A Woman Named Myrtle Beach

Posted: February 26, 2008

What a pleasant surprise to see so many unusual family names posted on this blog! Thanks for shaking your family tree. Since this has become such a popular topic I thought we would extend the contest one more day. The person who contributes the most unusual family name will win a signed copy of my "Peaceful Journey" DVD.

I loved the name of my high school librarian. Myrtle Beach was a kind, helpful and gentle woman who was proud of her unusual name. Our high school principal in Morganton was Ferdinand Cushman Scheibout. We called him "Cush." He was a stern disciplinarian. I was sent to his office once for "acting up" in Spanish class. I was a good boy after that.

I checked in with the NC State Center for Health Statistics to see if Ferdinand or Myrtle made the latest list of the most popular baby names. They didn't make it. Not even close.

Here are the most popular baby names in North Carolina: William (good choice), Joshua, Jacob, Christopher and Michael for boys and Madison, Emily, Emma, Abigail and Hannah for girls.

If you were having a child what name would you use? How important is it to pick a family name? Or would you simply choose a name that sounds good?

57 Comments

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i'm looking for a unique baby name. one good site is http://www.therightbabyname.com check out how unique a name is there

andymarvell
February 28, 2008 6:48 p.m.

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When I was growing up in Greensboro (60's and 70's), my parents had a friend named North Carolina. Her father,a North Carolina native, was so homesick when she was born that he named her for his home state! She carried the name proudly and fortunately had a bold personality that matched an unusual name!

Red Bird
February 27, 2008 9:17 a.m.

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Use to be a OB/GYN doc in town that was named Rabbitt - said his sister's name was "Bunny"! lol Never did find out if he was telling the truth! ;) All my boys have the JKS initals - the oldest is named after his dad - the next one his first name is my Dad's name his middle my former hubby's dad's name - the last the ex requested he have the same initals as the other two - hard to come up with but did! Justin - after Justin Marler the doc on one of the soap operas and Kyle after Kyle Petty. And we call him Bubba!!!lol :)

fishnett5977
February 27, 2008 8:58 a.m.

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I dated a guy once with the name Epluribus Albert Williams jr. He was named for his father. The story went that the parents asked the doctor for a name when his dad was born because they had quite a few children and had run out of options so the doc handed them a coin and said this is as good as any name. He meant the person pictured on the coin, but they saw the national motto and used it instead. Another friend was also named by the doctor. The parents asked for a name and the doc said name him after yourself, so the new baby was named yousef.

lynneslaughter
February 27, 2008 8:00 a.m.

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Tired of the question "what will you name the baby?". my son-in-law jokingly said "since my name is Billy and my wife's name is Julie, we'll name it Jubilee".

jakiret99
February 27, 2008 7:27 a.m.

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About 30 years ago I had surgery in Rocky Mount. The two surgeons were Dr.Payne and Dr. Cleaver. I chose Payne.

ceatman
February 26, 2008 6:09 p.m.

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When I had my two children it was important for me to see what they looked like before I named them. My mother-in-law was very p..... that it took 3 days both times to give them a name.

For-Better-Or-Worse
February 26, 2008 5:24 p.m.

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I have always been told since I can remember that my name is unique, and different. As of yet I have not met a single person with my name, which I think is great. My name is Wacovia. No it's not misspelled...pronounced just like the bank Wachovia. I love my name it's the best. My parents are the greatest for given me such a beautiful & unique name.

ykobie00
February 26, 2008 5:13 p.m.

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I have a family full. Everyone was named by my great grandmother... Register Buddy (my grandfather)... Cuther Chester (my uncle)... Geddas Atlas (my uncle) and this is just a few...