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Name-inspired news and notes for your Sunday reading.
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I’m hyper-aware of character names. Maybe you are, too.
Because sometimes they’re slightly out of sync. And sometimes? They’re completely missed opportunities. Case in point: the reboot of 1987 movie The Running Man, based on a 1982 Stephen King story.
It’s dystopian fiction, to be sure. The first movie was set in 2017. The reboot takes place in a more ambiguous near future.
The main character is named Ben Richards, a character name worn easily by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987, and equally well by Glen Powell in 2025.
In the original story and the 2025 reboot, the plot hinges on Ben’s love for his wife, Sheila, and their young daughter Cathy.
And these are the character names that distracted me terribly.
In the near future, finding a 30-ish woman named Sheila is unlikely. And a baby called Cathy? Nope.
My suggestion: they should have named Ben’s daughter Ember, because it is a) a far more contemporary choice and b) an acknowledgement of why the character risks all.
Any way, all this has me reflecting on how good names can subtly support a plot – and how careless character naming can be distracting.
ELSEWHERE ONLINE
For popularity, is 100 to 500 the sweet spot? The Art of Naming talks about avoiding the most time-stamped choices. I know this is a concern for many parents, and I think the advice is good. At the same time? Most names reflect their generation to a degree. It’s tough to fight completely.
Late night host Seth Meyers had his three kids on as guests: Ashe, Axel, and Adelaide “Addie.” It was a great interview, but I also loved that yes, you can repeat an initial for all of your children, and it can work really well. Related: I know both boys’ names are nods to Seth’s wife, Alexi Ashe, but I don’t see any backstory on Adelaide. Now I’m curious …
What do you think Mrs. Claus’ first name is? It turns out that Jessica is a popular answer, though definitely not the only one. Thanks to the marvelous C in DC for making me aware that there even was a debate when we talked about Christmas names for girls.
UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT
Clarice comes up with Christmas names because of the classic 1960s stop motion animation special.
Amity has just plain never caught on, and I think that’s an oversight.
Barnaby sounds like a non-starter in Australia, but I think it has potential for American parents after something antique with comeback potential.
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!
You’re so right! The “time stamp” effect totally undermines a modern plot!
Chris Pine was in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, and Keira Knightly played the role of his wife… Cathy. In 2014?! Her nickname would have been Kate/Cate! It would have been such a simple update.
Marvel movie Captain Marvel had Brie Larson playing the part of… Carol. In 2019. Um, no. Cara would have been better. And, yes, I know Marvel fans would have cried foul, but it made the movie even more ridiculous.
You once wrote on updating family names, and I have thought about that a lot over the years. Who is naming their daughter Linda or Shirley right now? Or their son Larry or Terry?
Movie-makers could take note!
In 2024:
Carol: 66 girls
Cathy alone — 20 girls
Kathy alone — 64 girls
Linda — 321 girls
Sheila — 97 girls
Shirley — 151 girls
Larry — 204 boys
Terry — 174 boys
None are at the top of the charts, but they aren’t obsolete either. I know fairly young people named all of the above.
YES!!! Carol was SUCH A DISTRACTING NAME in Captain Marvel. Cara, Caroline, Carrie … lots of ways to fix that one.
And oh I don’t think I’ve seen that Jack Ryan movie, but yes – Cathy should ABSOLUTELY have been Kate in 2014.