British Baby Names

Name Musings: January 2017

 

 

Well, what a hectic January it has been, full of new starts and promises for things to come. And the names have been interesting, too!

 

Euros

2017 kick-started with a bang with the premier of the fourth series of Sherlock. I won't give any spoilers, but needless to say, the name of the series is Euros. The name (pronounced YOO-ros) is taken from the name of the ancient Greek god of the East Wind. In this case, however, Euros is female -- though the naming after the god appears to be deliberate. 

This Greek name is very rare in Britain. However, confusingly, the Welsh name Euros (pronounced AYR-ros) from the Welsh aur "gold" isn't unheard of. 

  

Bohemond

The BBC's Timewatch series recently aired their documentary on the Crusades. One name that caught my attention immediately was Bohemond (pronounced BŌ-ə-mənd) -- the name of one of the leaders of the First Crusade who became Prince of Antioch. According to legend, this Bohemond was a large baby and was originally christened with the name Mark, but was nicknamed Bohemond by his father who had recently heard tale of a giant named Buamundus gigas. 

 

Balian

Another find from the Crusades is Balian, used by the notable Crusader Ibelin family. Orlando Bloom brought the name to the big screen when he played one Balian of Ibelin (pronounced BAY-lee-ən) in the 2005 Hollywood epic Kingdom of Heaven. It has always surprised me that Balian has failed to catch on again. 

 

Dinah

While we are on the subject of returning television programmes, Channel Four have recently brought back irreverent police drama series No Offense, featuring the feisty main character DC Dinah Kowalska. Once again I'm reminded of lovely Dinah and how great it is to see the name on such a string, independent character. Other great character names in the series include Vivienne "Viv", Joy, Nora, Spike, Randolph and Jonah. 

 

Emerald

Another return to the screen this January is Call the Midwife, which I love, but would watch for the period baby-naming alone. This series is set in 1962, so I'm expecting some great period names to come from this series. For the moment, however, I'm struck by the name of actress Emerald Fennell who plays midwife Patsy Mount (who's full name, it turns out, is Patience, not Patricia as expected). Given the success of Ruby, Jade and even Jasper, I definitely this there is room for more Emeralds. 

 

Bluey

Richard Branson recently proudly announced the arrival of his new grandson Bluey Rafe Richard Branson, a brother for Eva-Deia and cousin for twins Artie and Etta. Announcing the arrival on Virgin.com, proud grandad explained the significance of Bluey:
"There are many reasons behind the name Bluey. His great-great grandfather was a Cambridge rowing blue, while his great-grandfather (my dad) was a Cambridge swimming blue... When Sam was born (early) I was attempting to win the Blue Riband back for Britain by completing the fastest crossing of the Atlantic by boat.[...] Finally, all of our family loves Australia, especially Sam, who spent his gap year there. Sam, Bellie and Eva-Deia also spent some magical time there recently before Bluey’s birth. When we were trying to come up with a name for our airline in Australia, we chose Virgin Blue after an Aussie explained to me that Bluey meant redhead in Australia. The flying maidens on the side of our planes had red hair too."

 

Caben

Stephanie Davis has finally announced the name of her son as Caben-Albi George Davis. Some of you may remember that Stephanie was part of a name-stealing saga back in July, when she announced that she wanted to name her son Albie in honour of her late grandfather Albert. Life on Marbs reality star Alex Weaver, who had recently named her son Albie, was very put out because, in her words: "I called him that because it was original and there wouldn't be any Albie's in his class". [I know, right? Albie. Original. When it's at #107!!!"]

Anyhow, seems Steph was perturbed enough by this to slightly alter her name choice. Writing for her blog for OK magazine recently, Steph revealed: "I've picked my boy's name! It's not Albi but that will definitely be a middle name.
"I'm going to keep it a secret for now but I will say it's something different – I've not heard it before! It's like a movie star name.
"We got it when I was getting chatted up with my friends recently and he said his name when he left – we just all looked at each other and knew, so thanks to him!"

So, while the Branson family are taking pains to explain the origin and meaning behind Bluey's unusual moniker, Ms. Davis is happy to embrace a name with no meaning other than she just met a man with it and liked the sound of it. And, yet, really, does that make the name any less significant?

 

 

UK Birth Announcements 23/1/17 - 29/1/17

A round-up of names from birth announcements announced in British newspapers in the last week.

Sources include a national paper (The Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Sibling names are in brackets. 

 

Boys:

AJ (Ellie, Emily and Eva-Drew)

Aldous Jake (Dexter Fox)

Alexander Ralph Wilson

Alexander William James

Arlo Daniel

Barnaby Harris Hunter (Martha Rea Hunter)

Benjamin Lewis

Danny Neil

Huey George

Jack Albert

Jack Anthony

Leonardo Giancarlo Francesco "Leo"

Mason James

Maxwell James "Max" (Jacob Lewis & Toby William)

Oakley Albert (Kaelan)

Roman Henry Daniel

Taylor Alexander

Tobias John Ludford

William Christopher James

 

Girls:

Ada Aelia

Alison Kaitlyn (Victoria Emily "Vicky")

Amelia Dauphine Naomi

Bella Rose (Imogen Rose)

Cordelia Margot D'Oyly (Jasper Guy D'Oyly)

Eleanor Alexandra "Nell" (Sam Edward Claude, Elizabeth Winkfield & Lydia Frances)

Elyse Stephanie (Lucy)

Emily Charlotte Rosenbaum

Katie Olivia (Connor)

Lola Rose

Martha Magdalene Helena

Piper Ellis

 

Twins:

Amelia & Elizabeth

 

 

Name of the Week: Archer

 

Origin:

Archer started out as an occupational surname quite literally denoting a person who was an archer or a bowman. The word archer is Anglo-French, used since the 13th century, a development of the Old French archier "archer, bowmaker" and earlier the Latin arcuarius, from arcus "bow". Archery is an ancient art form, dating back around 10,000 years, and a crucial military and hunting skill before the use of gunpowder. So important was it for millennia, countless cultures around the world featured the practice as a key part of their mythology and religious pantheons. Deities associated with archery are numerous, — Apollo, Artemis, Diana, Cupid, Marduk, Ullr, Rama, Krishna and Karna are just a few — alongside folk-legends such as Robin Hood, William Tell and Palnatoke. The ideal of "the archer" is even immortalised in the stars by the constellation Sagittarius. The name Sagittarius is also a Latin term for an archer, but while arcuarius relates to the word arcus "bow", sagittarius comes from sagitta "arrow."

Usage:

As a surname, Archer has been in use in Britain since at least the 12th century. The 1166 Pipe rolls have record of an Edward Archier in Hampshire and Robert L'archier in Wiltshire. Le Archer still survives as the surnames Larcher and L'Archer. A Hugh le Archer is mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Cambridgeshire in 1199.  Archer's common use as a surname, even today, attests to how essential archery was in medieval society. In the 11th and 12th century, the crossbow was considered a weapon of mass destruction, both feared and revered, and highly divisive. Although highly prised for its effectiveness on the battlefield, it was also feared for its role as a social equaliser. Any man (be them peasant or nobleman) could wield the weapon which could penetrate armour at vast distances. No armoured nobleman or king was safe on the battlefield, and that was a danger to the highly stratisfied medieval social structure. So much so that the use of crossbows was banned in 1096 by Pope Urban II and later again by Pope Innocent II in 1139.  The Normans, of course, had brought the crossbow over to Britain with them — supposedly, King Harold even got shot in the eye at the Battle of Hastings! — so it is little wonder that the surname Archer came into use in the 12th century.  Despite the Papal ban, Richard I employed large numbers of mercenary crossbowmen, principally the Balestrieri from Genoa who were renowned for their prowess. Ironically, Richard himself was shot by a commoner during the seige of the castle of Châlus and died of his wounds. Despite this, his nephew Henry III, and following Edward I, had thousands of quarrels (crossbow arrows) mass produced to equip their armies.  While the crossbow was more powerful, they were also slow to reload and were vulnerable to wet weather. When Edward I set out to conquer Wales, it is said that that Welsh archers, employing the use of longbows in their guerrilla tactics, took a heavy toll on the invaders. So impressive was this, that Welsh bowmen became a feature of English armies from that point on, and the longbow (which had long been used by hunters and foresters) became the bow of choice in England, and gained a reputation as a noble, mythic weapon. This was reinforced by the legends of Robin Hood, first recorded in writing in 1377, which abounded at this time.  The longbow is credited with being the reason for several stunning English victories in France during the Hundred Years War, including the Battle of Crécy (1346), the Battle of Poitiers (1356) and the Battle of Agincourt (1415). So important was the role of the longbow in English military prowess, that English monarchs were keen to encourage its use to ensure military preparedness. Even the poorest male citizens were expected obtain a longbow matching their height, and butts were set up in every village and town.* Edward I banned all sports but archery on Sundays, to make sure Englishmen practised with the longbow, and later in 1363, Edward III ordered all able-bodied men to practice archery every Sunday and holidays with a halfpenny fine for those who failed to participate.  Eventually, however, the introduction of firearms took precedence over archery on the battlefield, but by this time, surnames had established themselves as hereditary names in England, and so Archer's use as a surname was secure and in good use.  Archer's use as a first name dates back to the 17th century when it was often used to honour a family member or godparent. From this point on, the name was almost exclusively male. One notable early bearer was the MP Sir Archer Croft, 2nd Baronet (1683–1753); in his case, Archer was his mother's maiden name.  Data from the Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) The 1841 UK census lists 157 Archers: 151 male, 6 female. By 1861 the figure had risen significantly to 276 (7 female) with over a third under the age of ten; in 1881 the number had doubled to 538 (5 female) and again to 1,027 (11 female) in 1901.  Data from the 1881 census (see image right) shows that areas where the surname was most common also correspond to areas where Archer was used most frequently as a given name.  In England and Wales, Archer increased progressively in use in the 19th century, peaking in the 1880s. It gradually declined from that point, becoming rare by the 1940s. The following is a list of births for the name Archer in England and Wales per decade: 1840s: 91 births 1850s: 106 births 1860s: 186 births 1870s: 309 births 1880s: 490 births 1890s: 389 births 1900s: 223 births 1910s: 113 births 1920s: 57 births 1930s: 17 births 1940s: 14 births 1950s: 2 births 1960s: 4 births click to enlarge From 1996 to 2004 Archer was registered no more that 12 times (#1410 in 2004) in any given year in England and Wales, and first reached the top 1000 in 2006 at #814 (31 births). However, from 2010 the name started to rise, reaching #484 (79 births) in 2012 and continued to rise.  It's rise is not surprising. Archie has been in the top 50 since 2003 and top 20 since 2013. Several of the birth announcements I have featured on this blog have seen Archer used with Archie as a nickname, perhaps indicating that parents are drawn to Archer as a "formal" name for Archie which is lighter and more modern than Archibald. Add in the rise of other occupational surnames ending in -er such as Dexter, Carter, Hunter, Parker and Cooper, and Archer's upward curve was inevitable.  In 2015, Archer ranked #337 (139 births) in England and Wales. Regionally, however, Archer was most popular in the East, where it ranked #180, followed by the South West where it was #228.  In Scotland the name was once rare. From 1974 to 2011, it was only registered four times: once in 1977, 1988, 2009 and 2011. It garnered two births in both 2012 (#819) and 2013 (#847), but had risen #439 (7 births) in 2014. In 2015, Archer ranked #359 (9 births) in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Sir Archer Croft (1683–1753), Member of Parliament. * Archer James Oliver (1774–1842), British painter who specialised in portraiture.  * Archer Thompson Gurney (1820–1887), Church of England clergyman and hymn writer. * Archer MacMackin (1888–1961), American silent film director, producer and screenwriter. * Archer Porter Martin (1910–2002), British chemist and Nobel Prize winner.  * Archer King (1917–2012), American theatrical agent, producer and actor. Contemporary: * Archer Prewitt (b. 1963), American musician and cartoonist. Other: * HMS Archer, the name seven ships of the British Royal Navy.

Variants:

Archier (Old French) Larcher

Pronunciation:

AR-chə [key]

Possible diminutives:

Archie

Sibling Names:

Calla     May     Tessa     Belle     Elodie     Lyra       Beckett     Harris     Jonas     Rex    Layton     Quinn

Name Lists:

Occupational Surnames

 

If you like Archer you may also like:   Arlo, Spencer, Asher, Fletcher, Bowen, Hunter, Thatcher, Acer, Parker, Deacon

 

Thanks to Misha for requesting Archer.

This post was originally posted on 30th August 2013. It was revised on 28th January 2017. 

 

UK Birth Announcements 16/1/17 - 22/1/17

A round-up of names from birth announcements announced in British newspapers in the last week.

Sources include a national paper (The Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Sibling names are in brackets. 

 

Boys:

Alfred Nikolai Martin

Archie George Thomas (Lottie Rose)

Arlo

Arthur Graham Fleetwood

Cai Wyn (Keelan)

Dylan Matthew

Elliot Henry Richard (Clara Bethany)

Fergus Joseph (Max James & Finlay Patrick)

Harris Thomas George (Joseph Alexander Kenneth & Hamish Michael)

Harris William

Henry Patrick 

Hugo (Theo)

Jack Scott

James Peter John

Logan Cameron

Matthew Noel

Oliver Harvey (Emily Jennifer)

Samuel Peter

William James (Verity Elizabeth)

 

Girls:

Alexandra Lorna (Nina Eleanor & Felicity Yvonne)

Amelia Leigh

Clementine Isabel Addison (Emily "Millie", Charles "Charlie", Alexandra "Alix", Henry, Arthur & George)

Eliza Diana

Elsie Louise (Mayson Nicholas)

Emily Flora

Evelyn Anne Vera (Josh)

Evelyn Elizabeth Rose (William & Charles "Charlie")

Flora Catherine

Freya Joy Elizabeth

Harriet Georgina (Lily Alice Ann & Beatrice Fox)

Kitty Marieke Joan (Lily & Arlo Frederick Cyril)

Leonora Jean

Lowri Elen (Cynan)

Marina Pamela Rose (Annabel Rachel Joyce & Guy Robert Nicol)

Matilda Florence

Mirren Grace (Liam & Clem Alexander Alan)

Pippa Freya

Priya Elizabeth

Ruby Lynn

Trudi Bleu (Hallie)

Violet Phoebe Mollie (Rose Florence Etta)

Willow Rose

 

Twins:

Florence Caroline Fairfax & Charlotte Jane Cicely

 

 

Name of the Week: Bryony

 

 

Origin:

Bryony is a botanical name, given to a wild twining hedgerow and woodland plant. There are two types: white bryony and black bryony, both of which have white flowers and bear berries. The Latin name of the plant is Bryonia, derived from the Greek βρύω (bruō) "to swell, to teem with fruit, to be full, to abound," most likely referring to the plant's ability to grow swiftly and luxuriantly.

Usage:

Bryony Brooke, 1911 census (click to enlarge) The first record of the name appears in Scotland in 1877. Briony Rebe Pearl Brooke was born on the 13th April 1877 in Falkirk to an Irish father who was a rector and English mother. Her name (as written by her father in his own hand) was spelled "Bryony" on the 1911 English census. Her sisters sported the names Myrtle Katinka Carrie Honor, Avens Selena Rebecca Amy and Orpine Lucy Saurin -- all are the names of plants -- so her parents were clearly inspired by nature.  There were no other registrations for Bryony/Briony in after that Scotland until 1912.  The first registration for Bryony in England and Wales is 1897. Bryony Murray-Morgan's birth was registered in July-September 1897 and death (under the name Briony Murray-Morgan) in October-December of the same year. [There is a transcribed record of a Bryony Kerry in 1859, but other records show that this was in fact Bryan Kerry]. As there are no other records for this child, it is impossible to tell their gender.  The name was not registered again in England and Wales until 1905; the spelling Briony was first registered in 1931. A breakdown of the number of registrations in E&W for Bryony and Briony per decade are as follow:   Bryony Briony 1900s: 1910s: 1920s: 1930s: 1940s: 1950s: 1960s: 1 birth 4 births 4 births 13 birth 95 births 183 births 258 births 0 births 0 births 0 births 5 births 80 births 145 births 205 births The sudden upswing in the 1940s, particularly in the spelling Briony, can be explained by the character Sister Briony in Rumer Godden's 1939 novel Black Narcissus, which was made into a film in 1947. Briony is mentioned as a name inspired by film in this newspaper article from the Essex Newsman in 1948.  Leslie Dunkling's sample for girls named Bryony in every 10,000 births are as follows: 1900 1925 1935 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990   -   -    -    -    -    -    2    2    2    -   4   14 click to enlarge Both Bryony and Briony were at a peak in 1996 ranking #129 (362 births) and #346 (99 births) respectively. Both declined after that point, and by 2009, Bryony was just outside the top 500, and Briony the top 1000.  In Scotland, Bryony had been gradually rising since 1974, peaking at #176 (24 births) in 1998. After that it declined, and has been at a plateau between #600-#700 since 2009.  In 2015, Bryony ranked #1114 (34 births) in England and Wales and #1055 (2 births) in Scotland. Briony ranked  #1711 (17 births) in England and Wales. It did not rank at all in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

Contemporary: * Bryony Lavery (b. 1947), British playwright. * Briony Behets (b. 1951), Australian actress. * Briony McRoberts (1957-2013), British actress. * Bryony Brind (b. 1960), British ballerina. * Briony Williams (b. 1965), Australian actress. * Bryony Worthington, Baroness Worthington (b. 1971), British environmental campaigner and Labour life peer in the House of Lords. * Bryony Gordon (b. 1980), British journalist.  * Bryony Afferson (b. 1983), British actress. * Briony Cole (b. 1983), Australian Olympic diver.  * Bryony Shaw (b. 1983), British Olympic windsurfer. * Bryony Hannah (1984), British actress. * Briony Stewart (b. 1984), Australian novelist and illustrator. * Bryony Page (b. 1990), British individual trampolinist. Literature and Other Media: * Briony Tallis, character in Ian McEwan's "Atonement" * Briony Campbell, character on soap "EastEnders" * Briony Eddon, character in Tad William's "Shadowmarch" * Bryony, mouse character in Brian Jacques' "Outcast of Redwall"

Variants:

Briony, Bryonie

Pronunciation:

BRĪ-ə-nee [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Bry, Bree, Bee, Binny

Sibling Names:

Tamsin     Willa     Cassia     Rhiannon     Fiona     Zara  Alistair     Rowan    Lorcan     Finnian     Ellis     Tristan

Name Lists:

N/A

  

If you like Bryony you may also like:   Betony, Clover, Briar, Calla, Tamara, Robyn, Bethan, Felicity, Amara, Sidonie, Ferne

 

Thanks to Chamali for requesting this name.

 

UK Birth Announcements 9/1/17 - 15/1/17

A round-up of names from birth announcements announced in British newspapers in the last week.

Sources include a national paper (The Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Sibling names are in brackets. 

 

Boys:

Archer Charles Derek "Archie"

Austin Harvie (Henry Karl George)

Charlie Mitchell

Frazer Albert Frederick

Frederick Thomas (Emily Victoria)

George Carter

George Robert Oakes

Harry Bear

Henning Arthur Eric (Francesca Irene)

Henry William James

Isak Derek (Benjamin & Callum)

Jake Cameron (Ellie Kay)

Joshua William

Leighton Jax

Louis George (Oliver Thomas)

Magnus Henri

Nathan Gordon (Isla Anna)

Reuben Scott (Georgia Frances)

Rocco Tregarthen

Ruben James

Sebastian Joseph

Zachary Richard John

 

Girls:

Alice Rose

Alicia Ella

Anastasia Natalie (Francesca)

Aurora (Fletcher & Sebastian)

Cara Bridget Anna

Charlotte Olivia Rose

Clementina Rose (Arthur)

Constance Rose Lavinia (Otis George Smerger & Clementine Agnes Lavinia)

Eilidh Katherine

Erin Joanne (Hollie Jessica)

Faye Annadh

Georgina Daphne Linda

Georgina Elizabeth (Iris Charlotte & Emilia Hannah)

Ionie Cecelia Mary

Laura Jane (Anna Elizabeth)

Lily Marie

Liusaidh Hannah Lesley (Ruairidh Joseph Henry & Eilidh Margaret Catriona)

Lucy Sophia

Matilda Poppy Marie (Oscar Theodor & Luca Jack)

Niamh Georgia (Isla Elizabeth)

Sylvia Mary Leonora (Molly Angela Elizabeth)

Theresa Eleanor "Tess" (Robert John "Bobby" & Francis William "Frankie")

 

Twins:

Archie & Sid

Lyla Poppy & Luca James

 

 

Name of the Week: Everett

 

 

Origin:

Everett is a later form (and surname variant) of Everard, brought over to Britain by the Normans as a form of the Old Germanic name Eburhard — ebur "boar" and hard "brave, hardy." This was cognate with the Old English name Eoferheard.

Usage:

The Old English form, Eoferheard, was certainly in some use before the Norman invasion of 1066 in Britain, though not in high frequency. The Prosopography of Anglo-Saxon England (PASE) lists six moneyers with the name prior to the Conquest, but other examples are rare. After the Conquest, Eoferheard was reinforced by the Germanic Eberhard, and there are seven subtenants in 1086 with the name (recorded as Ebrardus and Eurardus) in the Domesday book. Given the shift of power to Norman hands, these lords were undoubtedly using the Germanic form of the name rather than the Anglo-Saxon. Reaney and Wilson point out that, though the name Everard may sometimes be from the Old English Eoferheard, many bearers of the name during the Middle Ages were from the Continent, and the surname forms usually correspond with the Germanic cognate.  Saint Evrard or Eberhard, Duke of Friuli (815-866), was a key figure in the Carolingian Empire and a notable military and political leader, who may have influenced the use of the name in Europe. Another saint to bear the name was Saint Eberhard of Salzburg a.k.a. Saint Everard (d. 1164).  The use of Everard in Britain was substantial enough that it created the surnames Everard, Everett, Everatt, Everitt, Evered and Everid. Everard was used from the 15th century particularly by the aristocracy, most notably the Digby family. One Sir Everard Digby (c. 1578–1606) was one of the Gunpowder Plotters of 1605.  Data from the Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) As with all surnames, Everett itself began use as a given name from the 16th century, usually as an adoption of a family surname. By the 19th century, it became better established as a given name. There are even instances of Everetta in use as a feminised form, though sometimes Everett itself was used for girls. Intriguingly, data from the 1881 census shows that Everett as a given name was most popular in Nottinghamshire, but this does not correspond (as is usual) to the areas where the surname was most common (see image, right) Statutory birth registrations per decade in England & Wales for Everett and Everard:   Everett Everard 1840s: 1850s: 1860s: 1870s: 1880s: 1890s: 1900s: 1910s: 1920s: 1930s: 1940s: 1950s: 1960s: 1970s:  35 births 61 births 80 births  87 births 124 births 121 births 99 births 90 birth 75 births 46 birth 37 births 30 births 51 births 16 births 53 births 97 births 85 births 156 births 180 births 221 births 183 births 156 births 110 births 60 births 47 births 31 births 25 births 8 births Having peaked in the 1880s and 1890s, Everett gradually began to decline over the course of the 20th century.  From 1996 to 2010, Everett did not appear in the official name rankings for England and Wales at all: meaning that no more than two children were given the name in any given year. However, in 2010 it ranked #3865 with 4 births, and has been rising ever since 2013.  In 2015, Everett ranked #1511 with 16 births.  Everett was not registered at all in Scotland from 1974 to 2010. In 2010, 2012 and 2013 Everett was registered for one boy in each year.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Saint Evrard of Friuli (815-866), Carolingian military and political leader. * Saint Everard of Salzburg (d. 1164), Catholic saint. Literature and Other Media: * Dr. Everett Von Scott, character in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Variants:

Everard (English), Évrard (French), Eberhard (German), Eberardo (Spanish)

Pronunciation:

EV-ə-rət [key]

Possible diminutives:

Ev, Rhett, Rev

Sibling Names:

Briar     Ophelia     Beatrix     Sylvie     Juniper     Rosalind  Jonas     August     Soren     Brooks     Willem     Magnus

Name Lists:

Vintage Names  Upright Elegance

 

If you like Everett you may also like:    Emmett, Redvers, Beckett, Ewart, Benett, Lachlan, Digby, Thaddeus, Rafe, Broderick

 

Finds from 1875

 

In 1875, The Times newspaper published the first daily weather map, London's sewer system was completed after 30 years of construction, and Captain Matthew Webb was the first person to swim the English Channel

Below is a selection of names from the GRO Birth Records for England and Wales in 1875. 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.

Albion Phoenix Armageddon Danbury Athelstan Vivian Read Bertram Canon (sn: Ball) Butler Barnabas (sn: Baldwin) Eudolphine John Gryffudd Maenllwyd Havelock Varley Inglewood Urban James Experiment John Xerxes Lovelace Bigg Moncrieff Henry Northwood Fellow (sn: Woodward) -- nicknamed "Norrie" according to 1911 census.  Octavius Ulric Samuel Old England (sn: Goodson) Orlando Laurence  Overstreet Grogan Waring Pliny Wardour Trevor Owen Undecimus Urquhart Selby Valentine Hercules Ventura Richard Vespin Randolph Victor Lucullus Octavius Augustus Voltaire James Whatnall Poynton Xavier Royal Alfred Zephaniah Marquis W

Adriana Katie Alice Sylvestia Azella Henrietta Bathsheba Laura Caroline Delitia Cleopatra Ophelia Leonora Verina Clotilda Christian Eleanor Vivia Esmeralda Silence Franceline Louise Guinevere Amy Sara Hermon Susannah India Hannah M Isoline Lily Lavinia Venus Loveday Tryphena Lucilla Constantia W Lurline Celeste I Lyontine Kate Covil Magdalen Avarina Marion Sapientia Mary Brilliana Maud Maraquita Millicinda Viletta Jane Minnie Mazilla Olympia Augusta Orpah Selina Rania Jane Robinette Alice Rose Budd Sabra Zenora Vanda Mary Vartoui Rosa Vectis Augusta Verderina Vestal Mary Zingra Laura

For a look back at previous years' "Finds from" posts, click on the category links below ↓

UK Birth Announcements 2/1/17 - 8/1/17

A round-up of names from birth announcements announced in British newspapers in the last week.

Sources include a national paper (The Telegraph) and a broad range of local newspapers from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Sibling names are in brackets. 

 

Boys:

Alexander George

Archer Timothy

George Graham (Ella Lucy)

Elliott William Rigby

Findlay Lewis Howard

Henry Richard Isaac (John Alexander Ladi) -- son of Viscount Weymouth

Monty Benjamin Robert (James William St.Clair)

Nicholas Timothy (Alexander Edward)

Oliver Duff Harvey (Annika Sofi Rose & Freja Kristina Frances)

Vinnie David Christopher (Freddie & Sadie)

 

Girls:

Ailie Ivy (Neave)

Alva Rose (Noah McGaughran)

Annabel Stella Lavender

Aria Myriam Paula

Aurora Rae

Esmae Louise

Francesca Grace Denise

Freya Elise

Holly Iris

Katherine Eleanore (Thomas James)

Margaret Rose Dora (Eve Anne Elizabeth)

Martha Victoria (Hannah Elizabeth & Oliver James)

Megan Hope (Imogen)

Molly Jane (Johnny Peter)

Myla Elizabeth

Polly Clemency (Nell Ryder Cecilia)

Polly Sue

Ruby Agatha (Zeni Florence)

Savannah Kate

Sorcha Eimhear (Nuala Iona)

Zsa Zsa Hermione Christobel (Cressida Lucy Florence, Rocco & Aubrey (twins))

 

Twins:

Alfie Robert Maitland & Mimi Louise (Martha Grace)

 

 

Telegraph Births 2016

 

 

Here is the tally for the most popular names announced in The Telegraph in 2016, according to the Telegraph Announcements online database. 

Arthur and Beatrice were both knocked off their #1 posts from 2015 by Edward and Henry (jointly) and Florence. 

In total 470 boys' births and 401 girls' births were announced between January 1st to December 31st 2016 from a selection of 156 different first names for boys and 173 different first names for girls. I have added variant spellings together for these rankings, an individual breakdown of which is underneath the ranking table. 

 

The top 50 most popular Telegraph names of 2016, with their number count, are as follows:

Boys' Names			.	Girls' Names
1 1 3 4 4 4 7 8 9 9 11 11 13 13 15 15 15 15 15 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 28 28 28 28 32 32 32 32 32 32 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38	Edward Henry Frederick Arthur George James William Wilfred Charles Hugo Alexander Leo Jack Oliver Harry* Hector John Sebastian Thomas Alfred Archie Benjamin Felix Freddie Max Rory Samuel Albert Barnaby Milo  Rupert Archibald Caspar* Joshua Maximilian Oscar* Toby Bertie Charlie Fergus Finley* Hubert Isaac Louis Otto Patrick Rafe  Robert Theodore	19 19 18 14 14 14 13 12 11 11 9 9 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3		1 2 3 4 4 4 7 7 7 7 7 12 12 12 12 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31	Florence Alice Poppy Isabella Isabelle* Olivia Arabella Beatrice Eliza Emily Grace Alexandra Constance Ottilie Rose Annabelle* Charlotte Emilia Honor Margot* Martha Sophia* Amelia Elizabeth Isla Jemima Lily* Matilda Phoebe Sophie Anna  Audrey Beatrix Bella Camilla Cecily Clara Emma Esme Flora Francesca Georgia Georgina Henrietta Imogen Jessica Lucy Pippa Tabitha Willow	16 13 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

 

*Harry:6/Hari:1, Caspar:2/Casper:1/Kasper:1, Oscar:3/Oskar:1, Finley:2/Finnley:1
* Isabelle:4/Isobel:3/Isabel:1, Annabelle:4/Annabel:1, Margot:4/Margaux:1, Sophia:3/Sofia:2, Lily:2/Lilly:1/Lillie:1

 

The 20 most popular middle names (including second, third and fourth names) were as follows: 

Boys			.	Girls
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 11 11 11 16 17 17 19 20 20	James William John George Edward Alexander Thomas David Charles Henry Richard Robert Arthur Michael Peter Francis Christopher Oliver Anthony Frederick Geoffrey			1 2 3 4 5 6 6 6 9 9 11 12 13 13 13 13 13 18 18 18 18	Rose Elizabeth Grace Mary Olivia Alice C/Katherine Ja(y)ne Beatrice Louise Charlotte May/Mai/Mae Alexandra Florence Josephine Margaret Anne Emily Isabella Isla Isobel/Isabel	48 39 19 17 13 11 11 11 9 9 8 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5

 Statistics compiled by Eleanor Nickerson at britishbabynames.com
from data provided by telegraph.co.uk