Why you should hire me (for free) as your name consultant!

Guys, I've got to admit, my email inbox has been pretty depressing lately. Everyday I check it to get anywhere from 30-70 emails of spam, spammy spam and extra delicious SPAM in chocolate flavor. To top it off every time I build up my hopes thinking there will be at least *one* email from a person wanting to help with names and there have been hardly any...

So, I'm going to persuade all of you why you should definitely email me:

Naming a child can be really hard. People don't appreciate just how hard. Especially the first one, and anywhere after the 3rd or 4th can be difficult. I'm never going to name your child for you, but I will do this:

I basically do all the research for you! (I've loved names for years and years and years, and have lists upon lists of different names)
-If you give me 3+ names you like, so I have an idea of what you'll like, i'll provide you a huge list of other names I think you'll like.

-Names with special meanings.

-Commonly liked combinations (first and middles)

I can give you feedback on names you've chosen such as popularity and user-friendliness (and if you ask, just my personal opinion!)

Plus links or books I think will get you in the right track.

Basically, I do HOURS and HOURS (well, it takes me about 1-3 hours to compile a list ;)) of research for you for free. From the bottom of my heart. Because I lovvve naming kids.

Please! Email me, I'm begging! The email is anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au
I won't bite!

(Oh, and to help me differentiate your email from the spam I get, put something to do with 'baby names' in the subject box!)

Cute combinations, Boys F-J

And now onto the next segment of Cute Combinations!

F
Classic: Francis Robert
Boyishly cute: Franklin James
Unusual: Finley Niall
Unique: Flynn Ross

G
Classic: Grant Alexander
Boyishly cute: Grayson Lucas
Modern: Gavin Lee
Unusual: Griffin Leo
Unique: Grayden Ross
Unisex: Gabriel Reese

H
Classic: Henry Robert
Conservative: Harrison Michael
Boyishly cute: Hudson Chase
Modern: Hunter Nathaniel
Unusual: Hugo Joseph
Unique: Hamish Alexander
Unisex: Harley Ross

I
Boyishly cute: Isaac Bradford
Modern: Isaiah Jacob
Unusual: Irvin Michael

J
Classic: Jack Oliver
Conservative: James Edward
Boyishly cute: Jude Grayson
Modern: Jayce Lee
Unusual: Jarvis Dean
Unique: Jai Anthony (rhymes with eye)
Unisex: Jamie Matthew

What do you think about these? Comment below!

Got some comments in the blog? Some suggestions for me? Want advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Naming after... Flowers and Plants

After doing countries, colors and birds, its now time to go onto Names which are flowers and plants, and I bet this one will be super popular!

(For some of the more unusual ones, do a Google images search to see them)

Girls

Category one: Names which aren't actually flowers or plants, but have meanings which are plants.
Afina, meaning "blueberry" in Romanian.
Alma, meaning "apple" in Turkish
Anemone, meaning "wind flower" in Greek.
Anthea, meaning "flowery" in Greek.
Antonia, meaning "flower" in Greek.
Avalon, meaning "apple" in Old Welsh. (G.Paltrow soo should have named her daughter this instead.. way more subtle!)
Ayla, meaning "oak tree" in Hebrew and Old English.
Carmel, meaning "garden, orchard" in Hebrew.
Diantha, meaning "heavenly flower" in Greek.
Elma, meaning "apple" in Turkish.
Fabia, meaning "bean" in Roman.
Fleur, meaning "flower" in Old French.
Gita/ Greta/ Gretchen meaning "daisy" in Spanish.
Hana, meaning "flower" or "blossom" in Japanese.
Helianthe, meaning "bright flower" in Greek.
Hester, meaning "myrtle" in Hebrew.
Hortense, meaning "garden or gardener" in Latin.
Iolanthe, meaning "violet flower" in Greek.
Ketifa, meaning "to pick a flower" in Arabic.
Leilani, meaning "heavenly flower" in Hawaiian.
Lys, meaning "lily" in Medieval French.
Marva, meaning "sage" in Hebrew.
Mina, meaning "daisy" in Persian.
Phyllis, meaning "leafy branch" in Greek.
Susannah, meaning "lily" in Hebrew.
Talia, meaning "to bloom" in Greek.
Yolanda, meaning "violet" in Greek.
Zara, meaning "flower" in Arabic.
Zita, meaning "little rose" in Spanish.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Angelica
Dahlia
Daisy
Erica
Heather
Holly
Iris
Ivy
Jacinta
Jasmine
Laurel
Lily
Rose
Rosemary
Rowan
Sage
Sienna
Veronica
Violet
Willow

Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Acacia, "Keisha"
Alcea, "Allie", "Alcie"
Anise, "Annie", "Anna", "Nissa"
Arnica, "Arna", "Arnie", "Anna, "Annie", "Nicky"
Alyssum, "Allie", "Alice", "Alyssa", "Lyssa", "Lyssie"
Amaranth, "Amy", "Mara", "Mary", "Antha", "Annie", "Anna"
Amaryllis, "Amy", "Mara", "Mary", "Rylla", "Lissa", "Lissie"
Azalea, "Az", "Azzie", "Zayley", "Ayla", "Ayley", "Lia"
Betony, "Betty", "Etta", "Ettie", "Tony"
Bryony, "Bree"
Calla, "Callie", "Allie" (what Actor Eric Johnson and writer/producer Adria Budd recently named their daughter, Calla Prairie)
Camellia, "Cara", "Carma", "Meeley", "Lia"
Cassia, "Cass", "Cassie", "Casey"
Cicely, "Cissy", "Celia", "Ellie", "Lee"
Coralbell, "Cora", "Coral", "Corey", "Belle", "Bella" (this ones a little over the top, too, but isn't as crazy as Bluebell. Coral is quite a pretty name)
Fern
Flora, "Flo", "Flossie", "Flor", "Lora", "Lori"
Gardenia, "Deana", "Nia"
Ginger, "Ginnie"
Hazel
Hyacinth, "Cinth", "Cinthie", "Cinthia"
Jacaranda, "Jackie", "Cara", "Anda", "Andy", "Anna", "Annie", "Anne"
Jessamine, "Jess", "Jessie", "Sam", "Sammy"
Juniper, "June", "Juno"
Lavender
Lilac, "Lila"
Linnea, "Lin", "Linna", "Nia", "Lynae"
Linden, "Lin", "Lindy", "Linna"
Lotus, "Lo", "Lola"
Magnolia, "Maggie", "Aggie", "Noel", "Olly", "Lia"
Mallow, "Mal", "Lo"
Marguerite, "Margie", "Mary", "Maggie", "Rita"
Marigold, "Mary", "Marie", "Goldie"
Myrtle
Narcissa, "Nara", "Cissy"
Nigella, "Nyah", "Gel", "Gella", "Ella", "Ellie", "Elle"
Oleander, "Ollie", "Lia", "Leanne", "Anda", "Andy", "Anna", "Annie", "Anne"
Olive, "Olly", "Liv", "Livvy"
Pansy
Petunia
Poppy
Primrose, "Rosa", "Rosie", "Rose"
Saffron, "Saffie", "Ronnie"
Solandra, "Solly", "Olly", "Landry", "Andra", "Andy", "Anna", "Annie", "Anne"
Tamarind, "Tammy", "Mary"
Tansy, "Tanner", "Anna", "Annie"
Valerian, "Val", "Vallie", "Ria", "Rianne", "Anne", "Anna", "Annie"
Viola, "Vi", "Ola", "Olly"
Zinnia, "Nia"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Bluebell (now I know this one can be shortened to Belle or Bella... but really. Its just very out there for a real person.)
Cayenne (feminine spelling, but a bit too masculine pronunciation for me)
Cherry (maybe cute as a nickname, but a bit much for me)
Daffodil (this one can be shortened to Daffy but again, its a bit much for me)
Hebe
Jonquil
Pepper (probably a lot cuter as a nickname)
Peony
Posy
Silverbell (pretty for an animal, but probably a bit much for a child)
Sorrel
Sunflower (a little much..)

Boys

Category one: Names which aren't actually flowers or plants, but have meanings which are plants.
Ackley, meaning "meadow of Oak Trees" in Middle English.
Axel, meaning "small oak tree" in German.
Bailey, meaning "berry" in Old English.
Derry, meaning "oak tree" in Welsh.
Fabian, meaning "bean" in Latin.
Fraser, meaning "strawberry" in French.
Jared, Jarrett, meaning "rose" in Greek.
Oliver, meaning "olive tree" in French.
Orrin, meaning "tree" in Hebrew.
Perry, meaning "pear tree" in Old English.
Purnal, meaning "pear" in Latin.

Category two: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Alder, "Al"
Ash
Basil
Briar
Cassius
Linden (both Cassius and Linden I have heard on boys before, but they are pretty hard with nicknames/are a little feminine)
Oleander, "Olly", "Lee", "Ander", "Andy"
Saffron, "Ron"
Sage
Thorn, "Thor"

Category three: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Cedar
Jonquil

Got some other flower or plant names? Any you really like or dislike? Do you know anyone named after a flower or plant? Comment below!

Any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Thumbs down: Frank Lickliter

I only just realized that I've been super nice lately, and there's been no Thumbs Down posts in ages. So I had a little hunt around, and found this:

Golfer, Frank Lickliter welcomed twin boys, Storm and Steele.

http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/01/frank-lickliter.html

It seems that parents of twins often seem to get it wrong.

Grade: C-

Comments: There are three major problems with these names.

Problem one: For twins, they're too similar. Twins already have issues with identity and being similar, and giving them similar names just exacerbates this. It also leads to problems when calling a name across the house and neither child quite catching which one is being called.

Problem two: They're so unusual that they will lead to teasing and don't give the child room to grow in whatever field they want. For example, can you really imagine without grinning a man called Dr. Storm? I can only imagine the teasing he'll get when he's in a bad mood. "You're in a stormy mood" etc. And kids can just get plain annoying sometimes finding it hilarious to repeat over and over to him saying "Hey Storm, theres a storm coming"
And Steele? What if Steele decides to be a ballet dancer or is just a very sensitive guy? The name doesn't give him a lot of room to be the person he might want or need to be. And the kid will be in big trouble if he ever steals in his teenage years, imagine the teasing!

Problem three: The names don't have "normal" nicknames to fall back on if they dislike have such unusual names at any stage in their lives.

Things to work on for next time: Choosing names which aren't too similar, choosing names which aren't so unusual or strange that they'll bring on teasing in the child future and choosing unusual names with normal nicknames.

Naming after... Birds

After past "Naming after..." series on colors and countries I thought it was time for my next post, and this is one which all nature and bird lovers alike will love. Naming after birds!

For girls

Category one: Names which aren't actually birds, but have meanings which are birds.
Ava, derived from the Latin word for bird.
Avis, meaning "bird" in Latin.
Elsa/Elsie, meaning "swan" in Anglo-Saxon.
Gozala, meaning "young bird" in Hebrew.
Jemima, meaning "dove" in Arabic and Hebrew.
Merle, meaning "blackbird" in Latin.
Tori, meaning "bird" in Japanese.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Phoebe
Phoenix
Raven
Robin

Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Ani
Aracari, "Ara", "Sari", "Sara"
Avocet, "Ava", "Etta", "Ettie"
Coquette, "Coco", "Etta", "Ettie" (then again, this ones probably not so good, check the dictionary meaning before using.)
Eider
Elaenia, "Elle", "Ellie", "Ella", "Laney", "Lane", "Laina", "Nia"
Harrier, "Harry"
Linnet, "Lin", "Linna", "Netta", "Nettie", "Etta", "Ettie"
Mavis, "May", "Mave", "Ava", "Avis"
Mallard, "Mal", "Mallie"
Petrel, "Petra"
Pipit, "Pip", "Pippa"
Stora, "Tora", "Tori"
Tityra, "Tyra", "Ty"
Wren
Willet, "Will", "Willa", "Etta", "Ettie"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Dove
Jacana (look this one up in the dictionary as well, its pronounced very unusually)
Lark
Starling (I find this one quite unusual, but its pretty similar to Sterling which is in the top 1000 for boys)
Teal

For boys

Category one: Names which aren't actually birds, but have meanings which are birds.
Arnold, meaning "eagle" in Germanic.
Callum, meaning "dove" in Latin.
Corbin, meaning "raven" in Old French and "crow" in Anglo-Norman.
Cormac, meaning "son of the raven" in Irish Gaelic.
Galvin, meaning "sparrow" in Gaelic.
Gavin, meaning "falcon of May" and "hawk of the plain" in Welsh.

Category two: Names which are already known to be used.
Brant


Category three: Unusual but Usable. Names which are quite unique, but can be used in normal situations quite easily, or have nicknames which are 'normal'
Condor, "Con", "Connie"
Cormorant, "Corey"
Jaegar, "Jay"
Kinglet, "King"
Mallard, "Mal"
Peregrine, "Perry"
Robin, "Rob", "Robbie"
Willet, "Will"

Category four: Totally out there. These ones are ones to use with a lot of caution, they don't quite fit in or have normal nicknames to fall back on.
Bluejay
Cardinal
Crane
Falcon
Trogon

Got some other bird names? Any you really like or dislike? Do you know anyone named after a bird? Comment below!

Any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Cute Combinations, Boys A-E

After a whole series of cute combinations for girls, I am proud to start the cute combinations for boys.

Here it goes:

A
Classic: Albert Ross
Conservative: Andrew Michael
Boyishly cute: Alexander Elliot
Modern: Ashton Tyler
Unusual: Arthur Drake
Unique: Adair Deacon
Unisex: Alex Quinn

B
Classic: Baxter Thomas
Conservative: Benjamin James
Boyishly cute: Bryce Nathaniel
Modern: Brandon Parker
Unusual: Bennett Ross
Unique: Bastian Alexander
Unisex: Bailey Ryan

C
Classic: Charles William
Conservative: Colin James
Boyishly cute: Calvin Alexander
Modern: Cole Brayden
Unusual: Conrad Austin
Unique: Carlin Anthony
Unisex: Casey James

D
Classic: Darcy Robert
Conservative: David Michael
Boyishly cute: Dominic Taylor
Modern: Dawson Seth
Unusual: Dane Andrew
Unique: Deacon Ross
Unisex: Dylan Riley

E
Classic: Elliot James
Conservative: Edward Anthony
Boyishly cute: Elias Leon
Modern: Eli Payton
Unusual: Everett Ross
Unique: Evander Deacon
Unisex: Emerson Paul

What do you think about these? Comment below!

Got some comments in the blog? Some suggestions for me? Want advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au

Naming after... Colors

There's a post I did quite early on, about naming your child after countries.
I've decided to follow on, and do a "naming after..." series.

A lot of people think choosing a random thing to name your child after is wrong, stupid or tacky. Personally, I'm not saying its either right or wrong, but it's certainly very interesting. Any name can be okay, as long as your sensible in choosing in it.

This post is going to be about naming your child after colors, some color names, such as Scarlet(t), are becoming quite popular, so this may be a popular path in the future. I think that using a color as a middle name is pretty neat, especially if it has special meaning, for example, an elder siblings favorite color, or if a child has blonde hair, a name with a meaning of 'yellow' or 'golden' can be sweet.

So, I'll get on with it ;)
For boys..
Category one: Names which aren't actually colors, but have meanings which are colors.
Adrian, meaning "black" in Latin.
Alban, meaning "white" in Latin.
Aurelius, meaning "golden" in Latin.
Blaine, meaning "yellow" in Gaelic.
Blake, a combination of the Old English words for "black" and "white".
Denver, meaning "green" in French.
Flannon, meaning "blood red" in Irish.
Galvin, meaning "brilliant white" in Gaelic.
Graham, meaning "grey" in Old English.
Gray, meaning "grey" in Old English.
Ivor, meaning "Ivory" in Latin.
Irvin, meaning "green" in Welsh.
Kamal, meaning "pale red" in Sanskrit.
Kane, meaning "golden" in Japanese.
Lloyd, meaning "brown, grey" in Welsh.
Oran, meaning "grey-brown" in Irish.
Osbert, meaning "gold" in Old English.
Roy, meaning "red" in Gaelic.


Category two: Unusual but usable. Names which are fairly unique, but can be used in normal situations without too much trouble.
Ash
Cobalt, "Cobe", "Coby"
Denim, "Denny"
Flint, "Flin/Flynn"
Grey
Harvest, "Harvey"
Hunter
Ivory, "Ivor"
Jet
Loden
Russet, "Russ"
Rusty, "Russ"
Sandy
Slate
Tyrian
Vermilion (This ones pretty strange, but it reminds me of the 'normal' name Maximilian)

Category three: Totally out there. These one's are ones which should be treated with a fair bit of caution, they're pretty out there and have no "regular" nicknames for your child to fall back on.
Almond
Blue, or the French spelling Bleu.
Caesar, meaning "Blue-grey" in Latin.
Citron
Copper
Cyan
Forest Indigo
Navy
Onyx
Viridian

And now onto the Girls!
Category one: Names which aren't actually colors, but have meanings which are colors.
Ariana, meaning "silver" in Welsh.
Bianca, meaning "white" in Italian.
Chloe, derived from the word "green" in Greek.
Dee, meaning "black" in Welsh.
Flavia, meaning "yellow, golden" in Latin.
Gina, meaning "silvery" in Japanese.
Hina, meaning "red" or "black" in Hindu.
Ianthe, meaning "violet" in Greek. (i-ann-thee)
Lavern, meaning "the green one" in Old French.
Melanie, meaning "black" in Greek.
Midori, meaning "green" in Japanese.
Verdi, meaning "to be green" in Latin.

Category two: Color names which are commonly used on girls.
Amber
Ebony
Hazel
Jade
Kelly
Ruby
Rose
Scarlet
Sienna
Sky
Violet

Category three: Unusual but usable. Names which are fairly unique, but can be used in normal situations without too much trouble.
Auburn, "Aubrey"
Carmine, "Cara", "Carrie", "Carma"
Cerise, "Reese"
Cinder, "Cindy"
Claret, "Clare", "Clara", "Rhett" (if she's a tomboy)
Clove, "Chloe", "Lo", "Lola"
Clover, "Chloe, "Lo", "Lola"
Coral, "Corrie", "Corey", "Cora"
Denim, "Deni"
Emerald, "Em", "Emmy", "Emma"
Garnet
Goldie/ Golda/ Goldina
Henna
Indigo, "Indie"
Ivory, "Iva", "Ivy"
Lavender
Lilac, "Lila/Lyla", "Isla"
Magenta, "Madge", "Maggie", "Gen/Jen", "Jenny" (this isn't the right color, but theres not one closer, its a bright pinkish color)
Maize, "May", "Maizy"
Olive, "Ollie", "Liv", "Livvy"
Pearl
Poppy
Rosy (Rosie)
Saffron
Sandy
Silver, "Silvie", "Silvia"

Category four: Totally out there. These one's are ones which should be treated with a fair bit of caution, they're pretty out there and have no "regular" nicknames for your child to fall back on.
Aqua
Azure
Bleu, the French spelling for Blue.
Caramel, "Carrie", "Cara", "Carra", "Mel", "Mellie" (this one has normal nicknames, but... just seems very strange as a name)
Carnelian, "Carrie" (This one too can be shortened, but I just find it a little too much)
Honey
Maroon
Mauve
Navy
Onyx
Opal
Peach
Sorrel
Teal
Viridian

Got some other color names? Any you really like or dislike? Do you know anyone named after a color? Comment below!

Any suggestions for Annie-Kate? Comments on or requests for the blog? Want some advice naming your child? Email me at anni.ekate@yahoo.com.au