I just got back from a fabulous weekend in Las Vegas, where my friends and I attempted to strike it rich (didn't work). This sojourn into Sin City got me thinking - what sort of glamorous, glitzy names can one find among the roulette tables?
Today I'll be looking at names associated with the glimmering parts of the city. As always, tell me what you think in the comments! What sorts of monikers do you associate with Las Vegas?
Vegas
Spanish for "meadows," Vegas has been in use as a name since 1979. It's been used for both boys and girls, but somehow doesn't really work anywhere but the city. Vega is found in multiple languages, from Arabic to Spanish to Greek, and it would be an excellent possibility for a girl!
Mirage
A major hotel on the Strip, the Mirage was one of the most expensive hotel-casinos in history. The name Mirage probably has less to do with the glitz than the dreamy connotation of the noun - and the character in The Incredibles.
Sinatra
One of Las Vegas' most beloved performers, Frank Sinatra influenced name popularity in many ways - from his song "Linda" to naming his daughter Nancy. The last name Sinatra was recorded three times in the late 1950's and mid 1960's.
Paris
Sure, this place-name does well enough on its own; but Paris Las Vegas has brought a whole separate dimension to the city. Why travel all the way to Europe when a scaled replica of the Eiffel Tower can be found in the Nevada desert? Paris' sparkle can also be attributed to heiress Hilton.
Wynn
Named for businessman Steve Wynn, this Las Vegas hotel is often ranked as one of the best in the world. Its name isn't so bad, either - it comes from the Welsh for "fair," and has been used for both boys and girls in the United States.
Elvis
While this name has long been associated with the one and only King, extremely quirky choices are now in the realm of possibility. In Las Vegas, between 125 and 500 Elvis Presley impersonators are in the building at any given time.
Soleil
The entertainment company Cirque du Soleil arrived in Las Vegas in the early 1990's, and still impresses millions of visitors a year. Over 100 girls were given the pretty French name Soleil last year, with Soleil Moon Frye still being it's most distinctive wearer.
Caesar
One of the biggest landmarks on the Strip, Caesar's Palace is known for its plethora of entertainment and gambling offerings - and it was featured prominently in The Hangover. While Cesar has long been a popular name, Roman variation Caesar could take off.
Hughes
While Hugh has begun to find favor in the states, variant Hughes could honor literary Langston. It's also included in this list as a reference to Howard Hughes, the notorious billionaire who lived in Las Vegas for years and owned many of its establishments.
Cortez
A classic hotel in downtown Vegas, El Cortez is also on the National Register of Historic Places. While it's more popular as a surname, Cortez could work well as a first - it means "courteous" and has a few namesakes on the football field.
Rio
Like Paris, Rio has a bit more going for it besides the Vegas connection - there's a Duran Duran song, a recent animated comedy, and of course, Rio de Janeiro. This name is popular for girls in Japan, too! The hotel was built in 1990, and it's the current residence of magicians Penn and Teller.
Sahara
One of the original "Rat Pack" hotels, the Sahara officially closed in 2011. This desert name has gained recent interest due to the popularity of Sierra and Savannah, and could be a unique way to honor an aunt or grandma Sarah.
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