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Names Inspired by Ivy

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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

Adam

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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

Disney Girls' Names

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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

Magnolia

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For Broadway musical fans, Show Boat became the first show with an integrated black cast in the late 1920s. Like many Golden Age musicals, it was a "show within a show"; the actor performing in many of these shows was the protagonist: the sailor's daughter Magnolia "Nolie" Hawks. Magnolia, of course, did not begin its history with Show Boat . It began as a flower named for botanist Pierre Magnol. As a first name, Magnolia emerged as part of the Victorian trend for nature names.  During its run, Magnolia was never popular. It ranked most years between 1880 and 1940, only peaking in the 400s in 1909. Since Edna Ferber first wrote the book that inspired Show Boat  in 1926, the musical had no influence on Magnolia's usage. Why, then, does Magnolia sound slightly old-fashioned? It might have to do with the "ol-a" sound that was common during the 1800s and early 1900s: think Lola, Nola, Leola.  Or else, it could be the flower's association with the A

What is a Vintage Name?

Over two years ago, I created a post in which I defined vintage names. My idea for the true definition has since evolved, so I am writing an updated post. When name experts talk about vintage names, they usually refer to names that were last popular 100 years ago and are ready for revival. That is the basic idea of a vintage name: a name reminiscent of one's grandparents or great-grandparents.  However, the category would be too broad if all names that were popular in 1924 count. Besides, vintage is a style, not merely a status. Classifying a name as vintage does not necessarily rely on the numbers. Of course, a vintage name must have been in consistent use during our great-grandparents' age or earlier. As Laura Watternberg wrote in her Namerology article about "new traditional" names in May 2022, "Names have their own history and culture." The definition applies to all kinds of traditional names, including vintage ones. Hence, a name from a classic novel or

Naomi

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In the Old Testament, Ruth married a man and had sons, all of whom died suddenly. She then followed her mother-in-law to a new land, where she remarried. As many Jews and Christians know, Ruth's mother-in-law had the name of Naomi. Naomi is a Hebrew name meaning "pleasantness," which coincidentally describes Ruth's relationship with her; following her mother-in-law led to a better life. Because of the Biblical figure, Naomi has long been a popular choice among Jews. As with many Biblical names, though, Naomi has yet to become a common name among English-speaking Christians. Naomi entered widespread English-speaking use around the Protestant Reformation, which established the Bible as the sole source of authority from God. It appeared in the England top 100 in the early Victorian era, but it dropped out by 1860. Naomi remained a top 200 choice into 1900. As an American name, Naomi has ranked among the top 400 most years since 1880. It was a top 200 choice between 1893

Rising Classic Names

As parents experiment with more unique and unconventional names, timeless classics are getting the stigma of being "boring." According to the Social Security Administration, only 66.88% of girls and 71.37% of boys have received a name within the top 1000, the lowest point since 2013 (and possibly their lowest point in American history). Classic names have their benefit, though. They may not sound exciting, but they ensure a sense of consistency. Besides, several classics, especially those in the revival stage, are on the rise. Here are some examples from within the top 250: Arthur This kingly name has an old-fashioned charm along with centuries of consistent use. It is making its way back to the top 100. Esther Esther has a built-in Biblical role model for girls, making the classic perfect for our feminist age.  Leo This simple but powerful name, having leading namesakes and representing a lion, has won over parents' hearts the same way it did in the late Victorian age.