More Proof You Should Cut Artificial Sweeteners from Your Pregnancy Diet

The Top Trending Baby Names

Andie

This cute name, from the Greek name Andreas, means "strong" or "manly" but I also think it makes a great feminine name (Andie MacDowell, anyone?).

Apple

Apple Martin's debut in Paris may have sparked baby name buzz inspired by the symbol of love, beauty, and wisdom.

Arlette

This combo of French words meaning "lion" and "of God" conveys something fierce, as well as divine protection.

Arthur

Arthur has multiple meanings, including "bear-like" (cute), "of honor," and "strong man."

Aurora

This mystical name means "dawn" in Latin. It also has Sleeping Beauty vibes.

Beckam

"Beck" means "brook" while "ham" means "home." Either way, it's a strong name from soccer + Spice Girls fame.

Billie

Billie Holiday or Billie Eilish, you've got good role models covered. This British and German name means "protection," and it's short for William or Wilhelmina.

Boden

Bode comes from the Old Saxon word bodo meaning "messenger."

Bodhi

This very spiritual name means "final enlightenment," or your way to Nirvaṇa.

Caitlin

This popular name, thanks to WNBA player Caitlin Clark, is derived from the Gaelic term caith, meaning "pure."

Carmen

Wine lovers? This name means "garden" or "vineyard."

Casey

"Brave" and "vigilant" are words that make up the gender-neutral name Casey.

Chappell

Chappell was an Old English name meaning “one who works at the chapel," but it can also mean a safe space for friends and family.

Circe

For those who loved the book Circe, the origins of this name make sense: a feminine name of Greek origin meaning "to secure with rings" and a symbol of feminine strength and individuality.

Cove

This sensory name can mean "bold" and "courageous." It's a great one for coastal lovers!

Crew

The name Crew signifies unity and collective strength.

Edgar

Edgar comes from the Anglo-Saxon words meaning "rich or prosperous" and "spear."

Eclipse

Astrology lovers might lean into this name that signifies seeking change and ushering in evolution.

Elodie

This French name means "wealthy" or "riches."

Emir

Emir comes from an Arabic word for "commander" or "prince."

Emrys

This gender-neutral Welsh name means "immortal."

George/Georgia

These classic names comes from the Greek word georgos, or earth worker, and are inspired by the dragon-slaying knight Saint George.

Goldie

Goldie means "gold" and cues visions of the lovable actress Goldie Hawn.

Hallie

A variant of the name "Hayley," this actually ancient name is short for the word "Hallelujah."

Hazel

In Celtic lore, Hazel is associated with "wisdom" and "inspiration."

Holden

This Anglo-Saxon name means "deep valley," and may have originated from places with the same name around England.

Hollis

This gender-neutral name from medieval England translates to "near the holly" or "one who lives by the holly tree." Might be fun to plant a holly tree when they're born!

Hugo

This Germanic name means "mind," "intellect," "thought," and "heart." All good things.

Isaiah

This masculine Hebrew name means "salvation of the Lord."

Ivy

A simple three-letter name, this name implies fidelity (so v. loyal) and eternal life because of the plant's gorgeous green color.

Johanna

This name has origins in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin and means "God is gracious."

Jolie

This sweet French names comes from the word joli, which means “pretty” or “agreeable.”

Juniper

Juniper, or Juni for short, represents "hope" and "warmth."

Juno

Hailing from the Latins, Juno means "queen of the gods" and "youthful," and was the inspiration for naming the month of June. Due date, anyone?

Kai

In Hawaiian, Kai means "sea."

Kendrick

From Old English words meaning "bold" or "brave", Kendrick can mean "bold ruler."

Kira

The feminine form of the name Kir, means "mistress" or "ruler" and the masculine form means "a beam of light."

Kit

Kit actually derives from the names Christopher and Katherine and means “bearing Christ,” or "pure."

Lorelai

Gilmore Girls fans will love this Germanic name meaning "alluring" and "enchantress" or "sorceress."

Lottie

This English name means "free."

Louise/Louis

The name Louise means "famous warrior" and is the feminine version of the name Louis.

Luna

Meaning "moon" in Spanish, Luna is often associated with mystery, beauty, and femininity.

Margot

Mateo

This Spanish name, a version of the English Matthew, means "gift of God."

Miller

Miller means someone who grinds grain and operates a mill, but it's also very cute.

Nash

I also love Dash, but this name of English origin means "by the ash tree."

Nova

Inspired by the astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright light, this name can mean "new" star.

Opal

This gem is a symbol of hope, purity, and truth.

Otis

Music lovers, this masculine name means "wealthy" and can be associated with prosperity.

Otto

Otto is a masculine name of German origin that means "wealth" or "prosperity."

Ozzy

Ozzy is a shortened version of names like Oswald or Osborne, and has a connection to a deity or divine entity.

Palmer

Palmer is a name meaning palm bearer or pilgrim, inspired by Christian pilgrims who traditionally carried the palms.

Paloma

The Spanish word for dove, Paloma is associated with peace, love, and spirituality.

Raphael

This classic name of Hebrew origin means "God has healed."

Rain

Rain can mean life, growth, and renewal, but it can also represent sadness, loss, and despair. Let's go with the positive association.;)

Remi

Meaning "rower" derived from Latin, this name can also mean "God comforts me."

Riley

"Courageous and "valiant" are words that come to mind for Riley.

Ripley

For The Talented Mr. Ripley (AKA Jude Law) fans, this gender-neutral name means "meadow" or "clearing" and it goes back as far as the 12th century!

Rocky

Cue the Rocky theme song, this name is often associated with strength, resilience, and a steadfast nature.

Sabrina

The Celtic word "saber" means "water," which may be the origin of this name.

Saoirse (pronounced "SEER-shə" or "SUR-shə")

Made popular in places other than Ireland by Saoirse Ronan, the Irish female name means "freedom" or "liberty".

Santiago

This name combines the Spanish words santo, meaning "saint", and Iago, a variation of the name James.

Scottie

This Scottish name literally means "from Scotland" or "Gaelic speaker".

Sol/Soleil

Stone

Cool, calm, and collected (like a rock) is the essence of this British name.

Tate

Happy baby! This English name means "cheerful" and it's gender-neutral.

Teddy

This masculine name of French origin means "wealthy protector" or "God's gift." (I'm seeing a trend here.)

Travis

Our girl's favorite guy is getting baby-name popular with this Old French word meaning "to traverse" or "to cross".

Van

From the Old Dutch word van, this cool baby name means "from the marsh."

Veda

This girl's name of Sanskrit origin means "knowledge" or "wisdom".

Viviana

This Italian name means "alive" or "full of life." Vivi for short!

Warren

Warren can mean "to protect" or "guard."

Walton

This masculine name of English origin means "town of walls" or "city of streams or wood."

Wesley

This English name means "western meadow".

Wilder

Wild child? This name means "untamed" or "wild," and also eager or enthusiastic. I can totally picture Wilder climbing everything!

Zaida

This Arabic name, generally for girls, means "fortunate," "prosperous," and "abundant."

Zara

This pretty name means "blooming flower" or "radiance."

Zephyr

This gender-neutral name comes from the Greek word zephyros, which means "gentle breeze".

1. "Wow, you’re huge!" or "Are you sure it’s not twins?"

Comments about size or weight, whether the person is “too big” or “too small,” can be hurtful. Every pregnancy looks different so put any thoughts about physical attributes to bed.

2. "Should you be eating/drinking that?"

Policing someone’s food or drink choices is invasive and unnecessary. Trust that they’re capable of making informed decisions, with their OB/GYN's support, about themselves and their baby.

3. "Was it planned?" or "How long did it take?"

4. "What are you going to name the baby?"

Many couples want to keep the name private until the baby is born and I'll explain why. Because when you do share, people have their own associations with the name and are not afraid to share what they think, even with just a look on their face. We decided to stop telling people we were naming our baby Matilda because we got negative comments. Now all people say when they meet her is how much they love the name. It's all about the person, not the name!

5. "Are you returning to work?"

This is a decision a woman can make with her partner and family without the need to share or decide during the pregnancy stage. I decided three months in, after returning to work, that I couldn't manage a new baby and a demanding job and thought my only option was to leave. Turns out, my boss was very accommodating and allowed me to work from home my first year as a new mom. This is a private decision but also so much changes once the baby arrives.

6. "Are you hoping for a boy/girl?"

Talking about gender can put unnecessary pressure on the idea of gender preference when the health of the baby is what truly matters.

7. "You look tired."

Pregnancy is exhausting, especially during that first trimester. Pointing it out doesn’t help and might make expecting moms feel self-conscious. "Glowing" and "beautiful" are better words for mama-to-be to hear!

8. "You’ll sleep when the baby sleeps."

Actually, you won't because mom has so many other things to take care of, including herself, when the baby is sleeping. Instead, offer to help watch the baby so she can get some sleep or offer to help run errands. This is so much better than advice that is just not practical!

9. "You're going to have your hands full!"

Pregnancy and parenthood come with plenty of changes, but fear-mongering or negativity isn’t helpful. Everyone’s experience is unique, and making blanket statements like this one is just not useful to new moms.

10. "Enjoy your freedom while it lasts."

Parenthood may change things, but it’s not helpful to imply life ends once the baby arrives. The first year and beyond are so rewarding and can even bring you and your partner even closer. Yes, it's challenging in terms of having free time, but you find so many moments of joy too that you don't really want to be away from your baby!

11. "Can I touch your belly?" (or worse, touching without asking)

12. Do you plan to breastfeed?

This is such a personal choice and the question itself comes off as judgmental. Also, some women who plan to breastfeed can't so this is a question better left unasked.

13. "How much weight have you gained?"

Weight-related comments are intrusive and can be offensive. See question one!

14. "You’re going to bounce back, right?"

Recovery is personal, and this type of comment pressures new moms to meet unrealistic expectations.

15. "Is the baby here yet?"

I was a few days late and had several people check in maybe a little too often. I wanted to say, 'You'll know when I know!" Late in pregnancy, this can be frustrating and annoying. We're already counting the days and don’t need reminders!

What's happening astrologically during January 12-19, 2025?

Mars, the planet of action, takes center stage this week, influenced by several important transits. Prepare for heightened emotions and increased activity. The week begins with Mars forming a beneficial trine with Neptune, offering an opportunity to tap into intuition and take action guided by inner wisdom. Creativity will flourish, compelling us to produce, create, or invent. Prioritize self-care as the week intensifies, with Mars aligning with both the Sun and Moon. Strive for balance, love, and sensitivity in personal relationships, and practice kindness whenever possible.

Mars will be especially visible on January 13 and 14, moving in front of the full Moon in the eastern sky as the Sun sets. This rare occultation is a striking event, stirring primal energies that could lead to reactive and volatile responses. Avoid irritable or short-tempered individuals, and if you feel reactive, pause to recalibrate. Lean into your intuition and shift towards a more loving approach. With Mars and the Moon in nurturing Cancer, protective instincts for home and family will be strong. However, Mars’ intensity will also influence global events, eliciting deep emotional reactions.

On January 14, Mars and the Moon form a square with Jupiter, amplifying emotions further. The key to navigating this energy is to maintain balance and draw wisdom from your feelings. Adding to the dynamic is a trine between Uranus and the Sun, introducing abrupt changes and unexpected ideas. This energy supports bold moves, whether you’re contemplating a major life change or standing up for yourself. Stay mindful, as irritability may lead to rash or harsh actions. Mercury in Capricorn sextiles Saturn it's best to carefully and patiently craft a logical plan of action.

On January 19, the Sun moves into Aquarius, beginning a month-long journey through this innovative and humanitarian sign. Initially, the Sun aligns with transformative Pluto, reinforcing opportunities for change. Aquarius encourages intuitive problem-solving and unique solutions. It’s a hopeful, bright energy that highlights community collaboration, intelligence, and freedom. Themes of innovation and collective progress will take the forefront.

Read Your Weekly Horoscope For Your Sun & Rising Signs

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

What is your relationship to money and security? This week offers a chance to evaluate whether it's healthy and balanced. Be prepared for unexpected expenses, but also remain open to windfalls, promotions, or opportunities to earn more and take on greater responsibility.

Taurus (April 21 – May 21)

Integrity and honesty take center stage. Acting from authenticity, bravery, and honesty may lead to serendipitous rewards and magical occurrences. Conversely, compromising your integrity may result in hardship and struggle. Choose wisely.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

It’s time to release unconscious habits and patterns that no longer serve you. Pay attention to serendipitous events encouraging you to embrace change. Revealed secrets may help you reevaluate your life and align more closely with your true self. Spiritual growth requires both action and acceptance.

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Are you comfortable with your current situation? If so, consider new approaches to achieving your goals. Learn something to expand your consciousness. If you're not satisfied, take this opportunity to redefine your path. Remember, the journey itself can be the lesson. Muster the courage to make changes, even if they seem radical to others.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Unexpected career changes may arise, especially if routine tasks have left you feeling irritable or uninspired. Use your natural courage to make bold moves, whether in your work, appearance, or lifestyle. Embrace change to live more authentically.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

This is a time for a major overhaul of your thoughts and beliefs. Seek opportunities to expand your perspective and challenge old assumptions. A physical journey or educational experience may provide the insight you need to grow. Broaden your worldview to foster soul evolution.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

It's time to do shadow work. Unearth parts of yourself you’ve hidden due to fear of judgment. This introspection may be challenging but offers exponential growth. Enlist a trusted guide or therapist to help you navigate this transformative process.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Relationships require attention and balance. If they’ve been on autopilot, it’s time to reset. Avoid rash decisions; instead, communicate your needs and work collaboratively to strengthen these connections. Thriving relationships require mutual effort and care.

Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)

Embrace routine and establish new, healthy habits. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or dietary changes, commitment to a structured plan will benefit you in the long run. Consider enlisting a mentor or coach to keep you motivated and on track.

Capricorn (December 21 – January 19)

While these are serious times, allow yourself moments of spontaneity and self-expression. Let go of relationships or commitments that no longer align with your authentic self. Be open to unique and unconventional connections that support your growth.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 19)

Your patience may be tested as unexpected events disrupt your plans. Stay flexible and devise creative solutions to any problems. If you lack a clear plan, go with the flow and trust your innovative thinking to guide you through.

Pisces (February 20 – March 21)

New opportunities for self-expression are on the horizon. Step outside your comfort zone and take healthy risks. Inspiration may come from a sibling or neighbor, encouraging you to explore fresh ideas and expand your intellectual horizons. Enjoy the freedom to pursue diverse interests.