How Well Did My Sibsets Match from My "Statehood Initial Challenge" Series? [Part One]

Way back in January 2015, I began a little series on Instagram that featured the two-letter abbreviations of states within the USA.

I started with Delaware, the very first state that was given official statehood, and then I continued on from there. This has been a very long and slow series, but finally, two years later, we've reached the halfway point.

With each post, I would ask you to name a boy and a girl using those initials as the basis. And each time, I would also post my name choices for those letters.

Let's take a look back and see how my impulse naming panned out. Over time, did I actually create a family tree of names that might match nicely? Or did those names vary greatly with each state? How many times might I have repeated a name? I'm willing to bet that my general naming style fluctuated greatly, but, if you've followed my blog since the beginning, perhaps you'd find me somewhat predictable.

If you'd like to play along with this name game, you can either browse through my Instagram posts, or visit this album on Facebook.

1. DE -  Dante Evander & Dahlia Emmeline
2. PA -  Pierce Averill & Posey Augusta
3. NJ -  Nash Julian & Nova Jessamine
4. GA - Gregor August & Gesine Abigail
5. CT - Calvin Thomas & Cora Tamsin
6. MA - Maximus Alexander & Madeline Alice
7. MD - Malcolm David & Minerva Dawn
8. SC  - Stetson Cole & Sable Cressida
9. NH - Nicolai Harris & Nova Helene
10. VA - Vadden Alexis & Vienne Augusta
11. NY - Nathaniel York & Natasha Yve
12. NC - Noble Carlisle & Nova Caroline
13. RI - Rafferty Iwan & Rowan Isabelle
14. VT - Valor Thaddeus & Vella Temperance
15. KY - Killian Yannick & Kensington Yve
16. TN - Tristram Noel & Tabitha Nell
17. OH - Oscar Hadrian & Olive Hettienne
18. LA - Leopold August & Lavinia Aveline
19. IN - Isadore Noel & Isla Natalie
20. MS - Malcolm Silas & Mabel Sabrina
21. IL - Irving Lawrence & Ida Laurel
22. AL - Alexander Lincoln & Augusta Lily
23. ME - Marlon Elliott & Mavis Eleanor
24. MO - Miles Oliver & Maisie Octavia
25. AR - Asher Ramsey & Avara Raine

What are your thoughts about my choices? Remember, these are spread out over 2 years and I chose them rather spontaneously with each post. I didn't go back to see what other names I had used previously. I simply went with what I liked at the time. As a result, there are a few repeats.

Repeated Names:

Augusta: 3 / August: 2
Nova: 3
Alexander: 2
Malcolm: 2
Noel: 2
Yve: 2

What these names show me is that some weeks I was feeling bold, so I would pick something more unusual like Hettienne, Gesine, Vadden, Averill, Cressida, Vella or Avara.

Other times, I was in a bit of an old-fashioned mood so I went for names like Irving, Gregor, Marlon, Mavis, Malcolm, Mabel, Lawrence, Ida and Laurel.

And sometimes I would play it safe and go for something common and classic, such as Oliver, Alexander, Thomas, Lily, Caroline, Abigail and Isabelle.

If I had to choose one name that does not belong here, it would be Kensington. It's much more trendy than the rest and isn't usually my kind of name. I might also toss Stetson in the same category.

Overall, if there weren't any repeats, I'd say this would be quite an interesting family tree to be part of. What do you think? Did I choose any that catch your eye? Are there any that just don't belong?

Whenever the statehood series is finally concluded, (even if its another two years from now), I will post that set of 25 twins and see how they match up. Hopefully I won't repeat any from here on out but I can't guarantee it! Stay tuned!

Names Ending with the Letters "-ey"

We've explored letters A-D so far in this "ends with -y" series. Today's list is perhaps one of the most plentiful. It was difficult to narrow it down to only the best options that end with the letters "-ey".

The names below all have their endings in common, but they differ greatly in terms of style and popularity. Let's play a little game with these names. Let's suppose that you are having triplets and you have your heart set on cutesy rhyming names for them. Choose three that you like most, and give them their own middle names. You can choose either the gender combinations.  Have fun!

Girls:

Adley

Abbey
Ainsley
Ansley
Ashley
Aubrey
Audrey
Bailey
Briley
Brinley
Britney
Carley
Casey
Courtney
Delaney
Destiney
Finley
Gracey
Greenley
Hadley
Hailey
Haley
Harley
Hayley
Jacey
Journey
Kailey
Kaley
Karley
Kasey
Kayley
Kelsey
Kenley
Kiley
Kinley
Kinsley
Lacey
Lainey
Laney
Lindsey
Linley
Macey
Marley
McKinley
Miley
Oakley
Paisley
Presley
Riley
Shirley
Sidney
Sydney
Tierney
Tinley
Waverley
Whitney
Zoey

Boys:

Ashley
Aubrey
Bailey
Bentley
Berkeley
Bradley
Brantley
Casey
Charley
Chauncey
Conley
Corey
Dempsey
Finley
Frey
Geoffrey
Grey
Harley
Henley
Humphrey
Hurley
Huxley
Jeffrey
Joey
Kasey
Kingsley
Locksley
Marley
McKinley
Mickey
Morrissey
Oakley
Pacey
Quigley
Radley
Ramsey
Ridley
Rey
Riley
Rodney
Seeley
Sidney
Stanley
Trey
Wesley
Westley
Wiley

Can you think of any "-ey" names that I missed? Share them below (along with the names you chose for your fictional triplets) and I'll add them to the list!

Here's the triplets that I would name: Ramsey Oliver, Audrey Juliet & Zoey Claire.  You?

Wyatt Arthur - (Birth Announcements!)

Birth announcements are a great way to discover what names other parents are using. You can use this knowledge for your own baby naming efforts and let yourself be inspired! Whether you view these as names that you'd never use or names that you'd love to use, lists like these can be helpful in the naming process.

If you were expecting a baby today and had to choose a name from this list, which would it be? Tell me your one favorite girl name and one favorite boy name from the following list. Share your picks in the comment section below! My choices are at the bottom of the page!

Girls: 

Ada June

Adalyn Ruth

Amira Renee

Annelise Elizabeth
Ansley Michelle
Ashlyn Olivia
Ava Chelsea
Aviana Rose
Cassidy Olivia
Ciara Elizabeth
Emma Grace
Evelyn Fae
Jessica Ann
Juliana Deborah
Kaitlyn Sophia
Kelly Lee
Khloe Marianne
Lauren Elizabeth
Lauryn Elaine
Lolah Marie
Luz Isabella
Morgan Serenity
Norah Eve
Olivia Faith
Paige Marie
Paislee Margaret Rose
Riley Marie
Serena Marie
Sophia Lynn
Violet Evelyn

Boys: 
Aiden Scott
Andrew William
Anthony Frank
Avery James
Bentley Michael
Bryan Rodrigo
Bryce William
Carter Bryce
Chase Charles
Christopher David
Coen James
Eli Nigel
Evan Jameson
Gage William
Jeffrey Cornelius James
Jeter Patrick
Jordan James
Josiah Levi
King Fredrick
Levi Edison
Logan Christopher
Michael Anthony
Noah Fiore
Parker Lee
Paul David
Roman Frederick James
Titus Timothy
Vince James
Wyatt Arthur
Zayne Charles


My top two picks from the above lists are:
Kaitlyn Sophia & Wyatt Arthur

What would you choose?

Haiku Poetry Sibset Name Game

Today is National Haiku Poetry Day! It falls on April 17th every year to celebrate this fun, beloved style of poetry. You most likely wrote a few of these in your school years. I know I did and they're my favorite!  I thought it would be exceptionally fun to write some "name haikus" to celebrate!

How does a name haiku work? Well, traditionally, a haiku poem consists of three lines. The first line is 5 syllables, the second is 7 and the third is 5 again. So it is a poem with a syllable count of 5-7-5.

For the purpose of our little game here today, we will be making sibsets of 3.  Name three children. The first one will have a first and middle name combination that amounts to 5 syllables. The second's first and middle names will add up to 7 syllables, and the third child will have 5 syllables.

Does that make sense? I'll provide a format below and an example in the photo. Have fun with this! Try to use different naming styles for a themed sibset, or make the names totally different from each other! Make as many as you'd like and share them in the comment section below!!

Sibset Haiku #1:
Boy (5 syllables):
Girl (7 syllables):
Boy (5 syllables):

Sibset Haiku #2:
Girl
Boy
Girl

Sibset Haiku #3:
Girl
Girl
Girl

Sibset Haiku #4:
Boy
Boy
Boy

Sibset Haiku #5:
Boy
Boy
Girl

Sibset Haiku #6:
Girl
Girl
Boy

Enjoy! Don't forget to share your name haikus in the comments below!

Norah Bailey - (Birth Announcements!)

What do you think about when you look at a list of birth announcements? Of course you'd remember that these all belong to an actual child somewhere in this country, but if you were take a step back and look at these names at face value, do you picture anything in your mind? Do you automatically start to rate the names? Would you borrow one of the pairings and add it to your own name list? Sure, why not?

These are meant as inspiration for those in the process of finding a name, and to enlighten the rest of us as to what sort of names are actually being used. Most of all, since these are anonymous, you're meant to enjoy the names and have a bit of fun. So what would you say if I asked you to pick and choose your favorite first/middle combinations as they are and create a sibset with them?

Using the following names, share with us in the comment section what you would name twins: girl/girl, boy/boy and boy/girl. I'll share my picks below! 

Girls:
Adara Helaina

Alanna Lynn
Annabelle Lynn
Astrid Emily
Aubrey Lauren
Brynn Elizabeth
Carissa Beth
Cecilia Faith
Eleanor Carole
Eloise Frances
Elsa Nichole
Gabriella Kathryn
Gianna Rose
Isabella Marie
Jocelyn Elise
June Marlene
Kinley Jo
Kira Elizabeth
Lucy Carmella
Mabel Grace
Madeleine Joyce
Norah Bailey
Penny Christine
Savannah Jo
Sydney Denae

Boys:
Anthony Michael
Bernard Matthew
Callan James
Charlie Daniel
Chase Richard
Colton Steven
Damon Anthony
Dominic Aiden
Donavan Michael
Easton Thomas
Gavin Wyatt
Isaiah Lee
Jace Timothy
James David
Landon John
Lucas Brandon
Micah James
Milo Christopher
Murphy Everett
Myles Carter
Samuel John
Sawyer Franklin
Sebastian Noah
Vaughn Douglas
Vincent Ryan

Twins:
Alissandra Katherine-Jean & Brady Christopher-Allen
Isaac Anthony & Joshua Wesley
Chloe Lynne & Colt Justice


My chosen twins from the boy/girl lists:
G/G: Carissa Beth & Aubrey Lauren
B/B: Milo Christopher & Sebastian Noah
B/G: Vincent Ryan & Annabelle Lynn

Don't forget to share which names you'd choose for this naming challenge in the comment section below! Thanks for playing!

Tristan Samuel - (Birth Announcements!)

Birth announcements are always fun to read. This time, I wanted to find a group of names that did not have a single duplicate. Remember, these names come from real babies!! Which do you like best?

For fun, pretend you have triplets to name and you can only use one of the following first/middle combinations as they are. You can choose any gender combination or do all of them. What will you pick? Check out my choices at the bottom of the page. Be sure to share your sibsets in the comments below!

Girls:
Adalynn Skye
Alivia Alessandra
Allison Kate
Angelina Luz
Aria Rose
Arielle Jade
Avery Marie
Avia Isabel
Brielle Immani
Eleanor Elizabeth
Evelyn Lilia
Gabriella Sophia
Gianna Lynn
Hannah Joy
Julianna Violet
Layla Michelle
Lilly Alice
Lucy Ruth
Mary Charlotte
Melody Raine
Michaela Joan
Miranda James
Natalie Ann
Olivia Louise
Paris Alexandria
Penelope Jane
Samantha Abigail
Taylor Grace
Valentina Pearl
Viviana Leigh

Boys:
Alexander Donovan
Anthony Augustine
Beckett Ardell
Brennan William
Bryson Charles
Collin John
Connor Daniel
Christian Scott
Declan Jasper
Dominic Vincent
Edward Clyde
Ford Michael
Jack Robert
Jacob Kenneth
Jonathan Stewart
Jordan Ashton
Kingston Zachary
Kory Thomas
Kyler Russell
Landon Grant
Liam Matthew
Lucas Jameson
Maxwell Julius
Noah Christopher
Oliver Lawrence
Quinlan Jamie
Roman Elias
Ryan Patrick
Tristan Samuel
Wesley Joseph
Wyatt Raymond


My picks for triplets using the above names as they are:
G/G/G: Julianna Violet, Evelyn Lilia, Michaela Joan
G/G/B: Arielle Jade, Lilly Alice, Collin John
G/B/B: Layla Michelle, Brennan William, Wyatt Raymond
B/B/B: Tristan Samuel, Oliver Lawrence, Wesley Joseph

What would you choose?

Baby Naming Challenge - Celestial Edition

To conclude this starry, starry couple of weeks we've had, I propose a little baby naming challenge. It is a simple initial related game that should bring about a good variety of name options and fun combinations. Take a look at the three sibling sets below and decide for yourself which names you'd choose. I added my choices at the bottom. Have fun!

Set of Twins: STAR
Boy's initials are ST
Girl's initials are AR
What are their names?

Set of Twins: MOON
Girl's initials are MO
Girl's initials are ON
What are their names?

Set of Triplets: PLANET
Boy's initials are PL
Boy's initials are AN
Girl's initials are ET
What are their names?


My choices:

Set 1: Sebastian Theodore & Aveline Ramona
Set 2: Mabel Olivia & Odette Nova
Set 3: Philip Lucas, Arthur Nathaniel & Ella Tamsin

Which names would you go with? Share your choices in the comment section or join the chatter on Facebook!

Baby Naming Challenge - Unisex Edition

This game will follow a "name bank" format. You will be given a set of names to choose from. Create a first and middle name combination for three children. These children will all have a unisex first name based on the list of unisex names that I posted earlier this week!

1A. Your first child is a boy. Choose from one of the following unisex names for his first name:

Alexis, Armani, Carter, Dakota, Drew, Elliot, Ellison, Finley, Haven, Jamie, Jordan, Kendall, Lyric, Morgan, Payton, Quinn, Remy, Rory, Sage, Skyler, Taylor

1B. Choose from the following vintage names for his middle name:

Arthur, Barnaby, Chester, Edmund, Franklin, George, Howard, Irving, Jasper, Louis, Milton, Oscar, Percy, Raymond, Samuel, Theodore, Virgil, Walter

And baby boy number one's name is.....?

2A. Your second child is a boy. Choose from one of the following unisex names for his first name:

Amari, Avery, Casey, Dallas, Dylan, Elliott, Emerson, Harley, Hayden, Jaylin, Justice, Lennon, Marley, Oakley, Peyton, Reagan, Riley, Rowan, Sawyer, Spencer, Teagan

2B. Choose from the following occupational names for his middle name:

Archer, Brenner, Clark, Dexter, Foster, Gage, Hayward, Jagger, Kiefer, Marshall, Parker, Reeve, Ryder, Steele, Shepherd, Thatcher, Tolliver, Wayne

And baby boy number two's name is.....?

3A. Your third child is a girl. Choose from one of the following unisex names for her first name: 

Angel, Cameron, Charlie, Devon, Eden, Ellis, Emery, Harper, Hunter, Jessie, Kai, London, Milan, Parker, Phoenix, Reese, River, Ryan, Skylar, Tatum, Zion

3B. Choose from the following quirky and unusual names for her middle name:

Avalon, Bluebell, Coraline, Dove, Eulalie, Fable, Hypatia, Isis, Juniper, Kismet, Lilac, Meadow, Plum, Raven, Sable, Temperance, Velvet, Wintress

And baby girl number one's name is....?

Here are the names that I chose:

Finley Theodore

Lennon Tolliver

Reese Coraline 

Well, which names did you choose?  Share them here in the comment section or on Facebook! 

Baby Naming Challenge - Car Edition

For your challenge today, you will be naming three hypothetical siblings! This past Tuesday, we saw a list of baby names stolen by big car companies and we learned all about the name Ford a couple days ago. In honor of "car week," I want you to think about your vehicle history when choosing the names for the challenge. If that sounds crazy, just bear with me a moment.

As a visual aid, here's a short breakdown of vehicle makes and models just in case you're not sure:

Make = Name of Company (Ford, GMC, Toyota, Nissan, Dodge etc)
Model = The "brand" of the car. Sometimes this is just a letter or number, or a word or name.

If you've never owned your own car, use that of your parents or partner.  Okay, here we go:

Baby #1 

• If the make of your first car starts with A-L, you're having a boy! If it starts with M-Z it's a girl! 
• Take the first letter of the make of your car and use it for the first name of the baby.
• If the model of your car is a number/letter sequence, choose a vowel for the middle name. If the model is a name or a word, choose from B, D, F, K, T and W for the middle name.

Baby # 2

• If your current car is blue, green, red or black, you're having a boy! If your current car is any other color, it is a girl! 
• If your current car is 2-door, the first name starts with either A, L, O, P or R.  If your car is a 4-door, the first name starts with C, E, J, M or S.
• If your car has tinted windows, the middle name must be 2 syllables long. If not, go with a 4 syllable name.

Baby # 3

• If you currently have a big vehicle, (truck, SUV, crossover or van) it is a boy. If it is a smaller vehicle (coupe, wagon, sedan, luxury, hybrid) then you're having a girl! 
• If you drive an automatic, choose a first name that begins with a consonant. If you drive a manual, choose a first name that begins with a vowel.
• If your current car was made in 2005 or earlier, the middle name is 1 syllable long.  If your car is a 2006 or newer, the middle name is 3 syllables long.

Great job! Feel free to share your answers in the comments below or on Facebook!  Here are my answers:

Boy: Frederick Theodore

Girl: Cecily Winter

Girl: Sabrina Pearl

Baby Naming Challenge! - Month Edition

This is the ultimate initial challenge! I do have to admit that I borrowed the idea from my friend over at nameddict.  I came across it at the perfect time since I was just about to post Tuesday's blog about month names. I found this challenge to be a genius idea that I hadn't seen before, and it is fun!  Imagine you have twelve babies to name and give it a try!

Using the three-letter abbreviations for each month, come up with the perfect baby name using those letters as a first/middle/middle combo. There's a Y and 3 U's that will make it a bit tricky!  I will post my names below. Feel free to share yours in the comment section or on Facebook!

My names:

JAN: Johanna Adelaide Nell
FEB: Frederick Evan Benedict
MAR: Marius Alexander Rafferty
APR: Amabel Penelope Rose
MAY: Matilda Alice Yvonne
JUN: Julius Ulrich Nathaniel
JUL: Josephine Uma Lenore
AUG: Alistair Ulysses George
SEP: Sebastian Evander Paul
OCT: Octavia Claire Tamsin
NOV: Nadia Olive Valentina
DEC: Dante Everett Cole

Johanna, Frederick, Marius, Amabel, Matilda, Julius, Josephine, Alistair, Sebastian, Octavia, Nadia & Dante. 6 girls and 6 boys!   What names would you choose?

Baby Naming Challenge!

This is essentially a game. Just for fun, try to come up with some amazing names for the following four hypothetical children:

Boy/Girl Twins:
Girl's first name starts with either A, C, E, or G.
Girl's middle name is either a botanical name or a quirky and unusual name.

Boy's first name starts with either B, D, F or H.
Boy's middle name is either an old-fashioned, vintage name or a literary name.

Girl:
Her first name starts with either I, K, M, or O.
Her middle name is either an ancient name or something virtuous.

Boy:
His first name starts with either J, L, N, or P.
His middle name is either an occupational surname or a colonial choice.


Feel free to post your names in the comment section below, on our Facebook page or just smile about them to yourself. :)

My names:
Alice Magnolia
Damian Barnaby
Isla Melisent
Jack Thaddeus

Have fun! Thanks for playing!

Baby Naming Challenge!

I thought I would issue you a naming challenge! Just for fun, of course. Should you choose to accept, here are my terms:

You will be naming three hypothetical babies. Siblings but not triplets. Use the links for help! Here are the rules:

Baby #1 - A boy: 
First name: It has an X in it
Middle name: A Presidential Surname

Baby #2 - A girl:
First name: A flower or tree name
Middle name: Vintage "old lady" name

Baby #3 - A girl:
First name: It is 4-letters long
Middle name: An Ancient name

Post the names that you came up with in the comment section for all to enjoy! You may even write what their ages are and come up with a last name for them if you wish.

Here are my names:

1. Phoenix Harrison
2. Magnolia Ruth
3. June Minerva

Thanks for playing! And remember that there are more baby-name-games like this one in the forum section on the blog! 

Quintuplets Born in Czech - What would you name 5 babies?

Alexandra Kinova

STANISLAV ZBYNEK/CTK/AP

This past Sunday, a Czech woman, Alexandra Kinova, 23, gave birth to quintuplets! This is the first recorded quint birth in the country!

They were conceived naturally and were born at 31 weeks without any complications. Their weights ranged from 2.3 lbs to 3 lbs. She delivered them by Cesarean section. The mother was originally told that she was expecting twins. She did wind up having identical twin boys, as well as a girl and two more boys.

They have chosen the following names:
Tereza
Michael and Deniel (Twins)
Alex
Martin

Their father, Antonin Kroscen, 26, told reporters that he is very happy to welcome these five little ones into the world. "I was crying all the way since I feared I would not manage it," he said. He was held up by a late train but made it on-time to be present for the birth of his children! The couple already had a young son together as well.

 We want to congratulate these new parents and wish them all the best in the years to come! What do you think of the names they chose?

If you were expecting quintuplets, what would you name them? Play our "Name the quints" game in the forums!