UK Baby Names

Mirin

Irish and Scottish, meaning unknown

The 6th century Irish saint Mirin emigrated to Scotland and now is the patron saint of both the Glasgow suburb of Paisley and the game of football. Mirren is one modern spelling; the Cornish Merryn,…

Adair

Scottish and Irish, Brazilian

"oak tree ford; wealthy spearman; wealth and fame"

A unisex name with lots of flair and a daring spirit, Adair was first noticed as a girl's name in the 1980's, thanks to the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow , with the character Adair…

Aifric

Aifric is a traditional Irish feminine name with ancient Gaelic roots. The name means 'pleasant' or 'agreeable' and is derived from the elements 'aoibh' (beauty, pleasantness) and 'ric' (ruler). In…

Nessa

Scandinavian

"headlands, promontory"

Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.

Senga

Scottish

"slender"

This anagram of Agnes is not related to that name; rather it comes from the Gaelic word seang meaning "slender".

Aili

Finnish and Sami variation of Helga, diminutive of Aileen, Anglicization of Eilidh

"holy, blessed; bright and shining light"

An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.

Ailsa

Scottish from Norse

"elf victory"

Ailsa is a traditional Scottish name for girls related to a rocky island in the Firth of Clyde called Ailsa Craig. It might make an interesting alternative to the outdated Ashley or overly popular…

Alwyne

Alwyne is a feminine name of Old English origin, derived from the elements "alf" (elf) and "wine" (friend), thus meaning "elf friend" or "friend of elves." Initially a masculine name in medieval…

Amilia

Amilia is a feminine name that represents a variant spelling of Amelia, which derives from the Germanic word 'amal' meaning 'work' or 'industrious.' This alternate spelling maintains the melodic…

Annabel

Scottish variation of Amabel

"loving"

Annabel is a spirited name that embodies quirky British gentility. Appearing in Scotland as early as the twelfth century, where it was a royal name, it also recalls the romantic Edgar Allan Poe poem…

Artis

Celtic

"bear"

Unusual multicultural choice that may appeal to the artistically inclined. The bear meaning gives it a new trendy edge as an animal name.

Wilma

Diminutive of Wilhelmina

"resolute protection"

In the US, Wilma is appears to be eternally fossilized in Bedrock as Fred Flintstone's wife, but in Sweden it's a Top 10 hottie. It did have its moment in the US--from 1912 to 1940 it was a Top 100…

Brice

Scottish surname

"speckled, freckled"

Among the more masculine of the short unisex B names, Brice is less popular than Bryce for both sexes. There were 240 boys named Brice in the US in one recent year, versus only five girls -- and more…

Bryce

Scottish surname

"speckled, freckled"

Bryce is the preferred spelling over Brice for both genders, with nearly 70 girls named Bryce in one recent year vs. only five called Brice. But note that there were over 3000 boys named Bryce and…

Caitriona

Gaelic variation of Catherine

"pure"

Both Caitriona and Catriona are commonly heard in Scotland and Ireland. The name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, and is the source of nicknames Cait, Caitin, Caitlin and Triona. Actress…

Camden

Scottish

"winding valley"

Newly popular boys' name could cross over in much the way the related Cameron has.

Cam

Diminutive of Cameron or Camilla

A Pam for the modern age, improved by a harder edge and a tad less prissiness.

Carson

English and Scottish surname

"son of the marsh dwellers"

Very popular surname choice — it's in the Boys' Top 100 — beginning to catch on for girls. First female association: novelist Carson McCullers.

Sìleas

Sìleas is a feminine Scottish Gaelic name, pronounced approximately as 'SHEE-liss' or 'SHEE-lash.' It's the Gaelic equivalent of Julia or Juliana, ultimately derived from Latin roots meaning…