British Baby Names

UK Birth Announcements 17/2/14 - 23/2/14

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:

Áedán Robert (Eoin Francis)

Alfie Norman

Archie Howard (Zack)

Aston Thomas

Austin Frederick (Harrington Oscar)

Austin Jacob

Austin Joseph

Benjamin Jago Hester

Bertram Aubrey Finbar

Blake William

Charlie James (Hugo George & Toby)

Charlie Kevin

Dillan Arthur (Clara)

Elijah Harry

Ethan Francis

Felix Michael (Finlay Roy)

Finlay Nicholas

Frazer Leo

George John Paul (Henry Ray)

Hari Gruffydd

Harry James

Hendrix Alfred

Henry James 

Herbie William Hamilton (Gracie)

Horatio Elisha Hazard (Calista)

Jack Benjamin

Jack Grant 

James Anthony

Kaiden Vizor

Louie Sidney (Logan Samuel)

Luca John

Lucas James

Luka Ruaraidh Gillies

Mason Oliver (Jayden)

Max Matthew

Myles Edward (Raphael Louis)

Oliver James

Oliver Lawrence

Oliver Liam (Maisie Jade)

Orlando Warley (Savannah Lily)

Oscar Thomas

Parker Scott (Gabi)

Philip William Andrew

Quentin Giles (Megan)

Spencer Cameron

Theo Alexander (Toby Sebastian)

Theodore Robert George (Jemima Elisabeth Anna)

Thorfinn Jack 

Tommy James (Sadie)

Zachary James

 

Girls:

Alexa Bobbi

Alexandra Sally Rose (Charlotte Rachel Grace)

Allia Anne

Anna Elin

Annabelle Laura Allison

Annya Lynn

Ayla Daisy (Jamie William)

Beatrice Lucy Emma

Cali Jade (Thomas William "Tommy")

Camilla Alice (Ella Anne)

Charlotte Carey

Charlotte Louise

Clarisse Maude (Marguerite Eleanor)

Elisabet Barbara (Niklas & Ellen)

Emillie Jane

Emily Jane

Florence Betty (Montgomery Timothy Charter)

Florence Charlotte May (Amelia Elizabeth)

Hattie Sophia

Hermione Lily

Isabella Robyn

Ivy Bo (Tilly Hannah)

Izzie-May Elaine

Kaidee Olivia

Lexi Margaret 

Liberty Grace (Georgia Mae)

Lily Lee

Lissiana Ellen

Lola-Drew Vanessa

Mabel (Polly)

Magdalena Lily Napier

Millie Jane (Alfie Robson)

Molly Rose (Sam & James)

Nancy Joanna

Neve Claire

Olivia Georgia

Paisley Jo Eileen (Ashton James Ian & Miley Chloe Jasmine)

Phoebe Jane

Remi Rai (Charma)

Rosie Emma Chloe (Daniel Howard)

Rosie Jessie

Rosie Louise (Darcie Elizabeth)

Sadie Rose (Lexie Kate)

Sofia Mae (Maya Elizabeth)

Sophia Beata

Sophia Jane (Isabella Alice)

Sylvie Uma Alice

Violet Willow

Zara Alice

 

Twins:

Adrian & Aiden

Aubrey & Rocco (Cressida Lucy Florence)

Gemma & Jasmine (Lewis & Lauren)

 

 

Name of the Week

Genteel, fusty Mabel is a triumph of endurance,
for centuries reaching peaks of popularity, cycling in and out of favour.
Luckily, she's back on an upward curve again.

 

Origin:

Mabel is a contracted form of Amabel which is derived from the Latin amabilis "lovable."

Usage:

Amabel, and its more common form, Mabel, were recorded in a plethora of Medieval records from the 12th century, and in various forms. Mabilia and Amabilia were the common Latinisations used in Latin records, though Mabella, Mabilla and Mabillæ can also be found. Other forms recorded include Mabill, Mable, Mabley and Mabyle.  Mabel was certainly more common than Amabel, but did not replace it completely.  Mabb, Mobb, Mapp and Mopp appear to have been used as vernacular pet-forms, and explains the use of the diminutive Mabot (Mabb + French suffix ot), Mabota and Mabbet.  A study of 21 manors dated between c.1230-47 by Brian M. Scott places Mabel at #6 for most popular women's name. In a study of 1000 names from 10 counties from 1377-81, Redmonds calculates that Mabel held a rank of #32, which he characterises as 'infrequent'. This may show that the name had declined a little in popularity by the 14th century, from its height in the 13th century, though with such small samples it is impossible to truly know. It is interesting to note, however, that majority of Reaney and Wilson's examples for Mabel are cited from the 13th century. Mabel's established use in the Middle Ages created a whole host of derived surnames, including Mable, Mabley, Mabb, Mabbs, Mabbett, Mabbot, Mopp, Moppes and Mabson. Mabel's use declined in the following centuries, but certainly never disappeared (and was not as rare as is commonly proported). Smith Bannister's popularity rankings show that, though Mabel fluctuated in use, it did have a small peak in the late 16th century: 1538-49: —; 1550-9: —; 1560-9: #45; 1570-9: #35; 1580-9: #21; 1590-9: #29; 1600-9: #28; 1610-9: #39; 1620-9: #45; 1630-9: #27; 1640-9: #28; 1650-9: #30; 1660-9: #37; 1670-9: —; 1680-9: —; 1690-1700: —.  Once again, Mabel declined, but never disappeared. Baptism records in the 18th and early 19th century for little Mabels not especially common, but they can be easily found — especially in Yorkshire and Northumberland. Mabel seems to have been common to this region; Charlotte Mary Yonge, writing in 1863, said it was "still used among the Northern peasantry."  At the time Yonge wrote this, however, Mabel was once again on the upswing as one of the many medieval names which became highly fashionable in Victorian society. Mabel's spark may have been lighted when Wordsworth used the name in his sonnet St Catherine of Ledbury (1835) and compounded when C.M.Yonge used it herself in her bestselling novel The Heir of Redclyffe (1854). UK census records for women named Mabel demonstrate the meteoric nature of the name's rise in fashion: 1841: 319; 1851: 386; 1861: 813; 1871: 4,362; 1881: 23,448; 1891: 71,785; 1901: 125,035; 1911: 148,327 Mabel's zenith was reached in the late 19th century. It stayed steady for the first two decades of the 20th century, then saw a swift decline from that point on, leaving the Top 100 by the 1930s: 1880: #30 1890: #15 1900: #25 1904: #24  1914: #34 1924: #64 This corresponds to Leslie Dunkling's data for the number of girls registered with the name Mabel in every 10,000 births in England and Wales: 106 in 1900, 58 in 1925 and 12 in 1935. After this point, Mabel's use fell below 1/10000. In Scotland, Mabel ranked #53 in 1900 but had fallen out of the Top 100 by 1950.  With the turn of a new century, Mabel is at the beginning of another revival in England and Wales. It's usage has fluctuated year on year, but overall is on an upward curve. In 1996, only 17 babies were named Mabel in England and Wales (rank #1112). It peaked briefly in 2006 with 91 births (#440) and again in 2008 with 118 births (#378).  In 2012, Mabel ranked #312 with 155 births.  In Scotland, Mabel has had a birth count of between 1 and 7 since 2005, and ranked #1540 (1 birth) in 2012.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Mabel of Bury St. Edmunds, a highly talented 13th-century embroiderer, noted and esteemed by King Henry III. * Mabel Browne, Countess of Kildare (1536–1610), a favourite of Queen Mary I.  * Mabel Loomis Todd (1858–1932), American author. * Mabel Beardsley (1871–1916), British actress. * Mabel Vernon (1883–1975), American suffragist. * Mabel Philipson (1887-1951) was a British actress and politician. * Mabel Normand (1892–1930), an American silent film comedienne and actress. * Mabel Strickland, OBE (1899–1988), Maltese journalist and politician. * Mabel Poulton (1901–1994), British actress. * Dame Mabel Flora Miller, DBE (1906–1978), Australian lawyer and politician. * Mabel King (1932–1999), American singer and actress. Contemporary:  * Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau (born 1968), Dutch princess.  Literature and Media: * Mack & Mabel (1974), musical by Jerry Herman.  * Mabel Buchman, Paul and Jamie's daughter in sitcom Mad About You. Named for the acronym "Mothers Always Bring Extra Love." Celebrity Babies:  * Mabel Ray Mulroney (b.2008), daughter of Dermot Mulroney. * Mabel Painter Lower (b.2009), daughter of Chad Lowe. * Mabel Ray Willis (b.2012), daughter of Bruce Willis.

Variants:

Amabel, Mabella,  Maybel, Maybelle, Mabelle, Mabli (Welsh)

Pronunciation:

MAY-bəl [key]

Possible  diminutives:

May, Mae, Belle, Mel, Maisie, Mabbie, Mabs, Moppet

Sibling Names:

Agnes     Edith     Olive     Elsie     Winifred     Iris  Ralph     Walter    Arthur    Silas     Barnaby     Edmund

Name Lists:

Vintage   Medieval Favourites   Terrifically Tudor   Victorian Darlings   Gilbert & Sullivan Names

 

If you like Mabel you may also like:   Hazel, Martha, Blythe, Maud, Frances, Sybil, Maggie, Myrtle, Hester, Clara

 

Thanks to Patricia for requesting this post. 

Sibling Spotlight for Benedict

Below is a selection of British siblings with Benedict, 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: Caroline Benedict Cornelius Louisa Jane   1830s: Thomas Bernard Maria Benedict Charles Catherine Emily Lewis Mary Edward   Frederick Emily Jane William Angelina Benedict   Jemima  Jane George Elizabeth Henry Frances Benedict   1840s: Mary Teresa Joseph Aloysius John Stanislas Francis Xavier Augustine Benedict   John Nancy Benedict Mary Jane Wilmot (g) Elizabeth Margaret Catherine   1850s: Agnes Thomas Clara Julia Benedict Sophia Mary Augustine Richard Susannah Mary Alice Martina   John Cassandra Henry Benedict Samuel Annie Mary   James Francis Benedict Anastasia   1860s: Hannah Phoebe Joseph Benedict   William G. Lincoln Beatrice Benedict Bertram Joseph Sarah Elizabeth   Mary Theresa Winifred Caroline Agnes Monica Francis Godwin Bernard James Benedict Cuthbert Alice Mary   William Joseph Augustus Agnes Mary Bernard Albert Benedict Felix Alice Mary   1870s: Bertrand Marian Albert James Richard Gertrude Charles Benedict  (Helen) Lucy Leonard Ann Jane Clare (g) Cicely Elizabeth   Jacob Mary Winifred Joseph Zeta Benedict Mary Jane Gertrude Ann Francis Edward    1880s: Mary Ann Elizabeth James Patrick Susannah Louisa (Catherine) Agnes Scholastica Dora Augustine Leo Benedict Thomas   Thomas (Sidney) Ughtred T Idaline Mary C. Benedict Cedric Mildred   1890s: Alfred Walter Josiah Albert William Benedict Eliza Robert   Genevieve Leo Francis Dorothy Benedict Alexander

1980s: Benedict Joseph Candida Pleasance   Sebastian Benedict Michael  Tristan Christopher  Arabella Elizabeth    Benedict John Betty Davina Emma Florence   Benedict Tobias Peter  Barnaby Francis   Benedict John Stephen Amy Catherine Nicola Patrick William Felix   Isabel Charlotte Kezia Rose Nicholas Benedict Gabriel Joseph Hugo Louis Benedict Dominick Horatio    Benedict Edward John Nicholas James Pemberton   Jocelyn Henry Edwin Benedict James Edward Fergus Dominic Thomas   1990s: Benedict Edward John Archie David Piers Hugo William Moon Oscar James Robert   Tobias Adam Casimir Rupert Alban Fernley Benedict Aidan Theodore   Benedict Leo Edward Theo   Benedict Sebastian Thomas Oliver Edmund J. William Joseph A. Naomi Florence H. L. Miriam Rose A. Elinor Isabel Serena Noelle   Melita Alice Rachel Benedict Robin Stephen   Leila Agnese (Oscar) Benedict Casper Frederik   Benedict Roland Julian Lara Lilly Tatiana Juliet Sebastian Harry Bartholomew Aubrey   Rosamund Sarah Genevieve Clare Sebastian Patrick Benedict James Felix Gerard   Benedict Hugo William Tristram Henry Matthew Barnaby Dylan Alexander   Mary Eleanor Benedict Evelyn Richard Edmund Michael Patrick   2000s: Benedict Arthur Vincent Thomas   Douglas Arthur William "Doug" Matilda Eirene "Tilly" Edmund Matthew Albert "Ned" Benedict George Mountifort "Dash" Christophe Charles Emett "Kit"   Florence Lily George Xavier Benedict Rufus Ivo James Theodore Inigo   Edward Albert "Ned" Hector John & Benedict William (twins)   Benedict Richard C. Constantine Matthew Thomas Nancy Phyllida Rose Violet Mary Serena   Benedict Robin Harrington Arthur George Stobart Rose Alexandra May   Stanley Robert Edward Jasper Ignatius Michael Rufus William Edmund Benedict Henry Montague   William Louis Benedict George Cecily Kate Susanna   Benedict Blake Herbert Tobias "Bertie" Edward Humphrey P. Flora Sara Matilda Susan Iona Luci Ophelia Bunty   Benedict Nigel Philip Mariella Elisabeth Jane Violet Amelia Mary   Constance Elizabeth A. Hester Mary M. Benedict James Birkett   2010s: Clementine Eleanor "Clemmie" Beatrice Elsie Benedict Caractacus   Connie May Benedict Simon Jackson Frances Amanda Raven "Frankie"   Anna Sophia Hugo Alexander Benedict George

This post was requested by Lucie.

Upswing Girls' Names: England & Wales

Upswing names, in the name-business, are names that are quite literally on an upward curve in popularity. In this post I will be examining girls' names in England and Wales which, up until 2012 (the last point of data), have been continually rising in usage. 

First let's look at girls' names within the Top 100 which are currently rising (and are set to continue to do so). Would any of us be surprised if Ava and Isla reach the #1 or #2 spot in a few years? I'll eat one of my hats if they don't! And if you have been wondering why you keep hearing Elsie everywhere, or why there seems to be a surge of little Willows, perhaps these graphs will shed some light:

Upswing Names in the Top 100:

It isn't an exact science predicting which names are going to be the 'next big thing'. As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down, so an upward curve up until this point is no guarantee that a name will continually rise; it might have simply reached its peak in 2012. But an upward curve is certainly illuminating, and can help us to keep ahead of the game. Let's look at some names below the Top 100 which are also on the up and up:

Upswing Names below the Top 100:

 

Sweet Welsh Seren has been a big hit in its native Wales for years. It entered the Top 100 in Wales in 1998 and has been in the Top 10 since 2007.

Back in 1996, 46 girls were called Seren in E&W, and it's fair to assume that the majority of them were in Wales. Since then, Seren has been storming upwards, not only thanks to its rising popularity in Wales, but also its growing use in England as well. Of the 550 Serens born in 2012, 198 were born in Wales (#5) and 352 were born in England (#151). 

Watch out for Seren in the Top 100 very soon.

 

UK Birth Announcements 10/2/14 - 16/2/14

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:

Aiden Michael

Alexander Charles Walters (Henry William Ensor)

Alexander Matthew (Sophie Christine)

Alfie Lee

Anthony Paul (Autumn Leigh)

Archie Jake George

Archie John

Archie Ralph

Austin Eddie

Barnaby Guy Alexander (Clementine Diana Rose & Theodore Paul Edward "Theo")

Benjamin Alan

Benjamin Christopher (Amelia)

Billy Lawrence

Billy Lee

Charles Samuel

Charlie Eric 

Charlie Ron

Cooper Riley (Lennon Alexander)

Daniel Harry

Dean Scott (Rachel Elizabeth)

Declan Andrew

Edward James (Molly & Imogen)

Edward Maxwell

Elis Dafydd (Jac Owen)

Ethan Edward

Ethan Piran (Lola)

Flynn Johnstone (Megan & Liam)

Gabriel Lee (Oliver Lee & Oscar Lee)

Gabriel Stefan Peter (Angelina Grace)

Gibson Anthony Paul (Kyriani, Jacob & William)

Gregor Paul (Emily Rose)

Harris Lachlan (Georgie Elizabeth)

Harrison Lee (Yasmin & Maisy)

Harry Peter George (Frederick William Ralph "Freddie")

Harry Theodore James

Henry Alexander Aloysius (Florence Georgiana & Amelie Carolyn)

Jack Michael John

Jack William Caird

Jacob Anthony

Jacob Samuel

Jake Paul 

James Graham

Joe Peter (Thomas Ethan "Tommy")

Joseph John (Sophie Ella)

Joshua Andrew

Joshua Christopher (Daniel & Sophie Maya)

Joshua William

Kody Francis (Laura & Ben)

Leo Henry (Erin)

Lorcan William (Cleo Lois)

Luca William

Lucas Alexander (Nico)

Ludovic Henry Nicholas Raphael (Arthur John Hope Thomas)

Magnus Barnaby (Oscar & Hector Rupert)

Max David (Joshua)

Max Stanley

Maximilian William

Mylo Jake

Noah Edward

Noah Ross (Tahlia & Jackson Ross)

Oliver Stuart 

Parker Joseph

Reuben Owen (Riley Paul)

Sam Charles (Joe Lewis & Betsy Rose)

Tate William

Theo Lloyd

Tobias David "Tobi" (Noah)

Tyler Matthew Xavier (Maxwell Christopher Gordon)

William Cahal

 

Girls:

Abbie June (Archie)

Alba Elizabeth

Alice Mia (Zack Makenzie)

Alicia Eleanor Frances

Amelia Samantha Caroline

Arabella Ava

Avieana Sophia Georgia

Betsy Grace (Alfie)

Charley Eva

Charlotte Connie

Chloe Grace

Daisie Mika

Eliza Mary (Martha Rose)

Elora Rose

Emily Joyce Pearl

Emmie Grace

Erin Sophie

Esme Susan (Phoebe May)

Eve Annie (Olivia Jane)

Evelyn Kate

Faye Elise

Freya Louise

Georgia Margaret

Grace Margaret (Ella Bobbie)

Hazel Sophia (Eleanor Patricia Mary)

Holly Mae

Isabelle Olillia Dawn (Harry)

Isla Holly (Heather Rose)

Ivy Elizabeth (Thomas Jeffrey)

Jessica Lynn (Joseph)

Leah Mae

Leila Isabella (Elliott, Millie & Noah)

Lilian Mary

Olivia Lily

Olivia Rose

Poppy Frances

Saskia Anne Penelope

Scarlet Josephine

Sophie Grace (Alice & Olivia)

Sukey Clementine Orsa Ann

Zara Maisie Joanne

 

Twins:

Abigail Lucy Marie & Jack William Richard (Megan Joan Rose)

Darcy & Millie

Dominic Luc Peter & Jessica Rose Hazel

Isabella Lorna Fiona & Kyle John

 

 

Name of the Week

 

There's steady biblical Luke, stately Roman Lucas
and their artistic little brother Luca.

 

Origin:

Luca is the Italian equivalent to Luke, both being forms of the Latin name Lucas and its cognate Greek Loukas.  Lucas and Loukas themselves are both contractions of Lucanus/Loukanos meaning "of Lucania," a region in Southern Italy. Undoubtedly, Lucania took its name from the Proto­Indo­ European *lewko­ "bright, shining" (Greek leukos, Latin lucere). Luca is also the Hungarian form of Lucia.

Usage:

The propensity of all forms of Luke/Lucas across Europe is largely thanks to the fame of one man: St Luke, one of the Four Evangelists and author of the third Gospel and the Act of the Apostles. He was venerated as a saint from an early date in Christianity and, by the 12th century, forms of his name were widespread across the Christian world. Luca took hold in Italy (as the Italian form of Lucas) in the Middle Ages. Curiously, it was used at this time for both men and women. For women it was perhaps a contraction of Lucia, or fitting it to the general pattern of feminine names ending in -a, and masculine names in -o. Either way, it was far more common for men, as the frequency lists of names given to men and women in the Florence Catasto of 1427 show with its 229 males and 3 women bearing the name. Most frequency lists pertaining to Italian names during the Middle Ages place Luca within the Top 30 most popular names for men (usually around 21st-25th place). Among the most famous bearers were sculptor Luca della Robbia (1399–1482), painter and sculptor Luca Cambiaso "Luchetto da Genova" (1527–1585) and composer Luca Marenzio (1553–1599). Luca has been in used in Britain since at least the 18th century, but use of the name was largely confined to Italian or Hungarian migrant families. It wasn't until the late 20th century, that Luca has seen more widespread use in the UK.  The popularity of Luca and Luka since 1996 in England and Wales has been steadily rising for boys, but remained fairly constant for girls:      Luca     Luca    Luka    Luka 1996 #300 (83) #3795 (3) #938 (15) #2683 (5)  1997 #283 (107)  #3174 (4)  #1010 (14)  #3174 (4)  1998 #208 (152)  #2407 (6)  #761 (21)  #1979 (8)  1999 #179 (191)  #1970 (8)  #655 (26)  - 2000 #139 (272)  #1831 (9)  #596 (31)  #1594 (11)  2001 #117 (374) #2023 (8)  #433 (49)  #3262 (4)  2002 #104 (473)  #1658 (11) #493 (44)  #2105 (8)  2003 #98 (536) #1628 (12)  #401 (65)  #2436 (7)  2004 #95 (586) #2278 (8)  #325 (92)  #3725 (4)  2005 #83 (784)  #2247 (9)  #301 (106)  #2682 (7)  2006 #81 (826) #2320 (9)  #301 (117)  #2320 (9)  2007 #72 (999) #2233 (10)  #330 (111)  #2627 (8)  2008 #74 (974)  #2721 (8)  #331 (118)  #2487 (9)  2009 #72 (936)  #2019 (12)  #362 (107)  #1752 (15)  2010 #70 (953) #3156 (7)  #375 (108)  #1815 (15)  2011 #64 (982)  #2893 (8)  #333 (130)  #1489 (20)  2012 #61 (1117)  #3286 (7)  #339 (130)  #1991 (14)  * Numbers in brackets indicate the number of births in that year. Usage of the name Luca in Scotland has remained remarkably consistent in the last few years: 2005: #156 (31 births), 2006: #92 (64), 2007: #95 (69), 2008: #97 (69), 2009: #121 (49), 2010: #95 (64), 2011: #96 (65), 2012: #95 (72). In Italy, Luca ranked #14 for boys in 2012 (plus #21 in Austria, #24 in Belgium, #24 in The Netherlands, #59 in New South Wales and #85 in British Columbia), while Luka ranks #1 in both Croatia and Slovenia. In Hungary, Luca ranks #10 for girls.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Luca della Robbia (1399–1482), a Italian Renaissance sculptor. * Luca Signorelli (1441–1523), Italian painter. * Luca Cambiaso "Luchetto da Genova" (1527–1585), leading Italian painter and sculptor of the Genoese school. * Luca Marenzio (1553–1599), Italian composer. * Luca Ion Caragiale (1893–1921), Romanian poet, novelist and translator. Contemporary: * Luca Cadalora (b. 1963), Italian former Grand Prix motorcycle road racing world champion. * Luca Badoer (b. 1971), Italian former Formula One racing driver. * Luca Turilli (b.1972), Italian musician and composer. * Luca Napolitano (1986), Italian singer-songwriter. * Lucca Borges de Brito (b.1990), Brazilian footballer.  Literature and Media: * Luca Brasi, a character from the film and novel The Godfather. * Luka Kovač, a character in the television series ER. * Luka, a song by Suzanne Vega (1987), reaching #23 in the UK. Other: * Lucca, a city in Tuscany. * Luca is a Japanese rock band.

Variants:

Luka (Russian, Slavic), Lucas (Latin), Loukas (Greek), Lucca (Portuguese)

Pronunciation:

LOO-kə [key]

Possible diminutives:

Luc, Lou, Lucky

Sibling Names:

Mia     Zara     Rosa     Sofia     Esme     Ines  Jude     Theo     Max     Rory     Milo     Oscar

Name Lists:

Slim Softies

 

If you like Luca you may also like:   Leon, Nico, Louis, Noah, Rio, Hugo, Rocco, Jake, Zack, Isaac

 

Thanks to Monia for requesting this post.

The Harveys of Cullompton

Charles Harvey and Elizabeth Frost were both born and bred in Cullompton in Devon. The couple married in 1840, and raised their children in the same town. Charles was a grocer and tea dealer by trade, able to hire one or two servants at a time. Charles originally worked as part of his father's (Richard Harvey) grocery franchise in Collumpton High Street, and many of his sons followed him in the profession. 

Collumption High Street, 1851

The couple's first child was born in 1843; they named him Lucien Gustavus Charles Harvey. Like his father, he also joined the grocery trade, married, and lived to the grand old age of 87. He and his wife, Sarah Mary, had two children: Winifred and Gerald Charles. 

The second child was another son, Dionysius Richard Harvey, born in 1845 who similarly became a grocer and spirit merchant, employing two shop hands and domestic servant, and also lived to his 87th year. He and his wife Mary had children Charles Henry, Flora, William Richard, Gilbert, Godfrey James, Lucy and Arthur Frederick. 

The first daughter was born in 1848 and named Lucinda Mary Toogood Harvey. She died at the age of 6, and was the couple's only child not to make it to adulthood. 

Miriam Salome Pearce Harvey was born in 1850 and lived to the age of 76. By 1881, at the (then) matronly age of 30, she had moved to London to live with her cousins, William (a "Provisions dealer"), Julia and Bessie Frost in Portobello Road, and was working as a Housekeeper. It was here that she met her husband, Hermann Bernhard Ferdinand Garcke, who hailed from Saxony and together they ran a coffee refreshment house. Their children were Ernest Bernhard, Horace Bernhard and Douglas Hermann.

Marionette Elizabeth Harvey was born in 1852. She worked as a shop assistant while in her 20s and by 1901, aged 48, she was working in the kitchens of the Castle Hotel in Taunton St Mary Magdalen Within. She never married.

The couple's youngest child was born in 1855. They named him Mozart James Harvey. Like his brothers, he also became a grocer and he and his wife Mary Grace had children Eulalie Mary, William Mozart, Ermyntrude Ann, Trevor William, Austin Mozart, Oswald, Sylvia and Christine Grace.

 

Dionysius appears to have preferred being called "Richard". Several census records list him as such, as did his son Godfrey's army records. Miriam and Lucien were listed as "Salome" and "Charles" just once (though this may have been in error) and Marionette and Mozart were called exclusively by their first names.

It is interesting to note that Dionysius, opting to go by his more common middle name, chose popular names for his children, while Mozart, who kept his unconventional given name, chose more unusual names for his children.

 

UK Birth Announcements 3/2/14 - 9/2/14

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:

Adam Alan (Grace & Rose)

Aidan Willam

Angus Donald (Murron Louise)

Archie Angus

Archie Leigh

Charlie George

Frank Lochain

Freddie James (Alfie Charles & Jesse William)

George Barnaby

Gregory Colin Macdonald

Hamish Craig

Harrison Peter Darshan

Harry Arthur

Harry Bennett (Willa)

Harry Thomas

Isaac James

Jacob Mark

James Andrew (Charles Michael)

Joey James

Joey William

Jonah William

Lewis Theo (Riley James)

Luca William Edward

Lucas Brian David (Payton Lillie)

Mason Callum

Monty James (Maia & Tala)

Murray Fraser

Nathan Daniel

Niall Philip

Oliver David George

Reuben Jack (Maxwell)

Sasha Blue

Sebastian George

Sebastian Philip Singh

Shane Bernard

Spencer James Rory (Henry Charles David)

Tarka William Cameron (Orlando Alistair Valentine & Iona Victoria Tara)

Vinnie Phoenix (Aaron, Charlie & Logan)

William Joseph 

William Lionel Robert 

William Maurice

 

Girls:

Alice Belle

Amelia Emma (Joe & Scarlett Isabella)

Amy Jayne (Chloe)

Amy Ruth (Nathan Peter)

Annabell May (Ellie Louise)

Ava Grace

Bethany Mary (Emily Susan)

Charlie Rae (McKenzie)

Charlotte Kate

Chloe Grace

Connie May

Darcy Elizabeth (Erin)

Eliza Cate (Susannah & Clara Louise)

Eliza Elaine (Maddison & Reagan Roger Jason)

Eliza Lily

Elizabeth Christina

Ellena Iris

Ellie Sophia 

Eloise Grace

Elsie Jane

Erin Jade (Kayla Amber)

Erin Lesley (Sarah Ellen)

Eva Jillian Charlotte (James William Andrew)

Freya Louise

Grace Lucy (Elizabeth Rachel "Libby")

Hannah Lily (Jack & Amy)

Harriet Inez (Edward)

Hattie Rose (Milly, Isabella & Freya Nicola)

Isabella Katy

Isla Aurelia

Isla Bella

Isla Grace (Aaron)

Ivy Megan

Lauren Beatrice (Joseph Francis)

Lilia Rose

Lillica Nancy 

Madeleine Isabelle Catherine

Maisie Elizabeth

Marjory Ann Tilly "Maisie"

Martha Fiona (Matilda Eugénie)

Martha Katherine Elizabeth (Isabelle Connie Florence)

Molly Anna

Nancy Georgia

Nel

Olive Savannah

Olivia Alice (Madeleine "Maddy", Charlie, William & Freddie)

Olivia Grace (Chloe Louise & Sophie May)

Olivia Rose (Megan)

Penelope Wren (Maple Violet)

Phoebe Grace

Rose May Susan

Sabrina Elizabeth Alexandra

Sophie Emily Lumsiden (James William Anstruther)

Susie Patricia Christine (Anna)

Tilly Mae (Romy Elizabeth)

Violet Rose (Connie & Isaac)

Willow Amber

Willow Patricia

Winter Clementine (Willow Blossom)

Zoe Kate Maisie (Leo Archie)

 

Twins:

George Harry Snowden & Thomas Charles Hanbury

 

 

Name of the Week

Sassy Loretta encorporates both the glamour
of Golden-age Hollywood
and the earthiness of the Old West.

 

Origin:

Loretta developed in the Middle Ages as a diminutive of Laura. One of the earliest known bearers of the name Laura was St Laura of Cordoba (d.864) and veneration of her cult encouraged use the name. Lawrence, associated and ultimately derived from the Latin laurus "laurel," was already well established at this time, as was the feminine Laurentia. It is impossible to know whether Laura derived as a hypocoristic form of Laurentia, or an independent coinage from the Latin laurus. Possibly it was a combination of both.

Usage:

By the 13th century, Laura and Lora were well established in Britain, in what George Redmonds ranks as "infrequent use." To put that into context, it was about as popular as Agatha, Clemence, Helewise and Mary. At the same time, Loretta was in use as a diminutive. Reaney and Wilson find mention of three in medieval manuscripts: Lauretta Pico in 1185; a Loretta in Yorkshire in 1219; and Loreta de Motecombe in Sussex in 1332. Loretta de Braose (b. c. 1185) was also the fourth Countess of Leicester and connected with the court of King John.  Of course, we can never really be sure how many Lauras were called Loretta familiarly at this time, but it was used sufficiently enough to create the surnames Laurette, Lauret, Lorett, Lorette and Lawrett. Loretta and Lauretta maintained a steady, low usage through the following centuries until it picked up usage in the 19th century. Census records for women named Loretta or Lauretta clearly show this rise: 1841: 90; 1851: 126; 1861: 156; 1871: 250; 1881: 339; 1891: 500; 1901: 620; 1911: 593 In practice, this equated to no more than 25 births in any given year. Lauretta was the more common spelling during this period; Loretta took precedence in the 20th century with much the same usage, as seen with Leslie Dunkling's data for the number of girls registered with the names Loretta in every 10,000 births in England and Wales:    1925  1935 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990              2          2     2     2         2    2    2 The popularity of Loretta, Loreta and Lauretta since 1996 in England and Wales has been as follows:    Loretta   Lauretta   Loreta  1996  #1222 (15 births)     1997 #946 (22 births)      1998  #995 (21 births)      1999  #1160 (17 births)  #3900 (3 births)    2000  #2416 (6 births)  #3912 (3 births)    2001  #1305 (15 births)      2002  #1928 (9 births)  #2868 (5 births)  #2868 (5 births)  2003  #1843 (10 births)      2004  #1836 (11 births)      2005  #3382 (5 births)  #3970 (4 births)  2006  #2781 (7 births)  #4151 (4 births)  #5061 (3 births)  2007  #3218 (6 births)    #5201 (3 births)  2008  #1447 (19 births)  #5545 (3 births)   2009  #2019 (12 births)      2010  #1472 (20 births)  #5707 (3 births) #5707 (3 births)  2011 #3185 (7 births)    #5785 (3 births)  2012  #2581 (10 births)      The slight peak in 2010 could be explained by Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker's use of the name for their daughter in the previous year.

Famous Bearers:

Contemporary:  * Loretta Young (1913–2000), Oscar winning American actress. * Loretta Lynn (b. 1932), Country music singer-songwriter. * Loretta Long (b. 1940), American actress. * Loretta Ables Sayre (b. 1958), American actress and singer. Celebrity Babies:  * Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick "Loretta" (b.2009), daughter of Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, twin sister to Tabitha.

Variants:

Lauretta, Lorette, Laurette

Pronunciation:

lə-RET-ə [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Etta, Ettie, Letty, Lea, Lora, Lori, Lolly, Lotta, Lotty

Sibling Names:

Betsy     Mae     Vivian      Rita      Olive     Scarlett  Marvin     Guy     Winston     Calvin     Gerard     Willis

Name Lists:

Golden Age Hollywood   Funky-Clunky

 

If you like Loretta you may also like:   Betty, Rosetta, Lucille, Hetty, Greta, Ruby, Aletta, Gretchen, Elspeth, Garnet

 

Thanks to Lucy for requesting this post. 

UK Birth Announcements 27/1/14 - 2/2/14

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:

Alex Jacob William (Max Benjamin Robert)

Alex James (Phoebe Amelia)

Allan Alexander

Ben Alexander (Nathan)

Blaine Reed Scott (Jenson Leo Russell)

Callum LeBreton Kevin

Cameron Robert Neil

Charlie Ian (Alfie John)

Cole David (Niamh, Fearne & Orla)

Douglas Michael Scott (Eilidh Katharine MacGregor)

Edward Robert John (Alexander Lewis Patrick)

Felix Charlie James

Frankie George (Charlie William)

Frankie Wilson

George Arthur (Matilda Martha)

Harry Arjun (Lucy Jaya)

Harry Edward

Harry John Stewart (George Frederick Stewart)

Harry Roger

Hugh Douglas

Hunter Daniel (Connie Olivia)

Jack George (Charlie)

Jacob Isaac

Jacob Thomas

James Cyril

John Christopher

Joseph Alexander (Jessica Mei-Li & Rhys Donald John)

Joseph Leslie Richard

Joseph William (Daniel Riley)

Keir Walter

Kodah Ashley (Lola-Grace)

Kyle James

Leighton William George 

Leon Robert

Logan Joshua (Aleisha & Lucas James)

Logan Max

Logan Noah

Lucas William (Oliver James & Spencer Douglas)

Mason Lee (Harvey & Paige)

Max Buddy 

Ned George

Oliver Christopher (Isabelle Lily)

Oliver George Montresor

Patrick Anthony Charles (Nicholas William Garnet)

Reuben Joe William (Lenny Mark William)

Robin Guy

Rupert George Bertie 

Sahaj Anand

Samba David 

Samuel Donald (Ross Alexander)

Tor Ichikawa Jorge

Will Gary (Ellis Frederick)

William Arthur Chenery (Cecilia Elly Harriet)

William Clifford

William Lionel Robert

Zachary Albert

 

Girls:

Amelia Faith

Amelia Rose

Annabelle Daisy (Brendan & Aston)

Annabelle Olivia

Brooke Wynter Rose (Summer Marie Elizabeth)

Cara Genevieve

Chloe Catherine Rose (Rachael, Lyle and Arran)

Darcey Jean (Corey)

Darcey Marie (Lexie & Iona)

Darcie Ann Grace (Regan, Harry & Oliver)

Eden Reese

Eilidh Rebecca 

Evelyn Isobel

Evelyn Jane

Faith Daizy

Florence May (Imogen Grace)

Florence Noni Elizabeth

Florence Victoria (Isla Victoria)

Georgia Alice (Harry Thomas)

Indie Rae (Tyler)

Iona Charlotte 

Isla Betsy

Isla Rose

Isla Rose (Calum, Lucy & Sophie)

Jessica Alexandra Janet

Jessica Elisabeth

Jessica Jayne

Lexi Raven

Lola May 

Lucy Elizabeth

Madeleine June (Harry)

Olive (Cohen)

Phoebe Grace (Amber Jane)

Pippi Jaye (Tanner)

Rachel Alice (George)

Rosalie Anne (Elizabeth Rose "Beth")

Rosie Evelyn

Rosie May Susan

Sapphyre Lunna-Mae (Tyffany-Jayde)

Saskia Amari (Cameron)

Scarlett Christine (Brianne Ruby)

Sofia Rose

Sophie Evelyn

Tiarose Mai (Ryli & Cailen)

Violet Alice (Molly Juliet)

Violet Elizabeth Freda

Violet Jessie (Molly Jane)

 

Twins:

Benjamin John & Victoria Poppy (Alexander Ramsay)

Freya May & Hope Alice