The Penguin Dictionary Of First Names

What's in a name? Rather more than you might at first suspect, for names are steeped in history and myth and have much to tell us about our past, our beliefs - even our personality traits.

This new Penguin dictionary takes a close look at some 5000 examples, ranging from the familiar to the comparatively obscure, and drawn from all parts of the English-speaking world. It gives the meaning or origin of each name, its variant and diminutives, and highlights famous, literary and cultural associations. Listing the most popular girls' and boys' names from 1700 to the present, it shows how the name has changed in use over time.

Detailed and informative, 'The Penguin Dictionary Of First Names' will prove essential reading not only for expectant parents but also for anyone who is intrigued by the story attached to each and every name.