‘brown’. It was the name of two Scottish kings and at one time was almost entirely confined to Scotland, although this is no longer the case.
Dunstan m.
From the Old English words dun, meaning ‘hill’ and stan, meaning ‘stone’. It was the name of a famous 10th-century Archbishop of Canterbury. It appears from time to time before the Reformation, and was revived by the Oxford Movement in the 19th century.
Durga f.
The name of the Hindu goddess, the wife of SHIVA, when depicted in her terrifying form. Durga is from a Sanskrit word for ‘inaccessible’.
Dustin m.
Best known from the actor Dustin Hoffman, this name has recently been very popular in the USA. It may be from a place name meaning ‘dusty’, or could be a form of Thurstan, a Norse name meaning ‘Thor’s stone’, i.e. an altar dedicated to the thunder god Thor.
Dwayne see Duane
Dwight m.
Originally an English surname, which may go back to the same source as DENIS. The use of this name as a first name in the United States probably arose from respect for Timothy Dwight, President of Yale University (1795–1817). US President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a wider circulation to the name.
Dyan, Dyanne see Diana
Dylan m.
This is the name of a legendary Welsh hero, son of the sea god, possibly meaning ‘son of the wave’. It was rare outside Wales, but the Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, made it more familiar to the general public. The singer, Bob Dylan, often referred to by his second name, took his stage name from the poet and has increased its use.
Dymp(h)na see Devnet
E
Eachan see Hector
Eadan see Etain
Eamon(n) see Edmund
Earl m.
From the title, in Old English meaning ‘nobleman’ or ‘chief’. It has been used as a first name for about a century, mainly in North America. Erle is a variant spelling, as in the author Erle Stanley Gardiner.
Earnest see Ernest
Eartha f.
From the Old English eorthe, meaning ‘earth’. A famous modern example is the singer and actress Eartha Kitt, but the name is rare outside the southern USA, where Ertha and Erthel are also found.
Ebenezer m.
From the Hebrew meaning ‘stone of help’. In the Old Testament it is the name of a stone monument set up by Samuel, in memory of the triumph of the Jews over the Philistine army and in thanks for God’s help. It was first used as a first name in the 17th century among the Puritans. It is now used mainly in North America, with the shortened form Eben.
Ebony f.
The name of an intensely black wood which symbolises blackness, Ebony began to be used by Afro-American parents in the 1970s. It reached a peak of popularity in the 1980s after the song Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, but then began to fade. Its other spellings include Ebbony, Eboney, Eboni, Ebonie and Ebonnee.
Ed, Eddie see Edgar, Edmund, Edward
Edan, Edana see Aidan, Edna
Edgar m.
From the Old English meaning ‘fortunate spear’. Owing to the popularity of King Edgar, King Alfred’s grandson, the name continued in use after the Norman Conquest, but it faded out at the end of the 13th century. It was then used by Shakespeare in King Lear, and revived with other Old English names by 18th-century writers of fiction. Its popularity in the 19th century probably stems from its use for the hero of Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor. It is shortened to Ed or Eddie.
Edina see Edna
Edith f.
From the Old English name Eadgyth, meaning ‘fortunate war’. There were at least two English saints of that name in the 10th century. The name survived the Norman Conquest and was probably adopted by the Normans and used to replace several English names. Edith was in use throughout the Middle Ages, after which it became rather rare, but it returned to favour in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often shortened to Edie, it has a rare form, Editha.
Edmund m.
From the Old English Eadmund, meaning ‘happy protection’. It was the name of two kings of England and of two saints. Edmond is a French form which was used from the late Middle Ages. Eamon(n) is the Irish form. It was well used in the 19th century, then went rather out of fashion but is now steadily coming back into use. Shortened forms are Ed, Eddie, Ted and Teddy.
Edna f.
One source of this name may be Edana, a feminine form of the Irish name Edan, meaning ‘fire’ (see AIDAN). It has also been connected with a shortened form of Edwina (see EDWIN), via Edina. In addition the name occurs twice in the Apocrypha and its Hebrew meaning is probably ‘rejuvenation’. The modern use of it may stem from the popularity of the novelist Edna Lyall in the late 19th century.
Edward m.
From the Old English meaning ‘fortunate guardian’. Edward the Confessor established its popularity in England and ensured its survival after the Norman Conquest. It was further strengthened by the accession of Edward I in 1272, after which there was an Edward on the English throne for over a hundred years. It has remained in use ever since. The short forms Ned and Ted, together with Neddy or Teddy, have been used since the 14th century, but Ed and Eddie are the more common abbreviated forms found today.
Edwin m., Edwina f.
From the Old English meaning ‘fortunate friend’. Edwin was the first Christian king of Northumbria, in the 7th century. The name survived the Norman Conquest and became popular in the 18th century. Edwina is a 19th-century female form.
Effie see Euphemia
Egbert m.
From the Old English meaning ‘bright sword’. This was the name of the first king of a united England and of a 7th-century Northumbrian saint. It enjoyed some degree of popularity in the 19th century, but is now rarely found.
Eibhlin see Evelyn
Eileen f.
An Irish development of EVELYN. Like other Irish names it spread throughout Britain at the beginning of the 20th century. Eily is a short form. It is not uncommon to find it spelt Aileen.
Eilis, Ailis f.
In theory Eilis, sometimes spelt Eil(l)ish to reflect its pronunciation, is an Irish form of ELIZABETH, and Ailis (Ailish) an Irish form of ALICE, but in practice many users do not distinguish between the two.
Eithne f.
A name prominent in Irish legend and history, being used by a goddess, a number of queens and no less than nine saints. It means
