Baby names

[flea]

My college friend Amy had her first child May 4, a daughter named Greta Felise. I'm guessing the very unusual Felise (variant of Felicia, feminine of Felix) is a family name. Amy is Canadian and her husband is Welsh; they live in England.

Sibling sets noticed recently:
Hampton and Jenkins. Both girls. Hampton is a classmate of Dillo's and as it turns out Jenkins is going to the YMCA with Casper this summer.

Tristan and Presley. Presley is a girl. At least I think so. If not, Tristan is a girl. I'm pretty sure the girl is Presley.

So, yes, in my local observations, the South is especially big on traditionally-this-is-a-last-name names as first names. For girls.

Comments

[mightyurchin.livejournal.com]

The vacant lot two doors down from my parents' house in Virginny is known as "Bootsy's lot," named after the owner. (Note I have no idea what Bootsy's real name is.) I've never seen it spelled, but I always imagined it with a "y" - maybe that's the southern spelling? Or the male spelling?

[casperflea.livejournal.com]

I know it as a New England WASP nickname for Elizabeth (Bootsy Collins aside). Actually in some ways there are cultural similarities between truly old-school NE WASPs and old southern families - the persistence of what is probably some 17th century nickname might be one!