When it comes to boy names starting with C, the list ranges from the most classic of picks to new and original choices. For every Charles, there’s a Colt. And for every Cameron, there’s a Callahan. C tends to read more traditional – even when it comes to trending names. There’s a subtle, but significant, […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Chance: Lucky and Light
The baby name Chance marries modern virtue names with a strong, capable sound. Thanks to Emily for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. LUCK The word chance has been around since at least the 1300s. It comes from the Old French cheance, referring to luck, ultimately from the Latin cadere – to fall, as […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Peter, Leah, Shantel
Pretty much every morning, I go for a walk. And this walk takes me by a Starbucks. Call me a creature of habit, or even an addict. It’s hard to start my day without that combination of fresh air and caffeine. It also means that I pay some attention to the contests Starbucks runs seasonally. […]
READ MORE >>Hottest 1921 Boy Names: Santiago, Dante, Ford
These were some of the hottest 1921 boy names, the names that I would’ve been blogging about back during the Harding administration. Maybe while wearing T-strap heels and a beaded headband. For our purposes, “hottest” means fastest rising from 1920 to 1921 in terms of popularity rank. It’s an imperfect measure. Name data was less […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Veronica: Classic and Quirky
The baby name Veronica feels one-part classic, two-parts quirky cool. Thanks to Kelly for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. BERNICE More than 300 years BC, Egyptian royals answered to Berenike or Pherenike, derived from pherein – to bring – and nike – which meant victory millennia before it meant sneaker. At least five […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: A Brother for Joey III
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! Karlie writes: We named our son Joseph FamilyName LastName III, and call him […]
READ MORE >>Modern Virtue Names: Haven, Noble, True
Modern virtue names pick up where the Puritans left off. Of course, we’re still using plenty of virtuous names from earlier eras. Think of Felicity and Grace, Faith and Mercy. They’d feel right at home on Plymouth Rock way back when, or on a playground right now. But the last few decades have seen a […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Wren: Soaring Nature Name
The baby name Wren has transformed from well-why-not nature name to high-flying favorite. Thanks to Katharine for suggesting our Name of the Day. SONGBIRD The baby name Wren moves from the wilds to the nursery with grace and style. A wren is a songbird. Various wren cousins live all over the world. They’re smallish in […]
READ MORE >>Nickname Ben: Benedict, Benicio, Benvolio
The nickname Ben is friendly, approachable, and almost always tied to classic Benjamin. And Benjamin? That’s a Top Ten boy name. Happily, if you love the nickname Ben, but want something less conventional for his birth certificate, the options abound. Could you go with just Ben on the birth certificate? Of course! Max and Gus […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Ivelisse: Lovely and Obscure
The baby name Ivelisse combines attractive sounds with vintage charm. Thanks to Hettie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. SMOOSH NAME For every Annabelle, there’s an Avalena – a compound name just as attractive, but not nearly as popular. Ivelisse might fit in this category. It looks like Ivy plus Lisa. Except maybe […]
READ MORE >>