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ArchivesMy column on Amber
Here is the link to today's column:
https://omaha.com/lifestyles/cleveland-evans-amber-still-a-somewhat-rare-jewel-among-first-names/article_379633e2-6685-11ed-9d9e-3f4ebcc70ed6.html
I found the somewhat delayed impact of "Forever Amber" on this name extremely interesting. It is clear that the name's return to the top 1000 was inspired by that novel and the film based on it. But as I say in the column, the name then just plateaued at a really low level, below #800, for several years. I am sure this was because of the extremely controversial nature of the story. Back in 1944 people just weren't ready for a tale about a woman who was extremely sexually promiscuous and made her living marrying wealthy older men but who was the successful unrepentant heroine of the story. The story mentions 39 out of wedlock pregnancies and 7 abortions, with Amber herself having at least one abortion. The book was banned in many places and there were protests against the film when it came out in 1947. So it took a while before the image of Amber St. Clare was forgotten enough for most parents to feel comfortable using the name. It would be interesting for someone to do a study as to just what the American parents who did name daughters Amber from 1944 through 1957 were like that allowed them to use the name despite its controversial image.
https://omaha.com/lifestyles/cleveland-evans-amber-still-a-somewhat-rare-jewel-among-first-names/article_379633e2-6685-11ed-9d9e-3f4ebcc70ed6.html
I found the somewhat delayed impact of "Forever Amber" on this name extremely interesting. It is clear that the name's return to the top 1000 was inspired by that novel and the film based on it. But as I say in the column, the name then just plateaued at a really low level, below #800, for several years. I am sure this was because of the extremely controversial nature of the story. Back in 1944 people just weren't ready for a tale about a woman who was extremely sexually promiscuous and made her living marrying wealthy older men but who was the successful unrepentant heroine of the story. The story mentions 39 out of wedlock pregnancies and 7 abortions, with Amber herself having at least one abortion. The book was banned in many places and there were protests against the film when it came out in 1947. So it took a while before the image of Amber St. Clare was forgotten enough for most parents to feel comfortable using the name. It would be interesting for someone to do a study as to just what the American parents who did name daughters Amber from 1944 through 1957 were like that allowed them to use the name despite its controversial image.
This message was edited 11/20/2022, 7:37 AM
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Replies
Well, you've just shed some light on this for me... In the 90's and early 2000's, the fellow school kids joked around that Amber was commonly chosen as stage names for strippers. I didn't know what fueled that vague cultural agreement that Amber was a name for a promiscuous lady, but now I see.
Also, that's really fascinating that Pearl and Amber used to be boy names. I can totally see it, if people weren't so uptight today. Also Beryl is a nice one.
That being said, yeah, I personally think the rise in gemstone names reflects an interest in crystal energy, and more gemstone varieties being used more commonly in jewelry for cost and beauty reasons, and just the availability of *knowing* all these gemstones thanks to the internet.
Personally, I'm stoked to see the name Amber get plucked back into societal acceptability. It's a pretty stone, and a chill name. Moreover, since amber has constituents in it that are effective painkilling elements, and it's commonly worn as a necklace for teething babies to abate tooth pain, I think it's a lovely name for a dentist.
Also, that's really fascinating that Pearl and Amber used to be boy names. I can totally see it, if people weren't so uptight today. Also Beryl is a nice one.
That being said, yeah, I personally think the rise in gemstone names reflects an interest in crystal energy, and more gemstone varieties being used more commonly in jewelry for cost and beauty reasons, and just the availability of *knowing* all these gemstones thanks to the internet.
Personally, I'm stoked to see the name Amber get plucked back into societal acceptability. It's a pretty stone, and a chill name. Moreover, since amber has constituents in it that are effective painkilling elements, and it's commonly worn as a necklace for teething babies to abate tooth pain, I think it's a lovely name for a dentist.
This message was edited 11/28/2022, 7:44 PM
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