Baby Names of 2011: Newest crop of babyberries

I’m so pleased to see Magnolia on the list! I’ve been saying for years that this beautiful flower name was ripe for the picking (no pun intended). I’m surprised it’s taken this long, actually, with so many adorable nicknaming opportunities. Maggie, Nola, Lia, Magno…

Orchid is another floral appellation I think namers should be scooping up, at least a middle name.

I would like to thank nameberry for coming up with my little girl’s middle name. After arguing with my husband over names for quite some time (his choices Piper and Rowan and mine Eleanor and Penelope) we finally decided on Eleanor. He wanted Eleanor Abigail but I didn’t like the flow, I asked him if we could look at other options and he said sure. I put the call out and got a list of suggestions that included the name Blythe. As soon as I read it out loud we knew right then and there that was our baby girls middle name.

Eleanor Blythe sister to Amelia Rose was born on August 13, 2011.

I’ll throw my little boy into the mix – born 2 July – Harry George. Brother to Alice Heather. As you see we are drawn to classic names! Middle names are family names. We are planning on a #3…but no names planned yet!!

I guess I never posted my sons birth in the announcements! Oliver Gray was born in July, brother to Beckett Reed.

Great names on that list! But of course, they are babyberries

What fantastic names – I eagerly anticipate hearing parents call Arlo, Edith, Rafferty on the playground!

What a bunch of great names!!! I found out yesterday that we are having a little girl!!! I will have to remember to post her announcement.

I agree that there are so many fantastic names in the nameberry community! I am still so in love with Amelia and Athena. I also have found that Rafferty is growing on me quite a lot.

I forgot to post my daughters birth! I decided on…

Charlotte Daniella, sister of Dominic Andrew and Owyn Patrick (Owyn is a family spelling..not trying to be Unique!!lol)

My son Owen Cassady was born Aug 21! Brother to Everett James. Owen’s middle name is in homage to Neal Cassady, the inspiration for jack kerouac’s character Dean Moriarty.

I want to use the name Arlo so badly but I have such a fear that by the time I get around to having kids (and I may never get a boy, since my family is loaded with girls) it’ll be so overused that I’ll think twice.

But it’s absolutely the perfect name for me so hopefully I decide to use it anyway (and get a husband who either loves it or is indifferent) – my grandfather’s names were Albert and Charles, which make Arlo the perfect nickname combination for both.

So many name revivals on this list, especially the girls!

Congratulations to all! Our first baby was born in August and we chose Theodore Patrick. We didn’t know the sex ahead of time, but had a feeling he was a boy. His name came so easily, and we had been majorly stressing (and asking for a lot of advice) about girl’s names. Go figure we didn’t need to! But it was fun anyways

Mmmm, lots of wonderful combinations on this list! I particularly like Elena Rue, Elsa Imara, Jude Rafferty. Off the beaten track but not too outre’.

@wren olivia – Orchids are beatiful but the word itself derives from the Greek for “t esticle”… not a word I always want to think of in association with my child. Magnolia is less complicated.

I’ll add my little boy to the list: Malcolm Edward was born July 27, 2011

Oh my goodness there are so many gorgeous names here!

Blythe is my all time favorite girl name and I am actually happy that other people are taking notice. Usually when I mention it to someone they look at me like I’m crazy.

My favorites from the list are…
Athena May and Amelia Joy (twins)
Beatrix Eleanor
Beatrix Joy
Carys Juliet
Clementine Bloom
Eleanor Blythe
Eloise Susannah Blythe
Helena Joy
Juliet Catherine
Lucy Beatrice
Lydia Ann
Magnolia Tianin
Harry George
Henry Augustus
Jude Rafferty
Julian James
Rafferty Arthur John
Theodore Forest
Theodore Patrick

@Capitoline: One could argue that testicles are where babies come from.

I think most people would associate it with a beautiful flower.

So many beautifully named babies, congratulations to their parents on choosing so well.

rollo (grandmother)

Great names everyone!

Our little man, Dawson Wilfred Roy, was born July 31st, 2011. His big brother is Harrison Felix.

We were contemplating- Julian, Everett, Nolan, Leo, Cormack and Laughlin.

The only girls’ names that feels fresh to me on this list are Merel Cordelia and Eloise Susannah Blythe. I feel these names have a strong, fresh and feminine sound. Many of the other names on the girls’ list are already quite popular and safe choices.
Already Very Popular/Heard Everywhere –
Amelia,
Alexandra,
Catherine,
Elizabeth,
Elena,
Lucy
Quietly Fairly Popular for Many Decades-
Juliet,
Nina,
Elsa,
Helena,
Miranda,
Genevieve
Currently Trendy (either in real life or on blogs)-
Athena,
Beatrix,
Charlotte,
Carys,
Edith,
Eleanor,
Sylvie,
Violet
Masculine Names on Girls –
Baker,
Noa
Truly Daring/Unique Names –
Marcheline,
Clementine,
Eloise,
Magnolia (unless she will be called Maggie),
Merel,
Ramona

In particular the name Elena stands out because no one seems to grasp quite how popular this name really is and many parents seem to believe it is ‘just different enough’. This name Elena/Alana/Alayna as well as nn’s Laynie/Laney is everywhere with innumerable spelling variations. I also count Eleanor and Helena as somewhat within this macro-trend (I also include Elina and Eliana).
Most of the boys are extremely safe (but cute) choices with the exception of Artham Sylvester which is outstanding and Arlo is cute if a bit trendy. The choice of Lionel as a first name is very unusual and it is a strong sounding name that is also well known. I feel like the pronouciation of Rafferty in day to day life would be a challenge but I love the nn Raffi on a little boy.
Congrats to all new parents, moms/dads, on the adorable sweet newborns in your families!!

Elsa Imara Flossie Genevieve? Please, oh, please tell me that someone forgot a comma in between those? That is quite the mouthful! Holy smokes.

There was a lot here that I absolutely loved. Thank you for the inspiration!

My second large baby boy was born on July 6, 2011–George Parker Everett, 11 lbs. 12 ozs., 22 inches. Baby brother to Henry Oliver Everett, 11 lbs., 11 ozs., 22 inches.

My sister Charmaine recently gave birth to twins Sophia Rebecca Grace and Samuel Peter Joe brother and sister to Emma.

As well as my sister Jacqueline who gave birth to a daughter Natalie Catherine Peta on the 22nd of December

My favorite is Beatrix Eleanor.

Clementine Bloom is beautiful!