The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-14
CHOOSING NAMES.
PecuIiarities and Eccentricities in the Mann
ing of Children.


ing of Children.
Edward Whitaker, in Good Words.
Not many months ago little maiden, born at
West Derby, Liverpool, to the surname of Pep
per, was registered in the following personal
names, FIVE and twenty in number, viz.-Anu,
Bertha, Cecilia, DIANA Emily Fanny, Gertrude
Hypatia, Inez, Jane Kate, Louise, Maud, Nora,
Ophelia, Ounce, Rebecca, Starkey Teresa,
Ulysses, Venus, Winifred, Xenophon, Yetty,
and Zeus. This case of extreme eccentricity in
name choosing has suggested to the writer to
note some of the motives, ordinary and other
wise, by which English parents are impelled
when they act as name choosers. Each motive,
doubtless, often operates singly, and hence any
traceable incentive invites separate mention
but it need scarcely be said that in name-choos-
ing, as we'll as in good many other human pro-
ceedings motives are a little liable to become
mixed The tendency to repeat familiar names is
undoubtedly that in obedience to which most APP
pellatioDs among us are given; and for these,
name-choosers usually 60 to relatives and
friends. And not only an existing relationship
or affection. but memory, or even q tradition
of fond kinship or friendly regard, is likely to
supersede other causes which may influence the
selection. The prevalence of name repetition is
closely connected with the present commences
amongst us of few baptismal names which be-
came popular many centuries ago Fourteen
years ago the writer pointed out that of 100 900
children registered in l6GG'67 100, 600 boys and
so 900 erls) 65, S92 possessed between them, as a
appelations; and the inference was drawn that
two thirds of the contemporary babyhood OF
England would answer to one another of those
twenty-five denominations. Mary was shown
to be the commonest name of all: it distinguished
6.8l9 girls out of the 80, 900. William came next
being given to 500 of the so, 600 boys The pro-
dominance Of these two names forcibly eXernpli-
fes the way in which the passing on of prsD
nomna for personal reasons, will efface their
original associations. Mary is the great saint
name of the later middle ages, owing to the
exaggerated reverence paid in those days
to the mother of our Lord the reforma-
ton, followed by purtanism, was powerless
been assigned it, for it had already
become deeply endeared to the people by
family usage. William came to England, as
baptismal appellaton, with the conqueror, eight
hundred years ago. 1t was prominently un-
likely, considering the conditions of its intro
duction, to secure popular approval but in time
personal association won for it victory as de.
cisve as its ducal bearer won for Normandy at
Hastings. The many leading men who bore the
Conquerors name passed it on largely to those
of lower rank who loved their service. The
same went on in humber circles still, until by
repetition William became so common that it
originated more surnames than any other bap-
tismal appellation. There are, Williams,
and Williamson, to begin with. Then
the Authorization Will has produced Willes,
Willis, Wills, Wilson and Wilson The dmin-
utive Guillemot or Gwillot, has led to Gillett
Gillat, Gillot, elliott and other FORMS while
Williamot, the more English version Of that
d,ninutive, has given Willatt, Willct, Willert
Willott, Willmot Willmott. Again in connec-
ton with the pet shapes of the name are the
surnames Bill, Billson, Bison, Weeks, Wickens
Wickenson, Wickerson. Wickeson, Wilcox,
Wicockson, Wilcox, Wilcoxon wilkins, Will
kinson, Wilks, Willcocks, Wiley Willy, and
Woolcock Indeed Williams, the chief surname
deriyative OF William, stands third liz point Of
commences among English ccgnomina--Smith
(which comes from that occupation) and Jones
(which comes from john only exceeding 1t In
frequency of occurrence.