Patriotic Names (America)

Happy Independence Day weekend!  Time to break out the explosives and celebrate our liberty by blowing things up!

Sorry, I’ve turned into a big ol’ sourpuss when it comes to fireworks in the streets.  It’s because of our neighbors:  every evening from the beginning of June up through the beginning of August, I live in constant fear that one of their fireworks is going to catch our house/yard on fire.  See, our houses are quite close together, and there are lots of big trees in our respective yards.  It just makes me nervous; I don’t trust their ability to be responsible.

Okay, rant over.  Let’s talk names! 

There are many reasons why people might want to give a patriotic name to their child.  Perhaps the baby is born on Independence Day.  Perhaps one of the baby’s parents is serving in the military.  Perhaps … well, some people just want to show their pride in their country.  All of these are perfectly legitimate reasons to consider using a name that carries feelings of patriotism.

A word of advice, though:  be subtle.  There’s nothing clever or cute about a name that smacks people over the head with its cleverness or cuteness.  One example of this kind of a name in fiction is the character Americus Nation (from Where the Heart Is).  I know, in the book it’s supposed to be a strong name that means something.  But somehow it just doesn’t seem fair to saddle a child with quite that degree of nationalism.  What if she wants to move to France as an adult?

Which brings me to a good rule of thumb.  If you’re wondering whether or not to name your daughter Liberty Belle, ask yourself the following question:  “Would this name cause my child to be made fun of in other countries?”  For better or worse, we live in an increasingly global society, and this is a reasonable question to ask.

Pride in one’s country is a wonderful thing; it makes a nation strong when the people stand together.  But remember the key word:  subtlety.

For this reason, I like many of the names that are “sneaky” about their patriotism.  Like Arnold, which means “eagle power.”

And really, any of these would be usable as middle names.  I do recommend balancing them out with other names to fall back on, in case your child moves to any of several European countries, where in-your-face Americanism might not be appreciated.

Anyway, happy 4th!  I’m off to go watch some fireworks. 

Girls

Liberty (best as a middle name, I think)
Glory/Gloria
Martha
July
America (PLEASE restrict this to a middle name, or just use Erica)
Columbine
Abigail
Honor
Reagan
Star
Belle (please don’t use Liberty as the first name)
Arlie (“eagle”)
Vega (“swooping eagle”)
Saoirse (SEER-sha, “freedom”)
Imelda (“entire battle”)
Matilda (“strength in battle”)
Eleanor

Isannah (thanks, Emmy Jo!)

Boys

Madison (best as a middle name, since it’s gone to the girls)
Truman
George
Lincoln
Justus
John
Abraham
Franklin
Quincy
William
Samuel
Arnold (“eagle power”)
Volya (“freedom”)
Maverick (best as a middle name)
Cadoc (“battle”)
Caedmon (“battle”)
Gunnar (“warrior”)
Walter (“rule of the army”)
Grant