British Baby Names

Sibling Spotlight for Llewelyn

Below is a selection of British siblings with Llewelyn, from the last century to modern times.

The year relates to the decade of birth for that set. Brackets around the first name indicates that the person was called by their middle name.

1820s: William Amelia Josiah Edwin Henry Solomon Jane Bennett (b) Elizabeth Llewelyn   Harriet Griffith Isaac Llewelyn Robert   Gwenllian Thomas John William Eleanor Rees Morgan David Llewellyn   1830s: Temperance Esther Oswald Alfred Bateman Llewelyn Ivor   Edwin Mary James Charles Angelina Emeline Llewellyn Elizabeth   Llewelyn Leonidas   Sarah Rowland Selina William Llewellyn Lavinia Athelstan Clarissa George Percival   Sebastian Drusilla Llewelyn Thomas Harold Gillian Ada   Llewelyn Felix Lucy Josiah Alfred Frances Lewis Walter Frank Edward   1840s: Taliesin Abigail Llywelyn  Elias   Frederick Llewellyn Arthur Edward Louisa Clara Ellen   1850s: Ann Llewelyn Mary Buddyg (g) Caswallon Gwrtheyrn (b) Nefydd (b) Ili (b)   Llewelyn Lucy Lewis Lucas   Matilda Sabina John Llewelyn Lydia   1860s: Llewelyn Lloyd Louisa Eleanor Owen Lloyd Ifor Lloyd Idwal Lloyd Elizabeth Dorothy Charles Lloyd Henrietta Matilda   Griffith John Llewellyn Morgan Augusta Ada Charles Donne   Walter John Arthur Frank Alice Louisa Minnie Helen Rosina Jessie Edith Llewellyn Rowland Leonard Florence Adele Christopher Allen Wilhelm Ernest Ethelbert Claude   1870s: Llewellyn Medrith A. Marguerite Louisa Valentia Isabella Gwendoline Ella Violet Dorothy Rupert Howard Rees Percie Edward St John Marjory Eleanor Maude Molyneux   Mary Ann Edith Gwenllian Meredith (b) Llewellyn John Pauline Sarah Matilda Blodwen Edgar Morfydd (g)   William Morris Gladstone Mabel Eliza Mary Llewellyn Stanley Howard   Arabella Ellen Mariah Jane Gomer Arthur Hannah Myfanwy Idris Meirion Llywelyn Caradoc   1880s: Arthur Ivor Gwladys Llewellyn Merlin Sybil   Gwenllian Lucy Mary Ann P. Llewellyn Alfred J. Ethel Charlotte Leopold Everard Walter Wilfred Mabel Emily E.

1890s: Myfanwy Gwladys Eluned Olwen Ceridwen Llewelyn   Emily Jane William Desdemona Llewelyn Morgan John Lily   William David Edwin Hayden Evan Frederick Llewelyn Owen Brinley Rhys Lizzie Mariah Lily Beatrice Percy Elwyn   1900s: Reginald Charles Burkwyn Joseph Gresford Edwin Leslie Keith Oswald Cray Llewellyn Edward Bryngwyn Dennis Conrad Herman   Llewelyn Madoc Owen Glyndwr Gwilym Lewis   George Clifford Thomas John Llewelyn Byron Mary Elizabeth Curwen Leonard Edith Gwendoline   Elizabeth Lilian Margaret Eveline Aerona Constance Llewelyn Mervyn   1970s: Anna Lynn Llewelyn Richard   Llewelyn Rhys Angharad Owena   Jovanie Vanessa Johan Samuel S. Llewelyn Adriel   Llewelyn Edward Eugene Samuel   1980s: Cadfan Rhys Rhydian Rai Llewelyn Brychan   Llewelyn Ashley Tristam Charles A. Rosanna Catherine & Sophia Louise   Thomas Gareth H. Charlotte Myfanwy Llewelyn Tudor W.   Llywelyn Daniel Morgan Rhys   Jethro Jon Josephine Ffion & Llewelyn George   Gareth Rhys Rhian Tema Llewelyn Nedd   1990s:  Rosemary Lavinia Llewelyn Odin   Llewelyn Harry Christopher Emrys Franklin Charles Arwyn Peter David   Llewelyn Lloyd Daniel Rhodri   Llywelyn Elidyr Cynan Ednyfed   Taliesin Ceri Llewelyn Caradog Morwenna Ann Rhydian Glyndwr   Llewelyn Morgan Evan Finley   Ffion Rose Mali Marged Llewelyn Morgan   Llewelyn Luke Angharad Grace   Llewelyn James Arthur Percival   Bryony Louise Lorna Charlotte Owain Cameron Llewelyn Jack Isobel Clara & Ptolemy Jake   William Rhys Llywelyn George   Llewelyn James Jago Tomos    2000s: William David C. Llewellyn John C. Elizabeth Margaret Grace   Llewelyn James Rhys Owen   Llewelyn Jacob B. Gwenhwyfar Rhiannon E. Gruffydd Caradoc B.   Llewelyn Solomon Charles Sebastian   Morgan James Delyth Mai Llewelyn Thomas Derwyn Robert   Alexander Laurence Llewelyn Ifan   Llywelyn George Oliver Merlin   Llewelyn Magnus Mayte Camille   Gruffydd Cai Llewelyn Cai Syd Fletcher   Llewelyn Bryn M. Rhiannon Gwenon L.

This post was requested by Madelyn.

UK Birth Announcements 23/12/13 - 29/12/13

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:

Alfie Jack

Archie Finn

Benedict George (Anna Sophia & Hugo Alexander)

Bradley Alan

Callaghan Jocky Clinton (Sabrina Jenevieve Scarlett)

Calum Hayden

Charlie Michael (Kieran James)

Clayton-Ellis John

Edward Pryde

Ethan Alexander

Finlay James (Joshua William)

Henry Towry Redvers

Hugo John Dyer (Georgina Daisy & Jessica Annabel)

Jackson James

Kai Alastair

Louis Alexander (Charles Sebastian Ferrier "Charlie" & Imogen Lavinia)

Oscar William (Harrison)

Rowan Asher

Rudy Robert (Indy Robert)

Samuel John (Jake & Leah)

Struan Woods

Theo James

Thomas Richard 

Wilfred Jeremy

William David Edwin (Hugh)

Zachary Douglas

 

Girls:

Agatha Sybil (James Peregrine & Benjamin William)

Ailish Rose

Alissia Rose

Amelie Ann

Ava Blue (Jacob)

Callie Elizabeth (Connor & Matthew)

Charlotte Christine

Charlotte Kate "Lottie" (Ellie & Thomas)

Darcie Barrie

Edith Annie

Eleanor Maleah

Elizabeth Genevieve Lucy

Ellora Primrose

Gabriella Amelia (Fergus Moss)

Holly Elizabeth (Frazer)

Jessica Violet (Charlotte)

Layla Paula Rose (Ollie)

Lyla Rose 

Macey Louise

Madeleine Mary

Margaret Rose

Mila Jane (Cleo)

Nanci Rene (Lewis)

Nancy Elizabeth (Isabelle)

Olivia Grace

Olivia Jane

Rebecca Niamh

Ruby Sophia

Sarah Laura Margaret (Matthew & Lucy)

Valentina Violet Claire

 

Twins:

James Ian Nikolai & Sophie Honor Beatrice (Thomas & Elizabeth)

 

 

Name of the Week

A pretty and uncommon biblical Beth
that is not an Elizabeth but is equally appealing.

 

Origin:

Bethia is a variant of the Hebrew Bithyah, a name thought to derive from bath "daughter, worshipper, woman" and Yah "God." The Hebrew Bithyah became Βετθία in the Greek Septuagint and Bethia in Vulgate Latin, however the form Bithiah was used in the King James Bible and other later authorised versions.  Bithiah is mentioned only once in the Bible: "These are the sons of Bithiah, the daughter of Pharaoh" (1 Chronicles 4:18), which has caused much debate as to the origins of the name. What is clear is that Bithiah must have been a woman of position to have been given notable mention. In Jewish tradition, Bithiah is identified as the same Egytian princess who adopted Moses, the name of whom is never mentioned in the Old Testament. The explanation for her name Bithiah "daughter of Yah" is explained in the Midrash, whereupon God says to her: "Moses was not your son, yet you called him your son; you are not My daughter, but I call you My daughter" (Lev. Rabbah 1:3). Other scholars, less convinced that Bithiah was the same Egyptian princess who adopted Moses, have put forward the idea that Bithiah was given as a name to one of several Egyptians who converted to Judaism and settled in Israel, so has more a symbolic meaning of "worshipper of Yah."  Confusingly, the beginning of 1 Chronicles 4:18 starts: "And his wife Jehudijah bore Jered the father of Gedor, and Heber the father of Soco, and Jekuthiel the father of Zanoah. And these are the sons of Bithiah the daughter of Pharaoh, who Mered took." Jehudijah is often given to mean "the Jewess" or "Judean," though it is not clear whether this passage refers to Bithiah herself as a "Judean woman", or to two separate wives of Mered, one of them being Bithiah. Some maintain that, if they are the same woman, Bithiah may not have been Egyptian at all; the 'Pharoah' mentioned could, in fact, be an Isrealite name.* But let's suppose that Bithiah was actually an Egyptian pharoah's daughter. A prevalent theory is that Bithiah was actually Tia (Tiya, Tuya), a daughter of Seti I, or another Tia who was Ramesses II's daughter. Bithiah, then, could be Bath (Melech) Tia "King's daughter, Tia"* or perhaps "daughter of Tia." Another theory assumes Bithiah is an alternate fom of Bintanath, a daughter/wife of Ramesses II. Her name meant "daughter of (the goddess) Anath."*

Usage:

Bethia has been in use in Britain since the 16th century, and this was by far the more common form of the name. In earlier records it was also less commonly recorded as Bithiah, Bethiah, Bethyah, Bethea and Bathia, but by the 17th century, Bethia was the prevalent spelling. Its use was consistent, though it was never especially common, akin to other Old Testament names such as Dinah, Tabitha, Vashti and Deborah. There are several possible reason for the dominance in this spelling. Firstly, Bethia was used from the 17th century to render the Scottish name Beathag — a diminutive of Scots Gaelic beath "life" — into English. Secondly, the name was seemingly conflated with Elizabeth and all its variant forms.  C. M. Yonge thought it was Welsh or Scottish in origin, perhaps confusing Beathag and Bethan (Welsh diminutive of Elizabeth) together. Charles W. Bardesley, writing in 1880, considered it to be a latinised form of Elizabeth, stating: "Queen Anne’s reign, even William and Mary’s reign, saw the fashionable rage for Latinized forms [...] Elizabeth was turned into Bethia and Betha." However, his footnotes highlight that others regard it an "incorrect" form of Bithiah that was passed down through families.  UK census records for the name Bethia demonstrate consistent usage through the 19th century: 1841: 1,662 females 1851: 2,073 females (51% England; 48% Scotland; 1% Wales) 1861: 2,115 females  1871: 1,946 females  1881: 1,983 females (39% England; 60% Scotland; 1% Wales) 1891: 2,109 females  1901: 2,034 females  Bethia was still well used up to the 1920s, after which it declined to just a handful of registrations per decade.  Since 1996, Bethia has ranked every year in England and Wales (except 1997 and 2002) with a birth count of between 3 and 9. It's highest point was #1996 in 2003 and it's lowest was #5707 in 2010. In 2012 it ranked #4838 with 4 births.  Bethia has not ranked at all in Scotland since 2005.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Bethia Baillie (b.c.1682), heiress of Castlecary Castle. * Lucy Bethia Walford (1845-1915), Scottish author. Contemporary: * Bethia Beadman (b.1981), British musician. Other: * Bethia, original name of the HMS Bounty.

Variants:

Bithiah, Bithia (Biblical) Bityah, Batyah, Batya (Hebrew)

Pronunciation:

BETH-ee-ə, beth-Ī-ə [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Beth, Bea, Bebi, Betty

Sibling Names:

Talitha     Damaris     Shira     Persis     Keturah     Hadassah  Abram     Saul      Noam      Malachi     Nicander     Elias

Name Lists:

Quirky Biblical Names

 

If you like Bethia you may also like:   Kezia, Zilla, Betony, Amira, Sarai, Cassia, Bethel, Dinah, Xenia, Bianca

 

Thanks to Bethia for requesting this post. 

UK Birth Announcements 16/12/13 - 22/12/13

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:

Adam Joseph (Careen, Alex & Andrew)

Alexander Latto Welby

Alfie Jack

Angus James

Arthur David

Arthur Edward Hensman

Austin Gabriel (Ava Grace)

Benedict George (Anna Sophia & Hugo Alexander) 

Benjamin Albert "Ben"

Blake Dennis

Carson Edward

Charles Burton

Charles Hugh Cobaine (Rory Michael James)

Conrad Jonathan

Edmund Eugene Hugh

Edward Paul 

Edward Thomas George (Harry Arthur)

Edward Walter Michael 

Ethan James

Euan Ian (Gregor Harry & Fraser Neil)

Felix Anthony Philip (Francesca Cora Eloise) 

Freddie John

Harry John

Henry David William Charles

Jos Maxwell

Joseph Robert

Lee David (Adam Neil)

Lochlann Thomas

Luca William

Max Iain (Riley & Abbie)

Max Robert

Ned Miles Crosby (Rufus Patrick Crosby)

Oliver Terence (Heidi)

Oscar Alan

Oscar Barry

Reginald Hugh Rivers

Reuben Andrew James 

River (Cosmo & Ziggy)

Ruaridh James Howard "Roo"

Sam Thomas (James)

Sidney William

Theodore William Haydon

Thorfinn Andrew Hartmann

Toby Paul

Wilfred Evelyn

Xavier Noel (Noah William)

Zachary James (Connor)

Zane Dennis James (Izaac, Ruben & Ronin)

 

Girls:

Aida Carolyn

Amelie Grace (Freya Rose & Noah Gerard)

Arabella Lukrecija

Beatrice Ivy

Ceci-Rose

Christiana Grace (Christopher William Robert & Peter Jerome)

Edie Florence (Oscar Samuel)

Edith Jessie

Elizabeth Gillian "Elsa" (Georgia & Thomas)

Elsbeth Rebecca Mary Sandra (Sydney Grace & Murray Eyre John Patrick)

Elspeth Honey (Fergus Stewart, James Thomas "Jamie" & Harris Robert)

Essie Rose

Eva Rose

Florence Rita (Stanley Graham & Edward John)

Francesca Ann

Francesca Rose (Martha)

Freya Diane

Hallie Edith (Leah & Mollie)

Harriet Florence

Harriet May (Georgia Catherine)

Hetty Ellen Elizabeth (Millie Catherine Elizabeth)

Holly Jane Charlotte

Imogen Elisabeth Rebecca

Imogen Elizabeth

India Ivy (Zara Frances & Erin Sophea)

Iris Miriam Tova (Dora Sarah)

Isabelle Alice (Callum & Henry Jacob)

Jessica Kate (Max John)

Jessie Louise

Joscelyn Jane (Leo John & Riley Jake)

Lily Emma

Lola-Rose Abigail

Lucy Poppy Alexandra (Sophie)

Madeleine Avenal

Maia Rose (Harry Gabriel)

Mali Celyn (Erin Haf)

Martha Madeline

Matilda Julia

Matilda Raphaella Darley

Mattie Maree

Maynee Claire

Mollie Catherine (Callum & Bobby )

Molly Louise

Phoebe Matilda

Quincie Violet

Rose Bénédicte Sally Marie

Saffron Lilly (Evan)

Skylar Primrose (Som & Summer)

Sophie Rose

Sydney Rose

Tessa Grace

 

Twins:

Charles Jonty Edward & Rose Olivia Bay (William & Oscar)

Corey Frederick & Shannon Charlotte (Lucy Linda)

Guto Lloyd & Elen Mair (Awen Mair)

 

 

Name of the Week

 

A relative to one of Britain's most revered saints
and a place name both ancient and modern.

 

Origin:

Albany is the Anglicised name of Alba or Alban, alternate names for Scotland via the later Latinisation Albania. Alba was once the name given to the former Pictish kingdom which eventually incorporated the entire Scottish Kingdom of Alba, thus becoming the Gaelic name for Scotland. Alba derives from the same source as Albion, a more ancient name once used to mean the island of Britain. As Alba (from the Latin albus "white") was a name employed frequently for Roman towns, it is often thought that Albion derived from the same source, with reference to the White Cliffs of Dover. However, as the name Albion was an ancient one even for the Romans, a stronger theory suggests that it derives from the Proto-Celtic *albiyo "world" (referring to 'upper world' as opposed to 'under world'), which survives, via the Old Welsh elbid, in the modern Welsh elfydd "earth, land." Ancient Continental Celtic gods such as Albiorix and Albius further attest to the words early usage. Ultimately, in a full circle twist, it is most likely that both *albiyo and albus derive from the same Proto-Indo-European root, reconstructed as *albho- "white" by scholars. Albany, specifically, was used to denote the dukedom of Albany — an area of Scotland broadly parallel to the old Pictish kingdom — which was first bestowed as a title by King Robert III of Scotland on his brother, Robert Stewart, and has since passed down through British royalty.  Albany has also been used as a variant of the given name Alban. Three saints have borne the name; the most famous was the British soldier martyred in the 3rd century for whom St Albans is named. His name is often thought to derive from the Latin name Albanus meaning "of Alba Longa" (the ancient Italian city) but, as legend has it that he was a Romano-British native, it is likely to derive from the Celtic *albiyo.

Usage:

Alban has been in use as a given name in Britain since at least the 13th century, giving rise to various surnames such as Alban, Albon, Albone, Auban, Alliban and Allebone. Albany was occasionally used as a variant, though it was not especially common.  The Duke of Albany was established as a title in 1398 by King Robert III of Scotland, and was re-created several times, first through Scottish, then British royalty via the Stuarts. It has often been given to the second sons of monarchs. Charles I was given the title by his father before he became king, as did his second son, James II and VII. One of the last to bear the title was Prince Leopold, fourth son of Queen Victoria. Sheakespeare also featured a principle character named Duke Albany in King Lear.  Many towns and cities around the world are named Albany, such as Albany in Tyne and Wear. In many cases, such places were given the name thanks to the dukedom of Albany, as with the case of Albany, New York which was named after James II & VII while he was still Duke of Albany.  Though use of the name picked up from the 17th century, Albany wasn't used regularly as a given name until the 19th century. During this period the Tractarians revived Alban alongside the names of other pre-Augustianian saints, and so too was Albany. It was no doubt also blostered by association with the peerage title, which was restored again in 1881. Certainly, there was an increased birth count in the name following that year.  Records for Albany in UK census records are as follows: 1841: 45 males 1851: 67 males, 3 female 1861: 54 males, 1 female 1871: 105 males, 2 female 1881: 131 males 1891: 213 males, 1 female 1901: 278 males 1911: 249 males This usage of the name continued well into the 1930s, after which it began to wane. In the 1990s, though still rare, Albany began to be used more commonly for girls than boys, though today it is used so rarely that it isn't particularly weighted with either gender difinitively.  From 1996 to 2012, Albany has ranked eleven times in England and Wales (1996-1999, 2001-2005, 2007, 2012) with a birth count between 3 (#3998 in 2001) and 8 (#1970 in 1999). Alban is more common, having ranked consistantly each year since 1997. It's lowest point was #2254 (5 births) in 2002, while it reached its highest point last year in 2012 at #1270 (20 births). In 2012, Albany ranked #4838 (4 births) for girls in England and Wales, having not ranked for the previous four years.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Albany Hancock (1806–1873), British naturalist and biologist. * Albany Bigard "Barney Bigard" (1906–1980), American jazz musician.

Variants:

Alban, Albion

Pronunciation:

AWL-bən-ee, AL-ən-ee [key]

Possible diminutives:

Albie, Ally, Barny

Sibling Names:

Blanche     Melina     Felicia     Gwyneth     Arabella     Elsbeth  Llewelyn     Roystan     Emrys     Benedict     Hubert     Leontin

Name Lists:

Gothic Victoriana

 

If you like Albany you may also like:   Albion, Rafferty, Idris, Algernon, Thackeray, Lindon, Augustine, Montague, Eugene, Alick

 

Thanks to Em for requesting Albany.

Top 100 Names in Scotland 2013

It's late December, which means the provisional list for Scotland's Top 100 names of 2013 has been released today ahead of the official launch in March.

Yet again, Jack is the most popular boys' name and Sophie is the most popular girls' name.

For boys, Lucas is a new entry to the Top 10, rising 12 places. Ella, rising 16 places,is a new Top 10 entry for the girls. The name that has made the biggest leaps for each gender are Harper (+141 places) and Aria (+73) for girls, and Harvey (+28 places), Callan (+27) and Theo (+27) for boys. 

Thanks to its lower birth count, the bottom of Scotland's Top 100 rankings are very much subject to trends of that year. Last year's top risers, Bella and Shay, are no longer to be seen in this year's ranks, yet topical and media-driven Harper, Aria, Mila and Murray have seen a rise.

Here is a run down of the provisional Top 100 names in Scotland in 2013:

Top 100 Boys' Names 2013			.	Top 100 Girls' Names 2013
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 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47= 47= 49 50 51 52 53 54= 54= 56= 56= 58 59= 59= 61= 61= 63 64 65= 65= 65= 68 69= 69= 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79= 79= 81 82 83= 83= 85 86= 86= 86= 89= 89= 91 92 93 94= 94= 94= 94= 98 99= 99= 99=	Jack James Lewis Oliver Daniel Logan Alexander Lucas Harry Charlie Mason Ethan Riley Noah Alfie Harris Finlay Max Thomas Jacob Adam Cameron Leo Aaron Ryan Matthew Nathan Liam Dylan Kai Jamie Archie Callum Joshua David Tyler Oscar Connor Luke William Kyle Rory Michael Aiden Andrew Samuel Brodie Jayden John Harrison Joseph Muhammad Benjamin Leon Robbie Cole Josh Fraser Jay Murray Ben Cooper Sam Finn Caleb Calum Kayden Rhys Angus Ollie Ruaridh Euan Arran Blake Christopher Jake Robert Isaac Blair Owen Jude Luca Aidan George Ross Cody Harvey Sean Jackson Zac Alex Calvin Declan Callan Corey Reuben Theo Hamish Kaiden Kieran Struan	- +1 -1 +6 +1 -1 +2 +12 -1 +2 +6 -5 -9 +15 +3 +12 -4 -7 +4 +15 -5 +3 +16 -9 -6 +3 +7 -8 -3 +14 -9 +6 -9 -2 +10 -23 +23 -6 +3 -3 -14 -11 +4 -8 -5 +3 +6 -6 +2 +4 -4 +16 -1 -4 +1 -10 +1 +2 +5 +14 -6 +17 +16 +2 -3 +3 +16 -25 +4 +2 +15 -9 -1 +14 -2 -12 -20 +13 -9 -20 +17 +13 +1 +1 -18 +7 +28 +12 +11 -10 -9 +2 -5 +27 +16 +18 +27 +14 -11 +1 +33		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14= 14= 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25= 25= 27 28 29= 29= 31 32 33 34 35 36= 36= 38= 38= 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49= 49= 49= 52 53 54 55 56 57= 57= 57= 60 61 62 63= 63= 65 66= 66= 66= 69 70 71= 71= 71= 71= 71= 76= 76= 78= 78= 80 81 82= 82= 82= 85= 85= 87 88= 88= 90= 90= 92= 92= 94 95 96= 96= 96= 96= 100	Sophie Olivia Emily Isla Lucy Ava Jessica Ella Amelia Millie Lily Chloe Eva Emma Sophia Ellie Mia Erin Freya Grace Charlotte Eilidh Ruby Holly Anna Poppy Katie Hannah Lacey Lexi Brooke Orla Layla Evie Amy Leah Rebecca Abigail Daisy Skye Niamh Isabella Amber Kayla Molly Maisie Hollie Georgia Sienna Sofia Zoe Lilly Abbie Alice Maya Megan Rosie Summer Zara Mya Sarah Gracie Cara Iona Mollie Lola Mila Paige Robyn Aimee Caitlin Eve Keira Lauren Rachel Imogen Julia Bethany Carly Willow Madison Ayla Rose Scarlett Elise Maria Amelie Emilia Faith Mirren Phoebe Alexis Elizabeth Aria Lexie Beth Esme Heidi Taylor Harper	- +2 -1 +2 - -3 - +16 - +1 -4 - +1 +5 +1 -3 -7 +4 -3 -3 +7 +4 -2 -6 +8 +10 - -8 +12 +11 -2 +4 -3 -4 -12 -11 -2 +14 +11 +5 -2 +1 - -12 -3 - -9 +6 +32 +11 -2 +1 -5 +23 +19 -5 +5 -20 +2 +6 -7 +35 +8 -5 +5 -3 +59 -5 -2 -20 -6 -4 -2 -14 +7 +10 -22 +40 +5 +9 -18 +17 +1 +17 -10 +7 -7 -13 +1 +7 +23 - -20 +73 - -18 +9 +17 -15 +141

The most popular second forenames (middle names) in Scotland in 2013 were as follows:

. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Boys James John William Alexander David Robert Thomas Andrew George Michael Joseph Scott Peter Ian Paul Alan Daniel Patrick Christopher Jack

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Girls Rose Elizabeth Grace Louise Margaret Jane Anne Ann May Catherine Mary Marie Isabella Jean Lily Helen Sarah Mae Maria Anna

Statistics supplied by the General Register Office for Scotland.

UK Birth Announcements 9/12/13 - 15/12/13

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:

Andrew Ian (Cameron Peter)

Archibald Richard Morris

Archie Derek James

Barnaby (Bertie Alexander Jonathan & Emilia May) 

Brody Maciver

Buddy Ryan (Lila Maisie)

Charles Robert Stephen

Charlie Walker James

Dhruv Rayan

Elliot James

Ewan Russell (Christopher Paul & Orrin Cael) 

Finnley Daniel Jack

Frederick David Lister "Freddie"

Freddie John

Freddie Joseph (Lenny Ray & Alfie Malcolm)

Gruffudd Closs (Angharad)

Harry Albert Jacka

Harry William

Harvey Arthur

Henry Alan Michael

Henry George Peter

Henry James (Ben)

Henry Peter

Hudson Frankie

Isaac Laurie (Grace Sophia) 

Jack Finley

Jack Humphrey

Jack Peter

James Andrew (Liam Alexander) 

Jarrad Carson-James (Jake & Caitlin)

Jude Rainier

Leo Richard Hugh

Luke Alexander

Nathan Oliver

Noah Benjamin

Noah Jack 

Nyle Alfred Sheldon

Oscar Bear Willoughby (Montgomery Addison Barnaby "Monty")

Oscar James Patrick

Rafferty Ralph

Rufus (Edgar Peter) 

Ryleigh Dale Thomas

Samuel David (Katie)

Seth David (Bella Florence)

Thomas Franklin (Joseph John)

Travis Matthew (Esme Rose)

Warrick John

Xavier Matthew

Zachary James

 

Girls:

Alice Elizabeth (Lucy)

Amelia Grace

Anita Bettina Carolyn

Annabel Sophie (George Inigo)

Aria Isabella

Autumn Florence

Charlotte Ava 

Charlotte Evie Ruby

Charlotte Hayley "Lotte" (Theo)

Charlotte Mary

Daisy Jean

Daisy May (Alana, Ellie & Harris)

Dolly Elizabeth (Margot)

Ella Ruth Primrose

Emily Annette Mary (Chloe)

Emily Kate (James Mathew)

Emma Catherine (Chloe Jane)

Evie May

Faith Elizabeth (Joshua & Nicholas)

Florence Hope Paula

Francesca Jean (Alexis, Harriet & Megan)

Freya Harri Mollie (Morgan & Thea)

Georgie Elizabeth 

Harley Jean (Kailyn)

Harper Faith Suzanne (Levi, Tyler & Harley Kai)

Holly Mai 

Holly Rose

Imogen Rose

Isabella Alyce

Isabella Clementine Compton

Isla Beatrice (Benjamin Joseph)

Layla Kristen Rose

Lillie Rose (Ellie)

Lily Isabella

Lydia-Louise Charley

Maebh Eilidh Rose

Maggie Laura

Maya Daisie

Maya Rose (Megan & Gus)

Megan Dawn

Megan Louise (Olivia Louise)

Millie Jessica

Molly Imogen (Lucy)

Naomi Cecilia

Niamh Florence (Isaac Thomas)

Orla May

Penelope Jane

Phoebe Rose (Ruby & Annie)

Polly Ella Phyllis

Poppy Rose

Seren Elizabeth

Sienna Anne (Chloe, Emma & Holly)

Sienna Elizabeth Ann

Sienna Faye (Jasper Andreas)

Sofia Alexandra Mary (Charles Albert Murray & Nicholas Frederick Attilio)

Sofia Ibla

Sophia Erin Louise 

Sophia Grace

Tiani-Faith Margaret 

Zara Louise

 

Twins:

Alfie & Ollie

Digby Robin  & Hamish Keith (Daisy)

Isabelle Olivia & Sophia Grace

 

 

Name of the Week

An exotic spice that is quite
literally worth its weight in gold.

 

Origin:

Saffron is a spice that comes from the saffron crocus (crocus sativus). The name saffron originates from the Persian za-faran, cognate with the Arabic asfar "yellow," which became safranum in Medieval Latin; safran, zafferano, and azafran in Old French, Italian and Spanish; and saffron in English from the 12th century.  Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It takes around 80,000 hand picked stigmas to yeild just half a kilogram of saffron. Not simply an expensive cooking spice, the saffron has been used for ornamental, aromatic and medicinal purposes for millennia. It is highly fragrant. In Classical times was strewed on floors as a perfume by the wealthy, and women used it to adorn themselves. It is mentioned also in the bible as one of the incenses of the garden.  Most ancient cultures, from the Sumerians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans, heralded the saffron for its medical properties — a quality it is still prized for to this day. It was used to promote fertility, as a stimulant, and to cure a multitude of ailments from minor cuts to plague.  One of the plant's basic ingredients, crocin, is a powerful colourant, and so it was the saffron that was the principal yellow dye of the ancient world. Wealthy Roman ladies used it to die their hair and create yellow eye-shadows, while a red-yellow saffron-dyed ceremonial robe was worn by their priestesses and brides. The Greek's associated it with Artemis, and so was used to symbolise purity; girls would wear saffron-coloured robes in sacred rituals.  Both Homer and Ovid describe the goddess of dawn (Eos / Aurora) as being saffron-haired, wearing saffron robes and having saffron coloured wheels on her chariot. She is also referred to as the 'saffron mother' or 'the saffron-robed' (Krokopeplos).

Usage:

In the ancient world, saffron cultivation declined steeply with the fall of the Roman Empire. It was reintroduced when the Islamic civilisation spread to Spain, France, and Italy, and from there into Britain. It was a huge business. Several towns who cultivated the plant were elevated to cities on the back of the saffron trade, and the offence of adulterating saffron was so serious it was punished by being burned or buried alive. When, in 1374,a consignment of goods bound for Basle was ambushed, it sparked the fourteen-week long Saffron War.  European saffron was traded in Britain from around the 12th century. There was huge demand for its medicinal properties during the Black Death (1347–1350) and it was also prized for its fragrance and culinary taste. In the Pardoner's Prologue (14th century), Chaucer uses the saffron as a verb; his phrase "to saffran with my predicacioun" means 'to adorn my sermons with'.  Saffron became cultivated in Britain in the 15th century. It was grown particularly in Essex and Cambridgeshire and became an extremely important commodity for that area. The centre of its trade was the town of Walden, which was renamed Saffron Walden by Henry VIII in its honour. The British saffron trade flourished up until the late 18th century. Saffron was also notable in Cornish cuisine as the saffron trading came from Spain to the coast of Cornwall. Most notable is the Cornish Saffron Cake. There are a few very rare examples of Saffron in use as a first name in Britain from the 17th century: a man named Saffron Wandell was maried in Greenwich in 1632; a woman named Saffron Dallan was married in Cornwall in 1680. There are also a small handful of examples of the use of Saffron during the Victorian era, a trend which could be explained by the Victorian love of botanical names. A man named Saffron Crow was born in 1849, Saffron Lees in 1878 and a girl named Enid Saffron Cunliffe in 1891.  For the most part, Saffron did not come into proper use as a given name until the late 1940s. There was one birth registration for the name in England and Wales in the years 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1960 and 1966. However, 1967 saw 19 registrations of the name, followed by 15 in 1968, 11 in 1969 and 23 in 1970. The reason for this sudden uptake was thanks to the song Mellow Yellow, containing the words "I'm just mad about Saffron / Saffron's mad about me / I'm just mad about Saffron / She's just mad about me," which reached number 8 in the UK music chart in early 1967. Perhaps thanks in part to popular British comedy Absolutely Fabulous, Saffron steadily rose in popularity for girls in England and Wales in the 1990s, peaking at #133 in 2000. From that point on, it has been on a downwards decline: 1996: #239 (166 births) 1998: #168 (258 births) 2000: #133 (345 births) 2002: #152 (288 births) 2004: #205 (225 births) 2006: #248 (189 births) 2008: #321 (142 births) 2010: #370 (123 births) 2011: #352 (136 births) 2012: #468 (96 births) Between 2005 and 2011 in Scotland, between 1 and 6 girls recieved the name each year. In 2012 the name ranked #426 with 8 births.

Famous Bearers:

Contemporary: * Saffron Aldridge (b.1968), British fashion model, freelance journalist and social activist . * Saffron Burrows (1972), British actress. Literature and Other Media: * Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon, a character in BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (1992-2004). Other: * Saffron Walden, a town in Essex, England, named after the spice.

Variants:

Safran

Pronunciation:

SAF-rən [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Saf, Saffy, Ronnie, Fifi

Sibling Names:

Leila     Romilly    Juniper     Calla     Arya     India  Ruben     Milo     Flynn     River     Zane     Rio

Name Lists:

Yellow Names   Butterfly Names

 

If you like Saffron you may also like:   Scarlet, Tamsin, Ebony, Juno, Seren, Rowan, Yasmin, Lilah, Farrah, Dahlia

 

Thanks to Alannah for requesting this post. 

UK Birth Announcements 2/12/13 - 8/12/13

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:

Alex Jamie (Mazie)

Alexander Christopher Stewart (Melville Archibald Stewart "Archie" & Charles "Charlie") 

Alfie John William

Archer Jensen

Arthur Oran James (Ursula Hermione Grace)

Arthur William Henry

Charles Alexander

Christopher George

Christopher William (Josephine & Elizabeth)

Corbin James (Megan, Emily Catherine & Lewis Stephen)

Daniel James

Digby Newton Devas (Isabella)

Freddie Christopher Francis

George Edward (Evie May)

Harry James

Henry Geraint Foster "Harry" (Rhiannon)

Henry Louis (Amelia Isabella Rose)

Henry Neville John

Hugo James Roberton (Jemima Florence Mabel)

Isaac Ewan

Jack Eric

Jack Harvey (Jordan, Ben & Kiera)

Jaiden Tony

James Henry Richard

James Michael (Hector Caryl & Alice Joanna)

Joseph Toby Richard (Ollie, Ben & Tom)

Leighton-James Peter

Leo Riley

Lucas John

Macaulay Cooper (Finlay)

Mackenzie (Reece)

Mason Stanley (Jay Jay)

Max Ryan (Poppy May)

Michael Henry Stephen (Alex & Dominic)

Montgomery Robin George

Nicholas Richard Robert (Daisy & Thomas Tremayne John)

Oliver Lloyd Colin

Orlando Henry

Patrick James (Charles Henry "Charlie")

Remy David (Leo Patrick)

Sam Michael 

Sebastian Ray (Zara-Eve)

Struan David

Teddy Hugh

Teddy Joshua James (Ella Louise)

Thomas George Henry 

Travis Matthew

Wilfred Louis

William Archibald (Emma)

William Arthur (Georgiana & Eloise Jane)

Xander Timothy (Isaac Jon & Asher James)

Zephyr Patrick

 

Girls:

Amelia Heather

Amalie Jane (Kai, Kaden, Kaleb)

Anna May

Ava Lily

Beatrice Elizabeth (Joseph John)

Bella Mai

Bethany Jane Lamorna (Toby)

Caitlin Paige

Clemence Catherine Colleen

Constance (Seth & Eli)

Emelia Faith Lesley

Eva Grace

Eva Grace Raye

Eve Elizabeth

Evie Rose

Florence Carrie

Florence Lorraine Rose

Hayden Lilly

Holly Frances 

Holly Mary (Leo Nicholas Knight)

India Jane (Harley David)

Isabelle Jemima Elizabeth

Isla Rose

Isla Rose

Isobel Ivy

Lily Rose

Lydia Grace

Kacie Alivia (Kaden)

Maggie Laura

Mari Jacqueline (Connor Albert, Alfie Spence, Spencer Mark, Sonny Jacob & Beth Mabel)

Mariella Clementine 

Mia Robyn

Nancy Amelia (Yvie)

Nancy Katharine (Matilda Hope)

Nevaeh Angel Jean

Penny (Elizabeth)

Phoenix Mya

Poppy Lou (Connor & Dawson)

Poppy Louise (Charlie & William)

Priya Willow

Rose Isla (Amelia Grace)

Ruby Mai

Serenity Eve (Alfie, Mikey, Finlay, Charlie & Imogen)

Tara Alexandra Rohaise (Isla Mary Artemis)

 

Twins:

Alfred Charles Nicholas & Vesey Peter Michael

Cosimo Benedict Thomas & Montague George Franco

 

 

Name of the Week

 

Part Anglo-Saxon, part Scandinavian — Auden is a rare
surname-firstname. But in a world where Aiden, Austin and Ashton
fill nursuries, there's definitely room for Auden.

 

Origin:

Auden is one member of a family of cognate surnames including Alden, Aldin, Allden, Aldine and Olden. This group derive from the medieval names Aldanus, Aldine and Aldene, Latinised forms of two distinct Old English names: * Healfdene — an Anglo-Scandinavian name meaning "half Dane," cognate with the Old Norse Halfdanr (Halfdan) which was famously borne by a legendary Danish king of the Scylding immortalised in the poem Beowulf. It was recorded in the Middle Ages in the forms Haldane, Haldein, Aldein, Aldeyn, Halden, Alden, Aldene, Aldan, Haldanus and Aldanus.  * Ealdwine — from the Old English eald "old" and wine "friend." In the Middle Ages it was recorded in the forms Elduinus, Heldewin, Aldwinus, Alduin, Aldine, Aldyne and Aldene.

Usage:

The similarity in the medieval forms of Healfdene and Ealdwine overtime became merged together into the surnames Auden, Alden, Allden etc.  Naturally, as with all surnames, Auden has had some use as a first name since at least the 16th century, though until recently, it has been extremely rare in use. There are no birth registrations for the name in England and Wales during the 19th century, and only a handful were registered from the late 1930s onwards.  Since 1996, Auden has ranked six times: 2005 (#3849, 3 births), 2007 (#4333, 3 births), 2009 (#3227, 5 births), 2010 (#3332, 5 births), 2011 (#4647, 3 births) and 2012 (#3039, 6 births). This was solely for boys; it has not ranked at all for girls during this period. That Auden has ranked consecutively for the last four years (in its first consistent run), and was as its highest rank so far last year, perhaps shows a widening place for it alongside the likes of Aiden, Ashton and Austin.  Even in the US, where they are generally ahead of us in many surname-firstname trends, there is a similar emerging picture for the use of Auden. Though it hasn't ranked within their Top 1000 in the last 13 years, a quick glance at the raw data shows the name is also quietly rising in use. Below are the birth counts for the name Auden in America across selected years: 1990: 0  1991: 7  1992: 0  1993: 12  1997: 10 2000: 16, 6 2003: 43, 6 2007: 57, 24 2010: 50, 23 2011: 60, 29 2012: 63, 27

Famous Bearers:

History:  * John Bicknell Auden (1903–1991), English geologist and explorer. * W. H. Auden (1907–1973), acclaimed British poet. Celebrity Babies: * Auden McCaw (b.2000), son of Amber Valletta and Chip McCaw. * Auden Wyle (b.2005), daughter of Noah Wyle.

Variants:

Alden

Pronunciation:

OR-dən [key]

Possible diminutives:

Aud, Audie, Orry

Sibling Names:

Wren     Avalon     Briar     Elara      Iris     Bronte  Grayson     Vaughn     Theon     Blaine     Jowan     Lorcan

Name Lists:

N/A

 

If you like Auden you may also like:   Alden, Aodhan, Rohan, Lachlan, Austen, Corben, Arden, Findlay, Audric, Caelan

 

Thanks to Bethany for requesting Auden.