There’s a surprising trend sweeping across the United States, and it’s all about embracing British charm – in baby names, that is. An increasing number of American parents are opting to name their newborns after enchanting cities from across the pond, adding an international flair to the nursery.
From the quaint cobblestone streets of Cambridge to the historical allure of London, these British cities are not just popular tourist destinations but have also become a source of inspiration for new parents naming their newest family members. Curious to know which city names have made it to the top of the list? Let’s dive in and explore this fascinating trend!
Aberdeen
Aberdeen went to a total of twelve baby girls last year in the US. Aberdeen names a Scottish port city. The origin of the name is disputed, but some argue that it is related to a Celtic river goddess. Thus, the name means “confluence of the Dee,” which belongs to a Scottish river.
Bolton
Bold and robust Bolton went to nine baby boys last year in the US. Bolton is a quintessentially British city name that belongs to a town in Greater Manchester. Bolton comes from an English root that means “dweller in an enclosure.”
Bradford
Forty-one baby boys were named Bradford last year. It is experiencing the tiniest of renaissances, but it pales in comparison to the name at its height in 1953, when it was in the top 250. The English root of this name means “wide river crossing.”
Brighton
Brighton is seen more as a unisex option for American parents. It went to 102 boys and 99 girls last year. This British city name belongs to a seaside resort town in East Sussex. The root of this name means “bright town.”
Bristol
Any of these British city names can be considered gender-neutral. However, a name like Bristol is heavily weighted toward baby girls. 605 girls received the name last year compared to just eight boys. In England, Bristol is a city, county and unitary authority. The root of the name means “place at the bridge.”
Cambridge
The name Cambridge was given to twelve children in the US last year: seven boys and five girls. One of the most storied British cities, Cambridge is a university town in Cambridgeshire, England. The origin of the name is English and means “passage” or “ford.”
Cardiff
Going to eight baby boys last year, Cardiff is the right kind of quirky. The origin of the name is Welsh and means “fort on the river Taff.” Cardiff is the capital and largest city in Wales.
Chester
Last year, 94 boys were named Chester in the US. Chester got its name from the ancient Romans who conquered the area. The Latin root of the name means “fortress” or “walled town.” Chester is a cathedral city in Cheshire, England.
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Carlisle
As a baby name, Carlisle went to thirty-eight boys and eleven girls. Carlisle is another cathedral city but in Cumbria, England. The root of this name means “from the walled city.”
Durham
Durham was given to twelve baby boys last year. Durham is a cathedral city and civil parish in the county of the same name. The English root of the name means “hill peninsula.” Most Americans might be more familiar with Durham, North Carolina.
Ely
Going to thirty-eight boys last year, Ely could be the next big British city baby name. Ely is a cathedral city in East Cambridgeshire. To correctly pronounce this one, say EE-lee. The name was once a hit in the US, but that has not been the case since 1901! The root of this appellation means “eel island.”
Kingston
Kingston went to 2,900 boys and eight girls last year. This means that, for boys, Kingston was the 128th most given name in the US last year. Kingston names two British cities: Kingston upon Thames (which is appropriately called Kingston) and Kingston upon Hull (which colloquially is abbreviated to Hull). The English root of this name indeed means “king’s town.”
Lincoln
The most popular British city name in the US, Lincoln, went to 5,599 baby boys and 124 girls last year. This means that the name ranked 54th! Lincoln is a cathedral town in Lincolnshire, England. The English root of the name means “town by the pool” or “black pool.”
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London
London was given to 1,064 baby girls last year in the US, giving it the rank of 297th. It was given to 222 boys, barely reaching the top 1000, ranking at 1000! London is the capital and largest city in England and the United Kingdom. The etymology of London is debated to this day. The Ancient Romans called it Londinium. But, it is believed that Londinium comes from a Celtic root that means “place that floods.”
As we conclude our exploration of this charming trend, it’s clear that British city names have left a significant mark on American parents. With their rich histories and distinctive sounds, these names offer a unique blend of tradition and modernity that parents find irresistible. So, whether you’re expecting, planning, or love keeping up with naming trends, remember this: From London to York, the allure of British cities is just a name away!