Last year, Slate Magazine posted a humorous and telling article concerning some of the most unsual and occasionally downright spiteful Puritan names of yesteryear: "A Boy Named Humiliation". If this article sparks your interest, feel free to check out Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature, a comprehensive study of Puritan naming practices published in 1888.

But what about your name? What does it mean? What does it reveal about you and your relationship to your family?

Please research the meaning of your own name using the Behind the Name website. If your first name does not deliver any results, try your last name, or ask your family members what the name means to them.

In the comment section of this post, respond to the following:

1. Select what you feel is the most memorable Puritan name from the article from Slate Magazine and explain what the name reveals about the Puritan culture.
2. Finally, explain the significance of your own first or last name. Please include information you find from Behind the Name or from your own research.

Responses are due prior to class on Monday (9/22). 

My Response:

Regarding the Puritan names, one name in particular doesn't stand out. Rather, I am disgusted by the cruel, depressing names given to children.

Forsaken? Were these poor people robbed of all joy? Children were indoctrinated at birth: life is constant struggle and suffering.

Now, my name.

I am named after my mother's father, Edward Earle Allen.  Interestingly enough, my father picked the name.

Pictured: My mother, the little girl, my two uncles, my grandmother, and my grandfather, Earle (1953).

Admittedly, I am not crazy about the name Edward. However, I admire the man that I was named after.

Also, I don't think anyone regularly calls me Edward.
Ed, Eddie, Eduardo, Edsel--these are all more common.

Alright, your turn, people.