The Beauty of Names

Today's film is "The Virgin Spring" or "Jungfrukällan". Women: Märeta Ingeri Karin Frida Men: Simon Töre

Today's we have "All These Women" or "For att inte tala om alla dessa kvinnor". Women: Humlan - "Bumblebee" in Swedish Isolde Traviata Adelaide Cecilia Beatrica Men: Tristan Cornelius Jillker

Today's film is "Summer Interlude" or "Sommarlek". Women: Marie Kaj Maja Elisabeth Men: Erland Henrik Karl Nisse David Nyström

Today's film is "Wild Strawberries" or "Smultronstallet". Women: Sara Agda Marianne Borg Berit Alman Karin Borg Kristina Borg Birgitta Borg Olga Charlotta Borg Sigbritt Borg Eva Akerman Angelica Borg Men: Professor Isak Borg Evald Borg Viktor Anders Sten Alman Henrik Akerman Aron Sigfrid Borg

Ingmar Bergman is perceived as one of the greatest and most influential directors of all time. His films were dark, dealing with things people were afraid to talk about; death, insanity, betrayal, and women's sexuality, just to name a few. Among his many awards are three Academy Awards, and a nomination for a Palm d'Or. He directed over sixty productions, his last movie was made when he was eighty-four. Today's film is "Fanny and Alexander" or "Fanny och Alexander". Women: Fanny Ekdahl Emilie Ekdahl Maj Rosa Lydia Ekdahl Helena Ekdahl Alma Ekdahl Emma Tander Karna Petra Eva Ekdahl Jenny Anna von Bohlen Miss Vega Siri Pauline Elsa Bergius Blenda Vergerus Alida Justina Selma Lisen Berta Henrietta Vergerus Miss Ester Esmeralda Hanna Schwartz Grete Holm Men: Alexander Ekdahl Carl Ekdahl Oscar Ekdahl Edvard Vergerus Isak Jacobi Gustav Adolf Ekdahl Putte Ismael Retzinsky Filip Landahl Tomas Graal Aron Retzinsky ...

"Maria Josepha of Saxony, Dauphine of France" by Jean-Marc Nattier Maria Josepha, of Saxony, Dauphine of France , also known as Marie Josèphe ,   was born Maria Josepha Karolina Eleonore Franziska Xaveria to Augustus III of Poland and Maria Josepha of Austria . She married Louis, Dauphin of France , who was born Louis Ferdinand. Their children were: Marie Zéphyrine, " Marie Zéphyrine of France ", "Madame Royale", or "la Petite Madame" (Died at age 5) Louis Joseph Xavier, " Louis, Duke of Burgundy " (Died at age 9) Xavier Marie Joseph, " Xavier, Duke of Aquitaine " (Died at 6 months) Louis-Auguste, " Louis-Auguste, Duke of Berry ", later " Louis XVI of France " Louis Stanislas Xavier, " Louis, Count of Provence ", later " Louis XVIII of France " Charles Philippe, "Charles, Count of Artois ", later " Charles X " Marie Adélaïde Clotilde Xavière, ...

Marie Cabel We're changing it up a bit by doing a post on a opera singer, Marie Cabel. Born Marie-Josèphe Dreulette in Liège, Belgium, to an officer father who eventually came to work as an accountant for a few differnet theatres. After the death of her father, she started giving music lessons to help support her family. She married the brother of one of her voice teachers, but it was an unhappy marriage that ended in divorce. Her operatic debut came in 1848 at Théâtre Chateau des Fleurs, where she was hardly noticed. In Lyon, she was discovered by Jules Seveste who then hired her to work at Théâtre Lyrique, where she debuted in "Le bijou perdu", originating the role of Toinon. François-Joseph Fétis, a composer, musicologist, and critic described her as such: "young, fresh, winsome, cheerful, having the devil of a body, lacking at the time taste and musical style, but blessed with an adorable voice, of a marvelous purity, whose brilliant and silvery timbre produc...

Princess Louise with Alexandra Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife was born Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar to Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark . She married Alexander Duff, 1st Duke of Fife, Viscount Macduff  who was born Alexander William George Duff. Their children were: Alastair Duff, " Alastair Duff, Marquess of Macduff" (Stillborn) Alexandra Victoria Alberta Edwina Louise Duff, "Lady Alexandra Duff", later "Princess Alexandra, 2nd Duchess of Fife" Maud Alexandra Victoria Georgina Bertha, " Lady Maud Duff", later "Princess Maud, Countess of Southesk"

Origin: Germanic Gender: Male Meaning: ah-geh-LULF Pronunciation: N/A Other forms: Egilulf Thanks to KW cash for requesting Agilulf! Agilulf's meaning is somewhat complicated, but what is known is that the second half comes from the Gothic vulfs , meaning "wolf". Depending on what you believe it could fully be "sharp wolf", "sword wolf", or something like "terror wolf". Agilulf was a 7th century King of the Lombards , a Germanic people who ruled in Italy. His wife was the widow of the former King Authari, a Christian woman named Theodelinda. He was baptized for her, and eventually adopted the Catholic faith. They built the cathedral of Monza, where his crown, dedicated to St. John, still rests with the inscripition rex totius Italiae, "king of all Italy". He ruled for more than a quarter of a century and after his death his son, Adaloald, became King. Later the husband of his daughter Gundeberga, Arioald, would also reign....

"Tristan and Isolde with the Potion" by John William Waterhouse In honor of Valentine's Day I've made this post on names of famous lovers, all the way from Tristan and Isolde to Jack and Rose. Fictional Romance: Tristan and Isolde/Iseult - Arthurian Legend; Opera Lancelot and Guinevere - Arthurian Legend Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet - "Pride and Prejudice" Majnun and Layla - "Layla and Majnun" Pyramus and Thisbe - "Metamorphoses" Paris and Helen of Troy - Greek Mythology; "The Illiad" Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater - "Titanic" Paolo and Francesca - "Dante's Inferno" Odysseus and Penelope - "The Odyssey" Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska - "The Age of Innocence" Heathcliff and Cathy Earnshaw - "Wuthering Heights" Westley and Buttercup - "The Princess Bride" Edward Fairfax Rochester and Jane Eyre - "Jane Eyre...

Origin: Germanic Gender: Female Meaning: "Beloved of God" Pronunciation: N/A Other forms: Godelieve, Godeleva, Godelina Thanks to KW cash for requesting Godeliva! This heavy, ancient name is the feminine form of the Germanic Goteleib, which comes from god, "God", and leub, " dear, beloved". If I was going to suggest a pronunciation it would be "go-dih-LEE-vah", but I have no idea if that's correct.  Saint Godeliva, more commonly known as Godelina or Godelieve, was a Flemish woman from the 11th century. She was said to be very beautiful, and also pious, and was a sought after bride by many men, but she dreamed of becoming a nun. A man Bertolf of Gistel would not accept this, and was absolutely determined to marry her. Using the power of the suzerain Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, he forced her into marriage. She was imprisoned by her mother-in-law in a small cell and the little food she was given she gave to the poor. Godeliva was able...

I just saw "Jupiter Ascending" and while it was not a cinematic masterpiece it was exactly what I wanted it to be: fun. It was great to just go and see something and not have to worry about taking it too seriously. It also had an abundance of weird and wonderful names, though I think my favorite is undoubtedly that of the heroine, Jupiter Jones. Women: Kalique Abrasax Diomika Tsing Gemma Chatterjee Razo Aleksa Nino Famulus Katharine Dunlevy Jupiter Jones Kiza Irina Lyudmila Men: Titus Abrasax Vladie Maximilian Jones Caine Wise Nesh Phylo Percadium Greeghan Stinger Apini Balem Abrasax Ibis Chicanery Night Malidictes Vassily Bolotnikov Zeno Falque Moltka Dante Rothemere

 Aubrey Beardsley I think, in our day and age, we should be able to reclaim some names for the boys that have been previously taken over by girls. Some of these are also pretty genderless, like Wren or Rowan, but seem to be exclusively used for girls, which I think is a shame. Which ones do you think could be used again, or should start being used? Which ones are lost forever? Aubrey Emerson/Emery Mackenzie Ashley Robin Teagan Sawyer Rory Hadley Shannon Amory Eden Cassidy Rowan Sidney Madison Hollis Marlowe Arden Monroe Kelly Wren Sage Phoenix Nikita Greer/Grier Loren Sascha Quinn Francis Kennedy Page Leigh/Lee Cary

Mimi Thorisson Marie-France - I've recently discovered the blog of Mimi Thorisson , mother to seven kids, cookbook author, and caretaker of fourteen dogs. The blog is full of beautiful photos of food and her life, taken by her husband photographer Oddur Thorisson, who is Icelandic. Mimi is really Marie-France Valentine, possibly one of the prettiest names I have heard. And her kids? Mia, Hudson, Louise, Audrey (middle name May), Gaïa (middle name Johanna), and step-kids Gunnhildur and Thorir (or Þórir). Sindri - Moving on to more Icelandic names. I was doing a bit of research on Bjork, and discovered her kids have really great names; her son Sindri Eldon Þórsson and daughter Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney. Sindri means "sparkling" in Old Norse, and in mythology was the name of a dwarf who made magical objects for the Gods with his brother, and the name of the hall were the good would go after Ragnarök. Florestine - This is one I've never seen before. Princess Fl...

Robie and Rosamund With already one child with her boyfriend Robie Uniacke, a boy named Solo, I was highly anticipating the name she would choose for her next. Well, she's finally revealed that his name is Atom. (I kind of like them!)

Lucy's Room I'm back with one of my favorite series, names from Apartment Therapy! Girls: Ninka Elizabeth Juniper Essley Cora Eva (Sister to Owen) Nina James Finley and Juniper Alessandra (Sister to Adriano) Colette Ruby Blythe Elise Pearl Vivian Rooney Frances Lucy James Julip Boys: Jasper Noah Owen (Brother to Eva) Jack Felix Mika Dylan Jagger Waits Conrad Adriano (Brother to Alessandra) George León Archer Mac Kingston Rock Holden Milo and August Xavier Max and Lincoln Boris Hudson Noah's Room

"Mrs. Fiske Warren (Gretchen Osgood) and Her Daughter Rachel" by John Singer Sargent John Singer Sargent was a leading painter of portraits during his time, and painted the famous "Madame X", showing the pale, red haired Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau in a black dress, the strap having fallen down her shoulders. It caused a great scandal, leaving the model humiliated as well as Sargent, though it may have helped further his career in America and Britain. He lived from 1856 to 1925. Female: Elsie Rosina Beatrice Mabel Veronica Nancy Ruth Dorothy Caroline Ena Leonora Emily Gladys Suzanne Flora Betty Rachel Mary Catherine Ana Sylvia Elizabeth Helen Olivia Gigia Edith Louise Ida Alice Frances Winifred Margaretta Essie Florence Adele Claire Annabel Caroline Rose Marie-Louise Gretchen Ruby Cicely Mathilde Sybil Cara Alexandra Teresa Rose-Marie Henrietta Maud Etta Marie-Louise Sally Theo Ada Millicent Judith Char...

"Atlas and the Hesperides" by John Singer Sargent Origin : Greek Gender : Male Meaning : "Not enduring" Pronunciation : AT-les Other forms : N/A Atlas is one of my favorite mythological names for boys, and I'm not alone; Edward Norton just chose it for his son, and Anne Heche chose it for her's back in 2009. Although the story is not an especially cheery one, it is still not as morbid as a lot of Greek myths. Atlas comes from the Greek prefix α , which was negative, and tlao , meaning "to endure". Atlas was a Titan and is sometimes credited as the son of Iapetus, also a Titan, and the Oceanid Asia, or Clymene; other times he is the son of Aether and Gaia. He was punished for siding with the Titans during the war against the Olympians, and while the others were sent to Tartarus, Zeus sent him to the western edge of the Earth where he was to hold up Uranus, Father Sky, and keep him from Gaia or Mother Earth, who was his mother and wife. Som...

Keomi Gray as "Vivien" by Frederick Sandys I've only got two boys names today. Keomi - Keomi Gray was the lover and model of Frederick Sandys. She was Romani and lived in a Romani camp when they met. She eventually married another man, but did have four children with Sandys; Ethel Maud, Frederick Cyril, Madeline, and Henry Herbert. With her husband she had Nellie, Florence, and Rose. I thought Keomi was very unusual and surprisingly modern for the period. One source even states her full name was Ketyumas Gray. Simeon - I went to church with my grandmother yesterday, and in one of the stories they talked about Simeon. I'm surprised it isn't mentioned at least a bit more, especially with biblical names becoming more popular. It comes from the Hebrew Shim'on meaning "he has heard". The only downside I can think of is how close it is to simian. Calico - My sister has been telling about this book she's been reading called "Nyctophobia...

Virginia Oldoini photographed by Pierre-Louise Pierson The last part; please enjoy! Zoé Talon, Countess du Cayla - Louis XVIII Rosalie Duthé - Louis Philippe I - A celebrated courtesan, she was often painted and requested for portraits by artists. She has been called "the first officially recorded dumb blonde". Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione - Napoleon III - Born in Tuscany and known as "Nicchia", she was known for her elaborate dresses, her most famous being a "Queen of Hearts" inspired one. She was said to have beautiful pale skin and blonde hair and eyes that changed from green to a lovely blue-violet. She was divorced by her husband for becoming Napoleon's mistress. She was photographed by Mayer and Pierson, the favorite photographers of the court, and was the model for some seven-hundred photos. The photos where she posed with her legs or feet, her head was cropped out of. Over time she became mentally unstable, and lived i...