All about Arthurian names, Part VII (Female names, N–Y)

Illustration from King Arthur’s Knights: The Tales Retold for Boys and Girls (1911), by Walter Crane

Nimue is a sorceress known as the Lady of the Lake. In some stories, Merlin falls in love with her and becomes trapped by her magic. Nimue is also Lancelot’s protector and foster mother, and she gives the sword Excalibur to King Arthur and, many years later, helps to take him to Avalon when he’s dying.

Ninniane is the Old French form of Nimue. It may be derived from the Old Celtic male name Ninian, which in turn might ultimately come from the Brythonic name *Ninniau. Other forms include Ninniene, Niniane, Nyneve, Nymenche, Nimiane, Ninieve, Nivene, Niviène, Nivienne, Niviana, Niniame, Nymanne, Nimanne, Nynyane, Nenyve, Nyneue, Niniave, and Nynyue.

Merlin and Nimue (1861), by Edward Burne-Jones

Olwen means “white footprint” in Welsh, from roots ol (track, footprint) and gwen (white, blessed, fair). She’s one of the title characters of the Welsh epic Culhwch and Olwen. When Culhwch refuses to marry his stepsister, his stepmother curses him with the inability to marry anyone but Olwen. Though he’s never seen her, he falls in love with her. His father tells him he can only find Olwen with the help of his cousin King Arthur, who obligingly helps with the difficult search.

Orgeluse derives from the French word orgueilleuse (haughty). This is a character in Wolfram von Eschenbach’s 13th century romance Parzival. The name is spelt Orguelleuse in Chrétien de Troyes’s unfinished romance Perceval, the Story of the Grail.

Illustration of Culhwch and Olwen at the court of Olwen’s father Ysbaddaden, Celtic Myth & Legend (1905?), by Ernest Wallcousins

Palatyne, or Palentina, is one of the triplet sisters of water spirit Melusine. Their other sister is Melior. When their mortal father Elynas, King of Scotland, breaks his promise to not go into the bedchamber of his wife Pressyne while she’s giving birth, Pressyne leaves Scotland and raises her triplets in Avalon.

Qrainglaie is an Irish queen in Chretien de Troyes’s Les Merveilles de Rigomer.

Quebeleplus appears in Heinrich von dem Türlin’s Middle High German epic poem Diu Crône, which dates from about the 1220s.

Rathlean appears in the Irish romance Céilidhe Iosgaide Léithe (The Visit of Iosgaid Liath or Visit of the Grey-Hammed Lady). She’s the mother of Ailleann, who marries King Arthur when she takes him and the Knights of the Round Table to the Otherworld, and a granddaughter of the King of Iceland.

The Cumaean Sibyl (ca. 1617), by Domenichino

Sebile derives from the Greek word sibylla (sibyl). In Greco–Roman mythology, the sibyls (ten in number) are prophets and oracles. Sebile is a queen or princess who’s also a fairy or enchantress. She’s based on the Cumaean Sibyl, who presided over the oracle at Cumae, a Greek colony near modern-day Naples. According to legend, she lived a thousand years.

Soredamor is the lover of Alexander, a Knight of the Round Table, in Chrétien de Troyes’s epic poem Cligès (written about 1176). The Italian form is Sordamor.

Teleri is a contraction of the Welsh word ty (familiar “your”) and the name Eleri, which in turn derives from the name of a Welsh river. This river is also called the Leri. Teleri is a maidservant at King Arthur’s court in Culhwch and Olwen.

Sir Tristram and la Belle Ysoude drinking the love potion (1862–63), designed by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Xenebra is the Galician form of Guinevere.

Ydain is the name of two characters. One is a maidservant at King Arthur’s court and a cousin of Gawain, who marries Sir Cador of Cornwall. The other is rescued from Sir Licoridon by Gawain and mutually falls in love with Gawain, then decides to dump him for another knight. In revenge, Gawain gives her to the dwarf Druidan.

Ygrayne is a form of Igraine (King Arthur’s mother) used in Sir Thomas Malory’s 15th century epic Le Morte d’Arthur.

Yseut is an Old French form of Iseult used in 12th century Norman–French poet Béroul’s Tristan. Another Old French form, Ysolt, is used by Thomas of Britain in a 12th century poem also called Tristan.

All about Arthurian names, Part VI (Female names, G–M)

Sir Launcelot in the Queen’s Chamber (1857), Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Guinevere is the Norman–French form of the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar (white phantom), which derives from from Old Celtic roots •windos (white, fair, blessed) and *sebros (magical being, phantom). Who doesn’t know Queen Guinevere is King Arthur’s wife? She’s alternately depicted as virtuous but flawed and a self-serving traitor. Many stories feature her being abducted and having an affair with Lancelot which leads to the downfall of Camelot.

You can read this post for more in-depth information and a comprehensive list of other forms of Guinevere in different languages.

Gwendolen may mean “white ring,” derived from Welsh roots gwen (fair, white, blessed) and dolen (loop, ring). She’s Merlin’s wife. Some scholars believe this name may have arisen from a misreading of the male Old Welsh name Guendoleu, which may derive from gwyn (white, blessed, fair) and dol (meadow). Other forms include Gwendolyn (English) and Gwendoline (French, British English, Welsh).

Gwynhwyfach may derive from the name Gwenhwyfar with the Welsh suffix -ach, which evokes unpleasantness. She’s Guinevere’s sister, and the probable meaning of her name seems to suggest she’s meant as an evil or unpleasant form of Guinevere.

Władysław T. Benda illustration from Uther and Igraine (1903)

Heliabel is Perceval’s sister.

Herzeloyde derives from Middle High German roots herze (heart) and leit (sorrow, grief, suffering). She’s the mother of Parzival in Wolfram von Eschenbach’s 13th century romance Parzival.

Igraine comes from the Welsh name Eigyr/Eigr, which is of unknown origin. The Latin form is Igerna. Igraine is Duchess of Cornwall and King Arthur’s mother.

Tristan and Isolde (1901), by Herbert James Draper

Iseult may be Celtic in origin, or it may derive from an Ancient Germanic name like Ishild, composed of roots is (ice) and hilt (battle). She’s an Irish princess who’s betrothed to King Mark of Cornwall, and while en route to her new country, she and Mark’s nephew Tristan accidentally drink a love potion which makes them fall in love. This sets many tragic events in motion.

Other forms of the name include Isolde (German and Scandinavian), Isolda (Latin, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Galician, Czech), Izolda (Polish, Serbian, Russian, Georgian, Sorbian, Hungarian), Isoud (Norman), Isoude (Middle English), Ísodd (Old Norse), Izold (Breton), Isalde (Middle German), Isotta (Italian), Isolt (Old French), Iseut (Norman and Old French), Isaut (Old French), Iosóid (Irish), Esyllt (Welsh), Eseld (Cornish), Yseut (Old French), Ysolt (Old French), and Yseult (modern French).

Owain Departs from Landine (pre-1898), by Edward Burne-Jones

Laudine may derive from Lot or the place name Lothian, which both have the same origin and ultimately derive from the Latin place name Leudonia (of unknown origin). She’s the Lady of the Fountain, and marries Yvain after he murders her husband.

Lunete derives from the Welsh name Eluned, which has the root eilun (idol, image, likeness). In Chrétien de Troyes’s 12th century Old French epic Yvain, the Knight of the Lion, Lunete is the Lady of the Fountain and helps Yvain. In Thomas Malory’s 15th century Le Morte d’Arthur, she appears as Lynet and marries Gaheris. Alfred, Lord Tennyson calls her Lynette. In the Welsh romance Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain, she’s Luned.

Lyonesse means “lioness” in Middle English. In Thomas Malory’s epic, the Red Knight traps her in a castle, and her sister Lynet gets Gareth to rescue her. Other forms of the name are Lionesse and Lyones.

Lyonors has an affair with King Arthur in Thomas Malory’s story and has a son by him, Borre. She’s the equivalent of Lyonesse.

Morgan-le-Fay (1863–64), by Frederick Sandys

Morgan probably derives from Old Welsh roots mor (sea) and gen (born of), not the male Welsh name Morcant (Morgan in modern times), which may have the roots mor and cant (circle). The Middle English form used by Geoffrey of Monmouth is Morgen, and the French form is Morgaine. Who doesn’t know the sorceress Morgan le Fay, King Arthur’s sister and protector?

Morgause is Queen of the Orkneys, King Arthur’s halfsister, a witch, and the mother of Mordred, Gawain, and Gareth. The original forms of her name are Orcades and Morcades. The former was the earliest known name for the Orkney Islands and probably derives from Celtic root *forko- (piglet). Orcades may have become Morcades and Morgause due to confusion with Morgan. The name sometimes appears as Margause.

Melora probably derives from Meliora, which comes from the Latin word melior (better). This name first appears in the 1696 Irish romance The Adventures of Melora and Orlando, where she’s a minor character.

All about Arthurian names, Part V (Female names, A–F)

The Lady of Shalott (1888), by John William Waterhouse

Acheflour, sometimes spelt Acheflow, is probably corrupted from the French name Blanchefleur/Blancheflour, which means “white flower.” In Sir Perceval of Galles, Acheflour is King Arthur’s sister.

Ailleann marries King Arthur in the Irish romance Céilidhe Iosgaide Léithe (The Visit of the Grey-Hammed Lady) when she takes him and the Knights of the Round Table to the underworld. She’s the daughter of fairy king Daire and granddaughter of the King of Iceland.

Alemandine may derive from the Old French word alemandine (a deep red gem), which is in turn corrupted from the Latin alabandicus (Alabandic stone). This was a type of carbuncle in the city of Alabanda in Asia Minor (now near the village of Doğanyurt in Turkey). Alabanda means “horse victory” in the extinct Carian language, from roots ala (horse) and banda (victory). The name may also be derived from the Medieval Occitan and Gascon Alamanda, which comes from Alemannia, the Latin word for Germany. Alemandine is a queen in the 13th century romance Floriant et Florete.

Alyne is a form of Aline, a Medieval nickname for Adeline, with the ultimate Ancient Germanic root adal (noble). She’s the daughter of King Pellinore.

Illustration of Enid in Idylls of the King (1913), by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale

Amena, or Amene, may derive from the German name Amoena/Amöna, which comes from the Latin root amoenus (pleasant, charming, delightful). It may also possibly come from the Arabic name Amina, which means “feel safe.” Amena is a queen helped by Gawain’s son Wigalois (Guinglain, Gliglois) in the German romance Wigalois.

Ampflise is the name of two characters in the German romance Parzival, including the Queen of France.

Antikonie is the Middle German form of the Greek name Antigone, which derives from roots anti (against, like, compared to) and gone (offspring, birth). She’s the sister of King Vergulaht of Ascalun and falls in love with Gawain, which makes Vergulaht so angry he attacks Gawain. Later, Antikonie marries King Dulcemar of Tandernas and becomes the mother of Tandareis, a Knight of the Round Table.

Arcade is the French form of the Greek name Arkadios (of Arcadia), which comes from the root arktos (bear). She’s a high-born maiden whom Pelleas falls in love with but whom she spurns. When Pelleas sends Gawain to try to woo her by proxy, Arcade falls in love with Gawain instead. Ultimately, Arcade marries Pelleas.

Artesia probably derives from Artois, a region in France which gave its name to artesian wells, and ultimately Atrebates, a Belgic tribe in Gaul and Britain during the time of Julius Caesar. In turn, the tribe’s name is a cognate of the Irish word aittrebaid (inhabitant). Artesia is the sister of Saxon leader Ostorius in the Elizabethan play The Birth of Merlin.

Howard Pyle Illustration for The Lady of Shalott (1881)

Beaflurs means “beautiful flower” in French. She’s a fairy in Parzival, and the mother of Queen Ampflise’s page Liahturteltart.

Belacane is the mother of Parzival’s halfbrother Feirefiz.

Bellicent is the Old French form of the Ancient Germanic name Belissendis, which probably derives from roots bili (decent, proper, suitable, fitting, amiable) and swind (brave, strong, powerful). She’s King Arthur’s halfsister and Gareth’s mother in the 13th century story Arthour and Merlin.

Brangaine probably derives from the Welsh name Branwen, which comes from Old Welsh roots bran (raven) and gwen (beautiful, white, fair) and means “beautiful raven.” She’s Isolde’s handmaiden.

Brisen may derive from Old Norse root brisinga (glowing, twinkling). She’s a witch.

The Uninvited Guest (1906), by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale

Clarissant is the daughter of King Lot and Queen Morgause and the mother of Guigenor. In one story, she’s Gawain’s sister.

Cundrie is the name of two characters in Parzival.

Dindrane probably derives from the Welsh name Danbrann, which in turn comes from Middle Welsh roots dawn (gift) or dwn (brown, dark), and bran (raven). She’s Perceval’s sister, and frequently called only the Grail Heroine.

Dioneta is the name of two characters in the fragmentary 14th century Welsh text The Birth of Arthur. One is King Arthur’s halfsister, and the other is Mordred’s sister and King Lot’s daughter.

The Lady of Shalott Reaches Camelot (before 1887), artist unknown

Eglatine is probably a Middle French version or misspelling of the English name Eglantine, which is the name of a flower also called sweetbrier. It comes from the Latin word aquilentum (prickly). Eglatine is the daughter of King Machen of the Lost Island, and raises her stepson Dodinel, a Knight of the Round Table, like her own child.

Elaine is an Old French form of Helen, which comes from the Greek Helene and probable root helene (“corposant” or “torch”). Some sources believe it may be related to selene (moon). Elaine is Galahad’s mother, Lancelot’s lover, and Pelles’s daughter.

Elyabel is an Old French form of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew name Elisheva and means “my God is an oath.” She’s Tristan’s mother.

Elyzabel is a cousin of Queen Guinevere.

Enid, or Enide, probably comes from Welsh root enaid (soul, life, spirit). She first appeared as Erec’s wife in the 12th century, and later usually became Geraint’s wife.

Illustration of Enid in Idylls of the King (1913), by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale

Esclarmonde is probably a Middle Provençal form of the Old French name Claremonde, which may derive from the Latin root clarus (bright, clear) and Ancient Germanic mund (protector). Folk etymology attributes it to Old French esclair (light) and monde (world); thus, “light of the world.” Esclarmonde is a Muslim princess and lover of Sir Huon de Bordeaux.

Esmeree possibly derives from Old French root esmer (to respect, love, like). She’s a Queen of Wales who’s turned into a snake, then changed back by Guinglain.

Ettarre is probably a corruption or variant form of Arcade, since both characters are loved by Pelleas.

Evaine is Elaine’s sister, Sir Bors’s wife, and the mother of Sir Lionel and Sir Bors, Jr.

Florisdelfa probably derives from the Latin root flos (flower) and the Greek adelphe (sister). She’s an enchantress trained by Merlin in an Italian version of the Tristan and Isolde story, and so in love with Tristan she constantly sends him presents to try to win his heart.

All about Arthurian names, Part IV (Male names, S–Y)

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (1470), by Evrard d’Espinques

Safir probably comes from the Hebrew word sapir (sapphire). He’s a Saracen Knight of the Round Table, and the brother of Palamedes.

Sagramore comes from the Old French word sicamor (sycamore). He appears in almost every Arthurian story, always as a very good knight, even when he loses jousts.

Segwarides is the brother of Safir and Palamedes, and son of King Esclabor the Unknown. In some stories, Tristan sleeps with his wife.

Titurel is the Grail King in Wolfram von Eschenbach’s epic Parzival. He’s also the eponymous hero of another von Eschenbach work, a prequel to Parzival which only survives in fragments.

Tor is the son of King Pellinore, and later becomes one of the first Knights of the Round Table.

Torec is the eponymous hero of one of three Arthurian works by 13th century Flemish poet Jacob van Maerlant. Sir Torec defeats all of the Knights of the Round Table except King Arthur for the love of a maiden.

Tristan and Isolde (1912), by John Duncan

Tristan probably derives from the Celtic name Drustan, a nickname for the Pictish name Drust, which in turn may come from the Old Celtic root *trusto- (tumult, noise). It first appeared as Tristan in 12th century French stories, with the spelling probably changed to associate it with the Old French word triste (sad).

Tristan is sent to Ireland by his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall, to bring back Mark’s betrothed Iseult. En route to Ireland, Tristan and Iseult accidentally drink a potion that makes them fall in love. This sets many tragic events in motion. Tristan also appears as a Knight of the Round Table and a good friend of Lancelot.

Other forms of the name are Tristão (Portuguese), Tristram (Middle English), Trystan (Welsh), Tristán (Spanish), Tristrant (Middle German), Tístram (Faroese), Tístran (Icelandic), Trestan (Breton), Tristà (Catalan; rare), Tristam (Old English), Tristano (Italian), Tristaun (Norman), Trisztán (Hungarian), and Drystan (Welsh).

Eric Pape’s 1907 illustration for Lyrics and Old World Idylls, depicting King Urien being slain by his wife Morgan le Fay

Ulfin means “little wolf,” from the Ancient Germanic root wolf plus a diminutive suffix. Sir Ulfin helps Merlin with the plot to have King Arthur conceived.

Urien comes from the Old Welsh name Urbgen, which possibly derives from Celtic root *orbo- (heir) and the suffix gen (born of). He’s the King of Gore, husband of Morgan le Fay, and father of Owain. Like Owain, Urien is another Arthurian character whom we know was a real historical person.

Uther comes from the Old Welsh name Uthyr and the root uthr (terrible). He’s King Arthur’s father.

Walganus is a variant Latin form of Gualguainus, which Gawain is sometimes referred to as.

Wigalois is the eponymous hero of Wirnt von Grafenberg’s very early 13th century epic about Gawain’s son.

Yder, or Ydier, is the Old French and Anglo–Norman form of Edern, which derives from Old Welsh root edyrn (heavy, immense; wonderful, prodigious, marvellous). Previously, it was wrongly believed to come from the Latin word aeternus (eternal). Edern is a Knight of the Round Table.

Yvain, or Ywain, is a form of Owain, which comes from an Old Welsh name variously spelt Ougein and Eugein, and thus may ultimately derive from the Greek name Eugenios (well-born). It may also have the Celtic roots *owi- (sheep), *awi- (desire), or *wesu- (good), plus the Old Welsh suffix gen (born of). Owain is a Knight of the Round Table, and usually written as the son of King Urien and the philandering husband of Laudine, the Lady of the Fountain. He’s one of the Arthurian characters who actually existed.

All about Arthurian names, Part III (Male names, M–R)

1902 illustration of Mordred, by H.J. Ford

Mabon is the Welsh form of Maponos, which derives from Celtic root •makwos (son) and the diminutive or Divine suffix -on. Thus, it means “great son.” Mabon appears in the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen, where he’s a prisoner freed by King Arthur’s warriors to help with hunting a boar. In Ulrich von Zatzikhoven’s epic Lanzelot, the name is rendered in the Anglo–Norman form Mabuz.

Maelwys, Melwas, or Moloas may mean “noble pig,” “prince of death,” or “young prince.” He kidnaps Queen Guinevere and only is prevailed upon to finally release her when St. Gildas and the Abbot of Glastonbury get involved.

Maleagant also kidnaps Guinevere. Other forms of the name include Melwas, Meleagent, Meliagant, Meliagaunt, Meligaunt, Meliaganz, Meliagrance, and Mellegrans.

Meliodas is Tristan’s father.

Merlin comes from the Welsh name Myrddin, which probably ultimately derives from Moridunum, a Romano–British settlement, and the Celtic roots •mori (sea) and *dūnom (hill fort, rampart). Geoffrey of Monmouth probably chose to refer to this legendary wizard by the Latinised name Merlinus because Merdinus was dangerously close to the French word merde (a coarse word for excrement).

The Beguiling of Merlin (1873–74), by Edward Burne-Jones

Mordred comes from the Welsh name Medraut, which in turn possibly derives from the Latin word moderatus (moderated, controlled). Other forms include Medrod and Modred. In some stories, he’s King Arthur’s bastard son; in others, Arthur’s nephew. Mordred was first portrayed as a traitor in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s chronicle, where he seduces Queen Guinevere, declares himself king, and wages a deadly battle.

Morholt is Isolde’s brother or uncle.

Morien is the son of Sir Aglovale and a Moorish princess.

Orguelleus means “proud, orgulous,” from the Anglo–French word orguil (pride). Several Arthurian characters have this name.

Owain comes from an Old Welsh name variously spelt Ougein and Eugein, and thus may ultimately derive from the Greek name Eugenios (well-born). It may also have the Celtic roots *owi- (sheep), *awi- (desire), or *wesu- (good), plus the Old Welsh suffix gen (born of). Owain is a Knight of the Round Table, and usually written as the son of King Urien of Gore and the philandering husband of Laudine, the Lady of the Fountain. He’s one of the Arthurian characters who actually existed.

Sir Pellias, The Gentle Knight (1903), by Howard Pyle

Palamedes may derive from the Greek roots palai (long ago, in days of yore) and medos (schemes, plans). He’s a Saracen Knight of the Round Table.

Pelleas, or Pellias, may come from the Greek name Peleus and the root pelos (clay). He’s a Knight of the Round Table and the husband of Nimue, the Lady of the Lake.

Pellehan, or Pellam, possibly derives from the Welsh name Beli Hen (Beli the Old). Beli may be a nickname for Belenus, which comes from the Gaulish name Belenos or Belinos and possibly the Indo–European root *bhel- (brilliant, bright) or *bel- (strong). Pellehan is the keeper of the Holy Grail.

Pelles is the son of Pellehan and the father of Elaine.

Pellinore may derive from the Welsh name Beli Mawr (Beli the Great). He’s a son of Pellehan, King of Listenois, and eventually part of King Arthur’s court.

The Temptation of Sir Percival (1894), by Arthur Hacker

Perceval was created by 12th century French poet Chrétien de Troyes, who may have based it on the Old French phrase perce val (pierce the valley) or the Welsh name Peredur. If it’s Welsh in origin, it may mean “hard spears,” from the roots peri (spears) and duri (hard, steel). Other forms include Parsifal and Parzifal (German), Perchéval (Picard), Percevelle, and Percival. Perceval is a Knight of the Round Table who achieves his quest for the Holy Grail.

Peredur (etymology above) is the 14th century Welsh equivalent of Perceval.

Rhun may derive from Proto–Celtic root *roino– (plain, hill) or *rnf (magic, secret). In the 1380s Red Book of Hergest, a story about time travelling in a dream, Rhun appears as a counsellor to King Arthur when 24 knights seek to make peace.

Rivalen is the German form of the Old Welsh name Rhiwallon, which in turn comes from the Old Celtic name *Rigovellaunos. It may mean “most kingly” or “lord ruler,” from roots rhi and gwallon. This is the name of Tristan’s father.