I love a good Name Quotes round-up from Nancy. Reading the story about Amandla Sternberg’s name, I found myself thinking: The story matters. And how you TELL it matters, too. Amandla’s name looks like a creative twist on Amanda, but it’s not. It’s borrowed from an anti-apartheid rallying cry and means power. Reading her account, […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Sister for Greta Alvenell
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! Rae writes: We are expecting our second child in early January and I […]
READ MORE >>Nickname Ozzy: Short for Oscar, Ambrose, Oswald
The nickname Ozzy feels like the next big thing. Of course, just plain Ozzy might catch on. As of 2021, it debuted in the US Top 1000 at #712. That works out to 364 births, meaning Ozzy was more popular than Douglas, Dash, or Wayne. POP CULTURE OZZYS Most of the famous Ozzys got their […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Blythe: Joyful Vintage Gem
The baby name Blythe feels as cheerful as Felicity, as brief as Blair. Thanks to Rocking Fetal for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. BLITHE Long before this was a given name, the Old English word blithe meant cheerful or happy. It’s an archaic word now, seldom heard in conversation. Blithely survives, occasionally heard as […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Sullivan: Trustworthy and Warm
The baby name Sullivan mixes upbeat Irish energy with plenty of stylish sound. Thanks to Kelly for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. LITTLE DARK-EYED ONE The baby name Sullivan started out as an Irish surname. But it comes from a given name – Suileabhain. The first syllable means eye; the middle is dark; […]
READ MORE >>Girl Names Starting with Z: Zoe, Zahava, Zuri
Girl names starting with Z sit at the end of the alphabet, but they’ve become style stars in the last few decades. From mini Zoe – no matter how you spell it – to elaborate Zariyah and Zaniyah, more girl names starting with Z appear in today’s Top 1000 than nearly any year prior. That […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Boston Accents and Adele
Here’s something that we often don’t anticipate, but OH how it matters. ACCENTS. They’re all over the name news this week. First up, Adele surprised everyone when she announced that a fan said her name “perfectly.” It’s less uh DELL and more … uh DALE. Except there’s a little bit of a “w” quality to […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Sibling for Lorenzo and Carolina
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! Francez writes: I’m pregnant with baby number three. This is the first time […]
READ MORE >>Names like Evelyn: Beatrice, Florence, Vivian
Let’s talk names like Evelyn. Why? Back in the early twentieth century, Evelyn ranked in the US Top 20 – which is the top of the top. But today? It’s even more popular. Evelyn reached #12 in 2016. From 2017 through 2021, the name has consistently appeared in the US Top Ten. That’s a lot […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Giselle: Graceful and Romantic
The baby name Giselle combines French style with Disney princess bona fides – and yet, it remains just a little outside of the mainstream. Thanks to Danielle for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. PLEDGE The baby name Giselle sounds French – and it is! But it originally comes from the Germanic word gisil – […]
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