)--Chinese [新,dozens of other meanings, depending on the characters]
• Uusi (OO-see)--Finnish
• Yeni (YEN-ee)--Turkish

Happy Hanukkah!

Okay, I don't celebrate Hanukkah, but for my friends who do--a list of Hebrew names. Actually, many names used in English are ultimately Hebrew in origin, so I'll be avoiding the usual Biblical names that we're all familiar with.
Chag sameach!

Boys:

• Adir (ah-DEER)--"mighty". Feminine is Adira.
• Adiv (ah-DEEV)--"gentle, courteous". Feminine is Adiva.
• Ari (ah-REE)--"lion"
• Aviv (ah-VEEV)--"spring" [the season]. Feminine is Aviva.
• Ayal (ah-YAHL)--"stag". Feminine is Ayala or Ayelet.
• Chaim (khah-EEM)--"life". Also spelled Chayim. Feminine is Chaya.
• Dekel (deh-KEL)--"palm tree"
• Erez (eh-REZ)--"cedar"
• Eyal (eh-YAHL)--"strength"
• Harel (hah-REL)--"mountain of God"
• Idan (ee-DAN)--"era"
• Ilan (ee-LAHN)--"tree". Feminine is Ilanit or Ilana.
• Lev (LEV)--"heart"
• Oren (oh-REN)--"pine tree"
• Ravid (rah-VEED)--"ornament"
• Ronen (roh-NEN)--"song"
• Shalev (shah-LEV)--"calm"
• Tamir (tah-MEER)--"tall"
• Tomer (toh-MEHR)--"palm tree"
• Yaniv (yah-NEEV)--"prospering"
• Zev (ZEV)--"wolf"
• Ziv (ZEEV)--"bright, brilliant". Feminine is Ziva.

Girls:

• Adina (ah-dee-NAH)--"gentle, delicate"
• Adva (ahd-VAH)--"ripple, wave"
• Ahava (ah-hah-VAH)--"love"
• Ahuva (ah-hoo-VAH)--"beloved"
• Aliza (ah-lee-ZAH)--"joyful"
• Arava (ah-rah-VAH)--"willow"
• Ateret (ah-TEHR-et)--"crown"
• Bina (bee-NAH)--"wisdom"
• Dalia (dahl-YAH)--"branch". Also spelled Dalya.
• Dorit (doh-REET)--"generation" 
• Emuna (eh-moo-NAH)--"faith". Also spelled Emunah.
• Irit (ee-REET)--"asphodel"
• Kalanit (kah-lah-NEET)--"anemone, buttercup"
• Keren (keh-REN)--"ray of light"
• Keshet (KEH-shet)--"rainbow"
• Kineret (kee-neh-RET)--"Sea of Galilee"
• Kochava (koh-KHAH-vah)--"star"
• Liat (lee-AHT)--"you are mine"
• Malka (mal-KAH)--"queen"
• Margalit (mar-gah-LEET)--"pearl"
• Meital (may-TAHL)--"dew drop". Also spelled Maytal.
• Nava (NAH-vah)--"beautiful"
• Nessa (nes-SAH)--"miracle"
• Nurit (noo-REET)--"buttercup"
• Rona (roh-NAH)--"joy, song"
• Shira (sheer-AH)--"song"
• Sivan (see-VAHN)--"season" [9th month of Jewish calendar, May-June]
• Techiya (teh-khee-YAH)--"rebirth"
• Tova (toh-VAH)--"good"
• Zahava (zah-HAH-vah)--"gold"

Unisex:

• Aviel (ah-vee-EL)--"God is my father"
• Hallel (hahl-EHL)--"praise"
• Lior (lee-OHR)--"my light". Also spelled Leor. Feminine is Liora/Leora or Liorit. 
• Liron (lee-ROHN)--"my joy, song"
• Nitzan (neet-ZAHN)--"bud". Feminine is Nitza or Nitzana.
• Noam (NOH-ahm)--"pleasantness"
• Shai (SHYE)--"gift"
• Yarden (yar-DEN)--"Jordan River"

Franken-Names II--The Mutations

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

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

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

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

Happy Fireworks Day!

:p
Happy Fourth of July to my fellow Americans!
After toying with a couple of vaguely-Independence-Day-related ideas, I decided to do something nice and simple--a list of the names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Admittedly, this is partially because most of my lists are girl-centered, and this one's pretty much guaranteed to be all male! Another reason is simply that I can't name more than 3 or 4 signers!
Rather embarrassing, actually.

• Abraham
• Arthur
• Benjamin (x3)
• Button
• Caesar
• Carter
• Charles
• Edward
• Elbridge
• Francis (x3)
• George (x6)
• James (x2)
• John (x6)
• Joseph
• Josiah
• Lewis
• Lyman
• Oliver
• Philip
• Richard (x2)
• Robert (x2)
• Roger
• Samuel (x3)
• Stephen
• Thomas (x6)
• William (x6)

¡Seis de Mayo!

Oh my. I'm not sure how Cinco de Mayo slipped my mind, but I feel very silly. It's a bit delayed, so here's a Spanish-themed name post, full of the names that have made it into the American top 200. Unlike the Irish names, most haven't caught on with people outside of the heritage, but they should still be familiar.
*Of course, this project is complicated by the fact that Latinate names have been popular in English since, oh, the Renaissance. Thus, I've only included cases where the origin/usage is fairly conclusively Spanish, or where the Spanish spelling is highest ranked.

Pre-1930s:
Jose
Manuel
Rosa
Dolores/Lola
Isabel
Juan
Inez
Juanita


1930s-50s:
Anita
Ramona
Yolanda
Carmen


1960s-70s:
Carlos
Jesus
Ricardo
Miguel
Francisco
Jorge
Ruben
Jaime (male)

1980s-90s:
Luis
Angel (both genders)
Alejandro
Javier
Fernando
Eduardo
Andres
Cesar
Pedro
Gabriela
Alejandra
Mercedes
Yesenia
Selena


2000s:
Diego
Alondra
Camila

Irish Invasion!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Instead of listing tons of Irish names, which can already be found all over the internet, in varying degrees of accuracy, I've decided to focus on Irish names that already made it into everyday American usage.
For some reason, Irish names seem to hold a special fascination in the baby-naming world, and it's nothing new! Every generation has its imports, and I'd wager that Sean & Caitlin got just as many strange looks a few short decades ago as Declan & Aisling do today.
(yes, most of these names have existed for hundreds of years; this is when they gained widespread modern use in the U.S.)

pre-1930:
Muriel (Muirgel)
Duane (via surname, Ó Dubhán)

1930-49:
Kathleen (Caitlín)
Eileen (Eibhlín)
Maureen (Máirín)
Myrna (Muirne)
Sheila (Síle)
Neil (Niall)

1950-69:
Brian
Colleen (not a name in Ireland, just a word, cáilín)
Kevin (Caoimhín)
Sean (Seán)
Kelly (Ceallach)
Tyrone (an Irish county, not usually a name)
Kerry (another Irish county)
Shane (Seán)
Shannon (yet another place-name, this time a river)

1970-89:
Ryan (via surname, Ó Riáin)
Casey (via surname, Ó Cathasaigh)
Erin (poetic name for Ireland, Eireann)
Bridget (Brighid)
Tara (another place-name, Teamhair)
Cody (via surname, Mac Oda)
Caitlin (Caitlín)

1990-2009:
Connor (Conchobhar)
Brendan (Breandán)
Colin (Coilean)
Riley (via surname, Ó Reilly)
Cassidy (via surname, Ó Caiside)
Aidan (Aodhán)
Brayden (via surname, Ó Bradáin)
Liam
Brady (via surname, Ó Brádaigh)
Nolan (via surname, Ó Nualláin)
Donovan (via surname, Ó Donndubháin)
Kennedy (via surname, Ó Cinnede)



Special mention goes to Patrick & Molly--although they are generally held as the epitome of all things Irish, both were actually used in English first!

<*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"

Pilgrim Baby Names

Happy American Thanksgiving!
The Puritans & other first colonists seem to have quite the reputation for crazy word-names. In honor of Thanksgiving, I decided to see how true that was. So, here are the children of the Pilgrims--some travelled on the Mayflower; most were born in the New World (and one was born on the voyage...take a guess which! ).

Boys:

• Alexander
• Bartholomew
• Benjamin (x2)
• Caleb (x2)
• Charles
• David 
• Edward (x2)
• Francis
• George
• Giles
• Isaac (x3)
• Jabez
• Jacob
• James
• Jasper
• John (x11)
• Jonathan
• Joseph (x6)
• Josiah
• Josias
• Love
• Myles
• Nathaniel (x3)
• Oceanus 
• Peregrine
• Resolved
• Richard
  
• Samuel (x3)
• Stephen
• Thomas
• William (x2)
• Wrestling
• Zachariah

Girls:

• Abigail
• Ann
• Constance 
• Damaris
• Deborah
• Desire (x2)
• Dorcas
• Elizabeth (x11)
• Ellen
• Hannah (x2)
• Hester
• Hope
• Jane
• Lora
• Lydia 
• Mary (x10)
• Mercy (x2)
• Patience
• Priscilla (x3)
• Rachel
• Rebecca (x2)
• Remember
• Ruth (x3)
• Sarah (x4)
• Susanna