Canberra, the capital of Australia, was established (and named) on March 12, 1913 — almost exactly a century ago.
So the Canberra Times is asking people to suggest baby names that could commemorate Canberra’s centennial year, 2013.
Here are some names they’ve come up with so far:
- Acacia, a genus of trees, most of which are native to Australia
- Bluebelle, “after the Royal Bluebell, our Territory’s floral emblem”
- Corymbia, a type of eucalyptus
- Makaira, from the genus of the Black Marlin
- Melliodora, another type of eucalyptus
One reader mentioned that his daughter was named “Aisha Caitlyn Truelsen” — initials ACT, same as the initials of the Australian Capital Territory. Her father said “she is quite chuffed about seeing ACT all over the place.”
What other Australia-specific (or, better, Canberra-specific) baby names would you suggest?
Here’s one idea: Gertrude, for Gertrude Mary Denman (1884-1954). Her name might not be stylish right now, but she was the person who officially named Canberra back in 1913.
Source: State of baby names range from the botanical to fishy
EDIT: Waltzing More than Matilda has tracked down an article about the baby that kicked off the Canberra Times’ search for centennial names — Allegra Bluebelle, born in Canberra last year on December 28.