What makes an acceptable name?

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A post by @JimBo452020 and the ensuing discussion has just brought this to mind again. I have often thought how funny/odd it is that within certain categories, some nouns are considered acceptable as children’s names, and some are not – although this can change over time, and it certainly varies from country to country too. For example within the category of flowers: Rose is quite common nowadays. It used to be thought of as old-fashioned but now it’s made a comeback, as has Daisy. Lilly and Poppy are quite normal nowadays and I know someone called Amaryllis. There’s also Marguerite, Iris and Jasmine. The first time Tulip was used as a name here it was a laughing stock but now it’s quite mainstream. I have never heard of a Blossom, Buttercup, Cowslip or Clover though – except as names for cows. Not come across a Nasturtium either. Herbs: Rosemary, Basil, Angelica and Lavender are used as names, Sage, Thyme, Mint and Lovage are not. Geographical features: Cliff (I used to have an Uncle Cliff) and Rock as men’s names have been around for a while, and River used to be thought a very ‘hippyish’ sort of name but now there are lots of Rivers around. I haven’t come across children called Stream or Sea though. In Welsh, Bryn (Welsh for hill) is a common boy’s name but there are no Hills in English. Trees: Willow, Holly, Ash are used as names; Oak, Aspen, Cedar, Fir, Pine or Maple are not. Birds: Robin is commonly used for both girls and boys, and I know of a few boys and men named Peregrine or Merlin, but no Kestrel or Dunnock. Places: Quite a few girls have been named India or Sharon, and of course there’s Brooklyn. Never heard of anyone named Swansea or Birmingham though. Fruits: Apple was thought a hilarious choice when Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter this but now she’s an adult and it seems to be quite normal. I’ve never heard of anyone called Banana in this country but I have read the work of a Japanese author named Banana. I don’t know of anyone called Orange though, or Gooseberry. Semi-precious stones: Pearl and Ruby were fashionable about a hundred years ago and they are making a bit of a comeback. Amber and Jade have been around for a while. I don’t know anyone called Quartz or Turquoise though – or even diamond! What do you think makes some names of certain items acceptable and others not? All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2023.