Yesterday, I featured my pick of girls’ names here at the Nook in 2011.
Now it’s the boys’ turn:
- Alban — most people associate Alban with St Alban of St Alban’s, Hertfordshire. However, Alban is also an old Welsh word meaning “equinox” and “solstice,” and it features in the Druid names of the Solstices and Equinoxes. As for the saint, there are actually three of them and two are British. The one who gave his name to St. Albans was supposedly a Roman soldier martyred in or around 283 CE. However, there is no evidence for his existence before the late fifth century, and the fact he was executed by beheading is a big give-away that a Celtic divinity lies behind him. If he truly was a real historical figure, his name may derive from the Latin cognomen Albanus “of Alba (Longa).” But this is unlikely, as even the legends say that he was a native Briton. Therefore, real or divine, his name probably derives from the Common Celtic *albiyo- “(upper) world” and “white” — the source of the Old Welsh alban “solstice,” which brings us full circle.
- Angus — A wonderful old Scottish name, which still sees plenty of use in Scotland but deserves more attention elsewhere, especially by those proud of their Scottish roots.
- Ao — Love this short, snappy ‘”-o” ending discovery from France.
- Faramond — With its splendid meaning of “journey-protection,” Faramond has cropped up more than once this year. Uncommon, but with a long, rich history, I think it’s an underused gem just waiting to be embraced.
- Felix — Another name which has justly had a lot of mention at the Nook. A great meaning, a great “look,” I love it.
- Iolo — A very accesible Welsh name with a wonderful past, and lots of great Pagan overtones.
- Loxias – I’ve always thought this epithet of Apollo would make a glorious name…
- Lucius — I’m an unashamed champion of this magnificent name from Ancient Rome!
- Odin — the Norse God, Lord of the Wild Hunt; a great name, especially appropriate this time of year, when he rides his eight-legged Sleipnir in the Wild Hunt — seen by many as one of the sources of the modern myth of Father Christmas and the reindeer.
- Orion — Another name from the ancient world with a very contemporary ring.
- Rafferty — I have quite a crush on this fabulous Irish surname which is yet to reach the top 1000 in the US, but was 406th in the UK last year and continues to rise.
- Rufus — Rufus is deservedly on the rise again on both sides of the Atlantic, but is still far from common.
- Sol — If short and sweet with a big Pagan/Druid/Wiccan punch is what you’re after, Sol can barely be beaten. For those who have issues with short, snappy names in their own right which might be mistaken for a nickname, there are plenty of “long-form” options, from the biblical — but still distinctly witchy Solomon — to the Pagan-and-proud Solstice, not to mention the magical Latin Solifer.
