Baby Names

Yes, I am single with no children, but that hasn't stopped me from pondering the possibilities of baby names.

For girls:

Ursula Rose (Ursula's the name of a revered mentor and friend)
Olivia Violet (my firstborn daughter would definitely be so named)
Did you know? Shakespeare first created the name "Olivia" for a character in "Twelfth Night." I like the association with the olive tree, which represents peace.
Mercy (a character in The Witch of Blackbird Pond)
Laurel (I'm all about the plant names)
Judith (after my favorite aunt and also the name of a wonderful friend)
Marlee (after another beloved and admired aunt)
Noelle (How could you not love a name that means "Christmas"?)
Irene
Isabelle
Anna (my childhood best friend and just a beautiful name)
Bronwyn (yet another one of my favorite people)
Katherine (for a middle name)
Elizabeth (for a middle name)
Sophie (after Sophie Scholl)

I like alliteration in first and middle names, especially when a middle consonant from the first name becomes the first letter of the middle name (like in URsula Rose and OliVia Violet). Or vice versa (like in Laurel IsabeLLe). It's bad if they rhyme, unless the emphasis is on different syllables. Don't ask me why. I'm an English major, what can I say?

For boys:

Noah
Isaiah
Zechariah (I really like names that end in "h" or "iah", obviously)
Isaac
Jacob
Levi
Noel
Oliver
James

The biblical theme is unintentional but not without its merits.

I like the idea of my husband's first name becoming our firstborn son's middle name.

Presumptious? Perhaps.

As a side note, www.babynameworld.com is a great resource for names sorted by ethnic/cultural origin.