Introducing Word-Adjacent Names

From sassy Saskia to soulful Solomon

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Have you ever come across a name that gives you such vivid imagery that is completely unrelated to its actual origin and meaning?

My colleague Grace (@Greyblue on the forums) described this phenomenon as Word-Adjacent Names — “names that give me specific images, vibes and feeling, not because of their actual meaning, but because they sound like a word or remind me of a word”.

Inspired by a forum thread, here are some of my favorite contributions from the Berries of “Word-Adjacent Names”.

Beatrix

While Beatrice is soft and sweet, the last syllable of Beatrix (and the nickname Trixie) — similar to the word trickster — gives this lively variation a mischievous and playful edge.

Adair

One of my personal favorites, this unisex Scottish name is pronounced “a-DARE”. That last syllable feels especially bold, brave, and daring.

Embla

This gorgeous Norse name literally means “elm”, but Berries noted that its similarity to the word ember gives it a warm and fiery touch, while its similarity to the word emblem leans symbolic and virtuous.

Gideon

A rising Biblical choice in recent years, Gideon is strong and sturdy. But Berries have also noted that the name’s first two syllables are identical to the word “giddy”, a word meaning “to feel happy, silly, and excited” — giving Gideon a lively and energetic vibe.

Imogen

This Celtic name meaning “maiden” has been gaining more attention in recent years, especially in the UK and Australia. Despite unrelated roots, Imogen’s similarity with the word imagine give the name an extra touch of whimsy and creativity.

Solomon

This Hebrew classic has a distinct first syllable — Sol. Sol is both the Spanish word for sun, as well as a homophone for the English word soul. Berries had mixed opinions as to whether Solomon had a sunny or soulful vibe, or maybe both!

Saskia

Stylish Saskia has had a longtime European flair, dating back as far as the Middle Ages. Pronounced “SASS-kee-a”, that first syllable makes the name, well, sassy. Grace described Saskia as feeling “bold, lively and confident”.

Stellan

Stellan may appear as a masculine form of starry Stella, but this Scandinavian classic has separate Swedish roots, possibly meaning “calm”. Nonetheless, the name’s similarity to the word stellar feels out of this world.

Sylvie

Sylvie, Sylvia, and Sylvan, may mean “from the forest”, but have a distinct shimmery, silvery vibe. Spelled Silvia or Silvie, this connection is even stronger.

Now your turn to help us build our collection of Word-Adjacent Names. What names have a distinct vibe or imagery because they remind you of a certain word or phrase?

Leave your ideas in the comments!