ParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gifParentDishhttp://www.parentdish.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Pippa Gaining Ground on Top Baby Name List in 2011http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/27/pippa-gaining-ground-on-top-baby-name-list-in-2011/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/27/pippa-gaining-ground-on-top-baby-name-list-in-2011/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/27/pippa-gaining-ground-on-top-baby-name-list-in-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

pippa middleton

Pippa Middleton. Credit: Getty Images

She's been capturing headlines all over the globe since her famous sister Kate became British royalty, and now Pippa Middleton is sparking a baby naming trend, too.

Reuters reports the baby name website Nameberry analyzed 23 million page views of baby name pages on various naming sites and found celebrities are having a serious impact on the monikers folks are bestowing on their little ones.

"Five years ago, I might have said that the biggest overarching factor was personal meaning, now the biggest factor is celebrities," Nameberry's Pamela Redmond Satran tells the news service.

True, Isabella, Sophia and Emma were the top names for girls last year, with Jacob, Ethan and Michael winning out among boy names, but names such as Pippa, Elula (the name actress Isla Fisher and actor Sacha Baron Cohen chose for their daughter), Mila (as in "Black Swan" actress Kunis) and Flynn (the name of Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr's son) are gaining steam.

"There is a culture of the celebrity baby," Satran tells Reuters. "The whole world goes on name watch. By not telling the name, it becomes a big news event."

Satran tells the news service the number of searches for a baby name can help predict how popular that name will become.

Nameberry compiled a list of hot names so far for 2001, posted on Today.com. Here's what people are searching.

Pippa: "Both the familiar Pippa and the more formal Philippa is the Number 1 hottest baby name of the year on Nameberry. Pippa ranks 35 on our most-searched list so far this year, after not appearing at all among our 200 most popular girls' names of 2010. While Kate is up too, it's not nearly as hot as Pippa.

Asher: "The soft, Biblical Asher takes the Hottest Boys' Name spot by virtue of having unseated Henry as the all-time Number 1 name for boys on Nameberry."

Elula: "Elula, the unusual Hebrew calendar name chosen by Isla Fisher and Sasha Baron Cohen for their second daughter, was not even in our database last year and now is the Number 38 most-searched name on Nameberry."

Everett: "The popularity of Everett, up 50 places on our most-searched list, was inspired by such stylish girls' choices as Eva and Evelyn."

Hadley: "The success of the bestselling novel 'The Paris Wife' has catapulted the intriguing name of Hemingway's first wife, Hadley Richardson, 50 spots up our list this year over last."

Arlo: "... Arlo, as in folksinger Guthrie, (is) enjoying a popularity surge. Other o-ending names for boys heating up in 2011: Nico, Hugo, Otto."

Mila: "It's the name of a gorgeous young star, Mila Kunis, PLUS it resembles a handful of trendy names -- Mia, Maya, Lila -- that are due for a hiatus."

Flynn: "Finn is already hot, but cousin Flynn, baby name choice of Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr, is taking off."

Ada, Adele, Adeline, Adelaide: "If it's a vintage girls' name that starts with Ad-, it can't miss this year, it seems."

Archer: "Archer, as in Henry James' 'Portrait of a Lady' and Edith Wharton's 'Age of Innocence,' is perfect: It's unusual, classic yet contemporary-feeling, and there's no danger of anyone actually having read the books."

Luna: "The real hottie launched by the Beckham name quest was otherworldly Luna, the name rumored to be their girls' pick for most of Posh's pregnancy."

So, don't be surprised if the kindergarten class of 2016 is full of Pippas, Milas, Elulas and Flynns. Kinda sounds like a new sort of British invasion, now, doesn't it?

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]]>baby namesceleb baby namescelebrity baby nameselulaflynnmilamila kunispippapippa middletonpippa nameLesley KennedyWed, 27 Jul 2011 11:00:00 ESTWanna Name Your Baby Lucifer? New Zealand Says Hell, Nohttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/18/wanna-name-your-baby-lucifer-new-zealand-says-hell-no/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/18/wanna-name-your-baby-lucifer-new-zealand-says-hell-no/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/18/wanna-name-your-baby-lucifer-new-zealand-says-hell-no/#commentsFiled under: ,

Credit: Getty Images

It's OK for Kate Hudson to name her baby Bing. If Alicia Silverstone decides Bear Blu is the perfect name for her boy? Fine. But if you live in New Zealand and you decide Lucifer is the perfect moniker for your little tyke, forget it. It will be officially rejected.

The Star Times reports the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages rejected the devilish name all three times it was attempted to be registered in the last two years. And, just to be fair, the office also said no to the name Messiah.

According to the newspaper, the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act says names can be rejected if they are offensive, overly long or resemble a rank or official title.

A list of 102 names rejected included Baron, Bishop, Duke, General, Judge, Justice, King, Knight and Mr., the Star Times reports.

Parents who thought it'd be cute to name their child a number or computer term were also denied, according to the newspaper. So, it was no to 89, *, . (full stop) and /.

The letters C, D, I and T were rejected, as well, the Star Times, but J and q were questioned and then accepted. Also eventually accepted: Fanny, Jnr, Shady and Nevaeh.

What do you think? Should a government office be allowed to nix your baby's name? Leave a comment below!

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]]>baby name luciferbaby namesrejected baby namesweird baby namesLesley KennedyMon, 18 Jul 2011 13:30:00 ESTMost Popular Italian Baby Girl Nameshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/most-popular-italian-baby-girl-names/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/most-popular-italian-baby-girl-names/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/07/07/most-popular-italian-baby-girl-names/#commentsFiled under:

italian flag

What are the five most popular Italian baby girl names? Credit: Giorgio Cosulich, Getty Images

Italian baby names can bring centuries of tradition and history into your child's life, and also usually carry an air of the exotic and mysterious, especially if you're working on the perfect name for your new baby girl. We've assembled a highly unscientific rundown of the five most popular Italian baby girl names, their translations, and meanings.

Of course, if you really are Italian, or want to follow the traditions of their great culture for your own reasons, your daughter's name has already been chosen. For generations, many Italian families have named the firstborn female after the paternal grandmother, the second after the maternal grandmother, and subsequent daughters after a favorite aunt or saint.

If you decide to go with an Italian baby girl name, keep in mind that Italians celebrate both the child's actual birthday and her name-day, or "onomastico." Since a large majority of Italian baby names are descended from the name of a saint, there is typically a day on the calendar earmarked to celebrate that saint, and by extension, anyone carrying that name. Italian baby girls can even look forward to getting presents on their name-day!

So what are the five most popular Italian baby girl names?

Adriana: A form of the Latin name "Adrienne," Adriana means "dark" or "rich." The name also refers to a province in Northern Italy, home of the beautiful Church of Santa Maria Assunta della Tomba. Currently celebrities sharing this name include model Adriana Lima, and in the fictional realm, Drea de Matteo's lovely but doomed "Sopranos" character Adriana La Cerva.

Angela: This is a very popular name across the world, especially when you count its many variations (Angelica, Angeline, and about 40 others.) In its original form, Angela derives from Greek origins, and means "messenger" or "messenger of God". Of course she'll be your angel from heaven, and she'll share good company with a wide range of stars of screen including Angelina Jolie, Angie Harmon and Angie Dickinson.

Rosa: We'll give you one guess what beautiful flower this Latin-derived Italian baby girl name descends from. Yes, it's the rose! As with Angela, there are many variations of this Italian baby girl name available, Rose being the English version, and Charo, Rosabel, Rosalie and many others preferred in different cultures.


Anna: The second most popular Italian baby girl name is a Latin variation of "Hannah." The name originated from the bible in the form of a devout woman who saw the infant Jesus presented at the temple in Jerusalem. If names are any indication of future success, your daughter could be a famous ballerina (Anna Pavlova) or tennis player (the lovely and talented Anna Kournikova.) As with most of these Italian baby names, there are tons of variations: Ann, Annamarie, Annika and many others.

Maria: The most popular Italian baby girl name is another Latin name, this one meaning "star of the sea." This popular name has taken many forms across the world; with Mary proving the most popular English form and Marie ruling French culture. The ballad "Maria" from the popular musical "West Side Story" gave this name a huge boost a few generations back, and it continues to reveal new popular variations, such as pop singer Mariah Carey.

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]]>the editors at ParentDishThu, 07 Jul 2011 10:00:00 ESTJennie Finch Names Son Diesel Dean Daiglehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/jennie-finch-names-son-diesel-dean-daigle/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/jennie-finch-names-son-diesel-dean-daigle/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/06/20/jennie-finch-names-son-diesel-dean-daigle/#commentsFiled under: ,

jennie finch

Jennie Finch welcomed another baby boy, Diesel Dean Daigle, on June 19th. Credit: AP

When softball phenom named her first son Ace, we got it. She is a pitching ace, after all. But when she announced her second son would be called Diesel Dean Daigle? Well, somebody call the alliteration police!

Finch, 30, gave birth to the boy June 19 (dad is Casey Daigle), People reports, and she tells the magazine the family is "beyond blessed." More alliteration!

"Casey and I are excited for our sweet precious Baby D!" she tells People. "Ace couldn't be any more pumped to be a big brother to Diesel."

In other celeb baby news, the magazine reports actress Nia Long and model Maggie Rizer are both expecting. And, remember when we reported on the first Duggar grandson's birth last week? His name was announced on the TLC special "19 Kids: First Grandson." The name is ... drum roll, please ... Michael.

Kinda boring after Diesel, don't ya think?

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]]>baby namesceleb baby namesdiesel dean daigleduggar grandsonjennie finchLesley KennedyMon, 20 Jun 2011 16:30:00 ESTFacebook Button Inspires Dad to Name His Daughter 'Like'http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/17/facebook-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/17/facebook-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/17/facebook-name/#commentsFiled under: , ,

facebook name

Dad names his daughter "Like" after the Facebook button. Credit: Toby Talbot, AP

Go ahead and give celebs like Alicia Silverstone and Mariah Carey a break for naming their babies Bear Blu, Moroccan and Monroe.

Those names are downright normal compared to the newest baby name to grab headlines: Like.

Yep, little Like Adler was named after the Facebook Like button, PCWorld reports, and Lior and Vardit Adler, her Israeli parents, tell Israeli news site Galgalatz they chose the name because they "liked" the way it sounded and found it "modern and innovative."

Dad Lior Adler, however, tells the site he actually has fewer than 120 friends on Facebook and doesn't really care for the social networking site.

"In our opinion, it's the modern equivalent of the name Ahava (Love)," he tells Galgalatz. "It's just my way of saying to my fantastic daughter, 'love.' "

Perhaps Like will someday meet Facebook, a girl born earlier this year to an Egyptian father, PCWorld reports.

But, for now, Like will join her big sisters -- who go by Pie and Vash (Hebrew for honey).

Eat your heart out Frank Zappa. Moon Unit, Dweezil, Diva? So old-school. Now, who wants to place odds on when a baby named Twitter will make her debut?

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]]>baby namesceleb baby namesfacebook likefacebook namelikeweird baby namesLesley KennedyTue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 ESTNeed a Celeb Baby Name? Gary Busey Can Deliverhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/13/need-a-celeb-baby-name-gary-busey-can-deliver/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/13/need-a-celeb-baby-name-gary-busey-can-deliver/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/13/need-a-celeb-baby-name-gary-busey-can-deliver/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Isabella? So common. Jacob? Snoozeville.

It's basically a requirement for celebrities to give their babies bizarre names. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon recently named their twins Moroccan and Monroe. Alicia Silverstone went with Bear Blu for her boy. Jay Mohr and Nikki Cox? They had a boy last week and named him ... Meredith.

So, how do they come up with these monikers? In a hilarious skit on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," there's one man to blame: Gary Busey.

Call Gary Busey's Celebrity Baby Name Hotline, and, for $2.17 a minute, he'll deliver names like Scooter Pooter or Snuggie Hammerhead.

"Boy or girl?" Busey asks in the comedy bit. "OK, blond or brunette ... It's coming to me ... Papaya Aquarium!"

Don't tell Nicolas Cage. Kal-el doesn't need a brother named after a cross between a blanket with sleeves and a shark.

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]]>baby namescelebrity baby namesgary buseyLesley KennedyFri, 13 May 2011 13:00:00 ESTBaby Naming Trends in 2010 Set by 'Teen Mom' Starshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/05/baby-names-2010/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/05/baby-names-2010/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/05/05/baby-names-2010/#commentsFiled under:

baby names 2010

"Teen Mom" star Maci inspires top baby naming trends. Credit: Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

The top baby names list for 2010 was announced this morning on "Today" by the Social Security Administration, and many of the chart-toppers come as no surprise. However, some names that made the list might have been inspired by unexpected trendsetters, including some of the stars of MTV's reality show "Teen Mom."

Surprisingly, the name Joshua didn't make the cut for the first time since 1978.

In addition to the most popular names, the SSA also revealed a list of trending baby names that show the biggest spikes in popularity. Leading the trending girls name: Maci, the moniker of "Teen Mom" star Maci Bookout. Her son's name, Bentley, ranked as number one for the biggest trending name for boys.

Also noteworthy: Knox, one of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins, and "Twilight" name Kellen appear on the trending list, too.

Without further ado, here are the top baby names and top trending names of 2010. Drum roll, please.

Top 10 Names for Girls:

1. Isabella
2. Sophia
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Chloe
10. Mia

Top 10 Names for Boys:

1. Jacob
2. Ethan
3. Michael
4. Jayden
5. William
6. Alexander
7. Noah
8. Daniel
9. Aiden
10. Anthony

Top Five Trending Names for Girls:

1. Maci
2. Giuliana
3. Tiana
4. Quinn
5. Adalynn

Top Five Trending Names for Boys:

1. Bentley
2. Kellan
3. Knox
4. Enzo
5. Karter

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]]>baby namesbaby names 2010baby naming trendsteen momJessica SamakowThu, 05 May 2011 12:00:00 ESTWilliam and Catherine: Behind the Royal Wedding Nameshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/28/william-and-catherine/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/28/william-and-catherine/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/28/william-and-catherine/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Take a look back at William and Kate's 10-year romance!
william and catherine

The royal couple. Credit: Mario Testino, Associated Press

In honor of the royal wedding, we offer an in-depth look at William and Catherine, two of today's most popular classic names that will now go down in history paired together.

Catherine, as the princess formerly known as Kate now reportedly prefers to be called, is Greek for "pure." The early saint and martyr Catherine of Alexandria of the infamous wheel made the name famous.

Catherine has been widely used in England since the Middle Ages. Three of the wives of Henry VIII were named Catherine (sometimes spelled by different sources as Katherine, Kathryn and even Katherina and Katerine.

Katherine has been the most popular spelling of the name in the United States for several years now, currently ranking at No. 60, with Catherine coming in at No. 177 and Kathryn trailing. But the royal bride could flip those numbers.

Kate, the most stylish short form of the name, ranks higher in the popularity standings than Catherine and most forms of Katelyn rank higher still. Counted together, there are 50 percent more baby girls called all the forms of Catherine, Kate and Katelyn than are given the number one name, Isabella.

Besides the new princess, other famous bearers of the name include Russian empress Catherine the Great; actresses Katherine Heigl, Catherine Deneuve and Katharine Hepburn; screen stars Kate Hudson, Holmes, Beckinsale and Winslet; supermodel Kate Moss; writers Katherine Mansfield and Katherine Anne Porter; and literary heroine Cathy of "Wuthering Heights."

Prince William's name was elevated from classic to stylish when parents Charles and Diana chose it for him in 1982. A German name meaning "resolute (or will) protection," William has been an overall second only to John in the English-speaking world for 400 years. After hitting a low of No. 20 in the early 1990s, William now stands at No. 5 in the United States.

Introduced to England by William the Conquerer, who became the first King William of that land and made his son the second King William, William III ruled in the late 17th century with his wife Mary -- thus, William and Mary -- and William IV held the throne in the 1830s. If the bridegroom prince ascends to the throne, he will be William V.

Prince William, who's always been called Will or Wills, started a fashion for those short forms over mid-century favorites Billy and Bill. In the United States, the nickname Willie, as in baseball great Mays and country singer Nelson, is widely used, though in England it's considered a rude word for a part of the male anatomy. Liam is another name that originated as a nickname for William.

Other famous Williams include members of the royal families of France, the Netherlands, Sicily and Cameroon; William Shakespeare; Scottish hero William Wallace; Bill Gates; Will Smith; and rocker will.i.am.

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The Name Babes are Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, founders of Nameberry.com, innovators of baby-name content on the Web. Got a name craving? Learn more about baby names at Nameberry.com.

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]]>baby name catherinebaby name katebaby name williamroyal weddingroyal wedding nameswilliam and catherinewilliam and katePamela Satran and Linda RosenkrantzThu, 28 Apr 2011 11:30:00 ESTHow to Choose a Great Middle Namehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/21/middle-names/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/21/middle-names/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/21/middle-names/#commentsFiled under: ,

No sooner had we declared the death of such old-style middle names as Ann, John and Marie -- mere connective tissue between the first name and the last -- than we started seeing the rise of a whole new generation of undistinguished middle names.

There are now officially enough little girls with the middle name Rose, thank you very much, and so, too, have we heard an awful lot of Grace, James, Claire, Lee and Rae for girls and Ray for boys.

Granted, middle names are not as important as first names, and may be rarely used after the birth announcements are printed. But that's no reason to default to whatever's easiest. In fact, the middle can be the perfect place to use a name that's more meaningful and distinctive than one you dare put in first place.


Here, some places to find distinctive middle names:

  • Honor thy mother, thy father and thy great uncle. If your family is barging into the baby-naming act, make peace by using a family name in the middle. We used both our's and our husband's grandmothers' names as middle names for our daughter, for instance, and revived a great-great-grandpa's distinguished but eccentric name as our older son's middle name.
  • Put a last name in the middle. Putting Mom's maiden name in the middle can be one good solution to the surname debates and a way to create family unity if both parents keep their original surnames. You can also revive a nearly-forgotten family surname as a middle name. Don't overlook ethnic choices such as O'Brien or DiMatteo that can make distinctive and meaningful middle names.
  • Make the middle name a place name. Did you honeymoon in Tahiti? Harbor a lifelong love of London? A place with family meaning, that you visited or where your baby was conceived can make a good middle name.
  • Pick a word, (almost) any word. Word names can make distinctive middle names. Obvious choices are True, Blue and Love, but other word name possibilities include nature names such as Lake and Pine, animal names like Fox or Lark, color names such as Crimson and Indigo, day names such as Winter or Midnight (both used by Nicole Richie) or spiritual names such as Answer or Peace.
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The Name Babes are Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, founders of Nameberry.com, innovators of baby-name content on the Web. Got a name craving? Learn more about baby names at Nameberry.com.

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]]>baby namesmiddle namesPamela Satran and Linda RosenkrantzThu, 21 Apr 2011 10:30:00 ESTWildest Wildflower Baby Names for Springhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/14/wildest-wildflower-baby-names-for-spring/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/14/wildest-wildflower-baby-names-for-spring/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/14/wildest-wildflower-baby-names-for-spring/#commentsFiled under:

With the coming of spring, many prospective parents' fancies turn to thoughts of flower baby name possibilities. What's new and interesting right now is that they're moving beyond the popular common garden varieties like Lily and Daisy, the ubiquitous-as-middle-name Rose, and even the recently revived Iris and (thanks to Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck) Violet, to ever-more exotic blossoms.

These wilder flowers come in two levels of exoticism, the first group being somewhat familiar botanicals that have been heard as people names in the past:

Bryony
Calla
Camellia
Clover
Dahlia
Ivy
Magnolia
Marigold
Pansy
Poppy
Primrose

The second group might appeal to the more adventurous parents who are looking for something truly unusual and showy:

Acacia
Amaryllis
Aster
Azalea
Bluebell
Buttercup
Hyacinth
Jonquil
Lilac
Lotus
Orchid
Petunia
Tulip
Zinnia

And beyond these individual varieties, there are also some generics up for consideration:

Blossom
Flora
Petal
Posy

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The Name Babes are Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, founders of Nameberry.com, innovators of baby-name content on the Web. Got a name craving? Learn more about baby names at Nameberry.com.

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]]>baby namesPamela Satran and Linda RosenkrantzThu, 14 Apr 2011 12:30:00 ESTThe 7 Biggest Mistakes Newbie Baby Namers Makehttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/07/baby-names/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/07/baby-names/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/04/07/baby-names/#commentsFiled under:

There are few things more thrilling in life than having your first baby. But newbie baby namers are prone to making some mistakes that more experienced name choosers are able to avoid.

If you're choosing a baby name for the first time, don't make one of these seven common mistakes:

1. Believing that the names that were popular -- and creative -- when you were a kid still have the same status.

Name tastes have changed radically over the last decade or two. Goodbye, Jessica and Josh, hello Layla and Serenity, Landon and Tristan -- all top 100 names.

2. Thinking that the playground rules are the same as they were back in the day.

Kids no longer get teased for having names that are unique, androgynous, exotic or hard to pronounce or spell. Rather, name diversity is celebrated.

3. Letting your parents have too much say in the baby's name.

Baby names can undoubtedly be a fun topic of family conversation. But the person who changes the diapers at 3 a.m. gets to name the baby.


4. Clinging too tightly to the name you always swore you'd give your first child.

A lot of people -- let's face it: girls -- spend their childhoods coming up with fanciful names they want to give their children. But if that name you always loved has suddenly become uber-popular or clashes with your new last name, let it go.

5. Caring too much about how cool the name choice makes you look.

Sure, pregnancy is cooler than it used to be, with cuter clothes and celebrity role models. But putting a name's cool factor above all else won't make little Bronx's life very easy.

6. Not considering subsequent children's names.

First-time namers are likely to think about, well, their first child's name, but if you name Baby No. 1 Tallulah, then you pretty much rule out Lula, Lila, Delilah, Sula, Tally and maybe even Louis for subsequent children.

7. Not realizing that there's going to be a real live baby ... and child ... and, eventually, grownup on the other end of the naming decision.

We get it that it can seem like your pregnancy is all about you. Sometimes, it can almost come as a shock when an actual baby emerges in the delivery room, instantly asserting her own needs and personality. Try to keep that little (and eventually big) person in mind when you choose the name she'll live with forever.

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The Name Babes are Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, founders of Nameberry.com, innovators of baby-name content on the Web. Got a name craving? Learn more about baby names at Nameberry.com.

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]]>baby namesPamela Satran and Linda RosenkrantzThu, 07 Apr 2011 13:00:00 ESTNostalgic 'Nickname' Names Make a Comebackhttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/31/nostalgic-nicknames/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/31/nostalgic-nicknames/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/31/nostalgic-nicknames/#commentsFiled under:

The Brits are often a little ahead of us when it comes to baby name trends, and they were the first to start reviving old-fashioned, Victorian-era "nickname" names, especially for girls.

On the current British popularity list of girls' names, for example, Evie, Ellie, Millie, Alfie and Archie all rank high.

We are looking back, as well, particularly to some girls' names that haven't been heard for generations. Many of them, like Lottie, have a nostalgic, golden-locket charm. There are others, like Billie and Charlie, that have a boyish edge.

Here are some nicknames that are now eligible for birth certificates, plus the more formal full girls' names that spawned them:

ADDIE - Adeline
AGGIE - Agatha
EDIE - Edith
EVIE - Evelyn
GRACIE - Grace
HATTIE - Harriet
JOSIE - Josephine
KITTY - Katherine
LETTY - Letitia
LIBBY - Elizabeth
LIVVY - Olivia
LOTTIE - Charlotte
MADDIE, MADDY - Madeline
MAMIE - Mary
MILLIE, MILLY - Mildred, Millicent
MINNIE - Minerva
NELLIE - Eleanor, Helen
TILLIE - Matilda
WINNIE - Winifred

The Name Babes are Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, founders of Nameberry.com, innovators of baby-name content on the Web. Got a name craving? Learn more about baby names at Nameberry.com.

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]]>baby girl namesbaby namesgirl namesnicknamesold fashioned baby namesPamela Satran and Linda RosenkrantzThu, 31 Mar 2011 12:30:00 ESTBaby Names That Will Make Your Child an 'A' Studenthttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/24/baby-names-that-will-make-your-child-an-a-student/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/24/baby-names-that-will-make-your-child-an-a-student/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/24/baby-names-that-will-make-your-child-an-a-student/#commentsFiled under:

Watch A Related Video to This Article
Want your newborn to pursue a path to Harvard? Hoping to set her up for a school career of top grades and academic success?

Then forget the in utero symphonies and infant flash cards and give her a name that starts with the letter A.

Not only are A names stylish and popular -- they're the most widely-used, now given to 10 percent of babies -- but there's evidence that having one can help your grades in school.

Researchers at Yale and the University of California-San Diego found students whose names begin with A have higher grade-point averages than those whose names start with C or D. And A-named students are also more likely to go to top-rated law schools.

Some 20 percent of the names on the girls' top 100 start with A, along with 12 on the boys' list.

The top A names to pick if you want you child to shine at school are, in order of popularity:

Girls
  • Ava
  • Abigail
  • Addison
  • Alexis
  • Alyssa
  • Ashley
  • Anna
  • Allison
  • Avery
  • Aubrey
Boys
  • Alexander
  • Anthony
  • Aiden
  • Andrew
  • Angel
  • Aaron
  • Adrian
  • Austin
  • Aidan
  • Adam
Other up-and-coming A names for girls include Adelaide, Amelia, Angelina, Arianna and Audrey. For boys, stylish A names are Anderson, Asher, Atticus, Auden and August.

Talk about the A-list; these names are all the buzz.

The Name Babes are Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, founders of Nameberry.com, innovators of baby-name content on the Web. Got a name craving? Learn more about baby names at Nameberry.com.

Click here for more on baby names from our partner site!

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]]>A namesbaby namesnamesPamela Satran and Linda RosenkrantzThu, 24 Mar 2011 13:00:00 ESTIrish Names for Modern Babieshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/17/irish-names-for-modern-babies/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/17/irish-names-for-modern-babies/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/03/17/irish-names-for-modern-babies/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lots of Americans have Irish grandmothers named Bridget and Grandpa Patricks, moms named Eileen or Kathleen, uncles or dads called Sean.

But now, in time for St. Patrick's Day, there's a new generation of Irish names. With deep Gaelic roots, these names have been revived in modern Ireland and have started to immigrate to our shores, as well, sometimes with the help of a celebrity.

To make these names easier to understand for Americans, stick to Anglicized spellings -- they're on the right side of the slash. Or, use the Irish original and help with pronunciation; there's a guide in parentheses. These names are so beautiful, they're worth the effort.

Girls

Aine/Anya
Aislinn/Ashlyn
Aoife (Ee-fa)
Juno
Maeve
Niamh/Neve
Orla
Quinn
Saoirse (Seer-sha)
Tiernan

Boys

Ciaran/Kieran
Cillian/Killian
Cormac
Declan
Eamon (Ay-mun)
Finn
Lorcan
Oisin/Osheen
Ronan
Rory (works for girls, too)

Pamela Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz are the creators of nameberry.com.

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]]>baby namesBabyNamesirish namesIrishNamesnamesnamesakesPamela Satran and Linda RosenkrantzThu, 17 Mar 2011 13:00:00 ESTAm I Too Young to Change My Name?http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/24/am-i-too-young-to-change-my-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/24/am-i-too-young-to-change-my-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/02/24/am-i-too-young-to-change-my-name/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'm a boy, and my dad thought Karmen was a boy's name when I was born. Now I'm called Karmen in all my official statements, school records etc. I really hate it and I get bullied for it. I'm 16. Can I change my name? How?

- Karmen

In the U.S., you can't petition the court for a name change until you're 18. For now, the legal request would have to come from your parents. I understand that it may be hard to ask for their help on this, since they gave you the name in the first place.

Part of me is tempted to refer you to the tag-line of the anti-bullying campaign: It gets better. Readers write to me of "growing into" names, or learning to love unusual names they despised as a teenagers. This is one reason I usually discourage minors from making legal name changes.

Your case, though, is a little different. You've run into an ugly truth about names in America: Gender matters. A lot. And there's a double standard. Parents love to give girls traditionally masculine names, and there's even some research suggesting they give girls a competitive advantage. But it's tough to be a boy with a girl's name, and you're right, Karmen is used overwhelmingly for girls. (It's a form of Carmel, a biblical place name. The Italian name Carmine is one masculine version.)

If you'd like to change your name now, have a conversation with your parents. Be gentle; they chose this name for you and understandably have different feelings about it than you do. Build your case with facts. You can show them baby name data from the Social Security Administration to show them that girls named Karmen (and Carmen) swamp the boys by a rate of more than 25 to 1 in the United States. A Google image search of Karmen works too -- but be sure to select "safe search" or you'll be in for a whole different kind of parental discussion.

You can also give your parents a practical argument. If you know you'll change the name yourself on your 18th birthday, the change will be simpler now before you're issued a driver's license and start applying to jobs or colleges.

If your parents won't go for it, though, take comfort that the decision will soon be in your own hands.

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]]>baby namesBabyNamesThe Name LadyThu, 24 Feb 2011 12:00:00 ESTWhat Baby Names Say About the Parentshttp://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/10/what-baby-names-say-about-the-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/10/what-baby-names-say-about-the-parents/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/10/what-baby-names-say-about-the-parents/#commentsFiled under:

toddler picture

A baby's name says a lot about the parents' values and tastes. Credit: Getty Images

The name parents give to their newborn baby says more about them than it does about their child. A name communicates a wealth of social information, including the parents' tastes and background.

"We're in the middle of a naming revolution," Laura Wattenberg, author of the popular book "The Baby Name Wizard" told LiveScience.com. "Parents are putting a much higher premium on distinctiveness."

Half the babies born in the 1950s were given one of the top 25 most common boys' names or one of the top 50 most common girls' names. Fast forward to today, and you would have to list the 134 most popular boys' names and top 320 girls' names to cover half the babies born in a year.



"If you have 10 guesses to get somebody's name today, there's almost no chance you'll get it," Wattenberg told LiveScience. "But 100 years ago, if you guessed the top 10 names, you'd have a really good chance" of guessing correctly.

These stark changes in naming conventions have come with social implications. "The more diverse naming styles become, the more we are going to read into somebody's name," Wattenberg told LiveScience.com, adding that a baby girl who is born today and is named Mary says a lot more about that child's parents than such a name would have said 50 years ago. And that is true for all other names, too.

A baby's name tells others the parents' values and tastes and often their dreams and ambitions for their child. "Sociologists love names," Wattenberg told LiveScience.com. "They're practically the only case of a choice with broad fashion patterns that there's no commercial influence on. There's no company out there spending millions to convince you Brayden is a perfect name for your son."

What is most different today than 50 years ago? Parents today tend to believe their baby's name should be a unique signifier that separates them from everyone else. "Names never had to be unique. But today, your name is often the first way and sometimes the only way people know you," Wattenberg said, referring to social networking and easy online communication worldwide. It used to be enough to have a unique name in your neighborhood, such as, being the only one named Mary. Now the neighborhood is much bigger, spanning the globe.

But humans still want to fit in with others. "We all want to be different from each other, but our tastes are still as much alike as they ever were," Wattenberg told LiveScience.com. "So the result is we have a thousand tiny variations on a theme. You get Kayden, Brayden, Hayden, Jayden."

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]]>baby namesBabyNamesthe editors at NetscapeMon, 10 Jan 2011 13:00:00 ESTMy Daughter's Name Matches Her Birthday!http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/06/my-daughters-name-matches-her-birthday/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/06/my-daughters-name-matches-her-birthday/http://www.parentdish.com/2011/01/06/my-daughters-name-matches-her-birthday/#commentsFiled under:

Our favorite girl's name, the only one we can agree on, is June. We picked it before we got pregnant and now we are due in June! Is it too tacky to name your child after the month she is born in?

- June Mom

I've received questions like this many times ... in reverse. The usual refrain is "Can we name our daughter April even if she's born in September?" Parents worry that a mismatched month is confusing, inappropriate or even false advertising.

Yet, here you sit with the happy coincidence of your baby's birth month matching the name you chose. And instead of high-fiving over your good luck, you're worrying that the month match is "tacky."

I do get where you're coming from. You're afraid the name you chose as a gentle classic will come across as a gimmick, instead. Well, you can rest easy. Ninety-nine percent of the people June meets in her lifetime won't know or care when she was born. The coincidence that looms so large as your due date approaches will quickly fade as your daughter grows up.

The key factor is that June really is a classic name. A girl named October or November can expect to be asked about her name's origins for the rest of her life. June, though, sits so comfortably as a name that it requires no explanation. (When you meet a Faith or a Lily do you ask about her parents' religious beliefs or their gardening skills?)

So, choose your favorite name in comfort. I think you'll find that most people will greet the name June as a very pleasant surprise, any time of year.

What did you worry about when you named your babies? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!







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]]>baby namesBabyNameschoosing a baby nameChoosingABabyNamegirls namesGirlsNamesmonth namesMonthNamesThe Name LadyThu, 06 Jan 2011 11:00:00 ESTIs My Favorite Baby Name Too Weird?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/30/is-my-favorite-baby-name-too-weird/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/30/is-my-favorite-baby-name-too-weird/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/30/is-my-favorite-baby-name-too-weird/#commentsFiled under:

I've been having a love affair with the name Calypso since I was 16 years old! I love the name, I love the sound, I love the Greek mythology and I love the nickname Caly to go with it. My husband also loves the name, but neither of us are sure if we should use it. We aren't sure how our families, or friends -- or anyone else -- will react to this name! Do we take a chance? Or should we be looking elsewhere with these doubts?

- Calypso Lover

You want to know how people will react to the name Calypso? I have two syllables for you: Day-O. Most folks who hear the name will think "Harry Belafonte" sooner than "Greek nymph."

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Calypso music has made the name familiar, so people will be able to pronounce it. That gives Calypso a big leg-up on fellow nymphs such as Clymene or Oenone. Also, the mythological Calypso had that unfortunate habit of seducing married men and holding them captive. It can't hurt to keep a bit of distance from that image.

So, the name you love is familiar, but decidedly unconventional, with a classic girlish nickname. That's a mighty fashionable recipe. The biggest challenge the name poses is the -o ending, which is a tough sell for girls' names. (Think of the nymph Callisto, who is reflected in the girl's name Calista.)

Now I have a question for you. If you're so concerned about how your family and friends will respond to your favorite name, why are you asking me instead of them? My encouragement won't mean a lot compared to wrinkled noses from the people you love.

If you don't want to give away your secret name choice this early, conceal it with red herrings. Give your friends a list of 10 names you're "considering," from the average to the truly outrageous. That will keep them off the scent, and will make them feel more free to give their real opinions on each name.

How did you handle outside opinions on your name choices? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!

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]]>baby namesBabyNamesgreek mythologyGreekMythologyunusual namesUnusualNamesweird baby namesWeirdBabyNamesThe Name LadyThu, 30 Dec 2010 11:00:00 ESTBest and Worst Celebrity Baby Names of 2010http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/29/best-and-worst-celebrity-baby-names-of-2010/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/29/best-and-worst-celebrity-baby-names-of-2010/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/29/best-and-worst-celebrity-baby-names-of-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

celebrity baby names: Grace Margaret Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham, with daughters Ella, left, and Grace, get kudos for Grace's name. Credit: Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images


Tracking the names celebrities give their babies is like a sport nowadays. Whether the stars choose classic or crazy names, we love to watch from the sidelines and dish about the scores and screw-ups.

"Most celebrities opted for fairly mainstream names in 2010. You can see the influence of family history and ethnicity in many of their choices," says Linda Murray, editor in chief of BabyCenter.com. "But performers are creative by nature so we always see a good batch of truly unique names from this group."

How did this year's crop of A-list parents do in the name game? BabyCenter asked 2,000 moms, and here are their picks for the best and worst celebrity baby names of 2010.

Best Celebrity Baby Names of 2010
1. Grace Margaret (Mark Wahlberg & Rhea Durham)
2. Harper Grace (Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka)
3. Aviana Olea (Amy Adams & Darren Legallo)
4. Olivia Marie (Lance Armstrong & Anna Hansen)
5. Bryn (Bethenny Frankel & Jason Hoppy)

See all the top celebrity baby names of 2010

Worst Celebrity Baby Names of 2010
1. Buddy Bear Maurice (Jamie Oliver & Juliette Norton)
2. Egypt Daoud (Alicia Keys & Kaseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz)
3. Cosima Violet (Claudia Schiffer & Matthew Vaughn)
4. Axel (Will Ferrell & Viveca Paulin)
5. Krishna Thea (Padma Lakshmi)

See all the worst celebrity baby names of 2010

Wondering what inspired the baby names of Hollywood headliners like Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Mario Lopez, Matt Damon, and others?

Watch BabyCenter's Moms and the City team getting the red-carpet scoop on how celebrities name their children.

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]]>baby namesbaby names 2010BabyNamesthe editors at BabyCenterWed, 29 Dec 2010 07:01:00 ESTDoes My Brother Have Dibs on My Favorite Name?http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/23/does-my-brother-have-dibs-on-my-favorite-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/23/does-my-brother-have-dibs-on-my-favorite-name/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/12/23/does-my-brother-have-dibs-on-my-favorite-name/#commentsFiled under:

I am having my third child and plan to name the child (if it is a boy) after my father. My older brother has two daughters, and he is recently remarried. He has talked about having more children. My father is the only boy in his generation, as is my brother. Am I allowed to name my child Michael or am I supposed to save it for my brother in case he ever has a boy?

- Mom-to-Be

I suspect that many of my readers will find your question flat-out baffling. Of course a daughter is allowed to honor her father with a namesake grandson, why not? But a few of you are thinking, "Whoa girl, not cool! You'd better get your brother's OK first or you're begging for a family feud."

That's because this question takes us beyond the realm of baby naming rules, into the twisty world of family traditions.

There is no standard etiquette that gives eldest sons first dibs on namesakes for their fathers. If your brother has tried to claim the name out of left field, you can tell him that I said so. But the fact that you even asked the question suggests that somebody in your family believes that your dad's name "belongs" to your brother, making you a name poacher.

A small number of families do have such a custom. In most cases, it's connected to a hereditary name passed down through the generations. Are names in your family handed down like aristocratic titles? Does your brother have Jr. or III after his name? The more the family history is wrapped up in the name choice, the harder it is to buck tradition. In those cases, you risk ruffling feathers of relatives up and down the family tree.

For what it's worth, though, I think it's best for all children to have equal rights to their parents' names. A first-come, first-served policy is not only the most fair, it's also the best way to ensure that beloved relatives are honored. The fact is, your brother may never have a son. You could put the name Michael up on a shelf, waiting for the day your brother gets to take it down and play with it, only to find that day never comes and your father's name passes with him.

Only you know what kinds of waves you'd be making by naming your son Michael. Only you know your brother's feelings about the name -- and your own. But to answer your literal question: Yes, you are allowed to name your son Michael. I hope your brother can come to see it that way, too.

What are your family naming traditions? Share your experiences here. And if you have your own question to Ask the Name Lady, drop her a line!

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]]>baby name advicebaby name conflictsbaby namesBabyNameAdviceBabyNameConflictsBabyNamesfamily conflictsfamily nameFamilyConflictsFamilyNamenamesakesThe Name LadyThu, 23 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST