Denton‘s Purple Monster Officially Named “Onion” After Online Campaign
DENTON, TX – The large purple monster sculpture recently installed on Denton Square has officially been named ”Onion,” a moniker chosen not by city officials, but by a groundswell of online support. What began as a playful suggestion quickly became a widespread movement, overwhelming a city-sponsored naming poll and ultimately leading officials to embrace the internet’s choice.
The city initially proposed four names – Mini Maul, Eugene, Dennis, and Chewy – for the 31 Days of Halloween installation, designed by local artist David Baker and city staff. however, residents flooded social media with comments and direct messages advocating for “Onion,” a name the city initially dismissed as a joke. “We didn’t think they were that serious - like,we certainly know Denton,we know Denton has a good sense of humor,but we were still like ‘Really? Onion?'” said city spokesperson Lindsay Herrod.
The outpouring of support for Onion was so meaningful that people largely ignored the official poll,opting rather to write in their preferred name. By Thursday, the city conceded to public demand. “OK, they were serious,” Herrod stated. “It’s harmless, it’s fun – let’s just put our hat in hand and, you know what, we heard you, meet Onion.”
The naming saga echoes similar instances of internet-driven naming campaigns, such as the 2016 selection of “Boaty McBoatface” for a polar research vessel and the 2007 naming of an endangered whale as “Mr.Splashy Pants.”
Despite the official designation, the city encourages residents to personalize the monster’s identity. “If he’s NotNed to you,then that’s great with us,” Herrod added,suggesting the purple sculpture can be whatever residents imagine it to be.The monster,currently positioned to appear as though it’s taking a bite out of the sign in front of the former Denton Mini Mall space,was created in-house by city staff using a CNC machine and hand-painted. City officials anticipate Onion will become a lasting piece of denton’s local lore.
