The Beauty of Names

Milan Kundera by Václav Chochola Origin: Slavic Gender: Male Meaning: "Gracious, dear" Pronunciation: MI-lahn, mi-LAHN, MEE-lahn Other Forms: Milen,  Milán,  Miloš,  Miłosz; Milena, Mila, Bohumila This name may have Slavic roots but its developed a Pan-European style, placing in the top name charts of Belgium, England and Wales, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and even the United States. Milan comes from the Slavic element milu which means "gracious" or "dear" and started off life as a short form of names containing that element. This name has been a staple in the Czech Republic since 1935 and hasn't missed placing one year. Milan is also a place name, though the beautiful Italian city got its name from a very different source - the Ancient Latin Milan, which meant "eager, laborious". There are a plethora of namesakes, from Milan Kundera, the Czech born author of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", to several athletes, and more r

Princess Hélène of Orléans Princess Hélène of Orléans was born Hélène Louise Henriette d'Orléans to Prince Philippe, Count of Paris and Princess Marie Isabelle of  Orléans . She married Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Aosta . Their children were: Amedeo Umberto Isabella Luigi Filippo Maria Giuseppe Giovanni di Savoia-Aosta, " Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta " Aimone Roberto Margherita Maria Giuseppe Torino di Savoia-Aosta, " Prince Aimone, Duke of Aosta "

William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp William Lygon, 7th Earl Beauchamp was born to Frederick Lygon, 6th Earl Beauchamp, and his first wife Lady Mary Catherine . When politcial enemies threatened to reveal the truth that William was gay he resigned from his office to live a life in exile. His family was the basis for the Marchmains in Evelyn Waugh's "Brideshead Revisited". He married Lady Lettice Grovesnor . Their children were: William Lygon, " William Lygon, 8th Earl Beauchamp " Hugh Patrick Lygon, " The Hon. Hugh Lygon " Lettice Lygon, " Lady Lettice Lygon " Sibell Lygon, " Lady Sibell Lygon " Mary Lygon, called " Maimie ", later " Lady Mary Lygon, Princess Pavlovsky-Romanovsky " Dorothy Lygon, called " Poll ", " Pollen ", or " Coote ", " Lady Dorothy Lygon " The Lygon Family

I recently started a new blog called "Whispers from the Library" for things like book reviews, movie and TV recommendations and anything else I feel like posting that isn't name related! If you're interested in any of that then please come and check it out.

Magnolia Earl I've been meaning to write something new forever but I'm currently going through a bad relapse of my OCD and depression, which is being exacerbated by quarantine and COVID-19. My posts may be a little more infrequent again, but know there will be some! I hope every one is feeling safe and heard during this trying time and know that if you aren't, you are not alone! Rio and Tiago - I was such a huge fan of the original Starz production "Penny Dreadful", and despite that ending, which still infuriates me, I looked forward to their new show: "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels". Unfortunately it hasn't quite met my expectations, though I do love the inclusion of more characters of color! The main character is Santiago, called Tiago by his family. I can see this name taking off big time, along with the short and unisex name of another character, Rio. Names that contain a strong O sound or ending are becoming more and more popular, and I'll

Rosalind Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn Rosalind Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn was born Rosalind Cecilia Caroline Bingham to Charles George Bingham, 4th Earl Lucan and Lady Cecilia Catherine Gordon-Lennox . She married James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn . Their children were: Mary Cecilia Rhodesia Hamilton, " Lady Mary Cecilia Rhodesia Hamilton " Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton, later " Lady Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton, Countess Spencer " Katherine Hamilton, " Lady Katherine Hamilton " James Edward Hamilton, " Sir James Edward Hamilton, 4th Duke of Abercorn " Claud David Hamilton, " Lord Claud David Hamilton "