Sometimes it takes a while for a name to catch on. We first heard this one in the 80s, but could 201o be her year?
Thanks to Christy for suggesting one of the names from her list as our Baby Name of the Day: Sloane.
Sloane is a surname, derived from the Gaelic O’Sluagháin – warrior. You can find notables wearing Sloane in the last spot through the years.
But the 1980s gave Sloane her big boost. First came Lady Diana Spencer, who became a princess in a fairytale wedding, and then fodder for the tabloids when her happily-ever-after fell short. During the first wave of Diana madness in 1981, we all learned the term Sloane Ranger. If you’ve misplaced your copy of the handbook – yes, there really was one – here’s a thumbnail sketch: young, well-born, expensively educated but not intellectual, maybe a smidge arrogant.
Sloanies took their name from their favored stomping grounds – Chelsea’s Sloane Square, which was named in honor of the landowner, Sir Hans Sloane, an eighteenth century physician best known for donating a considerable collection of artwork to establish the British Museum. In more recent times, another possible princess is often referred to as a Sloane – Kate Middleton.
In 1986, Matthew Broderick was Ferris Bueller, and Ferris? He was taking a day off. The John Hughes classic sent Ferris on adventures across Chicago in the company of his best friend Cameron and girlfriend Sloane. The movie was a box office hit and remains a favorite for many.
More recently, Sloane has been kept in the public eye by I Was Told There’d Be Cake essayist Sloane Crosley and recurring Entourage character Sloan McQuewick, an on-again, off-again girlfriend for Eric. As of Season Six, they’re engaged.
While it’s the Sloan-sans-e who probably tipped the name into wider use, the Sloane spelling is the one that first broke into the US Top 1000 at #999 in 2008. As of 2009, she’d climbed to #897.
About a year ago, Nameberry put Sloane on their Names of the Future watch list. There’s something undeniably stylish about her. She fits with Madison and Addison, Taylor and Riley, but also shares the long -o of Sophia and Chloe. She’s also a logical sister for all of those single-syllable boys, from Jack and Luke to Cade and Cole.
It’s easy to see why Sloane is catching on, but the question is whether she’ll join some of those other names on the roster of every kindergarten in the US, or whether she’ll remain an appealing, underused choice.
If you’re looking for something spare, gender-neutral but not too boyish, and modern without being invented, Sloane is a great option.
There was a pretty recent conversation about the name Sloan in the comments section over here:
http://www.namecandy.com/name-lady/2010/07/26/should-i-choose-a-name-my-husband-hates
I was an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing in college in the late 1990s. Sloane was a featured character in many of my short stories. I was so in love with the name. It seemed like the epitome of cool: a short, boyish name, who evoked images of a white, fringed jacket and gorgeous long hair. (Yes, that’s Sloane Peters, I’m talking about.) I also have a cousin named Sloan. A male cousin.
As an adult, I’d say this name isn’t for me. Because it recalls my less mature days, it seems like a name a teenaged mom might pick. But as a teenager, looking for “new”, interesting names for my stories, with a developing interest in naming, Sloane was The One.
So, I like it in retrospect, but would think someone was maybe a little silly if she were to name her daughter Sloane. Am I making any sense? Do I ever?
Ugh. Peterson. Typo, not misremembering!
I think it is like any name that you once loved. Even if it was never popular, or even common, it was so present in your mind that it feels over. And I once suggested naming a daughter Verity – but Arthur thought that was weird. It was my screen name, so it seemed like the name was already taken … except that it wasn’t really.
And by the way (here’s my third post already) Sloane Peterson was played by Mia Sara, and Mia was another name I thought was very cool.
Thank you so much for making Sloane the name of the day!
I disagree 100% with photoquality saying ‘someone was maybe a little silly if she were to name her daughter Sloane’. I think it is a great name and it is still at the top of our list if our child due in October is in fact a girl. And by no means do I feel that I am being silly.
Thanks again for a great post as always!
Sloane remains one of my favorites. I don’t love it with our last name, but I do have a thing for the “o” sound!
An enthusiastic & passionate vote for Sloane !
Yes on the white, fringe jacket! Mia Sara was so gorgeous and effortlessly chic. Sloane seems like the name of the nicest cool girl at school. I love it.
Loved the jacket!
I concur that Sloane Peterson had a lot to do with this name’s current coolness. I was in jr high when I saw it and I thought she was SO beautiful and cool. I mean, who didn’t want to be Ferris’s girlfriend? I think the Madison factor is definitely at play with this one.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention the Sloanes on Grey’s Anatomy in your post!
Dr. Sloane’s estranged daughter was named after him, and her first name was Sloane. I thought for sure that might have something to do with the name rising in popularity.
Ack! Forgot about them. Really. And you’re right. I was just caught up in Ferris.
I’l never forget Arvin Sloane from Alias.:D I think it’s a good pick for people who like contemporary names.
Well, being married to a Brit, sloane is a not a particularly nice thing to call someone (a la your Sloane Ranger reference)… It’s a word in our active vocabulary, as he feels there are quite a few sloaney types to deal with here and there in different areas of our lives.. wealthy (by way of birth, generally) and snooty – but this is a loose definition – basically any arrogant idiot who *aspires* to be wealthy and entitled or who thinks his or her slightly more upper-crusted middle class background is impressive and puts on airs can fall into the “sloane” category (it’s usually the aspirational sort my husband is referring to)… because of that, it’s hard to embrace the name…
I wondered about that, JNE. I’ve heard Sloanes described as the equivalent of preppies, which I never thought of as a put-down, exactly. But Sloane does seem to have more of an edge.
This is one of those surnames I simply don’t see the appeal as a first name. Riley, Madison, Addison, Taylor – even if those aren’t my style, I understand why parents would find these names pleasant for their little girls.
But Sloane is an exception. It sounds and looks ugly, it has zero femininity and no nickname possibilities. I can’t think of a namesake or a positive association for it. It reminds me of “slow” and “slugs” too
I don’t get what people see in it. I think I’d take Mildred or Ethel any day of the week!
My only association with the name Sloane comes from the Anne of Green Gables series. Charlie Sloane was one of Anne’s classmates, and not a particularly intelligent individual. Characters in the book often remark on the Sloanes, saying things like, “He’s such a Sloane!” or “What could you expect of a Sloane?” One of my favorite quotes says that Charlie… “fairly reeked with Sloanishness.” After he proposes to Anne (something which she insisits she never gave him reason to believe was remotely possible), she refuses him as delicately and considerately as she can because “even a Sloane had feelings which ought not to be unduly lacerated.” My childhood friend and I still describe ppl this way occastionally– as in, “What a Sloane that guy is!” LOL
Yes, Charlie Sloane and his somewhat unfortunate family are what come to my mind when I hear the name Sloane. It’s a non-starter for me as a result.
I don’t hate Sloane and I can see why other parents might embrace it, but it’s too tied to the Sloane Rangers for me to even consider it. I’ll stick with the similar sounding Joan.
John Hughes has inspired a lot of baby names: Cameron, Claire, Samantha, Jake, Ian, Miles, and Wyatt. I’m just surprised Sloane hadn’t made the top 1000 much earlier.
I wonder if John Hughes was making up for being plain ol’ John, or if he really just had a knack for naming? You’re right – he really chose some amazing character names.
I love love love this name and am so disappointed that it’s been tapped to rise. I almost wish we had named our daughter Sloane Lorraine instead of Helena Lorraine (Lorraine is a family name) because she has such a headstrong personality which Sloane just seems to fit, and it dawned on me later that we could have called her Lolo or Lola for a nickname. It’s still in the running if we have another daughter. Do it, Christy! What’s your middle name choice??
Her name would be Sloane Paula (after my mom). Our other top 2 name is Harper Paula. I am just scared of Harper becoming the next Madison, though it seems to still be somewhat uncommon. I am very surprised to read all the negative commnents about the name Sloane. Not that I care as it is a personal decision after all. My husband and I go back and forth on these 2 names regularily…. less than 3 months until we find out if baby is a boy or girl. We are pretty much decided on the name Cooper if the baby is a boy.
I love Harper, but I do hear Harper so much …
Honestly, nearly ANY name that isn’t common gets mixed reviews, and if it is common, it gets a lot of “oh, I love it, but I know three.” (See what I just wrote? I include myself in people who say we love unusual but often react negatively until the name is more common.) It’s very rare to land on a truly unusual name that generates nothing but enthusiastic responses.
Ditto Abby
Yeah, also, it depends on the day that you ask. I’ve asked people what they think about a name and on that day they all hate it ! Two weeks later, everyone is loving it! Plus, a lot of people don’t always comment. Sometimes I’ve seen posts where everyone is LOVING the name, meanwhile I’m scratching my head , absolutely incredulous and I don’t comment. Or, it is the opposite . So, you might get 15 comments and everyone is positive, but the majority of people might actually dislike it OR, you can get 15 negative comments and the majority love it. In my experience, if a name has a positive association, that will problem win the person over to the name. Maybe someone who doesn’t like Sloane now, will love it if you have a little Sloane! They’ll think of that really sweet little kid etc
Anyway, good luck!
Eh, it repulses me. Few names do that. It makes me think of a slug taking its dying breath or something similar – sloooooaannnne. Perhaps something Gollum would utter? On par with Spermo or Sexburga in terms of general ugliness.
Like a previous poster said, I’d take Ethel or Mildred. Heck, I’d take Nevaeh over this and that’s extremely difficult to type. I hope to never run across a real life version as I’m likely to recoil in horror
I have to agree! Sloane sounds terrible, and it is an insult in the U.K. Frankly, it’s a bit much to assume the child will never meet one of the millions of people to whom this is a negative slang term.
I mean, I wouldn’t name my child something that was a negative word in America even though I am not American – we live in a global community.
I actually really like Sloane. I COMPLETELY agree with Christy
Sloane sounds crisp, cool,smooth and professional to me. It sounds like the name of someone who knows their mind and stands up for what they believe. It sounds like a leader and a strong woman, while not losing her femininity. Sloane is versatile and could be the intellectual, goth, cheerleader or tomboy for me
I love Sloane – I too, put Sloane into many of my stories for a few years. Ah, name crushes! My ultimate problem with it was the no-nickname thing, but I love the idea of “Lolo”.
A few thoughts…
1. I think of Ferris immediately
2. I think it’s a name nerd name right now, but will go up in the ranks as people move on from the current trendy names in search of something else.
3. It makes me think of Sylvester Stallone
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