Drummond

Photo courtesy of Genie Leigh Photography

"On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming"

Hopefully you all had a fun and relaxing Christmas day holiday! I didn't quite manage to get my twelve days of Christmas completed in time for Christmas day. But it's often thought that the twelve days actually starts on Christmas day, culminating with the twelfth day feast and celebrations on January 5th (the eve of the twelfth day) so technically I'm ahead of myself.

Drums are a part of the percussion family, believed to be some of the oldest musical instruments after the human voice. They can play rhythm, melody and harmony, and have long had an important role in almost every type of music, from military marching bands to rock, and have hence been a central part of celebrations. Percussion instruments and drums in particular are often referred to as "the heartbeat" of a musical ensemble. This could explain why they also appear in another of my favourite carols, 'The Little Drummer Boy'. All he has to offer him is the music he plays on his drum, so if looked at in terms of a "heartbeat" it's like saying all he has to offer the baby Jesus is his heart, and that he will do his best for him. It's an extremely sweet and pure sentiment.

The name Drummond doesn't actually share a whole lot with the percussion instrument other than its first syllable (which makes for quite a cute nickname). It's a Scottish surname which originated as a place name meaning 'ridge' or 'lives on the hilltop'. As a given name, Drummond is hardly a mover and shaker in the baby name world. You very rarely see it discussed on forums and chances are good that you've never met one as there has only been four times when it registered on the SSA charts in the U.S after being given to just 5 boys each year.

Yet there is something I find very attractive about Drummond. It's kind of preppy but not in an in-your-face kind of way. It manages to feel somewhat earthy too. And I love the idea that the drum feels like a heartbeat - it makes Drummond a somewhat sentimental choice.

The main problem with using it in Australia though is that there is a well known chain of golf stores called Drummonds. I'd still consider using it though - people would fast run out of names if we avoided everything that appeared on a storefront or packet.

So I guess that completes 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'! What I've really enjoyed about these posts is that there are so many different ways to look at things to come up with a name you love that has a link to something you find special. If you're looking to honour something (or someone) you love, it's always interesting to see what we can come up with when you think outside the box.  Or not - sometimes you don't have to go very far at all to find a name you love with meaningful associations.

Hamlin

"On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping"

'The Twelve Days of Christmas' is supposedly based a twelfth night game, and twelfth night festivities generally included feasts, dancing and music. Hence, after all the birds have been eaten and the ladies are ready to dance and the lords ready to leap, all that's missing is the music. And so we have the pipers (and the drummers, but that's the next post ;-)).

The obvious name here would be Piper, a name I adore. However I've previously had a look at Piper here, and as the names I've chosen so far seem fairly heavily weighted towards the girls side I decided to take the opportunity to go with another boys name. Although technically Hamlin could work for either gender, it just seems to be preferred for males.

Before I get ahead of myself though, the inspiration for today's choice comes from one of the most legendary pipers there is - the Pied Piper of Hamelin. If you're unaware of this tale, 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' is the story of a German town called Hamelin that became so overrun with rats that they hired a man in colourful (pied) clothing to rid the town of their rat infestation. The piper had an almost magical talent with his pipe, and when he played it the rats were so entranced that they followed him and his pipe to a river, where they all subsequently drowned and died. But when the piper went to the town officials for his payment of services rendered they refused to pay him. So he played a different tune on his pipe that caused the children of the town to leave with him, and they were never seen again.

It's unknown whether the Piper actually exists, although it is accepted that something happened in the history of this town (most likely in the 1200's) that meant the loss of large numbers of children. Theories include that it was the Plague, and the piper represents Death; or that it was caused by large numbers of people emigrating to the East. The Wikipedia entry for this is actually interesting reading if you want to know more.

Of course, with such a tragic story associated wit the name, many people are put off using this place name for a child. The slightly different spelling puts in more in the league of surname names than place names - such as actor Harry Hamlin. Although the pronunciation (ham-len) and the meaning (it's a German name meaning 'little home lover') are the same with both spellings. Some people however have not let this - or the fact that it contains the problematic ham - deter them. It as been given to more than 5 boys in a single year in the U.S eleven times since 1880. That is the Hamlin spelling, Hamelin has never appeared on the SSA charts.

One of the appeals of this name is that this is one of a few boys names ending with the 'lyn' sound. Yet it manages to retain a decidedly masculine sound, maybe because there aren't any girl names starting with 'Ham'. It's reminiscent of Hamlet or Hamilton, but somewhat humbler sounding.

If it's a piper reference you want, it's definitely strong with Hamlin. Just maybe a little too strong for many people's liking, especially for a first name. It's a shame, as it's a nice, masculine sounding in a not-in-your-face kind of way name with a sweet meaning that could be a good, solid name if given a chance.

Laird

Photo courtesy of Mali Workman Photography

"On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, ten Lords a-leaping"

Well, if the ladies got to dance, then why shouldn't the men also? Apparently only men could partake in leaping type dances. These dances possibly originated as a war dance, to get men limber and worked up before a battle, or as a fertility ritual to encourage healthy crops. Such dances then became a part of the entertainment between courses at feasts, although as this became better known as entertainment it was no longer just for the Lords of the land.

Which brings us to Laird, a Scottish name meaning 'Lord of the land'. Pronounced LAYRD, it was a title of sorts in Scotland that can be traced back further than the 15th century. It comes from the same origin as the English word Lord, but technically a Laird isn't the same thing as a Lord, as anyone who owned an estate could call themselves a Laird whereas Lord is a noble title.

You'll most often hear Laird in as a surname, or as "Laird of X". It's not used as a given name in Scotland (that would be far too confusing) but it does see use in the U.S. It first appeared in 1888 when it was given to just 5 boys. More recently we've seen Laird on big-wave pro-surfer Laird Hamilton, and Sharon Stone bestowed this name on her son in 2005. In 2012 Laird was given to just 24 boys, positioning it at #4173 on the charts. Pretty rare indeed.

Yet Laird feels like it has the making to go much further. It's a nicely different alternative to many of the one syllable boys names that are so popular. It's more subtle than Prince or King, it still caries an air of nobility but without the pretentious sound. And some even feel it has a bit of an urban cowboy feel - Nameberry listed it as a "bookish cowboy" name just a few months ago. I tend to agree, as personally I think that it feels quite rugged and roguish. There are a lot of boys named Hamish and Lachlan here in Australia, and Laird could be a solid alternative Scottish name.

Incidentally, if you're not in love with Laird (unfortunately it does sound a little too close to lard for many people's comfort) you could always buy your son a Lairdship instead. It's not that hard to buy a small plot of land and receive paperwork confirming your new status - just try here or here. The money goes towards conversation of the land and estate, and it's a great gift idea for the person who has everything. Or maybe a great way to tell your little Laird that he is indeed an actual Laird.