others being Al, Alec, Ali, Lex, Xan and Xander or Zander. SACHA is another form of the name.
Alexandra f.
The feminine form of ALEXANDER, and like it, currently popular. SANDRA was originally an Italian form, but has become established as a name in its own right. It shares pet and short forms with ALEXANDER, along with Alix or Alyx (also from ALICE) and Alexa (see also ALEXIS). Alexandria and Alexandrina are also found.
Alexis f. and m.
From the Greek word meaning ‘helper’ or ‘defender’, Alexis is the name of one of the great saints of the Orthodox church. Originally a man’s name, it is now more frequently used for women. Alternative forms are Alexie, Alexus, and for girls Alexia, Alexa and short forms such as Lexi(e) and even Lexus.
Alfred m.
From two Old English words, meaning ‘elf’ (hence ‘good’) and ‘counsel’. It is also a possible development of the Anglo-Saxon name Ealdfrith, meaning ‘old peace’. It is sometimes written Alfrid. When Alfred was written down in old Latin, the name was spelt Alured and developed into Avery (now used for both sexes). Alf, Alfie and Fred are diminutives. There is a feminine form Alfreda, and Elfrida, although it technically comes from a slightly different name meaning ‘elf-strength’, is also used as a female version of Alfred.
Algernon m.
From a Norman French nickname meaning ‘with whiskers’. It was popular in the 19th century but is not much used today. The usual diminutive is Algie or Algy.
Ali f. and m., Aliyyah f.
When used as a boy’s name Ali is a popular Arabic name meaning ‘exaulted, noble’, and as one of the terms used of Allah, invokes God’s protection for the child. The feminine form is Aliyyah (also found as Aliyah, Aliah, Alia and Alya). This has been well used in the USA, particularly in the Swahili form Aaliyah, popularised by the singer Aaliyah Houston (1974–2001). As a western name Ali is a pet form of names such as ALICE, ALISON or ALASTAIR.
Alice f.
From the Old German word for ‘nobility’. It originally had the form Adelice or Adelise. A number of forms remained popular from the Middle Ages until the 17th century, when it went out of favour. It was revived again in the 19th century together with the variant Alicia. Nowadays these have developed additional forms such as Allice, Allyce and Alyssa, Alysia, Alis(s)a, Alisha or even Elis(s)a or Elys(s)a although these are also pet forms of ELIZABETH. ALISON is a variant. Alys is the Welsh form and Irish forms are Alis, Ailis or the phonetic Ailish. Ali, Allie and Alley are used as pet forms, while Alix and Alyx can be used either as forms of Alice or ALEXANDRA.
Alick see Alastair
Alida see Adelaide
Alina, Aline see Adeline
Alis, Alisa, Alisha see Alice
Alison f.
Originally a diminutive of ALICE that was adopted in the 13th century, this was soon treated as a separate name. It was at one time a particularly Scottish name. Pet forms include those used for ALICE and ELSIE. Allison and Al(l)yson are standard forms in the USA.
Alistair, Alister see Alastair
Alix see Alexandra, Alice
Allan, Allana, Allen see Alan
Allegra f.
An Italian word meaning ‘cheerful, lively’, given by the poet Lord Byron to his daughter and still used occasionally as a result.
Alli, Ally see Alastair
Allice, Allie, Allyce see Alice, Alison
Alma f.
There are many opinions about the origin of this name. It could be derived from the Hebrew word for ‘maiden’, the Latin for ‘kind’ or the Italian for ‘soul’. Most importantly, the name became very popular after the Battle of Alma during the Crimean War, and is still found occasionally.
Alondra f.
Alondra is the Spanish for ‘lark’. It is a common American place name, but more importantly in the 1990s it was the name of a successful Mexican-made television series, named after its heroine. Its broadcast led to increased use among Spanish-speaking Americans.
Aloysius m.
This is the Latin form of Aloys, an old Provençal form of Louis (see LEWIS). There was a popular Spanish saint of this name in the 16th century and Roman Catholics continue to use the name in this country. Aloys or Aloyse was the female form of the old name, and is a possible source of ELOISE.
Althea f.
From the Greek for ‘wholesome’, this was the Greek name for the marsh mallow plant, still used as a healing herb. It seems to have been introduced to England with various other classical names during the Stuart period, and appeared in the charming lyric by Richard Lovelace To Althea from Prison. The similar-sounding Alethea (Alethia, Aletia) comes from the Greek for ‘truth’.
Alun see Alan
Alured see Alfred
Alvin m.
From two Old English names, Alwine, ‘friend of all’ and Athelwine, ‘noble friend’. Aylwin, Alvan, Alvyn and Alvy are alternative forms. There is a rare feminine, Alvina. The similar-sounding Alvar means ‘elf army’.
Alys, Alyssa see Alice
Alyson, Alysson see Alison
Alyx see Alexandra, Alice
Amabel f.
From the Latin meaning ‘lovable’. It has been in use in England in various forms since the 12th century. The short form, MABEL, became established as an independent name at an early date.
Amalia see Amelia
Amanda f.
From the Latin for ‘deserving love’. It appears first in Restoration plays, where many classical or pseudo-classical names were introduced or fabricated. It has remained in use since then and is still popular. Mandy is a pet form also used as a name in its own right. Amandine is a French form of the name which has been popular in France in recent years. It was brought to the attention of English speakers when the actor John Malkovich chose it for his daughter.
Amaryllis f.
Originally from Greek, probably meaning ‘sparkling’, and used by Greek poets as a name for a country girl. It served the same purpose for Latin poets, and was introduced to Britain via English poetry in the 17th century.
Amber f.
The name of the gemstone, used as a first name. It was not used before the 20th century.
Ambrin f.
From the Arabic for ‘ambergris’, a substance renowned for its sweet odour. It can also be spelt Ambreen.
Ambrose m.
From the Greek
