Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-12-14
SCIENCE or NAMES.


Fathers and Mothers.
Writer'S spend much time and thought
in selecting name for q play or novel, |
for they know that success is largely |
dependent on It. Parents, however,
are strangely careless and unscientific |
In giving names to children. Usually,
when newcomer arrives. some old
family name Il taken, or II the parents
exercise an original choice, they are
too much excited to be guided by any
sound euphonic principles. They for
get that not only from the social point
OF view it is very advantageous to have
ones name remembered, butt from
the business point Of view notoriety is
capital, and must be obtained by per-
sistent and ingenious advertising. The
economy Of the public stock Of energy
wasted in innumerable unconscious es-
forts to remember name without any
corners for the memory 20 grasp, but
persistently thrust before it, would re-
suit In an increase Of available mental
force applicable to settling the ques-
| ton OF future probation, or to raising
the ethical standard, or to reforming
the tariff, or to disposing OF the sur
plus. The importance of the subject
leads me to suggest one or two of the
chief fundamental principles Of the SCI
ence of naming children. The system
is simple, and any provident parent can
easily master and apply it.
| /. Avoid odd, or eccentric, or poetic
combinations, and be guided by eu-
phonic quality only. 1t is true that an
odd name may be remembered, but the
associations with it will not be pleasing.
The idea of oddity or affectation may
attach to the shadowy personality built
up in the mind Of the public. Under
this rule hyphenated names, especially
hyphenated Christian names like Floyd
Jones Robinson. are to be avoided
Writing the first given name with al
initial and the second in full is alst
evidently opposed to correct scientific
principles.
2. The best form OF name is a dacty
and a spondee, like Jeremy Taylor.
Every one has heard of the Shakes
! peare of divines,'' and has dim ide
I of an agreeable personality attached +
the name. Had his name been Charlie
} Taylor. it is far within bounds to sa
that his reputation would be about one
third of what it is now.
8. If the surname is not one thu
can be treated according to the abov
I rule, it should be fitted with give
I name, such as to bring the combinatio
as nearly as possible TO the abov
I length and cadence. as, Sidney Dobel
i Ellery Vane. Henry Ward Beeche
: Dante Rossetti, Theodore Watts, an
the like; or, otherwise. to two lor
: syllables, like Mark Twain or Br'
: Harte. The subdivision of this brane
|. OF the subject are too numerous to
e given, but all rest on principle No.
3 The phonic value of the surname
IS under our custom, the controlling ell
= ment in practically applying the scien
Is of names.
le The great value of names beginnir
II with Mac or o is evident, because tn
re so readily combine with the ordina
|. Christian names. Any one would
a. favorably disposed to Arthur o Como
for instance A boy pervades our qui
" neighborhood simply because his mar
e is Johnny MacW horter. He is not
u any respect remarkable boy, but
Is name forces him into prominence
rb its phonic value. There are some t
r or twelve boys who are comrades,
10 he and another dactyl-spondee bt
Is Emory Watson, are the only ones eS
A. spoken of. No doubt there are oth'
a who do as much mischief and ma
ng more noise, but these two reap all
", fame.-AtIdnttc.-