The Art of Naming

Here is a list of names (and potential name ideas) that have been used by automakers and car companies. Are there any that you would love to use as a name but feel as if it is too closely associated with the car? I think Ford and Lexus are cool but they are very obvious.  Have any of these been ruined for you or would you still use them anyway? There sure are a lot of little Bentleys being born lately! Makes: Acura Alfa Romeo Ariel [Atom] Aston Martin Audi Austin Healey Bentley Ford Kia Lexus Lincoln Mercedes [Rolls-]Royce Shelby Tesla Models: Acadia  (GMC) Allante (Cadillac) Alero (Oldsmobile) Altima (Nissan) Amanti (Kia) Apollo  (Buick) Aspen (Chrysler) Astra (Saturn) Aura (Saturn) Aurora (Oldsmobile) Avalon (Toyota) Aveo  (Chevrolet) Azera (Hyundai) Azure (Bentley) Beretta (Chevrolet) Cadenza (Kia) Camaro (Chevrolet) Camry (Toyota) Capri (Ford / Mercury) Caprice (Chevrolet) Carina (Toyota) Carrera (Porsche) Cater...

It was one year ago today that I started The Art of Naming. Before I launched it, I was very actively searching for the perfect name for potential future siblings for my son. For years before that I was obsessed with baby names. I spent plenty of free time on forums and polls giving suggestions and advice to everyone that was seeking it. I couldn't tell you how many dozens of name lists I've made over the years.  It came to a point where I needed to concentrate my obsession and The Art of Naming was born! Now writing blogs and answering questions is more like a part-time hobby to keep me busy while the baby naps. I enjoy coming up with new names to discuss with all of you. I wouldn't post this actively if it weren't for all of you who are there to read my thoughts. I can only hope that I've been able to help some of you to find the perfect name! I want to thank you all for visiting and for interacting with me on my various social media pages. Thanks also to th...

These names are taken from real babies who were featured in recent hospital announcements. These are all first and middle names; no last names were included.  Which of these do you like? Are there any that you dislike? If you had to pick one to use, which would it be? Girls: Alivia Noel Americus Marie Amira Denise Annabelle Grace Anniesse Marie Avianna Carmen Belize Madeline Caroline Daye Chloe Lynn Claire Danielle Colbi Alisa Elizabeth Renee Ella Mae Emily Cathrynne Jacelyn Beth Kysen Alayah Liliana Sophia Lillian Abigail Lily Marie Michelle Mackenzie Brooke Madison Elaine Natalie Rose O'Laina Sophia Olivia Faye Payton Mae Penelope Hazel Reagan Leigh Samantha Mae Sana'a Geneva Louise Vada Monroe Boys: Aaron Anthony Aiden Russell Andrew Charles Bradley Alexander Braxton Cole Brylen Josiah Caleb James Cody Allen Daelyn Jacovi Damien Alexander Easton Alexander Elijah Cole Elliott Sebastian Ethan Paul Garrett Lewis Henry Theron ...

To round out our week of examining French baby names and customs, here is one of my favorite choices for a girl! You voted for Colette on the poll that I had on the sidebar of the blog and she won with 40% of the vote! Colette is the short form of Nicolette which comes from Nicole, the French feminine form of the masculine name Nicholas. All of these related names (and believe me, it is a huge family tree ) come from the Ancient Greek name Nikolaos . They all mean "victory of the people" from the Greek words nike meaning "victory" and laos which refers to "people".  There are many names that come from this tree but let's focus on our lovely French name of the week, Colette. Famous namesakes include Saint Colette from 15th century France. She was a nun who was known for giving her money to the poor. There was also a French author known as Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954). There are several more that are listed on Nameberry if you'd l...

Featured French Names: Olivier  & Colette This month's edition of World-Wide Wednesday will focus on French baby names.  The French were originally very limited in what names they could use for a child because France was very strict as far as which names were and were not allowed. Traditionally, babies were only allowed to be named after Roman Catholic saints . Sometimes a child acquired the name of the saint who's National Saint Day fell on the day they were born. Today, that practice is not commonly used anymore, however most French people are still given the name of a saint or a version of a name of a saint. The Saint's Day associated with their name is then celebrated throughout their life as a second birthday. The most common saint names that were used include Jacques (James), Jean (John), Michel (Michael), Pierre (Peter), or Jean-Baptiste (John the Baptist) for males; and Marie (Mary), Jeanne (Jane), Marguerite (Margaret), Françoise (Frances), or Élisabeth...

I selected four French boy names and threw them in a poll on the blog. You voted and Olivier was barely the winner with 14 votes, sneaking past front-runner Laurent in the 11th hour. So let's take a look at the French name Olivier as we kick off French-Week! Stay tuned for our World-Wide Wednesday post about French naming customs too, and a girl name on Friday! Parents are in love with Oliver today. Nameberry describes it as "energetic and good-natured, stylish but not nearly as trendy as twin-sister Olivia, with a meaning symbolizing peace and fruitfulness." The French Olivier may have pronunciation problems in the US along with sister Olivie, however there are also other similar options such as the Spanish Olivero and the Italian Oliviero. Olive is also becoming a favorite for girls. With the following pronunciations, o-lee-VYAY (French), O-lee-veer (Dutch), Olivier isn't exactly rolling off American tongues the same way Oliver is. Both of these names may co...

In 1900, there was a big trend occurring among baby girl names. Parents loved the cutesy style of names that ended in -ie. These were not nicknames, they were given names. As you can see by the list below, there was a plethora of options just within the US Top 1000 names .  We're seeing a few of these threaten to come back into style today while others, like Sophie, Ellie and Sadie, are already hot! Drew Barrymore just used the name Frankie for her daughter last month! Did your [great] great-grandmother have a name like this? If so, do share it with us in the comment section below! Which of these -ie names are your favorite? Would you ever use it? Abbie                   Addie Aggie Allie Amie Ammie Angie Annie Arie Arlie Arrie Artie Audie Bennie Berdie Bertie Bessie Bettie Billie Birdie Bobbie Bonnie Callie Carrie Cassie Charlie Christie Classie Clemmie Cordie Corrie Dessie Dicie Dixie Dol...