Name of Thrones: Liechtenstein

Hello, readers!

Welcome to the fourth installment of my Name of Thrones series! I've been looking at modern monarchies from around the world and focusing on the names that don't have much use in the US. Princess and Queen have only recently left the top 1000, and I think that there are definitely more imaginative choices!

To Liechtenstein!

Notice that many of the male family members have Maria in their names! Many Christian monarchies include the name as a tribute to the Virgin Mary. 

Marie Aglaë - Princess of Liechtenstein

I've only come across this middle name once or twice, but I already love its classic French sound and the tréma over the last "e". Aglaë comes from the Greek for "splendor", and fits in nicely with vintage Agnes and Agatha. It has only been recorded in the US once in history: seven baby Aglae's were born in the US in 1992. 

Alois - Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein

A distant form of Louis, Alois is a handsome alternative. It means "famous in war", and it's a great sibling to the feminine Eloise. It's also distant from the fusty Aloysius. Alois has been incredibly rare in the US since the 1930's, but has the positive attribute of having a long history while maintaining its individuality. 

Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein, Count Rietberg

This young prince was named for ancestor Prince Joseph Wenzel Lorenz of Liechtenstein, who reigned during the eighteenth century. Wenzel is the German form of Wenceslaus (as in the Good King of song), meaning "great glory". I can see the similarities to Wendell, but I can't decide if either name is ripe for the picking. 

Marie-Caroline Elisabeth Immaculata - Princess of Liechtenstein, Countess Rietberg

Another name honoring the Virgin Mary, Immaculata means "pure" and has rarely been used in the US. It's very strongly Catholic, and could be an alternative to Chastity or Purity. Still, it's a difficult name to live up to, and would take a lot of explaining. 

Alfons Constantin Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein

I reviewed Alonso last week in my Top Names in Chile post, and now we'll look at another variant! Alfons means "noble and ready", and has been used more often in Romance-language communities. With Alfie getting popular in the UK, I think names like Alfred and Alfons might offer more formal long-form options. 

Moritz Emanuel Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein

A variation of the English Maurice, Moritz often conjures up images of the resort town in Switzerland. I think the name could work with today's geographical trends, as well as for its unusual -itz ending. The name means "dark-skinned", from the Moors. 

Georgina Maximiliana Tatiana Maria - Princess of Liechtenstein

Every name here has a feminine ending! Firstly, Georgina is a great alternative to Georgia, Regina, or Virginia. It could also honor a familial Gina. Maximiliana is a sweet, if slightly long way to get the nickname Max for your little girl - of course, Maxine and Maxima are other established options. Tatiana is a personal crush due its namesake, Tatiana Romanova (Anastasia's sister). 

Benedikt Ferdinand Hubertus Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein

None of these names are in the US Top 1000 (for boys, at least). Benedikt was named five years before Pope Benedict XVI ended his papacy, so that could be a religious honorific. Benedict has become better known in the US recently because of actor Cumberbatch. Hubertus is the Latin form of Hubert, meaning "bright-hearted". 

There are some really excellent choices here! Which are your favorites?

Name of Thrones: United Kingdom

Hello, everyone!

To continue my Name of Thrones series - check out Belgium and the Netherlands - we'll be focusing on one of the most recognized royal families in the world, the British House of Windsor. 

They're certainly a family of name trendsetters, and George and Charlotte are just the tip of the iceberg!

George Alexander Louis - Prince of Cambridge

After almost 100 years in the top 50, George was slipping down the list in the US until the birth of the prince turned that trend around - now it's climbing again! It's currently at #134 in the US and #7 in the UK. It means "farmer", and - oddly for the UK - doesn't have many ready nicknames. But if you're looking for something classic and timeless, George does the trick!

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana - Princess of Cambridge

I was over the top excited when I heard the name announcement - such a beautiful, feminine, royal name. And they used Diana!! Charlotte was already climbing in the US when the princess was born, but I think the added popularity could push it further up the top ten. 

Beatrice Elizabeth Mary - Princess of York

The first of an excellent sibset pair, Beatrice was chosen as a family name - the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria was also a Beatrice. It had a small spike the year she was born, 1988, but has really come back into fashion starting in 2006, with the retro-name trend. Beatrice means "she who brings happiness", and has a lot of nickname options! 

Eugenie Victoria Helena - Princess of York

The second of the sibset pair, Eugenie was another Windsor family name that hasn't achieved quite the popularity. Eugenie isn't on either the UK or the US list, so it could make a nice unique name. In France, however, Eugénie is at #286!

Savannah Anne Kathleen

Following an 80's movie, Savannah Smiles, the name started rising through the 90's as an alternative to Samantha - and ultimately become the name of the first great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. Savannah has now been in the Top 50 since 1996, with no plans of moving. On a weird personal note, I became aware of this name through Jimmy Buffett's daughter - one of the first names that surprised me!

Isla Elizabeth

Isla was on the US lists briefly in the early 1900's, but it's popularity in the UK in recent years has made the name all the more popular today! Pronounced "EYE-lah", it means "island" - a great counterpoint to sister Savannah's name, meaning "grassland". 

Zara Anne Elizabeth

My favorite alternative to beautiful classic Sarah, Zara's only drawback is its connection to the clothing chain. It means "princess", appropriately. Zara Phillips Tindall is also an accomplished equestrian, competing in the 2012 Olympics. She named her own daughter Mia (pronounced MY-ah) Grace. 

Elizabeth is the middle name that wins the day - honoring her majesty, Grandmother Windsor.  

Throwback Thursday #5: Ancient Rome

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!

With names like Kingston, Duke, and Royal getting popular, why not look to the past for some imperial names? They can connote power, prestige and timelessness when used correctly.

What contenders can we find in the archives of Ancient Rome?

Male Names

Augustus - "great, venerable"
This name is already climbing up the charts, currently weighing in at #544. Originally a title given to emperor Octavian (another cool moniker), it was quickly taken as a name. Anyone looking to make August less fusty and keep the cute nickname Auggie should check it out. But it will definitely take a lot of confidence to pull Augustus off!

Hadrian - "dark one"
With an edgy, mysterious meaning and a sound similar to darlings Hayden or Adrian, why not consider Hadrian? The original namesake was one of the "five good emperors" of Ancient Rome, and credited with rebuilding the Pantheon and building, of course, Hadrian's Wall. While the name might get confused with Adrian, it assuredly has a personality all its own!

Florian - "flowery"
On the girl's side, Flora and Florence are gaining popularity, but why should they have all the fun? This name is perfect for any nature boy, and probably won't be in the top 1000 for awhile (it last made an appearance in 1941). Florian was an emperor, but was also the name of the patron saint of firefighters - a cool way to honor any in the family.

Maximian - "greatest"
If you want to keep the nickname Max but don't love Maxwell or Maximilian, this name is for you! Emperor Maximian was a military leader and co-emperor of the political Diocletian. This name is unusual enough to not have ever made an appearance in the top 1000, but not so unusual to halt pronunciation or comprehension. One odd note: the "simian" sound at the end is the name of the order of primates that humans belong to.

Jovian - from the Roman God Jove, or Jupiter
This name could honor an astronomy aficionado or a fan of ancient religions. Emperor Jovian only ruled for eight months, but this name could work from babyhood to old age. The "jovial" sound is upbeat and friendly, and the nickname Jove is too cute.


Female Names

Livia - "envious"
Only one letter off from top ten contender Olivia, but more than complete on its own. The nickname Liv is elegant and mature (think Liv Tyler), and the -via ending is vivacious. The original Livia was the wife of Augustus and the mother of the ensuing political line - she was even deified in AD 14!

Aelia - from the Greek for "sun"
While Aelia and Aelius became family names for the imperial line, Aelia isn't so bad by itself. The recent popularity with Aaliyah and Lilia will help it with recognition, but the name is totally unique. The trendy "ae" beginning adds class, and the name will be perfect for any sunny little girl.

Decima - "tenth"
It goes without saying that Decima doesn't have to be saved for a tenth daughter - any personal connection with the number ten will add meaning, but the name is independently beautiful. Nickname Deci or Dezi will tone down the femininity to make it more friendly. The connotations of elegance and grace seem to go right along with this name.

Quintina - "fifth"
Another number name, but the whole name makes up for the simple meaning. Quintina is perfect for those who like Quinn but want something softer, those who like the cool Q initial, or those who want to honor a Quentin. This name is both cool and pretty - it will fit any personality well!

Hilaria - "cheerful"
While Hilary is currently in the spotlight, Hilaria makes it more foreign and feminine. The nickname Ria is super cute, and the name could honor a relative while keeping its own style. The hilaria in Ancient Rome referred to festivals honoring the goddess Cybele - another positive and exciting connotation for this name.

While researching, I cam across this similar post by Linda Rosencrantz at Nameberry - check it out!

Did I miss any great names that came out of Ancient Rome? Tell me in the comments!