Sarah and her husband Ollie are expecting their first child.
Sarah writes: "My husband and I are both English, although he has family ties to Israel and Lithuania, while my family is mainly Welsh. I also previously lived in Scotland, and now we both live in France! We would love to choose a name that has links to these places as we love travel and family is important to us.
British-crossover names:
These names are a selection that are either well used or indigenous to Britain (English, Welsh or Scottish) but that also have ties to Israel, Lithuania or France, giving you options for a name that ticks several boxes.
Adele – A beautiful pan-European name whose use in Britain dates back to the Norman conquest and early medieval royalty. The name also has a chic French flair and ranks at the not-too-hot-not-too-cold spot of #47 in France currently.
Audra – Not only is Audra a legitimate British variant of Audrey -- which itself comes from the couldn't-get-more-English Anglo-Saxon name Æðelþryð meaning "noble strength" -- it is also a Lithuanian name meaning "storm."
Clara – Lovely Latin Clara, meaning "clear, bright, shining, renowned, famous, upstanding," echoes the sound of Emma and Anna while still feeling vintage and chic. It currently ranks #30 in France making it a fashionable but not over-used choice.
Eden – Taken from the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis, Eden is a popular girls name in Israel, and not uncommon in England. It is #97 in France for girls; on the flip side however, it ranks higher at #36 for boys.
Greta – A top 30 choice in Lithuania, this sprightly short form of medieval queenly power-house Margaret has pan-European appeal from Sweden to Italy. Margaret itself has strong links with royalty of Scotland, England and France.
Maya – Popular in Britain, Maya is also a name which is fashionable across Europe. It comes from several different sources: it means "illusion, divine power" in Sanskrit; is an English variant of the Roman May spring goddess Maia, meaning "great"; and also derived from the Hebrew word for "water." The latter source is the reason why Maya currently ranks at #4 in Israel, while it's #39 in England and Wales and #80 in France.
Romy / Romi – Romy is a diminutive of Rosamary in Britain (and Rosemarie in France and Germany) which is a botanical name meaning "dew of the sea" and currently ranks at #71 in France. The spelling Romi is a popular Israeli name (#17) as a feminine form of the Hebrew name Rom meaning "height", "superiority".
Talia – The Ancient Greek name Thalia, meaning "to blossom" was the name of one of the Nine Muses who presided over comedy and poetry, as well as the name of one of the three Graces. As a classical name, Thalia (also spelled Talia as a variant form) has been in use in Britain since the 17th century [it currently ranks at #297 in France].
The spelling Talia is also a Hebrew name, very popular in Israel, meaning "dew from God" in Hebrew.
Tessa – As melodic as Elena and strong as Emma, Tessa is form of Teresa which has been used as a standalone name in Britain since the 19th century and brings to mind Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Tessa currently ranks at #161 in France.
Alban – The name of a early British saint and used as a name in the Middle Ages in both England and France. Alban is also the Welsh word for "solstice." It currently ranks at #154 in France.
Dylan – A modern Welsh classic which hails from mythology which has found popularity across Europe. It ranks #135 in France which makes it uncommon but not unheard of.
Elliot– A French and English medieval diminutive form of the Hebrew name Elijah. It currently ranks at #174 in France.
Evan – This handsome traditional Welsh staple -- a form of John -- has an effortless modern charm and sits fashionably at #41 in France.
Jonas – The Latinised name of Biblical Patriarch Jonah whose stylish name means "dove," a universal symbol of hope and peace, ranking #169 in France. Jonas is also the Lithuanian form of John, ranking at #5 there.
Louis – A royal staple in France which also has traditional use in Britain, too.
Morgan– A Welsh royal and mythological name which ranks #193 in France.
Oscar – A handsome Gaelic name (which, from a different source, is also an Old English name). The name became popularised in Europe in the 18th century with the hugely popular Ossianic Poems by Scottish poet James Macpherson. It's #10 in England and Wales, #29 in Scotland and #70 in France.
Raphael – A Biblical name whose meaning is related to healing and a fashionable French choice.
Tristan – An ancient heroic name with links to both Welsh legend and Pictish Scotland. At #139 in France, its an accessible choice.
Lithuanian / Israeli:
For these names I've looked at the official statistics for both Lithuania and Israel for accessible options.
Avia – A top 100 name in Israel which derives from the Biblical unisex name Abijah.
Aviva – Aviv is a popular Israeli name derived from the Hebrew for "spring". Aviva is a variant more in keeping with Anna and Elana.
Daina – A Lithuanian name meaning "song."
Vaiva – A name derived from the Lithuanian vaivorykštė meaning "rainbow".
Ari – A Hebrew name meaning "lion" which is popular in Israel.
Lior – An Israeli name meaning "light for me" in Hebrew.
Noam – Ranking at #1 in Israel and #60 in France, Noam, meaning "pleasantness" is a cool Hebrew power-house.
I hope this has been useful. Best wishes with the name choosing. Please keep us updated.
