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...

Gus  seems to be a rather polarizing nickname: either you find it adorable, or you find it hopelessly dorky. In the US, it's usually sho...

I originally started this post looking for new full forms for Beth , but it struck me that most could also work for Bess  and/or Betty  as w...

Well, probably not. Since Everett  (boys) and Everly  (girls) are amongst the quickest rising names in the US (admittedly, that might change...

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

Considering how many F-names seem to be trending ( Finn  and variants, Flynn , Ford ,  Fisher , Fletcher ,  Felicity , Fiona, Freya ), I...

Recently I did a breakdown on which letters were "feminine" vs. "masculine", and there were a couple surprises. Specific...

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...

Despite the fact that Etta  rose higher than any of her long forms, I still think of her as a nickname. I'm not sure why--because -etta ...

It occurred to me the other day that I do a lot of 'names by construction' posts for girls, but not really many for boys. So then I ...

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...

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...

Okay, yet again , not really a usual nickname, but a nickname-y full name. Happy and off-beat, it's not surprising that Sunny   (as well...

I haven't done this one yet? Really?? *hangs head in shame* Originally short for Millicent , Mildred , and other musty Germanic names, ...

Aubrey  (AW-bree, English)) Alberico  (al-BEHR-ee-koh, Italian) Auberon  (OH-behr-on, French)--Also spelled  Oberon . Avery  (AY-ver-ee...

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...