Boy names starting with F don’t exactly top the popularity charts. In fact, it’s the 21st out of the 26 possible first initials for boys born in 2020. But that relative obscurity hides how many truly amazing boy names start with the letter F. There’s upbeat, can-do Finn and all of the many Finn names […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: The Flower Screen
This October marks my nineteenth wedding anniversary. Whoa. I was thinking about a moment from the planning process, and it reminded me of a dilemma we ALL face when naming children. Or, really, making LOTS of decisions. Our florist came recommended by our reception venue. A small, local shop, it’s been in business for ages. […]
READ MORE >>Best Tree Names for Babies: Arbor, Rowan, Acacia
Tree names offer a slightly different take on the many nature names parents love. From redwoods and weeping willows to cherry blossoms and regular ol’ oaks, trees command respect. They’re enduring, symbolic, undeniably attractive. Poet Joyce Kilmer wrote I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree … and it is easy to understand […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: Naming the Second Twin
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! Krissie writes: We have three kiddos: Grace “Gracie” Elizabeth, Jonathan “Jon” Andrew, and […]
READ MORE >>Strong Girl Names: Inspired by Eleanor
So many parents are looking for them: strong girl names. There’s more than one of strong, of course. Some are heroic, like fictional Hunger Games champ Katniss Everdeen – modern, unexpected, frills-free names for warriors. Others bring to mind the fictional Hermione Granger – obscure, rich in history, capable, and ever so smart. But how […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Benjamin: Handsome and Reliable
The baby name Benjamin feels classic, reliable, and oh so approachable. From an Old Testament patriarch to a Founding Father, a friendly bear, and a famous rabbit, there are plenty of Bens to inspire parents. Thanks to Ashlie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. OLD TESTAMENT Let’s start with the Old Testament. Benjamin […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Charlotte: Polished Classic
The baby name Charlotte feels traditional, polished, and ever so royal. Thanks to Lem for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. EVERGREEN Way back in 1880, and well into the 1950s, the baby name Charlotte appeared in the US Top 100 or thereabouts nearly ever year. It fit with other evergreen classics, like Elizabeth […]
READ MORE >>Girl Names Starting with I: Ivy, Isaura, Isabelle
Girl names starting with I fit right in with so many vowel-forward choices. After all, A is the most popular letter for girls’ names, with E right behind. The letter I ranks fourteenth – about midway through the alphabet. And yet, there just aren’t that many girl names starting with I. And, unlike Amelia/Emilia or […]
READ MORE >>Rare Surname Names for Girls: Adair, Isley, Zavala
Surname names for girls have gone from sometimes-heard family custom to one of the biggest categories of baby names today. Not every surname makes the list. We tend to favor English, Irish, and Scottish choices – regardless of our own heritage. Kowalski just doesn’t feel like a first name, even though Madison and Harper do. […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Up and Coming, Yet Grounded
A challenge many of us face when choosing names: we all want the same thing. A name that’s familiar, not common. A name with history, but not stuck in the past. And so I love the way Theresa Zoe Williams at Sancta Nomina put it: “up-and-coming yet grounded.” She singled out names like Emmet and […]
READ MORE >>- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 406
- Next Page »