Alphabet Week: T-V

Tacita: this Latin name means “silent, secret,” and was given to the nymph Lara after Jupiter was cruel and cut out her tongue. Tacitus is the masculine, used as a Roman cognomen, and found on the Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus. The names are pronounced TASS-ih-tuh and TASS-it-uss. The names Tacy and Tace derive from the root word taceo as well, and could make fitting nicknames.

Talarican (tah-LAR-ih-kan), Tarkin (TAR-kin), and Tarquin (TAR-kwin): while Talarican stands out as the name of a Pictish bishop and saint, Tarquin is the English variant of Latin masculine name Tarquinius, which was a famous Roman gens used by the kings of Rome. The etymology is unknown.  Tarquin is the only spelling that has been used in the U.S., since 1987, and only rarely. 

Uriana: this may be a female form of Urian, meaning “privileged birth,” from Welsh masculine name Urien.  Urien was a legendary Welsh figure who featured in Arthurian Romances. Uriana has only been used a handful of times in the U.S. It may be from an old city in Calabria, Italy or it may also just be made up.

Uther: most well known for Uther Pendragon, King Arthur’s father, but his name is of uncertain etymology. The name remains unused. 

Vanora: this is the Scottish version of Guinevere by way of Gaynor, coming around in the 19th century. Vanora’s Grave is a natural monument in Scotland. Vanora was used 6 times in 2011 and 5 in 2012.

Vander: while in some cases this name is just Evander without E, it’s also a Dutch surname that usually requires another element such as “van der Lind.” This name was used since the 1880’s but started picking up after 2000. In 2017 it was given to 55 boys.