I'll be writing two columns a month for On the List, a column at the Baby Name Wizard blog! I may be reducing my weekly blog posts here to about 3-5, rather than 6.
Here's a link to my post!
Showing posts with label baby name wizard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby name wizard. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
16 Gothic Literary Names for Your Baby
Hello, readers!
I'll be writing two columns a month for On the List, a column at the Baby Name Wizard blog! I may be reducing my weekly blog posts here to about 3-5, rather than 6.
I'll be writing two columns a month for On the List, a column at the Baby Name Wizard blog! I may be reducing my weekly blog posts here to about 3-5, rather than 6.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Throwback Thursday: Christmas EVE
Hello, readers!
I'll be taking a break from my series on American Given Names this week to focus on names related to Christmas Eve - or rather, names related to Eve, in the past and present!
Everett (Evert, Everette)
Slowly climbing back up the list from its lowest point in 1995, Everett is riding the T-ending trend and Evelyn's coattails. Everett means "brave as a boar", and also offers some nice nicknames: Evie and Rett (like Rhett or Jett). Switch out the first T for an S and you have a powerful nature name, or add a -te to the ending and feminize it a bit.
Everly (Everleigh)
An aural alternative to the ever-popular Emily, Everly (and sister spelling Everleigh) are firmly on the US top 1000. The meaning is a little funky - "wild boar in a wodland clearing", from what I can find - but the sound and Ever-beginning is adorable. It's also a nice alternative to Avery, Evelyn and dozens of other names in the top 100.
Any Eve names not on my list? Tell me your favorites in the comments!
I'll be taking a break from my series on American Given Names this week to focus on names related to Christmas Eve - or rather, names related to Eve, in the past and present!
I haven't played around with the Name Voyager in while, so this will be fun! I'll be looking at names that begin with Eve, for all genders.
Eve
The first female name mentioned in the Bible, Eve has had a wild ride up and down the top 1000 - it even disappeared for half of the 1980's and 90's. It means "life", referring to the original Eve's creation. It's short and strong, with hundreds of namesakes throughout history - though unlike almost every other name I've seen, there are no recorded male Eve's in US name history.
Eva
The more popular variation Eva is currently ranked at #82, though throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's it was firmly in the top 50. It's Latin styling makes it incredibly popular cross-culturally, so if you're looking for a name that can travel the globe, Eva is ideal. Like Eve, there are hundreds of historical namesakes, including Eva Peron and Little Eva from Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Evelyn (Evelin, Evelynn)
Currently at #16, Evelyn is the most popular Eve name on the list. Evelyn has stayed mostly in the top 200 during its recorded history, and even ranked briefly on the boys' list in the early 1900's. While the name means "desired", it's not hard to think of it as a mash-up name between Eve and Lynn. Its nickname Evie is currently ranked at #14 in the UK.
Evelina
Nameberry reports that this name was popular in the Middle Ages, but I'm not seeing it mentioned in DMNES? In any case, this is a lovely Eve name that looks like a variation of Evelyn, but is actually related to the French Aveline, also meaning "desired". I like the nickname possibilities offered by Evelina - Lina especially - and its feminine melody.
Slowly climbing back up the list from its lowest point in 1995, Everett is riding the T-ending trend and Evelyn's coattails. Everett means "brave as a boar", and also offers some nice nicknames: Evie and Rett (like Rhett or Jett). Switch out the first T for an S and you have a powerful nature name, or add a -te to the ending and feminize it a bit.
Everly (Everleigh)
An aural alternative to the ever-popular Emily, Everly (and sister spelling Everleigh) are firmly on the US top 1000. The meaning is a little funky - "wild boar in a wodland clearing", from what I can find - but the sound and Ever-beginning is adorable. It's also a nice alternative to Avery, Evelyn and dozens of other names in the top 100.
Any Eve names not on my list? Tell me your favorites in the comments!
Friday, August 14, 2015
And Your Bird Can Sing - Bird Names, Part One
Hello, readers!
As more and more nouns are turned into names these days, it's only natural that we would seek out the animal kingdom for inspiration - Fox, Bear, and Fawn among the favorites. My personal favorite, however, are bird names!
This theme offers a wide realm of possibilities, and name fans everywhere can agree: check out Abby Sandel's excellent bird list - Fetching Names: Bird by Bird - and Kristen Gregg's Nameberry blog post - Bird Names: Avian options beyond Robin and Raven.
As for my own spin, I'm going to focus on the symbolic connotations of each bird name - what do we think of when we hear Hawk, Lark, or Robin? This will be the first in a series, since there are far too many bird names for just one post!
Disclaimer: a lot of sports teams use various birds as mascots, and that will definitely influence the reaction to little Oriole or Falcon's name. I won't be addressing this, partially because there are plenty of people who won't make the connection and mostly because I don't know enough about these teams to form an opinion...
Let's begin!
Birdie - "bird" (of course)
Another nickname name coming back into style, Birdie is cute but not very deep. It dropped off the top 1000 in 1948, but celebrities like Busy Philipps and Maura West haven't been deterred.
Falcon - from Latin falx, "curved blade"
Falcons are among the fastest animals on earth, and are known as formidable birds of prey. This is a very forceful name, which could work for a just-as-determined kid.
Finch - from Old English finc, an imitation of its sound
Now that Atticus has been tabled, Finch could be a strong alternative. A common bird, this brings to mind friendliness and a down-to-earth attitude. I'd say it's a solid contender.
Hawk - from Old English hafoc, "to seize"
Similar to Falcon, Hawk is powerful and concise. Keep in mind that "watch like a hawk," "hawk" as a verb, and "deficit hawk" all have rather stern meanings.
Lark - from Old English lawerce, unknown meaning
A very light and happy name, Lark is great for any child born laughing. Historical symbology connects the lark to daybreak or new beginnings, more great connotations.
Oriole - from Latin aureolus, "golden"
An excellent meaning, but a conflicted name. On the one hand, orioles are bright and beautiful, and a cute nickname could be Oreo. But a kid will have to expect a lot of double takes when introducing themselves. There are plenty of other names that mean "gold" that could work, check them out here.
Phoenix - from Latin
An ancient word, but a relatively new name - Phoenix hit the top 1000 in 1995 and has been steadily rising. Very cool and edgy, a mythical bird reborn from the ashes is a great name that speaks to growth and determination.
Robin - from Robert, "bright fame"
A bird named for a human, this unisex avian name has been on the charts for decades. Robins have come to be associated with Christmas in recent years, but many will appreciate the pretty and natural feel of the name.
Sparrow - from Old English spearwa, "small brown bird"
Sparrows are among the most recognized birds in the world, so I think this name could be great for a multi-culti kid. Like Finch, it's friendly, but much more beautiful.
Wren - from Old English wrenna, meaning unknown
Very small birds, with bold songs and behavior, Wren is perfect for any bright personality. Interestingly, the wren's name in other languages speaks to royalty, due to its golden crest. On a personal note, reading the comic Baby Blues growing up was the first time I was introduced to the name, and I loved it right away.
What do you think? Any other favorite bird names? Tell me in the comments!
Also, thanks to Online Etymology Dictionary, Wikipedia, and Name Voyager for the background info!
As more and more nouns are turned into names these days, it's only natural that we would seek out the animal kingdom for inspiration - Fox, Bear, and Fawn among the favorites. My personal favorite, however, are bird names!
This theme offers a wide realm of possibilities, and name fans everywhere can agree: check out Abby Sandel's excellent bird list - Fetching Names: Bird by Bird - and Kristen Gregg's Nameberry blog post - Bird Names: Avian options beyond Robin and Raven.
As for my own spin, I'm going to focus on the symbolic connotations of each bird name - what do we think of when we hear Hawk, Lark, or Robin? This will be the first in a series, since there are far too many bird names for just one post!
Disclaimer: a lot of sports teams use various birds as mascots, and that will definitely influence the reaction to little Oriole or Falcon's name. I won't be addressing this, partially because there are plenty of people who won't make the connection and mostly because I don't know enough about these teams to form an opinion...
Let's begin!
Birdie - "bird" (of course)
Another nickname name coming back into style, Birdie is cute but not very deep. It dropped off the top 1000 in 1948, but celebrities like Busy Philipps and Maura West haven't been deterred.
Falcon - from Latin falx, "curved blade"
Falcons are among the fastest animals on earth, and are known as formidable birds of prey. This is a very forceful name, which could work for a just-as-determined kid.
Finch - from Old English finc, an imitation of its sound
Now that Atticus has been tabled, Finch could be a strong alternative. A common bird, this brings to mind friendliness and a down-to-earth attitude. I'd say it's a solid contender.
Hawk - from Old English hafoc, "to seize"
Similar to Falcon, Hawk is powerful and concise. Keep in mind that "watch like a hawk," "hawk" as a verb, and "deficit hawk" all have rather stern meanings.
Lark - from Old English lawerce, unknown meaning
A very light and happy name, Lark is great for any child born laughing. Historical symbology connects the lark to daybreak or new beginnings, more great connotations.
Oriole - from Latin aureolus, "golden"
An excellent meaning, but a conflicted name. On the one hand, orioles are bright and beautiful, and a cute nickname could be Oreo. But a kid will have to expect a lot of double takes when introducing themselves. There are plenty of other names that mean "gold" that could work, check them out here.
Phoenix - from Latin
An ancient word, but a relatively new name - Phoenix hit the top 1000 in 1995 and has been steadily rising. Very cool and edgy, a mythical bird reborn from the ashes is a great name that speaks to growth and determination.
Robin - from Robert, "bright fame"
A bird named for a human, this unisex avian name has been on the charts for decades. Robins have come to be associated with Christmas in recent years, but many will appreciate the pretty and natural feel of the name.
Sparrow - from Old English spearwa, "small brown bird"
Sparrows are among the most recognized birds in the world, so I think this name could be great for a multi-culti kid. Like Finch, it's friendly, but much more beautiful.
Wren - from Old English wrenna, meaning unknown
Very small birds, with bold songs and behavior, Wren is perfect for any bright personality. Interestingly, the wren's name in other languages speaks to royalty, due to its golden crest. On a personal note, reading the comic Baby Blues growing up was the first time I was introduced to the name, and I loved it right away.
What do you think? Any other favorite bird names? Tell me in the comments!
Also, thanks to Online Etymology Dictionary, Wikipedia, and Name Voyager for the background info!
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Throwback Thursday #1 - The I's have it
Hello followers! (or just my boyfriend and supportive friends)
This Throwback Thursday is brought to you by the letter I. Originally a very popular first letter, I-names declined significantly in the 1920's and 30's. Towards the 1980's and 90's, however, the I-names skyrocketed again. Check out this graph (thanks Baby Name Voyager!)
This Throwback Thursday is brought to you by the letter I. Originally a very popular first letter, I-names declined significantly in the 1920's and 30's. Towards the 1980's and 90's, however, the I-names skyrocketed again. Check out this graph (thanks Baby Name Voyager!)
Right now, Isabella, Isaac, Isaiah and Isla (and variants) are topping the charts. But are there names from the past that might fit in nicely as well? Let's look at some of these vintage I-names (from the top 200 in 1890) and find out!
Girls
Ida - "industrious one"
Currently a favorite in Scandinavia, Ida could be a great alternative to the popular Ava and rising Isla. It dropped off the top 1000 entirely in 1984 - is it time for a comeback?
Inez - "pure, virginal"
Off the list for quite some time, this Latin variant of Agnes has resurfaced in recent pop culture - check out Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris or the recent musical Hairspray. The ending Z adds a zip, but this name might be too mature for a child to pull off.
Irene - "peace"
With a beautiful meaning, this divine name has a very serene feel. There's also an historical Irene for every type: the actress Irene Dunne, the scientist Irene Joliot-Curie, the fictional Irene Adler (the only woman to outsmart Sherlock Holmes).
Iva - "willow tree"
This name works well on its own, as a bright alternative to Ivy, or as a nickname for Ivonne or Ivanna. It would also work well with a long last name without being too short or plain.
Ina - feminine name suffix
No meaning of its own, and somehow very lackluster next to Ida or Iva. Nickname possibility perhaps? Angelina, Katerina, and Marina are all examples of pretty names with popular nicknames - Ina could help a little girl stand out.
Irma - "universal, complete"
Although it's got a great meaning, Irma still hasn't yet dropped its grandmotherly image. What popular name has the same meaning? Number one darling Emma, of course!
Boys
Ira - "watchful one"
With short Hebrew boy's names ending in A making a comeback - Noah, Ezra, Asa - Ira might fit in perfectly on the playground. NPR's Ira Glass and music's Ira Gershwin are popular namesakes.
Irvin - "handsome"
Somehow incomplete, despite popularity over its brother name, Irving. I'd stick with Ivan.
Irving - "green water"
There are quite a few historical Irving's, whether the name came first or last. More complete than Irvin, but it would take a lot of confidence to pull it off.
What do you think? Are there I-names I didn't mention that you love? Did I totally mischaracterize a name? Tell me in the comments!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Name Reference Sites
Here are some of my favorite sites to use when looking up names, meanings, and statistics!
Nameberry - My favorite baby name website, it has a fantastic, beautiful interface with interesting articles posted daily. Name information includes origin, famous people with the name, nicknames, related names, and comments for each. It's always my first stop when I hear a new name!
Behind the Name - This site is excellent or looking up origins, especially for obscure names not found on your average baby name site. They have excellent statistics by country, and really in-depth backstories for names. They also have a related site just about last names!
Social Security - Baby Names - The SSA collects the top 1000 names in the USA every year, which feeds statistics on most baby name websites. You can search by year, name, decade, etc. Not super user-friendly, but if there are statistics, this is the place to find them.
Baby Name Wizard - Name Voyager - This incredible interactive online graph lets you compare name popularity and statistics, search by beginning letters, and more! Want to see which decade had the most J-names? Or see whether the "El" beginning of names is on the decline? Check it out here!
Appellation Mountain - This site is run by Abby Sandel, a contributor to Nameberry and a professional name consultant. She puts up excellent lists, names of the day, and more!
What are your favorite name sites? Tell me in the comments!
Nameberry - My favorite baby name website, it has a fantastic, beautiful interface with interesting articles posted daily. Name information includes origin, famous people with the name, nicknames, related names, and comments for each. It's always my first stop when I hear a new name!
Behind the Name - This site is excellent or looking up origins, especially for obscure names not found on your average baby name site. They have excellent statistics by country, and really in-depth backstories for names. They also have a related site just about last names!
Social Security - Baby Names - The SSA collects the top 1000 names in the USA every year, which feeds statistics on most baby name websites. You can search by year, name, decade, etc. Not super user-friendly, but if there are statistics, this is the place to find them.
Baby Name Wizard - Name Voyager - This incredible interactive online graph lets you compare name popularity and statistics, search by beginning letters, and more! Want to see which decade had the most J-names? Or see whether the "El" beginning of names is on the decline? Check it out here!
Appellation Mountain - This site is run by Abby Sandel, a contributor to Nameberry and a professional name consultant. She puts up excellent lists, names of the day, and more!
What are your favorite name sites? Tell me in the comments!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)