Marea With an E

What’s in a name?

I don’t know who is responsible but someone in the NSW Government deserves a pat on the back. Government websites normally don’t bring a smile to my face but some inspired public servant ( no this is not an oxymoron) has me grinning from ear to ear. I don’t know why it has tickled my fancy so much, and maybe it’s just a Search Engine Optimisation ploy but 100 Years of Baby Names gives a fascinating insight into the fads and fashions of first names in NSW over the past 100 years.
People are fascinated with baby names, and not just those of celebrities (although they are often good for a laugh and handy to know come Trivia Night at the pub) and I defy you not to type your own name in just to see how popular (or unpopular) your name was at any point over the last 100 years. It’s interesting to note that “Lily, Ruby, Grace and Ava” are considered “retro” names from the 1900s and are returning in popularity. The same can’t be said for poor old Mildred, after the early 1900’s it was all a steep downhill run. Surprisingly the name Joyce still gets a mention in 2007 but at a rank of 516 it’s a far cry from a rank of 5 in the 1920’s.I don’t know anyone under 60 called Joyce. Do you?
So what’s in a name? Are there some names that you just can’t stand for whatever reason - the school bully, the hated teacher, the long lost lover who left you for another and you hate that person’s name as well! I am much too polite to compile my own list of “detested” first names but suffice to say I haven’t called any of my children Jayden or Meagan!