One can learn a lot about a family’s origin, history, and lineage from their surname. Take, for instance, the “Kim” surname. The name is predominantly Korean in terms of its popularity and origins. How the “Kim” surname has passed through families, across continents, and even gone through some spelling variations, is a fascinating journey. Its meaning is also rooted in the context of these changes. For instance, Brittanica details how the name translates to “gold.” This is why it was often attached to powerful, rich families. Often a surname can describe the status or profession of a family. As they marry and have children, the surname spreads from there.

Let's learn more about the history and origins of the “Kim” surname. We’ll discuss the meaning(s) behind the name, and you’ll get a better idea of where it came from. Read on as we learn about some fascinating genealogical resources for surname research. Note that some options may require you to pay money. Knowing where your family name or a family name comes from and its variations can be a really interesting, and illuminating process. So, stick around as we talk about all things related to the “Kim” family surname. 

Origin And Meanings Of The “Kim” Surname

“Kim” is actually the most popular Korean surname. In 2015, there was an estimated 20 percent of South Korean residents with the surname “Kim.” According to Ling, a language learning platform, this surname is followed closely by the popular options “Lee,” and “Park.” But where did the most popular surname originate and what lies behind its meaning?

The History of the “Kim” Surname

We can trace these answers back to the first ruling kingdoms of Korea as a whole. The Silla kingdom existed between 57 BCE and 935 BCE. Much of Korea was unified under this dynasty by 668. The “Kim” surname translation of “gold,” holds weight here because it was a name given to members of the ruling class, with power and riches. So how did it spread?

Flash forward to the Koryŏ (also sometimes referred to as Goryeo) dynasty (925-1392). During this period, citizens who had earned the favor of the ruling class could be bestowed the last name “Kim” as a symbol of fielty. Through more political changeovers, it was commonplace for “commoners” to take the “Kim” surname as an economic advantage. In 1894, Japanese colonization efforts led to surnames being a requirement for all Korean citizens. This meant lots of people opted for the most popular, and widely respected surnames including “Kim,” “Lee,” and “Park.”

The “Kim” surname can be traced to the southeastern city of Gimhae. This is where, records suggest, the original Kim, a man named “Kim Su-Ro” was born in 42 CE. He was the founder of Gaya, an ancient Korean dynasty, which is likely why the original “Kim” surname has always been tied to power and affluence. Other “Kim” surname origins can be pinned to areas like Gyeongju, Andong, and Gwangsan.

The Myth Behind The Name

The name itself has mythological roots as well, a story involving the original “Kim Su-Ro.” The story goes that nine elders prayed for a king to rule and unite Korea, and as an answer, they received a box with five golden eggs. A variation on this tale says that the original descendants of the “Kim” family were hatched from golden eggs, and a white rooster bestowed the name “Kim,” upon the newly hatched children. These children would go on to rule and unite the Korean dynasties (via Ancestry.com).

Variations On The “Kim” Surname

The “Kim” surname, while originating in Korea, did spread throughout Southeast Asia, into China and the provinces of Taiwan. In Chinese characters, it is depicted as “金” and also means “gold,” though a similar translation can be “bright, beautiful.” Any spelling or meaning variations may have happened during immigration periods. Think about it, when asked to spell or say aloud a surname, the final result was impacted by the pronunciation and the capabilities of the person writing.

Common variations of the “Kim” surname include:

• Gim (a common Korean variation)
• Kan (Japanese)
• Kin (Japanese)
• Jin (Chinese)
• Kam (Chinese)

Between 1840 and 1920, there is evidence of the “Kim,” surname in areas like the UK, Canada, Scotland, and the U.S. By the 1920s, most of those families were living within the U.S., and by the 1940s, most common professions for citizens with the surname “Kim,” included laborers for men and laundresses for women. A lesser percentage of “Kims” in the States held the role of a cook or a maid during this time period (via Ancestry.com).

Notable Individuals With The Last Name “Kim”

We've discussed the origins of the name, and now let's take a look at some notable figureheads with the “Kim” surname. According to The DNA Tests, Jang-geum Kim was the first female royal physician during the Joseon Dynasty, and King Taejo of the Goryeo Dynasty also held the “Kim” surname. There was Admiral Yi Sun-sin, an Imjin War naval commander with this affluent surname, and Kim Gu, an activist against the Japanese occupation when they abolished the class system in Korea.

Examples of modern bearers of the “Kim” surname, there's Gail Kim, a Canadian-American professional wrestler, and South Korean actor Daniel Dae Kim, who has made it big in Hollywood. Daniel Dae Kim rose to fame after starring in hit series like “Lost,” “Hawaii Five-0,” and “The Good Doctor.” He continues to trailblaze within the Hollywood industry as a figurehead of cultural representation.

Free Genealogical Resources

The following resources are free to use, and pretty comprehensive considering they don't require any fees. Keep in mind that sometimes these records can only take you so far. You may want to consider speaking with family members. Perhaps they have any helpful records or resources as you start this search. Libraries and historical societies or genealogical records can also be valuable, and often free, tools for research.

• Family Search has an array of easily accessible information on certain surnames.
• The DNA Tests is a platform with a certain amount of information on mostly popular surnames.
• Brittanica is an online encyclopedia that may have information on specific surname meanings etc.
• Our Public Records gives you access to surname research that is available online.
• Geneology.com offers thread-based discussions for individuals researching certain surnames.

Subscription-based Genealogical Resources

The following resources have some kind of paywall or subscription service. If you're doing a deep dive into a family name or particular lineage, these can be really valuable tools. Some will even pinpoint genetic data to specific areas and connect you to other family members who have done the same!

• 23 And Me offers genetic testing from a sample kit. With a subscription, you can chart your DNA history, where your family came from, and find possible relatives. In terms of surname research, it provides data on a more biological level than an etymological one.
• FamilyTreeDNA has a similar testing protocol to 23 And Me. The prices definitely differ.
• Ancestry.com is one of the better-known genealogical resources. They have a genetic testing option as well through AncestryDNA. In terms of the options on this list, Ancestry has one of the largest databases.
• Find My Past is a lineage database that can offer its members an array of information, records, and possible links to a particular surname and its origins.
• My Heritage offers similar features to the previous list item. Perhaps here is where you'll find information pertaining to your particular family tree!

The image featured at the top of this post is ©yournameonstones/Shutterstock.com.

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What is the true meaning of the Johnson family name? If you have ever wondered, you're in the right place. “Johnson,” may be one of the more common surnames, with roots in English, and Scottish. “Johnson” is the second most common surname in the United States. Surnames are unique in their origins, and can truly say so much about a family's history. Read on to learn more about the Johnson family name. We'll discuss the history behind the name, the meaning of the name, and all the variations. Stick around for some fun facts, and to learn what historical figures and modern celebrities share the last name “Johnson.”

Origin And Meaning

There are a number of ways in which the name “Johnson,” rose to be such a common surname. It is an anglicized variation of the Swedish surname “Johannesen,” and also showcases variations from the Norweigian/German surnames Jantzen, Janz, and other Dutch, Czech, and Slovenian variations. The Johnson family name can be traced to England as far back as the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was a common way of differentiating families by referring to offspring as “son of,” in this case, “son of John,” therefore “Johnson.” The name “John,” stems from the Hebrew name “Johanan” which translates to “Jehovah has favored.” It was widely popular in the Middle Ages as a religious name, and therefore there were a lot of “sons of Johns.”

Viking attacks throughout Normandy brought an influx of Scandinavian settlers to that region, which meant more name assimilation. Noble families with the name Johnson also began to immigrate to parts of Scotland, which was traditional for Norman families. This resulted in a rise in Johnsons across both England and Scotland.

The Scottish roots of the name spread throughout Ireland, Wales, and England. It would appear in many documents as an anglicized version of traditional last names. It is thought that the Scottish surnames “MacShane,” “McShane,” “McSeain,” “MacKeown,” and “McKeon,” became anglicized to the surname Johnson. For many of the Irish and Scottish families who took on the Johnson name, there is a family coat of arms that represents loyalty and truth (via Irish Surnames).

Variations Of The Name “Johnson”

In terms of physical evidence of “Johnson,” it crops up in Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls around the late 1370s in the various spellings of “Johanson, “Jonesson,” and “Jonson.” It should be noted that the early ways in which words were spelled were impacted by the way in which they were spoken to official scribes. This meant that “Johnson,” was likely spelled “Joneson,” “Jonson,” and even “Joynson,” but spoken the same.

Between 1840 and 1920, the Johnson family name and its variations spread between Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. By the 1880s, most Johnsons were living within the United States, with the highest population centered in New York.

Common Spellings Of “Johnson”

There are many ways the name Johnson has remained such a common name. Here are some of the many ways that Johnson can be spelled throughout its history of immigration and anglicization:

• Jonsson
• Johansson
• Johansen
• Johnsen
• Jorgensen
• Joneson
• Jonson
• Joynson

Interesting Facts About The Surname “Johnson”

• In 1940s America, the first Johnsons most likely held jobs as either a laborer or a maid. The second most common jobs for individuals with the last name “Johnson,” were as carpenter or housewife.
• The name Johnson is a common anglicized surname. There's evidence that Gaelic surnames that didn't look much like “Johnson,” at all, took on this surname while in the process of immigration.
• According to a Name Census, “Johnson” is ranked #2 in terms of the most common American surnames. The most common last name in the U.S. is “Smith,” followed closely by “Johnson.”

Famous/Historical Individuals With The Last Name “Johnson”

Notable Johnsons in history include Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson, an American mathematician who worked for NASA. This particular Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, and a Congressional Gold Medal in 2019. She was the inspiration for the film Hidden Figures.

In politics, you've got Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, the UK Prime Minister (2019 – 2022), President Andrew Johnson, the 17th U.S. President (1865 – 1869), and Lyndon B. Johnson, the 38th U.S. President (1961-1963). There's Eddie Bernice Johnson, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Mike Johnson, the current Speaker of the House, and U.S. House Representative.

In terms of sports celebrities, there was Patrick E. Johnson, an esteemed American Martial artist, and Adam Robert Johnson an American ice hockey forward. How about Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. one of the NBA's greatest point guards?

Celebrities with the last name Johnson include Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, and Duane “The Rock” Johnson, former wrestler, and current actor.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Jenaphotography/Shutterstock.com.

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While there might not be any Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston, SC, there’s still a vibrant food scene. And there are absolutely some award-winning establishments. Michelin Guide is one of the foremost food awards systems in the top tier of the culinary world. However, the Guide only goes so far. That is to say, Michelin only covers certain parts of the U.S. It also awards Stars to portions of Europe, Asia, and, more recently, Toronto, Canada. So, the real reason behind there being no Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston, SC, is that they don’t cover it. It has nothing to do with the quality of the food or the skill of the chefs, and everything to do with the awards’ availability in this Southern metropolis. 

Instead, we’ll take a look at what award-winning restaurants are housed within the Charleston city limits. One of the other major food awards is the James Beard Award. This award can be given out in multiple categories to both restaurants and their chefs. The award examines the technique and leadership of the leading chef. It also considers the personality, values, and inclusivity of the restaurant. There are multiple categories for “best chef” and “outstanding chef”, as well as titles like “best new restaurant” and “outstanding restaurant”. There are three restaurants in Charleston, SC, that have won James Beard awards over the years, and there are numerous others that have been nominated, which is an honor in and of itself.

Fig, James Beard Winner

232 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Fig is a great place to start in Charleston because while it doesn’t have a Michelin star, its chef won in the “best chef” category in 2009. The restaurant won a James Beard Award for its “outstanding wine program” in 2018. Keep in mind that James Beard honors restaurants as a whole, so this award has really set Fig up as one of the must-try restaurants in Charleston. Led by Chef Mike Lata, Fig is also co-owned by Adam Nemirow. Fig has been open for two decades now. And in that time, it has striven to stay local, humble, and honest with its community. While there are no Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston, this one’s well worth getting a reservation for the next time you have a free evening.

The dinner menu features starters like a Napa cabbage salad, pumpkin soup, beef tartare, and beets with cottage cheese. Main courses include delightful dishes like snowy grouper, snapper, pork schnitzel, and mustard-crusted swordfish. Save room for dessert in the form of lime cream puffs, buttermilk panna cotta, and other seasonal delicacies. And of course, if you are able, be sure to check out their wine list and beverage pairing, for which they won a James Beard Award!

Husk, James Beard Winner

76 Queen St., Charleston, SC 29401

Husk, which has several different locations now, won the James Beard Award for regional “best chef” in 2010. The restaurant is nestled in the heart of the historic district of charming downtown Charleston and serves comforting southern food with a local twist. Husk collaborates with regional suppliers, local farms, butcheries, and fisheries, to supply the best ingredients for its phenomenal food offerings.

As of December 2023, here are a few of the dishes you may enjoy at Husk. For your first course, options include wood-fired oysters, Nashville hot shrimp toast, and a variety of artisan cheeses. Main course options include cornmeal-fried catfish, a pork ribeye chop, duck, and a bone-in ribeye. Your choices for dessert are chocolate cake with a roasted chestnut mousse, a gingerbread crumble, sweet potato bread pudding, an artisan cheese plate, or seasonal ice cream. Menu items change seasonally to ensure Husk is using the best local and fresh ingredients for each delicious dish.

Rodney Scott’s BBQ, James Beard Winner, 2018

1011 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

Another James Beard Award-winner, Rodney Scott’s BBQ, offers whole-hog barbeque in a classic Charleston setting. Chef Rodney Scott received the “best chef” win in 2018 and has been busy expanding the BBQ empire. As of now, Rodney Scott’s BBQ has locations in Alabama and Atlanta, in addition to Charleston. They are in the process of opening up a new location in Nashville, Tennessee.

In classic BBQ fashion, enjoy starters like pig skins, onion rings, smoked brisket chili, and wings. Everyone goes to a BBQ for the meats, and Rodney Scott’s has plenty of them. Your options include pulled pork, a whole hog, turkey breast, beef brisket, and pulled chicken. Enjoy your meat with a traditional BBQ side, like baked beans or coleslaw. Chicken tenders and catfish are also available for those that want something a little different. For dessert, choose from apple hand pies or Ella’s banana pudding.

Vern’s, James Beard Nomination, 2023

41 Bogard Street Charleston, SC, 29403

For the most recent James Beard nominee, look no further than Chef Daniel Heinze of Vern’s. Heinze was nominated in 2023 under the regional “best chef” category, which is already a huge accomplishment. Vern’s calls itself a “neighborhood restaurant”, settled right on the cross streets of Charleston’s Bogard and Ashe. Their dishes feature a nice blend of classic recipes with innovative ingredients and local produce. This should be one of the Michelin Star restaurants in Charleston if the guide ever expanded to the state of South Carolina.

Start with some skewered lamb, or yellowfin tuna with Calabrian chili. There’s escargot with tarragon and a number of veggie dishes with tasteful sides, like garlic confit, gruyere cheese, and heirloom potatoes. For their mains, enjoy hand-made pasta dishes with rabbit, jump shrimp, and spring chicken. There’s a bavette steak with horseradish and shallots, grilled pork loin with black truffle, and wagyu beef in salsa verde. Satiate your sweet tooth with mandarin and crème fraîche or chocolate paired with Cardamaro and hazelnut. This is absolutely a fine dining gem.

Peninsula Grill

112 North Market Street, Charleston, SC 29401

This restaurant is actually Michelin-recommended, although it does not have a Star. Peninsula Grill in Charleston is an award-winning establishment run through the Planter’s Inn. Combining fine, New York-style dining with Southern charm, this classy establishment is a local gem nestled right in the historic district of Charleston, surrounded by a beautiful garden.

The cuisine blends fresh ingredients with local supplies and an innovative take on classic recipes. They offer oysters on the half shell, Siberian caviar, lobster, foie gras, burrata salad, and beef tartare for starters. Enjoy roasted a roasted rack of lamb, seared scallops with pumpkin gnocchi, and a number of seafood and meat cuts for entrees. And don’t forget their famous “ultimate coconut cake”. First served in 1997, this cake is New York Times-reviewed and has 12 layers of coconut anglaise and strawberry goodness.

Hank’s Seafood Restaurant

10 Hayne Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Another great establishment to try is the Southern classic Hank’s Seafood Restaurant. Styled after the fish houses of the 1940s, Hank’s is heralded by Chef Tim Richardson, a South Carolina native. Mentored by Hank’s Seafood Restaurant founder Chef Frank McMahon, Chef Richardson enhances the history of the restaurant with fresh new ideas. Enjoy their raw bar with items like ceviche, tuna tartare, oysters on the half shell, and peel-n-eat shrimp.

There are seafood platters, local clams, and oyster stew. Try their fried oysters with hot sauce, smoked blue cheese, and pickled vegetables. Their classic dishes include pan-seared sea scallops, beef tenderloin, grilled swordfish, and roasted salmon. Pair these options with collard greens, fried green tomatoes, and other tasty sides. And finally, pick from pecan pie, chilled crème brûlée, key lime pie, and chocolate peanut butter parfait, among many other sweet desserts, courtesy of Hank’s Seafood Restaurant.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Natalia Bratslavsky/Shutterstock.com.

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We have all heard “Golden” or “Platinum” birthday, but have you ever wondered exactly what it means? Or maybe you already have an idea but want some ideas for throwing a Platinum Birthday. Whatever the case, you’re in the right place. 

What's a Platinum Birthday?

There are a couple definitions for a Platinum Birthday, depending on where you look. The definition of words or terms is linked to the way they are used. So, if we’re to follow the Urban Dictionary definition of “Platinum Birthday,” it’s defined as the birthday that corresponds with the last two numbers of your birth year. If you were born in 1984, it’s the year you turn 84.

However, there is some confusion regarding whether this definition is actually a “Golden” birthday or not. TikTok recently took the definition and very much changed it up. According to Gen Z TikTok users, a “Platinum Birthday” refers to your birth year with the numbers flipped (via InThe Know), So, a 1992 birthday would translate to a 29th Birthday being your Platinum Birthday. This makes things easier in terms of when you can celebrate because the other definition would mean a ‘92 birthday would have to wait until they turned 92 for a Platinum Birthday party.

All this to say, there are a couple of definitions, but depending on which one you connect to, planning a Platinum Birthday can be fun and personalized to fit this special occasion. Perhaps you make the whole theme match the color of the metal for which it's named? Or maybe you include activities that showcase everything you’ve done up until this special birthday that you’re proud of? Be sure to make it inclusive and fun for your guests, but this is your special Platinum Birthday, so why not have some fun with it? Now, let’s get into some Platinum birthday party-planning details.

The Basics of Party Planning

One of the best ways to plan a party easily is to figure out the who, what, where, and when. Who you will invite will affect what you do at said party. Where you host will matter if it's a big party or a small party. And when you can host it may be affected by other people's schedules, and if your Platinum Birthday falls on a weekday or a weekend. After you have these details sorted, you can move on to the fun stuff.

The Who, What, Where, and When

Who Will You Invite?

• Starting with the who, think about how many people you'd like to be included in this party. Is it close friends only? A few family members? Or a blow-out Platinum Birthday extravaganza? As soon as you've decided on a number, be sure to send out invitations and get those confirmations. If you're sending physical invites, do it sooner than later. A simple text or an email is easier for sure. After you have a list of who will be attending, you can move on to the next stage of the planning process.

What Will You Serve?

• Also, consider what kinds of things you will do with your guests. The number of people will impact what kinds of snacks and treats you'd like to have available, as well as what kind of drinks you will serve. Consider what activities could include everyone who is coming, and we can consider them in terms of a Platinum Birthday theme later on in this post.

Where Can You Throw This Platinum Birthday?

• Where will you host this special birthday? Is there a place that will be best for your intended theme? If so, be sure to check the dates as it may be booked. Can you have this party in your home? Is it warm enough to host outside? There are all kinds of places that are great for birthday parties, but while you're starting to plan, keep in mind where will feel best for hosting your Platinum Birthday.

When Will It Happen?

• And finally, when can you throw it? Take a look at the calendar year that your Platinum Birthday falls on, and see what day of the week it is. If it's a weekend, maybe you can plan for the day of. If it's a weekday, it may need to happen in the evening, or a few days before or after your actual birthday.

Once you have the four W's worked out, you're off to a great start in terms of party planning. Now let's get into the theme-specific things, that'll truly make this birthday special.

The Specifics of Party Planning

1. Planning Your Party Theme

Let's get specific, starting with some theme ideas. You could either stick very much to the title and make the whole theme platinum, or go another route with it. Think platinum-colored plates, streamers, and maybe even a banner. You could even ask your guests to wear their best platinum look or get dressy for a black-tie affair hosted in the comfort of your home. Or maybe, you have everyone dress up as a different year? You could recreate old photos, or bring back some fashion that was popular the year you were born. If a Platinum Birthday is based on your birth year, have some fun with popular things from back then, and celebrate with your nearest and dearest, now. Check out our list at the bottom of this page.

2. Planning Your Food and Dessert Options

In terms of food, it's your day. You could serve all your favorite meals, either currently, or through the years. Bring out some ants on a log, macaroni & cheese, and sugar cookies. You could special order a Platinum Birthday-themed cake, offer a make-your-own dessert bar with platinum sprinkles, or serve a home-cooked meal to ring in your special day. Check out some of these recipes you may want to consider including:

• Macaroni & Cheese With Bacon
• Ants On A Log
• Sugar Cookies
• Yum Yum Cake
• Blueberry Cake
• Caramel Frosted Chocolate Cake

3. Planning Party Activities

What kinds of party activities would fit a Platinum Birthday? Print out old photos of yourself and play a version of “pin the picture on the timeline.” Try some classic games with a twist. There are charades and twenty questions. You could either make it entirely related to you and your birthday or play with the more classic rules. Get a sparkly, platinum piñata and fill it with your favorite treats, and other party favors. You could rent a photobooth, or DIY one with the right backdrop and some props. What better way to remember a great evening than with photographic evidence? Get together a craft table for making sparkly masks, or other easy artsy things. There are simply so many ways to entertain guests at a party filled with food, fun, and a good theme.

4. Planning a Parting Gift

Speaking of party favors, get creative with these ones. You can get platinum party bags and fill them up with products or candies that you like. Print pictures of you with each of your guests through the years, and write a nice note about how your relationship has changed, or what they mean to you. If you did crafts, you can be sure every guest takes home their finished project. Just have fun and give a small token of what it means to you that your guest could make it to your Platinum Birthday.

Party Planning Overview

So, overall, a Platinum Birthday, with its many definitions, can be whatever you make it. Whether you celebrate it as the day you reach the number at the end of your birth year or flip the numbers to celebrate sooner, you can make the day your own. Find some decorations that match your platinum theme, find snacks, and treats that your guests will enjoy. Plan some activities that will get everyone involved, and maybe offer some nice parting party favors to remember the day by. Whatever you end up doing for your “Platinum Birthday,” may it be super fun, and easy to plan.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©yMediaStock/Shutterstock.com.

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Nowadays it is common to have a gender reveal party for your unborn baby. What's more fun than to gather together friends and family, and all find out together what the gender of a new baby will be? The cringiest gender reveal ideas put a damper on these festivities. As with most kinds of parties, there's a way to throw a classically fun, engaging celebration. And, there are all kinds of ways to throw a party that goes off the rails for all the wrong reasons. From homemade cannons to very flammable fireworks, there are lots of ideas that couples should steer clear of when planning their gender reveal.

How did gender reveal parties even start becoming a thing? It's different than a baby shower and requires a fair amount of planning. Whatever way you incorporate the “gender reveal” aspect, it has to be kept hidden from the parents and revealed to the guests in an appropriately celebratory showing. The first documented gender reveal party took place in 2008, and since then they've burgeoned in popularity. Read on to learn about the history of the gender reveal party. We'll talk about some of the cringiest, and accident-inducing ideas for a gender reveal. And stick around to learn about some more attainable and reasonable gender-reveal ideas. By the end of this, you'll have a great idea of how to throw your own gender reveal party.

The History Of The Gender Reveal Party

It's entirely possible that revealing the gender of a new baby may have been a shared event in the past. However, the first viral documentation of a gender reveal party dates to 2008. A blogger, and soon-to-be-mom named Jenna Karvunidis held a gender reveal where she cut into a pink-icing-filled cake. Her blog about the event went viral. Soon after, more and more people began to create their own “gender reveals.” But, an event that started with cutting into a colored cake, soon expanded into an array of wild, quirky, and downright dangerous kinds of gender reveals. According to CBS News, some of these highly choreographed gender reveals have put guests in danger. Others have been massively detrimental in other ways. Let's get an idea of some of the cringiest gender reveal Ideas.

The Cringiest Gender Reveals

1. Steer clear of anything involving flammable props.

You may have heard of the El Dorado, California wildfire. Well, it was started by a smoke bomb intended for a gender reveal party. That one smoke bomb burned 13,000 acres and affected some 3,000 California residents. Earlier accidents involving pyrotechnics burned 47,000 acres of an Arizona forest. This blaze cost some $8 million to douse.

For obvious reasons, no gender reveal should impact the environment to this degree. Therefore, any flammable, unnecessary props, are out, especially when you could just cut into a delicious cake!

2. Another of the cringest gender reveals involves anything you can't easily clean up!

There are several articles online covering the number of gender reveal parties that leave trash in public parks, or natural lands. From Colorado State Parks to South Florida beaches, parties that have involved colored powder cannons, or paper confetti have wrapped up the festivities and then left behind a colorful mess. There are so many ways in which litter of this kind can impact the local wildlife, not to mention that someone is going to have to clean it up.

If you must use colored paper, or powder or cannons to celebrate the gender of your new family member, make sure it is easy to clean up or be prepared to pack those cordless vacuums, and trash bags for post-party clean up.

3. Avoid putting yourself, or your guests in danger.

A couple in Louisiana utilized their trained Alligator “Sally” in their gender reveal party. “Sally” made her debut by cracking open a watermelon that sprayed out blue jelly. While both Mike Kliebert and Rebecca Miller are trained Alligator handlers, an event like this could go downhill very fast, especially without the correct supervision.

In 2016, a couple documented their homemade cannon blasting out confetti and streamers much harder than anticipated. While the caption of the video ensures the audience that they laughed about it, someone could've definitely gotten hurt. In 2021, a gender reveal went very awry when a cannon used for shooting confetti harmed someone standing nearby.

Consider what kinds of stunts are worth pulling, and if the “virality” of a party idea is more important than the enjoyment of your guests, or the celebration of a new baby!

How To Throw An Enjoyable Gender Reveal Party

If a gender reveal party is still very much on your bucket list, there are ways to make it happen without loss of limb, littering, or liability. If the whole point of the celebration is to welcome a new baby, and to involve your friends and family, find ways to make it enjoyable and engaging.

Even the “creator” of the gender reveal party expressed that her only goal in accidentally starting it was to get others excited and involved as the due date approached. So, with this in mind, let's brainstorm some ideas on how to throw a straightforward, non-life-threatening gender reveal party:

1. Order sweet treats for everyone to sample.

Recently there's been a trend where every guest is given a sweet treat that could reveal the gender. One woman handed out cake pops to every member of the family, and in a viral TikTok video, they each took a bite until somebody's showed up with pink filling. While riffing off the original gender reveal, this was a low-key way to involve everyone in the ultimate gender reveal, and enjoy some treats!

2. Make it into a game.

Another option is to make the gender reveal into a game of sorts. The parents play, but everyone who's in attendance can have a good time watching. Some couples have set up a huge game of tic-tac-toe, and under each square is a possible gender. Connect three in a row and voila! The gender is revealed!

3. Go for a unique, buyable gender reveal.

The internet has some unique gender reveal props available for purchase, that are perfectly safe to use! Check out gender-reveal candles, that are safe to burn and once they're down to the wick reveal the color related to your baby's gender. You can order specialized cakes that have compartments in the middle for a paper sign showing the baby's gender, or get one filled with colored sprinkles.

While this may be closer to the original gender reveal party than any of the more unique variations, what's wrong with enjoying a little cake and finding out your baby's gender at the same time? Sometimes classic is classic for a good reason, and at the end of the day, pretty much everyone enjoys good cake!

4. Make it fun, as a celebration, not just a gender reveal.

If having a baby shower, and a gender reveal party seems like too much, why not combine them? The bottom line is that preparing for a baby to come can already be stressful and life-changing, so the events leading up to the birth should be fun, and relaxing (if possible) for everyone involved. Gathering your friends and family together can absolutely be centered around a gender reveal, but find ways to make it about yourself and your guests as well.

Get the food you enjoy, or bake treats you want to eat. Think of activities the guests can do outside of the main event. Baby names from A-Z or baby bingo cards can be a way to engage guests of all ages. Play a round of “Guess the size of the bump,” or take guesses on what the baby's birthday will actually be. Make it fun for all involved, avoid the cringiest gender reveal party ideas, and enjoy some cake — this will surely be a fun celebration of your new baby.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©aprilante/Shutterstock.com.

The post The Cringiest Gender Reveal Ideas No Couple Should Use appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Encanto is a fantastical movie full of fun, family, and magic. It is no wonder that it also makes for a great birthday party theme. Follow this ultimate Encanto birthday party guide to plan a super fun day filled with all good things. Encanto, which is inspired by the beauty of Colombia, tells the story of the magical Madrigal family and their connection to each other (via Travel & Leisure). It draws on the importance of family, loyalty, and bravery, with plenty of fun, and lots of magic in the mix. From a party planning point of view, you can include the colors, the fun, and maybe even some magic in your special day. 

In this post, we’ll cover the basics of party planning, including some things to keep in mind. Once those have been sorted, we can get into the specifics that will make your ultimate Encanto birthday party well worth remembering. From food and balloons to game ideas, decoration options, and activities, you’re in the right place to learn all about the ins and outs of throwing the ultimate Encanto birthday party. So, let’s get talking about Bruno, and other Encanto-themed fun!

The Basics of Good Party Planning

The first thing to consider when planning any kind of party is the four W's. Who will you invite? What will you do at the party? Where will you host it? And, when will you be able to throw it? Clearing these details early on will help you plan the more theme-specific parts that will make your party all the more fun. So, for some advice on how to cover the four W's, just stick around and keep on reading.

The Who, The What, The Where, And The When

• Let's start easy. Who will you invite to this ultimate Encanto birthday? Think about what classmates or family friends should definitely be included. Be sure to invite immediate family who will enjoy this special affair, or consider if it should just be kids who will appreciate the Encanto theme. Once you have an idea of how many people you'll invite, you can start to think about the next steps. Be sure to get invitations out early if you're sending them via snail mail. Email or text is a faster option.
• What kinds of activities can you do that will include everyone, and what kinds of food will you serve? We'll get into the theme-specific activities a little further down, but the number of people will affect the kinds of activities you can do, as well as how much food you should plan to serve. Consider dietary restrictions or allergies in your preparations for what to serve as well.
• How about the location? Where can you host this ultimate Encanto birthday party? Is it small enough for a living room? Or is it warm enough outside to host in a backyard? Perhaps there's somewhere to rent a space large enough that comes with activities built in. Like a gym or an art studio? As long as there's space for games and a table for treats, you're well set up for a great day.
• And finally, when can you throw the party? Does this particular birthday fall on a weekend or a weekday? Check with your guests to see if there's a day that they cannot attend, and if you're renting a space be sure to double-check when it may be booked.

Encanto Specific Party Planning

Now comes the fun part; the theme-specific party planning! Let's draw on all the fun colors, great themes, and Disney magic of Encanto. Starting off with themed decor, we'll cover some DIY treats, custom cake ideas, games, activities, and more. What characters will show up at this birthday party?

1. Bring Out The Themed Decorations

This first item is a must. Encanto is filled with vibrant colors, magical banners, and fun, unique characters. So bring them into your birthday party planning. Check out the many options for themed banners, balloons, streamers, plates, and other fun Encanto decorations. Why not include a few character cutouts in your setup? Everyone wants to attend this spectacular Encanto birthday party, even the members of the Madrigal family.

2. Bring On The Tasty Treats!

Next up, the food. Perhaps you could include some traditional Colombian recipes in your party? Arepas and Empanadas are both mentioned in the movie, and they can be made with all kinds of sweet and savory ingredients (via CNN). Or you could go the colorful route. Find food that matches the colors of the movie and serve those alongside whatever cake, or cupcake treats you decide on for the grand finale. Check out the cake toppers and themed decorations available through Amazon on the list below.

3. Encanto Inspired Activities

Now, for some fun ideas straight from the world of Encanto. There are plenty of themed board games and card games that could be played indoors with the right number of players. For more involved activities, why not get out some art supplies and have everyone paint their version of the Madrigal's magical house? Print out coloring pages, and remake your favorite Encanto characters. For physical play, set up a maze outdoors with prizes for whoever gets to the other side. There are always the classics like potato sack races or a round of “Pin the Butterfly on Mirabel.”

4. Parting Gifts & Resources

And lastly, can't forget the party favors. Who doesn't love a parting gift? Make little themed bags full of Encanto-related goodies. Include any crafts or prizes that your guests have made or won, and maybe write a note to say “Thanks for being a part of this ultimate Encanto birthday party.”

The image featured at the top of this post is ©streetflash/Shutterstock.com.

The post The Ultimate Encanto Birthday Party Guide: 4 Ideas from Food to Balloons appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Surnames can be a fascinating way to trace one's history whether it's through regional languages, immigration, or meaning. The Chomo family name is a unique one, with roots in ancient Greek and multiple variations on the surname. You may see this surname show up as “Chomo,” “Como,” “Choma,” and “Koma.” Records of this surname, and its variations, can be found across areas like Laos, Slovakia, Poland, France, Mexico, Tanzania, and Russia.

According to Name Doctor, the variations on the name “Chomo,” come from the words “hierós,” and “ónoma” which translate to “connected to the Gods,” and “sacred name.” These roots would've formed a last name similar to Geronimo, or Jerome, of which “Chomo” is a less common etymological variation. Read on to learn more about the Chomo family name. We'll talk about some of its variations, meanings, and history. Get an idea of how the “Chomo” name came to be and who else has it!

Origin And Various Meanings

While the surname “Chomo,” is hard to pinpoint in terms of direct origin, there are a lot of variations that may suggest its etymological roots. As mentioned above, the Greek roots describe a name variation of the “Chomo” surname. Meanwhile, the “Choma,” surname can be traced to the Czech and Slovak languages. In the Slavic context, “Choma,” translates to “small town,” or village. The spelling difference could be due to regional dialects or spelling changes over time (via Ancestry.com).

If we look at the Slovakian roots of the spelling variation “Choma,” it actually comes from the Eastern Slavic first name equivalent of “Thomas.” Considering the meaning behind Thomas, one could connect the meaning to the Chomo family name. According to Very Well Family, the name Thomas comes from the Hebrew word “ta’om,” which translates to “twin.” It is Biblical; showing up in the New Testament with St. Thomas, one of Jesus's 12 apostles. The name “Choma,” is also an anglicized version of the Hungarian name “Csoma,” which means it could've gone through spelling variations during immigration or anglicization processes.

Journeying down the roots of the Chomo name in Southeast, and East Asia, there are references to Chomo being a Laotian surname. There is also a mountain in Tibet called “Chomo Lonzo.” It is located in the Chumbi Valley, which is also sometimes referred to as “Chomo.” Perhaps the surname is connected?

Where Is The Surname Chomo Found?

Many surname-locating websites trace most individuals with the surname “Chomo,” to areas of Slovakia, and Tanzania. It can also be found across France and Spain. According to Ancestry.com, there's evidence of the Chomo family name in both the U.S. and Canada between the years of 1880 and 1920. Data suggests that most males with the surname Chomo were likely working as laborers during the 1940s. The earliest Chomo family may have been living in Connecticut, possibly after immigrating over. Another group of the Chomo family surname crops up in the state of Pennsylvania around the year 1920.

Variations Of The “Chomo” Surname

Another possibility for the spread of the last name Chomo or its variations can also be traced to the more Greek-rooted variation of the surname. According to Name Doctor, there was a well-known Bedonkohe Apache leader who fought the United States and Mexico during the Apache wars. He was given the surname “Geronimo,” by those he fought. Through assimilation and immigration, it's possible the surname stuck and gave rise to more descendants with this variation on the last name “Chomo,” throughout the territories previously occupied by the Bedonkohe Apache people.

As discussed there are a number of ways in which the Chomo name has appeared across different counties, cultures, and with different spellings. A number of Geneology.com users have submitted discussion board questions regarding the Choma family name. Their comments indicate that their ancestors hail from areas like Austria, Hungary, and East Galicia. All of these track with the previously mentioned roots of the name. Alternate spellings of the Chomo name include, but are not limited to:

• Como
• Choma
• Koma
• Chomita/Chomito 

The following names are likely influenced by regional differences and the Greek root of the surname. These variations would not be the same surname as “Chomo,” but are connected to this surname through meaning, etymology, and history:

• Gerolama
• Gerolamina
• Gerolamo
• Gerolima
• Gerolomina 
• Gérôme 
• Géromet 
• Geromina 
• Geromino 
• Geroni 
• Geronim 
• Geronima
• Geronimo 
• Geronimus 
• Girolama

Notable People With The Last Name Chomo

As we've discussed, the Chomo name is rather hard to trace and shows up in lots of variations. However, there is at least one actress with the last name Chomo. Nicole Chomo was an actress who starred in a number of French films between 1953, till her most recent project in 2008. Better-known films include “Monsieur Hulot's Holiday,” “Les filles de Malemort,” and a small role in Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990). In terms of similar, and possibly derived surnames, one Robert Choma appeared as an editor on a number of television shows between the years 2009 and 2011. Mr. John Choma is a well-known American NFL player. John Choma played for the San Francisco 49ers the year they won the Super Bowl XVI in 1982.

Easy To Use Genealogical Resources

Researching surnames can provide a lot of information about a certain name's history or lineage. Where it started, in terms of meaning, and spelling, to where it is now, can change drastically over a few decades. While Google can work wonders in terms of helping with research, it can only do so much. If you're serious about continuing surname and genealogical research, consider consulting with relatives and family members to see if they have any helpful records or familial artifacts. Maybe a photo album will point you in the right direction? Also, public libraries, local newsrooms, and historical societies can provide all kinds of great, and typically free resources, and records to aid you in your search.

In terms of online resources, the following websites are mostly free and can provide a helpful push:

• Our Public Records has lots of records for many surnames available for access online.
• Family Search can help you find certain surnames and provides any freely available data in relation to a particular surname's origin or meaning.
• Geneology.com is a thread-based (commenting) website where users can connect with other people looking for genealogical information regarding a certain family surname.

Paywalled Genealogical Resources

In terms of more in-depth resources, the following options have some kind of subscription, membership, or participating fee attached. However, they also offer some great databases, lots of resources, and more pinpointed genealogical findings than a standard search engine.

• Find My Past is a membership-based database that offers its users a large database that could potentially help to find answers about a certain surname or family lineage.
• My Heritage is another membership-based platform with a wide variety of resources for its users to look up and find out more information about a certain surname in a family tree.
• 23 And Me is a bit different than these other options. It functions both as a lineage website but also as a genetic testing database. Simply send in a sample and you can learn about your own genetic makeup, as well as where your family came from, geographically.
• Ancestry.com is a well-known resource for genealogical searches and offers membership access to more resources. They have the largest family matching database and also offer AncestryDNA. This functions similarly to 23 And Me but with a different resource setup.
• FamilyTreeDNA offers a similar package to that of 23 And Me, with genetic testing and ancestral search resources through their online platform.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Feng Yu/Shutterstock.com.

The post Chomo: Family Name, Meaning, History, And More appeared first on Moms Who Think.

You may not realize it, but surnames actually tell us a lot about the families that bear them. For instance, the Breasure family name has ancestral roots in the United Kingdom. However, it has a similar spelling to a classically French surname. This could mean that the descendants of the Breasure family name have ties to both France and the United Kingdom. It is also fascinating to look at the meaning behind these surname variations. How did a letter get dropped? Why did a certain name stick? We'll get into all of these roots and more. Stick around to learn about the Breasure family name and its unique history.

In this post, we'll cover the meaning, history, and original language roots of this particular surname. Learn more about the variations on the Breasure family name. They may connect the name to more than one meaning or origin! Read on as we uncover the history of individuals with the last name Breasure. While it's not the most common of surnames, there is still some unique etymology tied to the Breasure name. So, let's get into the story behind the Breasure family name and see what we can find out.

Origin And Meaning

As mentioned above, it would seem the Breasure family name has roots in the French surname “Brasure.” According to Ancestry.com, the surname “Brasure,” was found predominantly in areas of the United Kingdom, Scotland, and the U.S. between the years 1840 and 1920. Suppose we modify the spelling to the surname variation with an “e” to get Breasure. In that case, the record shows most Breasure families living in the United States, specifically in Maine, starting around 1880. So, it's very possible that while the name started with the French spelling, as it spread to different parts of Europe, and over to the United States, it went through anglicizations and spelling changes.

Let's take a closer look at the French origins of the surname “Brasure,” as it links to the Breasure family name. “Brasure,” comes from the Old French term “brazer.” This term describes someone who works with metal to smelt and solder parts together. In English, it would translate to “brazier,” which is colloquially known as a metal worker (via Merriam-Webster). In line with other last names that would indicate a family's labor trade (Barber, Gardener, Smith, Brewer, etc.), “Brasure” might've served a similar purpose in Medieval France. The records of the “Brasure” surname trace it to areas of the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom alongside France. It is confirmed that a member of the Brasure family immigrated from France to the United States in 1881, which could've resulted in the name being Anglicized, and the spread of variant surnames.

Variations Of The Name “Breasure”

To further show how much a surname can change, let's look at another variation on the Breasure family name. The surname “Brashear,” is more similar phonetically than “Brasure,” but both come from Old French terms. “Bra,” translates to “arm,” and “Cher,” means “beloved,” and when combined the spelling changed to match the phonetic pronunciation as opposed to the spelling of the individual words.

It has a similar meaning to the alternative spelling; it was given to someone who was considered “well-armed,” or had the profession of an armorer. This name was commonly anglicized to surnames like “Brashier,” and “Brasier.” It's not so far a leap to consider that Breasure could've been yet another variation on the spelling of this surname. Overall, it would seem that all these surnames have roots in a name given to someone with a metal-working profession, who was also considered to be “strong,” “beloved,” or “dear. It is nice to know the meaning behind the names that trace our histories and where our families came from.

Other variations on the Breasure family name may include but are not limited to:

• Brasure
• Brashear
• Brashier
• Brasier
• Brasher
• Brashier
• Brasseur
• Brassieur
• Brachier
• Braisher
• Brassier
• Brechiau
• Brechain
• Brazel
• Brechon
• Brechaud
• Brecherau
• Brechereau
• Brechiau
• Bresillon
• Bresson
• Breshon
• Breton
• Braize

As you can see, there are numerous ways that this surname could've changed over time, influenced by immigration, anglicization, and other language factors.

Interesting Facts About The Breasure Family Name

• By the 1940s, evidence suggests that the most common jobs for U.S. citizens with the surname Breasure included the roles of farmer and housewife. Some 50% of males with the surname Breasure worked as farmers during this time. Meanwhile, 72% of females with the Breasure surname held the role of a housewife.
• You can see from the list above that there are truly so many variations on the Breasure family name. A reason for this has a lot to do with how people used to translate phonetic pronunciations of a name to the written word. Many people who immigrated anglicized more traditional family names to make them easier to pronounce. As a result, the spelling modifications on official paperwork could've been purposeful or a mistake on the part of the writer.

Historical Evidence of Individuals With The Breasure Family Name

Within the Sprague Project, a genealogical project to trace family members associated with the last name “Sprague/Spragg,” there is evidence of the Breasure family name. One William Breasure Spragg was born in New Brunswick, Canada in 1848, and died in Inglewood, Los Angeles in 1933. Since this was a middle name, it's possible William's parents (most likely his mother,) kept the family name as a middle name. Or it could've been a family name from generations earlier. Thus we have an example of the spreading of the Breasure family name from New Brunswick, Canada to Los Angeles in the United States.

Free Genealogical Resources For Researching Surnames

Search engines can only provide so much data and resources when it comes to researching or tracing surnames. When people are truly interested in tracking down possible relatives, or simply understanding more about their family lineage, there are a few great roads to go down.

Depending on how much you'd like to invest in this kind of search, several free websites can help you with your surname search. The following sites are free and may be able to help you in finding some answers:

• Family Search functions similarly to Ancestry.com, a resource that was utilized in this post.
• Our Public Records can also provide some amount of information on family surnames.
• Geneology.com allows users to post on forums regarding their family tree and surname search.

Outside of websites and online research, try asking family members and relatives for any documents or photographs that could pinpoint your family tree. Libraries are great because they store old records, and historical societies can also be a great resource as you begin your great surname search.

Subscription-Based Genealogical Resources

The following resources are either paywalled, have a membership fee, or some other kind of cost associated with using them. This can be a great route to go if you have the means because a lot of these websites have the tools to trace a surname lineage. Check out the list below:

• My Heritage is a membership-based website that lets you utilize its online database to gather information on your particular family tree or surname history.
• Find My Past is another membership database that can help someone in genealogical research.
• 23 And Me is a genealogical database and also a DNA testing company. You can send in a sample with their sample kit and they'll provide you with data about where your family comes from, along with the option to learn about genetic conditions that may have passed through your ancestors.
• Ancestry.com is a great tool for baseline genealogical research but also offers a membership level of information and resources.
  • AncestryDNA, this platform also has a DNA testing kit. According to Wirecutter, AncestryDNA has the largest family-matching database. However, it is less streamlined than 23 And Me.
• FamilyTreeDNA is another genealogical and DNA testing website. Read more here.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Zoltan Fabian/Shutterstock.com.

The post Breasure: Family Name, Meaning, History, And More appeared first on Moms Who Think.

If you’re trying to pick between Kapaa vs. Honolulu for your next Hawaiian adventure, keep on reading. While both are beautiful places to go, there are some major differences worth knowing. Kapaa is located on the island of Kauai while Honolulu is on the island of O’ahu. While O’ahu is larger than Kauai, the islands themselves provide different opportunities for vacationers.

Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii, which means it is inherently more developed than Kauai, which is known for its natural beauty and lots of undeveloped lands. Depending on what kind of vacation you are looking for, these two locations can each present unique vacation opportunities.

So, as we do a deep dive into Kapaa vs. Honolulu, we’ll look at the history, the attractions, and the amenities of each of these islands. Learn more about the must-do things in these areas of Kauai compared to O’ahu. By the end of this, you’ll know for sure which spot to pick while planning your next Hawaiian getaway adventure. Will it be the capital of Hawaii? Or the “Garden Isle” of Kauai?

Kapaa vs. Honolulu: How Are They Different?

Kapaa is a town on the southeast shore of Kauai. It is known for its main street of restaurants, shops, and local museums, nestled into the mountainous landscapes and lush greenery of Kauai. Honolulu is the capital of the Hawaiian islands, located on the southeast coast of O'ahu. It is the most populated area of the island of O'ahu, which provides a stark contrast to Kauai, which is one of the more underdeveloped of the Hawaiian islands. You'll get two very different tourist experiences between Kapaa vs. Honolulu.

The History of Kapaa

Kapaa, also spelled Kapa'a, means “held fast.” It was named this due to the thriving community that grew in relation to the sugar plantation in the early days of the island. The region is known for its sugar cane plantations, as well as its rice fields, and pineapple production. In terms of the tourism industry, Kauai made a shift after World War II when the sugar plantations closed. The stores in Kapa'a have expanded to include all kinds of tourist gems, local restaurants, artisan shops, and more. Take a stroll through this sleepy beachside town and you'll pass all kinds of historical sites, and a handful of museums. This region is also known for the nearby Nounou mountain formation, upon which there are some incredible hiking opportunities that will take you through mountain landscapes and by the sea (via Brittanica).

Things To Do In Kapaa 

While less developed than other islands, Kauai, and specifically Kapaa, is well worth a visit. There's a reason this town is a popular spot for vacations on the island of Kauai.

• Starting with some of the natural wonders near Kapaa, check out the hiking opportunities by Nounou, the sleeping giant mountain. There's Kuilau Ridge and lots of family-friendly hikes.
• The Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path is great for exploring. It goes between Lydgate Park, which is also worth a stopover, all the way through to Donkey Beach.
• For other beachfront parks check out Kealia and Wailua Beach. There are plenty of seas to swim and you can often catch some wildlife enjoying the beachfront as well.
• Cultural sites in Kapaa include Poliahu, Holoholoku, and Kukui heiau. Learn about the island while you spend time exploring it in all its beauty.
• Wailua Falls is a bit outside of Kapaa, but well worth a visit to see this magnificent waterfall.
• There's also the Kauai Hindu Monastery. This temple was built in India and reassembled in Kauai. There are quite a few temples and lots of history here.
• Restaurants are prominent in Kapaa, along with all kinds of local stands, and don't forget to try the shaved ice! For waterfront dining, check out Oasis on the Beach or the Bull Shed. Some of them even have live music on certain evenings!

History Of Honolulu

Honolulu was declared the capital in 1850 after it was returned to King Kamehameha III. Before this, the island was occupied by whalers, sandalwood traders, and French and British troops respectively between the 1100s til just before 1850. The earliest explorers described the landscape as a “protected bay,” which made it an ideal spot for shipping routes, and the future development of towns, cities, and more industrial, and commercial opportunities. In world history, Honolulu played a huge part in World War II after the Pearl Harbor aerial attack. There continues to be a huge military presence on the island. Today's Honolulu is full of manufacturing plants that include the export of canned pineapple, sugar refinement, clothing, aluminum, oil, cement, steel, and dairy. It is home to the University of Hawaii, and quite a few community colleges, as well as some important museum collections (via Brittanica).

Things To Do In Honolulu

In the city of Honolulu, you'll find a nice balance of activities and relaxation. Known for its dry climate, and warm, calm waters, Honolulu has so much to see and explore.

• Head to Hanama Bay Nature Preserve to check out Nu’uanu Valley from the local lookout points.
• Check out the attractions of Chinatown and Kaka'ako where you'll find street art, artisan shops, handmade leis, and great restaurants for good food. Take a look at some of Eater‘s top spots.
• The Lyon Arboretum has 200+ acres of Tropical rainforest, where you can experience all kinds of unique flora and fauna adjacent to Honolulu.
• The Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo are wonderful opportunities to see local wildlife.
• No trip to Honolulu would be complete without a stop at Iolani Palace. It is the only royal palace on U.S. soil and was home to King Kalākaua and eventually Queen Liliʻuokalani. It remains a historical site for the many changes that have happened since the early days of Hawaiian history.
• For more history, check out the Pearl Harbor Museum. Here you can check out vintage aircraft, old hangars, and other sites that were integral to this devasting attack on U.S. soil.
• Waikiki and Lanikai beaches are well worth a stop, as well as the Diamond Head State Monument. Both will provide you with gorgeous views of sand, sea, and the local landscapes of Honolulu.
• And for one last hiking suggestion, try to catch a rainbow over at Manoa Falls (150-foot waterfall!)

Trip Things To Consider

When comparing Kapaa vs. Honolulu, it's important to consider how the budget for these varying trips may impact your enjoyment. Kauai is generally less expensive because it's not as touristy as some of the other islands. That being said, island living does come with more import taxes on basic groceries and amenities. So while Kauai may be more budget-friendly, it also may have less access to certain things you're used to. Honolulu is the capital city of O'ahu and is highly populated. This means that as a shipping port, it has lots of amenities but also is very popular with tourists. You may find yourself fighting crowds in high season, and the cost of things will also likely be higher due to the increased vacation demand. Whichever place you pick, you're sure to have a wonderful time. After all, who can't enjoy themselves while surrounded by sunshine, sandy beaches, and that beautiful blue sea?

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Drone Northwest/Shutterstock.com.

The post Kapaa vs. Honolulu: A Hawaii Travel Guide appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Have you ever wondered which Hawaiian island would be the best fit for your ideal vacation? Let’s compare the Koloa vs. Wailea areas, respectively, on the islands of Kauai and Maui. Both areas have a thriving resort community, beach access, and so much natural beauty. Not to mention what each of the islands has to offer adventurous tourists just a short drive away from these two regions, there are lots of things to consider. Read on to get a better idea of what grand adventures await you on your next Hawaiian vacation to either Koloa or Wailea.

Get to know Koloa vs. Wailea and the differences between the two. We’ll take a look at the history of these areas of both Kauai and Maui as well as some of their biggest attractions. Get an idea of the sights, sounds, and adventures that will best fit your ideal Hawaiian vacation. Maybe your choice takes you to the slightly larger island of Maui, you’ll get to explore the Wailea resort stretch with beautiful weather and beaches galore. Or maybe you head to Kauai where the weather is wetter but there is the lovely Poipu Beach and the Koloa old town village has lots of shops to check out. Where will you pick for your dream Hawaiian vacation with the choice of Koloa vs. Wailea?

Koloa vs. Wailea: What Are The Differences?

When comparing Koloa vs. Wailea, it's important to note that these regions are on two different islands. Koloa is located on the Southern side of the island of Kauai, the third largest island among the Hawaiian islands. And then there's Wailea, which is on the South coastal part of Maui, the second largest island. Maui is the larger island between the two, with more residents, and more developed areas overall. Kauai is known for its more rural stretches, with many areas protected from development in an effort to retain the natural beauty and history of this island. Kauai is sometimes referred to as the “Garden Isle” for its diverse landscapes, rainforests, volcanoes, and stunning beaches – the works.

The History of Koloa

Old Kōloa was developed as a sugar town, adjacent to the first successful sugar mill on the island. The first shops grew alongside the Kōloa Heritage Trail which preserves historical sites integral to the development of the sugar plantations of Kauai. The first buildings date back to the early 1900s and hosted a tailor, laundromat, general store, hotel, bakery, and other old town staples. While the inhabitants have changed, you can still walk the streets of the old town, or make your way towards the resort-lined waters of Poipu beach and experience the past and present of this beautiful Hawaiian island.

Koloa Attractions

Whether you're staying at one of the resorts or hotels in Koloa, or just driving over for a day trip, you should make your way through the Tunnel of Trees. This eucalyptus grove is well worth a photo op. Read on to get some more ideas of the best Koloa attractions.

• Walk through Old Kōloa and sample fresh fish from the local fish market, or stop for Italian food at Pizzetta. Don't forget to grab an iconic Hawaiian shave ice on your jaunt.
• And don't forget the shopping opportunities, check out Island Soap and Candle Works. There are also lots of other local artisan shops that will be sure to have some great souvenirs.
• In the shopping center near Poipu, there are great restaurants like Eating House 1849 Koloa. Stop into some of the high-end grocery stores with organic fruits, vegetables, and local Hawaiian fare.
• Speaking of Poipu, check out this beautiful stretch of beaches where you can snorkel and swim. Shipwreck beach
• Check out Allerton Garden which showcases the natural beauty of the island. There are rainforest trees, bamboo, tropical fruit trees, and other native plants. Take a stroll through the beautiful landscaping of this gem of Kauai.
• If you venture just outside of Koloa, you can experience the wonder of the Makauwahi Cave Reserve. These caves show fossils and archeological sites that tell the story of Kauai.
• For some unique excursions, courtesy of Atlas Obscura, check out the Lithified Sand Dunes or Spouting Horn. The former is an outcropping of sea cliffs that used to be sand. Over time they hardened and now, they make for quite the contrast to the blue waters of the Pacific. The Spouting Horn is one of the most photographed places in Kauai, and legend says that a huge lizard lives beneath the rocks and causes the geyser that shoots seawater into the air. See it for yourself!

Wailea History

Moving onto Wailea, which is named for the legend of the Hawaiian Goddess who would turn into a bird. Lea was the Goddess of canoe builders and her flights over the Maui coastline inspired the name for this region. Wailea translates to “waters of Lea.” Right next to the Haleakala Mauka mountain, the natives first grew sweet potatoes, raising cattle in the fields, and fishing in the bountiful waters along the Maui coast. After World War II, development began on the island. By 1971, the Wailea Development Company took steps to create a residential resort community on this stretch of Maui. They built out shopping centers, restaurants, residences, and lots of spots for tourists to stay while preserving the natural beauty of the island (via Wailea Resort Association).

Wailea Attractions

Maui is a large island, so take advantage of the many tourist opportunities on this beautiful island.

• Starting with beaches, there's Wailea Beach, Keawapaku Beach, and Makena Beach, to name a few. Check out Ulua Beach Park and try your hand at surfing or snorkeling among the waves.
• For a bit more of an adventure, check out the Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve. Here you'll see lots of the volcanic coastline and find lots of unique spots for snorkeling.
• Looking to hike? Head to nearby Keoneʻōʻio Bay. These trails are gorgeous and lead to all kinds of beach spots where you can take a dip to cool off.
• And what resort community would be complete without some shopping opportunities? The Shops at Wailea have all kinds of restaurants including Olivine, and ‘Ikena (via Open Table).
• And of course, Wailea is known for its golf courses. Check out the award-winning greens, and play some holes in the bright sunshine on Maui.

Things To Consider

As with any trip planning, you may want to consider how the cost of a particular island will impact the kinds of things you can do. Maui is for sure a tourist hub, with lots of activities geared towards those who want to spend money. It can be more expensive to stay on Maui than on Kauai because it is a more developed island. Kauai can provide a more remote vacation experience, and while it's still pricy in terms of island costs, you can spend more time in nature doing free things on the accessible beaches.

This doesn't account for the cost of accommodation or renting gear for doing these excursions, but there is a price differential to consider between Koloa vs. Wailea. It's simply a good idea to consider what kinds of things may be the best fit for you and your family on your Hawaiian vacation. If you're looking for bustle and beauty with less of a budget, Maui is the way to go. If you want an emphasis on nature and are looking to spend less overall, perhaps Kauai is the place for you. Either way, this trip is sure to be great.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©EQRoy/Shutterstock.com.

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Deciding where to go on your beautiful Hawaiian vacation can absolutely be a hard choice. Take the areas of Wailea vs. Kapaa, located on the islands of Maui and Kauai. You’ve got a resort community on the second-largest Hawaiian island, or a smaller yet still gorgeous community on the wettest island of the bunch. Each island is pretty unique in terms of the sights to see, things to do, and experiences you’ll have. Whether you decide to head to Maui and check out the local sights and sounds of the beautiful Wailea area or head to Kauai for balmier weather and fewer crowds, you can’t really go wrong when it comes to picking your beautiful Hawaiian vacation.

In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into the attractions, opportunities, and general cost of a trip to Wailea vs. Kapaa. Take a closer look at what unique aspects of these two Hawaiian islands may be a better fit for your vacation planning needs. From weather to restaurants, local adventures, sightseeing, and so much more. There’s a reason Maui and Kauai are two of the most popular islands when it comes to planning a relaxing Hawaiian vacation. Read on to learn more and by the end of this, perhaps you’ll know where to buy those plane tickets. Let's get into the beauty and the bounty of Maui and Kauai.

Wailea vs. Kapaa: A Basic Comparison

Perhaps the biggest comparison point between Wailea vs. Kapaa is that Wailea is located on the south coast of Maui. Kapaa also spelled Kapa'a (pronounced kaa·puh·aa), is on the Island of Kauai on the southeast side. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, and close to the communities of Lihue and Wailua; not to be confused with Wailea! Another important distinction between the two islands is that Maui is generally much bigger and more gentrified than Kauai. Kauai has one main road and far less developed land than Maui. This means that the two islands have very different offerings in terms of vacation vibes. If you're looking for active, tourist-oriented opportunities, you may want to head to Wailea. However, if you want tranquil, possibly rainy, yet still beautiful, Kauai will provide a more rural island experience.

The History of Wailea

The name Wailea comes from the legend of the Hawaiian Goddess Lea. This Goddess would transform into a beautiful bird and fly across the shoreline of Maui, thus the name Wailea for the “Waters of Lea.” The area was known for the mountain Haleakala Mauka where the locals grew sweet potatoes, fished in the nearby waters, and raised cattle in the fields. The resort culture of Wailea began after World War II. In 1964, Alexander & Baldwin, a real estate company took over much of the land. In 1971, they partnered with the Northwest Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee to start the Wailea Development Company. The goal was to create a residential resort community that capitalized on the beauty of the surrounding area. The development expanded to include residential homes, resort hotels, and shopping centers, built into the landscape of beaches and volcanoes (via Wailea Resort Association).

Wailea Attractions

Since Wailea is a developed area of Maui, there is an array of beautiful golf courses, resorts, and lots of areas for tourist adventures and exploration (Go Hawaii). Let's take a closer look at some of the biggest attractions in the Wailea area that are worthwhile for tourists: 

• Wailea Beach is considered one of the best beaches, located right next to Ulua Beach Park. This area is frequented by surfers, pedestrians, and locals.
• Golf courses are bountiful in Wailea with the Blue, Gold, and Emerald courses being the most iconic.
• The ‘Āhihi-Kīna‘u Natural Area Reserve is only 6 or so miles away from the Wailea stretch. This area is known for its amazing snorkeling opportunities and lava rocks coastline.
• Keoneʻōʻio Bay, which is a bit further out has all kinds of hiking trails that lead to more beaches.
• The Shops at Wailea offer some of the best restaurants and shops on the island. Check out Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, Olivine, and ‘Ikena for some Open Table recommendations.
• For seasonal events, Wailea has the Maui Film Festival, Whale Week, and other local offerings.

Kapaa History

Kapaa is a region of Kauai that was historically known for sugar cane, pineapple, and rice. The name for Kapaa (Kapa'a) translates to “held fast,” indicative of its thriving local community. The island of Kauai made it through World War II and after the last plantation closed down in 1946, the island turned toward the tourism industry and to this day combines the beauty of sleepy beach town peacefulness with lots of tourist offerings. The landscape is one of beaches and mountains, located on the southeast side of this beautiful island. The famous sleeping giant formation just south of Kapaa is the inspiration for a great many folktales, and the town itself has a number of museums, preserved ceremonial structures, and historic reserves (via Brittanica).

Kapaa Attractions

This area of the island is a sleepy, beautiful beach town. There are lots of activities for tourists looking to explore the gorgeous natural surroundings.

• Check out the Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path that runs from Lydgate Park to Donkey Beach. There are plenty of places to rent a bike on the island and lots to see along the way.
• Lydgate Park, Kealia, and Wailua Beach all have lots of space to stretch out and sun or run around and play. Sometimes you can see the local wildlife in areas of the park that are restricted!
• The hiking trails that lead around the sleeping giant mountain and Kuilau Ridge are well worth the excursion. Check out the local flora and fauna with lots of ocean views.
• For some waterfalls check out Wailua Falls (again, not to be confused with Wailea on Maui) or Opaekka. You'll need to arrange a ride as these spots are a bit outside of the town, but they are easily accessible, picture-worthy, and a must-see while in Kapaa.
• Kapaa is home to the Kauai Hindu Monastery. Check out the granite-hewn temples and learn all about what went into reassembling these structures on the island of Kauai. Appointment required.
• In Kapaa itself, there's the first Saturday Art Walk with local food, music, and kiosks. There's also an array of waterfront restaurants in Kapaa including Oasis on the Beach and the Bull Shed. Be sure to check online for the hours as “island time” is often quite unpredictable compared to the mainland.
• Check out the cultural sites known as Wahi Pana. Kukui heiau, Poliahu, and Holoholoku all mark important historical remembrances for the people of the island. Remember to be respectful and enjoy the beauty of this island's history and story.

Things To Consider

Budgeting is typically a large part of any vacation experience. While Maui is a larger island, with more activities depending on your vacation interests, it can also be more expensive than Kauai which is slightly less touristy overall. Demand does increase the price of certain experiences, so if you're looking to save some money and do more nature-related activities, Kapaa and Kauai may be the way to go. However, Kauai is also more rural than Maui. So, in terms of finding things to do and getting there easily, you may need to rent a car or arrange transportation on Kauai, whereas in Maui you may be able to depend on the bus system and shuttle options. If you budget in the cost of accommodation, groceries, or dining, alongside your transportation considerations, you'll have a better idea of which island to choose.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©aaddyy/Shutterstock.com.

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Ottawa, Ontario sits directly across the Ottawa River from Gatineau, which is located in Southwestern Quebec. The best schools in Ottawa-Gatineau include both public and private institutions with great ratings in terms of resources, test scores, and amenities offered to its students. These two areas have a fair amount of beautiful things to see, lots to do, and a great culture of academics for its residents. Read on as we do a deep dive into the kinds of schools available in the Ottawa-Gatineau regions of Canada.

In this post, you'll learn all about some of the best schools in Ottawa-Gatineau today. Get a better idea of their academic offerings, what grades they serve, and if their schooling is public or private. Both these cities are considered great spots to live, ranking 3rd in a study of the safest places to live in all of Canada (via Ottawa City News). So, the school options in this region must reflect the likelihood that families are prominent in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. Without further ado, let's learn about some of the best schools in Ottawa-Gatineau today.

Ottawa Schools

Lisgar Collegiate Institute

29 Lisgar Street, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0B9, Canada

Starting with the Lisgar Collegiate Institute, which is a highly awarded institution. It is one of the oldest schools in Ottawa, dating back to 1843. The “gifted program,” caters to grades 9th through 12th. They also have Advanced Placement programs, and a stellar orchestra, as well as notable math and science programming. LCI offers advanced studies in French, Spanish, and Latin.

OMS Montessori

335 Lindsay Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 0L6, Canada

OMS Montessori is a French and English school in the Ottawa region. They serve children from 18 months through 18 years, with a “Casa” program, an elementary school program, and a high school program. They offer a stellar arts program and a great athletics department on top of great academics.

March Academy

325 Sandhill Road, Kanata, Ontario K2K 1X7, Canada

The March Academy is located in Kanata, a suburb of the greater Ottawa area. It serves grades 1st through 8th with lots of academic support. Teachers at March Academy guide students with learning and language disabilities, along with supporting mainstream learning styles with a unique curriculum. This is why the March Academy is among the best schools in Ottawa-Gatineau.

Elmwood School

261 Buena Vista Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 0V9, Canada

Next up we have the Elmwood School, an independent, not-for-profit school. All the tuition costs, many of which can be mitigated by scholarships and financial aid, go directly into the operational budget. They serve grades pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. Like other schools on this list, the Elmwood School is recognized as a distinguished academic institution. It is absolutely one of the best schools in Ottawa-Gatineau.

Fern Hill School

50 Vaughan Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1X1, Canada

The Fern Hill School serves preschool through 8th grade and has been open since 1981. They offer special programs in French, Technology, Art, and Music. They also have options for a range of physical education activities including soccer, tennis, dance, skating, and yoga.

Gatineau Schools

Pierre Elliott-Trudeau Elementary School

2 Rue Millar, Gatineau, Quebec J8Y 3N3, Canada

The Pierre Elliott-Trudeau Elementary School is a French immersion school perfect for families looking for a bilingual environment. Located in Gatineau, right next to the Parc des Portageurs on the Ottawa River, the Pierre Elliott-Trudeau Elementary School is among the best schools in Ottawa-Gatineau.

École

161 Principale Street, Gatineau, Quebec J9H 3M9, Canada

École is a French immersion Montessori school in Gatineau. They offer a summer camp and a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities. From watercolor courses, mad science experiments, chess, and ninja classes, to knitting club, soccer, and volleyball, there is a lot that this school can offer.

École De Touraine

Édifice Riviera, 59 Rue de Provence, Gatineau, Quebec J8T 4V2, Canada

The École De Touraine is another French immersion program that serves preschool through 6th grade. It is ranked among the top schools in the Gatineau region of Quebec, which is why it appears on this list!

Philemon Wright High School

80 Rue Daniel-Johnson, Gatineau, Quebec J8Z 1S3, Canada

The Philemon Wright High School is connected to the Hadley Junior High School. These schools serve middle and high school grades in the Gatineau region. While the school itself is Anglophone, they do offer advanced French immersion programs, which fit with the culture of the region. No wonder this is one of the best schools in Ottawa-Gatineau.

École Du Nouveau-Monde

Édifice St-Rosaire, 9 Rue Sainte-Yvonne, Gatineau, Quebec J8T 1X6, Canada

And lastly, we have the École Du Nouveau-Monde another French-speaking school in Gatineau. Focused on growing academic and personal development, this school emphasizes Francophone culture. École Du Nouveau-Monde offers its students lots of opportunities to participate in local, and national activities that celebrate the French culture of Quebec and traditions unique to this particular region of Canada.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Howard Sandler/Shutterstock.com.

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If you've ever wondered about the worst schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you've come to the right place. Now, when we say “worst schools,” the institutions on this list made this category based on measurable factors. This isn't to say that the teachers or the staff don't do everything they can with the resources they have, but test scores, graduation rates, and academic offerings say a lot about a school. While these ratings can indicate that these academic institutions are missing the mark, for colleges it's a bit harder to deem what constitutes a quality education. For the purpose of this article, we will take a look at the graduation rates, as a low graduation rate can indicate a lack of resources, support, or financial aid.

In this post, we'll do a deep dive into the academic ratings, educational resources, and other markers of success for 16 of the worst schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From elementary and charter schools through high schools and colleges, learn about the offerings from these academic institutions. We'll do a breakdown of the data that goes into the grading systems from websites like Niche or College Simply. Read on to get the low down on 16 of the worst schools in Philadelphia today.

Elementary & High Schools

Mastery Charter School – Mann Elementary

5376 West Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Starting with Mastery Charter School – Mann Elementary, which is a public charter school. It serves grades kindergarten through 6th grade and has just under 600 students enrolled. The student-teacher ratio stands at around 16 to 1, with an overall Niche grade of D-. This grade is based on this school's grades for Teachers, Academics, and Diversity. State test scores indicate that 5% of the student body is math proficient, while 17% of the student body is proficient in reading.

John Wister Elementary School

67 East Bringhurst Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144

The John Wister Elementary School serves just under 500 students between kindergarten through the 5th grade. This public charter school has a student-to-teacher ratio of around 14:1, and testing shows a 5% math proficiency and a 12% reading proficiency. Its Niche rating is a D- based on the categories of Academics, Teachers, and Diversity.

Kipp North Philadelphia Charter School

2539 North 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132

Next up is the KIPP North Philadelphia Charter School which has a D grade from Niche. This public charter school serves just under 500 students between the grades of kindergarten through 7th grade. Testing scores show a 15% math proficiency and a 15% reading proficiency among its students.

Mastery Prep Elementary Charter School

1801 West Pike Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140

With a D+ from Niche, Mastery Prep Elementary Charter School is one of the worst schools in Philadelphia. There are just over 450 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through 5th grade. Of the schools thus far, there is a student-to-teacher ratio of 20 to 1. The state testing indicates that only 12% of the student body showcases math proficiency, while 37% showcase reading proficiency.

Deep Roots Charter School

3556 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134

Another charter school on this list with a low grade from Niche, the Deep Roots Charter School has a D+ rating. This public charter school has just under 400 students enrolled in kindergarten through 7th grade and the student-to-teacher ratio is around 11:1. State testing shows a 5% math proficiency and a 22% reading proficiency.

Philadelphia Learning Academy

4224 North Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140

The Philadelphia Learning Academy is a very small school serving 9th through 12th grade. It has a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1.10% of the student body showcases math proficiency, while 12% showcases reading proficiency. The Niche score is a D- based on Academics, Teachers, Diversity, and the College Prep abilities of this particular Philadelphia academic institution.

People For People Charter School

800 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130

The People For People Charter School has a Niche grade of D based on Academics, Teachers, Clubs & Activities, Diversity, College Prep abilities, and Administration. Serving kindergarten through 12th grade, there are just under 500 students enrolled with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1. State testing indicates a very low math proficiency (only 1%!) and a 14% reading proficiency from this student body.

Vaux High School

2300 West Master Street, Philadelphia, PA 19121

Vaux High School has a D+ rating from Niche. This public high school serves students in grades 9th-12th with just around 400 students enrolled. The student-teacher ratio is 24:1 and state testing indicates a 5% math proficiency among the student body of Vaux High School.

John Bartram High School

2401 South 67th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19142

The John Bartram High School serves grades 9th through 12th with around 500 students enrolled. The student-to-teacher ratio at this establishment is 14:1. State test scores show a 5% math proficiency, and a 12% reading proficiency among the student body of this high school. The overall Niche grade is a D+.

Murrel Dobbins CTE High School

2150 West Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132

The Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical Education High School has over 1,000 students enrolled between the grades of 9th through 12th. The student-to-teacher ratio is around 12:1, with 5% of students showcasing math proficiency and 17% showcasing reading proficiency. Niche grades this institution a D+ based on categories including Academics, Teachers, Diversity, and College Prep.

Colleges

Moving onto colleges, which aren't ranked in quite the same way, for the purpose of this list we'll be doing off the graduation rates. A low graduation rate can indicate problems with the resources, support, or financial aid options that allow for students to graduate at all. Note that some of these colleges are close to, but not directly located in Philadelphia. Still, for the Pennsylvania area, these low-rated institutions are worth knowing about. Read on to learn more about them.

Harrisburg Area Community College

1 HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Harrisburg Area Community College is a public, two-year community college. It has an enrollment of around 13,000 enrolled in undergraduate programs. This institution caters to both full-time, and part-time students with a diverse group of majors including health sciences, and technology services. However, according to College Simply, this community college has a graduation rate of only 10.3%.

Community College of Philadelphia

1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130  

Next up, we have the Community College of Philadelphia. Also a two-year public college, this institution serves around 12,000 undergraduates both full-time and part-time. Its most popular majors include business and nursing, but it still has a relatively low graduation rate of 10.8% overall, which is why it has this placement on the list of worst schools in Philadelphia.

Westmoreland County Community College

145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697

Westmoreland County Community College located in Youngwood has an overall graduation rate of 12.7%. It has an enrollment of just over 4,000 students in its public, two-year associate and certificate degree programs. WCCC does have some good course offerings in nursing, the trades, and culinary arts.

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology

326 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

And lastly, for this list, we have the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology with a graduation rate of 13.2%. While one of the smallest on this list, with an enrollment of around 3,000 students. It is a four-year institution with both undergraduate and graduate programs. Their notable degree options include STEM fields and computer and information sciences but still don't have a high graduation rate.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©AevanStock/Shutterstock.com.

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No one can deny that there is quite a sub-culture around the creation and enjoyment of beer, perhaps especially among certain generations. Read on to check out the beer brands that Boomers love and Millenials aren't too keen on. Over different generations, there have definitely been some shifts among what beer brands and even types of alcohol are most popular in terms of consumers. Especially with wines, hard seltzers, and ciders all providing some tough competition for the alcohol market.

With data gathered from YouGov, one can compare the beer brands that are most popular among Boomers versus Millenials, and the results may surprise you. Will Guinness reign supreme across the generational divide? Or will other beer brands like Corona or Stella Artois make it to the top for the younger generation?

For the purpose of this article, it's important to define the Baby Boomer and Millenial cut-off. According to Brittanica, Baby Boomers are classified as the generation born post World War II. During this time there was a surge in births with a huge increase in population between 1946-1964. Between Baby Boomers and Millenials there was Generation X (1965-1980) and Millenials are considered anyone born between 1981-1996. So, let's take a look at how these generational gaps change beer preferences.

Baby Boomer Beer Favorites

Guinness

This iconic Irish dry stout ranks #1 among Baby Boomers. Brewed since 1759, Guinness is made with roasted and malted barley, yeast, hops, and water. There is no caffeine, but it does have notes of rich chocolate and delicious coffee. Among Baby Boomers, this is a top beer with a 49% popularity rating and a 96% fame rating. These numbers come from a poll conducted in 2023, of people with a positive opinion of these beer brands. For the sake of the data, age was a factor which is how this list is sorted.

Samuel Adams

Next up we have Samuel Adams, named for the U.S. founding father who actually owned a brewery himself. The beer company has a variety of flavors and options including Lagers, seasonal varieties, and specialty brews. In terms of Baby Boomers, this beer has a 46% popularity rating and a 95% fame rating.

Coors

You may recognize Coors with its 99% fame rating and among Baby Boomers, it has a 43% popularity rating. Its full name is Coors Banquet and it is known for a unique banana flavoring that happens during the fermentation process. Compared to the Baby Boomer preferences, this beer is ranked much lower on the Millenials list (all the way at #31)!

Miller

And there then is Miller which comes in quite a few varieties. Miller High Life, which was founded in 1855, opened its first store in 1903. Its recipe includes malted barley, Pacific Northwest hops, and Miller yeast. YouGov reports a 38% popularity rating and a 97% fame rating among Baby Boomers.

Michelob Light

Lastly, a Boomer favorite and low on the list of Millennial preferences, we have the Michelob Light. While there are other options from this beer brand including the Michelob Ultra, the Light is a Lager-beer brewed in Saint Louis, Missouri. It has a 38% popularity rating and a 98% fame rating on YouGov

Millennial Alcohol Preferences

Now that you know some of the top beer brands that Boomers love, let's look at the beer and hard alcohol options that Millenials prefer instead:

Modelo

This is a Mexican beer that has an array of unique flavors. Try Modelo‘s piña picante, naranja picosa, limon y sal, sandía picante, mango chile. Brew variations include Modelo Especial, Modelo Negra, and Modelo Chelada. Brewed since 1925, Modelo rates at 59% popularity among Millenials.

White Claw

While not a beer, White Claw ranks high on the Millenial list of preferred alcohols with a 56% popularity rating. White Claw is known for its tasty hard seltzers with flavors like black cherry, mango, watermelon, lime, raspberry, tangerine, passion fruit, and more. They also have Triple Wave Filtered Vodka as well as vodka soda drinks. Hard seltzers really do provide quite the competition in the beer market!

Stella Artois

This variety is a Belgian Lager that has been brewed for close to 600 years. While the process has changed, Stella Artois remains popular with a 55% popularity rating among Millennial beer drinkers.

Between Baby Boomers and Millenials, there are actually a few list crossovers including Heineken and Corona, both of which have a 48% popularity rating among Baby Boomers. Meanwhile, Heineken tops the YouGov list for Millenials with a 60% popularity rating, while Corona sits at 59% popularity among the Millenial generation, with Corona Extra and Corona Light both ranked at 58%. Guinness has a 55% rating among Millenials but it is still only ranked #7 on the Millenial list for beer preferences, compared to being first in terms of preferences for Baby Boomer beer drinkers.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©View Apart/Shutterstock.com.

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Olive Garden is a staple of the classic American dining chains, specializing in Italian and American food. While dining in person is absolutely an experience worth having, Olive Garden posted their recipes, and some of them are fun to try and make at home. You may know Olive Garden from its fan-favorite breadsticks, but they have an array of iconic menu items included in the Olive Garden recipes. While there are a whole lot of copycat options available for some of their tastiest menu items, there are some Olive Garden recipes that are available online. From soups and sauces to main dishes, appetizers, sides, and even a few desserts, read on to learn about some of our favorite Olive Garden recipes.

According to this Reddit thread, these recipes were available online in 2013, but have been compiled for the many people requesting copycat recipes for some of Olive Garden's greatest hits. For a bit of Olive Garden history, it was started in 1982 in Orlando, Florida under the umbrella of the General Mills company. It expanded quickly with 145 restaurants by 1989. A big part of the Olive Garden experience is due to its interior design choices which are modeled after a Tuscan farmhouse located within the Rocca delle Macie winery. Olive Garden continued to spread, with numerous locations all over the world, and its breadsticks, unlimited soup, and salad deals continue to bring back a base of loyal Olive Garden customers (via Popular Timelines). Now, let's get into the good stuff. Bring on the breadsticks!

Soups

Angel Hair & Three Onion Soup

For this Olive Garden recipe, you'll want to set aside around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get everything done. It takes around 15 minutes of prep and 1.5 hours to cook. You'll need a half pound of baby pearl onions, 4 tbsp olive oil, 1 red onion, 1 sweet onion, and 6 cups of chicken stock. Get some salt, red pepper flakes, 1/2 pound of angel hair pasta, 1/3 cup of parsley, and 4 tsp grated Romano cheese. Saute the onions over low heat for around 20 minutes before adding the stock and the spices. Add in pasta, and remaining ingredients and cook til al dente. Serve with Romano cheese on top and enjoy.

Lentil Stew with Capers

This lentil stew will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes in total. Get ahold of 1 bag of Italian dried lentils, 1 yellow onion, 1 medium carrot, 1 stalk of celery, 1 clove of garlic, rosemary, and thyme. You'll need 4 cups of chicken stock, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup and 2 tbsp chopped tomatoes, 1 tbsp capers, parsley, ground pepper, and EVOO. Soak your lentils for 2 hours, and cook your veggies, oil, and g garlic in a crock pot until tender, but not browned. Add in herbs and chicken stock. Reduce and simmer for between 30-45 minutes, add salt for flavoring. Best served after 2 hours so the flavors can fully combine. Simply reheat and garnish with tomatoes, capers, black pepper, and parsley. Enjoy.

Cream of Tomato & Basil

This is the fastest soup option from the Olive Garden recipes. It'll only take roughly 20 minutes to get everything sorted and ready to enjoy. You'll need 4 tbsp of butter, 1 small red onion, 2 cups dry white wine, and 3 cups of canned, diced tomatoes. Get 2 cups of heavy cream, 3 tbsp fresh basil, salt, and black pepper. Melt the butter, saute the onions, and add the white wine. Simmer with the tomatoes and heavy cream and reduce by 1/2. Puree the mixture in a food processor and add herbs, salt, and pepper to taste. Garnish with remaining fresh ingredients and enjoy.

Appetizers

Zuppa Toscana

This zuppa toscana dish from Olive Garden calls for 1 pound of Italian sausage, crushed red pepper, 4 tbsp of bacon pieces, 2 tsp garlic puree, 1 white onion, 10 cups of water, and 5 cubes of bouillon. You'll need 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 pound of russet potatoes, and 1/4 bunch of kale. Saute the sausage and spices in a large pot before draining, add in bacon, onions, and garlic over low heat. Add water and bouillon cubes until they're boiling in the mixture. Next, add in your sliced potatoes, simmering for around 20 minutes before adding heavy cream, and finally add in your kale until fully combined.

Bruschetta

What's a meal at Olive Garden without a few amazing appetizers? This bruschetta Pomodoro Olive Garden recipe is very straightforward. We'll also include variations with cannellini beans and clams. You'll need 4 plum tomatoes, 3 garlic cloves, pepper & salt, basil leaves, and 4 tbsp EVOO. For the base get a ahold of at least 8 slices of Italian bread and more EVOO for garnishing. Combine your fresh ingredients, grill your bread in olive oil, rub it with garlic cloves, and top it with the tomato mixture.

For the cannellini variety, add 1/2 can of drained cannellini beans, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/2 tbsp of Dijon mustard, and 2 tbsp of sour cream. The clam variation includes 1 cup of chopped clam meat, arugula, and more seasoning to the same grilled Italian bread. Whatever Olive Garden recipe you choose for this bruschetta, you're bound to enjoy some great flavors.

Mains

Stuffed Chicken Siena

This stuffed chicken Siena takes around an hour to make. You'll need 1/2 cup of mozzarella, 2 tbsp parmesan, 1/2 cup of smoked gouda, 1/4 cup of Fontina cheese, and 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomatoes. For spices include ground pepper, 1 tbsp green onions, 1 tsp garlic, and fresh parsley. Lastly, 1 egg, 2 tbsp of heavy cream, and 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (butterfly cut).

The Siena sauce needs 2 tbsp of EVOO, 1 tbsp garlic, 1/2 cup of kalamata olives, 1/2 cup of green olives, 1/4 cup of capers, and 1/2 cup of red wine. You'll need 1 cup of tomatoes, a can of tomato puree, 1/2 tsp of salt, crushed red pepper, 2 bell peppers, 1 tbsp of sugar, basil, and 1 pound of pasta.

Mix your filling ingredients together, and stuff your chicken breasts before putting the stuffed chicken onto a baking pan. Bake for around 20 minutes at 450º Fahrenheit. Drizzle with Siena sauce and enjoy your Olive Garden recipe creation.

Shrimp Scampi

Olive Garden has some great pasta recipes. Check out this one for shrimp scampi which will take about an hour to prep and cook. You'll need 1 and 1/2 pounds of shelled shrimp, 1 tbsp of olive oil, 1 onion, 1/2 cup of white wine, 3 cloves of garlic, 3 tbsp of parsley, crushed red pepper, 4 ounces of butter, and 1/3 pound of angel hair pasta. Add salt and pepper for taste. Saute onion and garlic with oil, and add butter, wine, red pepper, and spices. Reduce by 1/2 before adding in the shrimp and cooking till fully done. Make angel hair pasta and plate it with the shrimp mixture.

Vegetable Lasagna

For a vegetarian-friendly option, check out the vegetable lasagna. This recipe takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes, to make this recipe vegan, simply exclude the 7 oz of goat cheese. You'll need 1/3 cup of black olives, fresh thyme, basil, and oregano. This recipe includes 2 tsp of garlic, salt and pepper, pasta sauce, and 1 pound of whole-wheat lasagna noodles. For the filling, you'll need 2 zucchini, 2 summer squash, 3/4 cup of roasted red peppers, and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Preheat the oven to 375º Fahrenheit. And make your filling. Add the fillings with the pasta cheese, add goat cheese, and bake in a foil-covered dish for 20 minutes. By the end, the internal temperature of the dish should be 165 º Fahrenheit. Bake for another 5 minutes to brown the top, and let cool before serving.

Sides

Roasted Potatoes

One thing Olive Garden absolutely does right is its potatoes. Check out these roasted potatoes, which can also be made with red onions. It'll take around 45 minutes to prep and cook this lovely recipe. You'll need 2 pounds of red baby potatoes, 8 chopped garlic cloves, 6 tbsp EVOO, and 2 tbsp of butter. Include fresh chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper to taste. Include 1 red onion if you want even more sweetness overall. Preheat your oven to 450º Fahrenheit, put your buttered, herbed potatoes on a baking sheet or tray, and roast for between 25-30 minutes. Check occasionally for burning and serve still warm

Risotto

Next up we have some amazing risotto variations as part of the Olive Garden recipes. This recipe takes around 45 minutes, and you'll need 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup of chopped yellow onions, 1 and 1/2 cups of Arborio rice, 1/2 cup of white wine, and 5 cups chicken or veggie stock. Get 2 tbsp of butter, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, parsley, and salt & pepper. For the herbed risotto variation include chopped oregano, and basil along with the parsley. For the Milanese risotto variety include 1/2 tsp of saffron threads. In oil, cook your onions til soft, add rice, white wine, and broth until completely absorbed. Add butter, and cheese, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Honorable mentions go to Olive Garden's incredible Alfredo sauce recipe and their strawberries Romanoff dessert. Check out the recipes below:

Alfredo Sauce

For this life-changing pasta sauce, that only takes 10 minutes to make, you'll need 1 and 1/2 cups of milk and 1 and 1/2 cups of heavy cream. Get ahold of 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of Romano cheese, 6 egg yolks, and salt and pepper. Heat the dairy at the bottom of a saucepan, until it simmers. and then turn off the heat. Whip the cheese into the mixture before leaving to congeal. Add the mixture to egg yolks and stir together before putting the mixture back onto a heat source, stirring while simmering. Remove from heat to allow the sauce to thicken. Add salt and spice and drizzle over the. top of your chosen pasta dish. This is absolutely one of our favorite Olive Garden recipes.

Strawberries Romanoff

And last, but certainly not least, we have the strawberries Romanoff from Olive Garden. This fantastic dessert calls for 2 cups of sour cream, 1 tbsp of triple sec, 1 quart of washed strawberries, fresh mint, 1 juiced orange, and 1/3 cup of brown sugar. Combine the dry and wet ingredients, and coat your strawberries in the mixture. Chill until ready to serve and add mint as a garnish.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com.

The post Olive Garden Posted Their Recipes – Here Are Some of Our Favorites appeared first on Moms Who Think.

If you’re looking for some lighter meal options at McDonald’s, you’re in the right place. For some McDonald’s meal ideas that are under 500 calories, you’ll want to steer clear of items like the Big Breakfast® with Hotcakes. With steaming hotcakes, biscuits, hash browns, sausage patties, scrambled eggs, and the works (syrup, and three kinds of butter), this meal alone comes to 1,340 calories. For context, the recommended calorie count for grown adults is between 2,000 and 2,500 per day (via NHS). This means that the heavier-calorie items on the McDonald’s menu account for over half the caloric limit, and that’s just one meal! So, what are some of the McDonald’s meal ideas that are under 500 calories?

In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into some of the lighter-calorie meal options at McDonald’s. Get a better idea of what meals among McDonald’s classic burgers, milkshakes, and fry combos stay under 500 calories. If you’re going to enjoy some McDonald’s, it’s best to stick to the options that won’t topple the recommended daily calorie limit. There are healthy ways to navigate the Golden Arches, and we’re here to provide the roadmap. So, read on to learn about the McDonald’s meal ideas that are under 500 calories—let’s get into it.

1. Grilled Chicken Salad

This one may be the most obvious choice but the Grilled Chicken Salad from McDonald's is one of the healthier menu items. This fresh salad with grilled chicken and 4.5 oz of Dasani^® water comes to only 256 calories. It has 23 grams of protein, 7 grams of fat, 35 grams of carbohydrates, and 610 milligrams of sodium. All those numbers are well within the appropriate nutrient and mineral intake levels for a meal of this kind from a fast food restaurant.

2. Sausage McMuffin®

Next up we have the Sausage McMuffin^® which is comprised of a wholegrain McMuffin^® with sausage, a fruit cup, and a cup of the McCafe^® coffee. The calorie count for this menu item is 355, with 21 grams of protein, 12 grams of fat, 41 grams of carbohydrates, and 740 milligrams of sodium.

3. Egg McMuffin®

The classic Egg McMuffin^® stands at 366 calories for a wholegrain Egg McMuffin^®, a fruit cup, and the McCafe^® coffee. It has 23 grams of protein, 12 grams of fat, 41 grams of carbohydrates, and 670 milligrams of sodium. It's important to check how ingredients change the overall nutritional counts because while this item has 11 more calories than the sausage McMuffin®, it also has less sodium.

4. Cheeseburger Meal

An even more classic menu item is the McDonald's Cheeseburger, which is surprisingly low in calories given its reputation. This cheeseburger comes to 396 calories, with two buns, a burger patty, melted cheese, a fruit cup, and a 4.5 oz bottle of Dasani^® water. It has 21 grams of protein, 13 grams of fat, 50 grams of carbohydrates, and 810 milligrams of sodium. Note that the recommended daily intake of sodium is 2,300 milligrams (via FDA). It would only take 3 of these burgers to be over that number!

5. Filet-O-Fish®

McDonald's Filet-O-Fish^® has 403 calories and includes this seafood sandwich, a fruit cup, and a cup of McCafe^® coffee. There are 15 grams of protein, 13 grams of fat, 38 grams of carbohydrates, and 570 milligrams of sodium.

6. Grilled Chicken McWrap

The Grilled Chicken McWrap comes with a whole grain wrap, crispy chicken, garden side salad, and a bottle of Dasani^® water. It has 426 calories, with 25 grams of protein, 18 grams of fat, 41 grams of carbohydrates, and a whopping 1,060 milligrams of sodium. That's close to half the recommended limit.

7. Sausage McMuffin® With Eggs

This is another example of how one ingredient can really change the nutritional makeup of an item. Just adding some eggs to the Sausage McMuffin^® with the McCafe^® coffee ups the calorie count to 434. It has 28 grams of protein, 17 grams of fat, 42 grams of carbohydrates, and 820 milligrams of sodium.

8. Chicken Muffin

The Chicken Muffin has 482 calories, with 22 grams of protein and 21 grams of fat. It has 50 grams of carbohydrates and 930 milligrams of sodium. This meal comes with a wholegrain roasted chicken muffin, a fruit cup, and a McCafe^® roast coffee.

9. McChicken®

And, lastly, clocking in at 483 calories, we have the McChicken^® meal that comes with a fruit cup and Dasani® water. This classic McChicken® sandwich has 19 grams of protein and 18 grams of fat. There are 61 grams of carbohydrates and 860 milligrams of sodium. It would only take 3 of these delicious sandwiches to be over the recommended daily sodium intake as per the FDA guidelines.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©dailin/Shutterstock.com.

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Nothing quite beats pizza that's fresh out of the oven. But sometimes you can't finish a whole pie in one sitting, and that's where reheating comes in. The 6 best ways to reheat a pizza include your typical appliances; microwave, oven, toaster, etc. The ranking in this post has to do with the effectiveness of the reheating method. Certain options require more handling of the pizza slice, which can lead to over-crisping, burning, or general messiness. Try out these methods for yourself to get a better idea of your own personal rankings, because when it comes to properly reheating pizza, it can be a bit of an art form.

So, read on to get an idea of some of the best ways to reheat a pizza. Whether it's a whole pie or just some leftover slices, many of these options will do the job just fine. It's the mechanics and effort that go into these various methods that have led to their rankings on this list. Let's get into the cheesy, melty goodness of reheating delicious pizza slices, one possible method at a time.

1. Toaster Oven

The toaster oven ranks first due to its ease and efficiency. According to Bon Appétit, you simply turn the toaster to the bake function (around 325° Fahrenheit,) and let the toaster work its magic. This method increases crust crispness and melts the cheese pretty evenly. This is in comparison to some of the other methods further down the list that can easily burn the toppings, and turn the crust soggy without the correct approach. The toaster oven reheat option is quick and easy.

2. Air Fryer

Next up we have the air fryer, which acts similarly to the toaster oven in terms of efficiency. Air fryers burst onto the cooking appliance scene in 2017 and since then lots of people have added them to their kitchens, but not everyone owns them, which is why it's slightly lower on this list than the toaster oven. Delish recommends lining the basket with either parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent sticking. You can reheat your pizza slice in the air fryer at 360° Fahrenheit for between 3-6 minutes.

3. Oven

The oven, which may be one of the more obvious reheating options, is third on this list because it can take a while and does require some checking. This method is great for reheating more than one slice at the same time, which cannot be said of the previous two, so it's got that going for it. Using a baking sheet or tray, line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place your slice, slices, or full pie onto the sheet/tray. Preheat it to around 375° Fahrenheit and place the pizza in the oven. If you want extra crisp, put the tray in for a few minutes before putting the pizza in, which enables the crust to get even crispier when it's placed on the now-heated tray. Let the pizza rehat for between 10-15 minutes. Be sure to check that it's not burning. Some ovens can be finicky, so this method does require more moderation.

4. Stove Top

For the stovetop method, you have a few options. You can use a stove grate, like the one pictured below, any kind of non-stick skillet, or you can use a cast-iron pan. Depending on the kind of stove you have, one of these options may work better than another. For non-stick skillets, let the skillet warm up, and then place your slice to crisp up. Adding water to the pan and covering it with a lid will help the cheese on top to get all melty and delicious. The cast-iron skillet requires the most skill because it heats up so quickly. You'll need very little water and a dry pan to start, so the pizza crust doesn't stick to the bottom. Cover the pan to create steam for the cheese to melt, but be sure that you're watching out for burning!

5. Waffle Iron

This is a rather unique option for pizza reheating that actually blew up on TikTok. You'll need two slices of pizza, and the outcome is more panini than a typical pizza slice, but it does get the job done. Bon Appétit does warn that it's one of the messiest possible options for reheating. You'll want to heat up your waffle iron and place your two pizza slices together (cheese side in) on top of the waffle iron. Close the lid and allow the crust to crisp, and the cheese to melt. The result is a pizza panini, piping hot and ready to eat.

6. Microwave

And last, we have the microwave method. This is last because if you simply place your pizza slice into the microwave, the result is a melted, yet decidedly soggy crusted pizza slice. If you're wondering why that happens in the first place, it's because the microwave turns the moisture in the pizza into steam which spreads into the crust and makes it soggy. So, this method is not the best for reheating, but there is a hack that should help if a microwave is all you have. According to the New York Post, popular pizza chain Domino's recommends putting a cup of water in with the slice. The idea is that the cup of water absorbs some of the microwaves while the pizza is reheating. It can allow the pizza to reheat at a slower rate, reducing the steam from spreading into the crust. So, while you still won't have the crispy, melty results of some of the other methods, this should help the reheated pizza to be a little less soggy overall.

Conclusion

The toaster oven and air fryer are clearly among the best, though the oven option tails closely behind. In terms of effectiveness, all of these methods will provide you with some kind of reheated pizza. If you'd prefer quick options, the ones near the top will be your best bet. For larger pies or more slices, the oven is the way to go. If you only have a microwave or stovetop at your disposal, be sure to pick the method you feel most comfortable using (skillet, cast iron, or grate).

If you're going the microwave route, don't forget a cup of water to avoid that soggy crust! Lastly, if you're up for trying the pizza panini, and cleaning up a fair bit of mess, get out your waffle iron and the remaining slices of pizza. Another TikTok trend is to make pizza waffles with pizza dough and toppings (stick to cheese and red sauce at first), using your waffle iron. If you're looking for more recipes for making pizza at home, check out this great option.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©V. Matthiesen/Shutterstock.com.

The post The 6 Best Ways to Reheat Pizza Ranked in Order appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Picking a baby name is no small task, and it’s always useful to gather information about the most popular baby names in certain areas. Seattle’s top baby names for 2023 include unique ones like Freya, Caspian, and Arlo, along with classics like Oliver, Liam, and Emma (via Seattle Times). What causes a particular name to surge in popularity can depend upon a number of factors, so let's get into those.

Sometimes a name is chosen for a famous actor/actress, a character from a book, or inspired by other pieces of popular culture. Another route to go is to find the meaning behind a name. After all, giving your child a name that will fit is an important step in getting to know this new little family member. If the name is tied to your own family history, well that just makes things even more interesting. Read on as we learn about the city of Seattle’s top baby names for 2023.

In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into the origin and meaning behind Seattle’s top baby names. Get a better idea of where they come from as well as the popular culture references that are keeping them among this city in Washington‘s top baby names from 2023. We’ll cover both boys' and girls’ names so you’ll get a fair amount of inspiration, and by the end of this, you may have a better idea of what direction you may be leaning for naming your own future family members! 

Eloise

“Eloise” has roots in French and German. In French it translates to “healthy”, and the German iteration of the name is “Helewidis” and the English derivative is “Heloise.” Perhaps the most famous “Eloise,” is the literary character from Kay Thompson's Eloise published in 1955. This little girl embodies bravery, imagination, and fun, all wonderful values to emulate for the name of a little girl. Popular nicknames include “Louise,” “Luisa,” and “Lois” (via Family Education).

Maeve

Next up we have “Maeve,” which is traditionally Irish. In old Irish, the name “Medb” translates to “intoxicating,” and also can be interpreted as “a ruler “She who rules.” In Irish mythology, the Queen of the Fairies is referred to as “Maeve” (via Very Well Family).

Soren

“Soren,” is a Scandinavian name. Traditionally spelled “Søren,” the different “o's” here impact the pronunciation from “Sur-en” to the anglicized version of “Sorr-en.” In Danish the name means “stern” (via Nameberry).

Aurelia

The name “Aurelia” has roots in the Latin word “aureus” and dates back as far as the Roman Empire. Derived from the surname “Aurelius,” it means “golden.” Famous historical individuals with the name include the mother of Julius Caesar, and variations on the name include the Italian “Aurelio” (via Name Of The Year).

Arlo

“Arlo,” comes from the name “Harlow,” which comes from Anglo-Saxon words meaning a “fortified hill.” It first showed up in the English poem “The Faerie Queene,” written by Edmund Spenser in 1590. It's also connected to the Irish-Gaelic word “Aherlow” which means “between two highlands.”

Felix

“Felix” comes from the Latin meaning “happiness.” Adapted from a surname, it has been around since Roman times and is believed to provide luck from the Gods. In the Bible, Felix appears as a procurator (treasury officer) of Judea.

Freya

The name “Freya,” is classically Nordic coming from the name “Freyja,” which means “noble woman.” In Norse mythology, Freya is the goddess of love and fertility, practicing magic to change the future and predict outcomes. The male variations on the name include “Frey,” and “Freyr.”

Atticus

Another of Seattle's top baby names is “Atticus.” Perhaps most associated with the wholesome lawyer Atticus Finch in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, the name comes from the Greek and Latin for an “individual from Attica.” Attica was a region that contained the, now capital, Athens.

Isla

Pronounced “Eye-lah,” the name “Isla” comes from the Scottish name “Islay,” the Queen of the Hebrides. A Scottish folk tale describes how a princess from Denmark dropped stones on her journey to Scotland, these stones formed the islands that now lay between Ireland and Scotland. In Spanish, the name means “island.”

Alice

Ever heard of Alice In Wonderland? Outside of this brave literary character, the name stems from the German, meaning “noble,” and “kind.” In French, the name used to be spelled “Aalis,” and “Adelais.” The German variation used to be much longer, appearing as “Adalhaidis.”

Caspian

Yet another literary name among Seattle's top baby names for 2023, is “Caspian.” Caspian is a character in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, where they sail across the sea. The name “Caspian,” belongs to the largest inland body of water between Asia and Europe, and it means “white.” This meaning comes from the Latin word “Caspii,” which describes people living in the Caucasus region of Central Asia.

Ophelia

“Ophelia,” comes from the ancient Greek word “ōphéleia.” It means to “aid,” or “benefit.” It is also the name of Shakespeare's martyred heroine Ophelia in Hamlet. Other literary appearances include the 1504 poem Arcadia. Spelling variations include “Ofelia,” and masculinizations include “Ophelius.”

Beatrice

“Beatrice,” also appears in the works of Shakespeare along with Dante, with nicknames like “Bea,” or even “Tris.” Its Latin origins mean “she who brings happiness,” or “blessed.” Other variations on the name are “Beatriz,” or “Beatrix.” These come from the name “Viatrix,” which means “voyager.”

Arthur

Continuing the trend of literary characters, “Arthur,” connects to King Arthur. Arthur was a legendary English King with roots in Welsh mythology. The name comes from the Celtic meaning “bear,” combining the words “artos,” with “viros,” or “rigos,” meaning “man,” and “king.” It's a name perfect for a strong, powerful ruler. Nicknames include “Art,” or “Artie,” and variable spelling include “Aurthur.”

The following names are popular in Seattle but also consistently show up among the top baby names all around the United States, i.e. Washington State, North Dakota, San Diego, and many other spots.

Emma

“Emma,” has roots in the Germanic name “Ermen,” which translates to “universal,” and “whole,” or “complete.” It is a nice sentiment to give to a new baby that completes your family. In pop culture, we've got multiple famous actresses with the name including Emma Watson, and Emma Stone. Emma Woodhouse appears In Jane Austen's titular novel Emma, which was published in 1815.

Liam

“Liam” has roots in Irish, German, and English languages. It is a derivative of the classically English name “William,” which comes from the German, “Wilhelm,” and the Irish iteration “Uilliam.” It means “warrior,” and a “protector.” The “Wilhelm,” variation connects to the helm of a helmet, part of the armor that a warrior wears as they go into battle.

Oliver/Olivia

“Oliver” and its feminine version, “Olivia,” are steadily popular names. With Latin roots in the term “oliva,” meaning olive, and the French “Olivier,” meaning “olive tree.” The name is often connected to meanings of peace, unity, and beauty. As for pop culture moments, ever heard of the famed literary character Oliver Twist? How about Olivia from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night? No wonder these names stick around!

Sophia

The name “Sophia,” comes from the Greek meaning of “wisdom.” There are a number of famous rulers who held the name Sophia, while the masculinized version “Sophus,” is far less popular.

Noah

The name “Noah” is a Biblical name from the Old Testament's Book of Genesis. Noah's Ark is a tale of perseverance, loyalty, and hard work. In Hebrew, the name comes from “Noach,” meaning rest. While predominantly used as a boy's name, it can also be a girl's name.

Evelyn

Lastly, for this list, we have the name “Evelyn.” It has roots in French. The derivative is “Avaline,” which used to be a surname, but the modern name combines “Eve,” and “Lynn,” which have many meanings. The name as a whole can mean “wished for,” “little bird,” “island of water,” and “strength.”

The image featured at the top of this post is ©canadastock/Shutterstock.com.

The post Seattle’s Top Baby Names, Revealed appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Starbucks is a well-known coffee chain that started in Seattle. But do you know about the highest-calorie drinks at Starbucks? You may not automatically think of coffee as being high in calories. But some of these Starbucks drinks will change your mind. A cup of black coffee usually clocks in at around 2 calories with no fat and no sugar content. Compare this to a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato which has 120 calories, 4 grams of fat, and 15 grams of sugar for the same size drink (via WebMD). In the grand scheme of the Starbucks menu, 120 calories is actually on the lower end of things. That’s right, some of the highest-calorie drinks at Starbucks can reach upwards of 400 calories in a single drink. 

For context, the recommended calorie intake for fully-grown, active adults is between 1,600 and 3,000 per day. This means that some of the highest-calorie drinks at Starbucks could account for nearly half of the recommended calorie intake on the lower end of that scale. Not to mention the fat and sugar content of these high-calorie drinks that only decrease the nutritional qualities of coffee overall. Because black coffee alone can be quite good for you! It’s packed with antioxidants and has some connections to disease risk reduction, and mood improvement. So, now that you know the building blocks of these coffee drinks, let’s learn more about the nutritional pitfalls of the highest-calorie drinks at Starbucks.

Starbucks Calorie Bombs

Just to clear something up right away, most of the Starbucks frappucinos pack a huge caloric punch. The ones included here each have their slight calorie differences, but any time you order a variation on a frappuccino, you can count on it coming with a whole lot of calories (350-480+). Now, let's get into it.

1. The White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino®

There are 350 calories in the White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino with 43 grams of sugar and 17 grams of fat. This is more dessert than coffee drink as it doesn't include caffeine unless asked for.

2. Caffè Mocha

Starbucks's Caffè Mocha clocks in at 370 calories for 16 fluid ounces. This includes 15 grams of fat, 150 milligrams of sodium, 43 grams of carbohydrates, 14 grams of protein, and 35 grams of sugar.

3. Mocha Frappuccino®

The blended Mocha Frappuccino also has 370 calories per 16 fluid ounces. It has 15 grams of fat, 22 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of protein, and 51 grams of sugar to its name. While you'll also get around 100 milligrams of caffeine, the frappuccinos at Starbucks come with a whole lot of unhealthy numbers.

4. Caramel Frappuccino®

This icy blended beverage from Starbucks has around 380 calories in 16 fluid ounces. There are 16 grams of fat, 230 milligrams of sodium, 55 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, and 54 grams of sugar. Don't forget that these typically come with whipped cream and caramel sauce, so up the sugar!

5. White Chocolate Mocha

A grande (16oz) White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks has a whopping 390 calories and that doesn't even account for added whipped cream! If you use Starbucks's handy customizable calculator, you can see how adjusting for things like more pumps of flavoring, or types of milk might change the calories.

6. White Hot Chocolate

Honorable mention here for the White Hot Chocolate from Starbucks. While not a caffeinated drink, this one keeps pace with the other options on this list, clocking in at 400 calories. It has 48 grams of sugar and 18 grams of fat with white chocolate sauce, steamed milk, and whipped cream.

7. Iced Caffé Vanilla Frappuccino®

The Iced Caffé Vanilla Frappuccino has 410 calories with 63 grams of sugar and 15 grams of fat. Check out the website to see how further customizations on the 16-ounce order affect its overall calorie count. Note that this is the same calorie count for a few other frappuccino variations including chocolate chip!

8. Matcha Crème Frappuccino®

While you may be thinking “Hey, green tea is healthier,” this drink actually isn't all the much better than the chocolate variations. The Matcha Crème Frappuccino from Starbucks has 420 calories per 16 fluid ounces. There are 61 grams of sugar and 16 grams of fat.

9. Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino®

Jumping up a few notches, in terms of calorie count, we have the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino with 470 calories in 16 fluid ounces. With whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and crunchy caramel candies, there are 60 grams of sugar, and 22 grams of fat in this blended Starbucks drink. This drink's cousin, the Chocolate Cookie Crumble Frappucino clocks in at only 10 calories less overall (460).

10. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino®

Cranking it up to 480 we have the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino. The 16-ounce grande has 55 grams of sugar and 24 grams of fat. With whipped cream, mocha sauce, and chocolate cookie crumble on the outermost layer of this coffee drink, those 95 milligrams of caffeine definitely have a sugar rush!

The image featured at the top of this post is ©M. Unal Ozmen/Shutterstock.com.

The post 10 of the Highest-Calorie Drinks at Starbucks appeared first on Moms Who Think.

Some of the worst schools in Massachusetts today have been given this ranking because they don’t hit certain markers for academic success. The U.S. News & World Report rankings included Massachusetts Schools ranked through 348. Many of the schools included in the lower half of the list have some shortcomings worth knowing. It’s important to consider things like graduation rates, academic offerings, and student-to-teacher ratios. Math and reading proficiencies are also good markers for success.

In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into the rankings that caused these schools to be included among the worst schools in Massachusetts. These scores do not typically factor in the teachers, staff, and administrators who work to make even the lowest-resourced schools viable for student success. Still, these ratings tend to hold some weight. For the colleges on this list, we will consider the cost of attendance weighed against how well alumni are set up for future success.

These rankings are especially important to compare and contrast in areas like Boston where academics are engrained in the culture. After all, some of the best schools in the world happen to be right in Boston. So, it only makes sense that the educational bar would be rather high. With all that in mind, let’s get into the markers and ratings among the worst-ranked schools in the state of Massachusetts. From elementary through college, here are some of the worst schools in Massachusetts. 

1. UP Academy Charter School

35 Westville Street Boston, Massachusetts 02124

Starting with the UP Academy Charter School which has a Niche grade of C-. This grade comes from rankings in Academics (C-), Teachers (C), and Diversity (A). Overall it's relatively average. But, it's included on this list because state testing indicates the student body (around 600+ students) has a 4% math proficiency, and a 13% reading proficiency. The student-to-teacher ratio is around 15:1. Read more about how Niche calculates their grades, and learn about where they get their data sources here.

2. City On A Hill Public Charter School

58 Circuit Street Roxbury, Massachusetts 02119

Next up we have City On A Hill Public Charter School which is ranked near the end of the list for Boston schools by the U.S. News & World Report. It has a graduation rate of 78% and a college readiness score of 14.6. Its Niche grade is a C- with a C- in Academics, a C in Teachers, a C- in Clubs & Activities, an A- in Diversity, a C+ in College Prep, and a C- in Administration. It caters to just around 230 students between 9th and 12th grade, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1. State test scores show 15% math proficiency, and also 15% reading proficiency among students at this charter school.

3. Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School

6 Shirley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02119

The Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School serves grades preschool, and kindergarten through 5th with around 300 students. Its Niche grade is a C- with a C- in Academics, a B- in Teachers, and an A- in Diversity. The student-to-teacher ratio is around 14:1 and state testing shows that among the student body, around 8% are math proficient, and 32% are reading proficient.

4. Boston Day & Evening Academy Charter School

20 Kearsarge Avenue, Roxbury, Massachusetts 02119

The Boston Day & Evening Academy Charter School is located in Roxbury, Massachusetts. It serves grades 9th through 12th with just under 400 students enrolled. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, state testing clocks around 15% of the student body as math proficient, with 10% as reading proficient. The Niche grade is a C- with a D+ in Academics, a B+ in Teachers, a B- in Clubs & Activities, an A- in Diversity, and a C+ in College Prep and Administration.

5. Sarah Greenwood School

189 Glenway Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts 02121

Moving on from charter schools, we have the Sarah Greenwood School. This is a magnet school in Dorchester with just under 400 students between the grades of preschool and kindergarten through 8th grade. Niche reports a 2% math proficiency and an 11% reading proficiency according to state test scores. It's graded a C- with that score in Academics, with a B in Teachers, and in Diversity markers.

6. Mario Umana Academy

312 Border Street, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128

The Mario Umana Academy is another magnet school with around 700 students in preschool through the 8th grade. Niche reports a 7% math proficiency and a 19% reading proficiency mong this student body. It has a C- with that same score in Academics, a B- in Teachers and a B rating in Diversity. The student-to-teacher ratio stands around 11:1.

7. Boston International High School

100 Maxwell Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts 02124

The Boston International High School ranks among the lowest schools on the U.S. News & World Report of Massachusetts schools. It has a graduation rate of only around 50% over four years. Its scorecard shows an 18% math proficiency and a 25% science proficiency among the student body.

8. Charlestown High School

240 Medford Street, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129

Charlestown High School is also in the lower rankings from the U.S. News & World Report. It has a graduation rate of around 51%, with an 11% math proficiency, 19% reading proficiency, and 15% science proficiency among its student body. According to its scorecard, 24% of students took an AP® exam, but only 6% passed at least one AP® exam.

9. William Mckinley

90 Warren Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116

William McKinley High School falls even lower on the U.S. News & World Report list with a graduation rate of 34%. There around around 120 students enrolled between the grades of 9th through 12th, and the recorded reading proficiency is around 5% with no data available on math or science test scores.

The following schools are included on this list due to data examining the price of tuition compared with the return on investment. This applies to tuition debts, job opportunities, and quality of life post-graduation (via Avocado Post). Let's take a look at some of the higher educational institutions that rank among the worst schools in Massachusetts because they're overpriced and can be financially crippling.

10. Wheelock College at Boston University

2 Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215

Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development which merged with BU in 2018, was ranked 42 out of 54, which means it's on the higher end. It is known for its education and other developmental programs, but depending on the program can cost students upwards of $200,000 for a degree in four years. Not to mention the cost of living in a city as expensive as Boston!

11. Mount Holyoke College

50 College Street, South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075

Next up we have Mount Holyoke College which ranked 21 out of 54 on the list. This all-women's liberal arts college costs around, or higher than $50,000 annually. The average salary of alumni is typically less than that upon graduation. While it has great academics and is a highly-rated school, you'll want to be sure you have the capital to float a price tag of this sort!

12. Montserrat College of Art

23 Essex Street, Beverly, Massachusetts 01915

And lastly, the Montserrat College of Art which ranks 6 out of 54 on the list. Located in Beverly, this arts college has a graduation rate of around 55% and an average tuition rate of $42,000 per year. Since a career in the arts can be a fickle road, the return on investment for a private institution of this kind can be staggeringly low in terms of job security and financial gain. The graduation rate also doesn't do much to up the ranking of this art school among the worst schools in Massachusetts.

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The worst schools in Oregon today are placed in this category because they simply fall short of important markers for educational success. While there are many factors that go into a school’s or a district’s ability to provide resources and opportunities to students, the data is still important to consider. Many of these schools score low in terms of academic scoring, diversity quotas, and graduation rates. The teachers, staff, and faculty of these districts likely work hard to provide despite funding and resource shortcomings, but the grades still stand for some of the worst schools in Oregon today.

Read on to learn about the factors that went into determining the grades for the worst schools in Oregon today. From academic offerings and student-teacher ratios to graduation rates, diversity quotas, extracurriculars, and more. We’ll take a look at public schools in the range of elementary through high school, all over the state of Oregon. Learn exactly why Niche stacks these up as some of the worst schools in Oregon. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better idea of what kinds of things to look out for when it comes to a high-quality education. Let's get into the rankings for these educational centers.

1. Butte Falls Charter School

720 Laurel Avenue, Butte Falls, OR 97522

Starting with Butte Falls Charter School with a D- minus rating on the Niche website. This grade is conceived from data concerning the academic offerings, diversity quota, teachers, and college preparatory abilities of a specific school. Check out more of how Niche gathers this data here. Butte Falls scores a D in Academics, a C+ in Teachers, a B- in Diversity, and a C- in College Prep. This charter school is a public school, serving grades kindergarten through 12th grade. There are just under 200 students enrolled and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. State test scores show a 10% math proficiency and a 42% reading proficiency overall.

2. Klamath Learning Center

2856 Eberlein Avenue, Klamath Falls, OR 97603

Next, we have the Klamath Learning Center which is a public, online school geared towards grades 9th through 12th. With around 124 students enrolled, the student-teacher ratio is 21:1. The Niche grade for this learning center is a D, with a D in Academics, a C- in Teachers, an A in Diversity, and a C+ in College Prep. 10% of tested students are proficient in math, and testing shows a 15% proficiency in reading. Keep in mind that because this is an online school, some of the markers for success may be different.

3. Urceo-Upper Rogue Center for Educational Opportunities

140 East Main Street, Eagle Point, OR 97524

The Urceo Upper Rogue Center for Educational Opportunities is another online school. It is open for kindergarten through 12th grade, with just under 200 students and a student-teacher ratio of 28:1. Its Niche grade is a D, with a D in Academics, a C+ in Teachers, an A- in Diversity, a C in College Prep and a D in Administration. The average graduation rate is around 15%.

4. Alder Elementary School

17200 Southeast Alder Street, Portland, OR 97233

Located in beautiful Southeast Portland, Oregon, Alder Elementary School has close to 400 students between kindergarten through fifth grade. Proficiencies stand at around 9% for math, and at least 14% in reading. Their Niche grade is a D+, with a C- in Academics, a C- in Teachers, and an A in Diversity. The student-teacher ratio rests around 14:1, which is pretty good in terms of school sizing.

5. Falls City Elementary School

177 Prospect Avenue, Falls City, OR 97344

Falls City Elementary School has a D+ grade through Niche. It has a C- for Academics, a C for Teachers, and a B- for Diversity. With just over 100 students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade, the state testing shows a 12% math and 17% reading proficiency. These percentages come from the whole student body and the state testing administered across all of Oregon.

6. Rivers Edge Academy Charter School

270 West Evans Creek Road, Rogue River, OR 97537

Rivers Edge Academy Charter School caters to grades kindergarten through 12th with just over 200 students enrolled. Its Niche grade is a D+ with a C- in Academics, a C- in Teachers, a B in Diversity, a C- in College Prep, and a C- in Administration. State Testing indicates 22% of the student body is proficient in math, with 37% proficient in reading.

7. Kalapuya High School

1200 North Terry Street, Eugene, OR 97402

Named for a local river, Kalapuya High School is a small public school open to grades 9th through 12th. There are around 100 students enrolled and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. It has a Niche grade of D+ with a C- in Academics, a C in Teachers, a B+ in Diversity, a C in College Prep, and a C- in Administration. State testing shows a 10% math proficiency and 25% reading proficiency in this particular student body.

8. Roberts High School

3620 State Street, Salem, OR 97301

Roberts High School in Salem, Oregon has a C- grade on Niche. With a D in Academics, a C+ in Teachers, a C+ in Clubs, an A- in Diversity, a C- in College Prep, and a C in Administration. Serving students in 7th through 12th grade there are around just under 500 students enrolled and a student-teacher ratio of around 11:1. Test scores show an 8% math proficiency and 27% reading proficiency.

9. Winter Lakes School

1501 West Central Avenue, Coquille, OR 97423

Winter Lakes School serves grades 8th through 12th with some 300 students enrolled. It has a C- grade on Niche with a D+ in Academics, a C+ in Teachers, a C in Clubs, a B in Diversity, a C in College Prep, and a C+ in Administration. The state testing scores indicate around 8% of the student body is math proficient, with 32% being reading proficient. That is a rather large margin of difference in proficiency.

10. Warm Springs K-8 Academy

50 Chukar Road, Warm Springs, OR 97761

This kindergarten through 8th grade academy is a public school serving just over 500 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, state testing shows a 7% student-body proficiency in math with a 14% proficiency in reading. The Niche score is a C- with a C- in Academics, a C- in Teachers, and a C+ in Diversity. So, all things considered, this one scores very much as “average” on this list of schools.

11. Vernonia Middle School

1000 Missouri Avenue, Vernonia, OR 97064

And lastly, but not least, we have Vernonia Middle School. Serving just under 130 students in grades 6th through 8th grade, the student-teacher ratio at Vernonia Middle School sits at 13:1. The Niche grade is a C-, with a C- in both Academics and Teachers, but a B in Diversity. Testing shows a 15% mathematics proficiency and a 27% reading proficiency among students at Vernonia Middle School in Oregon.

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Calgary is a city located in Southern Alberta, Canada near the Great Plains and the Canadian Rockies. It is a beautiful place, and the largest schools in Calgary reflect its desirability as a place to live. It is a hub for good food and tourism, enterprises like banking, wood, electronics, and machinery processing. According to Brittanica, the development of public transportation has really contributed to the accessibility of the city of Calgary. Some of the major educational institutions in Calgary, including the University of Calgary, and Mount Royal University, utilize the transportation options from campus. Overall, Calgary is a beautiful place to live and go to school, so it's no wonder enrollment is up!

Read on to learn more about the largest schools in Calgary today. We'll focus on higher educational institutions with the exception of one very large high school. Take a look at the academic offerings of these universities and why they have such a high enrollment. From major courses to extracurricular opportunities, not to mention the natural beauty of the surrounding area, there's lots to learn about! So, stick around as we do a deep dive into the reasons for such a high rate of enrollment specifically in Calgary schools, and learn which option may be a good fit if you've ever considered schools in Canada!

1. The University of Calgary

2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4

Starting off strong with the University of Calgary which has an enrollment of over 34,000 students between its undergraduate and graduate program offerings. This institution was founded in 1966 and now has five campuses, 14 state-of-the-art facilities, and over 250 academic programs to choose from. The student body is made up of around 26,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate students. Outside of academics, the University of Calgary has a booming athletics program with over 500 student-athletes and many Olympic and Paralympic medals to their name. Rankings-wise, the University of Calgary is considered a top research university with many Rhodes scholars, investors, and innovator alumni.

2. Bow Valley College

345 – 6 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 4V1

Next, we have Bow Valley College which has an enrollment of around 17,000 students. This is a public, community college that serves the Calgary area. First started around 1963, this institution soon became what's considered a vocational center, offering short-term programs, and ESL training. Into the 1990s it grew in size and resources becoming a board-governed institution in 1998. Since then, the college has strived to make this an accessible, powerful tool for education for the Calgary community. Bow Valley College offers apprenticeships, community studies programs, English language learning, employment resources, and professional development certificates.

3. Mount Royal University

2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4

Mount Royal University has 15,573 enrolled in its programs. They offer 13 degrees, encompassing 36 major areas of study. They offer everything from BAs in Anthropology and Criminology to Interior Design, Midwifery, Geology, and Social Work. Check out more of their course and program offerings here.

4. Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

1301-16 Avenue NW, Calgary Alberta, T2M 0L4

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has an enrollment of between 10,000 and 15,000 students. Also known as SAIT, this institution offers programs in business, trades, engineering, media arts, digital technology, hospitality, and medical training. They also have apprenticeships and academic upgrading courses, a 91% post-graduate employment rate, and state-of-the-art facilities.

5. Sir Winston Churchill High School

5220 Northland Drive NW Calgary, Alberta, T2L 2J6

Sir Winston Churchill High School is one of the largest schools in Calgary, with over 2,000 students enrolled. Under the umbrella of the Calgary Board of Education, this school first opened in 1970 for students in grades 10th to 12th. The first school in Canada to achieve International Baccalaureate status, this school has all kinds of fantastic facilities. There's a full-sized gymnasium, a fitness center, learning commons, electronics and computer labs, and a theater.

6. Alberta University of the Arts

1407 14 Ave NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4R3

The Alberta University of Arts is an art school with some of the largest studio facilities in Canada. With an enrollment of just under 2,000, it has some of the most talented up-and-coming artists, craftspeople, and designers. They offer Bachelor of Fine Arts and Design degree programs, and Masters Programs as well. There are 11 areas of concentration, study abroad options, mentorship opportunities, and more.

7. St. Mary's University

14500 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Alberta T2X 1Z4

St. Mary's University in Calgary has an enrollment of just over 1,000 students at its research university. This institution is accredited in programs for Liberal Arts, the Sciences, and Education. They over BA programs in elementary and secondary education, English, history, psychology, catholic and social justice, and biology, among other programs. They also offer certificates in Catholic Education Leadership, Religious Education, and a diploma in Ministry.

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There are a few factors that go into examining the quality of a school. Some of the worst schools in New Hampshire may have the very best of intentions in providing education, but simply don’t hit certain markers for educational success. It is important to consider how the academics, teacher-to-student ratios, and district funding options can all severely impact the graduation rates, testing scores, and success of its students. 

In short, the quality of a school is dependent on many things beyond the control of a particular teacher or staffer. With all this in mind, these are among the worst schools in New Hampshire based on certain scores. So, read on to get a better idea of why these rankings stand.

In this post, we’ll discuss the factors that have led to these schools being ranked among the worst in New Hampshire today. For the sake of this post, we’ll do a deep dive into public school options from elementary through high school levels. Read on to learn what kinds of things contribute to markers for success, in these particular New Hampshire educational institutions.

1. Kreiva Academy Charter School

470 Pine Street, Manchester, NH, 03104

Starting with the Kreiva Academy Public Charter School which scores a D+ on the Niche website. This rating comes from a D- rating in Academics, with no data for teachers, and an A- Diversity score. This charter is an open-enrollment, tuition-free school for grades 6th-12th. While Niche may not have enough data to provide a composite score, it does report that the student-teacher ratio is 13:1. Testing proficiencies indicate 10% math proficiency, and 15% reading proficiency.

2. Franklin High School

119 Central Street, Franklin, NH, 03235

Next up we have Franklin High School, which also has a D- on the Niche website. It serves over 250 students between 9th and 12th grade and has a student-teacher ratio of 11:1. The scores include, a D in Academics, a C in Teachers, and a D+ in college preparatory abilities. See the full Niche scoring here. State test scores indicate a 15% proficiency in math and a 35% proficiency in reading.

3. Broad Street Elementary School

390 Broad Street, Nashua, NH 03063

Broad Street Elementary is located in Nashua and has a C+ rating from Niche. It serves preschoolers and kindergarten through fifth grade with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1. There are over 200 students in attendance at Broad Street Elementary. Testing shows a 25% math proficiency and a 35% proficiency in reading. All things considered, a C+ rating is relatively average, with a C+ in Academics, a B+ in Teachers, and an A- in Diversity scoring from Niche.

4. Fairgrounds Middle School

27 Cleveland Street, Nashua, NH 03060

The Fairgrounds Middle School is also located in Nashua, New Hampshire. It serves over 600 students between grades 6th and 8th. There is a student-teacher ratio of around 11:1 and test scores show a 19% math proficiency and a 32% reading proficiency. The overall Niche score is a C+ with a C in Academics, a C+ in Teachers, and an A in Diversity ratings.

5. Hinsdale Middle School

49 School Street, Hinsdale, NH 03451

The Hinsdale Middle School serves just over 100 students between 6th and 8th grade. Testing indicates a 27% math proficiency and a 32% reading proficiency. The student-teacher ratio is around 9:1, and it scores a C+ on Niche. While it has an A- for Teachers, it still scores a C+ for Academics overall.

6. Keene Middle School

167 Maple Avenue, Keene, NH 03431

Keene Middle School has a C+ rating on Niche, with a C+ in Academics, a B- in Teachers, and a B- in Diversity. There are just over 650 students between the 6th and the 8th grade, and a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. The reading proficiency stands at around 45% with math proficiency at 19%.

7. Hillside Elementary School

200 State Street, Berlin, NH 03570

Hillside Elementary School located in Berlin, New Hampshire has some 400+ students from preschool and kindergarten through 5th grade. With a student-teacher ratio of around 11:1, this school has a 35% math proficiency and a 33% reading proficiency. It scores a C+ in Academics, a B+ in Teachers, and a B- in Diversity. Again, in terms of scoring, Hillsdale has an average rating, but those proficiency scores are why it is included in this list of some of the worst schools in New Hampshire today.

8. Gorham High School

120 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581

The Gorham High School serves around 150 students in grades 9th to 12th with a C+ grade on Niche. This grade comes from a C+ in Academics, an A- in Teachers, a C+ in Diversity, and a C in college prep. With a low student-teacher ratio of 9:1, the testing ranks at 25% in math proficiency, and 55% in reading.

9. Ossipee Central School

68 Main Street, Center Ossipee, NH 03814

The Ossipee Central School has a C+ rating on Niche. It's open to preschool and kindergarten through 6th grade and serves over 250 students. The student-teacher ratio is 7:1 and state testing indicates a 27% math proficiency and a 37% proficiency in reading. The Niche score compounds a C+ in Academics, a B+ in Teachers, and a C+ in Diversity.

10. Strong Foundations Charter School

715 Riverwood Drive, Pembroke, NH 03275

The Strongwood Foundations Charter School is a public school for grades 1st through 8th. It has an enrollment of over 300 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. Its Niche grade is a C+ with a breakdown of a C+ in Academics, an A- in Teachers, and a B- in Diversity. State testing shows a 32% proficiency in math and a 42% proficiency in reading.

11. Elm Street Middle School

117 Elm Street, Nashua, NH 03060

Elm Street Middle School in Nashua has a C+ rating on Niche. With close to 1,000 students between the grades of 6th and 8th, the student-teacher ratio is 11:1. The rating breakdown includes a C+ in Academics, a C+ in Teachers, and an A in diversity ratings. State testing shows a 19% math proficiency and a 34% reading proficiency.

12. Abbot-Downing School

152 South Street, Concord, NH 03301

The Abbot-Downing School is located in Concord and serves around 350 students between kindergarten through the 5th grade. It has a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 with 27% math proficiency and 42% reading proficiency as per state test scores. The Niche grade is a C+, with a C+ in Academics, a B in Teachers, and a B- in Diversity.

13. Valley View Community School

79 Thayer Drive, Farmington, NH 03835

The Valley View Community School has an attendance of around 230+ students between preschool, kindergarten, and 3rd grade. It scores a C+ on Niche with a breakdown of C+ in Academics, a B in Teachers, and a B- in Diversity. Testing shows a 45% proficiency in math and 35% in reading.

14. Pennichuck Middle School

207 Manchester Street, Nashua, NH 03060

And lastly, Pennichuck Middle School has just under 600 students between 6th and 8th grade. It has a student-teacher ratio of 11:1 with a 22% proficiency in math and a 32% proficiency in reading. The Niche grade is a C+ with a breakdown of a C+ in Academics, a C in Teachers, and an A in Diversity rankings.

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There are many factors that go into the rating of a particular school district or school. The worst schools In Virginia today are in this category due to considerations like teacher-to-student ratios, graduation rates, academic scores, and other important markers for educational success. Since one’s education can have such a hand in their future success, the quality of the school they’re attending should absolutely be considered when examining district options and available resources. 

Note that these measures are not an indicator of the specific teachers, or staff who may work hard to set students up for success despite the failings of their district. The socio-economic stability of the area and access to, or lack of funding can play a large role in how well a district can provide a quality academic experience to its residents.

So, read on as we learn more about some of the worst schools in Virginia today. We’ll take a look at it from high school all the way through in-person middle, and elementary schools. Check out the metrics for an online school as well. Examine what kind of markers have placed these schools among the worst ranked in the State, and get a better idea of what kinds of things to look for in academic institutions. Let’s get into the rankings for the worst schools in Virginia today.

1. The Keystone School Online

11720 Plaza America Drive, 9th Floor, Reston, Virginia, 20190

Starting with The Keystone School which is an online program based out of Reston, Virginia. This K-12 program has a rating of D+ which is a grade based on the combined score of C- in Academics, C- in terms of Teachers, and B- in the context of college preparatory stats (via Niche). While the reviews are overall positive, and the motto of the school is to offer a flexible education, it simply does not meet the standards for being ranked among the better school options in the state of Virginia.

2. Cool Spring Elementary School

1450 Talley Avenue, Petersburg, VA 23803

Next up we have Cool Spring Elementary School which scores a solid D on the Niche ranking scale. It has a C- in Academics and Teaching, and a C+ in terms of Diversity rankings. They cater to grades kindergarten through fifth, with some 500+ students enrolled. The student-teacher ratio is around 15:1 but by state testing standards the academics are not very stellar. The reading proficiency stands around 32% with a 17% math proficiency.

3. Pleasants Lane Elementary School

100 Pleasants Lane, Petersburg, VA 23803

Pleasants Lane Elementary School has a D+ from Niche, with a C- in Academics, a C- in Teaching, and a B- in its Diversity rankings. Similar in size to Cool Spring, another Petersburg school, this elementary school has over 500 students and around 14:1 for its students-to-teacher ratio. The reading proficiency is the same in this school as the previous, however, the math proficiency falls five percent to 12% overall.

4. Peabody Middle School

3101 Homestead Drive, Petersburg, VA 23805

Peabody Middle School is another Petersburg school with a very low rating. It has the same D+ rating as the previous school based on the same factors of Academics, Teachers, and Diversity scores. With close to twice the students of the previous two schools, it serves grades 6th-9th grade with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. It has a slightly higher testing percentage with 21% deemed proficient in math. It has a solid 47% proficiency in reading, which is still much lower than the best-rated public middle school in VA.

5. Lakemont Elementary School

51 Gibbon St. Petersburg, VA 23803

Lakemont Elementary School caters to grades K-5, with just under 500 students enrolled. It has a D+ rating on Niche with a C- in Academics, and C- in teaching, and a B in Diversity. This elementary school has a 17% proficiency in math and a 32% proficiency in reading.

6. Prince Edward Middle School

35 Eagle Drive, Farmville, VA 23901

Prince Edward Middle School serves grades 5th-8th with an overall score of D+ on Niche. It has a C- in Academics, a C- in Teaching, and an A- in terms of its Diversity representation. Test scores show a 47% proficiency in reading and a 23% proficiency in math with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. There are a little under 600 students enrolled at Prince Edward Middle School.

7. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

1000 Mosby St. Richmond, VA 23223

The Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School has a D- on the Niche website. This is a combined score of a C- in Academics, a C- in Teaching, and a C+ in Diversity categories. Compared to the other proficiency percentages, the test scores for this area show a 7% proficiency in reading and a 4% proficiency in math. It enrolls just over 500 students in grades 6th-8th and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio.

8. Fairfield Court Elementary School

2510 Phaup St. Richmond, VA 23223

Another Richmond school, Fairfield Court Elementary School caters to preschool through fifth grade with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. It has a C- in Academics, C- in Teaching, and C in Diversity scoring. State test scores indicate a 27% math proficiency and a 23% reading proficiency.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Bennian/Shutterstock.com.

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Target is one of the best places to walk the aisles and find great deals. The Toy aisle alone will keep you excited, no matter your age, or what you’re looking for. The top-rated kids' toys at Target include best-sellers along the lines of Hot Wheels, Squishmallows, LEGO kits, and more. You can count on the Target ratings to give you a good idea of what’s most popular in the market for children’s toys. So read on as we delve into the top-rated kids' toys at Target today.

In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into the specs, offerings, and value of the top-rated kids' toys at Target today. Learn more about what makes these top-rated toys so popular, and decide for yourself what may be interesting to the kiddos in your life. Whether you’ve got a young builder on your hands, or you’re looking for something more cuddly, Target has some great toy options.

1. Hot Wheels City Transforming T-Rex Hauler

This incredible Hot Wheels City Transformer transports 20+ of Target's top-rated Hot Wheel cars ($1.29 per car). This T-Rex-shaped Hot Wheels Hauler has the ability to stomp at the pull of its tail. it also features flashing lights, sounds, and a two-lane racing track. Cars can compete to come out of either end of this fantastical Dino-themed car toy. It comes with 2 Hot Wheel cars and costs $69.99 with a five-star rating on the Target website.

2. MGA's Miniverse – Make It Mini Lifestyle Home

If anything can be said of popular toys these days, it's that “mini” is absolutely in. This MGA Series 1 Mini Collectibles Set features mini plants, birdhouses, bouquets, and other unique mini items. Create decorations, and combine minis with the handy resin packets. Simply place them in UV light to cure them. This set is among 100+ Make It Mini Home Series 1 items so you can create your miniverse. This toy is recommended for ages 8+, with individual sets costing $6.99.

3. Barbie Dreamhouse Pool Party Doll House

For another toy that inspires universe-creation and imagination, check out this 75+ piece Barbie Dreamhouse. This 360º open playhouse has a three-story spiral slide, a pet palace, a fully functional house, an elevator, a balcony, a bathroom, bedrooms, a kitchen, and all the other necessary rooms. There are working lights, appliance sounds, a pull-out bed, and other unique amenities. While this set doesn't come with any Barbie dolls, it does come with a puppy dog. Great for ages 3+, this set will cost you $179.99, but it is among the top-rated kids' toys at Target today.

4. Squishville by Squishmallows Vacation Squad

Another popular toy trend is the cuddliest of Squishmallows. This Target Exclusive 10 pack called the “Vacation Squad” comes with all kinds of characters. Meet Matt the Manatee, or Cody the Flamingo, there's an Octopus, Whale, Seahorse, and multiple cute fruit options too! They're not only devastatingly cute but soft, friendly, and affordable as well. With 5 stars on the website, this toy set costs $29.99.

5. Squishmallows Bluey Hugmees

For a larger Squishmallow option, check out the popular children's show character of Bluey in a full 10” Medium Plush. Made with high-quality materials, it's soft, lovable, and easy to clean. Adopting a Bluey Squishmallow from the Target toy aisle will cost you $9.99.

6. Bluey Figure & Accessory Beach Multipack

For another Bluey toy from Target, check out the Bluey Figure & Accessory Beach Multipack. It comes with six toy figurines from the classic children's show, plus 15 beach-toy accessories for assembly. These are among many Bluey figurine sets, that can be used in tandem with one another. Build all kinds of Bluey worlds and have fun with your favorite characters. It costs $29.99 online and in-store.

7. Don't Break The Ice Game

Switching gears slightly, these games are still among the top-rated kids' toys at Target. Check out the Don't Break The Ice Game, where kids ages 3+ can help Phillip the penguin create his igloo without falling through the ice. Too many wrong moves and all the blocks will begin to fall! This is a great game for the whole family, and the set comes with an ice tray frame and legs, one ice block, 32 smaller ice blocks, one Phillip the Penguin figurine, and two mallets. This game costs $13.79, and some assembly is required.

8. Bananagrams Game

Enjoy a classic game of Bananagrams, which is a great option for any up-and-coming spellers. With 144 letter tiles, the whole family can race to form whatever words you can find. Easily transportable, and fun to play, Bananagrams is among the top-rated kids' toys at Target, and costs $15.99.

9. Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet

The Bitzee Interactive Digital Pet is a really unique item among the top-rated kids' toys at Target today. With 4.75 stars on the website, this interactive pet needs to be fed, cared for, and nurtured. You can collect 15 pets including a cat, bunny, and even a unicorn. They can be rocked to sleep, cleaned, and touched through the screen. Play games and collect treats to attract more Bitzee animals. For $29.99 this is objectively much easier than adopting a real-life cat, dog, bunny, or unicorn. Needs double A batteries.

10. LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Retro Roller Skate Toy

For any young builders out there, LEGO has been killing the game. Check out this 3-in-1 Retro Roller Skate Toy. Try your hand at three different iconic 80's items, a roller skate, a boom box, or a skateboard toy. There are movable parts, decorative wheels, and hours of fun guaranteed. This particular set contains 342 pieces and costs $29.99. Check out these other unique LEGO sets like these buildable daffodils ($14.99), or a succulent plant set ($41.99). LEGO also sells other 3-in-1 combinable sets.

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What better place to try a new, interesting self-care product than Target? Some of the best shampoos at Target today feature an array of product options. Take your pick from ones full of biotin, and other hair health-boosting ingredients, strengthening, hydrating, and clarifying shampoos. Target is a great place to consider a new hair routine and the many available options feature some great brands. Top-rated options include OGX, Kristin Ness, L’Oreal, and Aussie shampoos. Keep in mind that finding the right shampoo can be an important part of your overall hair growth, and health.

After all, if you’re using shampoo on your hair several times a week, you want to make sure you’re getting the right kind. You’ll want something gentle enough, yet strong enough to balance the pH levels of your hair, strengthen, clean, and protect your hair. If you have particularly oily hair or particularly dry hair, you’ll need to focus on finding one that will alleviate too much oil or too much brittleness (via WebMD). Common shampoo types include everyday shampoo, moisturizing shampoo, volumizing, clarifying, and color-protecting, among others. Let's get into the best shampoos at Target today.

1. Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo

Starting with the Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo, which is silicon free, and great for dry hair. It has elastin protein, and green caviar which helps to lock in moisture. If used in tandem with the other Nexxus products, you can expect smooth, hydrated, and clean hair. This product has close to five stars on the Target website and is among the best shampoos at Target today. The smallest regular size is 13.5oz for $15.99, or $25.99 for 33.8 oz of this great product.

2. OGX Thick Full Biotin Collagen Shampoo

Next up we have OGX‘s salon-quality hair care, Target has the Thick Full Biotin Collagen Shampoo in a few different sizes (13 fluid ounces or 15.4 fluid ounces) for between $7.39 and $12.99. It is rich in collagen, and biotin which increases the health, strength, and growth ability of your hair. With B7 and hydrolyzed wheat protein nutrients, this product is considered a volumizing and thickening shampoo. It's sulfate, and paraben-free, with bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla. It has 4.5 stars on the website.

3. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Fortifying Shampoo for Frizzy Hair

The Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Fortifying Shampoo for Frizzy Hair has argan oil and Keratine. These ingredients smooth, and strengthen, lasting in up to 97% humidity. Garnier Fructis's Kera-system is designed for hair repair and strengthening. The travel size (3oz) costs $1.99, the 12.4oz cost $3.69, the 22oz cost $5.99, and the 33.8oz cost $8.49. This particular shampoo has 4.25 stars and if you use it with the other Garnier Fructis products, you're on your way to great hair.

4. Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo

Aussie's Miracle Moist Shampoo is among the best shampoos at Target. With 4.5 stars, this shampoo is great for dry hair, with avocado and jojoba seed oil, it is free of parabens and made for hydrating hair. Use it for your brittle ends and emerge from your shower spelling of sweet citrus. A 12.1-ounce bottle will run you $4.19 while 30.4oz is $7.99. Among being a top choice, this is also one of the cheapest.

5. L'Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Rosemary Oil Shampoo

This L'Oreal Paris shampoo is great for dry hair. With rosemary oil, jasmine, and juniper berries, this scintillating scent will make your shampoo routine simply divine. Free of damaging sulfates and parabens, this solution is vegan, dye-free, and gluten-free. It is a color-protectant shampoo that offers hydration and nourishment, especially when used with the other products in the L'Oreal hair care system. The 8.5-ounce bottle costs $8.99, while the larger size of 23 fluid ounces will cost you $15.99. With 4.25 stars this L'Oreal Paris shampoo is among the best shampoos at Target.

6. L'Oreal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo

Next up we have L'Oreal's EverPure Frizz-Defy Shampoo. This product is sulfate-free and non-stripping. With Marula oil, and the EverPure Frizz-Defy system, this shampoo combats the effects of humidity for up to 24 hours. Smell of sweet magnolias as you cleanse your hair with this color-protecting product. It is dye-free, gluten-free, and vegan. It has 4.25 stars on the website and costs $8.99 for 8.4oz.

7. L'Oreal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo 

The L'Oreal Paris EverPure Volume Shampoo is volumizing and luxurious. It is sulfate and paraben-free, with lotus flower extract, and targets fine, flat hair to boost the overall body and health of your hair. It is made from a vegan formula, dye-free, and gluten-free as well. This shampoo works on color-treated hair and features the smells of rosemary, and eucalyptus. For best results, use the paired conditioner in your hair-care routine. This product has 4.25 stars on the website and costs $8.99 for 8.5oz.

8. Herbal Essences Grapefruit Volumizing Shampoo

And lastly, at least in terms of the best shampoos at Target in the context of their ratings, we have the Herbal Essences Grapefruit Volumizing Shampoo. This product is great for fine hair nourishment. It is free of phthalates, parabens, silicone, and harmful dyes. It has camellia oil and is made with 96% naturally sourced ingredients. This shampoo is certified by PETA as cruelty-free, a pH balancing and color-safe option. Made with citrus, mint, and notes of peach, this volumizing shampoo will cleanse, and strengthen your hair as part of a great haircare routine. With 4.25 stars on the website, this product will cost you $9.99 for 13.5oz of a stellar product option.

9. Kristin Ess The One Signature Shampoo

The Kristin Ess brand is a staple in Target's hair care aisle. The One Signature Shampoo is great for all types of hair and offers clarifying results. It is sulfate, paraben, and phthalate-free, moisturizing, and targets split ends with Kristin Ness's Zip-Up Technology, which protects hair from stressors, color-fading, and breakage. to protect hair from environmental stressors and color fade. This product is cruelty-free, vegan, and has four stars on the website. It costs $11 for 10oz and $23.99 for 33.8oz.

10. Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo

This product is great for color-treated hair. Free of sulfates, and silicone, with lasting color protection, the Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo has elastin protein and quinoa, rejuvenating colored hair. It can boost the shine, and health of your hair, especially if followed by the conditioner product as well. It has four stars on the website and costs between $15.99 for 13.5oz, and $25.99 for 33.8oz.

Looking for some dry shampoo options? Sometimes you need something that will tide you over until you can do a full hair-care routine with a proper shower. The following options feature a few of the dry shampoo options among the best shampoos at Target.

Not Your Mother's Plump for Joy Boby Building Dry Shampoo

This dry shampoo is made from rice and barley starches and smells of orange, coconut milk, mango, and mint. It is sulfate, silicone, paraben, and dye-free and well as being certified as a cruelty-free product. Absorb those oils while rejuvenating your hairstyle. Simply work it into your roots to avoid build-up. Get the full size (7oz) for $6.49 or a travel size (1.6oz) for $3.49.

Dove Beauty Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo

The Dove Beauty Volume & Fullness Shampoo works to absorb oils from unwashed hair. Its light, odorless formula will make you feel like a new person. The travel size costs $3.99 (1.5oz), $6.99 (5oz), and $8.39 (7.3oz).

Batiste Dry Shampoo

And finally, the Batiste Dry Shampoo is a top-rated option. With its lavender musk scent, this dry shampoo targets oil, dirt, and grease on your scalp. One spray and you'll feel refreshed. Work any excess powder into your hair to enjoy the added texturization and voluminization of this great dry shampoo. It costs $3.19 for 1.06oz, $8.99 for 3.81oz, and $12.89 for 5.71oz.

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Phoenix’s top baby names for 2023 line up with some of the most popular names around the U.S. Naming a child is an important step in preparing for your newest family members, and it’s good to look at the most popular names to think about what kind of name might work for you. The popularity of certain names can have a lot to do with cycles. The Social Security Administration tracks “popular” names, “classic” names, and “comeback kid” names. The “popular” classification applies to names that peak repeatedly in a period of two years. “Classic names” can peak in the last 20 years, and “comeback kid” names have a rest period of 50 years between popularity peaks (via TIME Magazine). 

According to AZ Central, some of Phoenix’s top baby names for 2023, have remained on this list for the last 4-10 years. “Olivia,” has stuck around for the past four years, while “Liam,” has been popular in the State of Arizona for a full decade now! Other names included on this list feature classics like “Isabella,” “Noah,” and “Emma.” Read on to learn about the meaning and origin behind Phoenix’s top baby names for 2023. We’ll discuss historical icons and literary characters with these names, popular cultural references, and more. Stick around as we get into some of the most popular baby names in Phoenix.

1. Olivia/Oliver

The names “Oliver” and “Olivia,” have quite a few origins and meanings. In the Old Norse language, it was a variation on the name “Álefir” which translates to “descendent of ancestors.” In French, the name is “Olivier,” which means olive tree, and in Latin “oliva” means olive. These language roots connect to the symbolism of an olive tree which means peace, unity, beauty, and fruitfulness. Oliver Twist is an iconic literary character with this name, and it shows up regularly in television and movies.

2. Isabella

Next up we have “Isabella” which has roots in Italian, and Spanish. It is actually a variation of the traditional name “Elizabeth.” In Hebrew, it translates to “God is my oath,” coming from the name “Elisheba.” It can also be interpreted as “pledged to God,” while the nickname “Isa,” translates to “salvation,” instead of “pledged.” Common variations of “Isabella,” include “Issy,” “Bella,” or “Belle.”

3. Liam

As mentioned above, the name “Liam” is one of the most popular names in Arizona, a spot it's held for quite a while. The name has roots in the Irish name “Uilliam,” and the German name “Wilhelm.” It has a few meanings, including “warrior,” and “strong-willed protector” (via Very Well Family).

4. Emma

The name “Emma,” comes from the Germanic word “Ermen,” meaning “whole,” or “universal.” This could be considered a “classic name.” And, it permeates quite a few popular culture examples. Ever read Jane Austen's Emma? There are also famous actresses Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, and Emma Watson.

5. Mateo

“Mateo” comes from the Latin name “Matthew,” and the Hebrew variation “Mattiyahu.” It is popular as a name in parts of Greece, Spanish-speaking countries, and Italy. In all these iterations, the name translates to “gift of God.” Nicknames or variations include “Matthäus,” “Matthias,” and “Massey” (via Family Education).

6. Mia

The name “Mia” is a shortened version of the names “Maria,” and “Miryam.” With roots in Hebrew, Spanish, Italian, and even ancient Egyptian, the name translates to “beloved,” “mine,” and “sweet one,” in many different languages. It can sometimes be a nickname for longer names like “Amelia,” or “Michal.”

7. Noah

“Noah,” is derived from the Hebrew term “Noach,” meaning to “rest,” or take “repose.” There's also a Babylonian word “Nukhu,” with a similar meaning. The name is carried by Noah, from Noah's Ark in the Old Testament. The story of the godly man who built an ark to save the animals and his family instructs on the values of perseverance, loyalty, and hard work.

8. Camila

“Camila,” is a name with Latin, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese roots. It means “religious attendant,” or “acolyte.” Variations on the spelling include “Camilla,” with two “l's” and nicknames might show up as “Mia,” or “Mila,” respectively. Famous Camilas include pop icon Camila Cabello and actresses Camila Mendes and Camila Morrone.

9. Santiago

“Santiago” is the Spanish iteration of “James.” It means “supplanter,” which can also mean “usurper.” There is a Patron Saint, one of Jesus's twelve apostles, called Saint Santiago.

10. Sophia

The name “Sophia,” is Greek in origin. Its meanings include “sophistication,” and “wisdom.” There were quite a few Royal family members with the name “Sophia” during the Middle Ages. Name and spelling variations include “Sofia,” “Sophie,” and “Sofi.” Other famous Sophias include actress Sophia Loren.

11. Elijah

The name “Elijah,” is Biblical in nature, and in Hebrew, it translates to “Jevoha is my God.” Featured in the Old Testament, Elijah the Prophet defended and encouraged worshippers of God. The feminized versions of the name include “Eliana,” and “Eliyah.” Famous Elijahs include actor Elijah Wood, and the musician Elijah Cummings (son of Cher!)

12. Amelia

“Amelia,” has roots in the Latin word “Amal,” meaning “industrious,” and “fertile.” Nicknames for “Amelia,” may include “Mia,” “Amy, “Lia,” and even “Emily.” Alternate spellings may include “Emilia.”

13. Sebastian

The name “Sebastian” comes from a Latin word used to describe individuals hailing from Sebaste, an ancient region in what now is considered Turkey. It means “venerable,” “revered,” and “respected.” Saint Sebastian in the Bible is the patron of athletes and martyrs alike. The French variation of the name is spelled with two “n's” and shows up as “Sébastienne.”

14. Charlotte

The name “Charlotte,” is a version of the name “Charles.” Both names come from the Old English word “ceorl,” which referred to free men who were neither royalty nor considered a slave.

15. Ezra

“Ezra” is a Biblical name meaning “helper” or “aid,” in Hebrew. The Hebrew word “Azar,” comes from the word “Azaryahu,” meaning “God helps.” Ezra from the Bible was a priest. He brought the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, to the Jewish people who escaped from Babylon. Famous Ezras include the actor Ezra Miller, and the political correspondent, Ezra Klein.

16. Evelyn

The name “Evelyn,” is derived from the French name “Avaline.” The meanings of this name are varied and include “life,” “desired,” and “island.” If you look at the parts of the name “Eve,” and “Lyn,” the meaning expands to “desired child,” “strength,” “island,” and “little bird.”

17. Luna

“Luna,” is a name associated with the Goddess of the moon. It means moon in Spanish, Latin, and Italian. In Roman myths, the Moon Goodness is known as Diana, while in Greek mythology, she's known as Selena. She is a powerful figure, scattering starry arrows across the sky in her chariot.

18. Levi

“Levi,” comes from the Hebrew, meaning “united,” and “joined.” In The Old Testament's Book of Genesis, “Levi” is one of the sons of Jacob. Also the “Levites,” were an Israelite tribe.

19. Benjamin

Speaking of sons of Jacob, Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob in the Bible. The name “Benjamin,” comes from the Old Testament, and means the “son of the right hand,” in Hebrew. To be the “Benjamin” of the family means you are the youngest. Nicknames for this particular name include “Ben,” and “Benji.”

20. Ezekiel

And lastly, at least for this list of Phoenix's top baby names of 2023, we have “Ezekiel.” This name comes from the Hebrew “Yechezqel” which translates to “God will strengthen.” In the Old Testament, Ezekiel is a prophet. He lived in Jerusalem before being taken to Babylon. The anglicized version of the name “Ezekiel,” has been popular since the 1500s (via Behind The Name).

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Deciding on a baby name is a unique part of the preparing for a baby process. The popularity of names has a lot to do with the events of the past year and the popular cultural moments that shaped it. It's often connected to the family or community in which a baby is born. For instance, Washington D.C.’s top baby names for 2023 may have some classic names alongside ones that are specifically popular in the D.C. area compared to other parts of the United States.

For instance, barring names that were popular all over the U.S. in 2023, one can expect some differences in the most popular baby names between, say, Washington State, and Washington in the District of Columbia. So, stick around as we do a deep dive into the East Coast side of things. According to data from the Social Security Administration, in 2022, popular names across the board included “Henry,” “Charlotte,” “Theodore,” and “Eleanor” (via Axios). Some of those names stayed at the top of Washington D.C.'s most popular baby names, but there are also quite a few others.

In this post, we’ll cover the origin and meaning behind Washington D.C.’s top baby names for 2023. Understanding the history of a name is a big part of deciding if it’s a good fit for your newest family member. Check out this list of names that topped the list of popular names in 2023, alongside ones specific to Washington D.C. (via Nameberry). Let’s get into these top baby names.

1. Maeve

“Maeve” comes from the traditional Irish name “Medb.” This name means “intoxicating,” and also “she who rules,” in the context of Irish mythology. The story goes that Queen Maeve was a goddess and great warrior. It is associated with the Celtic root word “medu.” This translates to “mead,” a kind of alcoholic drink (via Very Well Family).

2. Silas

“Silas” comes from Greek and Latin words for “forest.” It is connected to Sylvanus, the Roman forest God. In Latin, “Silvanus,” means “of the forest.” Traditionally it was a name given to people who lived in the woods. It also means “prayed for,” derived from the Hebrew name “Saul.” It shows up in the New Testament with Saint Silas (via Nameberry).

3. Alice

Ever heard of Alice In Wonderland? This classic name has roots in German, Dutch, and French languages. “Alice” comes from the French name “Aalais,” which evolved from “Adelais,” from the Germanic name “Adahaidis”. It translates to “noble,” and “kindly.” These are powerful and positive attributes to wish upon a new baby, no wonder it's among Washington D.C.'s top baby names for 2023.

4. Felix

“Felix” has connections to Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Latin, and Jewish languages. In Latin, the name translates to “happy,” and “fortunate.” According to Family Education, it was originally used as a surname but started to be used as a first, given name during the rule of the ancient Roman Sulla. It was believed to impart luck and happiness upon the bearer. It also has ties to the Bible.

5. Eleanor

The name “Eleanor” has roots in Greek and French, and comes from the name “Alienor.” It translates to “light-hearted,” and “shining.” Common variations for this lovely name include “Nora,” “Elianore,” “Lenore,” “Heleanora,” and “Enora.”

6. Theodore

“Theodore,” has roots in the Greek language, and translates to “divine gift.” Its unique parts “Theos,” and “Doron,” mean “God,” and “gift.” When you hear the name you may think of historical like Theodore Roosevelt, and Boston Red Sox player Theodore Samuel Williams.

7. Josephine

“Josephine” has roots in Hebrew and French, meaning “God increases.” This roughly translates to putting faith in God's will and what is planned in this life. The male version of the name “Joseph,” is from the name “Yosef” in Hebrew. Other variations include “Giuseppina,” “Joséphine,” “Josefina,” and “Josie.”

8. Soren

Next up we have “Soren,” which is a Danish name meaning “stern.” In Latin, it is derived from the word “Severus” which can also translate to “severe.” Its traditional Scandinavian spellings would include “Sören” and “Søren,” which slightly changes the pronunciation from “Sorr-en” to “Sur-en.” In the United States, the first pronunciation is much more common.

9. Eloise

The name “Eloise,” comes from French, German, and English languages. It means “healthy,” and “intelligent.” From the German name “Helewedis,” the parts of the word “heil,” meaning “healthy,” and “wid” meaning “wide.” Variations on the name “Eloise,” include “Louise,” “Louisa,” “Lois,” or “Lou.”

10. Oliver/Olivia

“Oliver” and its feminized variation “Olivia,” have roots in Norse, French, and Latin languages. The old Norse name “Álefir” means “descendent,” while the French name “Olivier,” and the Latin term “oliva,” are connected to the olive tree. In turn, the olive tree is a symbol of peacefulness, unity, and beauty.

11. Isla

“Isla” has roots in Scottish, and Spanish names and meanings. The Scottish name “Islay” means “Queen of Hebrides,” from “an old folktale about an Island. There are two rivers in Scotland with the name “Isla.” It also means “island” in Spanish.

12. Jude

Have you ever listened to the song “Hey Jude,” by the Beatles? This name comes from the Hebrew word for “praised.” Variations include “Judy,” and “Judith,” or “Judas.” Saint Jude Thaddeus is one of the 12 apostles in the Bible. He is the patron saint of hope and impossible causes.

13. Ophelia

Another iconic name, “Ophelia,” gained popularity from Shakespeare's Hamlet. “Ophelia” is Greek in origin, meaning “benefit,” or “aid.” Other spellings include “Ofelia” which is how it appeared in the Jacopo Sannazaro poem “Arcadia” published in 1504.

14. Caspian

Yet another literary great among Washington D.C.'s top baby names of 2023, enter “Caspian.” Featured in C.S. Lewis's “The Chronicles of Narnia,” Prince Caspian, is a character who embodies bravery, heart, and intelligence. “Caspian” is Greek and Latin in origin. The term “Caspius,” or “Kaspios,” meaning “white.” This is the name of the “White Sea,” also known as the “Caspian Sea,” the largest inland body of water on planet Earth (via Brittanica).

15. Aurelia

“Aurelia,” comes from Latin meaning “golden one.” It is the feminized version of “Aurelius,” which comes from the Latin “aureus,” which translates to “golden.” It was a common name in Rome, and still seems to be today, especially if it's among Washington D.C.'s top baby names of 2023.

16. Atticus

“Atticus,” has roots in Greek and Latin. The Greek word “Attikos,” describes citizens of Attica, a region in Greece that now encompasses its capital city, Athens. Individuals with the name “Atticus” are connected to traits of wisdom and curiosity. This may be due to Athen's history of philosophers and academics (via Name Of The Year).

17. Daphne

The name “Daphne,” is a fragrant, delicate flower that blooms in the springtime. The name is Greek in origin, and means a “laurel,” or “bay tree.” “Daphne,” the nymph, was the daughter of the river God, Peneus. The story goes that she was transformed into a laurel tree after the God Apollo would not leave her alone.

18. Sebastian

“Sebastian” has roots in Latin, translating to “venerable,” and “revered.” It was a name used to describe the citizens of the town of Sebaste. That region is now a part of Turkey. There is also a Biblical tie in the form of Saint Sebastian, a Christian Saint. Saint Sebastian is a patron to athletes and martyrs. French variations of the name include “Sébastienne,” and the shortened version “Bastion.”

19. Evangeline

“Evangeline” comes from the Greek meaning “messenger of good news,” and the Latin term “evangeliu,” which means “gospel.” It is a hopeful name. Nicknames include “Eva,” or “Angel.”

20. Ethan

“Ethan” comes from the Hebrew name “Eitan,” and also comes from the Old Testament of the Bible. It means “strong,” and “solid.” The name “Ethan” conjures up traits of wisdom and strength. It is a lovely name to impart upon a child.

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The top baby names during any given calendar year can have a lot to do with popular culture events and the way that older names become popular in cycles. Austin’s top baby names for 2023 very much follow this pattern. We’ve got some classic variations on names like William, and Oliver and Olivia, respectively. Amelia, Mia, Ava, and Luna also made their way back into the popular top spots for baby girl’s names (via KXAN.com). If you’ve ever wondered the meaning behind some of Austin’s top baby names for 2023, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more. 

In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into the origin behind some of these popular names. Get to know what Austin’s top baby names mean, and see if they might be a good fit for you. Knowing what’s behind a name can be an important thing to consider, you want the name you pick it fit your new family member. Whether it’s among Austin’s top baby names for 2023 or a variation of one of the names on this list, stick around to learn all about the origins and definitions of this list.

1. Liam

Starting with “Liam,” which has roots in Irish, and German iterations of the name “William.” You may recognize it in the forms of “Uilliam,” “Wilhelm,” “Lliam,” or “Lyam.” In the Frankish and Irish word roots, it translates to “helmet,” “strong-willed,” “warrior,” and “protector” (via Very Well Family).

2. Noah

The name “Noah,” comes from the Hebrew word “Noach,” the Babylonian word “Nukhu” and is also a Biblical name. The name translates to “rest, repose” and in the Old Testament's “Book of Genesis,” Noah is the main character of Noah's Ark. If you've never heard the story, he was instructed by God to build an Ark and bring animals along with his family to survive a great flood. The story has themes of loyalty and perseverance, which are honorable values to impart to a new baby.

3. Mateo

Next up we have “Mateo.” It's a derivative of the Latin name “Matthew,” and the Hebrew name “Mattiyahu.” It also has roots in Greek, Spanish, and Italian, where it translates to a “gift of God.” Other variations include “Matai,” “Matthäus,” “Mateus,” “Matthias,” “Massey,” or the feminized version “Mattia” (via Family Education).

4. Elijah

“Elijah,” is also Biblical, with roots in the Hebrew words “El,” and “Yah” which translates loosely to “Jevoha is my God.” In the Old Testament, Elijah was a prophet who defended worshippers of God. Feminized versions of the name may include “Eliyah,” and “Eliana.”

5. Sebastian

“Sebastian” was originally a name used to describe inhabitants of the town “Sebaste,” from the region that is now considered Turkey. In Latin, it translates to “venerable” which means “respected,” or “revered.” Saint Sebastian was a Christian Saint, revered by archers, athletes, and martyrs alike. There are French, Greek, and Italian variations including “Sébastienne,” and “Bastion.”

6. Oliver/Olivia

“Oliver” is one of Austin's top baby names for 2023, but its feminized counterpart “Olivia,” also makes an appearance on this list. “Oliver,” comes from the Norse name “Álefir,” which translates to “descendant.” The French version of the name “Olivier,” means olive tree, and the Latin term for Olive is “Oliva.” Both connect with symbols of peace, fruitfulness, beauty, and respect.

7. Santiago

Ever heard of the name “Santiago”? It is actually the Spanish version of the name “James,” which has English and Hebrew origins. The name translates to “supplanter,” which can mean to take over for someone else. The Patron Saint Santiago is considered one of Jesus's twelve apostles, and they hold a festival each year in his honor.

8. Levi

“Levi,” not to be confused with “Levi Strauss Denim,” is a name that means “united,” or “joined.” Generally tied to the concept of harmony, the name has Biblical origins as well as ties to the Hebrew language. In the Book Of Genesis from “The Old Testament,” the character of Levi is one of the sons of Jacob, and the “Levites,” were one of the Israelite tribes. The name is derived from the Hebrew words “Yewi,” and “Lawa.”

9. Daniel

“Daniel,” is a classic name. It's featured among Austin's top baby names of 2023. With Biblical origins, in the Old Testament, Daniel was a loyal acolyte, who survived a lion's den with protection from God. In Hebrew, the name translates to “God is my judge.” It is a powerful name to give a new baby.

10. Benjamin

“Benjamin,” is another Biblical name, coming from the Hebrew for “son of the right hand.” In the Bible, Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob, so it can also mean the “youngest child.”

11. Camila

Moving onto girls' names included in Austin's top baby names of 2023, starting with “Camila.” This name has Latin roots and translates to a religious attendant of acolyte. In Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, you may recognize it as “Camilla,” though other variations include “Camille,” Camelia,” or “Mila.”

12. Emma

“Emma,” has been, and continues to be quite a popular girl's name. Its Germanic roots in the word “Ermen,” translates to “whole.” Famous Emmas include Queen Emma of Normandy, Jane Austen's Emma Woodhouse, and modern-day Emma Stone, and Emma Thompson.

13. Isabella

“Isabella” is rooted in the Italian and Spanish variations of the name “Elizabeth.” The Hebrew translates to “God is my oath,” and both “Elizabeth,” and “Isabella,” have been popular names since 13th century England. Derivatives of name may have slightly different meanings including “Isa,” which translates to “salvation of God,” and “Issy,” or “Bella.”

14. Mia

“Mia” comes from the Hebrew name “Miryam,” and the name “Maria.” It has roots in Egyptian, with the rough translation of “beloved.” In Italian, the name means “mine,” and the Slavic variation of the name can mean “darling,” or “sweet one.” It is popular in Spain, Italian, Scandinavian countries, and Israel.

15. Amelia

Speaking of similar names, “Amelia,” sometimes is associated with the names “Mia,” and “Camila.” Its Latin root is “Amal,” which translates to “work.” Think of it in terms of industriousness instead of laboring. Kings of the 18th century would often name their daughters “Amelia.” You may see the name in other forms including “Amy,” “Lia,” or even “Emily.”

16. Sophia

“Sophia,” which can also be spelled “Sofia,” is a traditional Greek name. It translates to “wisdom,” or “sophistication,” and was a popular name for royalty in the Middle Ages. According to Behind The Name, there was a mythical Saint Sophia who lost her daughters during the reign of Hadrien the emperor. Famous Sophias include Sophia Hanover, the heir to the British throne, and the actress Sophia Lore.

17. Ava

The name “Ava” has a few meanings and origins. The Latin term “avis,” translates to “birdlike,” while the Germanic term “aval,” means to “guarantee.” In Hebrew, the name “Havva,” could be shortened to “Av.” It translates to “life,” or “lively.” In Persian, it can translate to “voice. While a relatively simple name, this is a unique option with lots of derivatives that could be a lovely name for a baby.

18. Charlotte

Another traditional name, “Charlotte,” is the feminized version of Charles, and is among Austin's top baby names for 2023. Both names come from an old English word (“ceorl”) describing a “free man.” this was an important differentiator from the ruling class, and the slaves during this time period. It has roots in Germanic, and French languages.

19. Luna

For a name closely associated with the celestial, or stories of Goddesses, check out “Luna.” In Latin, Spanish, and Italian, it means “moon.” The Roman moon goodness, Diana (called Selena by the Greeks) is also a powerful association with this name and its meaning. It is a beautiful name to consider.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©dk_photos/ via Getty Images.

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Naming a new baby can be a hard decision, not only do you need to consider the meaning and origin behind a name, but if it will fit your new family member. Take a look at Philadelphia’s top baby names for 2023 to get some good ideas. Every year, the Social Security Administration rounds up the most used baby names by State. While some of these are specific to Philadelphia as a metropolis, some of these are also popular in Pennsylvania as a whole. Why do certain names continue to pop up on these lists? Whether it’s related to popular cultural events, characters, or family-related, there’s a reason these names made it to the top of the list. Read on to learn about Philadelphia’s top baby names for 2023.

In this post, we’ll talk about the origin and meaning behind these popular names. Get to know the stories, values, and symbolism attached to Phildelphia’s top baby names for 2023. We’ll do a deep dive into their cultural background, links to particular languages, and the meaning that makes them so popular. Let’s get into the background of Philadelphia’s top baby names for 2023, and perhaps by the end of this post, you’ll have some solid ideas on what kind of baby names might be a good fit for your own family. 

1. Lyra

The name “Lyra,” belongs to a constellation that's shaped like the lyre, a magical harp. The Greek God Apollo, a purveyor of music, dance, poetry, archery, and the arts, played the lyre. The character of Orpheus also played the lyre. Read more about the lyre in relation to great mythical stores here. “Lyra” is among Philadelphia's top baby names for 2023 according to Nameberry. Individuals with the name include author Phillip Pullman's main character from “The Golden Compass” Lyra Belacqua. Variations of this name may include “Lira,” “Liera,” and “Lera.”

2. Atticus

Next up, we have “Atticus,” which has roots in Latin. The name comes from the Greek word “Attikos,” which was used to describe someone from Attica, a region in Greece. Modern-day Attica includes Athens, the capital of the country. The name can also mean “wise,” due to its connection to great academics and philosophers who resided in Athens in the early days (via Name Of The Year). You may recognize the name from the skillful lawyer, Atticus Finch in the classic To Kill A Mockingbird.

3. Liam

“Liam,” is a variation on the name William. This, in turn, is derived from the Irish name “Uilliam,” and the Frankish name “Willahelm.” The translation and meanings of these name variations mean “helm,” and “protector,” which can be interpreted as a “strong warrior.” It is a powerful name for a new baby and quite popular in many different parts of the U.S. along with Philadelphia (via Very Well Family).

4. Olivia/Oliver

The names “Olivia” and “Oliver” have connections to Norse, French, and Latin languages. The old Norse name “Álefir translates” to “descendant,” and the French iteration “Olivier,” means olive tree. In Latin, “Oliva,” is the word for olive. All these meanings and origins together suggest that “Olivia,” and “Oliver,” have some beautiful meanings and values behind them. The olive tree has long been connected to symbolism around peace, respect, beauty, and dignity.

5. James

“James” is a classic name, with roots in Scotland and England. It is a Biblical name, with the Hebrew translation meaning “supplanter,” or someone who replaces. The name gained popularity among rulers in the 17th century with King James VI who took over (supplanted) the English throne. It comes from the Hebrew name “Jacob,” which means the names have similar meanings.

6. Elijah

The name “Elijah,” is another Biblical name. In Hebrew, it means “Jehovah is my God,” and it is connected to Elijah the Prophet who protected loyal worshippers and performed miracles. It comes from the words “El” meaning “God,” and “Yah,” meaning “Jehovah.” No wonder this name is popular not only in Philadelphia but the whole state of Pennsylvania (via NBC Philadelphia).

7. Charlotte

The name “Charlotte,” which is a feminized version of “Charles,” has remained a popular girl's name. It comes from the old English word “ceorl.” This word was used to describe a ” free man” not of royal blood. The name has roots in French and German. Other variations of the name include “Carl,” or “Karl.”

8. Amelia

According to Nameberry, “Amelia” is among Philadelphia's top baby names. It has roots in Latin, from the name “Amal,” meaning “industrious,” and “fertile.” It is a feminized version of names like “Emmett,” and “Emery.” Other feminizations include “Emily,” and “Amy.” Famous Amelias include Amelia Earheart.

11. Eden

Have you ever heard of the Garden of Eden? This Biblical place represents a peaceful haven of safety and comfort. The name “Eden” translates to a “place of pleasure,” in Hebrew. In the story, Eve takes a bite of a forbidden apple from the Tree of Knowledge and her and Adam are banished from the Garden.

12. Ava

The name “Ava” has roots in Latin, Hebrew, and Persian. In Latin “Avis,” means “birdlike,” while the Germanic word “Aval” means to “guarantee.” In Hebrew, the name “Havva,” derived from the word “Hayya,” translates to “lively.” And in Persian, it can mean “voice,” or “sound.” All of its meanings and possible translations indicate that “Ava” is a beautiful name to impart to a new baby.

13. Evelyn

“Evelyn,” comes from the French name “Avaline,” of which “Ava,” could be a nickname. Its meanings are varied and include “hazelnut,” “life,” “desired,” and “island.” The name combines “Eve,” and “Lyn,” which further expand their meanings to “desired child,” “little bird,” “strength,” and “island in the water.” Read more on the origin and meanings of the name “Evelyn,” here.

14. Mia

“Mia” comes from the name “Maria,” and the Hebrew name “Miryam.” In Egyptian it means “beloved,” in Italian, it means “mine,” and in Slavic, names similar to Mia (Mila) translate to “darling,” or “dear.” It is a popular name in Scandinavian, Spanish, and Italian countries, and Israel is a nickname for “Michal.”

15. Theodore

“Theodore,” is a Greek name meaning “divine gift.” It comes from “Theos” meaning “God,” and “Doron,” meaning “gift.” Famous Theodores include Theodore Roosevelt and American Writer Theodore Sturgeon.

16. Luna 

“Luna” means “moon” in Italian, Latin, and Spanish. In Roman and Greek mythology, “Luna” was a moon goodness, sometimes referred to as either “Diana” or “Selena.” This powerful character lights up the sky with her chariot, shooting star arrows across the sky. No wonder this is one of Philadelphia's top baby names of 2023!

17. Silas

“Silas” is another of Philadelphia's top baby names. With roots in Greek and Latin, it translates to “woods,” or “forest.” It's related to Sylvanus, a Roman God of the forest, and in Latin, the word Silvanus means “of the forest.” According to Nameberry, an alternate meaning of “Silas” is “prayed for.” This comes from the Hebrew word “Saul.” “Saul” was the name of the first King of Israel, and shows up in the Bible in the New Testament with Saint Silas, a Christian man.

18. Arlo

“Arlo,” is a nickname for the longer name “Harlow.” It combines the words “hoer,” and “hlaw” which means a hill made of stones or rocks.” It can also translate to a “fortified hill.” The earliest mention of “Arlo” can be traced to a poem from 1590 entitled “The Faerie Queen.” In Irish-Gaelic, the word “Aherlow” translates to “between two highlands,” and in German it means “hill.”

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com.

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