American Language Supplement 2
Page 76
2 From Arlington, Texas.
3 An Oklahoma City schoolma’am.
4 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, Feb. 1, 1941.
5 Camden, in his Remains Concerning Britain, says that it was frowned upon by “some godly men” of his time, c. 1600, as too pretentious and hence “irreligious.”
1 Publications of the Modern Language Association, Sept., 1928, p. 645.
2 The name of a young lady of Denver, Colo. Whether it represents John or Jan I do not know.
3 There are other examples in Feminine Names, American Speech, Nov., 1925, p. 130.
4 The incomparable Shir Lee falls under three headings. It is a surname, it is a doublet of the Betty Jo class, and it involves an orthographical novelty.
1 All borne by actual girls, mainly in Oklahoma. An affidavit to that effect, witnessed by my pastor, is deposited in a time capsule buried on my estate at Hohenzollern, Md. Names in Merd- are numerous, e.g., Merdena, Merdelle and Merdis.
1 p. 522, n. 5.
2 Wild Names I Have Met, by Alfred H. Holt; n.p., n.d., p. 17.
3 Owen Cattell, 42, Magazine Official, New York Times, March 28, 1940.
4 I am indebted here to the courtesy of Miss Larson herself. Miss D. Lorraine Yerkes reports finding the following other variants in the Chicago area: Burneace, Burnus, Bernece, Burnis and Burnuce.
5 At all events, the Oklahoma City Oklahoman so reported on Oct. 20, 1941.
6 This is a male name, countenanced by Holy Church. I am informed by the Rev. Ivo O’Sullivan, O.F.M., of Hupeh, China, that it is a Latinized form of Ives, the name of a holy lawyer-priest of Brittany who died in 1303. Yvette and Yvonne are feminine forms. In Ireland, where Ivo is not uncommon, it may also be related to the name of St. Ibar of Begerin island, in Wexford harbor, who flourished in St. Patrick’s day and died in 500. There was also a St. Ivo, Bishop of Chartres, who died in 1116.
1 A Memoir of the Rev. Sydney Smith by His Daughter, Lady Holland; London, 1855, II.
2 This was a Russian loan: she was born in St. Petersburg while her father was American minister there. Her first husband was one Brown, and Ewell always introduced her as “my wife, Mrs. Brown.” See Lee’s Lieutenants, by Douglas S. Freeman; New York, 1943, Vol. II, p. 606.
3 Mrs. Breckenridge Lambert, of St. Louis, tells me that family legend makes it of Indian origin.
4 I am indebted here to Mrs. Delia H. Biddle Pugh, of New York City.
1 Why Marlynne should be thought closer to Lindbergh than Marilyn is not explained.
2 Oklahoma City Times, Sept. 17, 1941, p. 12.
3 What Shall We Name the Baby?, edited by Winthrop Ames; New York, 1935.
4 Naming Your Baby, by Elsdon C. Smith; New York, 1943.
1 Jack and Jill; London, 1939, p. 17.
2 Improper Nouns, by J. H. Simpson, Toronto Saturday Night, March 16, 1935.
3 What’s In a Name?, Hygeia, March, p. 173.
4 The Laws of Manu, translated by G. Bühler; Oxford, 1886, p. 35. This code is supposed to come down from Manu, the creator of the world, just as the Hebrew Pentateuch is supposed to come from Moses. The existing version of the text was probably prepared in the second century of the Christian era.
1 Make a Name For Yourself, Saturday Review of Literature, Jan. 25, 1947, pp. 9–41.
2 Naming Your Baby; Evanston (Ill.), 1943, pp. 5–11.
3 Said Joseph William Carr in A List of Words From Northwest Arkansas, II, Dialect Notes, Vol, II, Part I, 1905, p. 102: “They are liked evidently because they lack dignity and formality and suggest popularity. Such names are useful in politics.”
4 Marshall Democrat-News, June 19. I am indebted here to Dr. W. L. Carter.
1 Our Given Names, Jan., 1855, p. 59.
2 But Commodore Allen George Quynn, U.S.N., reports in Who’s Who in America that his son is Allen George VIII. I am indebted here to Mr. Alexander Kadison.
3 My specimens come mainly from newspapers, and my heaviest borrowings are from lists of war heroes. I have been aided by the kindness of the persons mentioned at the head of the roll of girls’ names, with the addition of Paul Flowers, of Memphis, Tenn., and John P. Shepard, of Detroit.
4 Reported from Peoria, Ill., by Mr. Fred Hamann.
5 Christian Names in the Cumberlands, by James A. Still, American Speech, April, 1930, p. 307.
6 Reported from the South in Christian Names, by Katherine Buxbaum, American Speech, Oct., 1933, p. 73.
1 Christian Names in the Blue Ridge of Virginia, by Miriam M. Sizer, American Speech, April, 1933, p. 36.
2 Also Bearle.
3 Also Berlyn and Burlin.
4 Also Burvine.
5 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, March 15, 1942.
6 Buck?
7 Oklahoma City Times, March 13, 1942.
8 Oklahoma City Times, April 4, 1942.
9 Reported from the Tennessee mountains by Mr. Hayden Siler, of Jellico, Tenn. Common in Oklahoma in the form of Cletus.
10 From Long Grove, Okla. Also Cloys.
11 Colonel Fred Docstader, of Fonda, N. Y., was inducted into the Army as a private at Albany, May 22, 1941.
12 A very popular name in Oklahoma. Also Coe.
13 Christian Names in the Cumberlands, before cited.
14 From Galveston, Texas.
15 Often used as a second name.
16 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, March 4, 1942. DeLos is reported from Los Angeles.
17 Perhaps from or for DeWitt.
18 Probably from Doyle, assimilated with Royal.
19 A very popular name, sometimes spelled Dwain, Dwane, Dwaine, Dewane, Duayne, DuWayne, or Dee Wayne.
20 This name is common all over the Bible country. Sometimes it becomes Elza or Elzia.
1 Christian Names in the Cumberlands, before cited.
2 Associated Press dispatch from Columbia, S. C., April 19, 1941: “Esther Mae may join the Army, but boys, don’t get excited if you hear the name at call some morning. He – and the gender is right – is awaiting classification with Richland county draft board.”
3 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, March 6, 1946.
4 A gallant soldier of Council Hill, Okla.
5 The name of a Tennessee statesman. It appears also as Phynis and Finice.
6 From LeFlore, Okla.
7 Also Gerold, Jerrold, Jerell, and Jirl.
8 Perhaps from Gladstone.
9 From Midwest City, Okla.
10 Death notice in the Oklahoma City Oklahoman, May 4, 1942.
11 The usual pronunciation of Horace in Alpine Tennessee.
12 From Stilwell, Okla.
13 Reported from Arnaudville, La.
14 Reported from Iowa by Miss Katherine Buxbaum.
15 Christian Names in the Cumber-lands, before cited. Common in Oklahoma.
16 Ivy Lee (1877–1934), born in Georgia, was the press-agent of John D. Rockefeller I.
17 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, March 31, 1942.
18 Christian Names in the Blue Ridge of Virginia, before cited.
19 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, April 5, 1942.
20 Reported from Iowa by Miss Katherine Buxbaum.
21 Also Koren.
22 From Sapulpa, Okla.
23 Lemuel? There is also Lemul.
24 Also Lessly.
25 Reported from Tennessee. Lyman? His middle name was Beecher.
26 Originally, this seems to have been a diminutive for Alonzo, but it now flourishes on its own. Lonzo is also common.
1 Also Loid.
2 Christian Names in the Cumber-lands, before cited. An abbreviation of Columbus. The bearer’s twin brother is named Lem.
3 Made an ensign in the Navy June 5, 1948. Congressional Record, June 10, p. 6710.
4 Found in Peoria, Ill., by Mr. Fred Hamann.
5 Also Lyle, Lyall and Lyal.
6 Reported from Iowa by Miss Katherine Buxbaum, American Speech, Oct., 1933, p. 72. His brother was Verl. Other forms: Murrel, Mirl, Muirl, Merl, Myrl and Murl.
7 Christian Names in t
he Cumber-lands, before cited.
8 Also Murel.
9 Christian Names in the Blue Ridge of Virginia, before cited. Maybe from Ananias.
10 Christian Names in the Cumber-lands, before cited.
11 Also Obie and Oba.
12 Reported from New Hampshire by Mr. Paul St. Gaudens.
13 From Tulsa, Okla.
14 Christian Names in the Cumber-lands, before cited.
15 Also Odys.
16 Found in Peoria, Ill., by Mr. Fred Hamann.
17 From Konawa, Okla. Also Onis.
18 Christian Names in the Cumber-lands, before cited. This name is very common in Oklahoma, along with Orel.
19 From Iowa. American Speech, Oct., 1933, p. 72.
20 Also Orlin.
21 Christian Names in the Cumber-lands, before cited. Reported from Iowa in the form of Osey, American Speech, Oct., 1933, p. 72. Also used as a name for girls.
22 Also Othul.
23 A major in the Army from Oklahoma.
24 Marriage Licenses, Oklahoma City Oklahoman, March 11, 1942.
25 Reported from the Tennessee mountains by Mr. Hayden Siler, of Jellico, Tenn.
26 Pronounced Plez. An abbreviation of Pleasant, a favorite given-name. Sometimes spelled Ples.
1 Buried at Oklahoma City, Aug. 9, 1940.
2 Not a feminine form of Rollo. Borne by a member of the 80th Congress.
3 Roland? Sometimes spelled Rolin or Rollin.
4 From Ronald? Also Ronell.
5 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, Jan. 8, 1941.
6 Solon?
7 From Solomon? Or O sole mio? Salomica is also reported.
8 Tulsa dispatch, May 4, 1942.
9 Christian Names in the Blue Ridge of Virginia, before cited.
10 Apparently from Theophilus, a saint’s name. Also Theople.
11 Encountered in the Army by Mr. Hugh Morrison.
12 From Ellisville, Miss.
13 Reported from Lake Village, Ark., by Mrs. Helen F. Gaines, 1940. His brother is 2 S.
14 From United States of America. Reported from New Jersey by Mr. Henry Burnell Shafer, of Haddon Heights.
15 Very common in Oklahoma. Also Verl and Vurl.
16 Reported from Detroit by the New York Times, Aug. 17, 1945.
17 Christian Names in the Cumber-lands, before cited.
18 From Greenville, Miss.
1 Apparently pronounced as one syllable, for it is often spelled Burl or Byrl.
2 Ora Jones Married Ora Jones, by Manuel Prenner, American Speech, April, 1942, pp. 84–88, and Dec., 1942, p. 282.
3 One of the attorneys for Jahveh, at the trial of Scopes at Dayton, Tenn., in 1925, bore the name of Sue, though his he-ness was manifest. In 1941, according to Prenner, Case and Comment, the lawyers’ magazine, unearthed male barristers named Slare, Velma, Shirley, Ormie and Gail. In the Seventy-ninth Congress there were two members of the House named Clare, one male and one female. See Bulletin on Hon., by H. L. Mencken, American Speech, April, 1946, p. 81. For a he-Ruby of eminence see Supplement I, p. 532.
4 Captain California C. McMillan, of the Coast Guard, retired in 1938 after 36 years service, and died in San Francisco, Dec. 4, 1946.
1 On June 29, 1940, the United Press reported from Springville, Utah, that a filling-station there had both a Taylor Burt and a Burt Taylor on its faculty. Mrs. James Nye Ryman, of Houston, Texas, tells me that the number of surnames in use as given-names in that great State is augmented by the custom of naming boy babies after the doctors who deliver them.
2 Lloyd Lewis says in Sherman, Fighting Prophet; New York, 1932, p. 517, that Sherman was christened simply Tecumseh, but that William was later prefixed at the suggestion of his foster-father, Thomas Ewing.
3 Sherman was defeated by Joseph E. Johnston at Kenesaw Mountain, near Marietta, Ga., June 27, 1864. Dr. Malvern Hill Price, a Washington physician, maybe preceded Landis, for Malvern Hill was fought on July 1, 1862. I am indebtec here to Dr. John B. Nicols, of Washington.
4 I am indebted here to Mr. Thomas E. Street, of Enfield, N. C.
5 I am indebted here to Mrs. L. B. Bailey, of South Frceport, Maine.
1 I am indebted here to Lieut. Col. Frederick Bernays Wiener of the Judge Advocate General’s department of the Air Force. The general’s niece, Elizabeth Lewis Gist, married David Edward Finley and became the mother of States Rights Gist Finley, general superintendent of the Chattanooga Electric Power Board. Roger Butterfield says in The Millionaires’ Best Friend, Saturday Evening Post, March 8, 1947, p. 80, that he is known in the family as States. I am indebted here to Messrs. Alexander Kadison and Simon Hochberger.
2 Borne by Erdis Robinson, a distinguished citizen of Columbus, O. He thus explains its origin: “My father was a pioneer in engineering education and an inventor. When I, his only son, was born, he felt that no ordinary name would do for me, so he invented one. He proceeded thus: He opened at random a book on mechanical engineering and with eyes closed touched the page with his pencil point and recorded the letter struck. Another page, another letter, and so until he had a long line of letters. Of this series he chose the first five letters in sequence that formed a pronounceable word. The result was Erdis.” Private communication, March 28, 1940. The late Dr. Lewellys F. Barker (1867–1943), the Johns Hopkins consultant, explained in his autobiography that he was christened Lewellys because Llewellyn, which was traditional in his family, had become trite in his native Ontario.
3 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, Aug. 8, 1944.
4 I am indebted here to Mr. Leonard G. Pardue, of Jacksonville, Fla.
5 I get news of him from Dr. Raven I. McDavid, Jr., of Greenville, S. C., whose information comes from the officiating clergyman.
1 On the Side, by E. V. Durling, Baltimore News-Post, July 13, 1945. Anson, says Durling, “thanked the Lord his mother had not been born in Ypsilanti and his father in Kalamazoo.”
2 A Study in Negro Onomastics, American Speech, Aug., 1930, pp. 463–67.
1 Negro Names, Journal of Negro History, Jan., 1938, pp. 35–48. In Names of American Negro Slaves, to be noticed presently, Puckett found that the order of frequency in names among Negro college students of today runs James, William, John, Robert, Charles, George, Edward, Joseph, Thomas, Henry, Samuel and Walter for the men, and Mary, Annie, Ruth, Helen, Dorothy, Thelma, Louise, Alice, Katherine, Elizabeth, Lillian and Ethel for the women.
1 Dark Town, by J. Andrew Gaulden, Negro Digest, June, 1945, p. 11.
2 From Louisiana. Chicago Tribune, Feb. 10, 1939, p. 8.
3 Reported by Mrs. R. C. Coffy, of Muskogee, Okla. Reduced familiarly to Feemy.
4 American Mercury, March, 1927, p. 305.
5 Reported from Texas by Mr. Stanley Walker.
6 From Louisiana. Chicago Tribune, Feb. 10, 1939, p. 8.
7 Found in Georgia by Mr. Thomas Caldecot Chubb, of New York City.
8 Some Curious Negro Names, by Arthur Palmer Hudson, Southern Folklore Quarterly, Dec., 1938, p. 188.
9 Reported from Georgia by Mr. S. B. Tolar, Jr., of Waycross.
10 Oklahoma City Oklahoman, July 1, 1940.
11 The last two are from Some Curious Negro Names, before cited, p. 188.
12 Georgia’s Health, Sept., 1942, p. 3.
13 The last two are from a list compiled by the Atlanta police and discussed in Names, Raleigh (N. C.) News-Observer, Aug. 19, 1940. It is probable that they are not given-names at all, but merely criminal monikers.
14 American Mercury, March, 1927, p. 305.
15 Reported by Mr. Donald Moffatt, of Brookline, Mass.
16 Reported from Pine Bluff, Ark., by Miss Helen Cockrum, of Little Rock.
17 Reported by Mrs. Louise B. Ellison, of Charleston, S. C.
18 A steward’s mate in the Navy, reported by Rear Admiral T. H. Robbins, Jr.
19 Reported from Florida by Dr. Herman H. Horne, of New York University.
20 Found in North Carolina by Miss Beverly Entsler, of Goldsboro.
21 Found in Flori
da by Dr. Thomas B. Shoup, of the University of Florida. Its bearer registered for the draft as M. B.
22 Found at Plymouth, N. C. As we have seen, titles are often used as given-names by whites also. But they cover a somewhat wider range among the blacks, e.g., Judge, Sergeant, Preacher, Deputy and Rabbi. The last is reported from Texas by Mrs. D. J. Condit, of Tulsa, Okla.
23 Some Curious Negro Names, before cited, p. 188.
24 Some Curious Negro Names, before cited, p. 185.
25 From Tulsa, Okla.
1 Dark Town, before cited.
2 The last three are from Some Curious Negro Names, before cited.
3 Dark Town, before cited.
4 The last two are from Some Curious Negro Names, before cited.
5 From Louisiana. Chicago Tribune, Feb. 10, 1939, p. 8.
6 Some Curious Negro Names, by Arthur Palmer Hudson, Southern Folklore Quarterly, Dec., 1938, pp. 179–93.
7 Willie for short.
8 Called Torial for short. Reported from Greensburg, Pa., by Miss Lenora Lund.
9 On Aug. 16, 1936, R. L. Ripley reported a Negro in Pilot Grove, Tex., named Daniel’s Wisdom May I Know Stephen’s Faith and Spirit Choose John’s Divine Communion Seal Moses Meekness Joshua’s Zeal Win the Day and Conquer All Murphy, Jr. When he went to war, according to This Week, Sept. 12, 1943, he was entered upon his company books as D. C. Murphy, Jr., and answered to Dan.
10 Reported by Mr. Durward King, of Leaksville, N. C.
11 Reported from Bladen county, N. C., by Mr. Worth B. Baldwin, of Laurinburg.
12 I am indebted for this to Mr. A. Wilson Dods, of Fredonia, N. Y.
13 Mistaken for a name. Cf. Matthew VI, 18.
14 Found by Mrs. Louise B. Ellison, of Charleston, S. C.
15 Reported from Virginia by Mrs John Allen Leathers, of Louisville, Ky.
1 The last five are from Some Curious Negro Names, by Arthur Palmer Hudson, before cited. He says that Constipation’s stable-name is Consto.
2 Reported from Oklahoma. A Negro maid. Pronounced You-reen, with the accent on the second syllable.
3 Associated Press dispatch from Crowley, La., Aug. 12, 1940.
4 From Smithfield, N. C., reported by Mr. Don Wharton, of New York City.
5 On July 4, 1940 the Associated Press reported that Negro twins born at Franklin, Texas, had been christened Blitz and Krieg.
6 Reported from Pike county, Miss., by the Jackson Daily News, Dec., 1941. I am indebted here to Miss Anabel Power, of Jackson.