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Showing posts from November, 2023

Declan

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During the fifth century, there was an Irish saint from Munster who served as a missionary and founded what was once the Ardmore Cathedral. Today, it is named after the saint himself: St. Declan's Monastery. Declan, an anglicization of Old Irish Deaglán  meaning "full of goodness," entered regular usage among English-speakers several centuries after the saint lived. Its establishment as an English name began in the nineteenth century. Declan did not enter regular usage until the 1940s, though; it peaked during the late twentieth century in England, Scotland, and Ireland.  As an American name, Declan was first used at least five boys in 1951. It entered the top 1000 in 1998 and has been a top 200 name since 2011. Declan ranked among the top 100 once in 2019, too.  Declan has recently been popular in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand as well as peaking in Northern Ireland in the early 2000s.  The name has declined since its 2019 peak, but at a slow pace. If Declan declines

Hazel

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In the Northern Hemisphere, there is a common broadleaf tree. It produces nuts with a certain shade of brown. The tree and nut have one name in common: Hazel. The nature name, which derives from the Old English hæsel , has been in sparing use as a unisex name between the late 1700s and early 1800s. It became a common feminine name alongside Myrtle and Olive in the late Victorian Era. Hazel was a top 100 American name between 1886 and 1936, peaking in the top 20 in 1897.  Hazel was popular in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand around the same time as its American run. However, it did not enter the British top 100 until 1924. It remained popular in England and Wales until 1954, making it more retro over there.  As Hazel declined in popularity, pop culture reminded the public of its dated sound. A comic strip featuring a troubled housekeeper by the name and Witch Hazel from Looney Tunes did the job.  Hazel dropped out of the American top 1000 in 1976. It began its revival when it reentere