First-Time Parent and Gem Babies’ Names Bundle

Althea f.

From the Greek for ‘wholesome’, this was the Greek name for the marsh mallow plant, still used as a healing herb. It seems to have been introduced to England with various other classical names during the Stuart period, and appeared in the charming lyric by Richard Lovelace To Althea from Prison. The similar-sounding Alethea (Alethia, Aletia) comes from the Greek for ‘truth’.

Alun see Alan

Alured see Alfred

Alvin m.

From two Old English names, Alwine, ‘friend of all’ and Athelwine, ‘noble friend’. Aylwin, Alvan, Alvyn and Alvy are alternative forms. There is a rare feminine, Alvina. The similar-sounding Alvar means ‘elf army’.

Alys, Alyssa see Alice

Alyson, Alysson see Alison

Alyx see Alexandra, Alice

Amabel f.

From the Latin meaning ‘lovable’. It has been in use in England in various forms since the 12th century. The short form, MABEL, became established as an independent name at an early date.

Amalia see Amelia

Amanda f.

From the Latin for ‘deserving love’. It appears first in Restoration plays, where many classical or pseudo-classical names were introduced or fabricated. It has remained in use since then and is still popular. Mandy is a pet form also used as a name in its own right. Amandine is a French form of the name which has been popular in France in recent years. It was brought to the attention of English speakers when the actor John Malkovich chose it for his daughter.

Amaryllis f.

Originally from Greek, probably meaning ‘sparkling’, and used by Greek poets as a name for a country girl. It served the same purpose for Latin poets, and was introduced to Britain via English poetry in the 17th century.

Amber f.

The name of the gemstone, used as a first name. It was not used before the 20th century.

Ambrin f.

From the Arabic for ‘ambergris’, a substance renowned for its sweet odour. It can also be spelt Ambreen.

Ambrose m.

From the Greek for ‘divine’. There was a 4th-century St Ambrose who was Bishop of Milan. The name is found in the Domesday Book and has been used occasionally ever since. The Welsh name Emrys is derived from the Latin form of the name. There is a rare feminine form, Ambrosine.

Amelia f.

From an Old German name possibly meaning ‘work’, its form is perhaps influenced by Emilia (see EMILY). Amalia, Amalie, Amaline and Amalita are forms of the name. It can be shortened to Milly.

Amin m., Amina f.

From the Arabic for ‘honest’, ‘trustworthy’ or ‘reliable’. Amina, the feminine form, has always been much used by Muslim families, in honour of Amina bint-Wahab, mother of the Prophet Muhammad. It is sometimes spelt Aamena, Aaminah or Amena. Iman, ‘faith, belief’ comes from the same root. The model who uses this name has made it widely known, and it sometimes appears as Imani or Imana.

Aminta see Araminta

Amit m.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit for ‘without limit’. It is also a simplified pet form of names like Amitbikram (‘limitless prowess’) and Amitjyoti (‘limitless brightness’).

Amitabh m.

A name of the Buddha, from the Sanskrit meaning ‘limitless splendour’. The spelling Amitav is also used.

Amos m.

A Hebrew name, possibly meaning ‘he who carries a burden’. It was the name of an Old Testament prophet and was adopted by English Puritans after the Reformation, when saints’names fell out of favour. Popular until the 19th century, it is at present uncommon.

Amrit f. and m.

In the Vedic epics of the Hindus, this Sanskrit name refers to immortality or that which confers it, such as the ‘water of life, soma juice, nectar, [or] ambrosia’. Amrit can be used for both sexes, although the form Amrita can also be used for a girl.

Amy f.

From the French, meaning ‘beloved’. Sir Walter Scott’s novel Kenilworth, about Amy Robsart, the tragic wife of the Earl of Leicester, made the name fashionable in the 19th century, and it has been popular again in recent years. Aimée is the French original of this name, which can also be found in forms such as Aime(e), Ami(e) and Amye.

Amynta see Araminta

Anaïs f.

A French name which comes from the Greek word for ‘fruitful’. There has been a small increase in its use since it became the name of a perfume.

Anand m., Ananda f.

From the Sanskrit for ‘happiness’, ‘joy’ or ‘bliss’. It is the name of a god in the Veda, sacred book of the Hindus. Variants of the girl’s form include Anandamayi (‘full of joy’), Anandi and Anandini (‘joyful’).

Anastasia f.

From the Greek meaning ‘resurrection’. The name of a 4th-century saint and martyr, it became fashionable in England in the 13th century, though it was usually abbreviated to Anstey or Anstice, which mainly survive today as surnames. It has always been very popular in Russia, and a daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, called Anastasia, is said to have escaped from the massacre in which the rest of her family died in 1918. STACEY and Tansy started as pet forms of this name. Nastasia is a Russian pet form and the emerging name Tassia (Taja, Tasia) is probably a shortening of this.

Andrew m., Andrea f.

From the Greek for ‘manly’. Andrew is the name of the Apostle who is patron saint of Scotland, Russia and Greece, and first appears in England in the Domesday Book. It has been used in Britain continuously and has enjoyed particular favour in Scotland. The pet forms include Andy, Dandy (Scots) and DREW, which is also used as an independent name. The Italian form, Andrea, is actually a boy’s name in Italy, but is used as a girl’s name in this country. The French boy’s form, André, is likewise sometimes used for girls, although the more correct form Andrée is also used. Other female forms include Andrene, Andrena and Andreana, while Andra is both a traditional Scots form of the boy’s name and used for girls.

Aneka, Aneke, An(n)ika see Anne

Aneurin m.

This name is traditionally interpreted as the Welsh form of Latin Honorius, meaning ‘honourable’, and is one of the oldest names still in use in Britain. It also appears in the form Aneirin. Short forms are Nye and Neirin.

Angela f.

From the Latin angelus originally derived from the Greek word meaning ‘messenger’, hence our word ‘angel’. It is shortened to Angel and Angie. Other forms of the name include the French Angelique, and elaborations such as Angelica, Angelia, Angeline and Angelina, as well as spellings with a ‘j’ instead of a ‘g’. Masculine forms of the name died out at the Reformation, but the Italian boy’s name Angelo and the Spanish Angel are now found in the USA.

Angharad f.

A Welsh name meaning ‘much loved’. It is an important name in early Welsh literature, and has been in use since at least the 9th century. The stress is on the second syllable.

Angus m.

From the Gaelic Aonghas, meaning ‘one choice’. It appears in Irish legend in the form Aengus or Oengus, but is more common in Scotland. The name became associated with the classical myth of Aeneas (which is close to the Irish pronunciation) in the 15th century, and this form was also used.

Anil m., Anila f.

The name of the wind-god in the Hindu Vedic epics. It is derived from the Sanskrit meaning ‘air’ or ‘wind’. Anil is the driver of Indra’s golden chariot, which is pulled by a thousand horses. Anila, the feminine form, is used mainly by Hindu families.

Anish m., Anisha f.

A Sanskrit name, one of the thousand borne by the Hindu god Vishnu. Its meaning is possibly ‘without a master’.

Anita, Ann, Anna see Anne

Annabel f.

Together with Annabelle or Annabella, this is probably from the Latin amabilis meaning ‘lovable’, a variant of AMABEL. It is found in Scotland earlier than ANNE, so it is unlikely to be a form of that name, though it is now sometimes thought of as a compound of Anna and the Latin bella meaning ‘beautiful’. Diminutives include Bel, Belle and Bella.

Anne f.

From the Hebrew HANNAH, meaning ‘God has favoured me’. The French form Anne or Ann, traditionally the name of the mother of the Virgin Mary, was introduced into Britain in the 13th century and the name has enjoyed great popularity since. Anne is currently slightly more popular than Ann, but the form Anna is now much more popular than either. Pet forms include Nan, Nanette, Nana, NANCY and Annie, as well as the variants Anita, Annette and Anona (although this, with its pet form Nona, can be Welsh in origin). Ann(e) has often formed part of compounds such as Mary Ann(e) or Annalise. Anneke is the Dutch pet form, more often spelt Anneka in this country to reflect the Dutch pronunciation; Aneke, Aneka and An(n)ika are also found. Anya is from the Spanish pronunciation of the name and Anouk is a Russian form.

Annes, Annice, Annis see Agnes

Annette, Annie see Anne

An(n)ora see Honoria

Anona, Anouk see Anne

Anoop see Anup

Anstice see Anastasia

Anthea f.

From the Greek antheos, meaning ‘flowery’. This name seems to have been introduced by the pastoral poets of the 17th century and it has been in use ever since, although it was not until the 20th century that it became very widely known.

Ant(h)ony m., Antonia f.

A Roman family name. Its most famous member was Marcus Antonius, the Mark Antony of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. The name was very popular in the Middle Ages as a result of the influence of St Antony the Great and St Antony of Padua. The alternative and commoner spelling Anthony was introduced after the Renaissance, when it was incorrectly thought that the name was derived from the Greek anthos meaning ‘flower’, as in ANTHEA. The usual short form is Tony, which is also used for the female forms Antonia and the French Antoinette. Feminine short forms Toni and Tonya are also found, and Toinette, Net and Nettie are pet forms of Antoinette. Anton, a Continental form of the name, is now also used for boys. In the USA Antonio (shortened to Tonio) and Antoine (often in phonetic spellings such as Antwan or Antuan) are often used.

Anup m.

An Indian name, from the Sanskrit meaning ‘without comparison’. The spelling Anoop is also used.

Anusha f.

The name of a star in Hindu astrology.

Anya see Anne

Aoife see Eve

Aonghas see Angus

Aphra f.

From the Hebrew word for ‘dust’. It is best known from the novelist, playwright and spy Mrs Aphra Behn (1644–89), said to have been the first woman in England to earn her living as a writer. It is also spelt Afra.

Apple f.

This name recently came to public attention when it was chosen by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin for their baby girl. The name is by no means unique – they named her after Martin’s agent’s daughter, and the publicity the choice generated turned up quite a number of other bearers – but is certainly unusual. Almost any fruit can be found used occasionally as a first name, even raspberry, but the most likely ones are Peaches (as in the case of Bob Geldof’s daughter) and Berry (see also BERTRAM). There is a distinguished, female, Japanese novelist called Banana Yoshimoto.

April see Avril

Arabella f.

A possible variant of AMABEL, though it could be derived from the Latin for ‘obliging’. It used to be a predominantly Scottish name, particularly in the forms Arabel and Arabelle. It can be shortened to Bel, Belle and Bella.

Araminta f.

This name appears to have been invented by Sir John Vanbrugh (1644–1726) to use in one of his plays. It may have been influenced by Aminta or Amynta, an ancient Greek name meaning ‘protector’. They all share the short forms Minta and Minty.

Archibald m.

From Old German words meaning ‘truly bold’. The Old English form was used in East Anglia before the Norman Conquest. Thereafter, it was primarily Scottish and was associated particularly with the Douglas and Campbell families. The most usual diminutive is Archie, now sometimes given to a child rather than the full name.

Ardal m.

This is an Irish name of disputed meaning, either ‘high valour’ or coming from the word for ‘bear’.

Arianna f.

This is an ancient Greek name meaning ‘the very holy one’ which probably originally belonged to a goddess. In Greek mythology Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of Crete and helped Theseus to escape from the labyrinth. Arian(n)a is an Italian form of the name. Ariane, the French form, is also used.

Ariel f. and m.

The name Ariel has two different origins. The masculine form is a Hebrew name, traditionally said to mean ‘lion of God’, which is popular in Israel and sometimes used in the USA. As a girl’s name it has been popular in the USA ever since it was used as the heroine’s name in Disney’s Little Mermaid film and TV series. This name, which is also found in forms such as Arial and Arielle, presumably owes at least something to Ariel, the airy spirit in Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest.

Arjun m.

A Hindu name from the Sanskrit for ‘white’ or ‘bright’. It was the name of a famous Pandava prince, son of the god Indra.

Arlene f.

Arlene, Arleen or Arline is a modern name which probably comes from the final sounds of such names as CHARLENE or MARLENE.

Armand, Armin, Arminel, Arminelle see Herman

Arnold m.

From the Old German Arnwalt, meaning ‘eagle’s power’. It appeared in various forms, both Germanic and French, in the Middle Ages, but dropped out of use from the 17th century until the late 19th when it had a revival.

Aroon see Arun

Artemisia see Diana

Arthur m.

The origin of this name is disputed. Possible sources are the Celtic word for ‘bear’ and the Roman name Artorius. Whatever its source, its use comes entirely from the fame of its first known bearer, King Arthur. Victorian interest in things medieval made it popular in the 19th century when Queen Victoria gave the name to one of her sons. Over-use in the late 19th and first quarter of the 20th centuries led to a decline, but there are now distinct signs of a revival in popularity. Art or Arty is used as a short form, particularly in America.

Arun m., Aruna f.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit for ‘reddish brown’, a colour associated with the dawn. It became the name of the mythical personification of the dawn, charioteer of the sun. Aroon is an alternative spelling for boys, while for girls Arumina is also used.

Asa m.

From the Hebrew word meaning ‘physician’. In the Bible it is the name of a king of Judah, noted for his piety.

Asha f.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit for ‘hope, desire, aspiration’.

Ashanti f.

The name of this Ghanaian people has had a certain popularity among people of African origin wanting to honour their roots. It is often shortened to Shanti (Shante, Shaunti).

Asher m.

The name of one of the tribes of Israel. It means ‘happy’. Although it is an unusual name, there are signs that its use is on the increase, along with other names from the Bible. It is, of course, also a common surname meaning ‘ash tree’, and some uses may be from this.

Ashish m.

A relatively modern Indian name, probably derived from the Sanskrit for ‘prayer’ or ‘benediction’.

Ashley f. and m.

A place and surname meaning ‘ash field’ which has become very popular throughout the English-speaking world. The spelling Ashleigh is rather more common for girls, and the variant Ashlyn(n) is used as a girl’s name in the USA. The related surname Ashton, meaning ‘ash farm’, is also found as a first name for both sexes in the USA.

Ashling see Aisling

Ashraf m.

A popular Muslim name, from the Arabic for ‘more noble’ or ‘more honourable’.

Asia see Aisha

Aslam m.

A Muslim name, from the Arabic meaning ‘safer’ or ‘sounder’.

Asma f.

A popular Muslim name, from the Arabic for ‘more eminent’ or ‘more prestigious’. Asma was the daughter of the caliph Abu-Bakr. She courageously helped the Prophet and her father escape from Mecca when their lives were threatened.

Assisi f.

Assisi (sometimes Asisi), is, like Florence and Sienna, an Italian town famous for its Renaissance art. It was given publicity when chosen by Jade Jagger for her daughter.

Astrid f.

From the Old German words meaning ‘god’ and ‘beauty’. The name of the wife of St Olaf of Norway, it has long been popular in Scandinavia, and has been used in Britain in the 20th century.

Athene f.

This is the name of the Greek goddess of war, crafts and wisdom. In Britain, it has been used occasionally as a girl’s name, as has the Latin form of the name, Athena. The Roman equivalent, Minerva, is also found.

Athol f. and m.

Athol or Atholl is the Scottish place name, used as a first name. The place name means ‘New Ireland’.

Aubrey m. and f.

From the Old German meaning ‘elf ruler’. In medieval romance the diminutive Auberon was used and Shakespeare adopted it as Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The German form, Alberic, developed first into Albery and later into Aubrey. Aubrey is now to be found as a girl’s name in the USA.

Audrey f.

A shortened form of Etheldreda, Old English for ‘noble strength’ and one of the sources of ETHEL. St Etheldreda was a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess who founded at Ely a religious house which later developed into the cathedral that now stands on the site. She was a popular saint and many churches are still dedicated to her.

Augusta f., Augustus m.

From the Latin for ‘venerable’. Augustus was a title given to the first Roman Emperor and Augusta is its feminine form. Augustine, the name of two important saints, one of whom converted the English to Christianity, is another form of the name. It was so popular in the Middle Ages it developed the shorter forms Austin, Austyn and Austen, a name which has been popular in the USA for some years. Augustina is a feminine form of Augustine. Gus and Gussie are pet forms.

Aurelia f.

From the Latin aurelius meaning ‘golden’. It has been used since the 17th century, and recently a short form, Auriol, Auriel, Oriel or Oriole, has shown some popularity. The boy’s form is Aurelius.

Aurora see Dawn

Austen, Austin, Austyn see Augusta

Autumn f.

This season is fashionable in the USA, although Summer is preferred in the UK. Spring is also found.

Ava f.

This name is of obscure origin, but probably started life as a pet form of names beginning Av-. It was made famous by the film star Ava Gardner, and is more commonly found in the USA than Britain, and has recently been the choice of a number of American celebrities for their daughters.

Aveline see Evelyn

Averil f. and m.

Probably from the Old English eofor (‘boar’) and hild (‘battle’), which appears as Everild and Everilda in the 7th century. It was regularly in use until the 17th century, since when it has been less common. Averil is often confused with AVRIL which originally was an entirely different name.

Avery see Alfred

Avril f.

The French for April. The name has been popular in the 20th century, mainly for girls born in that month (see also AVERIL).

Ayesha, Ayisha see Aisha

Aylmer see Elmer

Aylwin see Alvin

Aysha, Ayshia see Aisha

Azim m., Azima(h) f.

This Arabic name means ‘determined’.

Aziz m.

This Arabic name means ‘friend’. Azeez is a common alternative spelling, and Aziza or Azeeza are feminine forms.

B

Bab, Babs see Barbara

Babette see Barbara, Elizabeth

Bailey f. and m.

This surname, which comes from the job of steward or bailiff of an estate, has recently been fashionable as a girl’s name in the USA.

Bairre see Barry

Bala f. and m.

An Indian name, from the Sanskrit for ‘young child’. The boy’s form can also appear as Balu and Balan.

Barbara f.

From the Greek barbaros, meaning ‘strange’ or ‘foreign’, and associated with St Barbara, a 3rd-century martyr. The name was little used after the Reformation, but in the 20th century it became popular again. Abbreviations include Bab, Babs, Barbie and sometimes Bobbi. The variant form Barbra was publicised by the singer Barbra Streisand. Babette is a French form of the name.

Barnabas m.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘son of exhortation or consolation’, it is best known as the name of the New Testament companion of St Paul. The diminutive, Barnaby, is rather fashionable at the moment, more so than the full form. Barney is a short form which is also shared with BERNARD.

Barney see Barnabas, Bernard

Barry m.

The English form of a variety of Celtic names, most prominently Bairre, a pet form of the Irish Finbarr (Finnbar, Fionnbharr) meaning ‘fair-haired’. Barry can also be spelt Barrie, the usual spelling in the name’s infrequent use for girls.

Bartholomew m.

From the Hebrew, meaning ‘son of Talmai’, Talmai meaning ‘full of furrows’. It was the surname of the Apostle NATHANIEL and was very popular in the Middle Ages when the cult of St Bartholomew was at its height. St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London was founded in the 12th century, and a riotous annual Bartholomew Fair held in the city to provide funds for it, was suppressed only in the 19th century. The name is still in use, and has short forms Bart, made famous by the cartoon character Bart Simpson, and Barty.

Basil m.

From the Greek basileios, meaning ‘kingly’. It was probably brought to England by the Crusaders, and it has remained in use ever since. Diminutives include Bas or Baz, Basie and Bazza, and there are two feminine forms, Basilia and Basilie. These were common in the Middle Ages, but are hardly ever found today.

Bastian, Bastien see Sebastian

Bathsheba f.

This name derives from Hebrew words which mean ‘daughter of opulence’. In the Old Testament Bathsheba was the beautiful wife of Uriah and was seduced by King David who arranged to have Uriah die during a battle. Bathsheba married David and became the mother of Solomon. The name was formerly used in Cornwall in the form Bersaba, and appears also in its pet form Sheba. Bathsheba Everdene is a central character in Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd.

Baz, Bazza see Basil

Beatrice f.

From the Latin Beatrix, meaning ‘bringer of happiness’. It has strong literary associations. Dante’s Beatrice is probably best known, but Shakespeare also used the name in Much Ado About Nothing. Recently, both forms of the name have shown signs of returning to popularity, no doubt helped by the publicity given to it as the name of one of the Duke and Duchess of York’s daughters. Short forms include Bea or Bee, Beata, Beatty, Triss and Trixie. There is also a Welsh variant, Bettrys, and a Spanish form Beatriz.

Becky see Rebecca

Bel see Annabel, Arabella, Belinda, Isabel

Belinda f.

From an Old German name, the latter part of which means ‘a snake’ (see LINDA). The first part of the name is obscure, but is commonly thought of as representing the French ‘fair’. Its popular use began in the 18th century when it was used in plays by Congreve and Vanbrugh, and in Pope’s poem The Rape of the Lock. Short forms include Bel and all forms of LINDA.

Bella, Belle see Annabel, Arabella, Isabel

Ben see Benjamin

Benedict m.

From the Latin benedictus, meaning ‘blessed’, and most familiar as the name of St Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order. It was common in medieval England in the forms Bennet and Benedick. The latter is the name of a character in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. There are feminine forms Benedicta and Benedetta, and a Spanish-American form Benita.

Benjamin m.

From the Hebrew, meaning ‘son of the south’ or ‘right hand’, which might imply strength and good fortune. The Old Testament story of Benjamin, son of Jacob, gave the name the added implications of a favoured youngest son. The commonest pet forms are Ben, Bennie, Benny, Benjie and Benjy. It is currently a very popular name.