Tag Archives: Harrison

Baby Name of the Day: Tennyson

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Tennyson statue outside Lincoln Cathedral

Tennyson statue outside Lincoln Cathedral via Flickr

The saintly Dennis had his day, but if you’re looking for a fresh spin on that classic appellation, here’s one option.

Thanks to Amanda for suggesting the poetic Tennyson as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Cedric

Posted on
11
Flag of Wessex re-done in SVG format 2D repres...

Flag of Wessex; Image via Wikipedia

Innogen became Imogen, and Amabel was whispered down the alley into Annabel.  Today’s choice is yet another name transformed over time.

Liz’s week wraps up with the literary, heroic Cedric as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Sunday Summary: 9/18/10

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18
Castle square with the United Buddy Bears

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:

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!

Sunday Summary: 7/25/10

Posted on
20

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:

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!

Baby Name of the Day: Harry

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52

British parents are mad about him.  Will American moms and dads follow suit?

Thanks to Charlotte for suggesting her father’s appellation as our Baby Name of the Day: Harry.

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Baby Name of the Day: Harold

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14

Henry is hot.  Harry is cool.  But what of this equally regal Old English appellation?

Thanks to JNE for suggesting Harold as Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Dawson

Posted on
7

The evergreen David has never left the US Top 50.  How would this surname spin on the classic wear today?

Thanks to Urban Angel for suggesting Dawson as Baby Name of the Day.

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Name of the Day: Samson

Posted on
8

Delilah is hot, with her lilting l sounds and the chart-topping Plain White Tees single.  But what of the legendary strongman she brought down?

Thanks to Laura for suggesting Samson as Name of the Day.

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Name of the Day: Harris

Posted on
11

With so many parents putting last names first, it’s tempting to toss out your baby name book and pick up the White Pages instead.  Granted, Tyler and Taylor are more expected – and easier to wear – than, say, Kowalski.  But there’s a cluster of surnames that work particularly well as first names, precisely because they’re quite close to a conventional given name.  Think Davis (David), Jackson (Jack) and Madison (Madeline).

To that last group, let’s add one more, today’s Name of the Day: Harris.  Thanks to Another for the suggestion.

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