News
Across 24 pages
of 24
We regularly feature guest writers who are experts on various aspects of baby names, name history, and name usage around the globe.
May 22, 2026
Are Olivia and Liam actually the top names in the US? The Playground Analysis groups popular names according to their sound and then ranks the groups instead of the individual spellings. By listing all variant spellings together, we can reveal the names you're *really* most likely to hear on American playgrounds.
Aug 1, 2025
Find out how the Romans really named their children — and which names from ancient Rome are making a comeback today.
Jun 19, 2025
Guest author Summer Richardson shares insight into baby name trends among Black Americans today.
Oct 28, 2024
Names hold immense power in mythology and fairy tales, symbolizing identity, truth, and protection for their bearers. Guest author Sara Ricords reveals how the right name can break curses, outsmart enemies, or help a hero remember who they truly are.
Jul 25, 2024
Love vintage girl nickname names like Sadie, Elsie, and Annie? There are many more that are equally charming, but much more uncommon nowadays.
Jul 9, 2024
Longtime Nameberry forums member Leah S. shares her annual deep dive into the fastest rising and falling baby name trends. Read more about what sounds were hot (or not) in the most recent US data.
May 15, 2024
Enlightened choices drawn from the spiritual practice of Buddhism, from new favorites like Bodhi to rarities like Moksha and Om.
May 2, 2024
Guest writer Zara Zong tells the story of the names she was given, in China and America, and the name she chose for herself.
Apr 29, 2024
Most fiction authors get to name a whole world of characters — but getting it right is a fine art. Author Maria Frazer shares her top tips for choosing names that enhance your story and keep your readers on board.
Feb 9, 2024
How to choose your baby's godparents? Here are the ins and out of making the best choice of godparents for your child.
Jan 28, 2024
Overthinking baby names, obsessing over popularity, changing plans at the last minute...some things haven't changed in 40 years! Guest author Mary McKay recalls the challenges and plot twists of naming her children in the 1980s.
Jan 25, 2024
In case you've dismissed a name because it was super popular, this convincing argument by Appellation Mountain's Abby Sandel might change your mind.
Nov 11, 2023
Guest blogger Angel Thomas, aka Dantea, shares names from the Choctaw side of her heritage.
Nov 3, 2023
Drawing from her own background, Angel Thomas looks at the naming practices, and the names themselves, of the Cherokee culture.
Oct 25, 2023
Many parents worry that our favorite name is about to be the Next Big Thing. That's exactly what happened to Kathleen Donohoe and her husband, who named their son Liam shortly before it shot to the top of the charts. Find out why they have no regrets, and how Liam's name fits perfectly into the story of their family.
Oct 4, 2023
You've looked up the meaning of your favorite name, you love it... and then another source says it means something totally different! How do you know which one is right? Aili Winstanley Channer explains why, for many well-known names, there's room for both.
Aug 4, 2023
Do you love the nickname Gus, but would prefer a more unusual route to it than August or Augustus? Here's a world of options ranging from familiar Angus to rare gems like Finegas.
Jul 25, 2023
Italian Jewish names, from the now-endangered Judeo-Italian language, are a rich set combining various cultural influences. We take a tour of the names once popular in the Italian Jewish community.
Jun 9, 2023
Greek and Norse mythology names are trendy and familiar, but what do you know about names from Slavic and Baltic mythology? Guest blogger Naomi Kaye Honova shares 40+ legendary names with Pagan roots.
Feb 8, 2023
Naming a dog has a lot in common with naming a baby, as you'll see in this wonderful blog by professor and book author Mikita Brottman.
Jan 19, 2023
Names of the Master of Reinvention; from David to Bowie to Ziggy to Mars!
Dec 15, 2022
If you've been confused by all those pregnancy abbreviations and acronyms, here's what they all mean!
Nov 26, 2022
Here are five ways to test out how a name will work in real life.
Nov 18, 2022
Here are some far-from-scientific ways to predict the gender of your baby; old wives' tales collected by our partners over at parents.com
Aug 12, 2022
There are so many inspiring saint names beyond the obvious candidates. Here are a selection of favorites that are both unusual and stylish.