Image via Wikipedia
He’s a famous fictional newscaster’s mother – and son.
Thanks to Kelly for suggesting Avery as our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Avery
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Tag Archives: Emily
Starbaby News: Welcome Harper Seven Beckham
After speculation that they’d name their darling daughter Atlanta or Justice or Gucci or something startlingly unusual, the Beckhams, those ever-so daring baby namers, have dubbed their daughter Harper Seven.
Harper wouldn’t be surprising most places in the US. Amongst the glamorous, she’s as average as Emily. Dave Grohl, Lisa Marie Presley, Neil Patrick Harris, Tiffani Thiessen … who doesn’t have a Harper?
But Harper is a great name. It works well with brothers Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz. Plus Seven is completely daffy and stylish at once – very Beckham-esque. It does remind me of creepy crime thriller Jennifer Eight – but nonetheless, I like the unexpected kick of the number in the middle.
What do you think?
In Defense of Riley Anne and Evan Marie: Ten Reasons Boys’ Names on Girls Are Not a Sign of End Times
Image via Wikipedia
Feeling feisty? Head to a message board and announce that you’re naming your daughter Addison. Or Quinn. Or Mason.
Then run for cover.
Sure, some people will respond positively. But depending on the forum, you could also find yourself accused of thievery, trendiness, and general bad taste.
I’m sympathetic to parents who feel they can’t use a name they’d long loved, for fear that their son Delaney will be scarred by sharing his name with girls. But I’m not sure a girl named Ryan is a sign of the coming apocalypse.
Baby Name of the Day: Annora
Image via Wikipedia
She’s a medieval rarity that would be right at home in today’s Top 100.
Thanks to Christina for suggesting Annora as our Baby Name of the Day.
Baby Name of the Day: Emrys
Baby Name of the Day: Amory
a- by Too Far North via Flickr
F. Scott Fitzgerald used the name. So did model-turned-designer India Hicks.
Thanks to Lem for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Amory.
Sunday Summary: 10/31/10
Happy Halloween! More proof that I truly have a one-track mind: let’s start with two name-related thoughts, prompted by my kids’ costumes:
- There will be more little boys named Anakin in the future. Nancy tells us there were 117 in 2009 alone. Despite my insistence that Aly is Luke Skywalker, he keeps correcting me – no, Mommy – ANAKIN Skywalker. “But he’s the bad guy, Aly.” “No he’s not!” A younger generation might very well find Anakin as wearable as Julian.
- What name do you use to get to Minnie as a nickname? It’s a great nickname, but much too cutesy to stand on her own – moreso, I think, than Millie or Sadie. The Shopaholic series has recently given Becky a daughter by the name. Minnie Driver was born Amelia. There’s Minerva, too, but that’s a lot of name for a little girl – almost too sharp of a contrast to sweet Minnie. So what’s left? Araminta? Minnesota? Ideas welcome!
Here’s a question for readers with daughters. Did American Girl start sending you catalogs, as if they knew you were having a girl before the ultrasound results were in? My first catalog arrived before Clio could roll over, must less request outrageously expensive doll babies. Still, I do enjoy the names in the catalogs: Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Addy, Rebecca, Kit, Molly, and Julie are the main Girls of the moment. 2010 Girl of the Year was called Lanie. A number of the Girls have friends – Julie’s BFF is Ivy, and there’s also Emily, Ruthie, and Elizabeth. So much better than Bratz.
And while we’re on pop culture, anyone else notice that the upcoming Nutcracker flick the little girl’s name has reverted to Mary? The original ETA Hoffman story called her Marie, but she’s been Clara in nearly every adaptation since.
Elsewhere online:
- What a lovely sibset over at Swistle, and you can help them name another daughter! Their current family consists of Ottilie Fflur, called Tilly; Adalia Seren, called Addie; Cecily Roma; Nolia Betsy; and Violet Lucina;
- New at Nymbler in September:Brynley, Kiptyn, Snow, Galileo, Irelyn, and Posy. One of the contributors to Celebrity Baby Blog, before it was absorbed by People Magazine, had a son named Galileo, but I think they called him Leo. About ten years ago, I knew a couple who used Ireland for their daughter’s middle name. I like it full strength, but find the Irelyn spelling diluted;
- For Real goes to Texas and you know it is going to be good! She spotted Abel Marcel, Hayes Gentry, Nicholai Luther, Landree Natali, Priscila Bethsabe, and Vierra Nichole. That’s the second time I’ve heard Gentry for a boy this week. I don’t get it.
- For Real also hit Tennessee where she found Isavela in the middle spot, plus River Gracily, Consuella Eliesa, Annalinne Rachel, and Atom Leegan. Is Gracily a Grace-Lily smoosh or a just an inventive elaboration? It is pretty, even dainty;
- At Nameberry, Pam raves about ends-in-s names for boys. There are some really great ones. I’ve known little boys called Magnus and Silas, and they wear well. Plus, they can be more subtle than some of the ends-in-o options.
There were a number of celebrity births this week, but first, Jeremy Sisto’s 16 month old daughter is named Charlie Ballerina. How did I miss that?
Back to the newborns:
- Celine Dion’s twin sons, Eddy and Nelson, got all the press, but another newsworthy set appeared this week: Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey and wife Chantelle Marie welcomed son Miles James and daughter Sailor Elizabeth. The twins join big brother Hunter – Huntingdon O’Neil - at home. I like all of the names just fine, but I don’t expect Hunter and Miles to have a sister named Sailor – Olive, maybe, or Louisa or Felicity;
- Jessica Capshaw, a starbaby in her own right, welcomed daughter Eve Augusta.
Over on the Facebook page, I think Stanley has officially been declared wearable.
Keep an ear out for interesting names worn by your Trick or Treaters, and have a great week!
Sunday Summary: 9/18/10
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!
Reader Baby Name Story: A Nightmare, a Blog & a Book
Today’s Reader Baby Name Story comes to us from Angel. Catch up with her on her personal blog here, where you can also find snapshots of her darling daughter.
Sunday Summary: 7/25/10
First, Happy Birthday to me. Well, actually, my birthday is tomorrow. And so I’ll be doing something I haven’t done since shortly after I started writing Name of the Day posts in May 2008 – I’m choosing the names. All week. And I’m starting with my discarded given name tomorrow.
But enough about that. The big news in baby naming this week was Baby Name Wizard’s report on the fastest rising names of 2010. As usual, the coverage missed the critical fine print: these are the fastest gaining searched names, not names being inked on birth certificates by parents. Not everyone searching is expecting a child; not everyone searching and expecting would ever choose a daring name. And yet, it’s interesting to see the list, and there are definitely trends to be spotting among the fastest rising.
They are as follows, girls first:
1. Tenley
2. Harper
3. Everleigh
4. Martina
5. Sookie
6. Navi - There’s been plenty of speculation about Avatar’s impact on baby naming. Combined with actress Navi Rawat, could this be the film’s big contribution?
7. Charlotte
8. Eloise
9. Lorelai
10. Ursula
11. Briella
12. Kinley
13. Tinsley - The next Kimora?
14. Mhairi – It’s a twist on the Scottish form of Mary, but would probably be pronounced Mary in the US, so is she anything more than an impressively creative spelling?
15. Leighton
16. Maelle
17. Ever
18. Kinsley
19. Lux
20. Everly
There are some interesting picks for boys, too:
1. Castiel
2. Bentley
3. Eoin
4. Easton
5. Lucian
6. Aarav
7. Zion
8. St. John
9. Kaiden
10. Sterling
11. Callan
12. Leland
13. Harper
14. Mikah
15. Dashiell
16. Eliah
17. Dawson
18. Kayden
19. Lennon
20. Dorian
Other than the rise of the Ever- names, my real take-away is this: I suspect Charlotte is headed for the US Top Ten. She’s gently French, literary, and feminine without being fussy. Her nickname options are great. She’s also climbing rapidly, without any sign of hitting a plateau.
Putting my crystal ball away, here’s the rest of the news:
- Here’s a list that’s subject to the same flaws, yet seems more likely to suggest future US name trends: Luke Eales of babynames.co.uk guest posted at Nameberry, sharing the fastest rising names on his site. Jude and India, anybody?;
- Nymbler posted their June 2010 update. The Top Ten were the usual snooze of nice-but-oft-heard choices: Charlotte, Ava, Noah, Oliver, Owen, Amelia, Ella, Olivia, Grace, Henry. But the Top Four brand new names? A delight as always: Saylor, Loki, Zadie and Sookie;
- Speaking of Sookie, anyone want to take the over/under on when we’ll hear of a baby girl named Snooki? For real, that is … Jersey Shore’s Snooki was born Nicole;
- Forget New Jersey – what’s up with North Carolina? Check out these names spotted by For Real Baby Names: Fanny Celeste Marin, Jenton Stone, River Cruz, Kwynn Patricia, Mayden Jane. There are some really unexpected combos on that list. But she also found some lovelies: Ingrid Julieth, Emily Miranda. If Maylee is the new Kaylee, I guess Mayden might be the next Jaidyn;
- Speaking of -ayden, check out Nancy’s tally of boys receiving -ayden names in 2009. I won’t spoil the grand tally, but there were lots. No, really. There are more than you think, including seven Xhaidens and six Sheadons. All of a sudden, Castiel and Jenton sound as sensible as Joseph and James;
- This one is just for fun: Listicles posted the 12 Worst Name-Generating Websites. My Sarah Palin baby name is Fire Patriot. My vampire name? Mary Maundrell. What does it say when Twi-fying yourself produces the better result;
- File this under Only Vaguely Related: Mr. Clean’s first name is Veritably;
- While I’m on a random tangent, here’s another, this time via Fritinancy. The French word for weasel is belette. I had no trouble finding Bellette listed on baby name websites;
- Let’s end where we began – remember Lennon from the Baby Name Wizard list? If you’re a fan of the Fab Four, John, George and Paul are fair game, and Lennon and Harrison, why not? But Ringo? Names4Real spotted a Ringo Isaac.
It was a quiet week for starbabies. Juan Pablo Montoya – who is racing on our TV as I type this – welcomed a daughter, Manuela. The NASCAR notable is also dad to Sebastian and Paulina.
That’s all for this week, as always thank you for reading!
