The Meaning of Names in Haven

One night last fall I went through and made a list of the meanings of names in Haven. Many I already knew and through discussing them in some tweets and once on another blog (Unspooling Fiction: Haven) pointing out what the name Byron Howard means, I decided to put that knowledge on Word and research what I didn't already know. I didn't really have a spot to put it until I made this blog and then didn't really think of this blog as the place for it. Tonight, since I'm all writer-blocked and shit I decided to get into Haven Canon and headCanon mode and.... Here you go. Feel free to comment with additions to both the meanings I've presented and that of other characters.

Meaning of names in Haven:




Duke Crocker: Duke is a Latin derived name that means “leader.” To the Celts, the name was more specific and meant “leader of the seas.” This, along with a few other reasons could explain why he’s been getting so much attention in the 4th season. Eric Balfour’s popularity probably doesn’t hurt. Crocker is a sort of  bastardized version of Crochere which means “Cross Bearer.” Considering his family curse this is kind of a no brainer.

Nathan Hansen-Wuornos: Nathan as a European name means “to give.” It is most likely a derivative of the Hebrew name Nathaniel which mean “gift of God.” Hansen is very specifically a north-western European name that literally means “son of Hans.” Hans is most likely a Germanic derivative of John which has its origins in Hebrew and means “YHWH is gracious.” I didn’t turn up any meanings for Wuornos. Anyone with a membership to something like Ancestry.com might be able to. But both of his birth names mean he’s God’s Gift. His fan girls knew this all along.

Audrey Parker: Audrey is a Teutonic name that means “noble leader” Parker is an English name that literally means “park keeper”

Lucy Ripley:  Lucy is pretty well known as meaning “light.” But, very specifically it is a guiding light.  Ripley is an Old English name/word that means “shouting man’s meadow.”

Sarah Vernon: Sarah has its origins in Hebrew, and means “princess.” Vernon is of old French origin meaning “grove.” It was specific to Alder trees. Do you see a pattern in her surname? Of interesting note, Alder trees were thought to grant you access to Faery realms. They are also associated with owning up to your responsibilities.

Lexi DeWitt: Here is a break in the pattern. First of all, DeWitt means “the white” and therefore is basically a feminine version of Dwight. It‘s also a Flemish echo to Jennifer‘s name. Not sure if that matters or not. Lexi is a diminutive of Alexandra a Greek origin name that means “defender of mankind”

Mara: Means “bitter strength” No shit. No surname has been provided for her at this time.


Jennifer Mason: Jennifer is a reduced form of the Celtic/Welsh name Gwenhyfar. It has a few different meanings, most notably “Fair.” Other attributions for the name include “white waves” and “yielding.” Mason means Stone Worker. (duh)

Garland Wuornos: Garland is from a word that could be Old English or Old French. It could mean “land of the spear” and can also mean “wreath” or “prize.” I would suggest that the meaning “land of the spear” comes from a result of conflating Gaul with Frank. Frank meaning “spear.”

Wade Crocker: Wade comes from a Old English name or word meaning “moving” or “go.”

Simon Crocker: Simon has its origins in Hebrew and means “he has heard.”



Vincent and David Teague: First of all, Teague is an old Irish word for “bard.” In ancient times, they were in fact the record keepers of their time and carried news from one castle keep to the next. They also wielded a fair amount of influence and authority among the people. Vincent is a Roman name that means to conquer. David has its origin in Hebrew and means “beloved.”

Dwight Hendrickson: Dwight is of Flemish origin and means “blonde” or “white” Hendrickson again literally means “son of Hendrick” and Hendrick means “home ruler” which is a sort of kenning for father. Jesus Christ, I don’t know about you but by the time I got here in my research I was kind of crying. Dwight!

Jordan McKee: Of course the name is shared with the river mentioned in the Bible (not to mention the country) and has its Hebraic origins that mean “to flow down” or “to descend.” McKee is a patronymic version of a personal Gaelic name that means “fire.” Well hell, if that doesn’t describe her, I don’t know what does.

Jack and Aiden Driscoll: Aiden is a Gaelic word that means “little fire.” Jack is a medieval diminutive form of the name John and means “God is gracious.”

Edward Driscoll: A name comprised of two Old English terms ead meaning “rich” or “blessed,” and weard or the word we recognize as guard. Driscoll most likely has its roots in the Gaelic language and the form we see now is a reduced, Anglicanized version of eidirsceól meaning “news bearer.”

Claire Callahan: Claire is of French origin and means “bright” or “clear.” Callahan can either mean “bright headed” and has also been used to reference “devoted to the Church.” I’m going to go with the “bright headed” interpretation in this instance.

Jessica Minnion: Now, I sort of resented her, but I liked her. Jessica is a name actually invented by Shakespeare for a Jewish merchant in the play “The Merchant of Venice.” Most likely Shakespeare got it from the Bible though and it derives from the Hebrew Jesca (Yiska) and means “God beholds.” Minnion is a known surname on the American continent and probably comes from a Middle French word meaning “darling” or “lover.”

Eleanor and Julia Carr: Eleanor is a name that means “shining light.” Generally considered French it has its origins in Greece from the name Helene. Julia is another Latin name that specifically refers to “Jove’s Child.” It also means “youthful” Carr is a name that could have its origins from Scotland, Ireland or England and generally refers to someone who lived near a patch of wet ground, over grown with brushwood. I find it interesting that the name Carr is close in meaning to the surnames given to the three Mara incarnations that we know of.

Glenndower is a Welsh name that means “valley of water.”

William is the English version of the of the Germanic name Willahelm. Two elements which mean “will” or “desire” and “protection” or “helmet” respectively. Fitz is an appellation that would indicate being an illegitimate child.

Byron Howard: Literally means barn guide (or guardian). Howard could also mean “spirit.”