Atlas Name for Afghan Hound

“Lapis” alludes to lapis lazuli, a deep-blue semi-precious stone treasured for millennia. This gemstone’s intense azure color symbolizes the sky, wisdom, and royalty in many cultures. The name exudes a sense of rarity, richness, and ancient beauty—much like a precious jewel pulled from the earth.

Lapis is the Latin word for “stone” (as in lapis lazuli, “blue stone”). The gemstone lapis lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan since antiquity. As a name, Lapis invokes the stone’s historic prestige and vivid beauty.

“Cypress” is the name of a tall, slender evergreen tree often associated with the Mediterranean and Middle East. In poetry, the cypress is a symbol of elegance and immortality, its form standing straight and proud through the seasons. The word itself evokes nature’s stately beauty and enduring life.

Cypress comes from the Greek name of the tree (kyparissos), ultimately from a pre-Greek origin. It entered English via Latin (cypressus). As a given name or word-name, it’s inspired by the tree’s imagery of long life and upright elegance in nature.

“Summit” refers to the highest point of a mountain, the peak that stands above all else. It signifies achievement, elevation, and being at the top. The word brings to mind majestic mountaintops and the perseverance required to reach them, encapsulating triumph and lofty perspective.

Summit is an English word (from Old French somet, “topmost point”) for the apex or peak. It entered common usage to describe mountaintops and figuratively, high achievement. As a name, it’s part of a modern trend of using inspirational natural features to denote strength and aspiration.

“Nimrod” is a biblical figure described as a mighty hunter and king. Over time, the name became synonymous with a skilled hunter. It conveys the image of someone powerful, perhaps a bit unruly, who is supreme in the field of the hunt. (Note: colloquially, it took on a joking connotation in modern American English due to Bugs Bunny using it ironically, but its original meaning is valorous.)

Nimrod appears in the Bible (Genesis 10) as a descendant of Noah known as “a mighty hunter before the Lord.” The name’s origin is unclear but possibly Mesopotamian. It became an epithet for skilled hunters. In mid-20th-century American slang, “nimrod” ironically came to mean a fool (thanks to a Bugs Bunny joke). However, many still recognize its original heroic connotation, making it an intriguing, layered choice of name.

“Aslan” means “lion,” a symbol of courage, pride, and regal strength. The name immediately evokes the image of a powerful, golden-maned lion surveying his domain. It implies bravery, guardianship, and a certain majestic fierceness tempered by wisdom, given the lion’s status as king of the beasts.

Aslan comes from a Turkic word meaning “lion,” historically used as a name and title across Central Asia. Its use in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series for a heroic lion further popularized it as a symbol of bravery and royalty.

“Willow” refers to the graceful tree known for its slender, swaying branches and gentle strength. The word evokes tranquility by a riverside and a lithe form that bends without breaking. As a symbol, willow suggests resilience, grace under pressure, and natural elegance.

Willow is an English word for the tree of the genus Salix. It has been used as a name or nickname to denote gracefulness and flexibility, drawing from the tree’s iconic imagery in nature and literature.

“Saffron” is a prized spice derived from the crocus flower, known for its vivid golden color and distinct aroma. The name is synonymous with rarity and luxury, as saffron strands have been worth more than their weight in gold. It conjures warmth, richness, and a touch of the exotic, given its central role in Eastern cuisine and dye.

Saffron comes from Persian via Arabic (za’farān) for the spice, associated with the color yellow. It entered English in the Middle Ages to describe the costly golden spice. As a given name, it’s a modern nature-inspired choice referencing the spice’s rich hue and value.

“Jasmine” is a fragrant flower known for its delicate white blossoms and intoxicating scent, often blooming at twilight. The name symbolizes purity, sweetness, and love in many cultures, with the flower’s aroma evoking romantic summer nights. Jasmine carries a sense of gentle beauty and enchanting allure.

Jasmine comes from the Persian word “yasmin” (via Arabic), meaning the jasmine flower. It spread to other languages through trade and poetry. In English, Jasmine has been used as a given name signifying the beloved flower known for beauty and fragrance.