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? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

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? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with? 

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? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Boys Names: Merlin

Form of the Welsh name Myrddin (meaning "sea fortress") used by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his 12th-century Arthurian tales. Writing in Latin, he likely chose the form Merlinus over Merdinus in order to prevent associations with French merde "excrement".

Geoffrey based parts of Merlin's character on Myrddin Wyllt, a semi-legendary madman and prophet who lived in the Caledonian Forest. Other parts of his life were based on that of the historical 5th-century Romano-British military leader Ambrosius Aurelianus. In Geoffrey's version of the tales and later embellishments Merlin is a wizard and counselor for King Arthur. - quoted from Behind The Name

Merlin has never ranked very high on the popularity charts, it currently rated about #408 in France.

I've never met anyone named Merlin although I did know someone who named their Miniature Rough Collie Merlin and it fit him very well! 

I don't think I'd use Merlin for a son but I do rather like it. Merlin Arthur, Merlin James and Merlin Patrick are rather nice combos.

What do you think of the name Merlin? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Boys Name: Edmund

From the Old English elements ead "wealth, fortune" and mund "protection". This was the name of two Anglo-Saxon kings of England. It was also borne by two saints, including a 9th-century king of East Anglia who, according to tradition, was shot to death with arrows after refusing to divide his Christian kingdom with an invading pagan Danish leader. This Old English name remained in use after the Norman conquest (even being used by king Henry III for one of his sons), though it became less common after the 15th century.

Famous bearers of the name include the English poet Edmund Spenser (1552-1599), the German-Czech philosopher Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) and New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008), the first person to climb Mount Everest. - quoted from Behind The Name

In the late 1800's the name Edmund was rated in the top 100 in the USA, France and England and Wales but since then it hasn't been popular at all. I've only known one or two Edmunds, older men, both called Ed. 

Quite awhile ago I wrote a post all about the reasons why Edmund is my favorite boys name. Since then Edmund is still a favorite but Emmett has started to rival it. My favorite Edmund combo is still Edmund Laurence, but I also like Edmund Henry and Edmund Oliver.

What do you think of the name Edmund? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Boys Name: Arthur

The meaning of this name is unknown. It could be derived from the Celtic elements artos "bear" combined with viros "man" or rigos "king". Alternatively it could be related to an obscure Roman family name Artorius. Arthur is the name of the central character in Arthurian legend, a 6th-century king of the Britons who resisted Saxon invaders. He may or may not have been a real person. He first appears in Welsh poems and chronicles (some possibly as early as the 7th century) but his character was not developed until the chronicles of the 12th-century Geoffrey of Monmouth.

The name came into general use in England in the Middle Ages due to the prevalence of Arthurian romances, and it enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 19th century. Famous bearers include German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), mystery author and Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), and science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008).

- quoted from Behind The Name

In recent years Arthur ranked #3 in Belgium, #12 in France, #41 in England and Wales, #41 in Denmark, #72 in Switzerland, #98 in New Zealand, and #306 in the USA. It was much more popular in the 1800's often ranking at #20 or higher. 

My love of this name mostly started with watching the BBC show Merlin where the cast are all younger folks and King Arthur is played by actor Bradley James. 

I'm not sure I would use the name Arthur for a son but I do like it a lot, especially combos Arthur William, Arthur Henry, Arthur Humphrey, Arthur James and Arthur Philip. 

What do you think of the name Arthur? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Boys Name: Colin

There's two thoughts on the origin of the name Colin. 

Colin (1) - Anglicized form of Cailean or Coilean, both name meaning "whelp, young dog" or "child" in Gaelic. This name is also used as a Scottish form of Columba which means "dove".

Colin (2) - A Medieval English diminutive of Col, a short form of Nicholas a Greek name that means "victory of the people".

- quoted from Behind the Name

The name Colin has become increasingly more popular over the last few years. It ranked #140 in the USA, #65 in Sweden and #60 in Switzerland. It has always been common in England, Scotland and Ireland. 

I have a real love for this name because my father is named Colin. My grandmother (his mother) chose his name because growing up her favorite book was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgdon Burnett and she loved all things Scottish so all three of her kids were given Scottish names (Colin, Bonnie Jean and Kenneth). It's a name that my parents weren't over fond of but they did name my brother Colin Andrew (he goes by Andy). It's a name I'd love to use one day provided that my brother doesn't use it first (he has first dibs anyway). I like the combos Colin Laurence, Colin Stone, Colin Michael or Colin David. 

What do you think of the name Colin? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Boys Name: Jasper

Means "treasurer" in Persian. This name was traditionally assigned to one of the wise men (also known as the Magi, or three kings) who were said to have visited the newborn Jesus. It has occasionally been used in the English-speaking world since the Middle Ages. The name can also be given in reference to the English word for the gemstone. - quoted from Behind The Name entry

I like that Jasper isn't that popular but it does seem more popular in recent years than it was in the past. In recent years it ranked #218 in the USA, #107 in England and Wales, and it has ranked in the 70's for Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.

My mom really likes this name, and I do like the sound of it. I like it as a middle name or as a first name but I might not use it because I don't have as much attachment to it as I do to other names. Some combos I like are: Elias Jasper, Jasper Michael, Owen Jasper, Henry Jasper and Jasper Thomas.


What do you think of the name Jasper? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Boys Name: Jack

Derived from Jackin (earlier Jankin), a medieval diminutive of John, the Biblical English form of Iohannes, the Latin form of the Greek name Ιωαννης (Ioannes), itself derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan) meaning "YAHWEH is gracious" or "God is gracious". This name owes its popularity to two New Testament characters, both highly revered saints. The first is John the Baptist, a Jewish ascetic who was considered the forerunner of Jesus Christ. The second is the apostle John, who is traditionally regarded as the author of the fourth Gospel and Revelation. 
Jack is often regarded as an independent name. During the Middle Ages it was very common, and it became a slang word meaning "man". It was frequently used in fairy tales and nursery rhymes, such as 'Jack and the Beanstalk', 'Little Jack Horner', and 'Jack Sprat'. American writers Jack London (1876-1916) and Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) were two famous bearers of this name. It is also borne by American actor Jack Nicholson (1937-). - quoted from Behind The Name entry

Jack has been popular as an independent first name and in recent years it has ranked #1 in Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It has also ranked #2 in England and Wales, #2 in New Zealand, #4 in Australia and #41 in the USA.

I prefer it as a full name since John isn't a favorite of mine. I like the combos Jack Kenneth, Jack Alexander, Jack Miles and Jack Oliver.


What do you think of the name Jack? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Boys Name: Douglas

Anglicized form of the Scottish surname Dubhghlas, meaning "dark river" from Gaelic dubh "dark" and glais "water, river". Douglas was originally a river name, which then became a Scottish clan name (belonging to a powerful line of Scottish earls). It has been used as a given name since the 16th century. - quoted from Behind The Name entry

My grandfather and uncle are named Douglas Bruce and both go by the nickname Doug (Dougie when they were boys) and among the family they are known as "Big Doug" and "Little Doug".
I might consider using Douglas as a middle name to honor my grandpa. I like the combos Ciaran Douglas or Callum Douglas.


What do you think of the name Douglas? 

Do you know anyone with this name? 

What other names would you pair it with?

Jane Austen Names & Surnames

[click to enlarge]

Jane Austen is my favorite authoress and I've been working on a website about the names she uses in her novels and short stories. The photo above is one I made and it has all the first names she used. 

Jane Austen Girls Names: Alice Alicia Amelia Amy Anna Anna-Maria Anne Arabella Augusta Bella Betsy Betty Biddy Caroline Cassandra Catherine Cecilia Charlotte Chlo Clara Cloe Diana Dorothy Eleanor Elfrida Elinor Eliza Elizabeth Eloisa Emma Emily Esther Fanny Flora Frances Frederica Georgiana Hannah Harriet Henrietta Hetty Isabel Isabella Jane Janet Janetta Jemima Jezalinda Julia Kitty Laura Laurina Letitia Lizzy Louisa Lucy Margaret Maria Marianne Marina Martha Mary Matilda Maud Melissa Nancy Nanny Patty Pen Penelope Pistoletta Polly Rebecca Rosa Rose Sally Sarah Selina Sophia Sophy Sukey Susan Susanna

Jane Austen Boys Names: Archibald Arthur Augustus Basil Benjamin Charles Christopher David Dick Edgar Edmund Edward Fitzwilliam Frank Frederic Frederick George Godfrey Gregory Gustavus Harry Henry Humphrey Jack James Jebb Jem John Lewis Ned Peter Philip Rakehelly Ralph Reginald Richard Robert Rodolphus Sam Sidney Stephen Thomas Tom Walter Will William

Jane Austen Surnames: 
Abbot Adams Adby Allen Amyatt Anderson Andrews Arundel Atkinson Aylmer
Baddeley Baldwin Bar Barlow Bates Beard Beaufort Beckford Bennet Benwick Bertram Best Beverley Bickerton Bingley Bird Blake Bragge Braithwaite Brand Brandon Brereton Brigden Brown Brudnell Burgess Burnaby Burton
Campbell Capper Carey Carr Carter Carteret Cartwright Cecil Chamberlayne Chapman Churchill Clarke Clay Clayton Cleveland Clifton Cole Collins Cooper Corydon Courtland Courtenay Coxe Crawford Croft Curtis
Dalrymple Daphne Danvers Darcy Darling Dashwood Davenport Davies Davis Dawson de Bourgh DeCourcy Denham Dennison Denny Devereux Dishonour Dixon Donavan Dowkins Drew Drummond Dudley Dupuis Durrand Dutton
Edgecumbe Edwards Elliot Elliott Ellis Ellison Elton
Fairfax Falknor Ferrars Fisher Fitzgerald Fitzroy Fitzwilliam Flambeau Fletcher Ford Forster Frankland Fraser Frederic Freeman
Gardiner Gibson Gilbert Gill Goddard Goulding Gower Graham Grant Grantley Green Gregory Grey Grierson Griffiths Groom
Haggerston Halifax Hamilton Hampton Hanking Harcourt Harding Harley Harrington Harris Harrison Harville Hawkins Hayter Heely Hemmings Henshawe Hervey Heywood Hill Hillier Hodges Holford Howard Hughes Humbug Hunter Hurst Hutchinson
Ibbotson
Jackson Jefferies Jeffereys Jenkinson Jennings Johnson Jones
Kennet Kickabout King Knightley
Lambe Larkins Lascelles Lee Lesley Lindsay Little Lloyd Long Longtown Lucas Lutterell
Macbeth MacDonald Macduff Mackenzie Maclean Maddison Maddox Manwaring Marlow Marlowe Marshall Martin Matthews Maxwell M'Cartney M'donald Merryweather Metcalfe Middleton Milar Milman Mitchell M'Kay M'Kenzie M'lellan M'Leod Molland Montague Morgan Morland Morley Morris Morton M'Pherson Mullins Musgrove
Nash Newnham Nicholls Norris Norton Noyce
O'Brien Oliver Osborne Otway Owen
Palmer Parker Parry Partridge Percival Perry Philander Phillips Polydore Poole Pope Popgun Postilion Pratt Prescott Price Prince Purvis
Ravenshaw Repton Reynolds Richards Richardson Robertus Robinson Roger Rooke Rose Ross Rushworth Russell
Saddler Sanderson Saunders Scholey Scroggs Serle Sharpe Shaw Sheldon Shepherd Shirley Simpson Skinner Smallridge Smith Smythe Sneyd Spangle Sparks Speed Spicer Stanhope Stanly Staves Steele St.Ives Stokes Stone Stornaway Strephon Stringer Styles Suckling Summers Swithin
Taylor Thorpe Tilney Tomlinson Trent Tupman Turner
Vernon
Walker Wallis Walsh Watson Watts Webb Webster Wentworth Weston Whitaker Whitakers Whitby Wickham Wilcox Wilhelminus Williams Williamson Willis Willoughby Wilmot Wilson Wingfield Woodcock Wright Wykeham
Yates Younge

I've also been working on a list of place names she used but those are harder to gather.

This list is handy for me when I'm trying to decide on a name for a character in a story I'm writing especially since the stories I'm writing now are based in Regency England. I love many of these names and would used names such as Eleanor, Elinor, Jane, Henry and Edmund for a future child. I've also considered naming pets after them and can see myself one day having a cat named Tilney or Willoughby.



Which of these names are your favorites?

Would you consider naming a child or even a pet after a favorite book character?

Boys Name: Silas

Probably a short form of Silvanus, an Ancient Roman name derived from Latin silva meaning "wood, forest". Silvanus was the Roman god of forests. Silas is the name of a companion of Saint Paul in the New Testament. Paul refers to him as Silvanus in his epistles, though it is possible that Silas was in fact a Greek form of the Hebrew name Saul (that means "asked for" or "prayed for"). As an English name Silas was not used until after the Protestant Reformation. It was utilized by George Eliot for the title character in her novel 'Silas Marner' (1861). - Quoted from Behind The Name entry

 Silas has never been hugely popular but has gained some popularity in recent years, ranking #137 in the USA.

I've always liked Silas, it is similar in sound to Simon, another favorite of mine. I like to pair it with other Biblical names such as Silas Gideon, Silas Benjamin, Silas Micaiah or Silas Andrew.

What do you think of the name Silas?

Do you know anyone with this name?

What other names would you pair it with?

My Top 25 Favorite Boys Names

As I said in my last post I recently rebuilt my favorite names list from the ground up and discovered several new favorites along the way. 

In this post I'll be talking about my new top 25 favorite boys combos and why I like them. 

My Top 25 for Boys 

1. Edmund Laurence - Edmund has been a favorite of mine for a while and I wrote a whole post on it once. Laurence honors my paternal grandfather who I was named after so it's a very special name to me. Recently I've loved this combo more and more, it just seems so handsome to me. I don't like the nicknames Ed or Eddie but recently I've been liking the nicknames Mund / Mundy and a guilty pleasure of mine now is the nickname Mud / Mudd, silly I know but I still think it's rather cute. 
2. Ciaran Michael - Ciaran has been at the top of my favorites list for many years and although I put it further down on my list I find I cannot give it up altogether. Michael is my surname and although it's a bit common to use as a first name I really like the idea of using it as a middle name.
3. Nathaniel Welcome - Nathaniel is a family name that I've come to love quite a lot in recent years, I like this spelling because it is the one used on my family tree and fairly easy for most people to remember. Welcome Shippee is the name of my dad's four time great-grandfather who was a Quaker during the time of the Civil War - the story goes that although his faith kept him from actual fighting he joined his local Infantry and tended their horses. Anyway, I like the story and the name is a unique one that my parents and sister seem to like as well so I'm proud and happy to add it as a middle name for further consideration. 
4. Silas Matteson - I had Simon toward the top of my favorites list for quite a while but I've recently started to think it sounds a little too posh and less of a favorite but I find that Silas is growing on me more and more lately. Matteson is a family surname that I like rather a lot.  
5. Mark Douglas - Not too long ago my parents and I were discussing names and my dad mentioned that he liked short and strong names for boys like Mark and since that discussion I haven't been able to get Mark out of my head so I'm trying it in my top five combos and finding I'm starting to love it. Douglas is my mom's stepfather's name and he's such a special part of our family and makes me like the name more and more.
6. Emmett Simon - Emmett is one of those names that I've liked for quite a while, probably longer than Edmund (what a thought!), I find it quite handsome and thankfully it's not very popular in the USA although it does seem to be in the UK and Ireland. Simon honors a family member and I can't get rid of it altogether so I'm using it as a middle name which seems to work well.  
7. Pearce Colin - Pearce is a family surname (sometimes pronounced like "purse" but I prefer the "Pierce" pronunciation) which has been growing on me lately. I usually put Pearce as a middle name but I'm liking it more and more as a first name so I paired it with my father's name Colin and although the name don't quite flow together perfectly I am rather liking it.
8. Elias Matthew - Another E name that has slipped into my top 10. I'm not a huge fan of Elijah but so like Elias which is the Greek version, and I've noticed that this is one of seven names that end with -s that I've added this time around. I love Matthew but because of some associations I probably won't use it as a first name, it does make a handsome middle name though!
9. Aidan Stone - I know similar sounding names are quite popular right now (aka Hayden, Caden, Brayden) but to me Aidan is different, it's such a handsome Irish name and with my grandmother's middle name / family surname Stone the meaning of combo is "fiery stone" which has always been quite handsome to me. 
10. Henry Tilney - Okay, yes this combo is a bit cheesy but I recently realized that the real reason why I love Henry is because of my favorite Jane Austen hero, plus I couldn't quite come up with a clever middle name for Henry so I just went with the full on Northanger Abbey reference. 
11. Eamon Matthias - Yes, another E name! I love Eamon because it's the Irish Gaelic form of Edmund and it's just so handsome. I usually pronounce it EE-mon instead of generally accepted AY-mon pronunciation. I can never decide whether I like Matthew or Matthias better so I've included both on my list as middle name. 
12. Gideon Levi - I love Biblical names and Gideon is one of those that always feels fresh, youthful and handsome to me. Pairing it with Levi might be too many Biblical associations but I do love the sound of the names together.
13. Benjamin Asa "Ben" - I've known a few Bens but recently I've been (haha!) thinking about what a dependable sounding name it is, it's wonderful historical connections (like Benjamin Franklin) and how I haven't heard it used for younger kids as much lately so I've added it to my top 25 to try it on for size. Asa is one of my mom's favorite Biblical names so I always enjoy including it and it makes this combo unique.  
14. Ian Kenneth - In the discussion on names where Mark was talked about I mentioned Ian and my dad sort of shrugged and said it was pretty much just "John by any other name". While that's true I'm realizing that I do like most of the John related names (Ian, Evan, Owen, Hans, Ewan, Eoghan, Sean, Jack, Hugh, Ioan, Johann and even Jacques) but this Scottish version is still my favorite. Kenneth is not only a Scottish name but it honors uncles and grandfathers or great-grandfathers on both parents families.
15. Roderick Theodore "Roddy" - Roderick honors the last name of the first elderly lady I cared for so I like the idea of using the name to honor her, but I've also started liking Roddy more and more recently. Theodore has also been growing on me but it also honors the elderly lady's first name. 
16. Kieran Dermot - As much as I love Ciaran I do have this thought in the back of my mind that the original Irish spelling might be too difficult for most people so I've added the Kieran spelling to my favorites list. Dermot is just another favorite Irish name. 
17. Ezekiel Peleg "Zeke" - Another E name that has really been growing on me lately, especially with the nickname Zeke. Peleg is an obscure Biblical family name that I've always liked and enjoy including on my list. 
18. Titus Abel - Titus is almost as much a favorite as Silas but it does seem to have a tad harsher sound to it. Abel is another Biblical family name that I just love. 
19. Callum Neil - I love Callum because it has a similar sound to my other favorites Ciaran and Colin and means "dove". Neil is another Irish name that has been growing on me more so I paired the two together.
20. Sebastian Luke - Sebastian is so handsome and I've always liked it with Luke as a middle name.  
21. Garrett Keagan - I like Garrett a lot and it reminds me of Emmett - Irish and incredibly handsome. Keagan is another favorite Irish name so I've paired them together this time and while it's not my favorite combo I do like it. 
22. Declan Miles - Declan is one of those Irish names that I've always liked but some times seems a little too posh but I'm giving it a try paired with Miles which I also like but not really as a first name. 
23. Jack Willoughby - Again I love me my forms of John and although Jack was originally a nickname I really like it as a full first name. Willoughby is such a charming name and it makes the combo so cute. The similarity of this name to the villain of Sense and Sensibility is purely unintentional (well, almost). 
24. Crispin David - Crispin has the same meaning as my mom's maiden name and I've liked it ever since I read a book whose hero was a boy with this name. David is my dad's middle name and it's also a name on our family tree. C names and E names - my list is full of them! :)
25. Tiernan Rhys - I like Ciaran / Kieran / Kiernan but Tiernan recently caught my eye and I've been liking Rhys too so added it to the list and it seems to make a nice pairing. 

Do you like any of these first name / middle name combos?

Are there any of these names you might consider using for a son?

Do Edmund and Ciaran sound good for brother's names?

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?

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?