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Appellation Mountain takes care of my name fix with its Name of The Day. Each entry is written in a lively style and gives historical and literary associations. She tends to alternate boy and girl names, and they come from quite varied backgrounds. http://appellationmountain.net/

Wondering about an ancestor’s name? I suggested Zenaida as NOTD. It was my grandmother’s name and I’ve met very few women with the name. A snippet from what she wrote about it on November 3rd: “Zenaida and company could appeal to parents who crave the exotic and the historic. If you’re heartbroken to learn that Sophia is a Top Ten pick and fear that even Claudia and Cordelia are too familiar, a choice like this might satisfy. Of course, with her bright “ay” sound and vibrant Z at the top, she manages to sound crisp and modern, too. We can see Zenaida substituting for Mikayla.”

But don’t think she only writes about unusual names! While many are not in the Social Security Administration’s Top 1000, she does not shy away from the Top 100. In the past few weeks she has featured 1-syllable names like Wren, Lance and Trent. Jubal, Titus and Zedekiah come from the Bible. You want different? Caradoc and Corisande, Araminta and Hamish fit the bill. Classics like George and Edward, Philip and Alexander have appeared in her November and December posts, as have names that were popular in the 19th Century like Harvey and Mabel.

Today’s Name of the Day is the jewel name Gemma. Other recent girl names she has delved into are Carys, Minerva and Natasha. Whether you’re wanting to name a character or a baby, suggest a name to a friend or are just interested in names, Appellation Mountain always provides a good read.