◊◊◊ Malcolm: Featured name ◊◊◊

Malcolm

Gender: M

Origin of Malcolm: Scottish

Meaning of Malcolm: "devotee of St. Colomba"

Malcolm's Popularity in 2009: #602

"Malcolm is a warm and welcoming Scottish appellation that fits into that golden circle of names that are distinctive but not odd. A royal name in Scotland, Malcolm is also a hero name for many via radical civil rights activist Malcolm X. "

"From Scottish Máel Coluim which means "disciple of Saint COLUMBA". This was the name of four kings of Scotland starting in the 10th century, including Malcolm III, who became king after killing Macbeth, the usurper who had murdered his father. The character Malcolm in Shakespeare's tragedy 'Macbeth' (1606) is based on him. Another famous bearer was Malcolm X (1925-1965), an American civil rights leader."

"Gaelic name meaning "follower or devotee of the dove", where the dove is usually St. Columba.
It was a popular name among Scottish nobility, and the first name of black Muslim Minister and Civil Rights leader Malcolm X."


Nicknames & Variations for Malcolm:
Mal, Malcalm, Malcohm, Malcolum, Malcom, Malkolm


My favorite combo: Joshua Malcolm

Sources:
http://www.behindthename.com/name/malcolm
http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Malcolm.html
http://nameberry.com/babyname/MALCOLM

◊◊◊ Rhiannon: Featured name ◊◊◊

Rhiannon (REE-an-on)

Gender: F

Origin of Rhiannon: Welsh

Meaning of Rhiannon: "divine queen"; "goddess"

"A lovely Welsh name with links to the moon, associated with a 1970s Fleetwood Mac song; especially appropriate for a family with Welsh roots."

"Derived from the old Celtic name Rigantona meaning "great queen". In Welsh mythology Rhiannon was the goddess of fertility and the moon. This name is also borne by a princess in Welsh legends, the wife of Pwyll. As an English name, it became popular due to the Fleetwood Mac song 'Rhiannon' (1976)."

"Rhiannon is the goddess of horses in Welsh mythology. Rhiannon is also the title of a Fleetwood Mac song."

Nicknames & Variations for Rhiannon:
Reanna, Rheanna, Rhianna, Rhianon, Rianna, Riannon, Rianon

My favorite combo: Cassia Rhiannon

Names with similar ratings: Eireann, Agnieszka, Althea, Ilana, Isis, Natasha
Names from nymblar: Teagan, Nia, Tatianna, Olivia, Cameron, Ava, Cayla, Kyara, Carys, Bronwyn, Felicity, Charlotte

Sources:
http://nameberry.com/babyname/RHIANNON
http://www.behindthename.com/name/rhiannon
http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/meaning_of_Rhiannon.html

7 (or 8) Deadly Trends: A Naming Tribute

This is a must-read article about naming don'ts: http://youcantcallitit.com/7-deadly-trends/

Deadly Trends

1) Mc, Mak, or Mac names (McKayla, Makayla, McKenna, Maklynnzey)
2) Surname names (Tanner, Taylor, Parker, Gage)
3) Aiden replacements (Brayden, Xaden, Jaeden, Kayden, Caden etc.)
4) Ella names (Ella, Isabella, Stella, Arabella, Eleanor, Anabelle, Elliot)
5) K instead of C (Karla, Karlee, Karlie, Kasey, Katelyn, Konner, Kaleb,)
6) Y substitution (Shayley, Jayla, Braylin, Rylie, and Myleah)
7) Geolographic names (Abilene, Alabama, America, Aspen, Chelsea, Holland, Hudson (after the river), India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kingston)
8) Masculine names on girls (Kyle, Tyler, Logan, Elliot, Ryan) <-- This isn't in the article, I added it because it's a pet peeve of mine.

Percent of answers that named this trend as one of the worst 3 (17 total answers):
1) 9%
2) 3%
3) 18%
4) 12%
5) 12%
6) 24%
7) 12%
8) 12%




Note: I'm using the word "sin" in the picture not to imply that these trends are sins, just to go with the title of the article "7 Deadly Trends."

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse... Cute?

Here is an exact quote from a yahoo answers question, as well as a few answers.

Question:

"Okay so I don't plan on using this as a name but don't you think its cute? Maybe not the meaning.....but it sounds cute for a little girl!

The name is- Pestilence. Beside the meaning for one second doesn't it sound cute for a girl??"

Source 1: Horsemen

Source 2: Pestilence

Answers:
"i dont really like it"

"Sorry, but i don't like it. It reminds of Pesticide."

"Actually kinda. But i wouldnt use it."

"Please rethink. Your child will have to go to school with that name. I think it would be difficult for your child.
I am sure you can find one just as creative but not as negative a meaning."

"I don't even know the meaning so that's good for my answer :P
It's alright. I certainly wouldn't ever use it though."


"Yeah I think it's cute but a bit too 'out there' for my liking, I prefer traditional/common names"

"Sounds like a name I'd give an annoying younger sibling, like a variant of pest."
"No. It sounds like a medication."
 
"HAHAHA!
Dude, if you try and forget about the meaning for a second, it actually does sort of a little bit sound like a decent name for a little girl. Then you think about disease and bugs and nastiness and then you wander "What the frick was I thinking?" ♥ "

"It does sound cute.
Im glad your not planning on using it though!! Not exactly the best haha!!!
Its funny how horrible meaning words can have lovely sounds though. I think Chlamydia sounds really nice for a girl. OBVIOUSLY i'd never ever dream in a million years of using it. But it sounds cute!
So does Nemesis!"
 
^note, none of these answers are mine. I omitted my answer, but I'm sure you can guess how I feel about it.