How to Give Your Baby an English Name

"Your Highness" may work while your little one is in the womb, but soon you'll need a new title for your baby. How about a name with a royal feel? The following steps will assist you in choosing a jolly good name for your child.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Names
• Genealogy Books
• Internet Access
• Computers
• Genealogy Software

1. Go for a name that symbolizes strength. For a girl, Alexandra means defender of humankind. Victoria means victorious. For boys, Richard means rich and powerful ruler, and Andrew and Charles both mean strong.

2. Select a name that is feminine for your daughter. Sarah means princess, and Carolyn means little and womanly.

3. Opt for a masculine name for your son. Dunstan means valiant fighter, and Winston means town of victory.

4. Choose a Biblical name. For boys, Daniel means "God is my judge"; Jonathan means gift of God, and Samuel means "heard God." For girls, Chrissy signifies Christianity, while Elizabeth means "consecrated to God."

5. Give your child a name from the earth. For a girl, try Olivia, which means olive tree. For boys, Dudley means common field, Dunley means hilly meadow, Dunstan means brownstone fortress, and George means farmer. Safford means willow-river crossing, and Rochester means rocky fortress.

6. Give your daughter a name that symbolizes light, such as Ellen or Lucy.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that these names come from various parts of the country and can be derived from different cultures. The spellings and meaning may vary slightly from region to region - check with your family or other resources if this is important in naming your child.

[Stina]

on 6/3/2009 They may have mispelled and meant to type Stafford. Stafford and Rochester were quite powerful surnames in 1500's England. Anyone with a smidge of interest in the Tudor era would recognize them.

on 8/8/2006 I'm English, and I have yet to have heard many of the names you have suggested. Dunstan? Safford? Are those names of your relatives, is that why they are listed here. I highly doubt someone from another country or somewhere else would want to give their child an English name that is not recognized by the English community. Just a comment.