New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Burgher, Maola, and Amanda
Two names from an old cemetery. Burgher was a young woman who died in the 1880's, and yes, it was her first name. I assume it was a family name, because why else would her parents use BURGHER for their daughter? Anyway, she was only 19 when she died and here I am years later, posting about her weird name. Circle of life.
Maola was interesting, too. I assume it was pronounced may-O-lah, but who knows? She was born in the 1850's and was buried with her husband and infant daughter, who did not have a name. I think her husband's name was John, or something boring like that.
So, Burgher and Maola. I also saw an Amanda born in 1840, so that was pretty cool. You usually don't hear it on women from that time.
Hmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Maola was interesting, too. I assume it was pronounced may-O-lah, but who knows? She was born in the 1850's and was buried with her husband and infant daughter, who did not have a name. I think her husband's name was John, or something boring like that.
So, Burgher and Maola. I also saw an Amanda born in 1840, so that was pretty cool. You usually don't hear it on women from that time.
Hmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
Replies
Uh, no, around 1840 is precisely when Amanda was at its first peak of use in the United States. Here are two paragraphs from my column on Amanda published in 2017:
By 1700, parents in both Britain and America were naming real girls Amanda. In the early 19th century, Amanda boomed in the United States. It was among the top thirty names for women born between 1815 and 1850.
The 1850 United States census included 64,130 Amandas, while the 1851 census of Great Britain found only 545, at a time when the two countries’ population size was similar.
By 1700, parents in both Britain and America were naming real girls Amanda. In the early 19th century, Amanda boomed in the United States. It was among the top thirty names for women born between 1815 and 1850.
The 1850 United States census included 64,130 Amandas, while the 1851 census of Great Britain found only 545, at a time when the two countries’ population size was similar.
Yeah, I didn't know that. I don't pay much attention to stats, I just hadn't heard it much when I read about Victorian women. Clearly, I was wrong.
This message was edited 10/21/2024, 1:12 PM
I like Maola.
I only like Amanda
I've complained about Ashton, Harper and McKinley as feminine names, but they're certainly better than Burgher. Maola is cool. It reminds me of Neola and Naoma. As for Amanda, it has been popular during that time, but doesn't seem tiring.
I only like Amanda
Burgher is pretty awful. Isn't it some kind of low-level European political position?
Maola sounds like something greasy, like Mazola oil.
Amanda was apparently fairly popular way back when, though all the Marys and Elizabeths and Sarahs overshadow it. I always liked it.
Maola sounds like something greasy, like Mazola oil.
Amanda was apparently fairly popular way back when, though all the Marys and Elizabeths and Sarahs overshadow it. I always liked it.
I'd say it's Maow-la. Nice!