appellationmountain, Author at Appellation Mountain

Name of the Day: Whitney

August 3, 2008 By appellationmountain 6 Comments

Some parents heartily dislike the practice of adopting surnames as first names or choosing a name once reserved for boys for a daughter. But it is worth remembering that neither practice is new – they’re just very, very popular circa 2008. Today’s Name of the Day is one of a cluster that’s been used for […]

Name of the Day: Giles

August 2, 2008 By appellationmountain 8 Comments

Whilst discussing Gilbert, Catherine mentioned that she preferred this similar moniker – which prompted Lola to knock our socks off with her recitation of the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons, detailing church bells once heard around London. This conversation led us to today’s Name of the Day: Giles.

Name of the Day: Cullen

July 31, 2008 By appellationmountain 9 Comments

It’s a Gaelic-flavored surname with a long history of use, but today suggests an unusual Goth edge that either discourages – or delights – parents searching for a simple but uncommon name for a boy. Thanks to Kim for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Cullen.

Name of the Day: Coriander

July 29, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

Parents searching for a truly unusual name sometimes resort to creative respellings or stringing together random syllables. The result is usually a bit of a mess – a name that seems familiar, but still manages to confuse. Still, if you don’t love the throwback vibe we usually feature here, is there another option? We suggest […]

Starbaby News: Welcome Callum MacLachlan

July 29, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

We’re always charmed when a recent Name of the Day shows up on a starbaby. Actor Kyle MacLachlan and Project Runaway executive producer Desiree Gruber recently welcomed a son, Callum Lyon MacLachlan. Callum was Name of the Day back on July 13. No word on the thinking behind the middle name, but Callum seems like […]

Name of the Day: Dixon

July 27, 2008 By appellationmountain 7 Comments

Earlier this month, we picked up on a tale of parents naming their son after two radio show hosts in exchange for a $100 gas card. We must say, the mind reels. And yet, reader response was uniformly neutral, mostly because the name in question is rather appealing. It’s also today’s Name of the Day: […]

Name of the Day: Verity

July 26, 2008 By appellationmountain 12 Comments

It feels a bit indulgent, but today we’re trotting out one of our very most favorite monikers for Name of the Day: the virtuous Verity.

Name of the Day: Loveday

July 24, 2008 By appellationmountain 13 Comments

It sounds like a hippie-chic mash-up concocted by a pair of flower children on a commune, the logical choice for Moonglow and Whiteriver’s new sibling. But in fact, it’s a valid surname and given name with a history that stretches nearly a thousand years. Thanks to Katharine for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: the […]

Starbaby News: Ethan Hawke Names Daughter Clementine

July 24, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

We must say, we weren’t on pins and needles waiting for the arrival of Ethan Hawke and Ryan Shawhughes’ child. If anything, we grimaced a bit whenever we heard the phrase, “former nanny to Ethan’s children Maya and Levon.” But all that aside, what a fabulous first name they’ve chosen: Clementine. Clementine Jane Hawke arrived […]

Name of the Day: Assumpta

July 22, 2008 By appellationmountain 22 Comments

Today’s Name of the Day is not only an endangered species herself, she’s part of a cluster of names once much in favor in Roman Catholic countries and now seldom heard. They’re the Marians – names taken from titles given to the Virgin Mary, or in some cases, from her major life events or places […]