Morris
July 7, 2015 § Leave a comment
ORIGIN:
Medieval English variation of “Maurice”; ultimately from Latin, meaning “dark-skinned”.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Maurey, Mauri, Maurice, Mauricio, Maurie, Mauritius, Maurits, Mauritz, Maurizio, Mauro, Maurus, Maury, Maurycy, Meuric, Meurig, Mo, Moe, Morey, Moric, Moris, Moriz, Morr, Morrie, Morrissey, Morrison, Morry, Morse, Mory, Moss, Muirie, Muiris, etc.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Morris Snezak, co-owner (with his wife, Anna) of AnaMor Towers apartments, in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
Aaron
July 7, 2015 § 1 Comment
ORIGIN:
From the Hebrew name “Aharon”, possibly meaning “light” or “mountain”; or perhaps of Egyptian origin, meaning unknown.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Aaren, Aharon, Aran, Arin, Aron, Arran, Arrin, Arron, Eran, Erin, Eron, Haroon, Haroun, Harun, etc.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Aaron Hassan, Susan’s older brother in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
Gabe
June 11, 2015 § Leave a comment
ORIGIN:
Shortened version of “Gabriel”, from the Hebrew “Gavri’el”, meaning “man of God” or “God is my strength”.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Cebrail, Dzhabrail, Gabby, Gabey, Gabi, Gabie, Gabor, Gabriel, Gabriele, Gabrien, Gavrail, Gavrel, Gavriel, Gavril, Gavriil, Havryil, Jabrel, Jibril, etc.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Gabe Shaine, Rosie’s younger brother, a librarian who moves in to help raise Lily, in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
WRITERS:
– Gabe Hudson (b. 1971), American educator, novelist and writer.
Curly
June 11, 2015 § Leave a comment
ORIGIN:
Unknown; possibly a nickname for someone with curly hair, or perhaps derived from the Gaelic last name “Curley”, ultimately meaning “in the shape of the god of thunder”.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Curley, Curlie, Kerley.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Curly, a local tennis champ who dates Lily’s mother, Rosie, in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
Rosie
June 10, 2015 § 3 Comments
ORIGIN:
Alternate spelling of “Rosey ” / “Rosy“; diminutive of “Rose“, “Rosa“, names beginning with “Ros-“, etc.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Rohese, Rohesia, Ros, Rosa, Rosabel, Rosaleen, Rosalie, Rosalind, Rosaline, Rosamond, Rosamonde, Rosamund, Rosanne, Rose, Roselin, Roselind, Rosella, Roselle, Rosemond, Rosemund, Rosetta, Rosette, Rosey, Rosina, Rosine, Rosita, Roslyn, Rosy, Royse, Roz, Roza, Rozelle, Rozie, Rozy, etc.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Rosie Pearl, Lily’s adored mother in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
WRITERS:
– Rosie Boycott (b. 1951), English activist and journalist.
– Rosie Harris (b. 1925), pen name of Welsh romance author Marion Rose Harris.
– Rosie Malek-Yonan (b. 1965), Assyrian activist, actress, author, and director.
– Rosie O’Donnell (b. 1962), American actress, author, comedian, and media personality.
– Rosie Rushton (b. 1946), English novelist and non-fiction writer.
– Rosie Scott (b. 1948), Australian-New Zealander novelist.
– Rosie Thomas (b. 1947), pen name of Welsh journalist and romance author Janey King.
– Rosie Goldschmidt (R.G.) Waldeck (1898-1982), German-American author also known as “Rosa Waldeck”.
Susan
June 10, 2015 § 6 Comments
ORIGIN:
An English variation of “Susanna”, from the Hebrew “Shoshannah”, meaning “lily” or “rose”.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Sanna, Sanne, Sawsan, Shoshana, Shoshannah, Sooki, Sookie, Sooky, Sousanna, Su, Sue, Susana, Susanita, Susann, Susanna, Susannah, Susanne, Suse, Susey, Susi, Susie, Susy, Sukey, Suki, Sukie, Suzan, Suzana, Suzann, Suzanna, Suzannah, Suzanne, Suze, Suzelle, Suzette, Suzey, Suzi, Suzie, Suzy, Zana, Zanna, Zooey, Zooie, Zsazsa, Zsuzsa, Zsuzsanna, Zsuzsi, Zsuzsu, Zu, Zula, Zuza, Zuzana, Zuzanka, Zuzanna, Zuzi, Zuzia, Zuzka, Zuzu, etc.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Susan Hassan, one of Lily’s best friends, and a natural enemy of her other best friend, Diana, in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
WRITERS:
– Susan Coolidge (1835-1905), pen name of American children’s book writer Sarah Chauncey Woolsey.
– Susan Glaspell (1876-1948), American actress, journalist, novelist, and playwright.
– Susan Eloise (S.E.) Hinton (b. 1948), American children’s book writer, novelist, and screenwriter.
QUOTATIONS:
– From the popular ballad “Black Ey’d Susan, or Sweet William’s Farewell“, by John Gay, first published in 1730: “The noblest captain in the British fleet, / Might envy William’s lips those kisses sweet. / ‘O Susan, Susan, lovely dear, / My vows shall ever true remain; / Let me kiss off that falling tear, / We only part to meet again. / Change, as ye list, ye winds; my heart shall be / The faithful compass that still points to thee. / ‘Believe not what the landsmen say, / Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind: / . . . ‘If to far India’s coast we sail, / Thy eyes are seen in diamonds bright, / Thy breath is Afric’s spicy gale, / Thy skin is ivory, so white. / Thus every beauteous object that I view, / Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue. / ‘Though battle call me from thy arms, / Let not my pretty Susan mourn; / Though cannons roar, yet safe from harms, / William shall to his dear return.’”
Nan
June 9, 2015 § 2 Comments
ORIGIN:
Diminutive of “Ann” / “Anne“, or shortened version of “Nancy“.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Ann, Anne, Annie, Anny, Nainsi, Nancie, Nancy, Nana, Nance, Nandag, Nanette, Nanice, Nanine, Nannie, Nanny, Nanse, Nansi, Nansie, Nansy, Nenci, Nensi, Neske, Nest, Nesta, Nina, Ninette, Ninon, Nona, Nonna, etc.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Nan Duval, Diana’s younger sister, who lost an eye in a dart accident, in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
QUOTATIONS:
– From The Merry Wives of Windsor (1602), Act IV scene 4, by William Shakespeare: “My Nan shall be the Queen of all the fairies, / Finely attired in a robe of white.”
WRITERS:
– Nan Agle (1905-2006), American children’s book writer.
– Nan Chauncy (1900-1970), Anglo-Australian children’s book writer.
– Nan Cohen (b. 1968), American poet.
– Nan Fairbrother (1913-1971), English lecturer and writer.
– Nan McDonald (1921-1974), Australian editor and poet.
– Nan C. Robertson (1926-2009), American author, educator, and journalist.
– Nan (Anna) Shepherd (1893-1981), Scottish novelist and poet.
– Nan Bentzen Skille (b. 1945), Norwegian biographer and editor.
Most Popular Boys Names Since 1960
November 15, 2014 § Leave a comment
A Wondrous GIF Shows The Most Popular Baby Names For Boys (By U.S. State) Since 1960:
“Social Security Administration data visualized in the most lovely way possible.“
1960: David, James, John, Michael, and Robert
1961-65: David, James, John, and Michael
1966-67: David, James, and Michael (wow, the 1960s really knew how to mix things up!)
1968: James, John, and Michael
1969: James and Michael
1970: David, James, and Michael
1971: James, Jason, John, and Michael (way to go, North Dakota, trying to shake things up a bit!)
1972-74: Chris, James, Jason, and Michael
1975-76: James, Jason, and Michael
1977-79: Chris, James, Jason, and Michael (alright, Alabama, bringin’ “Chris” back!)
1980: Chris, James, Jason, and Michael (these names are on a serious roll!)
1981: Chris, James, Joshua, Matthew, and Michael
1982: Chris, Joshua, Matthew, and Michael
1983-84: Chris, Matthew, and Michael
1985-86: Chris, Joshua, Matthew, and Michael
1987: Andrew, Chris, Joshua, Matthew, and Michael (Nebraska, you little rebel!)
1988: Chris, Joshua, Justin, Matthew, and Michael
1989: Chris, Joshua, Matthew, Michael
1990: Chris, Jacob, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and Tyler
1991: Chris, Jacob, Joshua, Michael, and Tyler
1992: Chris, Jacob, Joshua, Michael, Nicholas, and Tyler (I see what you did there, Maine!)
1993: Chris, Jacob, James, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and Tyler
1994-95: Austin, Chris, Daniel, Jacob, James, Joshua, Michael, Tyler and William
1996: Austin, Chris, Daniel, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, Nicholas, Tyler, and William
1997: Austin, Chris, Daniel, Jacob, James, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, Nicholas, and William
1998: Austin, Daniel, Jacob, James, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and William
1999: Daniel, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, Tyler, and William
2000: Daniel, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and William
2001: Anthony, Daniel, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and William (now Nevada’s trying to stand out from the crowd)
2002: Anthony, Daniel, Ethan, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, Nicholas, and William
2003: Anthony, Daniel, Ethan, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, and William
2004: Anthony, Daniel, Ethan, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Michael, Ryan, and William (and Delaware finds a way to buck the trends!)
2005: Angel, Anthony, Daniel, Ethan, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Matthew, Michael, Ryan, and William (this time Arizona introduces a fresh name)
2006: Angel, Anthony, Daniel, Ethan, Jacob, Jose, Joshua, Logan, Matthew, Michael, Noah, Ryan, and William (ooh, both Hawaii and North Dakota taking a stand!)
2007: Aiden, Angel, Anthony, Daniel, Ethan, Jacob, James, Jose, Joshua, Logan, Matthew, Michael, Noah, and William (ah, bit of fresh air from Alaska, there!)
2008: Alexander, Anthony, Carter, Daniel, Ethan, Isaiah, Jacob, James, Jayden, Jose, Michael, Ryan, and William
2009: Aiden, Alexander, Anthony, Daniel, Ethan, Jacob, Jayden, Jose, Logan, Michael, Noah, Ryan, William, and Wyatt
2010: Alexander, Elijah, Jacob, James, Jayden, Logan, Mason, Michael, Noah, Owen, Samuel, and William
2011: Alexander, Anthony, Carter, Jacob, Jayden, Liam, Mason, Michael, Noah, and William
2012: Alexander, Benjamin, Elijah, Ethan, Jacob, James, Jayden, Liam, Mason, Michael, Noah, and William
Most Popular Girls Names Since 1960
November 15, 2014 § Leave a comment
A Wondrous GIF Shows The Most Popular Baby Names For Girls (By U.S. State) Since 1960:
“Social Security Administration data visualized in the most lovely way imaginable”
1960: Donna, Julie, Karen, Lisa, Lori, Mary, and Susan
1961: Brenda, Lisa, Lori, Mary, and Susan
1962: Lisa, Lori, Mary, and Susan
1963-64: Lisa, Mary (way to branch out, people of the 1960s!)
1965: Lisa. (That’s it. Just “Lisa”. Most popular name in every state.)
1966: Lisa and Mary (ooh, Hawaii, you little rebel!)
1967: Lisa, Mary, and Michelle (Colorado throwing a curve ball)
1968: Angela, Lisa, and Michelle (this time it’s Louisiana trying to be unique)
1969: Angela, Jennifer, Kimberly, Lisa, and Michelle (now Utah and Alabama are breaking away from the pack!)
1970: Angela, Jennifer, Lisa, Kimberly, and Michelle
1971: Angela, Jennifer, and Michelle
1972: Angela, Jennifer, and Melissa (guess West Virginia wanted a different “M” name?)
1973-78: Jennifer. (And now we know why schools in the 1980s were so full of Jennifers.)
1979: Amanda and Jennifer
1980-81: Amanda, Jennifer, and Jessica
1982: Jennifer and Jessica
1983: Amanda, Ashley, Jennifer, and Jessica.
1984: Ashley, Jennifer, Jessica
1985-88: Amanda, Ashley, and Jessica (and just like that, “Jennifer” was over.)
1989: Amanda, Ashley, Brittany, and Jessica
1990: Ashley, Brittany, and Jessica
1991-92: Amanda, Ashley, Jessica, and Sarah (New Hampshire, bringing in some fresh blood!)
1993: Ashley, Emily, Jessica, Samantha, and Sarah.
1994: Ashley, Emily, Jessica, Megan, Samantha, and Taylor
1995: Ashley, Brittany, Emily, Jessica, Samantha, Sarah, and Taylor
1996-98: Alexis, Ashley, Emily, Hannah, Jessica, Madison, Samantha, and Taylor
1999: Alexis, Emily, Hannah, Madison, Samantha, and Taylor
2000: Alexis, Emily, Hannah, Kayla, and Madison (Hawaii being the odd one out again!)
2001: Alexis, Ashley, Emily, Hannah, Madison, and Taylor
2002: Alexis, Emily, Emma, Hannah, Kayla, and Madison
2003: Alexis, Emily, Emma, Hannah, and Madison
2004: Alyssa, Ashley, Emily, Emma, and Madison (this time New Mexico’s the rebel)
2005: Alyssa, Emily, Emma, Madison, and Olivia
2006: Ava, Emily, Emma, Isabella, Madison, and Mia (guess Arizona was feeling left out of the “not like the others” loop)
2007: Addison, Ava, Emily, Emma, Isabella, Madison, Olivia, and Sophia (this time Rhode Island bucks the trend!)
2008: Ava, Chloe, Emily, Emma, Isabella, Madison, and Olivia (looks like Hawaii really dares to be different)
2009: Addison, Ava, Emma, Isabella, Madison, and Olivia
2010-11: Ava, Emma, Isabella, Madison, Olivia, and Sophia
2012: Ava, Emma, Isabella, Olivia, and Sophia
Lily
November 15, 2014 § 5 Comments
ORIGIN:
From the lily flower, a symbol of purity. Sometimes used as a diminutive of “Lillian” or “Elizabeth“, etc.
VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Lil, Lili, Lillie, Lilly, etc.
REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Lily Fisher, Thea’s rival in Moonstone, in The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather (written in 1915 and set in the 1890s).
– Lily Hiles, the amiable and generous proprietor of Newton’s only restaurant, in Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt (1964; set during the American Civil War, 1861-1865).
– Lily Pearl (sometimes also known as “Lily Moore” and “Lily Shaine”, and called “D” or “Doll” by her uncles), the young girl whose family life is recounted in Sleeping Arrangements, by Laura Cunningham (published 1989, set in the 1950s).
WRITERS:
– Lily L. Allen (1867-1952), Irish author and missionary.
– Lily Braun (1865-1916), German activist and author.
– Lily Brett (b. 1946), German-Australian essayist, novelist, and poet.
– Lily Brown (b. 1981), American poet.
– Lily Dougall (1858-1923) Canadian activist and author.
– Lily Goddard (1916-2002), Austrian author and designer.
– Lily Koppel (b. 1981), American novelist and nonfiction author.
– Lily Ross Taylor (1886-1969), American academic and author.
– Lily Tuck (b. 1938), American novelist and short story writer.
The Art of Literary Nomenclature 