Baby Names Now: From Classic to Cool--The Very Last Word on First Names

by Linda Rosenkrantz

Need the lowdown of first names? Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran, authors of the bestselling Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana and The Last Word of First Names, draw on years of research and experience to offer important insights like

Call your daughter Rose, but don't call your son Thorne.

Nature names are fashionable now, especially those that haven't been used much in the past. December, in other words is much coolers than April.

Although it sounds desert-like, Zahara is actually a Muslim and Swahili name meaning 'flower'. In Hebrew, it denotes brightness.

Diego, which is a Spanish form of James, has a lot of verve when combined with either a Latin or Anglo surname.

Though it has a hippyish feel, Jupiter has a legitimate history as a first name, used in the country as far back as the eighteenth century--in fact, Jupiter Hammon was the first African-American poet published here.

A fresh, illuminating, and indispensable guide to thousands of names--from Aaliyah to Zuri-- Baby Names Now will provide the information and inspiration you need to make the prefect choice.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction

480 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Linda Rosenkrantz is an American writer, known for her innovations in the realm of “nonfiction fiction,” most prominently in her novel Talk, a New York Review Books classic.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this in 2004 when pregnant with Nora, and am re-reading now. Love this baby naming guide. More than just the meaning of names. Commentary too, and opinions on the sound and potential of the name. This is a fun one to just skim through over a bowl of cereal or right before bed.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is ok, it has several times that are modern, and then it also has the classic's. My only problem is it does not have what the name means, just the authors opinion and how it relates to modern times.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the writer's toolkit, a good book of names is vital. This one has served me well for years.

[Rhonda D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a thorough book. It does include some unusual names, but many of the choices seem far too trendy. There are better choices for name books out there.

[Snail in Danger (Sid) Nicolaides · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like "flipped through" — could be worse. About average for books of this type.