Ladylike Name: Eleanor

Gender: Female

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "Shining Light"

Common Nicknames: Ella, Ellen, Ellie, Nell, Nelly, Nellie, Nora

Regency Popularity: Its use was fairly steady in the 17th and 18th centuries. First introduced into England by Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century) who was heiress to a large portion of France, wife of two kings and mother of two more (Richard the Lionhearted and John). Her powerful personality, intelligence, and inexhaustible energy made her unique in her time.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Northanger Abbey - Eleanor Tilney is the sister of hero Henry Tilney and daughter of General Tilney. She is a truly elegant young woman and presented as an idealised friend for heroine Catherine Morland, in strong contrast to the vain and selfish Isabella Thorpe. Eleanor's own marriage to a Vicount directly effects the subsequent marriage of her brother and his heroine.
  
• Juvenilia: Frederic and Elfrida - Miss. Eleanor Roger

Ladylike Name: Anne

ANNE

Gender: Female

Origin: English/French version of the Hebrew Hannah and Channah and Greek Anna. Anna was the faithful prophetess Anna in New Testament who await the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Meaning: "He (God) has favored me", "gracious", "grace"

Common Nicknames: Nancy, Nan, Nanny, Annie. Jane Austen uses Nancy most often as a nickname.

Regency Popularity: Very popular among most classes. Most lower classes would probably use Hannah or the nicknames more, but the upper classes would use Anne. Among the royalty Anne was and still is quite popular.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Persuasion - Anne Elliot is the heroine of the story. She is the second daughter of Sir Walter Elliot, devoted friend, aunt, sister, and constant to her true love Captain Frederick Wentworth.
• Sense and Sensibility - Miss Anne Steele is the older sister of Lucy Steele, nearly thirty years old; 'never succeeded in catching the Doctor'. She is usually called Nancy by her sister.
• Pride and Prejudice - Miss Anne de Bourgh is the sickly daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Named after her aunt Lady Anne Darcy a match is made by the two mothers for her to marry her cousin Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.
• Pride and Prejudice - Lady Anne Darcy, born Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, is the deceased mother of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Georgiana Darcy. Wife of the elder Mr. Darcy, sister of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, aunt of Miss Anne de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
• Northanger Abbey - Anne Thorpe is one of Mrs Thorpe's two younger daughters. Although not as beautiful as her older sister Isabella, she does very well by pretending to be as handsome as her sister, imitating her air, and dressing in the same style.
• Emma - Anne Taylor is governess to heroine Emma Woodhouse until she's marries Mr. Weston. At the end of the book she has a daughter who is named Anna after her mother.
• Northanger Abbey - Anne Mitchell is mentioned as a 'friend' of Isabella Thorpe's who had tried to put on a turban like Isabella's but who had apparently made wretched work of it.
• Juvenilia: The Three Sisters - Miss Anne (also called Miss XXX) is the friend that Georgiana Stanhope writes to and dictates her plans for her sisters.
• Juvenilia: Evelyn - Mrs. Anne Augusta Webb, wife of Mr. Webb and mother of Maria.
• Juvenilia: Catharine, or the Bower - Anne, also called Nanny, is the heroine Catharine's maid. 

Gentlemanly Names: Christopher

CHRISTOPHER

Gender: Male

Origin: Greek

Meaning: "Christ- bearer", "bearer of the Christ"

Common Nicknames: None commonly used but Chris and Kit have been used for years.

Regency Popularity: Not uncommon but more frequently used in more religious circles because of it's meaning.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Mansfield Park - Christopher Jackson is a local man who builds the stage in the billiards room at Mansfield Park which the young people use for their play. He had a son named Dick Jackson. Sir Thomas call him "my friend" but he's probably just the local carpenter.  
• Juvenilia: Sir William Montague - Sir Christopher Montague is mentioned as an ancestor of the title character Sir William Montague.
• Sense & Sensibility (1995) - in her screenplay Emma Thompson gives Colonel Brandon the first name Christopher and it's been used since that time as if it were his real name. His first name is not given by Jane Austen in the book. 

Gentlemanly Names: Henry

HENRY

Gender: Male

Origin: German

Meaning: "ruler of the household"

Common Nicknames: Harry, Jane Austen uses it a few times.

Regency Popularity: Very commonly used by all classes and especially among royalty.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Northanger Abbey - Rev. Henry Tilney is the witty and charming hero. A clergyman who lives at his Parrish Woodston but spends much time with his father and sister at Northanger Abbey and visiting Bath. He marries the heroine Catherine Morland and shares her passion for reading novels.
• Emma - Mr. Henry Woodhouse is the owner of Hartfield in Highbury. His wife Catherine dies leaving two daughters: Isabella marries John Knightley and Emma marries George Knightley. His grandson is named after him.
• Emma - Master Henry Knightley is the oldest son of Isabella Woodhouse and John Knightley, named after his grandfather Henry Woodhouse.
• Mansfield Park - Henry Crawford is the "villain" of the story. He is the brother of Mary Crawford, half-brother to Mrs Grant, brother-in-law of Dr. Grant. He and his sister Mary were brought up by their uncle Admiral Crawford and his wife. Has an estate in Norfolk called Enscombe. He trifles with the feelings of the three ladies at Mansfield Park.
• Mansfield Park - Sir Henry is mentioned by Mr. Yates as the guest of Lord Ravenshaw's houseparty.
• Persuasion - Sir Henry Russell was the late husband of Lady Russell, he was only a Knight so his title couldn't be passed down to any children they might have had. 
• Sense and Sensibility - Henry Dashwood of Stanhill and Norland Park. By his first wife he had one son, John; by his second, three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret. His death at the beginning of the story sets the events of the plot in motion.
• Juvenilia: Henry and Eliza - Mr. Henry Cecil is the hero of the story, he married Eliza.
• Juvenilia: Lesley Castle - Mr. Henry Hervey
• Juvenilia: Evelyn - Mr. Henry
• Juvenilia: Amelia Webster - Mr. Henry Beverley a character who marries on of George Hervey's sisters.
• Juvenilia: The Three Sisters - Sir Henry Brudenell
• Juvenilia: Sir William Montague - Sir Henry Montague

Jane Austen's Life:

• Henry Austen (1771-1850) - brother, fourth oldest Austen child, married his cousin Eliza de Feuillide.

Gentlemanly Name: George

GEORGE

Gender: Male

Origin: Greek, German

Meaning: "farmer", "earth worker"

Common Nicknames: Georgie, but usually none is used by Jane Austen

Regency Popularity: Very commonly used. It was the name of the kings at the time and still considered German at the time.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Emma - Mr. George Knightley is the hero of Emma, a true gentleman. He is the elder brother of John Knightley, uncle to John & Isabella's children (one is named after him), magistrate and a rich land owner. His Christian name is not frequently used, even his dear Emma Woodhouse says she can't call him "George". 
• Emma - Master George Knightley, the third son of Isabella Woodhouse & John Knightley, named after his uncle.
• Emma - Mr. George Otway is a Highbury resident who comes to balls and parties.
• Pride and Prejudice - Mr. George Wickham the "villain" of the story. The Bennet sisters meet him when his regiment comes to Meryton he later elopes with Lydia Bennet. George is probably also the first name of the elder Mr. Darcy (Fitzwilliam Darcy's father) because the novel says that George Wickham is his godfather and his daughter with wife Lady Anne is named Georgiana.
• Northanger Abbey - George Parry is mentioned as the young gentleman who Mrs Allen says might have danced with Catherine had he only been in Bath.
• Northanger Abbey - George Morland is one of Catherine Morland's youngest siblings; a child of six who was one of the first to joyously proclaim his sister's return home.
• Juvenilia: Amelia Webster - Mr. George Hervey is one of the characters who writes letters and marries the title character Amelia Webster, and is influential in the marriages of his two sisters.  
• Juvenilia: Catharine, or the Bower - Sir George Fitzgibbon is a relation of the Wynnes.
• Juvenilia: Henry and Eliza - Mr. George Harcourt is the father of heroine Eliza and husband of Lady "Polly" Harcourt.
• Juvenilia: Lesley Castle - Sir George Lesley is 57-years-old but "still remains the beau", lord of Lesley Castle and father of three grown children.

Gentlemanly Names: Frederic

FREDERIC

Gender: Male

Origin: German

Meaning: "peaceful ruler"

Common Nicknames: Fred, Freddy

Regency Popularity: Not uncommon, but this variant would be considered more German and it was used often among Royalty because of their German connections.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Lady Susan - Young Frederic Vernon is the son of Charles & Catherine Vernon and nephew to Lady Susan. He is probably named after his desceased uncle (Lady Susan's husband) because she says "young Frederic, whom I take on my lap & sigh over for his dear Uncle's sake." Also Lady Susan & Mr. Vernon's daughter is named Frederica another reason to believe that his name was also Frederic.
• Juvenilia: Frederic and Elfrida - Frederic Falknor is the hero of the story and first cousin of Elfrida the heroine. 
• Juvenilia: Evelyn - Mr. Frederic Gower husband of Maria.
• Juvenilia: Sir William Montague - Sir Frederic Montague is a relation (probably a great uncle) of Sir William Montague, he is mentioned at the start in the list of the Montague family genealogy. 

Gentlemanly Name: Edward

EDWARD

Gender: Male

Origin: Old English

Meaning: "prosperous guardian", "wealthy protector"

Common Nicknames: Ed, Eddie, Ned, Neddy

Regency Popularity: Widely use among the upper class and royalty.

Jane Austen Usage:

• Sense and Sensibility - Mr. Edward Ferrars is an honorable hero who wins the heart of heroine Elinor Dashwood. 
• Persuasion - Mr. Edward Wentworth is the brother of Captain Frederick Wentworth and Mrs Sophia Croft. He did have the curacy of Monksford but later moves out of county, marries and has a parish in Shropshire.
• Pride and Prejudice - Mr. Edward Gardiner is the brother of Mrs Bennet. He's a solicitor and lives in Cheapside, London with his wife and young children.
• Northanger Abbey - Edward Thorpe is mentioned as one of Mrs Thorpe's talented (according to her) sons - a student at Merchant-Taylors'.
• Sanditon - Si Edward Denham, Baronet is nephew of Sir Harry Denham. brother of Esther. born to be a villain- 'quite in the line of Lovelaces'.
• Juvenilia: Catharine, or the Bower - Edward Stanley is the son of Mr & Mrs Stanley.
• Juvenilia: Love and Freindship - Sir Edward Lindsay is the father of Mr Edward Lindsay, who thinks his son has been reading novels again.
• Juvenilia: Love and Freindship - Mr. Edward Lindsay (concealed as Talbot), son of Sir Edward Lindsay, and husband to Laura.
• Juvenilia: Sir William Montague - Sir Edward Montague is mentioned.
• Juvenilia: The Mystery - Sir Edward Spangle is mentioned.

Gentlemanly Name: Charles

CHARLES

Gender: Male

Origin: German

Meaning: "man", "free man", "army, warrior"

Common Nicknames: Charlie, Chuck, Chip

Regency Popularity: Widely used 


Jane Austen Usage: 

• Pride & Prejudice - Charles Bingley rents Netherfield Park and falls in love with Jane Bennet.
• Persuasion - Charles Musgrove is brother-in-law to the heroine Anne Elliot, he first asked her to marry him before marrying her sister Mary. Charles is named after his father and gives his son the same name.
• Persuasion - Charles Musgrove (the elder) is Mary Musgrove's father-in-law, owner of Uppercross-Hall, second in county status only to Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch.
• Persuasion - Little Charles Musgrove is the eldest son of Charles and Mary Musgrove. 
• Persuasion - Charles Hayter is a nephew of Mrs. Musgrove, eldest son of the Hayters. Non-resident curate. Has an understanding with, and marries his cousin, Henrietta Musgrove, after securing a church living. 
• Persuasion - Mr. Charles Smith, a friend of William Elliot who marries Anne's friend Miss Hamilton/Mrs. Smith but has left her a poor widow at the time of the book.
• Northanger Abbey - Charles Hodges is one of the many enraptured gentlemen mentioned by Isabella Thorpe who claims he plagued her to death, in order to make her dance. 
• Mansfield Park - Charles Price is the younger brother of heroine Fanny Price. He is eight-years-old at the end of Mansfield Park and is the youngest son in the family.
• Mansfield Park - Mr. Charles Anderson is a friend of Tom Bertram who has two sisters.
• Mansfield Park - Charles Maddox is a local gentleman who is considered for the part of Anhalt in Lovers' Vows. 
• Mansfield Park - Sir Charles is mentioned as a friend of Admiral Crawford, uses his influence to secure William Price's Lieutenant's commission.. 
• Mansfield Park - Charles is mentioned as the postillion on Lady Bertram's coach. 
• Lady Susan - Mr. Charles Vernon of Churchill, Sussex. Youngest son of Lady Susan's first husband. Married to Catherine De Courcy, with children in abundance. A clergyman.
• Lady Susan - Charles Smith is mentioned in passing.
• Sanditon - Mrs. Charles Dupuis is mentioned.
• The Watsons - Charles is mentioned as the young son of Mrs. Blake and nephew of Reverend Howard.
• Juvenilia: Catharine, or the Bower - Charles Wynne is the son of Reverend Wynne.
• Juvenilia: Jack and Alice - Mr. Charles Adams is mentioned.
• Juvenilia: A Beautiful Description - Mr. Charles is mentioned.
• Juvenilia: The First Act of a Comedy - Mr. Charles Postilion is mentioned.

Characters from Juvenilia

 Names In Jane Austen's Juvenilia

A Letter From A Young Lady
Ladies: Anna, Elinor
Gentlemen: John, Thomas
Surnames: Martin, Parker

A Tale
Ladies: Arabella, Cecilia, Marina
Surnames: Robertus, Wilhelminus

A Tour Through Wales
Ladies: Clara, Elizabeth, Fanny
Surnames: Johnson

The Female Philosopher
Ladies: Arabella, Charlotte, Julia, Louisa
Surnames: Clarke, Milar, Smythe

The First Act of a Comedy
Ladies: Chlo, Maria, Pistoletta
Gentlemen: Charles
Surnames: Popgun, Postilion, Strephon

A Beautiful Description
Ladies: Anna, Julia, Maria, Melissa
Gentlemen: Charles, William
Surnames: Burnaby, Dowkins

The Generous Curate
Surnames: Williams

Amelia Webster
Ladies: Amelia, Matilda, Maud, Sarah
Gentlemen: Benjamin, George, Henry, Jack, Tom
Surnames: Bar, Beverley, Hervey, Webster

Catharine, Or The Bower
Ladies: Anne, Augusta, Caroline, Catharine, Cecilia, Kitty, Maria, Mary, Nanny, Sarah, Susan
Gentlemen: Charles, George, Henry, John, Peter, Tom
Surnames: Amyatt, Barlow, Devereux, Dudley, Fitzgibbon, Halifax, Hutchinson, Laceslles, Pervical, Peterson, Stanley, Wynne,

Edgar and Emma
Ladies: Amy, Emma, Hetty, Kitty, Patty
Gentlemen: David, Edgar, Godfrey, Jem, John, Ned, Peter, Ralph, Richard, Robert, Rodolphus, Sam, Thomas, Will
Surnames: Clayton, Marlow, Wilmot

Evelyn
Ladies: Anne, Augusta, Maria, Rosa, Rose, Sarah
Gentlemen: Frederic, Henry, William
Surnames: Davenport, Gower, Webb, Willis

Frederic and Elfrida
Ladies: Charlotte, Eleanor, Elfrida, Jezalinda, Rebecca
Gentlemen: Frederick
Surnames: Drummond, Falknor, Fitzroy, Jackson, Roger, Williamson

Henry and Eliza
Ladies: Eliza, Harriet, Polly, Sarah
Gentlemen: George, Henry
Surnames: Cecil, Harcourt, Wilson

Jack and Alice
Ladies: Alice, Caroline, Cecilia, Kitty, Lucy, Sukey, Susan
Gentlemen: Charles, Jack
Surnames: Adams, Johnson, Simpson, Williams

Lesley Castle
Ladies: Charlotte, Diana, Eloisa, Emma, Louisa, Margaret, Matilda, Susan
Gentlemen: George, Henry, James, Rakehelly, William
Surnames: Burton, Cleveland, Danvers, Dishonour, Drummond, Fitzgerald, Flambeau, Hervey, Kickabout, Lesley, Lutterell, Marlowe, Macbeth, Macduff, M'Cartney, M'donald, M'Kay, M'Kenzie, M'lellan, M'Leod, M'Pherson

Sir William Montague
Ladies: Emma
Gentlemen: Christopher, Edward, Frederic, Henry, John, Robert, William
Surnames: Arundel, Brudenell, Clifton, Montague, Percival, Stanhope, Wentworth

The Adventure of Mr. Harley
Ladies: Emma
Gentlemen: John
Surnames: Harley

The Beautiful Cassandra
Ladies: Cassandra, Maria

The Mystery
Ladies: Fanny
Gentlemen: Edward
Surnames: Corydon, Daphne, Elliott, Humbug, Spangle

The Three Sisters
Ladies: Anne, Fanny, Georgiana, Jemima, Kitty, Mary, Sophia
Gentlemen: Henry
Surnames: Brudenell, Dutton, Edgecumbe, Stanhope, Watts

The Visit
Ladies: Cloe, Sophy
Gentlemen: Arthur
Surnames: Fitzgerald, Hampton, Stanly, Willoughby

Love and Freindship
Ladies: Isabel, Janetta, Laura, Laurina, Marianne, Matilda, Sophia
Gentlemen: Augustus, Edward, Gregory, Gustavus, Philip, William
Surnames: Graham, Jones, Lindsay, MacDonald, Philander, Staves,

Ladylike Name: Anna

ANNA

Gender: Female
Origin: From Hebrew Hannah and Channah. Name of faithful prophetess Anna in New Testament who await the birth of Jesus Christ.

Meaning: "Grace, graceful, gracious."

Nicknames: Annie, Anne, Nancy

Regency Popularity: Widely used but perhaps not as popular as Ann or Anne.

Jane Austen Usage: 

• Emma - Anna Weston, baby daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Weston and half sister to Frank Churchill, born toward the end of the novel . 
• Sense and Sensibility - Anna-Maria Middleton is daughter of Sir John Middleton's who is about three years old.
• Juvenilia: A Beautiful Description - Miss Anna is mentioned.
• Juvenilia: A letter from a young lady - Miss Anna Parker is mentioned
• Poems: In measured verse I'll now rehearse - Miss./Mrs. Anna is mentioned.