Category: Fun

Choosing a baby name that implies strength is more than just picking a baby name with the meaning “strength.” Some names suggest power, vitality, and brawn just in the way it sounds or in what people associate with it. While a name like Rose may conjure images of a pretty, fair-skinned girl with pink cheeks, the name Hilde draws an independent, outspoken warrior — probably a girl you would get angry.

Here are some other baby names you may want to consider if you’re going to choose a name that implies strength.

1. Liam

The name Liam is famous among Hollywood and just reminds you of someone who is destined for greatness. The name means “courageous defender or strong-willed” and is of Irish origin. Derived from the name William, its derivative may make you think of royalty or a knight in shining armor. But with a Liam, you should expect rebellion, energy, and strength.  Famous Liams include actors Liam Neeson and Liam Fox.

2. Audrey

This name has its roots deep in English culture and belongs to actor and icon Audrey Hepburn. Though she is most associated with class and poise, she is also associated with strength and courage. Hepburn’s humanitarian acts and excellent acting skills immortalized her in cultural history. She even helped the Resistance during World War II, which took an incredible amount of courage. The name Audrey means “noble strength,” and she did right by it.

3. Arya

Contrary to what people may think, Arya is not a name that was made up for “Game of Thrones.” In Hebrew and Aramaic, it means “lioness” or “noble goddess.” Whoever heard of a weak lioness? This name is a fantastic way to capture your daughter’s strong personality. 

4. Griffin

Griffin has its roots in Welsh culture and translates to “Strong Lord.” If you know your mythology, you may be familiar with the mythological creatures called griffins or gryphons. They are formidable enemies and a force to be reckoned with. Naming your child Griffin will surely make one think of a strong, healthy baby.

5. Gabriella

Gabriella literally translates to “God is my strength” and is the feminine form of the name Gabriel, an archangel of Abrahamic religions. Nicknames for Gabriella include Ella, Gabby, or Gabe. 

6. Maximus

The name Maximus means “greatest” or “largest,” and it certainly sounds that way just by saying it. It conjures up images of mighty ancient Roman gladiators and emperors — and we all remember the great Magnus Maximus. Pick up a history book if you are considering naming your child Maximus, and you’ll see why it is one of the best names to choose if looking for strength.

7. Valerie

This name is more than just a name befitting for a beautiful princess; it is also the name of a princess who can save the day herself! It means “brave” in French and “strong” in English. Its masculine counterpart is Valerius, which also implies boldness and good health. Besides being a great name, the nickname for Valerie, Vale, is perfect.

8. Bernadette

Bernadette is not just your favorite character on “The Big Bang Theory,” it is also the name of someone who is “as brave as a bear.” This name is very famous in Ireland because of Saint Bernadette.

9. Ethan

This name has origins in English, French, and Hebrew. It means “firm,” “strong,” and “enduring.” Some famous Ethans who have lived up to this name include Ethan Allan, the American revolutionary, and leader of the Green Mountain Boys, and actor Ethan Hawk.

10. Andrew

Andrew is of Greek origin and means “manly,” “warrior,” or “full of strength.” From princes to commoners, Andrews have done right by their name. It has been held by three rulers of Hungary, controversial American political figure Andrew Jackson, and beloved “Toy Story” character Andy. 

Conclusion

When choosing a name for strength, pick a name that also captures the baby’s personality and a name with which you can connect. Remember, a name that implies strength doesn’t have to mean strength. For instance, Rosa may not mean “strength,” but the name Rosa Parks does. Having a courageous historical figure as a namesake is just as effective as naming a child something that literally translates into a characteristic of the word strength.

When it comes to Pakistani surnames, there are no official statistics that can establish their popularity ranking. One reason being that surnames in Pakistan differ based on ethnicity and caste.

Regardless of this, there are many Pakistani surnames commonly heard in pop culture, academics, business, politics, science, and sports. All have fascinating connections to both people, geography, and history.

Here’s the lowdown on the 10 most common Pakistani surnames.

1. Butt

Butt, also known as Bhat or Bhatt, means “scholar” in Sanskrit. It is common among the Kashmiri and Punjabi communities of Pakistan.

Many Bhats who converted to Islam changed their surname to Butt. Many living in the Punjab province migrated from Jammu and Kashmir in the late 19th century because of famine and oppression.

Although Butts kept their surnames after converting to Islam, they now fall under the Sheikh caste.

2. Khan

Khan is one of the most popular Pakistani surnames used by the Pashtun, Punjabi Pathan, Sindhi Pathan, and Muhjair Pathan communities. The surname is frequently found in Central Asia and South Asia.

The Khan surname originated from the nomadic tribes of the Eurasian Steppe. Pashtuns bearing the surname migrated to other regions of the country such as Punjab and Sindh, where they integrated with the local communities. They maintain their ancestral identity by retaining their surname, wherever they settle.

3. Chaudhry

Chaudhry, also spelled Chowdhury or Chaudhary, is common among Punjabi and other South Asian communities. It means “holder of four” in ancient Sanskrit.

Chaudhry is a title used by community heads and landlords and denotes status. In British India, feudal lords known as zamindars adopted the surname as a title.

4. Siddiqui

Siddiqui means “truthful” in Arabic and is a popular surname used by the Punjabi Sheikh and Muhajir Sheikh communities of Pakistan. It is also popular in the Indian subcontinent.

These communities belonged to the Hindu Brahmin Kshatriya caste of Kayastha. They then converted to Islam during the medieval era.

5. Jutt

Jutt, also known as Jatt or Jaat, is a pastoral community in the lower Indus Valley. Although they are native to the Punjab province, they are found in Sindh, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

Jutts form the largest socially distinctive group in Punjab and Sindh. They have excelled in the freedom struggle, leadership, science, politics, entertainment, sports, and much more.

6. Rajput

Rajput is a well-known Pakistani surname that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It means “son of the king” in ancient Sanskrit and is often associated with warriors and honor.

Rajputs were originally Punjabi Hindus, some of whom converted to Islam over time.

7. Gujjar

Gujjar, or Gurjar, is an ethnic pastoral community of Pakistan and other neighboring countries in South Asia. It is a very common Pakistani surname.

Gujjars speak Gujri or Gurjari. These tribes are native to the hilly regions of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Hazara, Malakand, and Peshawar.

8. Baloch

Baloch is a common surname adopted by the tribal communities of Balochistan, a Pakistani province.

Balochi tribes who are uncertain of their lineage adopt this surname. They are a semi-nomadic tribe who migrate seasonally and cultivate land.

9. Awan

Awan means “helper” in Arabic and is a tribe primarily found in the Pakistani provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir.

The Awan tribe believes themselves to be the descendants of the fourth Islamic caliph. They are landowners who live on and cultivate their land.

10. Durrani

Durrani is a common Pashtun surname in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The surname means “pearl of pearls” in Persian.

The Pashtun tribe came to existence during the Afghan Empire, which is also referred to as the Durrani Empire. They were pastoralists and traders in the past.

What’s in a Name?

The beauty of the Pakistani surname is in how connected it can be to history and geography. In these ten names are significant moments in the history of Pakistan. It seems that on their own, they tell epic stories of how those who bear the names came to be.

Etymology, or the study of the origins of words, is quite a fascinating field. Within this field is the more specific study of names, or onomastics. Like languages, names have developed throughout history through various influences, be it social-economic factors, migration, occupations, wars and conquering, shifting of empires, and more. 

Nowadays, giving a name is as easy as grabbing a baby name book and going down the list. Many parents choose their children’s names for a variety of reasons; some just like the sound of the word, some are naming the baby after another family member, but many often name their children based on the meaning of the name. 

Above all, names these days just seem to get increasingly more and more creative, especially with all these celebrities naming their kids things like “Apple”, “Blue Ivy”, “Puma”, and “Banjo”. With the culmination of thousands of names originating from hundreds of cultures, languages, countries, and regions, there is a lot to choose from, and many names that end up having multiple meanings. 

Here are some first names that have double meaning:

1. Griffin– The name Griffin is thought to have originated from the Welsh “Griffith”, which in turn was either Gruffydd (meaning red or ruddy) or Grippiud (meaning prince). However, the griffin, or gryphon, is also mythical, legendary creature from ancient Greece, with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion. 

2. Rosemary– At first glance this name is just a combination of the names Rose and Mary. But at second glance you’ll see it references the herb, rosemary, an aromatic plant with needle-like leaves often used in cooking. Besides that, Rosemary can also mean “dew of the sea” from Latin. 

3. Linda– This fairly well-known name has two different meanings, depending on what language origin you look at. From the Germanic languages, it means “soft or mild”, but from the Latin languages like Spanish or Portuguese, it means “pretty or beautiful”. 

4. Duke– Although this first name might not be so common anymore, people with this name can boast that they are both a “leader” (from the Latin significance) and also a noble English title, such as the Duke of Cambridge (currently Prince William, married to Kate Middleton, which makes her the Duchess of Cambridge). 

5. Earl– Just like Duke, Earl is another name that is a title of English nobility, but also has a meaning in another place. It was first known as signifying a successful or notable warrior. 

6. Rebecca– This name comes originally from the Old Testament, where the name was in Hebrew: rivka. Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. It means “join, tie, or knot”, but it can also mean “captivating”. 

7. Karl– Also sometimes spelled with a C, this originally Germanic name simply meant “man”. However, theorists believe it might have alternatively meant “army or warrior”. The interesting thing is that Karl is actually where the name Charles comes from, and from there developed into Charlotte, Carol/Carole, Charlene, and Chuck. 

8. Emma– Known by the famous novel by Jane Austen of the same name, Emma began in the Germanic form of ermen, which means “whole or universal”, translating to “universal woman”. But it can also come from the longer name Emanuele, which of course is the female version of Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us”.

9. Talia– Talia is a beautiful name that originates from the Hebrew language. It is constructed of the word tal, meaning dew, and yah, meaning God; it therefore comes together to signify “dew of God”, or “dew of heaven”. However, Talia is also the name of a town in South Australia, thought to be from the Australian Aboriginal language meaning “near water”.

10. Mackenzie– This name is more frequently used for girls, but it has been known as well as a masculine name, making it unisex in general. It means “pretty or good-looking”. But interestingly, this name actually began as a surname instead of a first name, and it follows the origins of Scottish patronymic naming rules, which is where the child is named after the father. In Scottish Gaelic, Mac or Mc means “son of”. So technically, Mackenzie means “son of Kenzie”. 

11. Sabrina– You may have heard of the movie Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn, or perhaps the TV series, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but Sabrina was the name of a river in Wales- now called Severn. There supposedly was a princess named Sabrina who was drowned in that river, therefore the name means “from the River Severn”. Though due to the story of the princess, the name has also come to mean “legendary princess”. 

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Ah, l’amour! Love! Western culture is obsessed with love stories, from forbidden love to intense friendships that redefine our ideas of the forms love may take. Books, television, and cinema — even music — have taken advantage of the many stock love story formulas out there, but those story plots didn’t come out of thin air. Someone had to go through it first!

Here are some famous names in love history that have paved the way for our love obsession.

Vatsyayana

The author of the well-known Kama Sutra, Vatsyayana, most likely led a celibate life. The Kama Sutra is a tribute to the Indian God of Love, Kama, and is a compilation of Vatsyayana’s notes on how to achieve a fulfilling relationship. The book offers wisdom on marriage and love, complete with advice and sexual instruction.

Heloise and Abelard

Heloise and Abelard’s story begins somewhere between the 11th or 12th centuries. Theologian and philosopher Abelard was Heloise’s Greek and Latin tutor. He quickly fell in love with her intellect and fascination with the Classic languages. He was also 20 years her senior. Their friendship evolved into a torrid affair. She became pregnant with his baby, and the two secretly married.

Unfortunately, her uncle, the Canon of Notre Dame Fullburt, found out. As a result, Heloise was sent to a convent, and Abelard was castrated. The two separated lovers wrote letters to each other, which have since been shared with the world.

Cleopatra and Marc Antony

Egyptian queen Cleopatra and Roman general Marc Antony were a power couple. The two carried on a wild, playful affair, as Egypt grew in power in the face of the Roman Empire. They had two children together, despite Antony’s marriage to another woman in Rome.

While in battle, Antony was given false information that Cleopatra died. She staged a fake suicide as part of a political move. Devastated, he attempted to kill himself, but his death was not immediate. When Cleopatra saw the result of this, she took her own life as well.

Oscar Wilde

Irish poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde, was known as a poetically passionate man. In 1891, Wilde met his muse and lover Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas, who served as the real-life inspiration for Wilde’s famous work, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Douglas was the recipient of incredible love letters written by Wilde, expressing his devotion to the man.

In 1895, Wilde was imprisoned for his homosexuality, which was considered a crime in England at the time. He was sentenced to two years in prison with hard labor, fell into massive amounts of debt, and failing health.

Bonnie and Clyde

Love isn’t always flowers and kisses — sometimes it’s bullets and bank robberies. From 1932-1934, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were the United State’s most infamous outlaw couple. They met at a party one night as two poor kids who wanted a glamorous and exciting life.

Even though Bonnie’s mother begged her not to see Clyde after he was arrested for car theft, she stayed with him. The couple was killed in a police ambush in 1934. Though they died next to each other, Bonnie’s mother made sure that her daughter was buried separately from Clyde.

Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera

One of the most famous relationships of the 20th century was also one of the most imperfect. The relationship between painters Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera was fraught with affairs and terrible fights. Diego then had an affair with Frida’s sister, which led to a four-year divorce. Frida and Diego kept coming back to one another, however, despite the infidelity and heartbreak.

The relationship between the two Mexican artists is one of love, in all its messiness. They shared closeness, art, and a very complicated version of wanting the other person to be happy.

Richard and Mildred Loving

Richard and Mildred Loving are known for their Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia. In 1958, they were arrested by Virginia police for violating the Racial Integrity Act of 1942. This act forbade interracial marriage. In order to avoid prison time, the couple was essentially exiled from the state.

The Lovings brought their case to the Supreme Court in 1963, and the judges ruled in their favor. They moved back to Virginia and continued to live their lives without fear of being arrested for, as Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote, “one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.”

What is Love?

The names on this list certainly prove that love is not easy, but it can be rewarding. Though their names conjure up stories of trial and tribulation, we can at least use them to see those fictional happy endings a bit more realistically.

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This is a meant to be a fun opinion piece to spark your imagination, submitted by thinkers in our community.

The supporting theory for Terrestrial Extras names a new genus and species to the family of hominids – Nativus coniunctus. Terrestrial Extras are the next logical stage in the evolution of hominids – and although Terrestrial Extra sightings have often been misconceived as extra-terrestrial or “alien” sightings, the theory remains sound, and arguments made by fervent believers have resulted in the strength that the theory holds today.

Terrestrial Extra Theory (TET) is described by the following two statements:

1) The Fallacy

The “aliens” that are spotted on earth are extraterrestrial beings, and have traveled from other planets and/or galaxies through space via UFO’s to visit earth.

2) The Terrestrial Extra Theory

The “aliens” that are seen on earth are not extraterrestrial beings, but rather “Terrestrial Extras” – from the earth, but not belonging to our era. They live on earth as a future species of hominids in a future era, and travel through time via UFO’s for various reasons.

These reasons may include things like the study of history, extinct species monitoring, tracking changes in geography, or maybe even recreational tourism. But because they are a native earth species and are not among the known species for any era but the one that they originated from, they are called Terrestrial Extras, and have probably been sighted by many species of life on earth for as long as the earth has existed. The one thing that allows them to do this, and the main differentiating attribute between modern humans and Terrestrial Extras is their knowledge of and ability to manipulate time.

“TET does not challenge the possibility of extra-terrestrial life; what it does is challenge the idea that reported ‘alien’ sightings are sightings of beings foreign to this earth. The probability that these beings traveled light years, arrived on earth, and look as similar to humans as reports portray is not as probable as the theory that these beings are native to earth, but living in a future era.”

Time travel… the ability to manipulate the fourth dimension.

There are many theories that propose explanations for the number of dimensions that exist. A universally understood theory is that our existence can be accurately measured using four dimensions – X, Y, Z, and Time. Currently, we have the ability to manipulate X, Y, and Z. Take one step forward, and you’ve manipulated your X dimension. Then take a step to the side, and you’ve manipulated your Y dimension. Now, jump straight up and you’ve manipulated your Z dimension. You have complete control over the first three dimensions. However, you do not have enough control over the fourth dimension to permit you to go back to the exact X, Y, and Z coordinates that you were at one minute ago. Read more about UFO Time Travel…

Why TET makes sense.

Almost every claim of an “alien sighting” on earth that has been published depicts a being with a head and four limbs. The head is usually larger than the head of a homo sapien, and the limbs leaner. It would make sense that, as we humans continue to increase our intelligence levels, the head would grow in size to allow for larger brain capacity. It would also make sense that as this phenomenon occurs, we have less of a need for physical strength (due to telekinetic and/or telepathic abilities), and are able to control our diet much better than we are today. Therefore, the average human body shape becomes leaner as it adapts to the advanced functionality of the brain. Read more about Nativus Coniunctus…

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Because Terrestrial Extras closely resemble modern-day Homo Sapiens, and because they are believed to be the next species of human life on earth, Terrestrial Extra researchers have given the Linnaean classification to the family of Hominids, under the Genus and Species Nativus coniunctus.

Linnaean classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Subphylum	Vertebrata
Class	Mammalia
Subclass	Eutheria
Order	Primates
Suborder	Catarrhini
Family	Hominidae
Genus	Nativus
Species	coniunctus

The etymology of this name is derived from the latin definitions and the belief that Terrestrial Extras are from the Earth and share a collective knowledge or possibly other advanced telepathic methods of communication.

nativus -a -um, born; native, natural; inborn, innate.
coniunctus -a -um, connected, joined, agreeing, allied.

Evolution of man… and into the future:

Evolution of human skulls… and into the future:

UFO Time Travel

Let’s challenge the idea that UFO’s come from other planets, galaxies, and solar systems. Terrestrial Extra Theory’s Time Travel explanation does not argue that this couldn’t happen, but rather that the majority of the UFO sightings on earth are actually sightings of time machines that came from another era on earth. Time machines have always been a fascination of humans around the globe, and although we have not yet figured out how to build one, there is no reason that someone in the future might figure it out. When they do, the possibility for them to explore the history of the earth will suddenly become an option.

Terrestrial Extra researchers suggest that the number of UFO sightings is probably less than 0.01 percent of the overall trips made by UFO’s on an annual basis. The necessity to preserve the past is of critical importance, especially once the ability to travel to the past has become available. Therefore, Terrestrial Extras have taken the necessary steps to ensure that past life is not interrupted. On the rare occasions where sightings have occurred, there may have been a technical difficulty aboard the craft, “traffic” congestion that prevented a timely departure, unexpected communication problems, or even technologies or events in the past world that prevented the proper functioning of the craft.

The exact reasoning is unknown, of course, but hypothesis surface along with new questions regarding the “why” behind this theory.

Why are sightings more common in some geographic regions than others? Could it be that major events in the future of the world will take place in these locations, and TE’s are visiting it prior to the event to take measurements? Is this why New Mexico has nearly ten times the number of sightings that New York has? Is something happening there now, or will something happen there in the future that will significantly change life on earth as we know it?

Why are their spikes in UFO sightings within certain time periods? How have UFO sightings changed the future world? Do Terrestrial Extras ever modify history in order to prolong their own existence?

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Expecting a baby and looking for a classic, retro name? As we begin the 2020’s, try taking a look back at the roaring 20’s for baby names and inspiration. Here are 200 common male and female names used throughout the 1920’s, listed in order of most to least popular, as recorded by the United States Social Security Administration.

1. Robert and Mary
2. John and Dorothy
3. James and Helen
4. William and Betty
5. Charles and Margaret
6. George and Ruth
7. Joseph and Virginia
8. Richard and Doris
9. Edward and Mildred
10. Donald and Frances
11. Thomas and Elizabeth
12. Frank and Evelyn
13. Harold and Anna
14. Paul and Marie
15. Raymond and Alice
16. Walter and Jean
17. Jack and Shirley
18. Henry and Barbara
19. Kenneth and Irene
20. Arthur and Marjorie
21. Albert and Florence
22. David and Lois
23. Harry and Martha
24. Eugene and Rose
25. Ralph and Lillian
26. Howard and Louise
27. Carl and Catherine
28. Willie and Ruby
29. Louis and Eleanor
30. Clarence and Patricia
31. Earl and Gladys
32. Roy and Annie
33. Fred and Josephine
34. Joe and Thelma
35. Francis and Edna
36. Lawrence and Norma
37. Herbert and Pauline
38. Leonard and Lucille
39. Ernest and Edith
40. Alfred and Gloria
41. Anthony and Ethel
42. Stanley and Phyllis
43. Norman and Grace
44. Gerald and Hazel
45. Daniel and June
46. Samuel and Bernice
47. Bernard and Marion
48. Billy and Dolores
49. Melvin and Rita
50. Marvin and Lorraine
51. Warren and Ann
52. Michael and Esther
53. Leroy and Beatrice
54. Russell and Juanita
55. Leo and Clara
56. Andrew and Jane
57. Edwin and Geraldine
58. Elmer and Sarah
59. Peter and Emma
60. Floyd and Joan
61. Lloyd and Joyce
62. Ray and Nancy
63. Frederick and Katherine
64. Theodore and Gertrude
65. Clifford and Elsie
66. Vernon and Julia
67. Herman and Agnes
68. Clyde and Wilma
69. Chester and Marian
70. Philip and Bertha
71. Alvin and Eva
72. Lester and Willie
73. Wayne and Audrey
74. Vincent and Theresa
75. Gordon and Vivian
76. Leon and Wanda
77. Lewis and Laura
78. Charlie and Charlotte
79. Glen and Ida
80. Calvin and Elaine
81. Martin and Anne
82. Milton and Marilyn
83. Lee and Kathryn
84. Jesse and Maxine
85. Dale and Kathleen
86. Cecil and Viola
87. Bill and Pearl
88. Harvel and Vera
89. Roger and Bessie
90. Victor and Myrtle
91. Benjamin and Alma
92. Wallace and Beverly
93. Ronald and Violet
94. Sam and Nellie
95. Allen and Ella
96. Arnold and Lillie
97. Willard and Jessie
98. Gilbert and Jeanne
99. Edgar and Eileen
100. Oscar and Ellen
101. Gene and Lucy
102. Jerry and Minnie
103. Douglas and Sylvia
104. Johnnie and Donna
105. Claude and Leona
106. Don and Rosemary
107. Eddie and Stella
108. Roland and Mattie
109. Everett and Margie
110. Maurice and Genevieve
111. Curtis and Mabel
112. Marion and Janet
113. Virgil and Geneva
114. Wilbur and Georgia
115. Manuel and Bonnie
116. Stephen and Carol
117. Jerome and Velma
118. Homer and Lena
119. Leslie and Carolyn
120. Glen and Mae
121. Jessie and Jennie
122. Hubert and MAria
123. Jose and Christine
124. Jimmie and Arlene
125. Sidney and Peggy
126. Morris and Marguerite
127. Hugh and Opal
128. Max and Sara
129. Bobby and Loretta
130. Bob and Harriet
131. Nicholas and Rosa
132. Luther and Muriel
133. Bruce and Eunice
134. Junior and Jeanette
135. Wesley and Blanche
136. Rudolph and Carrie
137. Alexander and Emily
138. Franklin and Beulah
139. Tom and Billie
140. Irving and Dora
141. Horace and Roberta
142. Willis and Hilda
143. Patrick and Naomi
144. Steve and Anita
145. Johnny and Jacqueline
146. Dean and Alberta
147. Julius and Inez
148. Keith and Delores
149. Oliver and Fannie
150. Earnest and Hattie
151. Ben and Lula
152. Jim and Verna
153. Tony and Cora
154. Edmund and Constance
155. Lyle and Madeline
156. Guy and Miriam
157. Salvatore and Ada
158. Orville and Claire
159. Delbert and Mamie
160. Billie and Lola
161. Phillip and Rosie
162. Clayton and Erma
163. Otis and Rachel
164. Archie and Mable
165. Alex and Flora
166. Angelo and Daisy
167. Mike and Sally
168. Jacob and Marcella
169. Clifton and Bette
170. Bennie and Olga
171. Duane and Caroline
172. Matthew and Laverne
173. Clinton and Sophie
174. Dennis and Nora
175. Wilbert and Rebecca
176. Dan and Estelle
177. Jay and Irma
178. Marshall and Susie
179. Leland and Eula
180. Merle and Winifred
181. Ira and Eloise
182. Nathaniel and Janice
183. Ivan and Maggie
184. Ervin and Antoinette
185. Jimmy and Nina
186. Irvin and Rosalie
187. Alton and Imogene
188. Lowell and Lorene
189. Dewey and Olive
190. Larry and Sadie
191. Emil and Regina
192. Antonio and Victoria
193. Wilfred and Henrietta
194. Elbert and Della
195. Juan and Bettie
196. Alan and Lila
197. Allan and Fern
198. Lonnie and Faye
199. Nelson and Johnnie
200. Forrest and Jeanette

Give your child an old school name and contribute to a new wave of flappers and bootleggers!

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First and last names have obvious uses, but why do we use a middle name? Historically the reason why a person has a middle name is linked with how the middle name itself was chosen. The ancient Romans are believed to be the first to use three names, but it wasn’t the same as middle names today.

Roman “Middle” Names

Karen Stern, Historian at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, explains that initially Romans “used a praenomen or personal name; a nomen, or family name, which ‘has the same placement as a middle name but has a different function’; and a cognomen, which… was a nickname indicating an attribute or, eventually, what branch of a family you were from.” In other words, what we would consider our given name is what they used as their first name. Today’s last name would have been their middle, and their nickname was their used last.

So, if Tiger Woods had been Roman, he would have been “Eldrick Woods Tiger.” It doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it? This being said, not all Romans had three names. Women got two, and slaves had only one. As time went on, Roman aristocrats began using the nickname to detail the child’s lineage instead of their nickname.

Italian Middle Names

The use of middle names fell out of popularity until the late thirteen century, when the Italian elites brought back the practice of using a child’s name to spell out the child’s pedigree. Think of it as a type of medieval advertising: my daughter’s bloodlines are impeccable, choose her for your daughter-in-law.

This time however, rather than using a cognomen as the Romans did, they tucked those family names in between the child’s given and last names. And of course, once the popular kids do something, everyone else wants to do it as well. All social classes were using middle names by the end of fifteenth century. During this spread the how of a middle name also changed; after all, lower social classes were less concerned about bloodlines.

Their use of middle names was about protection, and people chose a saint’s name for their child in the hope that the name would provide a celestial shield. Who can blame them – who wouldn’t want a little bonus protection against the Black Death?

Modern Middle Names

A population explosion during the nineteenth century gave people a new reason to give their child a middle name – for differentiation. A middle name was used to not only set your son apart from all the other boys named “John Smith,” but also to express the parents’ ambitions, creativity, and curry a little favor with the relations.

Today middle names are chosen for many of the same reasons: to distinguish a child from parent (“George H.” and “George W.” Bush), to keep a family name alive, to express creativity – or act as a backup just in case the first name doesn’t appeal to the child as an adult (we see you Apple and Coco), to settle a naming disagreement between parents, or because it’s considered fashionable. As popular as middle names are, you might think that a middle name is required, but it’s not. In fact, some states like Connecticut, Michigan, and Nevada don’t require the child’s name to be listed on the birth certificate right away, and give the parents a couple of years to choose a name.

So then, what should we keep in mind when we choose our child’s name? Here are few thoughts:

How does it sound? Say it out loud. A lot. Does it roll off the tongue? There’s some old southern advice that recommends you stand on your front porch and shout your child’s name. Does the name carry? Think about the future when you’ll be shouting like an idiot to get your child’s attention.

Is it easy to pronounce? Write the name down and ask friends to read and say it. Can they do so easily? If not, maybe you’ve tried a little too hard to make the spelling unique.

Will the name fall out of fashion (again, Apple and Coco)? This could cause problems in the future. When asked about his name, former President Obama has said, “I got my first name from my father, and I got my middle name from someone who obviously didn’t think I’d ever run for president.”

When all’s said and done, how and why a name was chosen is beside the point. As W.C. Fields said, “It ain’t what they call you, it’s what you answer to.”

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Many Scottish surnames date all the way back to the Middle Ages. Medieval naming customs have shaped most of our present-day surnames, and the mingling and blending of families from all over the British Isles have spread and preserved the prominence of these names. 

This is a follow-up post to our Common Surnames in Scotland post that received so much attention last week – we hope you enjoy this one too!

Parts of Scottish Names

During the Middle Ages, patronymic names (a name given after the father) were popular the world over, and in Europe especially. Often these names had some form of the meaning “son of” attached to them. The extremely prevalent surname Johnson, for example, means “son of John”, which dispersed like wildfire after the popularization of Christianity, and with it the given name John (or Johanan in Hebrew). 

In Scottish Gaelic and Irish, the prefixes “Mac” or “Mc” were used to denote the meaning of son, such as McCormick or MacPherson. Several Gaelic names were often anglicized, contributing to the version we hear today. 

Other types of surnames were bestowed upon the bearer depending on their profession. Baker, Potter, Mason, and Fisher all fall under the umbrella of occupational names. While not the most creative manner of name-giving, in medieval times it was certainly useful to label the various townspeople with their trades. However, this is indeed why there are so many of these sorts of surnames still floating around, as every town ended up having its own baker, potter, etc. 

Scottish Surnames

Every year Scotland keeps records of the most common surnames based on the registered births, deaths, and marriages. According to the most recent record of 2019, here are the top 10 most common Scottish surnames: 

1. Murray

The surname Murray is thought to derive from the county of Moray, where the clan lived. They are considered to be descended from MacAngus de Moravia, who was the first Earl of Murray. 

2. Taylor

An example of an occupational surname, Taylor, as you might expect, was the name for a tailor. However, it actually originated from the Norman French word taillour, and was most likely brought to Scotland after the Norman invasion of England in the 11th century. 

3. Anderson

The history of the name Anderson is an entirely fascinating one, as the Andersons were born amongst the ancient Dalriadan clans on the western coast of Scotland. The name comes from the given name Andrew, and shows that the Andersons are descended from Mac Ghille Andreis, who was the servant of St. Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. 

4. Robertson

Like Anderson, Robertson is a patronymic name meaning “son of Robert”, and recurrently, the Robertsons also come from the ancient Dalriadan kingdom in the west. Yet their history might even be more compelling than that of the Andersons. Initially they were the abbots of Dunkeld; Abbot Crinan, the grandson of the first Robertson abbot, married the king’s daughter, who gave birth to King Duncan I of Scotland, (who was later killed by the infamous MacBeth). 

5. Thomson

The Thomson family originates from the border between Scotland and England. The first written record of a Thomson was in the early 1300s, in the historic county of Ayrshire. The name itself derives from the personal name Thomas. 

6. Campbell

This surname probably has the most amusing history of any on this list, as it evolved from two Gaelic words; cam, meaning “crooked” and beul, meaning “mouth”. Therefore a Campbell was a nickname for someone with a crooked mouth or smile. 

7. Stewart

This indubitably royal name began as an occupational label, signifying a steward who was in charge of a noble household, and later developing into the highly eminent Clan Stewart of the Highlands, which eventually ruled as famous Scottish and British monarchs. 

8. Wilson

Another patronymic name, the Vikings brought this surname to medieval Scotland, where it first surfaced on written record in the early 1400s. 

9. Brown 

An English, Irish, and Scottish name, Brown derives from the Old English or Old French brun, meaning someone with brown features such as hair or eyes. It has also been thought to be a translated version of the Gaelic donn.

10. Smith

Smith is not only the most common surname in Scotland, but also in the entire United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia as well, speaking to the true pervasiveness of this name. The main reason for the fact that there are so many Smiths nowadays is that during the Middle Ages, in each town there were often several kinds of smiths, as a smith was someone who worked with metal. Therefore blacksmiths, goldsmiths, arrowsmiths, tinsmiths, and more might have all been present within one village. 

Although none of the typical “Mac” or “Mc” names made it on to the Top 10 list for 2019, MacDonald was number 11, and has indeed been one of the top 10 in other recent years. 

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A person’s lineage can often be determined by their last names. They help people find out their ancestors’ profession, languages they knew, the number of years they lived, the education they had, and the place where they resided. This has been proven by tracing the lineages of people with rare surnames through public records, like genealogical records. Furthermore, a family name can be used to determine a family’s position in the social hierarchy. Below is a rundown of 10 last names that suggest a history of wealth.

Cash

The Cash last name has a Scottish origin and is derived from Caschel, which means castle in Gaelic language. In the 13th century, its variation Casche was adopted by a Scottish earldom. Cash became a common name by the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The name became popular in the 20th century because of the singer Johnny Cash.  

Franc 

Franc is a popular European surname that is associated with wealth. One of the strongest legal tenders in the world is the Swiss Franc. Swiss banks are renowned for their banking policies. Countries such as Belgium, France, and Luxembourg also had their respective Franc currencies before they were replaced by the Euro. Franc is sometimes spelled as Frank. The last name Franc precisely means free in the French language. 

Yen

Yen is the currency used in Japan, which means craving for something. Many people have Yen as their last name in China. Donnie Yen is a popular Hong Kong actor with this surname. Yen is also common in Asian countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. On the other hand, Yen means calm in Vietnamese. In Vietnamese culture, swiftlets are known as chim yen, where chim stands for a bird.

Banks

Banks is a popular last name that is linked with wealth. It was the last name of the teen character in the spy comedy film Agent Cody Banks. The story of Mary Poppins revolves around the Banks family. Banks is the name of the affluent family in the 1990’s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Apart from fictional characters, many notable people also have this surname.

Jackson

The 20 dollar bill of the United States features Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the country. This is one of the reasons why so many parents are willing to give their children this as a first name as well. Furthermore, the name is also adopted by many as it was shared by the king of pop Michael Jackson. The last name is linked with aristocracy as the literal meaning corresponds to the son of Jack.

Hamilton 

The last name originates from a village called Hamilton in England, where people adopted it as their family name. On the other hand, some have descended from the aristocratic Hamilton family. Alexander Hamilton Is featured on the 10 dollar bill of the United States, who was one of the founding fathers of the nation. Moreover, he was the first secretary of the treasury. This is why Hamilton is linked with wealth.

Phoenix 

Phoenix is a popular family name that is associated with affluence. It was the currency used in Greece during the 19th century. The name symbolizes a special bird in the Greek mythology that lives, then burns to death, and finally comes back to life from the ashes. The name has a growing popularity, thanks to the award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix.

Bond

Bond is an Old Norse name that was brought to England by the descendants of the Vikings known as the Normans during the 11th century. The name Bond stands for a farmer or a husbandman. Ruskin Bond is a prominent Indian author who has this surname. Bond is regarded as a classy surname, thanks to the fictional spy named James Bond. It is a financial jargon as well, which is a form of debt security similar to stocks.

Mark 

This last name has been popular throughout time as it is one of the first four gospels of the New Testament. The surname was a prominent family name in the German state of Prussia during the 16th century. It is also linked with money because marks were the currencies in countries such as Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Poland at different time-periods. At present, the mark currency is only used in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Penny 

Penny is a famous last name in North America that is associated with prosperity. All know it as the lowest denomination of the U.S. currency, where hundred pennies will be equal to one dollar. This currency unit is also used in several other English speaking nations. Penny is one of the main characters of the sitcom The Big Bang Theory. This name has been derived from Penig, which means coin in Old English.

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