Timeless trends

The importance of being George: 10 popular names and their stories

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Names carry not only identity but also cultural significance and are often tied to larger societal trends or even famous figures of each historical moment. And just like any other cultural trends or ideas, popular names come and go. However, some names have stood the test of time—whether forged in royal bloodlines or immortalized as literary icons—connecting us with our ancestors and, very likely, our descendants. Join us on this name safari and discover some of the most popular names throughout history!

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Mary has been one of the most popular names, by far, across various cultures and eras. Its roots can be traced back to the Hebrew name Miriam, meaning "sea of bitterness" or "rebellious." The name's popularity surged due to its association with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, making it a staple in Christian communities for centuries.

Moreover, Mary was the most common name given to girls in the United States throughout the 20th century. Beyond its religious significance, the name Mary has also been borne by numerous queens, saints, and influential women in history, including Mary Wollstonecraft, an early advocate for women's rights, and her daughter Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein.

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John is a name with a very long legacy, stemming from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means "God is gracious." This name has been borne by numerous saints, kings, and scholars, as can be seen in historical documents, literature, and religious texts. In the U.S., John was the most popular name for boys in the 20th century.

Notable historical figures named John include John Locke, a philosopher whose ideas influenced modern political thought, and John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States.

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Derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning "supplanter," James has been a favored name among royalty and notable figures. The name became widely popular in the English-speaking world due to King James I of England, who commissioned the King James Bible in 1611.

In addition to its royal legacy, James is still a popular choice in modern times. Famous figures bearing this name include James Dean, an icon of American cinema, and James Baldwin, a powerful voice in literature and civil rights.

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Elizabeth, originating from the Hebrew name Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath," has been associated with royalty for centuries. It is synonymous with queens and influential figures, including Queen Elizabeth I and II.

The name's adaptability across cultures and languages enhances its timeless nature, with variations like Elise and Lizzie remaining popular. Notable figures include Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a celebrated poet, and Elizabeth I, who reigned during a golden age of English history.

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William has Germanic roots, meaning "resolute protector." This name has also been popularized by historical figures, such as William the Conqueror and William Shakespeare, embedding itself in the cultural fabric of English-speaking countries. In the U.S., William has consistently ranked as one of the top names for boys for decades.

Notable Williams in more recent times include William Faulkner, a Nobel Prize-winning author, and actors like William Hurt and William Shatner.

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Anna, derived from the Hebrew name Hannah, meaning "grace," has consistently ranked as one of the most beloved girl names. Its universal appeal means that it is present in various cultures, and has been a favorite in literature and film.

Notably, Anna has been borne by many influential women throughout history, including Anna Pavlova, a renowned Russian ballerina, and Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue.

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Michael stems from a Hebrew word meaning "who is like God." While it originally referred to the archangel Michael in religious texts, the name became immensely popular and is still one of the most favored masculine names in modern times. In the U.S., Michael was the most popular name for boys from the 1950s through the 1990s.

Famous Michaels include Michael Jordan, an iconic basketball player, and Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop," with the name’s strong biblical roots and association with greatness likely contributing to its lasting appeal.

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Catherine, derived from the Greek word "katharos," meaning "pure," has been the name of many queens and saints. The name's variants, such as Katherine and Kathryn, have further extended its popularity. Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, is one of the most notable bearers, known for her powerful influence on Russian history.

In addition to its royal connections, the name Catherine has been popular in both literature and film, including the famous character Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights.

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George comes from the Greek name Georgios, meaning "farmer." This name gained prominence through figures like King George III, but it is also celebrated as a saint in Christianity. Saint George, a martyr and soldier, is best known for the legendary tale of slaying a dragon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Its strong historical presence and connection to leadership ensure its continued usage and respect in various cultures. In fact, George has remained a top name in several English-speaking countries for centuries.

Credit: Birmingham Museums Trust

Sarah, rooted in Hebrew meaning "princess," has a significant biblical background, being the wife of Abraham. In the U.S., Sarah has been a consistently popular name for girls, particularly in the late 20th century.

Prominent figures named Sarah include Sarah Jessica Parker, a celebrated actress renowned for her role in Sex and the City, and Sarah Palin, a prominent politician and former governor of Alaska who gained national attention during her candidacy for vice president in 2008.

THIS ARTICLE AIN’T NO HARDTACK

Call Me Ishmael and Learn 10 Old Whaling Terms

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Even though every profession has its own lingo, few are as colorful as the nautical ones. Maybe it has to do with the sea breeze or the adventurous nature of the people who dared to spend a long time at sea at a time when neither medicine nor safety were very advanced. In any case, the sea has always been a treasure trove of specific terms, and the ancient whaling profession had quite a few idioms of its own. In the following list, we embark on a voyage across ten of these terms. So, scroll on and learn a thing or two, sailor!

Credit: Museums Victoria

Everybody has to start somewhere, and that includes whaling ships. A green hand was the term used to describe an inexperienced crew member of a 19th-century whaler on his first voyage, who would typically have the smallest "lay", or share, in the profits.

Green hands would usually take care of the simplest chores, like moping the decks, cleaning, and doing the things that the rest of the crew didn’t want to do.

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A very different ranking position, compared to the green hands, was the boatswain, also known as a deck boss or a qualified member of the deck department. This person was the most senior rate of the deck department and was responsible for the components of a ship's hull.

The boatswain supervised the other ship's deck department members, and typically was not a watchstander, except on vessels with small crews. Additional duties varied depending on the ship, crew, and circumstances.

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"Scrimshaw" is the name given to carvings done in bone or ivory, typically created by whalers, and engraved on the byproducts of whales, such as bones or cartilage. It is most commonly made out of the bones and teeth of sperm whales, because of their size.

This art form recreates elaborate engravings of pictures and lettering on the surface of the bone or tooth, with the engraving highlighted using a pigment. Scrimshaw probably began on whaling ships in the late 18th century and survived until the ban on commercial whaling.

Credit: Tanner Mardis

As the name implies, a "Crow’s Nest" is something that is high. Originally, it was a barrel lashed at the highest section of the mainmast where a man was stationed to look for whales or ice.

On ships, this position ensured the widest field of view for lookouts to spot approaching hazards, other ships, or land by using the naked eye or optical devices such as telescopes or binoculars.

Credit: The Australian National Maritime Museum

A "gam" was a social visit between whaling vessels, whalers, or the crew. It was coined in the 1840s and generally means pulling alongside another whaling vessel and "hopping" aboard to enjoy a social meeting.

Gamming was a way of taking a break from the monotony of the sea, seeing different faces, enjoying a pint of grog, some music, relaxing for a while, and helping boost the crew’s morale for all the ships involved

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Back in the days when electricity and refrigeration were not around, food conservation was a complex endeavor, especially onboard ships that sailed for years on end. "Hardtack" is a type of dense cracker made from flour, water, and sometimes salt.

Being inexpensive and long-lasting, it was used for sustenance in the absence of perishable foods, commonly during long sea voyages, land migrations, and military campaigns.

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Whaling vessels were sturdy ships, capable of enduring the hardships of long voyages, and easily fixable, even far away from their home port. The word "hove" is the past tense of "heave", which in a nautical context means to move into a certain direction, position, or situation.

A vessel that is hove down is intentionally laid or tipped onto its side for repair, painting, or cleaning.

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Even to this day, the Cape Horn is a feared place for sailors due to its terrible weather and conditions that have brought disgrace upon many ships. Back in the whaling days, this route was a common passage required to access the Pacific whaling grounds for whalers coming from Nantucket and New Bedford.

A large, square-rigged ship built to withstand the rigors of a Cape Horn passage was known as a Cape Horner.

Credit: Michael Jerrard

A "schooner" is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: fore-and-aft rigged on all of two or more masts and, in the case of a two-masted schooner, the foremast generally being shorter than the mainmast. This type of ship was commonly used as a whaling ship.

A topsail schooner also has a square topsail on the foremast, to which may be added a topgallant.

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Having mentioned the crow’s nest in a previous entry, we can complete the description and this whole list with the role that is most usually connected to such a high place on the ship. The lookout is the person at the ship’s crow’s nest, or also bridge, who maintains a continuous watch of the sea to report the sighting of whales or any kind of hazard that can be an obstacle in the navigation and cause harm to the ship.