Patches of Names

For Broadway musical fans, Show Boat became the first show with an integrated black cast in the late 1920s. Like many Golden Age musicals, it was a "show within a show"; the actor performing in many of these shows was the protagonist: the sailor's daughter Magnolia "Nolie" Hawks. Magnolia, of course, did not begin its history with Show Boat . It began as a flower named for botanist Pierre Magnol. As a first name, Magnolia emerged as part of the Victorian trend for nature names.  During its run, Magnolia was never popular. It ranked most years between 1880 and 1940, only peaking in the 400s in 1909. Since Edna Ferber first wrote the book that inspired Show Boat  in 1926, the musical had no influence on Magnolia's usage. Why, then, does Magnolia sound slightly old-fashioned? It might have to do with the "ol-a" sound that was common during the 1800s and early 1900s: think Lola, Nola, Leola.  Or else, it could be the flower's association with the A

Over two years ago, I created a post in which I defined vintage names. My idea for the true definition has since evolved, so I am writing an updated post. When name experts talk about vintage names, they usually refer to names that were last popular 100 years ago and are ready for revival. That is the basic idea of a vintage name: a name reminiscent of one's grandparents or great-grandparents.  However, the category would be too broad if all names that were popular in 1924 count. Besides, vintage is a style, not merely a status. Classifying a name as vintage does not necessarily rely on the numbers. Of course, a vintage name must have been in consistent use during our great-grandparents' age or earlier. As Laura Watternberg wrote in her Namerology article about "new traditional" names in May 2022, "Names have their own history and culture." The definition applies to all kinds of traditional names, including vintage ones. Hence, a name from a classic novel or

In the Old Testament, Ruth married a man and had sons, all of whom died suddenly. She then followed her mother-in-law to a new land, where she remarried. As many Jews and Christians know, Ruth's mother-in-law had the name of Naomi. Naomi is a Hebrew name meaning "pleasantness," which coincidentally describes Ruth's relationship with her; following her mother-in-law led to a better life. Because of the Biblical figure, Naomi has long been a popular choice among Jews. As with many Biblical names, though, Naomi has yet to become a common name among English-speaking Christians. Naomi entered widespread English-speaking use around the Protestant Reformation, which established the Bible as the sole source of authority from God. It appeared in the England top 100 in the early Victorian era, but it dropped out by 1860. Naomi remained a top 200 choice into 1900. As an American name, Naomi has ranked among the top 400 most years since 1880. It was a top 200 choice between 1893

As parents experiment with more unique and unconventional names, timeless classics are getting the stigma of being "boring." According to the Social Security Administration, only 66.88% of girls and 71.37% of boys have received a name within the top 1000, the lowest point since 2013 (and possibly their lowest point in American history). Classic names have their benefit, though. They may not sound exciting, but they ensure a sense of consistency. Besides, several classics, especially those in the revival stage, are on the rise. Here are some examples from within the top 250: Arthur This kingly name has an old-fashioned charm along with centuries of consistent use. It is making its way back to the top 100. Esther Esther has a built-in Biblical role model for girls, making the classic perfect for our feminist age.  Leo This simple but powerful name, having leading namesakes and representing a lion, has won over parents' hearts the same way it did in the late Victorian age. 

With the first week of 2024 being nearly over, it is time to list 24 names-12 girls' names and 12 boys' names-within the top 1000 that are most likely to rise in 2024 based on current trends and/or pop culture influences.  12 Girls' Names: Aurelia Amelia and Aurora have both been on the rise lately, motivating Aurelia to do the same. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerburg also have a baby daughter with the name. Clover Clover, having a similar modern natural vibe to Willow, also mixes the sounds of neoclassic Chloe, the middle "v" of Evelyn, and the "er" ending of Harper. Plus, Meghan McCain and Ben Domenech's nearly one-year-old daughter is Clover Jade. Estella Stella has been back for a while now; the equally vintage but more elaborate Estella is catching up. In her 2021 titular film, Disney villain Cruella reinforces her birth name's glamorous style. Florence British actor Florence Pugh (I'm using gender-neutral language here) has been rising