Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.

We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight!

Stacy writes:

When we were naming our first son, we had a lot of rules. No nicknames, no family names, nothing too hard to pronounce or spell. Something with history, but not like a William-James-David kind of super-traditional name. No Top Ten names, but nothing weird, either.

After months of looking, we found the right name: Adam Elliott. It works well with our long, hard to spell and impossible to pronounce last name, and I like that everyone knows it, but we don’t hear it a lot, either.

If this baby was a girl, we were thinking of Ruth, but hadn’t really settled on it. And we’re not sure about using another name that seems so Biblical. (We’re not especially religious.)

Avoiding a clearly Biblical name would probably be best. Also, I’m reluctant to choose a hipster name. Walter and Clyde and Alfred almost seem like the right kind of name, except I think they feel sort of cool, and that’s not what we’re going for, either.

Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Dear Stacy –

Congratulations on your new son!

I think I hear what you’re looking for: the elusive normal name. They’re easier to come by for boys than for girls, probably because names for girls tend to trend in and out favor just a little more quickly. (Though that’s changing!)

The trouble is that there’s really no such thing as a normal name. Walter and Clyde and Alfred ought to qualify, but I know what you mean. I expect to stumble on those kids in certain neighborhoods in Portland or Austin or Brooklyn. They’re great names, but names with a certain style, right?

Instead, let’s look at this list: Sweet Spot Boy Names.

24 Sweet Spot Boy Names: Jonah, Malcolm, Lane

A bunch of these – like Jonah and Jude and Kai – probably fall short of some of your criteria. But that still leaves:

Graham – The name has been around for ages. It’s a Scottish surname, in heavy use as a given name long before we all decided to name our boys Mason and Carter.

Hugo – The ‘o’ ending makes Hugo a little more stylish, but only a little. This is a rock solid choice, traditional but current. And the meaning is marvelous: heart.

Malcolm – I suppose Malcolm often becomes Mal. Or Cole or Colm. But I think it would be pretty easy – maybe even automatic – to say Malcolm in full circa 2019.

Simon – Like Adam, Simon comes from the Bible. But neither name strikes me as particularly religious … more in the overlooked traditional names category.

Speaking of traditional, maybe we should stick to something more classic? There’s overlap across the lists, of course.

Classic Boy Names: Henry, Patrick, and John

George – The future British monarch gave this name a tiny boost, but it remains just outside the US Top 100. (In fact, it’s hovered there for a few years.)

Patrick – Parents likely avoid Patrick because Pat feels like a nickname from another age. But Patrick in full works wonderfully well today. And the few little Patricks that I know all go nickname-free.

Peter – Like Simon, it’s clearly drawn from the Bible, but doesn’t feel like a spiritual choice. And, like Patrick, I tend to hear it used in full. After all, this is the era of Hunter and Parker and Carter. Peter makes more sense than Pete.

Vincent – Like Adam, Vincent doesn’t exactly feel fashionable. No celebrities are using it. It’s not racing up the popularity charts. But that’s what makes it so perfect, right? Men of distinction – saints, artists, athletes – have answered to Vincent. And while I like Vincent best in full, I wonder if Vince would appeal? It’s one of those nicknames that’s quite faithful to the original name.

My picks are Graham and Patrick. I think they hit the right note: familiar, traditional but not too buttoned-down, unlikely to be shortened, and they don’t sound like they’re straight out of the Old Testament.

But I know readers will have some great suggestions. And so let’s open this up: What would you name a brother for Adam Elliott?

The post Name Help: A Brother for Adam appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

The new data is out on British baby names.

Elea at British Baby Names provides the best analysis. Start with the new Top 100 list here. But it’s got me thinking: if you’re naming an American baby in 2019? Some of the names from that other English-speaking country might be exactly what you’re after.

After all, a handful of these names are heard in the US, but aren’t quite so popular here as they are there … yet.

Here are my picks for the two dozen best British baby names American parents should steal now.

BOY NAMES

Arlo – #36 in England & Wales; #278 in the US. I’ve called it one of the hottest boy names of 2019, but maybe I had my geography off by 3,500 miles or so.

Arthur – #7 in E&W; #230 in the US. It feels nicely British, doesn’t It? There’s the legendary king, plus the Weasley patriarch. But it works in the US, too. And hey – we now have Jason Momoa as Aquaman, aka Arthur Curry.

Dexter – #95 in E&W; #476 in the US. Long overlooked, save for serial killers and mad geniuses. But if Jaxon and Jax are big, why not Dexter and Dex?

Ellis – #87 in E&W; #317 in the US. A brother for Hayes and Wells.

Felix – #93 in E&W; #231 in the US. That ending X makes this vintage name modern and cool.

Frederick – #65 in E&W; #496 in US. English parents are wild for nickname names, and Freddie ranks #18. But American parents love a long, classic boy name. Christopher and Nicholas gave way to Alexander and Nathaniel, and now there’s Theodore and Benjamin. I say Frederick ought to be in the next wave.

Hugo – #53 in E&W; versus #496 in the US. An o-ender with a traditional vibe. In the US, it substitutes for Leo. Plus it’s got a great meaning, too – heart.

Jenson – #70 in E&W; unranked in the US, but Jensen is #293. Take a generation of moms named Jennifer, add our affection for Jackson and J boy names in general, and it’s stunning that we’re not hearing more of Jenson. Or is it Jensen? American parents favor the -en ending.

Jesse – #75 in E&W; #185 in the US. A Biblical pick with a cuddly vibe.

Rory – #38 in E&W; #368 in the US. Exclusively masculine in England, maybe The Gilmore Girls puts some American parents off this choice for their sons. (Though it shouldn’t. And Rory ranks a rarer #579 for girls anyhow.)

Stanley – #72 in E&W; #707 in the US. My sense is that love for Stanley is growing – slowly – in the US. But the numbers don’t match … yet.

GIRL NAMES

Ada – #55 in E&W; #251 in the US. Ada ought to be right up there with so many mini names parents love throughout the English-speaking world. But this big bump is probably brought to us by Peaky Blinders, a crime drama based on real nineteenth century events.

Beatrice – #84 in E&W; #573 in the US. An unassailable classic.

Bonnie – #81 in E&W; #691 in the US. The little girl from Toy Story, and a pretty name that feels traditional-ish.

Edith – #91 in E&W; #518 in the US. Vintage, strong, and with great built-in short form Edie.

Esme – #38 in E&W; #556 in the US. A slow-rising favorite in the US, long embraced in England.

Felicity – #100 in E&W; #354 in the US. A handful of pop culture uses have pushed this name into the American mainstream, but it remains just under the radar.

Florence – #15 in E&W; #971 in the US. A place name with a distinguished bearer or three, made cooler by Florence + the Machine.

Georgia – #71 in E&W; #223 in the US. American parents tend to like Georgia, but it’s the English who are using it in serious numbers.

Harriet – #45 in E&W; unranked in the US. If you love Abigail and Charlotte, but are crushed they’re so common, this is the name for you! Scarcely used in the US, Harriet is as cool as Juliet, with built-in nickname Hattie if you like – or not.

Margot – #99 in E&W; #358 in the US. It’s rising fast in both places, but this stylish o-ender is really topping the charts in England & Wales.

Martha – #94 in E&W; #797 in the US. A traditional name, worn by the very first of the First Ladies, and one of the first MTV VJs, too. A timeless classic.

Matilda – #31 in E&W; #489 in the US. Sparky and upbeat, nothing quite sounds like Matilda.

Poppy – #11 in E&W; #592 in the US. Americans love a good nature name, just like British parents. But this one hasn’t quite reached Lily/Daisy/Violet heights in the US.

What are your favorite British baby names? Do you expect to hear more of these in the US anytime soon?

Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay

The post British Baby Names 2019: 24 for American Parents to Steal appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

If you have school-aged kids, you’re almost certainly somewhere in the midst of back-to-school season. In my neighborhood, it’s a mix – my son had high school orientation two weeks ago and has finished his first full week of classes; my daughter started Wednesday; but many kids are still enjoying the last bits of fading summer.

The new school year appeals to me for all the obvious reasons. It feels like a fresh start in a way that January 1st doesn’t always. And, of course, the new school year means new classmates, new families … and new names!

I already gushed over a baby Homer I met at a back-to-school event, the younger sibling of a kiddo in my daughter’s school. And I’m enjoying learning the rhythms and quirks of how names work at my son’s new all-boys’ school. (A handful of kids are always called by their last names; others, only by their first. It’s a mystery to me, but then, maybe that’s the point.)

Happy September, friends!

Elsewhere online:

The Top 100 baby names in England & Wales are out. Elea at British Baby Names has the scoop.Plus, I combed through the list of names that make the Top 100 there, but not here, and recommend two dozen picks that American parents should steal. I remain baffled by our lack of affection for Harriet!

Do you follow Something Navy? This interview with Arielle explains her daughters’ names. They’re pretty familiar – Esme Rae and Ruby Lou – but they have great stories behind them. I think those might be my favorite kinds of names, the ones that don’t scream for attention, but contain all sorts of hidden secrets. (No, wait. I love the Pilot Inspektors and Suris of the world, too …)

Speaking of … I’m reading Pete Buttiegeg’s book, and found the craziest name story there. In The Shortest Way Home, the South Bend, Indiana mayor turned presidential contender talks about his arrival at Harvard. He took a freshman seminar with a legendary English professor named Sacvan Bercovitch. Here’s the name-y bit: Sacvan’s parents named him after Sacco and Vanzetti, two men executed for a 1920 crime they may not have committed. They were almost certainly anarchists, and their case caused a sensation. Bercovitch was born just a few years after the pair were executed, a death many considered martyrdom. Now that’s a lot of name to carry around!

Duana’s advice is spot-on here. They’re debating whether or not to name their son Freddie, but I agree. The real question is whether they should name him Frederick. (To which I say, yes. It’s the new Theodore.)

In recent weeks, we’ve seen high-profile birth announcements for boys named Winter and Scout, plus a Boone, a Krew, and two Aces. The days of giving girls daring names and boys safe ones continues to fade into the past. And that’s a good thing.

Let’s end with the names trending on the site this week:

As always, thank you for reading! And have a great week!

Image by Miguel Á. Padriñán from Pixabay

The post Sunday Summary: Back to Names appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Boyish nicknames for classic girl names appeal for lots of reasons.

They split the difference between controversial Boy Names on Girls – BNOG – and strictly feminine options. If he says Ryan Marie while you’re thinking Lucinda Elise, maybe Samantha-called-Sam works for you both.

Boyish nicknames can be one of the benefits of choosing nickname-rich options. Picking a classic name is like giving your kiddo a build-your-own-adventure variety pack. They’re Legos, infinitely flexible, with the act of invention and discovery built in to the name.

We can all rattle off the obvious picks. There’s Sam for Samantha. Stranger Things has reminded us that Max works for Maxine. But let’s look at some of the less familiar boyish nicknames from classic girl names. There are more than you might expect!

Alexandra

We default to Alex, but it’s not the only option. You might borrow Sasha – masculine in Russian, but often perceived as feminine in the English-speaking world – or maybe Xan or Lex. And while we typically get to Andi or Andy from Andrew and Andrea, the sounds are found here, too.

Aurora

At first glance, Aurora seems almost nickname-proof. Except Rory is waiting in the middle syllable. It transforms princess-perfect Aurora into something a little more rough-and-tumble.

I think you can also get to Rory for girls from Caroline, Marjorie, and Victoria. And, of course, The Gilmore Girls immortalized the idea of Rory-from-Lorelai.

Bridget

The second syllable of Bridget is pronounced Jett, and I think that works well.

In fact, Jette has long been a feminine nickname in Dutch, used for lots of girl names ending in -ette, like Mariette. It appears in Scandinavian languages, too, again for -ette enders.

Caroline and Charlotte

Charlotte often reduces to Charlie. But Caroline developed as a feminine form of Charles, too. So Caroline called Charlie? Why not.

Other unconventional Charles nicknames might work for both feminine names, too. Chase and Harley probably work best for Charlotte. I like Arlo and Rory best for Caroline.

Eleanor

Eleanor reduces to Ellie and Nora. But boyish nicknames are waiting, too. Leo feels like the boldest of choices, and Len is another option.

Len and Leni or Lenny can come from Helen or Leonora or any of the interrelated cluster of names. Leonora, of course, lends itself to Leo even more directly.

Frances

We tend to forget that Frank comes from Francis, but it does. And so Frankie makes an obvious choice for any of the feminine forms of the name. There’s lady-like Frances, of course, but also romance language Francesca and vintage Francine.

Georgia

Maybe Georgie belongs in the Sam/Max/Alex category of obvious boyish nicknames. But I don’t hear it nearly as much as you might expect.

It’s also worth noting that Geo, rhymes with Leo, could be a great alternative. Both work for any of the George names. Think Georgina or Georgette called Georgie or Geo, too. And Giorgia – the Italian spelling – gives us Gio.

Jacqueline

Fun fact: Jacqueline is the feminine form of James. But we tend to reduce it to the boyish nicknames Jack or Jax, which are associated traditionally with John.

Josephine

Little Women forever cemented the appeal of Josephine-called-Jo. There’s Joey, too, as in Katie Holmes’ character on long-running late 90s teen drama Dawson’s Creek.

But for something completely different, how about Finn? The letters ‘phin’ appear right there, in the final syllable. And while we tend to rhyme Josephine with peachy keen, sounds change in nicknames all the time. Just ask James-called-Jim and Katherine-called-Kate.

Juliet

Juliet feels quintessentially feminine, a tragic heroine name. Americans prefer the Juliette spelling – it’s more than 50 spots higher in the current popularity rankings. And my guess is that we rarely shorten the name, regardless of spelling.

But you could, and Juliet offers more boyish nicknames than you might guess. There’s Jett or Jette, just like Bridget. Jules feels unisex, but is traditionally masculine in French.

And then there’s Jude. Because The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” was inspired by Julian Lennon, Jude is sometimes associated with Julian. And so it’s only a hop and skip to tie Jude to Juliet, too. Of course, Jude comes naturally from Judith, too.

Katherine

There are plenty of Katherine nicknames out there, but two of the rarer options fit with this pattern.

First, there’s Kit. It evolved as a pet form of Christopher, but it works for Katherine, too. The obvious reason? Katherine shortens to Kat, which brings to mind Kitty … and then reduces to Kit.

There’s also Ren. Ren could come from Lawrence, but the sounds are present in Katherine, too.

Margaret

Margaret offers a wealth of possible short forms, some obvious – like Maggie – and others only known by traditional use – like Daisy.

But here’s one you might not think of: the final syllable of Margaret gives us the boyish Ret or Rhett. I didn’t think of it, either, actually – credit goes to my fellow name enthusiast, Aela.

Nicola

Maybe Nico counts as a unisex name, but I think it fits with boyish nicknames. Nicola seems like a logical way to get to Nico. But Danica and Veronica work well, too. So do all the other names with a strong ‘nic’ sound. Maybe Annika and Monica belong here, too.

Theodora

Not only is Theodora relatively rare today, it’s dripping with nickname options.

Two of them count as boyish, and they’re not a stretch at all. First up: Teddy, a cuddy nickname name shared with Theodore. But just as Leo comes from Eleanor and Geo from Georgia, Theo makes an obvious option for Theodora.

Both boyish nicknames also work for the even rarer Theodosia, which comes with a built-in Hamilton lullaby.

Wilhelmina

William remains an evergreen choice for boys, but a feminine form? In English, that’s proved challenging. There’s Wilhelmina, of course, the kind of elaborate, European possibility that appeals to some. Will Smith used Willow. And there’s also Willa.

Any of those feminine Wil- names lead to boyish Billie. Unlike Theo or Rhett, there’s a long history of girls called Billie, like tennis champ Billie Jean King, singer Billie Holiday, or actor Billie Piper, known for turns as Rose on Doctor Who and Lily on Penny Dreadful.

The post 15 Boyish Nicknames for Traditional Girl Choices appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

An Old Testament name with a vintage vibe, Reuben might be the neglected gem you’re seeking.

Thanks to Emily for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

Behold

Know your Old Testament? If so, you’ll recognize Reuben as the eldest son of Jacob and Leah. The most common meaning attributed to the name is “behold, a son.”

He quarreled with his father over a woman. Most tellings insist that father and son both vied for the affections of Bilhah, a servant in their household. Other versions offer more complex – and perhaps more noble – explanations for Jacob’s deathbed renunciation of his son.

In any case, he’s the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, along with his brothers and half-brothers.

Like many an Old Testament name, it was rare – at least in English – among Christian families until the Protestant Reformation.

Princes

Over in Armenia, the name became royal. They spelled it Rouben and even Roupen and Rupen. But he was no mere prince. Instead, that original Roupen declared independence from the Byzantine Empire and became Lord of the Mountains – the first ruler of Cilicia. The founders took refuge there from Seljuk Turks.

Three Reubens ruled between 1080 and the 1180s, and other dynasties followed. Still, they’re not exactly the British royal family, so I’d guess very few will automatically think of the name as regal – but no question, it is.

Ruben

The Spanish spelling drops the first ‘e’ in the name. It’s the preferred form in Swedish and French and lots of other European languages, too.

This spelling ranks in the US Top 1000 every year from 1880 through today, many years reaching into the Top 200.

Add the ‘e’ back in and the numbers look different. While Reuben outranked the single ‘e’ spelling in the late nineteenth century, the opposite has been true for years. As of 2018, Reuben came in at a chilly #927, versus Ruben at #415.

Sandwich

Maybe that’s down to the sandwich that bears the name.

It’s corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on rye bread, served hot off the grill. Some say the first to serve the sandwich was Omaha, Nebraska grocer Reuben Kulakofsky. Others place the creation at Reuben’s Deli in New York City.

Along with BLTs and patty melts, it’s the kind of sandwich everyone has heard of – even if you’ve never set foot in a deli.

Still, it doesn’t seem like enough to sink a name, does it? Sister sandwich the Rachel – substituting pastrami and coleslaw – hasn’t stopped that name from climbing the charts. (The sister sandwich name likely comes from this 1871 song.)

Other Than …

Beyond the deli, plenty of real men answer to the name.

They include Rube Goldberg, cartoonist and inventor; as well as a former governor of New York. It’s the real first name of John Wayne’s True Grit character, better known as Rooster Cogburn.

You might also think of characters from television series The Partridge Family and the rebooted Ocean’s Eleven movie franchise.

All of this places the name squarely in the past, a vintage gem. And yet, it’s a familiar one, too.

It’s heard as a surname. Among the most famous bearers? Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, typically known solely by his last name. He’s considered a leader of the Baroque movement. Centuries after his death, the early seventeenth century artist remains a household name.

Actors, athletes, historical figures and more round out the list.

Ben

It’s not clear why the name fell in use. Maybe we just got used to the slimmed-down Ruben spelling.

But today, there’s a very good reason parents might look at either spelling with fresh eyes: we’re wild about Ben. Benjamin ranks in the US Top Ten. Bennett and Bentley and lots of other Ben- names have fared well over the last decade or so.

That makes Reu+ben an unconventional, but appealing, route to the short, strong nickname.

Ruby and Rupert

Especially if surname forms are factored in, the names offers two more intriguing ties.

Some who answer to Ruben, Reuben, or Rubin could trace their name to a pet form of the Germanic Rupert, ultimately a form of Robert.

And it’s also sometimes linked to the Old French rubi and the Italian rubino, both words for the gemstone. It’s possible this could’ve been an occupational surname for a jeweler. Or maybe, at least in Italian, it evolved as an affectionate name, another word for something precious and highly valued.

I like that last one best.

Overall, Reuben – with or without the ‘e’ – hits that sweet spot. It’s a name everyone knows but few of us are using. Drop the ‘e’ and it’s nicely international. Keep it extra vowel and it feels like a vintage revival. The meanings – from the Old Testament original to the Italian gemstone link – appeal. And it feels both nicely nickname proof and a great, unexpected way to get to Ben.

Do you like this name better spelled Ruben or Reuben? Have you met any kids by the name?

The post Reuben: Baby Name of the Day appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Halston fits perfectly with our love of surname names. Bonus? It’s surprisingly underused.

Thanks to Clio for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

Last Name First

We recognize this as a surname, but its exact origins are debated.

It could come from Old Norse, where it would have been closer to Halstein, from the words for rock and stone.

If you’re thinking about Alston, that’s a Old English name, or rather several Old English names: Aelstan, Aelfstan, and Ealhstan.

The map might get credit, too, with multiple places given similar names throughout England.

Lastly, the German Holstein brings to mind cattle. But it’s actually a German surname, meaning “dweller in the woods.” In some cases, Holstein might have been simplified to Halston.

70s Style

While the origins may be unclear, there’s no question why we recognize the name.

That’s down to Iowa native Roy Frowick.

Never heard of him? He’s better known by his middle name – and middle name only – Halston.

A young Roy left Iowa for design school in Chicago and became a milliner. He created Jacqueline Kennedy’s iconic pillbox hat for JFK’s 1961 inauguration. That attracted plenty of attention and new business. It eventually led him into a full range of clothing. After all, hats were fading.

His collections became known for an easy, minimalist take on elegance. He embraced functional pieces, like pants for women, made in luxurious materials.

As his career progressed, he designed uniforms for an airline, the US Olympic team, and even the Girl Scouts.

Halston even ventured into the mass market, with a JCPenney collaboration. At the time, it damaged his brand. But ultimately, the decision paved the way for so many affordable collections from high end names at chains like Target.

By the Numbers

Despite the brand’s tremendous success, no one named their kids Halston in the 1970s. It took the wave of preppy surname names to make parents cautiously consider this one.

In 1981, five boys received the name.

By 1989, that number was up to 17 boys, plus eight girls.

Over the next three decades, the numbers held steady. A few dozen children received the name annually. It’s consistently used for more boys, but not by much. In 2018, parents welcomed 14 boys and 11 girls with the name.

Sage

That could change, of course. All it takes is one pop culture figure to nudge a name from unisex to gendered.

One possible spoiler: Halston Sage. The actor is known for her television roles, like Fox’s The Orville, as well as the movie Paper Towns and a small role in Dark Phoenix.

Or not. Because it’s every bit as possible another figure will emerge – fictional or real – and sway our opinion the other way.

For now, this feels like a great substitute for parents looking for something less popular than Marlowe or Boden. It’s an obvious substitute for other H surname names. And while it’s a brand – one still very much found in upscale stores through the Halston Heritage collection – it’s not a household name that way it might have been during the Studio 54 era.

What do you think of this name? Do you like it better for a son or a daughter?

The post Halston: Baby Name of the Day appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.

We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight!

Kalie writes:

Our daughter is called Phoebe Danielle, and we absolutely love her name.

The name Phoebe has withstood the test of time, but it still feels modern. It is feminine but spunky with a great meaning. It is also a blend of my more unique style with my husband’s love for classic names. Phoebe’s middle name, Danielle, is a nod toward my mother, Danita, and we liked honoring her while giving our daughter her own version.

We are so happy with the name we chose, but we are now stuck on a name for her baby brother. Dad loves Ethan and Samuel, but they’re much too popular for my taste. I love Sterling and Ike, but they’re much too unique for his taste.

He did suggest Emmett which I like, but I don’t know that either of us is in love with it. Charles, Thomas, and Peter are all family names, but the first two feel too trendy right now and I don’t think I like the repeat of the letter P with Peter. I know I’m being incredibly picky, but are there any baby boy names that strike you as unique but familiar that would be a good match for our sweet Phoebe Danielle?

Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Dear Kalie –

Congratulations on your son!

Let’s start with the tough part: it is possible that you won’t feel the same excitement when you name your son as you did when you named your daughter.

Struggling to name a second (or third or fourth) child is normal. It’s also worth noting that Phoebe Danielle is now the name of your actual, beloved child. Your feelings about the name are all wrapped up with your love for your daughter. So even if you don’t absolutely adore your son’s name on day one, odds are good that you’ll all grow into it together.

That doesn’t mean that his name doesn’t matter – far from it! Follow a process. Reach a good compromise. But know that sometimes a name takes a little longer to feel just right.

That’s why I think you’re on the right track with Emmett.

• Like Phoebe, it’s a long established name that is broadly familiar, but not wildly popular. It can withstand a few pop culture uses (Friends for Phoebe; The LEGO Movie for Emmett) and still feel fresh and new for your child.
• Neither name ranks in the current US Top 100, and while Emmett is closer, at #114, that’s still a far cry from Ethan and Samuel.
• It’s tough to pin Emmett to a decade. It’s more popular today than ever before, but I wouldn’t be surprised to meet a grandpa Emmett or an adult by the name. The same is true for Phoebe, a name that peaked in the nineteenth century but has remained in use since then.

Let’s look for names in the same general category as Emmett – traditional-ish, but somewhere between the oh-so-common Samuel (ranked #21 in the US in 2018) and the out-there Ike (not in the current US Top 1000).

I actually think Peter might work perfectly. But I can see that Phoebe and Peter locks you into a pattern that might have you pondering Priscilla and Percival for future children. So, moving on.

Would you consider:

Boone – It reminds me of Ike from your list. It’s a surname, not often heard as a given name until recently – and yet, the ties to frontiersman Daniel Boone make this name feel slightly traditional. Current US popularity rank: #669.

Calvin – Calvin has been around forever, and Cal is a seriously cool nickname. Plus we’re all about the letter v lately. I think it’s very much in the same category as Emmett, a little cooler than classic Thomas, but a little more familiar than Sterling. Current US popularity rank: #143.

Hugo – I feel like I suggest Hugo all. the. time. lately – but that’s because it hits the right mark. Few of us in the US are using it, but we all recognize the name. Current US popularity rank: #422.

Jesse – Jesse had a good run in the 1980s, the age of Jason and Joshua. But it strikes me as more Biblical classic than dated dad name. Current US popularity rank: #185.

Jonah – If Noah held the #1 spot for years, why not Jonah? It has the same connections to the sea, a similar bright, open sound, and Biblical roots that make it traditional. And yet, it’s not in the same venerable classic category as John and William and James.

Malcolm – We tend to overlook Malcolm, maybe because it’s not easy to pigeon-hole. It’s something of an intellectual name. Or maybe it’s British. But then again, it works well for a cowboy or a baseball player. And it’s impossible to peg to a specific decade. These are strengths, making it very much a brother name for Phoebe. Current US popularity rank: #394.

Simon – Simon strikes me as the smartest kid in the room, and yet I can also think of Simons who have excelled in music and the arts, in sports, politics, and theater. I mean … actor Simon Pegg alone might be reason to enough to consider it. Current US popularity rank: #254.

Thatcher – Promise this is the last surname name! I think Thatcher has a similar vibe to Emmett. But if you like this general category, there are lots of possibilities that are familiar, but not too common, that might be just right for Phoebe’s brother. Current US popularity rank: #814.

Overall, I truly do like Emmett for your family – though I hope you might find a name that makes you both think, “Emmett is good, but we agree this name is better.” I love the sound of Phoebe and Hugo together, and I wonder if that splits the difference exactly, between traditional boys’ names and something a little less expected.

So I’ll put Hugo at the top of my list, but I’m sure readers will have even more amazing suggestions: What would you name a brother for Phoebe Danielle?

The post Name Help: A Brother for Phoebe Danielle appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

I’m reading Dani Shapiro’s memoir Inheritance. It’s about discovering a family secret through DNA testing, and how it unmoors her – but also explains so much about her childhood.

While it’s not central to the story, the part about her given name leapt out at me:

Daneile. Pronounced Da-neel. It was a name that called attention to itself – that required an explanation. It stopped people. I had to spell it out for official documents, or when making travel reservations, and still, more often than not, airplane tickets would arrive for Danielle, Danelle, Danyelle, Daniele.

She goes on to add that she never thought of herself as Daneile. Instead:

All my life … I was asked if Dani was my real name. Yes, I would say. It took too much out of me to explain.

The author legally changed her name to just Dani as an adult.

It’s the kind of story that people cite when they argue against unusual names. And I get it. It’s frustrating to spell your name every. single. time. To have others ask about it. To feel like you always stand out, even at moments when it would be far more appealing to fade into the background.

Except I also know dozens upon dozens of people who love their unconventional names. They shrug off spelling and pronunciation hassles. They love to explain that they share their name with a grandmother, or a literary character, or that their hippie parents really were living on a commune when they chose the name Starshine. They see it as an asset, a conversation starter, a part of their identities.

My own kids are split. One has a very ordinary name and often tells me he’s grateful I didn’t get my way. (I still think he’d have made a great Gideon or Dante.) And there’s my daughter, with the complicated given name, and the wait-what nickname that isn’t even spelled “right.” (It’s Clio-with-an-i. Not Cleo. Not Chloe.) She’s equally pleased by all the rich and involved story of her name.

So as a parent, you can consider the potential pitfalls. But it’s impossible to know whether your child will adore the name … or wish you’d played it safer. As with so many things in parenting, it’s a leap of faith.

Elsewhere online:

I’m fascinated by names that come to be words. At a moment when we’re naming our children River and Reign and Harmony and Sky, it’s easy to forget that it works the opposite way, too. Not so long ago, Abigail was another word for a servant. The same became true for Bridget. But here’s one that took me by surprise: Stan, meaning an obsessed fan, as in the Eminem song about, well, exactly that. It’s a noun – you can be a Stan – as well as a verb. I stan baby names.

How’s this for a sibset: brothers Geronimo, Artemis, and Galileo, plus daughters Beatrix and Sable. Dad is Alex James, the bassist of the band Blur; mom is Claire Neate, a music video producer. Thanks to Kelley for the tip! And if you haven’t thought about Blur since “Parklife” or so, well … Alex James has semi-retired to a farm where he makes artisanal cheeses. Sounds about right to me.

Did you automatically give your children their father’s last name? We did. (I mean, it’s my last name, too.) But I’m intrigued by the range of possibilities. And it’s worth noting – as this couple did – that sometimes it just plain matters more to hand down the mother’s surname. This one’s in the Washington Post; it may be behind a paywall.

While we’re in the UK … a birth announcement for Agatha Rose, sister to Beatrix Daisy. I love seeing Agatha in use, and I wonder why it’s not catching on. I’d call Agatha one of the logical successors to Abigail, along with Harriet, Winifred, and the rest of this list.

Now that we have data on the most popular children’s names in the UK, I have my list of names that we Americans ought to steal. Top on my list: Harriet! It’s in the Top 100 there, not even in the Top 1000 here. Yes, you read that right!

That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!

Image by analogicus from Pixabay

The post Sunday Summary: Danielle, Danelle, Danyelle, Daniele appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Looking for boy names with great meanings?

Start with this list.

I’ve (mostly) skipped the straight-up word names. No epic choices like Valor and Maverick, no modern virtues like Bodhi or Chance. Instead, these names appear on regular ol’ baby name lists. Some are Biblical, others mythological. They’re drawn from languages across the globe.

One more thing they share? The meanings aren’t a stretch. Puzzling out a name’s origins can be tough, especially since many trace back over centuries, even millennia. But if it’s listed her, you’ll find it generally accepted. That makes these boy names with great meanings even better.

AJAY – unconquered

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

I could fill this list with Sanskrit names. Traditional Sanskrit names nearly always carry a strong, uplifting meaning. But this one might be my favorite, especially because it’s so close to a go-to nickname for so many Andrew Josephs.

ALDEN – old friend

Current US popularity ranking: #638

It sounds like a surname, but it comes from the Old English Ealdwine – old friend.

ALEXANDER – defender of men

Current US popularity ranking: #11

A long-time favorite with a heroic vibe, thanks to towering ancient world figure Alexander the Great, as well as the name’s meaning.

AMES – friend

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

A surname whispered down the alley from the Latin amicus – friend – Ames is James minus the J, plus a universally appealing meaning.

ARI – eagle or lion

Current US popularity ranking: #374

In Old Norse, Ari means eagle. In Hebrew, it’s lion. Either way, the name feels fierce and powerful.

ASA – healer

Current US popularity ranking: #508

An Old Testament king, as well as a strong meaning and an on-trend sound make Asa a logical brother for Noah and Ezra.

ASHER – happy

Current US popularity ranking: #47

Some boy names with great meanings are subject to debate. Asher takes its meaning straight from the Book of Genesis. Leah declares her happiness at bearing a son, and explains that’s why she’ll call him Asher.

ATLAS – enduring

Current US popularity ranking: #291

Atlas carries the heavens on his mighty shoulders, making this meaning very appropriate. Of course, it’s also the reasons we call a book of maps an atlas, which adds another layer of meaning.

AUGUST – exalted

Current US popularity ranking: #170

Before it was a name, it was a title, for the very first Roman emperor, Octavian. It can sound like a gentle, nature-inspired choice, but it also belongs with boy names with great meanings.

BEAU – handsome

Current US popularity ranking: #151

The French word beau simply translates to beautiful. It’s the masculine form, while belle is reserved for the feminine. Both appeal to English-speaking parents as children’s names, and have for decades.

BENEDICT – blessed

Current US popularity ranking: #981

Benjamin makes the Top Ten, but it’s Benedict that means good fortune. It comes from the Latin benedictus – blessed.

BODHI – enlightenment

Current US popularity ranking: #314

Modern spiritual names appeal to lots of parents, and Bodhi tops the lists. It refers to the Buddhist concept of enlightenment.

BOONE – good

Current US popularity ranking: #669

Boone evolved from the French word bon, meaning good. It became boon in Middle English, and you might think of the phrase “a boon companion.” It’s also the root of our word bonus.

BRENDAN – prince

Current US popularity ranking: #564

Take a Welsh word meaning prince, import it to Ireland, factor in a sixth century saint said to have traveled across the oceans, and you’ll eventually have the English language Brendan. It was big in the 90s, also the age of Brandon.

CAIUS – rejoice

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Back in the ancient world, Caius was spelled Gaius, likely from the Latin gaudere – to rejoice. Julius Caesar was born Gaius; there are dozens more.

CONALL – strong wolf

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Straight out of Irish legend, Conall feels like a doubly powerful name.

CONRAD – brave counsel

Current US popularity ranking: #543

Conrad comes from Germanic name elements meaning brave and counsel; that’s an appealing combination.

COSMO – order

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Cosmo sounds spacey, but the root is the Greek kosmas, meaning order. It was probably Pythagoras who first used the term to refer to the universe.

CREED – belief

Current US popularity ranking: #962

Ultimately from the Latin credere, to believe, Creed got a boost from the most recent installments in the Rocky franchise. But it’s the origins that put it on this list of boy names with great meanings.

CRUZ – cross

Current US popularity ranking: #327

In Spanish and Portuguese, Cruz translates to cross. It refers specifically to the crucifixion, making this name deeply spiritual.

DAKARI – rejoice

Current US popularity ranking: #910

In the Shona language of southern Africa, this name means rejoice.

DANTE – enduring

Current US popularity ranking: #316

An Italian classic with literary overtones, worn by dozens of athletes, too.

DAVID – beloved

Current US popularity ranking: #22

When it comes to boy names with great meanings, it’s tough to top David. It means beloved, and David is all over the Old Testament, defeating Goliath and ruling his kingdom, making the name ever more admirable.

DYLAN – great tide

Current US popularity ranking: #31

A rock and roll surname with a meaning borrowed from the natural world.

ETHAN – strong

Current US popularity ranking: #12

A minor Old Testament character, Ethan has become a major boy name for this generation. Credit goes to the Mission: Impossible franchise hero. But long before that, Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen and Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome cemented the name’s Americana status.

EZRA – help

Current US popularity ranking: #59

Nothing sounds quite like Ezra. Despite that razor sharp, modern sound, Ezra comes from an Old Testament name meaning help.

FELIX – lucky

Current US popularity ranking: #231

We tend to think of feline when we hear Felix, but it comes from the Latin word for happiness or good fortune.

FREDERICK – peaceful ruler

Current US popularity ranking: #496

Call this name a neglected classic. Germanic and strong, Frederick comes from frid – peace – and – ric – ruler.

GAGE – pledge

Current US popularity ranking: #381

Gage spiked in use thanks to Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, the novel-turned-film. The name can mean measure, likely referring to an occupation. It can also mean pledge, probably referring to something pledged to guarantee a loan. It’s a practical kind of meaning, but an appealing one, too.

GAVIN – hawk

Current US popularity ranking: #111

Gawain sat at King Arthur’s Round Table. The legendary knight was based on Gwalchmei, a Welsh hero. Gwalch means hawk, and so the modern, English version Gavin, retains the meaning.

GREGORY – watchful

Current US popularity ranking: #408

Early Christians embraced this name, and the sixth century Saint Gregory the Great remains widely known and admired. It comes directly from the Greek gregoros – watchful.

GUNNAR – warrior

Current US popularity ranking: #470

Gunnar sounds aggressive. It makes us think of guns and all sorts of weaponry. And yet, the name claims deeper roots. It’s Germanic, a cousin to Gunther – though the meaning, warrior, feels consistent.

HARDY – courageous

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

This name sounds like hearty, and that alone could imbue it with an appealing meaning. But the name and the adjective Hardy come from a different source. In Middle English, it simply means bold or courageous.

HEZEKIAH – God strengthens

Current US popularity ranking: #624

In our age of Isaiah and Elijah, it’s easy to imagine Hezekiah catching on. Another Old Testament name, Hezekiah boasts a straightforward and appealing meaning: God strengthens.

HUGO – heart

Current US popularity ranking: #422

The Germanic hug means heart, mind, or spirit. The tenth century Hugh Capet became King of the Franks in 987. His dad was also named Hugh. Hugo evolved as the Latin form of the name, and I think it’s the more appealing one for twenty-first century parents, thanks to that ‘o’ ending.

IGNATIUS – fiery

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

The origins of Ignatius are a little murky. But it appears to be influenced by the Latin ignis – fire – which gives us this meaning.

ISAAC – he will laugh

Current US popularity ranking: #34

Abraham and Sarah waited ages for a child. So long, in fact, that they laughed when God told them they would finally have a son of their own. And that’s how their son, Isaac, got his name.

JASON – healer

Current US popularity ranking: #100

Perhaps most famous as the leader of the Argonauts in Greek myth, Jason became a chart-topping sensation in the 1980s, a classical hero big in the Reagan era. But like many a masculine name, Jason remains in steady use, as a generation of dads welcome juniors. It comes from the Greek iasthai – to heal.

JASPER – treasurer

Current US popularity ranking: #154

We tend to think of Jasper as a nature name, but it has roots with the Persian gizbar – treasurer. It’s also spelled Casper and Gaspard and lots of other ways. While it’s not mentioned in the Bible, it’s traditionally one of the names of the three Wise Men.

JESSE – gift

Current US popularity ranking: #185

The father of King David in the Old Testament, Jesse comes from a Hebrew word meaning gift.

JUDE – praise

Current US popularity ranking: #157

Jude is another Old Testament name, and one of Jacob’s twelve sons. It comes from the Hebrew yadah – praise.

KAI – ocean

Current US popularity ranking: #113

Hawaiian names never made the American mainstream. Not, that is, until Kai. While it might claim other origins, it clearly comes from the Hawaiian word for sea.

KHALIL – friend

Current US popularity ranking: #395

Khalil means friend in Arabic. Thanks to long-standing bestseller The Prophet, authored by Khalil Gibran, it’s broadly familiar in the Western world, too.

LEONARDO – brave lion

Current US popularity ranking: #92

Leo means lion; add the extra syllables and it becomes a romance language name with extra bravery.

LORCAN – fierce

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

In Gaelic, lorcc means fierce. We add -an to make it a diminutive, hence Aidan, Ronan, and company. Lorcan fits right in.

LOWELL – little wolf

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Lowell started out as a surname, a mix of the Anglo-Norman French word lou, meaning wolf, and the suffix -el. It sounds buttoned-up, but Lowell is quite fierce.

LUCIAN – light

Current US popularity ranking: #651

We like so many boys’ names associated with the Latin word lux – light – but many of them are more properly associated with Lucania, an ancient region in Italy. Lucian – and Lucius, too – come directly from lux.

MAGNUS – great

Current US popularity ranking: #782

Magnus sounds Scandi, and it is. Four kings of Norway have answered to Magnus; the current heir to the thrown was born Haakon Magnus. In Sweden, another four monarchs used the name.

MAXIMILIAN – greatest

Current US popularity ranking: #448

We know that max means big; and so Maximilian has to have a grand meaning. It comes from the Latin maximus, sometimes used as a given name on its own, and means the greatest.

MILES – gracious

Current US popularity ranking: #98

There’s more than one backstory for Miles. It’s often associated with the Latin word miles, meaning soldier. But it can also come from the Slavic element milu, meaning gracious or perhaps generous.

NATHANIEL – God has given

Current US popularity ranking: #116

Appearing in both the Old and New Testaments, Nathaniel offers a lovely meaning: God has given.

NEIL – champion

Current US popularity ranking: #626

Niel is the English form of the Gaelic Niall, and there’s more than one possible meaning. Cloud is one, but champion is another, and with famous bearers like pioneering astronaut Neil Armstrong and legendary musician Neil Young, it feels right.

NICHOLAS – victory of the people

Current US popularity ranking: #74

Long before the sneaker company, Nike was the Greek personification of victory. Nearly all Nick- names trace back to that word. The second element refers to people, making this name feel strong and protective at once.

NOLAN – noble

Current US popularity ranking: #64

Like many an Irish favorite, Nolan started out as a surname. But it traces its roots to a given name, taken from the Irish nuall – noble.

OMAR – flourishing

Current US popularity ranking: #240

An Arabic name with deep and meaningful roots in both Islam, the name brings to mind mathematician, astronomer, and poet Omar Khayyam. It comes from a word meaning life, hence the association with the idea of flourishing.

ORION – the hunter

Current US popularity ranking: #300

We’re not completely certain where the name Orion gets its start, but the most famous figure is Greek myth’s Orion the Hunter. Prominent in the night sky, it lends the meaning to the name.

PATRICK – nobleman

Current US popularity ranking: #189

We tend to think of Patrick as saintly and Irish, but the word patrician means aristocrat … and has since the days of ancient Rome.

PAX – peace

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

It sounds like Max and Jax, but Pax is the Latin word for peace. And while the original Pax was considered a goddess, sound – as well as a Jolie-PItt kid – make this name feel masculine.

PETER – stone

Current US popularity ranking: #211

We all know that Peter is the rock upon which Jesus built his church. Petros refers to stone, and implies a rock solid character.

QUINN – wisdom

Current US popularity ranking: #384

Popular for girls and boys alike, Quinn comes from an Irish name meaning wisdom, reason, or possibly chief.

RAHIM – compassionate

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Islamic tradition makes this one of Allah’s 99 names. It translates to kind or compassionate.

RAPHAEL – God heals

Current US popularity ranking: #527

The name of a Renaissance artist and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Raphael comes from Hebrew roots meaning God heals.

ROCCO – rest

Current US popularity ranking: #481

Rocco sounds like it ought to share Peter’s meaning. But it’s the Italian form of a Germanic name, derived from hrok – rest.

RORY – red king

Current US popularity ranking: #368

Legend gives this name to the last High King of Ireland, derived from the elements meaning red and king.

RHYS – enthusiasm

Current US popularity ranking: #464

You might think of the spellings Reece and Reese, but the Welsh original remains quite popular, too. A name used over many centuries, it translates literally to enthusiasm.

RYAN – little king

Current US popularity ranking: #46

Ryan fits right in with traditional boy names today, and yet it was rare in the US before the 1950s. The ‘ry’ here is the same as the ‘ry’ in Rory, making this thoroughly regal and among the boy names with great meanings.

SALVADOR – savior

Current US popularity ranking: #647

A Spanish name that translates to savior, it’s been just common enough that we think first of famous figures – especially the artist Dali – that it feels familiar. The Italian version is Salvatore.

SEBASTIAN – venerable

Current US popularity ranking: #18

Sebastian literally means from Sebaste. But Sebaste comes from the Greek sebastos – the equivalent of augustus. And thus, it shares a similar meaning.

SEELEY – blessed

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Seeley likely comes from the Middle English word seely meaning happy; at some point, the word evolved into silly. There’s also Selig or Zelig, a Yiddish name with the same meaning, and likely shared origins, too.

SHEA – admirable

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

It’s a storied stadium, and the Anglicized version of the Irish Séaghdha, meaning admirable. It’s modern, but fits right in with boy names with great meanings.

SHILOH – tranquil

Current US popularity ranking: #709

Best known as a Biblical place name, Shiloh translates to tranquil.

SILAS – forest

Current US popularity ranking: #110

In the New Testament, Silas spends time with Saint Paul. Most accounts suggest it comes from Silvanus, ultimately from silva – the Latin word for forest.

STEPHEN – crown

Current US popularity ranking: #284

Worn by popes and kings, Stephen appropriately means crown. It comes from a Greek word meaning to encircle.

TARON – thunder

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Thor feels a little obvious. But Welsh name Taron – or Taran – carries the same meaning. It appears in the Middle Ages, in an early collection of myth and legend, but there’s a King Taran of the Picts way back in the late 600s, too.

TEAGUE – poet

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

An Irish name meaning poet, Teague – or Tadhg – was also worn by a medieval king of Connacht.

THADDEUS – heart

Current US popularity ranking: #710

Sometimes listed as the name of one of the twelve apostles, Thaddeus likely comes from an Aramaic word meaning heart.

THEODORE – gift of God

Current US popularity ranking: #44

A Greek name with centuries upon centuries of use, Theodore comes from the word for God, combined with doron – gift.

TIERNEY – lord

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Yet another Irish name with an appealing meaning, in this case, lord.

TORIN – chief

Current US popularity ranking: #980

In Gaelic, Torin literally translates to chief.

TRUMAN – trustworthy

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

A presidential surname name, Truman literally means trustworthy man.

VALERIAN – strong, healthy

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

In Latin, valere means to be strong. It’s the root of Valerian, as well as other similar names, like Valerie.

VICTOR – victory

Current US popularity ranking: #177

A Roman name that means exactly what it seems to mean, Victor is triumphant.

VINCENT – conqueror

Current US popularity ranking: #107

The Romans loved names with meanings like Vincent. And yet, the name’s popularity among early Christians suggests that Vincent refers to Christ conquering death, not one army subduing another.

ZAKAI – pure

Current US popularity ranking: #903

A minor Old Testament character answers to Zaccai, which literally means pure in Hebrew.

ZEV – wolf

Current US popularity ranking: #975

The Hebrew word for wolf is ze’ev. It’s a common given name, too, and one that American parents are increasingly willing to consider.

What are your favorite boy names with great meanings? Would you consider any of these for a son? What have I left off the list?

The post 87 Boy Names with Great Meanings appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Gwen feels modern, retro, and traditional … all at the same time!

Our Baby Name of the Day comes from this list of the hottest 1919 girl names.

Fair

In Welsh, gwyn means fair or white or blessed. In myth and legend, Gwyn ap Nudd ruled over paradise, which sort of rolls all three ideas into one.

But -wyn is masculine in Welsh; the ‘e’ spellings are reserved for girls.

Gwendolen

Plenty of compound  names use this element. Gwendolen tops the list, but others, like Gwenllian and even Gwenful, are seen, too. Guinevere comes from the Norman French Gwenhwyfar, which also gives us Jennifer … eventually.

And, of course, Gwyneth Paltrow put her unusual given name on the books, too.

Like Leo or Finn, Gwen might seem like a name that’s always short for something, but that’s not the case at all. It stands on its own nicely. That’s been true for centuries.

Stacy

Both Gwen and Gwendolyn peaked in the 1950s. That made them a pitch-perfect choice for a new character in Spider-Man.

We met Gwen Stacy for the first time in 1965. She and Peter Parker attend Empire State University, and after Peter moves on from Mary Jane, they date. But comic books give us few happily ever afters. Peter’s nemesis, the Green Goblin, kidnaps Stacy. The pair fight, and in the battle, she falls from a bridge.

At the time, killing off such a major character was considered wildly controversial. No one stays dead in such universes, though, and Stacy has made a few appearances since. In 2015, we even got a Spider-Gwen comic book series. If you’ve watched Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, you’ve seen Hailee Steinfield voice an animated version of the character.

It also keeps the name feeling current, as we keep meeting updated versions as the superhero story evolves.

Stefani

The other world-changing Gwen is Stefani, lead singer of No Doubt. Yes, it’s Stefani’s birth name. She was born in 1969, as the name was waning.

As far as I know, there’s no connection to Stacy. (Though remember one of No Doubt’s early hits? 1985’s “Spiderwebs.” But it’s not about Peter Parker.)

Stefani has said that her name came from a character in the 1968 novel Airport. It became a successful movie in 1970, with Jacqueline Bisset playing the stewardess who inspired Stefani’s name. It’s one the first of the big disaster flicks, involving a snowstorm, a bomb, and, of course, air travel. But it’s mostly forgotten now, while the singer? She’s become pop music royalty.

No Doubt released their first big album, Tragic Kingdom, in 1995. Stefani launched her solo career in 2004. Along the way, she’s picked up three Grammys, started a clothing line, and more.

At the end of the 2008 Tina Fey-Amy Poehler comedy Baby Mama, Amy’s character has named her baby Stefani – after Gwen.

By the Numbers

Most names fits into a broad, general category. Alice reads classic. Avery feels quite modern. And I’d call Bonnie more retro than anything.

But Gwen feels like it fits everywhere. Besides the Spider-Verse and the singer, there’s:

• A fifth/sixth century saint from Brittany, sometimes called Blanche – the name’s French translation, also meaning fair or white.
• Characters from Torchwood, As the World Turns, Passions, Ben Ten, and BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. (It’s the name of Stacey’s mother in the latter.)
• There’s the late journalist Gwen Ifill, among other women of accomplishment in politics, as well as other writers, academics, and scientists. And athletes, actors, and … you get the idea.

This reflects the name’s long history of use at relatively modest levels. It appeared in the US Top 1000 every year from 1901 through 1981, and again from 2013 to the present. But it’s never risen much higher than the upper 200s.

Gwendolyn, on the other hand, long ranked in the Top 200. And it’s been in the Top 1000 every year from the 1890s onward. Combined with just-Gwen, that’s a lot of girls with the name.

The result is a spare, distinctive-sounding choice, impossible to peg to a single era, and at home in them all.

Would you consider Gwen for a daughter? Do you prefer one of the longer forms?

The post Gwen: Baby Name of the Day appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.

We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight!

Erin writes:

I’m expecting my second son in the next six weeks or so and my husband and I are at a loss for names. All we have so far is the short list of names leftover from our first.

Our first son is Art Dorsey. Names we both tend to like are short, easy to pronounce and spell, aren’t too popular, and are what would be currently considered as grandparent-chic.

First names that we were considering before that could be back on the table would be Gus, Gil, Jude or Dewey. Other names we both might like are Linus, Amos, or Mack.

Middle names still evade us. Maybe it is hard without the first narrowed down more. But I tend to test middle names out like Lavern, Turner, Roe, Casper, or Palmer.

Also, my husband and I have different last names and neither of us have strong feelings either way about which last name to give our children. So far we are just going with sounds better with the first name. Our first took my husband’s two-syllable, starts with an R, ends with a -k sound last name. But mine, which starts with a McD and ends with a vowel sound, could also be in the running again.

For example, we’ve had a girl name that we both love picked out for a long time now, which is Mabel McD. Maybe someday we’ll have a girl, but for now these boy names are harder for us to find something that really strikes us. What would you recommend? I appreciate your insight!

Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Dear Erin –

Congratulations on your new son!

Art Dorsey is a brilliant first-middle combination. I sort of want to add “and his Orchestra” when I hear it. The name feels early twentieth century retro, jazzy, cool. But it’s rooted in tradition, and no one could argue that Art feels like it’s trying too hard.

No wonder it’s tough to name his brother!

Gus and Jude seem perfect on paper, but they’re probably both much more common than Art. At least, Jude certainly is, and with lots of little boys answering to August and related names, Gus feels like it must be, too.

Gil, Dewey, Linus, Amos, and Mack feel closer to the mark. I feel like Lavern, Turner, Roe, Casper, and Palmer could all make great middles, but it can be challenging to choose a middle when the first remains unsettled.

So let’s look at some fresh options for firsts.

Dex – We’re mad for Max and Jax, so why not Dex? Like those other names, it’s just three letters, but X offers a lot of sound. It could be short for Dexter, of course, but I think it stands on its own, too.

Frank – Here’s the beauty of Frank: like Art, it’s a nickname, in this case for Francis. But unlike Art (or Gus or Gil), it feels more like an independent name. If you named your sons Art and Gil, I wonder if you’d feel trapped into a three-letter, nickname-name pattern for a third son. Art, Frank, and Mabel sound like my great-great-uncles and aunts, a generation that’s just far enough in the past to sound fresh and stylish once more.

Ike – I can’t decide if Ike is the exactly perfect match to Art … or a little too close. I do think it’s the kind of strong sound that fits right in on your list, though, so I’m leaving it on the list.

Lyle – It’s close to Linus, but a little bit different, too.

Ray – I’m applying the same logic as Frank here; it’s a short name that stands on its own better than some. Plus, the image of a ray of light makes it bright and upbeat, while accomplished men like Ray Charles make it feel jazzy and cool.

Roscoe – Is Roscoe too far out? I pulled it from this list of 1919 boy names. I think that ‘o’ ending makes it quite current, even though it’s definitely borrowed from another century.

Overall, my favorite is Ray Turner. It matches Art Dorsey very well, but the sounds are distinct. And I think it picks up the right vibe, too: grandpa-chic, but short and easy to spell and pronounce.

Readers, what would you name a brother for Art Dorsey?

The post Name Help: A Brother for Art Dorsey appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.

We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight!

Bethany writes:

We are pregnant with #4! My kids are Benjamin, Hamilton, Mary Catherine, and their new little sister. Suggestions welcome!

Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Dear Bethany –

Congratulations on your new daughter!

Here’s what jumps out at me: your kids’ names are long. Maybe they’re called Benj or MC or Tony by friends and family, but the way you list your names gives them a certain kind of impact.

It seems unlikely that you’ll be naming this kiddo Bob.

Benjamin and Mary Catherine fall in the very traditional names camp. Hamilton boasts history galore, too, and yet it’s far more novel as a given name.

That makes me wonder if your new daughter’s name shouldn’t be a little more different, too.

I’m guessing you’d like something easy to pronounce, though, so that limits some of my possible suggestions. And I’m wondering if a double name might appeal? Of course, that might make you feel like a third daughter in the future would also need two names, and that can present a challenge.

Let’s dive into the names!

Anastasia – Long and elegant, Anastasia feels nearly traditional – in some languages, surely it is. It splits the difference between Hamilton and Mary.

Annalisa, Annalise, Anneliese – Annalise is the most popular spelling in the US, though you can argue that Annalisa makes more sense phonetically, and Anneliese is the German original. Regardless of spelling, I think it’s an appealing double name, similar to Mary Catherine, but different enough that you’re not trapped in a pattern.

Cordelia – Literary and with plenty of history, Cordelia sounds like a sister for Hamilton or Benjamin or Mary Catherine.

Genevieve – I originally thought about Gwendolyn, but if Benjamin is ever Ben, and Gwendolyn is ever Gwen … well, that might be adorable or confusing or maybe even both. So let’s look at Genevieve instead. I think it’s one of those great overlooked traditional names. It’s risen in use since the 1960s, but remains relatively uncommon, just inside the current Top 200.

Louisa, Anna Louise, or maybe Louisa Anne or Lucinda – Back to the double names idea … how about Anna Louise? Or maybe Lucinda?

Rosalie – Rose names make great choices. We all recognize them instantly, and most of us probably know a Rosie or three. But the great variety of Rose names makes all of them feel just a little different and special.

Theodora or Dorothea – I would suggest Theodore for Hamilton and Benjamin’s brother, so the feminine forms seem to belong on this list, too.

Veronica – One of my favorite quirky classics, Veronica is a New Testament name with a powerful meaning and an on-trend sound.

Overall, I’m most tempted by Veronica. I think it meets your criteria while still balancing out the differences in popularity between your older kids’ names. And there’s something quite timeless about Veronica that seems appropriate for your family.

Readers, what would you suggest to Bethany as a sister name for Benjamin, Hamilton and Mary Catherine?

The post Name Help: A Sister for Benjamin, Hamilton, and Mary Catherine appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Downton Abbey names took off from the series’ earliest days. You almost certainly know a girl who shares her name with the Dowager Countess or her American daughter-in-law. Maybe with the middle daughter’s secret child, too, or the chauffeur-turned-family-member.

This post is packed with spoiler alerts for the original series, but not for the September 2019 movie that takes us back to all of our beloved friends, upstairs and downstairs, at Downton.

Names come from the aristocratic Crawley family, the lords of Downton Abbey. (Strictly speaking, the head of the family is Earl of Grantham and Viscount Downton, but he’s referred to as Lord Grantham.) But they also come from the many servants required to make the manor run well. And we meet others over the course of the series – doctors and lawyers and journalists, men and women who point to a changing world.

Options are richer for the ladies than the gentlemen. Maybe that’s because Robert and Joseph and John don’t feel especially attached to the series. Or maybe it’s because the era meant that they were referred to by their surnames or titles far more often, and so their names don’t feel as linked to the show. However, a few surname names do make this list, inspired by the male characters.

The Ladies of Downton Abbey

ANNA

Current US popularity ranking: #54

We love loyal Anna, ladies maid and beloved of the long-suffering Mr. Bates. She has a rough road, too. But at the series’ end, the couple lives happily ever after, with son Johnny joining their family. As a given name, Anna feels undeniably classic. Though this generation may associate it more strongly with Elsa’s sister in Frozen than the hallowed halls of Downton Abbey.

I’ve yet to write about Anna, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

BERYL

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

While rarely mentioned on the show, Mrs. Patmore’s given name is the lovely Beryl. I’d have left it off this list, except it’s just too wonderful to overlook. It’s a gemstone name, a green stone, and it would have been relatively novel when the Abbey’s cook was born. That makes Beryl the rough equivalent of a name like Mackenzie or Kaylani today.

I’ve yet to write about Beryl, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

CORA

Current US popularity ranking: #73

The graceful and gorgeous Lady Grantham brought an American fortune to Downton when she married the Earl. She’s a devoted mother and wife, and brings a quiet strength to her role. When the series debuted in 2010, Cora was rising steadily in use, following sound-alike Nora up the charts. The British drama helped the name more than double in use since its debut. One reason to adore the name: it sounds like the Latin cor – heart.

Read more about Cora here.

DAISY

Current US popularity ranking: #169

Kitchen maid Daisy features in story lines from the very first season, and she remains a force to be reckoned with throughout the series. Her floral name fits right in with the era, since the Victorians embraced so many in the decades prior to the show’s setting. The household staff also includes an Ivy, and plenty of botanical favorites belong to the aristocratic characters, too.

Read more about Daisy here.

EDITH

Current US popularity ranking: #518

The Crawley’s middle daughter spends several seasons as poor Edith, the one always overlooked and prone to tragedy. But Edith triumphs over them all. She forges a career as a writer, and then ends the sixth season by marrying Bertie Pelham, becoming the Marchioness of Hexham. As a name, Edith has long felt unfashionable. And yet, it’s a 1930s favorite – so if the hundred year rule applies, it’s just about time for Edith to feel fresh once more.

Read more about Edith here.

ISOBEL

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Isabella graces the US Top Ten, and has for many years. Isabelle isn’t too very far behind. But Isobel – the Scottish spelling – remains quite rare. Still, if you prefer Katharine to Katherine and Elinor to Eleanor, perhaps Isobel will appeal to you, another elegant alternative spelling that might be just different enough to feel new.

Read more about Isobel here.

MARIGOLD

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Lady Edith’s secret daughter, it’s originally planned that she’ll be given up for adoption. But Edith can’t bear to be parted from her, and eventually takes her in as a ward, before admitting their relationship. The show launched the name. It sits just a bit outside of the current US Top 1000, and continues to gain rapidly in use. Originally a mash-up of Mary and gold, the richly meaningful name could easily join other floral favorites on the charts.

Read more about Marigold here.

MARY

Current US popularity ranking: #126

Lady Mary Crawley is the eldest daughter at Dowton. Sometimes cold and calculating, even cruel, she’s also whip-smart, generous, and brave, too. Her first husband’s death devastates her, but by series’ end, she’s found love once more. I felt certain that the beautiful aristocrat would remind us all how much we love this classic girls’ name. But so far, it continues to fall in use.

Read more about Mary here.

ROSE

Current US popularity ranking: #123

The extended Crawley family includes cousin Rose, daughter of Hugh and Susan MacClare, and great-niece to Violet Crawley. There’s also Robert’s sister, Rosamund. But it’s Rose that feels like the bigger Downton name. After all, Lady Rose moves in to the grand house when her parents move to India. Her daring romances dominate several storylines, as does her eventual marriage to The Honourable Ephraim Atticus Aldridge.

Read more about Rose here.

SYBIL

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

Sybil was given to just a dozen girls the year Downton Abbey debuted; by 2018, that number soared to 108. The youngest Crawley daughter, idealistic, romantic, and warm, Sybil marries for love, and dies tragically young. Her daughter is also Sybil, called Sybbie. She’s raised at the Abbey, alongside her cousins. While rare, it could be part of the next wave of vintage revival names, a substitute for Abigail or Evelyn.

Read more about Sybil here.

VIOLET

Current US popularity ranking: #43

Is any character more appealing that the Dowager Countess, played by the incomparable Maggie Smith. At time, she’s snobbish and rude, but also loving and fierce. And Violet Crawley gets all of the best lines. The name was just outside of the US Top 100 when the show debuted, but it’s only continued to climb since we met the fearless, stronger-than-strong matriarch of the Crawley family.

Read more about Violet here.

The Gentlemen of Downton Abbey

ATTICUS

Current US popularity ranking: #326

Lady Rose loves passionately, and without regard to the realities of the day. She ultimately falls for The Honourable Ephraim Atticus Aldridge, known by his middle. He’s heir to a title, which makes him a suitable match, but he’s Jewish, so there’s plenty of tension in the storyline, too. In the US, we didn’t use the name Atticus at all until Harper Lee made it so famous in To Kill a Mockingbird. So it strikes me as slightly anachronistic. Except there are plenty of ancient men called Atticus, and a few others along the way, too.

Read more about Atticus here.

BERTIE

Current US popularity ranking: unranked

The British love Bertie. There’s PG Wodehouse’s immortal creation, Bertie Wooster of Jeeves and Wooster fame. And then there’s Herbert “Bertie” Pelham, aka the Marquess of Hexham. He and Edith fall in love, and despite many challenges, ultimately marry at the end of the series. This makes poor Edith a marchioness – meaning she outranks even her mother.

I’ve yet to write about Bertie, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

BRANSON

Current US popularity ranking: #770

We meet Tom Branson, the Irish chauffeur, at the very beginning of the show. Sparks fly between Tom and Lady Sybil from the first. They ultimately break all the rules and marry. After Sybil’s tragic death in childbirth, Tom remains to raise their daughter at Downton. As a member of staff, he’s referred to as Branson, though once he joins the family, he’s most often Tom. A surname associated with a popular Missouri resort destination, it was already rising when the show premiered, but spiked along with the character’s storyline.

I’ve yet to write about Branson, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

CARSON

Current US popularity ranking: #70

Carson sounds just right on a baby boy today. And yet it’s undeniably a Downton name, the surname of the dignified, but caring, butler, Charles Ernest Carson. Serious and loyal, Carson is the backbone of the household, along with the head housekeeper – and his future wife, Elsie Hughes. He’s also more than mere employee, especially to Lady Mary and her father. Carson symbolizes an entire era.

Read more about Carson here.

GEORGE

Current US popularity ranking: #127

As firstborn son to a future king, George makes an impeccably royal choice. There’s a George on the throne during the Downton days, too. In fact, the 2019 movie centers around a visit from King George V. But it’s the son of Matthew and Mary that wears the name most prominently on the show. He’s born just hours before his father’s tragic accident, and grows up in the nursery as the heir to all of Downton Abbey. In the US, George seems ready for revival, a successor to Jack and Henry and William, too.

Read more about George here.

MATTHEW

Current US popularity ranking: #20

Classic Matthew is falling in use, while Mateo and Matias climb. But it’s Matthew Crawley that sets the series’ drama in motion – and his demise that causes yet more complications for the family. The show helped transform our perception of the name, from Matt – a cowboy and a quarterback – to English gentleman Matthew. And that might help give the name a new life for twenty-first century parents.

Read more about Matthew here.

THOMAS

Current US popularity ranking: #49

One of the most intriguing characters, footman Thomas Barrow schemes and plots his way through the series. He suffers terribly, too, but ends the series in triumph, succeeding Carson as butler at Downton. A classic name, it might not be so linked with the show as a name like Marigold or Branson. But, like Matthew, Thomas reminds us that the full name feels very different from the casual short form. Calling your Thomas by the full two syllables might make the traditional choice a little bit on the surprising side.

Read more about Thomas here.

What are your favorite Downton Abbey names? Oh, and ladies, click on the image below to find your Downton Abbey name – and position in the household.

The post Downton Abbey Names appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

This summer, my daughter went to sleep-away camp for the first time. On the last day, during the Awards Ceremony, the camp director stumbled over which Ellie, exactly, had won which award. After getting it straightened out, she laughed and said, “We love all of our Ellies.”

Because even in a small camp, there were three.

It’s stuck with me all these weeks. I mean … I know there are lots of Ellies, obviously. My cousin’s daughter is a six year old just Ellie, no formal name. But other Ellies in our extended circle are Eleanor or Elizabeth or some other El- name. There are dozens!

Like so many things, this has its pros and cons. On the downside, your relatively unusual name choice – maybe Elspeth or Eloise – might get lost in the crowd if your daughter loves the familiar nickname. Or maybe that was your goal in the first place – something really unusual for her birth certificate, with more of a fits-in choice for everyday wear. Or then again, maybe you figured Ellie wasn’t really that common – it’s not Top Ten, or even 25, after all – and are frustrated that it’s actually everywhere, all the time. Popularity is tricky.

But it’s also changing. The Top 100 lists from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s might record a lot of girls named Michelle, Kimberly, and Heather. But they also reveal that most of the popular names felt distinct and different. Today? We have Sophia and Sofia; clusters like Lillian, Lily, Lila, Layla, and Leah; and Emma, Emily, Emilia, and Amelia … to name just a few.

Maybe that’s why I’m captivated by Nancy’s list of contrarian names. They’re not for everyone. I mean … could I really name a kid Wanda or Elbert in 2019? Probably not. But Betty and Rufus? I’m on board.

Just something to consider.

Elsewhere online:

Actually, before I dismiss Wanda, will Disney+ reverse the name’s decline? The new streaming service launches in November, and there’s much talk of the Marvel Universe series. WandaVision features Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, and Vision, an android of sorts. The couple’s story picks up after Avengers: Endgame and leads right into the next Doctor Strange movie, so I can imagine fans tuning in just to keep up with the wildly popular franchise. But will it lead to baby Wandas? Time will tell …

What do you name a sister for Clio and Melusine, especially after your sister-in-law has hijacked Saskia, your frontrunner choice? Turns out the answer is Isolda. Gorgeous, right? There’s more to the story. Read the whole thing here.

One mom’s tale of naming her daughters, revealed after writing about them using pseudonyms for a while. I’m intrigued that her daughters’ names are pretty common, but they also have a son with a not-in-the-Top 1000 kind of rank.

I didn’t realize all those German Kevins were named – at least initially – for a footballer. And more thoughts on the impact of professional athletes in a global game here. Found via Clare’s marvelous Scoop.it site, Name News.

Welcome to the world, Maximilian. There’s a new little Archduke in the royal family of Belgium. Prince Amedeo and Princess Elisabetta. Maximilian joins big sister Anna Astrid. Fun fact: Elisabetta is known as Lili. I’m fascinating by royal baby names because of the tremendous constraints their parents must face when making the decisions. And, of course, because it’s almost like someone picked up a candlestick-style phone straight out of the 1890s to make a call – so clearly a relic from another time, but perhaps still, at least in some senses, functional.

And while we’re talking about the past … I’m excited for the Downton Abbey movie, but I realized I don’t know the storylines from the last three seasons very well. Time to binge watch. And write a post while I do … because the show influenced plenty of parents, and the name are as gorgeous as the clothing and the sets.

That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading. And have a great week!

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

The post Sunday Summary: We Love All of our Ellies appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Fall means pumpkins, leaves, and autumn baby names.

Maybe you’re expecting a baby this season. Or maybe it’s just your favorite time of year, and the idea of cozy sweaters and fireplaces seems like the right inspiration for a child’s name.

Either way, this list takes all the other lists to find names that celebrate all things fall.

If it’s spooky names you seek, you might want to dive into Halloween Baby Names: The Ultimate List of Lists. And for even more inspiration, if you’re thinking about Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock, Virtue Names: The Ultimate List of Lists might be just the thing for your Thanksgiving baby.

Autumn Baby Names: Cozy Choices

• The Friendly Fig pulled together a great list of cozy names – not necessarily autumnal in meaning, but just right in vibe.
• Meagan at Tulip By Any Name offers a long list with similar inspiration. Asher might not mean autumn, but I think it sounds just right for a fall baby.

Autumn Baby Names: Nature, Calendar, and Colors

• For something slightly more literal, this list from Nameberry rounds up names related to trees, plus colors like red and gold.
• Speaking of tree names, not all of them feel fit for fall, but I think the majority of these do seem like they belong here.
• ScaryMommy’s list had me at Crispin.
• There are a few intriguing entries on this list, including Copper. I think it could work.
• SJ’s video covers some appealing options. She’s convinced me that Aurelia definitely belongs with autumn baby names.
• This list is just for boys, and I think nearly every name is both unusual and easy to imagine on a real kid.
• If you only read one list, this Romper round-up hits all the essentials.

Everything Under the Autumn Sky

• This video from Meagan is packed with fun autumn-inspired baby name games. What would you name a baby with the initials AU? How would you use Autumn in a child’s name? (She goes with Everly Autumn.)
• Nearly any list of crazy celebrity baby names includes Gwyneth Paltrow’s Apple. But, but, but … I promise that apple varities offer up plenty of appealing name options.
• And if you take that idea and travel across the world? Even more possibilities emerge.
• Or if you’re more into wheat and corn? This is one of the more surprising sources of inspiration I’ve seen, though I think the names might be tougher to wear than some.
• Because Beyonce made this list.
• If astrology appeals to you, you might consider these names inspired by the sign of Scorpio, for babies born from late October into late November. Thorell strikes me as completely novel, and yet perfectly wearable …

Featured Autumn Baby Names

• This list would be incomplete without Autumn, a favorite in recent years.
• Crispin came up earlier, and I can’t resist mentioning it again.
• I think Flavia might belong here, too.
• And Saffron feels effortlessly autumnal.

What are your favorite autumn baby names?

The post Autumn Baby Names: The Ultimate List of Lists appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Mia ranks among the most popular of the mini names in the US right now.

Thanks to Lou for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

Mine

In Italian and Spanish, mia simply means mine. Think of Gomez Addams referring to his beloved Morticia as cara mia.  It’s tempting to run with that meaning.

And yet, history gives us a more convincing argument for Mia’s origins.

Hold the AR

Oodles of names have derived from Mary. Add Mia to this list, too.

Americans rarely contract longer names to form new nicknames. But plenty of other languages delight in deriving Romy from Rosemary, Maret for Margaret.

Drop the AR from Maria, and you’ll arrive at the mini name Mia. Marianna, and plenty of elaborations, lend themselves to the same trick.

Nordic Names cites the mid-nineteenth century in Sweden as the name’s earliest recorded use, so it’s far from new. And given Maria’s global footprint, it is easy to imagine the nickname emerging all over the world.

Peyton Place

Despite so much history, most Americans probably heard the name for the first time around 1964.

That’s the year that Peyton Place debuted on ABC, featuring a young Mia Farrow as sweet, bookish Allison McKenzie. Peyton Place quickly became a sensation, a pioneering prime time soap opera decades ahead of Dynasty.

Farrow was born Maria de Lourdes Villiers Farrow in 1945. It’s said that she couldn’t quite pronounce Maria as a small child, and the shortened form stuck.

What’s certain is that Peyton Place launched Farrow’s career, and put both Allison and Mia on parents’ radar as potential girls’ names.

Already rising, Allison would reach the Top 100 in the next decade, and didn’t slow down for years. Alison, too, climbed. But it was the actor’s given name that really took off.

Overnight Sensation

Mia caught on like wildfire. It debuted in the US Top 1000 at #568 in 1964, and rose to #266 in 1965.

While Farrow stayed in the spotlight, for her acting, her high-profile marriages, and her humanitarian efforts, her given name dipped in the 1970s and 80s.

Soccer and Tarantino and Fictional Secret Princesses

And then came a trio of high profile uses that pushed this name back into the spotlight.

Pulp Fiction racked up plenty of box office accolades following its 1994 release. Uma Thurman wore a black bob to play Mrs. Mia Wallace. She featured in all the movie posters, lending the name an edge.

At the same time, Mariel Margaret “Mia” Hamm led the US soccer team to Olympic Gold in 1996. She symbolized athleticism, as well as women’s achievements in sports. It’s easy to imagine parents seeing Hamm as a fitting role model for a daughter.

In the year 2000, Meg Cabot published her first Princess Diaries novel. The name stood at a respectable #93. A big screen adaptation quickly followed, starring a young Anne Hathaway as reluctant ruler-in-training Amelia “Mia” Thermopolis. The world went wild for Genovia’s heir apparent in 2001.

By 2003, the name reached #43. It entered the US Top Ten in 2009, and has been there ever since.

Global Sensation

Like many a popular name, Mia benefits from broad appeal. It works in Spanish, too, and a handful of pop culture references from both languages have helped increase the name’s use.

Beyond the English and Spanish speaking worlds, Mia has recently appeared in the Top 100 names of the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway just to name a few.

Major Mini

Despite coming in at just three letters, Mia packs a major style punch. The only downside? Odds are your daughter may have to share her name occasionally.

Would you use Mia on its own, or do you prefer it as a nickname for something longer?

Originally published March 12, 2014, this post was revised substantially and re-posted on September 18, 2019.

The post Mia: Baby Name of the Day appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.

We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight!

Hollis writes:

Our second child, a girl, is due in November. We are a family of unexpected names: I am Hollis, my husband is Percy, and our 3 year-old son is Huck James.

Both kids and dad will share the same very common Hispanic surname, beginning with R and ending in -ez.

I’m stumped naming this little girl. With our son, we wanted a very rare/unexpected name. I love Huck’s name for a few reasons: the literary link to an adventurous little boy with friends from all walks of life which (luckily) fits our son to a T. It’s energetic and percussive which I love with the surname. It’s a little southern which touches on my style and upbringing. An unexpected but established first name with a classic, honor (my dad and grandpa) middle for balance. I certainly don’t expect to find all of these qualities in name #2 but obviously we want to love it.

Plus, I do have a few preferences and I’m worried I’ve dug myself into a big hole:

• I love a great sib-set. Huck and… A LOT of names sound like a country western singing duo. Oops.
• No names beginning with H or ending with R or ez/s.
• I want to honor my side of the family somewhere because the kids will all share my husband’s last name.
• While I had no qualms naming Huck a nickname-name, girl nicknames tend to lean pretty precious. I prefer a more formal name if we also plan for a cute nickname.
• We like them rare but not made-up/trendy, I’m picky about word and animal names, not nuts about international or ancient names when paired with big brother.

My style typically leans rare, southern, a little tailored, and I love a new take on an honor name. Here’s our working list:

Josephine nicknamed Posy: This is my husband’s *heart-eyes* favorite. Joseph is his middle name and it honors his grandfather. He also loves that we would have a H/H, P/P symmetry situation. But Josephine is very popular and Posy is sooooo sweet that I wonder how long we/she’d actually use it. Josephine has always been a strong middle contender, too.

Etta: This is more aligned with my general style and comes from my mom’s middle name, Henrietta. I like the Etta James reference, a musical tie to match my son’s literary. My husband likes it enough to not veto (I think it’s hard for him to see past Josephine) but I’m worried about the Emmas and Ellas of the world.

Mirabel nicknamed Mimi: Mimi is what everyone called my dear grandmother from the day I was born. I’d prefer a long form name and Mirabel is one we like the most/dislike the least.

Georgia: From my mom’s first name, Georgina. More popular than we’d like.

Other names on the list include Blythe, Dove, Mabel, Merritt/Merit, Delia, Calla, Imogen, and Tess. We can’t use Poppy or Lila/Layla/Delilah.

I’m looking for suggestions, please. Or, if the name/name-combo is staring me in the face, I need you to talk me through it. This is also most likely our last child so I know I’m cramming a lot of hopes/dreams/demands into two names!

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Dear Hollis –

Oh, I’m still smiling every time I think about Huck and Posy, the winners of the CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year. We do name ourselves into corners, don’t we?

And yet … if a nicely matched brother-sister set matters, then I promise that ANY two names you choose will sound at least a little bit like that. Even Huck and Elizabeth.

I mean, maybe they won’t sound like they’re straight outta Nashville, but I can imagine an upscale children’s clothing line or maybe an animated series called Huck & Posy, Huck & Georgia, Huck & Josephine. And so on. It’s the first name Huck that does it … not so much whatever follows. And that’s perfectly fine.

In fact, that’s good news. Freeing, even! Because that means that you can take the pressure off. Your kids will both have great names, that will sound amazing together.

And if they someday land a recording contract? Well … you’ll know you didn’t it plan it that way.

Okay, now, what do we know?

We know that Josephine is almost certainly the most logical middle name for your daughter. That takes Posy off the table.

Before we get to the names on your list that are already perfect, I wonder if you’d consider:

Cecile, Cecily or even Cecilia – I’m guessing Cecilia is too mainstream for you, but both Cecily and Cecile are nicely under-the-radar, and Cecile has some of the same style as Josephine.

Daphne – It’s ancient, but feels kind of jazzy and fun.

Georgette – Georgia is popular, but no one is using Georgette. It feels retro and vintage, but in a fun, upbeat way. Nicknames Georgie or Gigi might the short form that makes its more wearable.

Laine – It’s Elaine without the ‘e’, a surname-style name that’s borrowed from the boys in some ways. But also calls back to “Penny Lane” and Gilmore Girls.

Pippa – If Posy and Poppy are off the list, how about Pippa? It could be short for Philippa – the obvious, Pippa Middleton-approved choice – or possibly Penelope or Piper or some other P name.

And yet, why not Mirabel Josephine, called Mimi?

It’s a long name, true. And Huck and Mimi are all kinds of darling together.

But it’s also a substantial and unexpected first name. It fits in with Isabella and Annabelle, but feels markedly different. And it sounds like it’s not your favorite, and not his favorite … but you both like lots of things about it. Plus, it honors your family, as Josephine honors his, so there’s some great balance to the name.

One last factor: because her last name sounds like R—ez, I think the ‘r’ in Mirabel creates an interesting hook. The most memorable names often share subtle repeating sounds, like this one.

So that gets my vote, because it checks all the boxes and because it’s just a great name.

But I can’t wait to hear what the readers suggest, because I know they’ll think of things I’ve overlooked. So … dear, thoughtful community of name lovers, what would you name a sister for Huck James?

The post Name Help: A Sister for Huck James appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

We in the world of naming often blithely declare, “your baby, you choose the name.” It makes sense, right? I mean … the sleepless nights, the countless diapers, the tears on the first day of school (oh wait, that was me), the coaxing to take just three more bites, the countless miles driving to sports practice and scouts and music lessons, and … well, yeah. Of course, the parents choose the name.

But if you’re lucky enough to have loved ones in it with you – and if you’re raising a child, oh, how I hope that you do – then you know that this isn’t some epic one-woman solo flight. If we rely on the strong embrace of our community when it’s all too much, either in the ordinary dailiness, or in the truly tragic moments? When we have them there to celebrate the milestones and the victories? Then maybe there’s something to be said for taking kind and thoughtful advice on names from the members of our team.

And so I’m intrigued by this couple who let their family veto their top name choice – Becker – and substitute a new one instead – Parker. It sounds bananas, but then … this is their third kiddo. Maybe that’s the moment that you decide your extended family really should have some input, because they’re such a big part of your kids’ lives?

Maybe I’m much too selfish to ever go that route, but I wonder if there’s wisdom to it? Have you ever consulted loved ones about your child’s name? Like really asked, not just looked for a stamp of approval after the choice is made?

Elsewhere online:

Sometimes, the Mystery Monday names at the Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources just absolutely grab me. If you’ve never read through the DMNES, well, clear your calendar. And you’re welcome. It’s both scholarly and addictive. Sometimes it affirms what I think I know about language, and sometimes it proves me utterly wrong. They post Mystery Monday names on their blog, too – names they find in records, but can’t explain. Yet. This week’s entry really grabbed me: Josiere. It appears in the register of a Walloon church in Canterbury in the late 1500s. Names never cease to surprise.

Apple gets a lot of flack, but fruit names can be pretty awesome. Ava to Zeke has a deep dive into all the deliciousness here. I’m not sold on Quince, but Mirabelle? Yes, please!

For all the talk of names on kindergarten class lists, this might be the first piece I’ve seen on how names are changing at college. Naturally, the names reflect the student bodies of the institutions they attend. All kinds of fascinating. And I very much want to visit the campus of California’s Soka University, where the only name to repeat among their incoming freshmen class is Haruka.

I so want to say your name correctly. True story: I recently realized I’d been mispronouncing the name of the new girl in my daughter’s school for an entire year. She was too polite or too shy to correct me, and her father let it go, too. It was another kid who said, “Oh wait, Mrs. Sandel, do you mean NamePronouncedCorrectly?” And so I appreciate this column about exactly this struggle, found via Clare’s marvelous Scoop.it page, Name News. People deserve to be called what they want to be called, and I’m happy to make the effort.

Duana praises portmanteau surnames, and I am nodding my head along to everything she says. We often avoid making naming choices because we worry they’ll cause confusion in the future. But we really can’t predict how these things will play out. What we do know is what feels right to us at the moment we’re making our choices.

That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!

Image by Alina Kuptsova from Pixabay

The post Sunday Summary: Should You Ask the Audience? appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Homespun boy names feel modern, but traditional at the same time. They’re at home in a flannel shirt, sitting on a rag rug in front of a fireplace. They’re like warm woolen mittens. You’d expect LL Bean catalog models to answer to these names.

They feel simple, but they’re far from boring. There’s a dash of indie folk rock and birdsong. These names feel capable, ready to build a fire or hike across rugged terrain. But they’re low key about it, the opposite of epic boy names, even though you can imagine any of these names finding their way home in a blizzard.

You might choose homespun boy names at any time of year, but there’s something cozy about them that makes them feel even more appealing in autumn and winter.

ABEL

Current US popularity rank: #146

One of the Biblical brothers in the Book of Genesis, Abel means breath. But it sounds so much like our word able, and that makes this name feel capable and comfy, too. You’d expect an Abel to chop down a tree, build a fire, and roast something delicious – all while making it look easy.

I’ve yet to write about Abel, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

ARCHIE

Current US popularity rank: #992

The name of Queen Elizabeth II’s newest grandchild, Archie entered the US Top 1000 just as we learned that Meghan and Harry had given the name to their firstborn. Archibald feels dignified, even starchy; Archer reads on-trend, fleet and maybe even dangerous. But Archie makes for a cozy, cable knit sweater of a boy’s name. It’s big in England already, but seems likely to trend in the US, too.

Read more about Archie here.

ARLO

Current US popularity rank: #278

We love a good boy name ending with o, but they don’t all have the same vibe. There’s fierce Leo, grand Horatio, dramatic Orlando. But then there’s Arlo, a name of uncertain origin and meaning, boosted by a friendly dinosaur in a Disney-Pixar flick. Arlo seems like a comfortable name, warm and unassuming. I’d expect an Arlo to be approachable, capable, and charming.

Read more about Arlo here.

ASHER

Current US popularity rank: #47

Asher straddles so many categories: it sounds like popular, preppy surnames Carter and Parker. The meaning – happy – brings it closer to virtue choices, and it certainly qualifies as a great meaning. But it also reads gentle, almost a nature name, thanks to the first syllable. Maybe that’s why Asher fits here, too, among the homepsun boy names.

Read more about Asher here.

EMMETT

Current US popularity rank: #114

Way back in the 1977, Jim Henson brought a children’s book to life with the holiday special Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. It’s a take on O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. Like many things Muppets, it boasts a loyal following, and has been released as recently as 2015. And the tale of a modest, hard-working creature almost certainly explains why Emmett makes the list.

Read more about Emmett here.

EZRA

Current US popularity rank: #59

The razor-y z, the a ending … nothing sounds quite like Ezra. It’s poetic, thanks to Ezra Pound. Ezra Miller of Fantastic Beasts and Justice League makes it edgy. But there’s also author-illustrator Ezra Jack Keats of The Snowy Day fame, and that keeps this name in the homespun boy names category. There’s something refreshingly straightforward about Ezra.

Read more about Ezra here.

FRANKLIN

Current US popularity rank: #435

Frank sounds honest and earnest, as nostalgic as a Frank Capra movie. (Among many others, Capra directed It’s a Wonderful Life.) But Franklin? That’s all Founding Father Benjamin. And if ever there were a name that exudes a sort of thoughtful, homespun sensibility, then it must be Franklin. Depression-era president FDR helps, too.

I’ve yet to write about Franklin, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

GUS

Current US popularity rank: #994

Grand Augustus and scholarly Augustine both shorten to Gus. (So does the imperial Constantine.) But reducing the name to just three letters changes everything. Cinderella’s Gus is the cuddly one. (Though he’s quite brave, too.) And while Gus could wield a scepter or delve into deep philosophical questions, I think this name sounds more at home in a woodshop or the Maine woods. Or both.

Read more about Gus here.

GUTHRIE

Current US popularity rank: unranked

A Scottish name meaning windy place, Guthrie immediately brings to mind legendary folk singer and songwriter Woody Guthrie – that’s short for Woodrow Wilson Guthrie. His first name appears later on this list; his son’s name is nearer to the top. But even without the musician, this name feels like one of the homepsun boy names. It’s a little bit gruff and rough, but also toasty warm. It’s also one of the rarer choices on this list – just 19 boys received the name in 2018.

I’ve yet to write about Guthrie, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

HARRY

Current US popularity rank: #620

Harry is a regular Joe; there’s a reason JK Rowling named her main character Harry Potter, an anonymous name for an extraordinary boy, living in a world filled with names like Draco and Sirius. It’s a warm woolen sweater of name, something Mrs. Weasley would knit. It’s quite stylish in England these days, but remains stuck in style limbo in the US. However, the regal Henry – Harry’s formal version – is a white-hot classic choice.

Read more about Harry here.

HUGO

Current US popularity rank: #422

If you doubt that Hugo belongs on this list, step back in time and listen to Ann-Margaret rhyme the name with “I will go where you go” on the Bye-Bye Birdie soundtrack. Yes, o-ending names feel modern. But Hugo boasts more history than many, dating to at least the tenth century. It leans a little bit British, but it’s also the kind of name you’d expect to hear on a wilderness guide.

Read more about Hugo here.

JESSE

Current US popularity rank: #185

It’s easy to dismiss Jesse as an 80s name, hanging with Jason and Chris. But Jesse comes straight from the Old Testament, the father of King David himself. It combines a great meaning – gift – with a modern sound. Jesse James was an outlaw, but Jesse Owens changed the world. And a generation grew up with Full House’s Uncle Jesse. It’s a fascinating, winding tale of a name, but I think it wears best in flannel and hiking boots.

Read more about Jesse here.

MALCOLM

Current US popularity rank: #394

Malcolm might be intellectual – think Gladwell – or rebellious – think Firefly. But mostly, I think Malcolm is a solid name for a son, the kind of name that exudes a confident, capable air – no matter what he might pursue. But the name strikes me as as slightly modest, a hard-working and handy kind of name that attaches to the kind of guy who can change a tire or a baby, chop wood or dice tomatoes. It’s definitely underused.

Read more about Malcolm here.

OGDEN

Current US popularity rank: unranked

Maybe it’s poet Ogden Nash, and his light, but witty not-quite rhymes that makes me find this name so very approachable. Or maybe it’s the sound. Og belongs to ogres and bogs, not boys and men. And yet, Ogden sounds very much like a name. It’s the kind of mother’s maiden name that gets passed down, along with a picturesque cabin in the woods. But even if this gem isn’t found on your family tree, I think it wears well, a toned-down version of bolder Wilder, one of the least expected of the homespun boy names.

I’ve yet to write about Ogden, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

ORSON

Current US popularity rank: unranked

Teddy bears are cuddly, right? Orson means bear, from the French word for the animal, ors. The Normans brought it to England, it picks up the familiar -son ending, and it filtered into (very) occasional use. But the bear part alone is enough to make the name cuddly, and unlike many more familiar ursine appellations – Theodore, Arthur – Orson feels just slightly offbeat and independent, a quality that seems just right for this list.

I’ve yet to write about Orson, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

OTIS

Current US popularity rank: #739

Once a reasonably familiar choice, Otis fell out of the US Top 1000 in the 1990s and languished in obscurity for over a decade. Then a slow comeback started. Maybe some thanks goes to a generation of parents who grew up with live action movie The Adventures of Milo and Otis, or maybe it’s just the lingering appeal of Otis Redding. In any case, Otis sounds like a homespun favorite, a brother for Jesse or Guthrie, a name at home on the dock of the bay, probably with a fishing pole.

Read more about Otis here.

ROSCOE

Current US popularity rank: unranked

Roscoe hasn’t appeared in the US Top 1000 for decades, but I think it sounds quite rugged and outdoorsy. It even has the right meaning: it comes from the Old Norse words for a deer (specifically a roebuck) and the woods. If you’re crushed that Arlo is so popular, Roscoe might make a great substitute. As for that Dukes of Hazzard character? My guess is that this generation won’t think of him, but it’s worth remembering that the names used on the show, from Daisy to Bo to Luke, are now quite stylish.

Read more about Roscoe here.

RUFUS

Current US popularity rank: unranked

Like Harry, Rufus has fared better in the UK than the US. There’s a Harry Potter character by the name. But I think Rufus fits with homespun boy names, too. Despite the name’s ancient roots, there’s nothing grand or flashy about Rufus. Indie rocker Rufus Wainwright helps put it on this list.

Read more about Rufus here.

WALLACE

Current US popularity rank: #879

Recently returned to the US Top 1000, Wallace mixes two things. First, it’s proudly Scottish, as in William Wallace. But it sounds quiet, restrained, and literary. That last part is thanks to novelist and historian Wallace Stegner, author of many a book – fiction and non – centered on the American West. It’s probably the author’s legacy that transforms this heroic Scottish surname into one of the homespun boys.

Read more about Wallace here.

WOODY

Current US popularity rank: unranked

Does it get any more homespun than Toy Story’s Sheriff Woody? He’s a straight-shooter with a sense of humor, a hero in a cowboy hat. In the movies, Woody isn’t short for anything, but I like the idea of Woodrow, which feels folksy but a little bit refined, too.

I’ve yet to write about Woody, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

WYLIE

Current US popularity rank: unranked

Wylie rhymes with Riley, but it’s been out of the US Top 1000 for decades. It carries a gentle meaning: willow wood. Or possibly it evolved from William or another place name. In any case, Wylie sounds friendly, approachable, and right at home with other homespun boy names.

I’ve yet to write about Wylie, but check back and I’ll update when I do.

What do you think of homespun boy names? What would you add to this list?

The post Homespun Boy Names: Emmett, Arlo, and More appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Zakai sounds like a modern mash-up of Zachary and Kai, but this newly discovered boys’ name has more to it.

Our Baby Name of the Day comes from this list.

Zaccai

Will we ever use up all the Old Testament names?

Probably not. Or at least, we haven’t yet. Because Zaccai or Zakkai comes from a Hebrew name meaning pure. There’s a minor Old Testament character by the name. He’s mentioned as the head of a large family returning from exile.

In Latin, the name became Zacchaeus.

It would be easy to wrap this one in with Zachary. Except that name ultimately comes from Zechariah – God remembers.

Zakai’s meaning is more straightforward: pure.

Yohanan

The Jewish sage Yohanan ben Zakkai lived and taught in the first century, during the era of the Second Temple. His writings are part of the Mishnah, the first major written collection of Jewish oral tradition.

He’s an important figure, one that might inspire some parents. Except Zakai isn’t listed as a boy’s name on Jewish baby name websites. None of the other spellings appear, either.

Visit the Sea of Galilee today, and you can visit his grave, in the town of Tiberias, considered a holy city.

It does often appear as a surname, typically spelled Zakkai. So that might explain some of the name’s uses.

By the Numbers

The name debuted in the US data back in 1998, when six boys were given the name. It’s gained steadily since, reaching 65 boys in 2006 and 104 boys in 2015.

It tipped into the Top 1000 with the latest data set, representing 239 births.

Zach + Kai?

So what pushed the name into wider use?

The surname is one possibility, but I suspect this name’s appeal comes down primarily to sound.

Biblical boy name Zachary peaked in the 1990s, but it remains a Top 100 staple today.

Kai can claim many origins and meanings, but we tend to think of it as a Hawaiian name meaning sea. And it’s a fast rising choice for boys, poised just outside of the current Top 100.

Zakai combines those sounds – the modern classic Zachary with the white hot Kai. And vowel ending names feel fresh and novel today, so that’s another plus. The initial Z gives nearly any name a boost, too.

It might feel a little too new to some families today, but in our age of Elijah and Isaiah, I can imagine Zakai fitting right in.

Do you prefer Zachary or Zakai? Or maybe just Kai?

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