British Baby Names

Magical Spirits and Sprites

It's Hallowe'en! A time when, according to our pagan ancestors, fairies and spirits were able to enter into this world and walk among mortals.

Otherworldly spirits are an integral part of European folklore and mythology, dating back millennia. They were often dpited as powerful magical beings who could influence the lives of men. No wonder we can see their influence in the names we give to our children! Indeed, British parents have been bestowing and creating "spritely" names for centuries. 

 

Fairies

Our word 'fairy' comes from the Old French word faerie, which originally meant 'land of the fae,' but as of the late 14th century came to describe the magical beings. Fairy has been used as a unisex first-name in Britain since the 18th century, thanks to the surname Fairy, and not the supernatural beings. The surname is derived from the Old English fæger "fair, attractive" and ēaġe "eye." Although it started as unisex, by the end of the 19th century it was mostly feminine, most likely thanks to the Victorian fascination with fairies. 

It is thought that the name Fae or Fay originally derived from the Latin fata, used to refer to "The Fates." Fata is now used as an Italian cognate for Fairy, which can be particularly seen in the name Fata Morgana, the Italian name for Morgan Le Fay. Other cognates for "fairy" that are in use as names in other countries include Tien in Vietnamese, Aroni in Yoruba, Feya in Russian, Siofra in Irish, and Tündér or Tünde in Hungarian. 

In Persian folklore, peris, or paris, are very similar to European fairies. They are beautiful and immortal winged creatures who sometimes influence the lives of men. Several Persian names contain the element pari: Pari, Parisa "fairy like", Pareerou "fairy face" and Gulpari "rose fairy". 

There are also several famous fairies in literature and mythology that have inspired first-names. Tinkerbell, the creation of J.M. Barrie in Peter Pan, is perhaps one of the most famous and has seen some usage as a middle name in Britain. Shakespeare created several fay characters including Oberon, Titania, Puck and Ariel. Spenser used Gloriana and Tanaquill as the name of his Faerie Queene, and Florizel featured as Henry Beston's fairy prince. The "fairy opera" Iolanthe (1882) featured several fairy characters by the names of Iolanthe, Leila, Fleta and Celia (who also features as a fairy queen in Arthurian legend).

Irish and British mythology features a whole host of fairy characters. Aine/Aynia, Ainsel, Cliodhna, Doireann, Fionnbharr, Godda, Jeannie, Mab, Marga, Midir and Oona/Una are just a few. 

 

Elves

I've touched on the realm of Elves several times when discussing names, and it is no wonder given that there are simply dozens and dozens of elfin-inspired names. 

The Anglo-Saxons had a great reverence for elves. Their word, ælf, was used in a multitude of names -- particularly the old favourite Alfred. Other Old English "elf"-compounds included Algar, Alvin, Elvin, Elric, Alviva, Elfleda and Elfreda. The Norse and Germanic words, alfr and alf, were used the names Alf, Alfarinn, Alvarin, Alberic (Aubrey), Alfbern, Alfarr, Alfinn, Aldor, Alfvaldr, Gandalf, Alfwin, Alva, Alfrun and Alfhild.

The Gaelic Ailill (modern Oilill) "elf" was a very popular male name in early Ireland, with Ailillán and Aillén "little elf" as diminutives. Ailleann is a feminine form.

Famous elves are numerous. Tolkien provides a whole host of Elven names in his legendarium of Middle Earth, where many Elvish names are coined from his invented languages Quenya and Sindarin. Among the most famous are Arwen, Galadriel, Legolas, Thranduil, Tinuviel and Celeborn. 

 

Pixies

Pixies are small humanlike beings, known for being mischievous and fun-loving. They were particularly notable in Cornish and West Country folk-lore, where they are also known as piskies, suggesting the name is of Celtic origin. Some argue, on the other hand, that the term may have come from the Swedish pyske meaning "small fairy." The name Pixie has been growing in recent years thanks to the media coverage of Pixie Geldof, Pixie Lott (birth name: Victoria) and Dr Pixie McKenna (birth name: Bernadette). In 2011 Pixie ranked #432 (99 births) in England and Wales.

The similar sounding Nixie is a Germanic name (adopted in 1816 by Sir Walter Scott) for a water sprite. 

 

Water-Spirits

Being an island, its understandable that much of British folk-lore contains tales of mystical and mysterious sea-creatures. The most famous of these magical sea-beings is the mermaid, literally meaning "sea-maid." However, such creatures were rarely thought to embark onto land, so I'll save them for a later post. There are several other water spirits that were said to leave the sea to walk on land among men.

Selkies originate from Scottish folk-lore (but also found in Ireland and Iceland) where, especially in the Shetlands and Orkneys, it was believed that magical beings took the form of seals in the sea, but could transform into humans on land. Many legends survive in folklore involving men taking selkies for wives. The name Selkie (sometimes Silkie, Selky or Selchie) derives from the Scots word for a seal, and has occasionally been used as a first name. 

Kelpies are very similar in origin to the Selkie, though instead of taking the form of a seal, kelpies were thought to be water-horses who could take human form. The word Kelpie or Kelpy derives from the Scots cailpeach "colt."

Paracelsus created the term Undine for a water nymph in the 16th century, coined from the Latin unda "wave." Undines later entered Germanic folklore and literature, and eventually spread to Britain. According to legends they were prone to fall in love with mortal men. This helped them to gain a soul, but also led to the loss of their immortality. Undine, Undina and Ondine have all been used as feminine first names since the 19th century. 

 

Name of the Week

 

A sprightly continental form of steadfast Anne.

 

Origin:

Annika is a Scandinavian, Dutch and German diminutive of Anna, a Hellenised and Latinised form of the Hebrew Hannah.  Hannah is mentioned in the Old Testament as the mother of Samuel. Although the name only appears in one book of the Old Testament*, attributed to one character, it is closely related to the masculine name Hanani, which was borne by several Israelite figures and translates as "(God) has dealt graciously with me." Both names derive from the Hebrew חָנַן (hanan) meaning "show favour, to be gracious, grant mercifully, to be compassionate." Samuel's mother was most likely given this name because it is believed she was mercifully shown favour by God when she was finally able to conceive. The Hebrew word for "grace" or "favour" — which Hannah is often erroneously said to mean — is חֵן (hen): a related word but not, ultimately, Hannah's source.

Usage:

Anna, or Anne, first became popular as a name in the 14th century, when the cult of St Anna (St Anne in English) became widely established and flourished across Europe. St Anne is the traditional (and apocryphal) name of the mother of the Virgin Mary, and her popular veneration is the reason why Anna/e became one of the most popular feminine names in Europe by the 16th century.  Naturally, such a widely popular name led to a variety of diminutives. Annie and Nan were developed in Britain; Annette and Anouk in France; and Anoushka and Anya in Russia. Annika was a popular diminutive of Anna in Scandinavia, Germany and Holland — and, like most diminutives, it eventually became established as a name in its own right.  One of the earliest recorded forms of the name, found in a Swedish document from 1387*, is Anneken. This developed into Anneke, Annecke and Anneka, and all four were used throughout the 15th century in Scandinavian, Germany and Holland. The spelling Annika is now the most commonly used across Europe, reaching a peak its in popularity in Sweden in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.  Despite its popularity in Scandinavian and German-speaking countries, Annika was little used in Britain until the 1960s, growing to reach a peak in the 1980s. It has never been in the Top 100 in the UK charts but has maintained a steady usage in the last decade.  In 1996 in England and Wales, Annika ranked #1296 (14 births), Anika ranked #506 (52 births) and Anneka ranked #1222 (15 births). In 2002 Annika ranked #799 (31 births), Anika ranked #398 (83 births) and Anneka ranked #1245 (16 births). In 2011, Annika ranked #1043 with 33 births. Anika ranked #545 (76 births) and Anneka was #4764 (4 births).

Famous Bearers:

History: * Anneke Esaiasdochter, or Anna Jansz (1509—1539), a Dutch Anabaptist who was executed for heresy and later considered a Protestant martyr.  Contemporary: * Annika Sörenstam (b.1970), Swedish professional golfer. * Anneka Rice (b.1958), British presenter.  * Annika Reeder (b.1979), former British Olympic gymnast. Literature and Other Media: * Annika Settergren, a friend of Pippi Longstocking in Astrid Lindgren's children's books.  * Annika Hansen "Seven of Nine", a character in Sci-Fi series Star Trek Voyager.  * Princess Annika, the heroine in Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus. Other: * 817 Annika, asteroid discovered in 1912 by German astronomer Max Wolf.

Variants:

Anika, Anneka, Annica, Anka, Anica, Anniken

Pronunciation:

AN-i-ka  [key]

Possible  Diminutives:

Annie, Anya, Ina, Kia, Kiki, Nia, Nika, Nikki, Nina

Sibling Names:

Madelief     Celina     Ramona     Larissa     Theresa     Leonie  Ruben      Lucas     Jonas     Marcus     Roman     Matthias

Name Lists:

Slickly Continental

 

If you like Annika you may also like:   Maiken, Anya, Soraya, Bianca, Mariska, Linnea, Anezka, Amandine, Zoraida, Inka

 

Thanks to Maike for requesting Annika as this week's NotW. 

 

The Vinces of Downham

John Zadoc Vince, a coach builder and blacksmith, and Mary Ann Hudson lived in Downham, Norfolk from their marriage in 1842. They had six children, each with successively more adventurous names. 
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The Vince family on the 1881 census

 

1. John Orviss Solomon, born in 1846, was the couple's first child and only surviving son. 

2. Anna Maria, born in 1848, was the couple's eldest daughter, given two variants of her mother's names. 

3. Theresa Natal Maria Antoinette, was born in 1850, and set the pattern, for all the subsequent children, of having four given names. 

4. Lizzy Emile Clotilda Lizette was born in 1854. She was given the same name as an older sibling, born in 1852, who had died a year before her birth. She is listed as "Lizzy" or "Lizzie" on all census pages while living with her parents. Her marriage entry records her name as "Lizzy Amelia C. L." but appears on census records after marriage as "Emily."

5. Abigail was born in 1857. Her birth entry records her name as Abigail Bethuel Cleopatra Bernice. On the 1861 and 1881 census she is listed as "Abigail B. B. C." and "Abigail Bernice B. C." in 1871, indicating that her the order of names became mixed up at various points. 

6. Aletheia, born in 1860, was the couple's youngest child. Pinpointing her given name proves a little problematic. Her birth entry records Aletheia Eshtael Hazelepone Jochebed --- the second name is most likely the biblical place name Eshtaol, while the third is more commonly spelt Hazelelponi. By the time of her marriage, her name is listed as "Althea Athaliah Z. J." but by her death entry she is back to "Aletheia E. H. J."
Each census lists a slightly different name:

1861: Alethea E. J. 
1871: Allthea E. Z. J. 
1881: Althea A. Z. J.

Most likely the Z initial represents Zelelponi -- an occasional variant of Hazelelponi. It isn't clear if Eshtaol consciously changed to Athaliah or whether that was simply an error. 

 

Whimsical Word-Names

All names are words. Or, at least, they were once, even if the language they were used in is now extinct. That, after all, is the whole basis of etymology: to follow the route of a name or word back to its original form and meaning. Stella, Seren and Estelle mean "star," Noah means "motion," Saulė means "sun," (we could go on and on...) Even several English vocabulary words have had centuries of use, particularly the virtue words, and names of plants. 

The same premise could work in reverse, though doesn't in practice. All names are words, but not all words are names. Parents might just as easily look to a dictionary for inspiration, as a name book, and that is precisely what some intrepid parents do. Which brings us to this list.

The names selected below are all English vocabulary words that, while not at all commonly used, have all seen some usage as first names in Britain. (I haven't simply flipped through a dictionary for this one, I promise!)

Amazing Bijou Blaze Blessing Bliss Blizzard Bright Cadence Celestial Charisma Cherish Chiffon Cloud Cosmos Darling Dream Eclipse Ember Enigma Equinox Eternity Evening

Fable Fancy Favour Feather Fortune Galaxy Gift  Given Glow Golden Goodness Halo Happy Harmony Haven Heart Holy Humble January Judge Justice King

Lady Legend Litany Lord Loyalty Lucky Luxury Lyric Maverick Memory Merit Midnight Miracle Monday Moonbeam Moonlight Morning Noble November Ocean October Paradice

Peace Petal Praise Precious Pretty Pixie Prince Princess Promise Poem Purity Queen Quest Rain Rainbow  Rejoiced  Reverent Rhapsody Rogue Romance Season September

Serene Shadow Silky Silver Snow Snowflake Solace Solstice Sonnet Sparkle Starburst Starlight Storm Story Sunday Sunrise Sunset Sunshine Supreme Symphony Tempest Testimony

Thistle Thursday Truly Truth Tuesday Twilight Twinkle Unique Valiant Valour Velvet Victorious Victory Wave Weather Wednesday Whisper Winner Winsome Wisdom Wish Wonderful

Name of the Week

 

Much like Donald and Douglas, Desmond has moved beyond its 
Gaelic routes to become a homely familiar.

 

Origin:

Desmond originates as the name of a medieval Irish kingdom. Originally that area of the southern coast of Ireland made up part of the ancient Kingdom of Munster, but by 1118 the kingdom had fractured into three notable factions: Desmond, Thomond and Ormond. The original form of Desmond was Deas-Mhumhain, a name which literally translates as "South Munster." Thormond was Tuadh-Mhumhain, meaning "North Munster" and Ormond was Oir-Mhumhain, meaning "East Munster."

Usage:

Desmumhnach, meaning "man of Desmond," is a name listed in a late medieval Irish text as the ancester of a notable Cork clan. They took their surname from him: Ó Deasmhumhnaigh, which translates as 'descendant of the man from Desmond'. Both this surname and the place-name were anglicised as Desmond and now survive in the modern surname.  The modern (irregular) Irish form of the name is Deasún. There are no early examples of this form in Ireland, which suggests that it is a later translation of the anglicised Desmond. The first Baron of Desmond was John FitzThomas FitzGerald who received the title in 1259. He himself was of Cambro-Norman descent, and was the grandson of Maurice FitzGerald, a key supporter of the Norman invasion of Ireland. The 4th Baron Desmond, another Maurice FitzGerald, was created Earl of Desmond around 1329 and the family flourished prominently. Famously, Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond, rebelled against the Elizabethan government of the province in the Desmond Rebellions of 1569-1573 and 1579-1583. The title is currently maintained by the Earls of Denbigh. Alexander Feilding, 12th Earl of Denbigh and 11th Earl of Desmond (b. 1970) is the current holder of the title.  The place and the surname inevitably led to Desmond being used as a baptismal name. From the 17th century there are examples of Desmond used in Ireland as a first name, and it crossed the channel into the British Isles with steadily growing popularity. The 1841 UK census records 9 Desmonds, 4 of whom were either born in Ireland or born to Irish parents. By the 1861 UK census the number had risen to 26; it was 22 in 1871; 46 in 1881, and 76 in 1891. Interestingly, the clear association with the FitzGeralds of Desmond can be seen by the number of Desmonds with either FitzGerald as a surname or middle name.  A notable increase can be seen on the 1901 UK census when 235 Desmonds were recorded; 77% of whom were under the age of ten, and by 1911, the England and Wales census records 637 Desmonds. Desmond continued to rise steadily, finally hitting the top 100 in England and Wales in 1924 at #70 and was #88 in 1934. However, Desmond's time in the limelight was relatively brief, and by 1944 it was out of the top 100 and did not return thereafter. In 1996 the name ranked #1765 with 6 births. From that point on it it had a birth count between 6 and 14 until 2009 when it ranked #1133 with 22 births. In 2011 the name ranked #2039 with 10 births.  Desmond ranked once in Scotland in 2010 with only one birth.  In Northern Ireland, the name has a count of between 1 and 5 births from 1997 to 2011.

Famous Bearers:

Contemporary: * Desmond Llewelyn (1914—1999), Welsh actor, famous for playing "Q" in the James Bond films.  * Desmond Connell (b.1926), Cardinal Archbishop of Dublin. * Desmond Tutu (b.1931), South African archbishop and civil rights activist. * Des O'Connor, CBE (b.1932), British entertainer and presenter. * Des Lynam, OBE (b.1942), Irish-born television and radio presenter. Literature and Other Media: * Desmond (1792), a novel by Charlotte Turner in which the hero was named Lionel Desmond.  * Desmond Miles is a principle character of the Assassin's Creed series.

Variants:

Deasún (Modern Irish)

Pronunciation:

DEZ-mənd  [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Demi, Des, Desi, Donny

Sibling Names:

Gloria     Nancy     Pamela     Judith     Hazel     Vivienne  Clive     Winston     Stanley     Graham     Eugene     Wilfred

Name Lists:

Resurrected Retro    Clunky Celtic    Celtic Surnames   Gilbert & Sullivan Names

 

If you like Desmond you may also like:   Malcolm, Donald, Raymond, Leonard, Derek, Ronald, Bernard, Reginald, Gerald, Clifford

 

Thanks to Fran for requesting Desmond as this week's NotW.  

Sibling Spotlight for Blossom

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

1870s:  Hannah Joseph James Maria Alice Sarah Ann William Emily Kate Maud Caroline Blossom Beatrice    Edith  Daisy William Charles Marigold Mabel Blossom Snowdrop Arthur Rose Edward Herbert  Blossom Myrtle George Percival Florence Gwendoline Beatrice Maud Elsie Winifred    1880s: Daisy Rose Emily Alfred & Violet Elise (twins) John Colton May Annie Lily Alice Blossom Ethel Pansy Ada Hugh Cooper   Blossom Blight Olive Elizabeth Irene Martha Charles Arthur Philip John Wilfrid Blight Frederick George Robert John Dorothy Elaine Clifford    William Mansol Albert Benjamin Florence Annie Mary Gwendoline Dora Rhoda Constance Margaret Irene  Malcolm Athelstan F Lionel Noel D Blossom Ilonia E E     1890s: Francis Leonard "Frank" Henry "Harry" Cyril Archer "Archer" Blossom Ada Mabel Alice Percy Edward Charles Russell "Charley" Edith Elvina    Mabel Blossom Maggie Clarice Harold Ethel John Henry William   Ebenezer Henry Elizabeth  Albert "Bertie" John Frederick May Victoria Blossom Ethel Rose    1900s: Blossom Beatrice Winifed May "Winnie"   William Harry Lydia Minnie Daisy "Daisy" Matilda Lucy A Winifred Myrtle Gertrude Lily Sidney Victor Violet Victoria Blossom Irene Doris May Percy Maurice   Benjamin John Thomas Edward Robert Cecil Hannah Mary Mary Ann "Mamie" Hedley (b) Blossom 1910s: Blossom I A Jack Beresford    Violet L Blossom S Jessie R   1920s: William G Albert E Frederick C Elon R Joyce I M Freda D Leslie P L Rosa H Blossom B   George T John W Daisy Rose Frederick M Ivy B Blossom V O William J   Muriel I Blossom J Sybil J

1930s: Reginald F W Beryl G M Cynthia S Blossom S Melvyn C    Blossom Isaac    1940s: Robin G Patricia M Wendy J Blossom D Belinda C Glenys E Yvonne A Adrian J  1950s: Phyllis E Blossom E Helen I    Blossom A Basil A    1960s: Elaine I Sandra V Samuel Lloyd Blossom Elizabeth Eustace Anthony Cyril Claud     Blossom V Camalita L Pauline M  1970s:  Blossom Vanessa Carmel Josephine   Lorna Joan Blossom Lilian    1980s: Sholto Sidney Blossom Omega Rose Neptune (b) Paris (b) Trafalgar (b)  Fantasia Fuschia  Luxury Lupin (g) 1990s: Kane Joshua Blossom Cherelle   Apple Blossom Noa Jade Poppy Willow    Rosie May William Blue Poppy Molly Daisy Millie  Primrose Mary Blossom Lilly Beau Ian    Alexander Kelly Blossom Isabella   Mathilda Florence Edward Albert Blossom Tallulah    Bertie Sidney Archie Gabriel Blossom Lavender    Blossom Zoe Brittany Jem    Toby George T Dexter Aaron Q Trixie Amber A Rupert Oliver A Tarquin Gideon M Ebony Ida A C Tabitha Elizabeth C A Blossom Crystal C Quincy Rufus D Misty Sugar L Petal Rosie S Ainsley Zubin F Angel Verity D This family spans from 1988 to 2005 (when the Birth Index stops).   2000s: Blossom Beatrice Mimi Miranda   Eden Grace Blossom Ella Matilda Rose    Otto Paul F Blossom Perronelle    Blossom Clementina Santino Luca Ezio Valentino    Alfie Robert M M Blossom Toulouse K    Ophelia Eve Blossom Raffaella    Austin Anthony Ione Ann Oakley Albert & Blossom Mai (twins)    Hazel Katy Arwen Ivy Blossom Florence    Cadhla Christy Lily Aoife & Ruadan Orlando (twins) Blossom Odile  Ruby May Blossom Grace  Blossom Daisy-Jean Missie Violet-Jay Dougie-Blue

Name of the Week

One of the most upbeat and lively word-names around.

 

Origin:

Felicity is an English vocabulary word which is defined as 'intense happiness'* or 'bliss'. The word dates from Middle English, which came into use via the Old French felicite "happiness", and ultimately the Latin felicitas "happiness, fruitfulness," a variant of felix "happy, fortunate, fruitful, fertile".  In Roman mythology Felicitas was a goddess — the personification of happiness and good fortune— related closely to Eutychia, the Greek goddess of good fortune. She was often placed on Roman coins, depicted with a caduceus (a staff said to signify true virtue) and a cornucopia (which symbolised abundance and prosperity), and associated with Victoria "victory," Concordia "unity", Pietas "piety" and Fortuna "fortune."  The name was used again for two Roman Christian martyrs: St Felicitas (or Felicity) of Rome is an early 2nd century martyr, said to have been a charitable and pious woman and mother of the seven martyred brothers. Sts Perpetua and Felicitas (Felicity) are 3rd century Christian martyrs of Carthage who were put to death in the arena for refusing to renounce their faith. Unusually, a contemporary account of their trials survives. Most scholars believe it to be authentic, but several note the symbolic meaning of their two names combined — perpetual happiness: the ultimate reward for every martyr.

Usage:

Back in the Middle Ages, Felicity was a word but not a name (except in connection with the saints) — in fact, it didn't establish itself as a first name until the 16th century. The masculine Felix was also little used in the Middle Ages, despite its being borne by several saints. Felix's feminine counterpart, Felicia, however, was fairly prevalent at the time.  Felicia was the Latin form of the name, while the French and English vernacular forms were Felice, Felise, Felis or Phelis. The form Felice can also be found in medieval Italy where it as used as both a form of Felix and Felicia.  Redmonds* estimates it to have been among the top 30 most popular names in England from 1377—81, but as the centuries move on to the 16th century, it becomes progressively more difficult to distinguish the forms of Felice from the increasingly popular Phyllis (sometimes recorded as Philicia).  Felicity itself first became used in the 16th century at a time when "virtue" word names were in use. The name did not, however, see particularly high usage. Virtue names only made up a small percentage of the names used in the 16th and 17th century* and, of these, Charity, Grace, Mercy, Clemence, Faith, Fortune, Honour, Prudence and Patience were much more prevalent.  Although Felicity is a distinct name from Felicia, it would seem that some people recognised them as variants of one another. The poet Felicia Hemans (1793—1835), for example, was most likely named after her mother, Felicity Wagner, daughter of the Austrian and Tuscan consul to Liverpool. Felicity was still in low usage in the early 19th century, but gradually began to pick up usage, and finally became established in the early 20th century.  On the 1841 UK census 16 females were named Felicity; 17 named Felicite; and 7 named Felicita. Felicia was in much higher usage with a figure 199. By 1881 the figures had changed very little. 18 females are listed named Felicity on the census; 25 named Felicite; 3 named Felicita. Felicia, however, had risen to a figure of 386.  The Birth Index for England and Wales shows that Felicity's usage was patchy throughout the 19th century. 5 were regitered in the 1840s; 6 in the 1850s; 1 in the 1860s; 1 in the 1870s; 3 in the 1880s; and 5 in the 1890s. The turn-of-the-20th century begins to show a change, however. From 1901 to 1910 Felicity had at least one registration every year (3 births on average). A minor leap occured in 1913 when Felicity went from 3 registrations in 1912 to 21 registrations in 1913. The name continued to increase in usage, reaching its peak in the late 1940s, as we can see by looking at Felicity's birth count for the last year in each decade: 1929: 30 births 1939: 88 births 1949: 212 births 1959: 124 births 1969: 81 births  Though she has never been in the Top 100 in England, Wales or Scotland, the name has remained in consistent usage and is slowly on the rise again. In 1996 in England and Wales Felicity ranked #295 with 126 births. In 2002 it ranked #243 (165 births), and was #231 (215) in 2008. It broke into the Top 200 at #195 in 2010, and as of 2011, Felicity ranked #178 with a count of 289. In Scotland the name ranked #401 in 2011 with a birth count of 8.

Famous Bearers:

History: * St Felicity of Rome, 1st centuy martyr. * St Felicity, martyred alongside St Perpetua. * Dame Felicitas Corrigan, OSB (1908—2003), English Benedictine nun, author and humanitarian. * Princess Felicitas Cecilie Alexandrine Helene Dorothea of Prussia (1934—2009), German princess and great-granddaughter of Wilhelm II. * Air Commodore Dame Felicity Peake, DBE (1913—2002), founding director of the UK's Women's Royal Air Force. Contemporary: * Dame Felicity Palmer, DBE (b.1944), British mezzo-soprano.  * Felicity Kendall (b.1946), British actress. * Dame Felicity Lott, DBE (b.1947), British soprano. * Felicity Huffman (b.1962), American actress. * Felicity Urquhart (b.1976), Australian country singer. * Felicity Jones (b.1983), British actress. Literature, Other Media: * Felicity King, a character in L. M. Montgomery's novel The Golden Road (1913) which later formed the basis of the 90s TV series Road to Avonlea.  * Felicity (1998—2002), a US television series staring Keri Russell as Felicity Porter.  * Felicity "Flick" Scully, a long-running character on Australian television soap Neighbours, played by Holly Valance.

Variants:

Felice (Medieval), Felicia, Felicitas (Latin), Félicité (French), Felicidad (Spanish), Felicita (Italian) Felizitas (German)

Pronunciation:

fe-LIS-it-ee  [key]

Possible  Diminutives:

Effie, Fee, Flick, Fliss, Letty, Liccy, Lily, Liss, Lissa, Lissy , Tilly

Sibling Names:

Clementine     Eloise     Annabel     Jessamine     Lilia     Estelle  Tristan     Nicholas     Dominic     Gabriel     Sebastian     Nathaniel

Name Lists:

Vintage Names    Saintly & Stylish    Names from Enid Blyton

 

If you like Felicity you may also like:   Verity, Elodie, Cecily, Hermione, Theresa, Imogen, Penelope, Fleur, Violet, Leticia

 

Thanks to Saranel for requesting Felicity as this week's NotW. 

No "Sons" Allowed: Surnames with Feminine Nicknames

In the first post of this series (No "Sons" Allowed: Surnames from Feminine Names) I looked at surnames that were descended from feminine names which, unlike metronymic names (Betson, Meggison), did not contain the popular (if sometimes contentious) "son of" element. 

This installment endeavours to continue the search for "feminine friendly" surnames by concentrating on easily-derived potential nicknames. These surnames derive from neither specifically masculine or feminine first name (at least not unless it comes filtered through a place name) -- instead they hail from gender-neutral placenames, by-names and vernacular phrases. 

 

Abbadie

Abbadie is a surname that ultimately derives from the Latin abbatia meaning both "abbey" and "abbacy." The surname is used in both France and Britian and can also be found in the forms Abdy, Abdey, Abdie and D'Abbadie. The prevalent 'b' and 'd' sounds in this surname lends itself easily to both Abbie and Addie for nicknames. 
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Amberley

This surname comes from places in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Sussex: the latter of which even boasts an Amberley Castle. The origins aren't clear, but it is thought to mean "clearing by the river." Amber makes for an obvious diminutive, but Amy, Abbie and Allie would also work well. Amberley Station in Sussex actually uses the station code AMY. 
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Annesley

Annesley derives from the place-name Annesley, in Nottinghamshire, or Ansley, in Warwickshire. The aristocratic Annesley "anzlee" family hold the title of Earl Annesley among the Peerage of Ireland. Anne, Anna and Annie make for obvious nicknames. 
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Aveley

Technically this is a bit of a cheat. Aveley is a surname taken from a parish in Essex which itself means "Aelfgyth's clearing." Between Ava and Avery, Aveley feels very user-friendly. 
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Bellaby

Bellaby or Bellerby is a surname derived from the picturesque village of Bellerby in North Yorkshire. The second element is the Scandinavian by meaning "farmstead" or "village." Bellerby most likely means village of Belgr. Bella is the most intuitive nickname, but Bibi or Abby would also work.
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Bellamy

Bellamy derives from the Old French phrase bel ami, meaning "fair friend," which was brought over by the Normans. As with Bellaby, Bella makes an obvious diminutive, but the second part also gets us to Amy. 
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Bettany

The surname Bettany is taken from the plant name betony. Paul Bettany is a Hollywood namesake, while historian and broadcaster Bettany Hughes (pictured) has given it a distinctly feminine style. Bet, Betty, Benny and Tani are all possible diminutives. 
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Bonally / Bonamy

Bonally (or Bonnalie) is a Scottish surname derived from the Scots phrase bonnailie "good speed, farewell", ultimately derived from the Old French bon "good" and aller "to go." Similarly, Bonamy (and Bonnamy) derives from the Old French phrase bon ami "good friend." Sweet pet-name Bonny works for both names, while the second elements produce the names Ally and Amy. 
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Callaway

Callaway and Kellaway are both surnames, brought over by the Normans, from place-names in their homeland in Normandy. Calla, Kella or Kelly make for intuitive nicknames. 
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Consedy

Consedy is another surname that derives from an old French phrase. Originally Consedieu was a contracted form of commencer dieu "May God begin it." Consedy isn't a far in sound from Kennedy, a surname that has already seen usage as a first name, however, rather than giving the boyish Kenny, Consedy leads easily to Connie. 
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Delaney

A surname that originates as an Anglicised form of del Aunay or de Laulne. Both are found as several places in France and are thought to be derives from the Latin alnetum meaning "alder grove." The (currently very popular) name Laney would work as a nickname, as well as Della.
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Ellaby

Ellaby, or Ellerby, is from the Ellberby village in North Yorkshire. The place most likely means "Aelfweard's village". Both Ella and Ellie make intuitive nicknames. 
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Halliwell

Although some my think of the former Spice Girl, Halliwell is taken from several places that originally started life as "Holy Well." Hallie, Lily and Willa could all work as diminutives. 
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 Jennery

Jennery is a variant of the surname Janaway or Janeway, which originally started out in the 13th century as Geneva or Genewy meaning "of Genoa." Jenna, Jenny, Jerry and Neri would make for good nicknames.
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Kemmery / Kembery

Kemmery, Kembery and Cambrey are all surnames meaning "of Cambrai." Kim, Kemmie or Cammie all seem reasonable short forms. 
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Merriden

Meriden is a village just outside of Coventry: the source of the surname Merriden. Merry, Mirry and Minnie make for obvious nicknames and the name itself isn't a world away from Meredith. 
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Merrilees / Merrylees

Merrilees is a Scottish placename, hailing from West Lothian. Etymologically, its meaning comes from Old English myrge "pleasant" and laese "pasture." As with Merriden, Merry and Mirry work nicely, as well as Millie and Missy. 
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Romilly  

Romilly can be found in the names of several places in France, from which we get the surname. Ultimately, the place-names derive from the Roman name Romulus. Romy, Remy, Milly and Molly would all make for easily-derived nicknames. 
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Willacy

The surname Willacy comes from Willersey, a village in Gloucestershire. Willa is hot-property as a hip and sleek name at the moment; Lacey is already a Top 100 favourite. Between them, Willacy seems like a short leap. 

 

Finds from 1860

A selection of names from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1860. All are first names and middle names — the surnames are not included unless indicated by 'sn' — and have been checked against other records for accuracy.

Abimelech David Alpha Omega Arthur Leofric Jechonias Arthur Wellesley Wellington Waterloo Aubrey Lancelot Arthur Augustus Archelaus Charles Fortunatus John Conrado Angel Cyrus Sylvester Doctor Butterworth Edward Honoratus Einion Ienan Rhiwallon Eleazar Solomon Ethelfred Thomas Faithful George Francis Genesis Garibaldi Isadore* Hargrave Vernon Dolman Harry Prospero Heinrich Constantine Conrad Henchman Pedgrift Honesty William Hugh Hughes (sn: Humphreys) Isaac Achilles James Jubal John Angel James Marchmont Murray Reginald Grasett Stanhope Plantagenet Marmaduke Archdeacon Lee Marwood Albion John Melancthon Thomas Millichamp Leonard John Mortimer William David Christopher Nelson Trafalgar Noble Simon Lynn Oliver Xenophon Olipherts Eyre Othniel Daniel Pelham Augustus Polesden Quito Reginald Prince Tressilian Albert Edward Raleigh Gilbert Ridley Augustus River Jorden Silk Seaton Tertius George Paul Turbeville Blackburrow Wellwood Silas Winter  Wolstan Oswald

Abijah Mary Agnes Justinia Albertina Chlorinda Alphena Marana Elizabeth Asenath Mellina Axelia Lois Christophina Margaret Diehappy (sn: Badger) Edith Venus Eglantine Eleanor Mary Catherine Elizabeth Elliss Eleanor Ellen Almeida Epsey Ann Etheldred Ella Henrietta Ethelfleda Jessie Caroline Eugenie Modeste Evadne Charlotte Exina Jane Garibalda Sicilia Republicana* Goda Isobel Gundrede Annette Teresa Hadassah Leonilda Happy Knights (same name as mother) Helen Rosalie Alexandrina Hopestill Eliza Jabez Wesley & Rosa Hephzibah (twins) Lissy Levina Loyalty Ann Maria Eva Volturna Annitta Maud Mona Mellentina Newria Morigan Harriet Olive Zillah Paradice Peninnah Olive Rosalthe Rosina Bathsheba Serena Marintha Sexta Rose Sinetta Jemima True Love Ursuline Susan Venus Pandora Verona Mary  Virgilia Iris Zara Frederica Zedarena  Zelma Ada

* In this year, several children were given the name Garibaldi. This coincides with his Campaign of 1860, which recieved a great deal of news coverage.

 

Name of the Week

 

Affable and urbane: Jasper is, quite literally, a gem of a name. 
With a steady upward curve, its also a fashionable choice.

 

Origin:

An anglicised form of Casper, the traditional name given to one of the three wise men of the Nativity. Its origins are obscure, but the most convincing theory is that it derives from the Persian khazāndār meaning "treasurer" — a highly appropriate name for a gift-bearing Magi.  Jasper is also the name of a semi-precious stone, in use in this form from at least the 13th century, which derives from the Greek ἴασπις iaspis.

Usage:

Originally, the bible gave no number to the Magi of the Nativity. The earliest record of the three wise men (Jasper, Melchior and Balthazar) dates from Ravenna in the 6th century, and this became the accepted number and names of the Magi in Christian tradition. In later centuries, the three figures were used to symbolise the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa — Jasper was Europe's representative.  Their supposed remains were moved from Constantinople to Milan in the 4th century, and from Milan to Cologne in the 12th century. Since that time, the name was used quite popularly in France (the French form Gaspard is currently in France's Top 100) and also spread to Germany where it was also popular. Some early examples of Jasper used in Britain suggest they were French or German descendants: a Jasper Grondmon living in York in 1437 is recorded as "of Prucia" [sic].  Jasper has never been common in Britain, but it did find local popularity in Yorkshire when it was used by resident gentry families in the late 15th century through to the 17th. Other individual examples in the gentry can be found in other counties, such as Jasper More (1547—1613) of Larden Hall in Shropshire (whose grandchildren were shipped to America on the Mayflower). It is possible that the ascendancy of the Tudor dynasty helped to influence its use. Jasper Tudor, 1st Duke of Bedford, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1431—1495) was half-brother to Henry VI, uncle to Henry VII and a prominent figure in the Wars of the Roses.  The name picked up usage in the 18th and 19th century, averaging around 35 births per year during Victoria's reign. The 1841 UK census records 1,202 men named Jasper: 93% of whom were living in England, 6% in Scotland and 1% in Wales. By the 1881 UK census, Jasper has a very consistant figure of 1,408, and by 1901 there were 1,538 Jaspers (90% in England, 6% in Scotland, 4% in Wales).  Of the total births in 1890 in England and Wales, Jasper ranked #230 (39 births), which had fallen slightly to #253 (33 births) in 1900.  The name declined in the 40s, 50s and 60s, but since the 1990s Jasper has been gradually rising in a steady upward curve in England and Wales. In 1996 the name ranked #284 with 94 births. It had risen to #239 in 2000 (124 births); was #195 (213 births) in 2005, and #152 (389 births) in 2010. In 2011 the name ranked #138 with 453 births. In Scotland the name ranked #275 (13 births) in 2010 and #349 (9 births) in 2011. In Northern Ireland, the name has not had a count of more than 3 births from 1997 to 2011.

Namesakes:

History: * Jasper Tudor, 1st Duke of Bedford, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1431–1495), son of Owen Tudor, half-brother to Henry VI, and uncle to Henry VII. * Jasper More (1613–1620), passenger on board the Mayflower — grandson of Jasper More (above). * Jasper Mayne (1604–1672), British clergyman, poet and dramatist. * Jasper Francis Cropsey (1823–1900), notable American landscape artist.  * Jasper "Jack" Daniel (1849–1911), founder of Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey distillery. * Sir Jasper More (1907–1987), MP and author.  Contemporary: * Jasper Carrott OBE (b.1945), British comedian. * Jasper Conran (b.1959), British fashion-designer. * Jasper Fforde (b.1961), British novelist. * Jasper Britton (b.1962), British actor.   Literature and Film: * Jasper Hale is a character in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series. Other: * Jasper is the name of several cities and counties in America. * Six ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Jasper.

Variants:

Caspar (Latin), Casper (Scandinavian), Kaspar (German), Gaspard (French), Jesper (Danish), Gaspare (Italian), Kacper (Polish), Siasbar (Welsh)

Pronunciation:

JAS-pə  [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Jas, Jay, Jazz, Jep, Sep

Sibling Names:

Penelope    Beatrix     Ada    Perdita     Amabel     Verity  Barnaby     Felix     Tristan     Rupert     Theodore     Edmund

Name Lists:

Vintage Names  Upright Elegance   Victorian Darlings   Gorgeously Georgian   Gemstones   Names of Roses

 

If you like Jasper you may also like:   Judah, Asher, Jonas, Giles, Hector, Jonty, Thaddeus, Lucius, Everett, Aubin