Apheline/Aphelinia?

I came across old birth records and it had these names on it: Apheline/Aphelinia
Does anyone know much about them and what do you think of them? [name_m]How[/name_m] is it pronounced? Af-eh-leen?

This reminds me of the names of my [name_m]French[/name_m] Canadian ancestors - almost but not quite like a more typical name (Domithilde instead of [name_f]Domitille[/name_f], Josephte instead of [name_f]Josephe[/name_f] … This one almost looks like [name_f]Apolline[/name_f]). For all of those I wonder if it is the result of a change in spelling conventions, an older or regional form of the name, or what.

[name_f]My[/name_f] guesses are a variant form of [name_f]Apolline[/name_f], a take on the word Apfel, or a relative of the surname Aphel. The words aphelia and aphelion might be related, but they seem like odd name fodder. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] someone knows!

After some research I finally came across the surname Apfel. Its means [name_f]Apple[/name_f].
Last name origins & meanings:

Last name: Apfel
Recorded in many spellings and in several countries, this is a surname which wherever it is found, is of pre 7th century Old English, Old High [name_m]German[/name_m] or Scandanvian origins. However spelt it would seem to derive from an early [name_m]Saxon[/name_m] word ‘apfal’ or the Norse ‘apall’ or the Olde English ‘oeppel’ all mean apple and may make equal claim. The known surname spellings include [name_f]Apple[/name_f], Appel, Appell, Appleman (English), Apfel, Aphal, Aphale, Apfler, Apfelmann, Appelman, Eppel, Epel, Epelman (Dutch, [name_m]German[/name_m], Scandanavian and Askenasic), and [name_m]German[/name_m]-Swedish compounds such as Appelberg and Applebaum. The surname has at least two possible origins. The more usual explanation is occupational or residential, and a description of a grower of apples, or who lives by an orchard. The second origin is much rarer and Welsh. It is a fused form of the medieval surname ‘Ap [name_f]Pella[/name_f]’, meaning the son of [name_f]Pella[/name_f]. The latter was a rare early personal name. whose meaning is uncertain. ‘Ap-’ is equivalent to the Gaelic ‘[name_m]Mac[/name_m] or Mc’, and means ‘son of’. Occupational surnames were amongst the earliest to be created, however they did not usually become hereditary unless a son followed a father into the same line of business. Examples of the surname recording taken from early surviving rolls and registers include [name_m]Albert[/name_m] Epple of Heilbronn, Germany, in the year 1281, [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] Appleman in the Close Rolls of the city of [name_u]London[/name_u], in 1343, whilst [name_m]Berthold[/name_m] Apfel is recorded as being a burger of Konstanz in 1437.

[name_u]Read[/name_u] more: Surname Database: Apfel Last Name Origin

Apfel ([name_m]German[/name_m] for “apple”) is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] Apfel (born 1922), British figure skater
Holger Apfel (born 1970), leader of the National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) in [name_m]Saxony[/name_m]
[name_u]Howard[/name_u] Apfel, (born 1962) American [name_m]Rabbi[/name_m] and Cardiologist
[name_f]Iris[/name_f] Apfel (born 1921), American businesswoman, former interior designer, and fashion icon
[name_m]Kenneth[/name_m] S. Apfel (born 1948), 13th Commissioner of Social Security in the United States
[name_m]Oscar[/name_m] Apfel (1878–1938), American film actor, film director, screenwriter and film producer read more at: Apfel - Wikipedia

[name_m]German[/name_m]: from Middle High [name_m]German[/name_m] apfel ‘apple’, hence a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of the fruit.

[name_u]Read[/name_u] more on FamilyEducation: Apfel: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration - FamilyEducation

Awesome info! I could see this working for parents who aren’t afraid of the uncommon. [name_f]Apple[/name_f] would make a cute nickname, or Apha. The sounds all fit in with names that are in use today. I love [name_f]Pomeline[/name_f] and that has the fruity meaning too, so I guess I have a fondness for those :slight_smile:

I dont think i could use it - too close to [name_f]Alpha[/name_f], which is aggressive [name_f]IMO[/name_f].

I think Apheline is beautiful!

It was you who lead me into the right direction. I do see the close association you mention to apollo because of the Apella connection and despite the Welsh-Gaelic equivilant Ap "son of " I still can see Apheline working today. I don’t think many people will break a name down into so much depth to be THAT concerned, besides here in US, many names have a unisex capability. Which would lead to its ability to be used and be revived. I’m excited about this name, it seems to get good reviews from the family so far… So thanks for your Help, credit goes to you too. Greatly Appreciate it!

I really hand;t thought of [name_f]Alpha[/name_f] or [name_u]Omega[/name_u] in that sense, but many girls are given dominant names. I personally thought of [name_m]Alf[/name_m] [name_f]Alfa[/name_f] which are not even close. So I guess its in the eye of the beholder but I see your point. Also, in the German and French tongue its soft sounding.

Oh, [name_f]Prunella[/name_f] and [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] and the masculine Lemmon/[name_m]Lemon[/name_m] fit into the category as Apheline. Not to mention the old Victorian floral name [name_f]Cherry[/name_f] [name_f]Blossom[/name_f].

Because of you I like Apheline and I want to pair it with Adelrune. I think they would make great twin names! :slight_smile: