Tag Archive for ‘book review’ at Baby Names Made Easy: The Complete Reverse-Dictionary of Baby Names

Tag Archive for 'book review'

Reading Recommendation: Chrysanthemum

Published

on July 21, 2010

. 2 Comments

A friend’s daughter just lent me her copy of CHRYSANTHEMUM by Kevin Henkes. Have you read it?

It’s a story about a young mouse named Chrysanthemum. She absolutely loves her name until she starts school. Her classmates have more traditional names and tease Chrysanthemum for having an unusual name. Chrysanthemum starts feeling bad about her name and even dreams about changing her name to Jane. Then she meets a teacher named Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle and everything turns around. I won’t give away the cute ending, but it’s worth a read.

It’s interesting to see how the author uses names to create identity – for example, one of the characters is proud to be named after her grandmother. The book also addresses how wanting to fit in at school comes into play even with a person’s name.

If you’re looking for a good children’s book about names, grab a copy of Chrysanthemum:

Big Book

Hardcover

Paperback

Know of any other books about names I should review? It could be a book like Chrysanthemum that’s all about a character’s name or it could be a book that heavily features names in the plot. I’d love to hear your suggestions!

Happy naming,

♥ Amanda

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

ASK AMANDA: A Name Like Zane?

Published

Amanda Barden

on July 7, 2010

in Ask Amanda

. 2 Comments

Welcome to ASK AMANDA!!!

Ask Amanda

Q: I just wanted to start out by saying that I love your book! It makes searching for the perfect name fun and a lot less stressful!

My question is regarding the name Zane. I had never heard of that name until a friend of mine used it for her son. I’ve grown to really love that name, but because we’re so close to these friends, I don’t think I should use it.

I’ve tried to find similar names but so far have only come across -Shane, Caine or Payne- none of which are what we’re looking for. Do you know of any similar names or maybe even similar masculine, unique type names like Zane?

Thank you!

A: I’m so glad you found my book helpful! That’s always so nice to hear.

Zane is definitely a unique name. If you’re really close to the other Zane in your life, I can see why you don’t feel comfortable using it.

There are so many great names out there, I’m sure you’ll find something you love. Here are some ideas for you:

Names that sound like Zane

Here are a few names that sound like Zane:

Dane - my favorite on this list

Blaine

Lane - this is also used by girls, but it’s not “girly”

Maine - kind of quirky

I think you’re right to steer away from Payne — it sounds like “pain” and that might be a tough association. I do like Cain(e) and Shane though.

Names with the same meaning as Zane

Zane is a version of the name John and means “God is gracious.” Maybe another version of John might appeal to you:

Ivan

Sean

Gianni

Evan – my favorite

Names that start with “Z”

If you’re looking for other “Z” names you can consider:

Zachariah – a little more unique than Zachary

Zander

Zebedee

Zeke

Zeus

Zedekiah

Zephyr

Zev/Zevi

Use Zane as a middle name

It might be too much to use Zane as a first name, but you could probably get away with using it as a middle name.

I hope that helps! Good luck to you. Please let me know what you decide.

Happy naming,

♥ Amanda

WANT MORE BABY NAME INFO?

●Join the free BABY NAMES MADE EASY newsletter list for the latest baby name news and tips from my website

●Subscribe to the RSS feed so you don’t miss any future baby name posts

GET YOUR OWN COPY OF BABY NAMES MADE EASY

HAVE BABY NAME QUESTIONS?

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

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

DO YOU TWEET?

Follow me on TWITTER to get up-to-the-minute celebrity baby name news, interesting names I come across and so much more! I’m @babynameauthor!

For more information on baby names and their meanings get your copy of

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

Knoxville News Sentinel Book Review

Published

Amanda Barden

on July 30, 2009

in Baby Names in the News and Book Reviews

. 0 Comments

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Mary Constantine wrote a fun article about food names for the Knoxville News Sentinel and featured Baby Names Made Easy:

“I recently became a great aunt.

My niece, Elizabeth, gave birth to an 8-pound, 4-ounce baby girl in late June.

The baby has chubby pink cheeks, a rosebud mouth and a head full of dark hair.

She’s definitely a keeper.

When I learned that Elizabeth and husband Curtis were expecting, I picked up the book “Baby Names Made Easy” (Simon and Schuster, $15) that had been laying on my desk.

News Sentinel editorial assistant Lisa Gentry had left it for me months earlier after noticing that it was organized by category, including one for food and drink.

Naming a child after a food item isn’t a new idea.

I’ve worked with women named Sherri and Cheri, and attended school with girls named Ginger and Pepper.

So there was a distinct possibility this book would include a name suitable for my great niece.

I loved the name Coco, but knew that Elizabeth and Curtis were too traditional to consider that.

I also liked the name Plum, but maybe that’s because it’s one of my favorite fruits.

Other female names that caught my eye included Cayenne, Brie, Mimosa, and, yes, even Apple, the name actress Gwyneth Paltrow chose for her daughter.

But everyone knows there are other considerations besides how the word rolls off the tongue when selecting a child’s name.

In this case, my great niece’s last name is Strange.

Knowing that, the names Coco Strange, Plum Strange and Apple Strange become totally unacceptable.

After all, children find ways to make fun of each other without handing them a gift.

In the end, Curtis and Elizabeth didn’t need my help naming their child.

One look at their precious girl and it’s apparent that Ava Claire Strange is the name she was meant to hold.

It’s a peach of a name.

Hmm, another one of my favorite fruits.”

I think Ava Claire is a peach of a name, too. Great choice! I’ve always secretly loved the name Pepper though…but, I’m not sure Pepper Strange really works. Though, it’s better than Berry Strange…

You can read the article online here.

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♥ 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 Made Easy: New Arrival!

Published

Amanda Barden

on February 22, 2009

in Website Announcements

. 0 Comments

Welcome to my new website and blog!

The Baby Names Made Easy debut has been quite a whirlwind! The book hit the shelves just last week and I’ve been getting great feedback already. The first professional book review is in, as well, and the news is good. You can read the review here.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the book, too. If you have Baby Names Made Easy, let me know how you’re enjoying it — you can respond to this post or email me.

My site is a place you can visit regularly to read about and talk about all things “baby names.” One of my favorite features is the Celebrity Baby Names page, where you can learn what your favorite stars are naming their newborns and what meaning category the name falls into.