Name: Kira Meaning: “little dark one” Origin: Gaelic Current Popularity: #378 Nickname Potential: Kir (KEER), KiKi Associations: Actresses Keira Knightley and Kyra Sedgewick have kept the name in our ears in this era. Even Star Wars has gotten into it, with Solo character Qi’ra giving us an entirely new spelling for this name. And Jim […]
POLL: Cassius vs. Cassian
In yet another example of two names that sound and look nearly identical but feel very different, we’ve got Cassius and Cassian in today’s match up. In this case, both names have the same root meaning, lots of present-day appeal, and potential for popularity. Name 1: Cassius Origin: Latin Meaning: Hollow Pronunciation: CASS-ee-us or CASH-us […]
Best of… Gemstone Baby Names
Jewel tones are taking over the fashion and design worlds at the moment. Living Coral is Pantone’s color of the year, citrine yellow dominated the spring runways, and emerald has quickly become a home-decor neutral. Combine these color cues with modern parents’ love of vintage names, and you’ve got the inspiration for our latest list. […]
10 Tips for Picking a Character Name
Choosing a name for a fictional character can be as hard as naming a baby. After all, it is often the first detail that defines who your character is. For many writers, it’s a crucial first step to getting their story started. And while it’s true that you could just pick any name for a […]
Baby Names of the Rich and Famous
This week, People published the results of a HushHush.com survey of the most common billionaire baby names. Using the Sunday Times Rich List and other data, HushHush.com released a list of the top 10 male and female names that are “most likely to become billionaires when they grow up.” Name your child John, Charles, Ann, […]
Name Spotlight: Malcolm
Name: Malcolm Meaning: “devotee of St. Colomba” Origin: Scottish Current Popularity: #394 For the past century, Malcolm has been all over (but consistently within) the top 600 baby names in the US. Malcolm was at peak popularity in 1928, when it was ranked the 205th most popular male name in the US. From the data, […]
Talking Points: Downton Abbey Edition
Happy Friday, friends! Well, it’s clear from last week’s Name vs. Name that you all have some opinions about Maeve and Mae! We’re fascinated that names can sound and look nearly identical and yet carry such different associations and meanings. And that’s what our Name vs. Name series is all about. We compare/contrast two names […]
Best of… Fruit Baby Names
Parents find name inspiration in what they love, so perhaps it’s no surprise that millennials–also known as the avocado-toast generation–are increasingly naming their babies after food. As foodies ourselves, we can’t say we’re opposed to the food-name trend. And as summer comes to an end, we’re feeling a special fondness for the sweet, fresh tastes […]
POLL: Maeve vs. Mae
In this Name vs Name, Maeve and Mae face off. With just two letters separating them, these stylish monikers are surprisingly different. Name 1: Maeve Origin: Gaelic Meaning: “She who intoxicates” Pronunciation: Māv Nicknames: Mayvie, Mae Current Rank: #334 Trending: Steady rising Our Take: Though it’s still pretty firmly ranked in that “sweet spot,” Maeve […]
Best of… Star Baby Names
These days, more and more of us are looking up for baby name inspiration. The night sky is inspiring celebrity parents and has led to a serious celestial baby name boom. Can we say Luna?! While night-sky-themed name lists abound, we’re taking our cue from actual star names. Did you know there’s a group of […]