Articles & ideas
Short, practical reads for the long weeks of narrowing a shortlist. Fresh articles added every couple of days.
2026 baby name trends: what's rising, fading, and quietly staying
A look at the names gaining ground, the once-popular picks losing steam, and the unshakeable classics that still dominate nurseries.
Names that work in two languages: a practical guide for bilingual families
How to choose a name that pronounces well, means something kind, and avoids unfortunate connotations across two cultures.
Honoring a family name without repeating it
Five gentler ways to carry a grandparent or parent's name forward, initials, meanings, sounds, and adjacent variants.
10 Greek names with powerful meanings (and the stories behind them)
From Alexander to Zoe, the mythology, the history, and what each name actually carries with it today.
How to pick a baby name: a calm, structured approach
A six-step framework to move from "we have no idea" to a confident shortlist, without spiraling or fighting about it.
Do name meanings actually matter? An honest answer
The case for and against weighting meaning heavily, and how most parents end up landing somewhere in the middle.
Gender-neutral names: a modern guide
The rise of unisex names, how to tell which neutral names lean masculine or feminine right now, and 30 picks across the spectrum.
30 nature-inspired names with grounded meanings
Names drawn from trees, water, weather, stones, and seasons, from familiar (Wren, River) to rarer picks (Linnea, Tamsin).
Short baby names that don't feel small
Three to five letters, full of weight. A guide to picking a short name that ages well and pairs cleanly with any surname.
Names from literature: 12 picks with quiet power
From Atticus to Cosette, names borrowed from books that have aged into beautiful, usable real-world choices.
Irish and Celtic names: pronunciation, meaning, and modern wearability
Aoife, Niamh, Cian, Saoirse, gorgeous names that come with a pronunciation question. Here's how to navigate it.
Japanese names for non-Japanese families: a respectful guide
When borrowing is fine, when it isn't, and how to think about meaning, kanji, and pronunciation if you do choose one.
Vintage names making a comeback in 2026
Hazel, Theodore, Florence, August. The grandparent-era names that have shed their dustiness and feel fresh again.
First, middle, last: how to make all three names flow
Rhythm, syllables, ending sounds, repeated consonants. The small audio details that separate a name that sings from one that stumbles.
How to avoid name regret (and what to do if you have it)
The patterns behind name regret, how to test your shortlist before committing, and the small fixes that work if doubt sets in later.
Naming characters in fiction: a writer's guide
Why character names carry more weight than parents' names, and a working method for picking ones readers actually remember.