Even though I like girly names better, today's name of the day is definitely a boy's name - CREW. (Although it could perhaps be perceived as androgynous like Drew.) I actually had another boy's moniker picked out for today, but then came across Crew - used recently as a firstname for a newborn baby boy in the midwestern U.S. (Crew Charles - kind of cute, eh?) - and I was immediately enthralled as it's not a first name I have come across before, which is saying something, as my list of names is nearing the 52,000 mark! ("Crews" and "Crewe" have been used as male middle name a few times, but they're quite rare.)
I did a quick internet search, and www.thinkbabynames.com states that "Crew is a variant of Carew" with the meaning of "chariot." According to this website, Carew is itself a Latin name (sure doesn't sound Latin to me!) I think I like Carew better, even though it sounds like something you'd eat : ) When I think of "Crew" as a name, I think of Posh's and Becks' son Cruz, Tom Cruise, 1950s-styled haircuts, and rowing . . . Still, I can see the appeal of Crew for a little boy, and I'm wondering if I'll start seeing it pop up now!
Crew
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Name of the Day
Today's name is HARRIET. I used to think this was a horrid name - I thought it was horribly old-fashioned and surely would doom your little girl to a life of spinsterhood and playground taunts. Most likely this opinion of mine was formed by the television series, Little House on the Prairie. Laura Ingall's nemesis, the evil Nellie's mother was named Harriet in the tv show. (I don't recall Nellie's mom being named Harriet in the books, but I could be wrong.)
Anyhow, lately I have noticed a resurgance of "Harriet" as a baby name - both used as a first and middle name - in Great Britain. I would say it is almost on the verge of trendiness across the pond, although I can't say I've seen any little Harriets on this side of the Atlantic . . .
The name is the feminine form of Harry (also a name rising in popularity, no doubt somewhat influenced by the dashing Prince Henry of Wales, and of course, Harry Potter) and is a reputed to be derived from the French name "Henriette." Alternate spellings include Harriette, Harriett, and Harriott. Besides Nellie Olsen's mum, the most popular references to Harriet in modern day culture are of course "Ozzie and Harriet" and the charming children's novel, "Harriet the Spy."
In conclusion, I must say my opinion of Harriet as a quirky old-maid's name has changed; these days I am rather intrigued by it and it's slowly growing on me. But maybe it's just my propensity to gravitate towards "H" names : )
Harriet
Anyhow, lately I have noticed a resurgance of "Harriet" as a baby name - both used as a first and middle name - in Great Britain. I would say it is almost on the verge of trendiness across the pond, although I can't say I've seen any little Harriets on this side of the Atlantic . . .
The name is the feminine form of Harry (also a name rising in popularity, no doubt somewhat influenced by the dashing Prince Henry of Wales, and of course, Harry Potter) and is a reputed to be derived from the French name "Henriette." Alternate spellings include Harriette, Harriett, and Harriott. Besides Nellie Olsen's mum, the most popular references to Harriet in modern day culture are of course "Ozzie and Harriet" and the charming children's novel, "Harriet the Spy."
In conclusion, I must say my opinion of Harriet as a quirky old-maid's name has changed; these days I am rather intrigued by it and it's slowly growing on me. But maybe it's just my propensity to gravitate towards "H" names : )
Harriet
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Name of the Day
It seems rather fitting that I should begin this blog with a name that starts, not with the first, but with the last letter of the English alphabet. Today's name is ZENOBIA. I LOVE this name! Not so sure if I would go as far to actually name my child (maybe a pet though?) it, but I think it is quite charming and I hope for a comeback.
Meaning "the life of Zeus," this name's claim to fame was Queen Zenobia, a 3rd century B.C. Abrabian ruler. Apparently, the name Zenobia was revived in the 19th century - which makes sense when you think of the rise of neoclassicism in Europe in the mid-seventeenth century and the popularity of orientalism in early ninenteenth century European art. Images of Ingres' bathing beauties come to mind when I picture the name Zenobia. I rarely come across this name in my research, but when I do it usually IS in the context of the 1800s . . .
Personally, I like it because it incorporates "Zen" and the "ee-ah" ending that I love so much in pretty, feminine names (i.e. Maria, Sophia, Olimpia, etc.) I love the French version as well, Zenobie. Other similar names that come to mind are Zenaida and Zenouska - Zenouska being the name of Princess Alexandra of England's granddaughter. A quick Google search reveals that Zenobia is the name of an agency spealizing in photography stylists and also a popular gourmet nut company as well as a famous twentieth century African-American composer from the Mid-West.
Zenobia
Meaning "the life of Zeus," this name's claim to fame was Queen Zenobia, a 3rd century B.C. Abrabian ruler. Apparently, the name Zenobia was revived in the 19th century - which makes sense when you think of the rise of neoclassicism in Europe in the mid-seventeenth century and the popularity of orientalism in early ninenteenth century European art. Images of Ingres' bathing beauties come to mind when I picture the name Zenobia. I rarely come across this name in my research, but when I do it usually IS in the context of the 1800s . . .
Personally, I like it because it incorporates "Zen" and the "ee-ah" ending that I love so much in pretty, feminine names (i.e. Maria, Sophia, Olimpia, etc.) I love the French version as well, Zenobie. Other similar names that come to mind are Zenaida and Zenouska - Zenouska being the name of Princess Alexandra of England's granddaughter. A quick Google search reveals that Zenobia is the name of an agency spealizing in photography stylists and also a popular gourmet nut company as well as a famous twentieth century African-American composer from the Mid-West.
Zenobia
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