Comments on: the numbers of names http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/ ...reverberating Fri, 18 May 2012 06:00:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Pamela http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4294 Tue, 24 Jun 2003 03:41:43 +0000 http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4294 POSTSCRIPT: The name Pamela+ is not among the top 1,000 names for 1991-2002. No wonder it was always difficult to find a license plate for my bicycle! :-( POSTSCRIPT: The name Pamela+ is not among the top 1,000 names for 1991-2002.

No wonder it was always difficult to find a license plate for my bicycle! :-(

]]> by: Pamela http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4293 Tue, 24 Jun 2003 03:39:16 +0000 http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4293 Oh, the name game. Emily, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. First I went through my french name phase--it was all about Michelle, Monique, Colette. Then I went through my classics name phase-- EMILY (was my #1 for years), Olivia, Charlotte (my own middle name), Sarah. Then I went through an all names Irish phase--Fiona, Dylan, Maureen, Shannon. It IS funny to watch the phases. When I was a tot (and this will date me), there were very few Pamelas (I haven't checked the popularity polls yet). Pamela stays steady in that I meet one or two, but it doesn't rise and fall too much. In my youth (the 60's/70's), everyone seemed to be Lisa, Laura, Laurie, Cindy, Tracey, Stacey, Debbie, Leslie. Then some kids appeared with "cool" names like Jackie and Jaimie. For guys in that era it was DEFINATELY Brian, Robert, John, Jim, Gary, Larry, Rick, David. Then a few of my friends had children in the early 80's and I will reveal the TRUE source of name trends-- Television. Yup, and particularly soap operas. It was all about the Chelseas, Ashley's, Caitlin's, Brittany's, Madison's, all these sort of "out there" romantic names. All my friend's sons were named Shane, Jake, Jason, Colby, Drake (I swear!), Dylan, and the ubiquitous Jeremy (sorry Jer). Jeremy was a name that made teenage girls cry for some reason. I think it had to do with a Robbie Benson movie. :-) Now I see trends back to "meaty" real names. So, what are your current favs, Emily? My all-time favorite name seems to be Zoe. It's a name that goes with so many others, and it has a zany, original feel, without being daft. I like it! It's lasted the longest in my top 5. Oh, the name game. Emily, I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. First I went through my french name phase–it was all about Michelle, Monique, Colette. Then I went through my classics name phase–
EMILY (was my #1 for years), Olivia, Charlotte (my own middle name), Sarah. Then I went through an all names Irish phase–Fiona, Dylan, Maureen, Shannon.

It IS funny to watch the phases. When I was a tot (and this will date me), there were very few Pamelas (I haven’t checked the popularity polls yet). Pamela stays steady in that I meet one or two, but it doesn’t rise and fall too much. In my youth (the 60’s/70’s), everyone seemed to be Lisa, Laura, Laurie, Cindy, Tracey, Stacey, Debbie, Leslie. Then some kids appeared with “cool” names like Jackie and Jaimie. For guys in that era it was DEFINATELY Brian, Robert, John, Jim, Gary, Larry, Rick, David.

Then a few of my friends had children in the early 80’s and I will reveal the TRUE source of name trends– Television. Yup, and particularly soap operas. It was all about the Chelseas, Ashley’s, Caitlin’s, Brittany’s, Madison’s, all these sort of “out there” romantic names. All my friend’s sons were named Shane, Jake, Jason, Colby, Drake (I swear!), Dylan, and the ubiquitous Jeremy (sorry Jer). Jeremy was a name that made teenage girls cry for some reason. I think it had to do with a Robbie Benson movie. :-)

Now I see trends back to “meaty” real names.

So, what are your current favs, Emily? My all-time favorite name seems to be Zoe. It’s a name that goes with so many others, and it has a zany, original feel, without being daft. I like it! It’s lasted the longest in my top 5.

]]> by: Emily http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4292 Mon, 02 Jun 2003 22:56:49 +0000 http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4292 testing testing

]]> by: KA http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4291 Fri, 30 May 2003 03:16:51 +0000 http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4291 I can't get into the link! I just wanted to see how low my name was on the totem pole. I think it would be weird to go around and meet a bunch Kari-Anns on a regular basis. I have known a couple people with the same name, but not the same spelling, and usually Ann is their middle name, not part of their first. I wish I could get into the site! I can’t get into the link! I just wanted to see how low my name was on the totem pole. I think it would be weird to go around and meet a bunch Kari-Anns on a regular basis. I have known a couple people with the same name, but not the same spelling, and usually Ann is their middle name, not part of their first. I wish I could get into the site!

]]> by: Ryan http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4290 Fri, 30 May 2003 03:16:30 +0000 http://www.strangechord.com/2003/05/27/the-numbers-of-names/#comment-4290 Out of pure vanity, I searched for my name. Ryan went from #622 in the 50s to #242 in the 60s to #26 in the 70s to #14 in the 80s, where it has basically stayed since then, not varying more than three spots in either direction. The migration of names is always an interesting subject, especially when you consider the future possibility of retirement homes populated by thousands of Brittneys, Michaels, Christinas, Julias, Matthews (or Matts), and Joshs. And many, many more. But the rise and fall of names is definitely something that it seems no one knows much about. What does cause a name to rise (or fall), as you asked? As my name grew in popularity, Brian (my arch-nemisis) dropped rapidly in popularity, which would explain why I know Brians my age and older, while most of the Ryans I know are younger than me. Hmmmm... Out of pure vanity, I searched for my name. Ryan went from #622 in the 50s to #242 in the 60s to #26 in the 70s to #14 in the 80s, where it has basically stayed since then, not varying more than three spots in either direction. The migration of names is always an interesting subject, especially when you consider the future possibility of retirement homes populated by thousands of Brittneys, Michaels, Christinas, Julias, Matthews (or Matts), and Joshs. And many, many more.

But the rise and fall of names is definitely something that it seems no one knows much about. What does cause a name to rise (or fall), as you asked? As my name grew in popularity, Brian (my arch-nemisis) dropped rapidly in popularity, which would explain why I know Brians my age and older, while most of the Ryans I know are younger than me. Hmmmm…

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