Amazon.com: A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) (9780198610601): Patrick Hanks, Hardcastle Kate, Flavia Hodges: Books
A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference)
 
 
Start reading A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) [Paperback]

Patrick Hanks (Author), Hardcastle Kate (Author), Flavia Hodges (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

List Price: $16.99
Price: $11.38 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $5.61 (33%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 7 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Friday, February 24? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.99  
Hardcover --  
Paperback $11.38  
There is a newer edition of this item:
A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) 3.8 out of 5 stars (5)
Out of Print--Limited Availability

Book Description

March 5, 2007 Oxford Paperback Reference
This brand new edition of the fascinating and informative Dictionary of First Names covers over 6,000 names in common use in English, including newly created names and traditional names that have been newly discovered. From Alice to Zanna and Adam to Zola this book will answer all your questions: 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 featured fully updated appendices covering names in other languages, including Scottish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, and Chinese. New to this edition are 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.

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names - Their Meanings, Origins, and Spiritual Significance $10.39

A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) + The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names - Their Meanings, Origins, and Spiritual Significance


Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- A wonderful book that provides the origins of 7,000 names found in the English-speaking world, giving their history, usage trends, and explaining how they are used in other languages. In addition, each entry highlights influences that determine popularity. Supplements list names from the often difficult to find Arab world and the Indian subcontinent.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

`Review from previous edition I have returned to this dictionary again and again for sheer pleasure' Jackie Wullschlager Financial Times

`full of anecdotal material as well as historical facts' Glasgow Herald

`a colourful hunting ground and interesting reading' Maternity and Mothercraft

`the best available work on the subject' Verbatim

Product Details

  • Paperback: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (March 5, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0198610602
  • ISBN-13: 978-0198610601
  • Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best reference book on first names., April 15, 1999
By A Customer
I have often found need for this book. It gives detailed etymologies of names, of famous persons bearing the name, and cross-references different forms of the name (as nick, male/female, and other languages). A name book done up as a proper reference book. It also has sections on Hindi/Indian and Muslim/Arabic names.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive collection of names with meanings & origins., October 12, 1998
By A Customer
Head and shoulders above all other name books I have seen. Well researched and extremely thorough.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A top-of-the-line names book, May 30, 2010
This review is from: A Dictionary of First Names (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)
This book is one of the best references about personal names on the market. It is very scholarly in nature, yet very readable. The first two authors (Hanks and Hodges) are both linguists. The meanings and histories they give are reliable and accurate. There are many websites and books about baby names, but many of these are unreliable and emphasise quantity over quality. If you are looking for a book that will give you accurate information about the meanings and histories of names, this books is a good place to start. It's also a good book to read for the person who is interested in names.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews



Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
most popular names, see main dictionary, independent given name, modern given name, various early saints, byname meaning, local name for someone, medieval vernacular form, independent first name, minor early saints, traditional name meaning, borne most notably, unexplained first element, medieval short form, numerous early saints, personal name composed, baronial name, various compound names, feminine diminutive form, pet form, informal short form, several early saints, feminine diminutive suffix, transferred use, personal name derived
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Old English, Middle Ages, Old French, Old Norse, Scottish Gaelic, United States, New Testament, Late Latin, Middle English, North America, North German, Roman Catholics, Virgin Mary, Old Celtic, Norman French, Eastern Church, Old Testament, King David, Norman Conquest, Irish Names, Old Welsh, Old Irish, William the Conqueror, John the Baptist, Authorized Version
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:



Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject