Name of the Day: Enid
Is she hopelessly musty or an undiscovered gem?
Thanks to Sara for suggesting Enid as Name of the Day.
Unlike Gertrude or Mildred, Enid was never popular. You might have a Great Aunt Enid, but even in her peak year – 1920 – she was bestowed upon just 216 newborns. She’s been out of the US rankings entirely since 1954.
If fellow 1920s favorites like Alice and Ruby are ready for revival, why not Enid?
The Welsh eneit meant purity or soul. As a name, Enid first appears in Arthurian legend, where she’s the wife of a knight named Geraint. After they wed, Enid’s groom frets that his commitment to noble work is compromised by his marriage. Geraint announces he’s undertaking a perilous journey. Enid insists on riding shotgun, and proves her loyalty – as well as demonstrating that he can be a hero and a husband. Chrétien de Troyes called the pair Erec and Enide. Alfred, Lord Tennyson included their story in Idylls of the King.
The most notable bearer is twentieth century childrens author Enid Blyton, creater of Noddy, a little wooden resident of Toyland. You can see him on TV around the world. While some of her other works have not aged as gracefully, she’s still among the most-translated authors of all time. (Blyton comes in behind Agatha Christie, but comfortably ahead of Charles Dickens.)
There’s also:
- Writer Enid Bagnold, author of National Velvet;
- Silent movie star Enid Bennett, remembered for her 1922 role as Maid Marian opposite Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood;
- Character actress Enid Kent is best remembered as Nurse Bigelow on M*A*S*H;
- Enid Lyons was the wife of Prime Minister of Australia, Joseph Lyons, and later became the first woman elected to the Australian House of Representatives.
A number of more recent uses that might make Enid attractive to modern parents:
- Today’s expectant mothers probably grew up reading the Sweet Valley High series of tween/teen soap-operas-in-novella form, centered on twin sisters Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. Enid and Liz were BFFs for most of the series’ 181 books, as well as prequels, sequels and the television series;
- The Barenaked Ladies recorded “Enid” back in 1992. I don’t know the backstory, but it seems like a sweet little tale of first love – and first heartbreak;
- A minor character in Marvel Comics’ Fantastic Four series wears the name;
- Cult classic comic Ghost World is about friends Enid Coleslaw and Rebecca Doppelmeyer. No superheros here – it is something of a Catcher in the Rye, updated for the 1990s, with Enid as Holden. In a 2001 big screen adaptation, Thora Birch played Enid, with Scarlett Johannson as Rebecca;
- Back to Enid Blyton at the end – Helena Bonham Carter played the author in a recent biopic for BBC.
Enid also sounds quite close to the quickly-rising spiritual/geographic/starbaby pick Eden, though stylistically they’re miles apart.
If you worry that Hazel and Esther no longer seem daring, Enid might be unusual enough to satisfy. She’s granny chic and, especially with that Ghost World reference, has plenty of indie cred.
And still, Enid feels like slightly more of a stretch than some other unusual choices. Perhaps she’s too frills free. I leave it to you, dear readers – would Enid work on a daughter in 2009?
Filed under: Literary Babes, Myths & Legends, Names for Girls, Names of the Day | 18 Comments
Tags: Agatha, Alice, Charles, Eden, Enid, Enide, Esther, Gertrude, Hazel, Helena, Holden, Marian, Mildred, Ruby
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Of course my mind went right to Sweet Valley High. Not only is the name Enid fusty on its own, but paired with the fact that her character is dull, dull, dull, the name is just, um, it’s just not even close to ever being on a list of mine ever, ever, ever.
Ack, definitely not, I think! I remember the Enid from SVH, and she had about as much personality as a bowl of oatmeal. BLECH to Enid. Interesting story behind the name, though.
I think Enid would work great for a newborn! I like her better than Edith.
I think it’s about time to dust it off.
Enid sounds hip to me, but I think that’s purely due to Ghost World. I approve of it, partly because it doesn’t have a traditional girly ending or meaning. Plus, it’s uncommon but easily recognizable. On the other hand, names ending in a syllable with a short ‘i’ sound – Iris, Judith, etc. – sound kind of insectlike to me… maybe because of insect names like mantis and katydid.
The name Ethne seems similar to Enid; I’d love to see that as Name of the Day sometime.
Enid makes me think of the Barenaked Ladies song:
Enid we never really knew each other
anyway
I do kinda like it in a weird way, but could never bring myself to use. It still has a harsh, naggish sound to me, but its one of those names that if I knew someone by this name or if someone else used it for their child, it might grow on.
I think Enid’s got a heap of offbeat charm. Of course, I’d happily name my next monkey Edith, but I can see Enid on maybe a newborn circa 2011. Short, kind of clunky but in an entirely charming sort of way. Enid’s got a warm, cosy kind of feel to me. I can definitely see Enid appealing to a certain kind of literary geek, Enid Blyton will always be my first assocation in any case.
On Sex and the City, Enid was also the name of Carrie’s boss at Vogue, played by Candice Bergen.
Enid Blyton is my association too, and I must admit that I am a fan. However, while I like the name, it cannot replace Edith’s special place in my heart.
Oh, Sweet Valley High! Now the show is playing in my head! Enid was pretty boring, but at least she was nice.
I think Enid is pretty bland. I can see it on an American baby with foreign-born parents, but on anyone else it would seem a very strange choice, to me.
Enid just seems so quintessentially old lady to me (despite it’s rare nature among the older set, apparently). Beyond that, I find it so clipped and forced that it doesn’t hold quite the lyrical charm I find appealing in most girl names (and I don’t mean frill or fuss, just a simple prettiness).
Strange, though, that I find Edith more appealing and the two seem to share the same feeling and sound.
I love Enid. She’s one of the old ladies that I would like to see make a comeback. I see her as Ingrid’s offbeat cousin. Although admittedly, she hasn’t made my list.
Along Holey’s line of thinking, I believe it sounds like a great name for a louse or tick. The prominent -nid doesn’t do anything for me.
I feel like I should like it but I cannot.
Yes, feels like I should like it too, but I don’t think I really do. Enid Blyton is my first thought and that is a positive one for me, but still doesn’t make it for me.
I considered about Edith, back in 2005, as it’s a family name / middle name. I couldn’t do that one either – probably because it’s my Mum’s middle name and she’s always disliked it – which is why it didn’t pass on to me. I’ve seen a lot of positive comments on baby name sites though.
As far as I know Enid also means little fire or strong soul. My daughter’s name is Enid. She was born on June 30th this year and is a real little fire already…
I would also agree with those that associate “Enid” with Enid Blyton who some of us grew up with as children. Thus, it is least surprising that in honor and memory of Enid Blyton, I decided to write a book, titled, The Famous Five: A Personal Anecdotage (www.bbotw.com).
Stephen Isabirye
There was a teacher at my school named Enid. Not a fan. I don’t like the way it looks at all.
I love Enid!
I can´t look at Enid without thinking of the wife of the Sacred Heart hospital´s director in Scrubs…