Hugo is is from the Germanic hugu meaning "heart, mind, spirit". It brings to mind a man who is an intellectual while being emotionally intelligent as well—both things I would want for my son! I also appreciate the simplicity of the name and its international familiarity.

Hugo has a lively sound that reminds me of laughter and a good book. Imagery wise, it's the day-long exploration of cool forests, moors, and tors followed by a much anticipated hot chocolate at home.

Jay prefers Hugo to Hugh and thinks of Hugo Boss. I don't have that particular association but I'm glad he likes it! It makes me think of author Victor Hugo and of Hugo de Paganis the first Grand Master of the Knights Templar. It gives it an air of nobility, history, and honor.

c o m b o s

• Hugo Amias
• Hugo Aurelian

August is an English name meaning "exalted, venerable" from the Latin augustus or possibly from the Latin augere meaning "to increase". It is a time of harvest and abundance, symbolizing prosperity and the fruition of hard work. For me, it is vibrant, warm, and welcoming.

The month of August was called Sextilis until the name was changed to honor Augustus Caesar.

c o m b o s

• August Harvey
• August Howard
• August Jamie
• August Joe
• August Oliver
• August Joseph
• August Riley
• August Reilly

l o n g l i s t ⇾ here

Julian is derived from the Ancient Roman Iulius which is thought to come from the Greek ἴουλος (ioulos) meaning "downy beared". Other reasearch says it may actually be a contraction of the Latin Jovilius meaning "devoted to (God) Jove" through the Proto-Indo-European *iou-li- , from the root *dyeu- meaning "to shine" or possibly "sky, heaven, god".

Julian is one of those names that doesn't give me any clear imagery but it does feel gentle and masculine and I appreciate that.

c o m b o s

• Julian Henry
• Julian Joseph
• Julian Jamie
• Julian Arthur
• Julian Elliott
• Julian Bram

I'm Patricia , but you can call me Pia!

• level thirty-six
• gemini
• INFP
• namenerd
• lover of cardigans, dresses, and cute socks
• knows that you've got this
• is very proud of you

g i r l s

• Alma
• Flora
• Sophia
• Mabel

b o y s

• Hugo
• August
• Julian

I'm going to be honest, I'm stuck and not sure what I even like anymore. Do you have any suggestions?

Alma is from the Latin word almus meaning “nourishing, kind, propitious”. It is also a word for “soul” in Spanish. In Hungarian, it means “apple”. Then, in Hebrew, it means “young woman”. In Arabic it perhaps means "learned, knowing" from almah or alama meaning "to know". It’s a name with a variety of meanings and a lovely sound.

It brings to mind my favorite poem, Soneto XVII by Pablo Neruda. In the first verse it says, "te amo como se aman ciertas cosas oscuras, secretamente, entre la sombra y el alma." Or, in English, "I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul."

Beautiful.

For me, Alma's imagery changes. It is usually a warm, creamy name like a cozy soft blanket and smells of fresh coconut, vanilla, and clean linens. It is also sometimes early mornings in late summer where the mist hangs in the air: warm, fresh, and new. Right now, however, it is a cool autumn breeze, golden leaves, warm apple ...

Flora is from the Latin flos meaning "flower". Flora was the Roman goddess of flowers and spring.

I associate Flora with flowers, of course, and my do I love them! I had never even known that I enjoyed flowers as much as I do until Jay started sending them to me. I had only received flowers once before him and it was a negative association. Now I look forward to them gleefully as every holiday or event approaches. And when he sends them just because? Be still my heart!

As for the imagery I have from the name, Flora is clean and old-fashioned. It is books, dried vanilla beans, cotton sheets, and milky soap.

c o m b o s

• Flora Emily
• Flora Libby
• Flora Josephine
• Flora Ingrid

Sophia is from the Ancient Greek σοφία (sofia) meaning "wisdom, cleverness". In classical philosophy, Sophia was not just general intelligence but a deep, spiritual wisdom, it was the understanding of the innate nature of things. Considered one of the four cardinal virtues in ancient Greece it was adopted into early Christian theology as the personification of divine wisdom. Then, in Gnosticism, Sophia is a feminine figure, analogous to the human soul but also simultaneously one of the feminine aspects of God and possibly the Holy Spirit of the Trinity.

I'm sure you've noticed that I'm a sucker for a name with meanings related to wisdom and the soul.

Despite experincing a major rise in popularity in the last two decades and worldwide popularity, there's still something sweet and timeless about it.

For me, Sophia is warm and creamy—as all my favorites are—but also cool and st...

Mabel is a Medieval form of the Late Latin name Amabilis meaning "lovable".

It is another autumnal beauty for me, she smells of pancakes and cool morning air and sounds like the softest of leaves crunching under foot.

c o m b o s

• Mabel Emily
• Mabel Fern
• Mabel Josephine
• Mabel Blythe
• Mabel Emmeline
• Mabel Frances