Saint Names
- Boris
Origin:
SlavicMeaning:
"to fight"Description:
Boris is one of the old Russian names being revived by chic Europeans; it hasn't quite made a comeback yet in the U.S., but it does have potential.
- Brice
Origin:
Scottish surnameMeaning:
"speckled, freckled"Description:
Brice, much more often spelled Bryce, is an old saint's name that now has a sleek and sophisticated image—it feels elegant and efficient. Of the two spellings, Bryce is much more popular for both sexes.
- Mungo
Origin:
Scottish nicknameMeaning:
"my pet"Description:
Mungo is one of the most classic Scottish names but perhaps also among the most difficult names to carry. There is a St. Mungo whose proper name was Kentigern; he is the patron saint of Glasgow.
- Juan
Origin:
Spanish and Manx variation of JohnMeaning:
"the Lord is gracious"Description:
Juan, the Spanish version of John, is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, and is familiar internationally via such references as Don Juan and San Juan.
- Artemas
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"gift of Artemis, goddess of the hunt"Description:
This name has a nice mythological, historical, Three Musketeers-ish ring.
- Martina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"warlike"Description:
Tennis-related name popular throughout Europe that's never caught fire here.
- Jacinta
Origin:
Spanish for Greek flower nameMeaning:
"hyacinth"Description:
Jacinta, the Spanish word for hyacinth, is a lot softer and sweeter than the English version. The correct Spanish pronunciation is ha-SEEN-ta, though many English speakers would say ja-SIN-ta. Although the name is slightly different, Jacinta is largely associated at present with Australian-born actress Jacinda Barrett.
- Mel
Origin:
English, diminutive of MelvinMeaning:
"council protector"Description:
Though most Mels are playing pinochle with Murray and Morris, there was a notable Saint Mel. He is one of the earliest Irish saints, a nephew of St. Patrick. He became a priest, then built a great monastery where he served as abbot.
- Zita
Origin:
Italian or Persian; GreekMeaning:
"little girl; seeker"Description:
A thirteenth-century Tuscan saint, patron of homemakers, Zita is the kind of name that sounded really creative in an earlier era.
- Bonaventure
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"good fortune"Description:
One for the truly adventurous baby namers, or perhaps an unexpected middle name to liven up a more traditional first. But on trend short form Bo does make it feel a little more accessible.
- Jeanne
Origin:
French variation of JeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Pronounced just like Jean in the English-speaking world, but as the more unusual zhahn in France, this has sailed away with the first wave of French favorites: Denise, Michelle, et soeurs.
- Giuseppe
Origin:
Italian variation of JosephDescription:
This form of Joseph is an enduring classic in Italy. In the States it's been hovering under the radar for decades, unlike popular boy Giovanni. It could honor a grandpa Joe, and we think the traditional diminutive Beppe is pretty cute.
- Cleopatra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"glory of the father"Description:
A royal name in ancient Egypt that's never quite made it to the modern world, though nickname Cleo is widely used. Other now-extinct Cleopatra diminutives, including Cleora and Cleola, achieved some popularity in the early 20th century when there was a crazy for all things Egypt-related as the ancient tombs were opened and artifacts displayed. In the US, Cleopatra became a popular silent film in 1917 starring Theda Bara.
- Kim
Origin:
English, diminutive of KimballDescription:
Kim is forever feminized, despite memories of the Rudyard Kipling character.
- Godfrey
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"God's peace"Description:
Godfrey was very popular in the Middle Ages, but today you're more likely to hear it as a surname than a first name. It has a solid, old-man charm, but a couple of possible deal-breakers: the first syllable being God, and no obvious nickname. Goff, maybe? For a different feel, we also like the Italian artist's version Giotto.
- Gunther
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"battle warrior"Description:
When it's spelled with two dots over the 'u' in German, Gunther is pronounced GUWN-ter, but it has a much softer sound when the 'h' is voiced by English-speakers, as it was, for example, for the name of a character in Friends.
- Dominica
Origin:
Italian, feminine variation of DominicMeaning:
"belonging to the Lord"Description:
Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this version.
- Blane
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"yellow"Description:
Blane is the attractive surname name of an important seventh-century Scottish saint, but is in danger of sounding slightly feminine and soap opera-ish.
- Heinrich
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
Traditional German names of this ilk have had a difficult time emigrating into the American name pool, mostly because anti-German sentiment during the two world wars of the 20th century drove German names out of fashion. One of Heinrich's nicknames, Harro, might do better.
- Clotilde
Origin:
Spanish, French, Italian, and PortugueseMeaning:
"famous in battle"Description:
A romantic rarity, derived from the Old German name Chlotichilda, meaning "famous in battle." Saint Clotilde was a Frankish queen, wife of Clovis I, who played a role in the spread of Christianity.