Let’s start with the big news – contest time!  Nameberry is running a contest. Guess the Top Ten girls’ and boys’ names – or come the closest – and you’ll win fabulous prizes.

And I do mean fabulous – you’ll be among the first to have a copy of the much anticipated Beyond Ava & Aiden.

In other name news:

• The fun-lovin’ Chinese government is cracking down on wild baby names.  They’re blaming it on technological limitations.  Interestingly, even the Chinese are having trouble convincing their citizens to comply – so let’s assume that the US won’t be telling new parents they can’t name their little ones Pryncyss any time soon.
• Over on Swistle’s site, a parent wrote in asking if Archer was the new Aiden.  I think the answer is definitely no – I can’t imagine Archer genning so many spin-offs.  (Barcher, Carcher, Jarchyr … nope.)  But he could be the new Tyler or Carter.
• Emmy Jo took a stab at Multicultural Naming for Girls and Boys.  From her girls’ list, my top pick is Elke.  I’m less sure about the boys.  As she noted, it is tougher to come up with culture-spanning choices for our sons!
• Speaking of boys and girls, Nameberry did a makeover of some of the most popular names for each gender.  They’re great lists – and wouldn’t ya know it?  There’s Archer again, as a possible substitute for Andrew.
• Elisabeth at You Can’t Call It “It” has a lovely list of Earth Day names.  Sure, April 22 is past.  But eco-chic is a 365 day affair now, right?  And while I think Lynx and Cougar are crazy choices, I do kind of love Demeter and Fern.
• Actress Jill Scott named her son Jett Hamilton, a name which I find surprisingly pleasing.  It’s not my style, but it has quite a bit of style – and a nice balance to it, too. 
• William Huckleberry’s little brother has a name!  Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley have named their son Jasper Warren.  Yup, Warren – apparently he was Brad’s grandfather – the man who gave him his very first guitar.  Maybe that tips the scales in Warren’s favor!
• I sent a PaperbackSwap book to someone named Sian.  And while thumbing through a back copy of some random magazine, I came across a stylish San Francisco-dwelling family.  The kids included Mary Harriet, Carole and Edward.  I thought that was fascinating – ‘specially the Carole-with-an-e.

That’s all for the moment.  Thanks for reading!