| Extract from commentary of Mr. J. Ross on Lists of Gaelic and English Name Equivalents, 31st Dec. 1932. |
| [note] | Many of the Equivalents appearing in these lists are doubtless already well-known, but I have endeavoured, from personal inquiries made mainly in Zetland and other insular parts of Northern Scotland, to furnish some fresh information on the matter. For facility of reference the English Christian names are set down in alphabetical order; and against them are shown (1) the Gaelic equivalents and (2) the English equivalents, including those which are in use in certain specified regions – together with occasional explanatory notes. In the list “Male Personal Names” the patronymics are also given – not that they may serve much useful, practical purpose, but because patronymics figure largely in our Scottish nomenclature and are interesting as derivatives from our common Christian names. From a close survey of the lists certain main inferences may be drawn: 1. The correctness of the Registrar-General’s surmise “that some names have no doubt a significance differing according to locality” is demonstrated by the following examples:– (a) Ewen and Hugh. In Lewis these two names are distinct and have separate Gaelic equivalents. (Ewen = G. Eòghann; Hugh = G. Uisdean). But in the South Isles of the Outer Hebrides the two names are interchangeable and have a common Gaelic equivalent, (both Ewen and Hugh = G. Eòghann). This fact was first brought to my notice in South Uist and I subsequently got verification of it elsewhere; one instance being that of a boy from Uist attending school at Dornie, who was known as “Hugh” at home and as “Ewen” in school. (b) Effie and Henrietta. So far as the mainland of Scotland is concerned there is, I think, no connection between these two names; yet I find in Lewis they are interchangeable, the common Gaelic equivalent being “Eighrig”. I have corroboration of this from two schoolmasters who are natives of Lewis; and I found a practical example in the case of a Lewis lady resident in Skye, whose husband calls her “Effie” but who signs her name as “Henrietta”. 2. Many of our Personal Names are merely Anglicised forms of Gaelic Names, for example: Gillespie = Archibald (from G. Gill-easbuig), Donachie = Duncan (from G. Donnchadh), Murachie = Murdoch (from G. Muireach), Ailie = Helen (from G. Eilidh), etc. etc. 3. Some of the other names are not what might be termed exact equivalents, but are distorted forms given to foreign names by Ministers who were unacquainted with the foreign language. In this class is the name “Haki” or “Hakon” which has been transformed into “Hercules”; just as “Osla” has been twisted into “Ursula” and thence into “Cecilia”. It should be understood that my inquiries have been comparatively limited and that consequently the information given here cannot be anything like exhaustive on the subject of name equivalents. But the examples given are sufficient to illustrate that many odd equivalents do exist, and that the identity of a person with whose name we are furnished may be found under an alternative name. |
| Female Personal Names |
| [Agnes] | Name: Agnes. Equivalents: Agnus (Papa Stour); Aggie, Nannie and Nancy (Zetland). |
| [Ailie] | Name: Ailie. Equivalents: (See Helen). |
| [Alexanderina] | Name: Alexanderina. Equivalents: Alexina (Zetland); Lexy (S. Harris B 21/1928). |
| [Alexina] | Name: Alexina. Equivalents: Cina (Stornoway M 39/1928). |
| Ailis | Name: Alice. |
| [Allan-Ina] | Name: Allan-Ina. Equivalents: Alina or Alena (Lewis) – dim. Lina. |
| Aimil | Name: Amelia. Equivalents: Emily; Melly (Zetland). Note: The two names Amelia and Gormelia (G. Gormall) are distinct, but are sometimes confused in Lewis where Gormelia is very common. |
| Aingealag | Name: Angelica. |
| Anna; Annag | Name: Anna. Equivalents: Ann, Anne, Annie. |
| Anabal (Skye); Barabal (Lewis) | Name: Annabella. Equivalents: (See note under Isabella). |
| Barabla | Name: Barbara. Equivalents: Babby and Babsy (Zetland). |
| Beitris | Name: Beatrice. |
| [Beenie] | Name: Beenie. Equivalents: (See Robina). |
| [Bekky] | Name: Bekky, Beksie. Equivalents: (See Rebecca). |
| [Bellag] | Name: Bellag. Equivalents: (See Isabella). |
| [Bess] | Name: Bess, Bessie. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth). |
| Beathag | Name: Bethia. Equivalents: Sophia. |
| Beitidh | Name: Betsy. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth). |
| [Betty] | Name: Betty. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth and Isabella). |
| Brighde | Name: Bridget. |
| [Caroline] | Name: Caroline. Equivalents: Carrie (Zetland). |
| Caitir; Catriona | Name: Catherine. Equivalents: Kit, Kitty and Katrine (Zetland); Kate and Katrina (Lewis); Ketty (N. Harris B 41/1928); Catriona (Skye). |
| Sileas | Name: Cecilia. Equivalents: Celie, Osla and Ursula (Zetland). (See Julia). Note: In Zetland a woman may begin life as “Ursula” and end as “Cecilia”. In the old days Ursula was Osla and these two became Cecilia. Osla was the old Norse name Aslaug: the Scots ministers did not know Osla and changed it to Ursula. |
| [Chirsty] | Name: Chirsty. Equivalents: (See Kirsty). |
| Cairistiona | Name: Christina. Equivalents: Christian, Kirsty, Teenie, and for an old woman Kirstin (Zetland); Chirstina and Chirsty (Lewis); Christian, Chirsty and Chrissy (Skye). |
| Silis | Name: Cicely. Equivalents: (See Julia). |
| [Cina] | Name: Cina. Equivalents: (See Alexina). |
| Sorcha | Name: Clara, Clare. Equivalents: Sarah. |
| Caitir | Name: Clarissa. |
| [Davida] | Name: Davida. Equivalents: (See Davina). |
| [Davidina] | Name: Davidina. Equivalents: In Zetland the diminutives Ina and Ena are commonly used. |
| [Davina] | Name: Davina. Equivalents: Davida (Zetland) – dims. being Vina and Vida. |
| Diana | Name: Diana. |
| [Dinah] | Name: Dinah. Equivalents: Donaldina (Lewis). |
| [Donella] | Name: Donella. Equivalents: Ella (Lewis). Note: In Lewis “Ella” usually denotes Donella. |
| Dior-bhorgail | Name: Dorothy. Equivalents: Dora (Lewis). |
| Deòiridh | Name: Dorcas. |
| Eilginn | Name: Elgin. |
| Eighrig | Name: Effie. Equivalents: Henrietta (Lewis). (See Euphemia). Note. It is important to note that in Lewis G. Eighrig stands for both Effie and Henrietta. |
| [Eiurice] | Name: Eiurice. Equivalents: (See Euphemia). |
| Ealasaid; Beathag (Lochs); Slaine (Hebrides and Skye) | Name: Elizabeth. Equivalents: Bessie, Betsy, Betty, Leeby, Leezie, Liza and Eliza (Zetland); Eppy and Ibby (Papa Stour); Betty, Bess and Betsy (Hebrides); Sophia and Salvia (Lochs). Note: In the Lochs district of Lewis Sophia and Salvia are the same as Elizabeth. Salvia is the pet-name for the Gaelic name Slaine (pronounced “Slaunya”). Slaine is also used for Julia in Harris and for Sophia in Skye. |
| [Ella] | Name: Ella. Equivalents: (See Donella). |
| [Ellen] | Name: Ellen, Ellie. Equivalents: (See Helen). |
| [Elspeth] | Name: Elspeth. Equivalents: Eppie (Zetland). |
| [Emily] | Name: Emily. Equivalents: (See Amelia). |
| [Ena] | Name: Ena. Equivalents: (See Davidina and Georgina). |
| [Engo] | Name: Engo. Equivalents: (See Inga). |
| [Eppy] | Name: Eppy. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth). |
| [Ester] | Name: Ester. Equivalents: (See Hester). |
| [Eunice] | Name: Eunice. Equivalents: (See Winifred). |
| Oighrig; Eighrig | Name: Euphemia. Equivalents: Effie and Henrietta (Lewis); Effy and Phemie (Zetland); Eiurice (Bernera, Harris). (See Effie). |
| Fionnghal; Florag (Harris) | Name: Flora. Equivalents: Florence (Zetland). |
| Frangag | Name: Frances. Equivalents: Fanny. |
| Shordag (Lewis); Sèoras (Harris and Skye) | Name: Georgina. Equivalents: The dims. Ina, Ena and Neenie are used in Zetland. |
| Giorsal | Name: Grace. Equivalents: Grizzel; Grizelda; Girzie (Zetland). |
| [Hannah] | Name: Hannah. Equivalents: (See Johanna). |
| Eighrig | Name: Harriet. Equivalents: (See Henrietta). |
| Eilidh | Name: Helen. Equivalents: Ellie, Ellen and Nell (Zetland); Ailie (Lewis); Ellie (Skye). |
| Eighrig | Name: Henrietta. Equivalents: Harriet; Euphemia. (See Effie and Euphemia). |
| [Hester] | Name: Hester. Equivalents: Ester (Zetland). |
| [Ibby] | Name: Ibby. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth and Isabella). |
| [Ina] | Name: Ina. Equivalents: (See Davidina, Georgina and Williamina). |
| [Inga] | Name: Inga. Equivalents: Engo (Zetland). (Example Sandness B 3/1928). |
| Iseabal; Ishbel | Name: Isabella. Equivalents: Betty (young folks) and Ibby (old folks) in Zetland; Ishbel (Lewis); Bellag (Harris); Sybil. Note: Lewis people often confuse Isabella with Annabella when speaking English. Registrar of Stornoway finds the best way out is to ask the Gaelic (G. Ishbel = Isabella; G. Barabal = Annabella). |
| Sine | Name: Jane. Equivalents: Jean; Janie and Janet or Jessie (Zetland); Sheena (Lewis and Skye). Note: In Zetland Janie may mean Jane, Jean, Janet or Jessie. An old woman “Janie” may have been either Jane or Janet at birth. |
| Seònaid | Name: Janet. Equivalents: Janeta; Jane or Jessie (Skye). (See Jane). Note. In Skye G. Seònaid = Jane, Janet or Jessie. |
| [Janney] | Name: Janney. Equivalents: (See Jessie). |
| [Jean] | Name: Jean. Equivalents: (See Jane). |
| [Jeanette] | Name: Jeanette. Equivalents: Nettie (Zetland). |
| [Jemima] | Name: Jemima. Equivalents: Meena, Mimie, Mima and Minnie (Zetland); Mima (Lewis). |
| [Jessie] | Name: Jessie. Equivalents: Janet and Janney (Zetland). (See Jane and Janet). |
| Siubhan | Name: Johann. Equivalents: Joann and Johann (Zetland): both give diminutive “Joey”. |
| Seonag; Hannag | Name: Johanna. Equivalents: Hannah. |
| Silis; Sileas; Slaine | Name: Julia. Equivalents: Cicely or Cecilia; Sheila (Lewis and Harris); Salvia (Harris). |
| Siùbhan | Name: Judith. |
| Ceit | Name: Kate. Equivalents: Kitty (Zetland). (See Catherine). |
| [Katrina] | Name: Katrina, Katrine, Ketty. Equivalents: (See Catherine). |
| Ciorstan | Name: Kirsty, Kirstin. Equivalents: Chirsty. (See Christina). |
| [Kit] | Name: Kit, Kitty. Equivalents: (See Catherine and Kate). |
| [Laura] | Name: Laura. Equivalents: Lowrina (Zetland). |
| [Leeby] | Name: Leeby, Leezie. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth). |
| [Lena] | Name: Lena. Equivalents: (See Madeline). |
| Leitis | Name: Letitia. |
| [Lexy] | Name: Lexy. Equivalents: (See Alexanderina). |
| Lili | Name: Lilias. |
| [Lina] | Name: Lina. Equivalents: (See Allan-Ina). |
| [Liza] | Name: Liza. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth). |
| Liùsaidh | Name: Louisa. |
| [Lowrina] | Name: Lowrina. Equivalents: (See Laura). |
| Lucrais | Name: Lucretia. |
| Moibeal | Name: Mabel. |
| [Madeline] | Name: Madeline. Equivalents: Magdaline, Meggaline and Matilda (Lewis); Maidlin (Walls, Zetland); Maidly or Lena (Moray). |
| [Maejie] | Name: Maejie. Equivalents: (See Marjory). |
| Maireardol | Name: Maggie. Equivalents: (See Margaret). |
| [Maisie] | Name: Maisie. Equivalents: (See Mary). |
| [Malcolmina] | Name: Malcolmina. Equivalents: Malina (Raasay B 2/1928). |
| [Mally] | Name: Mally. Equivalents: (See Marion and Mary). |
| Malamhin | Name: Malvena. |
| [Marcella] | Name: Marcella. Equivalents: (See Marjory). |
| Mairghread | Name: Margaret. Equivalents: Meggie, Maggie, Marget and Margot (Zetland); Marlat and Peggy (Lewis); Merat (Skye); Mairot – when speaking in jest (Boisdale, S. Uist). |
| Mor; Mairean | Name: Marion. Equivalents: Miriam, Merrin and Mally (Zetland). (See also Sarah). |
| Marsali | Name: Marjory. Equivalents: May and Maejie (Zetland); Marcella (Strath, Skye). |
| [Marlat] | Name: Marlat. Equivalents: (See Margaret). |
| Marta | Name: Martha. Equivalents: Marta and Matty (Zetland). |
| Mairi | Name: Mary. Equivalents: Mally, Maisie and May (Zetland). |
| [Matilda] | Name: Matilda. Equivalents: Matty (Zetland). (See Madeline). |
| [Matty] | Name: Matty. Equivalents: (See Martha and Matilda). |
| [May] | Name: May. Equivalents: (See Marjory and Mary). |
| [Meena] | Name: Meena. Equivalents: (See Jemima and Williamina). |
| [Meggie] | Name: Meggie. Equivalents: (See Margaret). |
| [Melly] | Name: Melly. Equivalents: (See Amelia). |
| [Merat] | Name: Merat. Equivalents: (See Margaret). |
| [Merrin] | Name: Merrin. Equivalents: (See Marion and Miriam). |
| Milread | Name: Mildred. |
| [Mimie] | Name: Mimie, Mima. Equivalents: (See Jemima). |
| [Minnie] | Name: Minnie. Equivalents: (See Jemima and Williamina). |
| [Miriam] | Name: Miriam. Equivalents: Merrin (Zetland). (See Marion). |
| [Morag] | Name: Morag. Equivalents: (See Sarah). |
| Muireall | Name: Muriel. |
| [Nancy] | Name: Nancy, Nannie. Equivalents: (See Agnes). |
| [Neenie] | Name: Neenie. Equivalents: (See Georgina). |
| [Nellie] | Name: Nellie. Equivalents: Nell (See Helen). |
| [Osla] | Name: Osla. Equivalents: Ursula. (See Cecilia). |
| [Phemie] | Name: Phemie. Equivalents: (See Euphemia). |
| [Philadelphia] | Name: Philadelphia. Equivalents: Phyllis. These two are interchangeable in Zetland. |
| Raonaid; Raonailt | Name: Rachel. Equivalents: Rachel (the ‘ch’ guttural as in ‘Loch’ on the west side of Zetland). |
| Beathag | Name: Rebecca. Equivalents: Bekky and Beksie (Zetland); Bekky (Lewis). Note. ‘Beathag’ is also a Gaelic equivalent for Sophia and Bethia. |
| [Robina] | Name: Robina. Equivalents: Ruby; Beenie (Zetland). |
| [Sally] | Name: Sally. Equivalents: (See Sarah). |
| [Salvia] | Name: Salvia. Equivalents: (See Elizabeth and Julia). |
| Mor; Sorcha | Name: Sarah. Equivalents: Sara (Zetland); Sally (Harris); Marion; Morag (See Clara). Note. ‘Morag’ is the diminutive of Mor. |
| [Sheena] | Name: Sheena. Equivalents: (See Jane). |
| [Sheila] | Name: Sheila. Equivalents: (See Julia). |
| [Sibyl] | Name: Sibyl. Equivalents: (See Sybil). |
| Beathag; Slaine | Name: Sophia. Equivalents: Soffie and Suffie (Zetland); Elizabeth (Lochs). (See Bethia, Elizabeth and Rebecca (note).) |
| [Sunniva] | Name: Sunniva. Equivalents: Sinnie and in one instance lately Sunnivoe (Zetland). Note. The name Sunniva has practically gone out of use in Zetland as the pet-name ‘Sinnie’ is not liked, and yet in its original form it was a pretty name. |
| Siùsan; Suisaidh | Name: Susan. Equivalents: Susie (Zetland). |
| Iseabal | Name: Sybil. Equivalents: Sibyl. (See Isabella). |
| [Tamar] | Name: Tamar. Equivalents: Támar (Zetland). Note. Dagmar (pron. ‘Damar’) is the old Norse form. The Scots ministers did not know ‘Dagmar’ and twined it into Tamar. |
| [Teenie] | Name: Teenie. Equivalents: (See Christina). |
| [Una] | Name: Una. Equivalents: (See Winifred). |
| [Ursula] | Name: Ursula. Equivalents: Osla. (See Cecilia). |
| [Vida] | Name: Vida, Vina. Equivalents: (See Davina). |
| Bhorgach | Name: Virginia. |
| [Williamina] | Name: Williamina. Equivalents: Wilhelmina; Minnie, Meena, Wilma, Ina and Willa (Zetland). |
| Una | Name: Winifred. Equivalents: Una (Hebrides); Eunice. |
