Welcome to this week’s edition of names in the news 9.15.24!
Why Less Common Alternatives Lists are So, So Hard
I recently found this thread on Reddit. While the original post is gone, the comments remain (at least for now).
The premise is simple: here are the most popular names in the US. Suggest some alternatives.
In reality, offering substitutes is really, really hard. I make lists like this all the time, and comments often suggest that I’m off.
Because Theodoric is not a substitute for Theodore. Maybe it’s an alternative for Atticus or Alaric. But despite sharing sounds, it’s just way too different. Parents typically like Theodore because it’s such a strong classic.
Other readers’ suggestions do hit the mark. I think Lucia works for Mia and Nolan for Noah.
But in order to suggest a substitute for a favorite name, the first step is to understand why someone chose the popular name in the first place. Typically we don’t substitute just by sound – though it might work. Instead, we’re looking for a substitute that shares similar qualities. A vibe, right? So I’ll suggest Felix or Miles for Henry … but not Hendrik or Harris.
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Favorite Blog Posts & Name Lists
Lots of places get named after people. But they tend to be famous people. Generals and presidents. Or maybe just people wealthy enough to start a town on their own. That’s why I love stories like this one, about a town named after a real life baby who just happened to be born in the town’s early days.
A deeply personal look at what it means to have your name mispronounced. And a story of one woman’s decision to change her surname. As I often have to remind myself, it’s easy to dismiss names as a lightweight, inconsequential thing to worry about. It’s just not so.
Okay, well then again … I’m eagerly awaiting Disney+ series Agatha All Along for more bewitching witch names. (One I’ve spotted from the credits: Evanora!) Also, Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana are starring in an upcoming movie titled Emilia Pérez. I’m convinced that bilingual English/Spanish speakers hold the key to Top 25 names in the US today. Is Emilia the next Sofia? Or even Isabella?
Jesse, Heidi, Valerie, Dean. Love this list from The Naming Bee on Names Everyone Knows But Not Everyone Has.
I will never tire of Eventide Pennant Co.’s reels showing her work. Seriously, Allison Lee is so gifted … and the parents who seek out her creations are great namers! (Swooning over this list.)
Just a few spots left for September …
My calendar is chock full in late September and early October, so I’m closing private #namehelp reports as well as quick calls for two weeks.
A few slots are left for next week:
- To schedule a 45-minute call, please sign up here.
- If you love the #namehelp posts, but don’t want to share your questions publicly, private reports are available. As of this writing, two spots are open for next week.
I’ll update my calendar soon for mid-October. Thank you to all of the families who let me be a part of your naming decisions!
Featured Names Recently Updated
- Maybe this feels like a little bit of a pet name, but I know cats and dogs called Oscar and Charlie, so why not a son named Loki? He’s less and less of a villain as his story evolves.
- Speaking of pets, how did Paw Patrol round up some of the most influential names of this generation and give them to animated characters? I updated the post on Chase and forgot to shout out the long-running series.
- Yes, it’s a Top Ten favorite. But Amelia Earhart makes me think this name still flies high, even if it’s not exactly uncommon in 2024.
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That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading and have a great week.
