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 ...

Una is an Irish name thought to be derived from uan meaning "lamb". Some relate it to the Latin una meaning "one; together" as well. It may be derived from the Old Norse name Una meaning "to enjoy" or possibly from the name Unna which is from either unna meaning "to love" or from unnr meaning "wave".

In British folklore Úna is the queen of the fairies and wife of King Finnbheara, the fairy king of western Ireland. She was said to be the most beautiful woman and is described with golden hair that reached the ground. She is also known as Oona or Nuala. (I think that Una and Nuala would make a sweet set for twin girls for this reason.)

There is also the association with The Una . It is regarded as the first periodical focused on women's suffrage and the first distinctively women's rights journal ever published. It was also notable because it was written, edited, and owned by women. The name in this case was chosen to signify truth and fidelity. It was publishe...

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

Willa is an English name from the Germanic element wil meaning "will, desire".

It brings to mind Willa Cather, a novelist who wrote of the pioneer experience and the hardy people—especially women—who made the American frontier their home.

The image I get from Willa is creamy and warm, pale pink and soft.

c o m b o s

• Willa Emily
• Willa Blythe
• Willa Johanna
• Willa Rosemary
• Willa Sunday
• Willa Lucie
• Willa Winifred
• Willa Georgina
• Willa Poppy

l o n g l i s t ⇾ here

Sophia is from the Ancient Greek σοφία (sofia) meaning "wisdom, cleverness". In classical philosophy, Sophia was not just 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...

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
• Una
• Flora
• Willa
• Sophia

b o y s

• Hugo
• Pax
• Bram
• Leo
• Julian
• Felix

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

Pax is a Latin name meaning "peace". It was also used in Pre-Norman England as Pæcc, the meaning of which is unknown.

In Roman Mythology Pax is the goddess of peace and is sometimes associated with spring as her festival is held on January 30th. She was said to be the daughter of the god Jupiter and the goddess Justice. Her worship was popularized by the Emperor Augustus to help stabilize the Roman Empire after years of civil war and instability in the late republic.

I also fancy the name as a bit of a nod to myself.

An unusual but fun association is that Pax is the 16th month of the Mayan calender. The term 'pax' is also sometimes used to call a truce.

c o m b o s

• Pax Alfred
• Pax Ambrose

Bram is a short form of Abraham, a Hebrew name from אַבְרָהָם (ʾAvraham) meaning "father of many". It is most commonly associated with author of Dracula , Bram Stoker.

c o m b o s

• Bram Adrian
• Bram Alexander
• Bram August
• Bram Clarke
• Bram Elliott
• Bram Hawthorn
• Bram Henry
• Bram Ignatius
• Bram Jameson
• Bram Julian
• Bram Lionel
• Bram Louis
• Bram Maxwell
• Bram Patrick
• Bram Rowan
• Bram Thaddeus
• Bram Theodore

Leo is from the Latin word leo meaning "lion".

Lions were seen as symbols of power, dominaiton, authority, and Justice by the Roman people. Their likenesses were also seen as guardians of gates, tombs, temples, and other public spaces.

c o m b o s

• Leo Wesley
• Leo Everett
• Leo Henry
• Leo Griffith
• Leo Harvey
• Leo George
• Leo Julian
• Leo Ellis
• Leo Griffin

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

Felix is from the Latin felix meaning "happy, fortunate, fruitful". It is a relic of Rome's origins as an agricultural community, as that which brings happiness is that which produces crops.

c o m b o s

• Felix Arthur
• Felix Henry
• Felix Louis
• Felix Everett
• Felix Jolyon