Introduction
Elizabethan names were popular during the Elizabethan era of England, which lasted from 1558 to 1603. This era was marked by the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. During this time, Elizabethan names were often drawn from European cultures, with English, Irish, French, and German influences. These names were often chosen for their religious, royal, or noble connotations, and were often quite elaborate and distinctive.
Popular Elizabethan Names
Popular Elizabethan names for boys included William, Edward, Thomas, George, Richard, and Robert. Girls' names included Elizabeth, Mary, Anne, Katherine, Margaret, and Jane. These names were often combined with a surname, such as the popular John Smith or William Jones. Other popular surnames included Brown, Taylor, Davis, and Walker.
Notable Elizabethan Names
Many of the most famous figures of the Elizabethan era had very distinctive names. William Shakespeare, for example, was named after his father, John Shakespeare. Other notable figures included Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Sir Francis Bacon. All of these names were quite common during the Elizabethan era.
Unusual Elizabethan Names
In addition to the more common names, there were some unusual names that were popular during the Elizabethan era. These names included such unusual choices as Ursula, Prudence, Cordelia, and Perpetua. These names were often chosen for religious or royal connotations, and were often quite elaborate.
Conclusion
Elizabethan names were quite distinctive and often quite elaborate. They were often chosen for their religious, royal, or noble connotations, and were often drawn from European cultures. These names were very popular during the Elizabethan era, and many of the most famous figures of the era had very distinctive names.
Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arbella | Arbella: rare, elegant name meaning "prayerful" or "beautiful altar." | Elizabethan | Girl | |
Babs | Babs is a diminutive of Barbara, meaning "foreign woman." | Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Buffy | Buffy originates from Elizabeth; means "God is my oath." | Arthurian Legend, Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Eliza-Jane | Eliza-Jane combines Hebrew "God is my oath" and English origin. | Elizabethan, English | Female | |
Elizabeth | Elizabeth means "God is my oath," originating from Hebrew roots. | Biblical, Elizabethan, English, Greek, Hebrew | Girl | |
Emmelyn | Emmelyn means "universal" and originates from Old French and Germanic. | Arthurian Legend, Elizabethan, English | Female | |
Evalyn | Evalyn means "desired" and originates from the Latin name "Aveline." | Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Evelyn | Evelyn means "desired" or "island," originating from French and English. | Anglo-Saxon, Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Hathaway | Hathaway means "having a heath" in Old English; a surname. | Anglo-Saxon, Elizabethan, English | Either | |
Henrie | Henrie means "ruler of the home," derived from Germanic origins. | Anglo-Saxon, Elizabethan, English | Unisex | |
Hetty | Hetty is a diminutive of Henrietta, meaning "ruler of the home." | Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Isabetta | Isabetta is a variant of Elizabeth, meaning "God is my oath." | Biblical, Elizabethan, Italian | Female | |
Keats | Keats: English surname, possibly derived from "kite" or "kites." | Elizabethan, English | Either | |
Lenore | Lenore means "light" or "torch," originating from the name Eleanor. | Arthurian Legend, Elizabethan, English, Greek | Girl | |
Lettice | Lettice means "joy" and originates from Latin "laetitia." | Arthurian Legend, Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Libby | Libby is a diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "God is my oath." | Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Lizabetha | Lizabetha: Unique, elegant variation of Elizabeth, meaning "God is abundance." | Elizabethan | Girl | |
Lizha | Lizha is a variant of Eliza, meaning "God is my oath." | Elizabethan, The name Lizha has origins in the following: English | Girl | |
Lizzie | Lizzie is a diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "God is my oath." | Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Lizzy | Lizzy is a diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "God is my oath." | Biblical, Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Maidie | Maidie means "maiden" and originates from the Scottish diminutive of Maud. | Elizabethan, English, Gaelic | Girl | |
Marilyn | Marilyn means "star of the sea," derived from Mary and Lyn. | American, Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Marvell | Marvell means "wonderful" and originates from Middle English "meruaille." | Anglo-Saxon, Elizabethan, English, Shakespearean | Unisex | |
Monalisa | Monalisa: Unique Italian name symbolizing beauty, grace, and elegance. | Elizabethan | Girl | |
Revel | Revel means to celebrate; originates from Middle English "revelen." | Anglo-Saxon, Arthurian Legend, Elizabethan, English | Either | |
Rosamond | Rosamond means "rose of the world," originating from Latin roots. | Anglo-Saxon, Arthurian Legend, Elizabethan, English | Female | |
Rozalind | Rozalind means "pretty rose," originating from Latin and Old German. | Ancient Greek, Elizabethan, English | Girl | |
Sacharissa | Sacharissa: rare, elegant, Elizabethan name meaning "graceful" or "beautiful." | Elizabethan | Girl | |
Thomasin | Thomasin means "twin," derived from the Aramaic name Thomas. | Anglo-Saxon, Biblical, Elizabethan, English, Medieval Times, Middle English, Shakespearean | Female. | |
Vickie | Vickie: Diminutive of Victoria, meaning "victory," of Latin origin. | Elizabethan, English | Girl |