Welcome to this edition of names in the news 10.6.24!
Something that keeps running through my mind: I think Mandy Moore is my absolute favorite namer of the moment. She and husband Taylor Goldsmith have two boys:
- August “Gus” Harrison
- Oscar “Ozzie” Bennett
And they just welcomed daughter Louise “Lou” Everett.
They’re such fun names – vintage firsts, modern middles. Sparky, retro nicknames that look at home embroidered on coveralls.
Not too popular, not too out-there. Absolute perfection!
Should we name to minimize hassle?
This an interesting question because people do struggle with their names – spelling, pronunciation, too common, too different, too trendy, too old.
Some of those are at odds with each other, of course – for every Jennifer who would rather be an Alanna, there’s an Alanna who would love to NOT explain “it’s A-L-A-N-N-A … two Ns” every. single. time.
And yet, naming to minimize such challenges feels unnecessary, too. The comments on this reader question about Elin versus Ellen are fascinating.
It also has me wondering: are there any truly hassle-free names? Even the classics have their pitfalls. (Just ask any Elizabeth who has to explain her preferred nickname – or that she doesn’t shorten her name at all, thanks.)
Names that strike me as wonderfully straightforward, like Max or Henry, can repeat – sometimes lots.
Most names come with some pitfalls. That’s okay!
My sense is that we should consider potential hassles in advance, and be open to evaluating them and planning how we’ll approach them … but not change our favorite names as a result.
For more thoughts on naming, join the AM Baby Names Patreon community.
Favorite Blog Posts & Name Lists
Also in the family can be a headache column: They named their daughter Sloane and her family is mad about it. It’s easy to tell this new mom what to do, but I suspect it’s much harder to handle in real life. Thinking through some good advice for this situation and (too many) others like this.
This reel! I think it’s the way so many of us go about choosing names. “Levi?” “Like a pair of jeans?” “Benji?” “I had a dog named Benji.” It’s funny … but oh wow, it’s hard!
Witches get The Best names. I’ve yet to watch Agatha All Along, but I’d be thinking about this list of bewitching possibilities for a daughter anyway, because ’tis the season.
Nancy has the data on rising boys’ names in Canada. Will Tage catch on in the US, too? It feels like a successor to Gage with a lot of Tate mixed in, and that could be a winning formula.
On the girls’ side, Lainey is having a big year in Canada, just like in the US. Could it be one of those names that smashes its way into the American Top Ten? People do seem to love it …
Calls + Private Posts Open for October
Want to talk over a naming decision? Calls are open for this month.
Love the #namehelp posts, but don’t want to share your questions publicly? Thanks to your requests, the summer sale is extended and spots are open through October.
If you’d like a public #namehelp post, please email your question to appmtn (at) gmail.
Featured Names Recently Updated
- Clio, because my sweet daughter celebrated her birthday this past week!
- Betty, a name that I cannot believe isn’t trending!
- Blaise, one of those perfect smart-meets-cool kind of choices.
For more updates, join the AM Baby Names Patreon community. (Name of the Day posts are shared to all members, including those who join for free!)
That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading and have a great week.
