Miranda

Coined by William Shakespeare for his play *The Tempest*, Miranda is a Latinate name meaning 'admirable' or 'wonderful.' Though invented for the stage in the early 17th century, it was soon embraced in England and then across the Atlantic. Its journey from literary creation to a cherished given name speaks to its inherent charm and the enduring power of Shakespeare's imagination.

To say 'Miranda' aloud is to invoke a sense of awe. It is a name that feels expansive, like the opening of a new world or the moment you first glimpse your baby's face. When you write 'Miranda' on her baby blanket, you are imbuing it with a promise of admiration and a touch of magic, anticipating the insightful, optimistic spirit she will bring.