British Baby Names

Name of the Week

 

A stable reliable that exudes a quiet strength.

 

Origin:

From the Hebrew name Mattityahu, or Mattithiah, meaning "gift of God". In Greek the name became Ματθαιος (Matthaios) and Ματθιας (Matthias), which were translated to Matteus and Matthias in Latin.  Several figures in the Old Testament are named Mattithiah including one of the companions of Ezra, and a Levite, appointed by King David to preside over offerings. We also find it on two men in the New Testament: both disciples of Jesus. To make a distinction, the King James bible renders the name differently: Mattithiah is used in the Old Testament, Matthew for the Evangelist (St Matthew), and Matthias for the disciple who was chosen to replace Judas (St Matthias).

Usage:

As an Apostle, St Matthew was a popular saint in the Middle Ages and he was widely venerated throughout Europe. The Old French forms, Mathieu and Mahieu, were brought to Britain by the Normans in the late 11th century, and became anglicised as Mathew and Matthew. This is attested by the two Norman landowners recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) named Matthew / Mathieu. From then on, we can find the name in consistent use through the 12th to the 14th century. Several of these early examples were borne by Scottish bishops.  There were many medieval pet-forms of Matthew, which can be found in multitude of surviving surnames. The Normans used Masse / Macy as a short form of Mathieu, and this, too, can be found in the Domesday book. Its impact in Britain can be seen in the surnames Macy, Macey and Massey. May was used as a pet-form for the spelling Mahieu, which was anglicised as Mayhew and Mayo. The nicknames Math and Matthi became Mathieson, Matthey and Matthys. As a biblical name, Matthew was still used after the Reformation. Indeed, for the most part, the name was in the Top 20 most popular names throughout 16th and 17th century*. Interestingly, there are several examples of girls named Matthew, alongside boys, in Norfolk in the 17th and early 18th century. This isn't the first time Matthew recieved a feminine twist either. A few rare examples survive of women in the 12th century named Masota, which is thought to be a feminine diminutive form of Masse.  The name was consistantly and well used through the 19th century. The 1851 UK census lists 25,260 Matthews and 12,540 Mathews, while the 1901 census lists 37,467 Matthews and 5,917 Mathews.   The name ranked #84 in England and Wales in 1904 and #85 in 1914. It had fallen out of the Top 100 by 1924, until it rocketed back to #52 in 1964. From there, it shot up to #10 in 1974, #6 in 1984 and #5 in 1994.  From 1996 to 1999  Matthew ranked at #6, with over 7,000 births each year, and was in the Top 20 until 2007. Since then the name has gradually declined in a smooth downward slope. In 2010 the name ranked #41, with 1984 births, in England and Wales. Similarly, the spelling Mathew is on the decline: from 393 births in 1996 to 74 in 2010.  In Scotland the name has been more consistant. In 1998 it ranked at #14, and moved up and down nominally in the following years. In 2011 it was #14 . What we do find, however, is that, whatever the rank each year, the birth count has gradually decreased each year. In 1998 420 boys were named Matthew; in 2011, despite the same rank, there were 282 births.

Famous Bearers:

History: * St Matthew is one of the Four Evangelists who created the gospels of the New Testament.  * Matthew of Edessa (d.1144) was an Armenian historian who chronicalled the Crusades.  * Matthew (d.1199) was Archdeacon of Aberdeen and, later, Bishop of St Andrews.  * Matthew the Scot (d.1229) was once Chancellor of Scotland and Bishop of Dunkeld.  * Matthew (d.1274) was Bishop of Ross. * Matthew Parker (1504–1575) was Archbishop of Canterbury.  * Matthew Henry (1662–1714) was a minister and bible commentator.  * Matthew Arnold (1822–1888) was a British Victorian poet. * Matthew White Ridley, 1st Viscount Ridley (1842–1902) was Home Secretary from 1895 to 1900. He was the fifth generation of Matthew White Ridleys; all of whom were MPs.

Variants:

Matias, Mads (Danish), Matthijs (Dutch), Matias, Matti (Finnish), Mathieu (French), Mathis, Matthäus (German), Maitiú (Irish), Matteo (Italian), Matteus, Mats (Norwegian, Swedish), Mateusz (Polish), Matvey, Motya (Russian), Matej (Slavic), Mateo (Spanish)

Pronunciation:

MATH-yoo (UK) [key]

Diminutives:

Macy, Mads, Masse, Math, Mats, Matt, Matty, May

Sibling Names:

Abigail     Leah     Emma     Georgia     Bethany     Sophie  Christopher     Samuel     William     Daniel     James     Thomas

Name Lists:

Popular Biblical Names   Medieval Favourites   Gorgeously Georgian   Shakespearean Names   Dickensian Names

 

If you like Matthew you may also like:   Andrew, Joseph, William, Michael, Benjamin, Lucas, Maxwell,  Lewis, Ewan, Lawrence

 

Zippy and Preppy Diminutives

During my perusals of the Telegraph or Times announcements, I often notice a love of diminutive-names that are more brisk and quirky than the standard two-syllable, ie/y-endings we know and love well. Edwards are often Ned, rather than Eddy; several Henrys are Hal, and Christophers are the striking Kit rather than Chris. 

And these names are not just used as nicknames for their formal counterparts: frequently they can found in the middle-name spot, offering a little bit of levity to a heavier name. Billie Piper and Laurence Fox's new son Eugene Pip demonstrates this perfectly. Other examples from recent years include Aeneas Ned, Octavius Kit and Timothy Hal. 

With this niche trend in mind, here is a run down of some one-syllable diminutives that have become overlooked since they were developed in the Middle Ages. Several of them, perhaps surprisingly, were unisex. 

 

Bess

In the 16th century Bess was a popular nickname for Elizabeth. You could almost say that she was the diminutive for the name, as Elizabeth I was known fondly as "Good Queen Bess". It began to loose favour in the 18th century, but was revived as Bessie in the 19th. In some instances, Bess was also used as a diminutive for Beatrice. 
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Dodge / Hodge

Back in the 12th century, Rodge, a pet form of Roger, developed into Dodge and Hodge. Several surnames have been created from both diminutives including Dodgson, Dodson, Hodgson, Hodgkin and Hodgett.
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Gell  

Both Gell and Gill are diminutives of Julian, used as both a masculine and feminine name in the Middle Ages. Both Julian, and the feminine Latinisation Juliana, were colloquially formed into Jelion, Jillian and Gillian, and it is from these vernacular pronunciations that Gell and Gill were derived. Joll, Jull and Jell were also used.
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Gib  

Gilbert has been used in Britain since it was brought over by the Normans. Gib/b was an early pet-form, and has given rise to surnames like Gibben, Gibling and Gibson. Gil was also used as a diminutive, and from Gib, we also find the variant Gip/p. From the 14th century we also find the term "gib-cat", seemingly because male cats used to be referred to as Gilbert*. 
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Hal

After the Norman Conquest, Henry became a popular import. In English, the name was pronounced as Herry or Harry, and from these sprung the diminutives Hen, Han and, more famously – thanks to Shakespeare's Henry V – Hal.
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Hitch

We may be more familiar with Rich, Rick or Dick, but the Middle Ages gave us many more pet-forms for Richard. Hitch was a diminutive common in the 13th century, particularly in Cheshire. Other forms include Hick, Higg and Digg.
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Hud

Many Huds today are shortened from Hudson, but, of course, Hudson itself takes its origins from a "son of Hud". Although unused now, Hud was once a very common pet-form of Hugh.
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Jep  

Jep and Gepp were Medieval nicknames for the popular Geoffrey. It is now more familiar from the surname Jepson. 
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Jem

Jem was a popular short form and vernacular pronunciation of James. Reaney believes that feminine examples of Jemme and Gemme dating from the 13th century show that, at this time, James was both a masculine and feminine name*. Jemmett and Jemson are still used as surnames, and attest to its popular usage. Jem is now also used as a shortening of Jemima.
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Kit

In the Middle Ages, Kit was used as a nickname for both Christopher and Katherine. There is some evidence that it was also used for Christiana*. 
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Moll

From the 13th century Mall and Moll were used as pet-forms of Mary, which had gained popular usage in Britain in the 12th century. Moll became Poll, and, thus, Molly and Polly. 
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Ned  

Edward can be found shortened to Ned at least as early as the 14th century. The popular folk story is that the phrase "mine Edward" or "mine Ed" was rendered later to "my Ned." Other examples given include Nan (Anne), Noll (Oliver), Nalle (Alice) and Nell (used as a feminine and masculine pet-name for Ellen and Ellis). However, this theory does not explain the concurrent use of Ted, and, as the other names in this post show, rhyming variations by changing initial letters were common. 
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Pip

Pip is a short form of Philip, used as both a masculine and feminine name in the Middle Ages, the feminine of which was often Latinised as Philippa. Phipp was also used as a pet-form. Earlier examples of Pip were most likely from Pepin.
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Tam

Tam was a medieval a variant of Tom, a pet-form of Thomas, used particularly, and for many years, in Scotland. It was also sometimes found as a pet-form of Tamsin, itself a vernacular form of Thomasina.
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Tib

In the 13th century Tib/b was used for both Theobald (commonly pronounced tib-old) and Isabel/la. Tibb for Theobald also became Tebb and Tipp, while Bel, Bibb, Ibb, Nibb, Libb and were also used for Isabel. With time, Theobald began to decrease in usage while Isabel/la remained popular. Tibb, therefore, became more often used on females, and by the 16th century, we find "Tib" also used as a term for a young girl, and used as a counterpart to Tom. Tib-cat was used for female cats, as tom-cat was used for males. Later we also find female cats known as Tabitha, which would explain the use of Tibby as a nickname for Tabitha*. Tibert, a form of Theobald, was also used as a name for a male cat, and seem to have got mixed up with Gilbert*.
Maud Hart Lovelace used Tib as a nickname for Thelma in Betsy-Tacy and Tib (1941).
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Wat

Before there was Walt, Wat was the standard pet-form of Walter. It survives in surnames like Watkins, Watson and Watten. 

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Patronymic Scottish Surnames

Hereditary Scottish surnames developed after the 15th century. Prior to that, patronymics weren't permanent and changed with each succeeding generation, so, Alexander Donaldson, recorded in 1481, is listed as the son of Donald Symonson*.  The practice of using the same name down the generations started in the Lowlands and was furthered when it was adapted by the clan system. It was common for a Laird to take his surname from the estate (which itself was often named after the owner). People looking for protection in times of strife would frequently attach themselves to a powerful clan and take on its name. This resulted in large numbers of people who all had the same last name, but no specific surname of their own, and not necessarily with a hereditary link to the family of the clan. 

Much like the Welsh map, the Gaelic term for "son" was mac, and was prefixed to many first names. Some Scottish patronymic surnames also adopted the Anglican "son" suffix. 

Through the generations various spellings have formed. We find Mackenzie also as MacKenzie, Mckenzie, Makenzie and many more. For continuity, the list below contain lower case letters within the names and the 'Mac' rather than 'Mc' spellings.

Anderson Davidson Donaldson  Eason Farquharson Ferguson Finlayson Grierson Henderson Howison Macaddie Macalister Macallen

Macalpine Macandrew Macarthur Macartney Macaskill Macauley Macauslan Macbain Maccaffray Maccallum Maccall Maccarthy Maccloy

Maccomish Macconnall Maccormac Maccorkindale Maccoubrey Maccrindell Maccutchen Macdermot Macdonald Macdonell Macdougal Macdowell Macduff

Macewan Macilroy Macfadden Macfadyen Macfarlane Macfee Macgee  Macgaurie Macgillivray  Macgowan Macgregor MacHendry Macinnes

Maciver Mackay Mackeller Mackenna Mackenzie Mackeown Mackinnon Maclachlan Maclamon Maclaren Maclean Maclaine Maclennan

Macleod Macnaughton Macneill Macnicol Macpherson Macquarrie Macqueen Macrae Mactavish Manson Matthison  Morrison Patterson

Name of the Week

 

A name that straddles an interesting divide between 
being quaint and homespun, and a dignified woman of substance.

  

Origin:

Dorothy is the anglicised form of Dorothea, a Greek name used in Late Antiquity. The name derives from a compound of δωρον (doron) "gift" and θεος (theos) "god".

Usage:

St Dorothea of Caesarea (or St Dorothy, as she became known to medieval Britons) was a Christian martyr in the 4th century. Her cult became widespread in Europe during the 14th century, when virgin saints were much revered, and, consequently, she is often depicted alongside St Barbara, St Catherine and St Margaret. The four of them became known as the "Virgines Capitales", the Main Virgins, and it is her association with them that often has Dorothy listed as a part of the "Fourteen Holy Helpers" who were invoked against the Black Death in 1346 to 1349. During the 15th century in Britain, not only was a great deal of artwork created depicting the saint but the name Dorothy came into popular use. At this time the 'th' was pronounced as a hard 't' (as with other names such as Anthony, Esther and Thomas) which can be seen in the spellings Doritie, Doritye, Dorety and Dorete*. The name was extremely popular throughout the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries and it is estimated that the name stood in the Top 20 most popular female names from at least 1538 to 1700*. In rare circumstances we can find boys in the 16th century called Dorothie or Dorie but this is most likely a form of the masculine name Dorotheus, also borne by a saint of Late Antiquity. The name saw a slight decline in popularity during the 18th century, although we can still find it in consistent use. It was revived to great popularity in the 19th century and in 1904 the name was the 5th most popular name for girls. It was #4 in 1914, #5 in 1924, #11 in 1934, #31 in 1944, and finally ranked at #67 in 1954. The name has not been in the Top 100 since.  In the 16th century the name was abbreviated to Doll and Dolly. By the 18th century it was more commonly shortened to Dora, and later, in the 19th century, Dodo, Dot, Dotty and Thea were used. Dorti has been used as a diminutive in Wales while, in Ireland, Dorothy was used to anglicise Doireann / Doirend. In 2010 the name ranked #695 in England and Wales with 53 births. Dolly ranked slightly higher at #664 with 56 births. The name has been steadily rising since 1996 when it ranked #1072 with only 18 births. Two babies were named Dorothy in Scotland in 2010, but none in 2011.

Famous Bearers:

History: * St Dorothea of Caesarea (St Dorothy) was a 4th century martyr who was killed for refusing to marry or worship Roman gods. Legend has it that a lawyer named Theophilus jeeringly asked her "Send me some of the apples and roses from that garden you speak of, where you are going to your bridegroom." It being winter, both were impossible to get. On her death she prayed for Theophilus and an angel appeared at her side with a basket of three apples and three flowers. Consequently, St Dorothy is considered the patron of brides, newlyweds, florists and gardeners. Her feast day is February 6th.  * Dorothy Wordsworth (1771 — 1855) was a poet, sister of William Wordsworth.  * Dorothy Garrod CBE (1892 — 1968) was a British archaeologist and first woman to hold an Oxbridge chair.  * Dorothy Thompson (1893 — 1961) was an American journalist and radio broadcaster. She is often known as the “First Lady of American Journalism.” * Dorothy L. Sayers (1893 — 1957) was a British poet, playwright and novelist.  * Dorothy Fields (1905 — 1974) was a hugely successful American songwriter for Broadway musicals and Hollywood films.  * Dorothy Hodgkin (1910 — 1994) was a British chemist and Nobel Prize winner. * Dorothy Lamour (1914 — 1996) was an American Hollywood actress.  * Dorothy Dandridge (1922 — 1965) was an American actress and was the first African-American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in her role in Carmen Jones (1954). * Dorothy Faye Dunaway (b.1941) is the birth name of actress Faye Dunaway.  Literature: * Dorothy Gale is the heroine in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) by Frank Baum, and later the 1939 movie adaptation The Wizard of Oz.

Variants:

Dorothea (Original Greek, Danish, Dutch, German, Norwegian), Doroteya (Bulgarian, Russian), Doryty (Cornish), Dorota (Czech, Polish), Dorotea (Finnish, Italian, Spanish, Swedish), Dorothée (French), Dorottya (Hungarian), Doroteia (Portuguese), Doroteja (Serbian, Slovene), Dorti (Welsh)

Pronunciation:

DO-rə-thee (modern UK) DO-rə-tee (original English) [key]

Possible  Diminutives:

Dee, Dodie, Dodo, Doll, Dolly, Dora, Dorit, Doro, Dorti, Dory, Dot, Dottie, Rory, Teddy, Thea, Theo

Sibling Names:

Millicent      Lillian     Agatha     Mabel     Claribel     Agnes  Alfred     Walter     Francis     Chester     Edwin     Wilfred

Name Lists:

Funky-Clunky   Terrifically Tudor   Gorgeously Georgian   Victorian Darlings   Golden Age Hollywood   Saintly and Stylish   Names of Roses

 

If you like Dorothy you may also like:   Pearl, Margaret, Olive, Rosemary, Marigold, Theodora, Dorinda, Mildred, Davina, Elspeth

 

The Youdes of Chester

Much like the Turners of Brymbo and the Coulthursts of Bury, here is another couple with an intriguingly named brood. 

Feargus O'Connor Youde, a Hair Dresser by trade, married Ann Bateman Callan in 1849 in Chester. 

Feargus himself has a notable name. He was one of the nearly 400 children who were named "Feargus O'Connor" from 1839-1860. Several more children, including many girls, were given "Feargus O'Connor" as middle names, in honour of the famous Chartist. Other Chartists were also namesakes -- a partial list can be seen at this Chartist Ancestors site. 

Ann, who is often listed as "Annie" on census records, received her mother's maiden name, Bateman, as a middlename. This may have been a family tradition, as her mother was Ann Powel Bateman. 
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The Youde family on the 1881 census.

The couple had 5 daughters: 

1. Elizabeth Ann Bateman (b.1870) was registered as "Elizabeth Ann Bateman Youde" but Christened as "Ann Elizabeth Bateman Youde". She was clearly given her mother's first names as her middle names. The 1871and 1901 census lists her as "Elizabeth", but, intriguingly, on both the 1881 (above) and 1891 census she is "Daisy". As Daisy was traditionally used as a diminutive for Margaret, it would be nice to think that there is an interesting story behind why Elizabeth was called Daisy. 
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2. Alice Emily (b.1873) seems to have been known as Alice throughout her life. 
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3. Beatrice Maud Victoria (b.1875) was called "Beatrice" on the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census. However, on the 1881 census (see above) she is listed, quite clearly, as "Beauty". 

The image above is from the enumeration book and not the original household schedules. Forms were distributed to all households a couple of days before census night and were collected the next day. All of the details from the individual forms were later sorted and copied into enumerators' books, which are the images we have available. The original householders schedules from 1841 to 1901 were destroyed.
It is possible that Feargus wrote her name down as "Beatty" and it was misread when being copied into the enumeration book. Personally, I would like to think that Beauty is accurate. It somehow seems an appropriate nickname for the daughter of a Hair Dresser. 

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4. Mary Norah Jeanette Alexandra Wilhelmina (b.1876) is listed on all the census records as "Norah". 

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5. Stranger Miriam Lucretia Augusta Eurania Gwendoline (b.1878) is listed on the 1881 (above) and 1891 census as "Rainey". A clever nickname for Stranger you might think, but the plot thickens when we find her listed on the 1901 and 1911 census under her fifth name Eurania. She also appears as a witness for Beatrice's marriage as Eurania. So it would seem that Rainey was a nickname for Eurania, not Stranger, though I wonder whether it was a coincidence that it works for both. 

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Sibling Spotlight for Willoughby

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

As a surname-firstname, Willoughby has generally been used for boys in Britain. However it has, in past centuries, also been used for a few girls in Norfolk (including one of my great x4 grandmothers). All the Willoughbys below are male unless indicated with (g), where the Willoughby in the set is female.

1780s: Montagu Willoughby Peregrine Frederic Caroline   1820s:  Luke  Alice Hugh Martha Willoughby Elizabeth    1830s: Letitia William George Charles  Willoughby Catherine Frances Sophia Julia Georgiana    Charles  Joseph Thomas Levi Willoughby Jebus   Fanny Ellen Henry Peter Anna Edward Park Cotton (b) Mary Jane Thomas Porter Alderson (b) Willoughby John Sarah Caroline Grey Charles Septimus   1840s: Emily Anne Julia Maria Charles Allan Atwell Mervyn Yates Willoughby James Armynel Mary Susan Lake    Willoughby Augusta Charlotte Corbet Stapleton (b) Chinty Mary Catherine Florence Champagne George  Alice Alfred Annis Eunice Willoughby Mabel  1850s: Joseph William Charles Norman Edward Theresa Philo "Tizzy"* Caroline Maria "Mia"* Henry Willoughby Anna Constance Evelyn (b)  Willoughby Rees Frederick John  James  Willoughby (g) Harriet Emma Sarah Ann  1860s: Alexander Beaumont Fleetwood Henry Mary St Barbe Smith Wolstan Dixie Willoughby Dixie  - all boys except for Mary.    Dawson Edwin Willoughby Rebecca (g) Amelia Rosanna   Florence  Edward  Beatrice Maria Eleanor Anne Julia Isabel Marie Louise Willoughby  Janette E    Georgiana Jemima & Alfred (twins) Eliza Ann Willoughby  William    Eric Manley  Fanny Amelia Mary Grace Marcia Annie Alexandra Willoughby Rochford  Millicent Helen Ida Mabel Mildred Eleanor Ethel Blanche  Madeline Cecily   1870s: Lucy Ann  Morgan John William Isabella Elizabeth Thomas Rose Ann Lily Willoughby    Wilfred  Mary Emily Leonora Wilbraham Cuthbert  Jessie (g) Willoughby  Esther Wilmot Wallace Ambrose   Willoughby  John Jesse (b) Wesley (b) Jane   Elgiva Louisa Dora Augusta Owen Bismar Mary Etheldreda Willoughby Eleanor Jessica Harold Octavius Alexander Roderick   Willoughby Henry Ada Clara Bertie John Sydney Charles Reginald Ernest Mabel Ella  Nellie Hilda Elsie Eveline   Rosetta Ann Willoughby Eliza (g) Harriet Frances

1880: Eleanor Leah Annie Zillah Leah Willoughby Dorothy Mabel Sarah   Eda  Willoughby Guy Spencer Douglas Stephen Stephanie Grace  Vaughan Fremantle Armitage Noel   Emily John William Charles Martha Ernest Ada Willoughby Herbert Harry Joseph Stephen    Thomas Herbert Willoughby John Gwendoline Constance Lena Maud Caroline  1890: Willoughby  Eversleigh (g)  Marguerita Santiago   Jessie (g) - dad was Jesse May Ruth Delia Willoughby Amy    Oscar Fred Gertrude Georgina Thomas Hubert Willoughby Theophilus Victor Robert  Florence Maude  Emily Bessie Percy James  Ernest Edgar Louis Alfred Edward    1900s: Margery Frances Willoughby Geoffrey Kathleen Marion Eileen Vera Esme Martha    Laura Rosalind - sometimes "Rosalind Laura" Willoughby Rollo  Anthony Charles   Evangeline Willoughby Dora Josephine   Harold Annie Scisilla Alice "Silly" Electra May Willoughby    1910s: Henry C Pearline W Willoughby F    Arthur A Willoughby J John & James (twins) Violet I J  1920s: Arthur J Clara E Eleanor F C Willoughby T    1940s: Peter Judith M Willoughby E Gwendoline A M Susan D M    Angela M Willoughby J   Willoughby J Jonathan H   Derwent James Willoughby Mark   1950s: Willoughby L Henrietta    Gwyneth A John Willoughby R    1960s: Harriet E J Willoughby Guy  1980s:  Crispin William Willoughby Henry Amy Marie Willoughby Frederick Daisy Kate 1990s: Joseph Esme & Willoughby James (twins) Theo Jude   Linus Sebastian Willoughby Beck    2000s: Willoughby Robert John Honor Matilda Alice    Beatrice Isabella May "Bea" Harrison Jamieson George "Harry" Willoughby Thomas Bey "Will"    Willoughby Patrick Ernest Clementine Isabel Lily   Tallulah Dulcie Willoughby David Thomas   Orlando Alexander Rainsford Felix Lysander H Willoughby Sebastian Auberon  Amelia Scarlett India  Willoughby Frederick Charles Cosmo Edward Stanley Barnaby George & Amelie Tabitha (twins)  Willoughby Otto   Willoughby Jasper Geoffrey Florence Harriet Xanthe Georgiana India Margaret Tirian Hector Ivanhoe

A Year In Review

 

Today marks BBN's first birthday, as was a year ago today that I wrote the first post Before There Was Ava. This week has certainly made me reflect on my first year of blogging and has posed many questions. Have I learnt anything new? What have I most enjoyed? Would I do it differently if I started again? Any regrets? 

I'll be completely honest — I started blogging mostly on a whim. That is not to say that I wasn't serious about the subject of names, I just had no real idea of where I wanted to go with a name blog or what I really wanted to do with one. It was something that I had considered trying for a while, having participated in the "name community" for nearly ten years, but it was only last April that I finally decided to take the plunge. I need to thank my father actually. His "why don't you give it a go?" was what finally gave me a much needed spurt of confidence to try. Credit also goes to Pam and Linda from Nameberry who, back in 2009, graciously asked me to write a guest post on Cornish names. Having two such influential and inspiration women — giants in the field of naming — ask for my thoughts was hugely exciting, and proved to me that I could write about names, if only I tried. 

The blog has, I feel, changed a lot over the year. My aim when I started was to look at British names (a broad and ambiguous term if ever there was one) not just from a contemporary perspective, but also a historical one. I started the year compiling the 2009 statistics into the combined spellings and hyphen names, and threw out a few lists and names of the week — but for the most part I was stumbling around blindly. 
With the wisdom of a year behind me, I do think I am more confident with writing and have a much better understanding of what this blog actually is. The content is still slightly erratic, but unashamedly so. I like to cover a variety of subjects but it is a lot more focused now. Quality over quantity, I hope. 

The best part of this blog is that it opened me up to a world of name bloggers. Lou from Mer de Noms was the first person to comment on the blog back in its very early days. She gave me confidence and helped me feel part of a community. Thank you! Anna from Waltzing More Than Matilda gave me a model for how to combine name commentary and statistics in an interesting way, and both Lou and Anna opened me up the world of name blogging — and what an exciting world it is. Abby from Appellation Mountain is a true inspiration. She loves names and writes beautifully. Added to that she is also incredibly generous; most of this blog's traffic has come from her site. Kay from Nook of Names is wonderfully wise and unselfish; her insight has helped me gain my own "voice" in blogging. Isadora (Bewiching Names) and Elisabeth (You Can't Call It It) have also provided much inspiration and a model for how to blog about names without losing the bigger picture. There are so many other wonderful blogs: Baby Names from Yesteryear, Eponymia, Marginamia and Ich und die Namen are just a little younger than BBN, but they are everything I wish this blog had been at the beginning. 

My biggest thank you goes to all the people who read this blog and come back again. I feel humbled that people want to read this blog, and incredibly blessed to have the wonderfully insightful and loyal readers that visit this site regularly. There are things that I want to do in the next year of blogging which I hope will prove interesting and useful. I particularly want to take more of an active role in the research and compiling of data, particularly from historical sources, and start looking more at regional influences. 

And regrets? Someone asked me about name regret the other day and it made me think about the name regret I sometimes have about the blog's name. I'll admit to not being very creative when it comes to names for things — people yes, brands no. I would love to have come up with a witty play on words, but even after a whole year, I have yet to come up with one. "British Names" was what this blog was all about, but that sounded too short and defunct as a name. "Baby" was added in reluctantly. I don't think names are for babies, they are for people, but British Baby Names had an alliterative flow that worked better. And, on balance, although I may wish for more creativity in that area, "British Baby Names" is what it says on the tin, and I think I can live with that. 

 

Name of the Week

 

He feels like a sleek modern Celtic coinage, but this 
19th century revival also has a noble medieval heritage.

  

Origin:

An anglicised spelling of the Old Irish Declán The most likely etymology of the name is that it derives from the Old Irish elements deg, dag "good, excellent", or the related dech "best", and lán "full, abounding"* – in other words "full of goodness", "good in abundance".

Usage:

St Declán was an early Irish saint of Munster, who is thought to have lived in the 5th century. He is known for having founded the monastry at Ardmore in County Waterford and Chritianising the area before the arrival of St Patrick. The Waterford coat of arms bears the motto: Déisi oc Declán co Bráth "May the Déise remain with Declan forever" – Declan is said to have been a member of the noble Déise of Munster.  Declan became used in the 19th century but didn't see a great deal of usage up until the 1940s when it began to pick up popularity, mainly with Scottish and Irish families. The name entered the Top 100 in England and Wales in 1994 at #94 and peaked in 1997 at #69. As of 2010 the name ranks #133, with 448 births.  In Scotland the name has enjoyed more success, having peaked in 1999 at #35 and has stayed in the Top 100 for over a decade. In 2011 the name ranked at #98, with 62 births.

Famous Bearers:

* St Declan was an early Irish saint of Munster, thought to descend from Irish nobility. He is commemorated in Waterford.  * Declan Costello (1926–2011) was Attorney General of Ireland from 1973–1977 and later became a High Court judge.  * Declan MacManus (b.1954) is the given name of singer and musician Elvis Costello.  * Declan Affley (1939–1985) was a Cardiff-born Australian folk singer and musician. * Declan Donnellan (b.1953) is a British theatre director and writer.  * Declan Quinn (b.1957) is an Ireland-born American cinematographer; brother of actor Aidan Quinn.  * Declan Kidney (b.1959) is an Irish rugby union coach. * Declan Donnelly (b.1975) is part of well known presenting duo "Ant and Dec"

Variants:

Deaglán (Irish)

Pronunciation:

DEK-lən (UK) [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Dan, Dec, Del

Sibling Names:

Holly     Esme     Iona      Niamh      Erin     Orla Lewis     Finlay     Rory     Lucas     Elliott     Miles

Name Lists:

Cosy Celtic   Lively Lads   Saintly and Stylish

 

If you like Declan you may also like:   Lorcan, Dylan, Lachlan, Ciaran, Logan, Niall, Ronan, Keir, Lennon, Morgan

 

Finds from 1855

Some finds from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1855. 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.

Aeneas Hyppolite Alma Balaklava Alma Inkerman Alfred Tennyson Algernon Vane William Alpha Elhanan Alpha Henry Ebenezer Alphonsus Mary Joseph Alured Henry Amor Wood Auberey Beauchamp Pyemont Augustine Anselmo Bernard Blackburn Brian Theophilus Bringhurst Bell Caleb Gideon Charles Optimus Cornelius Elisha Constantine Eustace Damascus Patrick Dan Naphtali Daniel Nathaniel David Fox & Phineas Fox (twins) Demosthenes Josiah Devereaux Henry Doctor Counsell Duncan Dunbar Edric Adolphus Edward Cornelius Septimus Edwin Plato Enoch Obadiah Etherington Joseph Florence Isabella & Frederick William (twins) Frederic Crimea Hamlet Lyons Lorenzo Hannibal Charles Harrison Percival Herbert Archimedes Herbert Sympathy Horace Hercules Christopher Horatio Nelson Joseph Devonshire Godfrey & Sophia Thomasina Newenham (twins) Lazarus Barnaby Leicester John Theodore Marmaduke Christian Mathuselah Josiah Michelangelo Milton Melancthon Jerome Mozart James Nebuchadnezzar Nehemiah Eli Oliver Cromwell Orange (sn: Lemmon) Owen Glendwyr Papworth Lingo Philemon Charles Rashleigh Algernon Robert Edwin Agamemnon Rollo Orlando Dorling Saunders Valentine Sebastapol Edward Sherborne Marcus Stripling David Theodosius Adelbertus Traiton Albert Ulric Edmund Emmanue Vaniah William Shakespeare Woodbine Macrae Worthy James Gale Zadok Alma Zorobabel

Adrienne Victoria Alma Inkerman Alma Odessa Cordelia Alpha Emily Amicia Annette Anne Amarantha Kathleen Archidine Agnes Asenath Amanda Avisa Isabella Brook Balaklava Emily Bathsheba Priscilla Belissa Laura Clara Salvina Clarantania Adelaide Cleopatra Susanna Comfort Martha Crozette Harriett Drusilla Zenobia Elizabeth Ignatia England Adela Joanna Etheldra Jane Eudora Thomasine Martha Eunice Zana Evangeline Tryphena Fernande Antoinette Odette Marie Florence Caroline Artemisia Hume Florence Nightingale (x14) Gazelle Jane Grace Darling Helen Herodias Hephzibah Ann Alethea Hermione Octavia Courtenay Hester Ulrica Ismay Fanny Bernardine Jane Ambrosia Jessie Esperanza Juliet Desdemona Kerton Patience Lalage Gertrude Leontine Marie Liesetha Katharina Lindy Rosa Lizetta Eliza Emily Lucinda Ambrosine Mary Flavella Mary Scholastica Melanie Fanny Miranda Nancy Myra Eugenie Rosalind Naomi Huberta Narcissa Mary Nevillia Charlotte Anna Olley Amelia Ottilie Rose Minna Ozoroz Josephine Kate Pennel Jemima Phillis Sobraon Pleasure Jane Posthuma Grace Priscilla Aguila Robertina Sibilla Robina Albinia Rosina Sabina Sarah Theophila Saxton Elizabeth Selina Sophia Alina Selina Urena Sephora Eunice Sophronia Margaret Tempest Isabella Theodora Eugenia Providence Tamar Thirza Cleophea Tullia Virginia Undine Eleanor Fitzharding Zarah Alice Constantina Zeresh Zoah Louise

Patronymic Welsh Surnames

Up until the 16th century Welsh male names took the form  [first name] son of [father's name]. The "son of" element in Old Welsh was mab or map (which later became ap and ab) and changed with each generation. For example, the 12th century Welsh hero Rhys ap Gruffydd had a son called Maelgwn ap Rhys, who, in turn, had a son called Maelgwn ap Maelgwn. Women's names used ferch "daughter of" instead of ap "son of", as we can see with Rhys' daughters Angharad ferch Rhys and Gwenllian ferch Rhys. 

It was during the reign of Henry VIII that surnames in Wales became hereditary -- the fashion starting amongst the gentry and eventually spreading to the masses. Instead of a Welshman's name being deriving directly from their own father's name, the same surname was passed down through generations. Although it is worth noting that, even up until the 19th century, some people in Wales still took their father's first name as their surname. 

Welsh patronymic surnames generally take two forms: either with a genitive -s (such as Owens or Evans), or with the ab or ap element. The 'a' was dropped in vernacular speech leading to forms such as Bowen (ab Owen) and Powell (ap Hywel). 

Baddam Batho Beddow Bedward Bellis Benian Bethell Bevan Bevin Bevor Beynon Birrian Bithell

Boliver Bollen Bollin Bowen Brice Brobin Broderick  Buffrey Burian Daniels Davies Edwards Evans

Gettins Gittins Givens  Givons Griffiths Harris Hopkins Hoskins Howells Hughes Humphreys Jeffries Jenkins

Jennings Jevons Jones Maddox Matthews Nicholls Parbot Parry Pendry Penry Pernad Perry Phelps

Phillips Pomfrey Poskin Povah Povey Powell Predith Price Priddy Prichard Probert Prosser Protheroe

Prys  Pugh  Pullin Richards Roberts Rogers Rowlands Stephens Thomas Walters Watkins Wellings Williams