I received several comments/emails about my last post on Baby Names and thought I’d continue the topic. Plus, I have more to say on the subject. What a surprise, right?! Baby Names are so much fun and the lists, websites, books, and more go on and on and on. We just can’t seem to get enough of them. It’s funny how the names seem to have cycles. For instance, when I was little there were always several Jennifers, Sarahs, Stephanies, and Jessicas in my class. Now, it seems like you hear the names Emma and Madison everywhere. Another popular one is McKenzie. Last year alone people spelled it 45 different ways on birth certificates. (Mackenzie, Mckenzie, Mackenzi, Mackenzee, Mackinzie, Mackensie, Mackenize, Mackinzy, Mackinsey, Mackenzy, Mackenzey, Machenzie, Mackynzi, Mackinze, Mackenziee, Mackanzie, Macinzee, Machkenzie, Macenzie, Mckinzie, Mckenzee, Mckenzi, Mckynzie, Mckinzee, Mckenzye, Mckenzy, Mckenzey, Mckenze, Mckenize, Makenzie, Makenzi, Makenzy, Makensie, Makynzie, Makynze, Makenize, Makynzye, Makynzi, Makinzy, Makinzie, Makinzi, Makenzee, Makinze, Makinsy, Mykenzie)
Here is a list of last year’s most popular baby names:
Rank Male name Female name
1 Jacob Emily
2 Michael Emma
3 Joshua Madison
4 Matthew Abigail
5 Ethan Olivia
6 Andrew Isabella
7 Daniel Hannah
8 Anthony Samantha
9 Christopher Ava
10 Joseph Ashley
Some of the names on the "popular" list used to be some of our favorites. However, I just feel like I don’t want our child to have an uber popular, overused name. This is not to say we don’t like or even love some of the names on that list. I just don’t want our daughter to be another Sarah. (No offense to any Sarah’s out there.) On the other hand, you have people who are so anti-typical names that they come up with unusual ones. If this is your thing, than good for you, but I just can’t seem to get over some of the names I’ve heard lately. For instance, one of my good friends told me her and her husband would like to name their daughter Nevaeh (Heaven spelled backwards). These are two people from Wisconsin who grew up in a typical small town, both with very common names. I was really surprised that she would pick something like that. The meaning is nice, I get that. However, I don’t really want our kids to have names people can’t pronounce either. I’ve also noticed a lot of people lately have been adding random y’s in names. I think this started with the whole Cayden, Ayden, Hayden phase. Now I see names like Mycheal, Jennyfer and Wyllow. Another fad is taking the male names for girls to a whole new level. I always had friends that were girls named Andrea and Danielle, called Andie and Dani, or my sister Samantha, called Sam. Now I’ve heard of people naming their daughters Jaycen, Kyle, Rhyon, Jordyn and Charli.
Now people get so sensitive and crazy for baby names that I’m sure I’ve perturbed a few of you. Please forgive me. These are only my humble opinions, and I did not mean to say that your daughter Jaycen Nevaeh Smith is not the most beautifully well suited name for your precious baby girl. I am only saying that I personally would not choose that name for my child. Glad you did, though. It made for a lovely topic of discussion. I still have more to say on the topic of baby names, so stay tuned for part III….
I agree chosing a name is hard. Steve and I go back and forth on the issue with different names. He’ll like one, I’ll veto it because it’s a name that reminds me of someone I’d rather NOT name my kid after! Then I’ll say one and he says no.
This is a name that will stick with the kid for life. I liked the fact that my name, for the most part, was not as common as my sisters’ names.There was only one time I had a problem with other kids having my name. That was in the 3rd grade and there were 3 of us with the same name. So our teacher gave each of us a nickname, I was Blackberry, one was Peach, and I forget what he named the thrid one. I was excited because at the time I loved Strawberry Shortcake and the nickname reminded me of that. But when my mom asked me where the nicknames came from, I remember her smiling and just walking away. I didn’t understand at the time, but I do now, he named us after his favorite Brandy drinks!
Which brings me to the next issue of names, just because you give a kid a name - doesn’t mean that’s what you will or others will call him/her. The list of nicknames brings up a whole new topic!
Comment by brandie — March 21, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
I chose a name I have loved since the 70’s ( olivia)and although it has become popular it just so happened I leaned towards names that just so happen to be becoming more popular… In my 15 years of teaching preschool there was only 1 olivia during that time frame but tons of ashleys, brittanys and jessicas. I was just one of those girls who always knew what my childrens name would be ( Olivia or Madeline and Luke or Connor)Now my niece even named her baby Olivia and Its quite popular
All the girl names I love are on that top ten list, my second choice was Madeline and thats not on the list. I think above all you have to go with your heart…. so what if there are 3 Olivia’s at school…
great post btw
Comment by Lauri — March 22, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
My cousin is named Heaven Lee. Looong story of her name.
I for one have a tendency to pick cultural names. I wanted to name a biological son Seamus (shay-mus). I’m Irish what can I say.
Comment by elle — March 24, 2007 @ 1:39 am
You asked on one of the Blogs.. which agency a bunch of us have. It’s Alaska International Adoption AKA — AIA. if you goole it you will see the link, everyone and anyone is permitted to join in on the Thursday night chats. they begin at 9 pm EST and end around 10 pm. There are usually only about six or so people signed on, but it’s fun and I learn a lot.
Comment by brandie — March 24, 2007 @ 5:24 am