Presidential Names for Babies
It’s fitting that on the day of this historic election, we turn our attention to Presidential baby names.
Presidential names for babies are fashionable partly by accident, and partly by design. Many of the parents naming their babies Madison and Taylor, Tyler and Reagan are choosing those names not because they love the Presidents associated with them but because they’re attracted to the surname feel, or the unisex quality, or the stylishness of the names.
But some parents are also choosing names associated with presidents because we’re all hungry for heroes these days. How can a child fail to be inspired by a name like Lincoln or Kennedy?
The most fashionable Presidential names are those a little off the beaten track: McKinley is an excellent choice, as are Pierce, Truman, Jefferson, Ford, Hayes.
Some Presidential names may still not be quite ready for prime time: Dwight or Eisenhower, for example, Ulysses or Washington. And it seems unlikely that anyone is ever going to name her baby Coolidge or Nixon.
We might look to Presidential first names, middle names and First Lady names for fresh inspiration. Quincy is a good choice, as is Mamie. Franklin, Theodore, Calvin, and Woodrow may all be ready for a revival. Even outgoing President Bush‘s middle name Walker may prove baby-worthy, but Bush itself? Doubtful.