Most of the posts at Appellation Mountain are in-depth profiles of specific names. But there’s also plenty of advice about how to name a real, live human being. Find it here!
Advice & Guidance
- The Perils of Unusual Names: Ten Things to Consider When Choosing Hester or Habakkuk
- In Defense of Atlas and Apple: Ten Reasons Unusual Names Aren’t a Problem
- Jacob versus Trystan: Ten Things to Remember About Rankings
- In Defense of Emma and Ethan: Ten Good Reasons to Use a Common Name
- How Close is Too Close? Ten Factors to Consider
- In Defense of Isobel and Aiden: Ten Reasons to Embrace Variant Spellings
- The Secret Meaning of Names
- The Myth of the Normal Name
- In Defense of Riley Anne and Evan Marie: Ten Reasons Boys’ Names on Girls Are Not a Sign of End Times
- The Nine Types of Unusual Baby Names
- In Defense of Nicknames: Ten Reasons to Embrace Nickname-Rich Names
- In Defense of Jake and Kate: Nine Reasons to Skip the Formal Name
- Seven Reasons to Go Big with Middle Names
- The Problem of Native American Baby Names
- Crazy Baby Names: 12 Warning Signs
- 8 Reasons to Forgo Family Names
- 9 Creative Ways to Honor Your Loved Ones with Your Child’s Name
- 6 Great Reasons to Use Family Names
- Eight Things I’ve Learned About Baby Names as a Parent
- Name Help: Why I Never Say “Save the Name for a Son”
Getting to … a specific nickname
- Getting to Addie
- Getting to Coco
- Getting to Ellie
- Getting to Evie
- Getting to Lulu
- Getting to Gus
- Getting to Nell
- Getting to Rory (girl)
Lists, etc.
All Recipes
Sunday Summary
Names in the News 6.29.25
name consults
Boy Names To Match David
name consults
Finding Names Ending with IE for Baby Five
Sunday Summary
Names in the News 6.22.25
name consults
What Name Goes Best With Annabelle Called Annie?
name consults
Choosing a Short Girl Name to Match Ella Grace
Sunday Summary
Names in the News 6.15.25
Boy Names
Baby Name of the Day: Elio
name consults
Short, Strong Boy Names Like Cole
Sunday Summary
Names in the News 6.8.25
name consults
Finding a Strong, Classic Name for Mary’s Brother
name consults
Vintage Girl Names to Match Margo and Mabel
Sunday Summary