Alis, Alisa, Alisha see Alice
Alison f.
Originally a diminutive of ALICE that was adopted in the 13th century, this was soon treated as a separate name. It was at one time a particularly Scottish name. Pet forms include those used for ALICE and ELSIE. Allison and Al(l)yson are standard forms in the USA.
Alistair, Alister see Alastair
Alix see Alexandra, Alice
Allan, Allana, Allen see Alan
Allegra f.
An Italian word meaning ‘cheerful, lively’, given by the poet Lord Byron to his daughter and still used occasionally as a result.
Alli, Ally see Alastair
Allice, Allie, Allyce see Alice, Alison
Alma f.
There are many opinions about the origin of this name. It could be derived from the Hebrew word for ‘maiden’, the Latin for ‘kind’ or the Italian for ‘soul’. Most importantly, the name became very popular after the Battle of Alma during the Crimean War, and is still found occasionally.
Alondra f.
Alondra is the Spanish for ‘lark’. It is a common American place name, but more importantly in the 1990s it was the name of a successful Mexican-made television series, named after its heroine. Its broadcast led to increased use among Spanish-speaking Americans.
Aloysius m.
This is the Latin form of Aloys, an old Provençal form of Louis (see LEWIS). There was a popular Spanish saint of this name in the 16th century and Roman Catholics continue to use the name in this country. Aloys or Aloyse was the female form of the old name, and is a possible source of ELOISE.
Althea f.
From the Greek for ‘wholesome’, this was the Greek name for the marsh mallow plant, still used as a healing herb. It seems to have been introduced to England with various other classical names during the Stuart period, and appeared in the charming lyric by Richard Lovelace To Althea from Prison. The similar-sounding Alethea (Alethia, Aletia) comes from the Greek for ‘truth’.
Alun see Alan
Alured see Alfred
Alvin m.
From two Old English names, Alwine, ‘friend of all’ and Athelwine, ‘noble friend’. Aylwin, Alvan, Alvyn and Alvy are alternative forms. There is a rare feminine, Alvina. The similar-sounding Alvar means ‘elf army’.
Alys, Alyssa see Alice
Alyson, Alysson see Alison
Alyx see Alexandra, Alice
Amabel f.
From the Latin meaning ‘lovable’. It has been in use in England in various forms since the 12th century. The short form, MABEL, became established as an independent name at an early date.
Amalia see Amelia
Amanda f.
From the Latin for ‘deserving love’. It appears first in Restoration plays, where many classical or pseudo-classical names were introduced or fabricated. It has remained in use since then and is still popular. Mandy is a pet form also used as a name in its own right. Amandine is a French form of the name which has been popular in France in recent years. It was brought to the attention of English speakers when the actor John Malkovich chose it for his daughter.
Amaryllis f.
Originally from Greek, probably meaning ‘sparkling’, and used by Greek poets as a name for a country girl. It served the same purpose for Latin poets, and was introduced to Britain via English poetry in the 17th century.
Amber f.
The name of the gemstone, used as a first name. It was not used before the 20th century.
Ambrin f.
From the Arabic for ‘ambergris’, a substance renowned for its sweet odour. It can also be spelt Ambreen.
Ambrose m.
From the Greek for ‘divine’. There was a 4th-century St Ambrose who was Bishop of Milan. The name is found in the Domesday Book and has been used occasionally ever since. The Welsh name Emrys is derived from the Latin form of the name. There is a rare feminine form, Ambrosine.
Amelia f.
From an Old German name possibly meaning ‘work’, its form is perhaps influenced by Emilia (see EMILY). Amalia, Amalie, Amaline and Amalita are forms of the name. It can be shortened to Milly.
Amin m., Amina f.
From the Arabic for ‘honest’, ‘trustworthy’ or ‘reliable’. Amina, the feminine form, has always been much used by Muslim families, in honour of Amina bint-Wahab, mother of the Prophet Muhammad. It is sometimes spelt Aamena, Aaminah or Amena. Iman, ‘faith, belief’ comes from the same root. The model who uses this name has made it widely known, and it sometimes appears as Imani or Imana.
Aminta see Araminta
Amit m.
An Indian name from the Sanskrit for ‘without limit’. It is also a simplified pet form of names like Amitbikram (‘limitless prowess’) and Amitjyoti (‘limitless brightness’).
Amitabh m.
A name of the Buddha, from the Sanskrit meaning ‘limitless splendour’. The spelling Amitav is also used.
Amos m.
A Hebrew name, possibly meaning ‘he who carries a burden’. It was the name of an Old Testament prophet and was adopted by English Puritans after the Reformation, when saints’names fell out of favour. Popular until the 19th century, it is at present uncommon.
Amrit f. and m.
In the Vedic epics of the Hindus, this Sanskrit name refers to immortality or that which confers it, such as the ‘water of life, soma juice, nectar, [or] ambrosia’. Amrit can be used for both sexes, although the form Amrita can also be used for a girl.
Amy f.
From the French, meaning ‘beloved’. Sir Walter Scott’s novel Kenilworth, about Amy Robsart, the tragic wife of the Earl of Leicester, made the name fashionable in the 19th century, and it has been popular again in recent years. Aimée is the French original of this name, which can also be found in forms such as Aime(e), Ami(e) and Amye.
Amynta see Araminta
Anaïs f.
A French name which comes from the Greek word for ‘fruitful’. There has been a small increase in its use since it became the name of a perfume.
Anand m., Ananda f.
From the Sanskrit for ‘happiness’, ‘joy’ or ‘bliss’. It is the name of a god in the Veda, sacred book of the Hindus. Variants of the girl’s form include Anandamayi (‘full of joy’), Anandi and Anandini (‘joyful’).
Anastasia f.
From the Greek meaning ‘resurrection’. The name of a 4th-century saint and martyr, it became fashionable in England in the 13th century, though it was usually abbreviated to Anstey or Anstice, which mainly survive today as surnames. It has always been very popular in Russia, and a daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, called Anastasia, is said to have escaped from the massacre in which the rest of her family died in 1918. STACEY and Tansy started as pet forms of this name. Nastasia is a Russian pet form and the emerging name Tassia (Taja, Tasia) is probably a shortening of this.
Andrew m., Andrea f.
From the Greek for ‘manly’. Andrew is the name of the Apostle who is patron saint of Scotland, Russia and Greece, and first appears in England in the Domesday Book. It has been used in Britain continuously and has enjoyed particular favour in Scotland. The pet forms include Andy, Dandy (Scots) and DREW, which is