My Favorite Baby Names

Hello friends! A while back I said I would be posting my Top 100 Baby Names. As it turns out, my favorites change daily, so making a ranked list was near-impossible. I decided instead to just share my running list of favorite names in alphabetical order. Here we go!

Girls:

• Adeleine (said like Adalyn), nickname Addie
• Audrey
• Ayla (I like the long A sound for this spelling, but I've also heard it said like Isla)
• Belle
• Briony
• Brooklyn
• Brynn
• Cambria, nickname Cami
• Carys
• Charlotte
• Cosette
• Delilah, nickname Lila
• Eleanor, nickname Nellie
• Elodie, nickname Elle
• Esme
• Evangeline, nickname Eve
• Flora
• Gemma
• Grace
• Greta
• Hazel
• Ingrid, nickname Indie
• Iris
• Isla
• Ivy
• Kay
• Livia, nickname Liv
• Luna
• Lydia
• Mairi (pronounced MAR-ee), nickname Ari
• Maisie
• Nessa
• Noelle
• Ruby
• Sage
• Scarlett, nickname Scout
• Stella
• Tess
• Waverly
• Wren
• Zoe

Boys:

• Andrew
• Austin
• Beckett, nickname Beck
• Benjamin, nickname Ben
• Calvin
• Clark
• Connor
• Cooper
• Declan
• Eli
• Ezra
• Fletcher
• Ford
• Gavin
• Gray
• Griffin
• Hudson
• Isaac
• James
• Jude
• Knox
• Lachlan
• Landon
• Lincoln, nickname Link
• Michael, nickname Mac
• Oliver
• Parker
• Rowan
• Samuel, nickname Sam
• Scott
• Tristan
• Theo
• William, nickname Will
• Wyatt

It's not quite 100 names, but it's still a lot. Let me know in the comments if any of these are your favorites, names that may make their way onto your list, or any of your favorite names.

I wish you all the best,
Erin

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

Spook-tacular Names

Hello friends! With Halloween quickly approaching, I thought I'd put together a bonus post all about some Halloween-inspired names, ranging from pop culture names associated with Halloween to names with meanings tied to elements of Halloween. Here we go!

Girls

• Asteria - Greek, "star" - Asteria sounds magical and haunting, and is a great yet subtle nod to Halloween.
• Suggested pairing: Asteria Esme
• Branwen - Welsh, "beautiful raven" - Branwen is a beautiful name, and ravens are strongly associated with Halloween, so this name is the best of both worlds.
• Suggested pairing: Branwen Flora
• Coraline (Coraline) - French, "coral" - Coraline is right on trend with many things (-line endings, French names, Cora as a nickname, etc.), andis one of my  is a lovely tribute to the Tim Burton movie.
• Suggested pairing: Coraline Genevieve
• Hala - Arabic, "halo around the moon" - Hala is another name that's on trend with names like Nala, Maya, and Hailey, and the association to the moon is a Halloween no-brainer.
• Suggested pairing: Hala Leilani
• Hazel - English, "hazelnut tree" - Hazel is rising in popularity and may be the most discreet Halloween name on this list, but I chose this adorable name for its nod to witch hazel.
• Suggested pairing: Hazel Winter
• Layla - Arabic, "night" - Layla is gorgeous, so it's no wonder it's rising rapidly, but it's meaning goes perfectly with a Halloween theme.
• Suggested pairing: Layla Tess
• Nell (The Corpse Bride) - English, meaning debated - Nell is one of my favorite names on this list, and is another great tribute to another haunting Tim Burton movie.
• Suggested pairing: Nell Olivia
• Nerissa - Shakespearean, "nymph, sea sprite" - Nerissa feeds into my soft spot for whimsical names, and its meaning fits right in with the creatures and magic of Halloween.
• Suggested pairing: Nerissa Mairi
• Wednesday (The Addams Family) - roots debated, "Wednesday" - Wednesday is probably the most iconic character from The Addams Family, so of course this name made my list.
• Suggested pairing: Wednesday Pearl
• Winnie (Hocus Pocus) - English, "fair" - Winnie is such a cute name, but if you're a Hocus Pocus fan, it's the perfect choice for you.
• Suggested pairing: Winnie Harper

Boys

• Aydan - Turkish, "from the moon" - Aydan is yet another variant of the ever-popular Aiden, but this spelling has a stellar meaning perfect for Halloween.
• Suggested pairing: Aydan Leo
• Casper (Casper the Friendly Ghost) - Dutch, "treasurer" - Casper is like the Wednesday of my boys' list; it's iconic, so putting it on was not a question.
• Suggested pairing: Casper David
• Dexter (Dexter) - English, "one who dyes" - Dexter has a mysterious feel to it, and it's a great alternative to names like Daxton and Paxton.
• Suggested pairing: Dexter Flynn
• Drake - English, "dragon" - Drake, like Nerissa, has a meaning that fits perfectly with the creatures and magic of Halloween.
• Suggested pairing: Drake Alexander
• Edgar - English, "wealth, spear" - Edgar is on this list because of Edgar Allan Poe, who was definitely know for his creepy, haunting poetry.
• Suggested pairing: Edgar Nolan
• Jack (The Nightmare Before Christmas) - English, "God is gracious" - Jack can be used if you love Jack Skellington, or if you just love the classic jack-o'-lantern.
• Suggested pairing: Jack Oliver
• Logan - Scottish, "little hollow" - Logan is just as discreet as Hazel, but its meaning has half of the word Halloween in it, so I had to use it for this list.
• Suggested pairing: Logan Michael
• Osiris - Egyptian, "god of the dead" - Osiris is definitely the most cryptic name I have, but if you love Halloween, I think it's perfect.
• Suggested pairing: Osiris Kai
• Sullivan - Irish, "little dark eye" - Sullivan's meaning just screams Halloween to me; it's a little weird and dark, but the name is still adorable.
• Suggested pairing: Sullivan James
• Wolf - German/English, "wolf" - Wolf is definitely for a brave namer, but with werewolves to strongly associated with Halloween, I couldn't resist.
• Suggested: Wolf Evander

Happy Halloween!
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

Harry Potter Baby Names

Hello friends! I have been absolutely obsessed with Harry Potter lately (it's been in phases since I discovered HP ages ago), and I also love names, as some of you may know, so I figured I'd combine the two and give you some of my favorite Harry Potter baby names. I'll include a bit of character context, origin, and meaning of each name, as well as why I picked these names over all the others in Harry Potter (because there are a lot!). Also look out for the ways I would use each name in the first and middle name spots.

Girls

• Arabella (Arabella Figg - member of the Order of the Phoenix) - Latin, "yielding to prayer"
• Arabella is a one I picked because it seems very usable and on-trend yet unique, especially with names like Annabelle and Aria being so popular.
• Suggested pairings: Arabella Grace, Katherine Arabella

 

• Bellatrix (Bellatrix Lestrange - Death Eater) - Latin, "female warrior"
• Bellatrix is another name that seems on-trend with names like Beatrix and Isabella, but hasn't reached the Top 1000 yet.
• Suggested pairings: Bellatrix Jade, Ava Bellatrix

• Fleur (Fleur Delacour - Triwizard Champion of Beauxbatons) - French, "flower"
• Fleur is a beautiful alternative to names like Rose and Violet.
• Suggested pairings: Fleur Adeleine, Cosette Fleur

• Ginny (Ginny Weasley - member of Dumbledore's Army, Harry's wife) - Latin, "from the ginger flower"
• Ginny feels a bit like an old lady name to me, so it fits right in with more popular names geezer like Ivy and Lucy.
• Suggested pairings: Ginny Meredith, Clementine Ginny

• Hermione (Hermione Granger - founder of Dumbledore's Army, Harry's best friend) - Greek, "well-born, earthly"
• Hermione as a name has become strongly associated with this character, but I love it because she's such a strong, modern female lead. This name can be made more usable with nicknames like Minnie and Mia, or even Hero if you're brave.
• Suggested pairings: Hermione Sage, Evelyn Hermione

• Lavender (Lavender Brown - member of Dumbledore's Army) - Latin, "to wash," also a color name
• Lavender is another great alternative to Violet, and also fits right in with trendy color names like Blue, Gray, and Olive.
• Suggested pairings: Lavender Gabrielle, Everly Lavender

• Luna (Luna Lovegood - member of Dumbledore's Army) - Latin, "moon"
• Luna is a gorgeous nature name, and has a similar feel to Stella and Lily. Luna is also fantastically quirky in Harry Potter, making her an awesome namesake.
• Suggested pairings: Luna Ingrid, Brighton Luna

• Marietta (Marietta Edgecombe - member of Dumbledore's Army) - Italian, "sea of bitterness or sorrow"
• Marietta is a great way to honor the classic Mary and its many forms, but can also be used to get many nicknames, such as Mari, Marie, and Etta. 
• Suggested pairings: Marietta Faye, Lorainne Marietta 

• Minerva (Minerva McGonagall - Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts) - Latin, "intellect"
• Minerva sound very powerful and mature, and can be made more usable with nicknames like Minnie or Eva. Professor McGonagall is a great leader and has such a quiet strength to her, and I think any little girl named Minerva is bound to have those same qualities.
• Suggested pairings: Minerva Hazel, Vivienne Minerva

• Poppy (Poppy Pomfrey - Hogwarts' school nurse) - Latin, "poppy flower"
• Poppy is another great and underused flower name, so it fits right in with names like Rose, Violet, and Daisy.
• Suggested pairings: Poppy Eleanor, Charlotte Poppy

Boys

• Amos (Amos Diggory - father of Cedric Diggory) - Hebrew, "strong, brave"
• Amos fits right in with the slew of popular Hebrew boys' names like Asher, Caleb, and Isaac.
• Suggested pairings: Amos Zachary, Frederick Amos

• Cedric (Cedric Diggory - Triwizard Champion of Hogwarts) - Celtic, "bounty"
• Cedric is right on trend with rising Irish and Celtic names like Declan, Aiden, and Maddox.
• Suggested pairings: Cedric Elliott, Jameson Cedric

• Dean (Dean Thomas - member of Dumbledore's Army) - Latin, "chief"
• Dean has a certain ring to it that reminds me of old-school class and charm, and fits right in with popular short boys' names like Ben and Jake.
• Suggested pairings: Dean Xavier, Matthew Dean

• Finnigan (Seamus Finnigan - member of Dumbledore's Army) - Irish, "fair"
• Finnigan is probably toward the top of the popular Irish surname list, but with a cute nickname like Finn, I just can't resist.
• Suggested pairings: Finnigan Thomas, Daniel Finnigan

• Fletcher (Mundungus Fletcher - member of the Order of the Phoenix) - English, "arrow-maker"
• Fletcher is a bit less common than Finnigan as far as surname names go, but it still fits right in and is unique enough that there won't be five Fletchers in your son's class, which is always a plus in my opinion.
• Suggested pairings: Fletcher Gray, Rowan Fletcher

• Harry (Harry Potter - The Chosen One, leader of Dumbledore's Army) - German, "estate ruler"
• Harry is probably the most classic name of the whole series, but that's why it's so loved. Harry stands for so many great things, so it's a wonderful namesake for any little boy.
• Suggested pairings: Harry Samuel, Benjamin Harry

• Ollivander (Garrick Ollivander - owner of Ollivander's Wand Shop) - Mediterranean, "he who owns the olive wand"
• Ollivander, at least to me, is the perfect mash-up of names, which makes is a great alternative to popular names like Oliver and Alexander, and fits right in with names like Evander.
• Suggested pairings: Ollivander James, Ford Ollivander

• Phineas (Phineas Nigellus Black - former Hogwarts headmaster) - Hebrew, "oracle"
• Phineas is just a fun name, and while some people may not think it's usable, there's no denying that lovably unique and quirky, and definitely a different way to get the nickname Finn.
• Suggested pairings: Phineas Jude, Wyatt Phineas

• Remus (Remus Lupin - werewolf, member of the Order of the Phoenix) - Roman, meaning unknown
• Remus is a true example of someone being loved despite their flaws, and while there are moments when he cannot control those flaws, the times when he is in control show that he is fiercely loyal and protective, and that's enough meaning for me.
• Suggested pairings: Remus Zane, Dexter Remus

• Ron (Ron Weasley - member of Dumbledore's Army, Harry's best friend) - Hebrew, "joy"
• Ron is one if my favorite characters in the whole series, so I'm a bit biased, but I would love to name a child after someone who is truly good and loyal, and would do anything for those he loves.
• Suggested pairings: Ron Timothy, Caledon Ron

*All photos from http://harrypotter.wikia.com

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

Stuff I Love Summer 2016

Hello friends! It's been a long time since I've done a favorites post, simply because I don't accumulate enough stuff to love within a month. I do love a good favorites post, though, so from here on out I'll be doing seasonal favorites. I'll be keeping track of my loves throughout the season, and write up a post when the season ends, and certainly without specific categories and limits like I had before. So here we go, Stuff I Love Summer 2016.

• Baking - If you've seen anything consistent on this mess of a blog, it's baking posts. Baking is what I absolutely love to do; I love making people happy and bringing them together over something simply and tasty. My dream is to open a bakery exactly for those reasons, so I'm getting all the practice in that I can before that time comes.

• Food Network - I'll be the first to call myself out and say I'm more like a 50's housewife than a young millennial. Because I love everything food, Food Network is like my kryptonite. I can't ever get enough; I have it on in the background all the time, I try the recipes, I cook like I'm talking to a camera... It's just the perfect thing for a foodie like me.
• Dunkin Donuts App - I may have mentioned coffee on here once or twice (or a billion times), and, plain and simple, this app feeds the addict in my like no other. It's a way to pay digitally, so that's good, but I also get points every time I go in and those points get me free drinks. I also always have other perks and rewards waiting for me, so really everybody wins.
• Iced Coffee - Hey look, more coffee! I went from being a no-coffee-ever girl to a two-to-three-cup-a-day girl in a matter of weeks, so this should be no surprise.

• Textured Ponytails - Midwest summers are the creation of Lucifer himself. From mid-May to mid-October, it's hot and sticky and buggy and just gross, and there are only so many socially acceptable ways to keep cool while looking nice. Enter textured ponytails to solve all my problems: I put my hair in French braids after I shower at night, and then wake up with insane texture. I do a little poof at the top of my head, pull the rest back, and then tease for volume and spray with sea salt spray to keep that texture. I finish by pulling out some pieces to frame my face, and then I'm good to go. The humidity will never again claim my straight hair as its victim.
• Harry Potter Weekend - Freeform (formerly ABC Family) does Harry Potter Weekend about four times a year, and I live for it. That said, I'm the biggest baby and can't watch anything after Goblet of Fire because they all give me nightmares, but gosh darn it, I try every time to make it through. It's a life goal. Sad? Nah.
• Wedges - I'll be starting a Story Time series sharing my embarrassing stories and "Why me?" moments shortly after this goes up, but I'll give a sneak peek here: I'm so ungraceful it pains me. Which means walking in heels is actually a huge hurtle for me. Can't do it. However, wedges are a different story. I love wedges, and summer is definitely wedge season. Added bonus: I'm fairly tall, so wedges make me feel like a giant ready to conquer anything. It doesn't get better than that.
• Hairspray - No, not the hair product, but the musical. Specifically the 2007 movie version. It's been my summer soundtrack and the thing I watch when I've run out of videos on YouTube and don't want to restart Friends for the zillionth time on Netflix.
• Summer Dresses - I've never been a dress wearer. Never. Well, maybe before I started dressing myself, but that doesn't count. I've been missing out! I wear them to work all the time, and it's the best thing because dressing for work is the most stressful kind of dressing. I throw it on and I instantly look 1000x more presentable than I did before.

• Colorado - If you ask anyone I've spoken to in the last few weeks, they will tell you that my favorite thing is Colorado because I just won't shut up about it. I miss is every day, and I've already started scouting out the best place to move there when I'm done with school. If I could go back now, I absolutely would.

• Name Videos - I have a slight obsession with names. Maybe a bit more than "slight." Like, I have lists and sibling sets and follow Instagram name accounts, but my favorites are YouTube name vloggers. It's just so interesting learning about names and hoping for the future, hearing other people's choices and learning their tastes. I'm hooked.
• Everything Bagels - Confession time: Until about six months ago, I was convinced that everything bagels are called everything bagels because they're good for everything, toasting, sandwiches, etc. It was only when I said that that my mom looked at me and said, "Are you serious? It's because they put everything on them, like the seeds and the onion and everything." Regardless, I still think they're good for everything, hence I eat them all the time.

Let me know if you have any suggestions on posts you'd like to see in the future, and also be sure to find me on Instagram as streamers.of.consciousness

I wish you all the best,
Erin

My Top 50 Favorite Baby Names

Hello friends! Recently Meagan (TulipByAnyName on YouTube) made/is making a series of videos on her channel discussing her top 50 favorite baby names, and I thought I'd follow suit over here. I don't have quite as many favorites as she does, so I'm sharing my top 25 for both boys and girls, so 50 in total (and my favorites at this moment because I change my mind almost daily). I'll list both boys and girls under the same number, girls' names first, with any nicknames I'd want to use following the name.

1. Scarlett (Scout) // Isaac
2. Maisie // Beckett (Beck)
3. Lila // Calvin
4. Stella // Samuel (Sam)
5. Isla // Griffin
6. Ingrid (Indie) // Hudson
7. Eleanor (Nellie) // Connor
8. Wren // Ford
9. Livia (Liv) // Declan
10. Enorah (Norah) // Jude
11. Elodie (Elle) // Oliver
12. Adeleine [pronounced Adalyn] (Addie) // Knox
13. Brooklyn // Fletcher
14. Nessa // Parker
15. Kaila // James
16. Grace // Benjamin (Ben)
17. Esme // Michael (Mac)
18. Audrey // Andrew
19. Charlotte // Caleb
20. Victoria // Rowan
21. Noelle // Gray
22. Sutton // Phoenix
23. Cosette // August
24. Ruby // Indigo
25. Mira // Wyatt

Let me know some of your favorites and any further posts you'd like to see in the comments - I'd love to hear from you!

I wish you all the best,
Erin