Baby Names
Smylas
Magrige
Bonnedie
Herram
Aurana
Saelle
Euscine
Varcy
Pencine
Smylas Magrige Bonnedie Herram Aurana Saelle Euscine Varcy Pencine
Leon AKA Etymoleon
“I’d love to hear which of my invented baby names resonate most with you! A few of my personal favourites are Smylas, Magrig and Herramie, scroll down to see what they mean. Feel free to leave me a message with your thoughts, using the contact form below. If you're curious about the origins of words and names, be sure to check out my podcast and daily word game!”
Released November 2024
OLD WORDS NEW NAMES IS A COLLECTION OF 75 BABY NAMES INVENTED BY ETYMOLEON USING HISTORIC WORDS.
After looking into the origins of hundreds of names for the Word History podcast, Leon aka Etymoleon embarked on a project to invent entirely new names by combining elements from various ancient languages, culminating in the creation of 75 names that are now available.
For example, the prefix Eu in the name Eugenie is derived from Ancient Greek and means well or good. By blending this with the Old English word scīnan, meaning to shine, Leon coins the name Euscine, invoking connotations of brightness and health.
The Old Norse word sæll, meaning happy, served as the foundation for the coined name Saelle, which exudes a sense of joy. When paired with a Latin element it results in the also elegant Saebea.
For those seeking a strong and divine name, Herros is a compelling choice. This name fuses Old Norse and Old English words for army and God.
Whether you’re an expectant parent or just have a curiosity for names, enjoy Leon’s collection of invented names with historical meaning.
How Name Origins Work
Many of the most widely recognised names in the Western world can be traced back to historical languages. These origins provide the meanings we commonly associate with names today. Take, for example, the name Richard, which translates to strong ruler. The Ric element stems from the Proto-Germanic word *rīks, meaning ruler, while Hard comes from *harduz, meaning strong. The El prefix in names such as Elizabeth and Elijah finds its origins in Hebrew, where it signifies God. The name Alexander is of Ancient Greek derivation, meaning defender of man, aléxō, meaning to defend, and anḗr meaning man.
Three of Leon’s favourites
Smylas (m)
‘People’s Peacemaker’
Old English "smylt" (gentle)
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Ancient Greek "laós" (people)
Magrig/Magrige (m, f)
‘Resolute Force’
Latin "mag" (great)
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"rigeō" (unmoved)
Herramie (f)
‘Exalted Soldier’
Old Norse "herr" (army)
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Hebrew "ram" (high)
Listen to Episode 64 of Etymoleon for the origins of pregnancy related words.
Available on podcast platforms.
IVF is a common term today, but early media reports often used the phrase test tube baby, which predates the 1970s when in-vitro fertilisation first emerged. Discover how the term folic, for the B vitamin, connects to the word for leaves, and why preeclampsia traces back to an ancient Greek word meaning light. We also explore pregnancy signs, including the components of the hormone detected by pregnancy tests, and how ancient Egyptians developed tests using wheat and barley.
Here’s a snippet