Hello all. Slowly getting back in the swing after a languid end of summer. Activities start this week, as does preschool application hell, but YCCII needs a little TLC. Time to pull my head out of the sand.
My absence saw multiple births and one adoption. A Sparrow, a Blaise, a Dante, and a Naleigh made their way onto the scene. Loving Blaise and Dante, for reals. Sparrow intrigues, and it swerves goth-punk to me. Sparrow’s not going to take crap from anyone. Love the religious and symbolic implications as well. Does it surprise you that I’m actually a fan?
Naleigh, however, is unforgivable, if only because I know she will have so many namesakes. The –leigh craze is OUT OF CONTROL and has become the Eighth Deadly Sin fo’ sho’. Blakesleigh? Finleigh? Blargh. I know her name is actually Nancy Leigh on the birth certificate, thank goodness, and that it is after family. Fine. Bully for you Ms. Heigl. But don’t expect me to be nice to you. I’m on team Apatow. I was angling for Lena, anyway.
Last but not least, please help me welcome Rosemary Flora Claire! She is the second child and first daughter for Sarah and her husband Nathan of Names From Adam to Eve. ”Remy” joins older brother Edward Peter Nole. Total swoon!
Now for the Yocals:
GIRLS
Amina
Clara
Eulala “Euly” (I couldn’t believe it!)
Isadora
Juniper
Leah (Josiah, Nehemiah)
Mia
Stella
BOYS
Aidan
Asher (Melech, Ushi)
Birch
Cosimo (Lorenzo)
Francisco “Cisco”
Harry
Josiah (Leah, Nehemiah)
Lorenzo (Cosimo)
Maximo
Melech (Asher, Ushi)
Mohammed
Nehemiah (Josiah, Leah)
Riley
Ushi (Asher, Melech)
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, Elisabeth! Thank goodness you’re back. I was getting very itchy without my YCCII fix and also I seriously need some professional name advice.
First, let me say that I am with you all the way when it comes to Kathy Heigl and the name Naliegh. What the? Also, I am irritated by her in general because of ridiculous remarks she makes in the media. Anyway.
I am surprised that you are a fan of Sparrow. I find it pretty shocking. Trying to imagine a grown man named Sparrow and having a difficult time. I loved their daughter’s name so much that Sparrow was disappointing, for me. At least he can go by James later, if he wants to. What did you think of Midnight?
Love Juniper. Adorable.
I hope you don’t mind, but I want to throw a couple of things out there and get some feedback from you, and any commenters that are so inclined.
Two of the names on our list are Lila and Eva. We already have a Caroline and an Avery, so I’m worried that Lila is too similar to CaroLINE with that li- sound. And I worry that Eva is almost the reverse of Avery and sounds too similar. I have the same problem with Charlotte. Charlotte has been on my list all three times now, and I love it but worry that it is too close to Caroline. I could be wrong but thought they are both derivative of Charles.
Adele has recently been added to our list, but having some trouble pairing middle names with it. The other names we are considering are Josephine and Kate, still love Fiona, Cecily, Annabel, and recently have a soft spot for Francesca. Thoughts? Advice? Help, please?!
Thanks and sorry that this is such an incredibly long comment.
All of your names are great. No wonder you are having trouble.
I love both Lila and Eva. Charlotte Eva or Eva Charlotte? Lila Kate?
Adele is sweet. Love Kate. Kate Josephine? Annabel Kate or Kate Annabel? Love Cecily too.
Good luck! Love your blog, BTW.
Aw, thanks! Thanks for the input. It’s so hard to know that this is the last baby I will ever name and have to pick just one. It makes me want to go back and rename my other two.
I’m also excited that you are back! I have been checking in every day, hoping for a new post from you!
I don’t mind Sparrow, but don’t love it with Harlow–they are a little too similiar for siblings.
How fabulous that there is a Eulala..it will never become popular, but will it be a niche name like Beatrix is becoming?
Love Amina, Isadora, Cosimo, and Nehemiah.
Would love some naming input from you as well..especially since back when in the OBBC days, you suggested Yasmina for me, which is still a strong contender if I have another daughter.
My DD is Zafira, I am expecting a boy at the end of October. Middle name will be chosen by my husband after the baby is born, in his native language. He is no help with first names, his only sugestion was in jest (Heffernan like Doug Heffernan from the show King of Queens). Name meaning is important. Last name starts with an O, has 4 sylables, and is distinctly Nigerian. We are a multi-ethnic family, with family on 3 continents.
My top 2 choices are Felix and Raphael/Rafael. I have felt strongest about Felix–than in June an ex had a baby and named him Felix. DH and ex are both fine if we use the name..but it feels a little less special to me now.
I like the meaning of Raphael/Rafael–God heals or God has healed, depending on where I look. My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer not long after I found out I was pregnant, this baby is due 2 days after her birthday. My mom had her last chemo apt. and her dr. thinks she may be cancer free–this is why this name feels strong to me. Husband not a fan of this name–boo…
Other names I could possibly use, but don’t feel strongly about are the following:
Walter
Franklin
Isaac
Meshach
Wyatt
Balthazar
Gustav
Names I like but can’t use:
Oliver
Ezra
Malik
Lateef
Everett
Ezekiel
Jude
Leo
Leonard
Omar
Julius
August/Augustine
Desmond
Names I like but have discarded:
Oscar
Calvin
Malcolm
Elliott
Isaiah
Nehemiah
Theodore
Soren
Bernard
Tobias
Julian
Solomon
Elijah
Jameson
Otis
Casper
Linus
Langston
Severin
Asa
Nasim
Osias
Raziel
Rafferty
Gilbert
Arthur
Etienne
Is there any hope for me? Any ideas or suggestions would be great! Sorry to bombard you…
What about HECTOR? Or GRIFFITH? Both come from the same type of group of names that you seem to like (I call it ‘new cool’, names that are a bit out there, meaning specifically not too popular but instantly recognisable, but also have wonderful history and meanings).
Hector means “to possess, to hold”
Griffith (depending on your source) means “prince”.
Raphael is lovely though.
Stanley is another option, but (to me) it’s not as strong/ wonderful an option.
Zoe—ooh, I like how you categorized my name choices–fun!
I used to work with a sweet man named Hector–very kind and gentle–but I would think of him.
Not really a fan of Griffith–seems a little lispy.
I do like Stanley..adding him to the list.
I’m still mostly on the Felix/Raphael seesaw, unless something else dazzles me…
Thanks so much for your input, Zoe!!!
Woo hoo – so happy you’re back, Elisabeth!!! I’m another who’s been checking in every day, hanging out for an update! I have been particularly curious about your thoughts on Sparrow, and am quite surprised that you like it. I could get used to it for a girl, but for a boy – no way, especially not with Harlow. I was so disappointed, particularly as I thought Harlow was such an inspired choice…
I feel terrible and yet gratified at the same time you all have been checking in every day for an update!
Bliss and Shelly, you both present quite the conundrum. I shall have to mull over it and answer in separate comments. Or perhaps more useful, would either or both of you like me to start a separate post for your little beans?
As long as you are on the case, I wouldn’t mind comments or a post.
xo
I check your blog every day because your posts are so thoughtful and inspiring!
A separate post or comment would be delightful…I’m fine with either. I’m curious to see what you come up with for us!!
Welcome back Elisabeth! I love the name Eulala and I never see any when I’m scouring Birth Announcements for my blog http://names4real.wordpress.com/.
I’m in total agreement about Naleigh. I’m glad she’s actually Nancy Leigh, but this morning I found a Paisleigh, Presleigh, & a Amileigh in BA’s. It’s enough to make my head spin. :0
I’m so happy you are back! I’ve been missing your posts. I would have to agree with you about Dante, Blaise and Sparrow. Sparrow is a huge GP of mine. I’d never use it myself, but really like it on the right person. I really dislike Naleigh, but am so relieved that they decided to use it as a mn vs an actual first name, but still, I know that we will be seeing a slew of Naleighs the next few years. From this list I like:
Clara
Eulala “Euly”-sweet, but prefer Eulalia or Eulalie
Isadora-ooo, how exciting!
Juniper-so sweet
Stella
Asher (Melech, Ushi)
Birch-I like this is as a guilty pleasure (GP)
Cosimo (Lorenzo)
Nehemiah (Josiah, Leah)
Ushi (Asher, Melech)
Naleigh is just a nickname though, so I’m fine with it. It isn’t my style, but Nancy Leigh is sweet in that both names are for honouring purposes. She can always choose to go by Nancy when she’s older.
Ditto on the checking in every day!
I’m not surprised you like Sparrow, I like it too, in a way. I’d love it on a girl, not so sure about on a boy, and I don’t think it’s so great with Harlow, but the could have done a lot worse, if you ask me. Also, sparrows are my favorite animal (lame, right? lol), so I like it because of that. I’ve toyed around with it in the middle spot for girls.
Francisco nn Cisco makes me think of Francisco nn Frisco, which I think is adorable and want to convince myself to use, but probably never would.
Rosemary Flora Claire is such a beautiful name!
I’m so glad you like Rosemary’s name! I think we got it right – finally.
However, I’m not sure the Riche-Madden’s got hte names of their children right.
I have never quite understood why parents choose to bestow 4 – or even more than 2 – names on their children that have not family significance.
Name like that just feel like a list of the parent’s favourites with a classic stuck in there for rhythms sake.
Oops – spelling! That was:
I’m so glad you like Rosemary’s name! I think we got it right – finally.
However, I’m not sure the Richie-Madden’s got the names of their children right.
I have never quite understood why parents choose to bestow 4 – or even more than 2 – names on their children that have no family significance.
Names like that just feel like a list of the parent’s favourite names with a classic stuck in there for rhythms sake.
Katherine Heigel actually named her daughter Nancy Leigh. Nancy for her mother and Leigh for her sister. She just calls her Naleigh.
OOPS! You said that you know in your post! Gosh! Sorry, I guess I’m blind today.