New Name Trends - Scandals and Superstars

Hello, readers!

The new name data is in - and the results are astounding. Not only have quite a few new names come onto the scene, some classics have begun to fall: both Michael and Emily left the top 10 this year, the former after about 70 years and the latter after about 25 years.

With all of this hubbub, let's look at some names that might not have gotten the positive attention they deserved. If you have more ideas on what constitutes a "Scandalous Name," tell me in the comments!

Scandalous Names:
These names were in the news, for rather complicated reasons. How did they fare on the charts?

Harvey - Baby Name Wizard's Name of the Year jumped from #412 to #382! I'm shocked!!! I was always a fan of the name, but last year's events certainly colored my perception of it.

Syria - Though this name had been rising through the early 2000's, the violence and turmoil plaguing the region have affected the name - only 9 girls last year were named Syria. Consider helping the victims of this tragedy through organizations like UNICEF. 

Russia - Too complex to sum up in a sentence, the events surrounding Russia haven't really affected the name's use in the United States - about 5-10 girls every year are given the name.

Melania - While the president's name is dropping, the First Lady's name entered the Top 1000 for the first time this year, coming in at #930. Melania vibes with raindrop names and cross-cultural picks, but I'll admit I'm surprised at its popularity.

Griffin - Though Kathy Griffin's comedic choices didn't quite hit the mark, the personality's last name wasn't affected too badly. Griffin fell from #229 to #243, but it's well within normal use.

Tomi - The first name of "white power Barbie," Tomi Lahren's public comments gained more attention for her first name, too - 24 baby girls were named Tomi, the highest number since 2003.

Milo - I've loved this name for a long time, but recent events make me want to bury it underground for ten years then re-release it. What do you think, readers? Can Milo's image be saved?

Kardashian Family Names:
Almost American royalty, this family has incredible potential to change the name landscape.

Saint - A celebrity favorite - for Kanye West and Pete Wentz, at least - moved from 115 to 138 boys born. Similar in style to Royal or King, this is a title name to watch.

Dream - It's the name's first time in the US Top 1000, coming in at #828. I guess Rob and Blac Chyna are true (forgive the joke) trendsetters!

North - This iconic choice is still too close to Kimye for parents to consider, in my opinion. It's also been more commonly used for boys throughout history.

Mason - Still in the top 10, Mason has become a quintessential 2010's name - will it stay in the top 10 through 2020? My guess is that Mason is on its way out.

Reign - A great mix of modern influences - royal names, word names, and simple sounds - Reign is rising for both boys and girls. It would make a fabulous choice in the middle spot!

Penelope - This Greek choice continues to rise - could Penelope make it into the top 10? Next to classics like Amelia, Charlotte, and Abigail, I believe so.

Jenner - On the decline, this name might have worked as an update to Jennifer or Connor, but the many "scandals" surrounding the family have certainly hurt Jenner's style.

Pop Star Picks:
If you've got a catchy tune stuck in your head, you might associate it with one of these names.

Kehlani - Thanks to rising star Kehlani Parrish, this beautiful Hawaiian name that entered the top 1000 in 2016 has nearly doubled in use in just a year. A great successor to Melanie or Leilani, Kehlani's wagon may be hitched to Parrish's star, to use an old phrase.

Alessia - A euphonic name and a style sister to Alyssa and Alexis, Alessia moved up over 200 places this year. Singer Alessia Cara has help popularize the name, but it's less associated with the individual than current trends as a whole.

Maren - Moving up over 300 places, this Dutch variant of Marina has attracted a lot of attention in the United States. Singer Maren Morris currently has a song in the Billboard Top 10 - might she influence the name for next year?

Camila - A favorite in Spanish-speaking communities, Camila has that cross-cultural appeal so crucial for modern families - it's no wonder the name made it into the top 25 this year.

Malone - Though the name is admittedly rare - only 17 boys given it last year, and 22 girls - it did technically double in use for boys since Post Malone came onto the scene.

Kane - Moving up 50 places, Kane may partially owe its rise to country musician Kane Brown. Related to the Biblical Cain and the Gaelic Cathan, it's got a macho image that's here to stay.

Bonus - Names from Hamilton:
Now that this musical is thoroughly embedded in the zeitgeist, let's "look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now," and give Theodosia the attention it deserves.

Theodosia - Alright, so the name moved from 6 girls born in 2016 to 11 girls born in 2017. Not quite the influx I expected, but hey - maybe I'll be able to use it someday!

Hamilton - Somewhere between 80 and 100 boys are given this name every year. The musical didn't influence Hamilton's usage too much, but it ought to be recommended as an alternative to Jackson, Jefferson, Franklin....

Eliza - Moving up about 30 places, sweet and vintage Eliza has a lot going for it - the Hamilton connection, the popularity in other Anglophone countries, and the many lovely literary characters with the name.

Names from Hamilton

Hello, readers!

Like many theatre geeks across the nation, I too have been swept into the Hamilton frenzy. If you aren't aware of this cultural phenomenon, it's a new musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda that retells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton's life. But no, this isn't just another 1776, it's got rap, hip hop, R&B, and all sorts of rarely heard music (for the musical world). The actors are also all people of color - save for King George III - and the show will be touring the nation next year.

Today, I'll be looking at some of the character names from Hamilton, which are for the most part classic English names. But there may be a few you haven't thought of! And I highly recommend taking the time to listen to Hamilton on Spotify or YouTube. 

Let's begin!

Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda)

One of the few founding fathers that was never elected to the presidency, Alexander Hamilton was by no means less important to US history - see the musical for bio details. The first name Alexander is well-established in the US, currently at #8 on the boy's list, and it's never dipped below #250. But with surnames trending, could Hamilton be a contender? It's been recorded in use every year since 1880, but has never passed 100 children in any year. With the popularity of the musical only growing, I think this name is one to watch. 

Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler Hamilton (Phillipa Soo)
A humanitarian and political and social activist in her own right, Eliza Hamilton ties with Odysseus' wife Penelope on the long-suffering wife front. Like Alexander, Elizabeth has always been popular - but diminutive Eliza has been moving steadily up the popularity lists as well. It's livelier and more spirited than its original, and would be a lovely option as a first name or nickname. Schuyler, pronounced "SKY-ler", is the original Dutch spelling of the name, and adds an element of elegance to it (though it may take some explanation).

Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.)
Politician and Hamilton antagonist Aaron Burr may be remembered somewhat negatively today, but he was also instrumental in the early US government (the character in the show gets some of the best songs, too). Aaron, of course, is a classic Hebrew name meaning "enlightened". Burr actually did get some use as a first name from the 1880's through the 1970's - let's see if the empathetic portrayal of Aaron Burr in the musical brings it back.

Angelica Schuyler Church (Renee Elise Goldsberry)
Socialite and prolific writer Angelica Schuyler Church was Eliza's older sister, and it has been suggested that her friendship with Alexander was more than just friendly. In any case, her correspondence with some of the founding fathers shows more than just a career as a love interest. Angelica has long been loved alongside sister names Angela and Angelina. In a bit of related trivia, the city of Angelica in New York was named after her.

George Washington (Christopher Jackson)
First president and all-around American symbol George Washington needs very little introduction, so let's get to the names. After a slow decline, George has been rising back up the list, with a little help from Prince George across the pond (there might be some irony here). Washington has been used as a name for awhile, but it has a few drawbacks - no easy nicknames, and it's a mouthful. Still, if you have nickname suggestions, tell me in the comments!

That's all for today. Rise up, friends!