Here’s something that fascinates me: pop culture names don’t necessarily succeed in the same year – or decade – they’re created. There’s often a lag. Sometimes we’re waiting for the right generation to grow up. If you’re old enough to name a daughter Sloane in 2021, chances are you saw the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller’s […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Jonah: Biblical and Stylish
Biblical baby name Jonah brings to mind whales, but there’s so much more to this appealing choice. Thanks to Annelise for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. OLD TESTAMENT ADVENTURE The baby name Jonah brings to mind a faithful soul, holding a candle inside the cavernous interior of a whale. It’s part Old Testament, […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: Blended Family SOS
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! Lauren writes: We’re expecting our first baby together in 2021! It was a […]
READ MORE >>Cleo Names: Cleodora, Cleophee, Cleopatra
What, exactly, are Cleo names? Recently returned to the US Top 1000, Cleo feels vintage and edgy. It’s a cool and sophisticated name, but a fun one, too. And with thousands of girls answering to Chloe, the similar-sounding Cleo feels like an obvious choice for a daughter now. Factor in our love of o-ending girl […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Matilda: Traditional and Bohemian
The baby name Matilda blends traditional roots with bohemian style. It’s less classic than Katherine, not as daring as Lilou. Thanks to Corinne for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. MEDIEVAL MATILDA The baby name Matilda comes from Germanic roots: maht – strength – plus hild – battle. That’s one mighty meaning! Born to […]
READ MORE >>Seven Reasons to Go Big with Middle Names
Middle names can transform a traditional first, honor a loved one, recognize your heritage, celebrate an important part of your life. With so much power and appeal, why not go big with middle names? Like the mighty Oreo, the filling in the middle can make all the difference. For some parents, it is as easy […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Gideon: Old School Cool
The baby name Gideon mixes Biblical roots with a cool, modern sound. Thanks to Emmy Jo for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. OLD TESTAMENT HERO When we meet Gideon in the Old Testament, the Israelites have turned away from God. They’re worshiping a statue of Baal instead. Gideon is chosen to destroy the […]
READ MORE >>Girl Names Starting with T: Tessa, Tamsin, Talia
Girl names starting with T include surnames like Taylor and classics like Teresa, names nearly forgotten like Thelma, but also new favorites, like Trinity. It’s a surprisingly versatile letter. But it’s not a very popular one – at all! T ranks twenty out of twenty-six letters. Even Z names are more popular. That wasn’t always […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Welcome Darly Doggo!
Our family grew by four paws and one very waggy tail in December. We’d decided to adopt a rescue dog way back in 2019. It took far longer than we expected, but we finally connected with a great local organization. (If you’re in metro DC, it’s Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. They were great!) After an […]
READ MORE >>Boy Names 2021: Best Names for the New Year
When it comes to the best boy names 2021, there’s a little bit of everything on the list. We still love surname names, of course. But it’s worth considering which classic names will find their way back into the spotlight in the coming year. There’s a heavy dose of pop culture and current events behind […]
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