There’s Savannah and Brooklyn, London and Dakota, too.
But Topanga?
Thanks to Kristine for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
Los Angeles brings to mind movie stars and freeways, but Los Angeles County is also home to Topanga Canyon. The sprawling Topanga State Park is the largest wilderness area within a major city. 90290 doesn’t have much in common with Beverly Hills.
The place name came from the local Tongva tribe, as did Tujunga, Pacoima, Azusa, and my personal favorite, Rancho Cucamonga. Some suggest that Topanga means “a place above.” It might also refer to the sky, or even heaven.
Early twentieth century resorts were somewhat modest. In the 1920s, glamorous Hollywood types vacationed in Topanga Canyon. It’s still a popular getaway spot, but the vibe changed in the 1960s. Instead of the very famous in search of some r’n’r, the area transformed into a bohemian enclave. Woody Guthrie called Topanga Canyon home; so have Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison, and members of the Eagles and Canned Heat.
Thanks to talented residents and proximity to Los Angeles, several performance venues and music festivals have thrived in Topanga Canyon over the years.
All of this makes Topanga sound like a nice place to visit, but how does it rate a spot on Appellation Mountain?
In 1993, Boy Meets World debut on ABC. Ben Savage played Cory Matthews, a sixth-grader when the series started, and a college student by the time the series ended in 2000. Topanga Lawrenece is a classmate, a long-time crush, and eventually Cory’s girlfriend and then wife.
Early days, Topanga was something of an extreme character, the child of hippies, with a big sis called Nebula. She evolved over the seasons into more of an ordinary teenage girl, but remained bright and motivated throughout the series. As for her unusual name, the story goes like this: one of the show’s writers was stuck in traffic while driving through the area and decided the name would suit the character.
From a traffic jam to a birth certificate, the name first surfaces in 1994, when five baby girls received the name. Over the show’s run, Topanga enjoyed modest success:
- In 1995, 10 girls were given the name;
- By 1996, it was up to 11;
- In 1997, there were 33 newborn Topangas;
- The name peaked in 1998, with 48 recorded;
- The decline started by 1999, with just 44;
- By 2000, there were 41 Topangas.
She hasn’t faded entirely. Nancy tells us ten were born in 2009. Topanga does appear in baby name guides, so some parents may have long forgotten, or never seen, the 1990s sitcom.
If you’re looking for a truly offbeat name, Topanga has some possibility. But be prepared to hear “oh, like Cory’s girlfriend?” at least some of the time.
Thanks for posting this one! I love love love the character Topanga on Boy Meets World. I had no idea about the geographical location either (and I live in CA…). I think it is a very cool name, and usable. It’s definitely different. I much prefer Topanga to Naveah or some other kreative name.
I like Topanga. I heard it means “where the mountains meet the sea”. It sounds very Na’vi to me, for some reason, though. (The blue people from Avatar?)
Thumbs up.
I don’t “get” Topanga, it just doesn’t sound pretty. I feels more like an exclamation you’d say after stubbing your toe…TOE! pain! gah!
I don’t care for place names, but California has a lot of regional names that lend themselves to given names. I rather see Sonora, Pomona or even Shasta… than Topanga.
Toe! Pain! Gah!
I just woke up Hermione I laughed so hard!
TOE! pain! gah!
Ha! That is a very good point! 😛
My immediate thought was “Boy Meets World”! I loved that show. Topanga could never be anyone but Cory’s girlfriend to me, though I do think that she’s as valid a place name as any other, like sadiesadie mentioned. I actually kind of like Topanga’s cool hippy vibe. She’s out there but not too far imho 🙂
The reply button was giving me fits, so I’m down here now: Tallulah was my Grandad’s mom, she was 1/2 Cherokee. No clue how she got the name but I won’t be borrowing it for one of mine. I’ve been to Tallulah Gorge on several occasions and that’s all Tallulahh reminds me of, I never knew that Great -Grandmother. But Topanga, Yosemite & Tallulah would be a cool sibset for someone! (beats me who, though) 😀
It would be interesting to know the ages of the mothers who use names like these.
Screams ‘Boy Meets World’ to me – I’m not sure I even knew it was a place, seeing as I watched the show in the UK. Interesting to see how it peaked with the TV show.
It does have an unusual sound, which might be appealing – especially with the “ah” ending. And if you have a special story about dating in the state park or something…maybe…
Kind off odd but I suppose no different than naming your child Savannah or Brooklyn.
I’m still surprised by Savannah. Don’t know why. It’s one of those names I don’t understand, but have come to accept. Especially now that there’s a Savannah in line for British throne.
Seeing as how I’m a bit older than most, Topanga’s all “Cory” to me. I’m aware of the canyon/park and it *is* a pretty place, but it’s not valid choice for a child to me. What, would her brother be Yosemite? 😀
OMG – there’s a post in there! Yosemite, Topanga, oh and there’s a Tallulah Gorge in Georgia … does that count?
I wonder about the backgrounds of those couples or individuals who named their daughters Topanga. And what were their aspirations for their grown daughters (if they’d given that any thought)? When I read “Topanga”, I immediately thought “Canyon” — and I don’t live anywhere near CA. Fine geographical name, but not so much for a girl/woman.
I wonder that, too, Patricia – but then, I also think that’s a fair question for so many names. I’m guessing Britney’s parents didn’t imagine her working at NASA, but maybe I’m wrong.