Naming Style Focus #1: Word Names

I apologise for not posting for a while. I thought I would do some posts about different naming styles, where I will talk about some names from each of those styles. Since there are a lot of naming styles I'm not sure how many of these I will do, but we'll see how it goes. My first post of these will be about word names. 

Holiday
The word Holiday's original meaning was "holy day". It is quite an uncommon word name, but it's fun and has a bit of flair to it as well, in my opinion. It can also be a more creative way to get Holly (which is more used as a standalone though) and a baby girl called Holiday will share her name with British actress Holiday Grainger.

Welcome
This friendly word name is also very uncommon. In the English language, we will often say "welcome" when someone new joins our group, club, event, etc. 

Sailor
Sailor is viewed as more of an occupational name, but it can be viewed as a word name too. The word means "boat man". Sailor can also be used as a surname and is used for both boys and girls.

Hope
Hope is viewed as more of a virtue name, but it can be viewed as a word name too. In the Spanish language, Hope translates as Esperanza. In Spain and other Spanish speaking countries and communities, Esperanza is also used as a name for baby girls.

Coral
This could be used as a quirky alternative to Carol, which could be viewed as rather dated. The meaning of the word Coral is "reef formation", but Coral is also a pinky / orangy colour. 

Mercy
Mercy is viewed as more of a virtue name, but it can be viewed as a word name too. The meaning of the word Mercy is "compassion". 

Unity
Unity is also viewed as more of a virtue name, but it can be viewed as a word name too. The meaning of the word Unity means "oneness". Unity as a name originates from America, though the Duchess of Devonshire had a sister, Unity Mitford (who perhaps isn't the best of associations). 

Arrow
This unusual word name is used for baby boys. It can also be used as a surname, and it is somewhat popular as such in the US.

Archer
As well as being an interesting way to get Archie, Archer is also an occupational name and the meaning of the word Archer is "bowman".

Luna
This Italian word name is rising in popularity. In the Italian language, and also in the Spanish language, it translates as "moon". 

Cherish
This charming word name has English and Old French origins. The word Cherish means "to treasure and care for", or "dear". 

Clemency
Clemency is of Latin origins and the word Clemency means "mercy; merciful". As a name, Clemency is a variant of Clemence, Clementine and Clementia. 

Liberty
This pretty word name is of Middle English origins, where it means "freedom". It is somewhat popular in the US, and is a common way to get the nickname Libby.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas: Names for an Epiphany Baby

As the Christmas season is drawing to a close, I thought I would do a post about names for babies born around Epiphany time. Epiphany celebrates the day the Three Wise Men came to bear gifts to the baby Jesus, meaning that any of the names in the Christmas post will also be suitable (particularly the names more closely related to the Three Wise Men) for a baby born around this time of year. 

Magi
The alternative name of the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings comes from the Greek word, μάγος, or "magos". The Greek word was used as a describing word of those who follow the Zoroaster religion, which focuses on the study of stars. The words "magic" and "magician" also originate from magos, however magos was translated into "wise men" in the King James Bible. An alternative spelling can be the more traditional Maggie, which is mostly used as a nickname for Margaret, though in recent times it has been used on it's own.

Melchior, Balthazar and Caspar

See the Christmas post for the names of the Three Wise Men. Alternatives to each names can be Melker, which is of Swedish origins, Balthasar, an alternative spelling of Balthazar and Jasper.

Epiphany

The name of the time of year itself couldn't be more appropriate for an Epiphany baby. It can also be used as a more imaginative way to get the nickname Pippa, which is most commonly used as a nickname for Philippa. 

Theophania

The name of an Empress of the Byzantine Empire, Theophania originates from the Greek word, Θεοφάνεια, or "theophaneia". French Catholics think of Theophania as the name of the mother of the Three Wise Men. 

Tiffany

Tiffany itself is derived from Theophania. Most people think of it as a modern, but also rather dated, baby name, however it actually has had it's usage as a baby girl's name since Norman times. Britain was inspired by the Normans and Epiphany is the most common time of year to give the name of Tiffany to a baby girl.