View Message

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

MAIALEN!
Sorry about the overly-enthusiastic title, but people hardly ever ask about Basque names, so there's rarely an opportunity for me to talk about one of my actual favorite names, across cultures: Maialen!I believe it's pronounced just like Maia / Maya, but with "len" (short-E) attached. It's the Basque version of Magdalene, and it's gorgeous. I feel like it would still work well outside Spain / southwest France, despite being an uncommon Basque name, due to its similarity to another popular name.Other Basque names I like / find intriguing:
Asier
Balendin
Beñat
Erramun
Julen
Kemen
Luken
Xabier
&
Alaia
Alazne (like you)
Amaia
Elixabete (like you)
Enara (very similar to Inara from Firefly)
Erlea
Esti (though I've usually heard this as a nickname for Esther)
Katalin
Lorea
Miren
Nahia
Naia
Naiara
Nerea
ZuriñeAramis can be considered a Basque name I think, or at least Basque-derived (from the surname d'Aramitz, which is Basque).***Please rate my personal name lists:www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/117507
www.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/109399
hwww.behindthename.com/pnl/69381/132018
http://greens-end.myminicity.com/
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I like Nerea and Aramis
vote up1
Sounds just like Myelin, like myelin sheaths.Myelin sheaths are really cool!
vote up1
I love Maialen, too! I've always liked Maia, and the -len gives it more substance.
vote up1
I like Maialen as well! I really like how it looks. On a side note, I also like Madeleine (perhaps more than Magdalene).I forgot about Balendin, it’s really handsome. It kinda gives off a more... feel than Valentin, if that makes sense.
Asier is pretty interesting, too, and Naia is cute - it sounds a bit trendy, though, like another Maia/Maya.I’m not sure if Aramis can be considered Basque or not. Though the origin of the name is clearly Basque, I don’t think the name itself is used in Basque communities. Or maybe it is, I dunno.
vote up1
Tiny typo:I meant to say that Balendin gives off a more "romantically rustic" feel than Valentin, if that makes sense.
vote up1
A little off topic, but I can't believe how close Maialen's pronunciation is to my real name (Marjolijn). I'd totally react to it if I heard this used :)
vote up1