Celebrating Amazing Remains & How They Got Their Names

Today marks the 34^th anniversary of the discovery of Ötzi – the natural mummy of a man who lived over 5000 years ago. We’re celebrating the interesting names given to similar amazing discoveries. Plus, find out more about the origins of Stikins® and how they were named!

Amazing Names For Amazing Discoveries

Ötzi is the oldest known natural human mummy found in Europe. He was discovered on 19^th September 1991 and named after the Ötztal Alps where he was found. Lots of prehistoric discoveries have been given names so we've decided to celebrate some of our favourites. Have you heard of any of these amazing discoveries?

Names given to fossils linked to human evolution

• Benjamina (Homo neanderthalensis, approx. 530,000 years old)
  This 10-12 year old is named for the feminine version of Benjamin, which is used to refer to the favourite or youngest child in a family.
• Besséʼ (Homo sapiens, approx. 7,200 years old)
  Found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, Besséʼ is an affectionate term for newborn girls used by the Bugis people of southern Sulawesi.
• Eurydice & Orpheus (Paranthropus robustus, approx. 2.3 million years old)
  Found just inches from each other, these fossils were named after the famous couple from Greek mythology.
• Flo (Homo floresiensis, approx. 18,000 years old)
  Named after the island of Flores where she was found, Flo is also called the Little Lady of Flores and Hobbit due to her small stature.
• Karabo (Australopithecus sediba, approx. 1.98 million years old)
  This name was chosen in a competition by student Omphemetse Keepile and means “answer” in Tswana.
• Little Foot (Australopithecus, at least 2.2 million years old)
  Initially, only four small ankle bones were found before the rest of her skeleton was sought out and retrieved.
• Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis, approx. 3.2 million years old)
  Named after the Beatles song “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”, which played in the camp as the discovery was celebrated. She is known in Ethiopia as Dinkinesh, which means “you are marvellous” in the Amharic language.
• Moshe (Homo neanderthalensis, approx. 60,000 years old)
  This name is the Hebrew equivalent of Moses.
• Naia (Homo sapiens, approx. 12-13,000 years old)
  Found in an underwater cave, she was named after the Naiads (Greek water nymphs).
• Samu (Homo erectus, approx. 350,000 years old)
  Found on 21st August (the name day of Sámuel) and named Samu, which is a Hungarian version of Sam.
• Selam (Australopithecus afarensis, approx. 3.3 million years old)
  Selam means “peace”; aged 3, she is often called “Lucy’s Baby” (being the same species) even though she is 120,000 years older than Lucy!
• Twiggy (Homo habilis, approx. 1.8 million years old)
  The skull was crushed almost completely flat and so was given the name of the famously slim model.

Names given to fossils of prehistoric mammals and reptiles

• Blue Babe (Bison, approx. 36,000 years old) 
  Coated in vivianite (blue iron phosphate), this specimen was named after the giant ox belonging to American folk hero Paul Bunyan.
• Boris & Sparta (Cave Lions, approx. 44,000 / 28,000 years old)
  Found 15 metres apart and born 16,000 years apart, these cubs were named Boris and Spartak after their discoverers. Spartak became Sparta after being confirmed female. She is probably the best preserved Ice Age animal ever found – even her tiny whiskers are intact.
• Dogor (Wolf, approx 18,000 years old)
  Before being identified as a two month old wolf, it was thought he might be the oldest specimen of dog so he was named “friend” in the local Yakut language (for man's best friend).
• Ichabod (Marine Reptile (Albertonectes), approx. 100.5–66 million years old)
  As this specimen was missing its skull, it was named after Ichabod Crane from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
• Ida (Primate (Darwinius), approx. 47 million years old)
  Thought to be at the stage of losing her baby teeth, she was named after Dr Jørn Hurum's daughter who was going through the same stage.
• Mister Sinister (Marine Reptile (Mosasaurus), approx. 100.5–66 million years old)
  Named for the especially evil looking grin created by its mouth full of teeth!
• Scarface (Marine Reptile (Aphaurosuchus), approx. 100.5–66 million years old)
  Awarded this apt nickname after its skull was damaged by a rock saw while being collected. 

Names given to fossils of dinosaurs

• Antonio (Centrosaurus apertus)
  This beautifully preserved fossil was named after a model (after “Fabio” was rejected).
• B-Rex or Bob-Rex (Tyrannosaurus rex)
  While this fossil was named after discoverer Bob Harman, it is actually one of very few T-Rex fossils to be confirmed as female.
• Blossom (Tyrannosaurus rex)
  This name is a combination of Bloss (the surname of the local fossil hunter who found the specimen) and the word “awesome”.
• Borsti (Juravenator starki)
  It was thought that this specimen had bristles in life and this German name is commonly given to bristle-haired dogs.
• Brösmeli (Ardetosaurus)
  This specimen had quite a bit of damage and its name means “crumbly” in Swiss German.
• Bruce (Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai)
  Only the boss (rounded, prominent area at the forehead or top of the skull) was found so it was named after Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen.
• Chomper (Tyrannosaurus rex)
  The first part of this skeleton to be unearthed was a small fragment of the lower jaw.
• Daffy (Struthiomimus)
  Named after the Looney Tunes character Daffy Duck thanks to the shape of its skull.
• Fafnir (Triceratops)
  Named after the dragon from Norse Mythology that featured in Richard Wagner’s epic Ring cycle (by his granddaughter). 
• Gamera (Nodosauridae)
  Named after the giant monster turtle that appeared in a number of Japanese films.
• Gnatalie (Diplodocinae)
  Named after the gnats that plagued the excavators as they worked.
• Harvey (Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai)
  With visible marks from disease on one side of its face, this specimen was named after Batman villain Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face).
• Headless Henry (Triceratops)
  This skeleton was named after the son of its discoverer and the fact that they never found the skull.
• Hellboy (Regaliceratops peterhewsi)
  Named after the comic book character thanks to its short, stubby horns and the challenging 10 year process of excavating and preparing.
• Matilda (Diamantinasaurus matildae)
  This Australian species was named after the national anthem of Australia – Waltzing Matilda.
• Mouse (Hadrosauridae)
  Named after the mouse skeleton that was found inside its plaster jacket after many years in storage.
• Ouroboros or Boris (Tyrannosaurus rex)
  The skeleton was found with its tail close to its mouth, which looked like the mythical serpent Ouroboros.
• Trix (Tyrannosaurus Rex)
  This skeleton has had several nicknames including Murray T-Rex (after the farmer who owned the land where it was found), Grandma Pusface (thanks to several facial injuries), the Mona Lisa of Naturalis (thanks to its enigmatic smile), and Trix – chosen by the Dutch public in a competition, which referred both to the species (T-Rex) and to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Also known as the Queen of the Cretaceous.
• Tweety (Ornithomimus)
  This dinosaur was covered in feathers and had a small toothless break so it was named after Tweety Bird from Looney Toons.
• Walter (Hadrosauridae)
  Named after the Great Dane who discovered the fossil while out on a walk with owner Ellis Thompson-Ellis

We’d like to give a special mention to some other nicknames that didn’t make our lists including: Megajeff the ground sloth, Rod’s Duck the Brachylophosaurus, Mr Potatohead the Sphaerotholus, Cupcake the T-Rex, Gorgeous George the T-Rex, and the Triceratops specimens named Afternoon Delight, Count Trikeula, Dave’s Nose, Ducky Tail, Getaway Trike, TriceaJosh, TriSarahTops, and Tiny.

The Origins of Stikins ® Name Labels

Our origins lie with our managing director’s wish to find a simple name label product to use on his children’s belongings. Not happy with the array of sew-in labels, iron-on labels, name tapes, and clip on name tags available on the market, he decided to create an alternative name labelling solution – stick on name labels that simply stick on and stay on.

Stikins ® labels have gone through a number of evolutions, starting with our Original Stikins ® Name Labels (made up of “H” shaped clothing labels, shoe labels, and micro labels – along with silver school labels) and ending with our latest generation (with their unique adhesive) and the Stikins ® Name Label Kit. We even have our very own evolutionary off-shoot in the form of our (sadly, now extinct) iron on name transfers, Trons.

As for their name, Stikins® were named after what they do best - which is simply stick in and stay in! Or, should that be sti(c)k-in and stay in!

Order Personalised Name Labels Today!

We decided not to create school name labels in every possible size, shape, and colour (with an assortment of fonts and pictures on top). Instead, we wanted to create the best possible name labelling product fit for its intended purpose - or stick on labels that just work, with no fuss and no muss! Our name labels are white labels with a bold black font (so they’re really easy to read), they measure 30mm wide by 15mm high (so they’re also really discreet), and they are made with a unique adhesive – that helps them to stick on and stay on.

So, whether you need school uniform labels, plain clothes labels, or labels for general items so that you can make sure that your belongings are safe and secure, we can help! If you are interested in ordering a pack of personalised name labels, you can do so online or by phone. You can also contact us directly with any questions, a member of our team will be more than happy to help!