What’s in a name? Adam Lesley Jennifer Zach Kenton

Why do parents choose a particular name? According to the 2007 Babycenter’s “Big Baby Name Survey” 30 % - To Honor a Family Member 26 % - Like How it Sounds 24% - Because it Has a 20 % - The Family Tree/Carry on the Tradition

How do parents choose a name? * 64% said their spouse came up with the name, followed by: * Relatives * Websites * Books * And an up and coming trend… Hiring a professional baby-name consultant! (54% or responders said they would hire a consultant)

What Meaning Should a Name Have? Fifty-Nine percent believe that a child’s name contributes to his or her success in life. Top priority in the meaning of a name: BoysGirls 1. Strength1. Femininity 2. Individuality 3. Kindness

Ethnic Background How important was your ethnic background in choosing a name? 77 % Not Important 17 % Somewhat important ( I tried to find a name that reflected my ethnicity.) 6 % Essential (My child had to have a name that reflected my ethnic background.)

First Names... We choose a first name because it describes the child. Blanchewhite Calvinbald = = Adamma= Child of beauty Ibo, Nigeria (AH-DAHM-MAH)

First Names... We choose a name which is taken from some event or circumstance at birth. Easter June Summer Atu (born on Saturday) Fante, Ghana

First Names.... Sometimes names are chosen based on some hope or aspiration on the part of the parents Hope Elizabeth (oath of God) Abimbola (born to be rich) Yoruba, Nigeria Inara (ray of light, heaven sent) Arabic

First Names... Sometimes children are named after an object Flowers: Holly Jewels or gems: Amber Jade Rose Hoa (flower)

First Names... At times people are given first names because of the association or relation to the surname Lily White Happy Sadd Holly Wood (Lincoln, Nebraska) Henry Ford Carr (Central City, Kentucky)

First Names... Some names are given from error or ignorance. Misspelled names Names given to immigrants at Ellis Island

First Names... Oddities Jett (John Travolta & Kelly Preston) Zowie (David Bowie) Pilot Inspektor (Jason Lee & Beth Riesgraf) Rumer, Tallulah, Scout (Bruce Willis & Demi Moore)

First Names... Names can originate as a result of chance. Close your eyes and point to a word in the Bible Use the name of the first person you meet Draw sticks or paper

First Names... We name children in order to honor another person. Parent Grandparent Friend Relative

First Names... We may choose names for children because we admire a famous person. Religious character Poet Movie Star

First Names... We sometimes choose a first name because it is “pretty” or seems harmonious with the last name or middle name. Peggy Sue Melody Ann Sandman (Lincoln, Nebraska) Mark Clark VanArk (Toledo, Ohio) Newton Hooton (Cambridge, Massachusetts)

First Names... People sometimes avoid names because of stereotypes. AdolphHitler JudasThe disciple who betrayed Jesus. BrunoBully FatimaFat

Arizona First Names... We choose some names based on a geographical location Savanna Montana

What First Names are Popular? Top Baby Names of 2007… GirlsBoys 1. Sophia1. Aiden 2. Isabella2. Ethan 3. Emma3. Jacob 4. Madison4. Jayden 5. Ava5. Caden 6. Addison6. Noah 7. Hailey7. Jackson 8. Emily8. Jack 9. Kaitlyn9. Logan 10. Olivia10. Matthew

Middle Names… How did you parents choose your middle name? How will you choose your child’s middle name?

Middle Names

Surnames…

Surnames... Some surnames arise from local or geographical influence. Where does he/she live? Where is he/she from? Westfield

Surnames... Some family names arise from a person’s most prominent peculiarity. James Brown William Young

Surnames... Last names can originate from an occupational background - based on what he/she does or an office held. Miller Smith Bishop Sawyer

Surnames... Some surnames are patronymical, referring to his/her father’s name. Johnson Anderson Tomsdaughter

Surnames... Some surnames are created as an invention, possibly with invented spellings. Sandmann

Talk to your parent / guardian tonight to learn stories about your naming ceremony. Come to the library media center and we’ll find out what the name experts say about your name.

"Big Baby Name Survey 2007." Babycenter. Jan Jan Norman, Teresa. A World of Baby Names. New York: Berkley Publishing Group, Odd Baby Names Jan "Odd Names." F2.org. 16 Dec Jan Smith, Elsdon C. The Story of Our Names. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1950.