Hello, readers!
This is a follow-up to the previous post, 1001 - Names Beyond the Top 1000 (Girls).
I also recently came across another blogger doing a more in-depth study of names beyond the top 1000, but now I can't find their page! If you come across it, please let me know in the comments below; I love to promote fellow bloggers!**
**Thanks, Clare, for the link! It's The Well-Informed Namer - great lists!
Being that I mentioned my current name crushes (Anna and Beatrice) in the last post, here are my current favorite boys' names - Ezra (#92) and Milo (#288).
Let's begin!
Jericho - 198 born last year
While Jericho ranked briefly (in 2013 and 2014), it's now further down the list. But its positive qualities should help it rise, not fall! It's an excellent alternative to Jacob or Joshua, if you're looking for a Hebrew J-name, and the city is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament. Jericho is exuberant and cheery in sound - and could be an honorific for a familial Jerry.
Alistair - 194 born last year
The Scotch-English version of Alexander, Alistair has never ranked in the top 1000. But with feminine favorites Allison and Alyssa declining, perhaps this Ali-name finally has a shot for boys! Alistair is strong and substantial, elegant and eccentric. Quite a few English and Scottish namesakes exist throughout history, from businessmen to athletes.
Fox - 193 born last year
Other animal names are on the rise, but Fox shines the brightest. What makes this name so current? There's the recent reboot of The X-Files, with tenacious protagonist Fox Mulder; there's the comedic song that exploded in 2014, "What Does the Fox Say?"; there's an increase in visible Fox's, from the "news" network to celebrity surnames. Fox is energetic and friendly, but a little mischievous, too.
Merrick - 190 born last year
The name Merrick has been all over the news this year through Merrick Garland, President Obama's nomination to the Supreme Court (who the GOP is refusing to consider, because God forbid Senate Republicans do their jobs). Once the nomination came in, name sites were all abuzz with this "new", rarely-heard name. It has uncertain origins, but if you like the sound of Maverick and want something a bit less boisterous, Merrick is for you.
Cormac - 175 born last year
Another gem from the UK, Cormac is in the top 100 in Ireland but not quite as popular in the States. It's got some literary credibility via Cormac McCarthy (The Road, No Country for Old Men) and minor Harry Potter character, Cormac McLaggen. This name is adventurous and classic, a bold Irish choice that outshines similar-sounding Connor or Colton.
Finnian - 164 born last year
With short and sweet Finn in the spotlight, many parents are looking for long-form names to access the nickname. Finnian, from the Irish for "fair," is an attractive option: it's got a lilting melody, it's got an extensive history of use (even by saints), and it's unusual but still accessible to English speakers. Bonus points: a great Fred Astaire musical is entitled Finian's Rainbow, about an Irish immigrant to the American South.
Gus - 163 born last year
Though August has been rising quickly through the popularity charts, its nicknames haven't followed suit - only six Auggie's were born last year, and elegant Gus is still outside the top 1000. But with millennials beginning to procreate, Gus might have more of a shot - there's a mouse in Cinderella with the name; one of the kids from Recess is called Gus, and the male protagonist of The Fault in Our Stars is Augustus "Gus" Waters.
Zev -158 born last year
With so many positive qualities, Zev will be shooting up the ranks in no time! There's its short form, friendly and fun, and its high Scrabble value - both Z and V names are gaining fans. It comes from the Hebrew word for "wolf," which also corresponds to the rise in animal names. Though it's been used more often by Jewish communities, Zev is a name that will work for kids of all kinds.
Ansel - 157 born last year
A personal favorite, Ansel is a medieval German choice (derived from Anselm or Ancel) that's now most associated with Yosemite photographer Ansel Adams. The name is serene and timeless, one that will work from age 8 to 88. It's got an unusual sound compared to many popular options, but Ansel is a thoughtful, creative choice for art and nature types.
Stone - 154 born last year
So many names mean "stone" or "rock" - Peter, Dustin, and Alana, for instance. Why not remove the disconnect and go right to the source? Stone is tough and resolute, and it ranked briefly in the late 90's. Its strong vibe may be a bit overpowering, so it would also be great as a middle name choice. But Stone would be a lovely way to honor a familial Peter (or Rocky!)
Tell me your favorites in the comments!
Showing posts with label top 1000. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top 1000. Show all posts
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Thursday, September 1, 2016
1001 - Names Beyond the Top 1000 (Girls)
Hello, readers!
Signs that I've been in the name community for a "long" time - I consider almost every name in the top 1000 "relatively popular." Granted, there were over 20,000 Emma's and only 266 Alianna's (numbers 1 and 1000) born in 2015, so there's a range. Somehow, though, it seems any name with a number next to it is used too much for me!
While this is probably due to my immersion in Baby Name Wizard and Nameberry, trends point towards more and more individuality. People are making up names, creating unique spellings, and rediscovering old gems. And I'm not that picky - my current personal favorites are Anna (#44) and Beatrice (#565). But there are some lovely names that just missed the cutoff - let's look!
Antonia - 261 born last year
A name that has always been outside the norm, Antonia is pretty, compelling, and stylish. With multiple nicknames and a classic vibe, it's a name that will grow right along with its wearer. There are plenty of Antonia's throughout history that wore the name well - check out the Antonius family of Ancient Rome - and it's derived from the Latin for "priceless one."
Poppy - 257 born last year
Why hasn't this name, so popular in overseas English-speaking nations, conquered the US? Perhaps it's just too early: Jenna Bush Hager only named her daughter Poppy Louise last year, bringing the name to American attention. It's a sweet botanical name that fits in with sisters Lily and Ivy, but it's got a positive energy all its own.
Araceli - 247 born last year
I'm in love with the meaning of this name: "altar of the sky." Araceli is Spanish in origin, and comes from a city of Spain of which the Virgin Mary is patron saint (along the same lines as Guadalupe, Montserrat, and Soledad). It's ranked in the top 1000 on and off since the late 1960's, but has never become "popular." With a unique sound and beautiful origin story, Araceli could rise higher!
Gwyneth - 236 born last year
While Gwyneth has only one major namesake today, this Welsh name has been in use since the 1800's. It's a pleasant alternative to Gwendolyn or Gwen, but not quite as inaccessible as Guinevere or Gwladys (yes, a real name). The light "-eth" ending is elegant and feminine in an unexpected way; other uncommon "-eth" names include Ferelith, Annabeth, and Cherith.
Scout - 232 born last year
Now that the hubbub over Atticus has died down, let's look at another option from To Kill a Mockingbird - Scout. The character's full name was Jean Louise, but Scout is much more suited to a twenty-first century girl; it's peppy, tenacious and smart. Already, Harper has made the top ten - Scout deserves at least a spot on the top 1000! Other great names from the book include Jem, Finch, and Calpurnia.
Opal - 229 born last year
Now that Ruby is well on its way to the top, I'm excited to see which other jewel names get popular. Pearl is a definite contender, while Diamond has dropped since its peak in the 1990's. Opal is a fantastic choice for so many reasons - its vintage sound fits in well with current trends, the first initial is still relatively unpopular, and the jewel it derives from is gorgeous. Onward, Opal!
Campbell - 224 born last year
Though boys definitely dominate the rise in surnames-as-first-names, Campbell is a great choice for girls, too. The "bell" at the end relates to Isabelle or Annabel, but the sound is decidedly mature and unisex. Cam and Cami are cute nicknames - or even Bella. Like Kendall and Mitchell, I can see Campbell attracting fans for its sophisticated sound and friendly nature.
Florence - 214 born last year
With Florence and the Machine being a favorite among both indie and mainstream music lovers, I'm shocked that Florence hasn't yet ranked. It made it all the way to #6 a few times in the early twentieth century before decreasing steadily to relative obscurity. Meaning "prosperous," Florence connects to botanical names but maintains an air of elegance and timelessness.
Maritza - 207 born last year
A Latin American variation of Maria, Maritza has gained attention recently thanks to Orange is the New Black - "If you want more pizza, vote for Maritza." It's brighter than Marissa, with more flair than its originator or even Mary. The Maritza is also the name of a river in Bulgaria, giving the name added credibility in Slavic languages.
Charity - 202 born last year
A pretty virtue name with a generous meaning and a long history of use in the United States, Charity could definitely make a comeback. It's been primed by Cassidy and Cecily, but it's got a unique vibe not shared by too many other names. Bonus points for prominent use in the musical Sweet Charity, which centers on the cutest character name of all time - Charity Hope Valentine.
Next up - onto the boys' list!
Signs that I've been in the name community for a "long" time - I consider almost every name in the top 1000 "relatively popular." Granted, there were over 20,000 Emma's and only 266 Alianna's (numbers 1 and 1000) born in 2015, so there's a range. Somehow, though, it seems any name with a number next to it is used too much for me!
While this is probably due to my immersion in Baby Name Wizard and Nameberry, trends point towards more and more individuality. People are making up names, creating unique spellings, and rediscovering old gems. And I'm not that picky - my current personal favorites are Anna (#44) and Beatrice (#565). But there are some lovely names that just missed the cutoff - let's look!
Antonia - 261 born last year
A name that has always been outside the norm, Antonia is pretty, compelling, and stylish. With multiple nicknames and a classic vibe, it's a name that will grow right along with its wearer. There are plenty of Antonia's throughout history that wore the name well - check out the Antonius family of Ancient Rome - and it's derived from the Latin for "priceless one."
Poppy - 257 born last year
Why hasn't this name, so popular in overseas English-speaking nations, conquered the US? Perhaps it's just too early: Jenna Bush Hager only named her daughter Poppy Louise last year, bringing the name to American attention. It's a sweet botanical name that fits in with sisters Lily and Ivy, but it's got a positive energy all its own.
Araceli - 247 born last year
I'm in love with the meaning of this name: "altar of the sky." Araceli is Spanish in origin, and comes from a city of Spain of which the Virgin Mary is patron saint (along the same lines as Guadalupe, Montserrat, and Soledad). It's ranked in the top 1000 on and off since the late 1960's, but has never become "popular." With a unique sound and beautiful origin story, Araceli could rise higher!
Gwyneth - 236 born last year
While Gwyneth has only one major namesake today, this Welsh name has been in use since the 1800's. It's a pleasant alternative to Gwendolyn or Gwen, but not quite as inaccessible as Guinevere or Gwladys (yes, a real name). The light "-eth" ending is elegant and feminine in an unexpected way; other uncommon "-eth" names include Ferelith, Annabeth, and Cherith.
Scout - 232 born last year
Now that the hubbub over Atticus has died down, let's look at another option from To Kill a Mockingbird - Scout. The character's full name was Jean Louise, but Scout is much more suited to a twenty-first century girl; it's peppy, tenacious and smart. Already, Harper has made the top ten - Scout deserves at least a spot on the top 1000! Other great names from the book include Jem, Finch, and Calpurnia.
Opal - 229 born last year
Now that Ruby is well on its way to the top, I'm excited to see which other jewel names get popular. Pearl is a definite contender, while Diamond has dropped since its peak in the 1990's. Opal is a fantastic choice for so many reasons - its vintage sound fits in well with current trends, the first initial is still relatively unpopular, and the jewel it derives from is gorgeous. Onward, Opal!
Campbell - 224 born last year
Though boys definitely dominate the rise in surnames-as-first-names, Campbell is a great choice for girls, too. The "bell" at the end relates to Isabelle or Annabel, but the sound is decidedly mature and unisex. Cam and Cami are cute nicknames - or even Bella. Like Kendall and Mitchell, I can see Campbell attracting fans for its sophisticated sound and friendly nature.
Florence - 214 born last year
With Florence and the Machine being a favorite among both indie and mainstream music lovers, I'm shocked that Florence hasn't yet ranked. It made it all the way to #6 a few times in the early twentieth century before decreasing steadily to relative obscurity. Meaning "prosperous," Florence connects to botanical names but maintains an air of elegance and timelessness.
Maritza - 207 born last year
A Latin American variation of Maria, Maritza has gained attention recently thanks to Orange is the New Black - "If you want more pizza, vote for Maritza." It's brighter than Marissa, with more flair than its originator or even Mary. The Maritza is also the name of a river in Bulgaria, giving the name added credibility in Slavic languages.
Charity - 202 born last year
A pretty virtue name with a generous meaning and a long history of use in the United States, Charity could definitely make a comeback. It's been primed by Cassidy and Cecily, but it's got a unique vibe not shared by too many other names. Bonus points for prominent use in the musical Sweet Charity, which centers on the cutest character name of all time - Charity Hope Valentine.
Next up - onto the boys' list!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Top Baby Names in Sweden
Hallå!
For the next installment in global names, I'll be focusing on the most popular baby names in Sweden. Here are five names each, from the boys and girls side, that are in the top 20 in Sweden but outside the top 400 in the US.
Female names*
*None of the girls' names are in the top 1000!
Maja - Maya
Pronounced the same way as Maya, Maja might prompt a different pronunciation in the US - "Mah-jah" or "Mah-ha", for example. In any case, it's a sweet-sounding name meaning "splendid", with plenty of European namesakes to boot.
Agnes
While Agnes was last seen on the top 1000 in 1972, I think it's all set for a comeback. The recent little Agnes in Despicable Me and the constant recommendation on baby name sites have primed it well. It means "pure", and Agnes is just old enough to sound cute, not dated.
Ebba
E-names for the win! Ella, Emma, Emily et cetera have been on top for awhile. Why not add in a Scandinavian sound? Ebba means "strength of a boar", and fits in nicely with the simple vowel-consonant-vowel trend - Ada, Isla, Eva.
Linnaea
Also known as a twinflower, Linnaea is a beautiful, hardly-used flower name. I think it sounds more classic next to the trendy Lilianna, and it's softer than Violet. The name also honors Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern ecology.
Wilma
Even I surprised myself by choosing this name. On the outside, Wilma is the name of the mom on The Flintstones, a grandma's name at this point. But I think it's just clunky enough to be cool - the -ma ending like Emma and the Wil- beginning like Willow connect it to the present.
Male names
Hugo - Hugh
This name isn't unheard of - it's currently at #438 in the US - but it's still not quite as appealing to US audiences as it is elsewhere. Meaning "mind" or "spirit", Hugo has grown in popularity thanks to the recent children's movie, as well as literary connection to the author of Les Mis, Victor Hugo.
Ludvig - Louis
Oh so Scandinavian, but oh so unusable in the US. The g-ending and "dv" consonant combo have kept this name from migrating properly. Stick with Louis or Louie.
Arvid
I hadn't heard of this name before researching, but I'm now very intrigued by Arvid. It means "eagle-tree" and seems like a really unusual and strong alternative to Arnold or Arthur. The V in the middle adds a little pizzazz, but Arvid is out-and-out powerful.
Alfred
Currently at #799 on the US list, Alfred may be moving up thanks to its European counterparts - it's at #19 in Sweden, and Alfie is at #12 in the UK. Alfred means "wise counselor", and seems to follow the retro trends - also a great way to honor any familial Fred's!
Nils - Nicholas
While I myself prefer the English variation, I think Nils or Nel could be a cool nickname for those who are sick of Nick. Similar-sounding Niles of Frasier fame is actually from a different root - "son of Neil".
What countries would you like to see next?
For the next installment in global names, I'll be focusing on the most popular baby names in Sweden. Here are five names each, from the boys and girls side, that are in the top 20 in Sweden but outside the top 400 in the US.
I'll include the English or other known equivalents next to the names for clarification.
Female names*
*None of the girls' names are in the top 1000!
Maja - Maya
Pronounced the same way as Maya, Maja might prompt a different pronunciation in the US - "Mah-jah" or "Mah-ha", for example. In any case, it's a sweet-sounding name meaning "splendid", with plenty of European namesakes to boot.
Agnes
While Agnes was last seen on the top 1000 in 1972, I think it's all set for a comeback. The recent little Agnes in Despicable Me and the constant recommendation on baby name sites have primed it well. It means "pure", and Agnes is just old enough to sound cute, not dated.
Ebba
E-names for the win! Ella, Emma, Emily et cetera have been on top for awhile. Why not add in a Scandinavian sound? Ebba means "strength of a boar", and fits in nicely with the simple vowel-consonant-vowel trend - Ada, Isla, Eva.
Linnaea
Also known as a twinflower, Linnaea is a beautiful, hardly-used flower name. I think it sounds more classic next to the trendy Lilianna, and it's softer than Violet. The name also honors Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern ecology.
Wilma
Even I surprised myself by choosing this name. On the outside, Wilma is the name of the mom on The Flintstones, a grandma's name at this point. But I think it's just clunky enough to be cool - the -ma ending like Emma and the Wil- beginning like Willow connect it to the present.
Male names
Hugo - Hugh
This name isn't unheard of - it's currently at #438 in the US - but it's still not quite as appealing to US audiences as it is elsewhere. Meaning "mind" or "spirit", Hugo has grown in popularity thanks to the recent children's movie, as well as literary connection to the author of Les Mis, Victor Hugo.
Ludvig - Louis
Oh so Scandinavian, but oh so unusable in the US. The g-ending and "dv" consonant combo have kept this name from migrating properly. Stick with Louis or Louie.
Arvid
I hadn't heard of this name before researching, but I'm now very intrigued by Arvid. It means "eagle-tree" and seems like a really unusual and strong alternative to Arnold or Arthur. The V in the middle adds a little pizzazz, but Arvid is out-and-out powerful.
Alfred
Currently at #799 on the US list, Alfred may be moving up thanks to its European counterparts - it's at #19 in Sweden, and Alfie is at #12 in the UK. Alfred means "wise counselor", and seems to follow the retro trends - also a great way to honor any familial Fred's!
Nils - Nicholas
While I myself prefer the English variation, I think Nils or Nel could be a cool nickname for those who are sick of Nick. Similar-sounding Niles of Frasier fame is actually from a different root - "son of Neil".
What countries would you like to see next?
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