Hanson- Scandinavian. "Son of Hans"
Isaac- Hebrew. "Laughter." In the Old Testament, Abraham's son, born when his father was 100 years old. The puritans used the name enthusiastically, and it remained popular through the 18th century, fading very gradually. Less fashionable in the last 50 years. Scientist Issac Newton; angler Izaak Walton, authors Isaac Bashevis Singer, Isaac Asimov
Taylor- Middle English. Occupational name: "Tailor." Like the rest of the occupational names, used mostly in the 19th century.
Zachariah- Hebrew. "The Lord's has remembered." Biblical name occuring in both Old and New Testaments. As might be expected, it was revived by the Puritans and found fairly constantly through the 19th centrury. Less common in the 20th, but boys named Zack are turning up in more and more nursery schools in the 1990's. President Zachary Taylor, (I like that name)
Clarke- Old French. Occupational name: "Cleric, scolar." Surname transferred to a first name, heavily influenced by the famous actor Clark Gable. Also, made famous by, mild-manner" Clark Kent, alter ego of Superman in the popular comic strip.
Jordan- Hebrew. "Descend." Named after the River Jordan. First used in the Middle Ages by Crusaders returning from the Holy Land. Revived slightly in the 19th century. Unusual now(though used for both sexes), but a good candidate for revival in the 1990's quest for the unusual.
Walker- Old English. Occupational name: "Cloth-walker." The era that saw the rise of the last name was also the great English era of the wool trade, giving us such cloth-manufacturing names as Fuller, Dyer, and Weaver. In that madieval era, workers trod on the wool to clean it. Aurthor Walker Percy; photographer Walker Evans.
Diana- Latin. "Divine." The Roman goddess of the moon, corresponding to the Greek Artemis. Used steadily since the 16th century, though the French version Diane faded after the 1960's, and apotheosis of Lady Diana Spencer(R.I.P) as Princess of Wales in the 1980's has given Diana new charm for prospective parents, especially in Britain. French courtesan Diana de Poitiers; actress Diahann Carroll, Dyan Cannon, Diane Keaton, Dianne Wiest.
Jessica- Hebrew. "He sees." Coined by Shakespeare from the Old Testament Icah. His Jessica was the daughter of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice. Popular in the U. S. in the 1970's. Actresses Jessica Lange, Jessica Tandy.
Avery- Old English. "Highborn and renowned." The homoym Elmer is the more common form of this very old English name.
Mackenzie- Irish Gaelic. "Son of the wise ruler."
Zoe- Greek. "Life." Currently popular in Greece, and catching on in English- speaking countries. Sufficiently unusual to appeal strongly to parents of the 1990's. Actress Zoe Caldwell.
© 1998 e-mail me ~*Hopeless*~