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Bloody Mary, November 13
A Bloody Mary is a drink made from vodka and tomato juice, and often contains Tabasco sauce or other spices. The term "Bloody" refers to the bright red color of the drink. The term "Mary" may refer to a specific person named Mary-- one legend says that a man suggested the name because the drink made him think of a club named the "Bucket of Blood" and of a girl who went there named Mary.[1] The name of the drink may also refer to the legend of Bloody Mary. The Bloody Mary was called Red Snapper in New York during the 1930s, but the name did not catch on.[2] [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Nicknames, Love and Style Pants, November 8
My name is Cainim. It's not a nickname, and it isn't much of a name either - more of a mishmash of letters my father threw together. A lot of hassle comes with a name like Cainim, so I've always been in the market for a nickname, something cool, something hip, something memorable. All of the nicknames I've collected in my life have come from the four women I have loved. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Carrie, Freddy, and Other Classic Horror Names, October 30
Some given names are branded by the blood of Hollywood. This seems particularly true for names related to the slew of horror movies that came out in the 1970’s and 80’s, such as Carrie, The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street. The characters in these classic horror films are unforgettable – and, usually, so are their names. Sometimes the films drastically effect the popularity of a particular name (such as the girls' names Carrie and Rosemary), and other times, the film has only a slight effect (the boys' names Chucky and Freddy). [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Etymologies of Major Holidays, October 23
The name Halloween is a contraction of "hallowed," which means "holy," and "evening."[3] Halloween was originally a pagan holiday called Samhain (pronounced saw-when or sow-in), but became associated with Christianity through All Saints Day, or All Hallowmas, held on November 1st.[4] The night before this holiday was known as All Hallows Eve, which was then shortened and morphed into Halloween. The first usage of the term Halloween is attributed to the Scottish in approximately 1745.[5] [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Etymologies of Latin American Countries, October 16
The name Argentina is derived from the Latin argentum, which means "silver." The region's Río de la Plata (Silver River) was used by Early Spanish and Portuguese traders to transport treasures (including silver) from Peru to the Atlantic. The land around the river stations eventually became known as La Argentina (The Land of Silver).[6] [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Yes, I'm Eager!, October 7
Eager is definitely a fun name, but imagine going through high school with it. The favorite question from guys was, “Are you?” Another fave was “Eager Beaver,” even into adulthood. Somehow, whenever anyone said “Eager Beaver,” they had the feeling they were being original. I could never quite figure that one out. My line became: “Like I’ve never heard that before.” [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
10 Weirdest Names, September 29
Pilot Inspektor Lee (son of Jason Lee), and Audio Science Sossamon (son of Shannyn Sossamon) are certainly eccentric, but even these names seem tame next the weirdest baby names. We've ruled out the names without sufficient information (for example, the couple in Kent who supposedly named their child Depressed Cupboard Cheesecake). [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Female Names in Songs, September 19
I think I can recall meeting one Rhonda in my life…and you can bet that I could not get the Beach Boys’ hit “Help me, Rhonda” out of my head when I met her. That name is branded for life. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Political Name-Calling and Twenty-first Century Names, September 12
In his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, Senator Barack Obama declared, “we cannot meet 21st century challenges with a 20th century bureaucracy.”[7] From the look of the candidates, it also seems we cannot meet 21st century politics with 20th century names. This is one election in which the names of the candidates have received considerable attention—occasionally overshadowing the actual politics. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
How I Named Four Babies and Survived, September 5
Naming a child is one of the many huge responsibilities that comes along with parenthood. Parents ask themselves: “Should we go with a traditional name, or be creative?” “If we choose a traditional name, should we set it apart by using an alternative spelling?” “Should we name the baby after someone in the family?” “Should we use a name just because we like how it sounds?” After these (and quite a few other) questions have been answered, parents still face the enormous task of choosing the name. If you think going through all that once is challenging, try doing it four times. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Michael Phelps Needs a Nickname, August 25
Michael Fred Phelps needs the perfect nickname. He has dozens of them, but nothing quite suits him -- nothing, except, his swimsuit. What can we call a superhuman who eats 12,000 - 14,000 calories a day, has double-joined knees and breaks records like snap peas? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Elements and Meanings of Surnames, August 11
Many surnames are made up of two or more elements, and a basic knowledge of a few languages helps one understand the meanings of the elements and, in turn, the meanings of the names themselves. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Biblical Names: Thousands of Years and Still in Style, July 28
For centuries, people have looked towards the Bible for guidance and comfort – and naming their children. Biblical names are still among the most popular choices in 2008, with Jacob, Michael, Abigail, Joshua, Hannah, and Daniel ranking at the top of the major naming charts. [8] But when searching for a name, you don’t have to stop with the character names – the Bible contains thousands of possibilities, from the names of locations to precious jewels to flowers and plants. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Romantic Nicknames in the Romance Languages, July 21
Have you ever wondered what you’d call your sweetheart if you were French? You probably wouldn’t call them “sweetheart” (doux couer) since that would translate as “heart soft.” You could go with the non-literal translation, cheri, but it has a slightly different meaning. From the root cher, meaning expensive, the word cheri means something more like "dearest." Closer to sweetheart would be mon petit chou, or “my little cabbage.” Weird? Have you ever heard someone say sugarpie, honeycakes or pumpkin? Every culture has its own romantic nicknames. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Number Names, July 24
Nowadays, when you meet a Quentin, chances are, he isn't actually the fifth son, and your neighbor named Octavia probably doesn't have seven older siblings either. But if you are planning for your offspring to be as numerous as the stars, there are plenty of names to choose from if you want to hark back to this old tradition. Or you might want to use your child's name to honor your favorite significant number— perhaps a particular date or a superstitious tradition. Number names are numerous and fantastic. Have a look. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Knox, Vivienne and the Trends of Tomorrow, July 20
Names, like fashion, are at the mercy of celebrities. So “Moon Unit” didn’t make a huge footprint (see: Baby Name No-Nos), but what about the names of Angelina Jolie’s twins: Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline? What ripple will they create in the baby naming world? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Name idioms, July 9
Idiom: A speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its elements, as in keep tabs on. [9]
The English language is replete with colorful idioms – most of them common enough that every Tom, Dick, and Harry can quote them ad nauseam till the cows come home. However, it is common knowledge that overuse of idioms should be avoided like the plague because people are sick and tired of them. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Names and Gender, July 2
If you were standing at the edge of a playground back in the 1880s, and you called out the name Beverly, several boys would answer you. Calling out the name Vinnie would bring a few girls running. Today, many names we think of as being strictly feminine started out as masculine, and vice versa. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Creating an Effective Business Name, June 25
Whether you have a product that has been on the market for centuries or one that is on technology's bleeding edge, what you name your business is not a decision to be taken lightly. It is your first, and arguably most important, marketing decision; after all, every piece of material you use to advertise your product or services will have your name on it. The advice in the below article might inspire you to come up with the greatest name since 'Kleenex', or at least, it might help you avert a marketing disaster like 'New Coke'. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Name Your Baby After an Elf, June 20
Many 21st century parents are on the search for new exciting names for their new wiggly wonders. Funky spellings, obscure names and made-up names are definitely "in." And who has more experience making up names than those creative writers of the Fantasy and Science Fiction genre?
Now, I’m not suggesting you name your child Gandalf or Chewbacca or anything so radical (in fact, I beg you not to). But if you browse the Fantasy section of your local bookstore (or, ahem, your own bookshelf) you'll find there are plenty of fantasy names that just roll off the tongue and could make a great moniker for your new fantastic bundle of joy. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Thanks, Dad. June 12
On this Father’s Day, it is easy to overlook the one immortal, implacable and irreversible gift most of us were given by the man who gave most of us so much – our name. For here is the title bestowed at our birth that, whether we are bricklayers or bankers, we carry and carry on during our generation. Here is an open letter to fathers everywhere. Happy Father’s Day.
Dear Dad:
Of all of the things you have given me, I was perhaps most influenced and directed by our name. Granted, I had no choice but to carry it, but I’ve come to like the way it fits. And although tradition was ultimately been responsible for my bearing it, this particular tradition is not such a bad thing. That name, our name, became the nucleus on which I built the rest of myself. Having it gave me something to attach the building blocks of my existence to, and having it from you set the direction those building blocks would take. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
The Rise of "-Aden" May 22
The Social Security Administration has just released its 2007 stats, and at the top of the boy’s chart is the name Jacob, which has held the number 1 position since 1999. But a careful inspection of the chart will reveal that Jacob is not in fact the most popular baby name of the moment. An American creation has usurped the old Hebrew standard: Jayden. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Celebrity Etymologies, May 16
Some celebrities have great names that mean "beloved," "pearl," or "victory of the people." Others have names that mean "to kill," "paw," or "goatheard." Do you want to know who's who? Read on. (Some names in this list are pseudonyms.)
WHAT DO THEY MEAN?
- Ingrid: "beautiful."
- Bergman: someone who lives on or near a hill.
[read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
What Do You Call Your Mother?, May 8
Sure, she’s got a real name, but to you and your dear siblings, she’s Mom, or Mum, or maybe Mama, or just Ma. Have you ever wondered why you call your mother that?
Every culture and language has its own mother monikers, but if you take a look at a list such as this one, you’ll notice that, overwhelmingly, most of the names begin with M. For example, “Mama,” which is common in English and Spanish is also the official name for “mother” in Mudnés, Quechua, Romanian, Sardinian, Slovak, and Swahili.[10] Yes, there are exceptions to the M rule. But why so many similarities across such vastly different cultures? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Rickrolling, April 8
Sure, she’s got a real name, but to you and your dear siblings, she’s Mom, or Mum, or maybe Mama, or just Ma. Have you ever wondered why you call your mother that?
Every culture and language has its own mother monikers, but if you take a look at a list such as this one, you’ll notice that, overwhelmingly, most of the names begin with M. For example, “Mama,” which is common in English and Spanish is also the official name for “mother” in Mudnés, Quechua, Romanian, Sardinian, Slovak, and Swahili.[10] Yes, there are exceptions to the M rule. But why so many similarities across such vastly different cultures? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
A Rose by Any Other Name, March 27
Sure, she’s got a real name, but to you and your dear siblings, she’s Mom, or Mum, or maybe Mama, or just Ma. Have you ever wondered why you call your mother that?
Every culture and language has its own mother monikers, but if you take a look at a list such as this one, you’ll notice that, overwhelmingly, most of the names begin with M. For example, “Mama,” which is common in English and Spanish is also the official name for “mother” in Mudnés, Quechua, Romanian, Sardinian, Slovak, and Swahili.[10] Yes, there are exceptions to the M rule. But why so many similarities across such vastly different cultures? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Baby Name No-Nos, March 21
Sure, she’s got a real name, but to you and your dear siblings, she’s Mom, or Mum, or maybe Mama, or just Ma. Have you ever wondered why you call your mother that?
Every culture and language has its own mother monikers, but if you take a look at a list such as this one, you’ll notice that, overwhelmingly, most of the names begin with M. For example, “Mama,” which is common in English and Spanish is also the official name for “mother” in Mudnés, Quechua, Romanian, Sardinian, Slovak, and Swahili.[10] Yes, there are exceptions to the M rule. But why so many similarities across such vastly different cultures? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Researching Names: A Source Guide, March 13
Sure, she’s got a real name, but to you and your dear siblings, she’s Mom, or Mum, or maybe Mama, or just Ma. Have you ever wondered why you call your mother that?
Every culture and language has its own mother monikers, but if you take a look at a list such as this one, you’ll notice that, overwhelmingly, most of the names begin with M. For example, “Mama,” which is common in English and Spanish is also the official name for “mother” in Mudnés, Quechua, Romanian, Sardinian, Slovak, and Swahili.[10] Yes, there are exceptions to the M rule. But why so many similarities across such vastly different cultures? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
The Wackiest Names Ever, March 6
- Dr. Slaughterman (veterinarian)
- Dr. Yankem and Dr. Pullem (partner dentists)
- Dr. Korn (Podiatrist)
- Dr. Machetti (Surgeon)
- Dr. Payne (Dentist)
- Dr. Lecher (OB/Gyn)
[read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
What's in a (Presidential) Name?, February 28
What's in a (Presidential) Name? [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Traveling the Southern United States, February 22
Let’s say you live in Sacramento, California, and you want to travel across the vast United States of America, via the souther states, with a final destination of Kissimee, Florida, what route should you take? Or perhaps, you wish to drive an extra 111 miles to Two Egg, Florida, where should you begin? Well, if you have a dog and live in Sacramento, then you might want to stop by the nearby Dogtown, California, and drop off your furry friend. (I’m just assuming they have great dog kennels there.) [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Where the Heck did Surnames Come From?, February 16
We all have last names. In fact, we all need last names. Imagine trying to open a bank account, get a driver's license, register to vote, or fill out a simple form without one. Fortunately, they come standard. We get them from our fathers, who got them from their fathers, who got them from their fathers, who got them.... It seems like they've been around forever, but the truth is, last names - a.k.a. surnames - came into being only about 800 years ago. [read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
Valentine's Day, February 9
[read more ...] -or- [leave a comment ...]
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