Sunday Summary: Theseus, Brambly Hedge, and James NOT John

It’s freezing here!

I know, I know. It’s winter. It’s supposed to be cold.

But it’s enough to make me huddle inside and read. I’m tearing through so. many. books. And, of course, lots of interesting articles about all things name-related.

ELSEWHERE ONLINE:

The most popular names of the last century are changing. Maybe that seems obvious, but some of the insights from Laura Wattenberg’s analysis of the new Top 100 are noteworthy. (John is no longer the top name of the last 100 years. That distinction belongs to John. Plus, names like Ryan and Ashley now make the list.)

A look at given names used in familiar expressions … in French! I ended up reading the article in translation, but even a quick glance at the original is intriguing. If you faire sa Sophie, you’re behaving in a haughty manner; Marcel is another name for a basic tank top. Names work this way in English, too – maybe in nearly every language – but it’s easy to miss them.

A misunderstanding transformed Christina Ricci’s Cleo into Cleopatra. A great name – and an unforgettable story!

Yea or nay: Theseus? I like it, and I don’t think I’d bat an eyelash at a new kiddo called Theseus. But I particularly appreciated the way Swistle described the choice:

I do think it is the sort of name where the parents would need to not only tolerate but WELCOME a steady stream of reactions and questions. It’s not a name that can be given casually: it’s an attention-getting name, and everyone who hears it will know that the parents knew that when they chose it.

Because you can love a really different name and use it and it will be fine. But you cannot escape the questions and double-takes and surprised expressions.

Long before there was Cottagecore, there was Brambly Hedge. Well-mannered mice were never really on my radar, but the names in this fictional universe are straight-up delightful.