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Original poster

Old names you've found

43 replies

Hadtocomment · 17/02/2022 11:13

Was looking through old registers for fun mainly 1200s to 1400s. You can see how lots of versions and spelling start to solidify around various classics like Margaret including people called Magot! And then then the name Mold and Molde! Ahem. Then there were names I thought were far more recent like Barbara and Margory. Anyway I pulled out these as interesting old girls names. Have you come across any interesting old names you like that might have fallen out of usage?

Aliva
Amabel
Annora
Athelyna
Dulcia
Felicia
Galiene
Gelle
Idone
Idony
Iseletta
Josian
Jonetta
Jeva
Kemma
Kitta
Linet
Mariota
Minnota
Mirabel
Osanna
Peronelle
Reyne
Roseia
Somerild

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BathroomBuffalo · 17/02/2022 11:16

How fascinating. Interesting how some names have become more and more popular and some have been lost to history! I like Kitta and Kenna!

RatherBeRiding · 17/02/2022 11:19

That is so interesting! Some of those names are beautiful, much nicer than some of the modern made-up names. Osanna and Roseia and gorgeous

Original poster
Hadtocomment · 17/02/2022 11:41

Yes I like Kitta and Osanna. On Kemma it's interesting as Gemma is there too. So that is also an old historic name but i thought it was more modern. I like Gelle and I also quite like Peronelle. I think it changes to Petronella eventually maybe but I prefer the other form. And Josian I think is quite a nice girls name that is not frilly. There are a lot of people called Alotte or Alot which is odd. I wonder if this was pronounced Alotta? I don't know. Not so sure about Magot and Molde though!

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Original poster
Hadtocomment · 17/02/2022 11:43

Also Idone or Idony is interesting. I wonder where that comes from?

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CrackerGal · 17/02/2022 11:44

No but its so interesting thanks for sharing!
I went to school with a Linnet. She'd be in her 30s now.

CrackerGal · 17/02/2022 11:45

I know someone who has a Mirabel too. She's a younger teen now.
Really nice name!

TopCatsTopHat · 17/02/2022 11:46

Magot and Molde, bet they're a right pair of old sticks up for anything for a laugh. Bet they have a good cackle in them and cause havoc on buses. 😆

CrackerGal · 17/02/2022 11:46

I love Annora!

TeaAndStrumpets · 17/02/2022 11:47

I found brothers Nigel and Reginild, similar time period. What a fab thread!

HeresMyName1 · 17/02/2022 11:47

This is brilliant- I’d love a boys’ version!

Classica · 17/02/2022 11:47

Idone and Idony may come from Sidonie

Thecurtainsofdestiny · 17/02/2022 11:48

I like Somerild. Apparently means one who travels in summer.

CrackerGal · 17/02/2022 11:48

@TopCatsTopHat

Magot and Molde, bet they're a right pair of old sticks up for anything for a laugh. Bet they have a good cackle in them and cause havoc on buses. 😆
😂 I love this so much 🤣
CrackerGal · 17/02/2022 11:49

@Classica

Idone and Idony may come from Sidonie
How do you pronounce Sidonie please?
Vampirethriller · 17/02/2022 11:54

In the cemetery beside my flat there's some great old names.
Annis
Azelia
Aleather
Morine
Pearla

Original poster
Hadtocomment · 17/02/2022 12:01

Wow those are great Vampirethriller. I wonder how Aleather and Morine were pronounced. Sounds quite goth. Is that another spelling of Maureen? Funny how a spelling can make a similar word seem so different. In the cemetery near me nearly all the women are called Euphemia. Don't see that a lot these days.

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TeaAndStrumpets · 17/02/2022 12:11

I do think male names have endured with less change. I am researching a specific village where some lay members of a priory lived. They were
Robert, Richard
John, Hugh, Robert (same surname)
Ralph son of Ralph
Robert
Thomas senior
Thomas junior
Robert
Walter
John junior
John son of Geoffrey
William son of Ralph
Richard

I keep finding male names repeated over and over, whereas girls have much greater variation....

TeaAndStrumpets · 17/02/2022 12:12

Oops should say, 1327

WinnieWaits · 17/02/2022 12:37

1600s Scotland: Geillis. Also seen it written Jeillis.
This is also now a character in Outlander I believe.

WinnieWaits · 17/02/2022 12:38

Also Christian for girls. Not sure if it was said Christine as it seems to be interchangeable in some cases.

GoldenOmber · 17/02/2022 12:55

I have Tamar in my family tree and AliceAnn twice (mother and daughter. I can hear the Regency-era version of the Baby Names board shouting “why not just call her Alison she’ll be spelling it out her whole life!”)

Original poster
Hadtocomment · 17/02/2022 13:06

I like the name Tamar and knew one in the past too. I think it's quite an old name same root as Tamara. But some might name for the river now. I think it's a nice unfrilly name for a girl. Haha about Aliceanne.

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OhGingleBells · 17/02/2022 13:16

@CrackerGal I knew a Sidonie and I believe it was pronounced as it looks (SID-oh-knee) I’m not actually 100% sure though as she went by Siddy and I only saw her full name on FB. I think it’s a nice name and Siddy (Siddi?) is a sweet nickname. The Siddy I knew was super lovely as well!

CrackerGal · 17/02/2022 13:31

[quote OhGingleBells]@CrackerGal I knew a Sidonie and I believe it was pronounced as it looks (SID-oh-knee) I’m not actually 100% sure though as she went by Siddy and I only saw her full name on FB. I think it’s a nice name and Siddy (Siddi?) is a sweet nickname. The Siddy I knew was super lovely as well![/quote]
Yes I really like it it's different! Thank you :)

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/02/2022 13:38

That's fascinating. I think I saw a register that showed Amanda was in use in the middle ages which surprised me.

We had a neighbour called Maidlin when I was growing up which was apparently an old English form of Madeleine