Ever wonder what your name means? Or maybe wanted to know of some distinguished namesakes? Either way, this is your place. Check out the list below!

• Bonnie

From bonnie, the Scottish word for "pretty," which originated from the French word of bonne, meaning "good." It is also used as an adjective to mean "pretty."

• Christopher

Originally from the Greek name of Christos, this is the English version meaning "bearing Christ."

Namesakes: Christopher, who carried a young Jesus across a river, is the patron saint of travelers. Also, Christopher Columbus, the 15th century explorer.

• Charles or "Chuck"

Derived from the German word for "man."

Namesakes: Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, was the king of the Franks who eventually came to rule most of Europe. Kings in England, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and Hungary have also held this name. Additionally, naturalist Charles Darwin, and author Charles Dickens.

• Cynthia or "Cindy"

Greek. Means "Goddess from Mount Cynthos." In Greek mythology, the moon goddess Artemis was given the nickname of Cynthia, after Mount Cynthos, where she and her twin brother were supposedly born.

• Craig

Originally a Scottish surname that meant "crag" or "rock." Has only been used as a first name since the last century.

• David

A Biblical name. Possibly derived from the Hebrew word dod, which means "beloved."

Namesakes: In the Old Testament, David killed Goliath, and later became the King of Israel and author of the Psalms of the Bible. Also, the patron saint of Wales is named Saint David.

• Deborah

Means "bee" in Hebrew.

Namesakes: The name of a heroine in the Old Testament, who led the Israelites in their conquering the Canaanites. Revolutionary war heroine Deborah Sampson of Massachusetts who fought in the war disguised as a man.

• Dylan

Means "son of the sea" in Wales. In Welsh mythology, Dylan is a god of the sea who is accidently killed by his unclle Govannon.

• Edward

An Old English name meaning "wealthy defender." It's use dates back to before the Norman Conquest.

Namesake: Nine English Kings held this name, including Saint Edward the Confessor, whose immense popularity kept the name from being forgotten after the Norman Conquest.

• Eleanor

A French version of the name Alienor, which may come from German roots, or could possibly just be a form of Helen.

Namesake: In the 12th-century, Eleanor of Aquitaine was the wife of Louis VII, King of France, as well as Henry II, King of England.

• Erin

An English version of the name Eireann Eireann derived from Eire, a Gaelic word meaning "Ireland." The name Erin and Eire are both used often to signify Ireland in poetry. Still, the name is not actually used in Ireland.

• Florence

"In bloom; flourishing." Used for both men and women until the 1600's. Now it is exclusively a girls name.

Namesake: Florence Nightingale, a nurse during the Crimean War. She was named for the Italian city where she was born.

• Frances

The feminine version of the name Francis.

• Francis

Stems from a Latin name meaning Frenchman. This version was originally used for both boys and girls.

• Henry

Comes from Old German roots and means "estate ruler." It came to be known as a royal name in England, and was the name of eight English Kings. Several Kings of France and Germany haver also carried this name.

Namesakes: Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; automobile pioneer Henry Ford.

• Hilary

Comes from the same roots as the word "hilarious." Hilary was used as a boy's name until the 17th-century, when it started to fade out. In the late 1800's, it re-emerged as a girl's name and became quite popular.

• Hope

Meaning is simply "hope."

• Jayne

A modern English variant of Jane, which is a feminine form of John.

Namesake: Actress Jayne Mansfield; Novelist Jane Austin

• Joyce

A feminine form of the medieval name Josse, which is derived from a word meaning "Lord." Joyce can also mean "joyous."

• Julie

Means "youthful." A French form of Julia, which is in turn a feminine version of the Latin name Julius.

• Kathy/Katie

Shortened versions of Katherine.

• Katherine

One of the oldest names ever recorded, with roots in ancient Greek. As a result of its long history, there are numerous spellings and nicknames associated with it.

• Kerry

The name of a county in southwestern Ireland. Could possibly mean "dark-haired" in Irish Gaelic.

• Lewis

The English version of Louis.

• Louis

French form of the German name Ludwig. An early French variation was Clovis, a name carried by a number of Frankish Kings. Louis was the name of 18 Kings of France.

Namesake Author Robert Louis Stevenson

• Phyllis

A name from Greek mythology; means "foliage" in Greek.

• Rose

A flower name of great popularity in the early 1900's., along with several other flower names.

• Ruth

Comes from a Hebrew word meaning "friend." Has been used steadily since the 1600's.

Namesake: Ruth is the main character in the Old Testament's aptly titled "Book of Ruth."

• Scott

Simply enough, comes from its homonym Scot, as in a person from Scotland or of Scottish heritage.

• Shirley

Originally a surname. Comes from a place name meaning, "bright meadow."

Nakesakes: Child star Shirley Temple; actress Shirley MacLaine

• Stanley

Originally a surname; which meant "stony field" in Old English.

• Susan

A version of the name Susanna

• Susanna

In ancient Hebrew, this name meant "lily." In movern Hebrew, it still indicates a flower, only now it means "rose."

• Vivian

Feminine version of Vivanus, a Roman name meaning "alive."

Namesakes: Saint Vivian protected people during the invasion of France in the 5th century.




Did we miss somebody! I sure hope not, but if your notice someone's name missing, or you'd like to see any additional name up here, let me know. [email protected]

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