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Document Details : Title: Changes in the Naming Patterns for Girls and Boys in the Netherlands against the Cultural Background (XXth century) Author(s): GERRITZEN, Doreen Journal: Onoma Volume: 34 Date: 1998-1999 Pages: 181-195 DOI: 10.2143/ONO.34.0.2003448 Abstract : This article aims to describe the changes in naming patterns for girls and boys during the last century. First names from the pre-war period will be compared to names given in the last decades. Research results show a strong decline in the number of girls' names derived from boys' names. This change can be partly explained by reference to the considerable number of names of English or American origin. The change in naming practices is more radical in the case of girls' names: borrowed names tend to dominate among them, while in the case of boys' names Dutch names also figure prominently. This observation may be linked to differences in motivation as regards naming sons and daughters. Parents more often prefer a short and simple name for a boy, for girls more emphasis is placed on the aesthetic qualities of the name. |
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