Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 31

I’ve been the Name Guru to the Stars for a while now—long enough that I’m predicting the names for siblings of the babies I once made predictions for.

Months ago, I forecasted the names of Michael Phelps, Alanis Morissette, Lauren Conrad, Miranda Kerr, and Daphne Oz’s children (none were exactly right, but many were close!). Now all five of them have announced that they are expanding their families, and I get to make predictions for them all over again.

We have some new (to me) faces this month as well. Chance the Rapper will welcome his second daughter this Fall, Christina and Ant Anstead are expecting their first child together, and Tamron Hall is pregnant with her first child.

This group of celebrities has a wide range of styles, from shared initials to fancifully feminine girl names to word names. I can’t wait to hear what they all pick! While we wait, take a look at my choices, and tell me yours in the comments.

Kirsten Bennett and Chance the Rapper

Gender: girl

Siblings: Kensli

Kensli is a modern name—an invention based off of Kinsley—that feels very appropriate on a baby girl born in this decade. It’s the name Chance the Rapper and his wife Kirsten gave their now three-year-old daughter. They’re expecting another girl this September and I think her name will be something similarly on-trend and evocative of 2019 style. Perhaps one of the following:
Girl: Adalynn, Arielle, Avia, Brielle, Hadley, Hayven, Kaya, London, Peyton, Sierra

Nicole and Michael Phelps

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Boomer Robert, Beckett Richard

Two siblings with a shared first initial is sometimes (but not always) indicative of a third. In this case, Nicole and Michael Phelps’s sons shared the same first and middle initials, which makes me think this is a pattern. If it’s a boy, I’d wager we’re going to see another baby B.R. As for a girl, I’m less certain, but I gave plenty of B options should her name match her brothers’.
Girl: Billie, Blake, Blue, Bree, Brielle, Brynn, Everly, Finley, Harlow, Rowan

Boy: Beau, Blaise, Bodhi, Bowie, Breaker, Brody, Brogan, Dashiell, Flynn, Sawyer

Alanis Morissette and Mario Treadway

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Ever Imre (b), Onyx Solace (g)

Alanis Morissette loves cool word names, so I’m excited to hear what she chooses for her third baby. Names like Poet, Story, and True have been popular among celebrities lately, but I could also see she and husband Mario Treadway going with something a bit more obscure—Secret, Tarot, or Thorn, maybe.
Girl: Dove, Echo, Essex, Hero, Moon, Poet, Sable, Secret, Story, Winter

Boy: Haze, Jet, Loyal, Mars, Noble, Quill, Tarot, Thorn, True, Zephyr

Lauren Conrad and William Tell

Gender: unknown

Siblings: William “Liam” James

Lifestyle maven and former actress Lauren Conrad named her son after his father, although Liam is not a junior. His middle name, James, comes from Lauren’s side of the family. Lauren and William’s second child will likely have a name with honorific significance as well. If it’s a girl, I’d bet Katherine will show up in either the first or middle spot—it’s Lauren’s middle name and her mother’s first name.

Girl: Alice, Cecilia, Eloise, Emma, Evelyn, Genevieve, Katherine, Nora, Violet, Vivian

Boy: Carter, Cole, Eli, Grant, Henry, Jude, Nolan, Oliver, Owen, Theo

Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Flynn, Hart

With sons named Flynn and Hart, odds are we’re going to see a modern, tailored name for Miranda Kerr’s third child. I could see she and Evan Spiegel going for something a bit softer and more feminine for a girl, while still sticking to names two syllables or under. If their baby is a boy, my favorite options for Flynn and Hart’s brother are Bram or Soren.
Girl: Ada, Arden, Etta, Faye, Ivy, Maeve, Maude, Pearl, Willa, Wren

Boy: Bram, Crane, Fox, Grey, Jude, Kit, Levon, Miles, Rhys, Soren

Daphne Oz and John Jovanovic

Gender: girl

Siblings: Philomena Bijou, Jovan Jr., Domenica Celine

Daphne Oz and John Jovanovic love long, romantic names for girls, so I was very excited to hear they’re expecting another daughter. There are so many names that would be great with this sibset, but I narrowed my list down to ten. I’m hoping Daphne and John choose something on the fringes (how fun would a baby Sophronia or Clemencia be?) but even a more mainstream name like Augustina or Olympia would be lovely with Philomena and Domenica.
Girl: Antonina, Augustina, Clemencia, Cressida, Delphine, Fabiana, Isabeau, Olympia, Sophronia, Theodosia

Christina and Ant Anstead

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Amelie, Archer, Taylor Reese, Brayden James (previous relationships)

Television personalities Christina (formerly El Moussa) and Ant Anstead are expecting their first child together. They each have children from previous marriages—Ant’s are preteens, while Christina’s are much younger. Their names are quite different as well. Ant’s children Amelie and Archer have names that fit with their British roots. Christina’s son and daughter Brayden and Taylor have names that are decidedly American. Considering Christina’s children are younger and the rising popularity of “American” style names in England, I think Ant and Christina’s child will have names that feel more like Taylor and Brayden.

Girl: Addison, Charlie, Emerson, Kinsley, Kendall, Paisley, Peyton, Piper, Skyler, Sydney

Boy: Dawson, Drew, Easton, Jameson, Jax, Kyler, Landon, Logan, Reed, Rylan

Tamron Hall and Steven Greener

Gender: unknown

Siblings: none

Tamron Hall and Steve Greener will be welcoming their first child any day now. The couple are older and lead very private lives—two factors which lead me to believe they will give their son or daughter a more subdued name with broad appeal. We will find out soon enough! Until then, take a look at my top picks for Tamron and Steven:
Girl: Clara, Eliza, Ella, Josie, Lila, Madelyn, Maya, Olivia, Sadie, Tessa

Boy: Charlie, Elliott, Henry, Holden, Isaac, Levi, Miles, Theodore, Wesley, William
*Update* It's a boy—Moses!

10 Native American Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

If you're someone who likes names with meanings to match, Native American names are right up your alley. All of their names have very intentional meanings that were (and sometimes still are) widely known throughout the tribes. There are thousands of wonderful Native American names from tribes all over the country, but I chose ten I think would work on girls of all cultures. As always, let me know your favorites (and names you wish I'd featured) in the comments.

Aylen- Aylen is a name from the Mapuche tribe that means "happiness." Even though she has ancient roots, Aylen features a contemporary sound that would fit in seamlessly with other children's names of today.

Citlali- Citlali is absolutely stunning. She means "star," and comes from Nahautl culture. Citlali had a brief run in the top 1000 from 2001-2006, peaking in 2005 at #915.

Galilahi- This Native American name may seem very similar to the faith-based names Galilea and Galilee, but they share no connection. Galilahi means "gentle and attractive" in Cherokee. Gala and Lila would make cute nicknames.

Lilakai- Lilakai is a name that I can see becoming embraced by people of all cultures, a la Leilani. The Navajo name feels upbeat and youthful--a quality coveted by my parents. Plus, with easy-access nicknames like Lily and Kai, Lilakai is hard to argue with.

Maiara- Maiara comes from the Tupí tribe. Despite her Native American roots, she's most popular in Portugal. Maiara made it into their top 100 for the first time in 2014, coming in at #81. I'm not sure if she could become as equally popular in America, but I do believe Maiara could make it into the top 1000 one day if she got some publicity 

Miski- Miski means "honey" and "sweet" in the Quechua language. She has a old-school sound a la Misti and Missy, but Miski is still wearable for a 21st century baby.

Nayeli- Nayeli comes from the Zapotec tribe, where she means "I love you." She is most common  among Latino families, and has been at a relatively steady ranking around #400 for the past ten years. Nayeli peaked at #175 in 2001.

Siaska- Need an uncommon way to get to Sia? Take a look at Siaska. She is a name from the Ho-Chunk tribe, which is native to Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Uki- It's not often that I recommend a U name, so I was thrilled to find the charming and likable Uki. She's an Inuit name that means "survivor." She's pronounced the same was as the Japanese name Yuki, which could lead to some confusion.

Zyanya- Like Nayeli, Zyanya comes from the Zapotec tribe. She means "forever and always," which I'm sure many parents would find delightful.

Names for a Fifth Born

Valerie Jar via Dribbble

Happy Blogoversay! To celebrate the fifth year of the blog, we're going to look at names that mean five. Perfect for a fifth born, a baby born on the 5th of the month, or for a V.

Enu- Enu is a West African name meaning "fifth born." It's a unisex name, and would make a perfect middle for a boy or a girl.

Five- Why not take a page from the celebrity baby name handbook and name your fifth child Five? Celebrity designers Bob and Cortney Novogratz gave this name to their third son (Their other children have great names as well--Wolfgang "Wolfie," Bellamy, Tallulah, Breaker, Holleder, and Major).

Fritz- I know of a V who goes by Fritz. Does it work? I vote yes. Fritz sounds enough like "fifth," and by the time you have five men with the same name in one family, you're bound to run out of nicknames.

Gorou- Gorou is a traditional Japanese name for the fifth son. He's practically unheard of in the US, but that doesn't make him unusable. If you're unable to take the plunge, you could always use Gorou as a pet name for baby number five.

Quentin- Bring on the Q names! The Quen and Quin suffix mean "fifth," so really any Quinn name works spledidly for a fifth born child. I picked some of my favorites to highlight, including Quentin. He's got a classic aura about him--Quentin is never a bad choice.

Quincy- Quincy is a darling French name that used to be solely masculine. Nowadays, it's considered unisex, but still is heard much more on boys. However, that might not be for long. I predict Quincy will go the way of Quinn, eventually the numbers will even out, and then I believe Quincy could even be seen as more feminine. In this day and age of unisex name and gender-bending, who knows what could happen?

Quinto- This lovely Spanish Quentin variation is ideal for a family who loves the sound of Quinn, just not the popularity (or unisex factor). Quinto is fresh and fun--plus, your son is guarunteed to be the only one on the block.

Quinty- If Quincy isn't jaunty enough for you, how about Quinty? She's a modern Dutch name derived from Quinta. Quinty has a jovial spirit; I would love to hear her used in the US.

Pompeo- Pompeo is an Italian variation of Pompey, a historical Latin name. Both mean "five," but Pompeo is the more wearable option, especially for an American baby. With a handsome sound and historical origins, Pompeo is a fantastic choice for a fifth-born baby. 

Name the Blogger Baby: Volume One

via Stephanie Fishwick

Ever since my Celebrity Name Predictions became a hit, I've been thinking of ways to expand the series. Then it hit me: blogger names. Like celebrities, blogger name choices are hotly discussed, and can influence name trends. Just think--Rebecca Woolf of Girls Gone Child single-handedly introduced the world to using Fable and Reverie as names. The best part? Bloggers always seems to be pregnant. So let's get this thing going! What names would you add to the blogger sibsets? And let me know which bloggers you'd like to see in future installments.

Kate Arends
Blog: Wit & Delight
Due Date: July 2016
Gender: Unknown
Siblings: None
Lovely lifestyle blogger Kate Arends announced her pregnancy last week. She has self proclaimed "simple and modern" style, which I used for inspiration when coming up with these names--no frills, pre-nicknamed choices. Kate and her husband Joe have a dog called Winnie Bear, so I'm expecting something a little unexpected in the middle.
Girl: Annika, Anya, Darcy, Evie, Greta, Gwen, Ida, Lainey, Marlowe, Maude, Tessa
Boy: Arlo, Charlie, Cyrus, Finn, Gable, Jack, Ian, Max, Milo, Nate, Otis, Quinn, Rex
*Update* It's a boy! August Joseph Peters.

Jordan Ferney
Blog: Oh Happy Day
Due Date: June 2016
Gender: Girl
Siblings: Roman and Moses
Finally! I can't wait to see what Jordan Ferney names a daughter. She chose two hip but meaningful names for her sons, so the possibilities are endless for this little girl. The Ferneys are world-travelers, (and especially fond of France) so using that as my guide, I came up with these suggestions.
Girl: Anais, Emanuelle, France, Holiday, India, Lark, Marigold, Minnie, Primrose, Tallulah, Zella
*Update* I guess they love that long O sound, because baby girl is Simone!

Chelsea Foy
Blog: Lovely Indeed
Due Date: September 2016
Gender: Unknown
Siblings: Henry
Chelsea Foy has the sweetest son named Henry (but who she calls Tiny Foy), so I think an equally charming, slightly vintage name is in order for baby #2.
Girl: Alice, Clara, Ella, Eloise, Ivy, Josie, Nora, Phoebe, Piper, Ruby, Sadie, Stella
Boy: Asher, August, Charlie, Eli, Elliot, Felix, Levi, Maxwell, Nolan, Oliver, Owen

Liz Stanley
Blog: Say Yes
Due Date: April 2016
Gender: Girl
Siblings: Henry and Elizabeth Jean "Edie"
Funnily enough, Liz Stanley is Jordan Ferney's sister-in-law, and they're both having daughters within months of each other. This first cousin is coming any day now, and I can't wait to see what she's named. Liz's first daughter shares her full name, Elizabeth Jean, but is called Edie. I went with vintage names on the rise for my suggestions--nothing too old-school, because her other sister-in-law Gabby Blair (of Design Mom fame) has that on lock--six kids named Ralph, Maude, Olive, Betty, Oscar, and June!
Girl: Cecilia, Charlotte, Hazel, Ivy, Jane, Lucy, Lydia, Nellie, Rosie, Sophie, Sylvie
*Update* Welcome Dorothea May Stanley! They plan on calling her Dot and Dottie.

Bonnie Tsang
Blog: B for Bonnie
Due Date: August 2016
Gender: Girl
Siblings: Venise
Bonnie Tsang's tween daughter is named Venise--an uncommon name that I can't seem to categorize. However, after twelve years naming styles can change! So I'm very curious to here the name of Bonnie's next daughter.
Girl: Allegra, Calais, Cecile, Ciel, Louise, Opal, Roux, Sabine, Solange, Vesper, Zadie
*Update* Welcome Miss Henri Elizabeth Martin!

Flower Meanings

via 100 Layer Cake-let

We all know the person who gave their daughter a flower name because of it's beauty, but have you ever considered basing the decision off of a flower's meaning? Back in the day, people used to send each other flowers to convey a message. Each flower has its own secret meaning. I chose some of the most name-worthy flowers and did some research on their symbolization.

Amaryllis--dramatic
Anemone--fragile
Aster--contentment
Azalea--abundance
Begonia--deep thoughts
Calla Lily--regal
Camellia--graciousness
Chrysanthemum--excitement, truth
Cosmo--peaceful
Daffodil--chivalry
Daisy--innocence
Freesia--spirited
Gardenia--joy
Ginger--proud
Heather--solitude
Holly--domestic happiness
Hyacinth--sincerity
Iris--inspiration
Ivy--fidelity
Jasmine--grace, elegance
Larkspur--beautiful spirit
Lavender--distrust
Lilac--first love
Magnolia--dignity
Marigold--desire for wealth
Peony--healing
Poppy--consolation
Rose--admiration, love, unity, purity, friendship
Violet--faithfulness
Wisteria--steadfast
Yarrow--good health
Zinnia--thoughts of friends


*all meanings taken from aboutflowers.com*
Note: these meanings are somewhat subjective and vary from site to site.

10 Hungarian Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

Ferenc Petho via Dribbble

Were you guys as stoked as I was about last week's Hungarian Names for Girls? This group of guys is just as good for an under-the-radar, but alluring name. Let me know your favorites, and if you would actually consider any of these for a son.

Andor- Andor is an attractive name with both Hungarian and Norwegian roots. The Hungarian version is a variant of Andras, and peaked in 2007 at #92 on the charts. Andor makes a great alternative to all the And- names that so stylish, from Andrew to Anderson.

Bela- Bela is a Czech-Hungarian name, although in the Czech Republic it's sometimes considered feminine, while in Hungary it's a strictly masculine name. The Belas most Americans are familiar with are men, so despite the -a ending, I think this one is best suited for a boy.

Bence- I'm always looking for cool alternatives to Ben, and Bence is just that. He is traditionally a nickname for Benedek, as well as a Hungarian form of Vincent. On his own, Bence has been the number one Hungarian boys' name for over a decade. I think he'd be a lovely addition to the American name pool.

Dacso- Dacso is Hungary's handsome form of Daniel. He's uncommon, even in Hungary, but I think he'd be sweet on an American boy.

Erno- Like Andor, Erno shares Hungarian and Scandinavian roots, though this time with Finland. He's the Hungarian form of Ernest, a name American parents haven't embraced for years. If Ernie is too Sesame Street for you, Erno makes a great alternative.

Laszlo- Quirky, hipster favorite Laszlo is one of the most well-known Hungarian names. He's been in the Hungarian top 25 for over ten years, and currently stands at #19. Laszlo is going to catch fire in America one day soon (but he might never reach our top 25).

Ödön- Ödön is Hungary's version of Edmund, Spelled Odon, without the umlauts, he's the French form of Otto, and a variation of the Norweigan name Odin. Umlauts or not, he's an interesting and stylish choice for your baby boy.

Orban- I talk about the name Urban a lot, mostly because I'm disappointed in his lack of usability. The Hungarian form, Orban solves that conundrum, since he sounds less wordy. Yet he still is attractive and modern, two major criterion in baby naming of today.

Sandor- Sandor is Hungary's answer to Alexander, although he isn't pronounced quite the way he looks. Sandor is said SHAHN-dor, like it has an sh- in the front. For you Game of Thrones fans, Sandor is a name of one of the characters.

Vincien- Vincien, like Bence, is a Hungarian variation of Vincent. That means you can use Bence as a nickname for your little Vincien, though it will thoroughly confuse many people. Vincent is a classic name, holding steadfast in popularity, so it's always nice to consider some other options.

First Lady Names

Laura Worthington via You Work for Them

Today is President's Day in the U.S., so to honor the holiday, I thought we'd take a look at some noteworthy names of First Ladies. I picked ten I wanted to talk about, but there are obviously so many more I didn't cover. What is your favorite first lady inspired name?

Bird: Lady Bird Johnson 
Lady Bird Johnson, born Claudia Alta, was the wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson. She has perhaps the most unusual monikers out of all the First Ladies, a combination of her childhood nickname (Lady) and affectionate pet name (Bird). Bird makes quite a charming nature name, perfect for the middle position. Alternatively, make it the first name and use the nickname Birdie. 

Bess: Bess Truman
Bess Truman, wife of Harry S. Truman, was born Elizabeth Virginia. She was supposedly called Bessie during her childhood, as a nickname for Elizabeth. I can definitely see Bess coming back in style, especially when used as a short form for Elizabeth. Bessie, however, still reads "cow."

Dolley: Dolley Madison
James Madison's wife Dolley Madison has quite a mysterious name. Some have suggested that she was born Dorothea, others claim Dorothy, and some, just Dolley. The spelling of her name has also been the object of confusion, as documents vary between Dolley, Dolly, and even Dollie. Nowadays Dolley might hold too much baggage with the Dolly Parton association, but nevertheless, she's a sweet retro nickname.

Florence: Florence Harding
Florence Harding, wife of Warren G. Harding, was born Florence Mabel (what a combo!). She has a spectacular name that hasn't quite come into favor yet, despite similar -or- names like Cora and Nora rising in popularity.

Ida: Ida McKinley
Ida McKinley (no middle name) was the wife of President William McKinley. Her name, like many German names is very strong. With short, ends-in-a names being so in vogue, I'd like to see Ida back in the top 1000. 

Letitia: Letitia Tyler
Letitia Tyler was married to President John Tyler, who was first the Vice-President, and then the President of the United States. She vanished from the top 1000 in 1982, although she never broke the top 500. In this day and age, the similar Lettice or Lettie might be more favorable. 

Lou: Lou Hoover
Herbert Hoover's wife Lou was born simply Lou. Nowadays people assume a girl called Lou has a fuller name (Louisa, Lucy, maybe), but back in the late 1800s, this wasn't the case. I love the idea of using just Lou as a first name, but I know many of you won't agree with me. 

Lucretia: Lucretia Garfield
Lucretia Garfield, First Lady to James Garfield's President, was called Crete by those who were close to her. She dropped from the top 1000 in the late '70s, but like Letitia, never made it into the top 500. She might seem a little futsy to modern parents, but I think she's a fun way to get to Lu, Lulu, and the like.

Mamie: Mamie Eisenhower
Mamie Eisenhower was the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. She was named Mamie Geneva, after the song Lovely Lake Geneva. Normally Mamie is considered a nickname for Margaret or Mary, but it's not extremely uncommon to see her as a given name. Mamie fits in with all the retro revivals of today, but is not likely to crack the top 1000 anytime soon, so go ahead and use her. Fun fact: Mamie Eisenhower had a sister named Mabel Frances who was called Mike.

Martha: Martha Washington
Martha Washington was the very first of the First Ladies to ever serve the United States. She did not have a middle name--Martha was born in 1731, where it was common practice to not give daughters middle names, since their maiden name would move to that position once they got married. Martha has been on a steady decline ever since the mid-century, but never made it out of the top 1000. I'm hopeful such a timeless name will begin to pick up steam soon.

Valentine's Day Round-Up

Madison Holmlund via Dribbble

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day everyone! As a tribute to my favorite holiday, I thought we'd take a look at some of my past Valentine and love-related posts.

February Names
For a broader, more subtle choice, why not name your baby after something that relates to her birth month? This post offers some advice about what to name a February babe.

Gods and Goddesses of Love Names
Gods and Goddesses associated with love make fantastic names for a baby valentine. I like Freya and Radha the best.

Romantic Word Names for Valentine's Day
In case you missed it, here is Monday's post all about which word names are best for a February 14th baby. They make wonderful middle names.

Same Meaning Sibsets
This round of Same Meaning Sibsets includes some options for a love-inspired set. My favorite is Esme, Kerensa, and Priya.

Valentine's Names
This post is all about names that have ties to love or Valentine's Day. So many good choices!

Have a lovely holiday everyone! XOXO

Romantic Word Names for Valentine's Day

Levi Fignar via Dribbble

Word names are always a good choice (especially when it comes to middle names), and I love the subtle whimsy of using one to play homage to the holiday that your baby was born around. The following romantic word names are perfect for a baby born any day this week.

Beau- Beau is an established name that no longer seems very wordy, which makes him the perfect inconspicuous Valentine's Day choice.

Bisou- Bisou is the French word for "kiss," but would sound charming and name-like to many American ears.

Chérie- Another French choice, "ma chérie" is a phrase meaning "my darling." How cute would that be on a little girl?

Cherish- A modern virtue name that reminds us of love and affection.

Crimson- This shade of red pops up all over the place in February.

Darling- Can Darling shed her pet-name status? For now, at least, she makes a great middle.

February- An unexpected month name that's fresher than April or June.

Fidelity- I think Fidelity will one day give Felicity a run for her money. Until then, she's an under-the-rader choice that connotates love and attachment.

Harp- One of the most romantic instruments, and a lovely alternative to Harper.

Heart- The symbol of Valentine's Day. For a less obvious spelling, go with Hart.

Holiday- More bold and obvious than most of the other names on this list, but there's nothing wrong with that.

Love- At it's essence, Valentine's Day is a holiday about love. How sweet would Love be on a February 14th born baby?

Poem- Poem is one of my favorite word names for any time of the year, but she works especially well around Valentine's Day.

Promise- Another up-and-coming virtue name with romantic undertones.

Rose- No other flower is as synonymous with Valentine's Day.

Sonnet- The most amorous type of poem, used regularly by Shakespeare.

Unity- Love unites two people, making Unity a sweet and subtle choice for a Valentine's Day babe.

Valentine- Of course, you could always get straight to the point with Valentine.

Best of 2015

via Justin McKinley on Dribbble

January: January brought one of my most popular posts ever--Hipster Baby Name or Hipster City? It even features a (very difficult!) quiz to test your knowledge.

February: In February we looked at Names from Children's Literature. There are so many great choices, ranging from the classic--Frances, Harriet, George--to the uncommon--Pippi, Clifford, Coraline.

March: This month featured our first installment of Same Meaning Sibsets. I love putting these posts together--they are some of my favorites to write.

April: I wrote about Day and Night Names in April--the lists are especially good for searching for middle names.

May: May introduced us to Rainbow Sibsets (parts one and two). For those of you attracted to color names, one of these combinations could make the perfect--yet subtle--sibset.

June: June was a busy month! Sadly, it brought the last post of our alphabet series, but then we started up a new one. Our cultural names series is still going strong, and I have no intention of ending it anytime soon.

July: In July we talked about Nautical Names--ideal for a preppy summer baby.

August: August was our month of middle names! Take a look at the Best Middle Names for Girls and Boys for some inspiration.

September: September showed us how to create our own Double Barrel Names. What's your favorite combo?

October: This month we talked about Stylish Names outside the top 1000 for boys. Check the September archives for the girls list!

November: The highlight of our November was talking about the Best Unisex Names for Girls and Boys. Granted, these can be used for a child of any sex, but they were organized by the gender they were used the most on.

December: Last month was all about holiday related names. One of my favorite lists to put together was the Christmas Crooner Names.


And now, reader favorites!

1. Stylish Choices Outside the Top 1000: Girls
2. Share a Coke Names: Summer 2015
3. 10 English Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls
4. The Best Middle Names for Girls
5. 10 V Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

10 Hawaiian Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

Image Credit

Mele Kalikimaka friends! Our last Wednesday post of 2015 is all about Hawaiian names for girls. Enjoy!

Ailani- Sweet, lyrical Ailani makes a lovely name for a baby girl--Hawaiian or not. She means "cheif," which is a strong and empowering sentiment.

Ekika- Ekika is the chirpy Hawaiian form of Edith. She's a fun and unusual way to get to Kiki, but still fits in with the three-syllable-ends-in-"A" name trend. Ekika is a downright cheerful choice--I'd love to see her used on a baby.

Huali- Huali may sound like she means "hula," but her real denotation is "pure, bright, polished, and gleaming." Either way, she's bound to conjure up images of the beautiful dance for some people. Huali is the name of an electric van company in China, but if you live anywhere else, she's more than usable.

Inoa- All you name nerds, are you looking for a name that sums up your obsession? Inoa could be your girl--she means "name" or "name chant." Noa is currently becoming more popular among girls--Inoa is a great way to use that name while distinguishing her from all the male Noahs.

Iolani- Unlike many other Io- names, Iolani's first syllable is pronounced like an "E," ee-oh-LAHN-ee. Her meaning is somewhat debated. Nameberry (my go-to for reputable information) says she means "hawk of royalty," while other sites claim "bird of heaven" or "to fly like a hawk" as her meaning. No matter what the case, Iolani definitely counts as a bird name, and a mighty one at that.

Kalea- Kalea is Hawaii's answer to Claire, though unlike her "light" sister, is said to mean "joy" or "happiness." She's a simply gorgeous name--one of my favorites back in the day. Kalea would wear well back on the mainland. I can see many parents embracing her--much like they have with Leilani.

Kilikina- I love a name that's fun to say, and Kilikina is just that! She's the Hawaiian variation of Christina, but feels like a more contemporary choice. Kiki or Kina would make cute nicknames.

Moanna- Moanna is a beautiful, beachy name meaning "ocean." She's quite similar to the Maori name Moana--meaning "sea"--which is also used in Hawaii. Moana is also the name of a princess in an upcoming animated movie.

Noelani- It wouldn't be a Hawaiian name post without three names that end in -lani. Noelani, though she means "heavenly mist" is an especially appropriate name for a baby born around this time of year. The easy-to-spot "Noel" makes her a Christmas name of sorts.

Silivia- Silivia seems like a made-up mash-up of Silvia and Olivia, but she's authentically Hawaiian. She is the Hawaiian form of Sylvia, and is said to mean "woman of the woods." Silivia is a unique and appealing name--I wonder if she'll ever catch on in the U.S.

Christmas Crooner Names

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Would you ever consider giving a December-born baby a holiday singer name? I like the idea--it makes a subtle connection between the name and time of year--much less conspicuous than Holiday or Yule (though I'm a fan of both of those). Let me know your favorites, and which names you would add.

Bing- Bing Crosby has one of the most classic Christmas albums of all time--after seventy years it's still on heavy rotation. Bing is a swanky old-fashioned nickname with a lot of potential. Kate Hudson used it as a nickname for her son Bingham.

Carey- Mariah Carey is the modern Christmas song queen, but her first name feels past its peak. Carey, on the other hand, feels unexpectedly fresh--on a boy. Carrie and Cari are girls of the past, but Cary, Carey, and Kerry are ready for revival.

Crosby- If Bing isn't your thing, you might want to try Crosby. He's an lively Irish surname with some serious style. Some people might associate Crosby with the character from Parenthood, but it's more likely they'll think of Bing.

Dean- Dean Martin is credited with popularizing the hit Christmas song "Marshmallow World" over ten years after it's debut. Martin was actually born Dino. As a name, Dean is rising in popularity in the U.S. and was at #221 last year.

Ella- Ella is one of those name that are so popular, most associations are just a wash. However, many a parent (and celebrity) have cited Ella Fitzgerald as the inspiration for their daughter's name. Her Christmas album is one of my very favorites--I play it all season long.

Fitzgerald- Ella's last name is much more distinctive--how often do you meet a baby with the first name Fitzgerald? Fitz is a cute nickname, though Fritz, Gerry, and Gerald are also options.

Frank- Frank Sinatra is about as classic as it gets. It's no surprise that his Christmas songs are still heard on radio stations all over the country (and he even has a spot on my eclectic holiday playlist). His first name, Frank, has the same sophisticated vintage feel to it--yet he's been falling in popularity for as long as the data's been kept.

Garland- Garland is a rare double-Christmas-connection name. Not only is it what we drape around Christmas trees and fireplace mantels, it's also the surname of Christmas singer extraordinaire, Judy Garland. Her most famous holiday song is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Gene- Gene Autry sang many of today's favorite Christmas songs, and even penned a couple himself. He's responsible for "Here Comes Santa Claus," and  popularized his versions of such favorites as "Frosty the Snowman," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." That makes the clunky-cool Gene a Christmas hero name of sorts.

McCartney- Lennon and Harrison are fair game, so how about McCartney? Irish surnames are certainly popular right now, so I don't think it'd be a crazy choice, especially because of Paul. The Beatle wrote "Wonderful Christmastime" in 1979, and it's been a favorite ever since.

Nat- Nat King Cole's Christmas songs are a cherished tradition in many households. His most famous one is "The Christmas Song." All three of his names are worthy for a 2015-born child, but Nat is the simplest and most unexpected. Plus, like Garland, it has the extra Christmas connection of meaning "born on Christmas Day."

Presley- Who could forget Elvis Presley's wonderful collection of Christmas tunes? It's not the Holidays without "Blue Christmas" (or in my house--"Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me"). His first name is too strongly tied to the singer, but America has embraced Presley--especially for a girl.