Bi-cultural Names: German/English (boys)

Spelled the same, but (mostly) with slight pronunciation difference:

• Adam--English, AD-am; German, AH-dahm
• Adrian--English, AY-dree-an; German, AH-dree-an
• Albert--English, AL-bert; German, AHL-bert
• Alexander--English, al-ek-ZAN-der; German, ahl-ek-SAHN-der
• Alexis--English & German, ah-LEKS-is
• Alfred--English, AL-fred; German, AHL-fret
• Aloysius--English, ah-loh-ISH-us; German, ah-LOY-zee-oos
• Arnold--English, AR-nohld; German, AHR-nawlt
• Arthur--English, AR-thur; German, AHR-toor
• August--English, AW-gust; German, OW-goost
• Benjamin--English, BEN-jah-min; German, BEN-yah-meen
• Bertram--English, BUR-tram; German, BEHR-trahm
• Carl--English & German, KAHRL
• Christian--English, KRIS-chen; German, kris-TEE-ahn
• Conrad--English, KON-rad; German, KAWN-raht
• Cornelius--English, cohr-NEE-lee-us; German, kawr-NEH-lee-oos
• Daniel--English, DAN-yel; German, DAHN-ee-el
• David--English, DAY-vid; German, DAH-vit
• Dennis--English, DEN-nis; German, DEH-nis
• Edmund--English, ED-mund; German, ED-moont
• Elias--English, ee-LYE-as; German, eh-LEE-ahs
• Felix--English, FEE-liks; German, FEH-liks
• Ferdinand--English, FER-dih-nand; German, FEHR-dee-nahnt
• Frank--English, FRANK; German, FRAHNK
• Gabriel--English, GAY-bree-el, German, GAHP-ree-el
• Gerald--English, JEHR-ahld, German, GEHR-ahlt
• Gilbert--English & German, GIL-bert
• Hugo--English, HYOO-go; German, HOO-go
• Jonas--English, JOH-nas; German, YOH-nahs
• Julian--English, JOO-lee-an; German, YOO-lee-ahn
• Kai--English & German, KYE
• Kevin--English & German, KEV-in
• Leon--English, LEE-on; German, LEH-awn
• Leopold--English, LEE-oh-pohld; German, LEH-oh-pawlt
• Linus--English, LYE-nus; German, LEE-noos
• Martin--English & German, MAHR-tin
• Marvin--English, MAHR-vin; German, MAHR-veen
• Maximilian--English, maks-ih-MIL-yan; German, maks-ee-MEE-lee-ahn
• Michael--English, MYE-kel; German, MI-khah-el
• Oliver--English, OL-ih-ver, German, AW-lee-vehr
• Otto--English, AHT-toh; German, AWT-toh
• Patrick--English, PAT-rik; German, PAHT-rik
• Paul--English, PAWL; German, POWL
• Peter--English, PEE-ter; German, PEH-tehr
• Ralph--English, RALF; German, RAHLF
• Richard--English, RIH-chard; German, RIKH-ahrt
• Robert--English, ROB-ert; German, ROH-behrt
• Roger--English, RAHJ-er; German, ROH-gehr
• Roland--English, ROH-land; German, HROH-lahnd
• Roman--English, ROH-man; German, roh-MAHN
• Sebastian--English, seb-AS-tyan; German, zee-BAHS-tee-ahn
• Simon--English, SYE-mon; German, ZEE-mawn
• Thomas--English, TOM-as; German, TOH-mahs
• Tobias--English, toh-BYE-as; German, toh-BEE-ahs
• Vincent--English & German, VIN-sent
• Walter--English, WAHL-ter; German, VAHL-tehr

One/two-letter difference:

• Ansel--English, AN-sel; Anselm--German, AN-zelm
• Antony--English, AN-toh-nee; Anton--German, AHN-tawn
• Benedict--English, BEN-eh-dikt; Benedikt--German, BEN-eh-dikt
• Clement--English, KLEM-ent; Clemens--German, KLEH-mens
• Dominic--English, DOM-in-ik; Dominik--German, DOH-mih-nik
• Edward--English, ED-ward; Eduard--German, ED-oo-ahrt
• Eric--English, EHR-ik; Erich--German, EH-rikh 
• Ernest--English, ER-nest; Ernst--German, ERNST
• Everett--English, EV-er-et; Evert--German, EH-vert
• George--English, JORJ; Georg--German, GEH-ohrg
• Gerard--English, jer-ARD, Gerhard--German, GEHR-ahrt
• Gregory--English, GREG-or-ee; Gregor--German, GREH-gawr
• Herman--English, HER-man; Hermann--German, HEHR-mahn
• Isaac--English, EYE-zahk; Izaak--German, EE-zah-ak
• Jeremiah--English, jehr-eh-MYE-ah; Jeremias--German, yeh-reh-MEE-ahs
• Jacob--English, JAY-cob; Jakob--German, YAH-kawp
• Joseph--English, JOH-sef; Josef--German, YOH-zef
• Lucas--English, LOO-kas; Lukas--German, LOO-kahs
• Marcus--English, MAHR-kus; Markus--German, MAHR-koos
• Matthias--English, mah-THYE-ahs; Mattias--German, mah-TEE-ahs
• Moses--English, MOH-zes; Mose--German, MOH-zeh
• Oscar--English, OS-kar; Oskar--German, AWS-kahr
• Philip--English, FIL-lip; Philipp--German, FEE-lip
• Sylvester--English, sil-VES-ter; Silvester--German, sil-VES-tehr
• Theodore--English, THEE-oh-dohr; Theodor--German, TEE-oh-dohr
• Victor--English, VIK-tohr; Viktor--German, VIK-tawr
• Xavier--English, eks-AYV-yer, ZAYV-yer; Xaver--German, KSAV-er

Larger spelling difference, but still recognizable:

• Christopher--English, KRIS-toh-fer; Christoph--German, KRIS-tawf
• Corbin--English, KOHR-bin; Korbinian--German, kawr-BEE-nee-ahn
• Francis--English, FRAN-sis; Franz--German, FRAHNTS
• Frederick--English, FRED-er-ik; Friedrich--German, FREED-rikh
• Henry--English, HEN-ree; Henrik--German, HEN-rik
• Lance--English, LANS; Lanzo--German, LAHN-tsoh
• Laurence--English, LAWR-ens; Lorentz--German, LOH-rentz
• Leonard--English, LEN-ard; Lennart--German, LEN-nahrt
• Matthew--English, MATH-yoo; Matthäus--German, mat-TAY-us
• Nicholas--English, NIK-oh-lahs; Nikolaus--German, NIH-koh-lous
• Raymond--English, RAY-mund; Raimund--German, RYE-moont
• Stephen--English, STEE-ven; Stefan--German, SHTEF-ahn
• William--English, WIL-yam; Wilhelm--German, VIL-helm

What Does 'Change' Mean? Part 2

The next part of my analysis of the quickest-changing names from 2010-2011 is, duh, the boys. So, to start off, the boys' names that technically jumped the highest in ranking:

1. Kenson, +8758 (#13313 --> 4555)
2. Santi, +8498 (#13859 --> 5361)
3. Wrangler, +8478 (#14112 --> 7984)
4. Giulio, +8365 (#12887 --> 4522)
5. Destan, +8338 (#12700 --> 4362)
6. Hiroshi, +7958 (#11210 --> 3252)
7. Linkyn, +7900 (#13446 --> 5546)
8. Telly, +7814 (#13988 --> 6174)
9. Tayquan, +7809 (#13981 --> 6172)
10. Slevin, +7763 (#13923 --> 6160)

And yet again, not the most helpful data. So, the highest jumpers in rank from #2500 & up:

1. Brentley, +899 (#2067 --> 1168)
2. Flynn, +856 (#1803 --> 947)
3. Cam, +694 (#2465 --> 1771)
4. Bear, +646 (#2367 --> 1721)
5. Eason, +643 (#2325 --> 1682)
6. Imran, +634 (#1926 --> 1292)
7. Deklan, +622 (#2093 --> 1471)
8. Raylan, +598 (#1300 --> 702)
9. Vadhir, +595 (#2338 --> 1743)
10. Aston, +545 (#1788 --> 1243)
11. Jaxxon, +536 (#2234 --> 1698)
12. Willis, +532 (#2457 --> 1925)
13. Rylin, +529 (#2415 --> 1886)
14. Maleek, +493 (#2413 --> 1920)
15. Ruger, +486 (#2110 --> 1624)
16. Jed, +484 (#2236 --> 1752)
17. Rider, +484 (#2487 --> 2003)
18. Henri, +479 (#2074 --> 1595)
19. Rome, +473 (#1967 --> 1494)
20. Tadeo, +471 (#2274 --> 1803)

Some sure made some incredible leaps! Still, although mostly familiar, the majority fall pretty short of the infamous Top 1000. So, the names even more likely to become common quite soon--the highest jumpers from #1500 on up:

1. Raylan, +598 (#1300 --> 702)
2. Brantley, +415 (#736 --> 321)
3. Bowen, +403 (#1127 --> 724)
4. Crosby, +314 (#1062 --> 748)
5. Callan, +297 (#1183 --> 886)
6. Jaxen, +295 (#891 --> 596)
7. Brysen, +281 (#1182 --> 901)
8. Arian, +274 (#1197 --> 923)
9. Iker, +266 (#646 --> 380)
10. Vihaan, +246 (#1179 --> 933)
11. Amos, +236 (#1097 -->: 861)
12. Rylen, +231 (#1081 --> 850)
13. Braylin, +215 (#1135 --> 920)
14. Royce, +212 (#743 --> 531)
15. Bentlee, +209 (#842 --> 633)
16. Sylas, +208 (#835 --> 627)
17. Jaxton, +201 (#799 --> 598)
18. Carmelo, +196 (#777 --> 581)
19. Benton, +187 (#1126 --> 939)
20. Mariano, +186 (#1144 --> 958)

A fairly eclectic bunch, especially compared to the girls' list. The Brant/Brent/Ben names are probably the most prominent group, but no one trend seems to be taking over.

Next time will be a percentage-jump analysis!

What Does 'Change' Mean? Part 1

So, as you probably already know, the SSA has posted the list of all baby names given last year! This year, they've added something new--a list of the biggest losers & risers from the top 500. Pretty cool, but what does it mean? Well, for starters, names that have jumped quite a bit are likely to be the next cool trend. It's no surprise that the top "jumpers" include Brantley, Zaiden, & Camden for boys, and Briella, Mila, & Raelynn for girls (Iker, Atticus, Angelique, & June were pleasant surprises, though). But, as previously stated, this list only includes names that were in the top 500 either in 2011 or 2010. Trendy names for the next few years are already starting their stellar climbs, if we only look a bit lower on the list.

So, determined to find the biggest jumpers overall, I played with spreadsheets....and came up with some less-than-helpful data. Thaily, for instance, jumped over 14000 spots. While moving from rank 16732 to 2120 is indeed impressive, does that really matter? Are we likely to see an onslaught of Thailys? I doubt it. So, for my data purists--the 10 girls' names that made the largest jumps in ranking:

1. Thaily, +14611 (#16732 --> 2120)
2. Jaeliana, +13225 (#18007 --> 4781)
3. Yizel, +12612 (#19673 --> 7061)
4. Lylia, +12338 (#18663 --> 6325)
5. Lior, +12273 (#18624 --> 6351)
6. Shanik, +12261 (#19325 --> 7063)
7. Yorley, +11992 (#14854 --> 2862)
8. Talon, +11957 (#19472 --> 7571)
9. Kristell, +11691 (#18480 --> 6789)
10. Xiana +11511 (#19618 --> 8107)

Like I said, not the most helpful list, especially since nearly all of these were given to only 5 girls in 2010, the smallest number the SSA reports. If I limit it to only names ranking 2500 or above in 2010, the names actually start to get recognizable:

1. Milania, +820 (#1634 --> 814)
2. Aliyana, +780 (#2215 --> 1435)
3. Anyla, +749 (#2462 --> 1713)
4. Kynleigh, +730 (#2343 --> 1613)
5. Ariadne, +720 (#2052 --> 1332)
6. Bryce, +640 (#2415 --> 1775)
7. Kendyll, +634 (#2447 --> 1813)
8. Vada, +627 (#2104 --> 1477)
9. Elodie, +616 (#2468 --> 1852)
10. Kinzley, +599 (#2427 --> 1828)
11. Taylin, +586 (#1765 --> 1179)
12. Symphony, +585 (#2229 --> 1644)
13. Monroe, +584 (#2124 --> 1540)
14. Lennon, +578 (#2369 --> 1791)
15. Brynleigh, +571 (#2440 --> 1869)
16. Samaya, +565 (#1731 --> 1166)
17. Calliope, +562 (#2218 --> 1656)
18. Alianna, +553 (#1533 --> 980)
19. Izel, + 528 (#2401 --> 1873)
20. Maryah, +526 (#2346 --> 1820)

Still, most of these names are a far cry from the top 1000, let alone the top 100. Now I'll limit it to names with a good chance of jumping into common use--from rank 1500 & above:

1. Hattie, +450 (#1444 --> 994)
2. Avianna, +420 (#1252 --> 832)
3. Aviana, +417 (#1181 --> 764)
4. Briella, +394 (#891 --> 497)
5. Aubriana, +394 (#1471 --> 1077)
6. Tinley, +384 (#1319--> 935)
7. Milani, +384 (#1410 --> 1026)
8. Ellianna, +355 (#1472 --> 1117)
9. Aubrianna, +354 (#1221 --> 867)
10. Aubri, +345 (#1255 --> 910)
11. Bryn, +336 (#1081 --> 745) 
12. Everly, +327 (#1432 --> 1105)
13. Aubrielle, +305 (#1477 --> 1172)
14. Gwyneth, +299 (#1277 --> 978)
15. Renata, +283 (#1040 --> 757)
16. Adele, +282 (#909 --> 627)
17. Liv, +282 (#1235 --> 953)
18. Maite, +282 (#1299 --> 1017)
19. Elliot, +271 (#1146 --> 875)
20. Keily, +271 (#1278 --> 1007)

The most noticeable trend in this list--Aubri-names! Oh, my goodness. Could they be the next "big thing"?

(Boys' list here! And a percentage-jump analysis coming soon. )

Usual Nickname, Unexpected Name--Mac/Max

Max is definitely a rising star. Max itself sits just outside the top 100, with Maxwell, Maximus, Maximilian,  Maximiliano, & Maxim all in the top 500. Its appeal is multifaceted--it's short, obviously masculine, has that ever-cool X, and is familiar but not overused. The often-interchangeable Mac has that same sort of vibe. It, however, is not on the rise; I can only assume because of the lack of X, and because Mac-names are just so trendy for girls right now.

• Cormac (KOR-mak, Irish)
• Macario (mah-KAR-yoh, Spanish)--from Greek, "blessed, happy"
• Macsen (MAK-sen, Welsh)--form of Maximus
• Madoc (MAH-dok, Welsh)--"generous". Usually Anglicized as Maddox.
• Magnus (MAG-nus, Latin)--"great" [really, I'm not pulling this out of ...um, somewhere--Mac historically was a nickname for Magnus!]
• Makaio (mah-kye-oh, Hawaiian)--form of Matthew
• Makoto (mah-koh-toh, Japanese)--"sincerity"
• Makram (mak-ram, Arabic)--"generous"
• Malachi (MAL-ah-kye, Hebrew)--"my angel"
• Malachy (MAL-ah-kee, Irish)--Anglicized from Maeleachlainn
• Malcolm (MAL-com, Scottish)
• Maleko (mah-leh-koh, Hawaiian)--from of Mark
• Mannix (MAN-niks, Irish)--Anglicized from Mainchin or Mac Aonghuis
• Maxence (maks-AWNS, French)--form of Maximus

SSA Analysis 2011

Yay! The list that all name-nerds have been waiting for! And this year I have access to a better version of Excel, so I can analyze the entire list now, instead of waiting for a combined-spelling list, like last year. Double yay!
(in all seriousness, though, the people at NameNerds are heroes! Just looking at the full list for an afternoon hurt my head.)


So, the patterns & numbers, starting with the girls:
68.6% of names ended in a vowel-sound, comprising 62% of girls born in 2011.
44.5% of names ended in 'a' or 'ah', comprising 38% of girls.
23.6% of names ended in the 'ee' sound, comprising 22.7% of girls.
7.5% of names ended in the 'lee' sound, comprising 9.6% of girls (up from 9% last year, but really, I thought this would've been much higher).
6.6% of names ended in the 'anna' or 'ana' sounds, comprising 5.8% of girls.
6% of names ended in the 'lyn' sound, comprising 5% of girls (up from 4.5% last year).
And despite the ridiculous variety of spelling variations for Madison & Addison, less than 1% of all girls names ended in the 'son' sound, comprising 2.2% of baby girls born in 2011.

For comparison's sake, the two trendy/popular names of "our" generation, Jennifer and Jessica, were used for 4.09% and 3.03% of baby girls, respectively, in their peak years, 1974 & 1988.

As for the boys:
33.6% of names ended in N, comprising 34% of boys born in 2011.
20.6% of names ended in a vowel-sound, comprising 16.5% of boys.
7% of names ended in R, comprising 8.2% of boys.
5.9% of names ended the 'ton' or 'don' sounds, comprising 9.2% of boys.
3% of names ended in 'son', comprising 4.55% of boys.
2.3% of names rhyme with Aidan, comprising 4.85% of boys (up from last year's 4.77%!).


In English, the letters J, K, Q, V, X, & Z are the rarest, starting 2.17% of English words, and occurring in 2.22%. However, in American names, they begin 21.3% of girls' names and 25% of boys' names, and occur in 35.8% of girls' names and 43.6% of boys'.
Y is the rarest vowel, occurring in 1.6% of English words, yet it occurs in 37% of girls' names, and 22% of boys' names.

You're A Star

Another random just-for-fun list--this time, a list of celestial objects. Perhaps it's a bit fanciful of me, but I think it'd be fun to take a child out stargazing, and be able to point out "his (or "her)" star.
Unsurprisingly, many star-names have featured heavily in science-fiction, as well as video games. Several are also the names of U.S. Navy ships. 
Few of these are used on people, but if there is precedent, I've noted it.
Another point of note--many of our traditional star names were originally Arabic, but since they've been transliterated & copied many times over the centuries, like an epic game of "Telephone", they mostly only bear passing resemblance to the original word/phrase.

• Acamar (ah-kah-MAR)--from Arabic, "river's end". Constellation Eridanus (Theta Eridani).
• Achernar (ah-khehr-NAHR)--from Arabic, "river's end". Constellation Eridanus (Alpha Eridani).
• Alcyone (al-SYE-on-ee)--from Greek, "kingfisher" [named for Alcyone of Greek mythology]. Constellation Taurus. 
• Alkes (AL-kes)--from Arabic, "the cup". Constellation Crater.
• Almach (AL-mak)--from Arabic, "the caracal". Constellation Andromeda.
• Alnair (al-NAIR)--from Arabic, "the bright one". Constellation Grus.
• Alnilam (ahl-nee-LAHM)--from Arabic, "string of pearls".Constellation Orion.
• Altair (ahl-TAIR)--from Arabic, "flying eagle". Constellation Aquila.
• Aludra (ah-LOO-drah)--from Arabic, "the maiden". Constellation Canis Major.
• Ankaa (ahn-kah)--from Arabic, "the phoenix". Constellation Phoenix.
• Arcturus (ark-TOO-rus)--from Greek, "guardian of the bear". Called Swati (SWAHT-hee) in Hindi [sometimes used as a feminine name], and Al Simak in Arabic. Constellation Boötes.
• Arneb (AR-neb)--from Arabic, "the hare". Constellation Lepus.
• Atria (AT-ree-ah)--from a contraction of its scientific [Bayer] designation, Alpha Trianguli Australis. Constellation Trianguli Australis.
• Avior (AY-vee-or)--coined by the R.A.F., likely from "aviator". Constellation Carina.
• Azha (ah-ZAH)--from Persian, "nest". Constellation Eridanus.
• Bellatrix (BEL-lah-triks)--from Latin "female warrior". Constellation Orion.
• Bered (beh-REHD)--from Hebrew, "storm". Constellation Aquila.
• Cebalrai (seb-ahl-RYE)--from Arabic, "shepherd-dog". Constellation Ophiuchus.
• Celaeno (sel-EE-no)--from Greek, "dark one". [Named for Celaeno of Greek mythology] Constellation Taurus; one of the Pleiades.
• Eltanin (el-tah-NEEN)--from Arabic, "great serpent". Constellation Draco.
• Errai (ehr-RYE)--from Arabic, "the shepherd". Constellation Cepheus.
• Gemma (JEM-mah)--from Latin, "jewel". [feminine name in English & Italian] Constellation Corona Borealis.
• Gienah (jen-AH)--from Arabic, "wing". Constellation Corvus, and Constellation Cygnus.
• Gomeisa (gom-EE-sah)--from Arabic, "teary-eyed woman". Constellation Canis Minor.
• Izar (ee-ZAHR)--from Arabic, "veil" [coincidentally, also a female name in Basque, meaning "star"]. Constellation Boötes.
• Maia (MYE-ah)--from Greek, "mother". [Named for Maia of Greek mythology] Constellation Taurus; one of the Pleiades.
• Matar (MAHT-ahr)--from Arabic, "rain". Constellation Pegasus.
• Meissa (MAYS-sah)--from Arabic, "the shining one". Constellation Orion.
• Merope (MEHR-oh-pee)--from Greek, meaning unknown. [Named for Merope of Greek mythology] Constellation Taurus, one of the Pleiades.
• Mira (MEER-ah)--from Latin, "astonishing" [unrelated feminine name in many cultures] Binary star. Constellation Cetus.
• Muphrid (moo-FRID)--from Arabic, "individual". Constellation Boötes.
• Murzim (MUR-zim)--from Arabic, "herald". Constellation Canis Major.
• Naos (NAY-os)--from Greek, "ship". Constellation Puppis.
• Nashira (NAH-sheer-ah)--from Arabic, "bringer of good news". Constellation Capricornus.
• Nunki (NOON-kee)--from Babylonian, meaning unknown. Constellation Sagittarius.
• Rana (RAH-nah)--from Latin, "frog". Constellation Eridanus.
• Sabik (SAH-beek)--from Arabic, "preceding". Constellation Ophiuchus.
• Saiph (sah-eef)--from Arabic, "sword". Constellation Orion.
• Sheratan (shehr-ah-TAHN)--from Arabic, "the two signs". Constellation Aries.
• Sirius (SEER-ee-us)--from Greek via Latin, "glowing". Constellation Canis Major.
• Spica (SPYE-kah)--from Latin, "ear [of grain]". Constellation Virgo.
• Subra (SOO-brah)--from Arabic, "mane". Constellation Leo.
• Suhail (soo-HAYL)--from Arabic, "glorious" [Common masculine name in Arabic] Constellation Vela.
• Turais (too-RAYS)--from Arabic, "little shield". Constellation Carina.
• Vega (VEH-gah)--from Arabic, "falling, landing". Constellation Lyra.
• Zaurak (ZAWR-ak)--from Arabic, "boat". Constellation Eridanus.

Same Name?!--Derek

Derek has had an interesting journey. A staple 80s boy-name, it's got a surprising amount of history--and undergone some interesting changes over the centuries.

Original Germanic (Gothic) form: Thiudareiks
Latinized form: Theodoric (thee-oh-DOH-rik)
Modern English form: Derek (DEH-rek)

Other forms:

• Dederick (DED-er-ik)--archaic English
• Diederick (DEE-der-ik)--Dutch
• Dietrich (DEET-rik)--German
• Dirk (DEERK or DERK)--German, English
• Thierry (tye-REE)--French
• Tjodrek (TYOH-drek)--Norwegian
• Tudor (TOO-dor)--Welsh

¡Seis de Mayo!

Oh my. I'm not sure how Cinco de Mayo slipped my mind, but I feel very silly. It's a bit delayed, so here's a Spanish-themed name post, full of the names that have made it into the American top 200. Unlike the Irish names, most haven't caught on with people outside of the heritage, but they should still be familiar.
*Of course, this project is complicated by the fact that Latinate names have been popular in English since, oh, the Renaissance. Thus, I've only included cases where the origin/usage is fairly conclusively Spanish, or where the Spanish spelling is highest ranked.

Pre-1930s:
Jose
Manuel
Rosa
Dolores/Lola
Isabel
Juan
Inez
Juanita


1930s-50s:
Anita
Ramona
Yolanda
Carmen


1960s-70s:
Carlos
Jesus
Ricardo
Miguel
Francisco
Jorge
Ruben
Jaime (male)

1980s-90s:
Luis
Angel (both genders)
Alejandro
Javier
Fernando
Eduardo
Andres
Cesar
Pedro
Gabriela
Alejandra
Mercedes
Yesenia
Selena


2000s:
Diego
Alondra
Camila

Uncommon 'iana's

One of the biggest trends in girls' names right now is the unisex name. As a result, a couple (often overlapping) counter-trends have emerged-- the "old lady names", and the elegant, flowy, and even frilly, "NOT A BOY!" names. Although obviously-feminine monikers can take many forms, none seems more widespread than the '____iana's. From the vintage (Liliana), to the imported (Gianna), to the invented (Aubriana), they're all over the top 1000. But, since many of them have been in steady use for decades, even centuries, the trend doesn't seem overplayed...yet.
So, looking for an obviously feminine name that's uncommon (let's say, not in the combined spelling top 200), but familiar, thanks to that lovely ending? Here we go!

• Aureliana (aw-reh-lee-AH-nah, Italian)--from Latin, "golden"
• Bibiana (bee-BYAH-nah, Italian & Spanish)
• Christiana (kris-tee-AH-nah, English)--Other forms include Cristiana & Kristiana.
• Cipriana (see-pree-AH-nah or chee-pree-AH-nah, Spanish, Italian, & Romanian)--from Latin, "of Cyprus"
• Daciana (dah-CHYAH-nah, Romanian)
• Damiana (dah-MYAH-nah, Italian)--feminine of Damian.
• Emiliana (eh-meel-YAH-nah, Italian & Spanish)
• Fabiana (fah-BYAH-nah, Italian & Spanish)
• Feliciana (feh-lee-CHYAH-nah, Italian; or feh-lee-SYAH-nah, Spanish)--feminine of Felix/Feliciano.
• Floriana (flohr-ee-AH-nah, Italian)--"flower"
• Graciana (grah-SYAH-nah, Spanish)
• Liviana (lee-VYAH-nah, Italian)
• Luciana (loo-CHYAH-nah, Italian; or loo-SYAH-nah, Spanish)--"light"
• Mariana (mair-ee-AH-nah or mahr-YAH-nah, English, Spanish, & Portuguese)
• Oriana (oh-RYAH-nah, Italian)--"gold"
• Sebastiana (seh-bahs-TYAH-nah, Italian)
• Tatiana (taht-YAH-nah, Latin)
• Tiziana (tee-TSYAH-nah, Italian)--feminine of Titus
• Valeriana (val-ehr-ee-AH-nah, Latin)

April Showers Bring....

May flowers! Happy, uh, May Day? We'll go with that.
On the heels of my bird-themed post, a flower-themed post also seemed like a fun idea. So, here're various flower-names from other languages. Unless otherwise noted, these are female.

• Aoi (ah-oh-ee, Japanese)--"hollyhock"
• Aravind (ahr-ah-vind, Hindi)--"lotus" [masculine]
• Amaranta (ah-mah-RAHN-tah, Spanish & Italian)--"amaranth"
• Ayame (ah-yah-may, Japanese)--"iris"
• Azucena (ah-soo-SEH-nah, Spanish)--"madonna lily"
• Brânduṣa (brahn-DOO-shah, Romanian)--"crocus"
• Briallen (bree-AHL-len, Welsh)--"primrose"
• Capucine (kah-poo-SEEN, French)--"nasturtium"
• Crina (KREE-nah, Romanian)--"lily"
• Cullen (KUL-len, Irish)--"holly" [masculine]. Variant is Quillan.
• Celyn (KEL-in, Welsh)--"holly" [masculine]
• Daphne (DAF-nee, Greek)--"laurel"
• Đurđica (joor-JITS-ah, Croatian)--"lily of the valley" [also the Croatian form of Georgia]
• Eirlys (IRE-lis or AYR-lis, Welsh)--"snowdrop"
• Endzela (end-ZEL-ah, Georgian)--"snowdrop"
• Ffion (FEE-on, Welsh)--"rose" or "foxglove"
• Hollis (HOL-lis, English)--"holly tree" [usually masculine]
• Ianthe (ee-AN-thee or eye-AN-thee, Greek)--"violet"
• Ibolya (ee-boy-ah, Hungarian)--"violet"
• Ivančica (ee-vahn-CHEE-tsah, Croatian)--"daisy"
• Irit (ee-reet, Hebrew)--"asphodel"
• Jessamine (JES-sah-min, English)--"jasmine"
• Kamala (kah-mah-lah, Hindi)--"lotus"
• Kielo (KEE-eh-loh, Finnish)--"lily of the valley"
• Kiku (kee-koo, Japanese)--"chrysanthemum"
• Laleh (lah-LAY, Persian)--"tulip"
• Lan (LAHN, Chinese & Vietnamese)--"orchid"
• Liên (LEE-en, Vietnamese)--"lotus"
• Madara (mah-DAH-rah, Latvian)--"galium"
• Madelief (mah-deh-LEEF, Dutch)--"daisy"
• Marganita (mahr-gah-nee-tah, Hebrew)--"scarlet pimpernel"
• Margarita (mahr-gah-REE-tah, Spanish)--"daisy" [also the Spanish form of Margaret]
• Marguerite (mahr-ge-REET, French)--"daisy" [also the French form of Margaret]
• Mawar (MAH-wahr, Indonesian)--"rose"
• Melati (mel-AH-tee, Indonesian)--"jasmine"
• Nasrin (nahs-REEN, Persian)--"wild rose"
• Nóinín (NOH-neen, Irish)--"daisy"
• Nurit (noo-REET, Hebrew)--"buttercup"
• Orvokki (OHR-voh-kee, Finnish)--"pansy"
• Raisa (rye-sah or rye-zah, Yiddish)--"rose"
• Ren (ren, Japanese)--"lotus" [can also mean "love"]
• Rhoda (ROH-dah, English)--from Greek, "rose"
• Rotem (roh-TEM, Hebrew)--"retama" [unisex, more often masculine]
• Rozenn (ROH-zen, Breton)--"rose"
• Růžena (roo-ZHEN-ah, Czech)--"rose"
• Sakura (sah-koo-rah, Japanese)--"cherry blossom"
• Sayuri (sah-yoo-ree, Japanese)--"small lily"
• Spomenka (spoh-MEHN-kah, Croatian)--"forget-me-not"
• Vartan (VAHR-tahn, Armenian)--"rose" [masculine]
• Vered (veh-REHD, Hebrew)--"rose"
• Vuokko (VOO-oh-ko, Finnish)--"anemone"
• Yolanda (yoh-LAHN-dah, Spanish)--from Latin, "violet"
• Yuri (yoo-ree, Japanese)--"lily"