Baby Name of the Day: Tennyson

Tennyson statue outside Lincoln Cathedral

Tennyson statue outside Lincoln Cathedral via Flickr

The saintly Dennis had his day, but if you’re looking for a fresh spin on that classic appellation, here’s one option.

Thanks to Amanda for suggesting the poetic Tennyson as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Verona

Across the Rooftops (2) Verona, Italy

Verona by sminky_pinky100 (In and Out) via Flickr

It’s the fair city of Romeo and his Juliet.  How would it wear as a daughter’s name?

Thanks to Fran for suggesting Verona as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Calpurnia

Calpurnia Pisonis was a daughter of Lucius Cal...

Calpurnia Pisonis; Image via Wikipedia

She’s an asteroid, a shrub, a minor literary figure, and an Ancient Roman matron.

Thanks to Paul for suggesting Calpurnia as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Annina

Alphabet 1

Alphabet 1 by Brenda-Starr via Flickr

She’s an operatic elaboration, instantly transforming Ann from straightforward classic to exotic appellation.

Thanks to Emily for suggesting her childhood friend’s name for our Baby Name of the Day: Annina.

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Sunday Summary: 3/27/11

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27 by Cappellmeister via Flickr

First, I’m incredibly excited to see who wins March Madness!  Thanks to everyone who voted so far, and if you have not, please remember to weigh in: Boys’ Final and Girls’ Final.

I thoroughly enjoyed compiling Rock’n'Roll Baby Names for Nameberry last week.  This week’s list is equally edgy.  Here’s a hint: Buffy is on the list.

Elsewhere:

  • I haven’t seen Just Go With It, but I’m fascinated by the names.  Nicole Kidman plays a not-so-nice character called Devlin.  Brooklyn Decker plays a girl named Palmer.  The 2011 film is based on a 1969 movie, which was based on an American adaptation of a French play.  Up until now, Palmer’s character called was Toni.  I’ve no idea why they opted for such an unconventional choice in the remake;
  • Swistle posted a reader question about the name Story.  Comments suggested Astoria as a formal name.  I’m torn – Astoria is an undeniably pretty sound, but have you been to Queens?  Then again, a less-than-idyllic setting hasn’t hurt Brooklyn;
  • Which leads us to Nancy’s note about baby boys named Travolta.  More than you’d think, less than you’d fear;
  • From Nomes e mais nomes: which do you prefer Carolina or Catarina?  It’s the kind of question that makes me want to say “twins!”
  • Step into the Wayback Machine.  In 2009, the featured name was Lana.  Last year, it was Orla;
  • I always enjoy her birth announcements, but this one really surprised me: For Real spotted an unusual combination, which just happens to be my cousin’s name;
  • She also spotted Jaxlen McCade, Riggen Joseph, Brawk David, and Dash Ayden.  Oh, and a Dollie Michelle.  I adore Dolly as a nickname for Dorothy, but I think it would be tough to answer to Dolly at 25.

On to Hollywood.  There’s been much chatter over Rachel Zoe’s new son’s name, Skyler Morrison.  It’s not the stylish choice I would have expected, but what really stunned me was a comment in New York Magazine.  The writer congratulated Rachel & Rodger on their healthy baby boy and “also for naming him normally. Baby names shouldn’t be trends.”

I’ll be curious to hear Rachel’s explanation for choosing the name.  Maybe she’ll have the kind of backstory that makes me regret every snarky thought I’ve had about her choice.

In other starbaby news:

  • The conversation of the week should really be this: How did Luca and Matteo become the sibset of moment?  Top Chef’s top chef Tom Colicchio and wife Lori welcomed a son, Mateo Lev.  Mateo joins big brothers Luka Bodhi and Dante at home.  Impeccable Italian heritage picks, right?  Masculine without going overboard, classic but not plain.  Last month, E’s Kristin Dos Santos welcomed a son, Matteo Tomaz, a little brother for Luca Alexander.  And Colin Firth and his wife Livia Guiggioli are parents to Luca and Mateo, too;
  • TLC’s Design Star Vern Yip welcomed a daughter, Vera Lillian Beatrix.  He and partner Craig Koch are also parents to son Gavin Joshua Mannox;
  • Quarterback Eli Manning is a first-time dad.  He and wife Abby welcomed a daughter, Ava Frances.

If you’re looking for more talk of celebrity births and general name talk, check out my Facebook page.

That’s all for this week.  As always, thank you for reading!

March Madness: Girls’ Final

March Madness

March Madness by Sally M via Flickr

Color me surprised!  If you’d asked me to predict the final match-up, well, I’d have guessed the opposite.

In last week’s action, Elodie squeaked past Isla, 53% to 47%, or 197 votes to 177.

After trailing for a few days, Louisa beat Adele, 54% to 46%, or 204 votes to 173.

But that’s why we play the game, right?

Please join me now in voting for a champion for this year’s March Madness Girls’ Final.

The polls remain open until Friday, and winners will be announced on Saturday.

March Madness: Boys’ Final

Basketballs

Basketballs by Hakan Dahlstrom via Flickr

There’s been controversy.  There’s been heartache.  I’m not sure if we’ve had a Cinderella story.  But it has been great fun to watch the names advance.

In last week’s action, Nathaniel beat Tobias, 54% to 46%, or 198 votes to 170.

Finn was the clear winner over Cian, 70% to 30%, or 257 votes to 108.

We’re down to the final round, but unlike your typical basketball match-up, there are three contenders for the title: the Colonial Nathaniel, the sharp Archer, the friendly Finn.  Please see the controversy link above if you’re wondering why Nathaniel is making a re-appearance!

Voting stays open until next Friday, and the winners will be announced a week from today.

Baby Name of the Day: Emrys

A welsh dragon. Found a very similar one on a ...

Welsh dragon; Image via Wikipedia

Emmett is big for boys.  Rhys, Reese, and Reece are on the rise for both genders.

Here’s an obscure option that combines the best of both.  Thanks to Shelby for suggesting Emrys as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Starbaby News: Welcome Skyler Morrison

I thoroughly expected the taste-making, trend-setting Rachel Zoe to choose a thoroughly fashion forward name for her firstborn.  When I saw the birth announcement for Skyler Morrison Berman, my initial reaction was “surely, there’s some mistake.”

Skyler peaked for boys back in 1994, and for girls in 2000.  Variant spellings abound, from the original Dutch Schuyler to Skylar to, well, use your imagination.  So it strikes me as not so very daring, perhaps even fading.

Except that Skyler isn’t fading for boys.  He stood at #260 in 2009, down a few paces from his high of #214, but up a couple of places from 2007.  He’s propelled by his -er ending, and his nature name vibe, but he’s also resisting the conventional wisdom that once a name “goes girl” it can’t be used for a son.

Could it be that Rachel Zoe’s pick will help cement Skyler in the elite fraternity of truly unisex names, along with Peyton and Taylor?  And what does it mean if more and more names become truly unisex?

 

Baby Name of the Day: Humphrey

Screenshot of Humphrey Bogart from the trailer...

Image via Wikipedia

From a ninth century monk to a 21st century television show, with pit stops in Hollywood and the White House, this name has history aplenty.

Thanks to Paul for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Humphrey.

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