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.
Episode #31 – Our guest is Kevin Stroud, attorney and host of The History of English Podcast. We talk about English naming, and what happened in the year 1066 to change both the English language and English names, many of which we still use today. → full article
Episode #30 – Jennifer and Mallory discuss names that have evolved into meaning other things, particularly in slang or colloquialisms. Please Note: this episode contains sexual expressions, drug terminology, and some derogatory names in the process of explanation. → full article
Episode #29 – To celebrate the premiere of the final season of the HBO series Game of Thrones, Jennifer and Mallory discuss names from the book series, A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. → full article
Episode #28 – What are the absolute WORST baby names we’ve ever heard? In this episode, Jennifer and Mallory address this question that they get over and over from the media. Not only will they reveal some super horrible names, but also advice for expecting parents on how NOT to name your baby. → full article
Episode #27 – Mallory and Jennifer celebrate Women’s History Month by discussing some names of iconic women from the past and present. We also cover the current celebrity baby news and take listener questions on names and naming. → full article
Episode #26 – We interview Laurel Sutton, founder of Catchword, one of the top naming companies in the world. Laurel discusses how the process of naming people is not that different than naming companies and products. → full article
Dear Jennifer,
What is your opinion on legally changing your name simply because you don’t like it? I’m 30, and I’ve never liked my name. It just doesn’t feel like “me.”
I was born “Chelsea,” and started spelling it “Chelsi” when I was 13 in an effort to improve how I felt about my name. → full article
Episode #25 – Need some Valentines Day baby name inspiration? Jennifer and Mallory discuss names that are associated with love, as well as terms of endearment – those cute little pet names you call your loved ones. → full article
Episode #24 – Jennifer Moss, founder of BabyNames.com and author of four novels, discusses best practices in naming fictional characters, from historical to contemporary to futuristic! Also Mallory and Jennifer reveal current celebrity baby news and take letters from you, our listeners. → full article
Episode #23 – In the premiere of season two, Jennifer and Mallory talk about baby names inspired by the planets, our solar system, and space exploration!
Names mentioned in this episode: Celeste, Stella, Andromeda, Luna (of course), Taariq, Venus, Halley… and more! → full article
Episode #22 – In our final episode for season one, Jennifer and Mallory discuss the top baby names of 2018 and the new name trends for 2019. Also: the current celebrity baby news and we take listener questions on names and naming! → full article
Episode #21 – Jennifer and Mallory discuss name rhythm and baby names derived from musical notation, musical instruments, and musicians! Also: recent celebrity baby news and baby names Q&A from our listeners!
Names mentioned in this episode:
Kinga, Jacek, Piast, Henio, Bartosz, Ola, Cadence, Aria/Arya, Melody, Harmony, Clef, Coda, Reed, Belle, Viola…and more! → full article
Episode #20 – Jennifer and Mallory talk about names and gender designations, crossover and gender-neutral naming, the decision to not separate names by gender in The One-in-a-Million Baby Name Book, and how names are so important in the transgender community. → full article
Episode #19 – Jennifer and Mallory discuss spooky, dark, Gothic, and mystical names–just in time for Halloween!
In this episode our guest “cub reporter” Miranda Mendelson helps report the current celebrity baby news. → full article
Episode #18 – Pop culture has a huge influence on baby naming and that includes names in songs. Jennifer and Mallory discuss the stories behind iconic songs with names in the titles like Billie Jean, My Sharona, Eleanor Rigby, Jolene, Jenny/867-5309, Rhiannon & more! → full article
