Topics related to given names, surnames, and linguistic aspects of naming in English.
10
votes
1answer
3k views
Which singular names ending in “s” form possessives with only a bare apostrophe?
Many questions already ask about this topic (What is the correct possessive for nouns ending in s? , Adding apostrophe-s to a singular noun already ending in “s”, etc.) and their answers vary, but ...
17
votes
3answers
6k views
Changes in English names of people
Why is Robert called Bob and John called Jack sometimes? What is the history of or reason for this practice in changing the English names of people?
13
votes
2answers
720 views
Family name pluralization
When pluralizing family (last) names that also happen to be common English words, does the pluralization follow the same rules as the common word?
For example, "the Smith family" can be pluralized as ...
47
votes
2answers
2k views
Is there a single term for “nieces and nephews”?
I find it handy when talking about my sons and daughters I can just say my children. It's nice to say nieces instead of sibling's daughters. I wonder if there is a similar term for nieces and nephews ...
18
votes
3answers
1k views
Is there an accepted rule for naming all of our various distant relatives (Kinship Terms)?
I’m going to the christening of my Cousin’s first son soon. What is the proper name for his relation to me?
2nd Nephew? Nephew once removed? Nothing?
Looking at the overall picture, whats the ...
9
votes
3answers
963 views
Why is Ukraine often called “the Ukraine”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Using the definite article before a country/state name
Hearing the Ukraine used to make me unsure whether Ukraine was really a country. Now though I have realized ...
6
votes
3answers
4k views
Why do people pronounce “Naomi” as “Niomi”?
The Wikipedia page for "Naomi (given name)" says "pronounced nay-oh-mee" which is how I pronounce my daughter's name, but quite often people pronounce it "nigh-oh-mee" (that is, with a long "i" ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Pronunciation of names that end in “h”
In Britain (or perhaps just Scotland) the names "Sara" and "Sarah" are pronounced different.
Sara: Sah-rah ("a" as in "bat")
Sarah: Se-rah ("a" as in "air")
In the US and Canada, Sarah ...
4
votes
5answers
714 views
Can last names be shortened just as first names?
I know first names are usually shortened in verbal communication for reasons that I am not clear about. For example, Andrew becomes Andy.
But is it also the case for last names? If yes, what is the ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
What is another name for Dick?
Coming from "Changes in English names of people" telling:
Richard → Dick
Can I substitute Dick by Richard?
I need it to know because my Emails with the use of name Dick are being returned by ...
14
votes
4answers
1k views
Why does the name 'John' have an 'h' in it?
I have always wondered this since I was little, and nobody seems to have asked or answered this before anywhere on the internet. What is the origin of the 'h', and why is it still with us?
11
votes
1answer
664 views
Is it true that yeast was once called “Godisgoode”?
In this article discussing beer, it is said that in medieval times yeast (possibly only brewer's yeast) was called godisgoode. Is that the case? (Searching on Google sheds very little light on the ...
6
votes
3answers
4k views
How to pronounce New Orleans
I presume this must be an exception to "pronounce it like the locals", since what I hear is something like 'Norlin'. Or is this just the movies?
Is it a mistake to attempt to pronounce it like a ...
5
votes
1answer
200 views
Was Christian a proper name before Pilgrim's Progress?
I was going to ask this on Christianity.SE but it's not really a Christian Doctrine question; hope it fits here.
I was reading John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress where almost everyone is named for a ...
5
votes
8answers
668 views
Should Philip have P. or Ph. as an initial?
In the context of scientific articles and technical white papers, references to other publications typically include the author’s surname with, depending on the format of the specific publication, ...
5
votes
3answers
583 views
Objects with no name, like “the Sun”
This morning I was pondering the things in the English language which have not been given a name, such as 'the Sun' or 'the Moon'. These do not seem to fall into the same category as 'the ground' or ...
4
votes
5answers
803 views
Are all English surnames-made-first-names masculine?
This may not be an English language question, but I've always wondered. In Sweden, it is very unusual to have surnames that can also be used straight up as first names. In fact, I can think of no such ...
3
votes
2answers
508 views
What is the correct spelling of the Arabic name سعد in English?
I need help in how to spell the Arabic name (سعد). I previously asked the question Sa'ad : Correct spelling in English and French; however, it got closed.
I added a youtube video describing how ...
3
votes
1answer
257 views
Sa'ad : Correct spelling in English and French [closed]
We are considering naming our child the Arabic name Sa'ad (سعد).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saad
The Arabic spelling has an ع which I am not sure how to spell. I have seen it spelled as Saad which ...
3
votes
1answer
270 views
What terms describe the various parts of someone's name?
People tend to have at least one personal name and one family name. Some people also have middle names and nicknames. What terms describe other kinds of names, e.g.:
What term describes additional ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Is the apostrophe (') supposed to be omitted in names like 'King's Cross', 'King's Singers'? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it common for place names to lose the possessive?
I've always thought it should be 'King's Cross, London' as in a possessive sense. However the wiki page for King's ...
2
votes
2answers
423 views
Why there is an “h” in proper names like Afghanistan, Baghdad and Lamborghini?
An "h" may be used to prevent the "g" from being soft, as in spaghetti, but there is no need for an "h" in the mentioned proper names.
1
vote
1answer
618 views
Does the “@” symbol have a name? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to pronounce @ symbol?
In Spanish, @ is called arroba.
I saw this question, and it says it's called "commercial at" according to Wikipedia. A lot of languages have ...
-2
votes
3answers
279 views
Pronunciation of the name “Kyrylo”
Can someone provide a transcription for the name "Kyrylo" - how it will actually sound?
