March Madness Baby Names 2019: Girls Opening Round

Ready for March Madness 2019? Because the girls’ opening round is here!

First, the background: since 2011, we’ve indulged in a little bit of onomastic bracketology ’round here. Yes, I’ve heard that basketball really is the sport to watch in March. But instead, we watch the most popular baby names at Appellation Mountain, as determined by page views.

They’re a quirky bunch, to be sure. Names like Phryne and Endeavour regularly appear in the competition, even though I doubt you’ll meet a kid answering to either. But the names that win? That’s a different story.

This year’s March Madness baby names winners will join:

• Nathaniel and Louisa in 2011
• Arthur and Genevieve in 2012
• Archer and Isla in 2013
• Everett and Cora in 2014
• Finn and Cora in 2015
• Theodore and Sylvie in 2016
• Leo and Wren in 2017
• Rowan and Eliza in 2018

After Cora repeated in 2014, we agreed to instate a new rule: all past winners are immediately retired from future competition.

But enough with all that! Let’s vote on the next girl’s name to join that elite group.

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Phryne v. Faye

Let’s start with two surprisingly similar names: Phryne, inspired by the Australian television series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, versus the sweet, sophisticated Faye.

 

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Maisie v. Elowen

Retro, zippy Maisie faces Cornish import Elowen.

 

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Lumi v. Maple

Two modern nature names square off: Finnish Lumi, meaning snow, or the tree name Maple?

 

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Marigold v. Noa

Bold botanical Marigold takes on mini name Noa.

 

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Oakley v. Esme

Modern surname-style name Oakley, or vintage rarity-on-the-rise Esme?

 

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Margot v. Zosia

French Margot comes from Marguerite; Polish Zosia developed from Zofia. Which one do you prefer?

 

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Marlowe v. Evolet

Sleek and stylish surname Marlowe takes on invented, but meaningful Evolet.

 

March Madness 2019 Girls Opening Round: Flora v. Sloane

Vintage, romantic Flora against spare surname Sloane.

 

Thanks for voting! Check back next Saturday, March 9th to see which names advance to the quarter finals, and don’t forget to vote in the boys’ opening round, too.