Episodes of The Baby Names Podcast
Episode 60 – This is the second in a two-part episode about Changing Your Name. Jennifer is joined by guest host Kees Wiederspan, social media manager for BabyNames.com and a long-time member of our names community. We also speak with Dr. Olivia Danforth about changing your name through the gender transitioning process. Choosing a new…
Episode 59 – The U.S. Social Security top baby names list has dropped for 2019, and Mallory and Jennifer have some opinions! A special between-the-episodes episode to discuss the top 1000 more popular baby names for births in the United States. Top 20 Names for U.S. Births in 2019 1 Liam Olivia 2 Noah Emma…
Episode 58 – This is the first of a two-part episode on Changing your Name. Mallory and Jennifer discuss why a person might want to change their name-first or last-and how to do so. We talk with Dr. Karen Pennesi, linguistic anthropologist at the University of Western Ontario, on name changing pertaining to immigration and…
Episode 57 – Eponym, Aptronym, Cryptonym, Zoonym – Jennifer and Mallory talk names of names and names of everything! With examples and—of course—some differing of opinions. We also catch up on the current celebrity baby news and take listener questions on names and naming. Names mentioned in this episode: Lieux, Luc, Delilah, Ophelia, Nasa, Sirius,…
Episode 56 – Jennifer and Mallory discuss the top names from the Twilight Saga and discuss their effect on baby naming for the past fifteen years. Also: the latest celebrity baby news and letters from our listeners! Check out the new book in the Twilight series, Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer. Names mentioned in this…
Episode 55 – That’s Entertainment, Part II: Jennifer and Mallory discuss names from classic television shows including Leave it to Beaver, I Love Lucy, Bewitched, Gilligan’s Island, The Brady Bunch, The Mary Tyler Moore Show…and more! Also: this week’s celebrity baby news, Q&A from our listeners and all about the name Karen. Names mentioned in…
Episode 54 – Jennifer and Mallory talk about names from the Golden Age of Hollywood. We also report on this week’s celebrity baby news and give our opinion on their chosen baby names, and take questions from our listeners! Names mentioned in this episode: Epiphany, Zephryn, Geneva, Azalea, Dempsey, Giuseppe, Charlie, Oona, Theodosia, Mabel, Roscoe,…
Episode 53 – Jennifer and Mallory talk all about Welsh Names – given names, surnames, and place names! Our special guest is Dr. Sara Louise Wheeler, Welsh Names academic, author, and poet! We also discuss the current celebrity baby news and take questions from our listeners. Names mentioned in this episode: Justice, Blue, Sara, Rhiannon,…
Episode 52 – Jennifer and Mallory tabulate and discuss the trending names of 2020 (so far), Elon Musk’s new baby boy named X Æ A-12, and take fascinating questions from our listeners on name and naming. Bonus: Irish native Elizabeth McLoughlin helps us with our pronunciation from the Irish Names episode. Names Mentioned in this…
Episode #51 – Jennifer and Mallory discuss names from the fashion industry: designers, models, and brands! We also gab about the latest celebrity baby news and take questions from you, our listeners! Names mentioned in this episode: Julin, Ariel, Chanel, Prada, Marie-Jeanne, Versailles, Erté, Poiret, Joy, Vivienne, Vionnet, Cavalli, Vera, Carolina, Maybelline, Eugenia, Vogue, Iman,…
Episode #50 – Jennifer and Mallory discuss names from the Star Trek Universe. The stories behind how the most iconic characters got their names, Star Trek names that you can use for human babies, and some cool names of cast members throughout the years. Transcript Names mentioned in this episode: Itziar, Práxedes, Kevyn, Tiberius, Spock,…
Episode #49 – Jennifer and Mallory talk all about MIDDLE names: why we have them, the most common middle names, fun middle name stories, and celebs who go by their middle names! Names mentioned in this episode: Akira, Shine, Beena, Kious, George, Rudyard, Rooney, Edsel, Ranger, LaChelle, Faith, Saunsuray, Birdie, Skipper, Goldie. Top middle names…
Episode #48 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Jennifer and Mallory talk all about Irish names, including the history and traditions of Irish naming, Irish name pronunciation, Irish surnames, the top baby names in Ireland, and choose our favorite traditional Irish names. Transcript Names mentioned in this episode Conchobhar (Connor), Medb (Maeve), Fiadh (Fia), Aoife (EEfya),…
The Process, Pitfalls, and Pain Points Episode #47 – Many parents are finding it hard to choose a baby name in this day and age. Mallory and Jennifer discuss the process and challenges of choosing a name for your child. Do you get stuck in the veto process? Does your partner hate every name you…
Episode #46 – In honor of Black History Month, Jennifer and Mallory discuss names inspired by iconic Black Americans and the history of naming in the Black American culture. We also report on the current celebrity baby news and take your questions on names and naming. Names mentioned in this episode: Martin, Coretta, Rosa, Crispus,…
