The all-new, better-than-ever edition of “the classic baby-name guide.” --The New York Times Magazine
Ever since they revolutionized the world of baby-naming with Beyond Jennifer & Jason--the first book to go beyond dictionary definitions to identify the image and style of particular names--Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran have brought their wit and insight to literally millions of parents. Now, America’s baby-name experts pinpoint the very latest trends in this all-new, up-to-the-minute edition of “the best baby-naming book ever written” (The News Journal).
Fresh, fabulous, and irresistible, Beyond Ava & Aiden is packed with fascinating new tips and lists, including:
*Green Names (Bay, Willow, Aster)
*Hipster Names (Pearl, Ruby, Dexter)
*Names That Work (Archer, Baker, Carter)
*Vintage Chic (Daisy, Clementine, Felix)
*Metrodude Names (Jackson, Jax, Maddox)
*Baby Gods and Goddesses (Juno, Orion, Clio)
And many more inspired---and inspiring---choices.
Beyond Ava & Aiden
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Unlike garden-variety baby-name guides . . . [Beyond Jennifer & Jason] lays it on the line.” --Entertainment Weekly
“If you want some inspiration in naming your baby (or if you just want to spend some amusing moments), pick up Beyond Jennifer & Jason.” --Family Circle
About the Author
LINDA ROSENKRANTZ and PAMELA REDMOND SATRAN, who regularly appear as baby name experts in national media including People, The Wall Street Journal, US Weekly, USA Today, and The New York Times, have sold a million and a half copies of their baby name books. Linda lives in Los Angeles, California, and Pam outside New York City.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
117 of 135 people found the following review helpful
By lab88
Format:Paperback
I loved the earlier versions of this book. I used Beyond Madision and Montana in naming my firstborn. I am now expecting again and was happy to find a new version. WAS happy. Until I read it. There are so many contradictions, it's like they randomly put names into contradictory lists, then when names fall or rise, no matter what they can say they predicted right.
I gave this book two stars instead of one only because of the inclusion of some new categories of names, such as the hipster and yupster lists.
This book needed an editor. I think that it was rushed to print based on the success of the previous editions. I recommend picking up an older edition and double-checking your name choice's current popularity on the SSN newer lists.
Big problems:
1. Names appear on conflicting lists. Some names appear on the lists for masculine names. Then some of the same names are on the unisex lists!
Cade is on powerboy and unisex. Either a name is unisex OR masculine. Not both.
Cale is on both Powerboy and Metrodude. Those are not the same things. At all. I'm sure people read one list, find a name they like, and then choose it...never realizing that their "powerboy" name might also have been picked by someone for their sweet little GIRL. Or, a parent picks a "unisex" name for their princess, then learns it's really got a "powerboy" image.
P. 132 - Katie is on the "mom names" list - the description says these are names you wouldn't want to name your little girl today because they're dated. P. 133 - Katie is on the "girlish names" list - cute and girlish names that hold on to their appeal. Oh, but they do say that some of the girlish names are also now grandma names. How is this supposed to be helpful? It's like this book was written by ten different people and then not even edited! There is an index with the names listed, was it too much trouble for an editor to go over the index for each name?
P. 127 Agatha is under "womanly names" your daughter might thank you for as she grows up. P. 47 it's listed as an uncool name, so your child better have good self esteem if she ends up stuck with this name.
2. The cool, cooler, coolest lists demonstrate how arbitrary their lists really are. Some names that appeared in previous lists have now just been flipped around. So, the old coolest is now cooler, and the old cooler is now coolest. Exactly how is this relevant? How is this reflective of trends? People read your previous book, saw the "cooler" name and used it, so now it's coolest? Doubtful.
3. The names on the unisex list are ridiculous. How many girls are named Charleston? Most of these names are either 1)good for a dog, 2) girl's names, 3) boy's names. You can pick a boy's name for your girl, and vice versa, or you can pick a true unisex name. Riley, at this point, it being used pretty evenly for girls and boys. That makes it unisex (like it or not). Charleston, etc., are boy's names (or dog's names). That makes it a boy's name that you used on your daughter. Some people want that, but you should know that before you use it. Don't trust this list.
4. Hollywood star's children's names are repeated many times, and not always disclosed as star's children's names. I would want to avoid the names, and I don't want to see them over and over anyway. There are at least three sections of star and star's children's names. With a lot of the same names. Filler.
5. They still have Candida sprinkled throughout the book. Candida was all over the last book, too. Candida is another name for yeast infection. I suspect someone named their own daughter Candida and they really wanted it to catch on. To paraphrase a funny movie - Stop making Candida try to happen. It's not going to happen.
Overall, since you have to double and triple check everything in this book, what's the point? Flip through it and get a few ideas, then go buy a book that's at least been well-edited.
I gave this book two stars instead of one only because of the inclusion of some new categories of names, such as the hipster and yupster lists.
This book needed an editor. I think that it was rushed to print based on the success of the previous editions. I recommend picking up an older edition and double-checking your name choice's current popularity on the SSN newer lists.
Big problems:
1. Names appear on conflicting lists. Some names appear on the lists for masculine names. Then some of the same names are on the unisex lists!
Cade is on powerboy and unisex. Either a name is unisex OR masculine. Not both.
Cale is on both Powerboy and Metrodude. Those are not the same things. At all. I'm sure people read one list, find a name they like, and then choose it...never realizing that their "powerboy" name might also have been picked by someone for their sweet little GIRL. Or, a parent picks a "unisex" name for their princess, then learns it's really got a "powerboy" image.
P. 132 - Katie is on the "mom names" list - the description says these are names you wouldn't want to name your little girl today because they're dated. P. 133 - Katie is on the "girlish names" list - cute and girlish names that hold on to their appeal. Oh, but they do say that some of the girlish names are also now grandma names. How is this supposed to be helpful? It's like this book was written by ten different people and then not even edited! There is an index with the names listed, was it too much trouble for an editor to go over the index for each name?
P. 127 Agatha is under "womanly names" your daughter might thank you for as she grows up. P. 47 it's listed as an uncool name, so your child better have good self esteem if she ends up stuck with this name.
2. The cool, cooler, coolest lists demonstrate how arbitrary their lists really are. Some names that appeared in previous lists have now just been flipped around. So, the old coolest is now cooler, and the old cooler is now coolest. Exactly how is this relevant? How is this reflective of trends? People read your previous book, saw the "cooler" name and used it, so now it's coolest? Doubtful.
3. The names on the unisex list are ridiculous. How many girls are named Charleston? Most of these names are either 1)good for a dog, 2) girl's names, 3) boy's names. You can pick a boy's name for your girl, and vice versa, or you can pick a true unisex name. Riley, at this point, it being used pretty evenly for girls and boys. That makes it unisex (like it or not). Charleston, etc., are boy's names (or dog's names). That makes it a boy's name that you used on your daughter. Some people want that, but you should know that before you use it. Don't trust this list.
4. Hollywood star's children's names are repeated many times, and not always disclosed as star's children's names. I would want to avoid the names, and I don't want to see them over and over anyway. There are at least three sections of star and star's children's names. With a lot of the same names. Filler.
5. They still have Candida sprinkled throughout the book. Candida was all over the last book, too. Candida is another name for yeast infection. I suspect someone named their own daughter Candida and they really wanted it to catch on. To paraphrase a funny movie - Stop making Candida try to happen. It's not going to happen.
Overall, since you have to double and triple check everything in this book, what's the point? Flip through it and get a few ideas, then go buy a book that's at least been well-edited.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A. Olson
Format:Paperback
This book is unlike your typical name book that gives you lists of 1000's of names (most so strange or out of style that no one would use them) and instead gives you actual information and advice. Pamela and Linda have been writing these books on names for years and they are by far our countries "Baby Naming Experts". It tells you about the names popularity, what others think of it and how your child will be perceived having the name. This book was so entertaining to read too! How many baby naming books can you say that about? If you have a baby to name this is the one book you should spend your money on! I loved it!
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Jill Barnett
Format:Paperback
As a huge fan of Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz's baby-naming guides, I'm pleased to report that their newest book, "Beyond Ava and Aiden," is simply outstanding in every way!
Organized into logical, easy to read chapters and sections pertaining to style, image, sex, and tradition, "Beyond Ava and Aiden" leaves no stone unturned when it comes to offering current, honest, and well-researched naming information and advice. Unlike other baby-naming books that simply list names in alphabetical order, "Beyond Ava and Aiden" actually lets you know if your favorite name is stylish...or not.
Suggested names are grouped into delightful categories (examples: Vintage Chic, So Far In They're Out Names, Flower and Fruit Names, Hipster Names, Yupster Names, Creative Names, Girly-Girl Names, Powerboy Names, Fictional Characters, The Celts Are Coming) designed to help future parents make informed naming decisions.
As with Satran and Rosenkrantz's other baby-naming books, their naming advice and categories are presented with humor and ease, creating a pleasant and relaxing reading experience.
Whether you're a name fan or someone attempting to name a little one, "Beyond Ava and Aiden" is a must for you. There's nothing else like it!
Organized into logical, easy to read chapters and sections pertaining to style, image, sex, and tradition, "Beyond Ava and Aiden" leaves no stone unturned when it comes to offering current, honest, and well-researched naming information and advice. Unlike other baby-naming books that simply list names in alphabetical order, "Beyond Ava and Aiden" actually lets you know if your favorite name is stylish...or not.
Suggested names are grouped into delightful categories (examples: Vintage Chic, So Far In They're Out Names, Flower and Fruit Names, Hipster Names, Yupster Names, Creative Names, Girly-Girl Names, Powerboy Names, Fictional Characters, The Celts Are Coming) designed to help future parents make informed naming decisions.
As with Satran and Rosenkrantz's other baby-naming books, their naming advice and categories are presented with humor and ease, creating a pleasant and relaxing reading experience.
Whether you're a name fan or someone attempting to name a little one, "Beyond Ava and Aiden" is a must for you. There's nothing else like it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Okay
Really no better than any other book you could buy so really waste of money just have to buy to know that.
Published 1 month ago by M.Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great name book!
I love these authors. They have a great, fresh approach to baby names. You may not find every name under the sun in this book, but who wants to read a book of 100,000 names? Read more
Published 6 months ago by Amanda
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic for Its Purpose
I think some people have an issue with the fact that this is not an all-encompassing baby name book. But I feel that this book serves a specific purpose and it does so very well. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. B
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not your typical baby name book...
This isn't your typical baby name book. The book is broken up into actual text - where the authors discuss how to find your baby name 'style', what to think about when choosing a... Read more
Published on April 10, 2011 by Angela Wolf
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not quite what I expected
I love all of the individual name lists. Nature names. Mythology names. And so on and so forth. However, unlike their previous work, this book does not include an alphabetical... Read more
Published on March 19, 2011 by Nicole
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's Ok...
I got this baby name book and "The Baby Name Wizard" at the same time because my husband and I can't agree on baby names AT ALL. Read more
Published on February 2, 2011 by kittycatkarma
2.0 out of 5 stars
Meh...
This book is not that unique. There are cute names listed, yes, but it's a pretty run of the mill "cool" baby name book, and there are a lot on the market now. Read more
Published on September 13, 2010 by B. Armstrong
3.0 out of 5 stars
Barely an update of Beyond Jennifer and Jason
I bought "Beyond Jennifer and Jason..." years ago, and was pleased to see a more current version out, now that I'm expecting again and stuck in the name department. Read more
Published on November 7, 2009 by Sara
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Gem in the Nomenclature Crown
What a delight to see another book published by those tireless and witty baby names experts, Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran! Read more
Published on September 8, 2009 by Nephele
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have update to the essential baby name classic
My all-time favorite name book.This will make a perfect gift for parents-to-be or anyone who enjoys baby names. Read more
Published on July 17, 2009 by Julia DeVillers
