Dog Names for Babies?

Brent Schoepf via Dribbble

I've been thinking non-stop about dog names since we just got a puppy a week ago. When coming up with a name for the little guy, I was adament about giving him a name that didn't sound too "dog like," (aka, not Fido or Rover). I wanted him to have a real name. A person name. We ended up calling him Fisher, and it's really the perfect name for him. It's not too dog like, and it's not too common among animals or people (it ranked #799 last year). However, this whole situation got me wondering: if we like people names for pets, what about pet names for people? Are they off-limits or fair game?

Beau- Beau was the quintessential dog name for a while, but ever since the early 2000s, he's been climbing up the charts for baby boys. Alternate spelling Bo is also on the rise (and is the name of the Obama's dog). Beau definitely works for both dogs and babies.

Boomer- I was hesitant to include Boomer on this list, because--much like Fido and Rover--I thought he had absolutely no potential as a baby name. But Michael Phelps gave the name to his son a couple weeks ago, which changes things. My brother has been telling me forever to expect a nephew named Boomer in a dozen years or so (Beau also makes his list). I've always thought it was to annoy me with its non-nameness, but who knows, maybe he sees the future of baby names. Do you think Boomer could be a hit in 2028?

Coco- Coco is a name I have my eye on. I've seen a couple of bloggers and other tastemakers use the name recently, and I think it wears really well. They are often ahead of the curve by many years though, so I suspect we'll see a big Coco rise in around 3-5 years.

Duke- Duke still feels decidedly doggish to me, but I'm curious to hear what you all think. He came back into the top 1000 in 2013, and is on the rise, along with many other royal names. Giuliana and Bill Rancic have a son named Duke, which may be inspriring many parents to go for it with their baby as opposed to their dog.

Huck- Huck is a sweet nickname-y name whose most obvious full form is Huckleberry. It makes sense that parents would want to skip over that, and just give the name to their pet instead. However, I'm more of a fan when it's used on a baby. There are plenty of full name options besides Huckleberry, as illustrated here.

Murphy- Fun loving, Irish surname Murphy has always been common among pets, but dropped out of the top 1000 for baby boys in 1956. These days I can see Murphy working for a baby boy or girl, especially in this era of last-names-first.

Rex- Rex may seem like the classic dog name, but he's actually not too popular among pooches or people. I am a big champion of using Rex on babies--he's the perfect alternative to Max! Plus, he's actually fallen lately in popularity. Rex is currently at #682, down from a peak of #617 in 2011.

Roscoe- Hipster favorite Roscoe is currently a hit for dogs, and I suspect the number of children and pets with the name will only go up. He really is a fun and sweet name--I wouldn't be surprised to see him break the top 1000 in the next few years.

Roxy- Roxy (or Roxie, if you're a Broadway fan) is not used as often on babies as she is on pets, most likely because her most obvious full name is the outdated Roxanne. However, she'd work just as well as a nickname for any of the Rose names, or even names like Aurora and Veronica.

Scout- All the buzz about To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman led to increased interest in the name Scout, but I can't tell if it's going to stick or not. For a long time, Scout sounded too wordy to bestow on a child (i.e.: perfect for the dog), but I think she's a totally viable choice nowadays.

Thor- People love to give their dogs slightly comical names, which is why you meet many a small dog named Thor. This is one of the few that I would not give to child--I think it's best for the family pet. Try the variation Tor instead.


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As you may have noticed, I'm taking a lighter summer schedule. Regular posting should resume in October, when I go back to school.

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

Full Names for Toby

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Isn't Toby a charming name? He's so sweet and lovable. When Joanna Goddard gave the name to her son five years ago, I was pleasantly surprised. Toby feels very fresh on a baby, even though he's taken a slight dip in popularity. If you can't commit to using Toby on his own, take a look at this list to see some of his fuller forms.

Alberto- Alberto may not have the "tob" sound directly, but separately, it's all there. He's a funky, but fun way to get to Toby, especially if the nicknames Al or Bertie aren't your thing.

Barton- Barton is a serious English surname that could have potential--if only his most obvious nickname wasn't Bart. If you decide to go the nickname route, Toby is the best answer.

October- October is an exciting unisex name that works especially well for babies born this month. However, at three syllables long, people start looking for a nickname. There aren't many choices, but even if there were, I'd still suggest Toby.

Tobiah- Tobiah is the biblical name that eventually gave way to Tobias. With names like Isaiah and Josiah so popular, it's surprising that people have rarely heard of him. Tobiah makes for a unique and easy way to get to Toby, although you could use him in his own right too.

Tobias- Toby may be falling in popularity, but Tobias is rising. He's the most popular full name for Toby, and many people use him specifically for that purpose. I have too many Arrested Development associations to ever pull the trigger on Tobias, but he is a classic and classy option.

Tobin- Tobin is a surname derivative of Tobias, and has a contemporary, pleasant sound. If you're not into "old-man-chic" style names, he could be a wonderful full name for your Toby.

Umberto- Umberto is an extremely Italian name, so if your little Toby is going to have Italian roots, he's one to consider. He's a variant of Humbert, and infinitesimally more attractive.

Best of 2014

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What a year it's been! 2014 has been a great year for the blog. I've posted more than ever before, and we've had a record breaking number of viewers. Thanks so much to everyone for reading--now here's a look at this year's highlights.

January: We talked about Oscar Nominee Names in January (is anyone using Philomena yet?)

February: In February I wrote about Naming a Dog, inspired by my puppy Harvey. 

March: March showed us some names influenced by Texting and Shorthand.

April: I let you read my Junior Research Paper in April--all about baby names!

May: This month we looked at C Names for Girls. I adore Cameo, Celestine, and Circe. 

June: In June we talked about Initial Names. It's such a fun concept, and a great way to use those style outlier honor names. 

July: I wrote about Preppy Names in July (Parts One and Two). This was one of my most popular posts!

August: August introduced us to Hidden Names. The most usable combo was Lainey and Aine. 

September: We reviewed some Modern Virtue Names (Parts One and Two) during the month of September. 

October: In October we discussed Sports Names. As a golfer, I'm rather partial to Birdie. 

November: Just in time for Thanksgiving, I wrote about Herbs and Spices Names. 

December: Happy Holidays! Here are some Holiday Names for your baby. 

And now, viewer favorites:

1. Nicknames for Sophia

2. 10 A Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

3. Initial Names

4. Full Names for Wells

5. Unexpected Flower Names

Food Names: Herbs and Spices

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Happy Thanksgiving-week! In honor of the holiday we are going to talk about food names all week. Back in October I covered fruits and veggies, so today is all about herbs and spices. There are so many options here, and I adore almost all these names. Let me know what you think! Would you name your baby after a spice? (I totally would).

Expected:
Basil- Though as a name, he's mostly pronounce BAH-zull.
Bay- Lovely, especially for a girl, I think.
Dill- He works as a nickname for Dillon, but not so much on his own.
Ginger- A name more people should be using.
Jasmine- Jasmine is beautiful, and was popular in the past.
Juniper- Up and coming, she also comes with nicknames June, Junie, and Juno.
Pepper- Spicy and fun.
Rosemary- So sweet, the nickname Romy seals the deal.
Sage- Another name that is truly unisex. Sage has been used by a few celebrities.
Willow- Will- names have been popular lately, perhaps because of the Smith family?

Unique:
Angelica- A little outdated, but usable.
Anise- Don't confuse her with Anais, this one's pronounced ANN-iss.
Carraway- Too similar to carried away? I think she still works.
Cassia- Feminine choice brought into the light by the YA Matched series.
Cicely- She would often get confused with Cecily, but still is a lovely pick.
Lavender- One of the most girly nature names out there.
Rue- She should be gaining popularity soon, thanks to The Hunger Games books and movies.
Saffron- Fun choice, especially for a chef.
Tarragon- It works for either gender, but it's similarity to Tara makes me read girl on this one.

Unheard of:

Artemisia- An elaboration of Artemis. Does she need elaboration though?
Clary- Another name from a YA Dystopian novel. Cute nickname for Clare or Clara names.
Clove- What's with it with YA Dystopian books and spice names? Another one from The Hunger Games, Clove is a simple yet strong name for a girl.
Myrtle- She's so far gone, she might never come back.
Nigella- So closely associated with Nigella Lawson, but a pretty pick nonetheless.
Olida- A great choice for the underused letter "O".
Perilla- She sounds very name-y, I'm surprised she hasn't been used yet.
Quassia- The world could use more "Q" names. This is a great one.
Ramsons- A little close to Ransom, but hey, that's a name too.
Sorrel- This herb is a great pick for a baby boy.
Verbena- The -ena ending make her name-worthy. But the strong -rb- sound gives me pause.

Catalog Names: Mini Boden, October 2014

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Last week my monthly Boden catalogs came in the mail, and there was good news and bad news. The good news was that there are new models, which means new names to talk about. The bad news? They are no longer listing the names in the women's Boden catalog. Only Mini Boden. That kind of bummed me out, but there were so many great kids names that it made up for it (almost). Let me know what you think.

Girls

Expected:
Cecilia
Hope
Jessica
Julia
Kaia (x2)
Matilda
Molly
Regan
Sara
Sofia

Unique:
Aimee
Amelie
Martha
Poppy
Rebeka
Winona
Yasmin

Unheard of:
Bronte
Cai
Caprii
Kyja


Boys

Expected:
Cameron
Daniel
Ethan
Finn
Jackson
Noah

Unique:
Declan
Freddie
George
Markus
Teddy
Tristan (x2)

Unheard of:
Barnaby
Orlando
Soli

Month Names: October

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October is my favorite month of the year. I love the weather, food, festivity, basically everything ever about October. If you're having a baby this October (or just love the month as much as I do), you might want to consider honoring it with a name. Let me show you what I mean.

Birthstone:
Jasper- Apparently the "Mystical Birthstone" (whatever that is) of October is Jasper. Jasper's a great name, but I'm not sure if the Mystical Birthstone thing will hold up.
Opal- Opal is the real birthstone of October, and is one of the many underused gem names. I think she could be the next Pearl.

Birth Flower:
Calendula- Hmm. So, how useable is Calendula? I think she'd be pretty sweet if called Callie or Lula, but the final call is up to you.

Birth Colors:
White- There aren't many attractive names for shade of white, but Snow, Ivory, and Lace are nice options.
Yellow- Yellow offers more choices, with Amber, Citrine, Jasmine, and Saffron being the most tame picks.

Star Sign:
Libra- Like I said last month, I think Libra would make a great name. A sister for Justice, perhaps?
Scorpio- Maybe a middle name. But I still hesitate.

Related to October:
Hope- Opal means hope, so if you want an even subtler connection, here's your gal.
Octavia, Octavio, Octavius, etc.- So, October is not the eighth month, but it was at one time, which is why it got it's name. This is probably the most obvious connection, but you have to admit, Octavia is pretty charming (and that nickname Tavi, too).

Month Names: September

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Usually September means the start of fall, but here in Chicago it stays pretty hot all month. This is the last month to cherish summer before autumn hits us in October. September is the most popular month to have a baby, so many parents are probably scrambling to find the perfect name right about now. If you fall into that camp, take a look at this list containing names that would be great for your September baby.

Birthstone:
Sapphire- A spunky name with potential. She reminds me of that song "Girl Put You Records On," which my mom used to play all the time when I was a kid.

Birth Flower:
Aster- Aster is an unusual flower name that is often overlooked. When people are looking for unique flower names, Aster is usually the first name I tell them.
Morning Glory- I don't suggest you name your child Morning Glory (Though I did have a teacher who gave her daughter the middle name Lily-of-the-Valley), but Glory is cute on her own.

Birth Colors:
Brown- Please don't name your baby Brown. If you want to make a connection to their birth month, use a shade of brown instead. I suggest Citrine, Cordovan, Fallow, Fawn, Isabelline, Rufous, Russet, Sepia, Sienna, Tawny, or Umber.

Star Sign:
Virgo- Virgo is not a great choice, but Virginia is.
Libra- Libra could definitely work as a name. She would make a cute middle for a late September born baby girl.

Related to September:
Autumn- September 1st is the meteorological first day of Autumn, which makes this a perfect name for a baby born on that day (or after).
Ember- She's the last five letters of September, but not an obvious choice.
Nona- September is the ninth month, and the adorable name Nona means nine. She'd be on my list if she didn't mean grandma in Italian.
Tess- September used to be referred to as the month of harvest, and Tess (and her counterparts) mean harvester. Perfect choice if you're looking to make an extremely subtle connection.


Of course you can always go ahead and use September as a name for either gender. It's not unheard of, and makes for a unique pick.

Best of 2013

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Happy New Year, everyone! I'll get back to regular posting soon, but in the mean time, here's the best blog posts of 2013.


January: In January we talked about Kimye's baby. I didn't predict it there, but I may have the year before.
February: We viewed some full names for Alex for both genders in February.
March: This month we went over all the lovely nicknames for Elizabeth, my personal favorite being Elsa.
April: In April we looked at names inspired by Chicago neighborhoods. This was my favorite post of the year.
May: May showed us the best names of Britain, with Boden Catalog Names.
June: This month we saw what the best anagram names for twins were. My favorite sets were Dot and Tod, and Arlo and Orla.
July: In July we talked about full names for Nell, my absolute favorite.
August: August taught us about full names for Lissie, there are a surprising amount.
September: We went over animal names in September.
October: On Halloween we looked at names of our favorite candies.
November: In November we went over some unexpected calendar names.
December: Finally, last month we enjoyed looking at names culled from the Olive & Cocoa catalog.

The top three viewers favorites of the year were:

1. Nicknames for Susannah
2. Full Names for Cece
3. Nicknames for Henry

Thanks for reading, and happy 2014!