Hello Swistle,
Thank you for your wonderful blog! I have a general name-trend question for you and your readers:
As we all know, many antiquated occupations are now common names, but what current-occupational versions do you see in your various regions? I began wondering about this upon noticing a trend in our local area, which is a major timber-industry center in the Pacific Northwest: the name Timber for boys, or Tymber for girls.
What are the Coopers/Masons/Tylers of tomorrow? And what other unique names have been inspired by your locale?
Looking forward to your answers,
“eclare”
I don’t think Programmer, Analyst, or Accountant will take off anytime soon but I have wondered if Lawyer will be adopted at some point due to its similarity to Sawyer.
I’ve never met anyone wanting to name their kid Programmer, but I have met multiple sets of parents considering the name Linus in honor of Linus Torvalds, inventor of Linux. I bet if you looked at the numbers you’d find that name becoming most popular in high tech and university communities.
Good point. My husband (a computer programmer) thought it would be cool to name our son Bram, after the programmer Bram Cohen, the inventor of BitTorrent.
Maybe it’s because my husband is in the Navy, but I’ve noticed kids named Sailor/Saylor, Anchor, and Titan (some have parents in the Navy, some don’t).
I’ve actually seen Navy discussed a handful of times as a baby names, though I’ve never met one IRl
I have met a little Navy, or rather “Nayvee”. The parents had no tie to the actual Navy, they just liked the name. The spelling makes it seem really insubstantial to me, but to each their own!
I know a little girl navy who is about 18 months old.
I knew a Major when I was little. He’s got to be 28 or so now.
I live in the deep South, and there are oodles of Hunters. Fisher, Farmer, Painter, and Gardner aren’t unheard of either.
This is so interesting! I know of two cousins from the Midwest who (separately) named their sons Hunter and Fisher. Where I live in the Pacific Northwest, I found it funny when those names were announced, because I would never use names like that – no disrespect meant towards those names or those who use them, but it’s just not my style. A Hazel, Willow or Mabel would be more at home here than a Fisher and Hunter.
The most regional name I notice in California is Sierra. It’s popular as both a Hispanic crossover name and because of the mountains and the nature lovers. I haven’t noticed a whole lot of occupational names yet, except for a couple little Harpers.
This isn’t a regional name, but my brother has always loved the name Mayor. Before he was married he always said his first son would be named Mayor. Our dad was involved in politics (though he wasn’t the mayor) and my brother’s interest in the name seemed to start then. (Unsurprisingly, when he and his wife welcomed their two boys, neither was given the name Mayor.)
My guess is that future-occupational names that take off will be the ones that sound nice. Just like parents are willing to name a girl Navy because it’s “cute” or Mason because it’s on-trend, I wouldn’t be surprised if future parents were just as swayed by a name’s sound.
“We named him Coder because we liked the sound, plus it’s an occupational name from the early days of the internet. We call him Cody and it suits him to a T!”
“Bleep-blorp, well, there you have it! This concludes our roundup of the most popular earth names of 2215. This is Adman Jones for Channel E news, back to you Banker.”
hilarious!
I’ve heard Deacon, Trooper, Miller, Sailor, Poet, Shepherd, and Porter. Deacon, Poet, and Trooper sort of hit me funny, I think because they’re still used as occupational titles. I think as time goes on, people will get more daring with what they deem acceptable to name a baby.
I have a friend with a new baby named Bishop.
Can’t wait to meet a baby Barista!
I know of a Deacon, Shepherd, Story (guess that’s not really an occupation name, but seems to fit with the group), Major and Coach. I would never think of using “Coach”- but it is SO ADORABLE on this kid!!!! I have also seen the name “Catcher,” but that’s more because of Catcher in the Rye.
I’ve always liked Chaplain. Chap or Lain for nn! It’s not a new profession but thought I’d mention it anyway.
I was sitting in the doctors office the other day and they called “Professor” Surname. The guy was maybe 20 so it’s not like he was an actual professor. I sat there dumbfounded that his first name was actually Professor.
I knew someone with first name Mister. His dad wanted him to always be referred to with respect. I think part of it for that family in particular was that they were African-American and the dad in particular had experienced a lot of racial disrespect and wanted to do what he could to avoid it for his kid.
I fear these “title” names actually do the opposite- that they actively invite disrespect, particularly when the title is one you ordinarily have to earn (like professor).
In 100 years from now, when occupation names again become fashionable, the following terms could be considered antiquated professions and used as names:
Mailer & Philately (rhymes with Natalie) – After the postal service has been rendered obsolete by email.
Foley, Grip & Gaffer – By this time all movies will be made with CGI.
Barista – Following the Coffee Famine and Tea Revolution, no one drinks coffee any more.
In 50 years from now when names such as Cassandra and Jeanette come back into fashion, look out for little Cassette as well. And her sister Blue Rae.
In the 2030s & 40s look out for increased use of WW II terminology in names – Pilot, Gunner, Radar, Sonar – and locations – Omaha, Normandy, Dover, etc.
(Note, while this is a little tongue-in-cheek, I can imagine some of these terms actually becoming names in the distant future).
Oh and Kodak for boys – in 100 years time all photos will be digital and none will be printed.
True story – a couple of days ago my daughter was reading an old Babysitters Club book, and she had to ask me what a Kodak Moment meant. To this generation every moment is a Kodak moment.
I have a cousin named Trooper (he’s older than me, so this name has always felt familiar and “normal” to me).
I also have a third-degree acquaintance named Chancellor–mostly goes by the nickname Chance. Love this.
Although I will never, ever agree to it, my husband is in love with the name “Pilot.” He argues that all names were just words to begin with and we are the ones who turn them into names. I know he’s right, but I am not that adventurous!
LOLing at Barista and Cassette!
I know a newborn boy named Navy. So perfect. I really adore the name but I grew up in Annapolis so there’s no way I could use it. I also know a Drummer.
I’ve always been partial to Pilot.