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Let’s talk names in the news 4.19.26 edition.
Specifically names in the sporting news.
We have more sports than ever before, right? Women’s professional sports. New sports, like soccer, that weren’t played professionally in the US even thirty years ago.
And then means we have names – fabulous, fascinating names – from more athletes than ever before, both legacy sports and new leagues alike.
The two that caught my eye this week?
- Gennings, from NFL draft prospect Gennings Dunker. The Iowa lineman isn’t a likely top round draft pick, but he is a social media breakout star. So, not a new sport but a way to become a standout that didn’t exist previously.
- Azzi, from the WNBA’s #1 draft pick, Azzi Fudd. An old school way to make headlines in a way not previously possible. She’ll play for the Dallas Wings next season. The UConn alum is the daughter of a former WNBA player. That unusual name? It came from Jennifer Azzi, who also played in the league a generation earlier. Names of famous athletes used to be overwhelmingly male. It’s fun to see that balance shift.
Will their names catch on with a new generation? It’s impossible to say, but both are worth watching.
Table of Contents
Do you have any favorite athlete names?
ELSEWHERE ONLINE
Eminem is a grandpa – again. Daughter Alaina welcomed Scottie Marie. The name is a fast-rising favorite, but it’s also Alaina’s last name. She commented that the name honors her “Scott sisters.” I love the way that sometimes a so-called trendy name can also be deeply meaningful.
Let’s talk about Lemon. TikToker Gulf Coast Queen named her daughter Lemon Jane. The internet has thoughts.
I’m fascinated by the site Not another Noah. It uses popularity data to try to suss out whether or not your child’s name is likely to repeat – a worthy goal. But would it work? My instinct is maybe-kinda-probably-not-really. Because it’s complicated …
UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT
Twyla is one of those names I’ve loved since Day One. It’s delightfully rare, but still familiar to many. Schitt’s Creek gave the name a micro-boost.
Grover was a furry blue monster of the lovable sort for generations. Before that? A US president. And maybe now, more of Percy Jackson hero name.
Valerie almost counts as a classic, though it’s not quite in the Katherine/Elizabeth/Margaret category. It’s forever on the radio, a name made famous by song after song after song.
That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading and have a great week!
