Create-A-Family Name Game

I love playing Name Games and making up families and name combos. The Create-A-Family name game below is one that I made recently. 

To Play: Choose one of the name combinations (first & middle name sets separated by commas) for each family member below. On any of the combos you may switch the first and middle name in you think that sounds better.

Key:
LN = last name
DH = dear husband
DW = dear wife
DS = dear son
DD = dear daughter
DD/DD and DS/DS = twins

Game:
LNs: Zimmerman, Powers, Harrington, Armstrong, Dawson, Hale, Coleman, Fletcher, Hodges, Sutton, Fitzgerald, Mclaughlin, Mccarthy

DH: Jimmy Dale, Leonard Rodney, Frank Clifton, Andre Parsons, Gregg Mcguire
DW: Ruby Eula, Luna Tara, Sheri Angelina, Rachael Margarita, Rita Irma

DS: Emilio Joseph, Evan Griffin, Van Obrien, Luke Ruben, Gilberto Henry
DD: Jan Camille, Desiree Bernice, Elsie Henrietta, Elisa Jeannie, Donna Janis
DS/DS: Antonio Hugh, Hamilton Lamar, Edwin Shaw, Jensen Terrence, Patton Bradley / Kenneth Terry, Oscar Cecil, Elliott Myron, Frazier Clyde, Brendan Ross
DD: Sophie Ellis, Annie Rosemarie, Misty Rochelle, Marlene Jo, Sadie Rosa
DD: Teresa Quinn, Marian Lola, Lillie Mona, Maureen Norma, Carrie Danielle
DS: Louis Francis, Griffith Leslie, Jackson Timothy, Alan Burns, Robert Bailey
DD: Meghan Rosie, Raquel Antoinette, Pauline Elsa, Hannah Blair, Estelle Cynthia
DS: Alvin Hawkins, Corey Parker, Lee Randall, David Nichols, Robin Doyle
DD: Charlene Padilla, Bobbie Wanda, Lynda Jane, Lynette Essie, Jasmine Darla
DS: Vernon Harvey, Erik Rufus, Bryant Reid, Neil Randolph, Howard Tomas
DS: Geoffrey Lewis, Drew Stewart, Phillip Glenn, Justin Hunter, Stanley Gustave
DD/DD: Madeline Della, Alice Myra, Lydia Maggie, Allison Patty, Parker Victoria / Nina Dolores, Tasha Hope, Rhonda Gail, Annette Iris, Renee Frances


My Family Example:
LN: Mclaughlin
DH: Frank Clifton Mclaughlin
DW: Ruby Eula (nee Fitzgerald) Mclaughlin
DS: Evan Griffin Mclaughlin
DD: Desiree Bernice Mclaughlin
DS/DS: Jensen Terrence Mclaughlin / Elliott Myron Mclaughlin
DD: Sadie Rosa Mclaughlin
DD: Marian Lola Mclaughlin
DS: Timothy Jackson Mclaughlin
DD: Hannah Blair Mclaughlin
DS: David Nichols Mclaughlin
DD: Lynette Essie Mclaughlin
DS: Bryant Reid Mclaughlin
DS: Justin Hunter Mclaughlin
DD/DD: Lydia Maggie Mclaughlin / Tasha Hope Mclaughlin


Frank & Ruby Mclaughlin
Evan, Desiree, Jensen, Elliott, Sadie, Marian, Timothy, Hannah, David, Lynette, Bryant, Justin, Lydia and Tasha



Have fun! I look forward to seeing your family! :)

Names I've Been Liking - Spring

Wow! It's been quite a while since I posted here! My interest in names is always there but sometimes I take a break from talking about them. I usually always play name games at Behind the Name which often brings up names that become new favorites.

Below are some names that I've been liking more lately or just been thinking about recently.

Boys Names:
-- Alan / Allan - Sometimes I like the sound and sometimes I don't but I've been liking more and more recently. Since watching the Robin Hood TV series my favorite character is Allan A Dale so I like that spelling best.

-- Benjamin "Ben" - I grew up with several Bens so the name was fairly common sounding to me but recently I've liked it a bit more and sort of added it to my list of "would use if I couldn't use my favorites" or "would use if my spouse liked it". The name has a wholesome sound to it that I like.

-- Declan - I've heard this used more recently in films and I'm really starting to like it. It's Irish and cute, I'm only worried that it sounds a bit stuck up. What do you think?

-- Edgar & Edwin - Because I love Edmund I'm starting to like other Ed- names with the nickname "Ned". I like both of these a lot more than the very popular Edward but still a lot less than my favorite Edmund. I dislike "Eddie" as a nickname but am starting to like "Ned" and "Ted".

-- Elliott - I love the double TT ending on boys names like Emmett and Garrett so even though this name is a bit more popular it's definitely on my extended favorites list.

-- Fiachra - pronounced FEE-akh-ra, it's an Irish Gaelic name that means "raven". I've considered it from time to time and I rather like it mostly because it's Gaelic but it is a bit tricky to pronounce. I like the look of it though.

-- Guy - Watching Robin Hood has put this name in my mind too. I've only ever met one Guy and he was a nice guy (hehe). I don't think I'd ever use it but I like it a bit more now.

-- Lennox - I like this as a surname but I'm also starting to like this as a boys first name. To me it has definite Scottish connections but also a bit posh British. I've also seen it as a girls name which is okay but not a favorite.

-- Philip - This is another more common name that has started to grow on me. I don't mind it now and even like the nickname "Phil" a bit, but "Pip" would be even better!

-- Piers - I've seen this a few times recently on TV personalities and I rather like it. Pierce and Pearce are favorites so I'm liking Piers too.

-- Solomon "Sol" - This I like because it's a family name and a Biblical name but recently I've liked the sound of "Sol" so it's held more interest recently. I don't really like Saul though.

-- Tiernan - This another name I heard on Robin Hood and it reminded me how interesting it is. I love Ciaran, Kieran and Kiernan so Tiernan isn't too far of a stretch. It's been added to my extended list of favorites but is creeping it's way into my top 20. :)

Girls Names:
-- Amelia "Amy" - I've heard of Amy being used as a nickname for Amelia but recently I've seen it used twice, once on my friend and again for Amy Pond in the newer Doctor Who series. I've really been starting to love this combination! I adore Amy as a first name so I'm not sure I'd want it to be just a nickname but I'm having a fun time considering it because I like Amelia and it's kind of sad that I wouldn't be able to use it too if I used Amy. I sort of like the idea of naming two daughters Amelia "Amy" and Eleanor "Lena". What do you think of that?

-- Breezy - I've seen this recently and thought it was lovely that parents would give their daughter such a sweet name.

-- Camille - Usually I find Camille and Camilla very stuck up but recently I've found Camille to be a very beautiful name! I like the nickname "Cammie" too.

-- Elaine - The lady I would for is named this and I've seen it on a little girl before too so I'm liking it a lot more recently. Ellie or Ella would make nice nickname. Does it sound too old to you?

-- Hester - I like the name Esther but the H in Hester has always seemed a bit harsh but recently I've been liking it a lot more. I like the nickname "Hes" too which is a bit odd for me.

-- Kindred - I heard this used recently on Behind the Name and immediately liked it. I love Virtue names and this one is quite similar. I've never met anyone named Kindred but I'm still liking it. What do you think?

-- Laura - Because my name is Laurie I've never really wanted to name a girl after myself so I haven't liked similar names such as Lauren, Laurel, Lori or Laura. But I do love Laurence for a boy because it's my grandfather's name and recently I've been liking Laura a lot more for a girl. I find it to have a lovely old-fashioned sound which I love and the connections to Laura Ingalls Wilder doesn't hurt. Laura has moved to my extended list of favorites and is definitely one I'd consider using now.

-- Loveday - I watched The Secret of Moonacre recently and rather liked this name. It's a bit strange if you think about it literary "love" and "day" but when put together it has a lovely sound. Do you think it's too strange?

-- Martha - This name has always sounded boring to me but after watching Doctor Who recently I started liking the name more. There's also Marty from the Love Comes Softly series and her full name was Martha. I don't really like the nickname "Marty" very much but "Mari" which be nice or "Mattie".

-- Melody - I have a dear friend with this name and I've really been liking it a lot lately. So pretty!

-- Rhiannon - This Welsh name has actually always stumped me with the pronunciation because I've never seen or heard of anyone with the name before. Recently I watched a film set in Wales and the heroine had this  name and it was nice to actually hear how they pronounced it: REE-awn-uhn. I can pronounce it every time now and I this it's beautiful!

-- Rosa - The heroine of Charles Dickens' The Mystery of Edwin Drood is named Rosa Bud and since finding out more about the story I've been liking the name Rosa a lot more now. I think it's very pretty!

-- Rose - I've always liked this but it's so popular as a middle name that I've steered clear of putting it on my favorites list. But watching Doctor Who made Rose a good candidate for a first name to add to my extended favorites list. Right now I can't decide whether I like it better or less than Rosa but I do like the nickname "Rosie" for both of them.

-- Ruth - I love this because it's Biblical and my mom's step-grandma has this name so it would honor her. Usually I prefer it as a middle name but recently I've started liking it more as a first name. Too plain?

-- Temperance - In the detective show I've been watching recently the main character is named Temperance and I was reminded how much I like it, especially with nickname "Tempy"! Since it's not used as much as a word lately I'm starting to think it's more usable. What to you think?


Do you like any of these? 
Which would you consider using for a son or daughter?


What names have you been liking lately?

Two Names: Elliette & Oliver

Elliette
A friend of my parents sent them a Christmas card and I was quite interested to see that their daughter is named Elliette. I've never seen the name before but think it looks lovely! My guess is that it would be pronounced similar to Elliott only with the "ette" sound at the end.

What do you think of the name? Pretty or too masculine?
Is it too similar to Elliott?
Have you heard the name before?
What do you think of the names Joshua, Jacob and Elliette for siblings?

What middle names would you pair with it? I rather like Elliette Ruby, Elliette Marie or Elliette Margot (I like the M name and the French sound).

Oliver
Also, a friend recently had a baby boy and named him Oliver. Through most of the pregnancy she called him "Ollie" so I'd assume that's what he's going to be called most of the time. I've always rather liked the name but it does sound stuck up to me.

What do you think? Pretentious sounding or handsome?

My Alphabet Favorites - December 2011

At this end of the year I'll just take a few minutes to review some of my favorite names by playing the alphabet favorites game that I've always enjoyed since I was a girl.

I'd love if all of you would play along and post some of your favorites by alphabet too!

Girls:
A - Amy, Adelaide, Amelia, Anna, Anneliese, Arabella, Aurelia
B - Beatrice, Beatrix
C - Clara, Catherine, Cora, Cassandra
D - Dorothy, Dorothea, Delyth
E - Eleanor, Emma, Ella, Evangeline, Evelyn, Emmeline, Eloise
F - Felicity, Frances, Florence
G - Grace, Gretchen
H - Hope, Helena
I - Irene, Isabella, Isolde
J - Julia, Juliet, Jane, Jocelyn, Juliana, Jeanette
K - Kathryn, Karis
L - Lena, Lydia, Leah, Laura,
M - Mary, Margot, Margaret, Marjorie
N - Niamh, Niobe, Naomi, Nora
O - Olivia, Opal
P - Phoebe, Priscilla, Phyllis
Q - Quinn
R - Rosalie, Rosemary, Ruby
S - Sadie, Sally, Sophia, Susannah
T - Tabitha, Tamara, Tessa
U - Unity, Ursula
V - Violet, Victoria, Vanessa, Verity
W - Willa, Winifred, Wilhelmina
X - Xandra
Y - Yelena, Yvonne
Z - Zoe, Zinnia

Current Top 10 Girls Names: Lena, Amy, Sadie, Eleanor, Clara, Lydia, Emma, Jane, Phoebe, Julia

Boys:

A - Aidan, Alexander, Alec, Alistair, Abel, Asa
B - Brody, Benjamin, Bryce, Bartholomew
C - Callum, Colin, Ciaran, Crispin, Caspian
D - David, Dermot, Declan, Duncan
E - Edmund, Emmett, Ezekiel, Ezra, Ewan, Eamon
F - Finbar, Frederick, Francis "Frank", Fletcher, Finley, Fabian
G - Garrett, Gilbert, Gideon, Gethin
H - Henry, Hugh, Hugo, Harry, Humphrey
I - Ian, Iain, Isaiah, Israel
J - Jack, Jonathan, Jasper, Jubal
K - Kenneth, Kieran, Keegan
L - Laurence, Liam, Luke, Lucius, Levi
M - Matthias, Matthew, Miles, Michael, Maxwell
N - Nathaniel, Nathan, Noah, Noble
O - Owen, Oliver
P - Patrick, Philip, Peter, Pearce
Q - Quinlan, Quincy
R - Roderick, Rhys, Robert
S - Simon, Silas, Sebastian
T - Titus, Theodore, Thomas, Tristan
U - Uriah, Uilliam
V - Vaughn, Vance, Victor
W - Welcome, William, Walter, Willoughby
X - Xander, Xavier
Y - Yoan, Yosef
Z - Zachariah, Zacharias, Zebulon

Current Top 10 Boys Names: Edmund, Simon, Nathaniel, Henry, Colin, Ciaran, Emmett, Aidan, Ian, Jack


Can you think of a favorite name for each letter of the alphabet?
Are any of my favorites your favorites too?

What Would You Name Your Child? - Letter D

Fluffy Cuteness!

The votes for letter C so far are:
Catherine with 4 votes
Caleb with 5 votes

Also the votes for the surname polls are at present:
Hamilton & Sullivan both with 4 votes

The question is: Which of these names starting with the Letter D would you actually consider naming your son or daughter?

Polls: Happy voting!

Letter D - What would you name your daughter?
	Daisy
	Danielle
	Dorothy
	Delaney
	Destiny
	Dagmar
	Desiree
	Danika
pollcode.com free polls

Letter D - What would you name your son?
	Daniel
	David
	Dylan
	Declan
	Douglas
	Donovan
	Demetrius
	Dustin
pollcode.com free polls

Questions:
-Which name did you choose in each poll?
-Why did you choose those names? (e.i. do you like it best? does it honor someone?)
-Are there any other names starting with D that you'd be more likely to use for a real child?

Isn't this photo adorable? I love her hair! 

If you're a young lady like me you probably occasionally dream about what last name your future husband will have and whether it will fit nicely with your first name. Here are some random surnames (with a few Jane Austen surnames stuck in), vote for which ones fit best with your first name.

Thanks to Melody who suggested this post! I'll probably do similar posts with surnames in future because it's a fun idea! :)

Which of these surnames goes best with your first name?
	Blaine
	Breckenridge
	Campbell
	Corrigan
	Darcy
	Devlin
	Elliot
	Fabre
	Gilbert
	Hamilton
	Kelly
	Knightley
	Linton
	Macfarland
	Marsden
	McCallum
	McNeil
	Morland
	Pettigrew
	Roydon
	Steele
	Sullivan
	Tilney
	Tolbert
	Wentworth
	Wickham
	Willoughby
pollcode.com free polls

Which surnames did you choose and why?

Do you have any favorite surnames maybe from history, literature or your family tree?

What Would You Name Your Child? - Letter C

The votes for letter C so far are:
Bridget with 4 votes
Benjamin with 7 votes

The question is: Which of these names starting with the Letter C would you actually consider naming your son or daughter?

I had to put more voting options this time because I love C names!

Polls: Happy voting!

Letter C - What would you name your daughter?
	Caitlin
	Claire
	Catherine
	Courtney
	Chloe
	Christina
	Constance
	Charity
pollcode.com free polls

Letter C - What would you name your son?
	Caleb
	Colin
	Charles
	Cameron
	Christopher
	Connor
	Craig
	Corbin
pollcode.com free polls

Questions:
-Which name did you choose in each poll?
-Why did you choose those names? (e.i. do you like it best? does it honor someone?)
-Are there any other names starting with A that you'd be more likely to use for a real child?

What Would You Name Your Child? - Letter B

This Looks exactly like my cat Gunther when he was a kitten

The votes for letter A so far are:
Amelia with 5 votes
Andrew with 4 votes


The question is: Which of these names starting with the Letter B would you actually consider naming your son or daughter?


Polls: Happy voting!

Letter B - What would you name your daughter?
	Bailey
	Beatrice
	Bethany
	Bianca
	Bridget
	Brooke
pollcode.com free polls

Letter B - What would you name your son?
	Benjamin
	Bartholomew
	Braden
	Bradley
	Brody
	Bryce
pollcode.com free polls

Questions:
-Which name did you choose in each poll?
-Why did you choose those names? (e.i. do you like it best? does it honor someone?)
-Are there any other names starting with A that you'd be more likely to use for a real child?

What Would You Name Your Child? - Letter A

I wanted to try something different so I'm putting two polls in this post for you to vote in and comment on. I'll hopefully be working my way through the alphabet so be on the lookout for more posts like this!

The question is: Which of these names starting with the Letter A would you actually consider naming your son or daughter?

Polls: Happy voting!

Letter A - What would you name your daughter?
	Abigail
	Ava
	Adelaide
	Amelia
	Ashlyn
	Aurora
pollcode.com free polls

Letter A - What would you name your son?
	Andrew
	Alexander
	Aidan
	Anthony
	Arthur
	Addison
pollcode.com free polls

Questions:
-Which name did you choose in each poll?
-Why did you choose those names? (e.i. do you like it best? does it honor someone?)
-Are there any other names starting with A that you'd be more likely to use for a real child?

Your Resident Name Enthusiast,
Miss Laurie :)

This or That Game - English Nicknames

With all my posts about English nicknames I decided it would be lovely to give my readers a chance to talk about which nicknames you like best for each name. 

I chose the names that had the most nickname options. Copy the lists and tell me which nickname you like best for each (if you like more than one that's okay too). I'll try and post my favorites too.  

Girls Nicknames

• Anne - Annie, Nan, Nannie or Nancy?
• Barbara - Babs, Barbie or Bobbi?
• Brigid - Biddy or Birdie?
• Caroline - Caro or Carrie?
• Catherine - Cat, Cathy, Kate, Kathy, Katie, Kit or Kitty?
• Charlotte - Charley or Lottie?
• Dolores - Dolly or Lola?
• Dorothy - Dodie, Dodo, Dolly, Dorie, Dot or Dottie?
• Eleanor - Ella, Ellie, Lena or Nora?
• Elizabeth - Bess, Beth, Betsy, Betty, Eliza, Leeza, Libby, Liz, Liza, Lizzie or Tibby?
• Ellen - Nell, Nellie or Ellie?
• Esther - Essie or Ettie?
• Felicity - Fliss or Lissie?
• Florence - Flo, Flora, Florrie or Flossie?
• Frances - Fanny, Frankie or Frannie?
• Georgina - Georgie or Gina?
• Henrietta - Etta, Hettie or Hetty?
• Isabella - Bella, Belle, Izzy, Nib or Nibbie?
• Jane - Janie, Janet or Jenny?
• Josephine - Jo, Jodie, Josie or Posy?
• Julia - Jewel, Julie or Juley?
• Margaret - Daisy Maggie, Margery, Meg, Meggie, Peg or Peggy?
• Maria - Mari, Marie or Mary?
• Mary - Maidie, Maisie, May, Minnie, Molly or Polly?
• Matilda - Maud, Mattie, Matty, Tilda or Tilly?
• Philippa - Phil, Pip, Pippa or Pippi?
• Sarah - Sadie, Sally or Saro?
• Sophia - Sophie, Sophy
• Susan - Sue, Sukey, Sukie or Susie?
• Teresa - Tess, Tessa, Tessie or Terry?

Boys Nicknames

• Albert - Al, Bert or Bertie?
• Alexander - Alec, Alex, Lex or Xander?
• Andrew - Andy, Dandy or Drew?
• Charles - Charlie, Chaz, Chip or Chuck?
• Christopher - Chris, Christie or Kit?
• David - Dakin, Dave, Davey or Dawkin?
• Edward - Ed, Eddie, Ned, Ted or Ward?
• Francis - Francie, Frank, Frankie or Frankin?
• Frederick - Fred, Freddy or Fritz?
• Geoffrey - Geffrin, Jeff or Jepp?
• Gilbert - Gib, Gibbin, Gibby or Gil?
• Harold - Hal or Harry?
• Henry - Hal, Hank, Hankin, Harry or Hawkin?
• James - Jaime, Jake, Jem, Jim or Jimmy?
• John - Jack, Jankin, Jenkin, Jock, Johncock or Johnny?
• Joseph - Joe, Joey or Josey?
• Laurence - Larkin, Larry or Laurie?
• Michael - Mick, Mickey, Mike or Mikey?
• Nicholas - Cole, Nick or Nicky?
• Oliver - Noll or Ollie?
• Philip - Phil, Philkin, Pip or Pippin?
• Richard - Dick, Dickin, Hick, Rich or Rick?
• Robert - Bob, Bobby, Dob, Hob, Hobkin, Nob, Rabbie, Rob, Robin, Robbie or Robby?
• Roger - Dodge, Hodge, Nodge or Rodge?
• Simon - Sy, Sim or Simkin?
• Theodore - Dorie, Ned, Ted, Teddy or Theo?
• Walter - Wally, Walt or Watkin?
• William - Bill, Billy, Liam, Wilk, Wilkin, Will, Willie, Wills or Willy?

Which nicknames do you like and why? 
Are there any of these names that you think don't need a nickname? or names that definitely need a nickname?

Your Resident Name Enthusiast,
Miss Laurie :)