Baby Name of the Day- Ryan

Today's baby name is Ryan.

RYAN
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: RIE-in

From and Irish surname which was derived from O Riain meaning "decendent of Rian". The given name Rian probably means "little king" (from the Irish ri "king" combined with a demunitive suffix).

Ryan first appears on the Social Security List at number 844 in 1906. Ryan then falls off the list from 1907 to 1945. In 1946 Ryan appears again at the number 811 spot, and quickly jumps to the number 692 spot the following year in 1947. Ryan steadily increases in popularity until 1971 when it makes it to the top 100 names at the number 51 spot. By the 1980s Ryan made a comfortable home within the top 20, but never managed to make it to the top 10. The closest Ryan came to the top ten was in 1986 at the number 11 spot. Ryan held the number 11 spot twice more in 1990 and 1991. Though Ryan has declinded very slightly over the last 10 yrs, it has still remained pretty solidly in the top 20.

I personally love the name Ryan. It's a staple classic name. Masculine, simple and strong. I think Ryan has mantained it's appeal over the years because it's look and sound seem to follow modern trends. This name is easily paired with first/middle combos that flatter the charming nature of Ryan. I can picture a smart, senstive, bright eyed little boy with light brown hair as well as an atheltic, tall, and masculine blonde looking boy with a witty smile. The versitility of this name is what makes it appealing. Ryan is a name that encompasses any child's features, skin tone, height, or hair color. It's also a name that is well adapted to many races of children. One cannot say this is a 'clearly' caucasian name as I can see very easily this name used on any number of baby boys from many different races.

For public opinion on the name Ryan as a first and a middle name- see the link provided below to read the answers on the question I asked about the name on Yahoo!Answers-
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnIrSqmdx_VTqRNZQK.fQUTsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100424142040AAARH0F

First/Middle name suggestions for Ryan:

Ryan James
Ryan Blaine
Ryan Thomas
Ryan Keaton
Ryan Wesley
Ryan Parker
Ryan Everett

Joseph Ryan
Matthew Ryan
David Ryan
Bennett Ryan
Weston Ryan
Liam Ryan
Casey Ryan

Alternative name suggestions for Ryan might be something like:

Rylan
Ryker
Ryland
Riley (some spell it Rylie- i dont care for it)
Riddley
Ricky
Rian
Raymond
Rayner
Rayin

Of the first/middle suggestions I really like Ryan Blaine and Ryan Thomas. Both have a classic feel to them since the middle names are timeless masculine names. I really like Joseph Ryan and Liam Ryan of the first name suggestions. They are a bit different in sound and not so popular. I find them refreshing.

Of the Alternatives I really like Rylan, Riddley, and Raymond. Each have a new modern feel to them with out being ridiculously mispelled or made up.

Overall I think Ryan is a nice, traditional, classic, masculine name that will be around for a very long time to come. Ryan just might break through to the top 10 before too much longer. I honestly can say I wouldn't mind that one bit.

J. Kristen

Name of the Day- Cordelia

Today's name is Cordelia.

CORDELIA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English
Pronounced: kawr-DEL-ee-ə, kawr-DEL-yə [key]
From Cordeilla, possibly a Celtic name of unknown meaning. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Cordeilla was the youngest of the three daughters of King Lear and the only one to remain loyal to her father. When adapting the character for his play 'King Lear' (1606), Shakespeare altered the spelling to Cordelia.

The name Cordelia first appears on the Social Security List at the number 204 spot for 1880. Cordelia slowly lost popularity throughout the 1880's and 1890's. Peeking at the number 368 spot in 1899. During the 1900s Cordelia continued to lose popularity and by 1920 it was at the number 661 spot. Cordelia continued to on the low end of the top 1000, and even fell off the list in 1947 and 1949. The last time that Cordelia appeared on the top 1000 list was in 1950 at the number 987 spot. After 1950 Cordelia fell off the top 1000 list and has yet to return.

As far as Shakespearean inspired spellings goes Cordelia is one of my favorites. The sound of this name is very feminine to me and well suited for a child and adult. I see this name as elegant and refined. It has a very timeless classic feel to it that I truly love. One cannot deny that Shakespeare had a good eye for lovely feminine names. Cordelia is a name that I have secretly loved for many years. I say secretly because only until recently did this name start to gain attention among baby namers with a taste for older classic names that started to hit the mainstream name lovers. The femininity of this name I think is what has brought it more to the forefront in the last couple of years.
Of course, one could argue that the successful "Buffy the Vampires Slayer" (created in 1997) & "Angel" (created in 1999) television series' brought more attention to the name Cordelia, due to one of the leading characters on the show, who was nicknamed Cordie.

Cordelia has a "Regency" & "Victorian" feel to it. A time in which Shakespearean plays were very popular entertainment. I can very much see a young woman dressed in a high waisted Regency gown dancing a longways Country Dance, partners lined up in pairs...dancing and weaving between each other in a formation of parallel lines, and her name Cordelia. Very Jane Austen-esque.
I think Cordelia is a lovely name for a child, and I find that it would age beautifully on a young woman into adulthood.
I also love the nickname possibilities of the name Cordelia. Corey, Cordie, Delia, Della, Rorrie, and Lia (said Leah).

For public opinion on the name Cordelia as a first name and as a middle name see the link to the question I asked about it on Yahoo!Answers-
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhFwFqtXlkn09BKl3Sr2Xtvsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100325092052AAUtRmc

First/Middle name suggestions that I find go well with Cordelia:

Cordelia Fleur
Cordelia Meredith
Cordelia Simone
Cordelia Rosalind
Cordelia Juliet
Cordelia Selene
Cordelia Esther

Paige Cordelia
Emily Cordelia
Naomi Cordelia
Madeleine Cordelia
Adeline Cordelia
Emmeline Cordelia
Grace Cordelia

Alternatives for Cordelia would be something like these:
Cora
Coral
Coralie
Coraline
Corentine
Coretta
Corissa
Cosette
Courtney

I really like Coralie, Coretta, and Cosette. They all have that same elegant and regal feel to them. They sound like they very well could be Shakespearean. Paired with the right middle name or used as a middle and paired with an equally feminine first name I think you would have a unique and beautiful name for your daughter.

Overall I think Cordelia could use a boost in it's popularity. It's sweet feminine sound and lovely alternates are really a diamond in the rough type name. I hope that more people start to look towards using old classics and giving them new life, instead of all these hideous made up trendy names. Being unique doesn't have to be ugly.

J. Kristen

Name of the Day Poll Winner- Mia

Today's name is the winner of the best name listed poll- Mia.

MIA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Scandinavian, Dutch, German, English
Pronounced: MEE-ah (Scandinavian, Dutch, German), MEE-ə (English) [key]
Scandinavian, Dutch and German diminutive of MARIA

The Social Security List, lists the name Mia at number 14 for 2008. Mia first appeared on the SS list in 1964 at the number 569 spot. This was probably due to the famous Actress and Model, Mia Farrow who was very popular in the 60s. The name Mia stayed within the upper 400s to mid 300s until the year 1996 when it was at the number 180 spot. Mia made it to the top 100 in 2000 at the number 93 spot and has steadily gained popularity every since.


I personally find the name Mia lovely. It's simple yet elgant sounding. It has a timeless modern feel that makes this name sound fresh and new no matter what generation you're considering. It's a very feminine name and has a sparkle of femininity that I see in only the rare few names these days. It's a name that I don't think I would get tired of, even though it has reached the top 20.

First/Middles for Mia I find are great from any category of style. Be they trendy, modern, elegant, old world or traditional, Mia pairs beautifully with all these styles.
I personally would go for a 2 to 4 syllable pairing since Mia is a 1 syllable name and therefore very short. Something like Mia Lynn or Joy Mia may not sound as round and full as you would like. Unless perhaps you have a very long surname, then a 1-2 syllable first/middle paired with Mia might be better.
For public opinion on the name Mia as a first name and as a middle name see the link to the question I asked about it on Yahoo!Answers-
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100303131953AAEwDMI

First/Middle suggestions that I think go well:

Mia Claire
Mia Alexandra
Mia Shannon
Mia Kylie
Mia Charlotte

Catherine Mia
Evangeline Mia
Caitlin Mia
Natalie Mia
Delaney Mia

Alternatives for Mia are many, and most of them are very pretty as well. Some alternatives might be:

May
Maya
Mila
Mina
Myla
Mya
Myra
Amya

Of the alternatives I think Mila, Myra and Amya have great potential. All have the same femininty that Mia does. All are very fresh sounding and yet simple and elegant.

Overall I think Mia deserved to win the best name listed poll because it truly is a lovely name. It will be cute on a baby, lovely on a young woman and sound very grown up on an an adult. It has character and sparkle.

J. Kristen

Baby Name of the Day- Jolie

Today's baby name is Jolie.

JOLIE
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Various
Pronounced: JO-lee (English), zho-LEE (French) [key]
Means "pretty" in French. This name was popularized by American actress Angelina Jolie (1975-), whose surname was originally her middle name. It is not used as a given name in France.

The name Jolie first appears on the Social Security list in the year 1968 at the number 886 spot. Jolie then bounced around between the 900-700 range until 1974 when it was at the number 884 spot, then dropped completely off from the years 1975-1999. In 2000 Jolie made an appearance at the number 821 spot, most likely spurred to life from the Movie Girl Interrupted (1999), due to the Oscar winning Actress from the movie Angelina Jolie. Jolie has gained popularity in the last 10 yrs reaching the number 564 spot in 2008.

I personally like this name a lot. There are the two ways to pronounce it, JO-lee and zho-LEE. Most modern parents who choose this name do so because of the French pronunciation associated with Angelina Jolie. I happen to prefer it as JO-lee (sounds like the names Joe Lee said fast). I have a friend with this name, and said that way. So for me it's a different association that follows this name.
I think this name is very feminine and sweet. It's a great "small town" type name. I see comfortable afternoons spent on a screened in porch while drinking ice tea. I see sunny days strolling through an open meadow...it's a very earthy, comfortable name to me.

Jolie would be a lovely name for a girl with big bright eyes and a winning smile. I think pairing this name needs to be careful, as a name that is too basic or simple as a middle might make it sound more 'country' than light and airy. Something like Mae, June, Louise, or Faye would not work here. I think a middle name would be best elegant, refined and sophisticated. Perhaps one that you might find a bit stuffy and overdone would be softened paired with Jolie. Something like Margaret, Constance, Henrietta, or Adele. Or something a bit whimsical could make this name a true home run with a very playful edge, such as Willow, Brenna, Gemma or Poppy.

The name works well from childhood to adulthood. For public opinion on the name Jolie as a first name and as a middle name see the link to the question I asked about it on Yahoo!Answers-
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100301180418AAnUsu7


First/Middle name suggestions for Jolie (other than the ones listed already)

Jolie Matilda
Jolie Ruth
Jolie Adelaide
Jolie Patrice
Jolie Morgan
Jolie Esme
Jolie Violette

Caroline Jolie
Claudette Jolie
Evelyn Jolie
Michaela Jolie
Brianna Jolie
Charlotte Jolie
Ella Jolie
Serafina Jolie

I think for a very classic sounding, feminine and strong name Caroline Jolie and Jolie Violette (said the French way), sounds very lovely. I think any of the suggestions or alternatives close to them would make for a very well rounded and unique name. Uniqueness of name does not always have to be abrasive misspellings or made up words. There are so many beautiful underused names that can be paired to make a one-of-a-kind name!

Alternatives for the name Jolie are many. I enjoyed looking for alternatives for this name as Jo- names are very musical sounding to me and they make me smile. I think these alternatives are wonderful and should be considered before trying to be "yoo-neekly cre8tiv" with spellings or sounds.

Joyce
Joy
Joella
Joelle
Jolene
Jolisa (jo-liss-uh)
Joni (jo-nee)
Josette

Of the suggestions listed I find the names Joella/Joelle, Jolene, Joni and Josette to be very rare, feminine, creative, and lovely sounding alternatives. I think Joella would be my favorite here. It's very similar to the other -ella- names that are in fashion, but has a wonderful unique flare to it, that is not "trendy" but classic. It's mildly modern sounding and yet retains a wonderful exotic feel.

Overall I think the name Jolie is a wonderful youthful name. If paired with a good well-rounded middle or first it has great potential to become an unforgettable name. It's one that I can see lasting into adulthood quite nicely, yet sweet and airy enough to be playful and fun. A great name.

J. Kristen

(I would like to give a special thanks to my girls Hannah and Cassie for helping me with the middle/first name suggestions for this blog.)

Oh where, oh where has my blog time gone?!

I'm sorry! I know I am very behind. Things have been busy at my house. My husband is getting ready to deploy overseas, so we've been quite busy.

Hoping to Baby Name Blog soon!!

J. Kristen

Baby Name of the Day- Poll Winner: Brody

Today's baby name is Brody.
Brody was the poll winner- Which name is best?

Brody won with a total of 7 votes for 30% of the vote.

BRODY
Gender: Masculine
Usage: Irish, English
Pronounced: BRO-dee [key]
From a surname which was originally derived from a place name meaning "ditch" in Gaelic.

Brody is the number 70 name for the year 2008 on the US's SS list. Brody first appears on the SS list in 1976 at the number 980 spot. Brody stayed pretty low on the list during the late 70s and early 80s, and was even absent from the list in the years: 1977-78, and again in 1982-83. Brody didn't make it to the top 100 until 2008, sufing pretty low from number 612 in 1992 till 2007 when it made the number 105 spot. Brody's jump was significant within the last five years.

I personally think that Brody is a very nice masculine name. It's modern and yet familar. Brody has a certain appeal to it that has the same feel to it as Logan, Nolan, Wesley, and Owen. A bit spunky, a bit laid back and "down home". It's certainly reminds me of being a bit Southern in feel as well. There is a style to Brody that is very flexable and versitle. I can imagine this name on an infant as well as a toddler, a tween, teen and adult...and even a little old man. It's a wonderfully full sounding name, yet retains a kind of nickname-ish feel to it that's not too formal.

Brody is a great laid back name for someone looking to completement their easy-going out look on life. It's a very Earthy name as well to me. It's not too "hippie" yet not so preppy you picture the little tyke wearing baby Ralph Lauren.
I can definately see Brody gaining in popularity even further over the next 3-5 yrs, and I'm not sure if I like that idea at all! There are some names that are unique and wonderfully origional and you never want to see them become cliche. I do feel Brody will be one of these flash in the pan names for some namers. For true lovers of this name however, it will be treasured for the brilliant handsome name that it is, and will see it's potential as a true classic name, and not a fad.

Middles/First for Brody are so easy to find, pair and love that it's impossible to list all the name I find fantastic with Brody. I will try to break them down into categories to make it much easier.

Classic Style:
Brody James
Brody Thomas
Brody Matthew
Brody Alexander

David Brody
Aaron Brody
Kevin Brody
Nathan Brody

European *upper class* Style:
Brody Charles
Brody Luca
Brody Alejandro
Brody Manuel

Edward Brody
Harrison Brody
Victor Brody
Leopold Brody

Trendy Style:
Brody Rylan
Brody Decker
Brody Peyton
Brody Jenner

Heath Brody
Carson Brody
Kai Brody
Trenton Brody

Predictable/Filler Style:
Brody Lee
Brody Scott
Brody Dean
Brody John

Michael Brody
Ethan Brody
Jacob Brody
Jared Brody
etc.

Some common alternatives for the name Brody might be something like these:
Brock
Broden
Broderick
Brogan
Bronson
Brooks
Bruce
Byron
Burton

I quite love the names Broden, Brogan, Bronson and Byron. I find them a bit modern feeling with a bit of the same Gaelic feel of Brody. Broden espcailly sounds like the more grown up version of Brody. Broden would make a wonderful proper name with Brody as a nickname. Brogan as well is a great name with a rich full masculine feel to it. I like Bronson and Byron because they sound very cultured and refined. A tiny bit more "country club" than the other names. For public opinion of the name Brody please view the question I've asked on Yahoo!Answers about it by following this link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091227164120AAzvMZj

Overall I find Brody to be a wonderfully delightful name. I do see the down side of this name though as it becomes steadily popular, thus perhaps it might lose it's sparkle. I still hold hard onto this name as one of the cutest names to hit the name scene since the Logan, Owen, Hunter, Mason 'phase'. Here's hoping it's just a fluke and it stays in the uppper 100s for years to come, making it a great choice and an uncommon (but fabulous) name to see.

J. Kristen

Baby Name of the Day- Noah

Today's name is Noah.

NOAH (1)
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, Biblical
Pronounced: NO-ə (English) [key]
Derived from the Hebrew name נוֹחַ (Noach) meaning "rest, comfort". In the Old Testament Noah was the builder of the ark which allowed him, his family, and animals of each species to survive the great Flood. After the Flood he received the sign of the rainbow as a covenant from God. As an English Christian name, Noah has been used since the Protestant Reformation, being common among the Puritans.

The Social Security List, lists Noah at the number 15 spot for 2008. Noah first appeared on the SS list at the number 130 spot in 1880, but fell into a decline in the years following. By 1893 Noah was at the number 205 spot. In the 1950's Noah was in the height of its disfavor in the 600's, but after 1968 Noah quickly went from the number 574 spot to the number 180 spot by 1981. Noah made it into the top 100 by 1995 at the number 100 spot and by 1996 jumped 50 spots up to the number 50 spot, the next (1997) at number 38. By 2000 Noah was the number 27 spot and by 2008 now rests nicely at the number 15 spot.

I personally predict Noah to gain in popularity for another year or two before settling into a top running place for a while. I do not particularly care for this name, simple due to the fact that it is very much over used. It's a new "fad" name...one that will fade out sooner than later. As one can tell from it's sporadic history, Noah has always been a bit faddish; jumping in favor for a couple years then dramatically falling out of favor.
I do find Noah extremely masculine and old world sounding. A traditional name, I think it suits many different cultures well. I can see this name in middle America as well as the UK and see it fitting each child carrying this name very well.

I do not like the more modern trend of some parents naming their daughters Noah and Noa. Any way you slice it, it looks extremely masculine and down right cruel to name a baby girl Noah/Noa. Nora/Norah is a perfectly wonderful feminine alternative and I do not see the need for the "fad" use of Noah/Noa on a girl. dropping H's doesn't make things feminine....Mica(h), Jona(h), Noa(h), etc. It's just odd; in my humble opinion, to do that to a little girl.
The accepted feminine alternative for Noah/Noa would be No'ah.

NO'AH
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Biblical Hebrew
Other Scripts: נוֹעָה (Ancient Hebrew)
Hebrew form of NOAH (2)

Derived from the Hebrew name נוֹעָה (No'ah) meaning "motion". In the Old Testament this was the name of a daughter of Zelophehad.

Still for me, Noah/Noa or No'ah on a girl is just tacky.

Middles/firsts for Noah are vast. Noah seems to fit with a wide variety of names from classic to trendy. Here are a few that I find pleasing to the ears and eyes:

Noah Blaine

Noah Thomas

Noah Wyatt

Noah Parker

Noah Sean

Noah Kevin

Noah Gavin

Noah Kyle

Marcus Noah

Bradley Noah

Austen Noah

James Noah

Oliver Noah

Brody Noah

Dylan Noah

William Noah

Justin Noah

Jonathan Noah

There are many possibilities for a first/middle name for Noah. Noah seems to be a well rounded name in sound to fit just about any name big or small (2 syllable to 4 syllable).

Alternatives for Noah might include the following:

Nolan

Noam

Norton

Norwood

Noel

Noble

Norman

Norris

I think Nolan, Noel, Noble and Norris would be fabulous alternatives to the super popular and on the rise, Noah. Nolan has a bit of a "good 'ol boy" feel to it, which I liken to baseball legend Nolan Ryan. Noel is a great masculine name (said no-wul). A fabulous pick for a December baby. Noble is a virtue name that truly speaks of masculinity to me...seldom do virtue names appear masculine but Noble (and Valor) do. I think Noble might be a cute middle as well. Norris is a great well rounded name in the family of "surname turned given name" category. Such a category I am fully open to and embrace even, considering such names as Connor, Brandon, Whitney and Lesley are also common surnames turned given names. Norris reminds me a bit of Harris which I find a bit lacking, preferring Harrison. Norris however has a nice round feel to it, nothing is lacking, nothing is flat. I can definitely picture a little boy with big brown eyes named Norris (nicknamed Norr- *said noor*). For public opinion on the name Noah, please visit the link to the question in Yahoo!Answers where I asked about the name:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091202111414AACdG2u

Overall I find Noah common, over used and a bit predictable. I do find Noah to be extremely masculine however and I'm not totally opposed to the name if it were to be used as a middle. I do not like the "masculine boy name stealing for girls trend name" crowd, and actually find it quite a bit more annoying that usual for this particular name. I tend to prefer the alternatives for Noah as a given name rather than Noah itself, but I can (and do) appreciate the masculinity and history behind this well used name.

J. Kristen