Comments on: SMASHING STEREOTYPES: Nameberry to the rescue

By: Salome

Salome — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:04:16 +0000

Quite a few of these are on my master list and most of the others I’d love to see or hear of on somebody.

But more importantly, I’m glad I’m not the only person in the world hoping Ebenezer makes a comeback!

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:59:50 +0000

Hey, Julie’s husband here.
Love this article and the posts more.

Eloise was the first little gal name I truly fell in love with. Everyone who hears it immediately smiles and comments on how pretty it is. And as much as I’d love for it to make a comeback, I enjoy the fact that it’s rare. It adds to its unique quality.

I think Linus is a pretty darn amazing name too. I did, and still do, at times worry about elementary school kids. But he owns it – wears it proudly. But what 2.5 year old doesn’t. I think it’s such a distinguished and wise name.

Of course, if you watch Lost, it’s as if the writers of the show are in our head. Linus’ middle name is James. Eloise’s is Claire.

And if we were to have another boy, his name would be Felix.
Another name that’s tied to familiar imagery.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:25:48 +0000

I have one son and one daughter, named Linus and Eloise (almost 3 and 6 months, respectively).
Interesting article.

By: jb

jb — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:37:00 +0000

@phaedra: I second the “Linn-us” Torvalds reference.

By: nicole

nicole — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:17:23 +0000

@ Charlotte Vera

I know a four-year-old Ernest, called Ernie and rarely does anyone mention Bert and Ernie…maybe its due for a comeback!

By: Charlotte Vera

Charlotte Vera — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:18:40 +0000

I personally mourn having lost the ability to use the name Ernest to “Bert and Ernie” of Sesame Street fame. I do so love “The Important of Being Earnest.”

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:14:20 +0000

I’m with SJ–Jethro is Gibbs, and Remus is very definitely Remus Lupin. Without the “Uncle” in there, why on Earth would a modern person think of anyone else? For that matter, I’d think Olivia Benson of SVU or Olivia Walton of the Waltons before Olivia the pig on that name… and I’m a children’s librarian. And there’s an actor named Linus Roache on L&O as well… though I don’t think I’d ever like that name, any more than I like Grover.

I think Kermit is permanently lost. Can’t say I mourn it much, though.

Jemima… I don’t know if it’s ready to make a crossing back here yet. It has the unfortunate coincidence of not only having the syrup lady, but also having that M-M sound that brings to mind “Mammy.”

Eloise, I barely associate with the children’s books. It’s just a pretty name long overdue for a comeback.

By: teabee

teabee — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:16:28 +0000

Linus and Eloise I can handle…

By: Andrea

Andrea — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:43:28 +0000

I loved Mr. Dressup — actually preferred him to Sesame Street — and Finnegan and other Finn name always make me think of that dog. I grew up within miles of the Canadian border so we always got the Canadian TV shows better than the American stations in the years before satellite TV.

I work with a 50-something Eloise. It’s the sort of name I think is quite stylish right now in certain parts of the country, so I doubt the children’s book will hold it back. Jemima reminds me more of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang than Aunt Jemima and pancakes, though I do think of that too. I wonder if the slave name stereotype has been so often repeated that it’s become the stereotype even though people don’t have that association any longer?

By: twinkle

twinkle — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:01:56 +0000

I think Jemima is very sweet (I think of Jemima Puddleduck when I hear it, actually)!
I know several Eloises, too – such a pretty alternative to Louise.
Abner – I think of that long-suffering man who lives across the street from Samantha and Darren in the Bewitched TV show (I have a passion for vintage television ).