The big news from the week was the birth of the SJP/Matthew Broderick twins.  Elisabeth at You Can’t Call It “It” pegged Marion Loretta and Tabitha as Mid-Century Modern – and rightly pointed out that many recent Names of the Day suggested by AppMtn readers are in the same mode.  The trends, they are a-changin’ …

Enough about the most recent starbaby arrivals for now – on to news elsewhere in the blogosphere:

• Over at NameCandy, the NameLady has penned an article featuring a few potential breakout names from this summer’s movies. They range from Esther to Ryden – both for girls;
• Please welcome the newest member of the Blogroll, Sebastiane’s Legit Baby Names.  A few of her features from the past week include: Shayna, Arolilja, Oceane and Selyf. What will she turn up next?; 
• Then there’s Onomastitrix, with her keen eye on birth announcements everywhere.  The big a-ha from her most recent post?  Esme spelled Esmae.  I’ve seen Esmee, too – the Esmae spelling is perhaps an inevitable consequence of the “may” versus “mee” pronunciation debate;
• Another reason to love Onomastitrix?  She reminds me that Americans don’t hold the monopoly on super-cutesy names.  From her recent posts, find a Saffron Frankie Bear, as well as more than one Bunty and Jinty;
• The Toronto Star’s daffy unusual names column serves up another doozy, though I’ll admit I rather approve of this one: Bazeltine Jones Kirkham McGriskin.  The first name is plucked right off the family tree – and it is quite cool, right now to the possible nickname Baz.  The last two  choices represent both parents’ surnames, which is fine.  But Jones?  They just tossed in Jones.  Which seems like an odd pick, even paired with Bazeltine;
• I spotted a fascinating combo out there on the interwebs:  Drayken Giovanni.  Mom – a self-described conservative Christian hippie – says that her kid’s name means “Lord of the Dragons” and “God is Gracious.”  H’okay.  Giovanni honors grandmother Joan Yvonne.  I haven’t linked to her site because, well, I’m just blown away by how much I admire and loathe the name all at once;
• Nancy’s Baby Names has a list of Two-Hit Wonders that start with E and F and G, including Echo, Elick, Floretta, Glennis, Gaines and Grayling.  There’s gotta be a story behind each one of those;
• Over at Nameberry, there’s a fun post on ten Classic Names You Never Thought Of.  Love their picks, though I’d probably call the Faerie Queen’s Amoret and the Irish Lorcan undiscovered gems.  In my mind, a classic is more like Elizabeth or David – something in long use.  But what a great list anyhow;
• Just for laughs:  over at the fabulous DaddyTypes, a post on baby names prompted this riff on the Aiden phenom.  The Chinese kid would be Madein; the Hilton kid would be Staydin, the used car salesman’s kid would be Tradein … it goes on and gets snarkier;
• Also funny, only real: welcome August James May, son of comedian Ralphie May and wife Lahna Turner.  He joins – wait for it – big sis April June at home.  I didn’t think August May was particularly comical, but when April June May grows up to be an accountant?  Oy vey;
• The Florida Sun-Sentinel included a list of exotic place names for babies: from the starbaby Java to the please-don’t-do-it Bimini.  Then again, I long threatened to use Aruban place name Casibari for a daughter’s middle name.  Maybe in my next life …

Speaking of life, a few names from my RL:

• The Greek diner in the college town a mile up the street has been announcing the birth of Athanasis for a few weeks now;
• The newest addition to our neighborhood?  Sarah.  And I recently learned that one of my colleagues has a fabulous tween daughter called Portia.

From the wayback machine – one year ago, the Name of the Day was Cosmo.   And, lastly, if you’re thinking that my calendar has been off slightly?  That’s because I completely muffed it up about three weeks ago, whilst attempting to switch from a low tech pencil’n'paper calendar system to an app on my nifty little handheld.  Big mistake.  Huge.  I double-booked names throughout late June/most of July.

I’m back to my low tech system, and have managed to squeeze in every single name – but if you’re thinking that I should’ve written about Iolanthe days ago?  Yup.  I should’ve.  My apologies.