Patrick Hanks (1940–2024)

(1991 edition) I bought this one nineteen years ago and have used it constantly since then. Amazing dictionary: and as if the brilliant coverage, lucid but never superficial descriptions and enlightening etymology wasn't enough (btw the etymology also helps me to remember the meanings of words), the binding of this 1700-page thing is practically indestructible. I've got an Italian dictionary in the same size, and after a year or two it was starting to fall apart – this one is reaching its show more second decade of merciless service and the only sign of wear are the black marks on the right edge after my first adolescent and by now middle-aged thumbs. show less

A wonderful book that not only gives thorough etymologies but explains the history of the popularity of names; under Elmer: "This has been used as a given name in America since the 19th century, in honour of the brothers Ebenezer and Jonathan Elmer, leading supporters of the American Revolution." Has appendices of Arabic and Indian/Pakistani names.

Forget about those baby names books--buy this definitive and billion times more accurate dictionary of first names and give the best name to your son or daughter!

It's also indispensable for giving appropriate and meaningful names to your fiction characters.

Although there are many more recent dictionaries, this is the latest decent one I've been able to find that shows recommended and to-be-avoided hyphenation points. For that reason, if no other, it's remained an invaluable part of my bookshelf!