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Names Are Important To Us All: What Were The Top Names of 2022?

Names are a topic that all of us discuss, whether or not we realize it. Everyday you meet new people, and generally the first question asked is "what is your name?"  When we introduce ourselves, the name is the first thing we exchange. When someone has a new baby, other than asking the gender, people want to know what moniker you have chosen for your new child.  Names are vital to the human existence. From that birth certificate, to the markings on our gravestone, our names follow us from start to finish. They are used daily by loved ones and strangers alike. Names define us and differentiate us. Whether your name is common or rare; long or short; masculine, feminine or unisex, it is the one thing that we will always carry along with us. In that case, it is important to make sure it is something we can wear well and enjoy using. We are about to find out what 2023's top names were in the US according to the Social Security Administration. In the meantime, get a quick refre

The Power of Names: More Than Just a Label

Names hold immense significance, serving as the foundation of identity and the thread that connects individuals to their heritage, culture, and personal narrative.  They are much more than mere labels or a series of letters—names carry the weight of familial history, traditions, values, and aspirations. A name is often the first gift a person receives from their parents, imbued with love, dreams, and hopes for the future.  But why are names so important? The answer lies in their profound influence on our personal lives, social interactions, and how we navigate the world. A Symbol of Connection and Heritage A name anchors us in the rich tapestry of human experience, linking us to our ancestors and culture. Whether passed down through generations or chosen for its meaning, a name can reflect family history or cultural significance, often serving as a bridge between the past and the present. In many cultures, names are chosen with deep thought and purpose, conveying the hopes of parents f

I Have A Common Surname, What Baby Names Should I Pick?

Jones, Smith, Miller, Davis, Johnson, Williams, Brown, Moore, Taylor, Anderson... At least in America, these are some of the most common surnames.  There's no right or wrong in naming, but you definitely have a variety of options. In fact, you could choose anywhere from an incredibly popular name, to something nobody's ever heard of.  That's up to you! But here are some ideas for each of the surnames I listed above.  I am basing this on the presumption that we are naming a baby in 2020 and want to follow modern styles and popularity. Popular Names: Your surname is super popular, might as well go the whole nine yards and choose a super popular first name, too. There's nothing wrong with that. It happens often. There's something about the anonymity of being one of many if you value your privacy.  Here's some ideas for the ten surnames I listed. Mason Jones Liam Smith Noah Miller Oliver Davis Ethan Johnson Aiden Williams Sebastian Brown Lucas Moore

What Should I Name Emma's Little Sister?

Emma was at the top of the pack in 2018. We will find out very soon if she's managed to hold on to her tiara, or if, perhaps Olivia, has dethroned her.  Emma has always been a popular name. Well, at least since Ross and Rachel chose it back in 2004. She was destined for greatness though, and has proved it over the past decade. Even without "Friends," Emma was already climbing the charts. Emma ranked within the Top 100 from 1880 to 1941, decided to take a little break from her popularity before she reentered the Top 100 again in 1993. By 2002, Emma ranked as the 4th most popular name in the country. She snagged #1 in 2008, and again from 2014 to 2018. Girl is popular, but with good reason. Emma comes from a Germanic element " ermen " which means "whole" or "universal", which helps give this name her appeal.  So much so that Emma isn't only a top name in the US, it has also received plenty of usage in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sc

Elisabeth and Julia Are Getting A Baby Sister! What Should I Name Her?

Brenda wrote to The Art of Naming on Facebook recently inquiring about name ideas for a third girl. She already has Elisabeth "Elsa", and Julia. I promised I would find 10 name ideas for her to consider. First, a bit of background info.  Elisabeth is an alternative spelling to Elizabeth; some may even find the "s" to be even more feminine than the standard "z". Both variants are gorgeous, in my book!  Elizabeth comes from  the Greek form of the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע (' Elisheva ') meaning "my God is an oath".  I have written about Elizabeth's longevity in the past because she has proved to be the most enduring female name. Julia is one of my favorite names. I used Juliet for my own daughter's middle name, and I have always been drawn to the Jul- names. Julia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Julius that was possibly derived from Greek ιουλος ( ioulos ) meaning "downy-bearded" which implies youthf

Ferelith

Today I want to take a closer name at a very rare and fantastical-esque name. I recently had the opportunity to recommend it to someone who had never heard of it before. They instantly fell in love with it and decided it might just be THE name they have been searching for. Perhaps you will enjoy it too! It is a rare feminine name of Scottish and English origin. It comes from the Medieval Gaelic name Forbflaith which means "overlord, ruler, or sovereign". There was an heiress in 13th-century Scotland who was named Ferelith. Aside from that, this name is very rare. According to the US record, there has never been at least 5 babies given this name in a single year. That means that the chances of you running into someone with this name are slim to none.  If you are looking for a beautiful, rare name, this would make your child truly one-of-a-kind! With its Medieval origins, it has a Renaissance vibe, and also feels fantastical. There are some other names that have a sim

Fabulous Names from Netflix's "The Witcher" Series

We have recently started watching Netflix's The Witcher and I was instantly mesmerized by the names of the characters. I'm a sucker for the unusual. I may not use most of these for a real life child, but I do appreciate them in a fantastical fiction.  I made a list of them for your browsing pleasure: Male: Geralt Jaskier Istredd Cahir Dara Eist Lazlo Filavandrel Torque Foltest Danek Artorius Korin Fletcher Anton Nettly Yurga Eyck Chireadan Zigrin Adonis Hemet Remus Tsoka Filip Yannick Atlan Mikal Peregrine Nonim Vyr Female: Ciri Yennefer Triss Calanthe Fringilla Tissaia Sabrina Vanielle Danica Renfri Eithne Zola Tiffania Pavetta Toruviel Anica Marilka Téa Véa Kalis Fola Glacella Marites Sancia Isadora Adda Lilja Coral Kaveri Aridea There's definitely a few in there that would be suitable for a child, but the rest are truly just fun. Which do you like?

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