What are the coolest Top 100 girl names? Because yes, a name can be cool, even edgy – and still quite popular. After all, only the most appealing names make it to the top of the popularity charts. Some of the Top 100 names feel classic. Others trendy. And some, of course, are falling from […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Mia: Mighty Minimalist
The baby name Mia fits with a minimalist aesthetic. Why take six or seven letters when you pack all that style into just three? Thanks to Lou for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. MINE In Italian and Spanish, mia simply means mine. Think of Gomez Addams referring to his beloved Morticia as cara […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Sister for Mia and Zoe
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! Ashley writes: We have two daughters, Mia Isabelle and Zoe Katherine. Mia is […]
READ MORE >>Rare May Names: Lulamae, Maybelle, Maylee
Rare May names range from the vintage to the modern, smooshes to inventions. But they all contain the bright, vibrant, and spring-like sound of May. We love Mae, of course, so spare and lovely. The ‘e’ spelling appears in the current US Top 1000, while the ‘y’ does not. But the sound is everywhere. Of […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Etta: Retro Mini Name
The baby name Etta feels retro and sparky, brief and complete. Thanks to Kayt for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. ENDS WITH ETTA Like Ella, Etta comes from names that include the sound. Henrietta comes to mind, but there’s Rosetta and Benedetta, Marietta and Coretta. The list goes on. Add in -et and […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Reginald: Overlooked Traditional
The baby name Reginald could fit right in with Sebastian and Benjamin, and Reggie? It’s in the same category as fast-rising favorite Archie. But despite these similarities, it remains an overlooked traditional. Thanks to Nicole for suggesting the name originally, and to Sarah for requesting the update. ROMANTIC HERO A daring knight of old puts […]
READ MORE >>Boy Names Starting with V: Victor, Vaughn, Vireo
Boy names starting with V range from classic Vincent to dashing Valor. It’s an international letter, too. There’s Sanskrit Vivaan and Vihann, Slavic Vassily, Italian Vincenzo and Valentino, and more. Plenty of those rank in the current US Top 1000. But while v features in chart-toppers from Oliver and Levi to Xavier and Everett, it’s […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Deeply Personal and Deeply Public
There’s so much to unpack in this New Yorker article: America Ruined My Name for Me. In brief, Bich Nguyen was born in Vietnam, but moved to the US as a refugee while still an infant. Her name means jade in Vietnamese, a name both beautiful and common in her native country. But it proved challenging growing up […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Sibling for Bennett and Allegra
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! Lara writes: I am pregnant with a surprise miracle baby, child #3. Loving […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: Why Not Patrick?
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! Nora writes: Our son is due at the end of May. We like […]
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