If you read Happy in Hainesport, you know I am a Randy Rainbow fan. One of the first things I googled when I discovered Randy's parodies was, "Is Randy Rainbow his real name?" Turns out it is. Yesterday, I read that Caroline Sunshine is joining Donald Trump's press team. So, I had to google, "Caroline Sunshine + real name." Darned if that isn't the name on her birth certificate.
My work was cut out for me. I had to know how many people had meteorological names. I discovered that, while there are a lot of surnames that describe atmospheric conditions, the origin of those names might not be related to the elements.
For example:
Air - This is an Anglo-Saxon name given to a person who inherits an estate, title, or fortune. It is also a name given to a Norman knight who cleared the airway of William of Normandy when he was in danger of suffocation during the battle of Normandy Some variations of the name are Eyre, Eayres, Ayer, Hayer, and Hoyer.
Breeze - Breeze was originally a nickname for an annoying person. The nickname comes from the Old English word "breosa," a gadfly. This name might also have developed from the Welsh name Rhys.
Cloud - Cloud is a Scottish name that is derived from the given name or first name Leod, Mac Leod would be the son of Leod. Eventually, Mac Leod became Cloud.
Snow - Snow was a nickname for a person with white hair or a very pale complextion.
Ice - This surname might have been derived from the first name Aigo. Aigo is derived from the German word ecke which means "sharp sword blade." Then again, the surname Ice could have come from the first name Ico, a name popular in northern Germany and the Netherlands.
Thunder - This name was first recorded in England and Ireland. There are two possible origins of the name. It could have come from the French word tundeur which means a person who shears or manufactures shears. Another possible origin is from the Old English word tunder, a worker who poured wine into tuns, the large barrels used for transporting alcoholic beverages.
Surnames developed during the Middle Ages when populations grew and people needed a way to distinguish one Alfred from another Alfred. I don't know if we have all the surnames we will ever need or if new ones are still popping up. In keeping with the climate theme I would like to suggest Suzy Lake Effect, Patsy Prevailing Wind, or maybe Virginia Gustnado.
