Category Archive for ‘Baby Name of the Week’ at Baby Names Made Easy: The Complete Reverse-Dictionary of Baby Names

Archive for the 'Baby Name of the Week' Category

BABY NAMES OF THE WEEK: “Fireworks” Baby Names

Published

on July 5, 2009

in Baby Name of the Week, Holiday Baby Names and My Life

. 1 Comment

One of my absolute favorite things in the entire world is fireworks. They’re magical and make me feel sparkly and I love them. So, fresh off my 4^th of July fireworks high, I’ve chosen names with meanings that remind me of fireworks for the Baby Names of the Week:

Here are my picks:

GIRLS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

EMBER — Latin name meaning “smoldering fire”

BOYS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

ORION — Greek name meaning “son of fire”

I think EMBER is actually a very appealing alternative to more popular AMBER. It sounds interesting, it’s unique and has an attractive meaning. The only trouble I see with it is that people could mishear it as AMBER and you might end up having to repeat the name more than once. Might be worth it though for such a cool baby name…

ORION is an old favorite of mine. I’ve loved it for years and have never known why it hasn’t been more popular. It starts with an unusual letter, which parents sometimes like (think ZACHARY, XANDER and ZOE), and it has the same sound of long-popular RYAN. All the makings of a cool baby name!

That’s all for today! Tune in later this week for more baby name discussion!

♥ Amanda

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

For more information on baby names and their meanings check out

BABY NAMES MADE EASY: THE COMPLETE REVERSE-DICTIONARY OF BABY NAMES

BABY NAMES OF THE WEEK: Farrah and Michael

Published

Amanda Barden

on June 28, 2009

in Baby Name of the Week, Baby Names in the News and Celebrity Names

. 0 Comments

The news this week has been filled with coverage of the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. It only seems fitting to choose their names as the Baby Names of the Week.

Here’s a little more information about these names:

GIRLS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

FARRAH — English name meaning “beautiful, pleasant;” Arabic name meaning “happiness”

BOYS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

MICHAEL — Hebrew name meaning “who is like God?”

FARRAH has not been a common name here in the US. According to Social Security, it peaked at 177 in 1977, no doubt due to Farrah Fawcett’s popularity at the time. The last year FARRAH made it into the Top 1000 most popular baby names in the US was 1988. Is FARRAH due for a comeback? I’m not sure. But it’s definitely a good pick for a parent looking for a name everyone’s familiar with, but that is still relatively unique.

MICHAEL, on the other hand, has been an extremely popular name for years. It first hit the Number 1 spot in 1954 and only missed being the most popular baby name for boys one time between 1954 and 1998. That’s pretty incredible when you think about it. Only a few names have that timeless quality to them and MICHAEL’s one of them.

That’s all for now…Have a great Sunday! Check back throughout the week for more baby name info. J

♥ Amanda

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

For more information on baby names and their meanings check out

BABY NAMES MADE EASY: THE COMPLETE REVERSE-DICTIONARY OF BABY NAMES

BABY NAMES OF THE WEEK: “Coffee” Baby Names

Published

Amanda Barden

on June 21, 2009

in Baby Name of the Week and Celebrity Baby Names

. 0 Comments

I used to be strictly a vanilla latte girl. Then I moved to LA and discovered The Coffee Bean and vanilla ice blendeds. Amazing and delicious. When I moved back to Northern California (where there are, sadly, very few Coffee Beans), I was back to vanilla lattes. Then the other day, out of nowhere, I had to have an iced mocha. It was pretty tasty and I might have a new drink. We’ll see how long it lasts. I guess you could say I’m a creature of habit when it comes to drinks.

Anyhow, I’ve been dreaming of (and drinking) iced mochas all week and so I set out to find Baby Names of the Week that would satisfy my coffee-craving and also work as baby names.

Here are my picks:

GIRLS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

DULCINEA — Spanish & Italian name meaning “sweet”

BOYS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

NADIM — Arabic name meaning “drinking companion, confidant”

I picked DULCINEA because I like my coffee sweet. I’ve always considered coffee really just a vehicle for cream and sugar—and vanilla and chocolate. Plus, DULCINEA is a cute name. It comes from the name DULCE, which is cute, too. DULCINEA is also the name of a character in Don Quixote.

NADIM was an easy pick because we all know coffee tastes better with friends (or when you’re procrastinating).

Naming a child after coffee might be a little too whimsical for some, but I say you can find inspiration everywhere you look. You don’t have to act on that inspiration, but you can definitely find it.

There’s also a coffee-themed celebrity baby name:

CELEBRITY BABY NAME

JAVA — daughter of Yessica Kumala & Josh Holloway (Lost)

Not sure if they’re fans of the drink or the island, but either way JAVA is a unique baby name. I wouldn’t be surprised if it saw a surge in popularity in the future.

What’s your favorite coffee drink? Let me know. Next time I’m feeling adventurous, I might give it a try.

That’s all for today! Tune in on Tuesday for another edition of INTERNATIONAL BABY NAMES. We’re heading to….ICELAND!

♥ Amanda

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

For more information on baby names and their meanings check out

BABY NAMES MADE EASY: THE COMPLETE REVERSE-DICTIONARY OF BABY NAMES

BABY NAMES OF THE WEEK: “Famous” Names

Published

Amanda Barden

on June 14, 2009

in Baby Name of the Week and Celebrity Names

. 0 Comments

This week I flew down to Los Angeles for a meeting. It was a good meeting and the plane ride gave me plenty of time to contemplate my favorite Hollywood names. It also got me thinking about names that mean “famous” or something similar. Turns out there are quite a few good picks in this category and I’ve narrowed it down to two for today.

The Baby Names of the Week feature names befitting a future Hollywood star!

Here are my picks:

GIRLS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

CLARA — Latin name meaning “famous, bright”

BOYS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

RUPERT — German version of Robert, meaning “renowned”

I picked CLARA because it is a pretty and simple name with a beautiful meaning. It also calls to mind the classic Hollywood star, Clara Bow. I chose RUPERT because it stands out from the crowd and has a distinguished feel to it — something a fledgling star might be looking for. Plus, it is an interesting alternative to the popular name Robert.

There are several names in the Glory & Praise chapter of BABY NAMES MADE EASY that have similar meanings you might like. Check it out!

Want to know what celebrity names I came up with? Tune back in later this week. Up first though, check back Tuesday for 24 ways to name your baby after a relative without naming your baby after a relative… you’ll have to read it for yourself to see what I mean…

♥ Amanda

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

For more information on baby names and their meanings check out

BABY NAMES MADE EASY: THE COMPLETE REVERSE-DICTIONARY OF BABY NAMES

BABY NAMES OF THE WEEK: A trip to the opera

Published

Amanda Barden

on June 7, 2009

in Baby Name Suggestions & Lists, Baby Name of the Week, Celebrity Names, International Baby Names and My Life

. 0 Comments

This Friday night, I went to AT&T Park in San Francisco for free opera. Every summer they do a live simulcast of an opera being performed at the SF Opera House and show it at the park on the big screen (with English subtitles!) for everyone to see. They let people sit on the field and did I mention it was free? It’s not every day that you can watch Tosca and eat nachos at the same time.

Needless to say, the Baby Names of the Week are opera-themed!

Here are my selections:

GIRLS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

CARMEN — title character in Bizet’s Carmen. Appropriately, it is a Latin name that means “song.”

BOYS’ BABY NAME OF THE WEEK

MARCELLO —a character in Puccini’s La Bohème. It is an Italian name meaning “warlike.”

I chose the name Carmen because it’s a quintessential opera name with such a perfect meaning for our theme! Also, I think it’s cute. Marcello is a strong baby name and a daring alternative to its more common related names, Mark and Marcus.

CELEBRITY PICKS

Some of the famous opera singers have some great names, too:

FEMALE NAMES

ANNE-SOFIE von Otter

CECILIA Bartoli

GWYNETH Jones

JUNE Anderson

KARITA Mattila

KATIA Ricciarelli

LUCIA Popp

MAGDALENA Kozena

MARILYN Horne

MIRELLA Freni

MONTSERRAT Caballé

RENATA Scotto

TATIANA Troyanos

MALE NAMES

ANDREAS Scholl

CARLO Bergonzi

ENRICO Caruso

FRITZ Wunderlich

GUISEPPE di Stefano

JOSE Carrera

LUCIANO Pavarotti

PLACIDO Domingo

SAMUEL Raney

If you’re an opera buff, there’s a world of baby name inspiration for you out there. I found so many unusual and interesting names while researching these opera characters that I’m putting together a list for you and will post it later this week. Stay tuned!

♥ Amanda

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

For more information on baby names and their meanings check out

BABY NAMES MADE EASY: THE COMPLETE REVERSE-DICTIONARY OF BABY NAMES

BABY NAMES OF THE WEEK: Travel Names

Published

Amanda Barden

on May 31, 2009

in Baby Name of the Week

. 0 Comments

I just got home from vacation. I had a fabulous time and got a new purse (plus matching wallet!). What more could a girl ask for?

It’s always hard to come back to the real world, even when you really love your real world. So, in honor of my vacation and the start of our summer vacation season, the Baby Names of the Week are travel-themed!

Here are my picks for the week:

GIRLS’ NAME OF THE WEEK

ODESSA — Greek name meaning “odyssey”

BOYS’ NAME OF THE WEEK

FERNANDO — Spanish name meaning “daring journey”

I think both of these names have wonderful, charming meanings. And if your name is your destiny, then a baby with one of these names is sure to have an exciting journey through life.

CELEBRITY PICKS

There are several celebrities (and one famous doll) with names that mean “traveler” or something similar.

GIRLS’ NAMES

BARBARA Walters / BARBRA Streisand

BARBIE

BASIA Trzetzelewska

DORIS Day

GYPSY Rose Lee

RUMER Willis

WALLIS Simpson

WANDA Sykes

ZENA Grey

BOYS’ NAMES

ERROL Flynn

NESTOR Carbonell

ROMEO Beckham (son of Victoria and David Beckham)

TRAVIS Barker

TRENT Reznor

WENDELL Pierce

You can find all these names, and many others, in the Travel chapter of Baby Names Made Easy.

I hope you get to take a vacation very soon. I’m already looking forward to my next one. Where should I go…any recommendations? Post a comment!

♥ Amanda

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

BABY NAMES OF THE WEEK: Memorable Names for Memorial Day

Published

Amanda Barden

on May 24, 2009

in Baby Name Suggestions & Lists, Baby Name of the Week, Celebrity Baby Names and Holiday Baby Names

. 0 Comments

In honor of Memorial Day, the Baby Names of the Week are military-themed. When I sat down and actually compiled all the names for Baby Names Made Easy, I remember being surprised at how many names fell into the Military & Patriotism chapter. The boys’ section is longer than the girls’, but there are great names for both.

Here are my picks for the week:

GIRLS’ NAME OF THE WEEK

EVANIA — Irish name meaning “young warrior”

BOYS’ NAME OF THE WEEK

ARCHER — English name meaning “bowman”

CELEBRITY PICKS

There are also quite a few celebrities and celebrity babies whose names fall into this category:

GIRLS’ NAMES

ASHANTI

DAKOTA Fanning

EMILYDeschanel

EMMA Watson

HARLOW Winter Kate Madden (daughter of Nicole Richie and Joel Madden)

MARSMerkaba (daughter of Erykah Badu and Jay Electronica)

MARTINA McBride

SCOUT Willis

TYRA Banks

BOYS’ NAMES

BARRON William Trump (son of Melania and Donald Trump)

BARRYManilow

CEDRIC the Entertainer

CHAD Lowe

DENZIL Washington

GUNNAR Nelson

LANCE Bass

MARKConsuelos

MILOVentimiglia

RIDER Strong

VIGGOMortensen

Happy Memorial Day! Amid the barbecues, movies, trips for ice cream and general holiday spirit take a minute to consider these military-themed names and let me know your favorite. Enjoy your three-day weekend!

♥ Amanda

If you have baby name questions for me, email me at amanda@amandabarden.com.

Your question might appear in a future edition of Ask Amanda.

Fiery Picks for Baby Name of the Day

Published

Amanda Barden

on May 3, 2009

in Baby Name of the Week and Celebrity Baby Names

. 0 Comments

Yesterday I went to NERT training — Neighborhood Emergency Response Team. I agreed to do it for work. I learned all about how dangerous fires can be. You didn’t need to tell me that, but I learned a lot anyhow. Here are some of the highlights:

· Call 911 before trying to put out even a small fire by myself (according to the video we watched small fires turn into large fires very fast!) — if it’s safe, it’s OK to try putting out the fire after calling 911

· I should keep a pair of sneakers in my car in case there’s a disaster and I end up needing to walk (heels, cute flats and flip-flops aren’t made for long-distance walking)

· I need to keep at least a five day supply of food and water on hand for my cat (and me, too) in case we need to shelter in place during a disaster

· Triage is NOT for the faint of heart

Next week we’re going to learn about search and rescue and go through a simulated disaster scenario. We’re even going to get to put out an actual fire!

Anyhow, all this fire talk got me thinking about fire as a symbol. Fire can be dangerous, but it’s also essential for survival. It’s a symbol of passion and energy and life. I decided to put this inspiration to good use and to choose these fiery picks for Baby Name of the Day:

GIRLS’ NAME OF THE DAY:

AZARA — Persian for “red, flame”

BOYS’ NAME OF THE DAY:

IGNATIUS — Latin for “fire”

Azara is a beautiful name — unique without being weird or too difficult to spell and pronounce. Ignatius feels very classical — Cate Blanchett chose it last year for one of her sons. What do you think about these names?

Post a comment and let me know how you like these Baby Names of the Day.

♥ Amanda