In search of the eccentric and meaningful!

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about names. Just today alone I’ve spent at least six hours organizing and writing blurbs for my long term and recent crushes + combos!

Anyway, I’d love some help searching for the unusual, clever, historical, cross-cultural and romantic names! I’m having a really hard time finding those standout gems as I’m a big fan of first and middle names having lovely connected meanings.

I encourage you to get creative and make your combos based off my style. The names don’t have to be from my own list :blush:

Part 1: My short list

Florence

Summary

What I love: From the chic and historical energy Florence radiates to fawning (:wink:) over the idea of having a little Flora! Perhaps it could even work to honor a Lauren as well?

Additionally the meaning, blossoming (to flower), is so sweet. My great grandmother used to say the women in my family are late bloomers! (most achieved great success later in life)

Concern: I’m just not sure how well it could work outside the UK/US.

Liana

Summary

What I love: An honor name with a romantic flair. I love the nature tie and symbolic meaning of a vine (pulling one’s self out of a tough situation).

Honestly I adore the nickname Annie for Liana, which would also be an honor name! Meaning gracious one.

How adorably sweet would that be? She who graciously pulls herself out of tough situations.

Concern: I’ve been wondering if Liana might be too soft if she were to be sisters with Florence…

Primrose

Summary

What I like: Primrose is sweet and fragrant. She has a lot of future-chic potential. I like the meaning and think it’d be a nice, sentimental name for a first born multiple. She feels a bit whimsical, although if I were to use Primrose I’d be more inclined to put her in the middle name spot as it just doesn’t have the right amount of magnetism I’m looking for.

Concerns: Popularity; Not a fan of the nicknames; The obvious associated “honor” for me is not a great one.

Artemis

Summary

What I love: I’ve absolutely adored the name Artemis since I was a little girl! I love that she represents independence, integrity, and the moon. Reading about her reminds me a lot of myself when I was a child.

Nerdy details: Artemis had always felt like my secret gem and continues to intrigue me to this day. For instance, the name nerd in me loves to point out the frivolous detail that Artemisia was a painter and how fitting it is that Artemis can be rearranged into “art is me”. That’s just too suspiciously perfect.

Concerns: Despite all the sentimental value I have for her, I’m just not sure she fits in with my overall style. She’s not very cross-cultural nor does she sound that feminine on the ears. Also, not too keen on the nickname options.

Augustus

Summary

What I Like: Nearly everything. I love the romantic flair, the historical ties and of course the meaning, “great; magnificent.” The vintage appeal of August is also very alluring to me, I think it’d make a lovely nickname.

Concerns: August is incredibly popular; Losing vintage charm.

Cyrus

Summary

What I like: The meaning, “sun; one who bestows care,” is beautiful and I love that Cy is an Old Hollywood gem. Cyrus feels very regal and future-chic.

Concerns: Miley Cyrus; Might be too similar to Silas; Wishing it felt more romantic.

Robin

Summary

What I like: Unusual yet familiar, refreshing, surprisingly handsome and I love the meaning “bright fame.” The nickname Robbie is adorable. Works well internationally, and of course I’m fond of the namesakes, Robin Hood and Robin Williams.

Concerns: Too gender neutral - leaning feminine(?); Might only work as a middle name.

Rafael/Raphael

Summary

What I like: How romantic and historical it is! I love the nicknames Rafe and Rafi. It’s in my personal top 3. It could possibly work as an honor for a Jason? (both have healing meanings).

Concerns: I’m not religious; Too Latin?

Part 2: A short exhaustive breakdown.

Love the meaning, but not the name:

Probably will never use them.

Calista: most beautiful
Eulalia: sweet spoken
Rosemary: dew of the sea

Conan: little wolf
Cosmo: the cosmos (I think I prefer Cosmos!)
Sage: wise and knowing

Love the name, but not the meaning

Higher chance of using.

Montgomery: man power
Tristan: sorrowful
Winslow: burial mound

Claudia: lame
Ursa/Ursula: little mermaid association

Like the name and the meaning

I’d use these as middle names.

Astraeus: star
Chiron: interesting mythology about a great healer
Prosper

unnecessary quick combos

Tristan Cecil (blind to sorrow)
Cosmo Sage (universal wisdom)
Leo Astraeus (constellation)

Cyrus (sun) Tal (dew) & Phoebe (bright/shining) Drosera (sundew)

Ursa Liana Amor (climbing towards love - Ursula’s redemption? Lol)

Vivia Florence / Florence Vivia (life is prosperous / -to live a- prosperous life)

I’m super curious as to what you come up with!

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Perhaps you might like Ursuline and/or Roosmarijn as alternatives to Ursula / Ursa & Rosemary?

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Gorgeous names and combos! Some of my favourites of yours are Florence, Primrose, Robin, and Rafael.

I too love eccentric names that have special meanings – I think that a special makes a name all the more lovely than it otherwise would be. I have many cross cultural names that might peak your interest. You could take a look at my big lists on Listography if you want:
https://listography.com/7869328059

Some of these might be a little too out of the ordinary for you, but worth a mention, even if only for a guilty pleasure list.

Masculine names

  • Ikila (Greenlandic) “How sweet you are”
  • Ronan (Irish) “Little seal”
  • Paxton (Latin) “Peace town”
  • Gaius (Latin) “Rejoice”
  • Philo (Greek) “Loving”
  • Xanthos (Greek) “Yellow”
  • Zircon (Greek) “Gold-hued”
  • Zotique (Greek) “Life”

Feminine names

  • Iluuna (Greenlandic) “Moon”
  • Aoife (Irish Gaelic) “Beautiful, raidant”
  • Aurla (Irish) “Golden princess”
  • Éinín (Irish) “Little bird”
  • Nóinín (Irish) “Daisy”
  • Abeni (Yoruba) “We asked for her, now she is ours”
  • Adesewa (Yoruba) “Crowned with beauty”
  • Ayomide (Yoruba) “My joy has arrived”
  • Eniola (Yoruba) “Wealthy person”
  • Aihe (Māori) “Dolphin”
  • Aroha (Māori) “Love”
  • Winika (Māori) “Christmas orchid”
  • Iracema (Tupi) “Honey lips”
  • Imke (German) “Whole, universal” or “honey bee”

Gender neutral names

  • Aakkuluk (Greenlandic) “Sweet little one”
  • Akimiu (Greenlandic) “The one who wanders by the windows”
  • Aputsiak (Greenlandic) “Snow crystal”
  • Pipaluk (Greenlandic) “Sweet little thing who belongs to me”
  • Kuluk (Greenlandic) “Sweet little one”
  • Tui (Māori) “A honeyeater bird”
  • Rosamel (French, Spanish) “Rose and honey”
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I don’t have much to add, but I’m obsessed with the name Florence nn Flora! What pretty names you have!!

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[name_m]Just[/name_m] found this other list I have of feminine names with lovely meanings, sorry it’s so long haha

  • [name_f]Abeni[/name_f] (Yoruba) “We asked for her, now she is ours”
  • Afryea (Ewe) “Born during happy times”
  • [name_f]Althea[/name_f] (Greek) “With healing power”
  • [name_f]Amidala[/name_f] (Italian) “Beautiful flower”
  • Amika (Esperanto) “Friendly”
  • [name_f]Apricity[/name_f] (Latin) “The warmth of the sun in winter”
  • [name_f]Bernice[/name_f] (Greek) “She who brings victory”
  • [name_f]Bindi[/name_f] (Nyungar) “Butterfly”
  • [name_f]Cassie[/name_f] (Greek) “She who fills men with love” or “prophetess”
  • Dušanka (Serbian, Croatian, Slovene) “Soul, spirit”
  • [name_u]Eden[/name_u] (Hebrew) “Place of pleasure, delight”
  • [name_f]Elain[/name_f] (Welsh) “Fawn”
  • Elmyre (Arabic) “Aristocratic lady”
  • [name_f]Evaluna[/name_f] “Moon of life”
  • [name_f]Eydis[/name_f] (Icelandic) “Island of the goddess”
  • [name_f]Farasha[/name_f] (Arabic) “Butterfly”
  • [name_f]Fioralba[/name_f] (Italian) “Flower of the dawn”
  • Günay (Turkish or Azerbaijani) “Sun and moon”
  • [name_f]Hanako[/name_f] (Japanese) “Flower child”
  • [name_f]Hephzibah[/name_f] (Biblical) “My delight is in her”
  • [name_f]Hesperia[/name_f] (Greek) “Evening star”
  • [name_f]Iris[/name_f] (Greek flower name) “Rainbow”
  • [name_f]Kavya[/name_f] (Sanskrit) “Poem”
  • [name_f]Keiko[/name_f] (Japanese) “Happy child”
  • [name_f]Lupita[/name_f] (Spanish) “Little wolf”
  • [name_f]Madrigal[/name_f] (Latin) “Song for unaccompanied voices”
  • [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] (English) “Compassion”
  • [name_f]Mina[/name_f] (Scottish) “Child of the red earth”
  • [name_f]Nashira[/name_f] (Arabic) “Bearer of good news”
  • [name_f]Nuray[/name_f] (Turkish) “Bright moon”
  • [name_f]Nurit[/name_f] (Hebrew) “Buttercup”
  • [name_f]Pipaluk[/name_f] (Greenlandic) “Sweet little thing who belongs to me”
  • [name_m]Rui[/name_m] (Japanese) “Tears of affection”
  • [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] (Hebrew) “Compassionate friend”
  • [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] (Japanese) “Cherry blossom”
  • Sirvat (Armenian) “Beautiful rose”
  • [name_u]Solstice[/name_u] (English via Latin) “When the sun stands still”
  • [name_f]Sonnet[/name_f] (Italian) “Little song”
  • Tahel (Hebrew) “You will shine”
  • [name_f]Tianne[/name_f] (Slavic) “Fairy queen”
  • Vitaliya (Greek) “Full of life”
  • [name_f]Xenia[/name_f] (Greek) “Hospitality”
  • [name_f]Zara[/name_f] (Hebrew) “Blooming flower”
1 Like

Gorgeous list! I love [name_u]Florence[/name_u], [name_m]Raphael[/name_m] and Cyrus!!

Some ideas

[name_f]Estella[/name_f]
[name_f]Cherith[/name_f]
[name_f]Aurelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cressida[/name_f]
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Mirabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
[name_f]Evaluna[/name_f]

[name_m]Lysander[/name_m]
[name_u]Leander[/name_u]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m]
[name_u]Jasper[/name_u]
[name_m]Elio[/name_m]
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m]
[name_u]Evren[/name_u]

2 Likes