For those of you in the US, hope you’re having a happy Labor Day weekend! There won’t be a Name of the Day post tomorrow, but there is something else headed your way.
Fall brings with it the return of network television, which means lots of new character names to consider. Hellcats – heavily advertised in the Mall at Annapolis – will feature a Marti, plus fellow cheerleaders Dan, Lewis, Savannah, and Alice. Marti reminds me of Marni, Kristin Bell’s charater in upcoming chick flick You Again. I wonder if Marti/Marni will catch on, along with Sadie and company?
Speaking of the Mall, in about three weeks the good people at Pottery Barn are going to deliver a piece of furniture to me. His name is Emmett. A post I wrote way back in early ’08 was all about the names Pottery Barn gives to their product line. Who names their rugs and desks and bookshelves? It must be an interesting job, and should there ever be a need, I think we could crowd source names for consoles and side tables right here!
Which brings us to the news of the week:
- The mystery of how hurricanes get their names is solved, thanks to Time Magazine;
- Stroller Derby’s Paula Bernstein asked if this most recent storm would persuade parents to consider names other than Earl for their babies-on-the-way. Wrong question, Paula! Earl has been out of the US Top 1000 since 2006, and despite the popularity of King- names, few seem ready to revive the other aristocratic titles;
- Could sixth century French names catch on? Sebastiane mentioned all-but-forgotten picks like Loup, Marileif, and Basina in a recent post about a historical novel. Berthefred and Galswinthe, however, are probably lost to time;
- Fiona’s guest post at Nameberry on Naming Your Children in Elvish offers up some surprisingly usable choices: Estel, Merilin, Miro. As Fiona suggests, the names work best when they’re more subtle than Frodo;
- Did you see the Baby Name Wizard post on the backronym? I’m fascinated by the way we morph meanings to fit our favorite names. She discusses Lyla and Mabel, along with true acronymn name Ily – for I Love You;
- The trend towards two middle names in the US continues, and For Real Baby Names has a list of recent birth announcements. Wouldn’t you know it? One of the triple-named newborns is Ily Kierstyn Renee;
- Elisabeth at You Can’t Call It “It” brings us The Top of the Telegraph, where parents fearlessly bestow double middles – and sometimes more! From Wilfred Rocky Otto to Marie-Sixtine Alice Verity and Bronte Caroline Casati to Loveday Celestine Primrose Kennedy, they’re really a fabulous collection of the unexpected.
- Speaking of the unexpected, Emily spotted a sibset: Banner, Nation, and Anthem. Individually they’re all unusual, together, well … let’s just say that if they have a few more kids, they might find themselves considering Star Spangled or Julyfourth. Then again, there’s still Liberty.
In starbaby news:
- Jodie Sweetin welcomed a daughter, Beatrix Carlin, a little sister for Zoie;
- Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman are proud parents to India Pearl. Weinstein has three older daughters, too. I think two of their names are Emma and Lily, but not sure. If anyone knows for certain, please comment;
- Always Sunny In Philadelphia castmates Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney are new parents to son Axel Lee;
- Mad Men’s Rich Sommer also welcomed a son, Patrick Ryan, a little brother for Beatrice.
And remember, if you want to submit a Reader Baby Name Story? Now is a great time!
That’s all for now – thanks for reading, and I’ll see you soon!
I met a sib set of Genesis and Journey (both girls) at the park on Saturday. I didn’t hear their brother’s name to determine if these were religiously inspired or the names of favorite ’80s bands…
LOL! That is a great story.
Marnie feels very dated to me. Never cared for it.
I don’t much love Marnie, either – but I’m stumped. Is it short for Marina? I can’t think of a single common female name that starts with Marn.
And did Marnie really catch on in the 1960s inspired by Hitchcock’s thief?
Not my style, but I am intrigued …
I’ve liked Marnie since I was little! Marnie Piper was the main character in the Halloweentown movies. I would use it as a nickname for Marina. According to Behind the Name, Marnie is a short form of Marna which is a short form of Marina. Marni spelled without the E means rejoice in Hebrew, which I never knew: https://www.behindthename.com/name/marni
I love Martha but my problem is that I don’t like the nickname Martie. I don’t know if it could be avoided. Also, it sort of bugs me that their aren’t any nicknames besides Martie.
I miss the reader baby name stories! Can’t wait to hear more 🙂
Oooh, there have been some great name articles out there this week!
Jillian, I too must confess to a slight sense of heartbreak when I read that a former small-houser had claimed one of my most beloved names.
How rude! Damn you, Jodie Sweetin for making classic Beatrix sound so trash-ay.
I was surprised, too, but it turns out that Zoie Laurelmae’s dad is Cody Herpin, Sweetin’s ex-husband. Beatrix’s dad is Jodie’s new boyfriend, Morty Coyle. So it might be a quirk of blended family naming.
Or their next kiddo might be named Sharlytte, at which point, I’ll eat my words.
I know a Marti; I like it (or Martie) as a nn for Marta, Martha or Martina. It has a retro, Mad Men feel to me.
Or Martine, maybe? I love Martha/Marta, too.
oh some of those french names are so pretty, but then again i have a soft spot for anything french! not so sure on marti/marni though, both seem a little unfinished to me. we’re currently about 90% sure what the name of this baby is going to be and once she’s here and we’re certain i’ll send you along the naming story! thanks for another great week!
Sending good thoughts your way, Fran!