Classic Baby Names Return to Nameberry
November’s birth announcements saw an interesting mix of classic baby names and more contemporary choices. As in Kenneth Charles IV and Rachel Catherine Chloe vs Lorelei Juno Ianthe and Elodie Hope. Of course, we love them all. And some unusual selections among the sister sibs: Hadewych and Oswin (nn Ozzy).
Here are the names announced on the forum in November:
Annabel Lily Margaret, sister of Sophie Lily Mary
Elodie Hope, sister of Adelaide
Gwendolyn Marigold, sister of Eleanor Caroline
“We had a few names at the ready, and upon meeting her (after a quick delivery) we decided the spunkiness of Gwen suits her best. Her middle name is an honorific for two great grandmothers, one named Mary and the other’s middle is Marie. My husband and I have special connection to the color orange which seemed appropriate. After tentatively choosing Marigold, we learned that it’s the flower traditionally used to honor the dead in the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, which she was born during—another cool tie-in.”
Lorelei Juno Ianthe, sister of Hadewych Roze Catharina
“Her first name is also a place in Germany which is dear to me because of memories of holidays with my grandfather and I just loved the name. Her second name was another all-time favourite for me. Her third name again honours my grandfather because his name was Jan (pronounced Yan). I also considered other old Germanic names because they would fit well with her sister’s name, but in the end I decided I wanted a “softer” name.”
Lucy Caroline, sister of Miles William and Amelia Kate
“Both names are from family and the meaning of each was very important to us. Lucy meaning “light” and Caroline “joy, song of happiness,” Until Lucy, each of our children were born rainbow babies. Lucy, being a complete surprise to us and born healthy has fulfilled her name’s meaning already.”
“Each of her names are in honour of family and friends, who are equally overjoyed by our girl’s arrival.”
Kenneth Charles IV, brother of Oswin Dorthea
“I always knew if we had a boy that would be his name. I think my husband made me agree to it before we were married. I will admit I was not as excited about his name as I was with our daughter (Oswin Dorthea) because I didn’t get to pick any part of it nor was there a process of choosing it. I know if it wasn’t for my love of the tradition I would not have chosen this name but he’s the happiest little boy and he’s DEFINITELY a Kenny. My late grandfather was named Charles so I loved that. Also our daughter’s name is Ozzy so even though these names don’t seem similar in style Ozzy and Kenny are quite the pair.”
Tobias Arnold, brother of Ransom Earl
“Tobias was on the table from the beginning and ended up being the name my husband I both liked best this time. Even though I didn’t need Nameberry very much during this pregnancy, I have the Berries to thank for bringing Tobias to my attention years ago in a name game post. It has stood several years’ wear as one of my Top Ten boy names, and I was thrilled to get to use it. Tobias means “God is good,” and Arnold is my dad’s middle name. Ransom has a family middle from my husband’s side, so that seemed fair, and we liked the sound and the unexpectedness of Arnold with Tobias.”
Don’t forget to enter your December name choices and stories!
Linda Rosenkrantz is the co-founder of Nameberry, and co-author with Pamela Redmond Satran of the ten baby naming books acknowledged to have revolutionized American baby naming. In addition to contributing stories on trends and celebrity naming, she guides the editorial content and manages the Nameberry Twitter and Facebook accounts. You can follow her personally at Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. She is also the author of the highly acclaimed New York Review Books Classics novel Talk and a number of other books.