Feeling nudged to choose a baby name that contains the letter-pair DG?
It’s an uncommon combination, but I’ve tracked down a few dozen options for you in this post!
Before we get to the names, though, let’s learn…
Where did -DGE come from in English?
French scribes, essentially.
In Old English, the “soft g” sound was rare, and it only occurred at the end of a word. When it did pop up, it was spelled with the digraph CG.
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the ruling class of England spoke Anglo-Norman French. Over time, “the French-educated scribes [began] imposing traditional French spelling rules on English.”
The Normans had brought with them “soft g” words that utilized the letters G and I (which later evolved into J), but for native English words that contained the same sound, they decided to swap out CG for the trigraph DGE.
Some examples…
Old English
Modern English
brycg
bridge
ecg
edge
hecg
hedge
hrycg
ridge
wecg
wedge
Words derived from Anglo-Norman that happen to have the same ending include judge, pledge, and badge, and budge.
Now, on to the names!
Names with DG
Below are names that feature either DGE or the letter-pair DG (if it represents the same “soft G” sound). All of these names come from the SSA’s baby name data.
If so, here’s a long list of enlightened options to choose from!
Top baby names with ZEN
First, a quick rundown of the most popular names with the letter sequence “z-e-n,” according to the current U.S. baby name data.
Top girl names with “z-e-n”
Top boy names with “z-e-n”
Zendaya Azeneth Zena Zen Zenaida Zenovia Zenobia Zeniyah Zenith Chozen
Kaizen Zen Aizen Chozen Kyzen Hazen Kaiyzen Zenith Mazen Zeno
Now here are the same names again, this time with links to popularity graphs and, in some cases, explanations/definitions. (Many of these are modern names without a distinct origin, so I can’t add as much extra information as I did in similar posts, e.g., VAN, ICE, CAR.)
Zen comes from the vocabulary word zen, which (in English) often refers to enlightenment. The word is ultimately based upon the Sanskrit word dhyana, meaning “meditation.”
Zeno is derived from the ancient Greek name Zenon, which is also based on Zeus.
Zenobia and Zenovia are forms of an ancient Greek name meaning “life of Zeus.”
More names with ZEN
So, what other names have ZEN in them? Here are some less-common choices. (Nearly all of these come directly from the SSA’s baby name data.)
Azen, Ayzen
Alzena
Alzenia
Amazen
Asuzena, Azuzena
Autzen
Used mostly in the state of Oregon. The University of Oregon’s football team plays in Autzen Stadium, which was named after Danish-American lumberman/philanthropist Thomas J. Autzen.
Azena
Azende
Azenet
Blazen
Blazena
Bozena
Brazen, Brayzen
Caizen
Chayzen
Drazen
Drazenka
Dzenan
Dzeneta
Dzenita
Eizen
Eizens
Elzena
Haizen, Hayzen
Izen
Izena
Jakzenny
Jantzen
Janzen
Jaxzen
Jazen, Jayzen, Jaizen
Jentezen
Jentzen
Jenzen
Jezenia
Kazen, Kayzen
Kreszentia
Kreszenz
Khyzen, Khaizen
Lozen
Luzena
Marzena
Maizen
Nazenin
Ozena
Roczen
Rozen
Rozena, Rosezena
Rozenia
Ruzena
Ryzen
Suzen
Tamzen
Tayzen
Tyzen
Vinzent
Vinzenz
Yazen
Yezen
Yezenia
Zenab
Zenae
Zenah
Zenai
Zenaide
Zenaido
Zenais
Zenani
Zenas
Zenaura
Zenaya, Zenayah, Zenaiya
Zenayda
Zenda
Zendayah, Zendaiya
Zende
Zendell
Zenden
Zender
Zendeya
Zendiya
Zendra
Zendre
Zendy
Zene
Zeneida
Zenen
Zeneth
Zenetta
Zeni, Zeny, Zennie, Zenni
Zenia, Zeniah, Zennia
Zenida
Zenita
Zeniya, Zenniyah
Zenja
Zenley
Zenna
Zenoba
Zenobios
Zenola
Zenolia
Zenon, Zennon
Zenona
Zenora, Zenorah
Zenos
Zennith
Zentavious
Zenus
Zenya
Zenzele
Zenzile
Several of the above are non-traditional spellings of more common names, such as Susan and Yesenia.
Which ZEN name do you like most? Let me know in the comments!
Did you know that The Walt Disney Company has a birthday coming up?
On October 16, 2023, Disney will mark its 100th anniversary. (I learned this while working on last month’s post about Davy Crockett.)
Let’s celebrate the upcoming centennial with more than 100 Walt Disney-inspired baby names. Just to make things interesting, all of the names below refer to Disney-related people, places, things, and events from the pre-television era.
Walt (Walter) or Elias for animator and businessman Walter Elias “Walt” Disney, who was born in 1901. His middle name was passed down from his father, Elias C. Disney.
Kaycee for Kaycee Studio, Walt’s first animation studio. It was named after its location, Kansas City — “K.C” for short.
Newman for the Newman Laugh-o-Grams, Walt’s first animated films, which aired exclusively at the Newman Theater in Kansas City starting in early 1921.
Jack for the Laugh-o-Gram shorts Jack and the Beanstalk and Jack the Giant Killer, both from 1922.
Goldie for the Laugh-o-Gram short Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, also from 1922.
The name Goldie was used again (for an elf) in the future Disney short The Golden Touch (1935).
Alice for the Alice Comedies, a series of short films in which a live-action girl named Alice interacts with cartoon characters in an animated landscape. The first short, the unfinished Alice’s Wonderland, was created in Kansas City.
Alice in “Alice’s Wild West Show“
In the summer of 1923, after Walt’s second studio (Laugh-o-Gram) went bankrupt, Walt moved to Los Angeles, California.
Margaret for businesswoman Margaret J. Winkler, who agreed to distribute Walt’s proposed Alice Comedies series. The contract was signed on October 16, 1923.
Roy for Roy O. Disney, who, with Walt, co-founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio (later The Walt Disney Company) upon the finalization of the distribution deal.
Virginia for child actress Virginia Davis, who originated the role of Alice. Her family relocated to California so that she could appear in 14 more films.
Kathleen for artist Kathleen Dollard, the studio’s first hire.
Julius for Julius the Cat, a recurring character in the Alice Comedies.
Pete for Peg Leg Pete, a villain who first appeared in Alice Solves the Puzzle (1925). He has since become Disney’s oldest recurring character.
Margie and Lois for child actresses Margie Gay and Lois Hardwick, who played Alice in later films.
Oswald for character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who was created in 1927 (by Universal Pictures) to star in a new series of animated films, the first 26 of which were animated by Walt’s company.
In 1928, the businessman who owned the rights to Oswald decided to create his own animation studio and produce the Oswald cartoons himself. He even hired away several of Walt’s animators.
It was a major setback, as Walt’s studio had already created more than two dozen successful Oswald films. But Walt refused to give up. Soon enough, he came up with an idea for a new character — a mouse!
Mickey and Minnie for characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. They technically first appeared in the short Plane Crazy (May 1928), but their first wide-release appearance was in Steamboat Willie.
Willie for the short Steamboat Willie (Nov. 1928). One of the first cartoons to synchronize sound and animation, it was an immediate hit.
The name Willie was used again in the future Disney short Willie the Operatic Whale (1946).
Charlotte for seamstress Charlotte Clark, who designed and sold the first Disney-approved Mickey Mouse dolls.
Charlotte Clark doll label
Walt’s studio not only continued making Mickey Mouse films, but also began another series of films, Silly Symphonies, which introduced a slew of new characters.
Horace for character Horace Horsecollar, who first appeared in the short The Plowboy (1929).
Adeline for “Sweet Adeline,” the song that Mickey (and a pair of alley cats) performed for Minnie in the short The Karnival Kid (1929). Mickey Mouse spoke his first words in this cartoon.
Clarabelle for Horace’s love interest, Clarabelle Cow, who first appeared in the short The Shindig (1930).
Pluto for Mickey Mouse’s dog, Pluto the Pup, who first appeared in the short The Chain Gang (1930). His name, inspired by the recently discovered planet Pluto, was first used in The Moose Hunt (1931).
Vance for actor Vance “Pinto” Colvig, the original voice of both Pluto and Goofy.
Fifi for Pluto’s love interest, Fifi the Pekingese, who first appeared in the short Puppy Love (1933).
Donald for character Donald Duck, who first appeared in the short The Wise Little Hen (1934).
Clarence for actor Clarence Nash, the original voice of Donald Duck.
Morty and Ferdie for Mickey Mouse’s nephews, Morty and Ferdie Fieldmouse, from the short Mickey’s Steam Roller (1934).
Clara for character Clara Cluck, the operatic chicken who first appeared in the short Orphan’s Benefit (1934).
Peter and Polly for characters Peter and Polly Penguin from the short Peculiar Penguins (1934).
The name Peter was used again in the future Disney short Peter and the Wolf (1946).
Bianca for artist Bianca Majolie, the studio’s first female employee in the Story department (as opposed to the Ink and Paint department).
Max and Toby for characters Max Hare and Toby Tortoise, rivals first featured in the Oscar-winning short The Tortoise and the Hare (1935).
Ambrose (or Butch) for the kitten named Ambrose (who aspired to be a bandit called “Butch”) in the short The Robber Kitten (1935).
Jenny for Donald Duck’s burro, Jenny, who first appeared in the short Mickey’s Polo Team (1936).
The name Jenny had also been used in the unrelated 1935 short Who Killed Cock Robin?
Elmer and Tillie for characters Elmer Elephant and Tillie Tiger from the short Elmer Elephant (1936).
The name Elmer had also been used in the unrelated 1934 short Mickey Plays Papa.
Mortimer for character Mortimer Mouse from the short Mickey’s Rival (1936).
Did you know that Walt’s original name for Mickey Mouse was “Mortimer Mouse”? His wife Lillian convinced him to use the name Mickey instead.
Monty and Abner for characters Monty Citymouse and Abner Countrymouse from the Oscar-winning short The Country Cousin (1936).
Abner and Monty from “The Country Cousin“
Donna for Donald Duck’s first girlfriend, Donna Duck, from the short Don Donald (1937).
Hortense for the insatiable ostrich Hortense in the short Donald’s Ostrich (1937).
Snow for Snow White, the lead character from the studio’s first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). This was the first animated feature in history “to receive a wide, Hollywood-style release.”
Adriana for actress and singer Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White.
Marge for dancer Marge Champion, the real-life model for Snow White. She was also the model for other Disney characters, including the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio.
Lucille for actress Lucille La Verne, the voice of the Evil Queen from Snow White.
Moroni for actor Moroni Olsen, the voice of the Magic Mirror from Snow White.
Larry and Frank for songwriters Larry Morey and Frank Churchill, who created the song “Someday My Prince Will Come” for Snow White.
Huey, Dewey, and Louie for Donald Duck’s nephews, who first appeared in the short Donald’s Nephews (1938).
Tailor for the Mickey Mouse short Brave Little Tailor (1938).
Ferdinand for the pacifist bull Ferdinand from the Oscar-winning short Ferdinand the Bull (1938).
Wilbur for Goofy’s pet grasshopper, Wilbur, from the short Goofy and Wilbur (1939).
Gus for the gluttonous goose Gus in the short Donald’s Cousin Gus (1939).
The name Gus was used again (for a mouse) in the future Disney movie Cinderella.
Dickie for child actor Richard “Dickie” Jones, the voice of the lead character from the studio’s second feature-length film, Pinocchio (1940).
Blue for the Blue Fairy, the character who brought Geppetto’s puppet to life in Pinocchio.
Evelyn for actress Evelyn Venable, the voice of the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio.
The Blue Fairy and Pinocchio from “Pinocchio“
Cleo for Geppetto’s pet goldfish, Cleo, from Pinocchio.
Leigh and Ned for songwriters Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, who created the song “When You Wish Upon a Star” for Pinocchio.
Cliff for actor and singer Clifton “Cliff” Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio.
Daisy for Donald Duck’s second girlfriend, Daisy Duck, who first appeared in the short Mr. Duck Steps Out (1940).
Fantasia for the studio’s third feature-length film, Fantasia (1940). The movie’s title comes from the musical term fantasia, which refers to a musical composition without a traditional or fixed form.
Fred for animator Fred Moore, who redesigned Mickey Mouse for the character’s feature-length film debut in Fantasia.
Leopold for conductor Leopold Stokowski, who conducted the classical music in Fantasia.
Giles for character Sir Giles, the elderly knight from the studio’s fourth feature-length film, The Reluctant Dragon (1941).
Timothy for the character Timothy Q. Mouse from the studio’s fifth feature-length film, Dumbo (1941).
Bambi and Faline for characters Bambi and Faline from the studio’s sixth feature-length film, Bambi (1942).
Tyrus for Chinese-American animator Tyrus Wong, whose sketches inspired the impressionistic style of Bambi.
Retta for animator Retta Scott, the first female animator to receive screen credit on a Disney animated feature (Bambi).
José for character José Carioca, the dapper parrot who first appeared in the studio’s seventh feature-length film, Saludos Amigos (1943).
Pedro for character Pedro, the anthropomorphic mail plane from Saludos Amigos.
Chip and Dale for characters Chip and Dale, the mischievous chipmunks who first appeared in the short Private Pluto (1943).
Pablo for character Pablo, the warmth-seeking penguin from the studio’s ninth feature-length film, The Three Caballeros (1945).
Pauline for character Pauline from the short Duck Pimples (1945).
Cedric and Esmeralda for characters Cedric and Esmeralda from the short A Knight for a Day (1946).
Henry and Grace for characters Henry and Grace, the feuding newlyweds from the studio’s 10th feature-length film, Make Mine Music (1946).
Lulubelle for character Lulubelle from the studio’s 12th feature-length film, Fun and Fancy Free (1947).
Anita for singer Anita Gordon, the voice of the Golden Harp in Fun and Fancy Free.
Alfred and Elma for husband-and-wife wildlife filmmakers Alfred and Elma Milotte, who created Disney’s True-Life Adventures documentary series, starting with the Oscar-winning On Seal Island (1948).
Tildy and Jeremiah from “So Dear to My Heart“
Jeremiah for character Jeremiah Kincaid from the studio’s 14th feature-length film, So Dear to My Heart (1949).
Danny for Jeremiah’s pet lamb, Danny, from So Dear to My Heart (1949). The lamb was named after champion racehorse Dan Patch.
Bobby for child actor Robert “Bobby” Driscoll, who played Jeremiah in So Dear to My Heart. Bobby also played the part of Jim in Treasure Island.
Luana for child actress Luana Patten, who played Tildy in So Dear to My Heart.
Marceline for the town of Marceline, Missouri. Though set in Indiana, So Dear to My Heart was strongly influenced by Walt’s childhood experiences in Marceline.
Melody for the studio’s 13th feature-length film, Melody Time (1948).
Bill and Sue for characters Pecos Bill and Slue-Foot Sue from Melody Time.
Angus and Thaddeus for characters Angus MacBadger and J. Thaddeus Toad from the studio’s 15th feature-length film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949).
Brom and Katrina for characters Brom Bones and Katrina Van Tassel, also from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
Cinderella for the lead character from the studio’s 16th feature-length film, Cinderella (1950).
Ilene for actress and singer Jacqueline Ruth “Ilene” Woods, the voice of Cinderella.
Verna for actress Verna Felton, the voice of the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella.
Treasure for the studio’s 17th feature-length film, Treasure Island (1950). This was Disney’s first entirely live-action movie.
Jim for character Jim Hawkins from Treasure Island.
Humphrey for character Humphrey the Bear, who first appeared in the short Hold That Pose (1950).
Disney’s pre-television era ended in December of 1950, when NBC aired Walt Disney’s first TV production — a Christmas special called One Hour in Wonderland, hosted by Walt himself.
Which of the names above do you like best?
P.S. Today happens to be the 68th anniversary of Disneyland, which opened in 1955 on July 17.
Screenshots from the Disney films Plane Crazy (1928), Alice’s Wild West Show (1924), The Country Cousin (1936), Pinocchio (1940), and So Dear to My Heart (1949)
Now here are the same names again, this time with links to popularity graphs and, in some cases, explanations/definitions. (Most of these are modern names without a distinct origin, so I can’t add as much extra information as I did in similar posts, e.g., VAN, ICE, CAR.)
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