Thanks to Rocking Fetal for suggesting Therese as Baby Name of the Day.

Teresa reached the US Top 20 in the early 1960s.  A few decades earlier, Theresa had been more popular.  Today both have faded.  The streamlined Teresa ranked #654 in 2009, while the h-spelling came in at a distant #947.

Therese has always been less common than either of her ends-in-a sisters, but a popular saint encouraged her use.

Thérèse of Lisieux was born in 1873.  The daughter of a lacemaker – who had once considered the cloistered life herself – Thérèse was born in France, became a nun at 15 and died just nine years later.  Her memoir was published a year after her death.  The Story of a Soul was a simple account of her life, emphasizing small choices in daily living:

Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.

Thérèse took the express route to canonization in 1925.  The Bascilia of St. Thérèse in Lisieux is a popular pilgrimage site.  She’s influenced everyone from Mother Teresa – who took her name in honor of St. Thérèse – to actress Louise Brooks to Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project.

When Thérèse was canonized, her given name entered the US Top 250 briefly.  The name was nearly as popular in the 1950s, when Bishop Fulton Sheen’s television show, Life is Worth Living, became a surprise hit.  The Bishop was a fan of the saint, eventually releasing a compilation of the many sermons he delivered based on her life.

All of this lends the name a very français, rather sacred feel.

Even the name’s roots are religious.  The fourth century Saint Paulinus of Nola was born a wealthy Roman citizen.  His wife was Therasia.  Her name may’ve come from the Greek word for harvest, or possibly from the name of a Greek island.  Others suggest it could relate to the word theros – summer.  Most bearers of the name were Spanish until sixteenth-century Saint Teresa of Ávila’s popularity propelled the name into wider use.

In the US, the biggest hurdle to using Therese might be pronunciation.  I’ve come across teh REES and tay REHZ, as well as tay REES.  The middle one is most faithful to the French, but the spelling has been in widespread use in Germany and Scandinavia, too.

She has nicknames aplenty, and several of  those stand on their own, too, including:

• Terri (and Teri) in the 1950s and 60s;
• Tracy (and Tracey, Traci and Tracie) in the 1960s and 70s;
• Tessa (and Tess) in recent years.

Adding in all of the names variants produces a vast list of notables and uses.  Two that are specific to Thérèse – and refreshingly non-religious – are:

• Jules Massenet’s 1907 opera set during the French Revolution.  His Thérèse is torn between two men she loves.  The ending is appropriately dramatic;
• Émile Zola’s unhappy heroine Thérèse Raquin was the title character in an 1867 novel.

History also gives us a handful of nobles, a nineteenth-century German opera singer and the villainous Madame Defarge in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.

Call her a classic in hibernation.  She’s slightly out of step with current trends but with her long history of use, Therese remains an intriguing option.

The choices are plentiful for girls, but we’ve discovered a few options for boys, too.  Read on for some names that bring to mind the best of the warm and sunny months.

First off, you might consider the names of the months themselves:

• June:  A simple and sweet name with a long history of use, suitable for a girl.  Juno, the Roman Queen of the Gods, inspired the month’s name; you might also use the mythological moniker for a daughter.
• July: A spunkier and more innovative choice for a daughter, but likely to be misunderstood as Julie.  The month was named after Julius Caesar, making Julia and Julian attractive options.
• August: A great idea for a boy that could leap over the gender barrier and be used for a daughter, too.  Or stick with the traditional Augusta, which has an interesting throwback vibe. 

The gemstones and flowers associated with the summer months offer some possibilities:

• Pearl, Ruby, Peridot: The gems are associated with June, July and August.  While Peridot might go too far, Pearl and Ruby are unassailable names with long histories of use.  The Italian and Spanish Perla is a Top 500 name in the US right now, but beware – La Perla is also a famous Italian lingerie designer.
• Rose, Lily, Poppy:  June’s flower, the rose, is a simple and enduring choice for a daughter. The water lily is associated with July.  And August is the month of the Poppy, a promising botanical option for daughters that we covered a few days ago.  (See Name of the Day: Poppy.)
• Margaret, Margo, Margot, Megan, Greta, Gretchen, Mairead: While it’s a subtle link, the name Margaret – and its infinite variants – all mean “pearl.”

Summer was the 158th most popular given name for girls in 2007, and it seems to us one of the less substantial seasonal monikers.  Instead, you might consider a foreign word spin on the word.  While these options are tremendously appealing, know that it can be tricky to use an exotic name without sharing the heritage:

• Natsu, Natsuki, Natsumi:  Japanese girls’ names that mean summer.  They’re said NAT soo, NAT soo kee and NAT soo mee.
• Seika: Another option from Japan, this time meaning “pure summer.”  It is said SEH ee kah.  Realize that this is quite close to the watchmaker Seiko, and likely to be confused.
• Soleil: The French word for sun makes an interesting name for a summer-born daughter.  Pronounced so LAY, it is not used in France, where all names must come from an approved list.
• Suvi: A Finnish girls’ name meaning summer.  The pronunciation is soo vee.

Finally, the star signs, planets and mythological stories associated with the zodiac offer some ideas:

• Gemma: While the name means jewel, it is similar to Gemini, the sign for children born from May 21 through June 21.
• Artemis, Diana, Luna: Babes born from June 22 to July 22 are ruled by Cancer, the Crab.  We don’t suggest you call your baby Crusty.  But the sign is associated with the moon, so Luna feels like an appropriate choice.  The goddesses Diana (in Roman mythology) and Artemis (from the Greek) are also linked to all things lunar, so their names earn a spot on our list.
• Chandra, Ayla, Selena: This trio of slightly more exotic names all mean moon from Sanskrit, Turkish and Greek, respectively.  
• Leo, Leonardo, Leonidas:  Late July into August is ruled by Leo the Lion and the Leo names make for an appealing choice for a son.  Leo stands alone, or choose an elaboration.
• Leonie, Leodora: If your little cub is a daughter, there are a few Leo choices that work nicely for her, too.  Or take some creative license and choose the classic Leah or the obscure saint Leocadia.
• Persephone: Should your daughter arrive at summer’s end, she’ll be a Virgo (August 23 through September 23).  Persephone signals the change of the seasons, as in her myth she must annually return to the Underworld and bring an end to fruitful summer.

Lastly, you might consider the classic Theresa or Teresa or the diminutive forms Tess and Tessa.  While the name’s origins are debated, the Greek word theros, meaning summer, often prompts baby name guides to list this as yet another summertime name.

So break out the sunscreen, take me out to the ballpark and maybe consider one of these choices for your summer-born child.

While many of these are gender neutral, this list was compiled with girls in mind.  For decades, parents have stuffed an unimaginative Anne or Lynne between the first and last names.  More recently, Grace and Rose have become the most common answers to the riddle of the middle.

Many fabulous pairings do not require a single-syllable middle name.  We love unexpected combinations like Mary Veronica or Alice Zenobia.  But if you find that keeping it simple is more your style, read on.

Ranging from the unexpected to the somewhat predictable, why not consider:

• Beach, Bay, Cay:  For parents happiest down by the sea, or hoping to raise a surfer girl.
• Belle, Elle:  They’re overexposed as first names, true, but if you love them, tucking them in the middle is a nice way to preserve a favorite.
• Blythe: It means joyful – and works much better than the dated Joy or Joyce.
• Blair, Blake, Beau, Drew, Finn, Flynn: They’re all a bit boyish – Beau literally so! – but could compliment a frilly first name.  Think Genevieve Blair or Cordelia Finn.
• Bess, Bette, Bex, Liv, Nell, Tess:  These nicknames would seem flimsy as a given name, but they can offer a fresh and unexpected twist in the middle.
• Blue, Gray, Teal: A splash of color in the middle can perk up an otherwise common given name.  Emma Blue stands out miles from Emma Rose.
• Chance, Chase: Nouns and verbs are fair game these days, and these two single syllable choices work well in the middle.
• Dree:  While we find Bree horribly unappealing, Dree has some zip.  Mariel Hemingway used it for her daughter, and Wookiepedia, the Star Wars Wiki, lists Dree as the name of a minor (male) character.  It’s modern and interesting.
• Dove, Pax, Paz:  Three names that mean peace – Pax was the Roman goddess; Paz is the Spanish translation of the word; and a Dove, of course, is its well known symbol.
• Fife, Fyfe:  A Scottish place name that works well for boys and girls, Patrick Dempsey chose the “y” version as a middle name for his daughter, Talula.
• Greer, Grier:  Oscar-winning actress Greer Garson lends this name Hollywood glamour.  Brooke Shields chose Grier for her second daughter.
• Gwynne, Wynne:  Both names are Welsh in origin and mean fair.  Unlike Greer or Fyfe, these are soft enough to work with a less conventionally feminine first name.  Think Hadley Wynne, for example.
• Hue:  This unexpected choice could be thought of in three different ways.  It could be a feminine version of Hugh; the quintessential color name; or, a Vietnamese name pronounced Hway that means lily.
• Jaye, Sian:  While Jane is a bit plain, the boyish Jaye is a perkier choice. Sian – pronounced Shan – is the Welsh version of Jane.  It’s more interesting than the expected, and far more sophisticated than Shea, Shay or Shane.
• Joss:  It brings to mind Bess or Tess, but has a more modern vibe than either of those gently old-fashioned options. 
• Jewel, Jin, Jules: These three middle name possibilities suggest precious gems and metals.  Jewel is the most literal of the bunch.  Jules merely hints at the idea, and with its masculine, French-friend appeal has other attributes to recommend it.  While Jin might conjure up images of bottles, rummy or blue ruin, this spelling is actually a Chinese name, meaning gold.
• Kai: Kay gave way to Kate, and now perhaps it’s time for both choices to step aside in favor of Kai, traditionally a Japanese boy’s name meaning ocean – and pronounced to rhyme with tie.
• Lark, Wren: Depending on your perspective, an avian name is either charming or flu-inducing.  These two bird names, along with Dove (see above) might make good choices for parents interested in a nature-inspired choice for their daughter.
• Luz, Noor:  Claire’s appeal as both a first and middle name is long established.  In addition to its simple sound, Claire’s meaning – clear, bright – is an attractive one.  The more exotic Noor is an Arabic name meaning light, and Luz is a Spanish version with the same meaning.  They both make for good alternatives to Claire – though even so, that’s one choice that is not yet as overused as Grace or Rose.
• Mair, Maire:  A variant of Mary, Mair or Maire might be a twist on the overtaxed Marie, or it might be a great way to honor Great Aunt Mary Jo.  Both spellings are fair game, but we advise you to stay away from Mare, as it is a bit too horsey to wear well on a child.
• Maeve, Neve, Niamh – Maeve and Niamh are great Celtic choices for parents embracing their heritage.  The first sounds like May with a “ve” at the end; the second like “Neev.”  Neve is either the simplified spelling of the last name, or an Italian word meaning snow.  The actress Neve Campbell popularized the pronunciation “Nehv.”  It’s her mother’s maiden name.
• Penn, Quinn, Reese, Tate, Tyne, Sloane: If surname choices are at the forefront of popular first names, there’s no reason they shouldn’t appear in the middle, too.  This list is certainly not exhaustive – in fact, some of the best choices are probably home grown on your own family tree. Actress Amanda Peet named her daughter Frances Pen; but in her case, Pen honors her mother, Penny.  One word of warning with surnames in the middle – if your child’s name looks like it could be a law firm, rethink.  Madigan Sloane Hunter sounds more like it should have offices on Wall Street, not a desk at PS 102.  And, of course, many surnames are also place names – the Tyne River in England, fashionable Sloane Square at the Tate Modern museum, both in London. 
• Scout: One of the few literary names on this list, Scout was, of course, the nickname for Jean Louise Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird.
• Sage, Sky, Skye, Star, Rain: The well of nature names is deep, but these are among the most commonly heard.  We can’t help feel that these are tricky to use.  Giselle Rain is appealing; Amber Rain sounds like more like a sign of rampant pollution.  Still, they’re worth considering.
• Taj:  A Sanskrit name used for boys, Taj means crown.  Taja is the feminine version, but we can’t help think the simpler Taj would wear well as a girl’s middle name, especially when paired with a very simple given name – Elisabeth Taj, for example.
• Tai:  When spelled Ty, this is squarely a choice for boys.  But Tai evokes the Vietnamese girl’s name meaning talent – and the very talented figure skater Tai Babilonia, herself the mother of a son called Scout.
• True, Vrai:  True is a more extreme version of popular virtue choices like Hope and Faith; Vrai – rhymes with way – is the word translated into French, making for an exotic choice.
• Zan:  It sounds like a twist on Jan, but in fact Zan is a Chinese girl’s name meaning support; favor; praise.  Zan was also the (male) Wonder Twin.  His sister was Jayna.  But we’re willing to overlook that – as long as you stick this name in the middle.

Middle names might be seldom heard, but with all these fabulous options?  We’re betting you’ll want your kiddo to get in trouble so you can call out their full name.  ;)

B is a tricky letter. Many of the best known B names for girls are nicknames – think Becky and Betsy – or nouveau names like Britney. But there are a few gems to be found.

Here are a few bright and brilliant options starting with the letter B:

• Belén – The Spanish form of Bethlehem, Belen (pronounced bay LEN) is a graceful, tailored choice for a girl, with international and place name flair, too. While some parents might fret that the name will be said more like Helen with a B, given the popularity of all the Bell- and – bell names in recent years, that might be something of a bonus. The name is a top choice in Chile, and may gain some attention on our shores thanks to Spanish horror flick El Orfanato, starring Belen Rueda. (Belen has been in the Top 1000 in the US since 2000, charting at #914 in 2006.)
• Bryony – Just as Belen is a subtle place name, Bryony offers a botanical option that isn’t over-flower-powering. Since the plant is most familiar in Scotland, there’s also a certain British style to this name, and indeed, it is more common on the opposite side of the Atlantic. For parents worried that Violet is too trendy, Bryony may well be a great choice. For families trying to honor a Brian or Bryan, it’s also a far more sophisticated moniker than Brianna. The variant spelling Briony is also used, and was the given name of the misguided younger sister in the novel and film Atonement. (Bryony has never been in the Top 1000 in the US.)
• Beatrice and Beatrix will appeal to parents searching for a name that is instantly familiar, but rarely used, at least in the US. The name has been worn by princesses and saints, and, presumably by the Park Slope protagonist of Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny, Too, though she is known as Trixie in the books. Speaking of literature, Beatrice is one of the main characters in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, and Beatrix Potter created the enduring Peter Rabbit. Perhaps best of all, the meaning of Beatrice is lovely – Baby Names World lists it as “voyager through life.” This gentle throwback name has a granny-chic vibe that fits right in with Hannah and Hazel, but still manages to stand out. (Beatrice ranked #996 in 2006; Beatrix was unranked.)
• Bethan - This Welsh pet name for Elizabeth might stand on its own, and seems much more interesting than the simple Beth, and stronger than the popular place name Bethany. She’s likely to be called Bethanne, of course, but this name actually sounds more like Bevan or Devon.  (Bethan has never been in the Top 1000 in the US.)
• Bess, Betsy – While there’s a hint of the bovine about Bess, it is quite close to Tess – a nickname that has surpassed its formal version, Teresa, in terms of popularity. (Tessa ranked #252 and Tess #734 in 2006; Teresa came in at a mere #535 and Theresa at a downright obscure #717.) While Betsy may still bring to mind the famous Little Miss Betsy Wetsy doll for many, the nickname does have a spunky, old school vibe that may appeal to modern parents.
• Beau – Beau would be quite the boyish choice – not only it is the French word for handsome, it is sometimes used to refer to a boyfriend. Plus Gary Cooper played Beau Geste, an adventurer off to recover a stolen jewel in the 1939 movie.  Despite – or perhaps because of its boyish charm, Beau seems like a sweet middle name choice for a girl. But the real appeal is as a nickname for Isabeau, a French alternative for parents finding Isabella too, too popular. (Beau charted at #438 for boys in 2006; Isabeau is unranked.)

So there you have it – a bevy of beautiful B names.

NOTE: Post updated April 26, 2010.  Links added, but names unchanged.