The big news of the week?  The birth of Bardot Vita Boreanaz, a sister for Jaden Rayne.  Prepare to see Bardot featured in plenty of year-end lists of wacky celeb baby names.

In other news:

• Did anyone catch the tiny baby name mention during last Sunday’s ep of Mad Men?  When Jennifer Crane and Betty Draper talked babies at Roger & Jane Sterling’s vaguely awkward garden party, Jennifer mentioned her daughter’s name – Beatrice Grace.  Non-name aficionados might find Beatrice a reasonable choice for the late 50s/early 60s.  But you, dear reader, probably know that Beatrice was on the decline in the Mad Men era.  In fact, it sounds just like the name of a baby born to, say, the writer on a hit television show.  Who amongst the staff is enough of a name geek to slip in that reference?  Or am I overthinking;
• Legit Baby Names brings us the gently antique, but reasonably wearable Roswitha and Emmerich;
• Bewildertrix spots a bunch of interesting appellations, including Kaine and Kaeleigh.  And I was in a spin when she announced the birth of quintuplets (!) named Beyoncé, Tyra, Bobbi, Barack and Earl.  Only they’re puppies – schwoo;
• The rise of Asher continues – The Toronto Star profiles the parents of Nathaniel, Poem and Asher Aix Khadir;
• Does this really qualify as news?  Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are expecting baby #19.  And need another J- name.  I nominate Judah or Jacinta.  Or maybe Julian or Jerusha.  Swistle  also suggested Julissa, June, Jasper, Jonas and Jeffrey;
• Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel bestowed the restrained Walker Nathaniel on their son;
• 311′s Nick Hexum and wife Nikki welcomed a daughter named Echo.  I’ve been wondering about Echo ever since the debut – and renewal – of sci fi Dollhouse.  It’s rich with teasing possibility, but still seems appealing;
• Model Laetitia Acosta welcomed a daughter with the smart name of Athena.  Athena joins big brother Orlando and sister Sahteene;
• Golf’s Annika Sörenstam and husband Mike welcomed a daughter, Ava Madelyn.

And on a scholarly note, there’s Language Log’s article on Sino-American names.  Apparently, while many Chinese men and women choose American names, they use them only with their Chinese friends.  In America, it is increasingly common to use their Chinese names – or as close an approximation as can be expected in American English.

I’m taking Labor Day off, but I’ll be back on Tuesday.

Thanks for reading – see you next week!