Names for a New Year

Hello, readers!

The concept of celebrating a "new year" varies greatly around the globe - the Chinese New Year is based on lunar cycles, the Jewish New Year is observed in the autumn, and the Thai New Year is celebrated from April 13-15. Still, it's nice to set aside time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the year ahead, no matter where you are. For babies born in January, choosing a name that reflects this celebration is one way to start the new year - and a new life - off right.

Image via Wikimedia

Baby "New" Year

Just hearing the word "new" calls to mind modernity and freshness - look at any advertisement with the word, and it's usually followed by an exclamation point! Including the word in a name is one immediate way to encapsulate this excitement; names include Newton, Newland, and Newman. Other names with the sound often include the Latin root novus, such as Nova, Novella, or Novak. 

If you're looking for less obvious choices, names that mean "new" or "fresh" are all over the map. Check out these names for ideas: Arata, Aviva, Naveen, Neo, Nouvel, Raanan, and Zelenka. Though they may take a bit more explaining in the United States, all are lovely choices worth the effort!

Father Time

Marking the passage of time is another way to bring the new year into naming. Choosing names like Winter, Day, Afternoon, Dawn, Evening, or January offers a clear connection to this theme; looking up names with those meanings is another, more subtle option. The Greek zodiac sign for December 22 - January 22 is Capricorn, which could add another element to the name search!

Another way to honor time is by looking at the past year. Are there family members, friends, or role models whose presence was particularly strong this year? Are there celebrities who passed away who made a special impact on your life or your family? Names of individuals in this category for 2016 could include Bowie, Prince, Fisher, Wilder, Cohen, and Harper. 

2017

And onto the year ahead! Though 2016 was almost too much too handle at times, it has made a lot of people optimistic and determined to create a better 2017. Let's look at names specific to THIS new year: 

• In the Chinese New Year, 2017 is the Year of the Rooster! Fowl names honoring this could include Gallus, Pavana, or Poe. 
• The first total solar eclipse of this century will take place in 2017 - names like Sunny, Elio, Apollonia, Ravi, and Soleil relate to the sun. 
• What are you looking forward to? Tell me in the comments!

I Miss Debbie Reynolds - Her Best Character Names

Hello, readers!

Because this sh*tstorm of a year isn't bad enough, within a day of losing Carrie Fisher, film audiences lost another icon - her mother, Debbie Reynolds. A talented actress and entertainer, Reynolds amazed many generations of filmgoers, from her roles in Singin' in the Rain to Charlotte's Web to Halloweentown. And of course, among these roles, we have some great names to consider!

Kathy Selden
Reynolds was only nineteen when she played Kathy Selden in the classic musical, Singin' in the Rain. The name Kathy reached its popularity peak only a few years after the film was released, rising to #14 in 1958. Today, long form Katherine is favored, with Katie and Kaylee among beloved variants.

Julie Gillis
In 1955, Debbie played Julie in The Tender Trap, another musical comedy - but this time, with Frank Sinatra! The name Julie rose over the following decades, but has been on the decline. If Julia and Juliana are too common for you, look at July or Julianne.

Polly Parish
The musical comedies continue - Bundle of Joy was filmed while Reynolds was pregnant with Fisher. The name Polly hasn't ranked on the top 1000 since 1977, despite it's similarities to Holly and Molly. This adorable retro nickname for Mary could definitely make a comeback!

Tammy
A mid-century choice, Debbie played the title character in the film Tammy and the Bachelor. Today, a familial Tammy may be better honored by Tamara, Tamsin, or Tamayo. The name Tammy comes from the Hebrew word for "date palm tree."

Lilith Prescott
The classic western film How the West Was Won brought us Debbie Reynolds as Lilith Prescott. Though Lily names are the current trend, Lilith only ranks at #588 - possibly due to its association with a demon in Jewish mythology.

Margaret "Molly" Brown
The Unsinkable Molly Brown brought Reynolds her only Oscar nomination for portraying a real-life survivor of the Titanic sinking. Though Molly has long been a nickname for Mary, it's also been used sporadically as a nickname for any M-name.

Charlotte
In 1973, Reynolds voiced the title character in Charlotte's Web, the animated film based on E.B. White's children's book. Charlotte is a literary favorite, appearing in all sorts of books dating from the nineteenth century forward. Today, Charlotte has settled into the top 10, and may rise to the top 5 soon - thanks to the little princess across the pond.

Agatha "Aggie" Cromwell
Everyone's favorite witchy grandmother, Debbie Reynolds joined the Disney Channel Original Movie family in 1998 with Halloweentown. Though Agatha has long been regarded as a less-than-attractive choice, it's getting more followers who love its offbeat yet feminine vibe.

Bobbi Adler
Portraying a semi-fictional version of herself, Debbie played Grace's mom Bobbi in Will & Grace over the span of a few seasons. Boyish classics like Billie and Bobbie (with the ending e) have been rediscovered for girls in the UK, but haven't quite yet reached the US.

Frances
One of her final film roles, Reynolds played Liberace's mother Frances in Behind the Candelabra. Frances is also her middle name (she was born Mary Frances Reynolds) and her daughter Carrie's middle name. This beautiful choice is rising quickly, thanks partially to the 100-year-rule.

Are there particularly beautiful names I missed? Debbie Reynolds had dozens of film roles not listed here. Tell me in the comments!

I Miss Carrie Fisher - Her Best Character Names

Hello, readers!

Sadly, this week we lost a great actress, writer, and activist - Carrie Frances Fisher. From her early iconic role as Princess Leia in Star Wars to her recent advocacy for mental health education, she's been a fantastic cultural figure and inspiration to women and girls everywhere. As a name nerd, I figure the best way that I can honor her is to make her the focus of a name article!

Carrie

Alright, so it's not a character name. Carrie was born to actors Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds in 1956, at which time the name ranked #208. Carrie left the top 1000 in 2007, but could make a comeback, especially in the next year. 

Lorna

Her first movie role was Lorna, the daughter of two main characters in Shampoo. The name is a literary invention from the nineteenth century, and it ranked in the US throughout the twentieth century. Despite its similarities to Lauren and Laura, it never garnered similar popularity. 

Leia Organa

While audiences were introduced to this Star Wars name back in the 1970's, Leia's popularity only rocketed in the past decade. With names like Lily and Layla so enticing, Leia was bound to follow! The name is still rising and will probably get a boost in 2017, but it will take awhile to find out for sure.

Annie Clark

Carrie played Annie in Under the Rainbow, a 1981 comedy with Chevy Chase. While Annie ranked in the top 10 in the 1880's, it was surpassed by more formal names - and delegated to nickname status. Today, Annie is an adorable, retro choice - not unlike Carrie!

Paula 

Starring alongside Tom Hanks in the comedy-thriller The Man with One Red Shoe, her character name of Paula is a mid-century standard. While Paula may not be ready to return to birth certificates, similar-sounding Paulina, Paulette, and Paloma are cute options for baby girls today. 

April
Still in the top 500, April is a bright and friendly name perfect for springtime babies. The name comes from the Latin for "second," and counts sisters May and June as sweet, timely alternatives. Carrie Fisher played April in the Woody Allen classic, Hannah and Her Sisters.

Carol Peterson
Another comedy-thriller with Tom Hanks, The 'Burbs gives us Carrie Fisher as Carol Peterson. Carol is another mid-century name not yet ripe for revival - try Caroline, Charlotte, or Cora for a more contemporary take.

Marie
The quintessential French female name and a popular middle name for Americans, Marie is currently at one of its lowest points. Carrie played Marie in When Harry Met Sally (one of my favorite films), transforming from an insecure mistress into a strong and supportive wife and friend.

Angela 
Carrie voiced Angela in Family Guy over a ten-year span, proving her acting abilities extended into animated comedy. Angela is currently on it's way out after a long career in the spotlight, but longer variations Angelina and Angelica are still in use.

Rosemary Howard
Emmy-nominated for her guest role in 30 Rock, Carrie Fisher played comedy writer Rosemary Howard, Liz Lemon's hero. On the rise again, this botanical choice is at once vintage and vivacious, perfect for a modern girl. Rosemary also signifies remembrance - an excellent choice to remember an excellent woman.

What are your favorite Carrie Fisher roles? Any of these names on your list of favorites? Tell me in the comments!

Suspending Disbelief - The Accuracy of TV Show Names

Hello, readers!

Many of you (my family members included) may be big fans of Law & Order - Special Victim's Unit: over 8 million viewers watch the show regularly. Me? I can't get past the first name of the main character, Olivia Benson. Her character was born in 1967, towards the low point of the name's popularity (then #512). While it's possible a baby girl born at that time would have been named Olivia, it's much more probable that she would have been a Lisa, Jennifer, or Michelle. But then again, television shows often take liberties with character names!

I suppose that if statistics were the only factor in naming television characters, we'd see a lot more Jennifer's - and every man would be named Michael. But at the same time, it can be hard to believe that an adult character has a name that wasn't common until recently.

I'll admit that Olivia is more common than Mariska, at the very least - but how well do other television shows fare when naming their main characters? Let's look at some examples!

That 70's Show - A

"What a long strange trip it's been... in Foreman's basement." This love letter to the late 1970's brought teenage Boomer culture to Gen Xers and Millennials alike. Main characters Eric Foreman, Donna Pinciotti, Steven Hyde, Jacqueline Burkhart, and Michael Kelso also have the distinction of wearing statistically probable names - all first names were in the top 100 in 1960, around the year their characters would have been born. Why no + after the A? Dear sweet Fez never has his true name revealed!

The Big Bang Theory - B

One of the highest-rated television comedies in recent years, this gem has welcomed guest stars from Neil DeGrasse Tyson to Stephen Hawking - hardly comedic masterminds. But the lovable nerdiness of its five original stars (and two subsequent additions) has kept this science-oriented show in the spotlight. First names at play include Sheldon, Howard, Leonard, Rajesh, Penny, Bernadette, and Amy.

Though their ages range a bit, the only character whose birth year is given is Howard - 1981. Going off that year, I was surprised to find that five out of seven names have similar popularity levels, ranking between #208 and #517. Though these names weren't popular, these characters have more in common than just proximity and academic interests. The two outliers are Amy, at #6, and Rajesh, off the list entirely. While I wasn't able to find name data for India (where Rajesh was born), Amy's popularity definitely lends itself to the show's accuracy.

Friends - C

A cultural touchstone of the 1990's and early 2000's, Friends rocketed six actors to stardom and still appears in writings on television criticism. The term "friend zone" first appeared in an episode of the show, and lines like "How you doin'?" and "Unagi!" are now popular references. The six characters are as follows: Chandler Bing, Phoebe Buffay, Rachel Green, Monica Geller, Ross Geller, and Joey Tribbiani.

While Joseph, Monica, and Rachel rank in the top 100 for the year 1968 - the year in which most characters were born - Ross ranks at #245, and Chandler and Phoebe don't even appear in the top 1000. While this could be due to their characters having uncommon parentage, the white, middle-class success they exhibit seems a bit unlikely. Incidentally, both Chandler and Phoebe jumped noticeably in popularity after Friends debuted in 1994, and both names are well-used today.

How I Met Your Mother - D

While the show garnered mixed reviews from fans and critics alike - especially when it aired the series finale - it was still incredibly popular during its run: between 8 and 11 million viewers tuned in every season. The antics of Barney, Lily, Marshall, Ted, and Robin have given rise to countless Internet memes, as well as memorable quotations - "Challenge accepted," "Suit up," and "Legen-wait for it-dary!"

The character names are all over the map, from popular Robin to incredibly rare Barney. Lily barely makes the top 1000, and Marshall and Ted are middling. I'm giving the show a low score, because there doesn't seem to be a trend or theme in naming - almost like the names were picked out of a (gargantuan) hat.

How do your favorite shows rank? Does a main character's name affect your enjoyment? Tell me in the comments!

Names from Narnia - Aslan, Caspian and more

Hello, readers!

The holiday season is truly upon us, and with food and celebration comes another of my favorite winter elements - the culture! The stories, songs and art associated with winter and the holidays are so unique: "Christmas Songs" are their own genre.

While it's not exactly a holiday series, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis, are often brought up this time of year. Perhaps it's because of the long winter in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, or because of the Christian themes in the series. So today's post will look at some of the names in the series - all recorded in US name data between 1880 and 2015.

These names range from English classics to total inventions - let's explore!

Narnia
In 2006, six little girls were given the name Narnia, following the late 2005 release of the film The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. While this is a level of bookish devotion I may never achieve, I do like the sound of the name - not unlike Nora or Nina. The fictional land was named after a small city in Italy, Narni - whose most famous resident, incidentally, was Blessed Lucy Brocadelli.

Aravis
A female character in The Horse and His Boy, Aravis has been used a handful of times for little girls since 2005. There's a real-life mountain range in France with the name, but it's still an incredibly rare find. It's like Avery, Aria, or Alexis without feeling too trendy or hopelessly inaccessible.

Aslan
If Leo isn't your style, why not try another leonine name - Aslan (Turkish for "lion")? It's been growing in popularity since the 1970's, and fits well with modern boys' name trends. While it may raise a few eyebrows, Aslan is bound to make a positive impression with such a magnificent fictional namesake.

Bree
Breezy and bright, Bree is a fresh, concise alternative to declining Briana and faddish Brielle. It's originally a short form of Bridget, but in The Horse and His Boy, it's short for Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah. While Bree has been on and off the top 1000, it's currently off, making it a perfect choice for those who want something recognizable but not trendy.

Caspian
Both a beautiful inland sea and a dashing heroic prince, Caspian has a lot of positive connotations. With its handsome sound and amicable tone, it's also growing in popularity - 103 boys born last year were named Caspian. Other names with this feeling include Crispin and Casper.

Edmund
One of the less-common "Ed" names, this English classic is sweet and boyish, but ages well with its wearer. It means "fortunate protector," and could make a great alternative to Edward or Eden. There are dozens of Edmund's throughout history who would make excellent namesakes, from the first man to climb Everest to a handful of saints.

Eustace
"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb and he almost deserved it." This opening line from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader shows us that even in 1952, Eustace was a thing of the past. The name hasn't ranked on the top 1000 since 1885, though it has a lovely meaning - "fruitful."

Jadis
The name of the infamous White Witch of the series, Jadis is incredibly sophisticated and cool. It can be thought of as an updated version of Jade or Jasmine, though the name may come from the Persian word jadu, meaning "magic." Jadis has been used for both boys and girls since 1999.

Lucy
At #55 in the US, Lucy is the most popular name on this list. Lucy Pevensie, of Narnia fame, is only one of the many literary Lucy's that have inspired this trend, as well as it's retro sound and friendly vibe. Lucy means "light," and isn't it fitting that Lucy Pevensie was the first of the children to reach the lampost? Longer forms include Lucia, Lucille, and Lucinda.

Polly
Another vintage find, but this time with fewer fans - Polly hasn't been on the top 1000 since 1977. However, it's been growing very slowly since the early 2000's - could it make a comeback? It's pretty and peppy, in the same vein as Sadie or Molly. It's also been on the rise in the UK, along with similar-sounding Poppy.

Shasta
A Native American people and place name, Shasta has been used for girls since 1926 - though the character in the Narnia series is male. It briefly ranked in the late 1970's and early 1980's, but has fallen in usage. It could be a lovely alternative to Dakota or Cheyenne, if your name tastes tend towards honoring Native American peoples.

Tirian
The last king of Narnia, Tirian transcends what could be a tyrannical name. It shouldn't be confused with Tyrion, of Game of Thrones, or Tirion, of the Lord of the Rings series - I'm sensing a pattern here. Tirian was used for six boys in 2008, but it's doubtful that the name will gain many more mainstream fans - unless an inevitable reboot mixes things up!

Other excellent names from the series include the following: Corin, Digory, Emeth, Frank, Glozelle, Helen, Hwin, Jill, Miraz, Peter, Rabadash, Ramandu, Rilian, Susan, Tumnus

Tell me your favorites in the comments!

Thankful Names

Hello, readers!

This week the United States celebrates Thanksgiving; though it's hard not to be cynical about it, taking time to be thankful for what we have and who we spend our lives with is a worthy tradition. So, in this year of trials and tribulations, let's look at the good people and parts of our life that make us truly happy.

Here are some names from around the world that mean "thankful."

Thankful

Alright, so this name may be a bit on the nose. Thankful was actually a not-uncommon name in Puritan communities, where virtue names flourished (Emily Dickinson had multiple Thankful's in her family). Today, it may not work as seamlessly, but check out some related options below. 

Shakir

Also spelled Shaqir, this Arabic name was first recorded in the US in 1971. It's highest rate of usage was in 1993 - around the same time Shakira started getting popular in the states. The Colombian singer definitely had an impact on this name, so the male form may feel more unique and less iconic. 

Jadon

Though origin stories differ, some sites list this mega-popular name as coming from the Hebrew word for "thankful." Jadon and it's dozen spellings have dominated the top 1000 for awhile, replacing John, Jason, and Justin. What will the next J---n name be? (Jefferson has my vote!)

Zendaya

This Disney Channel star single-handedly brought her lovely Z-name to the top 1000 - it debuted in 2014, and now ranks at #801 and rising. Zendaya means "to give thanks" in the Shona language (spoken in regions of south-central Africa). Another name from this origin? Tendai. 

Zikomo

Only recorded in the United States once - five babies in 1978 - this name from Malawi's Yao language is another zippy choice with personality and promise. Being that it's so rare, it may raise a few eyebrows - but families with a Yao background may find Zikomo inspiring. 

Merci

Rising in popularity for the past few years, Merci is a creative spelling of virtue name Mercy - but it's also French for "thank you." It's a fun twist on multiple names, from mid-century Marcy to pretty Marisol to the aforementioned Mercy, and may work well for a quirky individual. 

Tell me what you're thankful for in the comments!

Top Baby Names in Belgium

Hallo, lezers!

After a rather long and unintended hiatus, I'm back to posting articles on global names. Today, we'll be looking at the top baby names in Belgium (specifically Flanders). This is the Dutch region of the country, home to Brussels and Antwerp. They're also known for their chocolate!

I'll be looking at seven names from each gender that are popular in Belgium (in the top 50) but uncommon in the United States. I'm taking my data from Baby Name Wizard's lists - for Belgian boys and Belgian girls. This data is from 2014. 

Laten we gaan!

Female Names

Noor 

Meaning "light" in Arabic, Noor has begun to find favor among American parents - it reached the top 1000 for the first time last year. It's been most common in Muslim families, but its similarity to Nora and Eleanor make it even more desirable for all types. 

Manon 

While it's long been a popular choice among French speakers, Americans haven't followed suit - the most Manon's born in the US at one time were twenty-six girls each year during 1999 and 2000. Still, this diminutive of Marie is soft and friendly, a pretty alternative to Madison or Madeline. 

Lotte 

Though Charlie has taken off for girls in the states, Lotte hasn't - the foreign pronunciations of LAH-tah, LAH-teh, or LAH-tee can be difficult for native English speakers. Parents worried about Charlotte's popularity may take the plunge, while Lottie is another adorable option. 

Aya 

This name can be found in languages all over the globe, from Japanese to Arabic to Hebrew to Dutch. It takes the current vowel trend to a new level, but its subdued sound makes it more sophisticated than faddish. Aya currently ranks at #36 in Belgium and #886 in the US. 

Fien

Originally a nickname for Jozefien, this short form has now surpassed the longer classic. Though it may raise some eyebrows, it could work well as a feminine alternative to Finn. In the US, Josephine and Josie are the more common variations. 

Anaïs 

Another French choice, Anaïs has ranked on the top 1000 a few times over the past few decades. It comes from the name Anne, meaning "grace," and there are a few notable namesakes with the moniker - author Anaïs Nin and musician Anaïs Mitchell among them. 

Ines 

Ranking in eight different European countries, this variation of Agnes is especially popular due to its association with a Spanish love story. Pronounced "AYE-ness" or "EE-ness," it's short, elegant, and traditional without being overused. 

Male Names

Mathis 
Alternatives to Biblical favorite Matthew are on the rise everywhere - from Mateo to Mathias to Matt. This French version is pronounced like the artist Matisse, though many Americans may sooner connect the name to mid-century singer Johnny Mathis.

Maxime 
Looking for an unusual longer name with the nickname Max? Maxime is one uncommon choice, though it may be confused with the feminine Maxine. Still, it's been slowly increasing in popularity: thirty-eight baby Maxime's were born last year.

Seppe
Though it's never been recorded in the United States, it's already at #25 in Belgium. Seppe is originally a short form of Giuseppe or Joseph, and is pronounced "SEP-pah." I'm interested to see how it will take off in the US - there's a great discussion about it on this Nameberry forum!

Stan 
While Stanley has been on the decline for a few decades, bright and friendly Stan may still find an audience. With short boys' names like Sam and Jack on trend, Stan could definitely fit in on the playground while maintaining its retro air.

Wout
Pronounced "Vowt" or "Wowt," this Dutch nicknamed for Wouter (Walter) may have a hard time in the United States. On the other hand, it's close enough to Wyatt to merit a mention! Walter itself has been on the rise in the US as well - thanks, Breaking Bad?

Timeo
Are you a fan of Mateo, but looking for something less common? Timeo may be right up your alley! It comes from a Greek name meaning "honor," and could honor a familial Timothy. It's also related to the Disney favorite Timon and can be found in Shakespeare.

Yanis 
Another Greek choice, Yanis is actually a relative of John, meaning "gift of God." It's got a unique sound and form, setting it apart from most trends. Yanis was given to twenty-nine boys in the United States last year - and six girls.

Tell me your favorites in the comments!