baby name essay

My Parents Gave Me the Most Common Baby Name, So I Was Determined to Find a Unique One for My Son

I wanted him to be an original, and definitely not a first-name-last-initial.

Since there were always multiple Jessicas wherever I went, my name was basically reduced to my first name and my last initial. I didn’t want the same fate for my kids, so I’ve always known that I wanted to give my children rare names.

During my first pregnancy, I bought four baby name books and lugged a different one on the New York City subway each day, along with a highlighter and Post-It notes for marking the ones that stood out to me. On my lunch break, I scoured Nameberry.com . I immediately checked any contenders into SSA's name tool, which tracks the 1,000 most popular baby names each year and determines whether they’re trending up or down. No matter how much we liked a name, if it was in the top ten, we nixed it.

My husband, RJ, and I agreed on Lyla (current rank: 118) if we had a girl. Boy names were a struggle. RJ liked Chase, but I wasn’t a fan because it made me think of Chevy Chase. I wanted Emmett, but RJ cringed at the thought of naming his son after Emmitt Smith, the Dallas Cowboys running back who beat his beloved Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl. We like the baby-naming trend of using last names as first names for boys, like Connor, Blake, Colton and Cooper, but none felt right.

One day during the end of my second trimester, as I flipped through a Pottery Barn catalog, an image caught my eye: a little boy’s train-themed bedroom with the name “Ryder” embroidered on the bedding. Something stirred within me, and I thought, that’s a cool name .

“What do you think about the name ‘Ryder’ for a boy?” I shouted to my husband in the other room.

“I love it!”

I worried that once a name hit a Pottery Barn catalog, it would be too popular, but we had never met a Ryder before. Even better, it hadn’t cracked the top 100 yet. To make it even more uncommon, we wanted to use the less-traditional spelling with an “i” (Rider) instead of the slightly more conventional “y” (Ryder). The more we paired it with my husband’s surname, we knew it was the one.

Yet, every other day, I’d question if we were going to seem too trendy or too hip, or if our spelling was too weird.

“Are you sure you like it?” I’d ask RJ.

But my husband was unwavering.

When we told our final choices to our parents, my opinionated, tell-it-like-it-is mother approved of both Lyla and Rider. She thought they were cute, which gave me more confidence. But then we told my father-in-law. After a puff on his cigar and thinking of the Ryder truck rental company, he suggested we “just name the kid U-Haul.”

I knew the eponym would have mixed reviews, so a small part of me just hoped to avoid the whole situation by having a girl. (Good plan, I know.)

But in the delivery room, as soon as the doctor handed me the baby, I called out, “It’s a boy!” Then RJ said, “It’s Rider!” As soon as I met him, I knew his name fit him perfectly.

RJ couldn’t wait to announce the news on Facebook and post a photo. Everyone left positive comments except for a few older people who confusingly asked, “ That’s his name?”

As I started venturing out with him as a newborn, I’d occasionally brace myself for a bewildered expression from older strangers in the supermarket when they asked what my baby’s name was. I almost wished they wouldn’t ask his name, because their double-take made me uncomfortable. Sometimes after those awkward encounters, I’d wonder if we made a mistake choosing something so offbeat. I’d peer into the stroller and imagine him with our other name options. They felt amiss. I reminded myself that we didn’t name him to make other people feel comfortable, but for our son to make his own way in the world. I was self-conscious back then because his name choice was a reflection of me. Now, at 6, it’s his name. It fits him, just like all names magically seem to do.

Choosing a name is the first and longest-lasting decision we make for our children. Of course, it causes anxiety. But it’s just a prelude to all the choices we’ll have to make for them — and the judgments we’ll receive. No matter what choice you make in any area of parenting, there will always be someone with a different opinion.

Now Rider has three younger brothers, so my husband and I’ve had plenty of practice choosing baby names. None of those processes were as stress-inducing as the first one, but I still made sure our choices weren’t in the top 100 at the time. We named our boys Everett (currently ranking at 90, but it was 114 the year he was born), Dermot (an Irish name that hasn’t even made it onto the Social Security list yet) and Reed (currently at 450). When we named them, I wasn’t concerned about what other people would think of our selections. Like all areas of parenting and life, the more experience and confidence you have, the easier it gets.

One day, Rider will ask how we came up with his name. We’ll tell him the story — and share the other little connections, too. After we named him, my dad started calling him “Midnight Rider,” a song by one of his favorite bands, The Allman Brothers. I’d never heard the song before, but I loved hearing my father give my son a nickname. I had grown up with my dad telling me that the Allman Brothers’ song “Jessica” was one reason he chose my name.

We’ll also tell him that the name “Rider” was a nod to the beginning of my romance with my husband. We met while training for a triathlon, and he asked me out on our first date after a bike ride.

Other than a character on Nickelodeon’s Paw Patrol , which has made the name recognizable to the preschool set, our family has yet to meet another Rider. Although he doesn’t have any other Riders in his first-grade class or soccer team, when that changes, he’ll find ways to be unique, just like I did. Whatever the method and reasoning behind naming him were, it led us to the right one.

Perhaps what matters most, at least today, is that he loves his name. He likes it so much that when his teacher was looking for suggestions of what to call the class fish, he raised his hand and, with a big grin, said, “Rider!”

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There's a story behind every baby name. Here are yours

Becky Harlan

Diana Opong

"We couldn't agree on a name for the full 41 weeks of my pregnancy," says Diana Opong, host of the Life Kit episode on choosing a baby name, "and so we waited until she was born to look at her face and decide. A day after she entered the world we chose the name Vivica." Photograph by Jessica Peterson; Collage by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption

"We couldn't agree on a name for the full 41 weeks of my pregnancy," says Diana Opong, host of the Life Kit episode on choosing a baby name, "and so we waited until she was born to look at her face and decide. A day after she entered the world we chose the name Vivica."

Naming a child is an art form. It can also feel overwhelming.

The circle of influence can be vast — maybe you looked back into your family tree for inspiration, scoured the Social Security website to avoid any impending trends or fended off input from relatives. It's a lot to wade through. That's why Life Kit published an episode earlier this week with a helpful framework for baby naming .

We also asked the Life Kit audience to share what inspired their children's names. Some had a name picked out as soon as they knew a baby was coming, others had their baby earth side for a whole month before deciding. One parent shared a list of 10 criteria their children's names had to meet. No matter the selection story, kids have a way of making their names their own.

Baby Names Are Overwhelming. Here's How To Narrow Your List

Here are a few of your stories:

"I remember not being able to decide between Will and Forrest while in labor. I told the doctor and she said she delivered three Wills in the last few days. So it was easily decided ... Forrest " — Michele Englehart

"It took us all nine months to come up with a name for our daughter. There's so much feedback when it comes to naming a human — friends, family and my silly brain. We wanted something short and sweet and gender-fluid as our times are a changin'. Her name is Leo Nova Shear , and she is a Cancer. We love her so much and can't wait to see her grow." — Emerson Aalto

There's Never A 'Right' Time For A Baby — But These Questions Can Help You Decide

"Nearing the middle of my wife's second pregnancy we were discussing, even arguing, about potential names for our new daughter. The two we were reviewing were Caitlyn and Colleen. It went back and forth a few times, and in the heat of the moment, I put the beginning of one name and the end of the other together – without consciously realizing it.

The new word my brain had formed was our daughter's name: Caileen . She is now 22 and has never known the joy of looking for and finding her name on a bicycle license plate in the Disney Store, but today's children are being named by Bills and Marys and Johns and Lisas. We are choosing names to help signify and honor our children's uniqueness." — David

"Our third daughter, Eden Bea , was born in 2020. We chose Eden, meaning delight , as a reminder of the delight she would be after a difficult year for our family. Bea was chosen after her great grandmother Beatrice, who is her last living great grandparent." — Emily Anderson

Kids Are Anxious And Scared During The Pandemic. Here's How Parents Can Help

"For our daughter, we scoured maps of countries we have never visited. Mariel , Cuba had a nice ring to it and we chose that for her name. Ernest Hemmingway thought so too! His daughter is Mariel Hemmingway.

For baby number three, I turned to a mom's group online, and a woman in Wisconsin proposed the name Lucius Augusto . I said it out loud and my husband looked up. It was perfect! An internet stranger named our son." — Sarah Soriano

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"There's so much that goes into a name, so when I selected my three children's names, I stuck to the following rules:

• Can't be in the top 100 most popular names for babies.
• No intentionally unusual spellings.
• Girl names can't end with an "a" or an "ee" sound, because all girls end with names like that down here in Texas.
• No geographical locations. 
• Boy names can't end with a hard "n" sound, for the same reasons listed above for the girls.
• Family names are preferred.
• No overtly religious names.
• If a friend names their baby that name, it's dead to me.
• We never know the sex of the baby before having the baby, so we go into the birth with two names for each sex, then try on the name with the baby for the first 24 hours.
• No nicknames or truncated versions. 

So what did we name our kids?

Dante Angel (Dante after the classic literature piece. And I know! It's overtly religious, but Angel is my husband's middle name.); Maxine Margaret (the names of my paternal and maternal grandmothers); Oscar Drexel (two saints — St. Oscar Romero and St. Katharine Drexel)" — Amanda Ingersoll Villanueva

We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at [email protected] .

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MSU Extension

Hello, my name is…. the importance of giving your child a good name.

Kylie Rymanowicz, Michigan State University Extension - January 08, 2015

Is your child lazy? Shy? Aggressive? Or are they creative, thoughtful or determined? Why the words we use to describe our children matter and how we can give them a good name.

One of the biggest milestones in having a baby is selecting the perfect name. Parents recognize a child’s name becomes part of their identity and you only get one shot to pick a good one. As a result, parents often contemplate for months, trying on different names to see which one will suit their little bundle. Cornelius might be too big, Ira too small, but Charlie is just right!

However, a parent’s duty to give their child a good name does not end when it is printed on a birth certificate. The act of giving your child a good name continues throughout their upbringing and these names will be just as important.

In a world full of words, we use language to identify, classify and connect. Words are also used to label, define and compare as we use them to describe ourselves and the people around us. Have you ever stopped to think how the words we use to define others might affect how we treat them or how they feel about themselves? Children, being the little sponges they are, soak up what they hear about themselves. They pick up each and every word we throw out to describe them. What words are you using to define them?

Often times, we use words that have negative emotional associations to describe behavior we do not like in our children, such as being stubborn. Take a minute and think about a child described as stubborn – what comes to mind? Maybe you think of a child that will not leave the toy aisle at the grocery store or simply will not touch their peas at dinner, no matter how much pleading his parents do. But if you take away that prepackaged idea of what stubborn looks like, you remember a child’s behavior can mean and look like many different things. Stubborn can mean persistent, tenacious or determined. The same word could just as easily be used to describe the child who refuses to give into peer pressure to bully someone, or one who refuses to quit even if she is struggling with multiplication tables in school. How quickly our emotional feelings shift when we move from describing a child as determined instead of stubborn.

In addition to using words with emotional associations, we also often use words that are polarized, or feel either negative or positive. For instance, one immediately has an idea of what someone described as “snobby” will be like, just as we do for someone called “sweet.” When we use these polarized words to describe children, we are often giving them a label of absolutes. We are saying rude behavior equals a rude child, 100 percent of the time with no exceptions. As a result, one instance of rude behavior is now taken to represent a child’s entire personality.

Saying that a child should not be described through these negative words does not mean that children never display these negative behaviors or traits. They all do at some point or another and those behaviors should not be considered acceptable. However, it is important to remember that the behavior is negative, not the child . The action is “bad,” not the child .

Criticizing a behavior is different than criticizing a child. When we criticize a behavior, we are showing disapproval for a specific action but when we criticize a child, we are expressing disapproval for being—we show that we don’t approve of whom they are. When we give a child a name like “selfish” for not wanting to share their Halloween candy, we are not describing a selfish act; we are describing a selfish child. When we criticize children for being instead of doing, we are writing a bad name on a nametag that they will carry with them wherever they go.

So, how do we change our negative descriptions to positive ones? Michigan State University Extension has some tips on how to give your children great names!

• Pay attention. The first step is paying attention. Notice what words you use to describe your child, whether you say them aloud or not. Challenge yourself to make list and think about whether they are good names.
• Switch them up. Take those negative names and swap them out for positive ones. Point out your child’s strengths, notice their good behavior and give them good names just for being themselves. When your child begins an art project and ends with scraps of paper, scissors, tape and glue strewn about the entire kitchen, do you describe them as messy or as creative and artistic? Is your little one who hides behind you at family gatherings hesitant to socialize called shy or is she merely calm, contemplative or insightful?
• Let your child pick their own name. Encourage your child to figure out who they are, what personality traits they possess and to come up with good names for themselves.

Words are important. They are powerful. The words that we use, whether privately or publicly, to describe and define our children can and will affect how we view and treat them, as well as how they view and treat themselves. You have the power to give your child a positive, supportive and empowering inner voice. It all starts with a good name .

For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, visit the Michigan State University Extension website.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension . For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters . To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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Why the Choice of Your Child's Name Matters So Much

Naming a child is the first and most far-reaching act of parenting..

Posted October 5, 2020 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

Bestowing a name upon a child is one of the first acts of parenting and it is also one of the most far-reaching. I have no doubt that most parents agonize over this obligation and take it quite seriously. However, when you see the whimsical names sometimes chosen for children because of a fleeting parental infatuation with a celebrity or because it sounds like fun to have a new baby with a splashy moniker, it seems as if parents occasionally lose sight of the fact that a name is something that a person must contend with throughout an entire lifetime.

Common Names Are More Advantageous Than Unusual Names

It has long been known that grade-school children with highly unusual names or names with negative associations tend to be less popular than kids with more desirable names , and later in life unattractive or unpopular names lead to more rejection by potential romantic partners in online dating sites.

This is probably related in some way to the fact that people tend to be more strongly attracted to others whose names are similar to their own . Since by definition most people have common names (e.g., 95% of the American population carry just 1% of the first names that are available), odds are that we will be drawn to others who also have common first names.

We even behave more altruistically toward strangers with whom we share a name than we do with strangers having dissimilar names!

Internationally, popular names are less common in frontier areas where there is a premium placed on independence and where social mobility is more easily achieved. Uncommon names are also more likely to be given to babies born during economic recessions , possibly as a way of embracing uniqueness as a strategy for helping the child stand out from his or her peers during fiercely competitive times.

However, given some of the findings discussed earlier, this strategy may very well backfire.

Unfortunately, names can trigger implicit biases against disadvantaged minority groups. For example, a study of 130 elementary school teachers revealed lower expectations for the behavior of children with African-American-sounding names compared to children with Caucasian-sounding-names, and African-American kids with the most unique names are the ones most likely to be socially and academically discriminated against. Along these same lines, an African-American-sounding name on a resume can lead to as many as 50% fewer callbacks from help-wanted ads.

One’s name can be linked to one’s fate in life in other peculiar ways. For example, Germans with noble-sounding surnames such as Kaiser, König, or Fürst (i.e., emperor, king, and prince, respectively) as opposed to more mundane names such as Koch, Bauer, or Becker (cook, farmer, baker) are more likely to rise to management positions in German companies.

Naming and the Management of Self-Identity and Group Identity

Unsurprisingly, names can play an important role in maintaining and advertising one’s self- identity , as illustrated by the recent trend of transgender individuals renaming themselves in order to accurately reflect their gender identity .

By way of a quite different example from the 17th- and 18th-century Southeastern United States, consider the escaped slaves who frequently sought refuge in Native American Seminole communities. Over time, these “Black Seminoles” became fully integrated into their new communities, but they maintained the African naming traditions that had been inherited from their West African ancestors.

The common American practice of using “Old Country” names for children, as when Irish-Americans favor names such as “Sean” or “Bridget,” and the Jewish naming tradition of linking a secular name either phonetically or meaningfully with a Hebrew name, can be thought of as efforts to maintain a link, no matter how tenuous, to one’s ethnic heritage.

The Importance of "Namesaking"

One of the most durable ways in which names have been used to mold identity and to advertise kinship and group membership is naming a child after a parent or other relative—usually referred to as “namesaking.” It has been suggested that the desire to have children may be an attempt to symbolically extend one’s own life into the future , and there is evidence that people who are forced to think about their own mortality not only express a stronger desire for children but are also more likely to express a desire to name future offspring after themselves .

A few things that we know about namesaking are that boys are namesaked more often than girls and that patrilineal namesaking (naming kids after someone on the father’s side of the family) is more common than matrilineal namesaking (naming kids after the mother’s side), especially for boys. Middle names are the most frequent method of namesaking , and first-born males are the children who are most likely to be namesaked . Curiously, adopted children are more likely to be namesaked than non-adopted kids.

In a study of namesaking patterns in 322 American families , I discovered that birth order appears to be an important variable in the namesaking of boys, but that it is virtually irrelevant for girls. Specifically, first-born males are significantly more likely to be namesaked than second-born males, who in turn are more likely to be namesaked than later-born males. In this study, there was no effect of birth order on the naming of female children. (It should be noted that a later study with a much smaller sample failed to replicate this effect.) My study also discovered a tendency for second-born children to be namesaked more frequently (58.6% of the time) if the first-born child had been a girl rather than a boy (namesaked 44.4% of the time).

Parents who are namesakes themselves are more likely to namesake their own children and namesaked children like their names about as much as non-namesaked children like theirs.

Sometimes, parents namesake their children without consciously being aware that they are doing so. This can happen when something called “semihomonymous” namesaking occurs. In semihomonymous namesaking , a child is given a name that resembles the parent’s name without being identical to it, as when the names both start with the same first letter or contain the same number of syllables. While some parents are undoubtedly aware of what they are doing when they invoke this style of namesaking, many reported that they chose their child’s name simply because it “just sounded right ."

Children who are namesaked appear to acquire more advantages than disadvantages from the arrangement, but there can be situations in which boys named after their fathers and explicitly carry the suffix “Jr” are more vulnerable to abuse or psychiatric problems , possibly because of unrealistically high expectations for the son on the part of the father. Nevertheless, naming children after the father does indeed seem to be an effective strategy for strengthening the bond between fathers and their kids.

Frank McAndrew, Ph.D., is the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College.

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10 Things to Consider When Naming Your Baby

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Welcome, future parents! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got a little bundle of joy on the way.

One of the most exciting parts of parenthood is choosing a name for your baby.

It’s no small task, given that it’s a title your child will carry for their lifetime.

Things to Consider When Naming Your Baby”

Embarking on the journey of naming your baby? Fasten your seatbelts as we’re about to take a detour to explore these ten crucial points a bit more.

1. Your Baby’s Name and Their Identity

Names aren’t just words. They’re a powerful form of self-expression and a badge of identity that your child will wear for life.

So, as you flip through those baby name books or scroll through endless online lists, remember that you’re not merely picking out a name.

You’re helping to shape your child’s identity. It’s a big responsibility, but hey, no pressure!

2. Family and Tradition

The roots of a family tree are often rich with names that have been passed down through generations.

These names carry with them stories, memories, and a wealth of familial love. Maybe there’s a Great-Grandpa Arthur who was a war hero, or an Aunt Matilda who was known for her kindness.

Honoring them by naming your baby after them can be a wonderful way to keep their memory alive.

Similarly, names that reflect your cultural heritage can be a fantastic way to celebrate your roots and pass on traditions.

So, break out that old family tree and start exploring!

3. The Sound and Compatibility

The sound of a name can make a world of difference. Picture this – you’re at the park, calling out to your child. Does their name sing in the air or does it fall flat?

Does it flow well with your surname, creating a harmonious melody, or does it clash?

These might seem like trivial considerations, but they’re more important than you might think. The sound and compatibility of a name can greatly influence its charm.

4. Initials and Nicknames

Initials and nicknames are like the fun sidekicks to a name. They can be cute, cool, or just plain convenient.

But be careful about the unintentional words they might spell out. You wouldn’t want your child’s initials to be the butt of jokes at school, would you?

And as for nicknames, well, they’re almost inevitable. So, choose a name that lends itself to a nickname you’d love.

5. Uniqueness and Popularity

In the world of baby names, uniqueness and popularity are like two ends of a see-saw.

Unique names can make your child stand out and give them a sense of individuality. But remember, being too unique might be a burden on your child.

On the flip side, popular names are often timeless and widely loved. However, your child might end up being one of five Sophias or Noahs in their class.

So, it’s all about striking a balance.

6. Spelling and Pronunciation

Imagine having to spell out your name every single time at Starbucks or constantly correcting people’s pronunciation.

A bit of a hassle, right?

While an unconventionally spelled name can be appealing and distinctive, think about the potential inconvenience it may cause your child.

If you’re going for a unique spelling, make sure it’s worth the effort.

7. Meaning and Origin

Names carry meanings, both literal and symbolic. They often reflect the hopes and dreams parents have for their children.

So, take the time to delve into the history and meaning of your chosen name. It can add a beautiful layer of depth and make the name even more special.

8. Future-Proofing

Remember, your baby won’t be a baby forever. They’ll grow up, become an adult, and their name should grow with them.

Will the name age well?

Will it suit them in a professional setting?

It might be cute to have a little “Bunny”, but how will it fare when they’re a grown-up? It’s always a good idea to future-proof your baby’s name.

9. Public Perception

Like it or not, names can lead to stereotyping. Names that are perceived positively in one culture or community might be seen differently in another.

So, consider the various contexts in which your child’s name will be used. It might be helpful to ask friends or family members from different backgrounds for their perceptions.

10 Legal Restrictions

Some regions have restrictions on what you can name your child.

There might be limits on the number of characters, the use of numerals, symbols, or offensive language.

So, before you set your heart on a name, make sure it falls within legal boundaries in your country or state.

Conclusion: The Joy of Naming Your Baby

In the end, naming your baby is a deeply personal journey. It’s about love, identity, and hope for your child’s future.

While there are many things to consider, the most important is that the name resonates with you and feels right for your baby.

So, take a deep breath, let your heart guide you, and enjoy the incredible experience of naming your little one.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular baby names right now.

The popularity of baby names changes over time and can vary by region. Websites like BabyCenter and the Social Security Administration (for the U.S.) frequently update their lists of popular baby names.

Can I change my baby’s name if I regret the one I chose?

Yes, it’s possible to change your baby’s name after it’s been officially registered, although the process and rules can vary by location. It’s best to be sure about the name beforehand to avoid any hassle.

Is it okay to keep a baby’s name secret until birth?

Absolutely! The choice is entirely up to you. Some parents prefer the surprise element, while others might want to avoid receiving too many opinions. It’s your baby, your choice!

Should both parents agree on the baby’s name?

Ideally, yes. Both parents should feel comfortable and happy with the chosen name. Remember, it’s a team effort!

What if a family member or friend uses the name I’ve chosen for my baby?

It can be a bit disappointing, but it doesn’t mean you can’t use the name. If it bothers you, consider having a heart-to-heart talk with them.

Can I use a name from a different culture?

Names from different cultures can be beautiful, but they should be used respectfully. Research the name thoroughly to understand its meaning, origin, and cultural significance.

About the Author

ParentsPlusKids.com is the go-to resource for new moms and dads who are trying to survive motherhood and fatherhood.

Names Have Meaning: A Research Guide for Baby Names and Family Names

Registering Names at Castle Garden, 1871. Image ID: 800772

Like any word in the dictionary, a person’s name has meaning. The study of names is called onomastics or onomatology. Onomastics covers the naming of all things, including place names (toponyms) and personal names (anthroponyms). Given names, often called first names, and surnames, often called last names, usually derive from words with distinct origins.

The most common reasons to explore the field of personal names in onomastics is for genealogical research and for choosing a name for a child. The Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy is an excellent place to start research into personal names.

Choosing a Baby Name

Nurses feed babies in a hospital nursery in 1913.

Image ID 1536546

For most, choosing a name for a newborn is an activity of utmost significance. “The act of naming a newborn infant is an important rite of passage in society.” ( Nuessel ). Filling in a birth certificate, making a name announcement to family members, and holding a formal religious naming ceremony all represent “a process of individuation in which a person becomes a separate entity who will ultimately develop a unique personality.” Nuessel also attests “most people recognize that giving a name to a child is a significant social function with profound and lifelong consequences.”

In The Anthropology of Names and Naming , this significance is upheld: “The right to a name is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child , recognizing the implications of carrying a name that begin at the earliest moments of social being.” Names help a person establish an identity, and the process of “naming is a crucial aspect of converting ‘anybodies’ into ‘somebodies’.” Names also help tie a new child into a family identity because “the act of naming has the potential to implicate infants in relations… Individual lives thus become entangled—through the name—in the life histories of others.” ( Bodenhorn ).

Finding the Meanings of Names You Like

An African American tenant farmer holding his baby in Lee County, Mississippi. August 1935.

Image ID: 1260027

A name dictionary is the best resource, though it is a good idea to compare entries in more than one dictionary as they may differ in methodology and scholarship. A reliable online dictionary is BehindtheName.com . Name dictionaries are available as general dictionaries or specialized ones, such as by language or culture, e.g. Your Name is Your Blessing: Hebrew Names and their Mystical Meanings and 1,001 African Names: First and Last Names from the African Continent , or thematic, e.g. The Arthurian name dictionary .

Looking for a Related Name

W. Braese holding a baby, 1921.

Image ID 1537080

Name dictionaries will list cognate names. For example, if you wanted a feminine version of Charles, you could choose from Charlene, Charlotte, Carole, Caroline, Carolina, Carly, Carla, Carlotta, Carolyn, Carrie, Charlize, as well as other names and a variety of spelling variants with “Sh” and “K”.

Looking for Inspiration

If you are searching for a name with a particular meaning, you may want to use a reverse dictionary: e.g. First Name Reverse Dictionary: Given Names Listed by Meaning .

Finding the Popularity of Names

Each year the Social Security Administration releases statistics for the registered births of the United States for the previous year . You can also use the SSA data to track previous years’ popular names back through 1880 or see what is popular by each state. Many other countries also compile and release this data to the public annually.

Finding the Meaning and History of Your Family Name

The meanings of surnames can often tell us a bit about our ancestors’ lives, sometimes including the region from which they came or the occupations for which they were known. However, one should not just guess. “Guessing the meaning of a surname is a dangerous game to play. What seems to be an obvious explanation is often completely wrong. One reason for this is that surnames have changed considerably in form over the centuries, and another is that even where the word is the same it may well have had a very different meaning at the time when surnames were being formed.” (David Hey, Family Names and Family History ).

A professional photo claiming this as the "typical American family" at New York World's Fair, 1939-1940.

Image ID: 1685171

Many surnames fall into these general types:

• Locative : the name is also a place name, usually where the family was from at some point on their timeline. This can also include a feature of the landscape such as Hill or River.
• Occupational : the career of the person. e.g. Baker, Brewer, Smith, Miller. This can be less obvious for lesser known or outmoded careers such as Cooper (barrel maker) or Fletcher (arrow maker).
• Descriptive : A distinguishing characteristic of the person. e.g. Short, Fairchild, Friend.
• Descendant / Relationship: a prefix or suffix added on to an ancestor’s given name to show kinship. e.g. Robertson, Pierrot, Fitzpatrick, O’Connor, Tomkins, MacGregor.

A good name dictionary is created using historical evidence from documents to locate the name throughout history. The study of surnames in onomastics requires a combination of language studies and genealogical methods to match the evolution of words with the individuals who used those words as their names and how that usage changes over time. Check the introduction of the name dictionary for methodology on how the data was compiled. It is also a good idea to compare the entries for a name in several name dictionaries. A name dictionary will often provide an immediate answer to the meaning of the name and often its etymology, but not your family’s genealogy. However, your family’s genealogy may help you discover the meaning of your surname ( Redmonds ).

One of the best reference works to consult for a surname origin is The Dictionary of American Family Names , also available via Oxford Reference online .

The Dictionary of American Family Names contains more than 70,000 of the most commonly occurring surnames in the United States, giving their comparative frequencies, linguistic and historical explanations, selected associated forenames, and occasional genealogical notes. The product of a ten-year research project gathering the contributions of thirty linguistic consultants led by Editor in Chief Patrick Hanks, it explains the meanings—some intuitive, some amusing, and some quite surprising—of the family names for more than 90 percent of the U.S. population.

Other surname dictionaries are generally specific to the country of origin or dominant culture. Some of the most popularly requested reference works include:

French: Encyclopédie des noms de famille German: Dictionary of German names Irish: Sloinnte uile Éireann = All Ireland surnames | Surnames in Ireland Italian: I cognomi d'Italia : dizionario storico ed etimologico

Jewish: Jewish family names and their origins : an etymological dictionary Scottish: The surnames of Scotland : their origin, meaning, and history Spanish: Diccionario de apellidos españoles

Origins of the Use of Surnames

Different cultures began using surnames at different times and not uniformly across social classes. In general, landowners tended to take the names of their estates long before working and peasant classes adopted surname usage. In China, surnames amongst nobility date back to circa 2800 BCE . In Spain, surnames amongst landowning aristocrats date back to the 10th century. In the United Kingdom, English surnames date back to the 14th century, yet Wales and the Shetland Islands did not use surnames consistently until the 19th century. In Iceland, surnames are not hereditary , and a child is named after their parent, usually the father, with the suffix -son or -dottir. African-Americans, Eastern European Jews, Native Americans, and Dutch colonists of New Amsterdam largely had surname customs imposed onto them by outside agencies. To understand the origins of a surname, you will need to investigate the distinct history of family names in that culture ( Bockstruck ). Surnames can also originate independently in different cultures. Lee (alternate spelling Li) is a popular surname in China, Korea and English speaking countries, having arisen independently in China and England and spreading outward from those places.

Why so many variations of the same names?  

Muster roll of Capt. Thomas Bourke's company in the flying camp from 1776. 112 names.

Image ID. 4005342. New York Public Library. 

“Names have often had different forms before they settled down to an accepted spellings and pronunciation. Patrick Brontë ’s name was recorded as Branty, Brunty, Bruntee, Prunty and so on before he made his idiosyncratic choice of spelling” ( Hey ). William Shakespeare signed his name with at least three different spellings ( Davis ).

Essentially, corruption of speech, regional accents, translation, and conscientious name changes cause evolution over time. “It has long been recognized that any surname can have a variety of spellings in the course of its history. Some of these are predictable, reflecting differences of pronunciation between one region and another, or between one century and another, others are the result of ignorance, misunderstanding or even deliberate remotivation. It is probably a much more complex aspect of surname development than is generally realized, particularly in the case of migrating surnames which had no obvious or apparent meaning” ( Redmonds ).

An illiterate or semi-literate person may have had no say on how their name was written on documents. In addition, spelling was more negotiable in the past and the same name spelled in a variety of ways would have still been considered to be the same name. An example representing the same family: Mally, O’Mally, Meahley, Malley, O’Malley, Mealy, Ó Máille etc.

Portrait of man on a penny-farthing.

Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. "Martel Family"  The New York Public Library Digital Collections .

Another common spelling morph occurs when a non-English name retains its pronunciation in another language, but the spelling is adapted to English phonetics. Examples provided by Bockstruck include Tacquet (French origin) morphing to Tacket and Schoen (Dutch origin) morphing to Shane. Bockstruck also recounts this tale of surname morphing involving sound-alikes and translation:

“in Lincoln County, North Carolina, descendants of a colonial German progenitor named Klein held a family reunion. In addition to descendants who appeared under that name, direct male line descendants also appeared as Cline, Short, Small, and Little, all of which were English equivalents.”

Strictly adhering to one form of spelling of a name becomes more consistent over time as areas adopt forms of legal identification, such as passports and state-issued driver’s licenses, and even more so as those records are kept in computer databases where the spelling needs to be exact to retrieve the correct result.

Spelling Fixations

Newcomers to genealogy research can be fixated on the spelling of names, often dismissing a spelling error to mean that the family found in a document was not the correct one for whom they were searching. This is roughly equivalent to refusing the drink you already paid for at a coffee shop because the barista misspelled your name on the cup.

Names in Translation

Russian father and child in the late 19th century.

Image ID:51879

For many, translating a name from one language to another is not the same as changing a name since the meaning of the words remains intact. In The Name is the Game: Onomatology and the Genealogist , Bockstruck cites this example:

“Theophilus Taylor was a settler in the Carolina piedmont. At the time of his arrival in the British colonies he bore the name of Gotlieb Schneider. He eventually translated both his forename and surname into English and became Theophilus Taylor. Making that discovery ought to have allowed a genealogical researcher to bridge the Atlantic Ocean and to locate his baptismal entry in his village of origin in Germany. The entry in the parish register, however, was actually in Latin, and his name appeared as Amadeus Sartor.”

Bockstruck cites another language name morph in the case of a Scotsman named Ian Ferguson. Ferguson moved to an area of the colony of New York settled by Palatine Germans and amongst those German speakers was known as Johann Feuerstein. Many years later he moved on to Philadelphia and his name was rendered in English as John Flint. His grandson, Peter Flint moved to French-speaking Louisiana and his name was recorded as Pierre a Fusil. When moving on to Texas some years later, the name was translated from Fusil to Gunn. In three short generations the surname had morphed four times to fit into the colloquial language of the area where the person was living.

This practice is not entirely over. If you read a newspaper article in Portugal about Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, you will find her name written as Isabel. Likewise, if you read an American newspaper about a visit from a foreign diplomat of a country that uses a non-Roman alphabet, you will see their names rendered into the Roman alphabet instead of being printed in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Japanese, or Arabic, etc. Although this process is somewhat more standardized now than it has been in the past, you will still find variations in translations. You may remember different news organizations reporting on Osama bin Laden (most common) as also Usama bin Laden, Osama bin Ladin, Ussamah bin Ladin, and in French media as Oussama ben Laden. Some members of this family use the surname Binladen on western paperwork.  

One-Name Studies

One-Name Studies are the research on all individuals with one particular surname (and usually its variant spellings). One-Name studies are not limited to those who are related to each other, and include all individuals with the same name in the past or present, though there are some studies to that limited the study to certain geographic boundaries such as a country or county. Indeed, surname maps can be useful for genealogy research . The ultimate goal of most one-name studies is to identify the origin of a name, particularly locative-based surnames. The Guild of One-Name Studies , active mostly in in the United Kingdom, is an organization of many of these one-name societies and researchers.  

Names Can Be Changed

A family has dinner in their tenement in New York City in the early 20th century.

Image ID: 416564

Although there is a formal legal procedure to the process, usually anyone can change their name for any reason in the United States. The process is different in each jurisdiction, but in general, if a person files the correct paperwork in the correct court of law, the name change will be granted. This process is simplified in most states for those who change their name after marriage. According to LegalZoom , common reasons for name changes currently are

• Taking the natural father's name (e.g., after being born out of wedlock or adopted).
• Changing to the mother's maiden name (e.g., after a divorce).
• Identifying with a foreign nationality (e.g., to show grandparents' nationality).
• A cumbersome name (e.g., difficult to spell and/or pronounce).
• Professional identity (e.g., legally maintaining a maiden name or changing to a pen name).
• Gay or lesbian (e.g., both partners want to share the same last name).

Few are denied requests for name changes, though you cannot legally change your name to avoid debts or prosecution, or with the intent of defrauding someone. This has generally been true throughout United States history, and there is a likelihood that you may encounter a relative that has changed his or her name when doing genealogical research. However, the name was not changed at Ellis Island , but a person may have elected to change their name during the naturalization process. Current applications for naturalization still allow for name changes as part of the process. In some modern cases, people are “reverting” to a version of the name their ancestors once had. For more information about name changes during the naturalization process, see New York State Archives: Records of Name Changes in Naturalizations .

Some name changes are to avoid certain associations. For example, to bypass infamy of others with the same family name: there are few people with the surname Hitler . Other name changes are related to colloquial terms, perceptions of crudeness, and slang. Bockstruck cites legal name changes for the surname “Hoar” which so closely sounds like “whore” and names with the suffix “-cock” such as Woodcock, Haycock, and Glasscock.

Learn more about the study of names:

• Names : A Journal of Onomastics print | electronic
• Journal of One-Name Studies print

• The Name is the Game: Onomatology and the Genealogist / Lloyd de Witt Bockstruck
• Family Names and Family History / David Hey
• Surnames and Genealogy: A New Approach / George Redmonds
• Research Your Surname and Your Family Tree: Find Out What Your Surname Means and Trace Your Ancestors Who Share It Too / Graeme Davis
• An Alphabetical Guide to the Language of Name Studies / by Adrian Room
• The Study of Names: A Guide to the Principles and Topics / Frank Nuessel
• The Anthropology of Names and Naming / edited by Gabriele vom Bruck, Barbara Bodenhorn

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9 things I wish I knew before I chose my baby's name

Sure, the name you choose for your baby will be a defining piece of his or her identity for a lifetime. So no pressure, right? We talked to the experts— professionals and parents alike— for their tips on how to pick the perfect name… with no regrets.

RELATED: Trendy? Classic? Made up? How did you choose your children's names?

Here are the top things people say parents wish they knew before naming their little bundle of joy:

1. The name is super popular.

“I had only heard of a couple people with my daughter's name, prior to naming her,” mom Mari Carmen Vega wrote on our Facebook page. “Now, it feels like I hear her name everywhere!”

It’s a common complaint— you’ve never heard the name Isabella, or Aiden, until you give it to your baby… and suddenly it’s shooting up the charts. If you’d hoped to give your child a unique name, a sudden surge of popularity can cause some name regret.

Do your homework: You can check whether a name’s popularity is trending up or down on sites like BabyNameWizard.com and Nameberry.com . Most first-time expectant parents don’t hang out with little kids a lot; if you really want to find out what’s popular in your town, talk to new parents or preschool teachers to find out whether your favorite “secret” name really is.

https://www.instagram.com/p/kVURm0JS0Y

Noah: No. 1 name in the country, and the name of Michael Bublé's son.

2. Family will learn to love it.

You may get major push-back if you float ideas out loud. But the reality is that after that precious baby comes, you’ll find that people suddenly adore a name they hated when it was merely a hypothetical suggestion— now that it belongs to a real-world, cherubic little human.

“We hear parents say they wish they’d known that grandma and grandpa often learn to love names they’d objected to during the pregnancy,” said Nameberry co-founder Pamela Redmond Satran. “Sometimes grandparents’ baby name ideas are just old-fashioned and once they learn from real-life experience that names like Elsie or Juniper are no longer considered weird, they’re fine with them.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/n3Jr3-uS7M

Say what you will about Kris Jenner, at least she supported daughter Kim Kardashian's choice of baby name: "I'm pro-North," grandma Jenner said.

RELATED: From Abel to Zephyr, here are the 100 most intriguing baby names of 2016

3. Some people just won’t get it.

Some parents-to-be choose to keep picks totally private until delivery. But a focus group of trusted friends— or even strangers— can help anticipate and avoid issues like pronunciation or spelling confusion.

“The downside of keeping name choice quiet is that you don’t learn that nobody is sure how to pronounce Kelilah or knows whether Rowan is a boy or a girl— and people say they wish they’d known they’d have to deal with that kind of name-based confusion every day,” said Nameberry’s Satran.

“If you don’t want to field these kinds of opinions with your friends and colleagues, join an anonymous online forum and test out name ideas there. Ask for honest opinions and don’t be defensive; you can still make your name choice in private and you won’t be blindsided by questions and confusion after your baby’s here.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/m6-W5IEVoW

Maxwell? On a girl? While it may have raised eyebrows at first, we bet Jessica Simpson has no regrets about her daughter's name.

4. Most name associations don’t last.

When choosing our babies’ names, it’s hard not to conjure every personal reference from our lives: that childhood friend who once insulted us in homeroom, that mean first boss, that college girlfriend of our partner. But that kind of process of elimination ends up eliminating, well, everything.

"Baby Name Wizard" author Wattenberg advised, “[Remember] that most name associations are fleeting. That weird client you worked with last month or that supporting character on Glee will fade from memory soon, and you'd regret giving up your favorite names for them.”

5. Pop culture can change everything.

Let’s say you’ve selected the perfect name… but a few years later a celeb pops up on the scene with the same one— and it connotes a certain image or notoriety you’d rather not have associated with your kid.

Or even more benignly, the celeb association may cause the popularity of the name to skyrocke — a phenomenon Terresa Smith described on our Facebook page. She named her son Mason, which soared on the charts after Kourtney Kardashian picked the same one. Since we can’t predict the future of pop culture, at least we can remain confident in our choices — never mind the associations. (See above: Associations are fleeting.) “I still like the name!” Smith wrote.

https://www.instagram.com/p/eU_yvEE1hR

The name Mason soared in popularity after Kourtney Kardashian gave it to her son, born in 2009.

RELATED: Prediction: 'Star Wars,' Caitlyn Jenner will influence baby names in 2016

6. The name might not suit the kid’s personality.

Practically speaking, it makes a lot of sense to name your baby before you leave the hospital— trying to manage all that paperwork retroactively can be a major hassle. But by then, you might not have a true sense of your kid’s personality, and you might assign a name that doesn’t quite feel like a match down the road.

One approach? Stick to your best instinct off the bat, which mom Sarah Granger-Twomey wishes she’d done. She said, “For our daughter’s middle name, I wish we would have stuck to our creative guns and chosen Rain instead of gone with the traditional family name Anne. It's much too formal for my little whirling dervish.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/jQOhRsFTFE

Holly Madison with daughter Rainbow; time will tell whether it suits her personality!

7. The name doesn’t lend itself to nicknames.

This is an issue you can ponder in advance by researching and tossing around potential nicknames for a pick you love. If you can’t find one that fits, it might be a dealbreaker. As Missy Mercurio Haney wrote on our Facebook page, “I love my Morgan, but there is no good nickname for that name! My brother in law calls her Morgie, which I think sounds morbid. We do call her Moo… but probably won't call her that around her friends or in public, though.”

Beyond that, consider all options before settling on one. “I wish I would have thought of all potential nicknames for the boys. To me, Nate is the obvious nickname for Nathaniel, but you wouldn't believe how many people think I named my boys Matt and Nat!” said mom of twins Jennifer Marino Walters.

RELATED: Oh no they didn't! The 12 craziest new baby names from Princecharles to Amillion

8. Unusual names may be problematic.

For some people, the more unusual the name the better, in order to distinguish the child from all the other kids in class. But, Wattenberg cautioned, you should know “that the more interesting and impactful a name is, the surer it is that some people will hate it. A strong style inevitably cuts both ways.”

Beyond that, she said you should be aware that choosing an unusual spelling for a common name may not adequately distinguish your child as much as you hope it does. “A common name with a creative spelling still sounds common. In fact, even a name that rhymes with other common names tends to blend into the crowd.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/o_aaw7K2zz

Jamie Oliver with son Buddy Bear; celebrities have a way with unusual names.

RELATED: Most popular baby names of 2015: Sophia, Jackson top Instagram-inspired list

9. The name you pick will be perfect.

Sure, it’s hard not to obsess on a decision that feels so weighty and important. But what if we could just allow ourselves to relax a little? “Choosing the right name can become a major obsession,” said Nameberry’s Satran. “ But once the baby’s here, a lot of parents say they wish they’d known that their choice would soon feel right and natural and they wouldn’t be able to imagine their baby with any other name.”

I never knew how much love and pride I would feel. pic.twitter.com/bjwhJvrFBd — Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) February 16, 2014

Simon Cowell with son Eric. All the name stress will melt away when you hold your little one in your arms.

Alesandra Dubin is a Los Angeles-based writer and the founder of home and travel blog Homebody in Motion . Follow her on Facebook , Google+ and Twitter .

The Complex Art of Naming a Baby

“Be guided by euphonic quality only,” an Atlantic contributor write in 1888.

This is an edition of The Wonder Reader, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a set of stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight. Sign up here to get it every Saturday morning.

In 1888, an Atlantic contributor made the case for a “science of names.” “Parents … are strangely careless and unscientific in giving names to children,” the contributor complained. “They forget that not only from the social point of view it is very advantageous to have one’s name remembered, but that from the business point of view notoriety is capital, and must be obtained by persistent and ingenious advertising.” Indeed, the contributor argued, a good name will give a child “a start in life equivalent to a cash capital of at least fifteen thousand dollars.” One way to ensure this head start? “Be guided by euphonic quality only.” (A combined dactyl and spondee are apparently best.)

Although not all of this contributor’s guidance can or should still apply today, the importance of a name to a child’s identity has stayed front of mind for many parents. A name can determine whether a child fits in or stands out—and many parents differ on which of those outcomes is preferable. Today’s reading list explores some recent trends in naming.

The Age of the Unique Baby Name

By Joe Pinsker

Parents used to want kids to fit in. Now they want them to stand out.

The Rise of Gender-Neutral Names Isn’t What It Seems

By Sarah Zhang

The desire of parents to be truly original has had a perhaps unintended effect.

The People Who Use Their Parents’ First Name

By Jacob Stern

“Morning, Carol! Morning, Mike!”

Still Curious?

• The woman naming their babies after themselves : Female “Juniors” are rare. But for certain mothers, passing down their name is a no-brainer.
• A patriarchal tradition that just won’t budge : Straight, married couples in the U.S. still almost always give kids the father’s last name. Why?

Other Diversions

• Killer whales are not our friends.
• When the unnatural becomes natural
• Somehow, airline customer service is getting even worse.

Our 1888 Atlantic contributor might not be too approving of the age of the unique baby name. “Avoid odd, or eccentric, or poetic combinations,” they wrote. “It is true that an odd name may be remembered, but the associations with it will not be pleasing.”

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From ‘Alma’ to ‘Zuri,’ Parents Are Looking for Positive Baby Names

They’re searching the heavens, and through family history, for strong monikers in a pandemic.

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By Jancee Dunn

The coronavirus pandemic, stretching into another year, has left few corners of everyday life untouched. For the most recent crop of new parents, the pandemic has been the backdrop of their entire birth process — for some, it’s even changed how they chose the names of their babies.

Sierra Armstrong, who works in the service industry in New Orleans, said that she and her partner have named their newborn daughter Kamryn.

The Scottish root of the name, originally spelled Cameron, “means ‘crooked nose,’” Armstrong said. “But I saw somewhere that in the U.S., it means ‘a gift from God,’ and I loved that.”

The virus nudged the name to the top of her list. “Because life is a gift,” she said. “The whole world is in flux, and I’m glad I’m healthy and whole and, so far, haven’t gotten Covid. When you are able to get up each day, and continue on, that’s a gift itself.”

Baby-naming experts are reporting decided shifts in the name selection process.

Pamela Redmond, chief executive of the baby-naming website Nameberry , reported a jump in name searches on the site during the pandemic. There were about 4 million more page views during the nine-month period after the start of the pandemic in March, compared with the nine-month period before it began.

Redmond found that names derived from optimistic meanings — like hope, light and happiness — have been “trending upwards since the beginning of the pandemic,” she said. “Parents are attracted to these positive meanings right now, reflecting the optimism a new baby brings to your life, even when times are dark.”

Views of the name Zora, for example, which means “dawn” and suggests new beginnings, are up 40 percent, Redmond said; while Alma (“soul” in Spanish) is up 37 percent. Lucius, which connotes “light,” is up 24 percent. Other risers include Vivienne (from the Latin root Vivus, meaning “alive” or “lively”), Aurora (Roman goddess of the sunrise), Felix (“happy”), Frida (“peaceful”) and Zuri (“good” in Swahili).

Place names such as Cairo and Milan are also on the rise, Redmond said, perhaps reflecting a longing to travel during lockdown.

The Social Security Administration’s most current list of the country’s top 1,000 baby names dates from 2019, so we have yet to see how these searches translate into baby naming en masse. But the experts I spoke to agreed that new parents are searching for names that represent optimism and strength.

Jennifer Moss, founder and chief executive of BabyNames.com and co-host of “The Baby Names Podcast,” is seeing “a huge influx of gods and goddess names — Persephone, Adonis, Achilles, Athena. These are just jumping on the charts, and they’ve never been there before.” The name Anahita, the ancient Iranian goddess of fertility, is similarly gaining, Redmond added.

With mythological names, Moss suggested, “people want to instill strength in their children, because we’re all feeling scared and powerless right now over this virus we can’t control. How better to arm your child for the uncertain future than to give them the name of a god or goddess who has power over the universe?”

Biblical names, which had been dropping off Moss’s charts in past years in favor of more creative monikers, have also surged. “For comfort in hard times, people turn to faith,” she said. “We’re seeing Gabriel, Elijah, Esther, Lilith and even Naomi, which hasn’t trended in a long time.”

Some parents-to-be have been so distracted by the pandemic that they’ve skipped the deliberation and quickly picked a name. Amanda Austin of Erie, Pa., owner of an e-commerce store specializing in dollhouse miniatures, came up with her daughter’s name on a whim. “It was in March, when the whole world was shutting down,” she said. “Covid terrified me. My husband and his dad own a construction company and Pennsylvania had banned construction work.”

The name “Annette” popped suddenly into her mind. “I shared it with my husband and he loved it,” Austin said. “His reaction is a far cry from my other daughter’s naming process, where we went back and forth for months. I think we had so much going on with the pandemic that we didn’t have the mental bandwidth to dig deeper.” The name also reminded the couple of the 1950s, a “less complicated” time.

Baby names are “like a mirror; they reflect what’s happening in culture,” said Jonah Berger, a marketing professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and author of “The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind.” “Given the current mood, I wouldn’t be surprised if traditional names get a bump.”

Family names, such as those of grandparents, have long been popular. But SJ Strum, a baby name expert in the United Kingdom, is seeing more people name their babies after living relatives like a sister or parent: “I hear, ‘I’ve missed my family so much that even though my mum’s name is not one I’ve considered before, I’m thinking of it now.’”

Abbie and Julia Ensign, YouTube personalities from Lindon, Utah, said that they will be giving their baby boy, who is due Jan. 23, two middle names: one for each of two yet-to-be-revealed family members. “Julia has been doing family history in her pandemic free time and chose a name that will link him to one of the great Ensigns in my wife’s family tree, while his other middle name comes from one of my family members,” Abbie said.

Choosing a child’s name can be a nerve-racking endeavor, no matter the cultural climate. When I was pregnant, my husband and I spent months compiling lists. Those would be winnowed down as family members would helpfully point out, once offered a candidate, that they knew a person with that name who had acute halitosis or a lifelong gambling problem and subsequent ruination.

For my daughter, I wanted a name that was unusual, but not as unusual as mine — a version of J.C., my father’s name.

After much deliberation, we settled on Sylvie for our daughter (French, from the Latin “of the forest”).

No matter how much research you put into a name, your child’s life experiences are largely out of your control. At the moment, certain baby names have fallen decidedly out of fashion since the pandemic began. As you might imagine, anything that sounds like “Covid” is facing tough headwinds; Redmond noted that “Cove,” for example, has been dropping on Nameberry’s charts.

Similarly, parents are currently avoiding the name “Lachlan,” Strum said, “because it sounds too much like ‘lockdown.’”

“Donald” is also sinking, Moss added. “Near 2000, it was number 217, and it’s not on our charts in 2020 — and we do the top 1,000 names.”

And for the time being, we can probably forget “Corona.” “Very pretty, Latin for ‘crown,’” Moss said. “Not happening.”

Jancee Dunn is the author of “How Not To Hate Your Husband After Kids.”

We picked our baby's name because it wasn't popular. Now it's 'trendy,' and I'm angry AF.

• My husband and I knew we were having only one child, so we took choosing a name very seriously.
• I wanted our son to have a Spanish-language name to represent his heritage.
• When we chose the name Rio, it wasn't popular, but it's slowly becoming trendy.

Picking a baby's name is one of the most stressful things parents-to-be can do. A name stays with your child for the rest of their lives and can affect their adult employability.

Knowing we would have only one child , my husband and I took naming seriously. Early in my pregnancy, we came up with guidelines for our child's name — the main one being that we didn't want the moniker to be in the 1,000 most popular baby names .

Finding the perfect Spanish-language name

As someone who grew up in an immigrant household , I remember feeling sad as a kid because I would never see "Irina" on a keychain when my family went to theme parks. But as an adult, I now appreciate my unique name and how it perfectly encompasses my two cultures. Irina is a common name in my Russian mom's culture, and my last name came from my Cuban dad .

Additionally, I wanted our child to have a Spanish-language name to represent that side of my family because teaching him about his Latin heritage was one of my priorities as a parent.

As I entered my second trimester of pregnancy in October 2019, I started to have insomnia almost daily. During one of these nights, Google searching led me to the name Rio, and I instantly fell in love. And as soon as my husband woke up that morning, he did too.

The name perfectly fit into our naming criteria. It's the Spanish word for river, has a pop-culture reference (we love the character River Tam from the short-lived series "Firefly"), and is short, so nickname-free. But most importantly, it was No. 2,000 in popularity at the time, according to BabyNames.com .

Related stories

We kept the name a secret for the next five months, so it felt extra special — and we avoided others' opinions on our choice. When we finally told the world that our child was born in March 2020, we were still in love with the name Rio and our baby.

But recently, something unexpected happened: Our baby's name has become more popular.

Our baby's name grew in popularity over the past 4 years

Currently sitting at No. 561 on BabyNames.com (up from 677 just two months ago), our once unique name is no longer as rare as it was when we picked it.

Lately, I've heard from friends and acquaintances that they know someone who just named their new baby Rio. It especially hit me after a friend who loves "The Real Housewives of New York City" texted me that not one but two of the wives had a child named Rio — two! I couldn't believe it.

Half a year after I found out about the "RHONY" connection, I'm still struggling with feelings of anger over the popularization of my baby's name. One of the biggest reasons we chose this name was that it wasn't popular, and now it's becoming trendy. I can only imagine how the influence of a popular TV show will increase the name's popularity further.

And I'm a bit heartbroken, too.

We idealized our baby's name for so long, and now it feels tainted. It doesn't quite feel like the name we chose — though I wouldn't change anything. My Rio is such a Rio.

But considering how much thought and care we put into the name and how proud we were of its uniqueness, I'm having a difficult time with its increase in popularity. I don't want to be trendy. I never did.

I'm sure that I'm not the only parent to have changed feelings about their child's name after the fact, so it'll all be OK. But I still wish that this naming trend will be over soon.

Watch: Betting odds predict the most popular names for Prince William and Kate's new baby

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This is how you play the name game.

Baby name consultant Kayla Naab is sharing the three factors parents should consider if they want to saddle their child with a unique name — usability, integration, and connotation.

Parents looking to eschew Liam , Noah, Oliver, Olivia, Emma, Charlotte and the other top monikers on the Social Security Administration’s most popular baby name list should say the prospective names aloud in a variety of tones, use them in a sentence, and write them down alongside the names of their family members.

“Write the full name with your surname, write it in a sentence or a list, and address a message to this name,” Naab writes in a Business Insider essay published last week . “Assess whether it felt cool, easy, weird, or normal to use the name in a basic way.”

Parents should also ponder potential jokes or insults that could be made with the child’s name, Naab counsels.

For example, Amy Schumer and husband Chris Fischer changed the name of their 4-year-old son from Gene Attell Fischer to Gene David Fischer after he was born.

“We realized that we, by accident, named our son ‘Genital,'” Schumer, 42, admitted in 2020 .

Naab notes that a name should instill confidence in children and build their character — and it has to age well as they age.

“I encourage parents to consider every context, from school papers and roll calls to job interviews and the workplace,” Naab advises in Business Insider. “How would this name look on a social profile, a wedding invitation, an announcement for a promotion, or on the banner for a birthday party? Plug the name into real life.”

Naab says parents should contemplate if the name evokes any negative feelings, imagery, or pop culture references or any unfortunate nicknames and acronyms.

For their part, the experts at babynames.com said trends to watch for in 2024 include names inspired by adjectives such as Rugged, Heavenly, Powerful, and colors, including Azure and Indigo.

Gender-neutral names like Dallas, Jupiter, Aspen, Story, Navy, and Hollis are also gaining steam.

But if Rugged and Powerful aren’t feelin’ it — they do have options.

A 2022 report found that “Issac” and “Chole” — which are likely misspellings of “Isaac” and “Chloe” — are among the names formally changed more often than others.

“Choosing a unique name for your baby can be a great way to help them stand out, anoint them with something special and meaningful, and disrupt the status quo,” Naab points out in her Business Insider essay. “However, it’s really important to consider the lives your child might live and anticipate how your chosen name will impact their experience.”

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Names — The Most Unusual Baby Names

The Most Unusual Baby Names

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Published: Jul 10, 2019

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My Daughter Is 5 Years Old, and I Regret My Baby Name Choice

Updated on 7/26/2019 at 1:00 PM

I knew pretty soon after my daughter was born that I regretted what my husband and I named her. I figured, eventually, I'd fall back in love with the name and get over any misgivings, but now, five years later, I still think we picked the wrong moniker for our little girl .

We chose our daughter's name as a family. More accurately, my two older daughters insisted we give her a name they'd overheard at the park. I was OK with the idea, but not overly thrilled. I said I'd consider it. Once my girls latched onto this name, however, it was impossible to change their minds, and I ended up giving in.

I tend to call her by her middle name quite a bit, which makes me happy.

My hesitation has always had to do with how popular the baby name has become. Think of the top five baby names for girls , and you'll know what it is within a small margin of error (to protect her privacy, I won't share it here). Everywhere I go, I hear other parents calling their daughters the same name, and it kind of irritates me. My daughter is special, and the fact that she shares a name with so many other girls just doesn't feel right. The other reason I have never really warmed to the name is that there are so many nicknames associated with it. I can't control what her friends and teachers call her to the point that I honestly don't even try anymore.

I'm not sure there will ever come a day when I don't feel a twinge of regret over the name we picked . If I haven't shed all my doubts in five years, what are the chances I will suddenly fall madly, deeply in love with the name? I figure what's more important is that I am madly, deeply in love with my child. Her sisters are also very proud when they tell the story of how they chose their sister's moniker, which always makes me smile and feel better.

The bottom line is that it is what it is at this point. I'm not going to change her name and confuse her or make it seem like we're in the witness protection program or something. Instead, I tend to call her by her middle name quite a bit, which makes me happy. And she likes her name, which I have decided trumps any regrets I may harbor. She is and always will be my special girl, and a name won't change that (no matter how many times I hear it at the park).

• Personal Essay

Between 1909 and 2022 there were 83 births of Essay in the countries below, which represents an average of 1 birth of children bearing the first name Essay per year on average throughout this period. On the last available year for each country, we count 2 births .

Information about the first name Essay

• Names of French cities Essay

Anagrams of the first name Essay

An anagram is a word that contains the same letters of another word. Here is the list of first names which are an anagram of Essay : Essya , Eyass , Sesay , Yessa

Essay in Japanese *

Essay in sign language, essay in binary language, origin and meaning of name essay.

• Since late 16th century, borrowed from Middle French essay, essai (“essay”), meaning coined by Montaigne in the same time, from the same words in earlier meanings 'experiment; assay; attempt', from Old French essay, essai, assay, assai, from Latin exagium (“weight; weighing, testing on the balance”), from exigere + -ium.
• From Middle French essayer, essaier, from Old French essaiier, essayer, essaier, assaiier, assayer, assaier, from essay, essai, assay, assai (“attempt; assay; experiment”) as above.
• essay (plural essays)
• (authorship) A written composition of moderate length, exploring a particular issue or subject.
• (obsolete) A test, experiment; an assay.
• (now rare) An attempt.
• (philately, finance) A proposed design for a postage stamp or a banknote.
• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /ˈɛs.eɪ/ (1), IPA(key): /ɛˈseɪ/ (2-4)
• Rhymes: -ɛseɪ
• Homophone: ese
• (UK, US) IPA(key): /ɛˈseɪ/
• essay (third-person singular simple present essays, present participle essaying, simple past and past participle essayed)
• (dated, transitive) To try.
• (intransitive) To move forth, as into battle.
• Sayes, Seays, Sesay, eyass
• essay n (definite singular essayet, indefinite plural essay or essayer, definite plural essaya or essayene)
• an essay, a written composition of moderate length exploring a particular subject

• Borrowed from English essay (“essay”), from Middle French essai (“essay; attempt, assay”), from Old French essai, from Latin exagium (whence the neuter gender).
• essay n (plural essays, diminutive essaytje n)
• IPA(key): /ɛˈseː/, /ˈɛ.seː/
• Hyphenation: es‧say
• Rhymes: -eː
• → Indonesian: esai

• Essay m or n (strong, genitive Essays, plural Essays)
• essay, usually on scientific, cultural or sociological subjects for publication in a newspaper or magazine
• essayistisch
• Aufsatz (umbrella term for all sorts of essays)

• essay n (definite singular essayet, indefinite plural essay, definite plural essaya)
• Borrowed from English essay, from Middle French essai.
• essaysamling

Popularity of the name Essay

Number of essay births per year.

Total births of Essay by country

Total births of essay by country (last available year), comments on the name essay, personalities with the first name essay, film actors and actresses with the first name essay, rankings of first name essay by country.

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Cameron Diaz & Husband Benji Madden Welcome Second Child Together, Reveal Name & Sex of Baby

Cameron Diaz and husband Benji Madden have welcomed another baby!

The 51-year-old actress and the 45-year-old musician have been married since 2015. Their first child, a girl named Raddix , was born in January 2020.

Cameron and Benji took to Instagram on Friday (March 22) to announce the birth of their second child and reveal the name and sex of the newborn!

Keep reading to find out more…

In a joint post , the couple shared a piece of artwork that reads, “A little bird whispered to me.”

In the caption, Cameron and Benji broke the news of their new baby’s arrival!

“We are blessed and excited to announce the birth of our son, Cardinal Madden❤️🙏He is awesome and we are all so happy he is here! For the kids safety and privacy we won’t be posting any pictures- but he’s a really cute ☺️We are feeling so blessed and grateful 🍀Sending much love from our fam to yours 🙏❤️Best wishes and Good Afternoon!! 🤘⚡️,” they wrote.

Find out which other celebrities have welcomed children recently!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Benji Madden (@benjaminmadden)

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These baby names inspired by spring season are rising in popularity

Babycenter, a pregnancy and parenting company, recently released its top 10 spring-inspired baby names for boys or girls that are growing in popularity..

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If you’re due to have a baby this spring season, you may want to consider one of these baby names.

BabyCenter , a pregnancy and parenting company, recently released its top 10 spring-inspired baby names for boys or girls that are growing in popularity.

According to the company, the anticipated spring names celebrate "life, growth and renewal," Rebekah Wahlberg, baby name trends specialist at BabyCenter, told FOX Television Stations.

Here’s a look at the top baby names linked to the spring season that are rising in popularity.

If you’re due to have a baby this spring season, you may want to consider one of these baby names.

(Adobe Stock)

The name Lily has been a top-100 flower name for decades now, but has never ranked higher than No. 12. 

The name is used like the flower, which is a symbol of purity in the Christian faith.

BabyCenter said this could finally be the year that the name breaks into the top 10.

At a time where the top boys' names in the country are Mateo, Luca, and Leo, another Italian name, Elio, meaning " sun ," is growing on the list.

The name exploded in popularity last year, landing in the top 500 names for the first time, according to the parenting company.

It’s no surprise that Ivy is on the list, as the name has been on the rise since 2012, when Blue Ivy Carter (Beyonce and Jay-Z's daughter) was born. 

Ivy is an English- and Latin-derived word meaning "vine," and its Old English derivative is the word for ivy plant, "ifig," BabyCenter reported.

The simple three-letter name has been a favorite among nature-loving parents.

Its popularity hasn't shown any signs of waning as it continues to climb the baby name ranks.

In 2020, Ivy was in the top 100 names, according to the Social Security Administrations list — and currently sits at No. 31 for most popular girls' names.

Did your child’s name make the list?

Magnolia is a French -derived word originating from the recognizable southern blossom.

Magnolia has exploded in popularity in recent years, and BabyCenter said it may enter the top 100 baby names soon.

Genesis is another contender for the top 100 this year. This gender-neutral name means "creation" or "origin" in Greek and is generally more popular for girls, but it's on the rise for boys, too.

Genesis is on the brink of breaking into the top 100 names. It's currently No. 107 on the list of popular girls' names.

In a similar biblical vein, Eden, meaning "place of pleasure" in Hebrew, is at an all-time high in popularity, according to BabyCenter.

The biblical name ranks No. 88 on the popular girls' names list. 

Anastasia, which is from a Greek word meaning "resurrection," has been hovering just outside the top 100 girls' names for years – and 2024 may be its year to finally break in. 

The name Lily has been a top-100 flower name for decades now, but has never ranked higher than No. 12. 

Renata is growing close to securing a spot in the top 500 girls' names after last peaking in the 1980s. 

This name is the original Latin version of Renee, and means "reborn."

According to BabyCenter, Neo, which is a Latin word meaning "new," has leaped up the name charts in the past couple of years.

It's close to breaking into the top 500 boys' names and fits right into the trend the company noticed of names getting shorter (like Leo, Teo, Tia, Koa, Kai). 

Wells joins the time-honored tradition of turning last names into first names, and has started leaping up in the boys' names charts recently. It comes from an Old English word meaning "spring stream."

It sits at No. 536 on the list of most popular boys' names.

You can see more spring-inspired baby names here .

Baby names rising in popularity in 2024

Earlier this year, Laura Wattenberg, the creator of Namerology, said she expected a rise in modern nature names in 2024 including Wren, Juniper, Aurora and Dove for girls.

She said cute old-fashioned names like Millie, Josie, Winnie and Nellie would make a comeback as well.

For boys, Wattenberg said that neo-cowboy and surname-styled names will continue to be popular. 

Names from the popular television series "Yellowstone" including Dutton and Tate fit the trends for both neo-cowboy and swift surnames. 

FOXBusiness contributed to this story.

Katie Couric reveals birth of first grandchild, significance behind name: 'I am thrilled'

Katie Couric is breaking the sweetest news of her career: She's officially a grandma .

In an Instagram post Sunday, the television journalist revealed her daughter Ellie gave birth to a son on Saturday. The arrival marks Couric’s first grandchild.

"John Albert Dobrosky was born on his due date, Saturday, March 23rd at 8:23 am, just shy of seven pounds," Couric wrote alongside a photo of Ellie and son-in-law Mark Dobrosky. "Mom and Dad are over the moon, (and) I am thrilled to have my first grandchild."

Couric shared additional photos in the post, including a closeup shot of baby John sleeping, and pics of daughter Caroline and husband John Molner sharing in the excitement of welcoming the newborn. "We feel so blessed. 💙🥰🍼👶🏻💙" she wrote.

The former "Today" show co-host also revealed her grandson's nickname will be "Jay" as a tribute to Couric's late husband Jay Monahan , who died of colon cancer in 1998.

"He will be called Jay in honor of his maternal grandfather," Couric wrote.

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Katie Couric says she’s ‘looking forward’ to being a grandmother

In an interview with USA TODAY earlier this month, Couric opened up about becoming a first-time grandmother .

Couric gushed that she was eager to begin her role as a devoted, doting grandma. "I'm looking forward to spending time with my grandchild and just doing the fun stuff because grandparents get to do the fun stuff," such as serving ice cream for breakfast, she joked.

The "Next Question with Katie Couric" host added that the milestone offered a sobering reminder of her age.

"It reminds me that oh, holy barnyard epitaph – I'm old enough to be a grandmother," Couric said. "But I think I'll get over that pretty quickly. And everyone says it's a love that's hard to describe when you see your first grandchild. And you know, when you see your baby having a baby, it's pretty miraculous."

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On a bittersweet note, Couric also said the birth of her grandson reminds her of her former husband Molner's death.

"I think about him often, but especially when our daughters are graduating from college or got a promotion or won a prize and now with our oldest daughter Ellie having a baby," Couric said. "It just reminds me of all the things that he has missed."

Contributing: Erin Jensen, USA TODAY

Parents share heartbreak of pregnancy and baby loss as Say Their Name Day seeks to start conversations

Liz Schleicher will never forget the day she was told her unborn son, Rigby, had a medical condition that meant he would not be able to survive. 

Warning: This content contains information and images relating to pregnancy loss and neonatal loss, which some readers might find distressing.

At an anatomy scan at 20 weeks, Rigby was diagnosed with a severe lower urinary tract obstruction, a condition described as "not compatible with life".

Rigby was stillborn at 21 weeks, after a termination for medical reasons.

"Having the specialist tell us, 'He can't live much longer, and he won't make it to being born alive', it was just heartbreaking," she said.

"I will never forget the drop you feel in your heart and how heavy the grief is from that point on."

Say their name

Ms Schleicher's experience, in 2023, has prompted her to speak out as part of today's national Say Their Name Day.

Created by the charity Red Nose four years ago, the day aims to "reduce the stigma of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, baby and child death", by highlighting that every baby matters and deserves to be remembered.

Red Nose said in a recent poll, one-fifth of the 250 bereaved parents surveyed indicated friends and family did not acknowledge their baby or child's existence.

Parents stated that they would feel less alone if family and friends used and remembered their baby's name. 

Ms Schleicher, who lives in Perth, said people were often scared to say the wrong thing, but it was better to have an open conversation than say nothing.

"Being a tiny bit brave and talking about someone's baby and acknowledging their existence can bridge such a heartbreaking and isolating gap for grieving parents," she said.

"It made me so happy when friends asked me about Rigby, they are creating a safe space for me and my baby to exist in conversation that otherwise you can feel excluded from.

"I cried with joy when someone finally asked to see a photo of him." 

Parents need support

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, "on an average day in Australia", six babies are stillborn and two die within 28 days of birth.

The Melbourne-based Red Nose CEO Keren Ludski, who lost her third child Ben to SIDS in 1998, said many parents needed extra support.

"Sadly, in our country around 100,000 families go through miscarriage every year and a further 3,000 experience stillbirth, neonatal loss or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)," she said.

"That's a lot of families impacted every single year.

"Say Their Name Day is about educating people that it's OK to talk about a baby or child who has died, and how much parents love to hear their child's name."

Acknowledgement 'like a hug'

Paul Field, the former manager of popular children's entertainers The Wiggles and frontman for 1980s band The Cockroaches, is also a bereaved parent, and said Say Their Name Day was an important and beautiful initiative.

His daughter Bernadette passed away from SIDS in 1988 when she was seven months old.

Her name is tattooed on his arm.

"It was 36 years ago, but it's like it was yesterday, it still knocks me for six," he said.

"It's still lovely to say my daughter's name ... as I say her name, I am emotional about it.

"It's something that never leaves you, and I never want her forgotten."

Mr Field, who lives in Sydney, said Say Their Name Day was an important conversation starter.

"You feel so alone at the time of loss and that the world has changed, and ended for you," he said.

"Whatever you can do to acknowledge and talk about the little person who is gone, or wasn't born … just to acknowledge it, is like a hug for someone.

"And to fathers out there, if you are suffering loss, mate, don't do it alone, speak to people about it."

Matthew McConnell, from Warrnambool in south-west Victoria, lost his daughter Wren when she was eight days old  following a complicated birth.

He said as a family they always spoke about Wren and saying the name of a child who passed away was "one of the simplest things people can do to support a bereaved parent".

"When a parent has an opportunity to tell their story it is empowering to them and their child," he said.

"Our children that have passed away will never be able to speak their names, so they need us as parents and our supporters to speak their names for them to keep their memory alive."

• X (formerly Twitter)

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Analyzing Hate Speech Laws

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Article Critique

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Comics Essay

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In this essay, students produce their own analysis and interpretation of one or more of the comics that we’ve read in class

Conflicting Values and Ethical Problems

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Students think about the conflicting values and worldviews that underlay an ethical problem and examine possibilities for bringing together opposing sides through a focus on shared values. 

Drug Control

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Literacy Narrative

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The purpose of the assignment sequence is for the student to reflect upon their own literacy learning as well as that of their classmates and present their understanding of those experiences in writing.

Love and Culture

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Prior to writing the discussion paper students watched the first 25 minutes of the documentary film 'Human.'

Nuclear Deterrence

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Prima Facie Duties in Context

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W. D. Ross offers a pluralistic moral theory that acknowledges the situational nature of our moral duties.  Here, students construct a mini-essay in which they apply Ross’ theory to two sets of human social experiences with which they are familiar. 

Science, Technology, and Values: Editorial Analysis

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The purpose of this assignment is to think more deeply about the conflicting values and worldviews that underlay controversies pertaining to ecosystem management, and to examine possibilities for bringing together opposing sides through a focus on shared values.