Unique Names of the Top 1000

Hello friends! A factor that plays into many parents' name choices for their babies is the popularity of the name. Lots of people don't want their child to be one of three or four kids by the same name as their child, but at the same time, don't want to venture to more obscure names that fall beyond the Top 1000. Here are my picks of unique names that I don't hear often (my mom is a teacher, so I have a good idea of what's popular), but are still familiar and usable, all within the Top 1000 and listed by popularity.

Girls

• Nicole - #152 - Nicole is such a classic that I haven't heard on a little one, and has some fun nicknames like Nikki, Cole, and even Lola.
• Vivienne - #233 - I've never met a little girl named Vivienne, and this name is a great option for parents who like the names with unique letters like V, X, and Z.
• Noelle - #250 - Noelle, aside from being beautiful, is a great, unexpected way to get the nicknames Elle or Ellie.
• Rosalie - #266 - Roaslie is a gorgeous alternative to Rose or even other popular flower names.
• Gemma - #269 - Gemma is great if you love names like Ruby and Pearl, or even if you like something similar to Jenna or Gina.
• Cheyenne - #347 - Cheyenne is a lovely, underrated place name that fits right in with popular names like Brooklyn and London.
• Sabrina - #355 - Sabrina is s fun, magical name that is an unexpected way to get the nicknames Bri or Bria.
• Sage - #370 - Sage is a gorgeous nature, word, and virtue name, as well as a wonderful alternative to Paige.
• Aspen - #372 - Like Cheyenne, Aspen is a beautiful place name that fits in with trendier place names.
• Zara - #402 - Zara is a wonderfully edgy alternative to the classic Sarah.
• Thea - #464 - Thea feels a little bit exotic to me, but still has a sweet simplicity that makes it very accessible.
• Eve - #476 - Eve is such a sweet name, but has a sophistication that is unmatched in the name world.
• Remi - #501 - Remi has a European flare to it, but couldn't be easier to say or spell, making it extremely usable.
• Kara - #509 - If you don't like Zara, maybe Kara is more your style. It's simple and sweet, and has the same feel as Sarah without the popularity.
• Liana - #527 - The biggest trend I've seen in girls' names today is the "-ana" name. I've seen every variation in the book, but I've never actually met a Liana, so this will still feel fresh amongst all the other "-anas."
• Colette - #531 - If Nicole isn't your style, Colette may be the next best thing. You can still get fun nicknames like Cole, Lettie, Etta, etc., and Colette just has a bit more to it stylistically.
• Greta - #573 - Greta is a gorgeous, whimsical name that I've never heard on a little girl. This is a great option if you like Grace or even Etta.
• Mira - #586 - We are living is the age of the Celtic names, and I feel like Mira is flying under the radar at the moment. There is a gorgeous Irish song called "Out on the Mira," where they say "MY-rah," but I love the pronunciation "MEE-rah" even more.
• Meredith - #590 - Meredith has that old lady chic feel to it, and while I see that trend rising for boys, I haven't seen it as much for girl, and some of those old lady names are just too good not to use.
• Shiloh - #606 - Shiloh has a distinctly Biblical sound to it, and, like Meredith and the old lady names, this name is too good not to use, especially with Biblical boys' names rising so quickly.
• Maisie - #624 - Maisie, like Mira, is a Celtic name flying under the radar, but I see it rising soon, especially thanks to Maisie Williams of Game of Thrones.
• Esme - #682 - Esme has a vintage, old-world feel to it and is beautiful on its own, but can also lend itself to nicknames like Essie or Ezzie.
• Leona - #683 - Names like Leo and Phoenix are rising for boys, and Leona is a gorgeous yet strong way to nickname a little girl Leo.
• Wren - #712 - Wren is a timeless, sweet name that is rising with the popularity of nature names.
• Livia - #723 - Livia is the easiest way to get the feel of Olivia without the popularity, and still has the adorable nickname Liv built right in.
• Lennox - #740 - Lennox is another name with an edgy sound and X factor, and is also a unique way to get the nicknames Lex or Lexi.
• Naya - #784 - Naya is a great alternative to names like Maya and Mia, and has an exotic flare to it that draws people in.
• Brenna - #795 - Brenna is yet another Celtic name yet to be discovered, and is a wonderful alternative to Brianna.
• Marisol - #842 - Marisol has that ever-popular "mar-" sound, so it's a great alternative to many names, including Mary, Marie, Mariana, and even Mary Kate.
• Ingrid - #957 - Indie is a nickname that's on the rise, and Ingrid is a gorgeous way to get the nickname while still having a sophisticated full name to fall back on.

Boys

• Damian - #116 - Damian is a great alternative to popular names like Daniel and Declan.
• Weston - #120 - Weston has the desirable rare letter quality, and fits right in with other W names like William and Wyatt.
• Bennett - #153 - Bennett is a wonderful alternative to Benjamin, especially if you're looking for another way to get the nickname Ben.
• Zane - #233 - Zane has the cool Z initial, and is a nice spin on other Z names like Zachary and Zander.
• Spencer - #252 - Spencer fits perfectly with the occupational name trend, which is one of the biggest trends in boys' names right now.
• Knox - #258 - Knox has the X factor, but it maintains a simplicity to it that keeps the name very accessible.
• Rhett - #274 - I've never met a little boy named Rhett, but it fits right in with more popular one-syllable names like Luke and Jack.
• Phoenix - #307 - Phoenix is such a cool name, from the X factor to the magical and mythological associations, and there's not really another name like it.
• Nash - #344 - A large part of this list is made up of one-syllable names, but Nash manages to still pack a punch in four little letters.
• Daxton - #380 - Nicknames like Dax, Max, and Pax are very desirable, and Daxton gives a handsome full name to fall back on.
• Keith - #425 - Keith is the perfect combination of the classic Kevin and the trendier Heath, and I definitely see this name rising in the future.
• Jonas - #429 - Jonas is a great alternative the classic John and the Biblical Jonah, and doesn't sacrifice anything in terms of style.
• Scott - #457 - Scott is such a classic, and it fits in with other classics like James, as well as popular names that end in "-tt" like Wyatt and Everett.
• Rhys - #513 - If you don't like Rhett, Rhys may be the name for you. Rhys has a cool look to it, but the classic sound keeps this name grounded.
• Hayes - #539 - Hayes is a surname name that's just waiting to be discovered. It's only a matter of time before this name is ranking near Carter and Easton.
• Oakley - #567 - Oakley is an adorable nature name, and is a great alternative to the popular Owen.
• Lennon - #609 - Beatles fans will love this name, and it's a modern spin on classic names like Leonard and Leon.
• Jagger - #657 - Jagger is another name for music lovers, and this name comes pre-loaded with a cool edge any little boy would love.
• Mack - #661 - Mack is a prefix to many surnames, so it fits that trend perfectly, but I actually love this name as an alternative to Michael, which almost always gets shortened to Mike.
• Fletcher - #661 - Fletcher is my favorite occupational name, and there's something satisfying about this name as a whole.
• Callum - #683 - Callum is a great alternative to names like Collin and Calvin, and is another overlooked Celtic name.
• Payton - #693 - I'm shocked Payton isn't much higher on this list, but that makes it much more usable for people who don't want the popularity attached to the name.
• Flynn - #694 - Flynn, like Livia to Olivia, is probably the easiest way to get the feel of Finn without the popularity.
• Alden - #720 - Alden is a wonderful alternative to Aiden in its many forms, and fits right in with the "-dan," "-den," "-don" names that are so popular right now.
• Ford - #741 - I adore Ford, and I think it's a great one-syllable name, as well as a cool alternative to presidential names like Lincoln and Reagan.
• Vance - #759 - Vance is yet another cool letter name, and is a fun spin on the classic Vince.
• Lachlan - #768 - Lachlan is similar to Mira in that it's a discreet nature name, both relating to bodies of water.
• Maxton - #807 - Maxton is a great alternative to many of the Max names like Maxwell and Maximilian.
• Thatcher - #902 - If you don't like Fletcher, Thatcher may be the next best thing. They both have the same style, but are distinctly different at the same time.
• Grey - #916 - Grey is the perfect alternative to Greyson, and is one of the few color names that suits boys.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

The Ultimate Baby Name Tag

Hello friends! Yesterday I saw that Alena and Amelia, two namers on YouTube, created this Ultimate Baby Name Tag, and I had to answer it over here asap. Here we go!

• 1. What is your own name and do you like it?
• My name is Erin, which I don't like because it's so common and plain, and my middle name is Violet, which I love.
• 2. If you have children, what are their names and how did you come up with them?
• N/A
• 3. If you had a baby boy right now what would you name him?
• Declan Oliver - I love so many Irish and Scottish names, and Declan is in that sweet spot of not being too popular yet, but still familiar and easy to pronounce.
• 4. If you had a baby girl right now what would you name her?
• Isla Wren - Just like Declan, Isla is in that popularity sweet spot and is familiar and easy to pronounce.
• 5. What would you name boy/boy twins, boy/girl twins and girl/girl twins?
• BB: Beckett Theo & Calvin Scott
• BG: Gray Caledon & Scarlett Waverly
• GG: Stella Ingrid & Luna Tess
• 6. What would you name your ideal number of children using all names that start with the same letter (or one letter for girls and another for boys)?
• I would have two girls and one boy named Adeleine Grace, Audrey Linnaea, and Andrew Griffin.
• 7. What would you name a boy and a girl using only names from your family tree (or the names of close friends and loved ones)?
• Nathan Theo & Hailey Victoria
• 8. Create a name for your child (You can choose the gender or do one name for each gender) using a.) a combination of your name and your significant other's name or b.) a combination of your parent's names.
• I don't have a significant other, and I can't come up with anything good combining my parents' names.
• 9. You enter a witness protection program and must choose a completely new name for yourself. What name do you choose and is their any special significance as to why you choose it?
• Ingrid Kay - Ingrid is a name I love and (I think) has a bit of mystery to it, which is fitting, and Kay is my grandmother's middle name, and I think I would need her with me because I would be a terrible spy and she would be great.
• 10. If you could create one rule parents had to follow when naming their children, what would it be and why?
• Please choose a name that your child won't be ashamed of telling others as an adult; Rainbow Puff may consider changing her name when she's 18.
• 11. Name a boy and a girl using only nature and place names.
• Hudson Fox & Brooklyn Flora
• 12. Name a boy and a girl using your own first and middle initials. If you don't have a middle name, select an initial of your choosing.
• Eli Vance & Esme Victoria
• 13. Name a boy and girl using names from the most recent data of top 100 baby names in the US.
• Gavin Isaac & Ruby Olivia
• 14. Name a boy and a girl using names from the most recent data of top 100 baby names in the UK.
• Leo James & Emilia Lucy
• 15. Name a boy and a girl using names from your favorite TV shows and movies.
• Larkin Jude (Hairspray, The Fosters) & Nora Wendy (Friends, Full House)
• 16. Name a boy and a girl using names of characters from books and literature.
• Ezra Felix (The Beginning of Everything, Finding Audrey) & Cosette Grace (Les Mis, The Fault in Our Stars)
• 17. Name a boy and a girl using rare letters, Q, X, Y, and Z.
• York Zander & Zara Quinn
• 18. Name a boy and a girl using names that, for whatever reason, you would never use in real life.
• Caledon Michael & Linnaea Wren - I love both Caledon and Linnaea, but I'm not sure people would ever pronounce them correctly, and I don't want to put that on my kids.
• 19. If you could rename a celebrity baby (or celebrity baby sibset), which one would you pick and what would you rename them? Alternative: choose the name of a friend or a friend’s baby that you don’t like or whose name you feel doesn’t suit them and rename them instead.
• I pick the Busby girls; the Busbys are a reality TV family who have one older daughter and one set of all-girl quintuplets. I don't have a particular issue with their names, I just like the challenge of styling a sibset that has quints.(Note: I'm going to challenge myself by keeping their initials and finding new names to fit them.)Their names are Blayke Louise, Olivia Marie, Ava Lane, Hazel Grace, Parker Kate, and Riley Paige. In that same order, I would rename them Bailey Lauren, Oakley Madelyn, Addison Leigh, Harper Gabrielle, Peyton Kara, and Reagan Paisley.
• 20. Any last names? Do you have any names that you didn’t get to mention in this video that you have been liking recently, heard recently, or were reminded of during this post that you didn’t get a chance to mention? If not, what’s the coolest name or the worst name you’ve heard recently?
• I don't want to share any other names I love just yet - I'll be posting my Top 100 Names in a few weeks, so you'll have to wait and see! As far as cool names, I recently watched a name video on YouTube, and the mom had twins named Louis and Linnaea, and Linnaea happens to mean "twinflower;" how cool!

A special thanks to Alena and Amelia for creating this tag; I'll link their videos for you to see their answers.
Tag Questions: https://youtu.be/we5EjhvQ3OQ
Alena's Answers: https://youtu.be/imcyATuV8GM
Amelia's Answers: https://youtu.be/A8Q-rQA8sfQ

Please answer these questions in the comments or leave a link to you answers. I love hearing from you!

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Seasons of Names Tag

Hello friends! I created this tag a while back and I thought I'd share it with you. It's based on the four seasons, and each has specific name challenges associated with the season. Let's get started!

Winter

• Name a sibset with the initials DE, CE, MB, and ER. You choose the sexes, but first names must be literary names.
• DE: Dallas Emerson (The Outsiders)
• CE: Celie Eleanor (The Color Purple)
• MB: Margo Brooklyn (Paper Towns)
• ER: Ezra Rowan (The Beginning of Everything)
• Use a winter or holiday-based first name for a girl and give her a middle name, then give her a twin (you choose the sex).
• Noelle Audrey & Jude Matthew
• Winter nights are perfect for watching your favorite movies. Name triplets (you choose the sexes) with names of your favorite movie characters as first names and middle names of your choice.
• Cosette Roaslie (Les Mis), Larkin Thomas (Hairspray) & Daniel James (Grease)

Spring

• Name triplets with the initials SP, RI, and NG. You choose the sexes and first names, but middle names must be associated with flowers, trees, or fruit.
• SP: Scarlett Poppy
• RI: Rowan Ivy
• NG: Nathaniel Gideon
• There's something whimsical about both spring and alliterations, so name twins with alliterative names (you choose the sexes).
• Lila Lucy & Luna Livia
• Spring is all about "out with the old, in with the new." Combine both and name three boys and a girl with "geezer names" as first names and "hipster names" as middle names.
• Calvin August, Samuel Oliver, Edward Griffin & Eleanor Beatrix

Summer

• Name two girls and a boy with the initials SU, MM, and ER.
• SU: Sawyer Upton
• MM: Mira Melody
• ER: Ellarie River
• Road trip! Name quadruplets with place names as first names and any middle names (you choose the sexes).
• Aspen Maisie, Brighton Isla, Hudson Parker & Phoenix Isaac
• Let's go stargazing! Use a celestial or mythological name for a boy and give him a middle name, then give him a sister whose initials are the reverse of his.
• Evander Wyatt & Waverly Emilia

Fall

• Name two boys and two girls with the initials NO, VE, MB, and ER. You choose the sexes, but middle names must be stone/gemstone names.
• NO: Noah Onyx
• VE: Victoria Emerald
• MB: Michael Baryte
• ER: Esme Ruby
• Fall reminds me of family, so name three siblings with family names as first names and any middle names (you choose the sexes).
• Ryan Andrew, Nathan Scott & James Benjamin
• It's hibernation season! Name twins with animal-based first names and any middle names (you choose the sexes).
• Ari Valencia & Leo Alexander

I tag you to do this tag in the comments!

I wish you all the best,
Erin

10 Baby Names I Love But Won't Be Using

Hello friends! I decided to jump on the bandwagon of the "10 Baby Names I Love But Will Never Use" videos going around on YouTube. I am not planning on having kids for a very long time, but I do love names and already have lists of names that I love and will use for my future kids. With that said, these are also names that I love, but I have specific reasons for why I will not be using each of these names, but if any of these are names of your kids or someone you know, I think these are beautiful and people who have them are very lucky.

Girls

     1. Amelia/Emilia - I love both spellings of this name, but I don't like the way this name
         is pronounced in the US, which is a-MEEL-yah instead of a-MEE-lee-ah, and I'm just
         not a fan of the middle two syllables being squished into one.

     2. Ruby - I think this name is absolutely adorable, but when I think of a name, I have
         to be able to see it on name tags in kindergarten, said at high school graduation,
         on a CEO's desk, etc., and Ruby doesn't fit all those for me, but I still love it.

     3. Iclyn - Iclyn is a newer invented name, and although I think it's beautiful and would
         fit in with all the -lyn names of today, it's just a little too out there for my taste.

     4. Delilah - This is one of those names that I love but my mom hates, and for as close
         as we are, I couldn't name my daughter a name I know she hates, which is why when
         I have kids, she'll find out their names when they're born and opinions don't really
         matter *wink*.

     5. Harper - I love Harper, especially because it's one of the few names that I can get
         the nickname Perrie (which I think is adorable) from, but unfortunately this name
         just entered the top ten most popular names in the US, which means by the time I
         I have a daughter, it'll be even more popular, which I don't like.

Boys

     1. Nathan - This is probably my #1 favorite boys' name, but I have a cousin named
         Nathan, so I won't ne using this for any future sons.

     2. Alek - I love the idea of this name because I think it's strong yet simple and a good
         alternative to the very popular Alexander, but I just can't see myself using it, and
         I can't quite figure out why.

     3. Phoenix - The phoenix is a bird that is reborn from its own ashes, and for me it's a
         personal symbol for overcoming any struggles, but this name, although meaningful,
         is just too out there for my taste.

     4. Matthew - Matthew is a name that, unfortunately, was ruined for me by a Matthew
         I once knew who was just very arrogant, and that's all I can think of when I hear this
         name.

     5. Ezra - I know Ezra because popular recently because of a TV show, but I don't
         carry that association. I honestly think I'm just not cool enough to have a kid named
         Ezra.

Let me know if there are any names you love but won't use in the comments!

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Unique Seasonal Baby Names

Hello friends! I have a bonus post this week, and I thought that with the seasons changing, I would write all about unique seasonal baby names. I think there's nothing cuter than paying homage to when your baby was born by giving him or her a seasonal name, and these are slightly more unique than Summer for a summer baby or Nicholas for a Christmas baby. I have 80 names in total, girls' names listed first (although many are gender-neutral, it's just how I prefer them, and followed by meaning), so let's get started!

Winter:

• Noelle (Christmas) // Noel (Christmas)
• Aspen (aspen tree) // Frost (frost)
• Holly (holly berry) // Olwen (white footprint)
• Lumi (snow) // Colden (dark valley)
• Iclyn (compassionate) // Aubin (white)
• Alaska (great land) // Crispin (curly-haired)
• Eira (AY-ra: snow) // Oakley (oak tree)
• Wren (small songbird) // Aster (star)
• January (first month) // Tannon (fir tree)
• Neva (snow) // Holmes (holly)

Spring:

• Flora (flower) // Attwell (lives by the spring)
• Arizona (little spring) // Denver (green valley)
• Maelyn (May) // Caldwell (from the cold spring)
• Maia (May) // Wilton (from the farm by the spring)
• Leilani (heavenly flower) // Lark (songbird)
• Fleur (flower) // Rowan (rowan tree)
• Mailee (May) // Holden (from the hollow in the valley)
• Nova (new) // Knox (round hill)
• Zara (dawn) // Ryland (from the rye fields)
• Kalina (kalina flower) // Pax (peace)

Summer:

• July (youth) // August (great)
• Ruby (gemstone) // Phoenix (deep red)
• Electra (fiery sun) // Orion (son of fire)
• Mira (of the sea) // Tide (ocean movement)
• Waverly (from the quaking aspen meadow) // Beckett (bee cottage)
• Isla (island) // Dax (water)
• Kyra (sun) // Leo (lion)
• Idalia (beyond the sun) // Bay (auburn-haired)
• Marina (of the sea) // Reed (redhead)
• Vega (eternal laws) // Arnett (little eagle)

Fall:

• Fauna (young deer) // Fox (fox)
• Peregrine (wanderer) // Barrett (mighty as a bear)
• Sage (wise one) // Forrester (keeps the forest)
• Scarlett (scarlet red) // Crimson (crimson red)
• Rhea (goddess of fertility) // Radley (red meadow)
• Eve (to live) // Fletcher (arrow maker)
• Ginger (ginger root) // Saffron (saffron spice)
• Sparrow (sparrow) // Sawyer (cuts timber)
• Maize (MAY-zee: corn) // Lennox (elm tree)
• Aurelia (golden) // Birch (birch tree)

I wish you all the best,
Erin

Disney Name Tag

Hello friends! As I said in my update, recently I've become obsessed with the future, specifically marriage and kids. I've spent a lot of time on YouTube watching baby name tags, which is basically just people talking about their favorite names or answering different name-related questions. I've answered all those and might put them up later, but the one I'm most excited about is one I've created and am debuting here: the Disney Name Tag. I love Disney and names, so this seemed like a given. Let's get started!

Disney Name Tag

1. Top 3 (non-princess) Disney girls’ names?

Ellie (The Rescuers), Esme (Esmerelda // The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Evangeline (The Princess and the Frog)

 2. Top 3 (non-prince) Disney boys’ names?

David (Lilo & Stitch), Elliott (Pete’s Dragon), Luke (The Rescuers)

3. Top 3 sequel (or beyond) names?

G: Colette (Lady and the Tramp II), Madellaine (The Hunchback of Notre Dame II), Ruby  (Lady and the Tramp II) 

B: Edward (Return to Neverland), Ron (Ronno // Bambi II), Max (Uncle Max // The Lion King 1 ½)

 

4. Top 3 Disney-Pixar names?

G: Bailey (Finding Dory), Colette (Ratatouille), Elinor (Brave) 

B: Arlo (The Good Dinosaur), Charles (Up), James (James P. Sullivan // Monsters, Inc.)

 

5. Top 3 prince/princess names?

Prince: Flynn (Tangled), Kristoff (Frozen), Edward (Enchanted)

Princess: Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Elsa (Frozen), Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)

 

6. Favorite villain names?

G: Sarah (Aunt Sarah // Lady and the Tramp)

B: Edgar (The Aristocats)

 

7. Name twins (any sex) with names from one movie.

GG: Mia & Charlotte (The Princess Diaries), Violet & Kari (The Incredibles)

BB: John & Michael (Peter Pan), Kristoff & Oaken (Frozen)

GB: Ellen & Michael (Mary Poppins), Lucy & Peter (The Chronicles of Narnia)

 

8. Name three kids with all Disney animal names.

G: Grace (Home on the Range), Kiara (The Lion King II), Sarafina (The Lion King)

B: Louis (King Louie // The Jungle Book), Maximus (Tangled), Oliver (Oliver & Co.)

 

9.Name four kids (any sex) with any Disney names, but all must start with the same letter.

GGGG: Elinor/Ellie (Brave/The Rescuers), Elsa (Frozen), Esme (Esmerelda // The Hunchback of Dame), Evangeline/Evie (The Princess and the Frog/Wall.e // EVE)

BBBB: Oaken (Frozen), Oliver (Oliver & Co.), Orville (The Rescuers), Otto (Robin Hood)

GGBB: Madellaine (The Hunchback of Notre Dame II), Mia (The Princess Diaries), Max (Uncle Max // The Lion King 1 ½), Michael (Peter Pan/Mary Poppins)

GBBB: Lucy (The Chronicles of Narnia), Lawrence (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Louis (King Louie // The Jungle Book), Luke (The Rescuers)

GGGB: Charlotte (The Princess Diaries), Clarabelle (Home on the Range), Colette (Lady and the Tramp II), Charles (Up)

 

10. Name three kids with any first name and Disney middle names ending in vowel sounds.

G: Victoria Esme (Esmerelda // The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Brooklyn Kari (The Incredibles), Charlotte Ruby (Lady and the Tramp II)

B: Michael Henry (The Princess and the Frog), Andrew Joshua (Atlantis: The Lost Empire), Oliver Wesley (Home on the Range)

 I wish you all the best,
Erin