Mary Elizabeth and John William always found their names so boring growing up. Where other people saw “classic” and “simple”, they saw “snoozefest” and “dull”. They passed on a love of “unique” names to their seven children, who passed it on to theirs.
Let the naming begin! Follow the rules given below for each of the families. I hope you have fun :)
The Starter Family
Surnames: Mackenzie Fairfax Avery Edens Jane Harrington May Wood Callahan Morgan Thornton
H [77] John William (You choose surname from above!)
W [74] Mary Elizabeth (Surname) {nee (Choose from above!)}
Child 1 [53]
Child 2 [51]
Child 3 [50]
Child 4 [48]
Child 5 [45]
Child 6 [42]
Child 7 [38]
Rules:
-You can choose the genders of the children, but must follow the below naming rules.
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First names follow “shingle” rules. This means the first child's name can be whatever you want, but for the second child (and onward) you must use the last two or more letters of the previous name to make the next name. If a name can't be made with the last two letters, drop a letter until one can be made. For example, if you start with Elizabeth, your response should start with TH-. If you can't think of a TH- name, you could go back to ETH-, or BETH- , ABETH-, and so on until you come up with one.
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Middle names are words not commonly used as names. Be creative!
Child 1's Family
Roll the dice to find out how many children they have: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/dice/eight.htm
Child 1 [53] thought he/she would never find a partner and settle down, but at 36 he/she finally found their match and quickly got married and had as many children as he/she could before time ran out.
Rules:
-Spouse's name is extremely hippyish (think Moon Child or Rainbow Heart). Surname (or maiden name) is a name common as a first name (e.g. Alexander, David, Andrew, etc).
-Roll the die per child to find out gender. Even = girl, odd = boy.
-Children's first names are uncommon surname names (as a general rule, if you've never seen it in real life, feel free to use it).
-Children's middle names are unusual word names to fit how overjoyed the parents are to finally have them.
Think names like: Gift, Cherish, Treasure, Hope, Wish, Desired, etc.
Child 2's Family
Child 2 [51] was lucky to find his/her partner early on in life, and got married in their early twenties. Although most of all they just wanted a healthy baby, they had both always wished for a boy. They tried thirteen times for a boy, and got girls every time. That didn't stop them from using their favourite names though...
Rules:-Spouses first name is one more commonly seen on the opposite gender. Spouses middle name is gender neutral/unisex. Surname/maiden name is one that has two English words put together – for example, Blackwood, Townsend, Redfield, etc. You can make it up!
-The daughters have boys names that aren't commonly found on girls (so no Morgan, Elliot, Avery – if it's in the top 1000 SSA it's too common!). Be creative!
-Their middle names are over the top girly just so people don't mistake them for boys!
Child 3's Family
Roll the dice to find out how many children they have: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/dice/six.htm
If you get one, roll again.
Child 3 [50] and their partner tried for years to conceive with no luck, until turning to IVF. On their third and final try, they succeeded, and ended up with multiples!
Rules:
-Spouse's name is completely your choice.
-Roll the die per baby to find out gender. Even = girl, odd = boy.
-First names must be obviously matchy. You can't do something subtle like matchy meanings. Have fun with it!
-Middle names must all be forms of the same name.
Child 4's Family
Roll the dice to find out how many children they have: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/dice/eight.htm
Child 4 [48] has had a simple life and ended up with a lovely partner and family. He/she decided to go a bit crazy with their kids names, though!
Rules:
-Spouse's name is something really crazy. Surname/maiden name is a colour.
-Roll the die per child to find out gender. Even = girl, odd = boy.
-Children's first names must be unusual name smushes (nothing like Marygrace or Ellajane, do something unusual like Eloisemaud or Gilesedward. Go crazy!)
-Children's middle names come from the following lists:
Girls: Ace Anson Arlington Avaliese Beren Bright Heron Huxley Kerala Lotti Nebula Pace Plum Rooney True Xophia
Boys: Aleph Arcadius Bravery Eames Enderson Ezekias Fielder Heathcliff Johnlucas Kensen Loch Princewilliam Track Valencio Whelan Zanthony Zephyrus
Child 5's Family
Roll the dice to find out how many children they have: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/dice/eight.htm
Child 5 [45] has always been the quiet family member, so while he/she and her/his partner wanted their kids names to be special, they didn't want them to be TOO out there.
Rules:
-Spouse's name is alliterative (including surname). All three (or four!) initials must begin with the same letter.
-Roll the die per child to find out gender. Even = girl, odd = boy.
-Children's first names must come from the lists provided.
Girls: Aria Athena Blythe Coralie Effie Geneva Ida Lucille Milena Mireille Nova Paige Petal Posey Ramona Saskia Theresa Tillie Waverly
Boys: Alistair Ambrose Balthazar Bennett Cato Cyrus Desmond Django Enzo Ezekiel Garrett Leon Lincoln Malloy Rhett Solomon
-Middle names must begin with the same letter as their first name.
Child 6's Family
Roll the dice to find out how many children they have: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/dice/eight.htm
Child 6 [42] has never been good at spelling, so didn't take much care when spelling his/her kids names!
Rules:
-Spouse has a dated, boring name. Surname is something very common (Smith, Jones, etc).
-Roll the die per child to find out gender. Even = girl, odd = boy.
-Children's first names are very uncommon AND misspelled.
-Children's middle names honour passed on family members, and you choose them from the lists below (taken from a Nameberry blog post about names from Connecticut gravestones!):
Girls: Philomene Rosannah Roselinda Rosetta Althea Amarilla Antonina Apphia Corintha Decima Dellaphine Edessa Eriminia Fairvine Florella Lamira Leokaida Lucretia Pluma Roena Sophronia Theodotia Tryphena Love Delight Prudence
Boys: Apollos Arno Nello Olin Orvis Otho Hezekiah Ozias Zaccheus Zebulon Bishop Royal Squire Starling Thankful Pearl Garland Augustus
Child 7's Family
Roll the dice to find out how many children they have: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks1/maths/dice/eight.htm
Child 7 [38] has been the baby his/her whole life, and in turn has given babyish names to his/her children. Lucky them?
Rules:
-Spouse has a very serious full name with a “cute” nickname. Surname/maiden name is very English.
-Roll the die per child to find out gender. Even = girl, odd = boy.
-Children's first names are from this list:
Girls: Bebe Cece Coco Dede Dodo Fifi Gigi Kiki Lili Lulu Mimi Pippi Evie Hattie Elsie Gracie Maisie Millie
Boys: Charlie Jamie Barney Danny Tommy Jojo Jerry Jem Petey Johnny Will Ned Gabe Harry Sammy Ben Teddy Bobby
-And middle names, from this list:
Girls: Bunny Boo Blue Apple Blossom Bambi Candy Buttercup Pixie Love Peanut Missy Sweetpea
Boys: Bear Blue Mowgli Buster Buddy Dash Peanut Ace Monkey Lucky Sparky Bubba