Modern and Classic Baby Names

There are many factors to consider when deciding upon the name you will give to your baby. This name will be a part of your offspring not only throughout childhood, but for the rest of his life.  Many people try to strike the right balance between a unique and unusual name and a classic, timeless name that is not only cute or popular today but will grow with the child into adulthood. 

Trend-Setters

Trendy, "high-fashion" names are usually easier to remember and tend to catch people's interest. There is a tendency to want to get to know the barer of a more unusual name a bit better. When introduced to someone named "Tiffany" or "Phelan", one can easily begin a conversation about how he/she got such a unique name, what it means and how he/she feels about it. At first glance there does not seem to be much to discuss about how someone came to be called "Mary" or "John", even if there might be an interesting story behind such common names.

Unique Unit

During the 1960's and 70's, when the "Baby Boomer" generation was growing up and having children of their own, unusual names were popular. It was as if, to a certain extent, the more strange and bizarre, the better.  The musician Frank Zappa named his daughter "Moon Unit", a name she stills bares to this day.  Less well known but equally unique is the name of one of Zappa's other 4 children, "Dweezil".  Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones rock band named one of his children "Dandelion".

Less Unique but Still Special

Non-Superstars who like to surprise but not necessarily to shock might choose less fantastic names, such as Declan, Keagan or Holden for boys and Greenleigh, Emery or Soleil for a girl.  The more conservative among us might choose more classic names which have withstood the test of time, and seem to be always appropriate and in style. Girls' names such as, Elizabeth, Anne and Laura and boys names like Robert, James and Steven will successfully accompany a child into adulthood with very little trouble.

Boring Boys, Daring Daughters

In the United States in the year 2006 the most common names given to boys were the following ten names: Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Ethan, Daniel, Christopher, Andrew, Anthony, and William.  The most popular ten names for girls were Emily, Emma, Madison, Isabella, Ava, Abigail, Olivia, Hannah, Sophia and Samantha. It is interesting to note from these two lists that parents seem to stick to the classics much more when it comes to naming their sons, and seem to be bolder when naming their daughters. Whichever way you choose, remember to enjoy your baby!