Beautiful names for girls in English with translation. English names. Girls

It is customary to give names to children after birth, but parents come up with them long before their babies are born. Choosing a name for future daughter, parents think about various aspects: the combination of letters, euphony, the meaning of the name and even its influence on a person’s fate. Each couple tries to come up with something special and unique.

The results of research carried out by various historians have revealed the fact that the very first english names were derived from words (nouns and adjectives) that existed in Old English. It was not the person’s name that carried a special meaning, but his nickname.

The situation with names changed dramatically after the conquest of England by the Normans. There was a rapid replacement of English names with Norman ones. Today, only a small part of the British have truly English names.

It is also noteworthy that there are very few old native English names. They have almost never reached our days. The vast majority of them were borrowed from cultures such as Hebrew, Ancient Greek, Celtic, Norman, etc. At that time, people received long and short names, praising the gods, the forces of nature and any human qualities.

In the 16th century in England, ancient English female names, mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. Among them are the following:

  • Mary is a derived form of Jewish name Maria. This ancient name has very beautiful meaning- “serene”;
  • Anna - named after the mother of the prophet Samuel. Translated as "grace";
  • Maryann is a combined name of Mary and Anne;
  • Sarah is named after Abraham's wife. The meaning of this name is “mistress.”

The influence of literature on the formation of names

Writers also played a huge role in the emergence of new female names. It is thanks to literature that such rare female names as Sylvia, Ophelia, Stella, Jessica, Vanessa, Julia, Juliet, Jessica and Viola appeared in the English language.

Among other things, literary works contained many Old English names. Among the beautiful female names there are old names, borrowed from other languages. Names of similar origin include: Anita, Angelina, Jacqueline, Amber, Daisy, Michelle and Ruby. And this is not the entire list.

Popular English female names

Name fashions, like many other aspects of life, come and go. Some are quickly forgotten, forever, while others return from time to time - usually in their original form, but sometimes in a new interpretation.


According to data from the UK Office of National Statistics, the most popular names in last years became Olivia, Emma and Sophie. A list of 30 other popular English girl names is given below:

  1. Olivia
  2. Sofia
  3. Isabel
  4. Charlotte
  5. Emily
  6. Harper
  7. Abigail
  8. Madison
  9. Avery
  10. Margaret
  11. Evelyn
  12. Edison
  13. Grace
  14. Amelie
  15. Natalie
  16. Elizabeth
  17. Scarlet
  18. Victoria

Successful names and not so successful ones

It has long been known that a person’s name largely determines his destiny. Psychologists from all over the world are actively working on this issue, conducting various studies, observations and surveys. As a result, the success rate of individuals named by one name or another also has an impact strong influence on the popularity of the name itself.

Thus, one of the surveys conducted in Great Britain showed what British names are recognized by the residents of Foggy Albion as the most successful, and which - on the contrary. The survey results are shown in the table below.

Rare English female names and their meanings

There are many names that remain outside the popularity rankings, being the least used. The so-called “outsider names” include:

  • Annik - benefit, grace
  • Allin - bird
  • Amabel - attractive
  • Bernays - bringing victory
  • Bambi is a child
  • Bekkai - the one who lures into a trap
  • Bets is my oath
  • Willow - willow
  • Gabby - strength from God
  • Dominic is the lord's property
  • Jojo - multiplying
  • Delours - melancholy
  • Jewel - a precious stone
  • Georgina - peasant girl
  • Elayn - bird
  • Kiva - beautiful
  • Kelly - blonde
  • Lukinda - light
  • Lalaj - babbling
  • Morgan - sea circle
  • Marley - favorite
  • Melissa - bee
  • Mackenzie is a beauty
  • Mindy the black snake
  • Meagan - pearl
  • Penelope - the cunning weaver
  • Poppy - poppy
  • Rosaulin - a gentle mare
  • Totti - girl
  • Phyllis - tree crown
  • Heather - heather
  • Edwena - wealthy friend

The most beautiful female English names

The beauty of the name and its euphony have a very great importance for girls and women. All my life I will associate her with the name given to her by her parents. There is no dispute about taste, and if one person likes the name Amelia or Elizabeth, another may be annoyed by it. However, there is a ranking of names that most people think are the most beautiful.

Names in Russian Names in English
Agatha Agata
Agnes Agnes
Adelaide Adelaida
Alice Alice
Amanda Amanda
Amelia Amelia
Anastasia Anastasia
Angelina Angelina
Anna Ann
Ariel Ariel
Barabara Barbara
Beatrice Beatrice
Bridget Bridget
Britney Britney
Gloria Gloria
Deborah Debra
Diana Diana
Dorothy Dorothy
Camila Camilla
Caroline Caroline
Cassandra Cassandra
Catherine Katherine
Constance Constance
Christina Christine
Olivia Olivia
Cecilia Cecil
Cheryl Cheril
Charlotte Charlotte
Eleanor Eleanor
Elizabeth Elizabeth
Emily Emily
Esther Ester
Evelina Eveline

Unusual female English names

Simple people rarely worn unusual names. After all, when choosing a name for a child, many parents are guided not only by their own preferences, but also think about ensuring that their child does not become an object of ridicule among children. But celebrities have their own opinion on this matter, they choose strange women's and male names, guided only by their imagination and the desire to attract as much attention as possible.

Scout-Larue and Tallupa-Bell - that's what Bruce Willis called his younger daughters. And these are no less than the nicknames of your favorite horses that won at the races.

Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple, which is how the name Apple is translated into Russian.

Rapper 50 Cent named his son Marquise, ignoring male English names.

Singer David Bowie ignored all the famous English names for boys and named his son Zoe, simply considering the combination Zoe Bowie funny.

Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z named their daughter Blue Ivy, which means “blue ivy.”

Actress Milla Jovovich's daughter's name is Ever Gabo. The second part of the name is the first syllables of the names of Mila’s parents - Galina and Bogdan.

The name of the daughter of American rock musician Frank Zappa is Moon Unit, which means “Moon Satellite”.

Summer Rain is the name singer Christina Aguilera came up with for her daughter. Translated from English it means “Summer Rain”.

Some people, immersed in the world of their favorite films and TV series, and cannot imagine their life without them, name their children not only in honor of their favorite heroes and actors, but also use ordinary words, which are not proper names.

This is how a completely new female name appeared - Khaleesi, a word from the popular series “Game of Thrones”, which meant the title of one of the heroines, synonymous with queen or queen. Today, there are already 53 girls in the world with this name.

Human imagination knows no bounds, so new male and female names will appear in the world again and again. Some of them will catch on and become popular, while others will be heard a little and be forgotten.

There has always been a fashion for foreign names, the list of women's names is especially rich. In modern society there is a popularization of English names.

Scientists have conducted research to determine the origin of the name and its meaning. Originally in English main role played a person's nickname, reflecting character traits or abilities. Education in such a case came from nouns or adjectives.

The conquest of Britain by the Vikings led to a change in the situation: there was a sharp change from the original English variants to the Norman ones. In modern society, a small part of the inhabitants of Foggy Albion bear old English names.

Throughout the 16th century, in the wake of the spread religious movement, names taken from the Bible began to become popular.

Among them:

  • Mary, which is a derivative of Mary;
  • Anna, translated as “grace,” which belonged to the wife of the prophet Samuel;
  • Maryann, formed from the merger of Anne and Mary;
  • Sarah or mistress. That was the name of Abraham's wife.

The next revolution that led to the emergence of innovations in the naming of children in English society was the appearance of printed materials. Some mothers began to choose idols for girls among the heroines of works by masters of literature.

Thus, the following came into use: Jessica, Sylvia, Ophelia, Stella, Julia, Juliet, Jessica, Viola.

Also, the spread of literary masterpieces has revived ancient beautiful names: Anita, Jacqueline, Amber, Angelina, Daisy, Michelle and Ruby.

Top modern English names

In modern society, it is accepted that a child can be named so that it sounds euphonious. It is not at all necessary that the prototype be a character or a historical figure.

Some are formed in such a way that the girl could acquire individual traits or the name would begin to determine her future fate.

The most popular English options with meaning are shown in the table:

Name Designation
Crystal Meaning – ICE, A girl hiding a piece of coldness in herself
Kate Meaning: PURE. The girl will be ready for serious relationship- love or friendship
Camellia The girl will look like the plant of the same name, remaining young and blooming
Jasmine A representative of the fair sex, named “jasmine” will delight others
Ginny Meaning: VIRGO. A girl named this way will be chaste and discreet
Destiny Meaning – DESTINY. Man will be the creator of his own destiny
Gloria Meaning – GLORY. People are simply born for achievements, victories, success in business
Wendy Meaning – FRIEND. The girl will be the life of the party, she will be surrounded by friends
Annabelle Meaning: GRACEFUL BEAUTY. A name that can leave an imprint on the owner, who will be distinguished by her cuteness, beauty, big amount romantics in love with her
Liana Designation – SUN. Blinding others with intelligence, beauty, wit
Lorraine Meaning – lands of the LOTAR people. It originates from the French province of Lorraine.
Christabel Meaning: BELIEVER. More often than not, girls so named are distinguished by trust and modesty.
Maggie Meaning – PEARL. Short form Margaret. The girl will be meek, pliable and beautiful
Miranda Meaning – WORTH ADMIRATION. Translated from Latin, first used by Shakespeare. The girl will attract attention, causing admiration
Roxana Meaning – DAWN. With each passing year, the girl will only become prettier and blossom.
Suzanne Meaning: LILY. A girl so named will be beautiful and soft, like the flower of the same name
Terra Meaning – EARTH. Reliability, calmness, equanimity, thoroughness - these are the main character traits of a girl
Cherry Meaning: CHERRY. Plump and beautiful, the girl will attract the admiring glances of young men
Erika Meaning – RULER. Powerful, subduing and subjugating - these are the main traits that will be inherent in the bride In a similar way girl
Esther Meaning: STAR. The beauty of a girl will attract attention, but her love will go only to the most worthy

Origins in modern times

Fashion for unusual and interesting names akin to clothing fashion. She is changeable. During different periods There is a change in popular female or male names.

Both the original form and a modern interpretation are used. Today, according to statistics provided by the UK National Statistics Service, the top three are occupied by Olivia, Emma and Sophie.

It is not only literature that influences popularity. Modern society tends to create idols, which become heroes of popular films or TV series.

Among the names that were popular in 2014, in the compiled ranking, in 24th place was Arya, the title character cult series"Game of Thrones". Gradually, other modern versions appeared that came from this series - Sansa, Brienne, Catelyn, Daenerys.

Another literary work, which turned into a cult serial film - this is Twilight. Since 2008, Bella or Isabella have been on the list of the most popular on the shores of Foggy Albion.

You can't ignore Potter. Old English names included Hermione in their list, which again gained popularity after the release of not a book, but a series of films about a young wizard.

But not only works can influence popularity. Also on the number of uses specific option may influence the success of the living host. In England at one time it was very popular to name girls Margaret, as the Prime Minister.

Cute and unusual, short and lengthy - history knows many different names. Some show business stars prefer to stand out from the crowd and name their children very unusually.

Bruce Willis named his children after his favorite horses, Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple, which means “apple.” No one can deny the fact that a name can have an impact on character. It’s not for nothing that Captain Vrungel said, “Whatever you call the yacht, that’s how it will sail.”

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List of popular and rare English names for girls.

Nowadays, many new parents come up with varied and interesting names for their babies. Along with ancient Russian names, foreign ones are gaining popularity. Their popularization is associated with foreign films and TV series.

What are the most popular, beautiful, rare, unusual, short English names for girls: ranking of the best with meaning

Now in our country there are quite a lot of girls with foreign names. We offer you a rating.

Foreign names and their decoding:

  • Abigail. Translated, it means “Father’s Joy.” Most often, girls grow up to be very positive and in a good mood.
  • Elinor. In translation it stands for “shepherdess”. Usually girls are quite simple and comfortable in communication.
  • Eveline. The girl is very independent and leaves her parents’ nest early. Translated it means “free bird”.
  • Avalon. Translated it means “Apple”. Girls grow up to be very powerful and responsible. In America, this is what girls are called in winter.
  • Holly. Girls are very sensual and faithful. They never betray. Translated it means “little sister.”
  • Anabelle. The girls are very unconventional and different from the majority. They have a subtle mental organization that not everyone likes. Translated it means “gracefully beautiful.”
  • Andrea. Means "warlike". This is a fighter girl who is not afraid of difficulties. She is always ahead and very brave.
  • Doris. These girls are very cheerful and cheerful. Translated it means “funny”.

Short beautiful English female names for girls and girls: list, meanings

Short names are popular because of their brevity.

List:

  • Laura. Such girls can predict the future. They are endowed with good intuition. Translated it means “seer”.
  • Chloe. The girl is very strong spiritually and will not stop at any obstacles. Translated as “mighty.”
  • Chris. A very popular name in the USA. There is a legend dedicated to this name. The girl is very brave and courageous.
  • Lisa. A friendly girl who has many friends. Loves to communicate. Translated, the name means “friendship.”
  • Easy. The girl is very emotional and sensual. Translated it means “sensual”.
  • Audrey. This name has English origin, but gained popularity in America. Translated it means “light”.
  • Neli. A popular name that means "emerging". Such a girl can be unexpected and spontaneous.
  • Katie. Very gifted and active. Means "girl".


The most popular English female names: list, meanings

There are also a lot of foreign names that I most often call girls.

List:

  • Agatha. The girl is very good and responsive. Means “kind”, “bright”.
  • April. The girl is very emotional and can evoke a response from many men. Translated it means “spring”.
  • Audrey. A well-known and common name in the states. Means “light, radiant.”
  • Cecilia. This girl is fire. Very passionate and emotional. Means "changeable".
  • Emily. The girl knows what she wants and is constantly on the move. Means "rival".
  • Amanda. A girl with bright and good energy, always positive. Means "pleasant".


The rarest English female names: list, meanings

As in our country, in foreign countries there are names that girls are called the least often.

WITH squeak:

  • Rebecca. This is a very sociable representative of the fair sex. She gets along well with others, as her name means “friendly.”
  • Mabel. An unusual representative of the fair sex. She has a calm disposition and finds a way out of any situation. life situations. Translated it means “pearl”.
  • Candles. A girl with that name is very modest and shy. She rarely causes much fuss because her name translates to “virgin.”
  • Madeline. A representative of the fair sex with this name is very calm and responsible. Since childhood, she can be assigned a variety of tasks. Translated, it means “obedient daughter.”
  • Nellie. In our country the name is also not particularly popular, as in the countries of Europe and America. Translated it means “appearing”.
  • Laura. It’s never boring with such a girl; she will always find something to do. Translated it means “toy”.


girl with rare name Rebecca

The most unusual English female names: list, meanings

There are names that are quite rare and unusual.

WITH squeak:

  • Annik. A girl with that name tries to be useful. After all, when translated, her name means “useful.”
  • Christie. The girl is very devout, as her name means “follower of Christ.”
  • Dusty. The character of the fair sex is strong and strong-willed, as translated it means “Thor’s stone.”
  • Stanley. A young lady with this name strives for harmony in everything. Translated it means “cleansing”.
  • Manley. The young lady always strives for clarity and certainty. Perhaps due to the fact that the name means “clarifying” in translation.
  • Baz. A somewhat non-standard name, which is very reminiscent of a man's name. Translated it means “Grass”.
  • Ogden. The girl is very persistent and strong in spirit. She does not lose heart and always goes ahead, because her name means “oak grove.”
  • Kevin. Both girls and men are called this name. Translated it means “dear, beloved.”
  • Clare. The name can often be found in films, but it is not popular. Translated it means “glorifying.”
  • Filip. This name can also be considered both male and female. Translated it sounds like “horse lover.”


A girl with an unusual name Dusty.

Despite the popularization of foreign names, girls in our country are still rarely called with English names. More often, names are used that have gained popularity both here and in Europe.

Choose something cool, but suitable name for your child is not an easy task. After all, your child will live with it all his life! Many parents begin to rack their brains even before his birth, trying to figure everything out and agree on opinions, and also so that later, when the baby grows up, it doesn’t occur to him to change his name. You need to choose wisely and without fanaticism, don't forget this. Well, we bring to your attention interesting names in the USA. Check it

On the Nameberry website you can not only choose a special, cool and pleasant-to-hear name, but also find out its true meaning and popularity. Also available a great opportunity weigh in on a list of the decade's biggest trends, whether you're a trendsetter or a follower.

A name is a gift so meaningful, so powerful and personal that only you can select it for your child.
A name is a gift so significant, so powerful and personal that only you can choose it for your child.

Today names that start with " Ad" or end with " lee", are among the most popular for children. So run into a bunch of kids called Kinsley ( Kinsley), Bentley ( Bently) or even Edeline ( Addelyn), in our time it becomes more probable than, say, in the 50s. By the way, about them. Meet tons of Jennifer ( Jennifer) or Jasons ( Jason) was much more likely than today. And now, children in the USA and Britain, in contrast to Russian names, are quite willingly given names of the so-called “superlative degree”. Get it? Well, for example, such as Legend, Royalty or King. Would you like this for yourself? They could pathetically declare to someone: “I am a legend!” and Will Smith himself would envy you. Hurry up to change the names before they become boring, because they are becoming more popular every day!

Also on the list of fashionable baby names are the names of celebrities. These days, naming your baby Lennon, Monroe or Hendrix can take the world by storm! We believe that this trend is worth following. Why? Well... because paying homage to legendary stars can inspire your child to be the most cool kid in the world!

We would not like to upset you, but Mother Murphy with her laws is not at all against it. One of them, for example, reads: “No matter how harmless the name you give your child may seem, he will definitely be teased with this name.” So, name your child so that such a law does not come into effect.

Popular American names

List of male names:
Noah
Liam
William
Mason
James
Benjamin
Jacob
Michael
Elijah
Ethan

List of female names:
Emma
Olivia
Ava
Sophia
Isabella
Mia
Charlotte
Abigail
Emily
Harper

Well, if you still want to know the history, then on the Social Security Administration website ( Social Security Administration or S.S.A., but don't read backwards tho) there is a whole table with the five most popular male and female names in the United States for newborn flowers of life, starting from 1917 to 2016. Over the past 100 years, for example, the name " Michael" still holds the lead (44 times), while the female name " Mary"over the years has become a leader 39 times.

Other American names

While some names come and go, those that we have indicated below, be that as it may, are “stuck” with the people thoroughly. They may not be #1 today, but they will certainly never go out of fashion and are heading towards the top of the list every day.

English male names:

  • Everett. Means "brave as a wild boar" - " brave as a wild boar». English version German name " Eberhard».
  • Henry. German name meaning "household manager" - " ruler of the household" or "household manager."
  • Charlie. "Free guy" - " free man" English soft form of the name "Charles".
  • Edwin. "Prosperous Friend" - " prosperous friend" or "rich friend." English name.
  • Sam. The Hebrew meaning of the name is “to hear.” Also means "declared by God" - " told by God" English name, full form - "Samuel".
  • Marshall. French name meaning "guardian of horses" - " the keeper of hours».
  • Calvin. Latin name, meaning "bald" or "deprived of cover" - " bald boy».
  • Edgar. English name meaning "great spearman" - " great spear man

English female names:

  • Lola. Spanish name, meaning "strong woman".
  • Lillian. French name, derived from the name "Elizabeth" (Elizabeth). Oddly enough, it means “lily”.
  • Stella. Latin name, derived from " stellar", which means "starry".
  • Genevieve(read as, "Genevieve") - Genevieve. Good name from France. Means "white wave".
  • Cora. Not the one in the trees. It's like Corinna, only Cora. In ancient Greek it means “filled heart” - “ filled heart" In mythology, the name Kore was an epithet of Persephone, the goddess of fertility and mistress of the underworld.
  • Evelyn. Evelina is a Hebrew name meaning "life force." Traditionally - English surname, which was a boy's name but is now used primarily for girls.
  • Lucy. Lucille is an English Catholic name meaning "light-bringer". You can say " Lucia» as well.
  • Clara. She stole corals, but in general she is “light” and “clean”. Latin name.
  • Ruby. Again Latin for "dark red gem".
  • Eva["i:və]. The name of the progenitor of all mankind means "life-giver" or simply "life". Cool, right? The Latin form of the Hebrew name "Eve".

Rare and unusual English names

A unique name is chosen as a symbol of a unique, special child and family.
A unique name is chosen as a symbol of an exceptional, special child and family.

TOP 5 unusual male names in English

  • Prescott. This superb English name meaning "Rectory" was given to 18 boys in 2016. It can be shortened to "Scott" as a nickname if he thinks it sounds too strict.
  • Grover. Although there were many Grovers during the 20th century, such as President Cleveland, as well as the lovable blue weirdo from Sesame Street. Another famous Grover is jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. But only 19 boys were named Grover in 2016.
  • Oberon. The character Oberon in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is the king of fairies and elves, but the name itself, with the accented "o" at the beginning, conveys a much more masculine image. Oberon was also seen as a fairy-tale king in an ancient Germanic legend, a French heroic song, in dramatic work for the Ben-Johnson Mask Theater and in several operas. He also appeared in the Disney animated film Gargoyles. In ancient England the name was written as "Auberon".
  • Regis. This is sacred French name means "royal". Today this name is most often associated with the venerable talk show host Regis Philbin
    (Regis Philbin). Only 10 parents chose this name for their son in 2016, so chances are your son will be the only "Regis" in your life.
  • Thelonious. Best known as the name of legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk, 20 boys received this unique name in 2016. Origin obliged German name"Tillman" means "one who tills the land" and "Thelonious" is a Latinized variation of the word.

TOP 5 unusual female names in English

Since many people are looking for a "unique" name, finding something truly unique can be extremely difficult, especially when it comes to girls. Historically, girls' names have tended to be fashionable, while boys' names have been more conservative. For example, while the most popular girl's name changed every 10 years, the name "Michael" has remained in the top ten for over 75 years. Thanks to this, there are more popular beautiful female names than male ones. In addition, many trending “unusual” names for girls come from men’s names. So if you're looking for something unusual but distinctly feminine, then you might have to dig a little deeper.

The names below are given to 10 or fewer baby girls each year, so of course there's a small chance she'll have to share her unique name with someone else. But, if you want your new addition to the family to stand out among the Emmas, Olivias and Sophias, then feel free to choose one of the unusual names below for your little princess.

  • Flannery. You may not have gotten around to reading Flannery O'Connor's most famous story, "Everything That Rises Must Converge." But don't let that stop you from giving this warm-sounding one a try. Irish name "Flannery" comes from "flann" and "gal", which means "ruddy" and "bravery" in Irish. Only 10 little girls received this name in 2016.
  • Alberta. The English name, meaning "noble" and "bright", probably comes from the western province of Canada. However, there is information that the province is actually named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, one of Queen Victoria's daughters. Although the name may be quite popular abroad, only 9 girls were named with it in 2016.
  • Sigourney. Who knows, maybe the new “Alien” would have turned out quite tolerable if it had been there main woman the entire franchise. Not many parents name their daughters Sigourney. In fact, only 8 families chose it in 2016, but we do know that it is the name of the winner (which is what it means, by the way). Even Sigourney Weaver herself once admitted in an interview that she changed her first name “Susan”, inspired by a character from the novel “The Great Gatsby” by Francis Scott Fitzgerald.
  • Talullah. The main thing is that it is not Tanunnah. While celebrities like Demi Moore, Patrick Dempsey and Philip Seymour Hoffman have named their daughters Tallulah, only seven families chose this charming Choctaw name meaning "jumping water" in 2016. Previously associated with stage and screen's greatest star, Talullah Bankhead, the name has now largely established itself as the go-to name for Southern belles. Another meaning of the name is “shining girl.”
  • Antigone. Just like the name of the anti-theft system. The meaning of the name is “instead of a child.” If you want to make a solid name choice with a good history, Antigone is a good choice. The brave and principled heroine of an oft-told story in Greek mythology- hits the target and even more. Although the name has been known throughout history, parents have made it a slightly unusual choice for their daughters - only 8 families named their daughters Antigone in 2016. We'd say "Tig" sounds pretty cute too. Girls named Antigone are distinguished by their courage and independence. In childhood, this manifests itself in the form of pronounced self-will and excessive curiosity even for a child.

Double English names

If one name is not enough for you, you can try another route. Actually give it to children double names- a relatively recent tradition. Until the 18th century, people got by with only one first and last name. For a long time, the source of names was mainly the only one - a list of saints and holidays in calendar order (church calendar). But there were quite a lot of variations on the theme of church names among the people: in English, the Latin form “Maria” was transformed into “Mary” (Mary), which, in turn, gave the diminutive “Molly” (Molly), and then “Polly” ( Polly). The name "Joannes" comes from Hebrew. Yohanan, gave in medieval England the forms “Jan”, “Iohn” and “John” (John), as well as the diminutives “Jankin”, “Jackin”, and only then popular name"Jack" (Jack). A female uniform"Ioanna", borrowed from the French "Jeanne" (Jeanne), immediately turned into three independent names: "Jane" (Jane), "Jean" (Jean) and "Joan" (Joan).

That's all for us. If you suddenly decide to move to the USA and start a family there, you will definitely know what to name your offspring!

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

Women's full names in England they have their own distinctive feature. They consist of three parts, two of which are written with a hyphen, and a surname. The first name is the main one. The second is the average. The third is the surname. The main thing is the first name; it is this name, or a diminutive form of it, that a girl is called in life. The list of English female names is constantly growing, because any word can become a name, even the surname of a relative or a celebrity.

History of the origin of the English name

Initially, English names, like those of all other peoples, were a common nickname, consisting of two words - a noun and an adjective. They reflected the character of a person, his main features and characteristics. Further development led to the fact that people began to assign names (nicknames) to the girls born, reflecting the most desirable qualities that would predetermine and influence fate.

Originally English female names

For England itself, truly English names are rare. Of the total, they occupy less than 10%. But this is not only in England. In any Christian country, the basis is made up of names borrowed from the Bible, that is, they have Jewish, Latin or Greek roots. List of English female names having English origin:

  • Mildred - Mildred. Tender and strong.
  • Alice - Alice. Translated it means "noble class".
  • Alfreda - Alfreda. Wisdom, mind.
  • Yvonne - Yvonne. Archer.
  • Eloise - Eloise. A daughter close to God.

Nevertheless, some Britons remain true to their traditions and name their daughters. The conquest of England by the Vikings reduced the number of English names. Instead, the Normans appeared. Currently, in Britain, not all women's names are English; the list is constantly growing due to famous foreigners, after whom democratic Britons name their babies.

Names from Christian calendars, the Bible

The spread of Christianity in England greatly influenced women's names. At baptism, babies were named after saints and characters in the Bible. People reinterpreted these words in their own way, and new English female names began to appear. A list of them is given below:

  • Mary - Mary. Serene. Derived from the Hebrew name Mary. This was the name of the mother of the Lord Jesus.
  • Ann - Ann. Mercy, Grace. This name was the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel.
  • Maryanne - Maryanne. Serene grace. This name combined two - Mary and Anne.
  • Sarah - Sarah. Name Means "possessing power, princess."
  • Sophia - Sophie. Wisdom. Arrived at English language from Christianity.
  • Katherine - Katherine. Purity. The name comes from Christianity.
  • Eva - Eva. Life. It came from the Bible. That was the name of the ancestor of people.
  • Agnes - Agnes. Innocent, immaculate. The name comes from Christianity.
  • Susanna - Suzanne. Little lily.
  • Judyt - Judith. Glorification. Biblical name.
  • Joan - Joan. A gift from a merciful God.

A large number of names that are still used today owe their appearance to Protestants and Puritans, who opposed themselves to the Anglican Church and gave their children new names that were different from the usual ones. They for the most part were of a rather strange nature, consisting of sentences. For example, The-Work-of-God Farmer, which means God's Work Farmer. But life defeated religious fanaticism. Ordinary people gave their daughters beautiful and new names:

  • Daniel - Daniel. God is my judge.
  • Sarah - Sarah. Bossy.
  • Susan - Susan. Lily.
  • Hannah - Hannah. Derived from the name Anna. Grace. Grace.
  • Dinah - Dina. Derived from Diana. Divine.
  • Tamar - Tamara. Date palm.

The modern list of English female names that appeared in Puritan families is quite significant. Many representatives of this movement were forced to hide and went to Australia or North America.

American names

America was settled by people from different countries. Mostly people from the British Empire: British, Scots and Irish. Most of them were commoners and criminals fleeing persecution in their homeland. It was they who brought here the shortened form of names, which took root well and gained popularity. The list of English female names has been replenished with new ones, such as Ben, Ed, Mud, Mel, Dan, Meg, Ellie, Tina, Lina.

In addition to the residents of Britain, thousands of residents from all over Europe moved here, coming with their own traditions and names, which were partly remade by the English-speaking population in their own way.

The most popular American female names (list in English):

  • Mary - Mary. Derived from Mary. Serene.
  • Patricia - Patricia. Noble.
  • Linda - Linda. Beautiful.
  • Barbara - Barbara. Foreigner.
  • Elizabeth - Elizabeth. God is my oath.
  • Jennifer - Jennifer. Enchantress.
  • Maria - Maria. Serene.
  • Susan - Suzanne. Little Lily.
  • Margaret - Margaret. Pearl.
  • Dorothy - Dorothy. A gift from the gods.
  • Nancy - Nancy. Grace.
  • Karen - Karen. Generous.
  • Betty - Betty. Oath to the Gods.
  • Helen - Helen. Sunbeam.
  • Sandra - Sandra. Male protector.
  • Carol - Carol. Derived from Caroline - princess.
  • Ruth - Ruth. Friendship.
  • Sharon - Sharon. Princess, plain.

English Catholics, Protestants, and Puritans brought their own rules for naming to America. They, just like in England, consist of three parts - the main, middle and surname. The British borrowed many American names.

New female names

In the 18th century, it appeared in England new tradition give children a middle (middle) name. This brought back to life Old English and Gothic names such as Matilda, Diana, Emma. New beautiful English female names have also appeared. Their list was supplemented by famous English writers. Jonathan Swift, William Shakespeare and others gave English women these names:

  • Stella - Stella. Star.
  • Vanessa - Vanessa. Butterfly.
  • Juliet - Juliet. Born in July.
  • Ophelia - Ophelia. Exalted.
  • Viola - Viola. Violet.
  • Silvia - Silvia. Lesnaya.
  • Julia - Julia. Girl with soft hair.
  • Clara - Clara. Clear. Light.
  • Pamela - Pamela. Wanderer. Pilgrim.
  • Wendy - Wendy. Girlfriend.
  • Candida - Candida. Clean. White.
  • Clarinda - Clarinda. Light. Purity.
  • Belinda - Belinda. Beautiful.
  • Fleur - Fleur. Flower. Blooming.
  • Sybil - Sybil. Prophetess. Oracle.

Beautiful female names

Every parent wants, first of all, for their child to be healthy and beautiful. The British choose euphonious and gentle names for their newborn daughters. They hope that the girl will have the character traits that the name denotes. Therefore, names are chosen that are sonorous and meaningful. If there is no such name, then the child can be called any word you like. The legislation allows this, which is why new beautiful English female names are appearing. The list is given below:

  • Agata - Agata. Kind, good.
  • Adelaida - Adelaide. Noble.
  • Beatrice - Beatrice. Blessed.
  • Britney - Britney. Little Britain.
  • Valery - Valerie. Strong, brave.
  • Veronica - Veronica. The one that brings victory.
  • Gloria - Gloria. Glory.
  • Camilla - Camilla. Worthy of serving the gods.
  • Caroline - Caroline. Princess.
  • Melissa - Melissa. Honey.
  • Miranda - Miranda. Amazing.
  • Rebecca - Rebecca. Trap.
  • Sabrina - Sabrina. Noble.

English surnames

It so happened historically that the personal name is primary, and the surname, which denotes belonging to the clan, family, is secondary. English women's names and surnames are formed in the same way. List of the most popular and frequently occurring surnames:

  • Anderson - Anderson.
  • Baker - Baker.
  • Brown - Brown.
  • Carter - Carter.
  • Clark - Clark.
  • Cooper - Cooper.
  • Harrison - Harrison.
  • Jackson - Jackson.
  • James - James.
  • Johnson - Johnson.
  • King - King.
  • Lee - Lee.
  • Martin - Martin.
  • Morgan - Morgan.
  • Parker - Parker.
  • Patterson - Patterson.
  • Richardson - Richardson.
  • Smith - Smith.
  • Spencer - Spencer.
  • Taylor - Taylor.
  • Wilson - Wilson.
  • Young - Young.

For the most part, like most peoples, they came from personal names. In some cases they do not undergo any changes - Allen, Baldwin, Cecil, Dennis. Others are associated with the names of the gods and Teutonic mythology - Godwin, Goodiers, Godyears. The part is derived from the Scandinavian names - Swain, Thurston, Thurlow.

Some surnames consist of a personal name, to which the ending - son is added, which meant “son of such and such”: Thompson, Abbotson, Swainson. Residents of Scotland use the prefix - Mac, which also means "son". For example, MacDonald - “son of Donald”, MacGregor - “son of Gregor”.

Some surnames have a professional connotation, that is, Stuart - “royal seneschal”, Pottinger - “cook who cooks the royal soup”. Surnames, like given names, can be given in honor of the place of residence; these can be the names of counties, countries, cities.