Appellation Mountain

Name of the Day: Liesel

August 21, 2008 By appellationmountain 29 Comments

When does a diminutive form of a classic appellation gain enough stature to stand on her own? It’s a tricky question, but we feel confident that this one passes the test. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Liesel.

Name of the Day: Bruce

August 20, 2008 By appellationmountain 21 Comments

Been to the movies lately? If so, maybe you’ve seen Christian Bale as Batman in the box-office-record- shattering release The Dark Knight. Bale shares something in common with the seldom seen star of the movie considered summer’s first ever blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Stumped? Thanks to Lola for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Bruce.

Name of the Day: Urban

August 18, 2008 By appellationmountain 10 Comments

“Aidan, Jayden, Braeden, Brendan, Landon, Logan, Macon, Mason … has anyone thought to bring back Urban?” Thanks to Arthur for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: the on-trend, but fabulously obscure Urban.

Name of the Day: Aloysius

August 16, 2008 By appellationmountain 16 Comments

This one comes to us via Arthur – and Evelyn Waugh. We’ll admit that while we haven’t seen the latest big screen adaptation yet, it was tempting to use the movie Brideshead Revisited to talk about the surprisingly popular Sebastian. Or perhaps Cordelia. But then we remembered Lord Flyte’s teddy bear, who inspired today’s Name […]

Name of the Day: Mallory

August 15, 2008 By appellationmountain 39 Comments

Back in the 80s, Madison the mermaid splashed her way onto the streets of New York and fueled the last-names-first trend. At the same time, on the small screen, a similar choice was gaining notice of her own. Thanks to Jess for suggesting today’s Name of the Day: Mallory.

Name of the Day: Annika

August 13, 2008 By appellationmountain 26 Comments

If you’re searching for a name for a female character from almost any era, there’s one that’s a safe bet. Ann, Anne and Anna have been worn by so many religious, literary and historical figures that they’ve been in nearly constant use. You probably have a few among your ancestors; add in all the Mary […]

Name of the Day: Corbin

August 12, 2008 By appellationmountain 11 Comments

One of the interesting things about given names is that they’re often amalgamations of several similar appellations, merged and meshed through the years until we arrive at a wearable version that works in our native tongue. Thanks to Friend of a Friend for suggesting one such moniker, today’s Name of the Day: Corbin.

Name of the Day: Aoyun

August 10, 2008 By appellationmountain 9 Comments

Today’s Name of the Day is more of a curiosity than a moniker we’d actually suggest bestowing on your baby-to-be. But he’s ever so timely, and so we couldn’t resist talking about Aoyun.

Name of the Day: Zuleika

August 9, 2008 By appellationmountain 11 Comments

Today’s exotic moniker comes to us courtesy of Lola. Thanks for challenging us with the enchanting Zuleika.

Name of the Day: Orrin

August 6, 2008 By appellationmountain 27 Comments

It looks like a simple name, but the story behind this moniker is actually a bit of a tangle. Thanks to Jess for suggesting we look into Orrin.