Chicago Names: City Streets

I'm all about subtle honor names--names that honor someone in a way that isn't obvious or flashy. Using the name of the street such honoree grew up on definitely fits into the "subtle honor" category. In fact, I have the name of the street I was born on on my short list for potential middles. Today I'm featuring Chicago street name--this is the city I live in, after all. I would love to make this a series to compare street names of cities around the country. Let me know which city you'd like to be featured next!

Stylish Choices Outside the Top 1000: 2015 Boys

via Studio MPLS

It can feel almost impossible to find a unique, uncommon name for a boy. But trust me, not everyone gives their son a name in the top 20, and there are some wonderful options out there if you want a name on the less popular side. I've culled the beyond the top 1000 list (so you don't have to) and picked out some of the best underused names, with between 202 and 5 uses. Last year's list is here--click over the jump to view this year's.

Nickname Proof Names: Boys

Krystin via Sappy Apple

While many of us look for names that are nickname gold-mines, just as many parents want a name with absolutely no nicknames at all. If you're one of the latter, I've compiled a list of over 100 names for boys--none with any established nicknames. It's all after the jump. Check back on Friday for the girls list!

Stylish Choices Outside the Top 1000: 2014 Boys

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Uninspired by the names in the top 1000? Looking for something particularly unusual? Consider one of the following names for your son--none of them were given to more than 204 boys last year (and some were only given to 5!) It's all after the jump.

Short Middle Names: Boys

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Happy August! After writing my post on Middle Name Statistics, I became obsessed over middle names. So, I've designated August as Middle Name Month. All month long we will be talking about middle names (with the exception of Wednesdays--our series will continue). Let's start off with 100 single syllable names for boys.

Ash
Bas
Beck
Blaine
Blake
Bo
Bram
Brooks
Cal
Charles
Clay
Cliff
Clyde
Dash
Dex
Drake
Eames
Ed
Finn
Fitz
Fritz
Fox
Gabe
George
Gray
Gus
Hal
Hall
Hank
Hart
Hayes
Heath
Huck
Hugh
Jack
James
Jay
Jed
Jem
Jet
Joe
John
Joss
Jude
Jules
Kai
Keats
King
Knox
Lane
Lars
Lee
Leif
Lex
Link
Lou
Mack
Max
Mead
Mo
Nash
Nat
Ned
Neil
Pax
Penn
Pierce
Pip
Quinn
Rafe
Ray
Reid
Rex
Rhodes
Rhys
Ridge
Rome
Royce
Sal
Sam
Shaw
Teague
Thane
Thijs
Todd
Tor
True
Van
Venn
Walt
Webb
Wes
Wolf
Xan
Yale
Yann
York
Zed
Zeus

10 Y Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

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Last week's list featured many historic Mediterranean gems. This week's list looks like the class list for a Northeastern prep school. Well, for the most part. Maybe not Yosemite.

Yale- I mean, you can't get much preppier than Yale. Just make sure he doesn't feel like he has to live up to his name.

Yancy- Yancy may sound like an upper-crust British name, but he actually also has Native American roots. The Native American version Yancey means "yankee," while the British name means "son of Jan."

Yannick- Yannick is a French name that arrived in the U.S. around 1980. He's currently at an all time American high, sitting pretty at #2902. Yannick is a form of John, and would make an interesting way to get to Nick. Other spellings include Yanick and Yannic.

Yarden- Ooh, Yarden is my favorite of today's list. This Hebrew name has ties to rivers and gardens, which I think is lovely. Fun fact: the name Jordan stems from Yarden.

Yeats- Yeats (which rhymes with and means "gates") is the perfect name for the son of poetry lovers. Poet William Butler Yeats is Irish, while his surname hails from England.

Yoel- The Hebrew form of Joel has a much more modern and pleasing sound. He's at #1507 in America, but is trendier in Israel and Spanish speaking countries.

Yonah- At #135, Jonah is a pretty popular name. That's why it's surprising to see that Yonah, the name he came from, is all the way down at #3195. I was expecting top 1500, at least. I mean, even Yannick is more popular. Yonah has everything modern parents are looking for in a boys name--he's short, soft, and ends in -ah. What's not to like?

York- Whether you live in NYC, or just love peppermint patties, York is a great name to have on the list. He's concise but strong--a deadly combination.

Yosemite- I did say these were names you never thought of using. If you're a fan of national parks or love Yosemite Sam, this could work for you. Maybe just as a middle though.

Yule- And, we're back to preppy names. Yule is probably best for a Christmastime baby, but that shouldn't stop you from using him in May (or any month).

Preppy Names Part Two: Boys

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On Monday we looked at Preppy Names for Girls, and today it's the boys turn. In my opinion, it is easier to name a preppy boy than a preppy girl. There are just more options for boys. Take a look to see what I mean.

Bates
Blaine
Bridger
Brooks
Burke
Carraway
Fairfax
Francis
Fulton
Gaines
Gardner
Hart
Hayes
Jameson
Keats
Macalester
Oxford
Penn
Pierce
Quince
Rafe
Reid
Rhys
Teague
Yale
York
Wells

College Names: Part Three (N-Y)

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My trip is almost over. Tomorrow I see my last college (Cornell) and then head home. Today I'm at Wesleyan, which is perfect because I put him on the list for boys. He'd make a great alternative to Wesley.

Girl:
Olivet
Siena
Sierra
Sofia
Sonoma
Tiffin
Trinity
Unity
Valencia
Winona

Boy:
Nichols
Otis
Pace
Patten
Pierce
Pine
Regis
Rhodes
Rider
Rocky
Roger
Rollins
Shaw
Smith
Stanford
Sterling
Stetson
Tabor
Vaughn
Wade
Wagner
Walden
Warren
Wells
Wesleyan
Wiley
Wilson
Xavier
Yale
York

Either:
Palmer
Parker
Quincy
Reed
Rivier
Rowan
Sherman
Taylor