Baby name map
I’m about to become a grandmother again, so as in the leadup to most births, the subject of appropriate names for the next little Lipscombe is well and truly being canvassed among family members.
So, when I came across the Baby Name Map site while trawling the Net, I was immediately interested.
The site allows you to choose a country and find out the five most popular names there (according to the latest stats available) and the view the popularity of any other name there by adding it to the search box.
You can also view a graph showing a name’s popularity over time, rate or comment on names, add ones you like to your favourites list, and even upload a photo of your child with that name.
This site is particularly handy if you want to give your new arrival a name that’s not run of the mill — just check the popularity of the name in your area to ensure that every second kid doesn’t carry that name. It’s also good for finding unusual names by browsing names from the popularity charts in other countries.
What this site does lack, however, is a ‘meanings’ feature, so you can see the origins and so on of each name — many people like to make sure a name’s meaning is in keeping with the looks and temperature of their new addition. While there’s no lack of those sites on the Net, but the addition of one here would add to the site’s value.
Gail Lipscombe has worked for some of Australia's hottest tech magazines for over 10 years. In her blog, she focuses on demystifying technology, gadgets and the web for average consumers.