Reader Q&A: An Unwanted Nickname
Today’s reader Q&A comes from Elizabeth who picked a wonderfully unique name for her daughter, Philomena. Unfortunately, she didn’t realize a possible nickname that has been picked up by some of...
View ArticleSorry: There Are No Nickname Proof Names…
…But There Are Assumed vs. Optional Nicknames A few years ago I remember an expectant mother lamenting that she loved the name Samuel, but hated Sam. She was pleading to the internet community, looking...
View ArticleReader Q&A: Middle Names For Ann
I’ve recently become a proponent of promoting Ann from middle to first name status. One reader, Shannon, is planning to do just that! The problem, however, is that she is struggling to find a good...
View ArticleReader Q&A Poll: Is Lennon Masculine or Feminine?
A few months ago I decided to reach out to the UBN email community and ask what they felt was the most difficult aspect of naming a baby. Their answers to that question were eye-opening. I decided this...
View ArticleRevisited Spotlight Name: Martha
In memory of Rob’s grandmother, Martha, who passed away on April 14th at the age of 94, I am re-running the Spotlight I did on her name a couple of years ago. Martha can be the polished,...
View ArticleReader Q&A: How To Cope With Unusual Name Regret
The conventional wisdom is that parents are more likely to regret picking a name that is too common. At least that is the conclusion made in an ABC news segment from 2011. ABC’s claim is that only a...
View Article2013 Baby Names: The Other Top 10
The 2013 official top 1000 baby name list from the US Social Security administration has now been made public. The event is almost like a national holiday in the baby name community. The biggest top...
View ArticleWatch List Names Update & The Newest Watch List
The UBN Watch List was born when I found myself mentioning in posts that I was adding certain names to my personal watch list. From there I decided to make my personal watch list public. Here’s what...
View ArticleUpdated for 2013: Top 22 in 2022
Predictions are based on assumptions, the big assumption being that trends from the past will continue today. Someone from the ‘80s making predictions about the top boys’ names for 2014, might assume...
View ArticleName Spotting: Oceana
Last week I took Fiona to the hair salon for her back-to-school hair cut. While waiting for Fiona’s turn in the chair, I started looking at the hairstyle books in the waiting area. In a book of...
View ArticleEmma: The Comeback Queen – Video
A couple of years ago, I wrote about Emma, and what makes it different from other top 5 names. Fast forward to 2014 and my brother and sister-in-law name their daughter Emma. Now seemed like the...
View ArticleReader Q&A: Naming Boy #4!
Anytime a new reader signs up to become part of the UBN email community, I ask the reader to share their biggest baby name challenges. I was intrigued when reader Britney shared the following: The most...
View ArticleAre Names Too Unusual or Too Common? Which Causes More Baby Name Regret?
Back in 2011, ABC News ran this segment claiming parents regretted picking names for their children that ended up being too common. Yet that wasn’t the experience of UBN reader, Maddie, who had a case...
View ArticleReader Q&A Emergency! Baby is Due Tomorrow
When reader Kimberly approached me today for Baby Name Coaching, I would have loved to help her, but unfortunately she needs a name by tomorrow! The title is somewhat misleading. Kimberly’s baby isn’t...
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