Stylish Choices Outside the Top 1000: 2015 Girls

Syd Nagoshi via Instagram

It can be really frustrating to see your top choices break into the top 1000--no one wants people to discover their favorite name! If you are looking for a name that's guaranteed to be uncommon, outside the top 1000 is the best place to look. None of these names were used over 263 times--that being said, it's impossible to tell how many of these are being used as nicknames for more popular names. The names are ordered from most uses to least: 263 to 5. Make sure to come back on Friday for the boys list, and check out the 2014 list to see what's changed.

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!

If I Could Name 100 Girls: Volume Three

Rae Shoemaker via Dribbble

About one year ago, I posted my second round of "If I Could Name 100 Girls." It quickly became a popular post, so I thought we'd make it a yearly tradition. So, one year later, here are the names I would choose for 100 daughters. The names that are new to the list are italicized, and the ones that got bumped off are noted at the bottom. Tell me, what would you name 100 girls? (it's harder than it looks!)

Agatha
Aldine
Alouette
Amelie
Anais
Annika
Anouk
Avis
Bee
Birdie
Bonnie
Cameo
Celestine
Celia
Circe
Clea
Clementine
Clove
Coco
Darcy
Delphine
Dorothy
Dulcie
Edie
Eliza
Elsie
Esme
Fatima
Faye
Flannery
Frances
Freya
Frieda
Gemma
Georgia
Greta
Hero
Holiday
Ida
Irene
Isabeau
Ivy
Jane
Kalea
Lark
Leonie
Liddy
Lilou
Liv
Lotte
Lucinda
Margot
Martha
Millie
Minna
Moon
Nancy
Nell
Nettie
Noemi
Nona
Noor
Olive
Oona
Orla
Ottilie
Paloma
Penny
Peridot
Phoebe
Pia
Pimm
Pippa
Plum
Poet
Pomeline
Poppy
Posy
Prairie
Prune
Quebec
Quilla
Romy
Rosie
Ruthie
Season
Solange
Soleil
Sosie
Susanna
Tallulah
Tilda
Umbria
Umeko
Viola
Winnie
Xanthe
Zadie
Zanna
Zinnia


Who's New: Agatha, Bee, Cameo, Celia, Clove, Delphine, Dorothy, Dulcie, Eliza, Elsie, Fatima, Faye, Flannery, Freya, Irene, Kalea, Liv, Millie, Moon, Nettie, Noemi, Noor, Oona, Penny, Pia, Prairie, Prune, Rosie, Ruthie, Tallulah, Umbria, Umeko, Winnie, Zinnia

Who Left: Aine, Audrey, Bay, Citron, Dot, Elke, Elsa, Emmeline, Evie, Flora, Greer, Helena, Imogen, Ireland, Kit, Lillias, Lilo, Louisa, Marais, North, Oceane, Reverie, Romilly, Ruth, Scout, Silvie, Simone, Sloane, Suki, Tate, Tess, Vienna, Willa

Celebrity Baby Name Suggestions: Volume 2

Foss Design via Etsy

Celebrity baby naming is unpredictable, but that doesn't stop us from trying! Just as we're shocked when a famous parents chooses something way out of left field for their child (a la Jamie Oliver's Petal Blossom Rainbow or Gwyneth Paltrow's Apple), it's just as surprising to hear them pick a common name (like Michael Buble's Noah or Matt Damon's Isabella). That being said, there are some tricks to celebrity baby name predictions, so let's look into the crystal ball.

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Hazel
Hazel is super sweet and subtly vintage. I think they'll pick another on-trend name with retro roots.
Boy: August, Charlie, Felix, Finn, Julian, Louis, Oscar, Russell, Spencer, Toby, Walter
Girl: Ada, Cora, Fiona, Gemma, Georgia, Helena, Ivy, Phoebe, Poppy, Ruthie, Zara
*Update* Another color-nature name for the Krasinski clan--Violet!

Erica Hanson and Ike Barinholtz
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Foster (g)
The hilarious Ike Barinholtz (Morgan Tookers on The Mindy Project) and his wife Erica went the androgynous surname route for their little girl. I expect they'll choose something similar for baby #2, regardless of gender.
Boy: Coleman, Cormac, Fielding, Gardner, Hart, Holt, Huck, Shepherd, Sumner
Girl: Abbott, Campbell, Connelly, Hadley, Halsey, Hollis, Madden, Sheridan, Sloane
*Update* Another girl--Payton June!

Holly Madison and Pasquele Rotella
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Rainbow Aurora
Holly Madison surprised us all when it turned out she had secretly (and subtly) revealed the first name of her daughter via Twitter. In this article she reveals she likes word names as well as Disney inspired ones. Keeping that in mind, here are my predictions.
Boy: Anthem, Charming, Diesel, Dragon, Echo, Flynn, Hero, Spirit, Temple, Treasure, Valentine
Girl: Ariel, Chrysanthemum, Bliss, Bluebell, Fantasia, Forever, Holiday, Jubilee, Meadow, Pixie
*Update* She does love word names--baby boy is Forest Leonardo Antonio!

Alanis Morisette and Mario Treadway
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Ever Imre (b)
Imre, Alanis Morissette and Mario Treadway's son's middle name, is not one you hear often. It's actually a Hungarian name, which ties back to Morissette's heritage. Might we see another Hungarian choice? Or perhaps something from her French-Irish side of the family? More word names? I guess we'll wait and see.
Boy: Bence, Hawk, Judge. Justice, King, Laszlo, Maverick, Noble, Rogue, True
Girl: Emerald, Fable, Harbor, Haven, Ireland, Lyric, Mika, Rebel, Sailor, Story
*Update*  It's a girl for Alanis Morisette--Onyx Solace!

Lisa Ling and Paul Song
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Jett Ling (g)
Wow, we have a lot of word name-loving celebs this month! Lisa Ling named her daughter Jett back in 2013, and I'm curious to see if she chooses another unisex word name for baby number two.
Boy: Archer, Canyon, Cove, Dashiell, Dax, Fletcher, Fox, Kit, Park, Rex, Rocco
Girl: Bird, Domino, Grey, Indie, Liv, Max, Monroe, Poet, Scout, Sea, Sutton
*Update* It's a girl--Ray Ling Song!

Alexi Ashe and Seth Meyers
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Late Night host Seth Meyers' wife Alexi are pregnant with their first. It's hard to make predictions about name choice without an older sibling's name to look to (they do have a dog named Frisbee, not that that helps), but I have a feeling this couple isn't going to choose anything wild and crazy.
Boy: Bennett, Conrad, Eli, Emmett, Ford, Graham, Henry, Jay, Judson, Lawson, Reid
Girl: Amelie, Cecilia, Eleanor, Eve, Fiona, Ivy, Lily, Madeleine, Nadia, Nina, Rosie
*Update* It's a boy, and his name is Ashe Olson--the maiden names of Alexi and Seth's mother. How sweet!

Paige Mitchell and Eddie Murphy
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Eric, Christian, Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, Bella, and Angel (g)
It's baby number nine for Eddie Murphy! With this many kids, it's hard to keep sibsets super cohesive. But taking inspiration from his youngest ones, I would expect the baby to be named...
Boy: Ace, Cash, Chaz, Jax, Jayce, Lynx, Phoenix, Xander, Zaire, Zack
Girl: Asha, Asia, Faith, Jade, Jasmine, Jolie, Journey, Liberty, Nala, Skyla
*Update* Hello, Izzy Oona!

Soleil Moon Frye and Jason Goldberg
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Poet Sienna Rose, Jagger Joseph Blue (g), and Lyric Sonny Roads (b)
After three babies, I think we have a pretty good handle on Soleil Moon Frye's naming style--artistic word names. She's a fan of gender-bending though, so I might as well have left off the boy and girl labels.
Boy: Crescent, Drummer, Freedom, Jazz, Journey, Ocean, Mystery, Rhapsody
Girl: Dancer, Dreamer, Fable, Galaxy, Pastel, Silhouette, Swan, Velvet, Whimsy
*Update* Soleil has welcomed a little boy named Story!

Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Coming from such a high-profile family, the pressure's on Nicky Hilton Rothschild to choose a marvelous name for her son or daughter. Something tells me it's going to be a little bit dramatic and extravagant, but still wearable.
Boy: Alastair, Augustine, Bennington, Charleston, Maximilian, Reginald, Whittaker
Girl: Angeline, Aurelia, Calixta, Clarissa, Emmeline, Simone, Valentina, Veronique
*Update* Welcome Lily Grace Victoria!

Liv Tyler and David Gardner
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Milo and Sailor Gene
When both of Liv Tyler's sons were born, their names were on the cusp of cool. I suspect she will make a similar choice when it comes to her third child.
Boy: Asa, Cyrus, Dashiell, Finn, Jude, Nico, Otto, Phoenix, Reid, Royce
Girl: Carys, Delilah, Elodie, Ivy, Luna, Marnie, Matilda, Pearl, Tallulah
*Update* I was close with Luna and Tallulah--baby girl is Lula Rose!

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky

Gender: unknown

Siblings: Charlotte

A new Clinton baby will be arriving in the midst of a busy summer for it's presidental candidate grandma, Hillary. First daughter Chelsea and her husband Marc chose the name Charlotte for their first child--ranked at #10 the year she was born. Charlotte is a soft, vintage-inspired name that feels very current right now. My guess is her sibling will have a similar name. 

Boy: Andrew, Graham, James, Jasper, Julian, Harrison, Levi, Paul, Spencer, Thomas, William

Girl: Alice, Annabel, Audrey, Eleanor, Elizabeth, Evelyn, Genevieve, Lucy, Madeleine, Nora
*Update* Welcome Aidan Clinton Mezvinsky!

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.

Exciting!

Allen Grubesic via Artsy

So I TOTALLY missed this back in June, but I (along with the wonderful and talented Meagan of Tulip by Any Name) was featured in a Care.com article about unisex names. You can read the article here, if you'd like. Happy Friday!


*I'm taking Monday off for the holiday (and to do some much-needed blog catch-up), so I'll see you all back hear on Wednesday for Spanish Names for Boys.

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

Names from Christmas Songs

Image Credit

Merry almost-Christmas everybody! This is my last post for 2015--I'll see you all back after the new year. Happy happy holidays, enjoy this list of Christmas song inspired names.

Blue--"Blue Christmas"
Blue is a lovely name, but I wouldn't name my child after a sad Christmas song.

Christmas--Take your pick of Christmas song!
Christmas is definitely out-there, but still a usable name. It's obviously featured in many a Christmas song (if not all of them).

Dominick--"Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey"
The song is a silly one, but Dominick is a very nice name. Spelling it Dominic gets rid of the former grocery store chain connection.

Drummer--"Little Drummer Boy"
A classic Christmas song and a very new name. You won't meet many baby Drummers around, but it does sound very on-trend.

Holly--"Holly Jolly Christmas"
Holly is not a particularly popular name, though I suspect usage increases in December. I love her as a nickname for the whimsical Holiday.

Joy--"Joy to the World"
Joy feels quite dated, but she's an understandable choice for a holiday-time baby.

Navidad--"Feliz Navidad"
Navidad is the Spanish word for Christmas (hence the song title) and also a Spanish variation of the name Natalia. Like Christmas, she's a bold choice, but perfect for a December 25th baby.

Nick--"Little Saint Nick"
Nicholas is a modern classic, and his main nickname gets plenty of use. The Beach Boys' song "Little Saint Nick" is a cute one to be named after.

Noel--"The First Noel"
Noel is another name that is heavily associated with Christmas time, and works for a boy or a girl.

Plum--"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"
You all know how much I love the name Plum, and the song from the Nutcracker ballet makes her that much sweeter.

Rudolph--"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Rudolph would be a hard name to wear, even though the song promotes not teasing others. Go with Rudy instead.

Silver--"Silver Bells"
Silver is a daring color name that is slightly softened by the Christmas song association. The calming melody offers a nice balance to the sparkly, intense color.

Suzy--"Suzy Snowflake"
I hadn't heard this song until a few minutes ago. If you're not familiar, the song seems to have originated in Chicago, and may not have been widely known outside of the city (though I am from Chicago, and I had never heard of it). The name Suzy would feel retro-cool on a baby today, though I prefer the softer spelling Susie.

Winter--"Winter Wonderland"
Winter is name that's rising up the charts. She's the freshest of the season names, and comes with the adorable nickname Winnie. "Winter Wonderland" is a wonderful song to have your name in, as well.

Christmas Crooner Names

Image Credit

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.

Names from Christmas Movies

Image Credit

There are so many classic Christmas movies out there, and many of them offer great inspiration for baby naming. I culled some of the most usable and interesting (first and last) names from beloved holiday films to share with you guys today. Let me know, would you consider naming a baby after a Christmas movie character?

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie
Linus
Lucy
Sally
Schroeder
Violet

Christmas in Connecticut
Alexander
Lane
Norah
Sloan
Yardley

A Christmas Story
Ralphie
Randy

Elf
Buddy
Jovie
Walter

The Family Stone
Everett
Meredith
Sybil

Home Alone
Buzz
Harry
Marv
Kevin

Holiday Inn
Daphne
Dixon
Francois
Gus
Lila
Mamie
Parker
Reed
Ted

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Cindy Lou

It's a Wonderful Life
Bailey
Bert
Billy
Clarence
Ernie
Eustace
George
Harry
Ruth
Tilly
Violet
Zuzu

Love Actually
Annie
Daisy
Jamie
Juliet
Natalie
Peter

Miracle on 34th Street
Doris
Fred
Granville
Kris

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Art
Audrey
Bethany
Clark
Ellen
Lewis
Margo
Rocky
Ruby Sue
Rusty

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Clarice
Hermey
Rudolph

Scrooged
Brice
Claire
Eliot
Frank
Lew

White Christmas
Betty
Emma
Waverly

"Light" Names for Hanukkah

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Happy Hanukkah to all my friends and readers who are celebrating! Light is a very important theme and symbol of the holiday, so I thought we'd take a look at names that mean light today. It's a fun connection to have if your baby is born during these eight days of celebration. Names that are bolded also have Hebrew origins, for an extra Hanukkah link.

Girls

Azenor

Chiara

Elaine

Eleanor

Elena

Ellen

Helen

Helena

Laoise

Leora

Lucasta

Lucia

Luciana

Lucienne

Lucille

Lucinda

Lumiere

Luz

Lux

Nahara

Nell

Nira

Noor
Ori

Orit

Orli

Senara

Toula

Yetta

Zohara

Boys

Beacon

Deepak

Hikaru

Lito

Lucian

Luciano

Lucius

Meyer

Ori

Pradeep

Siraj

Uri

Valo

Zohar

Elf on the Shelf Names

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Do you have an Elf on the Shelf in your house? The tradition didn't exist when I was a kid, but it's so fun and whimsical--I wish it had! The Elf on the Shelf website lists the 20 most popular name for the registered elves--Nameberry did an comparison between elf names and baby names last holiday season, but I'm here to offer some more creative options for your elf. But first, the Elf top 20:

1. Buddy
2. Elfie
3. Jingle
4. Snowflake
5. Jingles
6. Jack
7. Charlie
8. Fred
9. Chippy
10. Sparkle
11. Elfy
12. Holly
13. Max
14. Twinkle
15. Jolly
16. Elvis
17. Bob
18. Clyde
19. Peppermint
20. Nick

How I wish I could see the full list!

The website also says that Cookie, Frisbee, Snowball, Sprinkle, and Tinsel are popular, and cites Oodle as a "unique" name belonging to 220 elves.

If you want an uncommon name for your family's Elf on the Shelf (that is, if you have a say in naming it), I have come up with some more creative ideas.

Blizzard
Chestnut
Cider
Cranberry
December (Ember could be a nickname)
Drummer
Eggnog
Evergreen
Fig
Garland
Holiday
Icicle
Ivy
Mistletoe
Mittens
Pax
Piper
Plum
Poinsettia
Popcorn
Season
Silver
Socks
Spruce
Stella
Toboggan
Winter (or Winnie)

10 Dutch Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

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We're talking about Dutch names for boys today--this list is full of short and sweet choices perfect for nicknames or own their own. Let me know your favorites in the comments.

Arjan- Arjan (pronounced AHR-yahn) is the attractive Dutch form of Adrian. Speaking of Adrian, he's at an all time high right now at #59, so Arjan makes a nice alternative if you want something less popular. Arje is a sweet nickname possibility.

Bas- Bas is quite trendy in the Netherlands, both on his own, and as a nickname for such names as Sebastiaan and Bastiaan--the Dutch variations of Sebastian and Bastian. Another, much more American spelling is Baz, which you might recognize as the name of esteemed director Baz Luhrmann.

Bram- Bram is a lovely choice--one of my very favorites. He's the Netherlands' answer to Abraham, and feels decidedly more modern. The Dutch can't get enough of Bram--he ranks #2 over there. Bram makes for an incredibly easy import into the United States. With names like Graham starting to make their way up the charts, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bram crack the top 1000 sooner or later. So grab him while he's fresh!

Mies- Calling all you nature mamas and papas: Mies means "son of the earth"--perfect for the child of planet-loving parents. He's originally short for Bartholomeus, meaning he could work as a nickname for Bartholomew, assuming you're not a fan of Bart.

Pim- It's no secret I love Pimm--for a girl. Well, the masculine form, Pim is a Dutch nickname for Willem and just almost as cute. If you're not feeling Will, Billy, or even Liam as a nickname for William, Pim is an intriguing and very unexpected option.

Rem- Unlike the Dutch, most American parents won't consider a name as short as Rem stand-alone. Fortunately, he can act as a nickname for Jeremy, Remington, and the like. Rem is a bit more masculine than the unisex Remy, if you are searching for an alternative.

Roel- Roel is the Dutch form of Roland--pronounced like "rule" in the Netherlands, but more likely "role" in America. He's a classy way to honor a Joel, Roland, Rudolph, or Orlando in your life.

Rutger- Rutger comes from Roger, and could be used as a contemporary update for him. Rutger could also be a fun way to honor your alma mater, provided you went to Rutgers University. The University in New Jersey was named after Colonel Henry Rutgers, who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Sander- Sander is the Dutch and Scandinavian nickname for Alexander, although he is considered a name in his own right as well. Sander, or even more so, Sanders would make an extremely topical choice right now, considering the impending presidential election, and Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders.

Thijs- Thijs (pronounced like "twice" without the "W") is another Dutch favorite, ranking at #15. He comes from Matthijs, the Netherlands' variation of Matthew. News anchor Matt Lauer subtly honored himself by naming his son Thijs--something only a name enthusiast would notice.


Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers! I'm taking Friday off for the holiday weekend--see you next week!

Apple Names

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Happy (almost) Halloween guys! I wanted to do a post about apples before Fall ended, and I figured this would be the ideal time, right in the middle of apple season. All the following names come from apple varieties--perfect for an Autumn baby!

Abbey
Adam
Albany
Albert
Alexander
Alford
Allen
Ambrosia
Anna
Annie
April
Ariane
Arthur
Bailey
Baldwin
Barry
Beacon
Bella
Ben
Bess
Beverly
Billy
Bonnie
Bridget
Brock
Cameo
Carlos
Caroll
Charles
Christmas
Clark
Clay
Cole
Connell
Crispin
Cybele
D'arcy
Davey
David
Dawn
Dayton
Derby
Earl
Early
Eddie
Edmund
Edward
Elise
Elizabeth
Ellison
Elton
Emneth
Erwin
Evelina
Everard
Fearn
Filippa
Florina
Foster
Franklin
Fuji
Gala
Garland
Gavin
George
Gibson
Gilbert
Ginger
Grove
Harrison
Harvey
Henry
Hokuto
Holiday
Holland
Holly
Hudson
Ida
Ingrid
Jackson
James
Jazz
Jersey
Johnny
Jonathan
Jordan
Jubilee
July
June
Jupiter
Kalei
Karen
Katy
Katya
Kent
Kerry
King
Kingston
Kinsei
Lane
Liberty
Lilibet
Luscious
Mac
Maclean
Maigold
Malinda
Marie
Marisa
Melba
Meridian
Miller
Milo
Milton
Mollie
Moore
Morgan
Morley
Newton
Niagara
Noble
Oliver
Opal
Orin
Palmer
Park
Paula
Pax
Pearl
Perry
Pine
Pippin
Pixie
Pomme
Porter
Prairie
Princess
Priscilla
Quebec
Quince
Rajka
Rome
Rose
Rosemary
Rosette
Ross
Rosy
Royal
Russet
Rusty
Sam
Santana
Scarlet
Scarlett
September
Sharon
Shay
Sierra
Smith
Snow
Sonya
Spencer
Stirling
Summer
Sundance
Sutton
Taylor
Tom
Topaz
Turner
Upton
Victoria
Virginia
Walter
Wayne
William
Winston
Winter
Wolf
Yates
York
Zari


I'm taking next week off to do some blog maitenance--regular posting will resume November 9th.

Full Names for Holly

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Holly has been on a downward trend since the 1980s, but many people still find her very appealing. She doesn't sound terribly dated, especially with the increasing popularity of many of her full forms. I'm still on the fence, but I want to know what you guys think! Is Holly ready for revival or stuck in the seventies?

Holland- Holland has skyrocketed in popularity this year. She recently broke the top 1000 at #891, and will only continue to go up from there. Holland is one of the trendiest place names right now, and quite possibly the most modern ways to get to Holly.

Holiday- Of course, if you're using Holly, why not go for a whole Christmas theme? Then, obviously, your only choice for the full name would be Holiday. Needless to say, Holiday isn't only a Christmas name--she'd suffice for a baby born any time of the year (or on any holiday).

Hollin- Hollin  may sound like a made-up modernization of Holland (especially if you spell her Hollyn), but actually she's an English surname. With Holland rising so quickly, this might be a good alternative. Alternate spellings include Hollan and Hollen.

Hollis- Hollis is a sweet, likable unisex name. At one point it was only used for boys, but once he dropped out of the top 1000 in the seventies, Hollis turned into a more feminine choice.

Hollister- If only the clothing brand wasn't so darn popular. Hopefully it will soon be seen as an ancient relic of the early 2000s, becasue then the name Hollister will become usable. One notable Hollister is Hollister Hovey, co-creator of Hovey Design along with her sister Porter.

Holloway- If you like the sound of Holiday, but not the wordiness, Holloway might be the answer. She's just as quirky and whimsical.

Stylish Choices Outside the Top 1000: 2014 Girls

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We all know the parents with that one requirement when it comes to names: Nothing inside the top 1000. Who knows, maybe it's you! I'll admit, I can be a bit of a name snob myself--I do prefer my favorites to be practically unique. All the names after the jump are outside the top 1000, in order of most used to least used (Esperanza with 257 uses in 2014, Romilly with 5). What's your favorite? Let me know.

DIY Double Barrel Names

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If you're not a name nerd, you've probably only heard of the term "double barrel" being used in terms of surnames. You know, when parents combine their surnames into one hyphenated last name for their baby? It exists for first names too. The Social Security Administration doesn't take the hyphen into account, so unfortunately double barrel names are not recorded in the United States. To see how popular these names are, we have to go to the European data. Double barrel names are a hit in places like the U.K. (as seen in this article from The Telegraph)--Amelia-Rose, Lily-Rose, and Elllie-Mae are some of the most fashionable.

Now's the chance to build your own double barrel name! I've provided some options for the first and second names, but feel free to go off script. Tell me your favorite ones in the comments.

First Name Amy Anna Ava Betty Carol Charlotte Cora Daisy Ella Ellie Eliza Emily Emma Emme Georgia Hannah Katie Laura Leah Lily Lucy Mary Nora Rosa Sarah

Second Name      Alice      Anne      Bella      Belle      Beth      Catherine      Claire      Ella      Eve      Faith      Faye      Frances      Grace      Jane      Jean      June      Kate      Kay      Lane      Lee      Lou      Louise      Lynn      Margaret      Marie      May      Quinn      Rose      Rue      Ruth      Shay      Sue

*I'll be back after Labor Day with Arabic Names for Boys--have a good holiday!*

Middle Name Round-Up

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It's the last day of August, and sadly, the last day of our Middle Name Month. As I've shown you this month, almost any name makes a great middle name. In fact, many of us consider names for the middle position that we would never dream of using as first names. I've compiled a list of lists--all past posts of mine that include wonderful middle name options for boys and girls. Happy naming!

Nature Names
Nature names are widely appealing, and they make up some of the most popular middle names. These lists offer many more options beyond Rose, and they might even take you in an unexpected direction (fruit and veggie names, anyone?)

Fruit and Vegetable Names:
My favorite middles: Fig, Huckleberry, and Plum
Herbs and Spice Names
My favorite middles: Artemisia, Nigella, and Quassia
Squash and Pumpkin Names
My favorite middles: Cocozelle, Kuri, and Valenciano
Tree Names
My favorite middles: Ash, Birch, and Hickory
Unexpected Flower Names
My favorite middles: Anemone, Larkspur, and Petunia

Out-of-the-Box Names
If you're a more cautious namer, there's no better place for an out-of-the-box name than the middle. Out-of-the-Box Names are free-spirited and whimsical, and--in my opinion--make the cutest middle names.

Camera Names
My favorite middles: Kodak, Leica, and Olympus
Car Inspired Names
My favorite middles: Alfa, Lotus, and Tesla
Fashion Trends as Names
My favorite middles: Chevron, Dot, and Peplum
Holiday Names
My favorite middles: Holiday, Season, and Yule
Pattern Names
My favorite middles: Gingham, Grain, and Tartan
Royalty Inspired Names
My favorite middles: Baron, Noble, and Royal
Sports Names
My favorite middles: Cricket, Derby, and League

Virtue Names
Perhaps the most enduring middle name trend is virtue names. Nowadays we see plenty of girls with Grace in the middle, though in the past picks like Joy, Faith, and Hope were also popular. These lists offer some more modern choices.

Modern Virtue Names for Girls
My favorite middles: Divinity, Hero, and Virtue
Modern Virtue Names for Boys
My favorite middles: Candor, Reason, and Zeal

Word Names
Like out-of-the-box names, word names can be very playful when used in the middle. They range from conservative to offbeat, but all of them are delightful.

Beachy Names
My favorite middles: Dune, Marine, and Oceane
Calendar Names
My favorite middles: Season, Tuesday, and Winter
Day Names
My favorite middles: Asa, Dia, and Early
Nautical Names
My favorite middles: Beacon, Sailor, and Sea
Night Names
My favorite middles: Dream, Moon, and Story
State Capital Names
My favorite middles: Augusta, Helena, and Honolulu