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British Literature Names
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Honoria
Latin
"woman of honor"
This is an eighteenth century elaboration of Honor found in Charles Dickens ( Bleak House ) but rarely heard here and now.
Honorius
Ancient Roman name
This early name of emperors and popes survives in modern forms such as Honor, used for both genders.
Holt
English
"son of the unspoiled forests"
Has that blunt masculine feel -- à la Cole and Kyle -- that many modern parents are drawn to.
Hooper
English occupational name
"hoop-maker"
Lively, friendly surname that might appeal to basketball fans.
Hopper
English or Dutch
"leaper, dancer; hop grower"
Sean and Robin Wright Penn chose this name for their son to honor their friend Dennis Hopper; others might associate it with the painter Edward. Couldn't be more spirited.
Hortence
Hubert
German
"bright, shining intellect"
A name that sounds so old-fashioned some parents out there might conceivably find it quirky enough for a comeback, along with other one-time fuddie-duddies like Oscar and Homer. Along with other…
Hughie
Diminutive of Hugh, English
"mind, interllect"
Clunky and distinctive in appearance but charming and gentle in sound, Hughie might appeal to fans of Rudy, Louie, and Augie. Ultimately derived from the Germanic Hugo, it has cool and thoughtful…
Hunstanton
Huntingdon
Huntingdon is a rare masculine name derived from English place names, particularly the town and former county in England. It literally means 'hunter's hill' from Old English elements 'hunta' (hunter)…
Hurd
Illingworth
Inez
Spanish variation of Agnes
"pure, virginal"
Also spelled Ines, this name of the prudish mother of Don Juan in the Byron poem has a touch of mystery, but has also been fully integrated into the American name pool. Inez Milholland and Inez Hayes…
Innocent
Janet
Diminutive of Jane
"God is gracious"
Janet started as a pet form of Jane but has long been used independently. Jane is a feminine form of John, which derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan. Janet can also be considered a variation of…
Jaquez
Jaquez is a masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Jacques, the French form of Jacob. The original Hebrew name Ya'akov means 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel,' referring to the…
Jean
English and Scottish, from French variation of Johanna
"God is gracious"
Originally a feminine of John, Jean was popular in Scotland long before it found favor elsewhere, and had its most shining moment here in the era of Jean Harlow (born Harlean), ultimate symbol of…
Jeanie
Short form of Jean or Jeanne
Jeanie is a midcentury bobby soxer kind of nickname that might almost be so old it's new again.
Jemima
Hebrew
"dove; daytime"
Jemima, the name of a strong and beautiful Biblical daughter of Job, has long been among the chicest choices of aristocratic Brits, and has since shifted to be used more generally too, replacing…
Jemmy
Jemmy is a masculine name with historical roots as a diminutive form of James, which ultimately derives from Hebrew meaning 'supplanter.' While now uncommon as a formal name, Jemmy was more widely…