Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Puritan Names

Because there are definitely changes in popularity for certain names, this may result in criticism of certain name selections by older generations or, less often, certain names falling into disrepute.  For example, Adolf and Elmer acquired some negative karma due to Hitler and Fudd.  Probably the name Monica will pass into disuse; not just because of that California city or St. Augustine's scolding mama!

Hollywood types and rockers often come up with original names for their children: Apple, Suri, Dweezil, Moon Unit, and so forth.

And some children have their names from place names, like Brooklyn, Portland,  or Boston; but hopefully not Cleveland or Omaha.

But we have the Puritans fathers and mothers to cite as the continuing source of odd inclusions.  Some, like Prudence, Joy, Faith, Hope, and Chastity have made the cut for names still occasionally used.  Somehow, some of the other virtues like Temperance, Fortitude, Silence, Mercy, Abstinence, and Amity only occasionally are cited.

But it's when Puritans go overboard, naming craziness can occur.  Thus, there were actual people named:

Through Many Tribulations We Enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Probably called Tribby for short.)
Die-Well
Humiliation
If-Christ-hadst-not-died-for-thee-thou-hadst-been-damned.  Praise God's Son Barebone (He changed his name to Nicholas Barbon.)
Fear-God Barebone
Sorry-for-sin
Fly-debate
No-merit
More-triale
Job-raked-out-of-the-ashes
Fly-fornication
Fight-the-good-fight-of-faith
Cotton Mather
Increase Mather

Increase Mather
















Some names are surprising as originating from the Puritans: Abigail, Chloe, Dorcas.

In general, whatever your name is, be glad your parents weren't Puritans!

9 comments:

Bilbo said...

I'm waiting for a Congressman named Increase Blather.

MarkD60 said...

Are those real names or are you joking?

Linda Kay said...

How funny....can't imagine how you found all these! When I hear of someone with the same name as mine (Linda), I know for sure what generation we come from! ;-)
Love the comment from Bibo

TexWisGirl said...

the barebones and the mathers need to get together...

Mike said...

I think I read somewhere that there are some places(countries?) that won't let you name your kid something stupid.

Anemone said...

I thought my name was funny years ago, but I came to like it.

Increase and Cotton would be a stretch. Do they have younger sibs Decrease and Polyester?

Duckbutt said...

"Drink is in itself a good creature of God, and to be received with thankfulness, but the abuse of drink is from Satan, the wine is from God, but the drunkard is from the Devil” -- Increase Mather in Wo to Drunkards (1673).

Anonymous said...

angel is a good name

Cloudia said...

Another smart, fun romp! Thanks




Shlomo is worse that Cotton.



ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
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