British Baby Names

Name of the Week: Caleb

 

Origin:

Caleb is a Hebrew name borne by three minor figures in the Old Testament. The most notable was Caleb, son of Jephunneh who was sent by Moses into Canaan to find the Promised Land and who became the eponymous ancestor of the clan of Calebites. The meaning of the name is under debate. It looks on the surface to be derived from the Hebrew keleb (כֶּלֶב) "dog" but this is a curious meaning for a Hebrew name given that dogs were not looked upon favourably in Judea. Indeed, keleb was used as a term of contempt* so its use as a name is odd and has kept scholars puzzling for centuries.  Margolis argued that "in the light of the cognate Syriac and Arabic words, the meaning is not "dog," [...] but "raging with canine madness"."* Other sources shy away from the meaning "dog" and extend it instead to mean "faithful" or "devotion" -- attributes that we commonly give to dogs in the modern Western world.  Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible Same argues that the root word keleb may also have the meaning of "forcible" and could be related to kelub "basket, cage."* Therefore, from the same root, Caleb could mean "the forcible one" or "the caged one."  It is generally thought that Caleb's tribe were originally pagans who became assimilated into the Jewish nation, so it is quite possible that Caleb's name was of non-Hebrew origin, but later became altered to match keleb. Others think that perhaps the dog was the totem of Caleb's clan.* Given that there were no vowels recorded in Hebrew until the late Roman period, it is also possible that keleb originally had an alternate meaning other than "dog."  Another popular theory is that Caleb is a compound name derived from the Hebrew kol "the whole, all" (itself a derivative of kalal "to complete, perfect") and leb "mind, will, heart."

Usage:

Caleb did not see use as a given name until the 16th century in Britain. According to Smith Bannister, Caleb saw some use among the poor of Exeter in the 16th and 17th century, but overall was uncommon.  It saw more use in the late 18th and early 19th century, when Old Testament names became common among the working class. William Godwin used the name for the main character in his first-person narrative novel Things as They Are; or The Adventures of Caleb Williams, published in 1794. Similarly, Caleb Garth was a character in George Eliot's Middlemarch (1871) and Charles Dickens used the name for a character in his novella The Cricket on the Hearth (1845). By 1840, Caleb was in the top 100 in England and Wales but had fallen below by 1860.  Records for Caleb as a first name in the England and Wales Birth Index: 1840: 1850:  1860:  1870:  1880:  1890: 1900: #89 #87 #101 #141 #166 #209 #225 After falling out of the top 100, Caleb continued to fall until it became quite rare in the 1940s and 1950s. It began to pick up use in the 1970s until it was back in the top 200 by the late 1990s.  In America, Caleb saw a massive rise in use when it went from #932 in 1968 to #108 twenty years later in 1988. It broke into the US top 100 the following year in 1989 and reached a peak at #31 in 2009. Though it is in decline, Caleb still ranked at #50 in 2017. By 1996, Caleb ranked #183 with 177 births in England and Wales. It didn't see much moving in the following years until 2003 when it began its steady rise.  Caleb first entered the top 100 in England and Wales in 2010 but saw a brief decline shortly after. By 2016, the name had picked up use again, ranking #77 with 853 births in 2017.  Caleb saw the same rise in Scotland. It first began its steady rise in 1996 when it ranked #221 (10 births), first entering the Scottish top 100 in 2007, peaking at #51 (148 births) in 2011.  In 2017 in Scotland, Caleb ranked higher at #37, but a smaller birth count than in 2007 with 139 births.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Caleb Banks (1659–1696), English politician. * Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck (d. 1665), first Native American graduate of Harvard University. * Caleb Strong (1745–1819), sixth and tenth Governor of Massachusetts. * Caleb Atwater (1778–1867), American archaeologist, historian, and politician. Contemporary: * Caleb Martin (1924–1994), American football player. * Caleb Folan (born 1982), English footballer. * Caleb Followill (born 1982), lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Kings of Leon. * Caleb Hanie (born 1985), American football player. * Caleb Binge (born 1993), Australian rugby league player. * Caleb Brantley (born 1994), American football player. * Caleb McLaughlin (born 2001), American actor. Literature and Other Media: * Caleb Williams, the main character in William Godwin's novel Things as They Are; or, The Adventures of Caleb Williams (1794). * Caleb Garth, a character in George Eliot's novel Middlemarch (1871). * Caleb Trask, a major character in John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden (1952). * Caleb Temple, main character in the 1995 television series American Gothic. * Caleb Nichol, a character in The O.C. television series. * Caleb Rivers, a character from the TV series Pretty Little Liars. * Caleb Dingle, character from the TV series Emmerdale.

Variants:

Kaleb

Pronunciation:

KAY-ləb [key]

Possible diminutives:

Cay, Cabe, Cal, Cale, Cub, Cubby

Sibling Names:

Georgia     Anna     Lucy     Sara     Bella      Molly  Jacob     Isaac     Noah     Seth     Jesse     Leon

Name Lists:

Popular Biblical  Dickensian Names

 

If you like Caleb you may also like:   Amos, Reuben, Elliot, Dylan, Ethan, Joel, Ezra, Nathan, Jude, Callum

Thanks to Jean for requesting this name.  

 

Sibling Spotlight for Clover

 

 

Below is a selection of British siblings with Clover, from the last century to modern times. 

Clover was found occasionally as a masculine name in the 19th century, but I have focused in on its use as a feminine name. Many early records that looked to be for a Clover turned out to be mistranscriptions of Oliver, Clara, Elinor etc. 

The year relates to the decade of birth for that set. Brackets around the first name indicates that the person was called by their middle name. For example "(William) Henry" would mean that person had the official name William Henry but was known familiarly simply as "Henry."

1880s: William Hutton  (Joseph) Lynton Lucy Catherine Clover Madeline Sidney Maberley   1890s: Emily Elizabeth (Philip) Llewellyn Philip Barlow Clover Frances Victoria Alexandra Eleniedore Rosamund Parents: Philip & Eleniedore Clover   Harriet Hall Minnie Aldum Henry Miles Eleanor Sophy Frank Arthur Beatrice Annie Charles Herbert Kate Agnes William Tavener (Ethel) Clover   Frederick William Arthur James Ernest John Charles Sidney  Sarah Elizabeth Bethia Herbert George Amy Helen Clover Mary   1900s: Hilda Mary Lewis Bramwell Albert Gilbert William Kathleen Edith Constance Rose Clover Lang   Harold Wilfred Hugh Muriel Kate Doris George Mary Ida Clover Gertie   Annie Roberta Henry Martin Ernest George Minnie May Albert Edward Clover Mabel Norman William   Marjorie Clover Loraine Olive   1910s: Stella B Phyllis D Albert V Clover J   Sydney E Clover M Reginald J   Neil D Leslie F Malcolm G Eileen H Clover M Mary P   1930s: Frederick P H Clover S Terence V Topsie J   Glenys M Clover M Susan   Kenneth J. Betty Yvonne Vallance Basil Clover Kathleen Alan Dennis Barbara Joan Maurice E.   1970s: Rupert Henry  Clover Margaret   Alistair William D  Charlotte Claire Clover Eloise    Holly Victoria  Clover Charlotte   Sophie Mariette  Christian James R  Clover Georgina B  Jack Guy C   Amber Nova Clover Celeste

1980s: Cosima Mary  Clover Frances   Hazel Martha  Clover Elizabeth    Clover Briony Meadow Bethany  Rowan Jethro    Granville Anthony  Clover Rosanna  Aran Jay Gillan Ross Clover Bethany   Polly Jane Clover Alice Sophie Clair   Felicity Jane V William Sebastian E Clover Rosamund F   1990s: Jasmine Jara Clover Rae    Clover Araminta Gabriel Blue   Cassie Evie E Clover Katie M Kitty Louisiana J   Curtis York Clover Ray   Alfie Charles Clover Florence   Holly Jasmin Clover Ruth Amber Lily Jed Charles   Luella Therese Clover May   Clover Saffron P Jasmine Primrose L   Barnaby Daniel  Harry David Rupert Tom  Lilac Raye Clover Gem    Fox Curran Clover Jean   Clover Jemima & Eliza Aurora   Clover Imogen Poppy Matilda   Connor Jake Harley Jack Clover Hope    Patrick Zinzan  Clover Madeira   Jessica Molly Millicent Oriel Clover Antigone   2000s: Clover Cecily May Tobias Hylton Guy "Toby" Oliver Foster Alexander   Daisy Grace Clover Elizabeth   Isla Primrose E Tana Clover Lulu Crista   Iona Jane Clover Emily

Thanks to Rachel Emma for requesting this post. 

 

UK Birth Announcements 25/2/19 - 3/3/19

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.I cross-reference older BAs to find the full names of the siblings, however often they are missing (especially the eldest siblings) which explains why you will sometimes see: George Henry (Lucy, Emma & Jack Arthur).  

 

Boys:

Edward Frank John (Maxwell Atticus "Max")

Henry Frederick Robin (Alfred Alexander Desmond)

Peto Emery (Elsa Peto & Orlando Jack)

Theodore Charles John

Zachary David Walter (Juliet)

Zachary William (Hallie Grace)

 

Girls: 

Cally Rose

Emmie Jean ( half-sibs: Daisy Kate, Violet May & Betsy)

Evie Louise Kiki 

Ida Catherine Alison

India Rose

Molly-Ann (William)

Olivia Grace

Ottilie Emily

Ottilie Florence

Penelope (Anastasia & Atticus)

Rudy Nola

 

Twins:

Hamish Lyon & Rory Scott

 

I cross-reference older BAs to find the full names of the siblings, however often they are missing (especially the eldest siblings) which explains why you will sometimes see something like: George Henry (Lucy, Emma & Jack Arthur). "Lucy" and "Emma" may well have middle names as well; I simply cannot find them online. 

 

Name of the Week: Victoria

 

Origin:

Victoria is a Latin name meaning "victory." In Roman mythology, Victoria was the winged-goddess of Victory, equivalent to the Greek goddess Nike.

Usage:

Victoria had some use in the early Roman Christian Empire. The mother of the Gallic Emperor Victorinus was named Victoria (d.271) and there was a 1st century martyr named Victoria, the servant of St Edistus. There is also record a 3rd century martyr and two 4th century martyrs, and a Saint Victoria of Albitina (d.304). Despite being the names of early saints, there is little evidence that Victoria was used as a given name in the Middle Ages. We find the first examples in the 16th century, no doubt thanks to a rising fashion for classical names. Even then, however, the name was uncommon in Britain.  By the 18th century, Victoria (and French and Prussian cognate forms Victoire and Viktoria) was in good use amongst French, German and Prussian aristocracy.  One of the first royals to bear the name was Duchess Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria (1660–1690) – known as Dauphine Victoire – a Bavarian princess who married Louis of France, Le Grand Dauphin. She was most likely given the name in honour of her maternal grandfather Victor Amadeus I, Duke of Savoy.  Princess Victoire of France (1733–1799) and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1786–1861) followed.  In Britain, the name came to prominence thanks to Queen Victoria (1819–1901). Queen Victoria was the only daughter of the Duke of Kent (the fourth son of George III) and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. After the death of George III's only legitimate grandchild, Princess Charlotte, in 1817, a succession crisis occurred forcing the Duke of Kent and his unmarried brothers to marry and provide heirs. Victoria was the only surviving legitimate child to be born to the brothers. At her baptism, her parents proposed the names Georgi(a)na, Charlotte and Augusta, but all where rejected by the Prince Regent – who, according to royal precedence, held the power of veto. He only agreed to Alexandrina, after her godfather Emperor Alexander I of Russia, and Victoria, after her mother. There was no love lost between the Regent and his brother, and one get's the impression that George was expressly forbidding the use of 'traditional' British Georgian royal names, accepting only names of foreign royal houses. Little Princess Alexandrina Victoria went by the name "Drina" as a child, but she preferred Victoria, and was generally known as "Princess Victoria" by the British public.  In 1831, when Victoria was 12, it was debated in Parliament whether the princess's name should be changed to something "more accordant to the feelings of the people" such as Elizabeth as "there would be no difficulty in handing down the name of Elizabeth, instead of Victoria, as the Queen of this country."* Later, her uncle, William IV approved a proposal to change her name to Charlotte. Victoria recalled the event to her Uncle Leopold (widower of Princess Charlotte) in 1836 stating that: "about a year after the accession of the present King there was a desire to change my favourite and dear name Victoria to that of Charlotte, also most dear, to which the King willingly consented. On its being told me, I said nothing, though I felt grieved beyond measure at the thought of any change. Not long after this, Lord Grey, and also the Archbishop of Canterbury, acquainted Mamma that the country, having been accustomed to hear me called Victoria, had become used to it, enfin, liked it, and therefore, to my great delight, the idea of a change was given up."* Indeed, Victoria was clearly proud of her name – or at least determined enough to see it firmly established as "royal". Not only did she name her eldest daughter Victoria, 17 of her 22 granddaughters were given the name, with 7 of them receiving it as a first name.  Despite the name being so dominant in British royalty in the 19th century, it was surprisingly underused among the general population. With the exception of key patriotic years such as 1837/38 (Victoria's succession/coronation), 1840 (Victoria's marriage), 1897 (the year of the Diamond Jubilee) 1900 (during the Boer War) and 1901 (Victoria's death) Victoria rarely ranked in the top 100.  Records for Victoria as a first name in the England and Wales Birth Index: 1840: 1850:  1860:  1870:  1880:  1890: 1900:  1904: 1914: 1924: 1934: 1944: 1954: 1964: 1974: 1984: 1994: #67 #154 #153 #168 #168 #183 #88 — — — — — — — #18 #7 #27 After falling out of the top 100 at the beginning of the 20th century, Victoria saw a triumphant revival in the later 1960s. By 1974, it ranked at #18 in England and Wales: its highest ever rank in Britain up to that point. It rose to #7 by 1984 and gradually began to decline from that point.  Victoria ranked in the top 50 until 2000 and left the top 100 for the first time in 2004.  Between 2004 and 2012, Victoria stayed, for the most part, just below the top 100. It started to rise again in 2013, and has been in the top 100 since.  Most of this usage is focused in England, especially in London (where Victoria ranked #33 in 2016 versus #91 nationally).  In 2017, Victoria ranked #92 in England alone but only #219 in Wales.  Historically, Victoria has also been less common in Scotland, also. It does not rank in the Scottish top 100 of 1900 or 1950, and in 1974 (when Victoria was #18 in England), Victoria ranked #48 in Scotland. It peaked at #16 in 1983 and remained in the top 100 until 2002. It has since continued to decline in use, ranking #149 in 2017.

Famous Bearers:

Royalty: * Dauphine Victoire of France (1660–1690), also known as Duchess Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria. * Princess Victoire of France (1733–1799), daughter of Louis XV of France. * Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1786–1861), Duchess of Kent, Queen Victoria's mother. * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India. * Victoria, Princess Royal (1840–1901), daughter of Queen Victoria and later Empress of Germany. * Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1822–1857), wife of Louis, Duke of Nemours. * Victoria of Baden (1862–1930), Queen consort of Sweden. * Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine (1863–1950), wife of Prince Louis of Battenberg. * Princess Viktoria of Prussia (1866–1929), daughter of Victoria, Princess Royal.  * Princess Victoria of the United Kingdom (1868–1935), daughter of Edward VII. * Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1876–1936), daughter of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. * Princess Victoria Margaret of Prussia (1890–1923), daughter of Frederick Leopold of Prussia. * Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia (1892–1980), daughter of Wilhelm II of Germany. * Princess Victoria of Prussia (born 1952), daughter of Prince Frederick of Prussia. * Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden (born 1977), heir apparent to the Swedish throne. History: * Victoria (died 271), mother of Gallic Emperor Victorinus. * Saint Victoria of Albitina (d.304), venerated as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church. Contemporary: * Victoria Wood (1953-2016), English singer, writer and comedian. * Victoria Fuller (born 1970), American model and actress. * Victoria Coren Mitchell (born 1972), English writer, presenter and professional poker player. * Victoria "Tori" Spelling (born 1973), American actress * Victoria Beckham (born 1974), member of the Spice Girls and fashion designer. * Victoria Silvstedt (born 1974), Swedish model and actress. * Victoria Crawford (born 1986), WWE professional wrestler and model. * Pixie Lott (born 1991), British singer, given name Victoria Louise Lott. Literature and Other Media: * Victoria, a vampire in the Twilight series. * Victoria Newman Abbott, a character on the America soap opera The Young and the Restless. * Victoria Anne Sugden, a character on the British soap opera Emmerdale. * Princess Victoria (aka Princess Tori), character from 2012 film Barbie: The Princess and The Popstar.

Variants:

Viktoria (German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian), Victoire (French), Vittoria (Italian), Viktoriya (Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian), Wiktoria (Polish)

Pronunciation:

vik-TOR-ee-ə [key]

Possible  diminutives:

Cora, Ria, Rory, Thora, Tori, Toria, Tovi, Vita, Queenie, Cherry, Plum

Sibling Names:

Rebecca     Elizabeth     Francesca     Matilda     Felicity     Abigail  Alexander     Thomas     Samuel     Sebastian     Benjamin     Joseph

Name Lists:

Resonant Roman   Royal British Names   Royal European Names   Names of Roses

 

If you like Victoria you may also like:   Harriet, Alexandra, Zara, Georgina, Catherine, Beatrice, Alice, Clara, Eleanor, Imogen

Thanks to Julia for requesting this name.