Appellation Mountain - Where every name has a story

Baby Name Hattie: Spirited Vintage Revival

October 21, 2021 By appellationmountain 2 Comments

The baby name Hattie shares the same style as favorites like Millie and Ellie.

Our Baby Name of the Day comes from this list of girls’ names inspired by Sadie.

HARRIET

There’s no Hattie without Harriet. And there’s no Harriet until we have Henry.

Let’s back up. The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources lists the earliest Henrys in the 800s. But the name isn’t necessarily recognizable. Over the years, it’s been Heinrich and Hendricus and such.

The Normans brought it to England when they conquered, and the English heard the French Henri, and pronounced it more like Harry. We eventually came to use Harry as a nickname for Henry. (Just ask the current Duke of Sussex, popularly known as Prince Harry, but born Henry Charles Albert David.)

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Beatrice Nicknames: Birdie, Betty, Bea

October 21, 2021 By appellationmountain 23 Comments

Beatrice nicknames range from the sci fi Tris to the well-why-not Birdie? A Top 100 choice into the 1930s, count Beatrice among the classic girl names right at home in the twenty-first century. It requires no nickname, but if you’re the type to shorten everything? Luckily, options abound! BAY Certain accents make the first syllable […]

Baby Name Leah: Timeless Favorite

October 20, 2021 By appellationmountain 15 Comments

The baby name Leah offers a timeless, enduring sound in a straightforward, nickname-proof package. Thanks to Photoquilty for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. IN THE BEGINNING Leah, she of the tender eyes, spends much of the Book of Genesis in competition with her younger sister, Rachel. They both marry Jacob and bear him […]

Baby Name Leonardo: Romantic and Accomplished

October 19, 2021 By appellationmountain 10 Comments

The baby name Leonardo belongs to the original Renaissance Man and a Hollywood A-lister. Oh, and a Ninja Turtle, too. Thanks to Kelly for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. LEONARD OF NOBLAC Like so many names in long use, this story begins with a saint. During the sixth century, the nobleman Leonard of […]

Boy Names Starting with O: Oliver, Otto, Oz

October 18, 2021 By appellationmountain 5 Comments

Boy names starting with O are riding high, with Oliver at the heights of popularity, and Owen not too far behind. But a surprising number of rare O names for boys exist, too. Surnames like Orson and Ogden, imports like Octavio and Oleg, and mythological names from multiple traditions also begin with this bright and […]

Sunday Summary: Heroines

October 17, 2021 By appellationmountain 4 Comments

Modern Mrs. Darcy recently highlighted this great tee shirt listing Shakespeare’s heroines. Beatrice & Rosalind & Cordelia & Viola & Portia & Titania & Desdemona Yup. The Bard knew how to name ’em. It got me thinking about what it means to name your child after a personal hero. Fictional characters are always flawed. That’s […]

Names with Lots of Nicknames: Ten Reasons They’re Great

October 16, 2021 By appellationmountain 33 Comments

Names with lots of nicknames are everywhere. It’s why you’re not sure if your new colleague Elizabeth is a Liz or a Beth. And it’s the reason Robert makes a point of saying “please call me Rob” after every introduction. And yet, parents sometimes raise a wary at eyebrow at nickname-rich names. After all, life […]

Name Help: A Longer Name for Lucie

October 15, 2021 By appellationmountain 15 Comments

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! Jennie writes: My husband and I are expecting our first baby in January. […]

Names Like Logan: 17 Great Alternatives

October 14, 2021 By appellationmountain 3 Comments

Names like Logan share the original’s best qualities. They’re strong, rock-solid choices for a son. Modern, but with a traditional vibe. Straightforward and compact, but with a big sound. After all, Logan is the alter-ego of the X-Men’s Wolverine, played so famously by Hugh Jackman. That makes it the kind of name any kid would […]

Baby Name Elora: Stylish and Otherworldly

October 13, 2021 By appellationmountain 2 Comments

The baby name Elora has crossed oceans and worlds of fantasy to arrive in the US Top 1000. Thanks to Mollie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. SOUNDS LIKE … It’s easy to imagine parents arriving at Elora by smooshing together the sounds in Eleanora. Or maybe by combining sounds from a handful […]