Names from the Rio Rhythmic Gymnasts

 

     I was so inspired by the names of the young woman competing in the Rhythmic Gymnastics in Rio, that I decided to highlight some of the stand out names. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this competition, I would describe it as mash between acrobatics and ballet. It is truly beautiful to watch, and some of the woman certainly had names to match!  All of these names are outside the Top 1000.

Kseniya – A beautiful name whose meaning is derived from the Greek term for “hospitality”.  Inspired by Kseniya Moustafaeva of France, pictured above during the Rio Olympics.

Elyane – Meaning “Jehovah is God” in Hebrew, this name just looks as sounds stunning. Inspired by Elyane Boal of Cape Verde.

Morgana  – Derived from the Welsh term for “sea”, this name is known due to it belonging to an enchantress in the Arthurian Legends. Inspired by Morgana Gmach of Brazil

Zarina  – A Muslim name meaning “golden”,  it is a daring choice for parents who like the name Sarina, but want a bit more flair. Inspired by Zarina Kurbonova of Uzbekistan.

Melita – An ancient Greek name meaning “honey” derived from the name Mellissa. Inspired by Melita Stanyuta of Belarus.

Neta – A beautiful Hebrew name meaning “grace”.  Inspired by Neta Rivkin of Israel.

 

Name Data for 2014

 

     There is no better time to post the Social Security baby name data than in time for Mother’s Day!  There were some exciting developments and some bitter sweet moments in reviewing the baby name popularity lists for 2014.  The top 5 list remains nearly the same, just with some names shuffled around a bit.

Top 5 in 2013

Top 5 in 2014

     As far as the complete list of top names (which account for only about 70% of all names given) there were a few interesting developments.  The girls name Montserrat/Monserrat was the most surprising. The combined spellings put it well within the Top 500 with over 1000 baby girls given that name,and the name Aranza leaped from a rank of 4,232 to 670 in one year!

     Other girls names that made headlines from making significant jumps into the Top 1000 include: Collins, Naya, Holland, Khaleesi, Jessa, Remington, Thea, Ariadne, Clementine, Zendaya and Maisie.  Names that jumped into the top 500 include: Daleyza, Elsa, Nova, Amina, Angelique, Ember, Gracelynn/Gracelyn and Sawyer.  When considering combined spellings, Paisley and Eleanor have broken into the Top 100!

     The boys also made headlines. The Bode/Bodie/Bodhi clan made some serious gains landing them almost 1000 births! Unusual spelling Axl pushed its way into the Top 1000, and combined with Axel is nearing the Top 100.  Gannon jumped 426 spots into the Top 500.  Combined spellings of Finnley also claimed around 1000 births as well, pushing it into the Top 500 (but is still trailing the girls).  Combined spellings for Cohen also also pushed it to nearly 1000 births.

     Other names that bounded to the Top 1000 include: Anakin, Agustin, Anton, Dimitri, Leighton (beating the girls!), Eliezer, Ford, Dariel and Henrik. Milan landed in the Top 500 along with: Daxton, Kane, Odin, and combined spellings of Kayson. Other honorable mentions include Atlas which leapt 132 slots into #646, Theo which jumped 156 places into #506, and Arlo which rose 138 places landing it at #539.

Names of Female Artists

     Art has always been something that I find fascinating, so it will probably be a topic that inspires many future posts. In this first installation I am focusing on the names of female painters who paint female subjects.

The Artists

Louise – For Louise Abbéma, a French artist who is known for her paintings and sculpture. This painting is entitled April Morning, Place of the Concord; 1894

Elenore – Elenore Abbott was an American artist known for her paintings and illustrations. She famously illustrated early editions of many beloved classics, including Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Swiss Family Robinson and magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post.  The following is from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, 1920.

 

Helen – Helen Allingham was an English artist known for her watercolors and illustrations during the Victorian era. This watercolour is called Girl Seated in Blue, 1873.

Cecilia – Cecilia Beaux, an American society portraitist, produced many gorgeous portraits including this one entitled Ernesta in 1894, who was Cecilia’s adorable niece.  The painting that appears at the top of this post is also Ernesta all grown up in 1914.

Ethel – Ethel Léontine Gabain was a French American artist known for her abilities to use many medias including oil paintings, etchings, and lithographs. This stunning work of art is entitled Winter Sunshine, 1935.

Lilla – Lilla Cabot Perry born Lydia, was an American artist know for her Impressionistic paintings. She has many stunning works attributed to her including Lady in an Evening Dress, 1911.

Zinaida – This delightfully unusual name allows for the beautiful nicknames Zinnie and Aida. Zinaida Serebriakova was a Russian portraitist known for her stunning paintings such as this one, Portrait of O.I. Rybakova in Childhood, 1923.

 

Mabel – Mabel Alvarez was an American painter who is known for her moving portraits. This one is entitled The Italian Model, 1924.

Herbal Names

     Hello and welcome to Apotheca’s second post!  I decided to do a post on Herb baby names because of my other passion… nutrition!

Ladies

     Rosemary – Creeping back into popularity but still outside the top 500. This beautiful vintage name will wear very well.

     Cassia – An ode to the scientific name for Cinnamon. A very brave choice with some more conservative nickname options like Cass and Cassie.

     Majoram – Also set for a comeback with it’s vintage flair but currently outside of the top 1000. Is it just me or is the nickname Margie starting to sound fresh again?

     Caraway –  I just love this one so much! I think Cara is such a great nickname!

     Saffron –  A bold choice. I honestly couldn’t picture this as a name but when I saw the character on Firefly with this namesake I changed my mind.

     Verbena – This one has the option for such wonderful nicknames like Bena and Vera!

     Angelica – A little frilly but very feminine and vintage.

Gents

     Sorrel – This just does it for me. I can’t explain it. It must work because it is similar to Soren, and Seren, two of my favorite name!

     Hawthorne – Although it elopes literary images it also stands for the medicinal herb.

     Sage – Yes, this could also work for a girl but I really like it for a little boy or man as well. I think it ages well (sage wisdom).

     Coriander – An unlikely choice but Cory and Andy are both possible nicknames so it works in my book.

     Clove – This is just a hop, skip and a jump from Clive that it still works and is quite refreshing.

     Basil – The European pronunciation of course! Bas is a cute nickname.

     Thyme –  I would love to see a little baby boy with and old man face named this! Ty is the perfect modern nickname.

Celestial Names

     Welcome to Name Apotheca’s first post!  Today NASA celebrates the Hubble’s 25th Anniversary. So what a better way to kick off this blog than with some celestial baby names!

Ladies

     Luna – this lovely name came from the Roman goddess of the moon. It is perfect for a child that comes on a full moon or whose parents are in awe of it’s beauty.

     Nova – This name means “new” in Latin, and although it may be for a daughter arriving on a new moon, it can also mean Supernova!

     Seren – This gorgeous name means “star” in Welsh, and will certainly tell your child you saw their birth as a shining event.

     Estelle – Another starry name, Estelle adds a French flair of sophistication and the possibility of the delightful nickname Estie.

     Celeste – “Of the sky, heavenly”, it is truly a beautiful meaning to bestow.

     Aurora – Although this name means “dawn”, it usually evokes the thought of the stunning Aurora Borealis. Rory is also a cute nickname and great for fans of Gilmore Girls.

     Andromeda – The Andromeda Galaxy of course! And Andi would make a darling nickname. This is a choice for the fanciful, as the galaxy was named after a beautiful mythical Greek goddess whose name means “to be mindful of man”.  She is known for being rescued by Perseus.  If that name is not feminist enough for you, just be reminded that the galaxy shines with the light of 1 trillion stars!

     Esther – Hebrew for “star” with a heroine namesake, it also has the cute nickname Estie.

Gents

     Orion – Orion the Hunter of course! This constellation was names after the Greek mythological hunter Orion, whose name means “dawn”.

     Cosmo – This a Greek name which means the “whole universe”! Maybe if you plan on having one child this might be a good choice because I can’t imagine a runner up to that title!  Also a great name for a Seinfeld fan.

     Borealis – This “north” and implies the imagery of the Aurora Borealis. Orry would make a great nickname!

     Zenith – This name stand for the highest point in the celestial sphere. Perhaps this is the runner up to Cosmo!

     Atlas – In Greek mythology Atlas was forced to support the heavens on his shoulders which is why his name means “to endure”. Although maybe not the most delightful connotations, perhaps your bestowing upon your son a title that symbolizes the strength to overcome whatever life throws his way.

     Perseus – With the nickname Percy, this is definitely a usable name.  In Greek mythology he saved Andromeda from a sea monster, what a gentleman! His name however means “to destroy”. He is forever set in the stars as a constellation.

     Callisto – In Greek mythology he was a nymph transformed into a bear and placed as a star in the constellation of Ursa Major (meaning large bear).  His name bears the meaning of “most beautiful”.  Call is a handsome nickname.

     Zeke – This Ancient name means “shooting star” in Aramaic.