A few years ago, I was talking to a parent about a name for her new baby. Her older child had been named, as she put it, “after a bird.”
(It wasn’t in the Top 1000 then, and still isn’t … though it’s not as rare as it was then.)
The thing was, she said, that now they could choose ANYTHING. Everyone had already gotten over the wacky, out-there name they’d chosen for their daughter.
If anything, they wanted to make sure this next child’s name was as special – and distinctive -as his sister’s name.
I often think about that when talking to first-time parents. Yes, you might get a big reaction if you choose a name outside of the mainstream. But once you’ve done it? Go ahead and name your next baby Nicodemus or Djuna or Anthem.
In fact, you might have to.
Did you take a risk with your first child’s name? How did it influence the names you chose for future children?
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I love a good story about a baby born en route to the hospital and named Camry, but I love a subtle story like that even more. Nancy delivers one with this tale of Ana.
Just in case you meet Domhnall Gleeson any time soon … a handy guide to pronouncing 25 popular Irish names.
Overlook the grandma drama in this article and focus on the names. Aren’t Juno and Freya perfect for twin sisters?
Speaking of Juno, girl names ending with O are officially a whole trend.
Just for fun: literary puns that make great pet names. Because Bark Twain and Virginia Woof are so, so good that they make me think my dog needs a (creatively named) friend …
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That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!
