Name Cupid

Name Cupid’s New Classics: Most Suggested Names of Year 1

Now that Name Cupid is emerging from its own infancy—the site launched one year ago this month—I thought I’d take stock of the hundreds of names I’ve suggested for the parents-to-be who have contacted me for help in their search for the perfect baby name.

As I’ve written here before, the names I suggest are not based on my own preferences, but on the specifications each parent provides me. Maybe they are looking for lyrical, flowing names that would sound nice with big sister Julianna or strong, snappy names that would fit well with a long, complicated surname. As a result, the names I’ve suggested span a wide array— from Demetrius to Aria to Bailey. What is interesting is when a name itself spans a wide array of tastes, making it palatable, for instance, for parents looking for unique spunk, traditional flair, and a touch of strength. I’ve combed through the hundreds of suggested names and found those that I’ve suggested most for parents. Names that, due to their broad appeal, might just be new classics.

(icorners.com)

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Baby Names & The Beautiful Game: Euro 2012 Edition

It is official: The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship— better known as the Euro—is underway. Around the world, fans like yours truly are tuning in to watch the world’s most beautiful game. And you don’t have to be a soccer fan to appreciate the naming potential packed into this year’s tournament. While America trails the rest of the world in terms of football fandom, world soccer giants have made an impact on our name charts. The boys’ name Iker was the second fastest rising boys’ name in the US last year, likely thanks to this guy:

(article.wn.com)

That, of course, is Spanish #1 Iker Casillas, who helped his team to World Cup glory and helped his name increase in the American consciousness. Names take off not only due to players’ dominance— I don’t expect Zlatan to reach the American Top #10 any time soon—the recipe for a hit baby name includes one part celebrity, two parts in-fashion sounds. With that in mind, here are some other Euro-inspired names that could make nice fits for baby boys:

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Blue Ivy & The Baby Name Rainbow

It’s been more than a month since Blue Ivy Carter made her world debut, but the fascination with her unusual name has yet to wane. Of course, Blue Ivy isn’t the first baby whose parents sought to “paint the sky blue,”  Alicia Silverstone had baby Bear Blu, Cher’s Elijah Blue was born more than 30 years ago, and U2’s The Edge moved Blue into the first name slot for his daughter Blue Angel. Still, Blue Ivy made her entrance and made a splash in name land.

(blog.zap2it.com)

But for many non-celebrities, Blue may seem too “out there” a choice. Here are some other hues that might appeal to parents-to-be drawn to the color wheel. 

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Outsiders V: Modern Sounds- Unisex Names & Surnames

We’ve been through parts one, two, three and four, and now it’s time to visit two of the hottest trends in the United States: traditionally masculine-sounding or unisex names for girls and surnames for boys.

There may not be two trends more en vogue. For girls, Taylor and Riley both rank within the Top #40. Mason and Jackson both chart in the Top #25.

There are plenty of other highly-popular examples where those came from.  Luckily, parents looking for hidden treasures can find many lesser-used name choices that follow similar themes. Here’s one:

(styleandmore.net)

That of course, is Blair Waldorf from “Gossip Girl” and the first of these Outsiders’ picks.

Here are some strong/unisex sounding girls’ names, and boys’ names of the surname variety:

Girls

Blair (222 born in 2010)- Blair is a name that’s fashionable on girls, but has the strong ‘r’ ending seen in boys’ names like Connor and Arthur. It has actually been much more common as a boys’ name in American history. That makes it right on the current trend: a name with a feminine feel but a traditionally masculine past.

Bronwyn (62 born in 2010)- There is no more popular kind of boys’ name  than those ending in ‘n.’ Unisex name Bronwyn is sweet on a little girl, and would be a solid pick to parents drawn to this vibe.

Jori (25 born in 2010)- A hip diminutive of Marjorie, Jori has a snappy, boyish vibe and is used on both genders. The name Jorie is also in limited use, 21 babies with that name were born in the USA in 2010.

October (62 born in 2010)- Month names like January, April, and August are all in use, so why not October? The most unconventional of my girls’ picks, it has warm, autumnal sounds and round vowels that appeal to modern parents. It also packs the cute, unisex nickname Tobi.

Greer (52 born in 2010)- Here’s a unique name that drew attention after Brooke Shields named her daughter Grier in 2006. While Greer is the more popular spelling, there were 21 babies named Grier born in 2010. Shields’ older daughter, Rowan is another unisex name parents might be drawn to, it ranks #327 on the current girls’ chart.

Boys

Truman (193 in 2010)- A president, author  and the title character in “The Truman Show,” this is a strong and dignified surname. It serves as great pick for parents drawn to ‘n’ endings and the handsome ‘oo’ sound found in names like Luke and Julian.

Thatcher (161 born in 2010)- An underused boys’ name with a similar vibe to Sawyer, this would be a solid pick for a parent looking for a strapping but refined name with  a mischievous streak.

Foster (124 born in 2010)- A dashing surname with a similar vibe to Thatcher and Sawyer, Foster has numerous meanings including officer in charge of a forest or shearer.

Gannon (124 born in 2010)- An Irish surname with a Zelda connection, Gannon could be a solid pick for game-enthusiast parents looking for a sharp ‘n’ ending name.

Jenner (32 born in 2010)- Even though his dad was an Olympian, it’s the younger Jenner who catapulted this name into recent public consciousness via Reality Show fame. It’s got hip sounds, and the vibe of Jagger, a name I picked to rise.

Bonus

For boys, Jennings (27 born in 2010) offers a surname with a sophisticated flair and Thayer (18 born in 2010) is a hugely underused ‘r’ ending surname.

For girls, there may not be a clearer blend of masculine flair and feminine sounds than the combination of “Ace” and “Lynn.” Spellings on this one vary: the most popular is Aislynn (97 born in 2010), but Aislinn, Aisyln and Aislin are not far behind.

Namer’s Dilemma: Finding an Elegant Girls’ Name

One Name Cupid mom recently came to me with a common problem. She’s looking for a beautiful and elegant girls name, something like Charlotte or Madeline, but those names aren’t quite cutting it.

Charlotte is a classic and melodious name, but for some, it will forever be associated with a TV character. She worried that for others, it would be permanently caught in a spider’s web.

New Year’s Babies: A Nationwide Sampling of Baby Names

Across the United States, Americans ushered in 2012 with a time-honored tradition: celebrating the first babies of the New Year.

So here at Name Cupid, I’ll bring you a New Year’s baby name from each state*, names as diverse as the country itself. I give you these 31 girls’ names and 20 boys’ names (Arizona had two New Year’s babies born near the same time). We’ve got the #1 name in America, and several names that may never have been used before: it’s a true cross-section of the country’s naming landscape. Perhaps here you’ll also find a name you’d use for your own baby to be!

ucsf.edu

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Theme Naming: The Christmas Special

Some parents like to give their baby a name that captures the moment of the child’s birth. Many an Autumn was born on a blustery fall day, more than a few boys named Nash were born (or conceived) in the American automobile.

So what do you name a baby, born on or near Christmas, when more expected favorites like Nicholas, Christopher, or  Noelle aren’t doing the trick?

Unwrap these Christmas baby names that enjoy the holiday magic, without the same well-known Christmas connection.

(photoimage.com)

Girls

Natalie- This is a hot name, it is #14 on the USA’s Top #1000, and there’s perhaps no better name for a baby girl born around Dec. 25. Natalie literally means “born on Christmas day.”

Holly- This 1970s favorite is the subject of a well-known seasonal song; but most people wouldn’t automatically assume a Holly must be born near Christmas. This name, also a festive winter berry, is #412 on the USA’s Top #1000.

Ivy- Ivy’s on-trend long vowel sound, and its prominence in another Christmas carol that features Holly, this name comes in at #299 on the most recent charts.

Boys

Jasper- The hip sounds of this name , and sparkly vampire connection, have driven this to #286 on the Top #1000 in the US. But Jasper is also an appropriate name for a Christmas babe, it is the translation of the name of one of the three wise men.

Tannon- This pick could be a shortened version of Christmas favorite “O Tannenbaum.” Despite its familiar sounds and popular ‘n’ ending, just 15 baby Tannons were born in the US in 2010.

Gabriel- A popular name in the US, ranked #21, Gabriel doesn’t scream “Christmas” but it is the name of an angel particularly important to the story of Christmas.

The Changing Taste of Baby Names

It’s a stalemate with which soon-to-be parents are all too familiar. You’ve got the names you love. Your partner has the names he or she loves,  and never the twain shall meet (when I was a kid I thought this phrase was based on an intentional mispronunciation of the word ‘train,’ but that’s neither here nor there.)

So what do you do when you have your heart set on Ariadne and he’s always wanted to name a daughter Shannon, a name that’s never struck your fancy? Or you think Jude is the perfect pick for your baby boy, and she can’t stray from the idea that your son should be named Richard, which only makes you think of this guy? 

It can seem a conundrum. And while there may be a few of your partner’s choices that will never work for both of you- you shouldn’t toss out the one’s he loves, that you have only a “maybe” feeling about.

Why? Because, the first time I heard a song sung by what is now my favorite musical group I wasn’t a fan . Tastes evolve. Repetition changes things. And if I gave up after that first listen, I would have missed out on some lyrical wisdom and amazing beats.

(lessthanjake.wikia.com)

Put that Atmosphere (above) on your Christmas wish list. So, tastes can change. You might not like an exotic new wine on the first sip, you’ve got to swirl it around a bit and test all the flavors. That holds true with names. Keep tossing Summer out into conversation, google Ezekiel and see what references you find. Put faces with the names. Think about what they bring to mind. Names can and will grow on you.

It is perhaps easier to prove that it works the other way, too. Because I’m a life-long name enthusiast, I chronicled my likes and dislikes. I recently found a third grade autobiography I had to write for class, wherein I saw fit to include my favorite names: ones like Carin and Chelsea, Luke and Danny. When I got a little older, my sights turned to names like Braden  and Michelle. Still later, Landon and Samantha were my clear favorites. If I were to have a child, I wouldn’t use any of these names, for various reasons.

Our tastes are not set in stone. So take a nibble on an unlikely name or two, you might find an unexpected favorite.

The Outsiders Part IV: Around the World

With parts one, two, and three of the best names outside the top #1000 down, its time for part four, a look at some names with international flair. A glance at the top of the USA’s popularity charts shows names from a variety of cultures. They are names that might have one country of origin, but are used by people from a variety of backgrounds. Not every Anthony is Italian, not every Sean is Irish, and many little Isabellas have no Spanish ancestry.

And those are just a few popular examples of names with cross-cultural appeal. Many lesser used, but perhaps equally appealing options, make up Outsiders IV. For these names, I’ve channelled an awesome song from my high school days and gone Around the World.

(reviewfi.com)

Here are some hidden gems of the international variety:

Girls

Colette (205 born in 2010)- This name boasts French flair and a recent hit kids’ movie connection. It also packs nickname Colie, a diminutive that drew attention as the name of a cast member on the MTV’s granddaddy of all reality shows, Real World.

Xenia (47 born in 2010)- Pronounced sen-ee-uh or zee-nee-uh, its a name with Greek origin and a saint connection. It is also a name whose beauty is augmented by the connection to a world-famous model, and that’s made lovable by an underdog young contestant on “The Voice.”

Petra (98 born in 2010)- The #8 most popular name in Hungary, here is an easily pronounced, strong and feminine classic, in use by famous Czech tennis player Petra Kvitova.

Chiara (140 born in 2010)- The Italian form of antique favorite Clara, this name is pronounced kee-ah-ra (many equate the ‘Ch’ sound to that of Christine). It has the hot sounds of hit name Sierra, and was the fifth most popular girls’ name in Italy in 2008.

Verona (30 born in 2010)- This Italian city is a Shakespearean favorite, the setting of plays like Romeo & Juliet. It is a name that won’t be limited to theater buffs or Italy enthusiasts. Like a fresher update of Veronica, Verona is a name you could picture on a pre-schooler or distinguished grown-up.

Boys

Dimitri (177 born in 2010)- A Greek name that is #5 in Russia and has risen on the USA popularity charts in recent years, Dimitri could appeal to a wide array of parents. It seems to be gaining traction in all its spellings (there were 62 babies named Dmitri born last year), and Demetri has the ever-important connection to a certain sparkly vampire pop culture phenomenon. 

Giuseppe (97 born in 2010)- Admittedly, this one might appeal more to parents with Italian roots, but here’s a fine name far less popular that Italian-American favorite Giovanni. Giuseppe’s got the nickname “Juice,” and loads of famous Italian namesakes.

Augustine ( 187 born in 2010)- Pronounced aw-gus-tin or aw-gus-teen, this Latin saint’s names mean great and could be a great pick for parents drawn to its distinguished quality and nicknames Auggie and Gus.

Rome (71 born in 2010)-  With Roman, Romeo and Jerome all firmly within the USA’s Top 1000, how about shorter variant Rome? The ancient city packs the hot ‘long o’ sound, the trendiness of ‘place names’ and seems the short, strong boys name so many parents are after.

Massimo (148 born in 2010)- An Italian name that could provide an alternative for parents who think Max in its various longforms is too popular, its also just one letter off from ’ east coast attitude meets west coast cool.’

Today’s Bonus is brought to you by the letter ‘P’;

Boy’s name Patricio (100 born last year in the US) and girl’s name Pilar (82 born here in 2010) are snappy, underused Spanish names that are easily pronounced by English speakers.

Names by the Letter: The Duggar Example

It’s hard for me to write this post about The Duggars— the subject of that TLC show about a family that expects to soon have 20 children—without getting into sticky subjects like values, religion and overpopulation. But my thoughts about the Duggar family’s choices are not what this blog is about: the names they have chosen are.

Few parents have the opportunity to name 20 children, and many a name enthusiast has hypothesized as to what they’d call their kids if they had to name so many. One of my favorite name web sites has put forth several posts about how each name choice restricts further choices for most parents. For instance: If I name my daughter Grace, I probably wouldn’t name my son Chase, if I named a son Daniel, I might not feel comfortable naming another child the similar-sounding Samuel. (The Duggars, unlike many parents, appear unbothered by similar sounding names; they have sons Joseph and Josiah, to cite one example). The Duggars gave themselves an extra restriction: They have named every child with the same beginning letter.

(shazzacraft.blogspot.com)

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