About ApMtn
Like many of you, I was born with a name that I hated. Dreaded. Loathed.In my first 26 years on Earth, I tried the following:
- Respelling my given name, doubling a consonant, changing the “y” to an “ee” and even writing one of the letters backwards.
- Attempting to use both my first and middle names together. While the whole kit’n'caboodle was a mere seven letters, three syllables, it didn’t take.
- Dropping my name entirely, and going by a nickname.
The last one caused problems, though, especially since I was doffing my birth name in the midst of the 1990s - i.e. the infancy of computer databases. My choice sent school and employment records into a kerfluffle. While I didn’t see how that much mattered to me, it did make it much harder to make my new name stick.
So I trotted myself down to the County Courthouse, filed some forms, forked over a few hundred bucks and became the name that I (thought I) already was.
To soothe the possibly ruffled feathers of some grandparents, I actually kept my detested birth name and adopted a new middle name.
It’s an imperfect solution, but at least I don’t cringe every time I hear my name said aloud.
In the midst of this journey, I became obsessed with names. I read Name-Your-Baby books until the covers fell off, and pressed my mother “Why not this name, or that one instead?” She didn’t quite understand my intense dislike of the name she’d thoughtfully chosen, but to her credit, she has respected my wishes to become the Daughter Formerly Known As.
With 30-odd years of tracking baby names under my belt, I now give you this site: chock full of information and opinions, which are mine and mine alone.
Saw your post at yahoo answers. The question was about the name Macy. My 1st thought was, your answer looks exactly like what I would have said (though I would have added that I have a daughter named Macy). I love that you discouraged corrupting the original name with spelling variations. My 2nd thought was, “Verity,” what a great name, pretty, intelligent, and feminine. My own interest in names ranges somewhere between hobby and obsession. That said, now I’m wildly curious: what is your son’s name??
Thanks, Allison! My son has a very ordinary family name - Alexander - but he goes by the rather exotic nickname Alexei. Had it been up to me, I think I would’ve called him Gideon or Archer, but my husband’s family has, ahem, traditions. If he had been a girl, he would’ve been Caroline, and probably called Coco.
Great names both, solid and timeless. My son’s name is Spencer. I think it’s polished and handsome but still friendly. I do like when people call him Spence, and I had a great-uncle Spencer. Alexander is one of those same kind of names, classic and stylish but never trendy. I love the kind of name that lends itself to such great nicknames; it’s the best of both worlds. I like Archer very much, but I’m a sucker for surnames. Surprising to see it paired with Gideon… they are so different in style. I would’ve expected another surname or occupational name, like Porter or even Judge.
Spencer is a very distinguished choice!
A friend of mine has a Spencer, named out of affection for, believe it or not, Winston Churchill. His wife balked at the idea of calling their baby Winston, but apparently Sir W.’s full name was Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. (Thank goodness one of the four names was nice.)
You raise a very good point about styles, and whether having a Moses means your daughter has to be Zipporah. (Let’s hope not.) I think there’s a Rule in there somewhere … I’ll have to mull it over.
As for Judge? My husband is a lawyer - he’d never go for it!
Yeah, the two most famous namesakes I’m aware of are Churchill and, of course, Spencer Tracy. Will you have any more? Getting to name a baby is almost worth being pregnant!
We’d love another. Once upon a time I thought we’d have a houseful. After all, I know I could name them.
But I’m 34, so if we have one more, that’s probably all.
And, oh yes, Spencer Tracy! How could I forget him?
So will we ever find out your real name?
Once upon a time, it was Amy. And I was born in 1973, meaning I was one of nearly 27,000 girls given that name - the second most popular choice, right behind Jennifer. When I was twelve, I was one of *five* girls with the same name in my relatively small school. It made me crazy.
And kicked off a life-long obsession.
Incidentally, my mother’s name (which is so truly unusual that I won’t reveal it) was a foreign family name tweaked slightly to be clear in American English. She hated having a one-of-one name, and felt like she was doing her kids a favor by giving us simple and “normal” names.
You just can’t win. But hey, you can blog about it.
Thanks
Hey that isn’t so bad! I though it would be worse, however it can be be frustrating to have a common name.
My name is Natalie and whilst it is not too popular, it is popular enough!
I too have an obsession with baby names, i don’t know why? I used to receive baby naming dictionary’s for birthdays etc.
I still do love names and have a list which i constantly add too.
I actually have seen you on Y!A and you always give out good advice, especially to those mothers wishing to name their child “Nevaeh, Ayden” etc.
So i decided to check out your blog, it is very good - keep up the good work.
Thanks so much, Natalie! I’m quite fond of your name, actually.
Everyone always assumes that my first initial masks something awful - I once worked with someone who guessed everything from Anselm to Aethelreada. He was quite disappointed to find out that my given name was merely common, not outlandish.
As for the obsession with baby names? Right there with you. My husband is threatening to buy me goldfish so I can call them things like Cordelia Averil and Cruz Esteban. We’ll never have a big enough family to use up all of my favorites, LOL!
Same here i will have to have about 50 children to use up all my favourites!!
My list just keeps on growing!!
I have stolen a few from this site actually - Archer is now on the list as is Penn - but for a boys name. So thanks for those
You’re welcome!
I do like Penn for a boy. I was even born in Pennsylvania. And there’s that delicious young actor called Penn Badgeley on Gossip Girl. Is it on yet in the UK? (I’m assuming from your spelling that you’re on the other side of the Atlantic.) Apparently, it’s his real name, too, not an alias for acting. I wouldn’t be surprised if he inspires a few Penns himself.
I think it has just started over here (Yes i live in the UK, Scotland to be precise), i have however yet to watch it. I think i might start watching it though, i will look out for Penn
Good morning! I found my way here via Elisabeth at youcantcallitit.com because I’m always looking for more name-obsessed places.
I’m really enjoying reading through your Name of the Day posts and would like to offer my son’s name, Everett, as a possible future name of the day. We are currently trying to conceive #2 and I feel a bit lost as to what direction to go with the next name. We used Everett in honor of my deceased FIL, so I never really considered the style or trend that it fits into. I would love to hear your opinions for my own selfish reasons, plus it’s a name that’s jumped 50+ places on the SSA list the past two years . . . definitely growing in popularity and seems to appeal to a lot of different people.
Thanks! Nicole
Everett is a great name! I’ll see what I can turn up on your darling son’s appellation on June 19.
Funny, our son is named after my FiL, too - and leaving us a bit stumped as to how to match it should our second be a boy.
Thanks for the suggestion and glad you’re having fun with the Names of the Day!
Awesome! Thank you!
Verity - where can we leave suggestions for name of the day? I have one: My friend’s friend named her son Otis. I’m not sure if it’s up your alley. Personally, I hate it and am always reminded of that cat and dog movie from the 1990s, Milo and Otis, but wasn’t sure if this was a name you’d appreciate or not. Do with it what you want.
Hi, Another. You can leave suggestions anywhere you like. If the well runs dry, I post a “Looking for Names of the Day” request. But so far I’ve only had to do that once.
Sure, I’ll take on Otis. It reminds me, as you say, of the charming cat and dog flick *and* elevators. I used to work in an amazing old building with Otis Elevators, and always liked the idea that I was ascending to work in the same kind of lift that ferried visitors to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The view from my office, however, was not Paris. And then there’s Otis Redding. Hmmm … a very interesting one to consider.
Otis is on the calendar for July 1.
If you are looking for a female name of the day, will you please consider Marisa? I named my daughter Marisa in 1982, when it was relatively unheard of. I loved it from the model/actress Marisa Berensen. The name has become popular in recent years, but mostly with the spelling of Marissa.
As it happens, my husband had a huge crush on Marisa Tomei. (As in, he’ll still watch a rerun of My Cousin Vinnie whenever it happens to be on.) So I’ll gladly make her NotD on August 31. Thanks for the suggestion.
Can I suggest some names for NotD? It’s so interesting to read the names you post, but some of them are a little out there for me. What about:
Sylvia
Julia
Grace
Henry
Lewis/Louis
Simon
Finn
Katharine
Elizabeth
Susannah
Frances
Sorry if I’ve mentioned any you’ve already done.
Thanks!
Thanks so much for the list, Kim! You’re absolutely right that the NotDs are a little bit out there - it’s because it’s (usually) easier to write about a name that has been used sparingly. (I try to keep the posts right around 500 words and edit ruthlessly if I go over the 600 word mark. It also limits the research time. Reading about William, for example, would probably take me around 10 hours. Something like Aloysius is exhausted in a quarter of the time.)
Still, I’ve been thinking that I might (someday) exhaust all of the underused gems and be forced to figure out how to talk about Anne succinctly.
And I managed to do Henry back when the new Indiana Jones movie came out, so it can be done!
I’m going to take a bunch of your suggestions, though, so stand by for:
9/1 - Finn
9/2 - Frances
9/3 - Simon
9/4 - Susannah
9/5 - Lewis
9/6 - Sylvia
Keep ‘em coming - and I’ll try to incorporate some of your other suggestions into future posts, even if they don’t become NotD on their own.
Thanks!!
I need to vent about a baby name pet peeve and I don’t know where else to do it!! So if you all will indulge me while I get this off my chest:
I spend some time over at babynamegenie.com, perusing the baby name polls. Why, why, why do so many people seem to like the spelling Madelyn???
A woman over there is trying to decide between Madelyn, Madeleine, and Madeline (the third pronounced differently from the first two), and the first spelling is winning!!!
Am I off base here? Is Madelyn an acceptable spelling for Madeleine now?
Help me please.
Ah, the variant spelling question!
My initial reaction is this: it’s a lousy idea. Madeleine and Madeline look far more classic and enduring than Madelyn, Madalyn or Maddelynne, which all seem flimsy and downwardly mobile. And no matter which choice you make, it’s still a popular moniker she’ll share with many classmates - to say nothing of the nickname Maddie, shared with blockbuster Madison. (And Madisyn, Madasynne, etc.)
But there’s more to the issue. Standardized spellings are relatively new in human history - as is, of course, widespread literacy. Look at 19th century census records, and you’ll find Katherine, Kathryn, Katharine, Kathrine, Katheryn, Kathryne, Catherine, Catharine, Cathrine and Cathryn. It’s not uncommon for names in long use to have a history of different spellings. Even historical figures - half of Henry VIII’s six wives wore this name, after all - don’t always share consistent spellings. In some cases, individuals may’ve changed the preferred spelling for their name over time.
As of last year, Madeline remained the most popular spelling in the US for this decade - at #59 - but Madelyn was gaining fast, at #118. And she certainly trumped Madeleine, at #299.
Once I would’ve said “use the most popular spelling” and considered it done, but Kaitlyn is more popular than Caitlin; Makayla more popular than Michaela.
I think the strangest part of the picture when it comes to the lyn/line issue is the assumption that Madeline and Madelyn are pronounced differently and that swapping out for a “lyn” guarantees your child’s name will never be mangled. I say both names “mad uh LYN” unless told otherwise. That’s likely a combination of my regional accent and experience - far more powerful cues for most of us than a simple respelling can combat. Let’s face it, if you’re worried your AWN drey uh is going to be called an dree AH, you’re better off choosing another name. Ditto mad uh LEEN, mad ah LYNN, mad uh LINE.
So while I’d like to see an end to all of the “we went with Kaidhen just to make it a little bit different” nonsense, the bottom line is - it’s with us. We’ll probably see some of the variants pass into common use and surpass the original versions of their names. I’ll also agree that, especially with names of recent coinage, it’s a beast to argue which the “authentic” spelling of Jayden. Who’s to say that Jaidyn is any less valid?
It’s not an argument to do it. On the contrary, when a name starts to spawn variant spellings, I think it’s a clear signal that it’s overexposed and ready to pass out of consideration for the more sophisticated baby namer.
Of course, my husband is quick to remind me that when languages stop evolving and become overly codified, it’s a signal that the language is dying. Variant spellings may be downmarket, but they’re a sign that the English language continues to evolve - and that’s not a bad thing. In some ways, it’s what gives us permission to call our kids Alexei and Angus, Archer and Fletcher, Declan and Dexter. Who’s to say what’s an acceptable name when there are so many options?
Ultimately, I think the most important thing for a name is that it have something Namelab calls phonetic transparency. (They invent new names for brands and products.) Phonetic transparency means it’s easily pronounced from alphabetic notation. So while I find Makayla unappealing, I don’t find it impossible to wear. M’Kayleah, Macaelih, Mykaylah, Mikkailah, etc. truly are burdensome.
Often variant spellings get you a “worst of both worlds” scenario - a name that is common when spoken, but never correctly spelled. We tend to forget - especially in cyberspace - that we mostly experience our children’s names VERBALLY. Even with the amount of writing I do, I call “Alexei! Alexei!” far more often than I write it.
Would I ever use Madelyn? Heck, no. In fact, while it’s a lovely name, I wouldn’t consider Madeline/Madeleine for a child these days, simply because she’d be right up there with Kaitlin, Mckenna, Jaiden and Jordyn, spelling her name Every. Single. Time.
So you’re not wrong. But it’s the kind of argument that tends to fall on deaf ears. Those who wouldn’t use a variant spelling wouldn’t. And those who would, well … I recently met a Lilyannah, and I have friends shortlisting Brayden for their baby-to-be. Sometimes you just have to smile and say, “Isn’t your little one cute?”
My parents were and are outright offended that I changed my name. They still call me ‘Sherry’, which I hated with a passion. (I was born in 1971, but that is probably no surprise. Sherry is in the same dated bin with Tammy and Tracy.)
I changed my name to Mia, for all the wrong reasons. I kind of wish I’d taken it for a better test drive… but it is still better than Sherry.
Hi Verity!
Have you seen what Sarah Palin’s kids are named? According to Wikipedia, Palin has two sons (Track, 19 and Trig, 4 months) and three daughters (Bristol, 17; Willow, 14; and Piper, 7). Seriously, though… Track and Trig?
LOL! I’ve been thinking about that - when Trig was born, they explained that Trig was a Norse name in honor of his Great Uncle, and Paxson was a place name in Alaska. (His full name is Trig Paxson Van.) Not sure about the explanation for Track, but I’m guessing there’s a similar backstory.
Hmmm … haven’t thought about NotD for the run-up to the election. Maybe I should do a bunch of the potential White House (and Observatory Circle) kids? I’m a huge fan of the name Natasha - Barack’s younger daughter. Hmmm …
Mia, I feel your pain! While my mother isn’t insulted by my choice, she’s definitely baffled. She never calls me Amy to my face, for which I am grateful, but she still defends her choice.
And for what’s it’s worth, she’s not wild about the name for my daughter-to-be. *Shrugs.* But at least I don’t have to hear that detested name any more.
Is Barack’s daughter’s full name Natasha? I know they call her Sascha in the paper and on the news. Is that what it’s short for?
Barack’s daughters are Malia and Natasha, called Sasha/Sascha (not 100% on the spelling there), and I find them adorable!
I believe the explanation for Track was that his(?) parents were fans of the sport and Track was born during the sport season. Oh boy!
For me, I’d love to see Gemma, Evangeline, Genevieve, Ivy,
Vivienne (whom I loved before the whole Brangelina ordeal, though I now have to clarify! Shame…)
Olympia, Sydney, Violet, Veronica, Charlotte, Constance, Caitlin, Oceane, Ava, Emmeline, Stella, Bronte, Carys, and Caledonia. And that’s just the girls!
I have been having the toughest time picking a name for my soon-to-be daugther. I had planned on naming her Stella but the name seems to be getting really popular and, with a last name like Davis, I don’t want her name to be common. I really like classic names and I’m considering Francis (after my dad - nickname would be Francie), Beatrice, and Cecilia. I also like Quinn and Reece. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on other names?
I like Frances (spelled like this) so much!! Francie Davis is so cute! We must have similar tastes in names because Stella, Frances, Beatrice, and Cecilia are all on my list!
What about:
Stella Frances
Beatrice Quinn
Cecilia Reese
Frances Quinn
Frances Jane
All of your suggestions are great names!
Verity, any chance you could do Eloise as Name of the Day sometime? I’ve recently fallen in love and I’d be interested in learning what other people think! Thanks!
Hey there!
I’ve been lurking about for a while, following friends from YCCII and other name sites, because a girl has got to find every fab name site she can
Just thought I’d throw out another Biblical boy that doesn’t get too much attention, but is a big contender for us: Titus. Love to hear your thoughts on him! So any chance we can see him featured on NOTD sometime?
Thanks! Bek
Always nice to hear from a lurker!
As it happens, I need a boy’s name for tomorrow. I kept trying to find something inspired and Thanksgiving-themed, but I’m stumped. Tom just seemed comical! So Titus it is. What with Marcus and Atticus and Ignatius, he could certainly be considered fashionable - and he’s got far more history than some other -us names I’ve heard considered.
Check back on 11/26.
Awesome! I’ll be sure to check in tomorrow
ApMtn - I thought you’d enjoy a little camaraderie. My mother has a very unique, foreign, family name, and has always regretted her parents’ choice. She was determined to give me a name everyone could spell and pronounce - Christine. I was always called “Chris”, and had a similar problem to the one you describe.
Born in 1975, Christine, Christina, Christian and Christopher (especially) were among the most popular names, and I knew no fewer than 10 people named Chris - most were boys.
Enter 7th grade, and a note from a friend. Not sure how he came up with it, but the note was addressed to “Krys”. I instantly adopted the spelling, and have been Krys ever since - much to my mother’s dismay. She still calls me Christine, but has stopped arguing with me over the “new” spelling of my name.
I never did change it legally, since I couldn’t find a suitable spelling for Christine that would include my nickname.
Anyway, thanks for a great site. I’m pregnant with my first (a girl!), and am determined to pick a “good” name for our little one.
Hello Verity!
First off, I love your name!
I’d love to see a NotD of Mariuccia sometime, or these names:
Paige
Elodie
Freya
Blaise
I have been obsessed with names since 1st grade, when I abhored my own name and wanted a “normal” name like Mary or Amy (I had a friend with this name).