Baby Names Inspired by A Series of Unfortunate Events
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I grew up reading A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. I have always admired the quirky (and of course, unfortunate) journey that I am taken on when I read them. There are layers of mystery wrapped into the lives of the Baudelaire orphans. The author of the series, Daniel Handler, created a setting for a the story that kept the reader guessing. It creates more of a mystery by making it difficult to tell the time period and location of the dark tale. One of the ways he does this is by the names of the characters. The four most prominent characters Violet, Klaus, Sunny, and Count Olaf all have distinctly different name origins and common usages. The first being quite English, the next quite German, then American, and lastly quite Scandinavian. Read on to see more thoughts and stats on some of the names in A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: VEYE-let
Meaning: Purple
Popularity: Violet has not dropped out of the top 1000 since 1900, although it came close in the early 80s. It really started gaining momentum in 2005 and hit the top 100 in 2012. It currently sits at number 48 in the US. It is relatively popular in many other parts of the world as well.
Analysis: Violet Baudelaire is the oldest of the Baudelaire orphans and she is known as the “inventor.” She is portrayed as brave, loyal, and very smart. One might classify Violet within the bounds of many different categories. On one hand, it is a very English sounding name. On another hand, it is very vintage feel. It also is a color name, and a flower name! I remember wishing this was my name as a kid when The Incredibles came out and I was reading The Boxcar Children and A Series of Unfortunate Events. Plus, I had a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory phase. It is one of the few names that is on the more popular side that I have never heard for a little girl. Do you know any little ones named Violet?
Origin: Old Norse, Nordic
Pronunciation: OH-lawf
Meaning: Ancestor’s Descendant
Popularity: Olaf doesn’t currently rank in the US and hasn’t since 1921. It was most popular in 1908 at 534.
Analysis: Count Olaf is the primary antagonist in A Series of Unfortunate Events. He isn’t really someone parents would be wanting to name a child after, but the name does have a rich history beyond this story. Olaf is a distinctively Nordic name that is now often associated with the talking snowman from Frozen. It may seem clunky in the States, but it is of long standing tradition in many Nordic countries. I actually think it’s quite cool and I would applaud any parents who used it. If you do, you may want to be prepared for many “Do you wanna build a snowman?” references.
Origin: English
Pronunciation: sun-ee
Meaning: Nickname name, meaning “sunny”
Popularity: For a girl, Sunny currently ranks at 984 in the US, but was most popular in 1975 at 541. With that spelling, Sunny has never ranked for a boy in the US. With the spelling Sonny however, it has more of a history. Sonny for a boy currently ranks at 777 and was most popular in 1975 at 428.
Analysis: Sunny Baudelaire is the youngest Baudelaire orphan and the biter. I would consider this name fairly “American” as far as usage goes as it is largely associated American celebrities, whether as a stage name or given name. While I wouldn’t ever use it, I think it’s pretty cute and it’s easy to pronounce and spell!
Origin: German
Pronunciation: KLOWS (rhymes with Blouse)
Meaning: People of Victory
Popularity: Klaus has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US. Only 53 boys were named Klaus last year!
Analysis: Klaus Baudelaire is the middle Baudelaire orphan and the avid reader/researcher. I adore this name. I think it is so classy and underused. I can’t understand why it doesn’t get more use! The only thing is that many Americans may attempt to pronounce the way we pronounce “Santa Clause,” which is incorrect but an understandable mistake. I don’t think it’s that unrecognizable though. There is a character from The Vampire Diaries called Klaus Mikaelson and, obviously, Klaus Baudelaire. The name is also used in much of Scandinavia.
Origin: French
Pronunciation: jo-seh-feen
Meaning: Jehovah Increases
Popularity: Josephine has not dropped out of the top 1000 since 1900, and far from it. It was most popular in 1917 at 21 and is currently on the uptrend, ranking at 107.
Analysis: In A Series of Unfortunate Events, Aunt Josephine is a mostly well meaning, but absolutely phobia ridden caretaker that dies tragically (as is so often the case). Josephine has so much going for it. It has some great nickname options, a rich history, and a great meaning. There has been a resurgence of love for Little Women recently and I can definitely see Josephine gaining more recognition due to that. I think it’s popular enough to be recognizable but not at all overused. I love it! It’s difficult to go wrong if you use Josephine!
Origin: Scottish
Pronunciation: Dun-can
Meaning: Dark Warrior
Popularity: Duncan has not dropped out of the top 1000 since 1900, but has been fairly up and down. It was most popular in 1997 at 378 and currently sits at 862 in the US. It doesn’t seem to be distinctly going up or down at this point.
Analysis: Duncan Quagmire is one of the Quagmire triplets. They share much of the same unfortunate fate as the Baudelaire’s do and show much of the same bravery. I love the option of Duncan for a modern baby! I like how it feels slightly vintage, but it doesn’t seem to have a certain decade attached to it. Plus it isn’t currently trending up or down. It is used fairly frequently in pop culture but it hasn’t caught on to the baby naming scene. It is also a Shakespearean name! I would love to see it used more!
Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: Is-uh-dor-uh
Meaning: Gift of Isis
Popularity: Isadora doesn’t currently rank in the top 1000 in the US and hasn’t since 1900 when it sat at 992.
Analysis: Isadora Quagmire is another one of the Quagmire triplets and the only girl of the three. I suspect that Daniel Handler named two of the Quagmire triplets “Duncan” and “Isadora” as a reference to Isadora Duncan, one of the originators of modern dance who died tragically: choked by her own scarf that was caught in an automobile. True story. I am shocked this name doesn’t have more attention. Isabelle, Isabella, and every variation in-between have been popular for many years and Isadora is a beautiful alternative. In the current world climate, obviously the meaning is a little off putting. Isis is a goddess from the Egyptian pantheon and she was a goddess of many roles, primarily being a role model for women. It has nothing to do with the mordern association of Isis. What do you think of Isadora?
Origin: French
Pronunciation: Jahck
Meaning: Supplanter (French form of Jacob)
Popularity: Jacques doesn’t currently rank in the US but was most popular in 1969 at 601. Only 66 boys were named Jacques last year.
Analysis: Jacques Snicket is Lemony’s brother in The Series of Unfortunate Events. While Jacques isn’t my style, I think it is a really sweet name that could honor French heritage in a family. Upon my internet research, I found that some people have pronunciation issues, but if you love the name I think it is an easy hurdle to get over.
Origin: French
Pronunciation: Jer-al-deen
Meaning: Ruler of the Spear
Popularity: Geraldine doesn’t currently rank in the top 1000 in the US but was a pretty big deal in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. It was most popular in 1931 at number 38. Just 132 girls were named Geraldine last year!
Analysis: Geraldine Julienne is the reporter for The Daily Punctilio, an absolutely savage newspaper that constantly misreports new of the Baudelaire orphans. My guess is that many Americans will think that Geraldine is still way too old fashioned for it to make a comeback. I think it fits with many other vintage names that are making a comeback right now like Josephine, Francine, ect. Many people are also loving boy names on girls right now and Gerry is a fun nickname option! I could definitely see this name catching on in the next 15ish years. Geraldine Grundy is a character in Archie Comics, and their current TV show based off of Archie Comics, Riverdale. What do you think of Geraldine? Is it ready for a comeback?
Origin: Latinized from German
Pronunciation: HWEW-go
Meaning: Mind, Intellect
Popularity: Hugo has not dropped out of the top 1000 since 1900, although it took a significant dip in the 40s. It is currently on the uptrend at 418 in the US. It is very popular in many European countries, especially Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Analysis: Hugo is a hunchback introduced in The Carnivorous Carnival. I think Hugo is primed and ready to take the US by storm. I adore this name. If you want to use this name before it gets popular, I would jump on it now. I think it’s classy and handsome. Victor Hugo, Hugo Weaving, and Hugo Granger-Weasley are just a few Hugo’s to be inspired by.
Origin: French
Pronunciation: Coh-let
Meaning: Victory of the People
Popularity: Colette currently ranks at 531 in the US and doesn’t seem to be on a distinctive uptrend or downtrend. It was most popular in 1966 at 372.
Analysis: Colette is a contortionist introduced in The Carnivorous Carnival. Colette is a beautiful and timeless name. It fits with some of the other current trends so I can see it going up slightly, but probably not astronomically. It is a French feminine variation of Nicholas so it could be a great way to honor a Nick in the family. There are also some really sweet nickname opportunities like Cole or Coco!
Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: Kwig-lee
Meaning: Unkempt
Popularity: Quigley has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and was given to fewer than 5 boys in the US last year.
Analysis: Quigley is the third Quagmire triplet and has an interest in cartography. I am not sure if Quigley has the potential to catch on in the US. It has a sort of posh vintage vibe that many parents are loving but it doesn’t have the universal appeal that other vintage names do. What do you think of Quigley? Do you think it’s usable?
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: bee-uh-tris
Meaning: She who brings happiness
Popularity: Beatrice has never dropped out of the top 1000 in the US, although it came close in late 90s and early 2000s. It was most popular in 1910 at 36. It is currently back on the uptrend and sitting 559. It is more popular in England and Italy.
Analysis: One could make an argument that Beatrice is one of the most important characters in the entire series, even though she has died at the start of The Bad Beginning. She is the mother of the Baudelaire orphans and Lemony Snicket’s ex-fiance. Each book begins with a dedication to her that is both horribly sad, and unfortunately funny. It sets the tone. I think Beatrice is perfectly poised to make a comeback. It is a beautiful name that translates to many cultures. Of course, there are many literary connections, both ancient and modern that only make the name more appealing.
Origin: Norman
Pronunciation: mont-gum-er-ee
Meaning: Man’s Power
Popularity: Montgomery doesn’t currently rank in the US. Last year, it was given to 122 boys in the US and 13 girls. It did rank from 1960-1968, but just barely. It is slightly more popular in England.
Analysis: Montgomery Montgomery, also known as “Uncle Monty” is a very kind and loving caretaker of the Baudelaire’s that is tragically killed. That is the theme. I think Montgomery is a highly underused name! It is so handsome and you can get some really sweet nicknames with it! I actually think I named a stuffed animal Montgomery “Monty” when I was a kid.
I hope you enjoyed this post about baby names inspired by A Series of Unfortunate Events! There were so many more I wanted to mention but so little time! I wanted to keep the post readable, haha! Let me know what names you liked and what you didn’t like in the comments below. I love having baby name discussions!
Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Series of Unfortunate Events universe.
I am not an expert by any means in baby names but historical, etymological, cultural, and linguistic accuracy is important to me. If you have any questions or comments about a particular name, be sure to let me know!
All name data is taken from the SSA with 1900 being the farthest back I am able to search.
Photo by Ian McGrory on Unsplash
I LOVE Isadora! My fiancé and I want all of our children to be matching “s” names (because we like Sebastian), but if I were going with another letter, it would be “I” and Isadora on top. It’ll have to be a middle name. ):
Isadora is stunnning!! Sebastian is too though! I love the S theme. It’s so hard to choose. I think I would have to have at least 15 children to use all of the names I love. Alas, maybe a pet name?