British Baby Names

UK Birth Announcements 30/12/13 - 5/1/14

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 Livingstone

Alfie James

Alfie Ray (Archie Robin)

Archie Charles William 

Arthur Edward Dyer

Ashley James (Alfie Spencer)

Benjamin Jack

Benjamin Peter (Cara, Maia Rose & Ollie Andrew)

Boe Anthony Neil

Camren James (Tiana)

Ellison Spencer (Lylah)

Ernie Mark

George William 

Harrison Warren Mark

Harry Wallace

Isaac Forbes

Isaac James

James Alexander

Jensen Edward

Joseph Edward

Joshua James (Poppy & Joseph)

Leo Daniel Benedict

Lewis Robert (Emily)

Max Edward

Maxwell Matthew Lee

Miles Edward Louis 

Noah Alan Philip

Oscar Alan

Otto Humphrey Arthur

Rex Hugh Anthony

Samuel James (Billy)

Sonnie George

Stanley Edward John (Grace)

Teddy Joe (Theo)

Theo James

Wil James (Isla Grace)

Zak Alexander

 

Girls:

Aimee Jayne (Lilly Mae Ivy)

Amelia Grace

Anneke Rose

Calleigh Clare Eleanor (Summer Roseanne)

Cecily Alexandra

Chloe Eloise (Esmay, Lucy, Daniel & Zara)

Eliana Marie

Emily Alexandra (Evelyn Leonora)

Emily Elizabeth Isabella

Emily Rose (Harry Edward & Phoebe Elise)

Evie Margaret Helen

Evie-May Elizabeth

Flora Hutchinson (Ruaridh Fraser)

Freya Charlotte (Aiden Neil)

Georgia Elizabeth (Jamie & Lexie)

Grace Lily (Noah Jack)

Grace Lily Eve

Isla Jane

Isla Mary

Jemima Molly (Archie John Wellington & Annabel Georgina)

Layla Mae (Lily Annabel)

Lila Beatrice

Lillian Frances (Robyn, Megan & Isobel)

Lillie Elizabeth Anne (Connor & Logan)

Lola Belle (Leo William & Alexa-May)

Lucy Kate

Lucy Rose (William)

Lyla Janet 

Mariella Rose (Harry)

Minnie-Mae

Mollie Alice

Neve Ella (Ewan)

Nicole Anneliese

Orla Grace

Orli Suzanne

Sadie Emma (Aiden)

Siena Hope (Hugo)

Sophia Caroline Jean Sundara

Stella Constance (Annick Elizabeth & Lara Florence)

Summer Genevieve Daisy (Willow & Skye Madeleine Lillie)

Sydnie Beau (Kaydee)

 

Twins:

Drew & Sonny

Ruben & Spencer (Evie, Molly, Chelsea & Maddie)

 

 

Name of the Week

 

From Ivanhoe to Harry Potter, Cedric 
is a gallant literary choice with medieval flair.

 

Origin:

Cedric is a literary adaption, created by Sir Walter Scott for his novel Ivanhoe (1819).   Most commonly, it is assumed that Scott based Cedric on (or misspelled) Cerdic, the name of the legendary founder of the Kingdom of Wessex (d.534). Most likely, Cerdic is Celtic in origin, a form of Ceretic, a name borne by, Ceretic Guletic (Coroticus), a king of Strathclyde  c.450 and Ceretic of Elmet/Ceredig ap Gwallog, the last king of Elmet (d. c. 617). Ceretic itself is a relative of the Welsh Caradog, Anglian Caradoc and Latin Caractacus. Caratacus (d.c.50 AD) was the famous British chieftain who resisted Roman occupation. The name is certainly ancient Celtic in origin, often reconstructed as *Caratācos in Brythonic Celtic. It most likely derives from the ProtoCeltic *karo, a verb meaning "to love" and adjective "dear, beloved" (related to *karant "friend") and the common Celtic suffix *-ako, now found in the Welsh -og and Irish -ach.  Another theory is that Scott based Cedric on the Welsh name Cedrych, from ced "bounty, boon" and drych "appearance, aspect, spectacle." The name is not common, however, Welsh legend has preserved the name Cedrych ap Gwaethfoed, Lord of Cardigan (fl. 1000).

Usage:

Cedric saw modest use with the publication of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe in 1819. It gradually picked up usage over the course of the 19th century, becoming more mainstream in the 1880s. This was no doubt, in part, due to the popularity of Frances Hodgson Burnett's Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) and its subsequent stage debut, in which the principle character was named Cedric Errol, though it had already been picking up usage by that time.  Birth registrations in England and Wales for Cedric are as follows: 1840: 1 birth; 1845: 3 births 1850: 3 births; 1855: 2 births 1860: 3 births; 1865: 1 birth 1870: 4 births; 1875: 4 births 1880: 6 births; 1882: 10 births; 1884: 9 births; 1886: 8 births; 1888: 29 births  1890: 60 births; 1895: 49 births 1900: 41 births; 1905: 89 births; 1910: 70 births In terms of popularity, that put Cedric at #203 in 1890 and #244 in 1900.  According the Leslie Dunkling, in the 20th century Cedric reached its peak in both 1925 and 1935 when 8 in every 10,000 boys received the name, a rise from 2 in every 10,000 in 1900. The figure then dropped back down to 2 by 1950, after which it dropped out of his rankings.  Since 1996, Cedric has had a birth count of between 3 and 11 each year in England and Wales, peaking at #1859 in 2009.  In 2012, Cedric ranked #2721 (7 births) in England and Wales and #1191 (1 birth) in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Cedric Morris (1889–1982), Welsh painter. * Cedric Hardwicke (1893–1964), British actor. * Cedric Belfrage (1904–1990), British writer Contemporary: * Cedric Kyles "Cedric the Entertainer" (b. 1964), American actor and comedian. Literature and Media: * Cedric the Saxon, character in Walter Scott's novel Ivanhoe (1819). * Cedric Errol, character in Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886). * Cedric Diggory, character in J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter series.

Variants:

Cerdic, Cedrick

Pronunciation:

SED-rik [key]

Possible diminutives:

Rick, Dec, Dex

Sibling Names:

Sybil     Lena     Maud     Ida     Lilla     Millicent    Douglas     Hector     Ralph     Silas     Fergus     Duncan

Name Lists:

Upright Elegance    Funky-Clunky    Victorian Darlings    Names from Harry Potter

 

If you like Cedric you may also like:   Aidric, Idris, Felix, Rhodri, Basil, Leon, Conrad, Hendrik, Edgar, Lance

 

Thanks to Janet for requesting this post.

Times and Telegraph: Twinsets, Trends and Diminutives 2013

The stats are compiled and we now know the most popular names of The Times and The Telegraph birth announcements in 2013. Let's now look a little closer for some of the hidden gems. 

 

Given Diminutives

Here are all the names that were announced in The Times and The Telegraph in 2013 that were listed with both a formal name and a nickname:

Beatrice Kathleen "Bea" Charlotte Lily Rose "Lottie" Charlotte Ruby "Charlie" Eleanor Kitty Lloyd "Ellie" Elizabeth Camilla Jessica "Betsy" Elizabeth Georgina "Libby" Emilia Beatrice "Millie" Evelyn Rose "Evie" Isadora Alice "Izzy"  Katherine Margaret Daisy "Kitty" Lillian Grace "Lily" Mary Lily "Molly" Mathilda Elizabeth Violet "Tilly"

Alfred George "Alfie" Archibald Patrick "Archie" Arichibald Robert Brown "Archie" Augustus Edward Marwood "Gus" Benedict Frederick Alexander "Ned" Benjamin Albert "Ben" Benjamin Samuel John "John" Charles Astley Robert "Charlie" Charles William David "Charlie" Christopher David Doucas "Kit" Christopher Mark Buffalo "Kit" Edward George Randall "Ned" Edward James "Teddy" Frederick Charles Barclay "Freddie" Frederick Christopher Giles "Freddie" Frederick David Lister  "Freddie" Frederick John Albert "Freddie" Frederick John Talbot "Freddie" Frederick Lysander Ferro "Freddie" Frederick William Stanhope "Freddie"

Henry Arthur Tyndale "Harry" Henry Geraint Foster "Harry" Henry Edward "Teddy" Hubert William George "Bertie" Jacob Harry George "Jake" Jonathan Charles Christian  "Johnnie"  Maximilian Donald "Max" Montagu Christopher "Monty" Montague Henry "Monty" Montgomery James "Monty" Montgomery Welch "Monty" Nicolas Henry George "Nico" Oswald George Bear "Ossie" Ruaridh James Howard "Roo" Samuel Paul "Sam" Theobald James "Theo" Theodore James Marco "Theo" Wilfred George Guy "Freddie" William "Billy"  William Archy Borthwick "Will"

Times and Telegraph twins (plus triplets)

Biggles George Fittleworth & Posie Betsy Winifred
Charles Jonty Edward & Rose Olivia Bay
Jack & Charlotte
Jack & Heidi
James Gordon John & Kirsty Mary Anne
James Ian Nikolai & Sophie Honor Beatrice
Louis Frederick & Cordelia Vyvyan
Lucas & Valentina
William & Cecily

Alfred Charles Nicholas & Vesey Peter Michael
Archie Alexander John & Thomas Arthur William
Arthur Peter & Rory Albert
Barnaby & Herbert
Bertram Joseph Orion & Cosmo George Russell
Broderick Grey & Graham Sparks
Charlie & Johnnie
Cosimo Benedict Thomas & Montague George Franco
Danson Aubrey & Maximilien Savile
Frederick Charles Mearns & George William Mearns
Jordan Everest & Logan Rayner
Orlando William Percy & Robert Duncan Thomas
Finn, Halkett & William

Alexa Margaret Lily & Saskia Patricia Amaryllis
Alexandria Aprille & Katerina Patricia
Amber Elena & Daisy Amelia
Beatrice Olive & Daisy Elizabeth
Elodie Nancy Florence & Ettilie Elsie Mabel
Emilia Rose Brassey & Isabella Bridget Brassey
Emily Grace & Evie Louise
Florence Mary & Matilda Rose
Isla Mae & Rosie Sophia
Isla May & Molly Rose
Isla Rose & Lillian Rose "Lily"
Leila Grace & Mia Yasmine

 

The Longest

Alexander Robert Patrick David
Aurelia Autumn Ottilie Velvet
Charles Isaac Saville William
Chloe Jacinth Kathryn Eileen
Clement Willoughby Frances StGeorge
Cosmo Henry Hugo Wilfred
Cosmo Nicholas Willoughby Hayden
Eloise Victoria Rose Mimi Howard
Elsbeth Rebecca Mary Sandra
Florence Ruth Adventure Helen
Frederick Dmitri Richard Patrick
George Henry Charles John Alton
Harry Anthony Arthur Herbert Fortescue
Hebe Clico Flora Mary
Henry David William Charles
Henry Peter Michael David
Ida Ophelia Rose Henny
Ishbel Beatrix Emma Rose
Ivo Balthazar Michael Shellard
John Bartholomew Justice Kensit
Minnie Flora Matilda Rastrick
Nelson Eugeniusz Isambard Lukasz
Olivia Elizabeth Florence Maria
Rose Bénédicte Sally Marie
Thomas James Kiu Sam
Tobias John Anthony Horatio
Wilhelmina Sophie Charlotte Bidwell
William Louis Walter Santos
Winston Alfred Robert Michael

 

Trends

As in the previous year, nature and word names were quite prevalent in 2013:

Alexander Fox Neil, Anna Myrtle, Annabella Teal Henrietta, Aria Rose, Aurelia Bay, Aurelia Autumn Ottilie Velvet, Basil Rupert Spikins, Bay Diana Dorothy, Bay Georgina, Betsan Rosia River, Bonny Hazel Rita, Bnnie Blue Una, Cecily Bohème, Heath Roll, Henry Fox Marmion, Herb Winter Alfred, India-Rose Sunny, Iris Lula Myrtle, Ivy Poppy Margaret, Jemima Storm, Laria Willow Rona, Laurel Kathryn Primrose, Lily Camillia Rose, Margot Bluebell Evie, Marina Iris Maud, Marni Sky Lucia, Octavia Cloud Indigo, Oscar Bear Willoughby, Oswald George Bear, Peony Olivia, Posie Betsy Winnifred, Rose Mary Blossom, Saskia Patricia Amaryllis, Velvet Valentine Florence

.
Several combos were rich with alliteration and assonance:

Albert Andrew, Alette Iris Rita, Alice Agatha, Allegra Annabel, Amelie Alice Audrey, Angelina Astara, Arthur Adrian Boris, Arwen Annabel, Barnaby George Jonty, Beatrice Benedetta, Calliope Clementine, Catherine Clementine, Christina Clementine Coventry, Clementine Lilla Cayley, Cleo Kinvara, Ettilie Elsie Mabel, Florence Coco Clementine, Freddie Fergus, Henry Hallam John, Hugo Henry, Ivan Oliver, Jack Julian, Jackson James, Jacob Joseph Jirou, Jasper Jock, Jasper Julian, Jaydon Sampson Alston, Joshua Jeevan, Leo Laurie, Margaret Mary, Marieta Martha, Molly Mabel, Quentin Claude, Rafe Robin James, Rafferty Ralph, Rufus Redgrave Page, Sybil Sabrina Ernestine. Theodora Tabitha, Valentina Violet Clare, Velvet Valentine Florence, Zara Romilly Rose

. 
Several parents opted for spare short forms as given names:

Bea Florence, Ben Stewart, Beth Harriet, Coco Ava Minnie, Gus Patrick Campbell, Gwenno Tegwen, Hattie Isabella, Herb Winter Alfred, Jake Timothy Stephen, Joe Philip, Joss Peta, Kit Gunnar, Kit Alexander, Kitty Penelope, Lou, Ned Miles Crosby, Nell Viola, Nelle Vautier, Patsy Elizabeth, Peggy Frances Sydney, Raff William Robert, Roly Percy George, Sam Harvey, Stevie Belle, Ted George Sheppard, Wilf Luca Sandy

. 

Also notable was the use of uncommon, adventurous or exotic middle names with more regular first names:

Alexandra Zelie Eden, Alice Eirwen, Arabella Lukrecija, Barnaby Bacchus, Benedict Caractacus, Bertram Joseph Orion, Cecily Bohème, Charles Octavius Douglas, Christopher Mark Buffalo, Eliza Mariquita, Elizabeth Grace Araceli, Eloise Ghislaine, Elsie May Silke, Emiko Christie Batwoman, Felix Lysander, Finley Valentino, Florence Ruth Adventure Helen, Frederick Viggo, Greta Delennyk, Harri Rhys Elvis, Hector Michael Neptune, Isla Aafke Isabel, Leonardo Ross Wolfram, Marina Odette Lucia, Mary Assumpta, Otis Livio Charles, Ottilie Jemima Alethea, Petra Alberta Juno, Ralph Atlas Varouge, Raphael Henry Acceus, Xanthe Rose Asenath

. 

And then there were the one-of-a-kind names i.e. names (first or middle) that appeared uniquely in one announcement in 2013:

Aariv Prithviraj Ajay, Alba Wilhelmina, Alette Iris Rita, Alexina Florence, Anouk Ramona, Ariel Brooklyn, Aubrey James, Augustin Edmund Nicolas, Belén Catalina, Bibiana Rose Sophia, Biggles George Fittleworth, Caireann Maria Dorothy, Caius Christian, Carina Leonora, Dara James, Dhruv Rayan, Finnigan Bernard Christopher, Henley William Leonard, Idonea Maud Isabella, Iróna Grace, Isis Mireille, Jacobi Hugh, Lancelot Graydon, Loveday Beatrice, Ludovic Fotis Anthony, Luella Charlotte Jane, Maurice Samuel, Minerva Freda Isabella, Mungo Charles Timothy, Olympia Bea Hermione, Panayiotis, Posie Betsy Winifred, Quincie Violet Insole, Sholto Montgomerie James, Sibylla Henriette Marie, Sterling Botolph, Tarquin John Mackenzie, Teymour Wafic Eskander, Tirso James, Titania Mill Mitchell, Utpalaksha Hektor, Wentworth Louis Canning, Xanthippe Phyllis Elizabeth, Zephyr Patrick

 

 

Times Births 2013

Here is a rundown of the most popular names announced in The Times in 2013.
In total there were 511 boys' births and 456 girls' births announced.

William was the top boys' choice for 2013, while Isabel and her variant spellings managed to just bag the top spot for girls. If variant spellings were not added together, Beatrice would have taken first place. 

The top 50 most popular Times names of 2013, with their number count, are as follows:

Boys' Names			.	Girls' Names
1 2 =3 =3 5 6 7 =8 =8 =10 =10 =10 13 =14 =14 =14 =14 =18 =18 =18 =18 =18 =18 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36 =36	William Henry Alexander* George Charles Frederick Thomas Arthur Harry* Jack James Oliver Edward* Benjamin Rory* Sebastian Wilfred* Benedict Hugo Joseph* Max Oscar Theodore Leo Samuel Toby Alfred Angus Archie Charlie Daniel Freddie John Louis* Maximilian Albert Cosmo Felix Fergus Finlay* Francis Hector Jackson Jasper Lucas Matthew Nicholas Orlando Patrick Rafe Rafferty Robin Rufus Theo Walter Zachary	25 19 18 18 17 16 13 11 11 10 10 10 9 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3		1 2 3 =4 =4 6 =7 =7 =9 =9 =9 =9 =13 =13 =13 =13 =17 =17 =17 =17 =17 =17 =23 =23 =23 =23 =23 =23 =23 =23 =23 =23 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33	Isabel* Beatrice Charlotte Elizabeth Sophie Imogen Lily Rose Alice* Arabella Florence Matilda* Eliza Elodie Emily Isla Catherine* Chloe Iris Jemima Lucy Molly Alexandra Amelia Amelie Eloise Flora Jessica Mary Ottilie Poppy Rosie Allegra Anna Audrey Cecily Cora Darcie* Esme Felicity Georgina Harriet Isabella Lara Madeleine Margot Olivia Scarlett Sofia* Tabitha Willa Zara	15 14 13 10 10 9 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

*Alexander=17/Alexandre=1, Edward=8/Eduard=1, Finlay=2/Finley=1, Harry=10/Harri=1, Joseph=5/Josef=1, Louis=3/Louie=1, Rory=6/Ruaridh=1, Wilfred=6/Wilfrid=1
*Alice=6/Alys=1, Catherine=2/Katharine=2/Kathryn=1, Darcie=2/Darcey=1, Harriet=5/Harriett=1, Isabel=6/Isobel=6/Isabelle=3, Matilda=5/Mathilda=2, Sofia=2/Sophia=1

 

The 20 most popular middle names (including second, third and fourth names) were as follows:

Boys			.	Girls
1 2 3 4 =5 =5 7 8 =9 =9 =11 =11 13 14 =15 =15 17 =18 =18 =18 =18	James William George Charles Edward Michael  John Alexander Henry Thomas Arthur Robert Nicholas Peter David Richard Patrick Albert Frederick Hugh Oliver	55 31 25 21 19 19 18 17 16 16 15 15 13 12 10 10 9 8 8 8 8		1 2 3 4 5 6 =7 =7 =9 =9 =11 =11 =11 =11 =11 =11 =17 =17 =17 =17 =17	Rose Mary Elizabeth Grace Sofia Catherine Anne Jane Florence Louise Lily Alice Alexandra Olivia Margaret May Beatrice Isabella Clementine Maria Violet	43 26 25 20 11 9 9 8 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5

You can compare these 2013 ranks with the 2011 boys, 2011 girls, 2012 boys and 2012 girls Times rankings. 

Telegraph Births 2013

Here is a rundown of the most popular names announced in The Telegraph in 2013, of which there were a total of 639 boys' births and 530 girls' births announced.

Charlotte knocked Florence off her two-year-long top spot in 2013, while William moved up from second place to first.

I have added variant spellings together for these rankings, an individual breakdown of which is underneath the ranking table. 

The top 50 most popular Telegraph names of 2013, with their number count, are as follows:

Boys' Names			.	Girls' Names
1 2 3 3 =5 =5 =7 =7 =7 =10 =10 =12 =12 =12 15 =16 =16 =18 =18 =20 =20 =20 =20 24 =25 =25 =25 =25 =25 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =39 =39 =39 =39 =39 =39 =39	William George Charles Frederick* Edward Henry Arthur Harry Jack Alexander Samuel Hugo James Oliver Oscar Felix Thomas Freddie* Wilfred* Leo Maximilian* Rory  Theodore Hector Alfred Archie  Barnaby Louis* Montgomery Angus Benedict Benjamin Charlie Joseph* Nicholas* Orlando Rafe* Sebastian Jasper Miles* Patrick Ralph Robert Rufus Zachary	26 23 19 19 17 17 14 14 14 13 13 12 12 12 11 10 10 9 9 8 8 8 8 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4		1 2 3 =4 =4 6 =7 =7 =9 =9 =11 =11 =11 =11 =15 =15 =15 =15 =15 =15 =15 =15 =15 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30 =30	Charlotte Isabella Isabelle*  Florence Poppy Matilda Alice Beatrice Annabel* Imogen Elizabeth Emilia* Emily Olivia Arabella Eliza Harriet* Isla Lily Martha Rose Sophia* Sophie Cecily Elodie Georgina Lucy* Mary Phoebe Amelie Anna Catherine* Claudia Daisy Eleanor Emma Esme Flora Iris Jemima Jessica Josephine Molly Rosie Violet	16 15 14 13 13 11 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

*Frederick=18/Frederic=1, Freddie=8/Freddy=1, Joseph=4/Josef=1, Louis=5/Louie=1, Maximilian=7/Maximilien=1, Miles=3/Myles=1, Nicholas=4/Nicolas=1, Rafe=4/Raef=1, Wilfred=8/Wilfrid=1
*Annabel=5/Annabelle=3, Catherine=3/Katharine=1, Emilia=6/Emelia=1, Harriet=5/Harriett=1, Isobel=6/Isabelle=6/Isabel=2, Lucy=4/Lucie=1, Sophia=4/Sofia=2

 

The 20 most popular middle names (including second, third and fourth names) were as follows:

Boys			.	Girls
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 =12 =12 14 =15 =15 =15 18 =19 =19	James William George John Charles Edward Henry Thomas David Arthur Daniel Joseph Peter Alexander Anthony Francis Oliver Nicholas Christopher Frederick	65 43 42 37 24 24 20 20 19 18 14 13 13 12 11 11 11 10 9 9		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 =12 =12 =14 =14 =14 =14	Rose Elizabeth Mary Grace Jane Ann/Anne Florence C/Katherine Charlotte May/Mae Olivia Alice Louise Clare/Claire Lily Sophia Victoria	47 38 35 27 20 17 16 14 12 10 9 8 8 7 7 7 7

You can compare these 2013 ranks with the 2010 boys, 2010 girls, 2011 boys, 2011 girls, 2012 boys and 2012 girls Telegraph rankings.