Flannery O'Connor is the shit. Definitely read some of her short stories. Also, you have good taste in names. I love Imogen, Lenore and Matilda.
Name obsessions:
1) Isadore
It's derived from 'gift of Isis' and it's amazing to me how long this name survived in the Christian world (up until the last century, really). I also think it sounds super badass, like you should be holding a banner and riding into battle on horseback.
2) Idony
Another old pagan name nobody uses anymore--this one after Idunn (don't feel like putting in the proper Nordic letters to spell that right), the goddess of apples and youth. Feels very strong but with that lilt of the -y and the end. Probably too close to the word irony to be usable, alas and alack.
3) Thais
Ancient Greek name, meaning 'bandages' or 'bond', probably. A courtesan of Alexander the Great had this name, as did a 4th century saint. I love how it sounds--TY-iss.
3) Tamsin
Thomas is a family name of mine, and I love this British feminine take on it.
4) Llewellyn
Beautiful, soft Welsh name that means lion. I love it, but can't imagine making a kid spell and re-spell that their whole life.
5) Angharad
My current Welsh name obsession. Feminine, from mythology, sounds badass and means 'more love'. More love! What an amazing thing to name a person. Will probably have to be talked down from this name when I actually have a kid.
6) Wade
Family name, simple, strong, interesting mythology. I try to push it on people here as a middle name all the time.
7) Oren and Orev
Hebrew for "pine tree" and "raven", both entities that have been meaningful in my life and beautiful names to boot.
8) Eleanor
My incredibly intelligent, caring and independent grandmother's name. She was a gift to the world, and I love this old-fashioned name.
9) Roland
The only Germanic name I will ever really love.