baby names 2013

Baby names totally get me fired up.  I love talking about them and hearing about them, from the awesome to the awful.  They're so personal - I feel like you really get a glance into someone's true self when they tell you what name they've picked out for their baby.

With 2013 just beginning, there are plenty of news articles and radio shows discussing the baby name trends for the upcoming year.

Here are the predictions I've heard so far...

• Names of gods and goddesses - like Atticus, Athena, Juno and Thor.

• Leonine names - Leo (which has been climbing steadily since Leonardo DiCaprio's appearance), Leon, Lev, Lionel and Leopold.

• Using a middle name that isn't really a name - can be anything with personal significance - like Bear, Seven, Star and Saint.

• Meaningful place names - examples:  Reese Witherspoon just named her son Tennessee, Chris Hemsworth's daughter India, and Nick Lachey's son Camden.

• The mid-century nicknames - Annie (love), Molly, Hank, Hal, Ray, Fay and Monty.

• Botanical names - Clover, Poppy, Juniper and Maple.

• Consenant of the Moment is W - William, Wesley, Walker, Winnie and Waverly.  FYI:  Taylor Hanson and his wife just named their baby Wilhelmina.

• Either really short...or really long names.  Cole, Zane, Eve and May.  Macallister, Penelope (shout out to Kourt K.) and Arabella.

• Romantic girl names such as Aria, Briella, Raelynn and Olive.

• Top predictions for 2013 - BOY ---> Max   GIRL ---> Millie

And while we're at it, here were the top baby names of 2012:

Girls

1.  Sophia
2.  Emma
3.  Olivia
4.  Isabella
5.  Ava
6.  Lily
7.  Zoe
8.  Chloe
9.  Mia
10.  Madison


Boys

1.  Aiden
2.  Jackson
3.  Ethan
4.  Liam
5.  Mason
6.  Noah
7.  Lucas
8.  Jacob
9.  Jaydon
10.  Jack


I'm also pleased to see that Patrick wasn't even in the top 100 last year.  Why does that satisfy me?  I don't know, it must be the German gremlin in me.  On the contrary, if you absolutely love the most popular name and everyone you know is naming their kid that (cough, cough, Jackson), I've always believed you should just GO FOR IT!  Don't even think twice!

Was your name in the top ten when you were born?  Stephanie was #6 in 1985!  I'm sort of stoked that my parents went with the unique spelling of Stefanie, though.  Makes it feel not quite so 80's.





{maternity photo}  isn't it to die?