Sunday, August 26, 2018

Enas, Onas, & Unas

I'm always on the lookout for names & name patterns that seem to transcend language barriers. For some reason, girls' names in particular seem to follow particular phonetic constructions (I partially blame Latin, but that can't be the only answer!).
I've already rounded up several lists, including two-syllable -ana names and -ina names, and I got to wondering if perhaps -ena, -ona, and -una names are "a thing" as well. Turns out: yes!
All are feminine, unless otherwise indicated.

[because English is an oddball in our pronunciation of -ena names--the rest of the world generally says "ay-nah" or "eh-nah"--I will be omitting English -ena names from this list, and instead promise to go back and add them into the aforementioned -ina names post ;) ]
  • Eena (Finnish)
  • Ena (Scandinavian, Bosnian, Croatian, [Anglicized] Irish, Japanese, Indian [Bengali?]) [separate derivations]
  • Gena (Russian) [masculine]
  • Hena (Yiddish)
  • Jena (Scandinavian) [J said like English Y]
  • Lena (all over the Western world) [multiple derivations]
  • Meena (Finnish)
  • Mena (Scandinavian)
  • Neena (Finnish)
  • Nena (Dutch, Scandinavian, Serbian, Spanish) [separate derivations]
  • Rena/Reena (Scandinavian)
  • Seena (Finnish)
  • Sena (Scandinavian, Japanese, Turkish, Dutch) [separate derivations, unisex in Japanese]
  • Stena ([archaic] Swedish)
  • Svena ([archaic] Swedish)
  • Tena (Croatian)
  • Trena (Macedonian)
  • Zdena (Czech)
  • Zena (Scandinavian, Arabic) [separate derivations]

  • Bona ([archaic] Italian, Swedish) [modernly more common as a surname in Italian]
  • Chona (Philippine Spanish)
  • Dona (Scandinavian)
  • Frona (English)
  • Giona (Italian) [masculine]
  • Gona (Kurdish)
  • Jóna (Icelandic) [J said like English Y]
  • Jona (Scandinavian) [J said like English Y, unisex]
  • Joona (Finnish) [J said like English Y, masculine]
  • Kona (Greenlandic, Indian [Telugu?]) [separate derivations, masculine as an Indian name]
  • Lona (Danish)
  • Mona (English, Scandinavian, Arabic, German, Persian) [multiple derivations]
  • Moona (Finnish)
  • Nona (English, Latin, Scandinavian)
  • Noona (Finnish)
  • Ona (Catalan, Lithuanian) [separate derivations]
  • Rhona (English, Scottish)
  • Rona (English, Scottish, Hebrew, Scandinavian, Albanian) [multiple derivations]
  • Shona ([anglicized] Scottish)
  • Sona (Hindi, Turkmen, Armenian, Scandinavian) [separate derivations]
  • Tona (English, Scandinavian)
  • Zona (English)

  • Bruna (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Croatian, Scandinavian)
  • Djuna (English)
  • Dúna (Icelandic)
  • Guna (Latvian, Indian [Tamil?]) [masculine as an Indian name]
  • Húna (Icelandic)
  • Juna (Dutch, Scandinavian) [J said like English Y]
  • Juna (Japanese, English) [J said like English J, separate derivations]
  • Kruna (Serbian, Croatian)
  • Luna (all over the Western world)
  • Muna/Mouna (Arabic)
  • Rúna (Icelandic)
  • Runa (Scandinavian, Bengali, Japanese) [separate derivations]
  • Suna (Turkish, Scandinavian) [separate derivations]
  • Teuna (Dutch)
  • Úna (Irish)
  • Una (English, Scandinavian, Bosnian, Croatian, Latvian) [multiple derivations]
  • Uuna (Finnish)
  • Yuna (Korean, Japanese, Breton) [separate derivations]
  • Yuuna (Japanese)

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Midwestern Names

Perhaps someday I should redo this entire series, but using the same year's data for all. :p
So far, we have "Southern" names (2014), "Surfer" names (2015), and "Cowboy" names (2016). Today we have Midwestern names (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI), and I promise I will try to get around to New England names sometime this year. ;)

Up first, here are the "most Midwestern" names (by % of babies given that name) in the Midwestern states' combined Top 1000:

Boys:
  • Abdirahman
  • Abdullahi
  • Brecken
  • Jakub
  • Henrik
  • Huxley
  • Kolten
  • Crosby
  • Otto
  • Ayub
  • Briggs
  • Bo
  • Sullivan
  • Emmitt
  • Zakariya
  • Dane
  • Leighton
  • Amarion
  • Hussein
  • Gus
So, for clarification, Abdirahman, the "most Midwestern" boys' name, is about 3.5x more common in the Midwest than in the US in general.

Girls:
  • Letty
  • Greta
  • Luella
  • Jersey
  • Maren
  • Vada
  • Elsie
  • Mara
  • Bexley
  • Vayda
  • Berkley
  • Monroe
  • Emersyn
  • Oaklyn
  • Tenley
  • Brynlee
  • Macy
  • Lucille
  • Brynn
  • Nora
I am pretty surprised to see so many Arabic names on the boys' list. Also interesting that there aren't any on the girls' (Safa comes in at #22). The girls' list is also quite a hodgepodge of styles!

Plenty of these names are still pretty uncommon, so here are the "most Midwestern" names from the midwestern Top 500:

Boys:
  • Brecken
  • Henrik
  • Huxley
  • Crosby
  • Otto
  • Briggs
  • Bo
  • Sullivan
  • Emmitt
  • Emmett
  • Keaton
  • Hank
  • Mohamed
  • Ahmed
  • Reid
  • Beckett
  • Graham
  • Griffin
  • Ryker
  • Nash
Ah, that's more like what I was expecting.

Girls:
  • Greta
  • Luella
  • Maren
  • Elsie
  • Mara
  • Monroe
  • Emersyn
  • Oaklyn
  • Tenley
  • Brynlee
  • Macy
  • Lucille
  • Brynn
  • Nora
  • Evelynn
  • Oakley
  • Lainey
  • Cecelia
  • Gracelynn
  • Thea
"Old lady names", unisex surnames, lyns, and lees. That's like the current US naming culture, in microcosm. :p

Finally, down to the most popular names. Here are the names most disproportionately common in the Midwestern states, from their combined Top 100:

Boys:
  • Emmett
  • Ryker
  • Bennett
  • Lincoln
  • Theodore
  • Everett
  • Bentley
  • Maverick
  • Owen
  • Henry
  • Braxton
  • Weston
  • Sawyer
  • Nolan
  • Harrison
  • Leo
  • Easton
  • Parker
  • Hudson
  • Oliver

Girls:
  • Nora
  • Quinn
  • Lydia
  • Vivian
  • Norah
  • Josephine
  • Cora
  • Hadley
  • Eleanor
  • Clara
  • Willow
  • Piper
  • Lillian
  • Claire
  • Everly
  • Harper
  • Paisley
  • Addison
  • Lucy
  • Violet

Anyone else think these lists read like those "Hottest Baby Names of 2017!!" articles?  :p

For comparison, here are the Midwestern Top 10 and the National Top 10. 


Midwestern
National
1.
Liam
Liam
2.
Oliver
Noah
3.
Noah
William
4.
William
James
5.
Henry
Logan
6.
Logan
Benjamin
7.
Benjamin
Mason
8.
Mason
Elijah
9.
James
Oliver
10.
Owen
Jacob


Midwestern
National
1.
Emma
Emma
2.
Olivia
Olivia
3.
Ava
Ava
4.
Charlotte
Isabella
5.
Amelia
Sophia
6.
Harper
Mia
7.
Evelyn
Charlotte
8.
Sophia
Amelia
9.
Isabella
Evelyn
10.
Nora
Abigail

If you wish to see the entire Midwestern Top 1000, it is up here, on Google Sheets.


And now for the really fun part: the most representative names of each state. These are the names most disproportionately common in that state compared to the US in general (data limited to the top 40% or so of names, since rare names confuse things). 

IL: Jakub, Maddon, Addison, Syed, Dakari (boys); Aleksandra, Nell, Jaylani, Klara, Zaina (girls)

IN: Lyndon, Briar, Crew, Bentlee, Branson (boys); Addelyn, Hadleigh, Haisley, Gracelynn, Jovie (girls)

IA: Kinnick, Huxley, Hank, Bo, Kohen (boys); Bexley, Estella, Tenley, Everlee, Oaklyn (girls)

KS: Bo, Hayes, Wade, Pierce, Brock (boys); Bristol, Kimber, Macy, Lainey, Emberly (girls)

MI: Hussein, Saleh, Hadi, Henrik, Cartier (boys); Zahraa, Layan, Malak, Ellery, Ayah (girls)

MN: Muad, Abdullahi, Abdirahman, Salman, Ayub (boys); Maryama, Sundus, Maida, Siham, Sumaya (girls)

MO: Truman, Gatlin, Kolten, Augustus, Boone (boys); Emberlynn, Kimber, Rosalee, Karlie, Vada (girls)

NE: Brecken, Huxley, Briggs, Hayes, Barrett (boys); Lennon, Sloan, Adley, Emersyn, Willa (girls)

ND: Mohamed, Rhett, Ryker, Lane, Nash (boys); Adley, Elsie, Kinley, Thea, Brynlee (girls)

OH: Marty, Abdirahman, Cartier, Colson, Bentlee (boys); Jersey, Bexley, Denver, Aubrianna, Carmella (girls)

SD: Briggs, Oakley, Hayes, Porter, Kane (boys); Hattie, Oakley, Aspen, Mya, Brynlee (girls)

WI: Cashton, Jordy, Bronson, Brecken, Henrik (boys); Greta, Luella, Marcella, Veda, Sylvia (girls)

Yes, that is Oakley on both the boys' and girls' lists in South Dakota. And it's all about one-syllable names for Kansas boys! Actually single-syllable names are all over the boys' lists; I guess there's more than a little 'cowboy' in the Midwest as well.
Kinnick (IA) and Marty (OH) seem so random! There just has to be a local influence.

But really, the most interesting thing about this data, IMO, is how you can tell where immigration is strongest. Pretty cool!

If you want to see beyond the top 5 for each state, it's also up on Google Sheets (same link as above, different sheet).


So, what names are the "least Midwestern"? Easily, Latinate names for both genders, especially Spanish ones (Pablo, Rodrigo, Roberto, Alessia, Fernanda, Renata, etc), but also softer/unisex boys' names (Morgan, Noel, Alexis, Eden, etc) and, in an oddly specific anti-trend, Jaz-names for girls (Jazmin, Jazlyn, Jazmine, etc).

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Spam-a-lot 4: It Never Ends

I swear the amount of junk email I get increases daily. Here are even more names from my spam folder.
  • Abby
  • Alessia
  • Alisa
  • Amanda
  • Ananda
  • Anastasia
  • Anastasiya
  • Angelina
  • Ann
  • Anna
  • Ashley
  • Bianca
  • Brad
  • Camelia
  • Cammie
  • Carolee
  • Connie
  • Cynthia
  • Diana
  • Ema
  • Emily
  • Emma
  • Faith
  • George
  • Grayson
  • Isabella
  • Jack
  • James
  • Janeth
  • Jasmine (tons)
  • Jeanette
  • Jenn
  • Jenna
  • Jennifer
  • Jessica (x1000)
  • Jhon
  • Joanna
  • Joanne
  • Julia
  • Katrina
  • Katy
  • Kristy
  • Lauren
  • Lewis
  • Linda
  • Marc
  • Marina
  • Mark
  • Mike
  • Natalia
  • Natalie
  • Nita
  • Peter
  • Phillip
  • Rebica
  • Roisin
  • Sandra
  • Sara (lots)
  • Sarah (even more)
  • Selena
  • Sherra
  • Sherye
  • Sophia
  • Sophie
  • Tania
  • Taylor
  • Veronica
  • Veronika
  • Vicky
  • Victoria
  • Violeta

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Palindromes and Emordnilaps (again)

I guess it's been 3 years since I did that last post, and I've had a bug in my head to do it again and see if there's anything new.
["Emordnilap" is a modernly-coined term for a word that forms another word when reversed ;)
Also, since I pulled my name data straight from the SSA, there are very likely some obscure and/or international names that belong on these lists as well]

True Palindromes (by most-->least popular):
Boys
Girls
Otto
Ava
Asa
Hannah
Natan
Anna
Nayan
Ana
Nosson
Ada
Renner
Elle
Nivin
Eve
Bob
Aya
Sahas
Emme
Ara
Aviva
Neven
Aja
Efe
Asa
Nalan
Ara
Ava
Maram
Ege
Aziza
Naman
Eevee
Ata
Layal
Aza
Awa
Siris
Hanah
Anna
Anina
Aja
Ala
Ebube
Aza
Hannah
Alyla
Eze
Ama
Nixin
Maham
Nolon
Ahsha
Ramar
Adda
Reinier
Alla

Itati

Ece

Arora

Eme

Izzi

Luul

Renner


Name/Name Emordnilaps (sorted by the more common of the pair. Most seem to be coincidental):
Boys
Girls
James / Semaj
Aria / Aira
Robert / Trebor
Ariana / Anaira
Kevin / Nivek
Eva / Ave
Miles / Selim
Maria / Airam
Ivan / Navi
Arya / Ayra
Eric / Cire
Ariel / Leira
Leon / Noel
Iris / Siri
Devin / Nived
Alina / Anila
Ari / Ira
Alana / Anala
Ramon / Nomar
Diana / Anaid
Noe / Eon
Ayla / Alya
Amos / Soma
Vera / Arev
Jamal / Lamaj
Haven / Nevah
Lamar / Ramal
Lena / Anel
Nova / Avon
Nadia / Aidan
Leroy / Yorel
Anaya / Ayana
Elon / Nole
Nylah / Halyn
Mac / Cam
Hanna / Annah
Jamar / Ramaj
Anne / Enna
Guy / Yug
Avah / Hava
Dale / Elad
Anika / Akina
Dev / Ved
Anya / Ayna
Jet / Tej
Alena / Anela
Mikah / Hakim
Alia / Aila
Oren / Nero
Alaya / Ayala
Olin / Nilo
Ellen / Nelle
Sire / Eris
Ari / Ira
Amin / Nima
Aliana / Anaila
Omer / Remo
Amia / Aima
Tarik / Kirat
Analia / Ailana
Nile / Elin
Kaya / Ayak
Eliah / Haile
Halle / Ellah
Kam / Mak
Naya / Ayan
Salim / Milas
Asia / Aisa
Mael / Leam
Akira / Arika
Ivar / Ravi
Anais / Siana
Nael / Lean
Ila / Ali
Nahom / Mohan
Ayanna / Annaya
Kroy / York
Ayva / Avya
Nabil / Liban
Elin / Nile
Izak / Kazi
Aryana / Anayra
Kavon / Novak
Taya / Ayat
Zak / Kaz
Ivana / Anavi
Navy / Yvan
Alex / Xela
Oak / Kao
Adela / Aleda
Isak / Kasi
Ida / Adi
Norris / Sirron
Ayah / Haya
Zair / Riaz
Ailyn / Nylia
Esa / Ase
Amal / Lama
Eziah / Haize
Delia / Ailed
Mika / Akim
Aida / Adia
Hari / Irah
Mayra / Aryam
Oz / Zo
Anyla / Alyna
Olen / Nelo
Inaya / Ayani
Kerem / Merek
Nila / Alin
Eryk / Kyre
Arie / Eira
Nadir / Ridan
Iva / Avi
Nam / Man
Lexa / Axel
Alim / Mila
Alyana / Anayla
Jak / Kaj
Aiza / Azia
Nas / San
Iman / Nami
Dez / Zed
Amor / Roma
Ayaz / Zaya
Eila / Alie
Navid / Divan
Nyra / Aryn
Navin / Nivan
Ilana / Anali
Anis / Sina
Neva / Aven
Ramel / Lemar
Avia / Aiva
Reis / Sier
Ileana / Anaeli
Neziah / Haizen
Ayda / Adya
Nilan / Nalin
Arina / Anira
Airam / Maria
Yadira / Ariday
Arad / Dara
Ania / Aina
Lain / Nial
James / Semaj
Vin / Niv
Halima / Amilah
Meba / Abem
Leana / Anael
Isam / Masi
Navi / Ivan
Tad / Dat
Aris / Sira
Kiro / Orik
Ani / Ina
Sinai / Ianis
Irma / Amri
Vinay / Yaniv
Sianna / Annais
Jama / Amaj
Maira / Ariam
Neri / Iren
Xyla / Alyx
Issam / Massi
Anja / Ajna
Nasi / Isan
Alaa / Aala
Nik / Kin
Aleen / Neela
Kedar / Radek
Amila / Alima
Mosi / Isom
Aleina / Aniela
Naz / Zan
Lenna / Annel
Saba / Abas
Anaiya / Ayiana
Vail / Liav
Alyza / Azyla
Layn / Nyal
Amen / Nema

Anaelle / Elleana

Asya / Aysa

Naira / Arian

Nadya / Aydan

Alea / Aela

Muna / Anum

Nada / Adan

Ailen / Nelia

Ahri / Irha

Hayat / Tayah

Aili / Ilia

Alli / Illa

Alyah / Hayla

Aiyla / Alyia

Rima / Amir

Aayla / Alyaa

Aeva / Avea

Allena / Anella

Hali / Ilah

Arin / Nira

Halia / Ailah

Nayra / Aryan

Anai / Iana

Irena / Aneri

Ilse / Esli

Sila / Alis

Akila / Alika

Amada / Adama

Hailyn / Nyliah

Imara / Arami

Mana / Anam

Hadia / Aidah

Inna / Anni

Neeva / Aveen

Ramya / Aymar

Amar / Rama

Ayza / Azya

Ziana / Anaiz

Anilah / Halina

Ayaana / Anaaya

Neda / Aden

Aaron / Noraa

Airi / Iria

Haelyn / Nyleah


I also did a search for names that were words reversed, but most were almost certainly coincidental (I doubt people are using Liam because it's 'mail' backward for instance). The only one I could definitely say was on purpose was Nevaeh, which was surprising, since I have seen others such as Legna or Traeh in previous years.
There were quite a few that made me giggle, however, like the fact that Dennis backward is 'sinned', and that the Nevaeh-spinoff Devaeh is 'heaved', so if you want to peruse the list I came up with, I did put it up on Google Sheets. :)