UK Baby Names

Rather formal word name that has been used occasionally over the years, most notably for the autism activist and animal expert Temple Grandin.

English surname that's very rarely found as a first name. The Colorado city was named after Horace Greeley, the nineteenth-century congressman and founder of the New-York Tribune.

Pelham, a place-name surname, could work well as a first, despite its slightly arrogant air. It's what the P in P.G. Wodehouse stands for.

This Victorian pen name is the childish version of the novelist's real name, Louisa, but it has managed to gain a sophisticated image. Ouisa is a similar childhood nickname name.

The feminine version of the common Welsh name Glyn became somewhat known in this country via the charming Welsh actress Glynis Johns. Variations include Glenys and Glynys. With other Welsh names--Gwyneth, Bronwyn, Bryn, Griffith--now on the American table, Glynis could make a distinctive tribute to an Uncle Glenn.

And her sisters, Stormy and Sunny.

Made familiar by poet William Blake. According to Blake, after her death, Conwenna "shines ... over the north with pearly beams gorgeous and terrible". Make of that what you will.

Yule is one Christmas baby name that doesn't sound very festive. We prefer Winter or even Christmas itself.

Darnel, the plant from which this name derives, is an intoxicating plant, which used to be grown to make medicines and poisons.

With the growing popularity for girls of such names as Aubrey and Audrey, Auberon feels like a fresh and viable option.

Could be difficult to grasp: Hoss. The "Bonanza" cowboy.

Eaton's similarity to Eton gives it an upscale Old School feel, though in the U.S. a name that sound like eatin' could have teasin' potential. Eaton could also sound like the much-more-familiar Ethan with a tough-guy accent.

Adventurous word choice, but still quite a burden for a child to bear.

Obscure, though legitimate, name that could be used to honor a relative named Barton or Martin.

Rarely heard last-name-first choice with nice gardenlike feel.

We don't see that bright a future for this one either.

For fans of Warren G. All two of them.

Bulky surname honoring Grandpa Henry or Saul Bellow's Rain King.

One of the rare English surname names originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild, meaning "boar battle". Also spelled Averill, it's an extremely rare choice today, but shares sounds with fashionable Avery.