Birth announcement: Elizabeth Ríonach (nn Liesel)!

I had the great privilege of doing a consultation for Laura and her husband’s second baby a few years ago, and posting a birth announcement, and then doing a consultation for her third baby this past summer — and here’s the birth announcement! Laura and her husband have welcomed their third daughter and given her the amazing name … Elizabeth Ríonach nn Liesel! I don’t normally include the nickname in the post title and name announcement, but I’m sure you can see why I’m all heart eyes over this gorgeous name and its nickname!

Laura writes,

“We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Elizabeth Ríonach, who we are called Liesel.

Thank you so much for our consultation; it really helped me to understand why I wasn’t quite committed to Liesel: I really wanted her to have a longer, more formal name. This didn’t perturb [hubby], but as a German speaker, it sounded too nicknamey to be her given name. I couldn’t get him to go for Anneliese, but he was happy with Elizabeth, which I suggested after an hour had passed since her birth and she still had no name.

Ríonach was just too lovely to pass up, and I love that she has the Gaelic connection to sister’s Caoilfhinn. We really liked the nod to Our Lady as well.

Juliet Ríonach and Riona Josephine were other contenders. I think we settled on a great name, and having her full name be Elizabeth has helped make the unusual Liesel more approachable for friends and [those] who can’t get over the Sound of Music connection.

More importantly, we are so in love with our little Liesel. Big sisters Clara and Rosalie could not be happier. In fact, Clara told me just this evening at dinner that she’s so happy we picked Liesel to be our baby from Jesus. ❤️”

I just love this whole story! The consultation I did for Laura over the summer was mostly for a middle name (and I’m so thrilled that my suggestion of Ríonach — Irish for “queen,” making it Marian — hit the right note for them!), but how great is it that the consultation helped her and her hubby figure out the best first name for their baby girl as well!

Congratulations to Laura and her husband and big sisters Clara Louise and Rosalie Caoilfhinn, and happy birthday Baby Liesel!!

Elizabeth Ríonach “Liesel” and her big sisters ❤

My book, Catholic Baby Names for Girls and Boys: Over 250 Ways to Honor Our Lady (Marian Press, 2018), is available to order from ShopMercy.org and Amazon — perfect for expectant parents, name enthusiasts, and lovers of Our Lady!

Birth announcement: Benedict Reid!

December 6, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Mama Needs Coffee, Papal names, Powerful patrons

Longtime Sancta Nomina friend Jenny Uebbing (creator of the Mama Needs Coffee blog and the Off the Charts ministry/membership site designed to support, equip, and educate married couples in their use and knowledge of NFP, and endorser of my book!) has had her baby! When I saw the baby’s name, I was so excited because of my long history with Jenny and names — I had the privilege of doing a consultation for her fourth baby (and birth announcement) and her fifth baby (and birth announcement), and I remembered that this baby’s first name AND middle had been long discussed by Jenny and her hubby as possibilities, but they’d never felt quite right. Of course, it’s because THIS baby was meant to have these amazing names! I’m thrilled to share that Jenny has had her fourth baby boy and gave him the fantastic name … Benedict Reid!

Jenny writes,

“Wanted to let you know we had another strapping boy: 9 lbs 14 oz, we’re calling him Benedict Reid for Pope Benedict and my dad (3 generations named Kenneth Reid, wanted to honor his victory over cancer this past year) nn Benny and Big Ben😂.”

I looove it!! My own little Luke has the middle name Benedict in part because we love Pope Benedict so much, and I love the nod to Jenny’s dad in the middle. A super heavy hitting Catholicky Catholic name like Benedict can definitely take a less faithy middle! I think it’s such a great combination!

Congratulations to Jenny and her husband and big sibs Joseph Kolbe, John Paul Francis, Genevieve Therese (Evie), Luke Maximilian, and Zelie Grace, and happy birthday Baby Benedict!!

Benedict Uebbing

Birth announcement: Finnian Agustin!

December 4, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Irish names, Powerful patrons

I posted a consultation for Rosa and her husband back in October for their fifth baby and first boy — I’m thrilled to share that Little Man has arrived and been given the amazing name … Finnian Agustin!

Rosa writes,

“Our son was born earlier this week 2.5 hours after we received a blessing from our new Bishop Austin.

After MUCH deliberation/frustration/discernment he finally has a name!

Meet Finnian Agustin.

Finnian after St. Finnian who taught the Apostles of Erin and was friends with St. David of Wales (a nod to David).

Agustin after our new bishop Austin (both diminutives of Augustine). That particular spelling is the Filipino variant (my ethnicity). Saint Augustine is no shabby patron either!

Thank you for all your tips and recommendations!“

If you remember, Rosa dearly wanted a way to nod to her beloved Uncle David in her baby’s name — I love that she found a great connection between St. Finnian and St. David! And I love all the meaning of the middle name as well! So many significant layers to this little guy’s name!

Congratulations to Rosa and her husband and big sisters Arabella, Victoria, Jeanne (with Jesus), and Kateri, and happy birthday Baby Finnian!!

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Finnian Agustin

Birth announcement: Ariston Blaise!

November 18, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Greek names, Powerful patrons

I posted a consultation for Moira and her husband back in June for their baby boy, and then I actually did a second round of ideas for them privately a few months later, when they were still having a hard time deciding on a name, but turns out they didn’t need the help because they came up with an amazing name that I’d actually never heard of, and I LOVE it! They named their little guy … Ariston Blaise!

Moira writes,

“We chose the name Ariston Blaise. As you know, we had a lot of difficulty finding a name that we both loved and that met our desires for significance. This one kind of found us — we were studying our book, Encyclopedia of Catholic saints put out by Our Sunday Visitor and in going through the A’s, Mike asked me, “what do you think of this one?” It totally surprised me, as it’s not a name I would’ve guessed that he would’ve chosen. We looked him up and he is a bishop/saint, more well-known in the eastern church, who is considered on the level with Saint Basil the Great and St. John Chrysostom. One of his defining characteristics that he excelled in contest against demons. That trait seemed very strong, and a neat connection to Ariston’s dad’s name, Michael. This name has the ending sound I love — vowel with an N — complements his brother’s name, Brendan, and (though it is technically Greek) has a strong, not quite but almost Irishy feel to me.

For the middle name, Blaise, I had throat surgery two months before his conception, and we feel that Ariston is such a gift from God, and is due to his intercession.

So there you have it — two names that were never in the running and we love!“

Ariston Blaise!! I’ve found myself saying his name in my head many times since first reading the email, I just love how it sounds, what a cool combo! In addition to the Ariston they read about in the Encyclopedia of Catholic Saints, I also found that it’s the name of a third-century martyr. It’s not everyday I hear a saintly name that I’ve never heard of before — you know Ariston is going in my mental files for future consultations!

Congratulations to Moira and Mike and big sibs Anna, Carol, Brendan, and Natalie, and happy birthday Baby Ariston!!

Ariston Blaise

Birth announcement: Rosemary Ruth!

November 12, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Awesome initials, Catholic baby names, Nature names, Powerful patrons

I did a consultation for Janelle and her husband a few years ago — one which I’ve referred to many times since, and I can see from my site traffic that it continues to be one of interest to you all! They were looking (ideally) for a first+middle combo that included the name of a theologian plus having a science/nature reference, and they had a pattern in their older children of same first+middle initials, so there were a lot of rules/parameters/hopes to keep in mind — it was so fun to work on! And the name they ended up choosing is fantastic.

Janelle emailed me recently to let me know they’ve since had another baby! Their new little lady has a name that’s just as great and meaningful as her big siblings’ names … Rosemary Ruth!

Janelle writes,

“Rosemary Ruth follows our naming rules of nature reference, Bible name or faith meaning, and alliterative first/middle. Rosemary (and various names that can be nn Rosie) has been rising in popularity but it still fits with the generational association of the other girls. We call her Rosie or Rosaroo. The other kids call her Gherkin.”

(Gherkin!! 😂 ❤ )

“I appreciate that her name reminds me of my grandmother Marie, who lived a long and faithful life worthy of remembering and emulating, and my mother and my husband’s aunt, whose middle names are also Ruth.”

Isn’t Rosemary Ruth a fantastic combo? I love how it checks off all their boxes, and has family significance as well. Great job!

Congratulations to Janelle and her hubs and big sibs Elanor, Peter, Inessa, and Andrew, and happy birthday Baby Rosemary!!

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Rosemary Ruth

Birth announcement: Theodore Luke!

October 17, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Powerful patrons

I posted a consultation for MaryEllen and her husband back in June, and she’s let me know their little boy has arrived and been giving the so-handsome name … Theodore Luke!

MaryEllen writes,

“Theodore Luke was born on September 1. Our consultation with you sparked great conversation between [husband] & I.”

I just have to interrupt to say — this is what I hope for! It makes me so so happy that my thoughts/ideas/suggestions helped these parents come up with the name they love!

“It was important to me that our son either have Tyler as a middle name or Tyler’s initials. We were drawn to Theodore because it means ‘gift of God’ & we came to discover that there was a St. Theodore who was martyred in the 4th century! Additionally, we were drawn to Luke because he wrote the Gospel where the prayers said during Liturgy of the Hours are drawn from.”

I love all these reasons, and Theodore Luke is SUCH a great combination!

Congratulations to MaryEllen and Tyler, and happy birthday Baby Theodore!!

Birth announcement: Cl3m3nt Mich@el!

October 3, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Men Who Love Mary, Mercy names, Powerful patrons

A longtime reader has let me know that she’s had her second son, and given him the so-handsome name … Cl3m3nt Mich@el! (Alt characters used at the mama’s request, for privacy.)

She writes,

“You did a private consultation for me almost 2 years ago, long before I was pregnant with my newest little one. I wanted to let you know that #2 has arrived and we’ve named him Cl3m3nt Mich@el!

Cl3m3nt was a name I read to my husband as I browsed your blog. We both liked it and started thinking of it as a possible middle name, but within a day or two it became *his name*!

Cl3m3nt joins big brother B3n3dict K0lb3. Both their names have a few features we love:
1) big time protectors (St. B3n3dict and St. Mich@el the Archangel),
2) Marian ties (Kolb3 and Cl3m3nt from the Hail, Holy Queen prayer), and
3) recent saints — St. Maximilian Kolb3 and Bl. Miguel Pro!

Thank you for your consultation and your super helpful blog!“

These parents have chosen such amazing names for their boys, and for such great reasons! Congratulations to the whole family, and happy birthday Baby Cl3m3nt!!

Birth announcement: Cecily Germaine!

October 2, 2019October 2, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Literary names, Powerful patrons

I posted a birth announcement for Elizabeth’s little guy a few years ago, and I’m delighted to share that she’s had another baby — a little girl given the gorgeous name … Cecily Germaine!

Elizabeth writes,

“We welcomed our third born baby, a little girl, on August 6th: Cecily Germaine. Baby sister to Miryam Isabel and Luke David. She is our rainbow baby after miscarrying siblings in heaven Bobby and Zelie in 2018.

I first heard of the name Cecily from the play The Importance of Being Earnest in high school. She was my favorite character and it’s still my favorite play. Years later when brainstorming baby names, I found a website listing a huge number of saints alphabetically, and I was writing down any of them that I liked, to bring up later to my husband. Cecily was on the list. Honestly I don’t know anything about St Cecily, but that was enough to get the name on my list of top 20. (Of course it’s also a variation of Cecilia, whom we all know as a saint. I prefer the shorter, “lighter” Cecily, especially with the middle name we had on hold for a second girl for a few years already.) Also, I met a girl my age with the name (spelled Cecilie—I considered that spelling for my daughter, but after choosing a “weird” spelling for our oldest, I decided I wanted the least confusing spelling for this one). Cecilie was a lovely person, and I’m pretty sure she works for the United Nations now, so the name fits cute little girl *and* professional adult woman in my book. Side note, though: my husband is sure all our children will be priests and religious. Sister Cecily has a nice ring, too. (:

St Germaine Cousin is my husband’s confirmation saint. He wanted Germaine to be Miryam’s middle name, but I thought it was too “heavy” a combo for a tiny baby girl, so we shelved Germaine for the second girl’s middle name, if we were to have one. And here we are!“

What an amazing name!! I love all the layers of meaning and reasons for choosing both Cecily and Germaine, and what a stunning combo that make together!!

Congratulations to Elizabeth and her husband and big sibs Miryam and Luke, and happy birthday Baby Cecily!! (As a special treat, for those of you who love birth stories like I do, Elizabeth has shared a link to Cecily’s birth story! ❤ )

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Cecily Germaine

Birth announcement: Helena Mary!

September 25, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Powerful patrons

I posted a consultation for Kara three years ago, and the resulting birth announcement for her baby boy, and I’m thrilled to share that she’s had another baby — the gorgeously named Helena Mary!

Kara writes,

“Hi! You did a consultation for us 3 years ago and we ended up with Damien Edmund. We were always going to name a second daughter Helena and I had a baby girl on Saturday. We can’t believe God gave us our Helena Mary on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross! Isn’t that perfect?!“

Perfect indeed!! For those who aren’t familiar, St. Helena is credited with finding the True Cross in the fourth century, and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross celebrates that discovery! Amazing!

Congratulations to Kara and her husband and big siblings Rosamond, Matthias, Simeon, and Damien, and happy birthday Baby Helena!!

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Helena Mary

Birth announcement: Solan Peter and Magdalen Anne!

September 19, 2019 sanctanomina Birth announcement Catholic baby names, Naming twins, Powerful patrons

One of you wonderful readers, Liz, let me know that she recently gave birth to twins (!) and said it was okay to share their names with all of you! She had a boy and a girl and named them the incredible names … Solan Peter “Solly” and Magdalen Anne “Maggie”!

Liz writes,

“I’ve never done a consultation with you, but I love your blog and it’s where I’ve always gone for name inspiration for our babies. We just welcomed our twins and I wanted to share their names with you! Naming twins wasn’t easy and I didn’t find many good resources for Catholic twin names, especially boy/girl twins. Plus, my husband is not very into the name game. He flat out told me this time around that he likes what I choose anyway 😂. So I’m hoping I can help other mamas.

My confirmation saint is Mary Magdalene and I’ve been in love with the name Magdalen “Maggie” for a long time. But, with our first two babies being boys I’ve had little opportunity to use it. So I was pretty set on that and started there. But finding boy names to go with it proved a little challenging.

My rules were either starting with an M or similarly ending with an N. Had to be a saint name and if not possible very Catholic meaning. Also, I’m a stickler for a full name with a good nickname. I wanted our twins’ names to make sense together, but didn’t want them to be too matchy.

For a while we were seriously considering Maximilian (one of my favorite saints!), but I just couldn’t get over Max feeling like a dog name. So, as often happens we wound up back at one of the first names I liked, Solan (for Blessed Solanus Casey).

Big brothers’ names are:

Bennett James “Ben” (Saint Benedict and James is daddy’s name)
Leander Charles “Leo” (Saint Leander of Seville and Charles is after my father)

Twins’ names are:

Solan Peter “Solly” and
Magdalen Anne “Maggie”

Middle names are after my husband’s father and my husband’s grandmothers both had the middle name Ann. We originally were going to do Joy after the grandmother who had lost twins of her own many years ago, but wanted to honor the other grandmother when we realized the babies would be born [on] the anniversary of her passing. It wasn’t until then we realized both grandmothers’ middle names were Ann, so it was perfect!

Hope you enjoyed our naming story (I shortened it a little 😂)! Thank you for doing your blog, it is a huge help and blessing! Plus, I always love a good name story … PS Our twins were delivered early due to our son having growth concerns and everyone was pretty certain he would need NICU time because he was expected to be less than 4 lbs. But we prayed hard up until the day they were delivered at 36 weeks and he was born at 4 lbs 2 oz and screaming loud! His sister was 5 lbs 7 oz. Neither baby has needed any NICU time and we are headed home after a normal hospital stay. Blessed Solanus Casey was praying for us!“

Isn’t this a wonderful story??!! I LOVE the names Liz and her hubby gave their twins, AND the names of their older boys as well! And I love that Bl. Solanus is a part of their story!!

Thank you so much to Liz for sharing all this! Congratulations to the whole family, and happy birthday Solly and Maggie!!

solan&magdalen