Crispin

Today's name: Crispin (male)
Alternate spelling: Krispin

Variant forms: Crespin, Crispian, Crispino, Crispo, Crispus, Crisspin, Crespin, Crispinian, Crispianus, Crispinus, Crispen, Crispanius

Potential nicknames: Cris, Crisp, Spin

Pronunciation: KRIS-pin

Origin: Latin, meaning "curly-haired." It comes from the Latin crispinus, derived from an old Roman family name Crispus.

History lesson: (1) Saint Crispin is the patron saint of shoemakers. St. Crispin's Day falls on October 25. (2) Crispin and Crispinian were Roman twins who were martyred in c.286 for preaching Christianity in Gaul. With Vatican II they were removed from the liturgical calendar based on a lack of credibility. (3) Crispin the monk, who lived in Viterbo, Italy, was cannonized in 1982. (4) In Shakespeare's Henry V, the king gives a memorable, motivating speech on St. Crispin's Day. (Crispin Glover is named for this speech.)

Popularity: According to the Social Security Administration this name has never reached a top 1000 popularity status, and only 24 boys were given the name in 2009, then 21 in 2011.

Fun fact: (1) There are two famous actors named Crispin -- Crispin Glover and Crispin Bonham-Carter, and one famous voice-over actor named Crispin Freeman. In speculation, this rare name could lead to being famous. (2) The "Crispin Apple" is a relative of the Golden Delicious apple.

Female form: Crispina


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Bryony

Today's name: Bryony (female)
Alternate spelling: Briony

Potential nicknames: Bry, Bryn, Brynna, Bree, Bria, Bonnie, Bronny

Pronunciation: BRY-on-ee, BRY-uh-nee, and sometimes BREE-uh-nee

Origin: (1) Greek, from the word bryonia, meaning "climbing plant," or vine. (2) 20th century flower name for a perennial flowering vine indiginous to Europe.

Popularity: There were 7 baby girls named Briony in the U.S. in 2010, according to the Social Security Administration, and 5 named Bryony. Both are pronounced the same. In 2011 there were 16 girls named Briony and 5 named Bryony.

Fun fact: You probably recognize this name from the recent movie "Atonement," based on the book of the same name by Ian McEwan.


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Siobhan

Today's name: Siobhan (female)

Potential nicknames: Shea, Bonnie, Bon-Bon, Bon, Shiba, Von, Vonnie, Sio, Oba, Ava, Ova, Shiv, Annie, Anne, Chevron

Pronunciation: shih-VON, shuh-VAHN, shih-VAWN

Origin: Irish form of Joan, which is the feminine form of John, meaning "God is gracious."

Variant forms: Chevon, Chevonne, Chavonne, Chivon, Chyvonne, Shavaun, Shavon, Shavonne, Siobhian, Shervon, Shevon, Shevonne, Shirvaun, Shivahn, Shivaun, Shovonne, Shyvonne, Sioban, Shiobahn, and Syvonne.

Popularity: In 2010, 72 babies were born with the name Siobhan in the U.S. according to the Social Security Administration's annual list. This name does not make it to the top 1000 in America, but it does is Ireland (even the Anglicized versions.) In 2011 there were 51 girls named Siobhan.


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Lemon

Today's name: Lemon (unisex)
This name can equally suit a boy or girl

Potential nicknames: Although this name is more of the nickname itself, ideas include Lem, Lemmy/Lemmie, Lemony, Mon, Emon, Mona, and Monte

Pronunciation: LEH-mon

Origin: (1) English, meaning "lemon." (2) English form of male name Lefman, meaning "beloved man, sweetheart." (3) Common surname.

Popularity & fun fact: (1) Lemon briefly made it onto the Social Security Administration's list of the top 1000 most popular baby names from 1882 to 1910. It was not given to any girls in 2011, despite the popular TV show character named Lemon from "Hart of Dixie." (2) This would also make a very cute nickname.


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Rosaria

Today's name: Rosaria (female)
A variation of Rosario (male, but is used for girls, too)

Potential nicknames: Ro, Rose, Rosie, Rosa, Aria, Ari, Sara, Sari, Saria

Pronunciation: row-ZAHR-ee-yah, ro-SAHR-ee-ah

Origin: (1) Italian, derived from the Latin rosarium, meaning "rosary, crown, garland of roses." (2) Italian, the feminine form of il rosario, meaning the rosary. (3) Spanish, from the phrase "Nuestra Senora del Rosario," the Virgin Mary, our Rose Lady.

Fun fact: (1) Rosaria has a "name day," which is October 7, with St. Rosario. (2) This name may be given in honor of the Virgin Mary, who is sometimes referred to as "The Blessed Virgin of the Rosary."

Popularity: According to the Social Security Administration, there were a total of 6 babies born with the name Rosaria in 2010 and 12 in 2011.

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Stellan

Today's name: Stellan (male)

Potential nicknames: Stell, Stellar

Pronunciation: STEH-len, STEL-lahn

Origin: Swedish, meaning "peaceful."

Popularity: In 2010 there were 41 baby boys named Stellan in the U.S. In 2011 there were 37.

Fun fact: (1) Using the male baby name Stellan could be a fun way to honor a female relative named Stella. (2) Stellan Skarsgard is a popular actor from Sweden, (as seen in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "Good Will Hunting"), who now has a popular actor son named Alexander Skarsgard (of "True Blood" fame).

Magnolia

Today's name: Magnolia

Potential nicknames: Maggie, Maggs, Lia, Nolie, Meg, Noa, Nola, Lina

Pronunciation: mag-NOL-ee-ah

Origin: Latin, meaning "Magnol's flower," after 17th century botanist Pierre Magnol. It can either mean the magnolia tree, or the magnolia flower itself.

Popularity: The baby name Magnolia went off the Social Security Administration's list of the top 1000 most popular baby names in 1940. In 2010 there were 164 babies born named Magnolia, and in 2011 there were 185.

Fun fact: (1) Magnolia flowers bloom in pink and white. (2) The magnolia is the state flower for both Louisiana and Mississippi. (3) A character on the TV show "Hart of Dixie."

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