Prime Minister joins growing number of parents choosing Cornish names for their children
27 August 2010
Prime Minister David Cameron has joined an increasing number of parents who are choosing to give Cornish names to their children – according to the latest evidence from MAGA, the Cornish Language Partnership.
Mr Cameron announced on Thursday that his new baby girl would be named Florence Rose Endellion to mark the fact that she was born at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske while the family was on holiday in Cornwall.
“We are receiving increasing numbers of enquiries from people wishing to name their children in Cornwall “ said Elizabeth Stewart, Project Support Officer for MAGA.
Elizabeth said that Cornish names usually originate either from words in the Cornish language, Cornish equivalents of biblical names, or the names of saints that settled in Cornwall.
“Endellion, or Endelienta, was one of several children of King Brychan of Wales who came to preach in Cornwall in the sixth century” she said. “Today her name lives on in the village of St Endellion, four miles to the north of Wadebridge.”
There are plenty of other saints’ names the Camerons could have chosen. These include Ia, who gave her name to St Ives and was famed to have floated across to Cornwall from Ireland on a leaf; Senara, who gave her
name to Zennor; and Morwenna, who gave her name to Morwenstow, the most northerly parish in Cornwall.
There are also Cornish equivalents of many biblical names including Katel (Catherine), Eppow (Elizabeth) and Maria (Mary).
Then there are names which come from the Cornish language itself, many of which are now in popular use, such as Elowen (elm), Tegen (pretty thing) and Kerensa (love).
“The list of possible names to choose from goes on, and these are just the girls’ names” said Elizabeth. “With so many engaging names that are specific to Cornwall it is no wonder that the Camerons chose to give the newest member of their family a Cornish name. “
For anyone who would like to find out more about Cornish names there are several books available from bookshops around Cornwall and information can also be obtained from MAGA, tel. 01872 323497, e-mail [email protected] or visit the website at www.magakernow.org.uk.
Ends
Notes for Editors
• The following books on Cornish names are available from bookshops or from the distributors mentioned below:
o Cornish Names by Pol Hodge (available from Tor Mark: tel. 01209 822101, e-mail [email protected]);
o Names for the Cornish published by Dyllansow Truran (available from Spyrys a Gernow: tel. 01209 842394, e-mail [email protected]).
• For further information about the Cornish language, contact MAGA, the Cornish Language Partnership, tel. 01872 323497, e-mail [email protected] or visit the website at www.magakernow.org.uk.