Name of the day: Farrah

Farrah, f.

Meaning: happiness

We've been watching the Commonwealth Games and were really disappointed that one of our favourite athletes, Mo Farah, has had to pull out due to illness. His name prompted this post, as It reminded me of the name Farrah (two r's) for girls.

The name is Arabic but came into western culture through the popularity of Farrah Fawcett in the 70's. Who wouldn't love one of Charlie's Angels?! It also has a fabulous meaning, which really suits the sound of the name. All those a's makes it sound super positive and happy to me! Oh, and the connection to Mo Farah who always seems to be smiling too!

Farrah is an excellent name, especially if you have Arabic routes and want a name that would fit both cultures.

Name of the day: Hero

Hero, m./ f.

Meaning: a hero

The name Hero originates in Greek mythology and was feminine. I mostly associate this name with the Shakespeare play Much Ado About Nothing, which features a character called Hero (although she's rather pathetic compared to the much feistier   and funny Beatrice). When I first read the play as a teenager the name really stood out as something very unusual and appealing.

I wonder whether the name Hero puts too much pressure on a young child. Perhaps there would be the potential for bullying because of such a high standard to live up to. But I feel like this would be less of a problem for a girl with the name. I much prefer this for girls than boys. I think it has great middle name potential and how classy to have a name with Greek and Shakespearean roots!

I think Hero may be my new name crush. I love it. 

Name of the day: Ida

Ida, f.

Meaning: 'industrious one'

When I got my oldest daughter's class list for September, I was immediately scanning it for interesting names. One name which caught my attention was Ida. It is oh-so-similar to the extremely trendy Isla, but has that granny edge to it which makes it a little different.

Ida has an interesting and positive meaning; 'industrious' is not a quality I'd immediately wish for my child but could come in handy in the teenage years! The name has links to opera, the Hindu religion and also Greek mythology (Mount Ida), so definitely a mixed heritage.

I think Ida could be on the rise, as a 'smoosh' of Isla and Ada.

Changes in trends - comparison with 2000

I find it interesting that most people who name their children do not give much thought to baby name trends; but still they exist and very noticeable changes can be seen from decade to decade. Somehow the influence of naming trends does affect baby-namers but it's not always obvious how! I've been looking at name statistics from the turn of the millennium and how names have fallen out fashion in the years since. These names are all on a downward trend. If you are bothered about how 'fashionable' a name is then maybe not a good choice for you. But if you are looking or a name which isn't going to be everywhere then these could appeal. Below is a list of some names which were popular in 2000 but which have noticeably declined since then. The girls are far more drastic; boys' names are far steadier, with the classics moving slightly downwards but still used frequently (except for one!). Spot the F.R.I.E.N.D.S influence!

Chloe - from no.1 to 16

Megan - from no.3 to 41

Hannah - from no.9 to 42

Lauren - from no.6 to 103

Bethany - from no.13 to 73

Amy - from no.14 to 62

Courtney - from no.22 to 261

Luke - from no.11 to 45

Joseph - from no.7 to 22

Daniel - from no.5 to 16

Matthew - from no.9 to 47

Adam - from no.16 to 39

Connor - from no.23 to 58

Jordan - from no.18 to 210

Name of the day: Darcy

Darcy, m. / f.

(Alternative spellings: Darcey, D'Arcy)

Meaning: from Arcy (in France)

The name I've picked today is Darcy, which is technically unisex but more and more just used for girls. This name used to have a very preppy, almost snobbish image but I feel that it has moved much more into mainstream naming culture recently. I work in a school and there are at least three Darcy's in the school which tells you something!

This name will be associated mainly with either Mr Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (of course!) or the ballerina Darcey Bussell. I actually would love his name for a boy because of the Mr Darcy link, but would never use it now because it has become so feminine. These connections give a feeling of culture and sophistication to the name. Definitely not an airy fairy, girly name.

I can imagine this name on a high flier, someone with influence and probably a little pretentious, despite it's growing use. The long -aah sound in the middle oozes middle-class-ness doesn't it?! 

If you like Darcy, you may like:

Eliza, Honor, Ruby, Rafferty, Hugo, Sebastian

Zander

Zander, m.

Meaning: defender of men (diminutive of Alexander).

Ok so this is cheating a little for a Z name, as Zander is usually a nickname for Alexander and can be spelt Xander. However it is gaining popularity as a name in its own right; it was #230 in the US in 2013 (admittedly, it is still down in the 800's in the UK). I have a particular fondness for Zander (it was our top boy's name for a while).

All Z names have an energetic quality to then with the zippy Z sound. Zander also has that sophisticated air about it with the long -a- sound, at least with the British pronunciation. It also has the popular -er sound at the end of this name, which features in some of my favourite boys' names. I'll list some names with this ending below:

Casper

Evander

Sawyer

Asher

Thatcher

Jasper

Dexter

Booker

Kiefer

We've come to the end of my alphabet series! A few people have asked what I've been planning to do next. I think I'll probably switch to 'name of the day' and then carry on doing themes and other general baby naming posts.

Thanks for reading :)

Some tips on choosing a name

Today I thought I'd share with you some tips that I have come up with for choosing a baby name. It's obviously not rocket science - choose a name you like! Anyone can do that. But if you are struggling to choose, then perhaps some of the following may help a little.

1. Style. Think about the baby name style that you and your partner want to go for. As I've said in a previous post, you will probably want any future children's names to 'go' with a first child's name. It's good to think about the type of name you are choosing and whether other names you like would go well with it. For example, you may love the name Sybil (Downton Abbey fan, perhaps?!), but not be keen on other old-fashioned names. I have a similar problem, as I love granny-chic names but we went for quite a modern sounding name for our first daughter which ruled them out.

2. How popular? What are your feelings on popular names? Would it bother you if your child's name was in the top 1000? Top 100? Top 10? Or do you love a name so much that it doesn't matter to you that there may be other children with the same name in their class? Look up the Office of National Statistics baby name documents for current popularity lists (in the UK).

3. Meaning. Does the meaning of a name matter to you? It's always worth checking the meaning; some fairly common names have awful meanings! It probably won't matter in the long run if you really love a name but it's still good to know! A couple of my favourite examples are: 

Claudia - lame

Cameron  - crooked nose

Gideon - club foot

Lola - sorrowful woman

Some people find meanings really important and this could even be their number one consideration so make sure you are both on the same page!

4. Surname and initials. Think about how the name sounds with your surname . Try to avoid rhyming combinations eg - Noah Taylor, which sound a bit awkward. Also some sounds can sound awkward together; for example our surname begins with a Ph- and this stopped us considering Th- names like Theo. They ended up sounding like tongue-twisters! Make sure you consider what the initials will spell out (Thomas Ian Taylor probably won't thank you when he is older!).

5. Friends and family. Some people won't be concerned about anyone else's thoughts on their name, as long as both of the couple like the name. But for lots of baby-namers, they will consider their nearest and dearest. Do any of your friends and family have a name that is special to them that you probably shouldn't use? Do you want to honour someone important by using their name as a first or as a middle? Will your grandparents be able to pronounce an unusual name?! It may be worth thinking if any of these questions apply to you.

I don't think any of these tips are ground-breaking or anything new but hopefully they give you a place to start. As a mum who *may* be finished with having babies, I am very envious of anyone in that deciding on names stage! If you need any help... 😉

Yara

Yara, f.

Meaning: small butterfly, Arabic

As easy as it was for me to talk about X names, Y presented much more of a challenge! Many Y names still seem very exotic to us; it is not a letter often used for names with English routes. However I did find one I really liked and had previously overlooked.

Have a go at saying Yara. I think it has a beautiful sound. It is so similar to Tara or Lara but has that lovely, Arabian feel with the Y sound at the start. I can definitely imagine this on a glamorous woman with long, dark hair. I am not completely convinced it is ready to be adopted as a mainstream name in this country but I would love meet a little girl with this name.

It has a wonderful meaning too - 'small butterfly'. I imagine a nursery decorated with lots of butterfly murals! As a rule, Arabic names often have really great meanings, so if you're into meanings then maybe have a look at a list of Arabic names.

Sib-sets

Today I wanted to explain what is meant by the term 'sib-sets'. People who like baby names often talk about sib-sets to describe the names given to brothers and sisters in one family. A sib-set displays the parents' naming style much better than just a single name. Most parents will go with a certain type of name for all their children. There is more to think about when naming second, third etc children because they have to sound 'right' with the other names already picked.

So, for example, if you were to choose the name Hudson for your first child, it would seem rather mismatched to name a second son Benedict. Hudson is trendy and modern, Benedict is old-fashioned and distinguished. It's not always as obvious as this but it's something to bear in mind. 

You also might want to think about going for similar popularity. You may not want to name a daughter Aurora and then your son, Stephen. Perhaps Soren would make a better choice?

Another consideration is number of syllables and sounds within names. This is less important, although it can be nice to have similar lengths to names. An example of this working well would be: Annabelle, Violet and Oliver. However, I think Isla, Amelia and Nate also sound lovely together because of similar sounds and similar styles. I guess you may want to avoid any really obvious differences, such as Sebastian, Isabella and Jay. 

I find sib-sets fascinating and I love trying to work out connections between siblings' names. I love it when parents add in hidden connections, such as similar meanings in all their names, or the use of a theme (word names, nature names, virtue names - perhaps this is more appropriate for middle names?). 

There is a lot to think about when naming subsequent children but, then again, the very most important factor is always whether you, as parents, like the names you have chosen. I don't agree at all with forcing a theme on all your names (eg - same letter for all names) or discarding a long-loved name because 'it wouldn't go'. Where would be the fun in that?

Xanthe

Xanthe, f.

Meaning: yellow or golden

Sorry it's been a while but I'm now feeling freshly inspired to write a baby name post, as I have several friends who are due to have babies very soon and I'm all excited to know what they will be called!

For most people, the letter X would present a bit of challenge to come up with a name they liked. However I love the letter X and especially the name Xanthe. In fact I wasn't sure whether to post on this name because if we had another baby I would love to use Xanthe for a girl. 

Xanthe appeals in many different ways, with the energetic and charismatic 'z' sound at the start. But it also has a beautiful, delicate ending, '-thee'. I love that it is a little exotic and that it has the cheerful nickname - 'Xan'. The first time I heard this name was on the radio and I remember it being so striking. It must be great to have a name like this!

The only negative is that, because it begins with X, it immediately comes with an 'out-there' label. You would certainly get a few raised eyebrows from more conservative namers. If this wouldn't bother you then Xanthe is an amazing name and I would love to hear it more often.

Walter

Walter, m.

Meaning: 'battle leader', Germanic

A lot of 'W' names have an old-fashioned feel to them; Winston, Wesley and our name today, Walter. I love all these 'grandpa' names! People who analyse naming trends often talk about about the 100 Year Rule, which desribes how long it takes for a name to come back into fashion. Therefore names which were popular in 1910-1920 are starting to rise again in the charts (think Charlotte, Ella, Eva, Grace and Violet for the girls; Harry, Jack and Leo for the boys).

Based on US figures, between 1910-1920, Walter rose as high as number 10 in the popularity charts, showing how prevalent it was in that decade. I think it has a distinguished, suave and intelligent feel. Possibly slightly nerdy? Or at least, I'm not sure that the name's meaning fits it's image!

 It really reminds of one of my favourite films which is The Painted Veil. The character Walter Fane will make you love this name because he is so wonderful! He's a doctor who goes to China to help treat a cholera epidemic and causes his indifferent wife to fall in love with him in the process. I won't spoil the ending but it's a tear-jerker!

Can you imagine a little 'Walt' at preschool? I'm not sure I can quite yet but I really hope we'll get there soon!

Violet

Violet, f.

Meaning: purple, a flower

I have such a love for the name Violet. I like that it's a flower name and a colour; it has the pleasing, humming 'V' beginning; it has the cute nicknames 'Vie' or 'Lettie'. It is girly, sweet and has the potential to age well: it isn't a Daisy or a Poppy but something more sophisticated.

I have to admit that this name does remind me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ('you're turning violet, Violet!'). This perhaps isn't the most flattering use of the name but there are plenty of other Violets in popular culture (eg - Lemony Snicket, Downton Abbey, The Incredibles) so it isn't the strongest connection.

Violet has just snuck into the popularity charts in England at number 100. This means it is climbing in popularity (#114 in 2011) but it is still unlikely your daughter will be in a class with another little Violet.

If you like rarer, more unusual names and are feeling brave, how about Vesper for a little girl? This is one of my 'guilty pleasure names' (ie - I love it but would never be brave enough to use it). It comes from the word for 'wasp' in Latin - hence the name for the scooters and the noise they make. It is such a great name to say and totally reminds me of the super cool character Vesper in James Bond 'Casino Royale'. 

Una

Una, f.

Meaning: 'one' or 'lamb'

I have been putting off doing a 'u' name because this is a letter I'm not really keen on. I don't like an 'uh' sound at the start of the name so have chosen an 'ooh' sound instead. Una is an unusual and surprisingly pretty name. It reminds me of the very similar Luna and all its quirkiness.

This name has links with lots of languages (most Romance languages will associate this name with their word for 'one). Therefore this could be good choice if you are a family of mixed heritage and want a name that works in several cultures. I suppose it would suit a first child or daughter with this meaning! The 'lamb' meaning, by the way, is from an Irish origin; nice to have choices!

If you'd like something even quirkier than Una, then Uma is always a possibility, as worn by Uma Thurman. 

A popular trend for girls

A current trend in girls' names can be seen in the number of two-syllable names ending in -a which are on an upward rise in the popularity charts in the UK. Several of these can be attributed to celebrity names. But I think the general liking for these names is because there is a definite girliness to the -a ending and a pleasing simplicity to having just 2 syllables. When you read through this list I'm sure you will be able to think of children recently given these names. I can imagine several of these reaching the highest spots in the popularity charts in the next few years. On the other hand, some of these names are not at all popular yet but still have an upward trend. If you want to be ahead of a new popular name then one of these may be a good choice! I have put their current popularity next to each name (for 2012). 

Alba #483

Ava #6

Bella #58

Etta #852

Eva #24

Isla #8

Layla #29

Lola #23

Luna #337

Lyla #132

Lyra #255

Mila #160

Thea #225

Thessaly

Thessaly, f.

Meaning: a geographical area of Greece.

I was in the mood for a more unusual name today. This is a place name, which has had only very occasional use as a baby name so far. As a place name it fits in with the trend for names such as: India, Aspen, Caspian, Paris, Siena, Roma, Adelaide etc! If you like Greek mythology, you might be interested by Ancient Greek stories including Thessaly, such as the battle between the gods and Titans which is supposed to have taken place on the Plain of Thessaly.

I think Thessaly has a really attractive sound; I love saying this name. It sounds soft with the Th- start and playful with the -lee sound at the end. I really like that it is highly unlikely that anyone else you know would have this name and that your child would be unique in their class. You'd have to deal with spelling the name out all of the time but I think the pronunciation is straightforward enough.

Let's start a new naming trend with Thessaly!

Seth

Seth, m.

Meaning: appointed or placed, origin Hebrew.

The name Seth is growing in popularity in the UK year on year; in 2012 it entered the top 100 at #91. I can only think of one Seth in real life but I think that will change if the popularity keeps increasing. It has that great balance of being recognisable but not common. I imagine this name on someone who is very 'with it', a bit serious, handsome and slightly edgy. I think the unusual '-th' ending and one syllable quality make this name cool and different.The sound of this name is almost snake-like; does anyone else think that?!

This would be a good choice if you are looking for a Biblical name which isn't as well-used as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John but isn't as obviously Biblical as Noah, Jonah and Jeremiah. Seth was one of the sons of Adam and Eve, so not a major character in the Bible, but with a good meaning (perhaps if you want your child to know God has specifically 'placed' them in your family?). It also has a place in popular culture; did anyone else think of The O.C when they heard this name? However that series is well in the past now so I don't think the association is very strong.

'S' has to be one of my favourite letters for names. Here are some other Super S Names!

Male

Sawyer
Sebastian
Shay
Sirius
Solomon/Sol
Sullivan/Sully


Female

Sadie
Scarlett
Seren
Seraphina
Siena
Sylvie

Rory

Rory, m.

Meaning: red king, Irish origin.

Also spelt Ruaidhri.

I love the ruggedness and manliness of the name Rory. It is sort of childlike, with its lion-like sound, but also tough and handsome for an adult. Its Gaelic routes make me think of the Scottish highlands. I love the meaning (perfect for your little prince!) but don't necessarily think you need to be restricted to naming a red-haired baby this name.

My husband and I were seriously considering using Rory if we had a boy. I love this name that much. But for some reason I cannot pronounce Rory! I have a very slight lisp and find I cannot say this name properly. So, not a name we can use but I think this is great choice for other parents.

Quinn

Quinn, m

Meaning: descendant of Conn, Irish origin.

I think Quinn is a great boy's name. To me, it sounds smart, snappy and sophisticated with a touch of quirkiness with the 'Q' at the beginning. I originally knew this as a boy's name and was SO annoyed by its use as a girl's name in the series Glee. I have a feeling that most people would now associated the name with that character, which could be a problem if you did want to use this for a boy. It seems to be a lot more acceptable to use unisex names for girls than boys. Bear in mind that it is more popular for girls in the US than boys.

However I don't think this name sounds girly or frilly. It is traditionally of Irish origin, stemming from an Irish surname. The historical routes give a great justification to keep this as a boy's name! It has never been a popular name in the UK but has hovered between the #400 and #500 mark in the popularity charts for the last 20 years. I hope that people will start using Quinn a bit more. It makes a great alternative to the popular Finn.

Other Q names for boys: Quillan, Quentin, Quinton.

Poppy

Poppy, f.

Meaning: flower name

Ahh lovely Poppy. This is a personal favourite of mine. It's bubbly, sweet, girly, sparky and full of energy. Who wouldn't like someone called Poppy?! With this name, I imagine a little English girl with curly brown hair, pale skin and rosy cheeks. I imagine her being called 'Pops' and running around in meadows (weird??).

I suppose that is where the problem comes with this name, for me anyway. I can't really see it on a grown woman. I find it difficult to imagine a woman in parliament or leading a boardroom meeting called Poppy. Maybe it's just that the only Poppy's I have met are little girls.

One aspect of the name which makes it more serious is its relationship to Remembrance Day and the World Wars. It would be a nice name to use if you wanted to remember someone, especially if they played a part in those wars or served in the armed forces. I don't think the association makes it a negative name; remembrance is honouring the dead, not being morbid.

So what do you think? I would love to use this name but I'm held back by the girliness of it. Maybe it could be balanced by a grown-up middle name which could be used in case of becoming Prime Minister. Eg - Poppy Isobel. Love <3

One Syllable Middles

I've talked before about how one syllable middle names are a favourite of mine at the moment. I'm not the only one. Many one syllable middles are traditionally popular or recently seem to be everywhere. It's no wonder really as they sound snappy and cute in the middle spot, especially if the child has a longer first name. A recent example would be the newest royal baby born to Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips, a little girl called Mia Grace. 

Below I have listed one syllable middles in two lists for each gender: traditional or popular middles and less common examples. I like both lists; it's nice to have an original name but some of the classics sound lovely. 

Girls

Traditional/popular

Rose

Grace

May/Mae

Claire

Anne

Leigh/Lee

(Becoming popular - Ray/Rae)

Less common

Belle

Brooke

Faye

Hope

Joy

June

Maeve

Paige

Star

Wren

Boys

Traditional/popular

Charles

George

Jack

James

John

Mark

Less Common

Ash

Bay

Blake

Brock

Cole

Finn

Gray/Grey

Guy

Jay

Penn

Rafe

Seth

Quinn

Vaughn

Zac

What do you think? Which are your favourites? What combo's with these names do you love?

Omri

Omri, m.

Meaning: 'my sheaf', Hebrew

If you're like me, this name will look familiar but you won't be sure where from. It certainly isn't one you're likely to hear in the school playground. It is likely that you will recognise this name if you read the 'Indian in the Cupboard' series. The little boy who discovers the cupboard which makes his toys come to life was called Omri. 

Originally this is a Biblical name, hence the Hebrew origin. Omri was a King of Israel, although not a very good one, so maybe he less said about that the better! My husband says this name reminds him of the footballer Henri (pronounced the French way!). It was instantly vetoed because of this - he supports a rival team!

I think Omri sounds original; slightly exotic but easy to pronounce. 'O' names are not popular at all. Try and name a popular 'O' name for a boy, other than Oliver, Owen and Oscar. Or Olivia for a girl. I bet you'll struggle. So if you're going for an unusual name, an 'O' name is a good choice. 

Some other 'O' names for boys:

Oren, Ossian (pro. Uh-sheen), Odin, Oakley

Nerys

Nerys, f.

Meaning: lady, welsh origin

I am assuming that quite a lot of people reading this blog will not have come across the name Nerys before. It is Welsh, which you will probably recognise if you are familiar with the Welsh name Carys as they look very similar. I like to drop names into the blog which are unusual or rarely heard of; I really like learning about new names and I hope you do too. The meaning of this name comes from welsh for Lord (Ner-) and then the feminine ending gives it the meaning of 'lady'.

I don't know of anyone with the name Nerys, even celebrities, so this name is refreshingly free of any associations for me. I think the -rys ending is energetic and intriguing and the name as a whole looks attractive and original. I imagine a girl with a sparkly, bubbly personality. 

What does this name make you think of?

Other welsh girls' names you may not have heard of, which I think are lovely:

Betrys, Briallen, Elerie, Ffion, Lowri and Seren

Milo

Milo, m.

Meaning: from Miles, Latin for 'soldier'

I think poor Milo has either been seen as a bit pretentious or as a dog's name in the past (as an aside, I think the line between pretentious and pet names is often a thin one; eg - Binky, Rex, Felix). But I think Milo has lots of potential. It has the trendy and edgy -o ending, which offers something different to the super popular -n ending for boys' names. It is recognisable but not popular, being outside the top 100 most popular names in England and Wales. The meaning of 'soldier' is interesting and perhaps makes this name a little more macho than it might appear.


If you aren't keen on Milo but like the thought of a military name, then perhaps one of these names might appeal to you instead (they either have military connections or meaning):

Herman, Armand, Garrison, Lance, March, Major, Scout.

Lark

Lark, f.

Meaning: type of bird

'L' is the perfect letter for girls. It's soft, lyrical, pretty and there are a huge number of wonderful names to choose from. L is such a good letter for girls that many names have several L's. For example, Lola, Lily, Leila, Lorelei, Lilia.

The name I have chosen is quite unusual. Lark, in case you didn't realise, is a type of bird, and so follows names such as Wren, Robin, Dove, Jay and Raven. It has a happy image, as the old-fashioned word 'lark' means 'an enjoyable or mischievous activity'.

I like the fact that if you chose this name for your little girl, you could use birds as a theme for the nursery. Or buy clothing/toys/stationary etc with bird prints to personalise them. A lark is a songbird, so if you are musical then this could be a nod to your interest in music. 

It would also make a pretty middle name. Although I haven't used them for either of my children, I am currently liking single syllable middles. This would especially compliment a 3 or 4 syllable first name. Something like Evangeline Lark. Ooh love this! Avoid this name as a middle if you have another word name for a first, eg - Scarlet Lark!!

What would you put with Lark?