The Beauty of Names

Madeleine Hartog-Bel - Peru - Miss World 1967 I don't watch beauty pageants as closely as I did when I was little, but I do like to look at the names of the contestants. They are all so fascinating, just like the women who bear them, and I have to admit, I love the gossip and scandals as much as the next person. In our first installment I'll be covering the Miss World winners from the first pageant in 1951 all the way up to 1979. Kiki Håkansson - Sweden - 1951 (Kerstin Håkansson) May-Louise Flodin - Sweden - 1952 Denise Perrier - France - 1953 Antigone Costanda - Egypt (Greek-Egyptian) - 1954 (First African woman to win) Susana Duijm - Venezuela - 1955 (Carmen Susana Duijm Zubillaga; First Latin-American woman to win) Petra Schürmann - Germany - 1956 (Hildegard Petra Susanna Schürmann) Marita Lindahl - Finland - 1957 Penelope Coelen - South Africa - 1958 Corine Rottschäfer - The Netherlands - 1959 Norma Cappagli - Argentina - 1960 Rosemarie Frankland - United...

Eugène de Beauharnais Prince français Eugène de Beauharnais or Eugène de Beauharnais, 1st Duke of Leuchtenberg was born Eugène Rose de Beauharnais to Alexandre de Beauharnais and Joséphine de Beauharnais. He married Princess Augusta of Bavaria who was born Augusta Amalia Ludovika Georgia. Their children were: Joséphine Maximiliane Eugénie Napoléone, " Princess Joséphine de Beauharnais ", " Louise of Leuchtenberg ", later " Queen Josefina of Sweden " Eugénie  Hortense Auguste Napoléone, " Princess Eugénie de Beauharnais ", " Eugénie of Leuchtenberg ", later " Eugénie, Princess of Hohenzollern-Hechingen " Auguste Charles Eugène Napoléon, " Prince Auguste de Beauharnais ", later " Auguste de Beauharnais, 2nd Duke of Leuchtenberg " Amélie Auguste Eugénie, " Princess Amélie de Beauharnais ", " Amélie of Leuchtenberg ", later " Amélie, Empress of Brazil " Théodolinde...

Janet Gaynor Origin : English Gender : Female Meaning : Diminutive of Jane Pronunciation : JAN-it Other forms : Jeannette, Jane, Jeanne, Zsanett Thanks to my very own sister, Abby, for suggesting Janet! It's always strange to me how in the future names like Janet, Barbara, and Lois will be fashionable just like Evelyn, Ruby, and Matilda are now. On a semi-related note, it's also a strange thought that there will be Grandmother Neveah's and Grandfather Jaxon's, and that this will totally normal to them. It begs the question of what names do you think will become ultra fashionable in the future? I'm betting on Pamela, Eugene, Nancy, Leonard, Deborah, and Janet. What do you think will become popular? Moving back on to the main topic, which is Janet itself. I remember being really surprised when I started watching "Salem" how one of the main characters was played by an English actress named Janet Montgomery, who is only twenty-nine. When I think o...

Princess Marie-Cécile of Prussia Princess Marie-Cécile of Prussia was born Marie-Cécile Kira Viktoria Luise to Louis Ferdinand, Prince of Prussia and Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna of Russia . She married Duke Friedrich August of Oldenburg , who was born Friedrich August Wilhelm Christian Ernst. Their children were: Paul-Wladimir Nikolaus Louis-Ferdinand Peter Max Karl-Emich, " Prince Paul-Wladimir of Oldenburg " Rixa Marie-Alix Kira Altburg, " Princess Rixa of Oldenburg " Bibiane Marie Alexandra Gertrud, " Princess Bibiane of Oldenburg "

WAMPAS Baby Stars of 1928 The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a campaign that ran from 1922 to 1934, which usually honored thirteen actresses, and was sponsored by the United States Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers. The actresses that were chosen were thought to be just on the cusp of stardom, and those that got the honor of an award got extensive coverage in the media and went to the "WAMPAS Frolic" party. I find this whole thing extremely fascinating, and wanted to post the names of the girls chosen. 1922: Marion Aye, Helen Ferguson, Lila Lee, Jacqueline Logan, Louise Lorraine, Bessie Love, Kathryn McGuire, Patsy Ruth Miller, Colleen Moore, Mary Philbin, Pauline Starke, Lois Wilson, and Claire Windsor. 1923: Eleanor Boardman, Evelyn Brent, Dorothy Devore, Virginia Brown Faire, Betty Francisco, Pauline Garon, Kathleen Key, Laura La Plante, Margaret Leahy, Helen Lynch, Derelys Perdue, Jobyna Ralston, and Ethel Shannon. 1924: Clara Bow, Elinor Fair, Carmelita ...

Nicholas II with his wife and children Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was born Nikolai Alexandrovich Romanov to Alexander III of Russia and Marie Feodorovna, or Dagmar of Denmark. He married Alix of Hesse and by Rhine , later known as Alexandra Feodorovna , who was born Victoria Alix Helena Louise Beatrice. The Romanovs are sadly best remembered for being murdered by the Bolsheviks. Their children were: Olga Nikolaevna Romanova, " Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia ", "Olishka", "Olenka", or "Olya" (Killed at age 22) Tatiana Nikolaevna Romanova, " Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russa ", "Tanya", "Tatya", "Tatianochka", or "Tanushka" (Killed at age 21) Maria Nikolaevna Romanova, " Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia ", "Marie", "Masha", or "Mashka" (Killed at age 19) Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova, " Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolae...

Isild Le Besco Just so people know for further posts - I can't always come up with three names for each gender, so sometimes there may be a few less, as is the case today! Isild - I came across French actress Isild Le Besco and loved her name. She is Breton, Algerian, Vietnamese, and French. My instincts are telling me it's a form of Isolde, via it's (possible) original form Ishild, meaning "ice battle". She also has a sister who is an actress and a director named Maïwenn, a brother named Jowan, and half-siblings Kolia Litscher (m), and Léonor Graser. Spyridon - A couple have been battling over the name of their baby, so they took the internet for help. The father wants Spyridon, the name of his father, and she wants Michael, the name of her father. So now he has a petition, hoping that he can win her over. Which would you pick? Enya - The Irish singer, who contributed music to "The Fellowship of the Ring", was born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, but is...

Harry Potter                        Henry VIII I had a lot of fun seeing the results for the girls "this or that". I'm curious to see which will be the popular choices for the boys. Leave a comment with your preferred picks! Rowan or Roman Levi or Leo Emmett or Everett Finn or Flynn August or Augustus Jude or Julian Edmund or Edwin Harry or Henry Albus or Sirius Evander or Leander Sage or Basil Otto or Arlo Asher or Archer Deacon  or Bishop Loki  or Thor Charles or William Alistair or Angus Thatcher or Sayer Albert or Alfred Avery or Hadley Rafe  or Rafferty

Leona Lewis                      Leonie Aviat I thought it would be not only fun but interesting to do a "this or that" and see what names people generally preferred. Please comment your answers, and maybe I'll leave my own! Ada or Ava Ruby or Pearl Leona or Leonie Amelia or Emilia Vivian or Vivienne Stella or Luna Rose or Violet Mary or Marie Adeline or Emmeline Winter or Snow Octavia or Olympia Theodora or Dorothea Ethel or Esther Jane or Joan Cecily or Cecilia Nora or Nova Harriet or Henrietta Verity or Charity Gretchen or Hilda Delia or Dahlia Eden or Edith

Romy Schneider in "Ludwig" I've always preferred shorter names, and while I love the elegance and drama of a long name like Anastasia or Theodosia, I just could never imagine myself actually using one in real life. So this list is dedicated to the sort of name I like, short but sweet, refined, and with a hint of spark. Girls: Ivy Adele Una/Oona Faye Eve Rue Selma Freya Zelda Cora Iris Vega Thea Opal Greta Mira Sybil/Sibyl Ada Vera Juno Vida Nina Fern Clio Esme Edie/Eadie Lyra Olive Romy Jane Blythe Greer Elle Dora Eliza Alba Neve Pearl Frida Meryl Rita Hollis Arya Pia Tilda Mina Nova Margot Rilla Boys: Beau Ike Jude Asher Kai Rafe Jack Niles Flint Clive Nash Tate Lev Joss Boaz Cosmo Gale Thane Bram Luca Cato Hugo Rex Heath Aldo March Ives Kit Roman Dante Sage Linus Rory Quint Lane Finn and Flynn

Elsa's Room Girls: Vivienne and Gemma Charlotte Poet Vivienne Rose Elsa Mae Evangeline Ivy (Sister to Reid) Beatka Eleni Grace Paige Eloise Henrietta Adrienne Tilly Eleanor (Sister to Atticus and Ike) Scarlett Grace Ever Maya Juliet Vivienne and Gemma Winifred and Penelope Boys: Shep Emmett Luca Beau Atticus and Ike (Brothers to Eleanor) Kasjan Parker James Finn Evan Oliver and Leo Clinton Reid (Brother to Ivy) Liam Campbell Henry Leo  Oliver and Leo's Room

Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi was born Farah Diba to Sohrab Diba and Farideh Ghotbi . She married Shah Mohammad Rezâ Pahlavi . Their children are: Reza Pahlavi, " Reza, Crown Prince of Iran " Yasmin Farahnaz Pahlavi, " Princess Farahnaz of Iran " Alireza Pahlavi, " Prince Ali-Reza of Iran " Leila Pahlavi, " Princess Leila of Iran "

 "Spring" by James Jacques-Joseph Tissot This is a little bit late! It's spring now, though it certainly doesn't feel like it here. One day it's cold and the next muggy. We just had a short rain, and it felt like a shower out there. I've always liked spring, despite my poor allergies and the unruly weather, as I'm a spring baby myself. Please, let me know what you think of these names and which you would add! Spring Names: Anthea - Greek, "blossom" Flora Euthalia - Greek, "flower, bloom" Idun/Idony - Norse Goddess of spring and immortality Aviv/Aviva - Hebrew, "spring" Oscar - Gaelic, "deer lover" Tuulikki - Finnish, "little wind" Chloe - Greek, "green shoot" Fauna Anfisa - Russian, "flower" Calanthe - Greek, "beautiful flower", also the name of an orchid Jarilo - Slavic God of spring, fertility, and vegetation Nouvel - French, "new" Madhava - ...