No names have been made up to get numbers for this book. Every name comes from one of two sources:
1. People who knew the meaning and origin of their names. For years, I had a name business selling paper plaques of a babys name and its meaning. Many people approached our stall to see if their name was in our computer. If they knew the language and meaning of their names, we added them to our list. In recent years, I have also taken pains to ask anyone with an unusual name what it means and where it comes from. The accuracy of information collected this way is certainly questionable, but these previously unpublished names have been included for completeness, and any further information is welcomed.
2. Previously published lists. We have scoured dozens of lists of names dating back as far as the 1600s for names not found in other modern sources.
A name appears in bold at the beginning of an entry. Where several names occur in an entry, the language are not repeated unless different to the previous alphabetical name. After a name (mf) or (fm) indicates a unisex name. Naturally, this may vary from area to area and time to time. (See Robin, Beverley etc.) When years are given, B.C. has been written b.c. to reflect modern usage and save space.
When an age or period is given for older names the following approximate guide has been used:
In the panels, if a name is mentioned and it has an entry elsewhere in the book then its FIRST occurrence in the panel will be bold.
Part One: Girls Names
A
Aaren (mf) Hebrew Elevated, stately (from boy name, Aaron)
AaseNorse Mountain covered with trees
AbaAfrikaans Born on Thursday
Abagael,Abagail,Abagale,Abagil,Abaigael,AbaigealHebrew Her father rejoices, see Abigail
AbarraneHebrew Mother of many nations
Abbegail,Abbegale,Abbegayle,AbbeyHebrew Her father rejoices, see Abigail
Abbia,AbbiahArabic Tremendous, great
Abbie,Abbigale,Abbigayle,Abby,Abbygail,Abbygale,AbbygayleHebrew Her father rejoices, see Abigail
Abbylene (fm) American Born in Abilene, Texas, USA
AbderaGreek Is beautiful
Abebe,AbebiHausa Requested
AbedabunChippewa Indian Daylight vision
Abegail,Abegale,AbegayleHebrew Her father rejoices, see Abigail
Abellona,DanishAbelloneGreek Feminine
Abequa,AbequeNative American Remains at home
AberfaWelsh The river mouth
AberthaWelsh An offering or sacrifice
Abgail,Abgale,AbgayleHebrew Her father rejoices, see Abigail
AbhiratiIndian Paradise. Mythology: A land where there is no evil or suffering
Abhy,HebrewAbiagealIrish Her father rejoices, see Abigail
AbiahArabic Tremendous, great
AbichailHebrew Her father rejoices, see Abigail
AbidahArabic Adores, reveres Abigael,Abigail,Abigal,Abigale,Abigayil,Abigayle,AbigelHebrew Her father rejoices, see Abigail
AbirArabic Pleasant perfume
AbiraHebrew Strong in the Lord
AbraHebrew Mother of many nations
Abreal,AbrealeFrench Well guarded but not enclosed
Abree,AbriItalian Mother of many nations
Abrial,AbrialeFrench Well guarded but not enclosed
Abriana,Abrianna,Abrielle,Abrienne,AbriettaItalian Mother of many nations
AbrilSpanish Spring, when buds open, see April
AbyaArabic Tremendous, great
AcaciaGreek Sincere, honest
AcademiaLatin Place of learning
AcanthaGreek Fine or thorny point
AccaSanskrit One who makes. Mythology: Reared Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome
AccaliaLatin From the ancient town of Acca, now Guardix south-west Spain
AcelineFrench Aristocratic, noble
AcenathEgyptian Girl child, daughter
AceyGreek Highly esteemed, honoured
AcheflowArthurian Legend White blossoms
AcidaliaLatin Love
AcieGreek Highly esteemed, honoured
AcnesLatin Spotless, pure, see Agnes
AdaHebrew Treasure, decoration
AdabelleTeutonic Cheerful beauty
AdahHebrew Pretty decoration
AdainWelsh Having wings
Adaira,AdairiaScottish Crossing near the oak tree
AdalaGerman Dignified aristocrat, see Adelaide
Adalbeorht,AdalbrechtaEnglish Shining noblewoman, see Alberta
AdaleeGerman Dignified aristocrat, see Adelaide
AdaleneFrench Amiable, pleasant
Adalheida,Adali,Adalia,Adalicia,GermanAdalie,FrenchAdalina,Adaline,TeutonicAdalizFrench Dignified aristocrat, see Adelaide
AdalwolfaGerman Aristocratic wolf
AdalyGerman Dignified aristocrat, see Adelaide
AdalynFrench Amiable, pleasant
AdaminaLatin Red, earth coloured
AdammaIgbo Beautiful child
AdanIrish Fervent, fiery
Adana,Adanna,AdanyaHausa Daughter of her father
Adar (mf) Hebrew Flame
AdaraArabic Chaste, young maiden
AdariaGreek Good-looking
AddaEnglish Prosperous
Addal,Addala,Addaly,