They don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl, but they do know the names – or they did. Now friends have chosen their top boy baby name, and it’s back to the drawing board for Anna and her husband. 　　Anna writes: 　　We’ve got a bit of a dilemma...

　　Boy names ending in r got a recent boost from an unlikely source: Olympic champion Michael Phelps. 　　Phelps might be the most decorated Olympian of the modern era, but his name? It’s one in the crowd. 　　Classic, Biblical Michael reigned as the number one name in 1985 – the year...

　　Nature-inspired baby names are the trend that keeps on giving – from classic choices like Rose and Robin to contemporary picks like Aspen, Clementine, River and Sage. 　　But if you’re pairing with a difficult surname, looking for a name that works in multiple languages, or compromising with a more traditional...

　　They’re looking for an unusual baby name for their son, and they’ve found a favorite. The only trouble? Their top name might be the next big thing. 　　Shayna writes: 　　I am due with a baby boy and one of the only baby names my husband and I agree on is Arlo....

　　By Linda Rosenkrantz 　　In the past, most boys were lucky enough to avoid the  generic-connector-middle-name syndrome the way girls did, when Ann and Lynn and Beth were pretty ubiquitous. For the most part, boy babies were given double classics, so there were a ton of them dubbed Steven Michael or...

　　By Linda Rosenkrantz 　　The September baby names in this month’s Babyberry report includes one of the most original middle names we’ve seen: Violet WHIMSEY. The girls’ names are running long, in the sense that there is a preponderance of three and four-syllable choices. Again, lots of floral appellations and an...

　　By Abby Sandel 　　Last week we looked at nine girl names likely to soar. Head to a kindergarten class in five years or so, and chances are you’ll hear more of names like Luna, Liv, and Sloane. They’re stylish, on-trend, and attracting more attention from expectant parents. 　　This week, it’s...

　　Middle names are entering a new era for 2023 and beyond. It’s almost imperative today that middle names be meaningful — whether they honor a relative, relate to a parent’s passion, or reflect an important family value. 　　But middle names today should also be fun. Parents are taking advantage of...

　　by Don Kahle 　　As Donald Trump claims every front page of every news source, I believe we’ve overlooked one group of people that his candidacy has already hurt, regardless of the election’s outcome. A Trump loss in November will salve most wounds quickly. But for others, including myself, the damage...

　　What makes a name everlastingly cool? Mix an element of edge and swagger, a seductive sound, a charismatic cultural association, plus a certain timeless quality and you get what the following 12 cool boy names have—the ability to stay cool over time. 　　Ray – Ray, with its many shades of...

　　By Nancy Man, Nancy’s Baby Names 　　Idris, Benedict, Shia…several of today’s uniquely-named leading men are now influencing the U.S. baby name charts. But what about the male movie stars of bygone eras – did they have the same kind of impact? 　　Yes! Here are a dozen famous performers who influenced...

　　He says her favorite names are weird. She says his suggestions aren’t for her. But does this couple have more in common than they think? 　　K writes: 　　My husband and I are having a boy. We are struggling with a name and could really use your help! 　　Our older son...

　　Nameberry has visitors from all over the world, which goes some way toward accounting for the fact that many of the names on our popularity list are more common in other countries than they are in the US. Of course, some American parents also search for international names to reflect...