Congratulations Elizabeth!

It was fantastic to hear about Professor Elizabeth Blackburn's achievement on the news last night! For those of you who don't know, Professor Blackburn was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine. She's even more special for those patriotic Australians because she's from Tasmania!

Just quickly, Professor Blackburn migrated to America in the 1960s to continue her work in stem cell research. She, along with Americans Carol Greider and Jack Szostak won the Nobel Prize for medicine after identifying a key switch in cellular ageing.

Because this is a naming blog, it seems fitting to describe the name 'Elizabeth' in greater detail.

Elizabeth is, of course, a female name. It is derived from the Greek name 'Elizabet' which in turn comes from the Hebrew name 'Elisheva'. Elizabeth means "pledged to God", "I am God's daughter", or "oath of God". It is one of the premier and classic female names of our time, however I think it is becoming less popular as some of the more unusual names take over.

Naming your daughter Elizabeth will also give her royal connections. Our current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is probably today's most famous Elizabeth (her middle names are Alexandra and Mary for those of you who are wondering)! Other famous ladies include Elizabeth Taylor, Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha from Bewitched), and Elizabeth Bennet (fictional character from Pride and Prejudice).

Alternatively, Elizabeth can be spelt as Elisabeth (Danish, French, Dutch). It is also the parent unit of the names Lisa, Lilly, and Ella. Many nicknames can also be derived from Elizabeth, including Beth, Liza, Lizzie, Lisbeth, Izzy, and many more. This makes Elizabeth a very versatile name!

A fan of classic names, Elizabeth is one I will always keep in mind. Just like Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, it is certainly a winner!

Love,
The Name Dame