A Dictionary of First Names

"This brand new edition of the fascinating and informative book covers over 6,000, including newly created names and traditional names that have been newly discovered. It will tell you the age, origin, and meaning of the name, as well as how it has fared in terms of popularity, and notes famous bearers (both historical and fictional). It covers alternative spellings, short forms and pet forms, and masculine and feminine forms, as well as help with pronunciation. The edition features fully updated appendices covering names in other languages, including appendices of Irish and Welsh names, and tables showing the most popular names by year and region. This is the most comprehensive paperback first names dictionary available. From the traditional to the rare and unconventional, this book will tell you everything you need to know about names. Patrick Hanks is a lexicographer and linguistic researcher, and is well known as a names specialist. Flavia Hodges is a philologist, lexicographer and publisher. Kate Hardcastle is a lexicographer, and names specialist."