I hear it a lot on name forums; a cry from parents looking for a 'strong' name for their daughter. Several times I see that the solution proposed is to use a unisex name such as Parker, Avery, Bailey; and sometimes it's to use (traditionally) boys name like Finlay, Dylan, Logan.
These names do have a strong element to them, certainly. Without wanting to go down the "boys names on girls" road, as that's a separate debate, I will say that I have always been curious about this
strong name = masculine name perception. What message does it send to little girls? Your name is only a strong name if boys use it as well? I'm sure Emmeline Pankhurst would be horrified by the idea.
My solution to the dilemma? If you want a strong name for your daughter what better names than the ones borne by strong and revolutionary women through history. Here is just a small selection:
Agustina - Agustina de Aragon defended Spain in the Spanish War of Independence.
Boudicca - Legendary queen of the Iceni tribe who fought against the Romans. Her name means "victory".
Emmeline - Emmeline Pankhurst was the founder of the Suffragette movement.
Her daughters Christabel, Sylvia and Adela were also Suffragettes.
Harriet - Harriet Tubman was a famous abolitionist.
Joan - Jeanne d'Arc led several successful battles in the Hundred Years' War
Margaret - Queen Margaret of Anjou led the Lancastrian army to victory in several battles before their final defeat by the Yorkists.
Mariana - Mariana Pineda was a Spanish national heroine who defended liberalism.
Matilda - Matilda of Tuscany was an Italian noblewoman who is remembered for her military accomplishments; Empress Matilda (Maude) fought for her rights to the throne of England as sole heir to her father King Henry I. The name Matilda appropriately means "strength in battle".
Noor - Noor Inayat Khan was a secret agent who worked for the French resistance.
Tamar - Queen of Georgia who ruled in her own right and issued in Georgia's Golden Age.
Tirzah - One of the daughters of Zelephehad who, along with her sisters Noa, Mahlah, Milka and Hoglah, argued for their right to inherit in the absence of sons.
Vashti - Biblical first queen of Ahasuerus who refused to humble herself at the king's feast. Became a feminist icon in the 19th century.
Virginia - Virginia Hall was a spy during WWII. She was awarded the DSC and the MBE for her bravery.
Zenobia - Queen of Palmyra who led a revolt against Roman rule.
Looking further we can find many strong and bold women in mythology and folklore:
Aife - Scottish warrior woman in Irish mythology.
Ailbhe - A female warrior in Irish legend.
Andraste - possibly meaning "invincible" was a Celtic goddess of victory.
Artemis - Greek goddess of hunting. Chief goddess of the Amazonians.
Atalanta - Greek heroine who was incredibly athletic and sailed with the Argonauts.
Bellona - Roman war goddess.
Camilla - Amazonian queen of the Volsci.
Diana - Roman goddess of hunting.
Freya - Norse goddess of war and battle as well as fertility.
Gwendolen - Legendary ruler of Britain who defeated her husband in battle.
Hippolyta - Mythical queen of the warrior-women Amazons.
Maeve - Warrior queen of Connacht in Irish legend.
Morrigan - Irish goddess of war. Her name means "great queen".
Nike - Greek goddess of victory, associated with Athena goddess of war.
Which women through history do you admire? What names strike you as 'exuding' strength?
'Twas Ever Thus...
Sometimes Victorians included amusing anecdotes and popular jokes in a section near the end of the newspaper. This one from The Isle of Man Times and General Advertiser in 1893 is a humourous anecdote concerning the choosing of names.
"Papa," said the young mother, "I've decided on a name for the baby; we will call her Imogen."
Papa was lost in thought for a few minutes. He did not like the name but if he opposed it his wife would have her own way. "That's nice," said he presently, "My first sweetheart was named Imogen, and she will take it as a compliment."
"We will call her Mary, after my mother," was the stern reply.
The Isle of Man Times and General Advertiser
(Douglas), Tuesday, December 05, 1893
Posted at 07:00 AM in Historical Name Commentary | Permalink | Comments (2)
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