see Emer
Emlyn m.
A common Welsh name, possibly derived from the Latin Aemilius, also the source of EMILY, but which is more likely to be from a Welsh place-name.
Emma f.
A shortened form of Old German compound names beginning ermen meaning ‘universal’, as in the name Ermyntrude, ‘universal strength’. It was introduced to England by Emma, daughter of Richard I, Duke of Normandy. The English form was Em(m), and this was used until the mid 18th century, when the original form was revived. Jane Austen’s novel Emma (1816) has also been influential. Today, Emma is one of the commonest girls’ names. Emmy is a pet form, and Emma is also used as a short form of EMILY.
Emmeline see Emily
Emrys see Ambrose
Ena f.
This name can come from a number of sources. It can be a short form of any name ending with ‘-ina’ or ‘-ena’, or an English form of EITHNE, but its popularity in the last century came from affection for Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Ena, who became Queen of Spain. Her name came from neither of these sources, but was due to a misreading of her intended name ‘Eva’ at her christening, when the priest read the handwritten ‘v’ as an ‘n’.
Enid f.
This is a Welsh name, meaning ‘life, soul’, that came into use in England in the 19th century through Tennyson’s Arthurian poem, Geraint and Enid in Idylls of the King (1859).
Enoch m.
From the Hebrew, meaning ‘trained, skilled’ or ‘dedicated’. It was the name of an Old Testament patriarch and was adopted in the 17th century by the Puritans. It is now rare, although a well-known modern example is the politician, Enoch Powell (1912–98).
Enya see Eithne
Eoan, Eoghan see Eugene, Evan
Eoin see Eugene, John
Ephraim m.
From the Hebrew meaning ‘fruitful’, an Old Testament name that was revived in the 17th century by the Puritans. It is seldom used in England, but is still found in North America. Eph is a short form.
Eppie see Euphemia
Eric m., Erica f.
From Scandinavia; the second syllable means ‘ruler’, the first is doubtful but may mean ‘ever’. The name was brought to Britain by the Danes about the 9th century. Possibly Dean Farrar’s book Eric or Little by Little was responsible for its popularity with 19th-century parents. Erica, the feminine form, is now sometimes identified with the Latin botanical name for heather. Both forms are sometimes spelt with a ‘k’ instead of ‘c’. Short forms are Rick, Rickie or Ricky.
Erin f.
From the Gaelic Eireann, a poetical name for Ireland. It is a modern name, particularly popular in the USA and Australia. Kim Bassinger and Alec Baldwin chose the name Ireland for their daughter.
Erle see Earl
Ermyntrude see Emma
Ernest m.
From the Old German, meaning ‘vigour’ or ‘earnestness’. It is sometimes spelt Earnest. It was introduced by the Hanoverians in the late 18th century and was common in the 19th century. Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest (1899) increased its popularity. Neither Ernestine, the female form, nor Ernest, is popular today. Shortened forms are Ern and Ernie.
Errol m.
Probably a surname used as a first name, although it is not certain whether the surname is a development of Eral, a medieval form of HAROLD, or whether it is a variant of EARL.
Ertha, Erthel see Eartha
Esmé f. and m.
Probably from the French for ‘esteemed’, this is now usually treated as a form of the French Aimée, meaning ‘beloved’ (see AMY). It passed from France to Scotland in the 16th century, and then much later to England. It is now more often used as a girl’s name, in which case it can also take the forms Esmée and Esma.
Esmeralda f.
The Spanish for ‘emerald’. The 19th-century French writer Victor Hugo introduced it when he used it for the heroine in his novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The English form Emerald is also found, as is the form Esmeraldah.
Esmond m.
From the Old English east and mund, meaning ‘grace’ and ‘protection’. This name was never common and fell out of use in the 14th century. Its modern use probably dates from Thackeray’s novel The History of Henry Esmond (1852). It is nowadays rather rare.
Ess, Essie, Essy see Esther
Essylt see Isolda
Estella see Stella
Esther f.
In the Old Testament, this name is the Persian equivalent of a Hebrew word meaning ‘myrtle’. It was frequently used in the form Hester and appears in England in the 17th century, adopted by the Puritans. It can also be spelt Ester. Shortened forms include Essy, Essie and Ess, with Hester becoming Hetty.
Etain f.
In Irish legend, The Wooing of Etain is the story of the love of the fairy Princess Etain of the Fair Hair for a mortal man. This tale was retold in an opera called The Immortal Hour first performed in 1914. The opera was a great success at the time, and led to a use of the name outside Ireland. In Ireland the name is usually Etan or Eadan and pronounced ‘ad-an’.
Ethan m.
This is a Hebrew name meaning ‘firmness’, which occurs several times in the Old Testament. It has recently become a popular choice for boys.
Ethel f.
Not originally an independent name, but developed in the 19th century as a shortening of various Anglo-Saxon names beginning with the root ‘Ethel-’, from aethel, meaning ‘noble’ (see AUDREY).
Ethelbert see Albert
Etheldreda see Audrey
Ethna, Ethne see Eithne
Etta, Ettie see Henrietta
Euan see Eugene
Eufemia see Euphemia
Eugene m., Eugenie f.
From the Greek meaning ‘well-born’. In North America the masculine form is usually abbreviated to Gene. The Celtic names Eoghan (pronounced ‘eoh-un’) or Eoan (‘ohn’), and their Scots form Ewan, Ewen or Euan have traditionally been interpreted as forms of Eugene, although sometimes confused with Eoin, a form of JOHN. However, some would claim that they are a native Celtic name meaning ‘born of the yew’. Eugenie, the French feminine form, came into use from the French Empress Eugénie (1826–1920) who spent the
