Sir Isaac Newton, Image via Wikipedia
He was fairly common in the nineteenth century. But today, with surnames and place names so in favor, why is no one using this brainy choice for their sons?
Thanks to Sara A. for suggesting Newton as Baby Name of the Day.
In 1880, Newton ranked #180 in the US – about as common as Nicholas, Timothy, Christopher, or Owen at the time. But Newton fell rapidly in the early 20th century, and by the 1950s, was nowhere to be found, while those other names headed in the opposite direction.
No dictionary is required to decipher Newton. It was a place name given to a new town. There have plenty of those over the centuries – it is among the most common place names in England, where I stopped counting after I reached the three dozen mark.
Newton picks up his brainy vibe thanks to Sir Isaac Newton, a leading figure in the Scientific Revolution, known for his achievements in mathematics, physics, astronomy, and more. The subatomic particle is not named after the pioneering scientist, but Nickelodeon’s Jimmy Neutron almost links the two – his full name is James Isaac.
Say Newton to a school student who has yet to tackle calculus, and his first thought might be the contents of his lunch box.
Fig rolls were a popular pastry, dating back to ancient Egypt. The Kennedy Biscuit Company was the first to mass produce the Fig Newton in the late nineteenth century. While the association with Sir Isaac is sometimes rumored, KBC often named their products after neighboring towns – in this case, Boston ‘burb, Newton, Massachusetts, likely inspired the cookies’ name. The company eventually became part of Nabisco. Today you can buy strawberry and raspberry Newtons, too.
Today’s parents might hear Newton and think of:
- Co-founder of the 1960s radical organization, the Black Panthers, Huey Newton;
- Legendary fashion photographer Helmut Newton;
- Grammy-winning singer Juice Newton, born Judith;
- Actress Thandie Newton;
- Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton;
- Grease star, Australian-born singer Olivia Newton-John.
More recently, Newton has been in the spotlight as the given name of politician-turned-pundit Newt Gingrich. Gingrich was named after his father. He’s not the first politician to answer to Newton – attorney Newton Minnow was chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, known for declaring television a “vast wasteland” in a famous 1961 speech.
Even with nature names in vogue, it boggles the mind to imagine parents choosing to name their sons after a small aquatic salamander – Newt just isn’t much of a nickname. If you choose this surname for a son, be prepared to use the full two-syllable pronunciation to avoid the lizardish association.
But if boys can answer to Truman and Beckett, Colby and Dalton, why not Newton? Others might think you’re nodding to your political views, or possibly a pregnancy craving, but Newton is every bit as legitimate a surname option as any currently in use.
Sam says
January 31, 2019 at 3:59 PMIt’s a nice name, but Sir Isaac was a fraud. He was nowhere near to being the first person to discover gravity. Studies had already been published, shared, and developed in the Middle East at least a hundred years prior. But Newton is a cute baby name.
Bruno says
July 9, 2015 at 12:32 AMWhy are they comments so negative about Newton.this name is one importance care tears in century.I prefer this name then all the others repetting , with no carecters.
Night says
February 3, 2012 at 11:05 PMAh, funny to hear this now! With Newt Gingerich running for president, I sincerely doubt anyone would end up giving his name to their child-except for the ones specifically naming their child after him, which I’m sure there’s a few of.
Lyndsay says
October 16, 2010 at 2:24 PMHmm, I only think of Sir Isaac. Figs and lizards would never have occurred to me, and still don’t bother me. And I don’t get why he would be teased. I think it would be fitting for a scientist’s son.
Charlotte Vera says
October 15, 2010 at 5:31 PMThe name makes me think of the man, but while I admire Sir Isaac, I prefer his first name to his last. Newton is just not an appealing sound to my ears. I tend to enunciated my t’s quite clearly, so the similarity between Newton and newts is made quite obvious when I say the name of this famous scientist.
appellationmountain says
October 15, 2010 at 6:00 PMI knew a very handsome Newton in graduate school, so that makes the name more appealing to me. And yet, newts …
Julie says
October 15, 2010 at 3:51 PMI’m allergic to figs and just thinking of them makes me feel itchy.
Newton feels like the name of a character on Disney or Nick… just so they can do that old joke about his brother Fig or call a character Figgy. I can’t be enthusiastic about Newton, unless it’s a family name and then only in the middle.
appellationmountain says
October 15, 2010 at 6:01 PMOh dear! A fig allergy definitely makes Newton unthinkable.
caroline says
October 15, 2010 at 3:08 PMI can’t help but think Fig Newton as well! I had a good friend in high school with the last name Newton. He was so funny and when he ran for Student Body President his campaign slogan was ‘Dig the Fig.’
Joy says
October 15, 2010 at 11:52 AMAs I was contemplating the merits of Newton, I realized that I pronounce it with either a very soft or nonexistent T sound in the middle: NEW-uhn. Same for Clinton, Breton, Britain. Maybe a Southern thing?
Anyway, Newton is OK, and I could see Newt working on the right little boy…one who likes frogs, lizards and bugs. It sounds right for a varsity defensive lineman too.
Names4Real says
October 15, 2010 at 10:51 AMI can’t help but think of a Fig Newtons Instead of Sir Isaac when I hear this name so I’m not a fan.
Kelleita says
October 15, 2010 at 10:50 AMI knew an African man named Newton when I was staying in Zimbabwe. I will only be able to picture him, his vagabond ways, and his love of my Paul Simon “Graceland” CD. 🙂 Could never imagine giving this name to a little boy here in the U.S. — seems like it’s just begging for bullying.
Havoye says
October 15, 2010 at 9:47 AMArcher, Ellington, Tate, Newton – you seem to be in a surname phase lately, at least for boys! I have to say Newton is my least favourite of the bunch – there’s nothing particularly appealing about the sound, and, as you point out, the nickname possibilities are uninspiring. It’s interesting to learn it was fairly common as a first name in the US in the late 19th century.
appellationmountain says
October 15, 2010 at 6:03 PMThere have been a lot of them, Havoye. I think they’re mostly from Lurker Week. The fact that it was more used once surprised me, too!