Names: Name Structure

Julia Elizabeth Andrews
English Actress, Singer, and Writer
Given Name: Julia
Middle Name: Elizabeth
Surname: Andrews

William Shakespeare
English Poet and Playwright
Given Name: William
Surname: Shakespeare

The naming structure in the United Kingdom follows a pattern commonly found in Western cultures, consisting primarily of a given name followed by a surname. This structure reflects a blend of historical influences and evolving cultural norms.

Name Format/Sequence

Given Name(s) | Middle Name | Surname

Most people in the United Kingdom (UK) have a given name (first name), one or more middle names, and a surname (family name). A surname is usually inherited from that person's father.

Examples:

• Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, English crime novelist and playwright (female)
  
• George Harrison, English musician, singer, and songwriter (male)
  
• Zadie Smith, English novelist and professor (female)
  
• Dylan Marlais Thomas, Welsh poet and writer (male)
  
• William Shakespeare, English poet and playwright (male)
  
• Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, English-American film director and producer (male)
  
• Anne Boleyn, Queen of England and second wife of King Henry VIII (female)
  
• Rory McElroy, Northern Irish professional golfer (male)
• Julia Elizabeth Andrews, English actress, singer, and writer (female)

Given Name

Most given names in the UK originated largely from non-English sources. As in other European countries, many personal names are drawn from religious history or biblical characters (e.g., the male name Jacob and the female name Martha). Greek- and Latin-based names, as well as Germanic names, are also common. Names that are traditionally Anglo-Saxon include Alfred and Edmund.

Many given names, particularly for males, were originally surnames of noted families (e.g., Cecil). It is not unusual for people to use their initials in lieu of their given names in daily life or in professional settings (e.g., H. G. Wells). Non-European names have become common as the UK’s population has grown more diverse.

Examples:

• Emily (female)
  
• Connor (male)
  
• Hannah (female)
  
• George (male)
  
• James (male)
  
• Chloe (female)
  
• Laura (female)
  
• Sean (male)

Middle Name

Middle names are common in the UK and often honor an ancestor. Some people have more than one middle name (e.g., John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, known as J. R. R. Tolkien). It is not unusual for people to use their middle name instead of their given name in daily life, omitting the first name altogether or using the initial of the given name, followed by the middle name. 

Surname

People in the United Kingdom typically have a surname that is inherited from their father. British surnames are often English in origin but may also be Welsh, Scottish, or Irish. The UK has a large and diverse population, and its residents have surnames from all over the world. For instance, the British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has a Nigerian name, and the British novelist Kazuo Ishiguro has a Japanese name. Among non-English surnames, Indian and Pakistani names are particularly common.

Many British surnames are derived from English words for occupations, such as Potter and Wright. Place names and estate names are also common sources of surnames in the UK (e.g., Cheshire, which originally referred to a person from Cheshire, England). Certain surnames (e.g., Hill) as well as suffixes (e.g., ­-borough and -wood) are related to places or geographic features. Some surnames reference personal characteristics (e.g., Young).

Surnames often originated as patronymics (derived from the given name of an male ancestor), but some were matronymics (derived from the name of a female ancestor). The possessive suffix –s (belonging to) is common, as in the name Williams (belonging to William). The suffix –son  (son of) is employed in names such as the patronymic Johnson (son of John) and the matronymic Madison (son of Maud). Many surnames in the UK include prefixes, which usually indicate a patronymic origin. For example, the Scottish prefix Mac- (along with the Scottish and Irish prefixes M’/Mc/Mhic/Mic) means “son of.” Other common prefixes include Ab- and Ap- (Welsh for “son of”), Fitz- (Irish for “son of”), and Gil/Kil- (follower of, devotee of).

Generational suffixes, such as junior and senior (abbreviated in the UK as Jnr and Snr), are used occasionally to distinguish male family members who share identical names. Numerical suffixes (e.g., II and III) are sometimes added for the same purpose, usually only for males.

Examples:

• Clarke
  
• Green
  
• Llewellyn
  
• McLaughlin
  
• Roberts
  
• Smith
  
• Fitzpatrick
  
• Thompson
  
• Patel

Married / Maiden Name

Women in the UK usually adopt their husband’s surname upon marriage. For example, if Amelia Brown married Daniel Ross, she might change her name to Amelia Ross. Many women choose to keep their maiden name, however. Occasionally women combine their maiden name with their husband’s surname, typically in hyphenated form (e.g., Amelia Brown-Ross). A woman may also retain her maiden surname as her middle name (e.g., Amelia Brown Ross). It is also permissible, though uncommon, for a husband to take his wife’s surname in the same ways.

Diminutives / Nicknames

Nicknames are common in the UK. Many nicknames are formed by shortening a personal name to the first syllable (e.g., Stan for Stanley). Another common practice is to attach a diminutive suffix (such as -i, -ie, or -y) to an abbreviated form of a personal name. For example, the male given name Joseph is often shortened to Joe; the diminutive suffix -y might then be added to form the nickname Joey. These diminutives are most often used as terms of endearment or for children, although an adult may be addressed by a diminutive among family members or friends, and many people have a diminutive as their official given name. A nickname may also take a form that is considerably different from the given name, retaining only one or two letters of the original (e.g., Hank, a common nickname for Henry). 

Examples:

• Hubert: Bert (male)
  
• Richard: Dick, Rick, Rickey, Ricky, Ritch, Ritchie (male)
  
• Theodore: Ted, Teddy, Theo (male)
  
• Josephine: Jo, Joey, Josie (female)
  
• Nancy: Nan (female)
  
• Priscilla: Cilla, Prill, Prisca, Priss (female)

Forms of Address / Honorifics / Titles

In the UK personal names are used among family, friends, and colleagues with whom a personal relationship has been established. Upon initial introductions or in formal settings, a person’s professional title should be used, followed by the surname (e.g., Professor White). Other honorifics include Mr (used for adult men, regardless of marital status), Master (for boys under age 18, who are considered too young to be called Mr), Mrs (for married women), Ms (for adult women, regardless of marital status), and Miss (for girls and unmarried women). The title Miss is also commonly applied to female teachers, regardless of their marital status. The gender-neutral title Mx is gaining popularity. These titles are not followed by a period.

Formal titles may be used by persons who hold a British knighthood or another rank in the nobility. These titles are often followed by a person’s given name (e.g., Lady Alice) or full name. For example, the titles Sir (for men) and Dame (for women) might be used for knighted persons. The term Lord may be applied to certain male members of the nobility. A woman who holds a certain rank or who is married to a knighted man might be styled Lady.

Examples:

• Mr Taylor
  
• Ms Phillips
  
• Master Matthew (a boy whose given name is Matthew)
  
• President Campbell
  
• Dame Judi Dench
  
• Professor Stephen Hawking

Article written for World Trade Press by Harrabeth Haidusek.
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