My neighborhood is filled with expectant parents.  A few know about my baby name obsession; others, not so much.  I know that politeness dictates that I greet all joyful news of babies-on-the-way with the following: Congratulations!  How are you feeling?

Instead, I really want to say: Do you have names picked out?

So I wonder, readers, do you also struggle with the urge to ask?

In other news:

• There’s a new baby in my ‘hood who answers to Santiago.  (Or will.  He’s just a few weeks old.)  Ignatius names seems to be big everywhere except the English-speaking world.  Here was the big a-ha – Santiago’s mom said this: It’s a very popular name in Peru (her home country).  If we lived there, I probably wouldn’t want to use it. Here, of course, it sounds just-exotic-enough, at #171 last year;
• Ever notice how some families give girls wildly creative appellations,while sticking to the absolute classics for their sons? Bewildertrix spotted a birth announcement for the saintly, nicely paired Joseph Rocco – with big sisters Dior Rose and Caprice.  She also spotted a Reece Warlock;
• The Toronto Star column this week features a rather pretty name – Melita Jolie.  I’ll admit that Melita sounds a little bit like an appliance to my ear.  But Melitta is a legitimate variant of Melissa, and with just the one t, Melita is the Latin name for the island of Malta.  Better still, Melita is a family name on dad’s side – I always enjoy the use of obscure family names;
• I’m sure you’ve already read all about it, but yes, a mom-to-be really is (was?) selling naming rights for her son on eBay, in hopes of raising enough cash to put food on the table.  Or is she?  When I checked eBay, the auction link didn’t work, despite the fact that eBay officials earlier said her item was valid – and bids were received;
• Sebastiane brings us another interesting Latvian/Lithuanian choice – Daina, pronounced just like Dinah.  Of course, in the US you’d probably hear her rhymed with Dana.  But then, that’s the risk with any unusual name;
• Weirdest name spotted on a message board this week?  Azhya.  Pronounced like Asia.  Let’s hope the baby is a boy – David is the top contender;
• Finley is the new Riley.  Daniel Baldwin’s new daughter is Finley Rae.  Sibs are Alexandra, Atticus, Kahlea and Avis.  Wonder if we’ll see Finleigh or Fynlee in the US Top 1000 this year?
• Speaking of names that just might pop – Marley Shelton plays a character called Cleo in A Perfect Getaway, a thriller that just opened this weekend.  Other characters include Cliff, Cydney and Kale;
• Celeb chef Tom Colicchio welcomed son Luka Bodhi, a brother for Dante;
• Tommy Hilfiger welcomed a son named Sebastian Thomas.  Sebastian is already one of those names that new parents are surprised – and disappointed – to learn ranks in the US Top 100.  Odds are he’ll keep on climbing;
• Reality TV alumni Rob and Amber Mariano welcomed a daughter, Lucia Rose;
• Nancy published an excerpt from Emily Post’s 1967 etiquette guide, counseling against names that are “too long or difficult to pronounce …”  One imagines the 60s were  a trying time for etiquette experts;
• For pure fun, check out Elisabeth’s post on Anagram names.  I agree – Claudine and Dulcinea are quite the pair!

A year ago today, I wrote about Zuleika.  Cool name!  I remain impressed by the suggestions that find their way to me.

Lastly, if you haven’t read Confessions of a Secret Name Nerd by Nameberry’s Pam, then you simply must.

Have a fabulous week!