Unique Boys Names from Tasmania, 2010

09 Sunday Oct 2011

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astronomical names, Australian Aboriginal names, celebrity baby names, created names, Danish names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, German names, Greek names, hebrew names, Irish names, Latin names, Maori names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, nature names, Old English names, place names, popular culture, saints names, surname names, Tibetan names, unique names, vocabulary names

This follows on the previous list, Unique Girls Names from Tasmania, 2010. Please read the notes attached to that to see how names were chosen. Although there were fewer unique names for boys, they were much more likely to be genuine names, and not just variant spellings of common names. Whether you like these names or not, it’s nice to know that not everyone calls their children by names from the Top 100. There’s a lot of variety out there once you start looking. (If you are unsure what the animal in the photo is, it is a Tasmanian devil).

Ambrose

This is the English form of a Latin name derived from the Greek, meaning “immortal”. It is connected linguistically to ambrosia, the food or drink of the gods in mythology, and is said to not only taste delicious, but to have a delightful aroma. In fact, it has been argued that ambrosia means “fragrant”, rather than “immortal”. If ambrosia had any basis in reality, it may be describing a honey product, although another theory is that it refers to the hallucinogenic mushroom, Amanita muscaria. The most famous namesake is probably Saint Ambrose of Milan, a 4^th century Doctor of the Church who converted Saint Augustine. Interestingly, according to legend, bees swarmed on Ambrose’s face as a baby, leaving behind a drop of honey; this does seem to link the saint with the mythical ambrosia. An old-fashioned name, this fits in with the antique name revival, and the S/Z-ending for boys names. The meaning, and its associations with divine sweetness, is also hard to resist.

Other Latin names: Adrian, Augustus, Cassius, Ignatius, Maxmilian, Roman, Rufus, Silas, Sylvester

Anakin

This is the name of a Jedi knight in the Star Wars movies, father of Luke and Leia Skywalker, who crossed over to the Dark Side, and went on to become the heavy-breathing evil villain known as Darth Vader. Annikkin Starkiller was the name that George Lucas has originally chosen for Luke Skywalker, and when there was a major plot change and Darth Vader became Luke’s dad, a slight change of spelling meant that Darthy could have Luke’s old name. It’s sometimes claimed that George Lucas took Anakin’s name from his friend, Brtish film director Ken Annakin, but Lucas denies this. Although it’s tempting to give this name all number of foreboding meanings, we should remember it was originally planned as the hero’s name. It wasn’t clear in the beginning what kind of person the protagonist was going to be, and in one version it was an old man, and in another, a woman, so the name predates the character and the plot. Most likely, George Lucas just made it up.

Other sci-fi names: Auron, Draven, Grayson, Jango, Lex, Navi, Neo, Obi, Quillam

Bon

This is the name of the Scottish-born Australian rock musician, Bon Scott, who was the lyricist and lead singer for AC/DC, until his death in 1980, aged 34. AC/DC dedicated their next album, Back in Black, to him, which is the best-selling rock album of all time. Bon Scott is regarded as one of the greatest lead vocalists, has been inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and been honoured in both his home town of Fremantle, Western Australia, and his birthplace of Kirriemuir, Scotland. Bon was born Ronald Belford Scott, and his nickname was given to him in primary school. As there was already a classmate called Ronald, and as Scott had recently emigrated from “Bonnie Scotland”, he was dubbed Bon. The Scottish word bonnie means “beautiful, fair, fine”, and is taken from the French word bon, meaning “good”. Not only honouring a rock legend, this name seems similar to Beau in meaning and origin.

Other celebrity names: Cadel, Cassidy, Denzel, Dre, Elvis, Hammond, Joaquin, Keanu, Leland, Maddox, Makaveli, Orlando, Otis, Sylvain, Tander, Tex, Ziggie Other Scottish names: Dougal, Jock

Clancy

This is from an Irish surname meaning “son of Flannchadh”, with Flannchadh being a Gaelic name meaning “red warrior”. The name is well known in Australia, because of the poem Clancy of The Overflow, by Banjo Paterson; The Overflow is the name of a station where Clancy, a drover, works. It’s based on the true story of Paterson, a lawyer, sending a letter to Thomas Gerald Clancy of The Overflow, and imagining Clancy’s enviable life in the bush, under the “glory of the everlasting stars”. The reply that he received to his letter – “Clancy’s gone to Queensland droving and we don’t know where he are” – delighted Paterson, and was included in the poem. Clancy also appears briefly in The Man from Snowy River, and when that poem was made into a movie, the role of Clancy was played by Jack Thompson. Clancy of the Overflow is a romanticised image of bush life as dreamed of by the city dweller, and probably seems a patriotic choice as a name.

Other Irish names: Fionbharr, Niall, Rafferty, Ronan, Sullivan

Diesel

This is the name for the fuel used in diesel engines, which are named after their inventor, French-born Rudolf Diesel. His German surname is said to be based on a short form of either Matthias or Dietrich. As it sounds quite tough and butch, and has connotations of being able to keep going like a mechanical engine, it’s been a popular nickname or assumed name, for celebrities such as American actor Vin Diesel, Australian rock singer Diesel, American basketball player Shaquille “The Diesel” O’Neill, and AFL player Greg “Diesel” Williams. Diesel is also a popular name for dogs, and with “dog names” for boys in style, Diesel seems very usable. US Olympian softabller, Jennie Finch, called her second son Diesel Dean Daigle, so now it’s a celebrity baby name as well.

Other vocabulary names: Ace, Buddy, Gray, Spike Other car-related names: Holden, Jag

Esmond

An Old English name meaning “gracious protection”, this fell out of use after the Norman Conquest, and became best known as a surname. Thackery’s History of Henry Esmond is a historical novel set in the time of Queen Anne, where the hero spends the whole book in love with his foster-sister and cousin, but marries his foster-mother instead (also his cousin). This surname is part of Australian history, because James Esmond was an Irish-Australian who was one of the first people to find gold during the Victorian goldrush. He was also politically prominent in the miner’s organisation, and commanded a section of miners in the Eureka Stockade rebellion. It’s tempting to wonder if baby Esmond is a descendant of James, or whether the name was chosen in honour of this famous rebel.

Other Old English names: Bede, Edgar, Edwin, Winston

Iluka

This is a small coastal town on the Clarence River in New South Wales, and its name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “by the sea”. It is pronounced eye-LOO-ka. Iluka is a popular tourist destination, blessed with beaches and rainforest, and people who live in the chilly southern parts of Australia may enjoy spending their winters here. Maybe the parents of Iluka spent a happy holiday in the town? It’s easy to see the appeal of it as a name, because it is so similiar to the popular Luka, but has a distinctive Australian meaning.

Other place names: Carlisle, Clyde, Griffith, Hamilton, Maitland, Memphis, Meredith, Nelson, Preston, Ripley, Weston, Wilson, Windsor Other Aboriginal names: Wirra

Manuka

This is the name of a small tree or shrub native to New Zealand and south-east Australia – including, of course, Tasmania. It’s scientific name is Leptospermum scoparium, and it’s also called tea tree (not the same tea tree that tea tree oil is made from). The name manuka is Maori, and comes from history, where one of the sea-going canoes that brought the Maoris to New Zealand is said to have been called Mānuka. It’s pronounced mahn-OO-ka. Manuka honey is not only delicious, but recently it’s been discovered to have powerful antibacterial properties, and you can now buy medical-grade manuka honey to apply to wounds. There is a town in Tasmania near Hobart called Tea Tree, which may be named after this useful plant.

Other nature names: Aspen, Brae, Nullah, Reef, Stone, Sunny, Tiger Other Polynesian names: Loti, Kalani, Tavita

Namkha

Meaning “sky, heaven” in Tibetan, a namkha is a yarn or thread cross used in Buddhism as a sacred weaving, used in ritual or placed on an altar. “Thread” is the literal translation of the word tantra, and the threads of the mankha symbolise the warp and weft of time and space. A famous bearer is Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Rigdzin Namkha Gyatso Rinpoche.

Other Asian names: Anshuman, Arjuna, Ba, Dravid, Khan, Omita, Yang, Yasir, Zusong

Shem

One of Noah’s sons in the Old Testament, Shem is Hebrew for “name”. It can refer to someone’s fame and reputation, and also to their essential nature and being. While Noah is one of the most popular boy’s names, the names of his sons, Shem, Ham and Japeth, have had only occasional use. This may be because from early on, these three men were seen as the progenitors of the various races (as that vague and inaccurate word was understood at the time). Different writers have claimed Shem as the source of either the “Semitic” peoples, all Europeans, Germans, Greeks, Persians, or Indians; some texts even say that God made Shem brown skinned, Japeth fair skinned and Ham dark skinned. These ideas on race and ethnicity now look rather embarrassing, or even offensive; at the very least, we know them to be scientifically wrong. In the Bible, Shem is said to be an ancestor of Abram, who founded the Abrahamic religions. The name is pronounced SHAYM, and although uncommon, sounds not unlike familiar names such as Sean, Sheamus and Shane.

Other Biblical names: Abel, Amos, Elihu, Gideon, Hezekiah, Jairus, Jotham, Matthias, Raphael, Simeon

Soren

This is an anglicised form of the Danish name Søren, which is a form of the Roman name family Severinus, derived from the personal name Severus, meaning “stern” in Latin. Certain Harry Potter fans may see this as a way of using the name of grim Potions Master, Professor Snape, without actually calling their son Severus. The name has been used several times in recent popular culture; most notably the vampire Soren in the Underworld films. In the Charlie and Lola books and TV series, Soren Lorensen is little Lola’s imaginary friend. If these namesakes seem a bit lightweight, Søren Kierkegaard was a 19^th century philosopher and theologian who has been enormously influential in shaping our ideas of the self and subjectivity. It’s pronounced SOH-ren.

Other Scandinavian names: Anders, Thor

Titan

According to Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of gods that ruled in the legendary Golden Age. They were the Elder Gods who were overthrown by the Olympians; this myth of a “war in heaven”, where one group of gods replaces another, exists in many cultures across Europe and the Middle East. The meaning of their name is uncertain, but is often intepreteted as “to stretch”; the Greek poet Hesiod refers to them as “the Stretchers”, because they stretched out their power. Other scholars believe it comes from the Greek for “white earth, white clay, gypsum”; they believe that this white dust was used in ancient shamanistic rituals, and it is from these almost-forgotten rites that the myth of the Titans grew. The name has been given to a moon of Saturn, and inspired the name of the element, titanium. The Titans, often imagined as gigantic figures, are part of popular culture, and you may find Titans in comic books, science fiction movies, and video games, as well as sports teams – including the Gold Coast Titans. Although the name may seem too big for a little boy, it sounds similar to names such as Tate, Tyrone and Titus.

Other Greek names: Constandinos, Eugene, Leonidas, Orion

Unique Girls Names from Tasmania, 2010

02 Sunday Oct 2011

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

≈ 18 Comments

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astronomical names, Australian Aboriginal names, english names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, Flemish names, Greek names, Irish names, Latin names, locational names, musical names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, name popularity, nature names, Nook of Names, Old Norse names, popular culture, royal names, Sanskrit names, surname names, unique names, virtue names, vocabulary names

Many parents say that they are looking for a “unique” name, but what they mean by that seems to differ from person to person. Some say it’s a name you don’t see every day; others define it as any name not in the Top 100; and still others refuse to say what it means to them, but will “know it when they see it”. According to the dictionary, “unique” means that only one person possesses it, and names of which the world holds but one example are few and far between. However, names do not have to be particularly strange or rare to be unique in a certain context. For example, the name Savannah is unique within the British royal family. Here are some names from baby girls born in Tasmania last year; in each case, only one child was given these names. For their state, and in the year they were born, these girls possess unique names. I usually do ten names per list, but this time there was so much choice I did twelve; I’ve also listed other unique names from the same state and year that are similar in some way to the main entry.

Bird

Not only referring to our feathered friends, a “bird” is English slang for a woman, although in the 19^th century it was slang for a man, which makes it seem unisex. Another slang term is to “give someone the bird”, meaning to raise the middle finger in an obscene gesture; this has been a favoured way of insulting others since the time of the Ancient Greeks, at least. Being a bird-lover, I find this name simple and homely, and it does remind me of birdsong.

Other nature names: Acacia, Autumn, Clover, Fern, Honey, Maple, Misty, Opal, Pearl, Rosemary, Sage, Storm

Capri

This is the name of an island off the coast off Naples, famous for its stunning natural beauty. Inhabited since prehistoric times, it was a pleasure resort during the days of the Roman Empire, but the first modern tourist didn’t arrive until the 17^th century. It was a popular place for artists and writers in the 19^th century, and also a haven for gay men and women who formed a community where they could feel more open. A popular 1930s romantic song was The Isle of Capri, which was covered by The Gaylords, aptly enough. Capri pants were all in the rage in the 1950s as cool beachwear suitable for this resort island. No doubt the Ford Capri was also meant to suggest insouciant summer fun. The name of the island may mean either “wild boar” (from Greek) or “goats” (from Latin); there’s even a tiny possibility it means “rocky” (from Etruscan). But clearly it’s the history and associations of the name that are more important than the meaning. It’s a name that spells beauty, romance, art, fashion and freedom.

Other place names: Arizona, Baltimore, Bethany, Cheyenne, Florence, Ireland, Israel, Italia, London, Olympia, Petra, Sierra

Faithful

The virtue name Faith is familiar, but the adjective Faithful is one new to me as a name for a real person. Faithful is a (male) character in John Bunyan’s classic work, The Pilgrim’s Progress. He’s a friend of the protagonist who is executed as a martyr. He is meant to be represent those Christians who remain faithful to their beliefs, even should that lead to death. The Latin for “I am faithful” is Fido, traditionally given to dogs – apparently after Abraham Lincoln gave this name to his canine companion. As a child, I read the YA novel, Cinnamon and Nutmeg, by Anne de Roo, about a young girl growing up on a farm. The heroine wrote a story for school called “Old Faithful” about the touching death of her beloved dog. Unfortunately, she spelled “Faithful” as Fatful, and the teacher read her story mockingly to the class, with every “faithful” replaced by fatful, so that the children screamed with laughter at the tale of her dog dying. As a youngster, this struck me as the epitome of cruelty, and today makes me hope that nobody mis-spells little Faithful’s name.

Other adjective name: Innocent

Fritha

This is an Old Norse name often translated as “love, peace”, but more accurately it refers to the harmonious social order which leads to peace. It was a rare name during the Viking era, and only seems to have become commonly used in Scandinavia after the coming of Christianity – which suggests that it was connected to Christian ideals of peace and brotherhood. Fritha is a main character in the novella, The Snow Goose, by American author Paul Gallico; a sentimental tale of friendship blooming against the backdrop of World War II which was very popular in England. There was a British actress called Fritha Goodey who you may have caught a glimpse of in the movie About a Boy, starring Hugh Grant. Sadly, she died a few years ago in tragic circumstances while still quite young. There’s also a musician, Fritha Jenkins, who played with UK pagan heavy metal band, Skyclad. Because of these associations, Fritha seems like a very “English” name, despite its origins, and also quite artsy.

Other Scandinavian name: Inka

Halle

This is famous for being the name of gorgeous award-winning Hollywood actress, Halle Berry. Ms Berry’s birth name was Maria Halle Berry, but legally switched around to Halle Maria Berry when she was five. Her parents chose the name Halle from Halle Brother’s department store, a local landmark at that time in her home town of Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in the 19^th century by Samuel and Salmon Halle, it became an upmarket emporium, but was liquidated in the 1980s. The brothers’ surname is originally Flemish, and is after the village of Halle in Belgium. Of Old Norse origin, Halle means “manorial hall”, and is the equivalent of the English surname Hall. Pronounced HAL-ee, it sounds the same as the girl’s name Hallie, a short form of Harriet.

Other celebrity names: Angelina, Gwyneth, Jolie, Shakira

Justice

This can either be seen as an occupational surname meaning “judge”, or an English vocabulary word. Some people see this name as a Christian virtue name, referring to God’s righteousness; others connect it with social justice; others see it as simply describing the person as fair-minded and honourable. I remember Kay at Nook of Names got rather alarmed at Australian naming laws and thought the name Justice wouldn’t be permitted here, so I wanted to reassure her that it definitely is, even though not a common name.

Other virtue names: Constance, Honor, Prudence, Temperance, Verity

Namaha

This is a Sanskrit word which is an element of sacred Vedic mantras. It means “to surrender with love”, and literally, “to bow (in a gesture of homage and respect)”. It is a negation of one’s ego, and an affirmation of the greater Self becoming one with the Cosmic Soul. It is pronounced nah-ma-hah, with unstressed syllables.

Other Asian names: Jaya, Megumi, Mika, Nilu, Palpasa, Sakura

Nerida

This Australian Aboriginal name means “waterlily”, and features in a legend from Victoria. Nerida and Berwain are two young lovers, about to marry. Wahwee, the spirit of thunder who lives in the mud pool where the couple meet to gather mussels, develops an overpowering desire for Nerida. Because she will not give herself to him, he transforms her into a waterlily, and her lover Berwain into rushes. A superstition is that if you pick a waterlily, you must also pick the rushes growing nearby so that Nerida and Berwain never be divided in death. The waterlily is used as a food source by Aborigines as a traditional bush food; the roots can be roasted, and the stem and seeds eaten raw. Nerida was used as a female name by Aborigines, and also by Europeans, who may have been charmed by the fact it is so similar to Nereida, the name of a nymph in Greek mythology (the scientific name for waterlily is Nymphaea, another pleasing coincidence). Pronounced NEHR-uh-duh, it’s a bit old-fashioned now, but clearly still in use.

Pallas

The epithet of the Greek goddess Athena, this may mean “maiden”. The original Pallas was the daughter of sea-god Triton, and foster-sister to Athena. During a friendly fight between the two goddesses, Athena received divine protection from her father Zeus, but she mortally wounded Pallas. Out of her deep sadness, she created the palladium, a statue made in the likeness of Pallas, which was given to the city of Troy to act as its protector and guardian. This sacred statue was stolen by the Greeks during the Trojan War, otherwise they could never have conquered it. Some stories say that the palladium became the property of Rome, and there are rumours that it was transferred to Constantinople. Pallas is also one of the largest asteroids, and the name of one of the Moon’s craters. Sailor Pallas is a character in the Sailor Moon manga who is named after the asteroid as well the Greek goddess, so it is an astronomical name and one from popular culture.

Other classical names: Athena, Camilla, Cassandra, Lucia, Melanie, Melissa, Octavia, Olympia, Penelope, Sylvia, Valentine, Veronica, Xanthe, Zephyr

Saoirse

This modern Irish name means “freedom”, and came into use in Northern Ireland during the 1920s as a Republican political slogan. Depending on your accent, you can pronounce it SEER-sha, SAIR-sha or SOR-sha, with SEER-sha being the Northern Irish way of saying it, and therefore (some would argue) the “correct” one. Although spelling and pronunciation may be an issue for some, the name sounds enough like names such as Sasha and Sarah to not seem out of place. Its recent use probably owes a lot to young actress Saoirse Ronan, who has impressed critics with her sensitive performances in movies such as Atonement and The Lovely Bones. Saoirse Ronan pronounces her name SUR-sha, just to confuse things further. I suspect the political and religious implications of this name have not been considered much outside Ireland.

Other Irish and British names: Arwen, Ciara, Cordelia, Fiona, Maeve, Sabrina, Shona, Sian, Una

Satanica

This is the Latinised feminine form of the word “satanic”, which can either literally mean giving veneration to Satan, or more generally, suggestive of being diabolical in nature. Satan is from the Hebrew, meaning “the adversary, the opposer, the obstructor”, and in the Hebrew portion of the Bible, Satan is an agent of God whose thankless task it is to tempt humankind and then accuse it before Heaven. In Christianity, he is seen as the Devil, the personification of all evil. Satanica is often used in black metal music as a title, and there is band with this name. There is also a manga series called La Satanica, so it can be seen as a name from popular culture. Satanica cannot help but be controversial as a baby name, and I think it is a heavy burden to place on a child; this name even made me feel depressed just thinking about it, which almost never happens.

Other Latinate names: Amanda, Clementine, Felicia, Mirabella

Tango

This is a dance which arose in the working class neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the mid-19^th century. It is claimed that the tango is a mixture of South American popular dances influenced by the African community, and by European immigrants. Although the word tango could be Spanish in origin, it may very well come from Nigeria, where temgu means “to dance” in the Ibibio language. The tango arrived in Paris early in the twentieth century, and soon spread to other world capitals, where it was thought to be shockingly intimate (as nearly all new dances seem to be thought). Another tango reference is the scandalously erotic film, Last Tango in Paris, starring Marlon Brando. Even though tango, as a dance form, is dark and sensual, the name Tango isn’t – it sounds chipper and bouncy, and I’m sure has been given as a name to more animals than humans.

Other musical names: Allegra, Aria, Melody Other verb names: Cherish, Treasure Other O-enders: Indigo, Marlo

NOTE: I didn’t count variant spellings of more common names as unique, and I also disqualified double names, as well as names that had also been given to boys.

Boys Names from the National Rugby League

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

≈ 14 Comments

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Arabic names, astronomical names, celebrity baby names, english names, famous namesakes, French names, Gaelic names, germanic names, Hungarian names, Indian names, Irish names, Latin names, locational names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, nicknames, polynesian names, saints names, Sanskrit names, surname names, Tongan names, unisex names, Welsh names

Bodene (Thompson) – Gold Coast Titans

Bodene Thompson was born in New Zealand, and began playing rugby league in high school after his family moved to Australia. He made his début with the Titans in 2009, and last year he played for the New Zealand Maori team against England. His name is something of a mystery to me. It may be a variant of the Germanic surname Boden, taken from the Frisian for “messenger”. On the other hand, I have seen some people using Bodene as a form of the surname Beaudoin, a French form of Baldwin. It’s also hard not to wonder if it’s been chosen as a portmanteau of Beau and Dean – which make the obvious nicknames for this country-sounding name.

Braith (Anasta) – Sydney Roosters

Braith Anasta was born in Sydney, and is of Greek-Australian heritage (his surname was originally Anastasakis). He made his début in 2000, and first played for the Roosters in 2005. He is currently captain of his team. He is eligible to play for Greece internationally, but has done so only once, playing for Australia four times. He has played for New South Wales nine times, and for City six. He won the Dally M Rookie of the Year medal in 2001, the Jack Gibson Medal, and the Supporters Club Player of the Year in 2007, the Players Player of the Year in 2008, and last year won the Dally M Captain of the Year. Braith is a unisex Welsh name meaning “speckled”; however I’m not clear on the Welsh pronunciation. Braith pronounces his name BRAYTH. Braith can also come from the Gaelic word for “British” and the Old Norse for “broad”; both these words appear in various English surnames and place names, such as Braithwaite and Gilbraith, and these are exactly as Anasta’s name is said. Brief and brusque, this seems a name born to command, although it does sound a touch lispy.

Bronx (Goodwin) – St George Illawarra Dragons

Bronx Goodwin was born in the country town of Parkes in New South Wales. He made his début in 2007, and joined the St George Illawarra Dragons last year. He played for the New Zealand Maori side in 2008. The Goodwin family are well known for their involvement in, and success at, rugby league over several generations in the Illawarra region. Bronx’s name is taken from the borough of New York City called The Bronx. It receives its name from the Bronx River, which was named for an early settler from Sweden called Jonas Bronck. His surname is a variant of Brink, from the Low German meaning “edge, slope, waterside grazing land”, and would have been given to someone who lived on the edge of a waterway (rather appropriate for a river). The Bronx is an area known for its cultural diversity, and has a tough image. The name Bronx is blunt and masculine and sounds very sturdy; it has the X at the end which has become such a name trend. Bronx was born many years before Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson named their son Bronx Mowgli, so the Goodwins were obviously ahead of their time.

Constantine (Mika) – Newcastle Knights

Constantine Mika is a New Zealander of Samoan descent. He didn’t have any luck at getting into the New Zealand first grade team, so moved to Australia and joined the Knights in 2009. The name Constantine is well known from history due to Constantine the Great, famously the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. Although historians are divided as to just how “Christian” Constantine was, and whether he had a dramatic conversion or not, there is no doubt that his rule was a significant turning point in history. He also moved the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium, in the east; the city was renamed Constantinople in his honour (today it is known as Istanbul, in Turkey). Constantine is venerated as a saint in Eastern Orthodoxy and the Eastern rites of the Roman Catholic church. His name is from the Latin for “constant, steadfast”. This is a very rich and indeed, imperial-sounding name, redolent of Byzantine marble and gold. Constantine Mika uses the usual Con as the short form, but Stan would also work well.

Drury (Low) – Canberra Raiders

Drury Low is originally from New Zealand and grew up in Melbourne. He made his début in 2010 with the Canberra Raiders, and was also chosen for the Junior Kiwis (New Zealand’s second national team) the same year. His name is an English surname from an Old French word meaning “love, friendship”; by the 12^th century it meant a love token or a sweetheart. Sir William Drury was an English statesman and soldier in the time of Elizabeth I, and his house in London gave its name to the famous street, Drury Lane. It has theatrical associations, for the name of the street is often used to refer to The Theatre Royal, which has been located in Drury Lane since the 17^th century; it’s shown popular works from Shakespeare to Monty Python, and currently showcases West End musicals. You may also know this street as the home of The Muffin Man in the nursery rhyme, which was made familiar in the Shrek movies, but also makes an appearance in Jane Austen’s Persuasion. Drury is a small town near Auckland in New Zealand, but I don’t know whether this was the inspiration for Low’s name.

Fuifui (Moimoi) – Parramatta Eels

Fuifui Moimoi was born in Tonga and grew up in New Zealand (pictured). He made his début for Parramatta Eels in 2004, and has proved himself a valuable player. He is eligible to play rugby league for Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Samoa, but so far has only played for Tonga and New Zealand. While watching a game recently, I heard the commentator explain that Fuifui’s name means “love love” in the Tongan language (as if to say, doubly loved). Not only is this a fantastic meaning for a name, but Fuifui Moimoi is without doubt the funnest name to say I have ever heard. Fuifui’s name is pronounced FOO-EE FOO-EE MOY MOY; you say it quickly and all the syllables have equal emphasis. It’s a name that you can’t help but smile as you say it. Fuifui goes by Fui in everyday life.

Krisnan (Inu) – New Zealand Warriors

Krisnan Inu was born in Auckland, New Zealand, to Samoan parents, and grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney. He made his debut in 2007, and began playing for the Warriors this season. He also plays for the New Zealand national team. A devout Mormon, he decided to forgo becoming a missionary, believing he can accomplish more for the church as a role model by remaining in the NRL. Krisnan is a variant of the Indian name Krishna, which means “black, dark, dark blue” in Sanskrit. Krishna is a central figure in Hinduism, believed to be the earthly manifestation of the supreme deity, Vishnu. He is said to have written the Hindu scriptures, the Bhagavad Gītā. Krisnan Inu calls himself Kris, and he has an interesting middle name too – Nevada!

Sandor (Earl) – Penrith Panthers

Sandor Earl was raised in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, and attended St Gregory’s College, a famous “nursery” for rugby league, where it is the dominant sport. Sandor made his début in 2009, and went to the Panthers last year, where he was named the club’s top rookie player. In 2010 he was part of the New Zealand Maori team which played against England, and is also reportedly eligible to play for Russia. Off the field, he works part-time as an underwear model. Sandor’s name is a Hungarian form of Alexander, and is pronounced SHAHN-dor. This is a form of the popular Alexander you don’t hear every day; it sounds like an exotic alternative to Xander to me.

Shea (Moylan) – Brisbane Broncos

Shea Moylan just made his début for the Brisbane Broncos this season. Shea is an Anglicised form of the Irish name Seaghdha, said to mean “hawk-like” in Old Gaelic, with connotations of being brave and fierce, and is pronounced SHAY. Although Seaghdha is a masculine name, the Anglicised form must sound slightly feminine to some people, as it is listed as a unisex name. However, I have personally only ever seen this name on boys, with Australian parents usually opting to use feminised creations such as Shaylie or Shayla for girls. I have also witnessed a wide range of variant spellings, including Shae, Shay, Shaye, Sheye and Shai. Although this has been a reasonably well-known name here, I get the impression it’s not being used as much as it was. It’s an attractive name, pleasantly soft, and sounds enough like Shane and Sean to seem familiar to most people.

Tariq Sims – North Queensland Cowboys

Tariq Sims is from Gerringong, in the Illawarra area of New South Wales, and is of part-Fijian descent. He made his début with the North Queensland Cowboys this season; his brothers Ashton and Korbin also play rugby league. Tariq is an Arabic name translated as “he who knocks on the door”, related to the Arabic word for “nightcomer” (in the sense that someone who comes by night will need to knock on the door to wake you up). Tariq is also the name given to the Morning Star, because it comes at the end of the night, but this star (planet) is also used as a metaphor for a great man or chieftain. In the Qur’an, the Morning Star is used to refer to the Prophet Mohammad. Tariq ibn-Ziyad was a military leader who conquered Spain for the Moors; Gibralter is named after him, for it is the Spanish derivation of “mountain of Tariq”. Tariq Sims pronounces his name tuh-REEK. This name has a mysterious meaning with positive associations and interesting namesakes; it’s exotic, but not difficult to spell or say. The Sims were ahead of the curve with Ashton and Korbin – Tariq may be next to become popular.

A very happy Father’s Day to all the dads! Here’s hoping you get spoiled rotten, and may your name suggestions always be taken seriously.

Boys Names from the Australian Football League

28 Sunday Aug 2011

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Biblical names, Egyptian names, english names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, German names, hebrew names, Irish names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, nicknames, popular culture, surname names, vocabulary names, Welsh names

Writer, critic and broadcaster, Clive James, wrote in his “Unreliable Memoirs” that Australian boys tend to be named after athletes. Although much has changed since his birth during World War II, and naming practices have considerably broadened, plenty of baby boys are named after sportsmen in Australia even now. In the period leading up until Father’s Day, we’re going to have lists of boys names from the two main (rival?) football codes to look at some of the less common names found amongst the players. (Don’t worry – at some point we’ll have two lists of girls names to balance it).

Alwyn (Davey) – Essendon Bombers

Alwyn Davey is from Darwin in the Northern Territory, and his tribal ancestry can be traced to the Kokatha Mula people from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. He was a late starter to professional football, being considered a bit short. He was picked up by Essendon in 2007, and at 22, was thought to be a little old to make of a success of it. He quickly gained a cult following due to his explosive speed, and won the AFL Army Award (for bravery) in the year of his debut. Alwyn was named after his father, and surely must have a connection with Wales, for his full name looks very Welsh. Alwyn is said to be derived from the name of the River Alwen, which may mean “winding and fair”, but could also be influenced by the name of a Celtic god of healing and prophecy, Alaunos. The meaning of the god’s name is extremely unsure, and may mean “pale, faded”, “brilliant white”, “dark grey”, or possibly “treasure”. A soft and lilting name, this sounds a bit like Alan and Alvin, and is easily shortened to Al or Ally, although personally I like Wyn.

Amon (Buchanan) – Brisbane Lions

Amon Buchanan is from the country town of Colac, west of Melbourne, and his brother Liam plays cricket for the state team. He made his debut in 2002, and was traded to the Lions in 2009. In Egyptian mythology, Amon is a fertility god who was believed to be father of all the Pharoahs. So popular was he that he became combined with the sun god Re into the supreme solar deity Amon-Re, and was worshipped devotedly as a protector of the poor and weak. His name means “the hidden one”, and is pronounced AH-mun. Amon is also the Greek form of a Hebrew name meaning “skilled workman”. In the Old Testament, Amon was one of the kings of Judah, and gets a bad rap for idolatry and general depravity. However, in the New Testament he is listed as one of the ancestors of Jesus. Amon has a bit of baggage, and might seem slightly overweening, but it’s a nice simple name that doesn’t sound too different from Harmon, Eamon or Aidan.

Chance (Bateman) – Hawthorn Hawks

Chance Bateman is from Perth in Western Australia (pictured). He was Hawthorn’s first indigenous player to play 100 games, the first Aboriginal life member, and the club’s longest-serving recruit from WA. He is one of Hawthorn’s most valuable players because of his speed and hardness. He is notable for his dreadlocks, which he once cut off for charity and donated to the Rioli Fund for Aboriginal health. Chance is a surname of Old French origin, derived from a nickname given to someone blessed with good fortune. The English word “chance” can mean a stroke of luck or good opportunity, but now also has connotations of accident or randomness. This is one of those names that people tend to either love or hate, find cool or ridiculous. Nearly always the name is given meaningfully, and boys called Chance often have a story attached to how their name was chosen.

Maverick (Weller) – Gold Coast Suns

Maverick Weller is a young player from Burnie in Tasmania, and made his debut this season. The word “maverick” refers to someone unconventional, independent or even controversial in their thinking; someone who follows their own rules. The word comes from the name of Samuel Maverick, a Texas lawyer who refused to brand his cattle. (In reality, Samuel wasn’t so much an independent thinker as uninterested in ranching). His surname may be Welsh, and derived from the Gaelic name Muirgheas, meaning “seafarer”, or from the Welsh Mawr-rwyce, meaning “valiant hero”. It’s been used as the title of both a Western TV series starring James Garner and a Western movie starring Mel Gibson, so still has rather a “cowboy” image. Maverick Weller seems to have been named after Tom Cruise’s callsign in the movie Top Gun, as he has a tattoo of his namesake. It’s another vocabulary name that can draw strong opinions from people – no doubt, just like the original Mister Maverick!

Kade (Simpson) – Carlton Blues

Kade Simpson is from Melbourne, and was drafted by Carlton in 2002. He has the club record for most consecutive games played, and won the Jim Stynes Medal in 2008 for best player on the Australian national team. His name is a variant of Cade, a surname which began as a form of the personal name Cada, coming from the Germanic for “swelling, lump”. This slightly unflattering name may have begun life as a nickname for someone overly plump, but to me it almost sounds like a “womb name” – the sort of epithet you might fondly give the baby swelling your belly out (“my little lumpkin”). The surname has another source, the Old French word cade meaning “barrel”; although this also has connotations of stoutness, it’s an occupational name for someone who made barrels, and thus is the same as Cooper. There is another meaning which parents might find more appealing: a cade is a baby farm animal reared by hand; these pet lambs and calves tend to be cossetted and well-fed little darlings. It’s a name filled with cute, cuddly, childish and chubby connotations; however I’m guessing most people will assume it’s a short form of Kaden.

Kepler (Bradley) – Fremantle Dockers

Kepler Bradley is from West Australia, was drafted in 2003, and began playing for Fremantle in 2007. Tall and agile, he won the Lark Medal for players 18 and under in 2003. Kepler is a German surname meaning “hooded cloak”; it’s an occupational name for someone who made such garments. The name is given in honour of Johannes Kepler, a mathematician, astronomer and astrologer. A key figure in the 17^th century scientific revolution, his laws of planetary motion helped set the stage for Isaac’s Newton’s laws on gravity. A devout Lutheran who had considered becoming a church minister before his obvious talent for mathematics pushed him into an academic career, he was banished from Graz for refusing to convert to Catholicism, but found refuge in tolerant Linz. His mother was a herbalist who was imprisoned as a witch, but Kepler’s extensive defense got her released, adding “legal mastermind” to his already impressive list of accomplishments. This is a strong, unusual name that celebrates a hardworking polymath of powerful imagination, known for his cheerful and affectionate nature. Kip is the obvious nickname.

Marlon (Motlop) – Port Adelaide Power

Marlon Motlop is from the Northern Territory, and traces his tribal ancestry to the Larrakia people, from the Darwin area. He was drafted in 2007 and is the youngest player drafted to Port Adelaide. He won the Allan McLean Medal for players under 16 in 2006. The name Marlon is another surname, this time coming from place names called Moreland, common in the north of England and southern Scotland, meaning “moor land”. The name is strongly associated with American screen legend Marlon Brando, who starred in movies such as A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront. Actor Marlon Brando was named after his father; of German-Dutch origins, the family surname was originally Brandeau. It’s also the name of Michael Jackson’s older brother, singer Marlon Jackson, who gave the name Marlon to his youngest son, Marlon Jackson Jnr. This name may seem almost too famous to use, but it’s a name that’s been good enough to be handed down from father to son at least twice, and you can also use Marley as a nickname, thus honouring another famous singer.

Sharrod (Wellingham) – Collingwood Magpies

Sharrod Wellingham is from Western Australia, and was selected for the 2006 rookie draft. Since 2008, he has become a valuable asset for Collingwood. Sharrod looks like a cross between Sharon and Jarrod, but is yet another surname. This could be a variant of either of two different surnames. One is Sherrard, which has been found in Ireland from the 17^th century onwards. The meaning is unknown, but has been interpreted as a combination of English and French meaning “bright, fair”. Another possibility is Sherrod, based on the French surname Cherot, meaning “wagoner”. Sherrard, Sherrod and Sharrod have all been used in the past as personal names, but mostly in the United States. In fact, there is an American basketball player called Sharrod Ford only a few years older than Sharrod Wellingham, so the name seems to have floating around in the public consciousness during the 1980s.

Tadhg (Kennelly) – Sydney Swans

Tadhg Kennelly is from County Kerry in Ireland, and already had a background in Gaelic football when he signed with the Sydney Swans in 1999. He made his debut in 2001, and became a high-profile player, writing articles for the Swans’ website entitled Talking with Tadhg. After the death of his father, Tadhg returned to Ireland in 2009 where he won a National Football League medal, but came back to Australia in the 2010 season. Tadhg is an Irish name that means “poet”; Tadhg was a medieval king of Connacht. The name does have pronunciation issues in Australia, where people tend to want to say it to sound like the word tie, or the name Ty. However, it is pronounced TIEG, like the first syllable in the word tiger. Australia has a great fondness for Irish names and Irish culture, and I think this name would be accepted and admired once people understood the pronunciation. It has a romantic meaning, yet sounds masculine, and it’s short without being cute.

Zephaniah (Skinner) – Western Bulldogs

Zephaniah Skinner is a young player from the Kimberley region of Western Australia who moved to Darwin, and was drafted last year. Zephaniah is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh has hidden, Yahweh has concealed”, or slightly more ominously, “Yahweh lies in wait”. There are several people of this name in the Old Testament, the best known being a minor prophet who features in the very brief Book of Zephaniah. These three chapters give the teachings of Zephaniah, who seemed pretty keen on a universal Judgement Day, and as is usual with prophets, warned that widespread repentence is necessary to avoid this catastrophe. Another famous namesake is British Rastafarian poet, Benjamin Zephaniah. He supports veganism, animal rights, anti-racism, a British Republic, a change to the first-past-the-post voting system, and the UK Green Party. Boys names from the Old Testament are very popular at the moment, and although Zephaniah is quite rare, it isn’t any more unusual-sounding than Zachariah. Zeph or Zeff seems like a pretty cool nickname as well.

Saturday Sibset: The De-Stressed Family

27 Saturday Aug 2011

Posted by A.O. in Sibsets in the News

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

honouring, Maori names, mythological names, Native American names, sibsets, Slavic names, Tewa names, tribal names

Prevention magazine recently had a story about people who had successfully made their lives less stressful, and more fulfilling. One of them was Julija McDowell, who is originally from Canada, and married to an Australian man named Nicholas.

Julija and Nicholas used to live in San Francisco, where they both worked as animators for George Lucas’ company, Industrial Light and Magic. Highly-paid and highly-stressed, they worked 60-100 hours a week.

When Julija became pregnant with their first child in 2004, she decided to leave her job to concentrate entirely on motherhood. Enjoying the less stressful world of parenting, she kept an online diary of what her children did every day, and from this started an online company to give parents ideas for play and interaction with their children.

A year ago, the McDowell family moved to Sydney, and found relocating to Australia a wonderful opportunity to make their lives less stressful. Now both of them are self-employed and work from home, and because the family is always together, has formed a much closer bond.

They have got rid of their television set to give themselves more quality time, and Julija finds simple family pleasures such as eating dinner each evening, or walking her son to school through Sydney Harbour National Park every morning, very relaxing.

These are the names of the McDowell children:

Dragan is aged six. The name Dragon is one in their extended family, and the similar-sounding Dragan is a Slavic name that means “precious”. (For some reason, Julija thinks it also means “traveller”; something which I haven’t been able to figure out). Dragan seems like a way to honour extended family, Julija’s Slavic background, and also choose a name with a very lovely meaning.

Avanyu is aged four. They chose her name before she was even conceived! The McDowells wanted another “monster” name for their next child to match their “dragon” son. They decided on a monster from Native American culture. Avanyu is a Tewa deity, a feathered sea-serpent who is the guardian of water amongst the tribes of the American South-West.

Taikaro is aged 2. They looked for another “monster” name so that they could continue their name theme, but found it harder than they imagined, as none seemed to suit their son. In the end, Nicholas’ mother showed them a list of old family names from the McDowells, and they chose Taikaro from the list. Nicholas’ great-great-great grandfather married a Maori princess from the Taikaro tribe; the name apparently means “the lost coast”, and if so, the tribal name would have been locational. I checked the Maori dictionary, and according to that, the phrase can mean something like “the elusive coast”, perhaps suggesting it was a good place to hide or hard to find, or even “the scooped-out coastline”, which would refer to its appearance.

The McDowells have chosen unusual and creative names for their children from a variety of cultures, and from their family histories. It also shows one of the perils of choosing a “theme” for your family – you might successfully come up with two names that go together perfectly, but that third name that fits the theme, suits the child, and is also loved by the parents can prove elusive!

(Story from Yahoo Lifestyle; photo from socialmoms.net)

Girls Names That Only Chart in Australia

24 Sunday Jul 2011

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

≈ 29 Comments

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African names, Arabic names, Australian Aboriginal names, celebrity baby names, colour names, created names, english names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, Greek names, hebrew names, holiday names, Indian names, Irish names, Latin names, locational names, Mer de Noms, mythological names, name data, name history, name meaning, name popularity, nature names, nicknames, plant names, popular culture, popular names, saints names, Sanskrit names, surname names, Swahili names, unisex names, vocabulary names

Recently, Lou at Mer de Noms has had a couple of articles on names that are in the UK Top 150, but fail to make the US Top 500. It’s an interesting look at differences in name popularity between the two countries. I thought about doing the same thing from an Australian perspective, but found the list became too long for my purposes. So I made my conditions a bit tighter – these are names that are on a Top 100 list in Australia, but don’t make the Top 100 in any other country, and aren’t on the US Top 1000.

Asha

Asha has two different origins and meanings. It can be seen as an Indian name from the Sanskrit for “hope, wish, desire”, or an East African name from the Swahili word for “life”. Either way it has a beautiful meaning, and both Indian and Swahili names are becoming fashionable in Australia. It fits in well with other popular Ash- names, such as Ashley, Ash, Asher and Ashton. There’s an attractive TV presenter in Australia called Asha Kuerten (pictured), which has probably helped it gain momentum here. Asha is currently #89 in Victoria, #77 in South Australia, and #68 in the ACT. It’s never been higher than #794 on the US Top 1000 (in 1989), and hasn’t charted there since 2003.

Bridie

This is a pet form of the Irish name Brighid or its anglicised form, Bridget, which means “exalted one”. In Irish mythology, Brighid was the goddess of fire, poetry and wisdom. There was a 5^th century Irish saint called Brigid, who is the patron saint of Ireland, and whose feast day on February 1 coincides with the pagan festival of Imbolc (possibly this day was sacred to the goddess of the same name). As around 30% of Australians claim Irish heritage, the name Bridie isn’t too unusual here, and there are several well-known women with this name, including Bridie Carter, a popular soap actress. Bridie is #70 in Tasmania, which has a particularly strong Irish community. It doesn’t chart in any other country.

Ebony

This is from the English word for the valuable black wood which comes from the ebony tree; different species are native to India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Mauritius, and West Africa. Although Ebony is often said to be used mostly by African-Americans in the United States, in Australia it is not connected to a person’s skin tone and is just seen as another colour name, like Ruby, Jade or Amber, or a plant name, like Rose or Holly. The exoticism of this name seems to have possessed a strange fascination for Australian parents, and it has been a Top 100 name since the early 1980s. Perhaps popular songs from that decade, such as Ebony Eyes and Ebony and Ivory, helped give it a boost. It’s #63 in South Australia and #55 in Tasmania. In the United States, Ebony got as high as #132 in 1982, and hasn’t been on the Top 1000 since 2005.

Indiana

The name of an American state, it means “land of the Indians”, because of the high Native American population in the area at the beginning of the 19^th century (unfortunately, not to last). Indiana was used as a girl’s name (at least in fiction) before the American state was founded: Fanny Burney’s 1795 classic novel, Camilla, features a beautiful but shallow character called Indiana Lynmere. Possibly the name was intended as an elaboration of India, then part of the British Empire. French author George Sand also gave a character this name in her first novel, Indiana (1832). In this book, Indiana is a beautiful, romantic Creole from Reunion, of part-Indian descent. Here, there is a young TV actress called Indiana Rose Evans, and early this year, former NRL player Glenn Hall had a daughter named Indiana Maree. This name has only been Top 100 since last year, and it’s #98 in Victoria. Indiana has not been on the US Top 1000 since the late 19^th century.

Jorja

The name Georgia, also an American state name (the state is named after King George II), is more popular in Australia than anywhere else in the world, hovering around the #20 mark on most lists, and Top 100 since the early 1980s. The phonetic spelling Jorja has also proved popular here. It’s currently #88 in Tasmania. Jorja has only been on the US Top 1000 once, in 2006, when it was at #976.

Lucinda

This is an elaboration of the Latin name Lucia, meaning “light”. Always a rather literary name, it was created by Miguel de Cervantes for his 1605 novel, Don Quixote for a character in a farcical romantic subplot. The 17^th century Spanish poet Lope de Vega wrote love sonnets to a woman he called “Lucinda” to protect her identity. In more recent fiction, Lucinda is the rather silly fairy godmother in the children’s novel Ella Enchanted, later made into a movie. Australian novelist Peter Carey’s Oscar and Lucinda won the 1988 Booker Prize, and was made into a film directed by Gillian Anderson. Another Australian connection is that Lucinda is the name of a small coastal town in Queensland. As Lucy is so popular, Lucinda seems like a pretty alternative which will allow Lucy/Lucie as a nickname. It was chosen for the name of lifesaver and reality TV star Dean Gladstone’s daughter Lucinda May. It’s # 67 in Tasmania. Lucinda hasn’t been on the US Top 1000 since 1987, and peaked in 1881 at #153.

Tahlia

The name Talia can come from a range of origins. It’s a variant of the Hebrew name Talya, which means “dew from God”; it’s the Italian form of Greek Thalia, which means “to blossom” (Thalia was one of the nine Muses); and it can also be a short form of Natalia, a Latin name which means “Christmas Day”. However, In Australia, Talia is often taken as coming from an Aboriginal word meaning “near water”. Talia has become hugely popular in many parts of Australia; it has a certain patriotic flavour, and is pleasingly multicultural, suiting a variety of backgrounds. Yet it is not found consistently on the Top 100 because it has so many variant spellings. Tahlia is the most common of these variants, and is beginning to overtake Talia because it makes the favoured pronunciation more clear. It’s #47 in New South Wales, #41 in Victoria, #39 in South Australia, #35 in Western Australia, #84 in Tasmania, and #52 in the ACT. Tahlia has never charted in any other country.

Tayla

A specifically feminine form of the popular unisex name Taylor, this may have been coined in imitation of Kayla and related names. However, I can’t help thinking it’s taking off in Australia partly because it looks similar to Talia and Tahlia. It’s #68 in South Australia, #40 in Western Australia, and #94 in Tasmania. Tayla has only been on the US Top 1000 twice – in 1998 and 2006, and was never higher than #924.

Zahra

This is an Arabic name usually translated as “radiance”. The meaning is gorgeous, and Arabic names are becoming increasingly fashionable here with our growing Islamic population. However, almost certainly the reason for its popularity in Australia is due to its similarity to the name Zara. Zara has been used in Britain since the 18^th century, where it is the English form of the French name Zaïre, created by the author Voltaire in 1732 for his hugely successful play of the same name, and possibly based on the name Zahra. The drama was soon translated as Zara: A Tragedy, and proved a big hit with English audiences too, being staged well into the 19^th century. For some reason, Zara has been a favourite in Australia for over a century, and there are several famous women from Australian history called Zara, including the glamorous wife of former Prime Minister Harold Holt. Zara is more popular in Australia than in any other country, and Zahra is rising on the basis of its success. It’s #82 in the ACT. Zahra has never charted in the United States.

Also Qualifying

Bronte and Lara, which were covered on earlier Name Lists – Bronte in Sydney Suburbs That Can Be Used as Girls Names, and Lara in Girls Names from Video Games. Bronte is #68 in Tasmania. Lara is #43 in New South Wales, #80 in Victoria, #79 in Tasmania and #52 in the ACT. Neither has ever charted in another country.

Close But No Cigar

These names don’t make the top 1000 in the United States, but do chart in countries besides Australia

Freya – #19 in Scotland, #21 in England/Wales, #68 in Ireland, #70 in N. Ireland

Harriet – #89 in England/Wales

Imogen – #32 in England/Wales, #77 in Scotland

Maisie – #34 in England/Wales, #36 in Scotland

Milla – #48 in Norway

Poppy – #22 in England/Wales, #47 in Scotland, #60 in N. Ireland

NOTE

There are some serious statistical issues facing anyone doing comparisons between countries. Australia doesn’t produce a national Top 100, states and territories have different population sizes, not all states and territories provide their Top 100, and one has refused to divulge any of its name data. Countries don’t all release their popularity charts for the year at the same time, so we are still waiting for the ones from England/Wales, for example, and I had to use the one for 2009. I used popularity charts from Behind the Name, and sometimes they are slow in updating their data as well. Not only that, but there is no data available for many countries.

So rather than getting into a mathematical tangle, this is only intended to be of general interest and show a few broad trends.

Bonds Baby Search 2011 – Winners 0-9 Months Category

21 Thursday Jul 2011

Posted by A.O. in Baby Contests

≈ 5 Comments

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Arabic names, Aramaic names, Biblical names, created names, english names, fictional namesakes, French names, Greek names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, name popularity, nicknames, popular names, saints names, surname names, unisex names

Each year, the Bonds underwear label has run a huge annual campaign to find the perfect babies to model for them. Although the prizes aren’t lavish, $250 worth of Bonds merchandise and a free photo, the fame and prestige must be enough of a drawcard, because it is the biggest baby contest in the country, attracting thousands of entrants. Bonds are careful not to identify it as a “cute baby contest”, and say any baby can win, as long as they fit into Bonds baby sizes and interact well with the camera.

I thought we’d look at the names of the winning babies, as an indication of names used recently.

Phoenix Nate

Isabelle

Xanden

Zia

Thomas James (People’s Choice)

Midweek Sibset: The Gender-Neutral Sibset

06 Wednesday Jul 2011

Posted by A.O. in Sibsets in the News

≈ 5 Comments

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english names, Estonian names, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, locational names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, Nigerian names, surname names, unisex names

There has been an international brouhaha over the decision by Canadian couple Kathy Witterick and David Stocker not to reveal the sex of their baby, Storm. As brother Jazz enjoys wearing pink dresses and pigtails, Kathy and David decided it would be better if their child’s sex remained private to their family to avoid any more societal gender issues.

This story got plenty of media time in Australia, as in other countries, and mostly people were very much against the idea of raising a “genderless baby”. This opinion piece in the The Age says that the parents are selfishly putting their own ideological agenda before their child’s welfare, while more forthright articles suggested the parents’ idea was just absurd.

However, Emma Jane in The Australian was one of those who took a more sympathetic view. She believes that gender stereotyping of babies and toddlers has reached a ridiculous level, where even new-born infants are dressed in either pink frills or solid workmanlike blue.

She dressed her daughter Alice in boy’s clothes and gender-neutral primary colours as a baby, which was declared to be “child abuse” by a concerned onlooker. Now 4 years old, Alice can make her own choices, which, it turns out, means a wardrobe full of pink and girly outfits.

Sydney couple Jay Black and Scott Collins are supporters of Witterick and Stocker’s choice to raise a “genderless child”. (I think Jay and Scott are a female-male couple). Jay and Scott are trying to raise their sons, Poe, 4, and Ilo, 22 months, without gender stereotypes. Their boys have ambiguous haircuts, play with dolls, and are supported if they choose to wear skirts and dresses.

In line with this lack of gender demarcation, Poe and Ilo have been given unusual unisex names.

Poe is a surname, most famous as that of the American Gothic writer, Edgar Allen Poe. His surname is a variant of the early English name Peacock, which began as a nickname for someone who was vain or dandified, or from someone who bred peacocks. In a few cases, it may have come from a house distinguished by the sign of a peacock. Poe Ballantine is an American novelist, while Poe is the stage name of American rock singer Anne Danielewski. Poe is also a raven character in the TV series Ruby Gloom.

Ilo is such a rare name that information on it is scarce, and I have turned to Appellation Mountain to discover that it’s the name of an Estonian goddess dedicated to feasting whose name may mean “pleasure”, and possibly a Nigerian boy’s name meaning “joy”. Sylvia Plath’s teenage diaries rather fervently describe a blonde Estonian refugee called Ilo Pill; he was male, so even in Estonia the name of the goddess seems to have been used for both boys and girls. In addition, Ilo is a lake in North Dakota, USA, and a port town in Peru, so you may take it as a geographic name as well. It’s so neutral that you can’t even tell which country the name is from, or what it means! It can either be pronounced EYE-low, or EE-loh (I believe).

Boys Names from the Top 100 of the 1930s

26 Sunday Jun 2011

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

≈ 18 Comments

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Anglo-Saxon names, animal names, aristocratic names, Arthurian names, Celtic names, classic names, english names, epithets, European name popularity, famous namesakes, fictional namesakes, Gaelic names, German names, germanic names, Greek names, Irish name popularity, Irish names, Latin names, mythological names, name history, name meaning, name popularity, name trends, names from films, names from television, nicknames, Old English names, Old Norse names, retro names, royal names, royal titles, saints names, Scottish names, Slavic names, Spanish names, UK name trends, US name trends, Welsh names

This post was first published on June 26 2011, and substantially revised and updated on June 25 2015.

Alfred
Anglo-Saxon name meaning “elf counsel”. The name became famous due to Alfred the Great, 9th century king of Wessex, who defended England against the Vikings, and was the first to call himself King of the Anglo-Saxons. Renowned for his love of learning, he encouraged education and reformed the legal system. Although not officially a saint, he is regarded as a Christian hero, and has a feast day in the Anglican Church. The name Alfred continued to be used even after the Norman Conquest, when many Anglo-Saxon names were discarded. It dwindled after the Middle Ages, but had a revival in the 19th century, and was chosen as the name of one of Queen Victoria’s sons – an earlier Prince Alfred was the son of King George III, and the current British family trace their ancestry back to Alfred the Great. Alfred is a classic name which has never left the charts. It was #14 in the 1900s, and #50 by the 1930s. Alfred left the Top 100 in the 1950s, and is currently around the 300s, its position apparently fairly stable. Popular in Scandinavia, Alfie, Fred, and Freddie give this venerable classic several cute nickname options.

Brian
Irish name, possibly from the Celtic bre, meaning “hill”, to suggest “high, great, exalted”. In Irish mythology, Brian is one of three brothers who are sent on a worldwide magical quest. In some versions, Brian is the clever one of the three, while his brothers are bumbling and easily pushed around. A famous namesake is Brian Boru, the first High King of Ireland, and founder of the O’Brien dynasty; he made the name common in Ireland. The name Brian was also used in Brittany, and became quite popular in East Anglia, where it was spread by Breton immigrants, and in the north of England, brought over by Scandinavian settlers who had lived in Ireland. It experienced a revival in the early 20th century. Brian is a classic name which has never left the charts. It was #169 in the 1900s, and joined the Top 100 in the 1920s. Peaking in the 1930s and ’40s at #7, Brian didn’t leave the Top 100 until the 1980s – Monty Python’s Life of Brian having turned it into a “joke name” didn’t help its fortunes. However, it’s been reasonably stable for about a decade, and is around the 300s. Brian remains a popular name in Ireland. This is a strong-sounding Irish classic still getting reasonable use.

Colin
Anglicised form of the Scottish name Cailean, meaning “whelp, pup, young dog” in Gaelic. It is also a medieval pet form of Col, short for Nicholas, so it’s an English name as well. Cuilén mac Ildulb was a 10th century King of the Scots, while Sir Colin Campbell (“Colin the Great”) was a 13th century cousin of Robert the Bruce, and one of the earliest known members of the Clan Campbell, ancestor of the Earls of Argyll. The name became traditional in the Campbell family because of him. Colin was #51 in the 1900s, and peaked in the 1930s at #14. It left the Top 100 in the 1980s, and although it stayed in use for many years afterwards, now seems to be quite rare. Colin is a traditional name which has a gentle and slightly poetic feel, and works well in the middle.

Edwin
Modern form of the Anglo-Saxon name Eadwine, meaning “rich friend”. The name was traditional amongst Anglo-Saxon royalty and nobility, with the most famous Edwin being a 7th century king of Northumbria who converted to Christianity; it was said that during his reign, the land was so peaceful that a woman with a new baby could walk across the country without being harmed (it tells you something that this was considered remarkable). He was canonised as a saint after his death. The name Edwin sunk in popularity after the Norman Conquest, but was revived in the 19th century during the Victorian enthusiasm for early English names. Edwin is a classic name which has never left the charts. It was #52 in the 1900s, and #88 by the 1930s. It left the Top 100 in the 1940s, and is currently around the 400s. A good alternative to popular Edward, while still having Eddie, Ed, Ned, and Ted as nicknames.

Frederick
English form of the Germanic name Friduric, translated as “peaceful ruler”; the modern German version is Friedrich. A favourite amongst European royalty, the name was traditional amongst the Holy Roman Emperors, with Frederick I also known as Frederick Barbarossa, meaning “red bearded” in Italian. Descended from two of Germany’s leading royal houses, he is regarded as the greatest of the medieval Holy Roman Emperors. Handsome, charismatic, and courtly, he was ambitious and skilful, greatly increasing Germany’s power base, and bringing back the Roman rule of law. According to medieval legend, he is not dead, but sleeps in a cave, waiting to return Germany to its former greatness. There are also a couple of medieval German saints named Frederick. The name was brought to England by the Normans after the Conquest, but it didn’t catch on. It was revived in the 18th century when the German House of Hanover inherited the British throne; Prince Frederick was the eldest son of King George II. Frederick is a classic name which has never left the charts. It was #8 in the 1900s, and #26 by the 1930s. It left the Top 100 in the 1960s, and sunk to its lowest level in the 1990s, at #459. Since then it has gradually increased in popularity, and is now around the low 200s. A distinguished name with friendly nicknames like Fred and Freddie, Frederick is already popular in the UK.

Ivan
Slavic form of John. A traditional Slavic name, there have been many famous Ivans in history, including six tsars of Russia, and many Croatian and Ukrainian leaders. St Ivan is a legendary hermit from Bohemia, while St Ivan of Rila is the patron saint of Bulgaria. Ivan continues to be a popular name in Eastern Europe, while the Spanish form Iván is popular in Spain and Latin America. Its long-term use in the English-speaking world may come from its similarity to the Welsh form of John, Ifan, so it can be seen as an Anglicised form of the Welsh name. Ivan is a classic name which has never left the charts. It was #117 in the 1900s, peaked in the 1910s at #97, and was #100 in the 1930s. It left the Top 100 in the 1940s and is currently around the low 300s, having been reasonably stable since the 1990s. That makes it a great cross-cultural choice which has remained both familiar and underused.

Lawrence
Variant of Laurence, and the usual surname form of the name. St Lawrence of Rome was a 3rd century Spanish saint who was archdeacon of Rome during a time of Christian persecution. There are many stories and legends about him. One is that he spirited the Holy Grail to Spain, where it remains in Valencia. Another is that the Emperor demanded that Lawrence hand over all the church’s goods. Lawrence hastily distributed everything the poor, then presented the city’s suffering, saying that these were the true treasures of the church. For this act of defiance, he was supposedly martyred by being roasted over a gridiron; after hours of pain, he remarked cheerfully: I’m well done. Turn me over! He is one of the most widely venerated saints, and his tomb a favourite pilgrimage site since the 4th century. Lawrence is a classic name which has never left the charts. It was #67 in the 1900s, peaked at #55 in the 1910s and ’20s, and was #61 in the 1930s. It left the Top 100 in the 1960s, and reached its lowest point in 2010 at #466. Since then it has risen again, and is now in the 200s, outstripping Laurence in popularity. This rugged-sounding classic comes with the nicknames Lawrie and Larry.

Lionel
Medieval pet form of Leon, a Greek name meaning “lion”; it could also be directly from Lion, which was used as a nickname in the Middle Ages. According to Arthurian legend, Sir Lionel was a Breton king, and knight of the Round Table. He features in the Grail Quest, where he is shown to be unworthy of the Grail, and more interested in fighting than the spiritual life. Lionel of Antwerp was a son of King Edward III, and reputedly a giant of a man, almost seven feet tall and of athletic build. It is through him that the House of York claimed the throne of England, and the name was a common one amongst the aristocracy. Lionel was #68 in the 1900s, peaked in the 1910s at #66, and was #73 by the 1930s. It left the Top 100 in the 1950s, and hasn’t charted since the 1980s. The name is rising in both the the UK and US, fitting in well with both popular Leo, and the trend for animal names. Definitely a worthy choice that has too often been overlooked!

Rex
The Latin word for “king”, and the title of the ancient kings of Rome (“Rex Romae“) – according to legend, the first king of Rome was Romulus. The Roman monarchs did not inherit kingship, but were elected to the role, and held absolute power. The word rex is ultimately from an ancient root meaning “to rule”, and it is related to the Sanskrit term Raja, the German word reich, and the English words rich, right, regal, royal, reign, and realm. Rex has been used as a personal name since the 17th century, but only came into common use in the 19th century. Rex was #138 in the 1900s, and entered the Top 100 in the 1920s. Peaking in the 1930s at #74, Rex left the Top 100 in the 1950s. It left the charts in the 1980s, but returned the following decade at #635. It has continued climbing, and is now around the 300s. No wonder Rex is making a comeback – it’s short and snappy, ends in the fashionable X (like Max), and sounds very masculine and confident.

Walter
English form of the ancient Germanic name Walthari, meaning “ruler of the army”. It was brought to England by the Normans and soon replaced its Old English version, Wealdhere. Mythologist Jacob Grimm theorised that the name may have originally been an epithet of one of the Germanic war gods, and be linked to the Norse god Tyr. The name was especially famous in the Middle Ages because of Walter of Aquitaine, a legendary king of the Visigoths; medieval poems tell of his military exploits, fighting one-handed against his foes. He may be based on a 5th century king of Aquitaine, Wallia – his name is probably from the Old Norse for “slaughter”. There is a 12th century English saint called Walter. Walter was #15 in the 1900s, and #46 by the 1930s. It left the Top 100 in the 1950s, and dropped off the charts in the 1990s. However, it made a comeback in 2011 after the hit TV show Breaking Bad aired in Australia, with ailing chemistry teacher turned criminal Walter White played by Bryan Cranston. His name was inspired by the American poet, Walt Whitman, and he is also often known as Walt. His teenage son is Walter White Jr, giving the name a younger image to match Walter Snr’s villainous smarts. Walter is currently around the 500s, and it is yet to be seen whether it continues rising now the show has finished. I hope so, because this retro name now seems fresh and unconventional.

POLL RESULTS
People’s favourite names were Walter, Frederick and Alfred, and their least favourites were Lionel, Ivan and Brian.

(Photo of men doing relief work during the Great Depression in 1933 from the National Library of Australia)

Girls Names from the Top 100 of the 1930s

19 Sunday Jun 2011

Posted by A.O. in Name Themes and Lists

≈ 37 Comments

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This blog post was first published on June 19 2011, and revised and updated on June 12 2015.

Alma
May be derived from the Latin almus, meaning “nourishing” – an epithet given to several Roman goddesses, including Ceres. Alma mater, meaning “nurturing mother”, is a Latin term often used to refer to one’s college or university: it was originally a title given to mother goddesses, and later to the Virgin Mary. The obscure 4th century Romano-British saint Alma Pompea, married to the semi-legendary King Hoel of Brittany, is an early example of the name. The name was given a boost after being used in Sir Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem, The Faerie Queen; he seems to have been influenced by the Renaissance Italian word alma, meaning “soul”. The name became popular in the 19th century, after the Crimean War began with the Battle of Alma, when Anglo-French forces defeated the Russians near the River Alma – the river’s name is from a Tatar word meaning “wild apple”. After this date, babies of both sexes (but mostly girls) were named Alma in honour of the military victory. Alma was #24 in the 1900s, and #97 in the 1930s, leaving the Top 100 the following decade, and the charts in the 1960s. Alma made a mild comeback in 2011, and seems very contemporary, as it has been used in Brokeback Mountain and The Hunger Games. Already popular in Europe, Alma would make an interesting alternative to names such as Amelia, Anna, or Emma.

Audrey
Pet form of the Anglo-Saxon name Etheldreda, meaning “noble strength”; it was the name of a 7th century English princess and saint whose feast day is June 23. It became less common after the Middle Ages, because St Audrey Day Fairs sold low-quality necklaces that were disparagingly called tawdries – which is where we get the word for something cheap and tacky from. Audrey was revived in the 19th century when the Victorians rediscovered many Anglo-Saxon names. The name was already familiar, as Audrey is the simple but honest country girl in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. The Victorians were also in the middle of a Shakespeare revival, so Audrey was a dead cert for a comeback. Audrey was #156 in the 1900s, and peaked in the 1920s at #32. The name was #36 in the 1930s, but plummeted so that it was off the Top 100 by the following decade. It fell to a low of 0 in the 1980s, but climbed after the death of Audrey Hepburn until it reached the Top 100 again in 2008. Once tawdry Audrey now seems charming and stylish, and is currently #44 and climbing.

Elsie
Often said to be a pet form of Elizabeth, but technically a pet form of Elspeth, the Scottish form of the name, and was originally Elspie. The name Elsie can be found in songs and poems dating to the 17th century, and became a 19th century favourite. Elsie was #7 in the 1900s, #59 in the 1930s, and left the Top 100 in the 1940s. Elsie left the charts in the 1970s, but returned in the early 2000s at #731. It joined the Top 100 in 2013 at #91, and last year rose 26 places to #65 – an impressive performance. Sweet and unpretentious, Elsie is very much back in the game.

Hazel
Named for the hedgerow tree or shrub which produces edible nuts; the Celts equated hazelnuts with wisdom and poetic inspiration, and the Druids made staffs from hazel branches. It was considered to be one of the trees belonging to the fairies, and folk tales tell of its ability to protect from evil. Hazel has been used as a personal name since the 17th century, mostly for girls, and became popular in the 19th century when plant names were fashionable. Hazel was #45 in the 1900s, and peaked in the 1910s at #18; by the 1930s it was #55. Hazel left the Top 100 in the 1940s, and the charts by the 1970s, making a return in the late 2000s at #477, after Julia Roberts named her daughter Hazel. Last year Hazel had an outstanding debut as the fastest-rising name of 2014, rising #63 places to #88. One factor must surely be the romantic film The Fault in Our Stars, with its heartbreaking heroine Hazel Lancaster, although there have also been Hazels in the Heroes of Olympus series, and Gossip Girl.

Iris
Greek personification of the rainbow who served as messenger to the gods, and linked them to humanity. The name literally means “rainbow”, which is where the colourful iris flower got its name from – and the colourful irises in our eyes. Irises were used in the Middle Ages as a symbol of monarchy, as the fleur-de-lis pattern depicts. Religious pictures from the medieval period show the Virgin Mary holding an iris to symbolise purity and chastity. Filled with meaning and associations, the name was used by the 19th century British aristocracy for both females and males (because the Greeks called the iris flower a “hyacinth”, and Hyacinth was a male name), but quickly became used by all classes, and nearly always for girls. Iris was #62 in the 1900s, and peaked in the 1910s at #31; it was #72 by the 1930s. Iris left the Top 100 in the 1940s, and left the charts in the 1970s, although it returned in the 1980s at #748. Off the charts in the 1990s, Iris came back in the early 2000s at #551, and is now around the mid-200s and apparently stable. Almost always on the charts, Iris manages to be a “normal” name that is still underused. Hip and artistic, it has slightly dark or even punk undertones. It’s a floral name with a bit of bite.

Josephine
Anglicised form of Joséphine, a pet form of Joséphe, a French feminine form of Joseph; by the 19th century Joséphine had become the standard form of the name. It has been used by several of the royal houses of Europe, and is famous as the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and thus the first Empress of the French. Joséphine was born Marie Joséphe, so it was the pet form of her middle name. Classic Josephine has always been on the charts. It was #86 in the 1900s, peaked in the 1910s at #76, and by the 1930s was #78. It left the Top 100 in the 1940s, and sunk to its lowest level in 2011 at #199, so it has never been out of the 200s. In 2012 it made an appearance again in the Top 100 at #93 after the birth of Princess Josephine, the daughter of Australian-born Princess Mary of Denmark, but has since stabilised into its usual place around the mid-100s. Josephine is a solid stayer with royal blood whose nicknames range from the sensible Jo to the cute Josie to the tomboy Joey to the froufrou Fifi to the cool Joss.

Joy
Refers to the emotion of extreme happiness and gladness. It was originally a Puritan virtue name dating from the 16th century, referring to rejoicing for the salvation of God – perhaps most famous from the hymn, Joy to the World, now often used as a Christmas carol. In fact, joy and Christmas have become so entwined that you could even see Joy as a name suitable for a baby born around late December. However, the name Joy has become secularised, and often linked to the joyful experience of welcoming a child into the world: babies have even been called “bundles of joy”. Joy entered the charts in the 1910s at #205, and was in the Top 100 by the following decade. It peaked in the 1930s and ’40s at #60, and left the Top 100 in the 1960s. Joy reached its lowest point in the 1990s at #802, but then increased slightly in popularity, and was stable in the 500s for some time. Its current position is not known for sure, but is in at least occasional use. Quite common in the middle position, Joy is a strong, simple name with a beautiful meaning, and the current trend for virtue names mean that it would be refreshing to see it up front.

Lillian
Most likely a pet form of Elizabeth dating to the Middle Ages: there is a medieval Scottish ballad about a lady named Lillian. The name became greatly more popular in the 19th century, to the point where it could be seen as another Victorian revival of a medieval name, and may have been understood as an elaboration of Lily, which also became fashionable in the 19th century as a flower name. Lillian is a classic name which has never left the charts. It was #35 in the 1900s, reached #86 by the 1930s, and left the Top 100 in the 1940s. It reached its lowest point in the 1970s at #562, and then climbed steeply, following in the footsteps of Lily, until it reached the Top 100 again in 2008 at #81. It is currently #86, so its position is stable. However, the high number of Lilys and Lillys (not to mention the Laylas and Lolas) mean that lovely Lillian may feel almost too on trend for some.

Marie
French form of Maria: in France it has sometimes used for males, especially as a middle name, but in English-speaking countries is almost always feminine. The name often reminds people of Queen Marie Antoinette, whose first two baptismal names were Maria Antonia – she was Austrian by birth. In the Middle Ages, Marie was commonly used in England, and predates the use of Mary. The medieval poet Marie de France lived and worked in England, possibly at the court of King Henry II – it is even thought that she may have been Henry’s own half-sister. The traditional English pronunciation of the name was MAH-ree (still used in the 20th century), but it is now usually said muh-REE. A name never out of common use for centuries, Marie was #71 in the 1900s, and peaked in the 1930s at #11 – perhaps Irving Berling’s hit song Marie, sung by Rudy Vallee, was an influence on its success at this time. Marie left the Top 100 in the 1960s, and fell off the charts in 2011. It is now only in occasional use, although a common middle name. Marie is still popular in Europe, and this is a pretty, traditional name that still seems very wearable.

Olive
English form of the Roman name Oliva, which refers to both the olive tree and its fruit. There is a legendary Italian martyr called Saint Oliva, known as Blessed Olive. The Crusaders introduced the name Olive to England in the 12th century; returning from the Holy Land, they often gave their children names of Biblical import in honour of their religious duty. Olives play a major role in the Bible, from the dove bringing an olive branch to Noah after the Flood, to Christ ascending to Heaven from the Mount of Olives. It was a name used for both males and females, and in fact I have seen a baby boy named Olive in the past few years – but overall Olive has been more common for girls. Olive became popular in the 19th century, along with other plant names. Olive was #26 in the 1900s, and was #73 by the 1930s. It left the Top 100 in the 1940s, and was off the charts by the 1960s. It returned in the late 2000s, after Australian actress Isla Fisher chose the name Olive for her eldest daughter. After a smooth rise, Olive joined the Top 100 in 2012, debuting at #94. It is currently #76, so rising sedately rather than steeply. Buoyed by the success of Olivia and Oliver, and with a V in the middle like other popular names, Olive should continue to do well.

POLL RESULTS
People’s favourite names were Hazel, Iris and Josephine, and their least favourites were Joy, Marie and Alma.

(Painting is Moira Madden, later Moira Hallenstein by Arthur Challen (1937); from the State Library of Victoria.

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