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| I thought this was a good April- ish photo. Source. |
April
From the Latin aperire, meaning 'to open'. A common given name for girls since the 1940s. Reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, when it was the 34th most popular name for girls.
Famous Aprils: After an intense 3 1/2 minute Google search, I hadn't run across any Aprils that I recognised. You'll have to tell me who some famous Aprils are.
Fictional Aprils: I knew three from the list I looked at on Baby Name Wizard. Dr. April Kepner on Grey's Anatomy, April Nardini on Gilmore Girls, and April O'Neil on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. (Yes, I do know how ridiculous that is.)
My Aprils: I have no characters named April right now. I do know a handful of real-life Aprils; one of them is a couple of years younger than me and is one of a trio of ladies who are the same age that I grew up with at church. When my dad taught them in Sunday school, he called them "April, May, and June." (Not May & June's real names.) Rather than be offended, they found this endearing, which just goes to show what nice people I grew up among.
Do you know any Aprils? What are some other good 'A' names?
Sources:
Behind the Name
Baby Name Wizard
23 comments:
This is going to be a really interesting month and if I'm not careful I might actually learn a thing or two. :) I'm outlining a new book and maybe your posts will help me pick out some names.
What a great start!
I used to work with an April. Other names, Alice, Adrienne, Ann, Agatha, Anthony.
Didn't know the origins of the word April! In Italian, opening is 'aprire'...so the origin sounded familiar.
Great choice of theme for the challenge!
---Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2012
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
You know, that makes sense that April means "to open." Way back before they changed the calendar, April used to be the beginning of the year. It's why April 1 is April Fools because they called anyone that who didn't change over to the new calendar system beginning on January 1.
Can't think of any famous Aprils. I like the names Anna and Anastasia
What an excellent theme; I love names. I don't have any characters named April either. I do have an Arlen appearing in my latest completed work.
@DL: I was thinking that, too! Lots of people seem to be going the educational route.
@Delores: I currently work with an Alice! :)
@Damyanti: The Romance languages seem to have the "to open" verb very close to one another still.
@Alessa: Yes, very good point!
@Donna: I like those, too. :)
@mshatch: Ooh, I like the name Arlen.
Great theme idea! I am partial to Angelina - that's my daughter's name :)
I don't know any Aprils, but I know an Arlene and an Adriana. Happy A-Zing!
I suppose I should be more fond of my name- considering this post, but I'm afraid it is otherwise so. Having a double A beginning means I'm first on people's phone contact list. It also means I get the most accidental calls. I've received more "butt-calls" than anyone I know.
At least your fictional characters wouldn't suffer the same annoying fate.
Hi, I didn't know April meant 'to open' but it makes sense, thanks I love learning new things. Really enjoyed your post and an A name that I love is Algernon and I'm also fond of Alabaster.
There was a little girl named April that lived down the street from us one house ago and I know one grown-up April. Both are very sweet.
I don't know any famous Aprils but there is one on Dallas.
@Wendy: And a lovely name it is.
@Miriam: Thanks! I like "A-Zing". Must use...
@sparquay: Or will they? Hmmm.
@rch: I like those, too!
@Word Nerd: How could you not be sweet with a name like April. I mean, everybody loves April, right?
@Spacerguy: Ah, Dallas. I probs should have remembered that!
I used to know an April. :) I can't think of anyone famous, though--the closest that comes to mind is Avril.
The Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective
My MC in my current manuscript is named Amber.
In The Secret Life of Bees, the Boatwright sisters are August, May and June - with April being the name of a sister who died before the story starts.
There's Avril Lavigne, guess that isn't QUITE an April, but close.
@Eagle: I suppose I could have listed Avril Lavigne. It is French for April.
@Jaye: I have a cousin called Amber! :)
@Beverly: Secret Life of Bees is still on my to-read list. And yes, I should have considered French words! :)
Can't think of any Aprils. Eagle beat me to Avril Lavigne.
I love naming characters. No Aprils in my cast of thousands either, but I do have a few "A"s. My favorite is Supreme Judge Abraham Crode. Great biblical name, but a rather nasty character :)
Hi, Su. I love this idea! And, the fact that you throw in the meaning behind the name is priceless. I think I might pass this along to any of my friends who are trying to come up with baby names. Looking forward to future posts and name ideas!
@Botanist: Ooh, he sounds like an unpleasant character. Good name choice!
@Dawn: Thanks! I've been having fun researching these. :)
I know several Aprils. But you're right. I can't think of a single one who's famous.
A list came up on Google, but I didn't recognise any of the names.
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