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[Opinions] Common Female English names 1450-1650 (and their kr8tyve spellings!)
*Warning! Long!*I got this from Rootsweb - I'll be doing the male list soon (since they're all mixed up). The first name is the usual form of that name, and the following are all variants that were used then, common and uncommon. Abigail - Abigale, AbygaillAgatha - Agathe, Agathie, Agace, Aggas, AgaciaAgnes - Agness, Agnesse, Agnez, Agnus, Agnis, Agneis, Aigneys, Augnys, Angnes, Anges, Agnet, Agneta, Agnetia, AgnaAlice - Alyce, Alys, Aylse, Alysse, alis, Ales, Alles, Aleys, Alse, Alce, Als, Ealce, Ailsa, Ailsie, Alicia, Alecia, Alicea, Alesia, Aelizia, AlyesiaAlison - Allison, Alyson, Alisone, alysone, Alisceon, Alson, Alicen, Elison, Helysoune, Alsine, AlsynAmabel - Amable, Amabil, Amiable, Amabilia, Amabilis, AmabillaAmice - Amyce, Amyas, Amys, Amias, Ameis, Amisia, Amicia, EmiciaAmphelis - Amphyllis, Amphelice, Amfelice, Amphillis, Anfylles, Amphelisia, Amphelicia, Amfelisa, Ampholisa, Aumflesia, AunfelisaAmy - Amye, Amie, Ame, Amia, Amata, Amiot, AmyotAnastasia - Anastase, Anistatiah, AnsticeAndrea Angelet - Angellet, Angellott, Angeletta, AngellottaAnkret - Ancret, Ancreat, Ankrit, Ankerit, AnkaretaAnn - Anne, An, Ane, Ana, Anna, Nan, NannyAnnabell - Annable, Anabel, Hannibel, Hannible, Annabella, Anabilia, HanabellaAnnis - Annys, Annyce, Annyse, Anneyce, Anis, Annes, Anes, annas, Annies, Anicia, Agnes, Angnes, Agnetia, AnnotAnstice - Anstis, Anstes, Anstiss, Anstey, AnastasiaAphra - Afra, Aphray, Aphara, Apherah, Aphery, EfferyAppelin - Applen, Aplin, Apoline, Apeline, Appolina, AppolineArabell - Arabel, Arbell, Orabilis, Arabella, ArbellaArgentArmigil - EormengildArminell - ErmenellAudrey - Adre, Awdrey, Audrye, Awdrye, Adery, Ardery, Etheldreda, Audria, Adria, Aldrida, Etheldreda, EtheldrithaAudriellAveline - Avelyn, Avelin, Aveling, Evelyn, AvelinaAvis - Avice, Aves, Avys, Aveis, Aviss, Eavis, Hawise, Avicia, Auicia, AvisonBarbara - Barbary, Barbarye, Barbury, Barbery, Barbaree, Barbaray, Barbray, Barbarah, Barbaraw, BarbelotBeaton - Beeton, Beton, Beaten, Betune, Beatrix, Beatrice, BeataBeatrice - Beatrix, Betryse, Betrys, Betteris, Betterice, Betterys, Beattres, Beautrice, Bitteris, Betryc, Betrisse, Beatrich, Betrich, Beterich, Bitrix, Beatricia, Beton, Beat, BeattyBenedicta - Benet, BennetBetranne - BertannisBethia - Bethyah, Bethyia, Bethea, BethisBlanch - Blanche, Blaunch, Blaunche, Blanchia, Blanca, BlandinBlandin - Blandine, Blandey, BlandinaBridget - Bridgette, Bryget, Bridiet, Britgett, Brigitt, Brygett, Brydgette, Bredgat, Brigida, Brigitta, BrideCassandra - Cassander, Cassandry, Cass, CassonCatherine - Caterina, Catherina, KatherinaCay - CayeCecily - Cicelie, Cicillye, Cycleye, Cisely, Cysly, Cycly, Cycalye, Cysselye, Sysly, sisle, Sisley, Sissley, Secile, Sycelye, Syceley, Cecilia, Caecilia, Sescilia, Cecil, Cess, Ciss, Cissot, Syssot, CesselotCharity - Charitie, Cherity, Charryte, Cheryte, Charatie, CaritasChesten - Chetion, Chestonchristabel - Christabell, Christobell, Cristabell, Cristable, ChristabellaClare - Clere, ClaraClarice - Clarees, Claricia, clariscia Clarimond - Clariman, clarieman, ClaremundaClemence - Clemens, Clemans, clemmante, Clemencia, Clementia, ClemColette - Colett, colet, Nicole, Coletaa, colectaCollys - NicoleColubery - Collubery, ColuberryContance - Custance, Custans, Costans, Costanne, Costansse, Custins, Costantia, ConstantiaDamaris - Damyris, Demaris, Damarise, Dampris, TamarisDarnigoldDeanes - Denes, Deenys, DioniseDeborah - DeboraDenance - Deninse, Dionise, Duens, DeanesDiana - Dyanna, Dyane, DianaDinah - Dynah, Dyna, Dina, DinaeDionise - Dyonise, Dionis, Diones, Dyones, Dyonyse, Denneis, Dynis, Denise, Dennise, Dianis, Deanes, Denance, Dunes, Dionisia, Dyonisia, Deonisia, Denisia, Dennis, Denis, Denys, Dennet, Diot, Dyot, DionisionDiot - Dyot, DiotaDorcas - Dorcis, Dorkas, Dorcase, Darkis, DarcasDorothy - Dorathie, Dorothe, Dorethe, dority, Doryty, dorite, Dorete, Darathe, Doritie, Dorrithie, Dorothee, Dowrity, Dorothea, Dorat, DollDowce - Dowse, Douse, Douce, Douze, Dowsabel, Dulcia, Dulicia, Dousa, Doucet, Douset, Dowsett, DousonDowsabel - Dowzabel, Dousabel, Douzabel, Dussabel, Dulcibella, Dowsabella, Dowse, Douce, DouseDunes - Dunys, Dewns, Dewnes, Duens, Dunse, DioniseEbbot - Ibbot, Isabel, Ebbota, IbbotaEdborough - Edborrowe, Edborowe, Edborow, Edbora, Eadburgh, Edburga, IdaburgaEdith - Edyth, Eydith, Eydethe, Edethe, Edeeth, Eideth, Edyeth, Eadife, Idith, Yedythe, Yeedith, Editha, Edytha, Eadgitha, YeddyEffery - AphraEglentyne - EglantyneEleanor - Elinor, ellenor, Ellinor, Ellenour, Elenour, Elliner, Eylynor, Hellinor, Elnor, elnder, Elianer, Elioner, Ellianor, Alianor, Alienor, Eleanora, Alionora, Elinora, NellElizabeth - Elisabeth, Elyzabethe, Ellizabeth, Ellysabeth, Elesabeth, Eleasabeth, Elyzabeath, Elisabet, Isabel, Elspeth, Elsabeth, Eliza, Elisabetha, Elizabetha, Bess, Betsy, Bessie, Tibby, Libby, Tetty, TetsyElle - Ella, EllenEllen - Elen, elene, Ellin, Elyne, Eln, Ellinge, Hellin, Helen, Elena, Ellot, ElotaEllis - Ellas, Ellys, Elis, Els, Ellice, Ellys, Elles, Alice, Ellicia, Alicia, Eliot, AliotElsabeth - Elsobeth, Elsabath, ElcebetheElspeth - Elspie, ElsieEm - Emm, Eme, Emme, Emma, Emmot, Emmet, EmmynEmlyn - Emlin, Emline, Emlyn, Emelyn, Emolyn, Emblyn, Embling, Emblem, Imblen, Emmeline, Emlin, EmolinEmmott - Emott, Emett, Emmott, Emmotte, Emmet, Em, Emota, EmmotaEnglish - EnglysheEpham - Effam, Effum, Effim, Eufen, Eupheme, EuphemiaErmegayle - Armigil, EormengildEsther - Ester, Easter, Hester, Hesther, Esthera, HesteraEthelburg - EthelburgaEtheldred - Ethelred, Audrey, EtheldredaEulalia - Ulalia, Ulaliah, Eulalia, OllalaEunice - UniceEupheme - Eupham, Eufen, Euphemia, Epham, EufemiaEve - Eva, Eua, Geua, Evotta, EvettEvelyn - AvelienFelice - Felise, Felis, Fillys, Phelis, Phelyse, Felicia, FelisiaFelicity - PhelisstieFine - Fyne, FinaFlora - FloreFortune - Fortun, Fortayn, FortunaFrances - Frannces, Francesse, Francis, Fraunces, Francis, Frauncys, Francisca, FrankFreda - Frida, Frieda, Freida, WinifredFrideswide - Frizwede, Fryswyde, Frideswid, Fridiswid, Fridswid, Friswis, Frisswood, Fridaysweed, Frydayweede, Fryswyth, Frideswoth, Frysuth, Frideswick, Phrideswide, Frideswitha, Fredeswinda, FridayGartered - GertrudeGennet - JanetGeraldineGertrude - Gertrud, Gertrewd, Gethrude, Gartrude, Gartrett, Gartered, Gatharude, Gartrite, Garthrite, Gartwright, Gartruda, Gatharuda, Gertruda, Gat, GattyGillian - Gylion, Gylyan, Julian, Gill, Gillot, Gillet, Jill, GilletGladys - Gladis, Glades, Gladus, Gwladys, GladusaGodeva - Godeve, Godefe, Godyf, Goodife, Godgifu, GodivaGoodeth - Gudyth, Godith, Godit, Godise, Goduse, Godgyth, GodithaGrisel - Griselda, Grissele, Grisel, Grizell, Grizil, Grizel, Grishild, Gricelda, Grizelda, Gresilda, Gricela, Griseldys, Griselys, Grissely, Grizel, Grishelda, GrishildaGuenevere - Guinevere, Gwenhevare, Guener, Gueanor, Wenhover, Gwenhwyvar, GineueraGuglielma - GulielmaHannah - Hanah, Hanna, Hana, Anna, Hannora, AnnaHawise - Haweis, Hawis, HawisiaHelen - Hellen, Ellen, HelenaHelewise - Helwise, Halwis, Helewisa, HeilewisaHelysoune - AlisonHild - Hilda, Hilde, HyldeHodierne - Odiarne, Odiern, Hodierna, Odierna, AudiarnaHuldah - HulldayIsabel - Isabell, Isbel, Isobel, Issabell, Ishbel, Esabel, Esebell, Ezabell, Elizabeth, Isabella, Izabella, Ib, Tib, Ibbot, Ibbet, Ebbot, BellIsmay - Isme, Ismey, Ysmaye, IsamayaIsmene - Ismyne, Imyne, IsmeniaIsot - Issot, Iset, Izot, Isylte, Ysylte, Isota, Isolta, Isolde, EzotaJacqueline - Jacklin, JacobaJacquemine - Jacquemyne, Jacomyne, JacomynaJacquett - Jaquet, Jacket, Jackett, Jacqueline, JacquettaJael - JaellJane - Janne, Jhane, Jayne, Jaine, Iane, Jehane, Jana, Iana, Johanna, Janet, JanekinJanet - Jenet, Jane, Janeta, JannetinJays - Jayes, Jeyes, Jeas, JeesJean - Jeane, Jehane, JennetJenet - Jennet, Gennet, Iennet, Jane, Jean, JennetinJennifer - Jenefer, Jhenever, Jeneuer, Gwenhwyvar, Guenevere, Ginevra, GineuraJeyes - Jays, Jayes, JeesJoan - Jone, Joone, Joane, Johan, Jhone, Jhoone, Jhowne, Johane, Johann, Johanne, Joanne, Jonne, Joahne, Ione, Ioane, Iohane, Johanna, Joanna, Iohanna, JonetJudith - Judeth, Judethe, Iudithe, Judythe, Judat, Juditha, Juditta, JudyJulian - Jullian, Julyan, Julyane, Jullion, Jollian, Jelian, Jelyan, Jelian, Jellyan, Gelian, Gillian, Gylion, Juliana, Juet, Jill, JilletKatherine - Katharine, Katheryne, Katerin, Katteren, Katerne, Kateryng, Kyetering, Caterine, Catterin, Catteren, Chatheren, Chateren, Cathern, Katharina, Catherina, Katerina, Kit, Kytte, KateKerehappuchKinborough - Kynborough, Kinborogh, Kinborowe, Kinboro, Kinburrowe, Kinbrough, Kimbrough, Kinberry, Kenberry, Kinbara, Quenborg, Cyneburg, Kyneburg, Kinburga, Quenburga, QuenborgaLaura - Lora, Lore, Loreta, Laureta, LavretaLea - LeahLettice - Letice, Lettys, Lettis, Lattice, Laetitia, Letitia, Lett, Lece, LecelinLillian - Lilias, Lilian, Lillias, ElizabethLoveday - Lowdie, Lowdy, Loudy, Lovdie, Loveda, LouedaLucy - Lucye, Luci, Luce, Lusy, Luice, Leucey, Lewsey, Lewcey, Lewsse, Lucia, LucetLydia - Lidia, Liddia, Leddea, LediaMabel - Mable, Mabell, Mabill, Mabile, Mably, Mablye, Amabel, Mabilia, Mabilla, Mabella, Amabilia, Amabilla, Mab, Map, Mabet, Mabot, MabinMadeline - Mawdeline, Maudline, Mawdelyn, Maudlin, Maldlin, Magdalen, Magdelne, Maud, MalkinMallyn - Malyn, MalinaMargaret - Margarett, Mergaret, Margerete, Margret, Margrett, Marget, Margyt, Margrete, Markaret, Margareta, Margarita, Margreta, Mog, Meg, Magot, Madge, Megot, Moggy, PoggyMargery - Margerie, Margerye, Margere, Mergerie, Mariory, Margaret, Margeria, MargariaMarian - Marion, Maryon, Marrian, Marryan, Mary, MariannaMariel - Mary, MurielMartha - Marthe, Mathewe, Mathue, Mathewe, Marta, Matthia, Mat, Matty, May, PattyMary - Marye, Marie, Meary, Maria, Mariot, Marion, Mariel, Mall, Mally, Malkin, Moll, Molly, Poll, PollyMatilda - Matilde, Matilda, Matilidis, Matillus, Till, Tillot, TilletMaud - Maude, Mawd, Maute, Mawte, Mowte, Moate, Moode, Mald, Malte, Moulde, Molde, Moolde, Magdalena, MatildaMehitabel - MehetabelMelior - Mellior, Mellier, Melyar, Melyear, MelioraMeraudMercy - Mercie, Merce, Mercey, Mersey, Marcy, Marcey, Mercia, Marcia, MisericordiaMerial - Meriall, Meryell, Meriel, Maryell, Murial, Mariel, Mary, Muriela, MuriellaMichalMilborough - Milburgh, MilburgaMildred - Myldred, Meldred, MilbroughMiriamNaverin - Naverine, NaverinaNest - Agnes, Nesta, Nestia, AnneisOdierne - Odiarne, Hodierne, OdierneOlive - Oliffe, Olyve, Olyff, Oliue, Ollife, Olivia, Oliua, Olivet, OlletOragge - OrengiaParnell - Pernell, Petronell, Petronella, PetronillaPascas, Paskes, Paschas, Pasca, Pascha, Pascatte, PaschasiaPatient - PatiencePenelope - Penelopey, Penelopie, Penellopy, PenolapyePerinePernell - Pernill, Parnel, Parnell, Parnal, Peronel, Petronell, Petronella, PetronillaPetronell - Petronel, Petronyl, Petronille, Peternel, Peternall, Peaternell, Petronilla, PetronellaPhiladelphiaPhillida - Philladay, Philladaye, Philladey, Filladay, Phyllis, PhillidaPhoebe - Phebe, Pheby, Phebey, Phebie, Phebee, Febe, Feebe, GeabyPhyllis - Phillis, Phillys, Fillis, Phillida, PhillidaPleasance - Pleasant, Plesancia, PlacentiaPriscilla - Prisila, Presillah, Pressella, Perscilla, Percilla, BrisselyProtasia - Prothasey, Protezy, Prothesia, Pertesia, ProtasiaPrudence - Prudance, Prudensse, Prudans, Prewdence, Proudence, Prudentia, PrueRabbidge - RabbishRachel - Rachell, RachaelRebecca - Rebecka, Rebeckah, Rebekah, Rebeka, Rebeckka, Rebeacah, BeckRicharda - Richarde, Ricarda, RichardyneRichemay - Rechemay, Rikmai, Richmal, RichemeyaRichendaRichenzaRichessaRicholda - Rochilda, Richil, Richild, Richildis, Richill, Ricolda, Rikild, Rikilda, Rikilde, Rokilda, Rychyld, Rykeld, Richorda, RichoardaRichow - Richow, RechoweRobina - RobenaRochele - RochellRosamund - Rosamunde, Rodamond, rossamond, Rosomon, RosamundaRose - Roase, Rowse, Roos, Roose, roze, Royse, Roesia, Rosa, RosiaRuth - Ruthe, Ruth-cockSabine - Sabin, SabinaSanchia - Sanche, Sence, Sanctia, Scientia, Sciencia, SanchiaSapience - Sapiens, SapientiaSarah - Sara, Saraye, Sarey, Sarra, SallySaxaScholast - Scholace, Scolas, Escholace, ScholasticaSenobie - ZenobiaSessley - Sesselye, CicelySexborough - Sexborowe, Saxborowe, Sixburgh, Sexburgh, SexburgaSibyl - Sibel, Sibble, sibbell, Sibille, sybill, Sible, sibly, Sibley, Siblie, sibella, sibilla, sib, Sibbet, sibot, Sill, SilkinSidwell - Sydwell, Sidwill, Sidwella, Sidwelia, Sativola, SatiuolaSissot - SissotaSusan - Suzan, Susanne, Seussane, SusannahSusannah - Suzannah, Sussanah, Susanna, Susanney, Shusannah, Susan, SusanaTabitha - TabytaTace - Tayce, Tacye, Tacy, Teca, TeciaTamer - ThamarTeffany - Tiffany, TheophaniaTemperanceThomasia - ThamasiaThomasine - Thomasin, Thomasyn, Thomasyne, Thomeson, Thomazine, Thamasin, Tamasine, Tomyzen, Tomzine, Thomazyie, Tomson, Tamsen, Tamsin, Tamsyne, Tampsin, Tomasing, Thomasinge, Thomasina, Tomelin, Thomelin, TamlynTibbot - Tibot, Tibet, Tibota, TibTiffany - Teffeny, Tiffeny, Tyffany, Typhany, TheophaniaTroth - Trothe, Troathe, Trauth, Troithe, Trothia (from Truth?)Truth - TrewtheUrith - ErthUrsula - Urselah, Ursley, Ursle, Urcely, Urselay, Ursalay, Urseley, Urcylaye, Urzelle, UrsellaVioletWalbrough - WalburgaWarburgh - Warborowe, Warborrow, Weburgh, Warburga, WarboraWelmot - WilmotWelthin - Welthinge, Welthean, WelthyanWiborough - Wiborow, Wiborowe, Wyborough, Wibora, Wyborowa, WilbororWillamine - Wyllamyn, Wilmyne, Willelma, GuillelminaWinifred - Winefride, Wenefride, Wynifreed, Winefred, Winefrade, Winefrett, Winnefrot, Winfred, Winfrith, Gwenfrewi, Guinevra, Freda, Frieda, FreidaYeedith - Yedyth, EdithZenobia - Senobia, Zenobie, SenobieZillah
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Some of these are completly alful I mean stuff like Typhany, Englyshe, and anything ending with -borough.
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It's so interesting that variants were common even back then- and sometimes even more popular than today. I think it's got a lot to do with the fact that there wasn't a universal orthography back then, as can also be seen in many poems and other stories from these periods.
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Wow, great list! I like/love*:Alice*- Alyce, Alys*, Alesia
Anastasia
Angellotta
Anne*, Anna
Annis*
Appoline
Audrey- Audria, Adria*
Avelin, Evelyn
Avis- Avys
Beatrix*
Bridget- Brigida, Bride
Cassandra- Cass
Catherine
Cay
Cecily- Caecilia
Charity
Colette
Constance*- Constantia
Edith- Edyth, Idith*, Editha, Edytha*
Eleanor*- Alienor*, Eleanora
Elizabeth- Elyzabethe, Elisabet, Elspeth*, Elizabetha
Easter, Hesther
Eve*- Eva
Friday
Guinevere
Hana*, Anna
Helena
Isobel
Isolta, Isolde*
Jennet
Ginevra
Judith- Judythe, Juditha
Katerin, Catherina, Kit*, Kytte
Lucy
Magdalen
Margaret- Margareta, Meg
Matthia
Mary- Maria*, Molly

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Emmet was a female name?I never would have guessed that. And Sexborough brings the lolz, not because of the "sex" in it, but it`s just very surnamey and masculine, even nowadays.
But it`s nice to prove that variant spellings are not a modern trend, as people seem to think.
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Apparently...Emmet, or Emmot, is a diminutive of female names starting with "Em" - particularly Emma and Emmy. And it only became a male name later on!It's actually explained here on BTN under Emmett. Also - a common diminutive form for names in medieval England was the use of the "ot" ending, for both male and female names, as I'm sure you've noticed in a lot of the names in this list
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Very interesting! I will have to copy these down! They do get a little more leeway with spellings in that time period though because they didn't quite have as standardized spellings like we do now. And I can't imagine why nobody uses the names Rabbish or Sexborough anymore. :) And female Emlyns? Hmm.

This message was edited 3/30/2009, 4:51 AM

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Wow! Fantastic.
Ilaria Illaria Hilaria was sometimes used interchangeably with Eulalia, I've read.
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