Namemas: Brecon

I have to say I had trouble picking today's name! I was going between 2 names. The one I posted and Adler. Original plan was to go with Adler but I felt there was more to write about with Brecon. So enjoy some history on a unique name that also fits great with modern boy names!

Places
Brecon is a town in the middle of Wales and has been around since the 1840s. The town lays just north of the Brecon Beacons mountain range. The mountains are the center of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The national park is one of three in Wales. It is in these mountains that the Brecon geese originated. A cool product from the national park is Brecon gin. Brecon gin is made from botanicals from 4 different places and water from the Brecon Beacon National Park.

Variant Spellings
Brecon is said to be a variant of the Irish name Breccan. Other various spellings include Brecon, Breckin, and Brecken. Spelled Breccan, it is a name of an Irish saint of the Isle of Aran. In mythological legend there is a Breccan who was said to be a merchant trading between Ireland and Scotland. Legend has it he was swallowed up by a huge caldron and never seen from again. The name fits in nicely with other trendy boy names like Bodin, Casen, and Beckett.

Christmas Association

On the sixth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

6 Geese a Laying

5 Golden Rings

4 Calling Birds

3 French Hens

2 Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Brecon is a breed of geese. Brecon Buff geese originated from Wales. Rhys Llewellyn found the first goose in 1929 in Brecon Beacons. He was able to breed the geese years later in 1934. The geese have pink feet and beaks, a characteristic of the breed.

Namemas: Gwendolen

Happy Namemas day 5! Today is a beautiful feminine name filled with history and nicknames. It has a nice meaning that just fits the fifth day of Christmas.

History

Gwendolen is an ancient Welsh name dating back to the year 1138. Geoffrey of Monmouth first used the name Gwendolen in History of the Kings of Britain. In the story Gwendolen was a queen who defeated her husband in battle. Just 12 years later the same author used the name Gwendolen in Life of Merlin for the wizard's wife. In 1813, Gwendolen was used as the name of the fairy mistress of King Arthur.

Popularity
Although the name has been around for 881 years it has never ranked in the top 1000 with the Gwendolen spelling. The alternative spelling, Gwendolyn, ranked at #871 in 1880. In 2018, the same spelling ranked at #372. I can see the appeal of Gwendolyn to American parents. It's has the popular  -lyn ending parents like.

Possible Nicknames
Gwendolen has some great nicknames. There are a feel vintage beauties in the mix. One of the reasons I really like the name Gwendolen is for her many nicknames.

Gwen, Gwennie, Dolly, Winnie, Wendy, Gigi, Lynn, Glen 

Christmas Association 

On the fifth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

5 Golden Rings

4 Calling Birds

3 French Hens

2 Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Gwendolen is my pick for Namemas day 5. The name means white ring so not exactly gold rings. There is white gold out there that looks almost silver. White is also a color of Christmas and associated with snow. Here in the northern hemisphere snow is a common and wished for thing on Christmas. Everyone wants a white Christmas!

Namemas: Robin

For this 4th day of Namemas I had so many bird names to pick from but ultimately went with a name that has a Christmas association besides just the 12 days of Christmas song. Read to find out!

History

Robin is the medieval diminutive of Robert, possibly from Robin Hood. Other sources say Robin could be a nickname for Robert. In England the name is used more often on boys while in the United States it is used more for girls. As a surname Robin is popular in France. 

Famous Wearers

Robin Williams is an American actor and comedian staring in movies from Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Aladdin, Dead Poets Society, and so much more. In 2014 he died from suicide shocking many of his fans. His death could have possibly been the reason why robin popped back onto the top 1000 charts in 2015 after not being used for boys since 1999. 

Robin Roberts is a famous female bearer who can be found on ABC's Good Morning America. In 2012 the show broadcasted her journey and treatment with myelodysplasia syndrome, a cancer. 

Robin Gayle Wright is most famous for her role as Jenny in Forrest Gump. Before that she played the Princess Bride in the movie with the same name. She has had many award nominations and even won a Golden Globe. 

Fictional Robins 

Although Robin is a unisex name, it started out on boys. Robin Hood first appeared in the 13th and 14th centuries as a character from English folktale. He went around stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Movies and books were made from the legend. 

Christopher Robin was the human character in A.A. Milne's book series Winnie the Pooh. It first appeared in the 1920s and is still a staple character for children all over the world. 

Robin is the hero sidekick of D.C Comic's Batman. He made his first appearance in 1940. The character was introduced as a way to attract a younger audience to the comics. Since then Robin has been around since in countless movies, books, shows, and comics. 

Robin is a main character from the tv show How I Met Your Mother. Another fictional female Robin is from the popular Netlifx show Stranger Things. 

Christmas Association

On the fourth day of Christmas

my true love sent to me:

4 Calling Birds

3 French Hens

2 Turtle Doves

and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

There are many, many bird names out there that could work for today's name but I settled on Robin because of it's Christmas association. Robin Redbreasts are often found on Christmas cards and decorations. But they have deeper roots than just winter birds. There is a legend out there that said a brown robin was in the manager when delivered Jesus. While Mary was distracted the fire being used to keep baby Jesus warm became too strong and the robin stood between the fire and Jesus. It became scorched and passed its redbreast down for generations. 

Another reasons robins are associated with Christmas is after the 1880s post men of England. They wore red coats and were nicknamed robins. Families looked forward to cards from loved ones being delivered by these robins.