Graduation Term
2016
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of History
Committee Chair
Richard Soderlund
Abstract
This thesis examines a major shift in naming patterns that occurred in Victorian Britain, roughly between 1840 and 1900, though with roots dating back to the mid-18th century. Until approximately 1840, most new names in England that achieved wide popularity had their origins in royal and/or religious influence. The upper middle classes changed this pattern during the Victorian era by introducing a number of new names that came from popular print culture. These names are determined based on a study collecting 10,000 men's and 10,000 women's names from marriage announcements in the London Times. Many of these new names were inspired by the medieval revival, and that movement is treated in detail. A smaller Celtic revival in names and a few other minor trends are also examined. By century's end, names were changing over a shorter period than ever before, and Britain had made a significant movement from a conservative to a circulating naming pool.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Hasfjord, Amy M., "New Influences on Naming Patterns in Victorian Britain" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 508.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/508
DOI
http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2016.Hasfjord.A