Patches of Names

Fantasy and science fiction are sources of escapism. Yet, they are also sources of intriguing names, many of which we would rarely find in the real world.  Fantastical names stem from fantasy and science fiction, whether the medium be a television show, movie, book, or video game. They are usually uncommon even though that is not a requirement. What is a requirement, though, is that the name sounds exotic enough to associate itself with a character or world. However, it also cannot be too tied to the source material. Hence, names like Aladdin don't count. Here are some boys' names from fantasy and science fiction: Annakin Arrow Ash Atlas Atom Auron Blade Case Caspian Castiel Cloud Cyan Cypher Dash Draco Draven Elio Ender Endymion Eragon Finnick Fox Gotham Han Indiana Jace Jetson Kirk Kylo Lando Link Loki Marvel Merlin Neo Nova Paladin Perrin Phoenix Pippin Poe Quill Raiden Remus Remy Ronin Ryker Severus Soren Stark Strider Stryker Taven Taran Thorin Varian Westley Zell Zidane W

Eloise began in the Medieval era as Helwise, which was briefly popular in England. The name returned to the English-speaking world in its current spelling during the nineteenth century and was somewhat popular in 1920s America. It dropped out of the top 1000 for decades before returning in the late 2000s. Eloise is not only back in style, but it came back more popular than ever before. It entered the top 100 for the first time this past year.  Of course, Eloise is the titular six-year-old girl of Kay Thompson's children's books. Besides its vintage style and literary heritage, Eloise has an exotic sound mixing bounciness and sweetness. Its French flavor and easy nickname of "Ellie" are a few more factors in Eloise's popularity.  Now that Eloise is newly popular, parents who like the name might want something less common. Or else, Eloise could be taken by friends and family members. They also might search for a sister name. This list of uncommon alternatives, all r

Many people remember the grouch who lived in the garbage can from  Sesame Street . Even if they do not recall him, though, they will still recognize his name. Oscar has three possible meanings. First, it could have come from the Old Irish elements os and cara , which together means "deer friend." In Irish mythology, the grandson of Fionn mac Cumhaill had the name. Or else, Oscar could have originated from the Old English Osgar, meaning "god spear," or the Old Norse Ásgeirr. Either way, Oscar had its earliest usage among certain Irish families, including the O'Connors and Maguires. It was not until the eighteenth century when Scottish poet James Macpherson extended the name's usage throughout Europe via his Ossianic Poems . During the next century, Kings Oscar I and II of Sweden made it even more common. Oscar was briefly popular in Victorian England, ranking in the top 100 for one decade. However, it was more common in the United States. It ranked in the Ame

Fantasy gives us an escape from the real world in many ways. Not only does it give us the adventures we could only dream of, but it also gives us names we don't normally approach in real life.  Fantastical names stem from works of fantasy and science fiction whether they be novels, video games, or movies. The ordinary names from these mediums do not count, though. A name has to sound unconventional in order to have a strong tie to its source material. However, a name must also sound usable. If it's too tied to its source material (i.e. Cinderella, Rapunzel), it doesn't count. Here are some fantastical girls' names that offer an escape from the ordinary: Amora Arrietty Arwen Arya Astraea Aurora Bellatrix Belle Cassia Cinder Cress Daenerys Denna Eevee Eilonwy Elektra Elora Elsa Glinda Halo Hermione Inara Jubilee Jyn Katniss Khaleesi Korra Lara Lumen Luna Lux Lyra Marvel Merida Minerva Morgana Nova October Phoenix Primrose Rey Ripley Rogue Rosalina Rue Sakura Saphira Scarl

This name not only went to Wonderland and back, but has also associated itself with royals, writers, and suffragettes throughout history. What name does all this describe? Alice, of course. Alice has similar origins to fellow classic Adelaide: the Germanic Adalheidis, which means "noble." Unlike Adelaide, though, Alice derived from its diminutive Aalis. In Medieval England, the beautiful flower-gathering figure "Fair Aelis" was common in courting events and chansons; that popularized the name among English-speakers.  Alice, which became the standard spelling in the 1200s, ranked in the English top 10 through the seventeenth century. Even though it declined over the next century, Alice did not fall below the top 20; the name remained extremely common even at its lowest point.  It all changed after the birth of Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Alice Maud Mary, in 1843. That brought Alice back into the top 10 by 1860. Shortly afterward, Lewis Carroll wrote his n

Henry has always seen popular usage among English-speakers. However, it was not always at the top of the charts. Henry ranked in the American top 100 through the 1960s and returned in the mid-2000s. That makes Henry stand out among other evergreen classics.  In addition to being timeless, Henry sounds distinctive. There may be other "hen" names out there, but there are no exact rhymes. Henry also sounds friendly and feels formal at once, splitting the difference between Theodore and Jack. Finally, the name's thirty-year absence from the American top 100 gives it a vintage feel.  Whether you are searching for a brother name, the name is taken for you, or if Henry is too popular, here are some alternatives: Byron This formal and friendly name is more traditional than the similar-sounding Brian thanks to British poet Lord Byron.  Cedric Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel  Little Lord Fauntleroy gives casual Cedric a vintage vibe.   Clement Vintage Clement lacks exac