Island Names - Europe

Hello, readers!

Part 4 today! Let's get to the names, shall we?

Ireland (Ireland and the United Kingdom)
The Emerald Isle, known for its unique culture and breathtaking scenery, still has an effect on many US families today - more than 10% of Americans identify themselves as being part Irish. So why not honor your ancestral home by choosing the name Ireland? It's at the bottom of the top 1000, so it's relatively unpopular, but it's still quirky and friendly.

Skye (United Kingdom)
While the etymology of the island name is unclear, Skye has the feeling of exploration and possibility. It's been used for both boys and girls, but is currently trending feminine at #385 on the girls' list. This largest island in Scotland has long been celebrated in film and literature - only time will tell whether its brisk sound and attractive aura will climb the charts even higher.

Elba (Italy)
"Able was I ere I saw Elba" goes the famous palindrome often (mistakenly) attributed to Napoleon. The island itself was ruled by numerous empires over its history, and now belongs to Italy. Elba jumped on the top 1000 three unique times between 1881 and 1909, but has few fans now - nine girls were named Elba in 2015. It could be an uncommon route to the nickname Ellie!

Arran (United Kingdom)
Popular in Scotland, Arran is an energetic boys' name with individuality and history. It may be confused with Aaron (okay, it will definitely be confused with Aaron), but its murky etymology points to a different kind of origin - either "kidney" or "altitudinous", depending on your preference. Still, Arran is a great choice for fans of creative spellings and Scottish accents.

Sicily (Italy)
Names like Cecilia and Cicely have been around for decades - why not add in a place name with a similar sound and spicy vibe? Sicily is one of the most famous (and infamous) regions of Italy - trying to sum up its culture in four lines would be folle! Sicily was given to fifty-seven girls in 2015, and Sicilia to twelve.

Rhodes (Greece)
Nameberry lists the meaning of Rhodes as "where roses grow", though I've yet to find that definition elsewhere. Aside from its meaning, the name is strong, masculine, and polished - it sounds like the name a successful Ivy League graduate would have. The island of Rhodes is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as a World Heritage site.

Cyprus (Cyprus)
Looking for an unusual alternative to Cyrus or Silas? Check out Cyprus, a handsome Greek name given to eleven boys last year. It's another name with sketchy origins, but most possibilities relate to plants or minerals, and its sound is like the cypress tree - perhaps an addition to nature name lists? It offers the retro nickname Cy, too.

Margaret (Hungary)
When we visited South America earlier this week, we looked at the Spanish variation, Margarita. However, the classic English name Margaret has an equally rich history and tons of admirable namesakes (too many to list here). The Hungarian island was named after thirteenth-century Saint Margaret, who lived on the island for a period of time.

Milos (Greece)
Though it's traditionally pronounced MEE-lowsh, the name may be mistaken for either Miles or Milo in the United States. Still, it's a lovely option for those thinking outside the top 300! Milos' etymology links it to "gracious" or "good", and it has been popular in many Slavic nations. The island is famous for the statue of the Venus de Milo, as well as its many archaeological sites.

Jersey (United Kingdom)
It's not just a state anymore - the island of Jersey has a fascinating history dating back to the Neolithic era, with thousands of years of intrigue and excitement following. The name itself fits in with Kelsey and Journey, which is probably why over 100 girls were named Jersey in 2015. Still, there are a few drawbacks - New Jersey jokes, Jersey cows, and football jerseys.

Tell me your favorites in the comments!

Island Names - North America

Hello, readers!

Today, part three of Island Names! This time, we'll be looking at the continent I call home, North America. I've been to a few of its islands, but I still have many to explore. Share any island experiences of your own in the comments - or even better, name-related island experiences.

Also - because there are so many, I'll be covering Caribbean island names in a separate post!

Catalina, by Justin "jmarty" on Flickr.com

Let's begin!

Catalina - United States of America

This island has a special significance for me - it's where my parents lived for the first few years of their marriage, shortly before I graced their lives with my birth ;) After already having a few distinct names, Catalina was named in honor of Saint Catherine by Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno, a name that stuck. Today, Catalina is growing in popularity as an alternative to Caitlin or Catherine, with the bonus nickname Lina. Another option - the only city of the island is Avalon, a gorgeous choice. 

Madeline - United States of America

Named for Madeleine Cadotte, the daughter of a Native American chief and the wife of a French fur trader, Madeline Island can be found in Lake Superior. The English spelling of the name - as opposed to French Madeleine or modern Madelyn - tops out at #90 on the US top 1000, a beloved pick! It's feminine, literary, and historical, with dozens of fabulous namesakes. 

Elizabeth - United States of America

Off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the Elizabeth Islands were named for QEI in the early seventeenth century. Elizabeth needs no introduction - it's a classic girls' name that has maintained usage without ever feeling trendy or dated. Its multitude of nicknames - old Bess, mature Liz, and young Ellie, for example - offer more opportunities for individualizing it. Elizabeth won't surprise anyone, but it will absolutely stand the test of time and place. 

Alexander - United States of America

Another classic, but this time on the boys' side, Alexander currently ranks at #8. Nicknames Alex and Xander are in the top 300 as well, with a bevy of variations on the girls' list too. The Alexander archipelago is in southern Alaska, named for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. This name will also work for any age or background, with real timelessness. 

Teresa - United States of America

While looking up its name origins, I found out that Teresa Island has the highest elevation of any freshwater island - but I couldn't find out who the original Teresa was. Tessa is the most popular name in this family as of 2015, but Teresa ranks on the list at #665. It peaked in 1962 and has been on a gradual decline, but it's a beautiful, mature option that will stand on its own. 

Shannon - Greenland (Denmark)

Named for a ship that explored the island in 1823, Shannon Island is the home of all kinds of Arctic wildlife. The name Shannon has gotten the cold shoulder in recent years - despite relative popularity in the 1970's and 1980's, it's now totally gone from the top 1000. But with Welsh and Irish names popping up the charts, it may make a comeback!

Victoria - Canada

A third island named for a monarch, Victoria Island also has the distinction of being the eighth largest island in the world (and actually contains another island within its borders). While I shy away from using the word "classic" too much, Victoria really has very few peers - except those listed earlier. It might be time to generate new nicknames, though - Nameberry recommends Plum, and I think Via or Ria are viable options. 

Devon - Canada

The largest uninhabited island worldwide, Devon Island was named for the region of Devon in England. The name Devon reached its height in the mid-1990's, riding the coattails of similar-sounding Dylan, Logan, and Kevin. However, Devon is more than a trend - it's now an established, friendly name for boys and girls alike. 

Guadalupe - Mexico

Found off the coast of Baja California, Guadalupe Island hosts a few fishing camps and military outposts today. It's a religious name with a lot of history, originally translating to "river of the wolf" in Spanish but now mostly referring to the Virgin Mary, "Our Lady of Guadalupe". Nicknames Lupe and Lupita add a bit of feminine frill to this serene choice. 

Carmen - Mexico

A city with an exciting history - it was named in celebration of the eviction of pirates from its borders! (After the Virgin Mary of Carmen, of course). It loosely translates to "garden", and has maintained consistent usage since name recordings began. It's a great name to cross English and Spanish-speaking cultures, and will continue as a lovely choice for awhile

Tell me your favorites in the comments!

Name of Thrones: United Kingdom

Hello, everyone!

To continue my Name of Thrones series - check out Belgium and the Netherlands - we'll be focusing on one of the most recognized royal families in the world, the British House of Windsor. 

They're certainly a family of name trendsetters, and George and Charlotte are just the tip of the iceberg!

George Alexander Louis - Prince of Cambridge

After almost 100 years in the top 50, George was slipping down the list in the US until the birth of the prince turned that trend around - now it's climbing again! It's currently at #134 in the US and #7 in the UK. It means "farmer", and - oddly for the UK - doesn't have many ready nicknames. But if you're looking for something classic and timeless, George does the trick!

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana - Princess of Cambridge

I was over the top excited when I heard the name announcement - such a beautiful, feminine, royal name. And they used Diana!! Charlotte was already climbing in the US when the princess was born, but I think the added popularity could push it further up the top ten. 

Beatrice Elizabeth Mary - Princess of York

The first of an excellent sibset pair, Beatrice was chosen as a family name - the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria was also a Beatrice. It had a small spike the year she was born, 1988, but has really come back into fashion starting in 2006, with the retro-name trend. Beatrice means "she who brings happiness", and has a lot of nickname options! 

Eugenie Victoria Helena - Princess of York

The second of the sibset pair, Eugenie was another Windsor family name that hasn't achieved quite the popularity. Eugenie isn't on either the UK or the US list, so it could make a nice unique name. In France, however, Eugénie is at #286!

Savannah Anne Kathleen

Following an 80's movie, Savannah Smiles, the name started rising through the 90's as an alternative to Samantha - and ultimately become the name of the first great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. Savannah has now been in the Top 50 since 1996, with no plans of moving. On a weird personal note, I became aware of this name through Jimmy Buffett's daughter - one of the first names that surprised me!

Isla Elizabeth

Isla was on the US lists briefly in the early 1900's, but it's popularity in the UK in recent years has made the name all the more popular today! Pronounced "EYE-lah", it means "island" - a great counterpoint to sister Savannah's name, meaning "grassland". 

Zara Anne Elizabeth

My favorite alternative to beautiful classic Sarah, Zara's only drawback is its connection to the clothing chain. It means "princess", appropriately. Zara Phillips Tindall is also an accomplished equestrian, competing in the 2012 Olympics. She named her own daughter Mia (pronounced MY-ah) Grace. 

Elizabeth is the middle name that wins the day - honoring her majesty, Grandmother Windsor.