British Baby Names

UK Birth Announcements 20/3/17 - 26/3/17

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:

Arthur Edward (Henry & Charles Chesters)

Charlie Alexander

Guy Daniel

Harrison David (Hudson Robert William & Harvey Alexander)

Harry George Willoughby (Edward Alexander Louis)

Hugh Alan

Laurence Alexander (Leo Francis)

Leo John David (Esmé Azura Sarah)

Lewis Ian MacLachlan

Matteo Andrew James (Luca William Edward)

Montague Frederick Marcus "Monty" (Ava, Ella & Octavia)

Nathan Robert

Peter Andrew (Thomas Forbes)

Scott Thomas (Murray & Georgia)

Shaydon Dale

Wilbur George Anthony Aylward

 

Girls:

Alice Ann (Rose, Simon & Robin)

Beatrice Thea (Emilia Grace)

Daisy Sheila

Eden Sheila

Emilie Lorna

Florence Mary

Georgie Rose

Hannah Grace

Jemima Olga Emily

Keira Louise

Madeleine Rose (Francis John)

Maria Edith

Megan Elsa Grace

Poppy Emily (Lily Rose)

Radha Taylor (Shen & Hagan Grant)

Trixie Pearl (Travis)

  

 

Name of the Week: Scarlett

Origin:

Scarlett is now considered to be a nature name, tied to the deep red colour scarlet. However, as a given name, Scarlett was originally an adoption of the surname Scarlet/Scarlett.  The surname derives from the Old French escarlate "scarlet" referring to a rich cloth, often bright red in colour. The cloth was certainly in use from the late 12th century, which is when the surname is first dated from, and most likely denoted a person who was a dealer in this particular cloth.  By the 14th century, the 'scarlet' cloth had given its name to the colour scarlet.

Usage:

Scarlett's use as a given name from the 17th century. For the most part it was used as a middle name, where a family surname was used, though there are some cases where this family surname was used as a first name.  It was uncommon, however, and mostly masculine in use. The 1841 UK census lists 15 men named Scarlet/t (mostly in the East of England) and 1 woman. By 1861, there were 9  men listed with Scarlet/t as a first name and 1 woman.  Data from The Surname Atlas. Click to enlarge. Data from the 1881 census shows a clear correlation between the areas where the surnames Scarlet and Scarlett were most common and those where the Scarlet(t) was used as a first or middle name.  It was used for both boys and girls up until the 20th century, when it moved over to exclusively feminine usage, thanks to the bestselling epic historical novel and subsequent film adaptation Gone With the Wind (1936) featuring the main character Scarlett O'Hara.  A breakdown of the number of registrations in England and Wales for Scarlett and Scarlet per decade are as follows:   Scarlett Scarlet 1840s: 1850s: 1860s: 1870s: 1880s: 1890s: 1900s: 1910s: 1920s: 1930s: 1940s: 1950s: 1960s: 1970s: 1 birth 4 births 3 births 3 births 1 birth 4 births 2 births 0 births 0 births 0 births 8 births 23 births 24 births 24 births 8 births 4 births 3 births 3 births 2 births 1 birth 0 births 0 births 0 births 0 births 1 birth 4 births 6 births 8 births The impact of the 1939 film adaptation of Gone With the Wind is marked, given that there were no registrations for the name Scarlet/t from 1909 until the 1941. The shift in favoured spelling of Scarlet to Scarlett is also indicative.  What is interesting, however, is the low numbers that Scarlett still had, given the success of the novel and film. Other names from the novel such as Melanie and Ashley would eventually break into the top 100 in England and Wales once they were given a boost from the film, but Scarlett never reached similar heights. Tellingly, neither did the name of principle male character Rhett Butler (the usage of Rhett was kick-started by the movie, but remained fairly uncommon like Scarlett). I suspect that the both names were so tied to the characters that it gave many parents pause.  Since the turn of the 21st century however, Scarlett has changed course, progressively steaming up the rankings to its current place in the top 20. This change in fortune, however, is not thanks to Ms O'Hara, but instead to Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson (though it is rumoured that Johansson was named after Scarlett O'Hara so perhaps she was an influence in a more tenuous way).  Click to enlarge In 1996, Scarlett ranked #216 (195 births) in England and Wales. It rose gradually, reaching #126 (403 births) in 2003, but took a marked leap the following year when it entered the top 100 at #68 (774 births) in 2004.  2003 was the year that Scarlett Johansson starred in both Lost in Translation (for which she won a BAFTA) and Girl with a Pearl Earring. Both brought her worldwide fame and recognition.  Scarlett continued to rise afterwards. It ranked #37 in 2008, #24 in 2010 and reached the top 20 at #17 (2643 births) in 2013.  In 2015, Scarlett ranked #16 with 2285 births in England and Wales. It is most popular in the North of England, as regionally it ranked #10 in the North West and #11 in the North East. The spelling Scarlet ranked #214 (245 births).  In 2016, Scarlett ranked #53 (94 births) in Scotland.

Famous Bearers:

Contemporary: * Scarlett Johansson (born 1984), American actress. * Scarlett Pomers (born 1988), American actress. * Scarlett Werner (born 1988), German tennis player. * Scarlett Moffatt (born 1990), British TV personality.  Literature and Other Media: * Scarlett O'Hara, main character in the novel (1936) and film (1939) Gone with the Wind.

Variants:

Scarlet, Skarlett

Pronunciation:

SKAR-lət [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Lettie

Sibling Names:

Freya      Phoebe     Lila     Amelia     Layla     Maya  Roman    Leo     Harrison     Lucas     Jonas     Theo

Name Lists:

No Frills Feminine: Dauntless d/t Endings

  

If you like Scarlett you may also like:   Sienna, Violet, Juliette, Ruby, Jasmine, Eliza, Willow, Lola, Francesca, Darcy

Thanks to Imogen for requesting this name.

 

60 Spring Inspired Names

 

 

Today is the first day of spring in Britain for 2017; a verdant season of lush green grass and fresh flowers. 

Here are 60 choices inspired by this season:

 

Spring – Unlike seasons Summer, Autumn and Winter in the world of names, Spring is the underdog having not ranked at all in the last 20 years. However, Hollywood actress Spring Byington proves that the name can be usable, striking a balance somewhere between temperate Jane and androgynous Sloane. 

March – The month which starts spring which has traditionally been associated with glory and victory and derived from the Roman war god Mars. March is rare as a given name, but does make a great surname-firstname crossover. 

April – Currently the highest ranking month name at #194 in England and Wales, April is associated with fertility and Easter. The month was sacred to Venus, and so the name may be a form of her Greek counterpart Aphrodite. 

May – Having long use as a given name thanks to its use as a diminutive for Mary and Margaret, May is derived from the Roman mother goddess Maia and associated with fire, flowers and green. 

Flora – The Roman goddess of spring and flowers which currently ranks at #305 in England and Wales. 

 

Green Names:

Green is a colour particularly associated with spring as plants begin to grow again and everything becomes lush and verdant. 

Apple

Beryl

Emerald

Fern

Forest 

Hunter

Jade

Moss

Olive

Sage

 

Spring Flowers:

Among the many flowers that bloom in spring, several have been adapted as given names.

Amaryllis

Azalea 

Blossom

Bluebell

Calla 

Camellia 

Daffodil / Jonquil 

Dahlia

Freesia

Hyacinth

Iris

Jasmine

Lilac

Lily

Magnolia

Marigold

Peony

Poppy

Pansy

Petunia

Primrose

Tulip

Zinnia  38

 

Other languages:

Aviv / Aviva – Hebrew “spring”

Avril  – French “April”

Chloe – Greek “first shoot” (i.e first flower of spring)

Crina – Romanian "lily” 

Ebrel – Cornish "April"

Eilir – Welsh “butterfly” and "spring"

Eirys – Welsh “iris”

Elestren – Cornish “iris”

Esmeralda – Spanish “emerald”

Gwanwyn – Welsh “spring”

Gwaynten – Welsh “spring”

Jarilo – Slavic god of springtime, from jar "spring"

Kielo – Finnish “lily of the valley”

Laleh / Lalla – Persian “tulip”

Marzo – Spanish “March”

Nari – Korean “lily”

Nevena – Slavic “marigold” 

Pranvera  – Albanian “spring”.

Primavera – Italian/Spanish “spring”

Thalia – Greek “to blossom”

Sakura – Japanese “blossom”

Viorel / Viorica – Romanian “bluebell”

 

UK Birth Announcements 13/3/17 - 19/3/17

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 George

Alfred Onur Reginald

Anthony David Victor "Nino" (Charles Albert Murray, Nicholas Frederick Attilio & Sofia Alexandra Mary)

Aubrey Alexander (George Salvatore)

Evan James

Farrell Enzo Francisco

George Wahlberg (Wilfred Jervoise)

Henry Nicholas

Jonty Harry Anthony

Joshua Harry (Jacob & Neve)

Noah Albie

Rafferty Heath (Zac Angus)

Sebastian Francis Bertram

Tudor Adrian David

William Denis

 

Girls:

Amilia Louise

Arabella Harper

Calla Joy (Jake Harold)

Daphne Anne (Harry John Hugh)

Élodie Ania Eleanor

Emelia Kathleen

Evelyn Willow

Florence Sophie (Elizabeth May)

Iona Jean

Lydia Rose (Lewis & Fletcher)

Olivia Rose

Riva Rose

Ruby Margaret

Sophia Beatrice

Stella Evelyn (Martha Susan Daisy)

Thea Iris (Phoebe Mathilda & Beatrice Grace)

 

Twins:

Isabella Rose Betty & Alice Laura May (Frederick Peter Shea "Freddie" & Alexander)

 

 

Name of the Week: Arlo

Origin:

Arlo is a name of unclear origins. It has been linked to many other names, such as Carlo, but this smacks a little of appropriation simply because the names sound similar.  The Oxford Dictionary of English Surnames lists the form Arlow (but not Arlo) as a variant of the surname Harlow, itself from the places Harlow in Essex or Harlow Hill in both Northumberland and West Yorkshire. The place in West Yorkshire derives its name from the Anglo-Saxon hoer "rock, stones" and hlaw "hill," whereas those in Northumberland and Essex derive from here "army, host" and  hlaw "hill." Arlow itself was used very occasionally as a given name in the 19th century in Britain (presumably as a family surname) however the spelling Arlo wasn't used until the 20th century, so Harlow in itself probably only plays a small part in Arlo's adoption as a given name.  Edmund Spenser used the name Arlo Hill for a fictional place in his epic poem 'The Faerie Queene' (1590). Experts point to the Glen of Aherlow in Ireland, anglicised by the English as Arlo*, as the source of this name. Aherlow itself comes from the Irish Gaelic eathralach "between two highlands." Once again however, this fictional place name is unlikely the full story for Arlo's use.  The origins most likely lie, not in Old English or Irish place names, or with English poetry, but over in America—something that bears out when we see that Arlo was a complete anomaly in Britain in the 19th and early 20th century, but had actually established and proper use in America at that time. Abby at Appellation Mountain has done excellent research showing that one of the earliest bearers of the name, Arlo Bates (1850–1918), American author, educator and newspaperman, almost certainly had an invented name, as was his family's tradition*. His six novels were published between 1884 and 1900 which coincides with the name's rise in use in America. Given that there are many examples of parents looking to novels and other print publications for baby name inspiration during this time — in much the same way parents today are influenced by television and film — it seems likely that Bates influenced several parents in America to use his invented name.

Usage:

Arlo first entered the top 1000 in America in 1900 and peaked at #667 in 1915. In England and Wales, Arlo itself was first registered once in 1915 and then not again until once in 1939. It was not registered in Scotland at all in the 19th century.  Data from the Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) The surname Arlow was registered as a given name four times in the 19th century in England and Wales, and only once in the 20th century: in 1972.  Data from the 1881 census shows that Arlow was even very rare as surname, being registered for only 62 families at the time of the census, mostly in Lanarkshire, Middlesex and Pembrokeshire. Arlo wasn't used as a surname at all. Arlo first came into proper use in 1969 most likely thanks to the success of American folk-singer Arlo Guthrie. Births in England and Wales were as follows: 1969: 3 births 1970: 5 births 1971: 9 births 1972: 9 births 1973: 6 births 1974: 1 birth 1975: 3 births 1976: 3 births 1977: 4 births The name continued in the same usage through the 1980s and 1990s.  In 1999, Arlo ranked #2943 in England and Wales with three births and gradually started to rise afterwards. In 2008, it had risen to #567 (58 birth) making a big leap the following year to #311 (132 births) in 2009. Some of this may have been thanks to newsreader and television presenter Natasha Kaplinsky naming her son Arlo in September 2008. At this point, she had just moved to Channel 5, making her the highest paid newsreader in the UK, and ratings saw a 72% increase, which the Guardian dubbed "The Natasha Effect." By 2013 it was #189 (295 births), rising to #102 (619 births) overall in England and Wales in 2015. Regionally, Arlo ranked in four out of nine regions in England, particularly in the South and Midlands: South West: #79; South East: #84; East Midlands: #87; West Midlands: #95.  2015 saw the release of Disney Pixar's The Good Dinosaur featuring an adorable dinosaur named Arlo. In 2016, two footballers — Theo Walcott and Andy Carroll — both named their sons Arlo, so an even greater rise is expected for the name in 2016 in England and Wales. In Scotland (who have kindly already released their 2016 stats), it has already succeeded breaking into the top 100, having made a meteoric leap from #194 (28 births) in 2015 to #91 (73 births) in 2016.  Expect to see more of Arlo to come.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Arlo Bates (1850–1918), American author, educator and newspaperman. Contemporary: * Arlo Guthrie (b. 1947), American folk singer. Literature and Other Media: * Arlo, the lead character in the 2015 Disney·Pixar film The Good Dinosaur. * Arlo Glass, character on the 8th season of the television series 24.

Variants:

Arlow

Pronunciation:

AR-lo [key]

Possible diminutives:

N/A

Sibling Names:

Alba     Eloise     Marnie     Iris     Mila     Leila  Levi     Roman     Elliott     Felix     Jude     Jonah

Name Lists:

Ripe Renovations

 

If you like Arlo you may also like:   Rowan, Milo, Ezra, Eli, Asher, Blake, Jesse, Hugo, Maxwell, Albie

Thanks to Jenna for requesting Arlo.  

Top 100 Most Popular Names in Scotland 2016

 

Following on from the provisional list for Scotland's top 100 names in 2016 which was released last December, here are the official statistics for the whole of 2016. 

For the most part, the rankings have stayed the same from the provisional data, however certain names have moved rank, such as Noah jumping from #7 provisionally to #5 and Grace moving up from #15 provisionally to #11

According to the National Records of Scotland, the  #1 names in 2016 were none mover Jack (#1 since 2008), and Olivia, which knocked Emily off the top spot. 

Alex, Arlo, Arthur, Carter, Conor, Hunter, Kayden, Zachary, Alexandra, Arya, Florence, Hanna, Lillie, Madison, Quinn and Violet all entered the Top 100.

 

Top 100 Boys' Names 2016			.	Top 100 Girls' Names 2016
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15= 15= 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47= 47= 49= 49= 51 52 53 54= 54= 56 57= 57= 59= 59= 59= 62= 62= 62= 62= 62= 67= 67= 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76= 76= 78 79 80 81 82= 82= 84 85= 85= 87= 87= 89 90 91 92= 92= 92= 92= 96= 96= 98 99 100= 100=	Jack James Oliver Lewis Noah Logan Harry Alexander Leo Charlie Jacob Lucas Harris Finlay Alfie Ethan Mason Daniel Aaron Max Archie Matthew Thomas Adam Rory Nathan Joshua Callum Oscar Brodie Cameron Harrison William Finn Dylan Riley Liam Ollie Samuel Jaxon Connor Jamie Luke Caleb Theo Andrew Joseph Muhammad Jude Ryan Benjamin Arran Angus David Isaac John Cole Hamish Jackson Michael Robert Ben George Kai Luca Murray Kyle Leon Carter Aiden Blake Freddie Jake Owen Jayden Cooper Ruaridh Fraser Aidan Sam Blair Calvin Christopher Reuben Calum Euan Arthur Elliot Alex Zac Arlo Cody Henry Lachlan Robbie Josh Kayden Conor Hunter Callan Tyler	491 421 393 321 307 304 303 302 299 297 287 285 274 259 257 257 256 246 240 230 228 227 225 216 211 206 196 194 183 182 181 180 174 166 158 157 154 153 152 151 146 145 142 141 140 135 134 134 132 132 128 127 123 122 122 121 117 117 114 114 114 107 107 107 107 107 106 106 105 103 102 101 99 97 94 93 93 87 86 84 83 82 82 81 80 80 76 76 75 74 73 72 72 72 72 71 71 70 69 68 68		1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12= 12= 12= 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22= 22= 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34= 34= 36 37 38 39 40 41= 41= 43= 43= 45 46 47 48 49 50= 50= 50= 53 54 55 56 57 58= 58= 58= 61 62= 62= 64 65 66 67 68= 68= 70= 70= 72 73= 73= 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82= 82= 84= 84= 84= 87= 87= 89= 89= 89= 92 93 94= 94= 94= 97 98= 98= 98=	Olivia Emily Sophie Isla Ava Amelia Jessica Ella Lucy Charlotte Grace Aria Ellie Lily Freya Sophia Evie Chloe Emma Millie Eilidh Anna Mia Hannah Eva Erin Layla Ruby Orla Harper Holly Georgia Maisie Isabella Katie Zoe Robyn Amber Skye Zara Rosie Sofia Emilia Poppy Daisy Alice Lilly Leah Abigail Esme Niamh Rebecca Scarlett Ivy Lacey Imogen Maya Amy Hollie Lexi Thea Elizabeth Willow Abbie Molly Brooke Gracie Sarah Sienna Mila Rose Lola Cara Phoebe Iona Megan Ayla Paige Julia Mya Kayla Alexandra Arianna Hope Quinn Summer Bella Eve Elsie Florence Lillie Maria Madison Ariana Matilda Violet Hanna Arya Heidi Lauren	529 522 416 391 360 342 309 285 279 265 257 251 251 251 245 223 210 201 194 192 184 182 182 176 171 156 152 146 144 142 132 131 129 126 126 118 116 115 114 113 111 111 110 110 109 106 102 98 96 95 95 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 89 89 86 85 85 83 81 79 78 76 76 73 73 72 71 71 67 66 65 64 63 62 60 58 58 56 56 56 55 55 54 54 54 53 51 50 50 50 49 48 48 48

 

Click here to see the full top 500.

The statistics on this page are supplied by the National Records of Scotland.
These tables were coded and formatted by me.

UK Birth Announcements 6/3/17 - 12/3/17

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 Atticus

Alexander Edward

Alexander James (Ethan & Oliver)

Archibald George

Barnaby (Douglas Edward "Dougie")

Campbell George (Jameson Alexander Walker)

Daniel Kenneth (Fayza Rose & Alexander Ali)

Douglas Alexander Frank (Hamish Stuart Marshall)

Edward Milo Radclyffe

Hamish Stewart (Murray)

Henry John Cecil

Oliver Charles Michael

Oliver Peter (Alfred John)

Oscar Patrick

Sebastian Anthony Crofts

Temujin Charles

Thomas George (William & Oliver)

 

Girls:

Ada Iris (Isaac Bing)

Alexandrina Rose

Darcie Rose (Katie Grace)

Harriet Spencer (Joshua, Francesca & Henry Spencer)

Lilly Johanna

Lorna Claire (Reuben Ewan)

Lucille Judite "Lucy"

Molly Rose

Ophelia Willow Olivia

Ottilie Bazely Pendrill

Tegan Ruby (Mason Thomas)

 

 

Name of the Week: Merryn

Origin:

Merryn is a Cornish name, taken from the village of St Merryn in the north of Cornwall. Like so many other places in Cornwall, St Merryn is named after a founding saint; and also like so many others, it has since been adopted as a given name in modern times. The name is unisex, but has been more commonly used for girls in recent years.  The founder, Saint Merryn, is a mysterious figure we know little about. In the Middle Ages, inhabitants assumed their church had been dedicated to St Marina of Bithynia, but most experts now think that the original Celtic saint was a Welsh monk*, probably the same St Merin to whom churches in Llanferin and Bodferin in Wales and Lanmerin and Plomelin in Brittany are dedicated**. Given that a great many place names in Cornwall dedicated to saints were named for Welsh missionaries, this theory is very likely.  Sometimes St Merryn is attributed to St Mirin (b.c.565), an Irish monk and missionary who travelled to Scotland, but this seems too much of a stretch. There is no evidence (factual or fabled) that this saint ever came to Cornwall, whereas the Welsh St Merin is said to have retired to Cornwall after establishing churches in Brittany. Cornwall, Wales and Brittany also shared a common Brythonic culture and language so links between the three were very strong.  The exact origins of Merryn aren't clear, but it is most likely the Cornish form of the Old Welsh name Morien. Morien survives in early Welsh records as a masculine name, however, the Irish cognate Muirgen was certainly unisex. Both derive from the Proto-Celtic *mori "sea" and *geno "born."  According to Irish legend, Muirgen was the name given to a mermaid who was baptised by St Comgall. She was born Liban, the daughter of Eochaidh, who survived when her family and all the inhabitants of Lough Neagh drowned in a great flood. Legend has it that Liban was trapped under the sea until she was transformed into a mermaid (half woman, half salmon) so she could travel with the fish and not be lonely. Travelling the seas for 300 years, Liban was eventually caught in a net and Christened by St Comgall with the name Muirgen "born of the sea" and canonised as St Muirgen.*

Usage:

As a given name, Merryn came into proper use in the 19th century -- that is, not as a spelling variation of Marion, Meirion etc -- though it was initially very rare.  It became more common in the 20th century as birth records in England and Wales show: The People - Sunday 15 December 1940 (click to enlarge) 1910s: 5 births 1920s: 0 births 1930s: 5 births 1940s: 25 births 1950s: 17 births 1960s: 16 births 1970s: 22 births Some of the rise in use in the 1940s may possibly be thanks to the name featuring in the romantic novel Romance Tilts a Lance by Jan Tempest which was serialised in The People newspaper from June 1940 to February 1941. The novel was set in Cornwall, and the hero, Ruan Treyarnion, is guardian to a little girl named Merryn Winnowe.  The People had a pre-war circulation of about 3 million and therefore reached the homes of more people than any other paper except The News of the World at this time*, and it doesn't seem a coincidence that 17 out of the 25 Merryns born in the 1940s were born between September 1940 and December 1941. This also perhaps explains why Merryn became predominantly used for girls after this point, although it did maintain some usage for boys.  From ranking #1646 (10 births) for girls in 1996 in England and Wales, the name has seen a moderate rise in the intervening years, peaking at #893 (45 births) in 2013.  For boys, Merryn has only ranked once in the official data since 1996: #3864 (4 births) in 2010. However, as the official data only records names given to three or more babies per year, this may not be the only time Merryn has been registered for boys during this period if the number was less than three.  In 2015, Merryn ranked #909 with 40 births in England and Wales. However, of those 40 girls, 21 were born in the South West meaning that in and around Cornwall it ranked #210.

Famous Bearers:

Contemporary: * Merryn Somerset Webb (b.1970), finance expert and author. Literature and Other Media: * Merryn Winnowe, a character in the serialised novel Romance Tilts a Lance (1940-41). * Merryn, a 12 year old girl (the controllable character) in the video game Song of the Deep (2016).

Variants:

Meryn

Pronunciation:

ME-rin [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Merry, Ren

Sibling Names:

Kerensa     Ailla     Cora     Fleur     Bryher     Tamsin  Fletcher     Rhys    Flynn     Jago     Rafe     Lachlan

Name Lists:

Cornish Names  Saintly and Stylish

  

If you like Merryn you may also like:   Elowen, Sennen, Ffion, Mirren, Steren, Lowen, Eseld, Elestren, Cerys, Seren

Thanks to Merryn for requesting this name.

 

UK Birth Announcements 20/2/17 - 5/3/17

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

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:

Archie Robert

Cameron Graham (Hamish Russell)

Charles Peter Ralph

Charles Robert

Charles Thomas David

Edward Richard William (Elizabeth Claire)

Ewan James Peter

Frank Lanoe Peter

Harry Christopher (Ayva Lily & Lexi-Rose)

Jack Austin

Jake William (Oscar Dudley Cooper)

James Philip (Caitlyn Jade & Ellie Catherine)

James Vincent (Anya May)

Jamie Thomas (Grace Annabelle)

Jasper Hadley

John William (Ella Mae)

Joseph Bryan

Leo Furneaux Stanton

Lincoln Miles (Ellena Rose)

Luke Johannes Thomas

Luke Thomas (Sophie Elizabeth & Emily Victoria)

Marley Anthony

Max Yoshihiro James (Matthew)

Niall Osian (Aine Mair)

Noah Arthur Joshua (Isaac Samuel Joseph)

Otis Alexander Joseph

Oscar William Charles

Quinn Mathew (Jude)

Rahyl

Ralph Atticus

Rory Scott (Jake Ross & Sophie Rose)

Ross David

Rufus Benedict (Theodora Verity & Harriet Cecily)

Rupert Michael Samuel (Hamish Walter John)

Seth Ronald (Finn Geoffrey)

Teddy William (Finley James & Harry Taylor)

Thomas Lewis (Martha Louise)

Thomas Reuben (Oscar Benjamin & James Darcy "Jimmy")

William Oscar (Sasha Kathleen & Otto Angus)

Zak Ian (Penny Louise)

 

Girls:

Alexa Mary

Alexandra Agnes

Amelia Margaret Grace (Alice Elizabeth Grace)

Aoife Frances Ruby

Avery Harriet (Isla Lucy)

Beth Lily

Chloe Elizabeth

Claudia Tabita

Coco Elizabeth Clare (Arthur Henry Alan)

Daisy Joan

Darcy Shirley Star (Ellen Kathleen Phoenix & Keira Maryann Luna)

Eliza Ann (George Robert)

Elodie Belle (Riley, Zachary Cole & Amalie Grace)

Freya Ella May (Isla & Sarah)

Frida Blossom -- born in Australia,

Grace Olivia (Megan & Hannah)

Gracie Sophia

Harriet Sheila Louise

Henrietta Zillah Iris (Xanthippe Phyllis Elizabeth)

Hermione Jane

Iona Bridget

Iona Isabella

Isabelle Bethany (Jack William)

Isla Cathleen (William Jack "Jack")

Kaitlyn Rose (Joshua, Lucas James & Madison Grace)

Katie Karmen (Kyle)

Lola May

Martha Emma

Mica Diana Rose (Nico May)

Mohani Molly

Olivia Rose Elizabeth

Penorah Snow "Penny" (Miller Jack)

Ramona Joy

Rosie Margaux

Ruby Cathleen (Riley John Spencer)

Scarlett Olivia (Leon Robert Christopher)

Sophie Florence Diana

Tatiana Mary Alexandra (Maximillian Randal James, Jemima Honey Frances & Willa Charlotte Moore)

Theodora Evelyn

 

 

A fortnightly addition this week to catch up the week I missed last Sunday.

 

Name of the Week: Gideon

Origin:

Gideon is a Biblical name which was most famously borne by a judge in the Old Testament. The name is derived from the Hebrew gada "to hew down/off, to cut asunder," which has been interpreted in a number of ways. It was once interpreted as meaning "having a stump (for a hand/foot)" while others take the meaning "he who fells" and extend it to "mighty warrior" or "destroyer." The name is (perhaps not coincidentally) very fitting for the character of Gideon in the Old Testament, who was chosen by God to destroy the Israelite's altar to Baal and led a troop of 300 men to victory against an invading army.

Usage:

Gideon was first used in Britain in the 16th century, when Old Testament names became fashionable. Gédéon was also used among the Huguenots, and several examples of Gideon in English baptism are to French parents.  Data from the Surname Atlas (click to enlarge) Data from the 1881 census shows that it was most common in the south of England and on the Scottish border. It was rare in Wales, however.  It wasn't uncommon in the early 19th century in England and Wales, but, even at its peak in the 1860s, it was just short of the top 200. By the turn of the 20th century it had began to rapidly decline in use, becoming quite rare by the 1950s:  1840s: 136 births 1850s: 146 births 1860s: 163 births 1870s: 127 births 1880s: 108 births 1890s: 76 births 1900s: 64 births 1910s: 41 births 1920s: 25 births 1930s: 4 births 1940s: 14 births 1950s: 35 births 1960s: 255 births 1970s: 245 births The great jump in usage in the 1960s was perhaps thanks to the character Commander George Gideon, created by John Creasey as the protagonist of his 21 police novels, published between 1955 and 1976. The first novel, Gideon's Day (1955), was made into a film in 1958 and was followed by the TV series Gideon's Way which ran from 1964 to 1966.  Since 1996, Gideon has consistently held a rank of between #600-#800 in England and Wales. In 2015, Gideon ranked #765 with 42 births. Since 1974, Gideon has been given to only 40 boys in Scotland in 41 years, peaking in 2005 at #257 (5 births). It did not rank at all in 2015.

Famous Bearers:

History:  * Gideon Mantell (1790-1852), English geologist. Contemporary: * Gideon Emery (b.1972), British actor. Literature and Other Media: * George Gideon, a fictional detective in novels, film and television created by John Creasey. * Doctor Gideon Fell, fictional detective in novels, created by John Dickson Carr.

Variants:

Gedeon (Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek) Gédéon (French)

Pronunciation:

GID-ee-ən [key]

Possible diminutives:

Gid, Gids, Gij, Gido

Sibling Names:

Carmen     Sarai     Dinah     Keziah     Helena     Rosa  Abram     Ephraim     Jasper     Felix     Moses     Silas

Name Lists:

Funky-Clunky   Upright Elegance   Quirky Biblical  Disney Names   Tennyson Names

 

If you like Gideon you may also like:   Ezekiel, Simeon, Tobiah, Zadok, Judah, Phineas, Linus, Hector, Thaddeus, Asa

Thanks to Michelle for requesting Gideon.