Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice: 20 Baby Names Inspired by Holiday Foods

It's the most delicious time of the year!

As we gather with friends and family to celebrate the holidays, our tables fill with all the flavors of the season. From fragrant spices and freshly baked treats to festive fruits and savory favorites, there's something wonderful about the foods we look forward to year after year.

Abdul

Abdul ~ Servant of the ~ Arabic

If this name wasn't on your radar before the 2026 election, I'm betting it is now. Abdul El-Sayed made history by becoming the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, but his name also drew some ugly attention from the President during the campaign.

Abdul is a classic name with a long history. But one question it has me asking is, "what's in a name?" I mean, straight up, now tell me!

Which reminds me, many Americans are familiar with Abdul simply because it's the surname of a huge pop star and one of the original judges of American Idol. That's why Miss Paula Abdul is forever my girl.

Ok, I promise not to do that the whole article.

Ailany, Ailani, Aylani, and Ailanny

Ailani, Ailany, Aylani & Ailanny ~ Hawaiian Roots, Multicultural Influences

This lovely name has an incredible story, and it's just right for a person who likes to investigate names. (That'd be me.) Today we're looking into why and how Ailani and friends have captured America's hearts.

Updates

I'm back!

You guys, I've rediscovered my passion for researching and writing about names. I took a long hiatus, focusing on graphic design work and family life. After discovering that the articles that appeared on CafeMom, NameCandy, and The Baby Name Wizard no longer had a home online, I decided to publish them here. (It's ok, my contract stated that I can do that!)

25 Bewitching Names for Halloween

All Hallows' Eve

It's one of America's favorite holidays. Bloodthirsty vampires, frightening ghouls, and privately schooled wizards roam the dark neighborhood streets in search of blood errr, candy. I love the creative ideas that this holiday inspires, and I don't just mean decorating and baking. I mean things like going to a costume party as a person who was "blown by the wind." If you're sensing a story here, my costume involved a scarf billowing away from my shoulders, courtesy of a somewhat concealed, disassembled coat hanger. My hair was sprayed into wild submission. In the end, I looked, um, just kinda weird.