This post is pointless to anyone but me. And pointless to me, come to think of it. But, just to let you in on a little secret about me, I'm kind of obsessed about names. I wrote a paper about names in one of my linguistic classes (how Mormon naming trends are oddly similar to deep South naming trends), so I've been fascinated by names and naming trends long before I had kids. Picking out names for children just intensified it. Since I've been thinking about this the past few days, here are some name-related things I've been noticing about my own family.
A--Anders, Ashlee, Ana
B--Brynne
C--Cassidy, Cowen, Chad
D--Danica
E--Emeline, Ethne, Elena, Eli
F--
G--Garrett, Gideon
H--Hailey, Hazel
I--Isabel
J--Jethro
K--Kiersten, Katelyn
L--Lynnaea
M--Myles, Miriam, Megan, Maloree
N--
O--Olivia
P--
Q--
R--
S--
T--Talmage, Tyson
U--
V--
W--
X--
Y--
Z--
First: we like the top half of the alphabet. Also, we really like names that start with vowels, except the vowel U. We also really like names that start with M (Timothy and I would totally have a Megan if we didn't already have two in the family). We stick pretty much to standard spellings. The exception is Maloree (the standard spelling is Mallory). We have quite a few names with a several standard spellings or no standard spelling, including: Ana, Ashlee, Brynne, Cowen, Danica, Emeline, Ethne, Hailey, Isabel, Katelyn, Lynnaea. About half our names end with a vowel sound ending. Most of our names are not on the super-popular chart. The exceptions are Isabel, Katelyn (although that has peaked and is now waning), Olivia (also peaked and now waning).
Amy and Derek picked the trendiest names. Amy's are: Olivia, Megan, Garrett, Brynne, and Chad. Chad is the exception to that. Derek's are: Katelyn, Tyson, Maloree, Gideon, and Ashlee. Mal and Gideon are the exceptions there. Tim and I have an old-fashioned motif going, which is trendy in its own right. Cowen is our exception--although it is a very old name in Ireland. Kayli has the most unusual names. Hers are: Jethro, Hazel (although it is slowly gaining popularity), Ethne, and Talmage. Kami's are the most Hispanic (she planned that): Ana, Elena, Isabel. Megan wins second place for most unusual: Danica (gaining popularity), Myles, Lynnaea, Kiersten, and Anders.
What does all this mean? Not much. All of us have very definite naming patterns. Anyway, I feel better now that I've gotten all that off my chest.
4 comments:
GLad you did this post! I truly do find it interesting how people choose names for their kids. I did a post on this very topic a while back.
My next names will fit with the trends too. Eileen (E is so trendy) and Orrin-vowel.
Also, if you'll notice, Mom and Dad's names fit the trends too, with the exception of Wyatt.
Thank you for the most unusual name award. What is my prize?
My next name won't fit that trend-- at least the family trend (it will our own trend though)---Sofia. Our next name after that would be Eva. Are we all going for the double E's???? Anyway, in case of a bouy Sebastian will buck the trend too. Nicolas is pretty close to all those M's though. Ta-ta. What are the Mormon trends vs. anywhere else in the US trends?
Yeah, I love Maisie. That would fit right in the M theme. Brigham fits too--old-fashioned and first of the alphabet. Harriet--same thing. Let's be honest though--Tim will never let me have either Maisie or Harriet, so we don't have any names picked out. Guess we're done having kids. :)
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