Birth announcements of real babies help us in many ways. They evidence trends before they are numerous enough to appear in the statistics, and though edited here a bit for length, they circumnavigate what may be this author’s own personal taste. It’s also nice to know when there are others out there who’ve chosen the exact same unusual moniker that you and your husband spent many hours fine tuning, be that Elowen or Zoelie.
Here are some of the precious newborns announced at Babycenter this past month.
Presley and Paisley seem to have graduated from connotations of the singer and the pattern to a conflagration of sounds. Can Syria do the same?
Aaralyn
Ainsley
Allura
Amberlyn
Anais
Annalisa
Annalise x2
Anneliese
Ashdyn
Aubriella
Aurelia
Bella
Brynlee
Carrigan
Celine
Charity
Clara
Dahlia
Eliza
Elliot
Eltessa
Elowen
Ember Lee
Emeline
Eowyn
Fiona
Georgiana
Hazel
Helena
Indie
Isa
Isis
Isobel
Izzy
Jaliyah
Jorja
Katarina
Kaydeen
Kenleigh
Kerrington
Kyleigh
Leah
Lola
Lorelei
Lydia x2
Macy
Mallory
Margaux
Mary Rose
Mayleigh
Melina
Merit
Mia
Nola
Paisley
Penelope
Peyton
Phoebe
Phoenix
Presley
Rebecca
Remini
Reylen
Rylee
Ryleigh x2
Rosabelle
Rose
Rosemary
Sage
Sarah
Scarlet
Scarlett
Scarlette
Syria
Talia x2
Violet x4
Vivian
Yoselin
Zoelie
Twins
Althea and Sophia
Charlotte and Matilda
Karsten and Karlie
Willow and Timolyn
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow – there are very few names I like from this list. In fact, the only ones I love are Anais, Aurelia, Sage, Sophia and Willow. There are many names here that we in Australia would call ‘bogan’ names, such as Ashdyn, Brynlee, Ember Lee, Jaliyah, Kaydeen, Kyleigh and Rylee. I’m sorry if some of them are legitimate names somewhere else, but they all make me cringe… An interesting list, however.
Not crazy about many of the names here, either-but very intrigued by the term ‘bogan’ and had to look it up-wikipedia had a most entertaining page on it! I may have to borrow the term and use it, since our ‘redneck’ just seems so commonplace and ‘bogan’ will have everyone guessing. But isn’t that just like a name enthusiast?
I did like Dahlia, Helena and Vivian.
Another Australian here – yes, ‘bogan’ is pretty much a term with the same meaning as ‘redneck’ or ‘white trash.’
Another term I like is the English ‘chav.’
On topic – four babies named Violet! This name is very much in vogue.
Sounds like ‘bogan’ is the Aussie equivalent of ‘redneck’, although it’s sometimes used quite affectionately! If you’ve ever seen the Australian TV series Kath and Kim (there was a US remake, though it was nowhere near as good as the original) then you’ll know what a bogan is! Kim named her daughter Eponnee Rae Darlene Charlene Craig, to give you an idea of a typical ‘bogan’ name!
These are cool!
Allura
Amberlyn
Anais
Anneliese
Aurelia
Celine
Clara
Dahlia
Eliza
Eltessa
Elowen
Ember
Emeline
Eowyn
Fiona
Georgiana
Hazel
Indie
Isis
Lola
Lorelei
Margaux
Nola
Penelope
Phoebe
Rosabelle
Rose
Sage
Scarlet
Scarlett
Violet
Vivian
Zoelie
Althea and Sophia
Charlotte and Matilda
Willow
The list seems like a mix of all the different trends out there – from the trendy lovers to the retro lovers !
Not all of them are for me, but they’re pretty enough
The rest
The list seems like a mix of all the different trends out there – from the trendy lovers to the retro lovers !
Not all of them are for me, but they’re pretty enough
Sorry, I was editing and it went through twice
A first Karsten sighting! This name (Carston) has been tops on my list for so long for a boy! I’m glad they liked the K and the E!
I love:
Anais
Helena
Isa
Scarlett
They are all on my list!
I don’t like ANY of these names!
I would go with Helena, Leah, Sarah or Sophia if I HAD to pick one. I guess my taste is a little more traditional. Off topic, I was wondering if anyone would help us come up with ideas for our daughter’s name! She’s due at the end of September and naming this time around has been much harder than naming our son (Lucas). Our last name is V1nc3nt. I kind of prefer classic but not-too-common names. I think 3 syllables sounds nice with our last name, but will consider anything! 
We’d like it to be a name that “travels well” and could be pronounced easily in several different countries. My current favorites (but not thrilled with any of them):
Daniela, Sonia, Tessa, Linnea, Naomi, Tyra
Any idea, anyone? Thanks!
I like Daniela, Sonia, and Naomi from your list… how about:
Beatrice
Amelia
Andrea
Julia
Calista
Dianna
Camellia
Antonia
Samara
Tamara
Tabitha
Soraya
Larisa
I was underwhelmed by these names—none really made me sing. I do like Dahlia, Fiona, Hazel, Helena, Isa, Isis, and Vivian.
I have a soft spot for Bella. My 2 1/2 year old calls all girls she doesn’t know “Bella”–that’s how she pronounces Isabella, and half the girls she plays with have that name.
Anais sure is becoming more popular…
My favorites are:
Anais
Anneliese
Aurelia
Celine
Clara
Dahlia
Eliza
Elowen
Emeline
Eowyn
Fiona
Georgiana
Hazel
Helena
Isis
Isobel
Katarina
Lorelei
Nola
Penelope
Phoebe
Rosabelle
Rose
Rosemary
Scarlett
Violet x4
Charlotte and Matilda
I like Anais, Helena, Isobel, Georgiana, and Lorelei. Lots of variant spellings for Riley and Scarlet. These seem to represent lots of the little babies I know personally: Mia, Riley, another Mia, Lorelei, Rebecca, Phoebe, Presley, Peyton and Sarah are all names of little girls we know personally.
Anneliese – my fiance loves Annabelle for a girl, but I think there are too many -belle/bella names out there right now. I like this name as an alternative.
Elowen – I really, really love this name. It reminds of Eowyn which I also love, without the “we’re huge LOTR fans” stigma.
Georgiana – I really love this one too. There seems to be some disagreement about pronunciation, though. I’ve always pronounced it JOR-JEE-ANNA but I’ve seen JORJ-ANNA too.
Katarina – one of my top choices for a name. Fiance prefers Katrina.
Lydia – loved this name until I saw how popular it’s getting.
I also think Charlotte & Matilda are great names for a twinset, except for how popular Charlotte is compared to Matilda. I don’t really like any of the other twinsets.
Elowen is cornish. I think it is the Cornish word for Elm? Could be wrong. Its a pretty name!
Cornish and Welsh names are pretty good choices if you want that LOTR vibe.
I’m dittoing Siobhan on the ‘bogan’ names, and also adding that Paisley is, in my personal opinion, a dated pattern which simply can’t make the transition to a nice name. Just because it ends in -lee, doesn’t make it a name, people! What’s next? Quickly?
Many of the names are lovely, though. A couple of my favourites are : Elowen, Indie (although I prefer it as a nickname, but just how quirky and brilliant can you get?), Nola and Penelope.
Damn, I new I shouldn’t have had her name in my siggy. Damn name stealers! Bitches Be Crazy!!
(Only half joking) Mama to Zoelie (July 07)
I feel you Desiree! My daughter’s name was on a lot of lists for a long time!
Did you want to do a name post? I can’t remember if your pregnant, but I remember you trying to come up with something that goes with Zoelie (which I think is fantastic)? I’ll go back and find the comment.
I appreciate the offer and while I am intrigued to see what you would come up with for me, I don’t want to waste your time. We are having a little boy and have had his name picked out since my daughter was a boy (long story but we were told she was a he for 14 weeks), it was girl names that were stumping me. Actually, I was sure this he was a she and we had just settled on Fiora Genevieve LOL, I still feel a little disappointed that I don’t get to use that name but I am thrilled to finally get to use Gryphon Lorenzo. I originally found your blog by googling Zoelie and you had one of the only things to come up. Now when I google her name I am seeing quite a few more Zoelies and 2 dogs with that name LOL. I doubt it will ever bust into the top 500, so I am cool with sharing it with a few people who obviously have awesome taste
. Have loved your blog since day one, continue on with spreading your name love, you have too have awesome taste.
I never have found another mom of a Zoelie! Mine was born Oct 2007, and had it picked out from around 12 weeks. I adore it and also the meaning. Curious how you pronounce yours? I wanted a more French sounding pronounciation (Zo-eh-lee) but she has become (Zo-lee).
How interesting. I have a Margaux born in March. I don’t know any others but have a feeling Margot is rising in popularity. Where do you find these announcements? Birth boards?
I have an Emeline, weird to see on someone else.
damn, violet is on our short list. I guess I need to reconsider with 4 born in one month!
I love:
Aurelia (but so hard to nn this. This is my favourite of the list)
Lola
Lydia
Peyton
Sage (although I prefer Saige, this name is really growing on me)
It’s okay:
Allura
Anais
Syria
I hate:
Brynlee
Carrigan
Eltessa
Ember Lee
Jaliyah
Kaydeen
Kerrigan
Kenleigh (spelling is too trendeigh)
Kyleigh (see above)
Mayleigh (see above)
Ryleigh (see above)
Paisley
Presley
Yoselin
Zorelie
I have a bit of a vendetta against -leigh spellings! The only -leigh spelling I like is Everleigh for a girl.
Elowen and Eowyn are stunning. I adore names like this but many (such as Saoirse) are off my list because of pronunciation concerns. Although Eowyn is pretty straightforward. And such a lovely name!
Georgiana – I’ve also heard this pronounced Geor-JANE-a, which seemed unintuitive but is apparently a correct pronunciation. I would say Jor-jee-AR-na.
I’m surprised by the Dahlia, Hazel, Violet influx. These names are definitely coming back in vogue! I love Violet and Ivy as mn’s
Margaux is so beautiful and unique! I love it!
Althea and Sophia, Charlotte and Matilda – super cute!
Karsten and Karlie – too matchy-matchy *facepalm*
Willow and Timolyn – Willow is beautiful. Timolyn is bizarre and reminds me of Timomatic. I wouldn’t give that to a girl.
my daughters name is popping up everywhere now! wow!
I have a Lorelei who turned 1, May 2010
That’s how I feel lol. Our Lorelai is 5.5 years old now!!!
I love a lot of the names on this list:
Eliza
Elowen
Ember
Emeline
Fiona
Hazel
Indie
Lola
Lorelei/Lorelai
Lydia
Mayleigh
Melina
Merit
Mia
Nola
Penelope
Peyton
Phoebe
Phoenix
Reylen
Rose
Rosemary
Saige
Scarlet/Scarlett
Talia
Violet
Zoelie