Name of the Day: Vesper
Would you name your daughter after a Bond girl?
Thanks to Shelby for suggesting this seasonally appropriate choice. Our Name of the Day is Vesper.
Ian Fleming introduced James Bond in 1953′s Casino Royale and authored more than a dozen novels and short stories about the suave secret agent. Since Fleming’s death, others have invented new perils for Commander Bond – and new romantic possibilities, as well.
But Vesper Lynd was the real deal, created by the author for Bond’s very first adventure. Her name is a play on West Berlin. In Casino Royale, she’s a double agent – as divided as the city – but Vesper proves herself loyal to James in the end.
Fleming is said to have based Vesper on a real life spy, Poland’s Krystyna Skarbek, a woman he knew in her later years. The remarkably resourceful Skarbek organized couriers to bring intelligence reports from Warsaw to Budapest during World War II. She escaped the Gestapo in Hungary. In France, she once cajoled, threatened and bribed Gestapo agents into releasing two of her male colleagues. It is rumored that Oscar-nominated Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland is working on a biopic based on her life. Her real life story is arguably more intriguing than the fictional character she inspired.
Bond girl aside, Vesper is the Latin term for the evening star, and star names are quite current at the moment, including:
- Starbaby Stella, at #186 in 2008 and on the rise;
- Granny chic Esther, ranked #274 last year;
- Boosted by IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, this Slavic star name was at #336 in 2008. Variant Danika ranked #486;
- The Spanish Estrella came in at #403;
- Star and Starr aren’t as popular – neither spelling ranks in the US Top 1000 – but they’re also heard.
Throw in Estelle and Estella, the Persian Roxane and Roxana, the Welsh Seren and there are plenty of appealing choices that point to the night sky.
The hiccough is that the Roman god Vesper is masculine, but a trio of sister-nymphs known as the Hesperides take the name back in a feminine directions. Their names vary, but Hesperia, Hespera or Hespere is often among the three.
There’s also a subtle spiritual aspect to Vesper. Vespers is traditionally an evening prayer service in several religious traditions. Heavy-hitters like Mozart and Vivaldi have composed musical accompaniments.
Overall, Vesper has far more history than you might expect and sits at the crossroads of several trends:
- Like Grace, Nevaeh and Destiny, she has spiritual meaning;
- Surname choices like Taylor and Piper continue to fare well for girls, making her -er ending a non-issue;
- Plenty of parents opt for nickname-proof names, from Zoe to Mia;
- She shares her v with Ava and Avery, Victoria and Vanessa;
- Nature names continue to evolve, including botanicals – think Lily – as well as newer choices – think Autumn.
It might take some moxie to reclaim Vesper from her Bond girl roots, but there’s plenty here to consider. If you’re looking for a novel word name that will stand out, Vesper is a strong possibility.
Filed under: Baby You're a Star!, Literary Babes, Names for Girls, Names of the Day, Nature Babes, Rarities, Silver Screen | 16 Comments
Tags: Ava, James, Grace, Victoria, Avery, Stella, Esther, Taylor, Mia, Zoe, Destiny, Danica, Star, Lily, Piper, Estelle, Estella, Estrella, Vanessa, Starr, Nevaeh, Seren, Autumn, Roxana, Danika, Vesper, Krystyna, Hesperia, Hespera, Hespere, Roxane, Hesperus
-
Recent Comments
Names4Real on 3 Things I’ve Learned Ab… SG on 3 Things I’ve Learned Ab… Rachel on 3 Things I’ve Learned Ab… Kelly on 3 Things I’ve Learned Ab… Bek on 3 Things I’ve Learned Ab…
I’m Catholic – all I can think of is vespers as in evening services thanks to attending Catholic school for a whopping year and a half.
I’m glad you’ve added to my knowledge about this name. It is helpful to know it means “evening star”. Since one of Mary’s titles is “Morning Star”, that hopefully helps me to remember the connection should I run into a little Vesper.
Christina, I’m Catholic, too, but I went to a Moravian school. Every Christmas there was a big deal service called Vespers, complete with little beeswax candles. It was the most amazing thing, second only to Thanksgiving’s Lovefeast where we actually got to eat cookies in church. (JNE, am I calling the Thanksgiving service the right thing? It looks absurd now that I type it.)
I can’t decide if that makes Vesper a Very Appropriate Seasonal name or puts her back in the company of Trinity.
Yep – indeed it was Lovefeast… complete with the “melt me, mold me, fill me, use me” song, it was outright strange… but the cookies and apple juice made up for it!
Vesper makes me think of Moravian Christmas, 007, then the Vespa scooter… unfortunately it doesn’t make for a name that I’d be inclined to use.
Thanks, JNE – I COMPLETELY forgot about the lyric weirdness!
Vesper is lovely. But “hiccough”? JK
LOL – I’m rather fond of hiccough! I also like doughnut.
But what I like best of all is that you noticed.
You probably like “catsup” too!
It has a stunning meaning. I actually kind of like it. It has a sassy sound to it. Very vivacious. I think it’s not really me. It’s not my style of different. However,if you like it – go for it! I think it would be interesting to meet a Vesper
If any of you ever read Casino Royale, Eva Green who played Vesper in the movie is Fleming’s physical description come to life!
Merry Christmas
a) I LOVE that you used the corect spelling of hiccough! I used it recently and got ridiculed.
b) I don’t care much fo Vesper, but you mentioned Seren, and this one is very interesting. Vesper also reminds me of the Vespa, a motor-scooter.
Want to do Seren fo NotD? I’d also like to see Roxanne, and maybe you could throw in Cyrano, while you’re at it.
I’m laughing ’cause I just read through the replies. Yeah, someone did mention hiccough. Hiccup is just too phonetic for me, as is donut!
Seren was NotD back in September: http://appellationmountain.net/2009/09/22/name-of-the-day-seren/
I’ve traveled without my calendar – really, why can’t I find an electronic solution?! But I will put Roxy on the calendar. When we’re reunited.
I love Vesper. . . in the middle.
Is no one else picturing a wee motorbike in their heads the whole time reading this? I love the name and especially the meaning but don’t think I could ever use it, even in the middle. Vesper / Vespa is just too close for me!
You’re right, Bevin – though vespa is Italian for wasp.
After reading this post, I am finding myself in love with the name Vesper! I never would have thought (my husband owns Casino Royale and I’ve watched it several times). After thinking about it more though, I think it’s really pretty and yet has a hip vibe to it too. Could be a contender for baby #2…
LOL Kelleita – there is far more to Vesper than I thought at first, too.