Appellation Mountain - Where every name has a story

Lucy: Baby Name of the Day

August 24, 2019 By appellationmountain 17 Comments

Lucy topped the charts one hundred years ago – and is back on top again today.

Thanks to phancymama for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

Lucy and Lucia

Sometimes we dismiss Lucy as a nickname. Only it isn’t so. In medieval English, formal, Latin names co-existed with vernacular versions. Cecily evolved from Cecilia; Margery from Margaret. (The Marjorie spelling? That’s courtesy of marjoram, the herb.)

Translating back and forth created a handful of entirely new names. Nigel, for example, evolved from Neil, in a complicated game of whisper-down-the-alley. And James wandered down many a path as it became the classic choice we know and love. But mostly, we find winners and losers. Cecily and Margery have fallen out of favor. Mary long outranked Maria – though that’s no longer so.

But Lucy outpaces the Latin Lucia from which the name emerged.

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Name Help: Hadley, Easton, and …

August 23, 2019 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! Lauren writes: We’re expecting our third and final child in a few weeks. […]

Jericho: Baby Name of the Day

August 21, 2019 By appellationmountain 21 Comments

Jericho combines an ancient place name with a modern sound. Thanks to Jenny & Jonah for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. On the Map Place names dot the current US popularity rankings. Just ask the parents of London or Savannah, Cairo or Camden. And this isn’t any place name. Jericho has been inhabited for […]

Hottest 1919 Girl Names

August 19, 2019 By appellationmountain 7 Comments

Let’s look at the hottest 1919 girl names. These are the names I might have blogged about way back when, as the first World War drew to a close and Mary Pickford was the brightest star in Hollywood. The hottest 1919 girl names would all be right at home in 2019. Except they’re all relatively […]

Sunday Summary: Drowning in Choice

August 18, 2019 By appellationmountain 2 Comments

One of the best parts of naming in 2019? The endless resources available to help you think through the best possible name for your child. One of the biggest challenges to naming in 2019? Yup, you guessed it. Same thing! Information is a marvelous thing. But it can overwhelm, and leave us feeling unsatisfied with […]

Giselle: Baby Name of the Day

August 17, 2019 By appellationmountain 18 Comments

Giselle combines French style with Disney princess bona fides – and yet, it remains just a little outside of the mainstream. Thanks to Danielle for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. Pledge The name sounds French – and it is! But it comes from Germanic roots, specifically the word gisil – pledge. That sounds […]

Name Help: Elias, Lydia, and …

August 16, 2019 By appellationmountain 21 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! Sara writes: We are expecting our third child in December, and realized we […]

Girls Names Ending With O: Willow, Coco, Marlowe

August 15, 2019 By appellationmountain 41 Comments

Looking for a girls’ name with an unconventional sound? Want something feminine, but frills-free? Here’s a possibility: choose one of the many girls names ending with O. From mini names like Jo to nature names like Willow to vintage choices like the fast-rising Margot, there are girls names ending in O to suit any style. […]

Sylvie: Baby Name of the Day

August 14, 2019 By appellationmountain 8 Comments

Sylvie sits at the edge of the current US Top 1000, a promising newcomer name. Thanks to Elise for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. Rhea Silvia In English, the most familiar form of the name is Sylvia. It comes from the Latin word silva – forest or woods. But it’s Silvia that brings […]

Best Disney Boy Names: From Arlo to Woody

August 12, 2019 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

Let’s talk about the best Disney boy names. Sure, we tend to focus on all those girls named after princesses. Jasmine and Ariel, I’m looking at you. But the boys get names every bit as daring and creative and yes, influential, too. A bonus with Disney boy names? They tend to fly under the radar. […]