title | : | The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Names
author | : | Weiss, Sonia.
publisher | : | Penguin
isbn10 | asin | : | 0028633679
print isbn13 | : | 9780028633671
ebook isbn13 | : | 9780585243771
language | : | English
subject |  | Names, personal.
publication date | : | 1999
lcc | : | CS2377.W45 1999eb
ddc | : | 929.44
subject | : | Names, personal.

Page aa

DEAR READER

Page ab

THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S REFERENCE CARD

Page ac

BABY NAMER GRID

Page i

Baby Names

by Sonia Weiss

Macmillan USA, Inc.
201 West 103rd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290
A Pearson Education Company

Page ii

Copyright © 1999 by Sonia Weiss

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290.

THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Macmillan USA, Inc.

International Standard Book Number: 0-02-863367-9
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 99-66059
01 00 99          8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Interpretation of the printing code: The rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the book's printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the book's printing. For example, a printing code of 99-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 1999.

Printed in the United States of America

Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

Page iii

Alpha Development Team

Publisher
Kathy Nebenhaus

Editorial Director
Gary M. Krebs

Associate Publisher
Cindy Kitchel

Associate Managing Editor
Cari Shaw Fischer

Acquisitions Editors
Randy Ladenheim-Gil
Amy Gordon

Development Editors
Phil Kitchel
Amy Zavatto

Assistant Editor
Georgette Blau

Production Team

Development Editor
Amy Zavatto

Production Editors
Christy Wagner
Donna Wright

Copy Editor
Amy Borrelli

Cover Designer
Mike Freeland

Photo Editor
Richard H. Fox

Illustrator
Jody P. Schaeffer

Book Designers
Scott Cook and Amy Adams of DesignLab

Indexer
Angie Bess

Layout/Proofreading
Angela Calvert
Mary Hunt

Page iv

CONTENTS AT A GLANCE

Part 1: The Name Game

1

1
A Rose by Any Other Name

There's more to a name than meets the eye. Discover the hidden power of names, and find out why choosing a good name for your baby is so important.

3

2
Where It All Began

Everything you need to know about the history and traditions behind the most popular names.

13

3
Name Types

From traditional to modern and classic to contemporary, there's a name style to suit everyone. Find out which ones are right for you.

21

4
Naming Fashions and Trends

Worried about choosing a name that's too trendy? Wondering if your classic choice will sound too stodgy in the years to come? This guide to naming traditions and trends can help you steer clear of the biggest baby name boo-boos.

33

5
The Hit Parade

Fifty years of the most popular baby names, as well as the most current top names for boys and girls.

45

Part 2: Into the Pool

57

6
Name Play

From names that swing to names that zing, here's everything you need to know to begin your baby name selection process.

59

7
In the Family Way

Yes, it's possible to choose the name you want and keep peace in your family. Here's how.

75

8
In the Middle

Middle names are afterthoughts for many parents, but they shouldn't be. Learn why they're important and how to choose a good one.

85

9
Neo-Names

Thinking about creating that perfect name for your new arrival? Here's how to do it.

97

10
Multiplicities

Are you getting ready for two or even more children at once? Be ready with a group of great baby names.

109

Page v

Part 3: Star-Spangled Names

119

11
The Wild, Wild West

From Cody to Callie, these are the names that shaped our frontier heritage.

121

12
Finding Our History: African-American Names

Learn how African-Americans reclaimed their history and ethnic heritage through their names.

131

13
As American As

James, George, Emily and Ann. Classic American names, or imports from other countries? Here's the real heritage behind the names we think of as born and bred in the U.S.A.

141

14
You Say Potato, I Say Potahto

Does where you live affect the name you choose for your baby? Discover why you're more likely to choose a traditional name if you live on the East Coast than if you live in the Southwest.

157

15
Native Origins
Thinking about using a Native American name for your baby? Here's how to make a sensible and sensitive choice.

175

Part 4: People, Places, and Things

187

16
Virtues and Values

You don't have to stick with names like Hope, Faith, and Charity if you're looking for meaningful monikers. Here's a selection of virtue names that go far beyond the basics.

189

17
Guys and Gals and ?

No boys named Sue here, just a great collection of names that work, regardless of gender.

201

18
From the Earth to the Sky

Names from the world around us, including some of the hottest boys' and girls' names today.

215

19
You Oughta Be in Pictures

Is there a starring role in your baby's future? Match your child's diamond-studded destiny with a star-kissed name.

231

20
Name Fates

The key to your child's fate could be in the numbers, written in the stars or revealed in a dream. Here's how to use astrology, numerology, or dream interpretation to choose a name.

247

21
Aristocrats and Blue Bloods

A host of royal names to choose from for your own little prince or princes.

261

Page vi

Part 5: Compass Points

275

22
Honoring Ethnic Heritages

More and more, today's parents are choosing names that reflect their unique cultural backgrounds. Here's how to find the name forms that link you to your ancestors.

277

23
Names from the Cradle of Civilization

Believe it or not, some of the most popular names today date back far into antiquity. Those ancient ruins just might be where you find the perfect name.

291

24
Saints and Sinners

A "divinely inspired" pool of names.

311

25
Millennium Monikers

What's in the future when it comes to baby names? Here's a look at some of the top possibilities in the years ahead.

327

Appendixes

A
Boys' Names

337

B
Girls' Names

377

C
Additional Resources

411

D
Terms and Definitions

415

Index

417

Page vii

CONTENTS

Part 1: The Name Game

1

1
A Rose by Any Other Name

3

What's in a Name?

4

If Your Name's Randi, You Must Be a Bubbly Blonde!

5

A Good First Impression Or Not?

6

The Oprah Phenomenon

7

Moniker Mind Trips

8

Firsthand Experience

9

Taking Your Place in Family History

10

2
Where It All Began

13

It's All in the (Language) Family

13

From Caveman to Conquest

15

Enter the Normans

15

William and His Book

17

Onward Christian Names

17

Across the Great Pond

17

The Great Melting Pot

19

3
Name Types

21

Typecasting

22

Traditional

22

Classic Names

24

Pros and Cons of Traditional and Classic Names

25

Unusual Names

25

Variations on a (Classical) Theme

26

Created Names

27

Foreign Names

28

Uncommon Traditional Names

28

Pros and Cons of Unusual Names

28

Popular Names

29

Pop Culture Pop Names

29

Pros and Cons of Popular Names

30

4
Naming Fashions and Trends

33

Welcome to the Fashion Show

33

Fashions from the Past

34

Baby Talk

34

The Literary Connection

36

Cute as the Dickens

37

Tradition!

37

Page viii

Boomerang Names

38

Hooray for Hollywood!

38

Noah and the Rest of the Testament Clan

39

It's a Girl! Or Is It a Boy?

39

Place Your Name

40

Lasts as Firsts

40

Digging Up Roots

40

Singular Sensations

41

Hi, My Name Is Queenola!

41

And My Name Is Jamez

42

Gazing into the Crystal Ball

42

5
The Hit Parade

45

Tripping Down Memory Lane

45

Big Bands and Bombs

46

Poodle Skirts and Ponytails

47

Turbulence and Trouble

48

Freedom and Flow

49

Baby Boomers Booming

50

Millennium Madness

50

Plotting Your Course

51

Today's Top 200

52

Top 100 Boys' Names

53

Top Girls' Names

54

Part 2: Into the Pool

57

6
Name Play

59

The Ground Rules

60

Guideline #1: Please Yourself

60

Guideline #2: No Singular Sensations

61

Guideline #3: Don't Fly Solo

62

Guideline #4: Don't Be Silly

62

Choosing Your Palette

63

Length of Name

65

I've Got Rhythm

65

Alliance Through Alliteration

67

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

67

Are We Compatible?

67

The Virtues of Versatility

68

Going for a Test Drive

68

Spell It

68

Nick It

69

Say It

70

Page ix

Envision It

70

Share It

70

The Name Play Questionnaire

70

7
In the Family Way

75

It's a Family Affair

75

Welcome to the Diplomatic Corps!

76

The Art of Compromise

77

Double Trouble

79

Shaking the Family Tree

80

Starting Your Own Tradition

82

8
In the Middle

85

Middling Ages

86

Middle Grounds

87

Middling Through

88

Last Name in the Middle

88

Location Is Everything

88

Initials in the Middle

89

Middle Picking

90

Middle Moniker Tests

90

Mining for Middles

92

Creating a Middle

92

More Middle Inspirations

93

A Twinkle in Their Eyes: Star Babies

93

Infamous Middles

94

9
Neo-Names

97

Out with the Old, in with the Neo

97

Neo-Names for a Neo-Country

99

Neo-History

99

Neo-Creations

100

Neo-Hazards

101

Into the Wild, Blue Yonder: A Neo-Name Road Map

102

Inspire Me, Please!

102

Inspiring Details

103

The Neo-Inspiration Investigation

103

Joni + Mitchell = Jonell? Creating Your Neo-Name

104

Bits and Pieces

105

Blending Names

105

Head-On Collisions

106

Neo-Acronyms

106

Neo-Diminutives

107

Page x

No-Rules Neo-Names

107

Boys' Names

107

Girls' Names

108

10
Multiplicities

109

The More the Merrier

109

Multiple Rules

110

In the Family Way (More Than Just a Little!)

110

The Name Game Times Two

111

Multiple Fashions

112

Alliteration Angles

113

It's All Relative

114

Letter Switches

114

Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl: Masculine/Feminine Combinations

115

Anagrams

115

Form Combinations

116

Like Means Like

116

Virtuous Combinations

117

Pairing Prefixes

117

Just Good Names

117

Part 3: Star-Spangled Names

119

11
The Wild, Wild West

121

Don't Fence Me In

122

Celluloid Cowboys (and Cowgirls!)

123

Western Names from the Big (and Small) Screen

124

Bad Guys and Heroes

127

Meet Me at the O.K. Corral

128

Six-Shooters and Sunbonnets

129

12
Finding Our History: African-American Names

131

People Without Names

131

When Freedom Rang

132

Minting New Names

133

A Heritage Reborn

134

Current Trends

135

Names with a Distinctive Heritage

135

Creativity Rules

138

Names in the -Isha Tradition

138

The Chan-, Shan-, Ka-, La- Prefixes

138

-Ons, -Wons, and -Quons

139

The La-, De-, Da- Names

139

Page xi

13
As American As

141

They Came on the Mayflower

141

Founding Fathers (and Mothers!)

144

War, What Is It Good For?

146

American Royalty

147

At the Top of the Polls

148

Running a Solid Race

150

Losers in New Hampshire

152

American Heroes

153

14
You Say Potato, I Say Potahto

157

Popular Is as Popular Does: Regional Chart-Topping Name Trends

158

Yankee Doodle Dandies: The Northeast

158

For Whom the Liberty Bell Tolls: The Eastern Seaboard

159

Dixieland Darlings: The South

160

Corn-Fed Kids: The Midwest

162

Prairie Home Companions: The Central U.S.

163

Those Wide, Open Spaces: The Southwest

163

Where the Sun Sets: The West

164

Let It Snow: The Northwest

165

From the Land of Moss and Magnolias

166

Howdee, Billy Bob!

167

Southerly Stars

168

Western Omelets

169

Lasso Up a Name!

169

California Dreaming

170

A Mormon by Any Other Name

171

Stuck in the Middle with You: Midwestern Flavor

172

15
Native Origins

175

In the Eye of the Beholder

175

The Major Tribes

176

Native Trails: Stolen Land, Stolen Names

179

A Native Name Legacy

180

Trend-Tracking or Trespassing?

181

On the Trail

183

Part 4: People, Places, and Things

187

16
Virtues and Values

189

The Virtue of a Name

189

The Things They Carried

190

Thoroughly Modern Melody

191

Page xii

Hidden Virtues

192

The Meaning of All That

192

Weathering Life's Storms

193

Making a Joyful Noise

195

All You Need Is Love

197

To Tell the Truth

197

Me Tarzan, You Jane

198

Tranquility and Peace

198

Do unto Others

199

17
Guys and Gals and?

201

Crossing the Lines

201

You Can Call Me Marion, or You Can Call Me Duke

202

From Male to Female to Unisex

203

Shattering the Glass Ceiling

203

All in the Family

204

The Warning Label

205

The Name GameUnisex Style

206

Today's Hit Parade

207

The Up-and-Comers

208

Losing Their Identity

210

Better Left in the Dust

211

18
From the Earth to the Sky

215

The Nature of Names

215

Mapping It Out

216

Places to Be

217

Off the Beaten Track

219

Specks on the Map

220

Posies and Pearls

222

Flowery Names

223

Growing Freely

223

Rare Blooms

224

Lost Their Bloom

225

Family Jewels

225

Gems Commonly Used

226

Precious but Rare

226

Not Even a Twinkle in Their Parent's Eyes

228

When Nature Calls

229

Solid as a Tree

229

Flora and Fauna

229

19
You Oughta Be in Pictures

231

In the Public Eye

231

Art Imitating Life

233

Page xiii

Names in a Leading Role

234

Leading Men

234

Leading Ladies

236

Star Babies

238

The Traditionalists

238

Fashion Plates

241

20
Name Fates

247

It's in the Vibes

247

The Number Game

248

Reading Your Numbers

249

It's Written in the Stars

256

Star Gazing

256

In Your Dreams, Baby

259

Dream Catching

259

Dream Dancing

260

21
Aristocrats and Blue Bloods

261

Norman Names

262

Names from the Crusades

262

Monikers from the Middle Ages

265

Lancasters and Yorks

265

In the Tudor Style

265

Of Hanovers and Windsors

266

The Victorian Era

267

From Hanover to Windsor

268

Rule Britannia and Rule and Rule!

268

Teutonic Monikers

268

Names from a Grecian Urn

269

From the Midnight Sun

270

Czars and Czarinas

270

Yah, from Sveden

272

Names with a Flamenco Beat

272

Part 5: Compass Points

275

22
Honoring Ethnic Heritages

277

From Yaakov to Jacob

278

Searching the Old Country

279

Foreign Name Forms

281

Boys of a Feather

281

Girls of a Feather

282

The World Tour

283

Boys Around the World

283

Girls Around the World

287

Page xiv

23
Names from the Cradle of Civilization

291

Circles of Influence

291

Greco-Roman Names

293

Mere Mortals and Myths

295

Classic Beauties

296

From Many Gods to One

298

Names from the Good Book

300

Old Testament Boys' Names

300

Old Testament Girls' Names

302

New Testament Boys' Names

303

New Testament Girls' Names

304

The Teachings of Muhammad

305

Muslim Boys' Names

306

Muslim Girls' Names

307

24
Saints and Sinners

311

Sainted Ancestors

312

Heavenly Helpers

312

Protectors at Work and Home

313

Even More Sainted Ancestors!

315

Sainted Names

316

Saints for the New Year

316

Heartfelt February

317

When the Saints Go Marching In

318

A Showering of Saints

319

Wellsprings of Faith

319

Saints and Solstices

321

Summertime Saints

322

The Month of Augustine

322

September Saints

323

Saints and Souls

323

Giving Thanks

324

'Tis the Season

325

25
Millennium Monikers

327

Baby Odyssey, 2000

328

The In-Crowd

328

The Party's Over

329

On the Ascendant

329

Tomorrow's Stars

330

Boys' Names

330

Girls' Names

332

This Is the End (And the Beginning)

334

Page xv

Appendixes

A
Boys' Names

337

B
Girls' Names

377

C
Additional Resources

411

D
Terms and Definitions

415

Index

417

Page xxi

INTRODUCTION

Sowhat are you going to name your baby?

Getting tired of the question? If you aren't yet, you either haven't announced your impending new arrival to the world or your pregnancy hasn't become obvious to your friends and family. But get ready. The second your good news does become known, you can be sure you'll hear this question time and time again. After all, inquiring minds do want to know.

Choosing a name for your baby is just one of the many concerns that will occupy your thoughts during your pregnancy, andperhaps not surprisinglyit's one of the most important. When you choose a name for anything, be it person, place, or thing, you are giving that entity something by which it will forever be identified and remembered. The name you bestow on your child is one of the most precious gifts you can give. Not only do you want it to be a good name, you want it to be the right name.

The process of choosing a name is amazingly easy for some parents and the source of great consternation and confusion for others. Ask some people how they went about it and they'll look at you as if the question doesn't even compute. Others will launch into sagas about the months of research they did or the epic family battles that were waged overof all thingsthe name for a tiny new being. Sound silly? It happens more often than you think.

One of these scenarios might describe your situation, or you may be in the middle somewhereperhaps not all that perplexed about choosing a name, but wanting to learn as much as you can about it so you can make the best decision possible. Whatever your particular situation, The Complete Idiot's Guideâ to Baby Names is here to help!

How to Use This Book

If you've ever done any research at all on baby nameseither now or in the pastyou know that finding the right name isn't necessarily easy. Not only are there a number of different considerations to keep in mind, there are also thousands of names from which to choose. Going through the many different directories of names that are available today can get confusing. If you do your search on the Internet, it can be overwhelming.

That's where The Complete Idiot's Guideâ to Baby Names comes in. It's designed to increase your understanding of the importance of a name, and it will make your search for the perfect name a lot simpler by telling you exactly what you need to know about the selection process. Then, it presents the best of the bestby no means every name available under the sun, but handy, comprehensive lists of thousands of names, both popular and uncommon, as well as information on where they came from and what they mean.

Page xvii

Here's how the book breaks down:

Part 1 covers the history and psychology of naming, as well as traditions and trends in baby names. You'll learn how naming began and how it has evolved over the years, and gain a better understanding of the forces that shape our preferences for the names we choose for our children.

In Part 2, you'll get down to the nitty-gritty and actually learn what the selection process is all about for first as well as middle names. This is also where you'll get the low-down on creating a new name, should you be so inclined, and tips on handling special situationslike juggling family interests and concernsas well suggestions for choosing names if you're expecting more than one bundle of joy at once!

Thanks to its traditional role as the melting pot of the world's cultures, the United States has a pool of names unlike any other country in the world. In Part 3, you'll learn more about the names that are today considered uniquely American, as well as the traditions and influences that have shaped this vast resource over the years.

If you're looking for names that reflect some of the hottest trends in naming today, turn to Part 4, ''People, Places, and Things." Unisex names, place names, names from nature, even today's most popular virtue namesyou'll find them all here.

Part 5, "Compass Points," spans the globe and brings you even more names to consider. This is where you'll find the meanings behind some of the oldest names on record, some newer entries in the name pool, and some forgotten favorities that may gain new popularity in the years to come.

Extras

You'll also find little information boxes, or "bonus boxes" sprinkled throughout this book. They present key information and facts that you won't want to miss:

Page xviii

Acknowledgments

A project of this magnitude, as I realized when I input the meaning of the 5,000th baby name, is somewhat like giving birthminus the labor pains, of courseand, like childbirth, it has definitely been a team effort.

A number of people provided invaluable assistance on this book, including acquisitions editor Jessica Faust and development editor Amy Zavatto at Macmillan; Jean Sanger, who provided up-to-the-minute information on naming trends related to several key populations; Leigh Goldberg, who put her research skills to use on several chapters; and James Nearen, my talented research assistant (and devoted dad!) who helped me research and verify the meanings behind the thousands of names that appear in this book.

Special thanks also go to numerous friends and acquaintancesin particular, the ladies of the S&B Club, who graciously shared their baby-naming experiences with me, and to Jim, my husband, who regularly puts names in my head for future consideration!

Page xix

Special Thanks to the Technical Reviewer

The Complete Idiot's Guideâ to Baby Names was reviewed by an expert who double-checked the accuracy of what you'll learn here, to help us ensure that this book gives you everything you need to know about picking the perfect name for your baby. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Edward Callary.

Dr. Edward Callary is editor of Names, the Journal of Onomastics, an officer of the American Name Society, and a professor in the English department at Northern Illinois University.

A Final Word

We're in a wonderful era when it comes to naming our children. Gone are so many of the traditions and constraints that once governed this process. In today's name game, almost anything goes and eyebrows are rarely raised. So, let your imagination soar, cast your nets wide, and enjoy the journey that lies ahead.

Trademarks

All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be or are suspected of being trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books and Macmillan, USA, Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.

Page 1

PART 1
THE NAME GAME

Centuries ago, when the world's population was vastly smaller than it is today, the question of what to name the baby wasn't a big one for new parents for one, simple reasonthere weren't that many names to choose from! It wasn't necessary to have more than a handful of names for each gender, and most babies were named after relatives or influential figures whose names were already in the available name pool.

In today's world, expectant parents are faced with an ever-increasing name pool that contains thousands upon thousands of names. Combine this with a host of new name styles and fashions, and there are more names in use today than ever before. Butand this may come as a surprise to youthe factors that influence our particular name choices haven't really changed much since the days of our ancestors.

In this section, you'll learn what those forces are and why, if you're like most parents today, they will most likely influence the name you end up choosing for your baby.

What's in a name? Probably lots more than you ever dreamed.

Page 3

Chapter 1
A Rose by Any Other Name

Think for a moment about what happens when you meet someone new, say at a dinner party or a business meeting. You look at each other for visual cues about who you are and what you both might be like. You take note of each other's face, hair, and eyes, and how these features relate to the rest of your bodies. You size up what each other is wearingagain, a strong visual cue to what people are all about. You speak a greeting and you may offer a handshake. And you exchange one last piece of key informationyou give each other your names.

What's so important about names? Unless you have the kind of job that requires you to name things, you've probably never paid serious attention to what they're all about. In fact, you might not even know what your own name means, its origin, or how you came to get it. You may be wondering what the fuss over picking a name is all about.

Believe me, it's about plenty. When you have a baby, you find that many things that were once not very important to you suddenly become so. Choosing a name generally zooms right to the top of the list. Here's why.

Page 4

What's in a Name?

Maybe the better question to ask is: What isn't? Names are the identifiers by which we are known to the world. We are introduced by our names and remembered by them. They identify us and classify us. Try to do almost anything without giving your name; chances are you won't get very far. It's a basic element of human nature to want to know who and what we are dealing with, and we do so with names.

But there's a great deal more to the power of a name than this. Pair a name with how someone looks and sounds and you can often get a pretty good idea of where that person came from and what his or her origin is. Even in today's multicultural society, where names often cross back and forth between ethnic boundaries, names can beand often area dead giveaway to a person's nationality and ethnic background. In some cases, they can even pinpoint where people are born and raised.

Naming is so important that there's even a scholarly discipline devoted to the study of it, onomastics. There are also a number of organizations around the world, such as the American Name Society, that study naming. Because having the right name for the right product can mean the difference between success and failure, there are companies that do nothing other than research and develop those perfect matches.

Movies are often renamed after their previews if the original titles didn't quite seem to grab the interest of the audience. Celebrities often adopt new names for the same reason. Would you have gone to see Caryn Johnson perform a stand-up comedy act? Probably not. But as Whoopie Goldberg, she played to packed houses for years and made a successful leap to movies and television.

Here are some more famous celebrity name changes. See if you think these individuals made the right move.

Name at Birth

Professional Name

Alphonse D'Abruzzo

Alan Alda

Allen Stewart Konigsberg

Woody Allen

Camille Javal

Brigitte Bardot

Antonio Dominick Benedetto

Tony Bennett

David Robert Hayward-Jones

David Bowie

Charles Buchinsky

Charles Bronson

Vincent Furnier

Alice Cooper

Page 5

James George Janos

Jesse "The Body" Ventura

Mary Cathleen Collins

Bo Derek

Patsy Ann McClenny

Morgan Fairchild

Ralph Lifshitz

Ralph Lauren

Unless your child ends up having star ambitions, chances are pretty good that he or she will carry the name you bestow for a lifetime, changed only by the adoption of a new last name through marriage. That's reason enough to put some time and effort into your choice, but there's more to it than this.

If Your Name's Randi, You Must Be a Bubbly Blonde!

Over the course of 20 years as a journalist and author, I've conducted thousands of interviews with people I've never met before, much less seen. From the beginning, I often found myself anticipating what the interview would be like based on the names of my interviewees and on my past experiences with people who had the same names. I expected anyone named Beth to be attractive, friendly, and smart; Carols to be quick and outgoing with mile-a-minute mouths. If your name was Bill, I figured you would be fun to talk to and pretty intelligent. Same thing for guys named Tom. I'd groan at the thought of interviewing anyone named Skip, Eliot, or Sandy, expecting them to be goofballs or airheads; Candi, spelled in any of its various forms, would evoke a similar response.

Names do conjure up certain images and stereotypes, there's no doubt about it. One of my best friends in junior high and high school was a perky blond named Randi who was also one of the sweetest people on earth. I still think of her when I hear the name. Interestingly, most of the women named Randi that I've met since then have been a lot like her. Beth was another childhood friend, and the aforementioned attributes were just some of the reasons why she was the most popular girl in school. Her name

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remains at the top of my all-time favorites list to this day. Other names and images came from books I've read or movies and television shows that I've watched.

A Good First Impression Or Not?

More often than not, the first impressions we have of people are strongly influenced by what their names are. I don't think I'll ever meet someone named Beth without thinking positive thoughts. But what if I met someone with all the traits of a Beth who had a different name, one with which I didn't have a positive association? Would I write her off or think negatively of her before she even had a chance to prove me wrong? If Beth were Bertha or even Bessie, would she have been homecoming queen?

Over the years, a number of studies have been done on the correlation between names and images. One of the more recent was conducted by Bruce Lansky, one of North America's leading authors of baby-name books. He commissioned a survey that polled more than 75,000 parents to determine what they believed the most common images were of 1,400 popular names. In The Baby Name Personality Survey, published in 1990, Lansky presented the results of his study, and while he says it's dangerous to jump to conclusions on any name, he also found an amazing level of agreement about what people say they think of when they hear certain names.

As an example, here are some common first names and the images that survey respondents associated with them. See if the traits your assign to these names are the same or different:

Trait
Girls' Names

Aggressive
Lucinda, Oprah

Beautiful:
Amanda, Celeste, Elizabeth, Raquel

Blond:
Bambi, Barbie, Bunny, Candy, Christy, Heidi, Randi, Sally, Tracy

Bright:
Alana, Courtney, June

Fun-Loving:
Dixie, Gerri, Joyce, Liza

Plain:
Ann, Blanche, Cara, Edith, Ginny, Josephine, Karen, Mona

Foreign:
Bianca, Frederica, Sasha, Sonia, Zola

Friendly:
Bobbie, Carol, Gwen, Joy, Kathy, Marcie, Nancy, Sandy, Wendy

Trait
Boys' Names

Athletic:
Alex, Bjorn, Brett, Chuck, Jim, Kevin, Kirby

Bond:
Colin, Dane, Dennis, Derek, Eric, Josh, Leif, Tab

Brainy:
Edwin, Elliott

Funny:
Abbott, Allen, Carson, Dudley, Edsel, Sid, Tim

Handsome:
Adam, Beau, Christopher, Douglas, Keith, Lorenzo, Mitchell,
Rick, Rod

Nerdy:
Arnie, Clarence, Dexter, Egbert, Myron, Norman, Vern

(table continued on next page)

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(table continued from previous page)

Trait
Boys' Names

Intelligent:
Alexander, Clifford, David, Edward, John, Kenneth, Ned,
Samuel, Sebastian, Tim

Rich, Wealthy:
Bradley, Burke, Cameron, Chet, Colin, Dane, Frederick,
Jay, Jules, Kipp, Winslow, Yale

From: The Baby Name Personality Survey by Bruce Lansky and Barry Sinrod (Meadowbrook Press, 1990).

The Oprah Phenomenon

Did you notice something else as you went through these names and the traits assigned to them? Many of the images we have of certain names are shaped by influences from mass culturethe books, magazines, and newspapers we read, the movies and television shows we love to watch. Elizabeth Taylor and Raquel Welch are two legendary beauties. Dixie Carter sure seemed like fun as one of the Sugarbaker sisters on Designing Women. Was there ever a dowdier character than Edith Bunker on All in the Family?

The image for Oprah, one of the more uncommon female names, is almost entirely based on our impressions of one personOprah Winfreywho was characterized by respondents to Lansky's survey as aggressive, opinionated, flamboyant, bright, and sensitive. If there wasn't a media star named Oprah, the images this name conjures up would probably be vastly different, if we had them at all.

Bjorn Borg, Brett Favre, and George Brett either are or were top athletes. Steve Allen, Woody Allen, Johnny Carson, and Dudley Moore are all talented comedians. But then there's Edsel. I've never met a funny Edsel, but maybe the name itself is funny enough to have that trait associated with it. And there's Arnie in the nerd category. The only Arnies I can think of are golfer Arnold Palmer and Arnold Becker, the character that actor Corbin Bernsen played on L.A. Law. Neither seem terribly nerdy to me. Maybe the survey respondents had other Arnies in mind, or they thought that golf was a nerdy game.

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Clearly, the images associated with certain names can have a significant impact on the one you choose for your baby, which is the main reason why such names as Adolf and Cain are almost never given anymore, and why you probably won't see a great numbers of Monicas, Kenneths, or Lindas entering pre-school in the next few years (William is one of those perennially popular names that always ranks in the top 100, but it could take a dip). For more on naming trends and name popularity, turn to Chapter 3, "Name Types," and Chapter 5, "The Hit Parade."

Moniker Mind Trips

It's been said and written many times that we become our names and our names become us. From this, several obvious questions evolve: Can something as simple as our names have a profound impact on who we end up becoming? Can they shape our destinies? Going back to my friend Beth as an example, would she have been less popular if she had a name like Bertha or Bess? Even though she was talented and intelligent, would a name like Bambi or Barbie have forever relegated her to bimbo-land? Would she be less happy if Brunhilde was her name?

As it turns out, the answer to all these questions is yes. Psychologists say that happy people are generally happy with their names. While it's possible to find a certain degree of happiness with lots of given names, there's no denying the fact that common, accepted namesthe perennial classics like Elizabeth, Katherine, James, and Davidare easier for most people to handle than names like Vitalina, Esmerelda, Baxter (great name for a dog, not a kid), or Abner.

Giving children very foreign or highly uncommon names can cause social trauma at a very young age, leading to psychological scars that can be permanent or difficult to overcome. Even a common name with an unusual spelling can traumatize a little kid, which is a good reason to think twice about that real cool spelling of Jessica that you've managed to come up with. Something like Chessica or Jahseekah may look interesting and unusual, but think about what it will be like for your daughter to have to spell that name over and over and over again. Why saddle her with this burden when you really don't have to?

However, carrying an unusual name can also have its benefits. In his book, Unusual and Most Popular Baby Names, renowned name researcher Cleveland Kent Evans notes that people with uncommon first names are more likely to be listed in Who's Who and that college women with unusual first names often score higher when measured on sociability and self-acceptance. In addition, they often have a much stronger sense of individuality than their peers.

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Firsthand Experience

As someone with a somewhat uncommon first name, I can speak from experience and tell you that both sides of the equation are true. My given name, Sonia, is actually fairly common among the Scandinavians and Germans that I grew up with, but it was a more ethnic name than many, especially in the late 1950s and early 1960s when it seemed like all my little friends were name Susie or Nancy or Cathy. It's also a fun name to roll around in your month and play rhyming games with. I think I heard just about every pun that could be formed with my name before I finished high school.

While it didn't especially bother me (especially after I realized that many kids go through their own little hells, name-inspired or not) I did get tired of hearing the puns and I spent lots of time wishing my parents had named me something else. I wanted to blend into the background, but I had a name that always moved me into the foreground.

Do I think my destiny would have been vastly different if I had a different name? Maybe not vastly, but I'm pretty convinced it would have been different, and I base that opinion on my own informal study, conducted (unknowingly) when I was in college and right after I graduated.

Since I wasn't fond of my given name, I began using my nicknameSunnywhen I went to college. For some reasonprobably because I was afraid of what my parents would do if I had changed my name permanentlyI went back to Sonia when I landed my first newspaper job. It wasn't until then that I realized what a good name my parents had given me. Not only was it a name with power and substance, it was unusual and people remembered it when it appeared as a byline to a story. It made me stand out, and for the first time in my life, that's what I wanted.

I don't think Sunny, with its connotations of sweetness and light, would have had the same impact. (I also now know that I wouldn't have felt comfortable with it as I grew older.) It was at that time that I really became my name and my name became me. Now I can't imagine going by anything else, and I'm glad that my name still moves me to the foreground more often than not.

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We're seeing two interesting trends in naming today. One is to reach back to the past for traditional and old-fashioned names. The other is to go for the unusual and the ethnic. The result might be a lessening of the traumas that unusual names can cause. Still, there are names that are probably best left in the history books because they are so old-fashioned and dated. Maybe the TV characters Paul and Jamie Buchman on Mad About You thought Mabel was a wonderful name, but I think of a gray-haired granny with a dowager's hump every time I hear it. I have a wonderful uncle-in-law named Elmer, but I wouldn't want to bestow the name on one of my kids.

Taking Your Place in Family History

You may have started the naming process thinking that it wouldn't be any big deal, that you and your partner could kick a few names around, check some baby-name books, and come up with something that fit the bill reasonably well on your own. However, by now you've probably discovered that this baby-naming project isn't just between the two of you. Once the cat's out of the bag and your families know you're expecting, it becomes a big deal for them as well, whether you like it or not.

In many respects, this is as it should be. When you have a child, you're adding your own unique link to humankind and you're adding a chapter to your family's heritage. When the genealogy charts are drawn up for your family decades or centuries from now, the name you choose will in some way connect your child back to his or her history as well as pave the way for such connections in generations to come. These are considerations to keep in mind, even if you're not bound by more formal traditions or mandates imposed by your faith or heritage.

For many expectant parents, understanding their role in the continuum of their families' history and taking their families' heritage into account can mean the difference between coming up with an acceptable name and one that is really spectacular, one that they just know is dead-on right because it resonates so well. (For lots more on the history and origin of names, turn to Chapter 2, ''Where It All Began.")

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When you realize that you're paying homage to what has come before you in the name you bestow on your child and that you're setting a path for the future at the same time, what once may have seemed like a pretty simple act really does become much more important. It is truly an awesome responsibility, but there's nothing to match the joy you'll feel the moment you see your new baby and you realize that the name you've chosen is exactly right.

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Chapter 2
Where It All Began

Quick! Think of a name. Chances are that the first name that came to your mind is a common one, like Elizabeth, Catherine, John, or James. Names like these have dominated our naming choices for generations, and they continue to do so even today.

Most of the popular names still in useespecially in English-speaking countriesderive from one source and pay homage to some very ancient traditions. Why is this so? Much of the answer lies in how human language was developed and how it spread.

It's All in the (Language) Family

From the beginning of recorded time, humans have had a spoken language that they used to communicate and to name things, including themselves. By all indications, there was more than one language from the get-go, as many researchers have looked for evidence of one single language and have come up empty-handed. What they did find, however, were enough similarities between certain languages to group them into language families. One of the largestthe Indo-European familyis where most of our names derive from today.

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The people who get the credit for being the source of this language family are believed to have lived some 5,000 years ago in eastern Europe. They appear to have been forest dwellers, and they raised domestic animals such as horses, cows, and dogs. They had knowledge of such things as the wheel, and they knew how to smelt copper.

For some unknown reason, this civilization spilt up in approximately 2500 B.C.E. They used their horses and some sort of a wheeled device, probably the precursor to the chariot, to migrate in a number of different directions. Some went west to what would become the British Isles; others made their way east to Russia. Other branches headed to Greece, Spain, and Italy, while another branch ended up in Iran and Afghanistan and even traveled as far as India.

What we also know about the Indo-Europeans is that they were a very dominant lot. They overcame other populations no matter where they went, and they did away with any other language that was different from their own.

From the great diaspora of the Indo-Europeans comes the majority of spoken languages today. As shown in the following table, the family they comprise is the world's largest, including most of the languages of Europe, the Americas, and much of Asia as well as the classical languages of Latin and Greek.

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And these are just the major languages in this particular family. Today, there are several thousand spoken across the world. No one knows the exact number, as some of these tongues are so rare or so localized that they are barely known or have yet to be discovered. New languages also come into existence from time to time. Of these thousands of languages, however, fewer than 100 are spoken by the majority of the earth's population. And of them, over 50 percent hail from the Indo-European family.

From Caveman to Conquest

The earliest names were very simple, given the rudimentary form of language millennia ago. It's a pretty sure bet that none of these names survive in their original form today (although "Ugh" could have formed the basis for "Hugh").

With such a small population, there was no need for people to be identified by any more than one name. These "single" names (they really weren't first names because no middle or last names came after them) often related to a physical attribute or a circumstance of birth. Many of them still survive as surnames.

It is assumed, since there are no definitive records to support this, that naming continued along these lines for many centuries. But in the early part of the eleventh century something happened in England that not only served to change existing naming practices, it would also provide the first record of the names that were in use at the time. For this, we have a guy named William and a race named Norman to thank.

Enter the Normans

In 1066, the residents of England found themselves under siege by herds of marauding nomads from the east. Led by a particularly fervent fellow named William (a.k.a. William the Conqueror), they swept the land and overtook everything in sight, claiming everything they plundered for their home country.

Not only did William and his crew take over the population, they took over its language, replacing the simple names that had been used in England for centuries with unfamiliar, strange-sounding (at least to English ears) Norman names. Where original English names had been drawn chiefly from the Anglo-Saxon language, Norman names were primarily of German or French origin (the Normans having conquered these countries first),

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which we today associate with German- or French-speaking peoples. So, thanks to the Norman Conquest, many of the names we today think of as being English are actually German or French in origin.

Before William and his crew arrived, it was an English tradition to create new names by combining elements from existing names. As you can see by the following list, some of these combinations were pretty awkward. It's a good bet that none of them will climb onto the most popular name charts anytime soon, and perhaps that's a good thing. Can you imagine the ridicule a boy named But would face in school? And how about a little girl with the moniker of Wakerilda?

Old English Girls' Names

Old English Boys' Names

Alditha

Ailmar

Alveva

Ailsi

Edild

Alnod

Goda

Brunloc

Goldyva

But

Leofrun

Ingulf

Wakerilda

Theodulf

From: Leslie Alan Dunkling, First Names First (Universe Books, 1977).

This naming tradition was largely abandoned when the Normans came calling, as they forced their new subjects to adopt many of their traditions, including the ones they had for names. Instead of creating names, the Normans generally relied on an established group of monikers that was passed on through families, or they would name their children in honor of special friends or famous people. One of the results of this practice was a significant reduction in the number of names available for use.

As the pool of names dwindled, certain names came to dominate, leading to the adoption of family names, or last names, in about 1100 C.E. This practice, which is believed to have started in Italy, moved through Europe as the demands of an increasing population necessitated a procedure for distinguishing Edward the father from Edward the son from Edward the uncle. These last names, or surnames, were often built from popular first names, as in the case of John becoming Johnson (son of

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John). They also often reflected what the individual did for a living, such as Potter or Baker, or were taken from their hometowns.

William and His Book

After the Normans had dominated England for several decades, William decided to document the population he had come to control. From this early census report came the Domesday Book, which is one of the earliest records we have of names and naming trends.

As could be expected, thanks to the Norman tradition, the names that were listed showed a reliance on a small group of names for each gender, as well as a strong preference for specific names within each group. Most of society at the time relied on a select list of 20 names for each gender, with Henry, John, Thomas, Richard, Robert, and William accounting for four fifths of the male population; Agnes, Alice, Cicely, Elizabeth, Helen, Isabel, Joan, Matilda, and Margaret accounting for the majority of the women.

In the generations following William's arrival, Norman names continued to replace the English, with Alice, Margery, Maud, Muriel, Olive, and Emma finding favor for girls; William, Richard, Robert, Henry, Hugh, and Ralph became popular for boys.

Onward Christian Names

The next major change in naming would be driven by the Christian Church nearly a century after William came to England. The church had long urged parents to select names of saints or martyrs for their children, believing that using such names would place the bearers under their namesake's protection. However, such advice was largely ignored until the thirteenth century, when the spread of Christianity lead to many converts taking new Christian names when they were baptized.

Saint namesPeter, John, James, Anthony, Paul, and othersbegan being used in greater frequency for boys. For girls, Mary, Anne, Elizabeth, and Catherine became popular.

Across the Great Pond

The Indo-Europeansor at least, people of Indo-European derivationwould make one final conquest, and it was a doozy, to say the least. They couldn't just paddle across a river, leap over a fjord, or hike some steppes. Not this time. The last great Indo-European conquest called for nothing less than crossing one of the largest bodies

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of water on earth, and it began in earnest when the first wave of settlers came to the New World from England.

These first settlers had Christian names, but they were very different from those that had been bestowed in the centuries following the Norman Conquest. Thanks to Henry VIII's battle with the Catholic Church over his right to divorce, a new church order had come into being. King Henry's Church of England chose to reject many of the rites and practices of the Catholic Church, including the use of many names closely associated with saints and martyrs.

This meant that a new source for baptismal names had to be found, and the Bible proved a fertile ground. Such names as Adam, Abraham, Solomon, Daniel, David, Eve, Rachel, and Sarah began growing in favor. And when the Puritans entered the scene in the sixteenth century, they added some very distinctive names of their own that reflected their beliefs and virtues, such as Prudence, Charity, Temperance, Blessed, and Job. (These were some of the best that ended up being accepted for general use. Other names used by the Puritans included Dust, Humility, Kill-sin, Fly-fornication, Sin-deny, and Tribulation.)

Since the U.S. would largely be settled by explorers and colonists from countries that spoke languages derived from the Indo-European language family, these would be the names that would shape the face of America's population as well. Even on the West Coast, which was largely settled by the Spanish as they traveled north from Mexico, there were strong similarities between the names being given to newborns there and those being bestowed to babies on the East Coast.

The synergy over the pond continued for quite some time, with great similarities between the names that were popular in England and America, as evidenced in the following list:

Top Names in the 1870s:

Men:

USA

England and Wales

William

William

John

John

Charles

George

Harry

Thomas

James

James

George

Henry

Frank

Charles

Robert

Arthur

Joseph

Frederick

Thomas

Joseph

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Women:

USA

England and Wales

Mary

Mary

Anna

Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Sarah

Emma

Annie

Alice

Alice

Edith

Florence

Florence

Emily

May

Edith

Helen

Ellen

Katherine

Ada

From: Leslie Alan Dunkling, First Names First (Universe Books, 1977).

The crossing of the Atlantic was another example of Indo-European dominance of a foreign population. As the settlers came into contact with the Indians of the New World, they often gave them European names as they found the Indian names too difficult to pronounce. Indian names were sometimes translated into English, but the translations were often awkward. However, many of the translated names survive today as surnames attached to English names, such as Harold Kills Enemy or George Shot With Arrow.

For being able to claim ownership of the only truly American names, the Indians of the New World had little or no impact on the personal names used in the United States until very recently.

The Great Melting Pot

As people from all over the world continued to come to the United States, they brought their names and their naming traditions with them. However, both given names and surnames were often "Americanized" in the immigration process, especially if their bearers weren't sure about the spelling. Sometimes names were changed to make them sound more Englishsuch as Adolph becoming Arthur or Bridget becoming Berthaand therefore more agreeable to American ears. In some cases, the immigrants themselves would elect to Americanize their names to make them easier to spell and understand.

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During the decades that followed, the United States population grew more diverse; however, the vast majority of names given to its newest members continued to be of English derivation. Again, much of this was due to the continuing flow of immigrants from other countries who wanted to give their children the best possible start in America by assigning them names that would help them fit in. Over time, these names would come to be considered as American names, even though they were really anything but.

Today, the odds still favor a child who is born in the United States being given a name of English derivation, thanks to the long history behind these names and the long-standing dominance of the English language. But the continued blending of cultural and ethnic boundaries has created a pool of available names that has grown far beyond traditional naming patterns.

As parents, you have a broader range of names to choose from for your new baby today than at any other time in recorded history. You also have a virtually free rein over your selection, as there are almost no rules governing what name you select (you'll find the few that exist in Part 2, "Into the Pool").

What is kind of fun to keep in mind is that whatever name you end up choosing or creating for your new little one will also take its rightful place in the compendium of naming history. Somewhere down the road, perhaps centuries from now, other expectant parents will be studying our naming trends and patterns as they search for the perfect name for their joyous arrival. The name you select today might even serve as inspiration to someone in those future generations. What a great legacy to leave!

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Chapter 3
Name Types

Is there a parent out there who doesn't want to give his or her child the best name possible? Probably not. We all want our children to carry names that will empower them and help them realize their full potential in life.

Before you get started on your search for a specific name for your baby, it's a good idea to identify the type of name that you feel will work the best for your child, and for you. There are, as you can probably imagine, many different categories of names. And there are pros and cons for choosing any of them.

Some parents feel more comfortable with traditional or classic names and believe these names, while often perceived as somewhat ordinary or boring, will serve their children better in the long run. Others favor more unusual or uncommon names, believing the advantages that a ''stand-out" name can carry outweigh the negatives that they can have as well. Still others like the names of the momentthe popular, contemporary names that tend to cycle on and off the name popularity charts in a decade's time.

What will be right for you and your baby? There's really no single, surefire method of determining what the perfect type of name is for your situation, as there are far too many variables for even the experts to consider. However, you can get a better idea of what will work for you by learning more about the different types of names and their strengths and weaknesses.

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Typecasting

If you're any kind of movie buff, or a television buff for that matter, you know that certain actors are going to play certain roles no matter what. It's called typecasting, and it happens when actors become so closely associated with key roles that they've played that they have a hard time taking on a role that's of a different type.

This same association also holds true with names. Beyond the mental beliefs and images we conjure up when we think of or hear specific names, we also tend to group names into a common set of categories, or types. There are some differences of opinion regarding the names that fall into certain categoriesfor example, you might feel that Christopher is a traditional name while your friend calls it a classicbut you would probably both agree that it comes nowhere near the unusual name category.

Let's take a look at some of the most common name types and the reasons for considering or rejecting them.

Traditional

A large number of the names in use today date back to the years following the Norman invasion of England and to the Middle Ages. These are the bread-and-butter names that have dominated both boys' and girls' name charts for many centuries and continue to be popular today. Some of the most familiar traditional names have fallen out of favor in recent decades; more obscure ones occasionally make brief comebacks.

Traditional names are generally very familiar to the ear and are widely used throughout the world in many different forms. They tend to sound dignified or well-established, and they often give the impression of conservatism, elegance, and a high social standing. Because they're so well known, they're hardly ever mispronounced or misspelled.

Boys are given traditional names much more frequently than girls are. For girls, traditional names were very popular through 1960, but decreased significantly in use after that as parents began searching for more unusual names.

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Traditional boys' names include the following:

Allen

Joseph

Roger

Arthur

Kenneth

Ronald

Brian

Lawrence

Ross

Bruce

Louis

Samuel

Charles

Mark

Simon

Dennis

Patrick

Steven

Edward

Paul

Stuart

Frank

Peter

Theodore

George

Philip

Thomas

Henry

Raymond

Timothy

Hugh

Richard

Walter

Jeffrey

Robert

William

John

Rodney

Following are traditional girls' names as well:

Alice

Evelyn

Margaret

Alison

Hannah

Martha

Amanda

Helen

Mary (Marie, Maria)

Andrea

Irene

Olivia

Ann (Anne, Anna)

Jane

Pamela

Beatrice

Janet

Patricia

Carol

Joan

Priscilla

Caroline

Josephine

Rebecca

Catherine

Judith

Ruth

Claudia

Julia

Sarah (Sara)

Deborah

Katherine

Susan

Diana

Laura

Teresa (Theresa, Therese)

Elizabeth

Linda

Victoria

Emily

Mabel

Virginia

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Classic Names

At first glance, there may not seem like there's much difference between classic and traditional names, as this group contains many namessuch as James, David, Matthew, and Michaelthat also can be labeled as traditional names. The distinction between the two categories can be slight, but there are differences between them.

Classic names are often newer and more modern- sounding than their traditional cousins. Some classic names are derived from traditional names, or may be pet forms of these names. Names that began as trendy or popular names that survived on the most popular lists for more than one decade also fall into this category.

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Classic boys' names include:

Alex

David

Michael

Bradley

James

Nicholas

Brett

Jason

Scott

Christopher

Larry

Zachary

Daniel

Matthew

The following are classic girls' names:

Amy

Jennifer

Maria

April

Jessica

Michelle

Barbara

Lauren

Melissa

Cindy

Lisa

Nancy

Heather

Pros and Cons of Traditional and Classic Names

Studies have shown that children who carry the more commonly used traditional or classic names tend to be teased less by their peers than those with unusual names. They also often have fewer problems adjusting to different social settings or unfamiliar surroundings. Since these names generally lend themselves well to the creation of pet names, the chances are rare for kids with these names disliking all forms of their names, and good for getting a pet name that doesn't set them up for a lot of ridicule.

About the only argument against names in these categories is the simple fact that they're so widely used. Because of this, they're often perceived as being passé or boring, and the parents who bestow them upon their kids can even find themselves the target of gentle ribbing along the lines of, "Is that the best you could do?"

Some of the names in both categories can sound very outdated just because we've grown tired of hearing them. This is especially true of the names that were recently very popular in the classic category, like Jessica, Jennifer, Jason, and Zachary.

Unusual Names

This is the broadest name category by necessity, as almost everything that doesn't fit into the classic or traditional categories get tossed into this bin. You'll find a little bit

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of everything here, including foreign variations of traditional and classic names, created names, traditional names with non-traditional spellings, non-Anglicized foreign names, and traditional and classic names that are used less frequently than others.

Names of all types in this category are gaining in popularity as more and more parents find themselves seeking something different for their offspring.

Variations on a (Classical) Theme

As mentioned earlier, John, the most common given name in the English language, is also a popular first name in many other languages. So, too, are classic names like Mary, which also appears as Maria in such languages as German, Dutch, Russian, and Italian; Marie in French; Marija in Czech; Marja in Polish; and Maire in Gaelic.

Other popular forms of classic and traditional names from various languages include:

Catherine: Ekaterina (Russian), Catriona or Catrina (Scottish), Katarzyna (Polish), Katharina (German), Caitríona (Gaelic), Catarina (Italian).

Elizabeth: Elisheba (Hebrew), Elisabeta (Hawaiian), Elisabetta (Italian), Elzbieta (Polish), Elisabet (Scandinavian).

Edward: Édouard (French), Eduard (German), Eadbhard (Irish), Eduardo (Italian), Edvard (Scandinavian).

Christopher: Christoph (German), Cristoforo (Italian).

Another way to make a classic or traditional name stand out from the others is the fashion of giving it an unusual spelling, such as Aimee or Ami for Amy and Kolin for Colin. Here are some other examples, gleaned from a sample of names given to newborns in 1997:

Girls' Names

Jessica: Jessika

Catherine: Cathryne

Victoria: Victorya

Christina: Krysteena

Margaret: Margret

Amy: Amey

>Kathleen: Kathlen (this name, spelled Kathlyn, was given to the first-born daughter of Annette Bening and Warren Beatty)

Boys' Names

Christian: Kristjan

Timothy: Timmothy

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Caleb: Kaleb

Jeremy: Jereomy

Chase: Chayse

Eric: Eryk

Zachary: Zakery, Zackari, Zacherie

Michael: Miykael

Created Names

Many parents who feel too confined by existing name choices decide to create their own names for their offspring. These created or "coined" names can come into existence in a variety of ways. The most common is by taking the elements of two or more names and combining them, such as Marick (Mary and Rick) or Laronda (Larry and Ronda). Other ways names are created include:

Combining an element of a favorite word or name with a diminutive ending (-ina, -ette, -ita).

Combining elements of popular names with certain sounds.

Combining letters from words that have special meaning.

Creating an acronym from the first letters of a string of special words, a favorite saying, etc.

Shuffling the letters in a favorite name or word to create an anagram.

Spelling a word or a name backward to form another word or name, also known as an ananym.

One of the strongest influences on this name category has been the naming fashions of African Americans. Following the Civil War, the newly freed slaves often abandoned their captive names and adopted the full forms of these names. Many wished to celebrate their freedom by using names that were entirely different from the ones used by whites. Since there wasn't much good information available on naming styles and fashions from the land of their forefathers, they created new names by combining elements of popular names with sounds that they found appealing.

You'll find more about created names and how to go about coming up with one of your own if this appeals to you in Chapter 9, "Neo-Names," and in Chapter 12, "Finding Our History: African-American Names."

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Foreign Names

Some of the names in this category are even unusual in their native countries; use a name such as Balder (Scandinavian), Arkhip (Russian), or Ifigenia (Spanish) in North America and you're almost guaranteed of zooming off the rare and unusual charts, especially if there's an ethnic mismatch between first and last names. Still, some parents feel a strong affinity to these decidedly unusual names. Some want to choose a name that strongly reflects their ethnic origins, or that of their child if they're adopting a baby from a different ethnic heritage. For whatever reason, if you really want to come up with something different for your baby, foreign soils are fertile grounds to consider exploring in your name search.

Uncommon Traditional Names

Take a look at name lists from as recently as 50 years ago, and you'll see traditional names that have fallen out of favor. Go back to names from a century ago and you'll find even more. Some of these nameslike Wilfred, Gertrude, and some of the more obscure biblical namesare so uncommon and dated that they're best left where they are; others are beginning to gain in popularity because they are so rarely used.

For more on these uncommon traditional names, turn to Chapter 13, "As American As" and Chapter 5, "The Hit Parade."

Pros and Cons of Unusual Names

As discussed in Chapter 1, "A Rose by Any Other Name," very unusual or uncommon names can be advantageous for adults because they help their bearers stand out from the crowd. People tend to remember individuals with names that are unfamiliar or unusual; even if they don't recall the exact name, they'll remember "the woman with the foreign-sounding name" or ''the guy with the Russian name."

However, the strongest attributes of unusual names can also be their biggest drawbacks. They can be tough to spell and pronounce. If they're highly uncommon, they can make for lots of juvenile teasing, and for some unfortunate typecasting. It's tough for a little boy to overcome the name Claude, which doesn't lend itself well to a pet name derivative but is a great name for word plays like clod or clodhopper. I went to school with a kid named Axel, which also happened to be the name of a local kiddie show host at the time. To this day, I can't think of my former classmate without seeing the TV Axel's goofy striped shirt, bushy mustache and eyebrows, and hearing his extremely exaggerated Scandinavian accent. Some images don't die easily!

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Some unusual names, especially ones from other countries, just don't translate well culturally. Boris, a fairly common Russian name, still conjures up images of the Iron Curtain and the Cold War for many Americans, in part because of the Soviet spy cartoon character of the same name that was featuredalong with his female counter-part, Natashain the popular Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon show during the 1960s. Boris Yeltsin might propel this name to more popularity in Russia, but it probably will never make it as a popular name anywhere else.

Popular Names

Popular names are exactly thatnames that are popular or vogue at a specific point in time. These are the trendiest names, and they're the strongest reflection of the naming fashions that are in style at the time at which they're bestowed.

They are not, however, the names that will necessarily bear up well over timeespecially when it comes to girls' names, which now tend to be very trendyunless they become so widely used and accepted that they move into the classic category.

Pop Culture Pop Names

Popular names are strongly influenced by popular culture, including the movies and television shows we love to watch and the books we love to read. Names are often given in honor of favorite actors or the roles they play. Television has been a very strong influence on naming trends, with such shows as Dynasty, Falcon Crest, and Dallas spawning lots of little girls named Alexis, Brittany, or Amanda in the mid- to late 1980s and early 1990s. Soap operas also have made a strong contribution to the name pool, with many of today's trendiest names represented on the most popular shows.

Naming children after famous people, such as national heroes or other admired individuals, is also a strong influence on popular names. Although it would be difficult

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to give John F. Kennedy all the credit for the perennially popular name John, it's interesting to note that the name's popularity dropped significantly after the 1970s and didn't even appear on the 10 most popular list for 1990. Richard, another classic name, disappeared off the top 10 in the years following the Watergate scandal and the resignation of Richard Nixon and hasn't reappeared since.

Pros and Cons of Popular Names

As with unusual names, the strongest reasons for choosing popular names are also the biggest strikes against them. Popular names are fresh and they can be very fun. However, because they're so closely tied to naming trends (turn to Chapter 4, "Naming Fashions and Trends"), they're often flashes in the pan. The names that are in vogue today can become incredibly out-of-date in just a few decades' time. And, if they're wildly popular, they can get overused pretty quickly as well.

Jason, one of the most popular boys' names in 1980, is a good example of a popular name that quickly ran its course. It came out of nowhere to the second spot on the popularity lists for that year, and was so wildly popular for awhile that it seemed like everyone was using it for their new baby boys. By 1990, it had dropped out of the top 10 entirely, although it was still chosen often enough to cause problems in the classroom. Teachers are saints for many reasons, but just think what it would be like if you called on Jason and four little boys started speaking. However, its strong popularity, while brief, has earned it a spot on most classic name lists.

Another reason not to choose a popular name is the transient nature of fame. A very popular personality one year can be a has-been just a few years later. Celebrities can be tarnished by scandal or just plain bad luck, and their names forever associated with negative images.

Woody, for example, may not have ever been a super popular boys' name. However, the very public breakup of actor/director/author Woody Allen and Mia Farrow (as well as the reason behind it) and the typecasting of actor Woody Harrelson as the country rube Woody Boyd on the popular television show Cheers has probably moved this

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name to the "unfortunate" category along with such tragic names as Adolph, Benito, and Cain. And this is a category, as you may imagine, into which no parent in his or her right mind should ever delve.

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Chapter 4
Naming Fashions and Trends

In today's high-speed, disposable world, very few products or styles remain in favor for more than a year or two. Such things as the clothing we wear and the cars we driveeven the music we listen to and the food we eatcan change in style almost as quickly as Madonna sheds one image for another.

Depending on the creative whims of the world's style arbiters, even the colors that surround us go in and out of favor. Gray, for example, is the newest neutral shade; pink is suddenly very, very "in" after dropping out of favor in the years following the Eisenhower presidency (it was Mamie Eisenhower's favorite color). But it, just like Mamie's somewhat dowdy-sounding name and '50s-style hairdo, faded from the American fashion conscience faster than you can say "pink lip gloss."

What is this year's "in" style or "gotta have it" gadget can turn into a ''been there, done that" yawner in a matter of months or even weeks. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the same holds trueto a somewhat lesser degreein the world of baby names. Just ask anyone named Mamie.

Welcome to the Fashion Show

While personal names don't go through the same rapid spin cycle as some fashions or products do, it's no secret that some names hang in there on the popularity lists year after year, while others seem to come on and drop off in the blink of an eye.

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Many of the names that were in vogue when you were born have very likely faded in popularity by now. Your own name, in fact, may be one of those faded stars, unless you were given a perennially popular name that never quite goes away. Throw your parents' or your grandparents' names into the mix, and the changes in how babies are named over the years will become even more apparentespecially when it comes to womens' names, which, like our clothing and hair styles, change more frequently than men's do.

Why this happens is largely due to the naming stylesalso known as name fashionsthat are popular when you and your relatives were born. These can range from such classic fashions as naming children after royaltya common naming style in Europe for many centuriesto such current naming fashions as culling names from special places or geological terms, creating names, using last names as first names, and using androgynous or unisex names for both boys and girls.

Some naming fashions, like naming children after royalty, are very traditional, although they will cycle in and out of popularity. Others, such as using pet names instead of formal names, are often more trendy and tied into a certain person or event that has had a strong influence on current events at a given point in time. Still others are particular to the habits and traditions of certain ethnic or religious groups.

Fashions from the Past

As you learned in Chapter 2, "Where It All Began," the pool of names for English-speaking people was extremely limited for many centuries. Names were sometimes added to the mix in honor of queens and kings and other famous people, but the majority of names in use stayed virtually unchanged until the Protestants turned to the Bible for names in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Then the Puritans came along and really blew the roof off of existing naming traditions by using more obscure biblical names as well as names that reflected prized virtues and beliefs.

Baby Talk

The first significant name fashion to emerge that wasn't based on religious beliefs or honoring famous people came from the simplified forms that babies use when pronouncing multi-syllable names as they first learn to talk. Such tough-to-pronounce names (for babies, anyway) as Harold turned quite easily into Hal. Abby was a natural baby-talk version of Abigail.

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These simplified names, called "nursery" or "pet" names, were originally limited to use in the home or among very close friends, as they weren't considered appropriate forms of address for proper men and ladies. However, some became so popular that they began to be accepted as first names in their own right during the eighteenth century.

The following is a selection of some popular names from that period and the pet names that were derived from them that have since gained acceptance as given names:

Women

Abigail: Abby, Gail, Gale, Gayle

Ann: Annie, Nancy

Belinda: Linda

Cassandra: Cass, Sandy

Elizabeth: Bess, Beth, Betsy, Bette, Betty,

Elisa, Elise, Lisa, Liza

Faith: Fay, Faye

Helen: Ella, Nell, Nelly

Judith: Jody, Judy

Katherine (or Catherine): Kathy, Kay, Kitty,

Katie

Sarah: Sadie, Sally, Sari

Susanna: Sue, Susan, Susie, Suzy

Theresa: Tracy

Men

Alexander: Al, Alec, Alex, Sandy

Alfred: Alf, Alfie, Fred

James: Jamie, Jimmy

John: Jack, Jock, Johnny

Michael: Mick, Mickey, Mitch

Nicholas: Nick, Colin

Richard: Dick, Rick, Rich

Robert: Rob, Bobby, Robin

William: Bill, Billy, Will, Willy

From: Leslie Alan Dunkling, First Names First (Universe Books, 1977).

Pet names such as Nancy, Sally, Hal, and Robin have gained such wide acceptance as first names in their own right that we often don't realize that they were derived from older, more traditional names. Other pet names are still largely relegated to that

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category alone, although some are gaining in popularity for other reasons. Katie, a diminutive of Katherine, is currently fairly high on the popularity lists, largely due to the immense popularity of Today show host Katie Couric; so, too, is the pet name favored by her co-host, Matt Lauer.

In any case, we're far beyond the days when parish priests would automatically enter Ann, Sarah, and Elizabeth as the proper names for the Nancys, Sallys, and Betsys presented to them for baptism. If you like the name Katie, you don't have to name your baby girl Katherine to get there.

Several ethnic groups are very fond of pet names, and you'll see these derivative names used among these people more than others. Hispanics will often create pet names by attaching a diminutive ending to a popular name, like Carmelita, Pepita, and Juanita. The Japanese are also fond of creating names in this fashion.

The Literary Connection

The Bible is probably the most famous and most widely used source for names the world over, but it's by far not the only literary work that has had a strong influence on naming fashions.

William Shakespeare was just one of the many playwrights, poets, and novelists who made a strong contribution to the naming pool on the far side of the Atlantic. Juliet, of course, is a given, but we also have the Bard to thank for such widely popular names as Jessica, which, while found in the first book of the Bible, really didn't become popular until Shakespeare used it in The Merchant of Venice. Other names with a Shakespearean heritage include:

Women

Men

Bianca (The Taming of the Shrew; Othello)

Benedick (Much Ado About Nothing)

Celia (As You Like It)

Dion (The Winter's Tale)

Cordelia (King Lear)

Duncan (Macbeth)

Diana (All's Well That Ends Well)

Fabian (Twelfth Night)

Julia (Two Gentlemen of Verona)

Humphrey (Henry VI, Part II)

Ophelia (Hamlet)

Lorenzo (The Merchant of Venice)

Miranda (The Tempest)

Sebastian (Twelfth Night; The Tempest)

Portia (The Merchant of Venice; Julius Caesar)

Toby (Twelfth Night)

Rosalind (As You Like It)

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Cute as the Dickens

Some of the full character names that Charles Dickens used in his popular novelsespecially the ones he gave to his male charactersare pretty laughable to this day, but their given names are also some of the most popular around. While he often drew from the available name pool, Dickens also had a flair for the fanciful and unusual, and his naming talents were one of his strongest literary tools. We also have Dickens to thank for some of the most iconoclastic names ever coined, such as Uriah Heep and Ebeneezer Scrooge, or, in a more positive light, Oliver Twist.

Popular Dickensian names include:

Women

Amy (Little Dorrit)

Anastasia (Our Mutual Friend)

Betsey (David Copperfield)

Clarissa (David Copperfield)

Estella (Great Expectations)

Fanny (Dombey and Son; Little Dorrit)

Lavinia (David Copperfield; Our Mutual Friend)

Minnie (Little Dorrit)

Men

Bradley (Our Mutual Friend)

>Christopher (The Old Curiosity Shop; Little Dorrit)

Nicholas (Nicholas Nickleby)

Sydney (Nicholas Nickleby; A Christmas Carol)

Taking names from popular literary characters remains a strong naming fashion to this day in both English- and non-English-speaking countries. This fashion also forms the basis for the custom of naming children after stage, screen, and television stars, which, while very popular in many parts of the world (including the U.S.), is somewhat of a national mania in places like India, where the most popular stars are literally idolized.

Tradition!

Other naming fashions from the past still in use today are largely linked to religious and cultural traditions and habits, and are often limited in use to these groups.

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Members of the Jewish faith, for example, often honor a loved one who has passed away by giving a child the same name or one that is close to it. Roman Catholics in many countries still place their children under the protection of a favorite saint or other religious figure by using the saint's name as a first or middle name.

In Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, and China, names often reflect birth order or are symbolic of special traits or desires the parents wish to confer upon their children. For example, Takeshi, a Japanese boy's name meaning bamboo tree, can symbolize the virtue of strength; Miyuki, a girl's name, translates to "silent, deep snow," and also denotes a peaceful or serene character

There are a number of various naming customs among Native American tribes. Some names describe certain physical or behavioral characteristics; others are based on significant events or symbolism that is known only to members of each tribe. The tradition in some tribes is to change names at important times in a person's life, such as the beginning of puberty or when a significant feat is accomplished.

Boomerang Names

No, these aren't names from the aboriginal tribes of Australia, but rather the names that were flung out of use a long time ago that are now zipping right back. Expectant parents are digging deeper into traditional and classic lists and pulling names from decades and even centuries ago. Why? Because they're so unused, these names are sounding new and contemporary even though they aren't.

This particular naming fashion began its latest round in England, where traditional given names have always been more popular than they are in North America. In the U.S., its growing popularity is evidenced not only by current naming records but also by the naming fashions coming out of Hollywood, both on and off screen.

Hooray for Hollywood!

Rather than give the daughter of the yuppie couple played by Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt a predictably yuppie name, the writers of Mad About You chose Mabel. This particular name selection was probably made for its comedic possibilities, as the incredulous reactions expressed by various cast members that went on for several episodes were pretty funny. And they had good reasons for having such reactions. Mabel is so far out that it's hard to believe that anyone would willingly choose it. But it does indicate a naming fashion trend, and the show made a statement in using it.

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Jodie Foster, who uses a trendy first name in place of her more traditional given name, Alicia, chose the decidedly untrendy name Charles for her new son. No Rivers, Dakotas, or Sierras for the quintessentially classic Foster (although I wonder if she realized that her baby's name is evocative of one of the greatest film characters of them allCharles Foster Kane, the tragic newspaper editor played by Orson Welles in Citizen Kane).

Other Hollywood stars who have given their kids boomerang names include Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig (Clifford and Roxanne), Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin (Sophia Rose), and Cybill Shepherd, who, after naming her oldest daughter Clementine, chose Molly Ariel and Cyrus Zachariah for the twins she conceived while starring on Moonlighting.

Noah and the Rest of the Testament Clan

Some names from the Bible, like John, James, Rachel, and Sara, are so beloved that they never drop far from the top of the popularity lists, but others names in this category that are gaining in use, such as Ezekial, Esther, Edna, and Silas, definitely fall under the boomerang category.

It's a Girl! Or Is It a Boy?

Taylor. Jordan. Logan. Jesse. Kerry. Boys' names? Girls' names? Who knows anymore! Guessing doesn't work when you come across these names or the dozens of others that have made their way into the unisex category in the last 20 years or so.

It's hard to say why androgyny is such a powerful force on naming, but there's no denying that the pool of sexually ambiguous names has grown substantially since the first girls named Jordan hit the scene in the early 1970s.

You'll find lots more on this naming fashion in Chapter 17, "Guys and Gals and?"

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Place Your Name

Many unisex names are now being derived from place names and geological terms. As a naming fashion, this also fits under the boomerang category, as they've been used as surnames for centuries and have been transferred to given names for about as long. This is evidenced by such classic English names as Brooke, Forrest, Glen, and Lee (the last derived from the Old English leah, which means clearing or meadow), which are commonly used as first names today.

But the trends in this current naming fashion go far beyond the traditional transference of place names and surnames. Madison (yes, like the avenue in New York City) made it onto the most popular girls' names charts for 1998. Austin, which could be considered a place name or a hero name, has appeared on the most popular boys' name charts more than once and is starting to cross over into the unisex category.

This naming trend first gained national recognition when television talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford named her son Cody, and it kicked into high gear when on-again, off-again Hollywood couple Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith named their baby girl Dakota. Lots of other little Dakotas followed, including the son of Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner, and many others born to not-so-famous couples.

Now we hear about stars naming their children after the places they were conceived (maybe more than we want to know), but hey, why not? Unless, of course, you happen to conceive in Cutchogue, New York, or Lima, Ohio, or some other place that doesn't lend itself well to a given name. For the life of me, I can't imagine naming a child Chicago, but I'm sure it's been done.

Lasts as Firsts

A strong naming fashion in the unisex category is the appropriation of last names as first names. This is particularly American in style, and it's probably the one characteristic that distinguishes American given names over all others. You'll find lots of these names to choose from in both Part 3, "Star-Spangled Names," and Part 4, "People, Places, and Things."

Digging Up Roots

Coming to America used to mean casting aside foreign names and traditions in favor of assimilating into American life, but many parents with strong ethnic heritages now feel its time to honor the past and take pride in who they are by reaching back to their ethnic and cultural heritages for names for their children.

Although this trend hasn't landed a significant number of names on the national most popular lists (unless you consider biblical names a reflection of one's heritage), it

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has had a growing influence on current naming fashions for people of all ethnic backgrounds and cultures, especially among cross-cultural couples and those who adopt children from cultures other than their own.

Where it has impacted the most popular names lists is in California and Texas, where large Hispanic populations propelled Jose to the top spot on the list of most popular boys' names in 1998. The same influence was not seen, however, on girls' names, which reflected those that are popular across the U.S.

Singular Sensations

"We'll do it our way" (with apologies to the spirit of Frank Sinatra for the mangled paraphrase of his signature song title) is the mantra of choice for an increasing number of parents. These new moms and dads are determined to find the one perfect name that will make their progeny absolutely stand out from the crowd.

Whether it's the creation of new names, or neologisms, or devising an unusual spelling for an existing name, this naming fashion is having a strong influence on naming patterns in the U.S., perhaps due to our strong heritage of rugged individualism.

Hi, My Name Is Queenola!

Creating, coining, and inventing names has always been somewhat popularafter all, where would names come from if someone, somewhere, didn't somehow dream them up?

But there's a huge difference between a created name like Brianna, which seems so familiar now that it's hard to believe it didn't exist before 1990, and the scads of invented and coined names that are now appearing on naming records, like Kathlund, Qwayvon, Samieula, and Rexiana.

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Created names are extremely popular among African Americans and, interestingly enough, members of the Church of Latter-day Saints. If you want to take a gander at some unusual created names, just head out to Utah, or turn to Chapter 14, "You Say Potato, I Say Potahto."

For more on how names are created, and some tips on trying it yourself if you're so inclined, turn to Chapter 9, "Neo-Names."

And My Name Is Jamez

In my book, the creative spelling craze is one of the least positive or attractive trends in baby naming, as many parents have come up with some real clinkers in their attempts at creativity. No matter how hard I try, I find it difficult to swallow Loid for Lloyd, Jezzika for Jessica, or Quartney for Courtney, and I can't imagine what it would be like for these little kids to face a lifetime of having to spell their names each and every time they're given. My name is bad enough as there are several standard spellings for it but in the hands of today's parentsZzyjonyia? Aargh!!! But it could happen.

Gazing into the Crystal Ball

What lies ahead for naming fashions? It's always dangerous to etch anything in stone when it comes to predicting the future, but, hey, I have some gypsy blood in me, thanks to my Romanian ancestors. So, as Madame Sonia, seer into the future, great prognosticator and fortune-teller, here are a few of the images that I see shaping up in my crystal ball of baby names.

(Even More) Rugged Individualism.

The search for something that's truly unique is such a strong naming fashion that it is bound to continue and grow even stronger in the next decade. Although, I think the current craze of making names unique through unusual spellings will die down somewhat, I don't see created names going away any time soon.

Destiny Names.

One of the newest trends to make itself known in the baby-name arena is choosing a name (or names) that indicate the parent's dreams for their child or reflect what that child's fate may be. Some parents rely on numerology or astrology to guide them; others choose destiny or virtue names from other cultures.

There's lots more on this naming fashion in Chapter 20, "Name Fates."

Beliefs and Ideals.

With all the uncertainty and concern over the new millennium and what it might bring, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a returnat least in girls' namesto some of the more common virtue names used by the Puritans and Quakers, such as Hope, Honor, Grace, Faith, and Charity.

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Even Less Sex.

Look for a decided increase in unisex names, with the names currently in this category increasing in use as well as new names being added. What I don't think you'll see is a large growth in transgender names. In other words, there probably won't be a lot of boys named Sue or girls named Bob.

More Digging.

The use of ethnic or cultural names will definitely grow as we continue to embrace our past after years of assimilation. Many names that are still somewhat rare today will become more common, and more names will be added to the naming pool. I think we'll also see some bolder cultural combinations as parents gain confidence in this naming fashion.

The strongest naming fashion in use todayand, more than likely, for the futurecan be summed up in two words: anything goes! Under this umbrella heading is a wealth of sub-fashions, some decidedly better than others, some with broad appeal, others with a very narrow focus. They use names from all the main categories discussed in Chapter 3, but often in ways that make them decidedly part of today's world, not something from the past.

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Chapter 5
The Hit Parade

As you learned in Chapter 4, ''Naming Fashions and Trends," name fashions, like other things that go in and out of style, tend to run in fairly definable cycles. And, much like the fashion world, there's never just one style that dominates the charts, which gives today's parents all the choices in the world when it comes to naming their children.

While you'll almost always see some traditional favoritessomewhat like a classically tailored Brooks Brothers suit that never quite goes out of stylethere's also always a certain faction of newer, trendier names that nip at the heels of the old standbys.

Some of the newer names become so widely used that they stay on the most popular lists for decades, and, as they do, they form the basis for new naming fashions. Others zip on and off in a matter of a few years. A case in point: aside from Donald Trump and Marla Maples, just how many parents do you know who have named their little daughters Tiffany in the past several years?

Parents often worry about giving their children names that will become excessively dated or that will date them as they grow up, especially if they have names that were completely out of fashion when they reached adulthood.

If you're wondering about whether the name you choose today will endure through the decades, or if you should even try to base your selection on this factor, this chapter is for you.

Tripping Down Memory Lane

Stockbrokers and analysts make their predictions for the future by looking at charts that show what happened in the past. You can do the same thing to predict the future of naming!

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About the only way to determine the trendiness or volatility for a name is to look at the names that popped on and off of the most popular lists over the decades. Just noting how names cycle through these lists will provide part of the answer. Combine that with current events, popular movies, and whatever else was important during those years, and you'll get a much better idea of why certain names are popular at given times and why they aren't at others.

Being somewhat of a history buff, I found this process to be pretty interesting, and it really took me back to some of the events that shaped my life, some of which I had pretty much forgotten. Your trip into the past might bring back some forgotten moments as well, and it may even yield that special name you're seeking.

The lists that follow show the names that were most popular in the middle of each decade, beginning with the 1940s. They start there because there's not much reason for going back any farther. Name fashions were so vastly different at the beginning of the twentieth century that they really aren't relevant to what came later. And the name pool was significantly smaller, so there weren't many changes in the lists during the early part of the century.

Things started to pick up in the 1950s, but putting these changes in context necessitates going back another decade, so we'll start with the '40s.

There are at least three general naming trends illustrated over this 60-year period:

Less traditional names for both genders, and especially for girls.

The greater use of masculine names for girls.

A broader selection of names for both genders.

There are also a number of more specific trends. I'll point them out along the way.

Big Bands and Bombs

World War IIthe war that no one thought could possibly happenbecame a reality in the 1940s after years of turmoil in Europe and the Far East. The boys went off to war, often leaving behind young wives and babies that would be about ready to start school by the time they got home. The movies of the '40s were often patriotic war flicks or uplifting musicals designed to divert attention from what was going on overseas. The big band sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and others were broadcast on new coast-to-coast radio links, but were often interrupted by news from the front.

This war came just as the U.S. was recovering from the economic problems caused by the Great Depression of the 1930s. Although the war sped the recovery process along, the future seemed less than bright. New parents of this decade tended to reflect their concerns in the names they

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gave their childrensafe, dependable, solid titles. Traditional names were the rule of the day for the boys; girls' names followed the same pattern but were a little less staid.

Boys

Girls

James

Mary

Robert

Linda

John

Barbara

William

Patricia

Richard

Carol

David

Maria

Thomas

Sandra

Charles

Nancy

Michael

Sharon

Ronald

Susan

Poodle Skirts and Ponytails

America heaved a collective sigh of relief when the 1940s came to an end and embraced the new decade with hope and optimism. The war was over, prosperity was ahead, and a whole new approach to life began. The focus was on issues at home rather than away, and families spent their time and money building the lives they could only dream of a decade ago, with new cars and new homes in the suburbs at the top of the list.

Television became the latest addition to the roster of leisure-time activities, and American families whole-heartedly embraced this new technology. In the '40s, families would stay home to catch their favorite radio programs. Now, they clustered around tiny screens with flickering images to catch the shows put on by such popular entertainers as Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Jackie Gleason, and Ed Sullivan.

Parents showed a strong desire to leave the past behind when it came to choosing names for their babies. On both sides of the charts, the names they embraced were lighter or shorter than ever before. The names that would become American classics were on the rise, and many of the names that appeared on lists during this decade would remain in place for many years.

Boys

Girls

Michael

Mary

James, David, Robert (tie)

Deborah, Debra, Linda (tie)

John

Patricia

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William

Susan

Richard

Maria

Mark

Barbara

Thomas

Karen

Charles, Steven (tie)

Nancy

Turbulence and Trouble

The 1960s was one of the most troubling periods in American history. It sometimes seemed like the country was coming apart at the seams over such issues as civil rights, the Vietnam War, and equal rights for women. The young country was finally maturing, but the process didn't come without some pain and more than a few battle scars, as well as the deaths of some of the most influential leaders of the time.

The sweeping changes the country was going through had a big impact on the names chosen for babies. Parents of the '60s wanted little to do with tradition and literally rewrote the book when it came to name fashions for girls, tossing out most of the longer, more elegant names that had been in fashion for decades.

As always, change was slow to come on the boys' side. Traditional names have always been more popular for this gender, and they continued to be so for years to come.

Parents during the 1960s also showed their desire to honor fallen leaders by keeping the perennially popular names John and Robert near the top of the list. This name fashion carried forward into the 1970s, but it had run its course by the middle of the 1980s. Both names disappeared from the top 10 in the 1990s. Also of note here: the first time a surname used as a given name hit the top 10we often think of Kimberly as a given name only, but it was first a common family name in England.

Boys

Girls

Michael

Lisa

James

Maria

John

Karen

David

Mary

Robert

Kimberly

William

Susan

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Richard

Patricia

Mark

Cynthia

Thomas

Linda

Jeffrey

Donna

Freedom and Flow

Maybe it's just me (it probably is!) but I love looking at the naming fashions that came about in the 1970s. Parents really displayed their individual taste during this decade, and some strong trends started to emerge.

Boys

Girls

Michael

Jennifer

Christopher

Amy

Jason

Michelle

David

Heather

James, Robert (tie)

Angela

John

Melissa

Brian

Kimberly

Matthew

Lisa

Daniel, William (tie)

Maria

Stephanie

This was a loose, laid-back decade, especially when compared to the one right before it, and the names parents chose for their children reflected a new ease and casual attitude that would continue to carry forward into the 1980s. Pop culture was a strong influence on naming patterns, with names from hit songs, popular movies, and even the sporting world making it onto the top 10. There was almost a complete shift in the names given to girls from the decade before, with only Lisa and Maria carrying over from one decade to the next.

As is typical for the boys, the changes weren't that drastic, but some new classics, including Christopher, Jason, Daniel, and Brian, appeared here for the first time.

Another strong trend, at least as far as girls' names were concerned, was the adoption of sweeter, more feminine namesa trend that continued through the 1980s.

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Baby Boomers Booming

The kids born in the 1950s began making the leap into parenthood in droves during the 1980s. They carried forward the passion for everything new that began when they were babieseven when it came to naming their offspring.

Boys

Girls

Michael

Jessica

Christopher

Ashley

Matthew

Jennifer

Joshua

Amanda

David

Nicole

Daniel

Sarah

James

Stephanie

Joseph

Heather

Robert

Melissa

John

Elizabeth

The '80s was the era of power suits, power lunches, and power brokers. Women began to break through the sexual boundaries in business and more feminine names began appearing on the management rosters at top corporations. For all the emphasis on power, however, they sure didn't give their children power names. Girls' names grew trendier and even sweeter during this decade, reflecting the fashion of appropriating names from television, and especially from characters on soap operas. Names given to boys were fresher and more up-to-date sounding, but only because they hadn't been in use for a while. Look closely and you'll see that almost every one of them is a classic name from the Bible.

Millennium Madness

Excess characterized the beginning of the last decade of the millennium, with corporate mergers and takeovers echoing the business patterns of the late 1980s. Success-driven yuppies were still on the fast track to success, and they weren't stopping long enough to make any great changes to the name patterns of babies born in the early part of the decade.

By 1995, however, they were embracing the words of Henry David Thoreau and

looking at ways to simplify

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their hectic lives. Such concepts as "nesting" and "comfort food" mirrored the new emphasis on staying home, and a trend emerged that was inspired by the classic elements of the past.

This "retro trend" resulted in clothing that was simpler and more versatile, as many people no longer wanted to devote the time and resources necessary for updating their wardrobes every season. Colors and shapes from decades ago were updated and reintroduced in such products as the new Volkswagen Beetle and the iMac computer from Apple, which had a decidedly '50s look to it.

The renewed emphasis on classic quality created a new name fashion for girls; the trendy names of the early 1990s were replaced with such tried-and-true classics as Sarah, Emily, Rachel, and Elizabeth. But, interestingly enough, the same fashion didn't hold for boys' names, and some fairly trendy names emerged at the bottom of the top 10 list in the middle of the decade.

Boys

Girls

Michael

Emily

Jacob

Ashley

Matthew

Jessica

Joshua

Sarah

Christopher

Samantha

Daniel

Taylor

Nicholas

Amanda

Tyler

Brittany

Brandon

Elizabeth

Austin

Rachel

Plotting Your Course

One thing should be very obvious after all this: Names do drift in and out of popularity, but maybe not as quickly as you thought, especially when it comes to boys' names.

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Talk about your tried-and-true classics! If you really want to pick a name that won't go out-of-date anytime soon, any of the top five on the most recent lists will probably work, as they just keep going and going and going.

When it comes to finding a girls' name that will stay in style, the mission is, quite frankly, impossible. If anything, names are moving on and off of the girls' lists even faster than before. Even the classic names on the list today may seem dated 20 years from now, so you'll probably go nuts trying to find a name that will stay in the top 10 for even a decade.

Should it be a concern for you? Only if you're intent on being a member of the crowd that does choose names in the top 10. But there are lots of options beyond that magic number.

Today's Top 200

Each year, Social Security Administration actuary Mike Shackleford surveys the Social Security number applications filed for newborns to come up with a list of the most popular names for boys and girls. The following list, which condenses Shackelford's mile-long list by grouping together spelling variations of the same name, originally appeared on the BabyCenter Internet site at www.babycenter.com. (BabyCenter, by the way, is a great place to visit for other baby-related informationthere's even a quick and easy baby-name locator to explore.)

To see Shackleford's list in its entirety, which includes all the variant spellings for each name, point your Web browser to www.ssa.gov/OACT/NOTES/note139/1998/ note139update.html. It's worth taking a look at, especially if you're considering an unusual spelling of a popular name or you want to find one for the name you're considering.

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Top 100 Boy's Names

1. Michael

21. Justin

41. Caleb

61. Jorge

81. Marcus

2. Jacob

22. Dylan

42. Connor

62. Trevor

82. Cole

3. Matthew

23. Alexander

43. Aaron

63. Tristan

83. Garrett

4. Nicholas

24. Kyle

44. Ethan

64. Devin

84. Jesus

5. Joshua

25. Jordan

45. Luis

65. Jack

85. Antonio

6. Christopher

26. Robert

46. Jared

66 Brendan

86.Lucas

7. Brandon

27. Christian

47. Cody

67. Carlos

87. Tanner

8. Austin

28. Brian

48. Jason

68. Evan

88. Mason

9. Tyler

29. Eric

49. Logan

69. Isaac

89. Miguel

10. Zachary

30. Samuel

50. Adam

70. Jesse

90. Blake

11. Andrew

31. Jose

51. Charles

71. Derek

91. Dalton

12. Joseph

32. Steven

52. Juan

72. Jeremy

92. Spencer

13. Daniel

33. Kevin

53. Timothy

73. Adrian

93. Seth

14. Jonathan

34. Noah

54. Nathaniel

74. Dakota

94. Kenneth

15. John

35. Thomas

55. Gabriel

75. Dakota

95. Bryce

16. William

36. Benjamin

56. Alex

76. Angel

96. Victor

17. David

37. Cameron

57. Mark

77. Elijah

97. Alejandro

18. Ryan

38. Nathan

58. Isaiah

78. Jeffrey

98. Paul

19. Anthony

39. Sean

59. Patrick

79. Ian

99. Colton

20. James

40. Hunter

60. Richard

80. Luke

100. Mitchell

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Top Girls' Names

1. Kaitlyn

21. Lauren

41. Alexandra

661. Michelle

81. Kylie

2. Emily

22. Brittany

42. Mackenzie

62. Vanessa

82. Miranda

3. Sarah

23. Allison

43. Natalie

63. Gabriela

83. Isabel

4. Hannah

24. Victoria

44 Savannah

64. Jacqueline

84. Sabrina

5. Ashley

25. Abigail

45. Julia

65. Sophia

85. Alexandria

6. Brianna

26. Courtney

46. Amber

66. Cassandra

86. Adriana

7. Alexis

27. Amanda

47. Bailey

67. Erin

87. Laura

8. Samantha

28. Sydney

48. Danielle

68. Cheyenne

88. Caroline

9. Taylor

29. Nicole

49. Kelsey

Melissa

89. Amy

10. Madison

30. Jennifer

50. Erica

70. Grace

90. Leslie

11. Haley

31. Anna

51. Maria

71. Andrea

91. Claire

12. Jessica

32. Rebecca

52. Brooke

72. Crystal

92. Autumn

13. Megan

33. Emma

53. Gabrielle

73. Kristen

93. Diana

14. Alyssa

34. Olivia

54. Shelby

74. Alicia

94. Isabella

15. Katherine

35. Morgan

55. Marissa

75. Mariah

95. Katie

16. Elizabeth

36. Destiny

56. Mary

76. Tiffany

96. Cassidy

17. Jasmine

37. Madeline

57. Kaylee

77. Jenna

97. Leah

18. Makayla

38. Stephanie

58. Kimberly

78. Paige

98. Chloe

19. Kayla

39. Sierra

59. Christina

79. Kelly

99. Alexa

20. Rachel

40. Jordan

60. Lindsey

80. Chelsea

100. Molly

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PART 2
INTO THE POOL

Aside from life itself, the name you choose for your child is one of the most important gifts you give as a parent. Over the course of your child's lifetime, it will identify him or her as being a part of a certain family and as having a specific heritage. It will shape your child's personality and play a role in how he or she is treated.

You have a major decision ahead of youone of the most important you'll ever make. So make it a good one! Now that you know more about the history of naming and understand the factors that influence name choices, it's time to put your knowledge to use and start the actual process of choosing your baby's name.

In this section, you'll learn exactly how to go about your search for both first and middle names. I'll show you how to navigate unseen family time bombs and how to mine your family trees for names that just might satisfy everyone's needs, including your cranky Aunt Esther or dictatorial Uncle Bert. Along the way, I'll also show you how to create a name of your very own, just in case you can't find any to your liking. We'll also explore some possible name combinations for those lucky parents who are making plans for more than one tiny new life in their lives.

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Chapter 6
Name Play

Parenthood is a lot of things, not the least of which an incredibly creative process. Even if your soul is more like a rocket scientist's than that of a painter, there's no denying your role in sculpting the new little life that's soon to make an appearance. It may be indeed be your finest creationmost parents think sowhich may put the awesome responsibility of finding a name for this new little person into better perspective.

You may never have thought of yourself as an artist, but guess what? You are one, at least when it comes to this particular work in progress. Right now, it's probably pretty abstract. But pretty soon it's going to turn into a life portraita squirming, squalling little piece of human reality. And it's going to need a name worthy of its truly unique qualities.

Now's the time to get your creative juices flowing and get to work at naming your child. If you're finding it hard to get started, this chapter will help you by providing the basic tools you need to begin the naming process. At the end, you'll find an exercise designed to get you thinking about names in different ways than you may have before.

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The renowned sportswriter Red Smith once said that writing a news story wasn't so tough as long as you got used to staring at a blank sheet of paper and sweating blood until an idea came to mind. Hopefully, the following tips and suggestions will make your creative process far easier than his was.

The Ground Rules

There are some rules, or generally accepted practices, when it comes to creating almost anything, but there are virtually none when it comes to the art of namingin the United States, anyway. About the only thing that's required of you is that you do name your baby at some point, and, usually, sooner is better (although you will have a little time to think about it after your baby is born, depending on where you live).

The majority of parents have a name picked out prior to the birth of their baby. But many parents get to birth day without a name. Others find that the name they thought was so perfect prior to birth no longer isespecially if they've selected a name that's appropriate for one sex and they end up with another.

There may not be any naming rules or laws, but there are naming guidelines. Four of them, in particular, are very basic and very good to keep in mind.

Guideline #1: Please Yourself

This is most important: Pick a name that pleases you. Remember, youand your childwill have to deal with this name for a very long time. There's no way of guaranteeing that your little one will like the name you bestow upon him or her, so you might as well pick one that you like and can live with, because the chances are pretty good that there will be times when your kid will hate it.

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It's the rare couple who doesn't get a temper tantrum or two at some point along the way from a little darling who just needs to blame his or her parents for any and all trauma associated with the burden of carrying whatever name he or she has. It doesn't even matter what kind of name it is, so don't think you're safe if you pick a common or popular name.

Your child's dislike of his or her name might make you angry, especially if you went through a lot of work to select it, and it can hurt you if you selected a name that you truly love. But you might as well face the fact right now that it's bound to happen. The good news is, most kids grow out of it or find something else to pin their problems on.

Along these lines, it's a good idea to put into place whatever filtering mechanisms you have when it comes to fielding naming suggestions from family members and relatives. You might be in a situation where either cultural or religious traditions will have a strong influence on the name you choose. Remember, the final decision is yours and yours alone, no matter how disappointed Aunt Mildred is that you didn't name your new son Milton after her deceased husband. (The same goes for well-meaning friends, by the way. Take their suggestions with a grain of salt.)

You'll find more on keeping family members happy, as well as on various naming traditions you may need to keep in mind, in Chapter 7, ''In the Family Way."

Guideline #2: No Singular Sensations

It happens more frequently than you think. Either the bundle you end up with in your arms just doesn't fit the name you've selected, or it turns out to be a girl when you were expecting a boy. Don't get caught completely flatfooted by working toward selecting one perfect name. Develop a short list of several possibilities so you don't get locked into one name, only to be disappointed when you can't use it.

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Guideline #3: Don't Fly Solo

If you're married or in a committed relationship during the time you're pregnant, make sure your significant other is involved in the process. It's an important part of moving beyond being a couple to becoming parents. Sadly, many guys say they feel left out of the naming process or that their input really wasn't all that welcome.

Even if you're in a situation where you are having your baby on your own, enlist someone else to work with you on selecting a name. It really is an experience you'll enjoy more if you share it with another person, especially if it's someone you treasure having in your life. Whoever you chose will probably be very honored that you asked.

Guideline #4: Don't Be Silly

I grew up with a girl named Candance Barr. No one ever called her Candance. Candy Barr was cute for a little kid, but I always wondered what her parents were thinking on that one. Did they really believe that Candy Barr would be a name that would easily take their child through her adult years?

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The list of cute names, and, for that matter, unfortunate name combinations that have been bestowed by parents over the years, is lengthy. Some of the better known include: Justin Case, Crystal Ball, Kitty Katz (sounds like a stripper), and, of course, the famous Ima Hogg.

I can't think of too many parents who would intentionally give a cute or silly name to their child, but it can happen inadvertently. It's another good reason for test-driving the names you're considering, which you'll read more about at the end of this chapter.

So, this much you know at this point:

You're going to choose a name you like;

You're going to choose more than one name;

You're going to do it with your spouse, significant other, or someone else who is close to you; and

You're going to stay away from being cute.

Beyond that, your canvas is probably pretty blank. Let's start filling it in!

Choosing Your Palette

So many names! So many considerations! Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed? Welcome to the club if you are. Most expectant parents feel pretty dazed by the whole process, especially after they've poked around in a few baby-name books and confronted the thousands of choices that await them. But there are ways to simplify the process.

One of the easiest means of making things simple is to only consider the name styles and fashions that best suit your taste. After reading Chapters 3 and 4, you should now have a pretty good idea of the name styles and fashions that you like and the ones that leave you cold. (I know I do!) If you do, toss out the ones you don't like right now. If you don't, you may want to go back and reread these chapters.

Believe me, you'll find it easier to start the specific selection process if you're not coming at it from all

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possible angles. If you know for a fact that traditional names aren't to your liking or that you'd never consider a created name, why even mull them over? Tossing out these categories in the beginning of your selection process will make your life a lot easier as you go along.

Having a hard time deciding which fashions or types to cast aside? The following table, which lists the pros and cons of the most common types and fashions, may help.

Name Type or Fashion
Pros
Cons

Traditional (including
biblical and boomerang
names)
Well-known,
generally accepted.
Easy to spell
and pronounce.
Might be considered
common and boring.
Dated traditional names
and rarely used biblical
names can carry a negative
image.

Classic (including
pet names)
Same as above. A pet
form of a classic name
can make the bearer
seem more approachable
or down to earth.
Also can be considered
common or boring. The
more popular classic names
are often too widely used.
A too unusual or casual
pet name can be
detrimental in formal
settings and business.

Unusual (including
created names,
unusually spelled
names, common and
uncommon foreign
names, foreign
variations of common
English names)
Sets the bearer
apart from the
crowd and gives
a unique identity.
If too uncommon, can
cause teasing from
classmates. Can be
difficult to spell
and pronounce.

Popular (including unisex,
last names as first names,
place names used as first names, other current
naming fashions)
Fresh and fun.
Can give a kid the
feeling of being with
the "in crowd."
Can be too trendy and can
get dated as kids grow up.

Now that you've (hopefully!) eliminated a few categories, let's explore the other factors you need to keep in mind when choosing a name. Most of them will apply regardless of the name style or fashion you're considering. Some are pretty straightforward, like making sure the names you choose work well with your last name. Others you may not have thought to consider.

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Length of Name

This is one that many parents don't give a great amount of consideration to, but it's pretty important in the computer age. Since computer programs are set up to recognize a certain amount of data, the forms they're fed are often limited to how much information they can contain. If you choose a name that spills over the allotted space, you could inadvertently create a new name for your little one in the years to come.

It's not necessary to count the little squares in every form you can find to determine just how long you can go. Just keep in mind that your kid is probably going to have to cope with many of these formswhether on paper or on screenin the years to come. Try to choose something that won't be too much of a hassle.

I've Got Rhythm

Have you ever noticed how some names literally trip off the tongue while others kinda stumble along? The reason why this happens may not be immediately apparent, especially if you've never really given it much thought, but it may if you studied or tried to write poetry. What these lucky, lyrical names have is rhythmsome call it swingand just like people, some names have it and some names don't.

I truly think the best names end up coming about by pure happenstance or luck. My given nameSonia Alyn Lazereis amazingly rhythmic and lyrical, but I don't think my parents were guided by anything more than how the name sounded when they chose it. However, knowing a little bit more about how rhythms are formed may help you recognize when you're working on a positive pattern, or why the names you're considering just don't sound right together.

You create rhythm in a name by coming up with a combination of names that contain elements that form a pattern. One of the first steps to creating a rhythmic name is by paying attention to the syllable patterns of the words you're considering.

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There are certain combinations that work better than others; if you want to give your baby a name with good rhythm, you'll want to keep the following syllable patterns in mind:

1-2-1, such as Ann Marie Smith

2-1-2, such as Thomas Kent Olson

1-2-3, such as James Kevin O'Connor

Of course, there are other combinations you can explore as well; some of them are decidedly better than others, but you might find an uncommon combination that sounds exactly right to you.

Although most naming experts advise against selecting names with the same number of syllables across the board, there are times when this can be very effective; for example, a 1-1 combination (no middle name) can be very powerful because it's so short and to the point. A name that comes to mind with this combination is Matt Helm, the private investigator that Dean Martin played in the movie of the same name. John Wayne is another 1-1 combination that exudes power, especially when you consider what an improvement it was over the Duke's given name (Marion Morrison). A cowboy named Marion? Forget about it!

If there is a pleasing interplay of specific sounds between each name, a 2-2-2 combination, such as Karen Marie Olson or Dylan Tanner Roberts can be pretty rhythmic sounding as well.

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Alliance Through Alliteration

Another way that names can become rhythmic is through alliteration. This differs from the patterns previously discussed because it focuses just on the vowel or consonant sounds at the beginning of the name rather than at the ones found at both ends or even in the middle.

One fairly well-known alliterative name is that of Hubert Horatio Humphrey, who served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota and as vice president under Lyndon Johnson. Other, more current bearers of alliterative names include actor Benjamin Bratt, the cute cop on the television show Law and Order, and David Duchovny of X Files fame.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

When two names mirror each other by either beginning or ending with similar elements, the rhythm created by these mirror-image sounds can be very pleasant as well as quite powerful. One good example of a mirror-image name is that of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, which is about as mirror-image as you can get.

Are We Compatible?

In addition to paying attention to the rhythm created by the names you select, you'll also want to try to find names that are compatible in other ways. One of the strongest areas of compatibility is how the names you're considering work with your surname, both from a general, "Gee, it sounds nice" perspective and also from a more specific cultural or ethnic point of view.

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This may seem pretty obvious, but mismatches in this area can go far beyond just sounding a little silly to being plain embarrassing. With the growing fashion of combining names from a variety of ethnic heritages, the changes for crossing cultural wires are getting stronger by the year. You may want to think twice before settling on such combinations as Keiko O'Brien or Madonna Mankewitz, unless it reflects both sides of your ancestral coin.

The silly or cute factor comes into play when you're considering name compatibility as well. Always remember to take into account all elements of nameand don't forget how the initials look together, either!

The Virtues of Versatility

By this point, you're probably overwhelmed by all the things you should consider when choosing a name, so if you want to heave a huge sigh over this one, I'll understand. But I think it's a pretty important factor, so bear with me.

If you really want to increase the chances of your child's affinity for his or her name, choose one with some versatility. If you are going with an unusual or rarely used first name, try pairing it with a more common middle name, or vice versa. If, as your child grows up, he or she decides that one name isn't to his or her liking, it's pretty easy to default to the other name.

Some names also lend themselves better to the formation of pet names or nicknames, which also gives children more flexibility in using names that suit particular stages in life. this, however, can have some negative aspects to it as well, especially if you've chosen a name like Elizabeth or Catherine that have many different possibilities for pet and nicknames. There are some 20 or so different given names, pet names, and nicknames derived from Elizabeth alone.

Going for a Test Drive

The final stage in the baby-name selection process is taking the name or names that you're considering out for a test drive. Here's how to do it. You'll find spaces that follow to record your choices, or, if you want to work in a more condensed format, there's a naming grid on the tear-out card in the front of this book.

Spell It

Start by writing down every name that is in serious consideration in the spaces provided. If you're considering variant spellings on any name, give those spellings entries of their own:

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First

Middle

Last

Initials

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

Nick It

Next, write down all possible nicknames or pet names that can be derived from the given names you're considering:

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

__________

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__________

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__________

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Say It

Now, speak each of the names you're considering out loud. How do they sound in a normal tone of voice? How about if you were to shout them out the back door? How do they sound with your last name? How do the nicknames sound? Are the initials pleasant and something your child might be able to use? Can you imagine yourself saying this name, over and over and over again?

Envision It

Think about the names you've chosen and the images they bring to mind. Can you picture your child bearing a specific name? How about its nicknames or pet names?

Share It

Once you've come up with a few names that sound really good to you, start sharing them with others. Ask your parents, your best friends, other couples, and anyone else you can think of (and whose opinions you trust) to see how they like the name. This is also a good way to test the image a particular name has, especially if you feel you're a little too close to the subject, but always remember, you and your spouse should determine the final name for your baby. While it's not a bad idea to see how the reactions run to your selection or creation, don't let what others say turn you away from a name that really works for you both.

The Name Play Questionnaire

The sets of questions that follow were developed to help you organize your thought as you start the baby name selection process, and to help get your creative juices flowing. Put aside some time, say an hour or so, find yourself a quiet spot and a notepad, and let your mind wander over them. Write your answers and any additional thoughts that come to mind either in the space provided or on your notepad.

This exercise works well done alone or with your spouse or partner. If you decide to do it together, answer the questions separately and compare your notes later.

Section I: Feelings About Your Own Name

If you're doing this exercise on you own, ask yourself the same questions about your spouse's name.

1. How do you feel about your given name in general? Do you like it? Dislike it?

__________________________________________________

2. Were there times when you were growing up when you wished you had a different name? If so, why? Be specific.

__________________________________________________

3. Does your name lend itself to good pet names and positive nicknames?

__________________________________________________

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Questions in this section are designed to gauge your feelings about whether you want to use your or your spouse's name in some way as as name for your baby. If your answers were more negative than positive, then naming your child in this fashion probably isn't for you.

Section II: Name Types and Fashions

1. What types of names do you find the most attractive? Rank the list below in order of preference:

__ Traditional

__ Classic

__ Unusual or Uncommon

__ Creative

__ Popular

2. What name fashions appeal to you most? Again, rank the list below in order of preference:

__ Boomerang names (i.e., old-fashioned or Biblical)

__ Unisex names

__ Places as names

__ Surnames as first names

__ Commemorative names

__ Created names

__ Unusual spellings

__ Virtue names

__ Ethnic names

3. What do you feel is most important when it comes to choosing a name:

__ How it sounds

__ What it means

__ Ease of spelling

__ Ease of pronunciation

__ Versatility

__Its popularity

__ The image it creates

4. Are there any names or name types that you just can't stand for one reason or another? If so, why?

__________________________________________________

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Your answers in this section will help you define the name styles and fashions that you like the most and feel are the best for your baby. If possible, both spouses should both answer these questions as your answers may reveal some differences in opinion. If so, negotiation or compromise may be in order. Chapter 7, ''In the Family Way," has some tips on how to do it.

Section III: Family Matters

If you're answering these questions by yourself, consider both your family and your spouse's family in your answers.

1. In general, what types of names does your family prefer? Do they match the ones you like?

__________________________________________________

2. Are there special religious or family considerations that could influence or limit your naming choices?

__________________________________________________

3. If the answer to question 2 is yes, how firm are these constraints? What would your confort level be in bending them or ignoring them?

__________________________________________________

Considering these questions now can help you avoid family rifts later. For more on What lies ahead when it comes to dealing with your relatives and friends when it comes to name selection, turn to Chapter 7.

Section IV: Name Inspirations

1. Are there any special moments in your life that could be commemorated with a given or middle name, such as a first date, the day you got engaged, where you conceived? List all that you can think of, along with any details you think are important.

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2. What about special people? Any you'd like to commemorate?

__________________________________________________

3. When you were growing up, did you have friends with name that you particularly liked? If so, why?

__________________________________________________

4. Do you enjoy digging around in your family's history? Is this something you'd like to do to find a name for your baby?

__________________________________________________

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5. Is there a character in a book, movie, television show, play, etc. that you love or feel a strong attachment to? Has the life of a famous person served as inspiration to you?

__________________________________________________

6. What about a special song, composer, or recording artist?

__________________________________________________

7. What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?

__________________________________________________

8. Are there any other aspects of your life that might inspire a name choice?

__________________________________________________

Your answers here will indicate the areas in which you may find inspiration when selecting a name. Don't be surprised if you start considering aspects and influences that you never gave much thought to before. Even something as innocuous as a favorite hobby can inspire a great name choicethe love of flying, for example, is often cited as the inspiration behind Jett, the name chosen by John Travolta and Kelly Preston for their son.

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Chapter 7
In the Family Way

The months leading up to the arrival of a new baby can be one of the more challenging periods in anyone's life. This you already know, or you're at least getting a pretty good idea of it. But here's something you may not knowthey can also constitute a time of sheer craziness when it comes to your family.

Even the sanest clans can get a little unhinged over the prospects of a new baby on the way. I've seen the most conservative, genteel families become absolutely goofy when an anticipated arrival is announced. I've seen families that didn't get along together very well draw much closer just over the prospect of a baby being added to the picture. I've also seen families, regardless of their nature, become warlike when it comes to the subject of a new little one and especially what that little one will be named.

It's a Family Affair

If you haven't crossed this bridge yet, believe me, you will. Even the most hands-off and least meddlesome of families generally desire some level of involvement when it comes to assigning names to the next generation. If you're a member of a close-knit

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family, you can be sure that you'll get lots of input on what your new little tike should be named, ranging from subtle hints to full-frontal attacks.

No doubt about it, there's a certain ownership factor that comes into play when a family member is pregnant. Cultural and religious considerations aside, families often feel pride and a sense of honor over the names that are part of their history and heritage, and they often want those names to be carried forward to future generations.

It won't hurt you to listen to Uncle Luther's tales about your great-great-great Uncle Luther, the circuit preacher who has been honored in your family by subsequent generations of Luthers. Nor will it hurt you to be open to the other suggestions that will undoubtedly be proffered by your well-meaning relatives. In fact, you may hear some pretty interesting stories and learn some things you never knew about your ancestors.

Welcome to the Diplomatic Corps!

None of this, however, means that you have to take the advice of any family memberor anyone else, for that matterwhen it comes to naming your baby. In striking your own path, though, you may find yourself exercising diplomatic skills that you never knew you had. And if you decide to break with any long-standing family traditions, you may even have to dodge a bullet or two.

Once again, keep this important fact in mind: the name you select must be something that you like and that you feel will suit your baby. There's no way you'll be able to please every family member with your selection. In fact, you may even end up irritating a few (or more) of them. Unless this is a factor that will get you banned from Grandma's Thanksgiving table, then you shouldn't let anything a family

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member thinks or says deter you from choosing a name that you love.

Is it possible to go your own way on naming your baby and still appease your ever-lovin' family members? It's not only possible, it's even probable. Over the years, expectant parents have devised a variety of very successful approaches to this problem. One, or several, might work for you, too. We'll take a look at some of these methods to help you keep the peace with your clan.

The Art of Compromise

One of the reasons why a baby is so exciting for the families involved is that this new little life is part of a collective heritage and ancestry. Families naturally want names chosen that reflect this very important element of a child's being.

You, too, may want to choose a name that reflects your family's heritage and traditions, but by no means does this mean choosing a staid old ancestral name that was out of fashion decades ago. You may have some beautiful names in your heritage, but if your lineage tends to run to such names as Bertha or Beatrice, it's perfectly understandable, and probably advisable, to look for some suitable names that are a little more contemporary.

You may encounter other family traditions, such as your religious heritage or naming first-born sons after their fathers. You don't necessarily have to follow these traditions, but if you do, there's nothing that says you have to honor them by the letter. Why not consider bending them a little? Doing so may not only solve your immediate problem, it may also set a precedent for which future generations will thank you! What follows are a few ideas for incorporating family names into your child's future tag.

Sandwich it.

If you find yourself in a position where you feel you absolutely have to use a family name that you're not terribly fond of, consider using it as a middle name. Or go ahead and make it your baby's given name, but select a name you really like for the middle name and call your child by that name.

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Initial it.

Many families honor deceased relatives by naming their children after them. A variation on this themeespecially if you're not fond of the decedent's nameis to choose a name that starts with the same first letter. Not only does this practice allow more flexibility in selecting a pleasing name, it also can work quite nicely as a naming fashion to be followed for subsequent children, should they appear. And talk about a great diplomatic tactic! Instead of honoring your deceased ancestor with just one child, you may be starting a family trend that pays tribute to him or her with other little ones as well. Another way to do this is to use just the initial of the name as a first or middle name. I have a friend who goes by H. Christopher Clark. The H comes from his father, who was named Harry.

Relate it.

Another way of honoring a family member who has passed away is by choosing or even creating a name that is relatively close to his or her name. I carry a name that was created in this fashion; my grandfather on my father's side (who died many years before I was born) was named Albert, and I, as the first-born grandchild, was expected to have a name that honored him.

My parents were stumped for a feminine version of Albert, so they concocted Alyn (pronounced a-lynn, with the emphasis on the second syllable) for my middle name, merely by adding a feminine-sounding suffix to the first letter of his name. It's an unusual name, but a good solution to what might have been a sticky situation, and in my opinion, a far better name than any of the feminine variations of Albert would have been. (Albertine? Alberta? I don't think so!) I'm sure my grandmother would have loved her first grandchild to bear her dear departed husband's name, but hey, I ended up being a girl. But by coming up with a name that was evocative of my grandfather's name, my parents showed their desire to honor him as well as their wish to make sure that his memory would be cherished.

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Translate it.

Use the meaning of the name to select an entirely different name with the same meaning. For example, let's say your favorite great aunt's name was Ethel, which means "noble" in German. Instead of using Ethel, which is pretty out-of-date for either a first or middle name, look for names with similar meaning, either from the same language as the original name or in different ones. Elsa, another German name that means "noble woman," isn't too bad; there's also Damita, Spanish for "little noble lady"; Audrey (another German name); or even Adelaide, still another German name meaning ''noble" (the Germans are clearly big on virtue names!). Along the same lines of using the same meaning, think about the virtues or qualities of a favorite relative and choose a name that reflects these traits.

Double Trouble

Some creativity and a willingness to compromise can smooth some egos and ruffled feathers when it comes to upholding family traditions. But what do you do when you have more than one relative pressuring you to use different family names? Maybe your grandmother feels you should use her dearly departed brother's name, but your honey's aunt is equally as staunch about you dubbing the wee one after her husband.

Working toward a middle position or even striking a deal when you have multiple family members competing for a name on the family tree may seem like an impossible situation. However, there are ways to satisfy this predicament and meet the needs of enough people to make the majority of your relatives (and you) as pleased as possible about the name you end up selecting. Here are a few ways of going about it:

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Use several family names, as either a combined first name or as first and second names. Given names, middle names, and surnames can all be possibilities, especially if the last names are ones that also work well as first names.

Take elements from several possible names and combine them. This is how actress Cybill Shepherd got her nameCyrus was her grandfather's name, Bill was her father's name; hence, Cy- + -bill = Cybill.

Create an acronym from initials or letters taken from several names. A string of ancestral names, like Nathaniel Edward Dennis, could become simply Ned.

Try forming ananyms (reversing the letters) such as Nelle from Ellen. This is tough as most names don't lend themselves well to the process, but it can work. Reversing James, for example, results in Samej. Pronounced sam-EEG and used as a middle name, it may not be too bad.

Shaking the Family Tree

You probably know all the names of your relatives in your relatives in your parents' generation, and you may know some or all of the ones from the generation before theirs (if not, there's a pretty good chance that there's someone alive in your family who does). But why not try going back in time a little further to see if there's anything worth salvaging?

With the strong interest in genealogy today, there's a greater chance than ever of being able to go back hundreds of years to find a really great ancestral nameeven one that's been forgotten for any number of reasons. There's nothing that says you have to stick

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to recent generations for name possibilities. Try rewinding your family's history a few generationsmaybe even as far back as your great-great-great-grandparentsto see what might be culled from the past for inspiration and consideration now.

If someone in your family has a passion for genealogy, this research may have already been done for you. If not, you can try sleuthing around in any of the following:

Bibles, photograph albums, or other books that have been in your family for a while. Many Bibles have space to record births, deaths, marriages, and other special events, and even when specific space wasn't provided, Bibles were used more than any other type of book for keeping important family records in one place. Photograph albums often contain photos that are captioned or have notes written on the back. Even old cookbooks or recipe files can yield treasured family names. Be sure to check every little nook and crannynotes could be stuck away in the bindings of old books or behind old photos.

Depending on where you live or where your family came from, local or state historical societies may have vital statistics records or other records of your family's heritage on file. Some county historical societies are literal treasure troves of this kind of information, and the people who keep these records are generally very knowledgeable and helpful.

Your local library is another possible source for some vital statistics records and will definitely have general genealogical information that may help you identify other resources.

If your family has lived in the same area for generations, you may be able to check newspaper archives for any stories and birth or death announcements that mention your relatives. Most newspaper archives are available on microfilm or microfiche at libraries or historical societies.

The Internet has become a valuable resource for many genealogists. Even if you're not terribly interested in spending much time on this, you may find some records online. All you have to do is execute a search based the word "genealogy" or on any of your family names. There are also a number of Web sites specifically devoted to genealogical research.

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Starting Your Own Tradition

If your family isn't one to stand on tradition when it comes to naming children, why not start some traditions of your own? If no one in your family has ever named a boy after his father, or after another male relative for that matter, there's nothing saying you can't. It's a fairly common practice in many families to preserve the wife's maiden name as a middle or given name. If your family doesn't do this, the tradition could begin with you. Or, how about changing an ancestral name slightly and starting a naming tradition based on the new name. As an example, H. Christopher Clark, mentioned above, decided to preserve the name Harry by giving it to his son as a middle name in the form of Harrison (Harry's son).

And even if there is a long-standing naming tradition in your family, that doesn't mean you can't start a new one. Traditions are meant to be honoredto a certain extent. Some can be changed or updated, and you might be surprised to find very little resistance among your family members when you do. This wouldn't be possible in a country like Iceland, where a long-standing cultural tradition calls for children to bear their fathers' names, with the addition of "son" for boys and "dottir" for girls. But this isn't Iceland, so why not give it a try?

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Chapter 8
In the Middle

With all the focus on finding a first name for your baby, you may have relegated the choice of a middle name to the back burner. If so, you're in good company. Many parents don't pay a lot of attention to these names as names in the middle generally don't occupy the same spotlight as first names do. Unless a middle name is an integral part of a given name, as in Peggy Sue or Billy Bob, they are often considered fairly minor players in the naming processkind of like the kid on the baseball team who spends more time warming the bench than out on the playing field.

I think it's time to change our attitude about middle names. They've lurked in the shadows far too long. While it's true that they'll always play second fiddle, there's a lot more going on in that middle position than we think. Still waters really run deep when it comes to middle names, and these "in-the-middle" names really do carry more importance than we often given them credit for.

If picking a middle name is taking somewhat of a backseat role in your naming process, it's time to quit thinking about these names as just appendixesnice to have but not essential. They are important. Just ask anyone who has a middle name they really like (I love mine, even though I rarely use it), or one they hate or are embarrassed to reveal.

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Middling Ages

When you consider the long and glorious history of naming in its entirety, middle names are a very recent addition to the mix. As was the case with surnames or family names, there wasn't much of a need for middle names centuries ago when the world's population was vastly smaller than it is today, so virtually no one had them.

Middle names, like surnames, came about when enough people began walking around with the same name for it to be a problem. Having a few folks with the same name in any given community didn't cause too much confusion; when the attendance at a town meeting would yield more than just a handful of people with the same name, it clearly was time to figure out a way to distinguish them all from each other.

Giving people surnames based on their occupations, their looks, or even their personality traits was just part of the answer. As the population continued to grow, even this distinction wasn't enough. The logical solution was to insert another identifier between the first name and the surname. Generally, either the father's given name was used, often with a prefix or suffix that set it apart from its original owner, or two names were given at baptism, which then formed the bearer's Christian name.

While this new name fashion made a great deal of sense, the notion of giving someone two names in addition to a surname was a bit slow to catch on. None of the brave souls who traversed the Atlantic in the Mayflower, for example, had a middle name, and the new population that sprang up in America was slow to adopt the fashion as well. Most of the early leaders of the United States did not have middle names, including 14 of our first 17 presidents.

But the fashion did eventually catch onfirst in Europe, where the custom was more established and the population was larger, and then in America. Today, the majority of peopleboth in Europe and North Americado bear at least two given names. Some have more, and there's still a few who have just one, but two seems to be the lucky number when it comes to given names.

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Middle Grounds

There's no law against having more or less than two given names, but as parents of a child born in North America, chances are decidedly in favor of your choosing two for the following reasons:

It's commonly accepted. Do you know anyone without a middle name, or, for that matter, with more than one? And if you do, have you ever wondered why? It's like having two eyes, two ears, and one nose. We expect it.

It fits on most legal forms. Almost every from these days provides a place to write your first and last name, as well as a spot to denote your middle name, or, at least, its beginning letter. This, by the way, is also a good reason for limiting your selection to just one middle name, as most forms don't allow for anything more than this. If your child has four names (two of them being middle names), there's a good chance that he or she will often be limited to using only one of them.

It prevents your child from receiving the middle name Nmi. This doesn't happen as much anymore, but about 20 years ago, many computer programs were coded to recognize three names and only three names. If a middle name wasn't indicated, the program would insert NMI, which is military shorthand for "no middle initial." While most folks do know what this acronym means, there are still some who don't, and if it shows up on a list of any sort, they think it's some exotic middle name. This may seem too silly to be true, but I've seen it and I've heard it more than once.

It gives your child more flexibility when it comes to deciding the name he or she wants to be called by. It's not uncommon for people to use their middle name at some point in their livesyou might even be one of them. Why? Sometimes they don't like their first name or are just plain tired of it. Or they may be asked to use their middle name to differentiate themselves from others who have the same first name (just like centuries ago!), such as in classrooms where popular naming styles have resulted in a few too many Courtneys or Michaels or Emilys.

Not giving your child a middle name can set him or her apart from the rest of the kids, just like an unusual or an uncommon name can.

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This last point may seem pretty far-fetched, but remember: if there's a reason, regardless how slight, for kids to ridicule each other in any way, they'll usually do it. It seems kind of funny that kids without middle names can become the target for as much ridicule as the ones with unusual or strange names, but it does happen. So, since you're the type of parents who want to shield their little ones from as much uncalled- for abuse as possible, you're going to choose a middle name, right? Let's make it a good one!

Middling Through

The process for selecting a middle name for your baby is very similar to the one you followed in choosing a first name. Many of the same considerations that apply to that process also come into play here, such as the specific name styles and fashions that you prefer, how the name fits with the first and last name, the meaning of the name, etc.

Like first names, middle names are sometimes preordained by religious or family customs, but you're probably like most parents and have free choice in the matter. This means you can do almost anything you like with your middle name choice. In fact, you probably have even a broader pool of choices to play with than you did when choosing a first name.

Last Name in the Middle

One of the reasons why there are more choices when it comes to middle names is because it's more common for family names to be adopted for use as middle names than as first names. Many couples honor traditional family names by using them as middle names. Another widely followed practice is to honor the mother's or the grandmother's family by selecting either of these family names, or a form of them, as a middle name.

Some couples use a variation of this theme by hyphenating the wife's maiden name with her husband's family name, and using the hyphenated name form in place of a separate middle name/last name combination, such as Susan Taylor-Smith. This name form isn't widely used, as it tends to be reserved for women who retain their maiden names when they marry. Since it's generally considered a feminine name fashion, it's rarely used when naming boys.

Location Is Everything

You also might find that there are more middle name choices based on one simple fact: Some names just sound better in second place. You may find that you really like a

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certain name, but it doesn't sound right with your last name or maybe you just can't picture calling your son or daughter by it. Whatever your reason, you'll notice that putting the name second gives you a whole new take on it. Just think of all the names you've considered and discarded as a first name. Putting them second gives you a whole lot of options from which to choose.

Initials in the Middle

Even more middle name choices present themselves when initials, rather than full names, come into the picture. This name fashion is seen most often when naming boys and it generally happens when names are being passed along from generation to generation. It can seem like a bit much to saddle a little kid with such middle monikers as Abercrombie or Ebeneezer, or, heaven forbid, both of them! Two initials instead of two names although a bit unusualcan be far easier to deal with. The downside to using just a middle initial or two as a middle name is that they can seem somewhat stuffy and formal. And, they can be misconstrued as stand-ins for full names.

But middle initials can also be very powerfuljust look at a few of the famous people who use them, such as actors Michael J. Fox and Vivica A. Fox and writer/producer David E. Kelly. Not bad company to be in. Initials can also form the basis for some good nicknames. Many initial combinations become names in their own right, such as C.C., J.J., or D.D.

A middle initial isn't always a stand-in for a name, howeversome parents choose them because they just go nicely with the given name they've selected. In this case, the initial used as a middle name is actually a letter name, and the letter isn't followed by a period because it's not an abbreviated form of anything. It is what it isjust a letter.

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This name form is pretty rarein fact, I can't think of anyone aside from President Truman who has it. But it does show up on vital statistics records. More often, though, letters as middle names tend to be expressed as the sound that the letter makes, such as Ess, Jay, or Dee.

Middle Picking

Whatever form of a middle name you choose should, first and foremost, work well with the first name you have selected and with your last name. While it's true that middle names don't get used as often as first names do, these names are often the glue that holds a full name together. They can even bridge the gap between first and last names that don't work too well together, which makes them not only unsung heroes but also great diplomats. See what I mean about how important they are?

For example, maybe you've selected a given name that's somewhat on the traditional side due to a family tradition or preference of your spouse, but you would have liked something a little less formal. Give your favorite the middle spot. Or maybe your ideal given name is on the unusual side. Pairing it with a more traditional middle name may make it seem less odd.

Basic given name/middle name fashion combinations include the ones listed below, although there are certainly others that you can consider as well:

Formal/informal, such as Katherine Sue or John J.

Informal/formal, such as Katie Suzanne or J. John

Traditional/unusual, such as Elizabeth Siena or James Cort

Unusual/traditional, such as Dakota Marie or Kobi Michael

Middle Moniker Tests

Middle names should always be tested thoroughly, just as you would when selecting a first name. However, because they're often a last-minute choice, many middle names escape the same level of scrutiny, but they really shouldn't. Unfortunate combinations happen far too often when parents don't pay attention to how the middle name they've selected works in all its many forms and combinations.

When it comes to this important part of the selection process, the steps are very similar to the ones you learned about in Chapter 6, ''Name Play":

Say the names you're considering out loudboth in combination with the first name alone and as part of the entire given name. You want to >make sure that the middle name you select fits well rhythmically as well as >euphoniously.

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Spell them, again in combination with the first name alone and with first and last names. Be sure to consider all possible variant spellings. Sometimes an altered spelling on a middle name can be even more effective than when used on a first name.

Consider all the various name forms and how the middle name will be used. How does a middle initial look in conjunction with the first name? Do the given name and the middle name initials form a pleasing combination? One of my college classmates was named Barbara Caroline, but she was known far and wide as B.C., which suited her elegant yet warm Southern personality to a tee. Remember, one of the key reasons to give a middle name is to increase the number of names that your child can use as he or she grows up. Your Margaret Suzanne may end up being Margaret Sue, Maggie Sue, Missy, Suzie, or just plain Suzanne as she grows up.

Even if you're using a middle name that you don't particularly care formaybe it was your compromise answer to your first name selectiondo your best to make it work with the other parts of your child's name. It isn't necessary to stick with the most formal form of a name when it's used as a middle name. If you're stuck with something like Susan, maybe you can get away with Sue. Mary could be Marie, or even Mare.

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Mining for Middles

The sources for middle names are virtually identical to the ones for first names, so you should have a good name pool already targeted to work with. Keep in mind, however, that middle names can be more creative or inspired than given names, so you might be able to broaden your pool a bit and consider some names that you wouldn't have put in the running before. For example, if you really want to commemorate the city in which your child was conceived, it might be a better idea to use it as a middle name, especially if it's a place like Des Moines or Taos.

Other potential sources for inspired middle names include:

Circumstances and occasions. Maybe you want to honor the first time you and your partner met by using the day of the week or the month of the year in some form or another.

Friends and mentors. Since there's more latitude in choosing middle names, this is a great spot to honor someone who's been important to you, especially if you can't do it with the first name for some reason.

Fates and outcomes. Middle names, since they're generally not used as widely as first names, lend themselves well to name with symbolism or hidden meanings, especially from other countries and cultures. Comedienne and actress Sandra Bernhard used this name fashion when she selected Cicely Yasin for her daughter, who was born in 1998. Yasin is a Moroccan name that means "bearer of good news."

Creating a Middle

There's nothing that says you can't take a creative approach to fashioning a middle name just as you would in creating a first name. For example, you can craft a middle name from elements of several names if you're having a hard time settling on just one. Or honor a male relative by creating a feminine form of his name for your little girl (just flip these genders around to fit your particular needs).

For more on creating names, turn to Chapter 9, "Neo-Names."

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More Middle Inspirations

What middle names do the rich, the famous, and the infamous use for their children? Check out these combinations, which truly run the gamut from inspired to expired! You'll see lots of good combinations here, as well as a few to stay away from. You'll also see some names that go against just about every rule you can think of, but rules are meant to be broken, right?

A Twinkle in Their Eyes: Star Babies

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz: Desiderio Alberto, Lucie Desiree

Ellen Barkin and Gabriel Byrne: Jack Daniel, Romy Marion

Marlon Brando: Simon Teihotu, Tarita Cheyenne

Sonny and Mary Bono: Chesare Elan, Chianna Maria

Jack Nicholson and Rebecca Broussard: Lorraine Broussard, Raymond Nicholas

Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain: Frances Bean

Glenn Close: Annie Maude

Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke: Maya Ray

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith: Jaden Christopher Syre

Bill and Camille Cosby: Ennis William, Ensa Camille, Erika Ranee, Erinn

Charlene, Evin Harrah

Tony Danza: Katherine Anne, Marc Anthony

Carrie Fisher: Billie Catherine

Melissa Gilbert: Dakota Paul Mayi

Marisa Berenson: Starlite Melody

Carol Burnett: Carrie Louis, Erin Kate, Jody Ann

James Caan: Alexander James, Scott Andrew

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Chevy Chase: Caley Leigh, Cydney Cathalene, Emily Evelyn

Robert DeNiro: Nina Nadjhea, Raphael Eugene

Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman: Gracie Fan, Jake Daniel, Lucy Chet

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver Christina Maria, Katherine Eunice,

Patrick Arnold

Christie Brinkley: Sailor Lee, Jack Paris, Alexa Ray

Judy Collins: Clark Taylor

Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford: Cassidy Erin, Cody Newton

Jesse Jackson: Jacqueline Lavinia, Jesse Louis, Jonathan Luther, Yusef DuBois

Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall: Elizabeth Scarlett, Georgia May Ayeesha, James Leroy Augustine

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown: Bobbi Kristina

Billy Ray Cyrus: Braison Chance, Christopher Cody, Destiny Hope

Newt Gingrich: Jacqueline Sue, Linda Kathleen

Infamous Middles

These names come by way of name fanciers and onomasticians, who search vital statistics records, phone books, and other similar lists to cull out the unusual, the fanciful, and the just plain awful. Some of these awful combinations clearly came about due to marital name changes. Others were created by people who consciously wanted to bear an unusual name. Still others were bestowed upon unsuspecting children by their parents. These are full names; if a last name isn't listed, it isn't known.

John Will Fail

Larry Harry Barry

Elizabeth Sloppy Gug

Twinkle Starr Gibbs

Justa Cowgirl

Margaret Folds Quick

May June July

Rex Dex

Sugar Honey

Paradise Sunrise

Southern Justice

Cherry Daiquiri Sour

Okla Homa Mills

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Bright Berger Butz

Bomber Man

Wonderful Grace Sharon Davidson

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Chapter 9
Neo-Names

For some expectant parents, deciding on a name for their baby is like searching for a new house. They start their journey with high hopes and anticipation of finding the perfect domicile, but they don't find anything they like, even after months and months of searching. Some couples either eventually find something that suits them during this process, or they revise their needs and expectations to fit what's available to them. But others realize that there just isn't anything in existence that they love enough to make a strong commitment to, and they decide to build a home of their own.

The search for the perfect name for your child is similar. Maybe, like these couples, you've reached the end of your rope in your search for just the right baby name. Maybe the process is no longer fun, and you and your partner are beginning to snarl at each other every time the subject presents itself.

If so, then you are probably looking for something that doesn't exist, something with no one else's fingerprints on it but your own. You're in the market for a neo-name.

Out with the Old, in with the Neo

Neo-names come from existing name pools. They are created from elements of other names (for the most partwe'll get to the exceptions later) that are already in existence.

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Yes, all names are createdsomeone had to have a reason for coming up with them at some point, after all! But neo-names stand apart from the others in the name pool for the following reasons:

They're the newest creations and the newest additions to the name pool.

They're singular and very unique, which means there's a slim chance of them recurring with any frequency for any other reason besides serendipity.

They're not derivative or diminutive namesin other words, they aren't nicknames or pet names. Neo-names truly are new creations, formed in ways that are very different from how derivatives and pet names come about.

Neo-names are often the name style of choice for parents who are looking for something new. But there are other reasons for choosing them, too. Maybe you want to honor not one parent but both with your baby's given name.

Maybe you need to strike a compromise between several names. Or you may want to give your baby a name with a truly unique meaning, a name that reflects a special part of your life together or a significant experience that you've shared. Developing a neo-name can not only take on greater importance to you, it can also make your child feel very special knowing that the name he or she bears was created as a symbol of something that is important and cherished by his or her parents.

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If, for whatever reason, you find yourself having a difficult time going with a name from any of the other name categories that are in existence, then a neo-name that bears your mark and no one else's is probably exactly right for your specific situation. If so, you've come to the right place to learn everything you need to know about a neo-name for your neo-kid!

Neo-Names for a Neo-Country

If you were to travel around the world and visit just about every other culture in existence, the chances are slim of finding this trend anywhere else. This particular naming fashion is unique and singular to North Americaand, in particular, to the United States.

This passion for created names in the U.S. hasn't gone unnoticed outside of our borders, though. Newer-sounding names are indeed popping up in other parts of the world. Still, the U.S. is far and away the leader when it comes to adding new names to the name pool. New names crop up in the U.S. on a daily basis and are taking their place in a naming pool that is already the largest in the world.

No one is exactly sure why the U.S. can claim this name fashion as its own, or how it happened to become such a uniquely American fashion. One thing is for certain: If there is any such thing as a truly American name (aside from Native American names, of course), it's a created name!

Neo-History

Created names actually have a long history in the U.S., dating back to the time following the Civil War when slavery was abolished. Many of the newly freed slaves no longer desired to bear the names that had been given to them by their former masters, and they also wanted names that sounded unique.

So much of their heritage and culture had been destroyed that they no longer knew what their traditional names were or what they sounded like. For this reason, they created names from the ones that were in existence in the U.S. at the time, but made them new by adding certain sounds that set them apart from all others. (Turn to Chapter 12, "Finding Our History: African-American Names," for more on this particular fashion.)

Another group of people who had a strong influence on the development of created names in America were (and still are!) the Mormons. This group created a name pool that is unique to its religion and to the state of Utah, which the Mormons founded after their leaders fled religious prosecution in other parts of the U.S.

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The Mormons have used every imaginable twist and turn to create names, and rank at the top of everyone's list when it comes to truly unique names. Such unusual names as Jentill, Truthanne, Lexine, and Artax came fromyou guessed itnew parents that either live in the Beehive State or have close ties to it.

You can read more about Mormon naming fashions in Chapter 14, "You Say Potato, I Say Potahto," and you'll find some names there that might kindle your creative fires once you're in the process of developing a neo-name. But now it's time to get that process rolling!

Neo-Creations

Ask any couple who created a name for their baby, and they'll tell you that developing a new nameas is the case when you're creating anythingis part inspiration and part perspiration! (Did you think it would be easy?)

A good name, just like any worthwhile creation, doesn't necessarily come easily, or quickly, for that matter. Having the desire and the will to embark on this particular journey is a good start, but it takes more than this. You also must be willing to commit to a process that can be, at times, frustrating and tiring, especially if your efforts don't seem to be leading you anywhere. Is the end result worth it? Usually it is, but not always.

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Neo-Hazards

Before we get any further into the process of creating neo-names, it's time to issue a strong caution to all of you who are going to attempt this. Please, please, don't go overboard with neo-names. There's no denying the thrill of creating a wonderful new name for your baby, but unfortunately, this name fashion is one parents can take to extremes. Some expectant moms and dads get so wrapped up in the process that they develop tunnel vision when it comes to the name or names that they create, much to the dismay of their relatives and friends when they hear the name for the first time.

Save yourself from the embarrassment of having to answer the question, ''How could you (did you) choose THAT name for your child?" Be sure to keep the following points in mind as you embark on this process:

Remember that whatever name you create will have to be spelled and pronounced many times during your child's life. Try to keep things simple and logical.

There's a difference between creating an unusual and lovely name and one that's unusual because it's so awkward and ugly. Stay away from such unfortunate combinations as Chalaydriaor Maksymilia (which are both real names, unfortunately).

Follow the same rules in test-driving any created name you come up with; i.e., how it works with middle and last names, whether it lends itself well to pet names or nicknames, how the initials of all the names line up, etc.

Finally, this is a time when you absolutely should get input from other people. If the looks you get when you tell people the name range from mild amusement to horror, please think twice about using it. You may be the only ones applauding your creativity.

For some examples of names that probably should have been left at the bottom of the creativity pile, turn to the end of this chapter. In fact, it might be a good idea to do that now so you get a better idea of what to stay away from!

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Into the Wild, Blue Yonder: A Neo-Name Road Map

Many parents who decide to create a new name for their baby feel at a loss over how to go about it, especially at first. This is understandable, given the fact that they're creating something entirely new that they couldn't find after pawing through lists of names or after digging around in family genealogies. However, you don't have to feel like Christopher Columbus casting off for the New World as you consider the journey that lies ahead.

While it's true that you're probably going somewhere you've never been (unless you're one of the select group of people that creates names for a living), you're not necessarily sailing uncharted waters in order to arrive at your new creation. Fortunately for you, other parents have blazed this particular trail, and they've left you some path marks for how to go about it. One or several of them should provide the guidance you need in creating your own neo-name masterpiece.

Inspire Me, Please!

Remember what I said earlier about the creative process being part inspiration and part perspiration? For the most part, they go hand in hand when creating a neo-name, but you'll need to prime your creative engine with a little inspiration first in order to get the whole process rolling.

The sources of inspiration for a neo-name are about as limitless as the universe around us. This is a time to let your imagination truly soar as you consider name possibilities from such sources as:

Names you love. Make a list of all the names that are special to you, as there may be a way to use every one of them.

People that you want to honor. Again, consider them all and make a list.

Special places and events. These can range from the first night that you and

your partner met, to where you spent your honeymoon, to the inn where you conceived.

These sources are just a handful of the many that are waiting to be tapped. However, if you're having trouble identifying the wellsprings of inspiration in your life, one of the following may move you in some areas that you may not have considered:

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Special objects or elements. Remember when I said that neo-names are almost always created from existing given names? Well, they are, but not always. They also can be formed from virtually any words that relate in a positive manner to something you treasure in your life.

Sayings, poetry, or even biblical scripture.

Popular songs. Did you have a favorite when you were dating? Maybe you heard a certain song the night you conceived your baby.

This was the case for two college friends of mine, who gave their daughter the combined name Peatra. They formed the name from the title of the popular Cat Stevens song of the early '70s, "Peace Train," which was playing at a restaurant jukebox the night they first met.

Inspiring Details

As you go through the sources of your inspiration, take time to reflect on the various elements that make them special to you. Don't leave any stones unturned in this processeven something as simple as the color of the dress you wore the night your husband proposed can form the basis for a special name.

As the great architect I.M. Pei once said, "God is in the details." So, too, can be good names.

The Neo-Inspiration Investigation

If you're drawing your inspiration from a specific occasion or event, the following example may help you in your process. I used parts of the inspiration exercise in Chapter 6, "Name Play," and really analyzed and investigated the elements of a particular event to show how you can mine ideas for a name creation.

It isn't necessary to go through this process for every special moment that comes to mind. In fact, you probably won't be able to unless you have a very good memory or you keep an extremely detailed journal. However, it can help open your mind to the different angles and approaches you can take when making up a new name.

Occasion or Event: First date

Date and Year: July (don't remember date), 1974

Time of Day: Early evening

Where: Lexington, Kentucky

What We Did: Went out to dinner

Method of Transportation: Shelby GT

What I Wore: Long green gingham dress

What My Date Wore: Suit (probably not important)

What We Ate: Turtle soup!

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The Music We Listened To: Joni Mitchell (among others)

Other Special Details: My date gave me a corsage of gardenias. I remember being taken by their intoxicating smell and their waxy, pale green color.

Just off the top of my head, here are the name possibilities presented by this particular occasion:

Summer (the season of the year)

Leo, Leonard, Leonardo (from Leo, the astrological sign for July)

Eve (for evening)

July, Julius, Julie, or even Julia (from the month)

Lex or Lexi (from Lexington)

Shelby (the car!)

Celadon (the pale green color of the gardenias)

Joni and Mitchell (for the music)

Ruby (birthstone of the month)

Lark (from larkspur, the flower of the month)

From just one occasion, I found 10 interesting and uncommon names. Now it's your turn. Use the following worksheet to come up with some unique names of your own. Hint: photocopy the page so you have a few extra sheets to fill in with more than one occasion from your past. Or, use this sheet as a model and create your own, adding in different categories to suit the event. See what you can come up with!

Occasion or Event:

__________

__________

Date and Year:

__________

__________

Time of Day:

__________

__________

Where:

__________

__________

What We Did:

__________

__________

Method of Transportation:

__________

__________

What I Wore:

__________

__________

What My Date Wore:

__________

__________

What We Ate:

__________

__________

The Music We Listened To:

__________

__________

Joni + Mitchell = Jonell? Creating Your Neo-Name

Once you've come up with some possibilities, it's time to consider all the ways you can play with your inspirations to come up with some neo-names.

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There are many different approaches to this process, some decidedly easier than others. Some also yield better results. It's a good idea to try them all, or at least as many as you can manage. You may come up with the perfect name from an approach that you didn't think would yield anything interesting, so don't gloss over the ones that seem silly, far-fetched, or just too tough to try. Electricity was discovered when Ben Franklin was flying a kite. The all-popular Teflon was stumbled upon in a completely unrelated experiment. The point is that great ideas spring from strange places. Who knows where yours will come from! Let's take a look at a few possibilities.

Bits and Pieces

One way to come up with a name that's set apart from the rest is to use a piece or pieces of another word. For instance, using the examples I came up with above, there are several possibilities: Deni or Garen, taken from gardenia; Chelly, taken from Mitchell and adding a "y"; Cela, from the color of my flowers. See what new names exist within the seemingly ordinary words from your list. You may be surprised at what you find.

Blending Names

This involves taking parts from two names, or even more, and fitting them together to form a new name. The names can be yours and your partners, names that you like from other sources, favorite relatives, friends the possibilities are limitless! The ways in which the parts can be combined are endless as well.

Examples:

Marjo (Mary and Joseph)

Sandel (Sandra and Elaine)

Quindon (Quinton and Donald)

Raylin (Ray and Linda)

Anakaren (Anna and Karen)

Taylorscot (Taylor and Scott)

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Head-On Collisions

A variation of blended names, head-on collisions take place when the front end of one name and the back end of another name form a new name.

Examples:

Rondré (Ronald and André)

Sharlon (Sharon and Marlon)

Daveon (David and Leon)

Derwin (Derek and Irwin)

Jonell (Joni and Mitchell)

Neo-Acronyms

Acronymns, a neo-name style which involves combining the first letters of a series of words or names, can be a tough way to form a name; it's not always easy to come up with something that works well. However, it's worth a shot if you have a favorite song lyric, line of poetry, Bible verse, saying, or just a bunch of words that mean something to you.

I had a hard time finding real-life examples of acronyms used as given names, although I'm sure many exist. One very good one that was cited by author Stephen J. Spignesi in The Celebrity Baby Name Book is Kecalf, the name of Aretha Franklin's son, which was formed from the first initials of his parents' names: Ken E. Cunningham and Aretha L. Franklin. My inspiration example suggests a few, but they're not terribly good: Saldeg (my initials at the time plus the initials of my date which sounds very Norwegian) and Sadil, which stands for Sonia and Dave in Love, and sounds like something that should be on top of a horse.

Other approaches to creating neo-names that are similar in style to forming acronyms include:

Spelling a name or word backward to form another word or name (ananym).

Forming a new name by combining the letters of several names or words in any order (anagram).

These approaches won't yield a ton of possibilities and require you to set aside a decent amount of time, but if you love to play with names and you've got a lot of time on your hands, then why not give it a shot?

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Neo-Diminutives

This neo-name style, which combines a common name with a diminutive, is an easy approach to forming a neo-name and can yield some very pleasant results.

You can choose diminutives from various languages. Some of the most popular are:

French diminutives, including -el, -en, -et, -on, and -ot

English diminutives, including -ie and -y

Spanish diminutives, including -ita and -ina

Irish diminutives, including -in and -an

This neo-name style, along with adding a prefix like la- or da-, is a major force behind both African-American names and Mormon names. It also was responsible for landing the following names on the 1997 list of most popular baby names in the United States:

Adriel

Dreyvin

Adrina

Duriel

Tamrin

Aljen

Keddy

Bronzie

Kishon

Dallin

No-Rules Neo-Names

Some neo-namesand you'll see them on the list that followsare so out of the ordinary that there's no way to tell how they were formed. These are the no-rules neo-names, the ones that just seem to happen without any rhyme or reason. Some may be based on the creation suggestions given above; if so, they're good examples of what not to do when using these naming approaches.

While I'm not endorsing any of these as names to consider for your baby or even as suggestions for spurring on your own creativity, there's no denying the sheer individuality reflected in these names. (I just hope the children that bear them are able to live up to the burden that the names will surely create in their lives.)

All of these names, by the way, come from the 1997 complete lists of most popular baby names in the U.S., compiled by Social Security Administration actuary Mike Shackleford.

Boys' Names

Dzoan

Shermanslo

Mardettric

Quntavious

Sirsimons

Markevius

Rauder

Steukhon

Melquisede

Sammykiel

Kyrin

Mikhaelant

Satvik

Lettrius

Montorius

Shavartae

Liernest

Bubacar

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Girls' Names

Anisia

Areisy

Yuriria

Anylah

Arlexsia

Yasmineire

Aqsa

Betsyfelip

Teresanict

Aparna

Bentavia

Sumiyyea

Aracelli

Casiliya

Squanna

Arbryanna

Zirisoley

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Chapter 10
Multiplicities

There's no doubt about ithaving a baby is a blessed event that ranks as one of the most important occasions in life. Talk about your great expectations! Sometimes it seems like the world revolves around everything baby. And, if you're one of the increasing numbers of parents who are expecting more than one bundle of joy come delivery day, what's going on in your life is probably blowing the top right off of the expect-o-meter!

Planning for one child can be tough enough, but getting ready for two or more is a challenge for even the sanest of parents. Along with everything else, it can complicate the process of choosing names. But it doesn't have to.

If you're making your plans in duplicate, triplicate, or even quadruplicate, this chapter is for you.

The More the Merrier

Better nutrition and the increased use of fertility drugs are just several reasons given for the fact for less babies entering the world as solo acts than ever before. Instead of one bundle of joy, we're having two or three at the same time. In the early 1980s, only 34 out of every 100,000 births were multiples. By 1994, this figure had more than tripled to 116 out of every 100,000.

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Today, the odds are that one in every 4045 births may be twins. The odds of having triplets are higher at one in every 1,300 births, but this is still a significant increase from even 20 years ago.

Along with the dramatic increases in the number of multiple births have come the medical and technological advances to give these little wonders better chances of survival. As recently as 20 years ago, many multiples didn't live past the first few months. Now, those heart-breaks are fast being replaced by more and more multiple bundles being carried home by more and more proud parents. The challenge these folks are now facing (other than keeping enough diapers around) is coming up with a name for more than one child.

Multiple Rules

The rules for selecting baby names for multiples are generally no different than when naming just one baby. Remember the old sayingif it ain't broke, don't fix it. There's no reason to change the naming process when there's more than one new being to dub. However, there are some special baby-naming tips that do relate to naming multiples that you'll find later in this chapter.

Regardless of whether you're having several children at once or just one, there is one basic rule that should always apply to the naming process: Choose names that you like and that you feel will serve your children well as they mature.

Most parents understand this basic ground rule perfectly well, but for some reason they forget that it also applies to naming more than one child at a time. Or, they think there are new rules governing their special situation that they should now follow, and they spend a lot of time trying to figure out just what these new rules are.

What these new parents end up realizing, however, is that the tried-and-true way is generally the best approach in all situations. There's no need to rewrite the rules if you're going to be the proud parents of twins, triplets, quadruplets, or even higher order multiples.

Also, keep in mind that the rules for testing names apply when you're choosing names for multiples. It's just as important to make sure that the names you select work in all possible combinationsperhaps more so in situations like this, as there are more combinations to consider!

In the Family Way (More Than Just a Little!)

Parents who are anticipating multiple births have enough on their minds as it is, but they also often find themselves coping with a substantially higher level of family interest and involvement in their lives, both before and after the babies are born.

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This heightened interest can be most welcome, especially if you're in a situation where you really need some help, such as being confined to bed. However, it can also be a burden, as it can translate into the desire for more input on what your babies' names should be.

The fact that you're having more than one child at once really shouldn't affect how you go about naming them, but families often see the advent of multiple births as their chance to make their feelings known about honoring relatives or carrying on family names.

Even families that may have stayed at arm's length if just one baby was anticipated can get very excited when multiples are on the way, and that natural excitement can elevate their desire for involvement far beyond what would be expected and normal for them.

It's up to you, the parents of the multiples, to keep a balanced perspective on the entire situation, which may be difficult as you're probably not be feeling very balanced yourselves! Just keep in mind that the arguments for and against the use of family or ancestral names remain the same, no matter how hard anyone might try to convince you of the contrary. If you were going to consider such names for one child, it makes sense to do the same for multiple children. If you weren't, then there's no reason why you should feel an increased need to do so now.

The Name Game Times Two

Children born as multiples have a special bond. They may or may not bear a strong physical resemblance to each other, but there's a unique psychological and emotional connection that stays in place throughout their lives, regardless of the situations and experiences that come their way.

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Studies of twins who have been raised apart show remarkable similarities in their behavior and their personalities, even down to such minute details as how they hold their dining utensils. It's not uncommon for twins who are separated at birth to have the same occupations, dress in the same fashion, and even give their children the same names.

When it comes to naming multiples, parents often celebrate this special bond by giving these children names that are similar or related in some way. However, not all do. Many parents today believe in giving their multiples names that will help them establish separate identities from their siblings.

While we often expect multiples to have names in common, nowhere is it written that you have to. There will be plenty of other ways in which your children will be identified as members of a special group, so you can embrace or ignore this naming rule as you wish. As when naming single children, let your headand your heartbe your guide.

Multiple Fashions

As can be expected, there are some naming fashions that pertain to naming twins, triplets, quadruplets, and beyond:

Alliterative combinations or names that begin with the same letter

Names that relate to each other in some way besides alliteration, such as in form or meaning

Dissimilar names

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These fashions have been in place for a long time and they really don't change much, although, like other naming fashions, some will always be more popular than others at any given time.

Which fashion is right for you? It's a good idea to give some consideration to each one, even if you have a strong preference for one form over another. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and the only way to fully determine what will work best in your situation is to try them all.

Alliteration Angles

This is considered a classic naming fashion for multiples, and it's certainly one of the easiest to work with, as the combinations are virtually limitless. All you have to do is come up with a first initial that you both likeparents often choose one from their own names, but this isn't necessary eitherand you're off and running!

This was the naming fashion used by NBC newswoman Jane Pauley and husband Garry Trudeau (of Doonesbury comic strip fame), who named their twins Rachel and Ross. While their children weren't multiples, entertainer Bill Cosby and wife Camille also used it for all of their children. Building on the letter E, the Cosbys named their kids Erika Ranee, Erinn Charlene, Ennis William, Ensa Camille, and Evin Harrah.

Other alliteration combinations include:

Amanda and Adam

Felice and Fiona

Brianna and Bryce

Grace and Gregg

Colin and Caitlyn

Haley and Hanna

Denise and Daniel

Iris and Isabel

Ethan and Evan

Justin and Jack

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Kayley and Kyle

Sabrina and Samuel

Lindsey and Lily

Taylor and Tyler

Michael and Mallory

Ursula and Uma

Noah and Nicolas

Virginia and Vincent

Ophelia and Olivia

Wynona and Wyatt

Paige and Patrick

Xavier and Ximena

Quentin and Quinn

Yvonne and Yvette

Roseann and Russell

Zachary and Zoey

See, I told you the list is endless!

It's All Relative

Another strong multiples naming fashion is to choose names that are similar in other ways. They may be spelled nearly identically or be different versions of the same name, but they all share certain qualities (alliteration, etc.) that link them as names for multiples.

Letter Switches

These take the form of names that are identical with the exception of the first letter, as in:

Cara and Sara

May and Bay

Marla and Carla

Nora and Dora

Joel and Noel

Nan and Dan

Roy and Joy

Merry and Jerry

Tami and Sami

Seth and Beth

Ida and Ada

Or, names can be combined that are the same except for a change of letter in another position:

Britt and Brett

Clark and Clara

Kyle and Kyla

Cary and Carl

Ross and Rose

The advantage to these names is their very close linkagesif you see any of them appearing on a form of any sort, there's little question of them being anything other than names of multiples. However, this characteristic can also be a drawback,

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especially if the names selected are very close in pronunciation. They also can seem a little too cutesy as time goes on, and they generally don't yield a good number of pet names or nicknames since many of them are actually forms of given names.

Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl: Masculine/ Feminine Combinations

These combinations are generally formed by adding a feminine suffix to a masculine name, as in:

Paul/Paula

Daniel/Danielle

Albert/Alberta/Albertina

Alan/Alana

Michael/Michaela/Michaeline

Or, they can combine a male and a female name that were derived from the same name but are no longer entirely similar in form, like:

Alexander/Alexis

Charles/Charlotte

Dennis/Denise

John/Joanna

Samuel/Samantha

Nicholas/Nicole

These names also carry a strong connection factor, but they're often more versatile than letter-switch pairs. Still, many of them are very close in pronunciation, which can lead to misunderstandings and mix-ups, especially if you're shouting for one of your kids and the other shows up.

Anagrams

If you really like playing with names, you can try rearranging the letters in one name to form another. Amy can turn into May, Reva into Vera, Jonah into Johan, and Mary into Myra. Personally, I think this approach takes up more time than it's worth, but if you have a lot of time on your hands, then why not give it a shot!

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Form Combinations

There's nothing that says you can't use the full form of a given name and a derivative of it to name multiples. This can be a great approach if you have more than two multiples to name. Possible combinations include:

Alex, Lexi, and Lexa

Elizabeth, Liza, and Elissa

Alex and Sandy

Anne and Nina

Mary, Molly, and Marie

Like Means Like

Another popular approach to naming multiples is to pair names with similar meanings. This can be a more difficult fashion to work with as it takes some knowledge of the meanings of names, or the willingness to dig a little more than usual to find names with similar roots.

It also probably works best with twins, as it may be difficult to find combinations greater than two. But the results can really be worth the time and energy that go into coming up with combinations like these:

Laura and Daphne: Both names mean ''laurel"; Laura is Latin and Daphne is Greek.

Elijah and Joel: These Hebrew names both combine elements that mean "God," but in different order.

Zoe and Eve: These names translate as "life" in Greek (Zoe) and Hebrew (Eve).

Diana and Selene: Diana is the Roman goddess of the moon; Selene is her Greek counterpart.

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Nell and Elaine: Both names derive from the same root name of Helene, the Greek goddess of beauty. Elaine is a more modern variation of the name Helen; Nell is a pet form of Eleanor, another name derived from Helene.

Jonathan and Matthew: Both names come from the Hebrew words yehu, "of God," and matis, "gift."

Karen and Katherine: Karen is the Danish form of Katherine, which comes from the Greek word for "pure."

Kieran and Melanie: Both mean "dark-haired" or "dark" in complexion.

Amy and David: These two names both translate into "beloved." Amy, however, derives from Latin and David from Hebrew.

Virtuous Combinations

Another pairing approach to try is combining virtue names. One obvious combination, and a good one for triplets, is Hope, Faith, and Charity, but these are just the tip of the iceberg.

A nice aspect of this naming style is that you can give your multiples a hidden bond by selecting names that appear quite different but that share similar virtuous meanings that only you know about (obviously, you'll share them with your offspring at a later date). You can find plenty of these names to choose from in Chapter 16, "Virtues and Values."

Pairing Prefixes

This approach doesn't pair names that are similar in any other way besides the fact that they share prefixes, but they fall into this category because of that common bond. It works particularly well with African-American names, like Lakisha and Ladonna, Tanisha and Tamika, or Daquon and Danell.

Like other pairings, these combinations can cause confusion if the selected names sound too much alike. A way to keep some distance between them is to choose names that are sufficiently different aside from their prefixes. Laquonda and Latrell is a good combination. Talitha and Tanisha, as they both end in "a" could be a little too close for comfort.

Just Good Names

Coming up with names that relate to one another is a popular approach to naming multiples, but it is by no means the only way to go. There are just as many parents who choose names that have little in common at all. They're just good names, as least as far as the parents who select them are concerned.

This seems to be a far stronger trend in naming multiples these days, at least when it comes to the multiples who have gained some notoriety for one reason or another, such as:

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Stephen and Amanda Mays, the first test-tube twins.

John and William Reiff, who have won a record 22 titles in "most identical" contests.

The four little DurstsCalli Kristine, Kendra Nicole, Megan Marie, and Sarah Elizabethof Buffalo, Minnesota, a delightful quartet who earned more than their 15 minutes of fame as they were conceived without fertility drugs. I spent an afternoon with these girls as toddlers when I worked as a reporter in Minnesota, which convinced me that all parents of multiples are saints!

Leanna, Joy, and Monica Creel, the identical triplets who starred in The Parent Trap III and Parent Trap Hawaiian Honeymoon.

Gwyneth, Barbara, and Pilar Thomas, the daughters of actor Richard Thomas.

Eliza and Katya, the twin daughters of Charles, Viscount Althorp (Princess Diana's brother).

Henry and Angus, the twin sons of actors Corbin Bernsen and Amanda Pays.

Dane Luke and Trey Kully, the twin sons of actor Lee Majors.

Malcom and Olivia, the boy/girl combo born to actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta.

And, of course, Kenneth Robert, Alexis May, Natalie Sue, Kelsey Ann, Brandon James, Nathan Roy, and Joel Steven, the "seven from heaven" septuplets born to Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey in 1997.

There's not much commonality between any of the names these parents chose for their multiples besides the fact that they were carefully selected and bestowed with lots of love. And this, quite frankly, should be the bottom line when it comes to naming any baby, whether he or she is a singular sensation or part of a new chorus line!

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PART 3
STAR-SPANGLED NAMES

If you were to ask someone in a foreign country to name a few things that they think of as being distinctly American, chances are pretty good that the given names used in the United States would be at the top of the list, or close to it.

Virtually every name in the American name pool was brought here by people who once lived somewhere else, which gives the United States the largest and most diverse pool of names in the world.

Over time, many of these names have become more closely identified with their land of adoption rather than their countries of origin. And, they've also formed the basis for the creation of new names that are truly "Made in America."

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Chapter 11
The Wild, Wild West

Vistas as far as the eye can see. Prairies rippling with wheaten grass. Jagged mountains that reach to the skies with their snow-capped peaks. Lanky cowboys with dustdarkened chaps and a faraway look in their eyes that makes them seem like they're always scanning the horizon, getting ready to move that next big herd of cattle. These are the images of the American West, deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness thanks to the myths and legends portrayed in popular western novels, movies, and television shows.

Because it was an unknown frontier for so many peopleeven after it was fairly well settledthere has always been a charm to the West that appeals to anyone who's just a little tired of the bustle and congestion that accompanies life in the big city. Head west and you're trading the beeps and honks of rush-hour traffic for the slap of leather against leather and the gentle low of a cow as she calls for her calf.

Well, that's the idea, anyway. For most folks who actually live in the Westincluding myselfour day-to-day life is pretty similar to what you'd experience anywhere else in the U.S. But it is true that you don't have to travel far to get glimpses of this part of the country as it once was, and when you do, it can indeed take your breath away for its sheer grandeur and beauty.

The jagged peaks of purple mountain majesties, the amber fields, and the fruited plains of the West have inspired a great number of people, including Katharine Lee Bates, the Massachusetts educator and author who used these images to write America the Beautiful in 1893. And they just might inspire a baby name for you.

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Don't Fence Me In

Western names, or, at least, names that sound western, are extremely popular these days. It's hard to say why this is so, as the genre (when it comes to movies and television) seems to have faded from the spotlight at this point in time. But there's no denying the increasing frequency with which these names are popping up on name lists across the country.

In 1997, the following western-themed names were popular enough to make it onto the top 1,000 most popular name charts:

Boys

Girls

Code (32nd spot)

Hallie (22nd)

Travis (60th)

Amanda (27th)

Colton (100th)

Cheyenne (79th)

Shane (122nd)

Kallie (spelled a variety of different ways) (88th)

Dallas (221st)

Cassidy (160th)

Colby (289th)

Sierra (also spelled Siera) (66th)

Frederick (297th)

Ciera (172nd)

Jesse (55th)

Callie (198th)

Jessie (349th)

Cheynne (413th)

Kolby (354th)

Montana (also spelled Montanna) (690th)

Kolton (355th)

Cheyenne (389th)

Blaze (485th)

Clint (502nd)

Colt (504th)

Dillon (Dillion (524th)

Cassidy (887th)

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In reality, the names given to babies born west of the Mississippi are virtually identical to the names given to newborns in any other part of the country. There's an equal chance of a kid being named Cody in Cody, Wyoming, as there is of one carrying this moniker in Chicago. But, just as we tend to think of names like Beauregard or Annabelle as being uniquely southern, there are some names that can be considered, if not uniquely western, then at least evocative of the wide-open spaces that still remain somewhat untamed and alluring for many people.

Many of the most popular western names are borne by the characters in movies and novels with this theme. Others come from the actors who became closely identified with the western roles they played. And then there are the historical figures who settled the American West, place names and geographic descriptions, and icons and symbols that may or may not be exactly western, but that definitely have the right feel. Whether mythological or actual, these images have always held the promise of great thingsno wonder so many new parents are lured into going west.

Celluloid Cowboys (and Cowgirls!)

Western moves played a key role in the development of the American film industry, especially when the power base of the industry shifted from the East Coast to the wide-open spaces of California. The rugged terrain around the fledgling Hollywood studios was a perfect location to film the low-budget, shoot-'em-up westerns, and they were produced in large numbers during this period.

Many actors and actresses who became more widely acclaimed for their work in other genres had their start in such movies as The Thundering Herd, Wild Horse Mesa, Arizona Bound, and The Cowboy and the Lady. The fast action and classic good-vs.-evil theme of these movies proved popular with adults as well as kids.

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Many of the names bestowed on characters in movie westerns were a direct reflection of the given names that were popular in the later part of the nineteenth century. The monikers included John, William, Charles, George, James, Joseph, Frank, Henry, Thomas, and Harry for boys; and Mary, Anna, Elizabeth, Margaret, Minnie, Emma, Martha, Alice, Marie, Annie, and Sarah for girls. Others had a decidedly western feel to them that was sheer Hollywood invention, such as Tex, Sierra, Dimity, and Flint.

The western theme wasn't limited to the big screen only, though. It also proved to be a big hit for the fledgling television industry, and for many of the same reasons it had been so popular for movies. People enjoyed the story lines and the action in these shows, and they were enthralled with many of the larger-than-life heroes that these shows portrayed.

While it took a little time to adjust to the big images of the West on the little screen, television series such as Bonanza, Rawhide, Maverick, and Gunsmoke were some of the most popular that were on the air during the 1950s and 1960s.

Western Names from the Big (and Small) Screen

If you're looking for inspiration for a western name, you need look no further than your television or your local video store. Almost any movie made by such legendary directors as George Stevens or John Ford, or any movie with a western title starring Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, or Robert Mitchum is fertile ground for western inspiration.

The pickings are a bit slimmer from television, as many of the early westerns either aren't in wide syndication or are no longer in existence, but such shows as Gunsmoke, The Wild, Wild West, Rawhide, The Big Valley, and Bonanza are worth keeping an eye out for.

Not only might these movies and TV shows yield a name or two, they're fun to watch. The movies in this genre are often American classics and are worth watching for this reason alone.

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Here are just a few big screen flicks and television shows to get your creative juices flowing:

Cat Ballou: Cat was the nickname of the lead character played by Jane Fonda in this 1965 western that was more comedy than a shoot-'em-up. Other western names from this movie include Kid Shelleen (Lee Marvin's character's name) and Clay Boone (who was played by Michael Callan, an actor that no one has heard much from since). Cat could be used by itself, or, more likely, as a nickname for Catherine.

Cimarron: From the great Edna Ferber novel, this 1931 film starred Richard Dix as Yancey Cravat and Irene Dunne as Sabra Cravat. Sabra sounds more Israeli than western, but Yancey is a classic western namein fact, it's believed to derive from a Native American word for "Englishman."

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Giant: Another movie based on a great Ferber novel, it starred Rock Hudson as Bick Benedict; Elizabeth Taylor as his eastern-born wife, Leslie Lynnton Benedict; Mercedes McCambridge as Bick's sister, Luz Benedict; and James Dean as Bick's nemesis, Jett Rink. The name Jett has gained some notoriety of late as a given name, perhaps most famously due to John Travolta and Kelly Preston's choice of it for their son. Luz, a Spanish name meaning "light," is common among Spanish and Hispanic familiesSanta Maria de Luz is another name for the Virgin Mary.

The Last Picture Show: Set in windswept western Texas, this early 1970s movie starred Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, and a very young Cybill Shepherd, who made her screen debut as the spoiled wanna-be debutante Jacy Farrow. Jacy is a created name that, because it's associated with this movie, has a western feel; Farrow, which actually means "a litter of pigs" or "to give birth to a litter of pigs," does as well.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: This classic John Ford western starred John Wayne and Jimmy StewartWayne played his classic tough-guy cowboy role, Stewart played an East Coast attorney who comes west to hang his shingle and becomes the target of an outlaw (Valance, played by Lee Marvin), whose path he crosses once too often. Vera Miles played Hallie, the object of both Stewart's and Wayne's affection. All you have to do is hear Wayne say her name to be convinced that it's a western classic.

Lonesome Dove: This miniseries adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Larry McMurtry novel tells the story of a life-changing cattle drive. The character names from this seriesAugustus McCrae, Woodrow Call, Jake Spoon, Lorena Wood, and Clara Allenwere decidedly western in feel.

Rawhide: This early television western ran for eight seasons from the late 1950s through the mid-'60s. Catch it today and you'll see a very young Clint Eastwood in the role of Rowdy Yates.

Twenty-Six Men: Not too many people these days remember this television series, which ran during the same period as Rawhide, but its leading character, an Arizona Ranger, had a great western nameClint Travis.

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Shane: ''Come back, Shane" is the classic catchphrase from this movie. Shane was the name of the main character, played by Alan Ladd.

Gunsmoke: Before the movie starring Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, there was the enormously popular television show starring James Arness, who played Matt Dillon, and Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty, the dancehall proprietress. To this day, I can't hear the name Amanda without thinking of Blake, her elaborate western costumes and the tough-yet-kind way in which she played her role. Matt is a classic western name thanks to this show; Dillon isn't quite as popular, especially in this spellingit's a homonym for Dylan, which is the preferred spelling of the name.

Bad Guys and Heroes

Calamity Jane. Doc Holliday. Hopalong Cassidy. They're legendary names that seem bigger than life, but they did belong to real people who helped to shape the face of the West. The names they left behind are a popular part of the western name poolalthough there's not much chance of meeting a gal named Jane, much less Calamity, these days.

Names to consider that were once borne by other real western heroes (and their foes!) include:

Wyatt Earp: Known as the man who brought law and order to the Wild, Wild West, his last name makes little kids laugh. But Wyattwhich means "small fighter"is a good name for a tough little boy.

Jesse James: The notorious outlaw who eluded the snares of a number of frontier marshals for years. Jesse is a Hebrew word meaning "the Lord exists."

"Buffalo" Bill Cody: Famed frontier scout and entrepreneurso famous, in fact, that no less than three western states claim bragging rights over his actual burial spot. Cody, by the way, comes from an Old English word meaning "pillow."

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Christopher "Kit" Carson: Nineteenth-century frontiersman who was a guide and scout during the exploration of the West. He also fought in the Mexican War. Carson City, Nevada, is named for him. Carson is an Old English surname meaning "son of the marsh dwellers."

Stephen Austin: The American colonization of Texas began in 1821 when Austin obtained a land grant from Mexico. The state capital of Texas is named after him.

Davey Crockett: The legendary backwoodsman and congressman whose trademark coonskin hat became fashionable headware for lots of little boys (and girlsI had one, too!) in the late 1950s and early 1960s when a TV show based on his life became popular. Crockett is the western-sounding part of this name. It's an occupational name that describes someone carrying a shepherd's crook.

James Bowie: Originally a slave smuggler, he fought for Texas' freedom and was killed at the battle over the Alamo. His name became synonymous with the long knife that he originated. Bowie, a name that appears occasionally as a first name (baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn) comes from a Scottish word meaning "blond."

Meet Me at the O.K. Corral

With the passion for using place names as given names these days, it's no surprise that many western place names are gaining favor with today's parents, who, quite frankly, are probably choosing them just because they're neat-sounding names.

Austin: The last name of Stephen Austin and the Texas capital, Austin has been popular for some time now.

Cheyenne: The capital city of Wyoming draws its name from the Native American tribe that called Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Montana home. This name was extremely popular in 1998it ranked 68th on the national most popular list for girls.

Cimarron: Cimarron is a city in western Kansas and a river than runs from New Mexico to Oklahoma. Although it doesn't rank in the top 100 most popular names, it does appear on both the boys' and girls' rosters at a somewhat lower level.

Colby: It's a city in Kansas and an Old English place name meaning "the dark farmstead." This name is riding up the popularity charts on the coattails of Cody.

Dallas: The bustling Texas metropolis is named for George M. Dallas, vice president of the United States under President James K. Polk.

Laramie: This Wyoming city was home to Fort Laramie, a military post on the Oregon Trail. It's not being used yet as a given name, but it's a good contender for the popularity charts.

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Jackson: Another city in Wyoming, although most parents who choose this name are probably linking it more to U.S. President Andrew Jackson or to Civil War General Stonewall Jackson.

Montana: The state gets its name from a Spanish term meaning "mountainous."

Reno: The famed Nevada gambling town is named for Jesse Lee Reno, a Confederate general.

Sierra: It's from the Spanish word for "jagged" and, as it appears in mountain names like Sierra Madre and Sierra Leone, is appropriately applied. In 1998, this name ranked 39th on the most popular list for girls.

Sonora: It's the name of the desert in Arizona and a state in northwestern Mexico.

Travis: Colonel William B. Travis led the battle over Texas back in the mid-1800s; the county that Austin is located in and a lake in Austin bear his name, which is an occupational name meaning "toll taker." Actor Kevin Bacon and his wife, the talented Kyra Sedgwick, liked this name for one of their children.

Tucson: This Arizona city also lent its name to Tucson Smith, the character played by noted cowboy actor Harry Carey in Powdersmoke Range, a classic "B" western and the first of the Three Mesquiteers films. It's not on the name charts yet, but it will be.

Six-Shooters and Sunbonnets

The symbols and icons of the Old West are yet another group of words that can be transferred to given names. Some are already in fairly broad use as names; others are uncommon and ripe for the picking.

Blaze: It can be used to describe the white stripe that runs down the front of the nose on some horses, or a crackling campfire.

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Calico: Although originally a cotton fabric from India, this tough, coarse fabric with its small flower patterns is familiar to anyone who has watched a western on a movie or television screen.

Colt: The first successful revolver was a six-shooter designed by Samuel Colt of Connecticut. Invented in 1830, this was the gun that was most likely to be pulled out of a holster during the settlement years of the Old West. Colt, the noun that describes a young male horse, is also an Old English occupational name describing a person who breeds or trains colts.

Dimity: This sheer cotton fabric was one of several used by frontierswomen to make their frocks.

Marshall: The keeper of law in the West. It's an occupational name meaning "horse keeper."

Remington: Remington was a gunmaker in the Old West; Frederick Remington was the famous painter and sculptor who caught many of the images of the West that we know so well today. Actors Tracy Nelson and Billy Moses tapped this name for their daughter.

Sage: In this setting, it would refer to the low-growing shrub of the western U.S. It's somewhat uncommon as a given name, but it does appear on both male and female sides of the name charts.

Stetson: The 10-gallon hat made by the J.B. Stetson hat company, worn by cowboys in the late nineteenth century. The name is probably an Old English surname, meaning "Stephen's son."

Whip: Born Charles Meyer in Pecos, Texas, Whip Wilson was the cowboy star of many low-budget westerns of the late 1940s and early 1950s. His weapon of choice for defending himself against his enemies? A whip, of course!

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Chapter 12
Finding Our History: African-American Names

A good name, wrote Spanish author Miquel de Cervantes, is better than riches. Most of us never face the possibility of having something so precious taken from us, but how would you feel if it were to happen? It would leave you without an identity, and, perhaps even worse, rob you of a vital link to your heritage and ancestry.

This may sound like a scenario straight out of a science fiction movie or from a gloom-and-doom novel about the future, but it actually happened to thousands of African slaves who were ripped from their homes and brought to the United States several hundred years ago, primarily as cheap labor to work the fields of slave owners. Fortunately, the very basic right to bear names of their own choosing that reflected their ancestry and heritage was restored to these people following the Civil War. Ever since then, the African-American population in the U.S. has made up for what they lost by using a myriad of cultural influences and traditionsboth old and newto create names and name fashions that, while uniquely theirs, are also an integral part of the American name pool.

People Without Names

The slaves brought to the U.S. from Africa had to endure a number of brutal crimes against them, not the least of which was being stripped of the names they were given in their native countries. These names held great importance, as they were often

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bestowed during special ceremonies held to celebrate the giving of a new name. This forced abandonment of something so precious destroyed a vital link to their countries of origin and took away a heritage that dated back much further than that of their enslavers.

Rather than being called by the traditional and often very beautiful names that were so much a part of the culture they left behind, African slaves were given new names. Sometimes these new titles were given on the boats that brought them to America, and sometimes they were given by their owners when they got here. Slave owners thought nothing of replacing what they considered to be strange-sounding, exotic names with ones they could more easily pronounce.

These new slave names were often based on the popular names of the time, but they were usually given in their pet or shortened forms. If there was more than one slave with the same name in any given group, they were assigned various identifiers such as "little" or "big" so each would know who was being called for when a master beckoned. Typical names from this period included:

Biblical names like Adam and Eve (the names often given to the first man and woman brought aboard each slave ship)

Short, simple, percussive names like Tom, Jack, or Bill

Classical names such as Cato, Nero, Caesar, Pompey, Phoebe, and Venus, which came from such literary sources as the plays of Shakespeare and popular novels of the time

Nicknames like Curly, Tomboy, Prince, and Duke

In the years just prior to the Civil War, it also became fashionable among slave families, as it was among their owners, to use the surnames of American leaders as first names. Washington was the name most often used; Madison and Jefferson also were popular.

When Freedom Rang

After the conclusion of the Civil War, one of the first things that many freed slaves did was cast aside the names that had been forced upon them by their former masters and adopt new names that reflected their freedom. Some celebrated their new status by adopting the full forms of their shortened names. Others took their new naming

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freedom one step further and embellished these names by adding prefixes or suffixes (such as Medgar, the variation of Edgar given to civil rights leader Medgar Evers). Still others changed the spelling on their names to further distinguish them from the ones used by whites. It's easy to look at the unusual names drawn from naming pools of the time and conclude that blacks used very different names than whites did, but this really wasn't the case.

Different or unusual names always get more attention than the old standards do. There were definitely some unusual names doled out during this period, but it was done with similar frequency for both races. In fact, the names used by freed slaves during this period were often very similar to those chosen by whites, with popular names like John and Mary showing up with the same frequency for both races. Some names did carry racial overtones, but there was nothing unusual that would really make these names stand out from the crowd. Often, they were once-fashionable names for whites that then became popular with blacks. As they did, they would begin to fall from favor for whites.

What the newly freed slaves didn't do was revert to their ancestral names. They were often second- and third-generation descendants of the people who first came to the U.S., and the traditions and cultures of their native countries were long forgotten. Nor was there much new information coming from Africa that could be used to restore their heritage. Given the racial bias that was so strongly in place, the incentive was much greater to use names that were generally accepted and in broad use than those that were too far out of the ordinary.

Minting New Names

Names created by African-Americans began showing up on naming records soon after the Civil War came to an end. Some of the earliest followed a popular naming fashion of the day that added the -inda suffix to names that were commonly in use. Clara, for example, became Clarinda; Flora turned into Florinda; Lucretta or Lucretia into Lucinda. Names given to boys, however, followed the naming patterns favored by whites, with the most popular names continuing to be such old favorites as John, James, George, Henry, Samuel, Charles, Isaac, Robert, and Peter. The practice of creating names became more popular for both sexes in the years following World War II as the civil rights movement began to gain momentum and the African-American community was striving to create its own identity. There still wasn't much good information available on naming styles and fashions from the land of their

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forefathers, so growing numbers of African-Americans created their own cultural identity by combining popular names with sounds they found pleasing, including:

Suffixes such as -on, -won, -quon, -el, and -ell, which were used to create boys names such as Davon from David and Marquon from Mark. To give these names even a more distinctive twist, the suffix is stressed when pronounced.

Prefixes including Chan-, Shan-, Ka-, and La-, as well as the suffixes -isha, -el, and -ell, which were used to create such names as Danell, LaTasha, Shandra, and Monisha.

The prefixes De-, Ja-, Tri-, Ni-, Wa- and Sha-, which were used to create names for both sexes.

Combined names, often taking elements from the names of both parents, and creative spellings are also very much a part of this naming fashion.

A Heritage Reborn

As the civil rights movement continued to build, greater efforts were made to resurrect the cultural history that African-Americans had been deprived of for so long. As this heritage was reconstructed, some African-Americans were inspired to replace the names that had nothing to do with their culture with ones that did.

Traditional African names and names from the Muslim faithwhich has played a strong role in Africa for centuriesstarted appearing with greater frequency on vital statistics records. This name fashion was also spurred on by the civil rights activists who underscored their actions by changing their names, including:

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Malcolm Little, who became Malcolm X and then El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

Stokely Carmichael, who coined the phrase "black power," eventually changed his name to Kwame Touré. The two names are those of African-American leaders who had a great influence on his life: Sékou Touré, who served as the first head of state of Guinea when the country became independent, and Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of independent Ghana.

Louis Eugene Walcott, now known as the Nation of Islam leader, Louis Abdul Farrakhan.

Activist and writer Hubert Gerold "H. Rap" Brown, who is now known as Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin. His name means "beautiful servant of Allah, the trustworthy one."

Current Trends

African-Americans today are increasingly reclaiming their long-lost heritage. Celebrating such traditional holidays as Kwaanza and adopting hairstyles and clothing fashions from their native countries have helped modern generations make even stronger connections with the traditions and cultures of their ancestors.

While many African-American parents choose the traditional or classic names that may have been used by their forebears as well, many others are selecting African names that reflect their pride in their heritage. The fashion of creating names is also being embraced by more and more parents.

Names with a Distinctive Heritage

African names in use today come from many different tribes, but since most slaves came from the coastal areas of Africa, the names are taken from the languages spoken in these areas: Swahili, Zulu, Hausa, and Yoruba. African names are generally related to circumstances surrounding a birth or the parent's wishes for their child, which makes many of them a good choice for boys or girls. Some of the most popular names in use today are given in the following list. Most are Swahili, and many are very similar to the Arabic names used in the Muslim faith.

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Abdu: This Muslim name, along with Abdul, Abduhl, and Abdullah, means "servant of God" or "worshiper of God." It's a prominent element in many Muslim given names today and was used by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who started out in life as Ferdinand Lewis ''Lew" Alcindor. His Muslim name translates to "generous servant of God who restores comfort." Almost exclusively used for boys.

Ahmad: "Commendable" or "praiseworthy." Also spelled Ahmaad, which was the preference for football player turned sports commentator once known as Bobby Moore when he changed his name to Ahmad Rashad. Also almost always used for boys.

Aisha: It means "life" in Swahili or "woman" in Arabic. Aisha was the prophet Muhammed's third wife and his favorite. This is a very popular name at the moment as it has the popular -isha suffix. This factor, combined with its strong connection to a wife of Muhammed, makes this name more feminine than masculine. Also spelled Aeisha.

Akila: "Bright" or "logical." Also spelled Akilah.

Akua: Either "sweet messenger" or "born Wednesday," it appears in several languages and countries.

Ali: Most famously borne by Muhammed Ali, this Muslim name means "sublime" or "exalted." The feminine form Aliya (or Aliyah) is preferred for women and ranked 121st on the most popular girls' names for 1997.

Amal: "Hope."

Amiri: "Thrive." Another popular form is Amir.

Anika: "Goodness" (Yoruba).

Ayana: "Beautiful flower." Also spelled Ayanna.

Aziza: "Special," or "precious." Mostly used for girls.

Chidi: "God exists."

Dikembe: It's the first name of basketball player Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo, who, for obvious reasons, only uses his first two names. Although the meaning is not known, the name could be a form of Dike, which means "warrior."

Fahim: "Perceptive" (Hausa). Also popular as Fahimi.

Hadiya: "Guide rightly."

Hakeem: "Wise" (Arabic).

Hamadi: A form of Hamid, it means "commendable" or "praiseworthy."

Hasani: This name, as well as Hasan, means "beautiful" or "handsome."

Hashim: From the Arabic, meaning to "destroy" or "crush."

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Hasina: "Beautiful."

Imani: "Faith" (Hausa). The model Iman is most associated with this name, and it is a girls' name.

Jabbar: Along with Jabari and Jabir, it means "fearless person" or "comforter."

Jaha: "Destined to be a ruler."

Jamal: From the Arabic for "handsome." It's a popular name among both black and Muslim families and is also spelled Jamaal. The feminine form, also very popular, is Jamila. This name is also closely related to Jamil and its variant spellings (Jamel or Jamell), which means "physically and morally attractive" (Swahili).

Kadir: "Capable," one of the 99 attributes of Allah.

Kareem: "Generous." A form of Karim.

Khalil: "Friend."

Khari: "Kingly."

Kofi: "Born on Friday."

Kwame: "Born on Saturday."

Malik: "Master."

Masud: "Fortunate." Used more for boys than girls.

Mhina: "Delightful." This is a girls' name.

Muhammad: The most popular of Muslim names, it means "praiseworthy." Always given to boys.

Mustafa: "The chosen one."

Naeem: "Bountiful," "contented," or "happy." Also spelled Naeemah.

Nkosi: "Blessing."

Okechukwu: "God's gift."

Osaze: "Whom God likes," or "ruled by God."

Rasheed: "Rightly ruled." Also spelled Rashid. The feminine form is Rashida.

Rehema: "Mercy."

Safi: "Pure."

Sekou: "Learned" or "fighter," again depending on the country and language.

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Sharif: "Honorable" or "eminent." The feminine form is Sharifa.

Saed: "Happy" or "fortunate."

Tarik: "Morning star." Also commonly spelled Tariq.

Creativity Rules

The creativity exhibited by African-American parents when it comes to fashioning new names continues to build, and this very popular naming fashion is constantly adding new names to the naming pool.

The following names were given often enough during 1997 to make it onto the 1,000 most popular name lists. As long as it is, it's a mere sample of the names that are out there.

Names in the -Isha Tradition

The -isha suffix is reserved for girls' names. The only name on this list that isn't created is Aeisha, which is based on the Arabic name Aisha. The most popular versions of this suffix were:

Aeisha

Ajaysia

Alaiasha. Also appears as Alayshia.

Cokeeshia

Jamesha. Also appears as Jamisha.

Kanisha. This popular name appears in many different forms, including Kaneesha.

Keisha. Ranked 461st, this is also a very popular name.

Aysheka. Also appears as Aisheka.

The Chan-, Shan-, Ka-, La- Prefixes

Not many names in this fashion made it onto the top 1,000 list for 1997, which really doesn't reflect the popularity of this name fashion. Other very popular created names in this fashion include Chandelle, Chalese, Cherise, LaDawn, Lakeisha, La Shauna, La Tasha, and, of course, La Toya. Although it's more a girls' name fashion than boys', it has crossed over there as well to create such names as LaRon and LaVonn. In 1997, the following made it onto the most popular list:

LaChrystal. Also appears as Lakristal.

LaQuanda. This is a completely coined name, made from two name fragments that sound great together.

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-Ons, -Wons, and -Quons

This hugely popular name fashion landed a number of boys' names on the top 1,000 list, including:

Daquan. Also appears as Daequon, Daequan, Daquon, DayQuan, and DayQuawn.

Dashon. Also appears as Dayshon.

Dayron

Dewan

Javon

Jawan. Also appears as Jawon and Juwan, and may be a variant of John.

Jaylon

Jquan

LeQuann

Quantray

Quantrill

Rayvon

Rezon

Tavion

Tayqwon

Tequan

The La-, De-, Da- Names

While this extremely popular name fashion is used to create names for both sexes, almost every name on the 1997 most popular lists that used it were for boys:

Daivon

DaJohn

DaJour

DaShawn. Also appears as DaShean, DeShawn, Desean, Deshon, DaShuran, Dejuan, Dejwon, Dejan, Dejhan, Dejwon.

DaTwon

DaVante. Also appears as DaVonte, Davontai, Devante, Devonte, Devontay, and Devontre.

Daveon. Also appears as Davion.

D'Anthony

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D'Aytoine

Jaundray

Deaundrew

Keshawn

DeMarcus

L'Dorian

DeMarious

Ladarius

Deondre

LaKeveon

Deontae

LaQuinton

Deonte

Latronce

Dequan

Rashawn

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Chapter 13
As American As

"Columbus sailed the ocean blue,

In fourteen hundred and ninety-two."

Remember that grade school ditty? Christopher Columbus' adventures in the New World, although widely acknowledged as not being the first by a foreigner on North American soil, still constitute the introduction to American history for most little kids.

Since (and before) the Italian Columbus set sail on Spain's dime for the New World, this land has been the setting for many an explorer's dreams. Unfortunately for Spain, the yellow, black, and red flag didn't wave for too long on American's soil. News of a new, fertile land brought many more ships across the Atlantic to see what treasures lay beyond the Continent. The most tenacious of these visitors, however, were the English. They came to stayand so did the names they brought with them.

As a result, we're far more likely to choose monikers for our children from the same naming pool that was brought about through the Norman Invasion of England in 1066. And these are the names, that, more often than not, we think of as being as American as apple pie even though they really aren't!

They Came on the Mayflower

While the Spanish explored the New World for some time before the English arrived, it was the colonies established by the English that would form the basis for the new

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nation that was to follow. Such cities as St. Augustine, Florida (founded in 1551) and Santa Fe, New Mexico (founded in 1605) were both established by Spanish explorers. But a battle between Spain and England left the once-powerful Spanish Armada in shambles in 1588, and eroded Spain's exploration efforts in the Americas.

England was now positioned to be the ruler of the sea. Queen Elizabeth seized the opportunity to extend her country's power by using the routes established by the Spanish to launch her own expeditions to the New World. Early English settlements met with disaster more often than notwhole communities, like the one established in 1585 on Roanoke Island on present-day North Carolina's Outer Banks, were destroyed by disease, starvation, and attack by local Indians, who didn't take kindly to the intrusion. It wasn't until the Mayflower set sail in 1620 that significant settlements were established in the New World. That little ship brought a total of 102 men, women, and children, as well as a group of names that would form the basis of the fledgling American name pool, including:

Classic Norman given names, such as John, Henry, and Edward.

Names derived from revered biblical virtues, such as Prudence, Patience, Mercy, and Faith. (Turn to Chapter 16, "Virtues and Values," for more on the names that came over on the Mayflower as well as for information on virtue names of today.)

Biblical names, especially ones from the Old Testament.

The prominent names of this period, either borne by passengers of the Mayflower or by explorers who came before or after them, included:

Anne: Although she followed Puritan leader John Cotton to the Massachusetts Bay colony, Anne Hutchinson was banished from Boston for so-called heretical interpretations of sermons. She preached her own form of Puritanism that emphasized faith overall, and, although the crowds liked what she had to say, she was excommunicated from the Puritan religion and banished from her home. She left there and settled Portsmouth, Rhode Island, eventually moving to Long Island, New York, where she and her family were killed by local Indians.

Edward: A very popular name among the kings of England (there were eight of them!). It means "wealthy defender."

Elizabeth: It's from Hebrew and means "pledged to God." One of the most popular girls' names the world over, borne by two queens of England: Elizabeth I, who supported the settlement of English colonies in the New World, and Elizabeth II, the current reigning monarch.

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Ephraim: Hebrew for "fertile" or "productive."

Enoch: Meaning "vowed" or "dedicated," Enoch was the name of the father of Methuselah in the Old Testament.

Esther: The Persian word for "star," it was the name of the Old Testament orphan who saved her people by becoming the wife of King Ahasuerus.

Henry: It means "estate ruler," and maybe that's the reason why it became such a popular name for royalty, as it was borne by no fewer than eight kings of England. And dare we leave out Henry Hudson, the renowned explorer who mapped much of the northern U.S. and Canada?

John: One of the most commonly used names in the world, of course, had to come to America via the Mayflower. Famous colonists with this name included Captain John Newport, who piloted the ships that bore the settlers of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World; Captain John Smith, the leader of the Jamestown colony; and John Winthrop, who established Boston, Massachusetts and served as governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony.

Josiah: It means "the Lord supports." Josiah was an Old Testament king.

Miles: Miles Standish was a famed Pilgrim leader. His name was a variant of Emil, derived from Latin and meaning "eager to please."

Roger: This name, which means "renowned spearman," was the first name of Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, Rhode Island.

Sarah: The revised name of Sarai, the wife of Abraham, given to her after God appoints her husband as "the father of many nations."

William: Another kingly name, it has Old German roots and means "will-helmet" or "one who protects."

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Later arrivals included Dutch settlers, who at the time had the world's largest merchant marine fleet. They focused their sights on what would become the state of New York, establishing a bustling trading village called New Amsterdam that would eventually be renamed New York City. Peter, the New Testament name meaning "rock" that was the Anglicized version of the Dutch "Piet," was brought to America by Peter Minuit, the man who negotiated the purchase of the island of Manhattan from the Indians.

Founding Fathers (and Mothers!)

It was the fashion in England to name children after historical figures and leaders, so it only stood to reason that the early American settlers would follow it as well. In time, of course, new parents here came to choose these classic names not for their connection to Mother England as much as to honor the founders of this country. John, a very popular name both here and abroad, could be inspired by John Cabot, who explored the Northeast coast to Delaware soon after Columbus landed, or John Winthrop, who established Boston, or after John Carver or John Alden, two other noted Americans of the day.

The other strong name fashion in place during the time of the early settlers was to choose names from the Bible, which added such classic names to the American name pool as:

Abigail: This Old Testament name (it means "my father is joyful"), was borne by the wife of David and by the wife of President John Adams. This name is coming back into style today in a big way, ranking 25th on the most popular names list in 1998.

Martha: This New Testament name was borne by a woman who spends more time getting dinner ready than paying attention to Jesus, her dinner guest, who is instead entertained by her sister, Mary. While this name was popular in many parts of the world, it had its longest run at fame in the U.S., thanks to Martha Washington, the first First Lady.

James: This English variation of Jacob has been borne by no less than five U.S. presidents: Buchanan, Garfield, Madison, Polk, and Carter.

Samuel: It means "told by God," appropriately so, as Samuel was a prophet and judge in early Israel. Samuel Adams was a member of the First

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Continental Congress, which in 1774 drafted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

Other American classics inspired by the men and women who founded our country include:

Alexander: This Greek name, which means "man's defender," was borne most notably by statesman Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and ill-fated duelist.

Benjamin: In the Old Testament, Benjamin was the younger son of Jacob and Rachel. The name means "son of the right hand." Most famously borne by Benjamin Franklin, the noted early American diplomat, publisher, scientist, and inventor.

Dolly: It's a pet name derived from Dorothy ("gift of God") and borne by Dolly Madison, the wife of President James Madison.

George: This quintessentially English name is actually Greek and means "farmer." Borne by many Americans both centuries ago and now, and most famously during Revolutionary War times by George Washington.

Jonathan: Jonathan Edwards, American-born religious leader, pastored a church in Northampton, Massachusetts, and became famous for his "fire-and-brimstone" sermons.

Thomas: This biblical name comes from the Aramaic for "twins." Thomas Jefferson is probably the most famous American to bear this name; Thomas Hooker was a reverend who led a group of settlers to Connecticut to found Hartford. Another Thomas, Thomas Paine, was the famous pamphleteer of the period who wrote Common Sense and The Age of Reason, which reflected the democratic ideology that shaped America.

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War, What Is It Good For?

An interesting result of most major wars is the strong influence they have on name pools. Many parents assign to their offspring the first names of the people who took part in these events.

In America, the Revolutionary War was the first significant event to have a broad influence on naming patterns among the colonists, adding such names to the pool as:

Anthony: This Roman clan name is said to mean ''beyond price" or "invaluable." Anthony Wayne, an American general, reclaimed a strategic location from the BritishStony Point, New Yorkand took an estimated 700 prisoners.

Charles: Another royal name, it means "man." Charles Lee was a British-born soldier who attained the rank of general in the patriot army.

Daniel: Hebrew for "God is my judge." American general Daniel Morgan was noted for winning the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina.

Ethan: Hebrew for "steadfastness" or "firmness." Ethan Allen led the attack on and captured the British arsenal at Fort Ticonderoga, New York.

Francis: "Frenchman" or "free man." Perhaps the best-known Francis before Frank Sinatra was Francis Marion, the military leader who waged a successful war against the British in the Carolinas. His nickname was "Swamp Fox."

Henry: Old English for "estate ruler," and appropriately enough, much used among British royalty. American general Henry Lee drove the British from Paulus Hook, New Jersey. Henry Knox was a Boston bookseller who served as general-in-charge of George Washington's artillery and the commander-in-chief's trusted aide.

Israel: This Old Testament name is thought to mean "wrestling with the Lord." Israel Putnam was a colonel in the Connecticut militia who warned his troops to "not fire until you see the whites of their eyes."

Molly: This is a diminutive of the Hebrew word Mary, which means "bitter." During an exhausting summer battle, Mary McCauley Hays, the wife

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of a Revolutionary War private, carried water for her husband and his crew, earning her the nickname "Molly Pitcher." After her husband was wounded, she stepped in to help his crew keep fighting.

Nathaniel: Hebrew for "given by God." Nathanael Greene, an American commander during the Revolutionary War, was a Quaker without any military experience, but with a keen tactical mind that elevated him to the rank of general. Nathan Hale, a true American hero, was captured by the British and hanged without trial as a spy. His final words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

Patrick: Latin for "noble" or "patrician," this name is closely associated with Ireland thanks to the fifth-century missionary St. Patrick. Patrick Henry was a major figure in the Revolutionary War and a powerful orator, best known for his "give me liberty or give me death" speech.

Paul: This Latin-based name means "small." Maker of false teeth (bet you didn't know that!) and silversmith, Paul Revere was the brave midnight rider who warned Boston residents that the British were on their way to attack them.

American Royalty

The British have their kings and queens who dwell in the halls of Buckingham Palace. As you may imagine, it's fairly common for British parents to name their children after their country's aristocratic icons (you can bet there are quite a few "Dianas" these days). It's the same with us Yankees. Naming our children after our presidents and first ladies is the American equivalent of the English tradition. Some of our most popular presidents and their wives have definitely spurred name fashions in their honor. Others may have had fleeting influence or little at all. Regardless, the White House is yet another source of ideas for the naming pool.

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At the Top of the Polls

Many presidents' names are so classic that they'd be top picks on almost anyone's list if they're looking for traditional or classic names. As far as their rankings go on the most popular lists, here's how these classic names did in 1997:

Boys' Names:

Franklin: 296th. It means "free landholder." Many infant Franklins were born during Franklin Delano Roosevelt's lengthy presidency. The name has obviously faded from use now, but is still popular enough to make it onto the top 1,000 list.

George: 89th. It's from Greek and means "farmer." This traditional name has faded from its once-popular glory in honor of our country's first leader, George Washington, but continues to maintain a presence on the most-popular lists as it's an ancestral name in many families.

Harry: 415th. This diminutive of Henry ("home ruler"), is given as a first name about as often as Henry is these days. However, the trend toward old-fashioned names may move them both up the popularity charts in coming years.

James: In the 16th spot. Borne by five presidents (Madison, Monroe, Buchanan, Garfield, and Carter). It is an English variant of Jacob, "he who supplants."

John: In at 12th. Presidential Johns include John Adams (the first prez to live in the White House), John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, and, of course, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, one the country's most famous and charismatic presidents. This traditional favorite means "the Lord is gracious."

Theodore: 218th. Another Greek name meaning "gift of God." Pretty popular after the presidency of Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt.

Thomas: In the 37th spot. This Aramaic name, meaning "twin," is a stalwart of the traditional name pool. Despite the popularity of this name, only one president thus far has carried it: Thomas Jefferson.

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William: Came in 23rd. It translates to "will-helmet," which some people feel fits the tenacious William Jefferson Clinton very well. Other U.S. presidents with this moniker were William Henry Harrison, William McKinley, and William Howard Taft.

Zachary: 10th. The current popularity of this Hebrew name, which means "the Lord has remembered," probably has nothing to do with "Old Rough and Ready" President Zachary Taylor, who held the office from only 18491850.

Girls' Names:

Abigail: Ranked 41st. Borne by the wives of two U.S. presidents, Abigail Smith Adams and Abigail Powers Fillmore.

Caroline: Ranked 74th. Interestingly enough, borne by the second wives of two U.S. presidents: Caroline Lavinia (another name worth considering!) Scott Harrison and Caroline Carmichael McIntosh Fillmore. It's a feminine diminutive of Carl or Charles and has strong royal connections.

Elizabeth: Ranked 29th. The given name of the wives of presidents James Monroe, Gerald Ford, and Harry S Truman. Harry's Elizabeth was better known by her pet name, Bess. Elizabeth Bloomer Warren Ford preferred Betty.

Ellen: Ranked 347th. Borne by Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur and Ellen Louie Axson Wilson. It's a variant of the Greek name Helen, which means "shining" or "brightness."

Grace: Ranked 57th. Grace Anna Goodhue Coolidge was married to Calvin Coolidge. This name, the meaning of which is selfexplanatory, is finding favor these days among parents searching for old-fashioned names.

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Hannah: This Hebrew name meaning "grace" is currently very hot and ranked ninth on the 1997 popularity lists. Hannah Hoes Van Buren was the wife of Martin Van Buren.

Hillary: Its more common spelling is Hilary, and it means "cheerful" or "happy." Ranked 350th, it's borne by just one presidential wife: Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Jacqueline: This French diminutive form of Jacob ranked 54th in 1997. Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy had died a few years earlier, which is probably why her name was as high on the list as it was.

Jane: Ranked 248th. This feminine form of John was borne by Jane Means Appleton Pierce.

Lucy: Ranked 664th. This Latin-based name, which means "light," is a casual form of Lucia. Lucy Ware Webb Hayes was the wife of Rutherford B. Hayes.

Margaret: Ranked 86th. It comes from the Greek margaron, which means "pearl," and was borne by Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor, the wife of Zachary Taylor.

Mary: Ranked 72nd. This traditional name was borne by first ladies Mary Todd Lincoln and Mary Scott Lord Dimmick Harrison.

Nancy: Ranked 178th. This name, which began as a pet form of Ann (meaning "grace"), was also the preferred name of Anne Francis Robbins Davis Reagan.

Rachel: Ranked 24th. This Old Testament name, which was borne by the wife of Jacob, was also the given name of Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson, the wife of Andrew Jackson.

Sarah: Ranked number one in 1997. It means "princess" in Hebrew and was borne by the wife of James Polk.

Running a Solid Race

Although many U.S. presidents bore names that seem to be the hallmarks of tradition, there were others that weren't quite the average Tom, Dick, or Harry. They may be on the unusual side, but are interesting names for parents on the search for something out of the ordinary.

Boys' Names:

Chester: Chester A. Arthur's given name means "soldier's camp." He was the 26th person to hold the title of president.

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Grover: Twenty-fourth President Grover Cleveland had a place name as a given name as well. Grover means "grove of trees."

Martin: This "warlike" first name (it derives from Mars, the Roman god of war), belonged to President Martin Van Buren, the eighth president.

Ulysses: Ulysses S. Grant was a Civil War hero and his name is a fitting one for a warrior. Ulysses is a variant of the Latin Odysseus, which is thought to mean "wrathful." He was the 18th man to hold office.

Girls' Names:

Alice: This old-fashioned German name, which means "noble" or "nobility," was the given name of Teddy Roosevelt's wife. It's a good choice for anyone tired of the currently popular names that are similar, like Alicia or Alyssa.

Dorothea: This was the actual given name of Dolly Madison. It, like Dorothy, means "gift of God."

Eleanor: This beautiful name was actually Eleanor Roosevelt's middle nameher first name was Anna. It's thought to be a form of Helen.

Helen: This Greek name, which means "light," was the given name of President William H. Taft's wife.

Julia: This feminine form of Julius means "youthful." It was the given name of President John Tyler's second wife.

Letitia: The name of President Tyler's first wife, it means "joy" "gladness."

Louisa: A form of Louise, which means "renowned in battle." Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams was the wife of John Quincy Adams.

Rosalynn: This very American nameit exemplifies the fashion of combining names that is considered to be unique to this countrytakes its shape from Rose and Lynn, or could be considered a modern variant of Rosalind ("pretty rose"). Rosalynn Carter (whose first name is actually Eleanor) is former President Jimmy Carter's very down-to-earth, practical wife.

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Losers in New Hampshire

There are a few presidential names that are either so out-of-date or so closely related to a specific individual, that to give the name to a child will always link the two. While there are several unusual names ripe for the picking among the group (especially among the wive's names), you won't see most of these coming back into favor anytime soon:

Boys' Names:

Calvin: If you don't think of the reserved New England president who bore this name when you hear it, you probably think of the cartoon character in Calvin and Hobbes. It comes from a Latin word meaning "hairless."

Dwight: This name may have gained some ground during President Eisenhower's time, but it's gone nowhere since. It means "white" or "blond."

Herbert: A German-based name meaning "bright warrior" or "bright army." In the years following World War I, it was popular enough to rank in the top 50 most popular names, but it's rarely been used since then.

Lyndon: This English place name means "linden tree hill." It had its day as a fairly common given name but is very rare now.

Richard: It's from the Old German, and it means "dominant ruler." This once very popular name has really taken a dive off the charts. It's too easy to pin its current unfavorable status to the scandals surrounding the Nixon presidency. Most likely, the fact that both this name and its derivatives were once in such wide use made it become old-fashioned and dated for today's parents.

Ronald: Really not a bad name, but it had its time in the spotlight in the 1940s and '50s and has faded ever since. I personally like this name, which means "powerful counselor," as it yields a good pet name, but it's too far gone to make a comeback anytime soon.

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Warren: It means "watchman" or "protector." Even with Warren Beatty giving this name a boost, it's outdated.

Woodrow: Every time I hear this name, I can't help thinking of the country bumpkin bartender Woody Harrelson played on the TV show Cheers. It's hardly the image you'd want associated with your kid. For what it's worth, the name means "row by the woods."

Girls' Names:

Claudia: The feminine form of Claudius (a Latin clan name that means "lame"), this was Lady Bird Johnson's real given name.

Edith: This ancient Anglo-Saxon name means "prosperity" or "battle." It was borne by the wife of President Woodrow Wilson. It's not a bad name, actually, but it has somewhat of a negative image thanks to Edith Bunker, the frumpy housewife on the TV sitcom All in the Family.

Florence: Latin for "in bloom." Again, not a bad name, but I don't see this one coming back anytime soon. Florence was the wife of President Warren G. Harding.

Frances: This feminine form of Francis is another decent name, just one that's out of date. This was the given name of President Grover Cleveland's wife.

Ida: William McKinley was president at the turn of the last century. This is about the last time his wife's name was popular as well. The exact meaning of the name is unclear; it's variously given as "hardworking" or "prosperous."

Lucretia: A pretty name, just very out of date. It was a Latin clan name and the meaning isn't certain to this day. Lucretia Rudolph Garfield was the wife of President James Garfield.

Mamie: Have you ever met anyone named Mamie? I bet you never will, either! This is actually a pet name derived from Margaret, which is the better choice. Mamie Eisenhower's favorite color was pink, which is the reason why you'll see many items from the 1950s looking like they've been dipped in a watered-down version of Pepto-Bismal.

Thelma: Here is one of the best trivia questions in this book. I defy you to figure out which presidential wife had this very unusual name. Well, you won't guess in a million years, so I'll tell youher full name is Thelma Catherine Patricia Ryan Nixon. Thelma, by the way, comes from the Greek word for "will."

American Heroes

An American hero doesn't have to be a politician. (Perhaps that might work in his or her favor these days!) All that's necessary is an accomplishment that makes us proud to have this person as a representative of this glorious country.

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The following American heroes are just a sample of the thousands that can be included in this category. Many of them did have a significant impact on name fashions at various times. Others might spark you to start a naming fashion of your own. Either way, your child would do well to start out standing on the shoulders of these giants:

Amelia Earhart, the aviator who gained international recognition as the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean and the first to make a solo flight across the Pacific.

Antonia Novello, the first woman and the first Hispanic appointed surgeon general of the United States.

Cesar Chavez, the Mexican-American migrant farm worker who established the National Farm Workers Association and fought for the rights of agricultural workers to gain fair wages, adequate housing, and decent working conditions and education.

Charles Lindbergh, the legendary aviator, who made his first intercontinental flight in 1927.

Clara Barton, organizer of the American Red Cross.

Daniel Webster, orator and politician.

Eli Whitney, who revolutionized agriculture in the U.S. with his invention of the cotton gin.

Emma Willard, the founder of the first women's college in the U.S., Troy Female Seminary.

Francis Scott Key, author of the words to The Star-Spangled Banner.

George Washington Carve, U.S. agricultural scientist and nutritionist who improved and pioneered new uses for peanuts and sweet potatoes.

Jacqueline Cochran, who in 1953 became the first female aviator to break the sound barrier.

Jane Addams, cofounder of Hull House in the slums of Chicago and credited with starting an American settlement house movement to help the poor; she won the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize.

Jesse Owens, the superior African-American Olympic athlete, who at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games won four gold medals in front of Adolph Hitler and his supposed "master race."

John C. Calhoun, a champion of states' rights and a symbol of the Old South.

Margaret Brent, the first woman to claim the right to vote, all the way back in 1647.

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Martin Luther King Jr., the social reformer, civil rights leader, Baptist minister, author, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his great work as a leader in the civil rights movement in the United States.

Nellie Taylor Ross, who became the nation's first woman governor when she was elected governor of Wyoming in 1924.

Miriam (Ma) Ferguson, the second woman to become a governor, who was elected to lead the great state of Texas in the same year that Nellie Taylor Ross won her election.

Oliver H. Perry, a hero of the War of 1812, where he defeated the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie. And while we're on the topic of Oliver, there's also Oliver Otis Howard, a Union general in the Civil War, who went on to found Howard University.

Robert F. Kennedy, brother of John and a noted politician in his own right, who also served as attorney general during his brother's presidency.

Rosa Parks, who became known as "the mother of the civil rights movement" when she refused to give up her seat for a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus in December 1955. She continued to actively fight for civil rights the rest of her life.

· Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court.

Stonewall Jackson, the Civil War general, yields two popular names for southern audiences.

Susan B. Anthony, the anti-slavery and women's rights leader.

Thomas Alva Edison, noted inventor.

Victoria Claflin Woodhull, the first woman candidate for U.S. president who announced her intention to run in 1870.

Wade Hampton, the South Carolina planter who was an important soldier in the Revolutionary War. His grandson, who also carried his name, fought in the Civil War and later became governor of South Carolina.

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Chapter 14
You Say Potato, I Say Potahto

English may be the official language of the United States, but the way in which it's spoken varies greatly from region to region, and sometimes even from state to state. Even the phrases used to describe various aspects of everyday life change from one part of the country to another. In Milwaukee, for example, water fountains are called bubblers, but you'll probably never hear them called that anywhere else. Depending on where you live, your front porch may be a stoop or a veranda, and a creek may be a ''crik." The names we give our children also vary somewhat from one part of the country to another. If you should happen to meet a Billy Bob drawling his order for a soft drink in midtown Manhattan, wouldn't you wonder what this good ol' boy was doing so far away from Texas? Whether you want to find a name that instantly pegs your child as a native of a certain part of the country, or you want to find one that isn't likely to yield a clue, this chapter is for you.

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Popular Is as Popular Does: Regional Chart-Topping Name Trends

If you grew up in the South, there's a good chance that you also grew up with certain name types and fashions, such as fancy names for girls or combination names for boys, that are more often found in this part of the country than in the North. People born on the East Coast tend to favor formal or traditional names, while their western cousins tend toward more casual or unusual name forms.

Interestingly, however, the names and name fashions we associate with various regions of the country are not by any means the most popular names in those regions. For a land so proudly based on plurality, we tend to run as a pack when it comes to the names we give our children. While name forms like Bobbie Sue or Jimmy Ray may be popular down South, they're still not used often enough to land them anywhere near the top five most popular namesor even the top 25, for that matter. So, before we get into the particulars of each region, I wanted to show how the most popular names measure up from place to place. The tables that follow compare the most popular names across the U.S. in 1998. As you'll see, these names come from a very select name pool. However, there are some interesting regional patterns even in a pool this small.

As a point of reference, here again are the 10 most popular boys' and girls' names for 1998 (in order of popularity):

Boys: Michael, Jacob, Matthew, Nicholas, Joshua, Christopher, Brandon, Austin, Tyler, Zachary

Girls: Kaitlyn, Emily, Sarah, Hannah, Ashley, Brianna, Alexis, Samantha, Taylor, Madison

Yankee Doodle Dandies: The Northeast

The Northeast mirrors the national most popular lists with the noted exception of Massachusetts, which still embraces John, an old favorite boys' name that appears in the top five in this region only, and Olivia, a lovely traditional name that also appears here and nowhere else. Other names of note here: Emma, another fairly classic name that fits in well with this region's preference for traditional names, and Ryan, a name in keeping with the large Irish population in parts of Massachusetts.

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Boys's Names:

Maine
Jacob
Nicholas
Tyler
Michael
Joshua

Mass.
Michael
Matthew
Nicholas
John
Ryan

N.H.
Jacob
Matthew
Nicholas
Michael
Tyler

N.J.
Michael
Matthew
Nicholas
Christopher
Joseph

N.Y.
Michael
Matthew
Nicholas
Christopher
Joseph

Vt.
Jacob
Tyler
Matthew
Zachary
Joshua

Girls' Names:

Maine
Emily
Hannah
Sarah
Emma
Ashley

Mass.
Emily
Samantha
Sarah
Hannah
Olivia

N.H.
Emily
Hannah
Sarah
Samantha
Madison

N.J.
Samantha
Emily
Jessica
Ashley
Nicole

N.Y.
Samantha
Emily
Ashley
Jessica
Sarah

Vt.
Emily
Hannah
Taylor
Sarah
Madison

For Whom the Liberty Bell Tolls: The Eastern Seaboard

Michael, the most popular boys' name in 1998, is firmly entrenched in this region, appearing in the top slot in six of the eight states included. Notably, the part of the Eastern Seaboard below the Bible BeltVirginia and West Virginiashowed a strong preference for the Old Testament name Jacob instead.

Parents in this region favored unisex names; both Taylor and Madison occupy higher places here than in any other part of the country. Several other names of note are Victoria, another lovely traditional name; Kayla, which ranked fifth in the District of Columbia and neighboring Maryland; and Jasmine, which ranked third in D.C.

Boys' Names:

Conn.
Michael
Matthew
Nicholas
Ryan
Christopher

Del.
Michael
Tyler
Joshua
Matthew
Christopher

D.C.
Michael
John
Christopher
William
Matthew

Md.
Michael
Jacob
Matthew
Nicholas
Joshua

continues

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continued

Boys' Names:

Penn.
Michael
Matthew
Jacob
Tyler
Nicholas

R.I.
Matthew
Nicholas
Michael
Jacob
Christopher

Va.
Jacob
Matthew
Michael
Christopher
Joshua

W.Va.
Jacob
Austin
Brandon
Matthew
Tyler

Girls' Names:

Conn.
Emily
Sarah
Samantha
Ashley
Jessica

Del.
Emily
Taylor
Madison
Sarah
Alexis

D.C.
Alexis
Taylor
Jasmine
Jessica
Kyla

Md.
Emily
Taylor
Sarah
Alexis
Kayla

Penn.
Emily
Sarah
Samantha
Hannah
Madison

R.I.
Emily
Samantha
Hannah
Madison
Victoria

Va.
Emily
Hannah
Sarah
Taylor
Alexis

W.Va.
Hannah
Emily
Taylor
Ashley
Alexis

Dixieland Darlings: The South

Of all the regions I compared, the South took the prize when it came to strong trends, and one in particular that shows up here more than anywhere else. Just look at all those Williams! This is the only part of the country where this name is popular, and it's immensely so, appearing somewhere in the top three in every state but Florida and Louisiana. Why is it so popular? I can only chalk it up to parents naming their boys after President Clinton. Interestingly, however, William doesn't appear on the top five list in Arkansas.

When it comes to girls' names, parents in the South preferred the Old Testament name Hannah more than any other region in the U.S. However, they also showed a strong preference for unisex names, which is one of four traditional girls' naming fashions in the South.

Also interesting to note are the name patterns in Florida, which differ from all the others in this region. Compare them with the states in the Northeast, and you'll see that they're more like the patterns in New York and New Jersey. Traditionally, Florida has drawn its population from these Northern states. Even though there's a large

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Latino population in the southern part of the state today, it still mirrors the Northeast when it comes to the styles and fashions that it embraces. It may be located in the South, but it's a southern state in name only.

Boys' Names:

Ala.
William
Austin
Jacob
Christopher
Joshua

Ark.
Jacob
Austin
Michael
Christopher
Joshua

Fla.
Michael
Christopher
Joshua
Matthew
Jacob

Ga.
William
Michael
Christopher
Jacob
Joshua

Ky.
Jacob
Austin
William
James
Matthew

La.
Jacob
Joshua
Austin
Tyler
Christopher

Miss.
William
James
Christopher
Austin
Joshua

N.C.
William
Jacob
Joshua
Christopher
Austin

S.C.
William
Joshua
Michael
Christopher
Jacob

Tenn.
Jacob
William
Austin
Joshua
Michael

Girls' Names:

Ala.
Hannah
Alexis
Emily
Taylor
Madison

Ark.
Hannah
Madison
Emily
Taylor
Sarah

Fla.
Ashley
Emily
Alexis
Jessica
Samantha

Ga.
Hannah
Taylor
Emily
Madison
Alexis

Ky.
Hannah
Emily
Sarah
Madison
Taylor

La.
Alexis
Taylor
Hannah
Emily
Madison

Miss.
Hannah
Alexis
Madison
Taylor
Anna

N.C.
Hannah
Taylor
Emily
Sarah
Madison

S.C.
Hannah
Taylor
Alexis
Emily
Ashley

Tenn.
Hannah
Emily
Madison
Alexis
Sarah

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Corn-Fed Kids: The Midwest

Midwestern parents clearly favor old-fashioned biblical names based on their choices for the past year. However, there's a strong preference for some of the new classics, like Austin, Tyler, and Taylor. Perhaps reflecting the conservative nature of this region, Megan also continues to appear here, although it's faded in other parts of the country. Its fifth-place position, however, indicates that it's on the way out here as well. Another name of note: Dylan, which appears in the fifth-place spot in both North Dakota and South Dakota boys' lists. Again, this could be an example of a once-popular name achieving popular status a little later here than in other parts of the country.

Boys' Names:

Iowa
Jacob
Austin
Tyler
Matthew
Zachary

Kans.
Jacob
Austin
Matthew
Zachary
Michael

Mich.
Jacob
Michael
Austin
Tyler
Joshua

Minn.
Jacob
Matthew
Nicholas
Tyler
MAndrew

Nebr.
Jacob
Austin
Tyler
Zachary
Michael

N.D.
Jacob
Austin
Matthew
Michael
Dylan

S.D.
Austin
Jacob
Tyler
Zachary
Dylan

Wis.
Jacob
Austin
Tyler
Michael
Nicholas

Girls' Names:

Iowa
Emily
Hannah
Taylor
Madison
Alexis

Kans.
Madison
Emily
Hannah
Taylor
Alexis

Mich.
Emily
Hannah
Alexis
Taylor
Samantha

Minn.
Emily
Hannah
Samantha
Madison
Megan

Nebr.
Emily
Hannah
Madison
Alexis
Megan

N.D.
Emily
Madison
Taylor
Hannah
Sarah

S.D.
Emily
Hannah
Madison
Taylor
Samantha

Wis.
Emily
Samantha
Hannah
Alexis
Megan

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Prairie Home Companions: The Central U.S.

In the central states, there is a marked preference for biblical and old-fashioned names, although newer classics like Samantha, Taylor, and Alexis also did well in 1998. Another pattern of note: less use of unisex names for girls than in other parts of the country.

Boys' Names:

Ill.
Michael
Jacob
Matthew
Nicholas
Daniel

Ind.
Jacob
Austin
Michael
Tyler
Matthew

Mo.
Jacob
Austin
Tyler
Michael
Matthew

Ohio
Jacob
Michael
Austin
Matthew
Nicholas

Girls' Names:

Ill.
Emily
Samantha
Jessica
Alexis
Hannah

Ind.
Emily
Hannah
Alexis
Taylor
Madison

Mo.
Emily
Hannah
Madison
Taylor
Samantha

Ohio
Emily
Taylor
Hannah
Alexis
Samantha

Those Wide, Open Spaces: The Southwest

A very strong regional trend starts to take shape in this region with the appearance of Jose on the Texas list, which reflects the large Hispanic population in this part of the country.

New Mexico shows a preference for newer, feminine-sounding girls' names and is the only state that put Ashley in the number one spot, followed by Alyssa, which only appears here.

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Boys' Names:

Colo.
Jacob
Michael
Joshua
Tyler
Matthew

N.M.
Michael
Joshua
Jacob
Christopher
Matthew

Okla.
Jacob
Austin
Tyler
Joshua
Michael

Tex.
Jose
Jacob
Michael
Christopher
Joshua

Utah
Jacob
Joshua
Tyler
Austin
Michael

Girls' Names:

Colo.
Emily
Samantha
Hannah
Jessica
Madison

N.M.
Ashley
Alyssa
Alexis
Samantha
Jessica

Okla.
Emily
Hannah
Madison
Taylor
Ashley

Tex.
Emily
Ashley
Alexis
Samantha
Sarah

Utah
Madison
Emily
Hannah
Sarah
Samantha

Where the Sun Sets: The West

The growing movement toward ethnic names is also apparent here, with the first-place finish of Jose in California and its third-place finish in Arizona. This region also shows a strong preference for Anthony, which doesn't appear anywhere else. Jessica, which was such a popular girls' name at the beginning of the 1990s, is doing better here than anywhere else in the country, which supports the theory of trends moving from the East Coast to the West Coast. And, although the name doesn't occupy the number one spot in any state, the West shows a fondness for Ashley.

Boys' Names:

Ariz.
Jacob
Michael
Jose
Daniel
Anthony

Calif.
Jose
Daniel
Michael
Anthony
Jacob

Hawaii
Joshua
Matthew
Noah
Austin
Tyler

(table continued on next page)

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(table continued from previous page)

Boys' Names:

Idaho
Jacob
Austin
Michael
Tyler
Joshua

Nev.
Michael
Jacob
Anthony
Brandon
Christopher

Girls' Names:

Ariz.
Alexis
Samantha
Jessica
Emily
Ashley

Calif.
Jessica
Ashley
Emily
Jennifer
Samantha

Hawaii
Taylor
Ashley
Kayla
Alyssa
Emily

Idaho
Madison
Emily
Hannah
Samantha
Ashely

Nev.
Jessica
Ashley
Samantha
Emily
Alexis

Let It Snow: The Northwest

No great surprises when it comes to boys' names here, although two names associated with TexasAustin and Tylerdo better here than in other regions. For girls, Madison ranks higher in overall favor in the Northwest than in other parts of the country. Also of note: the popularity of Emma, ranking fifth in Oregon and Washington, and the appearance of the traditional name Abigail in Montana.

Boys' Names:

Alaska
Jacob
Michael
Joshua
Brandon
David

Mont.
Jacob
Austin
Michael
Tyler
Joshua

Ore.
Jacob
Austin
Tyler
Michael
Andrew

Wash.
Jacob
Michael
Austin
Joshua
Andrew

Wyo.
Austin
Jacob
Tyler
Michael
Matthew

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continued

Girls' Names:

Alaska
Hannah
Sarah
Emily
Megan
Ashley

Mont.
Madison
Hannah
Ashley
Emily
Abigail

Ore.
Emily
Hannah
Madison
Jessica
Emma

Wash.
Emily
Hannah
Madison
Samantha
Emma

Wyo.
Madison
Taylor
Emily
Sarah
Ashley

No matter in what region you live, the bottom line when it comes to popular names is this: Chances are pretty good that any one of them will not identify your child as a resident of a particular part of the country. And, with the exception of Jose, ethnicity is also fairly hard to garner from these regional lists. If you're looking for a name that blends nationally rather than stands out, you'll do well with any of those listed earlier. There are lots of regional differences that burble around this umbrella of popularity, however, and these are the names that do give our country its unique heritage and personality. Here's a look at some of the more interesting name forms in a few parts of the country that do exist once you get past the top ten.

From the Land of Moss and Magnolias

The South has long been a leader in unusual or uncommon names, and known for using name forms that are entirely unique to this part of the country. Virtue names have always been popular here (see Chapter 16, "Virtues and Values"). Also a favorite are flowery, feminine names for girls, thanks to the early settlers of Louisiana, who brought with them the French name forms of the harder-edged English names commonly used in the Northeast. You'll find more Annabelles, Claudettes, Paulettes, and Claires here than anywhere else. Beaus and Fredericks also abound. You'll also find lots of Bible names in use down here, both common and unusual. (It isn't called the Bible Belt for nothing!)

Many southern names are derived from Civil War heroes or from places where strategic battles took place. Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell's classic southern novel, is a treasure trove of these names, as well as other traditional southern names. Such southern authors as Pat Conroy, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, and

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Flannery O'Connor use southern names extensively in their work. You'll hear some great southern names in plays like Steel Magnolias (which was also made into a film and is sure to be available at your local video store), which was set in Louisiana. Truvy, Oisa, Shelby, Arnelle, and Jackson are just some of the quintessentially southern names that were used in this movie.

Other examples of southern names can be found in movies such as:

Gone With the Wind. While Scarlett was probably the only name to gain much fame (and then, only briefly) from this popular novel turned movie, it remains a treasure trove of southern-sounding names to this day, including Suellen and Careen (Scarlett's sisters); India and Ashley Wilkes; Beau (Ashley's son by Melanie Hamilton Wilkes); and Maybelle.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The 1958 film version of Tennessee Williams' play included characters named Maggie, Brick, Mae, Sonny, Dixie, and Trixie.

The Big Easy. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana, this 1987 flick starred Dennis Quaid as the Cajun cop Remy McSwain. Remy means ''from Rheims," a town in central France, and reflects the strong influence that the French settlers of Louisiana had on the names given to children here.

Driving Miss Daisy. Based on Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, this 1989 movie contained some classic southern given and pet names, including Daisy, Hoke, Boolie, Florine, Idella, and Beulah.

Howdee, Billy Bob!

The South is the home of the "double d," the only place in the U.S. besides Texas where the combination of two derivative names is often used as a given or a pet name. No one is quite sure how these names came into being, but there's no denying that such names as Jim Bob, Billie Sue, Bobbie Jo, and Peggy Ann are the property of the South. You won't hear them much above the Mason-Dixon line, and they're virtually never given to children in any other part of the country but here.

Surprising, for as much as southerners like feminine names for their girls', a diminutive masculine name followed by a single-syllable girls' name, like Charlotte Sue or Rayette Ann, is also a popular name form.

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Southerly Stars

Another resource for southern names are the movers and shakers whose names you probably see fairly often in the news or on the silver screen. Following is a short list of a few famous southerners whose names may or may not conjure up images of life below the Mason Dixon, but they definitely are packed with star power:

Lamar Alexander. Former Tennessee governor who hails from Maryville, Tennessee.

Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Defense attorney who rose to fame defending O.J. Simpson. He's from Shreveport, Louisiana.

Elizabeth Dole. Although Elizabeth isn't particularly southern, her pet name, Liddie, is. She hails from Salisbury, North Carolina.

Delta Burke. This actress hails from Florida and is as southern as they come.

Dixie Carter. Also as southern as they come, Carter was born in McLemoresville, Tennessee.

Sam Nunn. Politican from Georgia.

Dolly Parton. This famous singer and actress calls Sevierville, Tennessee, home, and maintains a presence there to this day thanks to Dollywood, the theme park she built nearby.

Billy Graham. The famed evangelist entered the world in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Billy Bob Thornton. This actor/director hails from Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Loretta Lynn. The chart-topping country western artist was the daughter of a coalminer and grew up in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.

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Western Omelets

Travel west from the southern region of the U.S. and you'll find an intriguing blend of name fashions. This is where to look for some of the hottest trends, as well as some of the most unusual names in the country.

Lasso Up a Name!

The other haven of Jim Bobs and Billy Bobsthe great southwestern state of Texas. This is the state, don't forget, that landed a Peggy Sue at the top of the pop record charts, thanks to Lubbock native Charles Hardin Holly, who preferred to be called Buddy. Texas is also the state that gave us two of the most popular boys' names in use todayAustin and Tyleralthough these names are no more common here than in any other part of the U.S.

People from Texas, and for that matter, other parts of the Southwest, are "good ol' boys" (and girls), and they like using abbreviated forms of their given names. There's a long list of those who do (or did), including television journalists Sam Donaldson (El Paso, Texas) and Dan Rather (Wharton, Texas), journalist and author Bill Moyers (Hugo, Oklahoma), singer Vikki Carr (El Paso), actresses Cyd Charisse (Amarillo, Texas) and Sandy Duncan (Henderson, Texas), politicians Sam Rayburn, Barry Goldwater, and Willie Brown, and columnist Liz Smith. When a lone Texan like actor Thomas Haden Church (a native of El Paso) uses his full name, you start to wonder why he's not using Tom, his good ol' boy moniker. Maybe he wants to ditch his Texas past.

We also have Texas to thankor, at least, the television shows like Dallas and those modeled after itfor some currently popular name fashions. Alexis, Samantha, Ashley, and many of the other girls' names at the top of the popularity charts either came from the characters on these wildly popular nighttime soaps, or they sound like they did. Other famous Texans include:

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Lady Bird Johnson. The former first lady was born in Karnack. You can't get much more Texan than Lady Bird, but that's not her real nameit's Claudia Alta (Taylor).

Joe Don Baker. Actor, probably best known for starring as Sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall.

Crystal Bernard. Actress, probably most well known for her stint on the television show Wings.

Clint Black. Award-winning country and western singer.

Dale Evans. Singer and actress, married to Roy Rogers.

Lyle Lovett. Musician and actor.

Fess Parker. Actor who starred in the Disney movie and series based on legendary frontiersman Davey Crockett.

Rex Reed. Famous gossip columnist and critic.

California Dreaming

California is an interesting amalgam of Hollywood highbrow and laid-back lowbrow. Head to Haight/Ashbury to the coffeehouses filled to the brim with aspiring writers and poets or down to Venice Beach where the skaters and sunbathers hang, and you'll wonder, "What do all these people do for a living?" Head over to Hollywood, though, and you'll find more power brokers on cell phones than you'd ever imagined could exist in one place. The one thing that these West Coast countering cultures seem to have in common is the shirking of tradition. And why not? The West was built by pioneers. It only stands to reason that the names given to their children would be equally as forward thinking.

Once you get to the West Coast, it seems like almost anything goes. Hollywood is a strong influence on the name patterns here; just look at the list of star-quality names that follow and you'll see where many of the current hits are coming from:

Tiffani-Amber Thiessen: This lovely actress's name combines two pop culture names in an unusual hyphenated style.

Courtney Thorne-Smith: The Ally McBeal star should keep Courtney in the top 10 for a while longer.

Tori Spelling: A short and sweet pet name that balances well with a longer last name.

Jennifer Aniston: Another actress bearing a popular name, who should help keep it popular in the years to come.

Nicolas Cage: The nephew of Francis Ford Coppola changed his last name but kept his popular first name. This immensely likeable actor should keep the name high on the popularity lists.

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Jenna Elfman: The popular star of Dharma and Greg hails from Los Angeles. Her name ranked 77th on the 1998 most popular list and will probably be even higher on the 1999 list.

C. Thomas Howell: The use of an initial instead of a first name makes Howell's name stand out from the others. He's from Los Angeles.

Heather Locklear: The perennially popular Locklear is a main reason why this name continues to rank high on the popularity lists. She, too, is from Los Angeles.

A Mormon by Any Other Name

Unusual names are becoming more commonplace no matter where you live, but you'll find some of the most unusual in, of all places, Utah. If you're a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or you've spent any time at all in Utah, this probably comes as no surprise to you, but to the uninitiated, the names that can be found here will really knock your socks off. Writer Cari Bilyeu Clark was perhaps the first person to make the connection between these unusual names and their Mormon heritage. Husband Wesley Clark expanded her research and developed an amazing Web site called The Utah Baby Namer that will tell you everything you need to know (and more) about Utah baby names.

While recent birth records in Utah reveal a somewhat standard mix of common and unusual names, the Clarks have culled some of the most bizarre on this Web site for prospective parents, Mormon and not, to peruse and use, should they choose.

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Some of the unusual names you'll find here, either collected by the Clarks or contributed by others, include Fosi, Fotoh, Dixie, Demetrial, and L (yes, L) for boys; Najelly, Oscar, Pelenaise, Quenla, Ruger, and Tesla for girls.

The theory behind the creation of these names is based on the small amount of surnames in the Mormon population. Creating unusual first names is a good way for parents to give their children a way to distinguish themselves from others with the same last name.

Stuck in the Middle with You: Midwestern Flavor

The Midwest has the reputation (rightfully earned) for being conservative, and the names preferred by parents in this region confirm this. However, this part of the country is also home to the descendents of the large populations of immigrants who came to the U.S. during the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s. For this reason, German, Irish, Polish, and even Dutch names can still be found in the name pools in the Midwest and the central U.S., especially in cities like Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Chicago.

The folks who settled the Midwest also brought some naming traditions that still exert some influence even today. The earlier generations tended to carry more traditional Scandinavian and Slavic names such as Aksel, Anders, Are (pronounced ar-eh), Carl, Einar, Inge, Niels, Kiersten, Sven, and Heidi, but these names are also still used by families in this part of the country. Another name form that was adopted by more recent generations was to preserve the traditional -son surnames, like Anderson, Johnson, and Carlson, and combine them with more English-sounding given names, like Steve, Dave, or Jim.

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Following are a few Midwesterners with names that underscore the ethnic heritages found there:

Karen Black. The actress's first name is a Danish form of Katherine. She's from Park Ridge, Illinois.

Walter Annenberg. The noted publisher and philantropist hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His German name means "powerful warrior."

Peter Graves. The Mission Impossible actor is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although he uses the Anglicized version of his given name, it has Swedish, Norwegian, and Dutch forms as well.

Aidan Quinn. The actor's name is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Aodhán, meaning "little fiery one." He hails from Chicago, a city with a large Irish-American population.

Carl Sandburg. The revered American poet was from Chicago. Carl is German and means "a freeman" or "peasant."

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Chapter 15
Native Origins

Many parents, both Native American and not, have been inspired to reach into tribal name pools for truly unique names for their children. If you're one of them and you're not Native American, tread very, very carefully! This may seem like a good idea to you, and it can be if it's done sensibly, but, as you'll see in this chapter, there's a great deal more to choosing a Native American name than what meets the eye.

In the Eye of the Beholder

It's politically incorrect these days, but cowboys and Indians was a hugely popular game when I was a little girl. Growing up in Minnesota meant that my friends and I were surrounded with place names that were given by the indigenous tribes of the area. We loved to say these names, like Minnehaha and Hiawatha, that literally tripped off the tongue and made us giggle.

Even though I was lucky enough to live in a place where the Native American influence was so prominent, I still had to contend with the stereotypical images of "Indians" that were so prevalent at the time. Movies and television frequently portrayed American Indians as the evil enemy against the heroic cowboy. At best, shows like The Lone Ranger gave a more positive view, but the Lone Ranger's pal Tonto still played a

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subservient role and could hardly be viewed as an equal. Things sure have changed substantially in the 30 or so years since my buddies and I would go hopping around wearing feather headdresses and playing powwow.

The members of the Native American nations in this country have come a long way in their efforts to restore their rights and reclaim their culture and history.

Their growing visibility has been felt even more with the media drastically changing its portrayal of Native Americans in television and film. Movies such as the evocative Dances with Wolves and The Last of the Mohicans gave a full-screen, three-dimensional (albeit Hollywood) view that's a far cry from the days of John Wayne and the Lone Ranger.

The Major Tribes

No one is completely sure of the exact numbers when it comes to estimating the tribes and indigenous peoples who were present in America prior to colonization. Counts today are also less than precise as the legal definition of "Native American" is still somewhat up for interpretation. Best-guess estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau put today's Native American population at roughly two million, which represents less than 1 percent of the total population. The tribes listed here are some of the largest and the most historically significant:

Apache: The name, which is the Zuni Indian word for "enemy," applies to six culturally and linguistically related tribes of the American Southwest. Historians record them as fierce warriors and experts in desert survival. Cochise and Geronimo were two famous Apache leaders.

Blackfeet: One of the more powerful tribes in the American Northwest, the Blackfeet are a confederacy of three independent tribesthe Piegan, Blood, and Northern Blackfootliving in Montana and Alberta, Canada. The name originates from the distinctive black hue of their moccasins, achieved by painting or from exposure to prairie fire.

Cherokee: The Cherokee, which had many dealings with early colonists and actually supported the British during the Revolutionary War, were one of the tribes moved to territories west of the Mississippi in the mid-1800s. They refer to themselves as the Ani Yunwiya, or "real people."

Cheyenne: Originally located in Minnesota, this well-known tribe migrated into North Dakota and South Dakota, settling along the Missouri River. Today, they're primarily found in Wyoming and Nebraska. Their native name is Tsistsistas, meaning "beautiful people" or "our people."

Chickasaw: Bands of Chickasaws were prominent in what is today western Kentucky and Tennessee, two areas they claimed as hunting territory. They also lived in Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia during the 1700s. They were one of the many tribes relocated to the Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in the 1830s.

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Choctaw: Along with the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole, the Choctaw were known as one of the "Five Civilized Tribes" as they adopted the trappings of white culture more rapidly than others. They were one of the most powerful tribes in the southeastern U.S. prior to their relocation to the Indian Territory.

Comanche: A tenacious yet nomadic tribe, they were renowned for their warrior skills and their ability to hunt buffalo, which played a significant role in tribal culture. The name is a Ute Indian word meaning "enemy." Today, the Comanche prefer to refer to themselves as Nemena, or "the true people."

Cree: This native Canadian tribe was renowned for their great warriors. Today, they're noted for their great compassion. At the annual Green Corn Dance, the tribe's most important ceremony, forgiveness is bestowed on members who have committed a crime, aside from murder.

Creek: Many members of this southern U.S. tribe were relocated to reservations in the Indian Territory in the 1830s. Today, they can be found in Georgia, Alabama, northern Florida, eastern Louisiana, southern Tennessee, and southwestern South Carolina.

Delaware: The English name for this tribe came from the Delaware River, which was named for Sir Thomas West, Lord de la Warr, who served as the first colonial governor of Virginia. Today, this tribe is also known as the Lenni Lenape, which means "common, original, or real people." The Delaware Indians were forced west to Kansas in 1829. Today, their descendents live among the Cherokee and Creek in northeast Oklahoma.

Fox: A fierce warrior tribe, the Fox once lived in the Great Lakes region. The actual name of the tribe was Meshkwakikug, which means "red earth people." Fox was mistakenly used to describe the entire tribe after French explorers met a Meshkwakikug clan named Fox.

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Hopi: The Hopi Indians of northeastern Arizona are noted for their strength of character and devotion to ancient ideals. Primarily an agricultural tribe, they are also renowned for their pottery and weaving. The name is derived from Hopi-tu Shin-u-mu, which means ''people of peace."

Iroquois: The Iroquois is actually a group of five tribesthe Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and Seneca. They trace kinship through maternal bloodlines.

Navajo: Located in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, this is the largest Indian tribe in the U.S. The Navajo are renowned traders, with a culture based on hunting and wild plant gathering.

Ojibwa: Also known as the Chippewa, there are about 100 separate bands or reservation communities identified as Ojibwa in Ontario and the upper Great Lakes region. Many prefer to call themselves Anishinaabe, meaning "first or original people."

Osage: The Osage are long-time residents of present-day Missouri. They believed they were the children of the "middle waters," the universe of sky, earth, land, and water. Their native name, Ni-U-kon'-Skah, which means "people of the middle waters," is derived from this belief.

Paiute: This tribe, renowned for its hunting skill, is mostly found in southernUtah and southern Nevada.

Potawatomi: Closely related to the Ottawas and Ojibwas, this tribe is noted for its ability to bridge the differences between traditional and modern worlds. Their home is Michigan.

Pueblo: This name is used to describe the tribes who settled along the Rio Grande River, which runs through the middle of New Mexico. They take their name from their dwellings, called pueblos.

Seminole: This Floridian tribe was an offshoot of the Creek Indians who emigrated to west Florida in the early 1700s. Their name is derived from the Spanish cimarron, meaning "wild" or "runaway."

Sioux: The name is actually a fragment of nadouessioux, a French word taken from the Ojibwa, which is believed to be a derogatory term meaning "little snakes." The Lakota, one of the groups that comprises the tribe, were known as the caretakers and protectors of the Black Hills, which they called He Sapa. Today,

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this tribe prefers the terms Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota, which refer to the group's different dialects and regions, to the more derogatory Sioux.

Tlingit: The Tlingit Indians of southeastern Alaska developed one of the most complex cultures found among the indigenous people of North America. Always renowned traders, their activities in this arena are now conducted internationally.

Tohono O'Odham: Once better known as the Papago, this lives in southern Arizona and part of the Mexican state of Sonora. They are lovers of the desert with an economically diverse lifestyle.

Native Trails: Stolen Land, Stolen Names

Native American names are the only names that can be truly considered American, as they were borne by the people who lived here well before the first European settlers. For this reason alone, no survey of American baby names would be complete without a look at these names, and there's no denying that many of them have a spiritual, almost mystical air to them that can be powerfully attractive. It isn't until you understand why these names are so special that you realize why the use of some of them is akin to trespassing.

The complete story of the tragedies that best the native people of this country is far too long and involved to go into with any great depth here. Suffice it to say that the history of Native American/Caucasian relationships is as tarnished as that of African-Americans and Caucasians, if not more so. Slave traders robbed the Africans they brought to America of their names and their identities, and they were treated more like property than people. When it came to the native dwellers of the New World, they weren't as much enslaved (although this did happen, too) as they were lied to, betrayed, killed, and forced to surrender the land that was rightfully theirs.

Noted historian Kenneth C. Davis, in Don't Know Much About History, describes what happened to the Indians as a "genocidal tragedy that surely ranks as one of the cruelest episodes in man's history." You'll find scores of descriptions of the wholesale slaughter of these people in any good book on Native American history as well.

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A Native Name Legacy

Land was not the only thing thatthe white men stole from the Indians. More often than not, the names borne by these people were changed as well, usually by settlers who found the Indian names in use at the time of their arrival extremely difficult to grasp or pronounce. Later, when Indians were forced onto reservations, they were given American-style names as well as translated versions of their tribal names.

But the heritage of the Native Americans wasn't entirely destroyed, and even though they were generally displaced from their traditional home territories, they left behind a powerful legacy inof all thingsplace names. For many years, these names were about the only remaining visible indication that America had a native past at all.

This legacy is so strong that no fewer than 27 state names are Indian in origin, including:

Alabama, from an Indian tribe originally called the Albamas, or Alibamons. They gave the name to a river, from which the state name was derived.

Alaska, derived from the Eskimo word alakshak, meaning "peninsula," or the Aleut word alaxsxaq, meaning "their land."

Arizona, which comes from the Pima Indian word meaning "little spring place" or from the Aztec arizuma, meaning "silver-bearing."

Arkansas, which is the French derivative of Siouan Quapaw, the tribe who inhabited this territory.

Connecticut, the Algonquin and Mohican Indian word for "long river place."

Idaho, which is thought to derive from edah hoe,a Shoshone term meaning "light on the mountain."

Illinois, from the French version of ilini, the Algonquin word meaning "men" or "soldiers."

Indiana, which is thought to relate to the Indian tribes living in the area.

Iowa, the Sioux word for "one who puts to sleep" or "beautiful land."

Kansas, which comes from the Kanza tribe of the Siouan language family.

Kentucky, which is said to derive from the Indian word meaning "dark and bloody ground," "meadow land," or ''land of tomorrow."

Massachusetts, the name of the Indian tribe that lived near Milton,

Massachusettes, meaning "large hill place."

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Michigan, from the Chippewa word micigama, meaning "great water."

Minnesota, named after the Sioux description of the Minnesota River, "sky-tinted water" or "muddy water."

Mississippi, believed to come from the Chippewa words mici ("great") and zibi ("river").

Missouri, from a tribal name meaning "muddy water."

Nebraska, which was first used to describe the Platte River and is from the Omaha or Oto Indian word for "broad water" or "flat river."

New Mexico, which is thought to be derived from Mixitli, the Aztec god of war.

North Dakota and South Dakota, from the Sioux word meaning "friend" or "ally."

Ohio, from the Iroquois Indian word meaning "great" or "good river."

Oklahoma, a Choctaw Indian word meaning "red man."

Tennessee, which was named after the Cherokee villages, called tanasi.

Texas, from the Indian word meaning "allies" or "friends."

Utah, taken directly from the Ute Indians who lived in this region.

Wisconsin, from a Chippewa word, variously spelled Ouisconsin or Mesconsing.

Wyoming, an Algonquin word meaning "large prairie place."

Trend-Tracking or Trespassing?

For being able to claim ownership of the only truly American names, the Indians of the "New World" have had little or no impact on the personal names used in the United States until very recently. Today, there's no denying the current trend for capturing some of these names for use by people of other ethnic backgrounds. Part of it may be driven by the current fashion of using place names as first names; if you choose a name like Dakota or Wyoming for your baby, you are, by default, giving your child a Native American name. The popular movie Dances with Wolves that was released nearly a decade ago also had a lot to do with the popularity of this name fashion. Names with Native American connections, such as Dakota and Winona, were uncommon before the movie came out; they greatly gained in use following its release.

Travel much beyond this, however, and you may very well be going where you shouldn't without even realizing it. Of course, the chances are pretty good that choosing one of these names will never be the source of a significant culture clash for

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either you or your child. However, unless you're a Native American (in which case you've probably already consulted a tribal elder for help in choosing a name), or you're adopting a baby with this heritage, it still may not be the best ideaeven if you have the best of intentionsfor the following reasons:

Traditions vary widely among tribes. What may be an acceptable borrowing of a name to some tribes may be unthinkable to others.

In some tribes, the use of names is highly restrictive. Certain names can only be used by specific families within the tribe, and can only be transferred by loan or gift. Using a name of this sort without first receiving permission could be considered an enormous faux pas or even theft. At a minimum, it's an affront to a specific culture and race.

For some Native American tribes, personal names are kept very private, sometimes even secret, and reserved for use only among other members of the same tribe. When members of one of these tribes are with people not of their own group, they'll often use "public" names instead of their true given names.

Many Native American names are created specifically for the bearer or to describe various stages of the bearer's life. For this reason, there are very few common Native American names.

Names such as Woo-ka-nay ("arched nose"), which was the real name of the Cheyenne warrior Roman Nose, or Wa Tha Huck, the original name of legendary Indian athlete Jim Thorpe (it means "bright path"), are clearly names chosen by tribal elders and given to specific people. As such, they really aren't appropriate for use by others.

Still, there are ways of integrating Native American influences into given names if you really want to do so. Using words from Native American languages that relate to elements of naturesuch as Tawa, the Hopi word for sunis the approach taken by many parents who choose this name fashion. Some ordinal names, such as the Sioux name Winona, which means "eldest female child," are also in common use and can be used by non-Native Americans. Tribal names in common use, such as Dakota, are also acceptable, as are geographic place names.

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Sources for these names include:

Native American chronologies and encyclopedias

Tribal histories and almanacs

Books on Native American mythology and terminology

Books on various aspects of Native American culture

You'll find several specific sources listed in Appendix C.

On the Trail

The list of names that appears here includes names that are in fairly wide use today, which makes them acceptable choices for anyone searching for a name of Native American derivation. Where the tribe of origin is known, you'll find it noted.

Brant: This Old English name meaning "proud" was also the last name of Joseph Brant, the Mohawk chieftain who lead the Iroquois tribes into Canada after the American Revolution.

Chaska: "First-born son" (Sioux).

Chenoa: "White dove."

Cherokee: Native American tribal name.

Cheyenne: Native American tribal name.

Cholena: "Bird" (Delaware).

Chula: "Fox."

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Chumani: "Dewdrops" (Sioux).

Cree: Native American tribal name. Country-western singer Cree Summer takes her name from this tribe.

Dakota: "Friends" or "allies."

Dyani: "Deer."

Halona: "Fortunate."

Isanti: "Knife" (Sioux).

Kai: "Willow tree" (Navajo).

Kiona: "Brown hills."

Lomasi: "Pretty flower."

Nocona: "Camper" or "wanderer" (Comanche).

Odina: "Mountain" (Algonquin).

Oneida: "Expected."

Tadi: "Wind" (Omaha).

Tahatan: "Hawk" (Sioux).

Taima: "Crash of thunder" (Fox).

Talisa: "Beautiful water" (Creek).

Takoda: Sioux name derived from Dakota, with the same meaning.

Tama: "Beautiful" (Fox).

Tanis: "Little daughter" (Cree).

Tawa: "Sun" (Hopi).

Tuwa: "Earth" (Hopi).

Winona: "First-born daughter" (Sioux).

Wyanet: "Beautiful."

Wynono: "First-born son."

Wyome: "Large prairie" (Algonquin). This name is the basis for Wyoming.

Yuma: "Son of the chief."

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Part 4
PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS

There's no doubt about itthe baby name pool has increased dramatically over the years. Not only has virtually every language and culture contributed to the mix, the names we choose are also being inspired by a wider variety of influences and forces than ever before.

Today, it seems like just about anything and everything is fair game for use as a name, or as inspiration for finding a name. While classic and traditional names will always find favor for many parents, many more are digging deeper and coming up with monikers that go beyond just being good names chosen for how they look and sound.

In this part, you'll explore hundreds of these names, whichperhaps not surprisingly, also comprise the fastest-growing part of today's baby name pooland learn more about why they're such great choices for today's babies.

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Chapter 16
Virtues and Values

Sonia was a fairly uncommon name back in the early 1960sa fact that was repeatedly driven home by my classmates when I was a little girl. There were times when I really hated my name. But when I found out what it meant"wisdom" in Greekmy attitude changed forever. From then on, instead of being an abstract word with no meaning, my name connected me to Greek scholars who valued knowledge and understanding. Pretty heady stuff for a kid! But I had a newfound pride in the virtue that my name embodied, and I found myself wanting to live up to it. If the idea of instilling such ideals into your own future little genius sounds appealing, this chapter is for you!

The Virtue of a Name

Virtue names have come to be most closely associated with the Puritans, but they hardly started with this religious group. The Greeks and Romans were also big believers in the power that a name could hold. Gladiators and scholars alike often sought names that would protect their children from negative influences and imbue them with desirable traits, such as strength or wisdom. They hoped these traits would develop in their heirs as they grew up.

Many of the early names that would eventually shape the Indo-European name pool also reflected such prized virtues as wisdom, protection, and strength. The Teutonic

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element -mund, which formed such names as Edmund, Raymond, and Osmond, meant "peace" or "protector," and these names were all variations on this theme, meaning "wealthy protector" (Edmund), ''divine protector" (Osmond), and "counselor-protector" (Raymond).

By 1590, when the Puritan movement first developed as a sect of the Church of England, these names had largely been replaced by the names of saints and martyrs, as dictated by the Catholic Church, and then by the biblical names that were embraced by the Church of England. However, even these names were too evocative of the Catholic Church for the Puritans, and they began to baptize their children with phrases from Scripture or pious admonitions. In time, they also adopted words that reflected abstract virtues as names.

The Things They Carried

When the Puritans fled to America to escape religious persecution in England, they brought their virtue and phrase names with them. Most of the phrase or admonishment nameslike Fly-fornication, Search-the-scriptures, Fight-the-good-fight-of-faith, and Makepeacewere so extreme that they never came into general use. Some of the less vitriolic names were accepted, especially the ones with meanings that emphasized positive virtues, including:

Amity: Based on the Latin for "friendship" or "love," it's pretty old-fashioned today but could be an interesting alternative to Amy.

Charity: One of the three cardinal virtues taught by Jesus Christ, it's never near the top of the name lists but it never fades entirely from sight either.

Faith: Another cardinal virtue but a bit more popular than the others. Current bearers of this name include newscaster and talk show host Faith Daniels, actress Faith Ford, and singer Faith Hill. In 1997, this name was popular enough to rank just below the top 100 on the most popular name list.

Grace: The Puritans used this word to describe the state of being in God's favor rather than a reflection of pleasant physical attributes. This name is

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in broad enough use to rank 70th on the top 100 names for 1998, and could come on even stronger as more parents search for homespun, old-fashioned- sounding names.

Honor: Maybe more popular as Honora; however, rarely used in either form today.

Hope: The third cardinal virtue and one that has seen a revival in the past 10 years or so, possibly due to the use of the name on the popular late '80s television show Thirtysomething.

Joy: Somewhat outdated today, but occasionally seen as a middle name.

Patience: Along with Prudence, the oldest-sounding Puritan virtue name to survive to the modern era. Not very popular, and unlikely to increase in use.

None of the names used for boys ever made it into broad circulation, which isn't very surprising when you consider how strange these names really were. It's one thing to give your child a somewhat odd or unusual biblical name, like Job or Magog, but it's quite another to brand him with a moniker like Helpless, No-merit, or Repentance.

Thoroughly Modern Melody

As a naming fashion, virtue names kept on burbling along for many years as a fairly minor tributary to the naming pool. The fashion ebbed and flowed a bit, but it stayed in place fairly well until the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time, most of these names were seen as outdated remnants of eras gone by, and they were discarded for names that were more fashionable and mainstream.

It took the social unrest and turmoil of the 1960s to bring virtue names back into at least some semblance of fashion, and it was the hippies who did it. They may not have trusted anyone over 30, but they did unknowingly embrace a naming fashion that even their parents though was out of date. The rallying cry at the love-ins and peace marches was "make love, not war," and many participants practiced what they preached. Lots of babies were conceived at this time, and some of them received classic virtue names, including Harmony, Freedom, Bliss, and Peace.

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Hidden Virtues

The use of abstract virtues as names has once again fallen from the spotlight in the world of popular name fashions, but it's by no means dead and buried. In 1997, such virtuous names as Destiny, Faith, Serena, Precious, Chastity, and Divine were given often enough to make it onto the 1,000 most popular names list for girls. Boy's names on the list included Justice, Blessing, and Peerless. What has fallen from favor, however, is the use of some of the most classic abstract virtues as names. Perhaps, unlike the Puritans and the hippies, we find that these names make too strong a statement in an age when being politically correct is of such great concern. However, many parents are still giving their children virtue names. They just don't realize it.

The first things most parents look for when they choose a name are the sound and the feel of that name, not what it means. That consideration comes laterif at alland it's for this reason that almost every baby book (including this one) is formatted by name, not meaning. This doesn't enable an easy search for a virtuous name should you want to find one, but don't let this stop you. They can be relatively easy to find if you know how to look for them.

The Meaning of All That

Most virtue names are based on common etymological elements found in the language from which they derive. If you know what these elements are, they'll point you to names with the meanings you seek. Virtue names, of course, are found in every language; the majority of the ones in use today come from the Indo-European naming pool, which includes English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian. Many are also found in Hebrew and Arabic.

English and German virtue names contain one or several of the following Teutonic elements:

Alf-, which means "elf" or "supernatural being."

Al-, meaning "noble."

Bert, meaning "bright" or "famous" (it can appear at the beginning or end of a word).

Ed-, meaning "prosperity" or "fortunate."

Hug-, meaning "heart," "mind," or "spirit."

-mund, meaning "peace" or

"protector."

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-rad, meaning "counsel" or "wise."

-ric or -rich, meaning "power" or "ruler."

Rod-, meaning "fame."

-wald, meaning "rule."

-ward, meaning "guard."

-win, meaning "friend."

Virtue names in Hebrew may contain these elements:

Dan-, meaning "judge."

El, meaning "God" (appearing at the beginning or end of a word).

-iah and -jah, meaning "Yahweh" (the Lord).

Jo-, also meaning "the Lord."

Greek virtue names contain these elements:

Ander, meaning "man" (at the beginning or end).

Doro, meaning "gift" (beginning or end).

Theo or Thy, meaning "God" (also at beginning or end).

Slavic virtue names are based on these elements:

Bog or Boh, meaning "God" (beginning or end).

Jaro-, meaning "firm."

-mil, meaning "kindness" or "grace."

-mir, meaning "peace."

Rad-, meaning "happy."

-slav or -slaw, meaning "fame" or "glory."

For Celtic names, gwen ("blessed") often appears at either the beginning or the end of virtue names.

The following lists are just a sample of the virtue names that are based on these etymological elements. They're grouped into categories according to such basic virtues and values as love, faith, strength, etc. Use them as a starting point for a virtue search of your own, or see if a virtuous name from these lists has special appeal to you.

Weathering Life's Storms

Strength of will, courage, steadfastnessthese are the virtues revered throughout the centuries as the ones that get us through the twists and turns that the road of life so often contains.

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Boy's Names:

Autry: An Old English word meaning "noble strength." Its variant, Audrey, could also be used but is more feminine than masculine.

Brian: This popular Irish name means "strength." Brice, a name that appears far less often than Brian, means the same thing.

Ethan: A fairly popular Hebrew name that means "steadfastness" or "firmness."

Ballard: It feels brave and strong, and that's exactly what it means.

Erhard: Another German name, meaning "strong resolve."

Devlin: Irish, meaning "fierce courage." Given the popularity of such names as Devon, it shouldn't be overlooked. Another Irish name to consider is Dillon, which means "loyal."

Dante: "Lasting and enduring."

Other possible virtue names for boys in this category:

Abir: It means "strong" in Hebrew.

Alcander: Also means "strong," but in Greek.

Allard: "Highborn" and "courageous."

Casey: "Vigilant."

Constantine: "Steadfast."

Fortney: Based on the Latin word fortis, which means "strong" or "powerful."

Gregory: A popular name for popes and saints (the protectors of the Catholic faith), it very appropriately means "watchful" or "vigilant."

Hardy: From the Old German, meaning "bold" or "brave." Maybe too closely associated with the Hardy Boys books or television show to attain broad usage.

Hartman: It means "hard, strong man."

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Hector: Hector was one of the heroes of the Trojan War, and his name denotes someone who stands his ground. Ettore is the Latin-based version of this name.

Helmut: Just like the name denotes, a "strong, brave protector."

Imaam: An Islamic name meaning "leader" or "guide."

Girls' Names:

Alberta: The feminine form of Albert ("highborn").

Adele: Along with Alice, Alison, and Alix, these names all come from an Old German word meaning "nobility." The Hebrew name Adira carries the same meaning.

Gitta: Short for Bridget, it is a powerful name of strength in Ireland.

Brites: On the unusual side, it's Portuguese for "power" and based on the Irish name Bridget as well.

Valentina: This name and Valerie come from the same Latin root word meaning "strength."

Greer: A Scottish name meaning "alert" or "watchful."

Gregoria: Just like the boys' name Gregory, it means "watchful" or "alert."

Making a Joyful Noise

Are you of the mind that bliss is the ultimate goal in life, or simply feel that life is too short to overlook the goodness in it? If so, these names are full of a joy and laughter that may well appeal to you.

Boys' Names:

Alaire: It's from the French word for "joyful." If it's a little too unusual for you but you like it, you may consider it for a middle name.

Bligh: This Old English name meaning "bliss" has a negative connotation for some people, thanks to English sea captain William Bligh. Blight's tyrannical rule on the HMS Bounty incited a very famous mutiny in 1789. Bliss and Blythe are closely related.

Caius: Coming from the Latin word meaning "rejoice," it can be pronounced KAY-us, KIE-us, or KEYS. As Latin is a dead language, no one knows for sure how it truly should be pronounced (so pick which one you like best).

Fane: "Happy" or "joyous" (Old English).

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Felix: Or the Italian version, Felice, means "happy" or "fortunate."

Ilario: It means "cheerful" or "merry" in Italian.

Isaac: "Laughter" in Hebrew. Not that popular now, but still a good name.

Kay: Yes, it's seen as a girls' name, but this Old Welsh name meaning "rejoicing" has also been used for boys. Borne most famously by one of the knights of the Round Table.

Osher: "Happiness" or "good fortune" (Hebrew).

Tait: "Cheerful" or "gay" (Old Norse).

Girls' Names:

Bliss: "Intense happiness," of course!

Aleeza: Close in sound to such popular names as Aiesha, Alicia, and Alyssa, this Hebrew name means "joy," as does Alegria (Spanish), Alesia (Greek), Gila (Hebrew), and Gioia (Italian).

Duscha: It's Russian for "happy."

Milena: Somewhat unusual but pretty, this Czech name means "love," "warmth," or "grace."

Ilaria: Another somewhat unusual choice, it's Italian for "cheerful" or "happy."

Hilary: Once pretty popular, not so today. It's based on the Greek word meaning "cheerful" or "happy."

Allegra: "Joyous" in Italian.

Gwyneth: A Welsh name meaning "happiness," borne famously by actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Jocelyn: A name with an uncertain heritagemaybe it's Old German, maybe it's Latinits meaning ("cheerful") is undebated.

Felicia: Like Felix for the boys, Felicia means "happy," "lucky," or "fortunate." Probably seen more often as Felicity, it's currently popular form.

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All you Need Is Love

If you want to give your wee one that extra injection of positive reinforcement, use a name that represents one of the three main biblical virtueshope, faith, and charityor one that just spells L-O-V-E (literally or figurativelyit's up to you!). You can check out the Puritanical names listed in the beginning of this chapter or try out one of the following.

Boys' Names:

Amadeo: This Italian name comes from the Latin amadeus, meaning "lover of God."

Craddock: From an ancient Welsh name meaning "love."

David: It means "beloved of God," or simply "beloved," and was the given name of one of the most loved Biblical kings.

Dewey: It's a Welsh variation of David, with the same meaning.

Girls' Names:

Chanah: This Hebrew name is also translated as "full of grace" or "mercy." Its Anglicized forms include Hannah, Anna, and Ann.

Carys: From caru, the Welsh word for "love."

Agapi: From agape, one of the words used to describe God's love.

Amal: A Muslim or Arabic name meaning "hope." It's used for both boys and girls.

Esperanza: Spanish for "hope."

Elpida: Elpis means "hope" in Greek.

Amy: Spelled in this manner or Aimée, as the French do, it means "beloved."

Amanda. Taken from the Latin saint name Amandus, it means "much loved" or "lovable."

To Tell the Truth

No grand juries needed here! The names that follow stand for truth and justice (of which you should remind your child if you ever catch him or her in a little white lie!).

Boys' Names:

Amin: Hebrew for "truthful" or "trustworthy." The feminine form is Amita.

Amitai: Amitai was the father of Jonah. This name is translated as meaning "truthful" or "faithful."

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Girls' Names:

Alethea: A Greek name meaning "truth."

Amana: From the Hebrew, meaning "loyal" or "true."

Verena: One of many names based on the Latin word verus ("true"). Verity, a Puritan virtue name, and Veronica are several other well-known names in this genre.

Me Tarzan, You Jane

Following are virtue names having to do with traditionally prized traits of each gender:

Boy's Names:

Andrew: The English version of the Greek andreas, meaning "manly." Another manly Greek name, but a bit overblown for many, is Apollo.

Arsenio: The Greeks liked names that left nothing to the imagination. This one means "masculine."

Devlin: This Irish name means "fierce and courageous."

Girls' Names:

Adiva: This name appears in both Arabic and Hebrew lexicons as meaning "agreeable" or "gentle." The masculine form is Adin.

Chastity: Based on the Latin word for "pure."

Choni: Hebrew for "gracious."

Inez: A pretty Spanish name meaning "pure." Not in wide use as it seems a little dated, but a possibility for a middle name.

Katherine: One of the oldest names around, based on the Greek word for "pure."

Naomi: In the Old Testament, Naomi was the mother-in-law of Ruth. Her name means "beautiful" or "pleasant."

Wynne: This Welsh name means "fair" or "pure."

Tranquility and Peace

It may not keep your wee one from waking you up every two hours, but giving your child a moniker that denotes peace and harmony still might rub off.

Boys' Names:

Acacio: This name means "free from malice" in Spanish, although it's based on the name of a thorny tree.

Bonar: Based on debonnaire, it means "gentle" or "mannerly."

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Concord: This English name meaning "peace" is also a place name.

Galen: In Greek, it means "healer."

Sereno: Based on the Latin for "tranquil."

Solomon: Hebrew for "peace." Salem is a modern Hebrew variation.

Yasahiro: A Japanese name meaning "serene" or "tranquil."

Girls' Names:

Charis: A lovely Greek name meaning "grace" or "beauty."

Freda: Yiddish for "joy." It's also seen as Frieda and Frayde.

Halimah: This popular Arabic name means "gentle" or "patient."

Hannah: A very popular name from the Old Testment, meaning "gracious" or "merciful."

Ioanna: This Greek name is based on Jane, the feminine form of John, and means "God's grace."

Irene: This English name derives from the Greek word for "peace." Outdated now, but could be used as a middle name.

Salama: Derived from the Arabic word salima ("to be safe").

Salome: A Hebrew name taken from Solomon ("peace"). Selima is another variant.

Serena: The classic Latin name meaning "tranquil" and "serene." Often used by Roman Catholics.

Shalom: The traditional Hebrew greeting meaning "peace." Model Shalom Harlow has given this word popularity as a name.

Do unto Others

All of these names have elements of kindness and compassion, as well as some other noble values.

Boys' Names:

Atif: This Arabic name means "compassionate" or "sympathetic."

Corliss: An English name meaning "benevolent" or "generous."

Cosmo: It means "orderliness" or "harmony." Just unusual enough to possibly gain some favor as either a given or middle name.

Curtis: From the Old French, meaning "polite" or "courteous."

Dermot: Irish, meaning "free of envy or jealousy." Also often spelled Dermott.

Gareth: From the Welsh, meaning "gentle."

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Helgi: A popular name in Scandinavia, it means ''successful" or "productive."

Hiroshi: A very popular name for Japanese boys, it means "generous."

Justin: This very popular name derives from the Latin word for justice.

Kermit: Also an Irish name meaning "without envy or jealousy." Kermit the Frog bears this name produly and justly.

Latif: "Gentle" in Arabic. Also spelled as Lateef.

Girls' Names:

Amalia: From the German word amal, meaning "work." Also commonly spelled Amelia. A pretty yet somewhat forgotten name, it has just enough of a retro feel to it that it may come back into broader use sometime soon.

Atifa: Arabic for "compassion" or "empathy." Also spelled as Atifah.

Dilys: Welsh for "reliable" or "true."

Justine: Based on the Latin word for justice, it means "fair" or "righteous."

Rehema: A Swahili name meaning "compassion."

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Chapter 17
Guys and Gals and?

Names that bridge the sexes are nothing new. There's always been some interplay between the male and female name pools, as many common names are derived from the same sources. Today, however, crossing sexual boundaries and bending the genders is an ever-increasing trendand one in which you may find the name for your child. In this chapter, we'll take a look at gender-neutral names, and the pros and cons of using them.

Crossing the Lines

The reason that some monikers can easily be used for either sex is that many common names are derived from the same sources. John, for example, became Joan, Joanna, and Siobhan pretty early on in the history of naming, with creative forms like Johntha coming on much later. Many other classic names also have somewhat of a dual personality as well, like Alexander/Alexandria, Paul/Paula, Patrick/Patricia, and others.

What distinguishes these names from unisex names is their separate male and female forms. Parents who want to give their daughter a name that pays tribute to Charles, for example, are going to choose one of its feminine forms or derivatives, such as Charlotte or even Carol, a feminine form of the masculine name Carl, which is derived from Charles. And you never see these feminine forms crossing over to masculine use. In the world of naming, there truly isn't a boy named Sue, despite the famous song by Johnny Cash. But there are a few named Mary, including one of American cinema's most legendary tough guys.

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You Can Call Me Marion, or You Can Call Me Duke

While no one knows for sure how unisex names really got started, it was probably the growing use of feminine forms of masculine names that prompted parents to appropriate other names that were once considered each gender's sole property. Some of these names were changed very little as they made their transfer from sex to sex. Others received new spellings that made them look more feminine.

In time, some of these names became so broadly used as feminine names that they almost completely lost their original male identities, such as:

Marion. This is a French variant of Mary, usually given to boys to honor the Virgin Mary or to place the bearer under her protection. Even so, it has such a strong connotation as a woman's name that John Wayne, about the most famous Marion who ever lived, got rid of it in a hurry at the beginning of his movie career. As it's spelled here, it's still considered a masculine name, although it's rarely used for either gender anymore. Exchange the "o" for an "a" and you have the feminine form, although both spellings have been used for women.

Leslie. This Scottish or Gaelic place name became a surname first and then a boys' name before the girls took it over. The standard spelling doesn't change when used for girls, but there are a number of variants, like Leslea, Lesley, and Lezlie. While it's almost entirely used as a girls' name now, there are a few male Leslies still running around.

Adrian. This name, which means "from Adria," a northern Italian city, first gained popularity in Britain and still has a British ring to it. Spell it a little

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differentlyAdrienne, for exampleand it's fairly popular girls' name. It's probably in broader use today as a girls' name, especially in the U.S., but parents are still using it for boys as well.

Beverly. This Old English place name, which means "beaver stream," was also originally used as a surname. From there it became a name that was used by both sexes as a first name. Today, if it's used at all, it's usually given to a girl.

From Male to Female to Unisex

The pool of unisex names grew slowly with time as more parents looked over the available name pools and cherry-picked the ones they thought would translate well to the opposite sex. However, girls named Dale or Jordan still got funny looks until the latter part of the twentieth century. It was then that this naming fashion picked up steam and started to accelerate, largely driven by the changing societal patterns in the U.S. and the increasing desire of parents to find unusual names for their children.

As you learned in Chapter 5, "The Hit Parade," American parents began changing the name fashions for their children in a big way during the 1970s. The available name pool expanded rapidly as these parents searched for the unique and the unusual. In many cases, they found the answer to their needs right under their noses. Family genealogies became fertile ground from which to pull nearly forgotten surnames, and these surnames were catapulted into given name status, often for boys and girls both.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling

Today, unisex names comprise a well-established name fashion that continues to gain in popularity. Why? Some parents feel that giving their childrenespecially daughterssexually ambiguous or neutral names can remove a certain level of gender discrimination.

This theory was given a litmus test a few years ago when Shannon Faulkner (a girl) applied to The Citadel, one of the last bastions of Southern male pride and, at the time, a boys-only military school

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in South Carolina. She was accepted on her record alone, which caused no end of problems when she showed up for her first day at school. The sound of jaws dropping could be heard around the country. They literally didn't know what to do with her.

While Faulkner's stay at The Citadel wasn't successful, she did pave the way for other young women to attend in successive years. She couldn't have done what she did if she had a unisex name that was more widely used for girls than boys; she probably wouldn't have made it past the application stage if her name was Beverly. But Shannon was so gender-neutral that The Citadel officials really didn't have a clue. (Guess she didn't have to submit a photo with her application!)

All in the Family

Another reason why these names continue to increase in popularity is that they provide yet another way for keeping family names alive. Lots of surnames that were once relegated to being used as middle names are now emerging as first names. It's a great way to keep a maternal family name alive, especially if it's one that works well as a first name.

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The Warning Label

Now, before we get into all the great unisex names out there, I want to take a moment to forewarn you about one minor item. When it comes to gender-neutral names, not everyone is quite on board, and you (and your child) may experience some minor annoyances, like the following conversation I had with my grandmother many, many years ago:

"Gary his name's Gary, right?"

"No, Grandma, it's Kerry."

"Well, that's a silly name for a boy. I don't want you playing with him."

That little exchange happened on a visit to my grandparents when I was about eight years old or so. Kerry was the new kid down the street, a welcome addition to a neighborhood where there weren't many kids my age to begin with, and I was thrilled to have a new playmate. My grandmother, however, was suspicious. What parents in their right minds would give a boy a girls' name?

She just couldn't get her ears around the name Kerry for a boy, and, frankly, her attitude wasn't that unusual back in the mid-1960s. Boys had boys' names and girls had girls' names and that's all there was to it for the most part, anyway. Clearly, as little Kerry illustrated, there were exceptions even back then. But my grandmother, Edna (how's that for a dated name!), just couldn't make sense of it.

Of course, that was then and this is now, and today there's a better chance that a Kerry or a Shannon or a Sam will be a name given to either a male or a female. My grandmother's reaction was most definitely a severe one, but still, you may have to deal with mix-ups every now and again. This will probably embarrass the person making the mistake more than it will you or your child. But remember what I said earlier about giving your wee one a name he or she can comfortably grow up with. The same rules apply here, too.

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The Name GameUnisex Style

If you're thinking about giving your baby a unisex name, you not only have a broad name pool to choose from, but it's getting bigger by the day! Along with created names, this is one of the fastest-growing name fashions, and it doesn't show signs of letting up yet. You might even end up adding to it with the name you choose.

Giving unisex names is a stronger fashion for girls than for boysin 1998, nearly one-quarter of the top 100 girls' names were unisex names, while only 16 of the top names given boys were unisex. However, as you can see by the following list, there wasn't much crossover in usage between boys and girls, at least when it comes to names at the top of the charts.

Boys

Girls

Dylan

Ashley

Kyle

Taylor

Jordan

Madison

Cameron

Haley

Sean

Lauren

Hunter

Courtney

Cody

Sydney

Logan

Morgan

Alex

Sierra

Devin

Jordan

Evan

Alexandria

Jesse

Mackenzie

Jerymy

Bailey

Adrain

Kelsey

Dakota

Brooke

Blake

Shelby

Lindsey

Cheyenne

Paige

Kelly

Adriana

Leslie

Cassidy

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What these lists show is that many of the unisex names currently popular are in broad use for just one gender. Some have been in use long enough that they've fallen out of favor for the other gender. Or, as in the case of Leslie and Ashley, they've become strongly identified with one gender over the other and their unisex qualities are fading. But there are still plenty of names, even in this small pool, that could still skip over to the other gender, and there are many more just waiting to be added to the list.

Today's Hit Parade

While there's really no such thing as a classic when it comes to unisex names, there are still many that have become so popular that they have come near that level of achievement:

Adrian: You can spell it Adrienne or Adriana for girls.

Aubrey: I think this Old French name (which means, of all things, "elf ruler") is poised for a comeback from being used more for girls. It's relatively uncommon for both sexes these days, but I predict it will become more popularand especially for boysin the next few years.

Bailey: This French occupational name means "jailer" or "bailiff." A female character on the TV show WKRP and a male character appearing more recently on Party of Five have helped this name's popularity over the years immensely.

Blaine: The rain in Spain stays mainly on the blaine? Blaine is Scottish for "flat area" or "plain." It's more common with boys, but it has a ring to it that parents like for girls, too.

Blair: Similar to Blaine in meaning, and similar to Blaine in appeal.

Cameron: A strong boys' name for quite some time. Actress Cameron Diaz's rise to fame is propelling this name to the top of the girls' charts, too.

Cassidy: Kathie Lee Gifford, the fashion arbiter of daytime television, placed this name square in the center of the unisex lists when she used it for her baby girl.

Chandler: We have the hit TV show Friends to thank for this one. It's definitely on the hit parade for both sexes, but it may end up being fairly trendy.

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Dylan: Tributes to Bob D. aside, this name has tremendous appeal for both girls and boys.

Evan: This Welsh form of John is used more often for boys, but is also used for girls and has been for some time.

Jesse: One of those names that never quite breaks the top echelon of the most popular lists, but a good unisex name all the same. Currently more popular for boys.

Jordan: Popular for both boys and girls with no particular favoritism being shown for either sex, although it's currently a stronger boys' name.

Kelsey: Currently stronger for girls than boys, and it may end up with a stronger feminine identity overall, but there's still actor Kelsey Grammar to balance things out. If his show stays popular, there will probably be more little boy Kelseys running around.

Logan: Popular for both sexes, although running a little stronger for boys at this point.

Mackenzie: Very, very popular for girls right now. It may become so strongly associated to the girls' list that it will have to come off the unisex list. Still, Mack is a great pet name for a boy.

Sean: This one is a little more rare than the others, but it's still used enough to make it onto the hit parade. Probably more popular for boys than for girls.

Shelby: I have to think that this name owes its popularity to the character Julia Roberts played in Steel Magnolias, but I know of two men named Shelby who are much older than she is, so this is clearly one of those unisex names with staying power. It really does work equally well for boys and girls. This name will live long and prosper.

Taylor: One of my best friends is named Taylor, and he's a grandfather to an adorable little girl also named Taylor. 'Nuff saidthis is a great name for both sexes and another unisex classic.

The Up-and-Comers

Keep an eye out for these unisex names. They may not be popular yet, but they should be in a year or two:

Adair: This Scottish last name has the androgynous feel that parents

look for in a unisex name.

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Ashton: Instead of Ashley. It's another English place name, and it has much of the same feel, minus the feminine ending.

Brett: More popular for boys now, but this name has the feel of a unisex winner.

Corey: Currently more popular for boys, it has been used as a unisex name, and I don't think it's ready to go away just yet.

Dana: It's been around a long time as a boys' name and it's been used occasionally for girls, but it's fresh-sounding and should gain in appeal.

Devin: It has two syllables, which today's parents like, and the fashionable -in ending. It may end up being stronger for boys, but both genders have an equal shot at it right now.

Frazer: I'm not sure why, but this name just feels poised to become a contender in the unisex arena, maybe with different spellings like Fraser or Frazier.

Harley: If it makes you think of the motorcycle, that's the idea. Close enough to Hayley and Kayleigh to make it popular for girls, it's rough-and-tough enough for boys, too.

Hollis: It's derived from an English place name and has a solid old-money feel to it that should strike a note with parents searching for names for either sex.

Kyle: There's a female newscaster in Denver with this name, and the more I hear it, the more I like it. Very fresh and unusual sounding for both sexes, although it has a history as a boys name.

Lane: Not in common use for either sex, but it's a good name that never seems to quite go away. For girls, it's a nice alternative to Elaine.

Lyle: Like Kyle, it's a place name, but this one comes from France. Never a name in wide use, which makes it poised to become a unisex name now.

Norris: It's French for "northerner," and, like Hollis, has a solid feel to it. This one may be difficult when it comes to pet names, however. Norry? Risky? Rizzie?

Raleigh: It's a great English name with a good feel for both sexes. Not in broad use now, but it could come on.

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Tully: This name, which means ''mighty people," has an interesting, androgynous sound to it. It's also very uncommon, which makes it ripe for the unisex arena.

Whitney: Maybe a little stronger now for girls, thanks to Whitney Houston, but it has an old-school East Coast feel that may make it more popular for boys.

Wynn: This name is variously translated as Welsh for "fair" or "white," or Old English, meaning "friend." It's often considered a girls' name, but it's another one with good crossover potential thanks to developer/entrepreneur Steve Wynn.

Losing Their Identity

These names, while once fairly strong in the unisex category, have become so widely used for one sex that they've lost their unisex identity. Think carefully about using them unless you're giving them to the gender that they've become most identified with:

Ashley: This Old English place name(it means "ash tree meadow") was a favorite of Gone With the Wind fans. Who can forget the fair-haired Ashley Wilkes, the unattainable object of Scarlett O'Hara's affection? Because it ends with -ley, which is such a strong component of today's top girls' names, it's best left to the distaff side of the gender board.

Courtney: Still popular for both sexes, but becoming definitely more associated with girls, thanks to the feminine-sounding -eyending. This was the 26th most popular girls' name in the U.S. in 1998.

Beverly: Another name with the popular -ley feminine ending, which makes it stronger for girls than boys. It might possibly be used for a boy as a transferred use of a surname as middle name. No boy in his right mind today would want to be called Bev.

Douglas: A classic Scottish clan name that, interestingly enough, began as a girls' name. Now it's used almost exclusively for boys, I think because of its connection to such people as World War II General Douglas MacArthur.

Caley: The overwhelming popularity of this name for girls in all its different forms makes it a poor choice for a boy at this juncture.

Esmé: It's French for "esteemed," and it was once a male name. It's rarely used today, but when it is, it's almost always attached to a girl, thanks to its feminine ending.

Dale: I guess it was Dale Evans who made this name more feminine than masculine. It's too bad, because this is name with strength and it's been a steady, consistent boys' name over the years.

Jamie: This diminutive of James was once very popular for boys, but it's better known as a girls' name today, perhaps because of the TV show Mad About You.

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Jocelyn: Another name that was strongly masculine but no longer is, although decent male pet namesJoss and Lynncan be derived from it.

Jody: There was a too-cute little fellow named Jody on a fairly insipid 1960s sitcom called Family Affair, and I think he killed this name for all the other little boys who came after him. Today, if it's used at all, it's almost always for a girl.

Kelly: I went to school with lots of little Irish boys named Kelly, but it's almost exclusively a girls' name now.

Kendall: This name also had a good run as a unisex name, but is now becoming more frequently used for girls.

Kim: This was a fairly popular boys' name in the late 1950s and early 1960s and had a good run as a unisex name as well. It's not widely used now, but when it is, it's generally only for girls.

Meredith: Meredith Willson was the genius behind the Broadway musical and film The Music Man, but he's about the only Meredith that comes to mind. It's definitely a more common girls' name these days, although not widely used there, either.

Stacy: Yes, there's Stacy Keach, and he is a pretty virile guy, but I still think of this as a girls' name and I think most other people do, too.

Better Left in the Dust

These names are either so old and out of date or have become so strongly associated with one gender over time it's best to leave them alone as a unisex name:

Afton: This Old English name was once used for men and women, but it became a trendy girls' name when it was used for a character on the TV show Dallas.

Carey: Spelled this way or as Kerry, like my childhood friend did, this once-popular name is dated at this point. It doesn't feel like it's going to come back as a retro fashion for either gender, either.

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Dabney: This French name was once pretty popular for both sexes, but it's really fallen out of style. What pet names can you get from this name? Dab? Ney? Dibbles? Definitely one to put out to pasture.

Evelyn: This old German name is rarely used for either gender, although it began as a boys' name.

Hilary: This name, which is Greek for "cheerful" or "happy," was a boys' name first, but that was a very long time ago.

Hunter: Although this name has an upper-crust feel to it, it really just describes what certain people did for a living in jolly old England. Right now, it's not too popular.

Kevin: This name is a perennial favorite for boys with Irish families. Because of its strong use for boys, it remains a rare choice for girls.

Loren: Better known by its feminine spellingLaurenthis was one of the names that defined the 1980s. It's still popular, but so overused that it's losing momentum.

Randy: As a diminutive form of such boys' names as Randall or Randolph and girls' names like Miranda, this was a very popular name about 30 or 40 years ago. It is dated because of how it endsif it were spelled Randey it might gain in popularity, at least for girls, but I'm dubious.

Terry: Whether it's diminutive of Terence or Teresa, it's out of date.

Toby: Never strongly popular for either sex, although it tends to bubble up in popularity every few years or so.

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Chapter 18
From the Earth to the sky

Many years ago, a movie was made about the life of composer Johann Strauss that gave a typically Hollywood portrayal of the process he went through to write one of his most renowned waltzes. In it, Johann and a lady companion were riding in a carriage. His ears prick up at the sound of the horse's hooves on the bridal path, the squeak of the carriage wheel as it turned, and the sound of the birds calling to each other in the trees above him. He starts to whistle a tune that combines all these elements, and voilà! The Blue Danube was born.

While this portrayal of the creative process was definitely on the smaltzy side, there's no denying the fact that sometimes our greatest inspiration can be drawn from the things around useven when it comes to choosing a baby name.

The Nature of Names

Deriving baby names from worldly elements goes back to the beginning of time and is an integral part of the naming process in almost all cultures. One theory on the beginning of language, in fact, holds that it was developed when man tried to imitate the sounds of nature. Even the first given name in the BibleAdammeans "red earth."

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Both given names and surnames have derived from animals, plants, trees, and other earthly elements. The sky above us has provided its share of names as well. And as the fashion for adopting surnames for use as first names continues to grow in popularity, the available name pool is swelling with surnames that were fashioned from geographic places and forms.

Many of these "organic" namesespecially ones like Brooke, Brent, Jordan, Savannah, and Shelbyare in such wide use today that their geographical or natural roots are virtually forgotten. Others, especially names derived from flowers or gems, are a clear connection, although they're probably chosen more for how they sound than for anything else.

This immensely popular name fashion was favored by enough parents in 1997 to place the following names on the top 1,000 lists:

Boys:

Girls:

Jordan

Madison

Dakota

Brittany

Brent

Jordan

Dallas

Savannah

Cheyenne

Shelby

Dane

Brooke

Shannon

Cheyenne

Brody

Bethany

Dale

Whitney

Alder

Autumn

Colorado

Carolina

Cleveland

Brooklyn

Houston

Lourdes

Paris

Dakota

Britt

Montana

Shasta

Mapping It Out

Names derived from geographical characteristics or places are one of the fastest-growing name fashions today. Whether it will become more than a fad is hard to say, as this is a fashion that has influenced the naming arena for many years. The precursor

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to this fashionturning place names into surnames and then appropriating them for first nameshas been around for centuries. Many of these names are still widely used today.

The current popularity of this name fashion has a lot to do with our growing fondness for names with an androgynous or unisex feel, as most of the names from nature give very little indication as to the gender of the children who bear them. Other reasons for choosing names in this category include:

The desire to commemorate a special place.

Evoking a certain feel or image, such as choosing a western place name because you like the feel of that part of the country.

No particular reason beyond the fact that it's a good name that appeals to you!

When it comes to selecting a place name for a given name, the choices are almost limitless.

Places to Be

Currently fashionable place names or those poised to make it onto the hit parade soon are:

Boys' Names:

Brent: An Old English place name meaning "mount" or "hilltop."

Brett: A Celtic name meaning "man from Britain." Somewhat popular for boys and girls.

Dallas: Better known as the city in Texas, but it's also a village in northeastern Scotland. Used for boys and girls.

Kent: The county in England, and another monosyllabic name that finds favor with many parents.

Lane: An English place name meaning "path" or "roadway."

Montana: In Latin, it means "mountainous," and the state that bears this name certainly is. It can be used for both boys and girls and is currently popular thanks to the vogue for western names.

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Tyrone: It's Irish for "land of Owen." Currently a popular African-American given name, as it has similar elements to many popular created names.

Girls' Names:

Brooke: Old English place name, meaning "near a stream or brook." Probably exclusively for girls these days, although this was once a strong unisex name.

Cambria: Both a geological period and a term describing ancient Wales. A pretty name, and probably one of the better, albeit unusual, uses of a place name for a given name.

Carmel: This Hebrew name means "garden." Carmel is also the name of one of the better-known oceanside communities in California.

Dakota: Place name derived from the Sioux Indian word for "friend" or "ally." Currently very popular for boys and girls.

Glenna: A glen is a small valley situated between hills.

Jordan: As in the River Jordan.

Kyle: It means "narrow spit of land" in Scotland. This was a popular boys' name during the 1960s and '70s and is still considered more masculine than feminine.

Lane: As a girls' name, this can also be spelled Laine or Layne.

Montana: See boys' names above.

Savannah: This geographical term comes from the Spanish word for "treeless," and it describes a wide, open plain. It's a city in Georgia and a very popular girls' name at the moment.

Shannon: Lots of connections to the Emerald Isle here, but it's almost exclusively used as a given name in the U.S., not in Ireland.

Shelby: An English place name meaning "estate on the ledge."

Shelley: Means "meadow on the ledge" and is a possible alternative to Shelby.

Sienna: When spelled Siena, it's a town in Italy. It's currently gaining in popularity.

Sierra: A place name from the Spanish word for "saw," as in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

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Off the Beaten Track

These names are either less commonly given, have faded in popularity somewhat, or have yet to hit the limelight. For these reasons, they may appeal to parents looking for names that are less frequently used.

Boys' Names:

Brenton: It sounds a lot like Brendan, but it couldn't mean anything more different. Brendan is an Irish name that translates to "smelly hair" (how pleasant!). Brenton is an English place name that means "Brent's town."

Brody: It's Irish for "ditch."

Dale: This English place name for "valley" is not widely used today, which makes it a good candidate for a comeback.

Dean: English place name meaning "valley." It's a good basic name that, like Dale, is poised for a comeback.

Denver: Colorado's state capital, named after an early territorial governor. It's also an English place name that means "green valley," which is ironic because Denver is situated on a plateau that is anything but green without substantial irrigation.

Granville: A French place name meaning "big town." It has an aristocratic air that might make it a good choice for a middle name.

Hudson: It means "Hugh's son" in Old English; both the Hudson River and Canada's Hudson Bay are named for the English explorer Henry Hudson.

Keith: Scottish for "forest." This was a very popular name in the U.S. about 30 years ago; it's not so in vogue today but still sees steady use, as it's a good, basic name for boys.

Ogden: An English place name meaning "valley of the oaks." Although names that begin with O aren't terribly popular, this one may see broader usage thanks to the current fashion for western-sounding names (Ogden is also a city in Utah).

Wesley: English place name meaning "western meadow." It has a feminine feel to it, but is almost always shortened to Wes in use, which makes it very masculine indeed.

Ramsey: English place name meaning "raven" or "ram island."

Roman: From Rome, perhaps best known as a given name thanks to film director Roman Polanski.

Stanford: English place name meaning "stony ford."

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Girls' Names:

Asia: Country as given name.

Bay: A geographic term referring to the indentation of a coastline, or a plant name. Bay Buchannan, the sister of broadcaster and sometimes presidential candidate Pat Buchannan, is the most famous current bearer of this name.

Caledonia: Scotland was known as Caledonia in ancient times. This name means "from Caledonia."

Catalina: The island off the southern coast of California.

China: Country as given name.

Florida: State as given name. It comes from the Latin word floris, or "flower."

India: Country as given name.

Jamaica: Island nation whose name is thought to be from an Indian word meaning "place of many springs."

Lourdes: The town in France where the young Bernadette saw visions of the Virgin Mary. Today a renowned pilgrimage site for people in search of miraculous healing.

Nevada: State name thought to derive from the Spanish word for "snowy."

Paris: City as given name. In Greek mythology, Paris was Helen of Troy's lover.

Sharon: A Hebrew place name meaning "plain." It was pretty popular about 40 years ago or so, but now seems dated.

Tara: An Irish term for "rocky hill," made famous as the plantation home of the O'Haras in Gone With the Wind. This name could gain in popularity thanks to pint-sized skating champion Tara Lipinski.

Tierra: From the Spanish word for "land," deriving from the Latin terra, or "earth." A possible alternative to the popular Sierra.

Whitney: This Old English place name, which means "white island," has strong connections to wealthy East Coast families. John Hay (Jock) Whitney, for example, was a noted publisher and philanthropist. Whitney Houston keeps this name alive.

Specks on the Map

These names are very rare or very out of date and are definitely for parents wanting to find something that's really out of the ordinary.

Boys' Names:

Clifford: An English place name meaning "ford near the cliff." Probably a poor candidate for a comeback, thanks to the character Cliff Claven on the television show Cheers.

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Clyde: This is a Scottish place name derived from the River Clyde. Clive sounds similar to it, but it is an English place name meaning ''cliff."

Denholm: A Scottish place name that has gained some recognition thanks to urbane English actor Denholm Elliott.

Holden: English place name meaning "hollow valley."

Lincoln: English place name meaning "poolside town." Even though a famous president bore it and it's the name of a western city, it's not in wide use and probably not destined for it.

Nash: English place name meaning "cliff" or "headland." Although its monosyllabic style is preferred by many parents of boys, this name isn't widely used, perhaps because it makes people think of an old car.

Mead: An English place name meaning "meadow."

Girls' Names:

Arcadia: A pastoral district of ancient Greece, it has come to mean any place of rural peace and simplicity.

Hadley: English place name meaning "meadow of heather."

Iona: Iona is a small island in the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. Although this name has Greek overtones, it probably came from an early Gaelic name for the island that was misspelled on a mapa fairly common occurrence.

Kenya: Country name as first name. It's used more often than you may thinkfor example, actress Natassja Kinski and composer Quincy Jones' daughter is named Kenya Julia Miambi Sarahbut it's still uncommon outside of African-American families, and not widely used there, either.

Oceania: From the Greek word for "ocean," it's also used to describe an island group in the Pacific.

Sevilla: This Spanish city name has Greek roots, and is based on the word sibyl, which means "oracle" or "seer."

Tiberia: A Latin place name derived from the river Tiber. Tiberius was also a famous Roman clan name, and it was the middle name of James T. Kirk, the captain of the Starship Enterprise.

Tosca: Maybe better known as the name of an opera, it relates to the town of Tuscany in Italy.

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Posies and Pearls

The Victorians were mad for flower and gem names for their little girls. As an alternative to the often-ponderous given names of the period, they were probably a welcome addition to the name pool. Because they are so strongly identified with this period in history, many of these names seem somewhat old-fashioned today. However, they can have a retro feel to them, and they do appeal to parents looking for homespun classics or names that seem a little bit British without being overly so.

Many of these names can be chosen based on sound and feel alone; if you like one of them, go for it! But the sheer numbers of possibilities can make this category a little tough to wade through.

One way to window down your search a little is to start with the traditional flowers and gemstones associated with the months of the year. While some of these names would probably be used by only the most singular parents, they may point you to a name that is a little less uncommon. Emerald, for example, could make you think of Emma, Emme, or even Esmerelda!

Month
Gem
Flower

January
Garnet
Carnation

February
Amethyst
Violet

March
Aquamarine
Jonquil

April
Diamond
Sweet Pea

May
Emerald
Lily of the Valley

June
Pearl
Rose

(table continued on next page)

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(table continued from previous page)

Month
Gem
Flower

July
Ruby
Larkspur

August
Peridot
Gladiolus

September
Sapphire
Aster

October
Opal
Calendula

November
Topaz
Chrysanthemum

December
Turquoise
Narcissus

If one of these names doesn't grab you, there are plenty more to choose from.

Flowery Names

The Victorians' fondness for two flower namesRose and Lilyclearly ignited their passion for all sorts of names with botanical elements. Interestingly enough, neither Lily nor Rose actually had botanical origins. Rose is derived from the Old German word hros, which became the modern word "horse," and Lily was a pet name from Elizabeth.

Growing Freely

The following flora names are as classic and popular as a bunch of red roses on Valentine's Day!

Alyssa: Alyssum is a bright yellow flower. This name's current popularity probably has nothing to do with its relationship to the flower.

Calla: As in the lily. This is a pretty name that gets used with some frequency.

Cicely: Here's something you may not have knowncicely is a plant from the parsley family! It's also a very nice name and one that's in fairly common use.

Heather: A low-growing plant of the heath variety, it likes moisture and mist, which makes it an ideal plant for the British Isles. It's a popular girls' name on both sides of the Atlantic.

Holly: Pointy leaves and red berries distinguish this quintessential Christmas plant. This name was more popular about 40 years ago, but it hasn't seen its reign end yet.

Jasmine: An exotic tropical plant with an intoxicating fragrance. It became popular all of a sudden, probably driven by the hit Disney movie Aladdin.

Lily: The bulbous plants with trumpet-shaped, often very showy flower. It's a sweet, old-fashioned name that never seems to go out of style.

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Hana: Not a flower, but the Japanese name that means "flower." Widely used there, it sounds like Hannah, so it's fairly popular in the U.S. as well.

Rare Blooms

A little wilted, perhaps, or hothouse delicate, these names are either a bit passé or have yet to come into bloom:

Amaryllis: A Victorian flower name which most people associate with the little girl in the play/movie The Music Man.

Angelica: It's a plant from the carrot family often used as an herbal remedy, in perfumes, and in flavorings. Because of its similarity to the word "angel," it's in fairly common usage.

Azalea: Another Victorian flower name not used much today. A pretty flower, however, and a pretty-sounding name maybe it's one to consider for a middle name.

Bryony: This plant name is pronounced BRI-e-nee, which has a pretty sound. Could also be used as a variant of Brian for a girl.

Burnet: Burnets are part of the rose family. Spelled as Burnett, this is an uncommon name, but it has seen some use, especially as a middle name.

Calandra: A pleasant derivative of calendula, which isn't a great name for anything but a plant.

Camellia: Camilla Parker Bowles may make this name more popular.

Cassia: If you don't think about the use for the drug that comes from the bark of the cassia tree, this is a very pretty name and shouldn't be overlooked, especially as a rarer name in the popular -ia form. (If you need to know, senna, a cathartic or laxative drug, is extracted from cassia bark.)

Cherry: Fruit tree as name. It generally appears in forms that mean Cherry in other languages, like Cherise.

Dahlia: Very showy perennial flowers. It's not a bad name.

Daphne: It's a shrub with fragrant flowers or a nymph who escaped from Apollo by turning into a laurel tree. Popular in Britain, it may take off here due to its use on the popular television show Frasier.

Daisy: Probably one of the happiest flowers out there. Girls with this name tend to be pretty cheery, too.

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Fern: As in the frondy plants. It's unusual, but it does show up from time to time.

Violet: Better known as the derivative name Yolanda, which comes from the Greek iolanthe, meaning "violet flower."

Lost Their Bloom

Faded flowers, all of these.

Aster: An often dainty, star-like flower that looks a little bit like a daisy but comes in other colors. The name was fairly popular with the Victorians.

Blossom: As in the flower. Maybe too old-fashioned for a given name, but it could have its place as a middle name.

Iris: This large group of flowers comes in many different formsbearded, Asian, Japanese, etc. It was once fairly popular, but has faded in the late twentieth century.

Daffodil: A narcissus with longer leaves and trumpet-like flowers. I wouldn't advise using the name unless you really love the flower as it turns into a horrid pet nameDaffy.

Family Jewels

The fondness for names that belong to precious or semi-precious stones also dates back to the Victorian period, and it's believed to have started for the same reasons as the flower names did: The popularity of one name inspired the search for other names of the same genre. In this case, Margaret, which translates to Pearl, seems to have been the catalyst, as Pearl was a popular name at the beginning of the twentieth century. Other names that were popular among the Victorians were Ruby, Opal, Coral, Beryl, and Onyx.

Because of their obvious relationship to jewelry, many of these names are more commonly used for girls than boys, although there are a few that can cross gender lines.

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Gems Commonly Used

These twinklers are the most popular gem names today:

Amber: A yellow to brownish-yellow translucent fossil resin, much prized for its somewhat mysterious qualitiesrub two pieces of amber together and they become electrified and warm to the touch. A very feminine-sounding name that became popular in the 1970s and continues to be to this day.

Jade: A hard ornamental stone, usually green or white, much prized in Asian countries. It's currently somewhat popular as a name for girls; it's also had limited use for boys.

Jewel: Not a gem per se, but the noun used as a name. The popularity of the singer Jewel should spur wider use of this name.

Mica: A thin, crystallized mineral, easily separated and translucent. It's also a feminine Hebrew name formed from Michael, so it's in broader use than you may think.

Precious but Rare

These little gems are either unusual choices or are still being polished.

Amethyst: This lovely purple gemstone takes its name from the Greek word amethystos, meaning "not drunk," as the Greeks believed that wearing this gem would protect them from intoxication. It's the birthstone for the month of February and a possible choice as a girl's name for babies born then, but not in wide use.

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Beryl: A very hard, lustrous mineral, best known in its forms as emerald and aquamarine. It has had its run as a fashionable jewel name, but with its similarity to Meryl Streep, could gain in popularity among parents looking for an old-fashioned name.

Coral: Not a gem or mineral at all, but a hard substance made up of the skeletons of sea animals. Used by the Victorians during their gem-based naming fashion period, but not much since then.

Diamond: Brilliant and clear, it's one of the hardest substances known to man. As the birthstone for April, it's a possible choice for girls born during that month. The name is currently somewhat popular among African-American families.

Flint: Flint is a kind of quartz best known for its ability to produce sparks when struck against another stone. It may be a good choice for parents looking for a tough-guy image for a little boy.

Garnet: A deep red mineral that gets its name from the Latin granatus, which means "having seeds," as small garnets look very much like the seeds of a pomegranate. It's the gemstone for January.

Turquoise: The sky-blue to green stone that's widely found in the western U.S. Its name comes from a Middle English word for Turkey, as it is also found there and first came to England from that country.

Jacinth: Not often seen, it's a reddish-orange precious stone of the zircon family. Jacinda, a form of this name, is more often used.

Jasper: An opaque, multi-colored quartz, often found in the western U.S. The name is thought to come from an ancient Persian word that means "lord of the treasure." It's not a bad name for a boy, but it might be too close to Casper (the friendly ghost) for some.

Jett: A hard black mineral, currently fashionable in jewelry. John Travolta and Kelly Preston used this name for their son, but they probably weren't inspired by this meaning.

Onyx: A gray-to-black agate often used as a gemstone in men's jewelry, it's rarely used as a name today.

Opal: Gemstone composed of glassy, translucent silicas that both reflect and refract light. It's the gemstone for October and was once in fairly wide use, but sounds old-fashioned today.

Pearl: The valuable growth formed by irritated oysters. This was another very popular gem name during the Victorian era.

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Ruby: A deep-red variety of the mineral corundum, rare today and much valued as a precious gem.

Sapphire: Another form of the mineral corundum. In its blue form, sapphires are equally as rare as rubies.

Topaz: A fairly common gemstone, it's found in colors ranging from white to yellow to blue.

Not Even a Twinkle in Their Parent's Eyes

These names have lost their luster, or never really had it.

Crystal: Clear, translucent quartz. A name with a New Age feel, thanks to the minerals that factor heavily in rites and rituals related to this movement. It also dates back to the early 1980s and the television show Dynasty, which makes it sound dated today.

Emerald: One of the best-known forms of the mineral beryl. It's not in common use.

Galena: A gray mineral with a metallic luster that is the principal ore of lead, but it also often includes silver.

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Ivory: Another element that's more animal than mineral, taken from the tusks of elephants. It's use might be construed as politically incorrect because of the widespread slaughter of these animals.

When Nature Calls

Natural nounsthat is, words used to describe parts of naturecomprise another category of given names currently in use today. Many of these names, once again, can be used for boys or girls.

Solid as a Tree

These names have deep roots in today's name pool:

Alder

Ashley

Birch

Forrest

Hawthorne

Hickory

Lindsay

Laurel

Flora and Fauna

A hike through a forest or garden could inspire the use of any of these names.

Fawn: The baby deer, of course.

Sage: The herb, the plant, and the wise seer. Not uncommon for boys and girls. Sylvester Stallone has a son named Sage Moon Blood.

Jay: Bird or spelling of an initial. Pretty rare.

Robin: The bird or a diminutive of Robert. Although once used for both boys and girls, it's considered a girls' name today.

Talon: A real ripper for a tough kid.

Gaea: From the Greek, meaning "earth." It's pronounced GAY-uh.

Gana: A Hebrew name meaning "garden."

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Chapter 19
You Oughta Be in Pictures

What do you do when you're stuck in the check-out line at the supermarket? Do you fidget and wait impatiently? Zone out and stare into space? Or do you see a stalled line as the perfect opportunity to catch up on the star gossip of the week?

Sure, it's a guilty pleasure, and one that most of usincluding myself, up until nowwon't 'fess up to. I wouldn't be caught dead reading the Star or National Enquirer, which is why I usually shop in the wee hours of the morning when I'm less likely to run into someone I know. But there's no denying the popularity of these tabloids, or the popularity of their more ''highbrow" cousins like People or Entertainment Weekly, or Hollywood reporter-type shows like Entertainment Tonight.

As a nation, we have a long-standing fascination with famous people, especially those who comprise the Hollywood dream machine. And, quite often, our love for all things celeb has a lot to do with the names we give our children. Beautiful people, beautiful lifestyles. Hey, maybe some of it will rub off on us!

In the Public Eye

The craze for celebrity names may seem somewhat new, but it actually goes back for centuries. People have always named their children after royalty, revered leaders, and other individuals whose fame helps them claim more than the average share of the public eye. Literary works and plays have also lent their share of names to the naming pool.

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Because they were cheap and accessible from the get-go, the movies have been a strong influence on name choices from the earliest silent film days. Mary was a popular name choice before silent-film star Mary Pickford hit the screens, but the popularity of this famous actress helped keep this name in the forefront for many years as well.

Each new star carried the potential for influencing name choices. In the 1930s, Shirley Temple's bouncy curls and dimpled smile, not to mention her sunny disposition, inspired a number of parents to name their little girls Shirley. Other early film stars with similar influence on name styles included Gary Cooper, Carole Lombard, Leslie Caron, Maureen O'Sullivan, Marlene Dietrich, Merle Oberon, Rita Hayworth, Rosalind Russellthe list goes on, limited only by whose spotlight was shining particularly bright at any given point in time.

Of course, many of these marquee names were not the ones their bearers were born with. More often than not, aspiring actors and actresses discarded names they felt were too ordinary or ethnic in favor of ones that would lend just the right amount of magic to their screen images. Would you pay to see a movie starring any of these people?

Virginia McMath. As Ginger Rogers, she burned up celluloid dance floors with partner Fred Astaire.

Melvin Kaminsky. At least funny man Mel Brooks didn't have to travel too far away from his first name. His longtime wife, actress Anne Bancroft, also shed her decidedly ethnic name, Annemarie Italiano.

Maurice Joseph Micklewhite. Isn't Michael Caine a much better fit for the star of Alfie and Hannah and Her Sisters?

Walter Matuschanskayasky. It wouldn't even begin to fit on a marquee, but that's probably not the reason the sloppy half of the original Odd Couple changed his

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last name to Matthau. Jack Lemmon, who played the neatnik Felix to Matthau's sloppy Oscar, took a lot of ribbing for his unusual last name when he was growing up, but it ended up being a great surname for Hollywood.

Betty Joan Perske. As Lauren Bacall, this actress's sultry voice and sexy hairstyle inspired numerous namesakes.

Obviously, not everyone changed their names, and many times just a small change would placate studio executives. However, if promising stars had strongly ethnic names, or names that just didn't contain the special magic to captivate moviegoers, it was a pretty good bet that a makeover would include dumping the old name. Rising stars would then make their debut appearance on the silver screen with a new name, either of their own choosing or fashioned by studio executives.

Art lmitating Life

The names of characters played by favorite stars also have had an influence on name fashions. When Katherine Hepburn played the snooty debutante Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story, parents were inspired by the name of her screen character, not by Hepburn herself. And when Grace Kelly played the same role years later in High Society, the passion for the name Tracy was ignited all over again.

Other popular given names inspired by movie characters, not by the actors and actresses who played them, include:

Leslie. Leslie Lyntton Benedict, the wife of Bick Benedict in Giant, was played by Elizabeth Taylor.

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Jennifer. There were lots of little Jennies running around in the early 1970s thanks to Erich Segal's Love Story. The leading role of Jenny Cavalierri was played by Ali McGraw. Oliver Barrett IV, the object of her affection, was played by Ryan O'Neal. Oliver had a brief turn in the star name spotlight as well, but didn't reach anywhere near the popularity level that Jennifer did.

Madison. The current passion for this place name could have been ignited by the mermaid-turned-human Daryl Hannah played in Splash.

Tammy. This pet name is a diminutive of Tamara and became somewhat popular thanks to Tammy and the Bachelor and several other movies that featured the Tammy character.

Names in a Leading Role

Many of these names have been long-term residents of the naming pools, but have achieved status far greater than what would normally be expected thanks to the famous people who bear them. Some are so rare and unusual that they're in the spotlight only because they're linked to someone famous.

Since the Hollywood dream machine now also includes the small screen, some of these names are from television as well.

Leading Men

Running the gamut from safe and traditional to unusual or uncommon, these are the names that accompanied some of our most popular male stars on their road to fame:

Arnold: It means "strength of an eagle" but it had fairly nerdy connotations until Arnold Schwarzenegger came to Hollywood. Arnold stuck to his guns and refused to change either his first or last name, which inspired a number of other stars to stick with their given monikers as well. He did, however, use a different last nameStrongwhen he shot his first movie, the forgettable Hercules in New York.

Cary: It's an English place name meaning "pretty brook," and a far better name for debonaire British actor Cary Grant than Archibald Leach was. Today this name is more often used for girls, but it had a good run as a boy's name when Grant was one of Hollywood's top leading men.

Clark: This Old French occupational name means "cleric" or "scholar." It was borne most famously by actor Clark Gable, the man Hollywood thought would never make it because of his large ears and short, thick neck.

Dustin: It's an Old German name meaning "brave warrior" or an Old English place name meaning "dusty area." Dustin Hoffman is the best-known bearer of this name; he was named for cowboy star Dustin Farnum.

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Gary: Gary Cooper made this Old English name (meaning "spear") popular enough to land it on the top 10 lists during the 1950s. It was clearly a better fit than the actor's original name, which was Frank.

Glenn: Perhaps most widely associated with actress Glenn Close, but before her, Glenn Ford was the acclaimed bearer of this name. Glenn is an Irish name meaning a "narrow valley between hills." This name also appears in a different spelling with actress Glenne Headley.

Gregory: A popular name for popes, it's Greek for "watchful" or "vigilant." It first became popular in the U.S. when Gregory Peck became a star.

Griffin: Look past the literal definitionit means "hooked nose" in Latinand think instead of the Greek mythical beast, part lion and part eagle. Griffin Dunne is the best-known bearer of this name.

Hal: The diminutive of the Old English Harry is borne by two older actors, Hal Holbrook and Hal Linden. No one in the new generation of Hollywood stars has it, unless you want to count the computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Harrison: It means "son of Harry" and is the first name of one of Hollywood's most popular (and sexiest!) actors, Harrison Ford.

Hugh: This Old German name means "intellect" or "intelligence." It's also the name of actor Hugh Grant.

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Jack: Jack Nicholson has been cited as the inspiration for many little Jacks who are now running around.

Keenan: This Irish name means "small and ancient." Keenan Wynn and Keenan Ivory Wayans have put some star power behind this moniker.

Kevin: It means "handsome" in Irish and it fits both of its most famous owners, Kevin Kline and Kevin Costner.

Kiefer: This unusual German name, meaning "barrel maker," sets actor Kiefer Sutherland aside from the pack.

Kyle: This Scottish place name is a perfect fit for actor Kyle MacLachlan.

Mel: It's hard to believe that Mel Gibson's given name could be Melvin, but it seems that it is. Perhaps a little less difficult to imagine when it comes to comedian/filmmaker Mel Brooks.

Robin: This diminutive form of Robert (bright fame) is more commonly found as a girls' name these days. Its rarity as a boys' name makes it a good fit for the singular talents of actor Robin Williams.

Ryan: Although no one knows for sure, this name is thought to be Irish for "little king." It is actor Ryan O'Neal's middle namehe dropped his first name, Patrick, so he wouldn't be confused with actor Patrick O'Neal, who is also Ryan's third cousin.

Spencer: Katherine Hepburn called Spencer Tracy "as comfortable as a sack of potatoes." It makes his given name, which means "provisioner," seem perfectly apt.

Leading Ladies

The names bestowed upon girls are traditionally more creative than those given boys. The monikers borne by these lovely ladies are no exception to the rule:

Ava: It means "little bird" in Latin, and was borne most famously by Ava Gardner. Actress Heather Locklear and ex-husband Richie Sambora paid tribute to two great women of the silver screen when they named their daughter Ava Elizabeth.

Daryl: There is no clear description for Ms. Hannah's first name; some sources have it as a French place name, others list it as a diminutive of Darlene.

Delta: From the Greek word for "fourth," it also describes a piece of sandy land, usually triangular in shape, that forms at the mouth of a river. It has been given some exposure by actress Delta Burke from Designing Women.

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Demi: It's French for "middle" or "half," or could be the short form of the Greek name Demetria, which is the actual given name of actress Demi Moore. Demetria is a form of the name Demeter, the Greek goddess of the harvest.

Doris: This is the feminine form of Dorian, which describes someone from one of the four main divisions of the ancient Greeks. It was borne most famously by Doris Day and used somewhat in the 1950s and '60s when her movie career was at its height, but now it seems pretty dated.

Drew: You will probably see this diminutive of Andrew (masculine) in broader use if actress Drew Barrymore keeps making good movies.

Farrah: This English name means "lovely" or "pleasant." Inextricably tied to actress Farrah Fawcett, it has never been in broad use, especially now that Fawcett's star has faded.

Geena: Gina and its variant forms, like Geena and Gena, have served Hollywood actresses well, having been used by Gina Lollobrigida, Gena Rowlands, and Geena Davis.

Gloria: A Latin name meaning, of course, "glory"perfect for legendary actress Gloria Swanson.

Glynis: A Welsh name meaning "small glen." Borne by actress Glynis Johns.

Greta: A diminutive of the German Margaret, it was actress Greta Garbo's real given name; she only changed her last name, Gustafsson.

Gwyneth: A name from the new breed of Hollywood stars, it means "happiness," which makes it a nice fit for actress Gwyneth Paltrow; her mother is Blythe Danner, and Blythe is another name meaning "blissful" or "happy."

Hayley: An English name meaning "hay meadow." British actress Hayley Mills brought this name to the attention of American audiences back in the 1960s and it continues to be popular to this day.

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Halle: This pretty name (pronounced hal-lee) is borne by actress Halle Berry. It's a popular name with various spellingsHaleigh, Halie, and Hallie being most common.

Hedy: Actress Hedy Lamarr's original given name was Hedwig, and this name is clearly a diminutive of it. Hedwig is a name meaning "battle" or "strife."

Iliana: This really beautiful Greek name relates to the ancient city of Troy. Actress Ileanna Douglas bears a variation of the name.

Ingrid: Another name that means "beautiful," just from a different heritage. It is borne most famously by Ingrid Bergman.

Jamie: This feminine form of James has gained in popularity thanks to actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Jami Gertz.

Peri: It's Hebrew for "fruit" or "result" and is used by actress Peri Gilpin of Frasier fame.

Portia: No one's quite sure of the meaning of this ancient Latin name, but it suits the classically featured Portia de Rossi of Ally McBeal.

Raquel: It's a variation of the Hebrew name Rachel and is actress Raquel Welch's real given name, although her original last name was Tejada.

Romy: This pretty diminutive of Rosemary ("dew of the sea") was brought into the spotlight by actress Romy Schneider.

Uma: Uma is the name of the Indian goddess Sakti in her guise as light. The name has served actress Uma Thurman well. It's a singular name and so rare that it can only be associated with her.

Star Babies

Famous parents, famous kids? Will these star babies follow the same path as their parents? And if they do, will it be with the names they were given at birth? Only time will tell.

The Traditionalists

They may not bear traditional names themselves, but these celebrities definitely favored them for their offspring:

Parents

Kids

Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) and Daena Title

Gabriel, Noah

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The Alexanders chose two biblical names that are poised to gain in popularity. Gabriel is a Hebrew name meaning "hero of God." The meaning of Noah isn't as clear, but as it's the namesake of the man who built the ark, it could mean "wanderer."

Tim Allen (Home Improvement) and Laura Allen

Kathryn

Warren Beatty and Annette

Kathlyn Bening, Benjamin,

Bening

Isabelle Ira Ashley

Basic classic names for the first two Beatty/Bening children, with some nice alliteration for Benjamin. Isabelle Ira Ashley is a little trendier; Isabelle is a Spanish version of Elizabeth.

Gil Bellows (Ally McBeal) and Rya Kihlstedt

Ava Emmanuelle

Ava is a name that seems to be gaining in popularityHeather Locklear and Richie Sambora used it for their daughter, too. Ava is from Latin and means "birdlike"; Emmanuelle is the feminine or French form of the Hebrew name Emmanuel, which means "God is among us."

Tom Cruise and Nicole

Isabella Jane Kidman,

Kidman

Connor Anthony

Cruise and Kidman fashioned two names that are among some of the best examples of how names from various styles and fashions can be combined. Isabellaagain, a form of Elizabethsounds much fresher and prettier than its root name does, especially when combined with Jane. Connor, a fairly common Irish name, works well with the Latin name Anthony, although the two names have nothing in common.

Richard and Jeramie Dreyfuss

Emily, Benjamin, Harry, Spencer

Good, basic names for the Dreyfuss family, and perhaps homage to Spencer Tracy?

Jodie Foster

Charles

The classic simplicity that Foster exhibits in her personal style extends to her taste in baby names as well.

Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons) and Deborah Caplan

Homer, Abraham

Homer is Matt Groening's father's name and the name of one of his most famous cartoon creations. It's a Greek moniker that means "a pledge," and is so far out that it just might come back into style.

Bryant and Jane Gumbel

Bradley Christopher, Jillian Beth

Yuppie names for the Gumbel kids. Bradley ("wide meadow"), Christopher ("carrier of Christ"), and Jillian ("youthful") were all popular names back in the late 1970s and early 1980s when young urban professionals reigned supreme.

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Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

Chester, Truman, Theodore

Three presidential names for the Hanks kids!

Patricia Heaton (Everyone loved Raymond) and David Hunt

Sam, John, Joe, Daniel, Patrick

Heaton says she likes good, plain biblical names, and her preference definitely shows here.

Dustin Hoffman and Lisa Alexandra

Jacob, Rebecca, Max, Gottsegen

An interesting mix of biblical and classical names for the Hoffmans. Max, which is a diminutive of Maxwell or Maximillian, is from the Latin word meaning "greatest."

David E. Kelley (TV producer) and Michelle Pfeiffer

Claudia Rose, John Henry

Some of the nicest names in this groupreally great sounding when combined with the surname Kelley and voiced out loud.

Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard

Hannah Jane, Samuel Walker

This low-key, spotlight-shunning couple chose similarly laid-back names for their children. Walker, which may be a family name, is an English occupational name meaning "cloth-walker."

Rob and Cheryl Lowe

Matthew Edward, John Owen

I'm not sure the Lowes spent a lot of time test-driving these names as they're not the best combination with the surname Lowe. Then again, this surname is one of the harder ones to build pleasant combinations with.

Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson

Michael Richard Antonio,Daniel Jack

Some nice creativity on the middle names. Richardson's father's name is Tony, which could have influenced the choice of Antonio.

Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig

Clifford, Roxanne

Two very traditional names that are rarely used today. Roxanne comes from the Persian word for "dawn" and is perhaps best known from the play Cyrano de Bergerac, where it was used for the heroine's name.

Donny Osmond and Debra Glenn

Donald Clark Jr., Jeremy James, Brandon Michael, Christopher Glenn,Joshua Davis

Marie Osmond and Brian Blosil

Stephen, Michael, Brandon,Jessica, Rachel, Brianna

No unusual Mormon names for either of the Osmonds!

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Mandy Patinkin (Chicago Hope) and Kathryn Grody

Isaac, Gideon

Patinkin is a tough surname to work with. Both of these names do quite well and are in keeping with an ethnic point of view as well.

Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid

Jack Henry

Jack, a much fresher-sounding variation for John, was a good pick by this star couple. There's a nice rhythm in this very basic name.

Meryl Streep and Don Gummer

Grace Jane, Henry, Marry Willa, Louisa Jacobson

Meryl Streep's given name is actually May Louise, which is reflected in several of the names given to her children.

Deborah Winger and Timothy Hutton

Emanuel Noah

Two parents with biblical names give two biblical names for their son!

Fashion Plates

The following famous parents have used names that reflect a number of today's hottest name fashions:

Kirstie Alley and Parker Stevenson

William True, Lillie Price

Nice use of a virtue name here as well as a fun derivative (Lillie instead of Lillian).

Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) and Errol Clyde Klotz

Piper Maru

Piper, obviously, is an occupational name meaning ''someone who plays pipes." No clues on Maru, but the two names sound nice together.

Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee

Brandon Thomas, Dylan Jagger

Nothing too unusual for the first kid, but how about the use of two names strongly identified with the rock 'n' roll world for the second!

Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick

Travis Sedg, Sosie Ruth

Interesting abbreviation of Sedgwick's family name as well as an unusual name form on Sosie, which could be from Susan or Susannah.

Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger

Ireland Eliesse

Here's all I want to know: What name will this child go by? I can't find a decent derivative from Ireland; Eliesse yields many more possibilities.

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Ellen Barkin and Gabriel Byrne

Romy Marion, Jack Daniel

Perhaps not the best combination of given and middle names on Romy Marionsay them out loud and you'll see why. Jack Daniel makes me think of the bourbon.

Robby Benson (actor/director) and Karla DeVito

Zephyr (son), Lyric (daughter)

The fact that the genders for both of these kids has to be included in parentheses speaks to the unusual and unisex nature of these names. They're not bad names, just very uncommon. Zephyr is a Greek mythological name meaning "west wind"; Lyric is from the Greek word lyrikos, meaning "of a lyre" or "suitable for singing."

Sandra Bernhard (comedian)

Cicely Yasin

The unconventional Ms. Bernhard chose two unconventional (but pretty) names for her daughter. Cicely is a variation of Cecilia. Yasin, according to Bernhard, is a Moroccan name that means "bearer of good news."

An interesting combination of names here, as well as the use of three unisex names.

Garth and Sandy Brooks

Taylor Mayne Pearl, August Anna, Allie Colleen

The second nameAugust Annais the best of the three, but all of these names are, sad to say, good examples of name fashion disasters. In order, we have a name that combines unisex with unusual spelling with old-fashioned, an alliterative name that combines a trendy month name with a traditional name, and a name that combines a pet form name with a fairly trendy Irish-sounding name and, to top it all off, with similar sounding syllables so you really can't tell where one name ends and the other begins.

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Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) and Jimmy Gulzar

Phoenix Chi (daughter)

Scary Spice said she wanted to find a unisex name beginning with a P for her baby; this was the ultimate choice. Although the literal meaning of the name isn't pleasant (it means "red" or "blood"), it's more evocative of renewal or immortality, thanks to the mythical bird that dies and emerges reborn from its own ashes. Chi is a word related to the various energy centers of the body.

Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg

Sasha (daughter), Sawyer (son), Theo, Mikaela George, Destry Allyn (daughter)

Another interesting combination of name forms and fashions. Destry Allyn is really unusual, although I have to give Capshaw and Spielberg points for using Allyn. It's the only time I saw my middle name used by anyone else during the entire time I researched this book, and it works as well with Destry as it does with Sonia. Maybe this uncommon name form is ready to become a candidate for a first name? Time will tell.

Danny DeVito and Rhea

Lucie Chet, Gracie Fan,

Pearlman

Jake Daniel

I think the vertically challenged DeVitos favor short names. With the exception of Daniel, every name here is a shortened form of a longer given name.

Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas

Stella del Carmen

This pretty name has a nice Latin flavor to it, in keeping with Banderas's heritage.

Jasmine Guy and Terence Duckette (A Different World)

Imani (daughter)

Imani is an Islamic name meaning "belief" or "faith."

Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger

Elizabeth Scarlett, James Leroy,Georgia May Ayeesha,Gabriel Luke Beauregard

Hall hails from Texas, which might explain some of her southern-sounding name choices.

Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie

Deni Montana, Zoe

Deni could be a short form of Denise. Zoe, a popular name in Greece and becoming more popular here, means "life."

David Hasselhoff and Pamela Bach

Taylor Ann, Hayley Amber

Trendy names, with the exception of Ann.

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Teri Hatcher and Jon Tenney

Emerson Rose (daughter)

Emerson, an uncommon girls' name if I ever saw one, does yield a great pet nameEmmie.

Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman

Maya Ray

When asked about her choice of the name of the Hindu goddess of creation, Thurman said that a traditional name would cause an identity crisis in her family.

Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna

Delilah Belle

Hamlin and Rinna combined the increasingly popular Belle ("beautiful") with a name that means "lovelorn" or "seductive" in Hebrew. The fact that she comes from goodlooking parents notwithstanding, this kid is destined to be a heartstopper!

Mariel Hemingway and Steven Crisman

Dree Louise, Langley Fox (daughter)

The interesting name form Dree could be a derivative of Andrea. Regardless, it has a pretty sound and works nicely with Louise. Langley makes me think of the Air Force base; for that reason, it sounds like more of a boys' name. When combined with the middle name Fox, it sounds even more masculine.

Ron Howard (director) and Cheryl Alley

Bryce Dallas, Jocelyn Carlyle and Page Carlyle (twins), Reed

Lots of currently fashionable names here, although they're classic enough to not be trendy, which would fit Howard's image of classic nice guy.

Demi Moore and Bruce Willis

Rumer Glenn, Scout LaRue, Tallulah Belle

What more could you expect from the woman who posed nude on the cover of Vanity Fair when she was eight months pregnant? There are times I think Moore really kindled the current fashion of highly unusual names.

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Bette Midler and Martin Von Hasselberg

Sophie Frederica Ahoilani

The late comedienne Sophie Tucker, noted for her bawdy jokes, is a big element in Midler's stage show; Midler was born in Hawaii, which explains the use of the Hawaiian middle name.

Kathy Najimy and Dan Finnerty

Samia

Najimy's family is Lebanese; Samia is an Arabic name that means "understanding." It's a very attractive tribute to Najimy's ethnic heritage and it works well with Finnerty, too.

Nick Nolte and Rebecca Linger

Brawley Jack

Brawley is an English place name that means "meadow at the slope of the hill." This unusual name seems fitting for the son of this rugged, larger-than-life actor.

Rosie O'Donnell

Parker Jaren, Chelsea Belle

Belle yet again. What is it with this name? WasBeauty and the Beast that popular? Nice rhythm, though. Jaren is a created name, combining the popular J beginning with Darrin, possibly.

Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn

Dylan Frances (daughter), Hopper Jack

Dylan Frances isn't that unusual, but Hopper Jack? What immediately comes to my mind are Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson, two stars of the iconoclastic 1960s movie Easy Rider.

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Steven Seagal and Miyako Fujitani

Justice (Kentaro), Ayako

Nice use of two Japanese names. Ayako means "child of damask."

Cybill Shepherd

Clementine, Molly Ariel, and Cyrus Zachariah

Cybill Shepherd has the reputation for being unconventional, and her name choices definitely reflect her independent streak. Cyrus is a paternal name from her family, which was used to create her own given name. Clementine is based on the Latin word meaning "mercy"; pronounce it the French way with the -teen ending and you won't think of the song My Darling Clementine. Ariel is a pretty Hebrew name meaning "lioness of God."

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Chapter 20
Name Fates

Do you flinch when a black cat crosses your path? Does a broken mirror mean seven long years of bad luck? Do you drive just a bit more carefully when the number 13 lines up with a Friday on the calendar? Do you give a passing glance to the daily horoscope, even though you really don't believe in such tomfoolery? It's okay. You can 'fess up here. No judgment will be rendered.

If Friday the 13th bugs you, it's less an indication of your superstitious nature than it is an homage to your ancient ancestors, who attached great significance to such things as signs and omens. These early onomonists also believed that a person's name could determine his or her ultimate fate and spent a great deal of time developing systems to reveal what these destinies might be.

The key to your child's fate could be in the numbers, written in the stars, or revealed in a dream. If you believe that names can foretell future events or individual destiniesor you just want to see how the wisdom of the ancients can be applied to selecting baby names todaythis chapter is for you.

It's in the Vibes

Now that you've been working at picking baby names for a while, you may have noticed that certain names just seem to work better for you than others. The reason for

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this, some people believe, is that these names have a particular resonance or harmony that appeals to you. They sing to some element of your being in ways that others don't. In other words, they have good vibes.

Unlocking the keys to these vibrations is part of the theory behind numerology, which assigns a numerical equivalent to each letter of the alphabet. These numbers are then combined to determine the unique vibrations that each name contains.

It was a Greek philosopher and mathematician who first brought forth the idea that numbers could influence a person's destiny. Pythagoras, who believed that all things could be expressed in numerical terms, also thought that numbers were the key to understanding the spiritual path to God. Applying them to names, he felt, could yield secrets that would guide the bearer on his life journey.

Today, numerology, along with other divination systems such as astrology and tarot card reading, is considered a pseudo-science by many. Personally, that's where I place it as well. There could be something to it. Then again, maybe there isn't. But there's no denying the fact that there are forces in this world that we are barely aware of or know very little about (which is the reason why I still read my daily horoscope). Maybe the ancients did know something we don't know. I figure it can't hurt to cover all the bases!

The Number Game

Numerology is used by some parents to select names that, when combined with their surnames, yield numbers with the qualities that they feel they want for their children. Another use, perhaps more practical for you, is to see if you like the characteristics of the number values that apply to the names you like. Here's how to find what these values are.

Use the following table to determine the numbers that correspond to the letters in a given name. Write the result in the spaces below the table:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I

J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R

S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

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Letters__________________________

Numbers__________________________

Next, add these numbers together. If you come up with anything other than 11, 22, or 33, which are considered master numbers (I'll get to this later), add the individual numbers together again. For example, if your total came to 13, add the 1 and the 3 together to equal the number 4.

The last number you come up with is the one you'll use to determine the qualities of the name you're considering.

Reading Your Numbers

So how does something as simple as a number translate into a vibration that unlocks the wisdom of the ages? Remember, Pythagoras and his buddies believed that all things could be expressed in numerical terms, so they assigned certain personality traits and characteristics to each number based on their observations of the individuals who carried them. While the exact interpretations will vary depending on the numerologist that presents them, these are the basics:

One, since it's the first number, represents beginnings or unity.

Names with this number are considered dynamic and independent, and the people who have them are seen as self-assured, competitive, natural leaders. On the downside, they don't like to take orders or come second, and they can be overbearing, egotistical, and bossy. Ones are often in positions of power where they can control outcomes and accomplishments. They make good administrators, company presidents, military officers, and athletes, as they like careers where they can be in authority and take the lead.

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Currently popular one names include:

Girls

Boys

Alix

Adam

Brittany

Brant

Camille

Brice

Ciana

Colter

Diandre

Darin

Hannah

Jedediah

Katie

Joseph

Kimberley

Nicolas

Kyra

Zachary

Lexie

Zane

Two, as it's the first multiple of one, represents pairs and harmony.

People with number two names are generally followers who are happy to keep the peace and are not very interested in power struggles. They are seekers of balance in their lives, are often artistic and exhibit a flare for imagination, but they can also be moody, self-conscious, dependent, and hypersensitive. These people are often artists, psychologists, authors, and even accountants and attorneys as they like to help others create solutions to their problems.

Two names that are currently popular include:

Girls

Boys

Aisha

Aidan

April

Andrew

Calista

Chance

Diana

Collin

Hanna

Corbett

Jade

Dylan

Paige

Jared

Rachel

Lucas

Sarah

Max

Tiffani

Noah

Three is the number of the Trinity and is believed to indicate all stages of lifepast, present, and future.

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It's considered a lucky number, as many threes seem to have amazingly good fortune in their lives. People with number three names are often hardworking and ambitious and are motivated by accomplishment and success. Many of these people also have a deep need for expression and are exceptional communicators, finding their callings as entertainers, artists, business leaders, or politicians. On the downside, they can be quick to judge, boastful, dictatorial, and vain. Because they like to tackle many challenges at once, they can seem scatterbrained or unfocused.

Popular three names:

Girls

Boys

Adelle

Alec

Amber

Alexander

Anna

Barrett

Bethany

Burke

Bryanna

Dermot

Caitlyn

Dillon

Claire

Ethan

Mary

James

Sara

Jonah

Tia

Leonardo

Think of the quality of a good foundationfour square corners, right?and you'll have the basic quality of the number four.

This is the most solid number of them all, and people who have names with this number are solid, down-to-earth, and dependable as well. They're often the foundation upon which great companies and empires are built, as they're efficient, loyal, and organized, as well as very practical. They can also be overcautious and dull, and they're

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generally not very ambitious. With their love of structure, they tend to gravitate toward careers as architects, bankers, engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. When they make a career decision, they often stay with it for life.

Popular four names:

Girls

Boys

Aliza

Aaron

Annabel

Bradley

Brena

David

Cari

Fraser

Emilia

Jacob

Kara

Jaedon

Kiara

Jose

Kyla

Kaleb

Tasha

Kieran

Tiara

Luke

Five is the number of change, and names in this category often relate to adventure, new challenges, and risk taking.

Fives are the free spirits of the world, with a natural curiosity that leads them to readily embrace and even seek out challenges and new situations. They are bright and very capable, but can be reckless and take needless risks. Their need for freedom can translate into restlessness, flightiness, or hedonism. Fives tend to do well in professions that challenge them mentally and that deal with change. They are good reporters, aviators, detectives, lobbyists, and stockbrokers.

Popular five names:

Girls

Boys

Abigail

Brady

Alisha

Boyce

Alyssa

Brandt

Brianna

Brent

Elise

Caleb

Emma

Caleb

Kayla

Derrick

Kaylee

Jason

Laine

Kent

Mia

Killian

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Six represents harmony, as it can be divided by both an odd numberthreeand an even numbertwo.

These names are also considered fortunate or lucky, as their bearers often attract wealth and property. The six personality is considered to be creative, sensitive, and imaginative, with a ''sixth sense" that allows them to see the whole picture better than others do. On the downside, sixes can be egotistical, insisting that their needs are met before others. They have a strong need for recognition and can take things very personally if they're slighted for any reason, real or imaginary. Sixes are also noted for being very romantic. They do well as artists, healthcare workers, photographers, and other careers where their intuition and sensitivity can be exhibited.

Popular six names:

Girls

Boys

Alena

Darren

Blanca

Denis

Camilla

Evan

Celeste

Gray

Devon

Hakim

Ileana

Ian

Karyn

Joel

Katherine

Patrick

Kristen

Robert

Laurel

Troy

Seven has always been considered a mystical number, and it has great religious meaning as well.

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People who bear names with this number are often very intuitive and introspective, and they can be deeply religious. They also have a strong eye for detail, and they excel at any job that requires it. They can appear somewhat mysterious, as they tend to live in their own worlds, and they can get anxious or upset if things don't go the way they've planned. They make good counselors, healers, and astrologers as they often see things differently than most people do.

Popular seven names:

Girls

Boys

Alexa

Anders

Alissa

Anthony

Amanda

Bram

Anne

Calder

Binah

Connor

Branwyn

Derek

Honor

Mark

Kalinda

Rourke

Larissa

Trevin

Michaela

Walker

The number eight, like the number four, indicates a hardworking nature as well as a spirit of tenacity.

Eights tend to be the sort of folks to see even the toughest projects through to completion. People with this number are often self-made successes who set their sights on a specific goal early in life and overcome great obstacles to reach it. With their natural tenacity and ambition, they can direct anything and do well owning and operating their own businesses. Negative aspects of the eight personality include a tendency toward materialism and a need for maintaining a high profile.

Popular eight names:

Girls

Boys

Adrianna

Alaric

Alicia

Archer

Beryl

Barnett

Cayley

Braden

Honora

Brian

Jasmine

Brodie

Kendra

Eli

Latasha

Jadon

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Laura

Jordan

Savannah

Josiah

Tamra

Mathias

At the opposite end of the scale from one, nine encompasses the qualities of all the other numbers.

Nines are seen as fearless, natural leaders. Their strong intellects often destine them for greatness as they can accomplish things that others can't. Since their abilities tend to put them above others, they can seem somewhat aloof or self-centered. They can have little tolerance for human foibles and can be quick to judge as well. They make good military leaders and educators, and superlative spiritual leaders and evangelists.

Popular nine names:

Girls

Boys

Adele

Bret

Autumn

Carrick

Brenna

Chase

Brigitte

Courtland

Dinah

Kiefer

Elisabeth

Matthew

Felicia

Nicholas

Jennifer

Reece

Karina

Reid

Linnette

Tanner

Numerologists also attach special importance to three additional numbers, known as master numbers:

Eleven is the higher form of two and represents the harmony of body and soul. It is the number of revelation, and people who bear names with this number are often highly intuitive, even psychic, with a singular capacity for being able to inspire and uplift others. They have magnetic personalities, and are able to communicate at all levels with the people they draw to them. Names with a vibration of two also relate to 11.

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Twenty-two, as the higher form of four, indicates the master builders of the world. These people also have extremely powerful and magnetic personalities. Noted as extraordinary visionaries, they are often said to be lightyears ahead of others or born ahead of their time. Accomplishments that seem impossible to others are second nature to these individuals. Four names are also considered 22 names.

Thirty-three is the higher form of six and also combines the spiritual and physical forces of the other master numbers. This is as high as you can go in the world of numerology, and this number represents complete leadership as well as emotional mastery. People with this number have supreme leadership powers and can exert broad influence over others. Six names can also be used for the number 33.

It's Written in the Stars

People have always looked toward the heavens for clues to what may be happening around them, and it stands to reason that the stars have also influenced the giving of names throughout the centuries. Many cultures have believed, and some still do, that names based on the positions of the planets and stars at birth carry great luck and would forever place their bearers in harmony with the universe. Astrologers then and now have often been employed to help parents select favorable names, recommending monikers based on a sign of the zodiac or related to the celestial elements that govern the sign.

In China, astrologers are often used to determine the influence of the basic elementsearth, fire, air, water, metal, and woodthat are related to the planets that are in place at a child's birth. These astrologers cast a horoscope on the third day after the baby's birth and look for a balance of these elements. If the elements are out of balance, they may recommend a name that will align them more favorably for the child.

Star Gazing

Since you probably haven't had your baby yet, it would be impossible to predict all of the elements that would be in place on the day of his or her birth. Frankly, if you have a strong belief in such matters, you'd be better off consulting with an astrologer who can draw up a natal chart after your baby's birth.

But since you do have a general idea of when your baby will be born, it's possible to think about names that will

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relate to the zodiac sign that governs the birthday. Take a look at the following table, which shows all the zodiac signs, their planets, and the elements associated with them, and see what might inspire you. You'll also find a brief description of the general personality traits associated with each sign.

Sign
Planet
Element
Personality Traits

Aries The Ram Mar. 21-April 19
Mars
fire
confident, independent, bold

Taurus The Bull Apr. 20-May 20
Venus
earth
stubborn, determined, devoted

Gemini The Twins May 21-June 21
Mercury
air
intelligent, ambitious

Cancer The Crab June 22-July 22
Moon
water
sensitive, moody, sympathetic

Leo The Lion July 23-Aug. 22
Sun
fire
generous, enthusiastic, temperamental

Virgo The Virgin Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Mercury
earth
calm, intellectual

Libra The Scales Sept. 23-Oct. 23
Venus
air
orderly, just, sympathetic

Scorpio The Scorpion Oct. 24-Nov. 21
Mars
water
philosophical, loyal, strong-willed

Sagittarius The Archer Nov. 22-Dec. 21
Jupiter
fire
imaginative, practical

Capricorn The Goat Dec. 22-Jan. 19
Saturn
earth
loyal, ambitious, blunt

Aquarius The Water Carrier Jan. 20-Feb. 18
Uranus
air
giving, idealistic, creative

Pisces The Fish Feb. 19-Mar. 20
Neptune
water
sensitive, timid, sympathetic

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If you decide to use the zodiac to help you choose a name, don't take the symbolism represented by these signs too literallyin other words, don't name your child "Fish" or "Piscene" if he or she is born in March. Look instead at the characteristics represented by these elements, and consider how they may relate to such things as the names of gods and goddesses (there's more about this in Chapter 23, "Names from the Cradle of Civilization"). Study the traits of each sign. Do they represent virtues or characteristics that could be represented in a name choice? Even the earthly elements related to zodiac signs can be used to guide a name choice.

For example, if you're anticipating a girl born under the sign of Cancer, Diana might appeal to you as it's the name of the Roman goddess of the moon, which is the planet that relates to this astrological sign. Selene (or Selena) may be another choice, as this Greek deity name also relates to the moon. Leo is the astrological symbol for babies born in July, which makes Leonardo or Leonard obvious names to consider. If you have an earth sign to work with, maybe Blair ("child of the fields") or Eartha ("child of the earth") appeals to you.

Other names inspired by the zodiac that you may want to consider:

Terra ("ground")

Ursula ("bear")

Leonardo ("Leo")

Sunny ("of the sun")

Clay ("of the ground")

Adana ("red earth")

Adrianna or Adrienne ("black earth")

Chandra ("moonlike")

Eldora ("gift of the sun")

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In Your Dreams, Baby

Ancient dreamers believed that their nighttime visions were inspired by external forces, which came to them in the dark to reveal destinies and warn them of potential dangers that lay ahead of them. Today, dreams are either seen as little more than a dumping ground for all of the excess neurological energy we create during the day (the scientific view), or as an important part of our psyches where suppressed emotions can find release and even resolution.

The visions and images seen in dreams can also provide inspiration for names, especially if you know how to interpret what it is that you're dreaming about! Many expectant moms report having vivid dreams about their children-to-be. Maybe one of yours holds the key to your baby's future.

Dream Catching

To unlock the power of your dreams, you first have to be able to remember them. If you wake up knowing that you've dreamt but remembering few of the details, don't worry. Dream memory and recovery skills are easily developed. All it takes is the desire and discipline to do it.

Once they get the hang of it, some people even keep dream journals, where they can keep track of common themes and trends in their dreams. It's even possible to become so proficient at dreaming that you can be aware of having a dream while you're having it, which then allows you to actively guide or determine where your dream will go.

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Dream Dancing

Once you're able to capture memories of your dreams on a regular basis, it's time to interpret the signs and symbols they contain. Psychoanalysis is not needed herea good book on dreaming and dream interpretation is all you need to get started. You'll find a few suggestions listed in Appendix C.

Linking dream symbolism to naming can test your creativity in ways you never dreamed of (pardon the pun!). For example, you may dream of a bear. What does a bear symbolize? Strength, endurance, power. Take a look at the names that symbolize these qualities (you'll find lots of them in Chapter 16, "Virtues and Values"). Another dream may focus on a specific experience from your past. The occasion itself may yield some naming clues, or even steer you away from a name you're considering.

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Chapter 21
Aristocrats and Blue Bloods

For a country that was so eager to leave a monarchy behind, we certainly can be pretenders to the throne at times. All it took was the crowning of a beautiful princess in the early 1980s to remind us that we still have a real fascination with all things regal.

For most of us, the mere mention of the word makes us think of the British royal family, and, indeed, Queen Elizabeth II and her family are probably the most visible blue bloods out there today. But there are many other royal families, both in Europe, where the monarchy system has reigned supreme for centuries, and other parts of the world. And you certainly don't have to be of royal extraction to use a name from this famousand infamousname pool.

Lots of parents delve into this historic and aristocratic group of names for no other reason beyond the fact that they simply like names in this category, but there's so much more to it than this. It's one thing to choose the name William because you like it; something else entirely when the William you name your baby after is William Wallace, who fought to keep Scotland free in the late thirteenth century. These names are history lessons in themselves; finding out where they came from and who they belonged to can put a more meaningfuland interestingspin on such classic na mesas Elizabeth, Victoria, and Edward.

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Whether you have blue blood coursing through your veins or you're as plebeian as the next person, there just might be a royal name out there for your little heir.

Norman Names

As you learned in Chapter 2, "Where It All Began," a large number of the names in today's name pool originate from England and date back to the Norman Conquest of that country in 1066. Given the Anglo-Saxon names in use at the time, maybe William's marauding had an upside, as his preference for names from his homeland displaced such concoctions as Ethelbald, Ethelbert, Ethelfleda, and Edgyth with names of Norman origin that had German or French roots.

The Anglo-Saxon kings who ruled England prior to William's arrival had names typical of their population, with Egbert, Ecgwyn, Ethelstan, and Edwig appearing on early family trees. Only a few of these royal names survived William's dominance, and they continue to be a part of the name pool to this day although they're far from being widely used:

Alfred: It means "wise counselor."

Edward: "Wealthy" or "fortunate"; "protector" or ''guardian."

Edgar: "Wealthy spear-carrier."

Edmund: "Wealthy protector."

Emma: "Embracing everything."

Harold: "Ruler of the army."

Names from the Crusades

Anglo-Saxon names weren't the only thing that William the Conqueror displaced when he became ruler of England in 1066; he also booted out the Anglo-Saxon monarchy that had been in place for several hundred years prior to his conquest. For the next 300 years, William and his descendants would sit on the throne of England.

There have been eight ruling houses in England since the Normans, but the names that were added to the name pool during their reigns are the ones recognized most often as belonging to British royalty or as classically British in style. From the earliest

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rulers of William's time to the end of the Plantagenets, the ruling house that came shortly after, names that reigned supreme include:

Adela: This modern-sounding name is, in fact, an early variant from the Old German name Adelaide, meaning "noble" or "nobility." As the only daughter of William and Matilda, she claimed her spot in history by suggesting a compromise that quelled a religious struggle between her brother, Henry I, and the Catholic Church. Adele is the preferred form today.

Arthur: We usually think of Arthurian legends when this name comes up, but the first Arthur on England's royal family tree was a nephew of the notorious John I, who was supposed to take the throne following Richard I but was unseated by his uncle. In several further twists of fate, John I became Arthur's guardian through the laws of primogeniture, and he also caused his nephew's death.

Eleanor: This Greek name meaning "light" came to the Plantagenet family tree through the wife of Henry II, who hailed from Aquitaine, a possession of the Frankish Church that eventually became part of France. John I also had a daughter named Eleanor, and several others were added to the family by marriage.

Elizabeth: The first royal Elizabeth was a great-granddaughter of John I and the daughter of Edward I. Not much is known about this early Elizabeth, but her name would become a royal favorite.

Geoffrey: Another name with German roots, it may mean "peace," but no one knows for sure. Geoffrey of Anjou (Plantagenet) was the youngest Matilda's husband; their son, Henry II, succeeded to the throne when Matilda's cousin Stephen died.

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Henry: "Estate ruler." The name of no less than eight English kings and a fair number of princes, including the youngest son of the current Prince of Wales. Henry II was the first of what is known as the Plantagenet kings. He ruled a hybrid empire, including England, Normandy, Anjou, Maine, and Touraine (all by inheritance); Poitou, Aquitane, and Gascony (by his marriage with Eleanor of Aquitaine). During his time as king, he also acquired rule over Brittany and of Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Henry's family would go on to establish dynastic marriages with other countries: His daughter Eleanor married the king of Castile, Joan married the king of Sicily, and Matilda married Henry the Lion.

Margaret: The first royal Margaret was Margaret of France, the second wife of Edward I (grandson of John I and son of Henry III).

Matilda: This warlike German nameit means "battle-mighty"was brought to England by the wife of William the Conqueror. It was also the chosen name of the wife of William's son, Henry I, a descendant of Alfred who changed her Anglo-Saxon name, Edith, out of deference to the Norman's difficulty with Saxon names. The daughter of Henry and Matilda was also named Matilda.

Richard: "Dominant ruler." Richard I, also known as Richard Coeur de Lion, was a knight who rode with the Third Crusade. He would lose the throne to his brother, John I, whose nicknames of Lackland and Softsword only hint at his weak and cruel nature, as well as his complete lack of ability as a rulerhe had been appointed lord of Ireland but was recalled from that position due to his incompetence.

Robert: "Bright fame." The oldest son of William the Conqueror was given Normandy to rule. His younger brother, William II, succeeded his father, while Henry, the third son, got cash.

Stephen: From the Greek, meaning "crowned." This name was borne by both Adela's husband, Stephen of Blois, and their son, who would fight with his

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cousin Matilda over who would rule England. Their battle was settled by a compromise that would allow Matilda's son to succeed to the crown when Stephen died.

Monikers from the Middle Ages

Battles over who ruled what and when and where gave rise to a number of different royal houses in England after the era of the Plantagenets ended in 1377. The Houses of Lancaster, York, Tudor, Stuart, and Hanover added their fair shares of royal names to the English name pool also.

Lancasters and Yorks

The very short reign of the Lancasters and the Yorks (between the two houses, they were in charge of the country for just a little more than a century) was marked by numerous rebellions and invasions, which is probably why neither house kept its throne for very long. Their short reigns also resulted in a short list of new names for the name pool:

Blanche: This French name, meaning "white" or "pale," was borne by the mother of Henry IV, who, while not a great king, was an essential one to England as his rule would help maintain the support of the Church at a time when the country desperately needed it.

Roger: This Old German name, meaning "renowned spearman," was borne most famously by Roger de Mortimer, the paramour of Isabelle, the wife of the Plantagenet King Edward II. She returned to her native country of France to arrange for the marriage of her son, the future Edward III, then returned to England with her lover and proceeded to wrest away the throne from her husband.

In the Tudor Style

This is the royal house made famous by King Henry VIII, who married six times in order to produce a male heir and, in the process, established the Church of England when the Catholic Church forbade him to divorce.

The Tudors added some of the most classic English names to the royal name pool, including:

Anne: The Anglicized version of the Hebrew name Hannah ("grace"), it was borne most famously by the ill-fated Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII.

James: James IV, who married Henry VIII's sister Margaret, was a king of Scotland. He, along with a man named Perkin Warbeck, who believed he was the rightful heir to the throne, plotted to overthrow Margaret's father, King Henry VII. Warbeck was eventually imprisoned and executed; James established peace with England.

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Jane: This very British name is the feminine form of John ("the Lord is gracious"). Jane Seymour was the only one of Henry's wives to bear him a sonthe future Edward VI. She died after his birth.

Charles: The name of the current man who would be king first appears in the person of Charles Stuart, a grandson of Henry VIII, but it was well established in other European dynasties prior to this time.

Arabella: The daughter of Charles Stuart, she became part of a plot to unseat her cousin, James I, also known as James VI of Scotland. Under James I and his House of Stuart, Scotland and England were unified and became Great Britain.

Of Hanovers and Windsors

The House of Stuart came to an abrupt end in 1714 when the last Stuart ruler, Queen Anne, followed all of her children in death. Because none of her heirs survived her, her crown passed to the German-influenced House of Hanover.

The House of Hanover, which also was aligned with the Protestant Church, was established when a daughter of James I married into the German royal family at the time. Their grandson, George I, became the first Hanoverian king in 1714.

The new ruling house may have had a German heritage, but it had a preference for names with classic Greek and Roman roots:

Adolphus: This Latinized form of the German name Adolph ("noble wolf") was also a German and Swedish royal name. Adolphus was another brother of George IV and William IV, and served as the Duke of Cambridge.

Augusta: The feminine form of the Latin name Augustus ("worthy of respect") was borne by the German mother of George III and was passed on to her daughter as well.

Augustus: A brother of George IV and William IV (their parents, George III and Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenberg-Strelitz, had seven boys and a number of daughters as well), Augustus was the Duke of Sussex.

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Caroline: Another sister of George III, Caroline would marry Christian VII of Denmark.

Ernest: A brother of both George IV and William IV, Ernest was Duke of Cumberland and King of Hanover from 18371851.

George: This Greek name, meaning "farmer," would become a favorite of the British ruling class.

Victoria: The feminine form of the Latin name Victor ("victory"). Victoria was the daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, one of the seven sons of George III. She would define the era that bears her name.

The Victorian Era

In 1837, Victoria, the 18-year-old daughter of the Duke of Kent and his wife, a princess of the German house of Saxe-Coburg, ascended to the British throne. She married her first cousin, Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and they ruled the nation together for many years.

This beloved queen, who had one of the longest reigns in European history, was revered for her courage, strength of character, and her emphasis on imperial unity. She would have nine children with her prince. Of them, four bore names that were already part of the royal name pool. New names added by Victoria and Albert included:

Alice: Like Adele, this name comes to the English name pool by way of the German name Adelaide ("noble," "nobility").

Helena: There's that classical influence again!

Louise: The feminine form of the Old German name Louis, meaning "renowned in battle."

Leopold: Another Old German name, it means "brave people."

Beatrice: It means "bringer of gladness" in Latin. Found fairly commonly in many European royal houses and made popular again by the present Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who used it for their oldest daughter.

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From Hanover to Windsor

In 1917, during World War I, the House of Hanover changed its name to the House of Windsor, and this is the house that's in place in Great Britain to this day. Elizabeth II, who has ruled Great Britain since 1952, is the great-great-granddaughter of Victoria.

This house has made minimal contributions to the name poolunless you count the influence of Lady Diana Spenceras it has followed traditional name fashions already in place. Maud, a variant of the Old German Matilda, is perhaps the most notable of these additions. So, too, is Eugenie, the name chosen by Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, for their second child. Eugenie, the feminine form of the Greek Eugene, means "well-born."

Rule Britannia and Rule and Rule!

The British royal family is far from being the only European royals, but, in large part thanks to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, its influence extends to most of the other royal families in this part of the world as well. The nine children of the Queen and her prince (or, in some cases, their children) would go on to marry into almost every possible royal family. Follow them and you'll find even more royal names to choose from.

Teutonic Monikers

Victoria, the first daughter of Victoria and Albert, married Frederick III of the House of Hohenzollern. This royal family ruled Germany from 1701 until its demise in 1918 after World War I, and contains such names as:

Adelaide: From Old German, meaning "noble" or "nobility." Queen Adelaide, who bore this name most famously, married William IV of England after he'd been turned down by more than a few other ladies.

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Alexandrine: Another form of the popular name Alexander.

Cecilia: The feminine form of the Latin name Cecil ("blind one"). A pretty, very feminine name that doesn't get used much, but should.

Charlotte: This French version of Charles means "little woman."

Frederica: The feminine form of the very German name Frederic, meaning "peaceful ruler."

Louisa: Like Louise, it means "renowned in battle."

Wilhelmina: An Old German name, meaning "will-helmet."

Names from a Grecian Urn

Sophia, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, fulfilled the Greek heritage of her name nicely when she married Constantine I of Greece.

Although Greece no longer has a monarchy in place, there is still a Greek royal family. The last ruler of Greece, Constantine II, took the throne in 1964 only to lose it four years later during a military coup. After he failed in his effort to restore democracy, Constantine II fled to Italy. In 1975, after democracy was re-established and a new government was in place, the Greek monarchy was abolished.

The current Greek royal family is actually descended from Danish stock, and Constantine II paid homage to his Danish roots by marrying Anne Marie of Denmark. Their three children are:

Alexia: A pleasant variant form of Alexander.

Paul: The classic Latin name, meaning "small."

Nicolaos: A Greek form of the classic and very popular name Nicholas.

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From the Midnight Sun

Intermarriages between the English and the Danish royal families have been fairly commonplace over time. Queen Victoria's son, King Edward VII, married Alexandra of Denmark; their daughter Maud would go on to marry Haakon VII, the King of Norway.

Norway's current royal family includes:

King Harald V: The name comes from the Old Norse Haraldr. It was a very popular name during the time of the Vikings and ever since then, having been borne by four Norwegian kings and numerous princes.

Queen Sonja: The Scandinavian spelling for the variant name form derived from the Greek Sophia ("wisdom").

Princess Märtha Louise: Märtha is the Norwegian form of the biblical name Martha. Louise is the feminine form of Louis ("famous in war") and is commonly found in the royal genealogies of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Crown Prince Haakon: This is an ancient Norwegian name and comes from the Old Norse Hákon, meaning "honored son" or "descendant."

Czars and Czarinas

Most of what we know about Russia's imperial rule begins and ends with the czars and their families, but the country had a ruling class far before the time of Nicholas and Alexandra. Russia was first ruled by Scandinavian chieftainscalled Varangians or Rus (hence, the name Russia)who came to the country in the eighth century C.E. According to tradition, the Scandinavian chieftain Rurik ruled in Novgorod in the 860s. Later, he was recognized as the founder of the Russian princely dynasty.

The Russian royal family came to an end in 1917 when Czar Nicholas II and his family were executed in cold blood by revolutionary forces. His wife, Alix, was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria; Nicholas himself was related to George V through his mother.

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Names from Russian royalty include:

Alexander: The famed Alexander Nevski was a noted warrior in the battles against the Teutonic Knights of Germany who were commissioned to conquer and convert Prussia. Alexis and Alix are two popular variants of this very popular royal name.

Anastasia: This was the name of Nicholas' most famous daughter, the one who many believed escaped death when the rest of her family was assassinated. Ironically, this Greek name means "resurrection."

Andrei: This is the Russian form of Andrew and was the name of several of the grand princes of Moscow, the forerunners of the Czars.

Basil: This Greek name meaning "knightly" or "royal" was borne by an early czar, Basil III, who ruled from 15051533.

Boris: This Slavic name, which means "warrior," fit the Russian ruler Boris Godunov to a T as he dominated through persecution and fear. It would probably be to Mr. Gudunov's great dismay, however, to learn that most Americans will forever associate his name with the squatty little Russian spy with the thick accent in the cartoon Rocky and Bullwinkle.

Igor: Another classic Russian name, it means "bow warrior" or "archer" and came to Russia via Scandinavia. The first Igor was a grand prince of Kiev.

Ivan: The Russian form of John. This name was borne by a number of Russian rulers.

Kira: This name is the feminine form of the Greek Kyros. Kira, the daughter of a second cousin of Czar Nicholas II, was one of the last children to be born to the Russian royal family.

Mikhail: The Russian form of Michael. Both forms appear fairly frequently on the Russian family tree.

Natalia: A pretty form of the name that gives homage to the day of Christ's birth. It is derived from the Latin dies natalis, or "natal day."

Nicholas: Perhaps the most famous czarist name. It's the Russian form of the Greek Nikolaos.

Oleg: This Scandinavian name, along with its feminine form, Olga, appears frequently on the Russian family tree. It means "holy."

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Tatiana: Another classic Russian name, it is a form of the Latin Tatianus, which comes from a Roman clan name. Tatiana was one of the daughters of the last czar.

Theodore: This Greek name, meaning ''God's gift," appears often in Russian royalty.

Vladimir: Another popular name for the Russian aristocracy, it is Slavic and means "great ruler."

Wladyslaw: Also spelled Vladislav, this Slavic name means "glorious rule."

Xenia: This Greek name, meaning "welcome," was the name of a sister of Czar Nicholas II.

Yah, from Sveden

Another granddaughter of Queen Victoria, Margaret, married Gustavus VI of Sweden. Today, Sweden has a constitutional monarchy in place, headed by King Carl XVI Gustav. Names from this royal family include:

Oscar: The name of an early king, Oscar appears frequently in both Swedish and Norwegian lineage. It means "divine spear."

Gustavus: A Scandinavian name meaning "staff of the gods." This royal name appears frequently in Sweden but hardly ever anywhere else.

Bertil: This variant of the Old German name Bertilde means "bright warrior woman."

Birgitta: This pretty name is a variation of the Norwegian Birgit, meaning "splendid."

Desire: This name, which comes from the French for "much desired," was famously borne by Desiree Clary, who rose from poverty in France to become the wife of the Swedish King Charles XIV.

Names with a Flamenco Beat

Victoria, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, married Alfonso XIII of Spain. Names from the current royal family, whose rule over the country was re-established in 1947, include:

Juan: King Juan Carlos I is the handsome and affable grandson of Alphonso XIII. He became king in 1975 following the death of General Francisco Franco, who had been Spain's chief of state for many years. Juan is the Spanish form of John ("God is gracious"). Carlos is the Spanish form of Charles and is common among Spanish royalty. The king traces his ancestry back to that most famous Spanish queen, Isabella.

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Sofia: Queen Sofia is Juan Carlos I's wife. Sofia is a variant spelling of the Greek Sophia ("wisdom"). This Greek name shows up in the Spanish royal family due to Queen Sofia's heritage; she is from Psychiko, Greece.

Elena: This very pretty name is the Spanish version of Helen ("light") and also the moniker of Princess Elena.

Christina: The feminine form of Cristián, the Spanish form of Christian ("follower of Christ"), and the name of Princess Cristina.

Felipe: The Spanish form of Philip and the royal name of Crown Prince Felipe.

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PART 5
COMPASS POINTS

If you're like most parents-to-be today, you're looking for a name that's different but not too unusual, one that will suit your baby now and in the years to come. You want a name that has meaning and significance without being too heavy or somber, and one that will help your child fit in to most situations rather than stand out.

If this description fits you, then there's a good chance that you'll find a name in the widely diverse name pool that currently exists in North America. But let's say you don't. Maybe you've shot right past traditional, contemporary, or popular names into some of the more exotic categories and still haven't found what you're looking for. You're bored by virtue names and place names leave you cold. Numerology doesn't excite you, and the thought of naming your child after a twig or a star doesn't cut it either.

What's left for you discerning, hard-to-please types? Plenty! There's a whole host of names that you haven't even explored yet, running the gamut from widely used to highly uncommon, gleaned from all parts of the globe, ancient civilizations, even myth and legend. Some honor great religious and spiritual leaders. Others are shaped by one of the most significant historical occurrences in our lifetimethe millennium.

If you're looking for a name that connects the past to the future or, perhaps, reflects your unique ethnic heritage, this section is for you.

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Chapter 22
Honoring Ethnic Heritages

It's hard to imagine sometimes, but it really wasn't that long ago that the name pool available for use by expectant parents didn't consist of more than just a few hundred names or so. Thankfully, as the boundaries of the known world expanded, the pool of available names grew as well. Today, we're far removed from those times when name use was not only somewhat restricted, there weren't that many to choose from in the first place.

We now live in a time when just about anything is acceptable when it comes to the names we give our children. What used to be considered unusual or out of the ordinary, even as recently as 20 years ago, is now commonly accepted and commonly used. Rather than choosing names that gave little clues as to one's heritage or cultural background, we're increasingly picking ones that do more than hint at where our ancestors came from. In today's naming arena, virtually anything goes, and the assortment of names to choose from is broader than ever before.

However, as big as today's name pool is, it still isn't large enough for a growing number of parents who are searching for something truly unique for their children's names. More and more, they are turning to the lands of their forefathers for inspiration, and are selecting forms of names more common on other shores than those of America. Are you finding yourself preferring Antonio over Antonio over Anthony, or Katarina over Katherine? If so, this chapter is for you.

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From Yaakov to Jacob

As you now know, almost all of our favorite names come from other countries; however, we generally use English or Anglicized versions of them. These assimilation names have always been very much a part of the name pool in the United States, where the names of immigrantsespecially their surnameswere changed more often than not when they landed here from their countries of origin.

The need to fit in was so strong that if the names of these new citizens weren't changed when they arrived, they often did it themselves, adopting English-style monikers that would help them blend into their new culture and surroundings. In many cases, they exchanged names that were powerful connections to their roots for names that gave little (if any) clue to their ethnic origin. If, for some reason, these immigrants did retain their names of origin, they wouldn't pass them on to their children, preferring instead to bestow more American-sounding monikers.

But the times are not just a'changin' (to paraphrase Bob Dylan). They have changed! Not only are there more people from different countries living in the U.S. than ever before, they're also taking more pride in their background and feeling increasingly comfortable in reflecting this heritage through the names they choose. And the trend doesn't stop here; third- and fourth- generation Americans are now just as likely to return to their native countries for name inspirations as relative newcomers are. All the genealogy books flying off bookstore shelves are proof positive of the strong need that many inhabitants of the great American melting pot have to understand their ancestry and reconnect with the past.

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Keep in mind that a foreign name can simply be a foreign-language variation of a name that is commonly found in the American name pool, such as Ekaterina for Katherine, or it can be a name that's used in a foreign country that isn't commonly found in other parts of the world. The former, as you can probably guess, can be fairly easy to figure out; in fact, you'll find a number of the most popular names in the U.S. and their foreign variations right in this chapter.

Tracking down the others can be more difficultbut not impossible, especially if you know where to look. You'll find a number of possibilities in the "The World Tour" section that appears later in this chapter.

Searching the Old Country

In many respects, names with an ethnic link comprise a name fashion that is long overdue. The current cultural stylein the U.S., anywayis to know more rather than less about who you are and where you came from, and to honor that heritage for all that it's worth.

Finding the names with specific genealogical links used to be very difficult, especially for families that weren't much on keeping records. Fortunately, the available resources have increased substantially, thanks to the burgeoning interest in tracing our roots. Greater efforts are also being made to preserve records that may not have seemed very important before.

If you're looking for a name directly linked to your specific heritage, these are the most probable places for it to appear:

Family documents, such as wills, deeds, birth and death records, marriage licenses, letters, etc. Scour such things as attics, old trunks, closets, scrapbooks, even the backs of pictures for such items.

Genealogical collections at libraries. Your family's name may be mentioned in an old biographical dictionary or country history. Also check the birth and death announcements in old newspapers.

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Local and state historical societies and museums. These facilities are often repositories for birth and death records, baptismal records from local churches, deed and ownership records, even elementary school and high school yearbooks. If your family is from a small town and there's been a history written about it, these places are also your best bet for tracking down such publications, which can also contain valuable information about your family.

City and country records offices. Court records are maintained by these offices, as well as recorded wills, land deeds and leases, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, etc. Coroners' files, voter registration lists, and tax rolls also can yield important information.

The Internet. Do a search on your own name or on your family name, and you'll have dozens (if not hundreds) of sites returned to you. One, or more, might relate directly to your family.

If you are less interested in tracing your family lineage than just finding a fresh and unique-sounding name for your child, try one of these suggestions:

Large libraries have collections of foreign-language newspapers. Not only will you see names that are in strong use in other countries, you may get the chance to review birth announcements from those countries as well.

The Internet has a number of sites that list names in use in other countries. Check Appendix C for more information on where to find them.

Dig into a comprehensive history of the country you're interested in, and you'll find the names of the many people who contributed to that country's history and heritage. Biographies and autobiographies of famous people who hail from foreign countries are another rich source of names important to specific cultures.

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Foreign Name Forms

Many names in common use in the U.S. today can be linked to a foreign heritage merely by using the form of the name that relates to a specific country. While this approach doesn't work for every name, you'll find that there are foreign forms for many popular and classic names.

Boys of a Feather

These are common and uncommon variations of many popular American names in today's name pool:

Alexander: Aleksander (Czech, Polish), Alexandre (French, Hungarian), Alexandros (Greek), Alsander (Irish), Alessandro (Italian), Aleksandr (Russian), Alasdair (Gaelic), Alejandro (Spanish), Alastair (Scottish).

Andrew: André (French), Andreas (German), Andras (Hungarian), Aindréas (Irish), Andrea (Italian), Andrzej (Polish), Andre (Portuguese), Andrei (Rumanian, Russian), Anders (Scandinavian), Andrés (Spanish).

Anthony: Anton (German, Russian, Rumanian, Scandinavian), Antal (Hungarian), Antaine (Irish), Antonio (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), Antoni (Polish), Antonin (Czech or Slovak), Antoine (French).

Christopher: Christoph (German), Christophoros (Greek), Cristoforo (Italian), Christôvao (Portuguese), Cristofor (Rumanian), Crisóforo (Spanish), Christophe (French), Krzysztof (Polish), Kristofer (Dutch), Kristoffer (Scandinavian).

Jacob: Jakub (Czech), Jacques (French), Jakob (German), Iakobos (Greek), Jakov (Hungarian, Russian), Giacobbe (Italian), Jakób (Polish).

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James: Giacomo (Italian), Jaime (Portuguese, Spanish), Séamus (Gaelic).

John: Johan (Czech), Jean (French), Johann or Johannes (German, Scandinavian), Ioannes (Greek), János (Hungarian), Giovanni (Italian), Ivan (Polish, Russian), Ioan (Rumanian), Eòin (Scottish), Juan (Spanish), Giovanni or Gianni (Italian).

Joseph: Josef (Czech, German, Scandinavian), Ioseph (Greek), Guiseppe (Italian), Józef (Polish), José (Portuguese, Spanish), Iosif (Rumanian), Ioseph (Russian), Iòseph (Gaelic).

Matthew: Matej (Czech), Matthieu (French), Matthaeus (German), Mattathias or Matthias (Greek), Maitias (Celtic), Matteo (Italian), Mateusz (Polish), Matteus (Portuguese), Matvei (Russian), Mathias (Scandinavian), Mata (Gaelic), Mateo (Spanish).

Michael: Michel (French), Mikhail (Greek, Russian), Mihály (Hungarian), Mícheál (Gaelic), Michele (Italian), Michal (Polish), Miguel (Portuguese, Spanish), Mihail (Rumanian), Michiel (Dutch), Mikel (Swedish), Mihangel (Welsh), Mícheál (Irish), Miguel (Portuguese), Mikkel (Danish, Norweigian), Micheil (Gaelic).

Nicholas: Mikolás (Czech), Nicolas (French), Nicolaus (German), Nikolaos (Greek), Niccolo (Italian), Nicolaio (Portuguese), Nicolae (Rumanian), Nikolai (Russian), Nikolaus (Scandinavian), Niels (Danish), Nicolás (Spanish).

Robert: Robert (pronounced ro-BARE; French), Robert (pronounced RO-bairt; German), Roibeárd (Irish), Roberto (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish), Raibeart (Gaelic).

Steven: Stepán (Czech), Stefan (German, Polish, Swedish, Rumanian, Russian), Stephanos (Greek), István (Hungarian), Steafán (Gaelic), Stefano (Italian), Stephan (Scandinavian), Esteban (Spanish), Étienne (French).

Girls of a Feather

The majority of the most popular girls' names in use today in the U.S., like Kaitlyn, Madison, and Ashley, are unique to the American name pool and do not have equivalents in other languages. Of the top names, these are the ones that do:

Alexandra: Alastríona (Irish), Alessandra (Italian), Aleksandra (Polish, Russian), Alejandra (Spanish).

Elizabeth: Alzbeta (Czech), Elisabeth (French, German, Spanish), Erzsébet (Hungarian), Eilís (Irish), Elisabetta (Italian), Elzbieta (Polish), Elizabeta (Portuguese, Russian), Elisabeta (Rumanian), Elisabet (Scandinavian).

Emily: Émilie (French), Emilie (Czech), Emelie (German), Emelia (Spanish).

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Katherine: Katharina (German), Katarina (Hungarian), Caitr´rin and Caitríona (Irish), Catarina (Italian, Portuguese), Katarzyna (Polish), Ekaterina (Russian), Katrine (Danish), Catherina (Spanish).

Madeline: Madeleine (French), Madailéin (Irish).

The World Tour

No passports or visas required for this junketjust a curious nature and the desire to dig into some foreign cultures as you search the world over for the perfect name, the one that will have you saying oui, si, sim, ja, or hai (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, and Japanese for yes!).

Remember, the emphasis here is on names that are more broadly used in their country of origin than anywhere else, so you'll see some unusual ones listed.

Boys Around the World

Uncommon but not overly so, one of these names might satisfy your taste for the unusual:

Adriaño: Portuguese form of Adrian.

Alain: A French variant of Alan.

Alarik: "Ruler over all" (Scandinavian).

Alois: This Czech name is somewhat related to Louis ("famous in war").

Amiel: "People of God" (Hebrew).

Andor: A Scandinavian name derived from Thor.

Annar: "Second" (Scandinavian).

Ari: "Lion" (Hebrew).

Armand: "Soldier" or "warrior" (French).

Asher: "Happy" or "blessed" (Hebrew).

Augustine: Greek form of Augustus ("great" or "venerable").

Bastien: An abbreviated name taken from the French Sébastien ("man from Sebastia").

Béla: This Hungarian name is derived from Adelbert ("bright and noble").

Berend: "Strong," "bearlike" (German).

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Bernhard: Another German name meaning ''strong" or "bearlike."

Bogdan: Polish name meaning "God's gift." The Czech version is Bohdan.

Boris: "Battle" or "fighter" (Russian).

Bruno: "Brown" (German).

Carolos: Greek form of Charles.

Chai: "Life" (Hebrew).

Chalil: "Flute" (Hebrew).

Chaviv: "Beloved" (Hebrew).

Christos: "Annointed" (Greek).

Ciarán: Irish name meaning "black."

Claus: This short form of Nicolaus is commonly used as a given name in Germany.

Dante: "Lasting" or "enduring" (Italian).

Demetrios: "Of Demeter" (German). Demetri, the short form, is also often used.

Diarmaid: Irish name meaning "freeman."

Diago: Portuguese form of Diego, a Spanish form of James.

Dieter: Short from of Dieterich, meaning "ruler" (German).

Doran: "Gift" (Hebrew).

Dusan: A Czech name meaning "spirit" or "soul." The feminine form, Dusana, is exceptionally pretty.

Éamonn: Irish form of Edmund ("wealthy protector").

Emilio: This Italian name comes from a Roman clan name meaning "rival" or "emulating."

Enzo: A common Italian name, it comes from any of these names that end in

-enzo, such as Lorenzo.

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Fabrizio: Another Italian name from a Roman clan name meaning "workman" or "craftsman."

Federico: Italian form of Frederick.

François: The name of kings and presidents in France; often given in recognition of them.

Friederich: "Peaceable ruler" (German).

Gerhard: "Brave spear" (German).

Heinrich: "Ruler of the enclosure" (German).

Guillaume: This French name is closely related to William.

Guy: It comes from the Old French and means "leader" or "guide." Pronounce it gee.

Jacek: A form of the Polish name Jacenty ("hyacinth").

Jarl: "Nobleman" (Scandinavian).

Jaromil: "Lover of spring" (Polish).

Jiri: This is the Czech form of George.

Joaquim: This handsome name, which comes from the Hebrew Jeohiakim ("God will establish"), appears in many languages. This form is found in Portuguese. Another popular spelling is Joachim.

Karel: The Czech form of Charles.

Laurent: "Man from Laurentum" (French).

Liron: "My song" (Hebrew).

Lochlainn: Irish place name.

Lorenz: German form of Laurence.

Luc: "Light" (French).

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Malach: "Messenger" or "angel" (Hebrew).

Marek: The Czech or Polish form of Mark. Mirek, which seems close, is actually a derivative of the Czech name Miroslav ("great glory").

Meir: "Bright" or "shining" (Hebrew).

Menashe: "Causing to forget" (Hebrew).

Micha: From the Hebrew name meaning "Who is like God?"

Moshe: The Hebrew version of the name Moses.

Natan: "Gift" (Hebrew).

Noam: "Sweetness" or "friendship" (Hebrew).

Omri: A Hebrew name deriving from the Arabic, meaning "to live long."

Pinchas: "The mouth of a snake" (Hebrew).

Ravid: "Ornament" (Hebrew).

Reinhard: "Brave counselor" (German).

Remi: "Oarsman" (French). Also spelled Remy.

Reuel: "Friend of God" (Hebrew).

Rishon: "The first" (Hebrew).

Roald: "Famous ruler" (Scandinavian).

Ron: "Song" or "joy" (Hebrew).

Shai: "Gift" (Hebrew).

Shimon: "Heard" (Hebrew).

Shmuel: "Name of God" (Hebrew).

Sten: "Stone" (Swedish). Also appears as Steen (Danish) and Stein (Norwegian).

Thierry: "Ruler of the people" (French).

Tivon: "Student of nature" (Hebrew).

Tzevi: "Deer" (Hebrew). Also spelled Zvi.

Uri: "Light" (Hebrew).

Vlad: A short form of the many Slavic and Russian names that begin with Vlad-("ruler").

Werner: "Protecting army" (German).

Wilhelm: "Resolute protector" (German).

Yaron: "To sing" (Hebrew).

Yigal: "Redeemer" (Hebrew).

Yves: "Yew bow" (French).

Zach: "Pure" (Hebrew).

Zbigniew: "To do away with anger" (Polish).

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Girls Around the World

Parents have for years felt less constrained in the names they choose for girls, so some of the names listed here may be familiar to you. You'll find a number of less common ones for your consideration as well:

Adalheid: This is the German name from which we get the more familiar form Heidi. It means "noble one."

Adelaide: "Noble one" (German).

Agathe: "Good" or "honorable" (Greek).

Áine: "Joy" or "praise" (Gaelic).

Alisz: This Hungarian name is a form of Alice ("noble").

Alke: A pet form of Adalheid (German).

Anaïs: French variant of Anne.

Angèle: Angel (French). Also Angélique.

Anneliese: A popular German name.

Annunziata: "Announcement" or "notice" (Italian).

Aoibheann: "Fair" or "beautiful" (Irish).

Avital: "Dew of my father" (Hebrew).

Aviva: "Spring" (Hebrew). Also Avivah and Avivit.

Bat-Ami: "Daughter of my people" (Hebrew).

Bracha: "Blessing" (Hebrew).

Brina: "Joy" (Hebrew).

Carmel: "Vineyard" (Hebrew). Also Carma, Carmit.

Chantal: French place name.

Chava: "Life" (Hebrew).

Cosima: Feminine form of the Italian name Cosmo ("universe" or "order").

Dafna: "Laurel" (Hebrew).

Dalia: "Branch" (Hebrew). Also Dalya.

Demetria: From the Greek goddess Demeter.

Donatella: This Italian name is the feminine form of Donatello, which means "gift" or "donation."

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Dorit: "Of this era" (Hebrew).

Duscha: "Happy" (Russian).

Efrat: "Honored" or "distinguished" (Hebrew).

Eliana: "God has answered me" (Hebrew).

Fradel: "Joy" (Yiddish). Also Freydel.

Geneviève: "Woman" (French).

Gila: "Joy" (Hebrew).

Giselle: "Pledge" (German).

Gita: "Good" (Yiddish).

Idit: "Choicest" (Hebrew).

Ilana: "Oak tree" (Hebrew).

Ilona: Hungarian form of Helen or Helene ("light").

Irit: "Daffodil" (Hebrew).

Ivana: This Czech name is more popular now in other countries thanks to the former Mrs. Donald Trump. It is a feminine form of Ivan.

Jana: A popular Czech name, based on the male name John.

Joëlle: French feminine form of Joel.

Leandra: This Greek name is the feminine form of Leander ("lion man").

Laila: "Dark beauty" or "dark-haired" (Scandinavian).

Levana: "Moon" or "white" (Hebrew).

Mai: This is a pet name from Maria or Margit (Scandinavian).

Mariya: Russian form of Mary.

Malkah: "Queen" (Hebrew).

Manon: Derivative of Marie (French).

Margarethe: German form of Margaret.

Marie-Ange: French combination of Marie and angel.

Marisol: This popular Spanish name is derived from two other popular names: Maria and Soledad.

Mira: This Czech name is derived from a number of longer Czech names that contain the element meri, which means "famous" or "great."

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Miryam: "Sorror" or "bitterness" (Hebrew).

Naava: "Beautiful" (Hebrew).

Natana: "Gift of God" (Hebrew).

Neima: "Pleasant" (Hebrew).

Nira: "Light" (Hebrew).

Odette: A form of the male name Oda (French).

Oksana: "Praise to God" (Russian).

Raisa: "Rose" (Yiddish).

Regine: "Queen" (French).

Ríoghnach: "Queenly" (Gaelic). The Anglicized form is Riona.

Róisín: Irish version of Rosaleen.

Rut: Hebrew form of Ruth ("friendship").

Shulamit: "Peace" (Hebrew).

Simcha: "Joy" (Hebrew).

Solange: "Solemn," "religious" (French).

Soledad: "Solitude" (Spanish).

Solveig: "House of strength" (Norwegian).

Svetlana: "Star" (Russian).

Tamar: "Date palm" (Hebrew).

Thaleia: "Flourish," "bloom" (Greek).

Theodora: Feminine form of Theodore (Greek).

Tira: "Castle" (Hebrew).

Tova: "Good one" (Hebrew).

Urit: "Light" (Hebrew).

Varda: "Rose" (Hebrew).

Vida: "Life" (Hebrew).

Yael: Feminine form of the name Joel (Hebrew).

Yaffa: "Beautiful" (Hebrew).

Yedida: "Friend" (Hebrew).

Yisraela: "Israeli" or "Jew" (Hebrew).

Yona: "Dove" (Hebrew).

Wilhelmina: Feminine form of Wilhelm (German).

Zeva: "Wolf" (Hebrew).

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Chapter 23
Names from the Cradle of Civilization

As an expectant parent today, there's a strong chance that you'll choose a name with an Anglo-Saxon heritage. But the chances are equally good of your choosing one that will connect your child to one of the oldest cultures in recorded historyone from a place that is, indeed, the cradle of civilization.

In this chapter, we'll explore a group of names that come to us from the area where recorded history began. They include names from the three great religions that began thereJudaism, Christianity, and Islamas well as names from two prominent ancient civilizationsthe Greeks and the Romanswho were also part of the scene at the time these religions were being developed.

Circles of Influence

What we today call the Middle East is known by archaeologists and anthropologists as the Near Eastern cradle. Although small in size, this area of the world played a major role in shaping our civilization as we know it today. It's where history and writing began. It's where Christianity, Judaism, and Islamthree of the world's major religionsdeveloped, and it also was home to both the Greek and Roman empires.

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The languages spoken by these groups also played a major role in shaping the name pool as we know it. Of the top 10 names for boys and girls in the U.S. in 1998, no fewer than 80 percent of the boys' names have Hebrew, Latin, or Greek roots. On the girls' side, the numbers are a bit lowersix out of 10but the influence from ancient civilizations is still very apparent. Arabic names don't make an appearance on the top 10, but they do appear farther down on the list.

Top 10 Boy's Names:

1. Michael: This Hebrew name, which means "who is like God?" was derived from a Latin and Greek name that was spelled the same but pronounced differently.

2. Jacob: The Latin name, was Jacobus.

3. Matthew: The root name, Matthaeus, is a Latin name derived from the Greek Matthaios or Matthias.

4. Nicholas: The Latin root name for Nicholas, Nicolaus, comes from the Greek Nikolaos, which is composed of nike ("victory") and laos ("the people").

5. Joshua: It comes from the Hebrew yehoshua, meaning "help of Jehovah."

6. Christopher: From the Latin Christophorus and the Greek Christophoros, meaning "bearing Christ."

7. Brandon: Brandon is one of only two names on the top 10 list with Anglo-Saxon roots.

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8. Austin: Austin is a contracted form of Augustine, which comes from the Latin name Augustus.

9. Tyler: Tyler is the other name on the top 10 list with Anglo-Savon roots. It's an occupational name meaning "maker of tiles."

10. Zachary: This Hebrew name is a variant of Zachariah, which comes from the Late Latin (and Greek) Zacharias, meaning "God remembers."

Top Ten Girls' Names:

1. Kaitlyn: Irish form of Catherine.

2. Emily: A feminine form of the male Emil, which comes from the Latin Aemilius, the name of a Roman clan.

3. Sarah: This Hebrew name means "princess."

4. Hannah: Biblical name.

5. Ashley: Anglo-Saxon place name.

6. Brianna: Irish name, maybe a feminine form of Brian.

7. Alexis: Feminine form of Alex, from Alexander, derived from the Latin or Greek Alexandros, meaning "defender of men."

8. Samantha: Feminine form of the Hebrew name Samuel, derived from the Late Latin or Greek Samouel.

9. Taylor: Anglo-Saxon occupational name.

10. Madison: Anglo-Saxon name.

Let's now take a closer look at the "cradle of civilization" names.

Greco-Roman Names

The ancient Greeks and Romans had a strong impact on the development of virtually every facet of today's civilization, including the development of the arts, philosophy, psychology, and religion. Because neither civilization believed in a single god, they created an entire world populated by various gods and goddesses, which they believed controlled various realms.

Most of the deities were the same for both the Greek and Roman civilizations, but they had distinctive names. The better-known ones, as you can see by the following table, survive to this day as the basis for a number of names in the naming pool, or, as in the case of names like Diana, Minerva, Flora, and Selene, as the actual names themselves.

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Greek and Roman Deities

Sphere of Influence
Greek
Roman

Death and rebirth
Adonis
Janus

Goddess of love, beauty
Aphrodite
Venus

Goddess of the hunt,
the moon, and nature
Artemis
Diana

Goddess of wisdom
Athena
Minerva

Goddess of flowers
Chloris
Flora

Goddess of the earth,
grain, and harvests
Demeter
Ceres

Goddess of dawn
Eos
Aurora

God of Love
Eros
Cupid

Queen of the goddesses
Hera
Juno

Son of Zeus
Herakles
Hercules

Goddess of the hearth
Hestia
Vesta

Goddess of victory
Nike
Victoria

Goddess of death and
rebirth, the underworld
Persephone
Proserpina

Goddess of the moon
Selene
Luna

God of wine
Dionysius
Bacchus

Not all the names of Greek and Roman gods ended up in wide use as given names. You won't ever find a whole lot of kids named Hercules running around, but I did recently meet a young woman named Nike who seems to love her name! More often than not, they played a stronger role in providing the basiseither in their Greek or Latin formfor many popular names, including:

Dennis: Along with Dion and Denise, it derives from Dionysius, the god of wine.

Athena: Like her Roman counterpart, Minerva, it doesn't show up very often on name lists today, but they were once relatively popular.

Chloris: Spelled Cloris, this is the first name of actress Cloris Leachman. Flora, its Latin form, was a popular Victorian flower name.

Aurora: The Roman goddess of the dawn was the name novelist Larry McMurtry used for the mother in Terms of Endearment. Rarely used today, but it has a nice sound and feel to it as a middle name.

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Victoria: Along with Diana, probably the best-known of all the god and goddess names.

Selene: This is a classic name choice that is currently overlooked, but may come back with the trend toward using old-fashioned names. It comes from the Greek word selene, meaning ''moon."

Demeter: The very popular Russian name Dmitri is based on the name of the Greek goddess of the harvest.

Mere Mortals and Myths

The names of Greek and Roman leaders, as well as other esteemed individuals, both real and not, also made a strong contribution to the name pool:

Anthony: If you've ever heard the tales of Cleopatra, or saw the classic movie starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, you'll recognize this name as belonging to one of her Roman loversthe other being Julius Caesar. Spelled Antony, this was a Roman clan name meaning "beyond price" or "invaluable." Antonio and Antoine are variants.

Alexander: Best known for belonging to Alexander the Great; it comes from the Greek alexein, "to defend," and andros, "men," meaning, literally, "defender of men." A very popular name the world over and in many different forms, including Sender, Alex, Aleck, Alexis, Sandy, Alexandre (French), Alessandro (Italian), and Alejandro Spanish).

Corinna: This was the name of a Greek poetess who was awarded a wreath of victory at Thebes for her valor.

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Helen: Greek myth has it that the beautiful Helen of Troy, wife of Menelaus, king of Sparta, started the Trojan War when she was captured and taken to Troy by Paris, the son of the King of Troy. The name comes from the Greek Helene, possibly related to helios, meaning "sun."

Jason: In Greek legend, Jason was a prince who led the Argonauts in their persuit of the Golden Fleece. The name comes from the Greek and Latin name Iason, meaning "healer."

Thais: She was the Greek courtesan who accompanied Alexander the Great on his Asiatic campaign in the fourth century B.C.E. It is pronounced they-us or tey-us. This pretty name, like Thalia, is a good candidate for a girls' name that's a little out of the ordinary.

Classic Beauties

Both the Greeks and Romans were also fond of descriptive names with spiritual or intellectual meanings. In fact, some of the most beautiful names in the name pool today come from this classically popular name fashion.

Girls' Names:

Adora: This very feminine name, which means "one who is adored," comes from the Latin adorare ("to worship").

Althea: It comes from the Greek althainein, with means "to heal."

Amanda: This lovely name means exactly that. It's based on the Latin amor ("to love").

Amara: Another "lovely" name, this time in a Greek version and meaning "forever lovely."

Anthea: This name comes from the Greek anthemion ("a flower") and means "flowerlike."

Antonia: This is the feminine form of Anthony.

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Ardelle: It comes from the Latin word ardere ("to burn") and, indeed, means "burning with enthusiasm."

Barbara: From the Latin barbarus, meaning "foreign," "strange," or "ignorant." In the ancient world, anything that was non-Greek, non-Roman, or non-Christian was called barbarous.

Bella: From the Latin bellus ("beautiful"). Belle is a very popular middle name these days, and Bella is widely used in other name forms like Arabelle, Belinda (Belle + Linda), and Isabella.

Callista: The Greek word kallos ("beautiful") is the basis for this lovely name, currently in the spotlight thanks to actress Callista Flockhart. You can also spell it Kallista, Calista, or Kalista.

Chloe: From the Greek khloe, meaning "blooming" or "verdant."

Dorothy: It's from the Greek words doron, "gift," and theos, "God," meaning, literally, "gift from God."

Melissa: From the Greek word for "bee."

Miranda: It's from the Latin miraculum, meaning "miracle" or "miraculous."

Phoebe: In Greek, phoibos means "bright. It's another name from Greek mythology for Artemis, the goddess of the moon.

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Sophia: The Greek word for "wise" or "wisdom" is sophos.

Stephanie: The feminine form of Stephan, which is derived from the Greek stephanos, meaning a "crown" or "garland."

Thalia: It comes from the Greek word thalein, meaning to "flourish" or "bloom." In Greek mythology, Thalia was also the muse of comedy and pastoral poetry.

Theresa: In Greek, therizein means "to reap" or "gather in."

Boy's Names:

Ambrose: This very old-fashioned name comes from combining the Greek prefix a- ("not") with the word brotos ("mortal") and means "immortal" or ''deathless." In mythology, ambrosia was the food of the gods and immortals.

Andrew: Andros means "masculine" or "manly" in Greek.

Christopher: From the combination of the Greek words tChristos (Christ) and pherein ("to bear"), meaning, literally "bearing Christ."

Eugene: In Greek, eugenes means "well-born."

Nicholas: Meaning, literally, "victory (nike) over the people (laos)."

Paul: Paulus means "small" in Latin. This was a Roman tribal name.

Peter: Petros means "rock" or "stone" in Greek.

Theodore: From the Greek theos ("god") and doron ("gift"), meaning "gift from God."

From Many Gods to One

While the Greeks and Romans worshipped many gods, the Hebrews believed that there was just one Godat least most of time. At other times, they found it difficult to justify their belief in an abstract being when they were surrounded by other cultures who worshipped idols and other such things.

Their feelings may have been ambivalent at times, but there's no denying the fact that the Hebrews both loved and feared the awesome presence in their lives. This is

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reflected in the number of names fashioned from elements of Jehovah or Jahweh, two names that refer to God:

Hezekiah: "Yahweh strengthens."

Isaiah: "Yahweh is salvation."

Jedidiah: "Beloved of Jehovah."

Jeremiah: "Exhalted of Jehovah."

Jonathan: "Yahweh has given."

Joseph: "God will increase."

Joshua: "The Lord helps."

Josiah: "The Lord supports."

Matthew: "Gift of Jehovah."

Micah: "Who is like God?"

Nehemiah: "Comforted by Jehovah."

Simon: "Granted by God who heard a prayer."

Uriah: "Flame of Jehovah."

Zachary or Zachariah: "Jehovah has remembered."

They also formed many names from el, which means "for God" or "of God":

Daniel: "God is my judge."

Elihu: "The Lord is Jehovah."

Elijah: "Jehovah is God."

Elizabeth: "Consecrated to God," or "God is my oath."

Emmanuel: "God is with us."

Ezekiel: "God strengthens."

Gabriel: "Man of God."

Ishmael: "God hears."

Joel: "The Lord is God."

Michael: "He who is like God."

Nathanael: "Gift of God."

Raphael: "God has healed."

Samuel: "Name of God."

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Names from the Good Book

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, has been a main source of names since the Protestant Reformation began in the early 1500s. It was then that the newly established Church of England, in its efforts to cast aside all remnants of the Catholic Church, recommended to all its followers that they use names from the Bible, not of Catholic saints and martyrs.

In the years that followed, there wasn't a great deal of discretion shown in the names chosen from the Bible; names with negative connotations or very obscure names were as likely to be chosen as not. Over time, however, the biblical names with more favorable meanings or connotations would earn inclusion in the standard name pool.

Old Testament Boys' Names

Of the many names included in the Old Testament of the Bible, these are the ones that have found the most favor over the years:

Aaron: "Exhalted one." Aaron was the older brother and spokesperson for Moses.

Abraham: "Father of many." Abraham is considered the patriarch of both the Hebrews and Arabs.

Adam: It comes from the Hebrew adama, meaning "red earth."

Amos: You'll find the book bearing his name near the end of the Old Testament. Amos was a minor prophet who prophesied in the eighth century B.C.E. The name in Hebrew means "a burden."

Benjamin: It means "son of the right hand" and was the name of Jacob's youngest son, who went on to lead one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Caleb: Caleb, along with Joshua, bears the distinction of being the only adult allowed to enter the Promised Land after the Hebrews wandered the desert for 40 years. The name means "faithful" or "a dog."

Cyrus: Cyrus the Great, who liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity, was the founder of the Persian empire.

David: It means "beloved," and it's a fitting name for one of the most beloved characters in the Bible. David, the greatest of the Israelite kings, began his career with the dramatic slaying of the giant Goliath. His story is one of the many examples of redemption given in the Bible.

Eli: "High" or "ascent." Eli was a high priest of Israel.

Enoch: "Dedicated." A common name in the Old Testament, borne by the oldest son of Cain and a son of Jared.

Ephraim: "Fruitful." Epharaim, the second son of Joseph and Asenath, was the father of the tribe named after him.

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Gideon: "One who cuts down," "slayer." Gideon was an Israelite judge who helped defeat the Midianites.

Hiram: "Exalted brother." One of the Hirams in the Bible was a king who helped build David's palace.

Hosea: "Salvation." He was the first of the minor prophets.

Ira: "Watchful." Ira was a Jairite priest and adviser to King David.

Isaac: "Laughter." Isaac was the much-loved son of Abraham and Sarah.

Jacob: "Supplanter." Jacob was the younger twin brother of Esau who purchased his brother's birthright. He was also the father of 12 sons who became the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Jesse: "Gift" or "wealth." Jesse was the father of David.

Jonah: "Dove." Jonah was the fellow who ended up spending three days in the belly of a whale because he refused to follow God's orders.

Jordan: "To flow down" or "descend." The Jordan River was the chief river in Palestine.

Levi: "Joining" or "adhering." Levi was the third son of Jacob and Leah and the head of the priestly Levite tribe.

Mordecai: "Worshiper of Marduk" or "a little man." Mordecai was the cousin and foster father of Esther and helped to save the Jews from Haman.

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Moses: "Taken from the water." Moses, the great partriach and leader of the Jews, was given his name by the Egyptian princesses who found him. Sadly, after bringing his people through 40 years of exile in the desert, Moses was denied entry into the promised land because God felt he hadn't been faithful enough.

Nathan: "Gift." Nathan was the prophet who held David accountable for the death of Bathseba's husband, which left her free to marry.

Noah: "Rest" or "comfort." The human race started all over again with Noah and his clan.

Reuben: "Behold, a son." Reuben was the oldest son of Jacob and Leah and the head of a tribe that bears his name.

Saul: "Asked for." Saul was the first Israelite king.

Seth: "Appointed." Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve.

Solomon: "Peaceful." Solomon was the son of and successor to King David, noted for his wisdom.

Old Testament Girls' Names

Like Old Testament boys' names, names for girls often related to circumstances surrounding the individual's birth or a specific physical characteristic:

Abigail: "Father is rejoicing." Abigail was a wife of King David.

Deborah: "Bee." Deborah was an important prophetess and judge.

Delilah: "Delicate." Also the name of Samson's mistress. She cut off all his hair and rendered him defenseless in the face of the Philistines.

Dinah: "Judged" or "vindicated." She was a daughter of Jacob and Leah.

Esther: From the Persian word for "star." Esther was the wife and queen of Ahasuerus who saved her people from the evil Haman.

Eve: "Life." The name of the first woman in the Bible.

Hannah: "Gracious" or "full of grace." Hannah was the mother of Samuel.

Jemimah: "A dove." She was the first of Job's three daughters.

Judith: This name is the feminine form of the male name Yehudit, meaning "He will be praised." Judith was one of the wives of Esau.

Leah: "Gazelle" or "wild cow." Leah was the oldest daughter of Laban and became Jacob's first wife.

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Michal: "Who is like God?" Michal was the first wife of David, who cast aspersions on him after she saw him rejoicing in the streets following his recovery of the ark of the covenant. The resulting division in their marriage is what is believed to have kindled David's desire for Bathseba.

Miriam: This name is thought to mean "bitter" or "rebellious," although no one knows for sure. Miriam was the sister of Aaron and Moses.

Naomi: "Joy" or "delight." Naomi was the wife and mother who lost her family; her story is told in the book of Ruth.

Rachel: "Ewe." Rachel was the younger daughter of Laban, who was also given to Jacob as a wife.

Rebekah: "Noose." Rebekah was the wife of Isaac and the mother of the twins Esau and Jacob.

Ruth: "Friend" or "companion." Ruth was Naomi's daughter-in-law, who took care of her after the death of her husband and children.

Sarah: "Princess." Sarah was the half sister and wife of Abraham.

Tamar: "Date palm." There are two Tamars in the Bible: one was a daughter-in-law of Judah; the other was a daughter of King David.

New Testament Boys' Names

Rome, which was founded in 753 B.C.E., was the greatest city in the world by the time of the New Testament. The Christian church was well established there, but many Christians were also persecuted by Roman emperors. The dominant influence that the Greeks and Romans had at the time is reflected in many of the names that appear in the New Testament.

Bartholomew: This name comes from the Greek Bartholomaios, which means "son of Talmai," an Aramic name meaning "hill" or "mound.'' Bartholomew was the name of one of the 12 apostles.

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Cornelius: From the Latin word meaning "horn." Cornelius was the first Gentile converted by Peter.

James: A variant of Jacob. James was the older brother of John and one of the 12 disciples. He was also the first martyr among the apostles.

Jason: Derived from a Greek word that means "to heal." Jason was a relative of Paul.

Jesus: The name is a Greek form of Joshua, and is, of course, the name of the son of God.

John: This most popular name is derived from the Hebrew yehohanan, meaning "God is gracious."

Luke: Although no one's exactly sure, Luke is thought to mean "from Lucanus," a region of southern Italy. Luke was one of the four evangelists.

Mark: From the Latin, meaning "warlike." Mark was another of the four evangelists.

Matthew: From the Hebrew mattithyah, meaning "gift of God." Matthew was one of the 12 apostles. He changed his name from Levi when he answered the call to be a follower of Jesus.

Matthias: Another of the 12 apostles; his name comes from the same name that Matthew does.

Phillip: Phillip also was an apostle of Jesus. The name comes from the Greek word meaning "lover of horses."

Silas: This name comes from the Aramaic word that means "asked for." Silas was a member of the early church who was, at one time, jailed with Paul for his beliefs.

Stephen: It comes from the Greek stephanos ("crown" or "garland"). Stephen was the first Christian martyr.

Simon: From the Hebrew word meaning "heard." Simon carried the cross after Jesus buckled under its weight.

Timothy: From the Greek words tim ("honor" or "respect") and theos ("God''), meaning "honoring God."

New Testament Girls' Names

The same influence can also be noted for New Testament girls' names. Place names were also a popular source of these names.

Anna: Anglicized version of Hannah. Anna was the prophetess who proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah.

Berenice: It's from Greek and means "bringer of victory." Berenice was the oldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I. The name Bernice is derived from this name.

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Bethany: "House of dates" or "house of figs." Bethany was the village near the Mount of Olives and is associated with Jesus' last days.

Candace: The meaning of this name is unclear, but it could be from the Latin for "shining" or "bright." Candace owned a eunuch who was an early convert to Christianity.

Carmel: "Garden." Mount Carmel is in Israel and is often referred to as a paradise.

Claudia: From the Latin claudus, meaning "lame" or "limping." Claudia was a Christian citizen of Rome.

Eunice: From the Greek word for "good victory." Eunice was the mother of Timothy.

Julia: The feminine form of Julius. Julia was a Christian lady who was greeted by Paul in his letter to the Romans.

Mary: Variously defined as meaning "bitter" in Hebrew or as the Greek version of Miriam ("rebellious"). Mary was the mother of Jesus.

Rhoda: Greek for "rose." Rhoda was a woman in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, who welcomed the apostle Peter to her home.

Sapphira: This name from the Aramaic means "beautiful." Sapphira was the wife of Ananias and lost her life due to her lies.

Susannah: "Lily" or "rose." In the New Testament, Susannah was a woman who ministered to Jesus.

Tabitha: Another Aramaic name, meaning "gazelle" or "small deer." Tabitha was miraculously brought back to life by Peter.

The Teachings of Muhammad

The belief in one God was furthered by the prophet Muhammad, who built upon both Hebrew and Christian teachings when he founded the religion of Islam after receiving the holy scriptures of the Koran in 610 C.E. Muhammad is believed to be the last member in the long line of ancient prophets, preceded by Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, who are all respected as prophets in this faith.

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Muhammad was Arabian and spoke Arabic, which also belongs to the Semitic language family but to a different branch than Hebrew and Aramaic. Names from this language today are largely born by Muslimsfollowers of the Islamic faithand are either bestowed at birth or adopted by new converts to the religion.

Muslim Boys' Names

The most popular names relate to Muhammad, his family, or one of his revered traits, as well as desirable attributes and qualities.

Abdul: This name, which means "servant," appears in many compound forms, including Abdul-Aleem ("servant of the omniscient"), Abdul-Rasheed (''servant of the rightly guided"), Abdul-Azeez ("servant of the mighty or powerful"), and Abdul-Raouf ("servant of the most merciful").

Aasim: "Protector."

Abdullah: "Servant of God."

Abu Bakr: The companion of the prophet Muhammad.

Ahmad: "Commendable" or "praiseworthy."

Ali: "Noble" or "excellent."

Ameen: "Faithful," "trustworthy."

Azhar: "Luminous" or "brightly shining."

Faakhir: "Excellent" or "proud."

Fadi: "Redeemer."

Fadl: "Honorable."

Faisal: "Decisive."

Ghaazi: "Conqueror."

Haamid: "Praising God" or "loving God."

Haashim: "Generosity."

Hassan: "Beautiful."

Hussein: "Beautiful."

Ibraheem: Arabic version of Abraham.

Imaad: "Support" or "pillar."

Ismaael: Remember earlier in this chapter when I told you about Ishmael, the fellow who was thrown out of Abraham's home? He's also considered a prophet in Islam.

Jamaal: "Beauty."

Jameel: "Beautiful."

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Kamal: "Perfection."

Kareem: "Generous" or "noble."

Khaleel: "Friend."

Khalid: "Eternal."

Mufeed: "Useful."

Muhammad: The name of the prophet; "praised."

Muneer: "Shining" or "beautiful."

Mustafa: "Chosen" (another name for the prophet Muhammad).

Naadir: "Rare" or "dear."

Nabeel: "Noble."

Naeem: "Comfort" or "tranquil."

Omar: "Long life."

Qasim: "Divider."

Qudamah: "Courage."

Rafee: "Kind friend."

Rashad: "Integrity."

Saad: "Good luck."

Talal: "Admirable."

Waahid: "Unequaled" or "singular."

Yaaseen: "Chosen" (another name for the prophet Muhammad).

Yasir: "Wealthy."

Yoosuf: A prophet's name.

Zaafir: "Victorious."

Zaahir: "Shining," "bright."

Muslim Girls' Names

Girls' names often relate to favored qualities of animals and flowers, as well as the quality of light or such desirable attributes as generosity, faithfulness, or truthfulness. Names related to Muhammad and his family, of course, are also popular.

Aamaal: "Hopes" or "aspirations."

Abeer: "Fragrance."

Adeela: "Equal."

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Afrah: "Happiness."

Aisha: "Prosperous" (also the name of the prophet Muhammad's wife).

Ameera: "Princess" or "leader."

Asalah: "Pure."

Azhaar: "Flowers" or "blossoms."

Bushra: "Good omen" or "fortune."

Faiza: "Winner."

Fareeha: "Happy" or "joyful."

Fatima: The name of prophet Muhammad's daughter.

Ghaada: "Beautiful."

Hadiya: "Gift."

Haifa: "Slender" or "beautiful body."

Hanan: "Mercy."

Haniya: "Happy" or "pleased."

Iman: "Belief" or "faith."

Inaya: "Concern."

Jala: "Clarity."

Jameela: "Beautiful."

Kaamla: "Perfection."

Kameela: "Most perfect."

Khalida: "Immortal."

Lateefa: "Gentle" or "kind."

Majeeda: "Glorious."

Mufeeda: "Useful."

Naeema: "Living an easy, enjoyable life."

Nawar: "Flower."

Noor: "Light."

Rafa: "Happiness" or "prosperity."

Saabira: "Patient."

Safa: "Pure" or "serene."

Safiya: "Untroubled" or "serene."

Salma: "Peaceful."

Salwa: "Solace."

Suhayla: "Smooth" or "flowing."

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Thanaa: "Thankful."

Tharaa: " Wealth."

Wafa: "Faithfulness."

Wafiya: "Faithful" or "loyal."

Yasmeen: "Jasmine."

Zaafira: "Victorious," or "successful."

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Chapter 24
Saints and Sinners

If I were to tell you that a large number of the names given to babies in the United States today were derived from the names of saints, would you be surprised? It's not something most of us stop to think about, but it's true. Many of the names that are cherished classics, both in the U.S. and other countries, came from the men and women who were honored for their earthly deeds by being canonized as saints after their deaths. In fact, two of the most beloved and most-used names of all timeJohn and Marywere borne by many of these most holy people.

Throughout recorded history, parents have given their children names that honor their cultural and religious heritage. They've sought protection for their loved ones by assigning them names that place them under the sheltering wings of revered religious figures, including leaders of faith, saints, and martyrs.

These names may or may not provide their children with guardian angels, but there's no denying their popularity regardless of the reasons behind it. This "divinely inspired" name pool has produced the names for countless generations of children, and it may serve to inspire you, too!

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Sainted Ancestors

As you learned in Chapter 2, "Where It All Began," it was a common practice in medieval times for families to use the names of saints or martyrs when naming children. Using such names, according to church doctrine, would place the bearers under their namesake's protection. At a time when both disease and wars were rampant, anything that might provide a shield from these forces was highly desired.

This was when some of the most revered names in Christianity, such as John, James, Peter, Anthony, and Paul, blossomed in popularity. Parents of girls born during this time had a smaller pool of names from which to choose, as many female saints and martyrs came later in church history. However, Mary, Anne, Elizabeth, and Catherine quickly became very popular.

Heavenly Helpers

Since saints were generally honored for their actions and achievements during their lives, they often became the symbols of hope for the causes or illnesses with which they were associated while on earth. Many also became the protectors of individual countries.

Prayers are still made to saints to ask for help in specific situations; for example, a woman trying to have a child might send a prayer or two to Saint Anne, the patron of childless women. A mother concerned over the fate of her son may petition Saint Monica, who prayed for many years for the conversion of her wayward son Augustine. Other saints looked to in times of crisis include:

Anne, the mother of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She is the patron saint of housewives and childless women, among others.

Bernadette, the young girl who, in the mid 1800s, had multiple visions of the Virgin Mary beside the River Gave in Lourdes. She is one of the more recent additions to the Roman canon of saints, and her visions helped to create one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the world. To this day, the water at Lourdes is said to bring healing.

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Brigid of Ireland, whose work in that country earned her the position of patroness and feminine protector of the Emerald Isle. Her name lives on as Bridget to this day.

Christopher, the protector of travelers.

Edward the Confessor, the medieval English king who was renowned for solving problems by reasoning with people rather than declaring war on them at a time when war was a far more popular choice.

Genevieve, whose bravery saved Paris from the vicious Attila the Hun. She is the patron of Paris and the protector of that city from modern-day disasters.

Joan of Arc, the patron of France and French soldiers, who was burned at the stake for her efforts to help the king of France regain his kingdom. Legend has it that she was led to this mission by the voices of such saints as Michael, Catherine, and Margaret.

Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, who is often turned to when earthly efforts fail.

Margaret, a virgin martyr saint of the Middle Ages, who is the patron of pregnant women, childbirth, and death.

Nicholas, the patron of children and one of the most popular saints of all time. His image may have transferred to today's Santa Claus as children were often given gifts on his feast day, which is in the first part of December.

Protectors at Work and Home

Over time, the protection that saints could give became closely associated with certain professions as well, often based on the circumstances surrounding the original bearer of the name. Andrew and Peter, two of the 12 disciples, were commanded by Jesus Christ to be fishers of men, so it only made sense that they would become the saints that protected fishermen. The beloved Old

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Testament psalmist David was clearly a gifted poet, and thus became the patron saint of poets. Matthew was a tax collector before he became a disciple, so he became the patron of accountants, bankers, bookkeepers, and tax collectors. Gabriel was the angel who trumpeted from heaven. While I'm not sure why he became the patron saint of postal workers, his role as the protector of broadcasters is a perfect fit!

Some of the saint names listed below, like Adelard and Cecilia, date back to very early church history; others were later additions. Do these names merely provide protection or could they be a clue to a child's destiny? You be the judge!

Saint

Protector Of

Adelard

gardeners

Andrew

fishermen

Apollonia

dentists

Archangel Barbara

architects

Brendan

sailors

Cecelia

musicians

David

poets

Eligius

jewelers

Elizabeth of Florian

firefithters

Francis de Sales

authors, journalists, writers

Francis of Assisi

ecologists

Gabriel

broadcasters, postal workers, radio workers

Genesius

actors, musicians, teachers

Gregory of Hungary

bakers

Jerome

librarians

John Bosco

editors

Joseph

carpenters

Luke

artists, glassworkers, painters, physicians

Martha

cooks

Matthew

accountants, bankers, bookkeepers, tax collectors

Michael

grocers, police officers

Peter

fishermen

Sebastian

athletes

Stephen

bricklayers

Thomas Aquinas

philosophers, theologians, scholars

Thomas More

lawyers

Vincent Ferrer

builders

Vitus

comedians, dancers

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Even More Sainted Ancestors!

Thousands of people have been designated as saints over the years. To keep track of the evergrowing list of these figures and to provide an orderly approach to honoring them, the Roman Catholic Church developed a calendar of days on which various saints would be honored. These feast days often were the days on which the individual saints died. However, they were (and are) regarded as times for celebration rather than mourning.

Over time, a similar roster of saints and church calendar, called the Byzantine Calendar, was defined by the Orthodox Eastern Church, which is second only to the Roman Catholic Church in size. In addition to these church calendars, various Christian sects and denominations also have their own calendars. For these reasons, there is no universally accepted calendar of saints, although the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Eastern calendars are the most widely used.

Even the Roman Catholic calendar that is followed today is different from the one that was in effect until the late 1960s. In 1969, Pope Paul VI announced a reorganization of the liturgical year and calendar, which also modified the Roman Catholic roster of saints by removing those thought to lack universal significance. In some cases, individuals were removed due to lack of historical information about them.

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Sainted Names

The list of names that appears here is primarily taken from the Roman Catholic calendar. On the few occasions where this calendar didn't yield good examples, names were taken from the Byzantine calendar. Although the list is lengthy, it is just a representation of the many men and women who comprise the list of saints. Rather than cite every name possible, names were chosen to give an idea of the wide variety of monikers from which you can choose.

Included are names of saints who are celebrated universally by the church, as well as some who are celebrated only in certain areas. They include martyrs, popes, priests, evangelists, bishops, and other who dedicated their lives to their faith in some form or another.

You won't be breaking any canonical laws if you decide to use one of the following names in a more up-to-date form. Feminine versions of male saint names also are acceptable.

Saints for the New Year

If you're looking for a sainted name for your new year baby, these January saints might do the trick:

1. The Virgin Mary

17. Anthony

2. Basil the Great

18. Prisca

3. Genevieve

19.Canute or Knute

4. Gregory of Langres

20. Fabian

5. Simeon Stylites

21. Agnes

6. John of Ribera

22. Vincent

7. Raymond of Penafort

23. Bernard or Barnard

8. Lucian of Beauvais

24. Francis de Sales

9. Marciana

25. Paul

10. Agatho

26. Alberic

11. Salvius or Sauve

27. Angela Merici

12. Benedict or Benet Biscop

28. Amadeus

13. Hilary

29. Gildas the Wise

14. Felix Nola

30. Martina

15. Bonet or Bonitus

31. Aidan

16. Marcellus I

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Heartfelt February

There's more to February than St. Valentine (although he's here, too!):

1. Brigid

15. Onesimus (Byzantine)

2. Joan of Lestonnac

16. Juliana

3. Blaise

17. Julian

4. Andrew Corsini

18. Simeon

5. Agatha

19. Agatho (Byzantine)

6. Paul Miki

20. Severian

7. Theodore of Heraclea

21. Margaret of Cortona

8. Jerome Emiliani

22. Alexander Akimetes

9. Apollonia

23. Lucius

10. Soteris

24. Tharasius

11. Our Lady of Lourdes

25. Victor the Hermit

12. Marina

26. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

13. Stephen of Rieti

27. Romanus

14. Valentine

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When the Saints Go Marching In

If the third month of the year is one you'd like to explore, check out these March saints:

1. Felix II

17. Gertrude of Nivellers

2. Chad

18. Cyrill of Jerusalem

3. Anselm of Nonantola

19. Joseph, the husband of Mary

4. Casimir

20. Martin of Braga

5. Kieran of Saighir

21. Enda

6. Colette

22. Basil of Ancyra

7. Felicity

23. Victorian

8. Julian to Toledo

24. Aldemar

9. Frances of Rome

25. Lucy Filippini

10. Anastasia Patricia

26. Félix of Trier

11. Constantine

27. Matrona of Seluna (Byzantine)

12. Maximilian of Theveste

28. Jonas (Byzantine)

13. Gerald of Mayo

29. Rupert

14. Matilda

30. Rieul

15. Louise de Marillac

31.Guy of Pompasa

16. Finnian Lobhar

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A Showering of Saints

These saint names for the month of April are umbrellas of protection:

1. Gilbert of Caithness

16. Bernardette Soubirous

2. Francis of Paola

17. Robert of Chaise-Dieu

3. Pancras of Taormina

18. Cosmas (Byzantine)

4. Isidore

19. Leo IX

5. Vincent Ferrer

20. Agnes of Montepulciano

6. Celestine

21. Conrad of Parzham

7. Henry Walpole

22. Leonides

8. Julie Billiart

23. Gerard of Toul

9. Hugh of Rouen

24. Fidelis of Sigmaringen

10. Michael de Sanctis

25. Mark the Evangelist

11. Gemma Galgani

26. Stephen of Perm

12. Zeno of Verona

27. Zita

13. Martius or Mars

28. Vitalis

14. Caradoc

29. Odilo

15. Basilissa

30. Marian

Wellsprings of Faith

Maybe one of these May saint names will be the right one for your springtime baby:

1. Peregrine Laziosi

5. Angelo

2. Zoe

6. Edbert

3. Juvenal

7. Domitian

4. Florian

8. Victor Maurus

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9. Beatus

21. Andrew Bobola

10. Solangia

22. Julia

11. Walter of L'Esterp

23. Ivo of Chartres

12. Dominic of the Causeway

24. Vincent of Lérins

13. Servais

25. Madeleine Sophie Barat

14. Matthias the Apostle

26. Lambert of Vence

15. Bertha

27. Augustine of Canterbury

16. Brendan

28. Justus of Urgel

17. Bruno of Wurzburg

29. Cyril of Caesarea

18. Eric of Sweden

30. Joan of Arc

19. Dunstan

31. Petronilla

20. Bernardino of Siena

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Saints and Solstices

The summer solstice, which takes place in June, is celebrated throughout the Catholic world as the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

1. Justin

2. Blandina

3. Clotilda

4. Francis Caracciolo

5. Boniface

6. Norbert

7. Colman of Dromore

8. Maximinus of Aix

9. Columba or Columcille

10. Landericus or Landry

11. Barnabas the Apostle

12. Antonina

13. Anthony of Padua

14. Methodius I of Constantinople

15. Vitus

16. Julitta

17. Teresa of Portugal

18. Elizabeth of Schonau

19. Juliana of Falconieri

20. Goban or Gobain

21. Aloysius Gonzaga

22. Alban

23. Libert

24. Bartholomew of France

25. Febronia

26. Anthelm

27. Samson of Constantinople

28. Sergius

29. Emma

30. Bertrand of Le Mans

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Summertime Saints

Leo is the astrological sign for July. While Saint Leo doesn't appear on the list of saints for this month, there are many other worthy choices here.

1. Thierry

17. Kenelm

2. Otto of Bamberg

18. Frederick of Utrecht

3. Aaron

19. Justa

4. Bertha

20. Elias

5. Anthony Zaccaria

21. Lawrence of Brindisi

6. Dominica

22. Philip Evans

7. Hedda

23. Anne or Susanna

8. Kilian

24. Boris

9. Veronica

25. Thea

10. Rufina

26. Bartholomea Capitanio

11. Olga

27. Natalia

12. Nabor

28. Samson

13. Silas or Silvanus

29. Martha

14. Camillus de Lellis

30. Silas (Byzantine)

15. Swithin

31. Ignatius of Loyola

16. Athenogenes (Byzantine)

The Month of Augustine

Although August is named after the Roman ruler, not Saint Augustine, you'll find his name listed here.

1. Charity

17. Hyacinth

2. Theodota

18. Helena

3. Nicodemus

19. Timothy

4. Maximilian (Byzantine)

20. Oswin

5. Mari

21. Abraham of Smolensk

6. Justus

22. Sigfrid

7. Claudia

23. Eugene or Eoghan

8. Dominic

24. Bartholomew, Apostle

9. Oswald

25. Patricia

10. Lawrence

26. Teresa of Jesus Jornet Ibars

11. Clare

27. Monica

12. Photius (Byzantine)

28. Augustine

13. Cassian

29. Sabina

14. Marcellus of Apamea

30. Felix

15. Arnulf

31. Raymond

16. Armel

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September Saints

A number of popular saints are celebrated in September, including Gregory I, the Pope who helped to develop Gregorian chant.

1. Giles

16. Ludmilla

2. Castor

17. Columba

3. Gregory the Great

18. Richardis

4. Rose

19. Emily de Rodat

5. Bertinus

20. Vincent Madelgarius

6. Bega or Bee

21. Maura of Troyes

7. Regina

22. Maurice

8. Hadrian

23. Martha of Persia

9. Isaac or Sahak I

24. Gerard of Csanad

10. Ambrose Barlow

25. Cadoc

11. Patiens

26. Cosmos

12. Guy of Anderlecht

27. Vincent de Paul

13. Amatus

28. Wenceslaus

14. Maternus

29. Raphael

15. Catherine of Genoa

30. Jerome

Saints and Souls

Prayers are offered for these saints and others on All Hallows' Eve, also known as Halloween.

1. Romanus the Melodist

17. Seraphino

2. Leodegarius or Leger

18. Luke the Evangelist

3. Gerard of Brogne

19. Lucius

4. Francis of Assisi

20. Maria Bertilla

5. Flora of Beaulieu

21. Hilarion

6. Bruno

22. Donatus

7. Justina

23. Ignatius of Constantinople

8. Demetrius

24. Martin of Vertou

9. Denis

25. Crispin

10. Francis Borgia

26. Lucian

11. Bruno the Great of Cologne

27. Otteran or Odhran

12. Wilfrid

28. Faro

13. Edward the Confessor

29. Narcissus of Jerusalem

14. Dominic Lauricatus

30. Germanus of Capua

15. Theresa of Avila

31. Quentin

16. Gerard Majella

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Giving Thanks

Check the lives of these saints or the meaning of their names and you'll find more than one saint with a ''thankful" name during the month of Thanksgiving.

1. Benignus of Dijon

2. Marcian

3. Winifred

4. Clarus

5. Bertilla

6. Leonard of Noblac

7. Florentius of Strausbourg

8. Cybi or Cuby

9. Theodore Tiro

10. Leo the Great

11. Martin of Tours

12. Astrik

13. Francis Xavier Cabrini

14. Dyfrig

15. Albert the Great

16. Edmund of Abingdon

17. Hilda

18. Odo of Cluny

19. Barlam (Byzantine)

20. Bernward

21. Albert of Louvain

22. Cecilia

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23. Clement I

24. Flora

25. Mercurius

26. Silvester

27. Fergus

28. Stephen the Younger

29. Saturninus or Sernin

30. Sapor

'Tis the Season

Jolly old Saint Nick is just one of the many saints of the yuletide season.

1. Alexander Briant

17. Olympias

2. Viviana or Bibiana

18. Rufus

3. Francis Xavier

19. Anastasius I

4. Osmund

20. Dominic of Silos

5. Crispina

21. Peter Canisius

6. Nicholas

22. Chaeremon

7. Ambroase

23. Victoria

8. Romaric

24. Gregory of Spoleto

9. Peter Fourier

25. Eugenia

10. Eulalia of Merida

26. Stephen, the First Martyr

11. Daniel the Stylite

27. Fabiola

12. Jane Frances de Chantal

28. Antony of L&grave;rins

13. Lucy

29. Thomas a Becket

14. John of the Cross

30.Anysia

15. Nino

31. Sylvester I

16. Adelaide

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Chapter 25
Millennium Monikers

As I was writing the last chapters of this book, we were just a few short clicks away from the beginning of the new millennium. Given publishing schedules and baby gestation periods, this means there's a very good chance that you will be among the first parents to have babies in the year 2000, and if that isn't wow, I don't know what is!

There's something different about this particular change of the calendar. Sure, it's just another year, but the idea of moving from the 19s to the 20s is a little daunting. Lots of peoplemaybe you, tooare concerned about what will happen when we leave the old millennium behind and go forward into the new. Unlike ancient explorers, though, we're not sailing uncharted waters here. But, as with any change, there's a little uncertainty about this particular voyage. Add a new baby to the mix, and you've probably got a double case of the jitters.

What does the future hold? Will there be drastic changes, or will everything still be pretty much as it is now? Predicting the things to come is always a little risky; we thought we'd have colonies on the moon by now, and that clearly didn't happen. When it comes to millennial monikers, though, I may be able to help you look into the future of names for your little bundle of joy. Let's dust off the crystal ball and see if we can tell what lies ahead.

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Baby Odyssey, 2000

Right now, it's anyone's guess as to what will happen in the new millennium, but one thing is for sure: It is an event of mammoth proportions. Will it follow in the footsteps of other historic occasions and inspire a rash of new names for the baby-name pool?

Let's see Lennium isn't too bad. Mille? It could happen! Only time will tell. Such historic developments as the computer revolution really haven't had much of an impact on name fashions, although there may be a few more Binas (binary) and Megs (megabytes) running around now than there were 20 or so years ago.

What you're probably more likely to see, at least during the next 20 or so years, will be a continuation of many of the fashions that have been in place for at least the last decade (some of them, of course, even longer). So, if you like traditional or classic names, have no fear. To a certain extent, they'll always be in fashion.

Some name fashions, of course, are very volatile, but it still takes about 30 years for a single name or name fashion to run its course, unless it's highly trendy of faddish.

The In-Crowd

These name fashions are currently the life of the party and are poised to remain so for some time, probably until your baby son or daughter is getting ready to go to college:

Boomerang names. These are the classic or traditional names (like Chester, Agnes, Rose, and George) that are now undergoing a revival of sorts as more parents search out solid, dependable names without any traces of trendiness.

Names from the good book. The medieval priests knew what they were doing when they directed new parents to turn to the Bible for naming inspirations. It's been the source of some of the most beloved names the world over, and there's no doubt that it will continue to be in the years to come. The little ripple trend in place currently of using the more obscure or uncommon biblical names will probably fade, however.

Androgynous or unisex names. This is such a strong name fashion that it's bound to continue in the years ahead, with a greater emphasis on using the names already available in this pool as well as on adding some new ones.

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Place names. Although I'm not personally fond of this name fashion, I think it will have a strong reign for the next few decades, especially since this name pool contains many very good unisex names.

The current passion for appropriating last names for use as first names is another that will definitely continue, at least as far as name fashions in the United States are concerned, as this particular fashion is very unique to this country. And, as discussed in Chapter 22, "Honoring Ethnic Heritages," going back to our roots to dig up names from our past is another name fashion that will only gain momentum in the years ahead.

The Party's Over

These name stars are still burning brightly, but they'll fade in popularity as parents gravitate to up-and-coming name trends:

Created names. Without some creation of names, we wouldn't have a name pool as rich and diverse as we do today, but the craze for coming up with new names has gone to the extreme. Anything taken to this level is bound to crash and burn sooner or later. I predict that the fancy for coming up with the most unusual name creations possible will fade relatively soon, especially when you note the recent trend toward old-fashioned names.

Cute spelling. All I can say is this: Please, please, please think twice about saddling your son or daughter with a name that he or she will forever have to explain or spell. Life is just too short to have to struggle with something so silly as Loid or Chessica.

On the Ascendant

Call it a hunch or just a good old educated guess, but these are the name fashions that seem poised for the spotlight in the years ahead:

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"Sticks and twigs" names. Rustic decorating is coming back in a big way, with chairs made from branches and chandeliers fashioned from antlers appearing in some of the toniest homes. Can rustic names be far behind? Probably not. Names from the Wild West are definitely in this category, as are nature names. You'll find a few of the newest ones in the following list.

Short and sweet. One-syllable forms of classic names have been popular for boys for some time now, and I think this fashion will start to have a stronger effect on the girls' name pool as well. Parents seem to be growing weary of the elaborate name forms that have been so popular for the past 30 years or so, and many no longer believe it's necessary to give their sons and daughters lengthy names if they really won't be used.

Hispanic names. Names from many ethnicities will definitely be on the increase, but you can expect to see many more from this particular name pool as this population continues to grow in the United States. This is a name pool that's worth keeping an eye on even if you're not Hispanic or Latino; some of these name forms are really beautiful and very much in keeping with the names you're probably more familiar with.

Tomorrow's Stars

As I said at the beginning of this chapter, it's always a little risky to predict the future, and it's definitely risky to single out specific names that may or may not find favor with parents in the years to come. However, there still are names that somehow seem destined to become big players in the years ahead. Some of them earn this distinction thanks to their heritagethey're either forms of names currently popular, or they're evocative of these names in some way or another. Others come from today's hit movies and television shows, or come to us via the actors on the big and small screen. Still others make it onto the list just because it feels right for them to be there.

Any of these names are fair game for becoming post-millennium classics. Choose one of them and you might be a part of a brand-newand highly visiblename fashion.

Boys' Names

These names illustrate a number of up-and-coming trends in the naming world:

Aubrey: A nice English unisex name if you look past the meaning ("elf ruler").

Bennett: This French form of Benedict shortens down very nicely to Ben.

Colton: An English occupational name related to working with horses. It's already on the most-popular lists, so parents are obviously finding favor with it now.

Cort: "Brave" (Old German). A fresh alternative to the stale Courtney.

Courtland:Another Courtney alternative.

Cullen: A little-used Gaelic name meaning "handsome."

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Dante: It means "lasting" or "enduring" in Latin.

Destin: Probably a variation of Dustin, but it also sounds like Destiny, which makes it an interesting millennium name.

Devin: "Poet" (Irish Gaelic).

Grant: This French name means "tall" or "big." Grant was a popular name about 40 or 50 years ago, but fell out of favor when parents starting going for cuter boys' names. It has a nice, solid feel, and its one-syllable form is popular today.

Gray: "Gray-haired."

Houston: As the passion for using place names continues, parents will be looking for the more unusual ones to use. Houston is little-used at this point, but it should gain in popularity as it's also a western name.

Jaden: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith chose this variation of the Hebrew name Jadon ("he will judge") for their son. Their popularity alone should spur the broader use of this name.

Jaron: This is a modern invented name with an old-fashioned, Hebraic ring.

Keane: "Sharp" (Old English). Instead of Kienan.

Kobi: A derivative of Jacob. Currently popular thanks to soccer player Cobi Jones.

Leonardo: Probably a flash-in-the-pan name, but there's no denying its popularity at the moment. Plus, Leo isn't a bad pet name.

Liam: This Irish form of William is borne most notably by actor Liam Neeson, whose fame might make this name more popular.

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Matt: Most boys named Matthew never use their full name. Why not just go with Matt?

Nico: This nice, short name is derived from the number of Nico- names that appear in many different languages. An unusual alternative to Nicholas.

Noah: "Wandering" (Hebrew). A biblical name that's not all that popular yet, but could gain some thanks to the popular actor Noah Wylie.

Renzo: A fresh, current name that's actually based on a pretty old oneLorenzo.

Rider: This Old English name means "horseman." Also keep an eye out for its diminutive, Ry.

Ross: This Scottish Gaelic name means "headland." It may become more popular thanks to the character on E.R.

Savion: A variation of Xavier, made popular by tapdancer Savion Glover.

Girls' Names

One of these millennium monikers may find favor with you as a girl's name, or provide the inspiration for a similar name of your own choosing:

Adara: "Beauty" (Greek).

Allie: This derivative name will probably gain some standing on its own, thanks to Ally McBeal.

Amara: This Greek name means "of eternal beauty." It has the popular Am- beginning that finds favor with lots of parents, and it's a pretty feminine name.

Arela: "Angel" (Hebrew).

Berit: "Gorgeous," "splendid," or "magnificent'' (Scandinavian).

Beryl: A gem name that seems old-fashioned and up-to-date at the same time.

Brenna: This Irish Gaelic name means "raven" or "dark-haired." A good alternative to the trendy Brianna.

Calandra: This Greek name, meaning "lark," starts with the hard c or k sound that is currently very popular. It also has a great pet name, Callie.

Callista: With every thanks to Calista Flockhart. This is my pick for the name of the new millennium.

Camille: This old-fashioned name is a good choice for parents looking for something that's traditional but not too stodgy sounding.

Candra: "Glowing" (Latin).

Carley: This English place nameit means farmer's meadowis a nice alternative to the overused Cayley/Kylie group of names.

Cassia: "Cinnamon" (Greek).

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Chanel: It has the created name feel although it isn't one. It's also a possibility spelled Chanell.

Chiara: "Light" (Italian). Also Ciara, Ciera.

Chloe: "New grass" (Greek).

Cyma: "Flourishing" (Greek).

Daryl: This name had a brief flash of popularity when actress Daryl Hannah was at the top of her fame. It's still a good name and has strong unisex overtones, a plus for parents in search of names in this category.

Elysia: This Latin name, meaning "blissful and sweet," is also related to the mythological dwelling place called Elysium where happy souls came to rest. An alternative to the currently popular Elise and all its related forms.

Felicity: It's a form of the Latin name Felicia ("happy") and may rise in popularity due to the hit television show of the same name.

Gabrielle: This feminine form of the Hebrew name Gabriel ("God is my strength") is gaining in use, thanks to the popular television show Xena: Warrior Princess.

Glenna: Irish Gaelic, meaning "from the glen or valley." The passion for Gaelic names isn't going to go away any time soon. This is one that's not widely used yet.

Jada: "Wise" (Hebrew). Although she's not making many movies these days, Jada Pinkett Smith continues to shine in Hollywood.

Joie: "Joy" (French).

Jolie: "Pretty" (French).

Kendra: "Knowledge" (Old English). Kendra was the name of a heroine in an Edna Ferber novel of many years ago. It's a pretty name and may find favor with parents today.

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Lavinia: "Purified" (Latin). For parents looking for an old-fashioned name.

Lian: "Graceful willow" (Chinese).

Maia: "Mother" (Greek). Maia is one of lead characters in the popular television sitcom Just Shoot Me.

Moriah: "God is my teacher" (Hebrew). Moriah is a pretty name with great significance, meaning "the Lord is my teacher," and an interesting variation for Mariah.

Nyssa: "Begging" (Greek). Given its meaning, this is a great candidate for a millennium name.

Oriana: "Dawning" or "golden" (Latin). Another good millennium-theme name.

Taryn, Tarin: A created name that combines two favorite name forms.

Thea: "Goddess" (Greek).

Zoe: "Life" (Greek).

This is the End (And the Beginning)

There's no denying that we're going to experience the biggest ending and beginning in our lifetimes when we roll into the 21st century. Will it have an impact on the names chosen for babies overall? Probably not much of one. Should it influence how you name your baby? Again, probably not.

While you might see some names chosen that commemorate the occasion in some fashion, I think they'll be in the minority. What you'll see instead is a continuation of the name types and fashions that comprise the

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world of naming as we now know it. Over time, some will gain in popularity and others will fade as they have always done.

Does this mean that you should avoid names that are evocative of this special time? Not at all. If there's a name that you love that has this connection, go ahead and consider it. Put it to the same tests as you would with any other name. If it works well in all its permutations, and you love it, chances are very good that it will be the right choice for you and your baby.

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APPENDIX A
BOYS' NAMES

This appendix and Appendix B contain names discussed in previous chapters of The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Baby Names, as well as a variety of other names that appear in today's name pool. Definitions and origins (if known) are provided on all names, as well as common spelling variations. Pronunciation is also noted on some less familiar or uncommon namessyllables in all caps are stressed. If no syllables are capitalized, the stress should be the same on all.

A

Aaron: Exhalted on high, or the exhalted one (Hebrew).

Aasim: Protected (Arabic).

Abdu: Servant, devotee of, or slave of (Arabic). Also Abduhl, Abdul.

Abu-Bakr: The favorite companion of the prophet Muhammad.

Abdul-Aleem: Servant of the omniscient (Arabic).

Abdul-Azeez: Servant of the mighty or powerful (Arabic).

Abdullah: Servant of God (Arabic).

Abdul-Raouf: Servant of the most merciful (Arabic).

Abdul-Rasheed: Servant of the rightly guided (Arabic).

Abir: Strong (Hebrew).

Abraham: Father of many, or father of the multitude (Hebrew).

Abu: Father (Arabic).

Acacio: Free from malice (Spanish).

Ace: Unity (Latin).

Adam: Earth (Hebrew).

Addison: Son of Abel (Old English).

Adelard: Old eagles (Old German).

Adin: Beautiful, pleasant, or gentle (Hebrew).

Adira: Strong, powerful, or mighty (Hebrew).

Adlai: Refuge from God (Hebrew).

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Adolphus: Noble wolf (German).

Adonis: Handsome or beautiful male (Greek).

Adrian: From Adria, a northern Italian city (Latin).

Adrianño: Portuguese form of Adrian.

Agatho: Saint name.

Ahmad: One worthy of praise (Arabic).

Aidan: Fire (Gaelic).

Aiken: Made of oak (Old English).

Aindréas: Gaelic form of Andrew meaning manly (Gaelic).

Akua: Sweet messenger, or born Thursday (Arabic).

Al: Noble, also a pet name derived from any name beginning with Al-.

Alain: A variant of Alan, meaning cheerful or handsome (French).

Alaire: Joyful or cheerful (French).

Al-Amin: A combination of Ala, meaning excellence or supremacy, and Amin, meaning honest or honorable (Arabic).

Alan: Handsome or cheerful (Celtic).

Alarik: Ruler over all (Scandinavian).

Alasdair: From of Alexander (Gaelic). Also Alastair.

Alban: From Alba (Latin).

Alberic: Saint name.

Albert: Noble or bright (Old German).

Alcander: Strong (Greek).

Aldemar: Saint name.

Alder: A small tree or bush of the birch family, a place name (Old English).

Aldous: Old (Old German).

Alec: A diminutive of Alexander.

Alejandro: Spanish form of Alexander.

Aleksander: The Czechoslovakian and Polish forms of Alexander.

Aleksandr: The Russian form of Alexander.

Alessandro: Italian form of Alexander.

Alex: A diminutive of Alexander.

Alexander: Helper of mankind (Greek).

Alexandre: The French and Hungarian forms of Alexander.

Alf: Elf or supernatural being (Old English).

Alfred: Wise counselor (Old English).

Ali: High or exalted one (Arabic).

Alix: A diminutive of Alexander.

Allard: Highborn and courageous (Old English).

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Allen: An English variation of the Celtic name Alan.

Alois: Slavic form of Aloysius, meaning famous in war.

Alonzo: Ready for battle (Old German).

Aloysius: Famous fighter (Old German).

Alsander: The Irish form of Alexander.

Alva: Blond one (Latin).

Amadeo: Lover of God (Latin).

Amal: Beautiful or handsome (Arabic).

Amarillo: Yellow (Spanish). Also a place name after the city in Texas.

Ambrose: Immortal or deathless (Greek).

Ameen: Faithful, trustworthy (Arabic).

Amerigo: Rule of the house (Italian).

Amiel: People of God (Hebrew).

Amin: Truthful or trustworthy (Hebrew).

Amir: Thriving, flourishing, or populous (Arabic); and also mighty, strong (Hebrew).

Amiri: Thrive or flourish (Arabic).

Amitai: Truthful or faithful (Hebrew).

Amos: A burden (Hebrew).

Ander: Man (Greek) and also a Scandinavian form of Andrew. Also Anders.

Andor: Thundering eagle (Scandinavian).

Andrae: Gaelic form of Andrew.

Andras: Hungarian form of Andrew.

Andre: Portuguese form of Andrew.

André: French form of Andrew.

Andrea: Italian form of Andrew.

Andreas: German form of Andrew.

Andrei: Russian and Rumanian form of Andrew.

Andrés: Spanish form of Andrew.

Andrew: Strong or manly (Greek).

Andrzej: Polish form of Andrew.

Angel: Angle (Latin).

Angus: Sole choice (Scottish Gaelic).

Annar: A Norse mythological god (Scandinavian).

Anselm: God helmet (Old German).

Antaine: Irish form of Anthony.

Antal: Hungarian form of Anthony.

Anthelm: Saint name.

Anthony: Beyond price, invaluable (Latin).

Antoine: French form of Anthony.

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Anton: The German, Russian, Rumanian, and Scandinavian form of Anthony.

Antoni: Polish form of Anthony.

Antonin: Czech or Slovak form of Anthony.

Antonio: Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish forms of Anthony.

Anwar: Shaft of light (Arabic).

Apollo: The Greek and Roman god of poetry, music, medicine, and prophecy (Greek). Also Apollos.

Archelaus: Ruler of the people (Greek).

Archer: Bowman (Old French).

Ari: A diminutive of Ariel.

Ariel: Lion of God (Hebrew).

Aries: Ram (Latin).

Arizona: Little spring place or silver-bearing (Native American).

Arkansas: The territory of the Siouan Quapaw; Arkansas is the French derivative of this name.

Arlen: Pledge (Irish Gaelic).

Armand: Soldier or warrior (Old German).

Armel: Saint name.

Arno: Eagle-wolf (Old German).

Arnold: Strong as an eagle (Old German).

Arnulf: Saint name.

Arran: Scottish place name, related to an island off the Atlantic coast.

Arsenio: Masculine or virile (Greek).

Arthur: Possibly bear, noble, or rock (Celtic).

Asa: Doctor (Hebrew).

Asher: Happy or blessed (Hebrew).

Atif: Compassionate or sympathetic (Arabic).

Aubrey: Elf ruler (Old French).

August: Respectable (Latin).

Augustine: Greek form of August, meaning respectable (Latin). Also Augustus.

Austin: Form of August (Latin).

Autry: Noble strength (Old English).

Avery: Elf ruler (Old English).

Azhar: Luminous or brightly shining (Arabic).

Aziz: Strong, mighty (Arabic).

B

Bacchus: The Roman god of wine (Latin).

Baird: One who sings (Gaelic).

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Baker: Old English occupational name.

Ballard: Brave and strong (Old German).

Baptist: Baptize (Greek).

Barnett: Burned land (Old English).

Baron: Nobility (Old English.

Barlam: Saint name.

Barrett: Bear strength (Old German).

Barry: Sharp, pointed (Gaelic).

Bartholomew: Son of a farmer (Hebrew).

Basil: Kingly, royal (Greek).

Bastien: An abbreviated name taken from the Latin name Sebastian (venerated).

Baxter: Baker (Old English).

Beau: A diminutive of Beauregard.

Beauregard: Beautiful view (French).

Beck: Small stream (Old English).

Bede: Prayer (Old English).

Béla: Noble and bright (Hungarian).

Bellamy: Handsome friend (Old French).

Ben: Son (Hebrew).

Benedick: Blessed (Latin).

Benigno: Kind (Latin).

Benjamin: Son of the right hand (Hebrew).

Bennett: Blessed (French).

Benson: Son of Ben (Old English).

Berend: Strong, bearlike (German).

Berger: Shepherd (French).

Bernhard: Strong or bearlike (Old German).

Berger: Saint name.

Berry: Berry (English).

Bert: Bright (Old English).

Bertram: Bright raven (Old German).

Bertrand: Bright shield (Old German).

Bevis: From Beauvais (Old French).

Bick: Character name form the movie Giant.

Bill: A form of William. Also Billy.

Bing: A hollow shaped like a bowl (Old German).

Birch: A tree with white bark, birch tree (Old English).

Blaine: Slender (Irish Gaelic).

Blair: Plain (Scottish Gaelic).

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Blaise: One who stutters (Latin). Also Blaze.

Blake: Pale complexion (Old English).

Bligh: Bliss (Old English).

Bo: A diminutive of Robert.

Boaz: Swift runner (Hebrew).

Bogdan: God's gift (Polish).

Bohdan: God's gift (Czechoslovakian).

Bolivar: Mighty, warlike (Spanish).

Bonar: Gentle or mannerly (Old French).

Bonaventure: Blessed undertaking (Latin).

Bonet: Saint name.

Boniface: Fortunate (Latin).

Boone: Good (Old French).

Booth: Dwelling (Old German).

Boris: Battle or fighter (Russian).

Boswell: Well near the woods (Middle English).

Bosworth: Farm near the woods (Middle English).

Bowie: A form of Boyd, meaning yellow-haired (Irish Gaelic).

Boyce: Woods (Old French).

Boyd: Blond (Scottish Gaelic).

Brad: Broad (Old English).

Braden: Wide valley (Old English).

Bradley: Wide meadow (Old English).

Brady: Wide island (Old English).

Bram: Raven (Irish Gaelic).

Brandon: Hill covered with broom (Old English).

Brandt: Brand (Old English).

Brant: Proud (Old English).

Brawley: Meadow at the slope of the hill (Old English).

Breck: Gap (Old English).

Brendan: Smelly hair (Irish Gaelic).

Brent: Mount or hilltop; also burnt (Old English).

Brenton: Brent's town (Old English).

Brett: A man from Britain (Celtic).

Brian: Strength (Irish Gaelic).

Brice: An uncertain meaning, it comes from Saint Brice, a fifth-century French bishop (Irish Gaelic).

Bridger: One who lives near the bridge (Old English). Also Bridges.

Briggs: Bridges (Old English).

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Brock: Badger (Old English).

Brody: Ditch (Irish). Also Brodie.

Brogan: Sturdy shoe (Irish Gaelic).

Bronco: Wild horse (Spanish).

Brook: Stream (Old English).

Bruce: From the brush (Old French).

Bruno: Brown or dark complexion (Old German).

Bryan: A variation of Brian. Also Bryant.

Bryce: A form of Brice.

Buck: Buck deer (Old English).

Burke: From the fort (Old French).

Burt: A form of Albert.

Burton: Fort (Old English).

Butler: Old English occupational name

Byron: Barn for cows (Old English).

C

Cabot: To sail (French).

Cade: Round (Old English).

Cadock: Eager to go to war (Welsh). Also Cadoc or Caddock.

Caesar: Long-haired or, through use, emperor (Latin).

Cain: Spear (Hebrew).

Caius: Rejoice (Latin).

Calder: Stream (Old English).

Caleb: Heart or dog (Hebrew).

Calhoun: Warrior (Celtic). Also the narrow woods (Irish Gaelic).

Call: A form of Calvin or Callis.

Callis: Chalice (Latin).

Calvert: Calf herder (Old English).

Calvin: Little bald one (Latin).

Cameron: Crooked nose (Scottish Gaelic).

Canute: Knot (Scandinavian).

Caradock: Saint name.

Carl: A form of Charles (man).

Carleton: Farmer's town (Old German).

Carlisle: The fortified tower (Old English). Also Carlyle.

Carlos: The Spanish form of Charles, meaning full-grown man.

Carmichael: Follower of Michael (Gaelic).

Carolos: Greek form of Charles.

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Carrick: A created name of uncertain origin.

Carroll: Man (Old German).

Carson: Son of the marsh dwellers (Old English).

Carter: Driver of carts (Old English).

Carver: Carver of wood (Old English).

Cary: Relating to a brook or river (Irish Gaelic).

Casey: Vigilant or brave (Irish Gaelic).

Casimir: Bringing home peace (Slavic).

Casper: Guardian of the gold, a German variation of Jasper.

Castor: Beaver (Greek).

Cassidy: Clever (Irish Gaelic).

Cassius: Vain (Latin).

Cato: All knowing (Latin).

Cecil: Blind one (Latin).

Cedar: A tree from the pine family having aromatic and durable wood (Greek).

Cephas: Rock (Hebrew).

Cervantes: The surname of the Spanish author who wrote Don Quixote.

Chad: Fierce (Old English).

Chaeremon: Saint name.

Chai: Life (Hebrew).

Chaim: Life (Hebrew).

Chalil: Flute (Hebrew).

Chalmers: Servant (Old French).

Chamberlain: Head of the house (Middle English).

Chance: Good fortune (Middle English).

Chandler: Candle merchant (Old French).

Charles: Man (Old German).

Chase: Hunter (Old French).

Chaska: The Sioux word for first-born son (Native American).

Chauncey: A form of Chamberlian.

Chaviv: Beloved (Hebrew).

Cherokee: A Native American tribe originally from the southeast U.S.

Chester: Soldier's camp (Old English).

Chet: A diminutive of Chester.

Cheyenne: A Native American tribe indigenous to Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Montana.

Chidi: God exists (Arabic).

Chisulo: Strength (African).

Christian: Christian (Greek).

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Christoph: German form of Christopher.

Christophe: French form of Christopher.

Christopher: Christ bearing (Greek).

Christophoros: Greek form of Christopher.

Christos: A Greek diminutive form of Christopher.

Christôvao: Portuguese form of Christopher.

Ciaran: Black (Irish Gaelic).

Cimarron: River and place name.

Ciro: Spanish variation of Cyrus.

Clancy: Red head (Irish Gaelic).

Clarence: Bright (Latin).

Clark: Cleric or scholar (Old French).

Claude: Lame (Latin).

Claus: A diminutive form of Nicholas, meaning victory of the people (Greek).

Clay: Of the clay earth (Old English).

Clement: Mild (Latin).

Cleveland: Place name, meaning cliff land (Old English).

Clifford: English place name, meaning to ford near the cliff (Old English).

Clint: A diminutive of Clinton, meaning near the cliff town (Old English).

Clive: Cliff (Old English).

Clyde: Scottish place name derived from the River Clyde.

Clive: English place name, meaning cliff.

Cochise: Hardwood (Native American).

Cody: From an Irish Gaelic surname, meaning son of Odo. Also in honor of Buffalo Bill Cody.

Colbert: Famous mariner (Old English).

Colby: Black, dark farm (Old English/Old Norse).

Cole: A diminutive for Nickolas.

Coleman: Follower of Nicholas (Old English). Also Colman.

Colin: Young animal (Gaelic). Also Collin.

Colombo: A variant of Columbus, derived from the Latin word for dove.

Colorado: State name, meaning red earth (Spanish).

Colt: Young horse (Old English).

Colton: An English occupational name related to working with horses.

Columbus: Derived from Latin for dove. Also Columba.

Como: Province (Latin).

Conan: Elevated (Irish Gaelic).

Concord: Harmony or peace. Also an English place name.

Connecticut: Long river place (Native American).

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Connor: Wolf lover (Irish Gaelic).

Conrad: Courageous advice (Old German).

Constantine: Steadfast (Latin).

Cooper: Barrel maker (Old English).

Corbin: Dark like a raven (Latin). Also Corbett.

Corey: Small valley (Irish Gaelic).

Corliss: Benevolent (Old English).

Cornelius: Horn (Latin).

Cort: Brave (Old German).

Cosmo: Harmony (Greek).

Courtland: A variant of Courtney, meaning land of the court (Old English).

Craddock: Love (Welsh).

Crane: Crane (Old English).

Crisóforo: Spanish form of Christopher.

Crispin: Curly haired (Latin).

Cristofor: Rumanian form of Christopher.

Cristoforo: Italian form of Christopher.

Crockett: A shepherd's crook (Middle English).

Cromwell: Winding stream (Old English).

Crosby: At the cross (Scandinavian).

Cullen: Handsome (Irish Gaelic).

Curly: Courteous (Old French).

Cupid: The Roman god of love.

Cuthbert: Famous (Old English).

Cyprian: From Cyprus (Greek).

Cyrano: From Cyrene (Greek).

Cyril: The Lord (Greek).

Cyrus: Sun (Persian).

D

D'Anthony: Form of Anthony, meaning priceless (Latin).

D'Aytoine: Created African-American name.

Dabney: From Aubigny (Old French).

Dack: Day (Old Norse).

Daequan: Created African-American name. Also Daequon.

Dailey: Assembly (Irish Gaeilic).

Daivon: Created African-American name.

DaJohn: From of John meaning God is gracious (Hebrew).

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DaJour: Created African-American name.

Dakota: Friend, ally (Native American).

Dale: Valley (Old English).

Dallas: The city in Texas; also a village in northeastern Scotland (Scottish Gaelic).

Dalton: Valley settlement (Old English).

Daly: Assembly (Irish Gaelic).

Damian: To tame (Greek).

Dan: Judge (Hebrew).

Dana: From Denmark, or Danish (Old English).

Dane: Dane or Danish (Old English).

Daniel: God is my judge (Hebrew).

Dante: Enduring, lasting (Latin).

Danton: From Anton (French).

Daquan: Created African-American name. Also Daquon, Daqwon.

Darnell: The hidden place (Old English).

Darrell: A French place name of uncertain origin. Also Darryl.

Darren: Great (Irish Gaelic). Also Darin or Darrin.

Darrian: A variation of Darren.

Darwin: Dear friend (Old English).

DaShawn: Created African-American name. Also Dashon.

DaShean: Created African-American name.

Dashiell: Of uncertain origin, this name is associated with the author Dashiell Hammett.

DaShuran: Created African-American name.

DaTwon: Created African-American name.

DaVante: Created African-American name.

Daveon: Created African-American name. Also Davion.

Davey: A diminutive of David.

David: Beloved of God (Hebrew).

Davis: A variant of David.

Davon: Created African-American name.

Davontai: Created African-American name. Also DaVonte.

Dawson: David's son (Old English).

Daymond: A variant spelling of Raymond.

DayQuan: Created African-American name. Also DayQuawn.

Dayron: Created African-American name, possibly a creative spelling for Darren.

Dayshon: Created African-American name.

Dean: Valley (Old English).

Deaundrew: Created African-American name.

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Deni: A created name, possibly a variation of Dennison.

Dejan: Created African-American name. Also Dejhan, Dejuan, Dejwon.

Dell: Small valley (Old English).

DeMarcus: Created African-American name.

DeMarious: Created African-American name.

Demetri: A diminutive of Demetrios.

Demetrios: Of Demeter (German).

Denali: Big one (Native American).

Denholm: A Scottish place name.

Dennis: Derived from Dionysius, the Greek god of wine.

Denver: Green valley (Old English).

Denzel: A Cornish place name.

Deondre: Created African-American name.

Deontae: Created African-American name. Also Deonte.

Dequan: Created African-American name.

Derek: The ruler (Old German).

Dermot: Without envy (Irish Gaelic). Also Dermott.

Desean: Created African-American name.

DeShawn: Created African-American name. Also Deshon.

Destin: Probably a variation of Dustin, or a short form of Destiny.

Devante: Created African-American name.

Devin: Poet (Irish Gaelic).

Devlin: Brave, fierce (Irish Gaelic).

Devon: English place name.

Devontay: Created African-American name. Also Devonte, Devontre.

Dewan: Created African-American name.

Dewey: The Welsh form of David.

Dexter: Right-handed (Latin) and also a woman who dyes (Old English).

Diago: Portuguese form of Diego, a Spanish form of James.

Diarmaid: Free man (Irish Gaelic).

Dick: A diminutive of Richard.

Dieter: Ruler or army of the people (Old German).

Dieterich: Ruler (German).

Dike: Brave or warrior. Pronounced dee-kay.

Dikembe: A variation of Dike (African).

Dillon: Loyal, faithful (Irish Gaelic).

Dion: Derived from Dionysius, the Greek god of wine.

Dionysius: The Greek god of wine.

Dirk: A variation of Derek.

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Dixon: Son of Dick (Old English).

Dmitri: The Russian form of Demeter.

Dolan: Black-haired (Irish Gaelic).

Dominic: Lord (Latin).

Domitian: Saint name.

Donald: World mighty (Scottish Gaelic).

Donato: Given (Latin).

Donny: A diminutive of Donald.

Dooley: Dark hero (Irish Gaelic).

Doran: Gift (Hebrew).

Dorian: From Doris (Greek).

Douglas: Black water (Scottish Gaelic).

Drake: Dragon (Middle English).

Drew: Wise (Welsh).

Duane: Swarthy (Irish Gaelic).

Duke: Leader (Latin).

Duncan: Brown fighter (Scottish Gaelic).

Dunstan: Saint name.

Dusan: Spirit or soul (Czechoslovakian).

Duscha: Happy (Russian).

Dustin: Brave fighter (Old German).

Dwight: White or blond (Flemish).

Dyani: Deer.

Dyfrig: Saint name.

Dylan: Of the sea (Welsh).

E

Éamonn: Irish form of Edmund (wealthy protector).

Earl: Nobelman, leader (Old English).

Ed: A diminutive of several names such as Edward, Edwin, or Edgar, denoting wealth or prosperity (Old English).

Eden: Delight (Hebrew).

Edgar: Wealthy spear-carrier or successful (Old English).

Edmund: Wealthy protector (Old English).

Edward: Wealthy or fortunate protector or guardian (Old English).

Edwig: An Anglo-Saxon king's name.

Efrem: A variation of Ephraim meaning fertile producer (Hebrew).

Egbert: An Anglo-Saxon king's name.

Einar: Battle leader (Old Norse).

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Elder: Elder tree (Old English).

El-Hajj: God of truth (Arabic).

Eli: Ascend (Hebrew).

Elias: A Greek variation of Elijah.

Eligius: The patron saint of jewelers.

Elihu: He is my God (Hebrew).

Elijah: The Lord is my God (Hebrew).

Ellery: Island of Elder trees (Old English).

Ellison: Son of Ellis (Old English).

Elmer: Famous (Old English).

Elmo: Easy going (Greek).

Elmore: Moor of elms (Old English).

Elvin: Elf friend (Old English).

Elvis: All wise (Scandinavian).

Emanuel: God is with us (Hebrew).

Emery: Ruler of the house (Old German).

Emil: Winning, emulating, and flattering (Latin).

Emilio: Form of Emil meaning flattering (Latin).

Emlyn: A Welsh place name.

Emmanuel: God is with us (Hebrew).

Emmett: Energetic as an ant (Old English/Old German).

Enda: Saint name.

Englebert: Angel bright (Old German).

Enoch: Dedicated (Hebrew).

Enzo: Italian form of Henry.

Eòin: Gaelic form of John.

Ephraim: Fertile (Hebrew).

Erhard: Strong resolve (Old German).

Eric: Ruler of all (Scandinavian).

Ernest: Sincere (Old English).

Errol: A variant of Earl.

Erskine: High cliff (Scottish Gaelic).

Erving: A variation of the Old English name Irving, meaning sea friend.

Esteban: Spanish form of Stephen.

Ethan: Firm (Hebrew).

Ethelbert: Nobel birth (Old English).

Étienne: French form of Stephen.

Ettore: Latin-based version of the name Hector.

Eugene: Well-born (Greek).

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Eusebius: Devout (Greek).

Evan: The Welsh form of John.

Everard: Boar hardness (Old English).

Evers: A variant from the Old English word meaning boar.

Ezekiel: God will strengthen (Hebrew).

Ezra: Helper (Hebrew).

F

Faakhir: Excellent, honorable (Arabic).

Fabian: One who grows beans (Latin). Also Fabiano or Fabiana.

Fabrice: Worker (French).

Fabrizio: Works with hands (Italian).

Fadi: Redeemer (Arabic).

Fadl: Grace or excellence (Arabic).

Fahim: Intelligent and understanding (Arabic). Also Faheem.

Faisal: Impartial judge or arbitrator (Muslim).

Fane: Joyous (Old English).

Fargo: Place name.

Faro: Possibly a diminutive of Farold, meaning great or mighty voyager (Old English).

Farley: Sheep meadow (Old English).

Farrell: Hero (Irish Gaelic).

Favian: Wise man (Latin).

Fabronia: Saint name.

Federico: Italian form of Frederick, meaning ruler of peace.

Felipe: Spanish form of Philip, meaning lover of horses.

Felix: Happy, fortunate (Latin).

Ferdinand: Bold voyager (Old German).

Fergus: Highest choice (Irish Gaelic).

Ferris: A form of Fergus (Irish Gaelic).

Fess: A form of Festus, meaning festive occasion (Latin).

Fidel: Beautiful (Latin).

Finan: Fair (Irish Gaelic). Also Finian or Finnian.

Finbar: Fair-headed (Irish Gaelic).

Fintan: Little fair one (Irish Gaelic).

Finlay: Fair-haired, courageous (Irish Gaelic).

Fisher: Fisherman (English).

Fitzgerald: Son of the ruler (Old French/Old German).

Flavian: Yellowhair (Latin).

Flint: Stream (Old English).

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Forbes: Field (Scottish Gaelic).

Forrest: Forest, woodsman (Old French).

Fortney: Strong (Latin).

Fox: Fox (Old English).

Francis: Either Frenchman or free man (Latin).

François: The French form of Francis.

Frank: A diminutive of Francis.

Franklin: Free landowner (Middle English).

Frazer: Curly hair (Old English). Also Fraser or Frasier.

Frederick: Ruler of peace (Old German).

Freedom: Freedom (Old English).

Freeman: Freeman (Old English).

Friederich: A German form of Frederick.

Fritz: A short form of Frederick.

Fuller: One who works with cloth (Old English).

G

Gabriel: God is my strength (Hebrew).

Gaines: An English name of uncertain meaning.

Galen: Tranquil (Greek).

Gannon: Fair complexion (Irish Gaelic).

Gareth: Gentle (Welch).

Garett: A variation of Gerard, meaning brave spear (Old English). Also Garret.

Garrick: Spear ruler (Old English).

Garrison: Protection (Middle English).

Garth: Keeper of the garden (Scandinavian).

Gary: Spear (Old English).

Gaspar: Guard of the treasure (Persian).

Gavin: A name of undetermined origin, meaning falcon or battle hawk.

Gaylord: High spirited (Old French).

Genesius: The patron saint of actors.

Gennaro: Of Janus (Italian).

Geoffrey: A variation of the Old German name Jeffrey (peace).

George: Farmer (Greek).

Gerald: Spear ruler (Old German). Also Gerold.

Gerhard: Brave spear (English). Also Gerard.

Gervase: Honorable (Old German).

Ghaazi: Conqueror (Arabic).

Giacobbe: Italian form of Jacob (one who supplants). Also Giacomo.

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Gibson: Son of Gilbert (Old English).

Gideon: A great warrior (Hebrew).

Gifford: Brave giver (Old English).

Gil: A short form of Gilbert.

Gilbert: Shining pledge (Old German).

Gildas: Saint name.

Giles: Kid (Greek).

Gilmore: Servant of Mary (Irish Gaelic).

Giovanni: The Italian variation of John. Also Gianni.

Glanville: Grove of oak trees (Old French).

Glenn: Valley (Irish Gaelic).

Glover: Maker of gloves (Old English).

Goban: Saint name.

Godwin: God's friend (Old English).

Gore: Spear (Old English).

Grady: Renowned (Irish Gealic).

Graham: Gray home (Old English).

Grant: Big, town (French).

Granville: Big village (Old French).

Gray: Gray-haired (Old English).

Grayson: Son of gray-haired man (Old English).

Gregory: Watchful (Latin).

Griffin: Hooked nose (Latin).

Grover: Place name, meaning grove of trees (Old English).

Guillaume: French form of William.

Guiseppe: Italian form of Joseph.

Gunther: Warrior (Scandinavian).

Gus: A short form of Augustus (worthy of respect) or Gustavus.

Gustavus: Staff of the gods (Scandinavian).

Guy: Leader or guide (French).

H

Haakon: Honored son (Scandinavian).

Haamid: One who praises Allah (Arabic).

Haashim: One who smashes or breaks things (Arabic).

Hadiya: Guide rightly (Arabic).

Hagen: Youth (Irish Gaelic). Also Hagan.

Haidrian: A form of Adrian (from Adria).

Haim: Life (Hebrew).

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Hakeem: Sage (Arabic). Also Hakim.

Hal: A diminutive of Henry.

Halsey: Hal's island (Old English).

Hamid: One who constantly glorifies Allah (Arabic). Also Hamad, Hameed, Hamood.

Hampton: Home settlement (Old English).

Hancock: Old English name of uncertain meaning.

Hans: Scandinavian form of John.

Hardy: Bold or brave (Old German).

Harley: Long field (Old English).

Harold: Army ruler (Scandinavian). Also Harald.

Harper: Harp player (Old English).

Harrison: Son of Harry (Old English).

Harry: A diminutive of Henry.

Hartman: Hard man (Old English).

Hasan: Wonderful or excellent (Arabic). Also Hassan.

Hashim: Destroy (Arabic).

Hawkins: Little hawk (Old English).

Hawthorne: Where Hawthorne trees grow (Old English).

Hayden: Hedged place (Old English).

Hays: A variant of Hayes, meaning from the hedged place (Old English).

Heath: Heath (Middle English).

Heathcliff: Place name denoting cliffs (Middle English).

Hector: Holds fast (Greek).

Heinrich: German variation of Henry.

Helgi: Productive, successful (Scandivavian).

Helmut: Helment protector (German).

Henry: Estate ruler (Old German).

Herbert: Bright warrior or bright army (Old German).

Hercules: Son of Zeus (Latin). Also Herakles.

Hermes: The Greek messenger god.

Hershel: Deer (Hebrew).

Hezekiah: God strengthens (Hebrew).

Hiawatha: He makes rivers (Native American).

Hickory: A hard wood of the walnut family.

Hilarus: Happy (Latin).

Hilton: Hill town (Old English).

Hiram: Noble born (Hebrew).

Hiroshi: Generous (Japanese).

Hobbes: A variation of Robert.

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Holden: Hollow valley (Old English).

Hollis: Near the holly bushes (Old English).

Homer: Pledge, promise (Greek).

Horace: Possibly timekeeper (Latin).

Hosea: Salvation (Hebrew).

Houston: Settlement on a hill (Old English).

Howard: The meaning of this Old English name is unclear.

Hubert: Bright intellect (Old German).

Hudson: Hugh's son (Old English).

Hugh: Intellect or intelligence (English).

Humphrey: German name with unclear meaning, possibly peace or peaceful nature.

Hunter: Hunter (Old English).

Hussein: Beautiful (Arabic).

Hutton: Bluff settlement (Old English).

Hyde: Likely a place name relating to a measure of land known as a hide (Old English).

I

Iakobos: The Greek form of Jacob.

Ian: A Scottish form of John.

Ibraheem: Arabic version of Abraham

Ichabod: Lost glory (Hebrew).

Ignatius: Burning with passion (Latin).

Igor: Russian form of Ingvar, meaning Ing's soldier.

Ilario: Cheerful or merry (Italian).

Illinois: Men (Native American).

Imaad: Pillar (Arabic).

Imaam: Leader, guide (Arabic).

Inge: Lord (Scandinavian).

Innis: Island (Scottish Gaelic).

Innocent: Innocent (Latin).

Ioan: The Rumanian form of John.

Ioannes: The Greek form of John.

Ioseph: The Greek and Russian form of Joseph.

Iòseph: The Gaelic form of Joseph.

Iosif: The Rumanian form of Joseph.

Iowa: One who puts to sleep, or beautiful land (Native American).

Ira: Descendants (Hebrew).

Irving: Sea friend (Old English).

Irwin: Boar friend (Old English).

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Isaac: Laughter (Hebrew).

Isaiah: God is salvation (Hebrew).

Isanti: Knife (Native American).

Ishmael: God hears (Hebrew). Also Ismaael.

Israel: Wrestler with God (Hebrew).

István: Hungarian form of Stephen.

Ivan: Russian form of John.

Ivo: Yew wood (Old German).

Ivor: Saint name.

J

Jabbar: Mighty (Arabic).

Jabir: Comforter (Arabic).

Jabulani: Joy (African).

Jacek: A form of Jacenty, meaning Hyacinth (Polish).

Jack: A familiar form of John.

Jackson: Son of Jack (Old English).

Jacob: Held by the heel or supplant (Hebrew).

Jacobus: The Late Latin name for Jacob.

Jacques: A French variation of Jacob.

Jade: A jewel name from the precious green stone.

Jaden: He will judge, from the Hebrew Jadon.

Jadon: He will judge (Hebrew). Also Jaedon.

Jagger: Possibly one who cuts (English), or a version of the German word Jäger, meaning hunter.

Jago: A form of Jacob or John.

Jaha: Honored (African).

Jaime: The Portuguese and Spanish forms of James or Jacob.

Jake: A familiar name for Jacob.

Jakob: The German form of Jacob.

Jakób: The Polish form of Jacob.

Jakov: The Hungarian and Russian forms of Jacob.

Jakub: The Czechoslovakian form of Jacob.

Jamaal: Beauty or elegance (Arabic). Also Jamal, Jameel, Jamel, Jamil.

James: An English variant of Jacob.

János: The Hungarian form of James or Jacob.

Janus: Gateway (Latin).

Jared: He descends (Hebrew).

Jaren: A created name, possibly based on Darren. Also Jaron.

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Jarl: Nobleman (Scandinavian).

Jaromil: Lover of spring (Polish).

Jason: To heal (Greek), also the Lord is salvation (Hebrew).

Jasper: He who guards the treasure (Persian).

Jaundray: Created African-American name.

Javon: Created African-American name.

Jawan: Created African-American name. Also Jawon, Juwan.

Jay: Jaybird (Latin).

Jaylon: Created African-American name.

Jean: A French form of John.

Jedidiah: Beloved of Jehovah (Hebrew).

Jeff: A diminutive for Jeffrey (Geoffrey), meaning peace.

Jefferson: Son of Jeffrey (Old German).

Jeremiah: God will uplift (Hebrew).

Jeremy: A diminutive of Jeremiah.

Jerome: Sacred name (Greek).

Jermaine: A variation of Jarman, meaning German (Old German). Also Jermyn.

Jesse: Wealthy (Hebrew)

Jesus: The Lord is salvation (Hebrew).

Jett: Mineral name.

Jim: A diminutive of James. Also Jimmy.

Jiri: The Czechoslovakian form of George.

Joaquim: God will judge (Hebrew).

Joe: A diminutive of Joseph.

Joel: Jehovah is God (Hebrew).

Johan: The Czechoslovakian form of John.

Johann: The German form of John.

Johannes: The Scandinavian form of John.

John: The Lord is gracious (Hebrew).

Jonah: Dove (Hebrew).

Jonathan: Gift of Jehovah (Hebrew).

Jordan: Descend (Hebrew).

Jorge: The Spanish form of George.

José: The Portuguese and Spanish forms of Joseph.

Josef: The Czechoslovakian, German, and Scandinavian forms of Joseph.

Joseph: God will increase (Hebrew).

Joshua: Jehovah saves (Hebrew).

Josiah: The Lord supports (Hebrew).

Józef: The Polish form of Joseph.

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Jquan: Created African-American name.

Juan: A Spanish form of John.

Jude: A Latin variation of Judah. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes.

Julian: Hairy-faced youth (Latin). Also Julius.

Jupiter: The Roman god of the sky (Latin).

Justice: From the Latin justilia, meaning fair or upright. Also Justus, Justa, or Juste.

Justin: Saint name, also fair or upright.

K

Kadir: Capable (Arabic).

Kai: Willow tree (Native American).

Kaleb: Dog (Hebrew).

Kamal: Perfect (Arabic).

Kareem: Bountiful (Arabic).

Karel: Czechoslovakian form of Charles.

Kay: Rejoicing (Old Welsh).

Keane: Sharp or bold (Old English).

Keaton: English place name.

Keenan: Small and ancient (Irish Gaelic).

Keith: Forest (Scottish Gaelic).

Kellen: Swamp or spring (Old Norse).

Kelsey: Old English place name.

Ken: A diminutive of Kenneth.

Kenehelm: Saint name.

Kennedy: Helmeted head (Irish Gaelic).

Kenneth: Handsome (Irish Gaelic).

Kent: English place name.

Kenton: Old English place name, meaning royal settlement.

Kentucky: Derived from the American Indian word meaning dark and bloody ground (Native American).

Kermit: Without envy or jealousy (Irish Gaelic).

Kerry: Irish place name.

Keshawn: Created African-American name.

Kevin: Small, gentle, and loveable (Irish Gaelic).

Khaleel: Good friend (Arabic). Also Khalil.

Khalid: Without end, eternal (Arabic).

Kiefer: Barrel maker (German).

Kienan: Small and ancient (Irish Gaelic).

Kieran: Dark (Irish Gaelic).

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Killian: Small and fierce (Irish Gaelic).

Kit: A diminutive of Christopher.

Knox: Old English place name, meaning hilly.

Kobi: A Hungarian variant of Jacob.

Kofi: Born on Friday (Ghana).

Kolby: Variant spelling of the Old English name Colby (dark farmstead).

Kolton: Variant spelling of Colton (dark place or settlement).

Konrad: Variant spelling of the Old German name Conrad (brave advice).

Kristofer: Dutch form of Christopher.

Kristoffer: Scandinavian form of Christopher.

Krzysztof: Polish form of Christopher.

Kurt: A pet name derived from the German name Konrad or Conrad (wise counselor).

Kwame: Born on Saturday (African).

Kyle: A narrow spit of land (Scottish).

L

L'Dorian: Created African-American name.

Lafayette: Faith (Old French).

Laine: Small, narrow path (Middle English).

LaKeveon: Created African-American name.

Lamar: Famous land (Old German).

Lambert: Land that is brilliant (Old German).

Lance: A variation of the Old French name Lancelot (servant).

Lander: Landowner (Middle English).

Landon: Grass plain (Old English).

Lane: Small, narrow path (Middle English).

Langley: Long meadow (Old English).

Lanier: Woolworker (Old French).

LaQuinton: Created African-American name.

Laramie: Place name.

LaRon: Created African-American name.

Larry: A pet name derived from Lawrence.

Lateef: Gentle (Arabic). Also Latif.

Latronce: Created African-American name.

Laughton: Hill town (Old English).

Laurent: French form of Lawrence.

LaVonn: Created African-American name.

Lawrence: From Laurentium (Latin).

Lawton: Hill town (Old English).

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Lee: Pasture, meadow (Old English).

Leif: Loved (Scandinavian).

Leighton: Meadow settlement (Old English).

Lennox: Large grove of elm trees (Scottish Gaelic).

Leo: Lion (Latin).

Leonardo: Bold lion (Old German).

Leonides: A variation of Leonardo.

Leopold: Bold people (Old German).

LeQuann: Created African-American name.

Leroy: The king (Old French).

Leslie: The gray castle (Scottish Gaelic).

Levi: Attendant (Hebrew).

Liam: An Irish form of William (will-helmet).

Libert: Saint name.

Liberty: Freedom (Latin).

Lincoln: Settlement by the pool (Old English).

Linus: Flax, blonde (Greek).

Lionel: Young lion (Latin).

Liron: The song is mine (Hebrew).

Lochlainn: Irish place name. Also Loughlin.

Logan: Small hollow (Irish Gaelic).

Lorenz: German form of Laurence.

Lorenzo: Italian form of Laurence.

Louis: Renowned warrior (Old French). Also Lewis.

Lowell: Young wolf (Old French).

Luc: Light (French). Pronounced luke.

Lucas: From Lucanus (Latin).

Lucian: Light (Latin). Also Lucius.

Ludwig: Renowned in battle (German).

Luis: The Spanish form of Louis.

Luke: From Lucanus (Greek).

Lyle: Island (Old French).

Lyndon: Linden tree hill (Old English).

M

Mac: Short form of many names beginning in Mac-.

Madison: Son of a mighty soldier (Old English).

Magnus: Great (Latin).

Mahatma: Great soul (Sanskrit).

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Maitias: Gaelic form of Mathias.

Maitland: Matthew's land (Old English).

Malachi: Messenger (Hebrew).

Malcolm: Devoted to St. Columba (Scottish Gaelic).

Malik: Master (Arabic). Also Maleek, Maliq, Maleeq.

Marcellus: Little and warlike (Latin).

Marcus: Warlike (Latin).

Marek: The Czechoslovakian and Polish forms of Mark.

Mariano: The sea (Latin).

Marion: A French variation of Mary.

Marius: An Italian form of Mark. Also Mario.

Mark: Warlike (Latin).

Marley: Meadow by the water (Old English).

Marquon: Created African-American name.

Marsden: Swampy (Old English).

Marshall: Keeper of horses (Old French).

Martin: Warlike (Latin).

Marvin: Famous friend (Old English).

Mason: Stoneworker (Old French).

Massachusetts: Large hill place (Native American).

Masud: Lucky (Arabic).

Mata: Gaelic form of Matthew.

Matej: Czechoslovakian form of Matthew.

Mateo: Spanish form of Matthew.

Mateusz: Polish form of Matthew.

Mathias: Scandinavian form of Matthew.

Mattathias: Greek form of Matthew. Also Matthias.

Matteo: Italian form of Matthew.

Matteus: Portuguese form of Matthew.

Matthaeus: German form of Matthew.

Matthew: Gift of the Lord (Hebrew).

Matthieu: French form of Matthew.

Matvei: Russian form of Matthew.

Maurice: Dark skinned (Latin).

Max: A diminutive of Maximilian or Maxwell.

Maximilian: Greatest (Latin).

Maxwell: Old English place name, possibly meaning from a large well.

Maynard: Hard strength (Old English).

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Mead: English place name, meaning meadow.

Meir: One who is bright or shining (Hebrew).

Mel: A diminutive of Melvin.

Melvin: Friend of Michael (Old English).

Menashe: Causing to forget (Hebrew).

Meredith: Great ruler (Welsh).

Merritt: Little renowned one (Old English).

Methodios: Fellow traveler (Greek).

Micah: A Hebrew form of Michael. Also Micha (pronounced MI-kah).

Michael: Who is like the Lord (Hebrew).

Michaelangelo: The angel Michael (Greek/Hebrew).

Michal: Polish form of Michael.

Mícheál: Irish Gaelic form of Michael. Also Micheil.

Michel: French form of Michael.

Michele: An Italian form of Michael.

Michiel: Dutch form of Michael.

Michigan: Great water (Native American).

Miguel: The Portuguese and Spanish forms of Michael.

Mihail: Rumanian form of Michael.

Mihály: Hungarian form of Michael.

Mihangel: Welsh form of Micahel.

Mikel: Swedish form of Michael.

Mikhail: Greek and Russian form of Michael.

Mikkel: Danish and Norweigian forms of Michael.

Mikolás: Czechoslovakian form of Michael.

Miles: Mild or merciful (English).

Millard: Keeper of the mill (Old English).

Miller: Mill owner (Old English).

Minnesota: Tinted water (Native American).

Miquel: Spanish form of Michael.

Mirek: Great glory (Czechoslovakian).

Misha: A Russian short form of Michael.

Mitchell: A Middle English variation of Michael.

Montana: State name, based on the Latin word for mountainous.

Montgomery: Rich man's mount (Old English).

Monty: A short form of Montgomery.

Mordecai: Warrior or warlike (Persian).

Morgan: Bright (Old English).

Moses: Saved from the water (Hebrew).

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Moshe: A Hebrew form of Moses.

Mufeed: Useful (Arabic).

Muhammad: The praised one (Arabic).

Muneer: Shining beautiful (Arabic).

Mungo: Saint name.

Mustafa: Chosen, selected (Arabic).

Myron: Fragrant oil (Greek).

N

Naadir: Rare, precious (Arabic).

Nabeel: Noble (Arabic).

Naeem: Pleasure, bounty (Arabic).

Nash: English place name, meaning cliff or headland (Old English).

Natan: A short form of Nathaniel. Also Nathan.

Nathanael: Gift (Hebrew). Also Nathaniel.

Nebraska: Broad or flat river (Native American).

Ned: Pet name derived from the Old English name Edward (wealthy defender).

Nehemiah: Comforted by Jehovah (Hebrew).

Neil: Champion (Irish Gaelic).

Nelson: Son of Neil (English).

Neville: New village (Old French).

Nialls: A form of Neil.

Niccolo: Italian form of Nicholas.

Nicholas: Victorious people (Greek).

Nico: A diminutive of Nicholas.

Nicolae: Rumanian form of Nicholas.

Nicolaio: Portuguese form of Nicholas.

Nicolaos: Greek form of Nicholas. Also Nikolaos.

Nicolás: Spanish form of Nicholas.

Nicolas: French form of Nicholas.

Nicolaus: German form of Nicholas.

Niels: Danish form of Nicholas.

Nikolai: Russian form of Nicholas.

Nikolas: Scandinavian form of Nicholas.

Nino: Saint name.

Nkosi: Blessings, or good fortune (African).

Noah: Rest, peace (Hebrew).

Noam: Sweetness, friendship (Hebrew).

Nocona: Camper or wanderer (Native American).

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Noel: Joy, or the holiday of Christmas (French).

Nolan: Renowned (Irish Gaelic).

Norbert: Famous northerner (Old German).

Norman: Northerner (Old English).

Norris: From the north (Old French).

Norville: Northern town (Old French).

O

Oakes: From the oak grove (Old English). Also Oakley.

Odina: Mountain (Native American).

Ogden: Valley of the oaks (Old English).

Ohio: Great river (Native American).

Okechukwu: Gift of God (African).

Oklahoma: Red man (Native American).

Oleg: Holy (Russian).

Oliver: Olive tree (Latin).

Omar: Follower of the prophet (Arabic).

Omri: To live long (Hebrew).

Onesimus: Saint name.

Oren: Pine tree (Hebrew), or fair (Irish Gaelic). Also Orrin.

Orestes: Man of the mountains (Greek).

Orion: Son of fire (Greek).

Orlando: Spanish form of Roland, meaning famous land.

Ormond: Mountain of bears (Old English).

Orson: Bearlike (Latin).

Orville: Town of gold (Old French).

Osage: Native American tribal name.

Osborn: Divine bear (Old English).

Oscar: Divine spear (Scandinavian).

Osher: Happiness, good fortune (Hebrew).

Osmond: Divine protector (Old English).

Oswin: Divine friend (Old English).

Otis: Son of Otto (Old English).

Otteran: Saint name.

Otto: Prosperous (Old German).

Ovid: Shepherd (Latin).

Owen: A Welsh variation of Eugene, meaning noble.

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P

Pablo: Little (Spanish).

Padraic: The Irish form of Patrick.

Page: Youthful assistant (French).

Paine: A man from the country (Latin).

Palmer: One who holds a palm (Old English).

Pancras: Saint name.

Paris: From Paris (Old English).

Parker: Park keeper (Old English).

Parnell: Little Peter (Old French).

Pascal: Easter child (French).

Patiens: Saint name.

Patrick: Noble patrician (Latin).

Patton: Town of fighters (Old English).

Paul: Small (Latin).

Paxton: Peace town (Latin).

Payton: Fighting man's estate (Old English).

Pedro: Spanish form of Peter.

Penn: Enclosure (Old English).

Percival: Peace of the valley (Old French).

Percy: A short form of Percival.

Perkin: Little Peter (Old English).

Perry: Possibly pear tree, or a short form of the Latin name Peregrine (pilgrim or wanderer).

Peter: Rock (Hebrew).

Peyton: Fighting man's estate (Old English).

Phillip: Lover of horses (Greek). Also Philip.

Phipps: Son of Philip (Old English).

Phoenix: Dark red (Greek).

Photius: Saint name.

Pierce: A form of the Greek name Peter.

Pinchas: Dark complexioned (Hebrew).

Placido: Peaceful, serene (Spanish).

Pompey: Latin name with unclear meaning.

Porter: Gatekeeper (Latin).

Prentice: Apprentice (Middle English).

Prescott: Priest's cottage (Old English).

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Presley: Priest's meadow (Old English).

Preston: Priest's estate (Old English).

Price: Son of Rhys (Welsh).

Prince: Prince (Latin).

Pryor: Chruch leader (Latin).

Q

Qasim: One who distributes or divides (Arabic).

Quantray: Created African-American name.

Quantrill: Created African-American name.

Qudamah: Courage (Arabic).

Quentin: Fifth child (Latin).

Quincy: Old French place name.

Quinlan: Athletic (Irish Gaelic).

Quinn: Wise (Irish Gaelic).

Quinton: Queen's town (Old English).

R

Rafee: Good friend (Arabic). Also Rafi.

Railbeart: The Gaelic form of Robert.

Raleigh: Roe deer meadow (Old French).

Ralph: Wolf counselor (Old English).

Ramsey: Ram's island (Old English).

Randall: Wolf shield (Old English). Also Randolph.

Randy: A short form of Randall or Randolph.

Raphael: God has healed (Hebrew).

Rashad: To acquire guidance (Arabic).

Rashawn: Created African-American name.

Rasheed: Righteous (Arabic). Also Rashid.

Ravid: Ornament (Hebrew).

Ray: A short form of the Old German name Raymond (wise protector or counselor).

Rayburn: Roe-deer brook (Old English).

Rayford: A ford over the stream (Old English).

Raymond: Wise protector (Old English).

Raynor: Mighty armor (Scandinavian). Also Rayner.

Rayvon: Created African-American name.

Reed: Red haired (Old English). Also Reid.

Reese: Ardent one (Welsh). Also Reece.

Reeve: Bailiff (Middle English).

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Reinhard: Brave counselor (German).

Remington: Raven family settlement (Old English).

Remy: From Rheims (French). Also Remi.

René: Reborn (French).

Reno: Western U.S. place name.

Renzo: A diminutive of Lorenzo.

Reuben: Behold, a son (Hebrew).

Reuel: Friend of God (Hebrew).

Rex: King (Latin).

Rezon: Created African-American name.

Rhett: A variation of the Welsh Rhys, meaning zealous.

Rhodes: Where the roses grow (Greek).

Rice: A variation of Rhys.

Richard: Dominant ruler (Old German).

Rider: Horseman (Old English).

Ridley: Red meadow (Old English).

Rieul: Saint name.

Rio: River (Spanish).

Rishon: The first (Hebrew).

Roald: Famous ruler (Scandinavian).

Robby: A diminutive of Robert. Also Robbie.

Robert: Bright fame (Old English).

Roberto: The Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish form of Robert.

Robin: A diminutive form of Robert.

Rock: Stony (Old English).

Rockwell: Rock well or spring (Old English).

Rod: A short form of names beginning with Rod-.

Rodney: Island near the clearing (Old English).

Roger: Renowned spearman (Old German).

Roibeárd: A Gaelic form of Robert.

Roland: Renowned land (Old German).

Roman: From Rome (Latin).

Romaric: Saint name.

Romulus: Man of rome (Latin).

Ron: Song or joy (Hebrew).

Ronald: Decisive ruler (Old English).

Rory: Red (Irish Gaelic).

Rourke: A surname used as a given name.

Ross: Headland, or red. (Scottish Gaelic).

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Rowdy: Boisterous (English).

Royce: King's son (Old French).

Rudolph: Famous wolf (Old German).

Rudyard: Red paddock (Old English).

Rupert: A variation of Robert.

Rufus: Red-haired (Latin).

Russell: Red-headed or red complexion (French).

Rutherford: From the cattle crossing (Old English).

Ry: A diminutive of Rider.

Ryan: Transferred use of surname (Irish Gaelic).

Ryder: Horseman (Old English).

Ryland: Land of the rye (Old English).

S

Saad: Prosperity (Arabic).

Sacha: A Russian form of Alexander.

Sadler: Harness maker (Old English).

Saed: Fortunate (Arabic).

Safi: Pure (Arabic).

Sage: Wise (Latin).

Salvatore: Savior (Italian).

Salvius: Saint name, derived from the Latin name Salvio, meaning saved. Also Sauve.

Sam: A diminutive of Samuel.

Samson: Sun (Hebrew).

Samuel: God has heard (Hebrew).

Sancho: Sacred (Spanish).

Sanford: Sandy for (Old English).

Sapor: Saint name.

Sargent: Officer (Old French).

Saul: Borrowed (Hebrew).

Savion: A variation of the Basque name Xavier (new house).

Sawyer: Wood worker (Old English).

Schuyler: Shield (Dutch).

Scott: Scotsman (Old English).

Scout: Listener (Old French).

Séamus: A Gaelic form of James.

Sean: The Irish form of John.

Sebastian: From Sebastia (Latin).

Sedg: A short form of Sedgwick.

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Sedgwick: Sword place (Old English).

Seger: Sea fighter (Old English).

Sekou: Learned (African).

Sender: A diminutive form of Alexander.

Seraphino: Ardent (Hebrew).

Sereno: Tranquil (Latin).

Sergio: Attendant (Latin).

Servais: Saint name.

Severian: Saint name.

Seth: Appointed (Hebrew).

Sewell: Sea strong (Old English).

Shai: Gift (Hebrew).

Shakil: Good looking (Arabic).

Shamus: A form of James or Seamus.

Shane: A variation of Sean or John.

Shannon: Ancient and wise (Irish Gaelic).

Sharif: Honest (Arabic).

Shelby: Place near the ledge (Old English).

Sheldon: Steep valley (Old English).

Shelly: Large meadow (Old English).

Shelton: Village on the ledge (Old English).

Sherman: Shearer (Old English).

Shimon: Heard (Hebrew).

Shmuel: Heard of God (Hebrew).

Sidney: From St. Denis (Old English).

Siegfried: The victory of peace (Old German).

Siera: From the Spanish word for saw. Also Siera.

Sigmund: Victorious protector (Old German).

Silas: From the Latin word Silvanus meaning wood dweller.

Silvester: Wooded (Latin).

Simeon: Listening intently (Hebrew).

Simon: To be heard (Hebrew).

Simpson: Son of Simon (Old English).

Sinclair: From Saint Clair (Old French).

Skye: Island off the west coast of Scotland.

Skyler: Shelterer (Dutch).

Slade: Valley (Old English).

Sloan: Man of arms (Irish Gaelic).

Smith: Blacksmith (Old English).

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Solomon: Peaceful (Hebrew).

Somers: English place name or season name.

Somerville: Summer's town (Old English).

Soteris: Saint name.

Spalding: Divided field (Old English).

Spencer: Provisioner (Middle English).

Stafford: Stony ford (Old English). Also Stanford.

Stanley: Stony field (Old English).

Stanton: Stony village (Old English).

Steafán: A Gaelic form of Stephen.

Steel: Steel (Old English).

Steen: The Danish form of Stein (stone).

Stefan: The German, Polish, Swedish, Rumanian, and Russian form of Stephen.

Stefano: Italian form of Stephen.

Stein: Stone (German).

Sten: Swedish form of Stein.

Stepán: Czechoslovakian form of Stephen.

Stephan: Scandinavian form of Stephen.

Stephanos: Greek form of Stephen.

Stephen: Crowned (Greek).

Sterling: Genuine (Old English).

Stetson: Steven's son (Old English).

Steven: A short form of Stephen.

Stewart: Steward (Old English).

Stone: Stone (Old English).

Stonewall: A nickname popularized by the stout resolve demonstrated by General Andrew Jackson.

Stuart: Steward (Old English).

Sullivan: Black-eyed (Irish Gaelic).

Sumner: One who serves a summons (Old English).

Sutherland: Southern land (Scandinavian).

Sven: Youth (Scandinavian).

Swithin: Swift and strong (Old English).

Sylvester: Wooded (Latin).

T

Tadi: Wind (Native American).

Taggart: Son of priest (Irish Gaelic).

Tahatan: Hawk (Native American).

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Taima: Crash of thunder (Native American).

Tait: Cheerful or gay (Old Norse).

Taj: Crown (Sanskrit).

Takoda: A Sioux name derived from Dakota meaning friend or ally.

Talal: Admirable (Arabic).

Talon: Bird of prey's claw.

Tanner: Leather worker (Old English).

Taos: Western U.S. place name.

Tarik: Morning star (Arabic). Also Tariq.

Tavion: Created African-American name.

Tawa: The Hopi word for sun (Native American).

Taylor: Tailor (Middle English).

Tayqwon: Created African-American name. Also Tequan.

Teague: Poet (Irish Gaelic).

Tecumseh: Travel from one place to another (Native American).

Ted: A short form of Edward or Theodore.

Tennessee: Native American place name.

Terrence: Smooth (Latin). Also Terence.

Terrill: Thor's follower (Old German).

Terry: A short form of Terrence.

Tex: Pet name derived from Texas.

Thaddeus: Courageous (Aramaic).

Tharasius: Saint name.

Thatcher: A roof thatcher (Old English).

Theo: A short form of Theodore.

Theodore: Gift of God (Greek).

Theodoric: People's ruler (Old German).

Thierry: A French variant of Theodoric.

Thomas: Twin (Arabic).

Thor: Thunder (Old Norse).

Thornton: Village of thorns (Old English).

Thurman: Defended by Thor (Old Norse).

Thurston: Thor's stone (Scandinavian).

Tim: A short form of Timothy.

Timothy: Honoring God (Hebrew).

Tivon: Student of nature (Hebrew).

Tobias: The Lord is good (Hebrew).

Toby: A diminutive of Tobias.

Todd: Fox (Middle English).

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Tom: A diminutive of Thomas.

Torrey: Thor (Old Norse).

Trace: Trace (Old English).

Travis: Toll collector (Old French).

Trent: Gushing waters (Latin).

Trenton: Trent's town (Old English).

Trevin: A variation of the Welsh name Trevor.

Trevor: Large homestead (Welsh).

Trey: Three (Middle English).

Tristan: Welsh name, thought to mean sad.

Troy: Soldier (Irish Gaelic).

Truman: Loyal, faithful (Old English).

Tucson: Place name.

Tully: Mighty people (Irish Gaelic).

Turk: From Turkey (English).

Turner: Wood worker (Middle English).

Tuwa: Earth (Hopi).

Ty: A short form of Tyler or any name beginning with Ty-.

Tyler: Maker of tiles (Old English).

Tyrell: Created African-American name.

Tyrone: Land of Owen (Irish Gaelic).

Tyson: Possibly spark (Old English).

Tzevi: Deer (Hebrew).

U

Uberto: A form of Hubert, meaning bright intellect (Italian).

Ulysses: Latin variation of the Greek name Odysseus (wrathful).

Umberto: A form of Humbert, meaning renowned hun (Italian).

Updike: Upper bank (Old English).

Upton: Upper settlement (Old English).

Urban: From the city (Latin).

Uri: Light (Hebrew).

Uriah: God is a flame (Hebrew).

Uriel: Flame of God (Hebrew).

Urso: Bear (Italian).

Uziel: Strength (Hebrew).

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V

Vail: Valley (Old English).

Val: A diminutive of Valentine.

Valentine: Strong (Latin). Pronounced VAL-en-tine.

Valerian: Strong (Latin).

Van: Short form of names beginning with ''van."

Vance: Marshland (Old English).

Vasilis: Kingly (Greek).

Vaughn: Small (Welsh).

Venturo: Good fortune (Spanish).

Vermont: Green valley (French).

Vernon: Alder grove (Old French).

Vespucci: The surname of the famous Italian explorer used as a given name.

Victor: Victor (Latin).

Vidal: Lively (Spanish).

Vijay: Victory (Sankrit).

Vincent: The victor (Latin).

Vinton: Vine settlement (Old English).

Virgil: A Latin clan name.

Vitalus: Saint name, from the Latin Vitus, meaning life.

Vito: Alive (Latin). Also Vitus.

Vivian: Full of life (Latin).

Vlad: Ruler (Slavic).

Vlademar: Renowned leader (Old German).

Vladimir: Famous ruler (Russian).

Vladislav: Glorious ruler (Russian).

Volker: The people's defender (German).

W

Waahid: Unique, one, or singular (Arabic).

Wade: To ford the river (Old English).

Wadsworth: Village by the ford (Old English).

Wagner: Wagon builder, driver (Old English).

Wainwright: Wagon builder (Old English).

Waite: Watchman (Middle English).

Wakeman: Watchman (Old English).

Walcott: Cottage by the wall (Old English).

Wald: Woods (German).

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Waldemar: Renowned ruler (Old German).

Walden: Wooded valley (Old English).

Waldo: A short form of Waldemar.

Waldorf: Village in the woods (Old English).

Walker: Cloth worker (Old English).

Wallace: Welshman (Old English).

Walt: A short form of Walter.

Walter: Powerful people (Old German).

Waltham: Walt's village (Old English).

Ward: Watchman (Old English).

Warner: Defender (Old German).

Warren: Warden or watchman (Old German).

Washington: Old English place name, meaning from the town of an astute man.

Watson: Son of Walter (Old English).

Wayland: Land by the road (Old English).

Wayne: Wagon builder or wagon driver (Old English).

Weaver: Weaver (Old English).

Webb: A short form of Weaver.

Webster: Weaver (Old English).

Welborne: Spring-fed stream (Old English).

Welby: Well farm (Old English).

Weldon: The well on the hill (Old English).

Wells: Well (Old English).

Wenceslaus: Glorious garland (Slavic). Also Wenceslas.

Werner: A form of the Old German name Warner (defender).

Wesley: Western meadow (Old English).

Wetherby: Wether sheep farm (Old English).

Wharton: Settlement on the shore (Old English).

Whip: Whip (Old English).

Whitcomb: White valley (Old English).

White: White (Old English).

Whitehead: White or fair headed (Old English).

Whitney: White island (Old English).

Whittaker: White field (Old English).

Wilbert: Brilliant and resolute (Old German). Also Wilbur.

Wilder: Hunter (German).

Wiley: Water meadow (Old English).

Wilfred: Purposeful peace (Old German). Also Wilfrid.

Wilhelm: A German form of William.

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Willard: Bold will (Old German).

William: Determined protector (Old German).

Willis: A variation of William.

Wilmer: Determined fame (Old German).

Wilson: Son of Will (Old English).

Winston: Wine town (Old English).

Winton: Friend's settlement (Old English).

Winwood: Friend's wood (Old English).

Wisconsin: State name, from a Chippewa word of unclear meaning.

Wladyslaw: Glorious ruler (Slavic).

Wolfe: Wolf (Old German).

Woodrow: Row by the woods (Old English).

Woodson: Wood's son (Old English).

Woodstock: Wooden fence (Old English).

Woody: A diminutive of Woodrow, Woodson, or Woodstock.

Worth: Fenced farm (Old English).

Wright: Carpenter (Old English).

Wyatt: Small warrior (Old French).

Wycliff: White cliff (Old English).

Wylie: Charming (Old English).

Wynn: Fair skinned (Welsh).

Wynono: A variation of the Sioux word meaning first-born son (Native American).

Wyome: Large prairie (Native American). Also Wyoming.

X

Xan: A short form of Alexander.

Xavier: New house (Basque).

Xenos: Hospitality (Greek).

Xerxes: King, ruler (Persian).

Ximenes: A Spanish variation of Simon.

Y

Yale: Fertile moor (Old English).

Yancey: Possibly an American Indian name meaning Englishman.

Yaron: To sing (Hebrew).

Yarrow: Yarrow (Latin).

Yasahiro: Serene or tranquil (Japanese).

Yasir: Wealthy (Arabic).

Yates: The gates (Old English).

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Yigal: Redeemer (Hebrew).

Yitzhak: Laughter, a variation of Issac (Hebrew).

Yonas: Dove (Hebrew).

Yoosuf: A famed Islamic prophet's name (Arabic).

Yorick: Farmer (Old English).

York: Boar settlement (Old English).

Yule: Winter solstice (Old English).

Yuma: Son of the chief (Native American).

Yuri: A Russian variation of George.

Yves: A French variant of the Old German Ivo (yew bow).

Z

Zaafir: Firm and resolute (Arabic).

Zaahir: Obvious (Arabic).

Zaccheus: The Lord has remembered (Hebrew).

Zach: Pure (Hebrew).

Zachariah: Remember the Lord (Hebrew).

Zacharias: Greek form of Zachariah.

Zachary: Remember the Lord (Hebrew).

Zadok: Fair (Hebrew).

Zaki: Pure (Arabic).

Zale: The sea's strength (Greek).

Zan: A short form of Alexander.

Zane: An English variation of John.

Zbigniew: To do away with anger (Polish).

Zebulon: To give honor to (Hebrew).

Zeke: A short form of Zechariah.

Zenas: Hospitable (Greek).

Zeno: Of uncertain meaning, this was the name of a Greek philosopher.

Zephyr: West wind (Greek).

Zeus: Living (Greek).

Zion: Highest point (Hebrew).

Zoltan: Life (Hungarian).

Zuberi: Strong (Swahili).

Zuni: Native American tribe name.

Zuriel: The Lord my rock (Hebrew).

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APPENDIX B
GIRLS' NAMES

A

Aamaal: Hope (Arabic).

Abeer: Fragrance (Arabic).

Abigail: My father's joy (Hebrew).

Abriana: Possibly a form of Briana or Brian (strong, virtuous). Or, mother of a mighty nation (Hebrew).

Ada: A short form of the German Adelaide (noble one), or prosperous, happy (English).

Adalheid: Noble one (German).

Adana: A Spanish feminine form of Adam.

Adara: Beauty (Greek).

Adeela: Equal.

Adela: An early variant from the Old German name Adelaide, meaning noble or nobility. Also Adele or Adelle.

Adelaide: Noble one (German).

Adeline: Noble (Old German).

Adena: Noble and gentle (Hebrew).

Adira: Noble, powerful (Hebrew).

Adiva: Agreeable, gentle (Arabic).

Adora: Adored (Latin).

Adriana: From Adria or from the Adriatic (Latin).

Adrienne: French feminine form of Adrian (from the Adriatic). Or, dark one (Latin). Also Adriane, Adrianne.

Aeisha: Life (Arabic). Also Ayeesha, Aisha.

Afrah: A lady with fair complexion (Arabic).

Afton: English place name.

Agapi: God's love (Greek).

Agathe: Good (Greek). Also Agatha.

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Agatho: Saint name.

Agnes: Pure (Greek).

Ahava: Beloved (Hebrew).

Ahoilani: Heavenly shrine (Hawaiian).

Aiesha: Life, or alive and well (Swahili) and also woman (Arabic). Also Aisha.

Aileen: A form of Helen (light).

Aimee: A form of Amy (loved).

Áine: Joy (Gaelic).

Aisheka: Created African-American name.

Ajaysia: Created African-American name.

Akila: Intelligent or logical (Arabic). Also Akilah.

Akua: Born on Wednesday (African).

Alaiasha: Created African-American name. Also Alayshia.

Alana: Attractive, peaceful (Irish), or offering (Hawaiian). Also a feminine form of Alan. Also Alena.

Alberta: Highborn (Old English).

Aldara: Winged gift (Greek).

Aleeza: Loved (Hebrew).

Alegria: Happy (Spanish).

Alesia: Help (Greek).

Alethea: Truth (Greek).

Alex: A short form of Alexandra or Alexander. Also Alix or Alexa.

Alexandra: Defender (Greek). Also Alexandrine.

Alexia: A variant form of Alexander.

Alexis: Feminine form of Alex.

Alice: Noble (Old German).

Alicia: A popular form of Alice.

Aliha: Elevated (Arabic).

Alisa: Happiness (Hebrew). Also Aliza.

Alison: A diminutive of Alice.

Alisz: The Hungarian form of Alice.

Aliya: Ascend (Arabic). Also Aliyah.

Alke: A pet form of Adalheid (German).

Allegra: Happy (Italian).

Allie: A short form of Allyson, itself a form of Alice.

Allyn: The feminine form of Allen, meaning rock (Irish).

Alona: Oak tree (Hebrew).

Althea: From the Greek althainein (to heal).

Alyssa: Rational, sane (Greek).

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Alzbeta: The Czechoslovakian form of Elizabeth.

Amabel: Lovable (Latin).

Amada: Loved one (Latin). Also Amatus.

Amal: Hope (Arabic).

Amalia: God's work (Hebrew).

Amana: Loyal (Hebrew).

Amanda: Beloved (Latin).

Amadea: The feminine form of Amadeus, meaning God's beloved.

Amara: Forever lovely (Greek).

Amaris: Pledged by the Lord (Hebrew).

Amaryllis: Fresh (Greek).

Amata: Spanish form of Amy (beloved).

Amber: Element name (Old French).

Ameera: Princess (Arabic).

Amelia: Hard working (Old German).

Amethyst: A precious stone, deep purple in color (Greek).

Amira: Princess (Arabic); also speech (Hebrew).

Amisa: Companion (Hebrew).

Amita: Truth (Hebrew); also friendship (Italian).

Amity: Friendship (Latin)

Amy: Beloved (Latin).

Anaïs: French variant of Anne. Pronounced ah-nah-EES.

Anastasia: Resurrection (Greek).

Andrea: A feminine form of Andrew.

Angela: Messenger, angel (Greek).

Angèle: French form of Angela. Also Angélique.

Angelica: Angelic (Latin).

Anika: Goodness (Yoruba).

Ann: Anglicized form of Hebrew name Chanah or Hannah, meaning full of grace or mercy. Also Anne, Anna.

Annabelle: A combination of Anne and Belle, meaning graceful and beautiful.

Anneliese: A combination of Anne and Lisa, meaning God's grace (German).

Annemarie: The grace of Mary, from Anne + Marie (German).

Annette: French form of Ann.

Annie: A familiar form of Anne.

Annis: Finished (Greek).

Annunziata: Announcement or notice (Italian).

Anthea: Flowerlike (Greek).

Antoinette: A French form of Antonia.

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Antonia: Feminine form of Anthony (priceless).

Anya: Slavic or Russian form of Ann.

Anysia: Saint name, possibly derived from the Arabic name Anisah (friendly).

Aoibheann: Fair or beautiful (Irish Gaelic).

Aphrodite: Goddess of love, beauty (Greek).

Apollonia: The feminine of Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. Also the name of a Catholic saint considered to be the protector of dentists.

April: This month name comes from the Latin word meaning opening.

Aqualina: Like an eagle (Spanish).

Aquamarine: A precious jewel, green in color.

Arabella: Answered prayer (Latin). Also Arabelle.

Aravah: Willow, arid land (Hebrew).

Arcadia: A pastoral district of ancient Greece.

Arda: Bronze (Hebrew).

Ardelle: Highly enthusiastic, or burning with enthusiasm (Latin).

Arden: Same meaning as Ardelle.

Arela: Angel (Hebrew).

Aretha: Best (Greek).

Ariana: Pleasing or holy (Greek).

Ariel: Lioness of God (Hebrew).

Arlene: A feminine form of Charles.

Arlise: Feminine form of Arliss, meaning pledge (Hebrew).

Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature (Greek).

Asalah: Pure (Arabic).

Ashira: Wealthy (Hebrew).

Ashley: Ash tree meadow (Old English).

Ashra: Feminine form of Asher, meaning felicitous (Hebrew).

Ashten: Old English place name, meaning eastern town. Also Ashton, Aston.

Asia: Country as given name.

Aster: Starlike (Greek).

Asteria: Greek mythological name.

Astra: Starlike (Latin).

Astraea: The goddess of justice in Greek mythology.

Astrid: Strength of the gods (Scandinavian).

Atara: Crown (Hebrew).

Athalia: The Lord is exalted (Hebrew).

Athanasia: Immortal (Greek).

Athena: Goddess of wisdom (Greek).

Atifa: Compassionate (Arabic). Also Atifah.

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Atifah: Compassionate (Arabic).

Auda: Prosperous (Old French).

Aubrey: Elf ruler (Old French).

Audrey: Noble strength (Old English).

August: Month used as name (Latin).

Augusta: The feminine form of the Latin name Augustus, meaning worthy of respect.

Aurelia: Golden (Latin).

Aurora: Goddess of dawn (Latin).

Autumn: A season name.

Ava: Little bird (Latin).

Avery: Confirmation (Old French). Or elf ruler (Old English).

Avital: Dew of my father (Hebrew).

Aviva: Spring (Hebrew).

Ayako: Child of damask (Japanese).

Ayana: Beautiful flower (African).

Ayo: Happiness (African).

Aysheka: Created African-American name.

Azalea: Flower name, from the Latin for dry earth.

Azhaar: Flowers (Arabic).

Aziza: Esteemed or special (Arabic).

B

Bailey: Bailiff (Old English).

Barbara: Foreign or strange (Latin).

Barrie: English place name.

Basilissa: Saint name.

Bat-Ami: Daughter of my people (Hebrew).

Bay: A geographic term meaning the indentation of a coastline. Also a plant term relating to numerous trees, shrubs, and spices.

Beata: Blessed (Latin).

Beatrice: Bringer of gladness (Latin).

Bechira: The chosen one (Hebrew).

Becky: A pet name from Rebecca.

Bega: Saint name.

Behira: Shining bright (Hebrew).

Belinda: A combination of the Latin names Belle, meaning beautiful, and Linda, meaning pretty.

Bella: A diminutive of Isabella, a Spanish variation of Elizabeth. Also Belle.

Benita: Blessed (Latin).

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Beracha: Blessing (Hebrew).

Berenice: Bringer of victory (Greek).

Bernadette: French feminine form of Bernard (brave as a bear).

Berndine: A form of Bernadette.

Berit: Gorgeous, magnificent (Scandinvian).

Bertha: Brilliant ruler (German).

Bertil: This variant of the Old German name Bertilde means bright warrior woman. Also Bertilla.

Bertina: Bright (German).

Beryl: A precious mineral, of which emerald and aquamarine are two examples.

Bethany: House of poverty (Aramaic).

Bette: A diminutive of Elizabetheth. Also Betty, Beth, or Betsy.

Beulah: Married (Hebrew).

Beverly: English place name, meaning beaver field.

Bethia: Daughter of Jehovah (Hebrew).

Bianca: White (Italian).

Bibiane: Spanish version of Vivian (alive).

Billie: A feminine form of William, meaning strong-willed.

Bina: Intelligence, perception (Hebrew). Also Binah.

Birgitta: A variation of the Norwegian Birgit (splendid).

Blaine: Either one who serves St. Blaan, or slender (Irish Gaelic).

Blair: Plains dweller (Scottish).

Blanche: White or pale (French).

Blandina: Seductive (Latin). Also Blandas or Blandine.

Blaze: Spelling variation of Blaise (Latin), meaning one who stutters.

Bliss: Intense joy (Old English).

Blossom: Flowerlike (Old English).

Blythe: Cheerful or happy (English).

Bonnie: Pretty or beautiful (Scottish), or good (Middle English).

Bracha: Blessing (Hebrew).

Brandy: A sweet liquor (Dutch).

Bree: Short form of Brianna.

Brena: Raven (Irish Gaelic). Also Brenna.

Brenda: Small raven (Irish Gaelic).

Brianna: The feminine form of the Irish Gaelic name Brain, meaning strong one. Also Breana, Breanna.

Bridget: Strong (Irish).

Brigitte: French form of Bridget. Also Bridgitta.

Brina: Joy (Hebrew); also defender (Slavic).

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Brites: Power, strength (Portuguese).

Britt: A short form of Brittany (from England). Also Brett.

Brittany: From England (Latin).

Brona: Coming before victory (Greek).

Bronwyn: White-breasted (Welsh).

Brooke: Small stream (Old English).

Brooklyn: One of the five boroughs of New York.

Bryn: From the hills (Welsh).

Bryony: A plant name for a flowering vine.

Burnet: Burets and part are part of the rose family.

Bushra: Good omen or fortune.

C

Cady: An Old English name of uncertain meaning.

Caitlin: Irish form of Catherine. Also Caitrín, Caitríona.

Calandra: Lark (Latin).

Caledonia: From Scotland (Caledonia) (Latin).

Calendula: A flower of the same name (Latin).

Caley: Spelling variation of Caleigh. Also Cayley.

Calico: A printed fabric.

Calida: With warmth (Spanish).

Calla: Beautiful (Greek).

Callie: A form of Calla, meaning beautiful, or Callidora, meaning gift of beauty (Greek).

Calliope: Poetic muse (Greek).

Callista: From the Greek word kallos, meaning beautiful. Also spelled Kallista.

Cambria: A term for ancient Wales.

Camellia: A flowering bush found primarily in the southern United States. Also Camelia.

Cameron: Crooked nose (Scottish Gaelic).

Camille: The meaning of this Latin name is uncertain, but may relate to the young female attendants who served at religious festivals.

Candace: White or glowing (Latin). Also Candice.

Candida: White (Latin).

Candra: Glowing (Latin), or moon (Hindi).

Cara: Dear (Latin).

Carey: A form of Kerry or Kari, derived from Caroline, meaning little woman. Also Cari.

Carina: Dear little one (Italian).

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Carissa: Beloved (Latin), or grace (Greek).

Carla: A form of Caroline, or the feminine form of Carl (man).

Carley: A form of Carol or Charlotte, both derived from Carl (man). Or, an English place name meaning farmer's meadow.

Carlyle: Principally used as a boy's name, this Old English name means fortified tower.

Carma: Vineyard (Hebrew). Also Carmit.

Carmel: Garden (Hebrew).

Carmen: Song (Latin).

Carnation: Becoming flesh (Latin). Also the flower of the same name.

Carol: Strong and womanly (Latin). Or, a short form of Caroline. Also Carole.

Caroline: A feminine diminutive of Carl or Charles, meaning little womanly one. Also Carolina.

Carys: Derived from Caru, the Welsh word for love.

Casey: Brave or vigilent (Irish Gaelic).

Cassandra: Helper of man (Greek).

Cassia: Cinnamon (Greek).

Cassidy: Clever (Irish).

Cat: A pet name derived from of Catherine.

Catalina: A Spanish form of Catherine.

Catarina: Italian and Portuguese forms of Catherine.

Catherina: Another Spanish form of Catherine.

Catherine: Pure (Greek).

Cayley: Created name. Also Caileigh, Cayleigh, Caleigh.

Cecilia: Blind (Latin). Also Celia.

Celena: Greek goddess of the moon. Also Celine.

Celeste: Heavenly (Latin).

Ceres: Goddess of the earth, grain, and harvests (Latin).

Cerise: Cherry (French).

Chalese: Created African-American name.

Chanah: Full of grace or mercy (Hebrew).

Chandelle: Created African-American name.

Chandra: Like the moon (Sanskrit).

Chanel: Of uncertain origin, this French surname is associated with the fashion designer, Coco Chanel. Also Chanelle.

Chanina: Gracious (Hebrew).

Chantal: Stone or boulder (French).

Chanya: Grace of the Lord (Hebrew).

Charis: Grace (Greek).

Charity: Brotherly love (Latin).

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Charlotte: Little woman (French).

Charmaine: Singer (Latin).

Chastity: purity (Latin).

Chava: Mother of life (Hebrew).

Chaviva: Loved dearly (Hebrew).

Chelsea: Ship's port (English).

Chenoa: White dove. Native American.

Cherise: A form of Cherry (Old French).

Cherish: From the Latin word carus, meaning dear.

Cherokee: A Native American tribe, originally from the southeastern United States.

Cherry: Fruit name (Old French).

Cheryl: A form of Charlotte or Cherry.

Chevonne: Anglicized spelling or Siobhan (Gaelic).

Cheyenne: A Native American tribe indigenous to Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Montana. Also Cheyanne.

Chi: Aletter of the Greek alphabet. Also refers to energy centers of the body.

Chiara: Light (Italian).

Chidi: God exists (African).

China: Country as given name.

Chloe: From the Greek khloe, meaning blooming of verdant.

Chloris: Goddess of flowers (Greek).

Cholena: Bird (Native American).

Choni: Gracious (Hebrew).

Christina: Feminine form of Christian (follower of Christ). Also Christine.

Chrysanthemum: Gold flower (Greek).

Chula: Musician (Hebrew). Also fox (Native American).

Chumani: The Sioux word for dewdrops or dew (Native American).

Ciana: Created name.

Ciara: Related to the Italian word chiara, meaning light. Or, black-haired (Irish Gaelic). Also Ciera.

Cicely: A short form of Cecilia, meaning blind one (Latin).

Cimarron: A place name of the U.S. river and city in western Kansas.

Cindy: Pet name derived from Cynthia or Lucinda.

Claire: Bright (Latin).

Clara: Bright (Latin).

Clarinda: Created name, based on Clara.

Clarrisa: A form of the Latin name Claire.

Claudia: Feminine version of the Latin Claude, meaning lame.

Clementine: Mild, merciful (Latin). Pronounced kle-men-TEEN.

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Clotilda: Famous battle (German).

Cody: A cushion or pillow (Old English), or helper or assistant (Irish).

Cokeeshia: Created African-American name.

Colette: A diminutive of Nicole, meaning victory of the people (Greek).

Colleen: Girl (Irish Gaelic).

Columbine: Dove (Latin).

Constance: Steady or firm (Latin).

Coral: Coral (Latin).

Cordelia; From the heart (Latin).

Corinna: A form of the Greek word Cora (maiden). Also Corinne.

Cornelia: Like a horn (Latin).

Cosima: Order (Greek).

Courtney: Court dweller (Old English).

Cree: A Native American tribe, noted for being great warriors and travelers, primarily located in Canada.

Cristina: The feminine form of Cristián, the Spanish form of Christian (follower of Christ).

Crystal: Clear (Latin).

Cybill: A form of sibyl meaning seer, prophet, (Greek). Also Cybi.

Cyma: Flourishing (Greek).

Cynthia: Goddess from Mount Cynthos (Greek).

D

Daffodil: A narcissus with longer leaves and trumpetlike flowers (Old French).

Dafna: Laurel (Hebrew).

Dagmar: Glorious day (Old German).

Dagny: New day (Old Norse). Also Dagney.

Dahlia: A flower name of Scandinavian origin.

Daisy: A flower name, meaning eye of the day (Old English).

Dakota: The Sioux word for friend or ally.

Dalia: Branch (Hebrew).

Dallas: The city in Texas; also a village in northeastern Scotland.

Dana: From Denmark (Old English).

Danell: A form of Danielle.

Danielle: Feminine form of Daniel, meaning God is my judge (Hebrew).

Daphne: A shrub with fragrant flowers. Also a nymph in Greek mythology who escaped from Apollo by turning into a laurel tree (Greek).

Dara: Nugget of wisdom (Hebrew).

Darby: English place name, meaning park with deer or from the village

with deer. Also Derby.

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Darci: Black (Irish Gaelic), or from the fortress (Old French). Also Darcy.

Darlene: Little darling (Old English).

Daryl: French place name, or a diminutive of Darlene. Also Daryll.

Dawn: Daybreak (Old English).

Deana: A feminine form of Dean.

Deandra: A created name, possibly a variation from Deanna meaning valley (Old English), or a combination of Andrea and Sandra. Also possibly a feminine form of Dean.

Deborah: Bee (Hebrew). Also Debra.

Deirdre: The meaning is uncertain, but the name is that of a legendary Irish princess of great beauty.

Delaney: Daughter of the challenger (Irish Gaelic).

Delia: Visible one, or from Delos (Greek).

Delilah: Numerous meanings have been assigned to this Hebrew name including delicate, brooding, poor, and hair.

Della: Pet form of Adele (noble).

Delphine: Dolphin (Greek).

Delta: The fourth letter in the Greek alphabet.

Demeter: Goddess of the earth, grain, and harvests (Greek).

Demetria: From the Greek goddess Demeter.

Demi: Middle or half (French).

Denise: Feminine form of Dennis (follower of Dionysius).

Deni: A form of Dena, meaning vindicated (Hebrew).

Desiree: Greatly desired (French).

Destiny: Fate (Old French).

Destry: A created name.

Devi: The Hindu goddess of power and destruction.

Diamond: Brilliant and clear, from the Greek word adamas.

Diana: Divine (Latin) and also the name of the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature. Also Diane.

Dilys: Reliable or true (Welsh).

Dimity: A woven textured sheer cotton fabric.

Dinah: Justified (Hebrew).

Divina: From the Latin word divus (of God). Also Divine.

Dixie: Tenth (French).

Dodie: A pet form of Dora or Dorothy.

Dolly: A short form of Dorothy (beloved).

Dolores: Sorrow (Spanish).

Dominique: Belonging to God (French).

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Donatella: This Italian name is the feminine form of Donatello, meaning gift of donation.

Donna: Lady (Latin).

Donzaleigh: Created African-American name.

Dorcas: Gazelle (Greek).

Dora: Pet form of Dorothy.

Doris: From Dorian, an ancient province of Greece (Greek).

Dorit: A diminutive of Dorothy (Hebrew).

Dorothy: Gift of God (Greek). Also Dorothea.

Drew: A diminutive of Andrew, meaning masculine (Greek).

Duscha: Happy, or soul (Russian).

Dyani: Deer (Native American).

E

Eartha: Child of the earth (Old English).

Edith: Prosperous, or valuable gift (Old English).

Edna: Rejuvenation (Hebrew).

Edwina: Feminine form of the Old English name Edwin, meaning wealth or friend.

Effie: Pleasant speech (Greek).

Efrat: Honored (Hebrew).

Eileen: Irish form of Helen.

Eilís: The Irish form of Elizabeth.

Ekaterina: The Russian form of Catherine.

Elaine: Another form of Helen.

Eldora: Gift from the sun (Greek).

Eleanor: Light (Greek).

Elena: The Spanish version of Helen, meaning light.

Eliana: God has answered me (Hebrew).

Eliesse: A French form of Elizabeth.

Elisabet: The Scandinavian form of Elizabeth.

Elisabeta: The Rumanian form of Elizabeth.

Elisabeth: The French, German, and Spanish forms of Elizabeth.

Elisabetta: An Italian form of Elizabeth.

Elise: A pet form of Elizabeth.

Elissa: A short form of Elizabeth.

Elizabeta: The Portuguese and Russian forms of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Pledged to God (Hebrew).

Elke: German version of Alice.

Ella: All, or completely (Old German).

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Ellen: An English form of the Greek name Helen, meaning light.

Elpida: Hope (Greek).

Elsa: Either a form of Alice or a dimunitive of Elizabeth.

Elysia: Likely a form of Elizabeth, this name has also been traced to a Latin term meaning blissful.

Elzbieta: The Polish form of Elizabeth.

Emanuela: A feminine form of the Hebrew name Emmanuel, meaning God is with us. Also Emmanuelle.

Emelia: A Spanish form of Emily. Also Emilia.

Emelie: A likely variation of the German Emeline, meaning industrious, or a form of Emily from the same root name.

Emerald: A precious beryl stone, deep green in color.

Emily: Industrious (Old German).

Emma: All embracing (Old German).

Enid: Soul, or life (Welsh).

Eos: Goddess of dawn (Greek).

Erica: Ruler for all time (Scandinavian).

Erin: From Ireland (Irish Gaelic).

Eros: God of love (Greek).

Erzsébet: The Hungarian form of Elizabeth.

Esme: Beloved (French).

Esperanza: Hope (Spanish).

Estelle: Child of the stars (Latin). Also Estella.

Esther: Star (Persian).

Eulalia: Sweet speaker (Greek).

Eugenia: Nobleman (Greek).

Euphemia: Favored speech (Greek). Also Effie.

Euphrasia: Saint name.

Eustace: Fertile (Greek).

Eunice: Victory (Greek).

Evangeline: One who brings good news (Greek).

Eve: Life (Hebrew). Also Eva.

Evelyn: A form of the Old German name Avelina.

F

Fabiola: A feminine form of Fabian.

Fabronia: Saint name.

Faith: Loyal (Middle English).

Faiza: Winner (Arabic).

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Fallon: Descended from a ruler (Irish Gaelic).

Fanny: A diminutive of Francis.

Fareeha: Happy (Arabic).

Farrah: Pleasant (Middle English).

Farren: A created name. Also Faryn.

Fatima: Girl who weans a baby (Arabic).

Fausta: Fortunate (Latin). Also Faustine.

Fawn: Young deer (Old French).

Fay: Fairy (Old French).

Felicia: Lucky or happy (Latin).

Felicity: A form of the Latin name Felicia (happy).

Fern: Plant name (Old English).

Fiona: Fair or pale (Irish Gaelic).

Finola: White shoulders (Irish Gaelic).

Flora: Flower (Latin) and also the Roman goddess of flowers.

Florence: In bloom (Latin).

Florida: State as place name. It comes from the Latin word floris, or flower.

Florinda: Created African-American name.

Fradel: Joy (Yiddish).

Frances: From France (Latin).

Frayde: Joy (Yiddish).

Freda: Joy or peaceful (Yiddish).

Frederica: Feminine form of the German name Frederic (peaceful ruler).

Frieda: Joy (Yiddish).

G

Gabrielle: Feminine form of the Hebrew name Gabriel (God is my strength). Also Gabriela.

Gaea: Earth (Greek). Also Gaia.

Gail: My father rejoices (Hebrew).

Galena: A shiny gray mineral often used in jewelry.

Galiena: High one (Old German).

Gana: Garden (Hebrew).

Gardenia: Flower name.

Garnet: A deep red precious stone.

Gay: Glad, lighthearted (Old French). Also Gae.

Geena: From the Latin Regina (queen). Also Gena, Gina.

Gemma: Precious stone (Latin).

Geneviève: Woman (French).

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Georgia: Feminine form of George (farmer).

Geraldine: Feminine form of Gerald (Old German/French), meaning spear ruler.

Germaine: From Germany (French).

Gertrude: With the strength of a spear (Old German).

Ghaada: Graceful, beautiful (Arabic).

Gila: Joy (Hebrew).

Gilda: Gilded (Old English).

Gillian: Youthful (Latin).

Ginger: A short form of Virginia. Also Ginny.

Gioia: Joy (Italian).

Giselle: Pledge (German).

Gita: Song (Sanskrit).

Gitel: Good (Yiddish).

Gitta: A short form of Bridget, this Irish name means strength.

Gladiolus: Small sword (Latin). Also a flower name.

Gladys: A Welsh variation of Claudia.

Glenn: Glen (Irish Gaelic). Also Glenna, Glenne.

Gloria: Glory (Latin).

Glynis: Small glen (Welsh).

Golda: Gold (Old English).

Grace: The divine favor of God (Latin).

Gracie: A derivative of Grace.

Grainne: Love (Irish Gaelic).

Greer: Scottish name meaning alert or watchful.

Gregoria: Feminine form of the name Gregory, meaning watchful or alert.

Greta: A diminutive of the German Margaret, meaning pearl.

Gretchen: Pearl (Old German).

Gudrun: Battle (Scandinavian).

Guinevere: White, smooth, or soft (Welsh).

Gwen: Short form of Gwendolyn, meaning white, blessed (Welsh).

Gwyneth: Blessed (Welsh).

H

Habiba: Loved one (Arabic).

Hadiya: Gift (Arabic).

Hadley: Meadow (Old English).

Haifa: Slender (Arabic).

Haley: Hay meadow (Old English).

Halimah: Gentle, patient (Arabic).

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Hallie: Ruler (Old German).

Halona: Fortunate (Native American).

Hamadi: Praiseworthy (Arabic).

Hamida: Giving thanks (Arabic).

Hana: Flower (Japanese).

Hanan: Mercy (Arabic).

Haniya: Happy, pleased (Arabic).

Hannah: Gracious (Hebrew). Also Hanna.

Harmony: Harmony (Latin).

Harper: Occupational name.

Harriet: Ruler of the estate (Old German).

Hasan: Beautiful (Arabic).

Hasani: Beautiful lady (Arabic).

Hasina: Beautiful lady (Arabic).

Hayley: Meadow (Old English).

Hazel: Tree name (Old English).

Heather: Plant name (Middle English).

Hedy: From the Old German name Hedda, meaning war; or sweet, delightful (Greek); or voice or echo of God (Hebrew).

Heidi: Pet form of Adelaide or Adelheid.

Helen: Light (Greek).

Helena: A form of Helen.

Helga: Sacred or holy (Old German).

Heloise: French variation of Louise.

Henrietta: Ruler or mistress of the house (French).

Hera: Queen of the goddesses (Greek).

Hermione: Earthly (Greek).

Hestia: Goddess of the hearth (Greek).

Hilary: Cheerful (Greek). Also Hillary.

Hilda: Woman of battle (Old German).

Hildegarde: Battle fortress (Old German).

Hollis: English place name, meaning near the holly bushes.

Holly: Plant name (Old English).

Honor: Woman of honor (Latin). Also Honora.

Hope: Hope (Old English).

Hyacinthe: A flower; also a blue gem (Greek).

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I

Ida: Meaning is unclear, but thought to be either prosperous (Old English) or hardworking (Old German).

Idit: Choicest (Hebrew).

Ilana: Oak tree (Hebrew).

Ilaria: Italian form of Hilary.

Iliana: From Troy (Greek).

Ilona: Hungarian form of Helen.

Ilse: German variant of Elizabeth.

Iman: Belief, faith (Arabic). Also Imani.

Imelda: An all-consuming battle (Old German).

Inaya: Concern (Arabic).

India: Country as given name.

Indira: Beauty (Sanskrit).

Inez: The Spanish form of the Latin name Agnes, meaning pure.

Inga: Guarded by Ing (Scandinavian).

Ingrid: Beautiful (Scandinayian).

Ioanna: The Greek form of Hannah, meaning God's grace.

Iola: Cloud of dawn (Greek).

Iona: Greek name for a small island off Scotland.

Ione: Violet (Greek).

Ireland: Country as given name.

Irene: Peace (Greek).

Iris: Rainbow (Greek).

Irit: Daffodil (Hebrew).

Irma: Complete, or universal (Old German).

Irmina: A variation of Irma.

Isabel: Spanish variation of Elizabeth. Also Isabella.

Isidore: Gift of Isis (Latin).

Isis: A goddess of ancient Egypt.

Ivana: Slavic form of John (God is gracious).

Ivory: Ivory (Latin).

Ivy: Botanical name.

J

Jacey: A short form of Jacinda. Also Jacy.

Jacinda: Spanish for hyacinth. Also Jacinth.

Jacqueline: French feminine form of Jacob (he who supplants).

Jada: Wise (Hebrew).

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Jade: A hard ornamental stone from the Orient. Also Jada.

Jaffa: Beautiful (Hebrew).

Jaimie: Spanish variation of James.

Jala: Clarity (Arabic).

Jamaica: Country as given name, the word is believed to be native and meaning place of many springs.

Jameela: Beautiful (Arabic). Also Jamila.

Jamesha: Created African-American name, likely to be based on James. Also Jamisha. Pronounced jam-EE-sha.

Jamie: Feminine form of James.

Jamila: Beautiful (Arabic).

Jan: A form of Jane. Also Janet, Janine, Jean.

Jana: Popular Czech name, based on the male name John.

Jane: An English feminine form of John.

Janessa: Created African-American name.

Janet: A variation of Jane.

Jasmine: Jasmine (persian).

Jaundalynn: Created African-American name.

Jay: Jaybird (Latin).

Jazlyn: Created name.

Jemimah: Dove (Hebrew).

Jena: Little bird (Arabic).

Jenna: Pet name derived from Jennifer.

Jennifer: Soft, white (Welsh).

Jeralyn: Created name.

Jeramie: Feminine form of Jeremiah (the Lord is exhalted). Also Jeremia, Jeremie.

Jessenia: Popular Spanish name of uncertain origin.

Jessica: God's grace (Hebrew).

Jessie: A pet name derived from Jessica.

Jet: Hard black mineral, currently fashionable in jewelry.

Jewel: The Old French word for precious stone.

Jill: Pet name from Jillian.

Jillian: Another spelling of the Latin name Gillian (youthful).

Joan: A feminine form of John (God is gracious). Also Joanne, Joanna.

Jocelyn: A French name of uncertain origin, possibly from the Old German or Latin words meaning cheerful.

Jodie: A form of Joan or Judith (praise).

Joëlle: French feminine form of Joel.

Jolene: Created name.

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Joie: Joy (French).

Jolie: Pretty (French).

Jonquil: From the Latin joncus, meaning rush, this is a flower name.

Jordan: Descend (Hebrew).

Josephine: Feminine form of Joseph (Jehovah increases).

Joy: Joy (Latin).

Joyce: Joyous (Latin).

Judith: Praise (Hebrew).

Julia: Feminine form of Julius (youthful). Also Juliet or Julitta.

Juno: Queen of heaven (Latin), also the Roman mythological queen of the goddesses.

Justine: Based on the Latin word for justice (fair or righteous).

K

Kaamla: Perfect (Arabic).

Kachina: Sacred dancer (Native American). Also Kachine.

Kady: Old English name of uncertain meaning.

Kai: Navajo word for willow tree (Native American). Also Hawaiian for sea.

Kaitlyn: The Irish form of Catherine (pure).

Kalika: Silk (Hawaiian).

Kalinda: Created name.

Kallie: A short form of Kallista or Callista, meaning beautiful.

Kameela: Perfection (Arabic).

Kaneesha: Created African-American name. Also Kanisha.

Kara: A variation of Cara.

Karen: Scandinavian variation of Katherine.

Karla: A variation of Carla.

Karina: Created name.

Karma: Destiny or fate (Hindi).

Kataniya: Small (Hebrew).

Katarina: Hungarian form of Katherine (pure).

Katarzyna: Polish form of Katherine.

Katharina: German form of Katherine.

Katherine: Pure (Greek). Also Kathryn.

Katie: A pet name for Katherine.

Kathleen: An Irish variation of Katherine.

Katrine: Danish form of Katherine.

Kay: Rejoicing (Old Welsh).

Kayla: Probably a pet name derived from Michaela.

Kaylee: Spelling variation from the popular Cayley/Cayleigh/Kayleigh group.

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Keara: Spelling variation of Chiara (light).

Keisha: Created African-American name. Also Keesha.

Kelly: Lots of different meanings to this name. Take your pick; Irish surname meaning war or strife, English place name meaning woods or grove, lively (Irish Gaelic).

Kelsey: Island (Old English).

kendall: English place name, meaning valley of the Kent.

Kendra: Knowledge (Old English).

Kenisha: Created African-American name.

Kenya: Country as given name.

Kenzie: Pet name derived from Mackenzie.

Kerry: Irish place name.

Khalida: Immortal (Arabic).

Khalila: Best friend (Arabic).

Kiana: A modern name of uncertain origin.

Kiara: A variant of Chiara (light).

Kiersten: A variant of Christine.

Kim: A short form of Kimberley.

Kimberley: Old English place name.

Kiona: Brown hills (Native American).

Kira: A variant spelling of the Greek name Kyra (lady).

Kirsten: Scandinavian variation of Christina.

Kitty: A short form of Catherine.

Kolby: Variant spelling of Colby (dark farmstead).

Kristen: Another form of Christina.

Kyle: Scottish place name, meaning narrow spit of land. Also Kyla, Kylie.

Kyra: Lady (Greek).

L

La Shauna: Created African-American name.

La Tasha: Created African-American name.

La Toya: Created African-American name.

Lacey: Old French place name.

LaChrystal: Created African-American name.

LaDawn: Created African-American name.

Laila: Dark beauty or dark-haired (Arabic).

Laine: Path (Old English). Also Lane.

Lakeisha: Created African-American name.

Lakristal: Created African-American name.

Lana: A short form of Alana.

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Langley: Long meadow (Old English).

LaQuanda: Created African-American name.

Lara: Possibly a variation of Laura, but the origin of this name is unclear. Pronounced LAH-ra.

Larissa: Lighthearted (Greek). Also a pet form of Lara.

Larkspur: A flower name.

LaShaunda: Created African-American name.

LaTasha: Created African-American name.

Latasha: Created African-American name.

Lateefa: From the Arabic latif meaning gentle, kind.

LaToya: Created African-American name.

Laura: Laurel (Latin).

Laurel: Laurel (Latin).

Lauren: Feminine form of the Latin name Lawrence, or a variation of Laura.

Lavinia: Women of Rome or possibly purified (Latin).

Leah: Weariness (Hebrew).

Leandra: Lion woman (Greek).

Leanna: Name created from Lee and Anna.

Leanora: A name derived from Eleanor. Also Leonore.

Lee: Meadow (Old English).

Leslie: Gray fortress (Scottish Gaelic).

Letitia: From the Latin word laetitia (gladness).

Levana: Moon or white (Hebrew).

Lexie: A diminutive of Alexandra.

Lian: Graceful willow (Chinese).

Lila: A diminutive of Delilah, or the Arabic word for night.

Lillian: From the Latin word for the flower. Also Lilly, Lillie.

Linda: Pretty (Spanish).

Lindsay: Old English place name. Also Lindsey.

Linette: Idol (Welsh), or small bird (Old French). Also Lynette.

Linnea: Linden tree, or flower (Scandinavian).

Lisa: Derived from the name Elizabeth. Also Liza.

Lomasi: Pretty flower (Native American).

Loni: Lion (Latin). Also Lonnie.

Lorena: A form of the Latin name Laura, meaning laurel.

Lorna: Scottish place name.

Lorraine: From Lorraine (French).

Louise: Feminine form of the Old German name Louis (renowned in battle). Also Louisa.

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Lourdes: French place name.

Luana: Combined name from Louise and Anna.

Lucie: Light (Latin). Also Lucia or Lucy.

Lucinda: A form of Lucy, meaning light.

Lucretia: From a Latin clan name, possibly meaning wealth. Also Lucretta.

Ludmilla: Loved by the people (Russian).

Luna: Moon (Latin), also the Roman goddess of the moon.

Luz: Light (Spanish).

Lydia: From Lydia (Greek).

Lynn: A pet name derived from Linda.

Lynnton: Surname used as first name.

Lyric: Song (Latin).

M

Mabel: A diminutive of the Latin name Amabel, meaning loveable.

Mackenzie: Son of the wise ruler (Irish Gaelic).

Madeline: Derived from the Greek place name Magdala. Also Madelyn.

Madison: Son of the mighty ruler (Old English).

Maeve: Delicate, or fragile (Irish Gaelic).

Magdalen: A form of Madeline. Also Magdalena.

Magnolia: Flower name (Latin).

Mahala: Tender affection (Hebrew).

Mai: Everyone, each one (Japanese).

Maia: Mother (Greek).

Maisie: Pet name derived from Margaret.

Majeeda: Glorious (Arabic).

Makayla: A feminine derivative of Michael.

Malkah: Queen (Hebrew).

Mallory: Unlucky (Old French).

Malva: Slender, or delicate (Greek).

Mamie: Pet name for Margaret.

Mandy: A short form of Amanda, meaning much loved.

Manon: A derivative of Marie (French).

Marcella: Warlike (Latin).

Marcia: The feminine form of Mark. Also Marsha, Marciane, or Marciana.

Marcie: Derived from Marcella, meaning warlike (Latin). Also Marcy.

Margaret: Pearl (Greek).

Margarethe: A German form of Margaret.

Margaux: A French pet form of Margaret. Also Margo, Margot.

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Margit: The Scandinavian form of Margaret.

Maria: The Spanish form of Mary.

Mariah: A Latin variation of Mary.

Marian: Combined name from Mary and Ann.

Marissa: A derivative of Maris.

Marie: A French form of Mary.

Marie-Ange: A French combination of Marie and angel.

Mariel: A Dutch variation of Mary.

Maris: Of the sea (Latin).

Marisol: A Spanish name created by combining María and Soledad.

Mariya: The Russian form of Mary.

Marlene: A created name from the combination of Mary and Magdalena (from Magdala).

Marley: A short form of Marlene.

Martha: Lady (Aramaic).

Märtha: Norwegian form of Martha.

Martina: Warlike (Latin).

Mary: Bitter (Hebrew).

Matilda: Mighty warrior (Old German).

Maud: A familiar form of Matilda.

Maura: An Irish form of Mary.

Maureen: An Irish form of Mary.

Mavis: Thrush (French).

May: A short form of Mary and also Maia.

Maya: A variation of the Greek name Maia, meaning mother.

Mayne: Creative spelling of the state name.

Meg: A familiar form of Margaret.

Megan: A Welsh derivative of Margaret.

Melanie: Black or dark-skinned (Greek).

Melia: A diminutive of Amelia (industrious).

Melinda: Honey (Latin).

Melissa: Bee (Greek).

Melody: Song (Greek).

Mercedes: Mercy (Spanish).

Mercy: Mercy (Middle English).

Meredith: Great ruler (Welsh).

Merle: Blackbird (French).

Meryl: A variation of the Irish Gaelic name Muriel, meaning bright sea.

Mhina: A short form of Wilhelmina, meaning will helmet (Old German).

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Mia: Mine (Italian).

Mica: Feminine variation of the Hebrew name Michael, also a mineral name.

Michal: Feminine variation of the Hebrew name Michael.

Michelle: French variation of the Hebrew name Michael.

Michiko: The righteous way (Japan).

Midori: From the Japanese word for green.

Mignon: Cute (French).

Mikaela: Feminine form of the Hebrew name Michael (who is like God?) Also Michaela.

Mildred: Gentle strength (Old French).

Milena: Love (Slavic).

Millicent: Highborn power (Old German).

Minerva: The Roman goddess of wisdom.

Minnehaha: The Dakota Sioux word meaning laughing water (Native American).

Minnie: A short form of Wilhelmina.

Mira: Admirable (Latin).

Miranda: Miracle (Latin).

Miriam: Sorrow, or bitter (Hebrew). Also Miryam.

Mississippi: Great river (Native American).

Miyuki: Silence of deep snow (Japanese).

Mizuko: Water child (Japanese).

Molly: A diminutive of Mary.

Mona: Aristocratic (Irish Gaelic).

Monica: Advisor (Latin).

Monisha: Created African-American name.

Montana: A western U.S. state name, thought to be based on the Latin word for mountain or mountainous. Also Montanna.

Morgan: Great, or bright (Welsh).

Moriah: God is my teacher (Hebrew).

Mufeeda: Useful (Arabic).

Muriel: Bright sea (Irish Gaelic).

Myra: Feminine form of Myron (scented oil).

Myrtle: Botanical name.

Mystique: A French word meaning the mystery of a person.

N

Naava: Beautiful (Hebrew).

Nabila: Honorable, or noble (Arabic).

Nadia: Hope (Russian).

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Nadira: Precious, or rare (Arabic).

Naeema: Living an easy, enjoyable life (Arabic).

Nancy: A form of Ann, meaning grace.

Naomi: Beautiful, pleasant (Hebrew).

Narcissa: From the Greek flower name Narcissus (daffodil). Also a character from Greek mythology who was greatly enamored with himself.

Natalia: From the Latin word natalis, or birth day. Also Natalie.

Natana: Gift of God (Hebrew).

Natasha: Slavic variation of Natalie.

Nawar: Flower (Arabic).

Neima: Pleasant (Hebrew).

Nellie: A diminutive of Eleanor, meaning light.

Nevada: State as given name. Its name is thought to derive from the Spanish word for snowy.

Nettie: A pet name derived from Jeanette.

Nichelle: Created name, probably based on Michelle.

Nicole: Victory of the people (Greek).

Nike: Victory (Greek) and the name of the Greek goddess of victory.

Nina: Girl (Spanish).

Nira: Light (Hebrew).

Nita: Pet name derived from Juanita.

Noor: Light (Arabic).

Nora: A pet name derived from Eleanor.

Noreen: Irish form of Nora.

Norma: Pattern (Latin).

Nyssa: Ambitious (Greek).

O

Oceania: Ocean (Greek).

Octavia: Eight (Latin).

Odele: English place name, possibly a variation of the name Adele.

Odette: French adaptation of the German word for wealthy.

Odile: Prospers in battle (Old German). Also Otthild or Ottilie.

Okechukwu: A gift of God (African).

Oksana: Praise to God (Russian).

Olga: Holy (Russian).

Olivia: Olive tree (Latin).

Olympia: From Mount Olympus (Greek).

Oneida: Expected (Native American).

Onyx: Fingernail (German) and a semi-precious stone, back in color.

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Oona: Irish variation of the Latin name Una, meaning unity.

Opal: Gem (Sanskrit).

Ophelia: Helper (Greek).

Oralie: Golden (French).

Oriana: Dawning (Latin).

P

Page: French word for a young male attendant. Also Paige.

Paloma: Dove (Spanish).

Pamela: All honey (Greek).

Pansy: Flower name.

Paris: In Greek mythology, Paris was Helen of Troy's lover.

Patience: A virtue name from the Greek root pathos.

Patricia: Noble (Latin).

Paula: Feminine form of the Latin name Paul (small).

Payton: Fighting man's estate (Old English).

Pearl: Pearl (Latin).

Penelope: Bobbin worker (Greek).

Peri: Outcome (Hebrew).

Peridot: A jewel name.

Perpetua: Forever (Latin).

Persephone: The Greek goddess of growth, harvest, and winter.

Petronilla: A feminine form of Peter (Greek).

Peyton: Fighting man's estate (Old English).

Philippa: Feminine form of the Greek name Philip (horse lover).

Phoebe: Bright (Greek).

Phoenix: Dark red as blood (Greek).

Phylicia: A spelling variation of Felicia.

Phyllis: Leafy bough (Latin).

Piper: Old English occupational name.

Placid: Calm (Latin).

Polly: A variation of Molly.

Portia: A Latin clan name of uncertain meaning.

Prisca: Saint name, derived from Priscilla.

Precious: Worth a great deal (Latin).

Priscilla: Ancient (Latin).

Proserpina: A name based on the Greek and Roman goddesses of seasons, Persephone and Proserpine.

Prudence: Caution or discretion (Latin).

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R

Rachel: Ewe (Hebrew).

Rae: A pet name from Rachel.

Rafa: Prosperity (Arabic).

Rain: From the Old English regn, this name is from the same Latin root word as Regina, meaning Queen. Also Raine.

Raisa: Rose (Yiddish).

Ramona: Feminine form of Raymond (wise guardian).

Raquel: A variation of the Hebrew name Rachel.

Rashida: Wise (Arabic).

Ray: From the Old English regn, this name is from the same Latin root word as Regina, meaning Queen.

Rayna: A variation of Ray.

Rebekah: Beautiful, and also to bind (Hebrew). Also Rebecca.

Regine: Queen (French). Also Regina.

Rehema: A Swahili name meaning compassion, concern (African).

Reiko: Pleasant child (Japanese).

Renée: Reborn (French).

Rhea: Earth (Greek).

Rhoda: Rose (Greek).

Rhonda: Welsh place name.

Riane: Feminine form of Ryan.

Ríoghnach: Queenly (Gaelic).

Riona: The English form of Rioghnach.

Rita: A short form of Margaret from the Spanish Margarita.

Roberta: Feminine form of Robert.

Robin: The bird, or a diminutive of Robert.

Róisín: Irish version of Rosaleen.

Rolanda: Feminine form of the Old German name Roland (famous land).

Roma: Rome (Italian).

Romola: Woman of Rome (Latin).

Romy: A variation of Roma and diminutive of Rosemary, meaning dew of the sea.

Rona: Mighty (Scandinavian).

Rosalynn: A modern variant of Rosalind, meaning pretty rose. Also Rosalind.

Rosamond: Famed protector (Old German).

Rosanna: Combined name from Rose and Anna.

Rose: Rose (Latin) and a derivative of the Hebrew Shoshana.

Rosemary: Dew of the sea (Latin).

Roxanne: Dawn (Persian).

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Ruby: A precious stone, red in color.

Rufina: Red-haired (Latin).

Rut: Hebrew form of Ruth (friendship).

Ruth: Friend (Hebrew).

Rya: A pet name derived from Victoria. Also Ria.

S

Saabira: Stoic, patient (Arabic).

Sabra: Resting (Hebrew).

Sabina: Of the Sabine tribe (Latin). Also Sabine.

Sabrina: The Latin name for the Severn River in England.

Sade: A created name of unknown origin, possibly created spelling of Sadie; the Swahili word for help, saada; or the Arabic word for singer, shaadiya.

Saed: Happy (Arabic).

Safa: Purity (Arabic).

Safi: Serene (Arabic).

Safiya: Untroubled or serene (Arabic).

Sage: Wise (Latin).

Sailor: An occupational name.

Salama: From the Arabic word salima, meaning safe.

Salma: Peaceful (Arabic).

Salome: Peace (Hebrew).

Salwa: Solace (Arabic).

Samantha: Told by God (Hebrew).

Samara: One who talks at night (Arabic). Also Sameerah.

Samia: Elevated (Arabic).

Sanchia: Sacred (Latin).

Sandra: Pet name derived from Alexandra. Also Sandy.

Sapphira: Beautiful (Aramaic).

Sapor: Saint name.

Sapphire: A precious stone, blue in color.

Sarah: Princess (Hebrew).

Sasha: A diminutive of Alexander, more commonly used as a boy's name.

Savannah: Treeless (Spanish). Also Savanna.

Scarlett: Red (Middle English).

Sekou: Learned (African).

Selene: Moon goddess (Greek). Also Selena.

Selima: Tranquil (Hebrew).

Serena: Serene (Latin).

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Seraphina: A name derived from the highest rank of angels.

Sevilla: From the Spanish city name, based on the Greek word sibyl (oracle or seer).

Shalom: Peace (Hebrew).

Shandra: Created name.

Shane: A short form of Shaina, meaning beautiful (Hebrew).

Shannon: Ancient (Irish Gaelic).

Sharde: A created name of unknown origin.

Sharifa: Feminine form of the Arabic name Sharif (noble or eminent).

Sharon: A plain (Hebrew).

Shasta: A place name referring to a mountain on the northwestern coast of the U.S.

Shavonn: English spelling of the Irish Gaelic name Siobhan.

Shea: From a fairy fort (Irish Gaelic).

Shelby: English place name, meaning estate on the ledge.

Shelley: English place name, meaning meadow on the ledge.

Shirley: Bright meadow (Old English).

Shulamit: Peace (Hebrew).

Sibyl: Oracle, or seer (Greek).

Sienna: A town in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Sierra: A place name from the Spanish word for saw. Also Siera.

Simcha: Joy (Hebrew).

Siobhan: Irish Gaelic form of Joan.

Sky: An island off the west coast of Scotland (Scottish). Also Skye.

Solange: Solemn, religious (French).

Soledad: Solitude (Spanish).

Solveig: Headmistress (Scandinavian).

Sonia: A variation of Sophia, meaning wisdom. Also Sonja, Sonya.

Sonora: A place name referring to a state in northwestern Mexico.

Sophia: Wisdom (Greek).

Sophie: A familiar form of Sophia.

Sosie: Possibly a short form of Susan or Susannah.

Stacy: A pet name derived from Anastasia (resurrection).

Star: A noun used as a given name.

Stella: Star (Greek).

Stephanie: The feminine form of Stephan, which is derived from the Greek stephanos, meaning a crown or garland.

Suhayla: Smooth, flowing (Arabic), also the name of the second-brightest star in the southern skies.

Summer: Season used as name.

Sun/Sunny: A pet name derived from Sonia.

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Surya: The name of the Hindu sun god.

Susan: Lily (Hebrew). Also Susanna, Susannah.

Svetlana: Star (Russian).

Sydney: Old French place name.

Sylvia: From the forest (Latin).

Syon: Beautiful (Sanskrit).

T

Tabitha: An Aramaic name, meaning gazelle or small deer.

Tadi: Wind (Native American).

Tahnee: A spelling variation of Tawny.

Taima: Crash of thunder (Native American).

Takoda: Sioux name derived from Dakota, with the same meaning.

Talia: Dew of heaven (Hebrew). Also a pet name derived from Natalia.

Talisa: Beautiful water (Native American).

Tallulah: Leaping water (Native American).

Tama: Beautiful (Native American).

Tamar: Date palm (Hebrew). Also Tamara.

Tamika: Modern created name.

Tammy: A diminutive of Tamar.

Tanesha: Created African-American name. Also Taniesha.

Taniesha: Created African-American name.

Tanis: Little daughter (Native American).

Tansy: Everlasting life (Greek).

Tara: Rocky hill (Irish Gaelic). Also Tarin, Taryn.

Tasha: A short form of Natasha.

Tatiana: Russian name deriving from the Latin Tatianus, which comes from a Roman clan name.

Taylor: Anglo-Saxon occupational name.

Teresa: Harvest (Greek). Also Theresa.

Terra: Earth (Latin).

Tessa: A pet name from Teresa. Also Tess.

Thais: A courtesan of Alexander the Great. Pronounced THEY-us, or TEY-us.

Thaleia: Flourish, bloom (Greek). Also Thalia.

Thanaa: Thankful (Arabic).

Tharaa: Wealth (Arabic).

Thea: Goddess (Greek).

Thelma: Will (Greek).

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Theodosia: Gift of God (Greek).

Theodora: Gift of God (Greek).

Theresa: Harvest (Greek).

Tia: Aunt (Spanish). Also Tiana.

Tiara: Coronet, jeweled headband (Greek).

Tiberia: A Latin place name derived from the river Tiber.

Tierra: Land (Spanish).

Tierney: Lord (Irish Gaelic).

Tiffany: God's appearance (Greek). Also Tiffani.

Tira: Castle (Hebrew).

Toby: God is good (Hebrew).

Topaz: A precious stone, yellow-gold in color.

Tori: A pet name for Victoria.

Tosca: Maybe better known as the name of an opera, it relates to the town of Tuscany in Italy.

Tova: Good one (Hebrew).

Tracy: A diminutive of Theresa.

Treva: Feminine form of the Welsh name Trevor (large homestead).

Turquoise: A precious variegated stone, blue in color.

Tuwa: The Hopi word for Earth (Native American).

U

Uma: Flax (Sanskrit). Also the Indian goddess Sakti in her guise as light.

Unity: Virtue name.

Urit: Light (Hebrew).

Ursula: Female bear (Latin).

V

Valentina: Strong (Latin).

Valerie: Strong (Latin).

Vanessa: Invented name. Also Vanna.

Varda: Rose (Hebrew).

Venus: The Roman goddess of love and beauty (Latin).

Vera: Truth (Latin). Also Verena.

Verity: A Puritan virtue name, meaning truthfulness.

Veronica: Truth (Latin).

Vesta: The Roman goddess of the hearth.

Victoria: Victory (Latin).

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Vida: Life (Hebrew).

Vikki: A pet name for Victoria.

Viola: A variant of Violet.

Violet: Better known as the derivative name Yolanda, which comes from the Greek Iolanthe, meaning violet flower.

Virginia: Virgin (Latin).

Vivian: Full of life (Latin). Also Viviana.

W

Wafa: Faithfulness (Arabic).

Wafiya: Loyal (Arabic).

Wallis: Feminine form of the Old English name Wallace (from Wales).

Wanda: Wanderer (Old German).

Wendy: Created name.

Whitley: White meadow (Old English).

Whitney: White island (Old English).

Wilfrida: A variation of Wilfred, which means peace.

Wilhelmina: Will helmet (Old German).

Willa: A short form of Wilhelmina.

Winifred: Peacemaker, or friend of peace (Old German).

Winona: The Sioux word meaning first-born daughter (Native American).

Wyanet: Beautiful (Native American).

Wynne: Fair (Welsh).

X

Xandra: A variation of Sandra.

Xena: Welcoming (Greek). Also Xenia.

Y

Yael: God is willing (Hebrew).

Yaffa: Beautiful (Hebrew).

Yasin: Bearer of good news (Moroccan).

Yasmeen: Jasmine (Arabic). Also Yasmine.

Yedida: Friend (Hebrew).

Yisraela: Israeli (Hebrew).

Ynez: Spanish variation of Agnes.

Yolanda: Violet flower (Greek).

Yona: Dove (Hebrew).

Yoko: Positive, or good (Japanese).

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Yvette: A form of Yvonne.

Yvonne: Young archer (French), or yew wood (Scandinavian).

Z

Zaafira: Victorious, successful (Arabic). Also Zafira.

Zaahira: Blooming flower (Arabic).

Zehari: Brightness (Hebrew).

Zelda: Derived from the Old German name Griselda, meaning gray fighting maid.

Zera: Wolf (Hebrew).

Zinnia: Flower name.

Zippora: Bird (Hebrew).

Zita: Seeker (Greek).

Zoe: Life (Greek).

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APPENDIX C
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Books

The following books offer more information on baby names for specific ethnic groups. Resources on dreaming and signs also are listed.

African Names

One of the nicest books on African names is The Book of African Names by Molefi Kete Asante (Africa World Press, Inc., 1991), which provides clear and direct translations of African tribal names and guidelines to follow in choosing an African name.

African-American Names

The Complete Guide to African-American Baby Names by Linda Wolfe Keister (Signet, 1998). Keister reflects the rich diversity of the African-American name pool in this book, which lists created names, historical names, and so on, all borne by people of African-American descent.

Arabic/Muslim Names

The Complete Book of Muslim and Parsi Names by Maneka Gandhi and Ozair Husain (HarperCollins Publishers India, 1998). A comprehensive yet easy-to-understand guide, recently issued in paperback format.

Names for Muslim Children by Moulana Ahmad Muhammad Hathurani (Dawah Book Shop) is an authoritative compilation of these names as well as a primer on pregnancy and childrearing from the Muslim point of view. Using this book requires some knowledge of Arabic as names are listed alphabetically by Arabic character rather than English letter.

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Celtic Names

Celtic Names for Children by Loreto Todd (Irish American Book Company, 1998) contains 2,000 first names from six Celtic countriesIreland, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, and the Isle of Man. Todd put a lot of work into her book, providing detailed explanations for each name as well as their origins and meanings. Another valuable feature of this book: phonetic pronunciations for each name, a must when you're considering Celtic forms of names from other languages or Celtic names that have not been Anglicized.

Jewish Names

For a comprehensive history of both traditional and contemporary Jewish names (up through the mid-1970s, anyway), turn to A Dictionary of Jewish Names and Their History by Benzion C. Kaganoff (Schocken Books, 1977). This book also features a nice dictionary of selected Jewish names, complete with origins and historical notes when appropriate.

Anita Diamant's What to Name Your Jewish Baby (Summit Books, 1989) is a more up-to-date look at Jewish baby names and trends.

Native American Names

The Encyclopedia of North American Indians, Frederick E. Hoxie, ed. (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996), is a collection of tribal descriptions, histories, biographies, terms, and events. It's a good source to look at if you don't know much about Native American culture but are thinking about a Native American name, as it will tell you quite a bit about various tribal cultures as well as their histories.

Fated Names

For more on using the messages and imagery in dreams to guide the choice of a name, try All About Dreams: Everything You Need to Know About Why We Have Them, What They Mean, and How to Put Them to Work for You, by Gayle Delaney, Ph.D. (HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1998).

The Secret Language of Signs, by Denise Linn (Ballantine Books, 1996), is a comprehensive look at the significance of signs, how they appear, and how to interpret them when they do.

Web Sites

Type the words ''baby names" or "given names" in your Web browser and you'll come up with tons of sites to check outcertainly plenty to keep you contentedly surfing through your pregnancy!

As is always the case with Internet research, the information you'll find will range from comprehensive to bare-bones listings of names with no explanations whatsoever. Many of the Web sites that feature baby names are part of larger parenting or pregnancy sites that offer other good information. Others deal specifically with names.

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After poking around dozens of sites, these are the ones I found particularly helpful and easy to get around in:

www.babycenter.com

Click on the babynamer hyperlink to access this very interactive site. You'll find lists of most popular names, a reader survey section where you can enter your vote on specific names, and chat rooms and bulletin boards on subjects ranging from multiple births to ethnic names.

www.babynames.com

Lots of baby name lists by subject, such as most popular, African-American, Shakespeare, soap opera names, etc. This site also offers a personalized naming service where staff members help you choose a name. One drawback to this site: It provides meanings but no origins for the names on its lists.

www.babyzone.com

Click on the fun stuff and baby names hyperlink to access what is billed as "the most comprehensive directory of baby name resources on the Web." You'll find some unusual stuff here, including a name inventor that statistically analyzes real baby names and comes up with new letter combinations. My tries here came up with such weird creations as Rerar, Gesie, and Dro; hopefully, your attempts will yield something far better.

www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Cinema/29619

A very comprehensive and up-to-date list of celebrity baby names. It's arranged by the surnames of the parents, which makes it easy to look up the names chosen by your favorite stars.

www.ivillage.com

Go to the Parent Soup channel, which is where you'll find lists of baby names and explanations, as well as where they came from and the famous people who bear them.

www.jellinek.com

An extensive database with more than 14,000 names. A good place to look if the name you have in mind isn't coming up on other sites.

www.parenthood.com

Click on the names hyperlink to access a database that allows you to search by meaning or name. You can also do an advanced search by number of syllables, origin, or gender.

www.parentTime.com

This lively site groups names into various categories, like cool, classic, image, and religion. The bulletin boards here are another good spot for asking other peoples' opinions on specific names.

www.thebabiesplanet.com

Lots of good baby name info here, including a comprehensive list of related Web sites.

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www.zoope.com

This fun, easy-to-use site presents alphabetized name listsjust click on a letter and you're launched into an extensive book of names. Pretty graphics here, too.

http://student-www.uchicago.edu/users/smhawkin/names/meiji.html

If you're looking for popular Japanese baby names, go to this list, compiled by the Meiji Life Insurance Company in Japan, of the most popular names in 1996. You'll find the top 20 for both boys and girls, along with a pronunciation guide. No definitions, however.

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APPENDIX D
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

acronym A pronounceable word formed from the initial letters or syllables of a series of words.

alliteration The repetition of certain vowel or consonant sounds, usually at the beginning of words.

anagram A new word or name formed by combining the letters of several names or words in any order.

ananym A new word or name formed by the backward spelling of an existing word or name.

androgynous names Another term for unisex names.

anthopersonym A flower name used as a given name.

Aramaic A group of languages spoken in Biblical times.

assimilation names The names adopted by immigrants in place of their original given names.

assonance The repetition of similar vowel sounds.

boomerang names Names that make a comeback after being tossed aside in favor of more popular names.

canonizing The process of declaring a dead person as a saint.

Christian name The name given at baptism. Also called a first name or given name.

coining Creating a new name, either from existing name elements or an entirely new source.

commemorative name A name given in memory of someone or something.

consonance The close repetition of identical consonant sounds.

elisim A name that forms a phrase when spoken with a surname.

feast day Days designated to celebrate individual saints.

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good ol' boy names Double derivative boys' names, like Jim Bob or Billy Ray.

hagionym Saint name, from the Greek hagios, meaning "holy or saintly," plus -onym, the Greek suffix meaning "name."

lucid dreaming Having dreams when you're aware that you're dreaming.

matronomics The use of a mother's given name. Also spelled matronymics.

Muslim A follower of Muhammed, the founder of the Islamic fath. Translated, it means "true believer."

name fashions The particular name styles that are popular at various points in time, or naming traditions used by specific ethnic or religious groups.

name type A general category that a name falls into, such as classic, traditional, contemporary, or unusual.

natal chart An astrological chart that shows where the planets were located at an individual's birth.

neologism A new word or a new meaning for an established word.

neology The process of creating a new word.

nickname An additional or substitute names given to a person, place, or thing.

nomenclator A person who invents names for things or assigns them to things.

nomenclature A system of names used by specific people or groups.

onomancy The belief that a person's name can be used to predict his or her fate.

onomastics The study of names and naming practices.

onomonist Someone who believes that names can foretell future events or individual destinies.

-onym Suffix from the Greek onoma, meaning "name."

ordinal name A name that denotes the order in which children are born.

patronymics The use of a father's given name.

pet name The shortened form of a given name. Also known as hypocoristic names.

Plantagenet The ruling family of England from 1154 to 1399, or any member of this family.

poetonym A fictional name created in a literary work.

rhythm The sense of movement created by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, either in a line of verse or in a name.

surname A name that is added to a given name, primarily for identification purposes. Also known as a family or clan name.

Teutonic A term used to describe the ancient people and languages of northern Europe. Also known as Germanic.

theophoric names Names that contain a word or element meaning "God."

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INDEX

A

Aamaal, 307

Aaron, 300

Aasim, 306

Abdu, 136

Abdul, 306

Abdullah, 306

Abeer, 307

Abernathy, Reverend Ralph, 137

Abigail, 144, 149, 302

Abir, 194

Abraham, 300

abstract names (virtuous names), 192

Abu Bakr, 306

Acacio, 198

acronyms, 27, 63, 106

Adair, 208

Adalheid, 287

Adam, 300

Adara, 332

Addams, Jane, 154

Adeela, 307

Adela, 263

Adelaide, 268, 287

Adele, 195

Adiva, 198

Adolphus, 266

Adora, 296

Adriaño, 283

Adrian, 202, 207

Afrah, 308

African-American names, 135-138, 278

current trends, 135-138

distinctive heritage considerations, 135-138

history of

after Civil War, 132-133

cultural and heritage considerations, 134-135

slaves, 131-132

suffixes and prefixes, 133-134

resource books, 411-412

Afton, 211

Agapi, 197

Agathe, 287

Ahmad, 136, 306

Aisha, 136, 308

Akila, 136

Akua, 136

Alabama, 180

Alain, 283

Alaire, 195

Alarik, 283

Alaska, 180

Alberta, 195, 267

Alcander, 194

Aleeza, 196

Alethea, 198

Alexander, 145, 271, 281, 295

Alexandra, 282

Alexandra of Denmark, 270

Alexandrine, 269

Alexia, 269

Alexis, 293

Alfonso XIII, 272

Alfred the Great, 262

Ali, 136, 306

Ali, Muhammad, 135

Alice, 151, 267

Alisz, 287

Alke, 287

Allard, 194

Allegra, 196

Allie, 332

alliteration, 67

multiples, 113-114

Alois, 283

Althea, 296

Alyssa, 223

Amadeo, 197

Amal, 136, 197

Amalia, 200

Amana, 198

Amanda, 197, 296

Amara, 296, 332

Amaryllis, 224

Amber, 226

Ambrose, 298

Ameen, 306

Ameer, 308

American names

history of, 141-144

Biblical names, 144

founding fathers, 144-145

influence of American heroes, 153-155

influence of wars, 146-155

influence of White House, 147-153

middle names, 19

Americanizing names, 19-20

Amethyst, 226

Amiel, 283

Amin, 197

Amiri, 136

Amitai, 197

Amity, 190

Amos, 300

Amy, 117, 197

anagrams, 27

multiples, 115

Anaïs, 287

ananyms, 27

Anastasia, 271

ancestors, Jewish names, 38

Andor, 283

Andrei, 271

Andrew, 198, 281, 298

androgynous names, 328

Angèle, 287

Angelica, 224

Anglo-Saxon language, 15

Anglo-Saxon names, 15, 262

Anika, 136

Anna, 304

Annar, 283

Anne, 142, 265, 312

Anneliese, 287

Annunziata, 287

Anthea, 296

Anthony, 146, 281, 295

Anthony, Susan B., 155

Antonia, 296

Aoibheann, 287

Apache, 176

approaches to creating names, 104-107

acronyms, 106

blending names, 105

diminutives, 107

no rules neo-names, 107-108

pieces of other names, 105

April saints, 319

Arabella, 266

Arabic/Muslim names

Muhammed influence, 305-309

boys' names, 306-307

girls' names, 307-309

resource books, 411

Arcadia, 221

Ardelle, 297

Arela, 332

Ari, 283

Arizona, 180

Arkansas, 180

Armand, 283

Arnold, 234

Arsenio, 198

Arthur, 263

Arthurian legends, 263

Asalah, 308

Asher, 283

Ashkenazic Jews, 79

Ashley, 210, 293

Ashton, 209

Asia, 220

assimilation names, 278-290

assonance, 66

Aster, 225

astrology, influences on naming, 256

zodiac signs, 256-258

Athena, 294

athletes, 7

Atif, 199

Atifa, 200

Aubrey, 207, 330

August saints, 322

Augusta, 266

Augustine, 283

Augustus, 266

Document

Page 418

Aurora, 294

Austin, 127-128, 293

Autry, 194

Ava, 236

Avital, 287

Aviva, 287

Ayana, 136

Azalea, 224

Azhaar, 308

Azhar, 306

Aziza, 136

B

Bailey, 207

Ballard, 194

Barbara, 297

Bartholomew, 303

Barton, Clara, 154

Basil, 271

Bastien, 283

Bat-Ami, 287

Bay, 220

Beatrice, 267

Béla, 283

Bella, 297

Benjamin, 145, 300

Bennett, 330

Berend, 283

Berenice, 304

Berit, 332

Bernadette, 312

Bernhard, 284

Bertil, 272

Beryl, 227, 332

Bethany, 305

Beverly, 203, 210

Bible and genealogy, 81

Biblical names, 39, 300-305, 328

American names, 144

New Testament

boys' names, 303-304

girls' names, 304-305

Old Testament

boys' names, 300-302

girls' names, 302-303

Birgitta, 272

birth names, celebrities, 232

birth records, finding heritage-linked names, 279

Blackfeet, 176

Blaine, 207

Blair, 207

Blanche, 265

Blaze, 129

blending names, 105

Bligh, 195

Bliss, 196

Blossom, 225

Bogdan, 284

Bonar, 198

Book of African Names, 411

books for resources, 411-412

African names, 411

African-American, 411

Arabic/Muslim names, 411

Celtic names, 412

fated names, 412-414

Jewish names, 412

Native American names, 412

boomerang names, 38-39, 328

Boris, 271, 284

Bowie, James, 128

boys' names

1950s trends, 47

1960s trends, 48

1970s trends, 49

1980s trends, 50

1990s trends, 51

African, 132

American, 142-151

celebrity men, 234-236

Central United States, 163

classical, 26

country of origin, 283-286

Eastern seaboard, 159

foreign forms, 281-282

Greco-Roman classics, 298

Japanese, 38

meanings, alphabetical list, 337

Middle Eastern influence on, 292-293

Midwestern, 162

Muslim/Arabic, 306-307

neo-names, 107

New Testament, 303-304

Northeastern, 159

Northwestern, 165

Old English, 16

Old Testament, 300-302

organic, 217-221

Southern, 161

Southwestern, 164

top 100, 53-54

traits associated with, 6

unisex, 206-213

virtuous

gender traits, 198

joyful/laughter, 195-196

kindness and compassion, 199-200

love, 197

peace and harmony, 198-199

strength of will, 194

truth and justice, 197

West, 164

World War II, 47

Bracha, 287

Brandon, 292

Brant, 183

Brenna, 332

Brent, 217

Brent, Margaret, 154

Brenton, 219

Brett, 209, 217

Brian, 194

Brianna, 102, 293

Brigid of Ireland, 313

Brina, 287

Brites, 195

British royalty, see English royalty

Brody, 219

Bruno, 284

Bryony, 224

Burnet, 224

Bushra, 308

Byzantine Calendar, 315

C

Caius, 195

Calandra, 224, 332

Caleb, 300

Caledonia, 220

Caley, 210

Calhoun, John C., 154

Calico, 129-130

California, influence on naming trends, 170-171

Calla, 223

Callie, 127

Callista, 297, 332

Calvin, 152

Cambria, 218

Camellia, 224

Cameron, 207

Camille, 332

Candace, 305

Candra, 332

Carey, 211

Carley, 332

Carmel, 218, 287, 305

Caroline, 149, 266-267

Carolos, 284

Carver, George Washington, 154

Cary, 234

Casey, 194

Cassia, 224, 332

Cassidy, 207

Cat Ballou, 125

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 167

Catalina, 220

Catherine, 26

Cecilia, 269

celebrity names, 4-7, 231-233

birth names, 232

changes, 232-233

choices for middle names, 93-95

from movies, 232-238

leading ladies, 236-238

leading men, 234-236

of children, 38-39, 238-246

fashionable, 241-246

traditional, 238-241

Celtic names, resource books, 412

Celtic Names for Children, 412

central United States regional naming trends, 163

Chai, 284

Chalil, 284

Chanah, 197

Chandler, 207

Chanel, 333

Chantal, 287

characters

literary works, names from, 231

movies, names from, 233-234

plays, names from, 231

Charis, 199

Document

Page 419

Charity, 190

Charles, 146, 266

Charles I, 266

Charlotte, 269

Chaska, 183

Chastity, 198

Chava, 287

Chavez, Cesar, 154

Chaviv, 284

Chenoa, 183

Cherokee, 176, 183

Cherry, 224

Chester, 150

Cheyenne, 128, 176, 183

Chiara, 333

Chickasaw, 176

Chidi, 136

children, celebrity names, 38-39, 238-246

fashionable, 241-246

traditional, 238-241

China, 220

Chloe, 297, 333

Chloris, 294

Choctaw, 177

Cholena, 183

Choni, 198

Christian names, 17

Christina, 273

Christopher, 26, 281, 292, 298, 313

Christos, 284

Chula, 183

Chumani, 184

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, genealogical information, 281

Ciarán, 284

Cicely, 223

Cimarron, 125-128

city records, finding heritage-linked names, 280

Clark, 234

classical names, 24-25

pros and cons, 25

unisex, 207-208

Claudia, 153, 305

Claus, 284

Clifford, 220

Clyde, 221

Cochran, Jacqueline, 154

coined names, see created names

Colby, 128

Colt, 130

Colton, 330

Comanche, 177

compatibility, 67-68

competition among multiple family members, 79-80

Complete Book of Muslim and Parsi Names, 411

Complete Guide to African-American Baby Names, The, 411

compromising, 77-79

initialing a family name, 78

relating a family name, 78

sandwiching a family name, 77

translating a family name, 79

Concord, 199

Connecticut, 180

consonance, 66

Constantine, 194

Constantine II, 269

Cooper, Alice, 129

Coral, 227

Corey, 209

Corinna, 295

Corliss, 199

Cornelius, 304

Cort, 330

Cosima, 287

Cosmo, 199

country of origin

boys' names, 283-290

girls' names, 287-290

county records, finding heritage-linked names, 280

Courtland, 330

Courtney, 210

Craddock, 197

created names, 27, 41-42, 97-99, 329

approaches, 104-107

acronyms, 106

blending names, 105

diminutives, 107

no rules neo-names, 107-108

pieces of other names, 105

guidelines, 102

find inspiration, 102-104

occasions and events, 103-105

hazards, 101

history of, 99-100

spelling, 42

unique to North America, 99

creativity rules, African-American names, 138-140

-isha suffix, 138

-on suffix, 139

-quon suffix, 139

-won suffix, 139

Chan- prefix, 138

Da- prefix, 139-140

De- prefix, 139-140

Ka- prefix, 138

La- prefix, 138-140

Shan- prefix, 138

Cree, 177, 184

Creek, 177

Crockett, Davey, 128

Crown Prince Haakon, 270

Crusades, names from, 262-265

Crystal, 228

Cullen, 330

cultural considerations, African-American names, 134-135

cultural heritage names, 40-41

Curtis, 199

cute spellings, 329

Cyma, 333

Cyrus, 300

Czar Nicholas II, 270

czars (Russian royalty), 270-272

D

Dabney, 212

Daffodil, 225

Dafna, 287

Dahlia, 224

Daisy, 224

Dakota, 184, 218

Dale, 210, 219

Dalia, 287

Dallas, 128, 217

Dallas (television show), 29

Dana, 209

Daniel, 146

Dante, 194, 284, 331

Daphne, 116, 224

D'Arbanville, Patti, 126

Daryl, 236, 333

David, 117, 197, 300

Davis, Kenneth C. (historian), 123

Day, Doris, 126

Dean, 219

death records, finding heritage-linked names, 279

Deborah, 302

December saints, 325-326

deeds, finding heritage-linked names, 279-280

deities, Greco-Roman names, 294

Delaware, 177

Delilah, 302

Delta, 236

Demeter, 295

Demetria, 287

Demetrios, 284

Demi, 237

Denholm, 221

Dennis, 294

Denver, 219

derivatives of geographical places, organic names, 216-221

boys', 217-221

girls', 218-223

Dermot, 199

Desiree, 272

Destin, 331

Devin, 209, 331

Devlin, 194, 198

Dewey, 197

Diago, 284

Diamond, 227

Diana, 116

Diarmaid, 284

Dickensian names, 37

Dictionary of Jewish Names, 412

Dieter, 284

Dikembe, 136

Dilys, 200

diminutive endings, 27

diminutives, 107

Dimity, 130

Dinah, 302

diplomacy, 76-77

Dolly, 145

Domesday Book, 17

Donatella, 287

Page 420

Doran, 284

Doris, 237

Dorit, 288

Dorothea, 151

Dorothy, 297

double d (southern names), 167

Douglas, 210

dream interpretation, 260

dream journaling, 259

dreams, influence on naming, 259-260

dream interpretation, 260

dream journaling, 259

Drew, 237

Driving Miss Daisy, 167

Dusan, 284

Duscha, 196, 288

Dustin, 234

Dwight, 152

Dyani, 184

Dylan, 208

Dynasty (television show), 29

E

Éamonn, 284

Earhart, Amelia, 154

Earp, Wyatt, 127

Eastern regional naming trends, 159-160

Edgar I, 262

Edison, Thomas Alva, 155

Edith, 153

Edward, 26, 142

Edward I, 262

Edward the Confessor, 313

eight names (numerology), 254-255

Elaine, 117

Eleanor, 151, 263

Elena, 273

Eli, 300

Eliana, 288

Elijah, 116

Elizabeth, 26, 142, 149, 263, 282

Elizabeth II, 268

Ellen, 149

Elpida, 197

Elysia, 333

Emerald, 228

Emilio, 284

Emily, 282, 293

Encyclopedia of North American Indians, 412

English royalty

Crusade names, 262-265

Hanover names, 266-268

Victorian, 267

Lancaster names (Middle Ages), 265

Norman names, 262

Tudor names (Middle Ages), 265-266

Windsor names, 268

York names (Middle Ages), 265

Enoch, 143, 300

envisioning names, 70

Enzo, 284

Ephraim, 143, 300

Erhard, 194

Ernest, 266-267

Esmé, 210

Esperanza, 197

Esther, 143, 302

Ethan, 146, 194

ethnic names, 40-41

etymological elements, virtuous names, 192-193

English and German Teutonic elements, 192-193

Greek elements, 193

Hebrew elements, 193

Slavic elements, 193

Eugene, 298

Eunice, 305

Evan, 208

Eve, 116, 302

Evelyn, 212

F

Faakhir, 306

Fabrizio, 285

Fadi, 306

Fadl, 306

Fahim, 136

Faisal, 306

Faith, 190

Faiza, 308

Falcon Crest (television show), 29

family history, 10-11

family influence, 75-76

compromising, 77-79

initialing, 78

relating, 78

sandwiching a family name, 77

translating family names, 79

exploring family tree, 80-81

multiple family members competing, 79-80

new traditions, 82-83

remaining diplomatic, 76-77

family names, history of, 16-17

family trees, exploring for names, 80-81

Fane, 195

Fareeha, 308

Farrah, 237

fashion naming

fashions in naming, 33-34

African-American names, 135-138

creativity rules, 138-140

distinctive heritage considerations, 135-138

Biblical names, 39

boomerang names, 38-39

celebrity kids, 241-246

created names, 41-42

creative spelling, 42

ethnic and cultural heritage names, 40-41

future trends, 42-43

history, 34

Hollywood names, 38-39

last names first, 40

literary names, 36

Dickensian names, 37

multiples, 112-113

national leaders, 264

Native American influence, 182-183

pet names, 34-36

political leaders, 264

regional trends, 158-166

central United States, 163

Eastern, 159-160

Midwestern, 162-163, 172-173

Northeast, 158-159

Northwestern, 165-166

Southern, 160-161, 166-169

Southwestern, 163-164, 169-170

Western, 164-165, 169-173

selection process, 63-64

alliteration, 67

compatibility, 67-68

envisioning name, 70

length of name, 65

nicknames test drive, 69

questionnaire, 70-73

rhythm of name, 65-67

saying it out loud, 70

sharing with others, 70

spelling test drive, 68-69

versatility, 68

traditional names, 37-38

unisex names, 39-40, 203-204

keeping family names alive, 204-207

list of, 206-213

place names, 40

removing gender discrimination, 203-204

warning, 205

year 2000, 328-330

boys' names, 330-332

girls' names, 332-334

see also naming trends, trends in naming

fated names, resource books, 412-414

Fatima, 308

fauna names, 229

Fawn, 229

feast days, 315

feast of the Nativity of St. John, 321

February saints, 317

Federico, 285

Felicia, 196

Felicity, 333

Felipe, 273

Felix, 196

females, see girls' names

feminine/masculine combinations, multiples, 115

Document

Page 421

Ferguson, Miriam, 155

Fern, 225

first impressions, 6-7

Oprah phenomenon, 7-8

"first names," 17

five names (numerology), 252-253

Flint, 227

flora names, 223-229

out-of-date, 225-226

rare, 224-225

Florence, 153

Florida, 220

flower names, 222-223

foreign names, 281-283

forms, 281-283

boys', 281-282

girls', 282-283

Fortney, 194

founding fathers, American names, 144-145

four names (numerology), 252

Fox, 177

Fradel, 288

Frances, 153

Francis, 146

Franklin, 148

Frazer, 209

Freda, 199

Frederica, 269

Friederich, 285

future trends

naming fashions, 42-43

unisex names, 208-210

G

Gabrielle, 333

Gaea, 229

Galen, 199

Galena, 228

Gana, 229

Gareth, 199

Garnet, 227

Gary, 235

Geena, 237

gem names, 222-223

gender discrimination, removing from unisex names, 203-204

genealogy, 80

new traditions, 82-83

searching for heritage linked names, 279-281

Genevieve, 313

Geoffrey, 263

George, 145-148, 267

George I, 266

Gerhard, 285

German royalty, 268-269

Ghaada, 308

Ghaazi, 306

Giant, 126

Gideon, 301

Gila, 288

girls' names

1950s trends, 47

1960s trends, 48

1970s trends, 49

1980s trends, 50

1990s trends, 51

African, 132

American, 142-153

British naming trends, 268

celebrity women, 236-238

Central United States, 163

classical, 26

country of origin, 287-290

Eastern seaboard, 160

flora names, 223-229

out-of-date, 225-226

rare, 224-225

flower names, 222-223

foreign forms, 282-283

gem names, 222-223

Greco-Roman classic beauties, 296-298

jewel names, 225-229

most common, 226

rare, 226-229

Maria, 77

meanings, alphabetical list, 377

Middle Eastern influence, 293

Midwestern, 162

Muslim/Arabic, 307-309

neo-names, 108

New Testament, 304-305

Northeastern, 159

Northwestern, 166

Old English, 16

Old Testament, 302-303

organic, 218-223

Southern, 161

Southwestern, 164

top 100, 54-55

traits associated with, 6

unisex, 206-213

virtuous

gender traits, 198

joyful/laughter, 196-197

kindness and compassion, 200

love, 197

peace and harmony, 199

strength of will, 195

truth and justice, 198

West, 165

World War II, 47

Giselle, 288

Gita, 288

Gitta, 195

"given names," 17

Glenn, 235

Glenna, 218, 333

Gloria, 237

Glynis, 237

"God" derivatives (Hebrew names), 298-299

Gone With the Wind, 167

Grace, 149, 190

Grant, 331

Granville, 219

Gray, 331

Greco-Roman names, 293-298

classical beauties, 296-300

boys' names, 298

girls' names, 296-298

deities, 294

mortals and myths, 295-296

Greek royalty, 269-270

Greek virtuous names, elements, 193

Greer, 195

Gregoria, 195

Gregory, 194, 235

Greta, 237

Grey, Zane, 124

Griffin, 235

Grover, 151

guidelines for naming, 60-63

African-American names, 138-140

-isha suffix, 138

-on suffix, 139

-quon suffix, 139

-won suffix, 139

Chan- prefix, 138

Da- prefix, 139-140

De- prefix, 139-140

Ka- prefix, 138

La- prefix, 138-140

Shan- prefix, 138

avoiding choosing one singular name, 61-62

avoiding silly names, 62-63

choosing a name that pleases you, 60-61

creating names, 102

finding inspiration, 102-104

occasions and events, 103-105

involving significant others, 62

naming multiples, 110-111

Guillaume, 285

Gunsmoke, 127

Gustavus, 272

Gustavus VI, 272

Guy, 285

Gwyneth, 196, 237

H

Haakon VII, 270

Haamid, 306

Haashim, 306

Hadiya, 136, 308

Hadley, 221

Haifa, 308

Hakeem, 136

Hal, 235

Halimah, 199

Halle, 238

Halona, 184

Hamadi, 136

Hampton, Wade, 155

Hanan, 308

Haniya, 308

Hannah, 150, 199, 293, 302

Hanover names, 266-268

Victorian, 267

Hardy, 194

Harley, 209

Harrison, 235

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Page 422

Harry, 148

Hartman, 194

Hasani, 136

Hashim, 136

Hasina, 137

Hassan, 306

Hayley, 237

hazards, unisex names, 205

Heather, 223

Hebrew names, 289

derivatives of ''God" names, 298-299

virtuous names, elements, 193

Hector, 195

Hedy, 238

Heinrich, 285

Helen, 151, 296

Helena, 267

Helgi, 200

Helmut, 195

Henrietta, 266

Henriette Marie of France, 266

Henry, 143, 146, 264

Herbert, 152

heritage considerations, African-American names, 134-138

heritage names, searching genealogy, 279-281

see also family history

heroes influence, American names, 153-155

Hilary, 196, 212

Hillary, 150

Hiram, 301

Hiroshi, 200

Hispanic names, 281, 330

historical societies, finding heritage-linked names, 280

history of middle names, 86

Hoffman, Dustin, 125

Hogg, Ima, 63

Holden, 221

Hollis, 209

Holly, 223

Hollywood stars, see celebrity names

Honor, 191

Hope, 191

Hopi, 178

Hosea, 301

Houston, 331

Hudson, 219

Hudson, Rock, 126

Hugh, 235

Hunter, 212

Hussein, 306

I

Ibraheem, 306

icons and symbols, westernthemed names, 129-130

Ida, 153

Idaho, 180

identification, 4-5

Idit, 288

Igor, 271

Ilana, 288

Ilaria, 196

Ilario, 196

Iliana, 238

Illinois, 180

Ilona, 288

Imaad, 306

Imaam, 195

images, see first impressions

Iman, 308

Imani, 137

Inaya, 308

India, 220

Indiana, 180

Indo-European family, 13-19

Inez, 198

infamous middle names, 94-95

Ingrid, 238

initialing, 78

inspiration

creating new names, 102-104

occasions and events, 103-104

intermarriages, royalty, 270

Internet

finding heritage-linked names, 280

genealogy, 81

Ioanna, 199

Iona, 221

Iowa, 180

Ira, 301

Irene, 199

Iris, 225

Irit, 288

Iroquois, 178

Isaac, 196, 301

Isanti, 184

Islamic names, 278

Ismaael, 306

Israel, 146

Ivan, 271

Ivana, 288

Ivory, 229

J

Jabbar, 137

Jacek, 285

Jacinth, 227

Jack, 236

Jackson, 129

Jackson, Stonewall, 155

Jacob, 281, 292, 301

Jacqueline, 150

Jada, 333

Jade, 226

Jaden, 331

Jaha, 137

Jahweh derivatives (Hebrew names), 298-299

Jala, 308

Jamaal, 306

Jamaica, 220

Jamal, 137

Jameel, 306

Jameela, 308

James, 144, 148, 265, 282, 304

Jamie, 210, 238

Jana, 288

Jane, 150, 266

January saints, 316-317

Japanese names, 38

Jarl, 285

Jaromil, 285

Jaron, 331

Jasmine, 223-224

Jason, 296, 304

Jasper, 227

Jay, 229

Jehovah derivatives (Hebrew names), 298-299

Jemimah, 302

Jennifer, 234

Jesse, 127, 208, 301

Jesus, 304

Jett, 227

Jewel, 226

jewel names, 225-229

most common, 226

rare, 226-229

Jewish names, 287

ancestors, 38

deceased relatives, 79

resource books, 412

Jiri, 285

Joan of Arc, 313

Joaquim, 285

Jocelyn, 196, 211

Jody, 211

Joel, 116

Joëlle, 288

John, 143, 148, 282

Johnson, Don, 126

Joie, 333

Jolie, 333

Jonah, 301

Jonathan, 117, 145

Jordan, 208, 218, 301

Joseph, 282

Joshua, 292

Josiah, 143

Joy, 191

Juan, 272

Jude, 313

Judith, 302

Julia, 151, 305

July saints, 322

June saints, 321

Justin, 200

Justine, 200

K

Kaamla, 308

Kadir, 137

Kai, 184

Kaitlyn, 293

Kamal, 307

Kameela, 308

Kansas, 180

Kareem, 137, 307

Document

Page 423

Karel, 285

Karen, 117

Katherine, 117, 198, 283

Kay, 196

Keane, 331

Keenan, 236

Keith, 219

Kelly, 211

Kelsey, 208

Kendall, 211

Kendra, 333

Kennedy family names, 77

Kent, 217

Kentucky, 180

Kenya, 221

Kermit, 200

Kevin, 212, 236

Key, Francis Scott, 154

Khaleel, 307

Khalid, 307

Khalida, 308

Khalil, 137

Khari, 137

kids, celebrity names, 38-39, 238-246

fashionable, 241-246

traditional, 238-241

Kiefer, 236

Kieran, 117

Kim, 211

King, Martin Luther Jr, 155

King Carl XVI Gustav, 272

King Edward II, 265

King Edward VII, 270

King Harald V, 270

King Henry II, 264

King Henry VIII, 265

Kiona, 184

Kira, 271

Kobi, 331

Kofi, 137

Kwame, 137

Kyle, 209, 218, 236

L

ladies, see girls' names

Laila, 288

Lancaster names (Middle Ages), 265

land deeds, finding heritage-linked names, 280

Lane, 209, 217-218

language families, 13-15

Anglo-Saxon language, 15

development of surnames, 15

Indo-European family, 13-19

Laramie, 128

last names, 79

history of, 16-17

see also surnames

Lateefa, 308

Latif, 200

Latino names, 281, 330

Laura, 116

Laurent, 285

Lavinia, 334

Law and Order (television show), 67

leading ladies, names from movies, 236-238

leading men, names from movies, 234-236

Leah, 302

Leandra, 288

leases, finding heritage-linked names, 280

legacy, Native American names, 180-181

length of names, 65

Leonardo, 331

Leopold, 267

Leslie, 202, 233

Letitia, 151

letter switching, multiples, 114-115

Levi, 301

Liam, 331

Lian, 334

libraries, genealogy, 81

Lincoln, 221

Lindbergh, Charles, 154

Liron, 285

literary names, 36

Dickensian names, 37

literary works

names, 231

poetonyms, 37

Lithuanian, 14

Lochlainn, 285

Logan, 208

Lomasi, 184

Lonesome Dove, 126

longest name in history, 86

Loren, 212

Lorenz, 285

Louisa, 151, 269

Louise, 267

Lourdes, 220

Luc, 285

luck and names, royalty, 263

Lucretia, 153

Lucy, 150

Luke, 304

Lyle, 209

Lyndon, 152

M

Mackenzie, 208

Mad About You (television show), 10

Madeline, 283

Madison, 234, 293

Mai, 288

Maia, 334

Majeeda, 308

Malach, 286

male names, see boys' names

Malik, 137

Malkah, 288

Mamie, 153

Manon, 288

March saints, 318

Marek, 286

Margaret, 150, 264, 313

Margarethe, 288

Maria, 77

Marie-Ange, 288

Marion, 202

Marisol, 288

Mariya, 288

Mark, 304

Marshall, 130

Martha, 144

Martin, 151

Mary, 150, 305

masculine/feminine combinations, multiples, 115

mass culture, movies, see movies

mass culture, television, see television shows

Massachusetts, 180

master numbers (numerology), 255

Masud, 137

Matilda, 264

Matt, 332

Matthew, 117, 282, 292, 304

Matthias, 304

May saints, 319-320

Mead, 221

Mediterranean Jews, 79

Meir, 286

Mel, 236

Melanie, 117

Melissa, 297

men's names, see boys' names

Menashe, 286

Meredith, 211

Mhina, 137

Mica, 226

Micha, 286

Michael, 282, 292

Michal, 303

Michigan, 181

Middle Ages

Lancasters, 265

Tudors, 265-266

Yorks, 265

Middle Eastern influence on naming, 291-293

top 10 boys' names, 292-293

top 10 girls' names, 293

middle names, 19, 86

celebrity names as, leading men, 235

choosing, 88-90

celebrity choices, 93-95

creating names, 92-93

forms to choose from, 90

infamous middle names, 94-95

influences/inspirations, 92

initials as middle names, 89-90

last names as middle names, 88

location sounds better, 88-89

testing choice, 90-91

history of, 86

importance, 87-88

Midwestern regional naming trends, 162-163, 172-173

Page 424

Mikhail, 271

Milena, 196

Miles, 143

Minnesota, 181

Mira, 288

Miranda, 297

Miriam, 303

mirror-image sounds, 67

Miryam, 289

mispronouncing names, 282

Mississippi, 181

Missouri, 181

Mohammed, 78

Molly, 146

Montana, 129, 217-218

Mordecai, 301

Moriah, 334

Mormon names, 134, 171-173

mortals and myths, Greco-Roman names, 295-296

Moses, 133, 302

Moshe, 286

movies

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 126

The Big Easy, 167

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 167

celebrity names from, 232, 234-238

leading ladies, 236-238

leading men, 234-236

character names from, 233-234

Driving Miss Daisy, 167

Giant, 126

Gone With the Wind, 167

The Last Picture Show, 126

Pillow Talk, 126

Mufeed, 307

Mufeeda, 308

Muhammad, 137, 307

influence on naming, 305-309

boys' names, 306-307

girls' names, 307-309

multiple family members, competition, 79-80

multiples, 109-110

alliteration, 113-114

anagrams, 115

form combinations, 116

letter switching, 114-115

masculine/feminine combinations, 115

naming fashions, 112-113

pairing names with similar meanings, 116-117

pairing prefixes, 117

rules for naming, 110-111

unrelated names, 117-118

virtuous combinations, 117

Muneer, 307

museums, finding heritage-linked names, 280

Muslim/Arabic names, Muhammed influence, 305-309

boys' names, 306-307

girls' names, 307-309

Mustafa, 137, 307

N

Naadir, 307

Naava, 289

Nabeel, 307

Naeem, 137, 307

Naeema, 308

name compatibility, 67-68

name versatility, 68

Names for Muslim Children, 411

naming trends, 45-46, 51-52

1950s, 47-52

1960s, 48-52

1970s, 49

1980s, 50

1990s, 50-51

African-American names, 135-138

creativity rules, 138-140

distinctive heritage considerations, 135-138

Biblical names, 39

boomerang names, 38-39

celebrity kids, 241-246

created names, 41-42

creative spelling, 42

ethnic and cultural heritage names, 40-41

future trends, 42-43

history, 34

Hollywood names, 38-39

last names first, 40

literary names, 36

Dickensian names, 37

multiples, 112-113

national leaders, 264

Native American influence, 182-183

pet names, 34-36

political leaders, 264

regional trends, 158-166

Central United States, 163

Eastern, 159-160

Midwestern, 162-163, 172-173

Northeast, 158-159

Northwestern, 165-166

Southern, 160-161, 166-169

Southwestern, 163-164, 169-170

Western, 164-165, 169-173

selection process, 63-64

alliteration, 67

compatibility, 67-68

envisioning name, 70

length of name, 65

nicknames test drive, 69

questionnaire, 70-73

rhythm of name, 65-67

saying it out loud, 70

sharing with others, 70

spelling test drive, 68-69

versatility, 68

traditional names, 37-38

unisex names, 39-40, 203-204

keeping family names alive, 204-207

list of, 206-213

place names, 40

removing gender discrimination, 203-204

warning, 205

year 2000, 328-330

boys' names, 330-332

girls' names, 332-334

World War II, 46-52

see also fashions in naming, trends in naming

Nancy, 150

Naomi, 198, 303

Nash, 221

natal chart, 256

Natalia, 271

Natan, 286

Natana, 289

Nathan, 302

Nathaniel, 147

national leaders, naming fashions, 264

Native American names, 175-176

history of, 179

legacy, 180-181

list of commonly used names, 183-185

major tribes, 176-179

resource books, 412

trend-tracking versus trespassing, 181-183

natural noun names, 229-230

flora and fauna, 229

nature names, see organic names

Navajo, 178

Nawar, 308

Near Eastern Cradle, influence on naming, 291-293

top 10 boys' names, 292-293

top 10 girls' names, 293

Nebraska, 181

Neima, 289

Nell, 117

neo-names, see created names

neologisms, 41

neology, 98

Nevada, 220

New Mexico, 181

New Testament names, see Biblical names

Nicholas, 271, 282, 292, 298, 313

nicknames, 69

Nico, 332

Nicolaos, 269

nine names (numerology), 255

Nira, 289

Nkosi, 137

Noah, 302, 332

Noam, 286

Nocona, 184

Noor, 308

Norman names, 15-20, 262

Norris, 209

Page 425

North Dakota, 181

Northeast regional naming trends, 158-159

Northwestern regional naming trends, 165-166

Norwegian royalty, 270

Novello, Antonio, 154

November saints, 324-325

numerology, 248-256

eight names, 254-255

five names, 252-253

four names, 252

master numbers, 255

nine names, 255

one names, 250

reading your numbers, 249-259

seven names, 254

six names, 253

three names, 251

two names, 250-251

nursery names, see pet names

Nyssa, 334

O

Oceania, 221

O'Connor, Sandra Day, 155

October saints, 323-324

Odette, 289

Odina, 184

Ogden, 219

Ohio, 181

Ojibwa, 178

Okechukwu, 137

Oklahoma, 181

Oksana, 289

Old English, see Anglo-Saxon names

Old Testament names, see Biblical names

old-fashioned names, 10

Oleg, 271

Omar, 307

Omri, 286

one names (numerology), 250

one-syllable names, 330

Oneida, 184

onomancy, 43

onomastics, 4

Onyx, 227

Opal, 227

Oprah phenomenon, 7-8

ordinal names, 182

organic names, 215-216

derivatives of geographical places, 216-221

boys' names, 217-221

girls' names, 218-223

Oriana, 334

Osage, 178

Osaze, 137

Oscar, 272

Osher, 196

out-of-date names, presidents, 152-155

Owens, Jesse, 154

P

pairing names with similar meaning, multiples, 116-117

pairing prefixes, multiples, 117

Paiute, 178

Paris, 220

Parks, Rosa, 155

Patience, 191

Patrick, 147

patronymic names (namesake of fathers), 86

Paul, 147, 269, 298

Pearl, 227

Peri, 238

Perry, Oliver H., 155

pet names, 25, 34-36

Peter, 298

Phillip, 304

Phoebe, 297

Pillow Talk, 126

Pinchas, 286

place names, 329

unisex names, 40

western-themed, 128-129

Plantagenet kings, 264

plays, celebrity names from, 231

poetonyms, 37

political leaders, naming fashions, 264

pop culture, influence on names, 29-30

popular names, 29-31

pop culture, 29-30

pros and cons, 30

Portia, 238

Potawatomi, 178

precious stones, see jewel names

prefixes, African-American names, 133-134

presidents' names, 148-150

out-of-date names, 152-155

unusual names, 150-151

Prince Albert, 268

Prince Consort Albert, 267

Prince Edward, 268

Princess Di, 267

Princess Märtha Louise, 270

pronunciation of names

foreign names, 283

mispronouncing, 282

pros and cons

classical and traditional names, 25

popular names, 30

unusual names, 28-29

protectors, saint names, 313-314

psychological impact of names, 8-10

Pueblo, 178

Puritan names, 18

Puritans, influence on virtuous names, 190-191

Q

Qasim, 307

qua sound, African-American names, 140

quadruplets, see multiples

Qudamah, 307

Queen Anne, 266

Queen Sonja, 270

Queen Victoria, 267, 268

quintuplets, see multiples

R

Rachel, 150, 303

Rafa, 308

Rafee, 307

Raisa, 289

Raleigh, 209

Ramsey, 219

Randy, 212

Raquel, 238

Rashad, 307

Rasheed, 137

Ravid, 286

Rawhide, 126

Rebekah, 303

Regine, 289

regional trends, 158-166

Central United States, 163

Eastern, 159-160

Midwestern, 162-163, 172-173

Northest, 158-159

Northwestern, 165-166

Southern, 160-161, 166-168

double d, 167

southern celebrities, 168-169

Southwestern, 163-164

Texas, 169-170

Western, 164-165, 169-172

California, 170-171

Utah, 171-173

Rehema, 137, 200

Reinhard, 286

relatives, see family influence

Remi, 286

Remington, 130

Reno, 129

Renzo, 332

Reuben, 302

Reuel, 286

Revolutionary War, influence on American names, 146-147

Rhoda, 305

Rhys-Jones, Sophie, 268

rhythm of names, 65-67

alliteration, 67

mirror-image sounds, 67

syllable patterns, 66

Richard, 152, 264

Rider, 332

Roghnach, 289

Rishon, 286

Roald, 286

Document

Page 426

Robert, 264, 282

Robin, 229, 236

Roger, 143, 265

Róisín, 289

Roman, 219

Roman Catholic calendar, saint names, 316-326

April saints, 319

August saints, 322

December saints, 325-326

February saints, 317

January saints, 316-317

July saints, 322

June saints, 321

March saints, 318

May saints, 319-320

November saints, 324-325

October saints, 323-324

September saints, 323

Romy, 238

Ron, 286

Ronald, 152

Rosalynn, 151

Ross, 332

Ross, Nellie Taylor, 155

roster of saints, 315

royalty

English

Crusade names, 262-265

Hanover names, 266-268

Lancaster names (Middle Ages), 265

luck and names, 263

Norman names, 262

Tudor names (Middle Ages), 265-266

Windsor names, 268

York names (Middle Ages), 265

German, 268-269

Greek, 269-270

Norwegian, 270

Russian, 270-272

Spanish, 272-273

Swedish, 272

Ruby, 228

rules, see guidelines for naming

Rurik (Scandinavian chieftain), 270

Rus, 270

Russian royalty, 270-272

rustic names, 330

Rut, 289

Ruth, 303

Ryan, 236

S

Saabira, 308

Saad, 307

Saed, 138

Safa, 308

Safi, 137

Safiya, 308

Sage, 130, 229

saint names, 312-314

as protectors of work and home, 313-316

how names become sainted, 312-314

Roman Catholic calendar, 316-326

April saints, 319

August saints, 322

December saints, 325-326

February saints, 317

January saints, 316-317

July saints, 322

June saints, 321

March saints, 318

May saints, 319-320

November saints, 324-325

October saints, 323-324

September saints, 323

roster of saints, 315

Salama, 199

Salma, 308

Salome, 199

Salwa, 308

Samantha, 293

Samuel, 144

sandwiching names, 77

Sapphira, 305

Sapphire, 228

Sarah, 143, 150, 293, 303

Saul, 302

Savannah, 218

Savion,332

Sean, 208

Sekou, 137

selection process of naming, 63-64

alliteration, 67

compatibility, 67-68

envisioning name, 70

length of name, 65

nicknames test drive, 69

questionnaire, 70-73

rhythm of name, 65-67

saying it out loud, 70

sharing with others, 70

spelling test drive, 68-69

versatility, 68

Selene, 116, 295

Seminole, 178

Sephardic Jews, 79

September saints, 323

Serena, 199

Sereno, 199

Seth, 302

seven names (numerology), 254

Sevilla, 221

Shackelford's Top 200 List, 52-55

Shai, 286

Shalom, 199

Shane, 127

Shannon, 218

Sharif, 138

sharing names with others, 70

Sharon, 220

Shelby, 208, 218

Shelley, 218

Shimon, 286

Shmuel, 286

short names, see one-syllable names

Shulamit, 289

Sienna, 218

Sierra, 129, 218

significant others, involving in name choosing process, 62

Silas, 304

silly names, 62-63

Simcha, 289

Simon, 304

single names, see surnames

Sioux, 178

six names (numerology), 253

slave names, 132, 133

Slavic virtuous names, elements, 193

Sofia, 273

Solange, 289

Soledad, 289

Solomon, 199, 302

Solveig, 289

Sonora, 129

Sophia, 298

South Dakota, 181

Southern celebrities, influence on Southern names, 168-169

Southern regional naming trends, 160-161, 166-168

double d, 167

southern celebrities, 168-169

Southwestern regional naming trends, 163-164

Texas, 169-170

Spanish names, 20

Spanish royalty, 272-273

speaking names out loud, 70

spelling of names, 24, 42, 68-69, 329

Spencer, 236

Stacy, 211

Stanford, 219

stars (astrology), influence on naming, 256

zodiac signs, 256-258

stars, see celebrity names

Sten, 286

Stephanie, 298

Stephen, 128, 264, 304

stereotypes, 5-8

Stetson, 130

Steven, 282

suffixes, African-American names, 133-134

Suhayla, 308

summer solstice, June saint names, 321

surnames, 15, 79

see also last names

Susannah, 305

Svetlana, 289

Swedish royalty, 272

syllable patterns, 66

symbols and icons, western-themed names, 129-130

Page 427

T

Tabitha, 305

Tadi, 184

Tahatan, 184

Taima, 184

Tait, 196

Takoda, 184

Talal, 307

Talisa, 184

Talon, 229

Tama, 184

Tamar, 289, 303

Tammy, 234

Tanis, 184

Tara, 220

Tarik, 138

Tarin, 334

Taryn, 334

Tatiana, 272

tav sounds, 287

Tawa, 184

Taylor, 208, 293

television shows, 7

Dallas, 29

Dynasty, 29

Falcon Crest, 29

Gunsmoke, 127

Law and Order, 67

Mad About You, 10

Rawhide, 126

Twenty-Six Men, 126

X Files, 67

Tennessee, 181

Terry, 212

Teutonic elements, English and German virtuous names, 192-193

Texas, 181

influence on naming trends, 169-170

Thais, 296

Thaleia, 289

Thalia, 298

Thanaa, 309

Tharaa, 309

Thea, 334

Thelma, 153

Theodora, 289

Theodore, 148, 272, 298

Theresa, 298

Thierry, 286

Thomas, 145, 148

three names (numerology), 251

Tiberia, 221

Tierra, 220

Timothy, 304

Tira, 289

Tivon, 286

Tlingit, 179

Toby, 212

Tohono O'Odham, 179

top 100 boys' names, 53-54

top 100 girls' names, 54-55

Top 200 List (Shackelford), 52-55

Topaz, 228

Tosca, 221

Tova, 289

traditional names, 10, 22-24, 37-38

celebrity kids, 238-241

pros and cons, 25

translating family names, 79

Travis, 129

trends in naming, 45-46

1950s, 47-52

1960s, 48-52

1970s, 49

1980s, 50

1990s, 50-51

World War II, 46-52

see also naming trends, fashions in naming

trend-tracking Native American names, 181-183

trespassing, Native American names, 181-183

tribes, Native Americans, 176-179

triples, see multiples

Truman, Harry S, 90, 149

Tucson, 129

Tudor names (Middle Ages), 265-266

Tully, 210

Turquoise, 227

Tuwa, 184

Twenty-Six Men, 126

twins, see multiples

Twins magazine, 110

two names (numerology), 250-251

Tyler, 293

types of names, 22

classical, 24-25

pros and cons, 25

popular, 29-31

pop culture, 29-30

pros and cons, 30

traditional, 22-24

pros and cons, 25

unusual, 25-29

created names, 27

foreign names, 28

pros and cons, 28-29

uncommon traditional names, 28

variations on classic names, 26-27

Tzevi, 286

U

Ulysses, 151

Uma, 238

unisex names, 39-40, 201, 328

changing societal patterns, 203-204

keeping family names alive, 204-207

removing gender discrimination, 203-204

warning, 205

classic, 207-213

history of, 202-203

list of boys' and girls' names, 206-213

place names, 40

those losing popularity/out-of-date, 210-213

trends for future, 208-210

United States, Americanizing names, 20

unrelated names, multiples, 117-118

unusual names, 25-29

created names, 27

foreign names, 28

predictable impact, 8

presidents, 150-151

pros and cons, 28-29

uncommon traditional names, 28

variations on classic names, 26-27

Uri, 286

Urit, 289

Utah, 181

influence on naming trends, 171-173

V

Valentina, 195

Varangians, 270

Varda, 289

Verena, 198

Versace, Gianni (designer), 288

versatility, 68

vibrations, numerology, 248-256

reading your numbers, 249-259

Victoria, 267, 295

Victorian names, 267

Vida, 289

Violet, 225

The Virginian, 123

virtuous combinations, multiples, 117

virtuous names

abstract, 192

boys'

gender traits, 198

joyful/laughter, 195-196

kindness and compassion, 199-200

love, 197

peace and harmony, 198-199

strength of will, 194

truth and justice, 197

etymological elements, 192-193

English and German Teutonic elements, 192-193

Greek elements, 193

Hebrew elements, 193

Slavic elements, 193

girls'

gender traits, 198

joyful/laughter, 196-197

Page 428

kindness and compassion, 200

love, 197

peace and harmony, 199

strength of will, 195

truth and justice, 198

history of, 189-191

Puritans, 190-191

rise and fall, 191

Vlad, 286

Vladimir, 272

W

Waahid, 307

Wafa, 309

Wafiya, 309

Warren, 153

wars influence, American names, 146-147

Revolutionary War, 146-147

Web sites, 52, 171, 412-414

Webster, Daniel, 154

Werner, 286

Wesley, 219

Western regional naming trends, 164-165, 169-172

California, 170-171

Utah, 171-173

western-themed names, 122-123

bad guys and heroes, 127-128

big screen flicks and television shows, 125-127

place names, 128-129

symbols and icons, 129-130

What to Name Your Jewish Baby, 412

Whip, 130

White House influence, American names, 147-153

presidents' names, 148-155

Whitney, 210, 220

Whitney, Eli, 154

Wild West, 330

Wilhelm, 286

Wilhelmina, 269, 289

Willard, Ella, 154

William, 143, 149

William the Conqueror (ruler of England in 1066) 15, 262

Domesday Book, 17

wills, finding heritage-linked names, 279

Windsor names, 268

Winona, 184

Wisconsin, 181

Wladyslaw, 272

women, see girls' names

Woodhull, Victoria Claflin, 155

Woodrow, 153

World War II naming trends, 46-52

Wyanet, 184

Wynn, 210

Wynne, 198

Wynono, 184

Wyome, 184

Wyoming, 181

X

X Files (television show), 67

Xenia, 272

Y

Yaaseen, 307

Yael, 289

Yaffa, 289

Yaron, 286

Yasahiro, 199

Yasir, 307

Yasmeen, 309

year 2000, 328-330

boys' names, 330-332

girls' names, 332-334

Yedida, 289

Yigal, 286

Yisraela, 289

Yona, 289

Yoosuf, 307

York names (Middle Ages), 265

Yuma, 184

Yves, 286

Z

Zaafir, 307

Zaafira, 309

Zaahir, 307

Zach, 286

Zachary, 149, 293

Zbigniew, 286

Zeva, 289

zodiac signs, influence on naming, 256-258

Zoe, 116, 334