I think I start every first of December post the same way: where did the year go?
At the same time, I’m excited. I love all of the year end data-crunching and 2017 prognosticating.
Normally, I begin this process in early October, based on detailed notes I’ve kept since the beginning of the year. It’s carefully planned and organized. Because I ran this blog on the side for so many years, I figured out how to stay three (or four or even five!) steps ahead.
Lately, I’ve stumbled. The simple fact is this: blog long enough, and your blog will grow. And you will have moments when you cannot keep up.
I’ve been frustrated and embarrassed about it for months now.
But when I woke up this morning, it felt like the sun broke through the clouds. Because I haven’t done any of the careful prep that usually accompanies my year-end posts, it’s going to be different. I’ll be looking at data with fresh eyes, because I haven’t conducted my usual monthly check-ins for, well, months.
It’s a tremendous privilege to run this site, and I remain humbled by the chance to be a part of so many lives at such happy moments.
In the weeks ahead, I’ll be sharing my predictions for baby names to watch in 2017. (You can read my Trendwatch 2016 here.) We’ll review the most popular posts of this year – I wonder if they’ll be different from last year, and we’ll update the most popular names on the site, too. (Betcha some of 2015’s favorites will repeat!)
I can’t wait to look back at this wild, madcap year – and I’m feeling like a kid on Christmas morning, because this time, I’ll be surprised, too!
Now, on to the name news:
- Speaking of the year’s end, time for Nancy’s Pop Culture Baby Name Game!
- Here’s Nameberry’s 2017 Trends report. I had the chance to contribute to this one, but I didn’t see a final draft – and I think Pam and Linda really nailed the final list of predictions.
- What’s your British name? I’m Ffion. Which is really all kinds of fabulous.
- There are some truly delightful bold middles on this list from Names for Real.
- Are you listening to the Talk the Talk podcast on linguistics? I’m planning to listen to this episode tomorrow morning, found via Clare’s always marvelous Scoop.it page.
- This is an intense tale of name theft – heartbreaking! (Originally found via Kate’s discussion here.)
- I was never a huge CS Lewis fan – crazy, right? – but lately I’ve changed my mind. And the names? Definitely a selling point.
That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!
Aw, the story about Lydia is so sad!
As for Narnia names, I love the name Caspian and would seriously consider it if I have a second son. Although he would have a cousin named Caspar, which might be a bit confusing.
Don’t feel guilty about posting when you can. I appreciate your excellent posts whenever you are able to do it.
I think the name Dak will be on the rise.
Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback has enjoyed a spectacular season so far. His full name is Dakota Prescott. Dakota Fanning has wooed the name over to the girls, but I can easily see parents embracing the one-syllable Dak. It rhymes with the familiar Zack but feels fresher, successful, AND athletic.
And, Abby, if I read no other blog, my day is incomplete if I don’t read this one. Don’t worry about falling behind. We’ll gratefully take whatever you post! You do excellent work. 🙂
No she hasnt, Dakota is equally used for both genders.
The link for the tale of intense name theft takes us to the nameberry trend article.
Yes! Where is our intense baby name theft story?
Oh dear! The link is fixed above, and you can also find it here.
Sorry ’bout that, Nicole. You can find it here. It’s fixed above, too.