Moniker: The Histories and Mysteries of Names

Here comes Peter Cottontail! It's almost time for Easter! But what does Easter mean? How did it get its name?Did the Catholics just piggy-back off a holiday for an ancient goddess??Let's "hunt" down the answer together!

I bet you know a lot of Kevins, but when was the last time you saw a baby named Kevin?Today we explore Kevins journey from Celtic Saint to American scamp. Learn just how popular (or unpopular) this name really is!Sources:ArticlesChildren's names: Why rich parents set the trend, not celebrities - BBC NewsThe Ossianic Society on JSTOR What’s In A Name: The Surprising Rise And Fall (And Rise) Of ‘Kevin’ | by The Establishment | The Establishment | MediumSaint Kevin | patron of Dublin | Brit...

After a stupidly long hiatus we are back with more naming fun!Join us this episode for an in-depth look at the journey of orange, both the color and the fruit!Links:The Citrus Route Revealed: From Southeast Asia into the Mediterranean in: HortScience Volume 52 Issue 6 (2017) (ashs.org)orange | Search Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com)The Origin of Oranges (arcgis.com)Oranges - Google BooksAl Masudi – History of IslamWilliam the Silent (mcgill.ca)House of Orange | European dynasty | ...

Ah the immortal Bard. We can credit Shakespeare with many things: shaping the English language, bringing theatre to the common man, giving High School drama departments something to perform that's in the public domain. But can we credit Shakespeare for names like Jessica? We'll look at the complex (and racist) relationship between Britain and Judaism as we unravel the mystery behind Shakespeare's Semitic ingenue. Sources: Articles:Barkey, K., & Katznelson, I. (2011). States, r...

It's an old story:The Vikings gave Greenland and Iceland their names to fool people. But is that actually true?Grab and oar on the dragon boat as we sail to the icy heart of this naming mystery!Sources:Articles:A BRIEF HISTORY OF GREENLAND - Local Histories Debunking the Naming of Iceland: How the Island Got its Name | The Horse and the Norse (wordpress.com)Erik The Red – The Raving, Red-Haired Lunatic Who Settled Greenland (allthatsinteresting.com)Eric the Red - discover of Greenland (greenl...

You've probably seen a meme circulating that shows the so-called "Princess Qajar." It's a set of black and white photos showing an Iranian woman with a mustache, unibrow, and unusual clothes. A typical caption reads something like: "this woman was a great beauty in her day. 13 men committed suicide after she spurned their advances!"We're meant to be shocked that this "uggo" could command such devotion. But who is the real woman behind the pretty blatantly racist and sexist mem...

She's pink! She's fun! She's complicated!The world loves Barbie. She's a staple of American girlhood. But how did Barbie get her name? Is Barbie a person or a species? When/why did Barbie become a derogatory term against women?fire up your pink convertibles, because we're getting into the history of Barbie and the impact of her name on culture. Sources:Articles:Biography of Ruth Handler, Inventor of Barbie Dolls (thoughtco.com)Fame Dogs 'Real' Barbie, Ken - Los Angeles Times (latimes.co...

1/8/22Here's another Moniker Classic episode to start the New Year. We here at Moniker have been rethinking the format of the show for 2022 and will have updates soon. But don't worry!Lot's of naming fun is coming your way!-MeganToday we're going to mine the depths of the Golden State! Hopefully we'll find some good nuggets! It'll be a real rush! (I know, I hate me too).More to explore on the Latino/a and Mexican American experience of California:Anthology of works by Los Angeles-based Latino...

Kris Kringle! Saint Nick! Sinterklaas! Old...beardy! Children all over the world love Santa Claus. But how did he end up with so many names? Are they corporate creations or semblances of somber saints?Join us as we delve into the myths and traditions of Santa Claus. Cameo appearances by: Martin Luther, Charles I, and friend of the podcast Mickey Rooney!Sources:Articles:https://starkeycomics.com/2018/12/17/the-evolution-of-father-christmas/ 988 Vladimir Adopts Christianity | Christian His...

We're finally back with part two of the names from Jane Austen's Emma. Today we'll explore the histories and meanings behind the names of 3 male characters: Mr. Knightley, Frank Churchill, and Mr. Elton. Prepare for my unfiltered opinion on how much Frank and Mr. Elton suck!Special appearance by our old friend the Domesday Book!Sources:Articles:https://www.britainexpress.com/History/english-parish-churches.htm https://blog.myheritage.com/2013/03/surname-of-the-week-churchill/https://jasna.or...