Bewitching Names

Sebastian

2012-03-08T22:02:00.000-08:00

The mega-popularity of Sebastian proves that many parents are looking for elegant names for their sons.

This name evolved from the Ancient Romans and Greeks borrowing from each other. Sebastian (pronounced "seh-BES-tian") is derived from the Latin name Sebastianus, meaning "from Sebaste." Sebaste was a Greek town located in what is now Turkey. It's name means "venerable," and it's a translation of the Latin Augustus.

Historically, this name has always been popular because it's the name of a popular saint. Saint Sebastian lived during ancient times, and he was a high ranking soldier in the Roman army. He was very good at his job and was a favorite of Emperor Diocletian. But while he was in the army, Sebastian comforted the imprisoned. He performed many miracles, including restoring a blind girl's sight. Unfortunately for him, he was also a Christian during a time when that was not tolerated. When Diocletian found out that he was converting the prisoners, he ordered Sebastian's execution.

Sebastian was shot full of arrows, but survived. The future Saint Irene rescued him. Once Sebastian recovered she begged him to leave Rome as the entire nation assumed he was dead. But you don't become a saint for running away, I suppose. Sebastian stayed and resumed preaching. He also sought Diocletian out and denounced him, which lead to another execution. This time he stayed dead. Saint Sebastian has always been a source of fascination for artists as he is the subject of paintings by many Renaissance masters, usually showing him with a belly pierced by arrows. He is there in spirit in Frida Kahlo's portrait "The Wounded Deer."

Because of this Sebastian has always been a popular name, particularly in Spain and France. Due to his reputation as a healer, he was very popular during the Black Death era. He is now invoked to help those who suffer from AIDS. He is also the unofficial patron saint of gays and lesbians. I'm not sure why this is, but I think it is most likely because depictions of him from Renaissance paintings show him as a handsome and sometimes androgynous naked youth. If you believe in Santeria or Voodoo, he is syncretized to the African god Ochossi.

This name is also worn by many important historical figures and fictional characters. King Sebastian of Portugal is well known for dying during a crusade against Morocco. Sebastian is the twin brother of Viola in the Shakespeare play Twelfth Night. Johann Sebastian Bach remains a very popular composer. A character named Sebastian Flyte features prominently in the Evelyn Waugh's novel Brideshead Revisited. Belle and Sebastian is an indie-rock band with a sizable following.

A while ago, before I actually looked at the top 1,000, I just assumed that it took a nosedive after The Little Mermaid because of the crab named Sebastian. Nothing could be further from the truth. Quite the opposite. In fact, it is more popular now than it ever was during our parents or grandparent's generation. Before the 1990s, the number of children with this name was very low. It was always at the bottom of the top 1,000 and there were two decades (the 1890s and the 1950s) where it didn't appear at all. But then The Little Mermaid came along in 1989 and it just started soaring up to where it now sits at #68. It's also popular worldwide: in 2008 it ranked #6 in Chile, #7 in Denmark, #9 in Austria, #12 in Norway, #42 in the Czech Republic, #44 in Sweden, #46 in Germany, #51 in Australia, #86 in England, #93 in Canada, and #178 in Scotland. So it's not true that people aren't going to want to use a name just because it's on a cartoon character. Variations include Sebastien, Sebastiano, Sevastian, Bastian, Bas, Seppo, and Sepi. For girls, there's Sebastiane, Sebastiana, and Sebastienne.

I have to admit I was upset when I learned that it was so popular. I thought I was ahead of the curve, but actually I'm just another product of my generation it seems. But in any case, Sebastian is a name that fits in with Julian and Octavian. They are strong and stylish classic names. So it's well used for a reason.

Sources:
http://www.behindthename.com/name/sebastian
Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints & Sages by Judika Illes
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/sebastian

Image Credit:

Found via http://pinterest.com

Tabitha

2012-03-04T13:44:00.001-08:00

In retrospect I cheated a little bit on the last Witchitizer, because both Tabitha and Tatiana are reasonably popular. But Tabitha does have a heavy Witch association. Thanks to Moi for requesting this name.

Tabitha (pronounced "TAB-ih-thah") is an Aramaic name meaning "gazelle." Aramaic is a very old Middle Eastern language, and in Ancient Egyptian mythology the gazelle is the property of the god Seth. The name appears in the Bible on a woman who was raised from the dead by Saint Peter (this woman is also called by the Greek form of this name, Dorcas).

This name is particularly Witchy because, like Samantha, it's profile was raised by the television show Bewitched. Tabitha Stephens is Samantha's daughter, whom she gives birth to in the second season. At first, her name was spelled Tabatha in the production credits, but then it was changed to Tabitha during the fifth season. Tabitha and her brother Adam both have magical powers.

But Bewitched isn't the only show in which Tabitha appears. I don't know how many people are familiar with the soap opera Passions, it's still on television apparently. My mother was into the show a few years ago and I just thought that the fact that there was a witch in it was the strangest thing. In the show, Tabitha Lenox was older and had a talking doll named Timmy (or at least she did, I think the actor who played the role died), and it was just bizarre. But Tabitha talked about the other characters in Bewitched as if they were real people, so it's clear that Passions takes place in the same fictional universe.

Tabitha was on the charts during the 1880s, but it then re-emerged in the American top 1,000 in the 1960s. It peaked in the 1980s at #151. It has been steadily declining since then and is now ranked #643. In 2008 it ranked #423 in Scotland. Other spellings include Tabeitha, Tabetha, Tabbitha, Tabita, and Tabytha. There is also the very obvious nickname Tabby. Speaking of tabbies, another namesake is Tabitha Twitchit, mother of Tom Kitten in the Beatrix Potter books.

I don't know if the name's Witchy association has faded over time amongst muggles the same way that Samantha's has. I imagine so. But Tabitha has the same amount of grace as Samantha. I can very easily see it as a sibset. It's a great name for any witchlet.

Sources:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Tabitha
http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/bestiary/gazelle.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabitha_(name)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabitha_Lenox
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/tabitha

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Spring Cleaning Part 1!

2012-03-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Throughout this whole month I am going to be cleaning up and rewriting some posts. This week, I deleted some names and added a lot more onto My Style: Worldly Strega (I might update that one yearly). I made an itty bitty changes to this blog's first post Raven, and to Llewellyn. Also updated Holly and Ivy.

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Mozart

2012-03-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

I've seen a couple of Wolfgangs, and Amadeus is getting some attention, but what about Mozart?

The famous composer was baptized Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart. His surname has an interesting history, to put it mildly. Before surnames came into use, moz was an Early New High German word meaning "wether" (castrated ram), and was used as an insult. Moz was combined with the Old Swabian word motz, meaning "stupid fool" or "dirt." The earliest appearance of this word as a man's name was in 1284, recorded as "Gebhard called Motze." Once surnames became necessary, people saddled with Motze decided to dress it up and added the Germanic warrior ending -hart. Gradually it transformed from Motzhart, to Muczhart, to Mozhart, to Mozart (pronounced "MOH-tzahrt").

From what I know of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, he would have been more amused by his name's history than insulted. He was multilingual and loved playing around with his various names. It seems like not one of his signatures had the same exact name. He invented different variations like Mozartini, Mozarty, and Mozartus. He was a name enthusiast.

Mozart, of course, was very prolific and wrote many famous compositions, but the most important work from a Neo-Pagan perspective might be The Magic Flute. It was Mozart's last work, premiering in Vienna on September 30th, 1791. The book was written by Emanuel Schikaneder, who also originated the role of Papageno. It features a prince named Tamino who accepts a quest given to him by the Queen of the Night. He must rescue her daughter Pamina from the clutches of Sarastro, the Priest of Isis and Osiris. His reward is marriage to Pamina. Tamino heads out with his magic flute and his new friend Papageno, a bird catcher. Coincidentally, Sarastro is also holding a woman well suited for Papageno as well. As you could probably figure out, the heroes triumph and they are married. The opera was immensely popular almost instantly. It had at least 100 performances, but Mozart didn't live to see it, as he was extremely ill and died during the run. Today, it is the most frequently produced opera worldwide. Many point out the play's Masonic elements, as both Mozart and Schikaneder were both members. The strong elements of ritual mysticism will appeal to anyone of the witchy persuasion.

Okay, I'm going to be honest. I like this name because I saw it on a deer. When I was a child I took a tour of an animal reserve and they had one male deer that came right up to the bus. He trusted humans to much and couldn't integrate with his own species very well, so he was never going to be released in the wild. But he was such a sweet deer! And I think it's silly to write off names because they're used on animals.

Hero names have been experiencing something of a reinvention. There are new ones popping up all the time, like Kahlo, Harlow, Lennon, Edison, and Presley. So why not Mozart? The "castrated ram" history isn't common knowledge. The name's most famous namesake has overruled that. Most everyone would think about beautiful music and geniuses and powdered wigs. I don't think this name would be out of place on a child.

Sources:
http://www.billcasselman.com/surnames_of_the_world/mozart_revised.htm
http://sleepinghedgehog.com/music/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart-the-magic-flute/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Flute

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Name Round Up: The Names We Give Ourselves

2012-03-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

Some might think that trying to find a Pagan name for a child is silly, because what Pagan goes by her real name? I still want my children to have names that reflect my beliefs, but that is a good point. Many people in Neo-Pagan culture have two names, the one that they're born with and the one they earn as practitioners. It's interesting comparing this list with the names of Real Witchlets. Neo-Pagans are a lot braver when it comes to naming themselves. But not as brave as some people think.

I've seen a lot of opinion pieces about magickal names that profess the existence of people who choose Paganer-than-thou names. Ones that certainly would not fit on a name tag. Ones that include ancient unpronounceable names and invented nature smooshes and fancy titles. And all of them moan, "Why, why, why?"

I think the bigger question is, "Really, guys?" Have you really met someone who introduced himself as Grand High Priest Merlin Archemides Swanblood Hemlock of the Shadowed Plains? You didn't just hear about it from the cousin of a friend of your coven leader? Because I'm beginning to think that this is the Pagan version of the 'jello twins. It certainly doesn't happen with Witchlets, and I'm not even convinced that it happens with magickal names either. Most Neo-Pagan's I've met just say, "Hi, I'm Megan," or maybe, "Merry meet, I'm Elder Wolfheart!" or something. William Butler Yeats takes the cake for picking the most pretentious magickal name ever, but he's a rarity in my research. Most stick with two names, or a name and their title, or one name.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it a good sample of how Neo-Pagans want to be seen. First listed is the name that famous modern Pagans were born with, followed by the name they picked. Sometimes the magickal name is only intended for private circles, but others adopted it as their new identity.

Violet Mary Firth Evans -- Dion Fortune
Pamela Coleman South -- Pixie
Kerry Harvey -- Ciarriadhe
Barney C. Taylor -- Grandmaster Eli
Edmund "Eddie" Buczynski -- Lord Hermes
Gerald Brousseau Gardner -- Scire
Doreen Valiente -- Ameth
William Butler Yeats -- Demon Est Deus Inversus ("The Devil is the Inverse Side of God")
Gregory Hill -- Malaclypse the Younger
Judy Foster -- Calypso Iris
Eleanor Ray Bone -- Artemis
Jessie Wicker Bell -- Lady Sheba
Patalee Glass-Koetep -- Lady Phoenix
Joseph Wilson -- Bearwalker
Albert N. Webb -- Ur
Jodi Montague -- Lady Galadriel
Mimi Rohwer -- Lady Phoenix
Tom Kneital -- Phoenix
Thomas Eddie Hufford -- Balu
Roy Moorman -- Cuchulainn
Stephen Richard Edwards -- Robin Goodfellow
Candace Lehrman White -- Lady Sintana
Len Rosenburg -- Black Lotus
Trudy Herring -- Mama Dragon
Sharon Mitchell -- Lady Bastet
Steve Collins -- Lord Senthor
Bobbie Osley -- Lady Amethyst Avalon
Deborah Blake -- Onyx
Timothy Zell -- Otter Zell -- Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
Diana Moore -- Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart
Miriam Simos -- Starhawk
Zsuzsanna Emese Mokcsay -- Z. Budapest
John Timothy Rothwell -- Arthur Uther Pendragon
Mercedes Elizabeth Kearsey -- Laurie Cabot
Cheri Lesh -- Cerridwen Fallingstar
Jenine E. Trayer-- Silver Ravenwolf
Rogelio Alcides Straughn -- Ra Un Nefer Amen
Linda Rosemary Barrier -- Maerian Morris

Birth Name Unknown:

Lady Circe
Raven Grimmasi
Shekhinah Mountainwater
Seqouia Greenfield
Merlin Stone
DeJoy Peacemaker
LaSara FireFox

Sources:
http://www.greeneggzine.com/never_forgotten_18.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pagans

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Phoenix

2012-03-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

With it's connection to eternity and immortality, there's lots to love in Phoenix.

Phoenix (pronounced "FEE-niks") is a Greek name derived from phoinix, meaning "bright red" or "dark red" depending on who you ask. The name could also refer to the Phoenicians, who were well known for their dyes, among other things. Another source lists that it could mean "palm tree." The popular opinion on Phoenix as a name is that it's brand new and has no history. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are two warriors named Phoenix in The Iliad, for Gods' sakes. Not sure how popular it was, but this certainly suggests that Phoenix was a given name in Ancient Greece.

Of course, phoenix is also the name of a mythical bird. The phoenix is a fire spirit with a 1,000 year life span. At the end of it's life it bursts into flames and is reborn as a chick from the ashes of it's former body. In some variations of this myth, the new phoenix embalms the remaining ashes of the old phoenix in an egg made of myrrh and flies it to Heliopolis, an Egyptian city of the sun. Either way, the phoenix is a clear symbol of reincarnation. Within all of the various representations in different literature and cultures, this aspect remains the same.

Most people believe that this mythical creature originated from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, where a stork-like bird called a benu is mentioned as a sacred symbol of Heliopolis. Description of it appeared in the records of ancient Greek historian Herodotus. He wrote, "Now, I have not actually seen the phoenix, except in a painting, because they are quite infrequent visitors to this country; in fact, I was told in Heliopolis that they appear only at 500-year intervals." He also describes the phoenix's appearance, as a red and gold bird roughly the size of an eagle. It is typically described as a benevolent bird, but that doesn't mean that humans are always safe around it.

The myth of the phoenix spread throughout other countries. In Persian depictions, this creature has a very long tail like a peacock. In China it was considered the feminine counterpart of the dragon, and was the symbol of the Empress. Chinese legend says that if you see a phoenix a wonderful event is about to happen. In a very small number of stories, the phoenix can change into a human. The phoenix has remained a very popular figure. The Firebird is probably the most famous ballet after Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. A phoenix named Fawkes lives in the world of Harry Potter. Phoenix is the name of the capital city of Arizona, because it was build over a Native American settlement (how charming). Phoenix is also a constellation, although having only been introduced in the late 1600s it is relatively new.

Phoenix's appearance on the top 1,000 is attributed to the death of River Phoenix, he died in 1993 and the name entered the charts in 1995. It peaked in 2009 at #367. It's had a similar trajectory in Canada. It has also been steadily crawling up the charts as a girls name, it now ranks #668. It's way higher in Canada, in 2008 it ranked #199. Although Phoenix is traditionally a masculine name, I think it's awesome for a girl too. There are some practical considerations, such as the counter intuitive placements of the "o" and "e," and the name's similarity to Felix. But these are very minor challenges.

I have to admit that I am slightly heartbroken that Phoenix has become so popular. Not only is it popular over all, but it is also a very common magickal name within the Neo-Pagan community. But if you are looking for a Wicca-lite name that is still feels mythical, Phoenix is a very good pick.

Sources:
http://www.behindthename.com/name/phoenix
http://appellationmountain.net/2011/05/17/baby-name-of-the-day-phoenix/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_(mythology)
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/phoenix

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Ash

2012-02-28T15:34:00.001-08:00

There were a few trees names from the Celtic tree months that I didn't profile last year. Probably because I was already profiling so many names that began with "A" at the time and I wanted more variety. But that means that I get to profile Ash this year.

The Celtic tree month of Ash begins in February 18th and ends March 17th. The word ash is derived from the Old English aesc.The tree's Latin name is fraxinus, and both names mean "spear." According to mythology, Odin's spear is made from an ash tree. It's Celtic name was nion (pronounced "NEE-on," I think).

The Ash tree is famous amongst Neo-Pagans for many reasons. In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil, also known as The World Tree, is a giant ash tree that links and shelters all worlds (I'm sure all Neo-Pagans have seen a diagram of it at some point in their lives). The first man, Ask, was formed from an ash tree as well. This tree secretes a sugary substance which, it is believed, was fermented to make the Mead of Inspiration. In Greek mythology, the Meliae are the nymphs of the ash tree. It's this tree that the Hanging Man is strung from in the tarot deck. Yule logs often come from ash trees. It was believed that this tree was a serpent repellent, and that they would stay out of a circle drawn on the ground with an ash branch. Nicknames for this tree include "unicorn tree" (it was believed that ash was the unicorns favorite tree), "guardian tree," and "widow maker" (because large branches often drop without warning).

Neo-Pagans may uses this tree for many magickal and medicinal purposes. The month of Ash is a good time to perform magick that connects you with your inner self. Ash is connected to the water element, so you can use this tree for ocean power, ocean rituals, protection from drowning, and rain making. Witches brooms are often made with a handle of ash, and it was a popular wood for shields and spears since it was known for having protective powers. If there are no snakes around, ash can repeal nasty and negative people. They can absorb sickness because special guardian spirits reside in ash. The Druids use ash wands with special spiral carvings for the purposes of healing. Ash leaves placed under your pillow will induce prophetic dreams, and carrying one will attract a lover of the opposite sex. In springtime, leaves and freshly grown tops can be used to make a tea that encourages fasting or weight loss. Ash trees are known to be liver and spleen cleansers, and can make the immune system stronger.

It's most common practical use is, obviously, firewood. It is great for barbecues and smoking. Ash tree wood is a popular material for the bodies of electric guitars, and less commonly for acoustic guitars. They are also used to make drums and indoor furnishings. Because ash trees were commonly used to make the bodies of carriages, early cars and planes had frames made of ash.

Of course, the name Ash could also be a reference for the residue of fire. It's a name that combines the elements of fire and earth. Ashes also are heavily associated with death, "Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust," "Ashes, ashes, we all fall down." So that makes Ash a mildly macabre name as well.

There are a few fictional namesakes for Ash. Apparently the main character in Pokemon is named Ash. I wouldn't know, I was never into Pokemon. The association that comes into my mind is the son in the Fantastic Mr. Fox film.

This name could work as a Wicca-lite name because Ash is often used as a short form of Asher, a Hebrew name meaning "happy," or Ashley, an Old English name meaning "ash tree meadow."Put I didn't put it in that category because it is quite rare on it's own. It reads more masculine to me personally but it could work for either gender. Variant forms include Ashe and Asshe (although I wouldn't recommend the later). There are also other names that are related to Ash, like Ashby (meaning "ash tree home"), Ashford (meaning "ford by the ashes"), and Ashton ("ash tree town").

So if you want a short, no frills natural name for someone born during the month of Ash, this name could be very appealing.

Sources:
http://dutchie.org/ash-lore/
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/y/yggdrasil.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraxinus
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/ash
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Ash

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Baudelaire

2012-02-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

While reading A Series of Unfortunate Events, I became increasingly intrigued by Violet, Klaus, and Sunny's surname. Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) kept to his theme of literary references with this one, the Baudelaires were named after a poet whose works most children would not be allowed to read.

But first things first, where did Baudelaire come from first? Baudelaire (pronounced "BOH-deh-lair") is a French word that refers to a type of small sword, more like a dagger. It derives from the Medieval Latin badelarius, meaning "short sword." This weapon appears in heraldry, and when you see it it resembles a small Turkish scimitar. Despite this Romantic name, the Baudelaire siblings are apparently supposed to be Jewish. Snicket once said, "I think there is something naturally Jewish about unending misery."

Lemony Snicket named his heroes after the French macabre poet Charles Baudelaire. Baudelaire's work was revolutionary in its day. A little bit too revolutionary. His most (in)famous work is a book of poems called Les Fleurs de Mal ("The Flowers of Evil"). The book's primary themes are sex and death, corruption and innocence, the sacred and the profane. The book had a small but enthusiastic following. However, the majority found it obscene. Baudelaire, along with his printer and publisher, were sent to court and found guilty for creating an offense against public morals (he had to pay a fine). In a letter to his mother he wrote, "The proof of it's positive worth is in all the ill that they speak of it. The book enrages people. ...I don't care a rap about all these imbeciles, and I know that this book, with its virtues and it's faults, will make it's way in the memory of the lettered public, besides the best poems of V.Hugo, Th. Gautier and even Byron." Today he is considered to be one of the innovators of French literature.

Unfortunately Baudelaire's personal life was a mess, which is probably why some people have reservations on this name. He was a slow writer, often sidetracked by his own procrastination and emotional distress. He was living in poverty and had an addiction to dangerous drugs and prostitutes. He was also known for being a "dandy" and died from syphilis. My great-grandfather died from syphilis, so I am in no way implying that people who die from sexually transmitted diseases have bad character. But syphilis has a different cultural connotation that is different from dying from AIDS. But all in all, these things were not unusual for an artistic person living in Paris during the 1800s.

It is possible that someone will become inspired by the children's book series and name a child Baudelaire. Someone already did. There's a Baudelaire in the wonderfully wacky sibset that I profiled a while back. Charles Baudelaire, while the most famous real life namesake, is not a household name in America. Although his life and work will appeal to those with gothic sensibilities, I believe most people will associate the name with Lemony Snicket's work.

I really like Baudelaire a lot. It has a beautiful sound. It has the potential to be a consideration for my own children. And if there's anything that I have an affinity towards, it's misunderstood revolutionary artists who wrote about dark subject matter. Hopefully, some fellow macabre Neo-Pagans will join me in loving this name.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baudelaire_family
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Baudelaire

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Name Round-Up: A Series of Unfortunate Events

2012-02-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

I finally finished this series, and I have to say that I am a huge fan. I wasn't sure that I was going to be one in the middle of the series. Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) likes to keep his cards very close to his chest. I look forward to reading The Beatrice Letters, it's sequel.

I don't think I can say much without giving away pieces of the plot, but the series has a lot of inspired character names. Some of the names are jokes (there are siblings named Isadora and Duncan, get it?), but most of them are literary references. Esme Squalor, for instance, is widely assumed to be a reference to the poem by J.D. Salinger: "For Esme - With Love and Squalor." Here are most of the inspired names from this series:

Lemony
Snicket
Violet
Klaus
Sunny
Baudelaire
Olaf
Arthur
Poe
Polly
Edgar
Albert
Strauss
Monty
Montgomery
Josephine
Anwhistle
Isaac
Gregor
Charles
Phil
Sir
Georgiana
Orwell
Nero
Carmelita
Isadora
Duncan
Quagmire
Remora
Bass
Esme
Jerome
Squalor
Hector
Lesko
Morrow
Jacques
Hal
Babs
Hugo
Colette
Kevin
Olivia
Quigley
Fiona
Widdershins
Fernand
Kit
Geraldine
Julienne
Frank
Earnest
Dewey
Denouement
Eleanora
Friday
Caliban
Ishmael
Miranda
Thursday
Alonso
Ariel
Jonah
Sadie
Bellamy
Bligh
Brewster
Byam
Calypso
Erewhon
Ferdinand
Fletcher
Finn
Kurtz
Larsen
Marlow
Nordoff
Omeros
Pitcairn
Robinson
Sherman
Willa
Elwyn
Fagin
Bertrand
Beatrice

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:A_Series_of_Unfortunate_Events_characters

Image Credit:
Illustration by Brett Helquist

Fiyero

2012-02-20T12:47:00.000-08:00

I've already profiled Elphaba, Glinda, Nessarose, and Liir. The Wicked Witch's boyfriend has not yet been accounted for.

In the beloved musical version of Wicked, Fiyero (pronounced "fee-YEH-roh") Tiggular is the handsome popular guy. He is a prince of Winkie and attends Shiz University with Elphaba and Glinda. He almost immediately becomes Glinda's boyfriend, but gradually falls in love with Elphaba. Thanks to her, he starts thinking that there is more to life than having fun. Later, he becomes engaged to Glinda, but runs away with Elphaba when she reappears. When the two are ambushed by palace gaurds, Fiyero allows Elphaba to escape, and the gaurds torchure Fiyero...well, I guess I shouldn't give away the ending.

In the book by Gregory Maguire, Fiyero Tigelaar is quite different. First of all, he is not conventionally handsome. His dark skin is covered with blue diamond shapped tattoos, which immediately marks him as an outsider like Elphaba (the creators of the musical didn't think the tattoos would translate well on stage). He is still a prince, but he is a prince of the Arjiki tribe. When we meet him, he is unhappily betroved to Sarima, and they eventually have three children together. Fiyero and Elphaba have little interaction during their years at Shiz University. He begins an affair with Elphaba while she is a revolutionary years later. This union creates their son Liir. It is mentioned that he used to have a crush on Glinda, but they are never together. Most of Fiyero's character in the play is actually more like Avaric in the books. Avaric isn't a particularly important character, but he is carefree and a bit snooty.

Gregory Maguire has stated that Fiyero's name comes from the word "furious," which I find very strange. Anger doesn't seem to be a big part of Fiyero's personality. It is much more a part of Elphaba's personality. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

You know, Hollywood is taking its sweet time with the Wicked movie. Now they are saying that it's going to come out in 2014, but who knows. I also heard a television miniseries based on the book was coming out, but that rumor was posted a long time ago. Wicked is a phenominally successful play and novel with a huge cult following, so I highly doubt that they are never going to capitalize on it somehow. When that happens, Fiyero is no longer going to be a name that only diehard fans will know. Who knows what will happen to these names in the feature?

Naming a son Fiyero would be like naming a son Atreyu. They're both lovely names, and I know there are people out there that name their sons Atreyu, but it's a diehard fan name. You must really, really love the Wicked world in order to use it.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_(musical)
http://wicked.wikia.com/wiki/Fiyero_Tigelaar

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Venus

2012-02-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

Venus remains one of the most well known goddesses, but apparently her name has yet to really catch on.

Venus (pronounced "VEE-nus") is a Latin name and word meaning "sexual love" or "sexual desire," although most baby name sources are likely to list it as "beloved" which, I suppose, is technically correct. As the name suggests, Venus is the goddess of love, sex, and fertility, but also of beauty, prosperity, and military victory. She was already in Italy when Greek mythology was integrated into the culture, but it is very difficult to figure out what attributes come from Aphrodite and which ones where already there. She has almost no myths of her own, and what ones she has came from Ancient Greek culture.

Nevertheless she was, and still remains, a very popular goddess. She is portrayed as a beautiful young woman, and is very often nude. She had her own festival (Veneralia was celebrated on April 1st) and her own cult. Apparently, the cult was funded by fines imposed on women for sexual misdemeanors. Venus loves water, roses, and myrtle. Some stories connect her to Mars, god of war, and together they sired Cupid. But other stories say she is Vulcan's girlfriend. She is also the mother of Aeneas, the Trojan ancestor of Romulus and Remus. In Ancient Roman dice games, the luckiest roll was called "Venus."

Like many Roman goddesses, Venus goes by a number of different names depending on what she is doing. Venus Genetrix is the mother of Roman civilization, Venus Felix takes care of luck, and so on. Venus absorbs and tempers the fiery male essence. Ancient Roman society dealt with her differently than they did with the other immortals. Usually, everything was very contractual and formal, "if I do this you will give me that" type of relationship. But with Venus, you had to charm and seduce her, and she may or may not choose to help you out.

As most people know, Venus is also in outer space. She is the second planet from the sun. After the moon, it is the brightest celestial body in the night sky. It is most bright shortly before sunrise and shortly after sunset, which is why it is known as both the Morning Star and the Evening Star. It is sometimes called Earth's "sister planet" due to it's similar size and gravity. It is believed that the planet previously had oceans, but they evaporated due to greenhouse effect.

But there's another important Venus for Neo-Pagans. It's the one from Willendorf. The Venus of Willendorf is an idol found in southern Austria. It was made sometime between 24,000 and 22,000 BCE. It appears to be a very round woman with a big belly, bit thighs, and big breasts (she looks pregnant to me). She doesn't have a face, but the artist created what looks like a braided helmet of hair. Several similar sculptures from this time period have been found, but this one is the most famous. Of course, Venus can be used an art term for any nude female figure. However, the use of this term in relation to this idol is slightly controversial because it implies a divinity that we don't really know is true. We don't know anything about it's cultural significance during the period when it was made, but we do know of it's cultural significance now. Many Neo-Pagans believe that this is a very early image of the Great Goddess, and it is often used in ritual spaces.

I expected Venus to be more popular than it actually is. It's not on the charts at the moment. It was most popular back in the 1970s, peaking at #710. I thought American tennis player Venus Williams would have brought in more namesakes, but apparently not.

But Venus seems like the perfect candidate for namesakes as she is generally a benevolent goddess with no tragic mythology. I would like to see more little witchlets with this name.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_(mythology)
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/godsandgoddesses/p/VenusProfile.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_of_Willendorf
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/venus

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Kitri

2012-02-17T18:56:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I saw the ballet version of Don Quixote. Being familiar with the Broadway musical version, I was expecting to watch a story about a downtrodden prostitute named Aldonza. Instead, I got a story about a spirited inn keeper's daughter named Kitri.

In the ballet (which has little to do with Don Quixote, by the way) Kitri (pronounced "KIH-tree," I assume) is in love with Basilio. But Kitri's father Lorenzo wants her to marry a noble named Gamache. Kitri runs away with Basilio, but is eventually found and dragged away. On the day of the wedding, Basilio pretends to kill himself. Kitri, knowing that it is a trick, implores Lorenzo to bless the couple since she would be very soon widowed and free to marry Gamache. Lorenzo does so, and Basilio leaps up unharmed and the happy couple is married.

The ballet is based off of two chapters of the book. There's a moment where Don Quixote is at an inn and he asks the inn keeper to knight him. That's what the whole ballet is based off of. It was composed by Ludwig Minkus (who apparently composed a ton of ballets that I have never heard of) and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, and was originally performed in Russia.

There is really nothing about Kitri as a name on the Internet, so I have no idea where it comes from. It certainly doesn't strike me as being Spanish. It seems more Russian to me. I would assume that it's a variant of Katherine, because that makes sense. But I really don't know.

But I have to admit that I'm intrigued by Kitri. I think that it's has the ability to catch on as a baby name. If nothing else, it's a nickname for Katherine that isn't Katie. Names that end in an "ee" sound are very popular for girls at the moment. It's also has the same style as the nickname of a certain princess' sister.

So if you want a rare name that is associated with the arts and falls into trend, then Kitri might be your gal.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote_(ballet)

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Witchitizing Disney Princesses

2012-02-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

I've been turning this post about what makes a good Witch's name from The Juggler over and over again in my head (and seriously, The Juggler is my new favorite website). The poster is talking about fictional witches, but I think it struck a cord with me because the qualities he describes is what I want in my daughters names. Lily, although it possesses fine qualities and would be great for someone else's witchlet, is not a proper Witch name in my mind.

But what exactly is a "proper" Witch name? Let's bring out the super fun Witchitizer! What are the rules for Witchetizing a name? Well, it's a bit of a subjective game. I only have three criteria:

1. They would not be a name that you hear everyday, and is often ancient. It's hard to believe, but Samantha was a rarity before it was picked for Bewitched.

2. They are very strong names. You instantly get that Ursula is a person who you do not want to have as an enemy.

3. There is a touch of something shadowy, and that's not really something I can explain. Elphaba wouldn't be the same if she was Eliza. There's got to be some mystery there.

On whom shall I test my Witchitizer? Let's do Disney princesses. I think that could be...interesting.

1. Snow White - Snow White
Snow White is a tough one. It's not exactly a "real" name. I suppose you could invent something like Black Heart, but...meh.

2. Cinderella - Cinderella
The French name for the story is Cendrillon, which has captivated me as a name option ever since. Names that end in -ella yields more results. Rafaella, Lionella, and Norella are all good options.

3. Aurora - Sleeping Beauty
Just switch the -a with an -e and it's Aurore. If you want to stray a bit further, there's Leonora, Eldora, and Devora.

4. Eilonwy - The Black Cauldron
Eilonwy works perfectly fine as a witch's name, even though it's a little bit wispy. There's also Elfrieda, Electra, and Evadne.

5. Ariel - The Little Mermaid
Aradia comes to mind immediately. You can do what Disney did and use Hebrew boys names like Azriel or Nouriel. A particular favorite amongst Neo-Pagans is Galadriel.

6. Belle - Beauty and the Beast
There are plenty of witchy names that have a "bell" sound in it: Belladonna, Mehitabel, Sybella, and Bellicent are just a few of them.

7. Jasmine - Aladdin
Jovana or Jasperine. I'm also tempted to put Jezebel here.

8. Pocahontas - Pocahontas
This is another tough one, sounding witchy and still Native American. This would take some digging, but I found Calfuray and Onatah, and Rayen is only one step away from Raven.

9. Kida - Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Terse names with hard consonants. Almost caveman-like. Tova, Guro, Dara, Kore.

10. Giselle - Enchanted
The name that pops into mind is Griselda. There's also Gitana. Perhaps Gretel could fit in here too, even though it is attached to someone who was attacked by a witch.

11. Tiana - The Princess and the Frog
No, I would not be intimidated by a Tiana. You would have more luck with a Tatiana or Tabitha.

12. Rapunzel - Tangled
If it weren't for the fact that Rapunzel will always be identified with princessness, it would be an option for witches as well. But looking through the realm of very uncommon plant names I came up with Amarantha, Eglantine, and Verbena.

13. Sofia - unnamed television show
I do like Sofia a lot, but it's a bit too sweet (and also too popular). Sofinisba, Sophronia, and Sephora are more exotic options.

14. Merida - Brave
Merida also works perfectly fine as a witch. There's also Merewen, Morrow, and Maeve.

15. Fiona - Shrek
Okay, she's not from Disney, but she is a popular princess. Fiore, Freya, and Fortuna are much more witchy.

That was fun! This Witchitizer of mine might become a regular feature.

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Haiku

2012-02-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

I suppose it's about time that you learned about the one living creature I named. Haiku was my pet baby chameleon. Hey, don't laugh! She was a little scaly ball of gorgeous. Unfortunately, she didn't live very long. But supposedly she hatched on Valentine's Day, so I'm profiling her name on her birthday (hatchday?).

Haiku (pronounced "hiy-KOO," at least in the United States, in the original Japanese I believe that the syllables are treated with equal emphasis) is a relatively new word. The style of poetry has been around for a very long time, but before 1900 a haiku was called a hokku. The term "haiku" was coined by Japanese writer Masaoka Shiki in 1899. As far as I can tell, haiku means "verse."

A traditional haiku contains 17 syllables, or on. It's three lines must have 5 on, 7 on, then 5 on again. A succession of haiku linked together is called haikai, meaning "linked verse." The essence of haiku is kiru, or "cutting," meaning that it juxtaposes two ideas or images. Classic haiku are almost always about nature, but contemporary haiku have started to moved away from this subject. The most famous haiku is Basho's "Old Pond:"

"furuike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto"

"old pond
a frog leaps in
water's sound"

But my favorite is this one by Roger McGough:

"the only problem
with haiku is that you just
get started and then"

...Well, I thought it was funny, anyway.

So yes, I know that I used this name for a pet. But why not use Haiku as a name for a person? There's already Sonnet, Ballad, and Poet. I don't think that it's any less weird than those. The "sweet, small poem" association would be great for a child.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=haiku

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Ryu

2012-02-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

February 4th of this year was the first day of Chinese New Year, and it is the year of the dragon. This means that I need a dragon name to profile, and Draco's been done already.

Ryu, or Ryuu, is a Japanese name meaning "dragon" or "imperial." The pronunciation is tricky, and unfortunately Westerners have a hard time agreeing on one. It's not "ROO," that's for sure. Some say it's "REE-yoo," which seems natural enough. But the "R" might be closer to an "L" sound, making it more like "L-yoo." That is not at all confusing.

I suppose it would make more sense to profile a Chinese name for the Chinese New Year. But dragon mythology in Japan is very similar to those in China because, well, they were imported from China. In both cultures, most dragons are benevolent water deities, and each one is associated with a specific lake or river. Even rainfall had it's own dragon.

There are many references to dragons in Ancient Japanese literature. An eight-headed one was defeated by Susanoo, the god of the wind and sea. Ryujin, also known as Watatsumi, was a dragon god who rules the oceans. He is able to change into human form. His daughter was Toyotama-hime, who is allegedly the ancestor to Japan's first emperor. In a folktale called Kiyohime, the title character is spurned by the Buddhist priest she loves. So she studies magic and transforms herself into a dragon in order to kill him. Dragons have always been associated with Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Ryujin Shinku ("dragon good faith") is a sect of Shintoism that worships dragons.

Ryu is often used as an element for composite names. Ryouma could either mean "dragon horse" or "imperial horse." Ryutaro means "son of the fat dragon," which must have been a flattering description at some point in history.

Should you actually find the correct pronunciation, this is a simple and unique boy's name in the United States. It would be a great name for someone with an emotional connection to these mythic creatures, or for someone who enters the world during this year.

Sources:
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2012ChineseHoroscope.htm
http://www.behindthename.com/name/ryuu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_dragon
http://pagannames.witchipedia.com/japanese/p/2
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090127135136AAXDI3z

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Snowdrop

2012-02-09T22:39:00.000-08:00

Depending on who you ask Snowdrop could be a charming appellation, or too sugary sweet.

Snowdrop is the name of a small, white flower. Snowdrops are also known by the name galanthus (from the Greek gala, meaning "snow," and anthos, meaning "flower"). They originated in a large area of Europe but like a lot of plants they have been spread throughout the world. However, in some of it's original locations snowdrops are a threatened species, and collecting them from the wild is illegal.

These plants are celebrated as a sign of spring, as they are often the first flower to bloom. In many religions, they are a sign that the gods are returning. They are sometimes called the "Fair Maid of February" or "Candlemas bells," and are associated with Imbolc. In Celtic mythology, this flower symbolizes Brigid. In the Bible, the snowdrop was placed on earth in order to comfort Eve, who was crying for the warmth of Paradise during her first winter. On the other hand, many stories say that snowdrops are unlucky because they often grow in cemeteries. It is particularly unlucky to pick them and bring them into the house on Imbolc or St. Valentine's Day. But there seem to be no repercussions for growing them in the house. Some believe that the snowdrop has many healing properties that modern medicine doesn't know of yet. Research has suggested that it could be used to treat neurological problems like Alzheimer's disease.

I wasn't aware of this, but apparently snowdrops are a big deal. Die-hard galanthrophiles have been known to travel all over the world to find them, attend snowdrop shows, and purchase single bulbs for up to $500. I like flowers and all, but I don't get flower-mania. My mother is a flower addict, and she likes to go to big fancy gardens where pay for admission and spend hours walking through it, and I'm just standing there thinking, "Can't we look at roses for free somewhere else?"

Speaking of mother darling, I have a very old book of fairy tales that used to belong to my mother when she was a child (and is probably even older than that). In this book, there is a story called Snowdrop. Most people would know this story as Snow White. Snow Drop is actually her original name in the Brothers Grimm collection. Apparently, that name wasn't catchy enough. There were two other noticeable differences in the original story: the evil queen is her mother, not her stepmother, and said mother's punishment at the end is a bit extreme. These elements were changed in order to soften the story for children.

Snowdrop is a great magickal name for someone that has a special connection with this time of year. It also sounds like it could be a My Little Pony character. I think it's lovely for someone else's daughter, even if it's not my style.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galanthus
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/02/snowdrops-in-fable-and-folklore.html
http://herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.com/2011/01/snowdrops-health-benefits-proven-by.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/20/snowdrops-white-ambra-edwards
http://john-k-davis.suite101.com/versions-of-snow-white-a95169

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Temperley

2012-02-07T18:55:00.000-08:00

So I was looking through a blog about designer wedding dresses (don't judge me!) I found a designer called Temperly London. I thought, "Temperly? Hmm, very interesting. I wonder where that one comes from?"

I immediately assumed that this name had something to do with Tempest, or maybe even Temprence. But no. Temperley (pronounced "TEM-per-lee," I think) is an Anglo-Saxon surname is a variant of Timperleigh or Timperley, which is the name of a town in North Cheshire, England. In Old English timper means "timber" and leah means "glade." Therefore, the meaning of the name is listed as "the clearing where timber for building was obtained." Hmm. Not the most Pagan-friendly of meanings. Not much is sadder than a cleared-out forest.

Unless it wasn't cleared out by humans for building purposes. I mean, it literally means "tree glade." The rest of that definition is just assumption, and that's probably why the namesake town was devoid of trees. But trees could be very easily removed via a forest fire or a volcano or a number of other natural means.

Besides England, a place called Temperley also shows up in South America. It's a city in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was named after English textile merchant George Temperley, who founded the town in 1912.

The first recorded spelling of this name as a surname was for Emmet Timberly's wedding records in 1561. So if you meet a little Timberly, it's not made up! The parents picked up an unusual surname name, although possibly unknowingly. Throughout the ages, other spellings have included Tympirleg and Temperli.

This name is probably going to appeal to people who want a fashionable but not popular surname-name for a girl the most. Some people might sneer at it, but I think Temperly has a lovely sound (I like it better without the extra "e"). But unfortunately, it's sound is almost too trendy for it's own good: people unaware of it's history will think it's made up. Which is a shame. The more I run it through my brain the more I like it.

Sources:
http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Temperley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperley

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Place Your Requests Here!

2012-02-06T16:11:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of confusion as to how to request names on this blog. Clearly, there needs to be a better way to do this. So I'm going to put a link of this post on the sidebar, and you can submit requests at any time right here. M'kay?

So if you want to profile a specific name, all you have to do is write it in the comments. If you want naming consultation, I need a bit more information.

For advice on a magickal name, I would need answers to the following:

1. What type of path are you on? (Gardnerian Wicca, Stregheria, Druidism, etc.)
2. Where would you like to go with your practice?
3. What types of names do you like? (Celtic, Egyptian, invented nature combinations like Silverfaun, etc.)
4. What names have you considered before and dumped? Why?
5. Do you intend on going by this name in your mundane life, or is this for magickal purposes only?

For advice on the name of a new baby, I would need answers to the following:

1. What will be the child's last name? I don't need to know specifically, I just need to get the general idea of what it sounds like (for example, if your last name is Croix, you can say, "It rhymes with 'soy'").
2. Do you have other children? If so, what are their names?
3. What types of names do you like?
4. What names have you considered before and dumped? Why?

Answers to name consultations would be posted on the blog unless you specifically say that you want to keep it private.

Hope this helps and request away!

Cabot

2012-02-05T19:40:00.000-08:00

At the end of January, Laurie Cabot closed The Official Witch Shoppe and retired from her 42-year career of running various Witch-related stores in Salem, Massachusetts. She is switching her energy towards building a temple, according to a newspaper. Which is great, but her decision to step out of retail has left some reeling.

Laurie Cabot (born Mercedes Elizabeth Kearsey) was one of the leaders of the Neo-Pagan movement in the United States. She is a bit of a controversial figure for us due to her willingness to embrace publicity (she's appeared on Oprah, among other shows) and for her stereotypical way of dressing. But she endured a lot of hatred and ridicule so that others in Salem can practice their faith relatively unharassed. She raised her two daughters as Witches way before there were resources readily available for that. She was named "Official Witch" by the Governor for her work with special needs children. She is credited for single handedly turning Salem from a footnote in history to a tourist attraction. She is approaching the winter of her years, but it's not like she's dead. She's just switching her goals.

Cabot (pronounced "KAH-bit") is an Occitan name, which is a romance language spoken in the south of France, Italy's Occitan Valleys, and in Spain's Val d'Aran (which is sometimes unofficially known as Occitania). The name is a diminutive of the word cap, meaning "head." Therefore, Cabot started as a nickname for someone with an odd-shaped head.

In America, Cabot is a surname especially associated with Boston, Massachusetts. It was one of the ultimate Boston Brahmin surnames, which means that they were very wealthy. The "Boston Toast" by John Collins Bossidy contains the line, "Where the Lowells speak only to Cabots/ and the Cabots speak only to God." Laurie Cabot claims to be a descendant of this family. The name has since lost it's elitist tinge thanks to jazzman Cab Calloway.

Unfortunately, it's impossible for me to think of this name without thinking about Mystery Science Theater 3000. For the uninitiated, that is a television show with a cult following that played bad movies with hilarious commentary by robots. Fellow mysties will know which episode I'm talking about, and how could they not? In the episode "Outlaw," the "hero's" name is said over 60 times in the first fifteen minutes. It's really difficult to take a name seriously after that.

If that doesn't bother you, then this is an interesting name that's on trend for a boy. And I really do see it as a boy's name, I have a hard time picturing it on a girl (but my boundaries have been pushed before). I don't think that many muggles will know who Laurie Cabot is, so it also references Neo-Pagan culture without being too overt. If I wasn't a complete nerd, Cabot would be an intriguing option.

Sources:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2012/01/the-end-of-an-era-for-salems-official-witch.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Cabot
http://babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/cabot
http://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=cabot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabot_family

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Oya

2012-02-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

There is a shortage of African names here on this blog. This is quite embarrassing. I'm going to make a point of bringing in a lot more. Let's start with the name of a mighty African goddess: Oya.

Oya (pronounced "OH-yah," I think) is a Yoruba name literally meaning "she tore." As the name suggests, she is involved with many destructive things like hurricanes, lightening, earthquakes, and any and all forms of natural devastation. But the havoc she wrecks isn't done in an arbitrary, careless manner. She is the spirit of the chaos necessary to bring about creation and drastic transition. She is very similar to the Hindu goddess Kali. She also presides over magic, fire, wind, and fertility.

Oya's form is that of a human being, but when she dances she has the tail of a horse. Her twirling skirt creates tornadoes. Traditionally she is often depicted screaming, with wide open eyes. Oya is the sister and favorite wife of Shango. She has many titles, including "the Great Mother of the Elders of the Night" and "She Who Puts on Pants to Go to War." She is not a goddess of the underworld, but she does preside over cemeteries, spirit communication, funerals, clairvoyance, and rebirth. Oya is sometimes said to have a sister named Ayao, but the legitimacy of this goddess is questionable.

Oya is very important to Santeria, and is often merged with Our Lady of Candelaria (patron of the Canary Islands) and St. Theresa. Which would make her feast day...February 2nd. Well, I was close. Santeria Priests from Cuba have prophesied that 2012 will be the year of Oya. After reading about her, I think we all have an idea as to what that means. They have predicted that this year will be characterized by "war and confrontation, social, political, and economic change, and a dangerous increase in temperature."

Invoking this goddess is not a task that should be taken lightly. She speaks the truth, even when you don't want to hear it. But if you want to make the attempt, you must make the proper offerings. She loves eggplants, shea butter, grapes, and anything spicy. She loves all colors except black.

This name is only for the bold, and I'm not sure I would recommend it for a little child. Oya would be a challenging name to bear because the energy of this goddess is so wild and unpredictable. If you still want to chance it, Oya is a strong name especially fitting for the year 2012.

Website News:

Hey, there is now a Facebook page! It's link is in the sidebar!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oya
http://www.orderwhitemoon.org/goddess/Oya.html
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2012/01/2012-predictions-the-year-of-oya.html

Image Credit:
I don't remember.

Aidan

2012-02-02T16:23:00.000-08:00

This name used to be popular only in Ireland and Scotland. Now it has reached mega popularity, and it just happens to be especially appropriate for Imbolc.

Aidan or Aiden (pronounced "AY-din") is the primary Anglicization of the Irish name Aodhan, a pet form of Aodh. Aodh means "fire," and it was the name of a Celtic sun god. Aodh, or Aed, is the eldest son of Lir, King of the Tuatha de Dannan (a race of people in Irish mythology). According to tradition, Aodh's mother Aobh died in childbirth giving birth to four children: Fionnuala, Aodh, Fiachra, and Conn of the Hundred Battles. Lir's second wife, Aoife, was jealous of the children and wanted them killed. But her servants had great love for the children and refused. As punishment, Aoife cursed the servants to live as swans for 900 years. Aodh grew up to be a minor god of the underworld.

This name is a classic in areas of Europe with a strong Celtic influence. It was given to many members of royalty, including King Aiden of Dalraida and Prince Aeddan ap Blegywyrd. It is also a name used by several saints. There is Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne, and also Saint Maedoc of Ferns who is sometimes known as Aedan.

One well known Neo-Pagan namesake is Aidan Kelly. Aidan Kelly is a Wiccan academic and a poet from America. He was born in 1940, which would have made him a teenager when Wicca was introduced to the world. He became a leader in the Neo-Pagan community while he was studying for his Masters degree in creative writing. A friend of his asked him to compose a ritual as part of an art seminar. It eventually led to Kelly founding his own branch of Wicca: the New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn. Now, Kelly has a bit of a sense of humor. His coven's name is a reference to the famous Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the one that William Butler Yeats was involved with. Kelly was also essential in the formation of the Covenant of the Goddess, which is an organization designed to protect the civil rights of Wiccans in the United States.

Aidan first appeared in the charts in the 1990s and skyrocketed. The name peaked in 2003 at #39. Now it ranks at #94. Realistically, it always takes a very long time for mega popular names to leave the charts completely. And I'm not saying that because I dislike the name. I actually don't dislike Aidan at all. It's all the copycats that I'm not in love with. When it got popular a whole herd of invented rhyming "-adan" names appeared on the charts as well. Kayden, Zaidan, Jaden, you name it, it's been done.

One source is rather insistent that Aidan is historically a unisex name. Unfortunately, there aren't any female namesakes that I can find that backs that up. I've seen it used for girls in modern times on a very occasional basis. Some suggest that the feminine version of Aidan is Eithne. Going back to the masculine, variations of this name include Hayden, Aden, and Ayden.

Aidan is very good for boys that are born on holidays that are associated with fire, like Imbolc. This name does have one practical problem with this name. While writing this post, I kept wanting to spell it Aiden. There are so many spellings of this name that he is going to have to constantly repeat it for others. I wouldn't use the name personally because it is not likely to become obscure again anytime soon. But despite the trendiness, it's a nice name. It has a Witchier past than one might expect.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_(name)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_Kelly
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/aidan

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Paris

2012-01-29T17:59:00.000-08:00

Up until recently, giving this name to a girl would have been very strange. But home many people would think about giving this name to a boy now?

I have yet to find any convincing etymology for Paris (pronounced either "PER-is" or "PAR-is"). It seems like all anybody knows is that it was the name of the man that had a love affair with the already-married Helen thus starting the Trojan War. He is portrayed as being somewhat of a coward in The Iliad, but then again the victors always write history. Paris did manage to kill the great hero Achilles, however. This would make it Greek I suppose, but who knows if it's based on an earlier source.

But when most people think of Paris, they think of the French metropolis. The name of the city does not come from the character in Greek mythology. The name of the city of Paris comes from the tribe that used to live there. The Parisii was a Gaulish tribe that existed during the Ancient Roman Era. Their name for their city was Lutetia. It is believed that the name Parisii comes from the Celtic Gallic word parisio, meaning "the craftsmen" or "the working people." Paris has a reputation for being a mecca of culture and elegance. In England, Paris was used as a surname for people who emigrated from France.

A man named Paris plays a small but important role in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Count Paris is the suitor intended for Juliet Capulet, even though she is secretly married to Romeo. Despite his self absorption and arrogance, he loves Juliet dearly.

Paris once experienced mild popularity in the United States. It charted in the 1880s and then was revived, peaking in the 1990s at #702. But after 2000 it nosedived out of use. What happened? Unfortunately, what happened here is a case of "who is this famous person and why did she ruin my favorite name?" You all know who she is, even if you don't understand why in the world people are interested in her. I might really like Paris if it wasn't for her.

To be fair, Paris was creeping up the charts as a girls name during the 1980s and 1990s. It had a sudden sharp peak in 2004 at #156. It has since wained somewhat, it is now at #327. In 2008 it ranked #379 in Scotland. The Italian form of Paris is Paride. Parisio could also make a great name, and a good option for those that are worried that Paris is now too feminine. At one point, the city of Paris was known as Paname. And you could also use Parisa, although that has a different origin (it's Turkish for "angel," I think).

Honestly, Paris is a bit to foofy for me for either gender. I just think of toy poodles wearing diamond collars when I hear this name. But that just might be Miss Hilton's influence. But if you're looking for elegant, Paris could be for you.

Sources:
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/paris
http://www.behindthename.com/name/paris-1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_Paris

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

River

2012-01-28T14:36:00.000-08:00

River is a popular nature name that rose up the ranks with the help of Hollywood.

The word river is ultimately derived from the Latin word riparius, meaning "of the riverbank." It is one of those hippy coinages from the 1960s that has since become normalized, which would make it about as old as Wicca in America.

There are many famous rivers both in mythology and in the mundane world. In Norse mythology, Elivagar is the name of eleven rivers that existed in Ginnungagap at the beginning of the world. The River Styx is a place that you will only find in Greek mythology, and that's where you meet the ferryman Charon who will take you across to the land of the dead. The Ganges River is the must sacred river in India, personified by the Hindu goddess Ganga. The Nile River was of great importance for the Ancient Egyptians because they depended on it's annual flooding for farming.

This vocabulary word entered "naminess" thanks to American actor River Phoenix. Believe it or not, the name he was born with was River Bottom. Well, River Jude Bottom. His parents named him River after the river in Herman Hesse's novel Siddartha. It sounds almost charming, like a Mark Twain character, but I can totally understand why it was changed. His sibling's names were Rain, Juaquin, Liberty, and Summer. River Phoenix became a teen idol most well known for the 1986 film Stand By Me, but he died from a drug induced heart failure in the early 1990s. In a way, his untimely death did a lot for his name.

As a boy's name, River has been rising since the 1990s. It is now at #436. Originally, it was only considered to be a boy's name, but a character from a television show may be changing all that. In the science fiction show Firefly and the film Serenity, River Tam is a gifted and mysterious teenager who takes refuge in the transport ship. The show premiered in 2002. And then it was given to a female character in Doctor Who, which added to the nerdy appeal. For girls, it first appeared in the top 1,000 in 2009 and now ranks at #972. You could use words that mean "river" in other languages as variations like Riviera and Riviere.

River is a lovely water element name that is both strong and gentle. I can certainly see it appealing to Neo-Pagan peoples. A religious factor would not be immediately apparent in this name, but there is a very strong love of nature conveyed in River.

Sources:
http://etymonline.com/?term=river
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elivagar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges
http://www.nancy.cc/2011/03/10/what-was-river-phoenixs-birth-name/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Phoenix
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/river
http://firefly.wikia.com/wiki/River_Tam

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Orion

2012-01-27T21:50:00.000-08:00

The name of this ancient mythical hero is enjoying increasing use.

Orion (pronounced "oh-RIY-ohn") is a figure from Ancient Greek mythology. No one is quite sure where the name comes from, but there is some speculation. It could be based off of the Akkadian term Ura-anna, meaning "the light of heaven."

There are several conflicting myths about Orion. Surprisingly, there isn't much official information about him. He was first referenced as a great hunter in Homer's The Odyssey, in which Odysseus sees Orion's spirit in the underworld. Ovid wrote a poem about Orion's birth, but that is really the only piece of ancient literature written about him. We know that he was particularly venerated in Boeotia, which is where Orion was supposedly born. In one version, he is the son of Poseidon (god of the seas) and Euryale. Because of his parentage, he could walk on water. He once got drunk and attacked Merope, which led to him being blinded by her father. Luckily, Helios (who is the sun) restored his sight. He was either slain by Artemis (because Orion threatened to kill every beast on earth) or by the scorpion that became the constellation Scorpio.

Aside from perhaps The Big Dipper, Orion is the most well recognized constellation in the the skies. The layman is especially adept at pointing out Orion's Belt, which is three bright stars in a row. It is believed that the constellation depicts him with a bow and arrow, although older depictions show him with a club. The star Sirius is believed to be his dog. Other cultures have different interpretations of the constellation. The Ancient Egyptians believed it was Osiris. The Babylonians called him "The Heavenly Shepard." In Old Hungarian tradition he is known as Nimrod, a giant hunter and father to Hun and Hungarian. The Chinese simply dubbed it Shen, literally meaning "three." The Ojibwa Native Americans called this constellation "The Winter Maker," because it's appearance in the night sky herald's the beginning of winter.

This name is often given to instruments used for astronomy and space exploration. Orion of Thebes was a scholar that lived in Ancient Egypt. Orion is the name of Sirius Black's father in the Harry Potter series, falling into the family's tradition of celestial names. There is a song that I enjoy listening to around Yuletide called "Bold Orion" by Susan Mckeown and Lindsey Horner.

It experienced modest use in the late 1800s, but it has come back with a vengeance. It now ranks at #466, and it's showing no signs of falling any time soon. Some attribute the growth to the fact that it's a sound-alike to the popular boy's name Ryan.

Orion is a great name. It's popularity would be a benefit for people who don't want to broadcast their Paganess to the world. At the same time, Orion's popularity (along with that of Athena and Isis) could help normalize other names that come from mythology.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Orion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(mythology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(constellation)
http://babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/orion

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Fiona

2012-01-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

Fiona is a lovely name most associated with Ireland, but it's roots are a little more complicated than that.

Fiona (pronounced "fee-OH-nah") is a relatively new name with debatable origins. It was invented and first used by a Scottish poet named James Macpherson. It is generally believed that it is a Latinized version of the Gaelic word fionn, meaning "fair," "white," or "clear." However, it could also be a variation of the Irish language name Fiona or the Scottish Gaelic name Fionnghal.

The cycle of epic poems that James Macpherson used the name for is called Ossian. They were published in 1761. He claimed that it was a translation of Ancient Gaelic works, but he never produced the original sources. For that reason many believe that he wrote the poems himself after being inspired by Irish mythology. Nevertheless, the poems are well loved and were highly influential in their day. They achieved international success (Thomas Jefferson was a fan) and was hailed as the Celtic equivalent of The Odyssey.

Fiona has many fictional namesakes. Perhaps the most obvious is Princess Fiona from the Shrek movies, proving that a princess doesn't need to be from Disney in order to inspire parents. There are also a few Fiona's from children's literature, including a character from Lois Lowry's The Giver and Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. Fiona McLaren is also the main female character in the Broadway musical Brigadoon. There are also many real life namesakes, mostly from Britain and Scotland. But American singer Fiona Apple comes to mind right away. The 19th century Scottish writer William Sharp chose Fiona Macleod as a pen name.

Most people attribute the growth of this name to Shrek, but the name was steadily growing before that. It first showed up in the American top 1,000 in the 1990s. Right now it ranks at #257, which is the highest it has ever been. It is also a favorite in other countries. In 2008 it ranked #49 in Germany, #99 in Canada, #207 in Scotland, and #295 in Norway. In New York City, it is especially popular amongst families of Asian or Pacific Island decent, which strikes me as incredibly odd and I don't know what the reason for that would be.

If the constant association with the princess is going to annoy you than I would stay away from this name. However, it is a beautiful name that has been given to daughters for almost a century now, so it is pretty well integrated. It's a great Wicca-lite name for those that love all things Celtic.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiona
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Fiona
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/fiona

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Sage

2012-01-23T11:48:00.000-08:00

The novelty of our first snow storm in years faded pretty quickly when we were left without electricity, Internet, phone lines, and heat for two and a half days (and not just me, everyone in my county lost power). Our Internet is still down, I am writing this from the library. So if you've been wondering about the lack of updates, that's why. Anyway, continuing onto our Wicca-lite theme month, let's move on to Sage. My home Internet problems mean that this post didn't save the first time and I have to write it all over again, which is not even slightly annoying (GRR!).

Sage's (pronounced "SAYJ") two uses, as a plant and as a term for a wise person, have different etymologies but they both ultimately derive from Latin. The word sage as in the plant comes from the word salvus, meaning "healthy" or "safe." Sage as an adjective comes from sapere, meaning "to have good taste" or "to be wise."

The term sage can be applied to a number of plants, but when most people talk about it they mean salvia officinalis. This plant originated in the Mediterranean area, but now it can be found almost anywhere in the world. Sage has a long history of practical applications. When cooked it has a slightly peppery taste and it has been used to flavor meat, cheese, and sauces. It is one of the major herbs used in turkey stuffing for the Thanksgiving holiday. As for medicinal purposes, sage has been proven to be effective as a antibiotic, anti sweating agent, antifungal, estrogenic, astringent, antispasmotic, hypoglycemic, and tonic. Sage has also successfully treated mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. This plant in recent years has been used for ornamental purposes. Appearance can vary greatly in size, leaf and flower color. Lavender flowers are the most common, but they can also be white or pink.

Sage is the spiritual spackle of the Neo-Pagan world. They are most commonly used for smudge sticks, which are a bundle of leaves wrapped into a wand shape. The smudge stick is then burned, and the smoke is spread throughout a house or some other space in order to banish negative energy or supernatural entities. Anyone who enjoys watching reality television shows that feature haunted houses have seen someone using sage in this way. Sage has also been used to heal snakebites and increase female fertility.

Of course, Sage could also be used as a virtue name. Being a sage person is an admirable quality. The word can be used as both an adjective and a noun. A Sage can be a title for a wise person, a mystic, or a prophet. In Plato's Symposium, he explained the difference between a philosopher and a sage. A philosopher seeks great wisdom, a sage has already attained it.

So is this name Wicca-lite? Depends on which gender you give it to. As a girls name it peaked in 2004 at #361 and now rests at #471. It does chart as a boy's name, but it's much lower. It peaked in 2003 at #610 and is now at #813. It is also fairly common as a surname, and variations include Saige and Sayge.

I really love Sage a lot. I personally prefer this name for boys, but it is equally beautiful for either gender. Sage is a simple, wise, and lovely name for the magickally inclined.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=sage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvia_officinalis
http://www.thewiccanway.org/herbs.html
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/sage

Image Credit:
http://blessedwildapplegirl.tumblr.com/

Dakota

2012-01-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

Despite some debate against using this name, Dakota has come to embody the rustic American West.

Dakota (pronounced "dah-KOH-tah") is a Lakota/Sioux word meaning "the allies." My understanding is that Dakota (sometimes spelled Dakotah) is the name of two out of three different ethnic groups within the Sioux tribe. There is the Eastern Dakota (also known as the Santee) and the Western Dakota (also known as the Yankton-Yanktonai). The third group is the Lakota. Lakota comes from the same language and means the same thing.

The earliest recordings state that the Dakotas were originally living at the source of the Mississippi River, but eventually they migrated. The Sioux were well known for dominating the Northern Plains region, mostly in what is now the Dakotas, Minnesoda, Nebraska, Montana, and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Culturally, they had pretty much all of the trappings of what people think about when they think of Native Americans. They had tepees, feathers in their hair, and horses. They are featured in films like Dances With Wolves and Thunderheart.

Their relationship with White men was turbulent, to put it mildly. By the late 1700s they were trading fur with the French settlers. Then throughout the 1850s treaty violations and late or unfair annuity payments caused increasing hardship and starvation amongst the Dakota people. The trader's refused to issue them any more credit, and one trader named Andrew Myrick said, "If they're hungry, let them eat grass." This led to the Dakota War of 1862, in which Dakotas attacked and murdered white settlers. 303 Native Americans were found guilty of rape and murder and sentenced to hang in the largest mass execution in United States history. Other conflicts include Red Cloud's War, the Great Sioux War of 1876-77, and most famously the Wounded Knee Massacre.

This name also belongs to two American states: North Dakota and South Dakota. South Dakota is the home of Mount Rushmore. As far as human namesakes go, most people will associate it with young American actress Dakota Fanning, who has recently been overshadowed by her younger sister Elle Fanning (interesting fact, they both go by their middle names).

There is some debate over whether the popularity of this name is appropriate. Most families that use this name are Caucasian, which some Native Americans see as being disrespectful. Clearly their objection applies to all tribe names, but Dakota is the name that is often specifically talked about. That makes sense when you think about that particular tribe's past with White men. However, the name is not controversial enough for people to stop using it. For girls it peaked in 2006 at #191 and is now #287. For boys it peaked in the 1990s at #81 and is now #293. As of 2008 it also ranked #191 for girls and #310 in Canada and, oddly, #400 in Scotland for girls.

Dakota is not exactly my tastes, but I can see the appeal. It points back to a time in which America was wild and untamed terrain. Only the namer can decide whether or not the controversy is enough to avoid it.

Sources:
http://www.native-languages.org/wrongnames.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_(given_name)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sioux
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/dakota

Image Credit:
http://www.kissthegroom.com/

A Response to "What You're Child's Name Says About You"

2012-01-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

So this article has been making the rounds around baby name blogs called "What You're Child's Name Says About You." I wasn't offended by it, but I thought it was slightly ridiculous. Apparently I'm not the only one.

I agree that a child's name says more about the parents than it does about the child. But the rest of the article is just silly. It reminds me of those Internet quizzes that I used to take when I was in high school like "Which mythical creature are you?" or "What city should you live in?" The assumptions of the article are too simplistic.

Let's take a look at the author's assumptions and my response:

If you're child has an unusual name, you crave the spotlight.

I disagree with this opinion for two reasons. One is that the term "unusual name" is so porous that it could literally mean anything depending on who you ask. Secondly, I don't believe for two seconds that people give unusual names to their children to get attention, especially not the type of judgemental attention that Pilot Inspektor, Apple, and Kal-El got.

I'll be the first to admit that I have a fairly unusual taste in names. I would not be giving these names to my children so that it would get a reaction from other people besides, "Oh, how lovely!" I would give these names to my children in order to bring as much inspiration into my family life as possible, and I couldn't possibly care less what anyone else thinks about that. Therefore, if you're child has an unusual name, you dare to be different. But that description was given to another group of people in the article...

If you're child has an old-fashioned name, you're on the conservative side.

Again, "old-fashioned" could mean anything! And the examples she used (Agnes, Homer, and Tabitha) don't strike me as being conservative at all. Instead, I would assume that they wanted names with historical gravitas.

I can understand the conservative tag if we're talking about George, Elizabeth, and William. But Isadora, Leocadie, and Alphonsus? Not so much.

If you choose a creative spelling, you dare to be different.

No. If you choose a creative spelling (and we're not talking about Isobel instead of Isabelle, she means Cyreniti instead of Serenity), you don't like to read.

This reminds me of a anecdote on a baby name website told be a teacher. She said (and I'm paraphrasing from memory here) that whenever she looks at the call list and finds a name like Aayden, she inwardly groans. Because she knows that the family that child comes from does not value phonics. And low and behold, she finds that the child is a terrible reader and writer. I believe every word that she says and not what some other sources say, that teachers give children with strange names worse grades just because of their names.

If you look at the list I made of real witchlets, you will notice that there is a complete lack of kre8tively spelled names. Journalist Margot Adler conducted a survey of Neo-Pagans for her book Drawing Down the Moon. Do you know what quality all Neo-Pagans have in common? A love of reading.

If you choose a family name, you're sentimental.

I suppose that's possible, but I don't think that's the case most of the time. I think either they value tradition or they were pressured to conform to tradition. But that could be my baggage flaring up again. It depends on why they picked the family name.

A pop culture name means that you're looking for a confidence boost.

This is the only one that I actually agree with. Nobody names their children after icons they don't like, unless they weren't aware that the person or character existed. They do it because they believe that the namesake has favorable qualities. Whether or not this works out in the long term is not something people can control.

If you name a child after a destination, you're adventurous.

...What? That theory that people who use place names are world travelers is such nonsense. People who watch samurai movies don't all love to fight.

If you go with a unisex name, you focus on success.

If by "unisex" she means "traditionally masculine names on girls" then I agree. People may give these types of names to girls because of the belief that it will help them do better in the workplace because guess what? Men do better in the workplace. Meanwhile, a man can't name his son Meredith without the naming police getting on his case. I believe someone who gives their son a unisex name like Juniper may be focusing on emotional success. Making sure that he is nurturing an introspective, qualities traditionally associated with women. But when most people say "successful," they're referring to careers.

I encourage you to read the original article and draw you're own conclusions. What do you think?

Penelope

2012-01-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

This name is well known for belonging to a loyal wife in The Odyssey, but nowadays there are a lot more bearers.

Penelope (pronounced "peh-NEHL-eh-pee") is a Greek name with a somewhat debatable meaning. A lot of sources will say that it means "weaver" because of the Greek word pene, meaning "thread on a bobbin." If you know Penelope's role in The Odyssey, that meaning makes sense. But there is also the word penelops, which is a type of duck. According to legend, when Penelope was left to die as an infant she was fed and protected by a duck.

In Homer's The Odyssey, Penelope is the Queen of Ithaca and the wife of Odysseus. Shortly after giving birth to their only son Telemakhos, Odysseus was called to fight in the Trojan War. Penelope waits twenty years for his return. During this time, she has the difficult task of fighting off marriage proposals from 108 suitors. She pretends to weave a burial shroud for Odysseus' late father Laertes, and tells the suitors that she will pick a mate after she is finished. Every night for eight years, she undos part of the shroud. This goes well until one of her maids discovers this and blabs to the men.

One day a beggar arrives at her house, and she tells her story to him. She also says that she has decided that whoever can string Odysseus' ridged bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe shafts will have her hand in marriage. There is some literary debate as to whether or not Penelope is aware that the beggar is Odysseus in disguise. But in any case, Odysseus is the only one able to string the bow and shoot the arrow. After this, he slaughters all the suitors, and the family is reunited. Penelope has traditionally been seen as a symbol of fidelity within marriage. I can tell you this, Odysseus wasn't nearly as loyal to her as she was to him. Does the name Calypso ring a bell, Odysseus?

This used to be among the names that I would pick for a future daughter. My problem is that I started loving this name the same time everyone else started loving this name. Some attribute the growth to the movie Penelope, a fantasy romance about a girl with the nose of a pig. But I thought that movie got horrible reviews and didn't do very well in the box office (I liked it, but still). I think it's rise in popularity has more to do with Penelope Cruz, the gorgeous Spanish actress. The name did experience a spike in popularity during the 1940s, but it is now the highest in the top American 1,000 that it has ever been before at #200. Variations include Penelopa, Penina, Pipitsa, Popi, Pinelopi, Peniel, Pelicia, Peni, Penna, Pennie, and Penny. You could also use Nellie or Nell as a nickname.

After a quick google search, it looks as though Penelope is a popular magickal name, or at least a lot of Neo-Pagans are using it online. It's a beautiful name with a clunky, bookish grace to it. It might be too popular for me at the moment, but I would love to meet a Penelope in real life.

Sources:
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/penelope
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Penelope
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Name Round-Up: Dinotopia

2012-01-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

This is getting pathetic. I'm only did four names in my Wicca-lite theme month, and I'm already feeling like I just can't take it anymore. Therefore, I'm taking a short break back into strangeville.

Dinotopia has been a major influence in my life. I'm completely serious. I mean, think about it. Obviously the dinosaurs would appeal to any human child, but it also has beautiful designs that are inspired by multiculturalism and nature. The whole idea of the series is that every human on Dinotopia is a descendant of someone who was shipwrecked there, so you can see that each of the cultures put a stamp on the design of the cities and towns. Also, the dinosaurs are not their pets. They're intelligent beings with equal citizenship. So all of the places are built with animals in mind. The series is written and illustrated by the awesome James Gurney, and I have seen a gallery of the full sized paintings used in these books and they're enthralling.

The series also features some pretty great names. These are from Dinotopia, The World Beneath, and Journey to Chandara. Figuring out which ones are humans and which ones are dinosaurs might be a little harder than you think:

Bix
Arthur
Will
Sylvia
Giorgio
Maria
Alec
Lee
Tok
Malik
Enit
Nallab
Koro
Brokehorn
Grayback
Lightwing
Oolu
Bracken
Fiddlehead
Bigtusk
Moraine
Dorsolith
Seco
Paddlefoot
Magnolia
Draco
Highjump
Norah
Melanie
Claw
Cirrus
Nimbus
Hylo
Petra
Levka
Almaron
Myops
Oriana
Strongbrow
Zeke
Lawana
Meg
Ogthar
Standtall
Fireblood
Copperjaw
Stinktooth
Almestra
Gruff
Duff
Tatania
Goldsworthy
Elias
Augustus
Acanthus
Sima
Fleuron
Igneus
Paolo
Willi
Cornelius
Henriette
Sander
Keebo
Martha
Kamba
Muhimmi
Beeber
Nibor
Sacul
Zemango
Ishten
Sita
Shalashu
Erbettu
Schoty
Soroban
Pavimentum
Ilya
Olga
Valentina
Ivan
Haber
Dasher
Virdis
Vestus
Tarjik
Kotoman
Elly
Menga
Bellina
Kiri
Ogwan-Jay
Zephyr
Vanna
Shoo
Rita Rose
Jeffer

Image Credit:
http://images.wikia.com/dinotopia/images/4/48/Morning_in_treetown.jpg

Arthur

2012-01-11T17:42:00.000-08:00

Like many Wicca-lite names, Arthur seems normal enough but has a long history.

The etymology of Arthur (pronunciation "AHR-thur" if you speak English, in other languages it can also be "ar-TUYR" or "AHR-toor") is a little bit mysterious. It could be derived from the Celtic elements artos, meaning either "bear" or "stone," combined with either viros, meaning "man," or rigos, meaning "king." It could be derived from Artorius, an obscure Latin name. It could also be a variant of the Old German name Arnthor, meaning "Thor, the eagle."

But a theory that has been gaining a following amongst scholars is that Arthur comes from the stars. Thy hypothesis is that Arthur is derived from Arcturus, which is the name of the brightest star in the constellation Bootes, which is near Ursa Major (the "Great Bear"). Arcturus is the Latin form of the Greek Arktouros, meaning "guardian of the bear."

The most famous namesake is King Arthur from Arthurian legend, who presided over the Knights of the Round Table. Some believe that King Arthur is based on a real person who lived sometime in the 5th or 6th century. According to Medieval texts, he is responsible for defending Britain against the Saxons. His story varies widely from text to text, so it's hard to pin down historical facts. Most of what we know of King Arthur comes from Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, a fanciful book published in the 1100s. This book introduced many of the key characters and plot points that we now recognize: his father Uther Pendragon, his wife Guinevere, Merlin the wizard, his sword Excalibur, his final battle with Mordred, and his final rest in Avalon. No matter what the history is, King Arthur is a very popular icon. He has long been associated with idealistic qualities like chivalry and purity.

The name Arthur came into general use during the Middle Ages when Arthurian romances became popular. It also enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 1800s due to the Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, who is credited with vanquishing Napoleon. Therefore, there are a lot of namesakes for Arthur, and it's even a popular name for English royalty. But one namesake is particularly important for Neo-Pagan culture: Arthur Miller.

The year after the last of King James I's Witchcraft Acts were being repealed in England, Arthur Miller's stage drama The Crucible premiered on Broadway in 1952. The play is a not-historically-accurate portrayal of the Salem Witch Trials. Of course, The Crucible is not really about the Salem Witch Trials. It was meant to draw a parallel between that time period and McCarthyism, which would have been going strong at the time. The initial reception for the play ranged from mixed reviews from people who believed that it didn't live up to his earlier work Death of a Salesman, to downright hostility. A few years after, Miller himself was questioned by the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities. Nevertheless, the The Crucible won a Tony Award for Best Play, and became a classic. Some Neo-Pagans believe that without this play, the Neo-Pagan movement would have a harder time achieving what would come later. The Crucible helped people see what the Salem Witch Trials for what it was, hysteria gone out of control.

Not only has this name never left the American top 1,000, it has never left the American top 500. It was most popular in the 1880s at #14, and has been steadily trickling down since then. This might make the name feel old to some people. But right now it ranks #389, which is still pretty well used. It is also popular around the world. In 2008 it ranked #6 in Belgium, #7 in Armenia, #79 in Quebec, #266 in Norway, #294 in Canada, and #330 in Scotland. Arthur is a classic. Variations include Arturo, Artair, Artor, Artturi, Artus, Arthwr, Artie, and Art.

Arthur is a sweet, noble boy's name. There are a few Neo-Pagans with this name, but I'm not sure if it's their magickal names that they chose themselves or the names that they're born with. But it doesn't really matter. Arthur effortlessly belongs to both the magickal and the mundane.

Sources:
http://www.behindthename.com/name/arthur
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Arthur
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/arthur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft_Act_1563
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crucible

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Jade

2012-01-08T21:36:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with our top 500 most popular names theme, today we will cover the Wicca-lite but still exotic name Jade.

I've read that one baby name book listed the meaning of Jade as "priceless one." Whoever wrote that book is an idiot. Jade (pronounced JAYD), also sometimes spelled jaid or jadeite, is an Old French word derived from the Spanish term piedra de ijada, meaning "loin stone." This name comes from the belief that jades could help heal ailments of the loins or kidneys. In some countries, this gem is simply known by a more unimaginative name: "greenstone." As that name would suggest, jade is most well known for being green. However, they can also come in a creamy white, blue, lavender, and pink.

When I think of jade, the culture that pops into my head immediately is Ancient China. They have been mining jade since 6000 BC. The importance of jade in this culture is comparable to gold or diamonds in Western cultures. They were used to make both ceremonial and utilitarian objects. The Chinese thought this stone would give them inspiration and quickness of mind, as well as purity and serenity. There are also many references to jade being a symbol of love. It's an old Chinese tradition for a prospective bride to give her betrothed a gift of a jade butterfly in order to seal their engagement. Then, the prospective groom would give her a gift made from jade before the wedding. The stone was also highly esteemed by the Maori's of New Zealand. To this day, jade in New Zealand is protected under the Treaty of Waitangi, which means that it's exploitation is strictly monitored. Jade artifacts have also been found in Ancient Mayan cities.

Aside from curing ailments of the loins, this gem is believed to have other magickal abilities. Some people wear jade in the belief that it will help the body heal itself while working on underlining problems that cause disease in the first place. Many ancient cultures thought that jade helped heal eye ailments. Wearing jade while gardening supposedly improves the health of the plants.

Most Americans will associate this name with girls, but it's actually unisex. Jade appeared in the top 1,000 as a boy's name in the distant past. It peaked in the 1990s at #848. However, if you want to give it to a girl it's going to be Wicca-lite. It peaked in 2002 at #86, and now rests at #115. There are also many lady Jade's worldwide. In 2008 it ranked #6 in Quebec, #9 in France, #27 in Belgium, #44 in Australia, #78 in Ireland, and #242 in Scotland. Variations include Jada, Jayde, and Jaden.

Personally, I like Jade a lot. I would like it a little better if it wasn't so popular, but that's just my tastes acting up. Jade certainly has witchy appeal, but it is very integrated into "muggle" culture. Unless, of course, you give it to a boy.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/jade
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/stones/stonef-j.htm

Image Credit:
http://www.enchanteddoll.com/

Samantha

2012-01-04T00:05:00.000-08:00

Dear television professionals,

It has come to our attention that there is a remake of the 1960's television show Bewitched in the works. I am sure that you all believe that this is a fail proof plan given the recent success of some other remakes like Hawaii Five-O (which is is due to it featuring sexy men making sexy poses and, oh yeah, crime is involved somehow). If you plan on keeping Bewitched in it's retro time frame, it will ride on the coattails of other stylish shows like Mad Men and Pan Am. I hate to be a party-pooper, but on behalf of the Neo-Pagan community I'm going to let you know that we're dubious.

Perhaps you are not aware of what a history making and vitally important television show this was for us. But first let's start with the name of it's heroine, Samantha. No one is quite sure where Samantha (pronounced "sah-MAN-thah") came from, but it's believed to have been invented in America sometime in the late 1700s. It seems like a pretty good bet that it's a feminine form of Samuel, a Hebrew name meaning "God helps." Also, the suffix -antha is Greek for "flower." In the year before Bewitched aired in 1963, Samantha was a complete obscurity. The original writers of Bewitched knew that this character couldn't have any ordinary name. They were looking for something that was quirky and unusual, and Samantha fit the bill. On 1964, Bewitched premiered on television and the name skyrocketed into a classic almost immediately. It peaked in the 1990s all the way up to #4, and in 2010 it ranked #15.

Around this time, Wicca was just starting to be introduced to America. So although this new movement had been making headlines in the United Kingdom for a decade or so before hand, it had not yet penetrated into the American consciousness. Therefore Bewitched, a comedy about a witch trying to lead the life of a normal suburban housewife, isn't really about Witchcraft. Instead, Samantha embodies the bubbling feminist tensions of the early 1960s while she struggles to be the "perfect" wife by denying who she is.

Nevertheless, the show wound up being eerily prophetic. For example, the first season featured an episode called "The Witches Are Out." In this episode, Samantha and her witch committee are trying to combat negative images associated with witches. Meanwhile, a client of her husband Darrin wants his Halloween candy represented by an ugly, wart-nosed witch. When Samantha stumbles upon Darrin's illustrations, she is shocked and appalled. Darrin doesn't understand her reaction, but changes it to a sexy witch anyways. The client shoots down the idea, but has a change of heart after he is visited during the night by protest-sign-carrying witches. Not only was this one of the first media pieces that presented witches as a minority group, it was one of the first television shows to tackle issues like intolerance and prejudice before it was considered acceptable to do so. A decade later, real Neo-Pagans like Laurie Cabot made headlines for staging similar protests to the one depicted in "The Witches Are Out."

So now I'm going to explain why remaking this show might not be the best idea in the world. If you are going to feature Witchcraft and magick in you're stories it is best if a) the author is incredibly familiar with Neo-Paganism or b) the Witch is a fantasy figure symbolizing something else. I can understand how Neo-Paganism might be rich, virgin territory for television, ripe for exploitation. But, like an actual virgin, once you have us you have no idea what to do with us. This has become abundantly clear in shows like True Blood and The Secret Circle, where there is no clear firewall between fantasy Witches and real Witches. There was no such temptation in the early 1960s.

Don't get me wrong, we really hope you succeed. We hope that you blow all our expectations out of the water and get the tone of the show just right. But we kind of doubt it. We can only hope that you are aware of what a burden of responsibility you will have in attempting to breath new life into our Samantha.

Blessed Be,

The Neo-Pagan community (via Isadora Vega)

Sources:
http://www.babynamewizard.com/archives/2010/7/samantha-the-ultimate-new-classic
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2011/08/witchcraft-and-television.html
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Samantha
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/samantha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bewitched

Image Credit:
http://nadyalevphoto.com/

Griffin

2012-01-03T21:44:00.000-08:00

I'm a cheerleader for the strange names. We all know that. But according to this small sample, most Neo-Pagans choose subtler names for their children. So for one month, or for however long I last, I'm going to profile names in the American top 500. Hey, I'm just going by what I see in the greater Neo-Pagan community. Let's find the magickal in the mundane, hmm?

Griffin (pronounced "GRIH-fin") is a name with somewhat debatable meaning. Some list it as a Latin name meaning "hooked nose." In Ireland, the name is often associated with the Welsh name Griffith, which depending on who you ask means either "red" or "prince." What is not debatable is that the griffin is also a mythical creature.

Griffins are depicted with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Sometimes they are portrayed without wings, and these creatures might be given rather odd names like alces or keythongs. It's considered to be the king of all creatures. Some people believe that the creature was born from misconstruing the fossils of dinosaurs found in modern day Kazakhstan. Griffin imagery was most common in Ancient Greece, but there are depictions dating to Ancient Egypt and the creature is probably Persian originally. A similar creature called the hippogriff is said to be the offspring of a griffin and a horse. Griffins are revered for being bold and courageous fighters. It is considered to be a protector from evil.

The creature was adopted by the Christians. It was believed that griffins mated for life, and when their mate died they would not find another. This went nicely with the early Church's stance against remarriage. They also took the hippogriff as a symbol for Jesus, because they are half earthly and half divine. This is why both creatures can be found in Churches. There are several well known statues of griffins like the one in London, the one in Pisa, and the one in Persepolis. This creature is often common in heraldry. If you have a griffin in your coat of arms, it means that you had an ancestor that was strong and courageous, and probably served in the military.

I was heartbroken to see that Griffin has become so well used. I have loved that name ever since I read Griffin and Sabine as a child. It was calculated that in 2000 Griffin was the 114th most common surname in America. That probably is the largest contributing factor to it's popularity as a first name, as they are currently in fashion. Although it had a small amount of popularity in the 1880s, it's peak was in 2010 at #231. For some reason it is especially popular in Vermont and New Hampshire. it's used even more in Canada, in 2008 it ranked #124. Variations include Gyphon, Gryffin, and Gryffen. Griff is also sometimes listed, but I would advise against it. "Griff" is an old term for a mulatto person who looks mostly Caucasian. It isn't always used in the nicest fashion. But to be fair, I'm not sure how many people are familiar with that term anymore.

There are many famous namesakes that have Griffin as a surname, but there are a lot less that bear it as a first name. One exception is a fictional character from a science fiction classic, Griffin is the main character in The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. I've read in on source that one set of parents were concerned by this name's connection to the television show Family Guy, but decided it wasn't enough to stop loving the name.

Griffin is a great name for those looking for a strong, Wicca-lite name. It's integrated enough that no one will know that the family is Neo-Pagan just from looking at it. But at the same time, it's deeply linked to our mythical past.

Website News:

I've been toying with the idea of starting a facebook page for this site (If I can figure out how, you would think that facebook would have a how-to page, but no). Would you like it if I did that?

Sources:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Griffin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin_(surname)
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/griffin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

2011 Pagan Name of the Year: The Winner

2011-12-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

So how are you guys liking the winners so far? While I would have loved a bigger turnout of nominations, this was a process I enjoyed.

Names are not just a pleasing combinations of letters, they reflect upon our culture. And culture can change an awful lot in the course of a year. I've considered many names, deciding which one encapsulates Neo- Pagan culture for the year of 2011. This year's winner was also not voted for, so it's likely to be a surprise for some people. So, without further adieu, the 2011 Pagan Name of the Year is...

Columbia

I've mentioned before that in 2011 Neo-Pagans have been feeling a little anxious. This is due in no small part to a small but increasingly influential sect of Christianity known as the New Apostolic Reformation.

The goal of the NAR is to change America into their version of a theocratic Christian nation. And throughout this year they have specifically targeted the Neo-Pagan community. It involved organizing "prayer warriors" around the nation to "change the spiritual atmosphere over DC forever" by conducting "spiritual warfare." They have many friends amongst the republican candidates for President, including Rick Perry. They believe that the fact that our nation's capital is called the District of Columbia is proof that the country is taken over by Satan, because they believe all feminine deities are demonic. They want it renamed the District of Christ.

Columbia is not an ancient Pagan goddess. It's a poetic name for America based on the surname of Christopher Columbus. During the Revolutionary War, Columbia first appeared as a quasi-mythical person in a poem by Phillis Wheatley. She became a personification of the Americas, similar to Uncle Sam. See, this is the sort of thing that happens when you have bigotry against other religions without actually knowing anything about other religions. But, if you insist, we'll make her one.

In retaliation, our community has launched the Hail Columbia movement. As Time Magazine says, this was the year of ordinary people taking a stand against injustice. To Neo-Pagans living in America, Columbia has transformed into a goddess of religious freedom. The organizer of the Hail Columbia movement stated that, "Columbia represents the freedoms on which America is founded. She encourages us to protect what has been won and beckons us onward to expand freedoms, including religious liberty in a peaceful and pluralistic society."

Those that study Ancient times can find all sorts of instances in which transformed as time went on or were born from cultural change. Greek gods changed into Roman gods. Human beings like Jesus and Buddha change into gods. People tend to forget that religious evolution includes the present.

Columbia is the Pagan Name of the Year because she changed into a magickal presence when we needed her. I could think of no more dramatic transformation than that.

So, what do you think? Do you agree with the winners? Would you like to do this again next year? I would!

Here's to a new year of naming ahead!

Sources:
http://hailcolumbia.us/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/tag/new-apostolic-reformation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_(name)

Image Credit:
http://images.wikia.com/crysis/images/8/81/Gold_Medal.jpg

2011 Pagan Name of the Year: 1st Runner Up

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Neo-Pagan subculture might be different from "Muggle" culture, but that doesn't mean that we live under rocks. The name in second place takes that into account.

Seven

When David and Victoria Beckham introduced their new born daughter Harper Seven Beckham in July, some people were slightly surprised that they picked something so common for the first slot. She is, in fact, named after Harper Lee of To Kill a Mockingbird fame which is one of Victoria's favorite books. Seven is the number on David's football jersey, but that wasn't the main reason it was picked. In an interview David said, "The reason behind Seven is that it symbolizes spiritual perfection and is a lucky number around the world."

To give you an idea as to how much times have changed, when Erykah Badu gave this name to her son in 1997 it was almost universally sneered at. But Badu is a bit more eccentric and, let's face it, she doesn't enjoy the same influence over fashion that Mrs. Posh Spice does. Reception for Harper Seven was generally positive or ambivalent.

What does that have to do with the Neo-Pagan community? Well, there is no question that numbers have great religious significance in many cultures, but not many people would consider them for name inspiration. And despite some belief to the contrary, no Witchy parents are naming their children Fflamddwyn Bitterwind Elf King (but if I meet one I'll tell you). They tend to give their children less conspicuous names while perhaps saving the uninhibited names for themselves.

Although I'm less than thrilled by America's obsession with famous people's children, they can help make some lovely but unusual names more accessible. Think about what happened to Shiloh a few years back. And if one number is used for a name, why not more? Eleven featured prominently this year as well on 11/11/11. Five is one of the children on the reality television show 9 by Design. Would Neo-Pagans feel compelled to place Thirteen in the middle slot?

The Beckhams might not be one of us, but they used their position as trendsetters to promote a truly magickal name.

Tomorrow I unveil the 2011 Pagan Name of the Year! See you then!

Sources:
http://www.namecandy.com/celebrity-baby-names/blog/2011/07/10/beckham-baby-name-revealed-harper-seven-beckham
http://www.digitalspy.com/celebrity/news/a330130/david-beckham-reveals-meaning-behind-harper-seven-name.html

Image Credit:
http://www.justawardmedals.com/v/vspfiles/photos/ssm62-2T.jpg

2011 Pagan Name of the Year: 2nd Runner Up

2011-12-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Our fourth place winner of Pagan Name of the Year was plucked from the headlines. Our second runner up is inspired by the conclusion of a well loved work of fiction.

Hallow

The first fear I had about this competition was that no one would participate. The second fear I had was that I would get a bazillion nominations for Harry Potter names that didn't have a chance of winning. I mean, you guys all know that I'm all about the Potter, right? But Harry, Hermione, Luna, Sirius, and Draco? They're great names, but they're all yesterday's news, bro. Hallow, however, is not.

2011 marked the end of an era when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was released in theaters around the world. If you're a Potter fan, you known that the Deathly Hallows are three magical objects that when combined make the owner a master over death. Later, Hallow starts appearing on baby name blogs as a suggestion for children born during the Samhain/Halloween season. I swear I had never seen it listed before then. Is that a strange coincidence, or were they inspired by the movie without even realizing it?

Girls names that end with an "o" sound might be the next big thing. Hallow falls into the same vein as Marlow, Harlow, Shiloh, and Willow. Hallow even has the benefit of being a surname. And lest you think I'm ignoring the boys, names like Franco and Milo have made great strides in recent years, along with many traditional Spanish names. So the timing seems right for Hallow.

It might be a bit presumptuous to think that the title of the last Harry Potter book will inspire namesakes, but I can definitely see Hallow catching on for Neo-Pagans. Many call the Witch's New Year "Hallows" just out of convenience (no one agrees on how to pronounce Samhain, after all). And many of us have great adoration for, and have benefited from, the world of Hogwarts. Hallow is a fitting name representing the culmination of years of great PR for all things Witchy.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallow

Image Credit:
http://www.justawardmedals.com/v/vspfiles/photos/2sb203-hr905-2T.jpg

2011 Pagan Name of the Year: 3rd Runner Up

2011-12-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's time to count down to the Pagan Name of the Year! This is going to be interesting! Some of you might not be happy with my selections, but at least you'll be interested

It's time to reveal the third runner up (that means fourth place). This was not one that was voted for, but if you live in the United States you've heard about this news story. Trust me.

Memphis

In 1993, a horrifying tragedy occurred in West Memphis. Three eight-year-old-boys were found dead and mutilated in a ditch, and the heavily Christian town wanted blood. The blame was placed squarely on three teenage boys: Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelly, and Jason Baldwin. They were dubbed by the press as "The West Memphis Three." The person who was the most punished was Echols. To be fair, Echols had a history of violence and was in a mental institution for a while, but the belief amongst the Neo-Pagan community is that he was arrested for believing in the wrong things in the wrong town.

Echols had an interest in Wicca and the occult in a town belonging to the Bible Belt region. When the police (who were not practiced in dealing with these types of crimes) decided in their minds that the murders was Satanically motivated, his fate was sealed. No hard evidence, like DNA or fingerprints, has ever materialized that would place these boys at the scene of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. All they had was a few unreliable statements, which could have very well been informed by leaks published by the press. But the public, already convinced of his guilt, wanted someone to pay. So Echols was placed on death row. Messkelly and Baldwin were sentenced to life in prison.

Neo-Pagans believe that the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s played a significant role in this case. Moral panics can take on many forms, from accusing "radical feminists" of destroying families to attacks on gay teachers. These ideas are spread by media hype, Christian Fundamentalists, and more disturbingly, law enforcement and child welfare agencies. Moral panics are likely to thrive in towns that are rural with poorly educated and conservatively religious blue-collar people who are stressed out by economic downturn. I don't know if you've been paying attention to the news, but the time seems ripe for another wave of hysteria.

I think many Neo-Pagans have been living in a state of paranoia this year. Many think that something is going to happen that will only bring bad things for us. So much so that when the West Memphis Three was released from prison on August 19, 2011, we almost didn't believe it. In a bizarre legal maneuver, the three took a plea bargain of "no contest" that would nonetheless be treated as an innocent verdict. This historic moment is the product of 18 years of investigative criticism and rising awareness of the case. In the course of one year, Memphis changed from an warning of doom to an promise of hope.

But something tells me that the story isn't truly over. Because if the West Memphis Three didn't kill those children, who did?

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_Three
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt?s=memphis

Image Credit:
http://www.justawardmedals.com/v/vspfiles/photos/ffcl584-034a-2T.jpg

Mistletoe

2011-12-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

According to the Celtic Tree Months, the tree for the day after Yule is another popular holiday staple, the mistletoe.

The etymology of mistletoe is a subject of dispute. It might be related to the Old German elements mist, meaning "dung," and tang, meaning "branch." This might have been used because mistletoe seeds can spread through bird feces. To the Celts and Druids, it didn't really have a name. It was considered too sacred for the written word.

The mistletoe isn't exactly a tree. It's an evergreen parasitic plant that grows on trees. They use their host trees for water and nutrients. They grow in a mass of stems that gave it it's nicknames: "witch's broom" in Europe and "basket on high" to the Navajo. Many people today see the plant as a pest, but it is important to the ecology of forests. Many animals depend on the mistletoe for food.

The mistletoe is very important to a number of mythologies. Roman poet Ovid once said, "Ad viscum Druidae cantare solebant" ("The Druids are wont to sing to the mistletoe"). The Druids would gather the mistletoe on Midsummer, cutting a piece with a golden knife making certain that it didn't touch the ground. Two oxen would be sacrificed during the ceremony. A mistletoe growing on an oak tree is extra powerful. In Greek mythology, it is believed that The Golden Bough of Aeneas is a mistletoe. A sword named Mistilteinn (Old Norse for "mistletoe") features prominently in several Norse myths. The plant is also associated with Loki, Osiris, Hercules, and Shu.

The Celtics, Romans, and Germans all believed that the mistletoe was the key to the supernatural. It works best for spells involving healing, protection, and dreams. Many Pagans believe this plant symbolizes divine male essence because the berries resemble semen. So the plant stands for sex and fertility. This is why there is a tradition of kissing under in during the Yuletide season. The plant is also used for protection, making sure that the children of the house will not be kidnapped by the Fae. Mistletoe is also a great material for magickal tools like wands, rings, talismans, and incense.

In herbal medicine, mistletoe is used to raise blood pressure and sooth muscles. The plant can also induce menstruation and treat postpartum hemorrhaging. It is known as an effective treatment for tumors in some animals. Considering it's "fertility plant" status, it's slightly ironic that the berries are known to cause miscarriages when eaten. It is often used to cause contractions in the uterus or intestines.

As a name, Mistletoe is daring but also overly cute. And personally, I would pause before giving anyone a name that means "dung twig." But most people don't know that. For Neo-Pagans, it's energy is very masculine, but people are probably more likely to give this name to a girl. I think it would work for either gender, provided that the person who's getting it is the type of personality that works well with it. Plus, it's perfect for the season.

Website News:

The nominations for Pagan Name of the Year are officially closed. Look for the winners next week!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistletoe
http://dutchie.org/mistletoe-lore/

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Horus

2011-12-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

Horus is of one of the oldest and most important gods of Egypt, and his name has a long history.

In Ancient Egypt, Horus' (pronounced "HOH-rus") name would have been pronounced Haru, literally meaning "falcon." The name has some more poetic meanings like "the distant one" or "one who is above." Horus was also sometimes known as Nekheny, also meaning "falcon." Some believe that Nekheny is a different falcon god that was merged with Horus later on.

Horus is the son of Isis and Osiris. Isis retrieved all of the dismembered parts of her murdered husband except for his phallus, which was eaten by a catfish. She used her magick to resurrect Osiris and fashion a golden phallus for him in order to conceive their son. Once Isis became aware that she was pregnant, she fled to the marshlands to hide from her brother Set, who killed Osiris. There, she gave birth to Horus. Isis instructed her son to protect the people of Egypt from Set, god of the desert. Horus has had many battles with Set, both to avenge his father and to claim his rightful place as ruler. Set and Horus are the patrons of Upper and Lower Egypt, respectably. Neither god prevailed until all the other gods decided to side with Horus.

Horus is depicted as either a falcon (either a peregrine or a lanner) or a man with the head of a falcon. His right eye is the sun and his left eye is the moon, and they transverse the sky when he flies across it. He is also the god of war and hunting. The Eye of Horus is an ancient symbol of protection that remains popular with Neo-Pagans today.

The only person I can find who bore this name was an athlete in the 4th century. He was an Olympic boxer and a philosopher in Late Roman Egypt. Presumably he was Pagan, but Christianity would certainly be around at that point. And yes, he did win in the Olympics.

Horus has never been a popular name in the United States. It sounds almost exactly like Horace, a name associated with the older generation. I don't know if that makes it more accessible or less accessible. And, of course, there's the popular Neo-Pagan idea that you can't name someone after a deity. Clearly, not everyone believes that.

I think Horus is a great name, and Haru is quite nice as well. I think that it fits in with names like Atticus and Romulus. It's a strong name with a vibrant past. It would be great if someone gave this name to their son or to themselves.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horus_(athlete)

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Fir

2011-12-22T23:38:00.000-08:00

According to the Celtic Tree Months, the silver fir is the tree for the Winter Solstice. You may have been able to guess that.

The etymology of the word "fir" (which is a homonym with fur) is somewhat contested. In Old English there is the word furhwudu, meaning "pine wood." But it's more likely that it's derived from the Pre-Germanic furkon, which in turn is ultimately derived from the Proto Indo European perkos, originally a word for the oak tree. The Ancient Celts called the silver fir tree ailim (pronounced "AHL-em" I think.)

Just like yew is the "Tree of Death," the silver fir represents rebirth. They are often considered to be sisters, representing the circle of life. The silver fir is one of the tallest trees native to Europe, and it can grow over 160 feet tall. It is sacred to many goddesses including Diana, Artemis, and Druantia. Both Osiris and Attis were imprisoned in fir or pine trees, so the tree is sacred to them as well. The Druids believed that the silver fir was a symbol of hope. The tree is used in magick to invoke insight, power, protection, change, progression, and birth. Burning the needles or sweeping around a bed with it's branches is said to protect mothers and their newborns. It is also been used in shape shifting rituals, which is something I would like to see.

The silver fir has many practical uses. It makes very pretty wood used to make up the interior of buildings. It is also a popular wood for musical instruments. The oils are often used in perfumes and lotions to give a woodsy sent to these products. The sap of the silver fir can be made into turpentine like oil. In herbal medicine, it can stimulate mucous tissues if taken in small doses. In large doses it is a purgative.

The fir is also considered to be the quintessential Yule or Christmas tree. The first documented instance of the tradition was in the 1400s in Livonia. There is a popular notion that this tradition was taken from Saturnalia, and that's not quite true. Pagans did not chop down whole trees and take them into their houses. They would decorate with small pieces of evergreen shrubs. So it's similar in spirit but not quite the same thing, plus there's really no proof that one was taken directly from the other. And the growing of Christmas is quite profitable for local businesses. In America there are more fir trees than people.

Fir isn't a name that most people would think if. I think it would make a nice middle name, because in the first spot it just sounds too much like "fur" to me. But to each her own. It's a great name for someone with an affinity for the Yuletide season.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=fir
http://dutchie.org/fir-lore/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_tree.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/noted-fake-fir-real-problems/

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Rozhanitsa

2011-12-22T21:49:00.000-08:00

I've had a lot of good luck finding Pagan friendly holiday songs. The Internet is a many splendid thing. One particularly lovely song I found recently is called "Rozhanitsa." That was a new name for me.

The song describes Rozhanitsa (pronounced "roh-jhuh-NEET-sah") as a entity that protects people during the winter months "'til spring breaks through." My first thought was that it sounded like she was a goddess. You can listen and buy the song here.

As it turns out, Rozhanitsa is indeed a goddess. A very obscure Slavic goddess that had a feast day in late December in Russia. She is a winter mother goddess who is depicted with antlers. She gives gifts on her day, and her worshippers gave her gifts of honey, bread and cheese. It was also a tradition to make and give white, deer-shaped cookies. Some Russian women continue to celebrate the Feast of Rozhanitsa.

As I've mentioned before on the profile for Lada, the Slavic pantheon is a bit messed up. There is a lot of confusion, errors, misinterpretations, and downright inventions in scholarly research. You can never be too careful. Some of the gods listed in sources for Slavic Paganism were never worshipped. I'm not sure that there's enough proof that Rozhanitsa is genuinely Pagan. It is believed that her feast day has existed at least since the 1100s, which is hardly Ancient times. I could also find no mention of the name's meaning.

That doesn't stop her from having a lovely name. Rozhanitsa has a lot going for it, I think. One is that Rozhanitsa is a unique way to get to the nickname Rose. It might be a bit long and hard to pronounce at first, but it has a lovely sound once you get the hang of it.

If you want a unique name that's got a great Yuletide carol to go with it, Rozhanitsa might be for you.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice
http://www.angeliska.com/2008/12/winter-solstice-dark-season/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavic_mythology#Inauthentic_sources

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Solstice

2011-12-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

Blessed Yule, everybody! And if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, Blessed Litha! Either way, you're celebrating Solstice! Not all Neo-Pagans celebrate Yule, but most if not all do something for the Winter Solstice.

Solstice (pronounced "SOL-stis") is derived from the Latin word solstitium, meaning "point at which the sun seems to stand still." It is the name of an astronomical event that occurs twice a year when the sun's appears to be at it's northernmost and southernmost extremes. The apparent movement of the sun path north or south appears to stop before switching directions.

The idea that the earth was spherical was first discovered by the Ancient Greeks, even if the Christians took a while to accept it. As soon as they figured that out, the devised the concept of the celestial sphere. They believed that the night sky was a spherical surface rotating the heavenly bodies.

Just like honoring death is a shared experience at the end of October, celebrating rebirth and the return of the light on this day is a human thing. There is Yule, Saturnalia, Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Kwanzaa. If you're Persian, you celebrate Yalda. Korochun is celebrated by the Slavics. Japanese celebrate each solstice and equinox with a holiday called Setsubun. On the tip of South America, the Mapuche people celebrate their New Year with We Tripantu. In the Hindu calender, both solstices are named Makara Sankranti.

Solstice has never been a common name in the United States (or anywhere, as far as I know). There aren't any names that I can think of that sound like it either except for maybe Celeste. There have not been enough people given this name to determine it's gender, although it reads feminine to me.

This would be a beautiful name for any child born on this day. Solstice has a unique, soft sound. It's a name that I wouldn't mind giving to one of my own daughters someday.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=solstice
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Yew

2011-12-21T10:59:00.000-08:00

In the Celtic Tree Months, Yew is the tree for Winter Solstice Eve. This evergreen tree has a lot of history.

The word yew comes from the Pre-Germanic iwa or iwo. It is ultimately derived from the Proto Indo European ei meaning "reddish," "motley," or "yellow." The Celts called the tree idhu (pronounced "IH-huh," I think). Mostly what I'm talking about here is the European Yew, but there are a lot of different species of yew trees around the world.

The yew tree had extraordinary importance to the Ancient Celts. One of the oldest surviving wooden artifacts is a yew spear head estimated to be 450,000 years old. Many Celtic chiefs and warriors took their own lives either by their swords or by yew poison rather than submit to the Romans. The Yew is known as the "Tree of Death" throughout Europe. It is sacred to many dark goddesses including Hecate, Morrighan, Almathea, Cailleach Beara, Banbha, and Berchta. The tree is said to root in the mouths of the dead and release their souls. On the other hand, due to the tree's ability to live for a very long time, it is also the symbol of stability and immortality in Celtic culture. It is often used as the central "World Tree" in ritual spaces.

The yew also has a long history of being used to make longbows. The longbow is an early war weapon developed in Northern Europe. The 5,000 year old "Ice Man" found in the Alps had a bow and ax handle made from yew. Unfortunately, since most of the wood is too knotty they were chopping down trees only to discard most of it, which predictably lead to a shortage of quality mature yews. This lead to having to buy the wood from other countries, which lead to monopolies and deforestation starting in the 1200s. In the 1500s, the Bavarian government sent a plea to the Holy Roman Emperor to stop the cutting of yews, as it was doing great damage to the forests by breaking up the canopy and leaving other trees to wind damage. But it was a profitable business and the Holy Roman Emperor did nothing. By the 1700s there were no mature trees, but at that point longbows were being replaced by guns. The more things change the more things stay the same, huh?

It is inappropriate to do spell work on the day before Yule because it is a time of death. Instead, Neo-Pagans should conduct rituals relating to reincarnation. Yew wood is often used to make magickal tools like wands. It is also dried and burned as incense used to contact the dead or, legend has it, bring back the dead. You've probably noticed that I've mentioned that this tree is poisonous, so herbal remedies are few. Recently it has been used in the cancer drug Taxol (and due to this, the population of yews is threatened again, so conservation measures are needed). The needles and branch tips have also been used to treat lung and bladder problems.

Yew has never been a common name in the United States. But I think it's lovely. It's short and simple but magickal sounding. Yew would be a great name for any witchlet.

Sources:
http://dutchie.org/yew-lore/
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=yew
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxus_baccata

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Orange

2011-12-20T19:48:00.000-08:00

This name is an old favorite that has fallen out of favor. Is there any chance that it could be picked up again?

Orange is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word naranga, meaning "orange tree." The word was not used to describe the color until the 1540s. The orange tree originally hailed from Northern India. Well, that's not completely true. There's a Persian orange that grew in the Mediterranean, but that one has a very bitter taste. When these sweeter oranges were discovered, they quickly displaced the other one. Only in Greece do they still distinguish the bitter variety (nerantzi) from the sweet one (portokali). The plant was spread around by sailors, who planted them on trade routes in order to avoid scurvy. Now it is the most commonly grown fruit tree in the world.

Considering that, you would think that there would be a lot more mythology concerning oranges, but I haven't been able to find very much. This fruit has long been associated with good fortune and wealth because of their golden color. Because the tree is an evergreen tree, it has become a symbol for fruitfulness. Depending on where you are, orange blossoms are popular for bridal bouquets and floral crowns. The meaning of the color orange changes quite a bit from culture to culture. It could stand for fire, lust, vigor, wholesomeness, attraction, justice, adventure, excitement, success, or endurance. In Wicca, orange is a stimulating color as well.

The orange has many practical purposes. One of the obvious ones is as food. Neo-Pagans sometimes use the peels in herbal medicine. The bitter tasting peels have compounds that lower blood pressure. It can also be used to stimulate appetite in people who have been sick for a long time. Traditionally, the peels are brewed into tea. Women who are trying to get pregnant should not try this. Oranges are also used to make juice, oil, perfume, scones, marshmallows, tea, marmalade, and slug repellent.

Today, Neo-Pagans like to hang oranges, apples, and lemons or leave them as offerings to the gods at Yuletide. This is because they're round and have the colors associated with masculinity, so they're used to symbolize the Horned God and the sun. Some like to spray orange water on their Yule trees, but that might be to keep the cats from climbing on them (cats supposedly don't like the smell of citrus). But the giving of oranges is a Christmas tradition as well, and it has to do with the story of Saint Nicolas. There was once a poor man with three beautiful daughters, but he was worried for their futures because he couldn't afford to marry them off. But the father was too proud to accept charity. Saint Nicolas was passing through town and decided to help. While they were asleep he left three gold pieces in each of the girl's stockings that were left out to dry. They awoke the next morning and found the gold pieces and were able to get married after all. People would place oranges in Christmas stockings in order to symbolize the gold pieces. I do remember that when my grandfather was a child the only gift he got on Christmas was an orange.

It might surprise some people to learn that this was once a well-used boy's name. It peaked in the 1880s at #719. I'm not sure why it was only used for boys, but it could be for the same reason that Pink was used for boys during this time because both colors are variants of red. Unfortunately, it doesn't really feel like a name today. But thanks to the birth of Apple, I would say that it's possible that someone could use it again.

It definitely sounds unconventional to a modern person's ears. But if you want to revitalize this name, I'm not going to stop you.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=orange
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_(fruit)
http://primaltrek.com/impliedmeaning.html
http://www.windlegends.org/colors.html
http://www.ancient-wisdom-herbs.com/proddetail.php?prod=Orange-Peel
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/orange
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_stocking

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Alcyone

2011-12-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

Judging from the way I can't find it in most baby name sources, Alcyone might be a new one for some people. But it's very appropriate for this time of year.

Alcyone (pronounced "al-SEE-eh-nee" or "al-SIY-eh-nee" I think) is a name from Greek mythology. The name pops up twice, it's the name of one of the Pleiades (basically they're stars), and the other one shows up in the myth of Alcyone and her husband Ceyx. According to the story, they were very much in love. Then one day, Ceyx went out to sea and never came back. In some versions of this story, the gods were angry that the couple sacrilegiously referred to each other as "Zeus" and "Hera" and arranged for Ceyx to die, but it most versions it's just a random tragedy. Anyway, Morpheus (god of dreams) disguised himself as Ceyx in order to break the news to Alcyone. Wild in her grief, Alcyone threw herself into the sea. But the gods had compassion, and brought the two back to life in the form of immortal halcyon birds. This is why most sources list this name's meaning as "kingfisher."

The reason Alcyone is associated with Yuletide is due to her nesting habits. Every winter, she nests for two weeks. During that time, the gods make sure that the sea is calm and peaceful so that she can lay her eggs. These seven days on either side of the Winter Solstice are known as "Halcyon Days," but the term could also refer to an idyllic time in the past.

Kingfishers are generally shy birds, so it's surprising that they appear so much in mythology. This might be because, depending on where you live, they have very colorful plumage. They were venerated by the Polynesians who believed that it controlled the ocean waves. The Dusun people of Borneo believed that is was a bad omen, and if warriors see one on the way to battle they should return home.

Most species of kingfishers bear a name relating to either Alcyone and Ceyx, even if it's just their scientific name. They even have their very own opera based on the Greek myth, written by Marin Marais titled Alcyone. The myth is also a favorite subject of poets, including Archibald Lampman and T.S. Eliot.

Alcyone has never been a common name in the United States. It could be a challenge pronunciation-wise, but since it's pretty much spelled the way it's said I think most people will remember it after you explain it. Variants include Halcyon and Halcyone.

Alcyone is a great Witchy name, particularly for those that have an affinity with the ocean, birds, or romantic myths. It's a sweet sounding, calm name for any little girl.

Sources:
http://www.behindthename.com/name/alcyone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcyone
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/greek-mythology.php?deity=ALCYONE
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethelongestnight/a/Winter_Sol_Gods.htm

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Bewitching Names First Birthday!

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe, but one year ago today I started this blog. Happy First Birthday Bewitching Names! Do I get presents?

Well, I have a present for you at least. Here's a picture of me when I was around the age of one year old. Imagine this little girl twenty five years later and you have an approximate idea of what I look like now.

I would like to thank all of my fellow name bloggers and all my viewers. My goals were pretty modest when I made this blog, 10 followers would have made me happy. I've done quite a bit more than that!

Total Page Views: over 53 thousand.

Website that sent the most viewers my way: Appellation Mountain.

Search term that brings the most viewers: "Bewitching Names," of course, but also "pixie names."

Strangest search terms that bring viewers here: "Winter girls" or "girls in winter." I don't know what to make of that.

Three most viewed name profiles:

1. Icie
2. Pixie
3. Kahlo

Countries that view this blog the most (highest page views to lowest):

1. United States
2. United Kingdom
3. Australia
4. Canada
5. Greece
6. Germany
7. New Zealand
8. India
9. Russia
10. Romania

Where do I get these awesome pictures?

Oh, you know. Around.

Note on Pagan Name of the Month:

In retrospect, I probably should have made the voting time shorter. But I'm closing the voting on the day after Yule (that's December 23rd to you non-Pagans) because I have a lot more seasonal names waiting. I think I'm going to have three runners up and a winner, and the way things are shaping up now you might be surprised.

Here's to another year!

Image Credit:
Picture of me is from my parents.

Fantasia

2011-12-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a name that is a whole lot of Disney with a dash pop star.

I'm not the type of person to say that a movie changed my life, but Fantasia certainly influenced me in a profound way. I remember watching it when I was three years old and being completely captivated by it. To my great surprise, Fantasia was only Walt Disney's third full length animated picture. I didn't realize it was that old.

The evolution of the film is an interesting story. Mickey Mouse was declining in popularity if you can believe it, so Disney wanted to make a short film based on "The Sorcerers Apprentice" that centered around the character. He met with conductor Leopold Stokowski, who agreed to work for him at no charge. Stokowski also suggested the idea of making it into a full length feature of multiple shorts set to classical music, but Disney originally passed on the idea.

So the music was recorded and the animation was completed. But due to Disney's demanding standards, the short cost a lot more to make than a short would usually cost. If "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" was released on it's own there was no way that he could recoup the money it took to make it. So he revisited the full length movie idea, a project that was originally titled A Concert Feature. Disney hoped that this would attract a wider audience to classical music. The title Fantasia was picked by Stokowski, who pronounced it "fahn-TAH-zee-ah." Fantasia is an Italian musical term meaning "musical composition that sounds extemporaneous." It is derived from the Greek word phantasia, which means "perception," "image," or "imagination." Nowadays, people are likely to pronounced it "fahn-TAY-zhah."

Unfortunately, when the movie was first released in 1940, it was not the huge hit they wanted. People didn't get it. It was before it's time. The film was applauded by movie critics who recognized that it stripped away all conventions, music critics were resentful of the idea of putting images with classical pieces. Some other comments have been made that Fantasia is "not a kid's movie." They say that kids are fidgety and bored during this film and that it's really only "for adults and very nerdy kids" (hey!). There is also a bizarre controversy over "The Pastoral Symphony" because the original movie showed several black centaurs as servants for the white centaurs. They weren't edited out until 1969.

Still, the legacy of Fantasia cannot be ignored. It's scenes are now iconic and are the subject of many parodies including an Italian film called Allegro Non Troppo. In 1999, Fantasia 2000 was released, which I also love.

Fantasia is regarded as a very Pagan friendly movie. I mean, think about it. Greek mythology comes to life in "The Pastoral Symphony." The consequences of irresponsible spellwork are explored in "The Sorcerers Apprentice." The land of faerie dances in "The Nutcracker Suite." You travel back in time with "The Rites of Spring" (music which was originally about Slavic Pagans). And the raw sexuality of "Night on Bald Mountain" followed by the dull monotony of "Ave Maria" is enough to make anyone Pagan.

As far as I know, the only famous namesake for this name (aside from the movie) is Fantasia Monique Barrino, who is simply known by her first name professionally. This R&B singer won American Idol one year (I'm not a fan of the show, please don't make me look it up). She has an interesting sound. She certainly must be thanking her parents for giving her such a distinctive name.

Despite all that, I still wouldn't use the name Fantasia personally. I'm more likely to use the name Fantasy, and even then it's middle name territory. Still, I can certainly see the appeal for Fantasia. Some people might think that Fantasia has a stripperish quality. I'm not so certain that I disagree, but when I meet a little Fantasia I will certainly keep an open mind.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasia_(film)
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=fantasia
http://culture.pagannewswirecollective.com/2010/06/fictional-influences-on-pagansim-part-ii-the-films/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasia_Barrino

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com
Still from Fantasia found via http://ffffound.com/

Bryony

2011-12-14T13:25:00.000-08:00

Tallulah has requested a profile of Bryony. And by the way Tallulah, you did it right. Pretty much I just have readers leave name requests in the comments. Since I have a theme planned for the month of January, this is really the only time I can get around to it.

Bryony (pronounced "BRIY-eh-nee" or "BREE-eh-nee") is a Latin name derived from bryonia, and it means "to swell" or "to sprout." The bryony plant is a type of vine related to cucumbers. It is native in Europe, the Canary Islands, North Africa, and South Asia. It has small greenish flowers, which is a rather unusual color.

This isn't a plant that you can find in many Neo-Pagan herbal sources. There's a reason for this. Although some species have been used in herbal medicines, most are poisonous and can be fatal when ingested. Two species, the white bryony and black bryony, were used as powerful purgative. No bryony should be used without medical supervision. A popular film suggests that this could be used in a love potion (the source didn't say which popular film). Don't even think about it.

Bryonys were considered wicked during the Middle Ages. Scammers would pass of bryony roots off as mandrakes, and then sell them to women wanting the later as fertility charms. Today, Neo-Pagans consider bryony roots to be a good substitute for mandrakes, even though both are equally difficult to find in the United States. In Poland, the plant was fenced in when found in order to protect it. They believed that since the leaves resembled a child, destroying a bryony would destroy their own child's happiness.

Generally, when I think of this name I think about the United Kingdom. England's Royal Navy named two of their ships HMS Bryony after the plant. My first encounter with the name was with the book and film Atonement. In the book by Ian McEwan, Briony is a young, imaginative girl who aspires to be a writer. She witnesses a moment between her older sister and her friend that she doesn't fully understand, and sets of an unimaginable chain of events. Other fictional Bryonys can be found in novels that include Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart, Belladonna: A Novel of Revenge by Karen Moline, And Justice There Was None by Deborah Crombie, and Night in Eden by Candice Proctor.

Bryony is a relatively new coinage. One source says that it didn't enter "naminess" until the beginning of the 1900s, another says it was popular during the 1700s. The name is most often found in Scotland, where bryonys are common plants. As of 2008, it ranked #433 in that country. Alternate spellings include Briony, Bryonie, and Brioni.

However, Bryony is not a common plant or name in the United States. One person with this name says she has trouble from those who assume that Bryony is a form of Brian. Although I think that this name could very easily be used for a boy, history suggests that it's primarily a girls name.

I find it interesting that she appears in a novel as the daughter of someone named Belladonna. Clearly, they're both poisonous plants, but Bryony comes off as the less sultry, no nonsense version of Belladonna. She sounds like the brainy girl, and it's full of woodland beauty. I don't know if it's for me, but it would be wonderful to see it more on the playground.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryonia
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Bryony
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/bryony
http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/Bryony.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbs_in_Polish_mythology
http://books.google.com/books?id=xwp4fwEeDu8C&pg=PA322&lpg=PA322&dq=bryony+wicca&source=bl&ots=Yz3Q_gcjzX&sig=gQ1nVATE6QEB5n_P7wAUbXySTCU&hl=en&ei=GgzpTsSoL4rZiQLzufgm&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=bryony%20wicca&f=false
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement_(novel)

Image Credits:
http://www.kissthegroom.com/

Saturn

2011-12-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Because of the ancient holiday of Saturnalia, Saturn could be a great name for the season.

Saturn (pronounced "SAH-turn") is a Latin name, but surprisingly I can't find any meaning. In Greek mythology, Saturn is known as Cronus. He's the Titan who fathered Zeus and by extension most of the ruling generation of Olympians. In Roman mythology, Saturn, sometimes known as Saturnus, was a god of the harvest, justice, and strength. He is the son of Terra (the earth) and Caelus (the sky).

As the story goes, Terra and Caelus also gave birth to three children with fifty heads. Caelus hated them and imprisoned them under the earth. Terra was furious and asked her titan children for help in putting an end to Caelus' cruel treatment. Only Saturn responded. He either castrated him or sliced him into pieces and threw him into the Underworld. There is a mythical Golden Age in Roman history in which Saturn is said to have ruled.

According to myth, Saturn was the ruler of the Universe for untold ages. But it was prophesied that one day he would loose his power when his child killed him. Therefore,every time his wife Ops gave birth, he would eat the baby. This is famously depicted in Fransisco Goya's painting "Saturn Devouring One of His Sons." When the sixth child, Jupiter, was born, Ops had him spirited away and gave her husband a stone in swaddling clothes. Saturn was deceived, and ate it. When Jupiter grew up, he secured the job of cup bearer to his father. With the help of his grandmother Terra, Jupiter made a potion that would cause his father to vomit. He pucked out Jupiter's siblings Veritas, Ceres, Juno, Pluto, and Neptune, who managed to still be alive. Saturn was either castrated or chopped up into pieces with his own sickle, and cast off into the Underworld. And the cycle of domestic violence continues.

Saturnalia is often listed as the Pagan source of Christmas celebrations. Saturnalia did not begin as a celebration for the Winter Solstice. The holiday was instituted in 217 BC as a way to boost moral after the Roman's crushing military defeat in the battle against the Carthaginians. It was originally celebrated on December 17th, but it's popularity grew until it became a week long festival. Attempts at shortening the celebrations were met with revolts.

Saturnalia was celebrated a number of ways. They had the usual sacrifices to Saturn, which were performed at his temple. School was usually closed on this week. People would also make and give small presents. The role of master and slave were temporarily reversed and rules of etiquette were loosened. The customary greeting was, "Lo, Saturnalia!" Personally, I think our Yuletide celebrations have more to do with the Norse celebration involving Odin with a little bit of Saturnalia thrown in.

Of course, Saturn is also the name of a planet. It's the sixth planet from the sun with all the rings. It's about nine times the size of Earth and has at least sixty two moons. The planet has been observed by man since prehistoric times, and it was the most distant planet that they were aware of. So yes, the name is spacey, which might put a few people off it. Planet names are usually considered off limits by the name police except for Venus.

But despite the horrifying cannibalistic stories associated with it, I kind of like Saturn. It's strong and very unusual. And I think the spaciness is a plus, I like the association with another mysterious world. So Saturn is a great name for a daring namer.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_(mythology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Ebenezer

2011-12-12T21:13:00.000-08:00

As far as fictional appellations go, Ebenezer is Ichabod's grouchy brother.

Like Ichabod, this is a very Jewish name. Ebenezer (pronounced "eh-beh-NEE-zer") is a Hebrew phrase Eben ha-Ezer and it means "stone of help." In the Bible (presumably the Old Testament), this is a name of the memorial stone set up by the prophet Samuel to make an important victorious battle in Jewish history. The battle took place in a town called Eben-Ezer, and the battle was between the Israelites and the Philistines (invaders that immigrated to their territory).

Apparently, Ebenezer only came into "naminess" because the Puritans. But Ebenezer Scrooge remains it's most famous namesake. He first appeared as the principle character in Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol in 1843. It has remained a classic ever since. I can't imagine any person who doesn't have a passing familiarity with this story, but here's a recap anyways.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserly old curmudgeon who hates Christmas. All he cares about is money, and he is not well liked in his town. He says, "Bah, humbug!" a lot. But on the night of Christmas Eve, he is visited by three spirits (well, four if you count his old pal Jacob Marley). They are the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. They essentially scare him into being a good person. On Christmas morning he awakes a changed man, and from then on he strives to be a generous and loving during the time he has left on earth.

Charles Dickens got the inspiration for the character's name from a tombstone. The grave marker was for Ebenezer Lennox Scroggie, and it listed his profession as a meal man (he sold corn). But due to Dickens' mild dyslexia, he read it as "mean man," and the rest is history. If you want to go hunting for this tombstone, you're out of luck. It was removed during renovations and misplaced.

"Scrooge" has become slang for a miserly person, but what about Ebenezer? I have to admit that it would be tough to separate the name from the character, just like it would be for Ichabod. And if that worries you there are a few variations: Ebeneezer, Ebenezar, Ebnezer, Eveneser, Evenezer, Eben, Ebbie, Eb, and Ebbaneza for girls (which I immediately find my heart fluttering over for a girl). But Ebenezer in an of itself is a lovely name.

What I don't understand about avoiding Ebenezer is that the character redeems himself at the end. Shouldn't it be a positive association? Isn't it good to use his name? I think it is.

Sources:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Ebenezer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebenezer

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Robin

2011-12-11T19:42:00.000-08:00

I wonder if Robin is going to come back anytime soon. My guess is no, but that's due to no fault of its own.

Originally, Robin was simply a diminutive form of Robert. The prefix Rob- is Old Germanic for "fame," and -in is an Old French diminutive. Nowadays the name is not often used as a nickname for Robert, but is used independently. This French invention was brought to England by the Normans. Before the bird was called a robin, it was called a ruddock, a word related to "red."

There are two different types of robins: European Robins and American Robins. They do look slightly different even though they both bear red breasts. In Europe, Robins are featured prominently in British folklore and not much anywhere else. They were associated with storm clouds and sacred to Thor. Do you remember what else is sacred to Thor? Oak trees. I've mentioned that the robin often symbolized the Oak King while the wren symbolized the Holly King, and wrens were ritually stoned during the Winter Solstice. I've seen no mention of a similar stoning of robins during the Summer Solstice. That hardly seems fair. In Christian folklore, a robin sang to comfort Jesus while he was dying on the cross, and that's how it's breast became stained with blood.

On the other side of the globe, the American robin features prominently in Native American mythology. In many stories, the robin got it's red breast by getting burned. A robin fanned the flames of a campfire in order to save a man and his son. In the Pacific Northwest, the Tlingit people believe that the Robin is a gift from the Raven. He was sent down to please mankind with his singing. And just to clarify, it's the American robins that have the light blue eggs. The term "robin's egg blue" would make little sense in Britain, where robins eggs are brown.

The robin has been a symbol for the Christmas season for years. This may be because of the battle between the wren and the robin, but a source listed another explanation. In Victorian England, the postmen wore red uniforms and were nicknamed "robins." The bird was often depicted on cards in order to represent the postman.

Robin has been a popular name since the Middle Ages. Two of the earliest fictional bearers are Robin Goodfellow (another name for Puck) and Robin Hood. Other well known characters include Batman's sidekick and Kermit the Frog's nephew. There are countless real life namesakes like actor/comedian Robin Williams, actress Robin Wright Penn, and pop singer Robyn Rihanna Fenty (who, as we all know, simply goes by Rihanna).

To American namers, this name may remind them too much of their parent's generation. This traditionally masculine name peaked in the 1950s at #182. It's use as a girls name is relatively recent. It peaked in the 1960s at #34. Neither of them are in the top 1,000 today. It doesn't stop it from being a lovely name, but it is a dated one.

If that doesn't bother you, then this would be a lovely name to use for either a girl or a boy. It's a name that everyone is familiar with, but not one given to the current generation of babies very often. In the meantime, I think it's more likely to reappear on the charts when our children are naming their children, when it is fresh and new again.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_(name)
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=robin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Robin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Robin
http://www.behindthename.com/name/robin
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/robin

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Mirth

2011-12-11T16:32:00.000-08:00

Let's get back to the fun, shall we? And as far as fun names go, Mirth is pretty high!

Mirth is an English word name ultimately derived from the Pre Germanic murgitha, meaning "joy" or "pleasure." Mirth is one of the Wiccan values listed in Doreen Valiente's Charge of the Goddess. Mirth joins humility, honor, reverence, strength, beauty, power, and compassion.

So, why is mirth a virtue? Basically, it helps Wiccans take joy in their practice and in everything they do. We don't take ourselves or religion too seriously. You might think that this comes into conflict with another Wiccan virtue, reverence, but I don't think it does. It has to be a balancing act between the two, and figuring out which one is appropriate for a given situation.

Joy is a name often mentioned this time of year. But Mirth? Not so much. Mirth isn't an established name with a long history of use the same way that Joy is. But I think it's especially appropriate for the holiday season. Aside from the fact that mirth, joy, and happiness are associated with Yuletide in general, mirth is almost a homonym with myrrh. Myrrh is one of the spices that the Three Wise Men gave to baby Jesus. Myrrh was also used by the Ancient Egyptians to embalm mummies, so it has some Pagan cred too.

Personally, I see Mirth as a boys name. I have no logical reason for it. But, big surprise, if you see it listed at all it's listed as a girls name. But depending on how old you are or how eclectic your taste in television is, you will recognize Mirth as the name of the son of Mork and Mindy. Most people are not likely to remember that, as Mirth didn't make an appearance until the last season.

So if you want an unusual name that fits in with the holiday season and screams happiness, then Mirth could be for you.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=mirth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrrh
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/mirth

Image Credit:
http://www.kissthegroom.com/

The Comment Policy

2011-12-11T15:52:00.000-08:00

I've had to delete my first two comments, and I've notice that I've never made any formal comment policy on this blog. That's probably not very fair. I'm going to remedy that.

So here it is. You write something I don't like, I'll delete it.

Oh, you need more explanation than that? Ugh.

I take my commenting inspiration from Ariel Meadow Stallings, who runs the Offbeat Empire. Offbeat Mama is linked in the sidebar. She has made all of her various websites a safe haven for the offbeat. And she wants to keep it that way, so her commenting policy is very strict. She's had to delete a lot of them.

I want this blog to be a safe haven for name lovers, particularly weird name lovers (but I love you Wicca-lite people too!). A lot of the strange names get put down on other websites. I would like to think that I'm hear to give another perspective. And I don't tolerate vitriol. Ever. Whining over free speech doesn't work in Internet land. This blog is my own tiny dictatorship.

The two comments I had to delete were on Lucifer, which is predictable as that's a very controversial name. And the second comment was something to the effect of, "I'm glad to see other opinions aren't welcome here." If you look around at other comments you'll find that your wrong. You're opinion wasn't the problem. It's an opinion a lot of people share, and I'm honestly on the fence about the name. But whether I agree with you or not isn't the issue. It was how you chose to express your opinion. It was mean, vicious, and not deserving of a place here. If you don't like how I handled it, that falls under the category of tough shit. You can go to some other blog that has a different policy. I won't miss you.

You're not supposed to like every name featured here. I don't even like every name featured here. Other people are going to love names that you hate, that's just the nature of the beast. What you are supposed to be is open minded and courteous to others. If you're not, then I'm wishing your comment away into the cornfield.

Thistle

2011-12-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

This botanical name might sound little and cute, but don't underestimate it.

Thistle (pronounced "THIH-sil") is an English word ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European steyg meaning "to prick." This name is telling. The plant is covered with sharp prickles, which discourages animals from eating it. They also have equally prickly-looking fuchsia flowers. The plant is native to Asia and the Mediterranean area, but can now be found throughout Europe and the United States.

This plant has many nicknames including Holy Ghost Herb and Cardin. In the olden days it was used to cure many ailments, including the plague. Today, it is used to help mothers produce breast milk and cure upset stomachs. However, ingesting too much of this plant could be hazardous as it induces vomiting. For men, it was used as an aphrodisiac. The Pagans associated with Pan, Mars, and Loki, and therefore it has a strong masculine sensual energy. The plant was thrown into fire as an offering or as incense. Wiccans also use this herb for ritual bathing, purification, and calling spirits.

The thistle has been on the national emblem of Scotland since the 1200s. According to legend, the Norse army was trying to sneak up on the Scottish army at night. One of the barefoot Norsemen stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain, thus alerting the army to their presence. Today, the thistle can still be found on police force emblems and the Encyclopedia Britannica (which originated in Edinburgh). Several football clubs bear it's name, and the Order of the Thistle is an important chivalric order in Scotland.

I thought of this name because in the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (which I don't think is it's real name but that's how people know it). In it Santa and his reindeer fly away from the house "like the down of a thistle." This expression refers to the seeds of a thistle, which are very similar to dandelion seeds. They are feathery seeds meant to be carried away in the breeze.

Thistle is a name that does not usually appear in baby name sources, but I've seen it mentioned a few times in blogs. It's a cute name without being prissy, and I think it could be a great natural unisex name.

Sources:
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/thistle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thistle
http://paganpages.org/content/tag/blessed-thistle/
http://www.carols.org.uk/twas_the_night_before_christmas.htm

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Greensleeves

2011-12-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, Greensleeves would be an interesting one to find in the playground, but it could be a great option for daring namers.

"Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song about a scorned lover. It was first marketed in 1580 as "A New Northern Dittye of the Lady Green Sleeves." Contrary to popular belief, King Henry VIII did not write this song in order to seduce Anne Boleyn. The song has an Italian style composition that did not reach England until their daughter Elizabeth was Queen. And it apparently didn't take too long for it to become popular, as it is mentioned in Shakespeare's play The Merry Wives of Windsor.

There are a number of different interpretations of the song. At the time, the word "green" had sexual connotations. This comes from the phrase "a green gown" because clothes becomes grass stained while having sex outside. So Lady Greensleeves could be a promiscuous young lady. She could also be mistakenly assumed to be promiscuous by the song's narrator, which is why he was cast off discourteously. The color green was also seen as a symbol for the lightness of love.

This song is only associated with the holiday season because of "What Child is This?" This song is a popular Christmas carol that uses the same tune as Greensleeves. Recently, it has also been used for a Pagan Yule carol called "Lady Greensleeves." In this version, Lady Greensleeves is the Goddess. You can listen (and purchase) a very good version of this song here. Other modified versions of this song include Leonard Cohen's "Leaving Greensleeves," Jacques Brel's "Amsterdam," and Debbie Reynald's "Home in the Meadow."

Obviously I think this has naminess potential, otherwise I wouldn't have suggested it. Greensleeves would make a great magickal name, and a unique middle name option. But as a first name? I'm not so sure. But to each his own. Greensleeves has romance and love attached to it, so there's no negative association there.

So if you want a uniquely musical name that brings this time of year to mind, Greensleeves just may be you're gal.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greensleeves

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Sagittarius

2011-12-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

Right now we are in the middle of the sun sign Sagittarius, and this zodiac sign might be slightly cumbersome to bear but I'm profiling it anyway.

Sagittarius (pronounced "saj-ih-TAIR-ee-us") is a Latin name meaning "archer." The feminine variant is Sagittaria. The constellation becomes a sun sign between November 22nd and December 21st. It is associated with the transformation from autumn to winter. The constellation Sagittarius is supposed to look like a centaur drawing a bow. This image is as old as the Babylonians, who identified the constellation with a centaur-like god named Nerigal. Nerigal was generally depicted with two heads (one of a panther and one of a human), wings, and a scorpion stinger above the typical horses tail.

In Greek legend, centaurs are known for being wild, lusty, and prone to violence while intoxicated. But one centaur, Chiron, was quite the opposite. Then again, he was not directly related to other centaurs. He was the son of the Titan Cronus and the nymph Philyra. Cronus had been in the form of a horse during Chron's conception, which is how he got his centaur form. Chiron was a respected healer, astrologer, teacher, and oracle. Achilles, Theseus, Perseus, and Dionysius were his pupils. He married a nymph named Chariclo and had three daughters (Hippe, Endeis, and Ocyrhoe) and a son (Carystus).

He was placed in the stars because of a heroic action. Being the son of a Titan, Chiron was born immortal. Another Titan, Prometheus, had been punished for giving men fire by being chained to a rock and left to die. Chiron asked Hercules to arrange a deal with Zeus that would exchange his immortality for Prometheus' life. Chiron was poisoned by an arrow that was laced with the blood of a Hydra. Because of his noble sacrifice, Zeus gave him a place in the heavens. This constellation is called Centaurus in Greek, and Sagittarius in Latin.

According to astrologers, Sagittarius is a masculine fire sign. The people born under this sign love adventure, and these are the wanderers of the zodiac. Sagittarians are extremely independent and like to look for knowledge and truth in faraway lands. They are known for being great communicators who value social status. On the other side of things, they have trouble watching their tongues. They don't like being told what to do. Trouble with addictions can also arise because they like too much of the pleasures of life and have little self control.

Sagittarius can be quite a mouthful and it doesn't sound overly "namey." If a parent wants to honor this sign, she is more likely to consider the name Archer than Sagittarius. But who knows, maybe somewhere in the world someone will see this name and their heart will start fluttering.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(constellation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiron
http://www.astrologycom.com/sag.html

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com photo by Vincent Prevost

Clara

2011-12-10T17:16:00.000-08:00

In the process of becoming a Wiccan, I am ready to give up on all sorts of Christmassy things I grew up with. Eggnog? Never liked it anyway, I've got wassail! Christmas songs? I've been able to find Pagan Yule songs, so I'm okay. But if you want to take away my Nutcracker, you'll have to pry it out of my dead Witchy hands. That's a tradition I'm not giving up.

Even though I have no intention of using it on a daughter, I have a soft spot for Clara because of the Nutcracker ballet. The ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was adapted from the book The Nutcracker and The Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman. The original production was not a success. People criticized it for not being faithful enough to the original story and for featuring too many children. Tchaikovsky detested his own work on the piece. And look at it now! It's the most famous ballet and one of the most famous classical compositions ever.

When I read the original Nutcracker story book by E.T.A. Hoffman, I was surprised to find that the heroine's name is not Clara, but Mary. In some versions of the ballet the character is called Marie, but never Mary. In the book, Clara is the name of one of her dolls. It is unclear why or when they changed the name.

Clara is a Latin name derived from clarus meaning "light," "clear," or "famous." A variation of Clara, Clare, has always been very popular throughout Europe and England. This is because it is the name of a well loved saint. Saint Clare of Assisi (born Chiara Offreduccio) was the most important female follower of Saint Francis. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, commonly known as the Poor Clares, which was specifically for women. She also wrote the Rule of Life, which was the first monastic rule to be written by a woman.

Clara remains a popular name throughout the world. As in 2008, it was ranked #3 in France, #6 in Belgium, #11 in Denmark, #25 in Germany, #34 in Austria, #42 in Spain, #56 in Quebec, and #81 in Ireland. It's a classic in America as well. 1880s. In the 1880s, it ranked at #9. It has never left the top 1,000, but now it's ranked #199. Clara even appears in the charts as a boys name ranking #681 in 1880s. Other variations include Claire, Clarabelle, and Klara.

Given it's popularity, it shouldn't be a surprise that it has a ton of fictional and real namesakes. Here are just a few of them. Clara Barton was an American who founded the Red Cross. Clara Bow was the quintessential flapper girl, and her movie Wings won the very first Academy Award for best motion picture. In the film Heidi, the lead character teaches Klara how to walk again. Clara is a kind mother with special powers in the novel House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. A Clara Page appears in the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel This Side of Paradise.

Clara is a lovely Wicca-lite name for those wanting a name that symbolizes light and hope. These two things are very much associated with this time of year.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nutcracker
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/clara
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_of_Assisi

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Peppermint

2011-12-10T14:25:00.000-08:00

Cinnamon may be associated with this time of year, but Peppermint is even more so.

The word peppermint was first attested in the 1690s. It is unclear how it got it's name. The peppermint is a mutt of a plant. It's a cross between a spearmint and a watermint. It doesn't need a lab with technicians in order to exist, this hybrid plant occurs in nature. It was originally cultivated in London, but can now be found around the world. It is considered to be an invasive species in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. It especially likes moist, shady habitats, like streams or drain ditches.

Peppermint (and all mints in general) has a long tradition of medicinal use, probably because it's one of the best tasting remedies out there. It has a high menthol content, which is an anesthetic. This is the reason that peppermint is often farmed for it's oil. It is used as a flavoring for tea, ice cream, candy, toothpaste, and chewing gum. Peppermint has a very sharp aroma which is used to help memory and cure insomnia. It's oil also acts as a natural pesticide.

Peppermint's magickal attributes are often lumped together with spearmint, but Wiccans believe they bring luck, money, and strength. Tea made from this plant is often used as a natural aspirin. Inhalation of boiling leaves is recommended for head colds and asthma. It's ideal for indigestion, headaches, toothaches, flatulence, and general fatigue. Perhaps this plant became associated with this time of year because this is the time when people most often get sick.

You might recall that I once blogged about a family that has a child named Peppermint Aries. The sex of the child is unclear because the family is really into gender bending. But I looked at that name and thought, "My Gods, I hope that's a girl." Is that hypocritical of me? I mean, I'm usually very pro-unisex when it comes to unusual nature names. But I see Peppermint as really cutsie and sugary, and therefore difficult for a boy to wear.

This might be because of Peppermint Patty, who is a character in the comic strip Peanuts. The character's real name is Patricia Reichardt. Peppermint Patty is a joke name referring to the york peppermint patty, a tasty mint and chocolate cake.

As I said before, this name is just too cute for me. But if you're a family that likes cute, then there's nothing wrong with cute! It's an unusual, sweet name for the daring namer.

Website News:

Just a friendly reminder that nominations for Pagan Name of the Year are still open!

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=peppermint+candy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint
http://www.herbalist.com/wiki.details/53/category/11/start/0/
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/herbal/magickalm.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint_Patty

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Lucifer

2011-12-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

A reader named Kitsune has left a comment that intrigued me greatly. She said that she and her husband have decided that their third son, should they ever have one, will be named Lucifer. So this profile is greatly dedicated to her and her family.

But let's get into the name's history first, which is actually not malevolent at all. Lucifer (pronounced "LOO-sih-fer") is a Latin name derived from lucem ferre and it means "light bearer." Many people think that this name first appeared in the Bible, but they are wrong. In Ancient Roman times, Lucifer was the name for the planet Venus when it appears in the east before sunrise. Because it "brings the light" of day, get it? Nowadays, no one calls it by that name and instead call it the Morning Star. Back then, people believed that stars were real celestial beings, which might have been what started belief in angels.

You might be reading this and thinking, "Wait, Lucifer is Old Testament, right? How did a Latin name find it's way into a Hebrew manuscript?" I got news for you: It didn't. There is no Lucifer in the Jewish religion. In the original Hebrew Text, the fourteenth chapter of Isaiah is not about a fallen angel. It's about a fallen king. This Babylonian king persecuted the Jewish people during his lifetime. The text refers to this king as Helal at certain points, which means "day star" or "son of the dawn." This name was given to him because he wore opulent golden robes.

The Roman Catholic Church who were the first to translate these texts for their Bible all spoke Latin. They saw the word Helal and changed it to Lucifer. They didn't make a mistake. That's what the "day star" was in Latin. It is unclear precisely when he transformed from a king into an angel, but presumably they changed it because they thought it would make a better story.

You should notice at this point that there is still no mention of Satan. In the original story, Lucifer is one of the archangels until he gets a little power hungry and God has to kick him out...and that's it. It ends with Lucifer continuously flying in the air above the abyss. It is not suggested that he's the Devil, and many scholars today believe that they are two separate beings. Even in the original New Testament, the "adversary" is given many names, but Lucifer isn't one of them.

So what's the problem? The King James version of the Bible. Yes, the same one that says, "Thou salt not suffer a witch to live." It also says, "Lucifer is Satan: so says the word of God." Except the Lord said no such thing.

Christians today generally believe that the Devil has been around since the beginning of time. That is, if you follow the Bible literally. If you believe that something has existed since the dawn of time, then you assume that everyone before you believed in it too. The truth is that the Devil is a relatively new creation that evolved over time, and the early Bible authors didn't believe in it at all. Heck, some people believe that he got busy with Diana and fathered Aradia.

And so the debate. Does the negative association with Lucifer make this name too much of a risk, like it does with Baphomet? Or should people become more culturally literate and get over it, like with Jezebel? Only you, Kitsune and husband, can decide this.

This name might be risky, but it's not a risk that you would be alone in taking. Nine American boys were named Lucifer last year. Still, that's not very many, and the incorrect "Lucifer is Satan" assumption holds as much sway over popular culture as "Witches are evil." This name has even been banned in a number of countries. The ironic thing about all the vitriol against Lucifer is that the name's meaning, "light bearer" or "bringer of light," is often attributed to Jesus.

Kitsune, I was rather amused when you said that you're husband's number one problem with Lucifer was not the stigma, but finding nicknames that weren't Lucy. I'm extremely interested now in what you're two sons are named! You already thought of Lucky, but I'm going to add a few more: Lucas, Luca, Lux, Sif, or Fife.

So when little Lucifer (or whatever you ultimately decide to name him) is born, congratulations. Should people give you grief over this choice, you have all this ammunition to give them. Or you can just refer them to this post.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucifer
http://www.lds-mormon.com/lucifer.shtml

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Yvaine

2011-12-04T22:04:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when there's lots of talk of stars, which made me think of this name.

This name has a lot in common with Coraline. Yvaine (pronounced "ee-VAYN") is a name that was introduced to the world through a Neil Gaiman book. Yvaine is the name of a fallen star who lands in Faerie, where stars are living beings. The hero, Tristran, vows to find the star and give it to a village girl named Victoria as proof of his love. She is also pursued by witches and princes who want her for their own nefarious purposes. When Tristram realizes his love for her, she abandons his courtship with Victoria and marries Yvaine. They cannot interbreed and therefore never have children.

Well, I read Stardust and...well, lets just say that it's not one of my favorite book. The ending of Stardust is anti-climatic to the extreme. The movie adaptation was better, but not overwhelmingly fantastic. And it doesn't look like it inspired many parents to use this name.

Some sources list Yvaine as a Scottish name literally meaning "evening star." I'm not sure where they're getting that from, and I don't think I buy it. I think it's more likely that it's a feminine form of Yvain. Yvain is the name of an important figure in Arthurian legend.

Sir Yvain (also known as Ywain, Owain, Ewain, or Uwain) was a Knight of the Round Table and the son of King Urien. He is one of the oldest characters in Arthurian legend and was one of the most popular in it's day. He appeared in Chretien de Troyes Yvain, The Knight of the Lion. In the story, Yvain seeks to avenge his cousin Calogrenant by killing the Knight Esclados. He succeeds, and also falls in love with Exclados' widow, Laudine. With the help of Laudine's servant, he wins her heart. But Gawain convinces Yvain to embark on an adventure. His new wife allows this on the condition that he return after a set period of time. Yvain has so much fun during his exploits that he looses track of time, and Laudine forbids him from coming home. Yvain is devastated, but is determined to win her back. In the end, Laudine eventually allows him to come back home. The character is based off of the historical Owain mab Urien, who was King of Rheged in Great Britain during the 500s. If this is where the name Yvaine comes from, that would make it a form of Owain, a Welsh name meaning "youth."

Yvaine has a Medieval feel to it that is likely to appeal to some people. You're going to have to explain the pronunciation and spelling more than once, as Yvaine is not as familiar a name as Coraline. However, it has a strange loveliness to it that sounds very magickal.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvaine_(Stardust)#Characters
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/yvaine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ywain
http://www.behindthename.com/name/yvain

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Name Round Up: Cirque du Soleil

2011-12-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

Ah, Cirque du Soleil. You either love it or you love to hate it. For me, it's mostly the former with a little bit of the later. They create incredibly imaginative and beautiful shows (and there's no animal abuse!), but at the same time it's a company that sometimes makes cringe worthy decisions in the name of money.

What I can tell you is that Cirque du Soleil a unique name lover's goldmine. All the influx of cultures and crazy creative people mean that they use some interesting monikers. This is just a fraction of the names of shows, songs, and people who worked on the shows that I collected. Let's bask in the colorful strangeness, shall we?

Nouvelle
Mystere
Alegria
Quidam
Dralion
Varekai
Ka
Corteo
Delirium
Love
Kooza
Wintuk
Zaia
Zed
Believe
Ovo
Totem
Zarkana
Iris
Soleil
Violaine
Francesca
Egypte
Innocence
Africa
Nostalgie
Ephra
Icare
Ibis
Valsapena
Nocturne
Nitin
Ombra
Stella
Miracula
Bamboo
Hinko
Ravendhi
Cielo
Storm
Forest
Aquilex
Adrideo
Undae
Vocea
Moon
Gitans
Taruka
Mirko
Simcha
Gamelan
Rivage
Ulysse

Image Credit:
http://montreal.about.com/od/cirquedusoleil/ig/Cirque-du-Soleil-Contortionist.-1Xm/Cirque-du-Soleil-Contortionist.-1Y1.htm

Rembrandt

2011-12-04T15:47:00.000-08:00

Every time someone compiles a list of names inspired by artists, I'm always surprised when Rembrandt isn't mentioned.

Rembrandt (pronounced "REM-brahnt") is a Germanic name composed of the elements ragin, meaning "advice," and brand, meaning "sword." A more lyrical interpretation of the name may be "sword wisdom." The name was primarily used by the Dutch.

The most famous namesake is artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, who often signed his work with his first name only. He is considered to be one of the greatest painters and print makers in European history. In his youth he achieved success as a portrait painter, and married his art dealer's cousin, a woman named Saskia. After that his personal life went downhill. Their first son, Rumbartus, died when he was two months old. Their first daughter, Cornelia, died at three weeks old. The second daughter, also named Cornelia, died after one month. And Saskia died after the birth of their fourth child, a boy named Titus. Titus lived to adulthood. Later, Rembrandt had a relationship with a maid named Hendrickje. They never married but they raised a child together named...Cornelia. This must have been his favorite girls name. Rembrandt had a problem with living beyond his means, and his later life was characterized by financial problems.

Rembrandt is renowned for blending the mundane and the spiritual in his work. He is especially praised for his narrative paintings, which mostly consisted of Biblical scenes, but occasionally included other stories like the abduction of Europa. The house he lived in was located in the Jewish quarter, and would use the neighbors as models.

There is more than one Rembrandt. There are two other artists with this name. Rembrandt Bugatti was an Italian sculptor and Rembrandt Peale was an American painter. A fictional character named Rembrandt Brown appeared in the television show Sliders. It's also the name of a dental cosmetic whitening product, but my first thought is still the artist.

Most everyone is familiar with this name. People are going to forget the silent "d" in the name, which wouldn't be incorrect. Originally, his name was spelled Rembrant and that's how he signed it. But otherwise, Rembrandt seems like an excellent option. It falls in line with Monet and Kahlo. It would be awesome if more people considered this name.

Sources:
http://www.behindthename.com/name/rembrandt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt_(disambiguation)

Image Credit:
Painting by Rembrandt.

Wren

2011-12-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

Wren's been gaining more and more attention by name enthusiasts, and this season is an appropriate time to profile it.

Wren (pronounced "REHN") is is an Old English name derived from wrenne and wraenna. Many of the names used in reference to this bird mean "king" or "little king." It was called Regulus in Latin, Kinglet in Old High German, Reytelet in French, Bren in Welsh, and Konije in Dutch. This is due to a legend about a competition to find the king of the birds. The crown was to be given to the bird who could fly the highest. The eagle out flew all the other birds, but the wren won by hiding in it's feathers and jumping up at the last minute.

The wren is considered the most sacred bird in many cultures, particularly to the Druids. In Irish Gaelic, it's called the drui-en or Druid bird. The Welsh word dryw means both Druid and wren. The bird symbolized wisdom, divinity, the underworld, healing, and cunning. Around New Year an apprentice Druid would go out by himself into the woods to find hidden wisdom. If he found a wren, it was a sign that he would be blessed with knowledge in the coming year. The wren is a very tiny bird that is hard to spot, although its impressive voice makes up for it (it's song is ten times louder than a rooster's). The wren's elusiveness is taken as a metaphor for finding the elusive divinity within all things. The Druids also used the wren's calls for divination. There are many myths that state that the wren was the animal that brought fire to mankind, and several myths that feature a shape shifting wren.

But just because the wren is king doesn't mean that people always treated the bird with kindness. In Celtic-speaking areas, the wren was hunted and killed in a ritualistic way, usually by stoning. This was done for several reasons. Some may have been enacting the idea that if you kill a king, his powers pass on to his successor. It may also be due to the Pagan Yule tradition of the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King. The wren represents the old Holly King that dies at Yule, and the robin represents the reborn Oak King. The Winter Solstice was the only time a wren could be hunted down, any other time it was extremely unlucky. The Christians adopted this tradition on St Stephen's Day, or Wrenning Day. It was believed that a wren's song betrayed St. Stephen, who was hiding in martyrdom. Thus on December 26th, they would take revenge for St. Stephen's stoning by killing a bird. There is a traditional Yuletide carol called "The Hunting of the Wren." Generally, the senseless slaughter of tiny, helpless birds is frowned upon by most Pagans today, but a variation of this tradition still exists in Ireland. Children and adults go throughout the neighborhood asking for food, money, or alcohol in exchange for seeing a captured wren.

History points towards this being a boys name. However, most modern baby name resources list it for girls only. But as far as I can tell it has never charted for either gender in the United States. It is much more commonly seen as a surname. The most well known fictional namesake is a boy, Wren McCormic from the movie Footloose. Although I also remember it as the name of Shia LaBeouf's overachieving sister in the television show Even Stevens. The name is more used in Australia than in any other country, both for girls and boys.

So if you would like to use Wren, it's a great name for this time of year, if slightly macabre. It's a no-frills name for a girl, and a gentle nature name for a boy. Wren's a great name with lots of meaning for a little Witchlet.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wren
http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/articles/mythology_folklore/the_wren_-_king_of_birds.asp
http://pierce.yolasite.com/wrenkingsongs.php
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/wren
http://www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2011/12/advent-calendar-day-1.html
http://www.spiracanada.com/ravendreamer/totems/wren.htm
http://wiki.name.com/en/Wren

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Bastet

2011-12-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

I would like to hear one good reason why this name can't be used on a person. Bastet is famous for being the Ancient Egyptian goddess of cats, but she's a lot more than that.

The first matter that needs clearing up is the subject of Bastet's names. Bastet (pronounced "bas-TET") was not her name back in Ancient Egypt. It is the most widely adopted version of her name by Neo-Pagans and scholars alike, but it is a modern invention and only one of many possible interpretations. The earliest known pronounceable name that we know of is Obest or Ubasti. Another well used variation of her name is Bast.

What the name means is uncertain, but there is one recent suggestion. Author Stephen Quirke listed the meaning as "she of the ointment jar." This would make sense because aside from being the goddess of cats, she is also the goddess of perfume. In some traditions it is believed that she is the wife of Anubis (god of mummification and the afterlife) because mummies were anointed during embalming.

Originally, Bastet had nothing to do with domestic cats. The earliest depictions show her as a lioness or as a woman with the head of a lion. This was when she was a protector goddess of Lower Egypt and defender of the Pharaoh. When the two cultures of Upper and Lower Egypt merged, Bastet was pushed away for a time as Sekhmet took her prior role. In the now peaceful kingdom, people began keeping domestic cats as pets. As the popularity of the pet grew more popular, Bastet resurfaced as their protector, and changed into a woman with the head of a cat.

Many sources list Bastet as a moon goddess. This is not true. Bastet is a solar goddess, which makes this name perfect for the Yuletide season. The misconception occurred when Greeks occupied Egypt and decided to merge the identities of Egyptian gods with their gods. They thought that Bastet was a lot like Artemis, who is the goddess of the moon. But these two goddesses evolved separately.

It's common knowledge that cats were revered in Ancient Egypt. Mostly because they killed rats, mice, and snakes. The treatment of cats in this civilization was similar to the treatment of cows in modern India. Royal cats were dressed in jewelry and had permission to eat from their owners plates. The Ancient Egyptians noticed how tender most cats are to their kittens. So Bastet also presides over pregnant woman and their children. If a woman wanted to become pregnant, they would wear an amulet of Bastet with kittens at her feet. The number of kittens would indicate the number of children the woman wanted to have.

Bastet even had her own cult, but it was contained in one city known today as Tell-Basta. A massive festival in Bastet's honor was held annually in this city. The holiday would be celebrated by men and women, but children were not allowed to attend. The celebrants would crowd onto ships, and they would dance, drink, and play music on the way to Tell-Basta. When they arrived, they would perform sacrifices, and drank the even more wine. At this point I should probably mention that Bastet is also the goddess of joy, dancing, music, and sensual pleasure. Tell-Basta is where archaeologists have found the mummified remains of holy cats.

This name does belong to a fictional Witch. In the sadly-now-out-of-print Bast mystery series by Rosemary Edghill, Bast (whose real name is Karen Hightower, but considers Bast her true name) is a youngish practicing Wiccan living in New York City. She is also a sleuth, and she needs to solve a murder mystery in each book. Bast is a complex character who experiences a lot of doubt in her life and in her chosen path, but she's also quirky and funny. It is considered to be one of the best works of Pagan fiction, and there is no hint of tired fantasy cliches or references to Satan.

Bastet appears to be a favorite magickal name, and it's easy to see why. But I've never seen it given a child. Why not? I know that this is a name people like to give to their pet cats. So is that why it hasn't been used? Because it's a pet's name? That doesn't stop people from naming their sons Rex. I will say that this is a goddess that teenage girls in particular seem to love. I was one of them. But perhaps this association makes the name seem a little juvenile. That's still not a real reason.

So I'm going to make a case for Bastet. It's unique. The goddess association is a benevolent one. The sound is vaguely..."Frenchified" for lack of a better term. It's a very daring first name option and a interesting middle name idea. Bastet or Bast would make anyone an excellent name.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastet
http://www.squidoo.com/bastet
http://www.squidoo.com/bast-novels-rosemary-edghill

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Elder

2011-12-03T16:55:00.000-08:00

We are in the mists of the Celtic tree month of Elder, which would be something of a challenging name to live up to.

The Elder month takes place from November 25th to December 23rd, the day after the Winter Solstice. It's Celtic name is Ruis (pronounced "ROO-ish" I think). The elder tree represents the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, and it has wisdom associated with the winter of our years. It presides over death, rebirth, and creativity. This association goes back a long way, funerary flints from the megalithic era were elder leaf shaped. The Celts believed that the solar spirit was being held prisoner during this month. This tree is sometimes known as the "death tree" as well as the "witch tree," and the local hedgewitch would certainly have used this tree for magickal and medicinal purposes. This tree is particularly sacred to Venus, Bran, Hel, and the Great Goddess herself. In Christianity, the tree is seen in a negative light because it supposedly was the tree from which Judas hanged himself.

The elder tree has it's own spirit protecting it, a dryad called Hylde-moer, or the Elder Tree Mother. Should the tree be chopped down and turned into furniture, the spirit will follow it's property into the owner's house and haunt the inhabitants. It is considered especially unlucky to make a crib out of elder wood, for Hylde-moer will pinch the baby during the night causing it to wake up continuously. You can avoid this danger by asking the tree for permission before you cut anything from it. It is traditional to say, "Lady Elhorn, give me of thy wood, and I will give thee mine, when I become a tree."

The elder tree is highly associated with the holiday of Yule, so this month is a good time for magick involving the Sun god (or goddess, since there are a few traditions where the goddess precedes over the sun). The last of this tree's elderberries would have been picked during Samhain, and these were made into wine. Some Pagans considered this wine to be the last sacred gift of the Earth goddess for the year. This wine would have been drunk ritually to invoke prophetic visions. Elder twigs were woven into head dresses so that the wearer could see spirits. Justice was often dispensed under the elder tree, so coven swords often had elder handles. They are also a popular wood for wands, and there is a famous elder wand in the Harry Potter series. The elder tree are also used for protection against evil. You can hang branches on your door, cast berries and leaves in four directions, or carry a bag of twigs around your neck. The belief that elder protects against vampires is older than the similar myth about garlic.

The elder tree could be used in remedies for as many as 70 conditions. The bark can be used to treat headaches and induce labor. The leaves and flowers can be made into drinks and salves. Elderberry flower water is often used to treat sunburns.

If you're a Neo-Pagan family this name might be slightly problematic. In Wicca, Elder is a type of ranking in the Priesthood. It's the highest ranking for those that do not run a coven, meaning that Elders are solitary. Granted, Wiccans are not the only ones that use this term. There are Elders in Native American traditions, the Methodist church, and the Church of Later Day Saints. Wicca is also split up into Elder Wicca and Neo Wicca. Elder Wiccans concentrate on tradition while Neo Wiccans are much more eclectic.

But even without this, I would expect someone named Elder to be the eldest child in the family. After all, that's what the word means. If I met a boy named Elder and he was the middle child...I would find that a little strange. Obviously, the name Elder suggests someone who is very wise, so this is a good name for someone who wants their son to have this trait. But it would be an unusual one on the playground.

Sources:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Elder
http://dutchie.org/elder-lore/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elder
http://www.eternalharvestwicca.org/WHATWEBELIEVE.HTM

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Madrigal

2011-12-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

I've actually met a man named Madrigal, so I did not just make this one up. My family was on a cruise ship and he was our waiter. He was from Spain, and after researching this name that makes sense.

Madrigal (pronounced "MAH-drih-gal") is derived from the Latin word matricalis, literally meaning "from the womb." But it was used as a word meaning "invented," "original," or "ingenious." The word is most attached to a type of secular music for unaccompanied voices.

Madrigals were invented in Italy, more specifically Florence, during the 1520s. It came from a resurgence of interest in Italian vernacular poetry. There were madrigal dinner theaters and madrigal comedies. It's rise to popularity is partially due to the fact that printed secular music became widely available after to the invention of the printing press and movable type. It was the most popular form of music in it's day, but then operas came along and stole their thunder. A madrigal is also a type of poetry, which is why this word is listed in the dictionary as "a short love poem."

However, there are a few namesakes that have Madrigal as a surname. Guess what they all have in common? They're all from Spanish speaking countries. Madrigal is the name of two towns in Spain, so that's probably where it comes from.

But I've only heard of it as a first name once. When I see it listed it's listed as a girls name, but I see no reason why it couldn't be used for both genders. And since it is almost Yuletide and the carolers are about to come out very soon, I figured this musical name would be appropriate for this time of year.

Madrigal will be a new one for a lot of people, but it has an intriguing Medieval sound that will appeal to people. Particularly the Neo-Pagans that are really into Renaissance Fairs. Madrigal is a unique name for the daring namer, but it still has a history.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=madrigal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrigal_(music)

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Oceanus

2011-11-28T22:24:00.000-08:00

During the Mayflower's voyage, a woman gave birth on board. The mother named her son Oceanus Hopkins because, well, he was born in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This is the last Thanksgiving name this year, I promise!

The fact that a Puritan would use this name is rather interesting because Oceanus is the name of a Pagan god. Oceanus (pronounced oh-shee-AH-nus") is the Latin form of the Greek Okeanos, and I think the meaning is pretty apparent. In Greek mythology, Oceanus was both a Titan and a pseudo geographical feature.

Oceanus was the son of Uranus and Gaia, the brother of Cronus, and the uncle of Poseidon. Some scholars say that Oceanus was originally the god of all bodies of water. The Ancient Greeks believed that there was one world ocean that surrounded the world like a giant river. But the farther away the Greeks traveled and the more accurate geography became, Oceanus became the god of scary, unknown waters while Poseidon of the new generation of gods represented the Mediterranean Sea.

In early works of art, Oceanus is depicted as a man with a fish tail, holding a fish and a snake as gifts of bounty and prophesy. Later depictions show a regular-looking, if impossibly muscular, man. Oceanus' consort was his sister Tethys, and he is the father of all the ocean nymphs and all of the rivers, fountains, and lakes of the world. Oceanus chose not to fight against the Olympians with his fellow Titans, and instead drew from conflict. This meant that he is still on good speaking terms with his ruling gods.

In Wicca, the ocean is sacred because that's where all life originated. Particularly, it's a symbol of the Goddess. Water is a feminine element, and the ocean represents the world's womb. When we moved onto land, the ocean traveled with us within our bodies. The sea water flows through our veins.

This has never been a popular name in the United States. I've seen Oceanus listed as a girl's name only. I guess you could use this name for a girl, but placing this in the girls column goes against historical usage. There are female variations, like Oceana and Oceane, and you could use Ocean for either gender.

I love Oceanus. It's a strong yet calm name much like the element it represents. Oceanus is a wonderfully Witchy name for a little boy born during the Thanksgiving season. Or any season, really.

Website News:

Nominations for Pagan Name of the Year kind of trickled to a stop. I know there are most suggestions out there! I'm going to keep bothering you all until I get more!

Sources:
http://www.nancy.cc/2010/06/23/pilgrim-baby-names-oceanus-and-peregrine/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanus
http://www.behindthename.com/name/oceanus
http://www.wicca-spirituality.com/goddess-symbols.html

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Samoset

2011-11-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

This may be the ultimate Thanksgiving name, aside from maybe Mayflower.

Samoset (I'm not sure one the pronunciation) is a either an Algonquian or Wampanoag name, the most famous Samoset belonged to both tribes and most sources don't list a language besides "Native American." But they all agree that it means, "he who walks over much." It can be interpreted as someone who travels. The Thanksgiving Samoset did a lot of that.

Samoset was born into the Abenaki tribe, which resided in what is now Maine. This was also a region in which the English and French fought for fishing and fur rights. Samoset had frequent contact with these men, and was able to pick up a working understanding of the English language.

Though he was a chief himself, he also acted as the number one man to Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag, who lived in Massachusetts. This is the area where the Pilgrims landed. Earlier attempts at conversing with Native Americans were a failure, they had simply scampered away whenever the Pilgrims came near. Which was probably just as well, as the Pilgrims were so weak at that point that they were incredibly vulnerable to attack.

So imagine the Pilgrims shock when virtually naked Native American man strode through the middle of Plymouth Colony and greeted them in English. Samoset was in the area, so he introduced himself. He was the first Native American to do so. He explained who all the surrounding tribes were and introduced them to Massasoit and Squanto. Thanks to him, they were able to trade for goods with the Native Americans and survive. Later, Samoset was also the first to sign a land sale contract with the colonists. Poor sucker.

This is the perfect name for someone born during the Thanksgiving season. Samoset may not be a common name, but Sam is a common enough nickname. It's particularly a good name for someone who wants to honor the Native American side of the story.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoset
http://www.notablebiographies.com/supp/Supplement-Mi-So/Samoset.html

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Desire

2011-11-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I was surprised to see that Desire was used as a girls names by the Pilgrims. There was one aboard the Mayflower. I'm not quite sure what this name it supposed to suggest. Maybe a desire to be closer to God? That seems likely.

But let's look at the word's history. Desire is ultimately derived from the Latin phrase de sidere, meaning "from the stars." This suggests that the original meaning of "desiring" was "awaiting what the stars will bring." This gradually evolved into "wishing," "longing," or "expecting." It wasn't used as a synonym for "lust" until the 1300s, but that's still early enough for the Puritans in America to be familiar with it.

So have we ever heard of this name anywhere else? In comic book land, yes. Desire is one of the seven Endless (god-like creatures) in the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman. Desire is a strikingly beautiful character whose gender is mutable because he/she represents all that someone could desire. He/She is often referred to as "sister-brother" by the other Endless. He/She is the cruelest of all the Endless and is obsessed with causing trouble within the family. He/She is as fickle and self centered as the emotion itself.

A French variation (or, at least, a Frenchified variation) of Desire have been given to daughters for quite a while. Desiree (pronounced "DEHZ-ih-ray") peaked in the 1990s at #138, and is now at #474. Desiree Clary was once a fiance of Napoleon, and there's a Desiree in the musical A Little Night Music. Granted, all the Desiree's I have known have not been very nice, but that's another story. If you take that into account, using Desire makes more sense.

Desire has more of a diluted sensuality than, say, Passion, and is definitely more usable than Vixen. And a diluted sensuality might make it a great option for a Neo-Pagan family. To us, sex is a sacred act. Besides, desire could also be seen as another word for motivation, as in, "She had a great desire to become the best pole vaulter in the world."

Desire could be a very daring first name option or a lovely middle name option. I see it as a girls name, and that's how it has been used historically, but it's possible that it could be used for a boy as well. It's an unusual name with more history than one would expect.

Sources:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=desire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_(DC_Comics)
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/desiree

Image Credit:
http://mariya12.deviantart.com/art/Face-with-lace-170042269

Hickory

2011-11-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

I've loved this name ever since I thought it up. Let me share it with you.

Hickory(pronounced "HIH-kor-ee") comes from the Powhatan language. The Powhatan tribe originated in what is now Virginia. But beyond that, no one really knows what the word means.

The word refers to the hickory tree. It can be found in a variety of countries including China, Indonesia, Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The tree does not seem to be terribly popular with Neo-Pagans, many sources won't list it's magickal properties. What I could find says that it brings discipline and direct action.

I don't see hickory mentioned in any mythology. But the name does appear in American history. When Andrew Jackson took the office of presidency he had absolutely no experience as a statesman. He was a battered old soldier. He was crass, unsophisticated, rude, and ignorant, boisterous, brave, and rugged. He was the type of man that later candidates only pretended to be. The American people loved him, and Jackson became the first commoner in office. The seventh president's nickname was "Old Hickory." He used his namesake to create physical paraphernalia during his election campaign. They sold canes, brooms, hats, and buttons that had either Jackson's image or the image of a hickory tree.

The hickory tree has many practical uses throughout the years. It has been made into bows, wheel spokes, tool handles, carts, paddles, and the bottom of skis. Golf club handles are still sometimes called "hickory sticks" even though they are now made from steel or granite. In the old days, hickory was made into the switches used to beat children. The wood is praised for it's strength and toughness. It is also a preferred wood for smoking cured meat and heating.

I see Hickory as a strong and beautiful nature name. There's just one problem. "Dickory Dock." As in, "Hickory, dickory, dock/The mouse ran up the clock/The clock struck one/The mouse went down/Hickory, dickory, dock." That nursery rhyme is going to get old really fast. That's probably why no one else thought of it as a name option. And I'll be honest, sometimes it bothers me. But most of the time it doesn't bother me enough.

If you're willing to give it a shot, Hickory is a great name for either gender. It's got a strength and robustness, but at the same time it's very lyrical sounding. It's American the same way that Huckleberry is. I wish more people would consider this unique option.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickory
http://www.etsy.com/listing/29822556/hickory-handmade-magic-wand-pagan-wicca
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug02/reno/jackson.html

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Cotton

2011-11-25T21:42:00.000-08:00

Well, I would like to thank Cotton Mather for making this name completely unusable for any Neo-Pagan in the foreseeable future, you fool!

Cotton Mather was a Puritan minister well known for his role in the Salem Witch Trials. He was named after one of his grandfathers, who's name was John Cotton. Some historians believe that he caused the hysteria in Salem by publishing books that encouraged witch hunting. He was obsessed with catching witches or "curing" them, and stated that anyone against the witch trials were witch advocates. On the other hand, he did encourage people to get inoculated against smallpox. Good, but not good enough for the Witchy community, Mather. And it's not like he's an unknown historical figure. Most Americans have a passing familiarity with this man. At the very least, they know that Cotton is a Puritan boys name.

It's a shame really, because Cotton could be a sweet nature name in the same vein as Clover and Saffron. Cotton is ultimately derived from the Arabic qutn, which might have came from an Ancient Egyptian word. The meaning is unknown as far as I can tell. Cotton is also a verb meaning, "to get along with," but this use must be very old because I've never heard of it.

The cotton plant is originally from tropical and subtropical areas like Mexico, Africa, the Middle East, and India. I have distinct memories of cotton floating in the air when I was a child in Connecticut, which is not very tropical. So clearly the plant has moved beyond those regions. Different species were cultivated independently in both the Old World and the New World. One hilarious story involves the import of cotton to Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. They had no knowledge of how it was made other than it coming from a plant, so they concluded that they must have come from a plant-borne species of sheep.

This plant has been used to make fabric since prehistoric times. This fabric comes from the fibers that surround cotton seeds, which are harvested and spun into thread. The United States had been the number one exporter of cotton for years, but recently that honor had been usurped by China. I've seen cotton advertised as the eco-friendly fabric. That's slightly misleading. Cotton farms are known for having a particularly high pesticide rate, so check to see what the companies harvesting practices are first. In addition to fabrics, cotton is also used to make fishing nets, coffee filters, cottonseed oil, gunpowder, and paper. In the American slavery times, cotton bark was used as a folk remedy to induce a miscarriage.

If you don't think about the past bearer, this name has a gentle, rustic feel to it. Only time will tell of Cotton's reputation could be reinvented and given to children without a bad aftertaste. You're welcome to give it a try.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_Mather
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cotton

Image Credit:
http://blessedwildapplegirl.tumblr.com/

Tallulah

2011-11-25T16:57:00.000-08:00

Technically, it's after Thanksgiving. However, I have to participate in making two more dinners for this particular holiday. So if I'm stretching it out in real life, I'm stretching it out here.

Tallulah (pronounced "tah-LOO-lah") is a Choctaw name meaning "leaping water." The Choctaws lived in what is now Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. This particular tribe is notable for becoming the first major non-European ethnic group to become official American citizens. And yes, there is a waterfall named Tallulah. Across the pond, it is also a Gaelic name meaning "fruitful woman."

Tallulah was thrust into the naming world when Tallulah Bankhead became famous. Tallulah Brockman Bankhead was a classic film and stage actress well known for her outrageous personality. She had a deep voice, romances with both men and women, and supported liberal causes. Very unusual for a Southern woman. She was named after her paternal grandmother, who in turn was named after the Georgia town Tallulah Falls (yes, that's where the waterfall is).

Unlike other well known woman of the day like Greta Garbo and Billie Holiday, Tallulah Bankhead seems to have faded into history. Most people would not associate this unusual name with her. But there are namesakes, mostly celebrity children. It is the name that belongs to one of the "9 by Design" children and is also a daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. The actress that plays Mary Bennet in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is named Talulah Riley. As for fictional namesakes, a young Jodie Foster plays a Tallulah in the film Bugsy Malone.

This name has never appeared in the American top 1,000. But for some reason I expected it to have appeared at some point. The name's got a lot going for it. It's lyrical and happy. Nicknames include Lulu, Lucy, Lula, Tulla, and Tilly. It even has some famous people attached to it. I'm not sure why it's never charted.

So if you want a bi-cultural name that is beautiful and lovely for some one born during the Thanksgiving season, Tallulah would be interesting to consider.

Sources:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Tallulah
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/tallulah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choctaw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallulah_Bankhead

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Why Pagans Use Names from Other Cultures, and How To Do So Respectably

2011-11-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

Take a look at these Native American names. How are they similar?

Seattle
Montana
Cheyenne
Manhattan
Dakota
Kentucky
Miami
Allegheny
Niagara
Chicago

I'll get back to that in a moment.

Neo-Paganism is a culture that is all about exchanging and borrowing from other cultures that aren't necessarily part of your bloodline. Also, our whole history is full of mixing ideas, deities, and traditions. Most Neo-Pagans weren't raised in the faith. So when they decide to raise children as Neo-Pagans, many of them divorce themselves from the culture they were raised in. And they often look around trying to find something else to fill the gap. Some are inspired from their own heritage, but they are also inspired by foreign traditions. So it only stands to reason that when someone questions the appropriateness of using names from another culture, my ears perk up.

Specifically, there is the question as to whether or not it's offensive to give your child a Native American name if you're not Native American. I've heard some mention of them not liking that so many children are named Dakota, for instance, because it's the name of a tribe.

At first it seemed odd to me that they would be so protective over names that they don't appear to be using themselves. It seems like every Native American male I've see on the television or while visiting a reservation is named John. The two Native American people that I knew personally in my life were named Savannah and Delilah. They'll have a surname in their own language or maybe an English composite name like Redleaf or something, but you know. But what I'm hearing behind it is, "Can't we just have this one thing that isn't completely destroyed by the Pale-Faces?" And I get that.

If I met a little girl named Aradia, and I found out that the parents were not Pagan and they picked the name "because it looked cool" and didn't even bother to find out who Aradia was, I would be pretty pissed off.

But at the same time, I don't think that cultural purity is reasonable to expect in the naming world, nor is it desirable. Take a look at that list again. Did you notice that they're all place names? 27 out of the 50 states have names that comes from a Native American language, and there's countless more cities, towns, and landmarks. The words are so ingrained into America at large that they are now special to all types of Americans.

Lots of Neo-Pagans in particular love Native American culture and respect it. Some of them practice Correlian Nativist Wicca, which is Wicca and Witchcraft mixed with Native American beliefs. And as far as I know you don't actually have to be Native American to practice it. So should they not be allowed to use names from this culture simply because "blood is thicker than water?" Do you really believe that?

Cultures change. Languages change. Associations change. Words change. Names change. Change is nature. Repressing it is illogical. But there are ways to give your child a name that "belongs" to another culture that hopefully keeps all groups happy. Here's what it comes down to:

Don't be a mindless prat about it. I heard a story about a girl that walked into a tattoo shop. When asked what type of tattoo she wanted, she glanced up at a poster behind the desk and in two seconds pointed at the ladybug. Don't be that girl. Pick a name that's special to you, not because it's trendy or it "sounds cool."

Know the history. Goes hand-in-hand with not being a mindless prat. Knowing what you're talking about will go a long way towards making other cultures feel respected.

Ask people. Don't know for certain if something is offensive? You could always ask around. People will be happy that you took the time to know the truth rather than just making stuff up.

Don't borrow names that are particularly sacred from cultures that have a humorless view of borrowing. If you're not Islamic, don't name your son Muhammad. Just don't do it. It's a dark hole you don't want to go down.

That's my pointers, and maybe you have another set of pointers that could be helpful. What advice do you have?

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_place_names_in_the_United_States_of_Native_American_origin

Name Round Up: Very Bizarre Puritan Names

2011-11-24T00:15:00.000-08:00

My personal distaste for their culture aside, Puritans used some very charming names. These are not amongst them. I'm reluctant to say that any name is unusable, because you never know what will become fashionable in the future. But I, for one, would not be sorry to see these go. And yes, these are all first names as far as I know.

Abstinence
Adulterina
Be Strong Philpott
Be Courteous Cole
Faint Not
Fear God
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Flea-Fornication
Forsaken
Hate Evil
Help on High
Helpless
Humiliation
If Christ Had Not Died for The Thou Hads't Been Damned
Jesus Christ Came Into the World to Save
Judas-Not Iscariot
Kerenhappuch
Kill Sin Pimple
Mahershalalhashbaz
Misericordia-Adulterina
More Fruit
More-Triall
Muche-Merceye
No-Merit
Obedience
Pontius Pilot Pegden
Postumus
Repent
Revolt Morecock
Sabbath Clark
Search the Scriptures
Sin Deny
Sin-No-More
Sorry for Sin
Stand Fast on High
The-Lord-is-Near
Tribulation Wholesome
Zaphnathpaaneah
Zeal of the Land

Sources:
The New Book of Magical Names by Phoenix McFarland

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Kaya

2011-11-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many people outside of the United States are familiar with the American Girl company. For the uninitiated, it's a big thing. They're mainly well known for their pricey dolls, which could cost up to a few thousand dollars if you buy all the accessories. They also publish magazine and books. The books are generally tools to sell the dolls. Each doll comes from a particular time in American History, and the books are meant to tell their story. In 2002, they introduced a new character named Kaya'aton'my, shortened to Kaya. The name took off.

Kaya in the books is a Nez Perce girl. That's interesting because the sources I have state that the name is Hopi. The Hopis were located nowhere near the Nez Perce. Kaya (pronounced "KAH-yah" or "KIY-ah") is short form of Kakahoya, which means "my elder little sister." This name denotes someone who is wise beyond her years.

But this name also happens to be multinational. This is also a Japanese name referring to the yew tree. So it should be no surprise that it's most popular for girls in Hawaii, which has a rather large Japanese population. If you've watched the Studio Ghibli movie Princess Mononoke, you know that there is a minor character named Kaya.

For another Native American tribe called Quechuan living in Colombia, Kaya means "tomorrow." In some European countries, it is used as a form of Katherine. In Indonesian it means "wealthy." Kaya is also a common traditional Turkish boy's name meaning "rock." In Ancient Sanskrit, Kaya is a word referring to the physical body, and has come to mean "skin" in some areas of India. There is a successful line of cosmetics with this name in that country. Unfortunately, this might not be a name you want to use if you plan on going to Jamaica a lot. There, "kaya" is slang for marijuana. Remember the Bob Marley album?

Kaya did not appear anywhere on the charts before the American Girl books came out. It turned out to be an alternative to the ultra popular Maya and Kayla. It's peak on the top 1,000 was at #542 in 2003. Now it rests at #771. Possible variants, depending on what culture you're using, could be Kaia and Kaja.

Personally, I love Kaya. It's strong, accessible while being exotic, and a good option for someone born during Thanksgiving. I'm not surprised that it had a small boost of popularity. It looks like it's star is fading somewhat, but it would still make an excellent name for any little girl.

Sources:
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/kaya
http://americangirl.wikia.com/wiki/Kaya'aton'my

Image Credit:
http://blessedwildapplegirl.tumblr.com/

Peregrine

2011-11-22T23:39:00.000-08:00

Peregrine is a favorite for name enthusiasts, and it always get mentioned around Thanksgiving. This is because the first child born off of the Mayflower in the New World was named Peregrine White.

Peregrine (pronounced "PER-ah-green" or "PER-ah-grin") comes from the Latin name Peregrinus meaning "traveler" or "wanderer." In Ancient Rome, Peregrinus was their term for someone who wasn't a citizen of the empire. It's also where the word "pilgrim" comes from. The name was used a lot by early saints, so one might say that it used to be quite popular.

A Neo-Pagan is likely to get excited about this name for two reasons. One is that it's a nature name. A peregrine falcon is also known as simply the peregrine, and sometimes as the duck hawk. They are bluish-black to slate gray with white underparts. Females are noticeably bigger than males, which is common for raptors. They love to live in mountain ranges, coastal regions, river valleys, and are increasingly found in cities. It is the fastest member of the animal kingdom, it can fly at speeds up to 202 mph (325 km/h for you non-American folks). They use this skill to hunt small to medium size birds, small mammals, small reptiles, and insects. Along with kestrels, they are a favorite for falconry. It can live nearly everywhere on earth except for polar regions and New Zealand. Despite this, peregrine falcons are endangered because of the pesticide DDT which causes a weakening of their eggs. But since DDTs have been banned, the population has recovered. This bird has long been associated with royalty and bravery. Mississippian Native Americans would bury powerful men in costumes associated with peregrines because it was a symbol of celestial power.

The second association is from The Lord of the Rings. Peregrin Took is best known as Pippin, a Hobbit who plays a major role as one of Frodo's friends. He is the son of Paladin Took II and Eglantine Banks, and has three sisters named Pearl, Pimpernel, and Pervinca. He is best friends with his cousin Merry, who also plays a major role in the books. Many Neo-Pagans love The Lord of the Rings. I am not one of them, but if my partner turns out to be a huge Tolkien fan I would push for Peregrine.

This name is mentioned in many other contexts as well. In astrology, Peregrine is a name given to any celestial body lacking in "essential dignity," which basically means that it has no strength in the zodiac. Howell Peregrine was the name of a British mathematician. There are other fictional namesakes as well, like the charmingly named Peregrine Pickle. But Pippin is the most famous.

Perhaps not surprisingly given today's trends, some parents have given this name to their girls in recent years. There was a female Peregrine in the reality television show Work of Art: The Next Great Artist, but it's possible that that is a nom de plume. I have to admit that it would make a charming girl's name, but I still prefer it for a future son. It has never been in the top 1,000 for either gender, at least not while there has been a top 1,000. Other variations include Peregrino and Peregryn.

I adore Peregrine, and I know that there are others that share my love. So hopefully I will have the opportunity to use it.

Sources:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Peregrine
http://www.behindthename.com/name/peregrine
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/peregrine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine

Image Credit:
http://blessedwildapplegirl.tumblr.com/

Nokomis

2011-11-22T16:57:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with our Thanksgiving theme, here's another great Native American name.

Nokomis (pronounced "noh-KOO-mis," I think) means "grandmother," but there seems to be some confusion as to what language it comes from. Different sources list it as Chippewa and Cheyenne, but it looks like the Ojibwe have the greatest claim to it. This name is used in traditional stories that also feature a character named Nanabozho, and it is believed that Longfellow's poem "The Song of Hiawatha" is partially inspired by this mythology.

Nokomis is an important character in both the poem and the original stories. She is the daughter of the moon and fell down to earth, which is why the meaning of this name is sometimes listed as "daughter of the moon." Eventually she bears a daughter named Wenonah, who allows herself to be seduced by Mudjekeewis (the spirit of the West Wind) despite her mother's warnings. Mudjekeewis abandons her, and Wenonah dies while giving birth to Hiawatha. Nokomis raises and educates her grandson.

This name has been given to many towns and natural landmarks in America. There is a Nokomis in Florida, Alabama, Illinois, and Minnesota. There is also a Nokomis in Saskatchewan, Canada. So it is well used as a place name.

On people, it's another story. Nokomis has never been a popular name in the United States. I can't think of any other more popular name that even sounds like Nokomis. Plus I have to mention that it has the same "grandma" quirk that Nona does. Some people might find that slightly odd to give a child. But we all hopefully become old sometime. I suppose that you can say that it's a crone name showing wisdom.

So if you want a beautiful, unique, literary Native American name, Nokomis is you're girl.

Website News:

I see that I've had a lot of hits on the Pagan Name of the Year entry (thanks to Appellation Mountain), but only one new comment. I know there are more! Keep the comments coming!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokomis
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Nokomis
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/girl/nokomis

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Salem

2011-11-21T17:44:00.000-08:00

Is it shocking that it took me this long to profile Salem? I'm a little shocked at myself, actually. But it seems like the most obvious Puritan name to start with.

Salem (pronounced "SAY-lem") is a Hebrew name meaning "peace," "whole," or "complete," and is related to Shalom and Solomon. It is also another name for the city of Jerusalem in the Bible. That would make it the perfect name for a overly Christian town like the infamous Salem of Massachusetts.

It's obvious that this name holds great importance for the Neo-Pagan community because of the Salem Witch Trials. It's a textbook case of mass hysteria that Neo-Pagans, and most reasonable people, remember with a shudder. Back then, the inhabitants of Salem Village were forbidden to participate in any course of conduct that was believed to be "devil's work." They not allowed to dance, play with or make toys, play or listen to music that wasn't church hymns, or celebrate holidays. No wonder they went crazy. Part of the reason why the hysteria burned out of control was that it gave people permission to talk about and act out forbidden, but natural, impulses.These trials were actually carried out throughout a few neighboring towns, not just Salem. Over 150 people were imprisoned, with many more accused. 19 people were executed.

Because of this history, Salem's Godly image has been replaced by Witchy cred. Today, Salem, Massachusetts has a large Neo-Pagan population. It is the home of the Salem Witch Museum and the local school is called Witchcraft Heights Elementary School. No matter how much others might want to move away from that image, the only reason Salem is a tourist destination is because of it's Witches. But it is not the only American town that bears this name, Salem is also the capital of Oregon state.

Salem is also attached to a famous black cat. In the comic book series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Salem Saberhagen is a male witch (they use the incorrect term "warlock") who was transformed into a cat as punishment from the Witches Council for trying to take over the world. But Salem could still talk, an ability which he uses to make sarcastic comments. In some adaptations, Salem is just a regular pet cat. Some people won't like this name because they associate it with pets.

But Salem is also the name of an American hero. Salem Poor was an African American man born into slavery. He managed to buy his own freedom in 1769. It cost a little under $60, which I'm sure was a lot more money back then. He married a free Black woman named Nancy. In 1775, he enlisted in the militia and fought as a Patriot in the Revolutionary War. Unfortunately, not much is known about his post war life.

Traditionally, Salem is a boy's name. However, I've noticed an increasing use for girls because, I assume, it's seen as being Witchy and it falls into today's naming trends. But it has never been a popular name in the United States for either gender.

Salem is a good name for those that either wish to wear their Witchiness on their sleeves or are slightly macabre. It could be a surprising option for a child born during Thanksgiving.

Sources:
http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Salem
http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/salem
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_Witch_Trials
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem,_Massachusetts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabrina,_the_Teenage_Witch

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com

Hiawatha

2011-11-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

Oh my various Gods! Thanksgiving is only in a few days! Where did the time go? Since the American names theme worked so well back during Independence Day, I'll do it again for Thanksgiving, focusing on Native American and Puritan names.

Hiawatha (pronounced "hiy-ah-WAHTH-ah") is best known for being a character in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Song of Hiawatha." The poem presents a distorted European view of Native American culture and myths. In it, Hiawatha falls in love with Minnehaha, invents the written language, and discovers corn amongst other things. At the end, "the Priest of Prayer, the Pale-Face" arrives, and Hiawatha joyfully accepts his message of Christianity. Uh-huh. Right. Sure he does, Longfellow.

Longfellow's poem is a work of fiction that doesn't have anything to do with the real Hiawatha. The real Hiawatha lived during the 1500s, and he was known as a great leader. Depending on which narrative you follow he was either a leader of the Mohawk or the Onondaga. Hiawatha was a follower of a spiritual leader and prophet known as The Great Peacemaker. This man believed that all the Iroquois tribes concentrated in what is now New York should be united into one nation. Hiawatha is legendary for being very charismatic and a great public speaker, and he used those skills to make The Great Peacemaker's vision a reality. He was instrumental in forming the Iroquois Confederacy, which fought against British colonization. The Iroquois Confederacy has since been disbanded, but the Iroquois League still exists.

Hiawatha is derived from the Iroquoian name Haio-went-ha, meaning "he who combs." I assume that it was given to him because it fit his personality. I have no idea if this name is meant to suggest someone very vain (he combs his hair a lot making sure he's presentable) or if it denotes someone very thorough (he combed the land until he found food to bring back to his family). Either explanation is quite interesting.

The common American instinct with names that end with -a is to give it to girls. Indeed it does have a history of use as a girls name in the Cajun South. However, I don't think anyone would dispute the fact that it's masculine because it's recognized by most everyone.

Hiawatha is a great name for someone who wants to honor Native American heratige and Native American heroes.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_Hiawatha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiawatha
http://www.behindthename.com/name/hiawatha
http://www.youcantcallitit.com/2009/02/24/mardi-gras-baby-names-from-the-bayou/

Image Credit:
Found via http://pinterest.com

Juniper

2011-11-20T00:12:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite unisex names. That's right, unisex.

Juniper (pronounced "JOO-nih-per") is derived from the Latin juniperus. Junio means "young," and parere means "to produce." Hence it means "producing youth," bestowed on this plant because it's coniferous and doesn't seem to age. It is also believed that Juniper is a variant of the Welsh name Guinevere, but some might argue that. The Juniper tree grows from the Artic all the way to tropical Africa, and in Central America.

This plant has many mythical associations. The Druids would mix the berries with thyme to make incense used to stir visions. It is also believed that planting a juniper tree by your front door will discourage thieves and that stringing mature berries in your home will attract love. The spirit of the juniper tree is named Frau Wachholder, and she was often invoked to make thieves return stolen goods. In Ancient Wales, this tree was sacred and it was believed that chopping one down would bring the cutter's death a year later. It's mentioned several times in the Bible as a benevolent object, and was used as a symbol of chastity in Renaissance art. In the Grimm brother's fairy tale "The Juniper Tree," a woman magically becomes the spirit of the tree and a bird living in it after her body is buried beneath it. She avenges the death of her son while in her bird form, dropping a millstone on her son's stepmother.

This plant has many practical applications as well. Native Americans, particularly the Navajo, have long been using it as a treatment for diabetes which is under clinical testing today. Many prehistoric peoples lived in juniper forests which provided them with food, fuel, and shelter. The berries are used to spice up culinary dishes and are well known for being the primary flavoring in gin ("gin" is a shortened version of genever, the Dutch name for this plant). In Asia, it's a popular species to use for bonsai trees.

The gender police is going to have a hard time convincing me that this name should only be used for girls. Originally, Juniper was a boy's name. Girls would have more commonly been named Geneva, Genevieve, or Ginevra which are all considered variants. And there are tons of well known masculine namesakes.

Saint Juniper was a friend of Saint Francis. That would make him a Franciscan, which is arguably about as Pagan as you can be while still being Christian. Saint Juniper was known for his sense of humor and is sometimes called the patron Saint of comedy. He was also known for his patience, and was described by Saint Francis as the perfect Friar. Another Friar named Junipero ("who-NIP-eh-roh") Serra is also very well known. I first found his name because the church that he preached in was very close to the town where I was born! Unfortunately, he is well known for not being particularly nice to the local Native American population, which does not make him a very good namesake for a Neo-Pagan family.

Other namesakes include Juniper Sage, the pen name of Margaret Wise Brown, and Juniper Shuey, a male contemporary artist. There is a character called Brother Juniper in both the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thorton Wilder, and in the comic strip of the same name by Fred McCarthy. As for the girls, there is the children's book series Junie B Jones by Barbara Park, the cartoon series The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, and the character of Joon in the movie Benny & Joon. Juniper also shows up as a surname, as Tony Juniper is a well known environmentalist.

In order for this name to be "taken" by the girls, it would have to be bestowed on a significant number of girls. But it hasn't. Juniper has never been in the top 1,000 for either gender. So it is still very much for grabs. Nicknames include Ginny, Jenny, Juno, June, or Nipper. I would like to see this name used more for any sex. Juniper is just so happy, free and nonconformist.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper_(given_name)
http://www.wicca.com/celtic/celtic/sactrees.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper

Image Credit:
http://weheartit.com