The Penguin Dictionary of First Names

What's in a name? Rather more than you might at first suspect, for names are steeped in history and myth and have much to tell us about our past, our beliefs - even our personality traits. Now fully updated for its second edition, with 150 new entries, The Penguin Dictionary of First Names takes a close look at over 5,000 examples, ranging from the familiar to the comparatively obscure, drawn from all parts of the English-speaking world. Detailed and informative, it is essential reading for expectant parents and for anyone who is intrigued by the story attached to each name.

David Pickering graduated in English from St Peter's College, Oxford. An experienced writer, editor and illustrator, he has compiled or contributed to well over 200 reference books, mostly in the areas of the arts, English language, history, folklore, entertainment and popular interest. As author, these have included a Dictionary of Theatre (1988), an Encyclopedia of Pantomime (1993), a Dictionary of Superstitions (1995), a Dictionary of Witchcraft (1996), a Dictionary of First Names (Penguin, 1999, 2004), Sports Quotations (2000), a Dictionary of Proverbs (2001), a Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases (2001), the Pears Factfinder (Penguin, 2002), a Dictionary of Saints (2004), Pirates (2006), Jokes (Penguin, 2006), Perfect Pub Quiz (2007), Ancient Rome (2007), Buttering Parsnips Twocking Chavs (2007) and a Dictionary of Allusions (2008). He has broadcast many times on radio and television and lives in Buckingham with his wife and two sons.