James for a girl is one of the more controversial choices in baby naming today. Thanks to Angela for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. MASCULINE STAPLE James is a masculine staple. It’s Biblical, worn by saints and kings and men of distinction throughout the years. Many borrowed-from-the-boys names are newer possibilities, surname names or […]
READ MORE >>12 Celebrities Who Chose Unisex Names
The latest Blake Lively/Ryan Reynolds baby name rumor? She’s named James. If that’s true, Blake and Ryan would only be taking the unisex name trend to its logical conclusion. After all, James has been big in the middle spot for girls for years. Sean Combs has a daughter called Jessie James, born back in 2006.  More […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Gender Neutral Name for a Girl
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! Emilie and her husband are expecting their second child soon, a little sister […]
READ MORE >>Taylor: Baby Name of the Day
Elizabeth.  Swift. Some very well known women have answered to this name. 90s Week continues with Taylor as our Baby Name of the Day.
READ MORE >>Frederica: Baby Name of the Day
This post was originally published on June 3, 2010.  It was substantially revised and re-posted on November 3, 2014 at the suggestion of Bertram Bergamot. It’s a name so clunky it might just be cool. Thanks to Paul for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Frederica.
READ MORE >>Wallis: Baby Name of the Day
This one has fascinated me since I first read about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in the 1980s. Our Baby Name of the Day is Wallis.
READ MORE >>Danica: Baby Name of the Day
Editor’s note: This post originally appeared on April 20, 2011. Â It was substantially revised and reposted on February 3, 2014. She’s a Slavic goddess driven to success. Thanks to Fran for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day, Danica –Â and to Leith for suggesting the update!
READ MORE >>Campbell and Collins: The New Unisex Names for Girls
Here’s an ever-so-familiar tale: you’ve named your son Jordan, and now there’s another tot at playgroup with the same name. Except she’s a she, and the other moms call your kiddo “boy Jordan” to differentiate. You take your son for his first soccer practice, and realize there’s another Charlie, one sporting pigtails and pink shinguards. Or […]
READ MORE >>Ellington, Anniston, Hollis: Surname Names for Girls
If there’s a Name Nerd Code of Conduct, giving a masculine name to a daughter is definitely a violation. Most surname names tend to be ceded to Team Blue. But despite objections voiced on name forums everywhere, parents continue to embrace surname names for girls. From invented andro-girly choices (think Anastyn or Graycen) to names […]
READ MORE >>Fetching Names: Elaborate As with Tomboy Nicknames
Did you know: If the name in a post appears in blue, that’s a hyperlink to the Baby Name of the Day post about that name. There’s a kind of name that I especially love – the shape-shifter, the flexible appellation. An awful lot of them are brought to us by the letter A. Alexandra […]
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