ParentDish

American Baby Names: The Melting Pot

Troy Thompson — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:39:00 EST

American baby names span the globe. Credit: Corbis

Mirroring the diversity of America's melting pot society, American baby names often reflect the makeup of our nation. But, like a carnival fun house, some of those reflections often distort the true nature of the original image.

Of the five most popular American baby names for boys in the last five years -- Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew and Daniel -- four of them have Hebrew roots. Of the top five American baby names for girls in the last five years -- Emily, Madison, Emma, Olivia and Hannah -- four have decidedly European backgrounds. But that doesn't necessarily reflect the heritage of the babies receiving those names.

Some of the trendier American baby names that have shot up the popularity charts in recent years reflect a truer picture of America's diverse melting pot. Baby names for girls such as Isla (Scottish) and Kinley (Irish) are beginning to gain favor with modern parents. And baby boy names such as Matteo (Italian) and Xavier (Spanish) also are on the rise. Isabella (Spanish/Italian) cracked the top five, according to the Social Security Administration's most popular list in 2006, and gained the top spot in 2009. Genevieve (French/German) leapt from 49th on the list in 2008, to 24th in 2009.

Native American baby names such as Dakota (also Dakotah) and Cheyenne are not only blurring ethnic lines, but gender lines, as well. Both names have seen a drastic rise in popularity and are being used as baby names for both boys and girls.

American baby names for girls such as Hailey (English), Aaliyah (Arabic) and offshoot Aliyah (Hebrew) are among the most popular choices of parents from African-American descent. This is according to data from agencies in Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, Virginia and New York City, currently the only locations that break down American baby name data according to race. Caleb, Jeremiah and Josiah, all of Hebrew origins, are among the most popular African-American names for boys, as are the aforementioned Hebrew names of Jacob, Michael, Joshua and Daniel.

Purely American baby names have gained a foothold in recent trends, as many parents seek to come up with unique baby names that defy traditional national origins. Sookie, Kaylee (and its many offshoots) and Makayla are all purely American concoctions that have seen recent popularity among baby girls. Jaden (and its many offshoots), Colt and Zane are examples of American-born monikers for baby boys.

As America becomes even more integrated with cultures and traditions from around the world, the lines between familial heritage and national origins continue to be blurred by parents' desires to name their babies according to their individual preferences.

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Modern Baby Names for Boys

Troy Thompson — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:24:00 EST

Filed under: Babies, Baby Names

Is Jacob from "Twilight" the inspiration behind your baby boy's name? Credit: Peter Kramer, AP

Once a popular biblical name, the name Jacob has experienced a renaissance in recent years to become the most popular modern baby name for boys in the past decade.

Though it may be tempting to give a certain teenage werewolf credit for driving the name's wave of popularity (Isabella is the top baby name for girls; both names are characters in the uber-popular "Twilight" saga), Jacob began shooting up the name ladder in the 1970s, long before werewolves and vampires began clashing in digital surround sound.

But, while popular culture does seem to drive many name trends, other modern baby names follow their own rules. Many modern boy names that top today's popularity charts also echo names of the past, and some, including Jacob, are experiencing a revival after falling off the radar for a few decades. While still other names have withstood the test of time and have remained popular throughout last 100 years.

Joseph is a modern baby name with Hebrew origins that has consistently ranked near the top of the baby name charts for the last century. Likewise, William is a perennially popular pick with roots that can be traced to German origins. Popular with saints, presidents and spies, James also has witnessed history from a consistent perch near the top of the baby name popularity charts.

Similar to Jacob, Benjamin and Samuel are both modern boy names that were common in the past and experienced an extended dip in popularity before returning to en vogue status. All three names began their climb back to the top in the 1970s, after steady declines since the late 1800s.

Many names, including Jacob, with Hebrew origins and biblical prominence also have shot up the modern baby name charts. Unlike Jacob, however, some of these names are enjoying a view from the upper echelons of baby boy name popularity for the first time.

Ethan, Joshua and Noah have all joined Jacob in today's top 10 most popular modern baby names for boys. In 2009, those three names ranked second, sixth and ninth, respectively. While these names may have biblical roots, there are plenty of modern pop culture reference points to help their resurgence, as well. Elijah and Gabriel also have recently come into favor as modern boy names after languishing in relative obscurity during the 20th century.

Some of the fastest rising modern baby names for boys include Jax, Cullen, Colt, King and Emmett.

Jax, Cullen and Colt have only recently appeared on the scene. The three names have made some of the most dramatic climbs in the recent rankings after not registering as a blip for most of the last century. Likewise, King and Emmett also have experienced a rapid upward trend, though those names can at least be traced back to minimal to moderate usage in the late 19th Century.

Cullen, of course, is the vampire surname in "Twilight," and Emmett is one of the Cullens. Whether those names live on as long as the vampires who inspired them, well, we'll just have to wait and see.

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Baby Music: Will Mozart Make Your Baby Smarter?

Troy Thompson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Babies

Will playing Mozart for your newborn inspire your child? Credit: Getty

You've got the car seat installed, the diaper bag packed and the nursery is finally painted and decorated. But have you been busy introducing your baby to classical music?

Studies have found playing your baby music composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may help elevate spatial reasoning during fetal development and in children up to 3 years old. But can showering the womb and your newborn with "Symphony No. 40 in G minor" and "The Magic Flute" really help start your child on a path to genius?

And what about The Beatles? Many consider the Fab Four to be musical geniuses in their own right. Could a serenade of "Blackbird," which incorporates elements of Bach's "Bourree in E minor," have a similar effect?

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Baby Baskets: Safe for Your Newborn?

Troy Thompson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Babies

A Moses basket, such as this style by Tiddliwinks, can keep baby close while letting Mom be hands-free. Credit: Amazon.com

A baby basket can be an attractive and convenient choice for parents seeking an alternative to cumbersome cribs.

The portability of baby baskets allows parents to keep their babies close while doing chores around the house and also gives wee ones a place to rest between frequent feedings. The cozy resting quarters can sometimes simulate the protection of the womb, and can provide newborns with a greater sense of security versus the openness that can surround them while lying in a crib.

Often referred to as Moses baskets, baby baskets come in a variety of styles and with decorative options such as skirting and bumpers. Most baby baskets are constructed of wicker, are lightweight and are designed to provide a cozy sanctuary for your little one to sleep, play and view the world during his or her first four to five months.

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Baby Photographer: How to Take Great Shots of Your Newborn

Troy Thompson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Babies

Be ready to react when taking baby photos. Credit: Getty

Smeared chunks of pureed banana frame your baby's smiling mouth as tiny fingers paint gooey circles on the high chair tray. Excited giggles punctuate the moment: Your baby has just learned the definition of squish. Now, where's the baby photographer when you need one?

It's natural to want to capture these moments in time and build memories as your baby grows. Unfortunately, there's not always a professional baby photographer handy when these situations strike. Your next best bet? Learn how to take better photographs yourself.

Follow these tips to help overcome some of the special challenges baby photographers face and improve your chances of capturing that perfect picture.

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Organic Baby Food: Online Sources

Troy Thompson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Babies

Open wide! Credit: Getty

Organic baby food has ridden a recent popularity wave due to restrictions on chemical toxins used during its cultivation and the higher nutritional value often associated with the products.

Developing immune systems are more susceptible to the toxins found in the environment and contained in the pesticides and fertilizers used to grow the majority of commercially available food.

That's leading health-conscious parents to look at organic diets for their growing newborns, and there are plenty of options available in today's market.

While traditional baby food giant Gerber has introduced an organic baby food line available nationally at outlets such as Walmart, Target and CVS/pharmacy, many other companies have stepped up to the organic baby food plate, as well, providing alternative products and options for feeding your baby organically.

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