Naming Seasons #1: Autumnal Names

Credit: Autumn's Wikipedia page

I thought I'd do a new posting idea, "Naming Seasons". Here, at the start of each season I will be posting about names that relate to the particular season. As it's the first day today, let's start with autumn. 

Autumn

The name of the season itself first had usage in the English language, and has been given to babies since the 1960s. It derives from the Latin word autumnus, and can also be used as a name in France, where it is spelt as Automne. In England and Wales, Autumn ranked at #184 on the popularity charts last year, whereas in the United States, it had a ranking of #71 that same year.

Maple

Maple is of English origins and means just that. It is used more in the United States, though it's still a rare name across the pond. In the United States it first began to be used as a name in the 1600s. It started out as a unisex name however in more recent times it has been predominantly feminine. The maple leaf is also the national symbol of Canada. 

October

The name of the second month in Autumn, which also happens to be my birth month, October is of Modern English origins, though derives from the word octo, meaning "eight". Author Ray Bradbury has a book called Octoberland, in which one of the characters is called October.

Aurelia

Aurelia could be used as an autumnal name due to it's meaning of "golden", a reference to the colour of the leaves in autumn. It is derived from the Ancient Roman family name Aurelius. In England and Wales, Aurelia had a ranking of #298 in the popularity charts last year, whereas in the United States, it ranked at #832 that same year.

Hazel

Sharing the same name as the hazelnuts, which are a common sight in early autumn, Hazel is of English origins, and is derived from the Old English word hæsel. It first started to be used as a name in Victorian times. Popular young adult author John Green used Hazel as the name of the main character in one of his bestsellers, The Fault in Our Stars. In England and Wales, Hazel had a ranking of #252 in 2014, whereas in the United States, it ranked at #107 in the popularity charts that same year.

Laurel

Laurel is after the laurel tree, which is a common sight in autumn. The name of the tree itself comes from the Latin laurus. In England and Wales, it is quite an uncommon name, however in the United States, it ranked at #815 in the popularity charts in 2014. 

Forrest

Forrest derives from an English surname, which was originally worn by families who lived near forests, which look red and golden in autumn. In England and Wales, Forrest is a rare name, however in the United States, it had a ranking of #718 in the popularity charts last year.

Hawthorne

Hawthorne is after the bush, which are common sights in autumn. The meaning of the name Hawthorne is "lives where hawthorne bushes grow". It is a rare first name. 

Rowan

The rowan tree bears brightly coloured berries in autumn, making it fit in the list of autumnal names. Rowan can be used for either sex, though originally started out as a male name. In England and Wales, Rowan had a ranking of #127 for boys and #443 for girls in 2014, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #239 for boys and #412 for girls that same year.

Hawk

Hawk is after the sparrowhawk, which migrates in the autumn season. It is of English origins and is more common as a surname, though also has usage as a first name.

Auburn

This unusual choice is after the colours of autumn. Auburn is of English origins and means "red-brown". More commonly used to describe a particular colour of human hair, Auburn is a rare name.