Posted on 02/03/2011 12:49:03 PM PST by Alex Murphy
Washington D.C., Feb 3, 2011 / 03:04 am (CNA).- A new analysis shows that although Biblical and saint names are still popular among parents, the use of Mark and Mary as baby names has sharply declined over the decades.
Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) tracked the popularity of baby names in America from 1910 to 2009 with data from the Social Security Administration website.
A Jan. 20 post on the center's research blog showed that from 1910 to 1965, Mary was either the top or second most popular name for girls in the U.S.
In 2009, however, the name Mary dropped out of the top 100 for the first time and is currently listed as number 102. The name Joseph has remained consistently popular, however, coming in at number 16, it's lowest rating since since 1910.
Similar to Mary, the name Mark has decreased in use over the years. A top 10 name from 1955 to 1970, Mark fell below the top 100 in 2003 and is now listed as number 154.
CARA researchers have previously documented how Mass attendance increases the likelihood of parents choosing Catholic names for their children.
In their 2004 study Don't Call Me Ishmael, featured in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, researchers Paul Perl and Jon Wiggins stated that worship attendance does increase Catholics' likelihood of choosing specific names that are disproportionately common within their tradition.
This suggests that committed Catholics perceive certain names as 'Catholic' and represents one instance in which names do retain religious connotations for believers, they added.
The importance of parents choosing Christian names for their children was recently addressed by Pope Benedict at a Mass at the Sistine Chapel on Jan. 9, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
During his homily, he underscored that every baptized child acquires the character of the son of God, beginning with their Christian name, an unmistakable sign that the Holy Spirit causes man to be born anew in the womb of the Church.
A name, he explained, is an indelible seal that set children off on a lifelong journey of religious faith.
Interesting aside about the name Gertrude. I recently met a lady from Quebec with that name. When she pronounced it in French, it was lovely.
Not surprising at all.
In other news, John is still used to refer to people who deal with pimps.
cool website!
well, it could also be James Earl Jones “The force is strong in this one...” ;-P 1977, Star Wars Episode IV
still showed the outlines of a Norman Keep, to which had been added a Lancastrian Jail and a Plantagenet Orphan Asylum. From the house in all directions stretched magnificent woodland and park with oaks and elms of immemorial antiquity, while nearer the house stood raspberry bushes and geranium plants which had been set out by the Crusaders.a face so face-like in its appearance as to be positively facial.!!:)
As one of those parents who has a very common last name, (think Smith, Jones or Brown)I obviously didn’t want to give my sons “common” first names. When I was a kid, we had 4 Chris Smiths in my school, Talk about confusion....
OK, how about “Jimmy Earl ????”
I have been teaching for 28 years and still have not taught a girl with the name of Martha.
:)
So, you were shaved?
Yes, but she was also a stripper.
"Lord Ronald...flung himself upon his horse and rode madly off in all directions."
"Her aunt had carefully instructed her in Christian principles. She had also taught her Mohammedanism to make sure."
The ad for the job as governess: "Salary 1 pound, 4 shillings, 4 pence halfpenny per annum."
Stephen Leacock was born in England, got part of his education in the US, and ended up in Canada--there is a building named for him at McGill University in Montreal.
Oh, ne zot! I wasn’t going to read this thread, but obviously I was Directed for the sole purpose of printing out this hysterical piece.
Now off to read it to the Offspring, who (being as I Dare to be Dull) include Bill, Tom, Pat, Jim, Dan, and Frank. (And Eleanore and Sabina: I also dare to be somewhat frilly.)
I was named Mary after the Blessed Virgin, and my paternal grandmother is Mary, and one of my great-aunts. There are a lot of Marys running around at my kids’ Catholic school...Mary Kate, Mary Vivian, Mary Claire, etc.
I noticed that Mark is in decline as well...that’s dh’s name!
The only Wendy I know is a Winifred.
I knew a Wendelline who called herself Wendy. I assume a rich relative was named Wendell ...
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