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[Opinions] Re: American names
Surname names are often seen as American names because often parents want to honor a surname from a relative who came from the "old country" but over time it has become just trendy and the names have no meaning to the individual who bestows it.
Creative names are definately American (even though I truly hate to say it) although they have been infiltrating Europe and Australia. I don't know many caucasian people with unique names, although I know that is becoming more popular as well. Normally, I see creative names on hispanic and black children.
Southern and 40/50's conjugated names such as Billy-jo, Betty-Lou, Marie-Claire seem to be very uniquely American but have also infiltrated other parts of the world...namely the UK.I know there are more 'categories' so to speak, but I can't think of them at the moment.
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SurnamesNot just names from 'the old country', surnames have a long history of use as first names in America. I have several in my family tree, on the old New England and Southern lines, not the more recent immigrants.

This message was edited 7/4/2007, 5:47 PM

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Agree about Betty-Lou, forgot about that whole categorylike Bobbie Anne, for another example (which I love). But I think Marie-Claire would be entirely French. I could be wrong.
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