Leaders of the United Nations

Hello, readers!

Today is the 71st anniversary of the founding of the United Nations - an organization which, for good or for bad, was created to promote international cooperation and prevent wars. Their influence is controversial, but the idea behind it should be celebrated - in these days of conflict, it's nice to remember that many still strive for peace and unity.

The 26 United Nations Flags from Dr. Francisco Castillo Najera, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Manuel Quezon, and the U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull in July 1942 (Wikipedia).

Here is a list of the past and present Secretaries-General of the United Nations (all men) and their names. I also included the dates of their leadership.

Gladwyn Jebb (1945-46)
Thanks to DMNES for the background! This rare English name means "bright friend," and hasn't been recorded in the United States since 1927. With the resurgence of Welsh names - Brynn, Dylan, Gwendolyn - in English-speaking countries, Gladwyn may fit in sooner than later. And you have to like a name that starts with "glad"!

Trygve Lie (1946-52)
A Scandinavian name meaning "trustworthy," this name's statistics surprised me - it's been recorded in the US in forty-five separate years, rising in 2015 (fourteen Trygve's were born last year). But with names like Trig and Trevor on the playground, it's no wonder the sound was adopted. the pronunciation is something like "trihg-vuh".

Dag Hammarskjöld (1953-61)
Another Scandinavian name with a few namesakes - most recently as a character in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Dag was used briefly in the States between 1961 and 1971. It seems that this particular Secretary General was especially influential! The name means "daylight," and it has more popular diminutives: Dagny and Daggett.

U Thant (1961-71)
One thing I love about the name community: I'm always learning something new! Burmese name conventions usually result in an individual having one name (often monosyllabic) and the ability to change their name at will. "U" is loosely translated to "Mr.", and Thant comes from the word for "clean" or "wholesome," according to a few (albeit not completely vetted) websites.

Kurt Waldheim (1972-81)
Many Americans are familiar with this name today via novelist Kurt Vonnegut and musician Kurt Cobain. It reached its peak popularity in 1964, but never made the top 100. Its similar tone to Keith or Kent make it more than viable. Kurt is also a short, "courteous" choice - as single-syllable boys names rise up the charts, Kurt may follow.

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1982-91)
A popular name in the Spanish-speaking community, Javier is a variant of the well-loved Xavier. The name is Basque, and originally developed as a religious honorific for Saint Francis Xavier, founder of the Jesuits. Javier means "new house," and this choice has a lovely positive vibe - softer than its X-counterpart, but just as strong.

Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1992-96)
Famous for his double name, among many other things, Boutros Boutros-Ghali was in the news earlier this year: he died in February at the age of 93. His name is an Arabic form of Peter, meaning "stone" or "rock." Though Boutros has international flair, it may be mistaken for Brutus - a positive or negative consequence, depending on your name style.

Kofi Annan (1997-2006)
West African naming conventions - the Akan people, in this instance - often bestow names based on the day of the week a child is born. Kofi Annan was named based on this custom; his name means "born on a Friday." With Kai and Cody so popular, Kofi might work - but many people will mistake the name for "coffee." Kofi has been in use in the United States since 1970.

Ban Ki-moon (2007-16)
More naming conventions! Historically, Korean families would include one element of a name specific to each new generation. Names can also be spelt with multiple characters, so finding a singular meaning for this name doesn't apply. On a related note, thirteen children were given the name Moon last year.

António Guterres (2017-present)
Starting next year, the United Nations will have a new leader - António Guterres, a Portuguese diplomat. This name is not strange to Americans: Anthony currently ranks at #25, Antonio at #152, Tony at #504, Anton at #960, and Antoine at #1000. Though the meaning of the origin is unknown, this name was popularized by Christians after Saint Anthony.

Tell me your thoughts in the comments!

Unusual Names from the Lost Generation - Fitzgerald and Hemingway

Hello, readers!

The "lost generation" was a term coined by Gertrude Stein in describing the generation of men and women who had survived World War I, coming of age then and in the subsequent Jazz Age. Referring to the sense of wandering and melancholy that plagued many during the era - especially the expatriates - this term now often applies to artists of the time.

In their books, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway included a variety of characters who personified the period in different ways. Here are some of the names of those "lost" souls who have influenced American literature today.

Ernest Hemingway, his wife Hadley Richardson, and friends in Pamplona, Spain, 1925

Hemingway's names: 

Hadley

Not a name he picked, but this name was a unique choice for women of the era - the name had been used rarely for boys, and wasn't even recorded for girls until 1964. Her birth name was Elizabeth Hadley Richardson, Hadley being a family name. In 1998, this pretty English choice began its ascent up the top 1000, and now ranks at #102. It means "heather field."

Brett

Another name more often associated with men, the female protagonist of The Sun Also Rises is named Lady Brett Ashley. Her name identifies her as "one of the boys," and she's very much an equal in their social group (unusual for 1926). Now that Brett is on the decline for boys, the girls could make a claim for it - it's not too far off from Brynn or Kate, either. 

Ettore
Though he's a minor character in A Farewell to Arms, Ettore Moretti has an unusual name for an American - hence the addition to this list. Ettore is the Italian variant of Hector, and it means "holding fast." It currently ranks at #64 in Italy, but is incredibly rare in the United States. Ettore would be an attractive and uncommon alternative to names like Giovanni or Leonardo.

Pilar
A beautiful Spanish choice that's never ranked in the US top 1000, Pilar can be found in literature, religious texts, and films. It comes from the word for "pillar," referring to a moment when the Virgin Mary appeared on a pillar in Spain. The character in the novel is known for her strength and compassion - not a bad namesake for any little one.

Anselmo
Often linked to the eponymous saint, Anselmo is a rare but long-standing choice for speakers of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. It means "divine protection," and has two very cute short forms: Ansel and Elmo. With it's soft sound and o-ending, this name could fit in nicely with today's trends.

Fitzgerald's names:

Zelda
Like Hadley, this woman has been referenced in history as the wife of a great author - but she herself was a great writer and artist (check out Save Me a Waltz). Zelda recently jumped onto the top 1000, as feminine vintage names become more and more popular. Will Zelda shoot to the top 100 or maintain a low profile? Only time will tell.

Amory
An incredibly romantic name, Amory Blaine makes it clear that the protagonist of This Side of Paradise is ruled by passion. Though the name has been growing in use in recent years, it's still a unique choice. But it's closeness to Avery and Emory make it more than viable for today's youth. The etymology is unclear, but Amory is related to either "beloved" or "industrious."

Jordan
Another name signifying that this woman is on par with the men in the novel, Jordan Baker is a minor female character in The Great Gatsby. She was named for two contemporary car companies, representing her modern personality. Though Jordan has always been more popular for boys, both genders have the name on a decline since their heyday in the 1990's and 2000's.

Collis
A variation of an English name meaning "coal miner," Collis fits right in with Colin or Silas. The character in Tender is the Night doesn't stick around for too long, and Collis itself has been on the decline for awhile. Still, it's an uncommon option that isn't too far from the trends.

Names I've missed? Tell me in the comments!

Emily Dickinson Names

Hello, readers!

I just finished reading a fantastic biography of Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets. The book is My Wars Are Laid Away in Books: The Life of Emily Dickinson, by Alfred Habegger. Though it's quite a long read at 800 pages (which includes notes, appendices, etc), I highly recommend it. It's got every detail related to Dickinson's life, as well as substantial comparisons to other Dickinson biographies. The other great thing about it - there were a lot of amazing names!

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Early nineteenth-century New England was full of all kinds of names - rare Biblical, virtuous Puritan, classic English. As I was reading, I kept a list of all of the great names I came across; some are friends and family of Dickinson, some are other figures around her life and time. There may be a few fictional - character names were excellent in 1800's novels! A few have notes attached if I felt the name was super rare or unique, or had cool data.

Let's begin!

Asahel Nettleton - Asahel means "created by God"

Osmyn Baker

Theophilus Packard

Betsey Fay Norcross

Claudius Herrick

Jemima Montague

Zebina Montague - Very little data available

Perley Gunn

Thankful Dickinson - One of the most common Puritan virtue names in the seventeenth century

Kingsley Underwood

Seneca Holland

Appleton Dickinson

Lucretia Dickinson

Gertrude Graves

Sabra Howe - Sabra means "prickly pear"

Orril Munn

Erasmus Norcross

Lamira Jones

Eudocia Carter Converse

Theodora Ward

Abiah Root - Abiah means "God is my father" - this could be a nice alternative to Abigail

Almira Hart Lincoln Phelps

Samuel Learned

Brainard Harrington - Brainard means "courageous raven"... not highly recommended, though

Edward Payson Crowell

John Long Graves

Elbridge Gridley Bowdoin

George Frisbie Whicher

Hiram Adolphus Hawkins

Phydelia Kellogg - Possibly means "faithful," though it's rarely been recorded

Fanny Boltwood

Abby Sweetser

Ebenezer Snell

Eliel Gilbert

Sophia Van Vranken

Phinehas Cooke

Rufus Choate

Ithamar Conkey - Incredibly rare Biblical name, one of the sons of Aaron

Eudocia Flynt

Fidelia Hayward Cooke

Frazar Stearns

Régis Gignoux

Cerinthia Inghram - Very little data available

Orvis F Bigelow

Ellery Strickland

Mariette Jameson

First Names of the First Ladies #2

Hello, readers!

Today's post is Part 2 of yesterday's post - First Names of the First Ladies #1. Check out the first post if you haven't yet, and tune in for the third and final post tomorrow!

The above photo includes First Ladies (from left to right) Nancy Reagan, Lady Bird Johnson, Hillary Clinton, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, and Barbara Bush, taken in May of 1994. 

Let's begin!

Florence (Harding)

This lovely name is on the rise again, and I predict it will break into the top 1000 next year (bets, anyone?) Florence means "blooming" or "prosperous", and it quite fits in with the retro trends - Daisy, Beatrice, and Dorothy, for example. While it is rather flowery and feminine, it still holds an air of elegance and strength - perfect for any little girl. 

Frances (Cleveland)

Once old-fashioned, Frances has managed to rise quickly thanks to more than a few celebrity babies. More stylish than Francesca but not as dowdy as Fran, Frances walks the middle ground with grace and poise. The nickname Frankie is also uber-cute and tomboyish. There are millions of historical namesakes, so just pick your favorite!

Grace (Coolidge)

A beautiful virtue name without impossibly high standards - Chastity, Prudence, Modesty - the name Grace has always been an American favorite. It's simple enough for complicated middle or last names, but doesn't lack anything in having only one syllable. Grace is short and sweet, and will probably be used for my future kid(s) - my middle name is Grace. 

Harriet (Lane)

Classic and abundantly literary, Harriet hasn't made the top 1000 in awhile; it's been surpassed by its nickname, Hattie. But Harriet is a force to be reckoned with - namesakes Stowe and Tubman give it a courageous history, the meaning of "estate ruler" grounds it in power, and its sound is ladylike but determined. Pretty soon, we'll all spy Harriet on our lists. 

Helen (Taft)

While I reviewed English variation Ellen yesterday, Helen is closer to the original Greek. The daughter of Leda and Zeus, Helen of Troy is known as the most beautiful woman of her time. Today, Helen is on the decline, but it's by no means dated or fusty. Names Helena, Nellie, Leni and Olena are among the many versions of this established choice. 

Hillary (Clinton)

She really needs no introduction - if you haven't heard, she's running for president - and she may be the most famous Hillary in history! The name began to decline when it was associated with her as the First Lady in the 1990's, but its meaning of "cheerful" and upbeat sound are still nice to consider. I do warn against choosing this name, at least until there are a few more namesakes attached to it. 

Ida (McKinley)

With names like Ava and Ada sweeping through birth announcements, Ida would fit right in! It means "hardworking" and has a kind of vintage tenacity about it. Ida is simple and easy to pronounce, and it is currently rather popular in Scandinavian countries. Namesake Ida Lupino was an early director in Hollywood at a time when women were even less accepted as bosses - girl power!

Jacqueline (Kennedy)

It jumped almost 70 places in the first two years of the Kennedy administration - needless to say, Jackie Kennedy had a major impact. Jacqueline only recently left the top 200, and might still be too popular for some namers to choose. However, Jacqueline is a distant female form of James, and could be used as a familial honorific. 

Jane (Pierce)

With over 1100 little Jane's born last year, its no surprise that this once plain name has totally reworked its image. Jane, like Jean and Joan, is a feminine variation of John, but somehow surpasses the other three names in grace and fortitude. Jane Austen is one literary example, but Jane abounds in all aspects of popular culture. 

Julia (Tyler, Grant)

It's only recently traded popularity with sister Julie, but Julia has a long history of loveliness. Ancient Rome was full of powerful Julia's, Julia's are plentiful in athletics and theater, and even the Beatles wrote an ode to one (John Lennon's mother, Julia Lennon). It means "youthful", and will age well with the wearer. 

Laura (Bush)

A solid, upstanding, womanly name, Laura only recently began to fall out of favor - don't worry, it's still in the top 400. Another name found in all contexts, Laura comes from the Latin for "bay laurel". It's been in use since at least the ninth century, though I'd imagine many young female Americans were introduced to the name via Laura Ingalls Wilder. 

Letitia (Tyler)

I was very surprised to find Letitia on this list - it's so much more ornate than many of the subdued classics here! It means "happiness", and offers cute nicknames Lettie and Tish. The original, even more decorated form is Laetitia, and Lettice was used occasionally in England (though the whole vegetable connection is a bit too close for comfort). 

Lou (Hoover)

What luck! I completed a whole post on Lou last week - check it out here!

Tune in tomorrow for the final post on this topic!

First Names of the First Ladies #1

Greetings, readers!

Today's post is the beginning of a three-parter, inspired by an article I read last week - Do First Ladies Influence the Popularity of Baby Names? The answer is, incidentally, a little bit: names tend downward in the years after an American First Lady enters the public sphere, but they were going to trend downward anyway because of generational differences. In any event, their first names are no less interesting!

Because of the overlap in names, I'll be listing the first names in alphabetical, not chronological, order. Some presidents had multiple First Lady counterparts, too! If you're interested in their respective husbands, check out my past post on presidential last names: Throwback Thursday: Presidential Names #1. 

Let's begin!

Abigail (Adams, Fillmore)

This lovely classic needs no introduction - it's in the top ten in the US and the top 100 everywhere else! (English-speaking countries, of course). It's got nice nicknames, an abundance of namesakes, and an elegant sound. It's only drawback is its popularity! Still, this name could make it all the way to #1, next to Charlotte or Amelia - only time will tell. 

Angelica (Van Buren)

While it hasn't reached the popularity of sister names Angela and Angelina, I think Angelica might be rising sooner than later. The fantastic character of Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton is one reason, with the other being that Rugrats has been off the air for quite a few years now... (can you tell I'm a Millennial?) Angelica is currently at #425, and has ranked in the US since 1959. 

Anna (Harrison)

A personal favorite (my mom's name is Nancy, so I tend towards the Ann names), Anna is the leading member of its family - save for the Hebrew original, Hannah. It means "grace", and it more than embodies its meaning with a melodic sound, simple structure, and historical usage. There are dozens of less popular variations with excellent qualities, too!

Barbara (Bush)

Another classic, but the prevailing opinion among name experts is that it's still too soon for the name to come back into fashion (I happen to agree). It still has a housecoat on, in my view. If you're looking for a way to honor a familial Barbara, try these on: Varvara or Varya, the Russian variants; Babette, a French diminutive; Elodie or Xenia, which include Barbara's origin meaning, "foreign". 

Caroline (Harrison)

We've got songs about its sweetness and a bunch of presidential street cred. Caroline currently ranks higher than both Carolina and Carolyn, and manages to stay timeless unlike decade-oriented Carol or Carly. It's a fabulous name that can be personalized with a million pet names: Carrie, Cara, Carla, Callie, Lina, you name it!

Claudia (Johnson)

While the First Lady was better known as "Lady Bird", her actual prénom was the strong and feminine Claudia. As a fan of meanings, I was disappointed to find out the name means "crippled", but it might work for an uncommon type! Other finds - Gladys is a version of this name, and variants Claudina or Claudette might help the name express more individuality. 

Dolley (Madison)

With Molly and Holly so widely used, it is unfortunate that similar Dolley has been tainted by the musical (and references to toys). It's a short form of Dorothy or Dolores, both of which look better on paper, admittedly, but it's so spunky and retro that I find myself liking it more and more. The extra E in the middle relates it directly to Mrs. Madison, too!

Edith (Roosevelt, Wilson)

Riding the wave of the vintage trend, Edith has been jumping up the top 1000 list since 2009. It's sturdy but stately, retro but refined, unmistakable but unpopular (all right, I'll stop). Edith could honor an Ed (-ward, -win, or -gar) in your family, or stand on its own as a substantial pick. Diminutives Eddie or Edie are also cute on a little girl. 

Eleanor (Roosevelt, Carter)

Along with a few names listed below (and some not on this list), Eleanor is one of the names in the top 100 with the trendy Ellie nickname. If you want to choose this beautiful, independent-woman name, I recommend trying a different short form, like Nora or Leni. Eleanor has been my favorite for awhile, and I still haven't given up on it yet!

Elizabeth (Monroe, Truman, Ford) and Eliza (Johnson)

While I briefly considered giving Eliza its own entry, it really is too closely linked to its originator. Elizabeth, the era-less epitome of feminine names, is currently at #13. It manages to age with its wearer while not leaning too old or young, and offers a ton of nicknames and variations to help it achieve a sense of uniqueness. Eliza, one of those short forms, is upbeat and passionate, a lovely choice. This name will never go out of style. 

Ellen (Wilson)

It's been on the decline for awhile, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility. Ellen is the English form of Helen, and ranks a bit higher overseas. There are quite a few namesakes in the past and present to draw inspiration from - Ellen Degeneres, Ellen Page, Ellen Pompeo - as well as fictional idols, too!

Emily (Donelson)

As a lifelong bearer of the name, I highly recommend it. Yes, it was the top girls' name for about 20 years, and yes, you probably know about ten Emily's other than me. But it's so feminine, pretty, and friendly! (Not-so-subtle nudging to name your kid after me, friends who are reading this!)

Sidenote: I am realizing just now that my preferred name aesthetic for girls appears to be First Lady first names. More on this story as it develops. 

Tune in tomorrow for Part 2!

Throwback Thursday Series - American Given Names, K, L, M + N

Hello, readers!

I'm returning to my series on George R. Stewart's American Given Names! Today is brought to you by quite a few letters - some of the most popular in current trends!

And again, I'm collecting name-related books, so let me know your favorites in the comments!

Katina - "pure"

Kerenhappuch - "horn of antimony"

Keturah - "fragrance"

Laban - "white"

Loammi - "not my people"

Ludmilla - "favor of the people"

Mahalah - "tender"

Mahershalalhashbaz - "quick to plunder and swift to spoil"

Mahlon - "sickly"

Malvina, Melvina - "smooth brow"

Manasseh - "causing to forget"

Mehetabel - "God rejoices"

Melanchthon - "black earth"

Mingo - unknown

Naphtali - "wrestling"

Noadiah - "meeting with God"

Artist Names: Post-Impressionists

Salut, mes lecteurs!

Allow me once again to indulge myself in the names of (primarily European) artists! If you're interested in more of the series, check out Impressionist Names and Italian Renaissance Names.

Today we'll be looking at the Post-Impressionists!

This style emerged as a reaction to Impressionism - while the Impressionists pioneered "natural" light and painting from life, the Post-Impressionists chose to pursue "art for art's sake" and experiment with color, painting styles, abstraction, and distortion. Disclaimer - a lot of my personal favorite artists are in this category, so be ready for some overexcited adulation.

Paul Cézanne
Considered the link between the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, Paul Cézanne was incredibly influential to later artists and was arguably the father of Cubism. His paintings play with form and perspective, distorting their subjects in the name of visibility. As for his name - Paul is a common, established English choice already. Cézanne, on the other hand, is a hardly-used possibility; the two-syllable sound and -an ending make it accessible, but it's less pretentious than Picasso or Matisse. The last time it was recorded by the SSA was in 2000 - 7 girls were named Cézanne that year.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa)
One of my absolute favorite artists, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made a name for himself by painting the beautiful underworld of Paris' Montmartre neighborhood. Prostitutes, dancers, famous Parisians and other artists provided the content for his work, and his posters for the Moulin Rouge are still popular today. While the equivalent Henry is well-known and in wide use, I think Toulouse has the ability to enter the name scene - it's also an underused place name.

Vincent van Gogh (Vincent Willem van Gogh)
Possibly the most famous artist on this list, Vincent van Gogh's tragic life and numerous works of art have made their way through the zeitgeist tenfold. Who hasn't seen a print of Starry Night, or Sunflowers, or his self-portraits? (With and without his ear). The name Vincent has stayed strong at the bottom of the top 100 for over 100 years - it means "conquering". Trivia - his siblings were Theo, Cornelis, Anna, Elisabeth, and Willemina.

Henri Rousseau (Henri Julien Félix Rousseau)
While he is well-known for his intricate and colorful jungle paintings, Henri Rousseau never actually visited a jungle. His legacy as an influence on avant-garde artists is still felt today - his art inspired the animation style of the children's film, Madagascar. I think his middle names hold the most promise for use today - Julian (English spelling) is at #47 and Felix is at #267 in the US. The names mean "youthful" and "fortunate", respectively.

Paul Gauguin (Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin)
Another Post-impressionist artist whose work with color is popular today, Paul Gauguin is also known for his Tahitian paintings. He is one of the fathers of Symbolism and Primitivism in art, which is controversial, but still influential. For the life of me, I can't recommend Eugene or Gauguin as names, so let me include the names of his family members: wife, Mette-Sophie, and children Émile, Aline, Clovis, Jean René, and Paul Rollon.

Georges-Pierre Seurat
The artist of the painting at the top of the post, Georges Seurat was a pioneer in pointillism - painting small dots of color next to one another to achieve a larger effect. While he only lived to 31, the paintings created during his life were influential for later artists interested in color, mathematical painting, and chromoluminarism. His last name, Seurat, isn't too far off from top 1000 favorites Montserrat and Monserrat - a definite possibility.

Which names are your favorites? Is there another artistic era you'd like me to focus on? Tell me in the comments!

Artist Names: Impressionists

Bonjour, mes amis!

A few weeks ago, we hung out in Florence with the Italian Renaissance artists. Today, we're off to Paris with the Impressionists!

The Impressionist period arguably began what we call "modern art", or art for art's sake. They were concerned with how to paint what the eyes see - blurriness, light, movement, etc. Today, their paintings are very popular, but when the paintings debuted, the response was controversial.

Claude Monet (Oscar-Claude Monet)
Possibly the most famous of the Impressionists, his "Impression, Sunrise" is what gave the movement its name. Claude Monet was active in the art world for over 60 years, producing hundreds of paintings. Among the popular include his water lily series and the haystack series. Claude is a bit dated, but the name Monet has been recorded by the SSA since the 1950's - 35 baby Monet's were born last year. Trivia: his two sons were named Jean and Michel, and his step-children were named Blanche (who married his son Jean), Germaine, Suzanne, Marthe, Jean-Pierre, and Jacques.

Auguste Renoir (Pierre-Auguste Renoir)
While Monet's art focused a lot on landscapes, Auguste Renoir's focused on people - especially women. His portraits are incredibly beautiful, and show the personality of their subjects well. Renoir himself made thousands of paintings, which are on view worldwide. The last name Renoir doesn't have quite the draw of Monet as a first option, but the name Auguste is a cute, less-popular way to get to the nickname Auggie. Auguste, also used for girls, means "venerable".

Mary Cassatt
One of the few female artists working during this time, Mary Cassatt is known for her paintings of the private lives of families, especially mothers and children. She was born in the United States but spent much of her career in France, working alongside other Impressionist artists, including her close friend Edgar Degas. The name Mary has a rich history and classic feel, but I think Cassatt is a viable modern option. It's unisex, allows for the nicknames Cass or Cassie, and has a trendy -tt ending. Choosing a name that honors an early female artist would pave the way for a creative life!

Edgar Degas (Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas)
Known for his paintings of dancers, Edgar Degas' artwork can be seen today in dance performance venues around the world. But his art shows a kind of experimentation with color and angles not normally associated with "high art". The last name Degas, like Renoir, is a little removed to be considered as a first name, but might work as a middle. Edgar is a quaint alternative to Edward, but keeps the nickname Eddie. It means, loosely translated, "wealthy spearman", and is currently at #300 in the US lists (compared to Edward at #160).

Camille Pissarro (Jacob Abraham Camille Pissarro)
An artist central to the community of Impressionist painters, Camille Pissarro was influential to many later artists. His subjects included mostly landscapes and portraits of the "common people", and today his legacy is that of an accomplished "father" and teacher. Pissarro isn't great as a first name (look at the first syllable) but Camille for a boy is rarely heard in the US. It might be a nice option next to Cameron or Camden, though. Trivia: while Pissarro had eight children, I was only able to find the names of his five sons: Lucien, Georges Henri Manzana, Ludovic Rodo, Félix, and Paul-Emile.

Berthe Morisot (Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot)
Like Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot was one of the few female artists working at this time, and she was also known for her portraits of women. She was also a model for some of the other Impressionist artists, and married the brother of Édouard Manet. The name Morisot sounds a bit like Morrissey or Morrison - not unusable for a little one. Berthe, on the other hand, is a bit hard to pronounce for English speakers - "Bayrt" - and corresponds to the unseemly Bertha. Her siblings' names were also unusual: Yves, Edma, and Tiburce.

Any artists that I missed? What names do you like? Tell me in the comments!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's post isn't too extensive, since it's a holiday, but I'll include some links to other great Thanksgiving name articles and a longer name list at the end.

Thanksgiving Baby Names: The first cool names - Linda Rosencrantz, Nameberry

40 Baby Names Inspired by Thanksgiving - Nadia Carriere, DisneyBaby

Thanksgiving-Inspired Baby Names - Melanie Monroe Rosen, Parents.com

And here are the first names of passengers on the Mayflower!

John 

Isaac

Mary

Bartholomew

Remember

Eleanor

Francis

William

Dorothy

Love

Wrestling

Richard

Peter 

Robert 

Katherine

James 

Humility 

Edward

Sarah

Samuel

Thomas

Moses 

Stephen

Elizabeth

Constance

Giles

Damaris

Oceanus 

Edmund

Christopher

Desire 

Ellen

Jasper

Alice

Priscilla

Joseph

Degory 

Solomon 

Thomas

Henry 

George 

Myles 

Rose 

Elias

Agnes 

Joan

Susanna 

Resolved

Peregrine 

Roger 

Gilbert 

My favorites: Remember, Love, Damaris, Oceanus, and Peregrine.

Throwback Thursday: The Gettysburg Address

Hello, readers!

Today is the 152nd anniversary of the Gettysburg Address! So, the name theme for today is Civil War personalities. Some of these names have risen, fallen, or stood the test of time - and a few names from the 1860's might sound practically modern!

Fun fact: the city itself was named for early settler Samuel Gettys. Would Gettysburg make a cool patriotic name, or is it totally unusable? Tell me in the comments!

Politicians and Generals

Abraham Lincoln

One of the most popular presidents in American history, what is there to say about Abraham Lincoln that hasn't already been said, written, or filmed? He was named after his paternal grandfather, and a few reports mention he didn't like the nickname Abe - though I think it's cute. Abraham means "father of multitudes", and is becoming popular in the US - over 2,000 Abraham's were born last year. Lincoln is even more popular, with more than double the number of Abe's!

Jefferson Finis Davis

President of the Confederacy, he is generally considered a poor leader in the history of the American South. The names Jefferson and Davis aren't too shabby, though - especially as alternatives to the super popular names of past decades, Jeffrey and David. In other historical trivia, he was married to the daughter of President Zachary Taylor, Sarah Taylor. And his second wife's name was Varina, possibly from a name meaning "integrity". 

Ulysses S Grant (Hiram Ulysses Grant)

A great trivia tidbit for Grant is that he went by Ulysses because he was embarrassed by the initials HUG, though I couldn't find a source for that story. He declared that the S in the middle stood for Simpson, his mother's maiden name, but it was never legally his name. History remembers him as an effective general, but a rather ineffective president, so he and Davis have that in common. There were 171 Ulysses' born last year, but Grant's popularity at #155 has made it the favorite of the names.

Robert Edward Lee
Remembered as a strong general and hero of the Confederacy, I feel as though I've come across thousands of Robert Lee's over the years. Lee is currently at #701, and fits in with many popular single-syllable names - Sam, Max, Ray, etc. More historical trivia - his seven children were named George Washington Custis, Mary Custis, William Henry Fitzhugh, Anne Carter, Eleanor Agnes, Robert Edward, and Mildred Childe.

Influential Women

Harriet Tubman (Araminta Ross)
An incredibly influential abolitionist, former slave, and guide through the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross. She took her mother's name, Harriet, in the 1840's as her own. Araminta's meaning is unknown; it seems to be an old English invention. Tubman was called Minty in childhood, an excellent nickname. Other great names abound in her family: her grandmother was Modesty, and her daughter was Gertie.

Sojourner Truth (Isabella Baumfree)
Sojourner Truth was another former slave and abolitionist, as well as a women's rights activist. She changed her name in 1843 during her religious conversion - Sojourner is French and means "to stay awhile". She was an incredible speaker and personality, and her first name would be great for any strong little girl. It's also very unique - less than 200 Sojourner's have made the US list since the name debuted in 1970.

Clara Barton (Clarissa Harlowe Barton)
A nurse during the Civil War and the eventual founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton would go on to help set up military hospitals in Europe later on. She was known as the "Angel of the Battlefield". Clarissa (and Clara) means "bright" or "clear", and either are great alternatives to the popular Claire. Harlowe is a relatively recent addition to US name trends: it was used for men a few times in the early 20th century, but has been rising for girls since 2006.

Harriet Elisabeth Beecher Stowe
The author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, the popular book that helped generate a new wave of abolitionist power, Stowe remained a prolific writer throughout her life. The second Harriet on this list, the name means "estate ruler". To parallel Lee's summary, her seven hildren were named: Eliza Taylor, Harriet Beecher, Henry Ellis, Frederick William, Georgiana May, Samuel Charles, and Charles Edward.

That's it for today's history lesson!

Classical Composers, Part Two

Check out Part One here!

I had the fortune yesterday of watching Disney's Fantasia (1940) on the big screen here in the Bay Area, which reminded me to continue this series. Who doesn't love Stravinsky's Rite of Spring explored with dinosaurs?!

Again, each name will include musical accompaniment.

Lass uns gehen!

Claude-Achille Debussy
Associated with Impressionist music, Debussy is known for his innovative compositions, including Clair de Lune - not a bad spelling of Claire if you're looking for a subtle homage! (Or how about Clair Luna?) He was also very influential on later jazz musicians, for those of you interested in music history. Claude is a little dated, the sound isn't great (like the English "clod"), and it means "lame". But Achille is a cool middle name option - it's like Achilles, pronounced Ash-EEL - and Debussy isn't far from Delaney or Destiny.

Johann Sebastian Bach
Now considered one of the greatest composers of all time, Bach was a Baroque musician in the late 17th and early 18th century. He was incredibly prolific - you've probably heard many of his compositions without realizing it. While Johann is a nice alternative to John, the star in his name is Sebastian - currently at #34. Bach is a bit short and lifeless to be a real contender. And in related names, Bach's father's middle name was Ambrosius - a really unusual find!

Franz Joseph Haydn
Wikipedia defines him as "instrumental in the development of chamber music" - a joke I don't think they've realized. Haydn was also friends with Mozart and a teacher of Beethoven - I would have loved to attend one of their social events! I think Haydn is great alternative spelling of Hayden, for any gender, to honor this great composer. And there were less than 200 Franz's born in the last decade - a relatively original choice!

Giuseppe Verdi (Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi)
A composer known for his operas, Verdi was a formidable personality. Today, productions of his work still spark controversy, so if you're looking for a passionate namesake, look no further! Giuseppe is the Italian variation of Joseph, "Jehovah increases", and fits in with current Italian trends in naming. Middle name Fortunino was also the name of an Italian WWI artist, and I haven't been able to find any information on it - very unusual! Verdi, meaning "green", has been used few times over the years - 16 in all of SSA baby name history, and would be an inspired choice.

Gustav Mahler
While his career focused more on conducting than composing, Mahler is still known in his own right for works like his Symphony No. 5. Interestingly, a ban on his music in Nazi Germany (Mahler was Jewish) increased his popularity in the Western world. His wife, Alma Mahler, had an incredibly interesting life, if you like rich biographies. Gustav, meaning "staff of the Goths", is and old-fashioned name with the cute nickname Gus. And Mahler, with its er-ending and easy pronunciation wouldn't be too out of place either!

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky
Renowned for causing near-riots at his opening of Rite of Spring, this 20th century composer has a legacy continuing to this day. Stravinsky wrote for orchestras and ballets, and is one of the composers honored in Disney's Fantasia. Unfortunately, I don't think any of his three names really fit with today's modern namers: Igor's a bit scary, Fyodorovich inaccessible, and Stravinsky too long. Maybe as middle names, if you're truly trying to honor this artist.

Tune in soon for part three of this series!

Artist Names: Italian Renaissance

Hello, readers!

For my next series, I'll be focusing on the names of famous artists and their relevance as first names today! Obviously, these lists aren't complete - there are too many artists to name! So let me know in the comments who I missed, and what you think about their name.

To Florence!

The Renaissance era in Italy produced some of the most well-known artists and works in the Western world today. Despite the fact that this took place about 500 years ago, creative namers today might want to take inspiration from names then. 

Disclaimer - only male names today. But be on the lookout for female artists in the future!

Leonardo da Vinci

If you've ever heard of the Mona Lisa, you've heard of da Vinci. He was more than an artist - he invented dozens of gadgets, performed experiments, and met with many famous figures of the era - a true Renaissance man. Today, Leo is at #97, Leonardo is at #114, Leon is at #321, and Leonard is at #662 - hardly unique. But if you want to inspire your child to greatness, this name stands the test of time. And if you're really looking for something unusual, why not try the last name? There were 8 little Davinci's born last year, about 74 in the last decade. 

Raphael Sanzio

The wunderkind of the Italian Renaissance, Raphael (known by his first name) was the artist of School of Athens (the painting above) and dozens of paintings at the Vatican. He's known as one of the great masters - check out his artwork online if you get a chance! Today, the name Raphael, meaning "God has healed", is at #596, and Rafael is at #293. Both are lovely, artistic options for any little painting prodigy. 

Michelangelo Buonarroti

While I initially found this name a bit too long, it turns out 74 (there's that number again) little Michelangelo's were born last year. So while it's not in the top 1000, it's not exactly unheard-of. As for the namesake - known for his volatile temper and incredible works of art, including the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michelangelo was considered the greatest living artist during his lifetime. The name is a reference to the archangel Michael, a warrior angel. 

Giotto di Bondone

One of the first artists of the Renaissance, Giotto is credited with being one of the first artists to draw "from life", complete with perspective and lighting. His name means "pledge of peace", and Giotto is the Italian variation of former-star Jeffrey. If you're looking for a name to honor a familial Jeff, but not something found on a playground already, try Giotto. It also fits in well with rising Giovanni or Giacomo, but hasn't appeared in any US name data at all. 

Sandro Botticelli

My favorite painting of the Renaissance is Botticelli's Primavera, and readers might also know The Birth of Venus. He's incredibly graceful and soft with his paintings - who wouldn't want to look like his Venus? Sandro is short for Alessandro, currently at #623, and I think the long name is better on a birth certificate. But the short form is an absolutely adorable nickname. 

Titian (Tiziano Vecelli)

There's a shade of red hair dye named after him, which might be due to his extensive portraits of red-headed women. Titian's paintings are sumptuous and detailed, proving his interest in color. On the name side, though, no data has been collected for any little Titian's. The name isn't too far off from Tyson or Tina, so it might make a nice option. The Italian version Tiziano was used for 26 babies last year, and it means "title of honor". 

The Dinner Party, by Judy Chicago

In the hopes that I'll soon start a series focusing on the names of artists, this Friday is brought to you by Judy Chicago's The Dinner Party. It's generally considered the first large-scale feminist art installation in the Western world.

The Dinner Party is composed of a large triangular table with settings for 39 mythical and historical influential women, with the names of 999 other famous women inscribed on inner tiles.

Learn more about the work here: The Dinner Party

Wing I: From Prehistory to the Roman Empire

Primordial Goddess
Fertile Goddess
Ishtar
Kali
Snake Goddess
Sophia
Amazon
Hatshepsut
Judith
Sappho
Aspasia
Boadicea
Hypatia

Wing II: From the Beginnings of Christianity to the Reformation

Marcella
Saint Bridget
Theodora
Hrosvitha
Trotula
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Hildegarde of Bingen
Petronilla de Meath
Christine de Pisan
Isabella d'Este
Elizabeth I
Artemisia Gentileschi
Anna van Schurman

Wing III: From the American to the Women's Revolution

Anne Hutchinson
Sacajawea
Caroline Herschel
Mary Wollstonecraft
Sojourner Truth
Susan B. Anthony
Elizabeth Blackwell
Emily Dickinson
Ethel Smyth
Margaret Sanger
Natalie Barney
Virginia Woolf
Georgia O'Keeffe

Throwback Thursday: Presidential Names #2

Today's post is a continuation of Presidential Names #1, from about two weeks ago. The first post focused on names pre-SSA data - can we see a jump in names trends based on the sitting Commanders-in-Chief?

#545 - Hayes
An early last-name-turned-first-name, Hayes started on the charts at #708, then shot up and down after President Hayes left office in 1881. It's definitely got a highbrow sound and classic feel, with an albeit lackluster meaning - "hedged area". Still, it could work well as a more traditional response to trendy Hayden or Hayley. 

#306 - Arthur
It seems to me that Arthur has been an established first name for so long that a simple president wouldn't influence its popularity. Arthur, meaning "bear", topped out at #14 in the 1880's, 1890's and 1900's, but it's been decreasing since the 1940's. It just skyrocketed up the charts in the UK, however, so it won't be too long before Arthur is back on top!

#381 - McKinley
Oddly enough, McKinley's steep rise for boys stopped when the president took office in 1901, then plateaued and dove. For girls, McKinley began rising through the 1990's, as an alternative to McKenzie or McKayla. McKinley has been in the news recently - Mount McKinley will be officially renamed Mount Denali. 

#594 - Wilson
An excellent alternative to the well-loved William, Wilson did get a boost between 1913 and 1921 - Woodrow Wilson's years in office. Wilson has been on the decline for awhile, but with dozens of namesakes and an American sound, I think it's a great choice. 

#961 - Truman
Meaning "loyal one", Truman today is more often associated with writer Capote or Will of Will & Grace. The first president after twelve years of FDR, Harry Truman brought on a jump of almost 200 places in 1945, but began declining steeply right after. Though it's got a great nickname - "True" - it's still a little clunky. 

#54 - Kennedy
Kennedy briefly appeared on the boy's list in the 1960's, but skyrocketed for girls starting in the mid-90's. Why so long after JFK? I'm on the hunt for reasons - the name didn't make the list until 30 years after his death, and started halfway up the list before climbing. If you've got a theory or factoid about Kennedy, let me know in the comments!

#587 - Nixon
Interestingly enough, Nixon is only on the list because of its popularity in Utah, where it's at #85. It jumped on the scene in 2011, over 10 years after Richard Nixon's death. I think the closeness to Jackson, Nolan and Nicholas may be why. 

#883 - Ford

Ford is on the list this year for the first time since 1951. The solid single-syllable sound, masculine feel, and trend towards brand names may be the culprits. Ford could make a standout middle name, or honor a familial namesake.

#27 - m - Carter; #785 - f - Carter
Carter is an example of what happens when a president isn't so well liked - when Jimmy Carter was president, the fairly stable name dropped off the list completely, only to return in full force when Carter left office. For boys, it follows the occupational trend, as well as being the name of many pop culture characters. Girls often get the names second - Carter entered the girls' list in 2013

#106 - f - Reagan; #999 - m - Reagan
Reagan was used a few times for girls in the 1970's, but didn't catch hold of the list until the early 1990's on either side - perhaps as a response to the Clinton presidency? (Just a theory). On the boy's side, Reagan has stayed in the lower ranks, while it's been climbing for the girls, peaking in 2012.

#923 - Clinton
Clinton began dropping in the 1990's during the presidency, perhaps due to the current trend of uniqueness - when your child's name is in the news everyday, it seems to lose its personality. Clinton is currently plateauing at the bottom of the list, and with the upcoming elections, it may fall out of use for awhile.

What do you think? Are there names you think should be included? Would Obama make a good first name? Tell me in the comments!

Onomastics

Hello, readers!

Since becoming more involved in the name community, I've wondered - is there a field of study that focuses on names? I'm an academic at heart - BA in History of Art, French Lit minor, Dec 2013, UC Berkeley - and I'd love to find classes or some kind of program to study names.

However, I haven't been too successful. Here are some of the sites I've come across:

First, to Wikipedia!

Onomastics - An excellent definition, but not too much more information.

Anthroponymy - More specific in what I'm interested in, but still not great.

George R. Stewart - Cool, a Berkeley reference. Interesting fact - he "prompted the National Weather Service to use personal names to designate storms".

Now to societies!

American Name Society - "The American Name Society was founded in 1951 to promote onomastics, the study of names and naming practices, both in the United States and abroad. It is a non-profit organization that seeks to find out what really is in a name, and to investigate cultural insights, settlement history, and linguistic characteristics revealed in names."

English Place-Name Society - "The EPNS was established in 1923 to conduct a county-by-county survey of the place-names of England." It's connected to the University of Nottingham, so I'm glad to see an academic reference.

Guild of One-Name Studies - "The Guild will strengthen its position as the centre of excellence for surname studies by educating the worldwide genealogical community in one-name studies and empowering members to share their knowledge and expertise." Genealogy and surnames, but not too much about first names.

International Council of Onomastic Sciences - Excellent! Academia! Wish I had known about the conference earlier, I would love to attend their symposium in Paris this December.

Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland - "A society devoted to the study of names (place-names, personal names, and other names) from linguistic, historical, and sociological perspectives". So I'm seeing a lot of conferences, but no real singular departments. I guess I should have expected names to be more interdisciplinary!

Dictionary of Names from Medieval European Sources - An excellent site that I discussed at length on my blog yesterday.

But are there classes?

Academic Courses on Onomastics - This thorough PDF lists classes in Great Britain, Croatia, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden and the Czech Republic - at least, as of 2002. I do notice that many of the courses fall under the relevant language departments - Scandinavian, English, etc.

But nothing in the USA!

Any more information on onomastics and its academic presence would be really appreciated! I'm wondering if working with a language or literature department and creating an interdisciplinary Masters or PhD in Anthroponymy would be possible?

Throwback Thursday #7: Medieval Names

Since beginning this blog, I've begun interacting with the super interesting and informative DMNES.org - Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources. Their project is "to document all given names recorded in European sources written between 600 and 1600" - quite an undertaking, yes, but a name nerd's dream! They also have a bunch of really cool entries on their blog!

For today's Throwback Thursday, I'll be looking at some names found exclusively on their site that I think could work for modern-day namers. 

Let's begin!

Male names

Adaleus - Old High German adal 'noble' + Old Saxon *lēkian, Old High German *leihhen, *leichen 'to dance, sport, play'

With the popularity of Addison and Adelyn on the girls' side, why not bring the sound over to the boys? The S-ending speakings to popular Jonas or Elias, and the cadence is similar to the musical Amadeus. With a historical precedent, this name could fit perfectly as a unique first or middle choice. 

Bonvalet - Old French bon 'good' + Old French val(l)et 'servant'.

I'm guessing the pronunciation could be either "bon-va-LAY" or "bon-va-LET" - either way, this name fits in with the B-for-boys trend (Bryce, Brayden, Benjamin) and the ends-in-T trend (Everett, Garrett, Elliot). Its sound is friendly and its meaning is sweet - a great option! And Bon is a totally cute nickname for a little boy. 

Gratius - Latin gratius 'more pleasing'

Being that Grace is one of my favorite names, I've been on the lookout for a more masculine equivalent - and I think I've found that in Gratius! The "gray" beginning speaks to Grayson, but the ending is less trendy and more classic. It also reminds me of uber-cool Gaius, without the problematic nickname possibilities. 

Udelo - Old High German uodal 'heritage, homestead' used as a monothematic name, or a pet form of any of various dithematic names beginning with this element.

Udelo sounds unusual, unique, and almost unheard-of. It fits in perfectly with the Italian name trend - Leonardo, Giacomo, Alessandro - but has a personality (and an initial) all its own. The most obvious nickname to me is fifties-heartthrob Del, which is a great retro choice. 

Venture - Italian ventura 'fortune'

This is a really cool word name that hasn't been used recently, but could totally make a comeback. The meaning is "fortune", but the aural connotation is more "adventure" to me - why not choose a name that wishes luck in travels? Venture will also transition easily between childhood and adulthood. 

Female names

Divitia - Latin divitia 'riches, wealth'

This name is queenly and luxurious, to say the least. It feels more accessible than Divinity or Divine, with the caveat that the only obvious nickname is Diva - maybe Vita? It's a lovely choice if you're looking for something imperial but feminine. 

Marozia - Latin Marotia, of uncertain origin

The unknown origins actually make me like this name more - mystery abounds! The sounds is feminine and friendly but ethereal. I like the popular "rose" sound in the middle - this could be a unique way to honor a Mary/Maria and a Rose all in one. 

Pasca - Latin pascha from Hebrew פסח '(feast of) Passover' via Greek πάσχα

Add this to the list of spring and Easter names! Pasca is pretty, amicable and unusual. There's also not nearly enough P-names out there for girls. The Hebrew, Greek and Latin origins may also be a fun way to include a heritage reference. 

Ysoria - Uncertain, but perhaps related to Latin Isaura, an ethic byname derived from the region of Isauria in Asia Minor

Like Udelo, Ysoria is a great way to use a unique initial. It's got a sound similar to Yvette or Yvonne, but sounds more Spanish/Italian than French. The feminine ending "-ia" is also pretty and recognizable. The name, to me, sounds like a fantastical princess in a fairy tale, but Ysoria isn't overly frivolous. 

Zoete - Middle Dutch soete, suete 'sweet' (modern Dutch zoete), a cognate of Old English swée, Middle Low German, sote, sute

Zoete is a great way to include the "sweet" meaning without the saccharine use of Candy or Sugar. It might get mixed up (at least visually) with Zoe, but it's personality is unique. It also has the unisex T-sound ending, but this name won't get lost in the shuffle. 

What do you think? Are these names totally out-of-style, or possibly usable?

Throwback Thursday #4: Unusual (but Established) Baby Names from 1885

130 years ago, the first skyscraper was built in the USA. Dr. Pepper was served for the first time. The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City. And these names were at the bottom of the top 1000!

I've selected a few of my favorites from the 1885 list that I think could work 130 years later. The Statue of Liberty is still standing, right?

The number next to the name refers to its popularity in 1885 - none of these names are currently on the 2015 top 1000!

Girls:

Leda - #992
A lovely name for those who like Lily or Jada, but want something less popular. In Greek myth, Leda was the mother of Helen of Troy, after a tryst with Zeus. Leda means "happy" in Greek. This name hasn't been on the top 1000 since 1920, so it's recognizable but definitely unique.

Euphemia - #965
Another name of Greek origin, Euphemia is the source for the nickname-turned-name Effie. It means "to use words of good omen", and has a feminine, melodic sound. Popular Mia could also work as a nickname, but any of the three monikers would be beautiful on a little girl.

Delta - #948
This name burst into the celeb-baby spotlight in 2014, when Kristen Bell and Dax Shepherd named their baby Delta Bell. Delta can either refer to the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet or a triangular piece of land at the mouth of a river. It's bright, spunky and sweet - a definite win.

Avie - #931
With Ava, Eve and Evelyn getting popular, why not Avie? Another form of Avi, the extra E at the end gives it a bit more femininity. It comes from the Hebrew origin word meaning "my father", but aurally connects to Aves, like the bird genus. Another odd connection - Dolly Parton's mother was named Avie.

Zadie - #920
A lively alternative to Sadie, Zadie keeps the pretty meaning - "princess" - but adds more personality and a great first initial. Zadie Smith is a British novelist, and Zadié (with the accent) refers to a river in western Africa.

Boys:

Domingo - #976
A haunting name with a pleasant meaning - "born on a Sunday". It's the Spanish version of Dominic, and a nice option next to Diego or Damian. I'd especially suggest it for those looking for an unique religious name.

Bernie - #950
Continuing the growing trend of "so out that it's in", Bernie is a cute way to honor a grandfather Bernard while avoiding the St Bernard jokes. It's meaning is "strong as a bear", but the ie-ending makes it more wearable. And progressive politician Bernie Sanders isn't a bad namesake!

Albion - #937
Mythological and way too cool, Albion was historically inspired by the White Cliffs of Dover. Albion is also the oldest known name for the island of Great Britain, which could make it a great heritage choice. For you Harry Potter fans, it's related to the name Albus.

Zenas - #934
A short form of Zenodoros (which would be a bit much for a child), Zenas means "gift of Zeus". It's got the trendy as-ending, like Lucas or Jonas, and the cool Z-beginning, like Zac or Zane. Powerful, but also edgy and unusual - perhaps Zee or ZZ as a nickname?

Nim - #904
Simple and complete, Nim could be a cool alternative to Sam or Ben. It comes from the Hebrew word for "hunter". It was originally short for Nimrod, which is a definite drawback, but gained popularity on the female side with the release of the book and film, Nim's Island.

Looking back on this list, I'm seeing a lot of Greek roots and Zeus connections. Any comments on how you think these names would fly on the playground?