June names herald the official start of warm weather in the northern hemisphere, the long and lazy days of summer. Some feel vintage and traditional. Others sound modern, unconventional, even daring. And while every one of these June names shares the same sound, very few are actually related. We find that great ‘oo’ in favorites […]
READ MORE >>Girl Names Starting with A
Looking for girl names starting with A? It’s the single most popular first initial for our daughters in recent years. It leaves runners-up E, M, and S in the dust. In some ways, it’s nothing new. Anna, Anne, Annie, and Ann alternated their tours in the Top 100, and many appeared in the Top Ten. […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Image Isn’t Fixed
Here’s something obvious that often goes unsaid: A name’s image is not fixed. It’s true, right? But we forget. A name is impossibly fusty and dated until you meet an adorable toddler called Harold or Cedric or Alfred. Or maybe you just never considered Hannah or Taylor or Caleb, but now it’s the name of […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: Long Girl Names
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! Rebecca writes: I’m due with our third child in July, and we have […]
READ MORE >>Lulu Names: Lucienne, Tallulah, Louise
Lulu names range from traditional Louise to obscure Eluned. If you love a playful, sparky nickname, but want something more substantial for your daughter’s birth certificate, this list is for you. FAMOUS LULUS In the 1930s and 40s, the Sunday comics chronicled the adventures of Little Lulu Moppett. Marjorie Henderson Buell created the character. Miss […]
READ MORE >>Beatles Baby Names: Lucy, Eleanor, Jude
The Beatles may have played their last show long ago, but Beatles baby names still top the popularity charts. Their music occupies a special place in popular culture. In their heyday, the band was so famous that everyone knew their songs. More than fifty years after the release of Abbey Road, we all recognize the […]
READ MORE >>Surname Names for Girls: Adair to 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 >>Boy Names Starting with M
Looking for boy names starting with M? Parents love the letter M. It’s one of the most popular letters for boy names, not far behind favorite first initials J, A, and C. Michael dominated the top spot on US popularity charts from the 1950s into the 1990s. Everybody likes Mike, and we grew up with […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Mother’s Day 2020
If you’re celebrating Mother’s Day today, I’m wishing you every joy! And if you’re struggling today, missing a loved one, or aching to be a mother yourself? My heart goes out to you. Normally, this Sunday we’re still feasting on name data. But this year, the Social Security Administration has delayed the release of the […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Short, Traditional Girl Name for Baby Five!
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! Lindsay writes: We have four beautiful children: daughter Nora Claire, plus three boys: […]
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