The hidden patterns behind names  

Take a closer look at the RCSLT’s Bulletin Word on the Street article on the linguistic meaning of names.

“What’s in a name?” asks Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  

Naming a baby is a big responsibility, because a name is more than a label: it is part of our identity.

So how do parents choose names and how do names carry layers of meaning beyond identification? 

Adam Cooper, Linguistics Professor at Northeastern University, argues the lasting popularity of names like Liam and Olivia stems from their ‘phonaesthetics’ eg the way certain sounds are perceived as pleasant or elegant (Cooper, 2014). He also notes a strong gendered pattern, with many popular girls’ names ending in a, reflecting Latin and Romance language traditions, where a historically marked femininity (Cooper, 2014).

Phonology also plays a role: parents are drawn to particular sounds like soft vowels, rhythmic syllable structures or familiar endings, which contribute to naming trends (Hahn and Alexander, 2003). Furthermore, shifts in baby name popularity can often reflect broader cultural trends. For example, the name Arya from Game of Thrones became popular as a name when the TV show was trending. In 2017, over 50,000 babies were named Arya, with a significant number born in England and Wales (Redmond, 2023). 

Cross-cultural perspectives can show us how many traditions link names to specific virtues. For example, Alexander can represent strength and power, drawn from the Greek king who built one of history’s largest empires (Liebert, 2011). Ultimately, names may begin as labels, but they evolve into carriers of meaning. So, what’s in your name? 

New Bulletin summer issue out now

Find out more 

Have you read the latest issue of Bulletin? Look out for more in the Bulletin summer issue, where we explore the growing role of telehealth in speech and language therapy, and look at how innovation and change are helping the profession respond the current challenges.

We also share insights on professional development, workforce retention, upskilling and advanced practice, highlighting the initiatives that support growth, build confidence and strengthen services. 

References

Cooper, A. (2014). Reconciling Indo-European Syllabification. BRILL. 

Hahn, M.W. and Alexander, B.R. (2003). Drift as a Mechanism for Cultural Change: An Example from Baby Names. Proceedings: Biological Sciences, [online] 270, pp.S120–S123. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/3592279. 

Liebert, H. (2011). Alexander the Great and the History of Globalization. The Review of Politics, 73(4), pp.533–560. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/s0034670511003639. ‌ 

Redmond, P. (2023). Game of Thrones Names. [online] Nameberry. Available at: https://nameberry.com/list/941/game-of-thrones-names 

Shakespeare, W. (2010). Romeo and Juliet. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.