Name of the Day: Yvaine
It’s tricky to pluck names from science fiction, but today’s Name of the Day just might be lovely enough to consider an attempt. Thanks to Natalie for bringing Yvaine to our attention.
Last year’s movie Stardust, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, featured an ethereal Claire Danes playing a fallen star known as Yvaine. The hero is, somewhat predictably, called Tristan.
The character introduces herself with the line “My sisters called me Yvaine, for I was an evening star.” Unfortunately, there is no concrete etymological link between Yvaine and the words evening or star - though certainly the “yv” sounds like “eve.” But Gaiman did not pluck his name out of the night sky.
In Arthurian legend, you’ll find Yvain amongst the Knights of the Round Table. Also spelled Ywain and Owain, the name’s origins are hotly debated. Some say it’s merely an early version of the name Eugene; others claim it’s related to the Celtic god Esos; a third camp argues for a link to the words for “youth” and “lamb.”
Regardless, that famed spinner of fable Chrétien de Troyes penned Yvain, le Chevalier au Lion back in the 12th century. His knight does battle with some bad guys, wins the loyalty of a pet lion and gets the girl.
So Yvaine stands up well as a feminine form of a hero name, and her own adventures in Stardust wrap up with a satisfactorily happy ending.
It’s a sophisticated name and undeniably pretty. Perhaps a bit much to bestow on a small child, she could be known as Evie - though you’d be tempted to spell it Yvie, and that’s a bit awkward. Another nickname option is Yves, borrowed from the French masculine, which is equally exotic. In fact, perhaps Yvaine is really only suitable for parents willing to go nickname-free.
Or consider putting Yvaine in the middle spot. The rhythm of the name would work just as well as Nicole or Marie - and be far more interesting than those predictable choices.
Filed under: Myths & Legends, Names for Girls, Names of the Day, Silver Screen |
Tags: Yvaine
At the risk of sounding dumb, I have no idea how to say this out loud. ee-VAIN? EH-van? EH-vain? I like the reasoning behind it, but I’m just not hip on the French and Ys at the beginning of names. I also don’t know how to say Yves, either.
D’oh! I should’ve included a pronunciation.
Think Yvonne, but with a “vain” at the end instead of a “vonne” - ee VAIN. And Yves sounds like EEV.
Actually, the fact that the second syllable of the name is a negative - vanity, vanity! - is a real downside to the name. And you’re right - it’s not the easiest pronunciation to puzzle out.
I think it’s pretty! For those familiar with Yvonne and Yvette, the pronunciation is rather intuitive. However, while Yvonne sounds like an old woman and Yvette brings to mind an ’80’s teenager with ratted hair, Yvaine sounds fresh and intriguing.
The name does strike me as very medieval; I wasn’t surprised by the link to Arthurian legend. It reminds me a bit of the names Etain (of Irish mythology) and Gawain (another Arthurian knight, and the original form of the now-popular name Gavin).
LOL at your image of Yvette! And yes, the youngest Yvonne I know is in her 40s. Neither is a promising baby name these days.
I thought about Gawain when I was writing this, but I wasn’t familiar with Etain. (My knowledge of Irish mythology is weak.) Etain is a truly lovely name - and an intriguing story, too. All those years as a butterfly!