The lazy, hazy days of summer are just ahead, but if you’re expecting a daughter this Fall, here’s an intriguing one to consider.
Thanks to Sarah for suggesting September as Name of the Day.
September isn’t exactly a popular choice. A handful of Septembers appear in US Census records. At least in the nineteenth century, they’re more likely to be male, including a fellow saddled with the moniker September Augustus. But the name has never charted in the US Top 1000 for either gender.
And yet it isn’t outrageous to imagine that a pair of parents might land on September, especially for a daughter. Consider these choices from the 2008 US top 1000:
- Autumn (#89)
- Summer (#171)
- April (#333)
- June (#963)
There’s also the gently antique May, the spirited January and starbaby Winter – all unranked, but with their own claims to fashion. August skews masculine, as might March. Even July could catch on, though she’d probably be mistaken for Julie. Tuesday and Sunday have also enjoyed some use.
That still leaves a few seasons and months – as well as days of the week – in limbo. An Italian court ruled that a couple couldn’t name their son Friday. No such oversight exists in the US, though. With parents consulting the atlas and the phone book for inspiration, why not their calendars, too?
Even though September is the ninth month, it comes from the Latin word for seven – septem. And in fact, September was the seventh month back in days BC.
In more recent history, we link both good and bad events to the month. Nazi Germany invaded Poland in the September Campaign of 1939. But September also signals new beginnings, with the start of the school year, as well as the Fall – a favorite time of year for many. Woody Allen made a movie called September back in 1987; countless song lyrics have mentioned the month.
Of course, if your daughter arrives during September, you might also consider the gemstone – Sapphire. The flowers – Asters and Morning Glorys – are a bit tougher to wear, though there’s always Gloria.
If you should use September, the nickname Temmy might make the moniker just a bit more wearable for a small child. And you might stretch further and come up with Embry or Ember as a short form, too.
And should you go past your due date, October is an equally intriguing pick.
On balance, while many people dislike word names, they do have an advantage. September is likely to be the only one in her class – possibly the only one she ever meets – and yet no one will ever struggle to spell her name.
I have to say.. My hubby brought up September as kind of a sarcastic remark to all the other month/season names and the more he thought about it the more he loved it. That was about 5 or 6 years ago, and it’s finally starting to grow on me too! Although I’m not a fan of the nick name Ember, I was leaning more towards Emme. I need to find something that would be easy to pronounce in Spanish as her grandparents and great grandmothers don’t speak English!!
If this baby is a girl, her middle name will be September. Her first name will be my Grandmother’s name who was born in September and my husband and I were married in September. I LOVE it!
Now that’s a fabulous story!
My name is September. A 30 something mommy of 2girls and certified name nerd. Growing up I got 2 reactions. Love it or your parents MUST be hippies!
I’ve appreciated the unusualness of the name but LOATHED being called Summer by mistake!!