Hi there — I’m Jenna Hayes.
Wife, mom, meal-prep survivor, baby name nerd, and the woman behind BabyNamesTrendy.com — a cozy corner of the internet where parenting meets pantry, and where naming your little one is just as meaningful as feeding them their first mashed banana.
I created this space for the real, exhausted, loving parents out there who are trying to do their best… one baby name idea and one dinner plan at a time.
If you’re looking for a blog that celebrates the chaos and charm of parenting, you’ve landed in the right place.
🏡 My Journey: From Overwhelmed Mama to Founder of BabyNamesTrendy
I wasn’t always this organized. In fact, when I became a mom for the first time, I was the queen of anxiety.
I still remember the early weeks after giving birth to my daughter, Sophie. I had baby books stacked on one side of the bed, grocery store receipts crumpled on the other, and the mental load of being a new mom hit me like a freight train. There were so many decisions — bottles or breastfeeding, sleep schedules, swaddles — and don’t even get me started on picking the right name.
I spent months agonizing over what to call my baby girl. I wanted something that felt hers — not trendy for trendiness’ sake, but timeless and full of heart. I wanted a name with meaning, one that felt soft on the ears but strong on paper.
That’s when the seed for BabyNamesTrendy was planted.
As I searched, I noticed that baby name lists were either boring, overly random, or downright outdated. The same 50 names were recycled again and again. I wanted something fresh, something personal — and I knew I wasn’t the only one.
At the same time, I was drowning in decision fatigue when it came to feeding my new family. Everything was either too complicated, too unhealthy, or too time-consuming for a mom trying to function on four hours of sleep and one lukewarm cup of coffee.
I didn’t need perfection. I needed practicality. And I needed it fast.
So, I started writing.
I wrote down baby names I loved. I wrote down quick dinner recipes that actually worked. I scribbled middle name combos in the margins of my grocery list and jotted down what meals Sophie ate without throwing on the floor.
Before long, BabyNamesTrendy.com was born — a blog that brings meaningful names and real-life meals together under one roof.
💡 What This Blog Is All About
This is not just a baby name site. And it’s not just a recipe blog. It’s something more layered — just like parenting itself.
Here’s what you’ll find at BabyNamesTrendy.com:
👶 Baby Name Inspiration
- Beautiful, unique, and meaningful name lists with themes (nature-inspired, vintage gems, modern classics, biblical names, and beyond)
- First + middle name combos that actually flow
- Deep dives into name meanings, origins, and cultural significance
- Tips for choosing a name you won’t regret
- Nicknames, initials, and how the name might grow with your child
- Seasonal baby name roundups (yep, we’ve got fall baby name lists!)
- Sibling name sets that sound lovely together
🍽️ Family-Friendly Recipes
- 30-minute meals that your toddler might actually eat
- One-pot and sheet pan wonders for tired evenings
- Freezer-friendly staples for postpartum parents
- No-fuss breakfast ideas (yes, the kind you can eat with one hand)
- Lunchbox solutions for picky eaters and busy mornings
- Real food that doesn’t require fancy ingredients or a culinary degree
👩👧 Parenting Life & Mom Hacks
- Meal planning with babies and toddlers in mind
- Managing the mental load (and what helped me survive it)
- Budget-friendly tips for growing families
- Emotional support through the newborn haze
- Journaling prompts for new moms
- Gift guides for baby showers, first birthdays, and new parents
🧡 Who I Am (and Who I’m Not)
I’m Jenna. I’m 36 years old, married to my college sweetheart, Mark, and we live just outside Charlotte, North Carolina.
We have two wild, hilarious kids — Sophie (5) and Miles (2) — and a 70-pound goldendoodle named Waffles who thinks every meal is for him.
I’m a former elementary school teacher turned full-time parenting writer and recipe tester — with a side hustle as your go-to baby name guide.
But let me be clear:
- I am not a perfect parent.
- I am not a professional chef.
- I have served boxed mac and cheese with a side of frozen peas and called it a win.
- I have cried in the pantry at 4 p.m. wondering what to cook.
- I have questioned every baby name I wrote on the list — until one finally just clicked.
And that’s the heart of this blog. It’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing what you can, with love and intention.
✨ Why Baby Names Matter to Me
Naming a baby is more than checking off a box. It’s one of the first big decisions we make as parents — and it carries weight.
A name is the start of your child’s story.
It’s how they’ll be greeted in the world. It’s what you’ll whisper at night and shout across playgrounds. It’s something they’ll write on forms, carry into interviews, and eventually share with someone they love.
And while trends come and go, meaning sticks.
That’s why I focus on names that aren’t just stylish — but soulful. I research their history, play with syllables, imagine how they’ll sound in a kindergarten class and a wedding toast. I help you picture the whole journey, not just the Instagram birth announcement.
If I can help even one parent feel certain when they say, “This is it — this is their name,” then I’ve done my job.
🍲 Why Recipes Belong on a Baby Name Blog
You might be wondering — what do baby names and recipes have in common?
More than you think.
Both are wrapped in love, culture, memory, and care.
Both require thought, creativity, and sometimes… a little trial and error.
And both play a role in nourishing your family.
I believe in the everyday power of a warm meal and a well-loved name.
And since parents don’t have time to browse 12 different blogs, I wanted to make one place where you could get both:
Name your baby. Feed your baby. Feed yourself.
That’s what we do here.
🎉 A Few Fun Facts About Me
- My comfort food: creamy tomato soup with grilled cheese (cut into triangles, obviously).
- Favorite baby name that didn’t make our final list: Elowen. Still obsessed.
- My kids’ favorite meals: banana oat pancakes (no sugar!) and “dino nuggets with hummus,” don’t ask.
- I journal almost every day — it keeps me grounded in the madness.
- I believe store-bought pie crust is 100% acceptable.
- I’ve read hundreds of baby name books. My husband calls it my “weird talent.”
🥣 What I Hope You’ll Find Here
If you’re here, chances are you’re in the messy middle of parenting — or just getting started.
Maybe you’re:
- Pregnant and swimming in baby name spreadsheets
- A new parent trying to figure out what to cook and when to sleep
- A curious soul who loves names, stories, and home-cooked meals
Whoever you are — I see you.
And my hope is that BabyNamesTrendy.com becomes your companion, your guide, your digital bestie when you need ideas, encouragement, or a meal plan that actually works.
🤝 Let’s Connect
I’d love to hear from you — whether it’s your favorite baby name, your go-to toddler meal, or just a question about what to cook tonight.
You can:
- 📩 Email me anytime at [email protected]
- 💬 Leave a comment on your favorite post
- 📸 Follow along on Instagram @BabyNamesTrendy for real-life meals, name ideas, and family chaos in stories
💌 Thank You
Thank you for stopping by and reading my story.
Thank you for being part of this growing community of parents, dreamers, and name-lovers.
And thank you for trusting me with two of life’s most personal choices: what you call your child and what you put on their plate.
From my family to yours, welcome to BabyNamesTrendy.
Let’s make this season — sleepless nights, sticky fingers, and all — feel just a little more doable.
With love,
Jenna Hayes
Your kitchen & baby name cheerleader