Saturday Jams: On a CLARE Day

My sister Clare celebrates her birthday next week! Here's a Saturday Jams devoted to my favorite (and only) little sister <3

*Of course, since the spelling is less common, I'm taking liberties with songs!

"Clair", Gilbert O'Sullivan, 1972

"Claire's Kitchen", Soho, 1992

"O Claire", Cheap Trick, 1978

"Planet Claire", the B-52's, 1979

"Clarabella", the Beatles, 1963

Saturday Jams: MICHELLE My Belle

Songs about Michelle for your weekend!

"Michelle", The Beatles, 1965

"My Michelle", Guns N Roses, 1987

"Fly High Michelle", Enuff Z'Nuff, 1989

"Seasons in the Sun", Terry Jacks, 1974

Saturday Jams: I Love LUCY

Let's begin with the most obvious, shall we?

"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", The Beatles, 1967

"I Love Lucy" theme song, Eliot Daniel and Harold Adamson, 1951 

"Lucy Can't Dance", David Bowie, 1993

"Lucy", The Hollies, 1975

"Watch Out for Lucy", Eric Clapton, 1978

"Loose Lucy", Grateful Dead, 1974

All You Need Are Beatles Names, Part Three

The last of my Beatles name review, you can check out Part 1 here and Part 2 here!

Hey Jude
A personal favorite name since I became acquainted with the song, the only drawback will be the giggles that succeed "Hey, Jude!" While it seems to have flattened out at #162 on the US charts, I wouldn't be surprised to see it move higher up the list in the next few years. Actor Jude Law is a famous namesake, and the name is in the title of an 1895 Thomas Hardy novel. If you're looking for something Biblical, classic and known but not too trendy, Jude is perfect.

Maxwell's Silver Hammer
While just plain Max has made it all the way up to #112 for boys, lengthening it by using Maxwell adds a classy touch - and some popularity (it's at #107). The name is Scottish for "great stream", and could be a subtle way to honor a local water environment. In recent years, Maxwell has become gender neutral, so don't be deterred from giving the name to a spunky little girl as well!

The Ballad of John and Yoko
There are two names in this title, but at opposite ends of the popularity spectrum - while John won't raise any eyebrows, Yoko is sure to elicit a Yoko Ono reference. John is a classic, simple and versatile, and Yoko is much louder - at least in the US. In Japanese, it comes from "child of the sun", and is much more common across the Pacific.

Doctor Robert
Oh, the perils of popularity. Robert is currently at the lowest it's ever been on the top 1000 - #62. It's now more of a family name than a classic - give it another hundred years and it might be ready again. To honor a familial Robert, check out some related names: Robin, Rupert, or even Bertie.

Teddy Boy
Though the phrase "teddy boy" refers to a style of dress in 1950's Liverpool, the name Teddy might have shed its fussiness to be a great modern option. It's the short form of Theodore - "gift of God" - which itself is rising up the charts. Across the Atlantic, Theo has surpassed Theodore and Teddy as the favorite short form. So why not choose something more "American", and honor a great name and a great namesake - the bold Teddy Roosevelt?

All You Need Are Beatles Names, Part Two

Happy Wednesday, readers!

This post is a continuation of my last Beatles post, and there'll be another one before I'm through!

In more Beatles trivia, here's a list of what the Fab Four named their own children: John - Julian and Sean; Paul - Stella, Heather, Beatrice, Mary, and James; George - Dhani; and Ringo - Zak, Lee and Jason.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Lucy has jumped in the past ten years to the top 100, currently charting at #62. And why not? It's sweet, feminine and works for any age. I would suggest making it a nickname, though, and picking a longer name to provide options for little Lucy later on: Lucienne, Lucia and Lucetta are all viable. Also, bear in mind that the song reference might prompt some giggles!

Martha My Dear
Even a few months ago, I would have recommended against Martha - the age factor is clear. But now, with Harvey, Alice and Dorothy in the spotlight, Martha may be more usable than I thought. Martha means "lady" in Aramaic, has a reference in the Bible, and has quite a few namesakes - modern choreographer Martha Graham for one. I'd give it more than a glance!

Michelle
One of my personal favorite Beatles' songs, since many of the lyrics are in French. And it would be so cute to call a daughter "Michelle, my belle". But its extreme popularity with women born in the 1960s and 1970s makes it a little hard to imagine on a child. Variations on Michaela are the norm today, and I'd look at Micheline or Misha.

Penny Lane
While the song isn't about a woman, but a street, Penny might be a cute nickname for a Penelope or could stand on its own. Keep in mind, Penny dropped off the list in 1987 and recently return in 2013, with a steep rise. It could be the next Lily! I'd also check out similar sounding names like Penna, Penn, or Penrose.

Polythene Pam
Pam, and long form Pamela, ruled the US from the 1940s to the 1980s. It means "all honey", and has the nice three-syllable-ends-in-a sound that so many popular girls' names have. But I think it's been done, and will be dated for at least a while longer. Mela is a great alternate nickname.

What's the New Mary Jane?

Mary Jane has quite a few connotations, and until the main one is legalized, I'd stay away.

Any of these jump out at you?

All You Need Are Beatles Names, Part One

As a Beatles fan, I am only too aware of the four-name recitation "John, Paul, George, Ringo". While they aren't all immediately recognized by their first names (Ringo excluded), these four men are instantly known when put together.

With over 200 original songs and over 300 recorded songs, they managed to slip in a few names over the band's career. For this post series, I'll be focusing on only their original compositions and only songs with names in the title. Perhaps a name homage to the greatest band ever can be found in their lyrics?

For more cool Beatles name lists, check out Appellation Mountain and Nameberry.

Eleanor Rigby
Eleanor has always been a favorite name, and this is one of my favorite Beatles tunes! While the namesake in the song comes to an untimely end, there are a few real-life Eleanor's that were much stronger - Eleanor Roosevelt and Eleanor of Aquitaine, for example. It also allows for two cute (albeit popular nicknames) - Ellie and Nora. The only drawback is that the meaning isn't great - it translates to "the other Aenor", which isn't exactly inspirational.

Lovely Rita
A diminutive of Margarita, which means "pearl", Rita is an excellent cross-cultural choice - it's found in dozens of languages. Rita sank from its height of #42 in 1930 all the way to #919 in 2002 before dropping off the list. But with other 1930s names getting popular - Frances, Evelyn, Ruby - perhaps it's time for a comeback?

Sexy Sadie
Sadie has jumped over the past few years into the top 50. It's got a great sound and a great meaning - "princess" - that any little girl would love. The only drawback is probably its popularity; I for one can see this name continuing to rise up the charts. But don't let the song fool you - Sadie isn't just "sexy", it's also sweet and spunky.

Julia
Another name that's been rising up the charts, Julia's enduring popularity might mean that it's time for a break. But since it has a feminine sound and pretty meaning - "youthful" - why not try other related names? Juliet is more romantic; Juliette is more romantic and French; Julianne is elegant; Juliana/Giuliana is flowery and exotic; July is unique. And then there are the male versions - Julius, Julian, Jules and Julio, to name a few.

Dear Prudence
I'm rather conflicted on Prudence - I love the song and the strong meaning, but the sound is a little crotchety. It doesn't lend itself to nickname either - Pru sounds too much like "prune" to me! I would focus more on other, more modern, virtue names - Amity, Honor, Prosper, Felicity, Serenity.

What are your favorite Beatles-related names? Be on the lookout for two more posts in the near future!

Beatles Names - Part 2

Beatles Names - Part 3