Name of the Day: Georgia

November 15

Georgia

Internationally renowned painter Georgia O’Keeffe was born on November 15, 1887 in Wisconsin. Known as the “Mother of American Modernism”, Georgia’s artwork spanned seven whole decades and remained completely independent in style from major art movements of her time.

A feminization of classic George, Georgia has never fallen out of the Top 1000 names in the US, but has been a particular rising star in recent years. At #162 in the US as well as #101 in England and Wales, Georgia feels warm and inviting, familiar but not tired.

Georgia also has the appeal of being a two-in-one place name. The sunny US state was named for King George II of Great Britain, while the ex-Soviet nation Georgia’s name was inspired by the native inhabitants known as “Gurg”, as well as their devotion to St. George.

Two endearing songs to top it off include Georgia on My Mind and Sweet Georgia Brown.

If Georgia is toeing the line of too popular for your taste, you may like the boyish short form Georgie, or vintage long forms Georgina and Georgiana.