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If you’re in the path of winter storm Fern today, I hope you’re safe and warm.
And if the whole idea of storms having names is fascinating to you, too? The Weather Channel has an updated list of this season’s names, as well as some history on why we name them.
In brief: naming a storm signals that it’s important and worth paying attention to.
Which is logic I can get behind.
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ELSEWHERE ONLINE
Filipa’s list of (Portuguese) names like Ophelia is fascinating. Partially because of the language/culture jump. Despite loving the Taylor Swift song, she notes that Ofelia is out of favor right now. Still love the names that she brainstorms: Bettina, Celeste, Gloria, Salome, Simone, Ursula. (Note that I’m opting for the English-language version of the names, but I recommend reviewing in the original Portuguese. Otherwise Celeste is rendered as … Heavenly.) Also: Filipa puts Rosalía, as in the singer, in the same category as these names. Will her success have an impact in the US? Worth watching …
Caffrey, Risto, Valley, Hyla. Finally took a minute to review Eventide Pennant Company’s 2025 names round-up and it does not disappoint! Rory, Wells, and Margot make the Top 30? Yes, please!
Welcome Mikey Moon! I’m so curious about the names Meghan Trainor and Daryl Sabara have chosen for their kids. Firstborn son Riley’s name is pretty standard for this generation. Second son Barry Bruce, though? That’s lots of retro energy. Mikey fits with Charlie, Scottie, and Stevie – though it’s quite unusual. The parents shared that their first daughter’s middle name was chosen by her brothers. I sort of love it as a double name.
UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT
Isabeau is one of those names I’ve loved forever. Now that an American figure skater called Isabeau – named after the Ladyhawke character IFYKYK – is set to compete in Milan will it get a boost?
Carson isn’t classic, but it is a rock solid traditional. It’s weirdly hard to distinguish a formerly trendy name from a new traditional, but I’d put a handful of long-used surnames into that category, including Carson.
Fern continues to rise in use. It’s sweet and summery, with the same straightforward appeal as Wren or Hazel. I’d call it an ecovintage choice ready for revival. It’s an image completely at odds with the icy snow-sleet that I hear outside my windows this morning!
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading and stay safe out there!
