I can't help it, but it makes me kinda proud to find my daughter's name (Charlotte) as #1 in the top 100 girls' names list. :-)

Great! The name I wanted for a boy is on the "hip" list! Back to the drawing board...

My sons' names are in top 100 - Henry and Jude:)

Our contenders for a girl name are on both lists (popular and unusual) and we are leaning towards the unusual one.

Living in Portland we see a lot of kids with the unusual names like Lux, Aoife, Never, Cole, Quintin, Clementine etc. I recently met a little Anthony and found the name to be thoroughly refreshing, imagine that.

We are considering Juniper and I told my dad we had more "out there" ones that we discarded and he asked, "More out there than Juniper?!" incredulously. I didn't even think it was perceived as that weird until his reaction.

We named our son Baer (like Bear Grylls or Bear Bryant, just spelled differently) and we get so much heat for it. People either love it or hate it. Can't please everyone all the time.

two of my boys are in there (#3 and #32) but not the third. hmm.

@KC4562 - my aunt was going to name her daughter Pepsi in the 70s.... they talked her out of it and now She is Josie. Her other daughter is Jennie. Not Jennifer - just Jennie.

I was going to be Rocky after Sylvester Stallone - when i found this out, it dawned on me that my mother was just a silly 22 year old when she had me. But I would have preferred Rocky to Paula (my name). Paula is so bleh.

I'm pregnant right now and choosing a name has been so intensely frustrating! My daughter has a name that is unusual but not unheard of (I've never met a person with it, but several people have sweetly informed me that they know a dog with it). So I'm trying to pick something that will pair well and have a similar vibe. I feel like most of the names I've considered are on the Nameberry lists because I've been searching them every day just so I can see if their popularity has changed at all. Now I realize that my constant searching isn't helping - I'm skewing the statistic! Oops. :)

I wanted to make sure my kids had names that wouldn't be common in their classrooms. Marina, Maximo and Marcella are pretty unique. I think each likes their name too.

My boys are Sam and Will (short for Samuel and William). We live in a pretty funky neighbourhood, and it's always funny when people react with surprise that their names are so "normal." Heh.

I love all of the different names and the story that goes with them. We get a lot of comments on our kid's names, Olympia and Oslo, but we love them and they have great stories tied to them.

that is funny--my daughter's full name, luciana, isn't on the list, but her two nicknames, lucy and lulu, are. I am also glad that I didn't go with a couple names that were on the shortlist that are on the lists--lydia, lila, louisa... (and yes, there is an L requirement in my family)

Gemma? Really? All I can think of is that chick in "Sons of Anarchy" and there is nothing "hip" and cool about that.

I have a Charlotte here, too. Conversely, it sort of saddens me that she's #1. She is, however, Charlotte Honoré, so if she ever so chooses she has a much less common second name.

I just don't want her to be like the five children all called Olivia or Aiden in her classroom.

My girls are Poppy and Zoe, they both make the list. In some ways I think it is better not to be on the most popular list or the craziest list.

I'm very relieved to know that neither of my children's names make any of the lists...

I'm very surprised to see that Atticus is number 13 on the boys' list though... when I was pregnant with our first child -- who turned out to be a girl -- Atticus was high on my list for a boy. Whenever I'd sound people out though, they would find it pretty unusual.

For our son we eventually went with Viggo Patrik... when we went to Denmark, the Danes were thrilled with it... it is a very traditional name in Scandinavia (came across one in Sweden), and is the name in a favourite lullaby by Hans Christian Anderson, but is not very common even there.

We named our daughter Tallulah... nothing else seemed to fit her (she was un-named for a whole month after she was born!). Our criteria were that the names had to work in 3 languages: English, French and Czech, so we went with names that sound good no matter the pronunciation... "Tallulah" sounds particularly lovely in French, much to our surprise and relief, since we have been living in a French-speaking country for almost 4 years.

If we ever have another girl, the name we decided on was "Romy", which also hasn't made the lists... it is another name that rolls beautifully off the tongue...

Can't tell you difficult it is to keep the Sophias, Olivias, Alexes and Maxes straight when our children tell us about school!

I have a Charlotte too! It fit her perfectly and we really didn't consult any lists before picking it. It seemed to fit her and we loved it's classic little girl to old lady appeal. :) I'm pregnant with my second child, a boy, and we're going nuts picking the perfect first name!

My daughter's name, Taryn, is nowhere on either list.

I really like the name Charlotte. I have a Harriette, which everyone goes ga-ga for.

Remember that these are just searches, not names given. My favorite baby name page is still the Name Voyager that graphs given names over the last century or so.
http://www.babynamewizard.com/voyager#ms=false&exact=false

It reminds you that names come and go. My name peaked in the late 40s but that's because I am named for my aunt who was born in the late 40s. My husband's name peaked in the mid 70s when he was born.

I have a little girl that was #113 in 2008 but is in the top 25 on this site. I knew it would become popular because it is an old fashioned name that is coming back around like others are.

And don't forget celebrities. Christina Aguilera, Julia Roberts, Nicole Richie - all of their kids are on this list. My friend's 10 year old son is named Jasper. Thanks to a certain vampire book, I suspect he won't be the only one anymore :)

@Martin2121: "We named our son Baer (like Bear Grylls or Bear Bryant, just spelled differently) and we get so much heat for it." I suspect that this is because your "just spelled differently" is someone else's "ridiculous 'kreeativ' spelling," which many have little patience for. Me included. I'm up to here with having to ASK how "Carly" or "Caitlin" or "JENNIFER" is spelled. (Yes, I have seen a "Jenifur," and I think I twitched for hours.) The "creative" spellings are out of control, and if you willingly choose them for a defenseless baby, you deserve what you get.

My kids are called Cody (boy- I specify b/c I've met several girls with that name) & Reily (girl); I'm kind of happy that neither was listed ( at least I don't think so). we thought Reily was unique enough for a girl but as it seems like every time I turn around a meet another little girl around the same age also called Reily.
@shanalulu- the 'creative' spelling of realllly common names often makes me twitch.

shanalulu--I know. I can't stand them either. My daughter knows a girl named "Haliey." With an O and a U she'd have all the vowels, plus the "sometimes Y." Unfortunately "creative" spellings just make people seem ignorant, when all they are doing is trying to seem original.

As a former newspaper "lifestyles" editor who has typed up countless "A Honor Roll," and "B Honor Roll" lists (not to mention the names on the police blottor) I speak with knowledge and authority: take heed.

If you give your child an unconventional name and/or a name with an unconventional spelling, in an attempt to be different, it will place an unnecessary and negative burden on the child.

woohoo, i didn't see my son's name on any lists. he is Brewer...don't steal it, please ;)

I don't like seeing my son's name on a list of names that are getting popular! We picked it because we thought it was different but not too different and because it had a connection to my husband's heritage. My in-laws gave us a very hard time when we were choosing names and my mother-in-law annoyingly once said, "Maybe his name will get popular one day!" as if we wanted that to happen! My reply was, "Gee, I hope not!"

Every girl I know who was born in the last year has what I've taken to calling the "lala."

Leila
Layla
Kealia
Analiea
Leelu
Kayla
Analasia
Ila
Inla
and even "mayla"

I am dead serious. Every. Single. Girl. in the 2009-2010 period.

I forgot the ubiquitous "bella."

There are two of those. Five if you extend the time period to the last 5 years.

=)

I have a 12 year old girl named Riley, a name I had never heard before (granted I was living in Texas), but saw in the 'boy's' section of a book. I fell in love with it. However the shine faded a bit when several years later it made a popular list. I chose Emmerson Scott for my second daughter, now 7, and it to has now started appearing on lists. I guess no matter how unique you think you are being, someone else has the same thought. If I had to do it all over again, I'd wait and name them after they had been home a while.

I have a friend who has two little girls, Lulu, and a new baby Dagny, which I think are fantastic names.

I don't see my son's name (Wesley) on the boy list, but my daughter's name (Alice) is number 7. No! I don't want it to get madly popular.

WOOHOO! neither of my girls' names made it! i have a strange name for a girl (Kodie). as the youngest of 3 girls, my parents were obviously wishing for a boy. out i popped and after 3 days of being a no-name, they changed Colby to Kodie....because it's more feminine? my first daughter is Haven, the feminine version of my great grandfather's name, Harbor. my second daughter is Maelie. i thought we were being pretty creative, but i have already heard of other Havens and Maelies. oh well...

BambiJo - I have an Alice too, and I was surprised to see it so high up the list! My other girl is Madeline, on the list but way further down.

I really try not to get heated about these name discussions. But ENOUGH with the warnings about what happens when people don't name their baby 'James' or 'Jane' or something plain enough for everyone to digest.

I know a Rocky and a Zouzou and a Rocket Lee and a Vega. I think they'll be okay. Know why? Because their parents are smart people who engage them and teach them to be open to the world.

You can't tell me that there ain't a whole world of Lisas and Mikes (properly spelled) who are total losers.

So says a 'Shanteka.' Who, despite the crazy name that her grandmother gave her (which came along with a beautiful poem, mind you), has somehow managed to be a SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT. I was unaware that my name made this success worthy of a Lifetime movie.

Unless somebody names their little girl Hairy Nuts? Find something else to be sanctimonious about, please?

I've never in my life been teased for being named Opal. I adore my name and wouldn't change it for the world!

I'm pleased that my son's name hasn't appeared on any of these lists. He's 9 years old now and it still feel right every time we say his name, and I'm glad we made such a good choice for him when he was born. :)

Now we're pregnant with number two, and I'm stressing out! I don't like ANYTHING. My list is empty. I literally read 50,000 names in the last two days and like a few, but not enough to name a PERSON.

I'm terrified of making the wrong choice and getting sick of the name. I'm also terrified of not making a choice at all, and having to settle for something I never liked to begin with just because of time restraint! Plus, DH refuses to discuss names until he meets our child and gets to know them, which is fair enough, but what if we draw a blank and end up naming them Hullabaloo? Or Computertutor?

My daughters are Lillian and Danielle, but they go by Lillie and Dani. It's nice to see my spelling of Lillie isn't on the list (and Dani/Danielle isn't there at all), but I know that Lillie is going to run into a few more Lily's in the coming years.

I don't mind though because I love their names!

For all the people who are considering "Cody," "Kodie" and all variations, a little perspective. Where I live (south Louisiana), Cody is considered a white trash juvenile delinquent name... Just so you know....

Oh, and I spotted a "Cullen Jacob" in the baby announcements of my Sunday paper yesterday and nearly wanted to throw up...

Just an FYI to Shanalu and Sally305 - we didn't spell my sons name that way just for the sake of being different. My husband is Danish and in Danish, that spelling means little berry. It's also a family name.

I haven't seen Deborah on ANY list in decades...what's up with that?

6 years ago we named our son Maxwell , and took some heat for it. We couldn't find anything with Max already on it etc... but now it's number 7!

I didn't name my son until I met him either. We knew his middle name already, and I had about 4 names we had discussed, but it wasn't until I saw him that I said "he looks like a Max" and it stuck....

I'm 3 months pregnant and already totally burned out on the name thing. I failed the popularity test the first two times (I have a teenage Dylan & teenage Olivia) so this time I was hoping for something a little more unusual. But the unusual names I like are a little too hipster/contrived, and aren't all that unusual anymore anyway. And classic names (like Alice and Evelyn) are super-popular too. On top of that, my baby will have a kooky last name that will probably lead to a lot of teasing in school anyway. Instead of helping, Nameberry just stresses me out, so I'm just going to name the kid after a grandparent and call it a day.

I'm giggling to see my daughter's name, Harper, on both the boys and girls list. Although the girl version is down much further than the on the boy list. I've never actually met or heard of a boy with the name Harper, but I have heard that it was getting more popular as a girls name. I personally love her name, think it fits her perfectly and even if she does come across her name as another child's name, I don't think there will a ton of them in any of her classes. When I was younger, I never met another Chelsea. It wasn't until high school that I met someone with my name.

My son's name I have never seen on any list or heard of as another child's name. Yet its not that different, fits him well and everyone who hears it loves it immediately. It would be nice if he's the only one out there since he's one of a kind.

On the topic of spelling - you do have to consider the origin. I know an Eirik and when I first saw the spelling I thought he had parents who were trying to be "different" and then I learned that was the Norwegian spelling - where he was born. I also know a Mathilde and Dorothe, also Norwegian. Since my honey is of Scandinavian decent, there's a good chance we'll wind up with a name that works in both languages.

Those are some great names. One of my son's names is on the list but not the other one--and I'm not telling what it is!

@ tequila red:

What about a cool family name or surname?

My sons name, Eamon, is on the unusuals list. He's 2 and I actually wouldn't mind it becoming a **bit** more popular. We wanted something a little different but still a "name" and my husband and I both have Irish backgrounds. But now I realize that it is out there for a lot of people and he's always going to have to say it/spell it for people but it suits him perfect and I love it so.... But I wouldn't mind seeing a few more Eamon's. I'm glad we didn't go with Owen as there are a few at his daycare. And Desmond seems to be popping up a bit here.

Oh how I love baby names! So much fun to talk about. Less fun when you're pregnant and the deadline is looming. But great conversation fodder, reveals a lot about a person, endless entertainment to discuss names, meanings, etc.

I have met four babies named Isla this year, including my newest niece. I was amazed--had never heard the name before and up they are popping all around me. It's a nice, current twist on Ella and very romantic.

Our daughter is Ida, which I doubt will be a runaway hit since it's a tad on the frumpy side... But it fits her perfectly. (not the frumpy part, but the cute and sweet part. :) It's funny--I never liked it much during my pregnancy (it was my husband's choice, after his great-grandmother)--I was leaning more toward Astrid, Fiona, or Rachel. Then when she was a day or two old, I looked at her and all of a sudden she just was Ida Rachel, and she has been ever since. Her brother is Theo, a name which I think adds a little edge to the combo although it's also old-fashioned.

that's the key...I think that my kids' names are cool. We never asked anyone their opinions about them for fear we'd be shot down. It's so fascinating to learn what names fellow parents are digging. I find with my kids' names that people either react with, "Hm, that's um, nice?" or occasionally "Wow, I love it!"

Nymbler.com is my favorite naming resource. I could spend hours finding new sibling combinations on that site!

Having a popular name is not that big a deal. My name is Lauren and yes I know about 5 million Laurens but it's not 'traumatic.' Usually most of them have nicknames anyway, so I've never had to go by anything but Lauren!

Just pick what you like!

I don't have any kids but my dogs are Ella and Molly and they both made the top 100 list :)

Two out of my three kids names made the list. I have a Caleb and a Delilah, but my son Justus didn't make it. Strange beause I have met lots of little boys named Justus and not another Delilah.

I am pleased and a bit disappointed that my son's name, Brennan, didn't make the list. I still love it 2 years on.

@tequila red: "...so I'm just going to name the kid after a grandparent and call it a day." That's what we did with our second son, when we realized the creativity well was dry after naming our first son. So kiddo #2 is William Falco, after his grandfathers. And wouldn't you know it, kiddo #1 is jealous and thinks his brother has a way cooler name than his own (Samuel Atticus, after two of my husband's and my favourite literary characters). Go figger.

I know a woman who named her kid Legolas and called him Lego for short. Tell me that's not going to be detrimental when he reaches grade school.

My first (almost 2) is Max...named after my husbands grandfather Maxime (Swedish). I loved it. Before we knew the sex of that baby we had two names picked out. Max and my grandmother's name...Ruby. I've always loved that name too. My husband agreed. We had never heard of the cartoon. So now..I'm pregnant with number 2 and refuse to give up my beloved Ruby...even if my kids will be tortured. I just hope that those dumb bunnies will be canceled soon!! :)

I can never decide where I stand on the cool/unique name versus traditional name debate. I have a number of friends who gave their children unique names that totally suit them and I love it.

On the other hand I have worked in human resources departments at multiple companies and have literally seen people move qualified candidates with different names to the bottom of the list because "they sound like flaky unprofessional people." It horrifies me that people act like this.

That said it worries me that somehow the name I give my child could put them at a disadvantage. How did others decide?

No discussion of baby names is complete without a mention of my favorite baby name forum of all time, "Baby's Named a Bad, Bad Thing."

http://www.notwithoutmyhandbag.com/babynames/

I don't think it's been tended to in some time, but the old laffs never die, if you ask (intentionally childless, got-a-name-picked-out-anyway-and-no-I-won't-tell-you-what-it-is) me.

I was surprised to see Lyra on the unusual list. It's the main Character from the Golden Compass and I love the name. I'm not planning on having kids for the next 8-10 years, but Lyra and Ella are top of my list.

Almost all the felines I've lived with over the past 45 years are on the unusual names list. Ha Ha! My given name does not appear on any of these lists...and for that I'm thankful.

"I'm not telling what my son's name is!"

"I don't like seeing my child's name on a list of popular names!"

"I'm so relieved that my children's names aren't on this list!"

This is why I've chosen to name my first son Scrotum Phillips. He will be absolutely unique in his class of Fenghorns and Cülároféfés (it sounds so LOVELY in Tagalog).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJRzBpFjJS8

you've got to laugh at the comments re unusual names and the supposed disadvantages they bring when the current president of the US is named Barack.

@TammyE - It's a great idea, and William Falco is an undeniably cool name. But, if this kid was named after his grandfathers he'd be Billy Mark. Hee hee. Doesn't have quite the same ring :)

@burnttoast, I do have a couple of family names I'm considering. My uncle's name was Boone, and my Grandma was Mae, both of which would be unique enough without being weird. Thanks for the suggestion.

Re: "Almost all the felines I've lived with over the past 45 years are on the unusual names list..."

Says the woman whose screenname is Kitty. :)

sweet... no "Althea" on either list. our plan is working to perfection.

There are two names on here that are perfect for gay porn actors.

Betcha all are freaking out now. :)

I've always loved the name "Petra" for a girl (the female form of the name Peter) -- but few people I've met agree with me. Ah well.

@ mammaopal LOL! I get the feeling the only way I could convince by partner to have a kid was to call it computertutor. That's the best thing I've ever heard!

We chose Athena for our daughter. I was a little concerned after she was born that it was hokey but now it just works. She's our Theeny.

ugh spam! hope AT is able to delete spammy accounts!

My name is Lillian and until recently I had never met anyone under eighty with the same--at least anyone who didn't go by Lily. It is interesting how the trends change so quickly--there are a multitude of Lilys and Lillians in elementary school now, just a few years later.

Thank you NORA ROCKET! I just spent an hour laughing at the baby name site.

Nameberry is the BEST baby name finder site.

We decided years ago to name our first boy Jackson Lee after my husband's great-grandfather, but it seems like I've met half a dozen people who've named their sons the same thing in the last year or two. We'll definitely do more research next time around.

Hahahahaha, my name is among the unusual names, and I am mid-thirties going on forty!
And what is more, where I live, it is a totally common name, though I was born at the end of its peak - after that, there were rather variations of it. In my generation it is still considered something like a collective term (and I was lucky to always be the only one in my form), so it's really funny that it is on the list of unusual names now.
Shows how times and countries / continents can make a difference, I guess....

Judging by the list, it appears the in-thing to do is raid the local obits or nursing home list for ideas. Funny how names cycle like that.

I love reading all the names people have chosen or think they might name their kids. I've always loved unusual names and actually bought a baby name book when I was 12. I think my favorite at that time was "Xaviera". My brother always teased me that I would name my kids "Piece-of-grass". The funny thing is that I did end up naming my now 14 month old daughter "Saffron", which is on the list of Top 100 Most Unusual Names So Far. I'm pregnant with our second child, don't know the sex yet and we have a boy name picked out ("Hugo"), but are having trouble with a girl's name. Part of the problem is finding a name that sort of goes with Saffron but is not too matchy, (i.e.) Sage or Ginger are out. I can't have one kid with an unusual name and name the other Kate (although I really do love that name too!)

@PoppyMama: Since I have two boys and am DEFINITELY not having any more children (did you hear me, fates?), you're welcome to the name we had on standby for our nonexistent daughter: Arlo. We picked it out years ago, and while we have met an Arlo or two in our travels since then, they've been boys. But can't you picture it as an awesome girl's name? (Note: It's okay if you can't.) :)

what do you all think about the name Ellis? I really like it for a boy, but our first son's name is Alex and we think the names sound too similar...

Maybe with the rise in unique names my boyfriend wont get hassled as much! His name is Tynan and nearly every time he introduces himself its "OH that name is sooo unique!" :) people are obviously trying to be kind, but he has recently switched to "Ty" upon introductions.

Most of the kids in my playgroup are represented near the top of these lists.

I think all new parents need to try out potential names with an important title like "President" or "Supreme Court Justice..." in front of it.

This doesn't rule out unusual or super-trendy names -- "Judge Cullen Jacob Smith" or "President Lyra Gonzalez" have a pleasant enough ring -- but if you name your kid Jenifur or Honeymoon, you don't deserve a kid who'll grow up to make you proud. Aim higher, folks!

ali07 - I knew an Ellis and he was a wonderful man. I like the name and think it's fine with Alex.

poppymama - Wow, you are maybe the only person I have ever seen post about the name Xaviera. One of our contenders, but no one would pronounce it the way we do so we kind of gave up on it.

My niece's name is Calliope, it's on the more unusual list. It had been a favorite name of my sister and bro in law since the 80's, she was born in '03. A few of the names I was considering are on the list as well, Persephone being a favorite, and Lyra. I love Lyric and Azura (not on the list) but I don't think my fiance would ever go for those.

I love this discussion on baby names even though my 'babies' are all grown up. In 1987 I came across this great name. "Caitlin". No one I knew had ever heard it and I thought I was so darned original. Well, we all know how that turned out! She doesn't mind her name and actually doesn't know many peers that spell it the same since there were so many variations.
Next kid was 1989 and I really wanted to name her Lilli, but was talked out of it and instead her named her Calli. This one still holds up to me as unique, but not completely out there. (we told her she was named after the LL Cool J song, "Going Back to Cali". This gets a lot of laughs.)
By the time my third kid came along in 1993, I was done trying to be either unique or trendy and named him Jack. Just Jack. Yes, it's common, but it's a great grown up name and at 16, he is exactly what you would imagine a Jack to be. The funny thing is, my alternative name was Henry! Yes, the # 1 name now. Instead we named our Pembroke Welsh Corgi Henry, so he has the popular name.
All in all, trends come and go and whatever you end up naming your baby, you will never get sick of it and the baby will become that name.

I like some of the unusual names especially literary (NOT Twighlight) and old fashioned names.

"Creative" spellings of names make me think the parents just didn't actually know how to spell Jenifur or Kaliegh or Kimberliegh or what-have-you. It looks ignorant and trashy. That is the only judgement I pass... Name your kid Lightbulb if you want just don't spell it Lytebulbe.

On my baby name site, You Can't Call It "It"!, we are always drumming up new stylish ideas for parents to be.

We scour birth announcements and international stats, and help couples come to a compromise on the perfect name.

If you care to join our attempts to stay ahead of the curve:
http://youcantcallitit.com

My son is Linus. People near my age (I'm twenty-eight) love it, but older people and our parents hate(d) it.

@TammyE, thanks for the suggestion. I think Arlo would be a very cool name for a girl, but I'm not sure my husband would go for it. Hehe, maybe I'll pull the "since I'm one the one who's giving birth..."

@ali07, Ellis is neat name for a boy, the only reservation I would have is that it can sound a bit like the name "Alice". A former colleague of mine had a son named Ellis and before I got to know her better I thought she was talking about a daughter named Alice. Maybe that's just *my* hearing! Go for it if you like it! :)

Ditto Sugarbakers, these lists really aren't at all representative of what names are being used or will be popular at all. My 2 yr old daughter's name is on here, yet I know from the baby name wizard site, which uses real social security data that her name hasn't cracked the top 1000 in the last 50 yrs, so I highly doubt that it's going to be in the top 100 anytime soon- for a name to go from not even on the charts to top 100 is rather unheard of.

I have an Isla and everyone loves to tell me about all the Isla's they've met recently. Oh well, we love it and that was all we cared about. My son is Ronan and their sibset is quite nice, I think.

I don't have kids yet, but I always like reading about names. My name (Vanessa, middle name Jéanette) is on none of those lists, which still makes me happy. I am 29 and I know 3 other Vanessas, but they are all around my age.

Also, my brothers' names (Louis and Dominic) aren't there as well. I think my parents did pretty good on the name front.

Two of my favorite boys' names are on the third/ unusual list: Beckett and Bennett. Maybe when I am ready to have children, those names won't be so popular!

Virginia, Alma and Thelma (twins), Frances, Violet, Wilbur, Paul and Albert. All family names.

Aaaaaaarggghhh. Persephone rolls off the tongue nicely, but who would want to name a child after the Queen of the Underworld???

Um.. interesting people with a love of ancient Greece?

Some names that were traditionally male until after WWII. Shelby, Shirley, Lauren, Beverly, Hayden, Addison, Ansley, Cameron, etc. etc.

Alma and Thelma are cute but as an identical twin myself and a mother of twins, I must remind parents of twins NOT to give matching names or names that make a "set" of some sort. (Also don't dress your kids the same.) It is already hard enough to become one's own person. It amazes me how many parents of twins don't have this insight.

@Lesley. Alma and Thelma did become their own persons, believe it or not! One a physician, the other at stay-at-home mom. Who'd a thunk...

@Lesley I know what you mean - I think. We're having twin boys and probably going to go with William and Graham. It's amazing how many people have asked us whether we're going to give them rhyming names, or names that start with the same letter...as if people probably won't get them mixed up as it is.

Trying to find a good middle name for Graham, though (and surprised it wasn't on the list!). I love literary names and we're considering Emerson.

@acwink I'm not sure if it's something to be proud about...all it means is you're unoriginal...no offense! My parents named me the most common name of my birth year (86), even though at the time they thought they were original and there were always numerous girls in my grade with the same name (except for when we lived overseas). If anything it was annoying and made me feel less unique.

I have a plain name - Laura - and I most certaintly don't love it. I would love to name my future children unique but meaniful names.

For a girl, Myla after my FI's father Myles.
For a boy, Atticus from to Kill a Mockingbird

Other names that I love:
Cody/Codie(girl spelling)
Fynn

@mlleErica a childhood friend of mine was named Petra (pronounced, Pay-tra). I think it's a really pretty name.