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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Police investigate mini-spree of White City car break-ins Siskiyou County man arrested on kidnapping charges near Talent Central Point Cemetery is still broken 10 things to know for Tuesday Emergency Services, March 31 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Police investigate mini-spree of White City car break-ins Siskiyou County man arrested on kidnapping charges near Talent Emergency Services, March 31 Emergency Services, March 30 Emergency services, March 29 Politics and Elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Education Southern Oregon Education Service District superintendent to retire in June Which comes first: The rocket or the egg? Medford School District one of most accident-prone in state Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Oregon legislators may end fifth-year high school programs Environment A sea-foam change Rogue Valley lions on their way to California Corps hopes to clear Lost Creek Lake of debris Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 State News Oregon ski areas ask lawmakers for re-strengthened lawsuit protection More truck traffic coming into Oregon via Highway 97 Man pleads guilty to trying to set up Oregon terrorist training camp Bend police kill cougar above popular hiking trail 5 things to know about Oregon's gun-control bill Nation - World Obituaries Floyd E. Hayner Maryline "Whitie" White Death Notices Sonya ‘Sa’ Kay Gremmels (N�e Satter) Claudine Barbara Pollard Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Comets drop two games in Fresno tourney Playoff bound After rough start, UConn reaches Final Four Long-time softball tourney undergoes changes Celtics win to aid playoff push Varsity 541 College Sports After rough start, UConn reaches Final Four Kaminsky, Okafor lead All-America first team Ducks' following continues to grow South Carolina earns first Final Four berth Only blue bloods need apply Pro Sports Playoff bound Celtics win to aid playoff push Cleveland GM gets suspended for texting Bill Ballou: Pace-of-game rules are a good start to improving baseball Walker wins hometown Texas Open Community Sports Business Latest Stories Cars We Remember: ‘Topper’ movie car most memorable After being sidelined by blindness, Stan Moore returns to the bike business in Medford Mandatory paid sick leave gets mixed reviews Blog: How to Practice Patience Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Agriculture Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Harry & David announces new president Opinion Latest Landgren cartoon: European travel essentials Our View: Lawmakers ending a small annoyance in the law Letters to the Editor, March 31 Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Wry & Ginger: Daylight saving and our hour of need Editorials Our View: Lawmakers ending a small annoyance in the law Other Views: Sage grouse listing would be unfortunate Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity Other Views: Gun background check bill won't make us safer Our View: Some police videos should be released Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 31 Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 29 Letters to the Editor, March 28 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Columns Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Kathleen Parker: A leap of faith — into thin air George Will: Remembrance of Clintons past Dana Milbank: The end of the White House's insularity? Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Guest Opinion: Guest Opinion: Raise your voice against child abuse Lifestyle Latest stories Garden Cameos: Planning for a fragrant garden year round Book Notes: America’s Test Kitchen takes a detailed look at vegetarian cooking Food for Thought: Plan the perfect alfresco gathering Shayne Looper: Don't shrink-wrap the truth Dr. Elaine Heffner: Words that stick Food Tammy Kelly: Lighten up traditional Easter desserts Kitchen Call: Goat cheese recipes worth bleating over Community blog: Try slightly smoky baked beans instead of refried App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Planning for a fragrant garden year round Paul Rogers: Choose the right tool for job in the garden Home Help: Easy enhancements for your master closet Prepare the beds for summer vegetables Hot tub: The perfect centerpiece for outdoor living Health Brent St. Germain: Feeling the burn again HealthStyle: Normal anxiety or anxiety disorder? Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache St. Mary's student helps others with diabetes Community blog: Sleep Tight: Making Your Bed, Body and Mind Ready for Rest Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Trivia Tuesdays at South Stage Cellars Sweetwater String Band tonight at Oberon's Tavern in Ashland Rising Stars raises $10,000 for LIFE Art ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ plays the Craterian Theater Here's Tempo's top five picks for live entertainment this week Theater Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Review: Education and its discontents Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Eugene O'Neill's 'Long Day's Journey into Night' opens at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Music Sweetwater String Band tonight at Oberon's Tavern in Ashland Rising Stars raises $10,000 for LIFE Art ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ plays the Craterian Theater Futurebirds play the Brickroom in Ashland The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Community Events Trivia Tuesdays at South Stage Cellars Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Dining Restaurant Inspections: March 29 Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland Parsing the meaning behind wine medals and scores Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 22 Jasmine Thai Cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Police investigate mini-spree of White City car break-ins ... Siskiyou County man arrested on kidnapping charges near Talent ... Central Point Cemetery is still broken ... Police investigate mini-spree of White City car break-ins ... Siskiyou County man arrested on kidnapping charges near Talent ... Central Point Cemetery is still broken ... David Murdock: What's in a name? (Quite a bit, actually) By David Murdock More Content Now MailTribune.com By David Murdock More Content Now Posted Mar. 30, 2015 @ 9:15 am Updated Mar 30, 2015 at 9:30 AM By David Murdock More Content Now Posted Mar. 30, 2015 @ 9:15 am Updated Mar 30, 2015 at 9:30 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> As I’ve mentioned before in this column, I am somewhat fascinated with the process of naming children. Whenever one of those lists of the most popular baby names appears, I will look at it to see what names are becoming more popular. Over time, general trends emerge, and there are people who devote their scholarly time to tracking those trends. For me, it’s more of a hobby that started with an observation a professor of mine made in a lecture long ago. Discussing the name of a character in a book, the professor made the claim that naming is a powerful act of agency and went on to point out that naming a character is much like naming a baby. The name affects how people perceive that person or character from then on. I noted it and went on, but every time I see an article about naming practices, I’ll read it. Parents do wield much power when they name a child, and most do not realize it. If a child has too unusual a name, other children will likely tease that child. On the other hand, if a parent gives a child too popular a name, that child is sure to end up with a nickname to differentiate him or her from all the other children with that name. Naming can be tricky, especially since Southerners are prone to give nicknames anyway. I fall into the latter category: “David” was the second-most-popular name for boys the year I was born. In high school, I was almost never called “David” by my classmates. I had a variety of nicknames at my disposal since almost everyone called me something else. The most lasting was simply “Murdock.” Some of my best and closest friends from childhood still call me that. Those friends also wield an enormous amount of power, whether they realize it or not. Having an unusual name is another reason why people acquire a nickname early on. Last week, there was an article on Fox News Magazine’s website about names that are going extinct. The article listed several boys and girls names that were given to five or less children in the United States during 2013, according to the Social Security Administration. Some of the fading-in-popularity names really surprised me — “Barbra,” for example. I suppose it’s the spelling that is fading and “Barbara” is not. That also would explain “Sondra” fading away. Two did make me feel nostalgic — “Nanette” and “Claudine” — I’ve known both a Nanette and a Claudine. The one that surprised me that anyone had ever gotten that name was “Thisbe.” Thisbe is a character from the Roman poet Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” — sort of the original Juliet. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone ever being so named. The boys’ side surprised me, too. “Elmo” is fading out, but that makes sense. Once a name is “Muppet-ized,” it tends to slip in popularity. After all, how many guys named “Fozzie Bear” do y’all know? The same with “Waldo” — I can hear the playground chants now — “Waldo, where ARE you?” “Sherwood” also is fading away, and so is “Llewellyn.” That seems just fashion, though. Both names have fluctuated in popularity over the years. But there was one on that list that surprised me that it’s even still used — “Inigo.” Inigo is an old Spanish name that occasionally has crept over into English name registries, but has been in a steady decline for centuries. I wonder if the character “Inigo Montoya” from “The Princess Bride” has anything to do with the fade, but it seems that would add to the popularity of the name. The boys’ name I simply cannot believe got a few uses at all is “Icarus,” another character from classical mythology. Since Icarus comes to a bad end, I’m surprised that anyone uses the name at all. Names are an important aspect of a person’s personality. I know I’ve always been interested in King David’s life in a way that I probably would not have been without being named David, and surely that affects the way I see myself. Nicknames have the intimacy of family and friends behind them, a sort of shared experience that is recalled with the name. That’s why expecting parents, writers and people who study the naming habits of writers and expecting parents buy baby name books. Think of it this way. I bet not many people out there know Jean Louise Finch, but all of us know “Scout.” Gadsden (Ala.) Times columnist David Murdock is an English instructor at Gadsden State Community College. By David Murdock More Content Now MailTribune.com By David Murdock More Content Now Posted Mar. 30, 2015 @ 9:15 am Updated Mar 30, 2015 at 9:30 AM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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