I recently shared an article on the Appellation Mountain Facebook page that sparked a lively conversation: “Do Weird Baby Names Indicate Selfishness or Love? Yes.” The piece, written by Joy Pullman, takes a rather dour view of unconventional names, arguing that children deserve names that fall “within the frame of normality.” Pullman explains her own choice—naming her son Ransom for its spiritual significance—and says future children will receive “plain-vanilla” names.
That cautionary tone is familiar from many baby-name forums: warnings to spell names traditionally, predictions of teasing, and claims that unusual names could close doors to opportunities. Commenters often believe they’re offering a kindness by stating blunt opinions. In some cases, perhaps they are. But it’s a mistake to assume those individual views reflect a majority perspective.
Pullman suggests that historically people signaled belonging to the broader community with conventional name choices, and that this trend is reversing. If that’s true, I celebrate it. The reversal means people no longer feel compelled to conform to a single cultural standard—often white, middle-class, and Christian. That shift isn’t social alienation; it’s freedom.
True community is valuable, but the “broader community” Pullman evokes wasn’t always inclusive. It frequently pushed immigrants to trade names like Jose for Joe or to swap difficult-to-pronounce Slavic or Arabic names for English equivalents, effectively erasing cultural identity in favor of assimilation. I value the chance for reinvention, but I object to reinvention that only flows toward a bland, homogeneous center.
My view is simple: there’s no such thing as a truly “normal” name. The pool of given names has been broadening for years, and that expansion may have accelerated recently. I explored this in a series called “From Annai to Zen: Thoughts on the Ever-Deepening Name Pool.” The essential point is that variety in naming reflects cultural diversity and personal freedom, and that should be celebrated.
Below are some recent name finds and observations that illustrate how rich and varied naming choices have become:
- A birth announcement highlighted a girl named Jessminda—perhaps a blend of Jessica and Melinda, or inspired by the Sikh name Jessminder. Creative mash-ups and cultural crossovers like this keep the name landscape interesting.
- That round-up also included a baby named Italy. Place names are a familiar source of inspiration, but Italy remains relatively rare—only 86 girls received the name in 2013.
- A 1979 pamphlet on baby-name choices warned against names that don’t clearly indicate sex, calling them “troublesome.” Today, many parents and children are comfortable with gender-neutral names; names like Avery now sit comfortably across genders.
- The same vintage pamphlet offered surprising suggestions—Fritzi, Beulah, Xylina, Wallis for girls; Ashley, Beman, Launcelot, Xenophon for boys—reminders that naming fashions swing widely over time.
- The name Avalon continues to charm. A recent celebrity baby in Australia received the name Avalon, which has been steadily gaining affection; 130 girls were named Avalon in 2013.
- Pop culture and celebrity influence remain strong. Songs and stars inspire baby names, and seeing that trend reflected in mainstream media always intrigues me.
- Gwen could be on the rise partly thanks to pop culture: Marvel’s Spider-Gwen features a teenage, crime-fighting version of Gwen Stacy, which may boost the name’s visibility.
- Interesting name trivia appears regularly: for example, Neleh is simply Helen spelled backward—one of many playful naming choices people share.
- International name blogs showcase fresh combinations and forms. I’ve long liked Hanae, and discovering related names such as Iselle and Yselle shows how sibling sets can create coherent, beautiful groupings.
- The name Daley has an appealing sound and feel; distinctive names that are still approachable tend to get strong reactions—and often, support.
- Adair is another example of a name that’s different and distinctive yet easy to wear.
- Longer names with multiple nickname options remain attractive. For example, Cornelia Roxane offers Corrie, Coco, Nellie, and Rocky—an appealing mix of formal and familiar choices.
- Personal preferences persist even in an atmosphere of acceptance. For instance, between two similar names like Abby Lily and Abigail Lily, one may prefer the fuller form for the rhythm and possibilities it offers, without assigning moral or life outcomes to either choice.
- Hebrew names continue to captivate: Boaz, Margalit, Lior, and Kineret are among the many options I find particularly compelling.
- Seasonal and themed events—like a “March Madness” for favorite baby names—encourage engagement with names and show how trends and preferences evolve over time.
In short, the expanding variety of given names reflects cultural change and individual freedom. Embracing that diversity makes our communities richer, not poorer. Thank you for reading—wishing you a great week and many thoughtful, joy-filled naming discoveries.