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Jennifer Moss is the founder and CEO of BabyNames.com. She is media's favorite source for baby naming and celebrity baby name information! Jennifer has been seen on CNN Headline News, Fox News Live, The CBS Morning Show, as well as being interviewed on the radio and in print. Check out her book, The One-In-A-Million Baby Name Book at Amazon.com and in major bookstores.
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11/09/2009
Hi Jennifer,
My husband and I are expecting twin girls this december. We are very excited and can't wait to see our much awaited daughters but we are having trouble deciding on their names. I like the names Josephine (from Jo March in "Little Women"), Clara (from "The Nutcracker") and Lucy (from the song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds") . Is it okay to name your kid after a character from a book, a movie or a song?
Thank you so much
Georgia D.
11/09/2009
How many syllables in the name Brian ?
thanks,
Brian C.
Hi Brian,
I guess it depends on your dialect -- I suppose in the deep South it could be one syllable, like "Brine," however in most dialects it is two. Both the i and the a would be a distinct sound.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Moss
11/09/2009
Hi Jennifer,
I wanted to start off by saying I love your site, and I think its great! I just have a couple questions. I'm expecting a girl and I LOVE the name Meredith and I think its beautiful but I feel like its very old sounding and might not suit a young child growing up. I also love the name Violet and I think that is less "old sounding" than Meredith. Do you think Meredith is too old fashioned for a baby? What about Violet?
Thanks a lot!
Kayla
Hi Kayla,
The name Meredith is definitely more popular in the UK than in the US, and therefore it doesn't seem so "old fashioned" in that culture. It has not yet made its way onto the charts here in the U.S. However other classic names like Emma and Olivia began their revival in the UK and then made it across the pond to the US and now are refreshed in our culture, as well. You may just have to wait a bit for Meredith to gain that kind of popularity over here.
You may also want to consider some alternatives like Merridy or Miranda.
I think Violet is a very pretty name and doesn't seem old-fashioned at all.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Moss
11/09/2009
Hello Jennifer,
We are expecting our second daughter in the early Spring and we are trying to decide what would go best with our daughter's name, Nina Victoria. We like the name Esmée Caroline but are concerned that the name Esmée is much more ornate than Nina. We are worried Nina will wonder why we did not name her something more elegant and the potential of sibling rivalry. In your opinion, do these names go together and are my fears unfounded?
Thank you,
Erin
Dear Erin,
I think you are overanalyzing it. Nina is a perfectly fine name and right on par with Esmée. If you don't present it as a problem, it won't be one.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Moss
11/09/2009
Dear Jennifer,
My husband is a 3rd and we want to continue the tradition, but his name is William Henry and both of those names are very popular today. I have always sworn that I would name my child a unique name. Is there any variation of these names that are different. We like Liam better than Bill or Will, but it is getting so popular as well. My biggest fear is that there would be other kids in his class with the same name. Is it better to call him a trendy name like Liam or stick with just the traditional William or Henry?
Thanks,
Whitney
Dear Whitney,
The only other variation I can think of for William is the name Willem, like the actor Willem Dafoe. Liam is very popular nowadays and may sound dated after a couple of years. Henry is a great, classic name. Many Henrys go by the nickname Hank.
I think William Henry is just fine and let your son pick his own nickname. I had an uncle Henry and when he was a child he told everyone he wanted to be called "Tip" after a baseball player. He was then known as Tip the rest of his life.
I hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Moss
11/09/2009
Hi,
Before my aunt died she always said she wanted to come back as a butterfly. I have found a name that appeals to me and means butterfly but I’m not sure how to pronounce it. Eilir. Thanks so much!
Benjamin
Hi Benjamin,
Eilir is a Welsh name, and I believe the correct Welsh pronunciation would be EY-leer. What a great way to honor your Aunt!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Moss
11/09/2009
Hi Jennifer!
I’m an author and I’ve been using the site for years to help we with character names, it’s really helpful. I’ve started a new story about a girl who one day, finds her father dead, and soon goes on a bit of a rampage attempting to find who murdered him.
My main character is a girl- about 13 years old, Blonde, slightly insane, and a pessimist.
I was thinking of the name “Paisley” for her, and for some reason I liked the last name “Liona” even though it’s not a last name, and most people would think I’m smoking something pretty strong! So, does it sound totally insane?!
The officer assisting her has the first name “Oscar” with the last name “Rodriguez” a Spanish, eternally optimistic, person.
Paisley’s best friend’s name is Fauve. Insane, wild, optimistic, and a feminist that absolutely despises men.
Can you please tell me if you like the names, and Paisley’s last name?
Thanks,
Mandy
Dear Mandy,
In my opinion "Paisley Liona" is difficult to "mentally" pronounce because of the two "lee" sounds side-by-side. However if you rarely write the first and last names together, that shouldn't be a problem.
For example, if she is always going by Paisley or Miss Liona that would be fine. But if, in the text, you constantly refer to her as Paisley Liona, that would be a mental hiccup for your readers.
Hope that helps! Keep brainstorming.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Moss
11/09/2009
Dear Jennifer
I would like to honor a dear friend by using her middle name as my daughter's middle name. My question is this: if I change the spelling of the name is it as meaningful? I like the way the name sounds, but prefer an alternate (more traditional) spelling to the one my friend's parents chose.
Thank you!
Natasha
PS you asked for people to tell you of any generational nicknames besides the ones used for the third. I know a little boy who is the fourth in his family and is called Ivey (IV).
Hi Natasha,
Absolutely. In fact in the Jewish faith, people honor others by just using a similar name or the same first initial. As long as you pass on the story to your child and let them know whom they are named after, the spelling is not an issue.
Thank you for the info on the generational suffix IV -- I'll mention that the next time someone asks. :)
Sincerely,
Jennifer Moss
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Hi Georgia,
Yes, it's absolutely fine to name your child after anything that inspires you, including songs. In fact, Joel Madden and Nicole Richie named their new baby Sparrow after a song by the duo Simon & Garfunkel.
Sincerely,
Jennifer