British Baby Names

Name of the Week

 

A genteel and elegant name with a literary background 
and romantic Italian heritage.

 

Origin:

Beatrice is the medieval Italian form of the Late Latin name Beatrix. The -trix suffix is a feminiser in Latin, corresponding to the masculine -tor (aviator/aviatrix). Therefore, on the surface, Beatrix is the feminine form of Beator, from beatus "blessed, fortunate, happy." The etymological plot thickens however with 4th century saint, Beatrix, martyred during the reign of Diocletian after her brothers Simplicius and Faustinus were beheaded, whose name is also recorded as Viatrix.  Viatrix corresponds to the masculine name Viator, also borne by a 4th century saint,  which means "voyager, traveller" in Latin. As v and b were often interchanged in spoken Latin, it is quite likely that Viatrix became leniated to "Biatrix" and spelling influenced by beatus "blessed", used in many contexts in medieval Christianity, particularly in connection with saints.  The confusion with the origin has led to the oft-cited cod-etymology of "bringer of joy."

Usage:

Beatrice was popularly used in the 12th and 13th centuries around Europe, particularly in Italy. As a saint's name, it is found in fairly frequent usage in Britain up to the 18th century when it began to decline somewhat. It was revived by the Victorians and became a big hit again, most like due to the influence of the Pre-Raphaelite (as seen with Elaine, Lancelot and Ralph) and its literary associations.   In 1904 the name ranked #26; in 1914 it was #33, and the it fell out of the top 100 after 1924 when it sat at #52. It is now on the rise again. Back in 2001 the name ranked #271 with 143 births in England and Wales. It has been climbing ever since and as of 2010 the name now ranks #116 with 492 births.  In Scotland the name currently ranks #372.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Three saints have borne the name Beatrice: Beatrice of Nazareth (1200-1268), Beatrice d'Ornacieux (ca. 1240–1306/1309), and Beatrice da Silva  (1424–1492). * Beatrice d'Este (1192–1226) was an Italian noble woman who showed great political aptitude and took part in peace negotiations with France.  * Beatrice Webb (1858–1943) was a social reformer who founded the London School of Economics and Political Science. Literature: * Dante used the name Beatrice as his guide in the Divine Comedy, in the Vita Nuova, Paradiso, and in the last four canti of Purgatorio. His muse was Beatrice "Bice" di Folco Portinari (1266–1290). * Shakespeare used Beatrice for his strong-willed heroine in Much Ado About Nothing.  * Beatrice Hastings was the pen name of author Emily Alice Haigh.  Royalty: * Beatrice of Provence (1234-1267) was Queen consort of Sicily. Her mother, also called Beatrice, was countess of Provence.  * Beatrice de Dreux (1242-1275) was daughter of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence.  * Beatrice of Castile (1293-1359) was Queen consort of Portugal, and daughter of King Sancho IV of Castile.  * Beatrice of Naples (1476-1500) was Queen consort of Hungary.  * Princess Beatrice Mary Victoria Feodore (1857-1944) was daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  * Princess Beatrice Leopoldine Victoria (1884-1966) was daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. * Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary (1988) is daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Celeb-babies: * Beatrice Milly McCartney (2003) d. of Paul McCartney.  * Beatrice Sommer (2008) d. of Rich Sommer.

Variants:

Beatrix (Latin) Beatriz (Spanish) Betrys (French) Beitris (Scottish)

Pronunciation:

BEE-ə-triss (UK) bay-a-TREE-chay (Italy) [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Bea, Bebe, Bess, Betsy, Betty, Bibba, Bibby, Bree, Brita, Tess, Tressa, Tia, Trissy

Sibling Names:

Eleanor     Dorothy     Florence     Philippa     Constance     Josephine  Benedict    Theodore     Edmund      Julian      Frederick      Charles

Name Lists:

Rapid Risers   Upright Elegance   Medieval Favourites   Terrifically Tudor   Victorian Darlings   Royal   Shakespearean   Operatic Appellations

If you like Beatrice you may also like:   Matilda, Adelaide, Emmeline, Alice, Primrose, Charlotte, Louisa, Cecily, Alexandra, Sylvia

 

Plant names, T-V: Beyond Tulip and Violet

Below I have selected a few plant genera beginning with the letters T, U and V 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

 

Tamarix - Derived from the Tamaris river in Spain where some of the species flourish. Tamaris is the Latin name and it has been suggested that it shares the same etymological route as the river Thames (Latin = Tamesis) which derives from an old Proto-Celtic name meaning "dark flow/river." In name terms its sound falls between Tamara and Beatrix. 

Taxus - The ancient Latin name for the Yew tree derived from the Greek τόξον (toxon) "bow."

Theobroma - The genus of the cocoa tree, derived from the Greek θεος (theos) "god," and βρῶμα (broma) "food," (ala Ambrosia, 'food of the gods').

Thespesia - Derived from the Greek θεσπεσιος (thespesios) "wondrous, marvellous"

Tiarella - Derived from the Greek τιάρα via the Latin tiara, a name used to refer to the conical headdresses worn by Mesopotamian kings, alluding to the shape of the plants. Sound-wise it combines the popular names Tia and Ella. 

Tilia - From the ancient Latin name for Lime trees. 

Torreya - Named for American botanist John Torrey.

Tulipa - The Latin name for Tulip, derived from the Persian dulban "turban," which the plant is thought to resemble. Some interesting species names include: Cypria, Julia, Flava "yellow," Persica, Sylvestris.

Uniola - A diminutive of the Latin unio "unity."

Ursinia - Named after theologian Johann Heinrich Ursinus of Regensburg (1608-1666). 

Valeriana - From the Latin valeo, "to be healthy," or possibly after the Roman physician Valerius. 

Vanda - An orchid genus derived from the Sanskrit name of the first species introduced. 

Vella - The cress genus. Derived from the Celtic name velar. 

Velleia - Named for Major Thomas Velley (1748-1806)

Verbena - The Vervain flowers. The genus name is derived from the Latin name verbenae. The plants were sacred to the Romans who used them in religious acts. 

 

Genera that were already personal names include: Thalia, Veronica, Vestia and Victoria.

 

Names from Jane Austen

Another icon of British literature, Jane Austen and her works need no introduction. So, with that in mind, here is a list of characters that appear in Austen's writing, including her early short stories. 

In several cases male characters are called most often by their surname. In these cases both the first and surname are listed. 

Arthur Augustus Bingley Brandon Charles Darcy Edgar Edmund Edward Fitzwilliam Frank Frederic Frederick George  Godfrey Gustavus Henry  Jack James John  Knightley

Peter Philander Philip Polydore Ralph Reginald Richard Rodolphus Robert Sidney Thomas Walter Wentworth Wickham William Willoughby

Agatha Alice Alicia Amelia Anna Anne (Nancy) Arabella Augusta Bertha Bridget Camilla Caroline Cassandra Catherine (Kitty) Cecilia Charlotte Chloe Claudia Clara Daphne Diana

Dorothea Eleanor Elfrida Elinor  Eliza Elizabeth  Eloisa Emma  Esther  Fanny Frederica Georgiana Harriet Henrietta Isabel Isabella (Bella) Jane Janetta Jezalinda Julia Laura

Laurina Letitia Louisa Lucy Lydia Margaret Maria Marianne Marina Mary  Matilda (Maud) Melissa Penelope Philippa Rebecca Rosa Sarah (Sally) Sophia (Sophy) Sukey Susan

Note: At this time, Maria was pronounced 'ma-RY-uh' and Sophia was pronounced so-FY-uh'. 

 

Sibling Spotlight for Delphine

Below is a selection of British siblings containing a Delphine, from the last century to modern times. The year relates to the decade of birth for the Delphine in that set. 

1850s: John Isabella Mary Henry Ellen Thomas Delphine Sylvia Alfred  Ursula Mary Ann Delphine Eliza Lois 1880s: James John Alexander William Marie Helene Arthur Ernest Michel Alfred Fernand Delphine Leonie  Albert Delph   Ernest Charles Edward Colston Henry George Delphine Emily - died young William Augustus D Delphine Emma A  Gladys Charlotte G Keith Victor G   1890s: Matilda Dorothy Isaacs Delphine Annie Laurie Gilbert William Emrys   Delphine Florence Clara Emily William Edward  William James Alfred George Ada Clara Joseph Charles Elsie Gladys Delphine Olive 1900: Rhoda Madeline Delphine Ernesta   Louise Alice Eugenie - known as Eugenie Alice Louise Delphine Elise Susanne Maud

1900s: Jules Silvester Delphine Adele Augustine Blanche Fanny Freda   Walter de Gouchy Marion Edytha Kathleen Vera Delphine Gwennie  1910s: Delphine Bessie Robina Edmee   Archer Wilkins Daisy Ann Delphine Wilhelmina   1970s: Frederick Mare W Delphine Ingrid M 1980s: Delphine Cristina Aurelie Sabine Fleur Delphine Danielle Ava Delphine Fern    1990s: Elodie Lucette B Delphine Magali E   Madeleine Christina Alexander Joseph Delphine Helene   2000s: Alice-Catherine E Anne-Isabelle Beatrice C Eleonore Marie M S  Delphine Margaretha D J     Delphine Isabelle Leah Charlotte   Alexa Marianne Marina Delphine Rose   Niko James Delphine Daisy

 

Name of the Week

 

A biblical classic with a friendly feel and old-style charm

 

Origin:

The Greek form of the Hebrew name Tobiah, from טוֹבִיָּה (Toviyyah) "Yahweh is good."

Usage:

The Book of Tobit, an Old Testament text in which the protagonist is named Tobias, was popular in the Middle Ages which brought the name into usage. The Middle English form of the name was Toby, and both Toby / Tobey and the diminutive Tobin can be found as surnames from the 13th century.  It became popular in the 17th century after the Reformation and was used through to the 19th.  In 2010 the name ranked #115 with 540 births in England and Wales, which increased from its previous rank of #157 in 2009 and #145 in 2008.

Famous Bearers:

* In the Old Testament, Tobias was aided by archangel Raphael to overcome the demon Asmodeus. * A medieval Bishop of Rochester was named Tobias. He died in 727. * Tobias Matthew (1546–1628) was Archbishop of York. His son, Tobie Matthew, was a member of parliament. * Tobias Smollett (1721–1771) was a Scottish poet and author. * Tobias Mayer (1723–1762) was a renowned German astronomer, famous for his studies of the moon. * Captain Tobias Furneaux (1735–1781) was a naval officer who accompanied James Cook on his second voyage. * Tobias Wolff is a well known American author.

Variants:

Tobiah (Biblical) Tevye (Yiddish) Tovia, Tuvya (Hebrew) Tobiasz (Polish) Topias (Finnish)

Pronunciation:

to-BĪ-əs [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Bas, Bo, Tas, Toby

Sibling Names:

Matilda     Lydia      Jemima     Harriet     Julia     Clara  Dominic     Jasper     Abram     Nathaniel     Jonah    Gabriel

Name Lists:

Upright Elegance   Popular Biblical

If you like Tobias you may also like:   Josiah, Elias, Atticus, Reuben, Elijah, Caleb, Jude, Matthias, Lucas, Benedict

 

Names of Rank in Yorkshire and Lancashire

Several weeks ago on the BBN Facebook page, I noted how several boys were named Doctor in the 19th century. It turns out that these titular names were a small craze in Yorkshire and Lancashire.  

 

Doctor - In the 1851 census 139 males were named Doctor, from under one to 70 years old. Curiously 83% of them lived in Lancashire. Several of the other 23 Doctors lived in neighbouring counties Yorkshire and Cheshire. In the 1911 census 185 Doctors are listed; the majority still living in Lancashire. Overall 246 Doctors are listed in the birth index from 1838 - 1900. The last Doctor found in the birth index was born in 1975.

Admiral - In 1851 29 males, aged from 1-47, are listed on the census. The large majority living in Yorkshire. By 1911 80 males are listed with the name. 76% lived in Yorkshire. Several were given the name Admiral Nelson, clearly in honour of Horatio Nelson. Overall, 108 Admirals are listed in the birth index from 1838 - 1900. The last Admiral found in the birth index was born in 1958. Two boys were born in the late 60s with Admiral as a middle name. 

Colonel - In the 1851 census 27 males are named Colonel aged between 2 and 79. Over half lived in Yorkshire, with several others in Lancashire. By 1911 the count had risen to 172.  Overall, 135 Colonels are listed in the birth index from 1838 - 1900. The last Colonel found in the birth index was born in 1962.

General - The 1851 census lists 19 males named General from under one to 68 years old. By the 1911 census the count had risen to 76 with 20% living in Lancashire and 17% living in Yorkshire. 75 Generals are listed on the birth index from 1838-1900; the last birth was in 1967.

Major - 223 males, between the ages of 1-20, are listed on the 1851 census. 31% lived in Yorkshire and 19% lived in Lancashire. In all, 972 Majors were listed on the birth index from 1838-1900. The last Major was born in 1968. 

Duke - On the 1851 census 158 males are listed with the name Duke. 18% lived in Lancashire and 51% lived in Yorkshire. 191 Dukes were registered overall between 1838 and 1900. Five boys were registered with the name Duke in England and Wales in 2010. 

Siblings: 

You would perhaps think that such peculiar monikers would have been accompanied by siblings with equally unusual names. However, the opposite tends to be the case. Most Doctors, Admirals and Colonels had siblings named John, William, Mary and Jane. One family in Yorkshire included children named: Esther, Mary, John, Richard, Ruth, Colonel, Admiral and Grace.
The majority of parents that chose these names were working class -- particularly weavers or miners, which were the major forms of employment in the area. 

 

Astronomical Names

This week's list concentrates on the celestial. Most planets, stars, moons, constellations and comets take their names from Latin -- often from a Greek counterpart that had its routes in mythology. Others take their names from Arabic, Norse and even Shakespeare. 

Here is a selection of names of moons, stars, constellations and comets:

Acamar Aegir Aquila Altair Apus Ariel Atlas Beid Brooks Caliban Castor Caelum Cepheus Cetus Columba  Corvus Crux Daniel Dorado Draco Fenrir Ferdinand Finlay Fornax Francisco Hercules Indus

Keid Leo Lupus Miram Naos Nash Oberon Orion Pavo Perseus Phoenix  Pollux  Prospero  Rigel Russell Saiph Sirius Stephano Suhail Taurus Triton Wolf Zuben

Adara / Adhara Adrastea Agena Alula Alya Andromeda Aquila Alhena Amalthea Ara Ariel Asterope Atria Austrina Auva Belinda Bellatrix Betria Bianca Callirrhoe Calypso Capella Carina Cassiopeia  Catalina Chara Cordelia

Corona Cressida Cyllene Delphin*  Desdemona Despina Dione Elara Electra Eugenia Evanthe / Euanthe Faye Galatea Gemini Gemma Halley Helene Ida Juliet Larissa Leda Libra Lynx Lyra  Maia Margaret Meissa

Mensa Merope Metis Mimosa Mira Miranda Norma  Ophelia Pandora Perdita Phoebe Phoenix Portia Rhea Rosalind Sadira Shaula Sylvia Talitha Tania Thalassa Thebe Titania Vega Vela  Zaniah Zosma

* Delphinus is the Latin name, Delphin is the Greek.

Plant names, R-S: Beyond Rose and Sage

Below I have selected a few plant genera beginning with the letters R and S 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

Ramonda - After French politician, explorer and botanist Louis Ramond de Carbonnieres.

Reseda - Fragrant flowers, commonly known as Mignonette. Reseda derives from the Latin resedo "to heal." The name was first used by Pliny for a species of mignonette that was believed to contain medicinal properties. 

Rhodanthe - From the Greek ῥόδον (rhodon) "rose" and ἄνθος (anthos) "flower," referring to the colour of the flowers. 

Rhodora - A flowering shrub, derived from the Greek ῥόδον (rhodon) "rose." 

Rhus (roos) - From the Ancient Greek name for the plant, ῥοῦς (Rhous). 

Rivina - Named after A. Q. Rivinus, professor of botany at Leipzig. 

Roella - Named for Dutch botanist George Roelle. 

Rosa - Rosa, of course, has long been used as a name, but it makes this list due to some interesting species names: Alba "white," Alpina "alpine," Carolina "from Carolina," Damascena "Damask Rose," Ferox "fierce," Indica "from India," Lucida "bright," Lutea "yellow," Polyantha "many flowers," Pomifera "apple-bearing." 

Rubus - Most likely from the Latin ruber "red," the colour of the fruit of many species. 

Rumex - From the Latin name for sorrel. It derives from the Latin ruma "flowing" or "to bring to me" in reference to drinking liquid. The Romans used to suck on sorrel leaves to alleviate thirst.

Ruscus - Commonly known as butcher's broom, sweet broom, pettigree or box holly. It is said to be a corruption of bruscus, from the Old Celtic brus "box" and kelen "holly."

Ruta - The ancient name for rue. 

Salix- The latin name for willow. It has been suggested that the name ultimately derives from te Old Celtic sal "near" and lis "water."

Saxifraga - While this "stone-breaker" doesn't rate much in the name stakes, it does have some intriguing species names: Altissima "very high," Caesia "grey leaved," Cymbalaria, Florulenta "full flower," Tenella "delicate," Valentina. 

Solandra - Named for Swedish explorer Daniel Charles Solander. 

Sollya - Named after naturalist R.H. Solly.

Sophora - Derived from sophera, the Arabic name for a tree with pea-shaped flowers.  

Stephanandra - From the Greek στέφανος (stephanos) "crown" and ἄνδρος (andros) "stem."

 

 

Finds from 1846

Some finds from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1846. 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.

Affabell Battell Alban Thomas Ferdinand Alerick Elliott Alexius Laurence Alphonso Theodoric Amaziah Henry Anastasius Robert William Artemas Aylan Basil John Augustine Butler Julius Septimus Octavius Cardinal (sn: Woolsey) Champion Zachariah Conrade Alexander Doctor Oliver Donald McDonald Edward Lavender Elimelek John Essex Rees Etienne Constant Gershom Ebenezer Grainger Lawrence Green Robert Bishop Grosvenor Griffin Hannibal Lyne Hercules Edward Holly William Igdaliah Isaac Ichabod James Two Jehoiada Henry  John San Lorenzo Hugh Lemuel Caesar Lemuel Gulliver Lycurgus Washington  Marcellus Christopher Medicus Richard Michael Placidus Noah Nephi Olinthus Orson Neville Osborn Oswald Oscar Emeric Philip Xenophon Prosperous Duffield Raphael Israel Emanuel  Robert Agrippa Saxon John James Silvanus Ebenezer Silvester Orlando Tempest Simeon Theobald Matthew Thomas Florentin Trayton Thomas  Vitruvius Partridge  William Absolute William Poppy Walter Leander Walter Lysias Zur Alfred

Adriana Modesta Cecilia Albena Sophia Alethea Ada Alexandra Albinia Lydia Fiedora Alicia Madalena Clemense Almeda Penelope Almeria Agnes Atalanta Athaliah Zipporah Avena Catherine Avis Sarah Elliott Caroline Belinda Eunice Betsy Britannia Bibiana Lucy Celia Jane Cornelia Clementine Athelinda Cleopatra Malvina Robina Comfort Christiane Constantia Susan Boyle Corinda Angelina Corisanda Anne Cornish Elizabeth Deloraine Charlotte Elizabeth  Easthope Rebecca Eglinton Mary Emenda Cleopatra Faith Hope and Charity Florenda Jane Fortune Jessy Foundry Elizabeth Gage Jane Georgina Alexandrina  Gertrude Ann Roberta Rosalina Hester Dorinda Huldah Lucina Huzita Mary Ann Jane Jemima Violet Kate Benedicta Lapidoth Stratton Lavinia Juniper Lissetta Charlotte Mary Ambrosina Melissa Arabella Mimosa Alice Mina Frederica Mona Maria Paradise Peachey Priscilla Philipina Jemima Pleasant Catherine Rosamond Elisa Celestina Rosanna Annabell Rosina Bassalessa  Ruby Zillah Versilla Margaret Wilby Dorothy Wilhelmina Carolina Benjamina  Zormeria Ann

 

Name of the Week

 

An ancient place name, biblical name, and post-Reformation favourite 
with the popular -ia ending.

 

Origin:

Lydia derives from the Greek name Λυδια (Lydia) meaning 'from Lydia.' Lydia was the Greek name for an ancient province in Asia Minor, whose culture and language are lost to history.

Usage:

Lydia was the name of a woman converted to Christianity by Paul in the New Testament. She later became known as St Lydia. It came into popular use in England in the 17th century and has stayed fairly consistent in popularity throughout the preceeding centuries. In 2010 the name ranked #107 with 551 births in England and Wales, having dropped out of the Top 100 for the first time since the 1990s.

Famous Bearers:

* St Lydia was one of the first converts to Christianity.  * The Roman Martyrology mentions Lydia, wife of senator Philetus, who were both martyred in Illyria under Hadrian.  * Lydia Kamakaeha Pākī was the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii.  * Lydia Becker was a leader in the early British suffrage movement.  * Lydia Thompson was a 19th century leading  dancer and theatrical producer on the London stage, credited with indroducing burlesque to America.  * Lydia Emilie Florentine Jannsen was a 19th century Estonian poet.

Variants:

Lidia (Italian, Polish, Spanish, Portugese) Lidiya (Russian) Lydie (French) Lyydia (Finnish)

Pronunciation:

LID-ee-ə [key]

Diminutives:

Dee, Didi, Lia, Lydie

Sibling Names:

Rose     Annabel     Eliza     Cecily     Flora     Amelia  Luke     Theo     Samuel      Julian      Henry      Elliott

Name Lists:

Victorian Darlings   Popular Biblical   Gorgeously Georgian   Resonant Roman   Jane Austen

If you like Lydia you may also like:   Livia, Elena, Alessia, Lucia, Cecilia, Lelia, Amelie, Sophia, Olivia, Julia