Hello — we finally have snow. After a winter that felt more like an extended autumn, roughly two feet fell in about 24 hours. I’m so grateful everyone is safe and warm, and that my husband actually enjoys going out into it. He’s from Michigan and knows his way around a good snow shovel.
The storm that brought this beautiful (and soon-to-be slushy) weather is semi-officially called Jonas. Storm names haven’t fully caught on here, but the naming practice is fairly new. I got curious about how names are chosen and found that the 2015–2016 list was submitted by a Latin class at Bozeman High School, which explains the classical choices like Ajax and Hera alongside pop-culture nods like Yolo and Jonas.
- Curious about popular names in Portugal? I love the top lists — they’re elegant and interesting. If you enjoy name lists, you might like reading a Portuguese blog that tracks which names are added to the country’s official approved list. Portugal still maintains that official register, which always makes for a fascinating look at naming traditions.
- If you’re a fan of Z names but find Zoe and Zachary too common, there are plenty of alternatives. Some options work better than others — a few suggestions just make me think of food — but it’s a good place to spark inspiration.
- There’s a powerful piece on unisex baby names that raises thoughtful points about gender, naming trends, and cultural shifts. I agree with much of the essay, yet I also see gradual change in how we name boys: softer sounds and more creative choices are becoming acceptable. There seems to be slightly more freedom when naming daughters, but restrictions for boys have loosened compared with past decades. I’m also noticing a small number of names moving back from being perceived as all-girl to being acceptable for boys — Kelly is one example readers have predicted might return for boys.
- On a lighter note: a Facebook comment from December made me laugh. When I asked whether Jessica might ever make a comeback, someone left a brilliantly funny reply — the kind of remark that sticks with you.
- Another great line I’ve seen: a name’s low ranking on popularity lists doesn’t guarantee you won’t encounter several children with that name in the same place. Trends can show up unexpectedly in local pockets, and I’ve witnessed that firsthand.
- Looking at a British top-ten list brought a smile: Beatrice, Arthur, Wilfred, and Matilda make for a wonderfully classic set. British name lists often deliver a welcome mix of timeless and fresh choices.
- Celebrity name-watching: Holly Madison is expecting her second child. With a firstborn named Rainbow Aurora, I’m curious to see what she chooses next. Fans and commentators have already suggested some imaginative possibilities.
- Weekly blog features like Saturday Jams always brighten my reading. This week’s musical riffs on Michelle are particularly enjoyable.
- I spotted the name Olivine recently and found it gorgeous. There are several “Liv” variations that are catching my eye — Olivet, Lively, and related forms feel fresh and appealing right now.
- A small but fun poll question: Ann or Anne? I tend to default to Anne, though I can’t entirely explain why. Both spellings have charm.
- Double middle names are delightful when done well. I’ve been enjoying combinations like Milo Chase Everdean and Santana Stella Lou — they feel balanced and memorable.
- Let’s finish where we began: with the season. I’m a fan of Janvier and I’m looking forward to the next entries in a series about names for each month. It’s a lovely topic to follow throughout the year.
That’s it for this week. Have a great week, and thank you so much for reading!