In year one of a historic presidency, there were no Baracks born in Cass County. As usual, there were many names, but trendy names in the first decade of the 21st century were largely abandoned by local parents who chose several one-of-a-kind monikers for their new offspring.
Las Vegas bettors might not have posted odds on Aidan/Aden becoming the No. 1 boys name locally last year, but it was. A more traditional name, Madaline/Madelyn/Madilyn/Madalynn was the top choice of six parents who had to choose a girls name.
Tied for second place on the boys name list were Braylon, Noah, Colton/Colten, Logan and last year’s No. 1 choice, Jack/Jackson. For the girls, the second most popular name was Madison/Madisyn, the choice of five parents.
Rounding out the boys top 10 were Chase/Chace, Daniel, Elijah, Gabriel, Jacob, Jesus, Cadence/Kadence, Luis, Nathan, Oscar, Payton/Peyton and William — all used three times by parents for their new sons.
For the girls, Olivia/Alivia tied with Isabel/Isabella/Isabelle, Mia and Leah for fourth place, while there was a six-way tie for eighth place — Alexandra, Brayden, Chloe, Emma, Hailey/Haylee and Lillian.
From Aa’niyah to Zavannah, there were the usual names that probably won’t be found on the kind of standard personalized mugs and trinkets found at gift stores. There was an Addilyn and an Adelyn, but how about Ailana, Ailynn, Alandra, Aleyah, Aleyda, Alora, Anden, Anitsirc and Aniyah? Then there’s Ary, Aubreyana, Baci, Blayne and Caelum.
One parental choice reckoned that Breckon was a fit. Christlynd was an unusual choice as were Cylis, Danilo, Denay, Easton, Eczavier, Ember, Emery, Evaney and Gracelyn.
In the year when former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees was leading the New Orleans Saints to the Super Bowl, there was one Drew to go with a Peyton. In a state where John Dillinger is buried, there was a Dillinger born 70 miles north of the notorious gangster’s final resting place.
There was a Genesis in the great book of names for Cass County children, but there also was an Isaiah and Matthew along with a Jeramiah and a James.
Add to the unusual list Hugo, Jaico, Janelly, Jassir, Jazlin, Isaias, Jireh, Joaly, Jovani, Kannon, Karasyn, Karina, Kendalyn, Kendyl, Kingston, Kyler, Kyree and Lachlan.
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was probably the inspiration for one child’s name, and the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy might have been the motivation for a Kenedie. Then there’s Kohen, Laython, Lucifia, Macaya, Mauriella, Maxsimus, Maylee, Mikaden, Omar and Pascual.
At least one father may have had a hand in naming a child Paw, but there were other interesting names such as Roth, Rylan, Ryleigh, Sarai, Tearson, Tiara, Tilar, Tremelle, Treiton, Lises, Xevier, Xiomara, Yailin, Jamil, Yareliy, Yarictza, Yusu and Zakaira.
All these names are enough to make spellcheck register “tilt,” but there’s likely a story behind every one.
In future years, on the first day of school, teachers may often be heard saying, “How do you spell that?”
• Dave Kitchell is a columnist for the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached through the newspaper at ptnews@pharostribune.com.
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