The Baby Name Wizard

We used your book to help us name our second child and have recommended your book to other friends.

When I'm on your site, I now see a Vote Yes on Prop. 8, the anti-gay measure in California. I sure hope you are all non-partisan. It would be terrible to find out that "traditional marriage" is the way to go. I am in a traditional marriage and would hate to deny this right from someone else.

Yeah, the Yes on 8 startled me too--I wonder if all the times we use the word "traditional" or "old-fashioned" made that one seem especially apt to the ad server--when it's certainly not, in such a diverse group as this. If the programmers read Laura's post about blue/red naming practices, they'd know that, eh? ;)

Ahh the beauty of ad blockers. You get to live in blissful ignorance of all the stuff "they"* would like to subject you to.

*better known as the ad people, not the politicians alone

EDIT: ahh the beauty of the edit function...

Ad blockers and selective vision. I honestly didn't even notice that there *were* ads on this site until my attention was drawn to them. I guess that means that I'm not the ideal audience for advertizing, eh?

I only get "5 Tips for a flat stomach"; which isn't quite what I need to see being 7 months pregnant!
But isn't it really scary and Big Brother like that the server picks up certain words and then gives you those ads?!
--In response to the previous post: Keren, we'll definitely go for (a) traditional middle name(s); so you can keep an eye out come February if you spot our announcement in the Telegraph (you can see them online so you don't have to buy the paper ;-) )
Miranda, I don't know who suggested Aurelia instead of Aurora but here's another vote for it! I think it's a little "lighter" in sound and more accessible if that makes sense (I'm thinking high school friends/ crushes here).

I never notice the ads either! Shows how single-mindedly I'm focused on names when I come here, I guess..

(Wonder why the computer keeps switching my handle back and forth from Kitt to Eo-- I never know when I first log on which one I'll be!)

For that small group of enthusiasts interested in how names come "dynastically" down through families, here's something:

Have been reading Margot Peters' "The House of Barrymore", about the famous acting family, which included John,("The Profile"), Lionel, Ethel, and now of course, Drew Barrymore.

The Barrymores are always described as this legendary American theater family, of English-Irish origins. Peters traces them back to the eighteenth century, to Thomas Haycraft Lane. Watch how the names and surnames get woven down though the generations:

Thomas Haycraft Lane
Louisa Lane (Mrs. John Drew)
Georgiana Emma Drew
Maurice Herbert Blyth Barrymore
John Sidney Blyth Barrymore
Lionel Herbert Blyth Barrymore
Ethel Mae (!) Blyth Barrymore
Diana Blanche Barrymore
John Blyth Barrymore
Samuel Griswold Colt
John Drew Colt
Drew Lord Devereaux
Louisa Lane Devereaux
Antony John Barrymore
John Blyth Barrymore
Blythe Barrymore (there was constant confusion within the family re Blyth/Blythe, and it was spelled both ways)
John Drew Mighetta
and of course, Drew Barrymore, born 1975

Drew's mother added her own exotic moniker to the family-- "Ildiko Jaid", which I think is Hungarian?

But I love the way the different generations pick up bits and pieces of names from other generations and tie them in...

Would love to know Drew Barrymore's middle name(s), if any...

Wikipedia says:Drew Blyth Barrymore born Feb 22, 1975. She has a half-brother John Blyth Barrymore,[4] also an actor, and two half-sisters, Blyth Dolores Barrymore and Brahma (Jessica) Blyth Barrymore.

Oh, and I never see ads on my page.

The ads on this page seem targeted at a more male audience. First it was Prison Break (on a network here in Canada), then the new James Bond, and now Braun "German-engineered" shavers. Although for that last one, I'm supposed to buy it "surprise him with a smooth gift" at Christmas.

Eo/Kitt, great info about the Barrymores. I love seeing how names are woven through families over time. They certainly used Blyth a lot in Drew's generation. I kind of wish Louisa and Diana had appeared instead.

I never noticed the ads here. The same was true when a friend told me he hated gmail because of the ads. I had never noticed them there either.

My captcha is names interests. Apropos, no?

Blythe is sweet, I like it as a middle name. I knew a Welsh-American father and son whose first name was Blythe--father was a local politician, so his full name appeared on campaign signs and buttons. Always wondered at him passing that name to his son born in the 1980s--maybe it was a three- or four-generation tradition he didn't want to break?

Kitt/Eo- neat info on the Barrymores, I love that sort of data! Thanks for posting it.

Today I'm seeing Yes on 8 ads, but I hadn't noticed them before. Thank goodness! I try not to pay attention to the ads anyway.

I like Blythe, but how is everyone pronouncing it?

I pronounce Blithe with a "th" as in "that" and "those."

I pronounce Blythe with a "th" as in "thanks."

I've always loved the name Lionel.

BTW, wasn't Deveraux the surname of some famous members of the British aristocracy? The Earls of something or other...

Hey Eo/Kitt, did I miss your explanation of why you switched monikers? (you don't owe me one, of course! I just wanted to know if this is temporary or if I should continue calling you Eo).

(Minor) Celebrity Baby Name Announcement!

"Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement welcomed his first child, a son, last month. New baby Sophocles Iraia Manasiadis Clement was born in New York City, where Jemaine is currently shooting the second season of his quirky HBO show."

http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/11/jemaine-clement.html#comments

I hope little Sophocles is a smart one! I wonder if they will call him "Sophie" (pronounced "SAW-fee," of course).

Tirzah, I love Flight of the Conchords! And Sophocles is not so surprising a name, given those guys' personas. Is anyone really surprised by what celebrities name their children any more?

In an extra-celebrated context, I can't say I'd give the name the thumbs up, though.

Anyway, thanks for the tidbit of fun information. I need it to get me through these knuckle-biting couple of hours :)

An interesting sibset I came accross:

Rebek@h
Hann@h
Mar@h
Elish@
Elij@h

Elish@ (f) and Elij@h (m) are twins.

Easternbetty, I would ditto your pronunciation of the two blithe/Blythe's. I love the meaning of "blithe", don't you?

I think Blythe Danner the actress pronounces her name as in "thanks" also.

"Kitt" is sort of a tribute name-- for my late mother, Katherine, known from childhood as "Kitty" or "Kit". As you know, I just love those nonchalant nicknames like Tess, Nell, Kit, Nan, Bess, Moll, etc. Maybe I'll stick with Kitt for a while (if the computer lets me!), but feel free to call me Eo if you prefer...

A further interesting note on all the Barrymore "Blyth's". The first well-known Blyth(e) was matinee idol Maurice Herbert Blyth, whose SURNAME was Blyth, but took Barrymore off a marquee or sign and adopted it as his surname. Then he simply incorporated "Blyth" as a middle name. Thus all the famous Barrymores to come were using a "pirated" last name, and were really all Blyths.

So you can see why so many of them hung onto Blyth so tenaciously as a middle name...

N. Amanda, I really like "Elisha" as a name, although I personally wouldn't twin it with "Elijah". Seems to me Elisha is getting more traction lately. Wonder if it's the soft sound?

I rather hope it isn't taken over by girls, but I fear it might be. There was a fabulous Forties actor who appeared in "The Maltese Falcon" named Elisha Cook, Jr., who had a memorably neurotic quality...

I have a problem with the name Elisha but that might be because I'm too engrossed in who the Biblical name is after.

Elisha the prophet (who was, incidentally, Elijah the prophet's student and follower) is someone I view rather negatively. He was bald, and at one point in his travels, was ridiculed by a group of youngsters (sometimes dubbed children) for his lack of hair. His response to this was to summon 2 bears from the nearby forest to attack the youngsters, who ended up slaughtering 42 of them.

Not someone I'd ever name my kid after.

Kitt--I agree! I find it so strange when I hear of a girl named Elisha. How do you pronounce it? I've heard e-LIH-sha, e-LYE-sha, and e-LEE-sha, and I don't know what it's supposed to be. (Nice new handle though! I think that if I were to name a daughter Catherine, I would choose Kitty as a nickname. I've been drawn to it ever since reading Pride and Prejudice.)

Anyone think Madelyn will rise thanks to its publicity due to Obama's late grandmother? Or maybe it'll rise only in relation to the name's alternative spellings (Madeleine, Madalyn, etc.)? Are there any names that have done that--one spelling has risen in relation to the other(s) as a result of its exposure to the public? All I can think of is Hillary, which rose relative to Hilary while Clinton was gaining publicity.

In totally unrelated news...I met my first Kadin the other day (boy, about seven years old) as well as my first Iggy (about six)--I wonder if it's short for Ignatius?

Thanks for the Barrymore/Blyth(e) family tree there, Kitt/Eo, it's a wonderful piece of family name interlacing. Very partial to Lionel Herbert and Ethel Mae (heehee), Antony and Ildiko (and Margot, but I suppose that's not directly relevant).

I pronounce Blythe and blithe the same way, using the th in this- but Blyth with the th in thanks. granted it's an online moniker so I rarely hear it or say it.

This may seem odd because I use the name, but to me the vocabulary word "blithe" has a slightly negative connotation, it means joyous and "carefree," but has these overtones of "careless" in some contexts. Anyone else share that sense?

*Thank you for the edit function!

Um, I want an Edit function, too!!

Kitt/Eo, thanks for the background. I prefer Kit spelled with one T, but either way, it's a marvelous name for boy or girl, and a fitting tribute to your mama.

Okay, new baby updates: seven Baracks.

http://www.africanews.com/site/list_messages/21436

Inbal + Harriet: We've already discussed that I am not a religious person and do not have the background many of you have. Therefore, having no knowledge that Elisha is a biblical name, I would find it odd to see it on a BOY. I pronounce it Eh-LEE-sha or Eh-LISH-ah. I treat is as an alternate sp to Alicia/Alisha. I will however, say Alicia like the "DORA" way Ah-LEE-SEE-ah if that is the way that I am introduced to the person. I think it is a pretty name but prefer the "A" sp. It doesn't seem masculine because it has less of the qualities I look for in a male name. The beginning E is funny for me and the ending A seem feminine also the SH in the middle is odd. The only other male names that come close are Asa and Elijah which I DO know are biblical so I guess I shouldn't find it all that strange. Are there any other male names with the SH in the middle that I am forgetting?

Harriet, I've only heard it pronounced "E-LYE-sha" in English, but perhaps in Hebrew the emphasis is different? Where are you, Miriam?

I also think the E-LYE-sha sound is more masculine, so better for a boy. If I were to use it, I would use "Eli" as a nickname, which is also a wonderful, stand-alone name. Packs a lot of power for three letters...

Blythe, thanks for pointing out that subtlety about the meaning of "blithe". How astute of you to note that sub-text. Example: When hubby and I are pointing out the merry (and annoying!) obliviousness of our son Banks, we might say something like "He blithely ignored the huge mess in his room, and proceeded to construct an elaborate paper skeleton", or something on that order!

That said, the happy, joyful aspect is over-riding for me, so I love the name. You chose well for your screen moniker! I do like that it is both a woman's first name and a surname at the same time. Always liked L.M. Montgomery's character "Gilbert Blythe" (is that how he spelled it?)

Zoerhenne, "Asher" comes to mind with the "sh" sound. I agree that "sh" generically seems more feminine, but b/c the Biblical Elisha is in my mind, I continue to see it in the male column. He was a close associate of Elijah, and continued his work for him.

To your point, I've always had trouble with the young actor's name "Shia LeBoeuf", because "Shia" intuitively seems feminine to me. I understand it is pronounced "SHY-ah", but for me that still doesn't help!

Oh, if you'll indulge one final comment on Elisha. The name had two periods of "popularity"-- the sixteenth century with the Puritans, and then in the nineteenth century. I do tend to be drawn to names of those two periods, coincidentally.

Kitt, the LM Montgomery's Blythes were spelled the way you have it, and characters in the novels would joke that they were "Blythe by name and blithe by nature."

I think Madelyn is already a very popular variant of the name, independent of Madelyn Dunham. Name Voyager shows that it was ranked 107th in 2007. Only the "Madeline" spelling was a more popular version of the name, at 61, and while Madelyn has shot up rapidly in the last decade, Madeline appears to be on a bit of a decline.

What surprises me is that a women born in Kansas in the 1920s would be given the variant of the name currently popular. Though again, name voyager shows a little bump in the 1910s and '20s--the name hit the top 500 then.

"To your point, I've always had trouble with the young actor's name "Shia LeBoeuf", because "Shia" intuitively seems feminine to me. I understand it is pronounced "SHY-ah", but for me that still doesn't help!"

Shia is a Hebrew name, borne as it happens by one of my grandfather's brothers, and Shia LeBoeuf is Jewish as it happens. Shia means gift of God, and has the same ending (meaning God) that we see in many other Hebrew names.

BTW the obvious name with -sh- and ending in -a is Joshua. So far, I have not run into any little girls named Joshua, but who knows. Elisha is a male prophet, and the name is masculine, period. That, of course, does not stop the people who want to give their daughters male names or who are looking for creative spellings of Alicia.

Speaking of the effect of the election on naming practices, does anyone think that Malia might catch on? We are bound to be hearing and seeing more of the Obama girls (and their new puppy-to-be!), and I think the sound and the "celebrity" association might give the name some appeal.

Miriam- I think Malia's already caught on! Having only read the name during the campaign, I had thought it pronounced MAH-lee-uh, but Mr Obama pronounced it muh-LEE-a in his acceptance speech, and that suddenly made more sense, as I know two little Maleahs (a 4 y.o. and a baby). SSA says Maleah's at #777 while Malia is #403. Definite bump potential there!

Easternbetty- thanks for the link!

Kitt- Gilbert Blythe was my fictional crush a decade ago when I chose my (parentally mandated) screen name. It helps that my real name is Anne :) The "joyous" sense is overriding for me, too; the "blithely ignorant of ___" rhetorical formula is really unfortunate!

Miriam, I was wondering the same thing. I also wonder whether four years of a female Sascha in the first family, will solidify the American trend of it being a girl's name.

I wonder what they will name the puppy!

OK, all you Baby Name Wizards:

I just found out I'm expecting a second baby. The baby will be joining our first - a boy named Axel.

Axel is a family name for us, and I lean toward Scandinavian names in general.

I've got a few possible sibling names, but I'd love to hear suggestions!

Congratulations Wooby. Dexter is the name that sprang to my mind...probably because I know a lttle Swedish Dexter. Maybe too many x's in one family though.

Overheard at lunch in London today. Two American ladies talking about a friend, who was a Harvard educated mathematician, very into stats, and wanted his child to have a name which was in the 75-100th most popular list and rising, so he would be ahead of the trend. The name eventually chosen...Josiah. Could this mathematician be One of US??? I was so tempted to join in their conversation!

Hi there Wooby! Congrats.

BOYS

Okay, so if it's not too matchy,

I LOVE Gunnar (great nn Gunn).

Also, how about other generally northern European (but not necessarily Scandinavian) names like:

Piers
Alaric
Saxon (too many X'es with Axel?)
Boris
Finn
Ralph
Lars
Frederick/Friedrich
Rickard
Felix (X'es again)
Talon
Fallon
Ingmar
Thor

GIRLS

Sigrid (LOVE LOVE LOVE)
Ingrid ( " " ")
Astrid
Freya/Freja

Are these too matchy for you?

Keren - I do like Dexter, but it currently makes me think of a a US television show about a serial killer. Haven't seen the show, but it's called Dexter.

EasternBetty - I love the F names you suggested but, unfortunately, our last name starts with F. So Finn F- or Freya F- or Felix F- would be a little too much. Sorry I forgot to mention that!

I do love Ingrid. I think that one's a contender.

Thanks ev1 for the __sh__a names. I knew I was foregetting some common ones. I do so love Joshua just for the sound alone.

Wooby-congrats! For sibs to Axel, no F's, and preferably Scandinavian> I think of Ingrid, Bridget, Lars, Niels, Katarina(*association to Katarina Witt), Matilda(*the Ronald Dahl book + movie), Astrid(*author of Pipi Longstocking), Jan/Johan, Elke (*instant association to Elke Summers), Greta/Gretal, Helga, Seraphina (nn to Sara or Fifi or Nina), Piers, Bjorn, Annika, Kristin, Erik

While Shia and Elisha ARE male names, they don't FEEL male to me (even though I am aware that Elisha is a biblical name). I think for a name ending in "a" or containing "sh" to feel masculine, it has to have made further inroads into the predominant culture than either Elisha or Shia have (or have lately). Asa, Asher, Joshua, Josiah, Elijah, etc. all DO feel masculine to me, some strikingly so.
If parents are looking for a name without gender confusion, they should either pick a name that doesn't contain any feminine sounds or patterns OR a name that is easily recognized by all as a male name.

I second the vote for Ingrid.

Please help me, Name Enthusiasts!

My wife is 4 months pregnant with our first child, and of course we're looking for the perfect name. Oh, and needless to say we have a long list of probably unreasonable characteristics too. ;)

1) fairly unusual -- like, #500 or less. I've always loved having an unusual name and would like my child to have the same experience. On a related note, we're trying to avoid boy names that end in -n.

2) include the letter V somewhere, as it's the common letter between my name and my wife's.

3) avoid Biblical names if possible.

Currently our favorites include Avid, Haver ("hay-ver"), and Valor for boys, and Olive for girls. Hopefully, you NE's will have other brilliant ideas though. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have!

I adore Astrid and Ingrid! For a boy, what about Magnus? I adore that name.

Wow, Easternbetty, I like your suggestions of "Piers", "Alaric" and "Frederick".

The fact that they are not stereotypically Scandinavian, yet have that "northern" association is an asset. Paired with a name like "Axel", they would subtly enhance a theme but not pound it unduly.

Zoerhenne's "Matilda" seems to hit that same sweet spot. Wonder what other female names do the same-- "Pippa"? "Lisbeth", "Greta", "Johanna", "Renata", "Petra" or "Mariel"?

For some reason, I prefer that direction rather than something more overtly Scandinavian like "Dagmar" or the ever-popular "Linnea"...

I would avoid Valor for a boy.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it for a girl. It cetainly tells the world you believe your girl could do anything.

The reason I would avoid it for a boy's name is that it shortens to a traditional girl’s name - Val. You can say you don’t want anyone to call him or her Val, but people will. It seems so natural a leap to me.

Boys:

Virgil
Vincent (not quite as rare, but it might be in your neck of the woods)

Olive isn't nearly as obscure as you think. There are pockets where it is reasonably popular. You may live in such a pocket and with all the Olivia's, she'll be mixed in with them.

Disclaimer: I don't care about popularity, but you said you do. Olive is a great name.

What about Val Kilmer? I too usually think Val is a girl if I hear it (not often), but Kilmer is pretty famous and obviously masculine...

Davin- how are you saying Avid? If it's like the word aka, "he's an avid runner" that opens the name up to lots of jokes if that bothers you. I kind of like Haver, it seems to fit in with current trends soft "h" boy-names. Not to say that it would be overly popular but I would consider it a category... Hmm not that helpful probably, I'm sure you'll get more comments though!

Rather than Avid, how about Arvid which is in fact a name, not a word?

Rather than Valor, how about Valery or Valentine, both male names that shorten to Val? Or simply Val as in Val Kilmer?

Rather than Haver, how about Halvard/Halvar/ Halvor/Havard?

Rather than Olive, how about Liv/Livia/Lavinia?

Other unusual V girls' names--

Viveka/Viveca/Vivika/Vivica, Verena, Mavis/Avis, Viviana, Ginevra, Geneva, Guinevere. Severine

Boys' names--

Vadim, Gervase, Orville, Everett

I'm dying to jump in on the naming requests, but I have to share some names from today before I forget them.
It was quite the day for inventive spelling!

Hayven (f)
Dahkoda (They were calling him Kody)
Evaleen
Michael
Riley (f)
Abigail
Cheyenne

These were all 3-4 year olds. There was also a baby Ryker-which seems to be catching on big time here.

Davin,

There's a character on the TV show Pushing Daisies named Olive. I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to find a girl name. "V" is very in now. You have Vivian, Aviva, Valentina, etc.

Boys are harder. Here are some suggestions: Calvert, Carver, Everett, Orville, Ovid, Percival, Reeve*, River, Roosevelt, Silvester, Vadim, Vance*, Victor, Vidal, Virgil, Xavier, Tavis, Seaver*.

I starred my favorites.

Some other V names"

Vigdis (f), Taavi (which is Finnish for David and thus may be too biblical, but which is kind of cool--my son went to school with a Taavi), Alvar (as in Alvar Aalto), Evander, Elvis (!), Elvira, Avril, Evgeny, Everard, Genevieve, Virginie, Gustav(e), Harvey, Ludovic, Yves, Yvette, Victorine

Wooby -- What about Elspeth? I hesitated because it has an /el/ as does Axel, but I actually like them together.

Davin HW -- I don't think anyone has suggested Evadne. I just saw it tonight in the credits of The Sound of Music and was struck by the /v/.

Tonight on the train (serving primarily northern NYC suburbs), I overheard two dads talking about their kids, Stella and Mamie.

Two V names I love : Valeria (f) and Valerio (m).

I love the name Everett, it was one me and my boyfriend were discussing earlier in fact. He thought it was quite cool, his favourite boys name is Hayden, so you know its not too out there.

Out of the names you were already considering I like Haver the best, sounds very summery, and makes me think of praries.

For girls how about Avis? Though some people might immediately think of the car hire. Or Violet, which I really like, but might be too popular.

I'm partly named for my grandfather Valentine, known as Val, a mid-Western gent of the strong silent type, so it doesn't seem at all effeminate to me.It's all in the association, isn't it?