Sunday SummaryTwo name stories.

My uncle passed away recently.  During his memorial service, someone told the story of his birth.  When he was born, his grandfather was critically ill, and would pass away just days later.  While he never got to meet his newest grandson, Vincenzo was told that the child would bear his name – Vincent.  “Are you happy?” Vincent’s father, my grandfather, asked.  “Very happy.”

Even at the end of your life, the story of your name stays with you, connects you to generations long laid to rest, and ties you to to generations you will never meet.

Another story, this time the joyful story of a long-awaited child.  The mother hesitated to use a family name, for fear it might be not current or pleasing.  (Think of an evergreen classic, like Elizabeth.)  I’m delighted that she chose to stick with the name.  It’s so rich with significance, it seemed a shame to sacrifice it for considerations of style.

I do understand the impulse to start fresh, to give children something of their very own.  And not every family has happy memories to bestow along with a great name.  But if you do, it is worth considering.

In other news:

  • Oh, I like the idea of creating a new family name!  (A stark contrast to my cheerleading for family names above, I know.)  But there’s something appealing about beginning a new life together with a completely new name that reflects your values, experiences, or aspirations for your family.
  • Looking for a formal name for Dax?  I think Daxos could work.
  • David Arquette says he won’t give his baby boy on the way a “quirky” name.  He’s also hinted that he’ll be honoring his grandfather Cliff with the name.  Could it be Charley?  Cliff Arquette, patriarch of the acting family, was born Clifford Charles, and his most famous character was named Charley.
  • Aela Mass shared her first-ever list of baby names!  I wish I’d kept the lists I scribbled in notebooks in my much younger days.  While I remember some of them, I’m sure there were some passing fancies that would be a real kick to hear today.
  • Tess and Sem are the #1 names in the Netherlands.  I love all of the short, spare names on their list.
  • Place names from Seychelles to Sicily made it onto birth certificates in the Netherlands, along with some more interesting choices.
  • Then there’s the projected Top 20 from Poland – I love Antonina, the total opposite of the slim, spare Tess.
  • Then there’s Wilhelmina, profiled at Upswing Baby Names.  Could she follow other elaborate names like Alexandra into wider use?
  • Oh, I know how this expectant mother feels!  But unless you’re Uma Thurman, you probably can’t combine Aurelia, Althea, and Lyra in one name.
  • These names from early nineteenth century Naples are delicious: Chiarina, Fortunata, Raffaela.
  • Yay – Elea has completed her Scandi series!  I like this list of Scandi Particulars, especially Soren, Esben, Sunniva, Lumi, and Lillevi.
  • All the Bell– names you could ever want.
  • Some great possibilities in the shade of blue.  I think of Wren as a modest little bird, but wouldn’t you know it?  Some of the birds are a brilliant shade of blue.
  • Lastly, congratulations go out to Baby Names from the Bible on reaching 100,000 page views.  And isn’t the name nut wallpaper grand?

That’s all for this week!  As always, thank you for reading, and have a great week.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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7 Comments

  1. I’m sorry to hear about your uncle, but what a touching story.

    I found one of my lists the other day (I guess from 3 or 4 years ago) and I’m surprised at some of my choices I wrote down. I don’t even like some of those names now.

    Love Lillevi & Sunniva

    Sarah

    1. Thanks, Sarah.

      And yes – I think we tend to remember the names that we still like, so having the lists is interesting …

  2. Condolences for the loss of your Uncle Vincent – what a beautiful name and name story.

    I have some of my old name lists (I don’t hoard anything except paper), and it’s surprising to me how eclectic they are. One starts off with Max and Peter, then goes through a few angelic names like Uriel, and finally ends up with Angharad and Linda! I was also a big Conrad fan, and still am!

    I know that nearly all my favourite names came from the books I read, and as I was a wide-ranging reader, there’s quite a selection. I even read adult books, just flicking through them to see the names.

    1. Thanks, Anna.

      And oh, how much fun to have your old name lists! And yes, eclectic is the word for your lists – sounds like there are some real gems on there.

      1. I have one from when I was 18, titled Names of My Sons (!!!), who are Angus, Digby, Alistair and Gabriel. Yeah, none of that happened ….

  3. I have a few old notes with name lists. I used to really like the name Conrad, according to them. And names after songs.