Onomastic Neologisms: Hybrid Foods with Hybrid Names

Ever heard the name burrissimo? What about the names taka taka, sushirrito, or pizzabon? If you guessed that these names have something to do with food, you may be right.

After the success of culinary creations like the infamous cronut, the name for an artery-clogging cross between a donut and a croissant, restaurant chains have started experimenting with other fast-food hybrids. In celebration of these mutant edibles, a whole new line-up of food names has been created as well. Discover what is behind these onomastic neologisms.

The Names of the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympic mascots

The 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janiero are right around the corner. In preparation for the activities, the official names of the two mascots designed for the sports events have been announced: Vinicius and Tom.

These names honor the famous Bossa Nova musicians, Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim. Bossa Nova, the name given to a fusion of jazz and samba, is considered to be one of the most popular genres of music to come out of Brazil.

The onomastic announcement by the Brazilian Olympic Committee not only brings much needed positive press to the 2016 Games, but also honors to two of the country’s music legends.

New Domains “Cultivated By Criminals”

In the age of the internet and social media, the old adage “buyer beware” still holds true. According to investigations conducted by security firm leader Raytheon/Websense, there are millions of different URLs out there that are at least suspicious if not entirely malicious. Read more about the criminal use of domain names.

Noteworthy Domain Name Decisions for 2016

We are only in first quarter of 2016 and already there have been several landmark decisions in the area of domain naming. An excellent example is the January 27, 2016 case Diamond Trust Consultancy (UK) Limited v. Kim, James. In this litigation, the court ruled that “registrations of lapsed or abandoned domain names returned to the general pool are not vulnerable to forfeiture simply because by happenstance the names correspond to trademarks…”. To learn more about this and other important domain name rulings in 2016, read the summary by Gerald M. Levine, author of Domain Name Arbitration.

Trends in 2016: Branding and Domain Name Importance

One of the hottest topics in the naming business involves branding and domain names. And just like personal names, domain names also exhibit strong fashions trends. Domain News covers the top patterns for branding 2016.

Onomastics Conference “Eigennamen”, Mainz, Germany, October 10-11, 2016

From the 10th to the 11th of October 2016, in Mainz, Germany, the Academy for Science and Literature will be holding an onomastics conference on “Eigennamen.” The deadline for abstract proposals is the 31st of May 2016. More on the conferences and other onomastic events held by the Academy is available in German.

Canadian Provinces Can Reject Your Baby Name

Although Canadians are known the world over for their liberalism, in some provinces officials can actually forbid parents from selecting a name they deem inappropriate. For example, according to a February 2016 article from the Huffington Post Canada, in Saskatchewan, swear words are not allowed as baby names. In Quebec and British Columbia, a baby name may be denied if officials believe it may lead to future embarrassment or bullying.

US Name Change Law by State

After the cake has been cut and the presents opened, many modern newlyweds decide to follow the tradition of taking their spouse’s name. While the decision to alter one’s last name can be bitter-sweet emotionally, the logistics involved in making the onomastic switch can lead many to despair. To help out newlyweds out, the website NameChangeLaw.com has assembled useful information state-by-state.

England’s Rudest Street Names

Coronation Street and Notting Hill, Number 10 Downing Street and Strawberry Fields, the place names of England are famous for their charm. But not all English toponyms are positively regal. In fact, some are just the opposite. Find out more about some of what the BBC has labelled “England’s rudest street names.”

Guide to the names of England’s cities, towns and villages

Ever wanted to know more about the names of England’s cities, towns, and villages? The Institute for Names Studies at the University of Nottingham has made available a newly updated website providing information on the history and meaning of over 10,000 place names in England.