Sunday Summary: Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita

I finally watched Zombieland.

It’s not for everybody. I mean … I’m not sure it’s really for me. It’s heavy on gory and bleak.

But … it also peeks at how personal names might evolve during a zombie apocalypse, and I found that part nothing short of fascinating.

Without giving away any spoilers, there are four main characters: Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock. The place names represent the characters’ cities of origin.

They’re not place names that I’d ever suggest, and yet, after hearing them over the course of a movie, you do get used to them. If I met a Tallahassee, I wouldn’t find it all that strange. (Though I suppose I might ask if the parents were Woody Harrelson fans.)

So I find myself wondering: are there any place names from your life that would make a good given name? I’m coming up blank, though I suppose I could be Lehigh.

And while that seemed absurd when I first typed it? Suddenly, it’s growing on me …

Elsewhere online:

• I’m fascinated by Sholto. Elea gives all the history on this fascinating Scottish rarity. It’s tough to imagine a Sholto born in the US, except, well … why not? Lachlan and Douglas have done just fine.

• Welcome, Xale, a little sister for Alex, Axel, Xela, Lexa, Xael, Xeal, Exla, and Leax. We’ve talked about this story before, but I’d missed this birth announcement until Nancy mentioned it here. Are there any combinations left if they have future children? Elax, maybe, but that sounds SO much like Alex. Then again, when you have a Xael and a Xeal and a Xale, I guess you’ve figured out how to navigate such conflicts.

• A fascinating look at how Juanita caught on in places with little (or no) Spanish heritage. Hint: pop culture strikes again! Found via the amazing Clare’s Scoop.it site, Name News. If you ever find yourself in need of something to read, just head there …

• We all know that classic names like Mary and John have fallen in use, but Laura makes the case with data. It’s staggering how much naming has changed in just a few generations.

• The New Names Showdown has drawn to a close! Thanks to everyone for voting, and if you haven’t already checked out the winners, please do! Appellation Mountain readers like the best baby names, and we’re especially good at predicting the Next Big Thing for boys.

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay