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Where every name has a story

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Baby Name Olivia: Shakespearean Chart-Topper

April 13, 2022 By appellationmountain 8 Comments

baby name Olivia

The baby name Olivia transformed from lovely Shakespearean rarity to chart-topping favorite. Thanks to Liv for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. TWELFTH NIGHT William Shakespeare used the name Olivia in his comedy Twelfth Night. In fact, he may have invented the baby name Olivia – though it was in sparing use by the […]

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Imogen: Baby Name of the Day

March 6, 2019 By appellationmountain 29 Comments

Imogen: Baby Name of the Day

We whispered Imogen down the alley, a name transformed by history and Shakespeare, too. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. Imogen: Literary Maiden The name likely comes from the Gaelic word inghean – maiden. First spelled Innogen – with a double ‘n’ rather than an ‘m’ – it may have […]

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Duncan: Baby Name of the Day

February 13, 2019 By appellationmountain 22 Comments

Duncan: Baby Name of the Day

Duncan brings to mind basketballs and doughnuts – but also Scotland and Shakespeare. Thanks to Whitney for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. Duncan: Way Back Kings aplenty have answered to this name, as early as the 600s. An eighth century Saint Dúnchad might sometimes be recorded as Duncan, too. And then there’s King Donnchadh. […]

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The Great Big List of Shakespeare Baby Names

October 15, 2018 By appellationmountain 25 Comments

Shakespeare Baby Names

Shakespeare baby names have charted in the US Top Ten – think of Jessica and Olivia. The good news: more gems await discovery! William Shakespeare innovated with language, shaping the English we speak today. No surprise his work brims with amazing names. All of the names feel wearable, though they range from the familiar, to […]

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Adriana: Baby Name of the Day

December 13, 2017 By appellationmountain 6 Comments

Adriana: Baby Name of the Day

Adriana comes with tons of history, but was seldom heard until the mid-twentieth century. Our Baby Name of the Day was inspired by C.’s daughter. Adriana: From the Map This name begins its story on the map, in Northern Italy. The Etruscans called it Atria or Hatria, a port town near the Adriatic Sea. A […]

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Horatio: Baby Name of the Day

April 26, 2017 By appellationmountain 30 Comments

Horatio: Baby Name of the Day

Horatio appears in history, literature, and on the modern small screen. And yet this name trends towards obscurity. Thanks to Paul for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. Horatio: Horace’s Sprightly Cousin Back in the first century BC, Quintus Horatius Flaccus penned some of the greatest works of the Ancient World. We know the poet as […]

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Hal: Baby Name of the Day

April 12, 2017 By appellationmountain 11 Comments

Hal: Baby Name of the Day

Hal comes in at just three letters, but with famous father Benedict Cumberbatch choosing it for his newest son, will it be the next big thing? Hal: Short Traditionally, Hal served as a short form of Henry, via Harry. That sounds like a stretch, but remember Henry came to England with the Normans as Henri. The […]

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Crispin: Baby Name of the Day

September 22, 2016 By appellationmountain 30 Comments

Crispin: Baby Name of the Day

Looking for a crisp, autumnal name for a son? The saintly, literary Crispin might be one to consider. Thanks to Arthur for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. Crispin: Band of Brothers If not for Shakespeare’s Henry V, this name might have faded into obscurity. The play recounts actual events, including the battle at Agincourt […]

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Arden: Baby Name of the Day

June 27, 2016 By appellationmountain 33 Comments

Arden: Baby Name of the Day

Arden offers a compromise between nature names and literary ones, with a tailored, modern style. Thanks to Christina for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. Arden: Forest of William Shakespeare set his pastoral comedy As You Like It in a forest by the name. Fair Rosalind ventures into the woods disguised as a youth. Hijinks ensue, but all […]

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Name Help: First Girl in a Big Family

February 27, 2016 By appellationmountain 28 Comments

Name Help: Ophelia

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every Saturday, 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! Sofia writes: I have a baby girl due in July. I have four […]

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