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Original poster

Virtue names

41 replies

whosaidtha · 28/11/2024 19:54

I'm naming characters in a book so don't worry about saddling a real kid with an awful name. I need suggestions for virtue names. Especially boys. I need 7. I have Constance as my main character. Also charity and faith. Not sure on the others. Need another two girls and two boys.
Thanks

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SilverBlueRabbit · 28/11/2024 23:07

My favourite female virtue names are Temperance and Deliverance. Luckily for our sons, they were boys I guess, but I still love those names. (The boys each got an apostle name, so fairly dull in comparison).

Mandarinaduck · 28/11/2024 23:17

Christian

RogueFemale · 29/11/2024 01:24

jeanne16 · 28/11/2024 20:42

I had an uncle called Worthy.

I love this.

RogueFemale · 29/11/2024 01:26

Chastity

Kilroywashere · 29/11/2024 01:34

Innocent - some popes were called this...

MirandaBlu · 29/11/2024 03:37

The male ones seem to be a bit rarer and more challenging.

Prosper, Merit, Credence, and Zenith are trad male ones that are still used a bit. Makepeace and Increase were popular in the pre-US colonial era. Nigeria had a president whose first name was Goodluck.

Concord, Hale, and Revere also qualify, although some uses may also come from the surnames. Also possibly Frank?

Amity, Blythe, Liberty, and Sage were historically used for both boys and girls, although probably skew more feminine now.

melchim · 29/11/2024 03:41

MrsTerryPratchett · 28/11/2024 20:34

From Terry Pratchett:

All the Carter kids.
“The Carter parents were a quiet and respectable Lancre family who got into a bit of a mix-up when it came to naming their children. First, they had four daughters, who were christened Hope, Chastity, Prudence, and Charity, because naming girls after virtues is an ancient and unremarkable tradition. Then their first son was born and out of some misplaced idea about how this naming business was done he was called Anger Carter, followed later by Jealousy Carter, Bestiality Carter and Covetousness Carter. Life being what it is, Hope turned out to be a depressive, Chastity was enjoying life as a lady of negotiable affection in Ankh-Morpork, Prudence had thirteen children, and Charity expected to get a dollar’s change out of seventy-five pence–whereas the boys had grown into amiable, well-tempered men, and Bestiality Carter was, for example, very kind to animals.”

Love it.

muddyford · 29/11/2024 05:38

cheapskatemum · 28/11/2024 22:11

The only Loveday I know is a man.

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The only one I know is a woman!

mathanxiety · 29/11/2024 06:05

Loyal
Noble
Merit
Pax
Sage
Makepeace
Righteous
Pax

LionWings · 29/11/2024 06:17

Boys:

Steadfast
Christian

VaddaABeetch · 29/11/2024 06:22

For women I’ve always lived Felicity, Grace & Honor

For men, Earnest, Makepeace

Original poster
whosaidtha · 29/11/2024 07:10

I really like Hale for my last boy.

I also really like liberty for girl.

If I have any more babies I am Definitely going for a virtue name. I love most of these!!

OP posts:
user1492757084 · 29/11/2024 09:12

Prudence
Majella
Mercy
Trinity
Hosanna
Angelica

Raphael
Felix
Victor
Stedfast
Peregrine
Pilgrim

JudyJulie · 29/11/2024 09:30

Continence?

WhoppingBigBackside · 30/11/2024 16:42

Sorrow

HeadlessGummyBears · 01/12/2024 08:55

Your list of girls’ names is shaping up beautifully! I think Prudence, Joy, Hope, Harmony, Honour, Bliss, Grace and Patience all fit with your chosen character names, Constance, Faith, and Charity. They create a cohesive and meaningful set of names that exude warmth and positivity. I think virtue names that already exist are the way to go as it sounds more natural. Would love to be a beta tester once the book is done!

Here are some more complementary virtue-inspired names that sort of already exist as first names and hopefully also sound natural:
1. Victor
2. Justice
3. Ernest
4. Clement
5. Benedict

These names balance strength and virtue while maintaining a realistic feel, much like the girls’ names.

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