Some of my favorite girls’ names have a connection to alcohol (though bear in mind that I have about 300 favorite girls’ names!).
Also bear in mind that I will not be naming any future children, so this is speculation.
I find that I am repulsed by some: [name_f]Brandy[/name_f], [name_f]Margarita[/name_f], [name_f]Midori[/name_f], for example, and yet drawn to others: [name_f]Madeira[/name_f], [name_f]Loire[/name_f], [name_f]Moselle[/name_f], and [name_f]Claret[/name_f].
The second set of names sound classier to me.
Also for me they have multiple associations ([name_f]Madeira[/name_f] is a beverage, but also a place and a cake, [name_f]Loire[/name_f] is a region, and possibly [name_f]Moselle[/name_f] too, [name_f]Moselle[/name_f] is a character on The Waltons, and [name_f]Claret[/name_f], well, that reminds me of a key romantic scene in a [name_m]Lord[/name_m] [name_m]Peter[/name_m] Wimsey/[name_f]Harriet[/name_f] [name_m]Vine[/name_m] novel which centers on his desire to see her in a claret-colored gown. She shows up in one and the reader shudders with anticipation).
Anyway, the latter set sound very different to me than, “Hey, it’s almost closing time. Where’s my [name_f]Margarita[/name_f]?”
Which names am I missing? Which do you like or dislike and why? Is it ever OK to name a person or dog an alcohol-related name? Me, I’d be creeped out if some poor noble dog got stuck being called [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] Wallbanger…
Yep. [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] I like, but it doesn’t remind me of alcohol so much as [name_m]George[/name_m] [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] in It’s a Wonderful Life. And maybe [name_u]Jameson[/name_u] as a nickname for [name_u]James[/name_u] is OK with me, but [name_f]Chardonnay[/name_f] or [name_f]Chablis[/name_f] give me gooseflesh, and not in a nice way.
I love [name_f]Mimosa[/name_f] and I find it really sad that it’s unusable because of the alchohol connection, it’s also a botanical name, which I really like.
I know a Tequili (like [name_f]Tequila[/name_f]) but I seriously hate that…
I know several Hennessys, actually. I don’t really have many associations to any, just because I don’t drink, and I’ve never tried to gain any knowledge about alcohol. I like [name_f]Claret[/name_f] fairly well. I seem to like more names for boys, though–[name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_u]Bailey[/name_u], [name_u]Jameson[/name_u], [name_m]Daniel[/name_m] (okay, not totally there, but I feel bad that I like both [name_m]Jack[/name_m] and [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], lol).
Here are a few of the less obvious alcoholic-related names that I think could actually work as a person’s name (depending where you are and what strong associations come with it of course)…
World:
[name_f]Merisa[/name_f] – traditional beer in the Sudan.
Raicilla – spirit originating in Mexico.
Pinga – Brazillian spirit; also a goddess in Inuit mythology.
Tiquira – Brazilian spirit.
Zivania – [name_m]Cyprian[/name_m] brandy-like beverage.
Pálinka – fruit brandy.
Kasiri – beer made from cassava.
Rakia – fruit brandy in the Bulkans.
I don’t think [name_f]Mimosa[/name_f] is unusable. I am not drawn enough to it to use it, but I appreciate that it is a plant name. While [name_f]Tequila[/name_f], Vodka, and Whiskey seem forbidden (and ugly) fruit, [name_f]Mimosa[/name_f] is actually a pretty word.
It also has more elegant associations – a beverage of champagne and orange juice served at weddings and brunches just does sound a bit more refined than say, [name_m]Bourbon[/name_m].
I actually have a set of cousins named [name_f]Brandy[/name_f] and [name_f]Sherry[/name_f]. I always wondered how their younger sister escaped with a non-alcoholic name.
I really love Bellini and [name_f]Mimosa[/name_f]. Bellini nn [name_f]Belle[/name_f] and [name_f]Mimosa[/name_f] nn [name_f]Mimi[/name_f] sound so sweet as sisters.
