How do bands create names? TaxoDiary shows some interesting graphical band name classifications.

Andrej Karpath, a Stanford computer science PhD candidate, designed a plausible baby name generator, while working on recurrent neural networks (a type of artificial neural network).

According to Wikipedia, “in machine learning and cognitive science, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are a family of models inspired by biological neural networks (the central nervous systems of animals, in particular the brain) which are used to estimate or approximate functions that can depend on a large number of inputs and are generally unknown.”

In this case, Karpath fed the neural network 8000 real baby names as input and generated plausible baby names not in the original data set.

Examples: Antley, Nerille, Chelon, Walmor, Evena, Jeryly, Stachon, Charisa

In Duana Taha’s book, The Name Therapist, this “half-Gaelic, half-Egyptian TV screenwriter-slash-baby-name blogger turned advice columnist (on LaineyGossip.com) and self-declared ‘name therapist’ ” explores why names matter. This book review gives additional insight into the name concepts covered in the book and the style in which the author approaches them.

Katniss, Khaleesi, and Renesmee might be new creations, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t legitimate names. For generations, authors have invented names for these characters. Learn which authors invented these 10 popular baby names.

Learn more about name fads and what influences onomastics trends with these graphs originally published on Wait But Why.

Publications frequently navigate complicated politics when choosing how to refer to a place. Geography, history, language, and transliteration all factor in the onomastic reference. In geveb hosts a scholarly discussion particularly about Yiddish toponyms and their usage in the publication.

This author grapples with changing her name upon marriage. It’s a decision that many Americans can relate to.

Most of us take for granted that we can enter our names into any database or online form. Not everyone has this luxury. Learn what types of names point out the bugs in our systems and the frustrations for the people behind these names.

Brand names can be tricky to pronounce. See this infographic by Oomph to check your pronunciation of 30 commonly referenced brand names.