British Literature Names
- Elinor
Origin:
Spelling variation of Eleanor, English, FrenchDescription:
A sleek, literary alternative to Eleanor, this stripped back form of Eleanor is a well-established spelling. It notably appears in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, borne by Elinor Dashwood, along with George Eliot's Middlemarch and Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind , as a middle name.
- Patience
Origin:
Latin virtue nameMeaning:
"ability to accept or tolerate inconveniences, and suffering without anxiety or anger"Description:
Patience is a passive virtue turned engaging name, fresher than Hope, Faith, or even Charity. Its resemblance to the trendy Payton may be one reason that it returned to the US charts back in the 90's and 2000s, having been absent for a century.
- Aldous
Origin:
English from GermanMeaning:
"old"Description:
Aldous has long been associated with British writer Huxley, author of Brave New World. So many of these rare British names are starting to be reconsidered by the literary or hipster crowds and this one, considering its pedigree, deserves the renewed interest.
- Elanor
Origin:
English, Literature, SindarinMeaning:
"sun star"Description:
On one hand, Elanor is a spelling variation of the classic Eleanor with a slightly lighter, contemporary look about it. Usually said to derive from the Latin phrase, alia Aenor meaning "other Aenor", the exact origins and meaning of Eleanor are unknown.
- Obadiah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"servant of God"Description:
For the seriously audacious biblical baby namer who wants to move beyond Elijah and Josiah, this name has considerable old-fangled charm. Obadiah, who gave his name to one of the shortest books in the Bible, was a rich man who had the gift of prophecy. There are several other men named Obadiah in the Bible, as well as a Saint Obadiah.
- Calantha
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"lovely flower"Description:
Another of the new Greek-accented Cal- names.
- Patton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fighter's town"Description:
Patton is an attractive name in the fashionable Haden-Peyton mold, though there is that association with the severe wartime general.
- Carlisle
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the walled city"Description:
This stuffy English surname and hotel name took on Twilight cool when attached to vampire Carlisle Cullen. Inspired by the character, it's more popular in this spelling than as Carlyle and more widely used for boys than for girls.
- Gwendolen
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"white ring, circle"Description:
Gwendolen, an ancient Welsh favorite, retired decades ago in favor of the short form Gwen, but now, as in the case all across the naming board, the nickname has faded and the more distinguished original is up for reappraisal.
- Piers
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"rock"Description:
Piers was the first version of Peter to reach the English-speaking world, via the Normans, but it's never made it in the US, despite its large measure of understated panache. This might change due to the high visibility of TV personality and former news editor Piers Morgan.
- Price
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"son of Rhys"Description:
Some names referring to expensive things -- Tiffany, Armani, Porsche -- are in fact declasse, but Price transcends that label with its simplicity and strength.
- Thady
Description:
Thady is a masculine name of Irish origin, serving as a diminutive form of Thaddeus or the Irish name Tadhg, meaning 'poet' or 'philosopher.' This distinctively Irish name carries a strong cultural heritage while maintaining a friendly, approachable quality through its diminutive form. Historically used in Ireland for centuries, Thady gained some literary recognition through its use in Maria Edgeworth's novel 'Castle Rackrent.' The name remains quite rare outside of Ireland, giving it a strong ethnic character and uniqueness in international contexts. With its combination of historical depth and playful sound, Thady appeals to parents seeking an authentic Irish name that balances traditional roots with a lighthearted, affectionate quality.
- Margery
Origin:
Medieval variation of Margaret, GreekMeaning:
"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..
- Meg
Origin:
Diminutive of Margaret, GreekMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
Meg, perennially one of the Little Women, is a Margaret short form that manages to be neither quite in nor quite out of style. Meg is sleeker and more sophisticated than Maggie, more contemporary than Peg, more stylish than Megan, and still one of the best diminutives of Margaret.Meg Ryan was born Margaret Mary Emily Anne.
- Ramsay
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"low-lying land"Description:
A surname occasionally used as a first, as in former attorney general Ramsey Clark. This spelling is now closely associated with the psychopathic Game of Thrones villain Ramsay Snow (later Ramsay Bolton), and so is probably best avoided as long as the show and books are popular.
- Cathy
Origin:
English diminutive of Catherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
One of the most popular nicknames of the fifties and sixties — and who could forget the romantic heroine of "Wuthering Heights"? — now largely ignored in favor of Cate or Kate.
- Alexis
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"defender"Description:
This name leapt into the female column via vixen Alexis Carrington on 'Dynasty" in the 1980s. It's more popular for girls, but it's still a widely used boys' names and is one of the most popular unisex names in the US today.
- Madge
Origin:
Diminutive of Margery or MargaretMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A super diminutive nickname name, and sometime Madonna nickname – it was how the British tabloids referred to her when she moved to London in the 1990s, which she found annoying until then husband Guy Ritchie said it stood for 'Your Majesty'. Madge Undersee is Katniss's best friend in The Hunger Games books.
- Henri
Origin:
French and Finnish variation of Henry, GermanMeaning:
"estate ruler"Description:
The chic Euro spelling of Henry is rising along with the original form.
- Collins
Origin:
Surname derived from Nicholas or Colin, Greek or Irish and ScottishMeaning:
"people of victory or pup"Description:
Though Collins makes the Top 300 for girls, it sounds strong and handsome for boys too, kind of like the newly-stylish Brooks. The final s updates it from the 80s-ish Colin or the Twilightish Cullen. Might make an innovative honorific for a grandpa Nick.
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