Fletcher

Fletcher ~ Arrow Maker ~ Origin

Modern parents in search of perfect names are clamoring for the sought-after “it” names from the mid-to-late 1800s. What we think of as quintessential Victorian names like Owen, Ella, Grace, and Isaac have been devoured by today’s parents looking for appealing vintage sounds. But if you're looking for a boys' name off the beaten path, Fletcher is a Victorian name still flying under the modern-day radar. It's a tasteful antique that just might make an appearance on your list of favorites soon. 

 

Logan

Logan ~ Little Hollow ~ Scottish Gaelic

This strong, lovable name is sitting at an all-time peak right now, proving its charm and Gaelic roots combine with its trendy ending to create a powerhouse of a name with the perfect mix of appeal.

Thaddeus

Thaddeus ~ Given by God, Heart ~ Greek, Aramaic

A distinguished biblical name that's ready for rediscovery, Thaddeus is starting to win over our hearts and the top spots on our list of favorites. Still, it's a slow climb for this buttoned-down, creative, and traditional name.

Walden

Walden ~ Welsh Valley ~ Old English

The more I think about this name, the more it draws me in. It's appealing on every level, including its literary vibe, trendy sound, surname style, and nature name qualities.

Vance

Vance ~ Marsh ~ Old English

Years ago, I was in love with all names that started with V. We lived near a street named Vance, and I thought I'd just found the perfect baby name. Vance manages to be unusual and traditional at the same time, and with its familiar sound and one-syllable appeal, I still think Vance is pretty close to perfect.

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

Paxton

Paxton ~ Peaceful Town ~ Latin, English

It's the trendy sound, the "x" factor, the nickname Pax, and the meaning that has lots of us loving this name. Basically, Paxton has everything going for it right now. If there was any doubt, America is proving its infatuation as time goes by.

History
Paxton has fairly deep roots as an English surname. We've heard of it from celebrities like Bill Paxton or Tom Paxton, if not from people we know in our everyday lives. When I encounter this name it translates itself almost immediately: Pax is Latin for "peace" and the -ton suffix is "town".

There is another definition in play for Paxton, citing Pax to come from the word Poecc, which has unknown meaning. But one way or another, pax's Latin roots make this name synonymous with peace.

This surname fits into the category of English names chosen to indicate that a person is from a particular area—if you've read the popular Ancestry.com article about types of English surnames, it fits into their place name category.

It's a fantastic thing, to be from a peaceful town. (And in case you got here from my Christmas Spirit names sublist, it's that serene meaning that drew me to add Paxton.) Paxton is a sweet name that's turning heads and getting more attention every year.

Popularity
For 2014, Paxton is ranked at 260. Here's how its name graph from the Baby Name Wizard looks:

Paxton may have a history as a surname, but as a given name it's modern, and it's taking off like a rocket. That being said, Paxton is still not what I would call popular. Ranked in the 200s, I'd say it's fresh though not unusual, well-liked, and far from stale.

Paxton was one of the fastest rising names of 2008.

Nicknames

• Pax

Famous Namesakes & Celebrity Babies

• Paxton Whitehead, actor

Simply Adorable Baby Names for Boys

I wrote about adorable names for girls last week, and now it's time to uncover a few boys names fit for swaddling, cooing, and cuddling.

Crew

Crew ~ A group of people ~ English

This interesting little one-syllable word name has been popping up more and more lately on birth certificates across the country. And it's fascinating to me, because it can have so many different connotations. Check out a sampling of some dictionary definitions for the word:

1. a group of people who work on and operate a ship, boat, aircraft, spacecraft, or train.
2. a group of people who work closely together.
3. a group of rappers, breakdancers, or graffiti artists performing or operating together.

The first one feels preppy and sporty, the second one warm and cuddly, and the third, super cool.

And there are plenty more that we think of when it comes to this word. For example...

Associations With the Word Crew

• rowing—crew is a word for a rowing team and the sport (more on that below!)
• crew cut—a military haircut
• crew neck—a t-shirt neckline
• J. Crew—clothing brand
• American Crew—hair products brand
• cast & crew —behind-the-scenes workers on a film set
• crew cab—a truck bed size
• tagging crews—graffiti teams
• The Crew—a video game
• motley crew—a diverse, poorly organized group
• Mötley Crüe—the heavy metal band

The Bottom Line
Despite the wildly different things this word can make us conjure, when Crew is used as a name, two associations stand out among the rest: rowing (by a landslide) and clothing. The name Crew strikes many as sporty, preppy, and muscular. It brings to mind a dedicated athlete who's a team player by necessity. And that's another reason this sport shines—it brings a team together like none other. There is no star in crew, just a unified group rowing as one perfectly choreographed unit.

If you're drawn to this name, but the sport is a bit of a question mark for you, here's a little more info from the River City Crew website out of Richmond, VA:

"Crew", as a noun, can refer to either the people in a specific high school or collegiate rowing boat or the entire sport of rowing in high school or college. The term "crew team" is redundant and is not properly used. After college, the term "crew" is no longer used to describe the sport or people in a boat, and "rowing team" or "rowing club" is proper. In the sport of rowing, "crew" is never, ever properly used as a verb, i.e., one does not "go crewing", rather one would "go rowing". When in doubt, the noun "rowing team" or verb "rowing" will always be correct when describing the sport.

Consider yourself schooled. Even if you don't have a background in the sport, you can use the word "crew" confidently.

Does Crew Have to Be All About Rowing?
There isn't any one "right" interpretation of this name, so if you weren't inspired by the sport originally, don't let that shake you from using Crew. There are no guarantees as to how Crew will strike your friends, but chances are they will think of the same thing you first thought of. They're your friends, after all! The sport is just the most common association that will spring to mind for many, and that's not a bad thing.

No matter what, first impressions of a name will fade once the person attached to it makes his entrance in the world. If you want to set the record straight from the beginning, remember that your personal connection to Crew is a short explanation away. People will love your fashion-forward style and want to hear how you chose the name, so take questions as a compliment and be prepared to talk names the first time you introduce your son. Besides, who doesn't love a good name discussion anyway?

Does Crew Really Work as a Name?
I think it does. There are many examples of words that became successful names that work with the right trends (Chance and Maverick come to mind), and there's no reason why Crew should be an exception. If you weren't convinced before, think of Crew's quick sound and sporty feel. Add to that its connection (by sound only) to names like Drew, Cruz, and Bruce, and you may wonder why America didn't think of this name before.

Popularity
Even though it's pretty rare, Crew is on its way up. It broke through the top 1,000 in 2011 and sits at 732 at last check. I expect it to continue wooing parents over the next few years.

Celebrity Babies Named Crew
One celebrity baby was all it took to get this name in the minds of today's parents.

• The Young & The Restless star Joshua Morrow and his wife welcomed a Crew in 2005. Crew has brothers named Cooper and Cash, and a sister named Charlie.

Iker

updated Sept 2015

Iker ~ Visitation ~ Basque

Pronunciation
I admit it—I was recently reminded of this name on a shopping trip to Ikea. But while the name may look a little similar to the Swedish furniture store, Iker is pronounced EE-kayr (rhymes closer to "beaker" than "biker"). In the US in particular, some may want to pronounce this with a long I sound. This name has Basque origins (a people and language from northeastern Spain and southwestern France) and hasn't been anglicized to any other variations. So if you were wondering how to say this name, there's only one way: EE-kayr.

But...I like Ike!
The variation Ike typically comes from the name Isaac. Occasionally it's used in honor of the former US president, Dwight (Eisenhower), who got his nickname by chance. If you love Ike, you can opt to use it as a full given name, or go with Isaac. Another similar sounding name is Michael and the short form Mike. Not convinced? I wrote more about pronouncing Iker here.

Iker & Soccer
There's one reason why this name has grabbed attention in the past few years: Iker Casillas. Casillas is a Basque football (soccer) goalkeeper who is considered to be the very best of his time. In 2010, he made headlines across the globe by leading Spain to their first World Cup title. His career includes record-breaking wins and the Sports Prince of Asturias Award. He's sponsored by Adidas. He's handsome, athletic, and the epitome of a soccer player. Because of Casillas, the name Iker feels sporty and maybe even synonymous with soccer and goalkeeping.

History
The name Iker does not have a long history. It's said to be an invention of writer Sabino Arara, who wanted to create original Basque names as a way of promoting the culture and language. Arara lived from 1865–1903, making the name Iker just a little more than a century old. Technically Iker is a relatively new name, though it does come from an ancient dialect. The word iker is a direct translation of "visitation" in Basque.

Popularity
Iker is a perfect example of an international name with one big claim to fame. That's why it first made an appearance in the top 1,000 names in the US right after Casillas helped Spain get the World Cup in 2010. But usually trends like this can't be attributed to a famous person alone—the name also has to make sense with what's popular right now.

The strong sound of this name may be a little bit jarring, but Iker shares qualities with a lot of other popular choices right now. Its ending helps the name sit comfortably next to Alexander, Christopher, and Carter (all top 40 names). Of course, the Basque name Xavier has also laid a great foundation for Iker. It's long "e" sound reminds us of Easton and Eli. It's got a "k" like Parker, Luke, and Jackson. Iker is more unique than all of these names. It's got international status and a dashing namesake, making it that much more likely to rise in popularity in the US. Iker sits at #215 for the year 2014. It's on a sharp upward trend. In Spain, Iker is in the top 60 names for boys.

Jase, Jace, and Jayce

Jase ~ Healer ~ Greek

updated: June 2015

Jase Robertson, far left
image credit: Daily Billboard

I was in a daring mood today, and decided to blindly choose my next name feature by number. Since it was 3:04 p.m., I looked up the 304th most popular boy's name in the United States. And you're going to be shocked at what happened—#304 is a very trendy name that has recently been in the spotlight on reality TV. What are the odds?

The name Jase is a contemporary one-syllable choice in the vein of Ace, Chase, Jax, Jay, and Kase. It's got a simple, energetic sound that's perfect for a little boy and fitting for an adult, too.

History
Jase is a variation of the name Jason, which is an ancient Greek name found in Greek mythology and the New Testament of the Bible. The name Jase has a shorter history with a pop-culture claim to fame. The sound of the name started catching on in the US during the early 80s, but the spelling Jase didn't make an appearance in the top 1,000 until 2002. Both Jace and Jase were already getting some attention before either of these reality shows appeared, but having a lot of exposure on TV didn't hurt their popularity.

• Jace is the name chosen by mom Jenelle Evans for her son from the shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom 2
• Jase Robertson is a laid back family man and duck-call maker on Duck Dynasty.

Popularity & Variations
While the name Jason may have deep roots and a long history of use and popularity in the US, the nickname-ish Jase and similar variations are just recently becoming a favorite with today's parents.

Update: When I wrote this post in 2013, these names were red-hot and all on the rise. Today, they are all starting to settle in to where they are likely to stay for awhile (except for new spelling Jayse). The popularity of these names is deceptive: Jace may be at 68, but combined with its variety of spellings, its sound is a wildly popular favorite in America!

Here's where they all stand in order of rank.

1. Jace: The most popular spelling. Jace is staying put in the top 100s, at #68 for 2014. Just like I predicted, Jace is now more popular than Jason (ranked at #75)!
2. Jase: On a slight downward trend and sitting at #105 for 2014.
3. Jayce: Staying put in the top 200s, at #150 for 2014.
4. Jayse: This may be the least popular spelling, sitting at #914 for 2014, but it's on an upward trend.

If you're wondering how you should spell this name, my advice is to go with your gut and choose the spelling that looks and feels the best to you. If it's important to you that it be as easy as possible for others to spell, go with Jace, the most popular variation.

Using Jason Instead
If you decide you'd like to use the name Jason with Jase as a nickname, it'll likely be spelled with an s. That's how Jase Robertson got his name, as it's a natural short form of Jason. Teaching everyone to spell the nickname a different way is a possibility, which would work well especially if the full name is very rarely used. But at that point, unless there is a relative to honor or another sentimental reason, I'd say just go with the short form on that birth certificate.

If you really love the name Jace/Jase/Jayce but are worried it's not formal enough, it may help to look at how Jason is sliding a bit in popularity. It's one of those cases where a variation has grabbed the spotlight from its original form.

More Famous Namesakes & Celebrity Babies

• Good Charlotte guitarist Billy Martin and his wife chose Jace as a middle name for their son, Zander Jace.
• A character named Jase Dyer can be found on the British soap EastEnders. Here Jase is short for Jason.

Atticus

UPDATE: In light of Go Set a Watchman, I have revisited the name Atticus and our perception of it here. But I also felt it was important to keep this post as it was, especially for those wanting to know details about its history, variations, and celebrity connections.

Atticus ~ From Athens ~ Latin

History
Atticus falls into the category of a literary name, thanks to the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In the Depression-era story, Atticus Finch is a small-town southern lawyer who takes on the community's racial prejudice by defending a black man. Atticus has been called one of the best fictional characters of 20th century literature. Most of us read To Kill a Mockingbird in school, making Atticus a heroic figure—and a name—that never left our minds.

The other side to this name is its rich Greek heritage. Atticus was the name of more than one Greek philosopher, the most prominent being an aristocrat and senator who lived from the years 101-177. It's why we associate this name with intellect and high class as well. It's hard to believe how long this name has existed, which is another reason it's so cool that Atticus is making a comeback.

Popularity
Despite its Greek historical roots, Atticus wasn't used with any frequency in America until the year 2004. Before I looked up the stats, I knew that this name was gaining some favor and guessed it would be in the 600s. I didn't expect it to be #410 in the US! Every year it becomes a little bit more popular, but where it's sitting now still makes it a (pleasantly) surprising choice.

Variations
There aren't really any "official" variations of Atticus, as most people just stick with the traditional spelling. But here are some different spellings and nicknames.

• Aticus
• Attikus
• Atti
• Atty

Famous Namesakes & Celebrity Babies

• Son of Jason Behr and KaDee Strickland
• Son of Casey Affleck
• Son of Daniel Baldwin and Isabella Hofman
• Atticus Shaffer, American actor known for The Middle and The Unborn

Fictional Namesakes

• Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird
• Atticus Kodiak, protagonist from a series of novels by Greg Rucka
• Atticus Shane, character in the TV show The Vampire Diaries

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!

Theodore

updated Sept 2014

Theodore ~ Gift from God ~ Greek

History
Theodore has its roots in ancient Greek and has been recorded as early as the 3rd century. Before that time, Theodorus and Theodoros can be found. It's the name of several saints, and was popular among early Christians as well as American settlers in the 1800s.

When President Theodore Roosevelt was elected in 1901, many parents named for their sons after him. He was well liked, and his hobbies of hunting and experience as a rancher gave him and his name a distinct masculine persona.

Popularity
Today, Theodore is getting a second look because of its vintage feel and connection to history, philosophy, and religion. It's one of the more accessible names beginning with the Th- sound and comes with a few great nicknames. Statistics show it's been slowly gaining some momentum since 2008. In 2014, it was ranked at 126 and it still hasn't shown signs of tapering off.

Theo is a variation that has definitely been gaining interest lately, though I'd say Theodore's short forms are all ripe for a little bit of a revival.

Variations

• Ted
• Teddy
• Tedor
• Teodoro
• Theo

Celebrity Babies Named Theodore

• Actress Ali Larter's son
• Actress Natascha McElhone's son
• Actor Seth Gabel and actress Bryce Howard's son

Xavier

Xavier ~ New House ~ Basque

The name Xavier has international appeal and is used (along with variants) in English, French, Portuguese, Catalan, Spanish, and Arabic. The ever-exotic "X" also adds to its intrigue for parents today. There are very few words that begin with x in the English language, making this name stand out. But while this name continues to dazzle us with an interesting sound, Xavier is becoming more common.


American Popularity and Use
Xavier has a humble history of use, beginning with a cameo appearance in name statistics in the year 1890. But Xavier really didn't start to find life here as a first name until the 1950s, when Xavier Cugat's orchestra was turning out hits like Mambo No. 5 and Mambo Jambo. After that point, the name began to slowly but steadily grow in popularity.

In the 1980s, the name Xavier was written on the tushie of every Cabbage Patch Doll sold. The inventor of the dolls, Xavier Roberts, became part of our culture as his name was introduced not only to the parents who bought the toys, but the kids who grew up with one.

In the last decade, the revival of comic book movie adaptations has also introduced a generation to Charles Frances Xavier, also known as Professor X and the name behind X-Men.

Today, Xavier is a popular name, ranked at 81 for 2012. It's been in the top 100 since 2001, and I expect it to stay in that bracket for some time.

Second Best Becomes First
The Catholic saint Francis Xavier has inspired many parents in using that combination as a first and middle name. (Even Xavier Cugat's given name was Francis Xavier Cugat.) While the name Francis has seen more popularity than Xavier, Francis hit its height in this country in the early 1900s and has since declined. It's now ranked at 593 out of the top 1,000. Xavier has emerged from the shadow of its counterpart and become much more popular than Francis.

Variations

• Haviero
• Javier (a very popular Spanish variation)
• Javiero
• Saviero
• Xabier
• Xavier
• Xavon
• Xever
• Xzavier
• Zavier

Celebrity Babies
Xavier, son of Donnie Wahlberg
Xavier, son of Tilda Swinton

Romeo

Romeo ~ from Rome ~ Italian

In honor of Valentine's day, I decided to feature what I believe to be the most romantic boy's name of all time. Can't you just hear Juliet calling for him from a balcony? Can't you just see a young Leonardo DiCaprio looking with astonishment at his fair Claire Danes? I thought so. The name Romeo makes us swoon almost as much as the famed character does.

Why is Romeo So Iconic?
Let me answer this question with another question: If Romeo was commonplace, would it be so intriguing? Probably not. The reason we strongly associate this name with Shakespeare's tragic love story is not only that it's one of the most famous plays of all time, but we have had very little else to associate the name with in our culture.

Shakespeare's two star-crossed lovers have made an irreversible impact on the world, especially influencing the arts. There are operas, movies, ballets, paintings, poetry and more dedicated to retelling this phenomenal story. It would be very hard to go through life without being influenced by it, and in fact many of us read the play in school or even participated in a production of it.

In short (too late), the name is iconic not only because the story is, but also because of how it has been used throughout history to refer to a passionate male lover, and not your average Joe. And speaking of name use...

Romeo Isn't Commonplace
It doesn't take an expert to know that the name Romeo isn't as common as some of today's favorites, like Ethan and Noah. And if you think about it, you might also realize that it doesn't seem like it was ever common. It's unlikely that you have had older relatives with this name or that you can think of famous Romeos from the past.

The truth is, Romeo is more popular today than it has ever been in US history. It's on an upward trend and is ranked at 323. Many of us are coming into an admiration of this name for several reasons.

Why We Love Romeo Right Now

• Romeo has a worldly, global appeal
• It has Italian glamor and ends in o, just like Leonardo, Nico, and Rocco
• It's got handsome written all over it
• It's romantic

Why We Are Unsure of Romeo

• It may be difficult for Romeo to ever break out of its romantic stereotype
• Romeo may be perceived as too lofty or bold
• Many shy away from this name for teasing potential alone

Personally, I think Romeo is a lovely choice that's worth the "risk". It's gaining strides each year, and becoming more accepted. Some will find the benefits outweigh the challenges that come with using this name. If not, alternatives to Romeo might be: Leonardo, Nico, Orlando, Rocco, Roman, Rome (also a variation of Romeo), or Ronan.

Celeb Babies
I'm sure a lot of you thought of this one: Victoria and David Beckham chose this name for their second son, born in 2002. I expected the popularity of the name to shoot up around then, but it actually dipped down temporarily in the year following. The name has recovered, however, and gained more momentum in recent years.

Owen

updated Sept 2015

Owen ~ Well-born ~ Welsh

This simple and very sweet boy's name has a lot of appeal. Between it's ancient Gaelic roots and trendy sound, it's definitely hitting a soft spot in the hearts of parents. It's got a sweet innocence about it but also ages well.

Most believe that Owen comes from the Welsh form of Owain, Eoin, and Ywain, which (oddly enough) shares roots with Eugene. Owen has a long history, as Ywain was the name of one of the Knights of the Round Table. Ywain was known for his honor and bravery. That's a pretty cool claim to fame for a little boy to bear.

Popularity
One thing to keep in mind is that Owen is not unique by any stretch of the imagination. Owen is three times as popular as it was 10 years ago! It's rocketing up the charts. If you choose this name, don't be surprised to meet other little boys with the same name. The upside to that is your child will have a very well-liked name, and he'll never feel like it's too unique.

• Owen is ranked at #36 in the US.
• Similar names: Rowan, Bowen, Evan, Ewan, Ian
• Celebrities named Owen: Owen Wilson
• Celebs who named their son Owen:
  Noah Wyle, Kevin Kline, Riki Lake, Stephen King

Leonardo & Leonard

Leonardo, Leonard ~ Lion-hearted ~ Italian, German

It's obvious that these names are related, but to me they seem more like estranged cousins than twin brothers. Leonard has variations that are all over the map culturally and with a large range in popularity.

History
The historic reach of both names is quite extensive. Leonard is the German name that started it all. This is evidenced by the Saint Leonard of Noblac, a noble of the 5th century. His charitable work focused on prisoners, and with the permission of the monarch Clovis, he had the power to set free any prisoner he deemed worthy. He is patron saint of prisoners.

Leonard saw its greatest peak in American popularity in the 1920s. But since then, it has been steadily declining as the sound of the name has less appeal. The name Leonard is still apparent everywhere, however. Case-in-point: the nerdy-cool character Leonard on The Big Bang Theory, whose geeky status is upgraded a little by his ability to almost get the girl. You may also be familiar with Leonard as a surname.

Leonardo is the Italian form, most famously borne by Leonardo da Vinci and most recently revived by Leonardo DiCaprio. Da Vinci is best known for his masterful painting, though his inventions and general scientific genius earned him much fame as well. In fact, the very reason DiCaprio has this name is due to da Vinci.

Variations & Popularity
Below I've included the most popular variations along with ranking, followed by lesser-used variations and nicknames.

1. Leonardo, ranked at 170
2. Leo, ranked at 227
3. Leon, ranked at 502
4. Leonard, ranked at 621

Un-ranked variations, not in the top 1,000 given names:
Len, Lenny, Lonke, Leontes, Linke, Lonnie or Lonny.

Celebrities Named Leonard Leonard "Lenny" Kravitz, rock singer/songwriter Leonard Nimoy, actor Leonard Cohen, Canadian poet and songwriter Leonard Bernstein, composer and conductor Leonard Chess, record company executive

Celebrities Named Leonardo Leonardo DiCaprio, actor Leonardo Nam, actor Leonardo Azzaro, tennis player

Like Leonardo? You may also like:
Orlando, Raphael, Sebastian

Quinn

Updated Sept 2015

Quinn ~ Wise ~ Gaelic, Irish

A Stylish Unisex Name
The burning question on all our minds is which gender this baby name should be used for. If that's you, you've come to the right place, but the answer might not be what you're looking for: both. Quinn has been used in America for boys since 1960. It has a longer history as a boy's name, but like several Celtic names, the possibility for crossover is high (think Corey, Kelly).

We first began to see Quinn used more steadily for girls in 1995. It's been gaining momentum as a girl's name at a fairly swift pace ever since. In the year 2010, parents began to choose Quinn more often for girls than for boys, and that trend has continued steadily for the past four years.

One reason may be the female character named Quinn on the show Glee. After having exposure to millions of viewers, it can be hard for some to think of Quinn as a boy's name. While Quinn is familiar both as a feminine and a masculine name, it looks like this name is slowly leaning toward girls.

Can you still use Quinn for a boy? Absolutely. For a girl? Definitely.

History & Meaning
Quinn has long-standing roots as an Irish surname. The surname means "Descendant of Conn" but my most trusted sources cite the meaning "wise". Both are legitimate because conn means wise. You'll find either of these definitions depending on your source.

Quinn is a familiar surname today, and not just for the Irish, but across Europe, North America, and Australia. In fact, Quinn is most popular in Canada. Quinn's history as an Irish surname means it's still a gender free-for-all. The name is cute but not childish, and it sounds fresh and stylish for either gender.

Facts & More Information

• For the year 2014, Quinn is ranked at #126 for girls and #363 for boys.
• Celebs with the surname Quinn:
• Aidan Quinn
• Colin Quinn
• Aileen Quinn
• Elizabeth Quinn
• Molly C. Quinn
• Terry O'Quinn
• Celebs who chose Quinn for their child's name
• Sharon Stone
• Sean Young
• Christopher (Kit) Culkin
• Patricia Quinn
• Coby Bell
• Quinn is/was a female character on t.v. shows Glee, One Tree Hill, and Zoey 101.
• Similar names: Quincy, Quentin, Quinley