Baby Name of the Day- Isaac

Today's name is Isaac.

ISAAC
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Hebrew (Anglicized), Biblical, Biblical Latin
Pronounced: IE-zək (English) [key]
From the Hebrew name יִצְחָק (Yitzchaq) which meant "he laughs". Isaac in the Old Testament was the son of Abraham and the father of Esau and Jacob. As recounted in Genesis, God tested Abraham's faith by ordering him to sacrifice his son, though an angel prevented the act at the last moment.
As an English Christian name, Isaac was occasionally used during the Middle Ages, though it was more common among Jews. It became more widespread after the Protestant Reformation. Famous bearers include the physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727) and the science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov (1920-1992).

The SS lists the name Isaac at the number 37 spot for 2008. Isaac first appears in the top 1000 in the year 1880 at the number 62 spot. It steadily lost favor over the years and by 1967 was at the number 379 spot. After that year Isaac slowly but steadily returned to favor and it's popularity increased until today as it rests nicely in the number 37 spot.

I personally like the name Isaac, but it's not one I would use myself. The appeal of this name is understandable. It's classic, and strong. A very masculine name and not likely to be "stolen" by the 'boy-name-turned-girl-name-fad' groups out there who have destroyed such great boy names as Elliot and Evan. Isaac has the feel of other biblical names as Isaiah, Elijah and Ezra. It's not an overly popular biblical name such as Noah, Paul, Luke, and esp Matthew, Mark, Michael, and John. Isaac has a very ancient feel to it that I love. I am a huge fan of ancient names, and the beauty of them is sometimes lost on modern parents. They pick names solely because they "sound good" and not for the meaning and/or history of the name, which I find a shame.
For public opinion on this name you can click the link to the question I asked about it on Yahoo!Answers-
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090930103129AADdNkj&r=w

Middle names for Isaac that I think would work well, well...honestly I think just about any style would work. I also think it would work with something equally masculine or a bit softer in feel. I also think Isaac would work well as a middle name also. Isaac is a versatile name and one that I believe will be popular for a good long while. I think it's popularity will increase before it drops again.

First/Middle combos I like-
Isaac Henry
Joseph Isaac
Isaac Andrew
Lucas Isaac
Donovan Isaac
Isaac James

A very masculine name indeed, and it's pairings are anything from very masculine to cute masculine. I think with the perfect pairing it would be a very professional name as well.

Alternatives for Isaac-
Isaiah
Isaias
Ismet
Ismail
Israel
Issay
Ishmael
Istvan

Overall I think Isaac is a very nice masculine name that is popular, heard of and nice yet not overused too much. I think it would work great as a first name or a middle name and I think it has great alternative names as well. It's not for me personally, but I do see it's mass appeal for it's uncommon beauty and strength.

J. Kristen

Name of the Day- Maeve

Today's name is Maeve.

MAEVE

Gender: Feminine

Usage: Irish, Irish Mythology

Pronounced: MAYV [key], and in some places MAY-vee

Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Medb meaning "intoxicating". In Irish legend this was the name of a warrior queen of Connacht. Her fight against Ulster and the hero Cúchulainn is told in the Irish epic 'The Cattle Raid of Cooley'.

The SS lists Maeve at the number 638 spot for 2008. The name Maeve showed up on the 1000 list in 1997 at the number 953 spot, and increased in favor over the next 10 yrs. By 2007 it had reached it's peek at the number 619 spot but slipped the following year in 2008 to 638. The name Maeve is ranked at number 455 in Scotland and does not appear on any top 1000 list for England or Ireland. Maeve is ranked at number 491 in Alberta Canada, at 427 in British Columbia Canada, and at 453 in Quebec Canada. Interestingly Maeve is listed at the number 98 spot for New Hampshire US, and the number 359 spot for New York US.

I have always had a soft spot for Celtic and Gaelic names. Being of Irish/Scottish/Welsh heritage I have always had a high interest in the language and culture. I would normally prefer the traditional spelling of Madb, but Maeve is a very lovely Anglicanism form. Maeve is a very soft name, very feminine. It's uncommon usage is a plus for me. I do like names that are truly uncommon, yet lovely. Maeve does fit this bill very well.

I would consider Maeve as an alternative to the over used May/Mae. May/Mae has always sounded a bit "farm girl" to me. It's not a negative association but rather one that I find too simple. I like simple names, but there are those in which I would consider the extreme, May/Mae is one; others would include Sue and Faye.

Maeve would work as a first or a middle in my opinion and would go well with a first/middle which begins with a vowel or ending in a consonant or an -a- ending, such as- Eleanor, Ellen, Amelia, Ariana etc. I also think names starting with a consonant and ending in the -a- sound would be good as well, such as- Bianca, Clara, and Hannah.

Maeve Eleanor
Ellen Maeve
Maeve Amelia
Maeve Ariana
Bianca Maeve
Maeve Clara
Maeve Hannah
etc.

Alternatives for Maeve-
Obviously May/Mae
Maebelle
Macy/Macie
Mabel
Maeron
Maeryn
Marion
Maelie
Meako
Meagan
and the more literal Maive (said the name as Maeve)

Overall I think Maeve has a certain appeal, but I think it's one of those names where you either love it, or hate it. Paired with the right first or middle it could be a very lovely name choice. I think this is a name that one needs to mull around in their heads for a while before deciding on. It's not for the faint of heart, but is a strong feminine name that will carry well on a child and into adulthood.

J. Kristen

Celebrity Baby Name Review of- Lily-Rose Melody

Today I will be reviewing a celebrity baby name. Today's name is Lily-Rose Melody Depp, Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis's daughter.

LILY
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: LIL-ee [key]
From the name of the flower, a symbol of purity. The word is ultimately derived from Latin lilium.

ROSE
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, French
Pronounced: ROZ [key]
Originally a Norman form of a Germanic name, which was composed of the elements hrod "fame" and heid "kind, sort, type". It was introduced to England by the Normans in the forms Roese or Rohese. From an early date it was associated with the word for the fragrant flower rose (derived from Latin rosa). When the name was revived in the 19th century, it was probably with the flower in mind.

MELODY
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: MEL-ə-dee [key]
From the English word melody, which is derived (via Old French and Late Latin) from Greek μελος (melos) "song" combined with αειδω (aeido) "to sing".

Lilly is ranked at number 24 for 2008 on the SS baby name list. The name appears in 1880 at number 241. It's popularity dropped until 1901 when Lily was at the number 319 spot, then started to gain slow popularity until 1905 when it was at the number 287. Following 1905 the name dropped significantly into the 1960s where it yo-yoed between being in the 900s to being off the top 1000 completely. In 1965, 1967-69, 1971, 1974-75, and 1977-78 the name Lily was off the top 1000. In 1979 the name was in the number 960 spot and has gained popularity very steadily ever since. Lily jumped from the number 103 spot in 2001 to the number 24 spot in 2008.

Rose is ranked at number 344 for a first name. The name appears in 1880 at the number 30 spot. It continued to gain popularity and peek in 1914 at the number 14 spot. Ever since Rose has been on a steady decline as a first name, but in the last 10 yrs has become a very familiar and popularly used middle name. There was a significant jump in popularity after the 1997 blockbuster hit Titanic was released; Rose went from the number 391 spot in 1997 to the number 297 spot in 1998, and the 278 spot in 1999. Following the blockbuster buzz however the name slipped yet again back in the 300s and remains there today.

Melody is ranked at number 280 for 2008. The name appears in 1942 at the number 523 spot, and worked it's way up very quickly on the list settling in at the number 155 spot by 1956. Melody started slipping back down the list after that year and by the end of the decade was sitting at 185. It had a slight resurrection in 1960 making a huge jump to the number 153 spot, but the following year in 1961 was back down to 172 and has lost favor till a brief sprint in the late 70s, years 1976-1980 saw it in the upper 100s, and then after that slipped back into the 200s. By 1990 the name was in the 300s and has had a yo-yo effect to the present.

I will review these names individually and then as a set. So bare with me, this is going to be one long blog.

Lily- I personally find this name very lovely, and becoming on a baby and a grown woman. I do however find it more nickname-ish than proper name, and would have loved it much more if it were Lilian or Lillian or Lilith. The name is a bit popular at the moment, being in the top 25 so there may be several other Lily's in class when your baby starts kindergarten. I do find nothing more annoying then having a commonly used name. One ends up being referred to as "Lily R. or Lily P." to sort out confusion with the many Lily's in the classroom. Overall I think Lily is a lovely choice, but perhaps it's best as a middle name, or a nickname for a longer more proper name.

Rose- I find this name highly underused as a first name these days. It's quite lovely, and very becoming on a child and well into adulthood. I have known many a little girl with the middle name Rose, it's become a bit cliche- such as Grace or Marie has. I think Rose is a name that would stand the test of time very well and would have no ill-effect in school with too many same-named girls. I have met Rose's from the age of 80 to the age of 20 to the age of 2. The name becomes them all, and I have no doubt it would be a beautiful choice on any little girl. It's versatile and whimsical and would fit well with most any middle name of your choice. An excellent first name choice.

Melody- I do love this name. It's musical reference is not lost to the extreme end such as Lyric, Piper, Harper or Harmony might be. Melody has that whimsical bouncy feel with out sounding too "hippie". It's a light and airy name that makes me think of clouds or a long romantic walk on the beach. It's like a beautiful sunset, you never get tired of it. I find this as a fist name or a middle name quite lovely and a wonderful choice to most any first or middle name choice.

Lily-Rose- I decided to review the name by individual, first and then F/M together. The reason: I have a bit of an issue with the hyphenated Lily-Rose. First off I am not a lover of hyphenated names in the least bit. Some are a bit corny....such as Brooke-Lyn or Carol-Lyn etc. When Brookelyn and Carolyn would be just as nice if not nicer. Totally my biased opinion, but for the most part people look at a hyphenated name and think..."What a mouthful for a little child". Pair a hyphenated name with a full middle and my goodness what a train wreck that could be. Now I do not have issue here with Lily-Rose needing to be Liliyrose or some such nonsense. However, I do think it a bit redundant to use both Lily and Rose as a first name. Both, obviously, are flowers. For me that's the same as using Piper-Harper = both musical in nature, or Summer Autumn = both seasons, or Rosemary Sage = both are spices. It's just overkill. At least the name isn't Lily-Lyn (Lilian) which I actually have seen and cringed at the sound of it. Lily-Rose doesn't sound odd to me, it's just overkill. It screams WE LOVE FLOWERS....a LOT.

Lily-Rose Melody- This name flows ever so well together. It's beautiful and rhythmic. Despite the double flowers it is quite catchy. I do love the nature/musical theme (and I am not one to like themed names), and it meshes very well together. I don't think this name would cause much issue (aside from the popularity of Lily) and will age well on a child. I suppose a bonus of a double first name would be that she can go by Lily-Rose, or just Lily or just Rose. So it's versatile.

Overall, in this day and age when many celebs are naming their kids things like Audio Science and Pilot Inspektor, Lilly-Rose Melody is a HUGE dose of reality! Bravo Mr. Depp and Mrs. well done.

*for public opinion on the name Lily-Rose Melody see the question linked below that I asked asked on Yahoo!Answers*

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090928103358AAeZKxj

J. Kristen

Family Name Review Day- Glenda

Today's name review is on a family name...my family that is. Glenda, my mother's name.

GLENDA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Welsh, English
Pronounced: GLEN-də [key]
A name created in the 20th century from the Welsh elements glân "pure, clean" and da "good".

I remember asking a question about my mother's name on Yahoo!Answers. One answerer told me that Glenda was the incorrect spelling, that it was Glinda. This is FALSE. Glinda is an Americanized version of the traditional Glenda, popularized by the 1939 classic movie The Wizard of Oz. Everyone remembers Glinda the Good Witch. Glinda (Glenda) was chosen as the Good WItch's name because of it's definition- pure, clean, good.
I grew up thinking my mother had a very unique name, it was pretty and feminine.

The Social Security lists for the name Glenda start in the year 1911 at the 843 spot. It's popularity slowly increased over the next 3 decades. After the release of the movie The Wizard of Oz. It's highest rank was at 79 in 1944, and then it's popularity decreased. Between 1950 and 1955 Glenda went from 87 to 128. My mother was born with in that 5 year time frame. After 1955 it's popularity decreased considerably and by 1989 it was sitting at the number 900 spot, and then fell off the top 1000 list entirely, and has stayed off for the last 20 years.

I personally find the name Glenda beautiful, comforting sounding, calm, and earthy. It's uncommon beauty is easily over looked in this day and age when names like Gemma and Gillian are more popular G names for little girls. Glenda is a very grow up sounding name, so I can understand a parents reluctance to put such a strong name on a tiny baby...but in my opinion that is what nicknames are for, and I honestly would rather my daughter have a strong name to carry to adulthood than a 'cutsie' name that doesn't sit well on an adult woman once she is grown. I suppose nicknames for Glenda could be Glenn or Glenny/Glennie. I prefer Glennie (very similar to my childhood nickname Jennie).

I think Glenda is a perfect choice if you are looking for an uncommon but heard of name for your baby girl. It's not a name that is so far out there that it would cause upset in a child as they grew up, but not so common to being boring, overused, or uncreative as I fear many Emma's, Madison's or Sophia's might feel as they get older.

Middle names for Glenda that I personally find nice would be-
Glenda Corinne
Glenda Adelaide
Glenda Rose
Glenda Roisin
Glenda Dawn
Glenda Elise
Glenda Kate
Glenda Faith

I think a simple or very feminine middle would go best with Glenda. Something I usually stay away from, Rose would actually compliment this name. Glenda being so unusual and uncommon Rose balances it out. I think something classic and timeless like Adelaide or Roisin (row-sheen, Irish), would be lovely as well. Either short and sweet, or classic and super feminine this name carries either type of middle name very well.

Alternatives for Glenda would be-

Glinda
Yolinda
Yolanda
Brenda
Linda
Glenna
Glennis
Glenn
Glenys
Glenza

Overall I think Glenda is a very strong feminine name that will carry any simple or classic middle name well. It will look and sound professional on a grown woman, but can be simplified to a cute nickname as a child to soften it to a becoming favorite. Glenda is a highly likable and well-known name that I personally would love to see more of.

J. Kristen

Name of the Day- Julian

photography courtesy of my dad, Ron Shaw.

Today's name is Julian.

JULIAN
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Polish, German
Pronounced: JOO-lee-ən (English), JOOL-yən (English), YUWL-yahn (Polish), YOO-lee-ahn (German)
From the Roman name Iulianus, which was derived from JULIUS. This was the name of the last pagan Roman emperor, Julian the Apostate (4th century). It was also borne by several early saints, including the legendary Saint Julian the Hospitaller. This name has been used in England since the Middle Ages, at which time it was also a feminine name (from Juliana, eventually becoming Gillian).

As of 2008 it holds the number 61 spot. Uncommon, but heard of. The name is listed on the SS list of names from the year 1880 and on. The years listed are more than likely compiled from census records over the past 129 years. Social Security was not signed into effect until August 14, 1935, and only became active after January of 1940...so getting an accurate number on Julian before 1940 is part research and part estimation. The Social Security website lists Julian at number 296 in 1880. Julian steadily gained in popularity from 1880 until around 1924 when it was at the number 193 spot. In 1925 Julian's popularity slipped down to 196 and continued to lose favor up till 1962 when it held the number 366 spot. The following year Julian yet again gained popularity and started sliding back up on the list bumping 6 places up in the course of just one year (from 366 to 360). By the year 2000 Julian was in the top 100 sitting nicely at number 87. And has had a nice slow pace up the list ever since.

I personally have always loved the name Julian. I had a friend in high school with this name. He was dark haired, dark complected and very athletic. The association I had with the name helped shape my feelings about it. For me Julian is an ethnic name, and a very lovely one at that. A favorite among the Hispanic community of my hometown. I always pictured this name on a boy with dark features, and big deep brown eyes, but this is not limited only to dark featured boys. I certainly can equally see this on a light haired child, maybe with a sprinkle of freckles across their nose and lovely hazel eyes (or blue if you prefer lol).

I think Julian is one of those diamond in the rough type names. A name whose potential is often over looked on first glance because of it's "soft look". Julian does look a bit effeminate on first glance. I can certainly understand the the reluctance of some people to use it if they are looking for a more harsh sounding or "rough" looking spelling, (ex. Jack, Colton, Hunter...all very strong sounding names w/hard consonants) Many people mistakenly confuse Julian for the feminine form of the name: Julianne (JOO-lee-ann). I think perhaps this confusion has led to it's under usage.

I asked a question on Yahoo!Answers about Julian. A poll on the public's opinion if you will. These are the results I have gotten thus far:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvsVVGLEJxDMX20UthjTydavDH1G;_ylv=3?qid=20090926092449AADubVB

There are many options as far as middle names go for Julian. It's widely versatile (my opinion of course), and would suit many different styles of names. Some that I personally find pleasing to the ear would be:

Classic-
Julian Edward
Julian Charles
Julian Walter
Julian Christopher

Edgy-
Julian Keaton
Julian Cale
Julian Braxton
Julian Jagger

Preppy-
Julian Preston
Julian Spencer
Julian Seth
Julian Quinton

Mid-West-
Julian Colter
Julian Tanner
Julian Wyatt
Julian Logan

Common-
Julian Michael
Julian Lee
Julian Andrew
Julian Matthew

As you can see...a very versatile name. I truly think if you bounce enough middle names at Julian you will find one that sounds appealing even if you don't care much for the name Julian to begin with. Or...maybe I'm just biased and hopeful? Who knows.

Alternatives for Julian:

Jules
Julius
Juliano
Julianus
Julien
Julio
Julyan

Over all I think the name Julian is a lovely choice for a little boy. It will age well and fit most any middle name your heart desires...yes, a most underestimated name indeed.

J. Kristen

Baby Name of the Day- Olivia

Today's name is Olivia.

Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Spanish, German, Finnish
Pronounced: ə-LIV-ee-ə (English), o-LEE-vee-ah (German)

This name was first used in this spelling by William Shakespeare for a character in his comedy 'Twelfth Night' (1602). Shakespeare may have based it on OLIVER or OLIVA, or perhaps directly on the Latin word oliva meaning "olive". In the play Olivia is a noblewoman who is wooed by Duke Orsino but instead falls in love with his messenger Cesario.
The name has been used in the Engish-speaking world since the 18th century, though it did not become overly popular until the last half of the 20th century. Its rise in popularity in America was precipitated by a character on the 1970s televsion series 'The Waltons'.

As of 2008 it holds the number 6 spot on the USA's Social Security list. A very high spot. The name started to gain popularity in the US in the late 1980s, and jumped significantly in 1990 from number 123 to number 72 and gained popularity from there. By 1999 it was at number 20 and at number 10 by 2001. The highest spot Olivia has held is at number 4 in 2005 and has slowly dropped ever since, until 2008 when it moved from number 7 to number 6.

I personally adore this name, popular or not. It was mine and my husband's first choice for our daughter for many months after the sonogram confirmed we were having a baby girl in 2006. We chose it for a middle name to Tatum, then later to Josephine, but after researching the name more, we threw it out completely, and regrouped (as many parents do...the baby name merry-go-round i call it).

There is something very sweet and vibrant about the name. I first heard of it watching the Cosby show. Olivia Kendall who was played by Raven Symone (she had a show on the Disney Channel called That's So Raven, and is also a singer in the group Cheetah Girls on occasion) was introduced to the show as Denise's step-daughter.
She was a very cute and curious child, and I enjoyed her scenes with Bill Cosby. I don't have much in the negative to say about Olivia, except for it's popularity. That is very discouraging to me, and obviously was enough to make me rethink it's usage on my own daughter. Nothing makes a name's sparkle fade than over usage.

The most common (and over used) combination of first/middle that I've seen with Olivia is Grace. Others would include: Olivia Rose, Olivia Marie, Olivia Claire, Olivia Michelle, and Olivia Ann. As far as these names go I find them pretty, yet unsatisfying. They are run-of-the-mill, and slightly uncreative. Catchy?, yes. Pretty?, yes...but how many other little Olivia Grace's will they meet? In my research of this name, I asked a question about it on Yahoo!Answers. The question was titled- Do you know anyone named Olivia Grace? These are the responses I got.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AswdjrxGLBwOCVbQMvMeEXDsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090925095233AA93plh

I still think Olivia stands the test of time. I still find it refreshing and wonderful. So perhaps we should consider other alternatives as middles for this fabulous name that would help it stand out amongst the crowds of Olivia Grace's. Suggestions that I find quite nice would be-
Olivia Dawn
Olivia Catherine
Olivia Simone
Olivia Corinne
Olivia Josephine
Olivia Siobhan (shi-vawn, Irish)
Olivia Colleen
Olivia Verity
Olivia Temperance
Olivia Kristen
Olivia Rochelle
Olivia Kate

Alternative names to Olivia that might be preferable if you wish to stay away from a top 10 name would be-
Alena
Alivia
Alcina (al-see-nuh)
Alcinda
Olive
Olympia
Ophelia
Olesia (O-leesee-uh)
Olena (O-lean-uh)
Olinda
and the traditional Roman Oliva

Some of these are a bit out there, but others are quite lovely. Such as: Olesia (variant of Alicia), though not too similar to Olivia I personally get the same style-ish feel. Others more literal would be Alivia (ah-liv-ee-uh). Which is less common at the number 181 spot for 2008. If you want to use this name, but are unsure of the popularity something like the traditional Roman Oliva might be right up your alley. Said the same as Olivia but spelled a bit different. It's is a late Roman name meaning olive, and was the name of a 2nd century saint from Brescia. Modern Olivia was derived from this name (as well as being the feminine variant form of Oliver).

Either way, this name is truly a classic that will age well and sound mature and professional on an adult.

All comments welcome, and happy naming!

J. Kristen