Time to return to the Runes, and the second letter of the Runic alphabet — U.
It has the following names:
- Eldar Futhark: *Ūruz or *Ûram
- Anglo-Frisian: Ur
- Marcomannic: Hur
- Younger Futhark: Úr.
It is unclear what the inspiration for the Eldar Futhark U was — it was either *ūruz ‘aurochs’ or *ûram ‘water’.
Aurochs isn’t a word heard much in general conversation these days; it is the name used for a long extinct species of wild ox. Aurochs is actually a German word, which came into English in the 18th Century.
Its Old English and Norse name — úr fell out of use at a very early date — probably around the time the animal disappeared. This may be the reason why in the Norse runic poems it seems to be derived from ūr ‘fine rain’ — a word ultimately cognate with urine.
In the poems, Ur gets a distinctly mixed reception, with reference to the animal’s pride, ferocity and stamina, and the negative effects of water in the form of rain.
Modern rune diviners focus on Ur’s wild ox past, and neglect the watery undertones. It is generally viewed as a rune that signifies physical strength, stamina and durability. It stands for raw, untamed power — a great asset, but something which someone who possess it might need to learn to control in order to get the best out it.
Its negative qualities are pretty clear: savagery and recklessness.
Ur itself makes an unlikely name choice, although there are other noble namesakes, such as the ancient Sumerian city of Ur, and the identical sounding Er, hero of Plato’s Myth of Er, in which Er, a former warrior, witnesses what happens to the Dead — how after a period in the Underworld, they take it in turns to choose their fate in their next life, according to how virtuous their former life had been.
Uram, however, has some potential. It’s not a million miles away from names like Aaron and Erin, after all, and plenty names end in -am.
But there are also plenty names out there (and not “out there”) with meanings such as “strength,” “power” and “endurance.” Many are sadly probably still too heavily buried beneath a pile of Victorian corsets — names such as Elfreda, Ermyntrude, Etheldreda, Frideswide, Maynard and Millicent.
These are some suggestions:
- Alcestis ♀ — name of a Greek heroine, from alkê “defensive strength.”
- Alcis ♀ — epithet of Athene, also from alkê “defensive strength.”
- Arnold ♂ — Old German Arenvald – arin “eagle” + vald “power.”
- Bala ♂ — Indian name from Sanskrit bala “force,” “power” and “strength.”
- Brian ♂ — Irish and Breton in origin, from Proto-Celtic *brig-/brigant- “high,” or *briga- “might” and “power.”
- Bridget ♀ — Anglicized form of Brigid, which comes ultimately from the Proto-Celtic *brig-/brigant- “high,” or *briga- “might” and “power.” Well known as an important Irish Goddess — and saint.
- Emin ♂ — Turkish name – emin “safe,” “secure,” “strong,” “firm” and “trustworthy.”
- Firmin ♂ — from Latin firmus “strong,” “steadfast” and “enduring.”
- Gertrude ♀ — Old German gêr “spear” + drudi “strength.”
- Gorwst ♂ — Old Welsh name from gor- “super” + gwst “power,” “force” and “excellence.” Latinized in the Middle Ages as Gurgustius.
- Griffith ♂ — Anglicized form of the Welsh Gruffudd, probably cryf “strong” and “powerful” + iud(d) “lord.”
- Imelda ♀ — Spanish and Italian name, from the German Irmhilde — ermen “strong” and “whole” + hilta “battle.”
- Iphigenia ♀ — Greek: is “strong” + gignomai “to be born” i.e. “strong-born.”
- Jarek ♂ — Czech and Polish name, originally a pet-form of names beginning with jar “spring” or jary “fierce” and “strong.”
- Metin ♂ — Turkish name – metin “strong” and “durable.”
- Millie, Milly ♀ — Shorter, more approachable form of Millicent (among other names!) < Old German amal “work” + swinde “strong.”
- Nero ♂ — Sabine: nero “strong” – cognate with San: nara and W: nêr (and banned in New Zealand!).
- Ruslo ♂ — Romani < ruslo “strong.”
- Swithun ♂ — Old English name < swīþ “strong.”
- Valentina ♀ — Latin: valens “strong,” “vigorous” and “healthy” < valeo “to be strong.”
- Valentine ♂ ♀ — as above.
