Origins of the Girl’s Name Rachel

The Rachel name is biblical and honoured in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
In the bible, Rachel, the second and most loved wife of Jacob represented womanly tragedy. She died in childbirth having her second son, Benjamin. Many British tend to pronounce Rachel,(Racheow) by dropping the L. Rachel wasn’t used as a Christian name until the Protestant Reformation, which included the Anglican church in England.

Meaning of Rachel

The English meaning of Rachel is ewe(sheep). Rachel represents innocence. The Anglican meaning of Rachel is “battle counsel.”

Popularity of Rachel

Rachel ranks 219th most popular name in England, Scotland and Wales. There are many English women named Rachel, including Rachel Riley, an English television presenter and Rachel Weisz, an actress. Rachel Mason is a character in the BBC series Waterloo, and Naughty Rachel is a character in the British comedy series, Green Wing. Rachel has never been the name of a British monarch, but in 2014 it has come close. Rachel Cadman was crowned Miss Nottingham of Great Britain. In 1982,Vangelis recorded “Rachel’s Song”, in London. It was re-released in 1994 and became a top 20 UK hit. In 2001, Rachel was the 38th most popular baby girl’s name in England and this could have been partly down to the popularity of the TV series Friends with the character Rachel Green.

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History of the Joan Name

Joan has historically been a name used for English girls of European royalty. It is believed to have first been used by Englishmen during medieval times. One of the first appearances of the name Joan was seen when Jhone, Henry II’s dauhter, brought a form of the name to England in the 12th century.

Meaning of Joan

Joan is a female derivative of the male name, John, and a second form of the English name, Jane. Primarily used in English applications, the name means ‘God is gracious’. Other forms of the name with the same meaning are Johanna, Joanna, and Joann. The meaning of Joan, in it’s original Hebrew form, is ‘Yahweh is merciful’.

Popularity of Joan

The name, Joan, has not been popular for many, many years among the general population. At the height of its usage in 1932, Joan was ranked 5th, but has since dropped substantially in popularity and is now only sporadically used. However, the name has been seen throughout history within the circles of European royalty and the like. It has not made the top 100 names list in England in recent years (2013 latest figures) and, therefore, is not considered to be a popular name.

Famous People Named Joan

Several historically famous people, as well as familiar people from more modern times, bear the name of Joan. This list includes:

• Joan of Arc – French heroine and saint
• Pope Joan – 9th century legend
• Joan Rivers – American comedian, actress, and talk show host
• Joan Collins – English-born actress
• Joan Sutherland – Australian opera singer

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The Meaning of the Name Juliet

Popularity

Famous People Called Juliet

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Skye – Pick This Name For Your New Born Baby

The big is finally here and your baby girl has arrived. Now comes the first challenge of parenthood,. What do you name your brand new baby? You have all sorts of ideas but you want to make sure that you get the perfect name for the perfect little girl.

Meaning and Origin of Skye

The magazine you were glancing through while you were waiting for the birth of your baby you saw the name Skye. Where does the Skye name originate? What is the meaning of Skye? In addition, what is the popularity of Skye?

Some sources indicate that the name originates from the country of Scotland and after the  island near the west coast of the country with the name Skye. Although other references report that the name comes from the Sky. Wherever its actual origin Skye is popular in many parts of Britain.

Popularity

If you are worried about Skye as a hugely popular name, that is not a concern as it is the 86th most popular name in England (in 2013 Government Statistics) and 41st most popular girls’ name in Scotland (2013).

Celebrities Called Skye

There are some celebrities associated with the name Skye, they include an English singer Skye Edwards, Actress Skye McCole Bartusiak, and Canadian Singer Skye Sweetnam.
The name Skye is a wonderful choice for the new addition to your family. It is very original, and is associated with a rich history.

Meaning and Origin Beatrice

Beatrice, derived from the Latin Beatrix, is an Italian girls name. There are several different suggestions as to what the meaning of Beatrice is. Common meanings include “voyager” or “traveller,” derived from the Latin male name Viator. However the most common meaning is thought to be “holly” or “blessed”. This meaning comes from the related name Viatrix which spelling is thought to have been altered by the name Beatuce, meaning “blessed” or “the one who donates happiness.”

Beatrice is an old name and the popularity of Beatrice has stood the test of time. It is often used in royal families but is not uncommon in the common population. Popular nicknames for the Beatrice name include “Bea” and “Trixie.”

Popularity

Beatrice ranked as the 89th most popular girls name in England in 2019, although it is much less popular in the United States, ranking at number 593.

Famous People Called Beatrix

The name is well known for its role in Dante’s poem “La Vita Nouva” which is inspired by his muse Beatrice Potinari who he only met twice in nine years. It was also used for the for the strong female lead in Shakespeare’s play “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Two well known modern authors with the closely related “Beatrix” include Beatrix Potter and Beatrix Campbell.

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Meaning and Origin of Jackie

The Jackie name has been in use throughout the United Kingdom since the early 17th century, and is the feminine form of the English based masculine of James. The meaning of Jackie varies from one culture to another and is believed to date back to the ancient Hebrew language where it was used to identify one that has divine protection.

Popularity

Although the Jackie name was not among the list of top 100 female baby names for 2013, it is still very commonly used among many families. Some of the popularity of Jackie can be attributed to the famous and influential women who also bore the Jackie name.

Famous People Called Jackie

Perhaps the most famous among them is Jackie O. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a stylish first lady and a pillar of strength during a time of political and social crisis. Jackie Collins is another strong candidate that spread the popularity of Jackie during the past several decades. As an compelling novelist and unsurpassed humanitarian, she influenced countless young women to reach for their dreams. The powerhouse singer Jackie Evancho is a modern day role model for preteens and teenagers who want to purse a career in the entertainment business.

Variations on the Name

Two variations in spelling of Jackie are Jacqui and Jacque.

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Origin of Adele

Popularity and Meaning

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Origin of Becky – Girl’s Name

The name Becky has been integrated into the world as a shortened version of Rebecca. The meaning of the name is Greek in origin meaning ” firmly tied.” Gaining popularity, the name Becky, is now used as a first name chosen instead of as a nickname.

In literature, Becky, has been present in many of the books we have grown up reading and loving. In Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Tom Sawyer” we are introduced to Becky Thatcher, the little girl that Tom has his first crush on. William M. Thackeray, introduced to the free spirit that was Becky Sharp in “Vanity Fair.”

Popularity

The popularity of Becky has not cracked the top 100 list since it peaked in the 1920’s and 1930’s. It’s origin name, Rebecca, has done better and has brought rising interest in the short version. As of 2012, it ranked in the mid 200’s.

Famous Celebrities Called Becky

Well known celebrities and famous people with the name include Becky Rosso, British born actress that played on the American Show “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody.” Singer Becky Hill rose to fame after being on the first season of The Voice UK

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• See our comprehensive list of English girl’s names

Meaning and Origin of the Girl’s Name Eleanor

The first name Eleanor, possibly originating from the old French or Oîl (a Gallo-Romance) language, was first noted in about 1120 when Aénor de Châtellerault named her daughter, Alia Aénor or “other Aénor,” so that the two would not be confused. Records however show the existence of the name prior to the 12th Century in the form of Alienor, which was probably in reality, Aenor.

History of the Name

This stately, feminine name grew very popular during medieval times, especially amongst nobility, and brings with it notions of royalty, undoubtedly thanks to Eleanor of Aquitaine, perhaps the most powerful woman in Europe during her time.

The true meaning of Eleanor is not clear, however some attribute it the Hebrew Eliora, which signifies light.

Besides being popular among medieval nobles, it has continued to be used by royalty, actresses, writers, politicians, scientists, musicians, athletes and even soldiers. It is a name used by those who lead, organize and achieve status.

The name Eleanor has its place in fiction; several authors have taken to it, as did Shakespeare. One of its most famous roles has been to name the Beatles’ song, Eleanor Rigby.

Popularity

Eleanor’s popularity peaked in about 1920 when it became the 25th most popular name, and dipped below 600 by the 1970s. In the UK it rose again, however, in the 1980s, reaching 20th where it momentarily reigned, slowing dropping to 60th by 2010 where is continues to slowly descend. In 2016 the name was the 42nd most popular baby girl’s name in England  (Office of National Statistics).

A Few Famous Eleanors

• Eleanor Roosevelt – Social activist and US first lady (1884 – 1962)
• Eleanor Holm – 1932 Olympic Gold medal winner (1913 – 2004)
• Eleanor Helin – Astronomer (1932 – 2009)
• Eleanor Rigby – was the name of a Beatles song released in 1966.

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The name Amy resonates with warmth and affection. But this seemingly simple name boasts a rich history and a journey across languages

Meaning and Origin of Amy

Amy’s roots lie in both Latin and French. It stems from the Old French name Amée, which itself is a derivative of the Latin word “amata.” Amata translates to “beloved” or “well-loved,” a beautiful meaning that perfectly encapsulates the essence of Amy.

Popularity

The first documented use of Amy as a given name appears in 16th-century England. Back then, it wasn’t as widespread as other names. However, its popularity blossomed in the 19th century, fueled by several factors. The Romantic movement, with its emphasis on emotion and love, likely played a role. Additionally, literary characters named Amy, such as the heroine in Sir Walter Scott’s novel “Kenilworth,” brought the name into the public eye.

The 20th century saw Amy’s peak in popularity, particularly in the 1970s when it reached the number two spot on baby name charts in the United States. While its ranking has softened in recent years, Amy remains a well-liked name, consistently appearing on popularity lists.

It was popular in the Middle Ages, but the popularity of Amy declined until the 19th century when it rose again. As of 2023, the name Amy was not in the top 100 most popular names for baby girls in England. Its popularity, however, has been declining since the turn of the century.

Famous People with the Name

Since most parents want to give their children a recognisable name, they often look for famous figures with the same first name. There are several famous people named Amy. Examples include British singer Amy Winehouse, American Actress Amy Adams, English aviatrix Amy Johnson, British impressionist and comedian Amy Phillips, and Amy Garnett, an English rugby player.

Summary

Amy does not have to be a child’s real name though. Amy can also be short for Amelia, which is still a fairly popular name with a few famous people, such as American pilot Amelia Earhart or English Actress Amelia “Minnie” Driver, associated with it.

Amy meaning ‘beloved,’ is a name that is strongly rooted in history. Beyond its origin and meaning, Amy holds some unique facts. It’s a name that transcends cultural boundaries – variations of Amy exist in many languages, all carrying the connotation of being loved. Additionally, the name has graced numerous influential figures, from actresses like Amy Adams to singers like Amy Winehouse.

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• The comprehensive list of English girls’ names
• And see what are the most popular girls’ names