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Name Advice: Why I Never Say “Save the Name for a Son”

January 26, 2023 By appellationmountain 19 Comments

why i never say save the name for a sonShould you save the name for a son?

It comes up from time to time in #namehelp posts, and in all sorts of baby naming forums, too:

We love the name Raymond, after my dad, but we’re having a girl. 

I’d like to use my mother’s maiden name for my first child, but does Macallister work for a daughter?

Often well meaning comments suggest that the family save the name for a son, and choose a different name for their daughter. When I first started out, I think it’s possible that I said that sometimes, too. (And I’m sure I thought it more than once.)

It can seem like a logical suggestion, and I believe the comments are well-meaning. But the longer I write about names, the more those comments make me feel uneasy.

So I thought I’d share why I no longer suggest parents the save name for a son.

[Read more…]

Baby Name Willow: Magical and Meaningful

January 25, 2023 By appellationmountain 30 Comments

baby name Willow

The baby name Willow marries a gentle nature vibe with plenty of pop culture currency. Thanks to Nicole for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. SLENDER and SIGNIFICANT Flower names have been big across the generations. In the late twentieth century, tree names joined the list and have gone mainstream. The Old English word […]

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Baby Name Aire: New Nature Name

January 24, 2023 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

baby name Aire

The baby name Aire is the newest entry on the extended Kardashian-Jenner family tree. But will it follow choices like Reign and Dream into mainstream popularity? Let’s look at our Baby Name of the Day. AIRE is the NEW WOLF Kylie Kristen Jenner is the youngest child of Kris Kardashian Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner. Born […]

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Boy Names Starting with I: Isaac, Idris, Ibrahim

January 23, 2023 By appellationmountain 8 Comments

boy names starting with I

When it comes to boy names starting with I, two varieties dominate. There are the every guy names, the likable and familiar favorites, like Isaac and Ian. But then there are the daring boy names starting with I, from Shakespeare’s Iago to Elba’s Idris. Is there any middle ground? Maybe. A saintly classic and some […]

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Kardashian Baby Names: Four Lessons from the Famous Family

January 22, 2023 By appellationmountain 1 Comment

Kardashian baby names

That’s right, I said it. I’m here in praise of Kardashian baby names. The reality show royals have been growing their family nonstop. Three sisters welcomed daughters in 2018, each with a surprising, didn’t-see-that-coming name: Stormi, Chicago, and True. (Well, maybe I had that last one on my radar.) Then Kim and former husband Kanye […]

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Sunday Summary: Year of the Rabbit

January 22, 2023 By appellationmountain 1 Comment

Sunday Summary: 1.22.23

I don’t follow astrology. But I do notice it, particularly around the Lunar New Year. So yes, I have rabbits on the brain this week. As fictional creatures go, there are quite a lot of them – which seems right. And while some of them – sorry, Flopsy and Mopsy – probably shouldn’t inspire your […]

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Name Help: A Brother for Theo and Auggie

January 20, 2023 By appellationmountain 24 Comments

Name Help: A Brother for Theodore and August

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! Alyssa writes: We have two boys, Theodore and August. We call them Theo […]

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Baby Name Axel: Traditional Tough Guy

January 18, 2023 By appellationmountain 7 Comments

baby name Axel

The baby name Axel blends Scandi style with a rock star edge. Thanks to Rebecca for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. ABSALOM At first glance, the baby name Axel looks like it might be a cousin to the popular classic Alexander. Not so. Instead, the Old Testament gave us Absalom, son to King […]

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Baby Name Freya: Noble Lady

January 17, 2023 By appellationmountain 18 Comments

baby name Freya

The baby name Freya is borrowed from Norse mythology, but it’s right at home on a modern girl. Thanks to Mariuccia for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL Who’s the fairest of them all? In Norse mythology, Freya is the name of the Norse goddess of love, as well […]

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Girl Names Starting with O: Olivia, Opal, Odette

January 16, 2023 By appellationmountain 11 Comments

Girl Names Starting with O

Relatively few girl names starting with O rank in the US Top 1000 – just eleven total. But their number includes white hot, won’t-stop Olivia, as well a forest full of Oak- names, and some dazzling vintage revival picks. But beyond those few names, the letter O offers a great many options for our daughters. […]

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