Classic names are returning to the most-popular baby name lists, along with some pop-culture inspired ones.
The southern name of a character on HBO’s “True Blood” is a top three most-searched baby name on
Parenting.com .
"Sookie" falls just below the classic “Millie” and the most popular “Isabella.”
Other top-searched names are Ella, Ann, Betty, Ellie, Emma, Charlotte and Eithne, a beautiful Irish one.
The top boy name searches are a bit more traditional – Jacob, Max, Liam, Ted, Aiden and Andy.
But, there are some nice vintage ones like Mo, Bertie, Ned and Gus.
The Social Security Administration has not yet released the most popular names of 2012.
Another list from
BabyCenter is another indication of trends.
This list includes consistent favorites of Sophia and Olivia and a few pop culture-influenced choices.
Picking a name is one of the stresses of a pregnancy.
Just when an expectant mom finds the perfect moniker, a friend, relative or stranger will wrinkle a nose just before launching into a story about a school-yard bully or neighborhood nerd.
After the frustrating experience of naming a first child, a friend decided to not tell anyone her choice during her second pregnancy.
My sister is thinking this is the approach she should have taken.
Her second son is set to be born this spring and get the name Max, short for Maxwell.
She’s heard everything from “That’s weird” to “Well, I guess I can see that.”
Never waffle on something for which a pregnant woman is showing great enthusiasm.
I’m guilty too though.
At first, she was leaning toward Maximus.
Then, I started in about its closeness to gluteus maximus, which is the muscle making up a person’s rear end.
She didn’t like me much that week, but she couldn’t go back to the name either.
She steered clear of trends from books, movies and television, citing her own name taken from the "Little House on the Prairie" TV show.
The popular erotic bondage series "Fifty Shades of Grey" has ushered in Anastasia, Christian and Ted.
A few years ago, the "Twilight" novels introduced more Jacobs, Edwards and Bellas.
With the upcoming freak-out over England's Prince William and Princess Kate's pending baby, expect a lot of names to mirror that of the future royal.
One thing does seem consistent about baby names.
No matter the decision, the name always seems to fit the child.
