Hextilda

Hextilda is an interesting name, one I’ve seen often linked to the supposed granddaughter of Donald III of Scotland (1032-1099) via his daughter Bethoc (though there seems to be some doubt about whether Bethoc was his daughter). The meaning of the name is uncertain, possibly a latinized form of an Old English name. The second…

Nimrod

Nimrod is the name of a mighty hunter in the Old Testament, a great-grandson of Noah and the king of Shinar, a region in Mesopotamia. The name derives from an unknown source, perhaps Akkadian in origin, though it’s sometimes been connected to Hebrew מֶרֶד “to rebel”. The origin of the real Nimrod is uncertain. He…

Iraida

Iraida is a Russian and Spanish female name which comes from Ancient Greek Herais meaning “of Hera”, referring to the Greek goddess of marriage, women, birth, and family, and the wife of Zeus. Although the etymology behind the name Hera is uncertain, it’s often been associated with Ancient Greek hora ὥρᾱ (time, season) derived from PIE *yóh₁r̥ (year, season); or heros ἥρως (hero,…

Filaret

Filaret is a Russian male name which comes from Late Greek Philaretos, made up of Ancient Greek philos φιλος (friend; love, like) and arete ἀρετὴ (virtue; goodness, excellence), so the name essentially means “love of virtue” or “friend of excellence/goodness”. Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning: “love of virtue” or “friend of excellence/goodness” Usage: Russian, Ukrainian, Romanian, Bulgarian,…

Wulftrude

Wulftrude is an Old High German name, a combination of wulf (wolf) < Proto-Germanic *wulfaz (wolf) from a PIE root word; and Proto-Germanic *þrūþiz (strength), so the name would essentially mean “strong as a wolf”. Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning: “wolf + strength”, essentially meaning “strong as a wolf” Usage: Old High German Variants:

Rikiwulf

Rikiwulf is the name of a member of the Wulfings, a powerful clan found in the Beowulf, Widsith, and in the Norse sagas. The name is made up of Proto-West-Germanic *rīkī (mighty, powerful; rich; kingly, royal,) and *wulf (wolf), so the name essentially means “powerful/mighty wolf” or “rich wolf”. Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning: “mighty/powerful wolf” or…

Akina

Akina is a Japanese female name with a variety of meanings depending on the kanji used: Aki A ki na There are other meanings depending on the kanji used. Written in hiragana it’s あきな. Origin: Japanese Meaning: various depending on the kanji used Usage: Japanese

Lansing

Lansing comes from a Dutch surname, a patronymic name from given name Lans, the Dutch form of Germanic Lanzo via Proto-Germanic *landą (land) derived from PIE root word *lendʰ- (land, heath). Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning: “land” Usage: English Variants:

Estella

Estella is the Latinate form of Estelle, a French female name meaning “star” via Occitan estela < Latin Stella (star)< Proto-Italic *stērolā ultimately derived from PIE root word *h₂stḗr (star). Estella is also a Spanish surname, in this case a habitational name for someone who came from the town of Estella-Lizarra, in Navarre. It may have arisen as a…

Dwier

Dwier is a variant spelling of Dwyer, an Irish surname, the anglicized form of Gaelic Ó Dubhuidhir meaning “descendant of Duibhuidhir”, the latter a given name made up of dubh (black, dark), which ultimately derives from PIE and odhar (sallow, tawny, dun-colored), deriving from an uncertain etymology. Origin: Proto-Indo-European, uncertain Meaning: “black, dark + dun-colored,…

Mauve

Mauve is the name of a pale purple color. It comes from Old French mauve (mallow) via Latin malva (mallow).  Mallow is the name of a group of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae, specifically in the genus Malva, having purple, pink, or white flowers. Origin: unknown Meaning: referring to a pale purple or violet color Usage:…

Gerard

Gerard comes from an Old Germanic name, a combination of Old German ger (spear) and hart (hard, firm, brave, hardy), both deriving from a PIE origin, so the name would essentially mean “brave spear” or “hardy spear”. Gerard is also a surname originating from the given name. Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning: “brave spear” or “hardy spear” Usage: English, Dutch, Polish,…

Brunetta

Brunetta is a creative spin on Bruna, the feminine form of Bruno combined with the -etta suffix. It comes from Proto-Germanic *brūnaz meaning “brown” derived from PIE root word *bʰerH- (brown). I’ve also seen it listed as originating from Proto-Germanic *brunjǭ meaning “breastplate; armor, protection”. Brunetta is also an Italian surname, originating as a nickname from bruno…

Arsenio

Arsenio is the Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish form of Ancient Greek Arsenios meaning “virile, masculine” from Ancient Greek arsen ᾰ̓́ρσην (male, masculine, virile) from PIE *wérsēn (virile man; male animal) via an uncertain origin. Origin: uncertain Meaning: “virile, masculine” Usage: Italian, Portuguese, Spanish Variants: Female forms: