Only 5 Babies in 2020 England and Wales
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- Isolde
Origin:
Welsh, GermanMeaning:
"ice ruler"Description:
Now that Tristan has been rediscovered, maybe it's time for his fabled lover in the Arthurian romances and Wagnerian opera, a beautiful Irish princess, to be brought back into the light as well.
- Maude
Origin:
English and French diminutive of Matilda, GermanMeaning:
"battle-mighty"Description:
Maude, also spelled Maud, is a lacy, mauve-tinted name that was wildly popular a hundred years ago, but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose it again, especially as a middle.
- Yvette
Origin:
French, feminine of YvesMeaning:
"yew tree"Description:
This French name has the elegance of other '-ette' names such as Colette and is a botanical name without being too obvious about it.
- Mairead
Origin:
Irish, shortened fom of Mairghread, variation of MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Pronounced MAW-rayt or ma-RAYD, Mairead is close enough to Maureen to be accepted here. The name became popular in Ireland due to admiration for the saint of that name. Peig and Peigi are its Irish-language nicknames.
- Naoise
Origin:
IrishDescription:
Although it is now a unisex name in Ireland, Naoise is originally a masculine name. It belonged to a handsome young warrior in Irish legend, lover of the tragic Deirdre, who killed herself after Naoise was murdered by the jealous king Conchobhar.
- Love
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"love"Description:
Love makes an endearing middle name, as in Jennifer Love Hewitt. However, more parents are considering Love as a first name — enough for it to enter the charts for the first time in 2022 as one of the fastest-rising names of the year. Other love-related alternatives include Juliet, Valentina, and Amor.
- Thelma
Origin:
English, Literary, meaning unknownDescription:
Though modern parents seeking to honor an ancestor named Thelma might opt for the airier Thea instead, Thelma is starting to make its way back onto adventurous vintage name lovers' radars. It is currently experiencing a modest revival in France, where it now ranks around the #300 mark.
- Iola
Origin:
Greek or WelshMeaning:
"violet; beautiful lady"Description:
Isla is hot, Iona is cool – maybe it's time Iola got a second look? Last heard from on Carol Burnett's Mama's Family show, Iola feels like just the sort of uncommon, vowel-rich, vintage name that should be ripe for rediscovery.
- Charmaine
Origin:
French from GreekMeaning:
"charm or delight"Description:
Charmaine is an ancient name connected to Charmion, the name of one of Cleopatra's servants, and Charmian, a Shakespearean name. Its meaning is related to the word charm, though some sources tie it to the Charles family, which means "free man".
- Mirabella
Origin:
Italian variation of MirabelleMeaning:
"wonderful"Description:
The short-lived magazine edited by former Vogue chief Grace Mirabella put this beautiful name off-limits for a while, but now it's perfectly fit to join the fashionable Bella pantheon. More distinctive than Isabella.
- Ismay
Origin:
Possible variation of EsmeMeaning:
"esteemed, beloved"Description:
The rise of the the various Isabel names may give a boost to this variation, which has a sunny, springtime feel.
- Truly
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"in a truthful way"Description:
A would-be up-and-comer if it wasn't for the spiked seltzer brand.
- Roxanna
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"little star"Description:
Spelled with one 'n', this was the name of the wife of Alexander the Great, and is more attractive than the better-known Roxanne.
- Heledd
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"pool of salt"Description:
A beautiful ancient Welsh name, the meaning of which is not entirely clear. It has been linked to the Welsh for salty, hallt or halenaidd. The "th" sound at the end is pronounced like the first sound of "then" (rather than "thin").
- Lamorna
Origin:
Cornish place nameDescription:
The name Lamorna belongs to a village, valley and cove in an area of outstanding natural beauty in West Cornwall, and to a popular Cornish folk song referencing the area. The name possibly derives from nans "valley" + mor "sea", or from lann "area around a church" + morlanow "high tide".
- Gift
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Surprisingly, one of the fastest-rising names for girls.
- Alivia-Rose
- Annabelle-Rose
- Begw
- Betsy-Mae
