British Baby Names

Modern Antiquity

Modern Antiquity is a recently coined term of mine that I use to describe all those fabulous classical Greek and Roman names that sound surprisingly modern. While Vitruvius, Aristoteles and Eutropia feel like shining relics from the past, Theron, Leander and Clio feel fresh and sleek, whilst still retaining their antique charm. 

Some ancient favourites such as Diana, Iris and Phoebe have been used often enough through the centuries to feel thoroughly familiar.
This list attempts to capture some of the lesser known or infrequently used classical names that boast a modern appeal, sound or style. 

Agon Ajax Alastor Alexis Alexios Aphros Argus Ariston Atlas Attis Cadmus Caius / Gaius Cassian Castor Cato Chiron Cleon Crius

Cyrus Damon Draco Evander Galen  Hermes Heron  Isidore Leander Leon Leonidas Linus Lysander  Myron  Nox* Ophion Orion Otus / Otos

Pax* Rufus Sol Solon Straton Talos Theron  Titon Xenon Zelus Zeno Zenon Zephyr

Aelia Aella Alba Alethea Angelia Atalanta Aura Aurea Aurelia Ceres Charis Clio Cloelia Corinna Danae Dido Eirene Eris

Eulalia Eumelia Euthalia Evadne Evanthe Gaia Hebe Hera Hero Hestia Ianthe Iole Ione Isidora Ismene Juno  Larisa Laelia / Lelia

Leda  Livia Lucina Maxima Melaina Melia Melitta Moira  Nona Phaedra Rhea Roxana Sabina Thalia Theia Vesta  Xanthe Xenia

* Pax is in fact the Roman feminine personification of Peace and Nox is the Roman personification of night (Greek = Nyx), but the Jolie-Pitt boys, and the 'x' ending, make the names sway masculine for modern parents. As they are abstract personifications, and vocabulary words, it could be considered a moot point.

'Twas Ever Thus...

Another look at the restriction of names in France. This time dating from the First World War. 

 

WAR NAMES FOR FRENCH BABIES                                 (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)                                                                PARIS, AUG 29     There is not a little doubt in the minds of many patriot parents of provincial France as to where the line should be drawn in the  choice of war names for children these days. Many municipalities have shown great indulgence and have admitted to the registration of numerous little "Joffres" and "Joffrettes." An inhabitant of Bordeaux, however, was greatly disappointed when the registrar told him that the name "Revanche," upon which he had set his heart for his daughter, did not figure in the official calendar, and that he dared not risk exercising his prerogatives to such a degree as to sanction it.      The limit would appear to have been reached by a happy father in a village of Touraine who, it is said, has just has his child christened "Poilu" -- a very appropriate appellation for a French soldier in the trenches, but not, as in the case in question, for a little baby girl.    The Times Monday Aug 30, 1915

 

 

 

Name of the Week

 
A classical playwright favourite with a sound that falls between Linus and Alexander.

Origin:

From the Greek name Λυσανδρος (Lysandros). It derives from the Greek λύσις (lysis) meaning "to loosen," "to seperate," or "to release" and ανδρος (andros) "a man."

Usage:

The name has always had rare usage in Britain and is found more often as a middle name.  In 2010 the name ranked #2199 with 9 births in England and Wales.

Famous Bearers:

* Lysander was a great Spartan general who defeated the Athenians during the Peloponnesian War. * Shakespeare used the name in A Midsommer Nights Dream as the lover of Hermia.  * George Chapman's play The Widow's Tears (1612) centers around two brothers; Lysander and Tharsalio.  * A major character named Lysander features in Lodowick Carlell's play The Deserving Favourite (1629) which also features two partner-swapping pairs.  * William Davenant borrowed the names Lysander and Clarinda from Carlell for a similar pair of characters in The Unfortunate Lovers (1638). * Lysander Button was an inventor who worked on early improvements of steam engines.  * Three ships in the Royal navy have been given the name HMS Lysander.

Variants:

Lysandros (Greek) Lisandro (Spanish)

Pronunciation:

lie-SAN-də [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Anders, Andy, Lander, Lyle, Sander, Sandy, Xander

Sibling Names:

Hermione     Ophelia      Romola     Livia     Sidonie     Acacia  Rafferty     Atticus     Maximus     Fabian     Thaddeus    Leonidas

Name Lists:

Modern Antiquity   Shakespearean

If you like Lysander you may also like:   Leander, Orlando, Leandro, Theoden, Evander, Bertrand, Ferdinand, Constantin, Leonardo, Lorcan

 

Names from Harry Potter

  Arguably one of the most iconic and successful series of novels of the past decade, J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter books have been intriguing and influential in many ways -- not least with the names she chose for her characters. Hermione, for example, has been placed firmly back into public consciousness since the books' publication. 

Selecting from a range of sources including ancient mythology, astronomy, medieval annals and surnames, as well as contemporary popular British names, Rowling compiled a quirky range of magical names that create a rich image of the wizarding world -- and even coined a few of her own based on appropriate etymology. The "Wizarding" family trees are fascinating for their names alone. Rosalind Antigone, Scorpius Hyperion and Phineas Nigellus are just a few name combos that show Rowling's idea of wizarding parents' style, and it should be noted that when Ron took the alias name Dragomir, no one in the wizarding world considered it unusual. 

It's fair to say that Rowling is a name nerd. 

The list below is not an attempt to list every name mentioned in the works of JKR. Harry, Euan, Lily, Emma and Gabrielle are not so "Potterised" to be included in the list. Instead I've excluded Top 300 choices, leaving more room for the extraordinary.

Aberforth Abraxas Alberic Albus Alphard Ambrosius Amos Amycus Antioch Antonin Arcturus Arcus Argus Arkie Armando Arsenius Artemius Augustus Balfour Barberus Barnabas Bartemius "Barty" Baruffio Basil Bastien Beaumont Bertram Bilius Blaise Blodwyn Brevis Broderick Cadmus Cadogan Caradoc Caratacus Caspar Cedric Chavelle Ciceron Cormac Cornelius Crispin

Cuthbert Cygnus  Cyprian  Damocles Dedalus Donoghan Dragomir Dudley Edgar Egbert Elphias Emeric Ethelred Everard Fabian Fabius Falco Felix Flavius Florean Gawain Gideon Gilderoy Glanmore Godric Heathcote Hector Herbert Hippocrates Humphrey Idris Ignotus Igor Inigo Ivor Kirley Lancelot Lennox Libatius Lorcan Lucian Ludovic "Ludo" Malcolm

Marius Marvolo Mordicus Morfin Mundungus Mungo Myron Odo Olaf Orion Orsino Oswald Otto  Percival Peregrine Philbert Phineas Pierre Pollux  Quentin Quirinus Rabastan Ragmar Randolph Reginald Regulus Remus Roderick Rubeus Rudolf Rufus Rupert Salazar Severus Sirius  Ted "Teddy" Thaddeus Thorfinn Vasily  Vernon Viktor  Wilbert Xenophilius

Agatha Alecto Altheda Amata Andromeda Angelina Apolline Arabella Araminta Ariana Artemisia Asha Astoria Augusta Aurora Bathilda Bathsheda Beatrix Bellatrix Belvina Callidora Cassandra Cassiopeia Catriona Cedrella Celestina Charity Charis Cho Cliodna Daphne Demelza Dilys Dorea Druella Dymphna Elfrida Elladora Emmeline Fifi Fleur Galatea Ginevra "Ginny"

Glenda Glynnis Greta Griselda Grizel Gwenog Helena Helga Hepzibah Hermione Hesper Hestia Hetty Honoria Ignatia Indira Jocunda Joscelind Kendra Laurentia Lavender Leopoldina Lucretia Luna Lycoris Lysandra  Mafalda Magenta Marietta Melania  Melinda  Merope  Millicent Minerva Miranda Mnemone  Modesty Musidora Myrtle  Narcissa Nymphadora Olive Olympe

Padma Pansy Parvati Perenelle Perpetua Petunia Phyllida Pomona Romilda Rowena Sacharissa Sendelina Septima Sibyll Ursula Verity Victoire Violetta Wakanda Walburga  Wilda Wilhemina  Zamira

 

Plant names, P: Beyond Poppy and Primrose

Below I have selected a few plant genera beginning with the letter P that I think could have potential use as a name choice. 

 

 

Plant names:

A I  B to C I D to F I G to J I K to M I N to O I P I R to S I T to V I W to Z

Paradisea / Paradisia - Named for 18th century count of Modena, Giovanni Paradisi. 

Paralias - From the Greek παρα (para) "beside" and αλος (alos) "sea."

Patrina - Named after Eugène Louis Melchior Patrin, 18th century French traveller.

Paullina - Named after Simon Paulli, 17th century Danish botanish. Also Paulownia, named after Anna Paulowna, a princess of the Netherlands. 

Pellaea- From the Ancient Greek πε λλος (pellos) "dark" referring to the dark stems. 

Peltaria - From the Greek πε λτη (pelte) "shield."

Pereskia- Named for Nicholas Claude Fabry de Pieresc. 

Perezia - After 16th century Toledan apothecary Lazarus Perez. 

Persea - Ancient Greek name, given by Theophrastus, for an oriental tree. 

Persica - From persicum the Latin name for peach, literally meaning "Persia" from where the tree was supposed to have come. 

Petrea - Named after Robert James, Lord Petre, a patron of botany. 

Phaius - From the Greek  ϕαιός (phaios) meaning "dusky".

Philisia - From the Greek φιλεῖν (philein) "to love".

Phlox- From the Greek φλόξ (phlox) "a flame" alluding to the brightly coloured flowers. Next generation of Pax and Knox?

Pyrus - The classical name for pear trees. 

 

Genus names that were already in use as first names include Paris, Pasithea, Philadelphus, Phoenix and Pleione.

 

Name of the Week

 

A Funky-Clunky name combining antique charm with backbone.

 

Origin:

Agatha is the Latinised for of the Greek name Αγαθη (Agathe). It derives from the Greek αγαθος (agathos) meaning "good," particularly something intrinsically good or good in nature, but was also used within the same context to mean "noble," "brave," "moral," "fortunate," and "useful."

Usage:

St Agatha was a 3rd century Sicilian martyr who was popularly revered throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. At least four churches in England were dedicated to her. William the Conqueror had a daughter called Agatha.  The medieval Latinised form was Agacia, which gave rise to the forms Agace, Agase and Agas.  The name was well used in the Victorian period. In 2010 the name ranked #878 with 40 births in England and Wales.

Famous Bearers:

* Three saints were called Agatha. * Agatha was an 11th century noble woman, mother of Edgar Atheling, St Margaret of Scotland and Cristina of England. * Agatha of Normandy (d. 1079) was daughter of William the Conqueror. * Agatha of Lorraine (d 1147) was wife to the Count of Burgundy. her daughter, Beatrice, became Countess of Burgundy in her own right. * Agatha was also the name of a 10th century Bulgarian Empress. * Agatha Christie, was a renowned British mystery writer; creator of both Poirot and Miss Marple. The Agatha Award is awarded to crime and mystery writers. * Agatha Barbara (1923-2002) was President of the Republic of Malta. The only female President of the country to date.

Variants:

Agathe (Greek, German, French, Danish, Norwegian) Agace (Medieval French) Agata (Italian, Spanish, Czech, Polish, Swedish) Agueda (Portuguese, Spanish)  Agafia, Agafya (Russian)

Pronunciation:

AG-ə-thə [key]

Diminutives:

Aggie, Attie

Sibling Names:

Eugenie     Matilda      Winifred     Gwyneth     Theodora     Ottilie  Felix      Rufus      Ernest      Albert      Cedric       Victor

Name Lists:

Funky-Clunky   Victorian Darlings   Saintly & Stylish   Medieval Favourites   Jane Austen  Ternnyson Names   Harry Potter  Names of Roses

If you like Agatha you may also like:   Agnes, Eugenia, Magdalene, Augusta, Dorothy, Allegra, Martha, Ginevra, Angela, Marguerite

 

Finds from 1845

Some finds from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1845. All are first names and middle names -- the surnames are not included unless indicated by "sn" -- and have been checked against census records for accuracy.

Abimelech William Admiral Archimedes John Arrowsmith Barzillai Edmund Brutus George Cambrian (not surprisingly, he was Welsh) Collatinus Comfort Star Glazier Cornelius Septimus Demosthenes Ebenezer Septimus John Edgar Crispin Eutychus Gabriel Melchizedek Hannixton Alfred Ferdinand Holt Hamer Hugh Erasmus Hyacinth Maxime Jedediah Solomon Jehu John Jesse Barnabas Menelaus Johnson Napoleon Raven Nate William Neomiah William Newton Lionel Ozias Ezekial Pentecost Pickering Butterworth Raphael Eugene Riley Shadrach Elisha Tippoo Trafford Leigh Vavasor (sn: Powell)  Wilberforce Richmond Willingham Franklin Winley William Worthy John Zenas Augustus  Zimri

Achsah Euphemia Adele Stephanie Adora Isabella Agnessa Amy Albinia Mary Alicia Annette Victorine Avarina Bassalissa Harriet Brilliana Arletta Cassandra Rosetta Catherine Atarah Clarissa Angharad Clorinda Clementina Constantia Eleanor Desdemona Elize Zaire Ernestine Eusebia Rebecca Everelda Francesca Barbara Georgiana Thomasin Gertrude Una Ludovica Gracenia Eleanor Graciana Combley Jane Abiatha Leila Miriam Lois Theodosia Malvenia Louisa Mary Blandina Matilda Francisca Lavinia Offrida Louisa Patience & Prudence (twins) Paulina Deodata Prothesa Jane Refrain Jane Blanchard Rosetta Cordelia  Sarah Juliana Philedelphia Sarah Simonette Shepherdess Jane Sylvena Una Viola Vashti Abigail  Violette Georgiana Rosa Virginia Aurora Roxana  Zubah

 

 

'Twas Ever Thus...

A Regency royal birth announcement spurred one reader into verse. The general gist: a "big" name is a lot to live up to.

 

PLURALITY OF NAMES                                      TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING POST    SIR -- The young Prince of Orange's magnificent three couple of Christian names, striking me as nobly calculated to immortalize a Long Verse, I should have considered such an opportunity being lost of pressing them into service of the Muses, as an unpardonable slight offered to those great Court Ladies; and indeed to all the crowned heads in Europe. The young Prince's Russico, Prussico, High Dutchico sponsors too, cannot now complain that their distinguished cognomens have been unheeded.     "The ceremony of the christening of the young Prince, son of the Prince of Orange, took place on the 25th, at the Hague, with great solemnity. He recieved the names of WILLIAM, ALEXANDER, FREDERICK, CONSTANTINE, NICHOLAS, MICHAEL." -- (Morning Post, Sept. 4.)" Well may these fearful times be call'd, both singular, and hard; In which, nor age, nor sex -- nor infancy are spar'd! Were he to live and rival old METHUSELAH in days -- And vicious as CALIGULA's were all his future ways; Howe'er the age in which he dies, his life or conduct blames, They scarecely can e'en then contrive to call him more hard names! Surely - some matchless Prodigy of all that's grear and grand-- By this high-sounding string of Names, we're given to understand. How then, will Prince Posterity (his "Counsin once removed") Be sorely grieved -- if he, whom all his Predecessors loved -- Should baulk at the gen'ral expectation (some wicked wags t'would tickle) That WILLIAM, ALEXANDER, FREDERICK, CONSTANTINE, NICHOLAS, MICHAEL, Should a mere Pick-Nick Christian prove -- a Pico'lili Pickle!                                                                PETER PIPER.  The Morning Post (London) Monday Sept 07, 1818

 

 

 

Name of the Week

 

An underused Celtic name with the the stylish O ending.

Origin:

The Cornish form of James / Jacob.

Usage:

Up until the 20th century, Jago was been rarely found outside of Cornwall. A few examples crop up occasionally in Wales, although it is difficult to tell if they are actually a mispelling of Iago. Evidence for Jago in the records is sparse, but that is most likely because "James" was recorded formally while "Jago" was used personally. Outside of Cornwall, the name has more commonly been found as a surname.  Overall, the name has seen more popular usage since the late 1960s. In 2010 the name ranked #552 with 62 births in England and Wales. It has been slowly rising since its rank of #898 (16 births) in 1996.

Famous Bearers:

* Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about a legendary king of Britain named Jago. * Jago is the title of a novel by Kim Newman.

Pronunciation:

JAY-gō [key]

Sibling Names:

Cerys    Willa     Maeve     Lila     Kerensa     Elowen  Luca      Finn     Owen     Jory     Noah     Ruan

Name Lists:

Cornish   Cool Celtic   Short & Sweet

 

If you like Jago you may also like:   Jowan, Milo, Macsen, Ivo, Ludo, Falco, Pasco, Santo, Finlo, Kitto

,

Breton Names

Irish, Scottish and Welsh names are the staples of Celtic naming, and so far here on BBN I have also profiled the less widely known Cornish and Manx names. But one of the main Celtic languages is left -- Breton. 

Breton is one of the three Brythonic Celtic languages, making it closer to Welsh and Cornish than the other three Goidelic languages. It originates from Brittany, the large peninsular in North West France. As with Cornish and Manx, Breton names are gaining in usage in recent decades. 

For pronunciation the stress usually falls on the penultimate syllable in the Brythonic languages i.e. Corentin = cor-REN-tin, Judicael = zhoo-dee-KAY-el.

 

Argant - From the Breton word for "silver." The name was borne by an 8th century king of Brittany.

Armel - Modern Breton form of Arthmael derived from arth "bear" and mael "prince."

Bleiz - From the Breton bleid "wolf". 

Bran, Branoc - Derives from the Breton bran "raven."

Briac - A 6th century Breton saint. From the Old Celtic brig "high, mighty" 

Budoc, Budog - St Budoc was bishop of Dol, who was venerated as a saint in both Brittany and Devon. The modern Breton from is Beuzec. It derives from the Breton bud "victory."

Cadoc, Cadog, Kado - St Cadoc was a Welsh saint who is said to have established churches across Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. It is also found as Cadec in Breton, and derives from the Brythonic cad "battle." Kado is the modern form. 

Corentin - 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). 

Erwan - Breton equivalent of Yves or Ivo. St Ivo of Kermartin was a patron saint of Brittany.

Gaël - Possibly a contraction of either Judicael or Gwenhael. The element hael means "generous."

Gwenaël, Guénhaël - From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed" and either hael "generous" or mael "prince."

Gwendall - The name of a Breton saint. From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed" and tal "brow."

Gwenneg - Patron saint of Plouhinec. From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed"

Gwenolé, Guénolé - French forms of Winwaloe (Uuinuualoe), a 6th century abbott and saint. Derived from gwen and uualon "valour."

Jagu - The Breton form of James/Jacob. 

Judoc - From the Breton iud "lord." The name was used by 8th century Breton royalty. 

Judicael, Judikael - The name of a Breton king. From the Old Breton Iedechael "generous lord."

Maël - The Breton word for "prince." Maeloc and Maelan derive from the same source.

Menguy - From maen "powerful" and ki "hound."

Meriadoc, Meriadec - Conan Meriadoc was the legendary founder of Brittany. It was also borne by a 4th century Breton saint who appears in Cornish as Meriasek.

Morvan - A 9th century king of Brittany. Possibly from mor "sea" or mawr "great" and uuan "assault."

Neven - Borne by the first Duke of Brittany. It is also found as Nominoe, Nomenoe and Nevenou. G.D.German derives it from nimed "sacred, venerated."

Ronec - From roen "of (royal) lineage." There is also Roenhael/Ronhel "generous, noble lineage."

Tanguy - From tan "fire, frenzy" and ki "hound."

 

Argantel - From the Old Breton Arganthael -- argant "silver" and hael "generous" --  borne by the wife of the first duke of Brittany.

Argantlowen - From argant "silver" and louuen "joyful, happy."

Armelle - Feminine form of Armel. 

Aouregan, Auregan - From the Breton aour "gold" and gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed".

Aziliz - The Breton form of Cecilia. 

Bleuzen  - Breton form of the Welsh Blodwen. 

Briaca - Feminine form of Briac. 

Enora - Breton form of Honora. St Enora was the wife of St Eflam. 

Gaëlle - Feminine form of Gaël.

Gwenaëlle - Feminine form of Gwenaël.

Gwenlowen, Gwenlaouen, Guenlouen - From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed" and louuen "joyful, happy."

Katell - The Breton form of Katherine. 

Maëlle, Maëlys, Maëliss - Feminine forms of Maël.

Marzhina - breton form of Martina. 

Nolwenn - St Nolwenn was a daughter of a 6th century Cornish prince. From Noyal and gwen, "holy one from Noyal."

Rozenn - From the Breton word for "rose."