Larger Than Life: Titanic And Her Name Heritage

Abstract

Ranked as one of the worst maritime disasters of all time, the well-known story of the tragic maiden voyage of R.M.S. Titanic has been thoroughly researched and retold periodically with renewed interest through means of popular culture and literature. This article identifies, discusses, and analyzes pertinent observations that, in turn, reveal specific patterns regarding the practice of names and naming that came to light during the process of examining the gravemarkers and cenotaphs of her passengers. Beginning with the origin of the ship's name, the evolution of her nicknames, and the patterns revealed by the names of her first-class passengers, a case can be made for the role of class distinction in the preservation and replication of names held by America's aristocracy. Sources of data were confined to primary documents, archival materials, and field notes and photographs taken during the last five years spanning the United States and Canada.