… anything but Sue – is what sprang to mind
immediately before the new Royal was named - I was then hooked into the Johnny
Cash renditions of the famous song …
 |
| Johnny Cash with June Carter |
… while researching the last two posts … ‘Socrates’
popped off the page at me … Socrates Mbamulu is the journalist, who wrote the trending article on ‘Kugali: Africa’s largest networking comics platform’ …
Which led me to think of names – and how the
colonising powers made sure people had names they could pronounce … many
recorded on the spur of the moment at the registration offices.
 |
| I'm just glad that these sorts of letters weren't mixed up into his name |
Hence the preponderance of biblical, saints, classical,
historical or place names that people might have been lumbered with … mind you
some will stand out – eg Socrates, Nelson …
 |
| Prince Harry was the founder of the Invictus Games for wounded and injured Service personnel; two days after Archie was born, the Prince popped over to the Netherlands - to promote the 2020 venue ... where he was given this baby gro |
So young Archie … all of 10 days old … bemused the
nation as many of us were caught totally off guard … seems an appropriate name
for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new born … Archie apparently being of
German origin meaning ‘genuine’, ‘bold’ and ‘brave’ …
Harrison - Harry’s son - first recorded back in the
1300s … now denotes a first name of fairly recent origin – both names, I’m
certain, will become more popular in the years ahead …
 |
Language is wonderful … as are names – and I encourage
us all to learn their sources … we can deduce a fair amount from each name’s
history … be it a person, a place or its origin …
Well the young Master Sussex … Harry’s son with an
Anglo-Saxon heritage from the Germanic tribes who had migrated from continental
Europe to our southern (Sussex) shores …
 |
| Saxons and Sussex both in yellow-green. Continental invaders 400 - 500AD |
… mixing with the indigenous British groups … laying
the cultural foundations (from about 450 AD to 1066 AD), which are still in use
today … our modern English legal and administrative systems, and many aspects
of English Society …
… now adding in an American heritage to his roots – while being
a citizen of both the UK and the US.
 |
| Black-Eyed Susan |
May we all live in tolerant communities, understanding
and embracing each other’s roots … as the Sussex’s add to the concoction of the
peoples in this wonderful world of ours …
… I’m just glad he wasn’t called Sue … !!
Here's link across to the lovely story behind the Johnny Cash song 'a boy named Sue' ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
52 comments:
There used to be a Brazilian footballer known as just Socrates. His full name was Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, a name that would have tested many a football commentator! I reckon that "Archie" is from Archie Andrews, an American comic-book hero who happens to have ginger hair - just like Archie's dad.
Now I have an earworm - thanks, Hilary!
Names are fun to study - what they mean, how they fit the person, the lingering impressions they create. ("I don't like ___ because I once knew someone dreadful with the name...")
I like Archie's name. Long may it make us smile.
Sue is such a horrible name for a boy.
Of course, with Archie, all I can think of is the Archie comics with Jughead, Betty, and Veronica.
Baby names are very fashion-influenced, for girls probably more than boys. Noah, Liam, Oliver, Elijah and Lucas are the biggies in 2019... no longer James, Richard, Simon, Jonathan etc. I love watching which names are hot, and which are not.
I'm with Alex - the Archie comics sprang to mind immediately. But the kid has lots of other names - maybe he'll go by Harrison or he could do Monty for Mountbatten. And no doubt boys at boarding school will give him a nickname as they stuff him into a locker. You never know. I wish the young baby/lad good luck. He is entering a unique world.
Oh yes, I know the story behind that song. Might have posted it about it myself. I am fascinated by songwriters. Amen to what you wrote about love for all!
I suspect that you're right and both Archie and Harrison will become more popular.
@ John - oh how interesting ... and what a mouthful ... love reading his name in full though. I don't know anything about comics - but I see there's a ginger Archie as in the comic book hero - so who knows! Good guess probably ...
@ Jz - sorry about the ear-worm ... I do love the song, even though it has other undercurrents, brought out in the San Quentin rendition - interesting history there.
Names, places, and things even are fascinating - while yes there are names I really don't like ... too many past remembrances.
I agree - Archie seems to be an excellent name for the little lad ...
@ Alex - oh gosh ... any boy who was called 'Sue' would surely change it via deed poll before long. It's awful - but love the song.
You see I don't know Jughead, Betty or Veronica - live and learn = that's me ...
@ Hels - I'm quite sure you're right about the fashion influencing baby names that appear - I only note which names spring to the fore when someone 'famous' is naming their baby ... I hate to think what I'd have called any of mine - not having any makes that decision a common sense one now.
@ Joanne - you see I don't know those comics ... he only really has one other name: 'Harry's son' ... and as you say at school he'll get given a nickname. You're right he is entering an unique world - good luck to him ...
@ Kay - you mentioned Archie ... and so I needed to go elsewhere - hence towards Johnny Cash ... and yes let's be tolerant of all peoples ...
@ Kathy - I guess we'll be seeing 'Archies' and 'Harrisons' all over the place now as the kids grow up ...
Thanks for coming over and joining in the fun of 'what's in a name' ... it'll be interesting seeing them as the years go by ... cheers Hilary
Names make such a difference, don't they? Some people try to live up to them – or live them down and I'm sure the names we're given have some impact on the person we become.
I don't think I ever heard the story of "A Boy Named Sue," but then, all I had to know was that it was written by Shel Silverstein, which explained the whole thing. I didn't know the connection to Jean Shepherd, though. He's another very funny guy: he wrote the short stories that led to the movie "A Christmas Story," and narrates the movie. And, he's another Chicago White Sox fan...
Don't even get me started on names. I most feel sorry for girls named Isis (and the various spellings of).
I echo your sentiment, Hilary.May we all live in harmony, relish and enjoy each other's differences and move towards a world where war is not a feature of every day life. And all of these whack jobs in the Trump cabinet are now sabre rattling over Venezuela and Iran.Has the United States not had enough of war?
Archie is German? It really doesn't sound German, does it?
I have to say that I do like Archie. There's a colleague at work whose son is named Archie. I haven't asked her what she thinks of the royal connection yet. :-)
Greetings from London.
There is a basketball player here in the midwest U.S.A. whose name is Romeo. I wondered about the name "Archie". I didn't know the meaning or background. Thanks for straightening me out on this.
Hari om
...and let's not overlook the fact of the 'American' heritage itself coming from Euro-African migration. Yes, this is a fabulous post in response to our latest 'public member' Hilary! YAM xx
Interesting facts about the name "Archie", Hilary! I'm German and never would have guessed that's where it came from. My first thought was a teenage American comic book character, named "Archie Andrews", who had red hair and freckles. ☺ I also know a couple of Indian women named "Archana", who use "Archie" as a nickname.
Yes, names are important. It took a bit of getting used to, but it was very welcome years ago when BBC News started referring to places by their real names instead of the anglicized versions. Nobody thinks twice these days about Beijing or Mumbai, for example, but it sounded strange at first.
And I wonder how long Meghan and Archie will remain US citizens. Otherwise how long before the IRS tries to claim their portion of the crown jewels?
@ Patsy – yes names are unique to each of us … and I’m certain Hilary encourages me to laugh … so I hope you feel noble! I have to see and hear some names … so I can work out how to pronounce them …
@ John – I’d sort of known of the story behind the Cash song … but was interested to read about it in full. I didn’t know about Shel Silverstein – so found his life interesting; while Jean Shepherd is another out of my era of musicology. Talented people … and ah ha another Chicago White Sox fan … glad the post touched your heart!
@ Liz – oh yes in school you must have lots of student names to contend with … and there are some names that sadly should be changed …
@ David – I so agree … may we all live in harmony, relish and enjoy each other’s differences without the fear of any bullying, guns or war – let’s accept each other’s differences ... it’s life. Let’s live out our lives in peace … all of us …
@ Diane – Archibald has two Germanic elements ‘erchan’ (meaning “genuine” or “precious”), while the ‘bald’ part means bold. Also the Germanic elements in the name were part of Old High German and Anglo-Saxon … and a melding with Old French and then Greek … it’s interesting the etymology of words and how it continues.
I’d expect names to have altered (melded) considerably more in Britain … with all the various languages ‘imported’ with the warring tribes that have settled through the centuries … giving us some of their names …
@ ACIL – yes I quite agree ‘Archie’ is a rather good name … and there was one young lad who came home from school and noted they’d named someone after him – both names! I expect he’s still enjoying his new status at primary school …
@ QuietSpirit – there are lots of odd names around aren’t there – but both names make sense … why they chose them is a guessing game!
@ Yam – I decided not to go into the human heritage aspect … I’d need an essay and would almost certainly make a mistake – or rile someone … so left that aspect quietly to the side! I’m delighted you enjoyed the relative shortness of the post … I love that song!
@ Debbie – the name Archie is really quite fascinating … covers the ‘movement’ of names around the different eras of Ages – and even goes back the 6,000 years since we’ve been using written symbols. The etymology includes Greek …
I hadn’t heard of the comic Archie Andrews with his red hair and freckles … but I did notice that there are people who have the nickname ‘Archie’ – female and male … from other ‘stems’ of the name.
@ Ian – I’m not at all sure of their tax status … but no doubt things will come out as time goes on. Meghan presumably has royalties coming in from various jobs she has done. I don’t understand the dual citizenship status … but Archie has no take on the Crown Jewels … so they’ll be safe in the Tower for a while anyway!
Yes – the change to pronouncing Kenya, ‘Kenya’ … took me a while to adjust to – as too Mumbai or Beijing …. et al – it’s good for us and to recognise and learn the different places names as well as their geographical whereabouts …
Thanks everyone – lovely seeing you here … have good weekends – cheers Hilary
I love the ending to A Boy Named Sue! No strong opinions on Archie as a name.
One of my favourite Johnny Cash songs. However, I do find Archie a bit plebeian, don't you? Doesn't seem like a royal name to me at all.
I agree. Something about names has always fascinated me, so looking deeper into their origin is fun and quite interesting. It's also fun to see how names have evolved over the years and what is considered popular. Another great post, as always! Hugs...RO
I love understanding the background of our language and names both for people and places - it adds to the richness of how we speak. Thanks Hilary :)
I love the meaning behind the name Archie. I don't think I have ever known an Archie in my life- except for a tv character and a comic character. I believe you are right though and the name will be more popular now. :) Great post! Names are fascinating.
~Jess
I love the choice of the name 'Archie.' With it comes a promise that the The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s (and their new born) will be anything but conventional! :)
I have always loved that particular Johnny Cash song. And now I'll have to pop over and see the story behind it. I don't envy the royals or anyone else in the spotlight when it comes to baby names. It's hard enough as a private citizen to think up a name that people aren't going to rhyme with something vulgar, shorten to the point of ridiculousness, or to just come up with something that fits with the surname they've been saddled with.
I hear that young Master Sussex might have been named after his mother’s cat! Let’s hope not. As for Harrison, Mark Hamill was joking on Twitter that if they were going to name their baby for someone on Star Wars, why not the one who played Luke?
I am old enough to remember A Boy Named Sue being played on the radio!
@ Anabel - it's just one of those endearing songs ... and thought it tied in with the young lad's name ... just so glad they didn't chose Sue!
@ Jo - yes I agree about Johnny Cash and his songs ... but I loved reminding myself about the history behind this particular song. I'm actually rather happy at their choice of names ... they are different and I could think of a lot worse!
@ RO - names and etymology always have fascinated me; as you rightly point out ... how names have evolved over the years and what's now popular and was 50 years ago ... or more.
@ Fil - yes ... I get really distracted when I start looking up names etc ... I'm off on another tangent ... but always enriching ...
@ Jess - I was interested to know about the derivation of his name; and like you I don't think I've known an Archie in my life. It seems both Archie and Harrison are 'relatively' quite popular now - but I'm sure will pop to the top of the baby boyname lists ...
@ Donna - yes I've become rather fond of his name ... and as you note they won't be conventional ... but will add fervour to the Royal lineage. It'll be interesting to watch ...
@ Lynda - the story behind the song is really interesting and I love being able to hear him playing in San Quentin prison for the 'inmates' ... must have been a memorable day for them.
Having never had to think of baby names I can see the challenges new parents could have ... initials, nicknames etc - as you note. Let alone the surname ... my married one isn't brilliant (Butcher part!) - but c'est la vie - I was nicknamed HAMB by a boss years ago!
@ Sue - oh well I suppose that's a good guess ... I wonder if she had a cat in Toronto. How funny ... about the Twitter feed - again a good guess. But Harry's son makes sense.
I must have heard the song decades ago too ... but it always stuck in my mind and made me laugh - sad story though ...
Thanks so much for all your comments ... young Archie Harrison has an interesting life ahead of him ... cheers Hilary
You are such a bright and wonderful woman, dear Hilary. I love that the name Archie came sort of out of left field, as they say here in the US. Thanks for your email, I will answer it soon. May we be tolerant, oh well, things are going from bad to worse over here. Only good thing is, in my efforts to understand motivations and what this country is all about, I've learned more about America in the last two years than in the 50 plus years that I lived here before 2017.
What a lovely post Hilary. I enjoyed the little lesson on names. And yes, I don't think anyone guessed Archie. I do like Harrison though. Bless them all. :) x
My son and Grandson middle name is Lance. As a boy I was highly enamored of King Arthurs premier Knight of the Round Table...:)
The next boy might be called Sue if Megan and Harry stumble across your blog post. I think Archie Harrison is ok. Afterall he will never be King Archie I will he.
Cheers . . Eddie :)
@ Inger - yes 'Archie' was a little left-field wasn't it. Life is definitely changing for us all ... so many machinations going on in the world ... Like you I think I've learnt more politics-wise in recent years ... British History is being changed for ever. Ah well - we both live on ... keeping our heads down ...
@ Debby - Archie Harrison gave us all food for thought ... while I've become quite fond of the two names ... bless them, as you rightly say ...
@ Ray - it's interesting where names came from ... and you perpetuated your interest in King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table through your son and grandson's naming ... fun to know about.
@ Eddie - I wonder ... I hope this ear-worm will have gone out of their minds by the time number two comes along! Ah ha - are we going to have a King Eddie ... and you're right it's unlikely he'll be King Archie ...
Thanks so much for joining in the fun here ... have good weeks ... cheers Hilary
Yes King Edwin I has a nice ring to it . . . lol
Did you know my nickname at scholl was Sir Ed. Womder whether that was phrophetic? Better do something remarkable in a short time frame, hadn't I? lol
I've always liked Prince Harry and that was again confirmed by the choice of Harry - plus the fact their newborn will also carry the Mountbatten-Windsor name, too.
And, yeah, definitely happy he's not called Sue, too!!
Yes, Sue would have been a head-scratcher for sure! hahaha....
I have a Harrison, so of course I love that. And so perfect for this babe with his dad being Harry! Our son had a great grandfather named Harry.
Interesting link on A Boy Named Sue.
Thanks for sharing.
I suppose a lot of people were surprised by Archie as a name choice. When I heard it, the first Archie who came to my mind was Archie Bunker, from the old TV show "All in the Family." But now that you've explained the REAL meaning of the name, it's a great and noble choice. The only reason my name is Susan is it's the closest name to Ian my parents came up with. They expected me to be a boy... surprise!
Cheers!
Each time I was pregnant, I wanted my daughters' names to be Russian (for my parents) and romantic (for me). Tatiana, Natasha, Mischa, Sasha, Nadia etc,,, you know what I mean.
But I only had sons.
@ Eddie - oh that's better ... I thought it was Edward ... but King Edwin is certainly different. Funny how we all get nicknames ... Sir Ed ... presumably 'sired' .... well you've two grandchildren - I'm sure you can set them on the right path?!
@ Mark - those two kids have turned out well ... considering all things - and it's great they seem to work well together. Yes - no title and just plain Master ... but he'll be fun to watch growing up. 'Anything but Sue ... ' thankfully!
@ Betsy - he certainly would be an oddity in the Royal way of life ... so thank goodness Harry and Meghan had some sense - even bewildering us a little. Ah ha - is Harry a Harrison - no wonder it rings with your approval ... while 'Harry' is a lovely family name to be named after ... as your Harry is so named.
@ Sandra - thanks ... I do love the origin of that song ...
@ Susan - I wonder where the Archie came from ... comic, or tv actor or ... Scottish 'Archibald' ... but Archie he'll be - and I presume the name's etymology was/is known ...
Interesting how you were named Susan ... instead of Ian - well that would have been different ... we might have had another song title ... I couldn't have been called anything else ...
@ Hels - oh gosh I can imagine you'd love a little girl ... but then strong sons are pretty good too. I hope they've got some Russian connectivity in their names ...
Thanks so much ... great to read your comments and ideas - names!! Cheers Hilary
His name ain't Sue, how do ya' do! I heard that someone won a huge amount by putting a bet on the name being Archie. Interesting and informative piece Hilary
for sure i'm glad baby Sussex wasn't named Sue. the name Archie is cool. i like it because it's not too common. we have a cousin with that name, but i don't know anyone else.
names are interesting and it's fun to find out their origin.
thanks for an interesting post. fun reading peoples' comments too.
Hey, nothing wrong with being called Sue. LOL I named my boys with Biblical names. I like the classics.
Archie is a great name and I know a couple as it has been very popular with my children's friends over the past few years. Well my name, Deborah, is Hebrew in origin and means 'Bee'. (The buzzy kind). No resemblance?! Names are so interesting though aren't they? You think you have chosen one that no one else has thought of and then...every child is called it. Oh, I like the name Sue :-)
@ Keith ... yes how do ya' do ... well good for them winning their bet is all I can say. I noted a primary school kid telling his mother he was on tv ... well his name was 'Archie Harrison'! I think there might be a one or two of those ...
@ Lenny - I know 'Sue Sussex' would have been funny ... and I agree the name is 'cool' and isn't, at the moment, too common. I only know the Royal Archie ... and yes, names are fascinating ... glad you enjoyed the others' comments - always good to see the comments and you! ...
@ Susan - no - you are right, absolutely nothing wrong with being called Sue!!! If I'd have had children ... I've no idea what they'd be called ... none of us had any ... perhaps a good thing seeing as we three kids couldn't name the cat, or her offspring! But I do like the Biblical names ... Daniel, Rebecca, Ruth etc ...
@ Deborah - oh how interesting that 'Archie' is popular with your friends - I saw the ranking ... apparently no. 992 in the USA, but here it's been in the top 100 during the 21st century ...
It can be used as a female name too ... wonder how many of those we'll get.
Deborah has an interesting etymology ... especially from the Song of Deborah dating back perhaps to 12th Century BC. I didn't realise the name meant "Bee" ...
We were called on the edge of the radar names ... but now there are fair number of us ... some spelt wrongly! 'Hillary'?! But choosing names must be so difficult - I'm glad I never had to ...
Cheers to you all - thanks for commenting and being here - all the best Hilary
Thank you for this delightful post! I share the same hope with you as you eloquently express in your last paragraph. And do I ever remember that song A Boy Named Sue, as that was my nickname from Suzanne. As a young teenager I was not very happy at my uncles and cousins singing that song to me. Names are important. I like yours!
Hi Sue - may we all live in tolerant societies is so necessary today - essential as you note. I can believe most girls (presumably no boys) are called Sue from Susan or like you Suzanne (which I prefer) ... oh I can quite understand you being upset with your family teasing you with the song ... Names are so important - some I simply don't understand ... but I'm happy with my happy positive Hilary! Cheers and have a blessed weekend ... Hilary
Hi Hilary - Though the British royalty has a lot of non-British linkages, this cross-Atlantic dimension is quite unique.
I also liked the way the royalty is keeping with the times - breaking tradition, they announced the birth of Archie on Instagram.
I liked the way you ended the post. :-)
I love the quote in the box, too! Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!
I love the way one gets distracted, inspired and one thing leads to another, Hilary! Your post is just such a thing. It is a delightful mix of the "I didn't know that," 'Wow!" and "take a minute to let it sink in", put together with a lovely lump of nostalgia (lump in the throat that is). Cornish blue, South Africa...I think two of my favourite places though I have been to Cornwall more times than I can count and only once to the latter. Such an impession did it make! Loved reading, thank you Hilary :-) X
@ Pradeep - yes there's another strand added in here ... and they are keeping up with the times - multi-social and multi-cultural now.
Oh, we do need to learn to be tolerant of each other and accept other view points than our own ... I'm glad you spotted that last paragraph ... thank you.
@ Sherry - thank you ... this refers to my next post re the wine and Clipper Race - Stormhoek sponsored ... (I'll copy yours over too ... )
@ Debbie - thanks - I'm going to copy this across to the 'Catch a Moment' newer post ... on which you've commented here ...
... interesting you've noted about distractions - and obviously got carried away commenting here ... still this post is about 'what's in a name' ...
Thanks ... so pleased you enjoyed the way I wandered along all the linkages - it was a mish-mash ... but I had fun running ideas together ... and I'm glad they all resonated with you. Cornwall is lovely and I know you love it and visit often ... while South Africa will never leave my being ... as so many who visit - even if like you only once.
Thanks so much to the three of you ... I'll copy across Sherry and Deborah's comments and my reply to the appropriate Stormhoek post - cheers Hilary
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