John and Mary? Not anymore
What are the most popular baby names of the past 100 years? Trends come and go, but has the big picture changed?
When Everything Changed
Is there a “before” and “after” moment in modern American history? A time when the trajectory changed, when we started living and thinking differently?
Want to See 400 Years of French Baby Names?
A French genealogy site offers the chance to look at four centuries of baby name popularity. What new questions can such a long view answer?
Four Moments When Americans Named Babies Peace, Freedom, Victory and Liberty
On this election eve, let’s take a moment to remember some past times when Americans were challenged, or inspired, and some of the values that united us. 1918: PeaceAs Armistice finally brought an end to the horrors of the First World War, parents celebrated with baby names that reflected the […]
Confederate Names Down, Rage Up: The Latest Trends in “Meaning” Names
There’s nothing subtle about a name like Danger. Its meaning is spelled out right in front of you, with attitude to match. Meaning-first names, drawn straight from the dictionary or from history, are a growing element of contemporary, high-impact name style. They can be as fresh and bold—or as personal […]
Why Every Regency Romance Hero is Named Sebastian
He’s a duke, he’s a rake, he’s a Sebastian. Welcome to the world of Regency romance.
A Town Called Emily?
My hometown has three colleges, a proud literary heritage, and a really sketchy name. Amherst, Massachusetts was named in 1759 by a colonial governor in honor of Lord Jeffrey Amherst. Lord Jeffrey was a British commander during the French and Indian war whose military techniques included biological warfare and genocide. […]
Naming in Hard Times
What will baby names look like for the rest of 2020? It’s a deeper question than it may seem, because names are more than just fashion statements. They’re reflections of parents’ attitudes and obsessions, hopes and dreams. That makes names a barometer of a nation’s state of mind—especially in a […]
Where Are the Classic Names Now?
The mighty have fallen. The names that ruled over the English-speaking world for centuries have been deposed, and I can prove it with a single chart. Take a look at this past vs. present view of some classic names, 1900 vs. 2018: The 2018 column shows the number of American […]
Pearl Harbor in Baby Names
On December 7, 1941, the world shifted: the Japanese bombing of a U.S. domestic naval base brought America into World War II. You can see the country’s move to wartime thinking play out in pre vs. post-Pearl Harbor baby names. What’s more, you can see direct echoes of the attack […]
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