Spotted: Cheerleader Names
The ApMtn team took a long weekend to escort the resident 3 y.o. to Disney World. If you haven’t been, Disney is a name-spotting paradise. In fact, the logical post-Disney post was one about the fabulous exotic names of Epcot employees. (In Chefs de France - Ludovic, Olivier and Manon; at the Morocco Kidcot Craft Spot: Sanaa.)
But by a funny twist of fate, the weekend was dominated not by foreign names, but by quintessentially American ones. Yes, dear reader, ApMtn was at Disney the exact same weekend as the National All Star Cheerleading Championship.
Because cheerleaders have an alarming tendency to wear their names embroidered on jackets, backpacks and uniforms - and because they travel in large, color-coordinated packs - it was impossible to miss them.
And, we must say, we didn’t spot a single cheerleader with a classic name like Eleanor.
Instead, the following were spotted, each embroidered in red, purple or silver:
- Madison, Madasyn and Madisyn
- Ashlee and Ashley
- Mackenzi
- Alissa
- Sierra
- Alexa, Lexi and Alexis
- Kayla and Kaylee
- Kimmie
- Meagan
- Maggie
- Taylor
- Katelyn
- Linsey
- Makenna and Mckenna
Alright, so Maggie may have been short for the elegant Margaret. But overall, the names were precisely those that you’d expect to be worn by a cheerleader: peppy and a bit lightweight.
Lest you think that ApMtn lacks school spirit, let it be said that cheerleading is, indeed, a sport. The grace, precision, athletic ability and flat-out guts required to pull off their routines is staggering.
But it’s easy to miss that, what with the streetwalker eye make-up and little girl hair bows threaded through corkscrew curls. It’s a funny mix of conflicting hyper-feminine elements, and the names bear out that girlier-than-thou flavor.
Of course, plenty of chaperones were in evidence, too, and while they were less likely to wear their names on their sleeves, odds are that among them were Cindy and Deb, Jenny and Tracy - the alumnae squad. If you grew up in Pom-Pomerania, maybe it is perfectly logical to name your daughter accordingly.
But the names struck us as terribly unsophisticated. We won’t go so far as to call it a rule, but perhaps a warning.
If the name will look just right embroidered in lavender thread on a black satin jacket, it’s best avoided.
Filed under: Don't Go There, Names for Girls, Spotted |
Tags: Alexis, Kaylee, Eleanor, Margaret, Ludovic, Olivier, Manon, Sanaa, Madison, Madasyn, Madisyn, Ashlee, Ashley, Mackenzi, Alissa, Sierra, Alexa, Lexi, Kayla, Kimmie, Meagan, Maggie, Taylor, Katelyn, Linsey, Makenna, Mckenna
Ugh, that’s really gross.
I knew a girl who did cheerleading named December, but that was as close to ‘classic’ as I can think of for cheerleader names. Why would you name a girl something that’s so cutesy? The only names I can remotely deal with up there are Maggie, Meagan, and Makenna. I have a soft spot for Makenna, that’s why my mom’s dog is named that.
I just love Meagan myself
http://www.ultimateguidetocheerleading.com
I would likely never let my daughter be a cheerleader unless she pleaded a really great case, and I name accordingly.
Terrific post.
-Elisabeth http://www.youcantcallitit.com
Hear, hear! When a friend of mine named his daughter Maeve, he quipped, “Yeah, well, we decided NOT to assume she’d be a pop star.”
I think it’s a sound baby naming strategy, especially if you amend his list to include pop star, cheerleader and/or exotic dancer.
Interestingly, in 2007, about as many girls were called Maeve (475) as Britney (524). It’s too soon to say that the national taste level is going up - there were also 6,689 Nevaehs - but one can hope.
Hey, I’m Laura and I was a cheerleader for years (pop warner football, jr varsity grammar scool all the way through college) and I have the knees, ankles & toes to prove it! (and my Lola worked well there, too)
Not all of us get cutsey names but we cope well. I figure if my daughter ever decides to become a cheerleader, i can at least warn her of the dangers & she can use her Fifi nickname. It’s suitably lightweight!(not that I’d keep her from doing what she wanted, but honestly? i’m hoping for an AV geek (like her Papa!) 
I did a bit of cheerleading and a bit of drill team in high school. It was simply a fun athletic activity for me. I wasn’t into “the lifestyle”, but I am from the football worshipping South where most girls, even ‘nerds’ like me, dream of being some part of the Friday night festivities. I encounter many of the names you mentioned here in the South, as well. I did love reading your outlook on it! Honestly, a secret part of me drools a little bit to think of seeing a name like Helena or Lavinia in purple letters on one of the cheerleading lockers in the locker room! Why not? I suppose it doesn’t happen often, though, and I’m not sure I’d be able to stomach all that eye make-up on my own daughter.