British Baby Names

Name of the Week

 

An underused Shakespearean name with a regal quality 
and routes in Ancient Greek mythology.

 

Origin:

Shakespeare adapted the name Cressida from the Ancient Greek name Chryseis, meaning "daughter of Chryses." Ultimately Chryses derives from the Greek χρυσος (chrysos) meaning "golden".

Usage:

The name Cressida was coined by Shakespeare for his play Troilus and Cressida. He based the name on Chaucer's poem Troilus and Criseyde which itself was inspired by Criseida in Boccaccio's poem Il Filostrato. Both Criseyde and Creseide were based on the Greek mythological character Chryseis, a figure who appears in Homer's Illiad. The name has been used infrequently in Britain since the 17th century. One of the earliest examples is Cressida St John (also recorded as Cresset or Cressitt) whose birth is thought to have been around 1570. The name is listed on 3 women in the 1861 UK census, and 12 on the 1901 UK census.  The name has seen more frequent and consistant usage throughout the 20th century. Since 1996 the name has been used between 3 and 10 times every year -- giving it a rank below the Top 2000. In 2010 the name ranked #4688 with 4 births in England and Wales. It did not rank in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

Literature: * In Homer's epic The Illiad Cryseis was captured by Agammenon for her great beauty. He was forced to release her when Apollo sent a plague in retribution.   * 12th century poet Benoit de Ste Moire created the story of Troilus, as an addition to the Greek myth, in Roman de Troie (c.1155). He used the name Briseida for Troilus' lover, confusing the characters Briseis and Chryseis. Boccaccio must have recognised the mistake when he changed the name to Criseida in  Il Filostrato (c.1340).  * In Chaucer's poem Troilus and Criseyde, Criseyde is a tracic character, torn from her love and led astray. They play was given a darker tone by Shakespeare in Troilus and Cressida (c.1602). Contemporary: * Cressida Bell (b.1959) is a British artist and designer.  * Cressida Campbell (b.1960) is an Australian artist.  * Cressida Cowell (b.1966) is a children's author.  * Cressida Heyes (b.1970) is a Canadian philosopher.  Other: * Cressida is a moon of Uranus. * The swallowtail butterfly has the genus name Cressida.

Variants:

Chryseis (Ancient Greek) Criseida (Boccacio) Criseyde (Chaucer)

Pronunciation:

CRES-i-də  [key]

Possible diminutives:

Cassie, Creeda, Creedy, Cressa, Cressy, Dessa, Didi, Sid, Sida, Sidra

Sibling Names:

Lucinda     Rosamund     Camilla     Perdita     Jocasta     Ophelia  Orlando     Ferdinand     Augustus     Julius     Evander     Tristan

Name Lists:

Upright Elegance   Astronomical   Shakespearean   Butterfly Names   Names of Roses

 

If you like Cressida you may also like:   Lavinia, Perpetua, Apollonia, Minerva, Leocadia, Evandne, Hestia, Portia, Xanthe, Ione

 

This post was revised July 2012.

Victoria's Legacy

I was very privileged to write a guest blog this week for nameberry.com about the trends in Victorian naming. 

Victorian Names: A Royal Legacy

 

The Victorians are so fascinating and diverse in their naming quirks that my original draft was absolutely huge. I had to make some drastic cuts just to make it readable. One part which I had to trim significantly was the names of Victoria's children and many many grandchildren. These royal progeny received a bevy of names each but from a relatively small selection of family names - approved of and guided by Victoria herself. For this reason the most fascinating aspect is the diverse range of nicknames by which they were known in the family to distinguish them from relatives with the same name. 

 

The Royal Couple:

Alexandrina Victoria "Drina" (Queen Victoria) – originally meant to be named Victoire Georgina Alexandrina Charlotte Augusta

Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel (Prince Albert)

 

The Royal children:

Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa “Vicky”
Albert Edward “Bertie”
Alice Maud Mary “Alee” and “Fatima”
Alfred Ernest Albert “Affie”
Helena Augusta Victoria “Lenchen”
Louise Caroline Alberta “Loosy”
Arthur William Patrick Albert
Leopold George Duncan Albert “Leo”
Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore “Baby”

 

The Royal Grandchildren:

Albert Victor Christian Edward “Eddy” (Prince Albert Victor of Great Britain) 
George Frederick Ernest Albert “Georgie” (George V)
Louise Victoria Alexandra Dagmar “Lulu” (Princess Louise of Great Britain)
Victoria Alexandra Olga Mary “Toria” (Princess Victoria of Great Britain)
Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria “Harry” and “Maudie” (Princess Maud of Great Britain)
Alexander John Charles Albert “Johnnie” (Prince Alexander John of Great Britain)

Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albrecht “Willy” (Kaiser Wilhelm II)
Viktoria Elisabeth Auguste Charlotte “Charly” and “Ditta” (Princess Charlotte of Prussia)
Albert Wilhelm Heinrich (Prince Henry of Prussia)
Franz Friedrich Sigismund “Sigi” (Prince Sigismund of Prussia)
Friederike Amalia Wilhelmine Viktoria “Moretta” (Princess Viktoria of Prussia)
Joachim Friedrich Ernst Waldemar “Waldy” (Prince Waldemar of Prussia)
Sophie Dorothea Ulrike Alice “Sossy” (Princess Sophie of Prussia)
Margarethe Beatrice Feodora "Mossy" (Princess Margarete of Prussia)

Victoria Alberta Elisabeth Mathilde Marie (Princess Victoria of Hesse)
Elisabeth Alexandra Louise Alice “Ella” (Princess Elisabeth of Hesse) 
Irene Luise Maria Anna (Princess Irene of Hesse)
Ernst Ludwig Karl Albert Wilhelm “Ernie” (Grand Duke Ernst I)
Friedrich Wilhelm August Victor Leopold Ludwig “Frittie” (Prince Friedrich of Hesse)
Viktoria Alix Helena Luise Beatrice "Alicky" and "Sunny" (Princess Alix of Hesse)
Marie Viktoria Feodore Leopoldine “May” (Princess Marie of Hesse) 

Alfred Alexander William Ernest Albert (Prince Alfred of Edinburgh)
Marie Alexandra Victoria “Missy” (Princess Marie of Edinburgh)
Victoria Melita “Ducky” (Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh)
Alexandra Louise Olga Victoria “Sandra” (Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh)
Beatrice Leopoldine Victoria “Bea/Bee” (Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh)

Christian Victor Albert Ludwig Ernst Anton "Christle" (Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein)
Albert John Charles Frederick Arthur George (Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein)
Victoria Louise Sophia Augusta Amelia Helena “Thora” (Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein)
Franziska Josepha Louise Augusta Marie Christina Helena (Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein)
Frederick Christian Augustus Leopold Edward Harald (Prince Harald of Schleswig-Holstein)

Margaret Victoria Charlotte Augusta Norah “Daisy” (Princess Margaret of Connaught)
Arthur Frederick Patrick Albert (Prince Arthur of Connaught)
Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth “Patsy” (Princess Patricia of Connaught)

Alice Mary Victoria Augusta Pauline (Princess Alice of Albany)
Leopold Charles Edward George Albert “Charlie” (Prince Charles Edward of Albany)

Alexander Albert “Drino” (Prince Alexander of Battenberg)
Victoria Eugenie Julia Ena “Ena” (Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg)
Leopold Arthur Louis (Prince Leopold of Battenberg)
Maurice Victor Donald (Prince Maurice of Battenberg)

 

Yvonne Demoskoff has provided some fabulous quotes from Victoria herself on the subject of names over at her royalty website. They give a great insight into Victoria's taste and her thoughts regarding names. They are definitely worth a read. 

 

 

Middle Names - The Adventurous Ones

So far we have looked at popular middle names and family middle names and the reasons why these are commonly used in the middle spot. Now lets look at the other end of the spectrum to the adventurous and unusual and examine why the middle is often where they can be found. 

When you think about it, the frequency with which we share our middle names is completely up to us. Apart from certain obligatory forms we can keep our middle names secret or share them loudly and proudly as we see fit. And as there is such freedom with middle names, why not have fun with them and be adventurous? 

The middle spot is perfect for those parents who love an unusual or striking name but worry it is too "out there" for everyday life. Using it as a middle name takes the yikes-factor (yes I did just invent that word) out that it would have as a first name as turns it into a quirky and original second name. David and Samantha Cameron didn't raise many eyebrows when they chose the anglicised Cornish name Endellion as a third name for their daughter, as they most likely would have done if it had been used as the first name. As a middle name name it's strongest reaction was "Oh. That's unusual.I've not heard that before."

In fact, uncommon names can often form the perfect balance when paired with a popular and well-known first name. Want your Sophie to stand out from the lovely-but-often-used Sophie Jane, Sophie Elizabeth and Sophie May? How about Sophie Elettra, Sophie Merewen or Sophie Damaris for a more striking combination?

It seems many parents agree, as we can see from the many children with the middle name Danger and other descriptive middle monikers such Celestial, Happy and Sunshine. 

Here is a small sample of a few British babies born within the last two years who have uncommon, quirky, interesting and unusual middle names:

Alfred Athelstan Edward Lysander Henry Capability Henry Leonidas Tiberius Louis Santiago Maximilian Thorbjörn Rafe Caledfryn Wynne William Ignatius Zack Taliesin Michael

Alice Calypso Isabella Felicia Honoria Isla Eva Sonia Rainbow Minnie Love Olivia Zdena  Poppy Valentine Darling Serena Honora Silver

Cornish Names

Cornwall: home of fantastic dramatic coastlines, beach holidays, pasties, cream teas and breath-taking scenery. Right at the southern tip of the British mainland, Cornwall has for centuries had its own distinct heritage and culture, and even its own language.

Celtic languages are split into two branches: Goidelic and Brythonic. Irish, Scots and Manx Gaelic are all Goidelic Celtic languages; Welsh, Cornish and Breton are Brythonic languages. Wales and Cornwall not only share a common linguistical heritage, they also share much of their ancient lore, mythology and even names. Welsh Arthurian legends often take place in Dumnonia (the ancient Kingdom which is now Cornwall and Devon) and several early medieval Welsh or Breton saints settled in Cornwall, leaving their names on the Cornish landscape.

The Cornish language was spoken locally up to the 18th century. It gradually began to decline and, though it is now spoken by less than 1% of the population, it still plays an important part of Cornwall's identity. It has been gradually revived since the 1980s and with it came the introduction of several vocabulary and nature words used as names e.g Elowen "elm" and Derowen "oak."

 

Boys:

Arthek (ARDTH-ek)— An old Cornish name derived from the Celtic arto "bear." It is equivalent to the Welsh Arthwg.

Arthyen (ARTH-yen) — The Cornish form of the Old Welsh name Arthen (Arthien), derived from the Celtic arto "bear" and geno "born."

Austol (OST-əl) — The name of a Breton saint who came to Cornwall. His name is commemorated in the town St Austell. Little is known of his life, despite his parish being one of the largest in Cornwall. 

Benesek (ben-EZ-ek) — An old Cornish form of Benedict, derived from the Latin benedictus "blessed."

Branok (BRAN-ək) — Old Cornish name derived from the Celtic brano "raven, crow."

Bryok, Breok, Brioc (bree-OK) — A Welsh saint who is commemorated in St. Breock. His name is a shortened form of Briafael derived from the Celtic brig "mighty" and mael "prince."

Cadan (CAD-ən) — Both an old Cornish and old Welsh name derived from the Celtic cad "battle."

Cador (CAD-or) — An ancient ruler of Cornwall who, according to Arthurian legend, was the guardian of Guinevere. 

Carantok (ca-RAN-ok) —A Welsh saint who is commemorated in the village of Crantock. His name derives from the Celtic karant "friend."

Casek (CAZ-ək) — A form of Cadok, itself the Cornish cognate of the Welsh Cadog "battle." St. Cadog the Wise was one of the greatest of the Welsh Saints.

Casworon (caz-WOR-ən) — An old Cornish name, likely from the Celtic cad "battle" and kawaro "hero."

Clemo (KLEM-ō) — The Cornish diminutive of Clement/Clemence.

Clesek (CLEZ-ək) — An old Cornish name derived from the Cornish clos "fame."

Corentyn (ko-REN-tin) — St Corentin was the first bishop of Quimper. The Cornish form is Corentyn, and can be found commemorated in the parish of Cury. The latinised form was Corentinus, whereas Kaourent / Kaourantin is the Breton. There is a popular belief that the name comes from the Breton word for "hurricane." The Welsh word for hurricane is corwynt, and the Cornish is korwez. Daniel Giraudon lists korventenn as one of the Breton words for whirlwind and mentions the prevalent folk beliefs that connected whirlwinds with sorcery and the clergy. According to G.D.German, the Cor element is also found in other early Breton names including Coruueten in 867 and Coriou in 1084. Ultimately this may derive from the Proto-Celtic element *kor meaning "army, troop" which is also proposed to be the origin of the term for whirlwind (as Koroll is the Breton name for a group circle dance -- much like a whirlwind). 

Costentyn (kos-TEN-tin) — The Cornish form of Constantine, meaning "constant, standing firm."

De, Day (DAY) — A Cornish saint commemorated at St Day.  

Edern (ED-ern) — The Welsh, Cornish and Breton form of the Latin Aeturnus "eternal." It was borne by the father of the legendary 5th century leader Cunedda. 

Enyon (EN-yən) — The name of a legendary ruler of Cornwall. It derives from the Latin Annianus "belonging to the gens of Annius."

Gerens, Gerren — St Gerren was an ancient king of Cornwall who is remember in the place name Gerrans. The name is the Cornish equivalent of Geraint.

Goron (GOR-ən) — St Goron was a Celtic saint who gave his name to Gorran. The name derives from the Celtic kawaro "hero."

Gryffyn (GRIF-ən) — A Cornish form of the Welsh name Gruffudd/Griffith derived from iudd "lord."

Gwalather (gwal-LATH-ə) — An old Cornish name, from the same source as the Welsh gwaladr "leader."

Hedrek, Hedrok (HED-rək) — Derived from the Celtic hedr "bold".

Jago (JAY-gō) — The Cornish form of James.

Jory (JOR-ee) — The Cornish form of George.

Jowan (JŌ-wən) — The Cornish form of John.

Kenal (KEN-əl) — An old Cornish name derived from the ancient British Cunosaglas "generous chief".

Keneder (ken-ED-ur) — An old Cornish name derived from the ancient British Cunosetros "bold chief".

Kenver (KEN-və) — An old Cornish name derived from the ancient British Cunmorus "great chief".

Kitto (KIT-ō) — Used as a Cornish diminutive of Christopher. However, it may originally have been the Cornish form of the Welsh Griffith / Gruffudd, most likely via the Welsh petform Guto (GIT-ō).

Locryn (LOK-rin) — The Cornish form of Locrinus, a legendary king of Britain. 

Lowen (LŌ-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "joyful."

Madern (MAD-ərn) — A saint from Wales who is commemorated in Madron near Penzance. His name most likely derives from mad "fortunate, lucky."

Massen —  The Cornish form of Maximus "greatest" via the Welsh Macsen.

Meryasek (meri-YAZ-ək) The Cornish form of Meriadoc, the legendary founder of Brittany, which most likely means "sea lord."

Peran, Perran, Piran — St Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall. His name is the Cornish form of the Irish Ciaran "little dark one." 

Pasco, Pascow (PASK-ō) — Literally meaning "Easter" in Cornish. Pasco(w) was a name given to children born at eastertime. 

Rewan, Ruan, Ruman — A West Country saint. The name is of uncertain etymology, however the name was used in medieval Cornwall. 

Santo (SAN-tō) — A Cornish diminutive of Alexander.

Treeve, Treave — A place name derived from the Cornish 'tre' or 'trevow' meaning "farmstead, dwelling, town, village, home." 

 

Girls:

Beaten (BEE-tən) — The Cornish medieval form of Beatrix. 

Bennath (BEN-əth) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "a blessing"

Berlewen (bur-LEW-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "Venus"

Bersaba — The Cornish medieval form of Bathsheba. 

Beryan (BERI-yan) — St. Beryan (Buriana) was an Irish princess who travelled to Cornwall with St Piran and was renowned for her healing abilities. 

Bryluen (bree-LOO-ən) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "rose."

Caja (CAY-jə) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "daisy."

Chesten — The Cornish form of Christine.

Conwenna — The wife of a legendary king of Cornwall. Her name possibly derives from the Celtic kwon "hound" and windo "white, bright, fair, blessed."

Delen (DEL-ən) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "petal." Delennyk "little petal" is a diminutive form. 

Demelza (dem-EL-zə) — A Cornish place name made famous by the heroine in Winston Graham's "Poldark" series.

Derowen (de-ROW-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "oak"

Derwa — A Cornish saint who is commemorated in Menadarva. Her name is possibly related to the old Welsh derw "oak."

Doryty — The Cornish form of Dorothy. 

Ebrel — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "April."

Elestren (el-LEST-ren) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "iris."

Elowen (el-LŌ-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "elm."

Emblyn — The Cornish form of Emmeline.

Endelyn (en-DEL-in) — One of the daughters of Brychan who came to Cornwall and was later made a saint. She is commemorated in St Endellion, the anglised form, or Sen Endelyn in Cornish. Some think she is the same as Brychan's daughter Cynheiddon. It is also possible that her name derives from luen "full" and the intensifying prefix ande-. It may be that she was originally a pagan deity of a well, spring or local river which would make the latter meaning quite appropriate. 

Eseld (es-ZELD) — The Cornish form of Isolde.

Ewella (yoo-EL-ə) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "higher, more exalted"

Glanna — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "pure"

Gwennol — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "a swallow"

Hedra — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "October"

Ia — St Ia or Ya (Latinised as Hia and anglicised as Ive) is a the patron of St Ives. Her name may derive from the Welsh ia "ice," or the Proto-Celtic *yewo- "yew."

Jenifry — The Cornish form of Winifred.

Jenifer — The Cornish form of Guinevere, modernised as Jennifer. 

Jowanet (jo-AN-et)  — The Cornish form of Joan.

Kelynen (kel-LIN-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "holly."

Kensa (KEN-za) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "first."

Kerensa (ke-REN-za) — There are many forms of this name including Kerenza, Karenza, Karensa and Carenza. In use since the late 19th century, it derives from the Cornish word for "love."

Keresen, Kerezen (ke-REZ-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "cherry."

Kerra — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "dearer."

Lamorna (la-MOR-nə) — The name of a place in Cornwall. 

Loveday, Lowdy — Loveday is a medieval name gievn to children born on a "loveday" -- a day when enemies met to settle a dispute. Though not originally Cornish, by the 19th century it was largely confined only to Cornwall and is still in use today. The Cornish colloquial form is Lowdy. 

Lowena, Lowenna (lō-WEN-ə) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "joy."

Mabyn (MAB-in) — St Mabyn (Mabena) was a daughter of Brychan who is commemorated in St Mabyn. 

Melder — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "honey-sweet."

Melwyn — A modern Cornish compound name meaning "honey-fair."

Melyonen (mel-YON-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "violet."

Melyor, Meliora - used from 13th-18th century.

Meraud, Merouda (MEH-rəd) —  A medieval Cornish name, possibly a cognate of the Welsh Morfydd, either from mor "sea" or mawr "great" and budd "benefit, profit."

Merryn (MEH-rin) — The name of a place in Cornwall founded by St Merryn. His name most likely derives from the Old Welsh Morien meaning "born of the sea." Though the name is unisex, is is more commonly used for girls.

Metheven (me-THEV-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "June."

Morgelyn (mor-GEL-in) — A modern Cornish compound name meaning "sea-holly."

Morvoren (mor-VOR-en) — A modern Cornish compound name meaning "mermaid" - literally "sea maiden."

Morwen, Morwenna (mor-WEN-ə) — A daughter of Brychan who is commemorated at Morwenstow. Her name derived from the Cornish moroin "maiden."

Nessa — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "second."

Pasca, Pascatte — feminine forms of Pasco.

Peswera (pez-WER-ə) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "fourth."

Rosen (ROZ-en) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "rose."

Rosenwyn (roz-EN-win) — A modern Cornish compound name meaning "fair rose."

Senara — A Cornish saint who gave her name to Zennor. It possibly derives from the Celtic seno "old" and waro "hero."

Sowena, Sowenna (so-WEN-ə) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "success."

Splanna — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "brighter."

Steren (STE-rən) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "star."

Talwyn — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "fair brow."

Tamsyn (TAM-zin) — A Cornish diminutive of Thomasina.

Tegen (TEG-ən) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "pretty." The standardised English spellings include Tegan, Teegan, Teigan and Tiegan are are pronounced TEE-gən, rather than the Cornish TEG-ən.

Tregereth (tre-GAIR-əth) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "mercy."

Tressa — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "third."

Trueth (TRU-əth) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "compassion."

Wenna — The old Cornish form of Gwen "white, fair, blessed" and the name of several saints. The more modern Cornish form is Gwenna. 

Ysella (ee-ZEL-ə) — A modern Cornish vocabulary name meaning "modest." 

Pronunciation Key

 

Middle Names - The Family Ones

Family names are often utilised in the choosing of middle names. They provide meaning, sentimentality, and a sense continuity. And there are many different ways they can be used.

A little bit of me

Many parents give their own name to their child as a middle name. This is a familiar practice that goes back to the eighteenth century when children were given their parents name as a first or a second name.


Inherited middle name

One of the most common ways of using a family name is the passing down of middle names. These middle names pass from mother to daughter and father to son through the generations. Many of the most popular middle names, that I discussed in the previous post, remain popular because they are continually used for new members of a family. 


Dearly beloved and departed

The first names of much loved family members are another source of middle names. Grandparents and great-grandparents in particular are frequent namesakes honoured in children's names. Using the name of a deceased family member often adds pathos and meaning to a name -- and in some cases provides healing and comfort for a family. 

Some parents, in search of a unused family name (perhaps in a large family were most of the family names have already been "taken") look further back on their family tree for inspiration. Great aunts, uncles and grand parents many times removed can provide an interesting name and still maintain the family connection. Look carefully and you are bound to find a hidden gem. 


Lastnames up front

Many British mums today choose to pass on their family history by using their maiden name for their children's middle name. This practice has happened for centuries, particularly among the aristocracy when family-merging was serious business, but is becoming increasingly common today as women choose to keep their own surnames.

Sometimes other family surnames are used. Really want to honour your grandad Oswald but don't like the name? Consider using his surname instead. 


Variations

When parents want to use a particular family name but find it too outdated, variations can often lend a unique alternative. These variations can be based on meaning, sound or first initial, but mostly they are standard etymological variations. Jane is used to update Janet. Caroline is used to update Carol. 

Feminisations such as Charlotte, Harriet and Josephine can provide a sweet father-daughter link. 


I myself have two middle names. The first of my middle names was chosen because it was a popular name that my parents liked. Personally, I could take it or leave it. I don't dislike it but it screams "80s baby" to me. I have no real sense of ownership with it. 

My second middle name was chosen in honour of my great grandmother who died a few months before I was born. Even though, was I was growing up, it had an old-fashioned sound and had some people remarking "really?" in a disbelieving tone -- as if no 80s parent would be mad enough to use it -- I absolutely love it. It is a name that has been used throughout history, has many fabulous namesakes, and, most importantly, it means something to me. It's the name of a much loved figure in my family, still often spoken about -- and I appreciate having something of hers.

The only problem is that, being the second middle name, it often gets missed off forms -- leaving my first, less preferred, middle name in place. 

Saintly and Stylish

As an Easter treat to myself, aside from gorging on chocolate, I have been perusing names of Christian saints. 

Saints names span 2,000 years of history and many different cultures from Ancient Greece, through the Germanic and Latin languages, to Celtic Britain. There are many familiar 'saintly' choices such as John, Thomas, Peter, George, Mary, Anne, Elizabeth that are major staples of British names. Others include Charles, Daniel, Leo, Jessica, Lucy, Rose -- popular names which are less obviously 'saintly'. 

Here is a list of some of the most striking Saints names, from the fashion-forward to the unusual. 

Abran Adelphus Aidric / Aldric Alban Aldo Alfrick Alphius Airick  Alto Amator Anselm Ariston Artemas Aubin Augustine Augustus Austol / Austell Balin Balther Bardo Benedict Benno Bertrand Blaise Cadoc Caian Caradoc Casimir Caspar Cassian Cassius Castor Colman Conall Conrad Cormac

Crispin Cyprian Cyrus Darius Declan Edgar Edmund Elian Elias Emeric Emilian Erasmus Erastus Evrard Fabian Falco / Falko Felix Fergus Finian Fintan Florian Fulco Gerard Gilbert Giles Herbert Hermes Hugh Isidore Ivan Ivo Jonas Jude Julian Julius Kilian

Lazarus Leander Leonides Leontius Leopold Linus Lucian Lucius Maden / Madern Magnus Matthias Maximian Maximilian Nestor Nicander Otto Peregrine Philemon Quentin Quintus Ralph Raphael Regulus Roderic Ruan Rufus Rupert Sebastian Simeon Thaddeus Titus Urban Valentin Virgil Xavier Zeno

Abra Ada Adela Adelaide Agatha Agnes Alena Aleydis / Alice Alodia Amalia Amata Anastasia Anatolia Angela Apollonia Aquila Ariadne Attalia Audrey Augusta Aurea Aurelia Beatrix Belina Berlinda Bernadette Blanche Britta Calliope Candida Carissima Casilda Cecilia Celine Cera / Ciara Claudia

Concessa Crescentia Daria Delphina Dorothy Dwynwen Ebba Emiliana Endellion / Endelyn Eudocia Eugenia Eulalia Euphemia Euphrasia Euphrosyne Eusebia Euthalia Felicity Flavia Flora Florentina Genevieve Hedda Helena Hermione Inez Iphigenia Januaria Juliana Julitta Kennera Keyna Kinnia Lelia Leocadia Leoba / Lioba

Lucilla Lucina Lucretia Mariana Maura Medana Melania Melitina Mella Merewenna Messalina Merryn Morwenna Natalia Nina Nouna Odilia Perpetua Phoebe Philonella Prisca Regina Rosalia Sabina Savina Seraphina Sylvia Tatiana Teresa Thelica Thérèse Ursula Verena Veronica Zenaida Zita

Beyond Cassie and Casper

Just updating my 1911 Census Name Combos post with some 'C' names I came across some interesting 'Cas' names:

 

Cassibellanius
Cassibelaunus - both forms of Cassivellaunus, an ancient British chief. 
Cassino  

 

Cassiah
Cassidena 
Cassido -  yes, a girl, I checked.
Casilda / Cassilda - saints name
Cassileen 
Casilla / Cassilla
Casina / Cassina - several place names in Italy. 
Cassinet 
Casiphia - a Babylonian place name identified in the Bible.
 

Middle Names - The Popular Ones

Once upon a time, when I was eight years old, I came home from school bitterly disappointed and demanded of my mother "Why don't I have the middle name Louise? All the other girls in my class do!" 

"All" was a bit of an exaggeration, however, there were at least eleven girls in the class who had that middle name. At the time I felt as if I had been left out in the name stakes, but a little while later I began to appreciate my uniqueness. No one else in the class had my middle name. There was one girl in the class with the middle name Lynette, and another, Jacqueline - I thought these highly exotic. 

Ann(e), Elizabeth, Jane, Louise and Marie reigned supreme as middle names from the 60s onward. These middles are still incredibly popular today, although Rose, Grace and May are fast becoming the new "it" middle names. 

For boys the picture is a lot more static. John, James and William have been the standard middle names for the majority of the twentieth century.

The General Register Office for Scotland very generously list the top 10 most popular second names (2010, 2009, 2008). Elizabeth, Louise, James and John are consistently popular and in 2010 they stated "the top ten second names for boys and girls are the same as the previous five years with just a few minor changes in ranking."

Often these overly used middle names are typified as being "filler". These fillers are considered to be names used in the middle spot simply to "fill" the space in lieu of anything better. It fits in the "we just thought it sounded nice" or "we couldn't think of anything else" camps. 

The simple reality is that they are popular names, fitting contemporary trends, that sound good with almost any name. More often than not they are passed down through the generations. Other popular middle names include Claire, Jo, Kate, Alexander, David and Jay. I defy you to find a name that doesn't ring lyrically with at least one of the names listed so far. 

The disadvantage is that, when paired with a popular first name, you end up with a name that thousands of others share. 

So, for those of you who are in search of a middle name that has that elusive lyrical quality, but want to avoid the popularly used set, here are a few to consider: 

Adele Bess Carys Delphine Fleur

Gwen Liv Maeve Pearl Tess

Abram Bryn Colm Hugh Jude

Keir Leif Reid Rex Saul

And for short first names, these longer names can provide a nice sense of balance. 

Beatrice Clementine Constance Genevieve Jessamine

Lucille Marguerite Mireille Primrose Vivienne

Atticus August Beckett Benedict Cassius

Julius Maximilian Roderick Thaddeus Theodore

Queenly name for Catherine

When Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles in 1981, there were quite a few sniffs from certain quarters about her name. It wasn't considered "Royal" enough, or even 'Christian' enough by some people for the wife of the future head of the Church of England.  

It may sound a bit ridiculous -- an attitude reserved for a fastidious older generation --that such an ancient name as Diana was sneered at for Royalty, but as someone in their thirties pointed out to me just the other day, "we wouldn't want a Queen Chardonnay, would we?". It just doesn't quite fit right.  In fact, many Royals throughout history have chosen one of their middle names for their official title to sound more "royal". George VI's first name was Albert. 

I wonder, in light of that, whether Carole and Michael Middleton are relieved that, twenty-nine years ago, they named their daughter Catherine Elizabeth -- thereby giving her not only one queenly name but two. They also gave their other children, Philippa Charlotte and James William, two Royal names apiece as well. 

For any parent looking for that regal flair, there are lots of "queenly" and "kingly" names to choose from. 

 

Kings and Queens of England or Great Britain: 

Athelstan Cnut Charles Eadwig / Edwy Edgar Edmund Edred Edward Ethelred George Harold

Henry James John Philip (joint ruler)  Richard Stephen William

Adelaide Adeliza Ælfthryth / Elfrida Alexandra Anne Berengaria  Caroline Catherine Charlotte Edith Eleanor

Elizabeth Emma Henrietta Maria Isabella Jane Joan / Joanna Margaret Mary Matilda Philippa Victoria

Children of Monarchs (Prince and Princesses) that are not included above:

Adolphus Albert Alexander Alfred Alphonso Arthur Augustus David Eustace

Frederick Geoffrey Humphrey Leopold Lionel Octavius Robert Thomas

Adela Agatha Alice Amelia Augusta  Beatrice  Blanche Bridget Cecilia

Cecily Constance Helena Louisa Louise Marie Maud Sophia

Birth Announcements from Down Under

My lovely sister is in Australia at the moment and she has sent me the details of BAs from The Weekend West, a newspaper in Perth. So, for something a bit different, here are some Australian Birth Announcements.

Abby Samantha Alia Luciana Ava Miranda Ella Grace Elsie Frances Emily Louise Emma Kate Evie Anne Georgia Kate Imogen Lisa-Marie India Poppy Isabella Lisia Isla Claire Isla Mai Ivy Sabine Kapri Lilianne Kasey Lila Lara Alyssa Lexi Rose Madeleine Louise Mia Ellen Mira-Clé Nyx Parque Olivia Louise Riley Clare Sofia Mary Willow Jane Zoe Audrey

Adrien Curtis Aidan Rhys Christian Risto Damon Matthew Evan Stanley Ian George Anthony Harry Finn Harvey Leighton Harvey Roern Jacob William James Neil James Riley Joshua Clayton Kayden Joel Koby Michael Lachlan Anthony Levi Mitchell Lewis Ryan Levi Taj Luca Benito Matthew Leigh Max Antoine Mitchell James Patrick Torren Riley Oliver Robert Thomas Samuel Lewis Taj! - with the exclamation mark apparently. Thomas Frederick Tyler Blake Xavier Davidson