A Dictionary of First NamesThis Dictionary is part of the Oxford Reference Collection: using sustainable print-on-demand technology to make the acclaimed backlist of the Oxford Reference programme perennially available in hardback format. The fascinating and informative Dictionary of First Names covers over 6,000 names in common use in English, including the very newest names as well as traditional names. From Alice to Zanna and Adam to Zola this book will answer all your questions: it will tell you the age, origin, and meaning of the name, as well as how it has fared in terms of popularity, and who the famous fictional or historical bearers for the name have been. It covers alternative spellings, short forms and pet forms, and masculine and feminine forms, as well as help with pronunciation. The book includes extensive appendices covering names from languages including Scottish, Irish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, and Chinese names. Tables of the most popular names by year and by region are also included. From the traditional to the rare and unconventional, this book will tell you everything you need to know about names. |
Contents
Arabic Names | |
Chinese Names | |
French Names | |
German Names | |
Indian Names | |
Irish Names | |
Italian Names | |
Scottish Names | |
Spanish Names | |
Welsh Names | |
Unisex Names | |
Most Popular Names in England and Wales 2003 | |
Most Popular Names in Scotland 2004 | |
Most Popular Names in the Republic of Ireland 2004 | |
Most Popular Names in the United States 2003 | |
Japanese Names | |
Russian Names | |
Scandinavian Names | |
Most Popular Names in Australia NSW 2003 | |
Most Popular Names in New Zealand 2003 | |
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Common terms and phrases
19th century adopted altered American Anglicized form apparently appendix associated beautiful became Biblical name borne Britain byname called Celtic character child Christian classical common composed compound Danish daughter denoting derived diminutive early elaboration element ending England English-speaking world enjoyed equivalent especially famous female feminine form flower Germanic girl’s name girls Greek Hebrew honour independent given name influenced introduced Ireland Irish Italian Italy Jewish John King known Late Latin later Latin name Latinized form main dictionary Mainly U.S. martyred Mary medieval Middle Ages name meaning nickname Norman Norse personal name North Norwegian occasionally Old English Old French Old Norse personal perhaps Persian personal name Pet form popular possibly probably recent reference representing respelling revived Roman Russian saint Sanskrit Scandinavian Scotland Scottish Gaelic seems short form sometimes Spanish suffix surname Swedish taken Testament Traditional name Transferred uncertain origin United usually Variant spelling various vocabulary word Welsh wife