The simplest names can be the best. A few days after the world learned of Tom Petty’s death, a mom-to-be told me that they’d settled on Thomas for their new son. I don’t believe it was motivated by the singer. (And they’d decided well before Jason Aldean’s powerful Saturday Night Live performance, too.) But when […]
READ MORE >>Halloween Baby Names 2017 Opening Round: Witches v. Vampires
It’s time for the Great Halloween Baby Names 2017 opening round contest. What, you might ask, is Halloween Baby Names 2017? If you’re a long-time reader you know that Appellation Mountain already hosts two annual contests. We play March Madness every spring, with the most popular names on the site facing off for the title. […]
READ MORE >>Nature Names for Girls: Most Popular of 2017
Back in April 2015, I tallied the most popular nature names for girls. We’ve received two years’ worth of data since then, and the Top Ten have changed quite a bit. Here’s 2015’s list: Lily Autumn Violet Jasmine Ruby Brooke Jade Ivy Willow Hazel Nature names for girls account for seven of the current US […]
READ MORE >>Tessa: Baby Name of the Day
Tessa started out as a sweet nickname for Theresa. Today, it ranks far higher than the original. Thanks to Christine for suggesting one of her favorites as our Baby Name of the Day. Tessa: Theresa’s Cousin Theresa belongs with the classics. It likely comes from the Greek word for harvest. Therasia appears in the historic […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: What do we pair with Ilaria?
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! Brigid writes: What the hell do we pair with Ilaria? We have a […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: In which I hesitantly discuss the 2018 Kar-Jenner wave …
If I have a cardinal rule, it is this: thou shall not mock a child’s name. I didn’t always follow it to the letter, and I regret my missteps. Being human and flawed, of course I sometimes I find myself wondering – wait, what!? Really?! But mostly, I think parents have their reasons for choosing […]
READ MORE >>British Baby Names American Parents Should Steal
Let’s talk British baby names American parents should steal. It’s not that we lack these names in the good ol’ U-S-of-A. But families across the pond smartly chose these names in much bigger numbers. How big? Enough to put them in the new Top 100 Most Popular Names in England & Wales. Since we speak […]
READ MORE >>Lula: Baby Name of the Day
File Lula with so many great Lu- names. Call it less formal than Louisa, but not quite as casual as Lulu. Our Baby Name of the Day comes from the quirky girl names list, with thanks to Felecia for the suggestion. Lula: Literary Charmer If you think Lula is just some new-fangled twist on Lucy and […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Sister for Theodore Crosby
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! Piper writes: We are having a baby girl in a few months, and […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Rethinking Roger, British Baby Names, and More …
How’s this for #namespotting: a baby Roger! Okay, I’m 99% certain that I overheard a mom calling her toddler son Roger. They were seated one row in front of us in church last week, and I think I heard it clearly, more than once. I’d love to ask – and we do see them around […]
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