Gender: Feminine
Origin: Estonian/Hungarian
Meaning: “honey.”
(MES-ee-KEH)
The name is derived from the Estonian word mesi meaning “honey.” Its designated name-day is August 9. Melita and Deboora are often used as a variations. It’s also used as a diminutive form of Emese is Hungary, in which case, it is pronounced as (MESH-ee-keh).
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Estonian
Meaning: “wave.”
(LAHEE-neh)
No, this is not a new trendy spelling for the masculine surname name Lane. It is, however, a traditional Estonian female name that somewhat rhymes with the last part of Carolina.
It comes directly from the Estonian word for wave.
Its designated name day is August 6.
Variations include Lainela, Laina and Laini.
Sources
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Estonian/Finnish
Meaning: debated
(SAHLL-meh); (SAHLL-mee)
The names are possibly derived from the Estonian word salmike meaning “rhyme”. They are also possibly taken from an Estonian place and Finnish name. Salme is the name of a Parish in Estonia, while Salmi is the name of a place in the Republic of Karelia . Its designated name day is August 5.
Gender: Masculine
Origin: Estonian
Meaning: “rock; boulder.”
(KAHL-yoo)
An ancient Estonian male name, this is probably one of Estonia’s quintessential male names, as classically Estonian as it gets. It comes directly from the Estonian word for a rock or boulder. Another form is Kaljo. Its name day is August 3rd.
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latin/Greek
(LID-dee-uh)
Lydia has a sweet feminine vibe. Its classic without sounding too stuffy. Lydia could work just as well on a five month old as it would on a 55 five year old. It has the same feel as the popular Olivia and it wouldn’t be surprising if Lydia soon took Olivia’s place. Lydia currently stands as the 120th most popular female name in the United States.
As for Lydia’s history, it first appears as a given name in the New Testament. It was the name of a woman who had converted to Christianity after befriending St. Paul. Some scholars believe that Lydia was not her actual name, rather, it was a nickname to denote her place of origins, (Lydia in Asia Minor).
Lydia is a Greek word for an ancient country, known in Assyrian as Luddu, this particular’s country’s culture and language has been lost to history and speculation. The Greeks talked quite a bit about it, and in the Bible it is often refered to as Lud.
Lydia has multiple forms, including:
In other Continental European countries, the name is usually rendered the same as it is in English. In German speaking countries its pronounced (LUY-dee-ah). Its designated name day is August 3rd.
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Estonian
Meaning: “raspberry.”
(VAH-rih-kah)
Another summery, fruity appellation, this comes directly from the Estonian word for the raspberry. Its designated name day in Estonia is July 27.
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Estonian
Meaning: “strawberry.”
(MAH-sih-kah).
The name comes directly from the Estonian word for the Strawberry. Summer is strawberry season and today also happens to be Maasika’s name-day.
Maasika is a legit feminine name in Estonia, and if you want something natury and fruity, this might be a nice nod without it sounding too ridiculous.
It even appears on the Estonian calender, its designated name day is July 27.
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Estonian
Meaning: “baptise; christen.”
(REES-tah; REES-teh).
The name is derived from the Estonian word ristima meaning “to baptize or to christen.” Its used as a form of Christina.
Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “of Magdala.”
We have the exotic and sophisticated Magdalena, the French classic Madeleine and the English trend setter Madeline. The origins of these names go all the way back to the Bible, the New Testament to be exact. It is derived from a title given to the famous Catholic saint, Mary Magdalen, also known as Mary of Magdala. Magdala, being the town that the former prostitute turned follower of Christ, hailed from, a town on the sea, near Galilee, its meaning being “tower.”
In the Middle Ages, St. Mary Magdalen was a beloved saint, making the name popular in virtually every European country, evolving into myriad different forms. The cult of St. Mary Magdalen was especially popular in France, where she was known as La Madeleine (lah mah-deh-LEN). In fact, tradition holds that, after the death of Christ, Mary Magdalen travelled to France, where she converted many of the early inhabitants to the new faith. She is considered one of France’s patron saints and it is believed that her bones were buried in France. La Madeleine gave her name to several communes in France as well as a river. It is even the name of a famous French pastry.
While you are out rushing to work, standing in line, getting your daily fix of Starbucks, you may notice that at the front counter there are packages of a soft little sponge-like cookie. These are madeleines or petit madeleines. They are a popular snack in France, made from lemon and butter, and are known for their distinctive shell shape. Legend has it that they acquired their name from the lady who invented them, Madeleine Paulmier. They are a delightful little treat, and I recommend that the next time you are at Starbucks, you should try them yourself.
Likewise, Madeleine has been a very popular choice in Great Britain and currently ranks in as the 80th most popular feminine name in Britain and Wales for 2007, while in its home country of France, it comes in rather low. It was the 454th most popular feminine name in France for 2006.
Let us not forget the fun and sweet version of Madeline (MAD-eh-LINE), Madeline seems to be specifically a North American version of the French form. Originally pronounced (MAD-eh-LIN), its preferred pronunciation has switched over to the former in the last decade, no doubt due to the popular children’s series of books of the same name.
Madeline has been quite popular the last few years, she ranked in at a whopping 61 in the 2007 most popular feminine names in the United States. She has also made her mark in other non-British English speaking countries, such as Canada and Australia. In Canada she came in at 85, while in Australia 93.
There is also the trendified corrupted form of Madelyn, which currently comes in at # 104, however, it is advisable to use the French spelling if you prefer the (Mad-eh-lin) pronunciation, which seems to be the goal of the parents of the Madelyns.
Nicknames include Maddie, Leine and Lynn. The name is borne by Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Madeleine Albright, and author Madeleine L’Engle.
Let us now move on to its Eastern European alternative of Magdalena (MAHG-dah-LAY-nah). This form is used in Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Poland. It is especially popular in both Poland and the Czech Republic where it is often shortened to Magda, and occasionally Lenka. There are the Czech spin offs of Alenka and Madlenka, used as an independent name.
Magdalena might be appealing to English speaking parents who love the nickname Maggie but really dislike Margaret. On top of that, it can be shortened to appealing and trendy Laney or even Lena.
Other popular offshoots include the English corrupted form of Madelaine (MAD-eh-LANE): given to the daughter of David Duchovny and Téa Leoni. The dated German forms of Marlene (Eng mar-LEEN; Germ mahr-LEH-neh) & Marla and the Polish Marlena.The designated name day for all of these names is July 22.
French diminutives are Mado and Madelon. Polish diminutive forms are: Madzia, Magda, Magdunia, Magdusia and Magdeczka. Hungarian diminutives are, Duci
There are a few Italian masculine forms and that includes, Maddaleno, Magdalo and Maido.
Gender: Masculine
Origin: Estonian
Meaning: “drum”
(TAHM-bet)
The name is derived from the Estonian tambur meaning “drum.” Its designated name day is July 20.