Ask Baby Names

Dear Jennifer,

Like many others, I’ve had baby names picked out since I was a kid–well, one, actually: the name Cadence for a girl. I love it! And it wasn’t very popular when I decided it was my favorite. Now, it seems to be getting more and more popular. [Read more...]

Hi Jennifer,

My husband and I have been debating baby names for a few months now. I love the name Benjamin even though it is so popular. We both like more traditional, biblical names but the problem is our last name is Arnold and he is convinced that the immediate association will be with Benedict Arnold. [Read more...]

Just like all lore, there are baby names myths and legends that have been perpetuated in our society. Surely you or someone who knows someone who went to school with those twins Lemonjello and Orangejello. Every time I announce they’re not real I get emails saying “They are real! [Read more...]

Hi Jennifer,

There’s a name that I read in a book that I like: Donnigan. It sounds Irish, but I wasn’t sure, and I was also hoping you might be able to help find the meaning as well. [Read more...]

There are some very cool and unique baby names that are hitting the charts and climbing fast for 2017. Most often a name will suddenly trend due to a celebrity using it for their offspring. Or it might be a beloved character name, or a unique alternative to another name that has become too popular. [Read more...]

Dear Jennifer,

We are expecting a baby girl in February and still can’t decide on a name! Our last name is Rauchhaupt (pronounced r-owsh-how-pt) so as you can imagine, it’s difficult to choose a baby name to go with it. Our choices are Amelia, Cassandra, Eleanor, and Elizaveta (my grandmother’s name). [Read more...]

Dear Jennifer,

I’m at wit’s end. I though we had settled on a baby name (Charlotte Avery), but then one day my husband said he didn’t like it and we should keep looking. The problem is, every name I come up with he says he doesn’t like. [Read more...]

Celebrities are historically known to have crazy baby names. But in 2016, it looks like something changed: celebs have opted out of the wild & crazy and have opted into choosing common and trendy names.

Just a few celebrity baby names of 2016 fell the “questionable” category, and those that did were not really news makers. [Read more...]

Dear Jennifer,

I know that you and your sisters own and run this site, so here’s my question to you: what did you name your children and why? Are there stories/meanings behind your own baby names?

P.S. Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,
Anna V. [Read more...]

Hi Jennifer,

I see several different sources that post the Top Baby Names of the Year, but they’re different. Why is that?

Sincerely,
Rebecca H.

Hi Rebecca,

Yes, you are right! First, I’ll note the differences between our top name rankings and the U.S. [Read more...]