Merry Olde England

  1. Alberta
    • Origin:

      English, feminine variation of Albert
    • Meaning:

      "noble, bright"
    • Description:

      This jazzy old name could make a comeback, the way Josephine and Ella have. In England the name was popularized by Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, after whom her governor general of Canada husband named the North American province. Jazz singer Alberta Hunter was a noted bearer.
  2. Fairfax
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "blond"
    • Description:

      If this name makes you think of Victorian novels, it's because Fairfax was part of Mr Rochester's name in Jane Eyre, and the surname of a minor character in Jane Austen's Emma. It has a distinctly aristocratic feel, despite its straightforward meaning. Fairfax is also a city in Virginia.
  3. Margery
    • Origin:

      Medieval variation of Margaret, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      An old royal name in England and Scotland that's also spelled Marjorie. Popular in the Middle Ages and Tudor period, it was revived at the end of the 19th century, peaked in 1921 and dropped off the list in 1958, enough time to be reconsidered as a Margaret alternative. The name Margery Daw is familiar via the seesaw nursery rhyme and Margery Williams wrote the children's classic The Velveteen Rabbit..
  4. Brigham
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "little village near the bridge"
    • Description:

      A distinguished sounding place and surname borne by religious leader Brigham Young, second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  5. Armistead
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "hermit's place"
    • Description:

      This dignified Old English surname was brought into the modern consciousness by author Armistead Maupin, who wrote the San Francisco stories Tales of the City. There was also a Civil War general named Lewis Armistead.
  6. Thyme
    • Origin:

      English herb name
    • Description:

      Not time yet for Thyme.
  7. Shakespeare
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "brandish spear"
    • Description:

      This name will forever be associated with the Bard and would likely prove hard to live up to. It might be cool for a pet though.
  8. Edlyn
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "small, noble one"
    • Description:

      Feels like a hybrid. Better go for Edith or Evelyn.