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).

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.

Nickname Proof Names: Girls

Brandon Beeks via Dribbble

On Monday we talked about nickname proof names for boys, so now it's the girls turn. Again, I've got over 100 names for you to look at--there's something for everyone in the world of nickname-less names. Check it out after the jump.

Short Middle Names: Girls

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With Americans' fascination of long, extravagent first names for girls, many parents are looking for something much shorter to put in the middle. I've put together a list of 100 single syllable names for girls, any of them are perfect for the middle position. There's something for everyone on this list, whether you prefer classic, quirky, or cutesy names. Tell me in the comments: which ones would you use?

Anne
Bay
Bee
Belle
Bess
Beth
Bette
Bex
Biet
Bird
Blair
Blake
Blythe
Bo
Bree
Bren
Britt
Brooke
Brynn
Cass
Cat
Claire
Clove
Dell
Dot
Dru
Elle
Em
Eve
Faye
Fleur
France
Gem
Grace
Greer
Gwen
Harp
Hayes
Hope
Jade
Jane
Jean
Jen
Jess
Jette
Jewel
Jill
Jo
Joan
Joss
June
Kate
Kath
Kay
Kit
Lane
Lark
Lee
Lex
Lise
Liv
Lotte
Lou
Lune
Lux
Luz
Lynn
Maeve
Mai
Maude
May
Meg
Mel
Nan
Nell
Noor
Paige
Pearl
Pimm
Plum
Poe
Pomme
Prune
Quinn
Rae
Rose
Roux
Ruth
Scout
Shae
Sloane
Sol
Sue
Tate
Tess
Val
Vale
Viv
Wynne

Nicknames for Isabella

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Isabella is an extremely popular name. She's one of those names that will be tied to a generation--not that that's a problem. Isabella is very elegant, so it's no wonder she's so trendy. But with a four syllable name, you sometimes need a nickname. Here are ten of the best choices.

Bella- She's the classic choice, but Bella's a bit overused in my opinion. I think Belle is a fresher option.

Belle- People have embraced Bella to the fullest, but left Belle out. She's a super sweet vintage pick. I prefer the spelling Bell to combat the Disney Princess vibes.

Ella- Ella is a darling name used mostly in her own right. That being said, I know plenty of girls who used Ella as a nickname. This could be a good compromise for parents deciding between Ella and Isabella.

Elle- Of course, I can't forget about Elle. She's a name girls love having--I know quite a few who chose it as their nickname.

Ellie- Ellie is on the rise in the U.S.. She is at #74 and rising. Considering she's a popular nickname for any El- name, it probably seems like Ellie is even more popular than that. Ellie is very charming, and would be a lovely, unique pick as a nickname for Isabella.

Elsa- Elsa is kind of a long shot, but she works. Isabella and Elsa both derive from Elizabeth, and all the letters of Elsa are hidden inside Isabella. If you need a creative way to get to Elsa, I'd say Isabella is a good option.

Elsie- I think Elsie works even better than Elsa. She's a little more nickname-y. Elsie is climbing the charts very quickly, and is currently more popular than Elsa, which may be something to consider.

Isa- Isa is delightful, almost nonexistent nickname for the Isabel- names. If you're looking for a nickname with some European flair, my suggestion is Isa.

Izzy- Like Bella, I consider Izzy a classic, but for kids my age. Bella is the nickname of choice for the younger crowd, but everyone my age named Isabella goes by Izzy. She's still a very viable nickname choice, and doesn't sound dated to me at all.

Sable- I love Sable as a nickname for Isabella. She's always my first suggestion. Guaranteed no other Isabellas on your block will be called Sable.

Full Names for Mae/May

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Mae is a classy, simple, and gorgeous name. She's not very popular though, Mae ranks in the low 600s, and May doesn't even make the top 1000. I suspect some parents think she's a little short to be used as a full name, so I have compiled some other monikers that could use Mae or May as a nickname.

Expected:
Mabel- This old-fashioned charmer doesn't need a nickname, but if you insist, I would go with Mae over Belle.
Macy- Sweet and sassy, but doesn't really need a nickname.
Margaret- She has so many wonderful nicknames. Mae and Greta are my favorites.
Mary- Classic. Mary is never a bad choice.

Unique:
Magnolia- An amped up version of Margaret that's just as stylish.
Maisie- She's usually a nickname herself, but I don't mind Maisie on the birth certificate.
Mamie- Mamie has a similar feel to Maisie, but is a little less childish.

Unheard of:
Mayfair- A beautiful name. It's guaranteed your daughter will be the only Mayfair on the block.
Mavis- She's a vintage name with so much potential. I happen to prefer Avis, but Mavis is less rental-car-company-ish
Mayla- A better alternative to the outdated Mayra. There's a song called Mayla by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, perfect for a personalized lullaby.
Mayra- Not a currently stylish pick, but calling her May definitely helps.

Full Names for Abby

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Abby is a very sweet name, it's easy to see why she's so popular (especially as a nickname for Abigail). But, let's face it, Abigail is not everyone's style. Many parents want a less popular or quirkier full name for their Abby, and I have got the perfect list for them.

Expected:
Abigail- Most Abbys out there are probably Abigails (that or just Abby). She's number 8 on the SSA charts, and has been pretty popular for many years now. Looks like Abigail is here to stay.
Abriella- If you prefer Abby over Gabby, go with Abriella rather than Gabriella.
Abrielle- A more trim and dainty version of Abriella. You could also go with the nicknames Bri or Elle, but Abby is my favorite of the bunch.

Unique:
Annabel- It would be a bit more conventional to use Annie or Bella as the nickname, but Abby definitely works.
Arabella- Arabella is quickly rising up the charts. She currently ranks at 210, but I wouldn't be surprised to see her in the top 150 in the next few years.
Elizabeth- A classic name with an abundance of nicknames. Why not add Abby to that list?
Isabel- Not a big fan of Belle or Izzy? (Me neither, actually). Lucky for you, Abby makes a great nickname for Isabel.

Unheard of:
Abbott- Abbott's tomboy edge is softened by the gentle nickname Abby.
Alabama- She may be a little offbeat, but hey, you can always call her Abby.
Tabitha- You don't often hear of little Tabithas, which isn't that surprising. The most obvious nickname Tabby is too feline, but Abby works perfectly.

Catalog Names: Olive & Cocoa, Holiday 2013

Olive & Cocoa is one of my favorite catalogs for names (just behind the Boden trifecta). The names are the perfect balance between out-there and usable. Here are some from the Holiday catalog.

Expected:
Angel
Bella
Belle
Flora
Frank
Grace
Gus
Jackson
Lola
Lucas
Lulu
Paige
Penelope
Ruby
Teddy
Theodore

Unique:
Aspen
Bianca
Celeste
Cleo
Dot
Elbert
Forest
Fox
Honey
Noel
Jubilee
Winter

Unheard of:
Azure
Berry
Birch
Chindi
Dove
Florentine
Noir
Tweed (b)

Bell and Bella Names

Nowadays it seems there a Bella in every classroom. Most of these stem from choices like Gabriella or Isabella. If you want to be more creative, here are choices that start or end with the -bel sound.

Expected:
Annabelle
Annabella
Isabel
Isabella

Unique:
Adabella
Arabella
Bellamy
Bellatrix
Campbell
Jezebel
Maybelle
Mirabelle
Sabella

Unheard of:
Bellachay
Bellezza
Bellona
Zabel

Nicknames for Gabriella

Gabriella is a sweet, sugary name for a little girl, but sometimes she's a little too much name. If you love Gabriella but want simpler version, here are some choices.

Abriella
Abrielle
Bella
Belle
Bree
Bria
Briella
Brielle
Ella
Elle
Ellie
Gabby
Riella
Rielle

25 Days of Christmas: Bell

Bell is our Christmas Name of the Day. She is a cousin of  Belle and Bella, however her origins are much different. Bell originated as a surname and occupational name, she means "ringer of the bell." She reached her height in 1884, at 275. She completely dropped off the charts in the year 1915. Some would say that Bell looks incomplete, but others will like her simplicity and rather musical ere.

There are no famous Bells, however you may recognize the name from Galt Niederhoffer's book, A Taxonomy of Barnacles. Bell Barnacle is the name of the eldest daughter in the book. (Rumor has is that Maggie Gyllanhaal will be playing Bell in the movie adaptation.)

Bell would make a lovely name for a daughter born around the Holidays. She reminds us of Christmas Caroling and the sounds of Christmastime (plus "Silver Bells" would make a cute lullaby.)

Belle's Full Names

Belle and Bella seem to be the nicknames of the year. It's no surprise either, with Isabella ranking number two last year, and one the year before. She's more popular than ever, and so are the nicknames that come with her. Needless to say, if you love Belle or Bella, there's no reason to skip straight to Isabella. They have some much more unexpected full names.

Annabella: With all the rage of Annabelle, you'd think Annabella would not be far behind. Think again, because she ranks at a modest 328. She's a bit of a mouthful, but if you're planning on using Belle or Bella, she would make a nice choice for the birth certificate.

Annabelle: She's the quintessential American girl. Annabelle conjures up images of apple pie and pure sweetness. It's no wonder parents love her. She comes in at 111, with her alternate spellings (Annabel, Annabell, Anabelle, Anabell, and Anabel) all making the list as well.

Belia: Meaning beautiful, Belia is the Spanish version of Bella. Perfect for honoring your family's history, though she's so pretty that she might not need a nickname.

Bellamy: Quite possibly my favorite of this list. She doesn't rank in the top 1000, but she's been getting some attention lately. Bellamy just made Nameberry's list of Unusual Girls' Names Destined for Stardom. The name of a Novogratz daughter (twin to Tallulah by the way), Bellamy is appealing to many parents for obvious reasons. She's may be tomboy, but she has America's sweetest nicknames.

Bellatrix: Honestly, I don't suggest you use Bellatrix. Unless you're a celebrity or a major Harry Potter fan, she seems a little- over the top. She has very strong ties with the literary franchise, but if you're planning on calling your little one Bella or Belle, she would make for an interesting choice. Especially if she was born on Halloween (is it just me, or does she seem a bit spooky?).

Gabriella: She's more popular than you think, with a ranking of 34. Gabriella is princessy, elegant, and very regal sounding, and Bella or Belle seems like fitting nicknames.

Gabrielle: Not quite as long, or as popular as Gabriella, she ranks at 119. Simpler, but by no means simple. You don't need four syllables to sound like a princess.

Isabelle: She comes in at 114, with sister Isabel not far behind at 128. She's a beautiful choice, but far from uncommon. My favorite spelling however, is the far from trendy Isobel.