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.
Want a quick answer? 
Ask Jennifer on Twitter
Q
Hi Jennifer. I am expecting a son in March and I want to name him Hudson Matthew. My husband says it sounds weird due to our last name, which starts with an H. He likes the name Brayden. Do you think that Hudson is too many Hs with our last name?
Thanks,
Piper and Matt Halcum
Q
Hi Jennifer!
When I was in high school and college, I used to watch MTV and they had a VJ on the show named Kennedy. I loved a surname as a first name and I liked that name. I decided that is what I would name my daughter, if I had one. Of course that is what I did. I thought it sounded unique but I have found that I was not alone in using this name for my daughter. I did however spell it differently, Kynnedi (like Lynn, which was my thought process), but I have found that others have the same spelling as well.
My soon-to-be 14 year-old daughter has aspirations of becoming an actress/singer (She sings, dances and acts.). I was wondering if you think her name will make her stand out when she goes to auditions? I had thought of adding in her middle name to use as her stage name, which would be Kynnedi Moryaé (pronounced more-yea). Do you think this will help her to stand out even before they see how talented she is, or will they find both or either names difficult to pronounce?
Thanks!
Teresa
Hi Teresa,
Sorry, but I have to be honest. I'm not a fan of Kreatyve spellings. However it may do well for her in show business, since it is unique. Reminds me of the dancer Kherington. Was that how you spelled it? I'm not sure. I know it started with a K and was pronounced Carrington. You see, that's kind-of the problem with Kreatyve names, no one knows how to spell them.
As for Moryaé, I'd have to say Mor-NO!
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Q
Jennifer,
My grandfather's name is "Frank Colum". Colum is not a very common last name in the United States. Although I was able to find information in the U.S. Census records of a Frank Colum that showed a birthplace in Ireland back in the 1800's. I was wondering whether or not you would be able to determine if this name may be of Irish origins. My relatives are no longer living and I am not able to pass on much ancestry details to my children. Would you please help by passing on any knowledge you may have on my family's name or direct me to a website that may assist?
Sincerely,
Delinda
Dear Delinda (great name, by the way!)
Yes, Colum is an old Irish name which means "dove." I think it's a great name, and since it has history in your family, I would recommend you use it.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Q
Hi Jennifer,
I love your website and have been looking at it for the past three years or so to come up with baby names. My husband and I are finally doing IVF in April for our first baby. I have some names that I love, but how do you know when a name is the "one?" I seem to change my mind all the time, and it's been so long that names I would have chosen I don't even like anymore. Do women ever get tired of their own child's name?
Also, I was wondering how you got started doing this website. I also enjoy baby names, but I am good at picking out names for everyone but myself. I have gone on lots of polls on other websites and find that I can really help people and I enjoy doing it. I am literally obsessed with baby names, love how names can sound paired together, complement each other, first and middle names that juxtapose each other, theme names, etc. How did you make a career out of it? I love the feeling of helping someone name their child, knowing my input was able to help them find the perfect fit for their child that will stay with them their whole life.
Thanks for all your help!
XOXO
Carissa
Hi Carissa,
I've kind-of been obsessed with names my whole life, too. I used to scour the phone book each year to find new and unusual (and funny) names. I was a computer programmer and when the internet first came about for public use, I knew the first site I wanted to create would be a site with names and meanings. Believe it or not, it started out as my personal web page! Then I was lucky enough to register the domain name 'babynames.com' and the rest is history.
As for your name question, yes--you'll know when you come across the right name. Try not to overthink it, like "will she look like this name, will she act like this name?" Once the baby is born, they and the name become one. Choose a name that both you and your partner love, and the child can live with, and you can't go wrong.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Q
Hi Jennifer,
I'm seven months pregnant with my first child. I'm having a girl. My husband and I both like the name Brielle but the problem is that my mother, my husband and myself both have names that start with "A". My concern is that when my daughter is older she will feel like she is not good enough to deserve an "A" name and instead is stuck with second best B. What do you think?
-Ashley
Dear Ashley,
I don't think it will be an issue unless you bring it up. If she asks why she didn't get an 'A' name, tell her it's because she is special and deserves her own unique initial.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Q
Hi Jennifer,
I was wondering could Pearson be used as a first name. I know it's a surname, but I really like it as a first. Do you think it could be used as a first?
And also can you tell me the meaning of it?
Sincerely,
Jack
Hi Jack,
Hellooooo, have you seen the popularity lists? Many of the most popular names nowadays are surnames. Madison, Addison, Jackson, Harrison. I don't think it's a stretch if you want to use Pearson.
Using a family surname is a great way to honor a whole branch of your family tree, rather than just one person. And if it's not a family name, then it's still fine.
Pearson means "son of Peter."
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Q
Dear Jennifer,
I am not an expectant mother, but I have always had a fascination with baby names. I have a full list of all my favorite names and their meanings from your site in Word documents! Anyway, I have noticed that other websites and baby books have different meanings than the ones you have on your site. Why is that? Thanks!
Sincerely,
Carlee
Hi Carlee,
Good question! That's because there is a lot of bad and wrong baby name information out there in books and on the web. Unfortunately many of the web sites just copy information from each other and so the bad information gets propagated. Some sites will also let the general public add names/meanings without verifying authenticity and accuracy.
BabyNames.com employs several international name scholars to research every name and meaning on the site. I'm not saying there are no mistakes in the database, sometimes we do find an error. But if someone points one out, we will research and fix the error within days. We take pride in being one of the most accurate name sources online.
Another site we trust for name information is BehindTheName.com, where a lot of research has gone into the names, specifically those of other cultures. If you stick with these two sites, you can't go wrong. :)
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Q
Hi Jennifer -
We are expecting our second child. Our daughter's name is Ella. We like the name Owen Alexander - but our last name starts with a "J" - I worry that kids will call him OJ or tease him about it. Do I need to get over it - or is that a valid concern?
Thanks for your input!
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
First of all, by the time your child hits school-age, they will have no idea who O.J. Simpson is. My daughter had no idea until I told her the whole story, and she's almost 19.
Second of all, you can't control what nickname your child or his peers will choose for him. I say, if you love the name, go for it. I don't see a problem.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Want the experts to help you choose names?
Try our Personal Naming Service
Hi Piper and Matt:
No more Braydens, please! Personally, I love alliterative names. I think they sound important and they're easy to remember. Hudson Halcum is perfectly fine. More than fine, it's special!
I say go for it.
Sincerely,
Jennifer