Top Baby Names in Estonia

Tere lugejad!

Today we have another installment in my Global Names series! In the past, I've looked at Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Israel, and Russia - but now we'll be looking at names from a slightly smaller nation.

I've chosen a few names from each gender's top 25 list from 2014 - not too many nations have released official 2015 lists yet, so hang tight! I'll also be including any relative English equivalents, for clarity's sake. 

I've also already reviewed some of the other names (Artem, Kirill, Arina) in the top 25 - check out the Swedish and Russian lists if you're interested in similar names!

Source: Top 25 Estonian Names

Female Names

Lisandra - Millicent, Melisande, or Lysander

Currently at #5 in Estonia, this long and feminine name was only given to 15 baby girls in the US in 2014. But there are plenty of reasons Lisandra should be more popular: the aural cadence like Samantha and Amanda, the honorific possibilities for Lisa or Andrea, and the substantial meaning- "strong in work".

Mirtel - Myrtle

A botanical name that isn't Lily, Rose, or Violet? Sign me up! While the English version is still a little dated, the Estonian spelling seems softer and more amicable to nicknames - Mira or Tilly, for instance. And given that it's never been recorded in US name data, the odds of running across another little Mirtel on this side of the Atlantic are highly unlikely. 

Milana

Meaning "from Milan", this name is already rising in the US - at #762 in 2014. Milana's melodic sound and M-beginning help it fit in with other popular names, but somehow this name seems more classic. It's also a great alternative to trendy Mila, Amelia, and Melanie. Sister name Milan is even higher on the charts, for fans of London and Paris. 

Lenna - Lena or Leona

Pronounced like Jenna, this name can also be considered a more feminine alternative to Lennon. It definitely has more of a Scandinavian aura, but works cross-culturally for a variety of languages. Personally, I'm more of a Lena fan, but Lenna is too interesting to pass up!

Marleen - Marlene

While the English equivalent can be pronounced Mar-LEEN or Mar-LEE-Na, the Estonian name is the former. I'm a huge fan of Marlene, especially because it's a combination of Mary and Magdalene, two infinitely intriguing women in the Christian faith. And while Marleen was more popular in the 1940's and 1950's, the similarities to cute Marley can't be ignored. 

Male Names

Rasmus - Erasmus 

This name means "beloved", and it's topping the charts in northern European countries - why hasn't the US gotten ahold of Rasmus yet?! There are dozens of incredibly cool namesakes, the sound is close to Russell, Amos, and Roman, and it's virtually unknown in the states. With or without the E-beginning, this name is a fantastic choice. 

Romet 

While I can't find a definitive meaning/origin for the name, it seems to be close to the Estonian word for "joy". I think this name could definitely fit in with current trends - the -et ending like Everett or Bennett, the Rom-beginning like Rome or Roman, and the easy pronunciation. You might raise a few eyebrows, but I much prefer Romet to Rocket!

Maksim - Maxim

I included Maksim not because it's an unusual name, but because the Estonian spelling is unusual. For those who like creative spellings, this one has a linguistic base! Maxim means "greatest" and is currently on the top 1000 in the United States. 

Marten - Martin

This is another less-heard spelling for a popular name, but with a twist: for fans of Fox and Bear, a marten is a ferret-like animal native to the northern hemisphere.  If you're looking for a nature name that doesn't belong in a zoo, why not Marten? It also means "warlike", and could honor a familial Martin. 

Sander - Alexander

A cute diminutive that sounds like an occupational name, Sander fits well next to Sawyer or Sailor. It means "defending men", and has a friendly, down-to-earth quality about it. A personal plus is that it could be an homage to my favorite presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders!

Tell me your picks in the comments!

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"

Literary Names: The Odyssey

Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns, driven time and again off course...

The man referred to above is literary idol Odysseus, whose story is still taught in high schools across the country and referenced in hundreds of books and films - including one of my favorites, O Brother Where Art Thou? Today we'll be looking at just a few of the names of characters in his epic journey.

Odysseus

While some etymologies of this name list the meaning as "hate" or "wrath", the Odyssey itself lists the meaning as "trouble" - and one would really have trouble either wearing or pronouncing Odysseus. His character, however, is a persevering, brave warrior delayed by divine circumstances. The variation Ulysses or Ulises (in the top 1000) is a bit more usable, especially with the namesake Ulysses S. Grant, US general and president. 

Penelope

Another name of uncertain meaning - either "weaver" or "duck". But Penelope is infinitely more wearable. In the epic, she's the faithful wife of Odysseus who fends off suitors and raises her son alone while waiting for her husband to return from war. Today, this feminine name is in the top 50 in the US, and only slightly less popular in England and Australia. There are also quite a few nicknames and variations to choose from: Penny, Nell, and Poppy, for example. 

Athena

The Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena is Odysseus' personal guardian throughout his troubles in the Homeric epic. As a name, Athena is fantastic - the a-ending and beginning help it fit in with Arianna, Alyssa, etc; the meaning is strong and inspiring; and the namesake is a literal divinity. I'm definitely a fan (and not just because it's also rife with pop culture references!)

Calypso

Meaning "she who hides", Calypso's character in the Odyssey is that of a lovesick nymph who tricks Odysseus into staying with her for seven years - so not super positive. However, the name itself holds a lot of possibilities: the reference to Calypso music, the nicknames Cal or Callie, and the completely unique sound and spelling. Other trivia: her father is Atlas, and her symbol is a dolphin. 

Tiresias

I include this name in the list because of the aural similarities to Tyrese and Tyson, both in the top 1000 over the past 10 years. In the epic, Tiresias is the prophet of Apollo who meets Odysseus in his journey to the underworld. According to some sources, his name means "seer" or "sign", which is very auspicious. Of course, there are plenty of nicknames that go along with Tiresias too!

Eumaeus

Always on the lookout for E-names, Eumaeus stood out to me because of its many vowels - with names like Noah and Aaliyah at the top of the charts, I predict the vowel-heavy names will get longer! In the Odyssey, Eumaeus is a loyal shepherd and friend to Odysseus who helps him reclaim his throne (spoilers, sorry). While this name might not be modern enough, there might be some other Eu-names that could make a comeback: Euphemia, Eulalia, or Euan.

Telemachus
Meaning "far from battle", this name is also a mouthful. But the devoted son of our noble hero Odysseus is a great namesake, and there are quite a few nickname possibilities: Tel, Mac, Clem (?). Established names that sound the same include Theophilus, Thelonius, or Timotheus. Other warlike names include Marcus, Ptolemy, and Arrio.

Poseidon
Odysseus' greatest enemy throughout the epic, the god Poseidon throws obstacle after obstacle in front of him throughout the Odyssey. However, the god of the sea has an aurally appealing name that would fit in with the current -don names, like Brandon or Jadon. I'm a little skeptical of Poseidon, because unlike Athena, it seems to be associated only with the divinity. But if your child has a confident nature, Poseidon might hit all the right notes.

Circe
Her name sounds perfectly formed to stand on its own while fitting in with trends like Sydney or Sierra. But her character leaves much to be desired: like Calypso, she tricked Odysseus into staying with her for a year before returning to his wife and son. Still, this goddess of magic is mentioned in all sorts of stories, and Circe is more complicated than Homer makes her out to be.

Alcinous
Meaning "mighty mind", Alcinous is an interesting character to inspire a name. In the Odyssey, he helps Odysseus return to his wife and son; in the story of Jason and the Argonauts, he protects Jason's wife Medea. As a name, Alcinous may be hard to swallow, so similar-meaning alternatives might be a better bet: Aydin, Akira, or Hugo.

Are any of these names totally unusable? What about Homer? Tell me what you think in the comments!

Names from How to Get Away with Murder

Hello, readers!

After binge-watching seasons one and two, I'm officially addicted to the Viola Davis mystery-drama How to Get Away with Murder. It's funny, smart, and jaw-dropping - but don't worry, I won't be posting any spoilers below!

I'll be looking at the names of the ten main characters (the actors are shown above). But since this drama is full of guest stars, these names aren't the only ones to watch out for!

Sidenote: Why isn't Viola more popular? It's gorgeous. 

Annalise Keating

Now firmly in the top 500, Annalise has been moving slowly up the popularity list since its debut in 1997. It's originally a combination of Anna and Elizabeth, two very popular names, but the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts - Annalise is sophisticated, elegant, and smart. 

Nate Lahey

While full names Nathan and Nathaniel are in the top 100, diminutive Nate isn't on the top 1000 at all. It's a fantastic nickname-name, like Jack or Liam, and not too far from the adorable Tate. Nate's lovely meaning is "gift from God". 

Wes Gibbins

Another nickname-name, Wes has become more visible recently thanks to various athletes and two major film directors, Wes Anderson and Wes Craven. It can be short for Wesley or Westcott (?) - this name on its own isn't quite as substantial as Nate. But it's positively posh!

Connor Walsh

This name has been in the top 100 since 1992, and I think it's long overdue for an update. Connor means "lover of hounds" - try Madden, Madigan, or Connelly for a similar meaning. If you like the sound, check out Casper, Collier, or Casimir. 

Michaela Pratt

The original spelling Michaela is now seen everywhere as Mikayla, McKayla, etc. The original spelling is more classic and honorific, but like Connor, its sound is a little overused. Alternatives include Mila, Magnolia, or Marisol. 

Asher Millstone

As a fan of Hebrew names, Asher has always been a crush - this is also the name of the main character's best friend in The Giver. It means "happy" and the sound is just as uplifting. Of course, both Asher and Ashton are in the top 200, so it's far from unique. 

Laurel Castillo

With Laura and Lauren finally declining, it might be time for a new Laur-name to take the spotlight. This names is also nature-related, with the laurel tree being associated with victory and success. Laurel is also almost nickname-less, for any purists out there!

Frank Delfino

This retro nickname-name is very cute, and might be on the rise with the popularity of Pope Francis. It's also likely to be somewhere in your family (statistically) if you're looking to honor your ancestry! Frank means "Frenchman", and is also a word name meaning "earnest". 

Bonnie Winterbottom

While "My Bonny Lies over the Ocean" is playing in my head, this name is far from associated to any one item. It means "pretty" and has a full, melodic sound. And there are plenty of Bonnie's, real and imagined, in history - take your pick of a namesake!

Rebecca Sutter

A Biblical name that has never left the top 200, Rebecca is classic and feminine. But there might be more unique options out there to differentiate your little one: Rebel, Revka, River, or Ruby, for example. Rebecca means "servant of God".

Tell me your favorite names in the comments! And are there any shows you're watching that merit a name review?

Happy Birthday, Sterling Holloway!

Hello, readers!

Today I'm celebrating the birthday of Sterling Holloway, one of the most well-known Disney voice actors of the mid-20th century. He passed away in 1992, but his characters will live on forever in the hearts of his audiences.

Here are the names of some of his most popular characters - would they work for a child today?

Sterling
Meaning "silver penny" or "high quality", this retro name has been shooting back up the popularity list. It's currently at #508 - not bad for such a unique-sounding name! There are plenty of fictional and real-life namesakes other than Mr. Holloway - even Mad Men had a Sterling or two. 

Waldo
It's got the trendy o-ending and a long history, but it may not be able to shake the Where's Waldo? connotation. Waldo means "to rule", and was also writer Ralph Emerson's middle name (what a fun literary sibset!) If your child has the confidence, though, Waldo could be magnificent.

Flower
If Lily and Violet are too mainstream, why not try a direct nature name? The cute nickname Flo is also a plus. It's also been rarely seen in name data - 5 babies were named Flower in 2013, but less than that in 2014. It would also make a daring middle choice!

Winnie
Holloway was the original voice of the favorite children's character, Winnie the Pooh. Winnie dropped off the official top 1000 in the 1950's, but has seen a comeback recently in celebrity baby naming. It's a great nickname for a variety of longer names, too - Gwyneth, Winifred, etc. 

Buck
Although the short and strong sound gives this name a lot of oomph, the rhyming possibilities make it all but totally unusable. Try Brock, Tucker, Burke, or Jack.

Let me know what you think of these names in the comments!

Saturday Jams: Hey There DELILAH

Songs for the lovely, euphonic Delilah!

"Hey There Delilah", Plain White T's, 2005

"Delilah", Tom Jones, 1968

"Delilah", Florence + the Machine, 2015

"Delilah", Queen, 1991

"Delilah", Blake Shelton, 2010

"Delilah", The Dresden Dolls, 2006

New Years' Day Names

Happy New Year, readers!

I hope 2016 is good to every one of you! I, for one, could use a new start and a new philosophy. Tell me your New Year's resolutions (name-related or not) in the comments!

Naveen - "new"

Disney's Princess and the Frog brought this name to our collective consciousness, but only 45 boys and 31 girls were named Naveen last year - if you're looking for uniqueness, here it is! Naveen is Hindi, and works well cross-culturally for any US baby. 

Neo - "new"

Another name made popular by movies, but this time it's the sci-fi classic The Matrix. It's slowly rising for boys, but it isn't nearly as trendy as Leo or Noah. I think Neo could also be a cool nickname for a New Year's baby, first names aside. It's origin is Latin. 

Nova - "new"

This celestial name is concise but holds great power - associating your baby with a bright star isn't a bad way to start off the year. Nova is also a retro name made cool again, and it's steep rise up the charts in recent years shows that it's not going anywhere. 

Zera - "seeds" or "beginnings"

A Z name I haven't seen before, Zera (pronounced ZEH-rah) is a cool, confident name that any little girl could pull off. I like it's closeness to Vera, but the visual connection to Zero might be problematic for some (or a positive!)

January - month name, from the Roman god Janus

I reviewed this name in my Winter Names a few weeks back, but it's too relevant to pass up for a New Year's post. Janus is the god of beginnings, so naming a child in his honor fits with the New Year's theme. Janan is also in this name family!

Harish - "lord of monkeys"

From a Hindi name that also refers to the god Vishnu, I thought including a monkey post for the Year of Monkey was pertinent. Harish has been used on and off since the 1970's, and its closeness to Harrison or Hamish will help it fit in.