Snooki; Image via Wikipedia

I can understand the stories connecting Twilight and baby names, even if they’re tremendously flawed.  Ditto all that kredit given to the Kardashians for the rise of Mason.

However, my head might explode if I read another lame attempt to connect Jersey Shore and baby names.  Jersey and Florence might both be getting more attention as potential names – Jersey has been popping up on message boards for the last few years, and Florence is one of many antiques parents are cautiously considering.  Call me when Snooki cracks the US Top 1000 and I’ll entertain the theory.

Ahem.  Elsewhere online:

• Waltzing More than Matilda posted a list of star names for girls.  The names are lovely – Lucy, Gemma, Maia.  But is it too subtle?  Stars are great in the summer and fall and spring, too.
• I like this story Nancy uncovered about a baby named Ann Macy.
• My new favorite find of the week?  Laith, in Eponymia’s Names from Jordan post.
• Or how ’bout Antigone?  Dorcas rightly points out that she’s tragic, but Nook commented that she’s also noble and brave.  I’ll add that I like her nickname options: Tig, Aggie, Annie …
• I find this spelling of Finneus confusing.  Except that, really, I find every spelling of Phineas a tiny bit confusing.
• SkyeRhyly posted his predictions for 2012, with his usual emphasis on boys’ names.  I think he’s quite right on a few of these, especially his call that this is the year Bentley and Asher make the Top 100.
• This birth announcement for Eliza Scarlet reminded me that sometimes names that just seem fine separately all of a sudden sound great in combination.
• Baby Name Wizard declared Pippa a runner-up to the Name of the Year.  Can’t wait to hear what takes the top spot … Could it be Snooki?

Let’s wrap up with my take on two dilemmas: first, Dorcas wondered if she can still use an old family name if her (possible future) sister-in-law has the same name?

My two cents: if the name is common, then use it.  They’re all used to being one of several Elizabeths.  It gets touchier the less ordinary the appellation.  If I met a family with three Zenobias, I would assume they were all named after one another.  Then again, that can make for a happy coincidence – my husband shares his name with my grandfather, making it an easy choice for our son’s middle.

Second, the Name Lady answers another question about name thievery between siblings.  I find it interesting that we name fans tend to be more generous – or at least more realistic – about these things.  Probably because we all know that everyone is already using Chloe and that’s why we’re going with Kerensa or Maud anyhow.

That’s all for this week.  As always, thanks for reading and have a great week!