Why You Can Do Better Than a TOP TEN BABY NAME

There are totally certain subjects smart bloggers should never touch with a ten foot pole... And this is definitely one of them! So why am I poking this topic with a 1" stick? Because no one ever said I was a smart blogger... DUH! ALSO, this is my 100th blog post- therefore I decided a little controversy was in order... to keep things jazzy!

The guys over at Wait But Why wrote an amazing piece on baby naming a couple months back that had me giddy and giggling the entire time I read it... They NAILED IT. And everyone I know read it and agreed with its awesomeness. This post will be much less statistical and much more opinion oriented- I'm not trying to compete with perfection!

In order to give it some validity (and share the blame for pissing so many people off)... I have wrangled in my BFF, my bestie, my road dawg in life. We've been friends for something like 15 years and in that time she has proved to be the only other person (ok, there's you Karissa) who I know loves the process of baby naming as much as I do. SO- I introduce to you... Kelsey Anderson! She will be helping me with my name lists- don't get too attached, you might hate us both by the end ;)

Aren't we cute?

A few weeks after reading the Wait But Why post my three year old daughter and I had an amazing conversation- sealing the deal on this post. I asked her about a girl in her class, who I'd noticed she'd been playing with a lot (I will guard this precious child's name with my life- mainly for fear that her parents might find me and have me killed.) Anyway, I said to her, "Birdie- Are you becoming good friends with _______?" And without skipping a beat she said to me, "Which _______?! There's too many of them in my class!" Of course at first I lol'd like any good mother with an ironic sense of humor would (because even my three year old knows when a name has hit Top 10!!)... And then I really started thinking about names and why people get so stuck on certain ones.

I mean- NAMES... they're like... A BIG DEAL! I have personally loved names since as long as I can remember. I vividly remember having twin dolls as a young kid and giving them the names Zoe & Chloe (I've always been a trendsetter- what can I say?)

I love "helping" expectant mother's find names (and with a whopping 6 friends currently pregnant right now- I'm throwing ideas out and annoying every one of them!). I love learning the reasons behind a chosen name and I love Googling the meaning of a name. But there is nothing that I love more than finding out the ranking of a name. Yes- ranking. As in- I want to know just how popular/trendy a name is. Usually when I hear a name I know right away if it's within the top 100. That's easy. In this post we're going to dissect the trendy ones and alert you to the up & comers... How fun!

Before we get in to our "stats" let us assure/warn you: WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS! I (Kenna) personally don't even know how people gather actual statistical data therefore this is all mainly our own opinions gathered via the internet as well as what we are hearing all around us in our kid's classrooms and park dates (Kenna in California/Kelsey in Wisconsin- and don't forget the Facebook birth announcements!) This info should only be taken seriously if you like us, and even then only if you yourselves dislike trendy names.

HERE. WE. GO.

The Overtly Trendy Name
You've always loved the name, I know. I had some names I loved as a child too... But miraculously I was able to find another one when it came to naming my child. Let me assure you of something, you can find another one too. You don't have to go with the name you've loved since you were 10- just because you've loved it since you were 10! A lot of new names have appeared- it's a new world for names as a matter of fact! While we're at it... Just stay away from the top 20 okay? Do us all a favor and branch out.

Of course no one (but us) is going to disagree with you when you shout it to the world you're naming your son Aiden, Jack or Noah (the 3 I hear the most)-  everyone's heard them so many times at this point they're par for the course. But have you thought about the fact that it might be more awesome to think of a name that your child can claim all to themselves- at least in their classroom?

Now in case you're really not in the name game at all- this is what we're humbly recommending you NOT name your baby in 2014 and on (there shall be a gag order given to these names until maybe 2030ish) unless you REALLY enjoy the thought of your child always having their last name initial attached to that lovely first name... Carrying it in to adulthood... "Hi, this is Bella! Bella Smith. No... No, the one with blond hair. Short blond hair.... YES! That one! Hi, how are you?"

Boys:

• Noah
• Liam
• Jacob
• Mason
• William
• Ethan
• Michael
• Alexander
• Jayden/Jaden
• Daniel
• Elijah
• Aiden
• James
• Benjamin
• Matthew
• Jackson
• Logan
• David
• Anthony
• Joseph

Girls:

• Sophia/Sofia
• Emma
• Olivia
• Isabella/Bella
• Ava
• Mia
• Emily
• Abigail
• Madison
• Elizabeth
• Charlotte
• Avery
• Chloe
• Ella
• Harper
• Aubrey
• Amelia
• Addison
• Evelyn
• Grace

The Sneaky Trendy Name
These are the names ranging from rankings 30-100 (or that are rising at warp speed into the Top 100). They might not be in your face right now but good lord on high they are coming to a baby near you soon. Example from years past: the name Madison. Have you ever met a Madison's mom who swears they'd never heard the name and then their baby hit Kinder and was in a sea of Madison's (or it's more popular alias: Maddie)? This genuinely happened to that name in 1997. At record speed in went from the ranking of 50 (1995) to Top 10 (1997). SO BE AWARE! That's all we're saying! Don't just think you're the only person in the world with a name idea... RESEARCH! (This isn't the 90's where you actually had to put in a big effort to find out if a name was popular!)

Another sneaker name was Grayson. I remember a mom-to-be actually telling me that she "made the name up". Ya. You and every other mom in LA County in 2008.

You might know this list like the back of your hand based on filling out your kid's Valentine cards last year... But just in case- currently, this is what we're looking at (in random order fyi)...

Boys:

• Asher/Ash
• Eli
• Ryder
• Finn/Finley
• Quinn
• Elliot
• Sebastian
• Kaden/Caden
• Declan
• Bennett
• Wyatt
• Luke
• Hunter
• Max
• Oliver
• Jaxon (be aware of those crazy spellings only adding to the trendiness of a name!)
• Carter
• Everett
• Cash
• Silas
• Landon
• Emmett
• Cade/Kade
• Gavin
• Levi
• Hudson
• Jude
• Chase
• Ryder
• Easton
• Weston
• Zachary
• Gabriel

Girls:

• Nora/Norah
• Ruby
• Violet
• Finley/Finlee
• Zoe/Zoey
• Quinn
• Gianna/Giana
• Iris
• Piper
• Mila
• Brooklyn
• Scarlett
• Hadley
• Vivian
• Ellie/Elle
• Savannah
• Penelope/Penny
• Sadie
• Alice
• Paisley/Paislee
• Aria
• London/Londyn (enough with the 'Y' already, people!)
• Reese/Reece/Rhys
• Adelaide/Adaline/Adalyn
• Hazel
• Delilah
• Eden
• Olive
• Stella

The Upcoming Trendy Name
In no way are we telling you to avoid these names- if you notice I have even placed my own daughter's name on the list. All we are doing is warning you- they are on the rise and have entered the top 1000 (or are set to this year). Don't think you're crazy original and go spouting off to all your friends how it came to you in some name vision. No- you actually saw it in People Magazine under the "Celebrity Births of the Week" section... (Or was that just me?) One thing we've learned in the last few years is that NO NAME IS SAFE. Even when I'd (Kenna) researched my kids names to infinity and beyond... I never thought Birdie would became an "up and coming" name on Baby Center (the most popular name-finding website). Because had I have known that- it would've broken my "No Top 1000" rule (which is on track to happen when the social security list for 2014 is released!) Fun fact: her real name is Roberta- so take that Top 1000!

Announcement by Hello Love

Boys:

• Braxton
• Brixton
• Sawyer
• Rowan
• Gunner
• Stryker
• Maverick
• Axel
• Archer
• Memphis
• Atlas
• Gideon
• Atticus
• Allister
• Dash
• Phoenix
• Rex
• Ace
• River
• Enzo
• Beckett
• Seamus 
• Luca/Lucca
• Duke
• Royal
• Nixon
• Cassius
• Bo
• Thatcher
• Nash

Girls:

• Ellery
• Ellody
• Birdie
• Farrah
• Story
• Romy
• Tallulah
• Isla
• Greta
• Braelyn/Braelynn
• Luna
• Eve/Evie
• Lilia
• Gwyneth/Gwendolyn/Gwen
• India 
• Indie
• Collins
• Karis
• Magnolia
• Pearl
• Teagan
• Hattie
• Lux/Luxx
• Freya
• Willow
• Phoebe
• Fiona
• Ivory
• Juniper
• Poppy 
• Wren
• Clementine

The I'm-Going-With-a-Classic-and-I-Don't-Care Name

You're dead set on the name George. I mean if it's good enough for the Princess, it's good enough for you. Hey... You know what? Bless it. One of Cormac's best friend's name is William and his mom acknowledges his classically popular name with pride. Just be sure that you can own the fact that it's not only a classic... But most likely very trendy too. And can ya do us just one favor? Get a little crazy with the middle name... Huh? Can ya?

This years 3 "Big Classics":

Boys:

• Charlie
• Samuel
• Henry

Girls:

• Anna
• Lucy
• Caroline

The Celeb-Kid-Name-Gone-Trendy-That-Will-Conjure-Up-Image-of-Celeb-Kid-Every-Time 
Look- if The Pitts have named their kid something- they won, you loose- find something else. I (Kelsey) was actually very interested in the name Pax until Angie got her hands on it... I moved on!

Every time I hear the name Maddox this is what I think of.

• Jayden
• Maddox
• Matilda
• Knox
• Apple
• Kingston
• Coco
• Moses
• Everly
• Shiloh

Hello baby girl Maxwell Drew! We didn't see that one coming.

The Boy Name as Girl Name
This trend has been around for awhile. I mean my parents got my name (Kelsey) out of the boy section of the baby name book. But more recently this trend rocketed into popularity when model/actress Jaime King started going by James. Now I find myself asking my kids, "Which Ryan? Boy Ryan or girl Ryann?" This is also a big one that parents think they made up, then encounter 3 other "girl Jameses" in play group.

Here are a few we've heard this year...

• Charlie/Charlee
• Elliott
• Emerson
• Michael
• Ashton
• Rowan
• Ace
• Presley/Preslee
• Austin
• Cash/Kash
• Landon/Landyn 
• Axel/Axyl/Axl
• Luca/Lucca
• Maverick
• Nico
• Jameson
• James
• Ryan/Ryann
• Maxwell
• Brett/Brette
• Wyatt

How to Thoroughly Research a Name...
You didn't think we were just going to bitch and moan about a bunch of names and then not provide you with resources for finding names we like more, did you? No way! Of course there are plenty of great books out there I'm sure- but at this point I think it's pretty safe to say that what's in the books is on the internet...

Here are our favorite naming websites...

www.babycenter.com
www.nameplayground.com
www.nameberry.com
www.parents.com/baby-names
www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames
www.babynamewizard.com
www.babynames.com
www.babble.com/baby-names
www.deadspin.com/american-baby-names-are-somehow-getting-even-worse

Researching Names Based on Cultural Preference...
When I (Kenna) was pregnant with Cormac, I was dead set on giving him an Irish name. Likewise, my friend Amy (who's married to an Italian man) would only consider Italian names for her four boys: Giacomo, Luciano, Valentino and Massimo (I helped her with that last one!)

If your goal is to stay true to your roots- the easiest way to find a name within your cultural preference is to find a good website dedicated to it... Exactly how I found the name Cormac!

Irish
Scottish
English
Italian
African
Nordic
Greek

In closing...

You've finished the post and somehow we've managed to take down at least 3 names in your immediate family or extended... And here's the deal. We still love kids with trendy names- in fact some of my (Kenna) kid's favorite friends to play with are Liam, Noah and Ava. While we do not in anyway, shape or form CONDONE these names for 2014 & on... We vow to still love the babies even if you choose to ignore us. Well, that's kind of a lie because I don't even really like other people's babies/children in general... I mean, my own push their luck at times... But anyway- we will still appreciate them as human beings...?

Before you huff and puff and type your angry comments just remember that this entire post was written mainly to make name snobs laugh  provoke thought when choosing your sweet little precious' name... And hopefully go viral, duh.

NOW GO NAME YOUR BABY!

[Practically] Baby Name Experts,
Kenna (#997) & Kelsey (#306)

SheKnows.com has some great naming insight!

The Top 10 Party Trends I Don't Want to See Anymore

Trust me. I am in no position in the party industry to be writing this post, I have been blogging all of a month...? It is so overly presumptuous of me I keep trying to stop my hands from typing- but I can't. And this post isn't for everyone so give me a moment to clarify. If you're a mellow party planner who stumbled across this blog post- this is not for you. My hat is off to you if you're ordering some Costco pizzas and having a few kids over for a non-themed sleepover. I am writing this for people who LOVE planning parties, mostly moms like myself who are crazy party people (oh- admit it already, at least it's not quilting...yet...) who love making every party over the top and better than the last. This post's for you babe.

This all started when I came across this adorable blog called One Stylish Party and I read her Trend Forecast for 2013. It was dead on- seriously, she nailed it. And I was kind of bummed she nailed it because I was planning to put together something very similar...(well, not nearly as cute) but just the brass tacks of what I've been seeing in party trends for 2013. And sure, I still could...but it got me thinking. What party trends are DONE? What am I seriously SO sick of seeing? Now brace yourself, you ARE most likely going to disagree with me (up to 99.9% of you maybe?) so then, why can't I stop typing?! Just bear with me, please? You see, I really DO have a background in trend forecasting... I am not even sure how to prove this, call my last big employer? I worked in an industry for 5 years (read here for more) where we made trend boards daily and just trust me, I know when trends are over or on there way out, tomorrow.

One last plug before you leave me... anything that gets done 5,000 different ways is just that- done. The people have seen it. If you're an aspiring party planner, like myself- it is in my opinion, important to set yourself apart with unique themes, color palettes and if it's a dessert table: unique desserts. So... having said that...

The Top 10 Party Trends I Either Want To See WAY Less of...or Not At All in 2013...

1. The Little Man/ Little Mister Party or Boy Baby Shower. If I see one more mustache on a toddler I'm gonna ralph. We've been celebrating the mustache craze since 2010. It's been 3 years people. Let's move on. (Move it on to the bow tie if you love the "Little Mister" idea so much, also give it a new name?). LOTS of cute bow tie party ideas out there right now. If you have a party where the character LITERALLY has a mustache, ex: Mario or Captian Hook- then hey! mustache it up! Otherwise. Stop. There are obviously a couple exceptions to any dead trend...one of them lies in this amazingly well done Little Mister party by Lux Events. Anything done this well escapes all judgement. Other than this please see the Bow Tie party below it and take a hint.

                           Super delish looking Bow Tie Party below party by My Sweet & Saucy

2. The Rainbow Layer Cake. It's done. Move on. At least do it in pastels, ombre, black and white- whatever...a new twist makes it (almost) totally new again. Put it in a push pop for goodness sakes, I just did and anything "mini" becomes new again. Just please change it up.

3. The HERSHEY Bar Gender Reveal Party Favor. It was crazy clever, I know it. And then Pinterest got it and everyone did it in one month. Which is fine- you got in before it got killed. But now it's dead, so leave it alone. Plenty of other Gender Reveal ideas... I'll be showing off some on this blog at the end of March.

4. Apothocary Jars. Oh dear, I've gone too far. I know, you're getting mad. "My JARS??!" you're thinking... maybe you even just yelled out, "But I just bought a set, and they were $70!" Hear me out. They were classy. They were quaint. They were even hard to find. Now they're at Ross, Target, Michael's and Walmart. Whenever I see a party trend at ALL of the mass retailers, I've officially moved on. Now I'm not saying I'll never use them, because I will from time to time. But use them on a party theme that fits. Easter party? Check! Tea Party? Check! Every party you ever throw does not need 3 jars at different heights filled with pink and blue shiny gumballs. You can do better. There are so many jars, vases, mugs, etc. that you can fill with sweets. Find something that will set you apart, that is always my goal (in life too, actually).

5. Paper (ehhhhhh...) Straws (ahhhhhh!)
NO. Take it back. Ok, I do. No I don't. Ahhh, I'm so confused! Ok, let's compromise. Paper straws are totally adorbs. I use them a ton and I love them. They go with plenty of party themes. But a Construction Party they do NOT go with, (unless it's these Birch wood paper straws by Kikkerland?!) So do you get it? Any twist on the normal striped straw- totally ok: Floral straws? Polka Dots? Hearts? Chevron? (But oh, chevron, you're not so safe yet- we'll get to you....) ALL adorable new ways of keeping a great party idea around and not burning it out. One last paper straw note- NO more naked straws. It's almost offensive to see a missed opportunity on a paper straw- esp. if it's a plain striped one. Lots of cute ideas for dressing up straws (flags, ribbons, glitter foam stickers), I even recently saw straw tassels and mini cupcakes shoved through and used this idea in our St. Patty's Day shoot.

6. The Half Backdrop/ Un-Ironed Linens and Plastic Table Clothes. These are not necessarily trends, quite the opposite- I just NEED to address them. Let's start with backdrops... Trust me, when it comes to backdrops I have made some HUGE mistakes and I'm a repeat offender... I'm learning with every party- it's probably been my very biggest learning curve. The backdrop that is a sheet of wood or foam core covered in fabric or wrapping paper set behind a table (been there, done that) well, let me tell you something: it doesn't photograph well. Maybe for detail shots, but people want to see the whole table and from a full view- it looks like you're missing something if your backdrop is smaller than your (typically) 6 ft. table. It needs to be BIG (covering wide and tall enough so that when you or your photog steps back you can see a full view of your table and your backdrop isn't cutting shorter than the table). The shot is just awkward otherwise. Get a fully established collapsible backdrop that you can use behind every dessert table. Un-ironed Linens: Oh dear Lord, I JUST invested in a legit steamer, what the heck was I waiting for?! It takes SO much away from the table if you're starring at wrinkled linens in the photos. The detail shots of my husband's Grandmother's 90th were gorg, but in the full view- all I see are wrinkles and an awkward, too tall backdrop. I've learned from that table. End of story. Plastic Table Clothes: NO, NO, NO. I don't care that they're $1.00. Find a white linen 72" table cloth at Walmart for $10.99 and a fun table runner. The only time plastic is ok is if you're throwing a party at Chuck E Cheese.

7. Chevron. Ok, I have a chevron rug, I need to get that out of the way like asap. I like chevron, we've been good friends since 2011. I think it's a fun and modern design. But to see it in every party detail, let's get over that. No more entire large chevron print backdrops please- they're done. If you want a touch of chevron- try something more unique.... like maybe chevron baking cups or cookie bags?

8. Baker's Twine. It's cute. I can see its use. But just remember, there are a LOT of adorable ribbons out there. Just because the big party blogs are showing baker's twine tied around everything doesn't mean you need to tie your cookies and every other tie-able thing with it. I've never used it. I don't think I ever will. I am a real fan of different kinds of ribbons.

9. Washed Out Photography. Trust me- my eyes are 20/20. I'm good in the vision department. So then why can I hardly see most of the professional photography that's being taken of these amazing parties lately? It seems to be a trend. Well guess what, that trend sucks. I want to actually SEE your party details. Not some sun shining on your pennants to make them look artsy. I mostly see this is the whole Shabby Chic party themes...Oh no...here we go...

10. Shabby Chic Parties. Like with the Mister Man Party, I have seen only one exception in the last year of a perfectly done Shabby Chic party, but I'm sure there are plenty more because 5 out of 10 parties I seen on the party blogs are SC. Now ladies. Rachel Ashwell has had her 15 minutes. If you want something girly and pastel pink- try a cotton candy party for goodness sakes! (I totally just made that up and I want to do one). Themes are endless. Brainstorm it out. Here is my one exception for this theme by Fanciful Events... kind of a Carousel Shabby Chic rendition... that backdrop is simply amazing.

...and I didn't even mention Mason Jars, because you already knew that right? 

Now WHAT am I going to do with my 3 dozen... OHHH! How about: tint them, dip the rims in chocolate, glitter the sides, tie a big bow around them...do you get the gist?! Do it ALL differently. But don't do a mustache- like ever again. Unless you get paid $1,000 minimum- then it's totes ok.

Hope you don't hate me. And if you do, I'm just getting started... 

xo Party or Die xo

kenna