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Kittybriton
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« Reply #30 on: 14:58:34, 26-07-2007 » |
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I once read in a novel, "You might as well call a child 'the' as call it Anne".
I think it was Terry Pratchett who alerted me to the dangers of names like Michaela and Alana (and yes, we have one of those in the family). Nobody admits to it, but everybody's thinking "We wanted a boy, but we'll make do with her" As in Nigella, Thomasina and Horatia Lawson? (Actually, I like the names Georgina and Antonia.) Exactly! |
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Click me -> About meor me -> my handmade storeNo, I'm not a complete idiot. I'm only a halfwit. In fact I'm actually a catfish. |
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Ron Dough
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« Reply #31 on: 14:58:58, 26-07-2007 » |
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.... Another called Jammie, who was supposed to be "Jay-me" but I think his parents couldn't spell.
I worked with a lad called Norman a few years back. Not exactly ten-a-penny these days. Apparently he was supposed to have been called 'Michael', but following his birth his dad overdid the alcoholic celebrations to such an extent that when he went to register the birth he realised that he couldn't remember how to spell it, and ended up putting down the one name he was sure how to write, which was, unsurprisingly, his own. |
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richard barrett
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« Reply #32 on: 15:03:36, 26-07-2007 » |
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There is a well-known American journalist named Evan Thomas, and a novelist named Evan Hunter, but that was about it until, apparently, about five years after I was born. Ahem.  |
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increpatio
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« Reply #33 on: 15:11:01, 26-07-2007 » |
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I always thought Alana was quite a cool name, as names went. Briana though I've never quite gotten used to.
Then there is the unfortunate transliteration of the Indian name Shithead, which always amuses at roll-calls.
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Evan Johnson
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« Reply #34 on: 15:12:03, 26-07-2007 » |
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There is a well-known American journalist named Evan Thomas, and a novelist named Evan Hunter, but that was about it until, apparently, about five years after I was born. Ahem. Ahem yourself; I was talking about Americans  |
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BobbyZ
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« Reply #35 on: 15:22:33, 26-07-2007 » |
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Shortened forms of names seem to be out of fashion with the young. Jim, Bob, Bill and Dick are not heard much, the full versions being the norm now.
You are right Tony. My name is Robert and to my friends I've always been Bob, which is now beginning to age me when I'm asked my name by strangers. So I sometimes revert to Robert but never Robbie ( or BobbyZ ! ) And honestly, I really did go to school with an unfortunate named Richard Head. |
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Dreams, schemes and themes
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martle
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« Reply #36 on: 15:29:27, 26-07-2007 » |
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This is true, I swear. When I was growing up, the town where we lived boasted an organist called Mr Piper and an undertaker called Mr Peace. And no, it wasn't Trumpton.  |
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Green. Always green.
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richard barrett
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« Reply #37 on: 15:34:41, 26-07-2007 » |
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Ahem yourself; I was talking about Americans ... which is made clear where exactly? Even so, it has indeed become a much more common name in the UK as well in recent years. And a fine name it is to be sure. I wonder whether some parents consider that they're very likely at some point to find themselves in situations like being at a playground calling (or even, perish the thought, scolding) their child, and that names like Clepsydra and Farfel are going to make them objects of amusement as well as their poor offspring. I have come across people called Victoria Plum and Roman Warrior. |
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Milly Jones
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« Reply #38 on: 15:55:06, 26-07-2007 » |
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Thanks,Mary,even so I don't think I've heard Aldous as a surname.
Using one's mother's maiden name as a first name seems to be an American pracstice ,which explains why there are so many American men called Brent or Booker.
Wikipedia has a whole list of people with the surname of Aldous and I managed to find the following with regard to first names. Aldous (First Name Origin and Meaning) English · Male Variant of the German Aldo, an Old German name meaning old, or from the old house. Aldous has been common in Britain since the Middle Ages. Famous bearer: 2Oth century British novelist Aldous Huxley. |
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We pass this way but once. This is not a rehearsal!
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TimR-J
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« Reply #39 on: 15:56:26, 26-07-2007 » |
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I've known a Felix Felix.
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Morticia
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« Reply #41 on: 14:22:33, 27-07-2007 » |
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Ahem yourself; I was talking about Americans ... which is made clear where exactly? Even so, it has indeed become a much more common name in the UK as well in recent years. And a fine name it is to be sure. I wonder whether some parents consider that they're very likely at some point to find themselves in situations like being at a playground calling (or even, perish the thought, scolding) their child, and that names like Clepsydra and Farfel are going to make them objects of amusement as well as their poor offspring. I have come across people called Victoria Plum and Roman Warrior. Oh I say, Richard. I knew someone called Victoria Plum once. Wonder if it`s the same person? |
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Tony Watson
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« Reply #43 on: 14:43:58, 27-07-2007 » |
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Oh I say, Richard. I knew someone called Victoria Plum once. Wonder if it`s the same person?
On the subject of names and fruit, a certain computer was called Macintosh because it was someone's favourite variety of apple. I always think it was just as well he didn't have a penchant for a ripe Granny Smith. And I wonder whether our ex glorious leader's wife ever got fed up being called Cherry, instead of sherr-EE. |
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Soundwave
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« Reply #44 on: 15:46:38, 27-07-2007 » |
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Ho! Many years ago I encountered a Jones who rejoiced in the first name Onesimus. Without a word of a lie, when in my teens I also knew a Tom Fish and his sister who had been christened Henrietta. Her friends knew her as Etta.
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Ho! I may be old yet I am still lusty
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