The Name of the Year, 2010
Before I announce the Baby Name Wizard Name of the Year, let me remind you that the NOTY designation isn't an endorsement. It's not a claim that the name will soon be heard in nurseries across the land. It's a recognition that this name captures our moment in time, both reflecting and shaping the naming culture around us.
With that in mind, the 2010 Name of the Year is....
The Situation.
For those of you who haven't looked at a TV this year, yes, that's a name. Read on.
This year's reader nominations had a clear theme. 2010 was, in one reader's apt summation, "the year of the un-name."
It was a year that saw people pushing the boundaries of what a personal name is. Parents were ravenous for fresh baby name ideas, digging deep into their reference books for untapped words (Legend, Malaysia) and jazzing up spellings the same way marketers do (Juelz, Maxx). The swelling ranks of Bloggers and Twitter users were referred to by handle rather than name. Performers, meanwhile, were upping the artifice (Prince Poppycock) and launching lawsuits when other people encroached on their name space (Lindsay Lohan). All together, it created what another reader described as a "name-as-brand vibe" to 2010.
Nowhere was this more apparent than on MTV's reality show Jersey Shore. The series, a kind of Real World populated entirely by buff young New Jersey Italians on vacation, premiered in December 2009. Soon, it was everwhere. Its heavily nicknamed cast dominated Name of the Year nominations, especially breakouts Snooki (Nicole Polizzi) and The Situation (Michael Sorrentino).
Those nicknames, as BabyNameWizard.com readers attested, were more than incidental to the show's success. "I don't have cable and have never seen the show, yet I still know who they are," one reader wrote. "I admit, I did tune in for a few episodes," wrote another, "and I also have to admit, I partly did because of the names. They made me curious--who were these characters?"
Of all the Jersey Shore nicknames, it's The Situation that epitomizes the year of the un-name. Snooki's nickname was conferred, in time-honored style, as an in-joke among her middle school friends. The Situation is a less natural, more calculated choice. It's a statement which translates roughly to "all eyes on me!"
Think of The Situation as a stage name without an act. What better emblem could there be for an age of empty celebrity, when you become famous because you're on camera, rather than being on camera because you're famous?
But more than a traditional stage name, The Situation is also a brand. By the time the first episodes of Jersey Shore aired a year ago, Mr. Sorrentino was already attempting to trademark "The Situation" for product licensing. He understood that his adopted name was his platform to fame.
You could think of this name-first celebrity as the ultimate step in a long evolution. Entertainers have always been aware of their "name brands" as they sell themselves to their audiences. In past generations, they routinely checked their names at the door when they entered Hollywood. Stage names were selected to project an image: usually glossy, like Cary Grant or Judy Garland, and occasionally goofy a la Groucho Marx. By and large, though, they all stuck to the form and style of names. To do otherwise, like ukulele-playing singer Tiny Tim, was to mark yourself as a novelty act.
Hip-hop did away with those rules. From KRS-One to Curren$y, performers blurred the line between name and act. A rapper name could be made up of anything: nouns, adjectives, articles, numbers, punctuation. It wasn't just style, it was statement. It was a brand identity.
Previously an entertainer might have created personas, like David Bowie's Thin White Duke, but these were separable from the individuals behind them. Not so with 50 Cent or T-Pain. When rap empresario Sean Combs decided to shift his image away from Puff Daddy, he had to re-name himself in a formal public relations blitz.
It took a while, but the hip-hop approach to names has finally spread. World-conquering Lady Gaga is leading the charge, with a crowd behind her. White pop singer Ke$ha, for instance, adopted a rap-style brand name as well as incorporating bits of rap into her music.
In the past, I've compared the way parents today name babies to the way companies name products. We're all trying to launch our children into life's competitive landscape with the best chance to succeed and achieve their dreams. That, I think, remains a heartfelt and loving (if obsessive) impulse. The Situation represents a different kind of name-as-brand. It's a more calculated attempt to make yourself a product, with your name as your marketing campaign. And for better or worse, it's working.
12/07/2010, 9:51AM
Comments
Yay for more babies to name. Pip and Mammafaith, I definitely remember you both!
I think Freya + Syliva reads hip, although Freya is not one I see commonly in these parts, I feel like it would fit nicely with current trends while still being unique.
@Pip, welcome back! I love Freya, but then my daughter is Astrid so I'm probably not as impartial as I could be. That said, I like it with your older daughter's name--subtly matching without being overdone and I think the stylistic differences between the names provide a nice balance.
holy crap.
That is spot on. 2 thumbs up.
That beats my pateneted baby-naming method for 2009:
1. take one of those buckets of magnet letters
2. draw 4 to 6 of them
3. arrange them in any order
4. place a letter “y” in the middle.
5. (optional) depending on your culture, add a hyphen or an apostrophe in the middle somewhere, too.
6. Ta-dah! A name for your little one! Also, “Ta-dah” could be a name in itself, if it had a "y" in the middle: Tay-dah.
I am pretty sure that most people think that I used your patented method for my son's name. :)
I just learned of a new baby Emmett. I was so excited, and thought you all might be the only ones who cared :). The parents were also considering Oliver. It seems like they may not have been getting much positive feedback on the name, as the father said the name, then quickly added, "I don't know how we ended up with Emmett."
I find it interesting that a NOTY could be unknown to so many posters. Maybe this shows how fractured the media market in the US has become? OTOH, I do know Snooki, Ke$ha, Lady Gaga, etc. so there are some names that do transcend watching a particular show or listening to certain music. I'll confess to reading People magazine whenever I go to the doctors office or get my hair cut, but I guess I missed this guy.
So not having ever heard of The Situation before reading this post, I'll chime in and also say I found this NOTY unsatisfying... although the logic seems solid enough. Ah well!
Random name news: last week I rear-ended another car. Fortunately no one was hurt and the damage to both cars was minor. The other driver was named Ulysses!
@Elizabeth T, glad no one was hurt in the accident. Ulysses ... that's a great name. My husband's great uncle was Ulysses S Grant LN, Jr, but he was always called Bus. (I think his dad, my husband's great grandfather, went by Grant.)
Speaking of Ulysses ... we're having another baby. Our first three start with vowels - E, A, and I. It was intentional, but at this point, I feel like we should at least consider if we like any other vowel names.
Looking for O and U specifically (and sometimes Y?) We lean toward slightly traditional, old-fashioned, but a little rare names. But honestly, at this point we just need to know what is out there. O and U are a bit tricky. I do adore Olympia (nn Olly) for a girl, but the only U names I can think of are Ulysses and Ursula. Not so keen on either.
Also, we do like a few other E, A and I names, but I've always liked the idea of each kid having their own first letter, especially since my current kiddos each have some letter decor in their rooms.
Thoughts? Much thanks in advance.
Oops - should have read "WASN'T intentional" ... as in, we just happened to like vowel names. Sorry.
Jory makes a cool nickname. Actually has a meaning too - "descending". I say go with it!
Names I have actually seen, mostly from dependency and parental termination cases. If you google them, you'll likely come up with a legal case:
Orangejello (Or-ahn'-gell-o)
Lemonjello (leh-mahn'-gell-o)
Tanquery (like the vodka)
Malicious
Abcde (Ab-seh'day)
Nevaeh ("Heaven" spelled backwards)
Demon Suicide Rage (the court ordered the teen mother to change the name or the judge would. The mother then chose "Carl.")
Adolph Hitler Campbell, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell (http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/index.ssf?/base/news-0/122923112231930.xml&coll=3)
I'm NOT kidding. These are REAL names parents gave their kids
My favorites are Own and Olivia, but here are some other ideas.
Boy-
Owen (LOVE that name!)
Oliver
Uriah (Yeah, kinda "out there")
Upton (Again, a little out there)
Yale
Yuri
Yardley (I suppose that could be a girl name too)
Girl-
Uma (Think Uma Thurman, actress?)
Uli
Olivia (Livvie? I LOVE this name)
Ophelia
Yara
Yasmine (variation of Jasmine)
Yvette
Wyona(when W is a vowel)
The "sometimes Y" rule often refers to dipthongs where a Y attached to another letter leads to a vowel sound like "boy," or "crypt," where the Y provides soft "i," or like Yvette. The rest of the rule is "a,e,i,o,u, and sometimes Y and W. When is W a vowel? When combined with another letter to create a vowel sound like cow or plow. Google the word "dipthong" for more about that if you're not familiar with it.
Best wishes for a healthy babe. Oh, and Leisl is a very lovely name.
Leisl-
My comment at 113 was for you.
ugg bailey button boots
are popular with many stories. Classic UGG boots are so attractive that many people like to have a pair of ugg boots with them. This is the First World War in Australia, the original name is ugly boots, and the nickname in Australia ugg classic tall boots for a rounded head uggs cheap,until after the American UGG boots for a trademark. Many people believe that the signer ugg boots with the famous classical mechanics can button Bailey luxury UGG boots keep long term. Ugg boots gradually become known worldwide.
Today, different individuals have found to preserve visual acuity in his shoes. the purchase of a visual style is very important, not only is really like, ugg classic tall boots being to break his suit for a couple terrible search for real feet. ugg bailey button boots 5803 This shoe style field shows individuals with sophisticated styles and different colors. fashion gurus of the new trends of the brand founded. View welcoming tide is neglected by Australia's new leather shoes rarely minced lamb.
But in most of the equity, ie, usually fascinating, stylish and comfortable shoes. Should take a break at the end of a long day (and first!) With them. A common style may be Scuffette UGG slippers. ugg classic cardy boots on sale They are handmade from bidding flatsoled keep warm welcome of his toes during the winter months and offers many security that absorbs moisture in the summer months.
And it is certainly worth shopping, poor get the potential risk to this type of boots that will support their own good. The little ones enjoy these people, ugg classic cardy boots on sale young people can improve themselves certainly be relaxed to wear a pair of Ugg boots, comfortable, no matter the color even elderly or feel she needs more sleep in general which can produce both at his feet.
ugg bailey button boots
are popular with many stories. Classic UGG boots are so attractive that many people like to have a pair of ugg boots with them. This is the First World War in Australia, the original name is ugly boots, and the nickname in Australia ugg classic tall boots for a rounded head uggs cheap,until after the American UGG boots for a trademark. Many people believe that the signer ugg boots with the famous classical mechanics can button Bailey luxury UGG boots keep long term. Ugg boots gradually become known worldwide.
Today, different individuals have found to preserve visual acuity in his shoes. the purchase of a visual style is very important, not only is really like, ugg classic tall boots being to break his suit for a couple terrible search for real feet. ugg bailey button boots 5803 This shoe style field shows individuals with sophisticated styles and different colors. fashion gurus of the new trends of the brand founded. View welcoming tide is neglected by Australia's new leather shoes rarely minced lamb.
But in most of the equity, ie, usually fascinating, stylish and comfortable shoes. Should take a break at the end of a long day (and first!) With them. A common style may be Scuffette UGG slippers. ugg classic cardy boots on sale They are handmade from bidding flatsoled keep warm welcome of his toes during the winter months and offers many security that absorbs moisture in the summer months.
And it is certainly worth shopping, poor get the potential risk to this type of boots that will support their own good. The little ones enjoy these people, ugg classic cardy boots on sale young people can improve themselves certainly be relaxed to wear a pair of Ugg boots, comfortable, no matter the color even elderly or feel she needs more sleep in general which can produce both at his feet.
ugg bailey button boots
are popular with many stories. Classic UGG boots are so attractive that many people like to have a pair of ugg boots with them. This is the First World War in Australia, the original name is ugly boots, and the nickname in Australia ugg classic tall boots for a rounded head uggs cheap,until after the American UGG boots for a trademark. Many people believe that the signer ugg boots with the famous classical mechanics can button Bailey luxury UGG boots keep long term. Ugg boots gradually become known worldwide.
Today, different individuals have found to preserve visual acuity in his shoes. the purchase of a visual style is very important, not only is really like, ugg classic tall boots being to break his suit for a couple terrible search for real feet. ugg bailey button boots 5803 This shoe style field shows individuals with sophisticated styles and different colors. fashion gurus of the new trends of the brand founded. View welcoming tide is neglected by Australia's new leather shoes rarely minced lamb.
But in most of the equity, ie, usually fascinating, stylish and comfortable shoes. Should take a break at the end of a long day (and first!) With them. A common style may be Scuffette UGG slippers. ugg classic cardy boots on sale They are handmade from bidding flatsoled keep warm welcome of his toes during the winter months and offers many security that absorbs moisture in the summer months.
And it is certainly worth shopping, poor get the potential risk to this type of boots that will support their own good. The little ones enjoy these people, ugg classic cardy boots on sale young people can improve themselves certainly be relaxed to wear a pair of Ugg boots, comfortable, no matter the color even elderly or feel she needs more sleep in general which can produce both at his feet.
You can also find the meaning of the names given above.
You can also find the meaning of the names and I think it's important :)
GHD france,le plus moderne GHD lisseur à ce jour.Il vous offre une facilité de coiffage unique grâce à son corps arrondi. Il est toujours plus facile pour vous de créer des boucles,du mouvement. Achetez ghd pas cher et lisseur ghd iv styler. Créez coiffure spéciale avec notre ghd fer a lisser.
Life belstaffin the same the world had so many gaps, like a the whole peculiarity, pandora let belstaff bagsmy mundane life is full of pandora rings jewellery color, perhaps it was god’s greatness. but life is always there pandora jewelryare countless join the line together.
european would-be brides Elenas examples
european the opposite sex can be a really wonderful dearest! obviously, The epitome of fashion is correct that ruskies brides can be a super partner. grownup men wish to have life partner world health organization give ignite of love as well care for jacob through the days. russian womens are the most effective women for males who wish exactly the required wife for the reason each of qualities that your men ambition within life partners have come in. ruskies brides-to-be seem to be encouraging, adoring as looking after. They can end up being the life [url=https://russiangirldating.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/to-know-if-the-russian-girl-has-a-crush-on-you-see-if-she-has-these-three-signs/]russian mail order brides[/url] support course of action of your family members and will usually prepare you to you your own body bad and the good period. through all the time admiration your option.
euro young ladies are accountable. They are sufficient capable of take needs mantra of sophisticated commercial and / or incredibly own; award full goal to end the company's allocated liabilities. grownup males have to have a spouse what individual organization the guy moreover very little rrs incredibly insightful straightforward. euro women can be found insightful and do not betray the believe in regarding life partner.
absolute dearest could possibly be the one that knows as well as knows about what you choose then. european brides-to-be [url=https://russianwomendate.weebly.com/about.html]russian girls dating[/url] could possibly perfect taste for guys who actually want to engage in the perfect understanding. these euro up and coming brides rely on merging ture of spirits, mind as well as individuals.