Honour

Honour is an English feminine given name derived directly from the English word honour, which entered the language via Old French from Latin honor, meaning “esteem, dignity.” It belongs to the class of virtue names popularized in the 17th century by Puritans, who chose abstract nouns—such as Grace, Patience, and Prudence—to express religious and moral ideals. Honour can also be seen as a vernacular form of the Latin-based Honoria or Honorata, names ultimately springing from the same Roman root.

Etymology and History

The Latin root honor lies at the base of several related names. The masculine Honorius was a late Roman imperial name, borne notably by the Western Roman emperor Honorius (r. 395–423 C.E.). Its feminine counterparts, Honoria and Honorata, were used by early Christians and later recurs as saintly names. The Puritan adoption of Honour as a given name reflects a broader trend in England and New England during the 1600s when parents sought to instill virtue through nomenclature. Unlike some Puritan names that waned after the 18th century, Honour (and its variant spelling Honor) has persisted as a quiet but steady choice in the Anglophone world.

Cultural Significance

The concept of honour itself holds deep sociological weight. Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary defined it as “nobility of soul, magnanimity, and a scorn of meanness.” In many cultures, honour has historically governed personal reputation and social standing, influencing behavior through codes like chivalry in medieval Europe. To name a child Honour is to invoke an ideal of moral integrity—a legacy that connects the personal name to a broader human value.

Notable Bearers

Historical records include Honora (a cognate) as a common form in Ireland, but Honour appears in literary works by authors such as Jane Austen. In real life, a notable bearer is the British actress Honour Blackman (1925–2020), best known for playing Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger and Cathy Gale in the television series The Avengers. Her career helped keep the name in the public eye during the 1960s.

• Meaning: “esteem, dignity,” from the Latin word honor
• Origin: English (from Latin via French)
• Type: Virtue name, also diminutive of Honoria
• Usage Regions: English-speaking countries, especially the UK and US