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!

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.

Same Meaning Sibsets: Part Six

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Today's sibsets are all about nature and the elements. So feel free to mix and match for any combinations you can imagine. Cordelia, Samson, and Adam for a Sea, Sun, and Earth sibset maybe?

Earth
Adam, Bartlett, + Seb
Adamina + Hermione
Afra, Avani, + Dhara
Dion, Eartha, Ilesha, + Tierra
Gaia, Kaj, + Sena

Moon
Ayla, Chandra, + Qamar
Altalune + Selenale
Cia + Kamaria
Indu, Luna, + Nuray (g)
Liuana + Stellaluna

Sea
Cordelia + Firth
Dylan, Kai, + Zale
Hali, Kairi, + Marine
Irving, Marvin, + Murphy
Kailani, Moana, + Ula
Merrigan, Nerissa, + Topanga

Sun
Aarush, Mehri, + Soleil
Apollonia + Cymbeline
Eilidh + Samson
Helia + Solana
Kalindi + Savita
Marisol + Sunniva

Woman
Agatha, Freya, + Genevieve
Basha + Damita
Elmira + Hilda
Shakira + Zoraida

10 African Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

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I talked a lot about meanings in last Wednesday's post, and today will be no different. African names have some of the best meanings, which can add a special level of connection to your child's name. Take a look, and as always, I want to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Ade- Ade is a short and sweet name that would be lovely on his own or as a nickname. More mainstream full name choices include Adam, Adler, Adrian, or Aiden.

Bayo- Bayo is a unisex name meaning "joy has found us." How simple and delightful--it's exactly the message I would want to give my baby.

Garian- Garian is a place name--it's a town in the African country Libya. Even though most people have never heard of him before, he's the name on this list that would be easiest to wear as an American child.

Haji- This Swahili name is especially popular among Muslims, as he means "born during the pilgrimage to Mecca." Haji would be a nice way to incorporate your heritage and religion into your son's name.

Ibo- I'm a sucker for a short name, so it should come as no surprise that I'm enchanted by Ibo. He means "my people," which is charming.

Iniko- I didn't include him on my Full Names for Nick post, but I should have, because Iniko easily lends himself to Nick or Niko. Plus, he's way more interesting that Nicholas. 

Kito- Kito is cute, rather nickname-y Swahili name that means "precious jewel" (as seen on Monday). If you don't like the idea of Kito as the full name, he'd be a wonderful short form of Christopher.

Kwame- Every time I see the name Kwame, my mind immediately goes to Ja'mie, Private School Girl, the funniest TV show I have ever seen. It features an endearing character named Kwame, which convinces me that this Ghanian name is very usable.

Odion- Odion is pronounced oh-dee-OHN, and is commonly used on the first born twin, as that is his meaning. He's Nigerian in origin, but I could definitely see him on an American child.

Zikomo- While name meanings don't actually have an effect on childrens' personalities, it certainly doesn't hurt to try. If you want a polite, well-mannered child, Zikomo could be the name for you. He means "thank you," one of the first phrases we try and teach our children.

10 African Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

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African names are so stunning--gotta love all those long vowels--but are widely underused across America. And what a shame, because look at all these great ones! Here are ten dazzling choices beyond Nia and Zahara.

Behati- Behati is the African version of Beatrice, and most notably, the name of Adam Levine's supermodel fiancee. Could that be enough to propell her into the top 1000? As of right now, it's doubtful.

Eshe- Many of us look for names with beautiful meanings, and Eshe has just that--"life." I didn't include Eshe on this list, but you might consider her for a same meaning sibset. Eshe and Ava, maybe?

Fayola- Faye recently made it into the top 1000--albeit, at #908--and I expect to see a slow and steady rise from her. Fayola makes the perfect full name, and you'd be ahead of the trend.

Kessie- I've said this before, but this time I really mean it. Kessie has the absolute best meaning I have ever heard. Ready? "Chubby baby." Ahhh! Use Kessie as a nickname for Keziah if you find her too nickname-y.

Maisha- Maisha is a name with a couple different pronounciations and origins. The first is the Swahili way, my-EE-shuh. Pronounced MIESH-uh, she's a Bengali name. Both are lovely, though I hear the former much more often. Other, more popular spellings include Myesha and Myisha.

Masika- The only association most people have with this name is Masika Kalysha, model and star of Love & Hip Hop. She seems relatively new to the scene--with a bit more notoriety, I believe her name could become very popular.

Neema- How sweet is Neema? She has a gorgeous sound--one that would be right on trend in this age of Ninas and Mias.

Nemy- Very similar, yet with a whole different feel is Nemy. Contrary to her looks, she does not rhyme Remy, but rather, is pronounced NEE-mee. Nemy could be used as a nickname for Neema, but I enjoy the casual, carefree vibe of using her as the full name.

Safiya- Safiya is an African (and Arabic and Turkish) name that has a history of use in the Muslim community. She sounds like an offshoot of Sophia--and believe me, she would be confused for one--but the two are not related.

Tisa- Tisa is a cute and chirpy name usually reserved for the ninth born child in African families. I'm a fan of bending naming rules--so use her for whatever child you want--but I do think it'd be cute on the ninth born grandchild, or something along those lines.