新西兰英语 552 Babies’ names

 　　Parents must register the name of their baby before the child is 2 months old. Each year, we learn the most popular names for girls and boys. Last year the most popular girls’ name was Ruby¹. This is quite an old name, popular in the time of our grand-parents or great grand-parents. These are the ten most popular girls’ names for 2011: Ruby, Olivia, Sophie, Isabella, Charlotte, Grace, Ella, Lily, Emily and Amelia.

　　The most popular boy’s name last year was Liam. This is an Irish name. Parents often choose names from other cultures but last year Maori names were not amongst the top 10. These are the 10 most popular boys’ names for 2011: Liam, Joshua, Oliver, Lucas, William, Noah, Samuel, James, Benjamin and Jack². From 2005 to 2009, Jack was the most popular boys’ name but last year it was down to number 10. The marriage of Prince William in April might be the reason that many parents chose William.

　　However, parents are not allowed to call their child Prince. Other names are not allowed like titles such as King, General or Bishop³, letters of the alphabet like D, or numbers like Three. The reason that some names are not allowed is because children can become embarrassed when they are older if they have a strange name.

　　Grammar

　　Note the definite article in “the most popular”.

　　Note the verb choose: past – chose, present participle – chosen; noun – choice

　　Vocabulary

　　embarrassed – feel shy or ashamed – (a child can be embarrassed, a name can be embarrassing)

　　Questions

　　Who chose your name? Why was it chosen? Does it have a meaning? Is it a popular name in your culture?

1 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

2 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

3 bishop   

n.主教，（国际象棋）象

参考例句：

• He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
• Two years after his death the bishop was canonised.主教逝世两年后被正式封为圣者。