NAME OF MARGARET

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 53, 26 November 1930, Page 5

NAME OF MARGARET

Favoured by Royalty

Royal patronage of certain names for children gives those names a remarkable temporary popularity. The fact is illustrated by the number of children that have been called Margaret in Christchurch since Princess Margaret was born at Glamis Castle (says the “Sun”). Approximately one baby girl in every eight iu Christchurch has been called Margaret since October 1, and several have been called Margaret Elizabeth, or Elizabeth Margaret, combining the names of both the children of the Duke and Duchess of York. Margarct, of course, always has been a name that has had an appeal for parents, particularly the younger ones who are naming their first child. It catches the imagination of parents as much for its significance as for. its sound, for authorities say that it means “a pearl.” However, its use received a tremendous impetus when the Duke and Duchess chose it for. their second child. Since October 1 there have been 39G births in Christchurch, and assuming that half of these have been boys, the proportion of girls named Margaret has been about one in eight. Altogether 25 girls born in that period have been called Margaret. Many of them have Margaret as a first name, but most have another before it, making it the second Christian name. The way in which Royal names arc followed is shown by the continued use of the Elizabeth or Betty, from the first child of the Duke and Duchess. For a while these names were used as freely as Margarct is now, but gradually there has been a falling off. Still it has by no means fallen into total disuse, for there were eight Bettys and five Elizabeths registered after October 1.

Some parents combine both names—those of Princess Betty and those of Princess Margaret. Thus there were two named Margaret Betty and three named Betty Margaret. Rose, the second name of the new princess, has not “caught on” in nearly the same degree, and only three cases of Rose being given as a girl's name occur in the period under review. The most, popular name next to Margaret is that of Shirley. There were nine Shirleys registered from October .1 to to-day, Bettv being next in order with eighth ' •

Miss Baker, principal of the Marsden School, "Wellington, has just returned to London after spending several weeks in Italy, She will leave England by the Port Dunedin bn December 6, and will arrive in New Zealand about the middle of January. Mr.' and Mrs. Thomson and Miss Thomson, of Palmerston North, are guests at the Grand Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Fry, Mrs. W. H. Frv, Miss M. E. Fry, and Mrs. French, of Fcilding, with Mrs. Gicsen, of Dannevurke, are'guests at the Royal Oak Hotel. . •■lj’ * . ■ /

Pictures in the winter fire, Castles' in the air, Fairy tales and poetry, Told to children dear. Precious little prattlers, Tucked in bed secure, Calling “Mum, I’se dod a cold.” Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. — Advt.