Lucy Atkins - First-Time Parent and Gem Babies’ Names Bundle

Anish m., Anisha f.

A Sanskrit name, one of the thousand borne by the Hindu god Vishnu. Its meaning is possibly ‘without a master’.

Anita, Ann, Anna see Anne

Annabel f.

Together with Annabelle or Annabella, this is probably from the Latin amabilis meaning ‘lovable’, a variant of AMABEL. It is found in Scotland earlier than ANNE, so it is unlikely to be a form of that name, though it is now sometimes thought of as a compound of Anna and the Latin bella meaning ‘beautiful’. Diminutives include Bel, Belle and Bella.

Anne f.

From the Hebrew HANNAH, meaning ‘God has favoured me’. The French form Anne or Ann, traditionally the name of the mother of the Virgin Mary, was introduced into Britain in the 13th century and the name has enjoyed great popularity since. Anne is currently slightly more popular than Ann, but the form Anna is now much more popular than either. Pet forms include Nan, Nanette, Nana, NANCY and Annie, as well as the variants Anita, Annette and Anona (although this, with its pet form Nona, can be Welsh in origin). Ann(e) has often formed part of compounds such as Mary Ann(e) or Annalise. Anneke is the Dutch pet form, more often spelt Anneka in this country to reflect the Dutch pronunciation; Aneke, Aneka and An(n)ika are also found. Anya is from the Spanish pronunciation of the name and Anouk is a Russian form.

Annes, Annice, Annis see Agnes

Annette, Annie see Anne

An(n)ora see Honoria

Anona, Anouk see Anne

Anoop see Anup

Anstice see Anastasia

Anthea f.

From the Greek antheos, meaning ‘flowery’. This name seems to have been introduced by the pastoral poets of the 17th century and it has been in use ever since, although it was not until the 20th century that it became very widely known.

Ant(h)ony m., Antonia f.

A Roman family name. Its most famous member was Marcus Antonius, the Mark Antony of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra. The name was very popular in the Middle Ages as a result of the influence of St Antony the Great and St Antony of Padua. The alternative and commoner spelling Anthony was introduced after the Renaissance, when it was incorrectly thought that the name was derived from the Greek anthos meaning ‘flower’, as in ANTHEA. The usual short form is Tony, which is also used for the female forms Antonia and the French Antoinette. Feminine short forms Toni and Tonya are also found, and Toinette, Net and Nettie are pet forms of Antoinette. Anton, a Continental form of the name, is now also used for boys. In the USA Antonio (shortened to Tonio) and Antoine (often in phonetic spellings such as Antwan or Antuan) are often used.

Anup m.

An Indian name, from the Sanskrit meaning ‘without comparison’. The spelling Anoop is also used.

Anusha f.

The name of a star in Hindu astrology.

Anya see Anne

Aoife see Eve

Aonghas see Angus

Aphra f.

From the Hebrew word for ‘dust’. It is best known from the novelist, playwright and spy Mrs Aphra Behn (1644–89), said to have been the first woman in England to earn her living as a writer. It is also spelt Afra.

Apple f.

This name recently came to public attention when it was chosen by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin for their baby girl. The name is by no means unique – they named her after Martin’s agent’s daughter, and the publicity the choice generated turned up quite a number of other bearers – but is certainly unusual. Almost any fruit can be found used occasionally as a first name, even raspberry, but the most likely ones are Peaches (as in the case of Bob Geldof’s daughter) and Berry (see also BERTRAM). There is a distinguished, female, Japanese novelist called Banana Yoshimoto.

April see Avril

Arabella f.

A possible variant of AMABEL, though it could be derived from the Latin for ‘obliging’. It used to be a predominantly Scottish name, particularly in the forms Arabel and Arabelle. It can be shortened to Bel, Belle and Bella.

Araminta f.

This name appears to have been invented by Sir John Vanbrugh (1644–1726) to use in one of his plays. It may have been influenced by Aminta or Amynta, an ancient Greek name meaning ‘protector’. They all share the short forms Minta and Minty.

Archibald m.

From Old German words meaning ‘truly bold’. The Old English form was used in East Anglia before the Norman Conquest. Thereafter, it was primarily Scottish and was associated particularly with the Douglas and Campbell families. The most usual diminutive is Archie, now sometimes given to a child rather than the full name.

Ardal m.

This is an Irish name of disputed meaning, either ‘high valour’ or coming from the word for ‘bear’.

Arianna f.

This is an ancient Greek name meaning ‘the very holy one’ which probably originally belonged to a goddess. In Greek mythology Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of Crete and helped Theseus to escape from the labyrinth. Arian(n)a is an Italian form of the name. Ariane, the French form, is also used.

Ariel f. and m.

The name Ariel has two different origins. The masculine form is a Hebrew name, traditionally said to mean ‘lion of God’, which is popular in Israel and sometimes used in the USA. As a girl’s name it has been popular in the USA ever since it was used as the heroine’s name in Disney’s Little Mermaid film and TV series. This name, which is also found in forms such as Arial and Arielle, presumably owes at least something to Ariel, the airy spirit in Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest.

Arjun m.

A Hindu name from the Sanskrit for ‘white’ or ‘bright’. It was the name of a famous Pandava prince, son of the god Indra.

Arlene f.

Arlene, Arleen or Arline is a modern name which probably comes from the final sounds of such names as CHARLENE or MARLENE.

Armand, Armin, Arminel, Arminelle see Herman

Arnold m.

From the Old German Arnwalt, meaning ‘eagle’s power’. It appeared in various forms, both Germanic and French, in the Middle Ages, but dropped out of use from the 17th century until the late 19th when it had a revival.

Aroon see Arun

Artemisia see Diana

Arthur m.

The origin of this name is disputed. Possible sources are the Celtic word for ‘bear’ and the Roman name Artorius. Whatever its source, its use comes entirely from the fame of its first known bearer, King Arthur. Victorian interest in things medieval made it popular in the 19th century when Queen Victoria gave the name to one of her sons. Over-use in the late 19th and first quarter of the 20th centuries led to a decline, but there are now distinct signs of a revival in popularity. Art or Arty is used as a short form, particularly in America.

Arun m., Aruna f.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit for ‘reddish brown’, a colour associated with the dawn. It became the name of the mythical personification of the dawn, charioteer of the sun. Aroon is an alternative spelling for boys, while for girls Arumina is also used.

Asa m.

From the Hebrew word meaning ‘physician’. In the Bible it is the name of a king of Judah, noted for his piety.

Asha f.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit for ‘hope, desire, aspiration’.

Ashanti f.

The name of this Ghanaian people has had a certain popularity among people of African origin wanting to honour their roots. It is often shortened to Shanti (Shante, Shaunti).

Asher m.

The name of one of the tribes of Israel. It means ‘happy’. Although it is an unusual name, there are signs that its use is on the increase, along with other names from the Bible. It is, of course, also a common surname meaning ‘ash tree’, and some uses may be from this.

Ashish m.

A relatively modern Indian name, probably derived from the Sanskrit for ‘prayer’ or ‘benediction’.