List share #1: The wildest of my GPs!

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I thought I'd do a different post idea, and share some of my personal name lists. My name lists grow a lot, I'm always looking for new names to love. I think having large namelists is a great thing, because when you come to have children, you can look back at your lists if you're stuck during your naming journey. 

Today I'm going to post about the weirdest, and most wonderful names on my guilty pleasure (GP) list. Names become guilty pleasures for me if they have a negative personal or famous association, if they sound too unfamiliar in my mother tongue (British English), or if they are just simply too crazy to use in real life.

Florentine

I have Florentine on my GP list because I think it's a little too unusual for real life and it's also the name of a dialect spoken in Florence. Florentine is the French form of Florentina, which itself is the feminsation of Florentinus, which is an Ancient Roman name that has a meaning of "prosperous; flourishing" as being derived from Florentius. 

Libertine

I made up Libertine as a name, after visiting the Libertine Pub in London. Sound and appearance wise, I thought it was such a pretty word. However, the meaning is the total opposite (a "playboy") so it's staying firmly on the GP list. 

Holiday

I have Holiday on my GP list because I feel that it's still too connected to the word to be used in real life. The word means "holy day" and the name is of Modern English usage, though it is rare. Holiday featured in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, on the character Holiday "Holly" Golightly, who was played by Audrey Hepburn. 

Madelina

I have Madelina on my GP list because it seems too unusual to use in real life, and it may lead to some teasing because of the "mad" beginning. Madelina is the Latinate form of the more common Madeleine, which itself is a variation of Magdalene. 

Marie des Neiges

I have Marie des Neiges on my GP list because it's too unfamiliar in my native language. Marie des Neiges is a French religious name, which has a beautiful meaning of "Mary of the snows". It's rare in its native France, where the similar Marie-Neige is more common. 

Zipporah

I have Zipporah on my GP list, simply because I think it's too unusual to use in real life. Zipporah is of Hebrew origins, where it's original transcript is Tzipporah. It has a meaning of "bird" and in Hebrew, it can be written as צִפּוֹרָה. 

Pomeline

I have Pomeline on my GP list, because I think it's too unusual in my native language, as well as being a little out there. Pomeline is the French form of Pomellina, a medieval Italian name whose meaning is unknown. A famous bearer of Pomeline is Charlotte Casiraghi, the granddaughter of Princess Grace of Monaco, whose full name is Charlotte Marie Pomeline. 

Ebenezer

I have Ebenezer on my GP list, because as cool sounding as it is, it's too connected for Scrooge to me and as a lover of Christmas, it would seem awkward of me to use it in real life. Ebenezer is a Biblical name, and has a meaning of "stone of help". The only time Ebenezer appeared on the US popularity charts was in 1884, where it had a ranking of #764.

Wenceslaus

I have Wenceslaus on my GP list, because, even though that it's a lovely carol, I feel that it's too associated with Good King Wenceslaus in my native language to use in real life. Wenceslaus is the Latin form of Veceslav, which has a meaning of "more; glory". 

Zadok

I have Zadok on my GP list, because I feel that it's too unusual to use in real life, and in my country it's heavily associated, as beautiful as the tune is, to the coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest. Zadok is of Ancient Hebrew origins and it has a meaning of "righteous". 

Erasmus

I have Erasmus on my GP list, because I feel that it's too pretentious for real life. Erasmus is derived from the Greek ερασμιος, which has a meaning of "beloved". Erasmus was the name of a fourth century Saint, who was also known as Saint Elmo, and the famous Renaissance painter.

Zephyrus

I have Zephyrus on my GP list, because I feel that it's too pretentious for real life. Zephyrus is the Latin form of Zephyros, which itself is related to Zephyr, which has a meaning of "west wind". 

Naming Nationalities #3: Spanish names

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I apologise for not posting for what seems like ages, revision and exams have been the main focus at the moment!

Today I thought I'd post about my favourite naming nationality, which is that of Spanish names. I hope to end up settling down in the Balearic Islands in the future, so I'll most likely get to use a few Spanish gems. 

Adelina

My most favourite girl's name, Adelina has a meaning of "noble". As well as in Spain, Adelina is also used in Italy, Portugal, Romania and Germany. And now in the US, as it ranked at #531 in the popularity charts last year. 

Alaia

This unusual name, which can also be found as Alaïa, is of Basque origins and has a beautiful meaning of "joyful; happy". 

Alba

This spunky name has a meaning of "dawn" in the Spanish language, though it has been suggested that it also has Latin and Ancient Germanic routes. In England and Wales, it ranked at #378 on the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in Spain, where it is the name of a Duchy, it ranked at #11 in the popularity charts that same year. The last time Alba appeared on the US popularity charts was in 1923, where it had a ranking of #940.

Adelaida

Adelaida is a regal Spanish form of Adelaide. It also has it's usage in Hungary. Adelaida, as a variant of Adelaide, has a meaning of "noble natured". It is an unusual name in both Spain and the US.

Adoración

This interesting name has a charming meaning of "adoration" in the Spanish language. The name refers to The Adoration of the Magi, the part of the Nativity Story where the Magi gave gifts to the Baby Jesus, also making this name appropriate for a baby born in December or around the Epiphany. It's (still unusual) more common diminutive is Adora. 

Lucia

Common amongst babies of Hispanic heritage, this elegant name has a meaning of "light" as it is derived from the more masculine Lucius. In its native Spain, Lucia was the most popular name for girls in 2013, whilst in  England and Wales, it ranked at #169 in the popularity  charts that same year; and in the US, it ranked at #230 in the popularity charts a year later.

Ana

The quirky Spanish form of Anna has a meaning of "grace". In it's native Spain, it ranked at #19 on the popularity charts in 2013, whereas in England and Wales, it ranked at #397 in the popularity charts that same year; and lastly, in the US, it ranked at #222 in the popularity charts a year later.

Concepción

Another religious name, Concepción refers to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and is the name of a city in Chile. The English translation is literally "conception". In the US, it last appeared on the popularity charts in 1937, where it had a ranking of #964. 

Emiliana

This regal name has a meaning of "rival", as being originally derived from Aemilius, which itself is derived from Emil. It is a rare name in both Spain and the United States.

Abilio

This interesting name is the Spanish form of the Ancient Roman Avilius, whose meaning is unknown. It can also be spelt as Abílio in Portuguese.

Alfonso

A royal name in Spain, Alfonso has a meaning of "noble and ready" in the Spanish language.  In its native Spain, it last appeared on the popularity charts in 2004, where it had a ranking of #99. In the US however, it had a ranking of #849 in the popularity charts last year. 

Alvaro

Spelt as Álvaro in Spanish, this handsome name has a meaning of "army; warrior" as being suggested from the Germanic name Alfher. In Spain, Alvaro ranked at #5 in the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the US, it ranked at #922 a year later.

Cristóbal

This exotic Spanish variant of Christopher has a meaning of "bearing Christ". In Spanish speaking Chile, it had a ranking of #10 on the popularity charts in 2006. In the US, it last appeared on the popularity charts a year later, where it had a ranking of #917. 

Domingo

The Spanish form of Dominic has a meaning of "of the Lord". In the US, it last made an appearance on the popularity charts in 1993, where it had a ranking of #952.

Eliseo

This quirky Spanish variation of Elisha has a meaning of "my God is salvation". In the US, it had a ranking of #949 in the popularity charts last year.

Felipe

The name of the King of Spain himself is the Spanish form of Philip. It has a meaning of "friend of horses". In the US, it had a ranking of #713 in the popularity charts last year.

Florencio

This handsome name is the Spanish form of Florentius, which itself is a masculine form of the more feminine Florence. It is a rare name in both Spain and the US.

And her name is .... Charlotte Elizabeth Diana!

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, a beautiful name for a beautiful little Princess. She's a younger sister to George Alexander Louis.

Credits: BBC / IB Times / US Magazine

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Charlotte
Charlotte has featured a few times in British royal history, first appearing on Charlotte Stuart, Duchess of Albany, the illegitimate daughter of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his mistress Clementina Walkinshaw. The next royal bearer of the name was Charlotte, Princess Royal (1766-1828; later Queen of Württemburg). Following her was George III's wife Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In Europe, Charlotte is currently the name of Princess Caroline of Monaco's daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi. 

Charlotte has a meaning of "man", as a feminisation of Charles. In England it was #21 on the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United States, it was #11 on the popularity charts that same year.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a very classic name that has been used throughout royal history, starting with Elizabeth of York, the mother of Henry VIII of England. The next royal Elizabeth was her granddaughter, Elizabeth I of England "the Virgin Queen". After her was Princess Elizabeth of the United Kingdom (1770-1840) and Princess Elizabeth of Clarence (1820-1821). More recently, it's been worn by the Queen Mother and the Queen herself. It is also the middle name of Kate as well as a number of other royals. 

Elizabeth has a meaning of "God is my oath" and In England, Elizabeth ranked at #39 in the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #10 in the popularity charts that same year.

Diana
The name of the much adored Princess of Wales has a meaning of "heavenly; divine" and is the name of the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests and childbirth. The Roman goddess Diana is commonly identified with the Greek goddess, Artemis. In England, Diana ranked at #358 in the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #270 that same year.

Another royal Diana includes Diane, Duchess of Württemburg, who was born in 1940 at was originally a member of the defunct French Orléans Royal Family.

A Princess is born! Last Minute Predictions for the new Cambridge Baby

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I'm so delighted for the Cambridges on the arrival of their new little Princess, who is the first Princess to bear the title since the Duke of York's daughter Princess Eugenie back in 1990. The Earl of Wessex's daughter is technically a Princess, however upon his and his wife's wishes, she's "just" a Lady. 

I have also decided that I'll post photos in my blog to make it a bit more colourful!


Victoria
The name of Queen Victoria and a (reportedly) favourite of William's seems like a very appropriate choice for the little Princess. Victoria has a meaning of "victory" and ranked at #88 in the popularity charts in England in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #25 in the popularity charts that same year.

Elizabeth
The name of the Queen herself features many times in  history has a meaning of "God is my oath". Elizabeth has been popular for many years and is considered a classic. In England, Elizabeth ranked at #39 in the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #10 in the popularity charts that same year.

Diana
The name of the late Princess of Wales who unexpectedly and tragically died in a car crash aged 36 has a meaning of "heavenly; divine" and is the name of the Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, forests and childbirth. The Roman goddess Diana is commonly identified with the Greek goddess, Artemis. In England, Diana ranked at #358 in the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #270 that same year.

Caroline
A form of the Duchess's mother Carole Middleton, Caroline has a meaning of "man" as a feminisation of Charles. Caroline last appeared on the popularity charts in 2004 in England, where it had a ranking of #459. In the United States however, it ranked at #63 in the popularity charts in 2013.

Mary
The name of Queen Mary and the middle name of many female members of the royal family, Mary has a meaning of "bitter" in Hebrew. It also has the nickname possibility of May, which would be a lovely nod to the Princess's birth month. In England, Mary had been extremely popular for years but is slowly deteriorating - it ranked at #244 in the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #121 in the popularity charts that same year.

Catherine
The name of the Duchess of Cambridge herself has a meaning of "pure". In England, where Katherine is a common spelling variation, it ranked at #230 on the popularity charts in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #172 in the popularity charts that same year.

Rose
The middle name of Princess Margaret, "the English Rose" is a vintage flower name that has been making a comeback in recent years. The name of my own grandmother ranked at #68 in the popularity charts in England in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #224 in the popularity charts that same year.

Alice
My own name and the name of Prince Philip's mother, who helped Jews during the Holocaust, has a meaning of "noble", which is very fitting for the little Princess. One of the top contenders for her, Alice ranked at #27 in the popularity charts in England in 2013, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #107 in the popularity charts that same year.

Helena
The name of one of Queen Victoria's children and the middle name of Princess Eugenie has a meaning of "torch; correspondent" as the Latin form of Helen. In England, Helena last made an appearance on the popularity charts in 2008, where it had a ranking of #475. In the United States however, it had a ranking of #409 in the popularity charts in 2013. 

Adela
An old medieval name that hasn't had any usage in the royal family since, Adela has a meaning of "noble". It is a rare name in England, however in the United States, it last made an appearance on the popularity charts in 1957, where it had a ranking of #936. Another old medieval alternative is Adeliza, which is even more unusual.