This animated map from kottke.org shows popular baby names across the United States. The three separate animations visualize name popularity in different ways.
Images
Hamburg to name street after Germany’s most famous dominatrix
Alongside Karneval and Oktoberfest, there is a place in Germany where tourists from around the globe come to seek the latest in adult entertainment: the red-light district of Hamburg or the Reeperbahn. Just over 900 meters long, the infamous corner of the St. Pauli district of western Hamburg is home to night clubs, peep shows, strip bars, theater houses, restaurants, comedy clubs, and brothels designed to meet almost any taste. This past month, Hamburg officials announced that it would be naming one of the busiest streets in the red-light district after one of its most influential residents: Domenica Niehoff, a former S&M dominatrix turned activist, who campaigned tirelessly for sex workers’ rights.
Iceland government challenges retail chain Iceland over name use
The tiny, frozen, nation of Iceland has filed legal action against a British grocery chain store that has taken the name “Iceland” as its company name. “Iceland Foods” is a privately owned frozen food chain owned and operated by Malcolm Walker and the South African investment group Brait. According to a recent article in the UK Guardian, “Iceland Foods” has already “won multiple cases against Icelandic companies which use ‘Iceland’” as a part of their onomastic trademark. Whether the nation of Iceland will emerge triumphant in the battle to control the use of their country’s name will be decided at the European Union’s Intellectual Property Office.
Merriam Webster’s Name That Thing
It is maddening and you probably will not get all of them right. And if you do, there is a very good chance you won’t be able to repeat that stellar performance. And if you do, send us an email. You should definitely join the American Name Society. Feeling lucky? Feeling knowledgeable? Want to test your wits against the folks at Merriam Webster? Check out the game: Name That Thing. You can play as often as you like. Warning: this name game can be harmful to your ego and just might be a tad addictive.
Final Schedule for the ANS Conference in Austin, TX
The final schedule of presentations is now available for the upcoming annual conference in Austin, TX, from January 5-8, 2017. The schedule is included in the ANS 2017 Conference Program.
For more information about the conference and registration materials, please visit the conferences page.
African American names aren’t “ghetto”
Fayetteville University Freshman Dominque Elliott shares the cultural trends that have influenced the creation of distinctly black names. These names have their own rich history.
Naming a Dog?
Looking for dog names? Check out alldognames.com. The site includes articles and name lists to aid you in this decision.
Top Celebrity Baby Naming Trends Of 2016
In this article, Mallory Moss, cofounder of Babynames.com, discusses celebrity baby naming trends. Will the rest of us copy these trends?
What’s in a Name?: Hebrew and Arabic Names, Naming, & North American Culture
In this “Can We Talk?” conversation, Wajahat Ali and Rabbi Or Rose discuss their ethnically and religiously marked names.
Nameberry’s Names of the Year 2016
It’s that time of year when we start seeing “Name of the Year” lists. Nameberry has put together a list of “names that reflect current trends and are prime to inspire baby names of the future.”
Do you have ideas about Name of the Year? Submit your nominations to the American Name Society.