The Complete Book of Baby Names

by Lesley Bolton

This is a used book, in good condition. Some writing inside book, but very minimal. Outside of the paperback book is in great shape! Wonderful book, lots of information about menaings of names.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Reference, Writing

677 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Reese · Rating 1 out of 5]

The introduction was too long, repetitive, pointless, and poorly written, and to say that the author took liberties with the meanings of a few names would be an understatement. For example, the name Aurelia means "golden," but in this book it is defined as "A golden-haired woman." Similarly, the name Blue is claimed to mean "A woman with blue eyes," whereas, last I checked, the word blue still just referred to the color itself. Plus, knowing a bit of Spanish, I was able to see that the author often merely took plain old everyday words from other languages and called them names, often with flat out incorrect definitions, and in many of these cases the word was actually something so mundane as to risk some chuckles from native speakers if they were to hear it used as a name. This book was way too misleading and an utter disappointment. If you want a good name book, go with The Baby Name Bible or the classic Name Your Baby.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so hilariously awful. At least it has humor value. Want to know how they got to 100,001 names? They opened up a dictionary and threw in whatever sounded nice, even if it has a terrible meaning. Seriously, here’s what they suggest as names for children:
- Celery
- Baby
- Poodle
- Rowdy
- Sesame
- Anathema
- Nemesis
- Cactus
- Caca (SERIOUSLY)
- Humvee (YEP)
- Veruca (THIS IS A WART)
- Kiss
- Bandanna
- Dog

As a bonus, they list “creative” spellings for all of these. Celerea! Doggea!

Plus, they often get the meanings hilariously wrong. No, “LaTeasa” is not Spanish for “a woman who teases.” Just...no.

I’m not convinced this book isn’t a joke but at least I got some laughs out of it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

100,001+ names and we're still not settled on a boy name...unbelievable...

I think we're pretty well settled on a girl name but boy names are a lot harder...and I'm not sure that staring at 50,000 boy names is helping at this point, but anyway...

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several hours and headaches later, I finally found some decent names. The problem with this book is that it lists EVERY, SINGLE, POSSIBLE, baby name out there. If you want to name your kid after a state, go look at a map, not a baby name book.

I need to find a baby book that is traditional names. None of this werid, modern age crap that Hollywood likes to pull like "Celery" and "Apple". (Yes they were both in there) WTH? Those poor kids...

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overview: Are baby name dictionaries just for aspiring parents? I’d say no, but I’m a bit biased. So, how does this one measure up for the parent-to-be?

Dislikes: Please don’t worry so much about bullies and the names you choose for your children. The thing is: a bully will find something as a weapon. If it’s not your name, it’ll be your attitude, your eyes, your nose, your ears, your clothes. A bully is a bully. Who’s really going to give their child a mean-spirited name?

Likes: The dictionary aspect is well organized and separated by gender.

Conclusion: This is a pretty good reference, for whoever you’re naming.

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking at the book tonight to mark a couple of names I hadn't looked at before as a potential name.

For example, I just happened to glance at one name in particular, “Stella”, which I happen to know the meaning of as being "Star" due to a family friend having this name.

This book lists the name "Stella" as meaning "Star of the Sea".

The name "Stella Maris" (or its alternative "Maristella") means "Star of the Sea".

I have to wonder if any others are wrong and, if so, exactly how many. I feel like I can use this book to look at the names, but have to use other sources to have the correct meanings (or at least fact check what is listed in this book). This makes buying this book pretty pointless to some extent.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using for character names but it left me laughing at some of the names that exist. Worst celebrity name thus far...Fifi Trixiebelle. Sounds like a dogs name to me. A good read for those expecting a child because of the surplus of names that have roots in American culture to names rooted in Latin. Some of the American names are for those that are daring. Anyway...one of the better baby naming books.

[E B · Rating 1 out of 5]

As others have mentioned, the origins and meanings of the “names” in this book are often blatantly wrong which casts significant doubt on any I am unfamiliar with. The lack of editing also shows with names confidently declared as a “boy’s name” when the purported meaning is something like “beautiful woman”. Absolutely silly mistakes, bogus etymology, and random word salad. I would not trust this book at all.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As advertised... it has a literal tonne of names. I enjoyed the easy to sort through lists at the beginning that provided a few laughs depending on the list title. The section with names and meanings separated by gender was also helpful and interesting to look through. A great resource if you are compiling a baby name list.

[theBookDaddio · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s an... interesting book. Seriously there are some bizarre names in there. But I guess if you’re a book claiming to have 100,001 names you need to get them somewhere. Might as well just pull them from the dictionary.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of unusual names to choose from and good advice at the start on how to choose a name including good tips on the phonetics of a name.

[Adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend it. Lots of irrelevant information in here. The book is dated which I guess is to be expected, but you would think with names it wouldn't be. Lots of foreign names.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be a waste of time and money, particularly if you are Caucasian. Many of the origins and definitions listed are incorrect and the attempted legitimization of made up names and giving them the author's made up definitions is just laughable. this book is geared mainly towards blacks, Hispanics, other foreigners and teh type of trailer trash who like alternate spellings and pure sillyness. my recommendation...stick with linda Rozenkrantz when it comes to naming your baby...she won't steer you wrong.

[Alyssa Greatbanks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I absolutely hated this book. I feel like I'm being rude saying this, but that's how I feel.

I got this book at a garage sale to have something handy to name my Sims or any other naming situations that may arise. I would say that at least 80% of the names are just words. Like apple, or saturday. There was little to no useful information in it.

To think, I couldn't even use these names for my Sims. Imagine trying to name an actual baby out of it. Save yourself the time, get a different book.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. If your having a baby and don't have a name picked out then this book has many to choose from. I read a baby book before this, I can't remember the name or author, but I didn't like it at all. It had too many categories. This one had two categories:boy names and girl names. It goes in alphabetical order also. Simple to look names up. It also gives you the definition of what the name means.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not expecting, just love reading about names. This is a great book due to its length. It has a lot of variety and names from many different cultures as well. There are a few very bizarre choices, which seem to be just to pad the 100,001+ claim. They're pretty funny though, so it's not a problem. Example: Celery: refers to the refreshing and healthy food.

I wouldn't count on the etymology being extremely accurate, but it's a fun one.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has loads of ideas, and we loved the lists.
Only problem was there was no pronounciation guide, so we struggled a lot with the lesser known names. But we borrowed the book just to get ideas on names, so we were happy with it.

[Becki · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a book of names you'd never name a child, then this is the book for you. I seriously think they just put together a list of words and made them into names. Every month and state is accounted for and why would I name a child Welcome?

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid I would spend hours sitting down copying names I like. There's a large variety to choose from. You could name all your kids and grandkids (lol), pets, characters for novels and other imaginary friends.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband almost had a heart attack when this book arrived; we're in our mid-50's. Its an excellent resource for writers. Includes many ethnic and native names, meanings, and origins. Its shelved with my other REFERENCE books!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good source of SO MANY names. Some of the lists were less than helpful, but the sheer quantity was good (and some of the descriptions were hilarious).

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the best! Believe me, I've spent YEARS looking at baby name books and this one has it all. The best selection of names out there.

[Liz Lawhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is where we found Malina!

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the layout was confusing. It had A LOT of very foreign names that I couldn't even begin to pronouce and for sure would't use! I was disappointed.

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heap ton of names I've never even imagined. Has name meanings, as well. Very cool.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book of baby names I've found although it is disppointing that there are no "see" references for extremely common names included under other entries as alternate spellings.

[Julianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hated most of the names in this book. Half were not pronouncable and not one of my top 5 was in it. I suggest the internet, baby name wizard is a good one.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does it count if you only read the half the book about boy names? I think it does. We are down to a list of 22 names. Good thing we still have a couple of months to decide.

[Erica Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful and informative.

[Justin Tibbels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a deep list of names from a diverse range of ethnicities and cultures, including many alternate spellings. Now to choose one...