Let The Names Begin
The 2020 Summer Olympics kicked off on July 23rd in Tokyo, Japan. While the athletic games are close to an end, the game of name spotting will happily continue.
Can name spotting be declared a sport? I think it should be added to the 2024 Olympics.
If only there was a real spot for that, we’d take home the gold. At last there is not, but that won’t stop us from celebrating these new found favorites. Competitors names range from returning champions Simone Biles and Allyson Felix to names we have never seen before.
Today we’ll focus on the rarely seen and feature our top picks from each country as well as add in some honorable mentions. Let the names begin.
United States
When you think, “What’s in a name”? Well just about everything. Names have been known to play an influential role in ones destiny. From numerology to relationships and even career paths can pay a pivotal role in our life. Yes, it’s no surprise when ones name matches their career. These names spotted at the Olympics may just be what helped get them there.
Gable Stevenson won gold for the U.S wrestling team but for us it’s his names backstory that stands out. Gable was named after another iconic gold medal Olympian Dan Gable who took home the gold at the 1972 Munich Games.
Standards were set high when Gable was named and they were high for an American tennis player too. Did you see what I saw? A Tennis player named Tennys from Tennessee! This name gets a solid 10 from me! It’s said that Tennys was named after his great grandfather but I think his parents relationship also influenced his name. Tennys’ parent’s met at a tennis club in Johannesburg, South Africa. Talk about a love story.
Honorable name mentions from the United States include, Dejah, Jagger, Nevin, Osha, Otha, Tamyra, Tierna and Vernon.
Great Britain
Bombette Martin showed us she’s the bomb when she competed in the Summer Olympic for skateboarding at only 15. Bombette was named after her father whose nickname was Bomber. Father “Bomber” born Jon Martin, even tried to qualify as an Olympian himself for Atlanta 1996 as a boxer.
Honorable name mentions from Great Britain include, Bryony, Frazer, Karriss and Sholto
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Emir Muratovic was born in Bosnia and moved to Florida, USA when he was a young child. Having access to a swimming pool here allowed Emir to practice and fall in love with the sport of swimming. I actually had the opportunity to watch him flourish first hand in high school as he was a fellow classmate of mine. He was always passionate about swimming and even more proud of his Bosnian roots. Teachers and peers alike cheered him on knowing his talent would take him far in life, all the way to the Olympics as it was the dream. Today I can honestly say it is beautiful to witness that dreams really do come true.
China
Jiang Ranxin represented China at the Olympics wining a gold and bronze medal as a sports shooter. While Jiang is a gender neutral nature name meaning ‘river’'; her last name is just as cool. Who knows, Ranxin could become the next Raddix.
Athing Mu wants the world to learn her name. There is nothing more upsetting when you take a step on the track to hear another announcer butcher your name yet again. After her name has been pronounced incorrectly many times she’s become used to it and even tries to laugh it off but you can tell by her stance it disappoints her every time. So here’s the correct pronunciation : uh - Thing Moe. Three simple syllables that deserve to be cheered on correctly. That same enthusiasm used when announcing her gold title should matched when you say her name. Say her name and say it correctly.
Honorable mentions from China include, Bowe and Sunisa.
Australia
Another swimmer on this list may have introduced us to our newest fan favorite name. Ariarne Titmus won 4 medals during this years Olympic games. Ariarne, this name is music to our ears. Ariarne fits in todays trending top 200 family of Aria, Ariana and Ariel.
Aivi is another name newly introduced to us. Aivi Luik is an Australian born soccer player competing in the Olympics. The name Aivi makes for a fantastic alternative to nature name Ivy as they are pronounced the same way.
Honorable name mentions also from Australia include Bronte, Mariafe and Taliqua.
Brazil
Brazilian boxer Wanderson de Oliveira competed in the men’s lightweight event in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Wanderson didn’t let his mind wander off this competition. He kept his head in the game, winning against his opponents Wessam Salamana and Dzmitry Asanau.
Honorable name mentions we can’t forget to include are
Russia : Evengy, Kliment, Larisa, Maksim and Svetlana.
Japan : Kokona, Misugu and Momiji.
Switzerland : Nikita and Sinafrei.
Estonia : Eneli
Canada : Axelle, Conlin, Maude and Nyl
Nigeria : Ese
What is your favorite Olympic sport or name you’ve spotted? Let us know in the comments.
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