Appellation Mountain - Where every name has a story

Girl Names Starting with S: Sophie, Samara, Sutton

June 14, 2021 By appellationmountain 10 Comments

Looking for girl names starting with S?

From classic Sarah to trending Stevie, there’s no shortage of appealing possibilities. After all, the letter S ranks fourth for girls’ names, behind A, E, and M.

Part of that popularity is the one-two punch of Sophia and Sofia, among the most popular names for girls around the world. Now Sophie has also joined the US Top 100, making it even more of a dominant sound.

But S names can be distinctive and different, too. This letter gives us everything from surnames Sutton and Sloane to vintage delights like Sadie and Susanna.

One S name to watch? Simone. Following the staggering achievements of Simone Biles in 2021 – she’s the most decorated American gymnast of all time – it could prove inspiring to parents.

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Sunday Summary: Naming Brood X

June 13, 2021 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

Friends, let’s talk Brood X. There are a gajillion cicadas in my neighborhood. They’ve gone from slowly emerging to fully brazen, landing on my sleeve, doing flybys thisclose to my head, crunching up the sidewalks and the lawns. I tried to think of them as a miracle of the natural world. Reminded myself that cicada […]

Baby Name Luca: Cool Take on a Classic

June 12, 2021 By appellationmountain 14 Comments

The baby name Luca takes classic Luke in a romance language direction. Thanks to Jenna for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. JOSHUA and NOAH and EZRA Not so long ago, boy names ending in vowels were rare. Immigrants to the US adopted more American versions of their names. Giorgio became George: Roberto, Bob. […]

Name Help: Charlie, Lainey, and …

June 11, 2021 By appellationmountain 8 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! Jennifer writes: I’m pregnant with baby number three and need some names! I […]

Names Like Carter: Walker, Calder, Briggs

June 10, 2021 By appellationmountain 4 Comments

Looking for names like Carter? Carter appears in the US Top 1000 for most years with data available, way back to 1880. But it soared in use beginning in 1994, thanks to the debut of smash-hit television series E.R. John Carter – almost always referred to as simply Carter – started out as a medical […]

Baby Name Dolly: Powerhouse Nickname Name

June 9, 2021 By appellationmountain 8 Comments

The baby name Dolly sounds easily dismissed. But the women who have worn it make Dolly a powerhouse. Thanks to Nell for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. DOROTHY Dorothea traces its history back to the early fourth century – at least. Like Theodora and Theodore, it comes from the Greek and means gift of […]

Baby Name Colin: Approachable and Gentlemanly

June 8, 2021 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

The baby name Colin transformed from overlooked antique to a modern staple, versatile and gentlemanly. Thanks to Sarah for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. SCOTTISH, IRISH, GREEK There are two main origins for this name. Cailean comes from Scotland; Coilean, from Ireland. They both come from the same root – young dog or […]

Boy Names Starting with R: Robert, Rafferty, Rhodes

June 7, 2021 By appellationmountain 8 Comments

Looking for boy names starting with R? From traditional mainstays like Robert and Richard to new favorites like Ryder and Remy, there’s no shortage of R boy names to consider. In recent years, it’s felt like a number of the hottest names come from this letter – just look at the list of most popular […]

Baby Name Lilibet: Casual Charmer

June 6, 2021 By appellationmountain 9 Comments

The baby name Lilibet made headlines in June 2021 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave it to their second child. Our Baby Name of the Day is in honor of Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor’s birth. LILY (PROBABLY) CAME FIRST We tend to think of Lily as short for Lillian, and Elizabeth as a completely […]

Sunday Summary: Choose the Relationship

June 6, 2021 By appellationmountain 1 Comment

I know how easy it is to become attached to a name. Maybe you do, too. But should that choice bring you into heartbreaking conflict with someone important in your life, here’s a good rule of thumb: choose the relationship. Even when it means sacrificing the name you love. Probably even if you can’t wrap […]