What’s in a Name?

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, Journalist Elaine Briseño explored some of most memorable topics covered in the Albuquerque Journal’s “What’s in a Name” column that is published the first Sunday of every month. Learn about the state’s past citizens and why names like Kimo, Huning, Coors, Girard, Manzano and much more are part of our everyday vernacular. But, the history stories published once a month are not the final word because history is always in the making. It touches unknown people in infinite ways and their stories become another layer in the story. Hear about some interesting tidbits sent to Elaine after the ink dried.

The program was held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town.

Elaine Briseño, author of the “What’s in a Name?” column in the Albuquerque Journal, has been a working journalist for more than two decades. She spent 20 years at the Albuquerque Journal covering just about everything before finally landing in features where her love of history took flight. In 2019, she began writing the “What’s in a Name Column,” which explores New Mexico history. She also won first place in the 2022 Top of the Rockies contest for obit reporting. She left the Journal in 2022 and is currently a full-time reporter for Law360 covering sports and betting litigation, and mergers and acquisitions. In 2023, she won an award for best headline writing related to her story about the courtroom battle between professional chess grandmasters Hanz Moke Niemann and Magnus Carlsen. She has spent most of her life living in Albuquerque.

Elaine has been recognized by the Albuquerque Historical Society for an Albuquerque History Accolade for objectively working towards uncovering the hidden truths and facts about some of Albuquerque’s little known history. Elaine has demonstrated that she possesses the knowledge, patience and persistence to find the facts on a topic through interviews and research. Her widely disseminated articles have promoted and fostered a deeper understanding of Albuquerque and its history.