Whilst I'm still attempting at doing the Naming Styles and Individual Name Focus posts, I thought I'd also try and have a go at a new post idea, "Name Nationalities". The Name Nationalities posts focus on names from, well, various nationalities from across the globe. For the very first of these posts, let's talk about Hebrew names.
Zipporah
This quirky, unusual name appears in the Bible. The Biblical Zipporah was one of the seven daughters of Jethro, and can also be referred to as Reuel or Raguel. Zipporah has a dainty meaning of "a little bird; sparrow". The names of birds were traditionally used as terms of endearment by poets in Roman Times.
Ziva
This beautiful and rare name, which can also be spelt as Zivah, can either have a meaning of "radiance", "brilliance", "light" or "brightness".
Hadassah
Also known as Esther in the Bible, Hadassah was the Jewish Queen of the Persian King, Ahasuerus. It has a meaning of "myrtle" in Hebrew. In the United States, it ranked at #760 on the popularity charts in 2013, and is unusual in the United Kingdom also.
Miriam
The original Hebrew form of Mary, Miriam's exact meaning is unknown, though it has a number of suggested meanings, including the less positive "bitter". In the United States, it ranked at #292 on the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United Kingdom, 128 baby girls were given the name Miriam in 2013.
Abigail
In the Bible, Abigail was the wife of of David. Abigail has a beautiful meaning of "my father's joy". In the United States, Abigail was a very popular girls name in 2013, having ranked at #8 in the popularity charts, whilst in England and Wales, it ranked at #44 in 2012.
Abilene
A place name in the Bible, this pretty girls name has a suggested meaning of "grass" and is an unusual name in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Aliza
This exotic name has a charming meaning of "joyful". In England and Wales, it ranked at #350 on the popularity charts in 2012, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #931 on the popularity charts as of 2013.
Liora
Liora, or Leora, is a spunky and exotic name, which is also the feminisation of Lior, which as a beautiful meaning of "I have a light". Another alternative can be Orli, which is quite popular in Israel, whereas in the United States and the United Kingdom, both Liora and Orli are rare.
Adina
Even though Adina was known for his bravery in King David's army in the Bible, his name is usually the feminisation of the more masculine Adin, or Adi. It can have the beautiful meanings of "delicate", "slender", "refined", or "gentle". It is unusual in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Amos
In the Old Testament, Amos was one of the Twelve Minor Prophets. Amos has a meaning of "carried", and it ranked at #778 in the popularity charts in the United States in 2013, whilst it is more unusual in the United Kingdom.
Binyamin
In the Bible, Benjamin, the Anglicized version of Binyamin, was the youngest of Jacob's children. It has a meaning of "son of the right hand". Benjamin has always been a popular name, ranking at #14 on the popularity charts for the United States in 2013, whilst in England and Wales, it had a rank of #32 in the popularity charts.
Ephraim
In the Book of Genesis, Ephraim is the second son of Joseph and Asenath. It's original Hebrew spelling is אֶפְרָיִם, which has a meaning of "fruitful". The name of the current Chief Rabbi (Ephraim Mirvis) in England, Ephraim's popularity in the United States ranked at #972 on the popularity charts.
Eliezer
Appearing as the name of three different Biblical figures, Eliezer has a meaning of "my God is help". In the United States, it last made an appearance on the popularity charts in 2010, where it ranked at #995, whilst it is an unusual name in the United Kingdom.
Immanuel
Also spelt as Emmanuel, Immanuel is another Biblical name which makes an appearance in chapters 7 and 8 of the Book of Isaiah. It has a meaning of "God with us", and in the United States, it ranked at #171 in 2013, whilst in England and Wales, it had a ranking of #230 on the popularity charts in 2012.
Mordecai
The son of Jair in the Book of Esther, Mordecai has a strong meaning of "warrior". It as an unusual name in both the United Kingdom and the United States. An alternative spelling can be Mordechai, and in the Yiddish language, Motke can be a diminutive of Mordecai.
Monday, 23 February 2015
Monday, 16 February 2015
Happy (belated) Valentine's Day! Loving names
It's a bit late, though since it was Valentine's Day on Saturday I thought I would do a post about names relating to love and Valentine's Day.
Valentine
The name of Saint Valentine himself has a meaning of "strong, healthy" and is derived from Valentinus, a Roman family name. It's usually and traditionally used as a boys name, though it can also be used for girls, however the feminisation, Valentina, is more common. International variants of Valentine include Valentino and Valentin (or Valentín in the Slovakian and Spanish languages). In the United States, Valentine has not featured on the popularity charts since 1955, where it ranked at #932.
Adora
Adora has Latin origins, though it also has origins in the Greek and Old German languages. It has a beautiful meaning of "beloved one, adored", making it very fitting for a Valentine's Day baby. Adora is a rare name in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Carys
Carys is of Welsh origins, where it has a meaning of "love", as it is derived from the Welsh word caru, which means "to love". As of 2012, it ranked at #299 in both England and it's native Wales.
Amy
Amy originates in the Latin and Old French languages, where it has a meaning of "beloved". In France, it is spelt as Aimée. In the United States, it ranked at #139 as of 2013, whereas in the United Kingdom, it ranked at #62 as of 2012.
Davina
Davina is the feminisation of David, and it has Scottish origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved, friend". In the United States, it was last seen on the popularity charts in 1987, where it ranked at #969. However in the England and Wales, it was last seen on the popularity charts in 2003, where it ranked at #458.
Cara
Cara has Latin and Irish origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved" and "friend" respectively. In the United States, it ranked at #619 in the popularity charts as of 2013, whilst in England and Wales, it ranked at #230 in the popularity charts as of 2012, and in Scotland as #64 in 2013, and finally as #23 in Northern Ireland as of 2012.
Amedeo
Amadeo is of Italian origins, where it has a meaning of "lover of God". It's Latin variant is Amadeus, which was Mozart's middle name. It is an unusual name in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Darrell
Darrell is of Norman French origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved". In the United States, it ranked at #787 on the popularity charts as of 2013, whereas it is an uncommon name in the United Kingdom. An alternative spelling of Darrell can be Daryl.
David
David is of Hebrew origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved". It is a classic name and is currently the name of the British Prime Minister. In the United States, it ranked at #18 on the popularity charts as of 2013, whereas in the United Kingdom it ranked at #59 as of 2012.
Erasmus
Erasmus is of Greek origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved". It is an unusual name in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It is a Saints name, and it's international variants include Rasmus and Elmo.
Valentine
The name of Saint Valentine himself has a meaning of "strong, healthy" and is derived from Valentinus, a Roman family name. It's usually and traditionally used as a boys name, though it can also be used for girls, however the feminisation, Valentina, is more common. International variants of Valentine include Valentino and Valentin (or Valentín in the Slovakian and Spanish languages). In the United States, Valentine has not featured on the popularity charts since 1955, where it ranked at #932.
Adora
Adora has Latin origins, though it also has origins in the Greek and Old German languages. It has a beautiful meaning of "beloved one, adored", making it very fitting for a Valentine's Day baby. Adora is a rare name in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Carys
Carys is of Welsh origins, where it has a meaning of "love", as it is derived from the Welsh word caru, which means "to love". As of 2012, it ranked at #299 in both England and it's native Wales.
Amy
Amy originates in the Latin and Old French languages, where it has a meaning of "beloved". In France, it is spelt as Aimée. In the United States, it ranked at #139 as of 2013, whereas in the United Kingdom, it ranked at #62 as of 2012.
Davina
Davina is the feminisation of David, and it has Scottish origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved, friend". In the United States, it was last seen on the popularity charts in 1987, where it ranked at #969. However in the England and Wales, it was last seen on the popularity charts in 2003, where it ranked at #458.
Cara
Cara has Latin and Irish origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved" and "friend" respectively. In the United States, it ranked at #619 in the popularity charts as of 2013, whilst in England and Wales, it ranked at #230 in the popularity charts as of 2012, and in Scotland as #64 in 2013, and finally as #23 in Northern Ireland as of 2012.
Amedeo
Amadeo is of Italian origins, where it has a meaning of "lover of God". It's Latin variant is Amadeus, which was Mozart's middle name. It is an unusual name in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Darrell
Darrell is of Norman French origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved". In the United States, it ranked at #787 on the popularity charts as of 2013, whereas it is an uncommon name in the United Kingdom. An alternative spelling of Darrell can be Daryl.
David
David is of Hebrew origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved". It is a classic name and is currently the name of the British Prime Minister. In the United States, it ranked at #18 on the popularity charts as of 2013, whereas in the United Kingdom it ranked at #59 as of 2012.
Erasmus
Erasmus is of Greek origins, where it has a meaning of "beloved". It is an unusual name in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It is a Saints name, and it's international variants include Rasmus and Elmo.
Friday, 6 February 2015
Individual Name Focus #1: Lark
Spelt Lærke in Danish, this whimsical and also spunky word name is very unusual in English speaking countries. The name originates from the bird, and another variant is Larkin. In the English language the term "lark" can also mean someone who wakes up early and is energetic and lively throughout the day.
Lark fits in with other bird names such as Wren, Sparrow and Starling. It works wonderfully with a lot of names, my favourite combination for Lark being Cordelia Lark. I think Lark is best in the middle name spot, but it would be interesting in the first name spot, too.
Lark fits in with other bird names such as Wren, Sparrow and Starling. It works wonderfully with a lot of names, my favourite combination for Lark being Cordelia Lark. I think Lark is best in the middle name spot, but it would be interesting in the first name spot, too.
Lark has never ranked in the popularity charts in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Famous bearers of the name are Lark Voorhies, and Mia Farrow's adopted daughter Lark.
Famous bearers of the name are Lark Voorhies, and Mia Farrow's adopted daughter Lark.
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Naming Style Focus #2: Flower Names
Most flower names for girls have a vintage feel, but they are coming back into fashion. Flower names more commonly appear on girls, but there are some flower names for boys, too.
Lily
This pretty and delicate name has had a boost in the popularity charts over the years, and as of 2014 is the 12th most popular name in England and Wales and is the 15th most popular name in the US. Variants include Lilian and Liliana; and alternative spellings include Lillie and Lili. The latter can also be a nickname for Elizabeth.
Rose
This beautiful name is currently the 68th most popular name in England and Wales (whilst it's nickname, Rosie, is at #38 in the popularity charts) and the 224th most popular name in the US as of 2013 (though it may have changed since).
Marguerite
This sophisticated and pretty French variant of Margaret has a meaning of "pearl", though is also the name of a flower, the marguerite daisy flower. As a result, Daisy, another pretty flower name, can be used as a nickname for Marguerite, or any of her variants. Marguerite is an unusual name in England and the US, though in France it was very common in the 20th century, but has since fallen as well.
Linnea
This exotic Swedish flower name can also be spelt Linnéa, and shares its name with the linnaea borealis flowers. Linnea or Linnéa is popular in Norway and Sweden, however in England and the US it is an unusual name.
Lily
This pretty and delicate name has had a boost in the popularity charts over the years, and as of 2014 is the 12th most popular name in England and Wales and is the 15th most popular name in the US. Variants include Lilian and Liliana; and alternative spellings include Lillie and Lili. The latter can also be a nickname for Elizabeth.
Rose
This beautiful name is currently the 68th most popular name in England and Wales (whilst it's nickname, Rosie, is at #38 in the popularity charts) and the 224th most popular name in the US as of 2013 (though it may have changed since).
Marguerite
This sophisticated and pretty French variant of Margaret has a meaning of "pearl", though is also the name of a flower, the marguerite daisy flower. As a result, Daisy, another pretty flower name, can be used as a nickname for Marguerite, or any of her variants. Marguerite is an unusual name in England and the US, though in France it was very common in the 20th century, but has since fallen as well.
Linnea
This exotic Swedish flower name can also be spelt Linnéa, and shares its name with the linnaea borealis flowers. Linnea or Linnéa is popular in Norway and Sweden, however in England and the US it is an unusual name.
Violet
This vintage flower name is after the viola flower. It has had a sudden boost in popularity and in the United Kingdom, as of 2012 it was ranked at #100. In the US, it had a higher rank of #69 as of 2013.
Jasmine
Spelt Jasmijn in the Netherlands, this sweet flower name shares its name with the jasminium plant. In the United Kingdom, Jasmine was ranked as #45 as of 2012, whilst it was ranked as #103 in the US as of 2013.
Flora
This pretty and feminine name is derived from the Latin word "flos" which translates as "flower", and is the name of the Roman Goddess of Flowers. As of 2012, it ranked #404 in the popularity charts in the United Kingdom, whilst the last time it featured on the US popularity lists was in 1974, where it ranked as #964.
Oleander
This quirky and exotic name could be more usable for boys with the nicknames Ollie (more commonly used for Oliver) or Leander (more commonly used as a standalone). It shares its name with the nerium oleander, an evergreen flowering shrub. Its a very unusual name in both the United Kingdom and the US.
Florian
This handsome and exotic boys name is derived from the equally handsome Roman name of Florianus. Florianus itself is derived from Florus, which is the masculine form of Flora. Its an unusual name in both the United Kingdom and the US, however in Austria its very common, ranking at #18 as of 2012. Saint Florian is the patron saint of Poland and Upper Austria.
William
This classic name is not exactly a flower name, though it shares its name with the sweet william flowers. The name of the Duke of Cambridge, the future King of England, currently ranks at #8, whilst in the US it ranks at #32.
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