Just read a listing of the 20 most popular names for baby girls, and the 20 most popular for baby boys, for 2011:
"Abigail," "Emma," and "Elizabeth" all made the list, as did "Andrew."
Yes, Lizzie was a Lizzie, but I hear/hear of more and more young people named "Elizabeth" being called "Lizzie."
The article compared these with the 1911 choices:
Only "Andrew" made the list. And "Elizabeth."
The most popular 1911 names: "John" and "Mary."
For 2011: "Jacob" and "Sophia."
Drink your Borden milk, babies, and grow big and strong!
Baby, Baby-- Borden Names
Moderator: Adminlizzieborden
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NESpinster
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Re: Baby, Baby-- Borden Names
LOL! Funny how names change (or fail to change!) from one era to another. It's interesting that the names Andrew, Abigail, Emma and Elizabeth are still popular. (I have an aunt named Elizabeth myself!) And you're right, names like "Lizzie", "Liz", "Beth", "Betsy", "Betty" and others derive from "Elizabeth". You'll recall that when Lizzie was asked, under oath, to give her full legal name, she answered, "Lizzie Andrew Borden" and she was then asked, "Is it Elizabeth?" and she said, "No, it's Lizzie." "You were so christened?" "I was so christened." So even back then ppl knew that MOST "Lizzie's" were legally named "Elizabeth"--our Lizzie was an exception.
Until, of course, she moved up on the Hill to Maplecroft and rechristened herself "Lizbeth Andrews Borden"--I guess she thought that sounded more fitting for an aristocrat!
Until, of course, she moved up on the Hill to Maplecroft and rechristened herself "Lizbeth Andrews Borden"--I guess she thought that sounded more fitting for an aristocrat!
Did she or didn't she?
That is the question!
That is the question!
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Albanyguy
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Re: Baby, Baby-- Borden Names
Lizzie being named "Lizzie" rather than "Elizabeth" got me thinking. Was Abby's real name "Abigail" or just "Abby"? "Abby" is commonly the nickname for "Abigail", but I don't believe that I've ever heard her referred to as "Abigail". In her obituary and the court documents about the case, she's always called "Abby". Can anyone shed any light on this?
"Something will come of this. I hope it won't be human gore."
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DJ
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Re: Baby, Baby-- Borden Names
Yes, her given name was "Abby," but, as with "Lizzie"/"Elizabeth," one name was derived from another.
It's interesting, as we move further in time from the murders, that more "Elizabeth's" are being "Lizzie." When I was growing up, all the "Elizabeth's" were either "Beth" or "Betty/Betsy." "Libby," once in awhile. Or, more likely, the full "Elizabeth."
Maybe a "Liz." But-- never, ever "Lizzie."
The late Elizabeth Taylor hated to be called "Liz," as she often was in the press.
The Queen (of England) is called "Lilibet" by her closest relations.
It's funny how such derivations of "Elizabeth" as "Bess" and "Bessie" have gone out of fashion.
Taylor's good friend Montgomery Clift called her "Bessie Mae" and got away with it, because he was Montgomery Clift.
Anyway, "Lizzie's" are definitely on the upswing. And "Abby's" will be too, given the prolixity of "Abigail's.
It's interesting, as we move further in time from the murders, that more "Elizabeth's" are being "Lizzie." When I was growing up, all the "Elizabeth's" were either "Beth" or "Betty/Betsy." "Libby," once in awhile. Or, more likely, the full "Elizabeth."
Maybe a "Liz." But-- never, ever "Lizzie."
The late Elizabeth Taylor hated to be called "Liz," as she often was in the press.
The Queen (of England) is called "Lilibet" by her closest relations.
It's funny how such derivations of "Elizabeth" as "Bess" and "Bessie" have gone out of fashion.
Taylor's good friend Montgomery Clift called her "Bessie Mae" and got away with it, because he was Montgomery Clift.
Anyway, "Lizzie's" are definitely on the upswing. And "Abby's" will be too, given the prolixity of "Abigail's.
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Albanyguy
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Re: Baby, Baby-- Borden Names
Yes, DJ, of all the "Elizabeths" I know, the only two "Lizzies" are both under five years old. And yet, in the Victorian era, it was quite common.
I would suspect that our Miss Borden had something to do with "Lizzie" falling out of fashion (in the same way that very few boys were named "Adolf" after WWII, lol). But it may also have declined in popularity as a girl's name because Henry Ford's Model T was commonly called the "Tin Lizzie". Why would any girl named "Elizabeth" want to subject herself to endless Lizzie Borden/Tin Lizzie jokes if she didn't have to?
I would suspect that our Miss Borden had something to do with "Lizzie" falling out of fashion (in the same way that very few boys were named "Adolf" after WWII, lol). But it may also have declined in popularity as a girl's name because Henry Ford's Model T was commonly called the "Tin Lizzie". Why would any girl named "Elizabeth" want to subject herself to endless Lizzie Borden/Tin Lizzie jokes if she didn't have to?
"Something will come of this. I hope it won't be human gore."
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DJ
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Re: Baby, Baby-- Borden Names
Albanyguy-- I hadn't thought of "Tin Lizzie"-- not a nickname any girl/woman wants!
I have a young cousin (under five, as you say), and she's an "Elizabeth" being called "Lizzie."
I wonder what sent "Bess" out of fashion-- I'd hate to think it was Bess Truman! Speaking of which, "Mamie" isn't a name you see much anymore, though it was definitely popular at a time. I had a great-aunt named "Mamie" (not "Mame"-- !!! -- but "Mamie").
I suppose "Elizabeth" has retained its popularity because of the long-reigning monarch (and her late Mother, and the first Queen Elizabeth, aka "Good Queen Bess"), along with all the famous "Elizabeth's", such as Miss Taylor. And Miss Montgomery!
I've mentioned here before that on the old "Password" game show, on which she was an accomplished celebrity guest, that Allen Ludden used to refer to her as "Liz," so that must have been her preferred familiar name.
As opposed to "Betty." Betty White (his wife, of course). Whose first big TV show was called "Life with Elizabeth"!!!
I have a young cousin (under five, as you say), and she's an "Elizabeth" being called "Lizzie."
I wonder what sent "Bess" out of fashion-- I'd hate to think it was Bess Truman! Speaking of which, "Mamie" isn't a name you see much anymore, though it was definitely popular at a time. I had a great-aunt named "Mamie" (not "Mame"-- !!! -- but "Mamie").
I suppose "Elizabeth" has retained its popularity because of the long-reigning monarch (and her late Mother, and the first Queen Elizabeth, aka "Good Queen Bess"), along with all the famous "Elizabeth's", such as Miss Taylor. And Miss Montgomery!
I've mentioned here before that on the old "Password" game show, on which she was an accomplished celebrity guest, that Allen Ludden used to refer to her as "Liz," so that must have been her preferred familiar name.
As opposed to "Betty." Betty White (his wife, of course). Whose first big TV show was called "Life with Elizabeth"!!!