WIREDGOV

There were 1,634 babies given First World War related names during the war (1914-1919) in England and Wales, new data analysis reveals.

The battles of the First World War were popular choices for names, with 1,229 (75%) of the babies named after battles. The most popular was Verdun, one of the conflict’s longest and bloodiest battles (21 February – 18 December 1916), the centenary of which is this Sunday.

With 901 newborn babies named Verdun during this period, the battle accounts for 73% of all the babies named after First World War battles. Looking at the geography of where births were registered, the highest concentration of babies named Verdun was in seven towns within close proximity of each other in South Wales.

Jessamy Carlson, Archivist and First World War Programme Manager, said:

‘The data is fascinating and gives new insight into the battles that resonated with mothers on the Home Front. It was a surprise to learn that the battles rather than the heroes or names relating to the end of the war were the most popular. It was even more of a surprise to learn that Verdun was the most popular battle name given that it was a French/German battle with no British Troops directly involved.’

Hero and peace babies

Names inspired by First World War leaders and heroes accounted for 202 (12%) of the 1,634 babies. Records of births from the General Register Office show that:

• 166 were named Kitchener
• 25 were named Cavell
• 11 were named Haig

A further 203 babies (12%) were born with names relating to the end of the war:

• 83 babies named Peace
• 120 babies named Victory (with 107 of them born at the end of the period)

There were only 44 girls named Poppy during the First World War, but from 1920 the name grew in popularity. It peaked every year during autumn and winter in the 1920s.

Almost all children with Armistice as a first or middle name were born on 11 November or within a few weeks of this date, from 1918 onwards.