In the last blog post I suggested that the further east one went in the US and Europe the more seriously people took the names they gave to their children, and the more likely people were to internalize their name and let it point to a role model. But maybe that’s wrong; maybe we all model ourselves to some extent on the name we’ve been given. If so, what should we make of the list of the ten most popular grls’ and boys’ names in the United States in 2021:
GIRLS
Olivia
Emma
Amelia
Ava
Sophia
Charlotte
Isabella
Mia
Luna
Harper
BOYS
Liam
Noah
Oliver
Elijah
Lucas
Levi
Mason
Asher
James
Ethan
--
What can we make out of the list? There are few grand historical figures. Few saints, sacred or secular, but a surprising number from the Hebrew scriptures, consciously or unconsciously.. Beyond that, some pop idols, of course, but mostly euphonics – the names have lots of vowels and liquid consonants (ls and rs). No fricatives; sorry Frank and Phoebe. The chosen names roll lightly off the tongue. These names “sound nice.” OK, we could do worse. So internalize the message, kids, and just Be Nice.
GIRLS
Olivia
Emma
Amelia
Ava
Sophia
Charlotte
Isabella
Mia
Luna
Harper
BOYS
Liam
Noah
Oliver
Elijah
Lucas
Levi
Mason
Asher
James
Ethan
--
What can we make out of the list? There are few grand historical figures. Few saints, sacred or secular, but a surprising number from the Hebrew scriptures, consciously or unconsciously.. Beyond that, some pop idols, of course, but mostly euphonics – the names have lots of vowels and liquid consonants (ls and rs). No fricatives; sorry Frank and Phoebe. The chosen names roll lightly off the tongue. These names “sound nice.” OK, we could do worse. So internalize the message, kids, and just Be Nice.
