Beckett

Beckett first appeared on the male naming charts in 2006 – we’d say that’s pretty darn recent! As parents keep searching for new surnames to bestow on their children to differentiate them within the ever-popular trend of using surnames as first names – Beckett is their latest invention. But we have to say – we like this one a lot! It’s cute, and it has a snappy, up-beat quality to it. We also think the nickname Beck is pretty cool (reminds us of the multi-talented singer). Two famous American singers, Melissa Etheridge and Natalie Maines, both named their sons Beckett. But mostly, the name Beckett conjures up the Nobel Prize winning post-modernist Irish poet, novelist and playwright – a master dramatist of the absurd. Beckett’s work is not for everyone. Indeed, his themes are heavy, dark and complex. They deal with nothingness, meaninglessness and individual isolation. They can be at once nihilistic, pessimistic and deeply profound. But they are brilliant, so we understand why some literary fans would want to name their sons Beckett in his honor. The name’s etymology (i.e., ‘beehive’) further cements the bold and daring qualities of this name. A surname turned first name with a little more substance.