Table of Contents
Name-inspired news and notes for your Sunday reading.
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Namerology has issued its annual call for Name of the Year nominees.
The very first comment echoes my nominee: Zohran.
Or maybe Zohran Mamdani, first and last.
Why?
- That viral clip of the candidate explaining: “The name is Mamdani, M-A-M-D-A-N-I. You should learn how to say it.” It captures the frustration of every person who has had their unfamiliar name treated dismissively.
- The way the name captures so many current trends. While politicians’ names generally do not influence what we name our children, there are always exceptions – and I can see Zohran being one.
- The name meets the moment: current sound, optimistic meaning, generational change.
As the proud granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Italian immigrants to New York City, this moment fills me optimism and hope. Whether the name trends for our children or not, I think it represents a good moment for 2025 – and so it gets my vote.
ELSEWHERE ONLINE
Okay, I guess this is a happy ending to this story. A new dad named his son Gideon ESPN Lampron 21 years ago – and now he’s a star athlete. (If you’re wondering, they’d agreed on Gideon Xavier, and yes, his mom was not thrilled when she found out what her husband had done.) Do I recommend this? No, no I do not. But I’m glad it’s worked out.
Can we talk about Ren Meguro? Or actually, the name Ren. We all have this vague sense that cultural appropriation is problematic. But we’re also simultaneously looking for cross-cultural names. Sometimes they reflect the very real complexities in our own family histories. Often it’s just about our sense that the names of the 1950s, 70s, and 90s don’t match our moment. A thread links Ren from a young Kevin Bacon in the original Footloose to the singer/actor/model now – and makes it compelling. Could Ren be the new Kai?
The story of Loretta Lynn’s name is specific to her personal history. But I think there’s something universal about it. To consider a name, we have to hear it, repeatedly over time, in a positive fashion. Loretta is back again, and I’m loving it …
UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT
Macklin, because even though ice hockey trails way behind other professional sports in the US, a rookie all-star athlete could boost his name.
Enid, thanks to Wednesday’s wolfie BFF in the Netflix series. It’s so far out it’s … maybe a potential revival candidate?
Ginger fits the same category as Enid, but in a slightly different way. I think it’s sort of deliberately Young Urban Creative in vibe, the kind of name that feels daring and retro and accessible and distinctive all at once. I’m imagining an influencer telling me they named their daughter for Ginger Baker and their beloved red-headed grandma.
That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!
