UK Baby Names

Sisley may look like a modern coinage, building on the fashionable -ley ending, but it's actually a medieval English variant of Cicely or Cecily, which in turn is a variation of Cecilia. Also found as an English surname, from the same root.

This is an occupational surname for one who made nails and has been used by one Berry to honor a Canadian World War I hero, Col. George Nasmith. Other related names with the same meaning nclude Nayler, Naismith, Naysmith and Neasmith. Trivia note: Dr. James Naismith is considered the inventor of basketball.

Sounds like a Hobbit.

Another stiff northerly choice.

Name of a poet, this will be one for consideration by literary parents. The name fits well with the current trend towards surnames as given names, but beware the three syllable pronunciation, which may be a trap for the poetically disinclined.

A video-game name ("Final Fantasy VII") with an unappealing sound and meaning.

Distinguished actor Hume Cronyn (who shared his father's name) put this unusual choice in the lexicon.

Too tightly associated with the real-life villainous Captain Bligh of The Mutiny on the Bounty.

Two-syllable place-names are stylish, and this one is attached to a British city noted for its white chalk cliffs, but there are a couple of minuses: associated with the fish, Dover sole, and also rhymes with the doggy Rover.

Unique name for the son of a woodworker.

Birch or even Burke is better.

Why not stick with the original.

Writer Anne Tyler gave this apt name to the hippie child in her novel Amateur Marriage, but she wasn't the first -- it was also used by the Puritans. Today it would be quite a loaded choice.

Vibrant and vital noun name chosen by actress Shawnee Smith for her daughter.

With Devon so overused, consider a move to the undiscovered neighboring county -- though it's nowhere near as euphonious, rhyming with corset.