Jennifer Moss (she/her) is the founder of BabyNames.com, author of The Baby Names Workbook, and Producer of The Baby Names Podcast. Jennifer is widely regarded as the leading expert on popular baby name trends and the naming process, serving as the authoritative source on the subject for national and international media.
Jennifer entered the tech arena in the 80s as a software developer and database architect, and became a pioneer in the Internet industry. In addition to operating BabyNames.com, Jennifer owns a web development agency in central California.
If you’re expecting an October baby, or looking to name a new pet or fictional character, we have curated the best spooky names just for you. Choosing a scary name for your little one is like crafting a little masterpiece of macabre. Read More
It’s no secret that Elon Musk as been prolific in populating the planet. Is it possible he’s in a race with Nick Cannon? Well, to keep up, here is a list of all of Elon Musk’s children, their names, and mothers…to date! Read More
Names from the Twilight series of novels and movies have stood the test of time, still ranking in the U.S. Baby Name charts since the release of the first of the series in 2005. In fact, author Stephenie Meyer, just might have started the “old fashioned” baby name trend that began around that time, since the vampire characters were over a century old. Read More
If you’re a Hunger Games fan as much as I am, you might want to consider some Hunger Games Character Names if and when you’re choosing a name for your baby…or pet, or gaming characters! As we approach the release of the new Hunger Games prequel film, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I’m reminded of how whimsical and appropriate the character names are from the Hunger Games novels by author Suzanne Collins. Read More
We’ve compiled a list of the top baby names of 2023 so far, according to the favorite name lists of the millions of users who visit BabyNames.com! Do any of these surprise you? Read More
From the timeless elegance of George and Thomas to the evergreen names of John and Joe, each U.S. president’s name carries a unique story, and reflects the era in which they governed. The most common name among U.S. Read More
Looking to your roots for name inspo? Our baby name researchers dive into the rich tapestry of African cultures to unveil a treasure trove of over 200 unique names from African culture. From the mesmerizing landscapes of Morocco to the vibrant culture of Kenya, Africa’s diverse heritage has blessed the world with an abundance of captivating monikers. Read More
Many parents are looking to instill strength and power into their baby girl’s name. That’s why they often turn to ancient goddess names or celestial names for their babies. These names can come from Greek Goddess names to Roman Goddess names to Norse Goddess names, as welll as other cultures who revere mythological names. Read More
In a world of ever-increasing diversity and individuality, parents are seeking out more unique names for their babies. Gone are the days of picking names at the top of the charts. Today, expectant parents are seeking unique girl names, unique boy names, and even unique gender-neutral names that stand out, reflect their values, and show creativity. Read More
William Shakespeare wrote the famous line “What is in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Old Will loved to use unique names and even created some of his own. Here are the most popular Shakespeare names categorized by play. Read More
We have compiled the top last names (surnames) in the United States, according to the most recent U.S. census. The top surnames/last names in the United States are primarily English, Spanish, Celtic, and Asian.
English surnames can be occupational like Baker, Mason, and Thatcher. Read More
Have you ever wondered what names people were searching for most on the site? Well we did a little data mining in the last month, and here are the results. Listen to the Baby Names Podcast episode and find out what we think about it! Read More
February is Black History Month, and so we’ve curated a short list of names from Black history that represent strength, resilience, and the spirit of a community. Black history is filled with names that ring with power, reminding us of the incredible contributions made by these iconic names. Read More
After analyzing the names that our users are adding to their favorite name lists, we’ve compiled a list of the trending baby names for 2023 (and beyond)! Read More
Name appropriation is a subset of cultural appropriation, a topic we want to discuss as a baby naming site.
First, let’s define cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is defined as when a member of a dominant culture take elements from a culture of people who have been systematically oppressed by that dominant group. Read More
Catch up with the Baby Names Podcast
Baby Names Tip: Say your potential baby name aloud. Introduce yourself as your baby with first and last name. How does it sound? The cadence and rhythm of a name is just as important as its spelling.