British Baby Names

Name Help: A Sister for Azalea

 

Octavia is expecting her second daughter soon. 

Octavia writes: "Our first daughter is called Azalea Blaise. As I have an unusual name I am keen for something no one else will have. My husband is half French (hence Blaise) and I am half Italian. 

Names we have been considering are:

Anoushka - just like the name
Aurora -  too many Rrr’s
Anaïs - quite like this at the mo
Orsina
Ayala 
Seraphina 
Phaedra 
Hera 
Uma 
Margaux - was a front runner 
Raven 
Thea 
Nyx 
Lolita
Calixta 
Venetia
Dominique 
Zena 

The last two were actually names of my mothers best friends who were great influences in my life but also happen to be very unusual. 

Names vetoed are: 

Aria - loved this but has become super popular recently. 

Freya- husbands suggestion but too common again and not strong enough. I imagine a Freya to be a quite little mouse not a feisty (A is a character!)

Orsina- was tempting for a while but a bit harsh the Or is not that pretty 

Losaria- I found this in butterfly names as started looking a bit left field as we couldn't agree. I love it and [husband] wasn’t having it as technically is not a name. I had to let it go so I suppose it does need to be a name that isn’t made up. 

Middle name: Bijou. Pretty set on that as first scan showed the diamond ring effect and also French and cute. 

I am keen for something pretty, strong and ultimately that no one will have. Don’t mind origin. I feel Azalea Blaise is a tough one to follow."

 

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Wow! I love your list. I got a degree in Ancient History so to see so many underused ancient names gives me a thrill. 

I agree that Azalea Blaise is a tough one to follow, but you've got a great -- and meaningful -- middle name already lined up with Bijou, and there are plenty of bold but perfectly usable name that will compliment Azalea on equal terms. 

 

In alphabetical order: 

Celandine – With a sweet French style, Celandine has a floral heritage to match Azalea. The name Celandine derives from the Ancient Greek chelidon "swallow (bird)" as the ancients though that the plant flowered when the swallows arrived. 

Clemency –  A virtue name meaning "mercy" and "gentleness" which was used by the Puritans but now has a sweet underused vintage style alongside sisters Amity, Virtue, Temperance and Verily. The French Clementine also derives from this same source. 

Corisande – A medieval French name of chivalric romance and 19th century literature. Renowned for her beauty and culture, "La Belle Corisande" was the nickname of Diana de Gramont, Countess of Guiche (1554-1621). A similar sounding medieval gem, borne by queens, is Melisande, a sister to Millicent. 

Cressida – A Shakespearean name which derives ultimately from an Ancient Greek name meaning "golden."

Dulcibel(la) – A medieval name composed of dulcis "sweet" and bella "beautiful." By the 16th century it was used as a poetic term meaning "sweetheart" and its use as a name continued into the 20th century. 

Elara – A melodic name which derives from a princess in Greek mythology. One of the moons of Jupiter is named after her. 

Eriska – Like Skye and Iona, Eriska is a pretty Scottish island which is known as the "water nymph island."

Eulalie – The sweet French form of Eulalia -- an Ancient Greek name meaning "sweetly-speaking" (Eulalia itself is great, but a bit too close in sound when it rhymes with Azalea). Other great Greek Eu- names include Eumelia "melody" , Euthalia "flowering, blossoming" (also the name of a butterfly) and Euphrasia/Euphrasie "good cheer."

Evadne – A lyrical Ancient Greek name, borne by a mythological water nymph, which means "very pure, very holy." 

Idony – Back in the 14th century, Idony was a pretty common name in Britain. It was just as common as Anne, and more popular than Mary! The name is the anglicised form of Iðunn, the Viking goddess of the Spring. 

Ismeria – An elegant medieval relic which was the name of a legendary saint.The French form, Ismérie, is a little more common in France than Ismeria is in Britain, but both are evocatively lovely. 

Jessamine / Jessamy – Both Jessamine and Jessamy are poetic forms of Jasmine which have a sweet Victorian darling feel. 

Juno – As Hera is on your list, perhaps you would consider her Roman counterpart, Juno. It has a sleek and modern sound, even though her roots are bold and ancient. Juno is also the name of a butterfly. 

Lelia –  An Italian name descended from the Roman family name Laelia. Laelia is also the name of an orchid found in Central America which gives a subtle link with Azalea. 

Liliosa – Another name with a subtle floral link is this Late Latin name which derives from the Latin lilium "lily." Saint Liliosa was an Iberian Christian woman martyred in Córdoba in the 9th century. The name has been used in Spain since, but also has a great pan-European flair. 

Mariska – A sleek Dutch and Hungarian form of Maria which shares a similar sound and drama of Anoushka, but without repeating the "A" initial. 

Mireya – Not uncommon in Spain, Mireya (spelled Mireia in Catalan) is a sleek and usable gem. Like the French Mireille, all three forms come from the Provençal name Mirèio, most likely derived from the Latin mirar "to see, to admire,"

Meliora – Derived from the Latin word melior "better," Meliora was used in Britain and the Continent in the Middle Ages and survived in the South West of England into the 18th century. 

Parisa – A sweet Persian name which means "fairy-like." 

Sunniva – Once the Anglo-Saxon name Sunngifu "sun gift," Sunniva was adopted by the Vikings and is now a cool Scandinavian staple. 

Thessaly – Like Venetia, Lydia, Petra, Sabina, Olympia and Alexandria, Thessaly is a name taken from ancient topography. Thessaly was a major region in ancient Greece, homeland of the mythological heroes Achilles and Jason. Other ancient placenames-turned-first names worth considering include Larissa, Megara, Illyria, Edessa, Messina and Salona. 

Viveca – Also spelled Viveka, Viveca is a Scandinavian name derived from the German Wibke which was a short form of names starting with Wig- "war." It is reminiscent of the Latin viva "alive." 

Zenaida – Zena is a name of a beloved woman in your life, so perhaps Zenaida would be a great way to incorporate her name. Zenaida was a (ahead of her time) doctor in the 1st century, turned saint. The name was Greek in origin ultimately deriving from the great god Zeus. 

 

 

I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!

 

Name Help: A Sister for Freya

Hannah is expecting her second daughter who will soon join big sister Freya. Hannah is from the UK and her husband is from Germany, but they currently live in Switzerland. 

Hannah writes: "Our ideal name would work well in English (primarily) and also German. My husband's mum is Tunisian, so something that she can pronounce is also on our list. 

My husband loved Emma before Freya was born but its SOO common here in Switzerland that I just couldn’t... but then again Freya is so common over the UK - but that didn't bother me too much as we live here and I had Freya on my baby name list since I was a child.

We loved Esme but, because we live in Switzerland, we have to watch other meanings and Esme could be pronounced wrongly to then mean “eat more” - potentially a problem. 

 

Also eliminated Clementine because my husband thinks it sounds silly, and Felicity because the German variant Felizitas (my husband is German) isn't as nice."

 

Names on their list:

Alice, Harriet, Matilda, Sophie, Greta, Ivy, Emily 

 

Names they can't use:

Hester, Phoebe, Nadia, Maya, Hattie

 

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At first, I thought that there would be plenty of English-German crossover names to fit your current list. But, the more I looked, the more I realised the challenge that the language barrier poses. English and German share many of the same names, but pronunciation can be very different. Ava, Violet, Eliza, Iris, Martha, Thea were all considered and discarded as options by me for this very reason. 

The good news is that there are names that work in both languages, if you are prepared to bend the rules a little or look outside the box. 

 

NB: Data quoted is from the 2017 Swiss stats, the 2016 England and Wales stats and the 2016 German stats. 

Luna –  A Europe-wide stylish choice which is #59 in Switzerland, #79 in England and Wales and #60 in Germany, making it perfectly accessible in all three countries. It also has a sweet (yet subtle) link to Freya as they are both names of ancient goddesses. 

Aurora –  Another stylish ancient goddess name is the Latin goddess of the dawn. It is is #61 in Switzerland, #105 in England and Wales and #161 in Germany. The only draw back is the slight pronunciation change in German to English, but it isn't too different.

Alba – Speaking of the dawn, how about this stylish pan-European name?  Alba ranks #258 in Switzerland, #248 in England and Wales and also ranks in the German top 500. 

Ella – With a history that goes back to the Middle Ages, sweet and spunky Ella matches Freya in style and -- at #28 -- isn't too popular currently in Switzerland. It is also a top 20 choice in Britain and Germany making it a great pan-European choice. 

Mila – With its sleek Continental vibe, Mila is a name that works across Europe seamlessly. It is #11 in Switzerland, #81 in England and Wales and #8 in Germany

Clara – A chic Roman name which matches the likes of Greta, Alice, Matilda and Emily from your list. Clara ranks #40 in Switzerland, #88 in England and Wales and #17 in Germany.

Amelia – A royal name that sits perfectly between Alice, Matilda and Emily. At #2, it is very popular currently in England and Wales but is a less alarming (yet still fashionable) #32 in Switzerland.

Beatrice – Another princessly name which shares the same sound in English and German. It is #80 in England and Wales and #348 in Switzerland.

Evelyn – A vintage gem with Matilda and Harriet's upright style that is pronounced the same in English and German. It is #21 in England and Wales, #178 in Germany and #382 in Switzerland.

Lydia – Matilda, Emily, Alice, Harriet and Sophie (as Sophy) were all British Georgian favourites. Lovely Latin Lydia also fits this era for both style and substance. It currently ranks #100 in England and Wales and #285 in Switzerland.

Lotta – Charlotte is a lovely queenly name with the same chic style as Alice and Harriet. It is also a top 20 choice in both England and Germany, and #42 in Switzerland. The down side? Charlotte is pronounced differently in German and English which may (perhaps not?) be a sticking point. German short form Lotta [#33 in Germany] has a stylish sound which translates well in Britain -- you could even shorten it to vintage Lottie -- and would also work in Switzerland.

Lilia – A stylish and Continental member of the Lily family which works well in any European country. It currently ranks #281 in Switzerland.

Stella –  At #73 in Switzerland, Stella is a fashionable-but-not-too-common choice which has an easy pronunciation and a great meaning of "star."

Heidi – On the flip side, Heidi -- at #76 in England and Wales -- is a traditional German name which is a fashionable choice in Britain. It ranks #186 in Germany and #404 in Switzerland.

Zara – Sleek Zara (which ultimately derives from an Arabic name meaning "to shine") is a top 100 favourite in England. It is in some use in Germany (#369) though -- like Freya -- it doesn't rank in Switzerland's top 600 (Zahra is at #439, however). 

Ariana – A chic Italian name which derives from the mythological ancient Greek Ariadne, meaning "most pure."  It ranks #103 in Switzerland and #124 in England and Wales.

Elodie – Blending together the sounds and style of Esme and Emily, Elodie is a sweet French name which ranks at #128 in Switzerland and #166 in England and Wales.

Margaux – Another charming French name is stately and queenly Margaux. This spelling, at #155, is the most common currently in Switzerland. Margot is more favoured in Britain, but this is poses pronunciation problems in German where the 't' is enunciated. Margaux forgoes those problems. 

Wildcards:

Maeva – While a rarity in Britain, at #215 in Switzerland, it isn't a totally unusual choice where you live. Popular in France, Maeva is a Tahitian name which means "welcome." 

Eleni – A sweet Greek name which comes from the same route as Helen. It is #272 in Switzerland, and easily pronounced in both English and German. 

 

I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!

 

Name Help: A Traditional British-Danish-Portuguese Girl Name

Raquel and Nick are expecting their first child -- a girl! -- but agreeing on names has become a sticking point.

 

We like traditional names that stood the test of time. A strong, but feminine name would be ideal. We would not want anything too quirky or with a complicated spelling as we think it would be too much combined with our surname, and ideally a name outside the top 50. My husband has a popular name for his age and he didn't like having lots of other Nicks in his class.

My most favourite name is Annabel, but my husband is reluctant as a good friend named their daughter Annabelle last year. His favourite name is Harriet, which I love, but I’m slightly concerned is a bit too English.

Other names we like:

Matilda – We really like the name, but don’t like Tilda/Tilly as nicknames
Flora – sounds lovely, but it just doesn’t feel like the right name
Abigail – again, lovely, but not quite right…" 

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A name that works in English, Danish and Portuguese and is traditional but not too popular is quite a challenge! I can see why you have been struggling. Lucily, there are a handful of names that do match the criteria. And, if we bend the criteria slightly, plenty of alternative options. 

Just a quick word on popularity: the most common names today are nothing like what they were 30+ years ago. The number one name in 2016 -- Olivia -- only represented 0.72% of all babies born that year, while ten years before, the top name -- Sophie -- was more like 1.1%. And it was much higher the decade before. 

I've been teaching for ten years and have only ever taught three Olivias, even though it has been in the top 5 since 2005. The same can be said for other top fivers such as Sophie, Emily, Grace and Amelia. 

That said, there are duplicate names in every class I teach, but it is always totally random and different each year. This year, my class had two girls named Esme, even though it was only #74 in the year they were born, and there were only two girls in the class with a top ten name. So don't be too afraid of a name in the higher ranks -- these days it is no guarantee that there'll be others in the class with the same name. 

 

Your Favourites:

Matilda - This seems like a great choice for you. Nicknames these days aren't prerequisite so you can just call her simply Matilda with no nickname. I have taught several boys called Thomas who are only ever "Thomas" while others only answer to "Tom."
If you really like the idea of a nickname, but not Tilda/Tilly, how about Milly? It is less obvious but still works. There is also Matty, Maddy, Tally or Milla. 

Anna - If Annabel is off the cards, how about sleek and chic, streamlined Anna with its simple elegance? It's only #73 in England and Wales but has a timeless quality as well. 

 

Royalty:

Royal names are a fantastic source for not only traditional names, but also pan-European names. Thanks to the trend of most royal families up until the 20th century only marrying other royals, most of Europe's monarchies have been intermarrying for centuries. Princesses frequently left their native country to become queen in a foreign land -- and their name travelled with them!

Alice –  Sweet and strong Alice has namesakes from princesses to poets. Once a strong medieval favourite, Alice has spread across the world making it a perfect traditional pan-European choice. In fact, it is not only the English form of the Old Germanic name Adalheidis, it is also the Portuguese form! Alice has also been used in Denmark since the 19th century so it is a traditional choice in all three languages. Currently, Alice ranks #17 in England and Wales and is very popular in Brazil. It isn't in Denmark's top 50 but it is on the rise (52 births in 2017 putting it around the #100 mark) and is #1 in neighbouring Sweden. 

Adele – Less common, but also from Adalheidis, and a sister-name to Alice, is chic Adele. Various forms of the name have been borne by European royalty including Adela, Adelaide and Adeliza. At #550, Adele is a sweet spot name of being easy to spell and pronounce but not being too common. Similarly, Adelaide is at #594 and Adela at #1172. 
Adele has been in use in Denmark since at least the 13th century. Today it is much rarer, but it is gaining ground in other Scandinavian countries. 
In Portugal, Adelaide was quite common in the early 20th century. Adele made the list of approved names in 2017 and Portuguese blogger Filipa points out that, though Adele is not a typical Portuguese name, the spelling and pronunciation aren't a barrier in Portuguese. 

Alexandra – A pan-European name which has its roots in ancient Greece. Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925) was Queen consort of the United Kingdom as the wife of Edward VII so the name is also royally refined. At #113 in England and Wales it is well known but not too common. It also ranks in the top 100 in Portugual, so it works in Portuguese as well. 

Marina – Another pan-European to join the British royal family is Marina. This Latin name meaning "of the sea" and epithet of the goddess Venus, had early medieval usage. One of the first bearers was Portuguese!: the 2nd century martyr Saint Mariña of Aguas Santas. It has also been used in Denmark since the 15th century. 
Jane Austen used the name for one of her early characters, but the name really kicked off in Britain when Princess Marina of Greece married Prince George, Duke of Kent in 1934. Marina ranks #40 in Brazil but is less common in Britain. It only ranks at #727, but is familiar and easy to spell and pronounce. It is also registered for a handful of girls each year in Denmark.  

Helena – Helena is both a name of British and Danish royalty (Princess Helena can refer to both a daughter of Queen Victoria and a 12th century Danish princess). Helena is also the Danish and Portuguese form of Helen. It currently ranks at #3 in Brazil and, although it is now outside the Danish top 100, it was a top 50 favourite back in the 90s. 

Victoria - Queenly Victoria was once the name of the Roman goddess of Victory. It currently ranks at the modest #91 in England and Wales which makes it perfect as a traditional but not too popular name. It is also popular in Denmark where it ranks #18. In does not rank in the Brazilian top 100, though, the Portuguese form Vitória is at #55. In Portugal, however, not only is Vitória at #33, but Victória is at #45, showing that Victoria works perfectly well in Portuguese. 

Beatrice –  Another stately sweet name with plenty of rich history and royal links. It ranks at #80 in England and Wales. It isn't common in Denmark or Brazil, but it isn't unused either. A modest number of girls are given the name each year in Denmark and it is on the approved list of names in Portugal. Portuguese blogger Filipa also suggested Beatrice as a good dual English-Portuguese name option. 

Leonor / Leonora – Leonor is the Portuguese form of Eleanor which has been used by royalty since the 12th century when Eleanor of Aquitaine's daughter (also called Eleanor) became Queen Leonor of Castile in 1170. Currently ranking at #3 in Portugal, several Portuguese princesses answered to the name. One of the Portuguese Princess Leonors even became queen consort of Denmark! Leonor also doubles as a short-form of the Danish version: Eleonora. Even more common in Denmark today is variant Leonora which ranks just below the top 50. 

Others:

Hannah –  Part Annabel, part Harriet, sweet Hannah is a sturdy and gentle Biblical choice which means it is famous around the world. It ranks at #57 in England and Wales and #41 in Denmark. Though it isn't popular in Brazil, it is one of the approved names in Portugal.

Esther – Like Hannah, Esther is a strong and feminine Biblical name with a fascinating ancient heritage. It is also a British Georgian favourite alongside Harriet, Matilda and Abigail. Esther is #30 in Denmark, #33 in Brazil and a modest #146 in England and Wales so it definitely ticks all the boxes. 

Rosa – The Latin (and Portuguese) word for the rose which has centuries of usage. Long before it was adopted as a given name in honour of the flower, it was used as the Latinised form of the Norman name Roheis which itself derives from the Old Germanic name Hrodohaidis [hrod "fame" and heit "sort, kind, type."].
Rosa was #37 in Denmark in 2017 and sits at a comfortable not too hot, not too cold spot of #189 in England and Wales. Rosa currently doesn't rank in the Brazilian top 100 -- its heydey was from the 1920s to the 1950s -- but it is very traditional. An added bonus is that Rosa isn't super popular in Britain but it is easily spelled and pronounced. 

Clara – Another name with Georgian style to match your favourites is Roman Clara which was used across Europe in the Middle Ages. It is traditional in Portuguese and Danish as well as English, ranking currently #13 in Denmark, #53 in Brazil and #88 in England and Wales. 

Bella – For a simple, easy to spell yet classic name, Bella ticks many boxes. It is #66 in England and Wales, and, though it isn't in the top 100 in Brazil or Denmark, its use in Denmark is rising, and is familiar in Brazil with its many -bel names. Brazilian stars Débora Nascimento and José Loreto recently named their daughter Bella.  

Stella – Easy to pronounced and spell but, at #343 in England and Wales, not too common, Stella is a Latin heritage name meaning "star." It is in moderate use in Denmark currently (though is top 20 in neighbouring Sweden). Though the spelling Stela is more standard, famous Brazilians such as Letícia Spiller and footballer Ganso have daughters named Stella. 

Martha – Sweet, sturdy and stylish. Martha has Biblical heritage, use by Scandinavian royalty, and also was a Georgian favourite that fits Harriet, Matilda and Abigail. Legend even has her as a dragon slayer. Gentle Martha is #77 in England and Wales and is in moderate (yet rising) use in Denmark. The Portuguese form is Marta, which you could use as a used-by-our-Brazilian-family-form, but Martha is on the approved list for Portugal. 

Evelyn – A medieval heritage name with a ladylike style. It ranks at #27 in England and Wales and is moderately used and rising in Denmark. In Portuguese, the y is not common but Evelyn did make the list of approved names in Portugal in 2016.  

Aurora – The Roman goddess of the Dawn, a Disney princess and European favourite. Aurora is at #105 in England and Wales and rising and #89 in Brazil. It has been used in Denmark since the 19th century in modest numbers. 

Petra – Petra is a stylish Latin name that (like Lydia) derives from an ancient city. It also serves as a feminine form of Peter meaning "stone, rock" -- most likely originally used as an allegorical nickname. At #1013, it isn't common in England and Wales but (like similar ranking names such as Miranda, Rosalind and Adela) it is perfectly familiar, easy to spell and pronounce. In contrast, Petra is in the top 100 in Portugal and rising in use in Denmark where as it has been used since the early 19th century. 

 

I hope this has been useful. Best wishes for finding the perfect name!

 

Name Help: A Sister for Anna and Margot

Jane is expecting her third daughter, who will join big sisters Anna and Margot.

Jane writes: "We are happily expecting our third girl, a sister to Anna Clare and Margot Joy. 

Anna was easy to name, it's been my favourite name forever and is in our family too. Clare was my husband's first choice so he got the middle! Margot Joy is named for both maternal grandmothers and we love it. We're a bit stuck for this baby though. 

 

I'm American, my husband is British and we live in France (though may move to Germany in the future). The names need to work in all those countries, and ideally I'd like another 2 syllable name (not starting with A or M) that "fits" with Anna and Margot. We consciously chose nickname proof names previously and are keen to avoid any shortening if possible.

 

We think Nina will be the middle name after my sister. My husband likes Elise, Alice and Charlotte. I like Sylvie and Lucie (and Noelle - she'll be a December baby). We both like Julia, but are not convinced it "fits" with the others and really hate Jules as a nickname. 

 

Names we've eliminated for being common amongst our peer group (or we have close friends/family with babies already with these names):

 

- Sophie

- Emily

- Ella

 

Popularity is important, in that we'd prefer something not top 10 but easily recognisable (and spellable - an annoyance with Margot is spelling it in the UK which I didn't appreciate would be such a problem). Obviously when naming our girls we didn't appreciate that both names were much more popular in France (they were born in England and we didn't know we were moving then). That said if the perfect name was a top ten name we wouldn't dismiss it for that reason alone. 

 

We've also eliminated some lovely French names that just feel too French, i.e. that our English relatives and friends would struggle with e.g. Noémie. My husband feels anything requiring an accent (é being most usual) is asking for trouble if we go back!

 

I'd describe our naming style as classic,  but we're open to a classic name with a twist e.g. a derivation of Elizabeth, for example. I like the idea of having a sibset that feels like it fits but isn't too match-y with either Anna or Margot. 

 

The ideal name would be timeless/classic, internationally recognised, easily spellable, 2 syllables, no obvious nicknames/not easily shortened, won't embarrass her in 20 years time and isn't "trendy". We'd both prefer a name that didn't immediately suggest her generation - I do worry a little about that with Margot." 

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Anna and Margot are such wonderful names, I can understand the pressure you may feel to repeat the magic a third time round. You have some beautiful names on your list already -- I would absolutely have suggested Alice, Charlotte and Sylvie if they weren't on the table already -- but here are some other suggestions which might work. 

 

Lena / Lina –  This pan-European favourite, which is used from Greece to Scandinavia, is a shortened form of classic names such as Helena and Magdelena. It's two syllables, chic and nickname proof. On the down-side, it is fairly common in France (Lina was #8 in 2016 and Léna was #12 - Lena without the accent was #85) and Germany (Lina was #7 and Lena was #12 in 2017) but that puts it around the same rank as Anna in both countries. 

Lana / Lara / Luna –  In a similar vein to Lena are these stylish two syllable L names which have centuries of use and are fashionable across Europe. All are currently in use in both France and Germany, and all rank below the respective top 20s. Luna and Lara have links to ancient Rome, while Lana and Lara both have classic Slavic roots.  

Ines – Inés is the Spanish form of the ancient Greek name Agnes which has been a traditional staple since the Middle Ages. Inés became Ines (without the accent) in Italy and Slavic countries and Inès in France. In 2016, Inès  ranked #14 and Ines #61 in France. It ranks at #482 in Germany, which puts it between Anna and Margot in terms of usage in Germany. 

Esther – A homely Georgian and Victorian favourite, borne by a Biblical queen and with a fascinating history. Ranking #270 and #340 in 2016 in France and Germany respectively, it is a familiar but not overused pan-European choice. In England and Wales, Esther ranks #146. 

Clara – A Roman name which is both lady-like and feisty. At #30 in France and #17 in German, Clara is stylish without being super-popular. It's also in the lower half of the top 100 in both Britain and America. 

Maya – A mystical and ancient Sanskrit name which is used across Europe, including in France, Germany and Britain. 

Zoe – An ancient Greek name borne by saints and empresses which is a perennial favourite across Europe, including Britain. In France, Zoé is #17 and Zoe is #264 while in Germany, Zoe ranks at #52. 

Livia – This Roman name, borne by empresses, ranks between #100-#150 in both France and Germany and makes a great alternative to super-popular Olivia. 

Leonie – The French and German form of the Roman name Leonia which is perfectly familiar in Britain (where we pronounce it lee-OH-nee). Leonie is #12 in Germany, and Léonie (with the accent) is #34 in France; without the accent it is #318. 

Thea – The short form of ancient Greek names Dorothea and Theodora (once again, borne by several empresses) which stands proudly on its own. It is already #49 in England and Wales and #92 in Germany. Théa is #48 in France but Thea is #347 so -- as with Leonie -- the accent isn't essential and would be more flexible without. 

Victoria –  A queenly name which was once the name of the Roman goddess of Victory. At #43 and #45 in Germany and France respectively, it is a perfectly classic choice that is internationally recognised. 

Elina – This stylish Scandinavian form of classic Helen has found success across Europe. It ranks at #82 in Germany and #114 in France so its easily accessible in both countries as well as in Britain.

Cora – An ancient goddess name which has a classic Georgian heritage thanks to the heroine Cora Munro in The Last of the Mohicans (1826). It has a sassy-retro vibe which fits well with Anna and Margot, and is 2-syllable and nickname proof. Cora does not rank in the top 200 of France or Germany, but the likes of Nora, Enora and Flora do, so Cora will fit in easily. 

Willa – A stylish two-syllable name with a modern sound but with roots which are regally ancient: Willa of Provence was an early medieval Frankish queen and Willa of Tuscany (d. 970), was queen consort of Berengar II of Italy. It is rare as a given name currently, but it has a rising profile across Europe. Both France and Germany have plenty of Wil- names, so Willa would not seem out of place. 

 

If you are looking for a timeless name that ages well, is two syllables and nickname proof, floral names are a great option:

Ivy – A Victorian favourite with a sweet, sassy style and currently at #33 in England and Wales. It ranks in the top 500 in Germany so it isn't unheard of there. 

Iris – Ranking in the top 100 in both England and France, Iris is a floral name that was once the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow. 

Florence – The French and English form of a floral Roman name and beautiful Italian city.

Flora – Flora is the stately ancient goddess of flowers and a bonny Victorian gem. It ranks at #225 in Germany and #241 in France so is recognisable in both countries. 

Lily – Lily began life in both medieval England and Germany as a pet-form of Elizabeth and later became associated with the lily flower. Lily ranks #59 in France while Lilly (with two Ls) is #20 in Germany. Both Lily and Lilly rank in the top 100 in England. 

Rose / Rosa – Rose has been used in France and Britain since the Middle Ages. Long before it was adopted as a given name in honour of the flower, however, it was used as the vernacular form of the Norman name Roheis which itself derives from the Old Germanic name Hrodohaidis [hrod "fame" and heit "sort, kind, type."] Rose was the everyday form and Rosa was the latinised version used in records. 
Rose ranks at #13 in France and Rosa is #487. In Germany, Rosa is #168. 

 

I hope this has been helpful. Best of luck choosing the perfect name. 

 

Name Help: First Son When Favourites Are Bagged

 

Victoria is expecting her first child soon -- a boy!

Victoria writes: "A lot of our friends have had boys in recent years and we feel that all of the good names have been taken! They're pretty close friends so it would be weird to name our child the same as they will be hanging out a lot.

There are also quite a few other names that are friend/family/pet names which we can't use.

 

These are the names we like but can't use:

Oscar

Henry

Max

Isaac

Jack and Otis (our dog and cat)

James

Benjamin

Samuel

Owen

Jonathan

Luke/Lucas

Louis

 

This is our current list:

Charlie (our favourite at the moment but I do know three people with Charlies)

Harry

Dylan

Jacob/Jake

Frederick/Freddie

Robin

 

While we like these names, I worry that they're all quite popular, and maybe a little run of the mill, and I'm wondering if we're missing something.

 

My favourite name is Arthur, but the husband really doesn't like it and I can't get him to change his mind.

 

Our surname begins with an F and is two syllables. The middle name will be William or Edward, which are family names.

 

We're avoiding names beginning with T because my nickname and my husband's name both begin with T. As you can tell from our list, we like old fashioned names, but nothing too 'Grandad'.

 

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I can see your tastes run to comfortably familiar. Nothing too trendy or too outlandish. Sadly, these names are often the most popular, and therefore the most likely to already be 'bagged'. That said, there are plenty of alternatives to your list which may feel a tad fresher:

 

Evan – Another stylish and boyish Welsh choice akin to Dylan which is familiar but -- at #121 -- its not too common. 

Archie – Along the lines of Charlie, Archie is a friendly modern-vintage choice. 

Zachary – Another name sharing the sounds and sweet affable charm of Charlie, but is at a comfortable #39 to Charlie's #7. 

Matthew – Classic, timeless and versatile. Matthew is well known but, at #53, has the advantage of not being overused. 

Alexander – Another perennial classic that is versatile -- with nicknames from Alex to Xander -- but doesn't feel too overused. 

Jude – A sleek and cool Biblical choice which has an effortless style. 

Blake – As Jake is on your list, stylish surname-firstname Blake, with its literary heritage and cool sound, seems like a perfect alternative.

Rowan – A Celtic name and tree name combined, all in a stylish modern package. 

Roman – Similar in sound to Rowan, Roman is a stately name which hearkens back to Ancient Rome. 

Dominic – A classic name which has never been overused. It currently ranks at #115. 

Leon – A stylish and modern-sounding Ancient Greek name meaning "lion" which isn't too common at #92. 

Lewis – The English form of the French Louis which has an easy sound and historic pedigree. 

Rory – Friendly Celtic Rory has plenty of Gaelic charm. It perfectly fits the ideal of being familiar but not too popular.

Caleb – Part Jacob-Part Dylan, Caleb is one of the Old Testament which have had a recent revival (much like Noah, Elijah and Isaac). 

Ellis – Speaking of Elijah, the English form of the name, used back in the Middle Ages, is the rather-modern-sounding Ellis, now ranking at #89. 

Finn – An ancient Irish hero (probably once a Celtic god) whose name has a modern, boyish charm. I like the alliteration with your surname which has long been employed by Hollywood for both actors and characters (Robert Redford, Jesse James, Ryan Reynolds, Lois Lane, Marty McFly etc).

Flynn – Another heroic Irish name which Hollywood has turned into the dashing and lovable rogue. At #168 it makes for a more individual choice that isn't too far-fetched.  

Chester – With a sound between Charlie and Arthur with the vintage charm of Robin, Chester is a rising name which has yet to crack the top 100.  

 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Brother for Beatrice

 

Leigh and James are awaiting the arrival of a son: a brother to join their daughter Beatrice.

Leigh writes: "We have gone through so many names and the main problem is that we never seem to agree on one.

For around 4 months we were completely set on Edward, but we have now decided against this due to it being to much of a royal theme when paired with Beatrice. However we do feel Edward is a lovely name.

We really like Benedict but we just know he will end up Ben, which we don't want.

I really like Jonas but my husband feels its to feminine.

We liked Albert /Alfred but didn't like the idea of them being shortened to Al.

Our ideal name would be:

- hard to shorten

- more then one syllable

- be historical/biblical/meaningful 

- strong and old fashioned

- go well with and compliment the name Beatrice 

 

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I can see your predicament. You love classic, timeless and old-fashioned names, but many that fit this bill have already been bagged by royalty (it's part of the reason these names have become classics). Fortunately, there are plenty of names that are historic without being too royal:

 

Edmund – Between Anglo-Saxon staples Edward and Alfred is Edmund. It's still historic, vintage and classic without being too popular -- it's #691 to Edward's #23 rank. Edmund has been used by Saxon kings and was used for a few medieval royal princes, but it's royal credentials are much less prevalent than with Edmund. 
Edwin (at #493) is another Anglo-Saxon gem to consider. 

Felix – With the wonderfully upbeat meaning of happy, lucky, blessed," Felix is a quirky retro vintage choice which hearkens back to Ancient Rome and even features in the New Testament. It ticks all the boxes: hard to shorten, more then one syllable, historical/biblical/meaningful, strong and old fashioned and compliments the name Beatrice.

Theodore – Sharing Benedict's Late Roman saintly heritage, Theodore is a gentlemanly name which exudes strength and style.  

Rufus – Quirky and retro, Rufus (just like Beatrice) is a name that hails back to ancient Rome with both a medieval and Victorian twist. King William II was known as William Rufus thanks to his red hair, but this link to royalty is a subtle one.

Jasper – A stylish vintage name with Biblical heritage. An anglicised form of Casper, the traditional name given to one of the three wise men of the Nativity, Jasper most likely derives from the Persian khazāndār meaning "treasurer".

Rupert – Like Edmund and Rufus, Rupert has a dash of royalty but it isn't overpowering. Rupert is a vintage form of classic Robert. Actors such as Rupert Penry-Jones and Rupert Friend give the name a refined quality.

Gabriel – A solid Biblical name meaning "strong man of God" which has been in use since the Middle Ages in Britain. 

Ralph – Friendly Ralph has Viking heritage and links to the mighty and majestic wolf. It's use in Britain is truly ancient and only fell out of the top 100 after 1944 giving it a perfectly retro vibe. 

Joel – A Biblical cousin to Jonas with a rugged and boyish charm. 

Milo – Both a Latinised Greek and Old Germanic name which has been in use in this country since the Normans brought it over. Milo was used as the Latinised form -- but most would have answered to Miles. Milo however, ticks the box of being more than one syllable and hard to shorten. 

Hugo – Much like Miles was Latinised as Milo, medieval Hugh was Latinised as Hugo. It has a cute vintage-retro vibe which compliments Beatrice well. 

Ezra – Speaking of hard to shorten, Ezra is a stylish Biblical choice which ranked just below the top 100 for much of the 19th century. 

Leon – The Ancient Greek name meaning "lion" which was used interchangeably with Leo in Britain in the Middle Ages. It is hard to shorten, historical, strong and old fashioned so it ticks a lot of boxes. 

Reuben – A friendly and gentlemanly Biblical name which has Victorian credentials. It doesn't naturally shorten either which is a bonus.

Tristan – A truly ancient heroic Celtic name which dates back to at least the 4th century. It has a refined style while still retaining some of its warrior edge. 

Wilfred – If Alfred is out because of Al, how about the equally vintage/retro choice of Wilfred? It dates back to the Anglo-Saxons so it's origins are ancient and was also a favourite with the Victorians. 

David – David is a classic Biblical name that has never been out of the top 100. Despite this, it doesn't feel overused and a little David (like Michael and Robert) is actually quite refreshing. It wears very well (as I can attest from the few young Davids I have taught in my career as a teacher) and long gone are the days when Davids are automatically "Dave". In fact, all the young Davids I know are just David, and no-one ever thinks to shorten it. 

Elias – The sleek and stylish Greek and Latin form of Biblical Elijah which was widely used in the Middle Ages and was a top 100 favourite up to the mid-19th century. 

 

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.

 

Name Help: A Sibling for Alba

 

Fenella and her husband Mark are expecting their second child - a surprise! - who will be a brother or sister to their daughter Alba.

Fenella writes: "We like unusual names, preferably out of the top 100 although this is not essential. As we live on the Isle of Man, we like Manx and Celtic names, but we are not tied or dead set on this!

As our surname begins with an S we are not keen on names that end in S, also we would prefer our second baby to have a different initial to our first, which rules out A names!

 

We currently both like Torin for a boy. Others on our list are Ruan, Jude and Zachary (although I worry that the last two are quite popular). Our front runner for a boy last time was Rory but we have now discounted this. I also love Atlas but it is out due to our A and S rules! Other names we can’t use are Frank, Samuel, Finlo, Hugo.

 

Girls wise we like India, particularly Indie as a nickname. I also like Briar. Hubby really likes Breeshey which I don’t dislike either! Names we can’t have are Ava, Thea, Eden, Athena."

 

 

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This is such a treat for me! Celtic names are a passion of mine, so its such a thrill to look at the (often overlooked) Manx branch of the Celtic world. My first thought was the fabulous Finlo, so was disappointed to see that it can't be use. However, there are plenty more fabulous Celtic and non-Celtic names to be had.

 

Manx/Celtic:

Graihagh – My favourite Manx name, which is taken directly from the Manx word meaning "lovely, affectionate," and rhymes with popular/fashionable Freya ("GRAY-a). Like most Celtic names, the spelling can be an initial puzzle for people from non-Celtic lands, but there is no better place to use this gorgeous name than on Mann itself. It has been in use since the 1970s which was the decade when the Celtic revival saw many names coined directly from Celtic-language dictionaries. It is sometimes also spelled Graiagh. 

Kirree – Another Manx-revival name is sweet Kirree. It is often cited as the Manx version of Kitty -- and it is very possible that it began life as a Manx diminutive of Katherine -- but is also the vocabulary word for "sheep." It is found as the subject of two Manx folk songs: Ny Kirree Fo 'Niaghtey (The Sheep Under the Snow) and O Kirree T'ou Goll Dy Faagail Mee (Oh Kirree, Thou Wilt Leave Me). 

Bryher – As Briar is on your list, how about the Celtic version? It is pronounced the same way, but Bryher is a tiny and beautiful Celtic island (the smallest of the inhabited islands of the Isles of Scilly off the Cornish coast). Other Celtic place names used as first names that are also worth considering are Clova (a great Celtic alternative to botanical Clover), Vaila, Eriska, Iona and Merryn.

Celyn – A sparky Welsh name which means "holly." Like Alba it has both Celtic roots and a nod to the natural world. 

Orla – An accessible yet ancient and evocative Gaelic name. Borne by several medieval queens, it comes from the Old Irish ór "gold" and flaith "sovereign", and so is therefore translated as "Golden Princess." 

Breagha – In the same vein as Briar and Breeshey is the Scottish Breagha (BREE-a), derived from the Scots Gaelic brèagha "beautiful" which is getting a growing profile in the Celtic lands as a given name for girls. 

Zennor/ Zenna – Zennor is a village in Cornwall — famous for its legend of a mermaid —whose name derives from a Cornish saint, Saint Senara. Her name likely stems from the Proto-Celtic *seno “old, ancient” and *waro“hero” but it is also linked to the Breton name Azenor. Senara, Zennor and variant Zenna are all in use as given names.

Juan – Between Ruan and Jude is this fabulous Manx staple. Akin to the Welsh Ioan and Cornish Jowan, Juan (JOO-an) is the Manx form of John. I've met an adult Juan here in central England and it wears extremely well. Yes, some non-Manx might first assume it is the Spanish Juan (HWAN), but that's corrected in an instant, and I doubt you'd have trouble of the Isle of Man.

Lonan – The name of several Irish saints which derives from the Gaelic lon "blackbird". St Lonan, nephew of St Patrick, is the namesake of the parish of Lonan in Mann which makes it a firmly Manx choice. 

Cashin/Cashen – A traditional Manx name which survives as a surname. It derives from the Old Irish name Casain which derives from cas "curly-haired."

Callow – Another Manx surname which could derive from the Old Irish name Calbhach "bald" or it could, likely, be from Mac Allow (son of Allow). Allow is a Manx name used up until the 17th century which is of uncertain meaning but  could be from the Old Norse element alfr "elf".

Callister/Collister – Common Manx surname derived from the Gaelic MacAlister meaning "son of Alastair (Alexander)".

Lachlan – A cool Gaelic name  which derives from loch" lake, fjord" and lann "land" which was originally used to refer to Scandinavia, especially Norway. It was initially used as a nickname meaning a "Scandinavian" and was used from an early date on the Isle of Man, which has a very strong Viking heritage. 

Sorley – Another Gaelic-Norse name which also reflects Mann's Viking past. Sorley is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name Somhairle (Somerled in English) which itself is from the Old Norse name Sumarliði meaning “summer way-farer” i.e. a Viking. The 12th century warlord/Celtic hero, Somerled was ruler of the ancient Kingdom of Mann and the Isles, is a key figure of Manx history. 

Lorcan – An ancient Celtic name which feels modern. Borne by two early Irish kings, it derives from the Old Irish lorcc "fierce"

Macsen – The Welsh form of the Roman Maximus "greatest." Magnus Maximus, the 4th-century emperor in Britain, Gaul, and Spain survived in Welsh legend as the heroic figure Macsen Wledig. 

Fraser – A stylish Scottish clan name which is familiar but not overused. 

Quinn– An anglicised Celtic surname that derives from the Gaelic Ó Cuinn meaning "descendant of Conn". Conn itself means "chief" in Old Irish. 

Rafferty – With similar sound to Zachary, Rafferty is a surname-turned-firstname which derives from Gaelic surnames O'Raifeartaigh, composed of the Old Irish rath "prosperity, good fortune" and beartaigh "to wield," and O'Robhartaigh, from robharta meaning "flood tide."

 

Similar Style to Your Favourites:

Bryony – Between Briar and Breeshey for sound, Bryony (also spelled Briony) is a sweetly botanical name taken from the hedgerow plant. 

Reeva – With the same pleasing vowel-consonant sound balance that Alba has, Reeva is a anglicised form of the Hebrew name Riva > Rivka which is itself derived from Rebecca. 

Willa – That same vowel-consonant balance is also found in fashionable Willa -- a name which feels gentle and bold at the same time.  

Lyra – Like Alba, Lyra is an ancient name which has an astronomical meaning. Lyra harkens back to the Ancient Greek word for the lyre which was used as the name of the constellation of "the lyre"  making it both a musical and celestial choice. 

Cleo – Another ancient-modern name like Alba is bold yet sweet Cleo. Derived from the Greek kleos "glory," it was (originally spelled Kleio) the name of the Greek goddess-muse of history and also of lyre playing. The goddess's name is now spelled Clio which is also also used as a modern given name.

Primrose – A pretty flower which lends itself to the adorable nickname Posy. 

Torben – Akin to Torin, and, like Lachlan and Sorley (above) echoing the Isle of Man's rich Norse heritage, Torben is a modern form of the Old Norse name Thorbjorn "Thor" + "bear." Toby could be used as a nickname. 

Leander / Evander– Both names of ancient Greek heroes, Leander means "lion of a man" while Evander means "good man." Evander also has a Celtic-Norse connection as it was long used as an anglicised form of Iomhar, the Gaelic form of the Norse name Ivarr.

Bay – An effortlessly cool name which has double nature appeal, both as the name of a coastal body of water (quite apt for an island-born baby) and as the name of the laurel tree. 

 

 

 I hope this has been useful. Best wishes with the name choosing. Please keep us updated. 

 

 

 

Name Help: A Sibling for Arianna and Ophelia

  

 

 

Joanna and Sam are expecting their third child -- a surprise! -- to join big sisters Arianna and Ophelia.

Joanna writes: "We are expecting our third child, a brother or sister for our two daughters Arianna and Ophelia. We love their names but are struggling to find something that we both love and that holds the same allure!

For a girl ideally the name will have a similar type of feel as our other daughter’s. For a girl we would go a little more unusual but for a boy I think we would want that balance of familiar but not too common. For a either boy or girl a strong sounding name that grows with them, girls we tend to prefer softer sounding names. Ideally we want something that is fairly original but not too out there. Something that sits outside the top 100 but is familiar, we feel like we hit the nail on the head with our two girls especially Ophelia so now there’s more pressure to find another name that we both love and ticks all the boxes!

Names for girls:

Imogen - Loved for years, a good friends has named her daughter this.

Emmie - We love this but feel it should be a nickname for a more complete/longer name but can’t find anything we love!

Indy - Similar to Emmie, we’re not sold on India and worry it could sound strange next to our girls other choice

Hallie - Again similar to both Emmie and India and not sure it flows with our surname [ends with -el].

Freya - Strong contender but its very common, feel it could fit in well with our sibling set 

Thalia - Sam isn’t too keen and I think it sounds too similar to Ophelia 

Names for boys:

Noah - I love this name, but my husband Sam isn’t keen plus its very popular which puts me off

Arlo - We like it but is it a bit out there?

Jude, Spencer & Jasper: We haven’t discounted these but aren’t completely sure, especially Spencer….is it too pretentious?!

 

 

 

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Ah, such a shame Imogen is off the table! I feel your pain there. A perfectly complimentary name that has the same allure as Arianna and Ophelia. I can see the pitfalls of the rest of your list, however, but I'm sure there is something equally lovely we can find. 

For boys, your list feels pretty solid. Jude is relatively popular but not overused (#53 in South East and #61 in South West in 2016) and Jasper is a dapper-up-and-comer. It ranked #98 overall in England an Wales in 2016, but ranks highest in the South West and South East (#51 and #77 respectively).

As for Arlo, a few years ago it was still an uncommon hipster choice, until, thanks to a slew of celebrity babies, it skyrocketed in 2016 from #102 to #49 in England and Wales and ranks even higher at #32 in the SW and #44 in the SE. So far from outlandish, it's now perfectly mainstream. 

 

Girls:

Jemima – Jemima has a sweet and sunny, Victorian charm with the added advantage that it ranks between #150-#200 in the South (just like Ophelia and Arianna) and could be used as a longer form for Emmie. 

Clementine – Another way to get to Emmie is vintage Clementine or variant Clemency. Highest in the SE and SW at #258 and #317 (it was #412 overall in E&W in 2016) it's not too 

Lucinda – If Indy takes your fancy, but not India, how about using lovely lyrical Lucinda as a longer form? Like Arianna and Ophelia, it has its roots in 17th century literature and romance. 

Rosalind – Another way to get to Indy is romantic medieval Rosalind. Like Ophelia it is Shakespearean (Shakespeare also used Adriana, so it's close!). 

Rosalie – Speaking of Rosalind, another fragrant Rose- name is sweet Rosalie. It has the same soft strength as Arianna and Ophelia without repeating sounds. 

Elodie – Like Rosalie, Elodie is a very complimentary name to Ophelia and Arianna while still having distinct sounds. It ranked #118 in the SW and #120 in the SE in 2016, making it known but not 

Eloise – Similar to Elodie is medieval French import Eloise, famously part of romantic duo Héloïse and Abelard. It ranks just below the top 100 nationally, though is slightly more popular at #80 in the South East.

Helena – A royal princess name which has and elegant charm. It was #199 in the SE and #339 in the SW making it familiar yet uncommon. I also don't think it's too much of a stretch in to use Hallie as a nickname.

Orla – If Freya is too common, but you love the sound and its ancient past, how about Orla? It's a beautiful royal medieval Irish name meaning "golden sovereign" (often translated as "golden princess" which ranks in the sweet spot of #107 in England and Wales. 

Maya – Also akin to Freya is ethereal Maya. It comes from several different sources:  "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." 

Beatrix – Beatrice is sweet, royal and gentle, while Breatrix has a more of a feisty kick. Either are lovely choices which aren't too common (Beatrice is #80 and Beatrix is #168 - or between #125-#130 in the South).

Primrose – A sweet and fragrant floral name which has a chic and elegant allure. The potential to use Posy as a nickname is doubly appealing. It ranked just below the #150 mark in both the South East and West in 2016 where it was most popular, but ranked #232 overall. 

Genevieve – Again, more popular in the South than anywhere else in the country (around the #300 mark) but still an uncommon gem. Genevieve is a Victorian sweetheart with a strong medieval heritage.

Felicity – A mellifluous virtue name meaning "happiness" which carries grace and style. At #97 it is a well known name but not too common. For a rarer choice, there is also alternate lovely virtue name Verity which is most common in the South at #233 (SW) and #244 (SE).

Penelope – Arianna is derived from the Greek mythological Ariadne, Ophelia was also coined from ancient Greek, so Greek paragon Penelope seems like a perfectly complimentary choice. It ranks at #63, making it not too hot, and not too cold. 

Evangeline – Literature made Evangeline a Victorian sensation, and -- though less common today -- it has't lost any of its appeal. 

Lydia – A Georgian favourite which can be genteel and feisty in equal measure. Like Arianna and Ophelia, it, too, has its roots in Ancient Greece. Ranking at #100, Lydia is in the happy-medium spot of being well known but not overused. 

 

Boys:

Roman – All the dignity of Jasper combined with the strong 'o' sound of Noah and Arlo. Ranking at #92 in 2016, it isn't unheard of but not super popular.

Rowan – Also similar in sound is friendly Rowan, a name with ties to nature and the ancient Celtic world. It ranks at #105 nationally, though is most popular at #62 in the South West.

Jonah / Jonas – A gentlemanly Biblical name which was a staple Georgian / Regency-era choice in Britain. Not only does it share similar sounds to Noah and Jasper, Jonah ranks at #157 and Jonas at #448.

Theodore – Respectably sitting at #42, saintly Theodore hits a dignified middle ground with the option of lively Theo or Teddy as a nickname.

Ellis – The stately surname style of Spencer and Arlo, combined with the Biblical heritage of Noah, Jasper and Jude. Ellis is the medieval vernacular form of  Biblical patriarch Elijah which ranks at #89. 

Gabriel – Like Jasper, Gabriel is a genial Georgian gentleman which -- at #69 in SE and #106 in SW -- is now stylish without being overused.

Zachary / Zack – A strong yet sweet Biblical name with an affable charm. It's short-form, Zack, is playful and sparky. 

Tobias – Tobias has a Biblical heritage, combining old-style homeliness with dignified polish. It also leads to playfu short-form Toby and sits at #85 and #99 in SW and SE/

Miles / Myles – Down-to-earth, affable and charming. Not at all flashy but completely enthralling and interesting. 

Maxwell – Spencer and Arlo's upscale surname style combined with the gentlemanly charm of Jasper. Maxwell is surname derived from a Scottish placename which makes a great longer form for sprightly Max. It sits at #91 in SE and #108 in SW. 

Fletcher – Another dignified surname linked to medieval archery. Fletcher is #233 nationally but most popular in the South West at #143. 

Wesley – A sweet modern staple which has a familiar sound but isn't overused. Wesley is an evergreen name that is friendly and down-to-earth.

Dominic – Like Wesley. Dominic is another evergreen name. Not too sharp or too sweet, for the last few years it has remained just below the top 100.

Hugo – The upbeat sounds of Arlo combined with the heritage of Jasper. Hugo is an early medieval royal name with heaps of charm and modern appeal, ranking respectably at #50. 

 

I hope this has been of use. Good luck with settling on the perfect name!

 

Name Help: British-French-Israeli Name

 

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.

We both like quite traditional names, but also don't want them to be boring or common!

 

We like the name Emma (and other names that are strong sounding, like Anna as well). I also like variations of Eleanor - Elena, Elana (Hebrew), Aliana as they have a melodic sound. France has a lot of pretty girls names, which we both like - such as Elodie.

 

For a boys middle name Ollie likes Alexander (his father's middle name) and I would quite like to include Edward somewhere (my grandfather's and uncle's name). We also like the name George (Ollie's middle name), and I also like Jack and Henry.

 

We like quite "English" names but have noticed that there has been a real surge in popularity in these recently and it feels like a lot of the names that have been on our list for a while are now everywhere! We haven't rejected any specifically, but it's making us think twice."

 

 

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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. 

 

 

 

Name Help: A Brother for Auden

 

Zara is expecting her second child -- a boy! -- brother for her son Auden.

Zara writes: " am really hoping you can help as I am at a loss. I have a 4 year old son called Auden (a name I adore... found through your website!). We are due to have a second son in May and I cannot think of a name that goes with Auden. A name that is unusual like Auden but also strong and doesn’t feel made up – I have toyed with the idea of Jude then realised I know 4 Jude’s already so this is perhaps too common for me. 

 Popularity does matter ideally I don’t want anything in the top 100 in UK or Australia"

Names already considered/crossed off: Llewyn, Lowen (don’t want him to get called Louie), Theon, Arlo.

 

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I love Auden! What I especially like about it is its sleek modern feel but with a heritage that goes back to both the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. I'll be honest, I was a little gutted to see Llewyn crossed off your list, as one of the names that has the same modern-ancient vibe for me is Lewin, the later form (now more common as a surname) of the Old English name Leofwine meaning "dear friend." However, there are plenty of other uncommon modern-sounding names with ancient heritages to choose from:

 

Levin – If you are worried Lewin will lead to Louie, how about Lewin's brother Levin, derived both from the Anglo-Saxon Leofwine "dear friend" and the Old Germanic cognate Leobwin. It's uncommon in the English-speaking world (except as a surname) but ranks in the top 20 in Switzerland. It can also be spelled Leven. 

Levett – In a similar vein, is Levett, a name that survives as a surname derived from the Old French leuet "wolf-cub" which was probably used as a nickname in the early Middle Ages. 

Jago – Blending Jude and Arlo, Jago is a traditional Cornish name used as a form of Jacob/James. It's origins, however, date right back to the early Middle Ages and beyond -- Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote about a legendary king of Britain named Jago -- and the Welsh form, Iago, has been in use since at least the 6th century, so it most likely represents an ancient Celtic name. 

Jowan / Bowen– In line with Lowen, Jowan is another sleek Cornish name, a form of ancient John. Bowen is a Welsh surname derived from ab Owen "son of Owen."

Evander/Leander/Lysander – These Ancient Greek heroes still have an effortlessly cool and modern sound. All combine the Greek andros "man" with positive elements: eu "good" (Evander), leon "lion" (Leander) and lysis "free, releasing i.e. emancipator" (Lysander).

Theron – A lesser known, but equally stylish ancient Greek name is Theron meaning "hunter" in Greek. 

Roscoe – Like Arlo, Roscoe is surname derived from topography. In this case, Roscoe derives from a Scandinavian name meaning "deer forest." 

Enver – A highly accessible Albanian name which is itself a form of the Arabic Anwar meaning "luminous, enlightened, radiant."

Blaine/Blane – Blane is an ancient Gaelic name derived from blaan "yellow" which survives as the name of a 6th-century Scottish saint. 

Tate – A modern form of the Anglo-Saxon name Tata, likely cognate with the Norse name Teitr meaning "happy, glad, merry." 

Soren – An anglicised form of the traditional Danish and Norwegian Søren and Swedish Sören -- both derived from the ancient Roman name Severinus.

Zephyr – In Greek mythology, Zephyros was the god of the west wind. Zephyr is the sleek and cool English form. 

Reeve– In the Middle Ages, a reeve was an official, estate manager or a king's officer, and even has a literary twist thanks to Chaucer's The Reeve's Tale from The Canterbury Tales. 

Brooks – This suave and sophisticated surname-first name is rare in Britain, but is marginally better known in the US  where it is a rising trendsetter (having risen smoothly from #596 to #231 in ten years) Namesakes include silent film actor Brooks Benedict (1896-1968) and baseball player Brooks Robinson (b.1937). 

Torben – Torben is a modern form of the Old Norse name Thorbjorn (Þòrbjörn), composed from Thor "thunder," the ultimate Viking god, and bjorn "bear."

Thurstan/Torsten – From the Old Norse name Þórstæinn meaning "Thor's stone". Torsten is the more modern Scandinavian form, while Thurstan is the Old English variant which survived in use in Britain through the Middle Ages into the 19th century. Though uncommon, it was once well used among the aristocracy in North England in the 15th century. 

Zane – An English surname descended from the Old English personal name Saewine, made up of the elements sǣ "sea" and wine "friend." 

Leif – An ancient Viking name meaning "heir, descendant" which was made famous by 11th century explorer Leif Eriksson. Leif is also found as an English surname deriving from Leofa "beloved."

Saxon – The name of the ancient tribe which derived their name from their weapon of choice: seax "knife, short sword, dagger." In the same way, Franklin derives from the Franks, who got their name from *frankon "javelin, lance." The name survives as a surname.

Foxon – This cool surname looks like uber-cool Fox, but actually derives from medieval name Folk, itself derived from the Old Germanic name Fulco meaning "of the people."

 

I hope this has been of use. Best wishes for finding the perfect name.