British Baby Names

Name of the Week

In a garden full of Poppys, Daisys and Lilys
Iris stands out with her gentle elegance and flapper vintage charm.
And unlike other flowers, this lady is also an ancient goddess.

 

Origin:

Iris comes from the Ancient Greek iris meaning "rainbow." Appropriately, Iris was the name given to the Greek goddess (or more specifically the personification) of the rainbow. She was also a messenger to the gods, most likely due to the similarity of the Greek words iris "rainbow" and eiris "messenger."  Her father Thaumas was a water god, her mother Elektra a cloud-nymph and as far as the Greeks were concerned, Iris united the two elements through her rainbow arcs by taking water up to the clouds to replenish the rain. She was also the handmaiden to Hera and, as such, she is often depicted by the queen of the gods' side.  Her epithets included Khrysopteron "Golden-Winged," Aellôpos "Storm-Footed" and Junonia "envoy of Juno/Hera," and she made appearances in numerous epics and plays. Ovid says of her: "Iris, in her thousand hues enrobed traced through the sky her arching bow . . . Iris entered, and the bright sudden radiance of her robe lit up the hallowed place ..." (Metamorphoses 11. 585 ff). And Virgil described her as: "Soaring to heaven on balanced wings, [Iris] blazed a rainbow trail beneath the clouds as she flew ... Iris, glory of the sky, cloud-borne" (Aeneid 9. 2 ff). The iris flower was so named in the late 14th century thanks to the number of colours of its different species. The iris of the eye was similarly named because of the many colours of eye shades.

Usage:

From the late 16th century, a handful of birth, marriage and death records can be found for the name Iris. Examples are extremely rare, and it remained this way for the following two centuries. In 1611, William Shakespeare's The Tempest was staged, including three Roman goddesses: Juno, Ceres and Iris, but this was not enough to spark usage of the name.  Iris is really a prime example of a name which goes from obscurity to a household name. Between 1838 and 1880 only 36 girls were registered with the name in England and Wales. None were registered in 1870, 7 were registered in 1880, but by 1890 41 girls were given the name, ranking around #253. In 1900 the name rose to #158 and, in a meteoric leap that only of-the-moment names can manage, it had broken the Top 100 four years later at #92. Over the course of the 19th century, Iris rocketed up the charts only to later decline, leaving the Top 100 by the 1950s. 1914: #58 1924: #34 1934: #30 1944: #70 This curve of popularity, ties in very nicely with Leslie Dunkling's data for the number of girls registered with the name Iris in every 10,000 births in England and Wales, which shows that Iris peaked around the late 1920s:  1900 1925  1935 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990     7     94     66     4    4    5     -     -     -     -     -     - But, as a vintage gem which fits the current fashion for floral names, Iris is having yet another resurgence in popularity. Only 8 babies (#1914) were called Iris in England and Wales in 1996 and this situation stayed much the same for the next five years. Iris first started on its upward curve in 2001 when it re-entered the Top 1000 (#710, 35 births) and finally reached the Top 200 in 2009 with 264 births (#195). In 2012 Iris ranked #122 with 476 births. Iris has also been risng in Scotland, from #270 in 2010, #238 in 2011, #174 in 2012, to #140 in 2013.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Iris Adrian (1912–1994), American actress * Dame Iris Murdoch DBE (1919–1999), Irish-born British author and philosopher. Contemporary: * Iris Johansen (b. 1938), American author. * Iris Berben (b. 1950), German actress. * Iris DeMent (b. 1961), American singer. Literature and Media: * Iris, a character in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest (1611). Other: * 7 Iris, an asteroid

Variants:

Irys, Irissa; Eirys (Welsh)

Pronunciation:

Ī-ris [key]

Possible  Diminutives:

Ice, Issy

Sibling Names:

Elsa     Violet     Clara     Polly     Esther     Nancy  Hugo     Albert      Felix     Ned     Jasper     Rex

Name Lists:

Vintage   Victorian Darlings   Shakespearean Names   Names from Tennyson   Gods and Goddesses   Operatic Names     Butterfly Names

 

If you like Iris you may also like:  Zinnia, Ivy, Elestren, Olive, Elsie, Beatrice, Nancy, Lilian, Vera, Flora

 

Thanks to Kiri for requesting this post. 

Victorian Romany Names

Traveller families in the 19th century were often misunderstood and marginalised; nevertheless, Victorian society was fascinated by their customs and lore. As such, they became not only the subject of scholarship but also romanticised in popular culture and literature. 

Below are articles and excerpts from contemporary Victorian commentators which focus on the names which were in use in Victorian Britain by Romany Traveller families. Boswell, Lovell, Buckland, Faa, Hearn, Heron, Gray, Lee, Smith, Wood and Young were the most notable Romany families of the period, and much of the literature focuses on them.

This excerpt from The Worcestershire Chronicle (22 March 1890) is taken from a letter to the editor written by Shelsley Beauchamp (quite a name in itself!), under the title The Gispy Tribe of Boswell.

The Sylvester Boswell (also called by the nickname Wester Boswell) mentioned above has his autobiography immortalised in Bath Charles Smart's The Dialect of the English Gypsies (1875). In this work he gives a fascinating account of the names of his immediate family: 

(click to enlarge for lots of interesting names)

His parents, he says, were Teiso and Sophia Boswell (the respective children of Shadrach and Cinderella Boswell and Richard and Bonny Hearne); his siblings Maria, Lucy, Sage, Betsy, Dorelia, Edward and Delata. His own children were Simpronius Bohemia Boswell (known as 'Bui'), Byron, Mackenzie, Oscar, Bruce, Julia, Wallace, Trafalgar and Laura. 
I particularly like the footnote which describes Isaac Herne, son of Nearboy (Neabei) and Sinfi Hearne who had children 'Eza, Trainit, 'Lenda and Collia. 

Another significant 'gipsy-gentleman' was Silvanus Lovell. His family is mentioned in another excerpt from The Worcestershire Chronicle (24 May 1890):

Again Vashti, Cleopatra, Naomi and Diana are mentioned as being common in the community, and special mention is given again to Greenleaf, Mezelly, Britannia and Paradise. 

Members of both the Boswell and Lovell families can be found living on Buggins Lane, Wednesfield on the 1861 census:

1. Sampson, Sarah, Alfred and Ingram Boswell.

2. Celly and Speedwelly Lovell

3. Enoch, Emma, Keomi and Cashmere Lovell

4. Struddveras, Cinderella and Mochas Lovell

5. Alfred, Selina and John Boswell

6. McKenzie, Sarah, Zealand, Kenzilea Boswell

7. Rudolphus, Tranetta, Caroline, Orlando, Zuby, John and Rebecca Boswell

 

This excerpt comes from The Shields Daily Gazette (28 September 1900) and points to the numerous ways in which Romany names were spelt and corrupted. 

To curb my enthusiasm before I get too carried away with too many posts, here finally is a list of given names listed in The Rev. George Hall's The Gypsy's Parson; His Experiences and Adventures (1915).

Airant Aniel Artelus Baius Barendon Bartholoways Bohemia Bosko Boufi Buzi Craimia (possibly Crimea) Credi Dinki Dimiti Doval Dud Duraia Dusti Eros Evergreen Fell Fennix Fowk Ganation Glympton Goliath Goni Haini Harkles Harodain Hedji Inan Ithil Iza Jaina Kaivela Kashi Khulai Ladin (possibly short for Aladdin which was used by the Gray family) Lamerok Leshi Liberty Logan Loni Lumas Lusha Mairik Manabel Manfri / Manful Mantis Meriful Moelus Morpus Moti Motsha / Motshan / Motshus Muldobrai Nelus Niabai (or Neabei / Nearboy) Nipkin Nitshel Northalion Obi Oki Orferus Oseri Othi / Oti Penderbela Persuvius Perun Pesulia Piramus (Pyramus) Polius Potamus Rabai Raito Renda Righteous Rinki Ruslo Sairenda Santabelphijum Santalina Santanoa Seki Seneptune Shandres Shani Shiva Silas Simpronius Solivaino Studivares Swallow Taimi Taiso Teni Thurles Tudlin Tuti Vaina Wacka Waimore Wantelo Wingi Woodlock Yoben Zegul Zezil

Acorn Alamina Andelia Angelis Anis Ashena Ashila Aslog Begonia Bidi / Biti Bobum Boina Consuleti Daiena Darklis Delaia Delenda Deleta (Delata) Deloreni Dorenia Edingel Eldorai Elophia Elvaira (Elvira) Emanaia Erosabel (possibly derived as a feminine form of Eros) Everilda Ezi Fazenti Femi Fernet Fianci Fill Florentia Fluenzi Froniga Genti Glorina Gravelena Idade Inji Jeta Joni Kadilia Kerlenda Kiomi (Keomi) Kodi Kraisini Laini Lavaina (Lovina) Leanabel Lenda Leondra Levaithen (Leviathan - also used for boys) Lidi / Liti Linji Lurina Lusana Lwaiden Madona Maiburi Maireni Mandra Marbeleni Melvinia Memberensi Mezi Million Mino Mireli Miselda Mitoreni Mizereti Modiwench Morjiana Nareli Olovina Omi Oshina Paizeni (possibly Patience) Paizi Pamela Perpagelion Piki Plenti Polovine Pomona Queenation (I've also seen Coronation) Reni Repentance Repriona Richenda Rodi Romania Saibarini Saiera Sain Saiforela Saiki Sanspirela Savaina Sedinia Seluna Seni Separi Shorensi Shuri Sibela Siberensi Sibereti Sinaminta Sinfai (Sinfi, Sinfoy) Spidi Stari (Starlina) Suti Taishan Telaitha Tiena Traienti Treci Treli Trenit Vashti / Wasti Wadi Waini Wenti Weson Whipni Widens Wigi Wuzi Yunakrai (Eunice?) Zebra Zina Zuba

Many of these are variant spellings or nicknames. I have endeavoured to put a 'standardised' spelling in brackets where appropriate. 

 

UK Birth Announcements 19/5/14 - 25/5/14

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:

Archie Samuel (Noah Matthew)

Arthur Guy

Benjamin Edward Hugo

Callum Herbie Stanley

Charles Aston

Charlie Kevin

Douglas Edward

Ellis Richard

Fergus William (Rory John & Patrick)

Finnlay Roy Milo (Poppy Isabella)

George Salvatore

Harry Alexander

Harry Derek

Henry William (Max Alexander & Olivia Grace)

Jack Charles

Jack Robin

Jake Andrew

Jacob William (Adam Matthew & Ethan James)

Joseph John Harry

Kurtis John (Cole & Kai)

Logan John (Alina, Kayla & Brianna)

Matthew Frederick Allenby (Nathaniel Alexander Robert)

Matthew William

Max James 

Noah James (Eloise Grace Elizabeth & Rosie Jayne Mabel)

Reginald John Vernon

Sam Nicholas (Charlie Tappan)

Thomas Oscar

Vincent Peter Nigel

Xander Ronnie (Roza Grace)

 

Girls:

Alice Amelie

Amelia Grace

Ava Mary

Avah Margaret Ann

Azaria (Indigo)

Beatrix Willow

Bella Grace (Lewis, Holly & William)

Bella Hannah

Caitlin Fiona (Ewan)

Ellis Gilmour Rennie

Evelyn Jane

Evie May

Francesca Rose

Georgia May 

Harriet Rose

Imogen Catherine

Isabelle Sienna

Isla Ann (James, Ben, Harrison, Oliver, Oscar & Fraser)

Jessica Rose

Kirsten Marie

Lola Eileen

Lucie Emma

Lucy Isobel (Sophie)

Martha Miranda Grace

Millie Rose

Orla Rose (Evie Mary & Lexie Molly)

Pheobe Emily (Chloe Elizabeth) - this was the spelling as written on the announcement. 

Phoebe Elizabeth Jennifer (Alice Poppy Belinda)

Phoebe Lois

Rebecca Jane Evelyn (Archie)

Rose Marjory (Grace)

Ruby Mai (Mia Rose)

Scarlett Isabelle

Scarlett Mary (Farrah Summer)

Sophia Agnes Lolanda (Oliver Martin William)

Sophie Rose (Zach Alexander, Luke Cameron, Adam James & Tom Sebastian)

Willow-Mae Rose 

 

Twins:

Ava-Mae Leigh & Laura Jane Faith

Barnaby William & Sebastian Robin (India Elizabeth)

 

Name of the Week

 ^.

A classic and traditional Welsh name
which sounds upbeat and lively.

 

Origin:

Evan is Anglicised form of Ifan, which is itself a Welsh form of John.  Evan's morphology is a convoluted but interesting one. It begins with the Hebrew Yehochanan meaning "Yahweh is gracious." It became Ioannes in Greek and Johannes in Latin, and developed into Ieuan in Welsh. Around the fourteenth century, Ieuan became written as Iefan and Ifan which was anglicised as Ievan, Yevan and Jevan.  The spelling Evan dates from the late 15th century.

Usage:

Evan is one of the few Welsh names to have endured and maintained constant usage since the Middle Ages. It was not only used in Wales but also neighbouring English counties. The Shropshire Poll Tax of 1381 lists three men named Eyvyn for example, alongside other anglicised Welsh names such as Madok and Griffin.  There are a multitude of surnames which derive from the name and attest to its continued use, including Evans, Bevan, Yevan, Evins, Heaven and Jevan.  In an analysis of first names from the 1851 Glamorgan census, Evan rank at #6 in the Top 50 male names after John, William, Thomas, David and James, making it the most popular "Welsh" name at the time. Among men aged 51 and over (those who were born in the 18th century) it was even more common, ranking at #5.  Ianto was long used as a diminutive in Wales for Evan, Iefan, Ifan and Ioan. In recent years it is often used as a name in its own right.  Data from The Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) On the 1881 census, Evan was the 135th most frequent name (including both male and female). Data shows that, although Evan was very popular in Wales, it was also in use in England, Scotland and the Isle of Man. It was very common in Wales in the 18th and 19th century. In England and Wales combined Evan gradually declined in use over the course of the 19th century, eventually leaving the Top 100 in the 1920s.  1870: #47 1880: #55 1890: #62 1900: #77 1904: #88 1914: #96 1924: below the Top 100 1934: below the Top 100 1944: below the Top 100 1954: below the Top 100 1964: below the Top 100 1974: below the Top 100 1984: below the Top 100 1994: below the Top 100 2004: #99 Evan re-entered the Top 100 in 2004 and peaked in 2009 at #70 with 973 births. Its revival was sooner in Wales individually entering the Top 100 in 1997 and swiftly climbed up the ranks, finally reaching #16 in 2009.  In 2012, Evan ranked #86 in England and Wales, #27 in Wales, #99 in England and #77 in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Evan Roberts (1861–1927), Wales international rugby player. * Sir Evan Williams, 1st Baronet (1871–1959), Welsh industrialist. * Evan Roberts (1878–1951), figure in the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival. * Evan "Ianto" Davies (1892–1946), Wales international rugby player. * Evan Morgan, 2nd Viscount Tredegar (1893–1949), a Welsh poet and author. * Evan Roberts (1909–1991), Welsh botanist and conservationist. Contemporary: * Evan Williams (b. 1972), founder of Twitter. * Evan Peters (b. 1987), American actor Literature and Other Media: * Evan Almighty (2007), movie.

Variants:

Ifan, Iefan

Pronunciation:

EV-ən [key]

Possible diminutives

Ianto

Sibling Names:

Carys     Lucy     Niamh     Skye     Grace     Amy  Harry     Finn     Rhys     Luke     Rory     Lewis

Name Lists:

Cosy Celtic   Lively Lads   Short & Sweet   Victorian Darlings

 

If you like Evan you may also like:   Owen, Dylan, Ewan, Gavin, Ethan, Liam, Ryan, Caelan, Declan, Leon

 

Thanks to Donna for requesting this post.

UK Birth Announcements 12/5/14 - 18/5/14

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:

Alexander David

Alexander George August (Rose Emilia & Antonia)

Alexandre Simon

Alfie Richard Wallace 

Alfred Montgomerie

Cooper Jack

Elis Tomos (Deio Huw)

Ethan James

Felix William George (Hugo Robert Charles)

Freddie Jack (Lyla Grace)

George Henry Thomas (Jemima Elizabeth)

Jack Stephen

Joseph Logan (Naomi)

Joshua Stuart (Sophia)

Lewis Elliott Brooke

Logan Michael (Ellis)

Oliver James "Ollie" (Theo)

Oliver Joe

Reuben Christopher

Rohan Innes (Tara)

Ross Henderson (Euan Nicol)

Sebastian John (Emilia Kate)

Sebastian Louis

Sebastian Ranulph Thorne (Hugo Tristram Thorne)

Thomas Joseph

Wilf Sebastian Oliver (Jacobi William Charles & Theodora Sophia)

William Alexander (Eve Jasmine)

William Giles Tricks (Cosima Molly)

 

Girls:

Arabella Rose

Cara Florence

Claudia Kate (Daniel John & Harriet Grace)

Daisy Grace

Florence Daisy (Henry)

Florence Ray

Freya Georgina Sarah (Finlay George Cameron)

Georgiana Rose Agar

Iona Elizabeth Treharne (Charles Hugh Beresford)

Josephine Emily (Beatrice)

Penelope Ophelia (Henry Charles)

Penny Joy (India)

Poppy Elizabeth

Sadie Sheila

Vivienne Mizuki Florence

Zoe Jane

 

Twins:

Abigail Hope & James Byron

 

Name of the Week

Elegant Arabella is similar to Top 100 Annabel
but with added frills and drama.

 

Origin:

Arabella started life in Scotland in the Middle Ages and was often recorded in the forms Arabella, Arabel, Arable, Arbella, Orabel or Arbell.  The most likely source of the name is Orabilis, derived from the Late Latin orabilis "invokeable, exorable, to be entreated" and by extension "benevolent." One of the earliest bearers was Orabilis, daughter of Ness of Leuchars in Scotland who was born c.1135. Tellingly, other forms of her name included Orabella, Orabilia and Orabilla. Some scholars point out that around the time when Orabilis was born, the chanson de geste, The Chanson de Guillaume, which was highly popularised, featured a beautiful Queen of Arabia named Orable.  Reaney and Wilson list several forms of Orabilis dating from the 13th century, such as Orabella, Orabilia, Orable, Orabla, Orabell and Arable, and while Orabilis was the Latinised form, it seems that Orabel was the vernacular form used. Orabilis of Leuchars' also had at least one granddaughter named in her honour. This Orabilis (b. c.1186) was also recorded as Orabel and Arabella. Arabella is also possibly a variant of Annabel, itself a Scottish variant form of Amabel (from the Latin amabilis "lovable"), which was also used in Scotland from the 12th century. The move from the 'n' to 'r', as Withycombe points out, can also be seen in the change from Dunholm to Durham.

Usage:

Though the spelling Arabella didn't become established until the 16th century, Orabella, Orabel and Arabel etc were in use from the 13th century in Scotland and, notably, Kent and Cambridgeshire. The surnames Orable, Orbell and Orbel derive from these names.  Arabella Stuart (1575–1615) was a cousin of James I and common descendant of Henry VII, placing her next in line to Elizabeth I's throne after James. Though she was of Scottish nobility, her birth in England was seen by some as preferable to James and was a potential candidate for the throne. She was raised mostly by her grandmother, Bess of Hardwick, one of the most influential and richest women of that Age after Elizabeth I herself. Arabella's name is often spelt Arbella in records, and to her family and contemporaries she was known as Arbell.  Arabella was in good use by the 17th century and by the 18th century had become a firmly established Georgian favourite, often appearing in popular literature. Arabella Churchill (1648–1730), daughter of Sir Winston Churchill was a favourite mstress of James II. Her name passed down through her descendents which include not only the famous Churchill family but also our current royal family via Lady Diana Spencer. It remained steady in use over the following century, even peaking a little in the mid-19th century, but began to decline afterwards, as we can see from the birth record numbers each decade for England and Wales.  1840s: 719 1850s: 885 1860s: 817  1870s: 733 1880s: 560 1890s: 324 1900s: 206 It ranked #170 in 1870, but by 1880 had dropped below the Top 200, remaining so through 1890 and 1900. Data from The Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) Usage of the name was quite wide across Britain, as we can see from the map (right) of the 3252 women bearing the name on the 1881 census. The highest numbers were in Middlesex, Lancashire and Yorkshire (the counties with the highest population) however per 100,000 it was more evenly distributed. Notable concentrations occured in North Wales and the South East of England. Curiously, as a name of Scottish origin, it was less used in Scotland than England and Wales.  In the 20th century, Arabella continued its decline, becoming positively rare in the 1930s and 40s. It saw a turn however, in the 1950s. 1910s: 112 1920s: 46 1930s: 16 1940s: 15 1950s: 76 Since 1996, Arabella, like many other 'bel' names, has been on a steady incline in England and Wales. In 1996 it ranked #519 with 49 births. By 2005 it was #390 (101 births) and in 2011 was #208 (242 births). In 2012, Arabella joined the Top 200 once more when it ranked #177 with 286 births. In its native Scotland, Arabella has been in low use between 2005 and 2012 when it had an annual birth count ranging from 1 (#1421) to 8 (#388). In 2013, Arabella reached its highest rank of #319 with 12 births.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Lady Arbella Stuart (1575–1615), a possible successor to Queen Elizabeth I of England. * Arabella Churchill (1648-1730), mistress of King James II. * Arabella Hunt (d. 1705), vocalist and lutenist. * Arabella Denny (1707–1792), Irish philanthropist * Arabella Buckley (1840-1929), writer and science educator. * Arabella Mansfield (1846-1911), first female lawyer in the United States. Contemporary: * Arabella Weir (b. 1957), British comedian, actress and writer. * Arabella Kiesbauer (b. 1969), TV presenter, writer and actress. * Arabella Field (b. 1970), American actress. Literature and Media: * Arabella (1933), an opera by Richard Strauss. * Arabella, heroine in The Female Quixote (1752) by Charlotte Lennox. * Arabella, a character in The Vicar of Wakefield (1766) by Oliver Goldsmith. * Arabella (1949), a Regency romance novel written by Georgette Heyer. * Arabella Figg, a character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.  Other: * 841 Arabella, an asteroid.

Variants:

Arbella, Arabelle, Arabel, Orabella

Pronunciation:

a-rə-BEL-ə [key]

Possible  Diminutives:

Abi, Ara, Ari, Bella, Belle, Ella, Elle

Sibling Names:

Henrietta     Beatrix     Clementine     Juliette     Ophelia     Hermione  Frederick      Edmund     Willoughby     Sebastian     Benedict     Maximilian

Name Lists:

Vintage   Upright Elegance   Gorgeously Georgian   Dickensian Names   Names from Jane Austen   Names from Harry Potter

 

If you like Arabella you may also like:  Araminta, Venetia, Camilla, Estella, Cressida, Allegra, Christabel, Aurelia, Mirabella, Lavinia

 

Thanks to Linda for requesting this post. 

Ancient Greek Z Names for Girls

Here are some of the "Z" (zeta) names — the sixth letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet —that were used for women in Ancient Greek society. 

Most have been taken from inscriptions and tomb reliefs and I have concentrated on ones that are not commonly used today.

The first five letters can be found in these previous posts: 

A  B/G  D  E

 

Zeuxippe
zeuxo "to yolk,to join together, pair, couple" + hippos "horse"

Zeuxithea 
zeuxo "to yolk,to join together, pair, couple" + thea "goddess" 

Zeuxo
zeuxo "to yolk,to join together". Zeuxo was one of the Oceanides, probably named "the yolked, joined together" because she was a goddess of marriage. 

Zeuxis / Zeuxila
zeuxo "to yolk,to join together".

Zenodora 
Zenos "Zeus" + doron "gift of"

Zephyria
zephyros "the west wind"

Zoila
zoia "life"

Zopyra / Zopoura 
zopyris "glowing, fire spark"

Zopyris 
zopyris "glowing, fire spark"

Zopyrina / Zopourina
zopyris "glowing, fire spark"

Zopyriska
zopyris "glowing, fire spark"

Zosime / Zosima
zosimos "vital, viable, able to live"

Zosimiane
zosimos "vital, viable, able to live"

Zotike / Zotika
zotikos "full of life"

 

UK Birth Announcements 5/5/14 - 11/5/14

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:

Alexander Edward

Bailey George (Jake Ryan)

Benjamin Edward Hugo Philip

Benjamin Henry James

Blake Sawyer

Callum John (Hollie Louise)

Calvin James (Eva & Heidi Joy)

Charles Stuart, "Charlie"

Duncan Nichol (Callum Coulter)

Elliot James (Jack Robert)

Freddie William (Sophie)

Henry Oliver

Johnny Olin

Kai Charlie

Leo Allan Reid (Hannah & Owen)

Lucas James (Freya, Sebastian, Zahra & Alexandra)

Matthew Lee

Max Henry Fergus (Charles Willoughby Oliver "Charlie")

Oscar Arthur

Oscar James Michael

Ross Neil Hunter (Findlay William Graham)

Sebastien River

Seth Harvey (Oscar)

Struan Andrew George (Blake Alexander James)

Theo Robert Stanley

Thomas Richard

Toby Henry Joseph

Vincent Ray

William Harry Roberton (Flora Rose)

 

Girls:

Alice Emma (Olivia Juliet)

Anna Esme (Emily Fiona)

Beatrice Filmer (Hugh Edward)

Beatrice Isabella Rose (Frederick Rufus Alexander)

Brooke Grace (Lexi Margaret)

Caitlin Rose

Charlotte Diana (Jessica & Imogen)

Clara Jean 

Cody Lauren

Ebonie Clare

Eilidh Elizabeth

Eilidh Florence

Elise Seren

Emma Catherine

Esme Grace

Evie Grace (Rebecca, Abbie, Bethany & Joshua)

Freya Elizabeth (Sebastian Hugh)

Freya Milly

Imogen Boo

Iris Olivia Grace (Eve Amelia Dorothy)

Jessica Beth

Jessica Isabella

Lila Grace (Darcy Rose)

Lily Rose

Lucy Beatrice Phillipa

Luna Fae

Lydia Hope Abigail

Maddison Cressida

Margot Elinor Plum (Lauren Camille Ellice & Ottilie)

Neave Clara

Rose Christina

Rose Susan Jane (Charlie Alistair Robert)

Rylee Alexandra (Adam, Keeley, Evie & Connie)

Willow Blossom (Maia Grace & Indi Mae)

 

Triplets:

Evie Emma Joy, Isla Jill & Erin Jane (Anna Helen)

 

Name of the Week

 ^.

Slick, suave and smooth with the hint
of a foreign accent. A daringly traditional choice.

 

Origin:

Raphael is the name of one of the Archangels, alongside Gabriel and Michael, in Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The name Raphael is derived from the Hebrew verb rapha meaning "to heal" and the suffix -el denoting "God." For this reason, Raphael is generally cosidered to mean "God has healed" or "Healer of God." Highly appropriately, in the Book of Tobit, the archangel is attributed with great healing powers and was sent by God to heal Tobias of his blindness. He is now associated as the patron of doctors, nurses, travellers and happy meetings. In Islam Raphael is known as Israfil which means "the burning one."

Usage:

In the Middle Ages, Raphael was little used in Britain. It was more common in Italy and, in a wider context, among Jewish families. There is some evidence that the surnames Raffell, Raffle and Raffles may, in some cases, derive from the first name Raphael, though most instances are derived from Ralph.  Raphael came into wider use in Britain in the 16th century, particularly in Staffordshire and around the Midlands, and continued with moderate use through to the 19th century. Rafael, at this time, was in much greater use in Spain and it is partly thanks to Spanish migrant families moving to Britain that we find instances of the feminine form Rafaela. Other feminine forms of Raphael include the French Raphaëlle and Italian Raffaella.  Though Raphael never made it into the Top 200, birth records in England and Wales do show that it increased over the course of the 19th century, peaking in the early 1900s. Data from The Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) 1840: 40 births ; 1850: 42 births 1860: 89 births ; 1870: 112 births 1880: 163 births ; 1890: 238 births 1900: 242 births ; 1910: 255 births 1920: 191 births ; 1930: 111 births 1940: 58 births ; 1950: 86 births Many of the 19th century records were registered in London and Middlesex, particularly in Whitechapel which had a large Jewish community. This accounts for the large proportion of Raphaels with Eastern European surnames.  The map (right) of the 1881 census name distribution shows small pockets of popularity spread around the country, particularly in Middlesex (108) but also Lancashire (27), Surrey (18), Yorkshire (13), London (10), Lanarkshire, (7), Warwickshire (7) and Kent (6).  Leslie Dunkling's popularity rankings for England and Wales from 1900-1990 do not chart Raphael at all (the smallest number of births needed being 1 in 10000) until 1980 when 2 in every 10,000 boys were given the name. It did not rank in 1985, but was given to 1 in 10,000 in 1990.  Since 1996, Raphael and Rafael have been steadily growing in usage in England and Wales.   Back in 1996, 47 babies were given the name Raphael (#427) and 10 were named Rafael (#1235). In 2004 Raphael had risen to 117 births (#272) and Rafael 49 (#532).  In 2012, Raphael ranked #236 with 218 births while Rafael was #259 with 183 births. When added together, all the spellings give Raphael a combined rank of #154. There were also 16 girls named Rafaella, 14 named Raffaella, 13 named Raphaella, 9 named Rafaela and 3 named Raphaela.  Raphael is also popular internationally, ranking #8 in France, #12 in Austria and #57 in Belgium. Rafael ranks #56 in Croatia, #57 in Spain, #61 in France, #86 in Chile.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * St Raphael the Archangel * Patriarch Raphael I of Constantinople, Patriarch from 1475 to 1476 * Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino) (1483–1520), Italian Renaissaince painter and architect. * Patriarch Raphael II of Constantinople, Patriarch from 1603 to 1607. * Raphael Kalinowski (1835–1907), a Polish saint in the Discalced Carmelite Order. * Raphael of Brooklyn (1860–1915), a saint in the Christian Orthodox tradition. * Rafael Guizar Valencia (1878–1938), a Mexican saint. * Rafael Arnáiz Barón (1911–1938),a Spanish saint. Contemporary: * Raphael (b. 1943), Spanish singer. * Raphael Botti (b. 1982), Brazilian footballer. * Rafael Nadal (b.1986), Spanish tennis player. Literature and Other Media: * Raphael (1894), an opera by Anton Arensky. * Raphael, one of the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Other: * Raphael, a crater on Mercury

Variants:

Raphaël (French), Rafael (Spanish, Portuguese, German, Hungarian, Macedonian), Rafaël (Dutch), Raffaele, Raffaello (Italian), Rafał (Polish)

Pronunciation:

RAF-ī-el [key]

Possible diminutives:

Raf, Rafe, Rafa, Raffi

Sibling Names:

Allegra     Lilia     Margot     Claudia     Tabitha     Xanthe  Jasper     Asher     Gabriel     Matthias     Levi     Jonas

Name Lists:

Slickly Continental   Popular Biblical   Saintly & Stylish   Names from Tennyson

 

If you like Raphael you may also like:   Emanuel, Reuben, Tobias, Rafferty, Moses, Rufus, Roman, Jago, Xavier, Malachi

 

Thanks to VC for requesting this post.

Births announced in The Times, 1987

Below are a selection of birth announcements from The Times newspaper that were published in 1987.

I have also added siblings names (older and younger) where I have found them. 

Adrian Kendrick Francis Angus John Melville (Iona & Hamish) Archibald Edward Charles Aristide Eduard Ferdinand (Raoul Hubert Leslie) Asher Lucas Harrison Augustus Francis Barnabus Graham John Benedict Lorcan Frederick Benedikt Oliver Nicolai Edward Blaine Stuart Hunter Blaise Isambard Robert Calvin Winston (Emma Roxane) Carl Fredrik Daniel Peterson Cedric Matthew Christian (Anthony Christian) Cosimo Edward Edward Vivian Fearghas O'Neill Felix Leopold Monteith Fergus Tristram Frederick Desmond Casimir Frederick Tristan Beresford (Charlotte Kathleen Grace) Frederick Owen Lloyd George George Jethro George Kenneth Eric George Sigvald Guy Dominic Hadrian John Arthur (Ellen Mary Frances, Laurence Edward John & Edmund) Harold Henry James Hugo Aelred Ichabod Alfred (Eliza Mary Camilla) James Marcus Xerxes Benario Japhet Wilson Charles Jasper Cyprian (Isobel Noeline & Phoebe Mary) Jasper Jake Rupert Anthony Jethro William Kit Charles Ervin Luther William Maerlin William Alfred Magnus Courtenay Mungo Rory Gregor (Fergus) Noel Clive Pasco Raleigh Thomas Rhodri Idris Atherton (Morgan Rhys & Nia Elisabeth Ruth) Rollo Walter Rory Tobias Rupert Peter Robin Thor William Cameron Timothy Philip Aurelius Tristram Rory Edward (Jemima Sophie Henrietta & Tallulah Daisy Clementine) Vaughan Peter Spencer Veryan John Hugh (Aldwyn George Hugh) Winston Aubrey Aladar (aka Winston Marshall of Mumford & Sons)

Afonwy Mary Angharad (Huw John Glyndwr) Alessandra Lydia Maria (Alicia Danielle Elizabeth, Julian Joseph Anthony & Sebastian Alexander Bradley) Anastasia Cicely Diana (Christopher George Cyril & Bethany Rose Isolde) Antonella Maria Caroline (Genevra Harriet Ilona) Arabella Dione Rose (Frederick William Patrick, Katharine Cicely Florence & Sophia Isobel Lucy) Asia Patricia (Benita, Noelle & Ella) Atlanta Victoria (Oliver) Auriol Louise (Elizabeth Mida) Benedicta Josephine (Iskander Luke, Michaela Beatrice, Xavier Axel, StJohn Olaf, Caius Hugh, Marcus Edmund & Astrid Capucine Octavia) Byzantia (Venetia) Celtie Marie Clementine Margaret Allegra (Iona Alice Eliza) Cleopatra Elisabeth (Francesca Victoria) Cordelia Grania Jacqueline (Rebecca Josephine Deirdre, Victoria Gray, Hugo Nigel Gough & Elizabeth Diana Coslett) Daisy Bethan Florence (Harry Edward William) Delphi May (Daniel Patrick) Dido Margaret Dorothy Xanthe (Hannah Magdalen, Elsa Mary & Lily Alexandra) Effie Monica Ann (Alasdhair Horatio Francis Ross) Elinor Zaida Elizabeth (Claire Alexandra Helen, Ann Caroline Frances & Henry Tristan Garrett) Emily Elizabeth Elonwyn Euthymia Constance Sophia Fionnuala Helga (Lachlan James & Ruairi Anthony) Fleur Annabel Flora Roselle (Edwina Clare) Florentina Abigail Courtenay (Hannah Phelisstie Candase & Eloisa Marietta Katy) Genevieve Maaike & Keridwen Patricia (twins) Georgiana Clarita Alice (Francesca Camilla Louise & Miranda Harriet Urquhart) Grace Cristabel Alice Hermione Caroline Madeleine Ione Marina Daniella Josephine Astrid Leonora Eliana Margaret (Benjamin Alexis Solomon Eli) Lois Jonquil Olivia Lucy Lavinia Primrose (Alys Alicia Primrose) Marie Clemency Beatrice Mathilda Cerys Rose (Georgia Edwina Daisy & Lily Phoebe Gwyneth) Misty Sula  Movana Alice Spence (Milo Robert Annesley) Paloma Ruth Pandora Jane (Clementine Ann & Henrietta Lucy) * Perdita Drusilla Phyllida Meriel Joanna (Helena Clair Alexandra) Pia Elise Jasmine (Toby Giles Moreland) Pollyanna Sue (Natasha Caroline) Poppy Clementine Romany Victoria Penelope Rosamund Ileana (Lucy Edita & Edmund Gabriel) Rosanna Thea Rowena Helen (Frances Henrietta) Tabitha Lucy (Francesca Alice) Tamsin Alexandra (Christabel & India Annabel) Tessa Viveca Thomasina Olivia Trelawney Unity Emily (Frederick Ivan Rundell) Venetia Helene (Imogen Louise) Victoria Gwendoline Virginia Zara Jane Lamorna Zenobe Venetia

* In total, 3 girls named Pandora Jane had their births announced in The Times in 1987. There was also one Pandora Charlotte.