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

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.

      F

      Fabian m.

      From the Latin family name Fabianus, possibly meaning ‘bean-grower’. There was a pope of this name and a St Fabian in the 3rd century, and there is a record of the name’s use by a 13th-century sub-prior of St Albans. There is little other evidence of it until the 16th century, but its use as a surname shows that it was known previously. The Roman general Fabius, known as the ‘delayer’ for his tactics of awaiting the right moment to achieve his ends, was the inspiration for the socialist Fabian Society, founded in 1884. A female form, Fabienne, comes from the French Fabien. Spanish forms are Fabio, and Fabiola for girls.

      Fahimah f.

      A Muslim name from the Arabic for ‘discerning’ or ‘intelligent’.

      Faisal see Faysal

      Faith f.

      One of the Christian virtues used as names after the Reformation. It was formerly used for both sexes, but is now a girl’s name. FAY(E) or Fae is a short form.

      Fallon f.

      This is an English form of the Irish surname ‘O Fallamhain’, or ‘leader’. It was made known as a first name by a character in the TV series Dynasty and came into limited use in the USA and Britain as a result.

      Fanny see Frances, Myfanwy

      Farah f.

      From the Arabic meaning ‘joy, cheerfulness’. Farrah is also found. American actress Farrah Fawcett claimed that her parents were unaware that Farah existed when they invented her first name. Farhanah is from the Arabic for ‘joyful’.

      Farall, Farrell see Fergal

      Fatima f.

      This is an Arabic name which means either ‘chaste’ or ‘motherly’. It was the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s favourite daughter, the only one of his children to have children of her own. It has been popular in the USA with Black Muslims. It is also occasionally used in a Christian context in honour of Our Lady of Fatima.

      Faustine