If it’s July, then it’s time for the New Names Showdown! Every year, the US Social Security Administration releases the 1000 most popular names. Some of them are brand new to the rankings, debuting for the first time ever. Others return after an absence. It’s usually a few dozen names for each gender. I take […]
READ MORE >>New Names Showdown 2021: Girls SemiFinals
The New Names Showdown 2021 is underway! Every year, when the new data is released, a handful of names have returned to the US Top 1000, or debuted for the very first time. I choose eight of my favorites for boys, and eight for girls. By favorites, I mean the most interesting names – some […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: He Hates My Favorite 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! Julie writes: My husband and I are due with our first child together […]
READ MORE >>Raya and the Last Dragon Production Babies: Yuna, Romi, Drake
Looking for the Raya and the Last Dragon production babies? This list includes all 42 babies celebrated in the closing credits of Disney’s animated movie. If you’re new to the concept, it’s pretty simple. It takes months – sometimes years – to create an animated movie of such complexity. That means that employees working on […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Rafe: Dashing Traditional
The baby name Rafe combines traditional roots with plenty of dash. Thanks to Josephine for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. RALPH If you know actor Ralph Fiennes – and since the celebrated actor has starred in everything form Shakespeare to Harry Potter, you probably do – then you might assume that Rafe is […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Cecilia: Musical and Timeless
The baby name Cecilia combines timeless appeal with a rich and storied musical pedigree. Thanks to Dan for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. CAECILIUS If meaning matters, the baby name Cecilia comes up a little short. It comes from the Roman family name Caecilius, from a Latin word meaning blind. The first Caeculus […]
READ MORE >>Girl Names Starting with E: Eva, Emery, Evangeline
Girl names starting with E include some of the most popular choices. At least two qualify as regal, saintly classics. Dozens more feel like sweet spot choices for a daughter, names that feel feminine without being too frilly. Plenty of them are familiar, but not wildly popular. Of course, E names for girls as a […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Sage Milan
Confession: I hadn’t heard of Blayne Alexander until I saw this birth announcement. But the NBC News correspondent impressed. I mean a) she is absolutely glowing in a down-to-earth, completely approachable way in her picture; b) her husband, Jay Bailey, is wearing a “Girl Dad” hoodie, which is beyond adorable; and c) they’ve got a […]
READ MORE >>New Names Showdown 2021: Boys Opening Round
Time for the boys’ opening round in the 2021 New Names Showdown! Not sure what that means? Typically, on the Friday before Mother’s Day, the US Social Security Administration releases the new names popularity data, based on births in the prior calendar year. It’s a fascinating list, and we dissect and review it for all […]
READ MORE >>New Names Showdown 2021: Girls Opening Round
Time for the girls’ opening round in the 2021 New Names Showdown! Wondering what that could possibly be? On (usually) the Friday before Mother’s Day, the US Social Security Administration releases the new names popularity data, based on births in the prior calendar year. It’s a fascinating list, and we dissect and review it for […]
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