Monthly Archives: March 2009

Sunday Summary: 3/22/09

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So M.I.A. was all in a huff when sites reported that her son was named Ickitt, but it turns out that he’s actually named Ikhyd.  Ikhyd Edgar Arular, to be exact.  Which is obviously, clearly, very different from Ickitt.  Ahem.

In other news: 

  • Emmy Jo did a great post on Names That Sound Like No Other;
  • In the new television drama Kings, the monarch is called Silas.  The name has already been on the rise.  Could he be the next Elijah?;
  • I was scanning through the Newsweek photo slideshow on multiple madness about famous sib sets born before the Gosselins.  Check out the first photo – the sextuplets are called Jimme, Martina, Mary, Bernard, Cybil and Rita.  My favorite grouping from the slideshow?  Identical triplets – Dorothy, Iris and Myra – from the 1930s.
  • Fine, yes, I’m still on multiples.  TLC ran a special on the Ferrill Quintuplets – boys Landyn Konner, Layne Mykel and Drayden Karter and girls, Irelyn Kadyn and Kieran Skye.  Quite the set!
  • Nancy’s Baby Names has a link to the Name of the Year contest over at a blog about bizarre, but real, baby names.  It’s an interesting read.
  • Lastly, I spotted (adults) called Hansel at the baby store; Elroy at my garage and Philomene at my local Dunkin’ Donuts.

Have a great week, and thanks for reading!

Bookshelf: Cool Irish Names for Babies

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If there’s a common complaint about baby name books, it is this:  they read more like telephone directories than meaningful guides to choosing a single name.

For parents who have already narrowed down their search to a) an Irish appellation, and b) preferably something a little bit off the mainstream, Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz’ Cool Irish Names for Babies is just the thing.

The team behind Nameberry are also the authors of Cool Names for Babies and Beyond Shannon and Sean: An Enlightened Guide to Irish Baby Naming. 

The new publication is up-to-the-minute.  (Shannon and Sean was written in the 90s.)  Here’s what I love about their latest:

  • The authors do a great job of listing names that are already popular.  Plenty of first time parents are disappointed when they realize they weren’t the first to think of calling their daughter Riley.  The “Pop Cool” section can inspire parents hoping for a tamer choice, or re-direct those looking for something truly adventurous.
  • The duo remains unmatched at compiling surprising and unusual lists.  While characters from Irish literature might be expected, their list of Irish word names is eye-opening.  Fia, anyone?
  • If you’re a newcomer to Celtic myth and legend (as I am), their listing of relevant figures is concise and thorough.
  • Known for their Coolator – a chart showing how to make an ordinary name just a bit more daring – they’ve now created a Celticizer.  After all, Irish names have been Anglicized for generations.  If you’re honoring Grandma Molly, maybe Maille is an appealing choice.
  • And – my very favorite bit – they’ve compiled a list of given names that are traditionally l bestowed in Irish families.  So even if you’re a little fuzzy about your ancestry, you can reclaim some heritage.  Last name O’Kane?  Call your daughter Aislinn.  MacArdle?  How ’bout Malachy for a son?

If there’s a shortcoming to the book, it is simply that it is, well, short.  You’ll probably want to read more about some of these names before you settle on them for good.

But it is a comprehensive introduction to the many flavors of Irish names – and a positively addictive read!

Name of the Day: Zenas

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Today’s choice is quite rare.  But if other ends-in-s choices like Marcus, Miles and starbaby Atlas are fashionable, maybe this one isn’t completely out there.

Annelise for suggesting Zenas as Name of the Day.

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