Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

In the News: Hurricane Names (Girls)

This week Hurricane Earl threatens the Eastern U.S. shore with 160mph winds. According to the Atlantic Tropical Weather Center, the naming history of hurricanes is as follows:
 Atlantic tropical cyclones were named with the old World War II phonetic alphabet during the years 1950-1952.  Women's names were first used in 1953, and the same list (with one change) was used in 1954.  However, after the major East Coast storms of that year, forecasters decided to use new names each year for awhile.  Then beginning in 1960, four semi-permanent sets were established, to be re-cycled after four years.  This list was expanded to ten sets in 1971, but before making it through the list even once, these sets were replaced by the now familiar sets of mens' and womens' names.   In the Atlantic, male names were first used in 1979, and the sets are repeated every six years.
Through researching names for this post, we also learned that hurricane names are retired when the storm is destructive and/or significant enough. Here are some names from the database that we like:

We found that most of the names we liked were female, though Dennis and George did catch our attention from the male side.
  • Abby
  • Alice
  • Audrey
  • Betsey
  • Betty
  • Caroline
  • Emmy
  • Flora
  • Gabrielle
  • Grace
  • Hannah
  • Isabel

Friday, July 23, 2010

In the News: India / Indie

Yesterday in India, a prototype tablet computer was released that will sell for approximately $35, aiming to help improve education in India through technology. We love the forward-thinking mindset of this low-priced technology for students, and we also are loving this up-and-coming girls' name: India or Indie.

Within the past decade singer India Arie's popularity has increased the use of this name, and while it is still only ranked well over 4000 (#4571 to be exact) for girls, it has grown steadily since the year 2000. The name also has connections to the "indie" mindset of many hipsters who prefer to support all things independent. We love this reworking of a country into a girls' name. What do you think?

Friday, August 28, 2009

In the News: Kennedy - Death of Edward Kennedy

No matter one's political affiliations or beliefs, we feel that Kennedy is a classic name whether used for a boy or girl. (Maybe it's that our grandmother was a Kennedy?)

We love the recent trend of Kennedy girls, and have also seen Kennedy used as a middle name (or first name) for boys.

Kennedy was originally a surname of Irish and Scottish origin, from the Gaelic Ceannéidigh. Ceann meaning "chief" or "leader." What a great way to carry on the name of a royal American family.

Monday, June 29, 2009

In the News: Jackson

Though the media has already bombarded you enough with Michael Jackson stories this week, we feel that the last name Jackson is noteworthy not only because of the King of Pop, but also its recent popularity for boys.

Jackson is a great boys name for several reasons:
  1. It can be shortened instantly to a classic: Jack
  2. It is a last-name-turned-first-name (which we love)
  3. Historical significance to our country: Andrew Jackson
  4. Easy to spell, say
  5. Unique but common at the same time
On the downside, it has become much more popular in the past 10 years (moved from #183 in 1998 to #32 in 2008). On the plus side, we think it is classic enough to stick around for a while.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

In the News: Hudson - "Miracle on the Hudson"

Airline Captain Chesley Sullenberger recently made a crash-landing in New York's Hudson River, after both his plane's engines were disabled by a flock of birds; Captain "Sully" has been hailed a hero after all 155 passengers and crew were rescued.

We felt this miracle landing was inspiration for news-worthy coverage of this hero, as well as coverage of a boy's name we love: Hudson.

Hudson is traditionally an English name, typically a surname. Famous surname Hudsons include Kate (actress), Tim (baseball player), Troy (basketball player), Thomas (British painter), and more. Using Hudson as a first name mixes up it's traditional usage as a surname, resulting in an original first name with roots. We love it's classic yet unique feel.