Table of Contents
Name-inspired news and notes for your Sunday reading.
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It’s December, and that means Spotify Wrapped is out.
In June, I was – apparently – in my “Wanderlust Beach Happy Indie” season. That tracks with all things summer. I’m less clear about March’s “Academic Permanent Wave Rock” phase or August’s “Mallgoth Happy Rock Punk” moment.
Sometimes we try to do this with names, too. We declare that we’re “New England Traditional” blended with “Hollywood Retro Glam.” (I’d suggest Katharine and Wilder.) Or “Jazz Age Darlings” with a hint of “Meaning-Rich Names.” (Blossom goes to the top of my list, and maybe Otis.)
So are our brains better than the algorithm? I think it’s the wrong question.
Just like musicians have to imagine and create the songs that ultimately define “Wanderlust Beach Happy Indie” season, it’s our collective understanding of names that allows them to be categorized and sorted.
When we offer #namehelp here at AM, I’m delighted by how often we seem to agree on an obvious frontrunner name or two. Even if we can’t articulate it neatly, there is a broad understanding of each name’s image and style.
It’s not that I’m backing the wisdom of the AM community over an algorithm. It’s that the algorithm can’t exist without our complex, unpredictable, ever-changing judgement – made better by an amazing community of name enthusiasts who share that wisdom week after week after week.
Even when it’s Wanderlust Beach Happy Indie season.
And for that, I thank you!
Finds From Last Week
Gladiator put Maximus on the list in 2000 and helped boost many Max names. It also contributed to our interest in ancient boys’ names overall. Titus and Julius; Magnus and Augustus; Atticus. Looking at the 2024 sequel, I’m curious about Lucius. It’s been out of Top 1000 entirely since 1968. Lucian and Lucien gained in 2023, so it would track.
A fascinating trendlet … singers’ names. Not Beyoncé, of course – her name is all her own. That’s also true for Mitski and Lorde. Taylor’s name is very 90s. Halsey never quite caught on. But so many singers’ names do trend: Billie Eilish, Lainey Wilson. So it’s worth watching what’s next: Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Bishop Briggs, and Chappell Roan could all prove influential. (It’s not new, either – check out Nancy’s post on Brendalee!)
Aurora ranks in the Top Ten for Portugal. Is that a sign of things to come in the US? Filipa attributes the spike to Brazilian name trends, but I don’t think that changes how very interesting this development seems.
How did I miss the New Top Baby Names in the UK? They were released last week. Clare has a great run-down of what’s new and notable.
Updating & Thinking About
Dramatic, romantic floral name Magnolia is the best of Lily and Amelia, combined for something less expected but still very wearable.
Friendly, approachable Ames is a logical successor to Brooks and Wells.
Clea has always taken a back seat to cousin Cleo, but there’s no reason both can’t be amazing choices.
NOTE: Calls are filling fast! I’ll be closing them down for a bit around the holiday, but will release more dates in early January soon. Private #namehelp posts will be offered throughout the season.
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!
