Unusual Names in Appalachia
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Watch this video to learn more about unusual names and name pronunciation found in the Appalachian Mountains.
Please subscribe to this channel and help me Celebrate Appalachia!
Drop us a line:
tipperpressley@gmail.com
Celebrating Appalachia
PO Box 83
Brasstown, NC 28902
Visit Blind Pig and The Acorn here: blindpigandtheacorn.com
Find The Pressley Girls music here: / @thepressleygirls
Find Blind Pig and the Acorn music here: / @blindpigandtheacorn
Buy my family's music here: www.etsy.com/s... and here: www.etsy.com/T...
Buy Chitter's jewelry here: www.etsy.com/s...
#Appalachia #AppalachianNames #UnusualNames
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
This accent always just makes me feel like I'm listening to a story worth hearing.
Same. Grandma is from Kentucky and Tipper sounds kinda like her. I always loved it when grandma would read children's books to me, long after I'd mastered them.
Thank You
No doubt…..you listen closely so you don’t miss a word!
I laughed when you said something about your accent. I understand you just fine and dandy. North Carolina mountains/foothill native, here. Some of the names you mentioned I'm right familiar with, also. Thank you for this channel.
Your accent is lovely. Nothing is left to be desired. Thank you for the lovely information.
Doing genealogical research in the southeast can be more than difficult! Hats off to the ladies who surveyed all the old cemeteries in Kentucky. They contributed more than they'll ever know.
I am so happy to hear you say “aint” instead of aunt . My family still says aint
I recognize a lot of these names both fist and last. I live in Haywood county NC. My grandmothers first name was Ida bell. My wife grandmothers first name was Retta. Thank you for a trip down memory lane.
Haywood County here too 😅
Love this and all these Appalachian channels!
I had a precious 3 legged dog named Tipper Eileen (I lean) Toodles! She lived a long happy spoiled life!
I was surprised when you said the name “Minerva” as an unusual name. Minerva was the female Roman God of defensive warfare. The name Minerva is quite common in Mexico-I couldn’t even tell you how many Minervas I have met. Literally, hundreds and hundreds.
I studied Spanish in High School and College, and when I started working I got a job where I traveled often all over Mexico and South America. It was hard work but absolutely amazing. In Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico, there is a major roundabout with this huge statue of the Goddess Minerva. It is quite impressive and a major landmark of Guadalajara.
You must considered yourself priviledged for the opportunity to travel around south America , where the Spanish-Roman influence of names differs substancially from other countries, The name Minerva is a very Romance name and evokes cunning and craftiness characterized by artisans of high skill. Although it might seen rare? there are lot of Minervas´s in Germany and louxenburg.Because is a beauty name!.
It was / is a car manufacturer in Belgium, Minerva build CKD Land Rover vehicles with their own style bodies
That’s actually fascinating!! I think It’s a gorgeous name and I love the history and the cultural significance. I’ve never met anyone named Minerva in the States, actually.
I'm also Appalachian. I'm surprised she didn't know Minerva was a name. Also she mispronounced some names I've also heard of .
She mispronounced Algeria too.
But it's ok. It's still interesting.
My father , brother and nephew are named Delmas.
I grew up with a Buster and Merica, Gatha and Seraphina.
And I even know a Dreama!
I have a cousin Hildie, her names Hilda but everyone calls her Hildie.
My own name I heard her mention, Louisa. And Ive been called everything. My father always says my name "lou EEZE a" lol
My daughter's name was Marigold. But since birth she's been Mairzy.
People know her as Mairzy.
I had a wonderful church friend named Esther Pearl White Sweet. I love interesting names. ❤️
That’s so cooln
I am from the Ozarks and our cultures are so similar. I had a great grandmother named Cordelia, who was called Cordie. My grandmother was named Valeeta, and she had a twin named Laveeta.
I too am from the Ozarks, too. My grandmother's name is Velma Chlorine, her sister Venus Mares. Their father was named Pink and their grandfather was named Peach. My grandfather was named Samuel Sherman, his grandfather was named Hercules. p.s. my name is Trina.
I have a granddaughter named Cordelia,she is called Dedee😉
My daughter is named Cordelia! We also call her Cordie (Corde).
Missouri Ozarks here.
Tipper, I went to your vlog and I saw a treasure of information that I will cherish for a long, long time. I plan to order the cd's. There is so much information that it will take me a month of Sunday's to read it all. Thank you so much for these treasures!
You are so kind! Thank you 😀
Mom became Memo, Father Harold became Hattie, Nancy North became Nink, Shelly became Sawsu, Leanna became Banana, Elaine became Eel, Marcia became Chacha, and Richard became Dixie--Ohio/Kentucky border. I so love this channel--so grateful.
My grandma's name was Hattie and one of my cousins daughters named her daughter Hattie after her.
Gollee, this reminds me of the names in my Mama's family.. Truel, Velmer, Ollie, Florine, Leona, Lemmer, Oren, Leola, etc. My Mama would have been 100 this year..
My Papa is from Pikeville, KY and his Mama was named “Lesta” but it was always pronounced “Lestie.” They had a girl they grew up with named “Zuma” but they always pronounced it, “Zumer.” I love to hear him talk and pronounce the names. Rildey was one, pronounced “Reel-Dee” and Aunt Orpha who was really named “Orphelia.” They added an R to Ophelia. So many wonderful old names.
My dad's family is from Pikeville as well and the pronunciation game is strong. His mother's name was Imogene, pronounced Im-uh-jean, and I was in college before I realized there were other ways to pronounce that name.
I noticed when you were talking about your grandmother's name was Gazzie and she was the first grandchild on both sides. Her mother was Hyatt and her father was a Truet. I have two friends by those two names, Jonnie Palmer Truet and her husband was Johnny Truet and Mae Elaine pronounced(Laney) Hyatt and husband is Garry Hyatt. My paternal grandparents were Benjamin Lee Davis and Agnes's Dooley Davis and maternal grandparents were William Lee Perry and Willie May Morris Perry and they always called each other Bill! LoL! All were from Harrollson Co. Buchanan, Georgia. The Perry's and the Morris's were two big families so two brothers and a sister in the Perry's married two sisters and a brother in the Morris family! My daddy was Butler Lee Davis(nickname Bus) and my mother was Evelyn Elisabeth Perry Davis. My daddy had two brothers UC and JD, never heard what it stood for! LoL! Love your videos!❤️So interesting, and how you point out the little things like dew on the leaves! So relaxing!🦋🕊️🌼👍💞🙏❤️
Oprah’s real name is orpha
my ex brother in laws name was Gazzie and my friends name is Hayat, they are both Lebanese Hayat in Arabic means Life.
We had two little ladies that used to meet for coffee every morning at our store and they had the most wonderful names. Dottie Turnipseed and Merdis Godbolt.
We love your accent Tipper. Our accents are a part of our individuality.
I love this. Especially the part about R’s being added where they don’t belong. That is probably a remnant of the British and Scottish folk that settled Appalachia.
You may be right on this. People living in certain areas of London add on the letter R to the ends of words still today.
As they still do in New England. My Mainer mother-in-law called all of the girls in the family whose names ended in A; Liser, Donner, Linder, Ever and Greter. My kids thought this was uproariously funny. Always struck me that the Brits hadn’t been in New England in 400 years but this quirk of language still remains
@@sarahwithanhyouheathen3210 if you go on UA-cam there’s a British speech archaeologist who goes through what London accents sounded like from now, all the way back to the Middle Ages. The London accent from around the midish 1700s has many similar sounds to the Appalachian region. Whenever I watch this channels “Appalachian phrases” I also notice old words or phrases from old English books I’ve read. I think that’s what staying mostly isolated has done, preserve a moment in time almost.
@@sarahwithanhyouheathen3210 ua-cam.com/video/3lXv3Tt4x20/v-deo.html This is it
@SputnikSweetheart ah thank you! I will check it out 😄
I’ve always been fascinated with Appalachia for some reason. Upon doing some genealogy research recently, I found out my 4x great grandmother was born in Kentucky in 1814.
Tipper this was wonderful to listen to. My mum had an elder cousin called Urban Lintott Taylor, but everyone called him Bootie as he always had his shoelaces mostly undone. Mum said every Christmas they would see Bootie riding up past the sheep dips with his saddle bags bulging with gifts for the family. Wonderful stories. Cheers Wendy
Love those memories 😀
My grandmother's name was Opal, and her sisters were Ruby and Pearl and Hayda. My grandfather's name was Homer, and his brothers' names were Hazel, Clovis, Auzel, and Tink. I enjoy your reading and always look forward to them.
Love those names! Thank you 😊
@@CelebratingAppalachia In the Mason County, Kentucky area, where I grew up, there were several men named Opal, Ruby, Pearl, Garnet,& Jewel. Also, lots of men named Shirley, as well as some named Beverly.
@@CelebratingAppalachia Also, men named Hazel.
Happy and Smiley cute names for a married couple amazing storu
I love the old-timey hill names. One of my favorites is Jesamine and another is Theadossia. Theadossia was the name of Aaron Burr’s daughter. There is a book called My Theadossia. Another name I love is Louvinia. Thank you so much for teaching about Appalachia. Many Blessings!
A play on the very old Greek name Theodosia, a beautiful name.
@NoName99 NoFace88 The name is Greek, goes back many, many centuries. The name is 2 Greek words put together. Ask a (different) Greek.
@NoName99 NoFace88 I always wondered how they came to have those names, I think it is so interesting.
I also like Theadossia, I think the nickname Thea is just adorable.
Aaron Burr's daughter spelled it Theodosia.
I think changing words and names frequently is a lot cooler than staying in the rigid brackets of standard English. Evolution of language across generations develops rich and unique culture.
Yes
Nobody asked for your opinion
It’s one of those things that depends on class. If you’re socially penalized for using “bad” (nonstandard) English or naming your child a nonstandard name, you’re going to play by the rules. That’s why middle-class white American names and language are so conservative. There’s variation by region, but if you step outside what’s standard for your area-whoof.
OTOH, if you’re too distant from the centers of “culture” to be affected by their opinion, or you’re too poor/vulgar/trashy/hick/[insert your least favorite epithet here] to get anywhere even if you play by the rules, then you’re free to make your own rules. Those rules can be as constricting as any middle-class rules (like in turn-of-the-century working-class Irish neighborhoods), or they can be loose and free (like a lot of sectors of the American working class).
It doesn’t have to be that way. There have been plenty of periods when traditionally status-conscious groups let their hair down. But right now we’re locked into a dichotomy between the trashy working class who’ll name their kids any old thing, and the refined middle class that innovates cautiously within unwritten boundaries, and I don’t see it loosening any time soon.
That said, it’s way cooler to be able to let your hair down.
My extended family from KY has a huge collection of “hillbilly names” since my great grandma had a ton of siblings. They also all had nicknames. Estella Mae, Fayetta Jo, Viva Ellen, Lulabelle (they called her Happy) Ena Faye. One of my great great uncles was named George but they all called him Ham for some reason? Another was named Tiny, which was her legal name because they put Tiny Baby on her birth certificate (they didn’t think she was going to survive). She eventually changed her legal name to Tina but they always called her Tiny. I feel like most Appalachian people have nicknames that are used more than their legal names. My family has never called me by my first name, always just “Maggie”.
I have an aunt Teenie. I have no idea if it was her birth name or not.
Yes thank you very much for all the names you have found that takes me back a few years
Your accent is beautiful - it speaks of where you’re from and the long history of people in Appalachia - accents aren’t as strong here in Canada. I really enjoy your videos - thank you!
My dads side is from deeeeeep in kentucky mountains. A lot of the men used their first and middle initials because they never learned to fully read. Almost all of my 11 great uncles went by initials
Also you see a lot of little areas that used animal and nature names. Here in the southeast Tennessee valley I’ve met several men named crow, buck, river, creek or crick. Several women with given names of birds like finch, cardinal, and the like. Not sure if that’s common elsewhere, but it’s pretty noticeable here
One of my grandfathers too…I found a cousin who was in her late 80’s who finally cleared up the mystery a tad and told me that my other grandmother called him “David”
Blessings from Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean 🇹🇹 one love ❤️💛💚
One Light...let's get together and feel alright
@@earthcat one love ❤️✌️💚
Greetings from eastern North Carolina, USA. 🇺🇸 😊😃
My mom was nicknamed "Pinky" from birth after being brought home in a pink blanket on Easter Sunday in 1960. Early on at school, she said she didn't answer to her given name, Marianne, during the roll call and thought she was in the wrong class! Her dad was Eugene but called "Kuba" - His father was Jacob (Jakub in Polish), so Eugene became "Kuba" the little version of that. And one of her aunts got another baby nickname that stuck with her through her whole life, she was known as "Boots" after her cute pair of baby booties! They're all from northern Indiana, near Lake Michigan, 1st and 2nd generation families originally from Poland and Hungary. I've enjoyed reading all of these comments!
My Grammy was nicknamed Boots! Her real name was Beulah but she hated that so everyone called her Boots. Such a cute nickname.
I could listen to you talk for hours!
😀 Thank you!
I love names. I actually am a “collector of names”. I have for years and years written down unusual names just to peruse for my enjoyment. My mom’s family, from Louisiana, adds the -er to names. Emmer, Oler, Bueler,
Oh my goodness! I’m not the only weirdo that does this?!?
I’ve done this for as long as I can remember. I grew up on a sheep and cattle ranch. I got the most amazing job of being the namer of animals. EVERY ANIMAL ON OUR LAND, had a name that I had given. Before the internet was a big deal (I’m 38, so mostly under 16), I collected baby name books. I’d go though them and highlight all the names I liked. I’d also keep a notebook where I’d write down names that id hear or make up that weren’t in the books. Still today in my phone notes, I have a running list. Which I find myself adding to all the time. Nice to know I’m not alone.
@@learning2live_brokeninchro157 Wow! Thank you for replying! I thought I was the only one!😃So nice to “meet” another of like inclination.☺️
Same, I have a list of names I’ve been keeping for 10+ years!
We have an Arminda, Masel, Dreama, BitsyDoo and a Micgovner. All girls from 1880s to1910s.
What are your favorites? :)
The combination of semi-literate spelling passed down and a strong accent lead to many wonderful names and even more idiosyncratic nicknames. My husband (W Va) had a great Aunt named Rehobah, which I thought was pretty.
Rehobath is from the Bible....
Lol we had a girl in college named Rehobah
We used to yell out RA-HOOOO-BAHH whenever we saw her
semi literate is uncalled for.
I love listening to the old names. Names of my Mother's family are: DeCorsie (my grandfather), and his siblings Santa (called Sant) Osha, Eerie, Pearlie, Swanee. My grandmother Callie didn't have a middle name. Although not my given name, I am called Stormy because I was born on a stormy day.
Love that!
Sound like waterways...
Callie is one of my favorite names. I think it’s so pretty.
I've learned from UA-cam interviews and documentaries that Appalachian people are genuine good people. I love hearing stories from the older generations.
Spend a little time there if you get a chance. Lived there in Sylva, NC for 5 years and what you learned is true.
They are the best people. My parents were born and raised in North Carolina. A very loving people.
Thank you from north GA .
And yet they are the ones that are talked down on.
Thank you Curt. You sound like good people too.
Lufty was always our landmark as where to turn to get to my family's town before google maps exist. My heart is so warm right now
Avery Co NC here, Never heard my grandmas name anywhere, it was Derado , her sisters were Revonda, Sylvia, Delta, and twins Dollie and Dovie. We asked once where my great grandmother got those names, she said “ I just thunk em up” I adore our Appalachian culture
My family is Romany gypsy from the UK and we have similar names. Found this video so fascinating (I had a great uncle Darkus and several aunts with names like Pleasant, Thomassin (Massie), Chresthna, Dinah, and Elin).. and with the changing of names thing, I had a cousin called Elloner which I think likely comes form Eleanor. I really love names!
Funny you should say that because I thought of gypsy when she talked about unusual names and wondered if Apalacians are gypsies as they don't seem to follow typical cultural norms (as do gypsies). I'm not a gypsy by whenever gypsies are in the news I noticed the unusual names and have watched documentaries on their culture.
I don't mind the name, but what kind of person is she? That's all that matters.
@@moreofawave op can tell me if i'm out of line here but a lot of folks within that community prefer us outsiders refer to them as Romani. the g term is considered a slur (by some, not all, of course.)
Funny, Elin is one of the most common Swedish names. Wonder where it came from!
Romany gypisies on the continent loves give their kids italian names but in the italian from and not modified to their homecountries version. But also celebrity names 😄🤦🏼♀️ like Chanel Beyonce
Our daughter’s name is Dorie. When she moved from East Tennessee north to Massachusetts with her husband we bought the book ‘Dorie woman of the mountains’ for her. She’s not far from the Appalachian Trail. Now our grand babies are yankabillies, that’s our pet name for them. Love watching and listening to your videos.
That is such a good book!
Yankabillies lol that is too cute!
LOL! call my young'uns Mexibillys.
New England has some real nice places also, especially in the country where I'm from.
I like that pet name of Yankabillies. I feel like I would kind of fall under that category too but need to add in there someplace about Amish Pennsylvania Dutch also. Dad always said if I kept my Amish and my West Virginia hillbilly straight I would be just fine and they are so much the same it's not even funny
My mom's side of the family has roots in Appalachia. Her middle name was Dell, grandma was Eathel (not Ethel, she was particular about that!), great-grandmother was Theodocia and she was called "Doh-shee." I can remember my grandma changing most words and names that ended in "A" with the "E" sound or adding a "Y" to the written language. I'm so thankful I found your channel. My mom and grandma, most of my elders have passed away. Watching your channel and hearing you talk is like coming home. 🤍
Bittie is a very common name in my family line.
Hearing you speak is very calming.
Trying to to save all history before it's all forgotten.
It worries me
Had a great uncle..mama called him "Uncle Lank"..real name was Lincoln..J.D..initials uncle..Edna.....Ednee...gma...love these ole treasured names! ..Ksar..was a great ..Aunt....Della..Aunt Del..
I loved hearing these names. My momma's family is from West Virginia and their names include Dewana, Ynema, Garland, Vester, Luther, Guyetta, Dorcas, Dewey and Ham!
My maternal grandmother was born one of 13 children in the mountains of westrern NC. Her name was Estoy. It is said that her mother went to work "in town" for an attorney and his family as their housekeeper. This was in the late 1920's. While working for this attorney she came across the name Estoy and thought it was beautiful. Hence my grandmother's name was Estoy Lee and my middle daughter's name is Jessica Estoy. I love the old fashioned names. We have discovered in recent years that Estoy is Spanish for "I am".
I loved hearing all the unusual names. I’m sure Katie and Corie are glad that you didn’t have that list of names when they were born. Lol
I find the people of Appalachia fascinating, they are good, hard working and have a sense of family that others could learn from.....I also love to hear the stories , see all the wonderful crafts and recipes........thank you for sharing your rich culture with us............Donna in Toronto
I’m Norwegian-Portuguese and have no connection to Appalachian, but this came up as a suggested video and I’m glad I clicked it. So interesting to hear about all of these names and pronunciation! I love special names that you won’t find a lot of other people named🥰
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love this. My family is originally from Hendersonville, NC. I heard lots of names I remember hearing growing up. Some of the unusual names from my extended family include Dilly (m), Floy (f), Foy (m), Lorenzo (m), Gussie (f), Sheridan (m), Geneva i.e. Genever (f), Winatha pronounced Win-A-thuh (f), Mikal pronounced Michael (f), Calhoun (m), Ranger (m), and our newest, Southern (f). Also Olga pronounced Ogga (f), and Zenell (f). I love all these unusual names.
While digging in some family history, I came upon a pair of twin girls named Theodora and Theodosia. After the girls started school, they were called Dorrie and Doshie. I remembered them both, but didn't know until decades after they were both dead that they were twins and what their names really were.
It's so cool how many interesting biblical names there are. I believe that the Arba-names, like Arbazena and Arbashad are Appalachian versions of the biblical name Arpachshad. Very wonderful!
Tipper, I would like to add an unusual name to your list. My mother-in-law was named Oza Christine Coffee Kilby. As you mentioned, many names ending in "a" were pronounced as ending in "ie"...so Oza became Ozie. And as things evolved and she had grandchildren, she became Granny Ozie. Her father's name was Dude Coffee. She had sisters named Stella (Stellie) and Della (Dellie). Oza's husband was named Ferdinand Cartilue Kilby but everyone called him Ferd. He had one brother named Famous and another named Farrish! I appreciate what you are doing to "celebrate Appalachia!"
Love your talks!!❤ Think Katie and Corie have great names!! Enjoyed the Names talk!!❤
My maternal grandmothers name was America and was called Merika. Her husbands name was Bulo. Love the old Applachian names !!!
Totally loved this! My grandmother’s name was Lula, but everyone called her Lulie, as you said in this video. She named all of her children uncommon names which, at least the older ones hated, especially the girls, Myrtle Laverne and Frances Agnes. My Dad was the oldest boy and named Melvin Forest (one r). The following boys were Marlston Harold, Gilbert Lavin, Arnold Freeman and Dorville Leon. My grandmother said when she called her kids to dinner, she didn’t want all the neighborhood kids answering so she named them odd names. My Dad said, “Yeah. Names so odd WE didn’t even want to answer to them!” He went by “Bud”. ❤️
😀 Thank you for sharing that!!
I forgot about Myrtle so many i cant remember
My great-grandmother was Lula but we called her Lulie also. She died when I was about 7 ((1963).
My grandmother and her sisters were: Matilda Jane (Mamie), Susan Genola (Nola), Pauline Gertrude (Gert), Emma Irene (Irene), Carrie Helen (Helen), Effie Margie (Marg) and their only brother Vaughan. All born and raised in Lawrence County, Kentucky in the early 1900’s. Update 12/4/2022 Come to find out that Uncle Vaughn’s name was Derek Vaughn. I have my grandmother’s letters and her diary’s from 1924 on for years when she moved from Kentucky to southern West Virginia. She had written everyone’s names down on a piece of paper.
@@suzybailey-koubti8342 That may have been a common nickname for Lula since both our grandmothers were called it and Tipper talked about endings being changed to -ie. Thanks for sharing this. My grandmother was a few months shy of 100 years old when she died in 1999. ❤️
It is really good that the old english names and music traditions are being kept alive in the Appalachians, keep up the good work
I have a friend from that area named Crickette. Like the bug. She’s cute as a bug so it fits. That’s her given name too. Her brother’s name is Brick.
Haha! It isn't my official name, but my mum calls me Bug, and so do my friends and some tutors. I ask people to call me it because it's gender neutral, Im genderfluid and its easy to remember! Also, I like being called Bug :) 🐞
I love the name crickette!! I love a lot of these names. I don't live anywhere near Appalachia and I worry a name like that would draw unwanted attention but mine is unique and I grew up just fine
My grandmother on my dad’s side was born in Oklahoma. Her name was Velda. I always knew her, and she always went by Doodle. Her husband, my grandfather, was William C. She called him Dub or Dubya. They were always Grandma Doodle and Grandpa Dub to me. May they RIP.
That is so sweet!
The name Eemer is scotch-Irish, of gaelic origin, in irish mythology Emer, Eimer, etc, is the irish hero Cu Chulainn, in the Ulster Cycle of irish mythology. Emer is said to have been blessed with the 6 gifts of womanhood, which includes beauty, a soft voice, sweet words, needlework, wisdom and chastity.
I thought that too! Glad I scrolled down because you know more and said it better than me!
Scots-Irish. Scotch is a drink lol
Scots-Irish aren't Gaelic
Maybe a little smattering, but they are Saxons
Scots-Irish weren't even IN Ulster until the early 1600s
@@Angel-rq3pi yes lol if you call a Scottish person Scotch, they WILL correct you. Scotch is a drink, not a group of people lol
Most of the people that settled in Appalachia are Scots-Irish origin.
Oh, thank the Lord for Katie and Korey!! Lol My inlaws, from Eastern Kentucky, had unusual pronunciations and always added letters to words like KMarts and Walmarts. My MIL had a lot of sisters.
Donna was "Donie" and Mona was "Monie," both with long "O" vowel sounds. Yet another sister, Pearl Lee, was Paaralee...drawn out first syllable. Now I understand why! Also, they all called their mother "mommie," regardless of age. My husband's grandma lived to be 95. Chewed Redman "backie" everyday. When my young son got a bee sting while visiting them, she bit off a piece of her chew and slapped it on the sting! 😂
My grandmother was always thrilled to find a bargain “ up to the Kmarts”.
Oh this is fascinating!
My name is Emmer. I was named after a great-aunt, and I was always told it was an old family 'nickname' for Emma, but it was never explained why.
She and my grandfather were Oakies; they came to California as kids during the Depression. Their parents had been born in the Ozark mountains and had been brought to Oklahoma as children in the early 1900s. Their parents came from Appalachia, specifically Tennessee and North Carolina.
I now understand where my name comes from!
That's awesome. My dad's dad was from Oklahoma and we have some of the same names and conventions going on, i wonder what the exact connection is, just similar ancestry and setting?
@@no_peace As I've traced my family back, I have learned that this journey was really common. The Scots-Irish settled in Appalachia originally because it was the frontier and gave them freedom from the English government and strict social hierarchy. However, Appalachia is mountainous with poor rocky soil. It can only support so many people.
Younger generations from Appalachia spread out over the entire country in waves. Many settled in the Ozark Mountains in the decades before and after the Civil War.
Oklahoma is not far from the Ozarks, and when the government opened up Indian lands for white settlement, many people left the Ozarks in search of good farm land. It was the site of the last great land rushes in the early 1900s.
Much of the working class culture in these states was brought there by Appalachian emigrants, it's an unbroken line from Appalachia to the Ozarks to Oklahoma to Bakersfield California, where my Grandparents settled in the 1940s. It's considered the most "Scots-Irish" city in California. Emigrants from Oklahoma and Arkansas flooded it during WWII to work in the oil fields.
my peeps range from McMinn to Polk up to Grainger, TN , over to Orange, NC. Dad a Payne and mom a Cook. We also have Hyde’s in the family, also around the Copper Basin.
My great grandparents were Moab and Octavia Gregory. My granny's name was Alma but Grandaddy called her Almer. I've seen a name like Julia but pronounced Julea, joo-LEE-a. My Grandaddy's middle name was Rushing. I love hearing you say Aint for aunt. The Georgia part of my family used that. I always had to giggle at Mama. We moved to Texas, where my daddy is from, after he retired from the Air Force. We lived all over but when Daddy knew he would be going to Viet Hem he arranged to be stationed at Moody AFB in Valdosta so Mama could be near her people. We lived near her parents for 3 years before moving to Texas. Those unfortunate souls not blessed to be born in the south wouldn't understand this but after moving here in 1969 it was a vocal shock. I had occasional trouble understanding people and them, me. Because I was a child I learned quickly and could go from accent and dialect like the flip of switch. I said I giggled at Mama because I knew who she was talking to on the phone just by her speech.
As that part of my family grew, obtained college degrees of which many were master's my cousins scattered and their speech changed. UNTIL we all got together. Then my Aint Iris would tell about how they carried Mrs Coward to the docta. Us young'uns were called Sugar, shugee, puddin and told to "love my neck" or "give your granny some sugar". My son married a girl from the north, a Yankee but we love her, and she said when they were dating the people up there thought it very weird for a grown man to speak of his parents as my Mama and Daddy. Mostly saying Daddy. In Texas, very few are called Grandaddy. Lot's of Granpa, gram-paw.
I enjoy your videos. I'd believe I'd died and gone to heaven if I could have a bowl of pea liquor with Granny's pone cornbread crumbled up in it. I miss the smell of a dishpan full of new shelled butterbeans and the sound they make. I miss the smell of corn being soured for the hogs.
Those are things I wish I could telepathically send my grandchildren.
My family is from West Virginia and my grandmothers had 3 sets of cousins with ryming names. The first set was Ercelene, Chrystalene, Kathalene and Frankalene. The second set was Heidi, Ritie, Lettie, Lottie and Vittie. The last set with the best names were Orlai, Eulai, Adlai, Teslai and Ballilai.
I love this! My NC granny had sisters named Albertine (pronounced Abteen) and Josephine, which we always got a kick out of.
Went to school with sisters Alfreda..Almeda..Alweda
Hi Tipper,
I am loving your channel! It feels like family because my family roots are in Tennessee. I have some relatives with the kind of names you were talking about. My grandmother was Arbie. She had a sister named I.C.(just the initials) and her other sisters were Fleetie, Ollie, Lexie, Tiny and Pearl. They were all from Tennessee. My grandmother was the only one that moved to California. Of her sisters, I only got to meet Fleetie, Ollie and Pearl. Unfortunately the others were gone before I was ten, which was how old I was the first time I got to go to Tennessee. God bless you!
Hello from New Zealand! My mother is very into genealogy so I have grown up with an interest in cultural and community histories, and we also have frequently commented to each other during the course of my upbringing about strange American names! So I really enjoyed this video which UA-cam algorithm presented to me, thank you for sharing!
Hearing you tell the story or "Tipper" reminded me of a story I heard about the name of whom I still believe is the head coach of Clemson's football team, Dabo Swinney. From what I recall, he got that name because one of his brothers kept referring to him as "that boy", only he was really young, so it sounded like... "Dabo", which stuck and which he still goes by.
So glad you went with Chitter & Chatter, Cori & Katie. I think they are too.
I love this. The ancestors I have that I can trace are from northern Appalachia, and they had neat names like Matthys, Cornelius, and Honora.
My husband, who’s family is from Appalachia, has some unusual names. Aunts, Isonie, Hestle, Loudy and Flora. His father was Loris and his brother was Posey. I love the old names. My girls are Annie Grace and Lily Rose. Lily just had a baby girl and she named her Hazel. ❤️
Love those names 😀
That’s so funny bc l have a biological uncle named Posey … l thought that was a made up name , but you have a Posey too !
@@d.l.n.7133 Posey, at least in my family tree, is an old English name. It means some one from Poce, France. It has other meanings, depending on country of origin. I found 14 people in my tree with the spelling Posey. There are so many others in the tree also, but the spelling is different. It can be found as female or male names. But it is typically a males name.
Thank you ! It’s nice to learn more about the name.
Isonie is REALLY unusual. Makes you wonder if it was made up or if there was another one in the family. Great name!
My great grandmother named all of her grandchildren on my mother’s side. One that was unusual was my Aunt Wazetta and everyone called her Zetter. My mother’s name was Verla. My dad and mom had names that went well together, Vernon Louis and Verla Dolores. I also like hearing married couples names that go well together like my parents and my grandparents Bill and Belle. Names are so interesting.
Katherine Hope Hartman, and Michael John Bowman.
I have an Elizabeth Finch who married a David Dove.
My friend Bambi married a man named Forrest.
Hi. I had an Aunt named Verla Mae.
@@TheKatherine1958 hi Katherine, I have heard of a few Verla’s in my lifetime and always find it neat to hear of more. In my heart I always hope the other Verla’s were as sweet as my mother was, I kid you not she was such a sweet woman even going back and looking at her doctors reports after she passed so many had written in the notes, sweet lady. 💕
You have a wonderful accent. My mother was named several family surnames when born in Knoxville,Tenn Jacqueline Eppes Pryor Feild. Funny thing was when she had me, the hospital in California changed the spelling of Feild to Field then I married a Fields and boy that confuse the County Records.
When I was little I would spend a lot of time at my grandmother’s house in Eastern Kentucky. Every few months there was a lady there who sat on the end of the sofa with her hands in her lap, her head would be looking to the left, and it was always shaking. I found out in my early teens that her name was Gladys, a cousin of my grandfather. They use called her “Jad” because she couldn’t pronounce Gladys, but I don’t know why. I’m 72 now and I thank you for reminding me of “Jad” or else she would have been forgotten.
My family has interesting names: Katie Mae Tea Bell, Sylvester Leoman, Virginia Lorraine, Una Vee, and many, many more. I love them all! Wish they were still with us.
Great names 😀
Effie Mae Belle Wilson was my great-great grandmother
Una Lee is my 80 year old neighbor!
My friend and I did a county cemetery book. We battled thorns and snakes. Saw many wonderful beautiful family graveyards!! There were always unusual name and even causes of death on the monuments. Every one a treasure to be found.
My Mommy’s name was Virgie. She did not have a middle name. There is a small town near Pikeville, Ky named Virgie. I love your channel! It is such a blessing to me! I’m so glad I found you!!
Just like the Tyler Childers song, Follow You to Virgie. I love that name.
Have you heard the Tyler Childers song “Follow you to Virgie”? He’s from that area I think. Definitely from Ky.
Thank you 😀
@@ktrayan1 Thank you! I had never heard that song!
@@sheridawn Thank you! I had never heard that song!
My grandmother’s cousin was Alta, but my grandmother called her Alter. Alta’s daughter was Anita, Nita for short, and my grandmother called her Niter (pronounced like neater) Carolina was Caroliner, Colorado was Colorader. Glad you brought up the ER endings!
Love old names too we had our share of originals.
My grandma talked a lot like you do. Hearing some of these names took me way back to when I would listen to my grandmas stories about her life. She had an relative named Deller, and her friend was named Emma, but she always called her emmer. My grandmas name was Minnie, no middle name. The name L.W. is one of my relatives names and no one knew what it stood for and the gravestone says L.W. too. She had a niece named Jennabeth, but pronounced Jennerbeth. I’ve really enjoyed this, miss my grandma, nobody else like her in my family. Really wish I had the sense to write down all her stories. She had the best memory…I did not get that from her.
I stumbled upon this video out of nowhere but as a 24 year old Pauline(Polly at home), it’s made me like my name a lot more than I have before. So cool to hear these older Appalachian names!
Husbands grandma was Cuma (pronounced Q-ma) Minerva, and her brother was L.G. - just the initials. Both born in 1906 & 1910 in rural central MI. I grew up in a town called Pinckney, and my mothers great grandmother was Johnnie Tennessee, born in that state, and Pollard is a technique for trimming trees. I have an unusual name and LOVE them, and your accent as well. Thank you for sharing such wonderful culture and history.
My grandmother was Allie Fire. I love Kentucky! 💕
I was looking for unique southern names for a book I'd eventually like to write when I came across this video. Then I got pregnant 6 months later and we gave our daughter the middle name Haseltine. 💕
Wonderful!
My husband’s grandmother also had a “state” name - Montana. Everyone called her “Tanner”. Your channel is wonderful! Thank you for another interesting peek into Appalachia ❤️
My mother is first generation Italian American and I always thought it peculiar that her older siblings had very ‘American’ names like Mamie, Vera, Aggie Renelder and Maisie. Then I learned that Papa worked ‘down South ‘ in the mines when he came over from Italy in the early 1900’s as a young man! There’s an old auntie named ‘Bradmonte’ which is quite unusual.
I love that name Minerva. My friend in Texas would call my newborn daughter Samantha Minerva, for reasons I'm not quite sure. This is a real good video.
Enjoyed this video so much. My grandmother born in Arkansas, was named Hathia Corda Mae. I have never met another Hathia. She was always called Hathie.
Makes me think of my family from the foothills of North Carolina. My great uncle always called me Nugget instead of Meagan, it was his own pronunciation. And my sister Carolanne was Carrie-Ann to him. His sister, my great grandmother, was named Eula to rhyme with her cousin Beulah.
I spent formative years in North Carolina and developed your accent. (Ages 4-10). Then we moved back to Texas. Now my accent is a mashup or maybe even gone due to being picked on over it. To this day, I have such lovely and reminiscent dreams about NC. I would go back if I could. Specifically to the mountains.
For years I heard stories of my Great Aunt Eeler. I assumed that was her real name until I asked my aunt how to spell it, and she said, "Ella." You've given great explanations of name changes which made this family name make more sense. Thanks for such an interesting video!
You're welcome 😀
Wasn't Aunt "Eeler" a character in "Oklahoma" ?
@@paulinelarson465 You are right! I looked up on IMDb. She was played by Maureen Lipman. I'll have to pay close attention when I see 'Oklahoma' again. Thanks!
Hi really enjoyed your video. Hestletine is an English surname. Emer is old Irish, Eimear meaning swift, Fielden is an English surname to. Love listening to the stories Chrissey from England 🇬🇧 xxx
I did enjoy this ⭐ Their is no doubt in my mind that their will be a lot of new baby girls being named Tipper. Tipper is a cute name.
You mentioned knowing an LC, I knew an LC as well. He has passed, for probably 20 years now. And lived not too far from you (1-1.5 hours south of you in Gainesville), and I don't know where he was from but we are on the edge of Appalachia.
my grandparents are from rural Georgia, not Appalachia, but they would always switch ending pronunciations like you described. Some that come to mind are “okra” (the vegetable) was “okrey.” The days of the week were -ey endings instead of -ay endings. (Sundey instead of Sunday for example).
So it’s interesting to learn that that may have come from an Appalachian thing.
Yes okrey! Have heard that one
My family is from TN. My daughter's name is Prayer. My Granny's name was Reddi and my Grandaddy's name was General. My mamas name was Elmarie.
I absolutely love the name Prayer. How beautiful
Yes beautiful.
My mom's family is Puerto Rican/Hawaiian. We have lots of fun names, like Domitrio (Dodo for short) and Theofisa. My mom went to high school with twins named Ruthanella and Fundernella. This was a lovely video thank you so much!
Smokemont!! Beautiful area and campground! I grew up goint there, Oconoluftee, Cherokee. I live in Haywood County, parents out on J Creek, near Cataloochee Valley where the Elk graze❤
In 1999 the girls name Lily hadnt been used for a long time and I loved older names so I named my baby girl Lily. Now there are many Lily's or Lilly or Lillie's ❤ I love the older unique names.
My Mother's family is from the northern end of Appalachia. I have been doing a lot of family tree research and have found some rather odd old Dutch names going back to when the family first arrived in the colonies (1623). Two of my favorites are Gysbert and Myndert . There are several others but those two really stand out to me.
Tipper I am from Southern California originally and I now live in Colorado. I am amazed at how many words and phrases that Appalachian folks use that I am familiar with. I too am interested in accents and language. As I have followed your cooking channel and now this channel, I notice how much different folks from different parts of America have in common. Actually from all over the world. In short, your language channel is fascinating and so enjoyable. Thank you for your research and sharing of knowledge!
My family is not from Appalachia rather we are "river rats", farmers and ranch hands from West Texas. But our naming conventions are similar. I just love your videos. Appalachia has such a rich history that so many folks don't understand.
I guess you saw my comment concerning unusual Appalachian names, and ran with it. Love you for this. Josey, and Johnsee, and Anderson as in "Devil Anse Hatfield". Roseann is popular for Applachian women. Rory is also a male Appalachian name.
😀 Love those too!! Thank you 😀
Went up and visited the cemeteries of the Hatfield and the McCoy's back in July. Took a cousin who was related by the Whitt family. They really had some names that were different for sure. Long trip but worth the ride if you like old cemeteries and history.
Mrs Tipper, I'm watching your videos on Thanksgiving 2022, I'm sick as a dog, I'm about 300 miles from the house (Prattville Alabama), and all by myself (save the cat). My grandpa was from around Morgantown North Carolina, and so most words in your videos I know, and use daily. Maybe cause I'm poorly, maybe cause I'm a Fer piece from the house, but just hearing someone other than me saying them has got me teared up. I appreciate you.
That being said, on to names. I got a cousin named Marvina , her daddy is Marvin, he wanted a boy but didn't get one, so named a girl Marvin with an A on the end- Marvina.
My other grandpa, had brothers named Herd, and Presley, a sister named Minnie (actual name- she predated Disney), and another sister named Immenell (sp?). He had other brothers and sisters too, but they had semi normal names like Inez, and Alford.
We had an Iola, we called her aunt (aint) Ola or Oler. We also had a uncle Hugh. Hugh is an odd name even for back then, albeit a good English name, it's fairly odd in the south (near as I can tell).
Although they had weird names by today's standards, they were great people, thanks for making me of the mind to think of them.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful names! So sorry you are sick! Praying you are soon well!!
I'm so elated this channel was suggested to me. I'm born and bread in the Midwest, and now I'm green with envy with this GORGEOUS names. Fixing to change my middle one to Menerva or the like. That list has my heart. I'm subscribing, thank you for this content.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for subscribing 😀