Mardi Gras baby names celebrate the city of New Orleans’ eclectic roots and irrepressible spirit. There’s something about the Louisiana city. Credit Anne Rice or zydeco, jambalaya or dozens of movies and television series. It’s nowhere near as big as Paris or Los Angeles, but New Orleans competes with the most storied cities on Earth […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Hugo: Storied and Spirited
The baby name Hugo could follow other o-ending boy names into greater use. HUGH AND HUGO The Germanic Hugh means mind, heart, or spirit. At the end of the 900s, Hugh Capet ruled the Franks. It remained popular in the region, and the Normans brought it to England with them a century later. It became […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Gemma: Sparkling and Substantial
The baby name Gemma combines all the sparkle of Ruby or Emerald with history and substance to spare. Thanks to Nessa for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. GEMSTONE In Latin, gemma refers to a precious stone. The word is unchanged in Italian. It may have started out as an endearment before it became […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Gwendolyn: Regal and Retro
The baby name Gwendolyn started out as a legendary queen and now feels like a sparky, retro comeback pick. Thanks to Another for suggesting our Name of the Day QUEEN GWENDOLENA In 1136, Geoffrey of Monmouth published his Historia Regum Britanniae. Despite “history” featuring prominently in the title, it’s really a mix of legend – more […]
READ MORE >>Boy Names Starting with O: Oliver, Otto, Oz
Boy names starting with O are riding high, with Oliver at the heights of popularity, and Owen not too far behind. But a surprising number of rare O names for boys exist, too. Surnames like Orson and Ogden, imports like Octavio and Oleg, and mythological names from multiple traditions also begin with this bright and […]
READ MORE >>Sunday Summary: Name Overthinkers Anonymous
I know a handful of people who strike me as genuinely carefree. But – inevitably – as I get to know them better, there’s some area of their lives that they overthink. Not necessarily in a bad way. Maybe it’s because of past experience or professional training. Or just a general area of interest. Something […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Walker: Preppy with an Edge
The baby name Walker started out as a surname, until a television hero helped move it to the first spot. Thanks to Elisabeth for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. WOOL WALKERS Just like Carter and Hunter and Archer, Walker started out as a job. Walkers beat – or sometimes literally walked on – […]
READ MORE >>Name Help: Irish Boy Names … Not Patrick, Aiden, Liam
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! Heather writes: My husband comes from a big, Irish family. He has a […]
READ MORE >>Baby Name Julianne: Tailored and Distinctive
The baby name Julianne feels elaborate and tailored, an appealing mix of feminine frills and restraint. Thanks to Julie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. ANCIENT WORLD There’s nothing new about Julia. The feminine form of Julius, it’s been in use since the earliest days of the Roman Empire. Earlier, even. After all, […]
READ MORE >>In Defense of Apple and Zio: Why Unusual Names Aren’t a Problem
When it comes to choosing a name, most parents aim for the middle. Not the Top Ten, but not something completely novel, either. But just as surely as there are good reasons to use a common name, there’s a case for embracing unusual ones, too. Let’s look at ten reasons unusual names are worth considering. […]
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