L is for...

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!