Patches of Names

Hudson ranked multiple times before 1920. Since reentering the top 1000 in 1995, Hudson has been rising in use. It made the top 100 over ten years ago and is now making its way towards the top 20.  As with any popular name, there are several factors to Hudson's appeal. While many surname-names are unisex, Hudson is completely masculine in use. Yet, the name sounds more suitable for a soft-hearted boy than it does for a soldier. Hudson also has an American vibe via the Hudson River Valley. It may be at its peak today, but Hudson feels established enough to age well. There is no automatic nickname, either.  Parents who love Hudson but cannot use it because it is too popular or taken by family members or friends will enjoy this list of alternatives from below the top 100. The same is true for fans of the name looking for more names to daydream about.  Here are some alternatives with parts of Hudson's appeal: Alder Alder is a brief surname-name that sounds slightly old-fashioned wi

When one thinks of Old Testament boys' names from the Bible, Jacob and Moses would come up. However, there are names that many people don't really are in the Old Testament. Ira is one example. Ira, which means "watchful" in Hebrew, was one of King David's thirty priests. As with many Biblical names, Ira has been used among Jews since ancient times and became popular among English-speakers during the Protestant Reformation.   In the United States, Ira ranked in the top 100 through the 1890s and the top 200 through the 1920s. During that time, famous lyricist Ira Gershwin (1896-1983), was born. Other namesakes include politician Ira Allen (1751-1814), who founded the state of Vermont; and writer Ira Levin (1929-2007), who wrote novels like 1967's  Rosemary's Baby .  The name declined until leaving the top 1000 in 1993. Twenty-three years later, Ira returned to the top 1000 and has been slowly coming back since then. Ranking in the 800s, Ira still has a long

It may have been worn by a saint in the early Middle Ages, but Amelia became fully established with royals in the eighteenth century. It later became a popular Victorian choice among English-speakers. Amelia declined afterward, but it never completely went away. Amelia has been back in the American top 100 since 2004 and the top 10 since 2017. Amelia's popularity may turn some parents off, but there are many factors. It sounds frilly or girly, but namesakes such as aviator Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) prove otherwise. Alongside being both consistent in usage and old-fashioned in sound, Amelia has an array of nickname options such as Amy and Millie. Parents seeking an alternative or sibling name for Amelia or mere fans of the name will enjoy this list of alternatives, all ranking below the top 100: Adelaide This regal name not only lacks a tie to any era, but Adelaide can also shorten to nicknames like "Addie." Annalise Annalise is slightly frilly, but it is also the full na

If you remove the first syllable from classic Cecilia, you get what sounds like its nickname form. However, Celia has a different meaning and history. Celia is the feminization of the Roman family name Caelius, which means "heavenly" (Cecilia, in contrast, means "blind"). Despite its ancient origins, Celia emerged as an English-speaking name around the sixteenth century. It also appeared mainly in literature such as Shakespeare's 1599 play:  As You Like It . In the United States, Celia ranked among the top 200 names through 1915. It has since declined. However, its decline has been so gradual it remains near its low point in the top 1000. This would suggest classic status, except that Celia needs more historic familiarity to achieve it. Its namesakes, actors Celia Cruz and Imrie abound, both hail from the twentieth century or later.  Celia ranks in a similar position in the English and Brazilian top 1000. It is much more common in France, Belgium, and Spain, tho

Pearl was one of the many gemstone names that became fashionable during the Victorian era. Hester Prynne's illegitimate daughter from Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter also contributed to the name's emergence. Famous real-life bearers include writer Pearl S. Buck and the daughter of Outlaw Belle Starr. This all makes Pearl a vintage nature name ready for revival. Sibling names for Pearl would sound sweetly Victorian and/or ladylike along with having connections to nature and the countryside.  This list is for those who are looking for a sibling name or just love the name: 25 Sister Names : Violet Cora Iris Daisy Olive June Elsie Mabel Hattie Mae Edith Faye Winnie Della Nellie Estelle Flora Birdie Goldie Lottie Ida Dolly Lula Reba Bess 25 Brother Names : Theo August Arlo Ellis Otto Archie Forrest Harvey Hank Mack Otis Amos Duke Clyde Rex Ira Gus Wiley Hiram Chester Basil Roscoe Ike Pete Alfie Which of these sibling names do you like best?

Leo began in the early Christian world as the name of several popes, including St. Leo the Great, and several rulers. It became more popular among English-speakers by the nineteenth century, ranking among the American top 100 into the 1930s. Since hitting its low point in the 400s during the 1990s, Leo has made a strong comeback. It returned to the top 100 in 2014 and is more popular than ever before.  There are many reasons behind Leo's success. Alongside being timeless and old-fashioned at once, it is a religious name via the several popes and saints that bore it. Leo also mixes sweetness and strength thanks to its connection to lions and a Zodiac sign. It can be a nickname, but it feels complete as a standalone. With Leo being near the top of the charts, plenty of parents would want something less common. Or else, they could be naming Leo's brother.  Whether you fit the above description or are an avid name lover, here are some less-popular alternatives: Abel This name may b