Althea

Gender: Female
Usage: Greek Mythology (Latinised)
Meaning and History: From the Greek name Αλθαια (Althaia), perhaps related to Greek αλθος (althos) "healing". In Greek myth she was the mother of Meleager. Soon after her son was born she was told that he would die as soon as a piece of wood that was burning on her fire was fully consumed. She immediately extinguished the piece of wood and sealed it in a chest, but in a fit of rage many years later she took it out and set it alight, thereby killing her son.

Comments:  Wow! What an alluring story!  I was trying to decide between writing about Anthea and Althea and I chose the latter due to that story.  I tend to be a fan of names starting with a short A, particularly when followed by an L- they're very crisp to me, like a breath of cold air.  I feel like Althea itself is nearly as alluring as the namesake.  There's some sort of intriguing aura about it, as cliche as that may sound.  Althea needs a dark, romantic name in the middle position to give it some grounding.

Combos: 
Althea Constance
Althea Cordula
Althea Florence
Althea Jonquil
Althea Judith
Althea Lenore
Althea Mireio
Althea Poem
Althea Ruby
Althea Thora

Garnet

Gender: Female (or Male?)
Usage: English
Meaning & History: From the English word garnet for the precious stone, the birthstone of January. The word is derived from Middle English gernet meaning "dark red".  OR From an occupational English surname which referred either to a person who made hinges (Old French carne) or who sold pomegranates (Old French pome grenate).

Comments: This is a name that has been floating around on my long list but has never been a real favourite.  However, as it intrigues me I have decided to write about it.  One thing I especially admire is that in my mind the world 'garnet' is actually the colour of the gemstone.  Margaux, incidentally, is the exact same tone.  Right now I only enjoy Garnet on a girl, but I could see it working on a posh little boy as well, or as a middle name for him.  2/22/2012

Siblings:
Jonquil, Thora, Selma

Combos:
Garnet Adele
Garnet Berenice
Garnet Calpurnia
Garnet Ellen
Garnet Elspeth
Garnet Lenore
Garnet Mary Adele
Garnet Regina

Lucasta

Gender: Female
Usage: Literature, English
Meaning & History: This name was first used by the poet Richard Lovelace for a collection of poems called 'Lucasta' (1649). The poems were dedicated to Lucasta, a nickname for the woman he loved Lucy Sacheverel, who he called lux casta "pure light".

Comments:  This old favourite sprung back into my head a few days ago.  It reminds me of the moon.  I think it's absolutely stunning, and made more practical by the nickname Lucy.  2/18/2012

Siblings:
Cordelia, Evening, January
Ignatius, Oleander, Sebastian, Valentine, Willoughby

Combos:
Lucasta Beatrice
Lucasta Clemence
Lucasta Jane
Lucasta Jean
Lucasta Maeve
Lucasta Miriam
Lucasta Niamh
Lucasta Phoebe
Lucasta Poem
Lucasta Violet

Beatrice Lucasta
Edith Lucasta
Eve Lucasta
Evening Lucasta
Freya Lucasta
Iris Lucasta
Niamh Lucasta
Tamsin Lucasta
Violet Lucasta