The Baby Name Wizard

On Julian v. Julius... I'm Julian all the way. If my name weren't Julienne, I'd probably want to use it on my first son. Julius will always make me think of the Roman emperor, and for that reason, it sounds a bit pretentious to me. I think Julius is less versatile than Julian... Julius seems to beg for a brawny, outgoing type of kid (I'd feel sort of bad for a scrawny, nerdy Julius), whereas I can see Julian fitting many different types of kids/men. Julian feels like a "quieter" name, and by that I mean one that doesn't demand as much attention. I definitely think of Julius as the more quirky, trying-to-stand-out type.

My best friend in high school was always going to name her son Tristan James, and you know what....she did!
I went through different phases myself, including a period when I thought it would be fun to name my hypothetical children after street exits.
I do remember liking Kate Flannery when I was in high school, which I still think is lovely.
I had no idea boys thought about such subjects, though!
I think both Julius and Julian are handsome and masculine. I prefer Julian because it has a slightly more cosmopolitan feel for some reason-or maybe it's that n ending. I feel much the same about Jonas as opposed to Jonah.
I've actually had a few students named Julius. They all happen to have been African American; obviously that doesn't factor into my opinion of the name, but I puzzled about that today as I was following the Julian debate.

My high school had an honors board in the main hall, listing the top graduates of each class, and the valedictorian of the class of January 1941 was Julius Caesar. Really. I know nothing else about him.

Also, Groucho Marx's real name was Julius.

If I had to choose between Julius and Julian, I'd pick Julian--to me it sounds more cosmopolitan and elegant. Julius goes along with Morris, Irving, Hyman--it's a group of names that were heavily used by Jewish immigrants looking for "American" sounding names. With a family tree loaded with them, they sound extraordinarily old-fashioned to me, and not in a good sense.

On the other hand, my parents were Sadie and Oscar, which they both hated, and which we kids didn't think were that great either, but judging from the comments here, they're coming back in a big way! So you never know! :o)

Julian vs. Julius? Don't forget the international variations, like Jules, Julio, Jolyon, or Giuliano.

Wanted to chime in with my 3 most important baby naming criteria:

1. Meaning- a name that reflects some positive quality or qualities that we hope that little one will possess, such as love, patience, strength etc Or a meaning that reflects that they are loved and treasured. Or a meaning that reflects God's heart toward them- ie His grace, His protection, His love, His power in their life.(we are Christians)

2. A name that will serve that child well through their entire life.

3. A name that both my husband and I like the sound of and won't mind saying a million trillion times as life goes on.

That's it.

Julian is definitely preferable in my mind. I agree with others that it has a wonderful cosmopolitan feel. To me, a Julian is well-mannered, well-educated, cultured, well-traveled, etc. I can't think of Julius without thinking about the "food court" staple of every suburban mall: Orange Julius.

Morning guys - Hey, listen, I never meant to draw such a line in the sand over Julian, which I actually am pretty indifferent to. I'd much rather have stirred up controversy on a name I really hated, but oh well.

It's just my opinion (and I don't think it's just mine alone) that in many areas of the country, certain young Julians are going to have troubles of perception that certain young Alexanders are not.

Believe it or not, people in Fargo and Des Moines and Oklahoma City have opinions too, and guess what, they're just as entitled to their opinions as those from the isle of Manhattan.

PS - We eat sushi too...

Tiffany - No, I'm not offended by your comments, not at all. Not every name can be everyone's cup of tea, as we are all coming from different cultural, regional, and religious backgrounds. I think that's the excellent thing about this site, is people from many different backgrounds can express their opinions and people can take away from it what they will.

Regarding the masculinity issue - I don't think being seen as masculine or manly is that important, but I wouldn't want my son to feel effeminate either, especially during their fragile formative years. My real fear is not a 'girly-man', but that they would try and become hyper-macho in some sort of misguided attempt to make up for a more feminine name.

kristin dawn, I'm sure nobody here thinks that people in Fargo don't have opinions, or aren't entitled to them. I think the point is that if we're going to be at all worried about our kids fitting in, we're going to compare their names to kids in their particular peer group. If we pretty much know they're going to be raised in a urban east coast setting, we don't have to worry too much if kids in Fargo would tease them. But in our peer groups, I don't think all the little Noahs and Tristans and Olivers are going to be teasing Julian about his name. And like Trilby Gobble said, if they choose to move to Fargo when they're adults, more power to them, but I'd hope they'd be secure enough in themselves at that age not to worry about "pulling off" a name like Julian or Alistair. And if they *really* hate it, they're free to nn themselves something like Jack or Al when they move to Fargo.

Oooh, the 'little black dress' name. I like that a lot. Great term!

Criteria for picking a name -

1)No terribly negative connotations (Samara and Orson are out for me.)

2)Easy to spell and pronounce.

3)Likely to be well-received by child's peer group. I don't care what grandma and grandpa think. They'll adjust.

4)Not horribly popular, but not so completely made-up or so ancient that no one's ever heard of anything like it.
I don't care if a name is trendy or timeless - my child will only have to live for the next 90 years, so even if they're not using Madison in 700 years, that's ok by me.

5)Sound - not only do I have to like the sound, I would prefer if the letters of the name to not consist sounds that call to mind unpleasant imagery. (Ursula just seems cold and slithery to me.)

cont -

About that valedictorian named Julius Caesar: My mom and her best friend went to high school with a family that had named all their sons after ivy league colleges. No lie -- they were Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc. And they had one daughter, named something like "Susan." One time when our two families got together (ours and the best friend's), we had quite a giggle-blast re-naming the daughter. Vassar? Barnard? Bryn Mawr?

6)Somewhat of a blank slate - the name should be at least moderately suitable for a variety of regional, socioeconomic, and cultural groups. (Sunbeam Moondance Hippiefamily, Dakota Cheyenne SUVdriver, and Charles Snodgrass Richwhiteperson are out).

7) As versatile as possible for as many future scenarios as possible.

8) No putting undue pressure for achievement on the child. (Joe Montana Smith, or Steven Hawking Jones - no).

9)A name that takes into account what my child's future personality is likely to be and complements it. No overly beauty-oriented or terribly dowdy names for a girl that may be so-so looking at best. Same for overly intellectual names for nerdier children.

10)A name that feels right with our last name, siblings' names, family heritage, and so on. It doesn't have to match, but we are a unit and I like us to 'fit' in as many ways as possible.

Julian vs. Julius: I also think that Julius sounds a little sillier, but I think my view is influenced by Julius the monkey (the character used on Paul Frank t-shirts). I do have an Uncle Julius though, who is older, fixes cars out of his home, and is just the funnest, coolest elderly guy ever. So I could pick Julius after him. (Oh and I think his name may be a case of Asian immigrants giving their kids out-of-fashion names.)

Meg, that's such a sad story for me. Poor Susan! Do you know what ever happened to them? I'd love it if Susan was the only one who accomplished anything with her life.

Hyz (and all NYC'ers) - Are you really sure, deep down in your heart, that you don't think Manhattan matters just a little more than Fargo? You don't think people from Fargo are hicks and not as cosmopolitan or well educated as you? Really? It's ok if you do. A lot of rural/Western Americans are way prejudiced against New Yorkers (As in, shoot on sight. Just kidding!!)

Seriously, I'm just kidding. Really.

If you or your husband are transferred to Reno or Fort Worth, and Florian and Paloma show up for their first day of middle school, can you imagine the reaction they will get?

If you are sure beyond doubt you will never leave New York, then I bow deeply and repeatedly to your greater judgement regarding baby names. If you can see a glimmer of possibility, then forewarned is forearmed.

We do totally eat sushi though.

Just a note--I'm not a New Yorker, I'm in Los Angeles. I've lived in five states, in five regions, and I'm positive I'm staying here for the long term.

But if Florian and Paloma must move to Fargo, poor things, I hope their parents will point out that any foolish teasing they get is evidence that middle America isn't nearly so warm and welcoming as it claims to be; and that the priorities of their new neighbors leave much to be desired, if an unfamiliar name is enough to make them act like jerks.

More important than having a name that travels well is having a child that travels well, as in appreciating the qualities and cultures of regions beyond their own and not taking it to heart if insular people think their urban/downhome/IvyLeague/ethnic/etc name is silly.

Florian and Paloma wouldn't actually stand out in Texas as they are both relatively common names in Spanish-speaking countries.

Here's a name I just came across (for a girl in the eighth grade): Dynasti! Do you think she was named for the show? Do you all know of anyone named after the title of a TV show?

BTW I can't claim credit for the "little black dress" It was from a previous post. I beleive the poster was Itene's Mom but I'm not sure. I adopted it as my own because it is the perfect way to describe an elusive concept.

Oh, dear. The name Dynasti has "nasty" in it. That must have been fun as a child.

I remember an old family friend talking about reading the "Hatch, Match and Despatch" columns. You scarcely ever see marriages in the listings anymore, but I have often glanced at the birth announcements ever since having my own family. It never occurred to me there were others just as interested in names as I was until I discovered this blog! Thanks Laura.
So here are:

Recent Toronto New Babies (and Sibs)

Amalie Sophie (Nicklaus and Noah)
Ava Elizabeth Jennifer and Emerson Julianna Grace /twin girls
Mary Clementine
Arwin Eve
Ellen Grace
Esther Olivia

Declan Jany (Charlie)
Aaron Jackson (Jean Han)
Jaxon Paul
David Maxwell (Sullivan)
Arrow Nathaniel / nn "Ari"

There are some geographical differences in naming, but it seems to me that what some people all calling "East Coast" names here are actually generally "highly educated parent" names all over the country. In terms of the most popular names, states along the East Coast are generally MORE "conservative" in their naming patterns than the Plains states are. Noah was #5 as a baby name in North Dakota in 2006 and only #32 in New York. Tristan has been as or more popular with working class parents as with the highly educated ever since "Legends of the Fall". And I think a "Florian" would have as many problems in a blue-collar non-immigrant neighborhood of New York City or Boston as he would in Fargo.

The present popularity of Sebastian and Julian probably comes from Hispanics as much as from the "upper crust". They both rank higher in Texas than in New York, and Julian was #19 in New Mexico in 2006.

Many male names especially common with African Americans are connected with basketball. Julius Erving, anyone? :)

Cleveland Kent Evans -- So there I was, reading my Boston Globe this morning and what pops out of the Living/Arts section? You! Well, your name and a great quote. I was so excited! Nice work. For all others -- the article focused on how the name "Boston" is increasing in popularity. And it did mention a couple considering naming a daughter Fenway (after Fenway Park, of course.) Speaking of Fenway...I'm off now to root for my beloved Sox.

One last thing -- I think that Rex might be the greatest nickname for Richard ever. Can't remember who was looking for this info, but that's my 2 cents!

Nina: Thanks for noticing! After finding the article on the Boston Globe website, I must say I am pleasantly surprised at how many quotes the author of that article used. As I'm sure Ms. Wattenberg or anyone else who's been interviewed by reporters can tell you, they generally talk to you for half an hour or more on the phone and then use one or two sentences as quotes at the most, and they are never the things that _you_ think were the most interesting or important you said in that half hoour! :)

I do think it's fascinating that she found the connection between the World Series and the Red Sox and the use of Boston as a male name. It's not a connection I'd picked up on before, but there does seem to be some evidence for it. Of course, that only happens because the sound of "Boston", with its -n ending, fits in with what most parents think of as a "different but not too different" boys' name these days. I doubt if Chicago would turn up as a boy's name even if the Cubs ever win the Series. :)

Thanks for the list Marjorie. I love when anyone post a list of any kind (class lists, birth announcement lists). I am so disappointed that our local paper does not list names in the birth announcements. They only list mom and dad's first names. Sigh. So feel free to let me live vicariously through your lists! :)

Danielle - you should check out growingfamily.com. They have a web nursery link that will lead you to a variety of hospitals around the country. You could look to see if there are any in your area. You can then see the names of babies born at that hospital - organized by month.

I'm the Anonymous who asked for opinions on the name Jane in the last blog. I guess if I'm going to keep posting I'll have to come up with a more distinctive name. :)

I just got the directory for my son's preschool. These are children between 1 and 5 yrs old in a fairly large city in the South (people from all over the country come here, it's not very representative of the South if you ask me, lol). Most families in this preschool are middle class, well educated professionals. Out of probably 150 children (I didn't count) here are the names used more than once:

William (7 including one Will)
Kate/Katie/Cate (6, plus one Catherine)
Jake (5 incl. one Jacob)
Campbell (3)
Ella (3)
Ellie (3)
Mary (3, all are the first 1/2 of a double name)
Sophia (3)
Charlie (3 incl. one girl Charli)
Nathan (3 incl. one Nate)
Ryan (3)
Amelia (2)
Ava (2)
Carson (2)
Elizabeth (2)
Evelyn (2)
Jane (2)
Lindsay/Lindsey (2)
Megan (2)
Sarah (2, incl. one with a double name)
Aleksander, Alex (2)
Cole (2)
Drew (2)
Grayson (2)

cont'd

cont'd

(these all have 2 children with the name)
Harrison
Henry
Holden
Jack
Jackson
John
Joshua
Max
Quinn
Reece/Reese
Walker

The vast majority don't have any duplicates, of course, and I have already typed way too many names. There aren't any really odd names (in my opinion) or strange spellings. The one Caitlin is spelled, well, Caitlin. You know the funny thing? There is not a single Emily. And there is not a single Madison. There is one Emma, though.

OK, sorry for the lengthy couple of posts that have nothing to do with the thread; just thought y'all might be interested in another list. :) (And I am obsessing way too much about name popularity around here, evidently.)

Thanks for letting us know about growingfamily.com. I checked out some of the babies recently born at the hospital were I was born, just for fun. Here are some of the highlights that stood out to me, either for the name or the spelling:

Micholas
Jermell
Zayden
Synia
Maurice
Jullian
Branton
Nancy
Zueriella
Markella
Bre'Yanna
Marcin
Jhett
Jenk
Dasani
Fallon
McCartney
Jasmarie
Werth
Mert
Melvin
Jurian
Hillel
Roger
Marquis
Guntass
Carmelinalucianna
Patricia
Bo
Joy
Francheska

This is a hospital in NY, so I'm sure these names represent a wide variety of backgrounds. I don't mean to say any of these names are bad, just surprising. (Although I would call a few of them bad. Marquis? Mert? I don't know what culture Guntass comes from, if any, but I don't think that's a particularly wise choice in the U.S. -- Gun and Ass in the same name!)

kristin dawn,
I'm certain that I don't put more store in Manhattan than Fargo. No offense to NYCers here, but I personally can't stand to be in or near NYC, and have NO romantic notions of it. We live in a mid-size city now, and if we were to move, it would be to someplace like Burlington, VT (smaller, liberal, Northeastern, well-educated).

As for Fargo-ites being "hicks"--I've never been there, so I couldn't say whether they're "hicks"--and regardless, I come from largely rural stock myself, and often find I have a lot more to talk about with so-called "hicks" than my yuppie peers. As for being less educated--statistically speaking, most people in the country are less well-educated than me (and most of the people on this board, I would venture to guess). I wouldn't make any blanket assumptions, though--one of my (Ivy) college freshman roommates was from SD, and she was one of my favorite people.

The simple point is, if we want our kids to fit in, we will look to their anticipated peer groups.

Wow, I love growingfamily.com! Thanks! I had fun comparing rural, urban, and wealthy suburban areas that I know, as well as VT and ND, in light of my above post. Sadly, my specific area isn't on there, but it's still a fun source of information!

Fargo, ND-October:
Leif
Griffin
Aspen
Aubrey (2)
Boston
Gage
Kaycee
John Dennis
Conner
Dyllon Lee
Graci Jo
Hadley Joy
Kayleigh Jo
Taylor Kay
Bailey Rue
Taylor Grace
Hudson
Cameron
Katelyn
Addison
Cameron
Cloe
Cora
Jackson
Rynn
Anna
Leon
Alexis
William
Andrew
Olivia
Nicole
Sadie
Valentina
Madisyn
Riley

Rutland, VT-October:
Autumn
Hannah
Kayleigh
Jayden
Addison
Andrew
Riley
Tallan
Cameron
Jeremy
Asher
Keeneeh
Nolan
Elijah
Kinley
Celia
Samuel
Yusuf
ValeriAnn
Logan (2)
Lowdyn
Annalise
Eathan
Greta
Leo
Uriah
Trevor
Quintessa

I saw Cleveland cited as well! How exciting.

Laura was also cited in another baby name article - I think it was in the Toronto Star??

Trilby - I think you may have a few issues regarding 'red' states and rural America, so I will end this discussion here. I wish you the best and I hope your child absolutely loves whatever name you pick out.

More fun--rich eastern suburb/small liberal arts college town:
9/30/2007 Jack, D
9/28/2007 Morgan, G
9/27/2007 Allie, R
9/27/2007 Sabella, H
9/26/2007 Aidan, K
9/26/2007 Natalie, K
9/25/2007 Katelynn, P
9/25/2007 Maya, H
9/24/2007 Mackenna, F
9/24/2007 Mackenzie, O
9/22/2007 Kinsley, J
9/21/2007 Aidan, S
9/21/2007 Aiden, D
9/21/2007 Jacob, C
9/20/2007 Mason, S
9/20/2007 Ryann, J
9/14/2007 Ethan, R
9/14/2007 Evan, G
9/13/2007 Benjamin, F
9/13/2007 Daniel, G
9/13/2007 Milledge, E
9/12/2007 Alexandra, Z
9/12/2007 Julian, B
9/10/2007 Avery, S
9/10/2007 Gavin, J
9/7/2007 Emily, M
9/7/2007 Kelsey, R
9/6/2007 Grace, S
9/5/2007 Aidan, C
9/5/2007 Canaan, P
9/5/2007 Sarah, S
9/4/2007 Andonia, P
9/4/2007 Gianna, B
9/4/2007 Scott, E

I agree that many names that stand out on white kids are very common and socially acceptable on kids of other races/cultures. As I'm white myself, I can't comment on those trends.

I agree with all who pointed it out that certain names are evocative of 'well educated' or city dwelling parents, not simply a back-east out-west divide. I can certainly see a happy little Paloma in San Francisco. I was trying to speak in more general terms and perhaps avoid the whole class warfare issue - the implication that Madison's or Marquis' parents are not as bright or high-class as Paloma's just puts my back up.

I lived in the LA area (Palos Verdes) for a few years as a teen and met a couple of Julians there. But a lot of people in LA are kind of 'posers' if that makes any sense - they put themselves out as something they aren't and I found very few of them genuine, not at like I do people from New York, Vermont, or Norht Dakota.

My last post was sent prematurely - I apologize for the typos and incomplete thought.

Anyhow, when I lived in Vancouver BC I met a couple of Julians and came away with a very different impression. They seemed cool and intelligent, because they really were cool and intelligent. The name played very differently, perhaps in no small part due to the intent of the parents - Julian's just another name in Canada, while in LA, Julian's parents are trying to tell you something about who they are.

Some of the names favored by the educated 'elite' parents seem to be making a bigger social statement. As in, I am richer and more well-educated than you and I do not want my child to be possibly mistaken for one of yours.

It can be a very good thing for a child to be perceived as coming from a well-off family, but there's a line somewhere between making a personal statement and a sly insult. Many people are going to react negatively to a name that seems to be a deliberate attempt at one-upsmanship.

Thanks for the growing family link! Loved it - though it was a little embarrassing in places...it seems very different than the other lists. Here are some of the highlights.

(City of half-a-million, surrounded by rural areas, with large Hispanic, Ukrainian, and LDS population)

Khira
Gabriela
Trey (3)
Allison(2)
Ella
Jayce
Megan
Caleb(2)
Christian(2)
Natalie(2)
Chloe
Heaven
Brookelyn
Ophillia
Teiglyr
Ovionna
Just'n
Clayton
Naptali
Hannah(2)
Ava(2)
Alyza
Bryant
Hisham
Levi
Victoria
Autumn
Zethiah
Malaysia
Mizraim
Neattoria
Jayden(3)
Sophia
Vanessa
Athena
Elsie
Nicodemus
Imari
Vash
Piper
Avery
Navarro
Coltan
Tia
Anna
Ruben
Maile
William
Ian
Szander
Katerina
Nicolas
Scyla
Wyatt (2)
Addison (2)
Jamie
Joseph
Audrey
Conner
Konner
Echo
Liliana
Angelica
Charles
Latrell
Jocelyn
Adriana
Clinton
Kahree
Ailani
Andria
Anika
Annika(3)
Gabriel
Olivia

(con't)

Geesh, sorry, I had no idea that was going to be so looong...

Travis, Elliot, Shyleigh, Ripkin, Steven, Eliabeth, Lexie, Roreigh, Alexis (2) Mary, Madilyn, Lauren, Taelyn, Isaiah(2), Parker, Perri, Reese, Ashley, Christopher, Kayden, Kirye, Dylan, Jermaine, K'veon, Malik, Max, Dakotah, Dawson, Janine, Landon, Karlee, Lydia, Jack, Taylor, Coolidge, Jacoby (2), Azucena, Kensingtin

And my personal favorite...Mersaydie

The amazing thing is that's just for one hospital - we have three. Does anyone know if there's a mini baby boom going on or something?

Cleveland Kent Evans: Love your contributions, as always.

Re: Boston: Do you think folks consider this as similar to Austin? It reminds me of Laura's post on dropping initial consonants (Bailey-->Ayleigh, etc.) but opposite. Maybe a trend for boys? Or maybe people don't associate Boston with Austin because of the difference in spelling?

Ok, no offense meant and I know every one of us really loves our kids, but here are just the ones that make my heart stop a little when I read them:

Mi'Leeyah, Donalda, Lisariendi, Breyawna, Darton, Jaymisen, Valentino, Caspian, Marimey (say it out loud), Gennaveece, Airyonna, Crissida, Aleasya (does that really have "easy" in the middle?) Courvoisier, Lucky, North Star, Jachai, Jeremiahlee, Dra'Kkar, Attlie, Saccarii, Vitalia, Zavion, Demonique, Dantesia(I can't remember where I put my baby...) Jonaven, Kendylyns, Unique, ZyeShaune, taeZhanae, Artemy, Davine, Eagle Anne, Draxxis, Macent,
Moroni (I know this is religious, but...), Tylique, Jarious, Atreyu, Damour, Malahkye, Jetti, Lilithian, Saavedra, Ja'Ahn, Arcadian, Bowyn, Kantlynn, Maylya, Talum, Neattovia, Hubert (the best alternative to 'Dra'Kkar' is *not* Hubert), Leacadia, Raygun, Harmoney, Trynyty, Aydn, Mylies, and my personal fave Gouwldiin.

My conclusion - pregnant women should not be allowed to play Myst.

I can't help but imagine little Trynyty's room covered in Ys... Big pink Ys on the walls, Ys and hearts on her bedsheets, a drawer full of little tshirts that say "I heart Y." No Ts, just Ys.

Marimey could be dangerous -- but I'm hoping it's more like MAHR-ih-may than Marry-Me. Could this one be a creative spelling of a Spanish name?

North Star... interesting. Draxxis, Milledge (from hyz's list), Eagle Anne (if that's a double?)... even more interesting.

The more I look at these lists (and that myspace list posted a while back), the more I'm convinced against creative spelling. I don't think they're all bad (my own name has a creative letter, and I like it), but sometimes it really just looks like the parents can't spell. Depends on the name. Trynyty looks purposely creative, whereas I'd think Davine's parents were probably trying to spell Divine.

Gouwldiin, I fear, must be an attempt at Golden.

Genovese is(was?) a drug-store chain in NY, on par with CVS. Gennaveece? Maybe her sister will be Seevee'es.

Saavedra is a fairly common Spanish surname, with the "aa" and everything--so that one's not a creative spelling, it's just using a surname as a first name.

I wonder if "Davine" isn't a misspelling, but an attempt at a feminine version of David/Davis? If so, they might not be pronouncing it like "divine," but instead pronouncing it to rhyme with "ravine."

"The name played very differently, perhaps in no small part due to the intent of the parents - Julian's just another name in Canada, while in LA, Julian's parents are trying to tell you something about who they are."

How on earth can you know what parents in any city are "trying to tell you"? I think you might be reading way, way too much into the names other people just happen to love.

kristen dawn, where in the world did you find that list of names? Just when I thought it couldn't get any more ridiculous I read the next one in the list. Amazing.

Wow Kristin Dawn -- that list is unbelievable!

I think if I have twin grandchildren (ever) I will propose they be named Demonique (the girl) and Raygun (the boy) ;-)

Kristin Dawn, what time period do the births in your post cover? I only counted 131 total. If the birth rate in the city you mentioned is the same as the general USA birth rate, there would be about 6,666 babies born in it every year. Which would mean, if each of the 3 hospitals has an equal number of births, each would have about 185 babies born every month, so those figures aren't out of line at all.

I've been looking at name lists for over 30 years, and most of the names on that list don't phase me much. The only ones I find really interesting in terms of being unlike forms I've seen many times before are North Star, Eagle Anne, Saavedra, and taeZhanae -- and the last only because it's still very rare to see the first letter uncapitalized. Most of the rest are typical invented forms, probably primarily African-American, though sometimes used in other ethnic groups. Unique is probably the most common -- it was one the SSA list for most years between 1993 and 2005.

"Unique is probably the most common"...ironic.

C & C's mom - thanks so much for the link! I can already tell it will provide a good source of entertainment for me. Now I don't feel so left out of the local baby-name buzz. :)

These come from my hometown, pop. 64,000, in central FL. Median income: $31,000, population (approximately) 60% white, 33% African American, 4% Hispanic, tiny % is "other." (For those who are interested in the demographics.)

Ashtyn Pressly
Cortez
Robert
Akeelah Quiana
Samia Marshell
Caleb
Adam
Cannon
Jacob
Jimmy
Brianna
Jason
Mayson
Michael
Ryleigh
Jaden
Jazzlyn
Ny'lah
Kelan
Arianna
Jaron
Amber
Elijah
Jonathan
Keegan
Tamar
Patience
Payton
Kaitlyn
Giana
Joseph
Oscar
Raylei
Mia
Xavier
Madison
Matilda
Mazlyn
Aidan
Bryanna
Caralyn
Sia
Dylan
Grace
Heaven
Tyrin
Ye'nile
Clayton
Cameron
Giana
Marie
Haylee
Austin
James
Johmari
Kaylee
Lincoln
Breanna
Kenneth
Marcus
Benjamin
Emily

Yeah, for Patience, Matilda, Tamar, and Lincoln! I find that there are always a few names I can dig, in any of these lists.

About Akeelah--spelled the same as the movie title from last year--I wonder if that's a likely bump-up winner for the 2007 rankings?