British Baby Names

UK Birth Announcements 16/6/14 - 29/6/14

A compilation of names from BAs announced in newspapers in the last two weeks, including a national paper (Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales and Scotland.

Sibling names are in brackets. 

 

Boys:

Alexander David

Alexander Frederick Lawrence (Herbert David & Casper Esmonde John "Esmonde")

Alexander James

Alfie Iain

Alfred Henry Valentine (John Frederick Hugh "Johnny" & Rollo William Joseph)

Callan John

Callum Finlay

Callum William (Matthew Summers)

Carson Jack William (Dylan & Caleb)

Carter Smith

Charles Michael

Charlie John

Christopher James Richard (Edward Frederic Geoffrey "Freddie" & Benedict Henry Sholto)

Cooper John

Cosmo Arthur (Hugh)

Edward Michael

Elliott Michael Nelson (Lottie Ann)

Felix Henry John (Hugo Oliver James & Jack Michael Leonard)

Finlay Alexander

Frederick George 

Frederick George Hardy

Freddy George

Gabriel Russell Charles

George Alex

Harris Angus Lesley (Ellsey Mae)

Harry Stanley (Rachael, Amy & Oskar)

Ifor William

Jack Anthony Clayton

Jackson Hamish

James Alexander (Isla Cecilia & Emily Isabella)

Jasper Archibald Hendrik

Joey James

Joseph Kristofer

Joshua Robert 

Jude Laurence Stanley

Leo Noel

Magnus O’Hagan

Matty Arthur (Finlay Wharrick)

Maximilian James

Noah Elliot

Oliver George (Charlotte Ann "Lottie")

Ollie Kevin

Oscar Edward

Oscar George

Owen Derek (Noah Stephen)

Owen James (Callum)

Patrick Grimsley Wiszniewski "Paddy" (Leopold Xan "Xan" & Valentine James)

Philip John

Phoenix

Rhys Huw Owen

Rufus Peter William (Cecily Ann Elizabeth)

Samuel George

Sebastien Pherric Edgar

Struan Alistair John (Ruari William James)

Struan Muir 

Ted Alan

Ted Gordon

Theo Thomas (Jake Lewis & Faith Louise)

Tristan Gregory Stephen

Toby Ian (Lucy, Zoe & Annabe)

William George

William James

William Richard (Annabelle)

Xavier George

Zachary Raymond (Mollie Anne)

 

Girls:

Amelia Hope (Summer)

Amity Grace 

Amy Louisa (Laura)

Anna Louisa (William Thomas)

Annabel Abbie

Arabella Eveleigh (Florence Annabelle)

Aurelia Liliana Rosabel

Aveana Lyn

Ayla Grace

Beau Bella (Mimi)

Bella Florence (Oscar & Zack)

Carrie Jean (Robert)

Catherine Elizabeth (James Gordon)

Connie Rose

Darcey Elise

Elisia Ellen (Amelie Jean)

Emily Annie Grace

Emily Elaine (Rory Andrew)

Emily Eve (Nicholas Copeland)

Emily Frances (Benjamin)

Grace Elizabeth

Gracie Merle

Graihagh Elizabeth [GRAY-a] (Isla, Erin and Juan [JOO-un])

Harper Lily

Heather Harper

Honor Jamie

Isabella Rosemary

Isabelle Alice Anne

Isla Beatrice Mary

Isla Elizabeth

Isla Louise (Jessica)

Izabelle Georgina

Jemimah Mary Grace (Herbie Isaac John, Rufus William David & Felix Noah Samuel)

Jocelyn Alice (Samuel John)

Juliet Iris Anne (Isabella Catherine)

Kristen Zoe (Dana & Mark)

Lexi Sue

Livia Mae (Grace Ivy "Gracie" & Joseph Peter "Joey")

Lola Grace (Eliza Rose)

Lola Rachelle Firework (Layton)

Lucy Elizabeth

Maddison Iris

Magdalen Elizabeth "Maggie"

Maya Lily (Joseph Harry)

Merryn-Rose Patricia Janet

Miller Rose (Emmie & Ria)

Murrin Jane (Mason Jack)

Phoebe Eleanor (Oliver James & Ben)

Polly Ann

Poppy Rose 

Rebekah Naomi Louise (Grace & James)

Ruby Jane

Ruby Louise

Scarlett Jane (Jenson James)

Sophie Amelia

Sophie Isabella Grace (Benjamin & Harry)

Tabitha Rose

Willow Mae (Poppii Louise)

 

Twins:

Emilia Florence & Sophia Grace

Oliver & Sophie

Olivia Mai & Thea Rose

Brief Break

It's school report writing time again! Normal posting will resume in a week or two.
In the mean time, I'll try to post a few vintage newspaper goodies on the Facebook page.

 

Contemporary Combos for Lilac

Below are all the first name combinations for Lilac, registered from 1975 to 2005 in England and Wales. 

Lilac April W  Lilac Atlanta  Lilac Cornelia  Lilac Daisy  Lilac Elizabeth Lilac Eloise

Lilac Gabriella  Lilac Helen V  Lilac Helena M  Lilac Jasmin  Lilac Lily I Lilac Louise

Lilac Madeline  Lilac Mae  Lilac Mauve  Lilac May  Lilac Michelle  Lilac Raye

Lilac Rose  Lilac Summer  Lilac Tallula  Lilac Theresa  Lilac Thursday Lilac Unity

Several other combos contain Lilac as a middle name. Here are a selection from 1985-2005: 

Abigail Lilac Alice Lilac Amberly Lilac Amelia Lilac Anna-Lyssa Lilac April Lilac Bianca Lilac Caprice Lilac Cassandra Lilac Chantelle Lilac Clarice Lilac R A Coco Lilac Daisy Lilac H  Dandy Lilac

Delphinium Lilac Peony Ebony Lilac R  Eden Lilac Esme Lilac Esta Lilac C  Eve Lilac Evie Lilac Fleur Lilac Francesca Lilac Heidi Lilac Holly Lilac Honey Lilac Hope Lilac Imogen Lilac

Jasmine Lilac Jessica Lilac Keeley Lilac Lacey Lilac Liberty Lilac Lilli Lilac M  Lily Lilac Lorien Lilac E  Lucy Lilac L Madeline Lilac Maisie Lilac Molly Lilac Nancy Lilac K M Neveah Lilac

Nievia Lilac D  Ophelia Lilac Persia Lilac Phoebe Lilac Polly Lilac Poppy Lilac Prisca Lilac Sorayha Lilac Tabitha Lilac Tallulah Lilac Tamzin Lilac Thea Lilac Tilly Lilac Spirit Lilac

Lilac's registered between 1880 and 1910:

Lilac Ada M
Lilac Alice
Lilac Eleanor
Lilac Grace
Lilac Gwendolin
Lilac Lily R
Lilac Lillian
Lilac Mabel
Lilac Madge
Lilac Mary J
Lilac Maud
Lilac May
Lilac Nellie
Lilac Pauline
Lilac Rosetta
Lilac Victoria G
Lilac Violet
Lilac Winifred

 

This post was requested by Chamali.

UK Birth Announcements 9/6/14 - 15/6/14

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

Sibling names are in brackets. 

 

Boys:

Alfie George

Austin James (Phoebe Mai)

Benjamin Guy

Calum Lewis (Rory Mark)

Daniel Oliver (Nathan James)

Daniel Zain (Layla Daisy)

Duncan Robert (Hamish Alexander & Dougal Alastair)

Edward James Crese

Edwin G H "Ned" (Martha)

Ethan Harry Robert (Bethany Mary A, Ryan William T and Laney Keira Rose)

Ethan Jack Phillip (Archie James Harry)

Evin Paul (Jay Allan)

Finlay Angus

Finley James

Finn Alston

George Arthur (Robert Edward)

George Luke (Samuel Brian)

Henry James (George Patrick)

Hubert William (Wilfred Benedict Philip & Darcy Rose Patricia)

Isaac Leonard

Jake Oliver (Lucas Jamie)

James Alexander

James Louis George (Nicholas Anthony Jenner & Xanthe Isabelle Alice)

Jarrod Michael (Arlie Jay & Kaleb)

Joe Stephen

Lewis John

Liam John (Aila Margaret)

Louie Jay (Lexi Leigh)

Luke Joshua (Jessica Rose)

Mason Joe (Rowan)

Mason Leslie

Myles Leroy Hope (Douglas)

Myles Ryan (Mia)

Noah George

Otto William Maxwell

Pico Alexander

Reuben George

Rufus William Henry (Hector Percy Algar, Flora Alice & Cressida Helena Christine)

Theo Shaun

Thomas Alexander (Isabel Daisy)

Vincent James

 

Girls:

Addison Jean

Amber Jane

Amelia Elizabeth

Amelia Lily (Olivia & Alfie)

Beau Evelyn Faith

Bethany Faith

Caitlin Audrey (Freya Mae)

Charlotte Elizabeth 

Chloe Mary (Jake Robert)

Claudia Fenella Beatrix (Tatiana Fleur Jemima)

Daisy Florence (Harrison, Poppy Millicent & Milo Arthur)

Darcey Sarah (Albert Alexander)

Emily Rose

Ella Beatrice

Ella Rose

Eloise Rose (Arabella Fleur)

Erin Louise 

Evelyn Violet

Everly Ivy (Ayla & Oren)

Flossie May (Emilie)

Freya Sarah

Iris Margaret (Joseph Stewart)

Isabella Lucy "Bella"

Isabelle Lily 

Isla Patricia Elizabeth (Ava Nicola Lynn)

Ivy Florence (Willa Clementine & Albert Alexander "Bertie")

Jemima Willow (Benji & Inigo)

Juliette Maylis Elizabeth (Amelie Laurel Hart)

Lacey Karen

Lara Elsie Norah

Liliana Angel (Olivia Ruby & Alessio Giovanni)

Lucy Clare (Beth & John)

Lucy Laurie (Matthew Campbell)

May Millicent

Margaret Aurelia Georgina (Grace Jean & George Nigel Horace)

Martha Rose (Zak, Max & Isabelle)

Merryn Faith

Mia Marie

Mirren Rose (Megan)

Molly Margaret (India Rose)

Niamh Kate

Olivia Rose

Paloma Elizabeth

Penelope Antonia (Evelyn & Benjamin)

Pixie Cayla (Erin & Grace)

Poppy Louisa (James Hugo)

Rosie Kitty (Molly)

Seren Ava (Cerys)

Shona Wendy (Isla Jane)

Skyler Rose

Tilly Innes (Kitty Emma)

 

Twins:

Alfred John Buckingham & Henry David George (Iris Eleanor Ivy)

Alice & Clara

Isla Kate & Maddie Rose

Joel David & Orlaith Anne

Marcella & Marianne

Mia & Mollie

 

Name of the Week

Lively Zoe has a short and sweet charm
combined with a rich Greek heritage.

 

Origin:

Derived from the Ancient Greek zoe (ζωή) meaning "life."

Usage:

Zoe was in use as a feminine name during the Classical Greek era, especially in Asia Minor and the Peloponnese, and the variant Zoes was notable in the Aegean islands.  It was picked up by the Hellenised Jews of Alexandria who used it to render the Hebrew name Eve, which also translated as "life." We know it was used in the Roman Empire, as there were two known Christian martyrs who bore the name: one persecuted in the reign of Hadrian, the other in the reign of Diocletian.  The name was also well used during the Byzantine Empire. Two notable royal women bore the name: Zoe Karbonopsina, the wife of Emperor Leo VI the Wise, and Zoe Porphyrogenita, daughter of Emperor Constantine VIII, Empress Consort by marriage and also co-regent Empress with her sister. In Britain, Zoe has been in use since the 16th century, though its usage was rare and remained so through the 18th century.  In the 19th century, Zoe remained below the top 200 in England and Wales. However it used consistently, with at least one birth per year, and had increased in use by the 1880s, averaging around twenty births per year.  Zoe leapt up into the Top 100 in the 1970s, ranking #30 in 1974. It was #41 in 1984, and by 1994 had moved back up to #30 again.  This ties in very nicely with Leslie Dunkling's data for the number of girls registered with the name Zoe in every 10,000 births in England and Wales, which shows that the name had begun to gain momentum in the 1960s, and between 1970 and 1975 had seen a veritable explosion in popularity:  1900 1925  1935 1950 1955 1960  1965  1970  1975  1980  1985  1990     2               2        2    12    30   107    50    52   92 Since the 1990s, Zoe has been gradually declining in use in England and Wales from its peak at #30 in both 1974 and 1994.  In 1997 (as with 1996) it ranked #31 with 1784 births. In 2000 it was #41 and by 2003 it had moved out of the top 50 to #53 (1019 births).  The variant spelling Zoey has marginally increased, from three births in 2000 to 46 births in 2010, though this is not enough to offset the decreased use of Zoe.  In 2012, Zoe ranked #91 with 620 births and Zoey ranked #1037 with 34 births. In previous centuries, Zoe has traditionally been less popular in Scotland, even up until the 1990s. It first appeared in the Scottish top 100 in 1975, which was below that of England and Wales in the same year, ranking at #75. In recent years however, Zoe has been comparatively more popular in Scotland than in the rest of the UK for each given year. It was #33 in 2005, #42 in 2007, #36 in 2009. #39 in 2011, #47 in 2012 and #51 in 2013 with 110 births.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Saints Exuperius and Zoe (d. 127 AD), 2nd century Christian martyrs. * Saint Zoe of Rome (d.286), Christian martyr.  * Zoe Karbonopsina (d.c. 920), Byzantine empress, wife of Emperor Leo VI the Wise. * Zoe Porphyrogenita (978-1056), Empress of the Byzantine Empire in her own right. * Zoe Palaiologina (c. 1455–1503), wife of Tsar Ivan III of Russia. Contemporary: * Zoe Wannamaker (b. 1949), British actress. * Zooey Deschanel (b. 1980), American actress. Literature and Media: * Zoe, a character on Sesame Street. * Zoe Heriot, a companion in Doctor Who.

Variants:

Zoey, Zoie, Zoa; Zoé (French), Zoë (Dutch), Zoja (Polish), Zoya (Russian)

Pronunciation:

ZO-ee [key]

Possible  Longer Forms:

Zenobia

Sibling Names:

Anna     Mia     Lara     Esme     Lucy     Tess  Leo     Nathan     Lewis     Seth     Alex     Jacob

Name Lists:

Dulcet Dainties   Short and Sweet

 

If you like Zoe you may also like:  Zelie, Eva, Clio, Hebe, Zara, Esme, Chloe, Elodie, Elora, Leonie

 

Thanks to Kerry for requesting this post. 

Ancient Greek H Names for Girls

Here are some of the "H" (eta) names — the seventh letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet —that were used for women in Ancient Greek society. Eta was originally similar to our letter H (the capital form is actually identical) but was later given the same sound as epsilon ('ay' sound), and in modern Greek is transliterated as 'i' alongside iota. 

Most of the names found below have been taken from inscriptions and tomb reliefs. 

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

A  B/G  D  E  Z

 

 

Hedanthe
hedys "sweet, pleasant, agreeable" + anthos "flower"

Hedeia
hedys "sweet, pleasant, agreeable"

Hediste / Hedista
hedys "sweet, pleasant, agreeable"

Hedyle / Hedyline
hedys "sweet, pleasant, agreeable"

Hegema / Hegemone
hegemon "leader"

Hegemonis
hegemonis "imperial"

Hegenassa
hegemon "leader" + anassa "queen" 

Hegesandra
hegemon "leader" + andros "man" 

Hegesilla
hegemon "leader" + illa (diminutive suffix)

Hegesippe
hegemon "leader" + hippos "horse" 

Hegestrata / Hegesistrate
hegemon "leader" + stratos "army" 

Hegeso 
hegemon "leader"

Heliodora
helios "sun" + doros "gift"

Hemera / Hemeira / Hemere
hemera "day" - Hemera was the name for the goddess of the day.

Hepis / Hepia
hepios "gentle"

Herais
dedicated to Hera

Herakleia
Hera + kleos "glory"

Herodoxe
Hera (or heros "hero") + doxa "glory, renown, honour" 

Herophila
Hera + philos "love"

Herosanthe
Hera (or heros "hero") + anthos "flower"

Hesione
hêso "knowing"

Hesychia
hesychios "stillness, quiet, rest"

 

Births announced in The Times, 1988

Below are a selection of birth announcements from The Times newspaper that were published in 1988.

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

Alexander Xenophon Archie Basil Axel Alastair William (Morag Agneta Jane) Barnabas Redmond Barnaby Chester Franklin (Max) Bertram Oscar Rupert Caedmon James Cais Constant Carwyn Emrys Caspian Donald (William Muir, India May Frances & Milo David Feargus) Eden Mark Farquhar Edward Fionn Edward Florestan Ferdinand George John Festus Thomas Galen Randall George (Cosima Georgina) Geoffrey Jocelyn (Frederick Graydon & Eleonora Anne) Guy Montagu Percy (Helena Rose) Gyles Ashley Charles James Hendrik Ashley Horatio Henry Hopley (Eleanor Elizabeth Ewbank, Lettice Lydia Leslie & Alfred Lucius Michael) Jed Thomas Kit Rhys Knud Nielsen Kyle Hendrik Leander Peter Justin (Rupert Justin Egbert & Jemima) Linus Sebastian Maxim Raphael Nicholas Felix Lysander Nicholas Jocelyn Quentin Octavian William Henry (Caradoc James Edmund & Hereward Charles Magnus) Pip Michael Elliott Rodrigo James Rory Inigo Christian Ruaraid Alwyn Rufus William Alaric Saul Alexander Yentis Sonny Kevin Laurence Tancred John Octavian Theo Doric Alfred (Caspar Luke Sebastian & Barnaby David Vaughan) Timothy Dennis Odin Valdemar Rupert Xan Carlos Luis Cornelis Xavier Axel

Alexandrina Tallia Natasha Sara Alvina Veronica Floella Angelica Skye Clare (Frederick Peregrine) Antigone Rosanagh (Charles Edward, Thomas William & Persephone Elizabeth) Amelia Kitty Therese (Camilla Poppy Therese & Harriet Clementine Maria) Arizona Grace Atalanta Amanda Elizabeth Augusta Mary Clementine (Henry Patrick Chaloner) Belinda Dulcie Edith Betty Davina Boadicea Louisa (Agnes Charlotte Gertrude & Dorothea) Bryony Gwendolyn Frances Camellia Aline (Eleanor Rose & Lily Henrietta) Camilla Blyss Chloe Florence Basilia Claerwen Helen Clemency Violet Clementine Dorothy Flora Clio Alexandra / Clio Olivia Cordelia Amabelle Rhiannon Cornelia Frances (Reuben James) Edwina Rosemary (Georgina) Edwina Yuko Charlotte (Catriona Ryoko Alexandra & Sabrina Kyoko Arabella) Eirian Sheila  Emily Atalanta Fenella Shayne Leonora Florinda Elizabeth Frances Olga Francesca Madeleine Aletta Freya Margot Tamsin Gemma Calandra Gwendolina Mavis  Harriet Horatia Hazel Rosalie Hester Olivia Hero (Samuel Balthazar) Juliana Mattea Kerensa Toura Isabel Lenora Ellis Victoria Lucyna Mabel Morna Agnes Rose Natalie Frankie Inga Lili Orlanda Katia  Pandora Alice Richenda Juliet Rose Shakira Cecile Annise Skye Atalanta Sophie Rhiannydd (Huw Alexander Simon & Alexander Lewys Matthew) Tacita Stephanie Theadora Miranda Calliope Theodora Fredericka Augusta Venetia Charlotte Henrietta Clementine Virginia Sigrid Jenny Desiree Zara Tessa Titania Rose Zuleika Octavia Rosa

 

UK Birth Announcements 2/6/14 - 8/6/14

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:

Adam James (Max, Martha & Abbie)

Albert John Roddy

Aldo

Alexander David (Olivia Grace)

Archie Graham

Charlie William

Conan Stewart Alan (Orla Mae Keyne)

Elliott Robert (Isaac, Thea & Luke)

Finlay Patrick (Max James)

Finley Luke (Evan Daniel)

Frank George

George Gabriel 

Jack Andrew

Jack William

Jake Mark

James Daniel

Joey Robert 

Joshua Luke (Lewis Benjamin)

Kayden Alex (Jason, Chloe, Liam, Kieran & Tia)

Laurence Patrick (Ciaran Francis)

Leo Harrison

Lucas Dominic

Max Samuel (Owen James)

Max Sidney Richard (Archie Logan William)

Nathaniel John "Nate"

Oliver Morgan

Orione Alexander Philip (Ottilie Elizabeth Dar)

Oscar Charles

Reuben Warrick Peter

Rory Robert 

Seth Archie 

Stuart Allan

William Frederick

 

Girls:

Alba Marie (Caiden Paul)

Annabelle Paloma (Alec & Andrew Barnaby)

Annabelle-Lily Joan (Lola-Rose)

Ava May (Joshua Philip Ronald)

Ava Rose Holly

Beatrice Anna

Beca Wyn (Elan & Efan)

Chloe Eleanor Grace (Harry James William)

Clara Grace

Daisy May (Yasmine, Molly & Leah)

Dollie Jade

Ellie Rose (Archie Lewis)

Elsie Jane Olivia

Elspeth Macdonald 

Erin Louise

Freya Maisie

Georgie Rose

Helena Alexandra Mary (Jemima Marny Corry & Joshua Christopher Michael)

Immy Rose Margaret (Hope, Phoebe & Maddison)

Imogen Isabella

Isabel Ava (Joshua)

Isabella Dorothy (Ethan)

Isabelle Rose

Izabella Grace

Josephine Helen Emily "Josie" (Thomas James Stanley, Mark Malcolm Frank & Bernard David Theodore)

Kitty Rose (Ted)

Lillian May

Martha Grace (Luke Charles Michael)

Neave Lesley

Nieve Ella

Nellie Rose "Nell" (Jack)

Ruby Eve (Thomas)

Savannah Rose Daphne (Alexander)

Stella RoseAnne

Theadora Lilly

Willow Molly (Florence, Archie Christopher John & Digby Robert)

Zara Catherine (Florence Maria)

 

Name of the Week

 ^.

Once eclipsed by its bolder variant Jonas,
Jonah is now winning hearts with its serene Biblical charm.

 

Origin:

Jonah derives from the Hebrew word yonah (יוֹנָה) meaning "dove." It was translated to Ἰωνᾶς (Ionas) in Greek and Ionas (Jonas) in Latin.  The name was borne by two figures in the bible. In the New Testament, Jonah (or Jonas) is a fisherman, the father of Peter. More significantly, in the Old Testament, Jonah is the name given to the prophet Jonah whose story is told in The Book of Jonah. He is also recognised, in the name Yunus or Yunan, as a prophet in Islam.  Jonah held further significance in Early Christianity as an allegory for Christ's resurrection, and his story was a popular theme in Early Christian art. In the New Testament, Jesus himself said: "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth," implying that Jonah's emergence from the whale prefigured Christ's resurrection.  Before Constantine declared Christianity a state religion, Christians worshipped in secrecy, particularly in underground catacombs beneath the city of Rome. Chamber frescoes and funerary art feature Jonah frequently, thanks to his being seen as a prefigure of Christ. Some scholars even argue that, in an age where Christianity was banned, using Jonah (in a fantastically classical Greco-Roman style) as a symbol was the safest way to depict Christ and identify themselves secretly to other Christians.

Usage:

Despite the fact that the story of Jonah and the Whale was a popular one during the middle ages, the name was little used during that period. When it was, the Latinised Jonas was the preferred form.  Jonas had continued usage from the 13th century through to the 16th, and even gained in popularity. It was especially notable in Yorkshire where, according to George Redmond's poll of Halifax baptisms from 1590-92, it was the 9th most common name. It also appears four times in Smith-Bannister's top 50 names from 1538-1700: #50 in 1610-19, #46 in 1620-9, #41 in 1640-9 and #40 in 1660-9.  Jonah itself also came into use during this period, when many Old Testament names were enjoying a revival, and had a wide distribution across the country. It was not, however, one of Smith-Bannister's top 50 names from 1538-1700.  In 1870, Jonah ranked #167 with 62 births in England and Wales. It fell to #197 (60 births) in 1880, and below the Top 200 to 38 births in 1890 and 32 births in 1900.  Jonas was higher ranking (#126 in 1870, #185 in 1880) but it too fell out of the Top 200 afterwards.  Data from The Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) The map (right) of the 1881 census name distribution shows that the name was distributed across England (particularly the west) and Wales but little in Scotland. Per 100,000 however, its popularity in Wales really stands out, especially in Camarthenshire.   In contrast, Jonas was little used in Wales (or Scotland) in 1881, and was still, as it had been centuries before, highly concentrated in Yorkshire.  Jonah's usage gradually declined in the early 20th century, and by the 1940s it became rather rare. The name has been steadily rising since 1996 when it ranked #312 with 78 births. It plateaued somewhat until 2006, after which it moved up through the Top 300 and spiked at #168 with 342 births in 2011.  Jonas is now less popular than Jonah itself, ranking at #490 (78 births) in 2012, but it too has been rising.  In 2012, Jonah ranked #180 with 324 births in England and Wales and #337 with 10 births in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Jonah, a prophet of the Old Testament. * Jonah, the father of St Peter. * Jonah ibn Janah (c.990–c.1050), a Hebrew grammarian and lexicographer. * Jonah of Moscow (d.1461), a Russian Orthodox Saint.  Contemporary: * Jonah Hill (b. 1983), American actor. Literature and Other Media: * Jonah Hex, an American western comic book hero in DC Comics. * Jonah Baldwin, character in the movie Sleepless in Seattle.

Variants:

Jonas

Pronunciation:

JŌ-nə [key]

Possible diminutives

Joe, Jay

Sibling Names:

Anna     Tabitha     Willa      Lydia      Martha     Harriet  Rowan     Asher     Jasper     Gabriel     Myles     Ellis

Name Lists:

Slim Softies   Popular Biblical Names   Vintage Names   Names from Tennyson

 

If you like Jonah you may also like:   Joah, Jowan, Noah, Jude, Luca, Colm, Elijah, Levi, Micah, Bowen

 

Thanks to Lydie for requesting this post.

 

Finds from 1866

A selection of names from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1866. All are first names and middle names — the surnames are not included unless indicated by 'sn' — and have been checked against other records for accuracy.

Adonibezek Admiral Couch Allured Charles Alphonso Llewellyn C Archelaus Vivian Arthurval E Athelstan Howard Odin Bywater Corinium McDonald Costley Damarious Desmoro Egremont J Fordyce Goliath Gyldous A Hopeful Harry (sn: King) Jehoiada W Junior Mazzinah Herbert Mazzini Mederic George Mendelssohn Napoleon George Northumberland Olderthen James Ophni F A Oxenham B Parley Parker Pratt (sn: Prophet)  Pharez Photo Gilbert  Plato Percy Question Charles Roddam Harrison Saumarez Charles Spurgin Titus Taylor Twizel Vere Robert Vesalius Thomas Walstan Charles Winkworth H

Alice Coralie Apphia Zybia L Arethusa Mary Avarilda Elizabeth Avonia Julia Belvidera Berthalina Charlotte Cheveletia Annie  Clevances Ellen Creola Cymbal Ann Cyrenius John Devereux Christiana Dioletta Ellen Ethelinda Favoretter Mary Genverena Herberta Frederica Hortensia Amelia Anne Indiana Florence Isoletta Jossima Royle Justina Sophia Adeline Leviathan Lovetta Elizabeth Meditation Matilda  Minetta Violet Mother Mary Obedience Elizabeth Ocena Harriet Orynthia Olivia Paranella A. Catherine Polyxena Septima Blanche A V Sissylt Herbert S. Syrena Antonetta Theodosia Madelina Torfrida Selena Queen Victoria Vasilesa Maria Virtuanna Zatilla Octavia  Zeruiah   Zozepha A

Frustratingly, for much of this year (and in many registration districts) middle names only appeared in the register as single initials, meaning several interesting middle names have remained uncovered. Others I have endeavered to find from census or marriage and death records.