Today, Jacob and Emma are the most popular baby names. One-hundred years ago, it was John and Mary.
So, what about the uncommon names?
Today, we've got Blanket and Surrey, but what about the tongue-twisters from a century ago?
One Ozark's woman has made it her hobby to document those names in southwest Missouri.
A church in Everton, Mo. church went up over a century ago, and, next to it, a cemetery went in.
"It was started in 1901, when the church was built," says Kathleen Stamate, of Everton.
While the building is now abandoned and run down, the neighboring cemetery is well taken care of. You can thank the Stamate's for that.
"My husband has his ancestors buried here," says Stamate.
Stamate and her husband are on the board that takes of the Everton cemetery. With the job came inspiration.
"In those old cemeteries there are so many unusual names," says Stamate.
She began noticing names she'd never heard of. starting with her husband's ancestors.
"Ara was my husband's great-great grandmother," says Stamate.
She started writing down the unusual names she found of people born from 1800 to 1930. Her interest flourished, taking her to other nearby cemeteries.
"When i happen to be by an old cemetery and we have time to stop," says Stamate.
"I used to write them on little pieces of paper ... until i started getting too many. So i put them into a book," says Stamate.
With every cemetery visit her binder grew, and grew. With names like Vannoy, Maudi Mae, and even Dump.
"Dump, yeah, that's really a name. poor kid," laughs Stamate.
A history of names from old cemeteries all over southwest Missouri.
"Paris. a man's name, Paris. Pearly," says Stamate. "There's quite a few of em ... almost 3,000."
Now, Stamate's sharing her collection with a book. She's hoping to make sure those who once walked where we now walk are truly "not forgotten."
Stamate says she will continue her search for unusual Ozarks names, but isn't planning an updated book.
If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of the book, it's available in most local bookstores, including Borders and Barnes & Noble.
Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com
