Name of the Day: Clementine

Clementine is a name that has never been particularly popular, but fits many of the criteria that parents are looking for in a name these days. The public opinion I received on it was mainly negative, but I personally think that Clementine is a feminine, refreshing name that would suit girls and women of any age.

Pronunciation: KLEHM-ehn-tiyn

Gender: Female

Origin: Clementine is the feminine diminutive of Clement, which is derived from the Latin “clemens” meaning mild, gentle and merciful.

Nicknames: Clem, Clemmy, Emmy, Tina, Cleo, Clea.

Variants/Alternatives: Clementina, Clemence, Clemency, Clementia, Clemencia & Klementijna.

Popularity: Clementine was not in the SSA’s Top 1000 names of 2010, and hasn’t been since 1953, where she was rated at #946. Clementine’s popularity was fairly sporadic during her time on the list, jumping from somewhere in the 300’s down the 700’s the next year, then back up again. Clementine peaked in 1882 at #363. Clementine is a good choice for parents seeking an unpopular name, though I predict she will make her way back on to the list in the next few years.

Sibling names as suggested by Nymbler: Penelope, Christabel, Heloise, Cordelia, Angeline, Holland, Augustus, Florian, Hugo & Cassius.

Middle name suggestions:

Clementine would work well as a first or middle for long, old fashioned names for something regal and feminine, or something short and sweet for a simple but elegant effect.

• Clementine Phaedra
• Clementine Ruby
• Clementine Rose
• Clementine Sonora
• Clementine Andromeda
• Sarah Clementine
• Thea Clementine
• Genevieve Clementine
• Piper Clementine
• Eloisa Clementine

Name of the Day: Benjamin

Benjamin is a name that has, understandably, been consistently popular for decades. It’s unmistakably masculine, has countless historical connections, and works well on men and boys of any ages. I adore the name Benjamin because it’s both cute and handsome.

Pronunciation: BEHN-jə-min

Gender: Male

Origin: Benjamin is derived from the Hebrew “binyāmīn” meaning son of the right hand. In the Bible, Benjamin was the youngest of Jacob’s 12 sons.

Nicknames: Ben, Benny, Benji & Jamin.

Variants/Alternatives: Ben, Benjamino, Benyamin, Beniamino, Jamin, Bibi, Venjamin, Veniamin, Yamino & Yemin.

Popularity: On the SSA’s list of popular names, Benjamin has always been fairly high up. In the late 1880’s, Benjamin was either in the #30s, #40s or #50s. Benjamin slowly slid down the list, reaching a low of #151 in 1958. After that, Benjamin climbed his way back up and now sits at #22. Benjamin peaked in 2009 in the #20 spot. Benjamin is the most popular boy’s name in Chile, and is also popular in Canada, Australian, New Zealand, the UK and many European countries, including Austria, Norway, Slovenia & Belgium.

Sibling names as suggested by Nymbler: Olivia, Leah, Emily, Rebecca, Grace, Alexander, Samuel, Isaac, David & Michael.

Middle Name Suggestions:

Benjamin would work well with either a short, simple middle name for something old-fashioned and regal sounding, or a longer unusual name for a more unique name. Benjamin would work better as a middle name for a 2 or 3 syllable name.

• Benjamin James
• Benjamin Thomas
• Benjamin Phineas
• Benjamin Kipling
• Benjamin Henry
• Peter Benjamin
• Joshua Benjamin
• Aubrey Benjamin
• Silas Benjamin
• Theodore Benjamin

Name of the Day: Agnes

Agnes is a name that is rarely used anymore, but I think deserves to be more popular. I received mainly negative comments on it when I asked for a public opinion, but from scanning the SSA’s Top 1000 names for 2010, I noticed there were a lot of names similar in style (Charles, Caroline, Vincent, Genevieve, Sheldon, Lilith & Esther, to name a few). While seemingly outdated, I think Agnes has a retro charm and deserves to make a comeback.

Pronunciation: AG-nis (or AH-nyez in French).

Gender: Female.

Origin: Agnes is derived from the Greek name “Hagnē” which is from “hagnos” meaning chaste, pure & sacred. The name was borne in the 4th Century by a 13 year old Roman martyred for her beliefs (St. Agnes). An alternate meaning for Agees is “Lamb,” from the Latin “agnus.”

Nicknames: Aggie, Nan, Nessie, Nessa & Ness.

Variants/Alternatives: Agnethe, Agnieska, Nesta, Senga, Inez, Agatha, Anaïs, Oona, Annette, Nevsa, Agota, Ági, Nieske & Agnessa.

Popularity: Agnes not in the SSA’s Top 1000 names of 2010, and hasn’t been since 1972. After hovering in the #40s & #50s, Agnes peaked in 1899 at #37, then gradually made her way down the list. Agnes is currently a popular name in Sweden, Iceland, Hungary & Norway.

Sibling names as suggested by Nymbler: Verna, Myrtle, Viola, Beulah, Georgene, Earnest, Julius, Myron, Cyril & Amos.

Middle Name Suggestions:

Any middle name would work well with Agnes, except names that start with an S sound (ex: Agnes Sarah runs together and sounds like Agnes Aira). Agnes as a middle name sounds better with names that end in an “ee” sound.

• Anges Deliliah
• Agnes Julianne
• Agnes Dorothea
• Anges May
• Agnes Guinevere
• Ruby Agnes
• Felicity Agnes
• Emily Agnes
• Lilly Agnes
• Penelope Agnes

Intro: What this blog is all about

My name is Meg Johnston, I am 17 and I am a name nerd. I love the baby name section on yahoo answers, and I already know what my kids are going to be called.

On this blog I will post a name everyday (well, as often as I can, please forgive me if I miss a day or two), in alphabetical order (A-Z, though I’ll skip awkward letters). I will write about the history of each name, the popularity, my personal opinions, possible sibling names, nicknames and alternatives.

If anyone needs help naming their baby, or have any name related dilemmas, drop me a line and I’ll help you out.