Marian Names (Redux)

Waaaaaay back in 2012 I did a post on Marian names, and have since been adding to it one at a time as I came across others. Recently, though, I found even more, which made me wonder just how many I managed to miss the first time. 😅

(I found a lot. In my defense, many are localized and/or rare)

So, instead of updating that older list, I've decided just to publish a new expanded and more detailed version. Enjoy!

If you're unfamiliar with the concept, Marian names are simply names given in honor of the Virgin Mary. As such, they're most common in Catholicism, but are occasionally used in other branches of Christianity as well.

[all are feminine unless otherwise stated]

• Abene (ah-beh-neh, Basque)--"pillar". Basque translation of Pilar. 
• Achiropita (ah-kee-ROH-pee-tah, Italian)--from Greek, "not created by human hands".
     Refers to the Madonna Santissima Achiropita in the Rossano Cathedral, Italy. 
• África (AH-free-kah, Spanish)--"Africa"
     Refers to shrine Our Lady of Africa of Ceuta, Spain.
• Ainhoa (eye-noh-ah, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque, "little place". Spanish variant is Ainoa.
     Refers to town of Ainhoa, France, along the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). 
• Aintzane (ine-tsah-neh, Basque)--"glory". Another form is Aintza (ine-tsah). Basque translation of Gloria. 
• Aitziber (eye-tsee-behr, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, meaning unknown
     Refers to the Hermitage of Aitziber, Navarra, Spain.
• Aizpea (eye-speh-ah, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "under the rock"
     Refers to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Aizpea, Euskadi, Spain.
• Alazne (ah-lahs-neh, Basque)--"miracle". Basque translation of Milagros. 
• Alegría (ah-leh-GREE-ah, Spanish)--"joy" [much more common as a surname]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Joy. 
• Almudena (ahl-moo-DEH-nah, Spanish)--from Arabic, "citadel"
     Refers to the Virgen de la Almudena in the Almudena Cathedral, Spain.
• Altagracia (ahl-tah-GRAH-see-ah, Spanish; ahl-tah-grah-SEE-ah, Portuguese)--"high grace"
     Refers to Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, patroness of the Dominican Republic. 
• Amatza (ah-maht-sah, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque ama, "mother".
     Refers to the Hermitage of San Martín de Amatza, Euskadi, Spain.
• Ametza (ah-met-sah, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, origin unknown [also a type of oak]
     Refers to the dedication Nuestra Señora de Ametza in Euskari, Spain. 
• Amparo (ahm-PAH-roh, Spanish, Portuguese)--"refuge"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Refuge. 
• Ángeles (AHN-jel-es, Spanish)--"angels"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Angels. 
• Angustias (ahn-GOOST-ee-ahs, Spanish)--"anguish"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Anguish. 
• Annunziata (ahn-noon-TSYAH-tah, Italian)--"announced". Masculine form is Annunziato. Respective diminutives, Nunzia (NOON-tsee-ah) and Nunzio (NOON-tsee-oh), are often used independently as well. Spanish form is Anunciación (ah-noon-see-ah-see-OHN).
     Refers to the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
• Aparecida (ah-pah-reh-SEE-dah, Portuguese)--"appeared"
     Refers to Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida, Patroness of Brazil. 
• Araceli (ah-rah-SEH-lee, Spanish)--from Latin, "altar of the sky"
     Refers to the Nuestra Señora de Araceli in Andalusia, Spain. 
• Arantzazu (ah-rahnt-sah-soo, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "thornbush". Variants are Arantxa (ah-rahn-chah, Basque), Arantza (ah-rahnt-sah, Basque, Spanish), and Arancha (ah-RAHN-chah, Spanish).
     Refers to the apparition Virgen de Arantzazu. 
• Asunción (ah-soon-see-OHN, Spanish)--"assumption". Other forms are Assunta (ah-SOON-tah, Italian), Assumpció (ah-soomp-see-OH, Catalan), and Asun (ah-SOON, Spanish).
     Refer to the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. 
• Auxiliadora (owk-seel-ee-ah-DOR-ah, Spanish)--from Latin, "gift of assistance"
     Refers to the title Mary, Help of Christians.
• Azahar (ah-sah-AR, Spanish)--"orange blossom", from Arabic zahrah, "blossom". Another form is Azahara (ah-sah-AR-ah).
     Refers to the dedication Virgen del Azahar in Región de Murcia, Spain. 
• Begoña (beh-GOHN-yah, Spanish)--from Basque, poss. "at the foot [of a mountain]".
     Refers to apparition Nuestra Señora de Begoña. 
• Bonaria (boh-NAH-ree-ah, Sardinian, Italian)--"good-natured" or "fair winds"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Fair Winds. 
• Callyvorry (kah-luh-vorr [rolled 'rr']-uh, [medieval, Anglicized] Manx)--"servant of Mary". Also appears in records as Calyvorra and Calyvorr.
• Candelaria (kan-deh-LAH-ree-ah, Spanish)--"Candlemas". Variants include Cande (KAHN-deh), Candelas (kahn-DEH-las), & Candela (kahn-DEH-lah). Masculine is Candelario.
     Refers to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Candlemas. 
• Canòlic (cah-NAH-leek, Catalan)--origin unknown
     Refers to the Mare de Déu de Canòlic in Canòlic, Andorra. 
• Caridad (kah-ree-DAHD, Spanish)--"charity"
     Refers to Nuestra Señora de Caridad del Cobre, patroness of Cuba.
• Carmel (KAHR-mel, English; kahr-MEHL, Spanish)--from Hebrew, "garden". Other forms include Carmela (kar-MEH-lah, Spanish, Italian), Carme (KAHR-meh, Catalan, Galician), and Carmella (kar-MEL-lah, English). Masculine is Carmelo (kar-MEH-loh, Spanish, Italian).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Carmel.
• Catena (kah-TEH-nah, Sicilian, Italian)--"chain"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Chain.
• Civita (CHEE-vee-tah, Italian)--"city"
     Refers to the Madonna della Civita, in the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Civita, Italy. 
• Concepción (kon-sep-see-OHN, Spanish)--"conception". Other forms include Conchita (cohn-CHEE-tah, Spanish), Concepta (con-SEP-tah, English, Irish), Concetta (cohn-CHET-tah, Italian), and Conceição (cohn-say-SOW, Portuguese).
     Refers to the Immaculate Conception. 
• Consuelo (kohn-SWEH-loh, Spanish)--"consolation". Variants include Consuela (kohn-SWEH-lah), Consolación (kohn-soh-lah-see-OHN), and Chelo (CHE-loh). Italian form is Consolata (con-soh-LAH-tah).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Consolation. 
• Corazón (koh-rah-SOHN, Spanish)--"heart"
     Refers to the title Immaculate Heart of Mary. 
• Coromoto (koh-roh-MOH-toh, Spanish)--prob. of Native American origin, meaning unknown
     Refers to the apparition Nuestra Señora de Coromoto. 
• Covadonga (koh-vah-DOHN-gah, Spanish)--from Latin, "cave of the lady"
     Refers to the shrine Virgen de Covadonga of Asturias, Spain. 
• Deñe (den-yeh, Basque)--"annunciation". Basque translation of Annunciación. 
• Desanges (dez-AWNZH, French)--"of angels". Also spelled Desange. [more common as a surname]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Angels. 
• Desneiges (deh-NEZH, French)--"of the snows"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Snows. 
• Dolores (doh-LOH-rehs, English, Spanish)--from Spanish, "sorrows". Other forms include Lola (LOH-lah, English, Spanish), Dolors (doh-LORZ, Catalan), Dores (DOR-ez, Portuguese), and Addolorata (ah-doh-loh-RAH-tah, Italian).
     Refers to the title Mary of Sorrows. 
• Edurne (eh-door-neh, Basque)--"snow". Masculine is Edur. Basque translation of Nieves. 
• Encarnación (en-kahr-nah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"incarnation"
     Refers to the incarnation of Jesus in Mary's womb.
• Esperanza (es-peh-RAHN-sah, Spanish)--"hope". Frence form is Espérance (es-pay-RAWNs).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Hope. 
• Eunate (eh-oo-nah-teh, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque, "good door".
     Refers to the Church of Saint Mary of Eunate in Navarra, Spain; along the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). 
• Farners (far-NEHS, Catalan)--prob. from Latin "flour"
     Refers to the Church of Our Lady of Farners, Catalonia, Spain.
• Fátima (FAH-tee-mah, Portuguese, Spanish)--from Arabic, "abstaining"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Fátima and the apparitions at Fátima, Portugal. [the town name itself comes from the Arabic name Fatimah]
• Fuencisla (fwen-SEES-lah, Spanish)--prob. "flowing spring"
     Refers to the Virgen de la Fuencisla in Castilla y León, Spain
• Fuensanta (fwen-SAHN-tah, Spanish)--"blessed spring"
     Refers to the Virgen de la Fuensanta, patroness of Murcia, Spain.
• Gloria (GLOH-ree-ah, Spanish)--"glory". Portuguese spelling is Glória. [obvs. used in many different languages, but not necessarily considered a Marian name]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Glory. 
• Guadalupe (gwah-dah-LOO-peh, Spanish)--prob. from Latin "wolf" + Arabic "river, valley", or Arabic "hidden river" [unisex]. Variants (originally diminutives) are Lupe (LOO-peh) and Lupita (loo-PEE-tah).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Guadalupe and the apparitions at Guadalupe [now part of Mexico City], Mexico; or
     to the shrine Virgen de Guadalupe of Extremadura, Spain. 
• Henar (eh-NAHR, Spanish)--"hayfield"
     Refers to the Virgen del Henar in Castilla y León, Spain.
• Idoia (ee-doy-ah, Basque, Spanish)--poss. from Basque, "pond, swamp". Spanish variant is Idoya (ee-DOY-ah).
     Refers to the shrine Virgen de Idoya of Navarra, Spain.
• Ihintza (ee-heen-tsah, Basque)--"dew". Basque translation of Rocío. 
• Iker (ee-kehr, Basque)--"visitation" [masculine]. Basque translation of Visitación.
• Incoronata (een-koh-roh-NAH-tah, Italian)--"crowned"
     Refers to the title Holy Mary Crowned.
• Inmaculada (een-mah-koo-LAH-dah, Spanish)--"immaculate". Other forms include Immaculada (ee-mah-koo-LAH-dah, Catalan), Immacolata (ee-mah-koh-LAH-tah, Italian), and Imaculada (ee-mah-koo-LAH-dah, Portuguese).
     Refers to the Immaculate Conception. 
• Itatí (ee-tah-TEE, Spanish)--poss. from Guarani, "white stone"
     Refers to the title / shrine Our Lady of Itatí of Itatí, Argentina. 
• Itziar (eet-see-ahr, Basque, Spanish)--poss. "old stone" or "sea". Spanish variant is Icíar (ee-SEE-ahr).
     Refers to the Nuestra Señora de Itziar in Euskari, Spain. 
• Izarbe (ee-sahr-beh, Basque, Aragonese, Spanish)--prob. from Basque, "under stars"
    Refers to the Hermitage of the Virgin of Izarbe, Aragon, Spain.
• Letteria (let-TEHR-ee-ah, Italian)--"letter"
     Refers to Madonna della Lettera, patroness of Messina
• Liernia (lee-ehr-nee-ah, Basque, Spanish)--origin unknown. Another form is Lierni (lee-ehr-nee).
     Refers to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Liernia, Euskadi, Spain. 
• Lledó (yeh-DOH, Valencian, Catalan)--"hackberry"
     Refers to the Mare de Déu del Lledó in Comunitat Valenciana, Spain
• Loreto (loh-REH-toh, Italian, Spanish)--from Latin, "laurel" [unisex]. Variant is Loreta (loh-REH-tah).
     Refers to Loreto, Italy, home of the shrine and pilgrimage site Basilica della Santa Casa.  
• Lourdes (LOOR-dehs, Spanish; LORDZ, LUR-des, English; LORD, French)--origin unknown, poss. from Arabic, "the rose", or Latin, "sallow"
     Refers to the title and apparition Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes, France.
• Lujan (loo-HAHN, Spanish)--origin unknown, poss. from Latin lux, "light"
     Refers to Nuestra Señora de Luján, patroness of Argentina, Paraguay, & Uruguay.
• Luz (LOOS, Spanish)--"light"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Light. 
• Macarena (mah-kah-REH-nah, Spanish)--poss. from Latin, "blessed"
     Refers to the title Virgin of Hope of Macarena. 
• Madonna (mah-DON-nah, English)--from Italian, "my lady"
• Maolmoire (mool-MOY-reh, [archaic] Scottish)--"servant of Mary" [masculine]. Medieval Irish form was Maol Mhuire (mwel WID-eh) [unisex].
• Mar (MAHR, Spanish, Catalan)--"sea"
     Refers to the title Saint Mary of the Sea. 
• Maravillas (mah-rah-VEE-yahs, Spanish)--"wonders"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Wonders.
• Maris (MEHR-is, MAH-ris, English)--from Latin, "of the sea"
     Refers to the title Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
• Maristela (mah-ree-STEH-lah, Spanish, Portuguese)--from Latin Stella Maris "star of the sea".
     Refers to the title Our Lady, Star of the Sea.
• Mercedes (mehr-SEH-dehs, Spanish)--"mercies". Catalan form is Mercè (mur-SAY).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Mercy.
• Meritxell (mur-eet-CHEL, Catalan)--from Latin, "midday"
     Refers to Mare de Déu de Meritxell, patroness of Andorra.
• Milagros (mee-LAH-grohs, Spanish)--"miracles"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Miracles.
• Montserrat (mohn-seh-RAHT, Catalan, Spanish)--from Catalan "saw-mountain". Spanish variant is Monserrate (mohn-seh-RAH-teh).
     Refers to Mare de Déu de Montserrat, patroness of Catalonia. 
• Nagore (nah-goh-reh, Basque)--prob. Basque, meaning unknown
     Refers to the Hermitage of Nagore, Navarra, Spain
• Naiara (nah-yah-rah, Basque, Spanish)--from Arabic, "between rocks". Spanish variant is Nayara.
     Refers to Santa María la Real de Nájera monastery in La Rioja, Spain. 
• Nekane (neh-kah-neh, Basque)--"sorrows". Basque translation of Dolores. 
• Nieves (nee-EHV-ehs, Spanish)--"snows". Other forms include Neus (NEH-oos, Catalan), Neves (NEH-ves, Portuguese) and Nives (NEE-ves, Italian).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Snows.
• Núria (NOOR-ee-ah, Catalan)--poss. from Arabic, "light". Spanish form is Nuria (NOOR-ee-ah).
     Refers to the shrine Mare de Déu de Núria of Catalonia, Spain.
• Olatz (oh-lahts, Basque, Spanish)--prob. from Basque "cabin" or "forge"
     Refers to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Olatz in Euskadi, Spain. 
• Olvido (ohl-VEE-doh, Spanish)--"forgetfulness, oblivion"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Forgetfulness, Triumph, and Mercies.
• Osane (oh-sah-neh, Basque)--"remedy". Basque translation of Remedios. 
• Panagiota (pah-nah-YOT-ah, Greek)--"all holy". Masculine is Panagiotis.
     Refers to the epithet Mary, All-Holy. 
• Paz (PAHS, Spanish)--"peace"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Peace. 
• Pigi (pee-yee, Greek)--"spring, fountain". Also transliterated as Piyi.
    Refers to the title Life-Giving Spring. 
• Pilar (pee-LAHR, Spanish)--"pillar".
     Refers to title / apparition Our Lady of the Pillar. 
• Purificación (poor-ee-fee-cah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"purification" [unisex, but usually feminine].  Variants (originally diminutives) include Purita (poo-REE-tah) and Pura (POOR-ah).
     Refers to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Candlemas. 
• Queralt (keh-RAHL, Catalan)--poss. "high rock"
     Refers to the Virgen de Queralt in the Sanctuary of Queralt, Spain. 
• Regina (reh-JEEN-ah, English, Italian, Spanish; reh-HEE-nah, Spanish; reh-ZHEE-nah, Portuguese)--from Latin, "queen". [again, used in many different languages, but not necessarily considered a Marian name]
     Refers to the title Mary, Queen of Heaven and All the Earth. 
• Regla (REG-lah, Spanish)--"rule"
     Refers to the dedication Virgen de Regla in several places, including Spain, Cuba, and the Phillipines. 
• Remedios (reh-MEH-dee-ohs, Spanish)--"remedies". Catalan form is Remei (reh-MAY).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Remedies. 
• Reyes (REH-yes, Spanish)--"kings" [unisex]
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Kings. 
• Rocío (roh-SEE-oh, Spanish)--"dew"
     Refers to the Virgen del Rocío in the Hermitage of El Rocío, Spain. 
• Rosario (roh-ZAHR-yoh, Italian; roh-SAH-ree-oh, Spanish)--"rosary" [masculine in Italian].  Variants include Charo (CHAH-roh, Spanish), Rosaria (roh-ZAHR-yah, Italian) and Roser (roh-ZAY, Catalan).
     Refers to the title Our Lady of the Rosary. 
• Saleta (sah-LEH-tah, Galician, Spanish)--poss. from Germanic "room, house"
     Refers to the apparition Notre-Dame de La Salette.
• Socorro (soh-KOH-roh, Spanish)--"help"
     Refers to the title Our Lady of Perpetual Help. 
• Soledad (soh-leh-DAHD, Spanish)--"solitude"
     Refers to the title Mary of Solitude. 
• Sonsoles (sohn-SOH-les, Spanish)--"Saint Zoilo"
     Refers to the dedication Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles in Castilla y León, Spain. 
• Sorne (sohr-neh, Basque)--"conception". Basque translation of Concepción. 
• Sterpeta (stehr-PEH-tah, Italian)--"brushland"
     Refers to the Madonna dello Sterpeto in Barletta, Italy. 
• Tindara (TEEN-dah-rah, Italian)--from ancient Greek Tyndareos. Masculine form is Tindaro (TEEN-dah-roh).
     Refers to the Madonna di Tindari in Messina, Italy. 
• Txori (choh-ree, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "bird"
     Refers to the Leyenda del Txori in Navarra, Spain. 
• Uxue (oo-shoo-eh, Basque, Spanish)--from Basque, "dove"
     Refers to the Virgen de Ujué in the Church of Santa María de Ujué, Spain.
• Visitación (vee-see-tah-see-OHN, Spanish)--"visitation"
     Refers to Mary's visit to Elizabeth.

The 50s Were a Gas, Daddy-O, Part 2

Last time we looked at names that have been added/removed from the SSA lists since 1953, but this time we'll be looking at gender changes.

Firstly, here are the names that changed from boy --> girl most strongly, from the 2018 Top 1500:

1. Aubrey
2. Riley
3. Emory
4. Monroe
5. Emery
6. Emerson
7. Mckinley
8. Taylor
9. Raleigh
10. Merritt
11. Harley
12. Collins
13. Reese
14. Stevie
15. Palmer
16. Madison
17. Leighton
18. Addison
19. Kendall
20. Bailey

Because I calculated using percentages, the lists are weighted toward popular names. As you can guess, none of these names were particularly common in 1953 for boys, but they became comparatively very popular for girls by 2018. Aubrey was the most popular in 1953, given to 348 boys (making it #369 on the SSA charts) and zero girls; in 2018 it was given to 5190 girls and 156 boys.
Also, only 3 of these names actually appeared for girls in 1953: Kendall (7 girls), Harley, and Stevie (5 girls each).

Onto the names that have shifted most strongly from boy --> unisex, but are still more common on boys:

1. Spencer
2. Elliott
3. August
4. Elliot
5. Ryan
6. Denver
7. Royal
8. Murphy
9. Parker
10. Milan
11. Ellis
12. Logan
13. Reece
14. Blake
15. Hayden
16. Drew
17. Jordan
18. Chandler
19. Ira
20. Joey

So Ira, the most common of these in 1953, went from a ratio of about 15 boys to every girl to about 3 boys to every 2 girls.


It's a much smaller selection, but there are a few names that were more feminine in 1953 that shifted to more masculine:

1. Devon
2. Dominique
3. Ollie

Yep. that's it! I was pretty surprised to see Devon especially, but it was given to 56 girls and 42 boys in 1953. Not popular for either, but marginally more common for girls. :)
Ollie likely appears because of the trend of giving masculine nicknames as full girls' names (no, that's definitely not a new thing at all!); Dominique because it's unisex (and more common for boys) in its original French.

There were also exactly 3 names that went from more feminine --> more unisex:

1. Alexis
2. Jamie
3. Robin

Alexis especially is probably a surprise because it's not what we think of as a 50s name, but it did enter the Top 1000 for girls in the mid-40s, nearly 2 decades before it appeared in the boys' Top 1000. Since its peak in the 90s, it's dropped off quite a lot for girls, while for boys (mostly due to Spanish, I imagine), it's been more stable. It was used on about 8 girls to every one boy in 1953, but in 2018 was only more popular by a ratio of about 5 girls to every 2 boys.
Robin and Jamie also had quietly overtaken the boys decades before their respective popularity spikes in the 60s and 70s, and have since also declined much more rapidly for girls than for boys.

The 50s Were a Gas, Daddy-O, Part 1

Well, I've already done comparisons between the 70s (Pt 1, Pt 2) & 90s (Pt 1, Pt 2) and now, so I guess it's time to jump another two decades back to the 50s (specifically, 1953, exactly 65 years earlier than the 2018 data I'm working with).

First off, let's look at the most common names from 1953 (Top 1000 only) that weren't used in 2018 at all.

(I have removed names that are likely errors, like Elizabeth and Mary for boys)

Boys:

• Pat, #400
• Barney, #404
• Dick, #474
• Geary, #493
• Donn, #511
• Bart, #531
• Vern, #545
• Gail, #575
• Rogers, #577
• Adolph, #585
• Ricki, #600
• Lonny, #602
• Connie, #612
• Lindsay, #626
• Burt, #634
• Clair, #636
• Kimberly, #638
• Butch, #662
• Laverne, #679
• Rod, #683
• Dickie, #686
• Earle, #687
• Buford, #691
• Glynn, #692
• Douglass, #697
• Curtiss, #715
• Lawerence, #717
• Gearld, #731
• Gayle, #737
• Tod, #751
• Rayford, #762
• Normand, #764
• Gaylord, #766
• Dell, #771
• Verne, #778
• Milford, #791
• Carol, #795
• Wilburn, #800
• Jere, #804
• Hayward, #810
• Randle, #816
• Delmer, #823
• Lynwood, #826
• Darold, #832
• Alford, #836
• Robbin, #848
• Elmo, #855
• Shirley, #857
• Cleve, #859
• Lesley, #863
• Garfield, #869
• Wardell, #874
• Meredith, #879
• Winford, #886
• Gerold, #892
• Lauren, #894
• Carleton, #903
• Kirt, #906
• Claud, #909
• Dennie, #911
• Garold, #920
• Melton, #928
• Duwayne, #932
• Willam, #936
• Gaylen, #938
• Randolf, #945
• Rolf, #946
• Jame, #949
• Vernell, #955
• Authur, #958
• Carrol, #959
• Garey, #969
• Arne, #979
• Rudolfo, #988
• Hobert, #992

Girls:

• Jan, #140
• Shelia, #204
• Patty, #239
• Gale, #264
• Deloris, #304
• Gay, #350
• Laverne, #367
• Diann, #380
• Ronda, #383
• Gayla, #387
• Melba, #395
• Sondra, #401
• Jacalyn, #410
• Kathi, #411
• Dee, #425
• Dona, #438
• Myrtle, #443
• Saundra, #447
• Bettye, #468
• Earnestine, #474
• Earlene, #490
• Debrah, #504
• Debby, #514
• Jerry, #516
• Lavonne, #516
• Cathie, #523
• Lyn, #532
• Pamala, #537
• Delois, #552
• Pat, #556
• Pam, #557
• Gilda, #564
• Nan, #585
• Gaye, #594
• Nanci, #596
• Sherrill, #598
• Cinda, #599
• Debbra, #605
• Melva, #611
• Vikki, #613
• Randy, #621
• Patrica, #623
• Earline, #625
• Barbra, #631
• Margery, #633
• Vickey, #634
• Robbin, #636
• Doretha, #639
• Pearlie, #642
• Pattie, #644
• Dorene, #646
• Joe, #648
• Caryn, #652
• Cheryle, #673
• Dian, #673
• Donita, #674
• Peggie, #676
• Karon, #691
• Eddie, #695
• Sherryl, #699
• Letha, #709
• Retha, #717
• Cathey, #726
• Fran, #739
• Lauri, #752
• Vonda, #754
• Virgie, #758
• Ronna, #768
• Bonny, #770
• Reta, #773
• Vernell, #775
• Concetta, #778
• Jerrie, #778
• Pamella, #779
• Nannette, #789
• Nedra, #801
• Cathrine, #809
• Jann, #811
• Romona, #813
• Deidre, #820
• Dorinda, #821
• Velda, #827
• Wilda, #832
• Merle, #840
• Sharen, #844
• Gerri, #846
• Jacque, #846
• Glinda, #854
• Sanjuanita, #857
• Shirlene, #859
• Caryl, #862
• Gerry, #863
• Daryl, #867
• Joette, #875
• Kathaleen, #880
• Teressa, #883
• Donnie, #886
• Corliss, #892
• Georgene, #893
• Lawanda, #895
• Sharyn, #896
• Suzann, #897
• Delma, #899
• Doretta, #900
• Lorri, #901
• Karan, #905
• Susann, #911
• Jerilyn, #914
• Cheryll, #920
• Florine, #921
• Lavern, #930
• George, #935
• Lessie, #938
• Candyce, #943
• Gaynell, #947
• Deborrah, #956
• Laurene, #960
• Belva, #966
• Judie, #970
• Aletha, #974
• Bernita, #974
• Carroll, #975
• Teena, #979
• Larry, #982
• Sharla, #984
• Cherrie, #987
• Joetta, #988
• Drema, #995

Always, so many more girls' names than boys' names! Sheesh. Saddened, but not surprised at all the Gay-names for both genders. Also interesting to which -arry/arol/aryn names have died out while others live on.
And apparently, if you want to name a kid of either gender Lavern(e), now is the time! He/she would be the only one. :)

Now for the reverse: the most popular names from 2018 that didn't appear at all in 1953.

Boys:

1. Aiden, #19
2. Jayden, #30
3. Jaxon, #39
4. Easton, #66
5. Maverick, #73
6. Jaxson, #76
7. Greyson, #77
8. Brayden, #84
9. Jace, #90
10. Axel, #94
11. Kayden, #97
12. Sawyer, #99
13. Declan, #101
14. Ayden, #104
15. Luca, #106
16. Chase, #112
17. Kingston, #117
18. Ryker, #122
19. Ryder, #131
20. Gael, #132

Girls:

1. Harper, #9
2. Madison, #22
3. Luna, #23
4. Layla, #27
5. Riley, #28
6. Zoey, #29
7. Addison, #35
8. Aubrey, #36
9. Brooklyn, #47
10. Skylar, #50
11. Paisley, #52
12. Everly, #53
13. Genesis, #57
14. Kennedy, #59
15. Kinsley, #63
16. Aaliyah, #65
17. Ariana, #68
18. Serenity, #76
19. Hailey, #79
20. Gianna, #80

In case you're wondering--the list of boys' names from 2018 that didn't appear in 1953 was 11535 names long. There were only 4338 names on the full 1953 boys name list, so yeah......we're a bit more diverse and creative now!

Taxonymy....nymy? (flowers)

Okay, yes, I have a lot of flower-name posts already. But, despite all those, I'm sure I can find more (plus, it's my birthday and I wanna).

[Previous "Taxonymy....nymy" posts: butterflies, ferns, seabirds & shorebirds, songbirds, trees]

I will try to avoid names I've mentioned on here before, especially more well-known names, but some are just too pretty to omit. :) I will also be omitting flowering trees, since most of those were already mentioned on my aforementioned trees post, as well as orchids, because they deserve their own list.

(all names are genera unless otherwise specified)

• Acaena
• Adriana
• Alcea
• Aletris
• Alisma
• Allium
• Althaea
• Alyxia
• Ambrosina
• Anticlea
• Aristaloe
• Aristea
• Astelia
• Astonia
• Bellevalia
• Caesia
• Calathea (also common name)
• Calla
• Callisia
• Calluna
• Calydorea
• Canna (also common name)
• Carex
• Carlina
• Cassiope
• Celosia
• Cistanthe
• Cleome
• Cleomella (also common name)
• Clivia
• Cordia
• Cressa
• Cyanella
• Danae
• Dianella
• Dioclea
• Elettaria
• Eurybia
• Genista
• Gloriosa
• Halenia
• Hestia
• Inula
• Ismene
• Iva
• Ixia
• Ixora
• Jovellana
• Lanaria
• Liatris
• Lilaea (also common name)
• Lilium
• Liriope
• Lissanthe
• Menodora
• Milla
• Muilla (also common name)
• Moraea
• Nerine (also common name)
• Nicandra
• Nolina
• Ottelia
• Paris
• Pereskia
• Philesia
• Phycella
• Rivina
• Roseling (common name)
• Ruscus
• Scilla
• Silene
• Solandra
• Stellaria
• Tacca
• Triantha
• Tulista
• Velleia
• Vellozia
• Xyris
• Ypsilandra
• Zenobia
• Zephyra
• Zizia

Guide to the Valkyries

I know, it's been a while, but I suddenly find myself with a lot more free time right now....


Anyway, my husband asked in passing earlier if the Valkyries of Norse mythology had individual names [before you go thinking we're cultured intellectuals or something, the context was.....watching the MCU :p ], and I realized that I had no idea!
Turns out: yes they did, and while some are familiar Nordic names, most are not.

Enjoy this Scandi-themed jump back into my name blog. ;)

• Brynhildr (BRUN ['u' like in German "über"] -hildr)--"armor-battle". Most common modern form is Brynhild (BREEN-hil, BREEN-hild).
• Eir (AYR)--"help, mercy". Modern form is Eira (AY-rah). [some sources have Eir as a Valkyrie; others as a separate goddess of healing]
• Geirahǫð (GAY-rah-hoth ['th' like in "the"])--"spear-battle"
• Geiravǫr (GAY-rah-vahr)--"spear-defender" or "spear-woman"
• Geirdriful (GAYR-dree-vool)--"spear-flinger"
• Geirskǫgul (GAYR-skog-ool)--"spear-battle" or "spear-shaker"
• Geirǫlul (GAY-rah-lool)--poss. "spear-luck"
• Geirǫnul (GAY-rah-nool)--unknown, "spear" + ?
• Guðr (GOOTHr ['th' like in "the"])--"battle". Also called Gunnr (GOONr). Modern form is Gun/Gunn (GOON, 'oo' like in "foot"). 
• Gǫll (GAHL)--"noise, tumult"
• Gǫndul (GAHN-dool)--"magic" or "magical creature"
• Herfjǫtur (HEHRV-yah-toor)--"army-fetter"
• Herja (HEHR-yah)--"devastate"
• Hervǫr (HEHR-vahr)--"army defender" or "army-woman". Modern forms are Hervor (HEHR-vohr, Swedish) and Hervör (HEHR-vur, Icelandic). 
• Hildr (HEEL-dr)--"battle". Most common modern form is Hilda/Hilde. 
• Hjalmþrimul (HYAHLM-threem ['th' like in "the"] -ool)--"helmet-battle"
• Hjǫrþrimul (HYAHR-threem ['th' like in "the"] -ool)--"sword-battle"
• Hlaðgunnr (HLATH ['th' like in "the"] -goonr)--"weaving battle". Also called Hlaðguðr (HLATH-goothr [both 'th' like in "the"]). 
• Hlǫkk (HLAHK)--"noise". Moden Icelandic form is Hlökk (HLUK). 
• Hrist (HREEST)--"shake"
• Hrund (HROOND)--poss. "push". Modern Icelandic form is Hrund (HROONT ['oo' like in "foot"]). 
• Kára (KAH-rah)--"curly" or poss. "obstinate". Most common modern form is Kara (KAH-rah). 
• Mist (MEEST)--"mist, cloud". Modern form is still Mist. :) [don't you love the easy ones?]
• Ráðgríðr (RAHTH-greethr [both 'th' like in "the"])--"counsel-eagerness" [fig. "bossy"] or "counsel-peace"
• Randgríðr (RAHND-greethr ['th' like in "the"])--"shield-eagerness" or "shield-peace"
• Reginleif (REG-een-layf)--"might-heir"
• Róta (ROH-tah)--poss. "storm" or "make messy"
• Sangríðr (SAHN-greethr ['th' like in "the"])--"true eagerness" or "true peace". Modern Swedish form is Sangrid (SAHN-grid). 
• Sigrdríf (SEEGr-dreef)--"victory-drive". Modern Icelandic form is Sigurdrif (SIG-ur-dreef). 
• Sigrún (SEEG-roon)--"victory-secret". Most common modern forms are Sigrún (SIG-roon, Icelandic) and Sigrun (SEEG-roon ['oo' like in "foot"], Norwegian, Swedish, Danish). 
• Skaga (SKAH-gah)--"promontory, cape". Modern [masculine] Norwegian form is Skage (SKAH-geh).
• Skalmǫld (SKAHL-mahld)--"sword-time"
• Skeggjǫld (SKEG-gyahld)--"battleaxe-time"
• Skuld (SKOOLD)--"blame" or "future". Modern Icelandic form is Skuld (SKOOLT ['oo' like in "foot"]). [also a name of one of the Norns (Fates)]
• Skǫgul (SKAHG-ool)--"battle" or "shaker"
• Svafa (SVAH-vah)--"Swabian". Modern forms are Svava (SVAH-vah, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, Danish) and Svafa (SVAH-vah, Icelandic). 
• Svanhvít (SVAHN-hveet)--"white swan". Modern Icelandic form is Svanhvít (SVAHN-kveet). 
• Sveið (SVAYTH ['th' like in "the"])--poss. "noise, vibration"
• Svipul (SVEE-pool)--"changeable"
• Tanngniðr (TAHNG-neethr ['th' like in "the"])--"tooth-grinder"
• Ǫlrún (AHL-roon)--"luck-secret". Modern forms are Åro (AWR [not quite like the English 'aw', but partway between English 'aw' and 'oh' sounds] -oh, Norwegian) and Ölrún (UL-roon, Icelandic).
• Þrima (THREE ['th' like in "three"] -mah)--"fight"
• Þrúðr (THROO-thr [first 'th' like in "three", second like in "the"])--"strength". Most common modern form is Trude (TROO-deh). [also, same root as English Trudy :) ]
• Þǫgn (THAHGn ['th' like in "three")--"silence"