Whedonesque : Comments on 5793 : So how did you get the name Willow.

Children now? And here, I was happy just being in the vet's office not too long ago and seeing two lab puppies named Willow and Tara.

Jet Wolf | January 15, 12:59 CET

What, they make puppies in labs now. Sorry, couldn't resist! I have noticed that "Buffy" appears a few more times now, but I have yet to encounter anyone who could have been named after the Buffy (they are all too old). Buffy though is a very old nickname from Elizabeth though (at least in Northern England any way).

catalyst2 | January 15, 13:21 CET

I always liked the name "Willow", it isn't that uncommon. Curious if the name "Buffy" is being used as well. Still, you have to question some names. I raised my eyebrows with "Apple", but the other day, I heard one on the radio that really took the cake. A couple named their daughter "Yahoo". Apparently, they met by this service and they wanted to honor it. Poor girl.

Madhatter | January 15, 14:11 CET

IF I ever have a kid (and let me just say that is one heck of a big IF) I think I'll name it Whedon, no matter if it's a boy or a girl. Either way if it comes from my loins then it will truely be demon spawned. :)

RavenU | January 15, 14:27 CET

Awhile back I came across some gov website whose link I've since lost. However it included a little database that claimed to have all the most frequently used names for social security cards, dating back several decades. On a whim I started checking several names of Buffy characters. Interestingly, names like Willow, Cordelia, and even variations on Xander (being a diminuitive of Alexander) became slightly more popular baby names in the late 1990s. I noticed that Buffy didn't show in the database, and Wesley actually went down in popularity, so it wasn't consistent. I couldn't prove or disprove that this slight increase had anything to do with Whedon's works, but it certainly appeared to be strong circumstantial evidence.

ZachsMind | January 15, 15:43 CET

Madhatter - I heard the 'yahoo' one too - they met online or some such. The other one I remember reading (and this may be urban legend but the poster swore it was true) was a girl whose given names were Krytal Shanda (OK so far) and family name Lear! Don't know if its true but.....

catalyst2 | January 15, 15:50 CET

ZachsMind, the site you're probably thinking of is the SSA's Popular Baby Names.

bovik | January 15, 16:03 CET

Having seen proof of twins called Neo and Trinity, the little Willows have gotten off pretty lightly...

Craig Oxbrow | January 15, 16:19 CET

catalyst2, I wouldn't be a bit surprised. But you know, growing up in the 'flowerchild' generation of the 60's, there were some wild ones there too. "Moonbean", "Sunchild", and "Purple" are some names I can recall from my youth.

Madhatter | January 15, 17:44 CET

Madhatter - ah, the names of the sixties - my best friend in primary school was Fudge - that was his real name, not a nickname. His nickname was Michael - umm....no, I never got it either!

catalyst2 | January 15, 17:53 CET

While I also knew many with funny names in the '60s (anybody remember when the actor Barbara Hershey was Barbara Hershey Seagull?), that really didn't feel entirely new. I grew up in Texas where a very famous woman, daughter of a governor, Houston philanthropist, etc., was named Ima Hogg. That part is true. But I believed for many years, as many Texans still do, I think, that she had a sister named Ura and a brother named Hesa -- but that isn't true.

I was in a grocery store about a month ago and heard a young mother yell out "Willow, put that back!" The girl was about 7. Guess I know where she got her name.

palehorse | January 15, 18:05 CET

Willow is a pretty name but I do wonder who would name their kid Neo? I mean Neo is The One - what a responsibility to heap on your child!

Passion | January 15, 18:36 CET

Speaking as someone who was named after a television character, it's not so bad. I think it's worse when your first name and your last name sound a helluva lot alike, sound very much like chocolate bars, and you were a bit chubby as a child *cough*me*cough*

I also know a guy whose name is Gregory Gregory Gregory, while we're on the topic of names.

lady_fantastic | January 15, 18:43 CET

My mother had a friend in high school named Nyna Clock. And I worked with a salesman at an electronics company in Anchorage named Harry Beaver. No lie. So those are probably the weirdest names I've known of.

Oh, and my daughter's name is Willow. :)

Willowy | January 15, 18:50 CET

Cordelia was on the name 'short list' for my daughter (before I started watching the show) and my beautiful siamese cat was called Tara.

But we have spotted a 'Buffy' on the beach in Cornwall, UK - which was kind of unusual as most the 'young gels' are either 'India, Asia, Chelsea, Dido ...' The same place that boasts of a gentlemens outfitters called 'Giles' which no word of a lie had tweed jackets in the window. I guess when you look for references you see them everywhere.

And I think 'Willow' is a lovely name, it has a soft graceful sound.

The Do That Girl | January 15, 19:07 CET

Famous names can be ok, but it all depends on who the referent is. James was a family name for us, but when you're last name is Brown, it dooms you to bad renditions of "I Feel Good" every time you write a check. (I go by my middle name)
My dad's name was Charles, (named before Peanuts came out) but we'd still get calls asking for Snoopy when I was growing up. I think the James was an attempt to share the pain.

Anyway, we're expecting a son who we'll call Liam. Always liked that name. I think all the shows provides excellent name possibilities, distinctive without being overwhelming.

Biff Turkle | January 15, 19:15 CET

To carry off "Buffy," you have to have either decades or more of family history and money behind you (preferable English or New England-ish) ;-) or have inner strength and skill to fight the demons. Otherwise, you're better off with a label like "Willow," or even "Anyanka."

No matter how cute the baby girl is, wise parents do not wish to have this conversation with their daughters in the future:
"Ma, why did you name me 'Buffy'?"
"We named you after Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
"Oh Ma-a-a-a! Please! Nobody remembers that stupid show."
"It's not stupid! It's a timeless cultural icon!"
"Give me a break! I'm changing my name to [Starchild/Poison/Beatrice/Emily/Anne/Maude/Apple]"

Don't let this happen to you! ;-)

Maeve | January 15, 19:20 CET

I just came across an 8 year old Xander a couple of days ago. I hope to meet his parents someday, and ask them. I'm hoping they will be very happy with the new Buffy/Angel/Firefly DVDs we have in our library now. (Thanks Madhatter!)
And I got an email yesterday from some poor gentleman named Hugh Dessert.

Lioness | January 15, 21:15 CET

Okay, I love the name Willow but it's lucky for my girls that the show started after they were born because Willow Wessels just sounds funny! Now Tara Wessels sounds nice and pretty!

And as for funny names, there was some guy running for office in NH a few years back and his name was Dick Sweat.

Firefly Flanatic | January 15, 21:37 CET

That's undestandable. I will name my daughter Cordelia. I already have 5 ferrets named Giles, Buffy, Willow, Fred, and Mayor WilkinsIII

[ edited by charisma on 2005-01-16 06:12 ]

charisma | January 15, 21:40 CET

My cat's middle name is Miss Kitty Fantastico...

lady_fantastic | January 15, 21:46 CET

That's a long middle name. :)

Jet Wolf | January 15, 21:55 CET

Indeed. Her first name is Maya. Can't seem to get rid of the letter "m".

lady_fantastic | January 15, 22:10 CET

Willowy, there was a Willow where I grew up. She has to be nearly 60 years old now.

I remember when Barbara Hershey added Seagull to her last name, too.

There is a dog named Xander in our neighborhood.

I had a classmate in college named Buffy.

Have never known anybody named Cordelia, but Rupert, yes.

And, Faith, of course.

I am constitutionally incapable of voting for Sen. John Warner in Virginia, so I cast a vote the last time for Richard Wilkins III.

And, frankly, the oddest name of the lot is Charisma...I mean, to be named after perfume! Reminds me of a woman I worked with years ago, name of Athena...thank God she was truly statuesque and gorgeous...imagine being a kind of mousey little creature and being saddled with that handle...!

Although, Tony Head could be a gay pornstar name...sorry!

Chris inVirginia | January 15, 23:55 CET

As a paid up member of the weird names club I've never had a problem except for a brief time in my early teens when I wanted to change it, but even then it was not a big deal.

Willow is a nice name and I can see why it's a popular choice. It's different without being weird. Like Moon Unit Zappa, Peaches Fifi Trixibelle or Zowie Bowie for example.

What about Aud or Glory?

zz9 | January 16, 00:20 CET

My name has never been very common and like zz9, I can only think of a period in my teens when I wished I had a different name (Jewel of the Nile ring any bells?). I like "Willow". If I ever decided to change my name, I'd probably change it to Willow.

jewel | January 16, 00:38 CET

My son's name is Alexander Riley -- Xander for short

missingbuffy | January 16, 00:49 CET

My son was this close to being Xander. I really adore the name, aside from the Buffy association. We ended up choosing Sam, but if there is ever another baby boy in my life, it will be Xander. And if Sam had been a girl, he was going to be Roxanne Eliza. I know, I know. Just like the names Roxie and Eliza, s'all, and nothing really to do with Ms. Dushku. I do know a few Xanders named from the show. Two were named the way we almost named Sam: just Xander. The other one is named Alexander; Xander for short, natch.

I used to have a rabbit named Buffy. She acted nothing like her namesake. Rather stupid bunny who loved to eat. Boy, do I miss her.

[ edited by dizzy on 2005-01-16 01:53 ]

Dizzy | January 16, 03:46 CET

If I ever have a son I'd probably try and call it Xander, when questioned I could always say it was after my grandfather Alexander, which might sound a better excuse to whatever poor, unfortunate woman that's having my child than "after that bloke on Buffy". Naming the second one Spike'll provide a challenge, but my middle name's William, so I'd try and get that.

Willow's a nice name, only ever heard it used twice, Buffy and Home Improvement, never in the real world.

Ghost Spike | January 16, 03:52 CET

Some time in the late eighties, some friends of mine were at a nursury school or kindergarten were kids were being asked their names. One boy didn't want to say, but when he was prompted, he look up sadly and said, "Frodo."

Cut to after the election, I'm looking at the "We're sorry" website and I saw a young, be-earringed hipster calling himself Frodo who seemed pretty happy and unscarred (he invited the world to a consolitory beer). Assuming it's not a nickname, I'd like to think the above story has a fairly happy ending. It's possible as my friends are true-blue liberals from Northern California and the site's Frodo certainly seems like he'd fit the mold of hippie-progeny.

More evidence that weird names don't have to scar you for life: There's a young guy who may still work at the Trader Joe's market I used to shop at in Hollywood named, Jor-El. I had to ask and, yes, his dad is a big Superman fan. He seemed remarkably unaffected by the name. He was neither particularly interested in Superman, nor in any way embarrassed or irritated about it. On the other hand, I doubt he'll name his son Kal-El.

And then there's the friend of a friend who is an Ayn Rand disciple(no comment!) and named her son "Atlas."

[ edited by bobster on 2005-01-16 03:49 ]

bobster | January 16, 05:47 CET

That's alright...when I heard that my roommate this year was to be a "Faith" I thought twice. lmao. As were my other roommates.

My list of names sadly consists of names from my fandoms...and a few names that I just like...

I was trying to convince my cousin to name her baby Anya if it was a girl, only because her son (who is three) decided that himself. Although she might name her Riley. (which is cool for a girl as well...although I think Riley Finn).

Rogue | January 16, 08:02 CET

I've heard of a "watermelon," "pea" and "slipper" in the unfortunate people's native language counterparts.
The weirdest though was when my high school teacher told me of a couple who named their girl "madeinusa" (madeinusa == Made In USA) because they read it on merchandise, not knowing what it means.

Forgive the utter OTness of this post.

rsfayez | January 16, 08:49 CET

Glad to hear that, Lioness. 'Angel' seasons 4 & 5 will follow shortly.

Madhatter | January 16, 11:27 CET

How about 'Joss'? I've seen a girl with the name as well as our Joss. Sudden vision of Jayne saying he isn't a girl and offering to show his "man parts" to prove it... It's okay Joss, we take your word for it!

zz9 | January 16, 16:24 CET

I have a very good 22 yr old friend, who's name is Willow, from birth.
She has a sister with a woody name also.
Hippy parents...what can I say.

nixygirl | January 16, 19:14 CET

I went to high school with a girl named Candi Apple. Seriously.

I named my son after a character in All Creatures Great and Small, and spelled it incorrectly (I was way young, what can I say?), adding the ever-popular "y" where it should've been an "i." Naturally, here in Utah, "Trystan" or "Tristan" is a girl's name, so my son gets all kinds of mail addressed to "Ms. T." Since he's well over six feet tall and has waist length red hair (I'm so jealous, it makes me ill), there is all kinds of confusion regarding his gender, at least from the back. Then the facial hair when he turns around causes shock.

I live in a very strictly gender-stereotyped town. ;-D

I'm just lucky his brother wasn't a sister, or he would've been named "Isolde" and that would've been....tasteless.

ReeQueen | January 16, 22:47 CET

My son's name is Tristan.

I was pregnant with him when Legends of the Fall came out. Go ahead, throw stuff...

Willowy | January 16, 22:58 CET

Tristan is a girl's name in Utah? Huh? That's downright odd. I can't believe your son has to put up with that, ReeQueen. I won't throw stuff at you, Willowy. Tristan is a classic name of yore - at least as a boy's name :).

I knew a schoolkid whose first name was King Leo. Seriously. It was on his birth certificate.

phlebotinin | January 16, 23:24 CET

Willowy...won't throw stuff...will...refrain from throwing stuff...I really love Tristan as a name, but not from that treacly movie (sorry to all who liked it!) and the cliche role (sorry again!)

A colleague's wife was a nurse...said one of the women who had a child (a girl) named her Female...Fee-Mah-Lee...because she was charmed by the name another baby girl had been given...

Chris inVirginia | January 16, 23:49 CET

When the husband and I get around to having spawn, the Whedon names will be considered. I may have to fight for them though, or let him pick the middle name. Poor kid would end up with a name like "Xander Guybrush" or "Willow Toadstool", though. He's big on the video game names. Maybe I can buy him Chaos Bleeds and convince him that Buffy names ARE video game names...

I knew a kid in elementary school named Precious. I felt SO bad for her when LoTR came out. I couldn't see Frodo, but I'd be okay with Merriadoc, Peregrine (Pippin) or Samwise. But I'm a big geek who likes to see children Suffer.

pixxelpuss | January 17, 00:28 CET

I knew a girl in highschool named Candice Kane. You can guess what everyone called her.

I met a pair of siblings at a Star Trek con once named Geordi and Deanna.

And my own son Iain keeps having well-intentioned people changing his name to Jain or Lain and his sex to female, so I completely sympathise with Tristan!

Ruadh | January 17, 00:42 CET

I've never known a Willow, but I always thought it was the perfect name for an Earth connected, pagan-leaning character; trees were sacred to the Druids, and wands used in lunar rituals were made from willow branches.

Living in the South, oddish names are not uncommon. My brother's name is Glenn Malen (whose wife's name, 's'truth, is Glenda). I have an aunt Duck and an uncle Erastus Frederick (or E.F. as we've always known him). I went to high school with a guy named Okra, knew another guy named Sterling Weed, and met a girl in college named Sancha Playfair. A boy who lived in my dorm was named Hallelujah Fenberg. :)

Somehow, Xander, Willow and Giles begin to seem downright conventional. ;)

Wiseblood | January 17, 05:06 CET

My daughter's name is Kazia she's 16, (it rhymes with Desire...ya know the U2 song)
My other daughters name is Smiley she's 14.
I'm cruel...heh heh
But lucky for Kazia, cause if she'd been a boy it would have been Gator!
Oh can you imagine the grief she would have gotten!

nixygirl | January 17, 19:46 CET

There's a long history, in Utah, of naming girls traditionally boys' names, then forgetting that they were originally boys' names. Our youngest boy is named Shannon, and the same thing happens. It is very odd, Phlebotinin, and I've lived here half my life.

Of course, I wanted to name Shannon, "Trey," but my husband put the kibosh on that. ;-D (Then we would've had Trystan, Troy, and Trey.) I did manage to make his middle name Tobias, because of Labyrinth (I tried to nick him "Toby" but it just never caught on).

I have a step-uncle named Ned, and his youngest daugher is Nedra. Go figure.

And then, of course, there are the many, many, kids with names from the Book of Mormon. Nephi (which is also a town), Moroni, et cetera....

ReeQueen | January 17, 22:50 CET

January 15 2005