One of the most arduous experiences for my wife and I was naming our six kids. We struggled for months to find the perfect name to reflect our family’s hopes and dreams. But recent research suggests that something else may be at play.
Two university researchers analyzed the popularity of thousands of baby names over the past 100 years in the US and France. What they found was the names that gained popularity slowly (like Charlene) maintained that popularity over 55 years. Names that sky-rocketed to popularity (like Tricia) were gone in less than 12.
What is there to learn here?
Our struggle naming the kids may not have been about finding the perfect name, but instead about a desire for one that was unique. The research suggests that none of us want to follow the herd. When the crowds run to a hip new name or ministry program, those that follow tend to look elsewhere. And for a church, that can kill long-term Kingdom impact.
Don’t look for the quick fix or copy the “in” trends for your church or family. Instead, build your identity and strategy on enduring, biblical values that have stood the test of time. That’s how great families and ministries are built (and in hindsight, that goes for great names too.)
I have found absolutely no one with my first name. It was given to me by my aunt. She had a friend by that name in 1946. Since then, I have researched it to find no one else since ‘her’. Of course, Irene was once fairly popular, but not for many years.
A man working at the bank (who is Greek background) told me it meant “floral parade” and can be spelled Clystia.
I have always been a little unusual. My name, some physical reactions to certain experimental medications, etc.
And a good name will stand the test of time:
http://www.babynamewizard.com/voyager#prefix=NICK&ms=false&sw=f&exact=false
