A Dictionary of First Names

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A Dictionary of First Names is an onomastic work of reference on given names, published by Oxford University Press, edited by Patrick Hanks, Kate Hardcastle, and Flavia Hodges in 1990 and 2006. The second edition of 2006 (as paperback 2007) discusses a total of "over 6,000 names". An abbreviated version, A Concise Dictionary of First Names was published by Oxford Paperback Reference in 1992, and an even more concise "Oxford minireference" version entitled Babies' Names in 1995. An online version is available to paying subscribers at oxfordreference.com.

The same editors also published A Dictionary of Surnames with OUP in 1988.

Related Research Articles

Jonny is a masculine given name, and pet name, in the English language. A pet form of Jon, the natural diminutive of given name Jonathan, in some cases it can also mean a condom; in other cases it is a pet form of Jon. A variant form of Jonny is Jonnie.

Alan is a masculine given name in the English language. There are numerous differing etymologies attributed to the name. The name was first introduced into England by Bretons who took part in the Norman Invasion in the 11th century. Today there are numerous variations of Alan, a short form, and there are also numerous feminine forms of the name as well. Alan has many forms in other languages. Alan is also an Old Breton personal name, as well as being a Norman French name.

Siobhán is a female given name of Irish origin. The most common anglicisations are Siobhan, Shevaun and Shivaun.

Sorcha is a Gaelic feminine given name. It is common to both the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages, and is derived from the Old Irish word sorchae, soirche meaning "brightness".

SeumasScottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈʃeːməs] is a masculine given name in Scottish Gaelic and Scots, equivalent to the English James. The vocative case of the Scottish Gaelic Seumas is Sheumais, which has given form to the Anglicised form of this name, Hamish. In Irish, Seumas is the older form of the modern Séamas. Another earlier form of Séamas is Séamus, which is partially Anglicised as Seamus.

Peadar Name list

Peadar is a masculine given name in the Irish, and Scottish Gaelic languages. The names are ultimately derived from the Greek word petros, meaning "stone", "rock". The Scottish Gaelic Peadar is said to be reserved for the saint, and the Scottish Gaelic Pàdraig. It is a variation of the name Peter.

Ronnie is a given name. It can be a pet form of the masculine name Ronald and the feminine name Veronica.

Brendan is an Irish masculine given name in the English language. It is derived from the Gaelic name Breandán, which is in turn derived from the earlier Old Irish Brénainn. The Old Welsh breenhin is the root of the name, meaning Prince or King. The mediaeval Latin form of the name, Brendanus, has also influenced the modern English and Irish forms. Variant spellings of Brendan are Brendon and Brenden. In some cases it is possible that the given name Brandon is also a variant of Brendan. A variant spelling of the Irish Breandán is Breanndán.

Murchadh is masculine given name in the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages.

Sorley and Somerled are masculine given names in the English language, Anglicizations of Scottish Gaelic Somhairle and Norse Sumarlidi.

Uilleam is a masculine given name in the Scottish Gaelic language. It is the equivalent of the name William in English.

Ailean is a masculine given name in the Scottish Gaelic language. It is the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of the name Alan, Allan in English. Alan is considered to be a name of Celtic origin, possibility derived from a word meaning "rock"; it was introduced to England by Breton followers of William the Conqueror, in the 11th century.

Ragnall, Raghnall, Raonall, and Raonull are masculine personal names or given names in several Gaelic languages.

Muirgheas is a masculine given name in the Irish language. The name is composed of two elements: the first, muir, means "sea"; the second element, gus, means "choice". The name has been Anglicised to the etymologically unrelated Maurice. A contracted form of the name is Muiris.

Raven is a unisex given name in the English language. In the United States of America, the name is more commonly used as a feminine name, and has ranked among the top 1,000 feminine names given to baby girls since 1977.

Hrafn

Hrafn is both a masculine byname, and personal name in Old Norse. The name translates into English as "raven". The Old English form of the name is *Hræfn. The name is paralleled by the English masculine given name Raven, which is derived from the word "raven".

Dove (given name) Name list

Dove is a given name in the English language. The name is derived from the English vocabulary word "dove". This is word is in turn derived from the Old English douve, from the Old Norse döfa. The dove is noted as a symbol of peace. The name was coined in modern times.

Don is a masculine given name in the Irish language and a short form of another masculine given name in the English language. The Irish name is derived from the Irish donn; the name can either mean "brown", or "chief", "noble". The Irish name is a variant spelling of Donn. The English name is unrelated to the Irish name; this name is a short form of the given name Donald or Donovan. Pet forms of this English name include: Donnie and Donny. It can also be a surname, also derived from "brown". It is a common name in the English language.

Suttie is a surname of Scottish origin. It came from either Suddie in Black Isle or Suthie in Perthshire. The surname was derived from the Old English 'suth' meaning 'south', or the Old Norse 'suthr', southern, plus the Scandinavian 'ey', an island, or piece of firm land in a fen.

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