Lyonesse

lee-uh-NESS

Arthurian legend

"lioness"

Lyonesse Origin and Meaning

The name Lyonesse is a girl's name meaning "lioness".

A poetic and bold choice, this name derives from the Middle English word for lioness and appears in Arthurian Legend. She features in Thomas Malory's 15th-century tale Le Morte d'Arthur in which she is rescued from a castle after her sister Lynet seeks the help of the knight Gareth. Lyonesse is also the name of an imaginary land between Cornwall, England, and the Scilly Isles which is said to have been swallowed by the ocean in a single night.

The meaning might be a bit too blatant for some, however, it might be an unexpected way to nicknames Lessie or Ness - or a cool middle to honor England's National Women's Football Team, the Lionesses.