Abigail is expecting her third child -- gender unknown -- who will be a sibling for Wilberforce "Wilber" and Cornelia "Corrie".
Abigail writes: "I am a textile artist [...and] my husband is an English scholar who studied romantic English literature and is now an Anglican vicar.
We like our children's names to have meaning and be named after people who have made a difference in the world. Which we hope and pray our children will do too. Even though we live and work in Kenya and both our children have been born here, as will the third, we like to hold onto our British roots and culture.
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This is, without a doubt, the most challenging Name Help post I have ever done. It was hugely enjoyable, but so hard to follow in the footsteps of the carefully thought-out names you have already chosen.
So many names that fit the style of Wilberforce "Wilber" and Cornelia "Corrie" -- such as Gwendolyn or Algernon -- lacked the literary, artistic or notable namesake, while names of worthy people (such as Amy for Amy Carmichael) lack the same 'oomph' as Wilber and Corrie. Trying to find a suitable balance was an interesting challenge for me.
I love so many names from your current list. Bronte is wonderful as is Horatio and Eugene, and I love the idea of Mountbatten with the nickname Monty! Huckleberry is very striking too. Besides Huck as a nickname, how about Bucky?
I agree that you should absolutely use Headley or Bernice as the second name to follow the established family pattern.
Though I imagine some of these names below were more suitable for middle names, I have put potential nicknames in brackets for you to consider:
Edith (Edie) – Edith is a name borne by a whole host of estimable women such as Edith Cavell (1865–1915), the famous British nurse who, during WWI, treated soldiers on both sides indiscriminately and set up escape routes for hundreds of Belgian and allied fugitives; Edith Cowan (1861-1932), Australian social reformer who worked for the rights and welfare of women and children; Edith Pechey (1845–1908), one of the first female doctors in Britain as well as a campaigner for women's rights; Edith Abbott (1876–1957), American economist and a pioneer in the profession of social work and a leading activist in social reform, and Edith Durham (1863–1944) was British writer and anthropologist who travelled extensively in Balkans, advocating the rights of the Albanian people and working in various relief organisations.
Evangeline (Eva, Evie, Lina, Vina) – A true literary name thought to have been invented by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for the heroine of his poem Evangeline (1847) and made famous by Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. A real-life namesake is Evangeline "Eva" French (1869-1960), who alongside her sister Francesca and Mildred Cable, was a missionary pioneer in central Asia in the early 20th century.
Harriet (Hattie, Hettie, Harrie, Etta, Ettie) – There are many estimable Harriets in history. Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896), author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, was a prominent anti-slavery campaigner and several British babies were named for her in her lifetime. Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) was a British philosopher who is considered to be the first female sociologist, and Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) was a famous abolitionist.
Helen (Nell) – Helen Keller (1880-1968) was an author, lecturer, and crusader for the disabled. Dr. Helen Roseveare (1925-2016) was a famous English missionary to the Congo who built hospitals and trained nurses.
Hephzibah (Heppy, Eppie, Effie, Ziba, Zibby, Zippy) – Hephzibah is a Biblical name meaning “My delight is in her." In Isaiah 62:4, the name is used as an alternate name for Zion [“No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.”], given by God as a symbol of forgiveness. Hephzibah "Eppie" is also the virtuous heroine in George Eliot's Silas Marner, who stays loyal to her impoverished adopted father, turning down the opportunity to be raised as a gentleman's daughter.
Lilias / Lilian (Lily) – Lilias Trotter (1853–1928) was an artist and missionary to Algeria who spent her early days volunteering to aid the poor of London. Lilian Trasher (1887-1961) "Nile Mother" was a notable missionary who founded Egypt's first orphanage.
Margaret (Maggie, Meg, Peggy, Daisy, Pearl, Greta) – There are so many worthy women in history named Margaret. Just a few include philosopher and poet Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673), social reformer Margaret Byers (1832-1912), British textile historian Margaret Swain (1909–2002) and Margaret Haughery (1813–1882), a philanthropist known as "the mother of the orphans". The beauty of Margaret is the wealth of diminutive options. I'm partial to Pearl as an option for you, as a nod to author Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), the first female recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Rosetti (Rose, Rosa, Rosie, Etta, Ettie) – Rosetti is a surname that I think works really well for a girl with all the potential nicknames. It can be given in honour of Christina Rosetti, renowned poet responsible for the hymns "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Love Came Down at Christmas" and her brother Dante Gabriel Rosetti, an eminent Pre-Raphaelite artist who influenced William Morris.
Roseveare (Rose, Rosa, Rosie, Vera) – I've mentioned Helen Roseveare above, but as her surname has so many lovely surname options, I thought it was worth a separate mention.
Susannah (Susie, Suki, Zuzu) – Susannah Spurgeon (1832-1892) was the wife of preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon. In her own right, she was responsible for a fund supplying theological books to clergymen and ministers who were too poor to buy them.
Aneurin (Nye) – Aneurin "Nye" Bevan (pronounced an-NYE-rin) was responsible for the creation of the National Health Service and also made many progressive steps as housing minister. A very principled man, in 1951, he resigned from the government in protest at the introduction of prescription charges for dental care and spectacles.
Clifford (Cliff) – Clifford can be used as a nod to Clarice Cliff and also to several other notable Cliffords such as philosopher William Kingdom Clifford, theologian William Clifford and civil rights activist Clifford Durr to name a few.
Desmond (Des) – Bishop Desmond Tutu is revered worldwide for his anti-apartheid and human rights activism.
Edison (Ned, Ted, Teddy, Sonny) – Not only was Thomas Edison (1847–1931) a remarkable inventor and engineer, but he also rescued a three-year-old boy from a runaway train while in his teens. From an early age, Edison developed a severe deafness, which ultimately left him almost 90% deaf. He never saw it as a disability, however, and refused to let it hold him back.
Faraday (Freddie) – Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was an eminent British scientist who was born to a poor family in London. Despite lacking formal higher education, he was an avid reader and was mostly self-taught, becoming one of the country's greatest scientist in spite of this. He held deeply religious beliefs, which is thought to have been a reason why he refused the British government’s request that he develop chemical weapons for the Crimean war.
Linus – Linus Pauling (1901-1994) was one of a few people who was awarded both the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace activism.
Livingstone (Levi, Vinnie, Sonny) – The first name that came to mind immediately when I read your request was Livingstone for David Livingstone (1813-1873). Not only does Livingstone match up to the style of your other names beautifully, but Livingstone's reputation as an explorer, imperial reformer, anti-slavery crusader speaks for itself.
Nahum – Nahum is an Old Testament name, borne by one of the twelve minor prophets, which means "comforter". Nahum Tate (1652-1715) was a poet and hymnist (responsible for hymns such as "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks") and the third Poet Laureate.
Raleigh – John Raleigh Mott (1955-1865) was a long-serving leader of YMCA who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for his work in establishing and strengthening international Protestant Christian student organizations that worked to promote peace. It also brings to mind the famous Elizabethan explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.
Raphael (Raffi, Rafe) – As a nod to William Morris, Raphael springs to mind as a variant on "Pre-Raphaelite" , the artistic movement which inspired his work.
Tennyson (Tenny, Ted, Sonny) – Alfred, Lord Tennyson remains one of Britains most popular poets and was the eleventh Poet Laureate, penning "The Charge of the Light Brigade", "Idylls of the King" and "The Lady of Shalott" to name but a few.
Woodford (Woody) – William Morris spent his childhood at Woodford Hall in Woodford, Essex.
I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.
UPDATE: Welcome, Huckleberry Eugene Dietrich.
Abigail writes: "His siblings Wilberforce and Cornelia already adore him!
Heard of the song moon river; 'Huckleberry Friend' is a term for the right person at the right time in other words the perfect friend
He's been prayed for and waited for...so coming at God's time, the perfect time - he is our Huckleberry friend.
Eugene after Eugene Peterson who wrote the message version of the Bible and lots of other books and things.
Dietrich after Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was a pastor during the second world war. 2 PHDs by the time he was 24 years old. Was caught in a group plotting to kill Hitler."
