Guides and research
Name data, explained clearly.
Understand what the numbers can tell you, where their limits are, and how to use them for baby names, family history, writing, and personal curiosity.
Name data
How full-name estimates work—and where they can be wrong
A practical explanation of Census counts, independence assumptions, cultural clustering, thresholds, and uncertainty.
8 minute read Baby namesChoosing a distinctive baby name without chasing novelty
A framework for balancing present-day popularity, historical depth, spelling, and everyday usability.
7 minute read MethodologyFirst names and last names come from different records
Why given-name history and surname frequency require different sources, methods, and interpretations.
6 minute read Name trendsWhy names rise, disappear, and return generations later
How to read naming cycles without confusing a short-lived fashion with long-term commonness.
6 minute read