British Baby Names

'Twas Ever Thus...

This week's TET is in honour of All Hallows Eve (albeit tentatively).

 

ALL HALLOWS ORGAN                            SPECIAL APPEAL LAUNCHED    All women in the world named Mary have been asked to contribute to a fund for the organ to be installed in All Hallows-by-the-Tower. The organ will bear Queen Mary's name, which will be engraved on the first pipe as a token of her interest in the work of Toc H.    The Duchess of Marlborough, president of the appeal committee said yesterday that it was hoped that there would be a big response from those to whom the appeal was specially directed, but contributions from others would be welcomed. the estimated cost of the new organ, to replace the one totally destroyed by bombing in 1940, is £10,000. Of this amount £7,000 is still required.     All Hallows-by-the-Tower is the oldest parish church in the City of London, and has many historical associations. The heart of Richard Coeur de Lion rested in the Royal Chapel; William Penn was baptized there in 1664; and it was there that the Guild Chapel of Toc H was established. In July, 1948, a foundation-stone of Cornish granite, made by members of Toc H. St Ives. was laid by the Queen for the rebuilding of the church. A year later, the rebuilt north aisle was opened by the Bishop of London in the presence of Queen Mary.      Contributions should be addressed to the Duchess of Marlborough, president of the Queen Mary's Organ Fund, Wakefield House, 41, Trinity Square.  The Times (London) 7 June 1950

 

 

Name of the Week

 

A quirky nature name with a sprightly sound and grown-up appeal.

  

Origin:

Juniper comes from the plant's genus name Juniperus. It has been suggested that it is related to the Latin iuncus "reed." Another theory, supported by W. Skeat*, suggests that it is derived from the Latin iuuenis "young" and parere "to produce, to appear," (lit. evergreen) however, this is disputed. The term "gin" derives from juniper as a shortening of the Dutch juniper-flavoured drink Jenever, which was taken from the Dutch name for the plant - geneva. There are further sound-alike links with Gin- and Gen- names through the French translation genévrier, and the Italian ginepro. In fact, Da Vinci used the juniper in his painting Ginevra de Benci as a play on the similar sound of Ginevra and ginepro.  As with most plants, the Juniper has been used symbolically to represent certain virtues over time. During the Renaissance, juniper was used in art to represent chastity. In Victorian floriography juniper represents succour and protection, perhaps relating back to the Bible in which the juniper tree provided protection for Elijah.*

Usage:

The name Juniper has had some, although rare, usage through time, and has remained quite gender neutral. It is only in the last decade that it has began to be seen in as more of a feminine name.  One of the followers of St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century, Saint Juniper (or San Ginepro in Italian), was known for his patience and generosity and is sometimes known as the Saint of Comedy.  In Britain the name has been used rarely and more often as a middle name or a surname than a first name. The Marriage Index between 1838 and 1900 lists 8 people with the first name Juniper: three women in Cornwall, and five men in Norfolk. The Cornwall connection is more likely due to an old spelling of the Cornish name Jennifer, in the form of Junifer and Junipher.*  Since the 1990s the name is picking up more in usage, mostly for girls.  In 2010 the name ranked #3533 with 6 births in England and Wales.

Famous Bearers:

History: * St Juniper (d. 1258) was a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi.  * Blessed Fray Junípero Serra (1713–1784), born Miguel Jose Serra Ferrer, was a Franciscan missionary who took the name Junipero in honour of St Juniper.  Literature and the Arts: * Juniper Shuey is a visual artist known for his sculptural performances. * Juniper Sage is the pen-name of author Margaret Wise Brown. * Brother Juniper is the main character in Thornton Wilder's The Bridge of San Luis Rey. * Juniper Beatrice "Junie B" Jones, the title character in the Junie B. Jones children's books. * Juniper "Joon" Pearl, played by Mary Stuart Masterson, is a character in 1993 film Benny and Joon.  Other: * Juniper Green is a village in Scotland.   * Jennifer Juniper is a song by Donovan, released in 1968.

Variants:

Genévrier (French) Geneva (Dutch) Ginepro (Italian) Zimbro (Portuguese) Enebro (Spanish) Kataja (Finnish)

Pronunciation:

JOO-nip-ə (UK) [key]

Diminutives:

Ginny, Jenna, Jenny, June, Junie, Juno, Nuna

Sibling Names:

Romola     Lucina     Willa     Genevieve     Fenella    Azelie  Angus     Rupert     Hugo      Barnaby      Maxim      Alban

Name Lists:

Funky-Clunky   Butterflies

If you like Juniper you may also like:   Jessamine, Genoveva, Jocasta, Perdita, Ginevra, Cordelia, Rosalind, Vivienne, Hermione, Peony

 

Sibling Spotlight for Cinderella

Below is a selection of British siblings containing a Cinderella, from the last century to modern times. The year relates to the decade of birth for the Cinderella in that set. 
I've included the parents names this time as well.  

Quotation marks around the middle name signifies that the middle name was the name they were called by. 

1850s: John & Elizabeth with: Ann John Sarah Daniel  Cinderella Cornelius  George  Rose Ann Emily  Ambrose & Martha with: Cinderella Sabina Isaiah Mazie Elderetta Carnation 1860s: Aaron & Maria with: Mary Ann Britannia Aaron John Cinderella Moses   Uriah & Margaret with: Eliza Cinderella Henry John Constantina Lavinia   1870s: William & Elizabeth with: Thomas Firth Cinderella Luther    Abner & Harriet with: Henry Edwin Abner Catherine Edith Alice Ann Cinderella Ernest Hector Alexander Herbert Victor   Joseph & Emily with: Cinderella Britannia Scheyford (b) Emily Semantina    1880s: ? and Rosina with: Rosina Tryphena  Frances Obadiah  Cinderella Alice Charles  William & Rebecca with: Merrick Adam Naomi Ada Britannia Maurice Cinderella Lavinia Mary Ann Sarah  Christabel

1890s: Edward & Amy with: Emily Edith Ellen Cinderella Lillie Madonna Esther Albert Henry Thomas Edward Alfred & Comfort with: Rose Patience Amelia Cinderella   St Mar & Girline with: James St Mar "Victor" Gladys Girline Hazlewood Beardsley Leonard "Nelson" Patrick "Edward" Dorothy "Cinderella"   1900s: Edwin & Juliana with: Orlando Garnet Q Arabella "Susanna" Grizelda Daphne Peter Edwin A Hazel "Brenda" Primrose Gillen S Edwin Adams Pansy Yolanda Hazel "Cinderella" R Thomas & Caroline with: Mabel Ann Isaiah Arthur Leonard Rose Hillinda Frederick Robert Hilda May Cinderella Eddingel (g) 1920s: Craven & Dora with: Betty Cinderella R Bertha Craven G Denise C Leonard V Howard R  1930s: Charles & Cathleen with: Gyliss S Cinderella P    1960s: Cecilia Barbara  Cinderella Beatrice Calton Baltimore Cynthia Beverley Carlisle Benjamin    1990s: Cinderella Margaret Anna-Katrina Peter George Tinika Jennifer   2000s: Maisie May Cinderella Rose   Sapphire Adelaide Steele Sidney Skye Cinderella

And, in a little quirk, on many a census record the in question Cinderella is listed as a Domestic Servant.

Cool Celtic

This week's list focuses on underused or little known Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Cornish, Manx and Breton names that, for one reason or another, have a very "current" appeal. 

Some have the popular 2-syllable bell tone pattern that is popular in much of the Top 100 (Logan, Jacob, Alfie, Lily, Ava, Ella); others have an accessible spelling, and some have a sleek sound. 

In fact, they have many of the same advantages that Cosy Celtic names have. But, unlike the Cosies, these Coolies are underused, and arguably, much more individual. 

Anglicised spellings are in brackets.

Abban Allow Artan Arthen Bardan Beccan Beoan Bleiz Bran Branan Breccan Branok Brogan Cadan Cadel Cadoc Caolan (Kelan) Cassan Cavan Cianan (Keenan) Collen Colm Colman

Conall Conan Cormac Criodan Cristen  Donal Dyfan Faolan Finlo Finnan Finnian Garan Gawain Gawen Gregor Gruffudd (Griffith) Ioan Iolo Jago Jamys Jole Jory Jowan

Judoc Kendern Kerran Lonan Lorcan Macsen Madern Massen Madoc Orry Rewan Rhodri Rhydian Rian Ronec Ruadan Ruarc Rumon Senan Tadhg (Teague) Tiarnan Torcan Treeve

Aalin Aderyn Ailsa Aine Aislin Affric Aneira Anwen Aoife Bebinn (Bevin) Binne (Bina) Breesha Briaca Briallen Caja Caoilinn (Kelin) Caoimhe (Keeva) Celyn Cliona Delen Delun Delyth Eile

Eilir Eira Eirlys Eirwen Eleri Elestren Elowen Emblyn Eseld Esyllt Feena Fflur Gwenno Iola Jenifry Jowna Kelynen Kensa Kerensa Kerra Kirree Laoise Liadan

Lillias Lilwen Liobhan Llio Lowenna Luned Maëlys Mairead Meleri Mererid Neasa  Nerys Nessa  Rhian Rosen Saorla Saoirse Sibeal  Tecca Tressa  Trueth Wenna Ysella

For pronunciation of these names check the Pronunciation Guide.

 

Birds: Names that Fly High

Recently, Kay wrote an excellent post - It’s the Animal Instinct in Me… - about the unusual dichotomy in using animal names. While there is a trend for vocabulary names, there are some that are seen as perfectly acceptable and fashionable, and others that are not. 

One of the acceptable groups, it would seem, is bird names.

 

Bird

Several names mean simply "a bird": Aderyn in Welsh, Faigel or Faiga in Yiddish, Sarika in Sanskrit and Zipporah in Hebrew. Birdie is also found in occasional use as an offshoot of Bridget.

 

Crow and Raven 

Corvus is the Latin name for the crow and also the genus name, of which Ravens are a part of. Technically ravens are a type of crow, but not all crows are ravens. Corbin and Korbinian both derive from corvus. 

Ravens have had a long history in folklore. In Irish mythology they are associated with the war goddess Morrigan. In Norse mythology, ravens Huginn "thought" and Muninn "memory," carry messages back to Odin, king of the gods. And, of course, let us not forget the ravens that protect the Tower of London and kept for good luck.

The Celtic name for the crow, bran, appears in several names, including Bran, Branok, Branwen and Branwaladr / Branwalather. The Irish name for the raven is fiach which has given the names Fiacc, Fechine and Fiachna. 

The English name "raven" derives from the proto-Germanic hrabnaz (Hrafn in Norse, Hræfn in Old English, Hraban in Germanic). Hrafn and Hraban/Raban have been used as personal names, and the element can also be found in Bertram "bright raven" Guntram "war raven" Ingram "Ing's raven" and  Wulfram "wolf raven."

Oreb is a biblical Hebrew name, and appears in the Old Testament as the name of a Midianite prince (along with Zeeb "wolf").  

 

Dove 

Long associated as symbols of peace and love, the dove is found as inspiration for many names including: Aghavni (Armenian), Columba (Latin), Colm, Colman (Irish), Callum (Scottish) Jemima, Jonah,  Jonas (Hebrew), Paloma (Spanish), Toiba (Yiddish), Usoa (Basque). 
Columba, the Dove, is also a small constellation. 
Interestingly, in ornithological terms, the general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are somewhat interchangeable, though dove is generally seen as a positive term, and pigeon is seen as a negative. Fans of Disney's Lady and the Tramp may be softened by Tramp affectionately calling Lady "Pigeon."

 

Eagle

Eagles have long been used as symbols for strength and courage, from the standards of Roman armies, to the official seals of the Ptolemaic Egyptian rulers and on to the Imperial Eagle of the Holy Roman Emperors. The eagle was the bird of Zeus for the Greeks, and later Jupiter of the Romans. The Latin name for eagle is Aquila, which has been used on both boys and girls over time, and has also given its name to the Eagle constellation. The Greek name is Aetos. Other "eagle" names include Haytham in Arabic, Ari in Old Norse, and Ezio in Italian. 
The Scandinavian arn "eagle" is found in several names including Arne, Andor "Thor's eagles," Arnbjorg "eagle protection," Arnold "eagle power," Arnulf "eagle wolf," Arvid "eagle tree" and Arlette. 

 

Falcon 

Falco, the Latin name for the falcon and also the genus name, is believed to originate from Old Germanic term falko "falcon" from which Falk, the more modern German form, originates.
In the Egyptian pantheon Horus is the falcon headed god with whom the Pharoahs associated themselves as. 

Merlin is a type of falcon, as is the Peregrine, and kestrels and hawks are also categorised as falcons. Shahin in Iranian and Akos in Turkish both mean "falcon" and one theory suggests that Gawain (Gavin) derives from the Welsh word for hawk. 

Lark

The lark is the sweet singing bird of the morning. Three girls were given the name Lark last year in England and Wales, and more recently Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly named their daughter Agnes Lark. Andre Previn and Mia Farrow named their daughter Lark Song in 1973. Laerke (LER-keh) is the Danish word for lark, and was the 4th most popular girls name in Denmark in 2009.  Alondra is also a Spanish name which means "lark."

 

Seagull

The Latin genus name for seagulls is Larus. Gwylan is the Welsh name for the bird,  Marti is the Turkish name and Shahaf is the Hebrew. 

 

Sparrow

Sparrow turned heads in 2009 when Nicole Richie and Joel Madden named their son Sparrow James Midnight. The name came into pop culture thanks to Johnny Depp's lovable pirate Jack Sparrow. Dror is the Hebrew name and Drorit and Drora are used as feminine forms. Suzume "sparrow" in used as a feminine name in Japan.

 

Swallow

Martins and swallows are a part of the same group. Chelidon (Χελιδών), the Greek name for a swallow, is mentioned in Greek mythology , in a tragic story of sibling devotion, as sister to Aedon "nightingale." In some sources they are called Philomela (Chelidon) and Procne (Aedon). Plutarch mentions Chelidonis, a Spartan woman of great beauty and royal blood. The Celandine flower derives from chelidon as it was though that the plant flowered when the swallows arrived. 
In Cornish, the name for swallow is Gwennol, and is found as a feminine name. Tsubame is found in Japan and Parastoo in Iran. 

 

Plant names, W-Z: Beyond Willow and Zinnia

Below I have selected a few plant genera beginning with the letters W, X, Y and Z 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

 

Wisteria - Named after Professor Caspar Wistar.

Xanthisma-  From the Greek ξάνθος (xanthos) "yellow" and the suffix ισμός (ismos) which denotes an action or state of condition. 

Xanthium - Dioscorides' name for the cocklebur which was used to make a yellow hair dye. It derives from the Greek ξάνθος (xanthos) "yellow." 

Ximenia - Named after Francisco Ximenez, a Spanish monk who wrote about Mexican plants in 1615. 

Xylaria - "Belonging to wood," from the Greek ξύλον (xylon) "wood," as it is usually found growing on wood. 

Xylia  - Also from ξύλον "wood."

Xyris- Yellow-tipped grass, derived from Greek ξύρον (xyron), "razor", with reference to the double-edged leaves.

Yvesia - A genus of grass, named after botanist Alfred Marie Augustine Saint-Yves, (1855-1933).

Zanonia - Named after botanist Giacoma Zanoni (1615-1682).

Zataria - From za'atar, the Arabic name for Thyme.  

Zea - Maize or corn, from the Greek name ζειά (Zeia).

Zebrina - The name alludes to Zebra in the striped nature of the leaves. 

Zizania - Wild Rice. Derived from the Greek name (ζιζάνια) for a "tare."

 

The ancient Greek name, Zenobia, borne by the famous queen of Palmyra, is also a plant genus, as well as Zephyra, the feminine equivalent of Zephyros. 

 

Name of the Week

 

Stuffy but rather sweet, Hubert is quietly on the rise.

 

Origin:

From the Old Germanic name Hugubert, from hugu "heart" and beraht "bright."

Usage:

The name was introduced to Britain by the Normans, where it replaced the corresponding Old English cognate Hygebeorht. It received some usage thanks to the wide veneration St Hubert during the Middle Ages. It died out after the 14th century but was revived in the late 19th century. Over 18,000 males are listed with the name on 1911 census. It declined again in the 20th century, having never quite made the Top 100.  The name is now on the rise again. In 2010 the name ranked #574 with 59 births in England and Wales. Its usage has been increasing each year, from #1135 (18 births) in 2005 and #2142 (5 births) back in 2000.

Famous Bearers:

* St Hubert (c.656–727), The "Apostle of the Ardennes," was the first Bishop of Liège. He is know for being the patron saint of hunting. * Another saint, St Hugbert of Bretigny, became a Benedictine monk at the age of twelve, despite family opposition.   * Hubert appears as a character in Shakespeare's King John. He was based on influential noble Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent. * Hubert Walter (c.1160–1205) was an influential royal advisor to Henry II and Archibishop of Canterbury from 1193 to his death.

Variants:

Hubertus (Latinised) Hubrecht (Dutch) Huppert (German) Uberto (Italian)

Pronunciation:

HYOO-bert [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Bertie, Hubie, Hugh, Hughie

Sibling Names:

Elsie     Minnie      Fearne    Dorothy     Betty     Agnes  Victor    Fergus     Ernest     Walter     Edgar    Franklin

Name Lists:

Funky-Clunky   Upright Elegance   Victorian Darlings   Shakespearean Names   Names from Tennyson

If you like Hubert you may also like:   Rupert, Bernard, Herbert, Gilbert, Aubrey, Dougal, Eugene, Hugo, Leopold, Augustus

 

Finds from 1847

Some finds from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1847. 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.

Albion Miles Araunah William Athelstone Henry Carmi Alexander Thomas Cary Benjamin Cleminson Demosthenes Coriolanus Vincent Dardanus Lionel Davenport Thomas Demosthenes Homer Volsuvio Dundas George Eaton Orenza Ethelbert Frederick Galcenia Gloyns Barwis Golden Albert Iddo Richard Innocent Ivor Sylvanus Izambro George Jabez Wesley John Baptist Aloysius Joseph Mary John Baptist Felix  Lot Thomas Manasseh Joseph Manoah Isaac Melchizedek Methuselah Mark (sn: Muggridge) Montrose Paris James Nahum Reuben Nightingale Nathaniel Nimshi Clark Nixon Thomas Obadiah Stephanus Onley Crispianus Orpheus William Othello Otto Page William Phoenix Porter Charles Randolph Ferdinand Riversdale Brinsey Godolphin Scrope Allen Sparkes Cornelius Titus Turner Wallace Edric Wilford Ephraim Wonderful Woolf Benjamin Zereth Zimmer

Adelaide Louisa Georgiana Letitia Admonisha Affability Sarah Ann Aggie Jessamine Arabella Agnes Memnonia Amina Ernestine Angelica Maria Angelina Floretta Beatrix & Eva (twins) Bessy Benedicta Catherine Euphrosine Charity Arabella Cinderella Elizabeth Cleopatra Malvina Robina Constance Phillida Czarina Emily Emmaline Lavinia Emily Pocohontas Emmalinda Sarah Ethelinda Caroline Europa Perry Frances Hyacinth Henrietta Eliza Pascalina Heroine Ann Hephzibah Clarinda Ida Secunda Ida Ursula Juno Isabinda Jane Venus Jeneveragh Betty Julia Wilhelmina Fredrica Pamela Lady Crissiar Elizabeth (known as Crissiar - Lady was her name, not a title) Lola Rebecca Lucy Madonna Lydia Cressa Lydia Lucy Leonora Lyndon Emily Marietta Sophia Mary Matilda Corasinda Merelina Spring Pamela Aristina Pelagie Josephina Peninnah Leila Plancena Regina Hermione Sophronia Arabella Susannah Jestynah Sydney Beatrice Truth Elizabeth  Virtue Rachel

Cosy Celtic

Like the trusted LBD, or that favourite jumper that gets worn every winter because you love it, these Celtic names represent those Irish, Scottish and Welsh names that are pleasing, familiar and, dare I say it, plain ol' comfortable and reliable. They are no longer simply an "Irish," "Scottish" or "Welsh" name, but have moved solidly into mainstream. 

Take Narbhfhlaith and Orla, for example, which both share the same etymological element -- the Irish flaith "sovereignty". Narbhfhlaith, although evocative and engaging, is unfamiliar and challenging for non-Irish speakers. Orla (or even Orlaith), with its slimmed down spelling and popular usage, feels much cosier and more comfortable. 

And, whilst many parents may choose Dylan, having no knowledge of its origin, simply because they love it, the name can still claim a strong Celtic heritage and history regardless of why it was chosen.

In fact, all the Cosy Celtics can claim a rich and colourful Celtic past; they simply no longer wear the label all over their T-shirts.

Aidan / Aiden Alan Alistair / Alisdair Angus Brendan Cai Callum Cian / Kian Ciaran / Kieran Colin Connor Declan Douglas

Duncan Dylan Evan Euan / Ewan Finlay / Finley Finn Gareth Gavin Gethin Ian Lachlan Liam Llewelyn

Lloyd Logan Malcolm Morgan Niall Oscar Owen Patrick Rhys Ronan Rory  Seamus Sean

Bethan Bonnie Bridget Bronwen Caitlin Cara Carys Cerys Ciara / Kiera Eilidh Erin Fenella / Finella Fiona

Gwen Iona Isla Jennifer Kirstin Kirsty Lorna Lowri  Maeve Maisie Megan Moira Nia

Niamh Orla  Rhiannon Roisin Seren Sian  Sinead  Skye Siobhan

The Celtic surnames-turned-first names (Ryan, Kelly, Stuart, Lindsay) have been deliberately omitted as they will be featured in a separate list. More Celtic lists are to follow. 

 

'Twas Ever Thus...

This "comic" poem appeared in the Hull Pocket on November 22, 1833 and then eight days later in The Morning Chronicle in London. Poor "Mary Smith" gets a beating again. 

.

IM-PROPER NAMES -- BY H.W.C                     'Tis hard one may not choose one's name, And style one's self at will, Selecting sweet "sound argument," To make the senses thrill  Like Montague or Cavendish -- Sweet Montmorencie, too. Who'd own to Hobson, Brown or Jones, And such like common crew? Alas! my name among the great Claims neither "kin nor kith," I ba'ed myself when forc'd to sign -- "Your's, truly, Mary Smith!" And oh! the too "familiar word"  That's written S, M, I -- Why was it not that best of Smythes, With final E -- and why? 'Tis cruel thus to "call me names,"  And such as I abhor. My God-fathers and God-mothers Have much to answer for: They vow'd and promis'd in my name  In "vulgar tongue" forthwith I wish my "gossips" had been dumb, Nor called me -- Mary Smith. 'Tis very hard, at parties gay One may not "chose one's calling," "Miss Smiths" at every rout or ball, By dozens they are bawling, That hated "Smith" too plainly glares, In all the beaten tracks, On waggons, coaches, cans and carts, Shop fronts and pedlars' packs. Kind Sirs - my story I have told - Pray mark the point and pith: Will any man - of ancient name - Rid me of - "Mary Smith?"  (Comic Offering)   The Hull Packet (Hull) Friday Nov 22, 1833