Sunday Summary: 6.18.23

As you read this, I’m off to the most magical place on earth with my daughter. So this is the Disney edition of the Sunday Summary.

Because all those stories from the House of Mouse? They’re packed with some amazing names.

HERE WE GO:

Did you notice the unique spelling for a new character in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3? I’ll keep this spoiler light. Basically, we get Rocket’s origin story, which includes a character named Lylla. Pronounced with a long I, like Isla. But that’s the spelling. It’s hard to imagine this name gaining in popularity even more, and easy to miss a spelling in a movie … but yes, I’ll be watching for Lylla in the 2023 data.

The Little Mermaid live action update was so, so good … I already knew they re-named Ariel’s sisters. In the original, they were Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, and Andrina. The update makes them Perla, Indira, Karina, Caspia, Mala, and Tamika. It appears that they’re far more than pretty faces with fish tails. They’re presented as ambassadors, their names and appearances suggesting the parts of the ocean they represent.

Is Peter the most Disney boy name? Peter Pan is central to Fantasyland in Disney World (and Disneyland – not sure about the other parks), but it’s also the name of Peter Parker – aka the first Spider-Man, as well as Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord. Toy Story gives us Stinky Pete, but maybe that’s not the best example. I think it’s an overlooked classic. Will the new Peter Pan and Wendy movie – if not the roaring success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – help refresh this name?

Okay, I’m not into the Star Wars extended universe, but wow – someone in that world is doing a killer job with first-last name combinations. Looking at the cast for the new Ahsoka limited series, there’s Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger – both characters originated elsewhere in the Star Wars universe and have been boosting Wren and Ezra in recent years, I think.

A fifth Indiana Jones movie is out soon, and I’m curious about the potential boost to the names Harrison and Ford, as well as Indiana – and possibly Jones, too? Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Indy’s goddaughter, Helena. She’s his sidekick for part of this adventure. Most importantly, it might convince everyone that there’s a right way to pronounce Helena, and thus make it feel more accessible to parents who aren’t sure if it’s Elena with an H, Helen with an A, or something else entirely.

And yes, of course, there’s a Disney list coming up in the AM Baby Names Patreon this week. Join now to access it, along with every week’s exclusive new list, the Friday letters, and more thoughts and advice on all things naming.