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Original poster

UK place names that would make good first names

116 replies

AutumnIsMyFriend · 21/08/2023 08:17

I heard the town name Kelso in the radio today and in the context thought they were meaning a person, which got me thinking.

Some of these may already be used, but I thought it might be a fun list. Some of the Scottish ones I’ve suggested are used, albeit rarely

Kendall
Lomond
Kelso
Ailsa
Amberley
Devon
Irvine
Nairn
Kingston
Avon
Barnard
Annan
Seaton
Arran (actually, many Scottish islands are first names too - Iona, Islay, Lewis etc)

OP posts:
FerretFarago · 21/08/2023 10:45

ladygindiva · 21/08/2023 08:25

There's a village near me ( Cornwall) called Mithian which I always thought would make a nice girl's name.

…but not Ventongimps eh!

Mummy08m · 21/08/2023 10:49

...also,
Rainham (Rain for short)
Woodley
Eyam (pronounced Eem)
Chester
Padstow

WildCherryBlossom · 21/08/2023 11:03

Marlow
Alton
Chale
Cranleigh
Windsor

...Upton Scudamore and Nether Bottom for twins...?

BadBadDecisions · 21/08/2023 11:35

Alyth (pronounced ay-lith)
Kirriemuir (nickname Kirrie)

ladygindiva · 21/08/2023 12:18

FerretFarago · 21/08/2023 10:45

…but not Ventongimps eh!

Show quote history

I nearly followed with that 🤣 see also " Cocks", " Skinner's bottom" ...

Xiaoxiong · 21/08/2023 12:33

@EffortlessDesmond and @BadBadDecisions I don't think they're naming them after the towns directly but after surnames (probably that came from those towns). My dad's first and middle names, my brother's middle name, my own middle name are all family surnames from the female line and 2 out of 4 of these happen to also be towns in the UK or Ireland along the lines of Lincoln, Preston, Kent, Chester etc. And certainly no relationship to slavery, at least not in our family - just a tradition to keep the surnames on the mother's side in the name which apparently became very popular in the latter half of the 19th century.

https://digupyourancestors.com/2021/10/29/five-reasons-why-ancestors-used-surnames-as-middle-names/#:~:text=Honouring%20Mothers,half%20of%20the%2019th%20century.

Five reasons why ancestors used surnames as middle names

Why did our ancestors sometimes give their children surnames as middle names? Here are five reasons I’ve found in my family tree.

https://digupyourancestors.com/2021/10/29/five-reasons-why-ancestors-used-surnames-as-middle-names#:~:text=Honouring%20Mothers,half%20of%20the%2019th%20century.

KnickerlessParsons · 21/08/2023 12:33

Round here :
Compton Bassett
Marlborough
Ashton Keynes
Minety
Avebury
Kennett
Manson
Ramsbury
Ogbourne St George
Ogbourne Maisey

Omgwhatthehell · 21/08/2023 12:36

I love Lincoln, but DH vetoed it.
I met a baby Chelsea the other week!

Omgwhatthehell · 21/08/2023 12:36

And I heard a lady shouting for little Camden in the playground recently.

Cornishmumofone · 21/08/2023 12:39

Lamorna and Veryan are Cornish place names that work as names.

Epicstorm · 21/08/2023 12:41

Gipton

RobinHumphries · 21/08/2023 13:00

Clovelly and like some one has already said Lamorna

washingmachineslivelongerwithcalgon · 21/08/2023 13:51

Henley! Super cool name.

esoryelneh · 21/08/2023 13:54

Ariela · 21/08/2023 09:57

Oxfordshire has some good place names-could-be-names eg Garford, Lyford, Drayton, Carswell, Henley (I know one), Bladon,

My DD is Henley Rose 🥰

MadNads · 21/08/2023 14:07

washingmachineslivelongerwithcalgon · 21/08/2023 13:51

Henley! Super cool name.

For a Regatta

Fairgrove · 21/08/2023 14:17

Cornishmumofone · 21/08/2023 12:39

Lamorna and Veryan are Cornish place names that work as names.

I know a Veryan IRL

picturethispatsy · 21/08/2023 14:19

Merchantadventurer · 21/08/2023 08:46

I am reading a book where the main character is called Fleetwood. I can’t take it even though the book is set in the 17th Century. It sounds odd!

The Familiars?? If so fantastic book.

GlintingFuriously · 21/08/2023 14:26

Lincolnshire has the splendid Mavis Enderby, which throws in a surname too should you be in need of one.

Fairgrove · 21/08/2023 14:27

Solva
Kingston
Brecon
York
Cleveland
Oban
Lomond

Already done:

Barry....
Warwick...
Marlow....
Lee....

Toddlerteaplease · 21/08/2023 14:31

I've met an Amberly and a couple of Deavon's. And also several Harlow's.

UndercoverCop · 21/08/2023 14:32

@Mushroo· Today 10:28

Leigh- on- sea

Spelt Leyoncé

I live Essex, I am amazed no one seems to have done this yet!

Toddlerteaplease · 21/08/2023 14:33

hdbs17 · 21/08/2023 09:09

I can't stand when children are named Harlow.

Have the parents ever been to Harlow?!!?

Well, quite! Though it is an important example of mid 20th century architecture. 🤣🤣

somewhereovertherain · 21/08/2023 14:35

AutumnIsMyFriend · 21/08/2023 08:17

I heard the town name Kelso in the radio today and in the context thought they were meaning a person, which got me thinking.

Some of these may already be used, but I thought it might be a fun list. Some of the Scottish ones I’ve suggested are used, albeit rarely

Kendall
Lomond
Kelso
Ailsa
Amberley
Devon
Irvine
Nairn
Kingston
Avon
Barnard
Annan
Seaton
Arran (actually, many Scottish islands are first names too - Iona, Islay, Lewis etc)

No where in the UK called Kendall - there's Kendal

Dull - in Scotland - would be my choice for this topic

AffIt · 21/08/2023 14:35

Random789 · 21/08/2023 08:44

Kirkby Malzeard, if you wanted your child to grow up to be a villain.
Or the nearby Kirk Hammerton if you wanted a hero.
Studley Roger is midway between the two, a good friend to both, and rather easily led.

Ooh, this is a good game - 'what would your UK placename super villain name be?'

Mine would be Findo Gask (wee village in Scotland between Perth and Dundee).

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 21/08/2023 14:35

Place names and surnames as first names must be commoner in Scotland than elsewhere as names like Ailsa, Iona, Rona, Irvine, Lewis, Kyle, Arran, Harris seem perfectly usual names to me as I've met more than one of each. I've also come across a Carrick, Alyth, Sula and a Katrine (like the loch). But never a Scottish Paisley - as a PP says, if you've been there you're not going to name your child after it.