labor and Lamaze and lactation consultant and for Liberty and Linton.
Recently I was able to reconnect with some old friends via Facebook. They have two wonderful children, their daughter being named Liberty. Although Liberty and I have never met, it's my understanding that she generally goes by Libby with her friends, and that's an L name that I've always been fond of, too.
What comes as no surprise is that Liberty is derived from the Latin word libertas, which is a derivative of liber meaning "free". What is surprising, though, is that, since 1880, the name Liberty has charted on American popularity lists three times - the first in 1918 (after World War I), the second in 1976 (the American bicentennial), and the third after 2001 (after the war on terrorism started). Regardless of time period, though, Liberty is a name that is feminine, patriotic, and virtuous all rolled up together. We think it's a fabulous name for our friends' daughter (who happens to be turning 13 - Happy Birthday Liberty!) and for your daughter, too!
Our boy's name today is Linton. Linton is an English name that means "from the flax settlement". While you may not live on a flax settlement (we didn't even know there was such a thing!), Linton is a name that is traditional and grounded. Many people have said that the name reminds them of someone who is a scholar or book lover. So, if your nursery already has bookshelves bursting at the seams and baby hasn't even arrived yet, this just might be the name for your budding bookworm!
Showing posts with label names. Show all posts
Showing posts with label names. Show all posts
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
K is for...
kringing (yes, I know that it's actually spelled with a "c") when you wake up in the middle of the night and realize that, even though you wrote the Baby Name Tuesday blog, you forgot to upload it on Tuesday! Grr... Sorry for the delay, folks; here's your K names!
K is for kegel exercises and vitamin K (baby will get an injection of it at birth to enhance the clotting ability of baby's blood) and, today, it's also for Koren and Kenneth.
Koren is a name that can actually be used as a girl's or boy's name but I chose it today because it feels like a nice mix of the traditional and modern. As a girl's name, the first connection I make with Koren is traditional as it reminds me of the name Karen, which means "pure" in Hebrew. However, it also reminds me of the name Corrie, which is Irish and means "hollow". While it may seem likely that Koren is just a name that was made up by combining the two more traditional names, it's actually a Hebrew name meaning "shining" or "gleaming". What a great name for a child that will no doubt cause your eyes to shine when you look upon her! You can also play around with the spelling of the name, too, if you like, changing the "e" to an "i" or "y".
Our boy's name today stuck with tradition. Kenneth has long been a favorite boy's name of mine and not just because he was my Barbie's main squeeze. I like the simplicity of it and that it's a name that can be transformed to sound formal (Kenneth), playful (Kenny), or like the guy that everyone is friends with (Ken). The name is Scottish and means "handsome" or "good-looking". Your little man will surely be the best looking boy on the block, so why not give him a name that means it, too? With all the variations, too, he'll have a name that suits him no matter the occasion!
K is for kegel exercises and vitamin K (baby will get an injection of it at birth to enhance the clotting ability of baby's blood) and, today, it's also for Koren and Kenneth.
Koren is a name that can actually be used as a girl's or boy's name but I chose it today because it feels like a nice mix of the traditional and modern. As a girl's name, the first connection I make with Koren is traditional as it reminds me of the name Karen, which means "pure" in Hebrew. However, it also reminds me of the name Corrie, which is Irish and means "hollow". While it may seem likely that Koren is just a name that was made up by combining the two more traditional names, it's actually a Hebrew name meaning "shining" or "gleaming". What a great name for a child that will no doubt cause your eyes to shine when you look upon her! You can also play around with the spelling of the name, too, if you like, changing the "e" to an "i" or "y".
Our boy's name today stuck with tradition. Kenneth has long been a favorite boy's name of mine and not just because he was my Barbie's main squeeze. I like the simplicity of it and that it's a name that can be transformed to sound formal (Kenneth), playful (Kenny), or like the guy that everyone is friends with (Ken). The name is Scottish and means "handsome" or "good-looking". Your little man will surely be the best looking boy on the block, so why not give him a name that means it, too? With all the variations, too, he'll have a name that suits him no matter the occasion!
Monday, June 29, 2009
J is for...
joints (they're relaxing), job sharing (have you considered it?), and journaling (believe me, you'll be glad you did this!). It's a special edition of Baby Name Tuesday on Belly Notes today. Yes, we know it's Thursday but, on Tuesday, our computer wouldn't power up for some unexplainable reason and we just got it fixed. So, without further ado, today our names are Jane and Jackson.
While Jane may seem like a, well, plain name, there is much beauty in its classic simplicity. It is of Hebrew origin and means "the Lord is gracious". Jane, like Jean and Joan, originated as a feminine form of the name John; however Jane has been the most popular of the three forms.
History has given us many Jane's, from Lady Jane Grey (Queen of England 1537-1554) to novelist Jane Austin to scientist Jane Goodall to actress and activist Jane Fonda. Although it is one of the most common first names in British usage, in the US it is more often used as a middle name. It's popularity as a first name has grown steadily over the years, though, and we think it's a gem of a name.
When it comes to our boy's name for today, I've never been a fan of giving a child a name that seven other children in their 1st grade class are also going to have. Admittedly, Jackson (or Jack) has gotten some pretty wide useage in the last several years, but I don't think that this name quite falls into the "overused" category yet (at least not in the area of the country where I live). For me it has always been a strong, down-to-earth, traditional name.
Since Jackson is an Old English name meaning "son of Jack", we'll look to the name Jack for our meaning. Like Jane, Jack is a variant of the name John so, therefore, is also of Hebrew origin and also means "the Lord is gracious". Again, like Jane, history has given us many famous Jack's from painter Jackson Pollack to singer/songwriter Jackson Browne to heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey And, who can forget the famous Captain Jack Sparrow? Whether your son turns out to be a lover, a fighter, or a pirate, though, we're sure he'll carry on the strong tradition of the name.
While Jane may seem like a, well, plain name, there is much beauty in its classic simplicity. It is of Hebrew origin and means "the Lord is gracious". Jane, like Jean and Joan, originated as a feminine form of the name John; however Jane has been the most popular of the three forms.
History has given us many Jane's, from Lady Jane Grey (Queen of England 1537-1554) to novelist Jane Austin to scientist Jane Goodall to actress and activist Jane Fonda. Although it is one of the most common first names in British usage, in the US it is more often used as a middle name. It's popularity as a first name has grown steadily over the years, though, and we think it's a gem of a name.
When it comes to our boy's name for today, I've never been a fan of giving a child a name that seven other children in their 1st grade class are also going to have. Admittedly, Jackson (or Jack) has gotten some pretty wide useage in the last several years, but I don't think that this name quite falls into the "overused" category yet (at least not in the area of the country where I live). For me it has always been a strong, down-to-earth, traditional name.
Since Jackson is an Old English name meaning "son of Jack", we'll look to the name Jack for our meaning. Like Jane, Jack is a variant of the name John so, therefore, is also of Hebrew origin and also means "the Lord is gracious". Again, like Jane, history has given us many famous Jack's from painter Jackson Pollack to singer/songwriter Jackson Browne to heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey And, who can forget the famous Captain Jack Sparrow? Whether your son turns out to be a lover, a fighter, or a pirate, though, we're sure he'll carry on the strong tradition of the name.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
I is for...
induced labor, in vitro fertilization and iron (are you getting enough?). It's Baby Name Tuesday, and today I is for Iris and Isaac.
Of course, we all know that Iris is a flower name, but its actual origin comes from Greece and means "rainbow". Iris was a messenger goddess in Greek mythology who traveled by rainbows between heaven and earth to deliver messages from Olympus, thus the correlation between the name and the meaning. Rainbows are often seen as symbol of hope, too, making this a delightful name for the little girl that you may have been hoping for. If you connect the name more with the flower, though, think of planting some iris in honor of your little girl. They are easy to maintain, spread quickly, and will be a beautiful addition to your garden just as your daughter is a beautiful addition to your family.
Isaac is our boy's name for today and is a name of Hebrew descent. It means "laughter" and is a great name for the baby boy that will bring such joy to your life. Historically, Isaac is a well known figure in the Bible and is also considered a prophet in Islam, not to mention the famous Isaac's that have helped mold our modern times, such as Isaac Asimov and Isaac Newton. No doubt, your son will leave a mark in the history books, too, even if it's just as a son that brought laughter and joy to the lives of his parents.
Of course, we all know that Iris is a flower name, but its actual origin comes from Greece and means "rainbow". Iris was a messenger goddess in Greek mythology who traveled by rainbows between heaven and earth to deliver messages from Olympus, thus the correlation between the name and the meaning. Rainbows are often seen as symbol of hope, too, making this a delightful name for the little girl that you may have been hoping for. If you connect the name more with the flower, though, think of planting some iris in honor of your little girl. They are easy to maintain, spread quickly, and will be a beautiful addition to your garden just as your daughter is a beautiful addition to your family.
Isaac is our boy's name for today and is a name of Hebrew descent. It means "laughter" and is a great name for the baby boy that will bring such joy to your life. Historically, Isaac is a well known figure in the Bible and is also considered a prophet in Islam, not to mention the famous Isaac's that have helped mold our modern times, such as Isaac Asimov and Isaac Newton. No doubt, your son will leave a mark in the history books, too, even if it's just as a son that brought laughter and joy to the lives of his parents.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
H is for...
...heartburn, hiccups (baby and I both got them daily with pregnancy #1), and heightened sense of smell! It's Baby Name Tuesday and our names for today are Halima and Henry
Halima is a name of Arabic descent and means "patient". My youngest son has a friend in his class named Halima and, although I had rarely heard the name before, I find it beautiful and, of course, befitting our young friend. Often when those of us living in the western world think of something as being Arabic in nature, we tend to connect that thing to Islam as well. Whether this is always true or not is a topic for an entirely different place, however, in the case of Halima, she figures prominently in the Islamic world. Halimah bint Abdullah was the wet nurse to Mohammed, nursing him as a baby since his mother had died. In pre-Islamic times, the name is most famously connected with a 6th century warrior princess. Now, your lovely girl may or may not turn out to be a warrior, but we're sure that, either way, she'll be a princess.
If, on the other hand, you're expecting a prince, Henry is a wonderfully classic, traditional name that has recently grown in popularity. Henry is ultimately of Germanic descent. It is the anglicised version of the German name Heimrich and means "home ruler". I'm not so sure about being a home ruler, but, as a mom with boys, I'll tell you that mine at least all rule my heart. The name has been popular throughout history with many kings of Britain, France and Germany carrying the name. St. Henry, a Holy Roman Emperor, was the only German king ever to be canonized by the Roman Catholic church and is best known for his encouragement of missionary work. Your son may not ever stray far from home, but we think Henry is an excellent choice for anyone's little king.
Halima is a name of Arabic descent and means "patient". My youngest son has a friend in his class named Halima and, although I had rarely heard the name before, I find it beautiful and, of course, befitting our young friend. Often when those of us living in the western world think of something as being Arabic in nature, we tend to connect that thing to Islam as well. Whether this is always true or not is a topic for an entirely different place, however, in the case of Halima, she figures prominently in the Islamic world. Halimah bint Abdullah was the wet nurse to Mohammed, nursing him as a baby since his mother had died. In pre-Islamic times, the name is most famously connected with a 6th century warrior princess. Now, your lovely girl may or may not turn out to be a warrior, but we're sure that, either way, she'll be a princess.
If, on the other hand, you're expecting a prince, Henry is a wonderfully classic, traditional name that has recently grown in popularity. Henry is ultimately of Germanic descent. It is the anglicised version of the German name Heimrich and means "home ruler". I'm not so sure about being a home ruler, but, as a mom with boys, I'll tell you that mine at least all rule my heart. The name has been popular throughout history with many kings of Britain, France and Germany carrying the name. St. Henry, a Holy Roman Emperor, was the only German king ever to be canonized by the Roman Catholic church and is best known for his encouragement of missionary work. Your son may not ever stray far from home, but we think Henry is an excellent choice for anyone's little king.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
G is for...
gestation and glucose testing and, on Baby Name Tuesday, it's for Gabriella and Gustavo. These names come directly from my own extended family and belong to my sweet niece and nephew.
Although I was always under the impression that Gabriella was from some kind of Italian descent, it is actually the feminine form of the Hebrew name Gabriel that means "God gives strength". In the case of our little Gabby, she certainly has shown that she is at least strong willed! The name has consistently grown in popularity over the last 10-15 years and continues to give a strong showing. And, although initially one would think that Gabby may be the only nickname to be given to a Gabriella, shortened versions such as Ella, Brie, Brielle, and Gella are always unique alternatives.
Gustavo is both an Italian and Spanish variant of the name Gustave, a Scandinavian name meaning "royal staff" or "staff of the gods". In Scandinavia it is a royal name with many kings of Sweden bearing the name. The name also has a Germanic variant, Gustav. Although my research didn't produce much else regarding the name and it's meanings, I did find several comments regarding the name. It may not be a wildly popular name in this country, but everyone seems to love it. One of my favorite comments was "It has the same cool, old fashioned ring like Sam and Max, but not totally overused."
Although I was always under the impression that Gabriella was from some kind of Italian descent, it is actually the feminine form of the Hebrew name Gabriel that means "God gives strength". In the case of our little Gabby, she certainly has shown that she is at least strong willed! The name has consistently grown in popularity over the last 10-15 years and continues to give a strong showing. And, although initially one would think that Gabby may be the only nickname to be given to a Gabriella, shortened versions such as Ella, Brie, Brielle, and Gella are always unique alternatives.
Gustavo is both an Italian and Spanish variant of the name Gustave, a Scandinavian name meaning "royal staff" or "staff of the gods". In Scandinavia it is a royal name with many kings of Sweden bearing the name. The name also has a Germanic variant, Gustav. Although my research didn't produce much else regarding the name and it's meanings, I did find several comments regarding the name. It may not be a wildly popular name in this country, but everyone seems to love it. One of my favorite comments was "It has the same cool, old fashioned ring like Sam and Max, but not totally overused."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
F is for...
...feedings and formula and fussiness, but we hope that picking a name for your new baby is not much of a fuss. We're a day late with Baby Name Tuesday this week as the holiday weekend has me all screwed up on which day is which this week. In any case, today's letter is F, and our names for today are Faith and Finn.
Faith finds its origins in Middle English and means "loyalty" and "belief". It is what is commonly referred to as a "virtue name". Virtue names originated with the Puritans and included popular names like Grace and Hope, but also included less popular names such as Fear or Disobedience. Imagine having to grow up with a name like that! We think that Faith is a beautiful name, though. Perhaps you had difficulty conceiving but strongly believed that you were destined to be blessed with a child? In that case, Faith may just be the right name for your sweet miracle.
Finn is of Irish, Gaelic and Old German origins and means "fair" or "from Finland"; just the perfect name if you're looking to honor your Finnish ancestory! In Irish history, Finn MacCumhail was a legendary third century hero that could be compared to the English Robin Hood. His warrior followers were called Finnians. Whether your little guy turns out to be a legendary hero or not, we're sure that the name Finn will serve him well.
Faith finds its origins in Middle English and means "loyalty" and "belief". It is what is commonly referred to as a "virtue name". Virtue names originated with the Puritans and included popular names like Grace and Hope, but also included less popular names such as Fear or Disobedience. Imagine having to grow up with a name like that! We think that Faith is a beautiful name, though. Perhaps you had difficulty conceiving but strongly believed that you were destined to be blessed with a child? In that case, Faith may just be the right name for your sweet miracle.
Finn is of Irish, Gaelic and Old German origins and means "fair" or "from Finland"; just the perfect name if you're looking to honor your Finnish ancestory! In Irish history, Finn MacCumhail was a legendary third century hero that could be compared to the English Robin Hood. His warrior followers were called Finnians. Whether your little guy turns out to be a legendary hero or not, we're sure that the name Finn will serve him well.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
E is for...
E is for expecting and, of course, epidural, something I was pleased as punch to get on more than one occasion despite my complete fear of needles! It's Baby Name Tuesday, though, so today E is for Evangeline and Erik.
I have to be honest, I had never even come across the name Evangeline until LOST started a few years ago. Evangeline Lilly who plays Kate is a beautiful woman and she's got an equally beautiful name. Evangeline is a Greek name that means "bearer of good news". What better name for your angel baby?! And, if Evangeline turns out to be too much of mouthful later on, shortened versions like Eva, Angel, and Angeline are always at your fingertips.
Our boy's name for today is Erik. The name can, of course, be spelled with a "c" instead of a "k", but I like the "k". Maybe that's just the nonconformist in me, though. Erik is a Norse name which means "peaceful ruler". It's a strong, classic, and even playful name for a little boy that carries well into adulthood. I like Erik for it's traditionalness (I just made up that word) but also because it doesn't seem to be a name that gets overused much.
So, there are your names for today! If you haven't noticed by now, we're heading through the alphabet with our next step at F. Do you have a name that you'd like to see featured on an upcoming installment of Baby Name Tuesday? If so, let us know!
I have to be honest, I had never even come across the name Evangeline until LOST started a few years ago. Evangeline Lilly who plays Kate is a beautiful woman and she's got an equally beautiful name. Evangeline is a Greek name that means "bearer of good news". What better name for your angel baby?! And, if Evangeline turns out to be too much of mouthful later on, shortened versions like Eva, Angel, and Angeline are always at your fingertips.
Our boy's name for today is Erik. The name can, of course, be spelled with a "c" instead of a "k", but I like the "k". Maybe that's just the nonconformist in me, though. Erik is a Norse name which means "peaceful ruler". It's a strong, classic, and even playful name for a little boy that carries well into adulthood. I like Erik for it's traditionalness (I just made up that word) but also because it doesn't seem to be a name that gets overused much.
So, there are your names for today! If you haven't noticed by now, we're heading through the alphabet with our next step at F. Do you have a name that you'd like to see featured on an upcoming installment of Baby Name Tuesday? If so, let us know!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
D is for...
D is for diapers and doulas and, on Baby Name Tuesday, it's also for Dinah and Daniel!
Dinah is actually a Hebrew name that can be found in the Bible. Dinah was the only daughter of Jacob and Leah, and the name means "God has judged". Dinah was most popular in the 1950's, although I've always loved the name. It is simple without being plain; classic without feeling terribly out of date.
Now, before I get to Daniel, let me just say that, when I choose names for Baby Name Tuesday, it is completely random. I just choose a couple names that I like and then set out to do the research on them. What I found today when I really began researching startled me little. I swear I just picked these names out of the air! Someone in the "air" must be telling me something, though!
Daniel is also a Hebrew name that is found in the Bible. It's meaning is "God is my judge." It has been a popular name for boys for centuries, with many famous Daniel's floating around in history, yet it still doesn't seem to be overused. Like Dinah, it was very popular in the 1950's but hasn't been used as often since. From baby Daniel to boyhood Danny to grownup Dan, the name Daniel is just full of potential!
So, finally, with all this judging going on, let me just add that, if you choose either of these names for your new addition, you'll have a little one with one terrific name to last a lifetime. And, I'll be the judge of that! ;)
Dinah is actually a Hebrew name that can be found in the Bible. Dinah was the only daughter of Jacob and Leah, and the name means "God has judged". Dinah was most popular in the 1950's, although I've always loved the name. It is simple without being plain; classic without feeling terribly out of date.
Now, before I get to Daniel, let me just say that, when I choose names for Baby Name Tuesday, it is completely random. I just choose a couple names that I like and then set out to do the research on them. What I found today when I really began researching startled me little. I swear I just picked these names out of the air! Someone in the "air" must be telling me something, though!
Daniel is also a Hebrew name that is found in the Bible. It's meaning is "God is my judge." It has been a popular name for boys for centuries, with many famous Daniel's floating around in history, yet it still doesn't seem to be overused. Like Dinah, it was very popular in the 1950's but hasn't been used as often since. From baby Daniel to boyhood Danny to grownup Dan, the name Daniel is just full of potential!
So, finally, with all this judging going on, let me just add that, if you choose either of these names for your new addition, you'll have a little one with one terrific name to last a lifetime. And, I'll be the judge of that! ;)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
C is for...
Cribs and carseats and cradles! It's Baby Name Tuesday at Eternal Maternal, and our names for today are Cassidy and Colin!
Cassidy is an Irish/Gaelic name meaning "curly-headed". I just love this name, and I see a mop of blonde curls whenever I think of it. Of course, I also think of singer David Cassidy because I had such a terrible crush on him as a young girl, but now I'm dating myself! Cassidy was originally popular as a surname but began finding more fame as a given name in the early 1990's. It's a beautiful name that can easily be shortened to Cassie or Cass and would be a great name for any curly-haired princess.
Colin is our boy's name today. It's a name with Irish/Scottish/Gaelic origins and is actually derived from the name Nicholas. In medieval times the name Col or Colle was a shortened form of Nicholas, and the name Colin developed from there. It means "young creature" and, while you may not envision your beautiful baby boy as a "creature", as a mother to boys, trust me, the day will come! In any case, Colin is wonderful name that, while popular, doesn't seem to be overused.
Cassidy is an Irish/Gaelic name meaning "curly-headed". I just love this name, and I see a mop of blonde curls whenever I think of it. Of course, I also think of singer David Cassidy because I had such a terrible crush on him as a young girl, but now I'm dating myself! Cassidy was originally popular as a surname but began finding more fame as a given name in the early 1990's. It's a beautiful name that can easily be shortened to Cassie or Cass and would be a great name for any curly-haired princess.
Colin is our boy's name today. It's a name with Irish/Scottish/Gaelic origins and is actually derived from the name Nicholas. In medieval times the name Col or Colle was a shortened form of Nicholas, and the name Colin developed from there. It means "young creature" and, while you may not envision your beautiful baby boy as a "creature", as a mother to boys, trust me, the day will come! In any case, Colin is wonderful name that, while popular, doesn't seem to be overused.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
B is for...
Well, B is for baby and bump and belly and breastfeeding and so many other pregnancy related words. But, on Baby Name Tuesday, B is for Beatrice and Breckin!
Beatrice is a wonderfully traditional name that is seeing a return to popularity. A Latin name, Beatrice means "bringer of joy". What better name for a beautiful new baby girl? It has many variations - French, Italian, Spanish - and is ripe for sweet nicknames like Bea, Bebe, and Trish. One of the most notable Beatrices in history is, of course, author Beatrix (an English variation) Potter. Invest in a beautiful collection of Potter's books for your darling and they're sure to bring joy to your little bringer of joy!
Breckin is a name with Celtic and Gaelic origins. It means "freckled", and I just picture a little boy in overalls and a red ball cap holding up a frog. Breckin is a great choice for families looking for a traditional Irish name that hasn't been overused in recent years. Plus, if freckles run in your family, it's a perfect fit!
Beatrice is a wonderfully traditional name that is seeing a return to popularity. A Latin name, Beatrice means "bringer of joy". What better name for a beautiful new baby girl? It has many variations - French, Italian, Spanish - and is ripe for sweet nicknames like Bea, Bebe, and Trish. One of the most notable Beatrices in history is, of course, author Beatrix (an English variation) Potter. Invest in a beautiful collection of Potter's books for your darling and they're sure to bring joy to your little bringer of joy!
Breckin is a name with Celtic and Gaelic origins. It means "freckled", and I just picture a little boy in overalls and a red ball cap holding up a frog. Breckin is a great choice for families looking for a traditional Irish name that hasn't been overused in recent years. Plus, if freckles run in your family, it's a perfect fit!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A is for...
Naming babies is tough business. With so many options out there, it can certainly become overwhelming. To help you out, we're beginning a weekly feature on the blog that will highlight a name or two for consideration.
Because this is the very first entry in the new feature, what better letter to start with than A!
Today's name is Addison. This is a particular favorite of mine because one of my children has this as a middle name. I first heard the name years ago on TV. Yes, I'm dating myself, but it goes back to the days of Moonlighting with Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepard. Willis' character's name was David Addison. I fell in love with the name then and, still today, it continues to be a favorite.
Traditionally, Addison was a Scottish surname meaning "son of Adam" that evolved into a given name from the Old English pet name Addie (short for Adam). In the last 15 years it has been gaining in popularity as a first name here in the US. Most recently we've seen Addison used as a girl's name rather than a boy's because of the popularity of the character Addison on the hit TV shows Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. For either gender, though, it is a terrific name with a strong heritage.
Because this is the very first entry in the new feature, what better letter to start with than A!
Today's name is Addison. This is a particular favorite of mine because one of my children has this as a middle name. I first heard the name years ago on TV. Yes, I'm dating myself, but it goes back to the days of Moonlighting with Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepard. Willis' character's name was David Addison. I fell in love with the name then and, still today, it continues to be a favorite.
Traditionally, Addison was a Scottish surname meaning "son of Adam" that evolved into a given name from the Old English pet name Addie (short for Adam). In the last 15 years it has been gaining in popularity as a first name here in the US. Most recently we've seen Addison used as a girl's name rather than a boy's because of the popularity of the character Addison on the hit TV shows Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. For either gender, though, it is a terrific name with a strong heritage.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Who's Your (Grand) Daddy?
What do you call your grandparents? For myself, it was the traditional Grandma and Grandpa, with the notable exception of my paternal grandmother who was Gram. The only really different name that was ever used by family members of my own was Bobsha (I hope I spelled that correctly). It's the name some of my cousins called their father's mother. She was Polish and I'm told that the name means "grandma" in Polish. My own children call my stepdad Papa, but that's as unusual as the monikers get in my immediate family.
The traditional Grandma and Grandpa titles seem to fall a little short, though, in a world where we routinely come across more and more unique baby names. So, just when you thought all you had to choose was a new baby name, there may be the added pressure of figuring out just what the right grandparent names should be, too. Just in time to save you, though, comes The New Grandparents Name Book by Lin Wellford. Containing hundreds of names for the new grandparents, you'll have fun finding the perfect aliases for your folks and his. You could even wrap up this cute little 5"x5" book and give it as a gift to them to announce your new arrival.
As for the Eternal Maternal Mama, my kids are still young so grandparent status is years off, but I currently am thinking I'd make a great Grammy. Any other suggestions?
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