The Poetry of Names
Names fascinate me. They add color to a place and time, whether in stories or in real life. In “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy names like Gandalf, Bilbo, Frodo, and Aragorn stir the imagination. In the adventures of King Arthur, it was Lancelot, Galahad, Gawaiin, and Guinevere.
Recently, over at Simply Wait, Patry, a writer, wrote about one of her hobbies, collecting obituaries, which she views as tribute snapshots into lived lives. I commented to her how much I enjoy the old mountain names in the part of Virginia where I live and that I sometimes read the local obituaries just to marvel at their originality. I couldn’t remember any names at the time, so I dug out a couple of newspapers from my kindling box to see what I could find. I wrote down the women’s names first, and then the men’s. They’re not all names of people who have passed away. Some of them are survivors of those who have. And don’t they just sound like poetry?
Women: Etheline, Vada, Reneda, Lita, Daphina, Lula, Essie, Alreda, India, Geneva, Zelma, Essie, Loreen, Nerene, Treva, Nelva Odellia, Ora, Arminda, Dessie, Alphaline, Lake, Dulcie.
Men: Delmer, Buren, Coy, Hubbard, Ervin, Orby, Odell, Ocie, Harless, Greenville, Waller, Nulan, Edsel, Okie, Leston, Sampie, Nellis.
I think I have a new hobby.
February 22nd, 2006 9:56 am
Thanks for those great names. And the link. I love that blog!
February 22nd, 2006 10:07 am
Well, I’ve come full circle today, as I came across your website a few minutes ago, from somewhere other than Michele’s, talking about the awards. Now I’m back cause Michele sent me!
I like different names, although some of the “old school” names don’t really do it for me. Enjoyed your post and looking over your site. All the best…
February 22nd, 2006 10:21 am
I love those old names…and adore the name “Lake” for a woman!
February 22nd, 2006 10:36 am
I like to collect names, too. Before my house burned down I had a spiral notebook full of names; no order, just interesting names. I liked to thumb through that notebook from time to time. I kept it so I would have access to character names for the things I write.
Your names are great ones!
You’re right. I am not “Hosea.” Thanks for stopping by.
February 22nd, 2006 10:57 am
You have just joined me in a hobby I have had since about 1965. I read the obits in my hometown paper everyday, and marvel at the imagination of the women who named their babies way back when – and even lately.
February 22nd, 2006 11:03 am
That is so cool. I have been watching movie credits lately. Only because some of the names are so interesting.
We have an ALEDA in our family.
February 22nd, 2006 11:24 am
Here is a name I could live with out, Dennis Ennis, but I can’t…it’s mine.
As far as good old names go my Grandfather on my Mothers side had one; Rufus. My Father’ Father’ name was, Love.
Sorry it’s been awhile since I’ve checked in on you Colleen, I’ve been way too busy to make the rounds!
February 22nd, 2006 11:56 am
We bought a baby name book just for fun, as we already knew what names we wnated for our children, but have spent hours flipping through and finding names and meanings… It’s also fun to compare a person with the meaning of their name!
February 22nd, 2006 12:21 pm
My grandmother was from Franklin County:
She and her sisters were: Zula, Dora, Nettie, Josie, Elsie
Brother: Dewey
My grandpa: Grady (He was also from that area)
February 22nd, 2006 1:38 pm
The list is growing! I also watch movie credits to look for interesting names. And I’ve helped a couple of people name their children by way of the properties of each letter sound!
February 22nd, 2006 2:40 pm
I liked this post… I used to have to read through the obits as part of a job I once had, and rather than finding it depressing, I thought it was fascinating to read about the lives people had led, the things they had accomplished, etc.
I enjoy names… even though I don’t have kids yet I am perpetually on the lookout for names that would be unique and interesting for my children. I like the idea of giving a new baby an old name.
I have always loved my own name because it is somewhat unique. I haven’t run across many Jeanne’s in my life… just a handful. My name has always been pronounced more than one way, too… most people nowadays say my name like “Jean,” but a few people still call me “Jeannie.” Just last night I was talking to an old and dear friend on the phone and I heard him say to someone who had just walked in, “I’m talking to Jeannie.” Hearing him say my name like that gave me a little chill and a flashback to a different time in my life.
February 22nd, 2006 4:41 pm
Isn’t it interesting how the “ee” sound is often added to children’s names as gesture of endearment. It’s especially interesting considering that in the study of sound properties the ee sound gives a bolt of energy. And could that be why when parents want to be stern they drop the ee sound and use the more adult version of the child’s name?
February 22nd, 2006 4:50 pm
I love the name Lake for a girl. IT sounds so peacefull.
February 22nd, 2006 7:23 pm
My husband and I had a terrible time naming our children. I liked names he didn’t and he liked names I didn’t! I do like my mother-in-law’s name…although she told me I was not to name any of my chidren after her (one did get her middle name!). Her name is Honor.
February 22nd, 2006 8:10 pm
My son named my grandson Arefin (nicknamed Fin). He took the word seraphin, misspelled it, and removed the “s”. He’ll be the only one in his class…
February 22nd, 2006 9:59 pm
Ohhh, great fun here! I had twin great uncles named Huey and Dewey!
Other names I have known from hearing them in my family or from friends: Avis, Patience, Pansy, Maude, Ora Beth, Ida, Ada, Cleveland, Garnet, Ester, Naomi, Grover, Elmer, and Cullen.
Will be back to read more of your posts. 🙂
February 22nd, 2006 10:00 pm
What a fascinating hobby! I have to say that I have enjoyed, and I think had a more colorful life, being named Vashti. I really enjoy its uniqueness although at times I tire at explaining its origin. Arabic name. Irish Family. Hippy mom. I am grateful though. It has been a good name.
February 22nd, 2006 10:34 pm
The mountain names are amazing and I’ve always wondered where they came from. My great-grandmother Alma from the mountain community of Bellspur had daughters Eula, Giuwana, my grandmother Hava, Hazel, and Hester. Whenever I see skits on television making fun of uniqe urban names I think “they’ve never met anyone from the mountains over the age of seventy, their parents had the market cornered on one of a kind names a long time ago.”
Have you ever read a novel, then found out later that you were pronouncing a character’s name wrong in your head? I have and felt like I needed to read it again after finding it out. I love Russian novels and used to have to work so hard in the beginning to get the names down.
February 23rd, 2006 1:07 am
Poetry is everywhere. You just have to look. Thanks for reminding me.
February 24th, 2006 6:19 pm
I love the old names, too. Virginia is a wonderful place, full of pleasant surprises in places you’d least expect.
August 16th, 2006 10:54 pm
I, too, love the old names. Mostly because I carry one. I have been called Mindy all of my life – I was named “Mary Arminda” after my Great-Great Grandmother. It is a beautiful and interesting name that my brother has chosen to carry on in his daughter “Arminda Breanna”