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Do you have a favorite Bridgerton baby name?

Caroline at Huffington Post explores the trend, and I’m here for it.

I called Bridgerton names “… vintage, elegant and fun, just like the Vitamin String Quartet-fueled soundtrack.”

To go a little farther: they’re delightfully escapist. I am confident that only the tiniest handful of Regency-era couples experienced the wealth, ease, and self-determination we watch on the series.

And most of them probably didn’t have such fabulous names, either. Or exactly not those names. Author Bryn Donovan compiled a list of authentic Regency-era England names.

But I don’t think that takes anything away from the style. Romantic, dramatic, storied, and very wearable in the 21st century, too.

And the data prove that we’re here for Eloise and Benedict and Daphne, too.

ELSEWHERE ONLINE

Nancy looks at the most popular baby names in Puerto Rico. From the predictable Noah and Aurora, to the surprising Zhamira and Adriel. Combined with states like Texas and California, it’s an excellent snapshot of how Spanish-speaking Americans influence name trends.

Love this list of possible summer vibes to inspire a baby name. The Wanderlust list really hits home for me. Nico, Cosima, Amelie!

September, Memory, Worthy, but also Cosima, Clea, Wallis … such interesting names from this list of rarities. And yes, I did just mention Cosima twice. I think it’s wildly underused.

UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT

Ryland, because Project Hail Mary made me see this name with fresh eyes.

Blythe might be a little hard to say, but I think it’s a perfect vintage, meaningful word name, a blend of Blair and Ruth turned up to eleven.

Brooks just keeps climbing up the popularity charts. How high will it climb? I feel like the US Top 25 is possible.

That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading and have a great week!

The post Names in the News 6.7.26 appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

CHARLES IS OUR BOY NAME, BUT OUR LAST BABY IS A GIRL

Maria writes:

When we were expecting our first baby, we agreed that we would name a son Charles, for my husband’s grandfather, with the middle name Golden. My maiden name is German and means gold/starts with the gold sound. I still love the idea of a little boy called Charlie.

We’ve had two daughters, and now we are pregnant with our third and final baby. It’s another girl. We’ve been saving Charles Golden for a boy, but I think that maybe we should try to use the name for a daughter.

Our girls are:

• Stella Blue – My favorite name for a girl was always Stella. We thought about Blue sort of at the last second because we had Golden for a future son’s middle name, and we met at school where our school colors were gold and blue. We later found out it was a song by the Grateful Dead, and even though the song is kind of sad, it’s pretty and we really love her name.
• Zoe Scarlett – Zoe was another name I’d always liked, and we decided color names were sort of our thing, so we went with Scarlett because we both liked it.

We don’t want to use a P first name because our last name starts with a P. Other than that, we don’t have a lot of rules or even ideas.

Here’s what we’ve talked about so far:

• Goldie Charlotte, Charlotte Golden, Charlie Golden – I like the idea of using both family names still, but I’m not sure about Goldie as a first name, but I’m also not sure if Charlotte is too popular. Lots of people have suggested we just call a girl Charlie, but I’m not sure about that, either.
• Eden, Eloise, or Mila Ivory – This baby is due in July, and it might be fun to have their middle names be red (Scarlett), white (Ivory), and blue (Blue). All first names are names we mostly agree on.
• Iris, Grace, or Sophie Golden – More first names we both mostly like, but just using the same middle name without using Charles/Charlotte.
• Clara, Cate, Callie Golden – Maybe just a C name would work with Golden as her middle name? I do like Chloe, but obviously not with Zoe’s name! Clara has been on our lists since we had Stella.

We’ve also talked about Charlotte as a middle name, and we could mix and match, so Eden Charlotte or Mila Golden or any of the other ones on our list.

Are we crazy to think about using our boy name for our daughter? Should it be Goldie or Charlotte or some other combination? Or is one of the other names on our list better?

I’m torn and just can’t make up my mind. I think my husband is also lukewarm about using Charlie for a girl, so I’ve mostly ruled it out, but maybe we should think about that?

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

FAMILY NAMES AND A THEME = LOTS OF DECISIONS

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new daughter!

This is a bit of a challenge. Charles Golden is your boys’ name, and you’ve chosen your girls’ names with Charlie in mind. Even if Charlie is unisex in theory, it might not feel like the right choice for your family. Based on what you’ve said so far, I’m going to rule out Charlie as a given name entirely.

It sounds like your girls’ name pattern is pretty specific, while also being flexible:

• A first name you love, something contemporary but not too out-there.
• A color-inspired middle, possibly with meaning (Blue) or maybe more to fit the theme (Scarlett).

I think the first decision is whether this pattern matters? Or whether it matters more than honoring your husband’s grandfather? Because it feels like you probably can’t do both.

Sometimes choosing the right name is more about setting your priorities than waiting for a first-middle combination to click.

If your priority is honoring Charles, and Charlie is not an option as a first name, I think your best choices are:

• Charlotte Golden – The most straightforward adaptation of your boy’s name for a daughter. I think there’s a lot of good here. Is Charlotte very popular? Absolutely yes. But a popular name chosen for the right reasons can wear better than another name chosen merely to avoid a Top Ten pick.
• Charlotte Ivory – A little twist on your boy’s name that gives you the red-white-blue connection and the honor name.
• Goldie Charlotte – Maybe a little bolder than your older girls’ names, but I think it works. And while it flips the color/honor name from Charles Golden, it still speaks to your original intention.

If your focus is on keeping a color-inspired middle to match Blue and Scarlett, then you have many more options. A few of my favorites from your list:

• Eden Ivory – Just a lovely name that you both agree on that sounds perfect with sisters Stella and Zoe. Something else I’ll mention here: Iris is also a color name, both a shade of purple-blue and the goddess of the rainbow in Greek mythology. It’s tempted to list Eden Iris as another option.
• Mila Ivory – Same thing here! In fact, since it seems like your strongest agreement is on Eden, Mila, and Eloise, I wonder if those really are your top three after/alongside Charlotte?
• Sophie Golden – All that said, I do think Sophie Golden is a great combination.
• Clara Golden – I do think opting for Clara Golden instead of Charles Golden might be a solid compromise. Some families find a shared initial more than enough to honor a loved one; others think it’s just too slender of a connection. But it’s really up to you. I feel like Clara Golden might be the right balance between “using our boy name for a daughter” and “choosing another girl name we both love.”

The lingering question I haven’t addressed: is using Golden as a nod to your heritage a priority? I’m inclined to think it is, and so I’m favoring combinations that use the middle name Golden over those that use Ivory. Even though, yes, a July baby with a middle name that completes a pattern like that is a sweet idea!

If you decide that honoring grandpa Charles is most important, I’m tempted to suggest Charlotte Golden. It’s worth noting that your Charlotte might come home from third grade and announce she’s Charlie now. But I think Stella, Zoe, and Charlotte are nicely matched.

But what if the color name and/or your family name matters more? I love Eden Ivory or Clara Golden … or even Eden Iris!

In that case, though, I think once you rule out the idea of using Charlotte for this daughter, it might be worth spending some more time with your lists. There are lots of great possibilities here!

Readers, should this couple use their boy name for their daughter? Or is there a better name to go with Stella Blue and Zoe Scarlett?

The post Should We Use Our Boy Name for A Daughter? appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

It’s time to look at Michigan baby names.

In terms of size, Michigan ranks near the top in both population (10th out of 50), as well as area (11th out of 50). 

But it looms even larger in the cultural imagination. The state’s biggest city, Detroit, is synonymous with the American auto industry. The nickname Detroit Motor City inspired Motown – Berry Gordy’s legendary record label that launched countless mega-stars. In turn, Motown is now a nickname for the city, too. The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Boyz II Men, Erykah Badu, 98 Degrees, Toni Braxton, and plenty of hit makers on the charts now have been part of Motown’s roster. 

It’s not just Motown, either. Madonna and Eminem are Michiganders, too. 

Detroit might be a big city, but it’s far from the entire state.

In fact, Michigan is called the Great Lakes State, and it’s the US state with the longest freshwater coastline. It’s second only to Alaska in terms of water coverage. Beyond the Great Lakes, plenty of other lakes and ponds are located in the state. 

Farther north, tiny Traverse City is known as the Cherry Capital of the World. It hosts an annual festival celebrating the crop.

Above that lies the Upper Peninsula, a sprawling expanse of forest with not too many people calling it home. 

And there’s also Lansing and Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, Flint and Troy and Kalamazoo. 

INDIGENOUS HISTORY AND EUROPEAN SETTLERS

Indigenous peoples including the Ojibwe/Chippewa, Potawatomi, and Odawa, and Wyandot have called the area we know as Michigan home for ages. Their communities remain a part of the state today. 

European explorers first arrived in the region in the 17th century, beginning with a French expedition in 1622. The missionaries, traders, and army officers that followed over the next century would leave their names dotted across the landscape: Marquette, St. Joseph, Cadillac, St. Clair, and more. Because of the Great Lakes’ strategic importance and lucrative fur trade, the French worked to secure the area. Detroit – literally “straits” in French, referring to the river – became the biggest city between Montreal and New Orleans.

Until 1774, Michigan was part of New France. Following the Seven Years’ War in Europe, control shifted to the British. Some years after the American Revolution, the area became part of the United States. During the War of 1812, control shifted again. 

In January of 1837, Michigan entered the union as the 26th state.

INDUSTRIAL MICHIGAN in the 20th CENTURY

The railroad brought development to Michigan, but a group of early 20th century innovators changed the state – and the world – in a different way. Names like Dodge, Buick, and Olds would create the auto industry. Henry Ford is arguably the most famous among them. 

DEMOGRAPHICS

Today, just under 75% of Michiganders identify as white. About 14% are black or African American; another 3% are Asian. 

One interesting fact: while Spanish-speaking households are the largest second language, Arabic isn’t too far behind. Dearborn is sometimes called the Capital of Arab America; the largest population of Lebanese Americans call the area home. No surprise, then, that Ali ranks so highly in the boys’ names, or Layla over-performing for the girls’ names. 

MICHIGAN AS A BABY NAME

The state’s name comes from an indigenous language. An Ojibwe word meaning “large lake” is one possible source. There’s also a theory that it comes from a specific tribe, sometimes called the Mishiken. 

As a given name, Michigan surfaced just once in the US data. It was given to five boys in the year 2006. In the years before and since, it might have been occassionally used – but for privacy reasons, names given to four or fewer children of a single gender are not revealed. 

Interestingly, it’s turned up as a rare given name elsewhere. Nancy spotted it in Sweden’s boys’ name data for 2024.

Still, overall – even considering the unique choices inspired by place names in our moment – Michigan doesn’t really sound like a baby name.

TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN MICHIGAN

10. ELIJAH (#7 in the US)

A Top Ten name in so many places, including Michigan.

9. LEVI (#12 in the US)

Levi slightly overperforms, entering the state’s Top Ten.

8. LIAM (#1 in the US)

Without a significant Spanish-speaking population, Liam falls from the top spot to #8 for Michigan boys’ names.

7. HUDSON (#17 in the US)

A trend that holds across many states, in more than one region: Hudson tends to climb into the Top Ten in states without a strong Spanish-speaking population, replacing choices like Mateo. 

6. JACK (#15 in the US)

A traditional pick with some vintage energy.

5. JAMES (#6 in the US)

Most of Michigan’s Top Ten is just a subtle re-shuffling of the US data.

4. HENRY (#5 in the US)

Another classic favorite.

3. OLIVER (#3 in the US)

Oliver holds the same rank in the state as it does nationally.

2. NOAH (#2 in the US)

Noah also sits in the second place in Michigan as it does elsewhere.

1. THEODORE (#4 in the US)

Traditional Theodore slips into the top spot. Corewell Health, a major hospital system serving the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas, put Theodore #1 on their list of the top baby names for the year, too.

TOP 100 MICHIGANDER BOY NAMES

1. Theodore
2. Noah
3. Oliver
4. Henry
5. James
6. Jack
7. Hudson
8. Liam
9. Levi
10. Elijah
11. William
12. Bennett
13. Benjamin
14. Owen
15. Leo
16. Lucas
17. Jackson
18. Lincoln
19. Michael
20. Wyatt
21. Wesley
22. John
23. Ezra
24. Joseph
25. Mason
26. Roman
27. Luca
28. Rowan
29. Cooper
30. Daniel
31. Charles
32. Carter
33. Asher
34. Grayson
35. Brooks
36. Beau
37. Samuel
38. Luke
39. Thomas
40. Maverick
41. Miles
42. Isaac
43. Adam
44. Weston
45. Gabriel
46. David
47. Elias
48. Alexander
49. Colton*
50. Ali*
51. August
52. Silas
53. Mateo
54. Waylon
55. Everett
56. Isaiah
57. Emmett*
58. Jameson*
59. Myles
60. Julian
61. Logan
62. Andrew
63. Nolan
64. Jacob
65. Josiah
66. Matthew
67. Arthur
68. Atlas
69. Parker
70. Aiden
71. Archer
72. Vincent*
73. Cameron
74. Ezekiel
75. Graham
76. Anthony
77. Landon*
78. Walker
79. Carson
80. Calvin*
81. Caleb
82. Theo
83. Sebastian
84. Dominic*
85. Dawson*
86. Harrison*
87. Milo*
88. Ethan
89. Micah
90. Amir*
91. Christopher
92. Jace*
93. Beckett*
94. Malachi*
95. Sawyer*
96. Giovanni*
97. Dylan
98. Christian
99. Easton*
100. Joshua

* indicates name does not appear in the current US Top 100

TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN MICHIGAN

10. HARPER (#13 in the US)

Literary surname name still in the state’s Top Ten.

9. LAINEY (#30 in the US)

Lainey is a fast-rising favorite, strongly associated with the West – which apparently includes Michigan. 

8. EMMA (#3 in the US)

Emma falls to make space for some other favorites.

7. VIOLET (#16 in the US)

A strong floral name rises even higher in Michigan.

6. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)

The #1 name across the US slips all the way to #6.

5. EVELYN (#8 in the US)

A strong traditional favorite.

4. ELEANOR (#12 in the US)

Classic Eleanor is even more popular here, along with El- names like Eliza, Elliana, and Elsie.

3. SOPHIA (#5 in the US)

An international classic, big pretty much everywhere in the US.

2. AMELIA (#4 in the US)

1. CHARLOTTE (#2 in the US)

With a relatively small Spanish-speaking popularity, Charlotte sweeps to the top of the charts. 

TOP 100 MICHIGANDER GIRL NAMES

1. Charlotte
2. Amelia
3. Sophia
4. Eleanor
5. Evelyn
6. Olivia
7. Violet
8. Emma
9. Lainey
10. Harper
11. Isabella
12. Ava
13. Nora
14. Aurora
15. Isla
16. Hazel
17. Josephine
18. Ivy
19. Lily
20. Mila
21. Ella
22. Mia
23. Lucy
24. Eliana
25. Grace
26. Layla
27. Penelope
28. Avery
29. Vivian
30. Aria
31. Elizabeth
32. Nova
33. Willow
34. Eloise
35. Ellie
36. Lillian
37. Chloe
38. Gianna
39. Scarlett
40. Luna
41. Riley
42. Sofia
43. Stella
44. Paisley
45. Sadie
46. Zoey
47. Adeline
48. Claire
49. Sophie
50. Clara
51. Delilah
52. Millie
53. Quinn
54. Daisy
55. Abigail
56. Ayla
57. Madison
58. Iris
59. Kennedy
60. Madelyn
61. Naomi
62. Elena
63. Kinsley
64. Ruby
65. Josie
66. Hannah
67. Maeve
68. Cecilia*
69. Emilia
70. Juniper
71. Natalie
72. Autumn
73. Lydia
74. Addison
75. Liliana
76. Rose*
77. Hadley*
78. Zoe
79. Emersyn*
80. Emery
81. Oakley*
82. Eliza*
83. Georgia
84. Raelynn*
85. Eden
86. Margot*
87. Brooklyn*
88. Maya
89. Parker*
90. Emerson*
91. Leah
92. Lyla
93. Elsie*
94. Mabel*
95. Alice
96. Anna*
97. Cora*
98. Emily
99. Haven*
100. Elliana*

* indicates name does not appear in the current US Top 100

DISTINCTIVE MICHIGAN PLACE NAMES

ANN

Established in 1824, the city of Ann Arbor was developed by land speculators John Allen and Elisha Walker Rumsey. They were both married to women named Ann, and the land held an extensive forested area. First called Annarbour, the name evolved over time. It’s now most famous as the home of the University of Michigan.

BELLE

Belle Isle sits in the middle of the Detroit River, a large island operated as a state park for well over a century. It first took the name way back in 1845, when a large gathering on the island voted for the name. Besides the literal meaning – beautiful island – it was inspired by Miss Isabelle Cass, daughter of Michigan governor Lewis Cass. 

CASS 

The Cass family also inspired the name of a county.

CHARLOTTE

A small city and the seat of Eaton County, Charlotte was named for the land developer’s wife. Over time, the pronunciation has become shar-LOTT, not SHAR lett, putting it at odds with the more familiar name.

CLAIR, CLARE

Lake Saint Clair and Saint Clair Shores sit in the Detroit suburbs, complete with urban beaches. There’s also a small town elsewhere in the state named Clare, for County Clare in Ireland. 

CLIO

From the name of a tiny town near Flint. Instead of sounding like Cleo, pronounce to rhyme with rye-oh.

EMMET 

Another county, this one was named for 18th century Irish nationalist Robert Emmet.

ISABELLA

Isabella County was named for the queen of Spain who comissioned Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the new world. 

MILAN

Once again, Michigan goes their own way. They pronounce this place name my-lynn. 

ORION

Michigans pronounce Lake Orion oh-ree-uhn, rather than rye. 

SHELBY

A popular place name, Shelby seems especially fitting given Detroit’s ties to all things automotive.

STERLING

As in Sterling Heights, a Detroit ‘burb.

TROY

This town was named after Troy, New York, since many early settlers relocated from that location. The New Yorkers originally named their Troy after the ancient city.

WARREN

It turns out that multiple influential Michiganders with the surname Warren might’ve inspired this place name.

WAYNE

Founding Father Mad Anthony Wayne served as a general during the American Revolution. He’s memorialized with this Michigan place name.

NAMES FROM MICHIGAN HISTORY & SYMBOLS

APPLE, BLOSSOM

Inspired by the state flower.

FORD

Walter Chrysler and GM’s William Durant might also be choices with ties to Michigan history, but Henry Ford is best remembered for the innovation that drove the auto industry. While his personal beliefs and political actions are disqualifying, it’s (probably) possible to see Ford as a brand and symbol beyond the problematic founder. 

IRIS

The Dwarf Lake Iris is the state’s wildflower.

LAKE

Every state has lakes, but Michigan has the Great Lakes.

ROBIN

The state’s official bird.

FAMOUS MICHIGANDERS

AALIYAH

The singer was born in New York, but grew up in Michigan.

ARETHA

As in Franklin, the Queen of Soul and perhaps the greatest singer of all time, she started singing in a Detroit church choir where her father served as pastor.

DIANA

Michigan music legends just don’t stop. Adding Diana Ross to the list.

GERALD

As in the 38th president of the United States, following the resignation of Richard Nixon. The Grand Rapids-raised Gerald Ford puts a different spin on the surname.

IGGY

Punk rock icon Iggy Pop grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

LILY 

Comedian Lily Tomlin called Detroit home and graduated from Wayne State University.

MALCOLM

Nebraska-born Malcolm X spent much of his youth in Lansing. 

SERENA

Saginaw native Serena Williams has become one of the best athletes in the world. 

THEODORE

Poet Theodore Roethke is another Saginaw native, and recipient of the 1954 Pulitzer Prize for poetry.

What are your favorite Michigan baby names? What’s missing from this list?

The post Popular in Michigan Baby Names appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

The baby name Paris mixes classical roots with 21st century celebrity.

Thanks to Mikaela for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME PARIS MEAN?

Before the Eiffel Tower lived in our imaginations, long before anyone ever baked a croissant, there was a Trojan prince named Paris.

He kidnapped Helen, the most beautiful woman in the known world, and wife of the king of Sparta.

The result? The Trojan War. 

There’s no definite meaning or origin for the name Paris. The best theory traces Paris to a Hittite or Luwian name, Pari-zitis, which would be truly ancient. It means “foremost man.”

The city we know so well isn’t related to mythological figure. Instead, it comes from the Parisii, a tribe that made their home along the River Seine from the Iron Age through the Roman era. They were prosperous, minting coins and engaging in trade. While the Romans briefly called the settlement Lutetia, by the 4th century it became Paris. 

It’s been the capital city of France – or its predecessors – for much of its history, tracing back to the early 500s. 

FAMOUS FIGURES

The name remained in use over the years, at least in small numbers

During the 4th century, Paris served as Bishop of Teano, in Campania, Italy. He’s considered a saint for taming a local dragon, or possibly killing it. The church of San Paride ad Fontem still stands in Teano today, though the current building dates to the 11th or 12th centuries.

Paride is the Italian form of the given the name. They call the City of Lights Parigi instead.

Shakespeare gave the name to two characters, including Juliet’s intended in Romeo and Juliet. 

PARIS HILTON

Then along came Paris Hilton.

Born to the wealthy family of Hilton Hotels fame in 1981, she emerged as a socialite in the 1990s. By the early 2000s, Hilton had become a reality television star. From 2003 to 2007, she and friend Nicole Richie starred in The Simple Life.

Paris became an internationally-known figure. Proving the name’s unisex past, she briefly dated a Greek shipping heir named Paris Latsis. 

POP CULTURE PARIS

Wealthy and privileged characters based on Paris Hilton abounded. 

From 2005 to 2008, The Suite Life of Zach and Cody gave us London Tipton, a hotel heiress. 

Even before that, in the year 2000, we all watched Rory go off to posh private school Chilton on Gilmore Girls. She met her rival and eventual friend, Paris Geller. 

Played by Liza Weil, the Gilmore Girls character wasn’t supposed to be temporary, but ended up becoming part of the series going forward.

It’s not clear if her first name took inspiration from the Hilton heiress. After all, Amy Sherman-Palladino is a brilliant character namer.

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME PARIS?

In the United States, the baby name Paris has been used in small numbers for boys. In the late 19th century, when data was first reported, Paris routinely appeared in the Top 1000 most popular names. But Paris ranked again during the 1980s and 90s.

Credit to Greek mythology. After all, in 2004 epic Troy, Orlando Bloom played Paris. Shakespeare, too, might’ve put it on some parents’ radar. Actor Pierce Brosnan and wife Keeley Shaye Smith have a 20-something son called Paris, a brother for Dylan.

Paris debuted in the Top 1000 baby girl names in the year 1985. The late singer Michael Jackson welcomed a daughter named Paris-Michael in 1998. 

It wasn’t until the early 21st century that the baby name Paris definitively crossed gender lines. It reached peak usage in the US in 2004 at #157.

The story is similar in the UK. It left the most popular boy names early in the 21st century, and peaked for girls in 2004. While it still appears in the England & Wales Top 1000, it’s much less popular. 

As of 2025, Paris stands at #592. It’s tumbled quite a bit, but remains in use as a girl’s given name.

If you’re wondering about Europe? French parents chose the name in small numbers around the same time American families discovered it. It peaked around 2010 for girls. But it’s long been used for boys, too, and was most popular among French names for boys circa 2008. 

ROMANTIC PLACE NAME

There’s no question that Paris Hilton boosted her romantic place name for a generation. But Paris also benefited from a broader place name trend that has softened in the last few years.

And yet, can the city of Paris be put in the same category as, say, Savannah or Brooklyn? It feels like there will always be some families drawn to the city of Madeline and Emily. 

Plus, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is set to debut in the summer of 2026. While Paris isn’t a main character, could it spark fresh interest in all sorts of mythological names for boys?

For now, if this is one of your favorite places, Paris remains a place name worth considering, as a first or even middle name.

What do you think of the baby name Paris?

The post Baby Name of the Day: Paris appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE FOR BABY THREE

Kate writes:

We have two boys with traditional names: Nicholas John and Zachary Paul. Yes, they’re kind of 90s. No, we were not deliberately throwing it back. We wanted normal names that everybody could spell and pronounce and ended up settling on names that have been around.

At home, we mostly call them Nicholas and Zachary, but they both get shortened by others and that’s fine.

If this baby is a boy, we’re mostly set on Alexander Michael. John, Paul, and Michael are all family names.

The problem is names for girls. We don’t really want a name like Elizabeth, but we also don’t want a name like Melissa, Ashley, or Brittany that sounds like someone we grew up with.

What’s the middle ground for a girl’s name, not super-traditional but also not out of a time capsule?

If it helps, our last name sounds like Mice-with-an-H.

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

MODERN TRADITIONALS

Abby replies:

Congratulations on baby three!

You’ve identified a very real challenge.

I’d call Nicholas and Zachary modern traditionals. They might have felt fresh, even a little bit trendy in the 1990s. But they’re solid citizens now, names that wear well from childhood into the adult years, names that we can easily imagine on a grown-up.

Girls’ names do operate a little differently. They tend to trend faster, rising and falling more rapidly. So while I could easily rattle off half-a-dozen boys’ names from the Top 100 in 1996 that are still there today, that’s slightly more challenging for girls.

But only slightly.

Let’s look for long-term favorites, difficult to pin down to a specific moment in time without veering into classic Elizabeth/Katherine/Margaret territory.

A SISTER FOR NICHOLAS AND ZACHARY

ANNABELLE

Anne is a classic, and Isabella has been a long time Top Ten favorite in US. Annabelle falls somewhere in the middle. It peaked in popularity about a dozen years ago, but mostly this is just a standard-issue choice for a late 20th century/early 21st century girl. While the spelling Annabel was once more common, in our Gabrielle/Isabelle/Arielle age, Annabelle is far more common.

AUDREY

There’s some Hollywood sophistication to Audrey, thanks to the iconic Ms. Hepburn. But Audrey is mostly a friendly, accessible name that’s been used for centuries. It’s never left the US Top 1000, and typically ranks in the Top 200 – timeless, without being too traditional.

CASSANDRA

Before we were naming our daughters Penelope, there was Cassandra. Another name straight out of myth, Cassandra peaked in the 1980s and 90s. But it never reached the US Top 50, so it feels very familiar, but not overdone.

JULIA

We’re more likely to name our daughters Juliette today, but that’s why sophisticated Julia is the better choice for your family’s style, a logical sister for Nicholas and Zachary.

LAURA

From the 1940s through the 90s, the name Laura was very popular. In fact, it’s probably the most common name on this list. But it’s faded in recent years, and that could be an opportunity. Effortlessly international, easily spelled and pronounced, Laura is a name that no one knows but your daughter will almost certainly never share – unless it’s with her teacher.

SABRINA

A name from legend and literature, Sabrina had a good run in the 20th century. But it’s only spent a handful of those years in the Top 100. Singer Sabrina Carpenter makes it current, but also proves that this name wears well in any decade.

VERONICA

Like Sabrina, Veronica hit peak popularity in the 20th century. If you’ve ever seen the movie Heathers – or the musical based on the movie – you’ll know that all the cool mean girls shared a name: Heather. But Winona Ryder played Veronica, the one who stood out.

VIVIAN

If Sabrina and Veronica were popular in the recent past, Vivian is trending now. But it’s still very much a name in steady use, not exactly classic, but far from trendy.

Overall, I’m in love with the idea of Sabrina. Sabrina Kate or Sabrina Katherine, maybe? If not Sabrina, I think Julia hits that timeless-not-too-classic note really well. I’m not sure if there’s another family name you’d like to use, but something like Julia Lauren might be lovely.

Readers, over to you! What would you name a sister for Nicholas and Zachary?

The post 90s Names for Baby Three: Nicholas, Zachary, and … appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

The baby name Ryland isn’t new. In fact, it’s all grown up as the name of Ryan Gosling’s character in 2026 blockbuster Project Hail Mary. 

Thanks to Alysia for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME RYLAND MEAN?

It’s easy enough to tease out the meaning of the name Ryland: rye land, an area where rye was grown. Or, more likely, someone who lived near rye land. 

Spellings like Rylance were also in use. In English, other surnames might’ve become Ryland, too. The German Reiland likely refers to the Rhine land, but might’ve sometimes been simplified to the Ry- spelling. 

RYAN and RYLAN

All of these names might’ve remained obscure, except for the runaway success of the baby name Ryan. The Irish surname means “little king.”

It surged in popularity during the 1960s and 70s, ranking in the US Top 25 from 1974 through 2011. 

That’s quite a run. Credit goes to so many forces. A 1970 British movie titled Ryan’s Daughter is part of the puzzle. Soap opera Ryan’s Hope, which debuted in 1975, is another factor. But young actor Ryan O’Neal probably boosted the name more than anything. Following his breakthrough role in Peyton Place on television, he went on to earn a Best Actor nomination for his role in 1970 hit Love Story. O’Neal starred opposite Ali MacGraw as Jennifer. She was also nominated for an Oscar, and arguably pushed her character’s name to the #1 spot. 

As Ryan was rising, other name followed. Rylan debuted in the US popularity data in 1968. 

Then came the baby name Ryland. Late 19th/early 20th century English politican Ryland Adkins was one notable bearer, though it was his middle name. 

Television series Dallas gave us a character called Harris Ryland in the 2010s reboot. 

All three names: Ryan, Rylan, and Ryland, are occasionally used for both genders, though overwhelmingly masculine. 

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME RYLAND?

In an era when parents’ preferences run to surnames with a modern edge, Ryland could be the perfect baby name.

It first appeared in the boys’ data in the year 1912. It’s been used steadily, in small numbers, ever since.

In the year 2003, the baby name Ryland entered the US Top 1000 at #990. It peaked at #407 in 2013. 

As of 2025, the baby name Ryland fell to #706. Still familiar, but far from chart-topping.

RYLAND GRACE

But could that change? 2026 blockbuster Project Hail Mary was based on a novel by Andy Weir. 

Equally hopeful and terrifying, Weir’s novel gave the main character a perfect name. Ryland Grace suggests ties to the earth, but also the good fortune that makes this unlikely hero the only one who can complete his work. 

Ryan Gosling’s portrayal of the character was especially winning. He wore quirky, science geek tee shirts with vintage sweaters. And he risked it all to save his best friend. 

Will the movie give the baby name Ryland a bump?

ORDINARY HERO NAME

Typically movies can’t boost a name. At least, non-franchise movies. That’s because parents aren’t exposed to the name often enough, over a period of time, to warm up to the idea of naming their children Ryland.

What might happen, though? Ryland’s status as an everyman hero might lend just enough luster to the name to keep it stable a little bit longer.

Instead of falling out of use rapidly as a trendy, Ryan-adjacent surname-style choice, Ryland now feels like an established name for a son. It’s capable and strong, an understated hero name.

That might be exactly what some parents are after right now.

What do you think of the baby name Ryland?

The post Baby Name of the Day: Ryland appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Looking for even more deep dives on all the names and name talk you love? Join us on the AM Baby Names Patreon. Join for free to keep up with featured names. Upgrade and unlock even more great content, like this list of 100 Cool, Edgy, Middle Names to Consider That Are 2+ Syllables. Evergreen or Brio, anyone?

Can we talk about the names Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden chose for their children?

Like many high-profile parents, they keep their children’s identities pretty quiet. But they have revealed their names. Firstborn daughter wears the bold, nearly one-of-one name Raddix Chloe Wildflower. The second child, son Cardinal, has a name that feels a little more mainstream, a mix of nature names, colors, and even numbers.

Now they’ve welcomed a second son. His name? Nautas.

I’d say we’re back in Raddix territory.

Dad Benji announced his birth with an explanation of his name: “Sailor, navigator, voyager. One who embarks on a journey and fears not the unknown.”

My reaction?

• For children of celebrities, the weirdest thing about your life is never going to be your unusual name.
• I don’t love the name, but I do appreciate the effort and imagination. Strictly speaking, while the Latin nauticus does refer to ships and sailors, the fearless part is the Madden family’s embroidery. Then again, the Nautilus was both the world’s first submarine and the fictional version from Jules Vernes’ Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. There’s quite a bit of adventure baked in to the sound.
• Overall, it’s a mash-up of Raddix (invented, with trending sounds) and Cardinal (word name with ties to the natural world).

Their style might not be my style, but there’s no question that they have a strong and independent point-of-view. That’s tremendously appealing.

ELSEWHERE ONLINE

Kelli’s annual Playground Analysis is the best! She tallies up all the alternate spellings in the new data release and tells us which names we’re actually likely to hear. We all know that Ailany is even more popular than it looks. Same for Jackson. But whoa – Kayson surprised me! And it’s always interesting to look at names like Lily, Lillian, and Liliana. They all rise in the rankings, but combine them? And every other girl is called Lily.

Oh this so sad-sweet, emotiaonl name story from Eventide Pennant Company. Proof that ” … sometimes names carry stories we don’t even mean to write.” I’ve had others tell me that they were drawn to a name only to later discover something new about it. This happened to me with my daughter’s name. After settling on it, I kept finding more and more layers of meaning.

This list of girl names outside the top 1000 with neutral, nickname, nature vibes is absolutely worth a read. Worth noting: some are more popular for boys like Carson and Kai. But I think Pearl and Lark nailed it, and we’ll be hearing more of these names in the future.

UPDATING & THINKING ABOUT

Kelso isn’t a name anyone is (really) using. But it could be.

Summer has become a modern staple for our daughters, and I love the mix of easy, casual energy combined with tailored, surname style.

Briar is one of those fast-rising unisex names defining this moment. A thoroughly 21st century name, just as surely as Mildred and Floyd fit perfectly a century ago.

That’s all for this week. As always, thank you so much for reading and have a great week!

The post Names in the News 5.31.26 appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

The baby name Briar is a nature name that fits perfectly with our moment.

Thanks to Jo for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.

WHAT DOES THE NAME BRIAR MEAN?

Briar is a nature name, but not quite as pretty as Magnolia or Violet.

Instead, it means thorny shrub, ultimately from an Old English word, brer. It’s also sometimes spelled brier. While it once referred to all manner of prickly growth, it’s now mostly reserved for wild rose bushes. Sweetbrier and eglantine are also names for this plant. 

EGLANTINE and BRIAR ROSE

Speaking of Eglantine, it comes from a French word, ultimately from Latin: needle or sharp point. It has a history of use in France, but also in England. A character in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales answers to Eglantine.

But what about the baby name Briar?

In the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora spends much of her life in hiding as Briar Rose. Or at least in many versions, she’s Briar Rose. 

It lends Briar a romantic, even other-worldly energy.

Along those lines, Tamora Pierce’s high fantasy series Circle of Magic includes a character named Briar Moss.

IS BRIAR A GENDER NEUTRAL NAME?

But is the baby name Briar unisex?

First, consider that there’s Briar and Brier and Bryer, too. The last one is a separate surname derived from an English place name. It ties back to the briar patch – a cluster of such shrubs. Or sometimes, Bryer might’ve been a surname given to someone with a prickly personality. 

In 1989, Liam Neeson co-starred with Patrick Swayze in a movie titled Next of Kin. Swayze and Neeson played brothers from Appalachia, dealing with the murder of a loved one. The characters’ names were probably meant to suggest their roots in an outsider part of the US: Truman, Selkirk, Tolbert, and Neeson’s character, Briar Gates. 

After all, Briar sounds a lot like Bryce and Brian and so many other popular boys’ names.

But it also works with Brielle and Briana and plenty of choices for girls, too. 

We’ll look at the numbers in a minute, but whether Briar is a boy’s name or girl’s name? That mostly comes down to personal preference.

THE GREENBRIER

Briar also appears on the map, in several forms.

To list just two: Brierly Hill is found in England; in the United States, The Greenbrier is a luxury estate in West Virginia. The latter was originally built as a destination for railroad passengers. 

HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME BRIAR?

In the United States as of 2025, the baby name Briar ranks #400 for girls. it has charted every year since 2015. 

fits two trends – nature names, sister for Hazel, but also unisex, a brother for Rowan – nature names especially obvious because who can say if River if better for a boy or a girl?

On the boys’ side, Briar comes in at #686, and has ranked in the Top 1000 since 2017.

LOVELY NAME WITH EDGE

Overall, Briar might be the perfect name if you love the sound of River but want something less common. It’s effortlessly unisex, modern but with roots, and continues to gain in use.

In this moment, that makes Briar a baby name to watch.

What do you think of the name Briar?

The post Baby Name of the Day: Briar appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Let’s talk Tennessee baby names. 

It’s the 36th largest and 15th-most populous state. And the population is increasing, too, with cities like Nashville among the fastest-growing regions in the US for decades.

The state’s demographics are divided between rural and urban. While 71% of the state’s population identifies as white, urban centers like Memphis are majority African American. Overall, about 15% of Tennesseans are black. Just under 2% consider themselves Asian, and a little over 7% identify as Hispanic. That’s true even though the first European explorers to enter the region were led by Spain’s Hernando de Soto in the early 1540s. English and French explorers followed in the 17th century. 

Very few Native Americans remain in the state, despite a long history. 

When it comes to Tennessee, you might think of music. Nashville is the home of country, while Memphis remains famous for the blues. The list of the state’s most famous overwhelming honors these roots. 

Rugged, natural beauty is also a feature for this landlocked area. The Blue Ridge Mountains stretch across the eastern border, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also in the eastern part of the state. The Mississippi River creates the western border. 

TENNESSEE AS A BABY NAME

The name comes from a Cherokee word. Europeans spelled it Tanasi, Tanase, Tenassee, and so on, before settling on the current name. In the 1750s, South Carolina’s governor, James Glen, used the spelling Tennessee, and that settled things. 

The exact meaning is something like “where the waters meet.” The original Tanasi was a village on a river now known as the Little Tennessee.

As state names go, this one is relatively familiar.

Author Tennessee Williams was born Thomas, but the playwright behind such stories as A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof was always known by his pen name. He adopted it to honor his southern roots, though Williams was born in Mississippi.

It’s been used as a unisex choice at least since US data is first reported for the year 1880. As recently as 1902, the state name even ranked in Top 1000 popular names for girls. 

Besides the Pullitzer Prize-winning writer, this name is familiar as actress Reese Witherspoon’s youngest, born in 2012. 

TOP TEN BOY NAMES IN TENNESSEE

10. JOHN (#23 in the US)

As is so often the case in Southern states, the most traditional of boys’ names tend to outperform national rankings. 

9. WAYLON (#56 in the US)

Waylon Jennings was from Texas, but the country music legend’s name is broadly popular. 

8. THEODORE (#4 in the US)

A Top Ten favorite everywhere.

7. HUDSON (#17 in the US)

Another state in which Hudson overperforms. 

6. WILLIAM (#9 in the US)

Classic names top the Tennessee baby names list. 

5. HENRY (#5 in the US)

Another traditonal favorite, riding high.

4. JAMES (#6 in the US)

No surprises here.

3. OLIVER (#3 in the US)

Oliver is exactly as popular in Tennessee as it is nationally.

2. LIAM (#1 in the US)

Liam slips to #2 in the state. One possible reason? It’s very popular with Spanish-speaking families, a population underrepresented in the state.

1. NOAH (#2 in the US)

With Liam at #2, Old Testament Noah holds the top spot.

TOP 100 TENNESSEAN BOY NAMES

1. Noah
2. Liam
3. Oliver
4. James
5. Henry
6. William
7. Hudson
8. Theodore
9. Waylon
10. John
11. Elijah
12. Levi
13. Asher
14. Samuel
15. Wyatt
16. Jack
17. Cooper
18. Grayson
19. Benjamin
20. Walker
21. Lucas
22. Jackson
23. Ezra
24. Weston
25. Maverick
26. Elias
27. Charles
28. Michael
29. Carter
30. Bennett
31. Beau
32. Luke
33. Daniel
34. Thomas
35. Dylan
36. Everett
37. Rowan
38. Silas
39. Owen
40. Roman
41. Mason
42. David
43. Stetson*
44. Gabriel
45. Joseph
46. Mateo
47. Miles
48. Ethan
49. Brooks
50. Eithan
51. Christopher
52. Lincoln
53. Colton*
54. Matthew
55. Thiago
56. Nolan
57. River*
58. Atlas
59. Archer
60. Andrew
61. Jacob
62. Joshua
63. Josiah
64. Leo
65. Isaac
66. Isaiah
67. Luca
68. Alexander
69. Wesley
70. Sebastian
71. Easton
72. Barrett*
73. Aiden
74. Axel
75. Colter*
76. Ezekiel
77. Caleb
78. Sawyer*
79. Beckett*
80. Julian
81. Tucker*
82. Robert
83. Harrison*
84. August
85. Jaxon*
86. Carson*
87. Judah*
88. Arthur
89. Greyson*
90. Parker
91. Ryder*
92. Shepherd*
93. Dawson*
94. Jayden
95. Nathan
96. Emmett*
97. Micah
98. Jace*
99. Logan
100. Hayes*

* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100

TOP TEN GIRL NAMES IN TENNESSEE

10. WILLOW (#44 in the US)

Nature names often over-perform national averages in specific states. Black willow trees are native to the state.

9. ELIZABETH (#17 in the US)

As with John, the most traditional choices often fare well in the American South.

8. HARPER (#16 in the US)

Harper Lee was an Alabama native, but her family surname-name tends to be a favorite throughout the region.

7. EVELYN (#8 in the US)

Tailored and traditional.

6. ELEANOR (#12 in the US)

Just like Evelyn and Elizabeth, Eleanor fits in the Volunteer State.

5. SOPHIA (#5 in the US)

Classic choice popular here and everywhere.

4. EMMA (#3 in the US)

The top four names are shuffled just slightly from the US average, but these popular names are chart-toppers across the US.

3. OLIVIA (#1 in the US)

Olivia slips back just a few spaces. 

2. AMELIA (#4 in the US)

Adventrous Amelia rises to the #2 spot.

1. CHARLOTTE (#2 in the US)

Charlotte takes over the top ranking. As with Liam and Noah on the boys’ side, this might reflect a smaller Spanish-speaking population overall. Emma and Olivia rank in Baby Center en Español’s Top Five, while Charlotte does not make their Top 100.

TOP 100 TENNESSEAN GIRL NAMES

1. Charlotte
2. Amelia
3. Olivia
4. Emma
5. Sophia
6. Eleanor
7. Evelyn
8. Harper
9. Elizabeth
10. Willow
11. Ailany
12. Isabella
13. Ellie
14. Lily
15. Mia
16. Sadie
17. Ivy
18. Lucy
19. Ava
20. Hazel
21. Lainey
22. Ella
23. Eliana
24. Violet
25. Scarlett
26. Aurora
27. Isla
28. Nora
29. Nova
30. Penelope
31. Caroline
32. Lillian
33. Millie
34. Paisley
35. Riley
36. Naomi
37. Adeline
38. Layla
39. Ruby
40. Avery
41. Eloise
42. Grace
43. Delilah
44. Luna
45. Zoe
46. Magnolia*
47. Sofia
48. Hallie*
49. Chloe
50. Abigail
51. Aria
52. Iris
53. Eden
54. Madelyn
55. Daisy
56. Josie
57. Sophie
58. Stella
59. Alice
60. Elena
61. Josephine
62. Raelynn*
63. Hannah
64. Madison
65. Mary*
66. Emily
67. Clara
68. Georgia
69. Genesis
70. Addison
71. Kinsley
72. Camila
73. Hadley*
74. Lyla
75. Wrenley*
76. Anna
77. Emerson*
78. Emery
79. Oakley*
80. Oaklynn*
81. Serenity*
82. Everly
83. Parker
84. Juniper
85. Rylee*
86. Allison*
87. Kennedy
88. Madeline
89. Autumn
90. Eliza*
91. Emilia
92. Margaret*
93. Lydia
94. Elsie
95. Gianna
96. Zoey
97. Audrey
98. Charlie*
99. Scottie*
100. Annie*

* indicates the name does not rank in the current US Top 100

DISTINCTIVE TENNESSEE PLACE NAMES

ASHLAND

Or maybe Ashe, Asher, or some form of Ashlyn could reflect this place.

BRISTOL

A common choice across the US.

FRANKLIN

Another frequent choice for a place name, but one that works for Tennessee heritage, too. The eastern part of the state was briefly considered part of a possible, separate state named Franklin.

JACKSON

Jackson has all the swagger of the Johnny Cash and June Carter hit from 1967; while there’s some debate about which Jackson the song is about, Tennessee is the most popular answer. 

JULIET

As in Mount Juliet.

KNOX

Inspired by Knoxville.

MARY

Because Maryville is found in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

MEMPHIS

Ancient Egyptian place name with a rich muscial and cultural history.

NASH

As in Nashville. 

RIPLEY

A small city named after War of 1812 General Eleazar Ripley. 

SHELBY 

Inspired by Shelby County, home to Memphis, as well as Shelbyville, sometimes called the “Walking Horse Capital of the World.”

NAMES FROM TENNESSEE HISTORY & SYMBOLS

CEDAR 

The eastern red cedar is an official state tree.

DARROW

For Clarence Darrow, who famously defended high school teacher John T. Scopes for teaching evolution. The 1925 case became a national sensation. The case was tried in Dayton, Tenneessee. 

DAVY 

As in frontiersman and solider Crockett. One of the state’s nicknames is the Volunteer State, and “Go Vols” is the rallying cry for the University of Tennesssees’ sports teams. It earned its name because residents have overwhelmingly responding to calls for military service, including in the War of 1812 and later in the Mexican-American War. Davy Crockett was one of many who volunteered during the Texas Revolution of 1835 to 36. He famously lost his life at The Alamo.

IRIS 

The state’s official flower.

PEARL 

The Tennessee River Pearl is the state’s official gemstone. The freshwater pearls are cultivated at a farm on Birdsong Creek in the western part of the state – though they can also occur naturally. 

FAMOUS TENNESSEANS

ARETHA

Legendary singer Aretha Franklin is a native of Memphis.

DOLLY

Not only is Dolly Parton a muscial legend and pop culture icon, she’s put Pigeon Forge on the map thanks to her Dollywood resort.

ELVIS

He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, but he made his home at Graceland in Memphis.

JULIAN 

As in Civil Rights activist Julian Bond.

MILEY 

One of pop music’s biggest names of this moment, Miley Cyrus always hails from the state.

MORGAN 

Memphis-born Morgan Freeman is the first Tennessean that comes to mind, but country music’s Morgan Wallen is also a native.

PRESLEY

Elvis isn’t common, but Presley is a popular name that nods to the state’s history. 

REESE 

More than one actress hails from the Volunteer State, but Reese Witherspoon is among the most famous. Plus she gave the name to her son. 

ROY

During the 1930s and 40s, Roy Acuff pioneered the country genre. He’s known as the King of Country Music. 

QUENTIN

Knoxville native Quentin Tarantino is a Hollywood mainstay.

WILMA 

Willow and Willa are more popular, but Wilma Rudolph was the world-changing sprinter who overcame polio as a child to set world records and win medals both the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. 

Do you have any favorite Tennessee baby names?

The post Popular in Tennessee Baby Names appeared first on Appellation Mountain.

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

HE KEEPS SUGGESTING HIS NAME

Faith writes:

I’m pregnant with our first child, a boy. We’ve gone through literally hundreds of names and we don’t agree on anything.

My husband would really like a junior, but he knows that I’m uncomfortable with the idea. I might be willing to consider it, but his name is Brian Lee, so there’s not really an easy way to distinguish between a father and son, like William being Will and Billy or anything like that.

I have gotten my list down to five names, any of which I’d be fine with:

• Austin
• Jack
• Harrison
• Owen
• Wyatt

Our last name sounds like Dave-with-a-Y, so the only kind of names that we’re really not considering are those that end with Y, like Henry or Brady.

I am absolutely fine with using some combination of Brian and Lee, or even both names, for our son’s middle name, but I just want him to have a name of his own.

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

AVOIDING A JUNIOR: SO EASY, BUT ALSO IMPOSSIBLE

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

I do not, in any way, want to accuse your husband of scheming.

Except … is it possible that he likes the idea of a Brian Jr. so very much that no name can top it?

That happens! Sometimes we don’t even completely realize. It’s just that we have a name in our mind to which nothing will quite compare. And so Wyatt and Austin are nice enough names, but they don’t rise to the level of Brian.

What we need is a slightly different question.

Imagine you already have a son named Brian. What would you name his brother?

Frame it as an experiment. A thought exercise.

It might not make sense to your husband. But it’s a way of re-phrasing the question.

In the meantime, let’s talk about your favorite names. The only real criteria you’ve identified so far is that they have to work with your surname and the middle name Brian – or Brian Lee or possibly even just Lee.

WHICH NAME FLOWS BEST?

While there aren’t any absolute rules about syllable count, conventional wisdom suggests a little bit of variation in syllables and emphasis is helpful. So yes to Harrison Brian Dave-with-a-y. Or Wyatt Lee Dave-with-a-y. But maybe not Austin Brian Dave-with-a-y.

From that perspective, I’d drop Austin and Owen. Great names, and I’m sorry to see them go. But if Brian is the must-use middle name, then the flow isn’t great with Austin or Brian.

Unless, of course, Austin Lee or Owen Lee is an option.

But let’s move on to Wyatt, Jack, and Harrison.

Because of the repeating vowel sound, I think Wyatt Brian isn’t ideal.

Harrison Brian Dave-with-a-Y is a little better.

Jack Brian Dave-with-a-Y, though? That seems like the name to beat.

So if that logic works, then I’d rank Jack the top of your shortlist, based on middle name compatibility.

Readers, what’s your best advice on avoiding a junior when one parent is opposed … but the other is having a hard time moving past the idea?

The post Avoiding a Junior: Finding Boy Names We Both Like appeared first on Appellation Mountain.