The Big Finish

Thanks to the website Behind the Name for some of the names featured today, though I have used their website frequently as a source throughout the series this year. The African names featured here come from a scholarly paper entitled Tracking the Origins of African Slaves in the Indian Ocean through personal names: the evidence of Sumatra records by Thomas Vernet and Philippe Beaujard. Thanks to archive.org, possibly most of all, for access over the past year to countless books that are out of print and hard to find, except that they are easy to access on their website. Today's entries include names I found in History of Christian Names, Vol. I by Charlotte Mary Yonge, though this is not the first time I've consulted her work.

It's been a very fulfilling experience to share all these fabulous finds with you. I look forward to updating all the entries that need research with better information. Please share anything you know or think about these names or names you think should fit into another post series down the road. I don't anticipate anything as sizable as this post series has been, but I would like to find good name combinations for the names that are practical to use on a child nowadays. Ok, I'd like to come up with some for even the not so practical (Henhenet from the other day comes to mind). Just for the fun of it. So share anything along those lines. And if YOU are one of the names listed here, please comment. I'm interested in how you feel about your name or the experiences you've had with it. Or how you came about getting your name.

Actress Lana Turner, classically
 "stunning", like the name Alessandria

GIRLS


Alexandretta - feminine form of the Greek masculine name Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind" from 'alexo' meaning 'defender' and 'andros' meaning 'man'. Etta is also a way of making a name a diminutive, which is to say that it makes the name more appropriate for a younger person or makes the name more of a term of endearment for someone you love. You could call your Alexandra Alexandretta out of fondness. Another feminine version of Alexander offered in the History of Christian Names is Alessandria. I've heard Alexandra and Alexandria and Alessandra and Alejandra, so I don't know why I had not thought of Alessandria. It's stunningly beautiful.

Ansa - Finnish, derived from 'ansio' meaning 'virtue' or 'ansa' meaning 'trap'.

Damaspia - Celtic, meaning "horsetamer".

wild horses, in need of a tamer

such a sweet little girl!

Evlalija - Serbian form of Eulalia.

Glykera - Greek, meaning "the sweet".

Gytha - Teutonic, meaning "good fame" or it may be from an Old Norse name meaning "god" and "beautiful".

Haggy- nickname for Agatha.

Hilja - Finnish, derived from 'hiljaisuus' meaning 'silence'.

Irja - may be a Finnish form of Irina.

Jevlalija - a Russian form of the Greek Eulalius.

Kirsikka - Finnish, meaning 'cherry'.

Lahja - Finnish, meaning 'gift'.

Leocadie - French form of the Spanish name Leocadia.

Elizabeth Warren

"fair speech"

 she has a great way of speaking, 

whether you agree with her or not

Lelica - Serbian form of the Greek Eulalius, meaning "fair speech".

Matoaka - Algonquian, this was a secret religious name that Pocahontas had before

Merja - may be the name of one of the ancient peoples of Finland. 

Seija - Finnish, meaning 'tranquil' or 'serene'.

BOYS

Andragathos - Greek, meaning "good man".

Aristobulus - Greek, meaning "best counsel".


Brancalleone  - Italian, meaning "arm of a lion".

Eelis - Finnish form of Elijah.

Ippolito - Italian form of Hippolito or Hippolytus, meaning "horse destroyer".

Jedrzej - Polish form of the Greek Andrew, from 'andros' meaning 'manly'.

Melissus- Latin, meaning "bee".

Nantequaus - Algonquian, this was the name of the brother of Pocahontas.

 Opachisco- Algonquian, this was the name of the uncle of Pocahontas

Opechancanough- Algonquian, this was the name of one of Pocahontas' uncle.



NOT SURE WHICH GENDER

Arwystli - possibly a Welsh form of Aristobulus.

Aspamitras - Persian, meaning "horse-lover".

Caroomayna - may be Malagasy, from 'karamaina' meaning 'person who is salaried.

Eilah -may be Malagasy, from 'ela' meaning 'long', in reference to time or distance.

Embia - a name from the East coast of Africa (could also be spelt Mbia).

Kaleelee - Swahili, meaning 'noise'.

Keysaw- may be Swahili, meaning 'story' or 'reason' or 'affair'. Or it may be Malagasy, meaning 'small knife' (though this is suggested as deriving from 'kiso' with that word coming from the Swahili 'kisu').

Massay - may be Malagasy, from 'masay' meaning small.

Moora - may come from Malagasy 'mora' meaning 'easy' or 'sweet'.

Riela - may be Malagasy, ri coming from 'iri' meaning 'that one' and 'ela' meaning 'long'.

Risooarah - may be from Malagasy 'soa' meaning 'good' and 'hara' meaning 'seek'. Ri is a just an element used in Malagasy personal names.

Sayvolah - may be Malagasy, from 'say' meaning 'small' and 'volah' meaning 'money'.

Serranlaza - may be Malagasy from 'serana' meaning 'port' and 'laza' meaning 'renowned'.

Soassooah - Nias (a language of Africa) pronounced 'swasua'. Susua is the name of a Nias river.

Sooah - Malagasy, from 'soa' meaning 'good'.

Soovooratto - may be Malagasy, from 'sovoka' meaning 'bandit' and 'ranto' meaning 'search far away'.

Tanandah - may be Malagasy meaning 'the village of a man'.

Tassy - Malagasy meaning 'sea'.

The Beginning of the End

Thanks to the website Nameberry for hosting the blogger Elea (from British Baby Names) which is where I got several names for today. A few from the blog Marginamia as well. One more day to finish our series of 2014 names this year. Which is why today is only the Beginning of the End, and not the actual End.


GIRLS


A-da-lal  - Babylonian,

Beryan -

Busy-

Chesten - Cornish form of Christine

Dahlov-

Eia - pronounced 'EE ah'

Emblyn - Cornish form Emmeline

Eseld - Cornish form of Isolde, pronounced 'eh ZELD'

Ferebee-

Kaoru - Japanese, meaning "fragrant"".

Kayna

Lowe-

Mabyn

Majlinda - Albanian, meaning "born in May".

Melpomene - Greek

Meraud - Cornish, according to britishbabynames.com it comes from either "mor" meaning "sea" or "mawr" meaning "great" and "budd" meaning "benefit" or "profit" and is pronounced "MEH red".  Which is nice to know as I was saying it "muh RAWD" and so when I saw the possible etymology that it came from the name Emeraud, meaning Emerald, that seemed possible. britishbabynames.com also lists the variant Merouda.

Newlyna - Cornish, a saint, whose name is also spelled Newlina. It may mean "open or naked lake" (noath lyn) or "the new pond" (nowth lyn). 

Nickaela-

Osma-

Raquildis - Germanic, "fighting princess".

Rumi- Japanese, from "ruri" or "ru" and "mi" meaning "beautiful lapis lazuli".

Vaetild - Norse, 'mother of the Skraeling children'.

Youngna-

Yui-






BOYS

Anthimos - Greek

Austol

Branek or Branok - Cornish

Breok - pronounced "bree OK"

Cador - Cornish, meaning 'warrior' and pronounced 'CAD ur'.

Clether

De

Eteocles - Greek, derived from Etewoklewes, meaning "truly glorious". Wikipedia mentions the name Tawagalawas (a Hittite version of the name) and perhaps the name was Hittite originally?

Jowan - Cornish form of John.

Keneder - 'bold chief', pronounced "ken ED er".

Kenver - Cornish, meaning 'great  chief'

Madern

Margh - Cornish form of Mark.

Nao-

Sanjiro - Japanese, meaning "admired" or "praised".

Talthybius - Greek

Vlastislav - Slavonic, meaning "glory of power".



NOT SURE WHICH GENDER

Am-ma-ar-ilu - Babylonian, meaning "I see god"

A-sha-ri-du - Babylonian

Bel-iz-zu - Babylonian, "Bel is terrible".

Ili-duri - Babylonian, "my god is my stronghold".

All good things come with time. I came across the book Patronymica Cornu-Britannica on Google Books, which provided the origin for Newlyna. 

135

That's how many names we still need to learn to complete the goal of learning 2,014 new names this year.

Here are 45 to move us along the way.


GIRLS

Aaditri - this is a name I got off the Social Security Administration's list of names given to babies born in the U.S. in 2012. There were 5 with this name. I have no idea how it is said or pronounced or what it's origin and meaning might be.

Baileyann - another name off of the SSA's list. I wouldn't have thought of combining these two names as though they were one unit. I actually don't mind it, though I would think that I would.

Cadrian - another SSA entry. I haven't researched it but my initial guess is that this is an invention. Using the idea of the name Cade (which is given to girls as well as boys) and the name Adrian and smooshing them to get just one name.

Dacota - from the SSA list. I'm assuming this is just a creative spelling of Dakota.

Edlynn - from the SSA list

Faige - from the SSA list

Galit - from the SSA list. This is a Jewish girl's name, a variant of Gal, according to behindthename.com, which means "wave". However, this  can be found as a word or part of a name in other languages, for instance, Margalit, a form of Margaret, or the Welsh word for 'hill'.

Haileen - from the SSA list

Ikea - from the SSA list

Jenedy

Jetta - a Dutch form of Henrietta.

Kabria - from the SSA list

Lynlea - from the SSA list

Ma - from the SSA list. Not sure if this is a foreign name or a very short spelling of May.

Naaliyah - from the SSA. Another name I'm unsure about. It might just be an elaboration of Aaliyah. But I have not yet researched it.

Olvia - from the SSA list. This name is curious to me. Perhaps it is exactly what you see and a name with a history and established etymology. On the other hand, it might be a creative spelling (or typo) of Olivia.

Pal - from the SSA list. I will have to research this, as it is more a word to me or name of a pet. But I could see it as a nickname for Paloma or just being a name I'm unaware of.

Quaniyah - from the SSA list. Again, maybe this name is one I need to research. Maybe it is an elaboraton of Quanah. It seems possible though that it is an example of taking part of a name you like and matching it up with another sound you like, with no intended similarity to one particular name. It reminds me of Shania, in a way.

Racelyn - from the SSA list. Bonafide name? Typo that should have been Gracelyn? Smooshed names? Total invention?

Sabel -from the SSA list. Maybe it's Sable just spelled differently. But maybe it's Mabel with an S instead. Though it could be 'suh BELL', similar to Sabella or Sybella. Maybe it's just the last part of Isabel with a soft s instead of a z sound. Could it be Hindi, and said more like 'suh BEAL'? or is it more like Maybelle, said like two separate names? It's a mystery for now.

Trinh- Vietnamese, meaning "virtuous" or "loyal" or "chaste", according to behindthename.com.

Uilani - from the SSA list

Vaishali - from the SSA list

Wardah - from the SSA list

Xavianna - from the SSA list

Yaila - from the SSA list

Zadaya - from the SSA list




BOYS

Azarion - from the SSA list (2013)

Babacar - from the 2013 SSA list

Bix - a nickname for Benedict

Cahari - from the 2013 SSA list

Daelynn - from the 2013 SSA list

Earon - from the 2013 SSA list

Fatin - from the 2013 SSA list

Gabel - from the 2013 SSA list

Haaris - from the 2013 SSA list

Idhant - from the 2013 SSA list

Jabel - from the 2013 SSA list

Kabriel - from the 2013 SSA list

Laila - 5 boys were given this name according to the SSA list

Maadhay - from the 2013 SSA list

Nacari - from the 2013 SSA list

Oh - from the 2013 SSA list

Palash - from the 2013 SSA list

Robson - usually used as a surname, meaning "son of Rob", an alternate spelling of Robeson or Robison.

Names for the Last Sunday of the Year

GIRLS

Blakelyn

Blondina

Fiducia

Livonia

Marcha

Parmely

Philena or Philenda

Tida

Weltha

Yocheved

Zonya

Zorina


BOYS

Albigence

Albo

Amarion

Brylen

Colson

Dashawn

Davion

Davon

Deanthony

Demarco

Demarion

Dennon

Draven

Eason

Elderkin

Hilan

Jabraylen

Jairo

Jakhari

Jakori

Jaquan

Kilburn - Old English, "ciele" meaning "cool" and "burn" meaning "stream. I saw another etymology that suggested the beginning comes from "cylla" meaning "kiln".

Ladarius

Lamarion

Lamson

Maturin

Philander

Orra

Rashawn

Van-Rosselaer


NOT SURE WHICH GENDER

Mansor

Morrisett

Signesama

225 More Names to Go

I got a few of the unusual names from today's 'new' names from British Baby Names as well as from the list of the most popular baby names in 2013 in the United States by the Social Security Administration. Bonus points to anyone who can, without cheating, figure out which names came from which source! (including those that came from neither source)


GIRLS

Amphelisia- Greek, meaning "talking in two languages".

Euphroyne - a form of Euphrosyne, which is Greek and means "mirth".


Florrie

Frithuswith - Old English

Fynvola

Harietta

Henhenet - Egyptian

Iona

Joshika

Merilda -

Orla

Tem - Egyptian

Valinda

Vinnette



BOYS

Conradin

Edordu

Ezel

Furkan

Gospatric

Gustin

Hylan

Isauro

Jyler

Kenhelm-

Kitson

Kyvon

Lyrix

Myan

Nyzere

Oswyn

Ozell

Priansh

Quy

Rawdon

Ryerson

Symere

Trophimus

Tyrick

Uyiosa

Vonzell

Woodley

Wyborough

Xzayvian-

Yogesh -

Zymari

45 Names

So far you have learned 1,744 new names on my blog this year. To reach our goal of learning 2,014 names this year we still need to learn another 270 names over the next week. 45 names each day should do the trick.

A thank you to the name blog via Australia called Waltzing More than Matilda for the names Hesba and Caeles.



GIRLS


Aedyt-

Alisochka - Russian form of Adalheidis.

Austeja -

Bahee-

Calibrid-

Calycrist-

Calyhony -

Calypatric-

Calyvorri-

Hesba - Greek, from 'hesperus' meaning 'western'.

Ibott-

Isott-

Johna-

Johnet-

Kateryn-

Lishka - a nickname for Elizabeth. In the movie Christmas in Connecticut, with Barbara Stanwyck, the main character's name is Elizabeth and her uncle Felix calls her Lishka. It was so sweet and adorable! But I do not yet know what language it comes from.

Mariot -

More-

Sissot - I also saw the form Sessot on the webpage Manx Names in the Early
16th Century

Vorgell-



BOYS


Abelek - Czech form of Abel.

Allow-

Aronek - Polish form of Aaron.

Avile - Etruscan, the Roman equivalent being Aulus. Behind the Name listed this name as Aule.

Caeles - Etruscan, from the name of the earth goddess Cel and meaning "honored".

Galfrid-

Germot-

Gibbon -

Gilander -

Gilcom-

Gilmartin -

Gilmere -

Gilmurry-

Gilno-

Hane -

Huan-

Huchon-

Hugen-

Mold - a name that bears more research. I came upon it on a webpage about names used on the Isle of Man, though that may or may not mean that is of Manx origin.

Murghad-

Nele-

Ranlyn-

Thomlyn-

Thormot-

Urmen-

Some Names to Unwrap this Christmas Night

Another neat name webpage I came across is called Viking Answer Lady Webpage. Many thanks to her plenteous explanations of Norse names.


GIRLS


Ægileif - Norse, possibly derived from the Icelandic Aegir, the sea or the god of the sea, or from aegja, to frighten or to make terrible, and leif, meaning "one who comes after" or "heir", derived from laibo which means legacy or inheritance.

Curline

Kalani - meaning "the heavens". Ka is the equivalent of the word 'the' in Hawaiian and 'lani' means 'sky' or 'heaven' or 'royal' or 'majesty.

Kalea - Hawaiian, meaning "joy" or "happiness".

Lodean -

Tiggi -

Xiu - Chinese, meaning "beautiful" or "elegant".




BOYS


Barsabbas - Aramaic, meaning "son of the Sabbath". Bar means 'son of' and 'sabbas' comes from the Hebrew 'shabat' which means 'sabbath', which is the 7th and holy day and therefore a day of rest. For Hebrews this began at Sundown on Friday and ended at sundown on Saturday. For Muslims Friday is the Sabbath. Christians generally celebrate Sunday as their Sabbath. A day of rest in all three religions.

Bartimaeus - Aramaic; Greek, meaning "highly prized" or "honorable" or "honorable son". It derives from the Aramaic 'bar' meaning 'son of' and the Greek 'timaeus'.

Bishlam- Hebrew?, meaning "with peace".

Elhanan - Hebrew?, meaning "is gracious".

Eliasaph - Hebrew?, meaning "increases the family".

Eliathah - Hebrew?, meaning "comes".

Elishama - Hebrew?, meaning "hears".

Elzaphan - Hebrew?, meaning "conceals".

Ishbosheth -

Jahdiel - Hebrew?, meaning "gladdens".

Jehaleel - Hebrew?, meaning "is praised".

Jehoahaz - Hebrew?, meaning "holds fast".

Jehoram - Hebrew?, meaning "is high".

Jehozadak - Hebrew?, meaning "is just".

Jerahmeel - Hebrew?, meaning "has mercy".

Kaleo - Hawaiian, meaning "the voice" or "the sound".

Malchiel - Hebrew?, meaning "is king".

Qiang - Chinese, meaning 'strength'.

Raamiah - Hebrew?, meaning "thunders".

Shephatiah - Hebrew?, meaning "judges".



Both Genders


Jia - Chinese, meaning either "good" or "fine" (depending on the Chinese character chosen)  or else "home" or "family.

Lehua - Hawaiian, meaning "the ohia flower".

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

I found these names in various sources, but wanted to make sure and give credit to the Connecticut State Library for their list of American nicknames in the 19th century.



GIRLS

Abby - It never hurts to look at something familiar with new eyes. The Connecticut library's list had Abby as a nickname for Tabitha as well as for Abigail.

Allie - Another familiar nickname but in the 19th century, according to the Connecticut State Library, this was used for Alice. Remember, Allison was a man's name then. Though I suppose perhaps it did get used for Alexandra?

Bab or Babbie - You would probably already be able to guess that these are nicknames for Barbara. But it was new to me. I truly had only thought 'Babs' was a nickname and never imagined Bab or Babbie. Though they do make sense.

Bede - a nickname for Obedience. I hadn't realized, actually, that all those Puritans with virtue names might have also had a nickname.

Belle or Bella - a nickname for Mehitabel. It is also used for various other names like Isabel or Annabelle. But I had not considered that it could be used for something more uncommon, like Mehitabel.

Biah - a nickname for Abiah. I believe I've seen some modern use of Baya as a name (not a lot, of course). Here's a nice way to use such a name but use a name with a lot of history as well.

Biddy - a nickname for Bridget (or Brigid) or Obedience. I suppose there were more people named Obedience out there than I had thought.

Briney - a nickname for "Sybrina". Now I would think that this is just a variant spelling of Sabrina, but I could be wrong and if so, is it pronounced 'sah BRY nah'? Or is the nickname pronounced 'BREE nee' and not 'BRINE ee'

Caddie - a nickname for Caroline. I think I had found it as a nickname for Carrie before, but not Caroline.

Callie - another nickname listed for Caroline. Carrie was as well.

Cleda - a nickname for Cleophas. I would not have thought of Cleophas as a woman's name.

Crese or Crecy - a nickname for Lucretia. I suppose I would have thought of Lucy or Lisa or Lisha. But Crese and Crecy do make sense.

Dimmis - a nickname for Damaris. I could come up with a few nicknames for Damaris, but I would not have thought of this on my own. It does make me think Demi works as a nickname for Damaris, though.

Donia - a nickname for Fredonia. Normally  I would think this was pronounced with a short o sound, but given that it is a nickname for Fredonia, I'm guessing it has the long o sound instead.

Dosia - a nickname for Theodosia.

Ealasaid - Gaelic. This was listed next to the nickname Elsie on the list of American nicknames. I may have seen it before, but I had forgotten about it.

Elinamifia - this name was listed next to the nickname Ellen on Connecticut State Library's list of American nicknames. But I had never heard this name before.

Fally - This is a two for the price of one entry. Fally (a nickname I'm unfamiliar with) was listed as a nickname for Eliphal. I don't believe I've ever seen this name before and I certainly would not have guessed that it is a woman's name.

Fronie - a nickname for Sophronia.

Hepsy - a nickname for Hepsibah. I'm more used to the spelling Hepzibah, but the Library's list had the s spelling.

Hermie - a nickname for Hermione. I cannot see this nickname and NOT think of "Kermie", Miss Piggy's pet name for Kermit the Frog.

Hetty - a nickname for Mehitabel. I knew of it as a nickname for Henrietta, which was listed, but not for Mehitabel (though it is a logical one). Hitty was also listed for Mehitabel.

Jenny - a nickname for Jane or Janet. Hadn't really considered this before.

Leafy - a nickname for Relief (another virtue name). Though I would have guessed Lettice (oh I know, bad joke!)

Lena - this was listed as a nickname for several names. Angelina I could have guessed on my own. However, I had not thought of it as a nickname for these names which were listed: Helen, Caroline, Madeleine (or Magdalen).

Lisa - a nickname for Melissa. I had only ever thought of it as a nickname to Elisabeth before.

Lollie - a nickname for Charlotte. I had seen it as a nickname for Laurel in the movie Stella Dallas. But I had not thought of it as a nickname for Charlotte.

Louetta - Not sure if I have posted this in this series of new names posts, but it was on the list of nicknames next to the nickname Etta as a formal name that Etta was used for.

Mabel - another of the many nicknames listed for Mehitabel. I had always thought of Mabel as a name in its own right.

Maida - a nickname for Madeleine or Magdalena.

Mallie - a nickname for Malvina. I had heard Mallie as a nickname for Mallory but I'm not sure I had even heard of the name Malvina til now.

Mate - the list was very specific as to when and where this was used as a nickname (for Mary) - New York in the 1840s.

Mena - a nickname for Almina. I've seen Mina before and thought of it as a nickname for names like Jemina. But not knowing the name Almina, I had not thought of it as a nickname for that. I would be likely to think of this as 'MAY nah' not 'MEE nah' and therefore assume it was a nickname or derivative of names like Ximena.

Mima - a nickname for Jemima. Just below that Mimi was listed for Mary and I think it would suit Jemima well too.

Mindwell - this was listed next to the nickname Mina (which, as I said above, I was already familiar with - Wilhelmina being the other name next to Mina and one I would have thought of). I had never heard of Mindwell as word or a name. Let alone thought there was any connection between Mina and Mindwell.

Minnie - I continue to be surprised at where nicknames come from. I have heard of Minnie as a nickname for Minerva, but it was actually listed as a nickname for Mary and also Wilhelmina (which makes a bit more sense to me). I'm beginning to wonder what name is NOT used as a nickname for Mary.

Mitty - a nickname for, wait for it, Mehitabel. Also Submit. Definitely not a virtue name I would want to use but back in Puritan times it might have had a more positive connotation. Though when I see Mitty I think of the Danny Kaye movie about Walter Mitty and the presidential candidate Mitt Romney. It is sweet, though.

Mollie - a nickname for Martha. I knew of it as a nickname to Mary (what else?) but not  for Martha.

Nabbie - a nickname for Abigail. A curious one at that!

Nancy - a nickname for Agnes (Ann and Anna too, of course, but I hadn't thought of it before for Agnes).

Nettie - a nickname for Henrietta or Antoinette. I had seen it as a nickname for Annette and other 'netta' or 'nette' names, but Henrietta I'm not so sure.

Neva - a nickname for Genevieve. I had thought of using Neve as a nickname for Genevieve but not Neva, which I do like

Nonie - nickname for Joan. I knew it was a nickname but didn't know to what name.

Opha

Orolia - a nickname for Caroline

Patsy - a nickname for Martha. Strange that I did not know this before, as I am familiar with Patsy. I always assumed it was a nickname for Patricia.

Patty - besides being a nickname for Patricia this is also a nickname for Patience, Martha, and Parthenia.

Peddy - a nickname for the virtue name Experience.

Phoenie - a nickname for Tryphena

Phosy - a nickname for Tryphosia.

Puss - a nickname for Prudence or Philadelphia.

Rana - a nickname for Lorraine.

Reenie - a nickname for names such as Irene, Maureen, Serena, or Sabrena (the website's spelling, not mine).

Sene - a nickname for Acenath.

Silla - a nickname for Priscilla. (I assume this would work equally well for Drusilla).

Sissie - a nickname for Cecily or Cecilia. I think I had thought of this as a nickname for Susan or Priscilla or Melissa, Clarissa, names of that sort, but not Cecilia and certainly not Cecily. Oh, Cicely works.

Tallie - a nickname for Natalie. I know some of these nicknames must seem common sense to the rest of you, but I really had never thought of it.

Tempy - a nickname for Temperance.

Tennie - a nickname for Tennessee. You wouldn't think there had been that many women named Tennessee, but I suppose there must have been.

Tenty - a nickname for the virtue name Content. I think Tennie certainly works as a nickname for Content as well, and maybe even Cotton?

Thenie- a nickname for Parthenia. Though I would see no reason not to use it for Athena as well.

Thirza - a nickname for Theresa. Why did I think this was a name in its own right and not a nickname?

Varina

Vinny or Viney - a nickname for names like Lavinia, Louvina, Melvina, or Lavina. I have heard of Vinny as a nickname for Vincent but never thought of it for a girl. Nor had I thought of Viney as a nickname at all.

Waity - a nickname for Waitstill. I would never have dreamed up either one of these as a names. But actually, I rather love the effect of saying 'Waitstill'. I'd like Whey as a nickname or Wheat (or Wheaty) more though.

Winnet - a nickname for Winnifred. Rather love it.

Zubia - a nickname for Azubah. I am very much looking forward to researching these names better and posting it all here.



BOYS

Almiron

Bige - a nickname for Abijah

Cager - a nickname for Micajah

Camillus

Chan - a nickname for Chauncey.

Cuddy - a nickname for Cuthbert.

Dirch - a nickname for Derrick.

Dob - along with Dobbin, a nickname for Robert.

Dyer - a nickname for Obadiah.

Eben - a nickname for Ebenezer.

Eppa - a nickname for Epaphroditus.

Fanny - a nickname for Nathaniel.

Fate - a nickname for Lafayette (Fayette as well, and used on a boy).

Finney - a nickname for Phineas.

Gillis

Ham - a nickname for Hamilton.

Hiley - a nickname for Hiram. Hy is another nickname for Hiram.

Judy - a nickname for Judah

Kiah - a nickname for Hezekiah.

Landron

Lazar - a nickname for Eleazer.

Pleas - a nickname for Pleasant. It makes me curious what nicknames were used for other virtue names? Hope, for instance.

Quill - a nickname for Aquilla.

Riah - a nickname for Zachariah. Rias is a nickname for Zacharias. Rye is another nickname that works for either.

Tiah - this one made a little less sense to me. It is a nickname for Azariah. ???

Whitsed

Mid-December Names

GIRLS

Abassah - Arabic

Hawwa -Arabic

Rahil - Arabic form of Rachel



BOYS

Gurgustius - Welsh, from 'gor' meaning 'super' and 'gwst' meaning 'power' or 'excellence' or 'force'.

Icotascus - Brythonic, according to Nook of Names, and possibly from the roots 'iko' meaning 'woodpecker' and 'tasgo' meaning 'badger'.

'Lu'lu - Arabic

Marwan - Arabic

Ru'bah -Arabic



EITHER GENDER

Eulli - Sumerian, "may the temple last forever"



NOT SURE OF GENDER

Kizo - Japanese (I think)

Am I catching up or falling behind or running neck and neck?

GIRLS

Águeda - Spanish

Aloma - Nickname for the Spanish name Paloma, which means "dove". Pronounced "ah LOW mah".

Antona- Spanish

Barbola- Spanish

Betania - Spanish form of Bethany.

Caldine

Costanza- Spanish

Damiana- Spanish

Floriana - Spanish

Jerónima - Spanish

Mayor - Spanish

Melchora - Spanish

Melvina

MENCÍA- Spanish

Nazarena- Spanish

Olall- Spanish

Quiteria - Spanish

Shakira- Spanish

Violante -Spanish




BOYS

Agnano - Spanish

Anxo - Galician form of the Latin name Angelus.

Arsenio- Spanish

Barros - Spanish

BEÑAT- Basque form of Bernard.

Blas - Spanish

CEBRIÁN- Spanish form of the Latin name Cyprianus.

Cosme - Spanish

DÍDAC

Eyague - Spanish

Frutos - Spanish

Garci- Spanish

Gines - Spanish

Luperco- Spanish

Mergildo - Spanish

Roque - Spanish

Truylos - Spanish

1548 Names Learned. Only 466 more names to learn!

That's where we stand. Add the 28 names below, and we're even farther along!


GIRLS

Acho - Armenian, meaning 'right'. Pronounced 'aa ch OW'.

Carinthia -

Cloudesley -

Esfir - Russian form of Esther.

Estuuya - Inuit

Indrani-

Kiloran

Lemelia

Lesya  - Ukrainian, a short form for Oleksandra or Olena. Oleksandra is the Ukrainian form of Alexandra, which is the feminine form of the Greek name Alexander, which means "defender of mankind" or "protector of mankind". It comes from 'alexo' meaning "to defend' or 'to help' and 'aner' meaning 'man'.  Olena is the Ukrainian form of the Greek name Helene, meaning "torch".

Luvella

Melita -

Morna-

Okla

Phoebette-

Sadhbh-

Tsiuri - Georgian, derived from 'tsi' meaning 'sky' or 'heaven'.

Wendela -



BOYS

Borya - Russian nickname for Boris, which is derived from a Turkic name, Bogoris. It might mean 'short, 'wolf', or 'snow leopard'.

Conley

Doodes

Mundert

Qulitalik - Inuit

Taras - Ukrainian form of the Greek name 'Tarasios' meaning 'from Taras'. Taras is an old name for a very old Italian city with Greek roots called Taranto. It was named after Poseidon's son Taras. I believe that Taras Shevchenko was an important revolutionary figure from 19th century Ukraine and a poet and artist.

Zaal - Georgian form of the Persian name Zal, meaning "albino". A mythical hero had this name, as well as a head of white hair.

Zako - Armenian

Zhirayr - Armenian, meaning "strong, active"



EITHER GENDER

Atanarjuat - Inuit, meaning "the fast runner".

Ilannaq - Inuit, meaning 'friend'.

Waist deep in names, or maybe, up to my neck in them!

GIRLS


Beatrycze - Polish form of Beatrix

Calfuray - Mapuche, meaning "violet flower".

Katsiaryna - Belarusian form of Katherine.

Meklit - Amharic, meaning "gift to God".



BOYS


Dobrogost - Polish and Slavic, from the Slavic elements 'dobru' meaning 'good' and 'gosti' meaning 'guest'.

Nahuel - Mapuche, meaning "jaguar".

Ruslan - short form of the name Yeruslan, which comes from the Tatar Uruslan, which comes from the Turkic 'arslan' meaning 'lion'. Yeruslan is a figure in Russian and Tatar folktales, whose roots lie in the Persian tales of Rostam, a legendary warrior hero. Meaning unknown.

Tamrat - Amharic, meaning "miracle".



BOTH GENDERS


Alemayehu - Amharic, meaning "I have seen the world".

Isi - Choctaw, meaning "dear".

Onward to new names!

1,519 new names learned this year thus far. Of the 2,014 I intend to introduce you to, that leaves 495 more names to learn in the next 3 weeks. That's a lot of names still to go!!

Onward!

GIRLS

Dagmoy - Faroese form of the Danish name Dagmar, which comes from the elements 'dag', meaning 'day' and 'mar', meaning 'little maiden' or 'unmarried girl' or 'virgin'. These name elements are similar to the terms in various other European languages having the same meaning, such as 'mey' or 'meyja' meaning 'girl' and dagr or tag or daga meaning 'day'.

Hiltrud- Finnish

Irya - Russian nickname for Irina, which comes from the Greek 'eirene' meaning 'peace'.

Iulfrith - Danish

Qaajak - Greenlandic nickname appropriate for a younger person for the name K'aujak.

Sille - Swedish

Ua - Icelandic nickname for names beginning with U.

Venla - Sami


BOYS

Bjarni - Icelandic and Faroese nickname appropriate for a younger person for the Norse or Danish name Biarni, which is a form of the Norse name Biorn, which is a variant of Bjorn, meaning "bear". Bjorn is similar to the element in various European languages which mean 'bear', such as the Germanic 'bernu', Saxon 'bern', and Old English 'beorn'.

Lianteri - Finnish

Rosant - Swedish

Soffren - Danish

Uhkku - Sami form of the Finnish name Ukko, meaning 'old man'.

Uui - Greenlandic form of the Danish and Frisian name Ove. Ove is a Frisian nickname for Germanic names beginning with Uodal or Ova. It could be related also to the Frisian nickname Uffe, used for names beginning or ending with 'ulf' or as a variant of the nickname Offe, which in turn comes from Germanic names beginning with the element 'od'. In Danish it is used as a form of Auwe for young boys. Auwe comes from Aughe which in turn comes from Aghi, a Danish nickname for Norse names beginning with 'ag'.

Ylur - Icelandic, meaning "warmth".



BOTH GENDERS

Ailu - Sami name. As a girl name it is a variant of Aile, a form of the name Helga. As a boy name it is a nickname for Aslak.

Elis - Icelandic nickname either for the girl name Elisa or the boy name Elias.

Gerwar - Danish

Kautak - Greenlandic name meaning 'hammer'.

1484 Names Learned

With that number of new names learned this year, we need still to learn 530 more names by the end of the year. Which is about 140 new names a week or 20 names a day, give or take a few names.

GIRLS

Atha

Belmina

Borah

Harlena

Prutia

Verla


BOYS

Atha - nickname for Athanacius

Hickman

Oleny

Strangeman - the genealogy blog where I found this listed as a first name said that some descendants pronounce it like 'strongman'. Maybe a German name??

Ulrus

Whitelaw



    

Clowser Homestead

from the Winchester Star

This home is where Henry Clowser lived with his family, until their family was killed by Shawnee Indians. Young Henry Clowser survived, as well as his two sisters, who had been abducted by the Shawnee.

Marion Clowser is a descendant and so am I.

Henry Clowser's guardian was Casper Larrick, an immigrant from Alsace-Lorraine. The Clowsers came from Germany. I am wondering if they came on the same ship, from the same town, the same church, or were related in some way or if they were just chance neighbors, in the military together, or in some other way knew each other.

My mother's father, William James Lockhart, Sr.'s grandmother was Mary Jane Foreman, whose grandfather was the young Henry Clowser. He is my grandfather's grandmother's grandfather. Which makes him my 4th great-grandfather, I believe, and the elder Henry Clowser (or Heinrich Clauser) and his wife Anna Maria Arma, my 5th great-grandparents.

36 New Names

GIRLS

Adaya- Hebrew, meaning "God's jewel".

Barushka - Czech, meaning "stranger".

Bethuliah - 'a virgin'.

Chisamu - Tonga, meaning "tree" or "log". This is a name that was given by a woman who previous babies had all died and did not want to give the baby a name of a person or ancestor if she was going to die anyway, rather, she gave her a 'non' name, the name of a tree. It's a sad way of naming, to me. However, the name itself is pretty, I think. And someone could give this name just because it is pretty.

Filatrice - meaning "thread spinner" or "spinster".

Goton- nickname for Margaret.

Hildagarve - "Hilda's maid".

Huette- a feminine form of the name Hugh.

Ilysee - derived from the name Alice.

Laodike - "who obtains justice for the people through intercession".

Moggy - a nickname for Margaret.

Peninnah - meaning "coral" or "pearl" or "glittering with beauty". The name of one of the wives of Elkanah, father of Samuel the Prophet, in the Bible.

Shawannah - listed as an African-American name in the name book A World of Baby Names. It suggests that it may be a name made from elements of the names Shawna and Shoshannah. But I find it more likely that it is composed from adding the prefix 'sha' to a name like Juana (but spelled phonetically) or Wanda, possibly Shawanda would be either a related form or Shawannah could come from that. African-American name is a somewhat haphazard designation. Similar habits of name composition exist outside of the African-American community and have a long tradition as well. However, certain names do seem to have an African-American feel, in that you might be predisposed to first think of someone black having the name and surprised to encounter it on someone who is not black.

Sindonia - meaning "a maker of fine linen" or "a spinster".

Sophonisba - "of a wise life".

Umaya-

Vye - a nickname for Sophia (in England this name is pronounced "so FY uh").



BOYS

Adael - Hebrew, meaning "God is witness".

Adinet - a nickname for Adam.

Agobard

Beckon- I was amused to find this listed under the American names category in the name book A World of Baby Names. It suggests it is a modern invented name. I can see the rationale - parents who like names like Beckett and Beckham and Becker but want their child's name to be different from the kid next door might think of Beckon and consider it a name on those lines. To me, though, it is more of a virtue name and seems to fit well in a Puritan context.

Doeg- name of an Edomite in the Bible

Halohesh - "the enchanter".

Hasday

Hatyelele - Tonga, a name that would be given to a child whose mother craved 'delele', a traditional Zambian vegetable (a type of okra), while she was pregnant. It is also used as a nickname for a man who likes to eat this vegetable.

Menaxem

Tedbar - English, possibly derived from Tedbald, which is a variant of Theobald, a name from the Domesday Book.

Yefuneh - Hebrew

Yekutiel - Hebrew

NOT SURE OF GENDER

Amphipolus

Hosius

Parthenos

Virginius



EITHER GENDER

Different from the "not sure of gender" category, "Not sure of gender" is used for those names I've encountered without knowing whether they are for males, females, or both. "Either gender" are names that are used on both boys and girls.

Banji - Tonga, meaning "many". Name given to a second-born twin.

Chilala - Tonga, meaning "sleeping". This name was given by a woman who could not conceive for a long time after birth of the previous child.

Hamuntili - Tonga, a wild fruit. Name was given to a child who was born while the mother was gathering these fruits in the bush.

A Few Names Before Bed

BOYS

Junaid - I was particularly interested in this name due to how similar it is to my grandfather Junius' name. Junaid, though, is Arabic, and comes from the Urdu "jund" meaning "soldier". It is pronounced "yun AID". And now I have Carl Jung on my mind and the idea of Jungian theory.

Kacper - Polish form of the Persian name Casper, which means "treasure keeper".

Either Gender

Angamela - Tsonga name meaning "be in an elevated position and govern". This is a name given as a blessing pronouncement. Tsonga is a language spoken in South Africa.

1445 - The Number of New Names You've Learned So Far

Here are 23 more names to add to that number. This leaves 546 names left to learn by the end of the year. Or the end of the month. However you look at it.


GIRLS

Aholibamah - "tent on the high place" or "who dwells on high" or "not poor".

Azubah-"forsaken"

Celisiwe - Nguni name meaning "requesting on behalf of". Nguni is a language of South Africa.

Cyria - "lady"

Deodanda - "God-given"

Duessa - double-minded

Euodia - "good journey"

Himmeltruda - "heavenly truth"

Kanya - Xitsonga name meaning "rich". Xitsonga is a language spoken in South Africa.

Noahdiah - 'meeting with the Lord'

Orabell - from 'Oro', meaning "prayerful woman".

Phenissa - 'a Phoenician woman'

Praxidice - 'doing justice'.

Rizpah - "a live coal" or "glowing with love" or "seraphic"

Saccharissa - "wages" or "sweetness".

Stratonice - "born at time of triumph" or "victory of the army"

Zeresh - 'a star'

Zibiah - "has eyes like a doe (deer)".


BOYS

Faranani - Tshivenda name meaning "work together". Tshivenda is a language of South Africa.

Jeso - Sotho form of the name Jesus. Sotho is a language of South Africa.

Theobulus -'giving divine counsel'.

Ulick - a nickname for the Welsh name William. Ul coming from William and the suffix 'ick' coming from 'ig' which comes from 'egan' which comes from the Welsh name Eoghan, which means "young" or "son".


Either gender

Aluwa - Venda name meaning "increase". A name given to show the family has grown in size with the birth of this child. Venda is a language of South Africa.

592 Names To Go

I only have 592 more names to introduce you to this year. So far you've learned 1,422 new names if you've read all the blog posts in my 2014 names in 2014 series. Here's 23 names to move us closer to that goal. 


GIRLS


Abela - variant of the French name Abelia, which is derived either from the Hebrew roots "hevel", meaning "breath" or "vapor" or "source of life" or else "aplu" meaning "son". It is pronounced "ah bay lah"

Ji-ah - Korean

Richenza - Polish form of the Icelandic name Rikissa, which comes from the Icelandic name Rixa, meaning "wealthy".

Sons-see-ah-ray - Apache, meaning "morning star". Many Apache women did not have individual names but instead were called "ish-tia-nay" meaning "woman".

Wendabi -




BOYS


Alston -

Argus-

Badr-ud-Din - Arabic, meaning "full moon".

Dyton-

Earldon-

Hayk - Հայկ is the original Armenian script of this name, which is the nominative plural of "hay" ( հայ is the Armenian script for this), which is the word Armenians use to refer to themselves (such as people in England call themselves English). Hayk is the legendary founder of the Armenian nation.                  հակական

Olan-

Pol -form of the name Paul used in many languages, such as French, Hebrew, Catalan, Ukrainian. It derives from the Roman family name Paulus which comes from the Latin word meaning "small" or "humble".

Seo-joon - Korean

Too-ah-yay-say - Apache, meaning "strong swimmer".

Whitman




NOT SURE OF GENDER


Bray-

Dartha -

Elgie-

Eltwed - name of one of the first Puritan settlers of Connecticut.

Novis-

Sevra-

Stellar-