UK Baby Names

This uppity name has been a fast climber in recent years, but we still think it's a bit much. Even abroad, where the connection to the prestigious university will be weaker, any name beginning with "Prince" will sound pretentious.

You say Bryn, he says Bryana -- here's a name you might agree on.

Lathan is a surname recorded as relating to the towns of Layton or Latham and meaning, depending on its derivation, barn or leek farm or farm by the water. As a first name, it's reminiscent of the popular Nathan.

Parry is quite common in Wales, often as a surname, but would inevitably be misunderstood as Perry or even Harry.

British place-name unlikely to evoke much passion in any baby namer.

This British river name sounds sleek and strong but perhaps a bit too energetic.

There aren't many Glendas under forty.

This is a name you get stuck with, not (we hope) one your parents choose for you.

One of the most distinguished names in literature could become a hero name in a family of poetry-lovers -- or be seen as a trendy new occupational name.

With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.

An old-man name that sounds cute when used for a little girl, and is starting to seem cool again for boys too.

Serious surname choices, the latter form known via award-winning author Reynolds Price.

Taliesin is a name an architecture-minded parent could love, because of its close association with Frank Lloyd Wright.

Why bother to invent a new name or spelling when there are intriguing oddities like this in existence. Also in the Welsh encyclopedia of names: Ffion, Ffiona, and Ffraid, the Welsh form of Brigid.

Compact and creative, it has been associated with one-time Cagney & Lacey star Tyne Daly.

This is a Scottish pet form of John, the equivalent of Jack in England. Has long been used as a generic name for a Scotsman, here it's a generic name for a--well--jock.

A familiar and usable last name turned first. Or you could look at it as a homophone of the verb howl, which gives it a wilder feel.

This Welsh saint's name has an industrial edge.

Last name occasionally used as a first, can be seen as a Lance Armstrong athlete-hero name.