Let’s talk about snowclones. That’s the term of art for phrases like “x is the new y.” They’re called snowclones because of another phrasal template: “If Eskimos have 99 words for snow, then X surely has Y words for Z.” (Of course, that’s a vast oversimplification of Inuit culture and language.) But the term snowclones […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: Another Surname Name?
Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, 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! Rachel writes: We have a naming problem. Or I think we might have […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Sophia: Sophisticated and Meaningful
The baby name Sophia ranks among the most popular choices for girls worldwide. But did it all start with a big ol’ misunderstanding? Thanks to Sophie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. CLASSIC SOPHIA Despite flirting with obscurity in the 1940s and 50s, Sophia feels nearly as enduring as Katherine, Mary, Elizabeth, or […]
READ MORE >>Boy Names Starting with H: Henry, Huxley, Heath
Time to discuss boy names starting with H. As first initials go, H isn’t a breakout star. It’s no A or J, letters we love for our children’s names year over year. But it’s easy to think of possibilities starting with the letter H, in every category. Classics and trendsetters, rarities and rising favorites all […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Next Stop Nostalgia?
I’ve speculated on the big, important ways that the last few months might change the way we name our children. But how ’bout something on the lighter side? If you’ve spent the last few months binge-watching a popular series, has it put any potential baby names on your list? Or maybe reminded you of some […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Sister for Barrett, August, and Sullivan
Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, 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! Meredith writes: I’m due with my first girl after three boys and I’m […]
READ MORE >>Persian Baby Names: Anisa, Mina, Kian, Jahan
From an American perspective, Persian baby names range from the vaguely familiar to the completely fresh. Thanks to Nicole for suggesting a look at this language, and cross-cultural name choices that adapt well to English. PERSIAN BABY NAMES: A DEEP POOL First, let’s be clear: I’m writing as a complete outsider. I’ve never been to […]
READ MORE >>Orion: Baby Name of the Day
The baby name Orion belongs to a legendary hunter, immortalized in the night skies. Thanks to Kelly for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. THE HUNTER In Greek myth, Orion was a heroic figure, both in life and beyond. Odysseus met him in the underworld. Written accounts of his feats are lost, but we […]
READ MORE >>Girl Names Starting with C: Charlotte, Collins, Calla
Let’s look at the most popular girl names starting with C. C is for classic. While C girl names rise and fall, relatively few ever feel trendy or fleeting. They’re solid citizens, from the chart-toppers to the overlooked. Of course, many C names can be spelled with K, too. That’s true for evergreen favorites like […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: What Happens Next?
Just in case you missed it, Jennifer Moss and the team at BabyNames.com broke the internet this week by doing something so simple, but so powerful. If you haven’t seen their homepage, go now. I’ll wait. It’s staggering to read that. many. names. Heartbreaking to realize they had to update it to add more. And […]
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