Articles about everything to do with names and naming.
Hi Jennifer!
I want to bounce something off of someone else besides a family member. So I’m pregnant with my 3rd baby, due in December. It’s my second boy. We’ve been talking about names and I really like the name Jude Michael. Read More
Hello Jennifer!
First I want to say I absolutely love your site and really enjoy reading up on your blog and all the name advice you give. Thanks so much for all your effort and commitment!
My question is about the name Idina. Read More
Dear Jennifer,
First off, I want to say I love your website. I am an aspiring author who has always been curious about names anyway, and Baby Names is such a help. Second, I was wondering about the name Emrys. I’ve seen it several places, and I know it’s Welsh, but I noticed it was not listed here. Read More
Hi Jennifer,
I’m in the process of transitioning and having a tough time picking my new name. Some background: I am 32, and was born physically male. My parents gave me the name of Joseph, called me Joey as a boy and I went by Joe after the age of 16. Read More
Dear Jennifer,
Like many others, I’ve had baby names picked out since I was a kid–well, one, actually: the name Cadence for a girl. I love it! And it wasn’t very popular when I decided it was my favorite. Now, it seems to be getting more and more popular. Read More
Hi Jennifer,
My husband and I have been debating baby names for a few months now. I love the name Benjamin even though it is so popular. We both like more traditional, biblical names but the problem is our last name is Arnold and he is convinced that the immediate association will be with Benedict Arnold. Read More
Just like all lore, there are baby names myths and legends that have been perpetuated in our society. Surely you or someone who knows someone who went to school with those twins Lemonjello and Orangejello. Every time I announce they’re not real I get emails saying “They are real! Read More
Hi Jennifer,
There’s a name that I read in a book that I like: Donnigan. It sounds Irish, but I wasn’t sure, and I was also hoping you might be able to help find the meaning as well. Read More
There are some very cool and unique baby names that are hitting the charts and climbing fast for 2017. Most often a name will suddenly trend due to a celebrity using it for their offspring. Or it might be a beloved character name, or a unique alternative to another name that has become too popular. Read More
Dear Jennifer,
We are expecting a baby girl in February and still can’t decide on a name! Our last name is Rauchhaupt (pronounced r-owsh-how-pt) so as you can imagine, it’s difficult to choose a baby name to go with it. Our choices are Amelia, Cassandra, Eleanor, and Elizaveta (my grandmother’s name). Read More
Dear Jennifer,
I’m at wit’s end. I though we had settled on a baby name (Charlotte Avery), but then one day my husband said he didn’t like it and we should keep looking. The problem is, every name I come up with he says he doesn’t like. Read More
Celebrities are historically known to have crazy baby names. But in 2016, it looks like something changed: celebs have opted out of the wild & crazy and have opted into choosing common and trendy names.
Just a few celebrity baby names of 2016 fell the “questionable” category, and those that did were not really news makers. Read More
Dear Jennifer,
I know that you and your sisters own and run this site, so here’s my question to you: what did you name your children and why? Are there stories/meanings behind your own baby names?
P.S. Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Anna V. Read More
Hi Jennifer,
I see several different sources that post the Top Baby Names of the Year, but they’re different. Why is that?
Sincerely,
Rebecca H.
Hi Rebecca,
Yes, you are right! First, I’ll note the differences between our top name rankings and the U.S. Read More
Hi Jennifer,
My partner and I are both creative types — he’s a musician and I’m a visual artist. We didn’t want just any baby name for our daughter, who is due to arrive after the new year! We want to create a baby name, but don’t really know how to go about it. Read More
Catch up with the Baby Names Podcast
Baby Names Tip: Don't make your child's name a joke. While a pun name like Shanda Lear might bring a smile to your face now, it could easily make your child a target for teasing.