Hannah

Hannah ~ God has favored me with a child ~ Hebrew

Between its lovely, soft sound and its melt-our-hearts meaning, Hannah has become an American staple. I also love that this name happens to be a palindrome; perfect from beginning to end...and back again.

Nicholas

Nicholas ~ Victory of the People ~ Greek

History
The English form of the Greek Nikolaos (nikē meaning victory, and laos meaning people) has endured over centuries, particularly because of this guy:

Vintage Swiss postcard
courtesy of St. Nicholas Center

Saint Nicholas, a 4th century bishop who is credited with starting our Christmas traditions and inspiring our baby names since (at least) the dawn of the 12th century. He is said to have been born to wealthy parents, and after their early deaths, he gave his inheritance away to the poor and to children, often in secret. There are lots of legends about the famed saint, but little is known about the details of his gift giving. Many have used their imaginations over the years, eventually creating an immortal jolly, old soul who travels down chimneys to deliver presents to good children on Christmas Eve.

Nicholas is most famously the patron saint of Greece, Russia, children, sailors, and prisoners, among a multitude of others. He's a prominent figure of Russian Orthodox liturgy, as prayers are said to him each week. It's been the name of choice for five popes and two czars of Russia.

You may be wondering where the saint got his name to begin with. Like many Greek names, it's ancient and even biblical. Yes, there is a Nicolas briefly mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible (Acts 6:5, to be exact). He may not have been the focus of any important stories, but this reference goes to show you just how old the name is.

To say that Nicholas is a classic name almost feels like an understatement. It's steeped in a rich history, Greek heritage, Christian tradition, and appreciated the world over among many different cultures. This name has been passed down to new generations in one form or another for ages.

Popularity
Nicholas may have hit a peak in 1999 as the 5th most popular name in the country, but it's always been a classic and has still going strong. It's never been below the 200 mark, and today it sits at 57.

Variations & Nicknames
The most popular nicknames derived from Nicholas are Nick and Cole. But we can dig much deeper than that!

• Cole
• Colin
• Klaus
• Micolas
• Miklos
• Mykolas
• Nicholaus
• Nick
• Nickolas
• Nico
• Nicola
• Nicolas
• Niels
• Nikolas
• Nikos
• Niels
• Nils

Modern Famous Namesakes & Celebrity Babies

• Nicolas Cage
• Nicholas (Nick) Cannon
• Nicholas Hoult
• Nicholas (Nick) Lachey
• Nicholas Sparks
• Nicholas Santo Pietro, son of Vanna White

George

George ~ Farmer ~ Greek

His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge
After waiting two days for the Duke and Duchess to decide on a name and make an announcement, many of us are delighted, but not surprised, to hear of the Prince's given names. Here's why George is so perfect for the little prince.

George is a royal name with a rich history. It has strong familial ties to the House of Windsor, as King George V founded it in 1917. It is one of the middle names of Prince Charles, and the chosen name of the Queen's father, King George VI. At the time of Prince George's birth, there were no living royal relatives with his first name, creating the perfect opportunity. This will make the little prince the seventh English king to be called George if he choses to keep his name upon ascending the throne someday.

Did the Duke and Duchess Choose Wisely?
I had to laugh when I saw the headline from TMZ calling the name "A BIG MISS". While some Americans will likely think that George isn't as fashionable as some of the other traditional choices, it's classy, elegant, royal, and exceedingly British. My answer is a resounding yes!

History
Here's why George is so worthy of an English king. It's the name of the patron saint of England (since the 14th century). This is the saint who is said to have slain a dragon to rescue a maiden, and it still carries a very heroic and romantic air because of that. St. George is appropriately the patron saint of knights, which is why English knights used to cry "By George!" as they were charging into battle. It's an ancient name, a very British name, and a very royal name. In fact, the list of monarchs named George throughout history is so long, I prefer not to list them here.

Popularity
In the US, the popularity of the name has been waning. It's at an all-time low, sitting at #166 out of the top 1,000 names in the country. It was a top-10 name until 1938 and has been steadily but slowly dropping in use. Today's American parents may associate George with people who are one generation older than they are. This makes George feel more like a name our dad may have instead of a fashionably antique name. (And those antique names are more fashionable if they took a dive in popularity in the past 50-100 years. George remained pretty popular during that time.) However, I could see parents in the US reconsidering in light of the royal baby. I do expect George to see a bump in use for babies born in the year 2013.

In the UK, George is very popular. In England and Wales, it was in the top 10 names until 2011, but it only fell to #12. George will definitely gain favor once again as many British parents seek to emulate royalty and honor the new prince by naming their sons after him. Duchess Catherine has definitely proven her ability to influence trends, and her taste in names will be no exception.

Famous Namesakes in Recent Years

• George Clooney
• George Straight
• George Lucas
• George Lopez
• George Eads
• George Takei
• George Michael
• George Hamilton
• George Harrison
• George W. Bush
• George H.W. Bush

Joseph

updated Sept 2015

Joseph ~ God Will Increase ~ Hebrew

Joseph's Dream by Gaetano Gandolfi

Popularity and History
In honor of the holiday season, I thought a feature on the name Joseph would be fitting. This name is a true classic, and has been in the top 25 names in the U.S. for more than a century, including more than 50 years in the top 10. There are few names with such a steady track record of popularity.

That being said, Joseph is at the lowest point it's ever been, if 22 could be considered "low". What we're finding today is that the most traditional names are sometimes taking a backseat to contemporary choices. But I think this is just a bump in the road for Joseph to find its spot near the top 20. Update: Joseph is ranked back at #20 for the year 2014.

Joseph is cherished around the world for its religious roots in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths. It's referenced in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, as the name of:

• The son of Jacob and Rachel, dream interpreter and Vizier (highest official) of Pharaoh
• The husband of the Virgin Mary and earthly father of Jesus
• A follower of Jesus who donated his tomb for Jesus' body

Meaning
Joseph has roots that mean to add. It is noted in the Bible to mean God shall add, and was picked by Rachel for her son because "the Lord shall add to me another son." It's a nice choice especially for parents who are looking for a name that has connotations of abundance and a blessing from God.

Variations
There are plenty of international variations as well as down-to-earth nicknames for the classic name Joseph. They include:

• Giuseppe
• Joe
• Joey
• José
• Josef
• Joss
• Josue
• Yosef

If you love this time of year, you may also like these Christmas and holiday names. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Victoria

Victoria ~ Victory ~ Latin

When I think of a beautiful, classic baby name, Victoria is one of the first to come to mind. Its strong roots and royal connections make it a stable and lovely choice with a sophisticated air.

History
Victoria is the name of the Roman goddess of victory. She was an integral part of Roman culture, reflected in the temples built in her honor and the homage paid to her with everyday items like coins and jewelry. She was the personification of victory, and was worshiped as such by generals as well as the rest of roman society.

Victoria was also the name of a 4th century saint from North Africa, but the name was seldom used until much later. Queen Victoria of England, for whom the Victorian Era is named, sparked interest in the name for English-speaking countries in the mid-to-late 1800s. After her death in 1901, the name dropped a little in popularity. Then in the 40s the name got its stride back, something I attribute to WWII. Victory was on the minds of all, and the Victoria Cross is England's most honorable award for valor in war. What's more, the variation Vicky fit with other spirited names of the time like Peggy, Betty, and Shirley.

Popularity
Just like the name suggests, Victoria has earned a triumphant top-ranking spot in popularity. It has been in the top 20 since 1991 and I don't see it losing momentum any time soon. Victoria will remain a classic girls' name even if it does drop a little in the long-term. It's elegant and well-established, it has a nice sound, and lots of variations that will keep the name appealing no matter the time period.

Variations

• Ria
• Roria
• Tori
• Torie, Torrey, Tory 
• Toria
• Vicki, Vicky, Vikki
• Victoriana
• Victorina
• Victorine
• Victory,
• Vitoria, Vittoria

Celebrities and Places Named Victoria

• Celebrities named Victoria (or a variation of Victoria):
  Victoria Abril
  Victoria Beckham
  Victoria Brooks
  Victoria Hamilton
  Victoria Matthews
  Victoria Principal
  Victoria Recaño
  Tori Spelling
  Tori Amos
  Vicky Hurst
  Vicki Lawrence
• Celebrities who chose Victoria for their child's name:
  Muhammad Ali
  Milton Berle
  Betty Grable
  Julio Iglesias
  Paul Schaffer
  Danielle Steel
• Places named Victoria:
  Victoria is the name of a state in Australia
  Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada
  Victoria, Minnesota
  Victoria, Texas

Christopher

updated Sept 2015

Christopher ~ Christ-bearer, One Who Carries Christ in His Heart ~ Greek

History
Christopher is an old, storied name that Americans have been using for a long time. The word was used by early Christians to describe their beliefs, as the name comes from two Greek words for "bear" and "Christ" and came to meant bearing Christ in one's heart. The 3rd century brought about a legend of a saint who literally carried Christ as a baby. That is how Saint Christopher came to be the patron saint of travelers.

Christopher was the name of a Bavarian king who ruled Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in the 1440s. It's safe to assume the name was used as a given name as early as the 15th century.

Popularity
While Christopher has always been used in the US with frequency, it really began to take off in the last half of the 20th century. It was in the top 10 boys' names from 1967-2009! It's what I call a new classic name. It has fallen just a bit in popularity to a rank of 30 for 2014, but I truly believe it won't fall far.

Parents love the sound of the name, which is soft but not too feminine. It comes with a genuine boy-next-door nickname: Chris. Christopher is used around the world, allowing for more globally-inspired variations.

Variations

• Chris
• Christof or Christoph
• Christofer
• Christo
• Christos
• Cris
• Cristobal
• Cristopher
• Kit
• Kris
• Topher

Famous Figures Named Christopher:

• Christopher Columbus, explorer
• Christopher Gorham, actor on Ugly Betty
• Christopher Reeve, actor
• Christopher Plummer, actor
• Christopher Robin, fictional character based on the son of the author of Winnie-the-Pooh
• Christopher Walken, actor
• Topher Grace, actor

Celebrities who named their son Christopher:

• Anne Rice
• Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
• Billy Ray Cyrus
• Burt Bacharach (spelled Cristopher)
• Dean Cain
• Donny Osmond

Andrew

updated Sept 2015

Andrew ~ Manly ~ Greek

It's safe to say Andrew will never go out of style. A recent top-10 lister for 23 years in a row, this baby name has classic written all over it, with a hint of trendy as well. It's got some great variations, and I love its Greek origins. Andrew is a very common name, and a nice choice if you are looking for something stable and familiar. It's currently ranked in the 20s.

History
Andrew was the name of the first disciple called by Jesus. Its biblical roots combined with the Greek origin translates into worldwide popularity. Andrew was used for several Hungarian Kings, as well as British royalty including Prince Andrew, Duke of York. The 7th U.S. President, Andrew Jackson, and the unpopular 17th President, Andrew Johnson, shared the name in addition to their very similar surnames. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Russia and Romania.

Variations
It's nice that a person with this name can choose the variation he likes best, which may change over time. I've known a couple of Andrews in my life and they each went by different variations of the name. A friend from high school went by Andy, my manager at work is Drew. These variations are so distinctive that it's hard for me to imagine calling either of these people by their full name.

• Andre
• Andrei
• Andy
• Anders
• Drew
• Deandre

Celebrities who chose Andrew for their son
Ralph Lauren, Rudy Giuliani, Erma Bombeck, Ann Jillian

Celebrities named Andy
Andy Devine, Andy Garcia, Andy Griffith, Andy Warhol

Allison and Alison

updated Sept 2015

Allison ~ Noble ~ Norman French

I think Allison is a wonderfully feminine and friendly sounding name. It's a popular choice because it's got a great flow, cute nickname potential, and it ends in "son" like contemporary names Madison, Emerson, and Addison. But Allison isn't considered trendy. It's a tried-and-true baby name that's been charming us for more than half a century.

History
Allison is the more popular spelling, but I think it makes the history more clear to talk about Alison first. Alison is a French form of the German name Alice, which is why it lacks the second l. Unfortunately we don't have name statistics going back far enough, but it's known that Alison was used in France, Scotland and England as early as medieval times. In fact, its popularity in Scotland helps this name to carry a Scottish flavor in the UK today.

The spelling Allison, which could have come from a surname that has different origins, was used a little bit in America for boys (yes, boys!) in the 1800s. But I believe it's the French variation that caught on for baby girls later in our country's history. It picked up momentum in the 1950s and even more momentum in the 70s. Today, Allison has slipped ever-so-slightly since the 90s, but not by much and it's a popular choice.

Demographics
I've read from several different sources that the name Allison is often chosen by mothers who are well-educated. A recent article in Time points out that "the name Allison is rarely given to girls whose mothers didn't finish high school but is frequently given to girls whose mothers have 17 years or more of schooling." It's an interesting factoid, but I don't place much importance on articles that associate names with status, which is what the article was hinting at. Take it for what you will.

A New Classic
I think Allison is great girl-next-door name that's destined to remain a classic. It remains near the 40 mark and has been in the top 100 girls' names for more than three decades. I love it, but let me know what you think by voting at the end of this post. :)

• Allison is ranked at #38, a bit more popular than the original French spelling Alison, ranked at #289
• Variations
• Beginning with Al:
   Ali, Alisann, Alisen, Alisan, Alison, Alisun, Alyson
• Beginning with All:
  Allie, Allisen, Allisan, Allysann, Allyson, Allisun
• Celebs with this name:
  
  • Alison Krauss
  • Alison Sweeney
  • Alyson Hannigan
  • Alyson Stoner
  • Allison Mack
• Celebrities who chose Allison for their daughter's name:
• Clint Eastwood
• Sally Jesse Raphael
• Tom Berenger

Gabrielle and Gabriella

updated Sept 2015

Gabrielle ~ Woman of God ~ Hebrew, French form

A Versatile Beauty
Gabrielle (Gab-ree-ELL) is a gorgeous name. Its sound is full of French elegance, yet it also comes with some pretty variants that are more down-to-earth. For example, when your little girl wants to play princess, she can assume the title Princess Gabrielle. When she's playing on the basketball team in middle school, she can go by Gabi. Or, when she feels like turning over a new leaf at college, she might try out Brielle. There are plenty of possibilities with this name, and all of them are lovely.

The name Gabriella, which is the Latinate form, is experiencing more popularity than Gabrielle, thanks to its embellished style and ultra feminine ending. Not only does it capitalize on the fresh sound of Bree nicknames, but it gives parents the chance to use Ella as a nickname as well.

History & Popularity
As feminine forms of Gabriel, these stylish choices embody an angelic spirit. Gabriel is only one of two named angels in the Bible. The name is Hebrew and simply means "man of God".

Gabriella and Gabrielle don't have the same classic feel as Gabriel. Gabrielle has only been on the U.S. charts since 1957, when French names first started to take off. Since then, it's become a popular choice for parents and what I'd consider a new classic, remaining in the top 100 girls' names for almost 20 years now.

• Gabrielle is at #173 in U.S. rankings (2014 stats)
• Gabriella is more popular at #48

Variations of Gabrielle and Gabriella

• Abbie/Abby
• Elle
• Ella
• Bri
• Bria
• Brielle
• Briella
• Gabi/Gaby
• Gavi
• Gavrina

Celebrities

• Gabrielle Union - actress
• Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, fashion designer
• Gabrielle Reese - pro volleyball player
• Gabrielle Anwar - actress

Eve, a New Year's Baby

Eve ~ Life ~ Hebrew

The first baby of the New Year in Colorado has been announced! As I did last year, I knew I would feature whatever the baby's name was for my first post in 2009. And what a good decision, as I just love the baby's name. Little Eve Maria Moser started giving her mother contractions during a New Year's Eve mass service. She was born just a few seconds into 2009.

I find the name Eve particularly appropriate for a New Year's baby, not only because of the New Year's Eve connection, but also because Eve is the biblical name of the first woman created by God. The meaning, life, is beautiful and makes me think of the fresh start we all like to claim during this time of year. Eve also hints at evening, of course, the time when we are usually slowing down from a busy day and enjoying the company of our family. I imagine baby Eve's parents were inspired by the New Year's Eve holiday, but any way you look at it, I think it's a beautiful choice.

History
As far as the history of the name, the origin of the human race is usually part of the picture, as I mentioned above. In several major religions Eve is considered the first woman of creation and, unfortunately, the first person to sin. But that hasn't tainted this name from being used, and it's become more a bit more fashionable in the past decade.

Popularity
Eve isn't doing as well as its variations these days, particularly in contrast with the #5 girls' name, Ava. Even though Eve is definitely due for more use, it will always have a classic feel, as the "original" female name should!

• Eve is ranked at #460 in popularity for 2014

Variations

• Ava
• Eva
• Evelyn
• Evie

Celebrities and Celebrity Babies

• Eve (actress, singer/rapper)
• Eve Arden (actress)
• Eve Plumb (actress)
• Eve Augusta, daughter of Jessica Capshaw (actress)
• Eve, daughter of Clive Owen (actor)
• Eve Julia, daughter of Jeffrey Tambor (actor)

Rebecca

Rebecca ~ Snare, to Bind ~ Hebrew

On Tuesday, my dear friend Rebecca gave birth to her second son, Judah, and this entry is in her honor. Because I've known her since middle school, I can give you the inside scoop on the transitions her name has gone through. She was known as Becky up until her college years, when she started going by her full name, with a few Beccas thrown in for good measure. It's the kind of arc I imagine the name takes a lot, because Rebecca is a great name that can grow with a girl. (Or should I say woman?)

Biblical History
It's a classic Biblical name with origins in Hebrew. In the Old Testament, Rebekah was the wife of Issac and mother of twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Her marriage was literally a match made in heaven, as God did a little divine intervention to bring her and Issac together.

Popularity
Rebecca has always been in the top 200 names in America. It became popular in the 16th and 17th century in England, and I expect it will continue to stand the test of time. Rebecca is a classic baby name, ranked #184 in the US for 2014.

Variations and Alternate Spellings

Rebecca is a beautiful name with many different forms and some pretty cute variations; my favorite is Becca.

• Rebekah
• Rebeka
• Rebeccah
• Becky/Becki
• Becca/Becka
• Rivi
• Reba
• Rivka

Celebrities Named Rebecca

• Rebecca Romijn Stamos
• Rebecca De Mornay
• Rebecca Gayheart

Graham

Graham ~ Gray House ~ English

There's something sweet about a boy who shares a name with the cracker of kid-dom. And though that's one of our first associations with the name, Graham is also an English surname with an extensive history. Americans have taken note of it as early as 1880, and it's always been in the top 1,000 names. The sound is appealing and unpretentious. To put it simply: it’s cute!

Celebrities with the Surname Graham
Because it's a fairly common surname, there have been lots of celebrities, authors, politicians, and other recognized people named Graham. Among many others, they include

• Billy Graham
• Frank Porter Graham
• Kenneth Grahame
• Heather Graham
• Lauren Graham

But perhaps the most famous figure with this name is the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922). His well-known middle name was actually a gift for his eleventh birthday! It was chosen to honor a friend of the family whose surname was Graham.

More about Graham

• Graham is gaining popularity and is ranked at #199 for the year 2014.
• Graham is the name of a Scottish clan as well as a group of hills in Scotland.
• There are several small towns named Graham across the country; located in Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
• Graham can also be spelled Graeham, Graeme and Grahame
• Celebs to use Graham for their son include Michael Landon and Heather Payne.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth ~ God is my oath ~ Hebrew

History
Quite possibly the most classic female name of all time, Elizabeth has an impressive history with thousands of years of renown. It was the name of at least 14 different European queens, including the current Queen of England. It was the name of John the Baptist's mother in the Bible. It has represented princesses, empresses, and saints.

Popularity

Elizabeth has been a cherished choice among Americans as well as Europeans. The record speaks for itself: Elizabeth has never dropped below #26 in baby name rankings in our country's history. It has thrived not just because it has been passed down through generations of American families like an heirloom, but because of its appealing sound, abundant variations, and rich history.

If you are wondering how this name will be received by others, let me assure you that nearly everybody in America likes it. I make no exaggeration. You like it. I like it. Your mother likes it. My friend Sean likes it, a guy who mused about naming his future daughter Elizabeth before he even met the woman he'd marry. Who can blame him? It's gorgeous.

Variations

If you find the full name too popular or traditional, Elizabeth has an insurmountable number of variations. My favorite is Lizzy, perhaps influenced by the character from Pride and Prejudice. Here are just a few.

• Bess
• Beta
• Beth
• Betina
• Betsy
• Bette
• Betty
• Eliza
• Elsie
• Elissa
• Elsa
• Isabel
• Libby
• Liliana
• Lisa
• Liza
• Lisbeth
• Lisveta
• Liz
• Lizzie/Lizzy
• Sabella
• Vetta
• Ysabel
• Zizi

Celebrities Named Elizabeth

• Elizabeth Taylor
• Elizabeth Hurley
• Elisabeth Hasselbeck
• Elizabeth Mitchell
• Elizabeth Perkins
• Elizabeth Shue

Celebrity Babies Named Elizabeth

Lots of celebrity babies have Elizabeth as a middle name, as it's one of the most common middle names in America. For example...

• Ava Elizabeth, Reese Witherspoon's daughter
• Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

Charles

Charles ~ Free Man ~ English

Ah, Charles. It's a stately, flowing name immensely popular around the world. But lately, Charles' light has been dimming. It is number 62 in America right now, which is the lowest it's ever been in our country's history. While Charles may be on its way down the rungs of the popularity ladder, it's not going to plunge too far. I believe the name will always be a classic.

Update: Charles bounced back a bit and is ranked at 51 for the year 2014.

Charles means "man" or "free man" and originated from Europe as early as 700 A.D. Translations occur in nearly every language, and the it has many variants. Charles has been the name of countless noblemen and several kings and Holy Roman Emperors. It gained popularity in Britain when King Charles I reigned during the 17th century.

Variations
If you love the name Charles and want people to use the full name, it will take a lot of conditioning! Few go by Charles these days, and it's especially difficult to think of using the full name for a baby or child. Though Charles has a royal quality, its variants are much more down to earth. They include:

• Charlie or Charley
• Chuck (more thoughts on this one below)
• Chip
• Chick (I do not kid)
• Carl
• Chaz or Chas
• Charlton

A Word About Chuck
Chuck has been used a lot lately in the entertainment world as a name for a comical leading man. It is certainly lacking in elegance and lends itself to nicknames such as "up Chuck" "Chuck E. Cheese" and worse. Perhaps that's why it was used in the TV series Chuck, or the movies Good Luck Chuck and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. These characters are likeable but also humorous and quirky for one reason or another.

Famous men & celebrities named Charles

• Charles Dickens
• Charles Schultz
• Charlie Chaplin
• Charles Darwin
• Charles Nelson Reilly
• The Prince of Wales
• Charles Stanley
• Charlie Sheen
• Charles Barkely
• Chuck Norris

Lucas

Lucas ~ from Lucania ~ Latin origins

I make no exaggerations when I say Lucas is skyrocketing. If you don't already know a child with this name, my bet is you will. (Or perhaps you are already considering it for your son.) In 2006, this name was number 59 and showing no signs of having hit a plateau. Update: For 2014, Lucas is in the top 20, now ranked at 19.

So what's the big deal about Lucas? Maybe it's the sophisticated sound with the added bonus of a cute nickname. Maybe it's Chad Michael Murray's character on One Tree Hill. Or maybe it's a great name for the son of a Star Wars junkie, in the vein of Luke Skywalker or Mr. Lucas himself.

Personally, I like Lucas because of its lilting sound and Biblical history. (It's a form of Luke that is seen in the Authorized Version of the New Testament.) It has a sturdy foundation and ancient roots, and it's also got appeal on a global level.

Lucas strikes me as a name for a quiet, artistic type, perhaps because of a kid I knew in my elementary school. He was awkward and shy but very intelligent and sweet as well. I have never met a Lucas that I didn't like.

Celebrities Who Named Their Son Lucas

• Isabeli Fontana
• Nina Garcia
• Christopher Gorham
• Cameron Mathison
• Corky Nemec
• Byron Allen

James

James ~ Supplanter ~ Hebrew

When I think of James, I think of an old classmate of mine. He was blond, popular, into wrestling, and rebellious in a cool kind of way. It's odd, but now that I think of it, he was a little like James Dean. There must be something about this name that gives it that motorcycle vibe.

I personally think James is one of the best names to come from the Bible. It translates easily into our culture, it's simple, easy to pronounce, and it has a ton of famous figures associated with it, like James Madison or James Stewart or James Franco. There will always be a celebrity or politician or cool guy with this name.

At the same time, this name strikes me as sweet and easygoing. It's adorable on a baby (though the nickname Jamie may feel even cuter) and timeless for any age.

At its lowest point in American history, this name was #18 on the charts. It will always be a classic. The only thing that sticks out about this name is its definition. Since "supplant" isn't exactly conversational language, the meaning is a little confusing at first. "He who supplants" translates into something like a person who successfully takes someone else's place or usurps. It's an odd definition, but not a bad one by any means.

• James was ranked at #9 for 2014
• Celebrities who named their son James include 
• Bill Paxton
• Colin Farrell
• Geoffrey Rush
• Antonia Kidman
• Variations
• Jacques
• Jack
• Jaime
• Jamey
• Jim
• Jimi
• Jimmey
• Jimmy

Patrick

Updated September 2013

Patrick ~ Nobleman ~ Latin, Celtic origins

History
It's only fitting that I write about the quintessential Irish boy's name in honor of St. Patrick's day. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and is known for his charitable work there as a bishop. What's interesting about him is that he was born in England, but he was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave when he was a teenager. Even after his escape, Ireland became his passion and was where he did most of his ministry. He is credited for bringing Christianity to the country during the 5th century.

Personal Thoughts
When people found out that my son was due on St. Patrick's Day, I got a lot of questions about whether we'd name him Patrick. I actually love the name Patrick, and it would be extra appropriate since my mom bears the feminine form (Patricia). There's just one problem: I'm not fond of the nickname Pat. I'd answer my friends' questions with this explanation, and they would respond with understanding at my "Pat" hangup. Could my son have been a Patrick? Absolutely. It just wasn't right for him in the end. And he wasn't a St. Patrick's Day baby, after all.

One of the few Patricks I've known was a successful attorney who went by his full name. This proves that it's definitely possible to avoid nicknames if you have the same Pat issues; however, I think it would take some training with family, friends, and teachers—especially for a little boy.

Part of my problem might have to do with the androgynous "Pat" character from SNL. That was one pop-culture reference that definitely didn't help any Pats out there.

Popularity
The full name Patrick is pretty popular, though it's experiencing a bit of a decline in use. In 2012, it ranked at 142.

Variations

• Padraig
• Paddy
• Pat
• Patrice
• Patsy
• Patton

Famous Patricks
Famous Americans by this name include Patrick Dempsey, Patrick Stewart, Neil Patrick Harris, the late Patrick Swayze, and Revolutionary War hero Patrick Henry.

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Declan ~ Henry ~ Andrew

Grant

Grant ~ Great ~ English, Scottish origins                                                               updated: 2015

Grant is one of those classic names that will probably never fall out of use, but it has become particularly in vogue in the past decade. Celebrities like Cary Grant, Hugh Grant, Grant Wood and Grant Hill have done nothing to hurt the name, and have probably given it artistic, and romantic flavor. I also think it's an appealing choice to new parents because it fits in a trend of using surnames as first names.

Grant is also the famed surname of the US President and Commanding General who led the Union Army to victory during the Civil War. His strength and leadership give Grant a patriotic, presidential quality to this day.

Popularity
Grant may have hit a peak in 1997, when statistics show it was the most popular it's been in America's history at 115. Today it's ranked at 155 (for 2014), which is a great testimony to Grant's likability and stability as a gentlemanly classic. Grant strikes me as classy but down-to-earth, and familiar but not yet overused.

Meaning
Though the meaning of the name is "great," I would argue that a secondary meaning could be "to bestow or to give," which is how we use this word in our everyday lives. Combine the two, and you have a great gift, which is what every baby is.

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Alexander

Updated Sept 2015

Alexander ~ Defender of Men ~ Greek

Famous Alexanders
If you feel this name should have something like “the Great” after it, you’re on to something. The most famous Alexander was a Greek King and exemplary military commander who was undefeated in battle. His reign was from 336-323 B.C. The name is as old as mythology and was given to many monarchs and popes throughout history.

Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish inventor, gave us the telephone. Alexander Fleming gave us penicillin. One of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, adds some American history to the name.

Modern Alexanders include Alexander Skarsgård, Alexander Frey, and Sasha Alexander (since Sasha is a diminutive of Alexander, this name is a little redundant!), to name a few.

A Standout Classic
Alexander is a classic boys' name that has been in the top 300 names for boys ever since America has been recording given names. Its lowest point was in the mid to late 50s, when shorter names were more prevalent for boys. Today, Alexander has been in the top 10 names for the past seven years.

Variations
Common short forms include...

• Alec
• Alex
• Lex
• Xander
• Zander

Almost every language has its own variant of Alexander. Here are just a few.

• Alastair (Gaelic)
• Alec (Scottish)
• Alejo (Spanish)
• Aleksander (Polish, Slovene, Albanian, Estonian, Norwegian, Danish)
• Alessandro (Italian)
• Sander (Dutch)
• Sasha (Russian)
• Saunders (English, Scottish)

Elliot and Elliott

updated Sept 2015

Elliot ~ The Lord is My God ~ Hebrew, Old French

History & Meaning
Elliot comes from Elias, which is the Old French form of Elijah. It's a roundabout biblical name that ultimately means "Yahweh is God".

Spellings
Traditionally, this name is spelled Elliot, but the trend in names ending with two ts has really taken off, and while the spelling Elliott is much more rare it still breaks the top 1,000. Eliot is an alternative spelling as well.

Popularity for Boys and Girls
Some male names, after a period of time, begin to cross over into the realm of female names. This has by no means happened with Elliot, which is currently number 217 (2014) in America for boys, but parents are beginning to eye this name for their daughters, and it's ranked at 756 for girls. The nickname (and full name) Ellie is white-hot right now, and Elliot is a fitting twist. The female character Elliot from Scrubs has also given this name the kind of exposure that can create a new trend.

But parents considering Elliot for their little boy need not fear—this name is not considered a unisex name, let alone a female name. The "elle/ellie" prefix alone does not indicate female, and in fact, it's a great male version of the sound. What's more, Elliot fits into a category of using surnames for a first name, adding to its appeal and versatility.

I've known two people in my life who were named Elliot. One was a boy I went to elementary school with; the other is the daughter of a friend who wanted a trendy boy's name that would be fitting for a girl.

Celebrity Status
Celebrities that bare this name include

• Missy Elliott
• Elliot Yamin (from American Idol)
• Elliot Gould