Evolution in Girls' Names.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 221, 24 September 1887, Page 8

Evolution in Girls' Names.

In a recent comrtiunication to the Bangor " Historical Magazine," Joseph WUliamson, of Belfast, has given a list of marriages in Belfast town from 1774 to 1814 Inclusive. The names of most of them are familiar to-day. We find John,, James, Charles, Jacob, Henry, William, etc., occurring again and again. It is interesting to observe the names of the women. Among them are Jaroh, Deborah, Lois, Keziah, .Priscilla, Barsheba, Theodato, Nerassa, Grizol, Raechel, Phoebe, Wealthy, Love, Charity, Temperance. The 112 girls used but forty-five Christian names among them. Polly, Betsy, Sally, Jane, Susannah, Nanny, Abigail, and Mehitable, very popular names among our grandmothers, have been put away, like the old ball dresses and high-heeled slippers that figured in society in the days of General Knox. To-day,distingnighed by such names as Annie, Alice, Mabel, Jennie and Grace, the beauty transmitted from other generations continues its perpetual sway. Another thing noticeable is the disappearance of such quaint namesas Wealthy, Love, Charity and Temperance. They have, gone with the Pollies and Sallies. Delight alone among the names of 1887 is left to suggest that a trace of the old Puritan sentiment yet survives. In this evolution of names those of to-day are more refined and delioate sounds when spoken, and therefore xnore' fitting to the young ladies of 1887, who' are admitted, of course, to, have added the refineniont of the present to theinhorited beauty of the past.