British Baby Names

Name of the Week

 

A solid old-timer that still retains some grandad-charm, 
but with popular nicknames Alfie and Freddie to add mainstream appeal.

 

Origin:

From the Old English name Ælfræd, composed of the elements ælf "elf" and ræd "advice, counsel". The relevance of the name's meaning can be somewhat understood by delving into the Anglo-Saxon belief system. Elves were considered to be highly powerful, otherworldly magical beings who were sometimes the cause of mysterious and unexplained ailments, but also of prophesies and foresight. The prevalence of these beliefs, and their significance, can be seen in the many "Elf" compound names used in Old English, and, indeed, across Northern Europe. Elves' considerable magic was believed to have influence over the realm of mortal man so perhaps it is understandable that noble Anglo-Saxons wanted to associate such power in their children's names. Such reverence can be seen in the use of Old English word ælf-scīene "beautiful" or "elf-bright" in Anglo-Saxon vocabulary. (See Advent Day 23 for more information on the subject). The second element, ræd, is also defined in the Concise Anglo-Saxon Dictionary* as 'wisdom, intelligence, reason, power and might'. It is found in other Anglo-Saxon names such as Æthelræd (æðel = "noble" + ræd). In this way, Alfred can perhaps be better understood as meaning "having the wisdom of an elf" or "elf-like reason".

Usage:

Alfred, or occasionally Alfrid, is a name that can be found quite frequently in Anglo-Saxon England, recorded on several bishops, ministers and land owners. Some of this early popular usage can possibly be attributed to Alfred the Great, King of Wessex from 871 to 899, which we can similarly see with the names of other Saxon kings such as Æthelstan, Æthelwald and Æthelred. Alfred is one of the few Old English names that continued to be used after the Norman Conquest, at least up until the 14th century. The Domesday Book lists several Alfreds as the previous "1066" (or "Saxon") landowners, as well as many Alfreds who were the new "1086" owners. Several sources attribute this continued use of the name to King Alfred's great popularity -- but this only looks at a small part of the story. For one thing, many of the "new" landowners were conquering Normans, who would have had little patriotic connection to a Saxon king who had ruled nearly two centuries before. Ironically, it actually appears that the name's continued use, post-Conquest, is more thanks to the Normans than the indigenous Saxon population.  The name had, in fact, spread from England to France in previous centuries and was particularly used in Brittany. The Latin form Aluredus, or Alvredus, became Alveré (Alveray) and Auveré (Auveray) in vernacular Norman-French, and these versions came to supersede England's native form. The usage of these Norman forms in Britain can be attested in the surviving surnames: Alured, Alfrey, Avery, Averay, Avory, Elvery and Elverson, which have been used since the 13th century.  For the most part, the name (in all its forms) fell out of use after the 14th century, with the exception of Alvery, which was used up to the 19th century by gentry families in Northern England, particularly Yorkshire. Alfred itself was revived in the 18th century and by the Victorian era it was a firm favourite. The 1851 UK census lists 83,637 Alfreds, which had increased to a whopping 364,405 in the 1901 census.  In 1904 the name was the #11 most popular boys name in England and Wales. It was still #27 in 1924, but by 1934 it had fallen to #49, and finally fell to #93 in 1944. It has not been in the Top 100 since.  The name was a low ranker in 1996 at #216 (142 births) but began to steadily climb. It saw a peak in 2003 when it ranked #125, which coincides with the arrival of character Alfred "Alfie" Moon on Eastenders. In 2010 the name ranked #154, with 384 births, in England and Wales. 8 boys were given the name in Scotland in 2011.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Alfred the Great (849–899) was a King of Wessex who did much to defend his lands against Viking invasion, eventually securing a peace, and translated several texts from Latin into Old English. By the end of his reign coins referred to him as "king of the English" and he is the only English monarch to have been given the title "the Great". * Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (1809–1892) was a highly renowned poet. He was made a baron in 1884 by Queen Victoria -- the first person to be elevated to the Peerage for great contribution to literature. His time as Poet Laureate (1850 - 1892) still stands as the longest tenure recorded. He was godfather to Charles Dickens' son Alfred D'Orsay Tennyson, who was named after both godfathers: Alfred Tennyson and Alfred D'Orsay.  * Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) was a Swedish chemist and engineer who founded the Nobel Prize awards.  * Sir Alfred Hitchcock, KBE (1899–1980) was an innovative British film director and producer. * Alfred Newman (1901–1970) was an American film composer, having composed music for over 200 films. He won nine Oscars -- more than any other composer in history. * Alfred Cellier (1844–1891) was a British composer and conductor, most famous for his comic opera Dorothy (1886). * Alfred Grandidier (1836–1921) was a French naturalist and explorer. Royalty: * Alfred Atheling (d.1016) was a son of King Æthelred II and Emma of Normandy. * Alfred Ernest Albert "Affie", Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844–1900) was the fourth child of Queen Victoria.   * Alfred Alexander William Ernest Albert, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1874–1899) was a grandson of Victoria, and son of Prince Alfred (above).  * Prince Alfred of Great Britain (1780–1782) was the fourteenth child of King George III Literature and Media: * Alfred Pennyworth is a DC Comics character: the butler of Bruce Wayne aka Batman.

Variants:

Alfredo (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), Alfredus, Alfridus, Aluredus, Alvredus (Latinised)

Pronunciation:

AL-fred (UK) al-FRED (France) [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Affie, Al, Alf, Alfie, Ed, Eddie, Fred, Freddie, Ralf, Red

Sibling Names:

Martha     Elsie     Edith     Lilian     Alice     Ruth Albert     Ralph     Stanley     Ernest     Philip     Geoffrey

Name Lists:

Victorian Darlings   Dickensian Names   Royal Names

 

If you like Alfred you may also like:   Wilfred, Leonard, Barnaby, Stephen, Victor, Angus, Julian, Gilbert, Hector, Sidney

 

Patronymic English Surnames

Patronymic surnames are derived directly from the father's name, and, back when surnames were beginning to become established, being known as "William, son of Edmund" was one of the ways of distinguishing yourself from 'the other William', who was son of John.

Most patronymic names contains two parts: the masculine (father's) name, and the "son of" element. The English patronymic surnames derive from a variety of sources: Old English, Norse, Norman French and Germanic, and they are usually formed with either a -son suffix, or a genitive -s. Fitz is a prefix which derives from the Norman French fiz "son".

Adamson Addison Alberts/on Albinson Allanson Anderson Andrews Arnison Atkins/on Barson Bates/on Bason Batterson Bennison Benson Bryson Climpson Coleson  Colson Collins/on Coxon Cusson

Dandison Danson Davidson Davis Dawson Dayson Denison Dickins/on Dixon Dobson Dodson Duxon Edmundson Elverson Emberson Emmerson Fairson Fennel Fillary Filson FitzAlan FitzHerbert

FitzHugh FitzJames FitzJohn FitzNeal Fitzroy Fitzsimmons Fitzwater Fitzwilliam Folkson Foxon Garrison Gemson Gibbs Gibson Gillson Gregson Hampson Hanson Harbison Harris/on Hendison Henson

Hobson Hodson Howieson Howson Hudson Hughes Hulson Huskinson Hutchinson Ingerson Ingleson Iveson Jackson Jacobs/on  Jameson Jefferson Jenkinson Jepson Jetson Jobinson Johnson Judson

Juson Juxon Kitson Lawson Madison Markson Mathison Morrison  Nelson Nicholson Nickson Nixon Patterson Pelson Pierson  Rawlings/on Richards/on Rixon  Roberts/on Robinson Robson Roginson

Rollinson Sanderson Simpson Stimpson Tamson Tennyson  Thompson Tipson Tolson Tomlinson Towlson Townson Wadeson Watson  Wilkins/on Williams/on  Willis Wilson  Winson

Welsh, Scottish and Irish patronymic surnames are to follow.

 

'Twas Ever Thus...

Proof that names can occasionally have a political agenda for some parents. This article was written in 1941 during German occupation in the Netherlands.

 

NAMES FOR DUTCH BABIES ---- LOYALISTS v. NAZIS FROM A DUTCH CORRESPONDENT     For some time a competition has been going on between radical Nazis and their anti-Nazi antagonists in Holland, which has taken the form of giving newly born children names to express the political convictions of the parents.     Dutch Nazi newspapers publish notices such as "A warrior has been born to us," or "A son for the New and Better Era," followed by the names bestowed upon the innocent child, usually Adolf Benito Anton, in which the name of Anton Mussert, the Dutch Nazi leader, properly enough, comes after those of the bigger bosses.    The same Nazi Press rages against the "childishness" of the Dutchmen who christen their children Bernhard, Wilhelmina, or Juliana. After a long ding-dong battle the loyal camp is definitely one up. A Dutchman has given his boy the name Winston.                                                  The Times                             (London), October 03, 1941

 

 

Name of the Week

 

An elaborate Victorian favourite -- with a heritage of medieval 
romance and bold namesakes -- that makes an 
interesting alternative to Isabel and Annabel.

  

Origin:

A compound name composed of "Christ" and "Belle" (cf. Claribel, Rosabel, Dowsabel). The first element derives from Christos, the name for Jesus which derived from the Greek χριω (chrio) "to anoint". Its use is also likely thanks to the popular medieval name Christian / Christiana.  Belle derives from the Old French bele "beautiful". It is also likely to have been a shortening of Isabel -- another popular medieval name.

Usage:

The earliest instance of this name come from the Medieval romance of Sir Eglamour d'Artois (c.1350). It also appears in some versions of the Ballad of Sir Cauline (e.g. Percy's). The name can certainly be found in baptism records from the 16th century, but it was particular used in the 19th century thanks to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's popular poem Christabel (1816). The poem, combined with the Victorian love of all things medieval made Christabel a hit -- as well as the variant Christabella.   In 2010 15 girls (rank #1815) were registered as Christabel in England and Wales. 3 were given the variant Christabelle.

Famous Bearers:

* Dame Christabel Pankhurst DBE (1880 - 1958) was a Suffragette and daughter of Emmeline Pankhurst. Nancy Ellen Rupprecht described her as "beautiful, intelligent, graceful, confident, charming, and charismatic". She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1936. * Christabel Rose Colerigde (1843-1921) was a British writer and protegee of Charlotte Mary Yonge.   * Christabel Bielenberg (1909 - 2003) was a British writer who married German lawyer Peter Bielenberg. Her experience of WWII and her attempts to shelter Jews were made into BBC television series Christabel in 1988 with Elizabeth Hurley in the title role. In the 70s she became involved in the Irish Peace Marches and recieved the Gold Medal of Merit by the European parliament.  * Christabel Marshall (1871 - 1960) was an author, playwrite and campainer for women's suffrage. * Christabel Baxendale (1886 - 1956) was a British violininist and composer.  * Christabel Cockerell (1864 - 1951) was a British artist who was married to notable sculpter George Frampton.  Literature: * In Sir Eglamour d'Artois (c.1350) Christabel is the daughter of an earl with who Sir Eglamour is in love with. The knight is given several daring tasks to win her hand.  * Thomas Percy's Ballad of Sir Cauline (1765) Christabel is the beautiful daughter of a medieval king of Ireland, with whom Sir Cauline is in love.  * Christabel (1816) is an epic poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the style of a medieval romance. In the poem she is described as “The lovely lady Christabel". Coleridge's own granddaughter was named Christabel Rose (see above).  * Christabel LaMotte is a character in Possession: A Romance (1990) by A.S.Byatt.  Other: * Lake Christabel is the name of a small lake in New Zealand.  * Christabel (1972) is a composition by John Zorn.

Variants:

Christabella, Christabelle, Christobel, Cristabel

Pronunciation:

KRIS-tə-bel (UK) [key]

Diminutives:

Belle, Bella, Bria, Brisa, Brista, Britt, Chris, Chrissy, Christa, Christy, Reba, Rista, Stella, Tabby, Trista

Sibling Names:

Lavinia     Sylvia     Estella     Aurelia     Violet     Tatiana  Theodore     Alexander     Francis      Julian      Dominic      Rufus

Name Lists:

Upright Elegance   Strong Names for Girls 1

 

If you like Christabel you may also like:   Clementine, Dorothea, Gabriella, Melusine, Gwedonline, Cecily, Maribel, Christiana, Evangeline, Dulcibella

 

Name Nabbing from The Netherlands

I have to admit that I love looking at the "most popular names" lists from around the world. I find it fascinating to see what is considered popular or de rigueur in other countries. Take Fabian, for example. He may seem rarefied to many Brits, but in Austria he is positively common at #15, and isn't doing too badly at #39 in Chile. 

So many times I come across names on these lists that are similar in sound or style to popular British names but are almost unknown here. What a wonderful mine of untapped names!

So, with that in mind, here are some popular names from 2010 popularity ranks from the Netherlands that provide interesting posibilities. The country's main language is Dutch, with Frisian as another official language. 

 

We use them; they love them:

Fleur — 12 / 499
Indy — 71 / 695 (Indie ranks #695, Indy ranks #1587)
Isis — 76 / 758
Jill — 85 / 4012
Luna — 31 / 526
Lynn — 13 / 3156
Maud — 18 / 2589
Noa — 9 / 910
Robin — 79 / 1389
Romy — 55 / 801
Rosalie — 53 / 664
Tess — 14 / 499 
Vera — 45 / 1180 

Casper — 83 / 364
Damian — 64 / 314
Finn — 15 / 131
Jasper — 32 / 152
Jesse — 10 / 189
Julian — 17 / 311
Levi — 7 / 144
Robin — 42 / 361
Tim — 6 / 2199
Wesley — 85 / 531 

* Green represents the 2010 ranks in the Netherlands, orange represents the 2010 ranks in England and Wales.

 

Short forms and diminutives:

Anouk —  While we may use Annie, the Dutch use Anouk as their pet form of Anne, and like Annie, it is also used popularly as a stand-alone name. Annika and Aniek / Anniek (ann-eek) are found as variant forms. 

Cato (kah-to)— As a form of Catherine, the Dutch Cato gives Katie an edgy -o makeover. Nienke (neen-kə), the Frisian short form, is even more popularly used (also in the spelling Nynke). 

Fenne (fen-nə) — Fenne, also spelt Fenna, is a short form of Frederika. Both were in the Top 60 in 2010. 

Fiene (fee-nə) — A diminutive of Jozefien, equivalent to Josie or Posy. 

Isa (ee-sah) — The short-form of Isabella that makes an intriguing alternative to Izzy and Bella.

Sanne (san-nə) — Equivalent to Suzy. One of the popular Dutch forms of Susanna, alongside Suus and Suze. Sanna is also found as a varient spelling. 

 

Fedde (fed-də) — A Frisian diminutive of names that begin with the Germanic Frid- . It therefore makes an interesting parallel to Freddie. 

Rens — This name evolved as a short form of Laurens and Emerens.

Sander — A popular Dutch diminutive of Alexander that puts a twist on Xander. 

Sepp — While Brits take the first sound from Joseph, creating Joe, the Dutch use the second syllable. 

Thijs (tiyse) — The short form of Mattijs, the Dutch form of Matthias. 

 

Similar sound or style:

Bo — Interestingly, Bo ranks at #50 for girls in the Netherlands and Beau at #368. It can be considered unisex, as Bo for boys ranks at #269 and Beau ranks #148, but there were certainly more girls called Bo registered in 2010. Bo would fit with the many popular "o-sound" names in the UK Top 100 such as Chloe, Sophie, Lola, Zoe and Rose, but if it feels too short as a full name, it could be used as a nickname for Bonnie, Ebony, Deborah, Bronwen, Isabeau, Roberta etc. 

Britt — Britt is a variant of Birgitta, ranking highly at #29 in the Netherlands, that would make a swift and sleek inheritor to Britney. It would also work well as a nickname for Bridget. 

Feline (fay-lee-nə) — This feminine form of Felix contains both the popular el (Ella, Bella, Felicity) and een (Georgina, Josephine, Selina) sound, making it a different but relatable choice. If the spelling is too reminiscent of the vocabulary word, the Late Latin spelling Felina is an option. 

Lieve (lee-və) — This originated as a short form of Godelieve, the Dutch form of Godeliva (God's love). With a sound that falls somewhere between the UK Top 50 favourites Eva, Leah and Olivia, this one feels like it could make an interesting variation.
The similar sounding Lieke (lee-kə) is a very popular short form of Angelique that currently ranks at #7 in the Netherlands.  

Lisanne (lee-san-ə)— This combination of Lisa and Anne is perhaps the one that would make the easiest transition to British shores. 

Madelief — A popular Dutch name meaning "daisy". This not only fits in nicely with the hugely popular British trend of flower names, it also sounds remarkably like Madeleine, and would render the highly popular nickname Maddie. 

Meike (miy-kə) — A Dutch pet-form of Maria that feels like a feminine form of Michael, and a sound-alike friend of Maya/Maja/Miya. Another variation is Mieke (mee-kə). 

Merel — Means "blackbird" in Dutch. Its easy sound falls between Laurel and Meryl and its avian meaning makes a great sister-name for Lark, Wren, Jonah and Corbin. 

Myrthe (meer-tə) — A Dutch name meaning "myrtle" which sounds close to the popular Martha. Mirthe is a popular alternate spelling.

Sterre —  A Dutch name meaning "star" and therefore, equivalent to popular choices Stella and Seren. 

 

Dex — Currently #136 in the Netherlands. With Max and Dexter in the UK Top 100, Dex seems only a small step away.

Dylano — Dylan ranked at #50 in the Netherlands in 2010 with the coinage Dylano at #96. It seems like the Dutch have given popular Dylan a revamp. 

Gerrit — This is a Dutch form of Gerard or Gerald that also sounds much like Garrett. 

Hendrik — Dutch cognate of the popular classic Henry, with the added reminiscent feel of Jimi Hendrix. 

Niels — This popular short form of Cornelius makes an easy jump from Neil or Niall. 

Olivier — Tired of the super-popular Oliver? Try this Dutch variant. 

Roan — This feels like it is a variation of Rowan and Rohan, but it is in fact a variant of Ronne, a Frisian name formed from the Germanic raban "raven". 

Sem — #1 in the Netherlands currently. A biblical name that fits in with Sam and Seb. 

Tygo — A Dutch form of the Latin Tycho: the name of a Greek saint and Danish astronomer. It ultimately derives from the Greek τυχή (tykhe) "fortune" or "fate". Sound-wise it lies somewhere between Top 200 favourites Tyler and Hugo. 

Willem — William is a classic, but if you were looking for something a little bit different this Dutch cognate is just waiting to be snapped up. The quirky Pim is used as a nickname in Holland. 

 

Something a bit different:

Femke (fem-kə) — A popular Top 10 name in Holland that is thought to be a pet form of Frederika. The alternate form Famke also coincides with the Frisian for "little girl".

Quinty — At #92, this seems a strangely quirky addition to the most popular names in the Netherlands. But considering the boys' rank contains Quinten at #67 and Quinn at #110, this perhaps could be seen as a feminine variant. 

Renske (ren-skə) — A feminine form of Rens (see above).

Silke (sil-kə) — A Dutch diminutive of Cecilia. 

Veerle (veer-lə)—  Dutch form of the Old Germanic name Farahild, composed of the elements faran "to travel" and hild "battle".

 

Joris (yoh-ris) — The Dutch and Frisian form of the classic George. 

Koen (koon) — Koen, and Coen are short forms of Koenrad, the Dutch Conrad. 

Lars — At #14, Lars is a popular Dutch diminutive of Laurence that is mostly untouched in the UK. 

Milan — Not only an Italian city but also a name derived from the Slavic mil "gracious". It ranks at #3 in the Netherlands. 

Stijn (steen) — A pet form of any name ending with the element e.g. Augustijn and Constantijn.

 

There will be more Name Nabbing posts to come in the future. 

Update

 

 

I have taken over several new responsibilities at work which has limited my posting down to 2-3 posts per week. The "Finds from..." posts have to be researched over several days, so some weeks -- even though I am busy researching -- the posts can be a little sparse. I try to keep some things consistent but, so that the blog isn't only made up of same things, I am now going to write a Name List once every other Wednesday and not once a week. 

This is for two reasons. Firstly, I want to keep the blog varied and experiment with new ideas (I have a few new series in the pipeline). With my time limited, I won't always be able to cover new things with a weekly list to write. Secondly, I would like to keep the lists going for a long time, but there is a limit to how many topics I can cover. I feel the pool may dry up more quickly if I keep it at a weekly rate. Hopefully, spreading it across a fortnight will keep it fresher. 

Name of the Week will, of course, stay weekly (every Saturday), and I will try to update the 1911 census combos a little more frequently. 

As always, thanks for reading, 

Elea

Sibling Spotlight for Perdita

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

1850s: Clara Henry Charles Evelyn (g) Alice Agnes Jessie Perdita 1860s: Arthur Selina Perdita Beatrice Albert Walter Augusta  Ada Maud May    Sidney Emily (g) - parents were Sidney and Emily Lionel Hugo Eglamour Henley Olive Johnstone Mildred Dorothea Edgar William Milnes Gwendoline Laura Mervyn Lanark Waldemar Gaskell Perdita Isabella Ashurst Bertram Stanfield Joseph William Eugene Marsden    Mary Barton Perdita Jane Henry Robert Abraham Arthur William Hannah Firth   Henry Rose Ann Perdita Hartley (b) Fred  1870s: Mary Lavinia  Perdita    Eleanor Adelaide  Pedora Leah Perdita Ethel Florinda Ella    Lucia Maria Elizabeth Perdita Ambrose William Videll Ann Bertha Marcus    Francis Herbert Perdita Ernest James Charles Owen Catherine Sarah Minnie Beatrice Sidney John 1880s: Stephen Thomas Hannah Sarah Eleanor Mary Ann Perdita Liona Esther Lilian Laura May  Galdys May    1890s: Charles May George James  Perdita Gertrude Olive Leonard    1900s: Helen Frances Perdita Rosemary  -- grandmother of actress Anna Chancellor Julian Edward Georg  1920s: Florence H L Perdita L A Irene G H Peter G 1930s: Giles Roger Julian Piers  Perdita Remony Phyllida Lovaine   Patricia G & Perdita V George D    Caroline Maureen Perdita Maureen  Sheriden Frederick Terence    Peter Keith Malcolm Rodney Perdita

1940s: David Alistair  Perdita Rona Frances     Perdita V Monica G Tony M  Jennifer J Noel    1950s: Victoria C Perdita A L Jonathan S J Lucie J B E    Piers A C Perdita F A Lucinda P   1960s: Rupert James Cordelia Jane Katherine Julia Olivia Mary Juliet Perdita Rachel Josephine Helena Jane   Pauline A Pamela J Patricia N Penelope C Perdita Rosemary    Perdita Emma Adam Duncan    Bryony Anthea Perdita Emlyn Toby Claud Gavin Patrick Hubert  1970s: Eliot Mark Perdita Irene    Perdita Celia L Tristan Barnaby J    1980s:  Perdita Elizabeth Lorna Marina Phoebe Alice Amy Louise    Cassandra Rouse Isabel Hannah G Rowan Campbell R Perdita Selina M Calder-Brook Redmond    Tamarin Petrina D -- ballet dancer Tiffany Demelza M Perdita Verity L Ellodie-Lark Persephone    Allegra Elizabeth  Portia Clare Alexander James  Perdita Drusilla  Honeysuckle Hero Susan Perdita Rose Annunziata  Rollo Percival Loring -- the acting Weeks siblings.   1990s: Evelyn Robert (b) Horatio John Nathaniel Guy Perdita Rose    2000s: Isolde Perdita Montague Sabine   Perdita Grace A Cressida Claire A Orlando Edmund Alexander Ophelia Jane Atalanta   Barnaby Temple  Jasper James Perdita Madonna   Octavia Heather Iolanthe Charlotte Perdita Helen Montague Charles Ptolemy   Maximilian Charles F Guy Nicholas S Perdita Alice Lydia   Perdita Carolyn I Hector Edward B & Mimi Pamela L   Andrew Benedict H "Benedict" Madeleine Elizabeth Perdita Eloise

 

Name of the Week

 

A refined and quirky option which has long been used by the gentry.

 

Origin:

From the Gaelic name Máel Máedóc meaning "devotee, servant of (St) Máedóc," via the form Melmidoc, eventually becoming Marmaduc in the Middle Ages.  St Máedóc, also known as Áedán, Maedhog and Mogue, was the founder and bishop of Ferns in the 7th century. Máedóc is made up of the name Áed (from the Old Irish aodh "fire") with the prefix mo "my" and the diminutive suffix -oc. It is said that the saint's foster family gave him the affectionate name Máedóc "My little Áed" as a child.

Usage:

The name is found, specifically, in Yorkshire as early as the 12th century. It was particularly used by the Arell, Thweng and Constable families of Yorkshire in the spelling Marmaduc. An earlier bearer and namesake was likely the Melmidoc mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) who owned land in Wellbury during the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066).  The name was picked up on a wider scale by the gentry of Northern England in the 16th century. From there it increased in popularity and eventually it became used in wider circles of the gentry, with Duke as the standard abbreviated form. Duxon "son of Duke" also appears as a surname in Yorkshire.  It was certainly not uncommon during Victoria's reign. The 1851 census lists 552 Marmadukes and 161 Dukes, which had increased to 762 Marmadukes and 154 Dukes in 1901. The name began to decline after 1915 and it is now used infrequently. Marmaduke has not ranked on more than 3 boys in England and Wales since 2001, however Duke has been used for between 10-3 boys each year in the last decade.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Marmaduke Thweng, 1st Baron Thweng (c.14th), was an English knight from Yorkshire who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence. * Sir Marmaduke Constable (c.1458–1518) was High Sheriff of Staffordshire and Yorkshire in 1488 and 1493.  * Marmaduke Langdale, 1st Baron Langdale of Holme (1598–1661) was High Sheriff of Yorkshire in 1639 before becomming a Royalist commander in the Civil War. * Marmaduke Lumley (d. 1450) was Bishop of Carlisle from 1429 to 1450. * Marmaduke Middleton (d. 1593) was an English bishop of Waterford and Lismore from 1579 to 1582 and bishop of St David's from 1582 to 1592. * Marmaduke Cradock (1660–1716) was a British painter. * Marmaduke Tunstall (1743–1790) was an English ornithologist and author of Ornithologica Britannica (1771). * Squadron Leader Marmaduke Pattle (1914–1941) was a South African-born flying ace for the Royal Air Force.  Literature: * Sir Marmaduke Morecombe is a character in Anthony Trollope's novel Phineas Finn (1867).  * Marmaduke Bonthrop Shelmerdine is a character in Virginia Woolf's novel Orlando (1928).  Peerage: * Sir Marmaduke Lloyd (1585–c.1651) was a Welsh lawyer and landowner and a supporter of King Charles I of England during the English Civil War. * Sir Marmaduke Beckwith, 3rd Baronet (1687–c. 1780) became a merchant in Virginia. * Marmaduke Hussey, Baron Hussey of North Bradley (1923–2006) was chairman of the BBC. * Marmaduke Furness, 1st Viscount Furness and 2nd Baron Furness (1883–1940), was a British shipping magnate. * The Wyvill's of Constable Burton have had many bearers of the name Marmaduke, starting with the 1st Baronet (c.1542–1617). Several of them MPs for Richmond. The most recent Marmaduke Wyvill was born in 2010.  * Both the 6th and 7th Blennerhassett Baronet were named Marmaduke.   Celeb-babies: * Marmaduke Mickey Percy (2006) s. of Bear Grylls.

Variants:

Marmaduc, Melmidoc

Pronunciation:

MAR-mə-dyook (UK) [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Drake, Duke, Mad, Mac, Mark

Sibling Names:

Araminta     Christiana     Apollonia     Hermione     Ottilie     Sybilla  Tristram     Avery     Peregrine     Augustin     Percy     Thurstan

Name Lists:

Upright Elegance   Gorgeously Georgian

 

If you like Marmaduke you may also like:   Montague, Barnabas, Montgomery, Percival, Lancelot, Magnus, Mortimer, Cuthbert, Mycroft, Reginald

 

Operatic Appellations

Many people dream of seeing their name in lights, so how about a name that has already lit up the stage? Opera provides a host of name inspiration, from the commonplace to the extravagant. Mythological and literary characters are a heavy draw, and, of course, Italian variations are hugely prevalent, but we also find some interesting coinages.

Many operas derive their names directly from principle characters and, interestingly, many of these are feminine: Aida, Carmen, Genoveva, Iolanta, Martha, Mireille, Norma, Semiramide and Thaïs to name just a few. 

This week's list contains a selction of names from the roles of many operas from the 17th century to the 20th. 

Achille  Acis Adario Admeto  Adolar Aeneas Agamemnon Agenore Alessandro Alessio Alfonso Alfred Ali Alidoro Amida Aminta Amonasro Amore Andrès Andronico Angelo Annio Antonio Apollo Arcas Argirio Armidoro Aronte Artémidor Arturo Assur Athamas Augustin  Bajazet Balthasar Bartolo Basilio Bastien Bayan Bertarido Bertram Besso Boris Buonafede Cadmus Caronte Caspar Castor Claudio Claudius Colas Conrad / Konrad Creon Crespel Cuno Damon David Dormont Dorvil Douglas Drago Eco Egeo

Enzo Ercole  Ernesto Eustazio  Evandro   Ezio Faust Fernando Ferrando Figaro Finn Flavio Florestan Foresto Frank Friedrich Fyodor Gabriel Germano Geronimo Giasone Giovanni Giove Goffredo Grimoaldo  Guglielmo Haly Hans Hariadeno Hermann  Huascar Idamante  Idomeneo Jaquino Jarno Jason Jonas Jupiter Kilian Lensky Leone  Leopold Lindoro Lothario Louis Lucio Luther Luzio Lyonel Malcolm Manrico Marcello Mars  Masetto  Mathéo Mathisen Max Miguel  Mustafà  Nathanaël Nerillo  Nero Nerone

Nettuno Oberto  Orbazzano Orfeo Orlando Ormindo Oronte Ory Oscar Osman Otho Ottavio Ottone Ottokar Pallas Paolino Pedro Pisandro Pizarro Pollux Radames Raffaele Ramfis Ramiro Ramon Raoul Renato Renaud Rinaldo Rocco Rodolfo Rodrigo Rudolf Ruggiero Ruiz Ruslan Samiel Selim Sesto Siegfried Somnus Tacmas Taddeo  Tamerlano Telemaco Thaddeus Thespis Thoas Tito Tonio Tristan  Ulisse  Unulfo  Urbain Valentin Valere  Vasco Veit Vincent Wilhelm Wolfram Yevgeny  Zacharie

Adalgisa Adele Adina Agathe Agnes Agrippina Aida Alaide Albina Alceste  Alcina Alice Alinda Alisa Almirena Amelia Amenaide Amina Amneris Anna Angelica Angelina Antonia Armida Asteria Azema Azucena Barbarina Bastienne Beatrice Belinda Berginella Bradamante Brambilla Carolina Cecchina Celia Clarice Clarine Clémence Clitemnestre  Clorinda Clotilde Cuniza Dalinda Damigella Delfa Despina Diane Dido Dircé Dorabella Dorella Dorinda Drusilla Eduige Eglantine  Elena Elettra  Elisa   Elisetta Elvira  Elsa

Emilie Erice Ericlea Erisbe Eudoxie Euridice Euryanthe  Eva Fatima  Federica Fidalma Fiordiligi Flaminia Flora Fortuna Galatea Genoveva Ginevra Gioconda Giulia / Julia Giulietta / Julietta Guadalena Harriet  Hébé Hélène Ida Ilia Imelda Imogene Ines / Inez Ino Iolanta Iphigénie  Irene Iris Isabella Isaura Isifile Ismene Isoletta Juno Konstanze Kseniya Larina Laura Leonora Leonore Lisa Lisetta Lucia Lucilla Lucinda Luisa Lyudmila Magdalena Manuelita Marcellina Margaretha Marguerite Mariana Maria / Marie Martha Marzelline

Mastrilla Medea / Médée  Melanto Melide Micaëla Mignon Mimi Minerva Mireille Mirinda Morgana Musetta Naina Nancy Néris Ninetta Norma Odabella Olympia Ottavia Rachel Rodelinda Rosalinde Rosina Rosmina Paoluccia Pallade Pamela Penelope Phani Phébé Phénice Philine Poppea Proserpina Sandrina Sélika Semele Semiramide Servilia Sicle Sidonie Speranza Stella Susanna Tamiri Tatyana Télaïre Teresa Thaïs Thalie Tisbe Valentine Venus Vincenette Violetta Virtu  Vitellia Zaida Zara Zerlina Zima  Zulma

Finds from 1854

Some finds from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1854. 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 Augustine Alderman Justus Alma Sebastopol Robert Stevenson Alpheus Alphonso Ambrose Marcellinus Arthur Maximilian & Octavius Frederic (twins) Asaph Wilbert Benjamin Alladin Broome Lake Carolus Ludovicus Brutus Christopher Columbus Citizen Job Constantine Paris Ebenezer Alma Percival Emmanuel Aristide Firth Bentley Fortunatus Daniel Fred Innocent George Jeremiah Hezekiah Goliah Jason Goliath Albert Abel Ernest Griffith Meshach Henry Arthur Exuperius Homer Demosthenes Voltaire Horace Horatio Nelson Horatio Nelson Victory Jefferson Binnington Jude Raphael Lindford Solon Lyonel Felix Carteret Eugene Menschikoff Nesselrode Newby Robert Henry  Osney Thomas Augustine Owen Obed Peter Cassander Celestine Philip Hyacinth Wulfred Pizarro William Maurice Pilcher Durden Price Paul Rice Prospere Ferdinand River (sn: Jordan) Silvanus George Summersett De la Cour Tarquin Brutus Troilus John Hutchings Truelove Joseph  Welcome William (sn: Whisker) William Christmas Timothy Winfield Wisdom Wotton Zelophehad

Adeline Florella Celina Admonition Drew Alma Blanch Clara Amalia Catarina Fortunata Maria Amelie Flora Elise Ardella Maria  Arminal Lavinia Bessie Offrida Bethia Sylvana Harriott Clementina Severina Cora Court (sn: Cogger) Edith Mary Theophania Eglantine Jessie Elizabeth Bridgetina Evangelina Antoinetta  Fanny Euphrosyne Fortunatus Annie Grishilda Balantine Dykes Harralina Louisa Hazelelponi Peninnah Helena Salome Alberta Heloise Vespera Henrietta Crimea Himalaya Amelia Jemima Dunn Evangeline Juana Baptista Henrietta Juliana Louisa Edwina Leila Frederica Dora Leslie Louisa Gertrude Lizzy Emily Clotida Lizette Love & Unity (twins) Marion Samuelina Mary Parthena Mervil Laura Arnot Money Ellen Spurgin Oceana Elizabeth  Peace Bell Renee Marian Hephzibah Richemena Adelaide Rittey Sarah Ann Rosaline Felicia Rosina Achsah Jochabed [Sarah Jane Mary Ann Emma Elizabeth Caroline Isabella Eliza Martha Catherine Matilda Eveline Margaret Rosamund] Sarah Love Melicent Sibbria Julia Syrena Charlotte Elizabeth Thyra Mahala Verina Caroline  Victorine Alphonsine Willoughby Hannah  Zana Evelina Zarada Ann  Zeruah Rosina

*The impact of the Crimean war can be seen in many of the names this year. Prince Menschikoff and Count Nesselrode were both influential Russian figures, while Alma (there were lots of Almas! Boys and girls) and Sebastepol were notable battles. In this year there was also a baby actually named Crimea. As they died in the same quarter, it is hard to tell the gender.