One of the greatest partnerships of the Victorian era was that of composer Arthur Sullivan and dramatist W.S.Gilbert. Together the two collaborated on fourteen comic operas, wildly popular in their day and still enduring and beloved today.
As for the names, they are a delightful example of Victorian fancy -- mixing inspiration from classical mythology, medieval legends and far off exotic locations, alongside contemporary staples and adding a hint of Gothic romance.
Now that Victorian favourites are back in fashion, many of these euphonious theatrical names work seamlessly among contemporary names. Other rarer choices make for striking antique fancies. Some, however, will forever stay enjoyable comic creations.
All the names below are taken from the fourteen operas by Gilbert and Sullivan:
| Adam Alexis Alhambra Antonio Annibale Arac Archibald Bailey Ben Bill Bob Calynx Conrad Cyril Desmond Despard Dick Edward Ernest Florian Francesco |
Frederic Gama George Gilbert Giorgio Giuseppe Go-To Guron Hercules Hilarion Hildebrand Jack Jasper John Joseph Ko-Ko Leonard Lionel Ludwig Luiz Marco |
Marmaduke Mervyn Nanki-Poo Paramount Phantis Pish-Tush Pooh-Bah Ralph Reginald Richard Roderic Rudolph Rupert Ruthven Samuel Scaphio Scynthius Strephon Tarara Thomas Wilfred |
Ada Aline Angela Bertha Blanche Casilda Celia Chloe Constance Daphne Diana Edith Ella Elsa Elsie Fiametta Fleta Gianetta Giulia Gretchen Hannah |
Hebe Ida Inez Iolanthe Isabel Jane Josephine Kalyba Kate Katisha Leila Lisa Mabel Margaret Martha Melene Melissa Nekaya Nicemis Olga Patience |
Peep-Bo Phoebe Phylla Phyllis Pitti-Sing Pretteia Psyche Rose Ruth Sacharissa Salata Sangazure Saphir Sophy Tessa Venus Vittoria Yum-Yum Zara Zorah |
