Ok, let's talk twins. My beloved source, the social security administrations top 1000 list, also has a list of popular twin names! SSA Popular Twins Names is the link to go to if you'd like to check that out. Overall, there were certainly a small number of twins considering the amount of single births there were last year, but there are a good amount of those twins that have a certain combination of names.
For instance, for twin girls, Isabella and Sophia are the most popular names to give the set. Not too surprising, seeing as Isabella is really popular and Sophia isn't far behind. They also have an Italian or Spanish feel to them, depending on what you're going for. For a set of twins which are male and female, Madison and Mason top the chart. This pair flows nicely and, again, Madison is still a very popular name. Mason is a bit less popular, but it fits so well with Madison that it just makes sense to use it! Then there's a set of twin boys, which dominate the twin world it seems. The most popular set of names for twin boys is Jacob and Joshua. Hello biblical! We have two J names. Two biblical names. Two very popular boys names. They're a match made in heaven, so to speak.
But what about celebrity twins. Traditionally, you hear about celebrity babies when they have new and unheard of names, and that seems to be the trend in Hollywood anyway. Celebrities don't want just any name for their kids. They want something unique and you figure they must know that what they pick will likely become in vogue, because 9 times out of 10 it does. Well, this isn't any different for a set of celebrity twins! Here's a list of recent celebrity twins, parents and the babies:
•Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus Walter: Julia Roberts and Danny Moder
•Eden and Savannah: Marcia Cross and Tom Mahoney
•Bob and Max: Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller
•Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace: Dennis Quaid and Kimberly Buffington
•Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
•Darby Galen and Sullivan Patrick: Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink
•Maximillian David Muniz and Emme Marbiel Muniz: Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez
•Dolly Rebecca Rose and Charlie Tamara Tulip: Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell
•D'Lila Star and Jessie James: Sean "Diddy" Combs and Kim Porter
*source (http://www.namecandy.com/celebrity-baby-names/blog/2009/06/24/marion-and-tabitha-brodericks-name-competition)
For the most part, I love these names. They're all really cute choices. My particular favorites are Max and Emme. I love Max, LOVE IT! Then there's Emme. What a sweet little twist on Emma! Some other highlights of the list are Rebecca Romijn using Charlie for a little girl (use Charlotte if you'd like Charlie as a nickname), Patrick Dempsey using Sullivan for one of his little boys (very cute and very rare), and Julia Roberts' use of Phinneaus for the little boy in her set of twins!
Although, its highly unlikely that most of us will have a set of twins, its still fun to think of name pairs that you'd like to use if you had the chance!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Viola
Viola
-meaning: violet
-origin: Italian
-potential nicknames: Vi
Ooo, Shakespeare name! I like the simplicity of this name, but I also love that it totally has an exotic flair to it. This is quite an old school name. It was the most popular, recently, at the turn of the century (19th to 20th) and fell completely off the charts by the 1960s. It has yet to have a revival, but Violet has seen a surge in popularity in the past 10 years or so. Perhaps, Viola is next.
-meaning: violet
-origin: Italian
-potential nicknames: Vi
Ooo, Shakespeare name! I like the simplicity of this name, but I also love that it totally has an exotic flair to it. This is quite an old school name. It was the most popular, recently, at the turn of the century (19th to 20th) and fell completely off the charts by the 1960s. It has yet to have a revival, but Violet has seen a surge in popularity in the past 10 years or so. Perhaps, Viola is next.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Peter
Peter
-meaning: rock
-origin: Greek
-potential nicknames: Pete
Two people come to mind when I see this name: Peter Pevensie and Peter Griffin. There are loads of famous Peters, but those are the two characters that come straight to mind. Which is funny because one is a sweet, loyal, teen ruler of a magical land and the other is a misogynist, drunkard, funny man. Two COMPLETELY different personalities for one little name. I like this name and really like the nickname, Pete. But not only are there some rediculous characters named Peter, there are also those who have dirty minds, and, well, if you don't know what I mean by that, you probably don't need to. As of 2009, Peter is number 191 on the Social Security list, not too popular but still a widely accepted name.
-meaning: rock
-origin: Greek
-potential nicknames: Pete
Two people come to mind when I see this name: Peter Pevensie and Peter Griffin. There are loads of famous Peters, but those are the two characters that come straight to mind. Which is funny because one is a sweet, loyal, teen ruler of a magical land and the other is a misogynist, drunkard, funny man. Two COMPLETELY different personalities for one little name. I like this name and really like the nickname, Pete. But not only are there some rediculous characters named Peter, there are also those who have dirty minds, and, well, if you don't know what I mean by that, you probably don't need to. As of 2009, Peter is number 191 on the Social Security list, not too popular but still a widely accepted name.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I love you, Harry!
OH MY GOD! It's been forever and I was starting to have withdraws. I feel better now. Anyway!
How could I NOT do an entry about Harry Potter names!?! Seeing as this is my favorite book series, I just couldn’t let this go untouched. One of my favorite baby name blogs posted an article about the origin of a select few of the now famous names and where they originated, as seen in this link:
Behind the Harry Potter Names
I figured, I ought to cover some of the names that weren’t covered in the article. So, here goes:
Luna- This sweet gem is Italian and means moon. This is also the name of the Roman goddess of the moon. This name saw a lot of popularity at the end of the 19th century, and now, it is experiencing a resurgence of popularity. In the books, the name belongs to Luna Lovegood, a very eccentric and good-natured Ravenclaw who helps Harry in the oddest of ways.
Lily- I’m sure this name is familiar to many, Harry Potter fan or not. The name means exactly what it is, lily. The word lily is derived from the Middle English lilie, which is from the Old English and Latin lilium. This name has been hanging out in the top 1000 since the SSA has record of name popularity (the 1880s) and is now very close to breaking the top 10. Lily Potter is Harry’s mother.
Ginevra- You may know this character better by her nickname, Ginny. Although the origin is uncertain, many claim it to be the Italian version of Jennifer, which means white wave or fair one. This name is obviously very rare in America, as it has never placed on the top 1000 list. Although this is an eccentric name, it offers a very cute nickname that can easily pose as a first name. Ginevra, or Ginny, is the only girl and youngest child of the Weasley family, as well as Harry’s eventual love interest.
Rowena- (edit) From elleanne: Rowena is the female form of Rowan, and Rowan is type of tree. It has also been suggested that Rowena is a Germanic name from the elements hrod "fame" and wynn "joy". But we know for sure a rowan is a tree! Nature lovers take note! Sir Walter Scott brought the name some popularity when he used it in his novel Ivanhoe. Although this name has been on the Social Security top 1000 in the past (never really past the 500 mark), it is no longer on it and hasn’t been since the 1950s. Rowena Ravenclaw is one of the founders of Hogwarts and the inspiration for Ravenclaw house.
Fleur- Fleur is simply the French word for flower. However, the French do not really use it as a given name. That is something that the English have come to do. It has not cracked the top 1000 list here in America. Fleur Delacour is a witch who graduated from Beauxbatons, but not before competing in the Triwizard Tournament. She is part veela, which is a magical being that possesses a great, ethereal beauty, and she has proven to be a smart witch with a stubborn streak.
Arthur- I think many of us know this one from the plethora of works written about King Arthur and Arthurian legends. The name is Celtic and is thought to be derived from the Celtic word artos, meaning “bear”, but it is uncertain if this is true. Although the name was very popular since at least the 1880s, its popularity has had a steady decline, dropping out of the top 100 after the 1960s and falling into the 300 range by the 2000s. Arthur is the head of the Weasley clan.
Seamus- This name screams Irish, and it is Irish. The meaning of this name is supplanter. Also, Seamus is the Irish form of James. Seamus just recently appeared on popularity list in the 1990s, but has yet to even pass the 700 mark. This moniker belongs to Seamus Finnegan, another Gryffindor who is a bit of a joker and certainly a bit of a mess with spells gone awry.
Draco- Draco is both considered to be from the Ancient Greek word drakon, which means dragon, and a Latin name, which also means dragon. Another fun fact, Draco is the name of a constellation in the far northern sky. The name does not show up on the popularity lists for America, although Drake, which could serve as a nickname, has gained popularity recently. Draco Malfoy is a fairly nasty Slytherin who has been trained to hate any non-pureblood and is also Harry’s rival, who causes more and more trouble for Harry as the series progresses.
Remus- The meaning of this name is unknown, but we do know it is of Roman origin. Remus is one of the twins who founded Rome, according to Roman mythology. He is later killed by his brother Romulus. Remus has not shown up on the popularity list in America. Remus Lupin is one of the Marauders and a trusted ally to Harry. Although normally mild mannered, Remus turns into a werewolf during each full moon.
Cedric- Another Ivanhoe name! This name was an invention of Sir Walter Scott for the novel. Cedric is apparently based on the name of the semi-legendary founder of the kingdom of Wessex in the 6th-century. It is also decided to be of Old English origin. This name saw a peak in popularity in the 1970s, but has quickly fallen back to the lower end of the chart. Cedric Diggory was a kind-hearted Hufflepuff seeker, who competed with Harry in the Triwizard Tournament but ultimately met his end at the completion of the final task.
In case your interested to see more Harry Potter names, even the really obscure ones, the list I got these names from is:
List of Harry Potter Names
How could I NOT do an entry about Harry Potter names!?! Seeing as this is my favorite book series, I just couldn’t let this go untouched. One of my favorite baby name blogs posted an article about the origin of a select few of the now famous names and where they originated, as seen in this link:
Behind the Harry Potter Names
I figured, I ought to cover some of the names that weren’t covered in the article. So, here goes:
Luna- This sweet gem is Italian and means moon. This is also the name of the Roman goddess of the moon. This name saw a lot of popularity at the end of the 19th century, and now, it is experiencing a resurgence of popularity. In the books, the name belongs to Luna Lovegood, a very eccentric and good-natured Ravenclaw who helps Harry in the oddest of ways.
Lily- I’m sure this name is familiar to many, Harry Potter fan or not. The name means exactly what it is, lily. The word lily is derived from the Middle English lilie, which is from the Old English and Latin lilium. This name has been hanging out in the top 1000 since the SSA has record of name popularity (the 1880s) and is now very close to breaking the top 10. Lily Potter is Harry’s mother.
Ginevra- You may know this character better by her nickname, Ginny. Although the origin is uncertain, many claim it to be the Italian version of Jennifer, which means white wave or fair one. This name is obviously very rare in America, as it has never placed on the top 1000 list. Although this is an eccentric name, it offers a very cute nickname that can easily pose as a first name. Ginevra, or Ginny, is the only girl and youngest child of the Weasley family, as well as Harry’s eventual love interest.
Rowena- (edit) From elleanne: Rowena is the female form of Rowan, and Rowan is type of tree. It has also been suggested that Rowena is a Germanic name from the elements hrod "fame" and wynn "joy". But we know for sure a rowan is a tree! Nature lovers take note! Sir Walter Scott brought the name some popularity when he used it in his novel Ivanhoe. Although this name has been on the Social Security top 1000 in the past (never really past the 500 mark), it is no longer on it and hasn’t been since the 1950s. Rowena Ravenclaw is one of the founders of Hogwarts and the inspiration for Ravenclaw house.
Fleur- Fleur is simply the French word for flower. However, the French do not really use it as a given name. That is something that the English have come to do. It has not cracked the top 1000 list here in America. Fleur Delacour is a witch who graduated from Beauxbatons, but not before competing in the Triwizard Tournament. She is part veela, which is a magical being that possesses a great, ethereal beauty, and she has proven to be a smart witch with a stubborn streak.
Arthur- I think many of us know this one from the plethora of works written about King Arthur and Arthurian legends. The name is Celtic and is thought to be derived from the Celtic word artos, meaning “bear”, but it is uncertain if this is true. Although the name was very popular since at least the 1880s, its popularity has had a steady decline, dropping out of the top 100 after the 1960s and falling into the 300 range by the 2000s. Arthur is the head of the Weasley clan.
Seamus- This name screams Irish, and it is Irish. The meaning of this name is supplanter. Also, Seamus is the Irish form of James. Seamus just recently appeared on popularity list in the 1990s, but has yet to even pass the 700 mark. This moniker belongs to Seamus Finnegan, another Gryffindor who is a bit of a joker and certainly a bit of a mess with spells gone awry.
Draco- Draco is both considered to be from the Ancient Greek word drakon, which means dragon, and a Latin name, which also means dragon. Another fun fact, Draco is the name of a constellation in the far northern sky. The name does not show up on the popularity lists for America, although Drake, which could serve as a nickname, has gained popularity recently. Draco Malfoy is a fairly nasty Slytherin who has been trained to hate any non-pureblood and is also Harry’s rival, who causes more and more trouble for Harry as the series progresses.
Remus- The meaning of this name is unknown, but we do know it is of Roman origin. Remus is one of the twins who founded Rome, according to Roman mythology. He is later killed by his brother Romulus. Remus has not shown up on the popularity list in America. Remus Lupin is one of the Marauders and a trusted ally to Harry. Although normally mild mannered, Remus turns into a werewolf during each full moon.
Cedric- Another Ivanhoe name! This name was an invention of Sir Walter Scott for the novel. Cedric is apparently based on the name of the semi-legendary founder of the kingdom of Wessex in the 6th-century. It is also decided to be of Old English origin. This name saw a peak in popularity in the 1970s, but has quickly fallen back to the lower end of the chart. Cedric Diggory was a kind-hearted Hufflepuff seeker, who competed with Harry in the Triwizard Tournament but ultimately met his end at the completion of the final task.
In case your interested to see more Harry Potter names, even the really obscure ones, the list I got these names from is:
List of Harry Potter Names
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Happy Birthday Kristi Lynn
Since its my birthday, I thought I'd do a quick blurb about my own name. Neither are names I would pick for my own child, but they're cute names none the less.
Kristi
-meaning: follower of Christ (or some variant of that)
-origin: Latin
-potential nicknames: Kris
This one might not sound Latin, but that's because it is a short form for Christina, the feminine form of Christian (thus the meaning). When I think of this name, I think cheereleader. Those of you who know me, know that cheerleader does NOT fit me at all. However, you have Christy Brinkley, Kristy Swanson, Kristi Yamaguchi and a few other celebs, I'm sure, who are a bit girlier than I helping the influence of that stereotype. Kristi is also one way to spell this name. There are so many ways I don't think I even want to go there. While Kristi (in that spelling) was in the top 1000 from the 1940s to the 1990s, it fell completely off by the 2000s. The name peaked a decade before I was born, in the 1970s.
Lynn
-meaning: from the lake
-origin: Celtic/Gaelic
-potential nicknames: none
This gem is a very common middle name, but it is loosing a bit of steam in that department. This is a sweet and simple name, and its fairly unisex if anyone should want to use it for a boys name (I don't know that I would). This is another name that has a few different variations in spelling. Lynn has been in the top 1000 for both boys and girls in the past, although it is no longer their for either. For a girls name, it peaked in the 1950s and was generally above the 500 mark. For a boys name, Lynn peaked in the 1940s and was also usually above the 500 mark.
Kristi
-meaning: follower of Christ (or some variant of that)
-origin: Latin
-potential nicknames: Kris
This one might not sound Latin, but that's because it is a short form for Christina, the feminine form of Christian (thus the meaning). When I think of this name, I think cheereleader. Those of you who know me, know that cheerleader does NOT fit me at all. However, you have Christy Brinkley, Kristy Swanson, Kristi Yamaguchi and a few other celebs, I'm sure, who are a bit girlier than I helping the influence of that stereotype. Kristi is also one way to spell this name. There are so many ways I don't think I even want to go there. While Kristi (in that spelling) was in the top 1000 from the 1940s to the 1990s, it fell completely off by the 2000s. The name peaked a decade before I was born, in the 1970s.
Lynn
-meaning: from the lake
-origin: Celtic/Gaelic
-potential nicknames: none
This gem is a very common middle name, but it is loosing a bit of steam in that department. This is a sweet and simple name, and its fairly unisex if anyone should want to use it for a boys name (I don't know that I would). This is another name that has a few different variations in spelling. Lynn has been in the top 1000 for both boys and girls in the past, although it is no longer their for either. For a girls name, it peaked in the 1950s and was generally above the 500 mark. For a boys name, Lynn peaked in the 1940s and was also usually above the 500 mark.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Lacy, Frilly, Pretty
Oh I just couldn't resist posting this one. I have found another fun name list (surprise, surprise....).
http://www.namecandy.com/celebrity-baby-names/blog/2010/05/20/aviana-and-friends-do-you-like-frilliana-celebrity-names?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+namecandy+%28Name+Candy%29
This list has to do with the frills in the celebrity baby community. The author of the article calls this phenomenon "Frilliana". To give you an idea of what exactly this means, I'll give you her guidelines to recognize a "Frilliana" name.
"How to recognize a Frilliana:
•Ends in -ana, and probably with -iana or -yana
•Has three or four syllables. (Dana is out.)
•Has been invented (or, as in the case of Aviana, resucitated) only recently. (Diana is out.)
•Is likely to start with a vowel. (Aiyana is in.)"
Also, here are some of the names she gives as examples:
•Adriana
•Aliana
•Elliana
•Iliana
•Giuliana
•Lilyana
•Mariana
•Tatiana
•Viviana
•Yuliana
I do love Adriana, Lilyana, and Iliana. I actually met an Iliana and that is a name I never expected to hear. She was one of my 8th grade tutoring students, so she would have been a mid 90's child. I suppose she was one of the first in this trend. I'm sure these type of names have been around for a while, but they are more than likely going to start rising on the charts and fast. Celebrities tend to set the stage for new naming trends so expect to see a few more of these frilly names in the future.
http://www.namecandy.com/celebrity-baby-names/blog/2010/05/20/aviana-and-friends-do-you-like-frilliana-celebrity-names?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+namecandy+%28Name+Candy%29
This list has to do with the frills in the celebrity baby community. The author of the article calls this phenomenon "Frilliana". To give you an idea of what exactly this means, I'll give you her guidelines to recognize a "Frilliana" name.
"How to recognize a Frilliana:
•Ends in -ana, and probably with -iana or -yana
•Has three or four syllables. (Dana is out.)
•Has been invented (or, as in the case of Aviana, resucitated) only recently. (Diana is out.)
•Is likely to start with a vowel. (Aiyana is in.)"
Also, here are some of the names she gives as examples:
•Adriana
•Aliana
•Elliana
•Iliana
•Giuliana
•Lilyana
•Mariana
•Tatiana
•Viviana
•Yuliana
I do love Adriana, Lilyana, and Iliana. I actually met an Iliana and that is a name I never expected to hear. She was one of my 8th grade tutoring students, so she would have been a mid 90's child. I suppose she was one of the first in this trend. I'm sure these type of names have been around for a while, but they are more than likely going to start rising on the charts and fast. Celebrities tend to set the stage for new naming trends so expect to see a few more of these frilly names in the future.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
For the Love of the Literary
Oh how I love literary names. So when I stumbled across this list, I got a little giddy. I can’t lie, I really did. It’s a list of some unusual literary names that would be cool to use for your child. The link is: http://www.babyhold.com/babynames/Popular/Most_unusual_baby_names_from_classic_novels/
For a little taste, here are some of the names they cover in the article (some of the ones I like anyway :)).
Names from your school reads:
Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)
Holden (The Catcher in the Rye)
Phineas (A Separate Peace)
Heroes and Heroines:
Lily Bart (The House of Mirth)
Cash Bundren (As I Lay Dying)
Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind)
Josephine March (Little Women)
Ramona Quimby (Ramona the Pest)
Novels adapted into Films:
Aurora (Terms of Endearment)
Lara (Doctor Zhivago)
Scarlett (Gone with the Wind)
Veruca (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)
Brit Lit Names:
Anastasia
Arabella
Cecelia
Darcy
Georgiana
Selina
Shakespeare Names:
Cressida
Imogen
Ophelia
Portia
Regan
They also give out some biblical names and, of course, some names of the authors themselves. Over all, I am definitely drawn to brit lit names, seeing as even one of the names on this particular list is a name I’ve already used. But all literary names have a lot of allure to all the book lovers out there. They are often unique, but still pleasing and ripe for the picking. So pick away, please!
For a little taste, here are some of the names they cover in the article (some of the ones I like anyway :)).
Names from your school reads:
Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)
Holden (The Catcher in the Rye)
Phineas (A Separate Peace)
Heroes and Heroines:
Lily Bart (The House of Mirth)
Cash Bundren (As I Lay Dying)
Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind)
Josephine March (Little Women)
Ramona Quimby (Ramona the Pest)
Novels adapted into Films:
Aurora (Terms of Endearment)
Lara (Doctor Zhivago)
Scarlett (Gone with the Wind)
Veruca (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory)
Brit Lit Names:
Anastasia
Arabella
Cecelia
Darcy
Georgiana
Selina
Shakespeare Names:
Cressida
Imogen
Ophelia
Portia
Regan
They also give out some biblical names and, of course, some names of the authors themselves. Over all, I am definitely drawn to brit lit names, seeing as even one of the names on this particular list is a name I’ve already used. But all literary names have a lot of allure to all the book lovers out there. They are often unique, but still pleasing and ripe for the picking. So pick away, please!
Scarlett
Scarlett
-meaning: red
-origin: English
-potential nicknames: Lettie, Carly, Scout, Scar
I really do like this name. Its exotic without being too out in the ether. I think its also a great name for a girl with alot of personality. Think of one of the famous namesakes, Scarlett O'Hara. LOADS of personality. Now, granted she was a bit of a bee, she still had a fiery spirit and was absolutely beautiful to boot. Not a bad person to name your child after. Then, of course, there's Scarlett Johanssen (I just renewed my fan card for her after seeing Iron Man 2). Its also a name that has been fast to rise on the popularity charts. In 2003, it was 530 on the charts. In 2009, it was 169 on the SSA list of popular girl's names, up another 41 spots from 2008.
-meaning: red
-origin: English
-potential nicknames: Lettie, Carly, Scout, Scar
I really do like this name. Its exotic without being too out in the ether. I think its also a great name for a girl with alot of personality. Think of one of the famous namesakes, Scarlett O'Hara. LOADS of personality. Now, granted she was a bit of a bee, she still had a fiery spirit and was absolutely beautiful to boot. Not a bad person to name your child after. Then, of course, there's Scarlett Johanssen (I just renewed my fan card for her after seeing Iron Man 2). Its also a name that has been fast to rise on the popularity charts. In 2003, it was 530 on the charts. In 2009, it was 169 on the SSA list of popular girl's names, up another 41 spots from 2008.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Really Popular and Really Not Popular
Today, I was doing my normal daily browse of baby name sites and the like, and I came across the Social Security Administrations list of name changes. In other words, a list of the top 1000 names ranking from the fastest rising to the fastest falling. I dig this list because it’s interesting to see what’s going on with America’s parents as a whole. I thought I’d post the fastest rising and fastest falling boys and girls names and talk a little bit about them.
Here’s the list:
Boy’s Fastest Rising
1) Cullen (+297 spots): hmm, well I think we know why this one is popular, but I kinda like it
2) Jax (+266 spots): first thing I thought, “Like the game?”
3) King (+248 spots): I think these parents are VERY proud of their baby
4) Emmett (+215 spots): again, Twilight is at work here, but again, I kinda like this name
5) Colt (+164 spots): it’s a pony! Oh yeah, aren’t they sports team or something?
Girl’s Fastest Rising
1) Maliyah (+342 spots): perhaps this is the work of die-hard Obama fans
2) Isla (+273 spots): Isla Fischer is probably responsible here, and I really like this name
3) Caylee (+251 spots): this name is cute, and it’s a variation on other popular names. Obviously, this spelling is taking off nicely
4) Kinley (+214 spots): no idea where this one came from
5) Arabella (+209 spots): WELL, WELL, WELL! I wonder if I like this name. Pretty sure this is another Twilight pick. Love this name!
Boy’s Fastest Falling
1) Alvin (-133 spots): and the Chipmunks. I think that says a lot.
2) Marc (-106 spots): this fashionable spelling of Marc just isn’t meant to beat out the traditional spelling
3) Jonas (-105 spots): bye bye Jonas Brothers? I might like this name if I didn’t think girls around the world would scream every time they heard my kids name
4) Isiah (-91 spots): the spelling Isaiah is way more popular! Love it
5) Brett (-80 spots): I like this name, not sure why its starting to slip
Girl’s Fastest Falling
1) Marley (-517 spots): I guess the love for Marley and Me is fading away
2) Mylee (-420 spots): not a fan, doesn’t matter though because the other spelling is still quite popular
3) Jaslene (-294 spots): it’s been like 3 years since she won, so I guess the name isn’t very popular anymore either
4) Allisson (-197 spots): just one version of this still very popular name
5) Haylie (-145 spots): Haylie may be loosing steam quickly, but Hailey is not
I’m not too surprised about any of these names except maybe King and Brett. And for some of the names, its just one version of the name that is loosing popularity. Something that is heavily apparent about this list is that girl’s names fall faster and rise faster than boy’s names. But that shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering boy’s names do not trend as frequently as girl’s names. The top 10 boy’s names are very close to being the same each year, where as 2-4 spots on the top 10 girl’s names list change every year or two.
After looking at the list, I can’t decide if I’m happy or annoyed that the name I picked for my daughter is one of the names on the fastest rising list. I suppose its not that bad, because its still no where near being a top 100 name and popular or not, it’s a gorgeous name (in my opinion of course)!
Here’s the list:
Boy’s Fastest Rising
1) Cullen (+297 spots): hmm, well I think we know why this one is popular, but I kinda like it
2) Jax (+266 spots): first thing I thought, “Like the game?”
3) King (+248 spots): I think these parents are VERY proud of their baby
4) Emmett (+215 spots): again, Twilight is at work here, but again, I kinda like this name
5) Colt (+164 spots): it’s a pony! Oh yeah, aren’t they sports team or something?
Girl’s Fastest Rising
1) Maliyah (+342 spots): perhaps this is the work of die-hard Obama fans
2) Isla (+273 spots): Isla Fischer is probably responsible here, and I really like this name
3) Caylee (+251 spots): this name is cute, and it’s a variation on other popular names. Obviously, this spelling is taking off nicely
4) Kinley (+214 spots): no idea where this one came from
5) Arabella (+209 spots): WELL, WELL, WELL! I wonder if I like this name. Pretty sure this is another Twilight pick. Love this name!
Boy’s Fastest Falling
1) Alvin (-133 spots): and the Chipmunks. I think that says a lot.
2) Marc (-106 spots): this fashionable spelling of Marc just isn’t meant to beat out the traditional spelling
3) Jonas (-105 spots): bye bye Jonas Brothers? I might like this name if I didn’t think girls around the world would scream every time they heard my kids name
4) Isiah (-91 spots): the spelling Isaiah is way more popular! Love it
5) Brett (-80 spots): I like this name, not sure why its starting to slip
Girl’s Fastest Falling
1) Marley (-517 spots): I guess the love for Marley and Me is fading away
2) Mylee (-420 spots): not a fan, doesn’t matter though because the other spelling is still quite popular
3) Jaslene (-294 spots): it’s been like 3 years since she won, so I guess the name isn’t very popular anymore either
4) Allisson (-197 spots): just one version of this still very popular name
5) Haylie (-145 spots): Haylie may be loosing steam quickly, but Hailey is not
I’m not too surprised about any of these names except maybe King and Brett. And for some of the names, its just one version of the name that is loosing popularity. Something that is heavily apparent about this list is that girl’s names fall faster and rise faster than boy’s names. But that shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering boy’s names do not trend as frequently as girl’s names. The top 10 boy’s names are very close to being the same each year, where as 2-4 spots on the top 10 girl’s names list change every year or two.
After looking at the list, I can’t decide if I’m happy or annoyed that the name I picked for my daughter is one of the names on the fastest rising list. I suppose its not that bad, because its still no where near being a top 100 name and popular or not, it’s a gorgeous name (in my opinion of course)!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Cool, OK, or Not Your Type?
This is a list of names on a site I found recently of names that the authors of the site claim all of your friends will think are cool. So I figured, lets put it to the test! Upon viewing the list, I can tell you that I am not a fan of all the names. There aren’t any names that I hate, but there are some that just don’t quite fit my naming style. Here is the list:
Ash
Asia
Beckett
Bronwyn
Cameron
Cormac
Cruz
Dashiell
Delaney
Delilah
Donovan
Elvis
Finn
Georgia
Gus
Hudson
Jackson
Jude
Lark
Lola
Maisie
Matteo
Miles
Nico
Paloma
Rowan
Sam
Sasha
Siena
Violet
Willa
Some of the names I do like on this list, and could see myself using, are Ash, Bronwyn (I know a Brenwyn and I think I prefer it with the e), Finn, Jude, Lola, Miles, Rowan, Sam, Violet, and Willa. Other names that I like, but might not actually name my child, are Beckett, Cameron, Dashiell, Delaney, Delilah, Georgia, Gus, Hudson, Jackson, Maisie, Nico, and Sasha.
Now, I have to ask, are there any of these names that aren’t your style? Or does the assumption made by the authors stand true and you think that each one of these names is cool?
Ash
Asia
Beckett
Bronwyn
Cameron
Cormac
Cruz
Dashiell
Delaney
Delilah
Donovan
Elvis
Finn
Georgia
Gus
Hudson
Jackson
Jude
Lark
Lola
Maisie
Matteo
Miles
Nico
Paloma
Rowan
Sam
Sasha
Siena
Violet
Willa
Some of the names I do like on this list, and could see myself using, are Ash, Bronwyn (I know a Brenwyn and I think I prefer it with the e), Finn, Jude, Lola, Miles, Rowan, Sam, Violet, and Willa. Other names that I like, but might not actually name my child, are Beckett, Cameron, Dashiell, Delaney, Delilah, Georgia, Gus, Hudson, Jackson, Maisie, Nico, and Sasha.
Now, I have to ask, are there any of these names that aren’t your style? Or does the assumption made by the authors stand true and you think that each one of these names is cool?
Friday, May 14, 2010
Graham
Graham
-meaning: warlike
-origin: English
-potential nicknames: Gray
I know, I know. You're probably thinking graham cracker. But I think that more people should give this name a chance! Graham is a cool, sophisticated name that may be a little too sophisticated for a little boy. But there is always the nickname Gray that can be used for a younger Graham. I also love the fact that it kind of reminds me of Wuthering Heights, which is one of my favorite novels. Really, this would probably fit in most older British novels. It is gaining popularity in the US, up 60 spots for 2009, coming in at 262.
-meaning: warlike
-origin: English
-potential nicknames: Gray
I know, I know. You're probably thinking graham cracker. But I think that more people should give this name a chance! Graham is a cool, sophisticated name that may be a little too sophisticated for a little boy. But there is always the nickname Gray that can be used for a younger Graham. I also love the fact that it kind of reminds me of Wuthering Heights, which is one of my favorite novels. Really, this would probably fit in most older British novels. It is gaining popularity in the US, up 60 spots for 2009, coming in at 262.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Joyhannah
Joyhannah
-meaning: Joy means happiness and Hannah means grace
-origin: Joy is Latin, Hannah is Hebrew, and Johanna is German (if you want to consider that variant)
-potential nicknames: Joy, Hannah
There is a part of me that feels that Joy is just a bit too simple of a name for a first name. While watching the Duggars on TV, I noticed they have a Joy Anna and a Johannah. I like both names, but, when I combined them, I loved it. It is nowhere to be seen on the popularity lists as a combined name (although Joy comes in around the 500 range and Hannah is #23 as of 2009) and has two great names that can be used as nicknames (Joy and Hannah).
-meaning: Joy means happiness and Hannah means grace
-origin: Joy is Latin, Hannah is Hebrew, and Johanna is German (if you want to consider that variant)
-potential nicknames: Joy, Hannah
There is a part of me that feels that Joy is just a bit too simple of a name for a first name. While watching the Duggars on TV, I noticed they have a Joy Anna and a Johannah. I like both names, but, when I combined them, I loved it. It is nowhere to be seen on the popularity lists as a combined name (although Joy comes in around the 500 range and Hannah is #23 as of 2009) and has two great names that can be used as nicknames (Joy and Hannah).
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Ella
Ella
-meaning: young girl
-origin: Spanish
-potential nickname: Elle
Ella is a perfect name for a little girl. Its cute and sophisticated, so it would fit an adorable young girl and a mature young adult. A good example of the name in action would be Ella of Frell, a strong-willed young maiden from the novel Ella Enchanted whose spirit is as beautiful as her appearance. Then there's Ella Fitzgerald, a woman who had a voice of gold! Of course, there's also the fact that it is the nickname for tons and tons of girls names these days. The number 1 name of 2009 (Isabella) has it at the end of the name. But what's stopping anyone from using Ella on its own. Not much, seeing as it comes in at 14 for girl's given names last year!
-meaning: young girl
-origin: Spanish
-potential nickname: Elle
Ella is a perfect name for a little girl. Its cute and sophisticated, so it would fit an adorable young girl and a mature young adult. A good example of the name in action would be Ella of Frell, a strong-willed young maiden from the novel Ella Enchanted whose spirit is as beautiful as her appearance. Then there's Ella Fitzgerald, a woman who had a voice of gold! Of course, there's also the fact that it is the nickname for tons and tons of girls names these days. The number 1 name of 2009 (Isabella) has it at the end of the name. But what's stopping anyone from using Ella on its own. Not much, seeing as it comes in at 14 for girl's given names last year!
Monday, May 10, 2010
20 Names You're Gonna Love
I want to take a moment out and talk about the top names of the past decade. Although the data hasn't been offically published on the Social Security Administration's website, the lovely Laura Wattenberg, or The Baby Name Wizard, has done the work and posted it on hers! Without actually looking at numbers, here are the leading 10 names for the boys and the girls:
The Girls
1) Emily
2) Madison
3) Emma
4) Olivia
5) Hannah
6) Abigail
7) Isabella
8) Samantha
9) Elizabeth
10) Ashley
The Boys
1) Jacob
2) Michael
3) Joshua
4) Matthew
5) Daniel
6) Christopher
7) Andrew
8) Ethan
9) Joseph
10) William
I honestly do like all of these names. I probably wouldn't use them because I have a bit of an obsession with using less common names, but when it comes to finding a good name that you know will be well liked, here's your list! I have a few of these names on my possible middle names list because they are great names, but you know that in 6 years or so, if your child has one of these names, he or she will probably one of a few in his or her class alone.
Overall, these names are classics. They are mainstays in the world of naming babies! Why are these names so darn popular? If I had to guess, its because each one is pleasant to the ear, none of them are really gender neutral (no, I don't consider Ashley a boys name anymore. I couldn't even tell you the last person I knew who even considered the name for a boy!), and each of these names can transition from childhood to adulthood easily!
For about 30 years now, around half of the names on these two lists have been in the top 10 of given names. And those that are newer will surely be around for another decade or two to come!
The Girls
1) Emily
2) Madison
3) Emma
4) Olivia
5) Hannah
6) Abigail
7) Isabella
8) Samantha
9) Elizabeth
10) Ashley
The Boys
1) Jacob
2) Michael
3) Joshua
4) Matthew
5) Daniel
6) Christopher
7) Andrew
8) Ethan
9) Joseph
10) William
I honestly do like all of these names. I probably wouldn't use them because I have a bit of an obsession with using less common names, but when it comes to finding a good name that you know will be well liked, here's your list! I have a few of these names on my possible middle names list because they are great names, but you know that in 6 years or so, if your child has one of these names, he or she will probably one of a few in his or her class alone.
Overall, these names are classics. They are mainstays in the world of naming babies! Why are these names so darn popular? If I had to guess, its because each one is pleasant to the ear, none of them are really gender neutral (no, I don't consider Ashley a boys name anymore. I couldn't even tell you the last person I knew who even considered the name for a boy!), and each of these names can transition from childhood to adulthood easily!
For about 30 years now, around half of the names on these two lists have been in the top 10 of given names. And those that are newer will surely be around for another decade or two to come!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Hermione
Hermione
-meaning: pillar queen
-origin: Greek
-potential nicknames: Mione
Yes, I actually do LOVE this name! Two words come to mind when I hear this name, or one name if you will: Harry Potter. That is precisely why I love this name. If you know me at all, you know that I flip for HP! It is very rare in the US and it is literary, two of my favorite qualities in a name. Of course, JK Rowling wasn’t the first to use this name. Shakespeare did as well in “The Winter’s Tale”. That makes this name all the more AWESOME!
-meaning: pillar queen
-origin: Greek
-potential nicknames: Mione
Yes, I actually do LOVE this name! Two words come to mind when I hear this name, or one name if you will: Harry Potter. That is precisely why I love this name. If you know me at all, you know that I flip for HP! It is very rare in the US and it is literary, two of my favorite qualities in a name. Of course, JK Rowling wasn’t the first to use this name. Shakespeare did as well in “The Winter’s Tale”. That makes this name all the more AWESOME!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Max
Max
-meaning: greatest
-origin: Latin
-potential nicknames: none
The meaning of Max alone makes it a cool name for any boy or man. And who wouldn't want to name their child after the main character of an amazing children's book (Where the Wild Things Are)! Although it was more popular towards the beginning of the 20th century, it has never dropped very low on the popularity list. It is also gaining popularity once again. As of 2009, it is 104 on the SSA baby names list for boys, up 22 spots from last year. Chances are, by next year it will be top 100!
-meaning: greatest
-origin: Latin
-potential nicknames: none
The meaning of Max alone makes it a cool name for any boy or man. And who wouldn't want to name their child after the main character of an amazing children's book (Where the Wild Things Are)! Although it was more popular towards the beginning of the 20th century, it has never dropped very low on the popularity list. It is also gaining popularity once again. As of 2009, it is 104 on the SSA baby names list for boys, up 22 spots from last year. Chances are, by next year it will be top 100!
Most Popular Baby Names of 2009
Most Popular Baby Names of 2009
LOVE IT! The top 10 names probably won't surprise you, as most of them have been popular for quite some time now. But its exciting none the less!
I was shocked to see that my baby's name had risen from 657 to 447. Then again, with Isabella at number 1, there are going to be a whole lot of Bellas out there now!
LOVE IT! The top 10 names probably won't surprise you, as most of them have been popular for quite some time now. But its exciting none the less!
I was shocked to see that my baby's name had risen from 657 to 447. Then again, with Isabella at number 1, there are going to be a whole lot of Bellas out there now!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Clara
Clara
-meaning: illustrious
-origin: Latin
-potential nicknames: Clare
Clara automatically reminds me of The Nutcracker, which I absolutely love. It just sounds so sweet. I think of a beautiful little lady (literally, like a prim and proper girl) when I hear this name. It is just below the top 200 names in the US, with its peak popularity being in the early 1900s. Its short, but sweet, and its another name that can transition well from little girl to adult.
-meaning: illustrious
-origin: Latin
-potential nicknames: Clare
Clara automatically reminds me of The Nutcracker, which I absolutely love. It just sounds so sweet. I think of a beautiful little lady (literally, like a prim and proper girl) when I hear this name. It is just below the top 200 names in the US, with its peak popularity being in the early 1900s. Its short, but sweet, and its another name that can transition well from little girl to adult.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Wesley
Wesley
-meaning: western meadow
-origin: English
-potential nicknames: Wes
Wesley is certainly a sophisticated name that comes with the cute nickname, Wes. Because of that nickname, Wesley can easily go from cute little boy to young adult to man. It is just about 200 on the US popularity list and is losing some momentum, making it a good pick if you want a name that not a lot of little boys are going to have.
-meaning: western meadow
-origin: English
-potential nicknames: Wes
Wesley is certainly a sophisticated name that comes with the cute nickname, Wes. Because of that nickname, Wesley can easily go from cute little boy to young adult to man. It is just about 200 on the US popularity list and is losing some momentum, making it a good pick if you want a name that not a lot of little boys are going to have.
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