harry-potter-esque names
- Rodion
Origin:
Russian from GreekMeaning:
"song of the hero"Description:
Well used in Russia, this is a distinctive and undiscovered choice here. Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is the fictional protagonist of Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoyevsky.
- Rhoda/Rhodwen
- Rhona/Rhonwen
- Rubeus
- Rubinea
- Rupheus
- Seraphim
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"fiery"Description:
This ephemeral name of the loving angels surrounding the throne of God is all but unheard of in the US, although its feminine forms Seraphine and Seraphina are catching on. In Russia, it's long been in use, spelled Серафим (Serafim).
- Seraphine
Origin:
French from HebrewMeaning:
"burning ones"Description:
Seraphine is the Gallic version of the angelic name Seraphina. But while Seraphina has been rising rapidly since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck chose it for their second daughter, Seraphine has been largely ignored, though we believe the French vowel-sound ending will soon be more stylish than the a-endings that have predominated in girls' names for years.
- Sevastian
- Silvius
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"wood, forest"Description:
With the rise of ancient Roman names, the now-obscure Silvius may be rediscovered. Sleek and silvery, Silvius was the name of several legendary kings and an early saint. It survives in the contemporary world in its Spanish and Italian form Silvio, used for the character played by Steven Van Zandt on The Sopranos.
- Sophronia
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"sensible, prudent"Description:
A name some people first encountered in the old children's book series The Five Little Peppers, in which Sophronia, the youngest of the Peppers is nicknamed Phronsie.`It was also used by Dickens in two of his novels: The Old Curiosity Shop and Our Mutual Friend.
- Sonnet
- Theora
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"a thinker or watcher"Description:
Soft and gentle, but feels like a less meaningful contraction of Theodora.
- Taureus
- Thadea
- Theus
- Ula
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"gem of the sea"Description:
Ula is among the unusual U names that may have a range of origins and meanings, from the Celtic one given here to its possibilities as a short form of Eulalia or Ursula. Ulla is a Scandinavian name usually an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika.
- Ulla
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"will, determination"Description:
Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its own or be an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika; Ula may be seen as another spelling.
- Una
Origin:
Latin, Irish, or Old NorseMeaning:
"one; lamb; happy"Description:
In an epic poem, the personification of truth, beauty, and unity; this ancient name is popular in several European countries but less common in the US. The Oona spelling is slightly more popular but Una sleeker.
- Valeria
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"strength, health"Description:
Valeria -- the original form of the name, used by early Christians --has been experiencing significant popularity in recent years. While Valeria was nearly always on the charts, the name peaked in 2009 at #72, surpassing the longtime Franco-American version Valerie. Today Valeria and Valerie are at about equal rankings, sitting in the 150s.