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11 children
by Mary R.
8/6/2023, 5:37 AM
Hi!🙂
A couple of days ago I read about James Murray, the lexicographer who worked on the Oxford English Dictionary, and couldn't help but notice the names, that he and his second wife chose for their 11 children. there might be errors and inaccuracies
So, James Augustus Henry Murray & Ada Agnes Murray née Ruthven:Harold James Ruthven Murray
Ethelbert Thomas Ruthven Murray
Wilfred George Ruthven Murray
Oswyn Alexander Ruthven Murray
Hilda Mary Emily Ada Murray
Ethelwyn Edith Agnes Ruthven Murray
Aelfric Charles Ruthven Murray
Elsie Mayflower Ruthven Murray
Rosfrith Ada Nina Ruthven Murray
Arthur Hugh Jowett Murray
Gwyneth Nesta Lilian Ruthven Murray
Several of these choices (names) reflect Murray’s interest in Anglo-Saxon literature and history.
All children were supposed to have ‘Ruthven’ in their name, by arrangement with James Murray's father-in-law, George Ruthven.
As a side note, James Murray had a daughter named Anna Maria Gretchen with his first wife, Maggie Scott. So... if you have to name 11 children, and each child has to have an unusual/rare name either as a first or middle name, what names would you choose?
Source: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Murray-14391
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies

- Pink Princess
8/7/2023, 3:00 PM
Some interesting names and combos there. Elsie Mayflower is adorable! Ada is also a favourite of mine.
Now keeping the same initials and gender for each child, I like: Hosea Jed
Ezra Thaddeus
Wesley Gabriel
Oscar Aaron
Hadassah Maple Eliora Ardith
Ember Evangeline Astrid
Amos Christian
Esme Martha
Romi Aviya Nayeli
Abraham Hezekiah Jordan
Goldie Nava Liberty
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- Dracotorix   +1
8/7/2023, 2:33 PM
I like Oswyn Alexander, Aelfric Charles, Elsie Mayflower, Gwyneth Lilian
plus Nina and James. Rosfrith and Ethelwyn Edith Agnes are interesting but what's with Ethelbert and Ethelwyn together?
ETA mine:
Alastair Wulfstan
Myrddin Cerdic
Peregrine Leofric
Taliesin Osmund
Wilhelmina Ebba
Rigantona Aelfwynn
Gavriel Waldemar
Morgaine Eoforhild
Katyana Gudrun
Bran Aelfwine
Olwen Sunniva

This message was edited 8/7/2023, 4:27 PM

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- Mary R.
8/7/2023, 2:59 PM
Agreed, I thought about Ethelwyn and Ethelbert too. It's possible they went by their middle names, maybe their first middle names. Maybe they were known as Bertie and Ethel))
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- Mara (miakendall1075)
8/6/2023, 1:38 PM
According to BtN, none of these names are on a top 1000 list anywhere!Mirabelle Snow
Jessamine Edytha
Astoria Linnet
Callista Greer
Avonlea Elsabeth
Viviette Annora
Gallagher Osmond
Beaumont Ellington
Flanagan Barclay
Whitaker Tristram
Riordan ClancyMira, Jessa, Stori, Callista, Avonlea, Vivi, Gally, Beau, Flanagan, Whitaker, Riordan :)
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- sprout
8/6/2023, 10:16 AM
- ari.
8/6/2023, 8:43 AM
- Uilos
8/6/2023, 8:30 AM
Thanks for sharing!I've never heard of Ethelwyn and Rosfrith: I like them a lot. Elsie Mayflower is the odd one in the sibset, but I kind of like it in a GP way.My favorite combos are:Harold James
Ethelbert Thomas
Wilfred George
Oswyn Alexander
Hilda Mary Emily Ada
Ethelwyn Edith Agnes
Aelfric CharlesETA: Oops, I forgot to answer your question! My 11 children would be (using same initials as Ada & James Murray)...Hamilkar Johannes
Emerik Tuomas
Walfrid Gustaf
Olaus Anton
Hilia Marjatta Elvi Alice
Eufrosina Edith Aili
Antrus Casimir
Ellida Minerva
Rauna Augusta Naemi
Akilles Hugo Julius
Gisla Nora Lilian

This message was edited 8/6/2023, 9:10 AM

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- Kerilyntaryn21   +1
8/6/2023, 5:50 AM
Interesting that 2 of them didn't have Ruthven I like James, Henry, Ada, Thomas, George, Alexander, Emily, Elsie, Nina Hugh, Gwyneth, Lillian, Maggie
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- Mary R.
8/6/2023, 6:52 AM
Yes, it is uncertain why some of children did not have the name 'Ruthven' despite the agreement. Could be a mistake or an inaccuracy.Sources also disagree on Elsie's middle name. One says it's Mayflower, another — Mary Flower.
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