As a child, my favorite sport was badminton, and I always thought the name was so funny. It sounds like "bad mitten" when pronounced. But the game was first played around 1873 at the Badminton estate in Gloucestershire, England, and thus the moniker. It's the flight of the shuttlecock (another whimsical name) that defines this low-intensity racquet game which can be played in singles or doubles, much like tennis. Incidentally, the English originally called the small racquet a battledore, Continue Reading
100+ Ways to Name a Boy or Girl After Mary the Mother of God
Whether you're talking about a girl named Mary Virginia or a 17th century French priest named Louis-Marie de Montfort, parents since the time of Christ have honored His mother by the names they've chosen for both their boys and girls. My mother had four daughters, and three of us were given the middle name of Marie to honor the Blessed Virgin. If you wish to remember the Mother of God and her role in salvation history, but want something more unique than Mary or Marie, then read on! Let's Continue Reading
50+ Valentine-Themed Names for Your Pet
Are you bringing home a new pet around Saint Valentine's Day this year? Or maybe there's a litter due this February and you're looking for name inspiration. Here are some Valentine-inspired name ideas to get you started: Sweet Candy Caramel Cuddles Dove Godiva Hershey Honey Kit Kat Lovey Sugar Continue Reading
The Cute Names That Children Choose for Their Pets
Joseph holding his favorite kitty, Pixie When we first moved to Zephyr Hill Farm, ordering a small batch of baby chicks from the farm store was the first of our adventures. Every morning we would be treated to a cheery chorus of peeps and cheeps. Children love to hold the tiny birds and stroke their fuzzy tummies. Sometimes the surprised baby birds are even treated to a quick smooch on the beak! The children had all those chicks named within 24 hours, and the names were so cute, Continue Reading
Name Ideas for Baby Girls With a Male Patron Saint
Let's say your favorite saint is Joseph, but you're having a girl this year. It's perfectly legit to have a male patron for a baby girl, and there are several ways you can creatively work that into the name. Use the Actual Name In the South, we love double names. Here are some examples. Mary Paul Louisa John Jean Michael Anna Francis Frances Xavier (actual name of a saintly nun) Jane Neumann To make things even easier, some male saints have names that are considered Continue Reading