Baby Names I Love but Will Not be Using
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I have been so excited to write this post for you guys! Sharing names that are most dear to my heart is not something I will be doing until we actually use it for a baby or until we’re finished having kids and I have names left over. The names on this list are ones that I have loved for a long time but we will not be using for a first name. The main reasons that we will not be using any of these names is because Joel just doesn’t like them, or they’re too close to a name a family member has. Some of these could still be potential middle names.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Maybe someday when we’re finished having kids I’ll write a “names I wanted to use but didn’t” post. I reserve the right to change my mind about any of these, but from all that I can see, we will not be using any of them.
Origin: German
Pronunciation: WAL-tur
Meaning: Ruler of the Army
Popularity: Walter has never dropped out of the top 1000 since 1900 and was most popular in 1910 where it sat at number 10. It currently is on the uptrend and sits at 265 in the US.
Analysis: I have loved the name Walter ever since I read Anne of Green Gables when I was a kid. Walter is absolutely the perfect vintage name that is coming back in style, but is definitely not overused. Joel and I both love this name, but we know a couple little Walters and now will likely not use it as a first name. It is still on our list for middle names though!
Origin: Old English
Pronunciation: EE-dith
Meaning: Fortunate in war
Popularity: Another name that has dropped out of the top 1000 since 1900 and was most popular in 1908 at number 27. It has been on the uptrend since 2010 and now sits at 476.
Analysis: Edith is one of my favorite vintage style girl names. I think I started to like it when I learned about Edie Sedgwick in high school. I think it is classy and vintage while having a nickname that sounds cutesy and modern. Joel and I both love this name but probably won’t use it due to us knowing a few Ediths.
Origin: Italian
Pronunciation: LOO-kuh
Meaning: Man from Luciana
Popularity: Luca broke into the top 1000 in 2000 and has taken the US by storm. While still on the uptrend, it currently sits at 130. While Luke and Lucas being quite popular boys names for a while now, the Italian variation Luca is a name that many Americans probably didn’t grow up hearing much.
Analysis: I can’t quite remember where I first heard the name Luca but it is one that has been on my list since before high school. It was also one of the first names Joel said no to when we found out we were having a boy. I was pretty bummed about it. Many celebrities have called their kids Luca, including Audrey Hepburn!
Origin: Scandinavian from Greek
Pronunciation: kA-yah, KEYE-yah
Meaning: Likely “pure” or “jackdaw” (bird name)
Popularity: Kaia leapt onto the American top 1000 in 2000 and rose to 332 by 2017. There are many spellings of this name and the other two in the top 1000 is Kaya at 934 and Kaiya at 959. Kaja does not rank in the US. While the variation Kai is generally used for boys, it ranks at 804 for girls!
Analysis: Kaia or Kaja is another name that I has been on my list for longer than I can remember. It is a name that is used and pronounceable across many different languages and cultures. I still love this name but probably won’t end up using it.
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: mag-nus (although in most Scandinavian countries is would be said more like Mog-NUs)
Meaning: Great
Popularity: Magnus entered the top 1000 in the US in 2013 and currently sits at 721. It is popular in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and Iceland.
Analysis: Magnus is a more recent name love of mine. It seems simple but packs a punch. Rick Riordan used it for his protagonist in his Magnus Chase and the Gods os Asgard series. Unfortunately for me, Joel hates it.
Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: LIE-ruh
Meaning: Lyre
Popularity: Lyra entered the top 1000 in the US in 2015 and currently sits at 727. It is more well known in England and Wales and is on the uptrend all around!
Analysis: I absolutely love Lyra. I think it is simple and a little bit spunky. I can see this becoming more popular, but having a slightly slower rise than some others because there is a bit of a pronunciation debate around the name. Some may want to say it “LEER-uh.” If you love it, don’t let that dissuade you from using it. It’s awesome. Joel doesn’t hate this name but he just isn’t super passionate about it. Also, I have a cousin who used it for his daughter so I’m alright with leaving it behind.
Origin: Old English
Pronunciation: HAD-lee
Meaning: Heather field
Popularity: For a boy, Hadley ranked in the top 1000 in 1908 and 1909. Last year, only 35 boys were named Hadley. For a girl, Hadley entered the top 1000 in 1998 and by 2012 ranked at 130. It may be beginning to start its downtrend but it is difficult to tell as of yet. It sits at 113 currently.
Analysis: I have loved Hadley for a boy for many many years. This is one that Joel and I both actually like! But we’ve vetoed it just for the reason that we love others more. One of Hemingway’s sons was named John Hadley.
Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: ES-tur
Meaning: Star
Popularity: Esther has not fallen out of the top 1000 in the US since 1900 and was most popular in 1913 at number 32. As with many vintage style names, Esther is currently on the slight uptrend since 2000 and currently sits at 165.
Analysis: Esther is a long time favorite Biblical girl name for me. Honestly, I’m not sure if this is totally out for me. I think it more likely that we’ll use it as a middle name though.
Origin: Nordic from Greek
Pronunciation: PEE-dur
Meaning: Rock
Popularity: Peter has never fallen out of the top 1000 since 1900 and was most popular in 1955 at number 35. It is currently on the slow downtrend and sits at 213.
Analysis: Peter is another long standing favorite of mine. It is absolutely still in the running as a middle name. Peter is probably my favorite disciple in the Bible and is a family name! In my Norwegian ancestry, it is spelled Peder and that is potentially the spelling we would use. Although, I like both!
Origin: Old Norse
Pronunciation: loh-ah
Meaning: Golden plover
Popularity: Lóa has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and only 9 girls were called Lóa last year! It is well used in many Scandinavian countries, especially Iceland.
Analysis: Lóa was a recent addition to my name list that was pretty quickly shot down by the husband. He thinks it’s forgettable but I think it’s stunning and simple. I would love for someone else to use this name. Please do!
Origin: Likely Latin
Pronunciation: TARE-ens
Meaning: Clan name
Popularity: Terence was most popular in 1964 where it ranked at 241. It dropped out of the top 1000 in 2004 and only 80 boys were given the name last year. The slightly more popular spelling variation Terrence was most popular in 1950 where it ranked at 176. It is still in the top 1000 at 884. The even more modern spelling variation Terrance was most popular in 1980 at 179 and now sits at 778.
Analysis: I don’t quite remember what the inspiration was that spurred my like of Terence. I think it sounds vintage but also slightly whimsical without being “out there” at all. Joel basically hates it. Boo.
Origin: Elaboration on Lucia, therefore Italian, from Latin
Pronunciation: loo-SIN-duh
Meaning: Light
Popularity: Lucinda does not currently rank in the top 1000 in the US but was most popular in 1953 at 260. Only 154 girls were named Lucinda last year. However, Lucille currently ranks at 264 and Lucy as a stand alone name ranks at 52!
Analysis: I just love Lucinda and I think I always will. I love the slightly gothic, but still approachable feel that it has. I just can’t get Joel on board with Lucinda. Plus we already have a Lucy in the family so I was ok letting it go, but still, somebody please use it for me!
Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: KEER-un
Meaning: Little dark one
Popularity: Kieran entered the top 1000 in the US in 1992 and has stayed in the middle area since then. It currently ranks at 510. The traditional spelling, Ciarán, was used 59 times last year.
Analysis: Kieran has been on my list for many years! It was definitely on our list for Boaz and we tossed it around for a couple weeks. While we both still like this name a lot, we have decided there are just many that we like more. The feminine form Ciara or the anglicized Kiera has been one of my favorite girl names since I was a little girl as well.
Origin: German
Pronunciation: Gre-tul
Meaning: Pearl
Popularity: Gretel has never ranked in the top 1000 in the US and it was only used 41 times last year! Greta, however, currently ranks at 632 in the US.
Analysis: Gretel is not a name that I’ve loved for a long time but more one that has grown on me recently. My mom, middle sister, and myself have all played Gretel in The Sound of Music. I love many other names from Sound of Music (one of which is my top 3. Any guesses?) and all of the sudden Gretel really stuck out to me. I asked Joel about it and it was an immediate veto, unfortunately. Gretel is a German diminutive of Margaret. It is sometimes spelled Gretl or Gretal, but rarely. I want more people to use this name! It would be a lovely way to honor a Margaret in your family!
I hope you enjoyed this list! I would love to hear about names that you love but won’t be using and why! I think the different criteria that people use to decide on a name is so interesting.
I am not an expert by any means in baby names but historical, etymological, cultural, and linguistic accuracy is important to me. If you have any questions or comments about a particular name, be sure to let me know!
All name data is taken from the SSA with 1900 being the farthest back I am able to search.
All photo credit goes to: Ethan J. York // origo photography
