F is for the
funny names that I/you/we encounter in doing genealogy and
family history research.
Normally I would use one of the
following synonyms to describe these names:
- absurd
- amusing
- ludicrous
- humdinger
But since we are using the letter f, I am calling them funny. Actually, some of these names I would refer to as just plain awful. Hey, I know, let's just have fun with names.
If you have done or seen any research for LDS families you should recognize the obvious first names of Moroni, Brigham, Nephi or Lehi. But I had no idea there were other first names that were dead giveaways for being from Utah until I found this site: The Utah Baby Namer. You should read some of these names. You will be dumbfounded, I'm not kidding!
Just to name a few, here are some oddball Utah (or LDS) names from my database:
Girls - Rinda, Givette, Deola, Printha, Capitola, Orbie, Nithell.
Boys - Taggert, Rondo, Mardee, Levoir, Rulon, Purtell, Clytie, Welcome.
And let's not forget husband and wife Worthen and Werdna.
There are also folks who like to name their children using some kind of a theme, like the parents of Ian, Ida, and Ira. I am all for giving your maiden name to your son for a middle name, but if your maiden name is Bridges why name your son Golden? And just what was Daisy Fern's mother thinking?
If you have Puritans in your ancestry, you will recognize some of these names: Peleg, Mehitable, Patience, Experience, Gershom, or even Reliance. And then there was poor Preserved Fish. Really? What were his parents thinking? I don't care what century you are living in the kids are going to pick on him for that. So what else does Preserved do but turn around and subject his son to the same fate. Who are we kidding? It was probably Mrs. Fish's doing.
There are also names that seem to be distinct for the Appalachian areas Missouri, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina such as Pleasant, Larkin, Ransom, Greenberry, Littleberry, Fielding, Micajah, Benajah, and Hezekiah for boys. For girls there is Orpha, Oney, Mourning, Pairlee, Orlena, and Urbanna. I even found a Leafy.
Some folks named their children after famous people or politicians. I bet every American has a George Washington something in their ancestry. There are also several James Madisons, Andrew Jacksons, and Benjamin Franklins. Even a couple of James K Polk somethings. But how many Buster Browns are there? I know of one.
I don't think I have run across funny or unusual names in researching England or Wales. Do you know of any? What are some of your unusual names?
Thanks for playing fun with names.