Roses and Cellar Doors

I know, it's been a while, but I suddenly find myself with a lot more free time right now.... Anyway, my husband asked in passing ear...

I know, I know: how have I not done Finn  yet? It's trending in several countries across Europe, as well as in the US, Australia, & ...

Latin has had a lot of impact on our naming. There are certain constructions that we can instantly say "that's a girls' name...

Thanks at least partially to Latin, girls are seriously lacking in ending-letter diversity. Girls have the majority of -a, e, y, ah, and i, ...

Really? I haven't done Nora yet? Yikes, what an oversight! Nora  is currently quite a popular name on its own, all over the world, but ...

If you're anything like me, you consider Raymond a "grandpa name" (and I'm not trying to be mean; it is literally my grand...

Yes, yes, I know: Rory isn't a nickname; it's a full boys' name. But, thanks at least partially to Gilmore Girls , Rory is incre...

I blame Alison & Madison. Despite "son" written straight out, many -son names are now trendy on girls. And while most of cours...

Ben ! How have I forgotten good, dependable Ben for so long? Benjamin  is the usual choice, of course, and just as in style as ever. Bentley...

I was surprised to find that Samuel  & Samantha are currently ranked #25 & 29 in the US (for boys & girls, respectively, of cour...

There's a category of names that I love that really doesn't get much play anymore: the -ildas & -eldas. Maybe it's the medie...

Did you know there're no D-names for girls in the Top 100? Destiny  is the highest-ranked, at #113, followed by Delilah , Daniela , Dais...

How on earth did I do a Nicky-names post for boys, and not include some for girls? Shame, shame. Nicole , of course, was a staple of 80s na...

There are quite a few popular nicknames that are seriously lacking a variety of sources! Of course, I have to try anyway. This will definite...

Bree -names are big right now. From the fairly-established Aubrey ,  Brianna , & Gabriella , to the modern Cambria , Brielle , &  Br...

Oh, that tricky 'th'. Agatha  is mostly recognizable from language to language, but that last syllable sure is variable. With only ...

I admit, I love most of the Ed-names. There's just something about them. Edward is easily the most common,  but there are lots of ways ...

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

Christian is an interesting case. Originally used for both males and females, in the last 100 years or so, it's become almost completely...

I swore I wasn't going to do a holiday-themed post, because they are everywhere , but I just couldn't resist. So, for the season of...