The practice of using surnames as Christian names was introduced by the Potestants. It was fairly rare before the 18th century although examples can be found of it being used in families as early as the 17th Century. The Catholics never favoured this custom, preferring to place the child under the care of a saint. In the 19th century a revival of names of Saxon origin or ispiration such as Oswald, Ethel, Alfred, Bertha, Mildred, Edith, Emma, Hilda and Cedric arose. Later in the century came the fashion of giving girls names of botanical values, such as, Lily, Heather, Poppy, Pansy, Marigold, Myrtle, Flora, Daisy, Iris, Ivy, and Violet, or names of jewels Pearl, Ruby and Berly. And also in the latter half of he 19th century continental names began to appear, Vera, Clothilde, Osca, Louise, Ernest, Noel Carmel, Bernadette, Camilla, Zita, Rita, Angela, Irene and oh my Goodness Cyril. And although it has been said that names in vogue now and not encountered in Ireland 100 years ago are Desmond, Pauline, Myra, Derek, Lorna, Cynthia, Raymond, Patricia, Muriel, Brenda, Sylvia, Mona, Doris and Norma. The trend today seems to have drifted even more from the old naming names of 100 years ago, being influenced by fashions no doubt. But of course you still encounter those who still hold to their old values, and find them naming their children with lovely soft celtic names, that you cannot always get your tongue around as with Nuala, Siobhan,Aodhfin,Ashling, Aisling,Catriona. So perhaps those of us researching the names of our ancestors may have thought it would be easier to find them if they had a very outstanding name -but alas it isnt any easier if her name was Irmagard Martha Budina child of Kurt its just as hard to find them even with an outstanding name like that ............ So good luck Cara