The Fireside Names

My latest name obsession has been names that communicate a certain feeling or emotion. Inspired by recent thoughts on Paul and Joel, I started with names that feel warm, friendly, and inviting. In today's world where parents are increasingly obsessed with uniqueness in their kids' names, "nice" names are often left by the wayside. They're derided as boring, unexciting, old-fashioned, blah. But given time and thoughtful consideration, this more gentle breed of names can grow on you; after all, who can't love a name equivalent of sitting by a warm fire on a crisp, fall evening? And the names on this list have plenty of advantages: they're endearing, they age well, and they're increasingly rare (unlike Destiny, Jayden, and all the other "unique" creations).

These are names for the cute, quiet boy in your English class you secretly had a huge crush on, the kind-hearted nurse at the doctor's office who always remembers your baby's name, the friendly boss who makes you glad to come to work in the morning. They may not be flashy, but they will stand your child in good stead for the lifetime to come.

Boys:
Aaron
Bernard
Carl
Clarence
Edward
Francis
Joel
Jude
Laurence
Leonard
Louis
Morgan
Paul
Robert
Roger
Russell
Samuel
Saul
Seth
Stanley
Timothy
Wesley

Girls:
Adele
Alma
Beth
Cecile
Cora
Dorothy
Ellen
Evelyn
Hannah
Julie
Laurel
Leah
Lily
Louise
Marian
Marie
Martha
Miriam
Molly
Pearl
Rose
Ruth
Susan