Perfect Balance Names

[basicsand]

I've been a fan of Rosenkrantz & Satran books since the 1990s. My favorite list has always been the "Perfect Balance" names which earlier was the "Fitting In/Standing Out" section. So I looked at the 2009 Beyond Ava & Aiden, the 1999 Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana, and the 1994 Beyond Jennifer & Jason. These are the names that always made all 3 lists:

Annabel/Anabel
Delia
Dinah
Laurel
Nell

Barnaby
Duncan
Gordon
Reuben

I'm a bit concerned with the increasing popularity of Duncan and Annabel/Anabel. The most popular spelling Annabelle is even more displeasing.

Here are my questions: What're your thoughts on these names? How do these names fit the middle ground for nearly 20 years? Which names are going to be too popular/common in another 20 years? Any other thoughts, comments, and opinions would be appreciated in these names.

[holbs]

Annabel/Anabel-- this name is really lovely, but I think you're right, pretty soon it won't be 'standing out' at all
Delia --I like this, though I prefer it as an nn for other names, such as Cordelia
Dinah -- I have a big crush on this at the moment
Laurel -- even prettier than Lauren and Laura
Nell -- great name

Barnaby -- I quite like Barnaby, but something about it seems like it would be difficult to wear between the ages of day, 30-60, I don't know why
Duncan -- I don't really like this one, although I can see its appeal
Gordon -- see above
Reuben -- I go back and forth about it a lot, (mostly because of the sandwhich) but generally I'm a fan

Overall, I'd venture to say that Annabel (and all spellings) and Delia are probably the mostly likely to heard. My favourites are Dinah and Reuben

[grey56]

My niece (born 11/09) is named Laurel. I think it's a pretty name. People think it's Lauren. That's ok.
I also like Nell. Simple yet complex. Nellie is really cute.
I dont care for the others.

Not a fan of the boy names.

Good research. I would never have picked this bunch out as being the winners.

[bellarina]

I really like the name annabelle, just not sure how well it ages and can't picture a professional with this name. But I think it is a very very sweet name

[mcintyr1]

I've only ever seen Delia spelled with an H at the end. If it were up to me. I'd pick Amelia or Aurelia over Deliah. Something about the D puts me off.

I've only ever seen Dinah spelled without the H at the end lol! I think this is a very dated name. I know a lot of women in their late 40's early 50's named Dina. not a fan.

i LOVE love the name Laurel. the laurel tree has a lot of meaning in my life (i have a tattoo of some laurel leaves!) for various reasons. My husband doesn't like the name that much, and has the concern that people will assume her name is laura or lauren. His name is Brady and a lot of people think his name is Bradley or Brad, which is frustrating.

Nell is just too plain. i'm not a huge fan of one syllable names in general, and this one is no exception.

Barnaby is adorable for a baby, but what on earth are you going to actually call him? Barney? i just can't get over the purple dino association. sorry. Thinking about an adult named barnaby, has me envisioning a butler, or a driver. Not something i want to associate with my son either.

Duncan is just okay.

Growing up in Nebraska, I know my fair share of Gordons (all 40's to 50's). This name is in the same boat as Dina. Gordon's are big old men who work outdoors and spend a lot of time around horses or plumbing. Not a fan. I could see using the nick name Gordy as a real name.

Reuben, is by far my favorite of the boy names. but mostly because i love the nick name Rube for an older man. What's up with all of these "n" ending boy names?!

[cabot]

Delia, Dinah, and Duncan? Good luck w/that. I don't know how Pamela & Linda come up with their Fitting In/Standing Out now Perfect Balance list. These names always feel like the beige of baby naming. Duncan and Gordon are Scottish I believe and Barnaby sounds Irish. I'm totally against the spelling of Annabelle as well though this site has it as the most preferred variation which is tragic. I'd go with some more stylish selections from those list that come to mind: Celine, May, Dermot, and Truman.

[basicsand]

In the 2009 Beyond Ava & Aiden, the Perfect Balance names fit the "golden triangle" of distinctiveness, substance, and appeal. Real names with real meanings/history but not likely to become overly trendy, and statistically no more than 300 babies have been giving since the last year.

In the 1994, Beyond Jennifer & Jason, the Fitting In/Standing Out are in 1 of the following groups:

(A) Less common forms of classic names (Eliza over Elizabeth, Ned over Edward)

(B) Classic names not widely used today (examples were Philip and Grace)

(C) Twists on trendy names (Laurel as opposed to Lauren, Alec for Alex)

(D) Fashionable names at the bottom of the most popular lists (Olivia or Duncan)

I feel that these fashionable stylish names will become too popular/common. I'm looking at you Chloe, Ella, Grace, Rose and as well as Clay, Colin, Gabriel, Henry, and Jackson. Ultimately, will these choices end up on the unbecoming Hipster List?

Here's my follow up question: If you were going to create another Perfect Balance (Fitting In/Standing Out) list, what names would you choose? What in the past year has under 300 baby names that fits the trifecta of distinctiveness, substance, and appeal?

[bonnie1107]

I've been a fan of Rosenkrantz & Satran books since the 1990s. My favorite list has always been the "Perfect Balance" names which earlier was the "Fitting In/Standing Out" section. So I looked at the 2009 Beyond Ava & Aiden, the 1999 Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana, and the 1994 Beyond Jennifer & Jason. These are the names that always made all 3 lists:

Annabel/Anabel
Delia
Dinah
Laurel
Nell

Barnaby
Duncan
Gordon
Reuben

I'm a bit concerned with the increasing popularity of Duncan and Annabel/Anabel. The most popular spelling Annabelle is even more displeasing.

Here are my questions: What're your thoughts on these names? How do these names fit the middle ground for nearly 20 years? Which names are going to be too popular/common in another 20 years? Any other thoughts, comments, and opinions would be appreciated in these names.

Great questions! Interesting theme. BUT. I only like a few of the girls' names. In theory, at least, like you, I adore these lists. They always seems like the best -- fresh but not weird. Substance AND style. But this mini list?

Annabel/Anabel -- I liked this better at the time Beyond J & J was published. Without ever becoming wildly popular, Annabel faded for me. I still like it -- but I like Arabelle better. Or Amabel. Or something French. I don't know. Oceane?
Delia -- This has never been a favorite. But then I never hate it either.
Dinah -- I adore this and still wish it would take off. Sigh. Sometimes I feel as though I'm the only one.
Laurel -- Love it. Much better than Laura or Lauren.
Nell -- I love this too. And Nelly is so cute. I agree with pp -- simple yet complex.

Barnaby -- It's fine. On other people's children. I just wouldn't use it. Not that I see anything wrong with it.
Duncan -- Hmm -- no. I can't love it. Or hate it. It's not quite perfect balance, but some sort of balance.
Gordon -- This doesn't sound right to me.
Reuben -- Nor does this.

As to what [i]I[i] think is the perfect balance. Hmm -- I'll have to give that some thought.

[monstermash]

This is right where I want my children's names to fit in (spellable, real names that aren't shared by half their class), but I find these shortlists to be entirely unusable! Please excuse my vitriol, but I'm POed at names right now.

Annabel/Anabel - too cumbersome and really seems like cutesy-ing up Anne or Anna
Delia - Pinched-sounding, sounds like ordeal, dilemma
Dinah - Alice in Wonderland's cat- maybe cute. Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah? yuck.
Laurel - pretty but a bit old-lady and heavy. A name that sounds kind of swallowed if that makes sense.
Nell - Jodie Foster movie Nell, and just really boring and plain. A non-name.

Barnaby - Unforgivable precious teddy bear or dog name.
Duncan - I know it's a real name but sounds like an egg.
Gordon - Gordon Brown is no-one's favorite person, but apart from that, nns Gordy or Gordo are terrible.
Reuben - Sandwich? And the way this is spelled is just . . . too much.