Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Viola. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Viola. Sort by date Show all posts

Monday, May 30, 2016

Musical Instrument Names

David Trang via Dribbble
Would you ever consider a musical instrument name for your child? Xylophone or Accordian might be a little too far out there, but consider one of the following.

Banjo- The bluegrassy banjo is great name inspiration for a son or a daughter. It's also a poetic name of sorts, considering well-known poet Banjo Patterson bears the name.

Bell- Belle may be the more conventional spelling, but spell her Bell and you have a musical name! I actually prefer this spelling--she has fewer frills and no princess association.

Calliope- The calliope is a whistly, organ-like instrument most often found around carousels these days. As a name, Calliope is famous for her Greek mythology roots.

Cello- Cello may not seem very name-like at first, but definitely should be. The -el sound is more popular than ever, and no one will argue with a name ending in -o, so feel free to put Cello on your list.

Fife- A fife is a sweet and small flute, very similar to a piccolo. It's not very common as a name, but I could see that changing. If Piper continues her steady rise, we might see more use of Fifer, which Fife makes a lovely nickname for.

Harmonica- Add another syllable to Monica and we get the name of this versatile instrument. It's the type of name that requires a brave namer. I'm too chicken to use it, but I'd be secretly thrilled if someone else did.

Harp- Harp is on my list of names to watch. With Harper so popular these days, parents will undoubtedly turn to alternatives. Why not the name of this lovely string instrument?

Lyre- The lyre is a string instrument that is heavily associated with ancient Greece. In 2016 she's seen as a variation of Lyra, a gorgeous name that really flys under the radar.

Mandolin- I'm surprised we haven't seen more baby Mandolins. She's only a few steps removed from her likewise French sister Madeleine. Plus, you can call her Mandy. For those of you who are more inclined to be cooking, Mandoline (of the same pronunciation) is a--slightly dangerous--kitchen tool used for slicing and julienning.

Marimba- The name of this instrument really emulates its sound. The marimba is a percussion instrument that's especially popular in Latin America. Marimba makes for a fun, upbeat name for a daughter.

Viola- With Violet's soaring popularity, I'm always surprised that Viola doesn't make the top 1000. She's feminine, Shakespearean, and has a musical connection (though the instrument is typically pronounced vee-OH-la, instead of the standard name pronunciation vye-OH-la).

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

10 V Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

Image Credit
V names for girls are having a moment. Violet, Vivian, and Valentina are all very trendy, and will continue to climb the charts. Not all the good V names are popular--I have a great list of ones that don't even break the top 1000.

Vale- I wrote this post about Vale right after Savannah Guthrie gave the name to her daughter in August. She will probably get a boost as a celebrity baby name, but I wouldn't expect her to be in the top 1000 for next year.

Verona- This romantic name is one of the best for honoring a Veronica. Verona is the Italian city where Romeo and Juliet takes place, so it would be a lovely choice for a Shakespeare fan.

Veronique- Veronique is the French form of Veronica, and much more current. I've heard it on a few American children, and she is definitely wearable in the U.S.

Vesper- Vesper is a cool, mysterious name that means evening. She's perfect for parents looking for a baby name with an edge. However, a Vesper is a type of cocktail, which may be off putting to some parents.

Vida- Could Vida make it into the top 1000 this year? She is currently at #1308, but she's rising quickly--possibly thanks to Matthew McConaughey's daughter. Vida is a super sweet name, and she has the best meaning--"life."

Vienna- Vienna will definitely break the top 1000 in May. She's at #1004, and is experiencing a rapid rise in popularity. She's one of my favorite place names, and is wonderful for honoring Austrian heritage. Want a subtle connection? The popular surname Wiener means "from Vienna," so she'd be the perfect pick if that was your maiden name or on your family tree.

Viola- There are two pronunciations of Viola. The first (and most popular) is like Violet--vie-OH-lah. the second is like the instrument--vee-OH-lah. Take your pick. They are both beautiful (and make a great alternative to Violet).

Vionnet- Vionnet is another French name, pronounced VEE-oh-nay. She's absolutely stunning, and would make a lovely, unexpected middle.

Viveca- Viveca is my favorite alternative to Vivian, I am constantly suggesting her. She's a Scandinavian name, and like Vida, means "life." Viveca can also be spelled Vivica, like the actress Vivica A. Fox.

Vrai- Looking for an exotic virtue name? Look no further. Vrai is the French word for "truth," and she could definitely work in America. If you're not brave enough to use her as a first name, she'd be a unique pick for the middle position.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 9

Dennis Cortes via Dribbble

It's been said that 2016 was a terrible year, so let's look ahead to 2017. Many stars and starlets announced their pregnancies at the end of this year--which means babies born in 2017! High profile celebrities like Jesse Eisenberg, Amanda Seyfried, Liam Payne and Bradley Cooper are all going to become parents for the first time in 2017. There are also quite a few future big sisters out there. Pink is giving her daughter Willow a younger sibling, Jane Kimmel will soon have a little brother or sister, and Gal Gadot's daughter Alma won't be an only child for long. I'm sure there will be some more exciting pregnancies announced before the end of the year, but I can already tell--we can expect some great birth announcements from 2017.

Megan Hilty and Brian Gallagher
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Viola Philomena
Viola Philomena is a name full of romance. I would love to see Megan Hilty and Brian Gallagher choose another romantic, Shakespearean name for their second child, and the odds aren't bad--as a Broadway star, Megan Hilty knows a thing or two about theatrics.
Girl: Agatha, Alice, Cordelia, Flora, Gloria, Helena, Lilia, Louise, Matilda, Zelda
Boy: Ansel, Arthur, Benedict, Edmund, George, Lawrence, Lester, Louis, Oliver
*Update* It's a boy--Ronan Laine!

Pink and Carey Hart
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Willow
Hardcore couple Pink and Carey Hart chose a name that's anything but for their daughter. I expect them to go the ethereal, perhaps nature-related route again for baby number two, but who knows? Maybe they'll surprise us.
Girl: Anya, Clover, Fiona, Georgia, Ivy, Lark, Olive, Piper, Sage, Sloane, Wren
Boy: Asher, Atticus, Bay, Jude, Kai, Levi, Noah, River, Rowan, Sawyer, Skye
*Update* Welcome, Jameson Moon!

Anna Strout and Jesse Eisenberg
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
It's hard to say what direction Anna Strout and Jesse Eisenberg will go in for their first baby's name, but given the current climate of celebrity baby names, my best guess is short and vintage. Names like Mabel, Sybil, Frederick, and Daisy have been popping up all over the place, and it seems like that might be a good stylistic fit for baby Eisenberg.
Girl: Agnes, Claire, Eloise, Esme, Frances, Greta, Maisie, Nora, Rory, Tess
Boy: Arthur, Edwin, Henry, Matthew, Otis, Peter, Roscoe, Rudy, Theo

Gal Gadot and Yaron Varsano
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Alma
Israeli couple Gal Gadot and Yaron Varsano chose the gorgeous name Alma for their oldest daughter. Many Americans consider Alma a strictly Latin name, but she's actually a global choice with roots in Spanish, Italian, and Hebrew--although it's currently most popular in Scandinavia. I predict Alma's sister or brother will have a similarly striking moniker, perhaps one that translates around the world as well as Alma.
Girl: Aziza, Clara, Clea, Este, Marnie, Nadia, Leandra, Paloma, Pella, Sylvie
Boy: Bram, Emil, Gael, Isaac, Lior, Louis, Noam, Ori, Rex, Tal, Walter
*Update* Hello, Maya!

Amanda Seyfried and Thomas Sadoski
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
It can be tricky to predict celebrity baby names with no siblings to refer to, but that's when I turn to pet names. Amanda has a beloved dog named Finn--might she choose another friendly and casual name for her baby?
Girl: Emmy, Isla, Laney, Lucy, Maeve, Poppy, Romy, Rosie, Ruby, Scarlett
Boy: Archer, Beckett, Charlie, Graham, Gus, Hank, Jack, Milo, Owen, Reid, Sam

Irina Shayk and Bradley Cooper
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Bradley Cooper and his girlfriend Irina Shayk are going to be parents! Irina is Russian, so I would not be surprised if the couple chose a name with Russian usage that is familiar to Americans.
Girl: Anastasia, Evva, Isidora, Kira, Lilia, Mika, Natalia, Odessa, Sarka
Boy: Alexei, Anton, Edmon, Leonti, Lev, Luka, Maksim, Nikolai, Sasha
*Update* Hello, Lea de Seine Shayk Cooper!

Cheryl and Liam Payne
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
This baby is going to be the first child for Cheryl and Liam Payne, but if Liam is anything like his One Direction bandmates, this little one is going to have a spunky British name.
Girl: Alice, Daisy, Darcy, Elodie, Hattie, Indie, Libby, Lottie, Millie, Poppy
Boy: Arlo, Aston, Finley, Hugo, Julian, Max, Ollie, Remy, Sebastian, Theo
*Update* A boy, Bear!

Molly McNearney and Jimmy Kimmel
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Kevin, Katherine (from a previous relationship), Jane
Jimmy Kimmel is gearing up to be a dad for the fourth time. His youngest child's name is Jane--a sweet classic choice that has been creeping back into style lately. I bet he and his wife will choose something in the same vein for their latest son or daughter.
Girl: Anna, Audrey, Bridget, Cora, Eleanor, Eliza, Iris, Louisa, Rose, Sadie, Violet
Boy: Andrew, Henry, James, Matthew, Michael, Oliver, Paul, Samuel, William
*Update* Correct prediction! Welcome, William John, "Billy"!

Friday, February 5, 2016

Shakespearean Names

Ben Didier via Dribbble
There's a reason everyone likes Shakespearean names--they signify class, romanticism, and intelligence, (most) without sounding too pompous or proper. If you're looking for one of these names for your son or daughter, I've compiled this list of the ones I deem most usable.

Girls
Adriana
Aemilia
Alice
Aliena
Angelica
Anne
Audrey
Beatrice
Bianca
Blanche
Calphurnia
Cassandra
Celia
Cleopatra
Constance
Cordelia
Cressida
Desdemona
Diana
Dionyza
Doll
Dorcas
Eleanor
Elizabeth
Emilia
Francisca
Gertrude
Helen
Helena
Hermia
Hermione
Hero
Imogen
Iris
Isabella
Jane
Jessica
Joan
Julia
Juliet
Juno
Kate
Katharine
Katherine
Lavinia
Leonine
Luce
Lucetta
Luciana
Margaret
Maria
Marianna
Marina
Meg
Miranda
Nan
Nell
Nerissa
Octavia
Olivia
Ophelia
Patience
Paulina
Perdita
Phebe
Portia
Regan
Rosalind
Rosaline
Silvia
Tamora
Thaisa
Thisbe
Timandra
Titania
Valeria
Viola
Virgilia
Volumnia

Boys
Aaron
Abraham
Adam
Adrian
Andrew
Ajax
Alexander
Alexas
Alonso
Angelo
Angus
Anthony
Antonio
Ariel
Arthur
Balthasar
Barnardo
Benedick
Benvolio
Berkeley
Bertram
Brandon
Caesar
Caius
Camillo
Cassio
Cassius
Cato
Charles
Christopher
Cicero
Cinna
Clarence
Claudio
Claudius
Cleomines
Cleon
Clifford
Clitus
Cloten
Corin
Cornelius
Curan
Curio
Curtis
Cymbeline
Davy
Demetrius
Denny
Dick
Dion
Duncan
Edgar
Edmund
Edward
Egeon
Emmanuel
Fabian
Fenton
Ferdinand
Flavius
Ford
Francis
Francisco
Frederick
Gardiner
George
Gerald
Gregory
Grey
Griffith
Harry
Hector
Henry
Horatio
Hubert
Hugh
Humphrey
Iago
Isidore
Jachimo
Jack
Jaques
James
Jamy
John
Joseph
Jourdain
Julius
Junius
Jupiter
Lennox
Leonardo
Leonato
Leonatus
Leontes
Lewis
Lorenzo
Louis
Lovell
Lucentio
Lucilius
Lucio
Lucius
Lysander
Macmorris
Malcolm
Marcellus
Marcus
Mark
Martius
Matthew
Mercutio
Michael
Montano
Morgan
Mortimer
Morton
Nathaniel
Ned
Nicholas
Nick
Nym
Oberon
Octavius
Oliver
Orlando
Orsino
Osrick
Oswald
Othello
Owen
Paris
Pedro
Percy
Peter
Peto
Philip
Philario
Philo
Polonius
Puck
Quince
Quintus
Reynaldo
Richard
Robert
Robin
Roderigo
Romeo
Ross
Sampson
Sebastian
Silvius
Simon
Smith
Stanley
Stephano
Taurus
Thomas
Timon
Timothy
Titus
Toby
Tom
Tranio
Travers
Troy
Valentine
Valerius
Varro
Vernon
Vincentio
Walter
Will
Williams
Willoughby

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 22


Sibsets with half-siblings can be tricky. Often there is the desire to create a completely cohesive sibset. But new partners can introduce new tastes and preferences for baby names, so a harmonious sibset isn’t always very possible.

When it does work out though, it is incredibly satisfying. Stanley Tucci has done a fantastic job blending the name his youngest child (with wife Felicity Blunt) with the names of his children from his first marriage. This is especially impressive considering there is a twelve year age gap between the two youngest. He and Felicity are set to welcome another little one later this year, and I can’t wait to hear his or her name.

Many other celebrities this month have to deal with this half-sibling sibset conundrum. Kate Hudson is going to be naming a half-sister to Ryder and Bingham, Tyrese Gibson’s wife Samantha is expecting a baby girl who will be a half-sister to Shayla, and Cardi B. will be adding a half-sibling to Offset’s brood of Jordan, Kody, and Kalea.

Whether or not these stars choose to create cohesive sibsets for half-siblings doesn’t really matter (there are no rules when it comes to baby naming, at least, not in the US). The most important thing is that they choose names they are excited about. So if that means that Stanley Tucci goes rogue and names his baby Caiomhe, or Cardi B. picks something totally off base from Jordan, Kody, and Kalea, then I’m cool with it.

Felicity Blunt and Stanley Tucci
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Nicolo Robert, Isabel Concetta, Camilla (previous relationship), Matteo Oliver
When it comes to his children's names, Stanley Tucci has wholeheartedly embraced his Italian heritage. All four of his kids have Italian (or Italian adjacent, a la Isabel) names that work perfectly in an American context. His youngest son was given the very haute name Matteo, so I think for this next baby we will see something similarly en vogue (or, I should say, alla moda).
Girl: Alessia, Allegra, Bianca, Emilia, Fabiana, Lucia, Luna, Viola
Boy: Elio, Enzo, Leandro, Luca, Samuele, Sandro, Santino, Silvio
*Update* A little girl (and correct prediction)--welcome, Emilia Giovanna!

Erin Burnett and David Rubulotta
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Nyle Thomas Burnett, Colby Isabelle
With children named Nyle and Colby, CNN anchor Erin Burnett seems to have a penchant for familiar-but-unusual names with a hint of androgyny. Lucky for her, there is no shortage of options for baby number three’s name. For a girl, I am crossing my fingers for Darcy—a drastically underused name that is super sweet (and how cute is it paired with Colby for a sister-set?). If the baby is a boy, my vote is for Teague. Like Darcy, it doesn’t break the top 1000, but Teague has a modern sound and is ripe for discovery.
Girl: Blair, Bree, Bryn, Darcy, Fifer, Harper, James, Logan, Neve, Rory, Tierney
Boy: Alistair, Brogan, Cian, Errol, Fintan, Gregor, Jett, Lachlan, Quinlan, Teague
*Update* A boy--Owen Thomas!

Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Milo
British ex-pats Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty chose the name Milo for their son—a fashionable choice in both their native and adoptive homes. I’d love to see them choose something that’s hasn’t hit the American mainstream for their second baby—something like Elodie or Kit, perhaps—but I have a feeling they’ll go with a name that is both well-liked and well-used in both the United States and the United Kingdom, just like they did with Milo.
Girl: Annika, Edie, Elodie, Esme, Flora, Freya, Marnie, Matilda, Olive, Poppy, Wren
Boy: Asher, Axel, Eli, Felix, Frankie, Jasper, Kit, Leon, Oskar, Otto, Remy, Rex, Rhys
*Update* Another boy--James Patrick!

Samantha and Tyrese Gibson
Gender: girl
Siblings: Shayla Somer (previous relationship)
Although the name Shayla has almost fallen out of the top 1000, back when Tyrese Gibson gave it to his daughter ten years ago, it was still well-used. I expect he and wife Samantha will choose something a little bit more modern for their new baby daughter—there are plenty of contemporary choices that still work well with half-sister Shayla's name. 
Girl: Ashlyn, Chiara, Keeley, Kenzie, Laney, Nola, Olivia, Rylee, Savannah, Sierra
*Update* Baby girl is Soraya Lee!

Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa
Gender: girl
Siblings: Ryder Russell and Bingham Hawn (previous relationships)
Kate Hudson's boys have names bursting with family significance. Ryder's middle name honors her stepdad Kurt Russell, Bingham is named after Kurt's father (who was called Bing), and Hawn is Kate's mother's surname. It's pretty clear that there will be an honor name somewhere in her baby girl's name—the question is what that name will be. I'd love to see Kate and Danny use a name that means "gold" to honor Kate's mom Goldie. But considering each of her kids have alliterative first and last names (Ryder Robinson and Bingham Bellamy), it could be fun to find an F name for baby Fujikawa. 
Girl: Aurelia, Fable, Fia, Fleur, Fuchsia, Koko, Mika, Suki, Xanthe
*Update* Hello, Rani Rose!

Cardi B and Offset
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Jordan, Kody, Kalea Marie (previous relationships)
Cardi B and Offset (given names: Belcalis and Kiari Kendrell) are expecting their first child together! Offset already has three kids--his sons are named Jordan and Kody, which have a definite '90s vibe to them. However, his daughter is named Kalea, a beautiful Hawaiian name that feels fresh in this era of Leilani and the like. But Cardi B has Dominican and Trinidadian ancestry, so it's possible we'll see a name with Hispanic roots. I'm curious to see how she will influence this sibset—will Cardi's baby's name match up with Offset's other children's, or be totally incongruent? 
Girl: Angeles, Bonita, Carissa, Dominica, India, Kallista, Kiara, Sabrina, Solana
Boy: Baez, Bronx, Chase, Dylan, Justus, Kade, Quinn, Tevin, Tigre, Tristan
*Update* It's a girl--Kulture Kiari!

Arielle Goldrath and Kevin McKidd
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Joseph, Iona (previous relationship)
Scottish actor Kevin McKidd chose Iona for his daughter back in the early aughts--a Scottish name that remains undiscovered in the US. Considering there will be a fifteen year age difference between his two youngest children, I would love for him and wife Arielle Goldrath to use another Scottish name to cohere the sibset (and as a nod to Dad's roots). 
Girl: Bonnie, Blair, Eilidh, Greer, Isobel, Lileas, Maisie, Nessa, Tamsin, Vaila
Boy: Alistair, Callum, Dashiell, Graham, Ian, Keir, Lachlan, Malcolm, Ross
*Update* It's a boy--Aiden!

Christine Lakin and Brandon Breault
Gender: boy
Siblings: Georgia James
‘90s sitcom star Christine Lakin named her daughter Georgia after her home state. Now she and husband Brandon Breault are expecting a baby boy—I think a Southern gentlemanly name might be the perfect thing to pair with Georgia, and would definitely match this couple’s style.
Boy: August, Beau, Brooks, Clayton, Dean, Heath, Tucker, Walker, Wyatt
*Update* Welcome Baylor B.!

Friday, March 27, 2015

If I Could Name 100 Girls

Image Credit
One of my very first posts was called "If I Could Name 100 Girls." A lot has changed for me since 2012, and my taste has definitely shifted. I thought I'd bring it back today to show the evolution of my favorite names.

Aine
Aldine
Alouette
Amelie
Anais
Annika
Anouk
Audrey
Avis
Bay
Birdie
Bonnie
Celestine
Circe
Citron
Clea
Clementine
Coco
Darcy
Dot
Edie
Elke
Elsa
Emmeline
Esme
Evie
Flora
Frances
Frieda
Gemma
Georgia
Greer
Greta
Helena
Hero
Holliday
Imogen
Ida
Ireland
Isabeau
Ivy
Jane
Kit
Lark
Leonie
Liddy
Lillias
Lilo
Lilou
Lotte
Louisa
Lucinda
Marais
Margot
Martha
Minna
Nancy
Nell
Nona
North
Oceane
Olive
Orla
Ottilie
Paloma
Peridot
Phoebe
Pimm
Pippa
Plum
Poet
Pomeline
Poppy
Posy
Quebec
Quilla
Reverie
Romilly
Romy
Ruth
Scout
Season
Silvie
Simone
Sloane
Solange
Soleil
Sosie
Suki
Susanna
Tate
Tess
Tilda
Vienna
Viola
Willa
Xanthe
Zadie
Zanna

Monday, February 5, 2018

Celebrity Baby Name Predictions: Volume 20

New year, new crop of celebrity pregnancy announcements. We're starting 2018 off right with some great ones! Hugh Grant as well as Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines will all be adding baby number five to their households this year. America Ferrera is expecting her first child later in 2018, and Pete Wentz is tasked with naming a sister to Bronx Mowgli and Saint Lazslo (what will he choose?)

By the looks of it, 2018 is not going to disappoint when it comes to celebrity baby names. I've made some predictions for what those names might be below--how do they compare with yours?

Jamie Lynn Spears and Jamie Watson
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Maddie Briann (previous relationship)
Jamie Lynn Spears (sister of Britney) chose the name Maddie Briann for her daughter back in 2008. That name is relatively restrained for celebrity standards, so I'm not expecting to see anything crazy from Jamie and Jamie for this next baby. If it's a girl, I think a well-liked, feminine name is in order. For a boy, something nickname-y or a modern classic.
Girl: Bella, Chloe, Elle, Grace, Isla, Lily, Nora, Ruby, Scarlett, Sienna
Boy: Charlie, Grant, Jack, Jude, Liam, Logan, Luke, Noah, Wyatt, Zeke
*Update* It's a girl--Ivey Joan!

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Sometimes when someone has an "extreme" name (either extremely popular or extremely unusual), they give their child a name that is completely different from their own. Such might be the case with America Ferrera. She recently told Stephen Colbert that she wouldn't be naming her baby after a "land mass or an idea." That makes me think she is looking at more well-known, perhaps even ordinary name for her son or daughter.
Girl: Celeste, Eleanor, Esme, Isabel, Lucy, Luna, Maya, Mila, Tessa, Viola
Boy: Arlo, George, Jasper, Jonas, Leo, Nico, Sebastian, Theodore, Wesley
*Update* Hello, Sebastian Piers!

Meagan Camper and Pete Wentz
Gender: girl
Siblings: Bronx Mowgli (previous relationship), Saint Lazslo
Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz is known for giving his children out-there names. He and his partner Meagan Camper are expecting their first daughter, and the possibilities for her name are endless. My guess is that they'll go with another word name for her--possibly one of the following:
Girl: Coco, Marvel, Navy, Olympia, Pixie, Roux, Sparrow, Spring, Velvet
*Update* Wow, I called this one--baby girl is Marvel Jane!

Joanna and Chip Gaines
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Drake, Ella Rose, Duke, Emmie Kay
HGTV power-couple Chip and Joanna Gaines are expecting baby number five, but they have a pretty limited name pool for him or her. Each of their daughters has a two syllable E name with a single-syllable middle name, and each of their sons has a single-syllable D name with a "K" sound at the end. Can Chip and Joanna find another name within these tight parameters, or is something going to give?
Girl: Eddie, Eden, Edie, Effie, Elin, Esme, Estelle, Eva, Evangeline, Evie
Boy: Dakota, Dallas, Dane, Dash, Dax, Dean, Decker, Drew, Dustin, Dylan
*Update* Not another D name--welcome Crew!

Zara and Mike Tindall
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Mia
Zara Tindall is pregnant with her second child—so what is a name fit for the Queen of England's great-grandchild? They went with Mia the first time around—a short and sweet name that feels right at home in Great Britain. I'm expecting something similar for their next baby—something trim and polished, but with plenty of style.
Girl: Ada, Anna, Eliza, Ella, Emma, Grace, Hallie, Iris, Marnie, Nora, Sadie
Boy: Arthur, Eli, Finn, Hugo, Jude, Lenny, Max, Miles, Ralph, Rex, Teddy
*Update* Another girl--Lena Elizabeth!

Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Ryan Ava Erhard
Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg paired the masculine Ryan with the ultra-feminine, vintage Ava for their first-born daughter. Will we see a similar pattern with their second baby—two names that fall on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet work surprisingly well together? I suspect we might.
Girl: Addison, Blake, Eden, Greer, Kennedy, Logan, Piper, Quinn, Reese
Boy: Brady, Carter, Gray, Kieran, Kingston, Luca, Maddox, Royce, Walker
*Update* Welcome, Lulu Gray!

Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo
Gender: unknown
Siblings: none
Jinger Duggar is known as the most stylish sister among the Duggar family, so I'm hoping that translates into baby names as well. Lately her sisters have been choosing more traditional names for their sons (Henry and Samuel), but maybe we'll see something a bit more daring—but still Biblical—from Jinger and Jeremy.
Girl: Abra, Atara, Chloe, Keturah, Mary, Phoebe, Priscilla, Rebekah, Salome
Boy: Abner, Asa, Charles, Daniel, Jude, Lazarus, Malachi, Phineas, Tobiah
*Update* A virtue name--Felicity Nicole!

Anna Eberstein and Hugh Grant
Gender: unknown
Siblings: Tabitha Xaio Xi, Felix Chang Hong (previous relationship), John Mungo, Daughter (name not released)
Even though Hugh Grant hasn't publicly revealed the name of his youngest child, I am holding out hope that we get to hear the name of his fifth baby! Based on the names of his children that we do know, I'd wager that this baby will have a fashionable, vintage-inspired name that possibly honors a relative of Hugh or Anna.
Girl: Alice, Clarissa, Cornelia, Eliza, Helena, Juliet, Lydia, Rose, Susanna
Boy: Anton, Benedict, Charles, Finn, Graham, Henry, James, Miles, Oliver

Monday, May 23, 2016

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.

Monday, March 14, 2016

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

Friday, August 14, 2015

Long Middle Names: Girls

Buy the font here
Long middle names can sound quite fantastical on girls, especially when paired with a long first name. But even if the first name is relatively short, the long middle name always does a nice job of balancing it out. I have 100 three syllable names that make lovely middle names for you to look at today. Of course, there are many more that did not make this list, so tell me--on this list or otherwise--what's your favorite long middle name for a girl?

Abigail
Alaska
Alouette
Alyssa
Amandine
Amelie
Anais
Annabel
Anneliese
Ariel
Augusta
Aurora
Beatrice
Bonita
Cameo
Carissa
Carmela
Cassandra
Cecilia
Celestine
Clarissa
Claudia
Clementine
Coralie
Dahlia
Dominique
Elena
Eloise
Emily
Eulalie
Francesca
Gabrielle
Geneva
Genevieve
Gloria
Helena
Hollister
Imogen
Isabeau
Joanna
Josephine
Jubilee
Juliette
Juniper
Kerensa
Keziah
Lavender
Leona
Liatris
Lilia
Linnea
Lolita
Louisa
Lucinda
Madigan
Margaret
Maria
Marigold
Marina
Marisol
Melody
Meredith
Mignonette
Mirabel
Naomi
Nigella
Ottilie
Paloma
Peridot
Pomeline
Querida
Quintessa
Reverie
Romilly
Rosalie
Rosemary
Salome
Santana
Saskia
Sienna
Sierra
Simona
Sophia
Umbria
Verity
Veronique
Vienna
Viola
Violet
Virginia
Vivian
Ximena
Zahara
Zinnia