Category: Classic Baby Names
by Linda Rosenkrantz
Can baby names be both fashionable and classic? Absolutely, and the names of George and Amal Clooney‘s newborn twins Ella and Alexander are a case in point. Both have long histories and international status, yet feel way more stylish than classic names like say, Anne and John.
Fashionable classic baby names might be high on the popularity list (Olivia, William) or further out on the cutting edge of style (Louisa and Walter). But all are proven commodities that combine elegance with staying power. Here are 12 of the best. For more, see our new list of Fashionable Classic Baby Names.
They know their style: a mix of cool, classic names and rich meanings. But after successfully naming their first son and daughter, they could use some help with baby number three!
Jennifer writes:
My husband David and I are expecting our third child this December. Our son’s name is Luke David and our daughter’s is Claire Emma. We like classic names, easily recognizable but not ubiquitous.
The meaning and context of the name is especially important to me as well. I like the hero archetype of Luke Skywalker and Paul Newman‘s Cool Hand Luke for our first son.
For our daughter, I interpret the names’ meanings as “clearly whole,” a nod to the work of Brené Brown and her concept of living “wholeheartedly.” Claire is also the name of the main character in the first book my husband gave me when we started dating, A Time Traveler‘s Wife.
For boy names, we liked Christopher Francis, which are the names of our fathers who are still living. However, the baby’s due date is my father Chris‘s birthday and now it seems way too much.
For girl names, we like Lauren Elizabeth, but I fear Lauren seems dated. There are other Elizabeths in the immediate family which is why we are hesitating to consider it as a first name. Our last name starts with a J, and ends with a –son.
Can you suggest any empowering and cool classics for baby #3?
The Name Sage replies:
By Linda Rosenkrantz
In the baby-name world there’s something called the 100-Year-Rule, the theory that it takes a century for names to be ready to make a comeback. That timeframe has shrunk considerably, with the resurgence of names from the fifties, sixties and even later, that is happening right now.
But every year we do like to look back at the names from a century ago, to dig for Top 500 examples that haven’t made it back to the current Top 1000 (actually two years short since we’re still looking at 2015) , but have the potential to do so. And for good measure, we’ll add the names that are in that same position now.
By Linda Rosenkrantz
If you’re looking for a name for your Easter season baby, one logical point of departure could be the lily, a prime symbol associated with the resurrection, with rebirth and a new beginning. The white lily known as the Easter Lily has long signified purity, hope, innocence and peace.
Let’s take a long look at Lily, her homegrown and distant variations and noted bearers.
By John Kelly, mashed radish
April showers us with poetry. It’s National Poetry Month, for one thing, and on April 23 we observe the birthday of the most celebrated poet and playwright of the English language: William Shakespeare. While the Bard would have been 453 years old this April, many of the names of his characters are still strutting on the stage. So, if you’re looking for some inspired names, these twelve characters may be just the muse you’re looking for: