Tennyson, at once a lyrical tribute and a sturdy patronymic, traces its roots to the Old English practice of appending “-son” to a forebear’s name—in this case, Dennis (itself from the Greek Dionysius, god of revelry), although most anglophone ears now summon the Victorian grandeur of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Embraced as a unisex choice, it balances poetry and pragmatism: the crisp three-syllable cadence (TEN-ee-suhn) evokes something of iambic pentameter without demanding a formal recitation at the breakfast table. Its measured rise in American registers—hovering around rank 895 with 29 births in 2024—reflects a quiet confidence rather than a runaway vogue, suggesting parents who value both literary pedigree and individual distinction. Underneath its genteel exterior lies a wry charm, inviting associations as varied as sonnet cycles and spirited mythologies, making Tennyson an inviting canvas for a child’s unfolding story.
Tennyson Cooray - |