Favorite names

Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin put Ireland on the map when they chose it as a first for their daughter, saying that geographic names were a family tradition. And it seems they were a bit ahead of the curve (or trendsetting)—Ireland has been among the fastest-rising names of recent years. Other Irish place names include Shannon, Kerry, Galway, and Dublin.

With its ties to tranquil Walden Pond, and harmonious meaning, this could be a modern virtue name. It may also make people think of Concorde, the supersonic airliner plane, retired back in 2003.

We see no reason to add an extra "L" to Maximilian -- it's long enough as is.

Honor is a somewhat more straight-laced virtue name than Hope or Grace, placing a high standard on any girl carrying it, but it's a goal worth setting. By choosing Honor for her daughter, Jessica Alba brought it very much into the modern world.

This diminutive of Cornelius (and Cornelis) has plenty of coolness and charm, along with a creative connection to Dutch artist Kees van Dongen. Popular in The Netherlands, it sounds similar to the English Case.

Intriguing spin on Margaret or Maggie, for admirers of French surrealist Rene Magritte.

Bartholomeus is the Latin form of Bartholomew, a masculine name with ancient roots. The name derives from the Aramaic 'Bar-Talmay,' meaning 'son of Talmai' or 'son of the furrows.' It appears in the Bible as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Bartholomeus has been used throughout European history, particularly in medieval and Renaissance periods, with various spellings across different languages. While the shortened forms Bart and Bartho are more common in contemporary usage, the full Bartholomeus maintains popularity in parts of continental Europe, particularly in Germanic and Dutch-speaking regions. The name carries an air of classical dignity and scholarly tradition. Parents choosing Bartholomeus often appreciate its historical depth, strong etymology, and the availability of familiar nicknames for everyday use.

Paz is an appealing Spanish name meaning "peace", derived from the Latin "pax". It's usually feminine in Spanish, but could also make an interesting literary choice for a boy, honoring the writer Octavio Paz.