I usually can come up with a theory to explain copycat names and naming trends. In the early aughts, many companies chose double-O names (Qoop, Squidoo, Doostang, ooVoo) to sound like Google. All those X + Y names (Mizzen + Main, Standard & Strange, Coral & Tusk)? They evoke Ye Olde Tymes, with the modern bonus of yielding cheap domains. Lately, we’ve seen a cluster of first-name names like Oscar and Emma, the better to blunt the cutting edge of technology.
But the explanation for one mini-trend has eluded me. Perhaps you, dear readers, can help.
The common element in this trend: “Ro.” Not Row or Roe: “Ro.” In each case, it’s half of an X+ Y name.
Me & Ro jewelry. The founder’s name is Robin Renzi, and “Ro” may be her nickname. No indication of who “Me” might be. (Image via Tradesy.*)
Ro & De women’s fashion, sold at Nordstrom Rack. No explanation of the name, nor much editing of the copy.
Lark & Ro clothing, a trademark of Amazon Technologies.
Ro And Co, “a multi-disciplinary creative agency that serves as a visual thought leader for a range of forward-thinking fashion, beauty, lifestyle and technology clients.” Founded in 2006 by Roanne Adams; who clearly found the rhyme with “Co” appealing.
“Ro” as a nickname for Roanne or Robin – that makes sense, although it’s not a nickname I’ve ever encountered. (And I’ve known quite a few Rochelles, Robins, Robertas, and even a Rowena.) But to see the shortened name used four times, in very similar formulas, strikes me as exceptional. Anyone care to speculate on the impetus for this trendlet?
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* An example of yet another naming trend: the cutesy-pootsy name.
A tribute to Rhoda Morgenstern? I got nothing here.
Posted by: Jessica | April 28, 2016 at 06:58 AM
I am just horrified that a "creative agency" could come up with that terrible typography ...
Posted by: Jamie | April 28, 2016 at 11:50 AM