Ava

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Feminine
Origin: German/Persian
Eng (AY-vah); Germ/Per (AH-vah)

This vintagy, two syllable name has risen way up to the US top 10, coming in at # 5 most popular female name in the United States, (2010).

The name was relatively rare before 2000, and came out of nowhere, thanks, no doubt, to such Hollywood trendsetters as Heather Locklear and Reese Witherspoon, both of whom used the name for their daughters in the late 1990s. Both actresses named their daughters in honour of actress, Ava Gardner (1922-1990), whose full name was Ava Lavinia Gardner.

The name has several different origins and meanings, the beloved English counterpart is probably derived from a medieval Frankish name, which was borne in the 9th-century by a saint and the daughter of King Pepin II. In this case, it might be derived from the Germanic element avi meaning “desired.” Other sources have related it to the Frisian awa (water) or from the old Saxon, aval (power).

Another notable bearer is Ava of Melk (1060-1127), a Medieval poetess credited as being the first German language writer. Its recent popularity in German-speaking countries may in part be in tribute to her millennial anniversary and in part to Hollywood.

The name is also a popular Persian female name and is commonly used in Iran and throughout Central Asia. It can either be related to the Persian meaning, “sound, voice” or it may be connected with the Avestan word meaning “first.”

In Ireland and Scotland, it is sometimes used as an anglicized form of Aoife.

Its rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 3 (Scotland, 2010)
# 6 (Canada, B.C., 2010)
# 6 (Ireland, 2010)
# 11 (England/Wales, 2010)
# 14 (Australia, 2010)
# 20 (Northern Ireland, 2010)
# 188 (Germany, 2011)
# 246 (France, 2009)
# 444 (the Netherlands, 2010)

Clovis

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Frankish
Meaning: “praised fighter.”

The name is derived from the old Frankish name Chlodevich which is composed of the elements, chlod (praise) and vech (fighter).

It is believed that Clovis is the proto-name of Louis.

The name was borne by Clovis I (466-511), the first king to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler. Three other Frankish kings bore the name after him.

Currently, Clovis is the 157th most popular male name in Quebec, Canada (2010) and the 223rd most popular in France, (2009).

Other forms of the name include:

Clodeveu (Aragonese/Catalan)
Klovis (Basque/Frisian)
C’hlodwig (Breton)
Hlodwig (Breton)
Klodvig (Croatian/Hungarian)
Chlodvík (Czech)
Clovis (Dutch/English/French)
Klodvig (Finnish/Norwegian)
Chlodwig (German/Polish)
Clodoveo (Italian/Spanish)
Chlodovechus (Latin)
Chlodvigas (Lithuanian)
Clodovèu (Occitanian)
Clóvis (Portuguese)
Klodevig (Scandinavian)
Cluduveu (Sicilian)

Sources

Landry

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
Meaning: “land ruler.”
Eng (LAN-dree); Fre (LAWn-DREE)

Considered the second oldest surname in France, it is a name steeped in history and religion. It is currently one of the most popular male names among Cajun-Americans.

The earliest record of the name Landry is in the 5th-century, where it is recorded as the name of the Bishop of Sées, later canonized as a saint. In the 5th-century it was borne by another male saint, St. Landry the Bishop of Paris, he is particularly noted for founding the first hospital in Paris, the Hôtel-Dieu. Another Medieval saint who bears the name is St. Landry of Metz.

The name was such a common given name in Medieval France that it later carried over as a patronymic.

St. Landry Parish in Louisiana was named by French settlers in honour of St. Landry of Paris. The name has since fallen out of fashion in France but has remained a classic among the Acadians of Louisiana. In fact, it is currently the 891st most popular male name in the United States, 2010.

The name is derived from the Frankish name, Landericus, which is composed of the Germanic elements, land (land) and ric (power; rule; might).

The name is currently borne by American football player, Landry Jones (b.1989).

It is the name of a town in France, which was also named in honour of St. Landry of Paris.

Other forms of the name include:

Landerik (Czech)
Landerico (Italian/Spanish)
Landeryk (Polish)

Source

http://www.behindthename.com/top/lists/us/2010

Hugh, Hugo

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
Meaning: “heart; mind; spirit
(HYOO); (HYOO-go)

The name is derived from the Germanic element, hug, meaning “heart; mind; spirit” or even “memory.” The original meaning of the name seems to refer to abstract consciousness.

It appears in Norse mythology in the form of Hugin(n), (thought), the name of one of Odin’s messenger ravens who would fly around Midgård and bring Odin messages. The other raven’s name was Muninn (memory).

It was a very popular name among the Franks and was introduced into England after the Norman invasion. It was borne by an early British saint, Hugh of Lincoln. The name’s popularity spread across the British Isles, often being Gaelicized in Ireland as Aodh and in Scotland as Ùisdean.

It was borne by a 10th-century French monarch, Hugh Capet, founder of the Capetian dynasty.

Hugh is currently the 963rd most popular male name in the United States, while it’s Latin cognate of Hugo ranks significantly higher at # 441. Hugo is currently a very trendy name across Europe. Its rankings in other countries are as follows:

#4 (Spain, 2010)
#6 (Sweden, 2010)
#8 (France, 2008)
# 12 (Catalonia, Spain, 2009)
#13 (Belgium, 2008)
#50 (the Netherlands, 2o1o)
#86 (Australia, NSW, 2010)

Other forms of the name include:

Hugo (Catalan/Czech/Dutch/English/Estonian/Finnish/French/German/Hungarian/Icelandic/Latvian/Polish/Portuguese/Romanian/Scandinavian/Slovak/Slovene/Spanish)
Hugh (English)
Hugues (French)
Hauke (Frisian)
Huguo (German)
Ughetto (Italian)
Ughino (Italian)
Ugo (Italian)
Ugolino (Italian)
Ugone (Italian)
Uguccione (Italian)
Hugas (Lithuanian)
Hudde/Hud (Middle English)
Huginn (Old Norse/Icelandic)
Hugon (Polish)
Ugu (Sardinian)
Shug (Scottish)
Hugolín (Slovak)
Huw (Welsh)

Common English diminutives are: Hewie and Hughie.

Feminine forms include, Huguette (French), Uga (Italian), Ughetta (Italian), Ugolina (Italian).

The designated name-days are: Febuary 3 (Estonia), April 1 (Estonia/Hungary/Poland/Slovakia), April 29 (Germany/Poland), November 3 (Sweden), November 17 (Latvia/Poland).

The rest of its bearers are too numerous to list.

Sources

http://www.behindthename.com/name/hugo
Ernst Förstemann, Altdeutsches namenbuch (1900), page 923

Léger

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: German/Frankish
Meaning: “people of the spear; spear people.”
Fre (leh-ZHAY)

The name is derived from the Old German name, Leudgari, which is composed of the Germanic elements, leud (people) and gar (spear).

The name was borne by an early saint, St. Léger of Autun, a 5th-century bishop and martyr. He was tortured by the Duke of Champagne, by having his eyes gouged out and cauterized and was not murdered until years later.

Other forms of the name include:

Leodogari (Catalan)
Leodegarius (Dutch/Late Latin)
Leodegar (English/Polish)
Leodogar (German)
Leodogario (Italian)

The designated name-day is October 2 (France and Poland).

Source

Bertha

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Sebastiane

Bertha of Swabia, by Albert Anker 1888

Gender: Feminine
Origin: German
Meaning: “bright.”
Eng (BER-thuh); Germ (BEHR-tah)

The name is derived from the Old Germanic element, beraht, meaning “bright.”

It was borne by an early Germanic goddess of childbearing and weaving, also known as Perchta or Berchta in Southern Germanic dialects.

According to Jacob Grimm and Lotte Motz, Perchta was the Alpine version of Holda (see http://legitimatebabynames.com/2010/09/15/hulda/)

As a given name, it was quite common among the Franks, as is demonstrated with Charlemagne’s mother, whose name was Bertha.

As is to be expected, the name does not appear in the U.S. Top 1000. In the latter half of the 20th-century, Bertha has taken on a bad reputation as being the worst name one can give to a daughter. In 1883, however, Bertha was the 7th most popular female name in the United States.

Other forms of the name include:

Behrte (Anglo-Saxon)
Berta (Czech/Estonian/Faroese/Hungarian/Icelandic/Italian/Norwegian/Polish/Slovak/Slovene/Spanish/Swedish)
Berthe (French)
Bertille (French)
Bertilla (Italian)
Bertina (Italian/Hungarian)
Behrta/Perchta (Old German)

Obscure Italian male forms include, Berto, Bertinello, Bertillo, Bertino, Bertolo and Bertonello.

Other notable bearers include: St. Bertha of Kent (593-612) known for her Christianization of Anglo-Saxon England; St. Berthe Val d’Or (d.c 690); St. Berthe of Artois (c.725); St. Bertha of Bingen (c. 757); Berthe of Burgundy, Queen of France (c. late 10th-century); Bertha of Swabia, Queen of France (907-966); Berthe of Holland, Queen of France ( 1055-1093); Bertha of Sulzbach, renamed Irene, was a Byzantine Empress and first wife of Manual I Comnenus (1110-1159); Blessed Berta de Bardi (d. 1163); Austrian novelist and pacifist, Bertha von Suttner (1843-1914); First woman Puisne Justice of the Canadian Supreme Court, Bertha Wilson (1923-2007).

The designated name-days are: February 8 (Sweden); May 1 (Germany); May 15 (Poland); July 2 (Slovakia); August 6 (Hungary); August 24 (Estonia); September 23 (Czech Republic)

Source

http://www.behindthename.com/name/bertha

Guy

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: French
Meaning: “wood; wide.”
Eng (GIE); Fre (GEE)

The name is derived from the early Germanic name Wido which is possibly derived from the Germanic element, widu, either meaning, “wood” or “wide.”

The name was introduced into England after the Norman Conquest, but after the infamy of 16th-century Guy Fawkes the name went out fashion. It was, however, always a very common name among French-Americans, especially among the French Acadians of Louisiana.

The Italian form is Guido, which has been a fairly common name among Italian-Americans but is now associated with a controversial term describing a middle class Italian-American from the East Coast of the United States. This was especially brought to attention after the 2009 reality tv show, Jersey Shore. However, it is uncertain if the term used to describe a particular class of people within the Italian community is related to the given name or to a different etymological source.

The name was borne by a Sicilian saint and martyr.

The designated name-day in France is June 12.

Other forms of the name include:

Guiu (Catalan)
Vid (Croatian/Hungarian/Slovene)
Vít (Czech/Slovak)
Vitus (Danish/Dutch/German/Hungarian)
Gwijde (Dutch)
Guy (English/French)
Guidon (French)
Gui (French)
Wide (Frisian)
Guido (German/Italian)
Veit (German)
Wido/Wito (German)
Cino (Italian)
Guidarello (Italian)
Guidino (Italian)
Guidolino (Italian)
Guidone/Guittone (Italian)
Guidotto (Italian)
Guiduccio (Italian)
Guittoncino (Italian)
Gvidas/Gvidonas (Lithuanian)
Gwido (Polish)
Wit (Polish)
Guidas (Romansch)
Guidi (Slovene)
Gvido/Gvidon (Slovene)
Vito (Spanish)

French masculine diminutives include: Guitou, Guiton, GuiGui & Guy-Guy

Feminine offshoots include:

Vita (Danish)
Guyenne (French)
Guyette (French)
Guyonne (French)
Vida (Hungarian/Slovene)
Guida (Italian/Romansch)
Guidetta (Italian)
Gvida (Slovene)
Gvidica (Slovene)

Sources

Saintly Sunday

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Sebastiane

Since I have been behind in my posts, I thought my readers deserved an extra feature this weekend. Saints names. Sure, we are all familiar with Bernadette, Margaret Mary, Theresa, Peter and Luke, but the Catholic Church’s Calender of Saints offers us a huge variety of unique names, whether you are Catholic, Orthodox or just looking for an interesting name to bestow upon your child, the below list offers a wide range of unique yet very legitimate names.

Each name of the saint is divided by nationality (m) stand for Male while (f) stands for Female.

Some interesting Saint’s name that might be of interest to the expectant parent:

Armenian

Arsen (m)
Barak (m)
Beemen (m)
Khoren (m)
Mamwell (m)
Mesrob (m)
Narek (m)
Nouneh/Nune (f)
Pakos (m)
Yeprem (m)

Breton

Azenor (f)
Canna (f)
Clervie (f)
Derrien (m)
Enora (f)
Fragan (m)
Gobrien (m)
Gwenfrewi (f)
Kirio (m)
Koupaïa (f)
Maclou (m)
Mael (m)
Malo (m)
Milio (m)
Morwenna (f)
Noyala/Noyale (f)
Nolwenn (f)
Onenne (f)
Peran (m)
Rittan (m)
Samzun (m)
Trillo (m)
Urielle (f)

Bulgarian

Astion (m)
Boyan (m)
Kamen (m)
Kiril (m)
Naum (m)
Raiko (m)

Catalan

Eulàlia (f)
Just (m)
Ot (m) (might make a cool one syllable middle name)
Pacian (m)
Sever (m)

Cornish

Austell (m)
Brychan (m)
Burian (f)
Croidan (m)
Endellion (f)
Keyne (f)
Kigwe (f) KIG-wee
Levin (m)
Mabyn (f)
Marwenna (f)
Minver (f)
Newlina (f)
Salom (m)

Croatian

Kvirin (m)

Danish

Ansgar (m)
Thøger (m)

Dutch

Aleydis (f)
Alina (f)
Falco (m)
Godelieve (f)

Egyptian

Abanoub (m)
Abraam (m)
Ashraf (m)
Bishoi (m)
Demiana (f)
Lot (m)
Paisi (f)
Pamin (m)
Piama/Piamun (f)
Potamina (f)
Maysoon (f)
Samia (f)
Talida (f)

English

Alban (m)
Anselm (m)
Averil (f)
Bede (m)
Billfrith (m)
Birin (m)
Boswell (m)
Britwin (m)
Caedmon (m)
Credan (m)
Day (m)
Dotto (m)
Dunstan (m)
Ebba (f)
Elstan (m)
Enswith (f)
Eskil (m)
Fursey (m)
Ina (f)
Ivo (m)
Lewina (f)
Merwinna (f)
Modwen (f)
Odo (m)
Osana (f)
Rumon (m)
Sanctan (m)
Sebbi (m)
Swithun (m)
Sythe (f)
Tanco (m)
Tetta (f)
Tibba (f)

French

Bond (m)
Céronne (f)
Césarie (f)
Cloud (m)
Dreux (m)
Emérance (f)
Evronie (f)
Fare (f)
Faustine (f)
Fingen (m)
Gauthier (m)
Gibrien (m)
Grimonie (f)
Harvey (m)
Ismérie (f)
Julienne (f)
Meldon (m)
Namadie (f)
Néomaye (f) ney-oh-may
Noémoise (f) no-ey-mwahz
Pepin (m)
Quitterie (f) pronounced keet-teh-hree
Reine (f)
Ségolène (f)
Solange (f)
Soline (f)
Tressan (m)
Vigor (m)
Vitaline (f)
Wivine (f)

Galician

Aldara (f)
Gonzalo (m)
Paio (m)

German

Afra (f)
Alto (m)
Ambet (f)
Anno (m)
Attalia (f)
Bardo (m)
Benno (m)
Brito (m)
Coloman (m)
Cordula (f)
Hazeka (f)
Odilia (f)
Oranna (f)
Roswitha (f)
Sturm (m)

Greek

Anastasia (f)
Anthusa (f)
Anysia (f)
Apollos (m)
Basilissa (f)
Calliope (f)
Cleopatra (f)
Emmelia (f)
Ephraim (m)
Jerome (m)
Lybe (f)
Menodora (f)
Myrope (f)
Nicon (m)
Orestes (m)
Photine (f)
Philemon (m)
Philo (m)
Philothea (f)
Theone (f)
Timon (m)

Hungary

Emeric
Laszlo

Irish

Balin (m)
Becan (m)
Benen (m)
Brogan (m)
Caimin (m)
Cainder (f)
Ciara (f)
Coca (f)
Colman (m)
Conall (m)
Cormac (m)
Dallan (m)
Dymphna (f)
Edana (f)
Ermina (f)
Fedelma (f)
Finian (m)
Fintan (m)
Foila (f)
Ita (f)
Kenan (m)
Kennera (f)
Kilian (m)
Kinnia (f)
Lelia (f)
Loman (m)
Macallan (m)
Macartin (m)
Machai (m)
Mella (f)
Modan (m)
Monessa (f)
Odran/Odrian (m)
Phiala/Piala (f)
Scottin (m)
Thomian (m)
Trea (f)
Trien (m)

Italian

Aldobrandesca (f)
Archanegla (f)
Asteria (f)
Bacco (m)
Caio (m)
Carissima (f)
Caro (m)
Celestina (f)
Chiara (f)
Dulcissima (f)
Fina (f)
Fosca (f)
Franca (f)
Giovina (f)
Grata (f)
Gaudenzia (f)
Gemma (f)
Messalina (f)
Nereo (m)
Nilo (m)
Panacea (f)
Pierina (f)
Oronzo (m)
Rocco (m)
Romola (f)
Sofronia (f)
Verdiana (f)
Vilana (f)
Vincenza (f)
Zita (f)

Latin/Roman

Asella (f)
Caius (m)
Cassius (m)
Cyra (f)
Dafrosa (f)
Emiliana (f)
Fabiola (f)
Flavia (f)
Galla (f)
Juliana (f)
Julitta (f)
Lucian (m)
Marana (f)
Marcellina (f)
Martial (m)
Maximus (m)
Montanus (m)
Pastor (m)
Prisca (f)
Serapia (f)
Vissia (f)

Lebanese

Appian (m)
Charbel (m)
Habib (m)
Rafka (f)
Sabas (m)

Polish

Aniela (f)
Faustina (f)
Michalina (f)
Salomea (f)

Portuguese

Alexandrina
Jacinta

Romanian

Calinic (m)
Theotim (m)

Scottish

Blane (m)
Conwall (m)
Kennera (f)
Kevoca/Quivoca (f)
Nathalan (m)
Rule (m)
Thanea (f)
Thaneva (f)

Spanish

Amunia (f)
Aurea (f)
Casilda (f)
Florentina (f)
Garcia (m)
Inigo (m)
Madrona (f)
Marciana (f)
Millán (m)
Oria (f)
Orosia (f)
Pelayo (m)
Soledad (f)
Urbicio (m)

Welsh

Aled (f)
Baglan (m)
Brannock (m)
Cai (m)
Caian (m)
Crallo (m)
Dwynwen (f)
Elined (f)
Eiliwedd (f)
Kanten (m)
Madoc (m)
Madrun (f)
Maelrhys (m)
Melangell (f)
Teilo (m)
Tysilio (m)

Ugandan

Kizito (m)

So, which country offers the coolest selection of saint’s names?

Sources

Charles, Caroline

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Sebastiane

Gender: Masculine
Origin: German
Meaning: “man; free man”

The name is derived from a Germanic root word describing someone who is of the farm or peasant class. It corresponds with the Anglo-Saxon term ceorl (churl) and the Old German word karl. Both words were used to describe a male member of society who came from the lowest ranks but was not considered a servant or thrall. It is believed that its Old High German counterpart, karal, was originally used to describe any man. Interestingly enough, in the Poetic Edda, the progenitor of the peasant class is named Karl.

Its usage as a given name seems to have begun with the Frankish King and Holy Roman Emperor, Charles the Great also known as Charlemagne. As a result, the name became extremely common among French royalty and was later introduced to the British Royal Line when Mary Queen of Scots named her son Charles, later known as Charles I Stuart. Since Mary of Scots grew up in France, it is believed that her naming choices may have been influenced by her early habitation among French royalty.

The name was also extremely common among Swedish, German and Spanish Royalty.

It has also been borne by several saints.

Charles remains a fairly prevalent name throughout the Western World. In the English-speaking world, Charles’ rankings are as follows (vernacular forms are italicized):

# 72 (Australia, 2008)
# 85 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
# 2 Karlo (Croatia, 2009)
# 56 (England/Wales, 2008)
# 21 Carlos (Spain, 2008)
#63 (United States, 2008)

Its diminutive form of Charlie is often used as an independent given name, sometimes ranking even higher on the charts than its formal counterpart. His rankings are as follows:

# 26 (Australia, 2008)
# 7 (England/Wales, 2008)
#29 (Ireland, 2008)
# 1 (Isle of Man, 2009)
# 8 (Northern Ireland, 2009)
# 22 (Scotland, 2009)
# 42 (Sweden, 2009)
# 307 (United States, 2008)

Other forms of the name include:

Karlo (Albanian/Croatian/Finnish/Serbian)
Kirollis كيرولوس(Arabic: used primarily among Arab Christians if used at all)
Carllos (Asturian)
Carlos (Asturian/Galician/Portuguese/Spanish)
Karla/Karlos (Basque)
Karol (Basque/Polish/Slovak)
Xarles (Basque)
Charlez (Breton)
Carl/Karl Карл (Bulgarian/Finnish/German/Russian/Scandinavian/Ukrainian)
Carles (Catalan)
Charlys (Cornish)
Carlu (Corsican/Sicilian)
Karel (Czech/Dutch/Limburgish/Slovene)
Karelius (Danish/Norwegian: archaic)
Carolus (Dutch/Latin)
Kaarel (Estonian)
Kaarle/Kaarlo (Finnish)
Charles (French/English)
Charlot (French: originally a diminutive form, now completely out of usage. SHAR-lo)
Keerl/Kerll (German: rare form)
Karolos Κάρολος (Greek: Modern)
Kale (Hawaiian)
Károly (Hungarian: Kah-roi)
Séarlas (Irish-Gaelic)
Carlino/Carolino (Italian)
Carlo (Italian/Welsh)
Kārlis (Latvian)
Charel (Lexumbourgish: KAH-rel)
Sjarel (Limburgish. SHAH-rel)
Karolis (Lithuanian. kah-roh-lis)
Karlu (Maltese)
Carol (Romanian)
Carli (Romansch)
Carule/Carlus (Sardinian)
Tèarlach (Scottish-Gaelic)
Korla (Sorbian)
Kalle (Swedish: a diminutive form commonly used as an independent name. KAHL-le)
Siarl (Welsh: SHARL)

Czech diminutives: Karlík, Karlíček.
English diminutives: Charlie, Chas, Chaz, Chip, Chuck, Chuckie
French diminutives: Charlie, Charlot
Hungarian diminutives: Karcsi
Italian diminutives: Carletto, Carluccio
Polish diminutives: Karolek, Lolek
Portuguese/Spanish diminutives: Carlito, Carlitos

Its feminine offshoot of Caroline is a French borrowing. Pronounced (kare-uh-LINE) in English, it has always been a common name. She is currently the 94th most popular female name in the United States, (2008), her rankings in other countries are as follows: (vernacular forms are italicized)

#5 (Denmark 2009)
# 6 Carolin/Caroline (Estonia, 2007)
# 9 (Luxembourg, 2008)
# 74 (Norway, 2009)

Its more elaborate versions of Carolina/Karolina are also fairly prevalent in other countries. Carolina has had a history of usage among English-speakers as well, but among Americans, the name is usually associated with the States, both of which were named in honour of Charles I.

Currently, Carolina is the 355th most popular female name in the United States, (2008). Her rankings in other countries are as follows:

# 33 (Chile, 2006)
# 4 Karolína (Czech Republic, 2009)
# 14 Karolina (Poland, 2009)
# 54 (Spain, 2008)

Charlotte (see Charlotte entry for more info)

Carlota/Carlotta (Liechtenstein, 2008)
Carlota # 41 (Spain, 2008)

Carla/Karla

Carla (Catalonia Spain, 2008)
# 39 (Chile, 2006)
Karla # 7 (Croatia, 2009)
# 42 (France, 2006)

Other feminine forms include:

Carolina (Catalan/English/Italian/Portuguese/Spanish/Swedish)
Karla (Croatian/Czech/Dutch/German/Scandinavian)
Karola (Croatian/Czech/German/Hungarian)
Karolina (Croatian/German/Hungarian/Latvian/Lithuanian/Polish/Scandinavian/Slovak/Slovene)
Karolína (Czech)
Karoline (Danish/German/Norwegian/Swedish)
Carla (Dutch/English/German/Italian/Portuguese/Spanish)
Carola (Dutch/German/Italian/Scandinavian)
Carolien (Dutch: cah-ro-LEEN)
Caroline (Dutch/English/French/German/Scandinavian)
Charlotte (Dutch/English/French/German/Scandinavian)
Carly (English: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
Carolyn (English)
Charla (English: contraction of Charlene)
Karoliina (Finnish)
Carole (French)
Charlène (French/English: In French pronounced shahr-LEN, imported into the English speaking world where it is pronounced shar/char-LEEN)
Charline (French: shahr-LEEN)
Carolin (German: cah-ro-LEEN)
Karline (German)
Sarlott (Hungarian)
Séarlait (Irish-Gaelic)
Carletta (Italian)
Carlina (Italian)
Carlotta (Italian)
Carlottina (Italian)
Carluccia (Italian)
Tèarlag (Scottish-Gaelic)
Carlota (Spanish)
Charlotta (Swedish)

Their bearers are too numerous to list. Its designated name-days are: March 2 (France), November 4 (France).

For Caroline and her variations, May 9 (Poland), May 20 (Sweden), June 3 (Slovakia), July 5 (Lithuania/Poland), July 18 (Poland), August 6 (Lithuania) and February 2 (Hungary).

Gontran, Guntram

Posted on March 28, 2010 by Sebastiane

Raven drawing, vintage bird illustration Gender: Masculine
Origin: Frankish
Meaning: “war raven.”

The name is composed of the Germanic elements, gund, meaning “war” and hramn, meaning “raven.”

The name was borne by a 6th-century Frankish king.

Other forms include:

Gontrán (Catalan/Galician/Spanish)
Gunthchramn (Frankish)
Gontrand (French)
Guntram (German, Polish, Portuguese)
Gontrano (Italian)
Gontranus, Gontramnus (Latin)
Gundhram (Old German)
Gontrão (Portuguese)

In France and Austria, its designated name-day is March 28.

Legitimate Baby Names

names that are not made up and have had a history

Category Archives: Frankish Names

Ava

Clovis

Landry

Hugh, Hugo

Léger

Bertha

Guy

Saintly Sunday

Charles, Caroline

Gontran, Guntram

Sources