British Baby Names

Top 100 Most Popular Names in Northern Ireland 2011

Today, the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency released its official statistics for the most popular names in Northern Ireland in 2011. A provisional Top 10 was released in December, but today we have the full figures out.

For the ninth year in a row, Jack is the most popular boys name. Sophie has also managed to hold on to the top spot for the second year running.

Within the 100 most popular boys’ names there were seven new entries:

• Leo at number 56 (up 45 places from 101)
• Owen at number 86 (up 17 places from 103)
• Calum at number 94 (up 8 places from 102)
• Cian at number 96 (up 22 places from 118)
• Daire at number 98 (up 20 places from 118)
• Conan joint at number 99 (up 47 places from 146)
• Seth joint at number 99 (up 13 places from 112)

These replaced Evan (108), Cameron (111), Archie (124), Charles (124), Harvey (124), Ruairi (131) and Zac (143) which fell out of the top 100.

The top 100 names for girls saw 16 new entries in 2011:

• Eabha at number 59 (up 65 places from 124)
• Saoirse at number 62 (up 62 places from 124)
• Darcy at number 70 (up 38 places from 108)
• Elizabeth at number 78 (up 27 places from 105)
• Farrah at number 82 (up 78 places from 160)
• Bella at number 84 (up 24 places from 108)
• Lucia joint at number 89 (up 64 places from 153)
• Connie joint at number 89 (up 19 places from 108)
• Rose joint at number 89 (up 16 places from 105)
• Sofia at number 93 (up 44 places from 137)
• Rebekah joint at number 98 (up 22 places from 120)
• Clara joint at number 98 (up 4 places from 102)
• Alexis joint at number 100 (up 80 places from 180)
• Emilia joint at number 100 (up 60 places from 160)
• Cliodhna joint at number 100 (up 2 places from 102)
• Robyn joint at number 100 (up 2 places from 102)

These replaced Amber (106), Lucie (127), Orlaith (118), Tara (142), Aoibheann (106), Lola (118), Alex (160), Alicia (127), Miley (135), Cassie (106) and Gracie (106) which fell out of the top 100.

 

Here is a run down of the Top 100 names in Northern Ireland in 2011:

Top 100 Boys' Names 2011		.	Top 100 Girls' Names 2011
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 29 29 31 32 33 34 35 35 35 38 38 40 40 42 43 44 44 46 47 48 48 48 51 52 52 54 55 56 56 58 58 60 60 62 62 64 64 66 66 68 68 70 70 70 70 74 74 74 77 78 78 80 80 82 83 84 84 86 87 88 88 90 90 90 90 94 94 96 96 98 99 99	Jack              James Matthew Ethan Daniel Harry Ryan Charlie Conor Adam Thomas Jamie Noah Jake Oliver Joshua Alfie Riley Dylan Luke Michael Jacob Ben Callum Oisin Max Patrick Sean Aaron Joseph Lucas Jayden Eoin William Alex Finn Rory John Nathan Caleb Isaac Samuel Aidan Caolan Mason Tyler Jay Darragh David Lewis Logan Benjamin Ronan Jude Shea Corey Leo Alexander Liam Odhran Ollie Peter Sam Cormac Kyle Cillian Rhys Fionn Oscar Andrew Christopher Joel Reuben Aodhan Ciaran Connor Zach Robert Tom Carter Lorcan Leon Eoghan Kai Niall Owen Dara Padraig Tiernan Cody Daithi Josh Mark Calum Shane Cian Reece Daire Conan Seth		1 2 3 4 5 6 6 8 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 25 26 27 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 36 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 45 47 48 49 49 51 51 51 54 54 56 57 57 59 59 59 62 62 62 62 62 67 68 69 70 70 70 70 70 75 76 76 78 78 78 78 82 82 84 84 84 84 84 89 89 89 89 93 93 93 93 93 98 98 100 100 100 100 100 100	Sophie Grace Emily Sophia Lily Chloe Lucy Jessica Olivia Eva Ella Katie Ellie Anna Aoife Emma Mia Ruby Sarah Erin Niamh Hannah Cara Leah Ava Molly Aimee Holly Amy Evie Caoimhe Megan Amelia Charlotte Isabella Abbie Caitlin Rebecca Abigail Kayla Brooke Hollie Faith Maisie Annie Zoe Poppy Isla Cora Rachel Ellen Lexi Zara Madison Mya Lauren Eimear Sienna Eabha Mollie Scarlett Clodagh Eve Freya Nicole Saoirse Alice Julia Heidi Bethany Ciara Darcy Georgia Kate Summer Daisy Shannon Aine Beth Elizabeth Victoria Farrah Phoebe Bella Faye Lexie Naomi Orla Connie Laura Lucia Rose Alexandra Casey Lara Maria Sofia Clara Rebekah Alexis Cliodhna Emilia Lacey Meabh Robyn

 

For boys, Riley was the highest climber, rising 48 places to #18. Conan climbed 47 places to #99 and Leo climbed 45 places to #56. 

Rhys made the greatest fall, down 27 places to #66. Ronan fell 22 places to #52; Shea fell 22 places to #55 and Reece dropped 22  places to #96. 

For girls, Alexis was the highest climber, rising 80 places to #100. Farrah climbed 78 places to #82 and Eabha climbed 65 places to #59. 
Alex made the greatest fall, down 70 places to #160. Tara fell 65 places to #142; Lucie fell 56 places to #127 and Miley dropped 45 places to #135. 

The NISRA even tells us the most popular middle names used. They say:

The majority of babies (87%) registered in Northern Ireland in 2011 had additional
forenames. For boys, traditional forenames such as James, Patrick, John, Joseph and
Thomas were more popular as additional forenames than Jack was as a first name.
Similarly for girls, the names Rose, Elizabeth, Mary, Louise, Marie and Grace were more
popular as additional forenames than Sophie was as a first name.

Statistics supplied by the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency.

Contemporary Combos for Zebedee

Below are all the first name combinations for Zebedee, registered from 1986 to 2006 in England and Wales. Over that period the name has had a yearly count of beween 3 and 13 births. 

Zebedee Alan  Zebedee Alexander  Zebedee Ambrose  Zebedee Annan Zebedee Anthony  Zebedee Bailey Zebedee Barnaby  Zebedee Benjamin  Zebedee Bjorn  Zebedee Boaz Zebedee Callum Zebedee Charles F  Zebedee Chiyonofuji

Zebedee David  Zebedee Ebenezer B  Zebedee Edward K  Zebedee Ethan Zebedee Ewan  Zebedee George C  Zebedee Harry  Zebedee Hector Zebedee Henry Zebedee Hugh J Zebedee Hughie C  Zebedee Isaiah  Zebedee Jack B

Zebedee Jacob  Zebedee Jake  Zebedee James C   Zebedee Jim  Zebedee Joe  Zebedee John  Zebedee Joseph Zebedee Leander  Zebedee Mark  Zebedee Marly  Zebedee Martyn  Zebedee Nathaniel  Zebedee Niven

Zebedee Noah  Zebedee Nuka Zebedee Oskar  Zebedee Owen Zebedee Pascoe Zebedee Paul  Zebedee Reginald  Zebedee Richard   Zebedee Robert Zebedee Rylan  Zebedee Santiago  Zebedee Thomas  Zebedee Zi-feng

Other combos contain Zebedee as a middle name. Here are a selection from 1986-2006: 

Aaron Zebedee Arthur Zebedee Connor Zebedee Eli Zebedee Era Zebedee G Felix Zebedee Finn Zebedee

Freddie Zebedee Hugh Zebedee Isaac Zebedee Jago Zebedee Jaspin Zebedee Jed Zebedee Jorah Zebedee S

Julian Zebedee Kai Zebedee Kingdom Zebedee Luke Zebedee Oliver Zebedee Oscar Zebedee Paris Zebedee I

Peter Zebedee  Rory Zebedee Seth Zebedee  Tiger Zebedee Zachary Zebedee Zak Zebedee  Zedric Zebedee  .

Contemporary Combos for Maud(e)

Regular readers will know that I have a passion (some might say obsession) for trawling through birth records for names and combos. Much attention on this blog goes particularly to Victorian birth records but, in truth, I also get hooked for hours on modern birth records. There are so many interesting names to be had in the current generation and it is high time I shared some of the more contemporary finds from births registered.

Below are all the first name combinations for Maud / Maude, registered from 1986 to 2006 in England and Wales. Over that period the name has had a yearly count of beween 3 and 10 births. 

Maud Adeline Maude Agnes  Maud Alexandra  Maude Alexandra Frances Maud Alice  Maud Alicia Maud Amaryllis  Maud Amelia Maude Amy  Maud Amy Alice Maude Ann  Maude Annette Clemency Maud Antonia  Maud Audrey Maud Augusta Maud Bathsheba Maude Belinda Maud Bruna  Maud Camille  Maude Carmel  Maude Catherine

Maud Celia Maud Charlotte  Maude Circe  Maud Constance  Maud Eleanor Maud Eleonore Maud Elisabeth  Maud Elizabeth  Maud Ellen Maud Elsa Maud Emily Maude Emma Maud Emmanuelle  Maud Estella  Maud Evangeline Maud Fiona  Maud Florence  Maud Freya  Maude Gabriella  Maud Gerda  Maud Gwyneth

Maude Harriet  Maude Ilona  Maud Imogen  Maud Iris  Maud Isabella  Maud Isobel  Maud Jane  Maude Jolanta Maud Josephine  Maude Katharine Heather Maud Kathleen  Maud Kirsty  Maude Kitty Maude Laura Maud Laetitia  Maude Lily  Maude Louise  Maud Lucy Maude Mandy  Maud Marguerite Maud Marie

Maud Martha  Maud Mary Maud May  Maud Moyra  Maude Naomi  Maude Ofra  Maud Olivia  Maude Patricia  Maude Pia Maud Poppaea  Maude Rhiannon  Maud Rohini Maud Rosa  Maud Rosamond Maud Ruby  Maud Sarah Maude Theodora Maude Theodora Cecily Maud Vanna  Maude Vera

Many more combos contain Maud(e) as a middle name. Here are a selection from 1986-2006: 

Apricot Maude Daphne Bibi Maud Bronte Maud Chilli-Rae Maud Claudette Maud Clementine Maud Coral Maud Cordillia Maud Corrinne Maud Delilah Maud Dora Maud Dulcie Maud Echo Maud

Ebony Maud Elspeth Maud Evangelina Maud Frederique Maude Freditta Maud Genevieve Maud Gwenllian Maud Iolanthe Maude Isadora Maude Jae Maud  Juliet Maud Kestral Maud Maddison Maud

Maina Maud Maisie Maud Marie-Florence Maud Maureen Maud Michoni Maud Millicent Maud Misty Maud Myrtle Maud Nancy Maud  Nellwyn Maude  Odette Maude  Paloma Maud Phaedra Maud

Primrose Maud Raven Maude Rakiela Maud Rosalie Maud Saoirse Maud Sidonie Maud Tabitha Maud Toscane Maud Tuesday Maud Ursula Maud Willa Maude Xena Maud Yildiz Maud

Times Births 2011 - Girls

Here are the rankings for the most popular girls names announced in The Times in 2011.

There were a total of 618 births announced for girls in 2011. Of these, 257 distinct first names were listed, which interestingly, shows more variety than the Telegraph girls names.

=1 =1 3 =4 =4 =6 =6 =6 9 10 11 =12 =12 =12 =15 =15 =15 =18 =18 =18 =18 =18 =18 =18 =18 =18 =27 =27 =27 =27 =27 =27 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =34 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33 =33

Name Emily Isabel* Alice Matilda Sophia* Charlotte Isabella Sophie Freya Martha Florence Beatrice Flora Poppy Amelia Eleanor Lara Annabel* Arabella Chloe Emilia Emma Isla Jemima Olivia Ottilie* Amelie Daisy Elizabeth Francesca Georgia Rose Ava Catherine* Cecily* Clementine Coco Grace Holly Honor Imogen Iris Josephine Kitty Lola Lucy Maya* Phoebe Scarlett* Violet

Count 15 15 14 13 13 12 12 12 11 10 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

*Annabel=5/Annabelle=1, Catherine=2/Katharine=2, Cecily=3/Cicely=1, Eleanor=6/Eleanore=1, Emily=14/Emilie=1, Isabel=7/Isabelle=4/Isobel=4, Ottilie=4, Otilie=1/Ottolie=1, Scarlett=3/Scarlet=1, Sophia=8/Sofia=5

The most popular middle names were as follows:

1 2 3 =4 =4 6 7 =8 =8 =10 =10 12 =13 =13 =15 =15 =15 =15 =15

Middle name Rose Elizabeth Grace Charlotte Mary Catherine, Katharine Alice Florence Jane Anne May, Mae Sarah, Sara Isabella Marie Emily Isabel, Isobel Beatrice Alexandra Louise

Count 61 38 26 19 19 18 16 13 13 11 11 10 8 8 7 7 7 7 7

 

 

Times Births 2011 - Boys

Here are the rankings for the most popular boys names announced in The Times in 2011.

The Times announcements have a similar demographic to that of the Telegraph. They quite often feature the same announcements, such as Jago Alexander in August, and Xanthe Meredith Felicity in September. Where The Times differs is that it is slightly more international. 

There were a total of 669 births announced for boys in 2011. Of these, 204 distinct first names were listed.

1 2 =3 =3 5 6 7 8 9 =10 =10 12 =13 =13 =13 =13 =13 18 19 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =20 =26 =26 =26 =29 =29 =29 =29 =29 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34 =34

Name William George Henry Harry Edward Thomas Alexander* James Frederick* Jack Oliver Samuel Arthur Charles Benjamin Archie  Max Oscar* Sebastian Hugo Caspar* Finlay* Hector* Louis Maximilian* Joseph Theodore Wilfred Alfred Joshua Leo Milo Toby Nicholas Albert Austin Felix Jacob Jasper Luke Otto Rufus Rupert Theo Zachary

Count 30 27 25 25 23 20 19 16 15 13 13 12 11 11 11 11 11 9 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

*Alexander=18/Alexandre=1, Caspar=5/Casper=1, Finlay=3/Finley=3/Fynnley=1, Frederick=14/Fredrik=1, Hector=6/Hektor=1, Maximilian=6/Maximillian=1, Oscar=8/Oskar=1

The most popular middle names were as follows:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 =12 =12 =14 =14 16 17 =18 =18 =18 =18

Middle name James William Thomas John Edward George Alexander David Arthur Robert Charles Christopher Michael Patrick Peter Henry Joseph Jack Oliver Philip Richard

Count 53 39 36 32 31 30 29 20 19 18 16 15 15 14 14 11 9 8 8 8 8

 

 

Telegraph Births 2011 - Girls

Now time for the Telegraph girls...

There were a total of 768 births announced for girls in 2011. Of these, 252 distinct first names were listed. The most popular Telegraph girls names, with their number count, are as follows:

1 2 3 =4 =4 6 =7 =7 =7 =10 =10 =12 =12 =12 =15 =15 =17 =17 =19 =19 =19 =19 =23 =23 =23 =23 =27 =27 =27 =27 =27 =27 =27 =27 =35 =35 =35 =35 =35 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40 =40

Name Florence Isabel* Isabella Charlotte Isla Alice Emily* Jemima Matilda* Daisy Olivia Amelia Elizabeth* Poppy Annabel* Sophie Arabella Martha Flora Lily* Lucy Rose Beatrice Eleanor* Emilia Ottilie* Abigail Chloe Clementine Harriet* Jessica Kitty Phoebe Sophia Ava Freya Molly Violet Willa Amelie Evie Georgina Grace Henrietta Honor India Iona Katharine* Madeleine* Ophelia Tabitha Zoe

Count 23 20 18 16 16 15 14 14 14 13 13 12 12 12 11 11 10 10 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

*Annabel=9/Annabelle=2, Eleanor=7/Eleonore=1, Elizabeth=11/Elisabeth=1, Emily=12/Emilie=2, Harriet=6/Harriott=1, Isabel=7/Isabelle=7/Isobel=5/Isobelle=1, Katharine=3/Catherine=2, Lily=8/Lilly=1, Madeleine=4/Madelaine=1, Matilda=13/Mathilda=1, Ottilie=6/Otilie=1/Ottolie=1

The most popular middle names were as follows:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 =13 =13 15 =16 =16 =16 19 =20 =20

Middle Name Rose Elizabeth Grace Mary Jane Alice Charlotte Catherine, Katherine Anne, Ann Louise Florence Beatrice Lily May, Mae Victoria Isabel Isabella Sophia Eleanor Emily Annabel

Count 73 50 48 29 28 24 19 17 16 15 14 13 11 11 10 9 9 9 8 7 7

You can compare these 2011 ranks with the 2010 Telegraph ranks for girls.

 

Telegraph Births 2011 - Boys

As we move into 2012, it is time for me to look back at all the announcements in the Telegraph in 2011.

There were a total of 839 births announced for boys in 2011. Of these, 222 distinct first names were listed. The most popular Telegraph boys names, with their number count, are as follows:

1 2 =3 =3 =3 =6 =6 8 =9 =9 =9 =12 =12 14 15 16 =17 =17 =17 =17 =17 =17 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =24 =29 =29 =29 =29 =29 =29 =35 =35 =35 =35 =35 =37 =37 =37 =43 =43 =43 =43 =43 =43 =43 =43 =43 =43

Name Henry William Edward George Harry Frederick* James Thomas Alexander* Archie Charles Arthur Benjamin Jack  Samuel Oliver  Felix Hector Hugo Joseph Max Wilfred* Alfred Daniel Isaac Louis Oscar Sebastian Jasper John Leo Maximilian Theodore Toby Barnaby Caspar* Charlie Otto Rory Jake Milo Theo Angus Cosmo Dominic Montgomery Nicholas Noah Robert Rufus Rupert Zac*

Count 38 33 31 31 31 25 25 24 19 19 19 18 18 17 16 14 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

*Alexander=18/Alexandre=1, Caspar=5/Casper=1, Frederick=22/Frederic=2/Fredrik=1, Wilfred=9/Wilfrid=1, Zac=2/Zack=1/Zach=1

The most popular middle names were as follows:

1 =2 =2 =2 5 6 7 8 9 10 =11 =11 13 14 15 =16 =16 =18 =18 =20 =20

Middle name James George John William Alexander Edward Charles Thomas Arthur Henry David Peter Michael Robert Joseph Frederick Richard Anthony Patrick Oliver Andrew

Count 63 48 48 48 43 38 35 34 27 26 21 21 20 19 18 14 14 11 11 10 10

You can compare these 2011 ranks with the 2010 Telegraph ranks for boys.

 

Alliterative Edwardian Siblings

The Edwardians loved rhyme and alliteration in names. Beatrice Bessie Battiscombe, Albert Hubert Harman, Reginald Ronald
McDonald and Lulu Lillian Lock (all found on the 1911 census) were highly fashionable and not at all uncommon for the era. In fact, the more letters and sounds repeated the better. Take a look at some of the 1911 Census Name Combos and you will find many more examples of the matchiness in Edwardian appellations.

On the 1901 England and Wales census we can find Henry and Amelia Sturman with their daughters Menta, Mabel and Blanche. Only Menta and Mabel seem to share the same initial -- nothing so remarkable there -- but when we move ten years on to the 1911 census we see the girls have been listed by their full names:

Alice Aramenta Amelia 
Mabel Maud Mary
Beatrice Blanche Bessie

Some Edwardian parents extended the alliteration even further by applying the same letter across all their progeny. Below are three examples of these alliterative Edwardian sibsets. 

Francis and Eliza Aris named their Edwardian brood:

Albert Alfred Aris (1896)
Arthur Alexander Aris (1898)
Amelia Adelaide Aris (1900)
Agnes Alexandra Aris (1902)
Augustus Archibald Aris (1905)
Arnold Adolphus Aris (1908)
Aubrey Archibald Aris (1909)

 

James and Kate Boddy named their children:

Bertram Basil Boddy (1899)
Bernard Bryan Boddy (1900)
Beatrice Blanche Boddy (1901)
Bertha Brenda Boddy (1903)
Bessie Barbara Boddy (1906)
Brian Benjamin Boddy (1907)
Beryl Breta Boddy (1909)

 

Matthew and Elizabeth Mann called their daughters:

Millicent Mary Mann (1897)
Margaret Maud Mann (1899)
Martha Muriel Mann (1902) 

 

 

For more information on Edwardian alliteration and other Edwardian trends, take a look at my blog on Edwardian names over at nameberry.com

 

 

Middle Names - The Adventurous Ones

So far we have looked at popular middle names and family middle names and the reasons why these are commonly used in the middle spot. Now lets look at the other end of the spectrum to the adventurous and unusual and examine why the middle is often where they can be found. 

When you think about it, the frequency with which we share our middle names is completely up to us. Apart from certain obligatory forms we can keep our middle names secret or share them loudly and proudly as we see fit. And as there is such freedom with middle names, why not have fun with them and be adventurous? 

The middle spot is perfect for those parents who love an unusual or striking name but worry it is too "out there" for everyday life. Using it as a middle name takes the yikes-factor (yes I did just invent that word) out that it would have as a first name as turns it into a quirky and original second name. David and Samantha Cameron didn't raise many eyebrows when they chose the anglicised Cornish name Endellion as a third name for their daughter, as they most likely would have done if it had been used as the first name. As a middle name name it's strongest reaction was "Oh. That's unusual.I've not heard that before."

In fact, uncommon names can often form the perfect balance when paired with a popular and well-known first name. Want your Sophie to stand out from the lovely-but-often-used Sophie Jane, Sophie Elizabeth and Sophie May? How about Sophie Elettra, Sophie Merewen or Sophie Damaris for a more striking combination?

It seems many parents agree, as we can see from the many children with the middle name Danger and other descriptive middle monikers such Celestial, Happy and Sunshine. 

Here is a small sample of a few British babies born within the last two years who have uncommon, quirky, interesting and unusual middle names:

Alfred Athelstan Edward Lysander Henry Capability Henry Leonidas Tiberius Louis Santiago Maximilian Thorbjörn Rafe Caledfryn Wynne William Ignatius Zack Taliesin Michael

Alice Calypso Isabella Felicia Honoria Isla Eva Sonia Rainbow Minnie Love Olivia Zdena  Poppy Valentine Darling Serena Honora Silver

Middle Names - The Family Ones

Family names are often utilised in the choosing of middle names. They provide meaning, sentimentality, and a sense continuity. And there are many different ways they can be used.

A little bit of me

Many parents give their own name to their child as a middle name. This is a familiar practice that goes back to the eighteenth century when children were given their parents name as a first or a second name.


Inherited middle name

One of the most common ways of using a family name is the passing down of middle names. These middle names pass from mother to daughter and father to son through the generations. Many of the most popular middle names, that I discussed in the previous post, remain popular because they are continually used for new members of a family. 


Dearly beloved and departed

The first names of much loved family members are another source of middle names. Grandparents and great-grandparents in particular are frequent namesakes honoured in children's names. Using the name of a deceased family member often adds pathos and meaning to a name -- and in some cases provides healing and comfort for a family. 

Some parents, in search of a unused family name (perhaps in a large family were most of the family names have already been "taken") look further back on their family tree for inspiration. Great aunts, uncles and grand parents many times removed can provide an interesting name and still maintain the family connection. Look carefully and you are bound to find a hidden gem. 


Lastnames up front

Many British mums today choose to pass on their family history by using their maiden name for their children's middle name. This practice has happened for centuries, particularly among the aristocracy when family-merging was serious business, but is becoming increasingly common today as women choose to keep their own surnames.

Sometimes other family surnames are used. Really want to honour your grandad Oswald but don't like the name? Consider using his surname instead. 


Variations

When parents want to use a particular family name but find it too outdated, variations can often lend a unique alternative. These variations can be based on meaning, sound or first initial, but mostly they are standard etymological variations. Jane is used to update Janet. Caroline is used to update Carol. 

Feminisations such as Charlotte, Harriet and Josephine can provide a sweet father-daughter link. 


I myself have two middle names. The first of my middle names was chosen because it was a popular name that my parents liked. Personally, I could take it or leave it. I don't dislike it but it screams "80s baby" to me. I have no real sense of ownership with it. 

My second middle name was chosen in honour of my great grandmother who died a few months before I was born. Even though, was I was growing up, it had an old-fashioned sound and had some people remarking "really?" in a disbelieving tone -- as if no 80s parent would be mad enough to use it -- I absolutely love it. It is a name that has been used throughout history, has many fabulous namesakes, and, most importantly, it means something to me. It's the name of a much loved figure in my family, still often spoken about -- and I appreciate having something of hers.

The only problem is that, being the second middle name, it often gets missed off forms -- leaving my first, less preferred, middle name in place.