Holly is expecting a little girl in October and is finding it difficult to settle on a final name. Whenever she has mentioned her favourites to family and friends, she has received negative comments, which is understandably getting her down.
Holly likes romantic yet strong names with intriguing stories behind them. She's a fan of Celtic and Arthurian names, but also Germanic, Latin and Norse names as well. Her surname is a very common one, so she would prefer a name outside the top 100.
Her List:
Guinevere
Morgana
Rosamund
Previously considered:
Gwendolen
Felicity
Luned
Niamh - Likes but unsure of how it flows with a short surname. Is a likely contender for a middle name.
Cordelia - I love everything about this name but I keep forgetting about it which makes me think it's not the one.
Freja - Has a friend with a daughter named Freya.
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I totally feel your pain, Holly. One of the most common dilemmas in names is sharing your favourites and getting put off by negative reactions of loved ones. The thing is, when names are discussed in principle, most people feel free to let rip with their opinions. Uncommon names go against the norm, so tend to rock the boat even more.
However, once a baby is born and given that name... the chatter dies down quickly. In the same way that you might think nose piercings are hideous, and would say so to friends, social etiquette would prevent you from saying it baldly to a person with one.
I knew a mother at a school I worked at who chose Delilah for her daughter. She'd suggested it before and got a lot of negative feedback, but she went ahead with it regardless. Needless to say, for a few days there were people singing Why, Why Why, Delilah and discussing it ad nauseam (it was the latest gossip to chew over) but, crucially, never in front of the parents, who remained in ignorant bliss. Now Delilah is a little girl and no one can imagine her being named any differently.
Guinevere – I can see why you are drawn to this one; it is beautiful, romantic and evocative. If it's too much for your family to get their tongues round, there are oodles of fabulous nicknames you could adopt, such as Gwen, Eve, Evie or even Nieve (Niamh).
Arianwen – A mellifluous Welsh name derived from arian "silver" and gwyn "fair, blessed, holy." It was borne by a 6th century saint, but like Arianrhod, possibly once was a Celtic goddess. Aria makes for a very hip and on-trend nickname.
Arabella – Though well known, Arabella is still quite uncommon. It's pretty and flowing yet with a strong back bone. It's origins lie in Scotland, and it likely derives from the Latin orabilis "exorable," or a corruption of Annabel, from Amabilis "lovable."
Vivien – The beautiful and mysterious Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend, found spelled Vivienne or Viviane. Her name is most likely a misreading of her alternate name Niniane, a name with very ancient Celtic routes, most likely meaning "ash tree," a symbol of healing and magic.
Thalia – A name borne by two ancient Greek goddesses: one of the nine Muses, who was patroness of comedy, music, song and dance; and one of the three Graces, the goddess of festivity and banquets. The name literally means "festivity, plentiful, luxuriant, abundant."
Luna – A small name that packs a lot of punch. Luna was the beautiful Roman goddess of the moon, who rode her chariot through the night sky wearing her golden diadem.
Aurelia – Meaning "golden" in Latin, Aurelia is a stately Roman name, borne by many a noble woman, including the mother of Julius Caesar and a medieval saint. Another lovely related name is Aurea.
Morven – A stylish Scottish choice which was a name of a mythical kingdom in the Ossianic Poems. Of a similar style is Cornish Morvoren meaning "sea maiden" or "mermaid."
Morrigan – An ancient Irish goddess of war and battle who was often represented by the raven. Her name, like Welsh Rhiannon and Arthurian Igraine, derives from the Celtic rigan "queen."
Jessamy / Jessamine – Older, poetic forms of Jasmine, a flower associated with love, grace and good-naturedness. As a given name, it likely arose as a form of Ismenia (see below).
Ismenia – A medieval name that most likely has ancient Celtic routes. It could derive from the Old Welsh is "under, below" and maen "stone" but Kay Sheard put foward a very strong case that it could in fact be from the Common Celtic *weso- "excellent" and *moyni- "treasure, precious object." It was used in a variety of forms, including Ismena, Imayne and Emony.
Lowenna – A sweet, uncommon Cornish choice meaning "joy, happiness, bliss." Similar Lewena or Lewen is a later form of the Anglo-Saxon name Leofwynn meaning "dear joy."
Liadan – An Old Irish name borne by a saint, and also Liadan na Donal, a poetess, the subject of a 9th century love story.
Isolde – Comparable to Guinevere is the great Isolde of romantic legend. Iseult is the French form often used for the heroine, while the Cornish form Eseld is a pretty, highly usable variation.
Idony – Like Freya, Idony was a Norse goddess of the spring. The Vikings brought it with them to Britain, and it was not uncommon in the Middle Ages. Now it is rare, but sits nicely between well known Imogen and Ebony and the like.
Evaine – In Arthurian legend, Evaine was the sister of Elaine, and therefore aunt to Lancelot, and mother to Bors and Lionel. Her name was probably a variant of her sisters as many Arthurian names shared family traits. The spelling Yvaine was used in the movie Stardust.
Laudine – Another accessibly name from Arthurian legend in Laudine, Lady of the Fountain, the wife of the knight Owain/Yvain.
Melisande – The romantic Continental medieval form of the Germanic Amalaswintha, a compound of amal"work" and swind "strong, brave, powerful". A Queen Melisande of Jerusalem reigned as queen of Jerusalem in the 12th century.
Melusine – Across Europe, Melusine appears in folklore as a beautiful mermaid. Her origins are very close to that of the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend. Melusina and Melesina are variants.
Liveva – Containing the fashionable names Liv and Eva, Liveva, or Leviva, is a real rarity, derived from the Anglo-Saxon Leofgifu "dear gift."
Best wishes in making the final decision.
'Twas Ever Thus: Upper-crust Edwardian choices
Here is an article, entitled What's In A Name?, from the Dundee Courier which was published on Saturday 28 December 1901.
It concerns the most common, and unusual, choices used by Edwardian aristocracy. Sarah was a favourite of the Spencers -- a name still borne today by Diana, Princess of Wales' sister -- and Geraldine was a favourite for the Dukes of Leinster.
To prove how sacred were these names to these families, some girls, we are told were named Arthur, and a boy named Anne.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
It is a Precious Heirloom
That there is "magic in a name" is proved by the persistence with which many distinguished families adhere to one special Christian name throughout the course of centuries. The Dukedom of Somerset shows marked favour for the name Jane. Long ago the family name was spelt Seymour, not St Maur, and in the distant past -- as everyone knows -- a beautiful Jane Seymour became one of the ill-fated wives of Henru VIII., and the name has been faithfully retained down to modern times, Lady Jane Graham of Netherby, one Lady Jane Seymour, being its present day representative.
The Dukes of Norfolk prefer the name Phillippa, and there have been many Lady Phillippa Howards. Indeed, one who formerly bore that name now walks the earth in the person of Lady Phillippa Stewart, sister to the present Duke of Norfolk.
The Dukes of Beaufort are faithful to the name of Blanche. In 1607 a Lady Blanche Somerset married the Lord Arundell of Wardour of that period, and has gone down to history as a first-class heroine, in that she defended Wardour Castle, during the absence of her husband, for nine days against the Parliamentary army, and in the end surrendered on honourable terms. Since that date she has had a long string worthy successors, and at the present time there is a baby, Lady Blanche Somerset, daughter of the reigning Duke of Beaufort.
Names in Ducal Families
The Dukes of Marlborough hold sacred the name of Sarah, in honour of the intrepid founder of their fortunes, Sarah Jennings, first Duchess of Marlborough. Lady Sarah Wilson acts as the modern representative of her might ancestress. Lord Spencer's family owns the same descent, and his sister, Lady Sarah Spencer, now continues the hereditary name.
The Dukes of Hamilton care much for the name of Anne. Indeed, so deep is their devotion that a man of the family had the name Anne inflicted on him in compliment to his Royal godmother, Queen Anne.
The Dukedom of Leinster has long been identified with the name of Geraldine, the connection dating from the days of Lady Elizabeth FitzGerald, immortalised in the Earl of Surrey's poems as "The Fair Geraldine."
Among Christian names belonging to the Saxon period are Elfrida, Elaine, Mildred, Edna, Ela and Ermyntrude. Lady Edeline Strickland is a sister of Lord De La Warr, and Lady Ella Russell and Lady Ermyntrude Malet are sisters to the Duke of Bedford.
Of Norman names are Blanche, Maud, Isabel, Sibyl, Eleanor and Adeline. Celtic names are found in Irish and Scottish families, with a certain variance in the two countries. Sheelah, Kathleen and Bridget, in Ireland, correspond with Sheila, Kate and Bride in Scotland. Olga and Vera hail from Russia, while Thyra and Dagmar are pf Scandinavian origin; and Theresa, Carmen and Dolores show signs of Spanish descent.
The Puritan spirit dies hard among the agricultural poor, and such names as Charity, Mercy, Hope, Faith, Patience and Prudence, austere legacy of Cronwellian days, are still found in our remote country villages.
In Smart Society
Smart society favours flower names. There are Lady Rosemary Cairns, Lady Lily Milles, and Lady Violet Beauchamp. Lady Essex's little girl is Lady Iris Capell; Lady Angela Forbes' child is called Marigold; and Lady Algernon Lennox's daughter has the name of Ivy. One of the Miss Finches owns the uncommon name of Jasmine.
Precious stones have numerous representatives. Lady Edward Churchill's two daughters are Miss Ruby and Miss Beryl Churchill. Another Miss Finch has the pretty name of Pearl; one of Miss Frances Wolseley's names is Garnet; and Lady Lamington's little girl owns the uncommon name of Gem.
There must be something in the science of names. Helens hadve had their rightful dower of beauty, from the days of Helen of Troy onwards, and Lady Helen Vincent affords an excellent mordern example.
Pamela is another name to conjure with. The first radiant Pamela was the wife of Lord Edward FitzGerald (the FitzGerald family seem to monopolise attractive names); and 1901 has two beautiful Pamelas in Mrs Edward Tennant and Miss Pamela Plowden.
Alliteration appeals to some of us -- Miss Cynthia Charteris, daughter of Lord and Lady Elcho; Miss Crystal and Miss Cerise de Crespigny; and Miss Vera Vincent, only child of Sir Howard and Lady Vincent.
Among the many old Roman Catholic families in the three kingdoms, the names of Mary, Agnes and Elizabeth are frequent -- the name of Mary being well-nigh invariable -- for reasons that need no explanation.
Classic and Homely Names
Arthur is the name held in high esteem by the Annesleys. All their men, and -- strange to say -- nearly all their women, bear the name of Arthur. There are a few classical names going about.
Mrs Algernon Bourke's little daughter Daphne, the Duke of Abercorn's eldest daughter is Phyllis, and Mrs Farquharson of Invercauld is Zoe.
Ancient Egypt finds itself revived in the name of Lady Maxwell's little girl, who is called Phylae, after a temple not far from Cairo.
Shakespeare has provided not a few pretty names for well-known society women. Of these are Lady Audrey Buller. Lady Juliet Lowther, and Lady Beatrice Pole Carew.
Tennyson's "Idylls of the King" have been productive in a like interesting manner. There is a little Lady Enid Fane, Lady Westmoreland's small daughter, and Mrs Ernest Villiers was once Miss Elaine Guest.
There are certainly many Nancys, Bettys, Joans and Peggys. Mr and Mrs Harry Lindsay have a little girl called Nancy and Sir John and Lady Dickson Poynder's daughter is one of our many Joans/
The name of Diana -- at once classical and sporting -- seems to belong by right to a hunting country. Lady Diana Somerset (says M.A.P.) is the two-year-old baby-girl of the Duke of Beaufort, a famous master of hounds, and Lady Diana Manners is the daughter of Lord and Lady Granby, born and bred in the country of the Belvoir hunt.
The Dundee Courier
28 December 1901
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Posted at 10:17 PM in Historical Name Commentary | Permalink | Comments (2)
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