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Eachan see Hector

Eadan see Etain

Eamon(n) see Edmund

Earl m.

From the title, in Old English meaning ‘nobleman’ or ‘chief’. It has been used as a first name for about a century, mainly in North America. Erle is a variant spelling, as in the author Erle Stanley Gardiner.

Earnest see Ernest

Eartha f.

From the Old English eorthe, meaning ‘earth’. A famous modern example is the singer and actress Eartha Kitt, but the name is rare outside the southern USA, where Ertha and Erthel are also found.

Ebenezer m.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘stone of help’. In the Old Testament it is the name of a stone monument set up by Samuel, in memory of the triumph of the Jews over the Philistine army and in thanks for God’s help. It was first used as a first name in the 17th century among the Puritans. It is now used mainly in North America, with the shortened form Eben.

Ebony f.

The name of an intensely black wood which symbolises blackness, Ebony began to be used by Afro-American parents in the 1970s. It reached a peak of popularity in the 1980s after the song Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, but then began to fade. Its other spellings include Ebbony, Eboney, Eboni, Ebonie and Ebonnee.

Ed, Eddie see Edgar, Edmund, Edward

Edan, Edana see Aidan, Edna

Edgar m.

From the Old English meaning ‘fortunate spear’. Owing to the popularity of King Edgar, King Alfred’s grandson, the name continued in use after the Norman Conquest, but it faded out at the end of the 13th century. It was then used by Shakespeare in King Lear, and revived with other Old English names by 18th-century writers of fiction. Its popularity in the 19th century probably stems from its use for the hero of Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor. It is shortened to Ed or Eddie.

Edina see Edna

Edith f.

From the Old English name Eadgyth, meaning ‘fortunate war’. There were at least two English saints of that name in the 10th century. The name survived the Norman Conquest and was probably adopted by the Normans and used to replace several English names. Edith was in use throughout the Middle Ages, after which it became rather rare, but it returned to favour in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often shortened to Edie, it has a rare form, Editha.

Edmund m.

From the Old English Eadmund, meaning ‘happy protection’. It was the name of two kings of England and of two saints. Edmond is a French form which was used from the late Middle Ages. Eamon(n) is the Irish form. It was well used in the 19th century, then went rather out of fashion but is now steadily coming back into use. Shortened forms are Ed, Eddie, Ted and Teddy.

Edna f.

One source of this name may be Edana, a feminine form of the Irish name Edan, meaning ‘fire’ (see AIDAN). It has also been connected with a shortened form of Edwina (see EDWIN), via Edina. In addition the name occurs twice in the Apocrypha and its Hebrew meaning is probably ‘rejuvenation’. The modern use of it may stem from the popularity of the novelist Edna Lyall in the late 19th century.

Edward m.

From the Old English meaning ‘fortunate guardian’. Edward the Confessor established its popularity in England and ensured its survival after the Norman Conquest. It was further strengthened by the accession of Edward I in 1272, after which there was an Edward on the English throne for over a hundred years. It has remained in use ever since. The short forms Ned and Ted, together with Neddy or Teddy, have been used since the 14th century, but Ed and Eddie are the more common abbreviated forms found today.

Edwin m., Edwina f.

From the Old English meaning ‘fortunate friend’. Edwin was the first Christian king of Northumbria, in the 7th century. The name survived the Norman Conquest and became popular in the 18th century. Edwina is a 19th-century female form.

Effie see Euphemia

Egbert m.

From the Old English meaning ‘bright sword’. This was the name of the first king of a united England and of a 7th-century Northumbrian saint. It enjoyed some degree of popularity in the 19th century, but is now rarely found.

Eibhlin see Evelyn

Eileen f.

An Irish development of EVELYN. Like other Irish names it spread throughout Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. Eily is a short form. It is not uncommon to find it spelt Aileen.

Eilis, Ailis f.

In theory Eilis, sometimes spelt Eil(l)ish to reflect its pronunciation, is an Irish form of ELIZABETH, and Ailis (Ailish) an Irish form of ALICE, but in practice many users do not distinguish between the two.

Eithne f.

A name prominent in Irish legend and history, being used by a goddess, a number of queens and no less than nine saints. It means ‘kernel’ which in old Irish poetry is a term of praise. Modern variants include Ethne, Ethna and the phonetic Enya.

Ekata f.

An Indian name from the Sanskrit meaning ‘unity’.

Elaine f.

An Old French form of HELEN, which occurs in medieval literature. It came into general use through the popularity of Tennyson’s Idylls of the King (1859), which is based on Malory’s Morte d’Arthur and which includes the story of Lancelot and Elaine. There is also a Welsh name Elain, meaning ‘fawn’.

Eleanor f.

Eleanor and Elinor are French forms of HELEN which have been used in this country since the Middle Ages. Eleanora, the Italian form which gives us LEONORA, is also found, as is Elena. Eleanor is shortened to Ellie (currently very popular as a given name), ELLA, ELLEN, NELL and NORA.

Elfrida see Alfred

Eli m.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘elevated’. It was the name of the high priest in the Old Testament who looked after the prophet Samuel when he was given to the Temple as a baby. It was used as a first name in the 17th century. Eli is also a shortened form of ELIAS, Eliza (see ELIZABETH) and Elihu, which means ‘God is the Lord’.

Elias, Elijah m.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘Jehovah is God’. Both forms were very common in the Middle Ages, along with the pet forms Ellis and Eliot(t) or Elliot which became surnames, and are now used as first names. Elisha, ‘god is’, is often thought of as a variant of this name.

Eliot(t) see Elias

Elissa m.

A name by which DIDO, Queen of Carthage, was known, but in modern use it is probably a pet form of ELIZABETH. The Austrian-Italian film actress Elissa Landi (whose full name was Elizabeth Zanardi-Landi), was well known in the 1930s.

Elizabeth, Elisabeth f.

From the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning ‘oath of God’ or ‘God has sworn’. The present form developed from the Greek Elisabet through the Latin Elisabetha to Elizabeth. In Britain the ‘z’ form is usual, on the Continent the ‘s’ is used, for in the Authorised Version of the New Testament, the name is spelt Elisabeth. It was first used by members of the Eastern Church, then found its way across Europe to France, where it developed the form ISABEL(LE). This was also the usual medieval form in England. Elizabeth became common about the end of the 15th century, and its later popularity in England stemmed from the long reign of Elizabeth I. Among the many pet forms are: Bess(ie), Betsy, Betty, Beth (with Bethan in Wales, see BETHANY), Buffy, Eliza, Lizzy, Liz, Liza, Libby and the Scottish Elspeth, Elspie and Elsie, which are now used independently. The German ELSA, ELISSA (see also ALICE), Lisa, Liese or Liesel, the Italian Bettina, and the French Elise, Lisette and Babette, are also used in Britain.

Elke f.

A German pet form of the name ALICE. It is found in a slightly different form used by the singer Elkie Brooks.

Ella f.

A name used by the Normans probably derived from the Old German Alia, meaning ‘all’. It can also be a pet form of Isabella (see ISABEL), ELLEN or ELEANOR and is currently an increasingly popular choice for parents (see also LUELLA). The real name of the Australian model Elle Macpherson, who has brought this form of the name to popular attention, is Eleanor.

Ellen f.

An older English form of HELEN, now used independently, and also a short form of ELEANOR. In the past it has been especially popular in Scotland and Ireland and is now showing signs of wider popularity.

Ellie see Eleanor

Elliot(t), Ellis see Elias

Elmer m.

This is a surname which comes from both the Old English Ethelmer, ‘noble and famous’ and Ethelward, ‘noble guard’. It became a first name in the USA in honour of two brothers with the surname Elmer who were prominent in the American War of Independence. Aylmer is another form of the name. While Elma is actually a short form of Wilhelmina, a German feminine of WILLIAM, it can also be used as a female form of Elmer.

Eloise f.

Currently, the more popular version of the name known to history as Heloise. Abelard and Heloise were two famous and tragic 12th-century lovers, and Heloise was renowned for her beauty, intellect and faithfulness in love. The name can be spelt Heloïse or Eloïse and sometimes occurs as Eloisa. Experts do not agree on its origins: some say it is an Old German name perhaps meaning ‘helmet power’; others say it comes from the same source as LEWIS by way of an old southern French name Aloys or Aloyse (see ALOYSIUS).

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

Esther f.

In the Old Testament, this name is the Persian equivalent of a Hebrew word meaning ‘myrtle’. It was frequently used in the form Hester and appears in England in the 17th century, adopted by the Puritans. It can also be spelt Ester. Shortened forms include Essy, Essie and Ess, with Hester becoming Hetty.

Etain f.

In Irish legend, The Wooing of Etain is the story of the love of the fairy Princess Etain of the Fair Hair for a mortal man. This tale was retold in an opera called The Immortal Hour first performed in 1914. The opera was a great success at the time, and led to a use of the name outside Ireland. In Ireland the name is usually Etan or Eadan and pronounced ‘ad-an’.

Ethan m.

This is a Hebrew name meaning ‘firmness’, which occurs several times in the Old Testament. It has recently become a popular choice for boys.

Ethel f.

Not originally an independent name, but developed in the 19th century as a shortening of various Anglo-Saxon names beginning with the root ‘Ethel-’, from aethel, meaning ‘noble’ (see AUDREY).

Ethelbert see Albert

Etheldreda see Audrey

Ethna, Ethne see Eithne

Etta, Ettie see Henrietta

Euan see Eugene

Eufemia see Euphemia

Eugene m., Eugenie f.

From the Greek meaning ‘well-born’. In North America the masculine form is usually abbreviated to Gene. The Celtic names Eoghan (pronounced ‘eoh-un’) or Eoan (‘ohn’), and their Scots form Ewan, Ewen or Euan have traditionally been interpreted as forms of Eugene, although sometimes confused with Eoin, a form of JOHN. However, some would claim that they are a native Celtic name meaning ‘born of the yew’. Eugenie, the French feminine form, came into use from the French Empress Eugénie (1826–1920) who spent the last 50 years of her life in England. Eugenia is also used for girls.

Eunice f.

From the Greek, meaning ‘happy victory’. The name is mentioned in the New Testament and was adopted by the Puritans in the 17th century. In Greek it is pronounced as three syllables, with a hard ‘c’ and the final ‘e’ sounded, but modern users soften the ‘c’ if they use the three-syllable pronunciation or more often use the pronunciation indicated by the phonetic spelling Unice.

Euphemia f.

From the Greek, meaning ‘fair speech’ or, by implication, ‘silence’. It occurs as Eufemia and Euphemie from the 12th century. Later it became confined to Scotland, where it is still found, usually abbreviated to Effie (very popular at the beginning of the 20th century), Eppie or, occasionally, FAY or PHOEBE.

Eustace m.

From the Greek meaning ‘rich in corn’ and hence ‘fruitful’ generally. Because of the two saints Eustachius, this name was in use in Britain before the Norman Conquest and was popular from the 12th to the 16th centuries. Eustacia, the female form, was used in the 18th and 19th centuries but is now rare. A short form, STACEY (or Stacy), is now a name in its own right.

Eva see Eve

Evaline see Evelyn

Evan m.

This is a Welsh form of JOHN, the anglicised form of the Welsh spelt variously Iefan, Ifan or Ieuan. In Scotland it is also an anglicised form of the Irish Eoghan (see EUGENE).

Evangeline f.

From the Greek meaning ‘bringer of good news’, the same word that gives us ‘evangelist’. It was first introduced by Longfellow for his poem Evangeline (1847), and still tends to have a rather literary flavour. Evangelina is also found.

Eve f.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘life’, and in the Old Testament this is the name of the first woman. Eva is the Latin form, Eve the English. It was in use in Britain in the Middle Ages, when Old Testament names were not generally popular. In Ireland it was used as a substitute for the earlier Gaelic Aoife (pronounced ‘ee-fa’), meaning ‘radiant’, currently a very popular name. The pet form of Eve is Evie and Evita is a Spanish pet form (see also ZOE).

Evelyn f. and m.

When the Normans conquered Ireland they brought with them a girl’s name Aveline, meaning ‘wished for (child)’. It was adopted by the Irish in the form Eibhlin (pronounced either with the ‘bh’ as a ‘v’, or silent, giving EILEEN), which in turn was anglicised Eveline or Eveleen and later developed forms such as Evaline, Evelena and Evelina. It was also adopted as a surname, usually spelt Evelyn, and around the 17th century the surname started to be used for boys. The boy’s form is usually spelt Evelyn; all spellings are used for girls.

Everard m.

From the Old German for ‘brave boar’. The name was brought to Britain by the Normans and was fairly common in England in the 12th and 13th centuries and has been used occasionally ever since. In Scotland, it became Ewart. The surname Everett comes from Everard, and is also used as a first name.

Everild, Everilda see Averil

Evie, Evita see Eve

Ewan, Ewen see Eugene

Ewart see Everard

Ezekiel m.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘may God strengthen’. It is the name of an Old Testament prophet, and was used from the 17th century in Britain. It is still current in North America and is beginning to re-appear here. Zeke is the usual short form.

Ezra m.

From the Hebrew meaning ‘help’, Ezra is the name of the author of one of the books of the Old Testament. It was adopted as a first name by the Puritans in the 17th century. The name is no longer common, but a well-known example from the 20th century is the American poet, Ezra Pound.