POPULAR NAMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 5, 7 January 1938, Page 8

POPULAR NAMES.

INGENUITY IN 1937.

FILM WORLD FOLLOWED.

SHLRjLEY, DEANNE AND GARY.

(Bj- Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The files of the registrar of births at Wellington show that the city's mothers and fathers of 1937 showed more ingenuity last year in selecting names for their children than ever before. The year was not very productive of new sources of inspiration for the naming of children, and so people were thrown more upon their own resources and one of the sources to which most recourse was had was, apparently, film world, savs a writer in the "Dominion."

Shirley Temple, as a Christian name, has a familiar ring, as have Kay Francis, Marion Davies. Cicely Deanne, Rosalind and plain Madeline. Male film stars have been equally honoured by their admirers. The files contain Christian names such as Mervyn Douglas, several Errolls and an unusually large number of Gary's, a name that was nntil recently a rarity.

Popular song hits of the day have inspired more than their sentimental words would lead one to believe possible; one young miss of 1937 was given the name Marie Louise. Other parents have perpetuated the rejoicings that greeted the arrival of their children by names such as Joy Ann, Shirley Joy or Joyette. Other children, again, will always be reminded of the hour at which tliey arrived in this world by names such as Shirley Dawn or combinations of names including Dawn. One young lad whose lusty voice was perhaps responsible for the loss of a home paradise was christened John Milton, and the literary profession is also represented by a Beverly NichoH. Boys names on the whole last year were more conventional than those chosen for girls, but there was nevertlie less a surprising absence of the more common names such as William, Thomas and Jack. Most Were Given Two. Lorraine was probably the most popular name for Wellington girls in 1937, and it was closely followed by Dorothy and Merle. The combination of Ann and Elizabeth also found favour with many parents. By far the greatest number of children were given two names; three names were fairly common, but few people were satisfied with only one.

Maybe it was the gardening parents who gave their children names such as Veronica. Lily, Lavinia and even the French Flenr. One nature lover decided on Tui as a suitable name for his daughter.

More unusual titles included Zisis, Myvanwy, Hiroina, Paddianne and Fiona. Even 1937's funny story favourite was not forgotten, and little Audrey is mentioned in more than one place in the files.

Auckland also had an interesting collection, the most topical of which was probably Franco Bruce. Among the boys the names John Wesley were bestowed on the son of a minister.

Unusual names for girls were Kirsty Margaret, Genyth, Narlyn, Glendye, Karen, Camilla, Jillean, Briar, Rayvyne, Merelyn, Marilynn, Selda, Junice and Jacqueline Philis.

C'hristchureh was more etaid, but even there the register contained names such as Gloria Deanna, Carole, Marlene, Maureen and Kay Francis. Gary was popular for Cliristchurch boys, too.