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Sat
11 ^th

Ugly Baby Names (And Names So Ugly They’re Actually Cute)

Is there such a thing as an ugly baby name?

Like all things beauty, the beauty of a name is in the eye (ear?) of the beholder. This post is not at all meant to insult anyone with these names or anyone who chose these names.

I’m sure there are many lovely people in the world with all of these names.

That said, there are some names that are either harsh sounding or have some feature about them that sounds unpleasant to a lot of English speakers.

Some of these names are just plain ugly. I’m sorry, but I can’t get behind a little Gertrude or Gretchen.

Other names are strattling the line between ugly and cute. Like the pugs of baby names, it is precisely their awkward, quasi-ugliness which makes them endearing.

Or at least that was my whole argument during my first pregnancy, when I begged and begged my husband to agree to the name Mabel.

“It’s ugly,” my husband said.

“But it’s so ugly, it’s cute!” I argued.

I was unable to convince him of that one, but let’s see if I can convince anyone of these so-ugly-they’re-cute baby names.

As much as I hate to be a jerk, first we need to separate the just-plain-ugly names from the ugly-but-cute names.

Ugly baby names for girls

You might be able to create a little girl gorgeous enough to pull off one of these. But I don’t recommend trying.

(And if you had your heart set on one of these, remember there’s always the middle name spot!)

Ursula

I don’t know if Disney called the sea witch Ursula because it’s ugly, or if we just think of it as ugly because of the sea witch. But that’s not important.

Gretchen

Some people truly like this name. All I hear is the “retch”. And vomit is pretty much the ugliest possible thing.

Gertrude

It doesn’t roll off the tongue, that’s for sure. The sound is just unappealing.

Mildred

I highly doubt anyone reading this was ever considering naming their baby Mildred. So for that, I thank you.

Irma

I’ll tell you what Irma is the perfect name for: a horrid, destructive, category 5 hurricane. Let’s keep it that way.

Helga

The name Helga peaked in 1899, and unlike some old-fashioned baby names, it should stay buried.

Virginia

What if the kid ends up with a speech impediment and goes around calling herself Vagina??? That’s a risk I’m not willing to take.

Bernadette

I know some cool people with the name Bernadette, but honestly I’ve always wondered what in the world their parents were thinking.

Myrtle

Myrtle is just begging to be made into a joke. Is the joke fertile Myrtle? Myrtle the turtle? I don’t even know. But it’s there.

Barbara

This name sounds like words that aren’t at all feminine. Barber, barbarian… nothing cute or sweet about those. And the nickname Barbie would just be cruel.

Esther

Esther isn’t rolling off anyone’s tongue. The “s” followed by “th” combo takes serious effort.

Greer

Another name that’s hard to say. Greer is reminiscent of the sound an angry cat makes.

Fern

If you’re into nature names, there are so many more beautiful choices out there. Violet, Rose, Lily, Meadow, Autumn, Ivy… there’s no need to use harsh-sounding Fern.

Delores

Remember the episode of Seinfeld about the name that rhymes with a female body part?

Bertha

The first word that comes to mind when I hear Bertha is “big”. Do you want your daughter to be “Big Bertha”?

Any overly froo-froo made up name

Honestly I’d prefer any of the aforementioned unattractive or old lady names on this list over some of the nonsense people make up. Brynlynn, Eliannalee, and Amylbella just don’t need to happen.

Names that are ugly cute

Mabel

My favorite of the ugly-cute names, it has an old-lady vibe but isn’t too weird or unpleasant sounding.

Martha

A cute little girl could totally rock Martha. Sure it’s old, but in a classic/historical way. Don’t we all have a bit of affection towards Martha Washington?

Ingrid

It’s definitely dancing on the ugly-cute line, but the uniqueness has some appeal.

Enid

Girls names that start with “E” are all the rage now. Maybe Enid will be next?

Agatha

Yes, I would be surprised if the next birth announcement I received was for sweet little baby Agatha. But there is definitely something ballsy about it. No one would want to mess with Agatha.

Ida

The uber-popular name Ava has caused a subsequent surge in the popularity of Ada. It’s only logical that Ida will be the next step.

Henrietta

This name makes a statement! It’s bold, but with a feminine side. I can picture a super cute little Henrie or even Etta with this name.

Georgina

All variations of George are on the rise since the birth of Prince William and Duchess Kate’s son George. Georgina is just as good of a female version as Georgia, so don’t shy away!

Matilda

It feels a little dated and possibly a little nerdy, but if you don’t think about it too hard it’s pretty cute.

Edith

Edith would fall on the good side of old lady names, not the ugly.

Wilhelmina

Go big or go home! Wilhelmina is a great formal name choice for cute nicknames like Willie or Willa.

Elna

With the Frozen-explosion dying down, people are starting to break away from the name Elsa. Elna would be a likely replacement hitter.

Ugly boy names

Why has this whole post been focused on girls names? I have no idea.

I’m an equal opportunity name snob and there is certainly no shortage of ugly baby names for boys. Here are just a few:

Milton

Nerd alert! There is nothing cute about Milton. Martin would be a more appealing alternative.

Bruce

If you’re hoping your baby boy comes out of the womb with a beard, try this name.

Earl

It sounds like whining even if you aren’t trying to.

Virgil

Virgil is a different style than most names, but not in a good way. If you’re looking for unique baby names, I’ve got much better!

Buford

I can’t put my finger on what makes Buford ugly. But I have a feeling I’m not alone.

Adolf

No explanation needed. Pick another name.

Angus

In addition to the association with beef, Angus has a uniquely unappealing sound.

Elmer

Elmer Fudd, Elmer’s glue… can’t think of anything cute about Elmer.

Eugene

Eugene Fitzherbert knew what he was doing when he changed his name to Flynn Ryder. (If you picked up on that reference, you should definitely check out my list of Disney-inspired boy names).

I know you’ve all heard of more ugly baby names! Let’s hear them in the comments.

Mon
26 ^th

Mom Talk Monday: To find out the sex of the baby or be surprised

Posted by Caitlin - 10 Comments

Happy Monday everyone! After a long, boring and rainy weekend, I was pretty happy to drop the kids off at school this morning and I think they were even happy to go.

The only exciting part of our weekend was hearing the news from good friends of ours that they are not only expecting, but expecting TWINS!

Of course this led to many fun conversations reminiscing about our past pregnancies and deliveries. One thing we both have in common is that we did not find out the sex of our babies before birth and we loved the excitement of the reveal once that baby came out.

(My friend Alexandra over at Coffee and Coos actually published the story of my last baby’s birth. You can see by the look on my face just how exciting that reveal is once the baby is out!)

For her twin pregnancy, my friend said she was on the fence about finding out the sexes this time around. There are already so many unknowns with a twin delivery, and of course there are more possible combinations of boys and girls. I could see that it could get a little overwhelming.

With both of my pregnancies, I was of course curious to find out if it was a boy or a girl and it was very temping to peak when they did that 20 week ultrasound. But I felt it would be even more fun and exciting to let the baby show us the goods and see for ourselves rather than have a doctor tell us at an ultrasound appointment.

I also liked that my husband could have the important job of announcing “It’s a ….!”

But, having to wait 9 long months to find out if our bundle of joy was a “he” or a “she” was not without it’s challenges. The cons of waiting were:

not being able to buy gender-specific clothes ahead of time (this wasn’t a huge con for me as my favorite color is gray and I hate light pink- but I know it’s hard for most people)
having to decide on a boy name and a girl name (get baby name help here!)
doing gender-neutral room decor or waiting until after the birth to complete the baby’s room

This seems like one of those issues that people have a clear opinion on one way or the other. I’d love to hear from you!

Did you find out the sex of the baby or wait to be surprised? Why did you make the choice that you did?

Wed
26 ^th

Best Toys for 6 Month Olds

Posted by Caitlin - 6 Comments

Here’s my list of the best toys for 6 month old babies, great for baby shower or Christmas gifts!

(Or, if you’re the one expecting a baby, be sure to check out my list of 200 Unique Baby Names You’ll Fall In Love With!)

6 month old babies have basically one goal in life, and that is to find ALL THE THINGS and put them in their mouths! Chew toys reign supreme with this age bracket (or regular toys, that baby will chew on anyway!).

Little ones are also developing hand-eye coordination so they will be delighted by toys that they are able to manipulate, like a shaking musical toy, which rewards their movement with a pleasant sound.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click one of the product links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Ike & Leo Teething Toys, Set of 4 with Pacifier Clip

These BPA-free, freezer-safe teethers really do stand out from the rest. They have a soft silicone feel to them without being filled with that questionable liquid goo. Each one of the four has a slightly different texture which gives baby some variety (and you will probably notice he’ll choose a favorite). The best part is the clip it comes with so you don’t end up having to pick them up off the floor over and over. A must-have!

Hohner 4 Piece Baby Band

Hohner is known for making great musical toys and this set nails it for babies. It includes a baby maraca (rattle), mini rainmaker, tambourine, and cage bell. All designed for babies to be able to grip them easily. When baby shakes, they discover the unique sound each one makes. Lots of fun!

Sassy Look Photo Book

Ask any Mom of a 6 month old what their baby’s favorite toy is, and they’ll answer “ME!” With this cute, drool-proof photo book, babies can stare at pictures of Mom (and other family members) to their heart’s content.

Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo

Around 5-6 months old, babies have the head control and upper body strength to sit upright in a jumperoo. This opens up a whole new world to baby whose perspective on the world just went from horizontal to vertical! There are so many great products out there, but this Fisher Price jumperoo gets seriously rave reviews. A baby happily jumping and playing in this contraption = precious minutes of freedom for Mom!

Manhattan Toy Classic Baby Beads Wood Rattle, Teether, and Clutching Toy

This clutching toy moves and glides like a fidget toy. The brightly colored balls twist and turn to promote tactile development. It is remarkably calming to play with. I had some concerns originally about the paint flaking off when babies bite it, but we have had this for years and it still looks brand new.

Bright Starts Safari Beats Musical Toy

This little drum is super easy to hit and will thrill little one when it lights up and plays music in response to their touch. The sounds are addicting and just plain fun. No lie, I have caught myself playing some beats on it when the baby’s not even around.

Lamaze Fifi The Firefly

There is something about this toy that just seems to make it baby’s favorite. It could be the many colors, different textures and panels, crinkling sound, jingle noise, or the many parts for baby to chew on. Just an excellent sensory toy that holds baby’s interest.

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Rock-a-Stack and Baby’s First Blocks Bundle

These two classics are staples that every baby needs. My infant son plays with them literally every day. He can not crawl by without at least knocking over the stack of rings and dumping the shapes out of the sorter! As he approaches 1 year he’s now starting to put the rings on and fill the bucket of shapes. These brain-boosting toys are deserving of the name “brilliant basics”.

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learn and Discover Table

This table is like a magnet for babies and toddlers, it attracts them instantly and sustains their attention! Little ones learn cause and effect by doing various things to elicit a sound (push a button, open and close, spin, slide, and turn the page of the book). It introduces letters, numbers, and shapes and sings 13 fun melodies. A major favorite for 6-18 months.

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Teether Toy

The interlocking soft tube design of this toy make is super easy for babies to hold and explore with their hands and mouths. Babies can’t get enough of chewing on this, especially when teething. The middle cube makes a gentle rattle sound when shaken.

Edushape See-Me Sensory Balls

These nubby balls have a spiky texture, providing little one with a new and different sensory input. They come a bit under-inflated, just perfect for baby to squeeze and chew on. As they get older they will enjoy rolling and throwing them as well.

Taggies Crinkle Me Toy, Elephant

As babies, all 4 of my kids loved toys that crinkle, and TAGS! This toy has both, plus a squeaker in the middle and a handy ring that you can attach to the car seat or diaper bag. Easy to bring with you on the go, and easy to throw in the washing machine too.

Sassy Ring O’ Links 2 Pack

Keep the links on the ring to use as a standalone rattle, or make a chain out of them to link toys to the car seat or high chair. Versatile toy that has gotten tons of use from my babies.

Oball Rainstick Rattle

This 6 inch Oball has large holes that are super easy to grib and the structure is flexible while still holding its shape. The real highlight of this toy though is rainstick inside. When the ball is rolling or shaken, the beads cascade down and make a soothing rain-like sound. Even older children will take an interest in this ball.

What are your favorite toys for 6 month old babies?

Looking ahead for baby’s first birthday? Check out the next post in this series, Best Toys for 1 Year Olds

Wed
05 ^th

Best Toys for 1 Year Olds

Posted by Caitlin - Be the first to comment

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click one of the product links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I have personally chosen each product here and am not sponsored by any brands.

Push and pull toys are where it’s at for this age bracket, as new walkers eagerly test out their new skills. This is also the age of the “dump and fill” stage of play, so little ones will love toys where you can put things in and empty them out (over and over again). Young toddlers also love toys that make music and have bright, attractive colors, so you will find lots of those on this list.

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