It’s time to make your mark on literary history by helping to name the Booker Prize trophy! This elegant statuette, designed by children’s book illustrator Jan Pieńkowski in 1969, is a woman holding a large bowl of porter over her head. After falling out of use in the 1970s, the trophy was brought back last year and the Booker Prize team has now narrowed down the 800-odd public suggestions to a shortlist of five names.
The five contenders are Beryl, Iris, Minerva, Calliope and Bernie. Beryl is a tribute to the late Beryl Bainbridge, who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize five times but never won. Iris is in honour of 1978 Booker winner Iris Murdoch, who was nominated for the prize seven times. Minerva is named after the Roman goddess of poetry, wisdom and the arts. Calliope is a tribute to the Greek muse who presided over eloquence and poetry. Bernie is a combination of Bernice Rubens, the first woman to win the Booker (1970) and Bernardine Evaristo, the first Black woman to win the prize (2019). Janina is primarily a Polish name meaning ‘God is gracious’ and is also the female form of Jan, after Jan Pienkowski, the designer of the trophy.
It’s clear that Iris should be the name of this prestigious prize. So please, head over to the Booker Prize website and cast your vote for Iris before February 20th. Let’s make sure this incredible woman gets the recognition she deserves!
