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Where every name has a story

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Mardi Gras Baby Names: Rex, Nola, Giacomo

February 11, 2021 By appellationmountain 8 Comments

Mardi Gras baby names

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 […]

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Baby Name Hugo: Storied and Spirited

February 10, 2021 By appellationmountain 28 Comments

baby name Hugo

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 […]

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Baby Name Gemma: Sparkling and Substantial

February 10, 2021 By appellationmountain 23 Comments

baby name Gemma

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 […]

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Baby Name Gwendolyn: Regal and Retro

February 9, 2021 By appellationmountain 13 Comments

baby name Gwendolyn

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 […]

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Boy Names Starting with O: Oliver, Otto, Oz

February 8, 2021 By appellationmountain 2 Comments

boy names starting with O

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 […]

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Sunday Summary: Name Overthinkers Anonymous

February 7, 2021 By appellationmountain 4 Comments

Sunday Summary 2.7.21

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 […]

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Baby Name Walker: Preppy with an Edge

February 6, 2021 By appellationmountain 3 Comments

baby name Walker

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 – […]

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Name Help: Irish Boy Names … Not Patrick, Aiden, Liam

February 5, 2021 By appellationmountain 21 Comments

Name Help: Irish boy names

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 […]

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Baby Name Julianne: Tailored and Distinctive

February 4, 2021 By appellationmountain 3 Comments

baby name Julianne

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, […]

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In Defense of Apple and Zio: Why Unusual Names Aren’t a Problem

February 3, 2021 By appellationmountain 20 Comments

defense of unusual baby names

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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