Choosing a girl's or boys names can seem a great responsibility for many parents. For some parents to be it is what the name meanings are that is important, whilst the sound of the name or names, first, middle and surname takes priority for others. Others may want to steer clear of certain arrangements of initials. It can be a controversial area for couples especially if there are no areas of agreement.
There are many different reasons that can influence a parent's choice of a child's name. In the past family traditions would have played a large part with children named after their parents and grandparents. Now there are other influences on the choice of a child's name, such as the media and celebrities as well as the influences of other cultures and traditions. Another trend is to go for names that reflect places perhaps the most well known of these is the name Brooklyn but also names such as Sienna or Orlando.
The impact of celebrity lifestyles may not have as big an impact as we might think. Whilst sometimes we might see a plethora of little Keiras or Kylies being brought into the world, many lists that are compiled of popular names show that the top ten does not really change that much. At the top of the boys names list for three years running has been the name Jack and with Thomas and Oliver being in second or third for almost the same length of time. In the same vein Olivia and Grace have been up at the top of the lists of popular names for girls for the same length of time.
There have been some changes in the lists though, with top ten boys names, names such as Thomas, James or William have started moving down the top ten whilst other names have been moving up such as Charlie, Alfie and Harry. In the lists of girls names there hasn't been too much change although names such as Mia and Ellie have entered the top ten and the name Lily has gained considerably in popularity.
Names have different origins and name meanings and a number of girls names in the top ten are of Latin or Greek origins. Lucy and Ellie both mean light with Ellie having a Greek origin whilst Lucy comes from the Latin. Another popular name from the Latin is Lily and this name means blossoming flower.
Of the top ten girls names only Jessica has a Hebrew origin, the name Jessica means wealthy. There are however more of the popular boys names with a Hebrew origin. Names such as John that means 'God is gracious', the name Jack is derived from John or Daniel that means 'God is my Judge'.
Names with an English origin are not that common in the either the boys or girls top tens, there are however Harry and Ruby which both have an English origin. The meaning of Ruby is naturally a ruby jewel whereas with Harry the name is derived from the Scandinavian origin of Harold which means army ruler.
As may be expected a lot of the popular girls names have very soft feminine name meanings such as Lucy - light or Chloe - blossoming, with the exception of Amelia which means industrious. The popular boys names have a lot of biblical connotations within their name meanings but also some masculine elements perhaps most directly with Charlie, coming from the Charles with a Germanic origin the names means manly and farmer.
There are many different reasons that can influence a parent's choice of a child's name. In the past family traditions would have played a large part with children named after their parents and grandparents. Now there are other influences on the choice of a child's name, such as the media and celebrities as well as the influences of other cultures and traditions. Another trend is to go for names that reflect places perhaps the most well known of these is the name Brooklyn but also names such as Sienna or Orlando.
The impact of celebrity lifestyles may not have as big an impact as we might think. Whilst sometimes we might see a plethora of little Keiras or Kylies being brought into the world, many lists that are compiled of popular names show that the top ten does not really change that much. At the top of the boys names list for three years running has been the name Jack and with Thomas and Oliver being in second or third for almost the same length of time. In the same vein Olivia and Grace have been up at the top of the lists of popular names for girls for the same length of time.
There have been some changes in the lists though, with top ten boys names, names such as Thomas, James or William have started moving down the top ten whilst other names have been moving up such as Charlie, Alfie and Harry. In the lists of girls names there hasn't been too much change although names such as Mia and Ellie have entered the top ten and the name Lily has gained considerably in popularity.
Names have different origins and name meanings and a number of girls names in the top ten are of Latin or Greek origins. Lucy and Ellie both mean light with Ellie having a Greek origin whilst Lucy comes from the Latin. Another popular name from the Latin is Lily and this name means blossoming flower.
Of the top ten girls names only Jessica has a Hebrew origin, the name Jessica means wealthy. There are however more of the popular boys names with a Hebrew origin. Names such as John that means 'God is gracious', the name Jack is derived from John or Daniel that means 'God is my Judge'.
Names with an English origin are not that common in the either the boys or girls top tens, there are however Harry and Ruby which both have an English origin. The meaning of Ruby is naturally a ruby jewel whereas with Harry the name is derived from the Scandinavian origin of Harold which means army ruler.
As may be expected a lot of the popular girls names have very soft feminine name meanings such as Lucy - light or Chloe - blossoming, with the exception of Amelia which means industrious. The popular boys names have a lot of biblical connotations within their name meanings but also some masculine elements perhaps most directly with Charlie, coming from the Charles with a Germanic origin the names means manly and farmer.
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