British Baby Names

Name of the Week

If Ariel is either too Disney princess
or masculine Shakespearean
sprite for your taste, why not try underused, vintage Oriel?

 

Origin:

Oriel was first used as a variant of the Germanic Aurildis aus "fire" and hild "battle," which became Orieldis, and in the hands of the Normans Orielda, Oriolda, Oriholt, Oriold and Oriel.  In latter centuries, Oriel became confused with, and used as a variant of, Auriol, related, via Aurelia, to aureole (from the Latin aureolus "golden"). From the same route derives Oriole, the name of a songbird with golden plumage, which was adopted as a given name in the 20th century.  Oriel is also found in Oriel College, Oxford, which taks its name from Old French oriol "hall, vestibule, porch."

Usage:

The earliest examples found of Oriel in Britain date back to the early 13th century. For example, there are several mentions of Oriolda (or Oriolt / Orieta) de Ainderby, wife of William le Bret, in the Yorkshire Curia Regis Rolls from 1205-08. She appears to have been named for her grandmother. Around the same time, we also find record in the same area of Oriolda, wife of Thomas Crawe.  The name was certainly used enough to create the surname Oriel, which dates back as early as the 1276 London Letter Books featuring a Roger Oriel.  By the 17th century, Oriel was rare and mostly confused with Auriol. Its more frequent use as a masculine name may be thanks to adoption of the surname Oriel, or confusion with the biblical Uriel. In some cases, it may have been due to Oriel College — the Oriel Noetics were moderate freethinkers and reformers within the Church of England in the 19th century, associated with Oriel College.  At the beginning of the 20th century, Oriel was still predominantly masculine in use, but gradually shifted back to feminine use by the end of the century. Below is a breakdown of number of instances of Oriel, Auriel and variant spellings on UK census records: 1841: 3 (100%) 1851: 4 (100%) 1861: 19 (90%, 10%) 1871: 09 (89%, 11%) 1881: 26 (73%, 27%) 1891: 29 (62%, 38%) 1901: 56 (55%, 45%) 1911: 80 (39%, 61%) From that point, Oriel gradually increased in usage — now mostly used for girls. It peaked in the 1930s, and declined again thereafter, as we can see from birth registrations for the name in England and Wales: 1910-9: 41 1920-9: 65 1930-9: 103 1940-9: 80 1950-9: 38 1960-9: 27 1970-9: 20 1980-9: 18 Since 1996, Oriel has only ranked six times in England and Wales: 2003 (4 births), 2005 (3 births), 2006 (5 births), 2007 (3 births), 2010 (4 births) and 2012 (5 births), #4171).

Famous Bearers:

Namesakes:  * Oriel Gray (1920–2003), award winning Australian dramatist and playwright. * Oriel Malet (b.1923), pen name of author Lady Auriel Malet Vaughan. Literature and Other Media: * Oriel, the fiesty yet tragic heroine of the 1905 opera, La Ronde des Saisons, by Joseph Hansen and Charles Lomon. Other: * Oriel College, a college of Oxford University. * Oriel, an anglicised name of the ancient kingdom of Airgíalla in North East Ireland.

Variants:

Auriel, Auriol, Oriole

Pronunciation:

OR-ee-əl [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Leo, Lori, Ola, Ora, Ori, Orry, Elle, Rio

Sibling Names:

Arwen     Petra     Viola     Junia     Clover     Vita   Otto     Ezio     Virgil    Matteo     Arlo     Tiago

Name Lists:

N/A

 

If you like Oriel you may also like:   Orla, Coral, Elora, Liora, Leonor, Marisol, Idony, Leola, Zofia, Aurelie

 

Thanks to Emma for requesting this post. 

Births announced in The Times, 1984

Below are a selection of birth announcements from The Times newspaper that were published in 1984.

Alaric John Roydon Alasdair Frederick Murray Alec Thomas James Alexander Oliver Henry Alister Gray Ambrose Thomas Edward Angus Francis Hugh Angus Sebastian Lawson Archibald Hugh Wellesley Archie Alexander Avrum Ashley Barnabas Noel Knyvett Barnaby Guy Barnaby Ralph Benedict Paul Patrick Brynmor Edward Casper Hendrik Charles Henri Ferdinand Charles Henry Benoit Conrad Maurice Crispin Thomas Belford Daniel Yehuda Dickon Christopher John Dominic James Duncan Kenneth Antoine Duncan Oliver Richard Edmund Clive Edward Julian Stefan Edward Oliver Elliot Nicholas Fabian George Appleby Fergus Robert Francis Linus Frederick Cosmas Gabriel Simon Rhodes George Roger Bertie Giles Nicholas Guy Luke Guy Thomas Donald Harry Desmond Henry Roland Gilbert Hugh Roderick Oliver Hugo Alexander Harvey Hugo Guy Pierre Hywel Elbourne Iskander Luke James Bertholomew Jaspar Benedict John Rodger Jago Jonah Alexander Julian Alejandro Julian Aubrey Harcourt Leofric Roy Leo Maximilian Luke Augustine Bowie Marcus Cesare Charles Mark Anthony Charles Edward Max Harvey Maxim Rhodri Maxwell Frederick Merrik David Merrick William Mervyn Mervyn Lance Mostyn Henry James Mungo Peter Nathaniel Peter Nicholas James Gruffydd Nicholas Leander Oliver Max Orlando Engell Peter Socrates Philip Bede Piers Otto Quentin Philip Patrick Ralph Adam Ramsay Allan Randolph Fairfax Raphael Alexander David Richard Alexis Roderick Charles Rohan Grey Roland John Paul Rory Alexander James Rory Frederick Rowan John Ruaridh Richard Rufus John Rupert Ash Sebastian Tobias Theodore Peter Donald Tobias James Toby Alastair Struan Tristan Mark Arthur Uther Edward Walter John Francis William Dominic Xavier Alwyn Zachary Vernon

Agnes Mary Aleida Florence Alexandra Atalanta Alice Amicia Alix Laura Allegra Mary Amelia Charity Anastasia Ximena Annabel Rose Maria Francesca Annis Evelyn Antonia Kestrel Arabella Katherine Maude Ariella Clare Arwen Irene Ingrid Audrey Claire Augusta Mary Aurelia Jayne Louise Beatrice Mary Annunciata Bonnie Juliet Calantha Camilla Ceridwen Rowley Camilla Prudence Maud Candida Pleasance Caroline Solveig Cecily Benedicta May Celia Anemone Claudia Hermione Clementina Jane Clementine Poppy Clover Consola Clemency Constance Clemency Jane Bennett Coralie Elisabeth Cordelia Caroline Rosa Cressida Flora Kate Daisy Annabel Dorothy Alice Edwina Frances Eliza Margarita Eloise Frances Leonora Elsbeth Hazel Beatrice Elvira Rose Elysia Laura Flavia Beatrix Angelica Fleur Alana Mary Flora Rayne Victoria Florence Zelma Francesca Antigone Rosalind Genevieve Daisy Ghislaine Florence Greer Siobhan Gytha Katherine Harriet Stella Hawys Elizabeth Heloise Francoise Mathilde Hermione Beatrice Hester Sophia Ilana Henrietta Ilona Margaret India Jess Isobel Victoria Rosamira Jemima Margaret Josephine Zara Juliet Lucie Juliette Jeanette Lara Nicola Olga Leah Eleanor Jessamy Leilah Frances Mary Leonara Clare Lucinda Octavia Lucy Persephone Frances Martha Genevieve Alice Miranda Christabel Julia Morwenna Elizabeth Octavia Georgina Ondine Sara Oriel Rosalie Tess Orlanda Clare McGregor Penelope Megan Joyce Phillippa Jane Scarlett Polly Valentine Pollyanna Jean Poppy Jane Rhian Catriona Romilly Mary Romy Alexandra Rosalind Trevena Rosamund Gwendoline Rosanna Florence Rose Dorothy Rosemary Lorna Rowena Mary Sabine Elisabeth Sapphira Nadine Summer Peta Sylvia Louise Poppy Tara Feodora Thea Clare Thomasin Anne Turia Mary Ursula Diana Venetia Anabelle Louise Verity Jane Damaris Zoe Isabel Isolda Zuleika Renee

For reference, here are the 30 most popular names in England and Wales in 1984 compared with the most popular names announced in The Times in that year: 

Top 30 names in England and Wales, 1984				.	Top 30 names in The Times, 1984
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30	CHRISTOPHER JAMES DAVID DANIEL MICHAEL MATTHEW ANDREW RICHARD PAUL MARK THOMAS ADAM ROBERT JOHN LEE BENJAMIN STEVEN JONATHAN CRAIG STEPHEN SIMON NICHOLAS PETER ANTHONY ALEXANDER GARY IAN RYAN LUKE JAMIE	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30	SARAH LAURA GEMMA EMMA REBECCA CLAIRE VICTORIA SAMANTHA RACHEL AMY JENNIFER NICOLA KATIE LISA KELLY NATALIE LOUISE MICHELLE HAYLEY HANNAH HELEN CHARLOTTE JOANNE LUCY ELIZABETH LEANNE DANIELLE DONNA KATHERINE CLARE		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30	JAMES THOMAS ALEXANDER EDWARD NICHOLAS WILLIAM CHARLES  CHRISTOPHER DAVID OLIVER RICHARD HENRY JOHN ROBERT JONATHAN ANDREW MATTHEW MICHAEL GEORGE BENJAMIN  HARRY DANIEL SAMUEL PETER TIMOTHY ADAM JACK MARK JOSEPH PATRICK	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30	SARAH CHARLOTTE LUCY KATHERINE SOPHIE VICTORIA EMILY ALEXANDRA  ELIZABETH LAURA EMMA JESSICA ALICE HARRIET OLIVIA ANNA CATHERINE CAROLINE ELEANOR RACHEL  HANNAH CAMILLA AMY GEORGINA  CLARE KATE HELEN JOANNA NICOLA  REBECCA

If all the spellings of Katherine were added together, it would make the #1 name for girls in The Times for 1984.

It is interesting to note that current 2012 top 10 favourites, Harry, Oliver, Jack, Amelia, Olivia, Jessica, Emily and Sophie, all ranked higher in The Times '84 rankings than the rankings for the whole of England and Wales in 1984.

Olivia, Camilla, Harry and Henry did not rank nationally in the Top 100 in 1984, despite ranking in The Times' top 30. 

 

UK Birth Announcements 18/11/13 - 24/11/13

A compilation of names from BAs announced in this week's newspapers, including two national papers (Times, Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales and Scotland.

Sibling names are in brackets.

 

Boys:

Alexander David William (Rebecca)

Alfie Jared

Archibald "Archie" Patrick

Archie Ray (Lily-Ann)

Archie Thomas

Arthur William Lin (Henry Charles)

Benjamin Antony

Bobby Patrick

Brannon (Brooklyn - brother)

Charles William

Digby Benedict Anthony

Douglas James

Dylan John 

Edward Flynn Thomas (Isabelle)

Edward Frederick (Henry Nicholas)

Ennis James

Euan Zefram (Catherine Hope, Lydia Louise, Hannah Maria, Noah James, Louis & Amelie Christy)

Felix Lysander

Fletcher Joseph

Freddie Finley

Frederick "Freddie" Anthony William

Frederick Arthur (India Rose)

Frederick Cox (Alexander)

George Robert

Harley Traill 

Harrison Francis David (Benjamin Thomas Ritchie)

Henry Thomas

Hugo William Aubrey (Eloise & Avalie)

Isaac Andrew (Evie)

Isaac James (Joseph George)

Jack Christopher

Jack Nicholas Alan

James Martin Piero

Kobe James (Sonny Robert Arnold)

Lucas Jay (Tobi John)

Murray Kennedy

Oliver Finley 

Patrick William

Phillip Stephen 

Reuben David (Logan)

Seth Ellis (Kit Elliot)

Stanley Alexander Philip

Ted William (Besse Dora & Elsie Rose)

Theo Benjamin George

Theodore "Theo" James Marco (Harry David Andrew)

Thomas Euan

William Francis

William Michael 

 

Girls:

Abigail Mara

Adeline Rose

Alice Rosemary (Maisie)

Amelia Mae

Annabelle Freya 

Ariana Joy

Ashleigh Helen

Ava Naomi (Isaac)

Ava Sofia

Beau Martha

Caitlin May (Elliot & Imogen Belle)

Cruise (Cole -brother)

Daisy Alice Kathleen (Harley Andrew)

Elsie Grace (Jacob Tomas)

Emilia "Millie" Beatrice 

Emily Ginny (Corey James)

Evie Louise (Jasmine & Olivia)

Fleur Sophia (Thomas James)

Florence Ruth Adventure Helen (Sophie Jocelyn Irene)

Freya Rose

Gemma Elizabeth Rose (Thomas & James Richard)

Grace Louise

Harriet Jade (Macie)

Imogen Rose

Indigo Rae

Iris Margaret

Isabel Margaret Rose

Isla Niamh (Erin & Emelia Lexie)

Isla Sophia (Erin Grace)

Josephine Mary Aurelia

Lilly Rose

Lucille Rachel 

Lucy Elaine

Mabel Theodora

Mariella "Mia"

Marina Iris Maud (Zinnia Alice Victoria)

Marti Georgia

Mia Philippa

Mina Jaime (Alex James)

Mollie Florence

Olivia Georgina (Isla)

Phoebe Mae Joy

Poppy May (Isabelle & Maimie Lily)

Quinn Rosie

Sophie Alice (Olivia Chloe)

Sophie Anne Frances

Sophie Marie (Caitlin)

Sophie Olivia 

Tabitha Beatrice (Martha Harriet)

Tabitha Esme

 

Twins:

Alfie & Jake

Cecily & William 

Felix & Hugo

Lucas Franklin & Thomas James (Daisy Kate)

 

 

Name of the Week

 

Stately and scholarly Ignatius has been rare for decades,
but can its refined style ignite a revival?

 

Origin:

Ignatius is a later form of Egnatius, a name of one of the Roman gens. The origin of Egnatius is uncertain – it is predominantly presumed to be Etruscan in origin – but at some point the spelling was altered thanks to an assumption that it derived from the Latin ignis "fire."

Usage:

St Ignatius of Antioch (fl. 1st century) was the third Bishop of Antioch, and a student of John the Apostle, who was widely venerated within the Eastern Orthodox Church and later the Roman Catholic Church. Much of the early use of the name, especially in Spain and Russia, was thanks to his cult.  Another influential saint to bear the name was Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Jesuits. He was born Íñigo López de Loyola but later came to be known as Ignatius. The origin of Íñigo itself is disputed. Some maintain that Íñigo is the Basque form (Loyola is situated in the Basque Country) of Ignatius, whereas others support the idea that Íñigo is the Spanish form of the Basque name Eneko "my little one," which is thought to also be the route of the Provencial Jenico. What we do know is that, in his letters, the saint first signed his name as Íñigo, but later (after 1537) letters in Spanish were signed Íñigo and letters in Italian or Latin were signed Ignacio (Ignatius). This suggests that either Íñigo himself adopted a more familiar name when travelling and corresponding across Europe (as Íñigo would have been unknown outside of Spain) or that copyists later interpreted Íñigo as Ignatius and changed the form to suit.  Either way, from that point on Íñigo and Ignatius became linked, and it is thanks to Ignatius of Loyola that both names spread across Catholic countries. Ignace in France and Ignatz in Germany became quite common. Ignatius has also been the first name of all the the Syrian Catholic Patriarchs of Antioch since the 15th century. In Britain, however, both Ignatius and Inigo were confined mostly to Catholic families in the 16th century, such as Welsh-born architect Inigo Jones (1573–1652). In the late 19th century, the Tractarian movement helped influence the use of the name beyond Catholic families, though usage of the name was by no means common. Birth registrations for the name Ignatius in England and Wales are as follows: 1840-9: 31 1850-9: 49 1860-9: 58 1870-9: 79 1880-9: 93 1890-9: 84 1900-9: 78 1910-9: 42 1920-9: 53 1930-9: 21 1940-9: 5 1950-9: 17 Since 1996, Ignatius has only ranked eight times: 1997 (#2859, 3 births), 1999 (#2934, 3 births), 2000 (#3036, 3 births), 2004 (#1878, 8 births), 2009 (#3744, 4 births), 2010 (#3865, 4 births), 2011 (#4647, 3 births) and 2012 (#3987, 4 births). Though it is rare, the fact that it has ranked consecutively for the last four years perhaps suggests that Ignatius is ready to make more regular appearances in nursuries.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35–117), third Patriarch of Antioch, considered a saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. * Ignatius of Constantinople (c. 797–877), Patriarch of Constantinople, considered a saint by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. * Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556), founder of the Society of Jesus, considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. * Ignatius of Laconi (1701–1781), Capuchin friar, considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. * Ignatius Sancho (1729–1780), British writer. * Ignatius Bonomi (1787–1870), British architect. * Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807–1867), Russian Orthodox saint, bishop and ascetical writer. * Ignatius Scoles (1834–1896), British architect, priest and writer. * Sir Ignatius Chirol (1852–1929), journalist, author, historian and British diplomat. Contemporary: * Ignatius Jones (b. 1957), Australian singer and producer. Celebrity Babies: * Ignatius Upton (b.2008), son of Cate Blanchett. Other: * 3562 Ignatius, a main-belt asteroid.

Variants:

Iñaki (Basque), Ignasi (Catalan), Ignác (Czech), Ignaas (Dutch), Ignace (French), Ignatz (German), Ignác (Hungarian), Ignazio (Italian), Ignas (Lithuanian), Ignacy (Polish), Inácio (Portuguese), Ignacio (Spanish)

Pronunciation:

ig-NAY-shəs [key]

Possible diminutives:

Iggy, Gus, Nash, Nate

Sibling Names:

Octavia     Candida     Imelda     Leonora     Magdalen     Clarissa  Barnaby     Ptolemy     Augustine    Peregrine     Jovian     Prosper

Name Lists:

Resonant Roman   Upright Elegance   Gothic Victoriana

 

If you like Ignatius you may also like:   Inigo, Octavius, Aloysius, Lazarus, Constantin, Atticus, Thaddeus, Severin, Leonidas, Xavier

 

Thanks to Ebony for requesting Ignatius.

Names from Doctor Who

The British cult classic, Doctor Who, is turning 50 this weekend. The show was first broadcast at 5.15pm on Saturday 23 November, 1963. It ran for 26 years, across seven Doctors, until it was finally rested before a brief reprisal for a one-off film spin-off featuring an eighth Doctor in 1996. It was fully restored to full glory in 2005 and has been going from strength to strength ever since.

According to the Guinness World Records it is both the longest running and most successful science-fiction series in the world, now watch in 206 different countries worldwide, with an audience of around 80 million. 

 

Doctors

Doctor Who would be nothing without the great actors who have portrayed the man over the years. In order they were as follows:

1. William Hartnell (1963–1966)
2. Patrick Troughton (1966–1969)
3. Jon Pertwee (1970–1974)
4. Tom Baker (1974–1981)
5. Peter Davison (1981–1984)
6. Colin Baker (1984–1986)
7. Sylvester McCoy (1987–1989) 
8. Paul McGann (1996)
9. Christopher Eccleston (2005)
10. David Tennant (2005–2010)
11. Matt Smith (2010–2013)

Companions

The companions have also always been a crucial part of the Who series. They reflect the feelings of the viewer, act as a foil for the Doctor's zainy-ness and (more importantly here) have had some influence over general trends in names. Often the names chosen for the companions were already up-and-coming making them feel modern and contemporary for their own time.

The names of the companions are as follows:

Susan Foreman – Portrayed by Carole Ann Ford, Susan was the Doctor's first companion from 1963-64. Her name was highly appropriate for the time, having been #1 in England and Wales in both 1954 and 1964.

Ian Chesterton

Barbara Wright

Vicki 

Steven Taylor

Katarina

Sara Kingdom

Dorothea "Dodo" Chaplet

Polly

Ben Jackson

James "Jamie" McCrimmon – 18th century Scotsman James "Jamie" Robert McCrimmon was a companion of the Second Doctor from 1966-69. In 1964, before McCrimmon's screen debut, James was at its lowest point in the 20th century at #19. By 1974 however it had risen again to #7. Jamie itself didn't rank at all in 1964 (or previously) but by 1974 was up at #45. 

Victoria Waterfield – Deborah Watlings' Victoria was a companion of the Second Doctor from 1967-68. Though Victoria did not rank at all in the Top 100 of England and Wales in 1964, it was #18 by 1974 after the character's tenure.

Zoe Heriot – Zoe, portrayed by Wendy Padbury, was yet another of the Second Doctor's companions from 1968-69. Previously, in 1964, Zoe had not ranked in the Top 100 at all. By 1974, however (much like Jamie and Victoria), it had rocketed up to #30. 

Liz Shaw

Jo Grant

Sarah Jane Smith – Elisabeth Sladen joined the Tardis crew in 1973 alongside the Third Doctor. At the time, Sarah was at an all time peak, ranking #1 in 1974 and 1984. 

Harry Sullivan – When Harry (Ian Marter) joined the Fourth Doctor in 1974, Harry was well out of the Top 100. It did not return again until 1994. 

Leela

Romana (I & II)

Adric

Nyssa – Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) joined the Fourth and Fifth Doctors from 1981 to 1983. Only two women were registered with the name in England and Wales from 1900 to 1980. Between 1981 and 1983 alone, however, over 50 Nyssas were registered.

Tegan Jovanka

Perpugilliam "Peri" Brown

Melanie "Mel" Bush 

Dorothy "Ace"

Grace Holloway

Rose Tyler – Billie Piper's vivacious Rose, dashed onto our screens in the revival of 2005 as the Ninth, and later Tenth, Doctor's assistant up until 2010. In 2004, Rose was #146 in England and Wales. By 2005 it was #123, and broke the Top 100 in 2007 at #95. It currently sits at #78.

Mickey Smith

Captain Jack Harkness

Martha Jones – When Rose Tyler departed, Freema Agyeman's Martha stepped into her shoes from 2007 to 2010 as the Tenth Doctor's companion. In 2006, Martha had just broken the top 100 at #96 and it has been rising since, currently ranking at #77. 

Donna Noble

Wilfred Mott

Amelia "Amy" Pond – Karen Gillan joined the show in 2010 as the newly regenerated Eleventh Doctor's fiesty companion Amelia "Amy" Pond. Though she prefers the nickname Amy, The Doctor often calls her Amelia, stating that that "Amelia Pond" sounds like a name out of a fairytale. In 2009, Amelia was #9; a year later it was #5 and has been #1 since 2011. 

Rory Williams – Rory, portrayed by Arthur Darvill, is Amy's faithful and adoring husband who also joined the cast in 2010. In 2009, Rory ranked #142; by 2012 it had risen up to #99.
Fun fact: Rory's full name is Rory Arthur Williams.

River Song – River is the daughter of Rory and Amy and wife of the the Doctor, stolen from her parents as a baby and all grown up in the form of Alex Kingston. She was named Melody Pond, but thanks to a bit of inter-galactic translation it cognated to River Song. In 2010, River ranked #1218 for girls. It rose to #738 in 2011 and #768 in 2012. 

Clara Oswald – Jenna-Louise Coleman (2012) is the new girl in the Tardis as the sparky Clara Oswald. Prior to her onscreen appearance, Clara ranked #212 in 2011 in England and Wales. In 2012, and after her debut, Clara ranked #179; it's highest rank in decades. 

 

UK Birth Announcements 11/11/13 - 17/11/13

A compilation of names from BAs announced in this week's newspapers, including two national papers (Times, Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales and Scotland.

Sibling names are in brackets.

 

Boys:

Aaron Rhys (Dylan)

Adrian James (Arianna Sophie) 

Albert George

Alexander Michael Leon (Olivia) 

Alexander Robert Patrick David

Alfie Ray Jack

Archie Harrison

Archie James

Benjamin Arthur Alderson

Buddy Charles Gordon

Clark Jeffery

Corey Hayden

Daniel Colin

Edward "Teddy" James

Elliot Paul George (Thomas Michael Edward)

Evan David 

Freddie Joseph 

Hamish Antony Bruce

Harley Isaac Charlie (Taylor & Dylan)

Harry Paul Leonard

Henry Patrick David (Audrey Iris)

Henry Thomas

Jack Louie (Max)

Jack William Vernon (Harry Robert Linton) 

James Robert

Johan Nicholas

Joshua Reuben

Keir Sean

Kenzie Douglas (Rebecca & Jasmine)

Laurence Henry Trafford

Leo Carl

Leo George (Tabitha Katherine, Felix James & Matilda Skye)

Lukas Martyn

Magnus Alexander (Finlay Neil)

Max David Richard (Grace Jemima & Edward Michael James)

Maximilian "Max" Donald Booth Harris

Maximilian Hugo William

Maximilian Louis Coram

Murray Walters (Callum & Gregor Alexander)

Rhys William

Rocco Lenny Charles 

Rowan Lee

Samuel Peter

Scott Walter (Kirsty)

Seth Alexander

Stanley Jamys (Archie Owen)

Theo Michael

Thomas Andrew Frederick

Thomas Daniel

Thomas William

Thomas William Wynne (Harriet "Hattie" Alice de Merlie & Alice Juliet Susan)

Thomas Yeats (Ray)

Tyler Blake

William Donald

 

Girls:

Amelia Kiri (Oscar Jonathan)

Amelia Katherine (Toby William)

Anastasia Carsina (Alexander William)

Aniella Sofia

Autumn Fay

Ava Amora (Ruby)

Ava Juliet

Beatrix Eleanor

Bluebell Heather-Berry (Brandon & Willow-Rose)

Catherine Elizabeth

Celyn Anne Sara (Rhys Tomos)

Charley Elizabeth (Ellie Caroline)

Charlotte "Charlie" Evelyn 

Charlotte Lyla

Dakota Willow (Travis, Finnley & Logan)

Eden-May (Ellie-Marie)

Edie Maeve

Eloise Ghislaine

Erin Violet

Esme Lilian

Eva Jane (Una Cecilia)

Grace Amelia Lucy

Harriet Isabelle

Hazel Frances (Rhys)

Hollie Grace

Imogen Hope (Neve)

Irys Rose (Isaac & Lilia)

Isla Mae (Ryley & Devon Rose)

Jessica Judith Kaur

Jessie Helen

Jovie Margaret 

Lilly Mae

Lily Martha Mae

Madeleine Christina Françoise de Schalle

Mia Jayne

Millie Rose

Nathalie Anne-Marie

Octavia Louise Marguerite (Imogen)

Ophelia Elizabeth Jane

Orla Josephine 

Poppy Ella (Harley Jack)

Poppy Mae Annabel (Ruby Rose, and the late Chloe Annabel & Gracie Mae)

Phoebe Grace Darcy

Rachel Sarah

Reggie Lewis

Rose Florence (Daisy Alice & Phoebe Rose)

Ruby Jane

Ruby Louise

Ruby Violet (Juliet Daisy, Nathaniel Freddie & Matilda Poppy)

Scarlett Ann Rose (Elliot & Louis)

Skylar Rose

Tallulah Beau (Harrison)

Tianna-Mae Rose (Callum & David)

Violet Laura (Jay, Fin & Esme)

Willa Elizabeth Joan (Leo)

 

Twins:

Annie & Bella (Lola)

Archie Alexander John & Thomas Arthur William (Amelia Ann Lucinda & Henry Samuel Ian)

Elizabeth & Hamish 

 

N.B. I'm on a borrowed laptop at the moment. My own should be fixed by Thursday with a little bit of luck, but unfortunately there will be little activity on this blog until then. 

 

UK Birth Announcements 4/11/13 - 10/11/13

A compilation of names from BAs announced in this week's newspapers, including two national papers (Times, Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales and Scotland.

Sibling names are in brackets.

 

Boys:

Aidan Tidu Benjamin (Aoife Maya Theadora & Beatrice Miranda Margareta)

Alastair Peter

Archie Harrison

Benjamin Arthur

Blair Brian Gavin (Bryony)

Bobby Frazer

Caelan Andrew

Charles Angus Fraser (Monty Jeremy Fraser)

Charles Leonard (Rosemary)

Cody James Francis (Joshua & Tyler)

Daniel Peter William

David John (Natalie Taylor)

Elijah Daniel (Seth John)

Eric Scott James

Felix Ptolemy George

Finlay William

Frankie Marty

Fraser Graeme (Callum Ross)

Frederick Storey

Gordon Markus (Logan Louise)

Harrison Kenneth (Isabella Joan)

Harry Charles James (Rosie Catherine Julia)

Harry James

Henry Ignazio

Henry John Norman (Grace Elizabeth)

Henry Matthew Stephen

Henry Richard

Hugo Alexander (Eliza Rose)

Hugo Gregory (Harry Dudley William & Charlie John)

Isaac Daniel (Martha Grace)

Iziaiah George

Jack Philip

Lawson Blake (Libby, Lexey & Logen)

Lochlan Alexander

Louis Thomas (Isabella-Dee Mandy)

Malachi Herbert

Miller James

Noah Samuel (Aiden)

Oakley Edward

Oliver George

Reece Donald

Riley Cole

Ross Andrew

Rowan Lee

Sebastian Kyle (Ellen "Ellie" Mary, Theo Anthony & Henry Charles)

Spike William

Thomas Peter Wavell

Thomas Robert (William)

Valentine John

Walter John (Frank James Christopher)

Zach Patrick

Zachary Ellis (Aiden Finlay)

 

Girls:

Agatha St. Miriam Margaret (Beatrix Margaret St. Miriam)

Alexandra Beau Cheryl

Alice Grace Scarlett

Alice Rosemary (Maisie Rose)

Annabel Rosie

Ava-Rose Patricia

Ayla May

Charlotte Emily 

Conni May Marie (Abi & Franki Jill Megan)

Constance Jane

Corrin Eilidh (Glenn Logan)

Darcey Ella (Harry John & Alexa Kate)

Eden Rose

Eliana Neve (Frankie)

Elizabeth Beatrice (Edward)

Elizabeth Garbo

Emma Victoria Susan (Elizabeth)

Emilie-Rose Patricia

Esme Lorna Arminelle (Jobe)

Esther Renee

Eva Sophie

Felicity Anne

Florence Arabella Velvet (George Charles)

Florence Philomena

Gracie May

Harriet Amy (Eve)

Imogen Amber Anne

Indie Rose

Iona Elizabeth

Isla Ruby (Ethan, Oliver & Mia)

Katie Nicola

Katie Sue

Kianna Brooke

Lola Clementine (Freddie)

Louisa Helen

Ottilie Charlotte

Margot Carmel

Molly Belle (Mia Beau)

Sophia Amba Savithri

Sophie Rose Erskine

Thea Kathryn Mae

Tia Mae

Zara Catherine (Emilia & James)

Zara Katie (William & James Alexander)

 

Twins:

Alexia Lily & Oliver Moore

 

Name of the Week

Faye is a swift and sweet name that combines
magical mysticism with Hollywood glamour. 

Origin:

As a name, Faye is a merging of several homophonous words that were introduced to Britain with the Normans, culminating in the surnames Faye, Fay and Fey.  Since the 14th century the word fay in English has referred to fairies, or enchanted beings in general. The word derives from the Old French fae and, even further back, from the Latin fata, neuter plural of fatum "prophecy, oracle, destiny," the route of the English word 'fate'. The term was particularly used the refer to "The Fates" — the three goddesses of Greek and Roman religion who personified destiny and determined the course of human life. In Italy, Fata is now used to mean 'fairy' while Fata Morgana is a figure of medieval folklore, equivalent to Morgan le Fay. However, before we were using the word fay to mean fairy, fay was a (now archaic) word for faith — such as in Shakespeare's line from Romeo and Juliet: "Sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late." The word derived from the Middle English fai "faith," Norman fei(d) and ultimately the Latin fides "trust, faith, confidence, belief." Not only did the Normans bring the words fae "fairies" and fei "faith" with them, they also brought the word fay "beech tree," derived from the Latin fagus and the Proto-Indo-European root *bhagos "beech tree." The same source is the route of the word 'book', thought to be so named because of either the use of beechwood tablets to incribe runes, or the general use of beech trees to carve letters and names.  The first name Faye is essentially a culmination of all of these elements.

Usage:

The surnames Faye, Fay and Fey date to at least the 12th century in Britain. In early instances it is easy to separate the different origins. The book of fees from Herefordshire in 1242 lists a man named both Richard de Fay and the Latinised de Fago, clearly showing that his name was derived from a French place named Fay; no doubt sited near beech trees. On the other hand, the instance of Margaret le Fey in the Subsidy Rolls of Surrey in 1332 more likely derives from fae "fairy".  In later centuries, with so many varied spellings for each being used and conflated over time, it is impossible to determine from which route a family named Faye, Fay or Fey derives. Fay came to be used as a given name in the 16th century. It was predominantly feminine in use, indicating that fay "faith" was the inspiration for the name, especially given the common use of the name Faith (often spelt Fayth, Ffayth or Fayeth) during that period. In subsequent centuries, Fay also became used as a diminutive of Faith itself.  Later examples, especially in the rare cases when it was used for boys, most likely represent an adoption of the surname Faye (from either fata or fagus).  The name picked up usage in the 19th century, most likely thanks to the Victorian fascination with Arthurian legend — Morgan le Fay was a popular subject of artwork and literature — and the late Victorian and Edwardian preoccupation with fairies.  Birth registrations for Faye and Fay in England and Wales were as follows: 1840-9: 1 1850-9: 1 1860-9: 2 1870-9: 1 1880-9: 7 1890-9: 19 1900-9: 13 1910-9: 62 1920-9: 573 1930-9: 1471 The initial rise in the name's use may have been influenced by American stage actress Fay Davis' move to, and popularity in, Britain from 1895. The spike in usage in the 1920s and 1930s was no doubt also in part thanks to Fay Compton, a notable British stage actress of the era, and Hollywood actress Fay Wray. Initially, Fay was the most popular spelling, up until the 1970s when Faye became more popular, perhaps bolstered by actress Faye Dunaway. This can be clearly seen from Leslie Dunkling's data for the number of girls registered with the names Fay and Faye in every 10,000 births in England and Wales:   1925 1935 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 Fay    4    6     2     4     2     4     4     7         4  Faye          2         4   12    10    16    38  Occasionally, Fay has been used as a diminutive of Francis.  Though Faye has never been in the Top 100 in England and Wales, for the past twenty years it has sat within the Top 150, consistently having a birth count of between 379 and 442. In 1996 it ranked #112 (405 births), peaked in 2002 at #105 (442 births) and dipped to its lowest point in 2009 at #144 (379 births).  In 2012, Faye ranked #144 (393 births), Fay #1297 (25 births) and Fae #2521 (10 babies) in England and Wales. In Scotland Faye ranked #138 with 34 births.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Fay Templeton (1865–1939), American actress, singer and comedienne. * Fay Davis (1873–1945), American stage actress who moved to England in 1895.  * Fay Compton (1894–1978), British stage and film actress. * Fay Bainter (1893–1968), American film and stage actress. * Fay Wray (1907–2004), Hollywood actress. * Fay Kanin (1917–2013), American screenwriter, playwright and producer. Contemporary: * Fay Zwicky (b.1933), Australian poet. * Faye Dunaway (b. 1941), Hollywood actress. * Fay Ripley (b.1966), British actress.  * Faye Hamlin (b. 1987), Swedish singer.  Literature and other media: * Morgan le Fay, legendary sister of King Arthur. * Dr Faye Miller, a character in the TV show Mad Men. Other: * 4P/Faye, a comet.

Variants:

Fay, Fae

Pronunciation:

FAY [key]

Possible  longer forms:

Fabienne, Fadrina, Faith, Felicia, Felicity, Feline, Pasiphaë, Phaedra, Raffaella

Sibling Names:

Una     Mirren     Orla     Cara     Parisa    Anya    Evan     Adam     Scott     Reggie     Beau     Seth

Name Lists:

Dulcet Dainties   Golden Age Hollywood   Magical Spirits and Sprites   Names of Roses   Astronomical Names

 

If you like Faye you may also like:   Joy, Skye, Fern, Pari, Ivy, Maeve, Esme, Alys, Mari, Elle

 

Thanks to Faye for requesting this post. 

Births announced in The Times, 1983

Below are a selection of birth announcements from The Times newspaper that were published in 1983.

 

Adrian Qais Nicholas Aelred Benedict Alexander Casimir Philip Alexander Colwyn Alexis Robert Raphael Aneurin Edward James Angus Esmond Anthony Vivian John Archie Patrick Arthur Lucius Barnabus William Benedict Luke Caspar Herbert Daniel Philippe Glyn Edmund Frederick Edward Alexander Jerrard Edward Mark Gawain Elliott Charles Felix Percy Howard Fergus Duncan Frederick Hugh Gerard Vincent Giles Benedict Guy William Rupert Guy Ranulf David Hamish Alasdair Arthur Harry Charles Angus Hugo Denzil Rufus Ivo Alexander Timothy Ivor James Spencer Jocelyn Henry Edwin Julian James Leo Frederic Hugh Leo Raphael Leon Sebastian Linden James Louis Xavier Luke Fergus Gabriel Matthew Evangelos Maxim Sebastian Maxwell Charles Asquith Miles Edward  Nathaniel Mark Christian Ninian Charles Nicholas Franklyn Orlando Geoffrey James Percival John Theodore Phineas Richard Piers Hugh Quentin Pietro Thorkill Rama Dylan Ralph Toby Alasdair Ranulph Arthur Benedict Raphael Reginald Murray Rhys Martin Richard Pierce Theobald Robin Alexis Josef Robin Griff Aneurin Rollo Timothy Malcolm Rufus Anthony Rupert Alexander Silas James Thaddaeus Alexander Henry Tobias James Tristram David Lloyd  William Rhys

Alethea Caroline Rose Alexandra Fern Alexy Imogen Annabel Juliette Aphra Lilian Arabella Leoni Aradia Juliet Ariella Chloe Asha Victoria Athene Kate Aurelia Sylvie Kyra Beatrice Athene Bronwen Anne Bryony Kate Charis Anna Charlotte Gwendolen Lea Clara Frances Cressida Clare Margareta Tallulah Clemency Alice Clementine Violet Corisande Mary Cristiana Ingrid Daisy Henrietta Diana Eleanor Sophia Joy Esme Beatrice Felicity Rose Susanna Fleur Lamorna Collette Flora Tamzin Elizabeth Florence Mari Florenza Davida Francesca Rafela Marina Genevieve Fiona Georgina Beatrice Bessie Ianthe Mary Ilona Celine India Inga Charlotte Iona Effie Henrietta Olivia Kitty Josephine Rhiannon Juliette Antonia Katya Ailsa Kezia Celine Leonie Ghislaine Letitia Frances Anne Soraya Lily Iona Loveday Louise Madeleine Rose-Alice Marika Joy Martha Elizabeth Maya Elizabeth Merrillee Anne Octavia Clarissa Octavia Lucia Oenone Isabel Pandora Kitty Penelope Jane Phoebe Caroline Polly Pandora Emily Polly Primrose Poppy Jemima Rhianwen Elizabeth Romilly Anne Rosalind Cressida Rosanna Hope Rose Annabel Rosemary Catriona Ruby Clara Patricia Sabine Mirabel Jemima Tallulah Bronwen Clare Tamsin Dorcus Anne Theodora Emma Hester Vanessa Adelaide Felicity Venetia Marguerite Verity Clementine Vienna Emily Xanthe Clare Rose Zara Elowen Zelie Isabella

 

Bonfire Night Names: Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot...

 

So the nursery rhyme goes, and so it certainly isn't forgotten as Britons around the country bulk up their bonfires, crack out the toffee apples and sparklers and wrap up warm to watch the fireworks. And, okay, mostly it's now an excuse to bring a bit of colour and frivolity to our chilly and dark November evenings, but allow me to just take a step back to examine the events (and names) which created this celebration.

The Gunpowder Plot happened on the 5th November 1605, when a group of Jesuits, angered by their treatment at the hand of King James I, plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament whilst the king was inside. Sneaking 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellars, they left them in the hands of Guy Fawkes. He was caught, though the others fled, until they were eventually found and similarly executed. In 1606, in celebration of his survival, King James decreed that an annual sermon should take place to commemorate the event and that the people of England should have a great bonfire on the night on November 5th, traditionally topped off by a "Guy" — poor Guy Fawkes himself. 

 

Guy 

Guy Fawkes, the key conspirator of the plot, is quite literally the number one "guy" — we actually get this generic term for a man from the use of "guys" (Guy Fawkes effigies) on bonfires. Guy is the Norman form of the Old Germanic name Wido, meaning either "wood," "wide" or "leader." It was Latinised as Guido, which is still used as the Italian form.

 

Fawkes

Fawkes is an English surname brought over by the Normans. It is derived from Falco, a Latin name meaning "falcon". Fawkes, or "Guy Fawkes", has occasionally been given as given names in Britain in honour of the key conspirator. Vauxhall, the London placename and car manufacturer, also derives its name from Fawkes Hall, the home of Norman knight Sir Falkes de Breauté (d.1226). 

 

Catesby

Robert Catesby is considered to have been the initial instigator of the Gunpowder Plot. His surname derives from Catesby in Northamptonshire meaning "Káti's settlement." Káti itself is an Old Norse name meaning "merry, cheerful." 

 

Percy

Another conspirator, Thomas Percy was a relation of Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, made constable of Alnwick Castle. The Percys were one of the most powerful and wealthiest aristocratic families in Britain from the time of the Norman conquest. The family took their name from their ancestral home of Percy-en-Auge and it has been used as a first name since the 17th century by those wishing to connect themselves to the illustrious family.

 

Everard

Fellow plotter Sir Everard Digby was actually one of several notable men to bear the same name, including the 16th century theologian. Everard comes from the Old English name Eoferheard "boar + hardy, brave." It survived the Norman conquest thanks to the introduction of the Germanic cognate Eburhard, creating several derived surnames such as Everard, Everett and Evered. 

 

Digby

Everard Digby's surname is taken from the place in Lincolnshire, meaning "ditch-settlement." It was famously borne by British poet Digby Mackworth Dolben (b.1848). 

 

Ambrose

Horse-breeder Ambrose Rookwood was one of the later recruits to the Gunpowder Plot. His name is the anglicised form of the Latin Ambrosius, derived from the Greek ambrosios meaning "immortal, divine."

 

Hugh

Hugh Owen was a notorious Welsh spy who was brought into the plot whilst in exile on the Continent. Hugh comes from the Old Germanic word hugu "heart, soul, thought," Latinised as Hugo, and the route of surname-firstname Hudson.

 

Kit

Did you know that the Gunpowder Plot had its own Wright brothers? Both John and Christopher Wright were members of the conspiracy, and their sister Martha was also married to fellow conspirator Thomas Percy. As with most 16th century men, their popular first names were abbreviated into the common equivalent petforms of the day: Jack and Kit.

 

Winter

The other brothers of the plot were Robert and Thomas Winter (also spelt Wintour). It is thought that the surname derives from popular depictions of the seasons on medieval wall-paintings. Winter was often depicted as a sombre aspect and it is supposed that Winter was used for a person with a sombre demeanour or perhaps, as was sometimes ironically the case, someone who was completely the opposite.

 

Others members of the Gunpowder Plot included Francis Tresham, Thomas Bates, Robert Keyes and John Grant. 

 

Lancelot

Lancelot Andrewes, bishop and scholar, is notable in the story for having prepared and delivered the first Gunpowder Plot sermon which forms the basis of the celebrations today. Although mostly associated with the mythical Knight of the Round Table, Lancelot is a double diminutive form of the Germanic name Lanzo "land."

 

Have a safe and happy Bonfire Night, all!