Sunday Summary: Holidays!

If you’re celebrating the holidays right now, I hope you’re enjoying lots of good things.

And if you’re separated from family – for any reason – or just struggling at this time of year, please know that you’re in my thoughts.

We have some of both this year – lots to be grateful for, a few things that are hard.

But on balance, I am – as ever – appreciating the good, looking forward to brighter days ahead. And wishing for a bright new 2022 for each and every one.

On a practical note, I’ll be back to answering email tomorrow, so please check your inbox if you’ve been waiting for a reply.

ELSEWHERE ONLINE:

This is an interesting dilemma. My take: it’s best to let grandparents have pet names for their grandchildren, even if they’re ones that the parents themselves wouldn’t choose. That’s kind of the point! But welcoming your first child means all sorts of adjustments in every relationship – and that’s not always smooth, even when everyone means well.

Loving the list of birth announcements from Nameberry this past year. Especially swooning over the twin names. I mean … Frederick Hugo Thomas & Iris Adriana Frances! Jonah Layne & Caspian Beau! Tallulah Valentine & Lavender Estelle! Swoon.

No matter what they choose, I’m loving this family’s names: Sadie, Felix, Betsy, and … A new little sister. Elea has some great suggestions.

These crazy aristocratic families from Beauty of Names … they’re just plain fascinating. The latest installment comes from Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, later Queen of Spain. She’s one of Queen Victoria’s many grandchildren, and she’s the inspiration behind Princess Eugenie’s name.

I groaned when I read the Name of the Year for 2021. But Laura’s explanation is spot-on. Neutral is HARD.

Can’t get enough name talk? Sign up for the weekly newsletter, sent every Tuesday, packed with bonus #namehelp questions, highlights from recent posts, and, of course, lists to love.

That’s all for this week! As ever, thinking of you.