Baby Name- Ruby

Baby Name- Ruby.


RUBY
Gender: Feminine

Usage: English

Pronounced: ROO-bee [key]

Simply means "ruby" from the name of the precious stone (which ultimately derives from Latin ruber "red"), which is the birthstone of July. It came into use as a given name in the 19th century.

On the SS list Ruby first appears in 1880 at the number 149 spot. Ruby made the top 100 list in 1888 at the number 94 spot and made the top 50 in 1901 at the number 49 spot. Ruby's top ranking spot was at number 22 in 1911, then Ruby made a steady decline over the next two decades. In 1946 Ruby fell from the top 100 list at the number 105 spot. Ruby stayed w/in the top 500 names for the next several decades, and has recently had a boost in popularity. In 2009 Ruby sits at the number 108 spot, and I suspect that it will continue to rise in popularity.

Personally I have to be honest. I've had my ups and downs with this name. I used to really not care for Ruby, but have since come to like it quite a bit. I still think it's a 'go to' cutesy name, but it's one of the better ones. I think it will become a bit more popular over the next 2-4 years then fade out in popularity again, but will remain a steady name on the top 1000.

Middle/First name suggestions for Ruby might be:
Ruby Elise
Ruby Catherine
Ruby Charlotte
Ruby Estelle
Ruby Corinne
Ruby Paige

Madeleine Ruby
Evelyn Ruby
Vivienne Ruby
Claire Ruby
Alexandra Ruby
Caitlin Ruby
Sienna Ruby

Alternatives for the name Ruby might be something like:
Rue
Rowena
Rudy
Ruth
Rowanne

Of the alternatives I really love Ruth and Rowanne. Both would be a bit more rare than Ruby, but have the same stylish feel to them. For public opinion on the name Ruby please visit the question I've asked about it on Y!A

Overall I think Ruby is a very nice name, solid, feminine, and will be a popular favorite for many years to come.

J. Kristen

Baby Name of the Day Poll Winner- Ronan

Oh my! It's been a long time since I've done one of these. Do forgive me! It was a crazy summer filled with kids, vacations, and of course the homecoming of my husband who was overseas for 8 months. Now that things have settled down I think I will be doing several of these blogs today. I've been in a blog mood. :) First up, the Rare boy name poll winner (also please vote on the new poll- Rare Girls names).

Favorite Rare Boy Name Poll Winner- Ronan.

RÓNÁN
Gender: Masculine

Usage: Irish

Pronounced: RON-awn [key]

Means "little seal", derived from Irish rón "seal" combined with a diminutive suffix.

Ronan first appears on the Social Security's list in 2001 at the number 861 spot. Though this name is very old in Ireland it's quite a new and unique name to the US. Ronan has slowly, but steadily, moved it's way up the list in the last 8 yrs. As of 2009 (the latest list of names to be released by the SS offices), Ronan sits at the number 566 spot. I expect Ronan to gain popularity over time, as I've seen it being suggested more and more on baby name forums and blogs.

I personally find this name refreshing, new, inventive, yet with a solid foundation in history and tradition. I do have a heavy bias for Irish names, but Ronan truly is a nice name. It's strong, masculine, has substance, and will age well on a boy into adulthood. Pronounced as RON-awn overseas, the US pronunciation tends to be ROW-nan. Both are nice, but being American I do prefer the US pronunciation. I find Ronan to be very similar in sound and feel to Roman (another favorite of mine) and equally as rare and unique. Ronan is a unique name in the sense that it's not some tacky, trendy, cr8tvly spelled monstrosity that I've been witnessing lately.

I think that parents looking for a trendy or unique name could even appreciate the qualities that Ronan has to offer as a name for their sons. There is a very mature and "cool factor" to the sound. Having deep Irish roots this name has true substance and will not be another flash in the pan trend name. I believe, truly, that this name will hold up for years and years, and will continue to become more popular. I can only hope though that Ronan doesn't become the new Aidan (commonly spelled Aiden and Ayden, or even Aaden). Nothing would break my heart more than to have it become a trendy mess as the fabulous Aidan has become.

Ronan brings to mind a dark haired (or soft brown haired) little boy w/long dark lashes over beautiful hazel or deep brown eyes. I can see a very likable yet 'tough' boy w/this name. A really masculine boy, athletic, tough, spunky, and fun. This name will age brilliantly and I can imagine an adult man w/this name to be extremely handsome, brave, confident and almost mysteriously alluring.

Ronan has some great first/middle name possibilities. It's such a great well rounded name that anything you pair with it should only enhance it's handsomeness. I think many styles would suit this name, be them modern, traditional, unusual, or even bizarrely trendy (not that I'd like the last suggestion much). Some ideas for first/middles might be:

Ronan Wyatt

Ronan Paul

Ronan Thomas

Ronan Wesley

Ronan Tucker

Ronan Pierce

Ronan Jackson

Ronan Bennett

Ronan Scott

Ronan Keith

Everett Ronan

Elliott Ronan

Jacob Ronan

Anthony Ronan

Caleb Ronan

David Ronan

Blaine Ronan

Marcus Ronan

Silas Ronan

Lucas Ronan

Alternatives for Ronan are many. R boy names seem to be very strong in nature as a given. Some great alternatives are:

Roman
Robin
Ronald
Ronnie
Rollin
Rowan
Ruhan
Rudy

Of the alternatives listed I really love the sound of Roman, Ronald, Rowan, and Ruhan (which sort of reminds me of Cohen). For public opinion on the name Ronan, please visit the question I've asked about it on Y!A

Overall I think Ronan is a very masculine, very handsome name that is a rarity these days in the US. I think it will be a great addition to any baby name lovers list of favorites, or to expecting parents list of possible names for their little boy. It's masculine, handsome, strong and unique in a very good way.

J. Kristen