We never could’ve anticipated just a few weeks ago how much our lives would be upended by this pandemic. As mothers who are now working full time from home while homeschooling children, things are not easy, but we know how lucky we are to be doing much better than many, despite our exhaustion. For all of you looking for a distraction right now, we’ve gathered up some of our favorite baby-name-related reads for these long days at home.
Namerology’s “Can You Win a Name Madness Bracket?”
Laura Wattenberg is a baby-naming queen, and her “Can You Win a Name Madness Bracket?” game will keep quarantined name nerds busy for way too long. We were surprised by which ones we missed. How many did you get right?
Nancy’s Baby Names’ “Babies Named After Toilet Paper”
Remember what life was like two weeks ago, when toilet paper was the last thing on Americans’ minds? Well these are different times, and now Charmin is a status symbol. Thank you, Nancy, for the deep dive on all the baby Charmins out there. Time will tell if 2020’s #Toiletpapergate will put the name back on the charts.
Appellation Mountain’s March Madness 2020
Coronavirus may have taken basketball from us, but Appellation Mountain’s March Madness is giving us some solid matchups this year. Voting in the Girls’ Quarterfinals and Boys’ Quarterfinals has just wrapped up, but we think that checking out how others voted is half the fun. And you can still vote in the next round!
Nameberry’s “Liberal and Conservative Baby Names Toe the Party Line”
When the news isn’t about the latest updates on COVID-19, it’s about politics. Nameberry has published several pieces on the relationship between the names parents choose for their babies and their political affiliations. This one analyzes some of these trends and provides lists of the most liberal and conservative baby names. We found the Caitlin/Katelynn case especially interesting.
Namerology’s “The Unisex Name Map of America—and What It Tells Us”
Another politically-divided trend in baby naming is the unisex name. How parents name their children reflects so much about their values and personal tastes, and now we can see them laid out on a map. Read through for Wattenberg’s ideas about the relationship between unisex names and ideology, politics, and religion, and how it all really comes down to style in the end.
The Baby Name Podcast’s “Choosing a Baby Name”
Or, really, any episode of this podcast by the babynames.com ladies. Jennifer and Mallory will keep you entertained while you’re cooking or tackling that home project. This episode is an overview of the baby-naming process, including the important reminder that although they’re called “baby names,” you’re not just naming a baby. You’re naming an adult!
Nameberry’s “Blue Jean Baby Names Provide Comfort”
We love a good fashion/baby-name analogy and this list got us thinking. We’re not convinced by all the names on the list (Alice?), but we like the idea that names can provide us comfort. Maybe we’re just in need of some comfort in these crazy times!
And those are our favorite recent reads to keep you busy while you’re isolating at home. Our posts may be a little slow as we work to navigate our new realities, but we’ll do our best to be around. Let us know what you think, and share any good content you’ve come across! Most of all, take care and be well.