What’s in a name?
Adam Lesley
JenniferZach
Kenton
Why do parents choose a particular name?
According to the 2007 Babycenter’s “Big Baby Name Survey”
30 % - To Honor a Family Member
26 % - Like How it Sounds
24% - Because it Has a
20 % - The Family Tree/Carry on the Tradition
How do parents choose a name?
* 64% said their spouse came up with the name, followed by:
* Relatives* Websites* Books* And an up and coming trend… Hiring a
professional baby-name consultant! (54% or responders said they would hire a consultant)
What Meaning Should a Name Have?
• Fifty-Nine percent believe that a child’s name contributes to his or her success in life.
• Top priority in the meaning of a name:
Boys Girls
1. Strength 1. Femininity
2. Individuality 2. Individuality
3. Kindness
Ethnic Background
How important was your ethnic background in choosing a name?
•77 % Not Important
•17 % Somewhat important (I tried to find a name that reflected my ethnicity.)
•6 % Essential (My child had to have a name that reflected my ethnic background.)
First Names. . .
We choose a first name because it describes the child.
Blanche white
Calvin bald
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Adamma = Child of beautyIbo, Nigeria (AH-DAHM-MAH)
First Names. . . We choose a name which is taken from some event or circumstance at birth.
•Easter•June•Summer•Atu (born on Saturday)
Fante, Ghana
First Names. . . . Sometimes names are chosen based on some hope or aspiration on the part of the parents
•Hope•Elizabeth (oath of God)•Abimbola (born to be rich) Yoruba, Nigeria•Inara (ray of light, heaven sent) Arabic
First Names. . . Sometimes children are named after an object
Flowers:•Holly
Jewels or gems:•Amber•Jade
•Rose•Hoa (flower)
First Names. . .
At times people are given first names because of the association or relation to the surname
•Lily White•Happy Sadd•Holly Wood (Lincoln, Nebraska)
• Henry Ford Carr (Central City, Kentucky)
First Names. . .
Some names are given from error or ignorance.
•Misspelled names
•Names given to immigrants at Ellis Island
First Names. . .
OdditiesJett (John Travolta & Kelly Preston)
Zowie (David Bowie)
Pilot Inspektor (Jason Lee & Beth Riesgraf)
Rumer, Tallulah, Scout (Bruce Willis & Demi
Moore)
First Names. . .
Names can originate as a result of chance.
•Close your eyes and point to a word in the Bible•Use the name of the first person you meet•Draw sticks or paper
First Names. . .
We name children in order to honor another person.
•Parent
•Grandparent
•Friend
•Relative
First Names. . .
We may choose names for children because we admire a famous person.
•Religious character•Poet•Movie Star
First Names. . . We sometimes choose a first name because it is “pretty” or seems harmonious with the last name or middle name.
•Peggy Sue•Melody Ann Sandman (Lincoln, Nebraska)
•Mark Clark VanArk (Toledo, Ohio)
•Newton Hooton (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
First Names. . .
People sometimes avoid names because of stereotypes.
Adolph Hitler
Judas The disciple who betrayed Jesus.
Bruno Bully
Fatima Fat
Arizona
First Names. . .We choose some names based on a geographical location
Savanna
Montana
What First Names are Popular?Top Baby Names of 2007…
Girls Boys
1. Sophia 1. Aiden
2. Isabella 2. Ethan
3. Emma 3. Jacob
4. Madison 4. Jayden
5. Ava 5. Caden
6. Addison 6. Noah
7. Hailey 7. Jackson
8. Emily 8. Jack
9. Kaitlyn 9. Logan
10. Olivia 10. Matthew
Middle Names…
•How did you parents choose your middle name?
•How will you choose your child’s middle name?
Middle Names
Surnames…
Surnames . . . Some surnames arise from local or geographical influence.
Where does he/she live?
Where is he/she from?
•Westfield
Surnames. . .
Some family names arise from a person’s most prominent peculiarity.
•James Brown
•William Young
Surnames. . .
Last names can originate from an occupational background - based on what he/she does or an office held.
•Miller•Smith•Bishop•Sawyer
Surnames. . .
Some surnames are patronymical, referring to his/her father’s name.
•Johnson
•Anderson
•Tomsdaughter
Surnames. . .
Some surnames are created as an invention, possibly with invented spellings.
Sandmann
•Talk to your parent / guardian tonight to learn stories about your naming ceremony.
•Come to the library media center and we’ll find out what the name experts say about your name.
"Big Baby Name Survey 2007." Babycenter. Jan. 2008. 28 Jan. 2008 <http://www.babycenter.com>.
Norman, Teresa. A World of Baby Names. New York: Berkley Publishing Group, 1996.
Odd Baby Names. 2006. 28 Jan. 2008 <http://www.oddbaby.com>.
"Odd Names." F2.org. 16 Dec. 2005. 28 Jan. 2008 <http://f2.0rg>.
Smith, Elsdon C. The Story of Our Names. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1950.