Table of Contents
Name-inspired news and notes for your Sunday reading.
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Can we discuss Wicked? (No, I haven’t seen it yet. Yes, I will soon!)
As you probably know, it’s the origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West. The movie is based on a musical which was based on a book by Gregory Maguire.
Still with me?
Since the Wicked Witch had plenty of flying monkeys but no name, Maguire invented Elphaba, from L. Frank Baum – the original author of the Oz books.
The question I wanted to answer: had any children been named Elphaba since?
To line up our dates:
- 1995: Wicked the book debuts.
- 2003: The musical premieres.
- 2024: The first of two movies arrives in theaters.
Elphaba has never registered in the US Social Security Administration data, meaning it’s never been given to even five girls in a single year.
However:
- Nancy found a single Elphaba born in Iowa in 2011.
- The character’s nickname, Elphie, was given to five girls way back in 1915.
- And Elfie? That name was used in tiny numbers from the 1880s into the 1920s. In that case, it might come from the German Elfriede, based on elements meaning “elf strength.” Of course, the numbers for Elfie and Elphie predate Maguire’s book by many decades.
- It’s Glinda – the good witch’s name from the original books and Wizard of Oz movie – that had the biggest impact. In the 1940s and 50s, Glinda appeared at the fringes of the US Top 1000, suggesting the 1939 release of The Wizard of Oz movie deserves credit.
And yet … I’m going to keep looking for an Elphaba in the data sets from 2024 and 2025. Or maybe even the return of Elphie …
Finds From Last Week
Have you nominated a name of the year yet? Usually I have ideas. This time around, I’m stumped.
Is there an Eloise in your life? Surely she has this book already, but if she doesn’t? This is the thing to put under the tree.
Supermodel Coca Rocha and husband James Conran have three kids with perfectly matched, sweetly edgy names: daughters Ioni James and Iley Ryn, and son Iver Eames. They’re all over Instagram.
Speaking of matching names, what will Jason and Kylie Kelce name daughter number four? Their girls’ names are so perfectly coordinated: Wyatt, Elliotte, Bennett. Assuming they’re looking for another name ending in TT, I’ll suggest Garrett, Padgett, or Merritt. But maybe, if they’re willing to move the TT to the middle? Hatton could be great, too …
Updating & Thinking About
Inez – it’s sparkly and interesting, a name that’s Spanish-language adjacent and very comfortable in American English at the same time. My favorite of the Lively-Reynolds’ kid names, which is saying a lot, since they have a Betty. (And I adore Betty!)
Albert – Maybe you don’t believe me, but you know I’m right – not so long ago, Theodore and Oliver and even Henry were hopelessly old-fashioned. If everything cycles back into fashion, could it be Albert’s turn soon?
Consider setting a timer – On Patreon, this Friday’s advice was to consider setting a timer to help frame conversations with your partner about choosing names.
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!
It’s lovely to hear you say you adore Betty, that was my wonderful gran’s name! As for name spots I met a little Lorelai in a cafe the other week. Her mum and I had a good chat about the Gilmores!
Oh! What a lovely name for your grandmother! And yes, I’ve yet to meet a Lorelai – especially this spelling – who wasn’t a bit of a Gilmore Girls fan – love.