British - Naming (2024)

Naming

Primary Author

Nina Evason,2021

British English naming conventions arrange names as follows: [first given name] [middle given name(s)] [FAMILY NAME]. For example, Jack Samuel ADAMS (male) or Emily Claire TAYLOR (female).
One’s ‘first name’, known as a ‘personal name’ or ‘given name’, is chosen at birth as the individual’s personal identifier. It always comes before the family name.
The ‘family name’, known as a ‘surname’ or ‘last name’, is inherited from one’s parents and shared with other members of the individual’s immediate family.
British names are traditionally patrilineal, whereby children are given their father’s family name. However, this is not an enforced custom.
Some parents may choose to give their children a hyphenated surname that contains the family name of both the mother and father (e.g. Jack Samuel ADAMS-BROWN).
It is traditional for women to adopt their husband’s family name at marriage. However, this practice is declining and less of a cultural requirement.
Many British also have a ‘middle name’, which is a secondary given name written between the person's first name and their family name. For example, Emily Claire TAYLOR’s middle name is ‘Claire’.
Middle names are optional and are rarely used in daily life. However, most British have one or multiple.

Most British parents choose their children’s personal names based on aesthetic appeal.
Many traditional or common first names are based on Biblical names such as ‘Zacharias’, or names for religious principles such as ‘Grace’.
In more recent times, many British will often choose names for their children that sound nice or are influenced by popular culture.
It has also become more common for younger parents to use shortened versions of traditional male names (e.g.‘Freddie’instead of‘Frederich’,‘Archie’instead of‘Archibald’).
Many of the most common British names are also traditionally ‘royal’ names used by the British monarchy, e.g. Henry, Edward, Charlotte, Anne.
As of 2019, the most popular first names in England and Wales were Olivia, Amelia, Isla, Ava Mia(female) and Oliver, George, Noah, Arthur, Harry (male).1
It is common for a child’s middle name to reflect the personal name of a close family member (such as a grandparent).
The most common British family names often have an old English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish origin, e.g. SMITH, JONES, WILLIAMS, TAYLOR, DAVIES.2
Many traditional British surnames reflect old occupational names, e.g. SMITH (blacksmith), TAYLOR (tailor), BAKER.3

The British generally address one another verbally by the first name alone.
In formal situations, people may use a person’s title (e.g. Mr., Mrs., Ms., Doctor, etc.) followed by their family name.
Middle names are almost never used to address a person, unless quoted on formal/legal documentation.

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1 Office For National Statistics, 20202 Embury-Dennis, 20163 Embury-Dennis, 2016