Protestants, valuing scripture over saints, popularized biblical names. The 16th century Protestant Reformation saw King Henry VIII break away from the Catholic Church, forming the Anglican Church ( 2). The Norman Conquest in 1066 replaced many Old English names with Germanic names of Norman origin.ĭuring the 13th century, Christian names became favored in England, as the Church encouraged naming children after saints of Ancient Greek, Latin, or Hebrew origins. Later, in the late eighth century, the Vikings brought Old Norse names, some of which merged into English names. The Angles and Saxons, Germanic tribes, arrived in Britain in the fifth century ( 1), introducing Old English Germanic names. The cultural evolution of the region is mirrored in the history of English names. Variations of traditional names, independent abbreviations, and diminutives are also commonly embraced. Some names stem from vocabulary words such as Hope and Summer, while others link to surnames, including Beverley, Cameron, and Ryan. While not all the names have English origins, they have been assimilated and embraced through the years. English names have an assortment of origins, blending diverse traditions and influences. English baby girl names are popular in the US, Canada, New Zealand, UK, and Australia, usually including a given name, middle name, and family name.