Maya glyph for Pax; Image via Wikipedia
He’s a logical successor to Max, with a meaning that will appeal to many parents.
Thanks to Virginia for suggesting Pax as our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Pax
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Monthly Archives: September 2011
Sunday Summary: 9/11/11
11 by smlp.co.uk via Flickr
I hadn’t initially planned to say anything about the tenth anniversary of September 11, but it is almost jarring to see the date up there. Elisabeth posted a list of the victims. The sheer length of the post speaks volumes.
In other news:
- Newcomer Name Must Stay had a great list of O Names. My favorite factoid comes at the very end: one of the daughters of Roald Dahl and Patricia Neal was named Olivia Twenty, because she was born on April 20, 1955. More proof that daring baby naming is nothing new;
- This question at Swistle is interesting – she named her son Edison to honor grandpa Edward, but now her sis wants to call him E. Mom is on board with the nickname Ed, but really can’t stand E. Swistle has a good – and realistic – answer;
- Vega, Aravis Jade, Nicander, Lula Bell, Eidel, Echo, Mercer, Paloma, Lidia, Pepper Valentine … the comments on this post at Girls Gone Child are addictive;
- Kaos? That’s going too far;
- It’s Fashion Week again. Name Candy looked at a few designer names, and here’s a link to my post at Nameberry from a previous Fashion Week;
- I do like this one at Bewitching Baby Names: Bellicent;
- Let’s end on a high note: Lyz Lenz is right on track with her story of a girl named Blue, and a general defense of unusual baby names.
There wasn’t much news from the celebrisphere this week. Mel B. revealed her daughter’s name – Madison, chosen by her firstborn daughter, Phoenix. It was a surprisingly mainstream choice for a mama with Mel’s daring style – she’s also mom to Angel. We did learn that Shannyn Sossamon, mom to Audio Science, is expecting #2. That’s a name that I’m eagerly anticipating!
That’s all for this week. As always, thank you for reading, and I’ll see you soon.
Baby Name of the Day: Zola
Image by Leo Reynolds via Flickr
She sounds like a modern mash-up of Zoe and Lola, but this name qualifies as an antique revival.
Thanks to Michelle for suggesting her daughter’s name, Zola, as our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Forrest
Image via Wikipedia
River and Sky are newcomers, but this nature name has been around for ages.
Thanks to Annabel for suggesting Forrest as our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Mamie
Mamie Van Doren; Image by x-ray delta one via Flickr
Sadie and Josie are back in the spotlight. Why not this turn-of-the-century favorite?
Thanks to Anna for suggesting one her parents considered as our Baby Name of the Day: Mamie.
Baby Name of the Day: Harlow
Jean Harlow publicity still from 1930; Image via Wikipedia
She’s a 21st century discovery rich with Golden Age Hollywood glamor.
Thanks to Virginia for suggesting Harlow as our Baby Name of the Day.
The PBK Index: Fall 2011 Edition
Image by Hans van de Bruggen via Flickr
I’ve been paying attention to Pottery Barn Kids since 2003 or so, around the time I realized that motherhood was in my not-too-distant future. It seemed like the chain played it safe, using Ryan and Emily as the embroidery sample names. Product names were slightly more exotic. I’m especially intrigued by names embroidered on products. When I first started paying attention, I’d have classed them with Ryan/Emily. Today they seem to be more daring, or at least more varied.
But do the names on the products have any impact on the names parents are actually using for their children? Or is PBK just following the trends, choosing appellations their pint-sized clientele will likely share? I’m inclined to think it is the latter, but I’m not so sure.
I thought I’d check in periodically, both to see the names their catalog features, as well as to see if they seem to be attracting more attention – or less. Instead of tracking every name, for now I’m just going to pick a random handful that seem interesting.
Sunday Summary: 9/4/11
First Day of School 2011
Our kids went back to school this week, along with kids everywhere. That means it is time for the Class List round-up at You Can’t Call It “It”! There are creatively named kids aplenty, Zephyr, Cady, Axel, Spike, Scout, Maeve, Vlad, Courage, Dixie, Platt, Sabine, twins called Piper and Prairie, Orlando, Leto … completely addicting!
On to the name news:
- Speaking of addictive, have you seen this Flickr pool? Nancy pointed it out and one of my favorites is below;
Shep's Liquor by Larry Page via Flickr
- A bunch of sites picked up on the Socionomist’s declaration that we choose more daring baby names in economic booms and hew closer to the conventional in down market cycles. It is the kind of theory that feels right, but I’m not sure it stands up. Data about names is only available on an annual basis, while economic cycles are rarely so neat. Some parents choose baby names years before they welcome their firstborn, while others are still debating their choice days after meeting their little one. I do think the national mood contributes to our decisions, but it is only part of the puzzle;
- I liked Swistle’s comments on middle names, and I agree – it would be fantastic to see data about the most common middle names by decade!
- Nomes e mais nomes featured Zuleica. Love it, and I prefer the c-spelling to Zuleika. Except I do think it would complicate pronunciation in the US;
- Jacqueline Wilson is a celebrated British children’s author. She wasn’t on my radar until Mer de Noms spotlighted her character names. Lily, Pixie, Baxter, and Bliss? Elsa, Pippa, and Hank? Ms. Wilson is clearly one of us!
- For Real spotted a Topanga Mae;
- Bewitching featured Lavender. Why don’t we meet more girls named Lavender?
In celebrity news:
- Mel B. has had her daughter – between Mel and husband Stephen Belafonte, they already have three girls: Phoenix, Giselle, and Angel Iris. Apparently, Phoenix has been given the green light to choose her sister’s name. I cannot wait ot hear what she chooses;
- What Harper is to starbaby girls, Milo is to boys! Alyssa Milano gets triple points for using a contracted form of her surname for her firstborn, Milo Thomas;
- Dr. Phil is a grandpa – again. His son Jay and wife Erica welcomed a second child, London Phillip, a little brother for Avery Elizabeth;
- Former American Idol contestant Jason Castro welcomed a daughter, Madeline Emilia. Madeline isn’t terribly inspired, but I love Emilia in the middle spot!
Be sure to stop by Nameberry on Tuesday for more commentary on the week that was. That’s all for today – as always, thank you for reading!
Baby Name of the Day: Magdalena
Image via Wikipedia
Looking for a given name as storied as Isabella, as elaborate as Samantha, and yet not nearly as common?
Thanks to Lauren for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Magdalena.
