British Baby Names

'Twas Ever Thus: War Baby Names

One of the first ever 'Twas Ever Thus posts I wrote, looked at the late Victorian fashion for naming babies after significant events and people involved in the Boer War, a fact which cropped up again when I catalogued the Top 200 names in England and Wales in 1900 and could see a whole host of children named Redvers, Baden, Roberts and Pretoria. 

This fashion for war-inspired baby names, it seems, persisted right through to the First World War, as we can see from these articles:

 

Yorkshire Evening Post - Tuesday 12 January 1915 

Yes, the First Lord AdmiraI at this time was indeed Winston Churchill. 

I rather love the idea of boys named Jellicoe. It makes me wonder whether Jude Law and Sadie Frost's son Rafferty got this middle name from his family tree. 

This idea of war names was obviously prevalent enough to still be of note decades later:

Dundee Courier - Friday 29 April 1932

Amy Johnson, CBE was a pioneering British aviator and quite an amazing woman. I rather hope there were some girls named after her. 

By the time of the Second World War, opinions on war names seem to have swung the opposite way, with this cautionary advice given to prospective mothers.

Gloucestershire Echo - Thursday 13 August 1942

So, action men and movie starlets are in, politicians and battle places are out, and (thankfully!) no babies were named Stalin. 

 

 

UK Birth Announcements 21/4/14 - 27/4/14

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

Sibling names are in brackets. 

 

Boys:

Alfie Edward (Christopher John)

Allan James

Asher Scott (Israel John & Gabriel George)

Benjamin Alexander (Thomas Alastair)

Brody Michael 

Charles Geoffrey Alexander (George, Catherine and Elizabeth)

David Michael Arthur (Elizabeth Sophie)

Dylan Clark

Dylan George

Frederick William Alexander

Hamish John

Harry Edward Walter

Joel Alfie

Joseph Jack (Rosie Grace & Samuel Frank)

Joshua Callum James (Ava Elise)

Luca Ross 

Lucas Michael

Magnus Paul (Claudia Ann & Eloise Marie)

Mason Campbell

Matteo Martin (Rafael Edward "Rafa")

Noah Peter

Oliver Stuart

Otis James (Elsa Victoria & Alexa)

Pacey Peter Chet

Reuben Henry (Thomas Joseph)

Rupert David Jonathan

Ryan Edward (Lyla Louise & Ailsa Ann)

Samuel John

Samuel Richard (Joseph John "Joe")

Stanley Lewis 

Tadgh Alfred

Thomas Edward James (George Thomas Piper)

Wilfred James Alexander (Toby George Aloysius)

Zach Alister (Max Alexander & Evan Robert)

 

Girls:

Abigail Mary

Ailsa Hayley May

Annabella Robyn (Maddison)

Ava-Grace Amelia

Carys Sarah 

Cerys Helen

Charlotte Paige

Eleanor Josie

Eleni Elpida (Isla Rose)

Eleri Rose (Toby William)

Elise Victoria

Etelie Ava (Ariana)

Georgia Fay (Felicity)

Harriet Anne Mary

Isabella Tina (Tyler John)

Ivy Moira Elizabeth

Jane Mary (Logan Russell & Owen Douglas)

Jessica Emily

Leah Louise (James Alexander)

Lorelei Violet (Isabella Grace & Tallulah Rose)

Lotte Heather

Lyla Valentine

Mathilda Beatrice Mary

Matilda Rose

Megan Isabelle

Nancy Ann (Jack Lester)

Olivia Victoria

Opal Arillas (Monty Rolf)

Pearl Olivia

Philippa Mary 

Phoebe Eleanor Bo (Harry Edgar Apollo)

Polly Adelina (Harry Daniel)

Seraphina Emine Merle (Tabetha)

Skye Isabel

 

Twins:

Harris Stewart & Lachlan Hamish 

Oliver Frazer & Olivia Agnes (Thomas & John)

 

Name of the Week

 ^.

Sturdy, saintly Simon is a solid classic that is little used
enough to make it a striking choice.

 

Origin:

Simon is an Ancent Greek name derived from simos "snub-nosed." It has long, however, been associated, confused and conflated with the Hebrew Simeon meaning "he has heard." Simon is the form used to render Simeon in the New Testament. It could simply be a Latinised (via a Hellenised) form of Simeon, also spelt Shim'on, or was influenced and replaced by the earlier form of the name.

Usage:

The name Simos is well attested in Ancient Greece; its variant Simon was less common but not without precedence. Simon the Shoemaker, for example, was an associate of Socrates in the late 5th century BCE.  Once Simon became used to render Simeon, examples of it litter the Jewish and early Christian world.  Simon was brought over to Britain by the Normans and quickly established itself with good popularity. The main reason for its frequency was thanks not only to Saint Simon the Zealot (though little is known of him), but more importantly, Saint Peter, whose original name was Simon, and was often referred to as Simon Peter.  In a study of 1000 names from 10 counties from 1377-81, Redmonds calculates that Simon held a rank of #13, which he characterises as 'quite popular'.  It was commonly written as Symound or Simond, with diminutives Sim, Simcock, Simkin, Simonet and Simonel. The popularity of Simon is attested by the plethora of surnames which derive from it including Simon(s), Symon(s), Sim(s), Sym(s), Simes, Syme, Simpson, Simonson, Simison, Simcock, Simcox, Simkin(s), Simkinson, Simmonds, Semmence, Semken and Simkiss.  During the Elizabethan era, Simon was the 19th most frequently used name in the county of Norfolk and Smith Bannister's popularity rankings show that, though Simon lost some ground in the 17th century, it still remained in quite constant use: 1538-49: #24; 1550-9: —; 1560-9: #14; 1570-9: #21; 1580-9: #19; 1590-9: #29; 1600-9: #29; 1610-9: #27; 1620-9: #34; 1630-9: —; 1640-9: #37; 1650-9: #32; 1660-9: —; 1670-9: —; 1680-9: #35; 1690-1700: #34.  This usage remained steady right up to the 19th century. Dunkling ranks Simon at #33 in 1700 in England and Wales, and #35 in 1800. By 1850, however, it had fallen below the top 50 and by 1870 was below the Top 100 at #117. It fell to #141 in 1880, #137 in 1890 and #146 in 1900.  In the early 20th century, feminine forms such as the French Simone and Italian Simona or Simonetta came into use. Simone saw some popularity in Britain in the late 20th century, peaking in the 1980s.  Simon stayed just below the Top 100 until the mid-20th century when it saw a meteoric revival, peaking in the 1970s. It first re-entered the Top 100 in 1954 when it shotup to #57. By 1964 it was #13 and reached its peak in 1974 at #8. It was still popular in 1984 when it ranked #21 but by 1994 had fallen to #75. It left the Top 100 in 1996, ranking #87. The name declined in use steadily from 1997 to 2003, and has since remained between the 200-300 mark. In 2012, Simon ranked #274 with 170 births in England and Wales.  In Scotland, Simon was longer standing in the 19th century, ranking #93 in 1900. It had fallen below the Top 100 by 1950, but was back up to #40 in 1975.  Since 2005, Simon has fluctuated between 4 and 17 births each year. In 2013, Simon ranked #280 with 14 births in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Eight Biblical characters were named Simon:    - Simon, the original name of Saint Peter.    - Saint Simon, one of the Twelve Apostles.    - Simon of Cyrene.    - Simon Magnus.    - A brother of Jesus.    - Simon the Pharisee in whose house Jesus was entertained    - The father of Judas Iscariot.    - A tanner of Joppa with whom Peter stayed. * Simon Bar Kokba (d. 135), Hebrew hero and leader of a major revolt against Rome under Hadrian. * Simon of Bet-Titta (d. 447), Christian martyr. * Simon of Worcester (d. 1150), English Bishop of Worcester. * Simon de Montfort (c. 1208–1265), earl of Leicester leader of the baronial revolt against Henry III of England. * Simon Sudbury (d. 1381) English Archbishop and Lord Chancellor. * Simon Paulli (1603–1680), Danish physician and botanist. Contemporary: * Simon Callow (b. 1949), British actor. * Sir Simon Rattle (b. 1955), British conductor.  * Simon Cowell (b.1959), British TV personality, producer and entrepreneur.  * Simon Pegg (b. 1970), British writer and actor. * Simon Amstell (b. 1979), British television presenter. Literacy and Other Media: * Simon Catling, a musician in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. * Simon, character in Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. * Simon, one of the characters in Alvin and the Chipmunks. Other: * Simon, a 1950s personal computer

Variants:

Ximun (Basque), Šimun(Croatian), Šimon (Czech), Siemen (Dutch), Simo (Finnish, Serbian), Shimon (Hebrew), Simone (Italian), Simonas (Lithuanian), Simen (Norwegian), Szymon (Polish), Simão (Portuguese), Semen (Russian), Šimon (Slovak), Simón, Jimeno (Spanish), Semen, Symon (Ukrainian), Shimmel (Yiddish)

Pronunciation:

SĪ-mən [key]

Possible diminutives:

Si, Sim

Sibling Names:

Bridget     Rebecca     Katherine     Helen     Rachel     Sarah  Richard     Michael     Christopher     David     Stephen     Robert

Name Lists:

Popular Biblical   Medieval Favourites   Terrifically Tudor   Gorgeously Georgian   Ancient Place Names   Shakespearean Names   Dickensian Names   Names from Tennyson

 

If you like Simon you may also like:   Silas, Peter, Tobias, Matthias, Anthony, Simeon, Josiah, Micah, Andrew, Philip

 

Thanks to Raya for requesting this post.

Top 200 Most Popular Names in England and Wales in 1870

To add to the Top 200 names in 1900, 1890, and 1880, here are the compiled rankings for the most popular births in England and Wales in 1870 from the original scanned pages of the England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915. 

Disclaimer: It should be noted that the data is not without its flaws. Births were originally recorded by a registrar (in their own handwriting) which were later typed up into the register. Some names are invariably recorded incorrectly and it is impossible to know where the mistake was made. Also, I have been compiling the ranks myself, and while I have endeavored to record the number of names as accurately as possible I am also liable to human error. This, however, should not affect the rankings very much overall.
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The Top 200 names in England and Wales in 1870: 

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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 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 96 98 99 100 100 100 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 114 116 117 118 119 120 120 122 123 123 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 133 135 135 135 138 138 138 141 141 143 143 145 146 146 146 149 149 151 152 152 154 155 156 156 156 159 160 161 162 162 164 165 166 167 168 168 170 171 171 173 174 175 175 177 178 179 180 180 182 182 184 185 186 187 187 187 190 190 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 198 200

William John George Thomas James Charles Henry Joseph Arthur Frederick Alfred Robert Edward Albert Walter Harry Richard Samuel Ernest Herbert Frank David Edwin Francis Fred Benjamin Tom Daniel Peter Isaac Stephen Percy Sidney Alexander Michael Patrick Matthew Edmund Hugh Lewis Willie Philip Christopher Edgar Andrew Frederic Evan Sydney Leonard Mark Ralph Abraham Horace Harold Jesse Sam Owen Jonathan Joe Joshua Reuben Martin Louis Oliver Enoch Reginald Anthony Josiah Archibald Jacob Eli Elijah Amos Bernard Cornelius Wilfred Timothy Augustus Moses Stanley Lawrence Job Cecil Nicholas Gilbert Aaron Hubert Adam Ebenezer Griffith Levi Jeremiah Rowland Maurice Clement Ben Luke Rees Ambrose Allen Jabez Percival Charlie Dennis Morgan Charley Nathaniel Ellis Morris Elias Victor Noah Wallace Nathan Solomon Roger Simon Ephraim Norman Howard Paul Lionel Bertram Jim Isaiah Jonas Dan Austin Vincent Wilson Clarence Douglas Phillip Septimus Allan Arnold Israel Abel Ezra Oswald Caleb Sampson Emmanuel Wright  Roland Donald Horatio Simeon Seth Theodore Emanuel Denis Llewellyn Miles Harvey Claude Laurence Spencer Bertie Edmond Clifford Cuthbert Montague Nelson Luther Bartholomew Godfrey Jonah Silas Cyril Felix Smith Oscar Theophilus Hedley Malcolm Humphrey Gerald Enos Jasper Joel Adolphus Christian Raymond Hiram Alan Algernon Elisha Robinson Eugene Llewelyn Dick Valentine Rupert Lancelot Harrison Harris Jenkin Julius Eustace

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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 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 100 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 116 118 119 119 121 122 123 124 125 125 127 128 128 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 140 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 150 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 158 158 158 162 162 164 165 165 167 168 168 170 171 172 173 174 175 175 177 177 179 179 181 182 183 184 185 186 186 188 188 189 189 192 193 193 195 195 197 197 197 197

Mary Elizabeth Sarah Alice Ellen Annie Margaret Emily Emma Ann Jane Eliza Ada Florence Edith Hannah Martha Louisa Clara Harriet Catherine Kate Fanny Agnes Charlotte Frances Caroline Lucy Anne Maria Minnie Rose Isabella Amy Amelia Jessie Eleanor Esther Gertrude Laura Susan Julia Rosa Matilda Bertha Lilly Rebecca Maud Susannah Rachel Ruth Lydia Lizzie Selina Beatrice Ethel Bessie Harriett Grace Henrietta Sophia Rosina Betsy Anna Lilian Helen Flora Mabel Phoebe Catharine Eva Bridget Georgina Rhoda Lavinia Adelaide Blanche Isabel Janet Lily Susanna Priscilla Helena Rosanna Dorothy Rosetta Nancy Marian Miriam Constance Winifred Leah Marion Nelly Jemima Nellie Barbara May Christiana Ida Violet Dora Maude Theresa Polly Georgiana Evelyn Cecilia Olive Augusta Louise Betty Eveline Adeline Ella Christina Thirza Dinah Betsey Phebe Katherine Hester Lizzy Letitia Emmeline Mercy Teresa Hilda Lillian Celia Naomi Johanna Blanch Lois Mildred Lillie Maggie Josephine Millicent Kathleen Phillis Angelina Bessy Honora Elsie Margaretta Eda Katharine Edna Deborah Marie Kezia Katie Jenny Joanna Nora Patience Abigail Gwenllian Hetty Norah Clarissa Prudence Sabina Cicely Rosannah Myra Eunice Victoria Hephzibah Leonora Arabella Alberta Wilhelmina Diana Margery Pamela Rachael Alma Lottie Lena Dorcas Effie Honor Lilley Lilla Madeline Carrie Tamar Annis Gwen Violetta Amanda Mahala Adah Cordelia Evangeline Marianne Olivia Rosamond

                                                   Statistics compiled by Eleanor Nickerson at britishbabynames.com
                                                              No unauthorised copying without credit or permission.

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The #1 names for boys and girls remain the same for 1900, 1890, 1880 and 1870: William and Mary. Once again, The difference lies in the declining number of children given these names over that time period: 

William
1870 - 51,299 births
1880 - 50,525 births
1890 - 45,925 births
1900 - 44,912 births

Mary
1870 - 47,108 births
1880 - 39,612 births
1890 - 27,802 births
1900 - 22,194 births

Names ranking in the Top 100 in 1870, but had fallen below by 1880:

Moses, Job, Aaron, Adam, Ebenezer, Griffith, Levi, Jeremiah, Luke, Rees, Ambrose 
Catharine, Lavinia, Adelaide, Priscilla, Rosanna, Rosetta, Nancy, Jemima, Barbara, Christiana 

Names ranking in the Top 200 in 1870, but had fallen below by 1880:

Edmond, Bartholomew, Smith, Enos, Jasper, Joel, Adolphus, Christian, Hiram, Robinson, Dick, Harris, Julius, Duncan, Major
Bessy, Joanna, Patience, Arabella, Pamela, Rachael, Honor, Lilley, Lilla, Amanda, Mahala, Cordelia, Olivia, Rosamond, Marianne, Euphemia, Rosalie, Keziah

 

Most notably, Daisy and Wilfrid — #67 and #77 respectively in 1880 — did not rank at all in the top 200 in 1870 Bertie, Cyril, Elsie and Hilda were also much lower in 1870, than their rank 10 years later.

Lily was much lower in 1870 than 1880 (#80 > #29), and yet, surprisingly, the spelling Lilly at this time superceded it, only to later decline (#46 > #86)

UK Birth Announcements 14/4/14 - 20/4/14

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 Duncan Strahan (Lara Phoebe)

Alfred Joseph Keevil "Alfie"

Archer Thomas

Charles Henry Lawrence (Albert John Blackall & Polly Elizabeth Mary)

Charlie Steven

Elliott Lucas

Francis Henry

Hamish John

Harris Stevie (Kyle & Jake)

Harris Taylor (Oliver)

Harry Austin Timothy (Rosanna Kate)

Harry Kelly 

Harry Oliver

Harry Ronald Frederic (Amara Eliza)

Hector Mark Hubert (Richard Archie George "Archie")

Henry William George (Chloe Jemima)

Ivor Charles Robert (Martha Melissa)

Jack Thomas (Daniel)

James Alexander

Liam James (Eden Rose)

Oliver James (George Samuel & Sam Henry)

Oscar Philip Antonino 

Oscar William Titus

Peter David (Charlotte Rose)

Rafferty Moses (Zebedee Leif & Huxley Abraham)

Ronnie George

Rowan Elijah Clark 

Thomson Archie Hugh (Eilidh, Calum & Katarina)

Toby David

William James D'Arcy (Emily)

Woody (Reece, Harry, Stanley, Isla & Vinnie)

 

Girls:

Abigail Rose

Ailsa Violet (Gregor)

Aimee-Jayne

Aisling Rose

Amelia Madeline Sheila (Frederick Peter "Freddie", William John and Grace Elizabeth Jean)

Amelia Sophie (Athena Harriet)

Amy Jaye (Euan)

Amy Leigh (Kacy)

Annie Eileen Bluebell

Avery Janet Hastie (Darcey Rose Johnstone)

Bailey Jean (Chloe)

Charlotte Kate

Clementine Florence Elizabeth (Tabitha Skye Jessica)

Colette Clara Rae (Isabella)

Elle Hannah

Emily Hazel

Emily Olivia May

Emma Joan

Eva June

Freya Elizabeth (Max)

Grace Evelyn (Henry Nicholas)

Imogen Grace

Juna Rose

Kaitlyn Donna

Layla Katie 

Maddie Willow

Matilda Catherine Ruth

Olivia Evie Jane

Phoebe Victoria Lyra

Ruby Jacqueline (Joe Allan Charles)

Saskia Joy

Skye Elizabeth (Callum Douglas)

Thea Amelie

Vivienna Liryc

 

Name of the Week

The new belle of the ball is vivacious Bella.
Watch her as she flies up the charts.

 

Origin:

Bella originally came into use as a given name, as a diminutive of names ending in -bella, such as Isabella, Arabella, Annabella, Christabella and the like.  It was later connected, in its own right, with the Italian and Spanish bella "beautiful," as Belle was connected with the cognate French belle.  Both words derive from the Latin bella, the feminine form of bellus meaning "beautiful, fair." In addition, bella was also used as the feminine form of bellum "war" and the two forms often merged. Bellatrix, for example meant "(feminine) warrior" in Latin.

Usage:

Bella has been used as a short form of -bella names since at least the 17th century. A small handful of baptisms can be found with the name use independently from the late 16th century, but these are mostly centred in Northumberland. More often it was used in a compound name such as Anna-Bella, Hannah-Bella, Maria-Bella and Sara-Bella or as a short form for Isabella, Annabella et al. Bella was more commonly recorded in baptism records independently in the 18th century. Intriguingly, most of this usage was in the most northern counties of England — Northumberland, Cumberland, Durham and Westmorland especially, but also Yorkshire and Lancashire — and their neighbouring border Scottish counties of Roxburgh, Berwick and Dumfries.  In the 19th century, Bella moved more into popular culture appearing in newspaper serialised novels such as "Bringing Out Daughters" in 1829 and Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend in 1864. The name did indeed grow in usage marginally throughout the 19th century, peaking in 1910, but then declined steadily again, which we can see from birth registrations in England and Wales: 1840: 16 births; 1850: 15; 1860: 18; 1870: 26; 1880: 42; 1890: 53; 1990: 59; 1910: 71; 1920: 59; 1930: 24; 1940: 4; 1950: 3; 1960: 3; 1970: 5; 1980: 9; 1990: 8 Even at its peak, these numbers were never enough for Bella to crack the Top 200 most popular names. We should bear in mind of course, that with so many names ending in -bella, Bella has inevitably been "in use" more frequently, at least as a nickname.  It has only been the turn of this last century when Bella has made any significant impact as a given name in its own right, having rocketed up the charts in recent years. And, although it isn't the only factor, the impact of the Twilight series on the name Bella cannot be ignored.  From 1996 to 2002 in England and Wales Bella was at a steady rank of between #1015 and #703, averaging around 30 births per year. After 2003, Bella steadily increased in birth count each year: 64 in 2004, 108 in 2006, 184 in 2008. The first marked jump came in 2009 (after the release of the first Twilight movie) when it ranked #165 with 314 births. It almost doubled the following year when it  reached #104 (575 births) and finally cracked the Top 100 in 2011 at #69 (823 births) and was #58 with 1027 births in 2012. Added to this are many hyphenated Bella names (Bella-May, Bella-Louise, Bella-Marie etc) which are also on the rise. Bella-Rose ranked #529 with 80 births independently in 2012. In Scotland, Bella ranked #850 with 2 births in 2005, and had the same number the following year and in 2008. In 2009 it ranked #485 (6 births) and then jumped up to #180 (25 births) in 2010 and broke the Top 100 in 2012 at #87 (57 births).  In 2013, however, the name fell to #119 with 39 births.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Bella Woolf OBE (1877–1960), English author. Contemporary: * Bella Freud (b. 1961), fashion designer. * Bella Heathcote (b. 1988), Australian actress. * Bella Hardy (b. 1984), British folk singer.  Literature and Media: * Bella Wilfer, a principle character in Charles Dickens' novel Our Mutual Friend (1864). * Bella, a character on the popular children's television programme The Tweenies (2003-2008) * Isabella "Bella" Swan, a principle character in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series.  Other: * Bella, a town in Basilicata, Italy.

Variants:

Belle

Pronunciation:

BEL-ə [key]

Possible  Longer Forms:

Amabel, Annabella, Arabella, Beletili, Belisama, Belinda, Belisent, Belladonna, Bellamy, Bellatrix, Bellona, Christabel, Christabella, Dulcibella, Elizabeth, Gabriella, Isabella, Mirabel, Mirabella, Rosabel, Rosabella

Sibling Names:

Ava     Florence     Olivia     Esme     Willow     Sophia  Owen     George     Theo     Zack     Max     Harry

Name Lists:

Guys and Dolls   Names of Roses   Dickensian Names

 

If you like Bella you may also like:  Stella, Betsy, Amelie, Mia, Lola, Ruby, Aria, Violet, Lilia, Ayla

 

Thanks to Tania for requesting this post. 

Welsh Diminutives

image from walesonline.co.uk

The major headline for British baby names in the last decade has undoubtedly been the rise of diminutives as given names. Alfie, Archie, Charlie, Tommy, Evie, Millie, Maisie and many others are boundless in our playgrounds as parents opt for cheerful and breezy short forms. But this phenomenon is certainly not confined to the English language — Wales has also been getting in on the act of reviving vintage pet forms and putting them 'up front' on birth certificates. 

Here are two typical Welsh birth announcement from 2013 to illustrate:

Ionawr 14eg, 2013 Croeso mawr i Nico Llwyd mab i Berwyn ac Awel a brawd bach i Bedo, Nanw a Nel.
"January 14th 2013. Welcome to Nico Llwyd, son of Berwyn and Awel and little brother to Bedo, Nanw and Nel."

Gwil Samuel, ganwyd 5ed o Fedi 2013 mab i Rowena a Karl a brawd bach i Cadi.
"Gwil Samuel, born 5th September 2013, a son for Rowena and Karl and little brother for Cadi"

Several Welsh diminutives are as established as first names as Jack, Harry, Elsie and the like. Dai / Dewi, Bethan and Megan certainly spring to mind.
But, this post does not look at the long established and emancipated Welsh diminutives, rather, a delve into vintage Welsh pet forms which are now taking on new life. Some are indigenous Welsh nicknames, shortened from indigenous Welsh names; some are wholly Welsh pet forms of 'English' names; and others are established "Cymricised" forms of familiar English nicknames i.e Jac for Jack, Hari for Harry. 

 

Boys

Bedo (BE-dō) - A diminutive of Maredudd / Meredith (mə-RED-idth) [audio] which is long established in Wales and notably borne by several medieval kings and princes. Bedo itself is known to have been borne by at least four medieval poets, demonstrating the nickname's longevity.The surname Beddoe / Beddow derives from this name. 

Bedyn (BED-ən) - A rarer diminutive of Maredudd. 

Bilo (BIL-ō) - A pet form of William. 

Bobi (BOB-ee) - A diminutive of Robert, the Welsh equivalent of Bobby which has ranked since 2004. 

Dafi (DAV-ee) - A diminutive of Dafydd, the Welsh form of David, and equivalent to Davey. In 2012, Dafi ranked for the first time in England and Wales since 1996 with 3 births. 

Deian (DAY-ən) - Another diminutive of Dafydd that is a little more established as an independent name, having ranked fourteen years in seventeen since 1996. In 2012, 8 babies were named Deian. 

Deio (DAY-ō) - This diminutive of Dafydd has gradually risen since 1998, peaking to 14 births in 2011. 

Guto (GIT-ō) - A diminutive of Gruffudd (GRIFF-idth) [audio] which, like Maredudd, hails back to medieval Welsh royalty. Guto is well established as a given name, obtaining a birth count of between 7 and 19 each year since 1996. In 2012 it was given to 10 babies. Gutyn (GIT-in) is a rarer diminutive of Gruffudd has not yet ranked as an independent given name. 

Gronw (GRON-oo) - A short form of Goronwy [audio]. In Welsh mythology, Gronw Pebr is a character in the fourth branch of the Mabinogian. 

Gruff (GRIF) - The most common nickname for Gruffudd / Gruffydd itself is the shortening Gruff, though this has less independent usage than Guto. Gruff has been rising as a given name since 2006 and in 2012 was given to 12 babies. 

Gwìl - A shortening of Gwilym, the Welsh form of William. 

Ianto (YAN-tō) - A diminutive of Ifan, one of the Welsh forms of John. Ianto has taken on new life as an independent name since its boost from Torchwood, and was given to 10 babies in 2012. 
Iantws (YAN-tus) is another variant. 

Ieu (YAY) - A short form of Ieuan (YAY-ən) [audio]. Commonly used as a short form, but has not yet ranked as an independent name. 

Iolo (YOL-ō) - A diminutive of Iorwerth (YOR-wəth) which has been long established as an independent name. In 2012, 31 babies were named Iolo, perhaps influenced by nature oberver and television presenter Iolo Williams. Iolyn is a variant form. 

Iori (YO-ree) - A short form of Iorwerth (YOR-wəth) which has ranked in England and Wales since 2005. In 2012, 5 babies were given the name. 

Llelo (HLE-ō) - A diminutive of Llewelyn [audio].

Llew (HLOO) - A short form of Llewelyn [audio], which ranked as an independent name in 2010 and 2011. 

Meic (MĪK) - A short form of Meical, a Welsh form of Michael. Essentially this a Cymricised form of Mike and, as such, is no longer commonly given to boys, but is prevalent among adults.  

Moi (MOY) - A diminutive of Morus (MO-ris), the Welsh form of Maurice / Morris. It has not had more than three births per year to rank in official data, though birth announcements show that it is currently in use (e.g. Moi John, brother of Nanw Mai). 

Nedw (NED-oo) - A diminutive of Edward with the diminutive suffix -w (Edward > Ed > Ned > Nedw). Neda is occasionally found as a feminine form. 

 

Girls

Begw (BE-goo) - A diminutive of Marged (Margaret), based on Meg with the diminutive suffix -w. Marged > Meg > Beg > Begw. Beggan is another similar diminutive. 

Beti (BET-ee) - A diminutive of Elizabeth; the Welsh form of Betty. 

Betsan (BET-sən) - Another pet form of Elizabeth, based on the diminutive Betsi with the diminutive suffix -an. 

Betw (BET-oo) - A diminutive of Bet, a short form of Elizabeth. 

Cadi (KAD-ee) - A diminutive of Catrin, the Welsh form of Catherine. Cadi has been rising steadily since 1996 and was given to 43 babies in 2012. 

Catws (KAT-oos) - A diminutive form of Cati (KAT-ee), a short form of Catrin. 

Citi (KIT-ee) - A diminutive of Catrin. Essentially a Cymricised form of Kitty.

Fanw (VAN-oo) - A diminutive of Myfanwy (mi-VAN-wee) [audio], an old traditional Welsh name which means "my dear girl."

Gwenlli (GWEN-hlee) - A short form of Gwenllian (gwen-HLEE-an) [audio], one of the most enduring and classic Welsh girls name. Gwenlli has a birth count of between 1 and 3 births per year. 

Gwenno (GWEN-ō) - A diminutive of Gwen, a short form of Gwenllian, Gwynhwyfar and Gwendolen. Gwenno is being increasingly used as an independent name. In 2011, 19 babies were given the name. 

Lali (LAL-ee) - A pet form of Sali (SAL-ee), a diminutive of Sara. (Sara > Sal > Sali > Lali). 

Llio (HLEE-ō) - A diminutive of Gwenllian which, independently, has had a birth count of between 3 and 11 each year. 

Magws (MAG-oos) - A pet form of Magi (MAG-ee), a diminutive of Marged (Margaret) and the Welsh form of Maggie. Magi was given to 4 babies in 2012. 

Malws (MAL-oos) - A pet form of Mali (MAL-ee), a diminutive of Mari, the Welsh form of Mary. (Mari > Mal > Mali > Malws). The closest English equivalent is Molly.
Malws still remains in use more as a pet form. Mali, however, is increasingly used in its own right, and was given to 78 babies in 2012. 

Malen (MAL-en) - A pet form of either Magdalen or Mari. 3 babies were given the name independently in 2012. 

Myfi (MIV-ee) - A pet form of Myfanwy (mi-VAN-wee) [audio]. 

Nanw (NAN-oo) - A pet form of Nani (NAN-ee), a diminutive of Ann. (Ann > Nan > Nani > Nanw). The closest English equivalent is Annie. In the last century, Nanno was sometimes used as a variant spelling. In 2012, 4 babies were given the name Nanw.

Nelw (NEL-oo) - A pet form of Nel, the Welsh diminutive of Elin (Ellen) or Elinor (Elin > El > Nel > Nelw). Nel itself is has been rising steadily since 1999 and in 2012 was given to 35 babies. 

Palws (PAL-oos) - A pet form of Pali (PAL-ee), a diminutive of Mari and equivalent to Polly in English (Mari > Mal > Mali > Pali > Palws).

Pegan (PEG-ən) - A diminutive of Marged (Margaret) via the short form Peg (Marged > Meg > Peg > Pegan).

Pegws (PEG-oos) A pet form of Pegi (PEG-ee), a diminutive of Marged and equivalent to Peggy in English. 

Siani (SHARN-ee) - A diminutive form of Siân, the Welsh form of Jane. 

Pronunciation key

 

UK Birth Announcements 7/4/14 - 13/4/14

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:

Archer Leyland

Archie Fraser

Bartol Ford Louis (Tekla Luciana & Conrad Nicholas)

Ben Graham

Brook George Percival Weld

Calum Andrew

Charlie Robert David (Harry James William)

Charlie Steven (Sam, Rosa & Annie)

Edward Christopher Stewart

Efan Owen

Frederick  Alexander Edward "Freddie" (Henry William Arthur)

Henry John William

Henry Spencer (Joshua & Francesca)

Innes Robert Douglas

Jacob Sydney (Taryn Elisabeth)

James Edward (George Ernest)

James John (Jack Edward & Jayden Lee)

James Thomas

John Douglas

Joseph Graham

Joshua Samuel Martin

Kurtis George

Leo Cameron Dinwoodie (Toby, Sam & Charlie)

Marco Colin

Mason Connor

Noah George

Oscar Atticus

Oscar Hugh (Harriet)

Oscar Max

Owen Graeme (Marc)

Robin Harry

Rory Ivar (Arthur Stewart)

Samuel James Laurence (Willow Amelie Grace)

Thomas John Hampton (Nicholas George Murray)

Thomas John William

William Archibald James

 

Girls:

Abi Lucia (Jason)

Abigail Georgina (Elsie Kiri)

Abigail Samantha (Freya Naomi)

Aimee Willow

Allegra Louisa Lorraine

Anna Gwen (Ellen Wyn)

Anna Louise (Noah John)

Ava Poppy (Dylan Jack)

Charis Anne (Caleb Calvin)

Charlotte Isabella (Nicholas John Matthew)

Chloe Helen (Lucy)

Constance (Stanley William)

Eilidh Grace (Hannah)

Elizabeth Anne

Elsie Rose

Emmy Avril

Evelyn Grace (James Stuart)

Georgia Rose (Alfie)

Grace Marie 

Jessica Claire

Lillian May

Lucy Amelia

Lydia Jane (Anna Joy & Peter)

Matilda Lily

Mila Suzanne (Elena Maria)

Millie Fay Hannah

Nevaeh Emilia

Nina Margaret

Olivia Hope

Orla Yve (Liam & Kyle)

Ottilie Honor Florence

Phoebe Olivia Grace

Rebecca Isabel Jayne (Thomas James Lucas)

Sophie Edith

Summer Kacey (Sophie, Faith & Erin)

Tate Georgina (Gabe, Ava & Eris)

Tess Kristen (Spencer John Lindsay & Myles Andrew)

Vivienne Lilly (Logan & Aiden)

Zara Eilidh (Isla Sofia)

 

 

 

Name of the Week

 

Like Avery, Aubrey is a sleek surname-style first name
with Germanic routes, a French twist and Norman namesakes.

 

Origin:

Aubrey is the English vernacular form of two distinct Germanic names: Alberic - The masculine Germanic Albirich is made up of the elements alb "elf" and reiks "ruler, powerful, rich, king," cognate with the Anglo-Saxon Aelfric. It was Latinised as Albericus, becoming Alberi/Albri in Old French, with the l later becoming vocalised as Auberi and Aubri. Alberada - Feminine Alberada was composed of the elements alb "elf" and radi" counsel, advice," equivalent to Alfred in Old English. Alberad was also used as a masculine name, but it was the feminine Alberada which became Albreda in 12th and 13th century Latin records. In Old French both Alberada and Alberad became Alverat, Alberad and Albray which was vocalised as Aubree and Auberee. Both Alberich's Aubri and Alberada's Aubree became Aubrey in vernacular English.

Usage:

Alberich appears in ancient Germanic legend as chief of the Nibelungen race of dwarfs who guards the treasure of the Nibelungen. His name was translated into French as Auberon / Oberon and became known throughout medieval and Renaissance literature as the king of the fairies. Albericus and Alberada were not uncommon names in 11th century Europe and both were brought over to Britain by the Normans. Aubrey (Alberic) de Coucy, for example, was a Norman baron who was given the earldom of Northumbria by William the Conqueror and Alberada of Buonalbergo (1059–1085) was daughter of Reginald I, Count of Burgundy and first wife of Robert Guiscard, duke of Apulia. The Domesday Book of 1086 particularly notes one Norman by the name of Albericus de Vere (Aubrey de Vere) who held land in six counties. His son, also named Aubrey de Vere, became master chamberlain of England and his grandson Aubrey was made the first Earl of Oxford. Needless to say, Aubrey has been a notable name in the de Vere family ever since. The 1332 Lay Subsidy Rolls for Lincolnshire list three males named Alvered, one Albredus (Aubrey) and three women named Albreda, demonstrating its unisex use from the 11th to 14th century. At this time, the surnames Aubray, Aubrey, Aubry, Aubery, Aubury, Awbery and Owbry came in to use, though now, given the common use of Aubrey for both sexes, it is almost impossible to determine which forms came from Alberic and which from Alberada. In the 17th century, Aubrey was still in use for both boys and girls, though more commonly for boys. Its gender usage was largely based on location. A whole bevy of boys with the name were baptised in Hereford and the surrounding counties, while Norfolk (where Audrey was not uncommon) saw a few girls named Abry. By the 18th century, Albreda seems to have been used less as Aubrey and more as the form Aphra and Aufra. Aubrey itself therein was almost exclusively masculine in use from that time unless used as a middle name for girls (though this was most likely due to adoption of a family surname rather than first name). Aubrey grew in popularity during the 19th century. In 1880 Aubrey ranked #160 for boys in England and Wales, rising to #153 in 1890 and #130 in 1900 with 195 births. This was very much the peak of Aubrey's popularity, as can be seen from Leslie Dunkling's data for the number of boys registered with the name Aubrey in every 10,000 births in England and Wales.  1900 1925  1935 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990     8     6     4             2      1              The popularity of Aubrey since 1996 in England and Wales has been steadily rising for boys. A short time after Aubrey began to rise for boys, it has also seen a resurrection for girls:     Aubrey  Aubrey  Aubree 1996 #1765 (6) - - 1997 #1578 (7)  - - 1998 #1642 (7)  - - 1999 #1664 (7)  - - 2000 #3036 (3)  - - 2001 #2587 (4) - - 2002 #1799 (7)  - - 2003 #3467 (3) - - 2004 #1732 (9) - - 2005 #1716 (10)  - - 2006 #1892 (9) - - 2007 #1756 (11) #5201 (3)  - 2008 #1242 (19)  #3005 (7)  - 2009 #1425 (16)  #3422 (6)  -  2010 #1407 (17) #3156 (7)  - 2011 #1209 (21)  #2275 (11)  #3549 (6)  2012 #1051 (26)  #1253 (26)  #1253 (26)   * Numbers in brackets indicate the number of births in that year. Usage of the name in Scotland has only ranked a few times in recent years and equally used by both genders: 2005 (#1215, 1 birth), 2006 (#1144 , 1 birth) (#1259, 1 birth) and 2009: #1081 (1 birth). In 2012 Aubrey ranked #815 (3 births) for girls and #819 (2 births) for boys.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Aubrey de Troisfontaines (d. c. 1250), French chronicler of the 13th century. * Aubrey de Vere III (c. 1115–1194), first Earl of Oxford. * Aubrey Thomas de Vere (1814–1902), Irish poet. * Aubrey Beardsley (1872–1898), English artist, illustrator, and author. * Aubrey de Sélincourt (1894–1962), British writer, classical scholar and translator. * Aubrey Newman (1904–1994), British historian and professor. Contemporary: * Aubrey Morris (b. 1926), English actor. * Aubrey Huff (b. 1976), American baseball player. * Aubrey Dollar (b. 1980), American actress. * Aubrey O'Day (b. 1984), American singer. * Aubrey Drake Graham (b.orn 1986), Canadian rapper and actor: stage name "Drake". Other: * Aubrey, 1980 British cartoon series.

Variants:

Auberic, Alberic

Pronunciation:

OR-bree [key]

Possible diminutives:

Bray, Boy

Sibling Names:

Sylvia     Elsa     Caroline     Honor     Flora     Penelope   Digby     Montague     Rollo     Emmett     Milo     Jolyon

Name Lists:

Upright Elegance   Victorian Darlings

 

If you like Aubrey you may also like:   Quincy, Percy, Willoughby, Stanley, Harvey, Jolyon, Avery, Everett, Bertram, Sidney, Hugo

 

Thanks to Jennifer for requesting this post.

Ancient Greek E Names for Girls

Here are some of the "E" (epsilon) names — the fifth letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet —that were used for women in Ancient Greek society. 

Most are taken from inscriptions and tomb reliefs, though I have listed only those that are not commonly used today, so no Eirene, Eulalia, Elena or Eudora.

I have also included pronunciations (standard as taught for Ancient Greek in English) apart from those which are very intuitive to English speakers, the key to which can be found here. Certain names beginning with the letter ε (epsilon) are preceeded by a breathing mark, which is usually transliterated as starting with a 'h' (e.g. Ἑλενα becomes Helena; ‘Ερμιονη becomes Hermione).

The first four letters can be found in these three previous posts:
A  B/G  D 

 

Eidothea (ay-dō-thee-a) 
eidō "knowing, seeing" + thea "goddess" 

Hekataia (hek-a-tī-a)
"belonging to Hekate"

Elaphia
elaphi "deer"

Elaphina
elaphina "doe"

Eleutheris (el-yoo-the-ris)
eleutheria "liberty, freedom"

Heliko (hel-ik-ō)
'elikos "to turn around, spiral"

Hellenokrateia (hel-en-ō-krat-ay-a)
Hellas “Greece” + kratos "strength, power"

Elpinike (el-pi-ni-keh)
elpis "hope, expectation" + nike "victory"

Empedia (em-ped-ee-a)
empedos "steadfast"

Empedokleia (em-ped-ō-klay-a)
empedos "steadfast" + kleos "renown, glory"

Empedonika (em-ped-ō-ni-ka)
empedos "steadfast" + nike "victory"

Empeiria (em-pay-ree-a)
empeiria “experience, adeptness”

Exaineta (ex-ī-net-a)
eks “out of, from, beyond” + ainetos "praiseworthy"

Epainista (ep-ī-nis-ta)
epainos "commendation, praise" + istes "concerned with, one who is"

Eparchis (ep-ar-kis) -- The 'ch' is technically aspirated as in the Scottish 'loch'
epi "over, above" + archos "ruler"

Epaphrodisia
epaphrodisia "loveliness"

Epaphrodita
epaphroditos "lovely, charming"

Epianassa 
epi "over, above" + anassa "queen"

Epimeleia (ep-ee-mel-ay-a)
epimeleia "care, attention"

Epinike (ep-ee-ni-keh)
epi "over, above" + nike "victory"

Epicharis (ep-ee-ka-ris) -- The 'ch' is technically aspirated as in the Scottish 'loch'
epi "over, above" + charis "grace"

Epistheneia (ep-is-the-nay-a)
epi "over, above" + sthenos "vigour, strength"

Erata
eratos "the lovely one, beloved"

Eratonassa
eratos "the lovely, beloved" + anassa "queen"

Hermaia (her-mī-a)/ Hermais (her-mī-is)
"of Hermes"

Hermogeneia (her-mō-gen-ay-a)
Hermes + genos "born of"

Hermoxene (her-mōks-en-eh)
Hermes + xenos "foreign, stranger" -- perhaps a reference to an imported cult of Hermes. 

Etearchis (et-ee-ar-kis) 
eteos "truth" + archos "leader"

Eteokleia (et-ee-ō-klay-a)
eteos "truth" + kleos "renown, glory"

Evaineta (ev-ī-net-a)
eu "good" + ainetos ""praiseworthy"

Evameria (ev-a-meh-ree-a)
eu "good" + meros "part, share, portion"

Evanassa 
eu "good" + anassa "queen"

Evarista
eu "good" + aristos "best"

Euthenia
euthenia "prosperity, abundance"

Eukleia (eeyoo-klay-a)
eu "good" + kleos "renown, glory"

Eumeneia (eeyoo-men-ay-a)
eumeneia "benevolence"

Eumetis (eeyoo-met-is)
eu "good" + metis "wisdom, skill"

Eunoia (eeyoo-noy-a)
eunoia "goodwill, beautiful thinking"

Euporia 
euporia "prosperity, plenty, riches"

Eupraxis / Eupraxia
eupraxis "right thinking"

Eutaxia
eu "good" + taxis "order, rank"

Eucharis (eeyoo-ka-ris) 
eu "good" + charis "grace"

Ephesia
"from Ephesus"

 

*Scientifically, and commonly in translaterations, names beginning with Ευ (Eu) followed by a vowel are pronounced as a 'v'.