Girls Name: Margaret

Derived from Latin Margarita, which was from Greek μαργαριτης (margarites) meaning "pearl", probably ultimately a borrowing from Sanskrit मञ्यरी (manyari). Saint Margaret, the patron of expectant mothers, was martyred at Antioch in the 4th century. Later legends told of her escape from a dragon, with which she was often depicted in medieval art. The saint was popular during the Middle Ages, and her name has been widely used in the Christian world.

Other saints by this name include a queen of Scotland and a princess of Hungary. It was also borne by Queen Margaret I of Denmark, who united Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in the 14th century. Famous literary bearers include American writer Margaret Mitchell (1900-1949), the author of 'Gone with the Wind', and Canadian writer Margaret Atwood (1939-).

Margaret has been a very popular name, ranking in the top 10 from 1880-1939 in the USA. Today it ranks #169 in the USA and is still common in many countries. Most of the ladies I know named Margaret go by their full name (one is Maggie, another is Mags) and are in their 50s or 60s. 

I quite like the name Margaret, although I do like the French form Margot / Margaux, a bit better. I might consider using Margaret for a daughter, especially if it honored someone, but I like it as a middle name better. The heroine of one of the stories I'm writing is named Margaret Lesley, but her Scottish father calls her Peggy. I like the combos Margaret Ruth, Margaret Jean, Anna Margaret, Sadie Margaret and Helena Margaret.

What do you think of the name Margaret? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?  

Boys Name: Nathaniel

Variant of Nathanael, from the Hebrew name נְתַנְאֵל (Netan'el) meaning "God has given". In the New Testament this is the name of an apostle also known as Bartholomew. It has been regularly used in the English-speaking world since the Protestant Reformation. This has been the most popular spelling, even though the spelling Nathanael is found in most versions of the New Testament. The American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), author of 'The Scarlet Letter', was a famous bearer of this name. - quoted from Behind The Name

Nathaniel has been common for a long time but has become more popular in recent years. Today it ranks #89 in New Zealand, #94 in the USA and #129 in England and Wales. I've known a few guys named Nathaniel, one I grew up with and most are my age (25-30). Most I know do not go by a nickname or only go by Nate occasionally.

Nathaniel is on my family tree, the name of a great-grandfather (times about five) who was a Quaker and an interesting character. I really like the name and would consider using it for a son. I'd use combo Nathaniel Welcome or something like Nathaniel Henry, Nathaniel Laurence or Nathaniel Job.

What do you think of the name Nathaniel? 

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What other names would you pair it with?  

Girls Name: Beatrice

Italian form of Beatrix which is probably from Viatrix, a feminine form of the Late Latin name Viator which meant "voyager, traveller". Beatrix was a common name amongst early Christians, and the spelling was altered by association with Latin beatus "blessed". Beatrice Portinari was the woman who was loved by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. She served as Dante's guide through paradise in his epic poem 'The Divine Comedy' (1321). This was also the name of a character in Shakespeare's play 'Much Ado About Nothing' (1599). - quoted from Behind the Name

Beatrice was quite popular in the early 1900's, ranking as high as #53 in the USA during 1901. Today it ranks #20 in Italy, #45 in Romania, #91 in England and Wales, and #601 in the USA. 

Beatrice was the name of my father's fun-loving great-aunt who he called "Auntie Bea" and my sister's middle name is Beatrix after her. I love Beatrice and Beatrix and would definitely consider using them as middle names. "Auntie Bea" was Beatrice Elena and her mother was Lena Viola so I would consider using Eleanor Beatrice, Elena Beatrice or Lena Beatrice. 

What do you think of the name Beatrice? 

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What other names would you pair it with?  

Boys Name: Caleb

Most likely related to Hebrew כֶּלֶב (kelev) meaning "dog". An alternate theory connects it to Hebrew כָּל (kal) "whole, all of" and לֵב (lev) "heart". In the Old Testament this is the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Israel. Of the Israelites who left Egypt with Moses, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who lived to see the Promised Land.

As an English name, Caleb came into use after the Protestant Reformation. It was common among the Puritans, who introduced it to America in the 17th century. - quoted from Behind the Name

Caleb has always been a fairly popular name although it didn't rank very high until the 1990's when it saw an increase in popularity. To day Caleb ranks #35 in the USA, #31 in Canada, #34 in Northern Ireland, #44 in New Zealand, #65 in Scotland, #83 in Australia and #93 in England and Wales.

I've known several boys named Caleb, mostly in their early 20's but I do know two different families who named their sons Caleb in the last year. I'm not sure I'd use it but I do like it and combos such as Caleb Andrew, Caleb Benjamin, Caleb Joshua and Caleb Daniel.

What do you think of the name Caleb? 

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Girls Name: Eleanor

From the Old French form of the Occitan name Aliénor. It was first borne by the influential Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th century), who was the queen of Louis VII, the king of France, and later Henry II, the king of England. She was named Aenor after her mother, and was called by the Occitan phrase alia Aenor "the other AENOR" in order to distinguish her from her mother. Aenor is probably a Latinized form of a Germanic name of unknown meaning. This was the name of the mother of Eleanor of Aquitaine. May also be related to Helen, the English form of the Greek ‘Ελενη (Helene), probably from Greek ‘ελενη (helene) "torch" or "corposant", or possibly related to σεληνη (selene) "moon". 

The popularity of the name Eleanor in England during the Middle Ages was due to the fame of Eleanor of Aquitaine, as well as two queens of the following century: Eleanor of Provence, the wife of Henry III, and Eleanor of Castile, the wife of Edward I. More recently, it was borne by first lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), the wife of American president Franklin Roosevelt. - quoted from Behind The Name

Eleanor started being more popular in the late 1890's and reached #25 in 1920 in the USA, then by the 1940's it went back to being out of the top 100 in the USA. Today Eleanor rates #60 in England and Wales, #78 in the USA, #82 in Australia and #88 in Canada. 

Eleanor is unfortunately not on my family tree but I do love it so much! One of my favorite Jane Austen characters is Eleanor Tilney from Northanger Abbey and I also love Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility. I also like Eleanor with nickname Lena or Ellie. My favorite combos are Eleanor Mary, Eleanor Sally and Eleanor Amelia. 

What do you think of the name Eleanor? 

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What other names would you pair it with? 

Boys Name: Laurence

From the Roman cognomen Laurentius, which meant "from Laurentum". Laurentum was a city in ancient Italy, its name probably deriving from Latin laurus "laurel". Saint Laurence was a 3rd-century deacon and martyr from Rome. According to tradition he was roasted alive on a gridiron because, when ordered to hand over the church's treasures, he presented the sick and poor. Due to the saint's popularity, the name came into general use in the Christian world (in various spellings).

In the Middle Ages this name was common in England, partly because of a second saint by this name, a 7th-century archbishop of Canterbury. Likewise it has been common in Ireland due to the 12th-century Saint Laurence O'Toole (whose real name was Lorcán). Since the 19th century the spelling Lawrence has been more common, especially in America. A famous bearer was the British actor Laurence Olivier (1907-1989). - quoted from Behind The Name

Laurence has never been terribly popular although it is was more common in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The Lawrence spelling has become more popular in the USA and Laurence has become popular French speaking countries for ladies. 

I have a special attachment to this name because my dad's father is named Laurence and as a boy was always called "Laurie" as one of his mother's favorite books was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. As an artist he often signed his paintings "Laurie Michael" and so I was named after him. I really hope to use Laurence as a middle name, and maybe even as a first name. My favorite combos are Edmund Laurence, Emmett Laurence and Colin Laurence. As a first name I like the combos Laurence Henry, Laurence David and Laurence Michael, all with the nickname Laurie or Loren.

What do you think of the name Laurence? 

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Girls Name: Amy

English form of the Old French name Amée meaning "beloved" (modern French aimée), a vernacular form of the Latin Amata. As an English name, it was in use in the Middle Ages (though not common) and was revived in the 19th century. - quoted from Behind The Name

Amy has always been fairly common and in the 1970's-1980's it stayed in the top 10 in the USA, ranking as high as #2! Currently it ranks #30 in Ireland, #31 in Netherlands, #40 in Northern Ireland, #42 in Scotland, #77 in Switzerland, #82 in England and Wales and #148 in the USA.

Amy Wilbur Pearce was a great-grandmother on my father's side of the family and I would love to use the name to honor her. Another family spelling of the name was Amey, which I also like. I have a friend who is Amelia, nickname Amy and I'm also a Doctor Who fan so Amelia Pond, often called Amy, is another favorite of mine. So I go back and forth between using Amy as a full name or as a nickname for Amelia.

My favorite Amy combo is Amy Irene but I also like Amy Joyce, Amy Eleanor and Amy Ruth. And as for Amelia combos I like Amelia Joy, Amelia Eleanor, Amelia Ruth and Amelia Irene.

What do you think of the name Amy? 

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Boys Name: Henry

From the Germanic name Heimirich which meant "home ruler", composed of the elements heim "home" and ric "power, ruler". It was later commonly spelled Heinrich, with the spelling altered due to the influence of other Germanic names like Haganrich, in which the first element is hagan "enclosure".

Heinrich was popular among continental royalty, being the name of seven German kings, starting with the 10th-century Henry I the Fowler, and four French kings. In France it was rendered Henri from the Latin form Henricus.

The Normans introduced this name to England, and it was subsequently used by eight kings, ending with the infamous Henry VIII in the 16th century. During the Middle Ages it was generally rendered as Harry or Herry in English pronunciation. Notable bearers include arctic naval explorer Henry Hudson (1570-1611), British novelist Henry James (1843-1916), and American automobile manufacturer Henry Ford (1863-1947). - quoted from Behind The Name

Henry has always been quite common, especially in the 1880's when it ranked as high as #8 in the USA. Currently it ranks #15 in England and Wales, #21 in Australia, #30 in New Zealand, #33 in the USA, #33 in Canada, #51 in  Northern Ireland, #76 in Sweden and #91 in  Ireland.

Henry has been a favorite of mine for a long time. It is on my family tree so I could definitely use it to honor Henry Geer or Henry Buffington while at the same time honoring my favorite Jane Austen hero Henry Tilney from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. I'd use Henry William, Henry Oliver, Henry Thomas or even Henry Tilney. I'd also use Henry as a middle name as in Callum Henry, Benjamin Henry, Alexander Henry and Miles Henry.

What do you think of the name Henry? 

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What other names would you pair it with? 

Girls Name: Noemia

NOÊMIA is the Portuguese form of Naomi. Naomi is from the Hebrew name נָעֳמִי (Na'omiy) meaning "pleasantness". In the Old Testament this is the name of the mother-in-law of Ruth. After the death of her husband, Naomi took the name Mara (see Ruth 1:20). Though long common as a Jewish name, Naomi was not typically used as an English Christian name until after the Protestant Reformation. - quoted from Behind The Name

This is not at all a popular name but I think it's a very beautiful one. The first time I heard it was on a youth pastor's wife and she pronounces it NO-em-EE-uh and she is of Portuguese heritage although she was raised in the Eastern United States. It's odd because at first it was hard to get used to not calling her Naomi, but now when I'm reading the book of Ruth it is difficult not to call Naomi Noemia. I definitely like the sound of Noemia a lot more than Naomi now.

Noemia Rose is pretty as is Noemia Ruth.

What do you think of the name Noemia? 

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Boys Name: Ciaran

Ciaran is a diminutive of Ciar. This was the name of two Irish saints: Saint Ciarán the Elder, the patron of the Kingdom of Munster, and Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, the founder of a monastery in the 6th century. Ciar is derived from Irish ciar meaning "black".

- quoted from Behind The Name

The Ciaran spelling ranks #61 in Ireland and it ranked as high as #28 in 2002. The Kieran spelling is much more popular recently and it rated #206 in England and Wales and #576 in the USA which is quite something.

Ciaran has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I love the Irish spelling versus the Kieran spelling, mostly because of actor Ciarán Hinds and it being closer to my father's name Colin. I'm not sure how it would go over especially since some members of my family would have a harder time spelling and pronouncing it. I'm much less fond of the Kieran spelling, the K just makes it much less appealing to me. 

Ciaran Michael is my favorite combo but I also like Ciaran Henry, Ciaran Oliver, Ciaran Thomas and Ciaran William. I would leave off the line over the second a as in Ciarán.

What do you think of the name Ciaran? 

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What other names would you pair it with?