Changes in the use of first names in the 19th century with a focus on Martna and Palamuse
The article provides an overview of changes in the use of first names in 19th-century Estonia.
Similarly to other countries, in the second half of the 19th century Estonia witnessed major changes in the use of first names: new and previously unknown names were adopted, the name stock started to increase, especially the range of female names increased, double names were introduced, and godparents’ names were dropped from children’s names.
The replacement of first names took place by stages: 1) traditional loan names (e.g. Mari, Jaan), 2) international variants of the same names (e.g. Marie, Johannes), 3) new international names (e.g. Alma, Rudolf), 4) Estonian names (e.g. Salme, Ülo).
Different regions revealed considerable differences; both the used first names and the rate of adopted innovations were different.
The article compares the adoption of new names at Martna, a conservative congregation in western Estonia, and Palamuse, a congregation more open to innovations in northern Tartumaa, in 1834–1900.
At Martna new names were widespread as late as at the end of the century; at Palamuse they were common already in the 1870s. In the 1890s some Palamuse girls were already given modern Estonian names (e.g. Linda, Salme among the most popular names). The fashion of male names was slower to change, and Estonian-style names became fashionable as late as in the 20th century. At Palamuse double first names were adopted more quickly and more extensively (at the end of the century about 40 per cent of girls and almost 24 per cent of boys received two names); at Martna the use of double first names remained modest.
Apart from more general attitudes, such as readiness for innovations – activeness of the national movement in the region, spread of education, and links with major centres – changes in the use of first names reflect the role of specific examples in the spread of new names.
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Materjal
Kuusalu kirikuraamatud
EAA.1216.1.22; 1834–1843
EAA.1216.1.23; 1844–1853
Martna kirikuraamatud
EAA.1246.1.21; 1834–1843
EAA.1246.1.22; 1844–1853
EAA.1246.1.23; 1854–1863
EAA.1246.1.24; 1864–1873
EAA.1246.1.211; 1874–1883
EAA.1246.1.231; 1892–1919
EAA.1864.2.IV-9; 1782 (1782. a, 4. hingerevisjon)
Palamuse kirikuraamatud
EAA.1261.1.59; 1834
EAA.1261.1.60; 1835
EAA.1261.1.61; 1836
EAA.1261.1.62; 1837
EAA.1261.1.63; 1838
EAA.1261.1.64; 1839
EAA.1261.1.65; 1840
EAA.1261.1.66; 1841
EAA.1261.1.67; 1842
EAA.1261.1.68; 1843
EAA.1261.1.69; 1844
EAA.1261.1.70; 1845
EAA.1261.1.71; 1846
EAA.1261.1.72; 1847
EAA.1261.1.73; 1848
EAA.1261.1.74; 1849
EAA.1261.1.75; 1850
EAA.1261.1.76; 1851
EAA.1261.1.77; 1852
EAA.1261.1.79; 1854
EAA.1261.1.80; 1855
EAA.1261.1.81; 1856
EAA.1261.1.82; 1857
EAA.1261.1.83; 1858
EAA.1261.1.84; 1859
EAA.1261.1.644; 1860–1873
EAA.1261.1.650; 1874–1903
