Unique Boys Names from the 2015 Birth Notices

18 Sunday Sep 2016

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American names, Arabic names, Biblical names, celebrity baby names, english names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, Game of Thrones names, germanic names, Greek names, Hawaiian names, hebrew names, Irish names, locational names, name history, name meaning, name popularity, names of rivers, nicknames, rare names, royal names, saints names, scandinavian names, Scottish names, surname names, vintage names, Welsh names

These are ten names given to boys which I saw only once in the birth announcements of last year. They are not all rare, but they are at least names you don’t see every day.

Aled
Welsh name, after the River Aled – a small river in Denbighshire in north Wales. Its meaning is not certain, although some have linked it with the Welsh root al-, meaning “wandering”, which suggests the winding flow of a river. Probably more importantly, in modern Welsh aled means “offspring”, making the name seem very suitable as a baby name. A historic namesake is the 15th century Welsh poet Tudur Aled, a nobleman from Denbighshire considered one of the finest poets of his time. Aled has been used as a boy’s name in Wales since perhaps the 18th century, and originated in Denbighshire. Its similarity to the name Allen must have been a help – it basically sounds like Allen with a D at the end instead of an N. A famous contemporary example is Welsh singer Aled Jones, who had a hugely successful career as a young boy, and is now a radio and television presenter. The name is still in use in the UK, although numbers have fallen. A pleasant Welsh heritage choice made familiar through a famous namesake.

Dashiell
English surname which is a corruption of the French surname de Chiel; its meaning is unknown. The de Chiel family were French Protestants who fled to Scotland escaping religious persecution in the 16th century. From here the surname morphed into Da Chiell, Da Shiell, Shiell, and Dashiell – the last seems to be first used in America, when the French-Scottish family migrated to Maryland in the 17th century. Dashiell has been used as a first name since the 19th century and was particularly associated with Maryland. The name has become famous because of the American crime novelist Dashiell Hammett, who wrote such classics as The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man; he received his name because his mother was one of the Dashiell family of Maryland. The name has never been common even in its country of origin, but is now rather fashionable as well as having literary cachet. Actress Cate Blachett welcomed a son named Dashiell in 2001, so this is a celebrity baby name. Pronunciation is a slight issue – Dashiell Hammett said his name da-SHEEL, while these days the name is nearly always pronounced something like DASH-uhl. Said thus, it gives the obvious nickname Dash, as demonstrated by Dashiell “Dash” Parr in The Incredibles.

Eamon
Anglicised form of Éamonn, the Irish form of Edmund. The name became well known because of the American-born Irish statesman Éamon de Valera, who was a force in Irish politics for over half a century. He came to prominence as a leader during the Easter Rising of 1916 and eventually became the country’s president in 1959. Éamon didn’t retire until he was 90, making him the world’s oldest head of state. Éamon de Valera was originally named George, and later had his name changed to Edward, so Éamon was a conscious attempt to give himself an authentically Irish name. Éamon de Valera visited Australia in the 1940s, and had strong links of friendship with the Irish-Catholic community here, especially amongst the priesthood, so the name Éamon or Eamon was very well known here for many years. A famous Australian namesake is the former Olympic swimming champion Eamon Sullivan. An Irish heritage choice which is dated in Ireland, but won’t seem so here, especially as it fits in well with current naming trends.

Gilbert
Germanic name meaning “bright pledge, bright hostage”. The meaning of “hostage” makes some people uneasy, however in the past it was common for political treaties to be accompanied by the exchange of hostages, usually nobles or even royalty, as a guarantee of good faith. The name Gilbert was introduced to Britain by the Normans, and was popular in the Middle Ages. In Scotland Gilbert was sometimes used to Anglicise the Gaelic name Gille Brigte, meaning “follower of Saint Bridget”. There are a few saints with the name, including Gilbert of Sempringham, the son of a Norman lord from Lincolnshire who founded the only English religious order, the Gilbertines; they didn’t survive the Reformation in England. Gilbert was #123 in the 1900s, and left the charts in the 1990s. It returned in 2011, and is now around the 500s. This is a vintage charmer which L.M. Montgomery fans may connect with handsome Gilbert Blythe, the love interest of red-haired heroine Anne Shirley. Comes with the nicknames Gil, Gib, Bert, and Bertie.

Keanu
Hawaiian name literally meaning “the coolness”, and translated as “the cool breeze”. In Hawaii it has been given to both sexes, but mostly to boys. The name has become famous because of Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, who has some Hawaiian heritage through his American father. He’s made a name as a blockbuster action star through The Matrix series, Speed, and Point Break, but is forever famous for the cult Bill and Ted movies. He has a connection to Australia since he lived here as a baby. The Hawaiian pronunciation of the name is keh-ah-noo; Keanu Reeves says his name more like kay-ah-noo, while many seem to say it kee-ah-noo. The strong identification of the name Keanu with the actor may cause some parents to think of it as a “one person name”, although it’s attractive with a nice meaning. On one hand, the Hollywood connection makes the name familiar and easy to deal with; on the other, prepare for people to assume you are a huge fan of Keanu Reeves.

Leif
Scandinavian name from the Old Norse name Leifr, meaning “descendant, heir”. Depending on which part of Scandinavia a person is from, the name is pronounced either LAYF or LIFE. Leif has a very famous namesake, because Leif Erikson was a Viking chieftain from Greenland, the son of Erik the Red. He was described by contemporaries as a strong, striking-looking man who was wise and considerate, and regarded as lucky. Leif converted to Christianity on a voyage to Norway and preached his new-found religion to the Greenlanders. Leif Erikson is perhaps best known for voyaging to a country he called Vinland, somewhere in modern Canada, where he founded a few Nordic settlements around 1000 AD. Leif Erikson not only pushed back the date of European colonisation in North America, he helped give Scandinavian immigrants to the Unites States a special tie to their adopted country. In the United States, Leif Ericson Day is celebrated every October 9. Leif is a slightly dated name in Scandinavia, but feels fresh here. A famous Australian namesake is music industry graphic designer Leif Podhajsky.

Ptolemy
Anglicised form of the Greek name Ptolemaios, meaning “war-like”, pronounced TOL-uh-mee. The name is mentioned in Homer’s Iliad as one of the Greek warriors. Ptolemy was a common name amongst the aristocracy of Macedonia, and the name was traditional in a line of Macedonian rulers in Egypt descended from one of Alexander the Great’s generals. They were in power for nearly three centuries, and are collectively known as the Ptolemaic Dynasty; one of their most famous members is the ruler Cleopatra. The most famous namesake is Claudius Ptolemy, nearly always known as Ptolemy. He was a Greco-Egyptian Roman citizen who wrote several important scientific treatises on maths, astronomy, geography, and astrology. His work was essential to medieval knowledge, and Christopher Columbus used his work on geography as the map for his famous voyage. There is a Ptolemy mentioned in the New Testament, and two saints with the name. Ptolemy has been used as an English name since the 17th century; it sounds like the English name Tolomy, short for Bartholomew. A rare but very cool name – possibly even a little too cool.

Rayyan
Arabic name meaning “thirst quenching, well-watered, luxuriant”; in the Quran the word is used to mean “splendour”. In Islamic tradition Rayyan is the name of one of the four gates of Paradise, dedicated to those who have fasted often in their lives. A common name in Arabic-speaking countries and communities, this works well in English-speaking countries. Not only is it quite similar to popular Ryan, but the possibility of using familiar Ray as the nickname gives your son the option of complete assimilation in the future. It even sounds very slightly like the English word rain, which fits in with the Arabic meaning. A no-fuss Arabic heritage choice.

Solomon
Hebrew name meaning “peace”. In the Old Testament King Solomon was the son of King David, famed for his enormous political and military power, and fabulous wealth gained through trade partnerships. According to Jewish tradition Solomon used that wealth to build the First Temple in Jerusalem, and his reign was a Golden Age. The Bible tells us that Solomon once prayed for wisdom, and because he did not ask for something selfish, he was granted not only wisdom but many other gifts as well. Legend says he received magical powers, and the ability to control angels and demons! An enigmatic passage in the Bible describes a visit made by the Queen of Sheba to Solomon, and the Ethiopian monarchy claimed descent from Solomon. Solomon is credited with writing Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon – one of the most beautiful works of poetry in the Bible. A central figure in Judaism, Solomon is venerated as a prophet in Islam, and regarded as a saint in Eastern Christianity. Solomon has often been used by Jewish people, East Europeans, and Africans, but has been used as an English name since the Middle Ages in honour of the biblical figure. A wise and peaceful name that might remind people of the Solomon Islands.

Tyrion
A name mostly known through popular culture. Currently it is associated with Tyrion Lannister from A Game of Thrones, played by award-winning actor Peter Dinklage. Born into privilege, Tyrion is despised by his family, and must learn to live by his not-inconsiderable wits. The cynical, debauched, bitterly intelligent Tyrion is a fan favourite, and author George R.R. Martin’s own favourite character from the series. Before that, Tyrion was a High Elf in the the 1980s role-playing game Warhammer, and a wise dragon king in the 1990s German-Australian television series Tabaluga. Tyrion is a variant of the name Tyrian, meaning “of Tyre”. Tyre was a wealthy island-city in ancient Phoenicia whose name meant “rock” because of the formation it was built on; today it is in modern Lebanon. Tyre was famous for its production of expensive purple cloth, only affordable by royalty and aristocracy; the word tyrian can refer specifically to the colour purple, and has connotations of pomp and power. You could also connect the word Tyrian to Tyr, the Norse god of war. Despite these interesting associations, Tyrian and Tyrion have been used only very rarely as personal names; however they seem like fantasy names which can still work in the real world.

POLL RESULTS
People’s favourite names were Dashiell, Solomon and Eamon, and their least favourite were Rayyan, Aled and Tyrion.

(Picture shows Dashiell “Dash” Parr from The Incredibles)

Famous Name: Forbes

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by A.O. in Famous Names

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aristocratic names, famous namesakes, Gaelic names, Irish names, locational names, name history, name meaning, names of magazines, rare names, Scottish names, surname names, UK name popularity, US name popularity

Famous Namesake
Just before the Summer Olympics started this year, we lost our oldest Olympian – Forbes Carlile, who was 95. Forbes was a scientifically-trained pioneer in elite swimming coaching, using many of the training methods we take for granted today in sports physiology and psychology, and writing the first book on modern competitive swimming.

Forbes was Australia’s first Olympian post-war swimming coach, and the youngest Olympic coach when he began at the age of 27. He was the Australian swimming coach at the 1948 and 1956 Olympic Games, and Scientific Adviser at the 1960 Olympic Games; he coached the Dutch team at the 1964 Olympics.

Swimmers coached by Forbes won 12 Olympic medals including 5 gold, and set 31 world records. His greatest success was at the 1973 Swimming World Championships, which produced nine Australian champions, and his most successful student was Shane Gould, who held six world records simultaneously when she was 15.

Forbes is the only person so far to have coached at the Olympic Games, and then gone on to compete at Olympic level. He was the first Australian to compete in the modern pentathlon at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, where he came 25th overall and 10th in the swimming phase.

Forbes went on to receive many awards for his work as a coach and is in three sporting Halls of Fame, both in Australia and internationally. He and his wife Ursula were the first in Australia to open a commercial swimming school, still in operation.

A quote from Forbes Carlile demonstrates the thinking behind his success: Our aim is not to produce champions, but to create an environment where champions are inevitable.

Name Information
Forbes is a Scottish surname which comes from a place name in Aberdeenshire derived from forba, Gaelic for “field”. Clan Forbes claims to have owned land in this area since the 12th century, but the first Forbes on record is Duncan Forbes, in the late 13th century. The Forbes were raised to the Scottish Peerage in the 15th century, so the name has an aristocratic feel.

The name is well known in the United States, as members of the Scottish clan emigrated to America and became one of the wealthiest and most prominent in Boston. Politically influential, one of their best known members today is US Secretary of State John Forbes Kerry. Another Forbes from Aberdeenshire, of more modest origins, emigrated to the US later and is known for founding Forbes business magazine, famous for its rich lists, so either way this name signals money.

In Ireland, the surname Forbes can either be directly related to the Scottish name, as one of the aristocratic Forbes settled here in the 17th century, or can be an Anglicisation of the Gaelic name MacFearbhisigh, with the personal name Firbhsigh from the Celtic for “man of prosperity”. Whatever the origin, Forbes is a wealthy name.

The name is known in Australia from the New South Wales town of Forbes, named after the state’s first Chief Justice, Sir Francis Forbes. Sir Francis was related to the Scottish clan, and because of his family’s business links, had been educated in America and travelled there, which is said to be the source of his politically liberal views.

Forbes the town got bad reviews at first, with explorer John Oxley opining that it was impossible to imagine a worse country, due to the clay soil, poor timber, and swamps. Perhaps these weren’t mentioned on the brochure, as people did settle in the area. Everything changed when gold was discovered in 1861 and the population swelled by more than 30 000. A historic town, the bushranger Ben Hall met his end in Forbes, and Ned Kelly‘s sister Kate died a heroine here.

Forbes has been used as a personal name since the 18th century, where it was originally strongly associated with Scotland, but soon became much more generally used. In America, it was most commonly found in Boston. Although at first girls with the names Forbes weren’t particularly unusual, overall the name is overwhelmingly male.

Forbes is a very uncommon name. In the US, just 5 baby boys were named Forbes in 2015, while in the UK no baby boys are listed as having been given the name since 2008. I have occasionally seen Forbes used as a boy’s first name in Australia, but perhaps more often as a middle name. (This reminds me that a well known person with Forbes as his middle name is mathematician John Forbes Nash, of A Beautiful Mind fame).

Forbes is a rare surname name for boys redolent of success, wealth, power, nobility, and even long life. Although most of us like the idea of names which have positive meanings, namesakes and associations, some parents might feel that this one is almost too much. However, for a name with history and class behind it, Forbes is worth considering for your own future champion – at least in the middle.

POLL RESULTS
The name Forbes received an approval rating of 39%. 28% were reminded too strongly of Forbes magazine, and 15% found the name pretentious. However 11% thought the name sounded strong and powerful.

(Photo from Carlile Swimming)

Waltzing With … Rio

21 Sunday Aug 2016

Posted by A.O. in Waltzing with ...

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english names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, Japanese names, locational names, modern names, name history, name meaning, nature names, nicknames, UK name popularity, unisex names

Famous City
Today is the final day of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio – can you believe that London was already four years ago? This is the first time the Olympics have been held in South America, the first time the Summer Olympics took place in winter, and only the third time they have been hosted in the Southern Hemisphere. This was the first Olympics that a Refugee Olympic Team took part.

It’s been a rather controversial Olympics (although not as disastrous as the gloomy doomsayers predicted). However Rio has looked beautiful with its views of mountains and beaches, and the famous landmark of Christ the Redeemer overlooking the city and its surrounds. No wonder Rio is one of the most popular cities to visit in the Southern Hemisphere, and why Australian entertainer Peter Allen had to write a song about it!

Congratulations to all the Olympic athletes, and see you all in Tokyo in 2020!

Name Information
The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro means “River of January” in Portuguese, and received its name because Portuguese explorers first sailed into its bay on January 1 1502, mistakenly believing the harbour was the mouth of a river.

The city itself was founded in 1565, and first called São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro in honour of Saint Sebastian, the patron of the Portuguese monarch. Just as the São Sebastião got dropped, the city is now often known as simply Rio (“River”).

Rio has been used as an English name since the 19th century, although it is not always possible to tell from records whether Rio was the person’s nickname. It was given to both sexes, but mostly to males, and in the US may have been influenced by the great south-western river the Rio Grande, or various places named Rio.

In fiction, guys called Rio tend to be tough and gritty, rebellious and sexy, or even butch and bullying. Female fictional characters named Rio include the heroine of the YA undersea novel Atlantia: in the book, the characters all have names connected with water, so a name meaning “river” makes sense.

Rio is also a popular Japanese girl’s name. It can be translated in a variety of ways, including “white jasmine and cherry blossom”, and “village centre of cherry blossom”. An example of someone with the name is Japanese child star Rio Suzuki. You will find the name used fairly often in anime and manga, and confusingly, sometimes for male characters too – an apparent Anglicisation of the Japanese boy’s name Ryu, meaning “dragon”.

If you tend to think of Rio as a masculine name, it’s probably because in Romance languages an O at the end of a name usually signals it’s male – Rio even looks as if it could be short for Mario. Also, the English name River is more popular for boys, so it makes some kind of sense for Rio to be as well.

If you think of Rio as a feminine name, it might be because you’re an older parent or young grandparent, and you’re thinking of the song Rio by Duran Duran where her name is Rio and she dances on the sand. In the song, the girl’s name is linked to the Rio Grande; the band have said that Rio is a symbol of their love for the United States (originally the girl in the song was called Amy, short for America, but Rio sounded more exotic so Rule of Cool won out).

Rio isn’t an unusual name in the UK. It has charted for boys since the late 1990s, around the time English football star Rio Ferdinand began playing for the national team; he went on to captain his side. The name peaked in 2008 at #155, the year after Rio Ferdinand’s autobiography was published. The name Rio is now #213 for boys, and its popularity has almost certainly been influenced by Mr Ferdinand.

Rio also charts for girls in the UK, and before Rio Ferdinand became well known, was actually more common as a female name. This is a good example of how just one high-profile person can cause a less-common name to do a gender switch. Rio has only been in the Top 500 for girls once, in 1997 – ironically the same year Rio Ferdinand joined the English national side. In 2014, 11 baby girls were given the name Rio in the UK.

Rio is less popular in the US, but more common for boys there as well. In 2015, there were 103 boys named Rio, and 38 girls. Numbers are fairly stable for both genders, but it does seem to be gradually falling for girls, and very slightly rising for boys. I have seen Rio on both sexes in Australia, but more boys than girls.

Whether you think of it as inspired by the city, or the Rio Grande, or simply an exotic nature name, Rio is a cool and spunky name for both boys and girls. It will be interesting to see if this year’s Summer Olympics will help bring about an increase in babies named Rio.

POLL RESULTS
As a boy’s name, Rio received an approval rating of 74%. 38% thought it was okay, and only 9% hated it. It was far less successful as a girl’s name, with an approval rating of 47%. 34% disliked it, and only 9% loved it.

(Picture shows a view of Rio’s harbour from Mount Corcovado)

Celebrity Baby News: International Celebrity Babies

28 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by A.O. in Celebrity Baby News

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Australian names, celebrity baby names, celebrity sibsets, choosing baby names, locational names

American reality TV star Audrina Partridge, and her fiance, Australian dirt bike rider Corey Bohan, welcomed their first child on June 25 and have named their daughter Kirra Max. Audrina starred in the MTV reality TV series The Hills, and briefly had her own spin-off show, Audrina; she now hosts a late-night travel show. Corey has been a professional BMX dirt bike rider since 2002 and was the first athlete to win in three consecutive years at the X Games – in 2004, 2005, and 2006. He took part in one episode of The Hills, and met Audrina during filming. Kirra is a beach from Corey’s home state of Queensland, while Max is the current unisex darling for celebrities to choose for daughters.

Balinese actor Kadek Mahardika and his Australian wife Laura recently welcomed their second child and have named their son Lenny, a brother for Mila [pictured]. When he was born they couldn’t decide between Jordy and Lenny so they chose the name using the “rock scissors paper” method – apparently Laura’s choice won. Kadek is best known for his role of Ketut, Rhonda’s Balinese holiday romance in the popular “Rhonda and Ketut” series of advertisements for AAMI car insurance.

Rare Boys Names From the 1950s

12 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

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The most popular boys names of the 1950s were Peter, John, Robert, and David, but what were the least popular names? Here are ten names which were only chosen once in any year between 1950 and 1959 in South Australia, making them unique names for their time and place. They are still interesting, and one or two really quite daring.

Blaine
Scottish surname which comes from the Old Gaelic Mac Gille Blaan meaning “follower of St Blaan”. St Blaan (or Blane) was a 6th century Scottish monk who was educated in Ireland and became a bishop in Scotland among the Picts. He must have been popular in his time, as there are so many Scottish towns named in his honour, such as Strathblane. The meaning of his name may be from the Old Irish for “thin, lean”. The name would have been well known in the 1950s from classic 1942 film Casblanca, starring Humphrey Bogart as nightclub owner Rick Blaine: his cynical exterior hides a heart of gold, and he makes a heroic sacrifice. In the 1950s Blaine was a bad-boy yet good-guy name, and today also manages to straddle this romantic divide, sounding similar to tough-guy names like Blade, but fitting in with familiar names like Blair and Blake.

Cormac
Irish name. The original form was Corbmac which seems to mean “son of the wheel” in Irish Gaelic, so is often glossed as “son of the charioteer”. However it could also be understood as “son of the raven”, which might tie the name to the god Bran. Another mythological connection is that Corb was one of the Formorians in Irish legend: these ancient beings were giants and forces of destruction, but Corb was worshipped as a tribal god. It’s possible that Corbmac meant “son of Corb”, perhaps to denote strength, or a tribal relationship. Cormac mac Airt was a legendary High King of Ireland; the story goes that he was raised by wolves, but nevertheless proved a wise, brave, and just ruler. Cormac is a handsome Irish heritage choice which offers fashionable Mac as the nickname.

Crispin
Derived from the Roman family name Crispus, meaning “curly-haired”. The name has become famous because of the saints Crispin and Crispinian, venerated as 3rd century martyrs. According to legend, the saints were twin brothers born to a noble Roman family who fled persecution to northern France. They preached Christianity by day, and by night made shoes; through their sleepless industry they earned enough to help the poor. Their life of hard work and charity irritated the governor enough that they were martyred for their faith. According to English folklore, the twins were British princes who ended up as shoemakers in Faversham, Kent. The English version doesn’t include the saints getting martyred, feeling it a bit of a downer ending, even though without the martyrdom they’re not saints but just a pair of old cobblers. The Battle of Agincourt took place on the saints’ feast day, October 25 1415, which England won, celebrated in a stirring speech in Shakespeare’s play Henry V. There have been numerous other battles on St Crispin’s Day – on this day in 1944, American and Australian forces won the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific. A famous namesake from this decade was Sir Crispin Tickell, one of the famous Huxleys, who first became a British diplomat in this era; today Sir Crispin is an advocate for the environment, perhaps inspired by his work in Antarctica in the 1950s. An elegant upper class but rather crunchy sounding name.

Hercules
Latinised form of the Greek name Heracles, meaning “glory of Hera“, after the queen of the gods who was the wife of Zeus. In Greek mythology, Hercules was a divine hero, the son of the god Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, a grand-daughter of the hero Perseus. Hercules might have been named in honour of the goddess Hera, but she took a dislike to him before he was even born, by ruining a prophecy that he would be ruler. Heracles grew up to be of prodigious strength, and was also quick-witted and playful. He used his gifts to benefit mankind, establishing the Olympic Games, and creating the Pillars of Hercules in the Strait of Gibraltar to protect sailors. Hercules is famous for his Twelve Labours, spectacular feats of strength and cunning which defied his enemy Hera. Being a divine hero, he had to have a tragic death, and on his funeral pyre all that that mortal in him was burned away, so that he could join the gods: he is set among the stars as a constellation. Hercules has been used as an English name since at least the 16th century, and a famous namesake is Sir Hercules Robinson, a Governor of New South Wales. A favourite character in popular culture, Hercules has recently featured in several films, and made an appearance on the TV series Once Upon a Time. Still in occasional use, this is a powerful and eye-catching name.

Prince
English title for a ruler, or a male member of the royal family. The word comes from the Latin primo, meaning “chief, most distinguished”. As a first name, Prince has probably been influenced by the surname, given as a nickname to those who behaved in a regal manner. The surname originated in Yorkshire, and has been used as a personal name since the 17th century. A famous early namesake was Prince Hall, an English-born 18th century African-American abolitionist who worked towards gaining civil rights for black Americans. The name is probably best known in Africa and the African-American community, and a famous contemporary namesake is pop icon Prince (born Prince Nelson), who passed away this year. A blue-blooded name for those born to the purple, Prince may be hard to get past current Australian birth registries as it’s a title, but its use in the 1950s provides some legal justification for those trying to register it (was it used in this decade in honour of the young Prince Charles?). It will be interesting to see if Prince’s death boosts the name.

Roscoe
English surname which comes from a place name in Lancashire; it’s from the Old Norse meaning “roe buck thicket, deer woods”. The surname not only originated in Lancashire, but is still concentrated in that area today in England. It has been used as a personal name since the 18th century, and does show some association with the Lancashire region, although the name is more popular in the United States. Roscoe was the real name of silent film comic “Fatty” Arbuckle, but the name has quite often been used as a nickname for men. The inspiration for this decade may have been the South Australian cricketer Arthur Richardson, whose nickname was “Roscoe”; a forceful player in his youth, by the 1950s he was a cricket selector and coach known for his strong moral code. Roscoe is a surprisingly hip-sounding vintage name, with both charm and a certain gruff strength to it.

Saul
Hebrew name meaning “asked for, prayed for”. In the Old Testament, Saul is the first king of the Kingdom of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Tall and good-looking, Saul was a successful military leader, however his disobedience towards Samuel as God’s representative was punished by some sort of madness. Modern psychologists have generally diagnosed him as bipolar, and the Bible certainly depicts him as being very paranoid towards his rival, the hero David. His paranoia was perhaps justified though, as David did become king after Saul’s suicide in battle. In the New Testament, Saul was the original Hebrew name of St Paul. Saul has been used as an English name since at least the 17th century, and seems to have been a Puritan choice. We often think of it as particularly Jewish, remembering famous Jewish namesakes such as Nobel Prize-winning author Saul Bellow and artist Saul Leiter (both successful in the 1950s). However, the name is popular in Spain and Mexico, so it’s also Hispanic. In fiction Sauls tend to be baddies, and there is something rather gloomy about this name, although serious and distinguished.

Siegfried
Germanic name usually translated as “peaceful victory”. In German legend, Siegfried is a hero in the medieval epic poem The Nibelungenlied (“Song of the Nibelungs”). Siegfried is a prince who wins a great treasure and slays a dragon before bathing in its blood. The blood makes him invincible, but during the process a leaf fell on to his back, and he remained vulnerable on this point. He also had an invisibility cloak which gave him the strength of twelve men, so it was hardly a fair fight any time he went into battle. Many more adventures follow, including beating a woman into submission on her wedding night, and it barely comes as a surprise when someone murders him by attacking his fatal weak spot. Richard Wagner wrote a cycle called The Ring of the Nibelung, with Siegfried getting his own opera; he also named his son Siegfried. In Germany, the name Siegfried was in use from the Middle Ages, favoured by royalty and nobility. It only came into use as an English name in the 19th century, after Wagner’s opera – the World War I poet Siegfried Sassoon was named after the operatic hero. However, Siegfried is also the love interest in Swan Lake, and as the ballet was staged several times in Adelaide during the 1950s, this romantic prince may have been the inspiration. A grandiose literary name that comes with the friendly nicknames Ziggy and Freddie.

Torquil
Anglicised form of Torcuil or Torcall, Scottish form of the Old Norse name Þórketill, meaning “Thor‘s cauldron”. Torquil has been in use in Scotland and Ireland since the Middle Ages, and there have been several Scottish clan chiefs with the name. Torquil MacLeod was the founder of the McLeods of Lewis, and the name seems to have been a particular favourite in the Hebrides; one of his clan was Torquil McLeod from Tasmania, who served at Gallipoli in World War I and in the Middle East during World War II. Torquhil Campbell is the current Duke of Argyll in the Scottish peerage, and the name is strongly associated with the upper classes. The name got a slight boost in the 19th century from Sir Walter Scott’s historical novel The Fair Maid of Perth, which has a man named Torquil of the Oak defending his chief in battle. An inspiration for this decade was the classic 1945 film I Know Where I’m Going, with Torquil MacNeil as the romantic Scottish laird, played by Roger Livesy who toured Australia in the 1950s. Contemporary namesakes include actor Torquil Neilson, who was in Love and Other Catastrophes and The Secret Life of Us, and architect Torquil Canning, part of the famous Canning family. An aristocratic Scottish choice linked to a powerful god.

Van
Short form of names with VAN in them, such as Evan, Ivan or Vance, or used to honour a Dutch family name beginning with Van, such as Van Buren or Vanderbilt – in these cases, the Van part of the name simply means “of, from”. Van was in use as an independent name by the 19th century. Famous namesakes from the 1950s include Hollywood star Van Johnson (Van was one of his middle names), known for such films as Brigadoon and The Last Time I Saw Paris, and actor Van Heflin (short for his middle name Evan), who was in the 1953 film Shane. Today it is probably best known from the Irish singer Van Morrison (short for his middle name Ivan). This vintage-style nickname is now extremely hip, and gaining in popularity.

POLL RESULTS
People’s favourite names were Cormac, Blaine and Roscoe, while their least favourites were Siegfried, Hercules and Prince.

(Picture shows a medal from the 1877 Sydney Metropolitan Intercolonial Exhibition with an engraving of Sir Hercules Robinson on it; photo from Museum Victoria)

Rare Girls Names From the 1950s

05 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

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The most popular girls names of the 1950s were Susan, Jennifer, Christine, and Margaret, but what were the least popular names? Here are ten names which were only chosen once in any year between 1950 and 1959 in South Australia, making them unique names for their time and place. They continue to be rare, and some parents will still find them appealing.

Adelie
Anglicised form of Adélie, a variant or pet form of the French name Adèle. The name came into common use in the 19th century, and has a strong connection with Antarctica. Adélie Land borders the Australian Antarctic Territory, and has been claimed by France, although most countries do not recognise their sovereignty. The coast of Adélie Land was discovered in 1840 by the French explorer Jules D’Urville, and named after his wife Adèle. Since 1956 there has been a French research station here, and perhaps it helped to give the name some publicity in this decade. Adélie penguins get their name from Adélie Land, and the location has another penguin connection, as this is where the award-winning French documentary March of the Penguins was filmed. Names such as Adeline and Adele are on trend, and Adelie has a strong local association. Usually pronounced AD-uh-lee by English-speakers; Addie is the obvious nickname.

Drusilla
Feminine form of the Roman family name Drusus. The first of the line was Livius Drusus, who gained his name by killing a Gallic chieftain named Drausus in one-on-one combat. Although the meaning of Drausus is unknown, one theory is that it comes from the Celtic for “strong”. Drusilla was the name of one of King Herod’s great-granddaughters, and she briefly appears in the New Testament as the wife of the Roman governor Felix Antonius; mention is made of her beauty, and that Felix used great cunning to persuade the Jewish – and already married – Drusilla to wed him, a pagan (later she perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius). Drusilla has been used as an English name since at least the 17th century; presumably the loveliness of the biblical namesake was a drawcard. A famous namesake of the decade was British actress Drusilla Wills, who passed away in 1951. In Australia this name has an intellectual image, due to novelist and literary critic Drusilla Modjeska; however Drusilla often has a Gothic connection in popular culture. Dru makes a cool nickname.

Isis
Greek version of the Egyptian goddess Aset, whose name means “throne”, and represents the power of the pharaoh. Worshipped as the ideal wife and mother, Isis was a patron of nature and magic; she was the protector of the poor and downtrodden, but also heeded the prayers of the wealthy and aristocratic. She was popular throughout Egypt, and later her cult spread through the Greco-Roman world, where she came to represent wisdom. She even influenced Christianity, for the popular image of the Virgin Mary nursing the baby Jesus was taken directly from Isis suckling her son Horus. Worship of Isis continues today in both pagan and interfaith contexts, and she has become important to occult, esoteric and New Age movements. A famous namesake from this decade was Isis Finlay, the Miss Cuba of 1954. The British astronomer Isis Pogson, who used her middle name, was probably named after the River Isis, part of the Thames, and this is the inspiration for the name of the Isis Rivers in Australia. A lovely ancient name which has suffered from the coincidence of the terrorist group popularly called ISIS, although Islamic State is the more usual way of referring to it.

Keturah
Hebrew name meaning “incense”, probably with spiritual overtones rather than simply describing a pleasant aroma. In the Old Testament, Keturah was the second wife of the patriarch Abraham; he married her after the death of Sarah, and she is implied to be a lower-status wife. Keturah bore Abraham six sons, and Abraham settled them in colonies at some distance away, presumably so that they wouldn’t trouble his son Isaac. They are said to represent the Arab tribes who lived south and east of Palestine, although the youngest ended up in Syria. Despite being one of the most ignored characters in the Bible, Keturah has been used as an English name since the 17th century, but has never gained popularity. Keturah fit in with popular names of the 1950s such as Kathleen, Kathryn, Karen and Kerry, and even today underrated Keturah is surprisingly stylish. You could use Kitty as the nickname.

Kiki
Can be used as a short form of any name starting with a K, ending in -iki, or with a strong K sound, or as a true nickname with no relation to the birth name. The name was well known by the 1950s due to the French artist’s model and cabaret singer Alice Prin, who worked under the professional name Kiki, and was known as The Queen of Montparnasse. The companion of American photographer Man Ray for several years, she is the subject of many of his most famous works. An artist in her own right, her autobiography was reprinted in the 1950s under the title The Education of a Young Model. Kiki died in 1953, but she remained a bohemian symbol of feminine freedom and audacity. Another inspiration was Norwegian-born fashion designer Kiki Byrne (born Olaug Grinaker), who was Mary Quant’s rival in the trendy London scene of the late 1950s and 1960s. Kiki was also a celebrity baby name in this decade, the nickname of Chiara, daughter of American artist Tony Smith, and his opera singer wife, Jane Lawrence (Kiki Smith is now a highly successful artist herself). Kiki is a vintage nickname which still seems daring, chic, and sexy.

Nerissa
Created by William Shakespeare for a character in The Merchant of Venice. It is usually thought that he based it on the Nereids, the beautiful sea nymphs of Greek mythology who were the daughters of the sea god Nereus; his name and theirs comes from the Greek word for “water”. In the play, Nerissa is the handmaid of the heroine Portia, and the two of them team up to fool the boys and save the day with a clever plan. Although Nerissa is pretty, witty, and gets her man, her role as a servant and sidekick may not have helped the name’s fortunes. It doesn’t seem to have been used as a name until the 19th century, when Shakespeare became very fashionable, and has never been popular, like his other creations Jessica and Olivia. Nerissa was very on trend in the 1950s, when names like Nerida, Narelle, Nerine, and Nerys were all the rage. It perhaps sounds slightly dated now, but is still a very pretty name with an attractive fictional namesake.

Pandora
In Greek mythology Pandora was the first woman created by the gods, designed not as a companion and helpmate for man but his punishment. Each of the gods bestowed upon Pandora the most seductive of gifts, such as beauty, grace, intelligence, and charm, but she was also given a jar which contained all diseases and miseries. Pandora almost immediately opened it, so that evil entered the world. Only Hope was left in the jar, but it is unclear whether this was a Bad Thing (hope was never released, giving us no expectation of improvement) or a Good Thing (at least we still have hope). For that matter, why did the gods regard Hope as an evil? Scholars have devoted many pages to these questions. At least Pandora’s name is straightforward: she was named by Hermes with the meaning “all gifts”, to indicate how well the gods endowed her. Pandora has been used as an English name since at least the 18th century, although the backstory is a mixed blessing. An inspiration from this decade was the 1951 romantic film Pandora and the Flying Dutchman, with Ava Gardner as femme fatale Pandora Reynolds. An exotic spin on Eve, but the mistranslation of her jar makes Pandora’s Box something of an issue.

Tasma
The pen name of Australian novelist Jessie Couvreur, who was of Dutch, French, and English descent. Jessie and her family arrived in Tasmania from London in 1852, and she was raised and given a liberal education in Hobart. Her pseudonym was inspired by the island state of Tasmania, and could be seen as a feminine form of Tasman. There is a Tasma Street in Hobart, apparently named in her honour. Jessie began publishing her work when she was sixteen, and she spent most of her career in Europe. An example of the New Woman, Jessie divorced her first husband, and was already financially independent through her work. She published eight novels between 1877 and 1897, lectured in French, and wrote for the Nouvelle Revue, receiving the Officier d’Académie from the French government; she was particularly interested in feminist issues. Later in life she became a correspondent for The Times in Brussels, proving herself an excellent journalist. A famous namesake is actress Tasma Walton, who is married to comedian Rove McManus, and has been a celebrity parent on the blog. Another celebrity mum, Yumi Stynes, has Tasma as her middle name. The name Tasma is particularly associated with Australia, and although it is found in other countries too, seemingly only after Jessie Couvreur began her international writing career, leaving open the possibility this is a genuine Australian original that’s both literary and patriotic.

Viveka
Swedish form of Wiebke, feminine form of the Germanic name Wiebe, a medieval short form of names containing the name element wig, meaning “war”. The name is pronounced VIV-eh-kuh. In the 1950s, Viveka would have fitted in with fashionable Vivian and Vivienne, and still makes a good alternative to those names. By coincidence, viveka is also a Sanskrit word meaning “discrimination, discernment”. In Eastern philosophies, viveka is the ability to tell the difference between what is real (eternal) and unreal (changing), which is necessary for spiritual growth; the word is used in yoga and certain meditation techniques. It is sometimes used as a female name in India, which makes Viveka a cool multicultural choice.

Zora
Slavic name meaning “dawn”. A famous Australian with the name was the writer Zora Cross, who wrote several novels between the 1920s and 1940s but is primarily known for her poetry. Her private life was scandalous for the time, because she separated from her husband and lived with her partner, who she had two children with and “married” in a private commitment ceremony. Zora’s partner adopted another child she had with a previous lover, and in turn he and his wife were separated, she living with her own partner. These bohemian arrangements were frowned upon and caused some difficulties with employment, but Zora was able to support herself through acting and journalism. Despite this interesting namesake, the name Zora probably appeared in the 1950s data because of post-war immigration from the former Yugoslavia (now Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina). Several other Slavic names appear in the data, including Zorica, a pet form of Zora. Very similar to popular Zara, this makes a good heritage choice and an alternative to Aurora.

POLL RESULTS
People’s favourite names were Adelie, Zora and Viveka, and their least favourites were Pandora, Kiki and Drusilla.

(Photo shows the writer “Tasma” in Turkish dress in Istanbul; a favourite photo of hers since Turkish women’s clothing was unrestrictive compared to that in Europe)

Famous Name: Elizabeth

25 Wednesday May 2016

Posted by A.O. in Famous Names

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Biblical names, classic names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, hebrew names, international name popularity, locational names, name history, name meaning, name popularity, nicknames, popular names, royal names, saints names, UK name popularity, US name popularity

Famous Namesake
Next month marks 226 years since Elizabeth and John Macarthur came to New South Wales on the Second Fleet. From her arrival Elizabeth found herself in a privileged position, for she was the first educated woman to arrive in the colony. Beautiful, tastefully-dressed, charming, witty, articulate, and well-read, she held court among the men of colonial society like a queen. Because of this, she is known as Australia’s First Lady.

When her husband was made Commandment at Parramatta and given land there, he built Elizabeth Farm at Rosehill for them. Originally just a stone cottage, in time the farm became a country estate surrounded by gardens and orchards. While her husband was a politically controversial figure who created chaos and drama wherever he went, Elizabeth transformed their home into an oasis of peace and harmony which even impressed her husband’s numerous enemies.

Elizabeth wrote many letters to family and friends in England, and what strikes the reader is the happiness she managed to create for herself in her new homeland. She loved the climate, and was sensitive to the beauty of the natural landscape, exulting in the way she could grow vegetables, fruit and flowers in rich abundance. She enjoyed the social life of the colony, and with her high spirits and sense of fun, was perennially popular.

After her husband was arrested in 1809 and forced to flee to England, Elizabeth took on the management of John’s extensive merino sheep farm on his estate in Camden, including managing the convict labour force; she is credited with pioneering haymaking in Australia. Elizabeth was a spectacular success in the business, which involved travelling alone through dangerous territory and writing detailed reports for her husband. Together they were a formidable force: John promoting Australian wool in England, while Elizabeth worked hard at producing it.

When her husband returned in 1817, Elizabeth remained important to the Macarthur wool business. Now wealthy and powerful, John built a mansion on the estate in Camden, and descendants of the Macarthurs still live at Camden Park: here also is the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, and nearby Elizabeth Macarthur High School, a selective agricultural high school. Elizabeth Farm, which is one of the oldest colonial dwellings still standing, is now a museum where visitors can move freely and interact with everything on display.

Colonial society was a hotbed of gossip and could be relentlessly critical. Anyone who made the smallest error in appearance or behaviour was mocked and torn down, yet none of this ever touched Elizabeth Macarthur. Contemporaries heap only praise upon her as a devoted wife, perfect mother, accomplished homemaker, and determined businesswoman. She never gossiped, never criticised, and never complained, either of her own workload or the brutality of colonial life.

To the end of her life she remained a lady through and through, combining gentleness and delicacy with a very womanly strength and tenacity. Our First Lady, and our greatest.

Name Information
Elizabeth is from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elisheba, which can be translated in two ways. One is “God is an oath”, to indicate the power of God’s word – what He swears will be done must come to be. The other is “God is abundance”, to suggest that God always fulfils our needs. Even for a biblical name, Elisheba has a very religious meaning, and in the Old Testament, she is the wife of Aaron, the first High priest, and the mother from whom the priestly caste was born.

The Greek form of the name is used in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. Elizabeth was a distant descendant of Aaron, presumably named for her ancestress, and married to Zechariah, who was a priest. The couple had been married for many years and grown old together without ever having the son they longed for.

This is a well-worn plot device in the Bible, so it should come as no surprise that the angel Gabriel brought Zechariah the good news that God had answered their prayers, and Elizabeth was going to have a baby. While pregnant, Elizabeth was visited by a young relative of hers named Mary, from Nazareth, who had received a similar message from Gabriel.

As soon as Mary greeted her, Elizabeth felt the child leap in her womb, and she was moved to hail Mary as “blessed among women” and “the mother of the Lord” (her words used to write the Hail Mary prayer, the basis of Ave Maria). Because of this, she is seen as one of the female prophets.

Elizabeth gave birth to a son, who she named John. He became John the Baptist, the preacher and prophet seen as a forerunner to the ministry of his kinsman Jesus. As a prophet and mother of a prophet, Elizabeth is revered as a saint in Christianity, and given reverence in Islam.

The name Elizabeth has been in use since the Middle Ages, and there are several other saints with the name. The most famous is Elizabeth of Hungary, a 13th century princess famous for her charity. One story told of her is that she was secretly taking bread to the poor when someone demanded to know what she had in her basket. She lifted her cloak, and instead of bread, all that could be seen was a divine vision of roses. This was such a popular act that after this female saints often seemed to cart around miraculous roses as a sign of God’s favour.

Because of the saint’s noble ancestry the name Elizabeth became a favourite among European royalty and aristocracy. It is a traditional name in the British royal family, and Elizabeth I was the last Tudor monarch of England, named after her grandmother Elizabeth of York, the wife of Henry VII. The present queen is Elizabeth II, and she was named after her mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, wife of George VI. Her name was given to the suburb of Elizabeth in Adelaide.

Thanks to its royal associations Elizabeth has remained popular for centuries, and there are many famous namesakes, such as poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, novelist Elizabeth Gaskell, feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and actress Elizabeth Taylor. In Australia there is the writer Dame Elizabeth Durack, Sister Elizabeth Kenny who saved so many polio patients, pioneer Elizabeth Underwood who founded Ashfield in Sydney, and speedy athlete Elizabeth “Betty” Cuthbert.

In fiction we know witty Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice; shy Elizabeth “Beth” March in Little Women; good-girl twin Elizabeth Wakefield in Sweet Valley High; the mysterious Elizabeth (aka Anna) from Bioshock Infinite; spirited beauty Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean; klutzy Elizabeth “Lizzie” McGuire from the TV series; dainty Elizabeth Grayson from L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Shirley books; and Enid Blyton’s “naughtiest girl” Elizabeth Allen.

Elizabeth is a solid classic which has never left the Top 100; it is the only girl’s name to have achieved this distinction. Elizabeth was #13 in the 1900s, and peaked in 1952 at #10, the year that Elizabeth II ascended the throne, and also a year that she toured Australia. Elizabeth is currently #42 nationally, #45 in New South Wales, #50 in Victoria, #49 in Queensland, #42 in Western Australia, and #25 in the Australian Capital Territory.

In the US, Elizabeth has enjoyed even greater popularity and almost never been out of the Top 25 (in 1948 it reached #26). It was continuously in the Top 10 from the 19th century until the mid 1920s, and rejoined the Top 10 in 1980. Since then it has been in the Top 10 or only just outside it, and is now #13.

In the UK, Elizabeth has never been out of the Top 50. It was a Top 10 name from the mid 19th century until the 1930s, and regained its Top 10 spot in the 1950s when Elizabeth II became queen, but left it again by the following decade. It is currently #37. Elizabeth is popular in all English-speaking countries, and most popular in the United States. It is also popular in Mexico and Latin America.

Elizabeth is that rare creature: a true timeless classic. Held by generations of royalty, it is a name of strength, power, and dignity, while also wholesome, honest, and serious. It is as practical as bread and as pretty as roses, and tells us that every word must bear fruit, every promise must be fulfilled.

There isn’t really any other English name that sounds like Elizabeth: it is both distinguished and distinctive. Furthermore, it has a wealth of nicknames, so that every Elizabeth has the chance to be a Lizzie, a Beth, a Libby, a Birdie, an Ellie, an Elsie, or a Betsy (and that’s just for starters). Hail to thee, Elizabeth, mother of many names!

POLL RESULTS

Elizabeth gained an excellent approval rating of 87%, making it one of the highest-rated names of 2016. People saw the name Elizabeth as classy and elegant (23%), versatile because of its many nicknames (19%), strong yet feminine (17%), and intelligent and professional (15%). However 6% of people thought it was too common and boring. Only one person thought the name Elizabeth sounded snobbish.

(Photo shows the verandah at Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta)

Boys Names from the Top 100 of the 1950s

08 Sunday May 2016

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

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aristocratic titles, classic names, english names, epithets and titles, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, French names, Gaelic names, Greek names, imperial names, Indian names, Irish names, locational names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, name popularity, names from movies, nicknames, papal names, Roman names, royal names, saints names, Scottish names, surname names

Adrian
From the Roman name Hadrianus, meaning “from Hadria”. Hadria (now called Adria) is a town in northern Italy. Its name may be from the River Adria, named from the Venetic word adur, meaning “water, sea”. It has given its name to the Adriatic Sea, to which the river was once connected. A famous Roman namesake is Publius Aelius Hadrianus, otherwise known as the Emperor Hadrian, well known for the wall he built across northern England. There have been many saints named Adrian, including Adrian of Canterbury, an African-born English scholar famous for his learning. There have also been six popes named Adrian. The name Adrian has been used in Britain since the Middle Ages, but only became common in the 19th century. Adrian was #144 in the 1900s and joined the Top 100 in the 1940s; by the 1950s it was #94. It peaked in 1976 at #38 and left the Top 100 in 2004; it is currently around the 100s so still in reasonable use. This is a classic which has been superseded by Aidan, but a reliable choice which is still widely popular around the world.

Christopher
From the Greek name Christophoros, meaning “bearing Christ”; it was a name chosen by early Christians to indicate they held Jesus Christ in their hearts. The legendary St Christopher is said to have carried the Christ Child across a river, making the name’s meaning literal. Christopher seems to be a title or epithet of the Egyptian martyr St Menas, and the story is very similar to one told of the hero Jason in Greek mythology. Christopher is a hugely popular saint, and you may even know someone who has a St Christopher medal to keep them safe, as he is the patron of travellers, athletes, surfers, and sailors. Christopher has been used as an English name since the Middle Ages, and has remained in constant use for centuries. Famous Australian namesakes include poet Christopher Brennan, winemaker Christopher Penfold, Federal Minister Christopher Pyne, statistician Professor Christopher Heyde, and actor Chris Hemsworth. Christopher was #97 in the 1900s and left the Top 100 in the following decade. It returned in the 1940s and by the 1950s was #11, peaking at #2 in the mid 1980s. Christopher just left the NSW Top 100 in 2015, so is still common here, and popular in the English-speaking world.

Darryl
Variant of the English surname Darrell, from the Norman-French D’Airelle, meaning “from Airelle”; Airelle in Normandy means “courtyard”. Although Darrell has been used since the 17th century, the variant Darryl didn’t come into common use until the 19th. Darryl entered the charts in the 1930s at #174, and was on the Top 100 by the 1950s, when it was #80 for the decade. This corresponds to the period when Darryl F. Zanuck was head of Twentieth Century Fox. That was also its peak, and it left the Top 100 in 1969; it hasn’t charted since the 1990s (Daryl has a similar history, but slightly less popular). A famous fictional namesake is cheerful battler Darryl Kerrigan from The Castle, voted the favourite Australian film character of all time. Is that enough to give Darryl another go around the block? Some would say you’re dreaming to think it.

Denis
From a medieval French form of Dionysius, derived from Dionysos, the Greek god of wine. The god’s name combines his father’s name, Zeus, with Nysa, the mythological region where he was raised. Dionysius was an extremely common name in ancient Greece, and the name continued to be used in the Christian era. There is a Dionysius in the New Testament, a judge of Athens converted by St Paul. A number of saints have the name, and a pope as well. However, the most famous is the Dionysius who became bishop of Paris in the 3rd century and was martyred; he is known as St Denis and is one of the patrons of France. According to legend, after being decapitated he picked up his head and walked several miles with it, preaching sermons the whole way. He seems to have started a trend, as after that it became fashionable for saints, especially French ones, to carry their own heads. St Denis was very popular, and his name was introduced to England by the Normans. It became a great favourite in Ireland. Denis was #109 in the 1900s, and joined the Top 100 in the 1930s. It peaked in the 1940s at #41, and by the 1950s was #73. It left the Top 100 in 1957, and hasn’t charted since the late 2000s. The surname form Dennis has always been more popular, and this spelling is still in use.

Gary
Surname usually said to be a variant of the surname Geary, a medieval English nickname for names such as Gerard and Gerald, and thus another form of Gerry or Jerry. In Ireland Geary is used to anglicise the Gaelic name O Gadhra, meaning “son of Gadhra”, with the name Gadhra meaning “dog”. The surname Gary is more common in Ireland as a contraction of McGarry, from the Gaelic name Mag Fhearadhaigh, meaning “son of the brave”. Gary has often been understood as a pet form of Gareth, even though that isn’t its origin. Gary has been used as a boys name since perhaps the 16th century, coming into common use by the 19th. Gary entered the charts in the 1930s when Gary Cooper began his Hollywood career in films such as A Farewell to Arms. The name Gary was in the Top 100 by the 1940s and peaked in 1952 at #8, the year Gary Cooper starred in classic Western High Noon. Gary left the Top 100 in 1985, and hasn’t charted since the early 2000s. Its downfall is usually attributed to the numerous child sex offence charges against British pop star Gary Glitter (real name Paul Gadd) although it had already left the Top 100 long before he was first arrested. Garry had a similar history, but was a bit less popular.

Glenn
Scottish surname meaning “narrow valley”. It has been used as a personal name since the 18th century, becoming more common in the 19th. Glenn joined the charts in the 1940s, just as Hollywood star Glenn Ford was making his name known in war drama So Ends Our Night, and appearing in early film noir Gilda. It was in the Top 100 by the 1950s when it made #40 for the decade, peaking at #17 in the early 1960s, around the time Glenn Ford starred in epic Western Cimarron. It left the Top 100 in 1987, and hasn’t charted since the 1990s. There are a number of Glenns in the field of music, including pianist Glenn Gould, jazz star Glenn Miller, Glenn Frey from The Eagles, heavy metal guitarist Glenn Hughes, and Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze. In Australia there is cricketer Glenn McGrath, and rugby league star turned politician Glenn Lazarus. Glenn is a simple nature name that could still appeal – in a discussion I had with other parents, Glenn was the 1950s boy’s name most people wanted revived. Glen had a similar history, but was less popular.

Keith
Scottish surname from the lands of Keith in East Lothian, whose name is said to come from a British word meaning “wood”. In the 11th century, the lands were supposedly given to a Germanic warrior of the Chatti tribe who helped defeat invading Danes, and some believe the name may be German in origin. The Clan Keith held a hereditary title as protector of the King of the Scots, and took leading roles in the Scottish Wars of Independence. One of the most powerful of the Scottish clans, various Keiths have been appointed ambassadors and keepers of the crown jewels, so have always had close ties with royalty. Keith has been used as a personal name since the 18th century; from the beginning it had strong associations with Scotland. The name became popular in the 19th century, perhaps due to George Elphinstone, Baron Keith, an admiral during the Napoleonic Wars. Keith was #43 in the 1900s, peaking in the 1920s at #8. By the 1950s it was #44 for the decade; it left the Top 100 in 1970, and hasn’t charted since the late 2000s. I do see the occasional baby named Keith (could country singer Keith Urban be an influence?), so this name is still going long past its peak, and could experience a revival in the future.

Neil
Based on the Irish name Niall, perhaps derived from the Old Irish word niadh, meaning “champion, warrior”, or from nel, meaning “cloud”. The most famous Niall in history is the semi-legendary 5th century Irish king Niall of the Nine Hostages. The name Niall was popular in medieval Ireland and Scotland. It was adopted by the Vikings, who had strong ties with Ireland in the Middle Ages, and the name was taken to Scandinavia in the form Njall. The Normans, who were of Viking stock, brought the name to England, although the name already existed in the north, where it had been introduced from Ireland or by Scandinavian settlers. Neil was in use by the 17th century, and originated in Scotland, perhaps influenced by the surname McNeil, meaning “son of Niall”. Neil was #110 in the 1900s and joined the Top 100 the following decade. It peaked in 1955 at #33 and left the Top 100 in 1986. It is currently around the 600s, and the Indian name Neel, meaning “blue”, is more common. Neil is still a pleasant Gaelic choice with some cool namesakes, including astronaut Neil Armstrong, singer Neil Young, and Beat muse Neal Cassady.

Shane
Anglicised form of Séan, the Northern Irish version of Seán, pronounced SHAYN rather than SHAWN, and an Irish form of John. Shane has been in common use since the 19th century, and was strongly associated with immigration from Ireland. The name became famous because of the classic 1953 Western film Shane, with Alan Ladd in the title role as the mysterious stranger who rides into a little Wyoming valley and becomes a guardian, teacher, and inspiration to a family of settlers still unskilled in the ways of the West. The name Shane rocketed into the Top 100 from nowhere in 1954, and was #69 for the decade. It peaked in 1973 at #12 and left the Top 100 in 1997 (cricketer Shane Warne doesn’t seem to have helped, even at the peak of his success). It is now around the 500s and drifting away like its famous namesake – will anyone ever cry out, Come back, Shane!, I wonder?

Wayne
English occupational surname for a wagon-driver or wagon-maker, from the Old English waegn, meaning “cart, wagon”. It has been used as a personal name since the 18th century, and was more common in the United States – probably because of Anthony Wayne, who was General in Chief of the Army during the American Revolutionary War. The name Wayne first charted in the 1930s, the decade when Hollywood star John Wayne began his career in Western films; he hit the big time in 1939 with Stagecoach. Interestingly, 1939 was also the year that superhero Batman first appeared, the alter ego of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne; this seems significant, although the creators named him after Anthony Wayne. Wayne was in the Top 100 by the 1940s and peaked in 1955 at #11, the year after John Wayne starred in airline disaster flick The High and the Mighty. It left the Top 100 in 1987 and hasn’t charted since the 1990s, the name disappearing after the Wayne’s World movies with Mike Myers as partying slacker Wayne Campbell. This name is no longer excellent, which is bogus and sad.

POLL RESULTS

The public’s favourite 1950s names were Adrian, Christopher and Neil, and their least favourites were Darryl, Denis and Gary.

(Picture shows At Newport, 1952, by classic Australian photographer Max Dupain; now held at the Art Gallery of NSW)

Celebrity Baby News: Australian-American Babies

05 Thursday May 2016

Posted by A.O. in Celebrity Baby News

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celebrity baby names, celebrity sibsets, locational names

Model and actress Paige Butcher, and her boyfriend, American comedian and actor Eddie Murphy [pictured], welcomed their first child together on May 3 in Los Angeles and have named their daughter Izzy Oona. Eddie has eight other children from previous relationships, and their names are Eric, Christian, Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, Bella, and Angel. Paige is from Perth, won a modelling contract in 1994 before going to New York, and has appeared in movies including Big Momma’s House. Eddie is well known as a comedian who gained success on Saturday Night Live, and went on to star in films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Golden Child, The Nutty Professor, Dr Dolittle, Shrek, and Dreamgirls.

Former ballerina Marie-Claire D’Lyse, and her husband, ballet dancer Shane Wuerthner, welcomed their daughter Dominque Vienne on April 22. Marie-Claire is from Brisbane, and trained at the Ballet School of the Vienna State Opera. She joined the Queensland Ballet in 1997, before becoming a soloist at the Vienna State Opera Ballet in 2000, and then joining the San Francisco Ballet in 2012. Shane is American-born, and has performed with the Vienna State Opera Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet, becoming Principal Dancer with the Queensland Ballet in 2014. I notice that Dominique’s middle name commemorates a city important to her parents. (Information from Brisbane’s Courier Mail).

Girls Names from the Top 100 of the 1950s

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

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aristocratic names, Biblical names, celebrity baby names, english names, European name popularity, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, flower names, French names, germanic names, hebrew names, Irish names, Latin names, locational names, middle names, name history, name meaning, name popularity, name trends, names from movies, names from television, names from video games, nature names, nicknames, plant names, royal names, saints names, screen names, Spanish names, surname names

Annette
French pet form of Anne. It was in common use by the 18th century, not only in France and French-speaking countries, but in the English-speaking world, Central Europe, and Scandinavia. Annette sprang straight into the Top 100 in the 1930s; a famous namesake from this era was singer Annette Hanshaw, one of the most popular radio stars of the decade. The name peaked in the 1950s and ’60s at #41, perhaps inspired by 1950s Mousketeer Annette Funicello, who starred in teen beach movies in the 1960s. Two famous Australian namesakes are feminist and political activist Annette Cameron, and early 20th century swimming star Annette Kellermann. It would be easy to dismiss Annette as a tired 1950s name, but there’s still something sweet and elegant about it, and it doesn’t seem strange next to popular names like Annabelle, especially as French names like Estelle are gaining in favour. Annie and Nettie are the standard nicknames.

Beverley
English surname from the town of Beverley in Yorkshire; in the Middle Ages one of the wealthiest towns in England, and a centre for pilgrimage with its own patron saint, John of Beverley. The town’s name is from the Old English for “beaver lake” or “beaver clearing”, as there were once beaver colonies in the nearby River Hull. Beverley has been used as a personal name since at least the 18th century, and from the beginning was given to both sexes, but mostly to boys. One of the reasons it became more common for girls in the 20th century could be silent film star Beverly Bayne (born Pearl, she used her middle name). Beverley has charted in Australia since the 1910s, the beginning of Beverly Bayne’s career, debuting at #321. It rocketed into the Top 100 in the 1930s, peaking in the 1940s at #13. By the 1950s it was #56, and it left the Top 100 in the 1960s, falling off the charts in the 1980s. Unisex-style surname names for girls are on trend, and Beverley is just Everley with a B, yet a comeback seems unlikely.

Heather
The common name for the widespread hardy shrubs; the plant name was later influenced by the word heath, as they grow on heathlands and moors. Heather is one of the symbols of Scotland, as it grows abundantly in the Highland hills. White heather is supposed to lucky, probably because it’s rare. Heather has been used as a girl’s name since at least the 17th century, but did not come into common use until the 19th, when flower names became fashionable. Heather was #128 in the 1900s and joined the Top 100 in the 1910s, peaking in the 1930s at #30. By the 1950s it was #47, and it left the Top 100 in the 1970s, leaving the charts altogether in 2010. The film Heathers gives it a dark edge, but the lovely Heather Jelly, played by Kerry Armstrong in SeaChange, brings a touch of suburban fantasy to it. It’s a flower name that’s strong and sensible rather than feminine and frilly, and might well appeal to a future generation.

Jill
Variant of Gill, short for Gillian, an English feminine form of Julian which dates to the Middle Ages. It’s perhaps most famous as the heroine of the old nursery rhyme, the girl who comes tumbling down the hill after Jack. At one time, Jill was used to mean any young girl or sweetheart (just as Jack meant any lad). It didn’t become common as an independent name until the 19th century – I wonder if that’s because it’s when Jack and Jill became widely published? Attractive fictional Jills include brave Jill Pole in the Narnia novels by C.S. Lewis, and P.G. Wodehouse’s flapper-era Jill the Reckless. A more modern example is tough heroine Jill Valentine from the Resident Evil game franchise. Jill entered the charts in the 1920s at #171, and was in the Top 100 by the 1930s at #45, which was also its peak. It was #73 by the 1950s, and left the Top 100 in the 1960s, leaving the charts in the 1990s. Vintage short forms like Tess, Nell and Mae are in vogue, and there seems no convincing reason why spunky Jill could not be used.

Judith
In the Old Testament, Judith is a beautiful widow who saved her people by seducing an enemy general of the Assyrians and decapitating him while he was drunk. The Book of Judith doesn’t fit any historical facts, and so is accepted as a parable or religious fiction; however, it has been a popular subject in literature, art, and music. There’s another Judith in the Bible – one of the wives of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. Judith is the feminine form of the Hebrew name Judah, meaning “praise”. It has been in use since the Middle Ages and was traditional among European nobility and royalty. An early celebrity baby was Judith Shakespeare, the Bard’s daughter, and twin sister of Hamnet. Famous Australian namesakes include actress Dame Judith Anderson, poet Judith Wright, singer Judith Durham, and comedian Judith Lucy. Judith entered the charts in the 1910s at #248, and was in the Top 100 by the 1920s. It peaked in the 1940s at #3, and by the 1950s was #8; it left the Top 100 in the 1970s, and the charts in the 1990s. Mature and substantial, Judith seems almost ready for a comeback, and the nickname Jude is positively cool.

Leonie
From the French name Léonie, feminine form of the Latin name Leonius. It can be seen as a feminine form of Leo, with the same meaning of “lion”. In use since at least the 18th century, it soon spread to the English-speaking world as well as Central Europe; it is still popular in France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. Famous Australian namesakes include distinguished academic Dame Leonie Kramer, senior journalist Leonie Wood, and actress Leonie “Noni” Hazlehurst; it’s also the name of Chris Hemsworth’s mother. Leonie entered the charts in the 1910s at #338 and was in the Top 100 by the 1940s. It peaked in the 1950s at #55, left the Top 100 in the 1970s, and was off the charts by the early 2000s. This is a 1950s name that still sounds pretty and elegant, fits in with the trend for animal names, and has the advantage of never being highly popular.

Linda
Originally a Latinised short form of medieval Germanic names such as Sieglinde, or short for names such as Irmilinda; in these cases, the -linde or -linda meant “soft, tender”. However in the modern era, Linda is given because of the Spanish word linda, meaning “pretty”. Linda has been used as a personal name in Spain since perhaps the 17th century, and spread to other countries. The 19th century opera Linda di Chamounix by Donizetti helped popularise it in the English-speaking world, and Nancy Mitford’s novel The Pursuit of Love, with beautiful Linda Radlett as its focus, has some plot elements in common with the romantic opera. Linda was #53 in the 1900s, and left the Top 100 in the 1920, sinking to #189 in the 1930s. It returned in the 1940s and was #24 in the 1950s, peaking at #12 in 1963. Linda left the Top 100 in the early 1980s, falling after Alice Lynn “Lindy” Chamberlain was falsely convicted of her daughter’s death, and hasn’t charted since 2009. Linda is a classic with a lovely sound and meaning which now feels dated, along with its ‘sixties sisters Melinda and Belinda. Although it does not sound that odd next to today’s Lilys and Laylas, most will probably believe it needs a rest before rediscovery.

Maureen
Anglicised form of the Irish name Máirín, a pet form of Máire, the Irish form of Mary. A modern name, Maureen came into common use in the 19th century, with significant use in Ireland. Maureen joined the charts in the 1910s at #271, and was in the Top 100 by the 1930s, when Irish-American film star Maureen O’Sullivan, who played Jane in several Tarzan films, married Australian-born film director John Farrow. The name peaked in the 1940s at #18, when gorgeous Irish-American actress Maureen O’Hara was starring in such films as How Green Was My Valley and Miracle on 34th Street. By the 1950s it was #42, and by the 1960s had left the Top 100; it hasn’t charted since the 1980s. It may not be currently fashionable, but Maureen does not seem horribly old-fashioned, as there are so many contemporary and even rather hip namesakes. Who could forget Maureen “Mo” Tucker from The Velvet Underground, or writer and activist Maureen Duffy? Bisexual performance artist Maureen Robinson from the musical Rent shares her name with a time-evading mama in the sci-fi Future History series by Robert Heinlein. Another generation might find Maureen strong and attractive, and even now it could appear clunky and cool.

Susan
English form of the Hebrew name Susanna, meaning “lily”; it has been in use since the Middle Ages. Famous Australian namesakes include Justice of the High Court Susan Kiefer; socialite Lady Susan Renouf; long distance swimmer Susan “Susie” Maroney; and Susan Cullen-Ward, who became Queen Susan of Albania. Susan was #149 in the 1900s, and was in the Top 100 by the 1940s, peaking as the #1 name of the 1950s; the name’s popularity was influenced by Hollywood star Susan Hayward. It left the Top 100 in the 1980s, and last charted in 2010. Susan was a favourite name in children’s fiction, so you might have grown up with Susan Pevensie in the Chronicles of Narnia, Susan Walker in Swallows and Amazons, Susan Garland from The Country Child, Little Friend Susan from Milly-Molly-Mandy, Susan from The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, or Susan from Worzel Gummidge. This is a charming classic which has suffered from being a mid-century #1 now at the ebb of its cycle, leading to much hand-wringing. Depending on your point of view, you will either think it’s too dated and needs more time before it feels fresh again, or can see that choosing Susan will put you way ahead of the curve when ‘fifties names make a comeback.

Yvonne
Ultimately the feminine form of the medieval Germanic name Ivo, thought to be a short form of names beginning with Iv-, meaning “yew”. Because yew wood is used to make bows, the name can be glossed as “bowman, archer”. In French, the name became Yves, hence Yvonne. Although introduced to England by the Normans, the name died out and only became common again in the 19th century. Famous Australian namesakes include opera singers Yvonne Minton and Yvonne Kenny, and rugby league commentator Yvonne Sampson, but the most famous is tennis champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley, one of the great players of the 1970s and ’80s. Yvonne joined the charts in the 1910s at #165 and was in the Top 100 by the following decade. It peaked in the 1930s at #26 and by the 1950s by #68. It left the Top 100 in the 1970s and hasn’t charted since the early 2000s. Yvonne seems dated, except that the strong V sound is still on trend, and popular Evie could be used as the nickname. I see baby girls with names like Evanne, Yvanna and Yvaine, so it feels more like a name that has evolved rather than simply gone out of use.

POLL RESULTS

The public’s favourite 1950s names were Leonie, Annette and Heather, and their least favourites were Linda, Maureen and Beverley.

(Picture of 1950s model from an exhibition of Melbourne fashion photography by Athol Shmith held at the National Gallery of Victoria).

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