The Guinness Book of Names

by Leslie Dunkling

What names are the most popular? The most passe? In what American city can you really find an Easy Street? Where can you find Sailbad the Sinner? Where do names come from, what do they mean, and how do they evolve? And come to think of it, what's in a name anyway? These are just a few of the many questions this amusing, and informative volume answers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

272 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 1995

About the author

Also writes under: Leslie Alan Dunkling

Reviews

[Bashar Al]

Good match

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun yet different name book. I love the history and research this author uses to teach us how names came to be and the reasons behind the names of not just people but streets, pubs, etc.

[Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Leslie Dunkling is a beguiling writer, and his fascination with names comes over clearly. I have read a lot of his books, but this one is a cornucopia of names and naming. No sooner than I think that's it - he's covered EVERYTHING - when he comes up with a digression into Pub Names or River Names. He even ponders his own name and tells us which British county likely spawned his ancestors... and my husband's! This is no baby-naming book with fanciful explanations or curt "unknown origins". This is a glorious banquet of names, namers and naming. If you only buy one name book; get this.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not the conventional book of names, this book is great fun! Leslie Dunkling provides a vast array of lists of names including first names by nationality and ethicity, surnames, place names even river names. It is the kind of book you can pick up over and over again and just read a little bit and be fasinated each time. It contains many interesting historical perspectives on the naming of many different objects.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting history of names. The list includes: first names, last names, then on to Cities, streets, ships, pubs, all very British.