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Indiana: Baby Name of the Day

November 19, 2014 By appellationmountain 9 Comments

#81945430 / gettyimages.com

It’s a place name famously worn by a daring archeologist.

Thanks to Bertram Bergamot for suggesting Indiana as our Baby Name of the Day.

Indiana: On the Map

Back in 1800, Congress passed legislation to divide the Northwest Territory in half.  The western section became the Indiana Territory. Sixteen years later, part of the territory began the journey to statehood.

Like many US states, Indiana’s name is a nod to its Native American roots – sort of.

The name means “land of the Indians.”  It’s accurate.  Native peoples inhabited the area as early as 8000 BC.  When European settlers arrived, the Shawnee, Miami, and Illini were among the tribes in the area.

Using Native American names can be problematic.  The state’s history is one of conflict and oppression, with native peoples losing their historic claims to land.

And yet, as a name, Indiana is pure American invention, a romantic imagining.  Like any place, there’s potential for association with historical ugliness.  But the meaning, strictly speaking, isn’t Native.

Indiana: Jones

Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark

If you don’t think of the state, chances are you think of adventurous archeologist Dr. Henry Walton Jones, better known as Indiana – or just Indy.  It’s one of Harrison Ford’s many famous roles.

He first appears on the big screen in 1981, with sequels in 1984, 1989, and 2008, plus Young Indiana Jones on television in the 1990s, to say nothing of video games and Disney resort attractions.

The character’s name had two inspirations: creator George Lucas had a dog by the name in the 1970s.  (The fictional Dr. Jones borrowed his nickname from the family dog, too.)  It’s also thought to be a nod to 1966 western Nevada Smith, starring Steve McQueen.

Indiana: Literary Girl Name

But is this name meant for a daughter or a son?

Let’s go back to the nineteenth century.  French writer George Sand published her very first novel in 1832, not long after Indiana became a state.

The novel was titled Indiana.

Only it wasn’t set in the United States.  It’s the story a of a young woman, born in the French colonies and trapped in a loveless marriage in France.

More fuel for the girl name argument?  In Frances Burney’s 1796 novel Camilla – years before the name was given to the American place – there’s a character called Indiana.  She’s cousin to Camilla, and while she’s a knockout, she’s rather shallow and superficial.

In Burney’s case, Indiana was probably inspired by India – an elaboration using the -ana ending.  India had a good run as a given name in the British Empire, thanks to families with ties to the colony.

Edith Wharton makes it a literary trifecta: in her 1913 novel The Custom of the Country, there’s a minor character named Indiana Frusk – this time an American.

Indiana: Girl or Boy?

On sound alone, this name leans girl – somewhere between Isabella and Mariana.

And yet, the fictional archeologist keeps this one in play for boys, too.

Usage is split:

  • In Australia, young actress Indiana Evans has boosted the popularity of the name.
  • Actors Summer Phoenix and Casey Affleck welcomed son Indiana August in 2004.  (Summer’s later brother River once played the young Dr. Jones.)
  • Ethan Hawke has a daughter named Indiana, born in 2011.

Until Raiders of the Lost Ark, this name was exclusively used for girls.  But the numbers have changed over time.  In 2013, 41 boys and 33 girls were named Indiana.

If you’re after a daring literary name for a daughter, or an adventurous choice for a son, Indiana might be a rarity worth considering.

What do you think of Indiana?  Do you prefer this name for a boy or a girl?

More names you might like:

  • Baby Name of the Day: IndieBaby Name of the Day: Indie
  • In Reserve: Possible Names for a Second SonIn Reserve: Possible Names for a Second Son
  • Name of the Day: IndiraName of the Day: Indira
  • Spotlight: Indiana and AlabamaSpotlight: Indiana and Alabama
  • Name of the Day: PaigeName of the Day: Paige

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Comments

  1. Ola says

    May 21, 2018 at 9:01 AM

    Would you know when does the name Indiana have its Nameday?

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      May 21, 2018 at 9:25 AM

      I can’t seem to find one for Indiana; traditionally, Name Days were associated with saints, and there’s no Saint Indiana, so that makes it tough. I know plenty of countries have added name days for popular name without saints associated with them, but it doesn’t capture every name.

      One thought: the third Saturday of October is International Archeology Day, and I found a few places that refer to it as “Indiana Jones Day,” after the famous character. Does that hold any appeal?

      I’m not sure how name days are celebrated when a name doesn’t appear on an official calendar. Let me ask this on social and see if anyone knows …

      Reply
      • Ola says

        May 22, 2018 at 5:15 AM

        Thank you so much for looking into this matter. My eldest son is named after Indiana Jones and has recently enquired what is this name day that I have… Having changed cultures I stopped paying so much attention to it, but now it has been resurrected. My youngest son is called Ilan and I noticed that Greek calendar has a name day for Ilan on 18 August. This only further puts pressure on finding a name day for Indy 🙂

        Your suggestion is very inspiring and may well be adopted in our household. Maybe my Indy will be the first Saint with this name and have an official day set for all Indianas…. in the meantime he has a life to live and will enjoy having his own name day too.

        Reply
  2. Kimberly Gould says

    August 11, 2017 at 3:51 PM

    I have a granddaughter named Indiana Rose! I love it❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  3. Sara says

    November 24, 2014 at 10:43 PM

    My friend has a stepson by the name of “Indiana Danger”. I rather like Indiana on a little boy, but Danger put it over the top for me. It is adorable to see a toddler called “Indy” though.

    Reply
  4. KatieB says

    November 19, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    I adore the name Indiana! (Esp. with the nn Indy) The Indiana Jones movies were some of my favorites growing up. I could see my self using it for either gender, however I lean slightly female. I’m fortunate in that my SO likes the name as well, however to him it is ALL boy. I am surprised that it was originally exclusively female in use since my first introduction to the name was the Indiana Jones movies. I guess this is one of the few examples of a boys name being taken from the girls.

    Reply
  5. Madelyn says

    November 19, 2014 at 1:53 PM

    Thanks for the extensive write-up! I had no idea that Indiana had more than one literary namesake.

    I’m a bit torn on whether I like it more for a boy or a girl, but I think I lean towards boy because of the Indiana Jones association. If you’re not feeling adventurous enough to use it as a first name, I think it would make for a lively and unexpected middle name. My sister, a Jones, almost used Indiana as a second middle name for one of her sons, but she and her husband chickened out. They did, however, use Henry as a middle name for their youngest, a more subtle nod to the famous archeologist.

    Reply
  6. Bella says

    November 19, 2014 at 5:15 AM

    I’m not greatly interested in Indiana as a name – I’m more intrigued by the name Bertram Bergamot! It sounds like the romantic hero of a classic novel!

    Reply

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