Full Names for Loie

Image Credit

What do you guys think of the name Loie? She's not popular at all, but I do know a few girls with the name. Loie can be used on her own, but she's mostly a nickname. There are so many full names she can be a nickname for, and I've listed the best ones right here.

Bellona- This sweet Italian girls name can be nicknamed Bell or Loie.

Carlotta- The more trendy nickname would be Charlie, but I prefer the unexpected Loie.

Clover- One of the sweetest nature names. Loie is a great nickname if you don't like Clove.

Elodie- Loie is a much less popular nickname than Ella or Elle.

Eloise- I love the idea of an Eloise called Loie.

Harlow- She probably doesn't need a nickname, but Loie is a good option if you want one.

Lois- Lois may sound a little grandma-ish to you, but with a nickname like Loie, she's a fresh and viable option.

Lola- A lovely yet popular name. Loie makes her stand out.

Lolita- The stigma surrounding Lolita is unfortunate--she's a gorgeous name. She is definitely usable with a nickname like Loie.

Lotus- Lotus is an exquisite floral name. Loie might be her only nickname option.

Malone- Malone has a masculine, tomboy feel, so Loie is perfect for when you want a softer sound.

Marlowe- Marley and Loie both work as nicknames for the fast rising Marlowe.

Paloma- Paloma is one of the prettiest names. Loie makes a wonderful nickname.

Penelope- There are so many nickname options for Penelope, but Loie is one of the most unexpected.

Sloane- Do you love Sloane, but not her lack of nicknames? Loie works perfectly.

Willow- Loie is a great nickname for the beautiful Willow.

Similar Usage Stats: Sophia

Image Credit

The main reason people are afraid to use popular names is because they don't want their child to be "one of many." Mom grew up as "Jennifer P." and would hate for her son or daughter to have to do the same. In actuality, popular names are getting used less. Last year, Sophia was only used for 1.1039% of baby girls. I thought we'd take a look at names with similar usage (percentage wise) to Sophia, so we can see how "popular" she really is. 

2005, Emma (2)

1995, Sarah (5)

1985, Megan (10)

1975, Stephanie (9)

1965, Donna (7)

1955, Sharon (15)

1945, Donna (17)

1935, Joyce (12)

1925, Elizabeth (10)

1915, Marie (11)

1905, Ethel (12)

1895, Bertha (11)

1885, Grace (14)

As you can see, starting in the 1980s, people started using top names less and less. During the 100 years before that, popularity of the top names were very high (Mary was used on almost seven percent of baby girls in 1885). Jennifer was given to four percent of girls at her peak, which means there were four times as many Jennifers born in 1974 than Sophias born in 2014. So don't worry. If you love a popular name, it's pretty safe to just go for it. 

10 T Names You Never Thought of Using: Boys

Image Credit

You guys ready for T names for boys? Let's get right to it.

Tabor- Tabor is a common Hungarian name that would work well on an American baby. He would also make a nice middle name.

Talbot- He may sound a little posh for your liking, but the nickname Tal balances him out.

Taurus- If your baby is born under the sign of Taurus, it might be fun to consider his astrological sign as a name. With names like Justus and Magnus, Taurus fits right in.

Teague- I love Teague. He's simple and concise, but holds his own. Use Teague if you want a short, nicknameless name.

Teal- Color names aren't too common for boys, but Teal is one to consider. Similar option: Zeal.

Thane- Thane is one of those names that you'd think would be popular, but hasn't caught on yet. We love Shane and Zane, so Thane seems like the next logical step.

Theron- Theron peaked in 1910, so he's overdue for a revival. If he gets used by a celebrity, that would send him back into the top 1000.

Thijs- The pronunciation is less confusing than it looks--(TICE). He's a great Dutch boy name, and with a bit more use, he could be an easier pick for an American baby.

Tobin- Toby is an adorable nickname, but Tobias isn't everyones cup of tea. Tobin is a bit more contemporary, but still has some history.

Tor- Thor is pretty intense for a baby--or any man, for that matter. Tor is a softer pick, with the same Scandinavian roots.

Full Names for Tilly

Image Credit

Tilly is one of the sweetest nicknames for girls. Tilda has been a recent favorite of mine, and I think Tilly is a darling nickname for her. If you'd like to use this (very British) nickname, I've come up with a list of possible full names for your little Tilly.

Bertilde- She may not be the most fashion-forward name on this list, but Bertilde would make a lovely way to honor a Robert, and you get to call her Tilly.

Chantilly- Chantilly is a type of French lace that works wonderfully as a first name. She has a fun, whimsical spirit.

Clotilde- Clotilde would be a rare pick for an American baby--she's gotten fewer than five uses ever since the 1980s. Tilly makes her modern and usable.

Domitilla- Looking for an interesting way to honor a Dominique? Look no further than Domitilla. She's lengthy and exquisite, so the chirpy nickname Tilly is a perfect balance.

Matilda- The classic full name for Tilly is on the rise. She only ranks in the 600s, but be careful--hipster neighborhoods are known to have quite a few Matildas.

Ottilie- It can be hard to find a long girl name that doesn't scream "princess," but Ottilie is just that. Tilly (or Tillie) is the obvious nickname.

Tallulah- She's a little bit of a stretch, but Tilly is so close to Tally. If you don't love Lu- nicknames, Tilly is a great option.

Tilda- Tilda is a diminutive of Matilda, but makes quite a statement on her own. Tilly is her best (and only) nickname option, if she even needs one at all.

Month Names: March

Image Credit

Happy (almost) March! March is a usually a gross month in Chicago--it's not quite Spring, and we still have a ton of snow. But, we are getting closer to those warmer months. I've come up with a list of names suitable for a March baby, let me know what you think.

Birthstone:
Aquamarine- Marina, Marine, or Aqua would all work to honor this gorgeous gemstone. Aquamarine symbolizes courage, so Brave would work as well.

Birth Flower:
Daffodil- Daffodil is an eccentric flower name, but don't let that stop you from using her.
Jonquil- However, Jonquil is the other name for Daffodils, and works nicely on a boy.

Birth Colors:
White- Some good white-inspired names are Snow, Ivory, and Lacy, though Snow seems a little out of place on a March baby.

Star Sign:
Pisces- The Pisces symbol is a fish, so oceanic names like Pike, Roe, or Fisher would work nicely.
Aries- Aries itself works as a name, but if you want something a little more subtle, try Ariel or Ari.

Related to March:
Leo Names- March comes in like a lion, so why not use a Leo name? My favorites are Leo, Leopold, Leonie, and Leonardo.
March- March is a great month name, and one of the few that works better on boys.
Spring Names- March is the first month of Spring (hooray!), so any flower name would be perfect. Also consider Primavera, the Spanish word for Spring.
St. Patrick's Day- March 17th is St. Patrick's Day. Check out this list for ideas.

10 T Names You Never Thought of Using: Girls

Image Credit

Is it already time for T names for girls? Yikes, we only have a few more letters left to do. I am really excited about this list today. There are some really good choices, so pay attention.

Tacy- I'll always have a soft spot for Tacy, after reading the Betsy, Tacy, and Tib books when I was younger. She can be used as a nickname for Anastasia, and is perfect for honoring a Stacy.

Tamar- I love Tamar. She's a strong, powerful name that Americans should embrace. She has never been in the U.S. top 1000, but she is much more popular in Georgia and Israel.

Tamsin- Tamsin is a diminutive of the Thomasina, both of which are scarcely heard in the United States. She would work nicely as an honor name for a Tamara or Tammy.

Tarot- Are you a fortune teller? Maybe an astrology enthusiast? Consider Tarot for a daughter. She has a lovely sound, and would be a great middle name.

Thais- Thais is a gorgeous Greek name that has never been in the top 1000. She ranks at #4873, so it's practically guaranteed that she'll be the only Thais on the block.

Thisbe- Thisbe is a more well-known Greek name--because of her role in Greek mythology. Her story may be a tragic one, but her name is still a perfectly fine choice.

True- True is a Modern Virtue Name that works well on a girl or a boy. Cakies blogger Rubyellen used True for her daughter (with sisters named Brave, Soul, and Glow).

Tuesday- Days of the week names aren't particularly popular, but I think Tuesday is one of the best. She's a quirky day name without Addams family associations.

Tulia- Tulia wins for my favorite of the list. I recently met the most wonderful woman named Tulia, and she made me fall in love with her name. Tulia is perfect if you're looking for a more interesting alternative to Julia.

Twila- Twila peaked in the 1930s, which means she's almost ready for a comeback. Even though we may be a decade early, I think Twila would work really well for the 2015 baby of a night owl.

Westminster Show Dog Names

The Winner, Miss P.

I'm always fascinated by the way people name their pets. There are less rules when it comes to naming a pet--the name can be silly, outrageous, or one of a celebrity. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is a great place to scout out dog names, with over 100 dogs in attendance. I wrote down the call names of *almost* every dog, which should give us a good idea of some trends in pet naming.

Animal Names 
Le Gato
Zebra

Brand Names
Bentley
Harley
Maybelline
Mercedes
Snapple
Splenda
Vogue

Celebrity Namesakes
Adele
Beckham
Bourdain
Madonna
Mae West
Matisse
Ringo

Culture-Reflecting Names
Cristo
Haas
Schweitzer
Sunito

Currently Trendy Names
Beckett
Ben x2
Charlie
Cooper
Cece
Gia
Gideon
Grace
Harper
Jacob
James
Lane
Mackenzie
Nash
Nathan
Nico
Owen
Romeo
Samantha
Savannah
Summer

Cutesy Names
Jetty
Miss P.
Odgie
Skeeter
Sunnybear

Food Names
Ginger
Jelly
Pepper x2
Salty
Salumi, "Lumi"
Whiskey

Guys' Guy Names
Cal
Cody
Danny
Desi
Dewey
Frank
Gus
Izzy (b)
Jake
Jerry x2
J.J.
J.T.
Larry
Manny
Mick
Nick
Reece
Rocky x3
Sean
Taylor
Ted
Timmy
Trey

Ladylike Names
Allegra
Carlotta
Chelsea
Claribel
Elin
Holly
Hope
Libby
Liza
Nopa
Poppy

Old Fashioned Names
Alan
Angie
Billy
Chauncey
Cyrus
Etta
Franklin
Ginny
Harry
Hector
Helen
Hobson
Ina
Liz
Louie
Magnolia
Moses
Ned
Odin x2
Pip
Percy
Rudy
Stuart
Toby x2
Vance
Vinnie
Wally
Winston
Witt

Word Names
Bingo
Bogie
Blue x2
Caveman
Comet
Crunch
Cubit
Debit
Derby
Flame
Flash
Jedi
Judge
Night
Precious
Princess
Rain
Rebel
Rerun
Rocket
Rumor
Scoop
Sparkles
Splash
Stitch
Swagger
Teller
Tipper
Turbo
Veto
Wink