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Hallow

Today's name: Hallow

Pronunciation: HAL-low

Potential nicknames: Hal, Halo, Hallie, Allie

Origin: Old English, meaning "to make holy," "to consecrate," and "to believe sacred." It is important to know that hallowed means "sacred," or "holy."

Popularity: In 2010 and 2011 there were no babies named Hallow, and it has always been a very rare name, if ever given at all.

Fun fact: (1) See my last post about Samhain for info on All Hallow's Eve and All Hallow's Day. It is a time to remember loved ones who have passed on, therefore naming your baby Hallow could make a connection to honoring someone who is no longer with you. (2) Joining other more popular names like Harlow, Halle, and Haley, Hallow will fit right in. If you're worried about the meaning being too pretentious, keep in mind all the babies named Angel, Honor, Princess and the like. (3) This name might be immediately associated with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which could be good or bad for you, but J.K. Rowling did not invent the word and it has stronger ties to All Saint's Day. This name might also be confused with "hollow," and even moreso with the movie "Sleepy Hollow," but the two words are not related.

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