First-Time Parent and Gem Babies’ Names Bundle. Lucy Atkins

has been well used in the USA in recent years.

      Dora f.

      Originally this name was a short form of DOROTHY and THEODORA, but it is now a name in its own right. It came into use at the beginning of the 19th century. A pet form is Dorrie, shared with other names like DOREEN and DORIS. Dorinda was an 18th-century elaboration of the name.

      Dorcas see Tabitha

      Doreen f.

      From the Irish Doireann, a name sometimes found in English spelling as Dorren. Its origin is rather obscure, but in Irish mythology it is the name of at least two supernatural beings. A short form is Dorrie, and the name can also be spelt Dorinne.

      Dorian f. and m.

      The ancient Greek people known as Dorians came from Doris in the north, but later dominated southern Greece. The best-known group were the Spartans. The word was introduced as a first name in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray (1891). Like so many boy’s names, it is now used as a girl’s name as well. It is now also spelt Dorien or Dorrien and for girls Dorianne and Doriana. Forms such as Darian and Darien can be seen as either a form of this name, or a blend of such names as DARIUS and DARREN.

      Dorinda see Dora

      Dorinne see Doreen

      Doris f.

      The name of a sea nymph in Greek mythology, possibly meaning ‘bountiful’, and also a term for a woman member of the DORIAN people of Greece. In classical literature it was used as a poetic name for a lovely woman. It came into common use at the end of the 19th century and was popular into the 1930s. A short form is Dorrie.

      Dorothy, Dorothea f.

      From the Greek meaning ‘gift of God’. The name is found in Britain from the end of the 15th century and has been in use ever since. In the 16th century, it was abbreviated to Doll(y), and was so popular that the toy became known as a doll, Doll being such a likely name for a baby. In Scottish dialect, a doll is sometimes called a Dorrity. Later short forms are DORA, Dot, Dottie, Dodo, Dodie and Thea (see also THEODORA).

      Dorren see Doreen

      Dorrie see Dora, Doreen, Doris

      Dorrien see Dorian

      Dorrity, Dot, Dottie see Dorothy

      Dougal, Dugal(d) m.

      From the Irish dubh ghall, meaning ‘dark stranger’, a name given to the Danish Vikings. It was a common first name in the Scottish Highlands, and while it still has strong Scottish associations, it now has a more general use.

      Douglas m.

      From the Gaelic dubh glas, meaning ‘black stream’. It was first a Celtic river name, then the surname of a powerful Scottish family famous for its strength and bravery in fighting, and then, from about the late 16th century, a first name for both girls and boys. It is now restricted to boys. Duggie and Doug(ie) are pet forms.

      Drew m. and f.

      From the Old German Drogo, meaning ‘to carry’ or ‘to bear’, a name which was brought to Britain by the Normans and later became a surname. This surname, which like any other, can also be used as a first name, may also come from two other sources: as a short form of ANDREW, probably the commonest form of Drew as a first name, and from an old French word for ‘lover’. Parents wishing to use this name may take their choice. It has recently been used occasionally for girls.

      Drusilla f.

      A feminine form of the Latin Drusus, a Roman family name, possibly meaning ‘firm’. It occurs in the New Testament and was adopted in the 17th century by the Puritans. It is still used occasionally, mainly in North America.

      Duane, Dwayne m.

      An Irish surname, probably meaning ‘black’, used as a first name. Pop star Duane Eddy made the name better known in the 1950s. More recently it has developed exotic variants such as DeWayne or Du’aine.

      Dudley m.

      Originally a surname from the place name in Worcestershire. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was the favourite of Queen Elizabeth for many years. Like other aristocratic names it came into general use as a first name in the 19th century. Dud is a short form.

      Dugal(d) see Dougal

      Duggie see Douglas

      Duke see Marmaduke

      Dulcie f.

      Dulcie is a name coined in the 19th century from the Latin dulcis, meaning ‘sweet’. There was an earlier name, Dulcibella (‘fair and sweet’). Dulcie was very popular in the early years of the 20th century, but now has an old-fashioned ring to it.

      Duleep see Dilip

      Duncan m.

      The Scots form of the Irish Donnchadh (pronounced don-ne-ha, the ‘h’ ideally the sound in Scottish ‘loch’), meaning ‘brown’. It was the name of two Scottish kings and at one time was almost entirely confined to Scotland, although this is no longer the case.

      Dunstan m.

      From the Old English words dun, meaning ‘hill’ and stan, meaning ‘stone’. It was the name of a famous 10th-century Archbishop of Canterbury. It appears from time to time before the Reformation, and was revived by the Oxford Movement in the 19th century.

      Durga f.

      The name of the Hindu goddess, the wife of SHIVA, when depicted in her terrifying form. Durga is from a Sanskrit word for ‘inaccessible’.

      Dustin m.

      Best known from the actor Dustin Hoffman, this name has recently been very popular in the USA. It may be from a place name meaning ‘dusty’, or could be a form of Thurstan, a Norse name meaning ‘Thor’s stone’, i.e. an altar dedicated to the thunder god Thor.

      Dwayne see Duane

      Dwight m.

      Originally an English surname, which may go back to the same source as DENIS. The use of this name as a first name in the United States probably arose from respect for Timothy Dwight, President of Yale University (1795–1817). US President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a wider circulation to the name.

      Dyan, Dyanne see Diana

      Dylan m.

      This is the name of a legendary Welsh hero, son of the sea god, possibly meaning ‘son of the wave’. It was rare outside Wales, but the Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, made it more familiar to the general public. The singer, Bob Dylan, often referred to by his second name, took his stage name from the poet and has increased its use.

      Dymp(h)na see Devnet

      E

      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