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10 Games to Encourage Baby’s First Words

by Kelley Gardiner

Let’s get talking! Every baby learns at their own pace, but there’s plenty you can do to encourage your little bundle of joy’s first words. Because when it comes to baby language development, the more talking, reading, and singing you and baby do together, the better. So the next time you and your little one have some downtime or need something new to do, try one of these easy games that offer simple ways to encourage those precious first words through play.

But first, a few things to remember about baby speech development. Although most babies start to talk around that one-year mark, they spend lots of time learning how to speak in their first year. They notice how parents, siblings, and others respond when they make a sound—whether it’s a cry, a coo, or a squeal of delight—and learn from it. They start to babble. They point and gesture. They mimic conversation in the most irresistible way. Before you know it, they’ll be talking up a storm. Until then, pull out these baby language development games that are even fun for you, too.

fox puppet

photo: Jess via Paging Supermom

1. Puppets

Make your own puppet (like this adorable fox pictured above), find one at the store, or just slip a sock over your hand. Any way you do it, you can engage your child’s imagination and language skills by creating new characters with different voices. Your baby will be babbling or talking back to your hand in no time. It’s one of the easiest baby language development ideas out there.

2. Mimicry

Go ahead and say “mom mom mom mom” to your little one every day, several times a day if you like! Jackie’s baby at I Heart Arts and Crafts sure thinks it’s funny, and you might, too. Mimic what your baby says to get them in the mood. Even cooing back to the tiniest baby works that part of their brain.

3. Ring Ring

Why not give baby a call and see what they have to say? Babies love pretend telephone calls, and they all involve some important vocabulary: Hello and goodbye, mama, dada, nana, etc. They also get to talk just for the fun of talking. Some kids who are less enthusiastic about talking seem to be encouraged when they get to play with a toy phone that looks just like yours.

4. Tickle My Feet

Help support baby language development when you connect with their toes (and delight them at the same time) with a few rounds of This Little Piggie. Repeat as many times as you both can stand it, as repetition is crucial for babies to learn and understand language. Be gentle on the littlest babies to avoid overstimulation, but older babies may need a tickle tackle when you’re done.

Kitchen tools and toys in a basket

photo via The Magnolia Barn

5. Discovery Baskets

Introduce vocabulary with discovery baskets. They don’t have to be anything fancy – the container and objects can all be things you have around the house. Choose objects based on color, different foods, different textures, shiny things, things that have a smell – whatever you choose, take out each object and talk about it, and let baby play with the objects however they would like.

Related: 16 Books for Babies to Immerse Them in Reading from Day One

6. Counting Game

Research shows that infants are born understanding a bit more about numbers and arithmetic than you might think, and wow, do they love counting. Count three objects or claps with a steady rhythm, “One two three! One two three!” Repeat a few times, and then start counting to five. Create your own counting rhymes about your family or their favorite toys.

7. Big and Little

Help your little one learn the difference between “big” and “little” by giving baby two similar objects of differing size, like a big ball and a small ball. Say “This is the big ball; this is the small ball.” Talk to your little one about what you’re doing as you roll the balls, and ask baby to hand you the big ball or small ball.

8. Baby Jigsaw Peekaboo

Make your own jigsaw puzzle, and baby will be delighted by pictures of other babies, or of the faces of people they know and love. Talk about the puzzle, while you’re putting it together, repeating the names of those pictured. As they grow older, they’ll be able to use the puzzle to practice other skills, such as hand-eye coordination and pincer grasp.

9. I Know My Name

Observe your baby’s reactions to her name. Poke your head in his room and say his name, and then see what happens when you say another name. Insert her name in silly songs, and emphasize it in general conversations. If she reacts to her name, reinforce it. “Shannon likes eating yogurt. Yes, Shannon! We were talking about you!”

10. Talk, Sing, Read: Repeat

The more language they’re exposed to, the better. Narrate everything you do, and everywhere you go. People in the grocery store understand – they’re probably looking at how cute your babe is, anyway, not at you chattering away. Sing every day, even if you can’t carry a tune. Read books every day, even if baby can’t hold their head up. All these interactions are the building blocks of language and literacy.

Related: Spotify Playlists for Babies & Toddlers That Parents Will Actually Enjoy

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Not Fake News: Fascinating Facts About Chicago That Every Kid Should Know

by Maria Chambers

What was the original filling in the Twinkie? How fast can an L train go?

Breathtaking skyline with never-ending Lake Michigan views, freakishly unpredictable weather, sports-hungry locals. . . these are some of the obvious well-knowns about Chicago. But what about the lesser-known or forgotten facts? From super helpful or delicious inventions to fascinating Chicagoans, here’s a Chicago history lesson to share with the family over dinner.

1. Chicago got its name from the French translation of the Native American word shikaakwa, known in the plant world as allium tricoccum. Which is a reference to the wild garlic that grew in abundance in the area. Yikes! Anyone have a mint?

2. How about some gum? While gum has been plentiful for thousands of years, the first to sell it flavored and packaged the way we know and love was Chicago-based Wrigley's. The originals were Wrigley's Spearmint and Juicy Fruit in the 1890s.

3. When we get one of those beautifully clear days in Chicago, shoot to the tippy-top of Willis Tower (Sears Tower to the loyalists). You can see Lake Michigan and 4 states Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Hi-de-ho, neighbors!

4. The Ledge at Willis Tower's Skydeck is the highest observation deck in the United States, standing 1,353 feet in the air and extending 4.3 feet from the Skydeck.

5. The L train travels at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour and carries over 800,000 people per day.

6. Kids likely never heard of Josephine Cochrane, but their lives are made easier by her existence. Frustrated that her circa 1600 heirloom China kept getting chipped while being hand-washed, she threw her brains into developing a cleaning mechanism that used water pressure and was safe on dishes: a.k.a. the dishwasher. Thank you much, Josephine!

7. Our city's skyline wouldn't be the same without the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. Designed by George Washington Gale Ferris to rival the majesty of France's Eiffel Tower, the first Ferris Wheel in the world debuted December 16, 1892, as part of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. While the original was destroyed by dynamite in 1906, we get to enjoy Navy Pier's nod to the wheel's original Chicago roots.

8. Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, a time capsule at the top of the building formerly known as John Hancock contains a piece of the Tower.

9. This lil tidbit is for the parents. Pabst's Blue Ribbon used to be Pabst's Best Select until it won an actual blue ribbon at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. In a show of marketing genius, Pabst's started selling their bottles with silk blue ribbons attached, and the name PBR stuck.

10. The Chicago World's Fair is the gift that just keeps on giving. Do you know that zipper on your pants, your jacket, your backpack? Came from the Chicago World's Fair and was originally called a "clasp locker". Glad they went with zipper.

11. Okay, maybe don't share this one with the kids, but Chicago was also home to the first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, and he opportunistically used the Chicago World's Fair to lure his victims by building a hotel with soundproof rooms. We recommend reading Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City for all the fascinating details and a healthy dose of Chicago history.

12. Not only is Barack Obama the first Black President in U.S. history, but he was also previously an Illinois State Senator who laid roots with his family in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

13. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed over 17,000 buildings and 2,000 square feet and many locals like to hold on to the utterly tall tale that it was caused by Catherine O'Leary's cow knocking over a lantern in her barn. But the fact is, the true cause has never been determined.

14. At the point of the Great Chicago Fire's origin now appropriately sits a training facility for Chicago firefighters and a bronze sculpture entitled Pillar of Fire.

15. As a show of sympathy and kindness for the Great Chicago Fire, Londoner A.H. Burgess suggested England present a free library to Chicago. The first Chicago Public Library opened on January 1, 1872, in a circular water tank that survived the fire at the southeast corner of LaSalle and Adams Street and consisted of 8,000 books. Cheerio, England!

16. Grant Park, a.k.a. Chicago's front yard, is home to big-time notables Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum Campus and plays host to some of our most-attended fests. It was named after the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, who along with former President Lincoln, led the Union Army to a victory over the Confederates in the American Civil War.

17. The centerpiece of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, uses up to 15,000 gallons of water per minute and runs Apr.-Oct. Visit after sunset and you'll be treated to a spectacular light and music display that runs every hour on the hour.

18. Many a joke is made about the longevity of a Twinkie. But, did you know, they were invented right here in Chicago in 1930? They were first filled with banana cream, but that was replaced with vanilla flavor during WWII when you couldn't slip on a banana peel even if you wanted to because of the scarcity of the yellow fruit.

19. A researcher at Schaumburg-based Motorola was the first to successfully develop the cell phone. The first brick-sized phone weighed close to 2 1/2 pounds and 10 hours of charging bought you 30 minutes of talk time. Next time your kids complain about how fast their devices lose power, drop that little info nugget on their brains.

20. Born in the Lakeview neighborhood, Jane Bryne became the first female elected to the office of Mayor in the U.S. in 1979, at a time when Chicago was the second largest city in the country. Absolute legend!

21. Chicago Bulls mascot "Benny" the Bull is one of the longest-tenured and most recognized mascots in sports history, getting his name from Ben Bentley, the Bull's first Public Relations Manager and Stadium Announcer.

22. The Chicago River runs right through the city and is one of the reasons Chicago is of geographic importance, as it is a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin, and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. It has a place of honor on the Flag of Chicago represented by two horizontal blue stripes. It's also a feat of civil engineering, as the direction of its flow was reversed in 1900 in an attempt to protect the city's water supply.

23. Black Chicagoan and physician, surgeon, and medical researcher Charles Drew worked with Red Cross on critical discoveries around blood transfusions and played a major role in developing the first blood banks and blood plasma programs.

24. My bologna has a first name, O-S-C-A-R! German immigrant, Oscar Mayer made his way to Chicago and laid the groundwork for one of the most well-known names in the food industry on the near-northside. And, blessed the USA with hot dogs, the super dope Weinermobile and the longest-running tv commercial to date that starred a 4-year-old singing about bologna. Just don't forget to ALWAYS forgo the ketchup on your hot dog, please.

25. Not only did Chicago gift the world with the hot dog, but we're also responsible for deep-dish pizza. Thanks to Pizzeria Uno for your contribution to the history of deliciousness.

26. The beloved brownie was invented in Chicago at Palmer House Hilton. And, good news! We have the recipe.

27. The Field Museum is home to SUE, the most complete T-Rex skeleton in the world. And, SUE got a new home at Field a few years ago to help make room for Máximo. At 122 feet across and 28 feet tall, it's modeled after a titanosaur (the largest animal that ever lived) excavated in Argentina. Fun tip: If you go to the second story of the Field, you can snap a selfie with the remarkable Máximo.

28. M-I-C-K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E! The pioneer of American animation who holds the record for most Academy Awards won by an individual at 22, Walt Disney was born in the Hermosa neighborhood.

29. Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes (when measured by surface) and the only Great Lake located entirely in the U.S. It touches 4 states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, and is sometimes referred to as the "third coast", behind Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

30. Chicago has a ton of nicknames (some of which highly annoy the natives): The Windy City, Chi-Town, City of Big Shoulders, The Second City, The White City, The City That Works—just to name a few—but our favorite name to call it is: HOME! (Insert block of cheese emoji.)

 

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15 Cool Facts about Reindeer You May Not Know

by Amber Guetebier

Looking for fun Christmas trivia for kids? These reindeer facts are just what you need

You know Dasher and Dancer and Comet and Vixen, but do you know that reindeer grow beards in the wintertime? We’ve rounded up some of the most fascinating, fun reindeer facts, just in time for Christmas. Looking for more trivia for kids? Check out our list here!

reindeer
Hans-Jurgen Mager via Unsplash

1. Rangifer tarandus is the scientific name for the animal we most commonly call reindeer. They are in the same family as deer, and there are more than a dozen subspecies. 

2. In the wild, some reindeer travel more than 3000 miles in a single year.

3. In North America, reindeer are also known as caribou, although the current "taxonomic jury" is out on that all species of reindeer are caribou. Most people use the terms interchangeably.

4. Reindeer like it cold! They are native to Arctic and subarctic regions as well as tundra and boreal (read: snow, snow, snow!) to northern Europe, Siberia, and North America.

5. The indigenous people of Finland, the Saami, have more than 400 words for the food, tools, and other products taken from reindeer. Their word for reindeer, raingo, may be where the common name is derived.

6. Reindeer beards? In the winter time reindeer grow their facial hair long enough to cover their mouths, which protects their muzzles when grazing in the snow.

7. Male reindeer have louder calls than females. Males use a small pouch under the skin of their throats which they inflate to blast out a loud bellow.

 

reindeer pulling sleigh
Judith Prins via Unsplash

8. Reindeer grow new antlers every year.

9. For almost all kinds of reindeer, both male and female reindeer have antlers. Females shed their antlers when they give birth in the spring.

10. The Finnish Forest Reindeer, arguably the reindeer of Santa Claus fame, is the largest reindeer species. They are over 7 ½ feet long. 

11. Finnish Forest Reindeer’s hooves have a special scoop that helps them forage through the snow for lichen and moss.

12. In warmer months, reindeer feast on grasses, mushrooms, and plants. In the winter they feast mainly on moss and lichen. Reindeer have a strong sense of smell, which helps them sniff out food underneath layers of snow.

13. In many cultures, Reindeer are used to pull sleds and sleighs. There's evidence of this dating back 7,000 years ago in Siberia!

14. Reindeer are covered in hair from their nose to the bottom of their hooves, which gives them a good grip in icy, snowy, and muddy terrain.

15. Reindeer travel in packs of 10 to several hundred. They generally follow food sources up to 1,000 miles, especially when it's tougher to find in winter.

Additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

 

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13 Children’s Books That Celebrate Native American Cultures & Authors

by Amber Guetebier

Every child’s bookshelf (and every U.S. library) should have a book collection that represents the beauty and diversity of the United States.

Celebrating Native American culture has frequently been overlooked in children’s literature—especially stories that are told from an indigenous point of view. The good news is, that’s been changing over the last few years and today we find more Native American artists able to tell the stories they want to tell. From board books for babies to chapter books, these Native American children’s books tell new tales, reimagine traditional stories, and honor the modern presence and importance of our nation’s first peoples. Be sure to share these 14 indigenous heroes with your kids in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, too.

My Heart Fills with Happiness

Reflect on the joy of little things, like holding hands, drumming, and the smell of warm bannock baking in the oven as you turn the pages of this brightly illustrated board book with your child. A gorgeous vehicle for an oft-needed reminder! Written by international speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith who wrote this book to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, it is also available in French, Spanish, Ojibwe, and Cree. Illustrated by celebrated artist Julie Flett. Ages: 0-2

Buy a copy here, $13

Sweetest Kulu

Lull your Little into dreamland with Celina Kalluk’s sweet sleepy-time poem that celebrates Inuit baby Kulu’s arrival. And what a guest list it was! The Smiling Sun, Wise Wind, and Snow Bunting are just a few who arrive on the scene in this board book,  ready to bestow gifts and well wishes on this precious newborn. Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. Ages: 0-2

Buy yours now, $10

The Good Luck Cat

Have you ever met a cat that gives you good luck when you pet it? Woogie is that type of cat until the good luck runs out. This modern Native American story is written by Joy Harjom, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Buy yours now, $11

We Are Water Protectors

we are the water protectors is a native american children's book

Winner of the 2021 Caldecott Medal and a #1 New York Times Bestseller, this powerful story is a call to arms to protect the Earth, the plants, the trees, the rivers, and the water from pollution and—more specifically—the Black Snake. The Black Snake, the pipeline, is a danger to the lifeblood of the Earth. It will poison the water and all of its creatures. Learn how to be a water protector with a glossary of terms and more info, followed by the powerful pledge: take it with your children—to be a steward of the Earth and its creatures and a protector of water.

The publisher even offers an online activity kit for children and classrooms.  Written by Anishinabe/Métis author and member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe Indians, Carole Lindstrom with illustrations by Caldecott-medal-winning illustrator Michaela Goade, from the Raven moiety and Kiks.ádi Clan from Sitka, Alaska. Ages: 3-6 but frankly, we think everyone should take this pledge. 

Get your copy today, $13

Related: 14 Indigenous Heroes Every Kid Should Know By Name 

Bowwow Powwow

Bowwow Powwow is a Native American children's book

Told in both English and Ojibwe, the story of Windy Girl and her dog, Itchy Boy who love the stories of Uncle about the gatherings from his boyhood, and how Windy Girl and Itchy Boy love to attend the pow wow too. She loves the food, the dance, and the long nights of laughter. One night, Windy dreams about a very special powwow—with the elders, warriors, the many dancers...when she wakes she begins to understand that the powwow is both old and new, past and present, always moving, like the dancers. Written by Brenda Child, with the Ojibwe translation by Gordon Jourdain and illustrations by Jonathan Thunder. Ages: 3-7

Find a copy here, $18

Shaped By Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez

Shaped By Her Hands is a native american children's book

This is the story of one of the greatest potters of all time—a Tewa woman who used her talents and traditions to create pottery that has become world-renowned. Born around 1887, in San Ildefonso Pueblo, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, Maria loved to play with clay, gathered from the Rio Grande. By observing the traditions of the potters around her in the Tewa Pueblo, Maria’s heavy interest is fostered by her Aunt Nicolasa, who begins to show Maria the methods and traditions of Tewa pottery: mixing the clay, coiling it, baking it, and always thanking Mother Earth for the gift of the clay.

As her interests grew, so did her reputation as one of the finest young potters around, and she even discovers a new firing method that is now legendary. Written by clay artist Anna Harber Freeman and illustrated by artist Aphelandra who captures the landscape of the Southwest in vibrant images reminiscent of the pottery itself. A true celebration of indigenous and women’s history. Ages: 4-9

Get a copy now, $17

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story 

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story 

Winner of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal and a 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor Winner, this book lyrically tells the story of making fry bread—from ingredients to mealtime—as a sensory experience, weaving together the importance of the smells, sounds, and moments that fry bread represents.

“Fry bread is nation. It is shared by many, from coast to coast and beyond.”

Sweet and powerful all at once, this simple bread is a poetic testimony to the strength of culture, survival, and nourishment. Written by Kevin Noble Millard, a member of the Seminole Nation, Mekusukey band, and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. Ages: 3-6

Get a copy today, $12

Be Brave, Be Brave, Be Brave

Author F. Anthony Falcon had these thoughts when he first held his son: "Be brave, be brave, be brave." He and his wife were in the middle of Hurricane Harvey's landfall in Corpus Cristi Texas when she went into labor. This book, a meditation on what it means to be brave, is also the author's reconnection with his Lakota roots. It is both the story of little Lakota's perilous arrival into the world as it is about Falcon describing what it is to be a Native American man today. Beautifully illustrated by Trisha Mason. Ages: 3-7

Get your copy today here, $18

Hungry Johnny

Written by Cheryl Kay Minnema and illustrated by Welsey Ballinger, both members of the Mille Lacs Band, you'll love this story about a little guy everyone calls Hungry Johnny. And you guessed it, he loves to eat! Wild rice, fruit salad, sweet rolls—he looks forward to eating it all. After the food is prepared, Johnny and his family make their way to the community center, where he eagerly awaits the feast. But first, there’s the Ojibwe prayer. And next, the elders eat first. Johnny learns patience and respect as he awaits his turn at the table. (Spoiler alert: there’s plenty left for Johnny!). Ages: 3-7

Get your copy here, $18

Related: 30 Kids’ Books That Feature Diverse Characters

Crazy Horse's Vision

Crazy Horse's Vision is a Native American children's book

You may know the name Crazy Horse, the legendary Lakota warrior and chief, but do you know how he got this name? Or what he was like as a little boy? His nickname was Curly, because of his curly hair, and he once bravely rode a wild horse his father brought home. Though Curly’s childhood is good, it doesn’t take long before the white settlers and soldiers begin to take Lakota land.

When white soldiers mortally wound  Chief Conquering Bear, Curly bears witness to this attack. Fearful of the future for his people, he breaks from tradition and leaves to seek a vision: he sees a rider on the back of his own horse, floating above the ground. And this rider went through a storm of bullets and hail, nothing touched him. This is the Lakota story of how Crazy Horse got his name and used his vision to lead his people. Co-authored by award-winning Abenaki children’s book author, poet, novelist, and storyteller Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by Lakota artist S.D. Nelson. Ages: 6-9

Find your copy today, $12

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom

First published in 2008, Crossing Bok Chitto received starred reviews and numerous awards, including being named ALA Notable Children’s Book and winning a Jane Addams Honor Book award. An original story about the intersection of Native and African Americans received starred tells the story of a young Choctaw girl who crosses the Bock Chittor River in Mississippi and helps a young enslaved person and his family escape slavery via the river. Choctaw storyteller Tim Tingle’s artful words are accompanied by Jeanne Rorex Bridges’ art. Ages: 7-13

Get a copy here, $9

Race to the Sun

Race to the Sun is a Native American children's book

One of the newest books in the “Rick Riordan Presents” series (which graced us with such home runs as Tristan Strong and Aru Shah) Nebula- and Hugo-award winning, Indigenous/Black author Rebecca Roanhorse brings the epic adventures of a young Navajo girl, Nizhoni Begay, who turns out to be a monster slayer. Learn about famous heroes and monsters of the Navajo as your route for Nizhoni, her twin brother Mac, and her best friend Davery, in this page-turning novel for middle-grade readers that does not disappoint. Ages: 8-12

Get your copy right this second,$8

How I Became a Ghost—A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story (Book 1)

how I became a ghost is a native american children's book

This is the story of a tribe’s removal from the only land they’d ever known and subsequent journey to Oklahoma along what is known as The Trail of Tears, told from the point of view of the ghost of a Choctaw boy. At first, we learn about Isaac, who is 10, and his life among the Choctaw. Soon, however, tragedy comes, and Isaac, as was true of so many children who were forced to walk it, does not survive the Trail of Tears. Perhaps for the first time, the travesty of the Trail of Tears and removal of the Choctaw is told in print for children from a uniquely Choctaw perspective—it is both heartwrenching and utterly necessary.

And yet, it is a story of resilience and innocence respite with lovable characters, including a five-year-old ghost and a talking dog, as Isaac has the ability to help those left behind. Written by Tim Tingle, an Oklahoma Choctaw and an award-winning author and storyteller, whose great-great-grandfather, John Carnes, walked the Trail of Tears in 1835. Ages: 9-12 

Get yours here, $9

 

 

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50 Unique Baby Names Your Child Won’t Hate When They’re Older

by Eva Ingvarson Cerise

If you’re looking for a name that stands out but doesn’t make your kid cringe when they’re a tween, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites. From classic baby names for boys or girls to unique baby names from countries and cultures around the world, we think these names will end that “what to name the baby” question. Read on for the sweetest list around.

For more baby name inspiration, check out these baby names that show your regional pride and retro cool names with modern appeal.

Unique Baby Names for Girls

bedtime routine
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Abina
Origin: Ghanaian
Meaning: Born on Tuesday

Accalia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: the name of the foster mother of Romulus and Remus, twins who founded Rome.

Alair
Origin: Latin
Meaning: cheerful

Amaris
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: promised by God

Bahija
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: happy

Cleta
Origin: Greek
Meaning: illustrious

Clove
Origin: Old French
Meaning: nail

Demere
Origin: French
Meaning: unknown

Dhiya
Origin: Tamil
Meaning: God’s gift

Eilin
Origin: Indian
Meaning: champion

Emica
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: charming

Era
Origin: Hindi
Meaning: wind or air

Halona
Origin: Native American
Meaning: happy fortune

Kanna
Origin: Indian
Meaning: pet name of Lord Krishna

Liliosa
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: lily

Loire
Origin: French
Meaning: named for the French river and region

Lumen
Origin: Latin
Meaning: light

Marinelle
Origin: Latin
Meaning: from the sea

Nalika
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: stem of the lotus flower

Odina
Origin: German
Meaning: wealth

Rosine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: rose

Sky
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: cloud

Talitha
Origin: Aramaic
Meaning: little girl

Tima
Origin: Old Greek
Meaning: honoring God

Winter
Origin: English
Meaning: named for the season

Related: 75 Gender-Neutral Baby Names You’ll Love

Unique Baby Names for Boys

toddler kissing baby sibling
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Adrith
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: beloved

Aero
Origin: Greek
Meaning: of the sky

Cairbre
Origin: Irish
Meaning: chariot driver

Calian
Origin: Native American
Meaning: warrior

Carrick
Origin: Irish
Meaning: rock

Dell
Origin: Old English
Meaning: small valley

Esten
Origin: Norwegian
Meaning: eastern town

Garin
Origin: Armenian
Meaning: ancient city in Armenia

Joah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: brother of God

Jostein
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: horse

Kol
Origin: Norse
Meaning: dark

Ludis
Origin: German
Meaning: fame

Nicandro
Origin: Spanish
Meaning: man of victory

Ossian
Origin: Irish
Meaning: deer

Qasim
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: charitable

Quintile
Origin: Latin
Meaning: fourth-born child

Romer
Origin: German
Meaning: fame

Romik
Origin: Hindu
Meaning: magnet

Saturn
Origin: Latin
Meaning: named for the planet

Tavish
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: twin

Tyge
Origin: Greek
Meaning: luck

Uchuu
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: infinite space and time

Voss
Origin: German
Meaning: fox

Zavid
Origin: Russian
Meaning: beloved

Zorian
Origin: Latin
Meaning: happy

Related: Sticking with Tradition: Classic Baby Names for Boys & Girls

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31 Baby Names Boston Parents Will Totally Get

by Allison Sutcliffe

Boston is known for many things. Our great sports teams. Fantastic attractions that bring visitors from all over the world. And the city’s storied history (who else can claim a molasses flood or the largest art heist in the world?). So we thought it would be fun to gather up the city’s popular places, people and historically significant spots and turn them into a list of Boston baby names for a little fun and inspiration. Whether you’re expecting, or you just want to see how your kiddo’s name stacks up, these Boston-themed baby names are all the inspiration you need. Read on to find out just how “Boston” your kiddo really is.

a bay smiles on a mat
Daniel Thomas via unsplash

Abigail

A powerful woman in American history, Abigail Adams was one of the founders of the United States, bearing the designations of second First Lady and first Second Lady. She is well known for her numerous letters to her husband John Adams that are filled with complex, political discussions. 

Amelia

While the first woman to fly across the Atlantic originally hails from Kansas, Amelia Earhart moved to Medford, MA with her mother and sister following her mother's divorce. Amelia makes a powerful middle or first name that definitely stands the test of time. 

Beacon

Boston parents have a number of street names that work well as baby names, with Beacon topping the list. You could even go for Bea as a girl's name. 

Benjamin or Franklin

One of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706. A scientist and inventor, Franklin is most known for his discoveries relating to electricity. 

Brockton

A suburb of Boston, Brockton makes a strong first or middle name, with Brock as a nickname. 

Brookline

We love this name for a girl as it differs from the more popular Brooklyn. It pays homage to this neighborhood just a few T stops past Kenmore Square. 

Brady

This one's for you, Patriots fans. Quarterback Tom Brady has made the names Thomas and Brady popular among fans in recent years. We'll have to wait and see if his recent split from the team will change that trend.  

Bruin

Another for the sports fans out there, Bruin pays homage to the hometown hockey team and makes a good middle name (or dog name, for that matter). 

Cambridge/Cam

We love the name Cambridge for a girl with Cam as the nickname. This name conveys a brilliant sophistication of the college town that is home to Harvard, with a double meaning for sports fan, acknowledging Boston Bruins president Cam Neely. 

Celt

Boston is steeped in Irish history and this name (pronounced "Kelt") is the ultimate. Bonus: it doubles as a Boston Celtics reference. 

Charles

The Charles River is an 80-mile river that meets the Atlantic Ocean in Boston and Charles (or Charlie) are classic names we love. 

Chelsea

Named for a neighborhood in London, this working class city just north of Boston is bordered on three sides by water. 

 

Clara, Clarissa or Harlowe

Clara Barton (born Clarissa Harlowe Barton) was a pioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross and was born in North Oxford, MA. Barton is noteworthy for doing humanitarian work and civil rights advocacy at a time before women had the right to vote. 

Conan

Irish Catholic comedian Conan O'Brien hails from Brookline, MA where he attended school through high school, followed by nearby Harvard University. 

Copley

Copley Square, named for painter John Singleton Copley, is a public square in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. This Boston baby name would be great for either a boy or a girl. 

Dorothea 

Name your child after 19th century activist Dorothea Dix who lived in Boston with her grandmother for much of her childhood. She drastically changed the medical field and championed causes for both the mentally ill and indigenous populations. 

Duncan/Dunkin

Only the most die hard fans would choose the more unique spelling of this name, which pays homage to the coffee company that got its start in 1950 in Quincy, MA. 

Fenway

While this name may be more popular for pups than children, Boston Red Sox fans are a dedicated bunch and have been known to give this Boston baby name as a middle name to their human children. Plus, naming your kid "Green Monster" is out of the question, right?

Isabella

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a long-standing American art collector, philanthropist and patron of the arts who founded the museum with her name in the early 1900s.

Jasmine

Parents raised in the '80s will know why this name is on our list. Anyone who watched the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World, is hip to Boston-born actress Jasmine Guy, who played the part of Whitley Gilbert.

John, Jack or Kennedy

It's no surprise to see these popular names around Boston as the Kennedy family has a long history in Massachusetts.

Jordan 

This '80s-throwback name is popular for both boys and girls, especially for fans of the boy band New Kids on the Block that hails from Dorchester, MA. 

Logan

You don't have to be an aviation geek to name your offspring after Boston's seaside airport. 

Lois

Maybe you and the kids have seen the works of this respected artist gracing the walls of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts or at the National Center for Afro-American Artists (NCAAA) in Boston. Born in 1905, Lois Mailou Jones' successful career spanned continents and decades. 

Lucy (or Stone)

In 1847, Lucy Stone of West Brookfield, MA graduated from Oberlin and became the first Massachusetts woman to receive a college degree. She spoke out for women's rights and against slavery at a time when women were discouraged and prevented from public speaking. 

Mary (or Eliza)

It's no secret that there are tons of Catholic families raising kids in Boston, so this name may seem obvious to include. But we're giving it a second look as a way to honor the work of Mary Elize Mahoney, the first African-American nurse to work in our country's hospitals. She worked for 15 years, while she waited to be let into nursing school, and was only one of four students (out of 43) who actually graduated. 

Quincy

We love this name for either a boy or a girl and it has long-standing Massachusetts roots with Quincy, MA being known as the "birthplace of presidents." Both John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams were born there. When the town split from Braintree, it was named Quincy after Colonel John Quincy, maternal grandfather of Abigail Adams and after whom John Quincy Adams was also named

Revere

Prominent Boston silversmith Paul Revere is best known for his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia in April 1775 to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord. The town of Revere, MA was named after him in 1871. 

Skylar

Do you really know anything about Boston if you haven't seen Good Will Hunting? We think not. The name Skylar was made popular after Minnie Driver played a character with this name in the movie that was written by Cambridge, MA friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. 

Tremont

This prominent street in Boston takes you along the Boston Common, through Boston's Theater District and across the Massachusetts Turnpike (affectionately know as the "Mass Pike"). We love it as a boy's name. 

Trinity

Trinity Church is located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston and was founded in 1733. 

—Allison Sutcliffe & Kate Loweth

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50 Nature-Inspired Baby Names—Boys, Girls & Unisex

by Eva Ingvarson Cerise

Share your love of the great outdoors with your baby through a name inspired by nature. From flower and tree names to seasons and stunning landscape features, this list covers the most beautiful and unique baby names inspired by natural elements. Nature lovers, this one’s for you. Also, be sure to check out or names inspired by travel, outer space and books.

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Alder
Listen up, rockers. Wood from the alder tree is used to make electric guitars, so this Old English name is perfect for music fans.

Ash
A Hebrew name meaning happy, Ash is the name of a flowering tree. It's also a more modern form of the names Ashley and Ashby.

Aspen
Another tree, this gender-neutral name reminds people of both this beautiful tree and the popular ski area in Colorado.

Autumn
This Latin word means "of woods" and is typically used as a girl's name. Call her Auty for short.

Bay
This unisex name means berry in Latin and joins Lake, Brooke and Ocean as popular water names.

Briar
Disney fans will know that Briar Rose is another name for Princess Aurora, aka Sleeping Beauty. It also means rose bush.

Briony
From Latin, meaning to sprout, this beautiful girls name is also a climbing plant.

Brooke
This popular girls name means a small stream. For a more gender-neutral name, go with Brooklyn. Or Brooks for a boy.

Cassia
Cassia has Greek origins and means cinnamon. The bark from a cassia tree makes a spice similar to cinnamon.

Cedar
Cedar is a durable, aromatic wood that's gaining in popularity as a unisex baby name, along with Ash and Oak.

Clay
The name means of the earth and works as both a boy or girl name.

Cliff
This boy's name works on its own or as a nickname for Clifford or Clifton.

Clover
Meaning meadow flower, this sweet name is especially great for someone with Irish heritage.

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Coral
A popular girls name since Victorian times, Coral joins other jewels like Opal, Ruby and Ruby as retro-cool names.

Cove
Meaning small bay, Cove is a unisex name gaining in popularity.

Cypress
Another tree name, Cypress is of Greek origin and means strong and adaptable.

Dale
Meaning valley in Old English, Dale is a popular nature name for both boys and girls.

Dawn
Popular as a girls name since the 1920s, Dawn means first sunlight, as does Aurora, Zora and Roxana.

Elm
A popular name for girls and boys, this tree name works on its own or could be a nickname for Elwood or Elmer.

Ember
This name means spark and conjures memories of warm and cozy fires.

Everest
A gender-neutral name and the name of earth's highest mountain, it's perfect for hikers.

Fawn
French origin, meaning young deer. Super popular in the 1960s and 70s, it now has a retro charm.

Fleur
French for flower, Fleur is a popular baby name, along with Daisy, Rose and Lily.

Flora
Like Fleur, Flora also means flower and is the name of the Roman goddess of springtime.

Flint
This Old English name means stream and is also a form of the mineral quartz. It's used to start fires and make tools.

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Forest (or Forrest)
It peaked in popularity in the late 1800s and early 1900s and is now gaining in popularity again.

Glen (or Glenn)
Another name that means valley, Glen is declining in popularity, making it a more unique name for your child.

Hyacinth
This spring flower has beautiful blooms in blue, purple, pink, red or white. Other spring flower names include Tulip and Daffodil.

Isla
Meaning island, this name has become trendy in recent years. For a more unique baby name, consider Islay, Ila or Islah.

Ivy
The Romans made ivy wreaths to symbolize fidelity and marriage, as well as prosperity and charity.

Jade
A popular gemstone name, like Ruby and Amber, Jade is a green stone that has Spanish origins as a name.

Juniper
This small evergreen shrub is typically used for girls. Other girl tree names include Laurel, Willow, Magnolia and Hazel.

Lake
Used for both boys and girls, Lake joins Brooke, Ocean and River as popular water-based baby names.

Laurel
This Latin name refers to the laurel tree. Ancient Romans used a wreath made from laurel to represent success and peace.

Linden
Linden flowers are used in health remedies, and this unisex name is more unique than other tree names.

Maple
Growing in popularity along with other tree names like Juniper and Pine, Maple has a sweetness thanks to its association with syrup.

Meadow
A serene name meaning grassy field, Meadow gained popularity in the 1960s, along with other nature names like Sky.

Oak
Oak trees symbolize strength and solidarity, making it a mighty name for your babe.

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Ocean
A water name used for both boys and girls, Ocean comes from the Ancient Greek name Oceanus.

Reed
An English name that used to be used primarily on redheads, a reed is a slender grass growing near wet areas.

Ridge
Like Cliff, the name Ridge is a strong male name and is currently rising in popularity.

River
Like Ocean and Bay, River is a water name gaining traction in the US as a baby name.

Rock
Whether you're a music lover or a fan of Rock Hudson or The Rock, this name joins Stone as a boy name.

Sage
A unisex name meaning wise in Latin, Sage is also the name of a perennial mint used to cleans rooms of negativity and promote healing.

Savannah
Meaning treeless plain in Spanish, this romantic name also represents Savannah, Georgia.

Sky (or Skye)
A gender-neutral name beloved by hippie parents, Sky is mostly used for girls.

Summer
Like Autumn and Winter, Summer is a season name growing in popularity for girls.

Terra (or Tierra)
Terra means earth in Latin and the name of the Roman earth goddess.

Willow
This tree is associated with grace and joins Juniper, Aspen and Acacia as popular wood names.

Wren
Bird lovers might choose Wren for a unisex baby name. Other options include Robin and Lark.

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

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29 Facts about Babe Ruth to Share with Your Kids

by Amber Guetebier

When it comes to baseball there are a few names that ring out louder than the sound of the ball hitting the bat. Arguably one of the most famous is Babe Ruth. Read on for some interesting history about the Sultan of Swat.

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1. Babe Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, as George Herman Ruth.

2. But for decades he thought his actual birthday was February 7th, 1894. He only discovered his real birthday after applying for a passport for a trip to Japan in 1934. 

3. Ruth was sent to a Catholic Boys Reformatory school at the age of 7. Each child was trained with an industrial career. Ruth was trained to be a shirt maker.

4. Young George Ruth played baseball at the school, thanks to encouragement by the monks.

5. For a time, young Ruth lived above what is now Camden Yards in Baltimore, above one of his father's saloons. 

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6. He was signed to the major leagues at the age of 19.

7. He is the only baseball player in history to have the last name Ruth. 

8. He was the first baseball player to hit a home run in the All-Star game, at Chicago’s Comiskey Park in 1933.

9. Why Babe? Some say it’s because Ruth was so young when signed to MLB he required legal guardianship and was “adopted” by one of the monks. Others say it was just because he was still merely a babe.

10. His other nicknames included Bambino, the Home Run King and The Sultan of Swat.

 

Ed Browns via Wikimedia Commons

11. He began his career as a pitcher: Ruth was both a left-handed pitcher and a left-handed batter.

12. He was the first highest plaid player when in 1930, his salary hit the $80,000 mark. 

13. Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox (1914-1919), the New York Yankees (1920-1934) and briefly the Boston Braves (1935).

14. In six seasons with Ruth, the Red Sox won three World Series titles. In 107 seasons without him they have won four.

15. Babe Ruth had what many consider to be his finest season in 1921. He hit .378/.512/.846 with 59 home runs, 171 RBIs and 177 runs scored. The home run and RBI totals were single-season records. 

Wikipedia Commons

16. While the myth surrounding the "Curse of the Bambino" states Ruth was sold to finance the musical No, No, Nanette, it was, in fact, the musical My Lady Friends, which benefitted from the sale. 

17. At an exhibition game (a “for fun” or charity game) on April 2, 1931, a 17-year-old female pitcher named Jackie Mitchell struck Ruth out (Mitchell then went on to strike out Lou Gehrig.)

18. Babe Ruth was knocked unconscious during a game at Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. He hit a concrete wall trying to catch a foul ball.

19. Although many believed him past his prime, on May 25, 1935, Babe Ruth played one of his final games in the major leagues hitting 3 home runs in a single game. He retired the next week.

20. In 1914, he married Helen Woodford, a coffee-shop waitress he met on his first day in Boston.

Skeeze via Pixaby

21. Babe Ruth only had one child in his lifetime. He had a daughter named Dorothy Ruth with Juanita Jennings.

22. Babe Ruth retired in 1935 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. He was one of the first five players to be inducted. The Yankees retired his famous number 3.

23. Upon his retirement, he was the career record holder in home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks and strikeouts.

24. The Sultan of Swat played 2503 games in his Major League career. During that time he had 2174 runs and stole 123 bases. Of his runs, 714 were home runs. In 1927 alone he scored 60 home runs. (This was the world record until Hank Aaron hit 755 in 1974 and Barry Bonds reached 762 in 2007 for the all-time record.)

25. In 1922, you could get chocolate-covered ice cream balls called Babe Ruth Home Runs. They cost 10 cents.

26. The candy bar, Baby Ruth, is most likely named for Babe Ruth. The bar was formerly called Kandy Kake but the name was changed right around Ruth’s rise to popularity. Because “official” permission was not requested, the company (then the Curtiss Candy Co.) denied that Babe Ruth was the namesake. However, in 1995, the Babe Ruth estate licensed his name and likeness for use in a Baby Ruth marketing campaign with Nestle. 

 

Wikimedia Commons

27. Babe Ruth appeared as himself in four different movies. In one, he lost 40 pounds in order to play a younger version of himself.

29. Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923. Ruth hit the first home run there, earning it the name “The House that Ruth Built.” In 1947, Happy Chandler declared April 27 officially Babe Ruth Day, and Ruth addressed the crowds at Yankee Stadium. At the time, Ruth had already been diagnosed with throat cancer.

29. Babe Ruth died at the age of 53 in 1948. For two days, his coffin was laid in state (open casket) at Yankee Stadium for fans to pay their final respects. More than 100,000 people attended.

 

 

 

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15 REAL (Not Fake) Presidential Facts

by Ayren Jackson-Cannady

If you ask a kid who has the hardest job on the planet, they might say something like, “Fireman, Wonder Woman, and the president.” Touché. Being the president isn’t for the faint of heart; only those with superhero qualities need apply. The fun facts below prove that presiding over the Oval Office takes a special (and sometimes quirky) kind of person. Read on to check them out!

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1. Barack Obama: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream?
Who doesn't love a scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day? Our 44th president, that's who. He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream.

2. Bill Clinton: You've Got Mail
While sending and receiving email is now a run-of-the-mill thing in most households, Bill Clinton was the first person ever to send an email from the White House.

3. Gerald Ford: Paging Frank Underwood?
Seemingly out of a Hollywood (or NetFlix) script, Gerald Ford was the first person to be both vice president and president without ever being elected by the public. How? He was appointed vice president when Spiro Agnew resigned from his post, and then he succeeded to the presidency when Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal.

4. Martin Van Buren: Born in the USA  
While it is currently a law that you have to be born in the U.S. (or a US Territory) to become the President, Martin Van Buren was the first President who was actually a US Citizen. All previous presidents were born British subjects.

5. James Garfield: America's Got Talent  
Most people only speak or write one or two languages at a time. James Garfield could write Latin with one hand and Greek with the other hand simultaneously. #coolpartytrick

fun facts about George Washington, the person in this picture
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6. George Washington: Party of 1?
George Washington was the only president that wasn't affiliated with a political party? Washington was neither a Republican nor a Democrat.

7. Thomas Jefferson: Lights, Camera...
Today, the president is on television or making a speech almost daily, but did you know that Thomas Jefferson had such stage fright that he only gave two speeches during his entire presidency?

8. John Tyler: Big Poppa  
John Tyler was the father of 15 (!!!) kids, more than any other president.

9. Teddy Roosevelt: That's Going to Sting a Little in the Morning  
An excellent hunter and athlete, Roosevelt was notorious for having a tough guy image. Once, while giving a speech, he was shot in the chest during an assassination attempt. He continued AND FINISHED the speech with the bullet still lodged in his chest.

10. James Madison: Hey, Down Here!
For some reason, presidents are characteristically tall figures. James Madison was definitely an exception. He only stood 5 feet 4 inches and never weighed more than 100 pounds.

Ern M. via Yelp

11. Abraham Lincoln: Try, Try, and Try Again
Lincoln lost five separate elections before he became President of the U.S. (Never, ever, ever give up!)

12. Herbert Hoover: Hide and Seek Champion
Herbert Hoover gave all the White House servers strict instructions to hide from him whenever he passed by. Those who failed to do so were fired. Yikes.

13. Chester Arthur: Night Owl
We all know that being the president means you probably have a lot on your mind. Arthur always went for late-night walks and rarely was in the bed before 2 a.m.

14. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Pancakes, Dave?
One of the most important positions in the White House now is being the official White House chef. However, Eisenhower was a skilled chef himself and was known for cooking delicious vegetable soup, steaks and cornmeal pancakes.
 
15. Harry S. Truman: Is it Sean? Stillman?
Harry S. Truman's name is very distinguished. Mainly because of the 'S.' that is included with his name. Did you know Truman doesn't actually have a middle name? It's just the letter 'S'.

 

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady
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