Customer Reviews

From Aaron to Zoe: 15,000 Great Baby Names

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Before becoming a dad (well, I will be one in October), if you paid to me I would have never guessed I'd be reading a book on this topic today, but you see: here I am, browsing through a handful of books off of the shelves looking for ideas. Here's our case: my wife and I wanted to name our baby with a beautiful name (how original, huh?) that is not repeated anywhere near (family and close friends) and that plays well both ways, in English AND Spanish without anyone needing to twist their mouths to pronounce it.

When I read the title of the book I felt dragged into it: Zoe is the name of the baby girl of one of my friends and a name which I've always considered beautiful (heard it in a song by Lenny Kravitz for the first time), yet not too widespread. I had a chance to check out this book and found it to be one of the two best among books of baby names. What I liked most about it was how complete the description for each of the names was. It included the name, current language (where it comes from), ethnicity, meaning, biblical citation (if any), popularity, nicknames, alternative spellings and more. In the end, it doesn't offer 20 or 30 thousand names like most titles, but "only" 15 thousand. When you read it, it feels like the authors did a quality work in putting them together, proof once again that quantity doesn't necessarily imply quality. Also worth considering is "A World of Baby Names".

I found reading through "From Aaron to Zoe" to be refreshing. Finally a baby namer book that makes some sense and allows new parents to know some real background about their child's name.. This is a must for parents and will be a wonderful present.

This is a great collection to browse through for ideas and related forms of names, in case you are looking for a fresher version of a beloved and overly popular name.

However, I came across several errors in meaning (among names that I happen to know a lot about, those from Wales) that, of course, made me wonder whether I could believe in the ones that I *didn't* know about.

Overall, I think that this is a good book and a really nice source for ideas. However, if you're in love with a name because of its meaning, check it out several other sources to confirm (I'd advise this with any baby name book, actually).

The introductory part of the book is thoughtful and helpful, as well. I have only one bone to pick there - he advises people who don't like Jr to use II instead. This is simply not correct usage, and it irritates me beyond belief. Only royal names are assigned this way; mere commoners have to have a Sr and Jr before a III (after which Jr becomes II).

Mr. Richman has outdone himself in "From Aaron to Zoe : 15,000 Great Baby Names". The book is thorough and about as complete as one could ever need in helping to choose a name for one's baby. It was a real joy to read the background on each name. I believe Richman's book can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in names as his style is easy to read while the text is deep in content. A must

The broadest variety of names I've found. Also lists their basic poularity level. Good all-around baby name book, especially for multi-cultural names.

While this book gives a wide number of name variants, and hits a lot of different ethnic groups, it isn't always accurate. Some of the names he calls Hawai'ian are simply ridiculous. Also, every name possible is derived from Hebrew roots, including such foolishness as saying that Jason (pagan Greek Iason) derives from Joshua (Hebrew Yoshua), or that the Etruscan king, Numa, derived his name from the Jewish female name, Naomi! Most valuable for the pick lists in front, by meaning, ethnic group, etc. As a parent, a name is a name, and the kid will be as cute even if the derivation is cock-eyed. If you are looking for ethnic or historical accuracy for a project, though, stay away -- stay far away.

As a writer constantly in search of unusual names, I have thumbed the pages of more baby name books than I want to think about. Until recently, my only real help came from a book that was printed in 1967. Now that poor, bedraggled thing can sit serenly on the shelf while this one gets the workout. _From Aaron to Zoe_ has not only the most varied listing of names I've ever seen in a modern book, but the finest presentation as well. The 15,000 names are listed by language/ethnicity; popularity (broken down by decade); general meanings; occupations and, finally, the traditional listings that include current and original language or ethnicity, meanings, namesakes, current popularity, nicknames and alternative spellings. Whatever my need, this book meets it.

I really enjoy looking through this book great names and very interesting to look at. But the variations in spelling are not as good as Lansky. It was still a very good name book .

My husband's name is Aaron. Our first grandchild, Jesse, was not able to say Zaidy so he called him Zoe.Our third grandson's name is Daniel. Our fifth grandsons name is Bram,a form of Avram.Our last name is Richmond.Part of the family spells Richmond as Richman. What an unusual coincidence. By the way,the book is lovely.