Monday, August 17, 2015

Officially Oliver...


Inferno: Cantos 28-30, Circle 8, Ditches 9-10
– Dividers and Deceivers
Oliver was the most popular name for a baby boy in England and Wales in 2014; this is the second year running. Full list HERE and Amelia is the most popular girl's name, also for the 2nd consecutive year [ONS data]. Breibart London tells us that "Muhammad is the most popular name given to newborn baby boys in London"; note too that Mohammed is 10th. Taking the three most common variants (there are about fourteen overall) it is easy to see that it is not only London: in England and Wales those three variants total 7,240, a full 9% higher than the 'winner' Oliver.

Now this isn't hidden [e.g. BBC] but it is never the headline, which should be Mohammed most popular boys name AGAIN: since 2007 it has been 1st or 2nd.

Many try, every year, to claim it isn't so: they say Harry and Henry add up, or Jack and John, or Jake and Jacob or some other variant stretching interchangeability to the limit; thing is, they are completely missing the point (not to mention 2nd names) that this particular name isn't because it's a la mode or a sporty hunk, or a pretty-boy celebrity or some young pop millionaire; it is chosen by Muslim parents to commemorate their Prophet presumably hoping their son will take the Prophet as their example; historical fact, religious texts and accepted biographies show us this isn't a particularly good thing.

It is also the most popular name in other European capitals, and - believe it or not - even Israel: [Haaretz]"The authority circulated a list with the 10 most popular names for boys and for girls under the heading, “The most common names among babies born this year” – referring to the Jewish year 5774 – but neglected to mention that the list only included Hebrew names". ...and yes, the world.

...perhaps in a couple of decades one of the recent baby Olivers will be writing a Soldier's Catechism for the 2nd 'Civil' War. No, how silly of me: no way will it be as long as 20 years. 

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