Elsa, Elsie f.
One source of Elsa is the Old German for ‘noble one’, but both names are also used as abbreviations of ELIZABETH, and Elsie is sometimes a short form of ALISON. Elsie was originally Scottish and is the more common form in Britain. Elsa is the heroine in Wagner’s opera Lohengrin, which made the name popular in the 19th century.
Elspeth, Elspie see Elizabeth
Elton m.
A surname, probably meaning ‘Ella’s settlement’, used as a first name. The singer, Elton John, effectively began its first-name use.
Eluned see Lynette
Elvira f.
A Spanish name, probably introduced by the conquering Visigoths in the Dark Ages. Its meaning is not clear. It has been used occasionally since the beginning of the 19th century. It is perhaps best known as the name of the ghost in Noël Coward’s play, Blithe Spirit and from the 1967 film Elvira Madigan.
Elvis m.
A name that was almost unknown until given world fame by Elvis Presley. It is probably a version of the name of the Irish saint Alby or Ailbhe (a name which in Irish can be used for either sex, and which is pronounced ‘alva’) which is found in Wales in the form St Elvis. Although Presley was not the first member of his family to bear the name, modern uses come from him.
Emanuel m.
From the Hebrew meaning ‘God with us’. It was the name given to the promised Messiah by the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament. It was introduced as a first name by the Greeks in the form Manuel. This is also the Spanish form. Manny is used as a pet form, and there is a feminine, Em(m)anuelle.
Emer f.
Emer (pronounced with a long ‘ee’ at the beginning) is currently one of the more popular Celtic names in Ireland. In legend it was the name of the woman loved by Cuchulainn, the great hero of the Ulster cycle of legends. She is described as having the following six desirable gifts: those of beauty, voice, sweet speech, skill with the needle, wisdom and chastity. It is occasionally found as Emir.
Emerald see Esmeralda
Emily f.
From the Latin Aemilius, the name of a Roman family. Boccaccio, the 14th-century Italian writer, used Emilia, popularizing this form in the Middle Ages, and Chaucer borrowed it in the form Emelye. The name has been used since then. In the 19th century it was sometimes shortened to EMMA. Nowadays, these two names are among the most popular girls’ names. Milly is a pet form. Emmeline is an old French pet form, and Emil(e) can be used for boys.
Emir see Emer
Emlyn m.
A common Welsh name, possibly derived from the Latin Aemilius, also the source of EMILY, but which is more likely to be from a Welsh place-name.
Emma f.
A shortened form of Old German compound names beginning ermen meaning ‘universal’, as in the name Ermyntrude, ‘universal strength’. It was introduced to England by Emma, daughter of Richard I, Duke of Normandy. The English form was Em(m), and this was used until the mid 18th century, when the original form was revived. Jane Austen’s novel Emma (1816) has also been influential. Today, Emma is one of the commonest girls’ names. Emmy is a pet form, and Emma is also used as a short form of EMILY.
Emmeline see Emily
Emrys see Ambrose
Ena f.
This name can come from a number of sources. It can be a short form of any name ending with ‘-ina’ or ‘-ena’, or an English form of EITHNE, but its popularity in the last century came from affection for Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Ena, who became Queen of Spain. Her name came from neither of these sources, but was due to a misreading of her intended name ‘Eva’ at her christening, when the priest read the handwritten ‘v’ as an ‘n’.
Enid f.
This is a Welsh name, meaning ‘life, soul’, that came into use in England in the 19th century through Tennyson’s Arthurian poem, Geraint and Enid in Idylls of the King (1859).
Enoch m.
From the Hebrew, meaning ‘trained, skilled’ or ‘dedicated’. It was the name of an Old Testament patriarch and was adopted in the 17th century by the Puritans. It is now rare, although a well-known modern example is the politician, Enoch Powell (1912–98).
Enya see Eithne
Eoan, Eoghan see Eugene, Evan
Eoin see Eugene, John
Ephraim m.
From the Hebrew meaning ‘fruitful’, an Old Testament name that was revived in the 17th century by the Puritans. It is seldom used in England, but is still found in North America. Eph is a short form.
Eppie see Euphemia
Eric m., Erica f.
From Scandinavia; the second syllable means ‘ruler’, the first is doubtful but may mean ‘ever’. The name was brought to Britain by the Danes about the 9th century. Possibly Dean Farrar’s book Eric or Little by Little was responsible for its popularity with 19th-century parents. Erica, the feminine form, is now sometimes identified with the Latin botanical name for heather. Both forms are sometimes spelt with a ‘k’ instead of ‘c’. Short forms are Rick, Rickie or Ricky.
Erin f.
From the Gaelic Eireann, a poetical name for Ireland. It is a modern name, particularly popular in the USA and Australia. Kim Bassinger and Alec Baldwin chose the name Ireland for their daughter.
Erle see Earl
Ermyntrude see Emma
Ernest m.
From the Old German, meaning ‘vigour’ or ‘earnestness’. It is sometimes spelt Earnest. It was introduced by the Hanoverians in the late 18th century and was common in the 19th century. Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest (1899) increased its popularity. Neither Ernestine, the female form, nor Ernest, is popular today. Shortened forms are Ern and Ernie.
Errol m.
Probably a surname used as a first name, although it is not certain whether the surname is a development of Eral, a medieval form of HAROLD, or whether it is a variant of EARL.
Ertha, Erthel see Eartha
Esmé f. and m.
Probably from the French for ‘esteemed’, this is now usually treated as a form of the French Aimée, meaning ‘beloved’ (see AMY). It passed from France to Scotland in the 16th century, and then much later to England. It is now more often used as a girl’s name, in which case it can also take the forms Esmée and Esma.
Esmeralda f.
The Spanish for ‘emerald’. The 19th-century French writer Victor Hugo introduced it when he used it for the heroine in his novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The English form Emerald is also found, as is the form Esmeraldah.
Esmond m.
From the Old English east and mund, meaning ‘grace’ and ‘protection’. This name was never common and fell out of use in the 14th century. Its modern use probably dates from Thackeray’s novel The History of Henry Esmond (1852). It is nowadays rather rare.
Ess, Essie, Essy see Esther
Essylt see Isolda
Estella see Stella