Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id OAA13245 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 7 Jun 2001 14:39:53 +0100 Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.20010607153858.0069f550@agner.org> X-Sender: metascience@agner.org X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.1 (32) Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2001 15:38:58 +0200 To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk From: Metascience <metascience@agner.org> Subject: RE: Children's names In-Reply-To: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745ED5@inchna.stir.ac.uk > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Vincent wrote:
>
>Religion, ethnicity and nationalism have a role in name choice also, I
>expect.
Yes, definitely. In Denmark the name 'Christian' ranks number 9 in 2000,
and 3 in 1999, despite danes being some of the least religious people in
Europe. The muslim immigration into Europe make Europeans fear for their
culture, religion and identity and become more nationalistic. I think
that's why 100 year old names are revived here. (Speaking of muslims,
'Mohammed' ranks number 45 on the list now).
A name like 'Victoria' would be unthinkable in Denmark a few decades ago
because of its association with Victorianism, which everybody abhorred
then. Now it is rapidly gaining popularity, with a rank of 25 in 1999, and
19 in 2000. The name 'Victor' may also have slightly imperialistic
overtones in some people's ears. It ranked 23 in 1999 and 19 in 2000.
>Very interesting to hear that Danes often give their kids English
>names.
Sorry, I wrote AMERICAN names. That may not make much of a difference, but
the inspiration certainly comes from American movies, which working class
people watch every day here.
=============================================
M. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Metascience@agner.org
===============================================================
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