Calpurnia Pisonis; Image via Wikipedia
She’s an asteroid, a shrub, a minor literary figure, and an Ancient Roman matron.
Thanks to Paul for suggesting Calpurnia as our Baby Name of the Day.
Plenty of ancient appellations wear well in 2011. Julia and Alexander are classic. If Annia and Junia didn’t exist, chances are they would have been invented.
Calpurnia has equally ancient roots, but she is a rarity, all but extinct circa 2011.
The most famous bearer of the name was Calpurnia Pisonis, a well-born woman who married Julius Caesar when he was at the height of his power, and she was a mere teenager. It’s said that Calpurnia had a vision of Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March and warned her husband – but he wouldn’t listen.
Calpurnia came from a noble Roman family. They first appear in the historical record in the third century BC. A century later, the first Calpurnius became a consul. Their accomplishments were many.
She’s a literary character, too. The historical figure inspired William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Then there’s the maid in To Kill a Mockingbird. From Scout to Atticus, to author Harper Lee, the novel has inspired plenty of names for this generation of children. But young Scout is at odds with Calpurnia in much of the novel, and she refers to her simply as Cal. Calpurnia might be hired help, but her relationship with Scout and Jem is an important one. Even if she’s not the most obvious choice from the book, Calpurnia might strike a familiar chord.
More recently, you can find Calpurnia in the young adult section of the bookstore. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate has garnered rave reviews. The year is 1899, and young Calpurnia is growing up in an affluent Texas family. She’s not succeeding at the domestic arts, but turns out to have quite a head for science. Unfortunately, opportunities for a well-born Texas girl in the era are limited, and Callie struggles with the reality of her future.
There’s one more bearer of the name: Calpernia Addams. She’s an activist for transgendered rights. Her story of choosing a name is fascinating: Addams was inspired by Shakespeare, but also the 1991 Addams Family movie.
Do you remember the scene?
Morticia is at a parent-teacher conference for young Wednesday. Wednesday has brought in a photo of an ancestor: Calpurnia Addams. Morticia explains that Calpurnia was Wednesday’s great-aunt, burned as witch in 1706, after “she danced naked in the town square and enslaved the minister.” The teacher appears both horrified and fascinated, and Morticia assures her: “Don’t worry. We’ve told Wednesday college first.”
There’s also a flowering shrub native to South Africa and an asteroid discovered by an MIT/NASA/US Airforce research project that has identified more than 225,000 asteroids to date.
The references from the natural world reinforce Calpurnia’s image. She’s distinctive and historic, but quirky and offbeat at the same time. If there were a compromise between Tallulah and Charlotte, it might be Calpurnia.
With the easy nickname Callie, Calpurnia has the option of blending in to the crowd, while still retaining her unusual formal version. It makes for an intriguing, distinctive choice.
Calpurnia Philander says
April 11, 2015 at 9:02 AMI love my name Calpurnia, it makes me feel unique .I’m 42 ur old from Cape town, South Africa. But my family and friends call me Pernie.
Lady Gwyn says
March 29, 2011 at 9:57 PMWell, I love Callie as a nickname (so sue me), as well as Calla, and like Calpurnia as a nice way to give those names something more grown-up and pretty as an option when adulthood is reached. I also love ancient Rome and Shakespeare, so this tie in is fab-u-lous!
liz says
March 29, 2011 at 7:18 PMOoch, this seems awful! But glad it’s getting some love from others.
Rosy says
March 29, 2011 at 7:12 PMI’ve always been interested by Calpurnia, but it doesn’t really appear in any name databases, so thanks for the info! I think it has a really interesting sound and it’d make an amazing cat name (CalPURnia!), but I’d never use it for an actual person.
Calpurnia actually reminds me of the similar Sophronia and Sophronisba, which are also pretty obscure… maybe potential Names of the Day? 😉
Charlotte Vera says
March 30, 2011 at 1:58 AMOooh, yes, Calpurnia would make an excellent cat name! I’m not in love with the sound, so I couldn’t picture myself bestowing this name on an actual person, but I think it definitely suits the animal kingdom.
Emmy Jo says
April 1, 2011 at 12:04 AMHa ha! Yes, it would be an excellent cat name. Perhaps to go with BartholoMEW (my grey kitty’s name).
I’m actually really liking the idea of Calpurnia on a girl, though. I think it’s every bit as wearable as, say, Cordelia. And I like Callie — it takes Calpurnia from the Roman Empire to the American West.
Sebastiane says
March 29, 2011 at 6:24 PMI really like Calpurnia, I wish more people used it. Calpurnia and Hermione would make a great sibset.
Sarah A says
March 29, 2011 at 3:35 PMHonestly, the Addams Family is my main association with this name. That said, I think Calpurnia could really work especially in today’s trend of flowing feminine names. And I know everyone here hates matchy-matchy names for twins, but I can just see Calpurnia and Cornelia on twins 🙂
I like Nia better than Callie for a nn
julie says
March 29, 2011 at 5:17 PMAnd I was thinking Caledonia and Calpurnia would make excellent matchy-matchy twin names. 😉
With Atticus climbing up the charts, I’m surprised to see that Calpurnia is completely absent. I really like it and it would make a lovely, if unusual choice.
Fran says
March 29, 2011 at 11:23 AMI played Lady Calpurnia, wife of Julius Caesar, in my very first primary school play! Thanks for covering this name and taking me right back to my youth!!!
Rhiannon says
March 29, 2011 at 11:02 AMI haven’t thought about Calpurnia since, well, Latin class in high school. I love it! It would be a burden to some, but on a quirky girl, I think it would be fantastic.
Amanda says
March 29, 2011 at 9:03 AMI love Calpurnia. It just rolls off my tongue so nicely. I’m not very excited about Callie but I think Calla fixes that, or perhaps Nia?
Overall this is a great name. 🙂
Rea says
March 29, 2011 at 8:30 AMHey, remember when J.R. married Calpurnia in Dallas? That was my first sighting of the name.
sadiesadie says
March 29, 2011 at 8:27 AMHa ha you just fueled my new love. Calpurnia and Hermione would be great sisters.
Not in love with Callie
Lola says
March 29, 2011 at 6:52 AMI like Calpurnia in full, but not Callie. Maybe Calla, instead?
That said, Calpurnia & Medalus Simba were two of his chilhood kitties. Really. Both solid white. I knew them in passing, and I doubt he’d consider Calpurnia for a girl considering the cat. Oh well. Still leaves me Araminta & Penelope. 😀
I think it might wear well today on the right girl. Why not, it beats Destiny!