Baby Name Apps!

Hello, readers!

I recently downloaded 14 different free baby name and name generator apps (for iPhone). This post is a review of my top three!

I myself have toyed with the idea of creating an app, and of course I think Nameberry should create one based on their website!

BabyName 

"Finding a name for your baby can be as fun as making it" - cool slogan, but kind of a tall order. Ultimately, this app is like the Tinder of name apps - you and your partner make accounts, connect them, and start swiping left or right to favorite and reject names. When you both favorite the same name, you receive a match notification! Aesthetically, this app is super sleek, and I like that the name meanings are included with each name. However, there's not much functionality for researching or looking up names. 

This app is great if: you and your partner can't agree on a name. 

                                                     

Baby Names

Search by popularity, origins, gender and more! This is probably my favorite app that I've tried, and tons of names are included. The interface is easy to use, and you can save names to a personal list. I also like their charts and graphs. The only drawback are the many advertisements on the screen - they can be a little distracting. But such is the case with free apps!

This app is great if: you want a lot of name information but can't get to a computer. 

                                                                   

Baby Names

Another great app to search by origins and letters, but less user-friendly and less information. I really do like the Random Names generator function - pick a gender, and you'll be given a totally random list! I found a few cool names I had never heard of. 

This app is great if: you want a few less ads in favor of random names. 

What are your favorite apps? Anything I'm missing? Tell me in the comments!

Throwback Thursday: Presidential Names #1

As the race for the 2016 election revs up, I've decided to devote two Throwback Thursdays to presidential baby names. While it's also probable that the presidents' first names were given a boost during or after their terms, I'll be focusing on presidential last names found in the 2014 top 1000.

I've decided to go in chronological order, so none of the names this week have correlating data (Grant was president until 1877, three years before the top 1000 data began to be collected). November 5th, we'll be able to see if presidential terms line up with popularity - stay tuned!

#609 - Jefferson 
As the Jeffrey's of yesteryear become fathers and grandfathers, Jefferson might be a great way to honor a paternal relative. Sure, the nickname Jeff could still be used, but why not try Sonny to ensure some uniqueness? Jefferson has been hanging low on the list for awhile, but it's a well-established formal name that deserves some use. 

#9 - Madison
While this name is connected more to the movie Splash than the fourth president, Madison is much more than a trend. It was a well-used name for boys between 1880 and 1940, returning briefly in the 1990's. I think the name still works for any gender - see the above nickname Sonny - but the girls have claimed Madison wholeheartedly for the time being. 

#787 - Monroe
This name has gotten a lot of buzz recently, with a few celebrities choosing Monroe for their daughters. Like Madison, it was on the list for boys for awhile but dropped off in the 1970's. Another multi-gender name, it's connected to the Roe river in Ireland, and might be a great heritage choice. Check out Monroe's write-up in Nameberry's Hello, Baby! O-Ending Surname Names for Girls.

#17 - Jackson
With Jack, Jaxon and Jaxson following Jackson on the top 1000, it seems that parents are more interested in the sound of the name over the connection to Andrew Jackson. Jack was originally a nickname for John, but has now created a class all its own. Jackson has been steeply climbing upwards since the 1990's, and I don't expect it to drop anytime soon. 

#127 - Harrison
The popularity of movie star Harrison Ford pushed this name back up the charts through the 1980's and 1990's, but this name has never left the top 1000. The name started climbing again around the time Showtime's serial killer Dexter named his son Harrison after his father, Harry. It's got multiple positive connotations and some great nicknames, so Harrison will definitely stick around. 

#72 - Tyler
This trend of the 1990's is finally starting to disappear - for the boys, at least. I think the girls could claim Tyler due to its similarity with Taylor and Skyler. Ty, Tyson, Tyrone, and Tyree are moving up the list with a fresher sound, too. I'd skip this name and look for something more unique. 

#77 - Taylor
Another name originally for boys overtaken by the girls, Taylor reached its peak in the 1990's and has started to fall back down the list. Its sound is definitely popular - Baylor and Saylor have recently joined the list. But I think there are are newer occupational names that will fit the bill - Weaver, Fletcher, Jagger, Sawyer, and Draper. 

#470 - Pierce
Pierce has been up and down the top 1000 over the years, but is now hovering in the middle. The strong, single-syllable sound and the dangerous connection to weaponry will appeal to some parents, but I think Pierce is better as a middle name. Sidenote: Pierce is viewed by many historians as one of the worst presidents in American history, so make sure you're not choosing it to be patriotic. 

#87 - Lincoln
One of the nation's favorite presidents, Lincoln is now at the highest it's ever been on the list. The similar sound to other ends-in-N names and the excellent history make it very popular. Abraham is a bit further down the list, at #180, and could also be a great way to honor the sixteenth president. And now that one celeb-baby girl has been christened Lincoln, it might be more accepted as unisex. 

#155 - Grant
With a steady sound, Grant is a name that can transition from childhood to adulthood gracefully. While its etymology connects it to the French for "large", it can also be seen today as an English word name. And it's a much better choice than old-fashioned Ulysses!

Check out the continuation of this list on November 5th!

Next week is Halloween-themed :)

Top Ten Alternatives - Boys

I was inspired to write this post by Nicole Aube's article for Berry Juice - Avoiding Names Your Teenager Will Hate. But instead of finding alternatives to unique but dated names, I thought I'd try the same treatment for the most popular. As an Emily, I'm all too familiar with the exasperation that comes with being called Emily C., when there's an Emily A., Emily B., etc. If you like the sound or meaning for names in the top ten, let's see if I can recommend some more exciting alternatives!

After each name below, I'll include similar-sounding and similar-meaning names.

Noah - "rest, comfort"
Rising since the late 1960's, Noah made its biggest jump in the 1990's - why so in-demand? The trendy ah-ending, the cool Biblical history, and The Notebook, of course!

Sound: Joah, Jonah, Noel, Noam, Naaman, Noach, Noaz, Nehemiah
Meaning: Rocco, Rahat, Rati, Kamaha, Jagur, Aza

Liam - diminutive of William, "resolute protection"
The Irish origin of Liam, as well as it's prevalence in Hollywood, have pushed it up to #2. We'll see if the UK lists continue to predict the US ones in years to come!

Sound: Levi, Lionel, Leon, Linus, Noam, Willem, Emilio, Eliam
Meaning: Anselm, Bruno, Edmund, Hammond, Raymond

Mason - "stone worker"
Occupational names are trending, and Mason is at the top of the list. The bell-tone sound and on-ending are bound to keep it at the top for awhile.

Sound: Marlon, Marlow, Jameson, Massai, Massimo, Max
Meaning: Dunstan, Axton, Eben, Rochester, Granger

Jacob - "supplanter"
This name may still be riding the Twilight coattails, but the unusual B-ending and Biblical heritage have kept Jacob's numbers high.

Sound: Jacoby, Caleb, Jericho, Corbin, Cobalt, Coby
Meaning: Diego, Giacomo, Hamish, Seamus, Thiago

William - "resolute protection"
Never far from the top 20, this classic is bound to stick around for a long time to come.

Sound: Willem, Willis, Wilbur, Wilson, Wilder, Waylon, Eliam
Meaning: Anselm, Bruno, Edmund, Hammond, Raymond

Ethan - "steadfast"
A personal favorite, Ethan's popularity has really surprised me - though the Mission Impossible connection might have something to do with it.

Sound: Eden, Edmund, Nathaniel, Easton, Elton, Elias
Meaning: Constantine, Abelard, Faisal, Ernest, Hamza

Michael - "he who is like God"
Michael hasn't left the top 10 since 1943. It's acceptance as a classic will keep it in use, but I think there are some names out there with more personality.

Sound: Mitchell, Micah, Mikkel, Myron, Malachi, McKinley
Meaning: Micajah, Osgood, Oswald, Osric, Deva

Alexander - "defending men"
Names including "Alex" have dominated the 1990's and 2000's - is it the x-factor, the warrior history, or the countless namesakes that keep it going?

Sound: Lysander, Alistair, Alessandro, Alexei, Leander, Anders
Meaning: Thurman, Titan, Narendra, Amyntas, Vahagn

James - "supplanter"
The English variation of Jacob, but more firmly in the top 20, James is classic. Its popularity has also extended it to the female side, as well as prompted some newer nicknames.

Sound: Jameson, Jem, Jesse, Jonas, Miles, Ramses, Massey
Meaning: Diego, Giacomo, Hamish, Seamus, Thiago

Daniel - "God is my judge"
Another classic, it seems that every other boy I knew growing up was named Daniel - I was born in 1992. I think it's time to find some alternatives, and let this name become a more unique choice.

Sound: Dalton, Dale, Dashiell, Dorian, Nathaniel, Dennis, Duncan
Meaning: Nilo, Eliphalet, Joaquin, Ramiro, Abidan

Names from Orange is the New Black

One of my all-time favorite shows is Netflix's Orange is the New Black. The actresses are fantastic and the writing is absolutely hilarious. So here's a list of show names!

This list originally appeared on my Nameberry account!

Piper
This on-the-rise occupation name is great for any determined, independent girl.

Alex
Strong and energetic, this unisex name has a cool x-factor.

Tiffany
The real name of "Pennsatucky", this name is luxurious and feminine.

Daya
Sounds like the popular Maya, but has a more serious meaning: "bird of prey."

Aleida
Not found on Nameberry, but a beautiful alternative to Alicia, Alana or Lydia.

Galina
"Red"'s real name, this moniker is more calm than feisty.

Sophia
Very popular, very feminine, very wise.

Carrie
The real name of "Big Boo," this name transitions well from youth to adulthood.

Maritza
Unique update to Marissa or Maria.

Blanca
Beautiful Latina alternative to Bianca or Blanche.

Marisol
"Flaca"'s real name, very summery with an L ending (a la Rachel, Kendall, Crystal).

Taystee
Better as a nickname, but absolutely delicious.

Poussey
Sounds a bit too much like... well, you know; but the "ay" sound ending is gorgeously French.

Brook
Outdoorsy and hip, the grown-up Brooklyn.

Cindy
A cute nickname-name, or as short for Cynthia or Lucinda.

Tova
Cindy's chosen Jewish name, strong and just "good" (meaning).

Suzanne
The real name of "Crazy Eyes", a chic update to Susan (and it means "lily")!

Lolly
A cross between Holly and Lily, this is super-sweet (almost too sweet).

Gloria
Cross-cultural and melodic.

Lorna
Literary and unique, this literary name could be a great update to Lauren or Laura.

Stella
On-the-rise and all over the playgrounds, this name is stunning.

Nicole
Soft, French and well-used.

Mei
The first name of inmate "Chang," pretty and feminine.

Norma
Grandmotherly, but not too far from popular Nora.

Janae
Another French "ay" ending, this is a beautiful update to Jane or Janet.

Leanne
A midcentury name, yes, but very elegant.

Angie
Another nickname name, cute diminutive of Angela, Angelina or Angelica.

Names from the Writing of Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin, a nineteenth and twentieth century American writer, is most famous for The Awakening, an early feminist novel. Her writing speaks to a lot of women even today, as she explored the issues of marriage, love, and independence at a time when most women weren't allowed to be public. I'm very much a fan of her short stories and essays as well as the novel, and I'll admit, her mastery of names is what initially drew me in!

Chopin lived for a time in both St Louis, Missouri and New Orleans, Louisiana, and was exposed to all sorts of people and languages. The names in her stories speak to this experience: French, English, Creole, Spanish and more are represented.

You can find my original list on Nameberry - Literary Names by Kate Chopin - but I'll also paste them below.

What are your favorites?

Kate
Katherine
Edna
Robert
Léonce
Raoul
Etienne
Janet
Adele
Alphonse
Margaret
Alcée
Victor
Montel
Mariequita
Antoine
Tonie
Aline
Joe
James
Mortimer
Celestine
Ellen
Catiche
Celina
Philomel
Paula
Berta
George
Max
Eleanor
Charles
Kitty
Nellie
Mildred
Hans
Fred
Georgie
Henry
Meredith
Hannah
Horace
Bôbinot
Calixta
Ozéina
Fronie
Clarisse
Bruce
Desiree
Armand
Zandrine
Gustave
Zoraïde
Mézor
Gaston
Gouvernail
Octavie
Josephine
Brently
Aurelie
Odile
Elodie
Ti Nomme
Marceline
Marcelette
Ruby
Brantain
Nathalie
Athénaïse
Montéclin
Marie
Angelique
Felicité
Sylvie
Pousette
Juliette
Janie
Mag
Bibi
Charlotte
Pauline
Julia
Amanda
Irene
Fidelia
Charlie
Blossom
Aurendele
Demins
Nannouche
Maryllis
Xenophore
Firman
Clementine

Throwback Thursday #3: 100 Years of Names

How have first names changed over 100 years? The above charts only show us around 80 names out of the thousands that have been used for children in the US since the Social Security Administration began recording births in 1879. The two charts can't show us direct trends, popular names in between, or the context surrounding the shift. But I think, looking closely, we can make our own inferences, find parallels, and think about how names might change in the future. 

Let's start with the names found on both lists. For boys, William, James and Joseph feature on both; for girls, Elizabeth and Evelyn. Three of the five names are Hebrew in origin, the other two are Germanic. We can easily infer that Hebrew names are popular in the US because of the prevalence of Christianity - over 70% of Americans identify as Christian. William, Elizabeth, James and Joseph each have never dipped below the top 30, and have not trended one way or another. Evelyn, on the other hand, has plunged all the way down to #289, and is only recently trending upwards again. So, while the five names listed appear on both lists, only four are consistent - Evelyn is an outlier. 

On the boys' side, types of names have changed less - 5/20 names in 1914 were Biblical derivations, and 13/20 names in 2014 were Biblical derivations. Does this mean that Christianity is rising? That promoting the appearance of Christianity is increasing? Or, that as names become more secular and less attached to their original meanings, parents care less about origin and care more about sound? All but one of the names on the 1914 boys' list were Germanic or Hebrew - George is Greek. The 2014 list, on the other hand, includes more modern English names and even invented names - Jayden. Originality is definitely becoming more desirable. 

Now to the girls! Both sets of names show a higher variety of origins - Old English, Germanic, Hebrew, Latin, Roman and Greek names are represented in both lists. The girls' names include variants of one another as well: Mia, Mary and Marie; Elizabeth, Lillian and Isabella; Helen and Ella; Sofia and Sophia. The most popular first letters for both lists include E, M and A. So while, the origins may be more diverse, the ultimate names haven't changed too much. 

This post is much more academic than previous ones, so I'll stop while I'm ahead. What trends do you see? Based on this knowledge, can you predict what names we'll see rising up the charts? I think Maya and Lucy might be on their way. 

All You Need Are Beatles Names, Part One

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beatles Names - Part 2

Beatles Names - Part 3

And Your Bird Can Sing - Bird Names, Part Two

As products and behaviors go green these days, why not consider some nature-themed names? This avian monikers might work for your little one, to encourage them to spread their own wings and soar!

This is part two of "Bird Names", check out part one here! Again, I'm focusing on the symbolism and etymology of the names, as well as their connotations in pop culture.

And we're off!

Peregrine - from Latin peregrinus, "traveler, foreigner"
A highly underused name with historical roots, Peregrine was a name used by some early saints. It has an excellent meaning and a strong sound: the -in ending calls to mind names like Peyton or Madeline. While only listed for boys on Nameberry, I think this could just as well be an attractive unisex name (or middle name!)

Swan - from Proto-Germanic swanaz, "singer"
As far as bird connotations go, you can't do much better than Swan - beautiful, graceful and elegant describe these creatures to a T. And pop culture references are everywhere - from Swan Lake to Twilight's Bella Swann to Elizabeth Swan of Pirates of the Caribbean. This single syllable name will be memorable - but may provoke a few raised eyebrows.

Raven - from Old English hræfn
These days, the most popular Raven is Raven-Symone, star of her own eponymous Disney show. But it's already at number 507 in the US, so it's not entirely unheard of on the playground. Strong, bold and intelligent, this bird name is one that will age gracefully with your little one.

Dove - from Old English dufe, related to "dive"
Pretty, but it might be too soft for a first name. Like Love or Peace, keep this on as an understated middle name to soften a longer or more intense first one.

Rhea - from Greek Rhea, mother of Zeus
While always low in the top 1000, this name dropped off the list entirely in 2005 - but is it time for a comeback? There are plenty of reasons to consider Rhea today - the connection to a strong woman in Greek mythology; the similar sounds as Nia, Gia and Leah; its appearance in the culture of South American countries (it features on both Argentinean and Uruguayan money). I'd say Rhea could be an original but confident choice.

Kestrel - from Latin crepitacillium, "small rattle"
Incredibly rare - not on Nameberry, and only a tiny entry on Behind the Name - this might just be a personal name crush: I babysat a Kessel in college, and fell in love with the sound of his name! I don't think it's too far off from Kendall or Crystal, though. Another ends-in-L name to consider!

Heron - from Proto-Germanic hraigran
An excellent bird name with a connection to water, this might be the up-and-coming nature name you're looking for! With the popular bell-tone sound, this name will fit in one way but stand out in so many others. For one thing, it's got the word "hero" in it, but the -on ending will connect to cousins Landon or Hayden. It's also a great choice if you live near a body of water and want to honor your surroundings.

Let me know your opinions in the comments!

And Your Bird Can Sing - Bird Names, Part One

Hello, readers!

As more and more nouns are turned into names these days, it's only natural that we would seek out the animal kingdom for inspiration - Fox, Bear, and Fawn among the favorites. My personal favorite, however, are bird names!

This theme offers a wide realm of possibilities, and name fans everywhere can agree: check out Abby Sandel's excellent bird list - Fetching Names: Bird by Bird - and Kristen Gregg's Nameberry blog post - Bird Names: Avian options beyond Robin and Raven.

As for my own spin, I'm going to focus on the symbolic connotations of each bird name - what do we think of when we hear Hawk, Lark, or Robin? This will be the first in a series, since there are far too many bird names for just one post!

Disclaimer: a lot of sports teams use various birds as mascots, and that will definitely influence the reaction to little Oriole or Falcon's name. I won't be addressing this, partially because there are plenty of people who won't make the connection and mostly because I don't know enough about these teams to form an opinion...

Let's begin!

Birdie - "bird" (of course)
Another nickname name coming back into style, Birdie is cute but not very deep. It dropped off the top 1000 in 1948, but celebrities like Busy Philipps and Maura West haven't been deterred.

Falcon - from Latin falx, "curved blade"
Falcons are among the fastest animals on earth, and are known as formidable birds of prey. This is a very forceful name, which could work for a just-as-determined kid. 

Finch - from Old English finc, an imitation of its sound
Now that Atticus has been tabled, Finch could be a strong alternative. A common bird, this brings to mind friendliness and a down-to-earth attitude. I'd say it's a solid contender. 

Hawk - from Old English hafoc, "to seize"
Similar to Falcon, Hawk is powerful and concise. Keep in mind that "watch like a hawk," "hawk" as a verb, and "deficit hawk" all have rather stern meanings. 

Lark - from Old English lawerce, unknown meaning
A very light and happy name, Lark is great for any child born laughing. Historical symbology connects the lark to daybreak or new beginnings, more great connotations. 

Oriole - from Latin aureolus, "golden"
An excellent meaning, but a conflicted name. On the one hand, orioles are bright and beautiful, and a cute nickname could be Oreo. But a kid will have to expect a lot of double takes when introducing themselves. There are plenty of other names that mean "gold" that could work, check them out here.

Phoenix - from Latin
An ancient word, but a relatively new name - Phoenix hit the top 1000 in 1995 and has been steadily rising. Very cool and edgy, a mythical bird reborn from the ashes is a great name that speaks to growth and determination. 

Robin - from Robert, "bright fame"
A bird named for a human, this unisex avian name has been on the charts for decades. Robins have come to be associated with Christmas in recent years, but many will appreciate the pretty and natural feel of the name. 

Sparrow - from Old English spearwa, "small brown bird"
Sparrows are among the most recognized birds in the world, so I think this name could be great for a multi-culti kid. Like Finch, it's friendly, but much more beautiful. 

Wren - from Old English wrenna, meaning unknown
Very small birds, with bold songs and behavior, Wren is perfect for any bright personality. Interestingly, the wren's name in other languages speaks to royalty, due to its golden crest. On a personal note, reading the comic Baby Blues growing up was the first time I was introduced to the name, and I loved it right away. 

What do you think? Any other favorite bird names? Tell me in the comments!

Also, thanks to Online Etymology Dictionary, Wikipedia, and Name Voyager for the background info!

Throwback Thursday #1 - The I's have it

Hello followers! (or just my boyfriend and supportive friends)

This Throwback Thursday is brought to you by the letter I. Originally a very popular first letter, I-names declined significantly in the 1920's and 30's. Towards the 1980's and 90's, however, the I-names skyrocketed again. Check out this graph (thanks Baby Name Voyager!)

Right now, Isabella, Isaac, Isaiah and Isla (and variants) are topping the charts. But are there names from the past that might fit in nicely as well? Let's look at some of these vintage I-names (from the top 200 in 1890) and find out!

Girls

Ida - "industrious one"

Currently a favorite in Scandinavia, Ida could be a great alternative to the popular Ava and rising Isla. It dropped off the top 1000 entirely in 1984 - is it time for a comeback?

Inez - "pure, virginal"

Off the list for quite some time, this Latin variant of Agnes has resurfaced in recent pop culture - check out Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris or the recent musical Hairspray. The ending Z adds a zip, but this name might be too mature for a child to pull off. 

Irene - "peace"

With a beautiful meaning, this divine name has a very serene feel. There's also an historical Irene for every type: the actress Irene Dunne, the scientist Irene Joliot-Curie, the fictional Irene Adler (the only woman to outsmart Sherlock Holmes). 

Iva - "willow tree"

This name works well on its own, as a bright alternative to Ivy, or as a nickname for Ivonne or Ivanna. It would also work well with a long last name without being too short or plain. 

Ina - feminine name suffix

No meaning of its own, and somehow very lackluster next to Ida or Iva. Nickname possibility perhaps? Angelina, Katerina, and Marina are all examples of pretty names with popular nicknames - Ina could help a little girl stand out. 

Irma - "universal, complete"

Although it's got a great meaning, Irma still hasn't yet dropped its grandmotherly image. What popular name has the same meaning? Number one darling Emma, of course!

Boys

Ira - "watchful one"

With short Hebrew boy's names ending in A making a comeback - Noah, Ezra, Asa - Ira might fit in perfectly on the playground. NPR's Ira Glass and music's Ira Gershwin are popular namesakes. 

Irvin - "handsome"

Somehow incomplete, despite popularity over its brother name, Irving. I'd stick with Ivan. 

Irving - "green water"

There are quite a few historical Irving's, whether the name came first or last. More complete than Irvin, but it would take a lot of confidence to pull it off. 

What do you think? Are there I-names I didn't mention that you love? Did I totally mischaracterize a name? Tell me in the comments!

Literary Names #1 - The Secret Garden

For those of us who are both name fans and avid readers, fantasizing about naming your future kids after your favorite characters can be incredibly tempting. I mean, how cute would a little Hermione be? But to save a child from years of the same comments - "'Your parents are Harry Potter fans, huh?" - it can be a better idea to give a child an homage name, rather than a direct namesake.

In an effort to expand my interest in names, I've decided to flex my naming muscles and take on popular literature. For each "Literary Names" installment, I'll be taking characters from a book and updating their names as an homage. Let me know what you think!

Today's installment: The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Putting aside that fact that Frances is an adorable vintage name, this book was one of my favorites as a kid. There are also only a few main characters, which should make this first try doable. Let's begin!

Mary Lennox..... Mari Elowen
I didn't want to stray too far from Mary, which means "bitter" - an excellent adjective for the character at the beginning of the book, so I chose a Welsh variant of the name. As for Lennox, I considered the up-and-coming Lennon, but it was a bit too masculine to fit with Mari. Lennox translates to "place of elms" in Gaelic, so I looked up names that mean "elm" and found Elowen! I like that the n-ending grounds the name, being that Mari is so light. "MarI ELowen" also flows together nicely.

Colin Craven..... Cole Perrin
Colin itself is a fabulous name, but I chose another diminutive of Nicholas slightly behind it in popularity - Cole. Again, I looked up the meaning of the surname: Craven means "rocky place". Perrin is a diminutive of Peter, which means "rock".

Dickon Sowerby..... Rico Dumas
Much more Latin than the first two, I've continued the pattern: Rico is another diminutive of Richard, like Dickon. Dumas means "of the little farm", an homage to SOWERby. Dumas also allows for a second literary reference in addition to The Secret Garden - Alexandre Dumas is known for The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Martha Sowerby..... Mattie Leighton
The original name struck me as rather fussy, so I've made it more modern and tomboyish. Mattie is a diminutive of Martha that is currently at #958, while Leighton, which means "meadow town", comes in at #540. The name is also upbeat and friendly, like Martha's character.

Ben Weatherstaff..... Benjamin Robin
This is more of a guilty pleasure name than an homage, but Benjamin has always been a favorite. As for Robin! Ben Weatherstaff talks a bit about his "friend", a robin who hangs around him in the garden. Why not put the pair together in a name?

Archibald Craven..... Emery Mason
While Archie is climbing the charts, I still think of it as a name associated with fussy old men. Archibald, however, means "truly brave", so I chose another name with the same meaning, Emery. It's currently at #161 for girls and #687 for boys, and I think it works either way. Mason, while popular, isn't in use much as a middle name - it's strength is clear next to Emery.

What do you think? What would you do differently? And any suggestions for future books to try this out with?

I can see CLARE-ly now

Greetings, readers!

As some of you may know, today is the feast of the Catholic Saint Clare. No, I don't know saints' feast days by heart - but Clare just so happens to be the name of my favorite (and only) sister!

The family story goes that my parents once again couldn't decide on a name for their second child, so finally my dad - who had been holding out for Angela - caved and let my mom name my sister Clare Elise. At one point Anna Clare was thrown out as a possibility, but they nixed it because it sounds like the old song "On a Clear Day," or "Anna Clare Day."

As a consolation prize for caving, my dad was allowed to pick the spelling of Clare, and he chose the less common version, for the saint. Incidentally, this has meant that my sister has never been able to find her name on a souvenir mug or keychain, so there are tradeoffs for originality.

So, here are some beautiful Clare-related names - all stemming from the same meaning, "clear":

Clare: The original spelling of a beautiful name. My personal favorite, though I'm biased. The name is currently at number 723 for girls. It was used for boys as well, until the early 1940s when it dropped off the top 1000. Short with a long A like Blaine and Chace, this name could come back for boys, I think.

Claire: The French version of the name and the most popular, currently at number 44. It's been steadily rising since the 1970s, so don't expect your child to be the only Claire in the room. Excellent for parents who want a name that crosses Europe and North America easily.

Clara: Currently at number 108 and climbing fast, this name is getting popular for its cross-cultural appeal and vintage feel. There are quite a few famous Clara's in history - check them out on Nameberry!

Clarissa: Incidentally another family name, Clarissa is a fantastic alternative to the popular Melissa, Marissa or Vanessa. It also has a great literary connection - Clarissa Dalloway is the main character in Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway, later played by Meryl Streep in The Hours. Clarissa is currently at number 765.

Chiara: The Italian version, and the name Saint Clare went by, isn't even on the top 1000 (those of you looking for something unusual, consider this name). Pronounced kee-AR-ah, it may be difficult to explain in the US. Spelling variation Kiara (of Lion King 2 fame) is on the list at number 353. Italian names are trending - Isabella, Mia, Sofia - so this name might just be ahead of the curve.

Sinclair: Meaning "from the town of St. Claire", this unisex name is literary and almost unheard of - almost. Definitely preppy, but very cute.

Final Clare factoid - my sister believed for most of her childhood that her middle name was Bear, as in Clare Bear. It wasn't until she was around double digits that she was taught her true middle name - Elise. How cute is that!

Name Reference Sites

Here are some of my favorite sites to use when looking up names, meanings, and statistics!

Nameberry - My favorite baby name website, it has a fantastic, beautiful interface with interesting articles posted daily. Name information includes origin, famous people with the name, nicknames, related names, and comments for each. It's always my first stop when I hear a new name!

Behind the Name - This site is excellent or looking up origins, especially for obscure names not found on your average baby name site. They have excellent statistics by country, and really in-depth backstories for names. They also have a related site just about last names!

Social Security - Baby Names - The SSA collects the top 1000 names in the USA every year, which feeds statistics on most baby name websites. You can search by year, name, decade, etc. Not super user-friendly, but if there are statistics, this is the place to find them.

Baby Name Wizard - Name Voyager - This incredible interactive online graph lets you compare name popularity and statistics, search by beginning letters, and more! Want to see which decade had the most J-names? Or see whether the "El" beginning of names is on the decline? Check it out here!

Appellation Mountain - This site is run by Abby Sandel, a contributor to Nameberry and a professional name consultant. She puts up excellent lists, names of the day, and more!

What are your favorite name sites? Tell me in the comments!

Hello there!

So I've been inspired by Appellation Mountain and Nameberry to create my own name blog, where I'll post cool name ideas, name origin stories and the like. Hopefully this will be cool and not at all weird or narcissistic. Hopefully.

To start: my name is Emily Grace. I was born in 1992, when Emily was at number 7 and Grace was at number 127. My parent's hadn't known that Emily was so popular, and to be honest it was the only name they could agree on. My dad tended towards Barbara or Lisa, and my mom tended towards Celeste or Quinn. My middle name comes from a play both my parents acted in prior to my birth, "Amazing Grace," as well as the fact that my mom's name means "grace" (I'll talk more about family names in a later post).

I really like my name, despite its popularity - it hit #1 in 1996 but is now back at #7 - and despite its meaning - "rival", which to me is a little negative. It would explain my competitiveness, though.

I really do believe that a person's name can tell you a lot about them - from when and where they were born, to the types of parents they had, to the experiences with it they had growing up. Those who pick their own names often have a story of why, too. Ultimately, when I eventually name my own children, I hope to have a knowledge of names that will help me pick something fitting. (And if they want to choose a new name later, maybe they'll let me help).

Do you know your name story? Do you like your name or wish it could be something else? What's your current favorite name? Tell me in the comments!