Arroyo Grande Cemetery, Part 2

Hello, readers!

Another list of fabulous names collected at the Arroyo Grande Cemetery!

Word names: Council, Saint, Floss, Squire, Bliss, Constant

Place names: Louisiana, Columbia, Vienna, Nevada

Japanese Names

Chota
Eiko
Eju
Emi
Emiko
Ippei
Ito
Jozo
Jutaro
Juzo
Harue
Hide
Hirojiro
Hiroshi
Heigo
Kaoru
Kataro
Kazuko
Kimiko
Kinzo
Kumataro
Masahichi
Masano
Momoju
Sada
Saheji
Sanaye
Sei
Senzo
Setsugo
Shige
Suya
Takao
Tatsuishi
Tsuya
Yoshi
Yoshie
Yoshiko

Non-Japanese Names

Adelbert
Alonzo
Alpha
Alzina
Analee
Arah
Arminda
Audie
Avanell
Bento
Biatriz
Birdella
Bliss (M)
Bothilde
Brazzle
Brusie
Burr Zill
Burton
Carroll (M)
Celestia Adella
Clem
Cleon
Clother
Conceicão
Council
Columbia
Constant
Cramer
Cyril
Delcie
Denzell
DeWitt
Elberta
Elby
Elinore
Ellamay
Elov
Elva
Emrine
Ertie
Estaguio
Ester
Ethel Addie
Ethlyn
Eudora "Dodie"
Euphemia
Eugenia
Fanny
Filippo
Filomena
Floss
Gabino
Gwenyth
Hearold
Heladio
Hermine
Inca
Judson
Kennis
Kermit
Lakie
Lemual
Leora
Lestra
Letha
Linnie
Louisiana
Lottie June
Louella
Loyia
Ludi
Lula
Maude Verena
Marieanna
Maybell
Melvina
Metta
Monty
Murrilla
Nasario
Neasley
Nelia
Nevada
Olla
Orval
Purn
Saburt
Saint
Sayde
Serafin
Serren
Sevellon
Sibbie
Socrates
Squire
Tammen
Terraleigh
Thelise
Thome
Thurza
Tillman
Turalee
Ulta
Vernie
Vida Grace
Vie Jane
Vienna
Viola
Weisner
Wencil
Wilmot
Zenith
Zerva
Zola
Zora

Yet Another Post About Cemeteries - Arroyo Grande Cemetery

Hello, readers!

You may have not read the first post I made about my new hobby - combing the local cemetery headstones for unexpected names. My first few forays into this world were less fruitful - but today's visit to the Arroyo Grande Cemetery proved to be an amazing look at local history!

I only went through two segments of an incredibly large area, but I found dozens of first names I hadn't seen before, as well as some I rarely see these days. Many Latino, Filipino, Italian, and Portuguese families were represented in this area, from as far back as the late 1800's. My own family emigrated from the Azores (Portugal) around 1900 or so, and I recognized many of the last names as local Portuguese families.

Common themes:

• Feminizations of traditionally male names: Albertine, Loydene, Haroldeene, Aloisia
• Unusual Marian names: Purificacion, Encarnacion, Rosarie, Epifinia
• Double names for women: Della Mae, Jimmie Lou, Lindy Lou, Wilda Rose
• Latinized forms of Greek names: Nemesio, Apolonio, Achille, Tranquillino
• Spanish virtue names: Esperanza, Felicitas, Modesta, Prudencio

What trends of yesteryear can you find?

Achille
Albertine
Albinia
Aloisia
Alta
Amacias
Amelda
Anella
Anetha
Apolonio
Aquilina
Areli
Arminta
Arvilla
Arza
Attilio
Balbino
Battista
Beden
Belford
Belmeda
Belmira
Bernabe
Bibiano
Bridie
Brigitte
Bulayong
Carmina
Castor
Cataldo
Catharina
Ceferina
Cipriano
Cleto
Clotilda
Cornelio
Crispina
Crispolo
Dalmacio
Darlyne
Della Mae
Delpha
Elario
Eleuteria
Eluira
Emeterio
Encarnacion
Endia
Enedina
Epifinia
Epitacio
Erlinda
Ernestine
Esabelo
Esperanza
Eugenie
Eustaquio
Felicitas
Fermin
Ferminia
Fidensio
Florencio
Fragedio
Gean
Genoveva
Geronimo
Glenna
Godofredo
Goldie
Gonzalo
Gregoria
Hameed
Hardie
Haroldeene
Herminia
Herschel
Honorio
Ildefonso
Ita
Jermana
Jesuina
Jimmie Lou
Jolynn
Jovita
Kennan
Kerwin
Lavonne
Lazaro
Lenwood
Leonardus
Leoncia
Leone
Leonora
Lidia
Lilla
Lindy Lou
Lodoska
Loramae
Loydene 
Ludovina
Maddalena
Marcial
Mariegold
Marquis "Marq"
Martiniano
Massey
Melitona
Millian
Modesta
Nedra
Nemesio
Nicanor
Nicolasa
Oda
Olegario
Oma
Ona
Oren
Orestes
Orvill
Ottavio
Pacifico
Pantaleon
Pasincia
Patrocinia
Perfecto
Prentiss
Primitiva
Pructoso
Prudencio
Purificacion
Reanee
Rizzie
Rodit
Roque
Rosarie
Rosendo
Rosina
Sabas
Saturnino
Selderico
Senon
Severiana
Shandon
Sidone 
Telesfora
Teodocia
Teodorico
Teodulo
Theophile
Tiburcio
Tirso
Tomasa
Tranquillino
Trenney
Tressia
Venancio
Umblino
Waldo
Waldron
Wilda Rose
Zelma
Zelpha
Zoilo

Tell me your favorites in the comments!

Somber cemetery selfie

So I've been hanging out in cemeteries...

Hello, readers!

Name inspiration can often be found in odd places - overhearing a conversation at a cafe, noticing an unusual name on a sign-in sheet, or even peeking at local cemeteries! Alright, so the latter activity isn't quite as common, but local cemeteries can offer a host of information about your community's history.

A local cemetery in need of care (and visitors)

I'm from the central coast of California, and I've noticed some patterns in these final resting places: many families emigrated to our area from Mexico, France, Ireland, the Philippines, and Portugal. Granted, I've been wandering through mostly Catholic cemeteries, which in itself adds another dimension to the names on headstones. Overall, it's been a unique way to learn more about my town's humble origins as well as providing new name inspiration!

Crosses at a Catholic mission cemetery

Here are some of the best names I've found

Albina - It comes from Albus, meaning "bright" or "white," and Albina is also the name of a third-century saint.

Amby - Possibly a surname, or a nickname for Ambrose.

Delfina - It means "of Delphi," and was also used by an early Christian nun.

Gracia - While Grace has long been an Anglophone classic, this Latin variant adds a little extra attitude and sophistication.

Laurianno - I haven't found out too much about this name, but I'm guessing that it's a park of the Lauren family - Lawrence, Laura, etc.

Luiza - I'm looking to honor my Portuguese heritage as well as use a form of Louis in a future child's name, making Luiza particularly attractive to me.

Maximina - A lovely, feminine option for fans of the nickname Max for girls.

Pagerio - A surname-name with little information online...

Petra - I've always wondered why Petra doesn't get more attention in the US - it's so pretty and refined.

Procopio - Derived from a Greek word meaning "progress," this was my favorite find. It's also an uncommon saint's name option.

Saloma - A variation of Salome, this sweet name is also reminiscent of Paloma.

Ymilia - Having never come across this version of my name, I do like an unexpected first initial.

Have you ever found name inspiration in an unexpected place? Do you also like hanging out in cemeteries? Tell me in the comments!