Nick Epley at the University of Chicago has been studying the effects of naming inanimate things like storms. He finds that doing so gives them human-like qualities —among them, intentionality.
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Top dog and cat names in Ireland
A veterinarian’s survey lists the top ten names for dogs and cats in Ireland. The Irish seem way more likely to give “people names” to dogs than to cats!
Brands have different names in different countries
This graphic news story demonstrates how some worldwide brands have different names in different places.
About Names: Some of Shakespeare’s names have caught on
Dr. Cleveland Evans writes about names for the Omaha World-Herald. This week’s column explores the names of Shakespeare’s characters.
About Names: With an e or an o, this Irish name is a unisex hit
Dr. Cleveland Evans writes about names for the Omaha World-Herald. This recent column explores Shannen.
Mother banned from naming daughter Cyanide by court
What can be a name? One mother was recently banned from naming her baby daughter Cyanide, meant as a reference to Adolf Hitler.
Second Call for Papers: ANS 2017, Austin, TX, January 5-8 2017
The ANS is inviting abstract submissions for the 2017 annual conference to be held in conjunction with the Linguistic Society of America. Abstracts in any area of onomastic research are welcome.
The deadline for receipt of abstracts is June 30, 2016.
To submit a proposal, complete the 2017 Author Information Sheet found here. Please email this completed form to Dr. I. M. Nick [mavi.yaz@web.de]. For organizational purposes, please be sure to include the phrase “ANS 2017” in the subject line of your email.
Presenters who may need additional time to secure international payments and travel visas to the United States are urged to submit their proposal as soon as possible.
All proposals will be subjected to blind review.
Official notification of proposal acceptances will be sent on or before September 30, 2016.
All authors whose papers have been accepted must be current members of the ANS and need to register with both the ANS and the Linguistic Society of America.
Please feel free to contact Dr. I. M. Nick should you have any questions or concerns.
We look forward to receiving your submission!
No longer Beliebers: Parents realize mistake, file for new name for son Justin Bieber
A couple from Myanmar have filed for a new name for their two year old son, Justin Bieber. The couple, who is from Myanmar, named their son while living in a refugee camp in Thailand. They have since realized that this name might not be well received as their son grows up in the United States.
About Names: The name Eugene has prestige, but not popularity
Dr. Cleveland Evans writes about names for the Omaha World-Herald. This recent column explores Eugene.
Ukraine’s Decommunization Gets Boost As 175 Towns, Villages Renamed
On the 4th of February, the Ukrainian Parliament approved changing the names of 175 towns, villages, and districts. The momentous onomastic sweep is a part of the government’s ongoing effort to “de-communize” the nation. Many of the new names that have been chosen are older names which existed before the Soviet influence.
The onomastic makeover has not been with criticism. According to the February 11th issue of Radio Free Europe, many ethnic Russians in the Ukraine have taken offense to this plan.