Name Spotlight: Eve

Okay, I’m back — and I’ll try my best to get back to posting at least twice a week.    I’ve missed updating this blog.  Between NaNoWriMo and other personal issues (one of which involving an 8-hour trip to the emergency room; don’t worry, everything’s okay), I haven’t written as much as I would have liked lately.  But things should be calming down a bit in the near future.

Today I’m going to give Eve the spotlight.

I was caught completely and utterly off guard when I entered the world of Name Nerdiness and discovered that there are quite a few people in the world who would name their child Lilith with absolutely no compunction at all.  Or Jezebel.  Or Delilah.  Growing up in a conservative Christian home, I had no idea that these were names that were even usable at all!  Who would want to name their sweet little girl after someone who was evil and eaten by dogs?  Or a demonized, screech owl of a woman?

And, I have to tell you, I still feel the same way.  Yeah, I know:  those accounts were written by men, we are liberated females and the world is our oyster, etc, etc.  But that doesn’t change the fact that these characters have very few redeeming qualities, historically.  Why would you do that to your daughter, just to prove how liberated you are?

Okay, sorry.  I really don’t have a grudge against you if you’ve used one of these names.  They do SOUND quite nice; in fact, they positively roll right off the tongue.  I wish I could find them usable, but I just can’t.

Needless to say, I do not place Eve in the same category with the other names I just mentioned.  I refuse to believe that the Biblical Eve was wholly evil.  I think that she was just as frail and human as any of us.  And she did, after all, start off the human race.  Not too bad of a legacy.

For anyone interested in the story of Eve, I’m going to recommend a book that I have loved for years.  I think it might be out of print, but you can find anything these days on the internet.  It’s called simply “Eve:  A Novel,” and it was written by Evelyn Minshull.  I picked it up in a bargain bin several years ago, and it is arguably the best $3 I have ever spent.  Every couple of years I pull it off the shelf and have a good read.  The ending makes me cry every time, even after all these years.

As for the name Eve, I think it is unusual and lovely and accessible.  It is minimalistic, but also extremely feminine.  V is a hot letter right now, and as a result Eve is enjoying a bit of a popularity spike.  But don’t worry: it’s only at #655.  I don’t think it’s due to rise to Madison heights any time soon (hmm, that sounds like the name of a subdivision.  Madison Heights).

I like the name Eve quite a lot, even though it is a departure from my usual preference for clunky names.  If our surname wasn’t only one syllable, this name would be high on my list (as it is, Eve Ourlastname sounds disturbingly like Steve Holt from Arrested Development).  But if you have a multi-syllable surname, use it with my blessing!

Now, go forth and multiply.

Some of these nickname to Eve, some of them are just similar in some way.
Eva
Evelina
Evelyn
Genevieve
Niamh
Lilith (just kidding)
Evangeline
Zoe
Yvonne

from AskOxford
English vernacular form of the name borne in the Bible by the first woman, created from one of Adam’s ribs (Genesis 2: 22). It derives, via Latin Eva, from Hebrew Havva, which is considered to be a variant of the vocabulary word hayya ‘living’ or ‘animal’. Adam gave names to all the animals (Genesis 2: 19–20) and then to his wife, who was ‘the mother of all living’ (Genesis 3:20).

from Behind the Name
From the Hebrew name Chawwah, which was derived from the Hebrew word chawah “to breathe” or the related word chayah “to live”. According to the Old Testament Book of Genesis, Eve and Adam were the first humans. She gave the forbidden fruit to Adam, causing their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Despite this potentially negative association, the name was occasionally used during the Middle Ages. In the English-speaking world both Eve and the Latin form Eva were revived in the 19th century.

from NameBerry
Oldest name in the Book, now coming back into style, has the virtues of simplicity and purity, yet has more strength and resonance than other single-syllable names like Ann. British actor Clive Owen chose it for his daughter.

from Baby Name Wizard
Style:  Biblical, Little Darlings, Timeless
Sisters and Brothers:  Maia, Juliet, Ivy, Daphne, Belle, Simon, Jonas, Asher, Eli, Miles
While Adam has settled in comfortably as a new classic, his old garden mate, Eve, is seldom heard from.  The name’s image is complex:  simple yet sophisticated, sweet with a dangerous edge.  Its light touch is the standard that names like Rose and Grace aspire to.

I’ll be back next week!

Whew, it’s been a crazy week.  There have been all kinds of exciting things going on over on this end.  Sorry to leave you with Michael for so long … I’ll be back next week.  Promise. 

Name Spotlight: Michael

It spent years and years at the very top of the boy charts.  There have been countless celebrity Michaels:  actors, singers, politicians, authors, scientists, artists … you name it, there has been a Michael involved in it.

With all of this exposure, is Michael getting a bit stale?  Well, maybe.  It’s certainly not a choice that will rock the boat in any way, shape, or form.  But therein lies a great part of its charm.

Nobody ever would or could object to the name Michael.  It is a basic and fundamental part of the American naming landscape.  In this respect, I classify it with Elizabeth and Katherine and William.  Perhaps a bit predictable, but steady and reliable.  Which is very appealing to a lot of folks.  In an uncertain world, this is a name that you can depend on.

If you’d like to dress it up, however, there are several options with a bit more spice.  Mikhail, Mitchell, and Miles are my three favorites out of the list below.  Some of the choices on the list are a bit nickname-y or surname-y, but I included them because we all have different sensibilities.  *shrug*

Want to name your baby after a Michael?  Try …
Mitchell
Mikhail
Mickey
Mika
Mikko
Miles
Milo
Miguel
Micah

 

Michelle
Michaela
Michelina
Michal

from AskOxford
English form of a common biblical name (meaning ‘who is like God?’) borne by one of the archangels, who is also regarded as a saint of the Catholic Church. In the Middle Ages, Michael was regarded as captain of the heavenly host (see Revelation 12:7–9), symbol of the Church Militant, and patron of soldiers. He was often depicted bearing a flaming sword. The name is also borne by a Persian prince and ally of Belshazzar mentioned in the Book of Daniel. See also Michal.

from Behind the Name
From the Hebrew name Mikha’el meaning “who is like God?”. This is a rhetorical question, implying no person is like God. Saint Michael was one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation in the New Testament he is portrayed as the leader of heaven’s armies, and thus is considered the patron saint of soldiers.  The popularity of the saint led to the name being used by nine Byzantine emperors, including Michael VIII Palaeologus who restored the empire in the 13th century. It has been common in Western Europe since the Middle Ages, and in England since the 12th century. It has been borne (in various spellings) by rulers of Russia (spelled Михаил), Romania (Mihai), Poland (Michał), and Portugal (Miguel). Other more modern bearers of this name include the British chemist/physicist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) and basketball player Michael Jordan (1963-).

from NameBerry
The Number 1 American boys’ name for almost half a century, Michael is still in second place — translating to an annual twenty thousand babies — a phenomenal record due to its use by parents of diverse ethnic and religious groups, and its all-around likability, strength, and sincerity.

from Baby Name Wizard
Style:  Biblical, Timeless
Sisters and Brothers:  Rebecca, Diana, Christine, Rachel, Laura, David, Steven, Matthew, Daniel, Patrick
The dominant name of the late twentieth century, Michael reigned as America’s top choice from the 50s until Jacob finally stole the crown in 1999.  Its hallmark is its versatility:  It’s Old Testament!  It’s New Testament!  It’s black!  It’s white!  It’s Mike, it’s Mickey, it’s Mitch!  And Michael’s immense popularity has only contributed to its standing as a name without boundaries or preconceptions.

Name Spotlight: Eleanor

Today I am going to Spotlight a lovely, lovely name.  I can’t believe I’m just now covering this name; it has been one of my favorites for a very long time.

Eleanor.  It just flows off of your tongue, doesn’t it?  Okay, so it’s gotten more popular in recent years:  it’s at #256 this year, up from #271 last year.  Perhaps I’m in a state of denial as to its potential trendiness.  “But it’s still less popular than Esmeralda and Fatima,” I’ll whine, with my hands over my ears.

Really, though, I don’t think Eleanor is going to shoot up to Olivia and Isabella heights any time soon.  I guess the reason it SEEMS so popular is the fact that it is so close to Ella, which is currently enjoying a burst of fame and fortune (it’s at #19).  And Ellie by itself is #167.  But don’t let that stop you; Eleanor is a completely different name.

I know one little girl named Eleanor, and she has gone exclusively by Ellie ever since her first day of kindergarten three years ago.  When I saw her name on my class list, I was charmed.  But I have learned something very sad about Ellie:  she hates her full name.

One day last year, we were playing a type of name game in music class.  Just for fun, and to have a chance to be able to say her full, beautiful name, I used “Eleanor” when it was her turn, instead of “Ellie.”  Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.  Tears!  Inconsolable sobbing!

“Why, what’s the matter, Ellie?” I asked, through my shock.

“I hate my name,” she whimpered.

I was floored.  How in the world could anyone hate being named Eleanor??  I proceeded to try my best to comfort her, telling her how beautiful I thought her name was, that there were queens with her name, etc.  But nothing helped.  To this day, she insists on being called Ellie.  And I don’t dare to try to change her mind.

This episode, instead of dimming my love for the name Eleanor, has instead made me more aware of the “pack mind” of young children.  As an adult, I (and probably most of you) would LIKE to be the one person in a group with a lovely and dignified name, even though everyone else is named Madison and Kylee.  Not so with little kids.  I think most of them would rather be named MacKenzia or Ashlyyn — and fit in, than be named something like Eleanor and be the only one with a “real” name.

But I’m convinced that little Ellie will grow into her full name.  I’ll lay odds that twenty years from now, when maturity has taught her certain things, she will be proud to be an Eleanor in a world full of McKatelyns.  I hope.

Variants/Similar
Ella
Eleni
Lina
Liora
Lenore
Nora
Leonora
Ellen
Elaine
Elina
Eleanora
Elinor
Elanor
Nell

from AskOxford
From an Old French respelling of the Old Provençal name Alienor. This has sometimes been taken as a derivative of Helen, but it is more probably of Germanic derivation (the first element being ali ‘other’, ‘foreign’; the second is obscure). The name was introduced to England by Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204), who came from south-west France to be the wife of King Henry II. It was also borne by Eleanor of Provence, the wife of Henry III, and Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I.

from Behind the Name
From the Old French form of the Provençal name Aliénor. It was first borne by the influential Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century), who was the queen of Louis VII, the king of France, and later Henry II, the king of England. She was named Aenor after her mother, and was called by the Provençal phrase alia Aenor “the other Aenor” in order to distinguish her from her mother.
The popularity of the name Eleanor in England during the Middle Ages was due to the fame of Eleanor of Aquitaine, as well as two queens of the following century: Eleanor of Provence, the wife of Henry III, and Eleanor of Castile, the wife of Edward I. More recently, it was borne by first lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), the wife of American president Franklin Roosevelt.

from NameBerry
In and out of fashion since Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine brought it from France to England in the twelfth century, this stately name is hot again. Big plus: it’s a serious name, with a nickname — Ellie — that’s seriously endearing. Diane Lane has an Eleanor, Katie Couric an Elinor.

from Baby Name Wizard
Style:  Antique Charm, Ladies and Gentlemen
Sisters and Brothers:  Evelyn, Josephine, Clara, Violet, Beatrice, Louis, Everett, Willis, Charles, Marshall
Our unscientific survey ranks Eleanor and Lillian as the names men and women disagree on most.  Women find them gentle and dignified:  elegant ladies with a backbone.  Men just think they sound old [...] If you can talk him into Eleanor, there’s a great selection of nicknames he can pick from.

Name Spotlight: Oisín

Here’s a new one for you!  Well, sort of.  Actually, this name is as old as the hills.

I’m not sure why it hasn’t caught on in America; usually, we Yanks are all about showing off our Irish ancestry.  And this is a name that starts with O, which should make it a hot commodity in these vowel-loving times.

But for whatever reason, Oisin remains obscure.  Perhaps it’s because of the iffy pronunciation:  I’ve seen people argue to tears over whether it’s supposed to be osh-EEN, OSH-een, USH-een, OH-sheen, oh-SHEEN, etc.  (Not really “to tears” exactly.  But it does all seem to be quite confusing.)

Any way you decide to pronounce it, Oisin is a name that’s bound to be the only one of its kind in a classroom.  It would be a good choice for someone who harbors a secret love for hippy-ish names like Ocean, but wants a bit more legitimacy and history.

And Oisin is rife with history.  Short version of the most famous Oisin story:  Oisin falls in love with a beautiful fairy lady (Niamh), and he agrees to go away with her to the Land of Youth.  They stay there for awhile, but the time seems very short to Oisin.  Eventually, though, he misses his buddies back in the real world.  So he rides back, though Niamh warns him that he shouldn’t touch the ground.  Of course, once he gets there, he does.  Time catches up with him all of a sudden, and he withers up and dies.

But don’t let the story stop you!  Oisin is a fine name.  There are also other stories about him, and he seems to be quite the warrior.

If you like Oisin, you might like…

Aengus
Ciaran
Colm
Cormac
Diarmuid (Dermot)
Eamon
Finn
Ronan
Ruari
Seamus
Sean

from AskOxford
Gaelic name, pronounced ‘oh-sheen’, from a diminutive of os ’stag’. see Ossian.

from Behind the Name
Means “little deer”, derived from Irish os “deer” combined with a diminutive suffix. In Irish legend Oisín was a warrior hero and a poet, the son of Fionn mac Cumhail.

from Baby Names of Ireland
The son of the legendary warrior Fionn Mac Cool (read the legend) and the goddess Sive. His mother was turned into a deer by the Dark Druid and she reared him in the forest until he was seven years old. When Fionn was out hunting he found the child and recognising him as his son, gave him the name oisin “little deer.” He is best remembered for his love for “Niamh of the Golden Hair” with whom he spent 300 years in Tir-na-nOg, (“Land of Eternal Youth”).

Unisex Names

I’m baaack!  It has been a long and refreshing break.  I’ve enjoyed it very much, but I’m rarin’ to get back!

Unisex names.  Please tell me I wasn’t the only kid who giggled whenever she heard the word “unisex.”  Maybe the 80s were just kinder, gentler times.  But it totally rocked my world whenever this word was mentioned in casual conversation around me when I was a kid.  “Hehehe.  She said a word with ’sex’ in it!”

Yeah, okay:  maybe I was just weird.

There are lots of reasons why a person might want to use a unisex name for his or her child.  Sometimes parents prefer to have a definite name picked out before the sonogram confirms the gender.  Maybe Grandma REALLY wants to get Junior a personalized Christmas ornament, and she doesn’t want to wait to find out; so she pressures Mom and Dad to nail down the name early.  I don’t know.

Sometimes unisex names are just flat-out appealing to some people.  Many parents like the ambiguity that comes with dressing a baby in yellow and calling him/her Peyton Riley Cameron.  There’s a certain breezy modernity to not making the baby’s name indicative of the gender.  But please don’t get carried away with this; there’s nothing more frustrating than looking at a class list and having NO CLUE whether a particular student is a girl or a boy, even after looking at the middle name.

A more serious reason to use a unisex name might be because of an early miscarriage.  Never having been pregnant, I have never had a miscarriage myself (my heart goes out to any readers who might have experienced this kind of heartbreak).  I would imagine that it would be tremendously helpful to be able to put a name to the little person who is no longer there.  If I were in that situation, I think it would help to bring some closure.

The names on the list below range from the slightly-feminine-but-won’t-get-weird-looks to the should-be-only-masculine-in-a-perfect-world.  I’ve tried to avoid the obvious ones; I know more Camerons and Taylors than I can shake a stick at.  Let’s see if we can be a little more creative, shall we? 

Unisex Names

Aaron/Erin
Adrian/Adrienne
Alexis
Angel
Ariel
Ashley
Aubrey
August
Averil
Avery
Brynn
Camille
Cary
Carmen/Carman
Casey
Charlie
Christian
Dana
Frances/Francis
Germaine
Jamie
Jan
Jean
Jerry/Gerry
Jessie/Jesse
Jody
Jordan
Kai
Kelly
Kelsey
Kerry
Kim
Laurence
Lee
Leslie
Lindsay
Loren/Lauren
Morgan
Noah/Noa
Noel
Quinn
Regan/Reagan
Rene
Robin
Rory
Rowan
Sage
Sasha
Shannon
Shea
Schuyler/Skylar
Stacy
Tracy
Valentine
Whitney

Name Spotlight: Claudia

My pretty cover art!

Flashback:  Last year, when November rolled around, I decided to do NaNoWriMo.  NaNo (as I affectionately call it) is a bizarre form of literary suicide, in which people from around the world attempt to churn out their own novel in thirty days.  Casualties are mounting higher every year.

Anyway, November was looming ahead of me, and I realized that I had to find the perfect name for my female main character.  I am just the kind of OCD person who would sit and fret about this for hours at a time, to the neglect of work, family, and personal hygiene.  (Not really, but still.)

I tried several names on my character — names that I liked a lot.  But somehow, nothing seemed to fit.  And then I had an epiphany:  I realized that my main character was named Claudia.  She just was.  It was the only name that she would possibly settle for.

Crisis averted, and the rest is history.  I did finish my NaNo last year, though I have avoided even looking at it since then.  I figure the longer I can put off editing, the longer the purple sparkly Creation Dust will linger around that fancy-looking proof copy.  Ahhh, sweet victory.

I can’t explain why Claudia just suddenly felt right.  But once the character was named, all of the other names I had previously been considering immediately seemed cutesy and overblown.

Yes, there are many people who dislike the name Claudia.  There are a couple of drawbacks, including the unfortunate meaning of “lame, crippled,” and the fact that the first syllable sounds like “clod” in many accents.  In fact, these were the two reasons this name had not showed up on my list in previous years.

But I have to admit, after spinning out an existence for a character named Claudia, this is a name that has definitely grown on me.  It is extremely ladylike; but in the style of a Roman queen.  Claudia is tough, strong, and won’t take crap from anybody.  None of these wishy-washy romance novels for her.  But she is feminine in every way.

I’d offer the suggestion that the international pronunciation might be a valid option for people who are bothered by the “clod” sound, but really I think it would probably be more hassle than it’s worth — at least if you live in White Bread Central, like I do.  But if you’re lucky enough to live in a more diverse area, you might be able to get away with KLOW-dee-uh.

I do have a friend named Claudine, and the name seems to have served her well.  She is certainly the only Claudine I have ever met; no one ever has to grope around, trying to remember her name.  It’s very distinctive.

So, what happened to my character named Claudia, you may ask?  Well, if I ever get around to getting that book edited, I’ll let you know. 

from AskOxford
From the Latin female name, a feminine form of Claudius (see Claude). The name is mentioned in one of St Paul’s letters to Timothy (2, 4:21 ‘Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren’), as a result of which it was taken up in the 16th century.

from Behind the Name
Feminine form of CLAUDIUS. It is mentioned briefly in the New Testament. As a Christian name it was very rare until the 16th century.

from NameBerry
A classic name with a hint of ancient Roman splendor that has never been truly in or truly out, Claudia still feels like a strong, modern choice — though Claude or Claudie may be more special.

from Baby Name Wizard
Style:  German/Dutch, Italian, Timeless
Sisters and Brothers:  Marina, Antonia, Bettina, Johanna, Lucia, Marcus, Lorenzo, Joel, Reuben, Raphael
Claudia has been an English name for centuries, but it still sounds appealingly foreign.  Whether in the classical form of a female counterpart to Claudius, or the impeccable form of German model Claudia Schiffer, the name conveys a stately grace.

Name Spotlight: Adam

How is this name not more popular?  After a brief spike in the 70s – 80s, Adam has been a falling man ever since (sorry).

Okay, it’s no Aloysius — if you use the name Adam, you are bound to meet other Adams along the way.  Out of my 400ish students, I can think of three Adams off the top of my head.

But Adam is plain, simple, and basic.  It’s like bread.  Or an apple.  And most of the boy names that answer to that description are much, much more popular than Adam is.

There’s just something refreshing about Adam; I’m especially seeing it as a good name for a red-haired boy (even though I have never met a red-haired Adam).

Not so very long ago, this name featured prominently on my “List of Names That I Like That May Actually Get Used.”  Anybody else have one of those lists?  It’s an attempt to balance out my tastes.  As much as I love names like Zoran and Alaric, I have moments of lucidity in which I realize that I would not want some of the names on my comprehensive list to be MY name.  Which is a good sign that maybe we should not use those names on actual people.  But, what to do?  I can’t just discard Alcyone and Scholastica.  Who could?

So I make a new list.

And Adam is one of those eminently usable names that can easily make it to both lists.

Anyone seriously considering Adam should check out a movie from several years ago, “Blast From The Past” (it’s really not quite as cheesy as the trailer makes it seem.  Well, okay:  it is, but in an endearing way).  It’s a perfect image of an Adam character:  sweet, slightly naive, and cute.  Which is pretty much the image I get when I think of an Adam.

If you like Adam, you might like…
Jonathan
Joshua
Nathan
Gabriel
Seth
John
Joseph
Andrew
Benjamin
Eli
Daniel

from AskOxford
Biblical name of the first man (Genesis 2–3). It probably derives from Hebrew adama ‘earth’; it is a common feature of creation legends that God or a god fashioned the first human beings from earth or clay and breathed life into them. The name was subsequently borne by a 7th-century Irish abbot of Fermo in Italy. It has been very popular in the English-speaking world since the 1960s. In Hebrew it is a generic term for ‘man’ (Genesis 5:2) and has never been considered a personal name, although Hava ‘Eve’ has enjoyed popularity as a Jewish name.

from Behind the Name
This is the Hebrew word for “man”. It could be ultimately derived from Hebrew אדם (‘adam) meaning “to be red”, referring to the ruddy colour of human skin, or from Akkadian adamu meaning “to make”. According to Genesis in the Old Testament Adam was created from the earth by God (there is a word play on Hebrew אֲדָמָה (‘adamah) “earth”). He and Eve were supposedly the first humans, living happily in the Garden of Eden until Adam ate a forbidden fruit given to him by Eve.
As an English Christian name, Adam has been common since the Middle Ages, and it received a boost after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was Scottish economist Adam Smith (1723-1790).

from NameBerry
Revived as a 1960s cowboy name, this primal Old Testament name is now out of the Top 50 and feels ready for a respite.

from Baby Name Wizard
Style:  Biblical, New Classics
Sisters and Brothers:  Alison, Rachel, Sara, Erin, Leah, Jared, Evan, Aaron, Seth, Ryan
Adam, a “new” classic?  Yes, the name of the first man wasn’t much heard until the ‘60s, when it suddenly joined the roster of English standards.  As a consequence, it’s now an unusual example of a popular Old Testament name that doesn’t feel like a polished antique.  Adam sounds fresh and modern, despite its obviously ancient origins.

Name Spotlight: Gwendolen

Sorry I’ve been MIA over the past couple of days.  But I’ve finally made it through the bottleneck:  grades are in, the field trip went swimmingly, parent-teacher conferences are over … and we now have three weeks off.  I love my job.

Today is Gwendolen’s turn in the spotlight!  The name Gwendolen is long, clunky, and filled with consonants.  Which means that I love it very much.  I don’t know what it is about names that fit that description.  Somehow, they just appeal to me.  They are just so darned endearing.

To me, Gwendolen is like something out of Lord of the Rings.  In sound, anyway.  Maybe it’s the Gw- beginning, but it sounds like something out of Welsh mythology.  Which it sort of is, I guess.

If I was going to get really down, dirty, and name-nerdy, I would mention that the name Gwendolen originally comes from a mistranslation of a different name.  But all I have to say about that is, “Meh.”  Sorry, but I just can’t care that a name that I like this much has only been used on real people since about the 19th century.  And that it was originally supposed to be Guendoleu (a man’s name).  If you’d like to read more about this problem, and other popular name misconceptions, take a quick browse through the Problem Names Project.

I know, I know:  I’m a dirty hypocrite. 

But back to Gwendolen.  The -len spelling is the one that I prefer; to me, it looks less dated than the -lyn spelling.

In short, I fully condone the use of Gwendolen on a child.  Just be sure you don’t already have a daughter named Sabrina.

Possible Nicknames
Gwen
Wendy
Dolly
Winnie
Gwenna
Lyn
Gwenny
Wenny
Lena/Lenna

If you like Gwendolen, you might like…
Gwyneth
Guinevere
Penelope
Elowen (eh-LOW-en)
Astrid
Gwenllian
Alice
Rowena
Magdalena
Bronwen
Wilhelmina
Cecily (just kidding)

from AskOxford
Welsh: from gwen ‘white’, ‘fair’, ‘blessed’, ‘holy’ (see Gwyn) + dolen ‘ring’, ‘bow’. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, this was the name of the wife of a mythical Welsh king Locrine, who abandoned her for a German princess called Estrildis. Gwendolen in revenge had Estrildis and her daughter Sabrina drowned in the River Severn. The name is borne by one of the principal characters in Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest (first performed in 1895).

from Behind the Name
Means “white ring”, derived from the Welsh elements gwen “white, fair, blessed” and dolen “ring”. This was the name of a mythical queen of the Britons who defeated her husband in battle, as told by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

from NameBerry
Retired years ago in favor of the short form Gwen, but now, like many other old-fashioned names, this ancient Welsh favorite is up for reappraisal.

from Baby Name Wizard
Style:  African-American, Celtic, Solid Citizens
Sisters and Brothers:  Rosemary, Marianne, Muriel, Constance, Glenda, Vaughn, Clark, Randolph, Clifford, Stanton
The Welsh classic Gwendolyn bucks fashion.  Such a heaping helping of consonants is decidedly old school.  While the name’s heft will scare some away, it’s actually Gwendolyn’s biggest asset.  This is a substantial name, full of character and impossible to forget.

Name Spotlight: Martin

No, wait!  Hear me out!  Martin is not JUST the name of a nerdy character on The Simpsons; although, I have to admit, this was my first association.

But then I thought about it some more.  A good, solid two-syllable boy’s name.  Ending in “N,” no less.  Martin is like Marlee + Austin, both of which are considered to be quite modern-sounding and cool (at least in my little corner of the Midwest).

So what’s holding Martin back?  Maybe it’s still just a little bit too old.  Maybe it needs another couple of years to roll around before it stages a comeback.  I’ll admit it:  Martin is my great-great grandfather’s name.  Which means that it should be past due for a rise, according to the Hundred Year Rule.  But there’s nary a sign of Martin on the horizon, to the best of my knowledge; Martin seems to be continuing its slow, steady descent.

Come on, people!  What’s not to like?  In spite of the occasional nerdy character homage, Martin is undeniably a tough name.  The Roman god of War, for crying out loud!  And there’s something for music lovers, too:  Martin guitars are extremely well known in the music world.  And, for the Revolutionaries among us, there’s both Martin Luther and Martin Luther King, Jr.

And, if you act now, we’ll throw in the adorable nickname, Marty.  Free of charge.

“No Martin ever amounted to anything in the history of Name Nerdery.”  “Yeah, well, the history is gonna change.”

from AskOxford
English form of the Latin name Martinus. This was probably originally derived from Mars (genitive Martis), the name of the Roman god of war (and earlier of fertility). Martin became very popular in the Middle Ages, especially on the Continent, as a result of the fame of St Martin of Tours. He was born the son of a Roman officer in Upper Pannonia (an outpost of the Roman Empire, now part of Hungary), and although he became a leading figure in the 4th-century Church, he is chiefly remembered now for having divided his cloak in two and given half to a beggar. The name was also borne by five popes, including one who defended Roman Catholic dogma against Eastern Orthodox theology. He died after suffering imprisonment and privations in Naxos and public humiliation in Constantinople, and was promptly acclaimed a martyr by supporters of the Roman Church. Among Protestants, the name is sometimes bestowed in honour of the German theologian Martin Luther (1483–1546); Martin was used as a symbolic name for the Protestant Church in satires by both Dryden and Swift. A further influence may be its use as the given name of the civil-rights leader Martin Luther King (1929–68).

from Behind the Name
From the Roman name Martinus, which was derived from Martis, the genitive case of the name of the Roman god MARS. Saint Martin of Tours was a 4th-century bishop who is the patron saint of France. According to legend, he came across a cold beggar in the middle of winter so he ripped his cloak in two and gave half of it to the beggar. He was a favourite saint during the Middle Ages, and his name has become common throughout the Christian world.
An influential bearer of the name was Martin Luther (1483-1546), the theologian who began the Protestant Reformation. The name was also borne by five popes (two of them more commonly known as Marinus). Other more recent bearers include the German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889-1976), the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King (1929-1968), and the American filmmaker Martin Scorcese (1942-).

from NameBerry
One of those balding middle-aged names that, like Raymond and Vincent and George, are just starting to sound possible again. Stylish in London.

from Baby Name Wizard
Style:  African-American, Solid Citizens
Sisters and Brothers:  Ellen, Anne, Rose, Catherine, Theresa, Paul, Karl, Philip, Lawrence, Allen
Martin’s the sort of name parents tend to ignore, but it has plenty to offer.  Never overused, gently old-fashioned, and warmly masculine.  Squint and you can convince yourself it’s kin to the trendier Austin and Mason.  Also a possible hero name to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.