Baby Name of the Day: Scarlett

Gone with the Wind (film)

Image via Wikipedia

She’s a vibrant name with a legendary literary namesake.

Thanks to Ivy for suggesting Scarlett as our Baby Name of the Day.

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Sunday Summary: 4/24/11

Number 24 – Clerkenwell

Image by World of Good via Flickr

Happy Easter!  If you’re celebrating, here’s wishing you all the chocolate bunnies you can decapitate without inviting tooth decay.

  • Let’s start with the inevitable: Nameberry’s Twelve Best Bunny NamesHazel and Niccolo are my favorites;
  • Last week was also Earth Day, and Elisabeth at You Can’t Call It “It” posted some intriguing options.  I’m all about Bay and Delphine;
  • From the Wayback Machine: in 2009, the featured name was Gail.  Last year, it was Temple;
  • For Real is on a roll.  I love this post with Trenna, Wren, Bren, and Nelle.  And Ethan Arlo is a cool combo;
  • Then there’s For Real’s twins post.  A bunch of these were super cringe-worthy: Lexa and Alexa, Noah and Noel, Charlee and Chelsee, Jonah and Josie.  I’m not a twin, and I’ve never named twins, but I can’t help think that names that matchy spell trouble.  Oh – and Luke and Leia.  What to say …
  • Speaking of head-scratchers, Nancy pointed out that The Greg Kihn Band’s single “Jeopardy” inspired parents – at least six pairs of parents – in 1983.  The song has been lodged in my brain ever since;
  • Speaking of games, did you vote in the Baby Name Wizard’s annual contest?  Entries closed mid-April, but T was good enough to share her guesses;
  • This is great advice for choosing a middle name!

Last week’s post for Nameberry was movie marquee names.  Thanks to Nicole for suggesting this week’s idea.  It’s a little bit cineplex, but in a very different way.  It’s one of the lists where I feel like the options for boys and girls are equally appealing.  Check it out on Monday.

There were some great lines about baby names on Thursday’s night double-episode of 30 Rock, but at the risk of revealing more spoilers (sorry, Photoquilty!), I’ll stick with mentioning the celeb birth of the week.  Jane Krakowski welcomed son Bennett Robert.

That’s all for this week.  It’s re-run week here at AppMtn, so while there won’t be new posts, there will still be a daily post telling you which name has been brushed up, 2011-style.  May marks my third year of writing name of the day posts, and it is amazing how many of the golden oldies could use some improvement.

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Baby Name of the Day: Inga

Capital Letter I & Star (Falmouth, MA)

Capital Letter I & Star by takomabibelot via Flickr

She’s a Scandinavian import worn by legendary actress, and one very memorable character invented by Mel Brooks.

Thanks to Carrie for suggesting her daughter’s nickname as our Baby Name of the Day: Inga.

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Sunday Summary: 12/12/10

Little Red Riding Hood, illustrated in a 1927 ...

Little Red Riding Hood illustration from 1927; Image via Wikipedia

I’m always surprised when I realize that Valerie remains so popular.  She ranked #138 in 2009, not too far from her peak of #60 in 1959.  Nothing against the name – I know some lovely women who answer to Valerie – but it makes me think of The Monkees.  (Though the song title is Valleri – not sure why.  Anyone know?)  She could be due for another boost in March, when the reboot of Red Riding Hood is released with Amanda Seyfriend donning the iconic red cape.  The wolf is a werewolf.  Not only does her character have a name – Valerie – but she’s more Buffy the Vampire Slayer than sweet girl en route to grandma’s house.

On to the name news:

The maternity ward at Hollywood Hospital has been relatively quiet these days, but that hasn’t stopped the star baby name stories:

That’s all for this week.  As always, thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Baby Name of the Day: Otto

It’s a great choice for a German ruler, but what about a little American boy?

Thanks to Emma for suggesting the surprisingly wearable Otto as Baby Name of the Day.

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Baby Name of the Day: Muriel

She’s an antique Irish choice that just might be ready for a comeback.

Thanks to JNE for suggesting Muriel as Baby Name of the Day. Continue reading

Name of the Day: Bryony

She’s a botanical choice with a literary edge.

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

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How Close is Too Close? Ten Factors to Consider

When we decided to call our daughter Clio, we forever closed the door on another favorite name – Theodore, nickname Theo.

Or did we?

For every family that decides Maya and Milo are too similar, another embraces the sound-alike names.  Or insists that Alicia and Alina are totally different names.  Perhaps it never even occurs to them that Joanna and Jackson are both related to John.  Or maybe the first time you think of the famous actress is when you introduce your daughter Grace, little sister to Kelly and others ask if you’re a fan.

Siblings’ names will be said together countless times.  The names we like often have much in common.  So how can you tell if your choices make for a compatible sibset, or if they’re much too close?  Here are ten factors to consider.

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