Patches of Names

In the Biblical New Testament, the apostle Paul went on his second missionary trip with a companion. He eventually became canonized as a saint, but his name became popular much later.  Silas is a possible diminutive of the also-Biblical Silvanus, meaning "of the forest" or "prayed for." Regardless of meaning, the was first used after the Protestant Reformation in the 1600s. Yet, Silas only became somewhat popular by the Victorian Era, during which it declined in England. The name was also somewhat common in the United States, where it ranked at #139 in 1880.  Silas may not have been too common in real life, but it gained a notable literary namesake: George Eliot's 1861 novel  Silas Marner . Silas later appeared in Dan Brown's 2003 novel: The Da Vinci Code . Plus, it was during the publication of The Da Vinci Code when Silas was on the rise. After hitting its low point in the 1960s, Silas rose again from the 1990s until its top 100 entry in 2020. The name is

Names undeniably go in and out of fashion, thus validating the existence of vintage names. However, a lot of the names perceived as vintage are actually much more popular than ever before today. Eleanor "Elea" Nickerson on British Baby Names refers to these as "ripe renovations." Here are some examples of names that feel vintage but never made the top 100 anywhere in the English world until recently: Arlo This sweet mini name ranked between 1910 and the 1940s, but it only entered the top 200 in 2021. Ava Hollywood star Ava Gardner pinned this name to the past. Yet, Ava only became a top 100 hit in the 2000s. Its recent top 10 status, especially, gives it a modern vibe.  Beau Beau first appeared as a Gone With the Wind character. However, it only made the top 1000 in the late 1960s and the top 100 in 2021.  Bella Ella and Della were top 100 hits in the 1880s, making it easy to put Bella in the same category. Not only did Bella first hit the top 1000 in the 2000s, but

What do Pinocchio, Mickey, and Peter have in common? They belong to characters in Disney animated shorts and movies.  However, as with girls' names, Disney boys' names aren't necessarily those from the movies. Instead, they reflect the values of Walt Disney; vintage names with built-in dreams that are neither childish nor heavy. These names sound child-friendly but appropriate for adults. Here are some boys' names infused with Disney values that will especially appeal to Disney fans: Arthur Arthur "Wart" is the protagonist who draws out the sword and becomes king in  The Sword in the Stone . Disney Legend Art Babbitt injects the name with more dreams. Nickname "Art" and the aardvark of children's literature and television fame add on a friendly vibe.   Calvin Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes comics might bring up childhood memories. On the accomplished side, there's Protestant reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) and former President Calvin

Ivy was one of the nature names that emerged during the Victorian Era. It ranked in the 200s in America and was a top 100 pick in England before its decline. Over the past decade, Ivy became a "j-shaped" revival, meaning it came back more popular than ever before; it entered the top 100 in 2018. Parents could be seeking Ivy as an alternative to Ava, another name that is both vintage and modern. However, Ivy has several differences. Even though the nature name is completely feminine, it feels more tailored than girly. Despite ending in the "ee" sound, Ivy sounds more confident than cute (the poison ivy and Ivy League associations could be factors). For those who find Ivy too popular, are looking for sister names, or just love the name, here are some similar names below the top 100: Aster A flower name that also possibly means "star," Aster is rising as a tailored girls' choice even though it is also rising, to a lesser extent, for boys.  Avis This short

According to Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God made the world in six days; he then made the first human being: Adam.  It is not surprising, then, that Adam is the Hebrew word for "man" even though there are other theories about its origin and meaning. Either way, it became quite popular as a given name in England during the Middle Ages. It remained that way through the 1870s. In the United States, Adam always ranked within the top 500. It ranked in the 100s during the 1880s only to fall into the 300s-400s during the 1940s and 1950s. Adam entered the top 100 for the first name in 1970 and peaked at #18 in 1983 and 1984. The name has since declined in use, having exited the top 100 in 2021 only to return the next year.  No matter how far it falls, Adam will always be a timeless classic. Its use in multiple European languages beyond the English-speaking world, such as Belgian and French, adds proof to its classic status.  Adam may have peaked less than fifty years ago, b

For prospective parents or name fans who also enjoy Disney, there is a unique style of first names just for them.  Disney names are not necessarily character names from every Disney movie (even though it can happen). Instead, they are a unique set of vintage names that reflect the values of Walt Disney: nostalgic charm mixed with optimism. Stated differently, they sound innocent and evoke images of a bygone era, but they also reflect revolutionary people or events that can inspire the next generation.  The characteristics of a Disney name are the same that define an ideal Disney movie: child-friendly but mature enough to suit adults. Dolly and Elsie, though perfectly usable, sound too childish to make the cut while Florence and Sylvia sound too mature. Jane and Mary also sound too plain for the Disney style.  Here are some girls' names that sound as if they could be characters in Disney movies: Alice Walt Disney's Alice in Cartoonland series led to greater projects; Alice in Al