For those who want an unusual girl's name

[whatausername]

Estrilda, there you go! Was used in the 14th century.

Anyone got any other historic ones they fancy adding?

(I am being slightly tongue in cheek btw! I'm not sure Estrilda is quite my taste.)

I found a Hughena not too far back in my family tree. She was no 10 of 13.

@ghislaine

I found a Hughena not too far back in my family tree. She was no 10 of 13.

At least she had the option of going by Gina 😂

Zilpah was popular in the 17th century (Biblical so I assume the Puritans were keen). It's really pretty.

I used to know a Rohaise pronounced Row-Haze. Such a pretty name. Anyway, I give you Cunegonde and Mahaut. I know one of the latter, too.

Ioveta

I got beaten to Clothilde on page 2.
There's a Jaybeth in our family - I wonder if that an alternative spelling of Jaybez?

I really like Bethia - biblical name, popular in Middle Ages. But I would want it pronounced Beth-ear and I think the only ones called it nowadays, at least in the States, tend to say Beth-ire or Beth-eye-a.

My 7th great grandmother Mehetible was born in New England (USA) to a family that was part of the exodus from Britain because of some sort of religious persecution of protestants.

She was born in 1737 in Barnstable, Massachusetts. I don't know of any Archies in the family??? Her descendants ended in in Eastern Canada.

The name is certainly unusual but it is growing on me.

Beata (bee are ta)

There is a poem or some thing called Archie and Mehitabel, hence the connexion.

@BikeRunSki

Beata (bee are ta)

I know two of those!

I've just seen an Avis in the obituary column I really like it !

I love this thread. 😃 My son is called Wulfric so I've been looking for some similar Anglo Saxon names for our next one.

Weirdly I know women with lots of the names that've been cited already - Rohaise, Thirza, Kerenza, Demelza, Hepzibah (I think she was Dutch) and Zipporah (Jewish). They don't seem that unusual on the individual people, if you know what I mean!

I LOVE Mehitabel - never heard that before.

Great thread. I am still laughing at Merry-Wanda.

Leocadie, 16th century saint.

Considered it for DC5 but alas, he was a boy.

I've just seen an Avis in the obituary column I really like it !

There's an Avice (or three) in Hardy's The Well Beloved.

@itssquidstella

Æthelflæd

I'd love this to have a revival. I've taught the Saxon invasion and the struggle for power between the Saxons and Vikings for the last couple of years and always make sure to include her. I ask the children to discuss why they think the Lady of the Mercians was almost forgotten while Alfred the Great was seen as a great hero for centuries.

I have two many times grandmothers called Philadelphia! Not related to each other, although both my ancestors. Always been vaguely tempted by it…

I have a female ancestor called Lockhart.

Have actually been considering using Douglas for our DD (due September).

Will definitely not be using:
Plectrudis
Hildagonda
Blanche
Eadgifu

Bibiana
Faustina
Etheldreda