Naming Wine, Naming Boys and Taking the Throne of England

OurLittleProject-draw1.1 copyI’ll never forget when a former client informed me they were going to release a new red blend and that they had come up with a proprietary name for it: “LUCRE”.

I paused, then explained that the term “Lucre” is generally modified with the term “Filthy”, as in “Filthy Lucre”. The term originates in the Bible in First Timothy 3:3. Turns out also that book of the bible and in that verse we learn what qualities a bishop of the church or not posses:

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;”

I explained further that today the word “Lucre” generally means money dishonorably gain.

The client decided to use another name for their wine.

This episode kept coming to mind as my wife Kathy and I continued to seek out just the right name for Our Little Project due in late May. I couldn’t bear the idea of saddling our son with a name of little meaning other than Kathy and I liking the name. And “Lucre” was certainly out of the question too.

I’ve written before that Our Little Project’s name must have meaning and concluded, “I’ve always believed that a person’s name ought to connect them to their family, who they are, and where they came from. And so, this rule will guide the naming of Our Little Project with its male equipment and all.”

So, HENRY GEORGE WARK he shall be.

It’s an homage really, to Our Little Project’s grandfathers: Henry Berez and George Wark.

But it has purpose too. His name should remind him of the all-importance of family. It should remind him of the high regard with which Kathy and I hold our fathers and that our son should hold them in equally high regard. It should remind Our Little Project that we expect him to live up to the best qualities that these men possess—and there are many.

So…We know Our Little Project will be a boy. We know he will be HENRY GEORGE. Only three things remain: 1) This little guy needs to be birthed and 2) we need to somehow assure that the 2014 vintage produces great and long-lasting wines since we’ll be stocking up for him. 3) With a name like this, we will be working to get him on the throne of England.

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8 Responses

  1. Laura leet - March 10, 2014

    My thoughts exactly!

  2. Tom Joe FInnin - March 10, 2014

    Great name!! Named after my own grandfathers I am grateful to my parents for the name they chose for me… and I’m sure that Henry George will be as appreciated of Kathy & your choice too!

    I see that you have Kathy in charge of the first milestone – so you’ve got that covered well… with Paso Robles being named the 2013 Wine Region of the Year milestone 2 is pretty much a given! As for milestone 3, you’d better start potty training as soon as the kid is born, before putting him on the throne (England or otherwise!)

    Take care!!

  3. Bill McIver - March 10, 2014

    Honorable names to be sure, but also historically correct to be connected to Washington, Clay or maybe Henry, Patrick.

  4. Tom Wark - March 10, 2014

    Bill,

    It turns out too that there is a famous economist named Henry George. But let’s hope our boy doesn’t choose the dismal science.

    • Bill McIver - March 12, 2014

      Oh, yes it just occurred to me. I’m named after my great grandfather (William) and my grandmother’s maiden name (Bolen).

  5. Julie Ann Kodmur - March 11, 2014

    And another voice chiming in to say “congrats,” what a great choice! I think there is a wonderful regal vibe to Henry George Wark—-can’t wait to meet him!

  6. Alison Crowe - March 11, 2014

    Love it! Great strategy. We found doing boys’ names extremely difficult and had to do it twice! We went all anglo-saxon too: William and Bryce. Congratulations and good luck to you all!

  7. Christopher Dontiello - March 12, 2014

    The only test you need is that the name should fit comfortable in the the phrase “…and now, newest Justice of the United States Supreme Court _________”


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