Image by hansco via Flickr

Let’s begin with a random, rag-tag assortment of thoughts sparked by the arrival of a boy called Buddy Bear Maurice:

• Bewildertrix listed a bunch of possible names for the littlest Oliver, including Tex.  I was just musing that Tex (and Texas and Texan) don’t seem to pop up much as baby names, despite their -x factor, don’t-mess-with-me rugged appeal, and iconic place name status.  Dixie Chick Emily Robison did give the middle name to her daughter, Julianna Tex, back in 2005.  Nancy tells us that 10 boys were called Tex in 2009, plus another 11 named Texas.  Dallas, on the other hand, has appeared in the Top 1000 every year since 1800;
• But back to Buddy, the given name of the new arrival.  Yes, we know that the English have been busy naming their kids Alfie and Charlie, and plenty of American parents have embraced the nickname trend, too.  But most famous Buddys were born something else.  Comedian Buddy Hackett was born Leonard.  Rocker Buddy Holly was Charles.  And Buddy Ebsen, who went from The Beverly Hillbilles to Barnaby Jones, was born Christian;
• Will Farrell’s character in Elf, however, was Buddy.  So was Bill Clinton’s dog while he was in office;
• And let’s close with the Buddy Bears – peace, love, and understanding through ginormous bear sculptures painted to represent all the countries recognized by the U.N.  They’re on exhibit in Helsinki now, if you’re eager to see them in person.

It’s not as if I expected Jamie and Jools to call their new kiddo Edward, but this one sparked more hmmm … than the usual unusual starbaby name.  At least for me.

Let’s continue with the celebrity news:

• Big Kenny, of country music duo Big & Rich, and wife Christiev have adopted a son, Dakota, a little brother for Lincoln;
• Actor Patrick Fabian welcomed a daughter, Abbey Ray.  The purist in me feels compelled to say that an abbey is a convent or monastery; Abby is a given name.  But I’m seeing Abbey more and more, so I suppose it’s no more objectionable than Kelley, Carlee, or Tracie.

Elsewhere online:

• If you go into labor at a fish and chips joint called Harry Ramsden’s, then naming your son Harrison seems logical, right?
• I’ve written about the rise of Maylee before, but ForReal spotted a Daylee Katherine. And a Haddilee Rose, which must be a Hadley/Natalie mash-up;
• I don’t always agree with Swistle, but her analysis of Evelyn and commentary on name popularity is spot on;
• Sebastiane mentioned Thelma a few days ago. Despite the road-trip-gone-awry-girl-power of blockbuster buddy flick Thelma and Louise, Thelma seems more moldering than antique, but I do think she’s underrated;
• Kate of My Kids Eat Off the Floor made a very smart comment on nicknames.  She was specifically thinking of the perils of Persephone, but I do think her 1% guideline is a good one for any parent attempting to bestow a longer moniker without using a nickname;
• New ABC drama No Ordinary Family includes a teenaged daughter called Daphne.  If the show is a fraction as successful as Michael Chiklis’ last venture, this could cement Daphne as the new Zoe;
• Speaking of television, will the latest version of assassin Nikita’s tale convince parents to adopt it for their daughters?  Despite Nikita’s masculine origins, in English, the name is inevitably viewed as feminine.  Make that in French, too – Luc Besson’s 1990 film kick-started the juvenile delinquent-turned-secret-agent franchise.  Elton John had a hit single about another female Nikita in 1985.  Nicole has been on the decline for years.  Incidentally, Paris Hilton’s little sis Nicky is actually named the even-more masculine Nicholai.

Lastly, I haven’t checked to see if it is on the shelves at my local Target, but I’m wondering if Temple St. Clair’s jewelry collection for the mega-retailer will boost the unusual name’s usage.

That’s all for this week, but as always thank you for reading, commenting, and name-spotting along with me!