Appellation Mountain

Alphabet: D is for Boys

June 8, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

This post is brought to you by the letter D, and the decidedly dashing choices it offers our darling boys.

Name of the Day: Clarinda

June 8, 2008 By appellationmountain 9 Comments

It just so happens that one of ApMtn’s biggest supporters bears a very strange name, indeed. It’s not Clarinda, but it’s quite close. She’s always maintained that her name is without precedent, invented by her parents. But we weren’t content with that answer, and unearthed today’s Name of the Day: Clarinda.

Name of the Day: Omar

June 7, 2008 By appellationmountain 11 Comments

It’s been worn by religious figures, creative types and a poor boy from Missouri. Today, it’s the kind of name that works well for parents searching for a truly culture-spanning choice that is still familiar and accessible. Thanks to Hugh, for taking today’s Name of the Day in a globetrotting direction with his suggestion: Omar.

Site News: A Very Beta ‘Get Your Daily Name Fix’

June 4, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

We’re attempting to puzzle out the most effective way to offer email subscriptions for Names of the Day. If you click on the link below “Get Your Daily Name Fix,” it will take you to FeedBurner, where you can subscribe. We think. Our technological know-how is slim, so we’re still toying with this. Thanks for […]

Name of the Day: Odessa

June 2, 2008 By appellationmountain 10 Comments

Thanks to Kayt for suggesting Odessa as today’s Name of the Day. While to many it simply sounds like yet another name torn from the map and pasted on a baby, Odessa has a surprisingly long history of use. Even if your roots don’t lead to the Ukraine or one of the half-dozen or so […]

The Softer Side of Boys

May 30, 2008 By appellationmountain 13 Comments

In 20th century America, men were called Bob. And Jim, Dan, Dave and Bill; Joe, Lou, Ed and Mike. For several decades, odds were strong that the guy coaching Little League, filing your taxes and running the local pharmacy was Ron or Tom or Frank. There were exceptions, of course. Charles might be Chuck, but […]

Name of the Day: Quillan

May 30, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

Choosing an unusual moniker for a daughter is one thing. But many parents think twice before going out on a limb to name a boy. Surely there’s a sociological explanation for this, but in the meantime, thanks to Natalie for suggesting the intriguing option Quillan. It’s the rare name that has never appeared in the […]

Just for Fun: Search Names

May 29, 2008 By appellationmountain Leave a Comment

How does one end up wandering on ApMtn? You might be tickled to know that two of the most popular searches to find us are “Saint’s Names” and “Stripper Names.” “Disney names” comes in third. The mind reels. But a search for any old name that just happens to be mentioned on the site sometimes […]

Baby Name Raphael: Traditional and Romantic

May 28, 2008 By appellationmountain 24 Comments

The baby name Raphael feels romantic and traditional, plus it’s nicely underused. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. ARCHANGEL Raphael means “God heals.” He’s an archangel, and a major figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As religious figures go, he’s well-known. John Milton included him in Paradise Lost. The television series Supernatural gave […]

Baby Name Lucia: Light and Lovely

May 27, 2008 By appellationmountain 10 Comments

The baby name Lucia shares much in common with Sophia and Amelia, but remains just slightly under-the-radar. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day. CHEE, SEE, SHAH Before we dive into the history of the baby name Lucia, let’s talk pronunciation. Italians likely say loo CHEE uh. But loo SEE uh […]